Whatevertheactionheintended，hewastoolateforitsexecution。Stewartlungedout，struckthevaquero，andknockedhimofftheporch。Ashefelladaggerglitteredinthesunlightandrolledclinkingoverthestones。Themanwentdownhardanddidnotmove。Withthesameabruptviolence，andamannerofcontempt，StewartthrewHaweofftheporch，thenDonCarlos，who，beinglesssupple，fellheavily。ThenthemobbackedbeforeStewart\'srushuntilallweredowninthecourtyard。
Theshufflingoffeetceased，theclankingofspurs，andtheshouting。NelsandMonty，nowreinforcedbyNickSteele，wereasshadowsofStewart，socloselydidtheyfollowhim。Stewartwavedthembackandsteppeddownintotheyard。Hewasabsolutelyfearless；butwhatstruckMadelinesokeenlywashismagnificentdisdain。Manifestly，heknewthenatureofthemenwithwhomhewasdealing。FromthelookofhimitwasnaturalforMadelinetoexpectthemtogivewaybeforehim，whichtheydid，evenHaweandhisattendantssullenlyretreating。
DonCarlosgotuptoconfrontStewart。Theprostratevaquerostirredandmoaned，butdidnotrise。
\"Youneedn\'tjibberSpanishtome，\"saidStewart。\"YoucantalkAmerican，andyoucanunderstandAmerican。Ifyoustartarough-househereyouandyourGreaserswillbecleanedup。
You\'vegottoleavethisranch。Youcanhavethestock，thepacksandtrapsinthesecondcorral。There\'sgrub，too。Saddleupandhitthetrail。DonCarlos，I\'mdealingmorethansquarewithyou。You\'relyingabouttheseboxesofgunsandcartridges。
You\'rebreakingthelawsofmycountry，andyou\'redoingitonpropertyinmycharge。IfIletsmugglinggoonhereI\'dbeimplicatedmyself。Nowyougetofftherange。Ifyoudon\'tI\'llhavetheUnitedStatescavalryhereinsixhours，andyoucangamblethey\'llgetwhatmycowboysleaveofyou。\"
DonCarloswaseitheracapitalactorandgratefullyrelievedatStewart\'sleniencyorelsehewasthoroughlycowedbyreferencestothetroops。\"Si，Senor！Gracias，Senor！\"heexclaimed；andthen，turningaway，hecalledtohismen。Theyhurriedafterhim，whilethefallenvaquerogottohisfeetwithStewart\'shelpandstaggeredacrossthecourtyard。Inamomenttheyweregone，leavingHaweandhisseveralcomradesbehind。
Hawewasspitefullyejectingawadoftobaccofromhismouthandswearinginanundertoneabout\"white-liveredGreasers。\"HecockedhisredeyespeculativelyatStewart。
\"Wal，Ireckonasyou\'resohell-bentondoin\'itupbrownthetyou\'lltrytofiremeoff\'ntherange，too？\"
\"IfIeverdo，Pat，you\'llneedtobecarriedoff，\"repliedStewart。\"JustnowI\'mpolitelyinvitingyouandyourdeputysheriffstoleave。\"
\"We\'llgo；butwe\'recomin\'backoneofthesedays，an\'whenwedowe\'llputyouinirons。\"
\"Hawe，ifyou\'vegotitinthatbadforme，comeoverhereinthecorralandlet\'sfightitout。\"
\"I\'manofficer，an\'Idon\'tfightoutlawsan\'sichexceptwhenI
hevtomakearrests。\"
\"Officer！You\'readisgracetothecounty。Ifyoueverdidgetironsonmeyou\'dtakemesomeplaceoutofsight，shootme，andthenswearyoukilledmeinself-defense。Itwouldn\'tbethefirsttimeyoupulledthattrick，PatHawe。\"
\"Ho，ho！\"laughedHawe，derisively。Thenhestartedtowardthehorses。
Stewart\'slongarmshotout，hishandclappedonHawe\'sshoulder，spinninghimroundlikeatop。
\"You\'releaving，Pat，butbeforeyouleaveyou\'llcomeoutwithyourplayoryou\'llcrawl，\"saidStewart。\"You\'vegotitinforme，mantoman。Speakupnowandproveyou\'renotthecowardlyskunkI\'vealwaysthoughtyou。I\'vecalledyourhand。\"
PatHawe\'sfaceturnedablackish-purplehue。
\"YoucanjestbetthetI\'vegotitinferyou，\"heshouted，hoarsely。\"You\'reonlyalow-downcow-puncher。YouneverhedadollaroradecentjobtillyouwasmixedupwiththetHammondwoman-\"
Stewart\'shandflashedoutandhitHawe\'sfaceinaringingslap。
Thesheriff\'sheadjerkedback，hissombrerofelltotheground。
Ashebentovertoreachithishandshook，hisarmshook，hiswholebodyshook。
MontyPricejumpedstraightforwardandcroucheddownwithastrange，lowcry。
Stewartseemedallatoncerigid，bendingalittle。
\"SayMissHammond，ifthere\'soccasiontousehername，\"saidStewart，inavoicethatseemedcoollypleasant，yethadadeadlyundernote。
Hawedidamoment\'sbattlewithstranglingfury，whichheconqueredinsomemeasure。
\"Isaidyouwasalow-down，drunkencow-puncher，atoughasdamnnearadesperadoasweeverhedontheborder，\"wentonHawe，deliberately。HisspeechappearedtobeaddressedtoStewart，althoughhisflame-pointedeyeswereriveteduponMontyPrice。
\"Iknowyoupluggedthatvaquerolastfall，an\'whenIgitmyproofI\'mcomin\'afteryou。\"
\"That\'sallright，Hawe。Youcancallmewhatyoulike，andyoucancomeaftermewhenyoulike，\"repliedStewart。\"Butyou\'regoingtogetinbadwithme。You\'reinbadnowwithMontyandNels。Prettysoonyou\'llqueeryourselfwithallthecowboysandtheranchers，too。Ifthatdon\'tputsenseintoyou——Here，listentothis。Youknewwhattheseboxescontained。YouknowDonCarloshasbeensmugglingarmsandammunitionacrosstheborder。Youknowheishandandglovewiththerebels。You\'vebeenwearingblinders，andithasbeentoyourinterest。Takeahunchfromme。That\'sall。Lightoutnow，andthelessweseeofyourhandsomemugthebetterwe\'lllikeyou。\"
Muttering，cursing，pallidofface，Haweclimbedastridehishorse。Hiscomradesfollowedsuit。Certainitappearedthatthesheriffwascontendingwithmorethanfearandwrath。HemusthavehadanirresistibleimpulsetoflingmoreinvectiveandthreatuponStewart，buthewasspeechless。Savagelyhespurredhishorse，andasitsnortedandleapedheturnedinhissaddle，shakinghisfist。Hiscomradesledtheway，withtheirhorsesclatteringintoacanter。Theydisappearedthroughthegate。
When，laterintheday，MadelineandFlorence，accompaniedbyAlfredandStillwell，leftDonCarlos\'sranchitwasnotanytoosoonforMadeline。TheinsideoftheMexican\'shomewasmoreunprepossessinganduncomfortablethantheoutside。Thehallsweredark，theroomshuge，empty，andmusty；andtherewasanairofsilenceandsecrecyandmysteryaboutthemmostfittingtothecharacterFlorencehadbestowedupontheplace。
Ontheotherhand，Alfred\'sranch-house，wherethepartyhaltedtospendthenight，waspicturesquelylocated，smallandcozy，camplikeinitsarrangement，andaltogetheragreeabletoMadeline。
Theday\'slongridesandtheexcitingeventshadweariedher。
SherestedwhileFlorenceandthetwomengotsupper。DuringthemealStillwellexpressedsatisfactionoverthegoodriddanceofthevaqueros，andwithhisusualoptimismtrustedhehadseenthelastofthem。Alfred，too，tookadecidedlyfavorableviewoftheday\'sproceedings。However，itwasnotlostuponMadelinethatFlorenceappearedunusuallyquietandthoughtful。Madelinewonderedalittleatthecause。SherememberedthatStewarthadwantedtocomewiththem，ordetailafewcowboystoaccompanythem，butAlfredhadlaughedattheideaandwouldhavenoneofit。
AftersupperAlfredmonopolizedtheconversationbydescribingwhathewantedtodotoimprovehishomebeforeheandFlorenceweremarried。
