Atsunsethourtheforestwasstill，lonely，sweetwithtangoffirandspruce，blazingingoldandredandgreen；andthemanwhoglidedonunderthegreattreesseemedtoblendwiththecolorsand，disappearing，tohavebecomeapartofthewildwoodland。
OldBaldy，highestoftheWhiteMountains，stooduproundandbare，rimmedbrightgoldinthelastglowofthesettingsun。Then，asthefiredroppedbehindthedomedpeak，achange，acoldanddarkeningblight，passeddowntheblackspear-pointedslopesoverallthatmountainworld。
Itwasawild，richlytimbered，andabundantlywateredregionofdarkforestsandgrassyparks，tenthousandfeetabovesea-level，isolatedonallsidesbythesouthernArizonadesert——thevirginhomeofelkanddeer，ofbearandlion，ofwolfandfox，andthebirthplaceaswellasthehiding-placeofthefierceApache。
Septemberinthatlatitudewasmarkedbythesuddencoolnightbreezefollowingshortlyaftersundown。Twilightappearedtocomeonitswings，asdidfaintsounds，notdistinguishablebeforeinthestillness。
MiltDale，manoftheforest，haltedattheedgeofatimberedridge，tolistenandtowatch。Beneathhimlayanarrowvalley，openandgrassy，fromwhichroseafaintmurmurofrunningwater。Itsmusicwaspiercedbythewildstaccatoyelpofahuntingcoyote。Fromoverheadinthegiantfircameatwitteringandrustlingofgrousesettlingforthenight；andfromacrossthevalleydriftedthelastlowcallsofwildturkeysgoingtoroost。
ToDale\'skeenearthesesoundswerealltheyshouldhavebeen，betokeninganunchangedserenityofforestland。Hewasglad，forhehadexpectedtoheartheclipclopofwhitemen\'shorses——whichtohearupinthosefastnesseswashatefultohim。HeandtheIndianwerefriends。Thatfiercefoehadnoenmitytowardthelonehunter。Buttherehidsomewhereintheforestagangofbadmen，sheep-thieves，whomDaledidnotwanttomeet。
Ashestartedoutupontheslope，asuddenflaringoftheafterglowofsunsetfloodeddownfromOldBaldy，fillingthevalleywithlightsandshadows，yellowandblue，liketheradianceofthesky。Thepoolsinthecurvesofthebrookshonedarklybright。Dale\'sgazesweptupanddownthevalley，andthentriedtopiercetheblackshadowsacrossthebrookwherethewallofsprucestoodup，itsspearedandspikedcrestagainstthepaleclouds。Thewindbegantomoaninthetreesandtherewasafeelingofrainintheair。
Dale，strikingatrail，turnedhisbacktothefadingafterglowandstrodedownthevalley。
Withnightathandandarain-stormbrewing，hedidnotheadforhisowncamp，somemilesdistant，butdirectedhisstepstowardanoldlogcabin。Whenhereacheditdarknesshadalmostsetin。Heapproachedwithcaution。Thiscabin，likethefewothersscatteredinthevalleys，mightharborIndiansorabearorapanther。Nothing，however，appearedtobethere。ThenDalestudiedthecloudsdrivingacrossthesky，andhefeltthecooldampnessofafine，mistyrainonhisface。Itwouldrainoffandonduringthenight。
Whereuponheenteredthecabin。
Andthenextmomentheheardquickhoof-beatsoftrottinghorses。Peeringout，hesawdim，movingformsinthedarkness，quitecloseathand。Theyhadapproachedagainstthewindsothatsoundhadbeendeadened。Fivehorseswithriders，Dalemadeout——sawthemloomclose。Thenheheardroughvoices。Quicklyheturnedtofeelinthedarkforaladderheknewledtoaloft；andfindingit，hequicklymounted，takingcarenottomakeanoisewithhisrifle，andlaydownuponthefloorofbrushandpoles。Scarcelyhadhedonesowhenheavysteps，withaccompanimentofclinkingspurs，passedthroughthedoorbelowintothecabin。
\"Wal，Beasley，areyouhere？\"queriedaloudvoice。
Therewasnoreply。Themanbelowgrowledunderhisbreath，andagainthespursjingled。
\"Fellars，Beasleyain\'thereyet，\"hecalled。\"Putthehossesundertheshed。We\'llwait。\"
\"Wait，huh！\"cameaharshreply。\"Mebbeallnight——an\'wegotnuthin\'toeat。\"
\"Shutup，Moze。Reckonyou\'renogoodforanythin\'buteatin\'。Putthemhossesawayan\'someofyourustlefire-woodinhere。\"
Low，mutteredcurses，thenmingledwithdullthudsofhoofsandstrainofleatherandheavesoftiredhorses。
Anothershuffling，clinkingfootstepenteredthecabin。
\"Snake，it\'dbeensensetofetchapackalong，\"drawledthisnewcomer。
\"Reckonso，Jim。Butwedidn\'t，an\'what\'stheusehollerin\'？Beasleywon\'tkeepuswaitin\'long。\"
Dale，lyingstillandprone，feltaslowstartinallhisblood——athrillingwave。Thatdeep-voicedmanbelowwasSnakeAnson，theworstandmostdangerouscharacteroftheregion；andtheothers，undoubtedly，composedhisgang，longnotoriousinthatsparselysettlecountry。AndtheBeasleymentioned——hewasoneofthetwobiggestranchersandsheep-raisersoftheWhiteMountainranges。WhatwasthemeaningofarendezvousbetweenSnakeAnsonandBeasley？
MiltDaleansweredthatquestiontoBeasley\'sdiscredit；andmanystrangematterspertainingtosheepandherders，alwaysamysterytothelittlevillageofPine，nowbecameasclearasdaylight。
Othermenenteredthecabin。
\"Itain\'ta-goin\'torainmuch，\"saidone。Thencameacrashofwoodthrowntotheground。
\"Jim，hyar\'sachunkofpinelog，dryaspunk，\"saidanother。
Rustlingsandslowfootsteps，andthenheavythudsattestedtotheprobabilitythatJimwasknockingtheendofaloguponthegroundtosplitoffacornerwherebyahandfulofdrysplinterscouldbeprocured。
\"Snake，lemmeyourpipe，an\'I\'llhevafireinajiffy。\"
\"Wal，Iwantmyterbaccoan\'Iain\'tcarin\'aboutnofire，\"
repliedSnake。
\"Reckonyou\'rethemeanestcussinthesewoods，\"drawledJim。
Sharpclickofsteelonflint——manytimes——andthenasoundofhardblowingandsputteringtoldofJim\'seffortstostartafire。Presentlythepitchyblacknessofthecabinchanged；therecamealittlecracklingofwoodandtherustleofflame，andthenasteadygrowingroar。
Asitchanced，Dalelayfacedownupontheflooroftheloft，andrightnearhiseyestherewerecracksbetweentheboughs。Whenthefireblazeduphewasfairlywellabletoseethemenbelow。TheonlyonehehadeverseenwasJimWilson，whohadbeenwellknownatPinebeforeSnakeAnsonhadeverbeenheardof。Jimwasthebestofabadlot，andhehadfriendsamongthehonestpeople。ItwasrumoredthatheandSnakedidnotpullwelltogether。
\"Firefeelsgood，\"saidtheburlyMoze，whoappearedasbroadashewasblack-visaged。\"Fall\'ssurea-comin\'……
Nowifonlywehadsomegrub！\"
\"Moze，there\'sahunkofdeermeatinmysaddle-bag，an\'ifyougitityoucanhavehalf，\"spokeupanothervoice。
Mozeshuffledoutwithalacrity。
