Montyremovedhissombrero——somethinghehadneverdonebefore——
andthesingleinstantwhenitwasoffwaslongenoughtoshowhisheadentirelybald。Thiswasoneofthehall-marksofthatterribleMontanaprairiefirethroughwhichhehadfoughttosavethelifeofachild。Madelinedidnotforgetit，andallatonceshewantedtotakeMonty\'sside。RememberingStillwell\'swisdom，however，sheforeboreyieldingtosentiment，andcalleduponherwits。
\"Miss——MissHammond，\"beganMonty，stammering，\"I\'mextendin\'
admirin\'greetin\'stoyouan\'yourfriends。Linkan\'mearerightdownproudtoplaythematchgamewithyouwatchin\'。ButBillsaysyou\'regoin\'tocaddieforhisteaman\'coach\'emonthefinepoints。An\'Iwanttoask，allrespectful，ifthet\'sfairan\'square？\"
\"Monty，thatisforyoutosay，\"repliedMadeline。\"Itwasmysuggestion。Butifyouobjectintheleast，ofcourseweshallwithdraw。Itseemsfairtome，becauseyouhavelearnedthegame；youareexpert，andIunderstandtheotherboyshavenochancewithyou。ThenyouhavecoachedLink。Ithinkitwouldbesportsmanlikeofyoutoacceptthehandicap。\"
\"Aw，ahandicap！ThetwaswhatBillwasdrivin\'at。Whydidn\'thesayso？EverytimeBillcomestoawordthet\'spietousoldgolfershejeststumbles。MissMajesty，you\'vemadeitallclearasprint。An\'Imaysaywithbecomin\'modestythetyouwasn\'tmistakennoneaboutmebein\'sportsmanlike。Mean\'Linkwasbornthetway。An\'weacceptthehandicap。Lackin\'thethandicap，I
reckonLinkan\'mewouldhavenoambishtoplayourmostbe-ootifulgame。An\'thankin\'you，MissMajesty，an\'allyourfriends，IwanttoaddthetifBill\'soutfitcouldn\'tbeatusbefore，they\'vegotaswellchanctnow，withyouladiesa-watchin\'mean\'Link。\"
Montyhadseemedtoexpandwithprideashedeliveredthisspeech，andattheendhebowedlowandturnedaway。HejoinedthegrouproundStillwell。Oncemoretherewasanimateddiscussionandargumentandexpostulation。OneofthecowboyscameforCastletonandledhimawaytoexploitupongroundrules。
ItseemedtoMadelinethatthegameneverwouldbegin。Shestrolledontherimofthemesa，arminarmwithEdithWayne，andwhileEdithtalkedshelookedoutoverthegrayvalleyleadingtotheruggedblackmountainsandthevastredwastes。Intheforegroundonthegrayslopeshesawcattleinmovementandcowboysridingtoandfro。ShethoughtofStewart。ThenBoydHarveycameforthem，sayingalldetailshadbeenarranged。
Stillwellmetthemhalf-way，andthiscool，dry，oldcattleman，whosefaceandmannerscarcelychangedattheannouncementofacattle-raid，nowshowedextremeagitation。
\"Wal，MissMajesty，we\'vegonean\'madeafoozlerightatthestart，\"hesaid，dejectedly。
\"Afoozle？Butthegamehasnotyetbegun，\"repliedMadeline。
\"Abadstart，Imean。It\'samazin\'bad，an\'we\'relickedalready。\"
\"Whatintheworldiswrong？\"
Shewantedtolaugh，butStillwell\'sdistressrestrainedher。
\"Wal，it\'sthisway。ThatdarnMontyisascutean\'slickasafox。Afterhegotdonedeclaimin\'aboutthehandicaphean\'Linkwassohappytotake，hegotCastletonoverhyaran\'droveusalldottywithhiscrazygol-lofnames。ThenheborrowedCastleton\'sgol-lofcoat。Ireckonborrowedissomekindword。Hejustabouttookthatblazin\'coatofftheEnglishman。ThoughIain\'tsayin\'butthatCasletonwasagreeablewhenhetumbledtoMonty\'smeanin\'。Whichwasnothin\'more\'ntobreakAmbrose\'sheart。
ThatcoatdazzlesAmbrose。YouknowhowvainAmbroseis。Why，he\'ddietogettowearthatEnglishman\'sgol-lofcoat。An\'
Montyforestalledhim。It\'splumbpitifultoseethelookinAmbrose\'seyes。Hewon\'tbeabletoplaymuch。Thenwhatdoyouthink？MontyfixedEdLinton，allright。UsuallyEdiseasy-goin\'an\'cool。Butnowhe\'sontherampage。Wal，mebbeit\'snewstoyoutolearnthatEd\'swifeispowerful，turriblejealousofhim。Edwassomethin\'ofadevilwiththewimmen。
Montygoesoveran\'tellsBeulah——that\'sEd\'swife——thatEdisgoin\'tohaveforcaddiethelovelyMissDorothywiththegoo-gooeyes。Ireckonthiswassomedisrespectful，butwithalldoorespecttoMissDorothyshehasgotapairofunbridledeyes。
Mebbeit\'sjustnaturalforhertolookatafellerlikethat。
Oh，it\'sallright；I\'mnotsayin\'any-thin\'！Iknowit\'sallproperan\'regularforgirlsbackEasttousetheireyes。Butouthyarit\'sboundtoresultdisastrous。AlltheboystalkaboutamongthemselvesisMissDot\'seyes，an\'alltheybragaboutiswhichfelleristheluckiest。Anyway，sureEd\'swifeknowsit。An\'Montyupan\'toldherthatitwasfineforhertocomeoutan\'seehowswellEdwasprancin\'roundunderthelightofMissDot\'sbrowneyes。BeulahcallsoverEd，figgertivelyspeakin\'，ropeshimforaminnit。Edcomesbackhuggin\'agrouchasbigasahill。Oh，itwasfunny！Hewasgoin\'topunchMonty\'shaidoff。An\'Montystandstherean\'laughs。SaysMonty，sarcasticasalkaliwater：\'Ed，we-allknowedyouwasaheapmarriedman，butyou\'resomelocoedtogiveyourselfaway。\'
ThatsettledEd。He\'ssometouchyaboutthewayBeulahhenpeckshim。Helosthisspirit。An\'nowhecouldn\'tplaymarbles，letalonegol-lof。Nope，Montywastoosmart：An\'Ireckonhewasrightaboutbrainsbein\'whatwins。\"
Thegamebegan。AtfirstMadelineandDorothyessayedtodirecttheendeavorsoftheirrespectiveplayers。Butalltheysaidanddidonlymadetheirteamplaytheworse。Atthethirdholetheywerefarbehindandhopelesslybewildered。WhatwithMonty\'sborrowedcoat，withitsdazzlingeffectuponAmbrose，andLink\'soft-repeatedallusiontoEd\'smatrimonialstate，andStillwell\'svociferateddisgust，andtheclamoringgoodintentionandpursuitofthecowboysupporters，andtheembarrassingpresenceoftheladies，AmbroseandEdworethroughallmannerofstrangeplayuntilitbecameridiculous。
\"Hey，Link，\"cameMonty\'svoiceboomingoverthelinks，\"ouresteemedrivalsareplayin\'shinny。\"
MadelineandDorothygaveup，presently，whenthegamebecamearout，andtheysatdownwiththeirfollowerstowatchthefun。
Whetherbyhookorcrook，EdandAmbroseforgedaheadtocomecloseuponMontyandLink。Castletondisappearedinamassofgesticulating，shoutingcowboys。WhenthatcompactmassdisintegratedCastletoncameforthratherhurriedly，itappeared，tostalkbacktowardhishostessandfriends。
\"Look！\"exclaimedHelen，indelight。\"Castletonisactuallyexcited。Whateverdidtheydotohim？Oh，thisisimmense！\"
Castletonwasexcited，indeed，andalsosomewhatdisheveled。
\"ByJove！thatwasarumgo，\"hesaid，ashecameup。\"Neversawsuchbloominggolf！Iresignedmyofficeasumpire。\"
