You\'vesureputheartinthem。\"
\"Indeed，Stillwell，Iamgladtohearthat，\"repliedMadeline。
\"AndIshallbepleasedtoteachthemall。ButmayInothavethemalluphereatonce——atleastthoseoffduty？\"
\"Wal，Ireckonyoucan\'tonlessyouwanttohevthemscrappin\'，\"
rejoinedStillwell，dryly。\"Whatyou\'vegotonyourhandsnow，MissMajesty，istolet\'emcomeonebyone，an\'makeeachcowboythinkyou\'retakin\'moreespecialpleasureinshowin\'himthanthefellerwhocamebeforehim。Thenmebbewecangoonwithcattle-raisin\'。\"
Madelineprotested，andStillwellheldinexorablytowhathesaidwaswisdom。SeveraltimesMadelinehadgoneagainsthisadvice，toherutterdiscomfitureandrout。Shedarednotriskitagain，andresignedherselfgrace-fullyandwithsubduedmerrimenttohertask。JimBellwasusheredintothegreat，light，spotlesskitchen，wherepresentlyMadelineappearedtoputonanapronandrolluphersleeves。Sheexplainedtheuseoftheseveralpiecesofaluminumthatmadeupthebread-mixerandfastenedthebuckettothetable-shelf。Jim\'slifemighthavedependeduponthislesson，judgingfromhisabsorbedmannerandhisdesiretohavethingsexplainedoverandover，especiallytheturningofthecrank。WhenMadelinehadtotakeJim\'shandthreetimestoshowhimthesimplemechanismandthenhedidnotunderstandshebegantohavefaintmisgivingsastohisabsolutesincerity。SheguessedthataslongasshetouchedJim\'shandheneverwouldunderstand。ThenasshebegantomeasureoutflourandmilkandlardandsaltandyeastshesawwithdespairthatJimwasnotlookingattheingredients，wasnotpayingtheslightestattentiontothem。Hiseyeswerecovertlyuponher。
\"Jim，Iamnotsureaboutyou，\"saidMadeline，severely。\"Howcanyoulearntomakebreadifyoudonotwatchmemixit？\"
\"Iama-watchin\'you，\"repliedJim，innocently。
FinallyMadelinesentthecowboyonhiswayrejoicingwiththebread-mixerunderhisarm。Nextmorning，truetoStillwell\'sprophecy，FrankSlade，Jim\'sbunkmate，presentedhimselfcheerfullytoMadelineandunbosomedhimselfofalong-deferredandpersistentdesiretorelievehisoverworkedcomradeofsomeofthehouse-keepingintheirbunk。
\"MissHammond，\"saidFrank，\"Jim\'sorfulkindwantin\'todoitallhisself。Butheain\'tverybright，an\'Ididn\'tbelievehim。
Yousee，I\'mfromMissouri，an，you\'llhavetoshowme。\"
ForawholeweekMadelineheldclinicswheresheexpoundedthescientificmethodofmodernbread-making。Shegotagooddealofenjoymentoutofherlectures。Whatboysthesegreathulkingfellowswere！Shesawthroughtheirsimpleruses。Someofthemweregraveasdeacons；othersworeexpressionsimportantenoughtohavefittedthefacesofstatesmensigninggovernmenttreaties。Thesecowboyswerechildren；theyneededtobegoverned；butinordertogovernthemtheyhadtobehumored。A
morelight-hearted，fun-lovingcrowdofboyscouldnothavebeenfound。Andtheyweregrownmen。Stillwellexplainedthattheexuberanceofspiritslayinthedifferenceintheirfortunes。
Twenty-sevencowboys，inrelaysofnine，workedeighthoursaday。ThathadneverbeenheardofbeforeintheWest。StillwelldeclaredthatcowboysfromallpointsofthecompasswouldheadtheirhorsestowardHerMajesty\'sRancho。
VIIIElCapitanStillwell\'sinterestintherevolutionacrosstheMexicanlinehadmanifestlyincreasedwiththenewsthatGeneStewarthadachieveddistinctionwiththerebelforces。ThereaftertheoldcattlemansentforElPasoandDouglasnewspapers，wrotetoranchmenheknewonthebigbendoftheRioGrande，andhewouldtalkindefinitelytoanyonewhowouldlistentohim。TherewasnotanypossibilityofStillwell\'sfriendsattheranchforgettinghisfavoritecowboy。StillwellalwaysprefacedhiseulogywithanapologeticstatementthatStewarthadgonetothebad。Madelinelikedtolistentohim，thoughshewasnotalwayssurewhichnewswasauthenticandwhichimagination。
Thereappearedtobenodoubt，however，thatthecowboyhadperformedsomedaringfeatsfortherebels。Madelinefoundhisnamementionedinseveraloftheborderpapers。WhentherebelsunderMaderostormedandcapturedthecityofJuarez，StewartdidfightingthatwonhimthenameofElCapitan。Thisbattleapparentlyendedtherevolution。ThecapitulationofPresidentDiazfollowedshortly，andtherewasafeelingofreliefamongranchersontheborderfromTexastoCalifornia。NothingmorewasheardofGeneStewartuntilApril，whenareportreachedStillwellthatthecowboyhadarrivedinElCajon，evidentlyhuntingtrouble。Theoldcattlemansaddledahorseandstartedpost-hastefortown。Intwodayshereturned，depressedinspirit。MadelinehappenedtobepresentwhenStillwelltalkedtoAlfred。
\"Igottheretoolate，Al，\"saidthecattleman。\"Genewasgone。
An\'whatdoyouthinkofthis？DannyMainshedjestleftwithacoupleofburrospacked。Icouldn\'tfindwhatwayhewent，butI\'mbettin\'hehitthePeloncillotrail。\"
\"Dannywillshowupsomeday，\"repliedAlfred。\"WhatdidyoulearnaboutStewart？MaybeheleftwithDanny。\"
\"Notmuch，\"saidStillwell，shortly。\"Gene\'shell-bentferelection！Nomountainsferhim。\"
\"Welltellusabouthim。\"
Stillwellwipedhissweatybrowandsquaredhimselftotalk。
\"Wal，it\'ssureamazin\'strangeaboutGene。Itsgotmelocoed。
HearrivedinElCajonaweekorsoago。Hewastraineddownlikeasifhe\'dbeenridin\'therangeallwinter。Hehedplentyofmoney——Mex，theysaid。An\'alltheGreaserswascrazyabouthim。CalledhimElCapitan。Hegotdrunkan\'wentroarin\'roundferPatHawe。YourememberthatGreaserwhowaspluggedlastOctober——thenightMissMajestyarrived？Wal，he\'sdaid。He\'sdaid，an\'peoplesaysthetPatisa-goin\'tolaythetkillin\'
ontoGene。Ireckonthet\'sjesttalk，thoughPatismeanenoughtodoit，ifhehedthenerve。Anyway，ifhewasinElCajonhekeptmightymuchtohisself。Genewalkedupan\'down，upan\'
down，alldayan\'night，lookin\'ferPat。Buthedidn\'tfindhim。An\'，ofcourse，hekeptgettin\'drunker。Hejestgotplumbbad。Hemadelotsoftrouble，buttherewasn\'tnogun-play。
Mebbethetmadehimsore，sohewentan\'lickedFlo\'sbrother-in-law。Thetwasn\'tsobad。Jacksureneededagoodlickin\'。Wal，thenGenemetDannyan\'triedtogetDannydrunk。
An\'hecouldn\'t！Whatdoyouthinkofthat？Dannyhedn\'tbeendrinkin\'——wouldn\'ttouchadrop。I\'msuregladofthet，butit\'samazin\'strange。Why，Dannywasafishferredliquor。Iguesshean\'Genehadsomeprettyhardwords，thoughI\'mnotsureaboutthet。Anyway，Genewentdowntotherailroadan\'hegotonanengine，an\'hewasintheenginewhenitpulledout。Lord，I
hopehedoesn\'tholdupthetrain！IfhegetsgayoverinArizonahe\'llgotothepenatYuma。An\'thetpenisagraveyardfercowboys。IwiredtoagentsalongtherailroadtolookoutferStewart，an\'towirebacktomeifhe\'slocated。\"
\"Supposeyoudofindhim，Stillwell，whatcanyoudo？\"inquiredAlfred。
Theoldmannoddedgloomily。