Thenatanearlyhourtheyallretired。
Madeline\'sdeepslumbersweredisturbedbyapoundinguponthewall，andthenbyFlorence\'scryingoutinanswertoacall：
\"Getup！Throwsomeclothesonandcomeout！\"
ItwasAlfred\'svoice。
\"What\'sthematter？\"askedFlorence，assheslippedoutofbed。
\"Alfred，isthereanythingwrong？\"addedMadeline，sittingup。
Theroomwasdarkaspitch，butafaintglowseemedtomarkthepositionofthewindow。
\"Oh，nothingmuch，\"repliedAlfred。\"OnlyDonCarlos\'sranchogoingupinsmoke。\"
\"Fire！\"criedFlorence，sharply。
\"You\'llthinksowhenyouseeit。Hurryout。Majesty，oldgirl，nowyouwon\'thavetoteardownthatheapofadobe，asyouthreatened。Idon\'tbelieveawallwillstandafterthatfire。\"
\"Well，I\'mgladofit，\"saidMadeline。\"Agoodhealthyfirewillpurifytheatmosphereoverthereandsavemeexpense。Ugh！thathauntedranchogotonmynerves！Florence，Idobelieveyou\'veappropriatedpartofmyriding-habit。Doesn\'tAlfredhavelightsinthishouse？\"
FlorencelaughinglyhelpedMadelinetodress。Thentheyhurriedlystumbledoverchairs，and，passingthroughthedining-room，wentoutupontheporch。
Awaytothewestward，lowdownalongthehorizon，shesawleapingredflamesandwind-sweptcolumnsofsmoke。
Stillwellappearedgreatlyperturbed。
\"Al，I\'mlookin\'ferthatammunitiontoblowup，\"hesaid。
\"Therewasenoughofittoblowtheroofofftherancho。\"
\"Bill，surelythecowboyswouldgetthatstuffoutthefirstthing，\"repliedAlfred，anxiously。
\"Ireckonso。Butallthesame，I\'mworryin\'。Mebbetherewasn\'ttime。Supposin\'thetpowderwentoffastheboyswasgoin\'feritorcarryin\'itout！We\'llknowsoon。Iftheexplosiondoesn\'tcomequicknowwecanfiggertheboysgottheboxesout。\"
Forthenextfewmomentstherewasasilenceofsustainedandpainfulsuspense。FlorencegrippedMadeline\'sarm。Madelinefeltafullnessinherthroatandarapidbeatingofherheart。
PresentlyshewasrelievedwiththeotherswhenStillwelldeclaredthedangerofanexplosionneededtobefearednolonger。
\"SureyoucangambleonGeneStewart，\"headded。
Thenighthappenedtobepartlycloudy，withbrokenriftsshowingthemoon，andthewindblewunusuallystrong。Thebrightnessofthefireseemedsubdued。Itwaslikeahugebonfiresmotheredbysomegreatcovering，penetratedbydifferent，widelyseparatedpointsofflame。Thesecornersofflameflewup，curlinginthewind，andthendieddown。Thusthescenewasconstantlychangingfromdulllighttodark。Therecameamomentwhenablackershadeoverspreadthewideareaofflickeringgleamsandthenobliteratedthem。Nightenfoldedthescene。Themoonpeepedacurvedyellowrimfromunderbrokenclouds。Toallappearancesthefirehadburneditselfout。Butsuddenlyapinpointoflightshowedwhereallhadbeendenseblack。Itgrewandbecamelongandsharp。Itmoved。Ithadlife。Itleapedup。Itscolorwarmedfromwhitetored。Thenfromallaboutitburstflameonflame，toleapintoagreatchangingpillaroffirethatclimbedhighandhigher。Hugefunnelsofsmoke，yellow，black，white，alltingedwiththecoloroffire，slantedskyward，driftingawayonthewind。
\"Wal，Ireckonwewon\'thevthegoodofthemtwothousandtonsofalfalfawewasfiggerin\'on，\"remarkedStillwell。
\"Ah！Thenthatlastoutbreakoffirewasburninghay，\"saidMadeline。\"Idonotregrettherancho。Butit\'stoobadtolosesuchaquantityofgoodfeedforthestock。\"
\"It\'slost，an\'nomistake。Thefire\'sdyin\'asquickassheflaredup。Wal，Ihopenoneoftheboysgotriskytosaveasaddleorblanket。Monty——he\'shellonrunnin\'thegantletoffire。He\'slikeabossthat\'sjestbeendraggedoutofaburnin\'
stablean\'runsbacksurelocoed。There！She\'ssmolderin\'downnow。Reckonwe-allmightjestaswellturninagain。It\'sonlythreeo\'clock。\"
\"Iwonderhowthefireoriginated？\"remarkedAlfred。\"Somecarelesscowboy\'scigarette，I\'llbet。\"
Stillwellrolledouthislaugh。
\"Al，yousureareafree-hearted，trustin\'feller。I\'msomedoubtin\'thecigaretteidee；butyoucangambleifitwasacigaretteitbelongedtoacunnin\'vaquero，an\'wasn\'tdroppedaccident-like。\"
\"Now，Bill，youdon\'tmeanDonCarlosburnedtherancho？\"
ejaculatcdAlfred，inmingledamazeandanger。
Againtheoldcattlemanlaughed。
\"Powerfulstrangetosay，myfriend，oleBillmeansjestthet。\"
\"OfcourseDonCarlossetthatfire，\"putinFlorence，withspirit。\"Al，ifyouliveoutheahahundredyearsyou\'llneverlearnthatGreasersaretreacherous。IknowGeneStewartsuspectedsomethingunderhand。That\'swhyhewantedustohurryaway。That\'swhyheputmeontheblackhorseofDonCarlos\'s。
Hewantsthathorseforhimself，andfearedtheDonwouldstealorshoothim。Andyou，BillStillwell，you\'reasbadasAl。Youneverdistrustanybodytillit\'stoolate。You\'vebeensingingeversinceStewartorderedthevaquerosofftherange。Butyousurehaven\'tbeenthinking。\"
\"Wal，now，Flo，youneedn\'tpitchintomejestbecauseIhevanaturalChristianspirit，\"repliedStillwell，muchaggrieved。\"I
reckonI\'vehedenoughtroubleinmylifeso\'snottogolookin\'
fermore。Wal，I\'msorryaboutthehayburnin\'。Butmebbetheboyssavedthestock。An\'asferthatoleadobehouseofdarkholesan\'under-groundpassages，solong\'sMissMajestydoesn\'tmind，I\'mdarngladitburned。Come，let\'sallturninagain。
Somebody\'llrideoverearlyan\'telluswhat\'swhat。\"
Madelineawakenedearly，butnotsoearlyastheothers，whowereupandhadbreakfastreadywhenshewentintothedining-room。
Stillwellwasnotinanamiableframeofmind。Thefurrowsofworrylinedhisbroadbrowandhecontinuallyglancedathiswatch，andgrowledbecausethecowboysweresolateinridingoverwiththenews。Hegulpedhisbreakfast，andwhileMadelineandtheothersatetheirshetrampedupanddowntheporch。
MadelinenotedthatAlfredgrewnervousandrestless。PresentlyheleftthetabletojoinStillwelloutside。
\"They\'llslopeofftoDonCarlos\'sranchoandleaveustoridehomealone，\"observedFlorence。
\"Doyoumind？\"questionedMadeline。
\"No，Idon\'texactlymind；we\'vegotthefastesthorsesinthiscountry。I\'dliketorunthatbigblackdeviloffhislegs。No，Idon\'tmind；butI\'venohankeringforasituationGeneStewartthinks——\"
Florencebegandisconnectedly，andsheendedevasively。Madelinedidnotpressthepoint，althoughshehadsomesenseofmisgiving。Stillwelltrampedin，shakingthefloorwithhishugeboots；Alfredfollowedhim，carryingafield-glass。
\"Notahossinsight，\"complainedStillwell。\"Some-thin\'wrongoverDonCarlos\'sway。MissMajesty，it\'llbejestaswellferyouan\'Flotohitthehometrail。Wecantelephoneoveran\'seethattheboysknowyou\'recomin\'。\"
Alfred，standinginthedoor，sweptthegrayvalleywithhisfield-glass。
\"Bill，Iseerunningstock-horsesorcattle；Ican\'tmakeoutwhich。Iguesswe\'dbetterrustleoverthere。\"