Onlyuponconsiderablepressuredidherevealthereason。\"Itwaslikethis，don\'tyouknow。Theywerealltogetheroverthere，watchingeachother。MontyPrice\'sballdroppedintoahazard，andhemovedittoimprovethelie。ByJove！they\'veallbeendoingthat。Butovertherethegamewaswaxinghot。
StillwellandhiscowboyssawMontymovetheball，andtherewasarow。Theyappealedtome。Icorrectedtheplay，showedtherules。Montyagreedhewasinthewrong。However，whenitcametomovinghisballbacktoitsformerlieinthehazardtherewasmorebloomingtrouble。Montyplacedtheballtosuithim，andthenhetransfixedmewithanevileye。
\"\'Dook，\'hesaid。Iwishthebloodycowboywouldnotcallmethat。\'Dook，mebbethisgameain\'tasimportantasinternationalpoliticsorsomeotherthingsrelatin\'，butthere\'ssomehealthan\'peacedependin\'onit。Savvy？Forsomespaceouropponentshavebeendeadtohonoran\'sportsmanlikeconduct。Icalculatethegamedependsonmynextdrive。I\'mplacin\'myballasneartowhereitwasashumaneyesightcould。YouseenwhereitwassameasIseenit。You\'retheumpire，an\'，Dook，Itakeyouasahonorableman。Moreover，neverinmyborndayshasmywordbeendoubtedwithoutsorrow。SoI\'maskin\'you，wasn\'tmyballlayin\'
justabouthere？\'
\"Thebloodylittledesperadosmiledcheerfully，andhedroppedhisrighthanddowntothebuttofhisgun。ByJove，hedid！
ThenIhadtotellabloominglie！\"
CastletonevencaughtthetoneofMonty\'svoice，butitwasplainthathehadnottheleastconceptionthatMontyhadbeenfooling。
Madelineandherfriendsdivinedit，however；and，therebeingnoneedofreserve，theyletloosethefountainsofmirth。
XIVBanditsWhenMadelineandherpartyrecoveredcomposuretheysatuptowatchthefinishofthematch。Itcamewithspectacularsuddenness。Asharpyellpealedout，andallthecowboysturnedattentivelyinitsdirection。Abigblackhorsehadsurmountedtherimofthemesaandwasjustbreakingintoarun。Hisrideryelledsharplytothecowboys。Theywheeledtodashtowardtheirgrazinghorses。
\"That\'sStewart。Thereissomethingwrong，\"saidMadeline，inalarm。
Castletonstared。Theothermenexclaimeduneasily。ThewomensoughtMadeline\'sfacewithanxiouseyes。
Theblackgotintohisstrideandboreswiftlydownuponthem。
\"Oh，lookatthathorserun！\"criedHelen。\"Lookatthatfellowride！\"
Helenwasnotaloneinheradmiration，forMadelinedividedheremotionsbetweengrowingalarmofsomedangermenacingandathrillandquickeningofpulse-beatthattingledoverherwhenevershesawStewartinviolentaction。Noactionofhiswasanylongerinsignificant，butviolentactionmeantsomuch。Itmightmeananything。ForonemomentsherememberedStillwellandallhistalkaboutfun，andplots，andtrickstoamuseherguest。
Thenshediscountenancedthethought。Stewartmightlendhimselftoalittlefun，buthecaredtoomuchforahorsetorunhimatthatspeedunlesstherewasimperiousneed。ThatalonesufficedtoanswerMadeline\'squestioningcuriosity。Andheralarmmountedtofearnotsomuchforherselfasforherguests。Butwhatdangercouldtherebe？Shecouldthinkofnothingexcepttheguerrillas。
Whateverthreatened，itwouldbemetandcheckedbythismanStewart，whowasthunderinguponhisfleethorse；andashenearedher，sothatshecouldseethedarkgleamoffaceandeyes，shehadastrangefeelingoftrustinherdependenceuponhim。
ThebigblackwassoclosetoMadelineandherfriendsthatwhenStewartpulledhimthedustandsandkickedupbyhispoundinghoofsflewintheirfaces。
\"Oh，Stewart，whatisit？\"criedMadeline。
\"GuessIscaredyou，MissHammond，\"hereplied。\"ButI\'mpressedfortime。There\'sagangofbanditshidingontheranch，mostlikelyinadesertedhut。TheyheldupatrainnearAguaPrieta。
PatHaweiswiththepossethat\'strailingthem，andyouknowPathasnouseforus。I\'mafraiditwouldn\'tbepleasantforyouoryourgueststomeeteithertheposseorthebandits。\"
\"Ifancynot，\"saidMadeline，considerablyrelieved。\"We\'llhurrybacktothehouse。\"
Theyexchangednomorespeechatthemoment，andMadeline\'sguestsweresilent。PerhapsStewart\'sactionsandlooksbeliedhiscalmwords。Hispiercingeyesrovedroundtherimofthemesa，andhisfacewasashardandsternaschiseledbronze。
MontyandNickcamegallopingup，eachleadingseveralhorsesbythebridles。NelsappearedbehindthemwithMajesty，andhewashavingtroublewiththeroan。Madelineobservedthatalltheothercowboyshaddisappeared。
OnesharpwordfromStewartcalmedMadeline\'shorse；theotherhorses，however，werefrightenedandnotinclinedtostand。Themenmountedwithouttrouble，andlikewiseMadelineandFlorence。
ButEdithWayneandMrs。Beck，beingnervousandalmosthelpless，werewithdifficultygottenintothesaddle。
\"Begpardon，butI\'mpressedfortime，\"saidStewart，coolly，aswithironarmheforcedDorothy\'shorsealmosttoitsknees。
Dorothy，whowasactiveandplucky，climbedastride；andwhenStewartloosedhisholdonbitandmanethehorsedoubledupandbegantobuck。Dorothyscreamedassheshotintotheair。
Stewart，asquickasthehorse，leapedforwardandcaughtDorothyinhisarms。Shehadslippedheaddownwardand，hadhenotcaughther，wouldhavehadaseriousfall。Stewart，handlingherasifshewereachild，turnedherrightsideuptosetheruponherfeet。Dorothyevidentlythoughtonlyofthespectacleshepresented，andmadestartledmotionstoreadjustherriding-habit。Itwasnotimetolaugh，thoughMadelinefeltasifshewantedto。Besides，itwasimpossibletobeanythingbutsoberwithStewartinviolentmood。ForhehadjumpedatDorothy\'sstubbornmount。Allcowboysweremastersofhorses。
Itwaswonderfultoseehimconquertheviciousanimal。Hewascruel，perhaps，yetitwasfromnecessity。When，presently，heledthehorsebacktoDorothyshemountedwithoutfurthertrouble。Meanwhile，NelsandNickhadliftedHelenintohersaddle。
\"We\'lltakethesidetrail，\"saidStewart，shortly，asheswunguponthebigblack。Thenheledtheway，andtheothercowboystrottedintherear。
Itwasonlyashortdistancetotherimofthemesa，andwhenMadelinesawthesteeptrail，narrowandchokedwithweatheredstone，shefeltthatherguestswouldcertainlyflinch。
\"That\'sajollybadcourse，\"observedCastleton。
Thewomenappearedtobespeechless。
Stewartcheckedhishorseatthedeepcutwherethetrailstarteddown。
\"Boys，dropover，andgoslow，\"hesaid，dismounting。\"Flo，youfollow。Now，ladies，letyourhorseslooseandholdon。Leanforwardandhangtothepommel。Itlooksbad。Butthehorsesareusedtosuchtrails。\"
HelenfollowedcloselyafterFlorence；Mrs。Beckwentnext，andthenEdithWayne。Dorothy\'shorsebalked。