\"Istraightenedhimuponce。MebbeIcandoitagain。\"Then，brighteningsomewhat，beturnedtoMadeline。\"Ijesthedanidee，MissMajesty。IfIcangethim，GeneStewardisthecowboyIwantfermyforeman。Hecanmanagethisbunchofcow-punchersthetaredrivin\'medotty。What\'smore，sincehe\'sfoughtfertherebelsan\'gotthatnameElCapitan，alltheGreasersinthecountrywillkneeltohim。Now，MissMajesty，wehevn\'tgotridofDonCarlosan\'hisvaquerosyet。Tobesure，hesoldyouhishousean\'ranchan\'stock。Butyouremembernothin\'wasputinblackandwhiteaboutwhenheshouldgetout。An\'DonCarlosain\'tgettin\'out。Idon\'tlikethelooksofthingsalittlebit。I\'lltellyounowthetDonCarlosknowssomethin\'aboutthecattleIlost，an\'thetyou\'vebeenlosin\'rightalong。ThetGreaserishandan\'glovewiththerebels。I\'mwillin\'togamblethetwhenhedoesgetouthean\'hisvaqueroswillmakeanotheroneofthebandsofguerrillasthetareharassin\'theborder。
Thisrevolutionain\'tover\'yet。It\'sjestcommenced。An\'allthesegangsofoutlawsaregoin\'totakeadvantageofit。We\'llseesomeoldtimes，mebbe。Wal，IneedGeneStewart。Ineedhimbad。Willyouletmehirehim，MissMajesty，ifIcangethimstraightenedup？\"
Theoldcattlemanendedhuskily。
\"Stillwell，byallmeansfindStewart，anddonotwaittostraightenhimup。Bringhimtotheranch，\"repliedMadeline。
Thankingher，Stillwellledhishorseaway。
\"Strangehowhelovesthatcowboy！\"murmuredMadeline。
\"Notsostrange，Majesty，\"repliedherbrother。\"Notwhenyouknow。StewarthasbeenwithStillwellonsomehardtripsintothedesertalone。There\'snomiddlecourseoffeelingbetweenmenfacingdeathinthedesert。Eitherheyhateeachotherorloveeachother。Idon\'tknow，butIimagineStewartdidsomethingforStillwell——saveduslife，perhaps。Besides，Stewart\'salovablechapwhenhe\'sgoingstraight。IhopeStillwellbringshimback。Wedoneedhim，Majesty。He\'sabornleader。OnceIsawhimrideintoabunchofMexicanswhomwesuspectedofrustling。Itwasfinetoseehim。Well，I\'msorrytotellyouthatweareworriedaboutDonCarlos。SomeofhisvaqueroscameintomyyardtheotherdaywhenIhadleftFloalone。Shehadabadscare。ThesevaqueroshavebeendifferentsinceDonCarlossoldtheranch。Forthatmatter，Ineverwouldhavetrustedawhitewomanalonewiththem。Buttheyareboldernow。Something\'sinthewind。They\'vegotassurance。Theycanrideoffanynightandcrosstheborder。\"
DuringthesucceedingweekMadelinediscoveredthatagooddealofhersympathyforStillwellinhishuntfortherecklessStewarthadinsensiblygrowntobesympathyforthecowboy。Itwasratheraparadox，shethought，thatopposedtothecontinualreportsofStewart\'swildnessashecarousedfromtowntotownwerethecontinualexpressionsofgoodwillandfaithandhopeuniversallygivenoutbythosenearherattheranch。Stillwelllovedthecowboy；Florencewasfondofhim；Alfredlikedandadmiredhim，pitiedhim；thecowboyssworetheirregardforhimthemorehedisgracedhimself。TheMexicanscalledhimElGranCapitan。Madeline\'spersonalopinionofStewarthadnotchangedintheleastsincethenightithadbeenformed。Butcertainattributesofhis，notclearlydefinedinhermind，andthegiftofhisbeautifulhorse，hisvalorwiththefightingrebels，andallthisstrangeregardforhim，especiallythatofherbrother，madeherexceedinglyregretthecowboy\'spresentbehavior。
MeanwhileStillwellwassoearnestandzealousthatonenotfamiliarwiththesituationwouldhavebelievedhewastryingtofindandreclaimhisownson。Hemadeseveraltripstolittlestationsinthevalley，andfromthesehereturnedwithagloomyface。MadelinegotthedetailsfromAlfred。Stewartwasgoingfrombadtoworse——drunk，disorderly，savage，suretolandinthepenitentiary。ThencameareportthathurriedStillwellofftoRodeo。Hereturnedonthethirdday，acrushedman。Hebadbeensobitterlyhurtthatnoone，notevenMadeline，couldgetoutofhimwhathadhappened。HeadmittedfindingStewart，failingtoinfluencehim；andwhentheoldcattlemangotsofarheturnedpurpleinthefaceandtalkedtohimself，asifdazed：\"ButGenewasdrunk。Hewasdrunk，orhecouldn\'thevtreatedoldBilllikethet！\"
Madelinewasstirredwithanangertowardthebrutalcowboythatwasasstrongashersorrowfortheloyaloldcattleman。AnditwaswhenStillwellgaveupthatsheresolvedtotakeahand。ThepersistentfaithofStillwell，hispatheticexcusesinthefaceofwhatmusthavebeenStewart\'sviolence，perhapsbaseness，actuatedherpowerfully，gavehernewinsightintohumannature。
Shehonoredafaiththatremainedunshaken。AndthestrangethoughtcametoherthatStewartmustsomehowbeworthyofsuchafaith，orhenevercouldhaveinspiredit。Madelinediscoveredthatshewantedtobelievethatsomewheredeepdowninthemostdepravedandsinfulwretchuponearththerewassomegrainofgood。SheyearnedtohavethefaithinhumannaturethatStillwellhadinStewart。
ShesentNels，mounteduponhisownhorse，andleadingMajesty，toRodeoinsearchofStewart。NelshadinstructionstobringStewartbacktotheranch。InduetimeNelsreturned，leadingtheroanwithoutarider。
\"Yep，Ishorefoundhim，\"repliedNels，whenquestioned。\"Foundhimhalfsoberedup。He\'dbeeninascrap，an\'somebodyhedputhimtosleep，Iguess。Wal，whenheseenthetroanhossheletoutayellan\'grabbedhimroundtheneck。Thehossknowedhim，allright。ThenGenehuggedthehossan\'cried——criedlike——I
neverseennoonewhocriedlikehedid。Iwaitedawhile，an\'
wasjestgoin\'tosaysomethin\'tohimwhenheturnedonmered-eyed，madasfire。\'Nels，\'hesaid，\'Icareahellofalotferthetboss，an\'Ilikedyouprettywell，butifyoudon\'ttakehimawayquickI\'llshootyouboth。\'Wal，Ilitout。Ididn\'tevengittosayhowdytohim。\"
Nels，youthinkituseless——anyattempttoseehim——persuadehim？\"askedMadeline。
\"Ishoredo，MissHammond，\"repliedNels，gravely。\"I\'veseenafewsun-blindedan\'locoedan\'snake-poisonedan\'skunk-bittencow-punchersinmyday，butGeneStewartbeats\'emall。He\'sshorerunnin\'wildferthedivide。\"
MadelinedismissedNels，butbeforehegotoutofearshotsheheardhimspeaktoStillwell，whoawaitedhimontheporch。
\"Bill，putthisinyourpipean\'smokeit——noneofthemscrapsGenehashedwasoverawoman！Itusedtobethetwhenhewasdrankhe\'dscrapovereveryprettyGreasergirlhe\'drunacross。
Thet\'swhyPatHawethinksGenepluggedthestrangevaquerowhowaswithlittleBonitathetnightlastfall。Wal，Gene\'sscrappin\'nowjesttogitshotuphisself，forsomereasonthetonlyGodAlmightyknows。\"
Nels\'sstoryofhowStewartweptoverhishorseinfluencedMadelinepowerfully。HernextmovewastopersuadeAlfredtoseeifhecouldnotdobetterwiththisdoggedlybentcowboy。Alfredneededonlyawordofpersuasion，forhesaidhehadconsideredgoingtoRodeoofhisownaccord。Hewent，andreturnedalone。
\"Majesty，Ican\'texplainStewart\'ssingularactions，\"saidAlfred。\"Isawhim，talkedwithhim。Heknewme，butnothingI
saidappearedtogettohim。Hehaschangedterribly。Ifancyhisoncemagnificentstrengthisbreaking。It——itactuallyhurtmetolookathim。Icouldn\'thavefetchedhimbackhere——notasheisnow。Iheardallabouthim，andifheisn\'tdownrightoutofhismindhe\'shell-bent，asBillsays，ongettingkilled。
Someofhisescapadesare——arenotforyourears。Billdidallanymancoulddoforanother。We\'vealldoneourbestforStewart。Ifyou\'dbeengivenachanceperhapsyoucouldhavesavedhim。Butit\'stoolate。Putitoutofmindnow，dear。\"
Madeline，however，didnotforgetnorgiveitup。Ifshehadforgottenorsurrendered，shefeltthatshewouldhavebeenrelinquishinginfinitelymorethanhopetoaidoneruinedman。