InthefirelightSnakeAnson\'sfacelookedleanandserpent-like，hiseyesglittered，andhislongneckandallofhislonglengthcarriedouttheanalogyofhisname。
\"Snake，what\'sthisheredealwithBeasley？\"inquiredJim。
\"Reckonyou\'lll\'arnwhenIdo，\"repliedtheleader。Heappearedtiredandthoughtful。
\"Ain\'twedoneawaywithenoughofthempoorgreaserherders——fornothin\'？\"queriedtheyoungestofthegang，aboyinyears，whosehard，bitterlipsandhungryeyessomehowsethimapartfromhiscomrades。
\"You\'redeadright，Burt——an\'that\'smystand，\"repliedthemanwhohadsentMozeout。\"Snake，snow\'llbeflyin\'
roundthesewoodsbeforelong，\"saidJimWilson。\"Arewegoin\'towinterdownintheTontoBasinoroverontheGila？\"
\"Reckonwe\'lldosometallridin\'beforewestrikesouth，\"
repliedSnake，gruffly。
AtthejunctureMozereturned。
\"Boss，Iheerdahosscomin\'upthetrail，\"hesaid。
Snakeroseandstoodatthedoor，listening。Outsidethewindmoanedfitfullyandscatteringraindropspattereduponthecabin。
\"A-huh！\"exclaimedSnake，inrelief。
Silenceensuedthenforamoment，attheendofwhichintervalDaleheardarapidclip-clopontherockytrailoutside。Themenbelowshuffleduneasily，butnoneofthespoke。Thefirecrackedcheerily。SnakeAnsonsteppedbackfrombeforethedoorwithanactionthatexpressedbothdoubtandcaution。
Thetrottinghorsehadhaltedouttheresomewhere。
\"Hothere，inside！\"calledavoicefromthedarkness。
\"Hoyourself！\"repliedAnson。
\"Thatyou，Snake？\"quicklyfollowedthequery。
\"Reckonso，\"returnedAnson，showinghimself。
Thenewcomerentered。Hewasalargeman，wearingaslickerthatshonewetinthefirelight。Hissombrero，pulledwelldown，shadowedhisface，sothattheupperhalfofhisfeaturesmightaswellhavebeenmasked。Hehadablack，droopingmustache，andachinlikearock。Apotentialforce，maturedandpowerful，seemedtobewrappedinhismovements。
\"Hullo，Snake！Hullo，Wilson！\"hesaid。\"I\'vebackedoutontheotherdeal。Sentforyouon——onanotherlittlematter……particularprivate。\"
HereheindicatedwithasignificantgesturethatSnake\'smenweretoleavethecabin。
\"A-huh！ejaculatedAnson，dubiously。Thenheturnedabruptly。Moze，youan\'Shadyan\'Burtgowaitoutside。
Reckonthisain\'tthedealIexpected……An\'youcansaddlethehosses。\"
Thethreemembersofthegangfiledout，allglancingkeenlyatthestranger，whohadmovedbackintotheshadow。
\"Allrightnow，Beasley，\"saidAnson，low-voiced。\"What\'syourgame？Jim，here，isinonmydeals。\"
ThenBeasleycameforwardtothefire，stretchinghishandstotheblaze。
\"Nothin\'todowithsheep，\"repliedhe。
\"Wal，Ireckonednot，\"assentedtheother。\"An\'say——
whateveryourgameis，Iain\'tlikin\'thewayyoukeptmewaitin\'an\'ridin\'around。WewaitednearalldayatBigSpring。Thenthetgreaserrodeupan\'sentushere。We\'realongwayfromcampwithnogruban\'noblankets\"
\"Iwon\'tkeepyoulong，\"saidBeasley。\"ButevenifIdidyou\'dnotmind——whenItellyouthisdealconcernsAlAuchincloss——themanwhomadeanoutlawofyou！\"
Anson\'ssuddenactionthenseemedaleapofhiswholeframe。
Wilson，likewise，bentforwardeagerly。Beasleyglancedatthedoor——thenbegantowhisper。
\"OldAuchinclossisonhislastlegs。He\'sgoin\'tocroak。
He\'ssentbacktoMissouriforaniece——ayounggirl——
an\'hemeanstoleavehisranchesan\'sheep——allhisstocktoher。Seemshehasnooneelse……Themranches——an\'
allthemsheepan\'hosses！Youknowmean\'Alwerepardnersinsheep-raisin\'foryears。HesworeIcheatedhiman\'hethrewmeout。An\'alltheseyearsI\'vebeenswearin\'hedidmedirt——owedmesheepan\'money。I\'vegotasmanyfriendsinPine——an\'allthewaydownthetrail——asAuchinclosshas……An\'Snake，seehere——\"
Hepausedtodrawadeepbreathandhisbighandstrembledovertheblaze。Ansonleanedforward，likeaserpentreadytostrike，andJimWilsonwasastensewithhisdivinationoftheplotathand。
\"Seehere，\"pantedBeasley。\"Thegirl\'sduetoarriveatMagdalenaonthesixteenth。That\'saweekfromto-morrow。
She\'lltakethestagetoSnowdrop，wheresomeofAuchincloss\'smenwillmeetherwithateam。\"
\"A-huh！\"gruntedAnsonasBeasleyhaltedagain。\"An\'whatofallthet？\"
\"Shemustn\'tnevergetasfarasSnowdrop！\"
\"Youwantmetoholdupthestage——an\'getthegirl？\"
\"Exactly。\"
\"Wal——an\'whatthen？
Makeoffwithher……Shedisappears。That\'syouraffair……I\'llpressmyclaimsonAuchincloss——houndhim——
an\'bereadywhenhecroakstotakeoverhisproperty。Thenthegirlcancomeback，forallIcare……Youan\'Wilsonfixupthedealbetweenyou。Ifyouhavetolettheganginonitdon\'tgivethemanyhunchastowhoan\'what。This\'llmakeyouarichstake。An\'providin\'，whenit\'spaid，youstrikefornewterritory。\"
\"Thetmightbewise，\"mutteredSnakeAnson。\"Beasley，theweakpointinyourgameistheuncertaintyoflife。OldAlistough。Hemayfoolyou。\"
\"Auchinclossisadyin\'man，\"declaredBeasley，withsuchpositivenessthatitcouldnotbedoubted。
\"Wal，hesurewasn\'tplumbheartywhenIlastseenhim……Beasley，incaseIplayyourgame——how\'mItoknowthatgirl？\"
\"Hername\'sHelenRayner，\"repliedBeasley，eagerly。\"She\'stwentyyearsold。AllofthemAuchinclosseswashandsomean\'
theysayshe\'sthehandsomest。\"
\"A-huh！……Beasley，this\'ssureabiggerdeal——an\'oneIain\'tfancyin\'……ButIneverdoubtedyourword……
Comeon——an\'talkout。What\'sinitforme？\"
\"Don\'tletanyoneinonthis。Youtwocanholdupthestage。Why，itwasneverheldup……Butyouwanttomask……Howabouttenthousandsheep——orwhattheybringatPhenixingold？\"
JimWilsonwhistledlow。
\"An\'leavefornewterritory？\"repeatedSnakeAnson，underhisbreath。
\"You\'vesaidit。\"
\"Wal，Iain\'tfancyin\'thegirlendofthisdeal，butyoucancountonme……SeptembersixteenthatMagdalena——
an\'hername\'sHelen——an\'she\'shandsome？\"
\"Yes。Myherderswillbegindrivin\'southinabouttwoweeks。Later，iftheweatherholdsgood，sendmewordbyoneoftheman\'I\'llmeetyou。\"
Beasleyspreadhishandsoncemoreovertheblaze，pulledonhisglovesandpulleddownhissombrero，andwithanabruptwordofpartingstrodeoutintothenight。
\"Jim，whatdoyoumakeofhim？\"queriedSnakeAnson。
\"Pard，he\'sgotusbeattwowaysforSunday，\"repliedWilson。
\"A-huh！……Wal，let\'sgetbacktocamp。\"Andheledthewayout。
Lowvoicesdriftedintothecabin，thencamesnortsofhorsesandstrikinghoofs，andafterthatasteadytrot，graduallyceasing。Oncemorethemoanofwindandsoftpatterofrainfilledtheforeststillness。
