\"PadreJuantooktheflowersandlefthishome，promisingtoreturn，andhetravelednorthwardoverthehotanddustydesert，throughthemountainpasses，toanewcountrywherefierceandwarlikeIndiansmenacedhislife。Hewasgentleandgood，andofapersuasivespeech。Moreover，hewasyoungandhandsomeofperson。TheIndianswereApaches，andamongthemhebecameamissionary，whilealwayshewassearchingfortheflowersofgold。Heheardofgoldlyinginpebblesuponthemountainslopes，butheneverfoundany。AfewoftheApachesheconverted；themostofthem，however，werepronetobehostiletohimandhisreligion。ButPadreJuanprayedandworkedon。
\"TherecameatimewhentheoldApachechief，imaginingthepadrehaddesignsuponhisinfluencewiththetribe，soughttoputhimtodeathbyfire。Thechief\'sdaughter，abeautiful，dark-eyedmaiden，secretlylovedJuanandbelievedinhismission，andsheintercededforhislifeandsavedhim。Juanfellinlovewithher。Onedayshecametohimwearinggoldenflowersinherdarkhair，andasthewindblewtheflowersagoldendustblewuponit。Juanaskedherwheretofindsuchflowers，andshetoldhimthatuponacertaindayshewouldtakehimtothemountaintolookforthem。Anduponthedaysheleduptothemountain-topfromwhichtheycouldseebeautifulvalleysandgreattreesandcoolwaters。Thereatthetopofawonderfulslopethatlookeddownupontheworld，sheshowedJuantheflowers。AndJuanfoundgoldinsuchabundancethathethoughthewouldgooutofhismind。Dustofgold！Grainsofgold！Pebblesofgold！Rocksofgold！Hewasrichbeyondalldreams。HerememberedtheVirginandherwords。Hemustreturntohispeopleandbuildtheirchurch，andthegreatcitythatwouldbearhisname。
\"ButJuantarried。Alwayshewasgoingmanana。Helovedthedark-eyedApachegirlsowellthathecouldnotleaveher。HehatedhimselfforhisinfidelitytohisVirgin，tohispeople。
Hewasweakandfalse，asinner。Buthecouldnotgo，andhegavehimselfuptoloveoftheIndianmaiden。
\"TheoldApachechiefdiscoveredthesecretloveofhisdaughterandthepadre。And，fierceinhisanger，hetookherupintothemountainsandburnedheraliveandcastherashesuponthewind。
HedidnotkillPadreJuan。Hewastoowise，andperhapstoocruel，forhesawthestrengthofJuan\'slove。Besides，manyofhistribehadlearnedmuchfromtheSpaniard。
\"PadreJuanfellintodespair。Hehadnodesiretolive。Hefadedandwastedaway。ButbeforehediedhewenttotheoldIndianswhohadburnedthemaiden，andhebeggedthem，whenhewasdead，toburnhisbodyandtocasthisashestothewindfromthatwonderfulslope，wheretheywouldblowawaytomingleforeverwiththoseofhisIndiansweetheart。
\"TheIndianspromised，andwhenPadreJuandiedtheyburnedhisbodyandtookhisashestothemountainheightsandcastthemtothewind，wheretheydriftedandfelltomixwiththeashesoftheIndiangirlhehadloved。
\"Yearspassed。MorepadrestraveledacrossthedeserttothehomeoftheApaches，andtheyheardthestoryofJuan。AmongtheirnumberwasapadrewhoinhisyouthhadbeenoneofJuan\'speople。HesetforthtofindJuan\'sgrave，wherehebelievedhewouldalsofindthegold。Andhecamebackwithpebblesofgoldandflowersthatshedagoldendust，andhetoldawonderfulstory。Hehadclimbedandclimbedintothemountains，andhehadcometoawonderfulslopeunderthecrags。Thatslopewasyellowwithgoldenflowers。Whenhetouchedthemgoldenashesdriftedfromthemandblewdownamongtherocks。Therethepadrefounddustofgold，grainsofgold，pebblesofgold，rocksofgold。
\"Thenallthepadreswentintothemountains。Butthediscovereroftheminelosthisway。Theysearchedandsearcheduntiltheywereoldandgray，butneverfoundthewonderfulslopeandflowersthatmarkedthegraveandthemineofPadreJuan。
\"Inthesucceedingyearsthestorywashandeddownfromfathertoson。ButofthemanywhohuntedforthelostmineofthepadrestherewasneveraMexicanoranApache。FortheApachethemountainslopeswerehauntedbythespiritofanIndianmaidenwhohadbeenfalsetohertribeandforeveraccursed。FortheMexicanthemountainslopeswerehauntedbythespiritofthefalsepadrewhorolledstonesupontheheadsofthoseadventurerswhosoughttofindhisgraveandhisaccursedgold。\"
XVIIIBonitaFlorence\'sstoryofthelostminefiredMadeline\'sguestswiththefeverforgold-hunting。Butaftertheyhadtrieditafewtimesandtheglamourofthethingworeofftheygaveupandremainedincamp。Havingexhaustedalltheresourcesofthemountain，suchthathadinterestforthem，theysettledquietlydownforarest，whichMadelineknewwouldsoonendinadesireforcivilizedcomforts。Theywerealmosttiredofroughingit。
Helen\'sdiscontentmanifesteditselfinherremark，\"Iguessnothingisgoingtohappen，afterall。\"
Madelineawaitedtheirpleasureinregardtothebreakingofcamp；andmeanwhile，asnoneofthemcaredformoreexertion，shetookherwalkswithoutthem，sometimesaccompaniedbyoneofthecowboys，alwaysbythestag-hounds。Thesewalksfurnishedherexceedingpleasure。And，nowthatthecowboyswouldtalktoherwithoutreserve，shegrewfonderoflisteningtotheirsimplestories。Themoresheknewofthemthemoreshedoubtedthewisdomofshut-inlives。CompanionshipwithNelsandmostofthecowboyswasinitseffectlikethatoftheruggedpinesandcragsandtheuntaintedwind。Humor，theirpredominanttraitwhenapersongrewtoknowthem，savedMadelinefromfindingtheirhardnesstrying。Theyweredreamers，asallmenwholivedlonelylivesinthewildsweredreamers。
Thecowboysallhadsecrets。Madelinelearnedsomeofthem。Shemarveledmostatthestrangewayinwhichtheyhidemotions，exceptofviolenceofmirthandtempersoeasilyaroused。Itwasallthemoreremarkableinviewofthefactthattheyfeltintenselyoverlittlethingstowhichmenoftheworldwereblindanddead。Madelinehadtobelievethatahardandperilouslifeinabarrenandwildcountrydevelopedgreatprinciplesinmen。
Livingclosetoearth，underthecold，bleakpeaks，onthedust-veileddesert，mengrewlikethenaturethatdevelopedthem——
hard，fierce，terrible，perhaps，butbig——bigwithelementalforce。
Butoneday，whileoutwalkingalone，beforesherealizeditshehadgonealongwaydownadimtrailwindingamongtherocks。Itwasthemiddleofasummerafternoon，andallaboutherwereshadowsofthecragscrossingthesunlitpatches。Thequietwasundisturbed。Shewentonandon，notblindtothefactthatshewasperhapsgoingtoofarfromcamp，butriskingitbecauseshewassureofherwayback，andenjoyingthewild，craggyrecessesthatwerenewtoher。Finallyshecameoutuponabankthatbrokeabruptlyintoabeautifullittleglade。Hereshesatdowntorestbeforeundertakingthereturntrip。
SuddenlyRuss，thekeenerofthestag-hounds，raisedhisheadandgrowled。Madelinefearedhemighthavescentedamountain-lionorwildcat。Shequietedhimandcarefullylookedaround。Toeachsidewasanirregularlineofmassiveblocksofstonethathadweatheredfromthecrags。Thelittlegladewasopenandgrassy，withhereapine-tree，thereaboulder。Theoutletseemedtogodownintoawildernessofcanonsandridges。Lookinginthisdirection，Madelinesawtheslight，darkfigureofawomancomingstealthilyalongunderthepines。Madelinewasamazed，thenalittlefrightened，forthatstealthywalkfromtreetotreewassuggestiveofsecrecy，ifnothingworse。