Bothmenhurriedout，andwhilethehorseswerebeingbroughtupandsaddledMadelineandFlorenceputawaythebreakfast-dishes，thenspeedilydonnedspurs，sombreros，andgauntlets。
\"Herearethehorsesready，\"calledAlfred。\"Flo，thatblackMexicanhorseisaprince。\"
ThegirlswentoutintimetohearStillwell\'sgood-byashemountedandspurredaway。AlfredwentthroughthemotionsofassistingMadelineandFlorencetomount，whichassistancetheyalwaysflouted，andthenhe，too，swungupastride。
\"Iguessit\'sallright，\"hesaid，ratherdubiously。\"YoureallymustnotgoovertowardDonCarlos\'s。It\'sonlyafewmileshome。\"
\"Sureit\'sallright。Wecanride，can\'twe？\"retortedFlorence。
\"Betterhaveacareforyourself，goingoffovertheretomixingoodnessknowswhat。\"
Alfredsaidgood-by，spurredhishorse，androdeaway。
\"IfBilldidn\'tforgettotelephone！\"exclaimedFlorence。\"I
declareheandAlweresurerattled。\"
Florencedismountedandwentintothehouse。Sheleftthedooropen。MadelinehadsomedifficultyinholdingMajesty。ItstruckMadelinethatFlorencestayedratherlongindoors。
Presentlyshecameoutwithsoberfaceandrathertightlips。
\"Icouldn\'tgetanybodyonthe\'phone。Noanswer。Itriedadozentimes。\"
\"Why，Florence！\"Madelinewasmoreconcernedbythegirl\'slooksthanbytheinformationsheimparted。
\"Thewire\'sbeencut，\"saidFlorence。HergrayglancesweptswiftlyafterAlfred，whowasnowfaroutofearshot。\"Idon\'tlikethisalittlebit。Heah\'swhereI\'vegotto\'figger，\'asBillsays。\"
Sheponderedamoment，thenhurriedintothehouse，toreturnpresentlywiththefield-glassthatAlfredhadused。Withthisshetookasurveyofthevalley，particularlyinthedirectionofMadeline\'sranch-house。Thiswashiddenbylow，rollingridgeswhichwerequitecloseby。
\"Anyway，nobodyinthatdirectioncanseeusleaveheah，\"shemused。\"There\'smesquiteontheridges。We\'vegotcoverlongenoughtosaveustillwecanseewhat\'sahead。\"
\"Florence，what——whatdoyouexpect？\"askedMadeline，nervously。
\"Idon\'tknow。There\'sneveranytellingaboutGreasers。IwishBillandAlhadn\'tleftus。Still，cometothinkofthat，theycouldn\'thelpusmuchincaseofachase。We\'drunrightawayfromthem。Besides，they\'dshoot。IguessI\'maswellassatisfiedthatwe\'vegotthejobofgettinghomeonourownhands。Wedon\'tdarefollowAltowardDonCarlos\'sranch。Weknowthere\'stroubleoverthere。Soallthat\'sleftistohitthetrailforhome。Come，let\'sride。YousticklikeaSpanishneedletome。\"
Aheavygrowthofmesquitecoveredthetopofthefirstridge，andthetrailwentthroughit。Florencetookthelead，proceedingcautiously，andassoonasshecouldseeoverthesummitsheusedthefield-glass。Thenshewenton。Madeline，followingclosely，sawdowntheslopeoftheridgetoabare，wide，grassyhollow，andonwardtomorerollingland，thickwithcactusandmesquite。Florenceappearedcautious，deliberate，yetshelostnotime。Shewasominouslysilent。Madeline\'smisgivingstookdefiniteshapeinthefearofvaquerosinambush。
Upontheascentofthethirdridge，whichMadelinerememberedwasthelastunevengroundbetweenthepointshehadreachedandhome，Florenceexercisedevenmoreguardedcareinadvancing。
Beforeshereachedthetopofthisridgeshedismounted，loopedherbridleroundadeadsnag，and，motioningMadelinetowait，sheslippedaheadthroughthemesquiteoutofsight。Madelinewaited，anxiouslylisteningandwatching。Certainitwasthatshecouldnotseeorhearanythingalarming。Thesunbegantohaveatouchofheat；themorningbreezerustledthethinmesquitefoliage；thedeepmagentaofacactusflowercaughthereye；along-tailed，cruel-beaked，brownbirdsailedsoclosetohershecouldhavetoucheditwithherwhip。Butshewasonlyvaguelyawareofthesethings。ShewaswatchingforFlorence，listeningforsomesoundfraughtwithuntowardmeaning。AllofasuddenshesawMajesty\'searswereheldstraightup。ThenFlorence\'sface，nowstrangelywhite，showedroundtheturnofthetrail。
\"\'S-s-s-sh！\"whisperedFlorence，holdingupawarningfinger。
Shereachedtheblackhorseandpettedhim，evidentlytostillanuneasinesshemanifested。\"We\'reinforit，\"shewenton。\"A
wholebunchofvaqueroshidingamongthemesquiteovertheridge！
They\'venotseenorheardusyet。We\'dbetterriskridingahead，cutoffthetrail，andbeatthemtotheranch。Madeline，you\'rewhiteasdeath！Don\'tfaintnow！\"
\"Ishallnotfaint。Butyoufrightenme。Istheredanger？Whatshallwedo？\"
\"There\'sdanger。Madeline，Iwouldn\'tdeceiveyou，\"wentonFlorence，inanearnestwhisper。\"ThingshaveturnedoutjustasGeneStewarthinted。Oh，weshould——AlshouldhavelistenedtoGene！Ibelieve——I\'mafraidGeneknew！\"
\"Knewwhat？\"askedMadeline。
\"Nevermindnow。Listen。Wedaren\'ttakethebacktrail。We\'llgoon。I\'veaschemetofoolthatgrinningDonCarlos。Getdown，Madeline——hurry。\"
Madelinedismounted。
\"Givemeyourwhitesweater。Takeitoff——Andthatwhitehat！
Hurry，Madeline。\"
\"Florence，whatonearthdoyoumean？\"criedMadeline。
\"Notsoloud，\"whisperedtheother。Hergrayeyessnapped。Shehaddivestedherselfofsombreroandjacket，whichsheheldouttoMadeline。\"Heah。Takethese。Givemeyours。Thengetupontheblack。I\'llrideMajesty。Rustlenow，Madeline。Thisisnotimetotalk。\"
\"But，dear，why——whydoyouwant——？Ah！You\'regoingtomakethevaquerostakeyouforme！\"
\"Youguessedit。Willyou——\"
\"Ishallnotallowyoutodoanythingofthekind，\"returnedMadeline。
ItwasthenthatFlorence\'sface，changing，tookonthehard，sternsharpnesssotypicalofacowboy\'s。MadelinehadcaughtglimpsesofthatexpressioninAlfred\'sface，andonStewart\'swhenhewassilent，andonStillwell\'salways。Itwasalookofironandfire——unchangeable，unquenchablewill。TherewasevenmuchofviolenceintheswiftactionwherebyFlorencecompelledMadelinetothechangeofapparel。
\"It\'dbeenmyidea，anyhow，ifStewarthadn\'ttoldmetodoit，\"
saidFlorence，herwordsasswiftasherhands。\"DonCarlosisafteryou——you，MissMadelineHammond！Hewouldn\'tambushatrailforanyoneelse。He\'snotkillingcowboysthesedays。Hewantsyouforsomereason。SoGenethought，andnowIbelievehim。Well，we\'llknowforsureinfiveminutes。Youridetheblack；I\'llrideMajesty。We\'llsliproundthroughthebrush，outofsightandsound，tillwecanbreakoutintotheopen。
Thenwe\'llsplit。Youmakestraightfortheranch。I\'llcutlooseforthevalleywhereGenesaidpositivelythecowboyswerewiththecattle。Thevaqueroswilltakemeforyou。Theyallknowthosestrikingwhitethingsyouwear。They\'llchaseme。
They\'llnevergetanywherenearme。Andyou\'llbeonafasthorse。Hecantakeyouhomeaheadofanyvaqueros。Butyouwon\'tbechased。I\'mstakingallonthat。Trustme，Madeline。
Ifitwereonlymycalculation，maybeI\'d——It\'sbecauseI
rememberStewart。Thatcowboyknowsthings。Come，thisheah\'sthesafestandsmartestwaytofoolDonCarlos。\"Madelinefeltherselfmoreforcedthanpersuadedintoacquiescence。Shemountedtheblackandtookupthebridle。InanothermomentshewasguidingherhorseoffthetrailinthetracksofMajesty。