\"I\'mnotso——sofrightened，\"saidDorothy。\"Ifonlyhewouldbehave！\"
Shebegantourgehimintothetrail，makinghimrear，whenStewartgraspedthebitandjerkedthehorsedown。
\"Putyourfootinmystirrup，\"saidStewart。\"Wecan\'twastetime。\"
Heliftedheruponhishorseandstartedhimdownovertherim。
\"Goon，MissHammond。I\'llhavetoleadthisnagdown。It\'llsavetime。\"
ThenMadelineattendedtothebusinessofgettingdownherself。
Itwasaloosetrail。Theweatheredslopesseemedtoslideunderthefeetofthehorses。Dust-cloudsformed；rocksrolledandrattleddown；cactusspikestoreathorseandrider。Mrs。Beckbrokeintolaughter，andtherewasanoteinitthatsuggestedhysteria。OnceortwiceDorothymurmuredplaintively。HalfthetimeMadelinecouldnotdistinguishthoseaheadthroughtheyellowdust。Itwasdryandmadehercough。Thehorsessnorted。
ShehearedStewartclosebehind，startinglittleavalanchesthatkeptrollingonMajesty\'sfetlocks。Shefearedhislegsmighthecutorbruised，forsomeofthestonescrackedbyandwentrattlingdowntheslope。AtlengththecloudsofdustthinnedandMadelinesawtheothersbeforeherrideoutuponalevel。Soonshewasdown，andStewartalso。
Heretherewasadelay，occasionedbyStewartchangingDorothyfromhishorsetoherown。ThisstruckMadelineasbeingsingular，andmadeherthoughtful。Infact，thealert，quietmannerofallthecowboyswasnotreassuring。AstheyresumedtherideitwasnoticeablethatNelsandNickwerefarinadvance，Montystayedfarintherear，andStewartrodewiththeparty。MadelineheardBoydHarveyaskStewartiflawlessnesssuchashehadmentionedwasnotunusual。Stewartrepliedthat，exceptforoccasionaldeedsofoutlawrysuchasmightbreakoutinanyisolatedsectionofthecountry，therehadbeenpeaceandquietalongtheborderforyears。ItwastheMexicanrevolutionthathadrevivedwildtimes，withalltheattendantraidsandholdupsandgun-packing。Madelineknewthattheywerereallybeingescortedhomeunderarmedguard。
Whentheyroundedtheheadofthemesa，bringingintoviewtheranch-houseandthevalley，MadelinesawdustorsmokehoveringoverahutupontheoutskirtsoftheMexicanquarters。Asthesunhadsetandthelightwasfading，shecouldnotdistinguishwhichitwas。ThenStewartsetafastpaceforthehouse。Inafewminutesthepartywasintheyard，readyandwillingtodismount。
Stillwellappeared，ostensiblycheerful，toocheerfultodeceiveMadeline。Shenotedalsothatanumberofarmedcowboyswerewalkingwiththeirhorsesjustbelowthehouse。
\"Wal，you-allhadanicelittlerun，\"Stillwellsaid，speakinggenerally。\"Ireckontherewasn\'tmuchneedofit。PatHawethinkshe\'sgotsomeoutlawscorralledontheranch。Nothin\'atalltobefussedupabout。Stewart\'sthatparticularhewon\'thaveyoumeetin\'withanyrowdies。\"
ManyandferventweretheexpressionsofrelieffromMadeline\'sfeminineguestsastheydismountedandwentintothehouse。
MadelinelingeredbehindtospeakwithStillwellandStewart。
\"Now，Stillwell，outwithit，\"shesaid，briefly。
Thecattlemanstared，andthenhelaughed，evidentlypleasedwithherkeenness。
\"Wal，MissMajesty，there\'sgoin\'tobeafightsomewhere，an\'
Stewartwantedtogetyou-allinbeforeitcomeoff。Hesaysthevalley\'soverrunbyvaquerosan\'guerrillasan\'robbers，an\'Lordknowswhatelse。\"
Hestampedofftheporch，hishugespursrattling，andstarteddownthepathtowardthewaitingmen。
Stewartstoodinhisfamiliarattentiveposition，erect，silent，withahandonpommelandbridle。
\"Stewart，youareexceedingly——thoughtfulofmyinterests，\"shesaid，wantingtothankhim，andnotreadilyfindingwords。\"I
wouldnotknowwhattodowithoutyou。Istheredanger？\"
\"I\'mnotsure。ButIwanttobeonthesafeside。\"
Shehesitated。Itwasnolongereasyforhertotalktohim，andshedidnotknowwhy。
\"MayIknowthespecialordersyougaveNelsandNickandMonty？\"
sheasked。
\"WhosaidIgavethoseboysspecialorders？\"
\"IheardStillwelltellthemso。\"
\"OfcourseI\'lltellyouifyouinsist。Butwhyshouldyouworryoversomethingthat\'lllikelyneverhappen？\"
\"Iinsist，Stewart，\"shereplied，quietly。
\"Myorderswerethatatleastoneofthemmustbeonguardnearyoudayandnight——nevertobeoutofhearingofyourvoice。\"
\"Ithoughtasmuch。ButwhyNelsorMontyorNick？Thatseemsratherhardonthem。Forthatmatter，whyputanyonetokeepguardoverme？Doyounottrustanyotherofmycowboys？\"
\"I\'dtrusttheirhonesty，butnottheirability。\"
\"Ability？Ofwhatnature？\"
\"Withguns。\"
\"Stewart！\"sheexclaimed。
\"MissHammond，youhavebeenhavingsuchagoodtimeentertainingyourgueststhatyouforget。I\'mgladofthat。Iwishyouhadnotquestionedme。\"
\"Forgetwhat？\"
\"DonCarlosandhisguerrillas。\"
\"IndeedIhavenotforgotten。Stewart，youstillthinkDonCarlostriedtomakeoffwithme——maytryitagain？\"
\"Idon\'tthink。Iknow。\"
\"Andbesidesallyourotherdutiesyouhavesharedthewatchwiththesethreecowboys？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ithasbeengoingonwithoutmyknowledge？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Sincewhen？\"
\"SinceIbroughtyoudownfromthemountainslastmonth。\"
\"Howlongisittocontinue？\"
\"That\'shardtosay。Tilltherevolutionisover，anyhow。\"
Shemusedamoment，lookingawaytothewest，wherethegreatvoidwasfillingwithredhaze。Shebelievedimplicitlyinhim，andthemenacehoveringnearherfelllikeashadowuponherpresenthappiness。
\"WhatmustIdo？\"sheasked。
\"IthinkyououghttosendyourfriendsbackEast——andgowiththem，untilthisguerrillawarisover。\"
\"Why，Stewart，theywouldbebroken-hearted，andsowouldI。\"
Hehadnoreplyforthat。
\"IfIdonottakeyouradviceitwillbethefirsttimesinceI
havecometolooktoyouforsomuch，\"shewenton。\"Cannotyousuggestsomethingelse？Myfriendsarehavingsuchasplendidvisit。Helenisgettingwell。Oh，Ishouldbesorrytoseethemgobeforetheywantto。\"
\"Wemighttakethemupintothemountainsandcampoutforawhile，\"hesaid，presently。\"Iknowawildplaceupamongthecrags。It\'sahardclimb，butworththework。Ineversawamorebeautifulspot。Finewater，anditwillbecool。Prettysoonit\'llbetoohothereforyourpartytogoout-of-doors。\"
\"Youmeantohidemeawayamongthecragsandclouds？\"repliedMadeline，withalaugh。
\"Well，it\'damounttothat。Yourfriendsneednotknow。Perhapsinafewweeksthisspelloftroubleontheborderwillbeovertillfall。\"
\"Yousayit\'sahardclimbuptothisplace？\"
\"Itsurelyis。Yourfriendswillgettherealthingiftheymakethattrip。\"