Presentlythewomanwasjoinedbyatallmanwhocarriedapackage，whichhegavetoher。Theycameonupthegladeandappearedtobetalkingearnestly。InanothermomentMadelinerecognizedStewart。Shehadnogreaterfeelingofsurprisethanhadatfirstbeenhers。Butforthenextmomentshescarcelythoughtatall——merelywatchedthecoupleapproaching。InaflashcamebackherformercuriosityastoStewart\'sstrangeabsencesfromcamp，andthenwiththereturnofherdoubtofhimtherecognitionofthewoman。Thesmall，darkhead，thebrownface，thebigeyes——Madelinenowsawdistinctly——belongedtotheMexicangirlBonita。Stewarthadmetherthere。Thiswasthesecretofhislonelytrips，takeneversincehehadcometoworkforMadeline。Thissecludedgladewasarendezvous。Hehadherhiddenthere。
QuietlyMadelinearose，withagesturetothedogs，andwentbackalongthetrailtowardcamp。SucceedinghersurprisewasafeelingofsorrowthatStewart\'sregenerationhadnotbeencomplete。Sorrowgaveplacetoinsufferabledistrustthatwhileshehadbeenromancingaboutthiscowboy，dreamingofhergoodinfluenceoverhim，hehadbeenmerelybase。Somehowitstungher。Stewarthadbeennothingtoher，shethought，yetshehadbeenproudofhim。Shetriedtorevolvethething，tobefairtohim，wheneveryinstinctivetendencywastoexpelhim，andallpertainingtohim，fromherthoughts。Andhereffortatsympathy，atextenuation，failedutterlybeforeherpride。
Exertingherwill-power，shedismissedStewartfromhermind。
Madelinedidnotthinkofhimagaintilllatethatafternoon，when，asshewasleavinghertenttojoinseveralofherguests，Stewartappearedsuddenlyinherpath。
\"MissHammond，Isawyourtracksdownthetrail，\"hebegan，eagerly，buthistonewaseasyandnatural。\"I\'mthinking——well，maybeyousuregottheidea——\"
\"Idonotwishforanexplanation，\"interruptedMadeline。
Stewartgaveaslightstart。Hismannerhadasemblanceoftheold，coolaudacity。Ashelookeddownatheritsubtlychanged。
Whateffrontery，Madelinethought，tofaceherbeforeherguestswithanexplanationofhisconduct！Suddenlyshefeltaninwardflashoffirethatwaspain，sostrange，soincomprehensible，thathermindwhirled。Thenangerpossessedher，notatStewart，butatherself，thatanythingcouldrouseinherarawemotion。
Shestoodthere，outwardlycold，serene，withlevel，haughtyeyesuponStewart；butinwardlyshewasburningwithrageandshame。
\"I\'msurenotgoingtohaveyouthink——\"Hebeganpassionately，buthebrokeoff，andaslow，dullcrimsonblottedoverthehealthyred-brownofhisneckandcheeks。
\"Whatyoudoorthink，Stewart，isnoconcernofmine。\"
\"Miss——MissHammond！Youdon\'tbelieve——\"falteredStewart。
Thecrimsonrecededfromhisface，leavingitpale。Hiseyeswereappealing。TheyhadakindoftimidlookthatstruckMadelineeveninheranger。Therewassomethingboyishabouthimthen。
Hetookastepforwardandreachedoutwithhishandopen-palmedinagesturethatwashumble，yetheldacertaindignity。
\"Butlisten。Nevermindnowwhatyou——youthinkaboutme。
There\'sagoodreason——\"
\"Ihavenowishtohearyourreason。\"
\"Butyououghtto，\"hepersisted。
\"Sir！\'\'
Stewartunderwentanotherswiftchange。Hestartedviolently。A
darktideshadedhisfaceandaglitterleapedtohiseyes。Hetooktwolongstrides——loomedoverher。
\"I\'mnotthinkingaboutmyself，\"hethundered。\"Willyoulisten？\"
\"No，\"shereplied；andtherewasfreezinghauteurinhervoice。
Withaslightgestureofdismissal，unmistakableinitsfinality，sheturnedherbackuponhim。Thenshejoinedherguests。
Stewartstoodperfectlymotionless。Thenslowlyhebegantolifthisrighthandinwhichheheldhissombrero。Hesweptitupanduphighoverhishead。Histallformtowered。Withfiercesuddennessheflunghissombrerodown。Heleapedathisblackhorseanddraggedhimtowherehissaddlelay。Withonepitchhetossedthesaddleuponthehorse\'sback。Hisstronghandsflashedatgirthsandstraps。Everyactionwasswift，decisive，fierce。Boundingforhisbridle，whichhungoverabush，heranagainstacowboywhoawkwardlytriedtoavoidtheonslaught。
\"Getoutofmyway！\"heyelled。
Thenwiththesamesavagehasteheadjustedthebridleonhishorse。
\"Mebbeyoubetterholdonaminnit，Gene，olefeller，\"saidMontyPrice。
\"Monty，doyouwantmetobrainyou？\"saidStewart，withtheshort，hardringinhisvoice。
\"Now，considerin\'thehighclassofmybrains，Ioughterberealcarefultokeep\'em，\"repliedMonty。\"Youcanbetcherlife，Gene，Iain\'tgoin\'togitinfrontofyou。ButIjestsays——
Listen！\"
Stewartraisedhisdarkface。Everybodylistened。Andeverybodyheardtherapidbeatofahorse\'shoofs。Thesunhadset，buttheparkwaslight。Nelsappeareddownthetrail，andhishorsewasrunning。Inanothermomenthewasinthecircle，pullinghisbaybacktoaslidinghalt。HeleapedoffabreastofStewart。
MadelinesawandfeltadifferenceinNels\'spresence。
\"What\'sup，Gene？\"hequeried，sharply。
\"I\'mleavingcamp，\"repliedStewart，thickly。HisblackhorsebegantostampasStewartgraspedbridleandmaneandkickedthestirrupround。
Nels\'slongarmshotout，andhishandfelluponStewart，holdinghimdown。
\"ShoreI\'msorry，\"saidNels，slowly。\"Thenyouwasgoin\'tohitthetrail？\"
\"Iamgoingto。Letgo，Nels。\"
\"Shoreyouain\'tgoin\'，Gene？\"
\"Letgo，damnyou！\"criedStewart，ashewrestledfree。
\"What\'swrong？\"askedNels，liftinghishandagain。
\"Man！Don\'ttouchme！\"
Nelssteppedbackinstantly。HeseemedtobecomeawareofStewart\'swhite，wildpassion。AgainStewartmovedtomount。
\"Nels，don\'tmakemeforgetwe\'vebeenfriends，\"hesaid。
\"ShoreIain\'tfergettin\'，\"repliedNels。\"An\'Iresignmyjobrightherean\'now！\"
Hisstrangespeechcheckedthemountingcowboy。Stewartsteppeddownfromthestirrup。Thentheirhardfaceswerestillandcoldwhiletheireyeslockedglances。
MadelinewasasmuchstartledbyNels\'sspeechasStewart。Quicktonoteachangeinthesemen，shenowsensedonethatwasunfathomable。
\"Resign？\"questionedStewart。
\"Shore。What\'dyouthinkI\'ddoundercircumstancessichashascomeup？\"
\"Butseehere，Nels，Iwon\'tstandforit。\"
\"You\'renotmybossnomore，an\'Iain\'tbeholdin\'toMissHammond，neither。I\'mmyownboss，an\'I\'lldoasIplease。
Sabe，senor？\"
Nels\'swordswereatvariancewiththemeaninginhisface。
\"Gene，yousentmeonalittlescoutdowninthemountains，didn\'tyou？\"hecontinued。
\"Yes，Idid，\"repliedStewart，withanewsharpnessinhisvoice。
\"Wal，shoreyouwassogoodan\'rightinyourfiggerin\'，asopposedtomine，thatI\'msickwithadmirin\'ofyou。Ifyouhedn\'tsentme——wal，I\'mreckonin\'somethin\'mighthevhappened。
Asitiswe\'reshoreupagainstahellofaproposition！\"
Howsignificantwastheeffectofhiswordsuponallthecowboys！
Stewartmadeafierceandviolentmotion，terriblewherehisothermotionshadbeenbutpassionate。Montyleapedstraightupintotheairinasingularactionassuggestiveofsurpriseasitwasofwildacceptanceofmenace。LikeastalkinggiantNickSteelestrodeovertoNelsandStewart。Theothercowboysrosesilently，withoutaword。
Madelineandherguests，inalittlegroup，watchedandlistened，unabletodivinewhatallthisstrangetalkandactionmeant。
\"Holdon，Nels，theydon\'tneedtohearit，\"saidStewart，hoarsely，ashewavedahandtowardMadeline\'ssilentgroup。