Florenceledoffatrightangles，threadingaslowpassagethroughthemesquite。Shefavoredsandypatchesandopenaislesbetweenthetrees，andwascarefulnottobreakabranch。Oftenshestoppedtolisten。ThisdetourofperhapshalfamilebroughtMadelinetowhereshecouldseeopenground，theranch-houseonlyafewmilesoff，andthecattledottingthevalley。Shehadnotlosthercourage，butitwascertainthatthesefamiliarsightssomewhatlightenedthepressureuponherbreast。Excitementgrippedher。TheshrillwhistleofahorsemadeboththeblackandMajestyjump。Florencequickenedthegaitdowntheslope。SoonMadelinesawtheedgeofthebrush，thegray-bleachedgrassandlevelground。
Florencewaitedattheopeningbetweenthelowtrees。ShegaveMadelineaquick，brightglance。
\"Alloverbuttheride！That\'llsurebeeasy。Boltnowandkeepyournerve！\"
WhenFlorencewheeledthefieryroanandscreamedinhisearMadelineseemedsuddenlytogrowlaxandhelpless。Thebighorseleapedintothunderingaction。ThiswasmemorableofBonitaoftheflyinghairandthewildnightride。Florence\'shairstreamedonthewindandshonegoldinthesunlight。YetMadelinesawherwiththesamethrillwithwhichshehadseenthewild-ridingBonita。ThenhoarseshoutsunclampedMadeline\'spowerofmovement，andshespurredtheblackintotheopen。
Hewantedtorunandhewasswift。Madelineloosenedthereins——
laidthemlooseuponhisneck。Hisactionwasstrangetoher。
Hewashardtoride。Buthewasfast，andshecaredfornothingelse。Madelineknewhorseswellenoughtorealizethattheblackhadfoundhewasfreeandcarryingalightweight。Afewtimesshetookupthebridleandpulledtorightorleft，tryingtoguidehim。Hekeptastraightcourse，however，andcrashedthroughsmallpatchesofmesquiteandjumpedthecracksandwashes。Unevengroundofferednoperceptibleobstacletohisrunning。ToMadelinetherewasnowathrillingdifferenceinthelashofwindandtheflashofthegraygroundunderneath。Shewasrunningawayfromsomething；whatthatwasshedidnotknow。
ButsherememberedFlorence，andshewantedtolookback，yethatedtodosoforfearofthenamelessdangerFlorencehadmentioned。
Madelinelistenedforthepoundingofpursuinghoofsinherrear。
Involuntarilysheglancedback。Onthemileormoreofgraylevelbetweenherandtheridgetherewasnotahorse，aman，oranythingliving。Shewheeledtolookbackontheotherside，downthevalleyslope。
ThesightofFlorenceridingMajestyinzigzagflightbeforeawholetroopofvaquerosblanchedMadeline\'scheekandmadehergripthepommelofhersaddleinterror。Thatstrangegaitofherroanwasnothiswonderfulstride。CouldMajestyberunningwild？Madelinesawonevaquerodrawcloser，whirlinghislassoroundhishead，buthedidnotgetnearenoughtothrow。SoitseemedtoMadeline。Anothervaquerosweptacrossinfrontofthefirstone。Then，whenMadelinegaspedinbreathlessexpectancy，theroanswervedtoeludetheattack。ItflashedoverMadelinethatFlorencewasputtingthehorsetosomesuchawkwardflightasmighthavebeenexpectedofanEasterngirlfrightenedoutofherwits。Madelinemadesureofthiswhen，afterlookingagain，shesawthatFlorence，inspiteofthehorse\'sbreakinggaitandtheirregularcourse，wasdrawingslowlyandsurelydownthevalley。
Madelinehadnotlostherheadtotheextentofforgettingherownmountandthenatureofthegroundinfront。When，presently，sheturnedagaintowatchFlorence，uncertaintyceasedinhermind。Thestrangefeaturesofthatracebetweengirlandvaqueroswerenolongerinevidence。Majestywasinhisbeautiful，wonderfulstride，lowdownalongtheground，stretching，withhisnoselevelandstraightforthevalley。
Betweenhimandtheleanhorsesinpursuitlayanever-increasingspace。Hewasrunningawayfromthevaqueros。Florencewasindeed\"ridingthewind，\"asStewarthadaptlyexpressedhisideaofflightuponthefleetroan。
AdimnesscameoverMadeline\'seyes，anditwasnotallowingtothestingofthewind。Sherubbeditaway，seeingFlorenceasaflyingdotinastrangeblur。Whatadaring，intrepidgirl！
Thiskindofstrength——andaye，splendidthoughtforaweakersister——waswhattheWestinculcatedinawoman。
ThenexttimeMadelinelookedbackFlorencewasfaraheadofherpursuersandgoingoutofsightbehindalowknoll。AssuredofFlorence\'ssafety，Madelineputhermindtoherownrideandthepossibilitiesawaitingattheranch。Sherememberedthefailuretogetanyofherservantsorcowboysonthetelephone。Tobesure，awind-stormhadoncebrokenthewire。Butshehadlittlerealhopeofsuchbeingthecaseinthisinstance。Sherodeon，pullingtheblackasshenearedtheranch。Herapproachwasfromthesouthandofftheusualtrail，sothatshewentupthelongslopeoftheknolltowardthebackofthehouse。Underthesecircumstancesshecouldnotconsideritoutoftheordinarythatshedidnotseeanyoneaboutthegrounds。
Itwasperhapsfortunateforher，shethought，thattheclimbuptheslopecuttheblack\'sspeedsoshecouldmanagehim。Hewasnotveryhardtostop。Themomentshedismounted，however，hejumpedandtrottedoff。Attheedgeoftheslope，facingthecorrals，hehaltedtolifthisheadandshootuphisears。Thenheletoutapiercingwhistleanddasheddownthelane。
Madeline，preparedbythatwarningwhistle，triedtofortifyherselfforanewandunexpectedsituation；butassheespiedanunfamiliarcompanyofhorsemenrapidlyridingdownahollowleadingfromthefoothillsshefeltthereturnoffearsgrippingatherlikecoldhands，andshefledprecipitouslyintothehouse。
XIABandofGuerrillasMadelineboltedthedoor，and，flyingintothekitchen，shetoldthescaredservantstoshutthemselvesin。Thensherantoherownrooms。Itwasonlyamatterofafewmomentsforhertocloseandbartheheavyshutters，yetevenasshewasfasteningthelastoneintheroomsheusedasanofficeaclatteringroarofhoofsseemedtoswelluptothefrontofthehouse。Shecaughtaglimpseofwild，shaggyhorsesandragged，dustymen。
Shehadneverseenanyvaquerosthatresembledthesehorsemen。
Vaqueroshadgraceandstyle；theywerefondoflaceandglitterandfringe；theydressedtheirhorsesinsilveredtrappings。Buttheridersnowtramplingintothedrivewaywereuncouth。lean，savage。Theywereguerrillas，abandoftheraiderswhohadbeenharassingthebordersincethebeginningoftherevolution。A
secondglimpseassuredMadelinethattheywerenotallMexicans。
ThepresenceofoutlawsinthatbandbroughthometoMadelineherrealdanger。SherememberedwhatStillwellhadtoldheraboutrecentoutlawraidsalongtheRioGrande。Theseflyingbands，operatingundertheexcitementoftherevolution，appearedhereandthere，everywhere，inremoteplaces，andweregoneasquicklyastheycame。Mostlytheywantedmoneyandarms，buttheywouldstealanything，andunprotectedwomenhadsufferedattheirhands。
Madeline，hurriedlycollectinghersecuritiesandtheconsiderablemoneyshehadinherdesk，ranout，closedandlockedthedoor，crossedthepatiototheoppositesideofthehouse，and，enteringagain，wentdownalongcorridor，tryingtodecidewhichofthemanyunusedroomswouldbebesttohidein。