Butshewasatalosstoknowwhatfurtherstepstotake。Dayspassed，andeachonebroughtadditionalgossipofStewart\'sheadlongcareertowardtheYumapenitentiary。ForhehadcrossedthelineintoCochiseCounty，Arizona，wheresheriffskeptastricterobservanceoflaw。FinallyalettercamefromafriendofNels\'sinChiricahuasayingthatStewarthadbeenhurtinabrawlthere。Hishurtwasnotserious，butitwouldprobablykeephimquietlongenoughtogetsober，andthisopportunity，Nels\'sinformantsaid，wouldbeagoodoneforStewart\'sfriendstotakehimhomebeforehegotlockedup。ThisepistleinclosedalettertoStewartfromhissister。Evidently，ithadbeenfounduponhim。Ittoldastoryofillnessandmadeanappealforaid。
Nels\'sfriendforwardedthisletterwithoutStewart\'sknowledge，thinkingStillwellmightcaretohelpStewart\'sfamily。Stewarthadnomoney，hesaid。
Thesister\'sletterfounditswaytoMadeline。Shereadit，tearsinhereyes。IttoldMadelinemuchmorethanitsbriefstoryofillnessandpovertyandwonderwhyGenehadnotwrittenhomeforsolong。Ittoldofmotherlylove，sisterlylove，brotherlylove——dearfamilytiesthathadnotbeenbroken。ItspokeofprideinthisElCapitanbrotherwhohadbecomefamous。
Itwassigned\"yourlovingsisterLetty。\"
Notimprobably，Madelinerevolvedinmind，thisletterwasonereasonforStewart\'sheadstrong，long-continuedabasement。Ithadbeenreceivedtoolate——afterhehadsquanderedthemoneythatwouldhavemeantsomuchtomotherandsister。Bethatasitmight，Madelineimmediatelysentabank-drafttoStewart\'ssisterwithaletterexplainingthatthemoneywasdrawninadvanceonStewart\'ssalary。Thisdone，sheimpulsivelydeterminedtogotoChiricahuaherself。
Thehorseback-ridesMadelinehadtakentothislittleArizonahamlethadtriedherendurancetotheutmost；butthejourneybyautomobile，exceptforsomerockybitsofroadandsandystretches，wascomfortable，andamatterofonlyafewhours。
Thebigtouring-carwasstillakindofseventhwondertotheMexicansandcowboys；notthatautomobileswereverynewandstrange，butbecausethisonewassuchanenormousmachineandcapableofgreaterspeedthananexpress-train。Thechauffeurwhohadarrivedwiththecarfoundhissituationamongthejealouscowboyssomewhatfarremovedfromabedofroses。Hehadbeeninducedtoremainlongenoughtoteachtheoperatingandmechanicaltechniqueofthecar。AndchoicefelluponLinkStevens，forthesimplereasonthatofallthecowboyshewastheonlyonewithanyknackformechanics。NowLinkhadbeenahard-riding，hard-drivingcowboy，andthatwinterhehadsustainedaninjurytohisleg，causedbyabadfall，andwasunabletosithishorse。Thishadbeengallandwormwoodtohim。
Butwhenthebigwhiteautomobilecameandhewaselectedtodriveit，lifewasoncemoreworthlivingforhim。ButalltheothercowboysregardedLinkandhismachineassomecorrelatedspeciesofdemon。Theyweredeathlyafraidofboth。
ItwasforthisreasonthatNels，whenMadelineaskedhimtoaccompanyhertoChiricahua，replied，reluctantly，thathewouldratherfollowonhishorse。However，sheprevailedoverhishesitancy，andwithFlorencealsointhecartheysetout。Formilesandmilesthevalleyroadwassmooth，hard-packed，andslightlydownhill。Andwhenspeedingwasperfectlysafe，Madelinewasnotaversetoit。Thegrassyplainsailedbackwardingraysheets，andthelittledotinthevalleygrewlargerandlarger。FromtimetotimeLinkglancedroundatunhappyNels，whoseeyeswerewildandwhosehandsclutchedhisseat。Whilethecarwascrossingthesandyandrockyplaces，goingslowly，Nelsappearedtobreatheeasier。Andwhenitstoppedinthewide，dustystreetofChiricahuaNelsgladlytumbledout。
\"Nels，weshallwaithereinthecarwhileyoufindStewart，\"
saidMadeline。
\"MissHammond，IreckonGene\'llrunwhenheseesus，ifhe\'sabletorun，\"repliedNels。\"Wal，I\'llgofindhiman\'makeupmymindthenwhatwe\'dbetterdo。\"
Nelscrossedtherailroadtrackanddisappearedbehindthelow，flathouses。Afteralittletimehereappearedandhurrieduptothecar。Madelinefelthisgraygazesearchingherface。
\"MissHammond，Ifoundhim，\"saidNels。\"Hewassleepin\'。I
wokehim。He\'ssoberan\'notbadhurt；butIdon\'tbelieveyououghttoseehim。MebbeFlorence-\"
\"Nels，Iwanttoseehimmyself。Whynot？WhatdidhesaywhenyoutoldhimIwashere？\"
\"ShoreIdidn\'ttellhimthat。Ijestsays，\'Hullo，Gene！\'an\'
hesays，\'MyGawd！Nels！mebbeIain\'tgladtoseeahumanbein\'。\'Heaskedmewhowaswithme，an\'ItoldhimLinkan\'
somefriends。IsaidI\'dfetchthemin。Heholleredatthet。
ButIwent，anyway。Now，ifyoureallywillseehim，MissHammond，it\'sagoodchance。Butshoreit\'satouchymatter，an\'
you\'llbesomesickatsightofhim。He\'slayin\'inaGreaserholeoverhere。LikelytheGreasershevbeenkindtohim。Butthey\'reshoreapoorlot。\"
Madelinedidnothesitateamoment。
\"Thankyou，Nels。Takemeatonce。Come，Florence。\"
Theyleftthecar，nowsurroundedbygaping-eyedMexicanchildren，andcrossedthedustyspacetoanarrowlanebetweenredadobewalls。Passingbyseveralhouses，Nelsstoppedatthedoorofwhatappearedtobeanalleywayleadingback。Iwasfilthy。
\"He\'sinthere，aroundthetfirstcorner。It\'sapatio，openan\'
sunny。An\'，MissHammond，ifyoudon\'tmind，I\'llwaithereforyou。IreckonGenewouldn\'tlikeanyfellersaroundwhenheseesyougirls。\"
ItwasthatwhichmadeMadelinehesitatethenandgoforwardslowly。ShehadgivennothoughtatalltowhatStewartmightfeelwhensuddenlysurprisedbyherpresence。
\"Florence，youwaitalso，\"saidMadeline，atthedoorway，andturnedinalone。
Andshehadsteppedintoabroken-downpatiolitteredwithalfalfastrawanddebris，allclearinthesunlight。Uponabench，backtowardher，satamanlookingoutthroughtherentsinthebrokenwall。Hehadnotheardher。TheplacewasnotquitesofilthyandstiflingasthepassagesMadelinehadcomethroughtogetthere。Thenshesawthatithadbeenusedasacorral。Aratranboldlyacrossthedirtfloor。Theairswarmedwithflies，whichthemanbrushedatwithwearyhand。MadelinedidnotrecognizeStewart。Thesideofhisfaceexposedtohergazewasblack，bruised，bearded。Hisclotheswereraggedandsoiled。Therewerebitsofalfalfainhishair。Hisshoulderssagged。Hemadeawretchedandhopelessfiguresittingthere。
MadelinedivinedsomethingofwhyNelsshrankfrombeingpresent。
\"Mr。Stewart。ItisI，MissHammond，cometoseeyou，\"shesaid。
Hegrewsuddenlyperfectlymotionless，asifhehadbeenchangedtostone。Sherepeatedhergreeting。
Hisbodyjerked。Hemovedviolentlyasifinstinctivelytoturnandfacethisintruder；butamoreviolentmovementcheckedhim。
Madelinewaited。Howsingularthatthisruinedcowboyhadpridewhichkepthimfromshowinghisface！Andwasitnotshamemorethanpride？
\"Mr。Stewart，Ihavecometotalkwithyou，ifyouwillletme。\"
\"Goaway，\"hemuttered。
\"Mr。Stewart！\"shebegan，withinvoluntaryhauteur。Butinstantlyshecorrectedherself，becamedeliberateandcool，forshesawthatshemightfailtobeevenheardbythisman。\"Ihavecometohelpyou。Willyouletme？\"
\"ForGod\'ssake！You——you——\"hechokedoverthewords。\"Goaway！\"
\"Stewart，perhapsitwasforGod\'ssakethatIcame，\"saidMadeline，gently。\"Surelyitwasforyours——andyoursister\'s-\"