\"Wal，I\'msorry，butIreckonthey\'daswellknowfustaslast。
Mebbethetyearnin\'wishofMissHelen\'sfersomethin\'tohappenwillcometrue。ShoreI——\"
\"Cutoutthejoshin\'，\"rangoutMonty\'sstridentvoice。
Ithadasdecidedaneffectasanyprecedingwordsoraction。
Perhapsitwasthelastthingneededtotransformthesemen，doingunaccustomeddutyasescortsofbeautifulwomen，totheirnaturalstateasmenofthewild。
\"Telluswhat\'swhat，\"saidStewart，coolandgrim。\"DonCarlosan\'hisguerrillasarecampin\'onthetrailsthetleaduphere。
They\'vegotthemtrailsblocked。Byto-morrerthey\'dheduscorralled。Mebbetheymeanttosurpriseus。He\'sgotalotofGreasersan\'outlaws。They\'rewellarmed。Nowwhatdotheymean？
You-allcanfiggeritouttosuityourselves。MebbetheDonwantstopayasociablecallonourladies。Mebbehisgangissomehungry，asusual。Mebbetheywanttostealafewhosses，oranythin\'theycanlayhandson。Mebbetheymeanwuss，too。Nowmyideeisthis，an\'mebbeit\'swrong。IlongsinceseparatedfromlovewithGreasers。Thetblack-facedDonCarloshasgotadeepgame。Thettwo-bitofarevolutionishevin\'hardtimes。
TherebelswantAmericanintervention。They\'dstretchanypointtomaketrouble。We\'reonlytenmilesfromtheborder。Supposethemguerrillasgotourcrowdacrossthetborder？TheU。S。
cavalrywouldfoller。You-allknowwhatthet\'dmean。MebbeDonCarlos\'smindworksthetway。Mebbeitdon\'t。Ireckonwe\'llknowsoon。An\'now，Stewart，whatevertheDon\'sgameis，shoreyou\'rethemantooutfiggerhim。Mebbeit\'sjustaswellyou\'regoodan\'madaboutsomethin\'。An\'IresignmyjobbecauseIwanttofeelunbeholdin\'toanybody。Shoreitstruckmelongsincethettheolddayshedcomebackferalittlespell，an\'thereI
wastrailin\'apromisenottohurtanyGreaser。\"
XIXDonCarlosStewarttookNels，Monty，andNickSteeleasideoutofearshot，andtheyevidentlyentereduponanearnestcolloquy。Presentlytheothercowboyswerecalled。Theyalltalkedmoreorless，butthedeepvoiceofStewartpredominatedovertheothers。Thentheconsultationbrokeup，andthecowboysscattered。
\"Rustle，youIndians！\"orderedStewart。
TheensuingsceneofactionwasnotreassuringtoMadelineandherfriends。Theywerequiet，awaitingsomeonetotellthemwhattodo。AttheoffsetthecowboysappearedtohaveforgottenMadeline。Someofthemranoffintothewoods，othersintotheopen，grassyplaces，wheretheyroundedupthehorsesandburros。
Severalcowboysspreadtarpaulinsuponthegroundandbegantoselectandrollsmallpacks，evidentlyforhurriedtravel。Nelsmountedhishorsetoridedownthetrail。MontyandNickSteelewentoffintothegrove，leadingtheirhorses。Stewartclimbedupasteepjumbleofstonebetweentwosectionsoflow，crackedcliffbackofthecamp。
Castletonofferedtohelpthepackers，andwascurtlytoldhewouldbeintheway。Madeline\'sfriendsallimportunedher：Wasthererealdanger？Weretheguerrillascoming？Wouldastartbemadeatoncefortheranch？Whyhadthecowboyssuddenlybecomesodifferent？Madelineansweredasbestshecould；butherreplieswereonlyconjecture，andmodifiedtoallaythefearsofherguests。Helenwasinawhiteglowofexcitement。
Sooncowboysappearedridingbarebackedhorses，drivinginothersandtheburros。Someofthesehorsesweretakenawayandevidentlyhiddenindeeprecessesbetweenthecrags。Thestringofburroswerepackedandsentoffdownthetrailinchargeofacowboy。NickSteeleandMontyreturned。ThenStewartappeared，clamberingdownthebreakbetweenthecliffs。
HisnextmovewastoorderallthebaggagebelongingtoMadelineandhergueststakenupthecliff。Thiswasstrenuoustoil，requiringtheneedoflassoestohauluptheeffects。
\"Getreadytoclimb，\"saidStewart，turningtoMadelinesparty。
\"Where？\"askedHelen。
Hewavedhishandattheascenttobemade。Exclamationsofdismayfollowedhisgesture。
\"Mr。Stewart，istheredanger？\"askedDorothy；andhervoicetrembled。
ThiswasthequestionMadelinehaduponherlipstoaskStewart，butshecouldnotspeakit。
\"No，there\'snodanger，\"repliedStewart，\"butwe\'retakingprecautionsweallagreedonasbest。\"
DorothywhisperedthatshebelievedStewartlied。Castletonaskedanotherquestion，andthenHarveyfollowedsuit。Mrs。Beckmadeatimidquery。
\"Pleasekeepquietanddoasyou\'retold，\"saidStewart，bluntly。
Atthisjuncture，whenthelastofthebaggagewasbeinghauledupthecliff，MontyapproachedMadelineandremovedhissombrero。
Hisblackfaceseemedthesame，yetthiswasavastlychangedMonty。
\"MissHammond，I\'mgivin\'noticeIresignmyjob，\"hesaid。
\"Monty！Whatdoyoumean？WhatdoesNelsmeannow，whendangerthreatens？\"
\"Wejestquit。Thet\'sall，\"repliedMonty，tersely。Hewassternandsomber；hecouldnotstandstill；hiseyesrovedeverywhere。
Castletonjumpedupfromthelogwherehehadbeensitting，andhisfacewasveryred。
\"Mr。Price，doesallthisbloomingfussmeanwearetoberobbedorattackedorabductedbyalotofragamuffinguerrillas？\"
\"You\'vecalledthebet。\"
DorothyturnedaverypalefacetowardMonty。
\"Mr。Price，youwouldn\'t——youcouldn\'tdesertusnow？YouandMr。
Nels——\"
\"Desertyou？\"askedMonty，blankly。
\"Yes，desertus。Leaveuswhenwemayneedyousomuch，withsomethingdreadfulcoming。\"
Montyutteredashort，hardlaughashebentastrangelookuponthegirl。
\"Mean\'Nelsispurtymuchscared，an\'we\'regoin\'toslope。
MissDorothy，bein\'aswe\'verustledroundsomuch；itsortahurtsustoseeniceyounggirlsdraggedoffbythehair。\"
Dorothyutteredalittlecryandthenbecamehysterical。
Castletonforoncewasfullyaroused。
\"ByGad！Youandyourpartnerareacoupleofbloomingcowards。
Wherenowisthatcourageyouboastedof？\"
Monty\'sdarkfaceexpressedextremesarcasm。
\"Dook，inmytimeI\'veseensomebrightfellers，butyoutakethecake。It\'smostmarveloushowbrightyouare。Figger\'n\'mean\'
Nelssocorrect。Say，Dook，ifyoudon\'tgitrustledofftoMexicoan\'ropedtoacactus-bushyou\'llhevaswellstoryferyourEnglishchums。BahJove！You\'lltell\'emhowyouseentwoold-timegun-menrunlikescaredjack-rabbitsfromalotofGreasers。Likehellyouwill！Unlessyoulielikethetimeyoutoldaboutproddin\'thelion。Thattherestoryallus——\"
\"Monty，shutup！\"yelledStewart，ashecamehurriedlyup。ThenMontyslouchedaway，cursingtohimself。
MadelineandHelen，assistedbyCastleton，workedoverDorothy，andwithsomedifficultyquietedher。Stewartpassedseveraltimeswithoutnoticingthem，andMonty，whohadbeensoridiculouslyeagertopayeverylittleattentiontoDorothy，didnotseeheratall。Rudeitseemed；inMonty\'seasemorethanthat。Madelinehardlyknewwhattomakeofit。
Stewartdirectedcowboystogototheheadoftheopenplaceinthecliffandletdownlassoes。Then，withlittlewasteofwords，heurgedthewomentowardthisroughladderofstones。
\"Wewanttohideyou，\"hesaid，whentheydemurred。\"Iftheguerrillascomewe\'lltellthemyou\'veallgonedowntotheranch。Ifwehavetofightyou\'llbesafeupthere。\"
HelensteppedboldlyforwardandletStewartputtheloopofalassoroundherandtightenit。Hewavedhishandtothecowboysabove。
\"Justwalkup，now，\"hedirectedHelen。