Andbeforeshemadeuphermindshecametothelastroom。JustthenabatteringondoororwindowinthedirectionofthekitchenandshrillscreamsfromtheservantwomenincreasedMadeline\'salarm。
Sheenteredthelastroom。Therewasnolockorbaruponthedoor。Buttheroomwaslargeanddark，anditwashalffullofbalesofalfalfahay。Probablyitwasthesafestplaceinthehouse；atleasttimewouldbenecessarytofindanyonehiddenthere。Shedroppedhervaluablesinadarkcornerandcoveredthemwithloosehay。Thatdone，shefeltherwaydownanarrowaislebetweenthepiled-upbalesandpresentlycrouchedinaniche。
Withthenecessityofactionoverfortheimmediatepresent，Madelinebecameconsciousthatshewasquiveringandalmostbreathless。Herskinfelttightandcold。Therewasaweightonherchest；hermouthwasdry，andshehadastrangetendencytoswallow。Herlisteningfacultyseemedmostacute。Dullsoundscamefrompartsofthehouseremotefromher。Intheintervalsofsilencebetweenthesesoundssheheardthesqueakingandrustlingofmiceinthehay。Amouseranoverherhand。
Shelistened，waiting，hopingyetdreadingtoheartheclatteringapproachofhercowboys。Therewouldhefighting——blood——meninjured，perhapskilled。Eventhethoughtofviolenceofanykindhurther。Butperhapstheguerrillaswouldrunintimetoavoidaclashwithhermen。Shehopedforthat，prayedforit。
ThroughhermindflittedwhatsheknewofNels，ofMonty，ofNickSteele；andsheexperiencedasensationthatlefthersomewhatchilledandsick。Thenshethoughtofthedark-browed，fire-eyedStewart。Shefeltathrilldriveawaythecoldnausea。Andherexcitementaugmented。
Waiting，listeningincreasedallheremotions。Nothingappearedtobehappening。Yethoursseemedtopasswhileshecrouchedthere。HadFlorencebeenovertaken？CouldanyofthoseleanhorsesoutrunMajesty？Shedoubtedit；sheknewitcouldnotbetrue。Nevertheless，thestrainofuncertaintywastorturing。
Suddenlythebangofthecorridordoorpiercedherthroughandthroughwiththedreadofuncertainty。Someoftheguerrillashadenteredtheeastwingofthehouse。Sheheardababelofjabberingvoices，theshufflingofbootsandclinkingofspurs，theslammingofdoorsandransackingofrooms。
Madelinelostfaithinherhiding-place。Morever，shefounditimpossibletotakethechance。Theideaofbeingcaughtinthatdarkroombythoseruffiansfilledherwithhorror。Shemustgetoutintothelight。Swiftlysheroseandwenttothewindow。Itwasrathermoreofadoorthanwindow，beingalargeapertureclosedbytwowoodendoorsonhinges。Theironhookyieldedreadilytohergrasp，andonedoorstuckfast，whiletheotheropenedafewinches。Shelookedoutuponagreenslopecoveredwithflowersandbunchesofsageandbushes。Neithermannorhorseshowedinthenarrowfieldofhervision。Shebelievedshewouldbesaferhiddenoutthereintheshrubberythaninthehouse。Thejumpfromthewindowwouldbeeasyforher。Andwithherquickdecisioncamearushandstirofspiritthatwardedoffherweakness。
Shepulledatthedoor。Itdidnotbudge。Ithadcaughtatthebottom。Pullingwithallhermightprovedtobeinvain。
Pausing，withpalmshotandbruised，sheheardalouder，closerapproachoftheinvadersofherhome。Fear，wrath，andimpotencecontestedforsupremacyoverheranddrovehertodesperation。
Shewasalonehere，andshemustrelyonherself。Andasshestrainedeverymuscletomovethatobstinatedoorandheardthequick，harshvoicesofmenandthesoundsofahurriedsearchshesuddenlyfeltsurethattheywerehuntingforher。Sheknewit。
Shedidnotwonderatit。ButshewonderedifshewerereallyMadelineHammond，andifitwerepossiblethatbrutalmenwouldharmher。Thenthetrampingofheavyfeetontheflooroftheadjoiningroomlentherthelaststrengthoffear。Pushingwithhandsandshoulders，shemovedthedoorfarenoughtopermitthepassageofherbody。Thenshesteppeduponthesillandslippedthroughtheaperture。Shesawnoone。Lightlyshejumpeddownandraninamongthebushes。Butthesedidnotaffordherthecoversheneeded。Shestolefromoneclumptoanother，findingtoolatethatshehadchosenwithpoorjudgment。Thepositionofthebusheshaddrawnherclosertothefrontofthehouseratherthanawayfromit，andjustbeforeherwerehorses，andbeyondagroupofexcitedmen。WithherheartinherthroatMadelinecroucheddown。
Ashrillyell，followedbyrunningandmountingguerrillas，rousedherhope。Theyhadsightedthecowboysandwereinflight。Rapidthumpingofbootsontheporchtoldofmenhurryingfromthehouse。Severalhorsesdashedpasther，nottenfeetdistant。Oneridersawher，forheturnedtoshoutback。
ThisdroveMadelineintoapanic。Hardlyknowingwhatshedid，shebegantorunawayfromthehouse。Herfeetseemedleaden。
Shefeltthesamehorriblepowerlessnessthatsometimescameoverherwhenshedreamedofbeingpursued。Horseswithshoutingridersstreakedpastherintheshrubbery。Therewasathunderofhoofsbehindher。Sheturnedaside，butthethunderinggrewnearer。Shewasbeingrundown。
AsMadelineshuthereyesand，staggering，wasabouttofall，apparentlyrightunderpoundinghoofs，arude，powerfulhandclappedroundherwaist，clutcheddeepandstrong，andswungheraloft。Shefeltaheavyblowwhentheshoulderofthehorsestruckher，andthenawrenchingofherarmasshewasdraggedup。Asuddenblightingpainmadesightandfeelingfadefromher。
Butshedidnotbecomeunconscioustotheextentthatshelostthesenseofbeingrapidlyborneaway。Sheseemedtoholdthatforalongtime。Whenherfacultiesbegantoreturnthemotionofthehorsewasnolongerviolent。Forafewmomentsshecouldnotdetermineherposition。Apparentlyshewasupsidedown。
Thenshesawthatshewasfacingtheground，andmustbelyingacrossasaddlewithherheadhangingdown。Shecouldnotmoveahand；shecouldnottellwhereherhandswere。Thenshefeltthetouchofsoftleather。Shesawahigh-toppedMexicanboot，wearingahugesilverspur，andthereekingflankandlegsofahorse，andadusty，narrowtrail。Soonakindofreddarknessveiledhereyes，herheadswam，andshefeltmotionandpainonlydully。
Afterwhatseemedathousandwearyhourssomeoneliftedherfromthehorseandlaidherupontheground，where，gradually，asthebloodleftherheadandshecouldsee，shebegantogettherightrelationofthings。
Shelayinasparsegroveoffirs，andtheshadowstoldoflateafternoon。Shesmelledwoodsmoke，andsheheardthesharpcrunchofhorses\'teethnippinggrass。Voicescausedhertoturnherface。Agroupofmenstoodandsatroundacamp-fireeatinglikewolves。ThelooksofhercaptorsmadeMadelineclosehereyes，andthefascination，thefeartheyrousedinhermadeheropenthemagain。Mostlytheywerethin-bodied，thin-beardedMexicans，blackandhaggardandstarved。Whatevertheymightbe，theysurelywerehunger-strickenandsqualid。Notonehadacoat。Afewhadscarfs。Someworebeltsinwhichwerescatteredcartridges。Onlyafewhadguns，andthesewereofdiversepatterns。Madelinecouldseenopacks，noblankets，andonlyafewcooking-utensils，allbatteredandblackened。Hereyesfasteneduponmenshebelievedwerewhitemen；butitwasfromtheirfeaturesandnottheircolorthatshejudged。OnceshehadseenabandofnomadrobbersintheSahara，andsomehowwasremindedofthembythismotleyoutlawtroop。