Madelinebithertongue，forshehadnotmeanttobetrayherknowledgeofLetty。
Hegroaned，and，staggeringuptothebrokenwall，heleanedtherewithhisfacehidden。Madelinereflectedthatperhapstheslipofspeechhadbeenwell。
\"Stewart，pleaseletmesaywhatIhavetosay？\"
Hewassilent。Andshegatheredcourageandinspiration。
\"Stillwellisdeeplyhurt，deeplygrievedthathecouldnotturnyoubackfromthis——thisfatalcourse。Mybrotherisalso。Theywantedtohelpyou。AndsodoI。Ihavecome，thinkingsomehowImightsucceedwheretheyhavefailed。Nelsbroughtyoursister\'sletter。I——Ireadit。Iwasonlythemoredeterminedtotrytohelpyou，andindirectlyhelpyourmotherandLetty。
Stewart，wewantyoutocometotheranch。Stillwellneedsyouforhisforeman。Thepositionisopentoyou，andyoucannameyoursalary。BothAlandStillwellareworriedaboutDonCarlos，thevaqueros，andtheraidsdownalongtheborder。Mycowboysarewithoutacapableleader。Willyoucome？\"
\"No，\"heanswered。
\"ButStillwellwantsyousobadly。\"
\"No。\"
\"Stewart，Iwantyoutocome。\"
\"No。\"
Hisreplieshadbeenhoarse，loud，furious。TheydisconcertedMadeline，andshepaused，tryingtothinkofawaytoproceed。
Stewartstaggeredawayfromthewall，and，fallinguponthebench，hehidhisfaceinhishands。Allhismotions，likehisspeech，hadbeenviolent。
\"Willyoupleasegoaway？\"heasked。
\"Stewart，certainlyIcannotremainherelongerifyouinsistuponmygoing。ButwhynotlistentomewhenIwantsomuchtohelpyou？Why？\"
\"I\'madamnedblackguard，\"heburstout。\"ButIwasagentlemanonce，andI\'mnotsolowthatIcanstandforyouseeingmehere。\"
\"WhenImadeupmymindtohelpyouImadeituptoseeyouwhereveryouwere。Stewart，comeaway，comebackwithustotheranch。Youareinabadconditionnow。Everythinglooksblacktoyou。Butthatwillpass。Whenyouareamongfriendsagainyouwillgetwell。Youwillheyouroldself。Theveryfactthatyouwereonceagentleman，thatyoucomeofgoodfamily，makesyouowesomuchmoretoyourself。Why，Stewart，thinkhowyoungyouare！Itisashametowasteyourlife。Comebackwithme。\"
\"MissHammond，thiswasmylastplunge，\"hereplied，despondently。\"It\'stoolate。\"
\"Ohno，itisnotsobadasthat。\"
\"It\'stoolate。\"
\"Atleastmakeaneffort，Stewart。Try！\"
\"No。There\'snouse。I\'mdonefor。Pleaseleaveme——thankyoufor-\"
Hehadbeensavage，thensullen，andnowhewasgrim。Madelineallbutlostpowertoresisthisstrange，deadly，coldfinality。
Nodoubtheknewhewasdoomed。Yetsomethinghaltedher——heldherevenasshetookabackwardstep。Andshebecameconsciousofasubtlechangeinherownfeeling。Shehadcomeintothatsqualidhole，MadelineHammond，earnestenough，kindenoughinherownintentions；butshehadbeenalmostimperious——awomanhabitually，proudlyusedtobeingobeyed。Shedivinedthatallthepride，blueblood，wealth，culture，distinction，alltheimpersonalcondescendingpersuasion，allthefatuousphilanthropyonearthwouldnotavailtoturnthismanasinglehair\'s-breadthfromhisdownwardcareertodestruction。Hercominghadterriblyaugmentedhisbitterhateofhimself。Shewasgoingtofailtohelphim。Sheexperiencedasensationofimpotencethatamountedalmosttodistress。Thesituationassumedatragickeenness。
Shehadsetforthtoreversethetideofawildcowboy\'sfortunes；shefacedtheswiftwastingofhislife，thedamnationofhissoul。ThesubtleconsciousnessofchangeinherwasthebirthofthatfaithshehadreveredinStillwell。Andallatonceshebecamemerelyawoman，braveandsweetandindomitable。
\"Stewart，lookatme，\"shesaid。
Heshuddered。Sheadvancedandlaidahandonhisbentshoulder。
Underthelighttouchheappearedtosink。
\"Lookatme，\"sherepeated。
Buthecouldnotlifthishead。Hewasabject，crushed。Hedarednotshowhisswollen，blackenedface。Hisfierce，crampedposturerevealedmorethanhisfeaturesmighthaveshown；itbetrayedthetorturingshameofamanofprideandpassion，amanwhohadbeenconfrontedinhisdegradationbythewomanhehaddaredtoenshrineinhisheart。Itbetrayedhislove。
\"Listen，then，\"wentonMadeline，andhervoicewasunsteady。
\"Listentome，Stewart。Thegreatestmenarethosewhohavefallendeepestintothemire，sinnedmost，sufferedmost，andthenhavefoughttheirevilnaturesandconquered。Ithinkyoucanshakeoffthisdesperatemoodandbeaman。\"
\"No！\"hecried。
\"Listentomeagain。SomehowIknowyou\'reworthyofStillwell\'slove。Willyoucomebackwithus——forhissake？\"
\"No。It\'stoolate，Itellyou。\"
\"Stewart，thebestthinginlifeisfaithinhumannature。I
havefaithinyou。Ibelieveyenareworthit。\"
\"You\'reonlykindandgood——sayingthat。Youcan\'tmeanit。\"
\"Imeanitwithallmyheart，\"shereplied，asuddenrichwarmthsuffusingherbodyasshesawthefirstsignofhissoftening。
\"Willyoucomeback——ifnotforyourownsakeorStillwell\'s——
thenformine？\"
\"WhatamItosuchawomanasyou？\"
\"Amanintrouble，Stewart。ButIhavecometohelpyou，toshowmyfaithinyou。\"
\"IfIbelievedthatImighttry，\"hesaid。
\"Listen，\"shebegan，softly，hurriedly。\"Mywordisnotlightlygiven。Letitprovemyfaithinyou。Lookatmenowandsayyouwillcome。\"
Heheaveduphisbigframeasiftryingtocastoffagiant\'sburden，andthenslowlyheturnedtowardher。Hisfacewasablotchedandterriblething。Thephysicalbrutalizingmarkswerethere，andatthatinstantallthatappearedhumantoMadelinewasthedawningindead，furnace-likeeyesofabeautifullight。
\"I\'llcome，\"hewhispered，huskily。\"Givemeafewdaystostraightenup，thenI\'llcome。\"
IXTheNewForemanTowardtheendoftheweekStillwellinformedMadelinethatStewarthadarrivedattheranchandhadtakenupquarterswithNels。
\"Gene\'ssick。Helooksbad，\"saidtheoldcattleman。\"He\'ssoweakan\'shakyhecan\'tliftacup。NelssaysthatGenehashedsomebadspells。Alittleliquorwouldstraightenhimupnow。
ButNelscan\'tforcehimtodrinkadrop，an\'hashedtosneaksomeliquorinhiscoffee。Wal，Ithinkwe\'llpullGenethrough。
He\'sforgottenalot。Iwasgoin\'totellhimwhathedidtomeupatRodeo。ButIknowifhe\'dbelieveithe\'dbesickerthanheis。Gene\'slosin\'hismind，orhe\'sgotsomethin\'powerfulstrangeonit。\"
FromthattimeStillwell，whoevidentlyfoundMadelinehismostsympatheticlistener，unburdenedhimselfdailyofhishopesandfearsandconjectures。
Stewartwasreallyill。ItbecamenecessarytosendLinkStevensforaphysician。ThenStewartbeganslowlytomendandpresentlywasabletogetupandabout。Stillwellsaidthecowboylackedinterestandseemedtobeabrokenman。Thisstatement，however，theoldcattlemanmodifiedasStewartcontinuedtoimprove。ThenpresentlyitwasagoodauguryofStewart\'sprogressthatthecowboysoncemoretookuptheteasingrelationwhichhadbeencharacteristicofthembeforehisillness。Acowboywasindeedoutofsortswhenhecouldnotventhis。peculiarhumoronsomebodyorsomething。Stewarthadevidentlybecomeabroadtargetfortheirbadinage。
\"Wal，theboysaresureafterGene，\"saidStillwell，withhishugesmile。\"Joshin\'himallthetimeabouthowhesitsaroundan\'hangsaroundan\'loafsaroundjesttogetaglimpseofyou，MissMajesty。Surealltheboyshevaprettybadcaseovertheirprettyboss，butnoneofthemisamarkertoGene。He\'sgotitsobad，MissMajesty，thetheactoolydon\'tknowtheyarejoshin\'