Itprovedtothewatcherstobeaneasy，safe，andrapidmeansofscalingthesteeppassage。Themenclimbedupwithoutassistance。Mrs。Beck，asusual，hadhysteria；shehalfwalkedandwashalfdraggedup。StewartsupportedDorothywithonearm，whilewiththeotherheheldtothelasso。AmbrosehadtocarryChristine。TheMexicanwomenrequirednoassistance。EdithWayneandMadelineclimbedlast；and，onceup，Madelinesawanarrowbench，thickwithshrubs，andovershadowedbyhuge，leaningcrags。Therewereholesintherock，anddarkfissuresleadingback。Itwasarough，wildplace。Tarpaulinsandbeddingwerethenhauledup，andfoodandwater。Thecowboysspreadcomfortablebedsinseveralofthecaves，andtoldMadelineandherfriendstobeasquietaspossible，nottomakealight，andtosleepdressed，readyfortravelatamoment\'snotice。
Afterthecowboyshadgonedownitwasnotacheerfulgroupleftthereinthedarkeningtwilight。Castletonprevaileduponthemtoeat。
\"Thisissimplygreat，\"whisperedHelen。
\"Oh，it\'sawful！\"moanedDorothy。\"It\'syourfault，Helen。Youprayedforsomethingtohappen。\"
\"Ibelieveit\'sahorridtrickthosecowboysareplaying，\"saidMrs。Beck。
Madelineassuredherfriendsthatnotrickwasbeingplayeduponthem，andthatshedeploredthediscomfortanddistress，butfeltnorealalarm。Shewasmoreinclinedtoevasivekindnessherethantosincerity，forshehadadecideduneasiness。Theswiftchangeinthemannerandlooksofhercowboyshadbeenashocktoher。ThelastglanceshehadofStewart\'sface，thenstern，almostsad，andhaggardwithworry，remainedtoaugmentherforeboding。
Darknessappearedtodropswiftlydown；thecoyotesbegantheirhaunting，mournfulhowls；thestarsshowedandgrewbrighter；thewindmoanedthroughthetipsofthepines。Castletonwasrestless。Hewalkedtoandfrobeforetheoverhangingshelfofrock，wherehiscompanionssatlamenting，andpresentlyhewentouttotheledgeofthebench。Thecowboysbelowhadbuiltafire，andthelightfromitroseinahuge，fan-shapedglow。
Castleton\'slittlefigurestoodoutblackagainstthislight。
Curiousandanxiousalso，Madelinejoinedhimandpeereddownfromthecliff。Thedistancewasshort，andoccasionallyshecoulddistinguishawordspokenbythecowboys。Theywereunconcernedlycookingandeating。ShemarkedtheabsenceofStewart，andmentionedittoCastleton。SilentlyCastletonpointedalmoststraightdown，andthereinthegloomstoodStewart，withthetwostag-houndsathisfeet。
PresentlyNickSteelesilencedthecamp-firecirclebyraisingawarninghand。Thecowboysbenttheirheads，listening。Madelinelistenedwithallhermight。Sheheardoneofthehoundswhine，thenthefaintbeatofhorse\'shoofs。Nickspokeagainandturnedtohissupper，andtheothermenseemedtoslackeninattention。
Thebeatofhoofsgrewlouder，enteredthegrove，thenthecircleoflight。TheriderwasNels。Hedismounted，andthesoundofhislowvoicejustreachedMadeline。
\"Gene，it\'sNels。Somethin\'doin\'，\"Madelineheardoneofthecowboyscall，softly。
\"Sendhimover，\"repliedStewart。
Nelsstalkedawayfromthefire。
\"Seehere，Nels，theboysareallright，butIdon\'twantthemtoknoweverythingaboutthismix-up，\"saidStewart，asNelscameup。\"Didyoufindthegirl？\"
MadelineguessedthatStewartreferredtotheMexicangirlBonita。
\"No。ButImet\"——Madelinedidnotcatchthename——\"an\'hewaswild。Hewaswithaforest-ranger。An\'theysaidPatHawehadtrailedheran\'wastakin\'herdownunderarrest。\"
Stewartmuttereddeepunderhisbreath，evidentlycursing。
\"Wonderwhyhedidn\'tcomeonuphere？\"hequeried，presently。
\"Hecanseeatrail。\"
\"Wal，Gene，Patknowedyouwashereallright，ferthetrangersaidPathedwindoftheguerrillas，an\'PatsaidifDonCarlosdidn\'tkillyou——whichhehopedhe\'ddo——thenit\'dbetimeenoughtoputyouinjailwhenyoucomedown。\"
\"He\'sdeadsettoarrestme，Nels。\"
\"An\'he\'lldoit，liketheoldladywhokepttavernoutWest。
Gene，thereasonthetred-facedcoyotedidn\'ttrailyouuphereisbecausehe\'sscared。Healluswasscaredofyou。ButIreckonhe\'sshorescaredtodeathofmean\'Monty。\"
\"Well，we\'lltakePatinhisturn。Thethingnowis，whenwillthatGreaserstalkus，andwhat\'llwedowhenhecomes？\"
\"Myboy，there\'sonlyonewaytohandleaGreaser。Ishoretoldyouthet。Hemeansroughtowardus。He\'llcomesmilin\'up，allsoci\'blelike，insinuatin\'an\'sweeter\'nawoman。Buthe\'streacherous；he\'swussthananIndian。An\'，Gene，weknowforapositivefacthowhisganghevbeenoperatin\'betweenthesehillsan\'AguaPrieta。They\'renonervygangofoutlawslikeweusedtohev。Butthey\'replumbbad。They\'veraidedandmurderedthroughtheSanLuisPassan\'GuadalupeCanon。They\'vemurderedwomen，an\'wussthanthet，bothnorthan\'southofAguaPrieta。
MebbetheU。S。cavalrydon\'tknowit，an\'thegoodoldStates；
butwe，youan\'mean\'Montyan\'Nick，weknowit。Weknowjestaboutwhatthetrebelwardownthereamountsto。It\'sguerrillawar，an\'shoresomeharvest-timeferalotofcheapthievesan\'
outcasts。\"
Oh，you\'reright，Nels。I\'mnotdisputingthat，\"repliedStewart。\"Ifitwasn\'tforMissHammondandtheotherwomen，I\'dratherenjoyseeingyouandMontyopenuponthatbunch。I\'mthinkingI\'dbegladtomeetDonCarlos。ButMissHammond！Why，Nels，suchawomanassheiswouldneverrecoverfromthesightofrealgun-play，letaloneanystuntswitharope。TheseEasternwomenaredifferent。I\'mnotbelittlingourWesternwomen。It\'sintheblood。MissHammondis——is——\"
\"Shoresheis，\"interruptedNels；\"butshe\'sgotadamnsightmorespunkthanyouthinkshehas，GeneStewart。I\'mnothick-skulledcow。I\'dhatesomethin\'powerfultohevMissHammondseeanyroughwork，letalonemean\'Montystartin\'
somethin\'。An\'mean\'Monty\'llsticktoyou，Gene，aslongasseemsreasonable。Mind，olefeller，beggin\'yourpardon，you\'reshorestuckonMissHammond，an\'over-tendernottohurtherfeelin\'sormakehersickbylettin\'someblood。We\'reinbadhere，an\'mebbewe\'llhevtofight。Sabe，senor？Wal，wedoyoucanjestgamblethetMissHammond\'llbegame。An\'I\'llbetyouamillionpesosthetifyougotgoin\'onct，an\'sheseenyouasI\'veseenyou——wal，Iknowwhatshe\'dthinkofyou。Thisoldworld\'ain\'tchangedmuch。Somewomenmaybewhite-skinnedan\'
soft-eyedan\'sweet-voicedan\'high-souled，buttheyallliketoseeaman！Gene，here\'syourgame。LetDonCarloscomealong。
Becivil。Ifhean\'hisgangarehungry，feed\'em。Takeevenalittleoverbearin\'Greasertalk。Beblindifhewantshisgangtostealsomethin\'。Lethimthinkthewomenhevmosieddowntotheranch。Butifhesaysyou\'relyin\'——ifheasmuchaslooksroundtoseethewomen——jestjumphimsameasyoujumpedPatHawe。Mean\'Monty\'llhangbackferthet，an\'ifyourstrongbluffdon\'tgothrough，iftheDon\'sgangeventhinksofflashin\'guns，thenwe\'llopenup。An\'allIgottosayisifthemGreasersstandferrealgun-playthey\'llbethefustIeverseen。\"
\"Nels，therearewhitemeninthatgang，\"saidStewart。
\"Shore。Butmean\'Monty\'llbethinkin\'ofthet。Iftheystartanythin\'it\'llhevtobeshorequick。\"
\"Allright，Nels，oldfriend，andthanks，\"repliedStewart。Nelsreturnedtothecamp-fire，andStewartresumedhissilentguard。
MadelineledCastletonawayfromthebrinkofthewall。
\"ByJove！Cowboysarebloom~ngstrangefolk！\"heexclaimed。
\"Theyarenotwhattheypretendtobe。\"