CHAPTERII
MiltDalequietlysatuptogaze，withthoughtfuleyes，intothegloom。
Hewasthirtyyearsold。AsaboyoffourteenhehadrunofffromhisschoolandhomeinIowaand，joiningawagon-trainofpioneers，hewasoneofthefirsttoseelogcabinsbuiltontheslopesoftheWhiteMountains。Buthehadnottakenkindlytofarmingorsheep-raisingormonotonoushometoil，andfortwelveyearshehadlivedintheforest，withonlyinfrequentvisitstoPineandShowDownandSnowdrop。Thiswanderingforestlifeofhisdidnotindicatethathedidnotcareforthevillagers，forhedidcare，andhewaswelcomeeverywhere，butthathelovedwildlifeandsolitudeandbeautywiththeprimitiveinstinctiveforceofasavage。
Andonthisnighthehadstumbleduponadarkplotagainsttheonlyoneofallthehonestwhitepeopleinthatregionwhomhecouldnotcallafriend。
\"ThatmanBeasley！\"hesoliloquized。\"Beasley——incahootswithSnakeAnson！……Well，hewasright。AlAuchinclossisonhislastlegs。Pooroldman！WhenItellhimhe\'llneverbelieveME，that\'ssure！\"
DiscoveryoftheplotmeanttoDalethathemusthurrydowntoPine。
\"Agirl——HelenRayner——twentyyearsold，\"hemused。
\"Beasleywantshermadeoffwith……Thatmeans——worsethankilled！\"
Daleacceptedfactsoflifewiththatequanimityandfatalityacquiredbyonelongversedinthecruelannalsofforestlore。Badmenworkedtheireviljustassavagewolvesrelayedadeer。Hehadshotwolvesforthattrick。Withmen，goodorbad，hehadnotclashed。Oldwomenandchildrenappealedtohim，buthehadneverhadanyinterestingirls。
Theimage，then，ofthisHelenRaynercamestrangelytoDale；andhesuddenlyrealizedthathehadmeantsomehowtocircumventBeasley，nottobefriendoldAlAuchincloss，butforthesakeofthegirl。ProbablyshewasalreadyonherwayWest，alone，eager，hopefulofafuturehome。Howlittlepeopleguessedwhatawaitedthematajourney\'send！Manytrailsendedabruptlyintheforest——andonlytrainedwoodsmencouldreadthetragedy。
\"StrangehowIcutacrosscountryto-dayfromSpruceSwamp，\"
reflectedDale。Circumstances，movements，usuallywerenotstrangetohim。Hismethodsandhabitswereseldomchangedbychance。Thematter，then，ofhisturningoffacourseoutofhiswayfornoapparentreason，andofhishavingoverheardaplotsingularlyinvolvingayounggirl，wasindeedanadventuretoprovokethought。Itprovokedmore，forDalegrewconsciousofanunfamiliarsmolderingheatalonghisveins。Hewhohadlittletodowiththestrifeofmen，andnothingtodowithanger，felthisbloodgrowhotatthecowardlytraplaidforaninnocentgirl。
\"OldAlwon\'tlistentome，\"ponderedDale。\"An\'evenifhedid，hewouldn\'tbelieveme。Maybenobodywill……Allthesame，SnakeAnsonwon\'tgetthatgirl。\"
WiththeselastwordsDalesatisfiedhimselfofhisownposition，andhisponderingceased。Takinghisrifle，hedescendedfromtheloftandpeeredoutofthedoor。Thenighthadgrowndarker，windier，cooler；brokencloudswerescuddingacrossthesky；onlyafewstarsshowed；finerainwasblowingfromthenorthwest；andtheforestseemedfullofalow，dullroar。
\"ReckonI\'dbetterhanguphere，\"hesaid，andturnedtothefire。Thecoalswererednow。Fromthedepthsofhishunting-coatheprocuredalittlebagofsaltandsomestripsofdriedmeat。Thesestripshelaidforamomentonthehotembers，untiltheybegantosizzleandcurl；thenwithasharpenedstickheremovedthemandatelikeahungryhuntergratefulforlittle。
Hesatonablockofwoodwithhispalmsspreadtothedyingwarmthofthefireandhiseyesfixeduponthechanging，glowing，goldenembers。Outside，thewindcontinuedtoriseandthemoanoftheforestincreasedtoaroar。Dalefeltthecomfortablewarmthstealingoverhim，drowsilylulling；
andheheardthestorm-windinthetrees，nowlikeawaterfall，andanonlikearetreatingarmy，andagainlowandsad；andhesawpicturesintheglowingembers，strangeasdreams。
Presentlyheroseand，climbingtotheloft，hestretchedhimselfout，andsoonfellasleep。
Whenthegraydawnbrokehewasonhisway，\'cross-country，tothevillageofPine。
Duringthenightthewindhadshiftedandtherainhadceased。Asuspicionoffrostshoneonthegrassinopenplaces。Allwasgray——theparks，theglades——anddeeper，darkergraymarkedtheaislesoftheforest。Shadowslurkedunderthetreesandthesilenceseemedconsistentwithspectralforms。Thentheeastkindled，thegraylightened，thedreamingwoodlandawoketothefar-reachingraysofaburstingredsun。
ThiswasalwaysthehappiestmomentofDale\'slonelydays，assunsetwashissaddest。Heresponded，andtherewassomethinginhisbloodthatansweredthewhistleofastagfromanear-byridge。Hisstrideswerelong，noiseless，andtheyleftdarktracewherehisfeetbrushedthedew-ladengrass。
Dalepursuedazigzagcourseovertheridgestoescapethehardestclimbing，butthe\"senacas\"——thoseparklikemeadowssonamedbyMexicansheep-herders——wereasroundandlevelasiftheyhadbeenmadebymaninbeautifulcontrasttothedark-green，rough，andruggedridges。Bothopensenacaanddensewoodedridgeshowedtohisquickeyeanabundanceofgame。Thecrackingoftwigsanddisappearingflashofgrayamongthespruces，aroundblacklumberingobject，atwitteringinthebrush，andstealthysteps，werealleasysignsforDaletoread。Once，ashenoiselesslyemergedintoalittleglade，heespiedaredfoxstalkingsomequarry，which，asheadvanced，provedtobeaflockofpartridges。Theywhirredup，brushingthebranches，andthefoxtrottedaway。IneverysenacaDaleencounteredwildturkeysfeedingontheseedsofthehighgrass。
Ithadalwaysbeenhiscustom，onhisvisitstoPine，tokillandpackfreshmeatdowntoseveraloldfriends，whoweregladtogivehimlodging。And，hurriedthoughhewasnow，hedidnotintendtomakeanexceptionofthistrip。
Atlengthhegotdownintothepinebelt，wherethegreat，gnarled，yellowtreessoaredaloft，stately，andalooffromoneanother，andthegroundwasabrown，odorous，springymatofpine-needles，levelasafloor。Squirrelswatchedhimfromallaround，scurryingawayathisnearapproach——
tiny，brown，light-stripedsquirrels，andlargerones，russet-colored，andthesplendiddark-grayswiththeirwhitebushytailsandplumedears。