him。It\'stheamazin\'eststrangethingIeverseen。Why，Genewasalwaysafellerthetyoucouldjosh。An\'he\'dlaughan\'getbackatyou。Buthewasneverbeforedeaftotalk，an\'therewasacertainlimitnofellercaredtocrosswithhim。Nowhetakeseverywordan\'smilesdreamylike，an\'jestlooksan\'looks。
Why，he\'sbeginnin\'tomakemetired。He\'llneverrunthetbunchofcowboysifhedoesn\'twakeupquick。\"
MadelinesmiledheramusementandexpressedabeliefthatStillwellwantedtoomuchinsuchshorttimefromamanwhohaddonebodyandmindagrievousinjury。
IthadbeenimpossibleforMadelinetofailtoobserveStewart\'ssingularbehavior。Sheneverwentouttotakehercustomarywalksandrideswithoutseeinghimsomewhereinthedistance。
Shewasawarethathewatchedforherandavoidedmeetingher。
WhenshesatontheporchduringtheafternoonoratsunsetStewartcouldalwaysbedescriedatsomepointnear。Heidledlistlesslyinthesun，loungedontheporchofhisbunk-house，satwhittlingthetopbarofthecorralfence，andalwaysitseemedtoMadelinehewaswatchingher。Once，whilegoingtheroundswithhergardener，sheencounteredStewartandgreetedhimkindly。Hesaidlittle，buthewasnotembarrassed。Shedidnotrecognizeinhisfaceanyfeaturethatsheremembered。Infact，oneachofthefewoccasionswhenshehadmetStewarthehadlookedsodifferentthatshehadnoconsistentideaofhisfacialappearance。Hewasnowpale，haggard，drawn。Hiseyesheldashadowthroughwhichshoneasoft，subduedlight；and，oncehavingobservedthis，MadelinefancieditwaslikethelightinMajesty\'seyes，inthedumb，worshipingeyesofherfavoritestag-hound。ShetoldStewartthatshehopedhewouldsoonbeinthesaddleagain，andpassedonherway。
ThatStewartlovedherMadelinecouldnothelpbutsee。Sheendeavoredtothinkofhimasoneofthemanywho，shewasgladtoknow，likedher。Butshecouldnotregulateherthoughtstofittheorderherintelligenceprescribed。ThoughtofStewartdissociateditselffromthoughtoftheothercowboys。Whenshediscoveredthisshefeltalittlesurpriseandannoyance。Thensheinterrogatedherself，andconcludedthatitwasnotthatStewartwassodifferentfromhiscomrades，butthatcircumstancesmadehimstandoutfromthem。Sherecalledhermeetingwithhimthatnightwhenhebadtriedtoforcehertomarryhim。Thiswasunforgetableinitself。Shecalledsubsequentmentionofhim，andfoundithadbeenpeculiarlymemorable。Themanandhisactionsseemedtohingeonevents。
Lastly，thefactstandingclearofallothersinitsrelationtoherinterestwasthathehadbeenalmostruined，almostlost，andshehadsavedhim。Thatalonewassufficienttoexplainwhyshethoughtofhimdifferently。Shehadbefriended，upliftedtheothercowboys；shehadsavedStewart\'slife。Tobesure，hehadbeenaruffian，butawomancouldnotsavethelifeofevenaruffianwithoutrememberingitwithgladness。MadelineatlengthdecidedherinterestinStewartwasnatural，andthatherdeeperfeelingwaspity。Perhapstheinteresthadbeenforcedfromher；
however，shegavethepityasshegaveeverything。
Stewartrecoveredhisstrength，thoughnotintimetorideatthespringround-up；andStillwelldiscussedwithMadelinetheadvisabilityofmakingthecowboyhisforeman。
\"Wal，Geneseemstobegettin\'along，\"saidStillwell。\"Butheain\'tlikehisoldself。Ithinkmoreofhimatthet。Butwhere\'shisspirit？Theboys\'driderough-shodalloverhim。
MebbeI\'ddobesttowaitlongernow，astheslackseasonison。
Allthesame，ifthosevaqueroofDonCarlos\'sdon\'tlaylowI\'llsendGeneoverthere。Thet\'llwakehimup。\"
AfewdaysafterwardStillwellcametoMadeline，rubbinghisbighandsinsatisfactionandwearingagrinthatwasenormous。
\"MissMajesty，IreckonbeforethisI\'vesaidthingswasamazin\'
strange。ButnowGeneStewarthasgonean\'doneit！Listentome。ThemGreasersdownonourslopehevbeengettin\'prosperous。
They\'regrowin\'likebadweeds。An\'theygotanewpadre——thelittleoldfellerfromElCajon，PadreMarcos。Wal，thiswasallright，alltheboysthought，exceptGene。An\'hegotblacker\'nthunderan\'roaredroundlikeadehornedbull。Iwassuregladtoseehecouldgetmadagain。ThenGenehaidsdowntheslopeferthechurch。Nelsan\'mefolleredhim，thinkin\'hemighthevbeentooksuddenwithacrazyspellorsomethin\'。Hehasn\'tneverbeenjestrightyetsinceheleftoffdrinkin\'。Wal，werunintohimcomin\'outofthechurch。Weneverwassodumfoundedinourlives。Genewascrazy，allright——hesurehedaspell。Butitwasthekindofaspellhehedthetparalyzedus。Heranpastuslikeastreak，an\'wefollered。Wecouldn\'tketchhim。Weheerdhimlaugh——thestrangestlaughIeverheerd！You\'dthoughtthefellerwassuddenlymadeaking。Hewaslikethetfellerwhowastiedinabunyin\'-sackan\'throwedintothesea，an\'cuthiswayout，an\'swamtotheislandwherethetreasureswas，an\'stoodupyellin\'，\'Theworldismine。\'Wal，whenwegotuptohisbunk-househewasgone。Hedidn\'tcomebackalldayan\'allnight。FrankieSlade，whohasasharptongue，saysGenehedgonecrazyforliquoran\'thetwashisfinish。Nelswassomeworried。
An\'Iwassick。
\"Wal。thismawnin\'IwentovertoNels\'sbunk。Someofthefellerswasthere，allspeculatin\'aboutGene。ThenbigaslifeGenestrutsroundthecorner。Hewasn\'tthesameGene。Hisfacewaspalean\'hiseyesburnedlikefire。Hehadthetoldmockin\'，coolsmile，an\'somethin\'besidesthetIcouldn\'tunderstand。
FrankieSladeupan\'madearemark——nowussthanhe\'dbeenmakin\'
ferdays——an\'Genetumbledhimoutofhischair，punchedhimgood，walkedalloverhim。Frankiewasn\'thurtsomuchashewasbewildered。\'Gene，\'hesays，\'whatthehellstruckyou？\'An\'
Genesays，kindofsweetlike，\'Frankie，youmaybeanicefellerwhenyou\'realone，butyourtalk\'soffensivetoagentleman。\'
\"AfterthetwhatwassaidtoGenewaswithanicesmile。Now，MissMajesty，it\'sbeyondmewhattoallowforGene\'ssuddenchange。Firstoff，IthoughtPadreMarcoshadconvertedhim。I
actoolythoughtthet。ButIreckonit\'sonlyGeneStewartcomeback——theoldGeneStewartan\'some。Thet\'sallIcareabout。
I\'mrememberin\'howIoncetoldyouthetGenewasthelastofthecowboys。PerhapsIshouldhevsaidhe\'sthelastofmykindofcowboys。Wal，MissMajesty，you\'llbeapprecatin\'ofwhatI
meantfromnowon。\"
ItwasalsobeyondMadelinetoaccountforGeneStewart\'santics，and，makingallowancefortheoldcattle-man\'sfancy，shedidnotweighhisremarksveryheavily。SheguessedwhyStewartmighthavebeenangryatthepresenceofPadreMarcos。Madelinesupposedthatitwasratheranunusualcircumstanceforacowboytobeconvertedtoreligiousbelief。Butitwaspossible。Andsheknewthatreligiousfervoroftenmanifesteditselfinextremesoffeelingandaction。Mostlikely，inStewart\'scase，hisrealmannerhadbeenbothmisunderstoodandexaggerated。
However，Madelinehadacuriousdesire，whichshedidnotwhollyadmittoherself，toseethecowboyandmakeherowndeductions。
Theopportunitydidnotpresentitselffornearlytwoweeks。
Stewarthadtakenuphisdutiesasforeman，andhisactivitieswereceaseless。Hewasabsentmostofthetime，rangingdowntowardtheMexicanline。WhenhereturnedStillwellsentforhim。
ThiswaslateintheafternoonofadayinthemiddleofApril。