\"Thatsuitsme。Helenespeciallywantssomethingtohappen。Andtheyareallcrazyforexcitement。\"
\"They\'dgetitupthere。Badtrails，canonstohead，steepclimbs，wind-storms，thunderandlightning，rain，mountain-lionsandwildcats。\"
\"Verywell，Iamdecided。Stewart，ofcourseyouwilltakecharge？Idon\'tbelieveI——Stewart，isn\'ttheresomethingmoreyoucouldtellme——whyyouthink，whyyouknowmyownpersonallibertyisinperil？\"
\"Yes。Butdonotaskmewhatitis。IfIhadn\'tbeenarebelsoldierIwouldneverhaveknown。\"
\"Ifyouhadnotbeenarebelsoldier，wherewouldMadelineHammondbenow？\"sheasked，earnestly。
Hemadenoreply。
\"Stewart，\"shecontinued，withwarmimpulse，\"youoncementionedadebtyouowedme——\"Andseeinghisdarkfacepale，shewavered，thenwenton。\"Itispaid。\"
\"No，no，\"heanswered，huskily。
\"Yes。Iwillnothaveitotherwise。\"
\"No。Thatnevercanbepaid。\"
Madelineheldoutherhand。
\"Itispaid，Itellyou，\"sherepeated。
Suddenlyhedrewbackfromtheoutstretchedwhitehandthatseemedtofascinatehim。
\"I\'dkillamantotouchyourhand。ButIwon\'ttouchitonthetermsyouoffer。\"
Hisunexpectedpassiondisconcertedher。
\"Stewart，nomaneverbeforerefusedtoshakehandswithme，foranyreason。It——itisscarcelyflattering，\"shesaid，withalittlelaugh。\"Whywon\'tyou？BecauseyouthinkIofferitasmistresstoservant——ranchertocowboy？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenwhy？Thedebtyouowedmeispaid。Icancelit。Sowhynotshakehandsuponit，asmendo？\"
\"Iwon\'t。That\'sall。\"
\"Ifearyouareungracious，whateveryourreason，\"shereplied。
\"Still，Imayofferitagainsomeday。Goodnight。\"
Hesaidgoodnightandturned。Madelinewonderinglywatchedhimgodownthepathwithhishandontheblackhorse\'sneck。
Shewentintorestalittlebeforedressingfordinner，and，beingfatiguedfromtheday\'sridingandexcitement，shefellasleep。Whensheawokeitwastwilight。ShewonderedwhyherMexicanmaidhadnotcometoher，andsherangthebell。Themaiddidnotputinanappearance，norwasthereanyanswertothering。Thehouseseemedunusuallyquiet。Itwasabroodingsilence，whichpresentlybroketothesoundoffootstepsontheporch。MadelinerecognizedStillwell\'stread，thoughitappearedtobelightforhim。Thensheheardhimcallsoftlyinattheopendoorofheroffice。Thesuggestionofcautioninhisvoicesuitedthestrangenessofhiswalk。Withabodingsenseoftroubleshehurriedthroughtherooms。Hewasstandingoutsideherofficedoor。
\"Stillwell！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Anybodywithyou？\"heasked，inalowtone。
\"No。\"
\"Pleasecomeoutontheporch，\"headded。
Shecomplied，and，onceout，wasenabledtoseehim。Hisgraveface，palerthanshehadeverbeheldit，causedhertostretchanappealinghandtowardhim。Stillwellintercepteditandhelditinhisown。
\"MissMajesty，I\'mamazin\'sorrytotellworrisomenews。\"Hespokealmostinawhisper，cautiouslylookedabouthim，andseemedbothhurriedandmysterious。\"Ifyou\'dheerdStewartcussyou\'dsureknowhowwehatetohevtotellyouthis。Butitcan\'tbeavoided。Thefactiswe\'reinabadfix。Ifyourguestsain\'tscaredoutoftheirskinsit\'llbeowin\'toyournervean\'howyoucarryoutStewart\'sorders。\"
\"Youcanrelyuponme，\"repliedMadeline，firmly，thoughshetrembled。
\"Wal，whatwe\'reupagainstisthis：thatgangofbanditsPatHawewaschasin\'——they\'rehidin\'inthehouse！\"
\"Inthehouse？\"echoedMadeline，aghast。
\"MissMajesty，it\'stheamazin\'truth，an\'shamedindeedamItoadmitit。Stewart——why，he\'swildwithragetothinkitcouldhevhappened。Yousee，itcouldn\'thevhappenedifIhedn\'tslopedtheboysofftothegol-lof-links，an\'ifStewarthedn\'tridoutonthemesaafterus。It\'smyfault。I\'vehedtoomuchfemininityaroundfermyoldhaid。Genecussedme——hecussedmesurescandalous。Butnowwe\'vegottofaceit——tofigger。\"
\"Doyoumeanthatagangofhuntedoutlaws——bandits——haveactuallytakenrefugesomewhereinmyhouse？\"demandedMadeline。
\"Isuredo。Seemspowerfulstrangetomewhyyoudidn\'tfindsomethin\'waswrong，seem\'allyourservantshevsloped。\"
\"Gone？Ah，Imissedmymaid！Iwonderedwhynolightswerelit。
Wheredidmyservantsgo？\"
\"DowntotheMexicanquarters，an\'scaredhalftodeath。Nowlisten。WhenStewartleftyouanhourorsoagohefolleredmedirecttowheremean\'theboyswastryin\'tokeepPatHawefromtearin\'theranchtopieces。Atthatwewashelpin\'Patallwecouldtofindthembandits。ButwhenStewartgottherehemadeadifference。Patwasnastybefore，butseein\'Stewartmadehimwuss。IreckonGenetoPatisthesameasredtoaGreaserbull。
Anyway，whenthesheriffsetfiretoanoldadobehutStewartcalledhiman\'calledhimhard。PatHawehedsixfellerswithhim，an\'fromallappearancesbandit-huntin\'wassomefiesta。
Therewasarow，an\'itlookedbadferalittle。ButGenewascool，an\'hecontrolledtheboys。ThenPatan\'histoughde-pootieswentonhuntin\'。Thathuntin\'，MissMajesty，peteredoutintowhatwasonlyafarce。IreckonPatcouldhevkeptonfoolin\'mean\'theboys，butassoonasStewartshoweduponthescene——wal，eitherPatgottoblunderin\'orelsewe-allshedourblinders。Anyway，thefactsstoodplain。PatHawewasn\'tlookin\'
hardferanybandits；hewasn\'tdaidsethuntin\'anythin\'，unlessitwastroubleferStewart。Finally，whenPat\'smenmadeferourstorehouse，wherewekeepammunition，grub，liquors，an\'sich，thenGenecalledahalt。An\'heorderedPatHaweofftheranch。
ItwashyarHawean\'Stewartlockedhorns。
An\'hyarthetruthcomeout。Therewasagangofbanditshidsomewheres，an\'atfustPatHawehedbeenpowerfulactivean\'
earnestinhishuntin\'。Butsudden-likehe\'dfetchedapecooliarchangeofheart。HehadbeensomeflusteredwithStewart\'seyesa-pryin\'intohismoves，an\'then，mebbetohidesomethin\'，mebbejestnat\'rul，hegotmad。Heholleredlaw。HepulleddownofftheshelfhisoldstockgrudgeonStewart，accusin\'himoveragainofthatGreasermurderlastfall。Stewartmadehimlooklikeafool——showedhimupasbein\'scaredofthebanditsorhevin\'somereasonferslopin\'offthetrail。Anyway，therowstartedallright，an\'butferNelsitmighthevamountedtoafight。Inthethickofit，whenStewartwasdrivin\'Patan\'hiscrowdofftheplace，oneofthemde-pootieslosthisheadan\'
wentferhisgun。Nelsthrowedhisgunan\'crippledthefeller\'sarm。Montyjumpedthenan\'throwedtwoforty-fives，an\'ferasecondorsoitlookedticklish。Butthebandit-hunterscrawled，an\'thenlitout。\"
Stillwellpausedintherapiddeliveryofhisnarrative；hestillretainedMadeline\'shand，asifbythathemightcomforther。