\"Indeed，youareright，\"repliedMadeline。\"Icannotunderstandthem。Come，letustelltheothersthatNelsandMontywereonlytalkinganddonotintendtoleaveus。Dorothy，atleast，willbelessfrightenedifsheknows。\"
Dorothywassomewhatcomforted。Theothers，however，complainedofthecowboys\'singularbehavior。Morethanoncetheideawasadvancedthatanelaboratetrickhadbeenconcocted。Upongeneraldiscussionthisideagainedground。Madelinedidnotcombatit，becauseshesawittendedtoalessperturbedconditionofmindamongherguests。Castletonforonceprovedthathewasnotabsolutelyobtuse，andhelpedalongtheidea。
Theysattalkinginlowvoicesuntilalatehour。TheincidentnowbegantotakeonthenatureofHelen\'slong-yearned-foradventure。Someofthepartyevengrewmerryinasubduedway。
Then，gradually，onebyonetheytiredandwenttobed。Helenvowedshecouldnotsleepinaplacewheretherewerebatsandcrawlingthings。Madelinefancied，however，thattheyallwenttosleepwhileshelaywide-eyed，staringupattheblackbulgeofoverhangingrockandbeyondthestarrysky。
TokeepfromthinkingofStewartandtheburningangerhehadcausedhertofeelforherself，Madelinetriedtokeephermindonotherthings。Butthoughtofhimrecurred，andeachtimetherewasahotcommotioninherbreasthardtostifle。
Intelligentreasoningseemedoutofherpower。InthedaylightithadbeenpossibleforhertobeoblivioustoStewart\'sdeceitafterthemomentofitsrealization。Atnight，however，inthestrangesilenceandhoveringshadowsofgloom，withthespeakingstarsseemingtocalltoher，withthemoanofthewindinthepines，andthemelancholymournofcoyotesinthedistance，shewasnotabletogovernherthoughtandemotion。Thedaywaspractical，cold；thenightwasstrangeandtense。Inthedarknessshehadfancieswhollyunknowntoherinthebrightlightofthesun。Shebattledwithahauntingthought。ShehadinadvertentlyheardNels\'sconversationwithStewart；shehadlistened，hopingtohearsomegoodnewsortoheartheworst；shehadlearnedboth，and，moreover，enlightenmentononepointofStewart\'scomplexmotives。Hewishedtospareheranysightthatmightoffend，frighten，ordisgusther。YetthisStewart，whoshowedafinenessoffeelingthatmighthavebeenwantingeveninBoydHarvey，maintainedasecretrendezvouswiththatpretty，abandonedBonita。Herealwaysthehotshame，likealive，stinging，internalfire，abruptlyendedMadeline\'sthought。Itwasintolerable，anditwasthemoresobecauseshecouldneithercontrolnorunderstandit。Thehoursworeon，andatlength，asthestarsbegantopaleandtherewasnosoundwhatever，shefellasleep。
Shewascalledoutofherslumber。Dayhadbrokenbrightandcool。Thesunwasstillbelowtheeasterncrags。Ambrose，withseveralothercowboys，hadbroughtupbucketsofspring-water，andhotcoffeeandcakes。Madeline\'spartyappearedtobenonetheworseforthenight\'sexperience。Indeed，themeagerbreakfastmighthavebeenasmerrilypartakenofasitwashungrilyhadnotAmbroseenjoinedsilence。
\"They\'reexpectin\'companydownbelow，\"hesaid。
Thisinformationandthesummarymannerinwhichthecowboyssoonledthepartyhigherupamongtheruinedshelvesofrockcausedarecurrenceofanxiety。Madelineinsistedonnotgoingbeyondaprojectionofclifffromwhichshecouldseedirectlydownintothecamp。Asthevantage-pointwasoneaffordingconcealment，Ambroseconsented，butheplacedthefrightenedChristinenearMadelineandremainedtherehimself。
\"Ambrose，doyoureallythinktheguerrillaswillcome？\"askedMadeline。
\"Sure。Weknow。Nelsjustrodeinandsaidtheywereontheirwayup。MissHammond，canItrustyou？Youwon\'tletoutasquealifthere\'safightdownthere？Stewarttoldmetohideyououtofsightorkeepyoufromlookin\'。\"
\"Ipromisenottomakeanynoise，\"repliedMadeline。Madelinearrangedhercoatsothatshecouldlieuponit，andsettleddowntowaitdevelopments。Therecameaslightrattlingofstonesintherear。SheturnedtoseeHelenslidingdownabankwithaperplexedandtroubledcowboy。HelencamestoopinglowtowhereMadelinelayandsaid：\"Iamgoingtoseewhathappens，ifIdieintheattempt！Icanstanditifyoucan。Shewaspaleandbig-eyed。Ambrosepromptlysworeatthecowboywhohadlethergetawayfromhim。\"Takeahalf-hitchonheryourselfan\'seewhereyouendup，\"repliedthefellow，anddisappearedinthejumbleofrocks。Ambrose，findingwordsuseless，sternlyandheroicallypreparedtocarryHelenbacktotheothers。Helaidholdofher。Inafury，witheyesblazing，Helenwhispered：
\"Letgoofme！Majesty，whatdoesthisfoolmean？\"
Madelinelaughed。SheknewHelen，andhadmarkedthewhisper，whenordinarilyHelenwouldhavespokenimperiously，andnotlow。
Madelineexplainedtohertheexigencyofthesituation。\"I
mightrun，butI\'llneverscream，\"saidHelen。WiththatAmbrosehadtobecontenttoletherstay。However，hefoundheraplacesomewhatfartherbackfromMadeline\'sposition，wherehesaidtherewaslessdangerofherbeingseen。Thenhesternlyboundhertosilence，tarriedamomenttocomfortChristine，andreturnedtowhereMadelinelayconcealed。Hehadbeentherescarcelyamomentwhenhewhispered：
\"Ihearhosses。Theguerrillasarecomin\'。\"
Madeline\'shiding-placewaswellprotectedfrompossiblediscoveryfrombelow。Shecouldpeepoverakindofparapet，throughanopeninginthetipsofthepinesthatreacheduptothecliff，andobtainacommandingviewofthecampcircleanditsimmediatesurroundings。Shecouldnot，however，seefareithertorightorleftofthecamp，owingtotheobstructingfoliage。Presentlythesoundofhorses\'hoofsquickenedthebeatofherpulseandcausedhertoturnkeenergazeuponthecowboysbelow。
AlthoughshehadsomeinklingofthecourseStewartandhismenweretopursue，shewasnotbyanymeanspreparedfortheindifferenceshesaw。Frankwasasleep，orpretendedtobe。
Threecowboyswerelazilyandunconcernedlyattendingtocamp-fireduties，suchasbakingbiscuits，watchingtheovens，andwashingtinsandpots。Theelaboratesetofaluminumplates，cups，etc。，togetherwiththeothercampfixturesthathaddoneserviceforMadeline\'sparty，haddisappeared。NickSteelesatwithhisbacktoalog，smokinghispipe。Anothercowboyhadjustbroughtthehorsescloserintocamp，wheretheystoodwaitingtobesaddled。Nelsappearedtobefussingoverapack。
Stewartwasrollingacigarette。Montyhadapparentlynothingtodoforthepresentexceptwhistle，whichhewasdoingmuchmoreloudlythanmelodiously。Thewholeensemblegaveanimpressionofcarelessindifference。
Thesoundofhorses\'hoofsgrewlouderandsloweditsbeat。Oneofthecowboyspointeddownthetrail，towardwhichseveralofhiscomradesturnedtheirheadsforamoment，thenwentonwiththeiroccupations。
Presentlyashaggy，dustyhorsebearingalean，ragged，darkriderrodeintocampandhalted。Anotherfollowed，andanother。
HorseswithMexicanriderscameinsinglefileandstoppedbehindtheleader。
Thecowboyslookedup，andtheguerrillaslookeddown。\"Buenosdias，senor，\"ceremoniouslysaidtheforemostguerrilla。
BystrainingherearsMadelineheardthatvoice，andsherecognizeditasbelongingtoDonCarlos。HisgracefulbowtoStewartwasalsofamiliar。Otherwiseshewouldneverhaverecognizedtheformerelegantvaquerointhisuncouth，roughlydressedMexican。