AlfredandFlorencewerewithMadelineontheporch。TheysawthecowboyturnhishorseovertooneoftheMexicanboysatthecorralandthencomewithwearystepuptothehouse，beatingthedustoutofhisgauntlets。Littlestreamsofgraysandtrickledfromhissombreroasheremoveditandbowedtothewomen。
Madelinesawthemansheremembered，butwithasingularlydifferentaspect。Hisskinwasbrown；hiseyeswerepiercinganddarkandsteady；hecarriedhimselferect；heseemedpreoccupied，andtherewasnotatraceofembarrassmentinhismanner。
\"Wal，Gene，I\'msuregladtoseeyou，\"Stillwellwassaying。
\"Wheredoyouhailfrom？\"
\"GuadaloupeCanon，\"repliedthecowboy。
Stillwellwhistled。
\"Waydownthere！Youdon\'tmeanyoufolleredthemhosstracksthetfar？\"
\"AllthewayfromDonCarlos\'sranchoacrosstheMexicanline。I
tookNickSteelewithme。Nickisthebesttrackerintheoutfit。Thistrailwewereonledalongthefoothillvalleys。
Firstwethoughtwhoevermadeitwashuntingforwater。Buttheypassedtworancheswithoutwatering。AtSeaton\'sWashtheydugforwater。Heretheymetapack-trainofburrosthatcamedownthemountaintrail。Theburroswereheavilyloaded。HorseandburrotracksstrucksouthfromSeaton\'stotheoldCaliforniaemigrantroad。WefollowedthetrailthroughGuadelopeCanonandacrosstheborder。OnthewaybackwestoppedatSlaughter\'sranch，wheretheUnitedStatescavalryarecamping。TherewemetforestersfromthePeloncilloforestreserve。Ifthesefellowsknewanythingtheykeptittothemselves。Sowehitthetrailhome。\"
\"Wal，Ireckonyouknowenough？\"inquiredStillwell，slowly。
\"Ireckon，\"repliedStewart。
\"Wal，outwithit，then，\"saidStillwell，gruffly。\"MissHammondcan\'tbekeptinthedarkmuchlonger。Makeyourreporttoher。\"
ThecowboyshiftedhisdarkgazetoMadeline。Hewascoolandslow。
\"We\'relosingafewcattleontheopenrange。Night-drivesbythevaqueros。Someofthesecattlearedrivenacrossthevalley，othersuptothefoothills。SofarasIcanfindoutnocattlearebeingdrivensouth。Sothisraidingisablindtofoolthecowboys。DonCarlosisaMexicanrebel。Helocatedhisranchohereafewyearsagoandpretendedtoraisecattle。Allthattimehehasbeensmugglingarmsandammunitionacrosstheborder。
HewasforMaderoagainstDiaz。NowheisagainstMaderobecauseheandalltherebelsthinkMaderofailedtokeephispromises。
Therewillbeanotherrevolution。AndallthearmsgofromtheStatesacrosstheborder。ThoseburrosItoldaboutwerepackedwithcontrabandgoods。\"
\"That\'samatterfortheUnitedStatescavalry。Theyarepatrollingtheborder，\"saidAlfred。
\"Theycan\'tstopthesmugglingofarms，notdowninthatwildcorner，\"repliedStewart。
\"Whatismy——myduty？Whathasittodowithme？\"inquiredMadeline，somewhatperturbed。
\"Wal，MissMajesty，Ireckonithasn\'tnothingtodowithyou，\"
putinStillwell。\"Thet\'smybiznessan\'Stewart\'s。ButIjestwantedyoutoknow。Theremightbesometroublefollerin\'myorders。\"
\"Yourorders？\"
\"IwanttosendStewartovertofireDonCarlosan\'hisvaquerosofftherange。They\'vegottogo。DonCarlosisbreakin\'thelawoftheUnitedStates，an\'doin\'itonourpropertyan\'withourhosses。HevIyourpermission，MissHammond？\"
\"Why，assuredlyyouhave！Stillwell，youknowwhattodo。
Alfred，whatdoyouthinkbest？\"
\"It\'llmaketrouble，Majesty，butit\'sgottobedone，\"repliedAlfred。\"HereyouhaveacrowdofEasternfriendsduenextmonth。Wewanttherangetoourselvesthen。But，Stillwell，ifyoudrivethosevaquerosoff，won\'ttheyhangaroundinthefoothills？Ideclaretheyareabadlot。\"
Stillwell\'smindwasnotatease。Hepacedtheporchwithafrowncloudinghisbrow。
\"Gene，IreckonyougotthisGreaserdealfiggeredbetter\'nme，\"
saidStillwell。\"Nowwhatdoyousay？\"
\"He\'llhavetobeforcedoff，\"repliedStewart，quietly。TheDon\'sprettyslick，buthisvaquerosarebadactors。It\'sjustthisway。Nelssaidtheotherdaytome，\'Gene，Ihaven\'tpackedagunforyearsuntillately，anditfeelsgoodwheneverImeetanyofthosestrangeGreasers。\'Yousee，Stillwell，DonCarloshasvaqueroscomingandgoingallthetime。They\'reguerrillabands，that\'sall。Andthey\'regettinguglier。Therehavebeenseveralshooting-scrapeslately。AranchernamedWhite，wholivesupthevalley，wasbadlyhurt。It\'sonlyamatteroftimetillsomethingstirsuptheboyshere。Stillwell，youknowNelsandMontyandNick。\"
\"SureIknow\'em。An\'you\'renotmentionin\'onemoreparticularcowboyinmyoutfit，\"saidStiliwell，withadrychuckleandaglanceatStewart。
Madelinedivinedthecovertmeaning，andaslightchillpassedoverher，asifacoldwindhadblowninfromthehills。
\"Stewart，Iseeyoucarryagun，\"shesaid，pointingtoablackhandleprotrudingfromasheathswinginglowalonghisleatherchaps。
\"Yes，ma\'am。\"
\"Whydoyoucarryit？\"sheasked。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"it\'snotaprettygun——andit\'sheavy。\"Shecaughttheinference。Thegunwasnotanornament。Hiskeen，steady，darkgazecausedhervaguealarm。Whathadonceseemedcoolandaudaciousaboutthiscowboywasnowcoldandpowerfulandmystical。Bothherinstinctandherintelligencerealizedthesteelfiberoftheman\'snature。Asshewashisemployer，shehadtherighttodemandthatheshouldnotdowhatwassochillinglymanifestthathemightdo。ButMadelinecouldnotdemand。Shefeltcuriouslyyoungandweak，andthefivemonthsofWesternlifewereasiftheyhadneverbeen。Shenowhadtodowithaquestioninvolvinghumanlife。Andthevaluesheplaceduponhumanlifeanditsspiritualsignificancewasamatterfarfromhercowboy\'sthoughts。Astrangeideaflashedup。Didsheplacetoomuchvalueuponallhumanlife？Shecheckedthat，wondering，almosthorrifiedatherself。Andthenherintuitiontoldherthatshepossessedafarstrongerpowertomovetheseprimitivementhananywoman\'ssternruleororder。
\"Stewart，IdonotfullyunderstandwhatyouhintthatNelsandhiscomradesmightdo。Pleasebefrankwithme。DoyoumeanNelswouldshootuponlittleprovocation？\"
\"MissHammond，asfarasNelsisconcerned，shootingisnowjustamatterofhismeetingDonCarlos\'svaqueros。It\'swonderfulwhatNelshasstoodfromthem，consideringtheMexicanshe\'salreadykilled。\"
\"Alreadykilled！Stewart，youarenotinearnest？\"criedMadeline，shocked。
\"Iam。NelshasseenhardlifealongtheArizonaborder。Helikespeaceaswellasanyman。Butafewyearsofthatdoesn\'tchangewhattheearlydaysmadeofhim。AsforNickSteeleandMonty，they\'rejustbadmen，andlookingfortrouble。\"
\"Howaboutyourself，Stewart？Stillwell\'sremarkwasnotlostuponme，\"saidMadeline，promptedbycuriosity。
Stewartdidnotreply。Helookedatherinrespectfulsilence。
InherkeenearnestnessMadelinesawbeneathhiscoolexteriorandwasallthemorebaffled。Wasthereaslight，inscrutable，mockinglightinhiseyes，orwasitonlyherimagination？
However，thecowboy\'sfacewasashardasflint。
\"Stewart，Ihavecometolovemyranch，\"saidMadeline，slowly，\"andIcareagreatdealformy——mycowboys。Itwouldbedreadfuliftheyweretokillanybody，orespeciallyifoneofthemshouldbekilled。\"