\"AfterPatleftweputourhaidstogether，\"begantheoldcattleman，withalongrespiration。\"Weroundedupaladwhohedseenadozenorsofellers——hewouldn\'ttotheywasGreasers——
breakin\'throughtheshrubberytothebackofthehouse。ThatwaswhileStewartwasridin\'outtothemesa。Thenthisladseenyourservantsallrunnin\'downthehilltowardthevillage。Now，heah\'sthewayGenefiggers。Theresurewassomedeviltrydownalongtherailroad，an\'PatHawetrailedbanditsuptotheranch。
Hehuntshardan\'thenalltooncthequits。StewartsaysPatHawewasn\'tscared，buthediscoveredsignsorsomethin\'，orgotwindinsomestrangewaythattherewasinthegangofbanditssomefellershedidn\'twanttoketch。Sabe？ThenGene，quicker\'naflash，springshisplanonme。He\'dgodowntoPadreMarcosan\'hevhimhelptofindoutallpossiblefromyourMexicanservants。Iwastohurryuphyaran\'tellyou——giveyouorders，MissMajesty。Ain\'tthatamazin\'strange？Wal，you\'retoassembleallyourguestsinthekitchen。Makeagrandbluffan\'
pretend，asyourhelphasleft，thatit\'llbegreatfunferyourgueststocookdinner。Thekitchenisthesafestroominthehouse。Whileyou\'rejoshin\'yourpartyalong，makin\'akindofpicnicoutofit，I\'llplacecowboysinthelongcorridor，an\'
alsooutsideinthecornerwherethekitchenjoinsontothemainhouse。It\'sprettysurethebanditsthinknoone\'swisetowherethey\'rehid。Stewartsaysthey\'reinthatendroomwherethealfalfais，an\'they\'llslopeinthenight。Ofcourse，withmean\'theboyswatchin\'，you-allwillbesafetogotobed。An\'
we\'retorouseyourguestsearlybeforedaylight，tohitthetrailupintothemountains。Tellthemtopackoutfitsbeforegoin\'tobed。Sayasyourservantshevsloped，youmightaswellgocampin\'withthecowboys。That\'sall。Ifwehevanyluckyour\'friends\'llneverknowthey\'vebeensittin\'onapowder-mine。\"
\"Stillwell，doyouadvisethattripupintothemountains？\"askedMadeline。
\"IreckonIdo，considerin\'everythin\'。Now，MissMajesty，I\'veusedupalotoftimeexplainin\'。You\'llsurekeepyournerve？\"
\"Yes，\"Madelinereplied，andwassurprisedatherself。\"BettertellFlorence。She\'llbeapowerofcomforttoyou。I\'mgoin\'
nowtofetchuptheboys。\"
InsteadofreturningtoherroomMadelinewentthroughtheofficeintothelongcorridor。Itwasalmostasdarkasnight。Shefanciedshesawaslow-glidingfiguredarkerthanthesurroundinggloom；andsheentereduponthefulfilmentofherpartoftheplaninsomethingliketrepidation。Herfootstepswerenoiseless。Findingthedoortothekitchen，andgoingin，shestrucklights。Uponpassingoutagainshemadecertainshediscernedadarkshape，nowmotionless，crouchingalongthewall。
Butshemistrustedhervividimagination。Ittookallherboldnesstoenableherunconcernedlyandnaturallytostrikethecorridorlight。Thenshewentonthroughherownroomsandthenceintothepatio。
Herguestslaughinglyandgladlyenteredintothespiritoftheoccasion。Madelinefanciedherdeceitmusthavebeenperfect，seeingthatitdeceivedevenFlorence。Theytroopedmerrilyintothekitchen。Madeline，delayingatthedoor，tookasharpbutunobtrusiveglancedownthegreat，barnlikehall。Shesawnothingbutblankdarkspace。Suddenlyfromoneside，notaroddistant，protrudedapale，gleamingfacebreakingtheevenblackness。Instantlyitflashedbackoutofsight。YetthattimewaslongenoughforMadelinetoseeapairofglitteringeyes，andtorecognizethemasDonCarlos\'s。
Withoutbetrayingeitherhurryoralarm，sheclosedthedoor。Ithadaheavyboltwhichsheslowly，noiselesslyshot。Thenthecoldamazethathadallbutstunnedherintoinactionthrobbedintowrath。HowdaredthatMexicanstealintoherhome！Whatdidhemean？Washeoneofthebanditssupposedtobehiddeninherhouse？Shewasthinkingherselfintogreaterangerandexcitement，andprobablywouldhavebetrayedherselfhadnotFlorence，whohadevidentlyseenherboltthedoorandnowreadherthoughts，cometowardherwithabright，intent，questioninglook。Madelinecaughtherselfintime。
Thereuponshegaveeachofherguestsadutytoperform。LeadingFlorenceintothepantry，sheunburdenedherselfofthesecretinonebriefwhisper。Florence\'sreplywastopointoutofthelittleopenwindow，passingwhichwasafileofstealthilymovingcowboys。ThenMadelinelostbothangerandfear，retainingonlytheglowofexcitement。
Madelinecouldbegay，andsheinitiatedtheabandonmentofdignitybycallingCastletonintothepantry，and，whileinterestinghiminsomepretextorother，imprintingtheoutlinesofherflour-coveredhandsuponthebackofhisblackcoat。
Castletoninnocentlyreturnedtothekitchentobegreetedwitharoar。Thatsurprisingactofthehostesssetthepace，andtherefollowedamerry，noisytime。Everybodyhelped。Themiscellaneouscollectionofdishessoconfusinglycontrivedmadeupadinnerwhichtheyallheartilyenjoyed。Madelineenjoyeditherself，evenwiththefeelingofaswordhangingsuspendedoverher。
Thehourwaslatewhensherosefromthetableandtoldhergueststogototheirrooms，dontheirriding-clothes，packwhattheyneededforthelongandadventurouscampingtripthatshehopedwouldbetheclimaxoftheirWesternexperience，andtosnatchalittlesleepbeforethecowboysrousedthemfortheearlystart。
Madelinewentimmediatelytoherroom，andwasgettingouthercampingapparelwhenaknockinterruptedher。ShethoughtFlorencehadcometohelpherpack。Butthisknockwasuponthedooropeningoutintheporch。Itwasrepeated。
\"Who\'sthere？\"shequestioned。
\"Stewart，\"camethereply。
Sheopenedthedoor。Hestoodonthethreshold。Beyondhim，indistinctinthegloom，wereseveralcowboys。
\"MayIspeaktoyou？\"heasked。
\"Certainly。\"Shehesitatedamoment，thenaskedhiminandclosedthedoor。\"Is——iseverythingallright？\"
\"No。Thesebanditssticktocoverprettyclose。Theymusthavefoundoutwe\'reonthewatch。ButI\'msurewe\'llgetyouandyourfriendsawaybeforeanythingstarts。IwantedtotellyouthatI\'vetalkedwithyourservants。Theywerejustscared。
They\'llcomebackto-morrow，soonasBillgetsridofthisgang。
Youneednotworryaboutthemoryourproperty。\"
\"Doyouhaveanyideawhoishidinginthehouse？\"
\"Iwasworriedsomeatfirst。PatHaweactedqueer。Iimaginedhe\'ddiscoveredhewastrailingbanditswhomightturnouttobehissmugglingguerrillacronies。Buttalkingwithyourservants，findingabunchofhorsesuponhiddendowninthemesquitebehindthepond——severalthingshavechangedmymind。Myideaisthatacowardlyhandfulofriffraffoutcastsfromtheborderhavehiddeninyourhouse，morebyaccidentthandesign。We\'llletthemgo——