Thisbeltofpineendedabruptlyuponwide，gray，rolling，openland，almostlikeaprairie，withfoot-hillsliftingnearandfar，andthered-goldblazeofaspenthicketscatchingthemorningsun。HereDaleflushedaflockofwildturkeys，upwardoffortyinnumber，andtheirsubduedcolorofgrayfleckedwithwhite，andgraceful，sleekbuild，showedthemtobehens。Therewasnotagobblerintheflock。Theybegantorunpell-melloutintothegrass，untilonlytheirheadsappearedbobbingalong，andfinallydisappeared。Dalecaughtaglimpseofskulkingcoyotesthatevidentlyhadbeenstalkingtheturkeys，andastheysawhimanddartedintothetimberhetookaquickshotatthehindmost。Hisbulletstrucklow，ashehadmeantitto，buttoolow，andthecoyotegotonlyadustingofearthandpine-needlesthrownupintohisface。Thisfrightenedhimsothatheleapedasideblindlytobuttintoatree，rolledover，gainedhisfeet，andthenthecoveroftheforest。
Dalewasamusedatthis。Hishandwasagainstallthepredatorybeastsoftheforest，thoughhehadlearnedthatlionandbearandwolfandfoxwereallasnecessarytothegreatschemeofnatureaswerethegentle，beautifulwildcreaturesuponwhichtheypreyed。Butsomehelovedbetterthanothers，andsohedeploredtheinexplicablecruelty。
Hecrossedthewide，grassyplainandstruckanothergradualdescentwhereaspensandpinescrowdedashallowravineandwarm，sun-lightedgladesborderedalongasparklingbrook。
Herebeheardaturkeygobble，andthatwasasignalforhimtochangehiscourseandmakeacrouching，silentdetouraroundaclumpofaspens。Inasunnypatchofgrassadozenormorebiggobblersstood，allsuspiciouslyfacinginhisdirection，headserect，withthatwildaspectpeculiartotheirspecies。Oldwildturkeygobblerswerethemostdifficultgametostalk。Daleshottwoofthem。Theothersbegantorunlikeostriches，thuddingovertheground，spreadingtheirwings，andwiththatrunningstartlaunchedtheirheavybodiesintowhirringflight。Theyflewlow，atabouttheheightofamanfromthegrass，andvanishedinthewoods。
Dalethrewthetwoturkeysoverhisshoulderandwentonhisway。Soonhecametoabreakintheforestlevel，fromwhichhegazeddownaleague-longslopeofpineandcedar，outuponthebare，glisteningdesert，stretchingaway，endlesslyrollingouttothedim，darkhorizonline。
ThelittlehamletofPinelayonthelastlevelofsparselytimberedforest。Aroad，runningparallelwithadark-watered，swift-flowingstream，dividedtheclusteroflogcabinsfromwhichcolumnsofbluesmokedriftedlazilyaloft。Fieldsofcornandfieldsofoats，yellowinthesunlight，surroundedthevillage；andgreenpastures，dottedwithhorsesandcattle，reachedawaytothedenserwoodland。
Thissiteappearedtobeanaturalclearing，fortherewasnoevidenceofcuttimber。Thescenewasrathertoowildtobepastoral，butitwasserene，tranquil，givingtheimpressionofaremotecommunity，prosperousandhappy，driftingalongthepeacefultenorofsequesteredlives。
Dalehaltedbeforeaneatlittlelogcabinandalittlepatchofgardenborderedwithsunflowers。Hiscallwasansweredbyanoldwoman，grayandbent，butremarkablyspry，whoappearedatthedoor。
\"Why，land\'ssakes，ifitain\'tMiltDale！\"sheexclaimed，inwelcome。
\"Reckonit\'sme，Mrs。Cass，\"hereplied。\"An，I\'vebroughtyouaturkey。\"
\"Milt，you\'rethatgoodboywhoneverforgitsoldWidowCass……Whatagobbler！FirstoneI\'veseenthisfall。
MymanTomusedtofetchhomegobblerslikethat……An\'
mebbehe\'llcomehomeagainsometime。\"
Herhusband，TomCass，hadgoneintotheforestyearsbeforeandhadneverreturned。Buttheoldwomanalwayslookedforhimandnevergaveuphope。
\"Menhavebeenlostintheforestan\'yetcomeback，\"
repliedDale，ashehadsaidtohermanyatime。
\"Comerightin。Youairhungry，Iknow。Now，son，whenlastdidyoueatafresheggoraflapjack？\"
\"Youshouldremember，\"heanswered，laughing，ashefollowedherintoasmall，cleankitchen。
\"Laws-a\'-me！An\'thet\'smonthsago，\"shereplied，shakinghergrayhead。\"Milt，youshouldgiveupthatwildlife——
an\'marry——an\'haveahome。\"
\"Youalwaystellmethat。\"
\"Yes，an\'I\'llseeyoudoityet……Nowyousetthere，an\'prettysoonI\'llgiveyouthettoeatwhich\'llmakeyourmouthwater。\"
\"What\'sthenews，Auntie？\"heasked。
\"Narynewsinthisdeadplace。Why，nobody\'sbeentoSnowdropintwoweeks！……SaryJonesdied，pooroldsoul——she\'sbetteroff——an\'oneofmycowsrunaway。Milt，she\'swildwhenshegitslooseinthewoods。An\'you\'llhavetotrackher，\'causenobodyelsecan。An\'JohnDakker\'sheiferwaskilledbyalion，an\'LemHarden\'sfasthoss——
youknowhisfavorite——wasstolebyhoss-thieves。Lemisjestcrazy。An\'thatremindsme，Milt，where\'syourbigranger，thetyou\'dneversellorlend？\"
\"Myhorsesareupinthewoods，Auntie；safe，Ireckon，fromhorse-thieves。\"
\"Well，that\'sablessin\'。We\'vehadsomestockstolethissummer，Milt，an\'nomistake。\"
Thus，whilepreparingamealforDale，theoldwomanwentonrecountingallthathadhappenedinthelittlevillagesincehislastvisit。Daleenjoyedhergossipandquaintphilosophy，anditwasexceedinglygoodtositathertable。
Inhisopinion，nowhereelsecouldtherehavebeensuchbutterandcream，suchhamandeggs。Besides，shealwayshadapplepie，itseemed，atanytimehehappenedin；andapplepiewasoneofDale\'sfewregretswhileupinthelonelyforest。
\"How\'soldAlAuchincloss？\"presentlyinquiredDale。
\"Poorly——poorly，\"sighedMrs。Cass。\"Buthetrampsan\'
ridesaroundsameasever。Al\'snotlongforthisworld……An\'，Milt，thatremindsme——there\'sthebiggestnewsyoueverheard。\"
\"Youdon\'tsayso！\"exclaimedDale，toencouragetheexcitedoldwoman。
\"AlhassentbacktoSaintJoeforhisniece，HelenRayner。
She\'stoinheritallhisproperty。We\'veheardmuchofher——apurtylass，theysay……Now，MiltDale，here\'syourchance。Stayoutofthewoodsan\'gotowork……Youcanmarrythatgirl！\"
\"Nochanceforme，Auntie，\"repliedDale，smiling。
Theoldwomansnorted。\"Muchyouknow！Anygirlwouldhaveyou，MiltDale，ifyou\'donlythrowakerchief。\"
\"Me！……An\'why，Auntie？\"hequeried，halfamused，halfthoughtful。Whenhegotbacktocivilizationhealwayshadtoadjusthisthoughtstotheideasofpeople。
\"Why？Ideclare，Milt，youlivesointhewoodsyou\'relikeaboyoften——an\'thensometimesasoldasthehills……There\'snoyoungmantocomparewithyou，hereabouts。An\'
thisgirl——she\'llhaveallthespunkoftheAuchinclosses。\"
\"Thenmaybeshe\'dnotbesuchacatch，afterall，\"repliedDale。
\"Wal，you\'venocausetolovethem，that\'ssure。But，Milt，theAuchinclosswomenarealwaysgoodwives。\"
\"DearAuntie，you\'redreamin\'，\"saidDale，soberly。\"Iwantnowife。I\'mhappyinthewoods。\"
\"Airyougoin\'tolivelikeanInjunallyourdays，MiltDale？\"shequeried，sharply。
\"Ihopeso。\"