StewartansweredthegreetinginSpanish，and，wavinghishandtowardthecamp-fire，addedinEnglish，\"Getdownandeat。\"
Theguerrillaswereanythingbutslowincomplying。Theycrowdedtothefire，thenspreadinalittlecircleandsquattedupontheground，layingtheirweaponsbesidethem。InappearancetheytalliedwiththebandofguerrillasthathadcarriedMadelineupintothefoothills，onlythisbandwaslargerandbetterarmed。
Themen，moreover，werejustashungryandaswildandbeggarly。
Thecowboyswerenotcordialintheirreceptionofthisvisit，buttheywerehospitable。Thelawofthedeserthadalwaysbeentogivefoodanddrinktowayfaringmen，whetherlostorhuntedorhunting。
\"There\'stwenty-threeinthatoutfit，\"whisperedAmbrose，\"includin\'fourwhitemen。Prettyrummyoutfit。\"
\"Theyappeartobefriendlyenough，\"whisperedMadeline。
\"Thingsdownthereain\'twhattheyseem，\"repliedAmbrose。
\"Ambrose，tellme——explaintome。Thisismyopportunity。Aslongasyouwillletmewatchthem，pleaseletmeknowthe——therealthing。\"
\"Sure。Butrecollect，MissHammond，thatGene\'llgiveittomegoodifheeverknowsIletyoulookandtoldyouwhat\'swhat。
Well，decent-likeGeneisseem\'thempoordevilsgetasquaremeal。They\'reonlyalotofcalf-thievesinthiscountry。
Acrosstheborderthey\'rebandits，someofthem，theothersjustriffraffoutlaws。Thatrebelbluffdoesn\'tgodownwithus。I\'dhavetoseefirstbeforeI\'dbelievethemGreaserswouldfight。
They\'realotofhard-ridin\'thieves，andthey\'dstealafellow\'sblanketortobacco。Genethinksthey\'reafteryouladies——tocarryyouoff。ButGene——Oh，Gene\'ssomehighfalutininhisideaslately。Mostofusboysthinktheguerrillasareouttorob——that\'sall。\"
WhatevermighthavebeenthesecretmotiveofDonCarlosandhismen，theydidnotallowittointerferewithaheartyappreciationofagenerousamountoffood。Plainly，eachindividualateallthathewasabletoeatatthetime。Theyjabberedlikeaflockofparrots；somewereevenmerry，inakindofwildway。Then，aseachandeveryonebegantorollandsmoketheinevitablecigaretteoftheMexican，therewasasubtlechangeinmanner。Theysmokedandlookedaboutthecamp，offintothewoods，upatthecrags，andbackattheleisurelycowboys。Theyhadtheairofmenwaitingforsomething。
\"Senor，\"beganDonCarlos，addressingStewart。Ashespokeheswepthissombrerotoindicatethecampcircle。
Madelinecouldnotdistinguishhiswords，buthisgestureplainlyindicatedaquestioninregardtotherestofthecampingparty。
Stewart\'sreplyandthewaveofhishanddownthetrailmeantthathispartyhadgonehome。Stewartturnedtosometask，andtheguerrillaleaderquietlysmoked。Helookedcunningandthoughtful。Hismengraduallybegantomanifestarestlessness，noticeableintheabsenceofformerlanguorandslowpuffingofcigarettesmoke。Presentlyabig-bonedmanwithabulletheadandablisteredredfaceofevilcoarsenessgotupandthrewawayhiscigarette。HewasanAmerican。
\"Hey，cull，\"hecalledinloudvoice，\"ain\'tyegoin\'tocoughupadrink？\"
\"Myboysdon\'tcarryliquoronthetrail，\"repliedStewart。Heturnednowtofacetheguerrillas。
\"Haw，haw！IheerdoverinRodeothetyewasgittin\'tobeshoresomefertemperance，\"saidthisfellow。\"Ihatetodrinkwater，butIguessI\'vegotterdoit。\"
Hewenttothespring，sprawleddowntodrink，andallofasuddenhethrusthisarmdowninthewatertobringforthabasket。Thecowboysinthehurryofpackinghadneglectedtoremovethisbasket；anditcontainedbottlesofwineandliquorsforMadeline\'sguests。Theyhadbeensubmergedinthespringtokeepthemcold。Theguerrillafumbledwiththelid，openedit，andthengotup，utteringaloudroarofdelight。
Stewartmadeanalmostimperceptiblemotion，asiftoleapforward；buthecheckedtheimpulse，andafteraquickglanceatNelshesaidtotheguerrilla：
\"Guessmypartyforgotthat。You\'rewelcometoit。\"Likebeestheguerrillasswarmedaroundtheluckyfinderofthebottles。
Therewasababelofvoices。Thedrinkdidnotlastlong，anditservedonlytoliberatethespiritofrecklessness。Theseveralwhiteoutlawsbegantoprowlaroundthecamp；someoftheMexicansdidlikewise；otherswaited，showingbytheirill-concealedexpectancythenatureoftheirthoughts。
ItwasthedemeanorofStewartandhiscomradesthatpuzzledMadeline。Apparentlytheyfeltnoanxietyorevenparticularinterest。DonCarlos，whohadbeencovertlywatchingthem，nowmadehisscrutinyopen，evenaggressive。HelookedfromStewarttoNelsandMonty，andthentotheothercowboys。Whilesomeofhismenprowledaroundtheotherswatchedhim，andthewaitingattitudehadtakenonsomethingsinister。Theguerrillaleaderseemedundecided，butnotinanysensepuzzled。WhenheturnedhiscunningfaceuponNelsandMontyhehadthemannerofamaninwhomdecisionwaslacking。
InhergrowingexcitementMadelinehadnotclearlyheardAmbrose\'slowwhispersandshemadeanefforttodistractsomeofherattentionfromthosebelowtothecowboycrouchingbesideher。
Thequality，thenoteofAmbrose\'swhisperhadchanged。Ithadaslightsibilantsound。
\"Don\'tbemadifsudden-likeIclapmyhandsoveryoureyes，MissHammond，\"hewassaying。\"Somethin\'sbrewin\'below。IneverseenGenesocool。That\'sadangeroussigninhim。Andlook，seehowtheboysareworkin\'together！Oh，it\'sslowandaccident-like，butIknowit\'ssurenotaccident。ThatfoxyGreaserknows，too。
Butmaybehismendon\'t。Iftheyarewisetheyhaven\'tsenseenoughtocare。TheDon，though——he\'sworried。He\'snotpayin\'
somuchattentiontoGene，either。It\'sNelsandMontyhe\'swatchin\'。Andwellheneeddoit！There，NickandFrankhavesettleddownonthatlogwithBooly。Theydon\'tseemtobepackin\'guns。Butlookhowheavytheirvestshang。Agunineachside！Thoseboyscanpullagunandflopoverthatlogquickerthanyoucanthink。DoyounoticehowNelsandMontyandGenearesquarebetweenthemguerrillasandthetrailuphere？
Itdoesn\'tseemonpurpose，butitis。LookatNelsandMonty。
Howquiettheyareconfabbin\'together，payin\'noattentiontotheguerrillas。IseeMontylookatGene，thenIseeNelslookatGene。Well，it\'suptoGene。Andthey\'regoin\'tobackhim。
Ireckon，MissHammond，there\'dbedeadGreasersroundthatcamplongagoifNelsandMontywerefoot-loose。They\'rebeholdin\'toGene。That\'splain。And，Lord！howitticklesmetowatchthem！
Bothpackin\'twoforty-fives，buttsswingin\'clear。There\'stwenty-fourshotsinthemfourguns。Andthere\'stwenty-threeguerrillas。IfNelsandMontyeverthrowgunsatthatcloserange，why，beforeyou\'dknowwhatwasupthere\'dbeapileofGreasers。There！StewartsaidsomethingtotheDon。Iwonderwhat。I\'llgambleitwassomethingtogettheDon\'soutfitallclosetogether。Sure！Greasershavenosense。Butthemwhiteguerrillas，they\'relookin\'somedubious。Whatever\'scomin\'offwillcomesoon，youcanbet。IwishIwasdownthere。Butmaybeitwon\'tcometoascrap。Stewart\'ssetonavoidin\'that。He\'sawonderfulchaptogethisway。Lord，though，I\'dliketoseehimgoafterthatoverbearin\'Greaser！See！theDoncan\'tstandprosperity。Allthisstrangebehaviorofcowboysisbeyondhispulque-soakedbrains。Thenhe\'saGreaser。IfGenedoesn\'tknockhimontheheadpresentlyhe\'llbegintogetoverhisscare，evenofNelsandMonty。ButGene\'llpickouttherighttime。AndI\'mgettin\'nervous。Iwantsomethin\'tostart。