Theydividedattentionbetweenthesatisfyingofravenousappetitesandavigilantwatchingdowntheforestaisles。Theyexpectedsomeone，Madelinethought，and，manifestly，ifitwereapursuingposse，theydidnotshowanxiety。Shecouldnotunderstandmorethanawordhereandtherethattheyuttered。
Presently，however，thenameofDonCarlosrevivedkeencuriosityinherandrealizationofhersituation，andthenoncemoredreadpossessedherbreast。
Alowexclamationandasweepofarmfromoneoftheguerrillascausedthewholebandtowheelandconcentratetheirattentionintheoppositedirection。Theyheardsomething。Theysawsomeone。
Grimyhandssoughtweapons，andtheneverymanstiffened。
Madelinesawwhathuntedmenlookedlikeatthemomentofdiscovery，andthesightwasterrible。Sheclosedhereyes，sickwithwhatshesaw，fearfulofthemomentwhenthegunswouldleapout。
Thereweremutteredcurses，ashortperiodofsilencefollowedbywhisperings，andthenaclearvoicerangout，\"ElCapitan！\"
AstrongshockvibratedthroughMadeline，andhereyelidssweptopen。InstantlysheassociatedthenameElCapitanwithStewartandexperiencedasensationofstrangeregret。Itwasnotpursuitorrescueshethoughtofthen，butdeath。ThesemenwouldkillStewart。Butsurelyhehadnotcomealone。Thelean，darkfaces，cordedandrigid，toldherinwhatdirectiontolook。
Sheheardtheslow，heavythumpofhoofs。Soonintothewideaislebetweenthetreesmovedtheformofaman，armsflunghighoverhishead。ThenMadelinesawthehorse，andsherecognizedMajesty，andsheknewitwasreallyStewartwhorodetheroan。
Whendoubtwasnolongerpossibleshefeltasuffocatingsenseofgladnessandfearandwonder。
Manyoftheguerrillasleapedupwithdrawnweapons。StillStewartapproachedwithhishandshigh，andheroderightintothecamp-firecircle。Thenaguerrilla，evidentlythechief，waveddownthethreateningmenandstrodeuptoStewart。Hegreetedhim。Therewasamazeandpleasureandrespectinthegreeting。Madelinecouldtellthat，thoughshedidnotknowwhatwassaid。AtthemomentStewartappearedtoherascoolandcarelessasifheweredismountingatherporchsteps。Butwhenhegotdownshesawthathisfacewaswhite。Heshookhandswiththeguerrilla，andthenhisglitteringeyesrovedoverthemenandaroundthegladeuntiltheyresteduponMadeline。Withoutmovingfromhistracksheseemedtoleap，asifapowerfulcurrenthadshockedhim。Madelinetriedtosmiletoassurehimshewasaliveandwell；buttheintentinhiseyes，thepowerofhiscontrolledspirittellingherofherperilandhis，frozethesmileonherlips。
WiththathefacedthechiefandspokerapidlyintheMexicanjargonMadelinehadalwaysfoundsodifficulttotranslate。Thechiefanswered，spreadingwidehishands，oneofwhichindicatedMadelineasshelaythere。Stewartdrewthefellowalittleasideandsaidsomethingforhisearalone。Thechief\'shandssweptupinagestureofsurpriseandacquiescence。AgainStewartspokeswiftly。Hishearerthenturnedtoaddresstheband。Madelinecaughtthewords\"DonCarlos\"and\"pesos。\"Therewasabriefmutteringprotestwhichthechiefthundereddown。
Madelineguessedherreleasehadbeengivenbythisguerrillaandboughtfromtheothersoftheband。
Stewartstrodetoherside，leadingtheroan。Majestyrearedandsnortedwhenhesawhismistressprostrate。Stewartknelt，stillholdingthebridle。
\"Areyouallright？\"heasked。
\"Ithinkso，\"shereplied，essayingalaughthatwasratherafailure。\"Myfeetaretied。\"
Darkbloodblottedoutallthewhitefromhisface，andlightningshotfromhiseyes。Shefelthishands，likesteeltongs，looseningthebondsroundherankles。WithoutawordheliftedheruprightandthenuponMajesty。Madelinereeledalittleinthesaddle，heldhardtothepommelwithoneband，andtriedtoleanonStewart\'sshoulderwiththeother。
\"Don\'tgiveup，\"hesaid。
Shesawhimgazefurtivelyintotheforestonallsides。Anditsurprisedhertoseetheguerrillasridingaway。Puttingthetwofactstogether，MadelineformedanideathatneitherStewartnortheothersdesiredtomeetwithsomeoneevidentlydueshortlyintheglade。StewartguidedtheroanofftotherightandwalkedbesideMadeline，steadyingherinthesaddle。AtfirstMadelinewassoweakanddizzythatshecouldscarcelyretainherseat。
Thedizzinessleftherpresently，andthenshemadeanefforttoridewithouthelp。Herweakness，however，andapaininherwrenchedarmmadethetasklaborsome。
Stewarthadstruckoffthetrail，iftherewereone，andwaskeepingtodenserpartsoftheforest。Thesunsanklow，andtheshaftsofgoldfellwithalongslantamongthefirs。Majesty\'shoofsmadenosoundonthesoftground，andStewartstrodeonwithoutspeaking。Neitherhishurrynorvigilancerelaxeduntilatleasttwomileshadbeencovered。Thenheheldtoastraightercourseanddidnotsendsomanyglancesintothedarkeningwoods。
Theleveloftheforestbegantobecutupbylittlehollows，allofwhichslopedandwidened。Presentlythesoftgroundgaveplacetobare，rockysoil。Thehorsesnortedandtossedhishead。Asoundofsplashingwaterbrokethesilence。Thehollowopenedintoawideronethroughwhichalittlebrookmurmureditswayoverthestones。Majestysnortedagainandstoppedandbenthishead。
\"Hewantsadrink，\"saidMadeline。\"I\'mthirsty，too，andverytired。\"
Stewartliftedheroutofthesaddle，andastheirhandspartedshefeltsomethingmoistandwarm。Bloodwasrunningdownherarmandintothepalmofherhand。
\"I\'m——bleeding，\"shesaid，alittleunsteadily。\"Oh，Iremember。
Myarmwashurt。\"
Shehelditout，thebloodmakingherconsciousofherweakness。
Stewart\'sfingersfeltsofirmandsure。Swiftlyherippedthewetsleeve。Herforearmhadbeencutorscratched。Hewashedofftheblood。
\"Why，Stewart，it\'snothing。Iwasonlyalittlenervous。I
guessthat\'sthefirsttimeIeversawmyownblood。\"
Hemadenoreplyashetoreherhandkerchiefintostripsandboundherarm。Hisswiftmotionsandhissilencegaveherahintofhowhemightmeetamoreseriousemergency。Shefeltsafe。
Andbecauseofthatimpression，whenheliftedhisheadandshesawthathewaspaleandshaking，shewassurprised。Hestoodbeforeherfoldinghisscarf，whichwasstillwet，andfromwhichhemadenoefforttoremovetheredstains。
\"MissHammond，\"hesaid，hoarsely，\"itwasaman\'shands——aGreaser\'sfinger-nails——thatcutyourarm。Iknowwhohewas。I
couldhavekilledhim。ButImightn\'thavegotyourfreedom。
Youunderstand？Ididn\'tdare。\"
MadelinegazedatStewart，astoundedmorebyhisspeechthanhisexcessiveemotion。
\"Mydearboy！\"sheexclaimed。Andthenshepaused。Shecouldnotfindwords。
Hewasmakinganapologytoherfornotkillingamanwhohadlaidaroughhanduponherperson。Hewasashamedandseemedtobeinatorturethatshewouldnotunderstandwhyhehadnotkilledtheman。Thereseemedtobesomethingofpassionatescorninhimthathehadnotbeenabletoavengeheraswellasfreeher。