\"MissHammond，you\'vechangedthingsconsiderableouthere，butyoucan\'tchangethesemen。Allthat\'sneededtostartthemisalittletrouble。AndthisMexicanrevolutionisboundtomakeroughtimesalongsomeofthewilderpassesacrosstheborder。
We\'reinline，that\'sall。Andtheboysaregettingstirredup。\"
\"Verywell，then，Imustaccepttheinevitable。Iamfacingaroughtime。Andsomeofmycowboyscannotbecheckedmuchlonger。But，Stewart，whateveryouhavebeeninthepast，youhavechanged。\"Shesmiledathim，andhervoicewassingularlysweetandrich。\"Stillwellhassooftenreferredtoyouasthelastofhiskindofcowboy。Ihavejustafaintideaofwhatawildlifeyouhaveled。Perhapsthatfitsyoutobealeaderofsuchroughmen。Iamnojudgeofwhataleadershoulddointhiscrisis。Mycowboysareentailingriskinmyemploy；mypropertyisnotsafe；perhapsmylifeevenmightbeendangered。Iwanttorelyuponyou，sinceStillwellbelieves，andI，too，thatyouarethemanforthisplace。Ishallgiveyounoorders。Butisittoomuchtoaskthatyoubemykindofacowboy？\"
MadelinerememberedStewart\'sformerbrutalityandshameandabjectworship，andshemeasuredthegreatchangeinhimbythecontrastaffordednowinhisdark，changeless，intentface。
\"MissHammond，whatkindofacowboyisthat？\"heasked。
\"I——Idon\'texactlyknow。ItisthatkindwhichIfeelyoumightbe。ButIdoknowthatintheproblemathandIwantyouractionstobegovernedbyreason，notpassion。Humanlifeisnotforanymantosacrificeunlessinself-defenseorinprotectingthosedependentuponhim。WhatStillwellandyouhintedmakesmeafraidofNelsandNickSteeleandMonty。Cannottheybecontrolled？IwanttofeelthattheywillnotgogunningforDonCarlos\'smen。Iwanttoavoidallviolence。AndyetwhenmyguestscomeIwanttofeelthattheywillbesafefromdangerorfrightorevenannoyance。MayInotrelywhollyuponyou，Stewart？JusttrustyoutomanagetheseobstreperouscowboysandprotectmypropertyandAlfred\'s，andtakecareofus——ofme，untilthisrevolutionisended？Ihaveneverhadaday\'sworrysinceIboughttheranch。ItisnotthatIwanttoshirkmyresponsibilities；itisthatIlikebeinghappy。MayIputsomuchfaithinyou？\"
\"Ihopeso，MissHammond，\"repliedStewart。Itwasaninstantresponse，butnonethelessfraughtwithconsciousnessofresponsibility。Hewaitedamoment，andthen，asneitherStillwellnorMadelineofferedfurtherspeech，hebowedandturneddownthepath，hislongspursclinkinginthegravel。
\"Wal，wal，\"exclaimedStillwell，\"thet\'snolittlejobyougivehim，MissMajesty。\"
\"Itwasawoman\'scunning，Stillwell，\"saidAlfred。\"Mysisterusedtobeawonderatgettingherownwaywhenwewerekids。
Justasmileortwo，afewsweetwordsorturnsofthought，andshehadwhatshewanted。\"
\"Al，whatacharactertogiveme！\"protestedMadeline。\"Indeed，I
wasdeeplyinearnestwithStewart。Idonotunderstandjustwhy，butItrusthim。Heseemslikeironandsteel。ThenIwasalittlefrightenedattheprospectoftroublewiththevaqueros。
BothyouandStillwellhaveinfluencedmetolookuponStewartasinvaluable。Ithoughtitbesttoconfessmyutterhelplessnessandtolooktohimforsupport。\"
\"Majesty，whateveractuatedyou，itwasastrokeofdiplomacy，\"
repliedherbrother。\"Stewarthasgotgoodstuffinhim。Hewasdownandout。Well，he\'smadeagamefight，anditlooksasifhe\'dwin。Trustinghim，givinghimresponsibility，relyinguponhim，wasthesurestwaytostrengthenhisholduponhimself。
Thenthatlittletouchofsentimentaboutbeingyourkindofcowboyandprotectingyou——well，ifGeneStewartdoesn\'tdevelopintoanArgus-eyedknightI\'llsayIdon\'tknowcowboys。But，Majesty，remember，he\'sacompositeoftigerbreedandforkedlightning，anddon\'timaginehehasfailedyouifhegetsintoafight。
\"I\'llsuretellyouwhatGeneStewartwilldo，\"saidFlorence。
\"Don\'tIknowcowboys？Why，theyusedtotakemeupontheirhorseswhenIwasababy。GeneStewartwillbethekindofcowboyyoursistersaidhemightbe，whateverthatis。Shemaynotknowandwemaynotguess，butheknows。\"
\"Wal，Flo，thereyouhitplumbcenter，\"repliedtheoldcattleman。\"An\'Icouldn\'tbegladderifhewasmyownson。\"
XDonCarlos\'sVaquerosEarlythefollowingmorningStewart，withacompanyofcowboys，departedforDonCarlos\'srancho。Asthedayworeonwithoutanyreportfromhim，Stillwellappearedtogrowmoreatease；andatnightfallhetoldMadelinethatheguessedtherewasnownoreasonforconcern。
\"Wal，thoughit\'ssureamazin\'strange，\"hecontinued，\"I\'vebeenworryin\'someabouthowwewasgoin\'tofireDonCarlos。ButGenehasawayofdoin\'things。\"
NextdayStillwellandAlfreddecidedtorideoverDonCarlos\'splace，takingMadelineandFlorencewiththem，anduponthereturntriptostopatAlfred\'sranch。Theystartedinthecool，graydawn，andafterthreehours\'riding，asthesunbegantogetbright，theyenteredamesquitegrove，surroundingcorralsandbarns，andanumberoflow，squatbuildingsandahuge，ramblingstructure，allbuiltofadobeandmostlycrumblingtoruin。Onlyonegreenspotrelievedthebaldredofgroundsandwalls；andthisevidentlywasmadebythespringwhichhadgivenbothvalueandfametoDonCarlos\'srange。Theapproachtothehousewasthroughawidecourtyard，bare，stony，hardpacked，withhitching-railsandwatering-troughsinfrontofalongporch。
Severaldusty，tiredhorsesstoodwithdroopingheadsandbridlesdown，theirwetflanksattestingtotraveljustended。
\"Wal，dog-goneit，Al，ifthereain\'tPatHawe\'shossI\'lleatit，\"exclaimedStillwell。
\"What\'sPatwanthere，anyhow？\"growledAlfred。
Noonewasinsight；butMadelineheardloudvoicescomingfromthehouse。Stillwelldismountedattheporchandstalkedinatthedoor。Alfredleapedoffhishorse，helpedFlorenceandMadelinedown，and，biddingthemrestandwaitontheporch，hefollowedStillwell。
\"IhatetheseGreaserplaces，\"saidFlorence，withagrimace。
\"They\'resomysteriousandcreepy。Justwatchnow！They\'llbedark-skinned，beady-eyed，soft-footedGreaserssliprightupoutoftheground！There\'llbeanuglyfaceineverydoorandwindowandcrack。\"
\"It\'slikeahugebarnwithitscharacteristicodorpermeatedbytobaccosmoke，\"repliedMadeline，sittingdownbesideFlorence。
\"Idon\'tthinkverymuchofthisendofmypurchase。Florence，isn\'tthatDonCarlos\'sblackhorseoverthereinthecorral？\"
\"Itsureis。ThentheDon\'sheahyet。Iwishwehadn\'tbeeninsuchahurrytocomeover。There！thatdoesn\'tsoundencouraging。\"
Fromthecorridorcametherattlingofspurs，trampingofboots，andloudvoices。MadelinedetectedAlfred\'squicknoteswhenhewasannoyed：\"We\'llrustlebackhome，then，\"hesaid。Theanswercame，\"No！\"MadelinerecognizedStewart\'svoice，andshequicklystraightenedup。\"Iwon\'thavetheminhere，\"wentonAlfred。
\"Outdoorsorin，they\'vegottobewithus！\"repliedStewart，sharply。\"Listen，Al，\"cametheboomofStillwell\'sbigvoice，\"nowthatwe\'vebuttedinoverhyarwiththegirls，youletStewartrunthings。\"
Thenacrowdofmentrampedpell-melloutupontheporch。
Stewart，dark-browedandsomber，wasinthelad。Nelshungclosetohim，andMadeline\'squickglancesawthatNelshadundergonesomeindescribablechange。Thegrinning，brilliant-eyedDonCarloscamejostlingoutbesideagaunt，sharp-featuredmanwearingasilvershield。This，nodoubt，wasPatHawe。InthebackgroundbehindStillwellandAlfredstoodNickSteele，headandshouldersoveranumberofvaquerosandcowboys。