NeversawNelsinbutonefight，thenhejustshotaGreaser\'sarmofffortryin\'todrawonhim。ButI\'veheardallabouthim。
AndMonty！Monty\'stherealold-fashionedgun-man。Why，noneofthemstories，themlieshetoldtoentertaintheEnglishman，wasamarkertowhatMontyhasdone。WhatIdon\'tunderstandishowMontykeepssoquietandeasyandpeaceful-like。That\'snothisway，withsuchanoutfitlookin\'fortrouble。O-ha！Nowforthegrandbluff。Lookslikenofightatall！\"
Theguerrillaleaderhadceasedhisrestlessstepsandglances，andturnedtoStewartwithsomethingofboldresolutioninhisaspect。
\"Gracias，senor，\"hesaid。\"Adios。\"Heswepthissombrerointhedirectionofthetrailleadingdownthemountaintotheranch；andashecompletedthegestureasmile，craftyandjeering，crossedhisswarthyface。
AmbrosewhisperedsolowthatMadelinescarcelyheardhim。\"IftheGreasergoesthatwayhe\'llfindourhorsesandgetwisetothetrick。Oh，he\'swisenow！ButI\'llgambleheneverevenstartsonthattrail。\"
NeitherhurriedlynorguardedlyStewartroseoutofhisleaningpostureandtookacoupleoflongstridestowardDonCarlos。
\"Gobackthewayyoucame，\"hefairlyyelled；andhisvoicehadtheringofabugle。
AmbrosenudgedMadeline；hiswhisperwastenseandrapid：\"Don\'tmissnothin\'。Gene\'scalledhim。Whatever\'scomin\'offwillbeherequickaslightnin\'。See！IguessmaybethatGreaserdon\'tsavvygoodU。S。lingo。Lookatthatdirtyyallerfaceturngreen。PutoneeyeonNelsandMonty！That\'sgreat——justtosee\'em。Justasquietandeasy。Butoh，thedifference！Bentandstiff——thatmeanseverymuscleislikearawhideriata。They\'rewatchin\'witheyesthatcanseetheworkin\'softhemGreasers\'
minds。Nowthereain\'tahoss-hairbetweenthemGreasersandhell！\"
DonCarlosgaveStewartonelongmalignantstare；thenhethrewbackhishead，sweptupthesombrero，andhisevilsmileshowedgleamingteeth。
\"Senor——\"hebegan。
WithmagnificentboundStewartwasuponhim。Theguerrilla\'scrywasthrottledinhisthroat。Afiercewrestlingensued，tooswifttoseeclearly；thenheavy，soddenblows，andDonCarloswasbeatentotheground。Stewartleapedback。Then，crouchingwithhishandsonthebuttsofgunsathiships，heyelled，hethunderedattheguerrillas。Hehadbeenquickerthanapanther，andnowhisvoicewassoterriblethatitcurdledMadeline\'sblood，andthemenaceofdeadlyviolenceinhiscrouchingpositionmadehershuthereyes。Butshehadtoopenthem。InthatsingleinstantNelsandMontyhadleapedtoStewart\'sside。
Bothwerebentdown，withhandsonthebuttsofgunsattheirhips。Nels\'spiercingyellseemedtodivideMonty\'sroarofrage。Thentheyceased，andechoesclappedfromthecrags。Thesilenceofthosethreemencrouchingliketigersabouttoleapwasmoremenacingthanthenerve-rackingyells。
Thentheguerrillaswaveredandbrokeandranfortheirhorses。
DonCarlosrolledover，rose，andstaggeredaway，tobehelpeduponhismount。Helookedback，hispaleandbloodyfacethatofathwarteddemon。Thewholebandgotintoactionandweregoneinamoment。
\"Iknewit，\"declaredAmbrose。\"NeverseenaGreaserwhocouldfacegun-play。Thatwassomewarm。AndMontyPriceneverflashedagun！He\'llnevergetoverthat。Ireckon，MissHarnmond，we\'resomeluckytoavoidtrouble。Genehadhisway，asyouseen。We\'llbemakin\'tracksfortheranchinabouttwoshakes。\"
\"Why？\"whisperedMadeline，breathlessly。Shebecameconsciousthatshewasweakandshaken。
\"Becausetheguerrillassurewillgettheirnerveback，andcomesneakin\'onourtrailortrytoheadusoffbyambushin\'，\"
repliedAmbrose。\"That\'stheirway。Otherwisethreecowboyscouldn\'tbluffawholeganglikethat。GeneknowsthenatureofGreasers。They\'rewhite-livered。ButIreckonwe\'reinmoredangernowthanbefore，unlesswegetagoodstartdownthemountain。There！Gene\'scallin\'。Come！Hurry！\"
Helenhadslippeddownfromhervantage-point，andthereforehadnotseenthelastactinthatlittlecamp-firedrama。Itseemed，however，thatherdesireforexcitementwassatisfied，forherfacewaspaleandshetrembledwhensheaskediftheguerrillasweregone。
\"Ididn\'tseethefinish，butthosehorribleyellswereenoughforme。\"
Ambrosehurriedthethreewomenovertheroughrocks，downthecliff。Thecowboysbelowweresaddlinghorsesinhaste。
Evidentlyallthehorseshadbeenbroughtoutofhiding。
Swiftly，withregardonlyforlifeandlimb，Madeline，Helen，andChristinewereloweredbylassoesandhalfcarrieddowntothelevel。Bythetimetheyweresafelydowntheothermembersofthepartyappearedonthecliffabove。Theywereinexcellentspirits，appearingtotreatthematterasahugejoke。
AmbroseputChristineonahorseandrodeawaythroughthepines；
FrankieSladedidlikewisewithHelen。StewartledMadeline\'shorseuptoher，helpedhertomount，andspokeonesternword，\"Wait！\"Thenasfastasoneofthewomenreachedthelevelshewasputuponahorseandtakenawaybyacowboyescort。Fewwordswerespoken。Hasteseemedtobethegreatessential。Thehorseswereurged，and，onceinthetrail，spurredandledintoaswifttrot。Onecowboydroveupfourpack-horses，andthesewerehurriedlyloadedwiththeparty\'sbaggage。Castletonandhiscompanionsmounted，andgallopedofftocatchtheothersinthelead。ThisleftMadelinebehindwithStewartandNelsandMonty。
\"They\'regoin\'toswitchoffatthehollerthetheadsnearthetrailafewmilesdown，\"Nelswassaying，ashetightenedhissaddle-girth。\"Thethollerheadsintoabigcanon。Onceinthet，it\'llbeeverymanferhisself。Ireckontherewon\'tbeanythin\'wussthanaroughride。\"
NelssmiledreassuringlyatMadeline，buthedidnotspeaktoher。Montytookhercanteenandfilleditatthespringandhungitoverthepommelofhersaddle。Heputacoupleofbiscuitsinthesaddle-bag。
\"Don\'tfergittotakeadrinkan\'abiteasyou\'reridin\'along，\"
hesaid。\"An\'don\'tworry，MissMajesty。Stewart\'llbewithyou，an\'mean\'Nelshangin\'ontheback-trail。\"
Hissomberandsullenfacedidnotchangeinitsstrangeintensity，butthelookinhiseyesMadelinefeltshewouldneverforget。Leftalonewiththesethreemen，nowstrippedofallpretense，sherealizedhowfortunehadfavoredherandwhatperilstillhunginthebalance。Stewartswungastridehisbigblack，spurredhim，andwhistled。AtthewhistleMajestyjumped，andwithswiftcanterfollowedStewart。MadelinelookedbacktoseeNelsalreadyupandMontyhandinghimarifle。Thenthepineshidherview。
Onceinthetrail，Stewart\'shorsebrokeintoagallop。Majestychangedhisgaitandkeptattheblack\'sheels。Stewartcalledbackawarning。Thelow，wide-spreadingbranchesoftreesmightbrushMadelineoutofthesaddle。Fastridingthroughtheforestalongacrooked，obstructedtrailcalledforthallheralertness。
Likewisethestirringofherblood，alwayssusceptibletothespiritandmotionofaride，letaloneoneofperil，nowbegantothrobandburnawaytheworry，thedread，thecoldnessthathadweightedherdown。