\"Yououghttobeashamed。Butsomelasswillchangeyou，boy，an\'mebbeit\'llbethisHelenRayner。Ihopean\'praysotothet。\"
\"Auntie，supposin\'shedidchangeme。She\'dneverchangeoldAl。Hehatesme，youknow。\"
\"Wal，Iain\'tsosure，Milt。ImetAltheotherday。Heinquiredforyou，an\'saidyouwaswild，buthereckonedmenlikeyouwasgoodforpioneersettlements。Lordknowsthegoodturnsyou\'vedonethisvillage！Milt，oldAldoesn\'tapproveofyourwildlife，butheneverhadnohardfeelin\'stillthettamelionofyourskilledsomanyofhissheep。\"
\"Auntie，Idon\'tbelieveTomeverkilledAl\'ssheep，\"
declaredDale，positively。
\"Wal，Althinksso，an\'manyotherpeople，\"repliedMrs。
Cass，shakinghergrayheaddoubtfully。\"Youneversworehedidn\'t。An\'therewasthemtwosheep-herderswhodidsweartheyseenhim。\"
\"Theyonlysawacougar。An\'theyweresoscaredtheyran。\"
\"Whowouldn\'t？Thetbigbeastisenoughtoscareanyone。
Forland\'ssakes，don\'teverfetchhimdownhereagain！I\'llneverforgitthetimeyoudid。Allthefolksan\'childrenan\'hossesinPinebrokean\'runthetday。\"
\"Yes；butTomwasn\'ttoblame。Auntie，he\'sthetamestofmypets。Didn\'thetrytoputhisheadonyourlapan\'lickyourhand？\"
\"Wal，Milt，Iain\'tgainsayin\'yourcougarpetdidn\'tactbetter\'nalotofpeopleIknow。Ferhedid。Butthelooksofhiman\'what\'sbeensaidwasenoughforme。\"
\"An\'what\'sallthat，Auntie？\"
\"Theysayhe\'swildwhenoutofyoursight。An\'thethe\'dtrailan\'killanythin\'youputhimafter。\"
\"Itrainedhimtobejustthatway。\"
\"Wal，leaveTomtohomeupinthewoods-whenyouvisitus。\"
Dalefinishedhisheartymeal，andlistenedawhilelongertotheoldwoman\'stalk；then，takinghisrifleandtheotherturkey，hebadehergood-by。Shefollowedhimout。
\"Now，Milt，you\'llcomesoonagain，won\'tyou——jesttoseeAl\'sniece——who\'llbehereinaweek？\"
\"IreckonI\'lldropinsomeday……Auntie，haveyouseenmyfriends，theMormonboys？\"
\"No，I\'ain\'tseentheman\'don\'twantto，\"sheretorted。
\"MiltDale，ifanyoneevercorralsyouit\'llbeMormons。\"
\"Don\'tworry，Auntie。Ilikethoseboys。Theyoftenseemeupinthewoodsan\'askmetohelpthemtrackahossorhelpkillsomefreshmeat。\"
\"They\'reworkin\'forBeasleynow。\"
\"Isthatso？\"rejoinedDale，withasuddenstart。\"An\'whatdoin\'？\"
\"Beasleyisgettin\'sorichhe\'sbuildin\'afence，an\'
didn\'thaveenoughhelp，soIhear。\"
\"Beasleygettin\'rich！\"repeatedDale，thoughtfully。\"Moresheepan\'horsesan\'cattlethanever，Ireckon？\"
\"Laws-a\'-me！Why，Milt，Beasley\'ain\'tanyideawhatheowns。Yes，he\'sthebiggestmanintheseparts，sincepooroldAl\'stooktofailin\'。IreckonAl\'shealthain\'tnoneimprovedbyBeasley\'ssuccess。They\'vebadsomebitterquarrelslately——soIhear。Alain\'twhathewas。\"
Dalebadegood-byagaintohisoldfriendandstrodeaway，thoughtfulandserious。Beasleywouldnotonlybedifficulttocircumvent，buthewouldbedangeroustooppose。Theredidnotappearmuchdoubtofhisdrivinghiswayrough-shodtothedominanceofaffairsthereinPine。Dale，passingdowntheroad，begantomeetacquaintanceswhohadheartywelcomeforhispresenceandinterestinhisdoings，sothathisponderingwasinterruptedforthetimebeing。Hecarriedtheturkeytoanotheroldfriend，andwhenheleftherhousehewentontothevillagestore。Thiswasalargelogcabin，roughlycoveredwithclapboards，withawideplankplatforminfrontandahitching-railintheroad。Severalhorseswerestandingthere，andagroupoflazy，shirt-sleevedloungers。
\"I\'llbedoggonedifitain\'tMiltDale！\"exclaimedone。
\"Howdy，Milt，oldbuckskin！Rightdowngladtoseeyou，\"
greetedanother。
\"Hello，Dale！Youairshoregoodforsoreeyes，\"drawledstillanother。
AfteralongperiodofabsenceDalealwaysexperiencedasingularwarmthoffeelingwhenhemettheseacquaintances。
Itfadedquicklywhenhegotbacktotheintimacyofhiswoodland，andthatwasbecausethepeopleofPine，withfewexceptions——thoughtheylikedhimandgreatlyadmiredhisoutdoorwisdom——regardedhimasasortofnonentity。
Becausehelovedthewildandpreferredittovillageandrangelife，theyhadclassedhimasnotoneofthem。Somebelievedhimlazy；othersbelievedhimshiftless；othersthoughthimanIndianinmindandhabits；andthereweremanywhocalledhimslow-witted。Thentherewasanothersidetotheirregardforhim，whichalwaysaffordedhimgood-naturedamusement。Twoofthisgroupaskedhimtobringinsometurkeyorvenison；anotherwantedtohuntwithhim。
LemHardencameoutofthestoreandappealedtoDaletorecoverhisstolenhorse。Lem\'sbrotherwantedawild-runningmaretrackedandbroughthome。JesseLyonswantedacoltbroken，andbrokenwithpatience，notviolence，aswasthemethodofthehard-ridingboysatPine。
SooneandalltheybesiegedDalewiththeirselfishneeds，allunconsciousoftheflatteringnatureoftheseovertures。
Andonthemomenttherehappenedbytwowomenwhoseremarks，astheyenteredthestore，borestrongtestimonytoDale\'spersonality。
\"Ifthereain\'tMiltDale！\"exclaimedtheolderofthetwo。
\"Howlucky！Mycow\'ssick，an\'themenarenogooddoctorin\'。I\'lljestaskMiltover。\"
\"NoonelikeMilt！\"respondedtheotherwoman，heartily。
\"Gooddaythere——youMiltDale！\"calledthefirstspeaker。
\"Whenyougitawayfromtheselazymencomeover。\"
Daleneverrefusedaservice，andthatwaswhyhisinfrequentvisitstoPinewerewonttobeprolongedbeyondhisownpleasure。
PresentlyBeasleystrodedownthestreet，andwhenabouttoenterthestoreheespiedDale。
\"Hullothere，Milt！\"hecalled，cordially，ashecameforwardwithextendedhand。Hisgreetingwassincere，butthelightningglanceheshotoverDalewasnotbornofhispleasure。Seenindaylight，Beasleywasabig，bold，bluffman，withstrong，darkfeatures。Hisaggressivepresencesuggestedthathewasagoodfriendandabadenemy。
Daleshookhandswithhim。
\"Howareyou，Beasley？\"
\"Ain\'tcomplainin\'，Milt，thoughIgotmoreworkthanIcanrustle。Reckonyouwouldn\'ttakeajobbossin\'mysheep-herders？\"
\"ReckonIwouldn\'t，\"repliedDale。\"Thanksallthesame。\"
\"What\'sgoin\'onupinthewoods？\"
\"Plentyofturkeyan\'deer。Lotsofbear，too。TheIndianshaveworkedbackonthesouthsideearlythisfall。ButI
reckonwinterwillcomelatean\'bemild。\"
\"Good！An\'where\'reyouheadin\'from？\"
\"\'Cross-countryfrommycamp，\"repliedDale，ratherevasively。
\"Yourcamp！Nobodyeverfoundthatyet，\"declaredBeasley，gruffly。
\"It\'supthere，\"saidDale。