getridofthemwithoutevenashot。IfIdidn\'tthinkso——well，I\'dbeconsiderablyworried。Itwouldmakeadifferentstateofaffairs。\"
\"Stewart，youarewrong，\"shesaid。
Hestarted，buthisreplydidnotfollowswiftly。Theexpressionofhiseyesaltered。Presentlyhespoke：
\"Howso？\"
\"Isawoneofthesebandits。Idistinctlyrecognizedhim。\"
Onelongstepbroughthimclosetoher。
\"Whowashe？\"demandedStewart。
\"DonCarlos。\"
Hemutteredlowanddeep，thensaid，\"Areyousure？\"
\"Absolutely。Isawhisfiguretwiceinthehall，thenhisfaceinthelight。Icouldnevermistakehiseyes。\"
\"Didheknowyousawhim？\"
\"Iamnotpositive，butIthinkso。Oh，hemusthaveknown！I
wasstandingfullinthelight。Ihadenteredthedoor，thenpurposelysteppedout。Hisfaceshowedfromaroundacorner，andswiftlyflashedoutofsight。\"
MadelinewastremblinglyconsciousthatStewartunderwentatransformation。Shesawaswellasfelttheleapingpassionthatchangedhim。
\"Callyourfriends——gettheminhere！\"heordered，tersely，andwheeledtowardthedoor。
\"Stewart，wait！\"shesaid。
Heturned。Hiswhiteface，hisburningeyes，hispresencenowchargedwithdefinite，fearfulmeaning，influencedherstrangely，weakenedher。
\"Whatwillyoudo？\"sheasked。
\"Thatneedn\'tconcernyou。Getyourpartyinhere。Barthewindowsandlockthedoors。You\'llbesafe。\"
\"Stewart！Tellmewhatyouintendtodo。\"
\"Iwon\'ttellyou，\"hereplied，andturnedawayagain。
\"ButIwillknow，\"shesaid。Withahandonhisarmshedetainedhim。Shesawhowhehalted——felttheshockinhimasshetouchedhim。\"Oh，Idoknow。Youmeantofight！\"
\"Well，MissHammond，isn\'titabouttime？\"heasked。Evidentlyheovercameaviolentpassionforinstantaction。Therewasweariness，dignity，evenreproofinhisquestion。\"ThefactofthatMexican\'spresencehereinyourhouseoughttoprovetoyouthenatureofthecase。Thesevaqueros，theseguerrillas，havefoundoutyouwon\'tstandforanyfightingonthepartofyourmen。DonCarlosisasneak，acoward，yethe\'snotafraidtohideinyourownhouse。Hehaslearnedyouwon\'tletyourcowboyshurtanybody。He\'stakingadvantageofit。He\'llrob，burn，andmakeoffwithyou。He\'llmurder，too，ifitfallshisway。TheseGreasersuseknivesinthedark。SoIask——isn\'titabouttimewestophim？\"
\"Stewart，Iforbidyoutofight，unlessinself-defense。I
forbidyou。\"
\"WhatImeantodoisself-defense。Haven\'tItriedtoexplaintoyouthatjustnowwe\'vewildtimesalongthisstretchofborder？MustItellyouagainthatDonCarlosishandandglovewiththerevolution？TherebelsarecrazytostiruptheUnitedStates。Youareawomanofprominence。DonCarloswouldmakeoffwithyou。Ifhegotyou，whatlittlemattertocrosstheborderwithyou！Well，wherewouldthehueandcrygo？Throughthetroopsalongtheborder！ToNewYork！ToWashington！Why，itwouldmeanwhattherebelsareworkingfor——UnitedStatesintervention。Inotherwords，war！\"
\"Oh，surelyyouexaggerate！\"shecried。
\"Maybeso。ButI\'mbeginningtoseetheDon\'sgame。And，MissHammond，I——It\'sawfulformetothinkwhatyou\'dsufferifDonCarlosgotyouovertheline。Iknowtheselow-casteMexicans。
I\'vebeenamongthepeons——theslaves。\"
\"Stewart，don\'tletDonCarlosgetme，\"repliedMadeline，insweetdirectness。
Shesawhimshake，sawhisthroatswellasheswallowedhard，sawthehardfiercenessreturntohisface。
\"Iwon\'t。That\'swhyI\'mgoingafterhim。\"
\"ButIforbadeyoutostartafightdeliberately。\"
\"ThenI\'llgoaheadandstartonewithoutyourpermission，\"herepliedshortly，andagainhewheeled。
Thistime，whenMadelinecaughthisarmsheheldtoit，evenafterhestopped。
\"No，\"shesaid，imperiously。
Heshookoffherhandandstrodeforward。
\"Pleasedon\'tgo！\"shecalled，beseechingly。Buthekepton。
\"Stewart！\"
Sheranaheadofhim，interceptedhim，facedhimwithherbackagainstthedoor。Hesweptoutalongarmasiftobrushheraside。Butitwaveredandfell。Haggard，troubled，withworkingface，hestoodbeforeher。
\"It\'sforyoursake，\"heexpostulated。
\"Ifitisformysake，thendowhatpleasesme。\"
\"Theseguerrillaswillknifesomebody。They\'llburnthehouse。
They\'llmakeoffwithyou。They\'lldosomethingbadunlesswestopthem。\"
\"Letusriskallthat，\"sheimportuned。
\"Butit\'saterriblerisk，anditoughtn\'tberun，\"heexclaimed，passionately。\"Iknowbesthere。Stillwellupholdsme。Letmeout，MissHammond。I\'mgoingtotaketheboysandgoaftertheseguerrillas。\"
\"No！\"
\"GoodHeavens！\"exclaimedStewart。\"Whynotletmego？It\'sthethingtodo。I\'msorrytodistressyouandyourguests。WhynotputanendtoDonCarlos\'sbadgering？Isitbecauseyou\'reafraidarumpuswillspoilyourfriends\'visit？\"
\"Itisn\'t——notthistime。\"
\"Thenit\'stheideaofalittleshootingattheseGreasers？\"
\"No。\"
\"You\'resicktothinkofalittleGreaserbloodstainingthehallsofyourhome？\"
\"No！\"
\"Well，then，whykeepmefromdoingwhatIknowisbest？\"
\"Stewart，I——I——\"shefaltered，ingrowingagitation。\"I\'mfrightened——confused。Allthisistoo——toomuchforme。I\'mnotacoward。Ifyouhavetofightyou\'llseeI\'mnotacoward。Butyourwayseemssoreckless——thathallissodark——theguerrillaswouldshootfrombehinddoors。You\'resowild，sodaring，you\'drushrightintoperil。Isthatnecessary？Ithink——Imean——I
don\'tknowjustwhyIfeelso——soaboutyoudoingit。ButI
believeit\'sbecauseI\'mafraidyou——youmightbehurt。\"
\"You\'reafraidI——Imightbehurt？\"heechoed，wonderingly，thehardwhitenessofhisfacewarming，flushing，glowing。
\"Yes。\"
Thesingleword，withallitmightmean，withallitmightnotmean，softenedhimasifbymagic，madehimgentle，amazed，shyasaboy，stiflingunderatorrentofemotions。
Madelinethoughtshehadpersuadedhim——workedherwillwithhim。
Thenanotherofhisstartlinglysuddenmovestoldherthatshehadreckonedtooquickly。Thismovewastoputherfirmlyasidesohecouldpass；andMadeline，seeinghewouldnothesitatetoliftheroutoftheway，surrenderedthedoor。Heturnedonthethreshold。Hisfacewasstillworking，buttheflame-pointedgleamofhiseyesindicatedthereturnofthatcowboyruthlessness。
\"I\'mgoingtodriveDonCarlosandhisgangoutofthehouse，\"
declaredStewart。\"IthinkImaypromiseyoutodoitwithoutafight。Butifittakesafight，offhegoes！\"
XVTheMountainTrailAsStewartdepartedfromonedoorFlorenceknockeduponanother；