BeforelongStewartwheeledatrightanglesoffthetrailandenteredahollowbetweentwolowbluffs。Madelinesawtracksintheopenpatchesofground。HereStewart\'shorsetooktoabriskwalk。Thehollowdeepened，narrowed，becamerocky，fulloflogsandbrush。Madelineexertedallherkeenness，andneededit，tokeepclosetoStewart。Shedidnotthinkofhim，norherownsafety，butofkeepingMajestycloseinthetracksoftheblack，ofeludingthesharpspikesinthedeadbrush，ofavoidingthetreacherousloosestones。
AtlastMadelinewasbroughttoadeadhaltbyStewartandhishorseblockingthetrail。Lookingup，shesawtheywereattheheadofacanonthatyawnedbeneathandwideneditsgray-walled，green-patchedslopesdowntoablackforestoffir。Thedrabmonotonyofthefoothillsmadecontrastbelowtheforest，andawayinthedistance，rosyandsmoky，laythedesert。Retractinghergaze，Madelinesawpack-horsescrossanopenspaceamilebelow，andshethoughtshesawthestag-hounds。Stewart\'sdarkeyessearchedtheslopeshighupalongthecraggyescarpments。
Thenheputtheblacktothedescent。
Iftherehadbeenatrailleftbytheleadingcowboys，Stewartdidnotfollowit。Heledofftotheright，zigzagginganintricatecoursethroughtheroughestgroundMadelinehadeverriddenover。Hecrashedthroughcedars，threadedatortuouswayamongboulders，madehishorseslidedownslantingbanksofsoftearth，pickedaslowandcautiousprogressacrossweatheredslopesoflooserock。Madelinefollowed，findinginthisrideataxonstrengthandjudgment。OnanordinaryhorseshenevercouldhavekeptinStewart\'strail。Itwasdustandheat，aparchingthroat，thatcausedMadelinetothinkoftime；andshewasamazedtoseethesunslopingtothewest。Stewartneverstopped；heneverlookedback；heneverspoke。Hemusthaveheardthehorseclosebehindhim。MadelinerememberedMonty\'sadviceaboutdrinkingandeatingassherodealong。Theworstofthatroughtravelcameatthebottomofthecanon。Deadcedarsandbrushandlogswereeasytopasscomparedwiththemiles，itseemed，oflooseboulders。Thehorsesslippedandstumbled。
Stewartproceededherewithexceedingcare。Atlast，whenthecanonopenedintoalevelforestoffirs，thesunwassettingredinthewest。
Stewartquickenedthegaitofhishorse。Afteramileorsoofeasytravelthegroundagainbegantofalldecidedly，slopinginnumerousridges，withdrawsbetween。Soonnightshadowedthedeepergullies。Madelinewasrefreshedbythecoolingoftheair。
Stewarttraveledslowlynow。Thebarksofcoyotesseemedtostartlehim。Oftenhestoppedtolisten。Andduringoneofthoseintervalsthesilencewasbrokenbysharprifle-shots。
Madelinecouldnottellwhethertheywerenearorfar，torightorleft，behindorbefore。EvidentlyStewartwasbothalarmedandbaffled。Hedismounted。Hewentcautiouslyforwardtolisten。Madelinefanciedsheheardacry，lowandfaraway。Itwasonlythatofacoyote，sheconvincedherself，yetitwassowailing，sohuman，thatsheshuddered。Stewartcameback。Heslippedthebridlesofbothhorses，andheledthem。Everyfewpaceshestoppedtolisten。Hechangedhisdirectionseveraltimes，andthelasttimehegotamongrough，rockyridges。Theironshoesofthehorsescrackedontherocks。Thatsoundmusthavepenetratedfarintotheforest。ItperturbedStewart，forhesearchedforsofterground。Meanwhiletheshadowsmergedintodarkness。Thestarsshone。Thewindrose。Madelinebelievedhourspassed。
Stewarthaltedagain。InthegloomMadelinediscernedalogcabin，andbeyonditpear-pointeddarktreespiercingthesky-line。ShecouldjustmakeoutStewart\'stallformasheleanedagainsthishorse。Eitherhewaslisteningordebatingwhattodo——perhapsboth。Presentlyhewentinsidethecabin。
Madelineheardthescratchingofamatch；thenshesawafaintlight。Thecabinappearedtobedeserted。Probablyitwasoneofthemanyhabitationsbelongingtoprospectorsandforesterswholivedinthemountains。Stewartcameoutagain。Hewalkedaroundthehorses，outintothegloom，thenbacktoMadeline。Foralongmomenthestoodasstillasastatueandlistened。Thensheheardhimmutter，\"IfwehavetostartquickIcanridebareback。\"Withthathetookthesaddleandblanketoffhishorseandcarriedthemintothecabin。
\"Getoff，\"hesaid，inalowvoice，ashesteppedoutofthedoor。
Hehelpedherdownandledherinside，whereagainhestruckamatch。Madelinecaughtaglimpseofarudefireplaceandrough-hewnlogs。Stewart\'sblanketandsaddlelayonthehard-packedearthenfloor。
\"Restalittle，\"hesaid。\"I\'mgoingintothewoodsapiecetolisten。Goneonlyaminuteorso。\"
Madelinehadtofeelroundinthedarktolocatethesaddleandblanket。Whenshelaydownitwaswithagratefulsenseofeaseandrelief。Asherbodyrested，however，hermindbecametheoldthrongingmazeforsensationandthought。Alldayshehadattendedtothealertbusinessofhelpingherhorse。Now，whathadalreadyhappened，thenight，thesilence，theproximityofStewartandhisstrange，sterncaution，thepossiblehappeningstoherfriends——allclaimedtheirdueshareofherfeeling。Shewentoverthemallwithlightningswiftnessofthought。Shebelieved，andshewassureStewartbelieved，thatherfriends，owingtotheirquickerstartdownthemountain，hadnotbeenheadedoffintheirtravelbyanyofthethingswhichhaddelayedStewart。Thisconvictionliftedthesuddenlyreturningdreadfromherbreast；andasforherself，somehowshehadnofear。
Butshecouldnotsleep；shedidnottryto。
Stewart\'ssoftstepssoundedoutside。Hisdarkformloomedinthedoor。AshesatdownMadelineheardthethumpofagunthathelaidbesidehimonthesill；thenthethumpofanotherasheputthatdown，too。Thesoundsthrilledher。Stewart\'swideshouldersfilledthedoor；hisfinelyshapedheadandstrong，sternprofileshowedclearlyinoutlineagainstthesky；thewindwavedhishair。Heturnedhiseartothatwindandlistened。
Motionlesshesatforwhattoherseemedhours。
Thenthestirringmemoryoftheday\'sadventure，thefeelingofthebeautyofthenight，andastrange，deep-seated，sweetlyvagueconsciousnessofhappinessportending，wereallburnedoutinhot，pressingpainattheremembranceofStewart\'sdisgraceinhereyes。Somethinghadchangedwithinhersothatwhathadbeenangeratherselfwassorrowforhim。Hewassuchasplendidman。
Shecouldnotfeelthesame；sheknewherdebttohim，yetshecouldnotthankhim，couldnotspeaktohim。Shefoughtanunintelligiblebitterness。
Thensherestedwithclosedeyes，andtimeseemedneithershortnorlong。WhenStewartcalledhersheopenedhereyestoseethegrayofdawn。Sheroseandsteppedoutside。Thehorseswhinnied。
Inamomentshewasinthesaddle，awareofcrampedmusclesandawearinessoflimbs。Stewartledoffatasharptrotintothefirforest。Theycametoatrailintowhichbeturned。Thehorsestraveledsteadily；thedescentgrewlesssteep；thefirsthinnedout；thegraygloombrightened。
WhenMadelinerodeoutofthefirsthesunhadarisenandthefoothillsrolledbeneathher；andattheiredge，wherethegrayofvalleybegan，shesawadarkpatchthatsheknewwastheranch-house。
XXTheSheriffofElCajonAboutthemiddleoftheforenoonofthatdayMadelinereachedtheranch。Herguestshadallarrivedtherelatethenightbefore，andwantedonlyherpresenceandtheassuranceofherwell-beingtoconsiderthelastofthecampingtriparareadventure。
Likewise，theyvoteditthecowboys\'masterpieceofatrick。
Madeline\'sdelay，theyaverred，hadbeenonlyaclevercouptogiveafinaleffect。Shedidnotcorrecttheirimpression，northinkitneedfultostatethatshehadbeenescortedhomebyonlyonecowboy。