\"Reckonyou\'vegotthatcougarchainedinyourcabindoor？\"
queriedBeasley，andtherewasabarelydistinguishableshudderofhismuscularframe。Alsothepupilsdilatedinhishardbrowneyes。
\"Tomain\'tchained。An\'Ihaven\'tnocabin，Beasley。\"
\"Youmeantotellmethatbigbrutestaysinyourcampwithoutbein\'hog-tiedorcorralled！\"demandedBeasley。
\"Surehedoes。\"
\"Beatsme！But，then，I\'mqueeroncougars。Havehadmanyacougartrailmeatnight。Ain\'tsayin\'Iwasscared。ButI
don\'tcareforthatbrandofvarmint……Milt，yougoin\'
tostaydownawhile？\"
\"Yes，I\'llhangaroundsome。\"
\"Comeovertotheranch。Gladtoseeyouanytime。Someoldhuntin\'pardsofyoursareworkin\'forme。\"
\"Thanks，Beasley。IreckonI\'llcomeover。\"
Beasleyturnedawayandtookastep，andthen，asifwithanafter-thought，hewheeledagain。
\"Supposeyou\'veheardaboutoldAlAuchinclossbein\'nearpeteredout？\"queriedBeasley。Astrong，ponderouscastofthoughtseemedtoemanatefromhisfeatures。DaledivinedthatBeasley\'snextstepwouldbetofurtherhisadvancementbysomewordorhint。
\"WidowCasswastellin\'meallthenews。ToobadaboutoldAl，\"repliedDale。
\"Sureis。He\'sdonefor。An\'I\'msorry——thoughAl\'sneverbeensquare——\"
\"Beasley，\"interruptedDale，quickly，\"youcan\'tsaythattome。AlAuchinclossalwayswasthewhitestan\'squarestmaninthissheepcountry。\"
BeasleygaveDaleafleeting，darkglance。
\"Dale，whatyouthinkain\'tgoin\'toinfluencefeelin\'onthisrange，\"returnedBeasley，deliberately。\"Youliveinthewoodsan\'——\"
\"Reckonlivin\'inthewoodsImightthink——an\'knowawholelot，\"interposedDale，justasdeliberately。Thegroupofmenexchangedsurprisedglances。ThiswasMiltDaleindifferentaspect。AndBeasleydidnotconcealapuzzledsurprise。
\"Aboutwhat——now？\"heasked，bluntly。
\"Why，aboutwhat\'sgoin\'oninPine，\"repliedDale。
Someofthemenlaughed。
\"Shorelotsgoin\'on——an\'nomistake，\"putinLemHarden。
ProbablythekeenBeasleyhadneverbeforeconsideredMiltDaleasaresponsibleperson；certainlyneveroneinanywaytocrosshistrail。Butontheinstant，perhaps，someinstinctwasborn，orhedivinedanantagonisminDalethatwasbothsurprisingandperplexing。
\"Dale，I\'vedifferenceswithAlAuchincloss——havehadthemforyears，\"saidBeasley。\"Muchofwhatheownsismine。An\'
it\'sgoin\'tocometome。NowIreckonpeoplewillbetakin\'
sides——someformean\'someforAl。Mostareforme……
Wheredoyoustand？AlAuchinclossneverhadnouseforyou，an\'besideshe\'sadyin\'man。Areyougoin\'onhisside？\"
\"Yes，IreckonIam。\"
\"Wal，I\'mgladyou\'vedeclaredyourself，\"rejoinedBeasley，shortly，andhestrodeawaywiththeponderousgaitofamanwhowouldbrushanyobstaclefromhispath。
\"Milt，thet\'sbad——makin\'Beasleysoreatyou，\"saidLemHarden。\"He\'sonthewaytobossthisoutfit。\"
\"He\'ssuregoin\'tostepintoAl\'sboots，\"saidanother。
\"ThetwaswhiteofMilttostickupferpooroldAl，\"
declaredLem\'sbrother。
Dalebrokeawayfromthemandwendedathoughtfulwaydowntheroad。TheburdenofwhatheknewaboutBeasleyweighedlessheavilyuponhim，andtheclose-lippedcoursebehaddecideduponappearedwisest。HeneededtothinkbeforeundertakingtocalluponoldAlAuchincloss；andtothatendhesoughtanhour\'sseclusionunderthepines。
CHAPTERIII
Intheafternoon，Dale，havingaccomplishedsometasksimposeduponhimbyhisoldfriendsatPine，directedslowstepstowardtheAuchinclossranch。
Theflat，squarestoneandlogcabinofunusuallylargesizestooduponalittlehillhalfamileoutofthevillage。A
homeaswellasafort，ithadbeenthefirststructureerectedinthatregion，andtheprocessofbuildinghadmorethanoncebeeninterruptedbyIndianattacks。TheApacheshadforsometime，however，confinedtheirfierceraidstopointssouthoftheWhiteMountainrange。Auchincloss\'shouselookeddownuponbarnsandshedsandcorralsofallsizesandshapes，andhundredsofacresofwell-cultivatedsoil。Fieldsofoatswavedgrayandyellowintheafternoonsun；animmensegreenpasturewasdividedbyawillow-borderedbrook，andhereweredrovesofhorses，andoutontherollingbareflatswerestragglingherdsofcattle。
Thewholeranchshowedmanyyearsoftoilandtheperseveranceofman。Thebrookirrigatedtheverdantvalleybetweentheranchandthevillage。Waterforthehouse，however，camedownfromthehigh，woodedslopeofthemountain，andhadbeenbroughttherebyasimpleexpedient。
Pinelogsofuniformsizehadbeenlaidendtoend，withadeeptroughcutinthem，andtheymadeashininglinedowntheslope，acrossthevalley，andupthelittlehilltotheAuchinclosshome。Nearthehousethehollowedhalvesoflogshadbeenboundtogether，makingacrudepipe。Waterranuphillinthiscase，oneofthefactsthatmadetheranchfamous，asithadalwaysbeenawonderanddelighttothesmallboysofPine。ThetwogoodwomenwhomanagedAuchincloss\'slargehouseholdwereoftenshockedbythestrangethingsthatfloatedintotheirkitchenwiththeever-flowingstreamofclear，coldmountainwater。
AsithappenedthisdayDaleencounteredAlAuchinclosssittingintheshadeofaporch，talkingtosomeofhissheep-herdersandstockmen。Auchinclosswasashortmanofextremelypowerfulbuildandgreatwidthofshoulder。Hehadnograyhairs，andhedidnotlookold，yettherewasinhisfaceacertainweariness，somethingthatresembledslopinglinesofdistress，dimandpale，thattoldofageandtheebb-tideofvitality。Hisfeatures，castinlargemold，wereclean-cutandcomely，andhehadfrankblueeyes，somewhatsad，yetstillfullofspirit。
Dalehadnoideahowhisvisitwouldbetaken，andhecertainlywouldnothavebeensurprisedtobeorderedofftheplace。Hehadnotsetfootthereforyears。ThereforeitwaswithsurprisethathesawAuchinclosswaveawaytheherdersandtakehisentrancewithoutanyparticularexpression。
\"Howdy，Al！Howareyou？\"greetedDale，easily，asheleanedhisrifleagainstthelogwall。
Auchinclossdidnotrise，butheofferedhishand。
\"Wal，MiltDale，IreckonthisisthefirsttimeIeverseenyouthatIcouldn\'tlayyouflatonyourback，\"repliedtherancher。Histonewasbothtestyandfullofpathos。
\"Itakeityoumeanyouain\'tverywell，\"repliedDale。\"I\'msorry，Al。\"
\"No，itain\'tthet。Neverwassickinmylife。I\'mjustplayedout，likeahossthethadbeenstrongan\'willin\'，an\'didtoomuch……Wal，youdon\'tlookadayolder，Milt。Livin\'inthewoodsrollsoveraman\'shead。\"
\"Yes，I\'mfeelin\'fine，an\'timeneverbothersme。\"