\"Stewart，Iunderstand。Youwerebeingmykindofcowboy。I
thankyou。\"
Butshedidnotunderstandsomuchassheimplied。Shehadheardmanystoriesofthisman\'scoolindifferencetoperilanddeath。
Hehadalwaysseemedashardasgranite。Whyshouldthesightofalittleblooduponherarmpalehischeekandshakehishandandthickenhisvoice？Whatwasthereinhisnaturetomakehimimplorehertoseetheonlyreasonhecouldnotkillanoutlaw？
Theanswertothefirstquestionwasthathelovedher。Itwasbeyondhertoanswerthesecond。Butthesecretofitlayinthesamestrengthfromwhichhislovesprang——anintensityoffeelingwhichseemedcharacteristicoftheseWesternmenofsimple，lonely，elementallives。AllatonceoverMadelinerushedatideofrealizationofhowgreatlyitwaspossibleforsuchamanasStewarttoloveher。Thethoughtcametoherinallitssingularpower。AllherEasternloverswhohadthegracesthatmadethemherequalsinthesightoftheworldwerewithouttheonlygreatessentialthatalonely，hardlifehadgiventoStewart。Natureherestruckajustbalance。Somethingdeepanddiminthefuture，anunknownvoice，calledtoMadelineanddisturbedher。
Andbecauseitwasnotavoicetoherintelligenceshedeadenedtheearsofherwarmandthrobbinglifeanddecidednevertolisten。
\"Isitsafetorestalittle？\"sheasked。\"Iamsotired。
PerhapsI\'llbestrongerifIrest。\"
\"We\'reallrightnow，\"hesaid。\"Thehorsewillbebetter，too。
Iranhimout。Anduphill，atthat。\"
\"Wherearewe？\"
\"Upinthemountains，tenmilesandmorefromtheranch。There\'satrailjustbelowhere。Icangetyouhomebymidnight。
They\'llbesomeworrieddownthere。\"
\"Whathappened？\"
\"Nothingmuchtoanyonebutyou。That\'sthe——thehardluckofit。Florencecaughtusoutontheslope。Wewerereturningfromthefire。Weweredeadbeat。Butwegottotheranchbeforeanydamagewasdone。Wesurehadtroubleinfindingatraceofyou。
Nickspottedtheprintsofyourheelsunderthewindow。Andthenweknew。Ihadtofighttheboys。Ifthey\'dcomeafteryouwe\'dneverhavegottenyouwithoutafight。Ididn\'twantthat。OldBillcameoutpackingadozenguns。Hewascrazy。IhadtoropeMonty。Honest，Itiedhimtotheporch。NelsandNickpromisedtostayandholdhimtillmorning。ThatwasthebestIcoulddo。
Iwassureluckytocomeupwiththebandsosoon。Ihadfiguredright。Iknewthatguerrillachief。He\'sabanditinMexico。
It\'sabusinesswithhim。ButhefoughtforMadero，andIwaswithhimagooddeal。HemaybeaGreaser，buthe\'swhite。\"
\"Howdidyoueffectmyrelease？\"
\"Iofferedthemmoney。That\'swhattherebelsallwant。Theyneedmoney。They\'realotofpoor，hungrydevils。\"
\"Igatheredthatyouofferedtopayransom。Howmuch？\"
\"TwothousanddollarsMex。Igavemyword。I\'llhavetotakethemoney。ItoldthemwhenandwhereI\'dmeetthem。\"
\"Certainly。I\'mgladI\'vegotthemoney。\"Madelinelaughed。
\"Whatastrangethingtohappentome！Iwonderwhatdadwouldsaytothat？Stewart，I\'mafraidhe\'dsaytwothousanddollarsismorethanI\'mworth。Buttellme。Thatrebelchieftaindidnotdemandmoney？\"
\"No。Themoneyisforhismen。\"
\"Whatdidyousaytohim？Isawyouwhisperinhisear。\"
Stewartdroppedhishead，avertingherdirectgaze。
\"WewerecomradesbeforeJuarez。OnedayIdraggedhimoutofaditch。Iremindedhim。ThenI——ItoldhimsomethingI——I
thought——\"
\"Stewart，Iknowfromthewayhelookedatmethatyouspokeofme。\"
Hercompaniondidnotofferareplytothis，andMadelinedidnotpressthepoint。
\"IheardDonCarlos\'snameseveraltimes。Thatinterestsme。
WhathaveDonCarlosandhisvaquerostodowiththis？\"
\"ThatGreaserhasalltodowithit，\"repliedStewart，grimly。
\"Heburnedhisranchandcorralstokeepusfromgettingthem。
Buthealsodidittodrawalltheboysawayfromyourhome。
Theyhadadeepplot，allright。Ileftordersforsomeonetostaywithyou。ButAlandStillwell，who\'rebothhot-headed，rodeoffthismorning。Thentheguerrillascamedown。\"
\"Well，whatwastheidea——theplot——asyoucallit？\"
\"Togetyou，\"hesaid，bluntly。
\"Me！Stewart，youdonotmeanmycapture——whateveryoucallit——
wasanythingmorethanmereaccident？\"
\"Idomeanthat。ButStillwellandyourbrotherthinktheguerrillaswantedmoneyandarms，andtheyjusthappenedtomakeoffwithyoubecauseyouranunderahorse\'snose。\"
\"Youdonotinclinetothatpointofview？\"
\"Idon\'t。NeitherdoesNelsnorNickSteele。AndweknowDonCarlosandtheGreasers。LookhowthevaqueroschasedFloforyou！\"
\"Whatdoyouthink，then？\"
\"I\'drathernotsay。\"
\"But，Stewart，Iwouldliketoknow。Ifitisaboutme，surelyI
oughttoknow，\"protestedMadeline。\"WhatreasonhaveNelsandNicktosuspectDonCarlosofplottingtoabductme？\"
\"Isupposethey\'venoreasonyou\'dtake。OnceIheardNelssayhe\'dseentheGreaserlookatyou，andifheeversawhimdoitagainhe\'dshoothim。\"
\"Why，Stewart，thatisridiculous。Toshootamanforlookingatawoman！Thisisacivilizedcountry。\"
\"Well，maybeitwouldberidiculousinacivilizedcountry。
There\'ssomethingsaboutcivilizationIdon\'tcarefor。\"
\"What，forinstance？\"
\"Foronething，Ican\'tstandforthewaymenletothermentreatwomen。\"
\"But，Stewart，thisisstrangetalkfromyou，who，thatnightI
came——\"
Shebrokeoff，sorrythatshehadspoken。Hisshamewasnotpleasanttosee。Suddenlyheliftedhishead，andshefeltscorchedbyflamingeyes。
\"SupposeIwasdrunk。SupposeIhadmetsomeordinarygirl。
SupposeIhadreallymadehermarryme。Don\'tyouthinkIwouldhavestoppedbeingadrunkardandhavebeengoodtoher？\"
\"Stewart，Idonotknowwhattothinkaboutyou，\"repliedMadeline。
Thenfollowedashortsilence。Madelinesawthelastbrightraysofthesettingsunglideupoveradistantcrag。Stewartrebridledthehorseandlookedatthesaddle-girths。
\"Igotoffthetrail。AboutDonCarlosI\'llsayrightout，notwhatNelsandNickthink，butwhatIknow。DonCarloshopedtomakeoffwithyouforhimself，thesameasifyouhadbeenapoorpeonslave-girldowninSonora。Maybehehadadeeperplotthanmyrebelfriendtoldme。MaybeheevenwentsofarastohopeforAmericantroopstochasehim。TherebelsaretryingtostiruptheUnitedStates。They\'dwelcomeintervention。But，howeverthatmaybe，theGreasermeanteviltoyou，andhasmeantiteversincehesawyoufirst。That\'sall。\"
\"Stewart，youhavedonemeandmyfamilyaservicewecanneverhopetorepay。\"
\"I\'vedonetheservice。Onlydon\'tmentionpaytome。Butthere\'sonethingI\'dlikeyoutoknow，andIfindithardtosay。It\'sprompted，maybe，bywhatIknowyouthinkofmeandwhatIimagineyourfamilyandfriendswouldthinkiftheyknew。
It\'snotpromptedbyprideorconceit。Andit\'sthis：SuchawomanasyoushouldneverhavecometothisGod-forsakencountryunlessshemeanttoforgetherself。Butasyoudidcome，andasyouweredraggedawaybythosedevils，Iwantyoutoknowthatallyourwealthandpositionandinfluence——allthatpowerbehindyou——wouldneverhavesavedyoufromhellto-night。OnlysuchamanasNelsorNickSteeleorIcouldhavedonethat。\"