andMadeline，farshakenoutofherusualserenity，admittedthecoolWesterngirlwithmorethangladness。JusttohavehernearhelpedMadelinetogetbackherbalance。ShewasconsciousofFlorence\'ssharpscrutiny，thenofasweet，deliberatechangeofmanner。Florencemighthavebeenburningwithcuriositytoknowmoreaboutthebanditshiddeninthehouse，theplansofthecowboys，thereasonforMadeline\'ssuppressedemotion；butinsteadofaskingMadelinequestionssheintroducedtheimportantsubjectofwhattotakeonthecampingtrip。Foranhourtheydiscussedtheneedofthisandthatarticle，selectedthosethingsmostneedful，andthenpackedtheminMadeline\'sduffle-bags。
Thatdone，theydecidedtoliedown，fullydressedastheywereinriding-costume，andsleep，oratleastrest，thelittleremainingtimeleftbeforethecalltosaddle。Madelineturnedoutthelightand，peepingthroughherwindow，sawdarkformsstandingsentinel-likeinthegloom。Whenshelaydownsheheardsoftstepsonthepath。Thisfidelitytoherswelledherheart，whiletheneedofitpresagedthatfearfulsomethingwhich，sinceStewart\'spassionateappealtoher，hauntedherasinevitable。
Madelinedidnotexpecttosleep，yetshedidsleep，anditseemedtohavebeenonlyamomentuntilFlorencecalledher。ShefollowedFlorenceoutside。Itwasthedarkhourbeforedawn。
Shecoulddiscernsaddledhorsesbeingheldbycowboys。Therewasanairofhurryandmysteryaboutthedeparture。Helen，whocametip-toeingoutwithMadeline\'sotherguests，whisperedthatitwaslikeanescape。Shewasdelighted。Theotherswereamused。ToMadelineitwasindeedanescape。
InthedarknessMadelinecouldnotseehowmanyescortsherpartywastohave。Sheheardlowvoices，thechampingofbitsandthumpingofhoofs，andsherecognizedStewartwhenheledupMajestyforhertomount。Thencameapatteringofsoftfeetandthewhiningofdogs。Coldnosestouchedherhands，andshesawthelong，gray，shaggyshapesofherpackofRussianwolf-hounds。
ThatStewartmeanttoletthemgowithherwasindicativeofhowhestudiedherpleasure。Shelovedtobeoutwiththehoundsandherhorse。
StewartledMajestyoutintothedarknesspastalineofmountedhorses。
\"Guesswe\'reready？\"hesaid。\"I\'llmakethecount。\"Hewentbackalongtheline，andonthereturnMadelineheardhimsayseveraltimes，\"Now，everybodyrideclosetothehorseinfront，andkeepquiettilldaylight。\"ThenthesnortingandpoundingofthebigblackhorseinfrontofhertoldMadelinethatStewarthadmounted。
\"Allright，we\'reoff，\"hecalled。
MadelineliftedMajesty\'sbridleandlettheroango。Therewasacrackandcrunchofgravel，firestruckfromstone，alowwhinny，asnort，andthensteady，short，clip-clopofironhoofsonhardground。MadelinecouldjustdiscernStewartandhisblackoutlinedinshadowygraybeforeher。Yettheywerealmostwithintouchingdistance。Onceortwiceoneofthehugestag-houndsleapedupatherandwhinedjoyously。Athickbeltofdarknesslaylow，andseemedtothinoutabovetoagrayfog，throughwhichafewwanstarsshowed。Itwasaltogetheranunusualdeparturefromtheranch；andMadeline，alwayssusceptibleeventoordinaryincidentthatpromisedwell，nowfoundherselfthrillinglysensitivetothesoftbeatofhoofs，thefeelofcool，moistair，thedimsightofStewart\'sdarkfigure。Thecaution，theearlystartbeforedawn，theenforcedsilence——theselenttheoccasionallthatwasneedfultomakeitstirring。
Majestyplungedintoagully，wheresandandroughgoingmadeMadelinestopromancingtoattendtoriding。InthedarknessStewartwasnotsoeasytokeepclosetoevenonsmoothtrails，andnowshehadtobewatchfullyattentivetodoit。Thenfollowedalongmarchthroughdraggingsand。Meantimetheblacknessgraduallychangedtogray。AtlengthMajestyclimbedoutofthewash，andoncemorehisironshoesrangonstone。Hebegantoclimb。ThefigureofStewartandhishorseloomedmoredistinctlyinMadeline\'ssight。Bendingover，shetriedtoseethetrail，butcouldnot。ShewonderedhowStewartcouldfollowatrailinthedark。Hiseyesmustbeaspiercingastheysometimeslooked。OverhershoulderMadelinecouldnotseethehorsebehindher，butsheheardhim。
AsMajestyclimbedsteadilyMadelinesawthegraydarknessgrowopaque，changeandlighten，loseitssubstance，andyieldthegrotesqueshapesofyuccaandocotillo。Dawnwasabouttobreak。
Madelineimaginedshewasfacingeast，stillshesawnobrighteningofsky。Allatonce，tohersurprise，Stewartandhispowerfulhorsestoodclearinhersight。Shesawthecharacteristicrockandcactusandbrushthatcoveredthefoothills。Thetrailwasoldandseldomused，anditzigzaggedandturnedandtwisted。Lookingback，shesawtheshort，squatfigureofMontyPricehumpedoverhissaddle。Monty\'sfacewashiddenunderhissombrero。BehindhimrodeDorothyCoombs，andnextloomeduptheloftyformofNickSteele。Madelineandthemembersofherpartywereridingbetweencowboyescorts。
Brightdaylightcame，andMadelinesawthetrailwasleadingupthroughfoothills。Itledinaround-aboutwaythroughshallowgulliesfullofstoneandbrushwasheddownbyfloods。AteveryturnnowMadelineexpectedtocomeuponwaterandthewaitingpack-train。Buttimepassed，andmilesofclimbing，andnowaterorhorsesweremet。ExpectationinMadelinegaveplacetodesire；shewashungry。
PresentlyStewart\'shorsewentsplashingintoashallowpool。
Beyondthatdampplacesinthesandshowedhereandthere，andagainmorewaterinrockypockets。Stewartkepton。Itwaseighto\'clockbyMadeline\'swatchwhen，uponturningintoawidehollow，shesawhorsesgrazingonsparegrass，agreatpileofcanvas-coveredbundles，andafireroundwhichcowboysandtwoMexicanwomenwerebusy。
Madelinesatherhorseandreviewedherfollowersastheyrodeupsinglefile。Herguestswereinmerrymood，andtheyalltalkedatonce。
\"Breakfast——andrustle，\"calledoutStewart，withoutceremony。
\"Noneedtotellmetorustle，\"saidHelen。\"Iamsimplyravenous。Thisairmakesmehungry。\"
Forthatmatter，MadelineobservedHelendidnotshowanymarkedcontrasttotheothers。Thehurryorder，however，didnotinterferewiththemealbeingsomewhatinthenatureofapicnic。
Whiletheyateandtalkedandlaughedthecowboyswerepackinghorsesandburrosandthrowingthediamond-hitch，aproceduresointerestingtoCastletonthathegotupwithcoffee-cupinhandandtrampedfromoneplacetoanother。
\"Heardofthatdiamond-hitch-up，\"heobservedtoacowboy。
\"Ballynicelittlejob！\"