\"Wal，mebbeyouain\'tsuchafool，afterall。I\'vewonderedlately——sinceIhadtimetothink……But，Milt，youdon\'tgitnoricher。\"
\"Al，IhaveallIwantan\'need。\"
\"Wal，then，youdon\'tsupportanybody；youdon\'tdoanygoodintheworld。\"
\"Wedon\'tagree，Al，\"repliedDale，withhisslowsmile。
\"Reckonweneverdid……An\'youjestcomeovertopayyourrespectstome，eh？\"
\"Notaltogether，\"answeredDale，ponderingly。\"Firstoff，I\'dliketosayI\'llpaybackthemsheepyoualwaysclaimedmytamecougarkilled。\"
\"Youwill！An\'how\'dyougoaboutthat？\"
\"Wasn\'tverymanysheep，wasthere？
\"Amatteroffiftyhead。\"
\"Somany！Al，doyoustillthinkoldTomkilledthemsheep？\"
\"Humph！Milt，Iknowdamnwellhedid。\"
\"Al，nowhowcouldyouknowsomethin\'Idon\'t？Bereasonable，now。Let\'sdon\'tfalloutaboutthisagain。I\'llpaybackthesheep。Workitout——\"
\"MiltDale，you\'llcomedownherean\'workoutthatfiftyheadofsheep！\"ejaculatedtheoldrancher，incredulously。
\"Sure。\"
\"Wal，I\'llbedamned！\"HesatbackandgazedwithshrewdeyesatDale。\"What\'sgotintoyou，Milt？Hevyouheardaboutmyniecethet\'scomin\'，an\'thinkyou\'llshineuptoher？\"
\"Yes，Al，hercomin\'hasagooddealtodowithmydeal，\"
repliedDale，soberly。\"ButIneverthoughttoshineuptoher，asyouhint。\"
\"Haw！Haw！You\'rejustlikealltheothercoltshereabouts。
Reckonit\'sagoodsign，too。It\'lltakeawomantofetchyououtofthewoods。But，boy，thisnieceofmine，HelenRayner，willstandyouonyourhead。Ineverseenher。Theysayshe\'sjestlikehermother。An\'NellAuchincloss——whatagirlshewas！\"
Dalefelthisfacegrowred。Indeed，thiswasstrangeconversationforhim。
\"Honest，Al——\"hebegan。
\"Son，don\'tlietoanoldman。\"
\"Lie！Iwouldn\'tlietoanyone。Al，it\'sonlymenwholiveintownsan\'arealwaysmakin\'deals。Iliveintheforest，wherethere\'snothin\'tomakemelie。\"
\"Wal，nooffensemeant，I\'msure，\"respondedAuchincloss。
\"An\'mebbethere\'ssomethin\'inwhatyousay……Wewastalkin\'aboutthemsheepyourbigcatkilled。Wal，Milt，I
can\'tproveit，that\'ssure。An\'mebbeyou\'llthinkmedodderywhenItellyoumyreason。Itwasn\'twhatthemgreaserherderssaidaboutseein\'acougarintheherd。\"
\"Whatwasit，then？\"queriedDale，muchinterested。
\"Wal，thetdayayearagoIseenyourpet。Hewaslyin\'infrontofthestorean\'youwasinsidetradin\'，fersupplies，Ireckon。Itwaslikemeetin\'anenemyfacetoface。
Because，damnmeifIdidn\'tknowthatcougarwasguiltywhenhelookedinmyeyes！There！\"
Theoldrancherexpectedtobelaughedat。ButDalewasgrave。
\"Al，Iknowhowyoufelt，\"hereplied，asiftheywerediscussinganactionofahumanbeing。\"SureI\'dhatetodoubtoldTom。Buthe\'sacougar。An\'thewaysofanimalsarestrange……Anyway，Al，I\'llmakegoodthelossofyoursheep。\"
\"No，youwon\'t，\"rejoinedAuchincloss，quickly。\"We\'llcallitoff。I\'mtakin\'itsquareofyoutomaketheoffer。
Thet\'senough。Soforgetyourworryaboutwork，ifyouhadany。\"
\"There\'ssomethin\'else，Al，Iwantedtosay，\"beganDale，withhesitation。\"An\'it\'saboutBeasley。\"
Auchinclossstartedviolently，andaflameofredshotintohisface。Thenheraisedabighandthatshook。Dalesawinaflashhowtheoldman\'snerveshadgone。
\"Don\'tmention——thet——thetgreaser——tome！\"burstouttherancher。\"Itmakesmesee——red……Dale，Iain\'toverlookin\'thatyouspokeupfermeto-day——stoodfermyside。LemHardentoldme。Iwasglad。An\'thet\'swhy——
to-day——Iforgotouroldquarrel……Butnotawordaboutthetsheep-thief——orI\'lldriveyouofftheplace！\"
\"But，Al——bereasonable，\"remonstratedDale。\"It\'snecessarythetIspeakof——ofBeasley。\"
\"Itain\'t。Nottome。Iwon\'tlisten。\"
\"Reckonyou\'llhaveto，Al，\"returnedDale。\"Beasley\'safteryourproperty。He\'smadeadeal——\"
\"ByHeaven！Iknowthat！\"shoutedAuchincloss，totteringup，withhisfacenowblack-red。\"Doyouthinkthet\'snewtome？
Shutup，Dale！Ican\'tstandit。\"
\"ButAl——there\'sworse，\"wentonDale，hurriedly。\"Worse！
Yourlife\'sthreatened——an\'yourniece，Helen——she\'stobe——\"
\"Shutup——an\'clearout！\"roaredAuchincloss，wavinghishugefists。
Heseemedonthevergeofacollapseas，shakingallover，hebackedintothedoor。Afewsecondsofragehadtransformedhimintoapitifuloldman。
\"But，Al——I\'myourfriend——\"beganDale，appealingly。
\"Friend，hey？\"returnedtherancher，withgrim，bitterpassion。\"Thenyou\'retheonlyone……MiltDale，I\'mrichan\'I\'madyin\'man。Itrustnobody……But，youwildhunter——ifyou\'remyfriend——proveit！……Gokillthetgreasersheep-thief！DOsomethin\'——an\'thencometalktome！\"
Withthathelurched，halffalling，intothehouse，andslammedthedoor。
Dalestoodthereforablankmoment，andthen，takinguphisrifle，hestrodeaway。
TowardsunsetDalelocatedthecampofhisfourMormonfriends，andreacheditintimeforsupper。
John，Roy，Joe，andHalBeemanweresonsofapioneerMormonwhohadsettledthelittlecommunityofSnowdrop。Theywereyoungmeninyears，buthardlaborandhardlifeintheopenhadmadethemlookmatured。Onlyayear\'sdifferenceinagestoodbetweenJohnandRoy，andbetweenRoyandJoe，andlikewiseJoeandHal。Whenitcametoappearancetheyweredifficulttodistinguishfromoneanother。Horsemen，sheep-herders，cattle-raisers，hunters——theyallpossessedlong，wiry，powerfulframes，lean，bronzed，stillfaces，andthequiet，keeneyesofmenusedtotheopen。
Theircampwassituatedbesideaspringinacovesurroundedbyaspens，somethreemilesfromPine；and，thoughworkingforBeasley，nearthevillage，theyhadriddentoandfrofromcamp，afterthehabitofseclusionpeculiartotheirkind。
Daleandthebrothershadmuchincommon，andawarmregardhadsprangup。Buttheirexchangeofconfidenceshadwhollyconcernedthingspertainingtotheforest。Daleatesupperwiththem，andtalkedasusualwhenhemetthem，withoutgivinganyhintofthepurposeforminginhismind。AfterthemealhehelpedJoeroundupthehorses，hobblethemforthenight，anddrivethemintoagrassygladeamongthepines。Later，whentheshadowsstolethroughtheforestonthecoolwind，andthecamp-fireglowedcomfortably，Dalebroachedthesubjectthatpossessedhim。
\"An\'soyou\'reworkingforBeasley？\"hequeried，bywayofstartingconversation。
\"Wewas，\"drawledJohn。\"Butto-day，bein\'theendofourmonth，wegotourpayan\'quit。Beasleysurewassore。\"
\"Why\'dyouknockoff？\"
Johnessayednoreply，andhisbrothersallhadthatquiet，suppressedlookofknowledgeunderrestraint。