MadelineHammondfeltthegreatlevelingforceofthetruth。
WhateverthedifferencebetweenherandStewart，orwhatevertheimagineddifferencesetupbyfalsestandardsofclassandculture，thetruthwasthathereonthiswildmountain-sideshewasonlyawomanandhewassimplyaman。Itwasamanthatsheneeded，andifherchoicecouldhavebeenconsideredinthisextremityitwouldhavefallenuponhimwhohadjustfacedherinquiet，bitterspeech。Herewasfoodforthought。
\"Ireckonwe\'dbetterstartnow，\"hesaid，anddrewthehorseclosetoalargerock。\"Come。\"
Madeline\'swillgreatlyexceededherstrength。Forthefirsttimesheacknowledgedtoherselfthatshehadbeenhurt。Still，shedidnotfeelmuchpainexceptwhenshemovedhershoulder。
Onceinthesaddle，whereStewartliftedher，shedroopedweakly。
Thewaywasrough；everystepthehorsetookhurther；andtheslopeofthegroundthrewherforwardonthepommel。Presently，astheslopegrewrockierandherdiscomfortincreased，sheforgoteverythingexceptthatshewassuffering。
\"Hereisthetrail，\"saidStewart，atlength。
NotfarfromthatpointMadelineswayed，andbutforStewart\'ssupportwouldhavefallenfromthesaddle。Sheheardhimswearunderhisbreath。
\"Here，thiswon\'tdo，\"hesaid。\"Throwyourlegoverthepommel。
Theotherone——there。\"
Then，mounting，heslippedbehindherandliftedandturnedher，andthenheldherwithhisleftarmsothatshelayacrossthesaddleandhisknees，herheadagainsthisshoulder。
AsthehorsestartedintoarapidwalkMadelinegraduallylostallpainanddiscomfortwhensherelaxedhermuscles。Presentlysheletherselfgoandlayinert，greatlytoherrelief。Foralittlewhilesheseemedtobehalfdrunkwiththegentleswayingofahammock。Hermindbecameatoncedreamyandactive，asifitthoughtfullyrecordedtheslow，softimpressionspouringinfromallhersenses。
Aredglowfadedinthewest。Shecouldseeoutoverthefoothills，wheretwilightwassettlinggrayonthecrests，darkinthehollows。Cedarandpinontreeslinedthetrail，andtherewerenomorefirs。Atintervalshugedrab-coloredrocksloomedoverher。Theskywasclearandsteely。Afaintstartwinkled。
Andlastly，closetoher，shesawStewart\'sface，oncemoredarkandimpassive，withtheinscrutableeyesfixedonthetrail。
Hisarm，likeabandofiron，heldher，yetitwasflexibleandyieldedhertothemotionofthehorse。Oneinstantshefeltthebrawn，thebone，heavyandpowerful；thenextthestretchandripple，theelasticityofmuscles。Heheldheraseasilyasifshewereachild。Theroughnessofhisflannelshirtrubbedhercheek，andbeneaththatshefeltthedampnessofthescarfhehadusedtobatheherarm，anddeeperstilltheregularpoundofhisheart。Againstherear，fillingitwithstrong，vibrantbeat，hisheartseemedamightyenginedeepwithinagreatcavern。Herheadhadneverbeforerestedonaman\'sbreast，andshehadnolikingforitthere；butshefeltmorethanthephysicalcontact。
Thepositionwasmysteriousandfascinating，andsomethingnaturalinitmadeherthinkoflife。Thenasthecoolwindblewdownfromtheheights，looseninghertumbledhair，shewascompelledtoseestrandsofitcurlsoftlyintoStewart\'sface，beforehiseyes，acrosshislips。Shewasunabletoreachitwithherfreehand，andthereforecouldnotrefastenit。Andwhensheshuthereyesshefeltthoseloosenedstrandsplayingagainsthischeeks。
Inthekeenerpressofsuchsensationsshecaughtthesmellofdustandafaint，wild，sweettangontheair。Therewasalow，rustlingsighofwindinthebrushalongthetrail。Suddenlythesilencerippedaparttothesharpbarkofacoyote，andthen，fromfaraway，camealongwail。AndthenMajesty\'smetal-rimmedhoofrangonastone。
TheselaterthingslentprobabilitytothatrideforMadeline。
Otherwiseitwouldhaveseemedlikeadream。Evensoitwashardtobelieve。AgainshewonderedifthiswomanwhohadbeguntothinkandfeelsomuchwasMadelineHammond。Nothinghadeverhappenedtoher。Andhere，playingaboutherlikeherhairplayedaboutStewart\'sface，wasadventure，perhapsdeath，andsurelylife。Shecouldnotbelievetheevidenceoftheday\'shappenings。Wouldanyofherpeople，herfriends，everbelieveit？Couldshetellit？HowimpossibletothinkthatacunningMexicanmighthaveusedhertofurthertheinterestsofaforlornrevolution。Sherememberedtheghoulishvisagesofthosestarvedrebels，andmarveledatherblessedfortuneinescapingthem。
Shewassafe，andnowself-preservationhadsomemeaningforher。
Stewart\'sarrivalintheglade，thecouragewithwhichhehadfacedtheoutlawedmen，grewasrealtohernowastheironarmthatclaspedher。HaditbeenaninstinctwhichhadimportunedhertosavethismanwhenhelayillandhopelessintheshackatChiricahua？Inhelpinghimhadshehedgedroundherforcesthathadjustoperatedtosaveherlife，orifnotthat，morethanlifewastoher？Shebelievedso。
Madelineopenedhereyesafterawhileandfoundthatnighthadfallen。Theskywasadark，velvetyblueblazingwithwhitestars。Thecoolwindtuggedatherhair，andthroughwavingstrandsshesawStewart\'sprofile，boldandsharpagainstthesky。
Then，ashermindsuccumbedtoherbodilyfatigue，againhersituationbecameunrealandwild。Aheavylanguor，likeablanket，begantostealuponher。Shewaveredanddrifted。Withthelasthalf-conscioussenseofamuffledthrobatherear，asomethingintangiblysweet，deep-toned，andstrange，likeadistantcallingbell，shefellasleepwithherheadonStewart\'sbreast。
XIIFriendsfromtheEastThreedaysafterherreturntotheranchMadelinecouldnotdiscoveranyphysicaldiscomfortasareminderofheradventurousexperiences。Thissurprisedher，butnotnearlysomuchasthefactthatafterafewweeksshefoundshescarcelyrememberedtheadventuresatall。IfithadnotbeenforthequietandpersistentguardianshipofhercowboysshemightalmosthaveforgottenDonCarlosandtheraiders。Madelinewasassuredofthesplendidphysicalfitnesstowhichthisranchlifehaddevelopedher，andthatshewasassimilatingsomethingoftheWesterndisregardofdanger。Ahardride，anaccident，adayinthesunanddust，anadventurewithoutlaws——thesemightoncehavebeenmattersoflargeimport，butnowforMadelinetheywereinorderwithalltherestofherchangedlife。
Therewasneveradaythatsomethinginterestingwasnotbroughttohernotice。Stillwell，whohadceaselesslyreproachedhimselfforridingawaythemorningMadelinewascaptured，grewmorelikeananxiousparentthanafaithfulsuperintendent。HewasneverateaseregardingherunlesshewasneartheranchorhadleftStewartthere，orelseNelsandNickSteele。Naturally，hetrustedmoretoStewartthantoanyoneelse。
\"MissMajesty，it\'ssureamazin\'strangeaboutGene，\"saidtheoldcattleman，ashetrampedintoMadeline\'soffice。
\"What\'sthematternow？\"sheinquired。
\"Wal，Genehasrustledoffintothemountainsagain。\"
\"Again？Ididnotknowhehadgone。Igavehimmoneyforthatbandofguerrillas。Perhapshewenttotakeittothem。\"
\"No。Hetookthatadayorsoafterhefetchedyoubackhome。