\"MissHammond，I\'msorryyoucame，\"saidStewart，bluntly。
\"We\'reinamuddlehere。I\'veinsistedthatyouandFlobekeptclosetous。I\'llexplainlater。Ifyoucan\'tstopyourearsI
begyoutooverlookroughtalk。\"
Withthatheturnedtothemenbehindhim：\"Nick，takeBooly，gobacktoMontyandtheboys。Fetchoutthatstuff。Allofit。
Rustle，now！\"
StillwellandAlfreddisengagedthemselvesfromthecrowdtotakeuppositionsinfrontofMadelineandFlorence。PatHaweleanedagainstapostandinsolentlyogledMadelineandthenFlorence。
DonCarlospressedforward。HiswholefigurefilledMadeline\'sreluctantbutfascinatedeyes。Heworetightvelveteenbreeches，withaheavyfolddowntheoutsideseam，whichwasornamentedwithsilverbuttons。Roundhiswaistwasasash，andabeltwithfringedholster，fromwhichprotrudedapearl-handledgun。A
vestorwaistcoat，richlyembroidered，partlyconcealedablouseofsilkandwhollyrevealedasilkenscarfroundhisneck。Hisswarthyfaceshoweddarklines，likecords，underthesurface。
Hislittleeyeswereexceedinglyprominentandglittering。ToMadelinehisfaceseemedtobeabold，handsomemaskthroughwhichhiseyespiercinglybetrayedtheevilnatureoftheman。
Hebowedlowwithelaborateandsinuousgrace。Hissmilerevealedbrilliantteeth，enhancedthebrillanceofhiseyes。Heslowlyspreaddeprecatoryhands。
\"Senoritas，Ibegathousandpardons，\"hesaid。HowstrangeitwasforMadelinetohearEnglishspokeninasoft，whininglysweetaccent！\"ThegracioushospitalityofDonCarloshaspassedwithhishouse。\"
Stewartsteppedforwardand，thrustingDonCarlosaside，hecalled，\"Makeway，there！\"
Thecrowdfellbacktothetrampofheavyboots。Cowboysappearedstaggeringoutofthecorridorwithlongboxes。Thesetheyplacedsidebysideupontheflooroftheporch。
\"Now，Hawe，we\'llproceedwithourbusiness，\"saidStewart。\"Youseetheseboxes，don\'tyou？\"
\"IreckonIseeagoodmanythingsroundhyar，\"repliedHawe，meaningly。
\"Well，doyouintendtoopentheseboxesuponmysay-so？\"
\"No！\"retortedHawe。\"It\'snotmyplacetomeddlewithpropertyascomebyexpressan\'allaccountedferregular。\"
\"Youcallyourselfasheriff！\"exclaimedStewart，scornfully。
\"Mebbeyou\'llthinksobeforelong，\"rejoinedHawe，sullenly。
\"I\'llopenthem。Here，oneofyouboys，knockthetopsofftheseboxes，\"orderedStewart。\"No，notyou，Monty。Youuseyoureyes。LetBoolyhandletheax。Rustle，now！\"
MontyPricehadjumpedoutofthecrowdintothemiddleoftheporch。ThemannerinwhichhegavewaytoBoolyandfacedthevaqueroswasnotsignificantoffriendlinessortrust。
\"Stewart，you\'redeadwrongtobustopenthemboxes。Thet\'sag\'in\'thelaw，\"protestedHawe，tryingtointerfere。
Stewartpushedhimback。ThenDonCarlos，whohadbeenstunnedbytheappearanceoftheboxes，suddenlybecameactiveinspeechandperson。Stewartthrusthimbackalso。TheMexican\'sexcitementincreased。Hewildlygesticulated；heexclaimedshrillyinSpanish。When，however，thelidswerewrenchedopenandaninsidepackingtornawayhegrewrigidandsilent。
MadelineraisedherselfbehindStillwelltoseethattheboxeswerefullofriflesandammunition。
\"There，Hawe！WhatdidItellyou？\"demandedStewart。\"Icameoverheretotakechargeofthisranch。Ifoundtheseboxeshiddeninanunusedroom。Isuspectedwhattheywere。Contrabandgoods！\"
\"Wal，supposin\'theyare？Idon\'tseeanycallfersechall-firedfussasyou\'remakin\'。Stewart，Icalkilateyou\'resomestuckonyournewjoban\'wanttomakeabigshowbefore-\"
\"Hawe，stopslingingthatkindoftalk，\"interruptedStewart。
\"Yougottoofreewithyourmouthoncebefore！Nowhere，I\'msupposedtobeconsultinganofficerofthelaw。Willyoutakechargeofthesecontrabandgoods？\"
\"Say，you\'reholdin\'onhighan\'mighty，\"repliedHawe，inastonishmentthatwasplainlypretended。\"What\'reyoudrivin\'
at？\"
Stewartmutteredanimprecation。Hetookseveralswiftstridesacrosstheporch；heheldouthishandstoStillwellasiftoindicatethehopelessnessofintelligentandreasonablearbitration；helookedatMadelinewithaglanceeloquentofhisregretthathecouldnothandlethesituationtopleaseher。
ThenashewheeledhecamefacetofacewithNels，whohadslippedforwardoutofthecrowd。
Madelinegatheredseriousimportfromthesteel-bluemeaningflashofeyeswherebyNelscommunicatedsomethingtoStewart。
Whateverthatsomethingwas，itdispelledStewart\'simpatience。
AslightmovementofhishandbroughtMontyPriceforwardwithajump。InthesesuddenjumpsofMonty\'stherewasasuggestionofrestrainedferocity。ThenNelsandMontylinedupbehindStewart。Itwasadeliberateaction，eventoMadeline，unmistakablyformidable。PatHawe\'sfacetookonanuglylook；
hiseyeshadareddishgleam。DonCarlosaddedapalefaceandextremenervousnesstohisformerexpressionsofagitation。Thecowboysedgedawayfromthevaquerosandthebronzed，beardedhorsemenwhowereevidentlyHawe\'sassistants。
\"I\'mdrivingatthis，\"spokeupStewart，presently；andnowhewasslowandcaustic。\"Here\'scontrabandofwar！Hawe，doyougetthat？Armsandammunitionfortherebelsacrosstheborder！
Ichargeyouasanofficertoconfiscatethesegoodsandtoarrestthesmuggler——DonCarlos。\"
ThesewordsofStewart\'sprecipitatedariotamongDonCarlosandhisfollowers，andtheysurgedwildlyaroundthesheriff。Therewasanupflingingofbrown，clenchinghands，ashrill，jabberingbabelofMexicanvoices。ThecrowdaroundDonCarlosgrewlouderanddenserwiththeadditionofarmedvaquerosandbarefootedstable-boysanddusty-bootedherdsmenandblanketedMexicans，thelastofwhomsuddenlyslippedfromdoorsandwindowsandroundcomers。Itwasamotleyassemblage。Thelaced，fringed，ornamentedvaquerospresentedasharpcontrasttothebare-legged，sandal-footedboysandtheraggedherders。Shrillcries，evidentlyfromDonCarlos，somewhatquietedthecommotion。
ThenDonCarloscouldbeheardaddressingSheriffHaweinanexhortationofmingledEnglishandSpanish。Hedenied，heavowed，heproclaimed，andallinrapid，passionateutterance。
Hetossedhisblackhairinhisvehemence；hewavedhisfistsandstampedthefloor；herolledhisglitteringeyes；hetwistedhisthinlipsintoahundreddifferentshapes，andlikeacorneredwolfshowedsnarlingwhiteteeth。
ItseemedtoMadelinethatDonCarlosdeniedknowledgeoftheboxesofcontrabandgoods，thenknowledgeoftheirrealcontents，thenknowledgeoftheirdestination，and，finally，everythingexceptthattheywerethereinsight，damningwitnessestosomebody\'scomplicityinthebreakingofneutralitylaws。
Passionateashadbeenhisdenialofallthis，itwasasnothingcomparedtohisdenunciationofStewart。
\"SenorStewart，hekeelmyVaquero！\"shoutedDonCarlos，as，sweatingandspent，heconcludedhisarraignmentofthecowboy。
\"Himyoumustarrest！SenorStewartabadman！Hekeelmyvaquero！\"
\"Doyouhearthet？\"yelledHawe。\"TheDon\'sgotyoufiggeredferthetlittlejobatElCajonlastfall。\"
Theclamorburstintoaroar。HawebeganshakinghisfingerinStewart\'sfaceandhoarselyshouting。Thenalitheyoungvaquero，swiftasanIndian，glidedunderHawe\'supliftedarm。