Assoonasthepack-trainwasinreadinessStewartstarteditoffintheleadtobreaktrail。Aheavygrowthofshrubinterspersedwithrockandcactuscoveredtheslopes；andnowallthetrailappearedtobeuphill。ItwasnotaquestionofcomfortforMadelineandherparty，forcomfortwasimpossible；itwasamatterofmakingthetravelpossibleforhim。Florenceworecorduroybreechesandhigh-topboots，andtheadvantageofthismasculinegarbwasatonceinevidence。Theriding-habitsoftheotherladiessufferedconsiderablyfromthesharpspikes。IttookallMadeline\'swatchfulnesstosaveherhorse\'slegs，topickthebestbitsofopenground，tomakecut-offsfromthetrail，andtoprotectherselffromoutreachingthornybranches，sothatthetimespedbywithoutherknowingit。Thepack-trainforgedahead，andthetrailingcouplesgrewfartherapart。Atnoontheygotoutofthefoothillstofacetherealascentofthemountains。Thesunbeatdownhot。Therewaslittlebreeze，andthedustrosethickandhunginapall。Theviewwasrestricted，andwhatscenerylayopentotheeyewasdrearyanddrab，abarrenmonotonyofslow-mountingslopesridgedbyrockycanons。
OnceStewartwaitedforMadeline，andasshecameuphesaid：
\"We\'regoingtohaveastorm。\"
\"Thatwillbearelief。It\'ssohotanddusty，\"repliedMadeline。
\"ShallIcallahaltandmakecamp？\"
\"Here？Ohno！Whatdoyouthinkbest？\"
\"Well，ifwehaveagoodhealthythunder-stormitwillbesomethingnewforyourfriends。Ithinkwe\'dbewisetokeeponthego。There\'snoplacetomakeagoodcamp。Thewindwouldblowusoffthisslopeiftheraindidn\'twashusoff。It\'lltakeall-daytraveltoreachagoodcamp-site，andIdon\'tpromisethat。We\'remakingslowtime。Ifitrains，letitrain。
Thepackoutfitiswellcovered。Wewillhavetogetwet。\"
\"Surely，\"repliedMadeline；andshesmiledathisinference。Sheknewwhatastormwasinthatcountry，andherguestshadyettoexperienceone。\"Ifitrains，letitrain。\"
Stewartrodeon，andMadelinefollowed。Uptheslopetoiledandnoddedthepack-animals，thelittleburrosgoingeasilywherethehorseslabored。Theirpacks，likethehumpsofcamels，bobbedfromsidetoside。Stonesrattleddown；theheat-waveswaveredblack；thedustpuffedupandsailed。Theskywasapaleblue，likeheatedsteel，exceptwheredarkcloudspeepedoverthemountaincrests。Aheavy，sultryatmospheremadebreathingdifficult。Downtheslopethetrailingpartystretchedoutintwosandthrees，anditwaseasytodistinguishthewearyriders。
HalfamilefartherupMadelinecouldseeoverthefoothillstothenorthandwestandalittlesouth，andsheforgottheheatandwearinessanddiscomfortforherguestsinwide，unlimitedprospectsofsun-scorchedearth。Shemarkedthegrayvalleyandtheblackmountainsandthewide，redgatewayofthedesert，andthedim，shadowypeaks，blueastheskytheypierced。Shewassorrywhenthebleak，gnarledcedar-treesshutoffherview。
Thentherecamearespitefromthesteepclimb，andthewayledinawindingcoursethroughamatted，storm-wrenchedforestofstuntedtrees。Evenuptothiselevationthedesertreachedwithitsgaunthand。Thecloudsoverspreadingthesky，hidingthesun，madeawelcomechange。Thepack-trainrested，andStewartandMadelinewaitedforthepartytocomeup。HerehebrieflyexplainedtoherthatDonCarlosandhisbanditshadlefttheranchsometimeinthenight。Thunderrumbledinthedistance，andafaintwindrustledthescantfoliageofthecedars。Theairgrewoppressive；thehorsespanted。
\"Sureit\'llbeahummer，\"saidStewart。\"Thefirststormalmostalwaysisbad。Icanfeelitintheair。\"
Theair，indeed，seemedtobechargedwithaheavyforcethatwaswaitingtobeliberated。
Onebyonethecouplesmountedtothecedarforest，andthefemininecontingentdeclaimedeloquentlyforrest。Buttherewastobenopermanentrestuntilnightandthenthatdependeduponreachingthecrags。Thepack-trainwaggedonward，andStewartfellinbehind。Thestorm-centergatheredslowlyaroundthepeaks；lowrumbleandhowlofthunderincreasedinfrequence；
slowlythelightshadedassmokycloudsrolledup；theairgrewsultrier，andtheexasperatingbreezepuffedafewtimesandthenfailed。
Anhourlaterthepartyhadclimbedhighandwasroundingthesideofagreatbareridgethatlonghadhiddenthecrags。Thelastburroofthepack-trainploddedovertheridgeoutofMadeline\'ssight。Shelookedbackwarddowntheslope，amusedtoseeherguestschangewearilyfromsidetosideintheirsaddles。
Farbelowlaythecedarflatandthefoothills。Fartothewesttheskywasstillclear，withshaftsofsunlightshootingdownfrombehindtheencroachingclouds。
Stewartreachedthesummitoftheridgeand，thoughonlyafewrodsahead，hewavedtoher，sweepinghishandroundtowhathesawbeyond。Itwasanimpressivegesture，andMadeline，neverhavingclimbedashighasthis，anticipatedmuch。
Majestysurmountedthelastfewstepsand，snorting，haltedbesideStewart\'sblack。ToMadelinethescenewasasiftheworldhadchanged。Theridgewasamountain-top。Itdroppedbeforeherintoablack，stone-ridged，shrub-patched，many-canonedgulf。Eastward，beyondthegulf，round，baremountain-headsloomedup。Upward，ontheright，ledgiantstepsofcliffandbenchandweatheredslopetothefir-borderedandpine-fringedcragsstandingdarkandbareagainstthestormysky。
Massedinkycloudswerepilingacrossthepeaks，obscuringthehighestones。Aforkofwhitelightningflashed，and，liketheboomingofanavalanche，thunderfollowed。
Thatboldworldofbrokenrockundertheslowmusteringofstorm-cloudswasagrim，awe-inspiringspectacle。Ithadbeauty，butbeautyofthesublimeandmajestickind。Thefiercedeserthadreacheduptomeetthemagneticheightswhereheatandwindandfrostandlightningandfloodcontendedineverlastingstrife。Andbeforetheironslaughtthismightyupflungworldofruggedstonewascrumbling，splitting，wearingtoruin。
MadelineglancedatStewart。Hehadforgottenherpresence。
Immovableasstone，hesathishorse，dark-faced，dark-eyed，and，likeanIndianunconsciousofthought，hewatchedandwatched。
Toseehimthus，todivinethestrangeaffinitybetweenthesoulofthisman，becomeprimitive，andthesavageenvironmentthathaddevelopedhim，werepowerfulhelpstoMadelineHammondinherstrangedesiretounderstandhisnature。
Acrackingofiron-shodhoofsbehindherbrokethespell。Montyhadreachedthesummit。
\"Gene，whatitwon\'tallbedoin\'inaminnutMoseshisselfcouldn\'ttell，\"observedMonty。
ThenDorothyclimbedtohissideandlooked。
\"Oh，isn\'titjustperfectlylovely！\"sheexclaimed。\"ButIwishitwouldn\'tstorm。We\'llallgetwet。\"
OncemoreStewartfacedtheascent，keepingtotheslowheaveoftheridgeasitrosesouthwardtowardtheloomingspiresofrock。
Soonhewasoffsmoothground，andMadeline，somerodsbehindhim，lookedbackwithconcernatherfriends。Heretherealtoil，therealclimbbegan，andamountainstormwasabouttoburstinallitsfury。