\"ListentowhatIcometotellyou，thenyou\'lltalk，\"wentonDale。AndhurriedlyhetoldofBeasley\'splottoabductAlAuchincloss\'snieceandclaimthedyingman\'sproperty。
WhenDaleended，ratherbreathlessly，theMormonboyssatwithoutanyshowofsurpriseorfeeling。John，theeldest，tookupastickandslowlypokedtheredembersofthefire，makingthewhitesparksfly。
\"Now，Milt，why\'dyoutellusthet？\"heasked，guardedly。
\"You\'retheonlyfriendsI\'vegot，\"repliedDale。\"Itdidn\'tseemsafeformetotalkdowninthevillage。Ithoughtofyouboysrightoff。Iain\'tgoin\'toletSnakeAnsongetthatgirl。An\'Ineedhelp，soIcometoyou。\"
\"Beasley\'sstrongaroundPine，an\'oldAl\'sweakenin\'。
Beasleywillgittheproperty，girlornogirl，\"saidJohn。
\"Thingsdon\'talwaysturnoutastheylook。Butnomatteraboutthat。Thegirldealiswhatriledme……She\'stoarriveatMagdalenaonthesixteenth，an\'takestageforSnowdrop……Nowwhattodo？IfshetravelsonthatstageI\'llbeonit，youbet。Butsheoughtn\'ttobeinitatall……Boys，somehowI\'mgoin\'tosaveher。Willyouhelpme？
IreckonI\'vebeeninsometightcornersforyou。Sure，this\'sdifferent。Butareyoumyfriends？YouknownowwhatBeasleyis。An\'you\'realllostatthehandsofSnakeAnson\'sgang。You\'vegotfasthosses，eyesfortrackin\'，an\'
youcanhandlearifle。You\'rethekindoffellowsI\'dwantinatightpinchwithabadgang。Willyoustandbymeorseemegoalone？\"
ThenJohnBeeman，silently，andwithpaleface，gaveDale\'shandapowerfulgrip，andonebyonetheotherbrothersrosetodolikewise。Theireyesflashedwithhardglintandastrangebitternesshoveredaroundtheirthinlips。
\"Milt，mebbeweknowwhatBeasleyisbetter\'nyou，\"saidJohn，atlength。\"Heruinedmyfather。He\'scheatedotherMormons。WeboyshaveprovedtoourselvesthethegetsthesheepAnson\'sgangsteals……An\'drivestheherdstoPhenix！Ourpeoplewon\'tletusaccuseBeasley。Sowe\'vesufferedinsilence。Myfatheralwayssaid，letsomeoneelsesaythefirstwordagainstBeasley，an\'you\'vecometous！\"
RoyBeemanputahandonDale\'sshoulder。He，perhaps，wasthekeenestofthebrothersandtheonetowhomadventureandperilcalledmost。HehadbeenoftenestwithDale，onmanyalongtrail，andhewasthehardestriderandthemostrelentlesstrackerinallthatrangecountry。
\"An\'we\'regoin\'withyou，\"hesaid，inastrongandrollingvoice。
Theyresumedtheirseatsbeforethefire。Johnthrewonmorewood，andwithacracklingandsparklingtheblazecurledup，fannedbythewind。Astwilightdeepenedintonightthemoaninthepinesincreasedtoaroar。Apackofcoyotescommencedtopiercetheairinstaccatocries。
Thefiveyoungmenconversedlongandearnestly，considering，planning，rejectingideasadvancedbyeach。
DaleandRoyBeemansuggestedmostofwhatbecameacceptabletoall。Huntersoftheirtyperesembledexplorersinslowanddeliberateattentiontodetails。Whattheyhadtodealwithherewasasituationofunlimitedpossibilities；thehorsesandoutfitneeded；alongdetourtoreachMagdalenaunobserved；therescueofastrangegirlwhowouldnodoubtbeself-willedanddeterminedtorideonthestage——therescueforcible，ifnecessary；thefightandtheinevitablepursuit；theflightintotheforest，andthesafedeliveryofthegirltoAuchincloss。
\"Then，Milt，willwegoafterBeasley？\"queriedRoyBeeman，significantly。
Dalewassilentandthoughtful。
\"Sufficientuntotheday！\"saidJohn。\"An，fellars，let\'sgotobed。\"
Theyrolledouttheirtarpaulins，DalesharingRoy\'sblankets，andsoonwereasleep，whiletheredembersslowlyfaded，andthegreatroarofwinddieddown，andtheforeststillnesssetin。
CHAPTERIV
HelenRaynerhadbeenonthewestboundoverlandtrainfullytwenty-fourhoursbeforeshemadeanalarmingdiscovery。
AccompaniedbyhersisterBo，aprecociousgirlofsixteen，HelenhadleftSt。Josephwithaheartsaddenedbyfarewellstolovedonesathome，yetfullofthrillingandvividanticipationsofthestrangelifeintheFarWest。Allherpeoplehadthepioneerspirit；loveofchange，action，adventure，wasinherblood。ThendutytoawidowedmotherwithalargeandgrowingfamilyhadcalledtoHelentoacceptthisrichuncle\'soffer。Shehadtaughtschoolandalsoherlittlebrothersandsisters；shehadhelpedalonginotherways。Andnow，thoughthetearingupoftherootsofoldlovedtieswashard，thisopportunitywasirresistibleinitscall。Theprayerofherdreamshadbeenanswered。Tobringgoodfortunetoherfamily；totakecareofthisbeautiful，wildlittlesister；toleavetheyellow，sordid，humdrumtownsforthegreat，rolling，boundlessopen；toliveonawonderfulranchthatwassomedaytobeherown；tohavefulfilledadeep，instinctive，andundevelopedloveofhorses，cattle，sheep，ofdesertandmountain，oftreesandbrooksandwildflowers——allthiswasthesumofhermostpassionatelongings，nowinsomemarvelous，fairylikewaytocometrue。
Achecktoherhappyanticipations，ablank，sickeningdashofcoldwateruponherwarmandintimatedreams，hadbeenthediscoverythatHarveRiggswasonthetrain。Hispresencecouldmeanonlyonething——thathehadfollowedher。RiggshadbeentheworstofmanysoretrialsbackthereinSt。Joseph。Hehadpossessedsomeclaimorinfluenceuponhermother，whofavoredhisofferofmarriagetoHelen；hewasneitherattractive，norgood，norindustrious，noranythingthatinterestedher；hewastheboastful，struttingadventurer，notgenuinelyWestern，andheaffectedlonghairandgunsandnotoriety。Helenhadsuspectedtheveracityofthemanyfightsheclaimedhadbeenhis，andalsoshesuspectedthathewasnotreallybigenoughtobebad——asWesternmenwerebad。Butonthetrain，inthestationatLaJunta，oneglimpseofhim，manifestlyspyinguponherwhiletryingtokeepoutofhersight，warnedHelenthatshenowmighthaveaproblemonherhands。
Therecognitionsoberedher。AllwasnottobearoadofrosestothisnewhomeintheWest。Riggswouldfollowher，ifhecouldnotaccompanyher，andtogainhisownendshewouldstooptoanything。Helenfeltthestartlingrealizationofbeingcastuponherownresources，andthenanumbingdiscouragementandlonelinessandhelplessness。Butthesefeelingsdidnotlongpersistinthequickprideandflashofhertemper。Opportunityknockedatherdoorandshemeanttobeathometoit。ShewouldnothavebeenAlAuchincloss\'snieceifshehadfaltered。And，whentemperwassucceededbygenuineanger，shecouldhavelaughedtoscornthisHarveRiggsandhisschemes，whatevertheywere。
Onceandforallshedismissedfearofhim。WhensheleftSt。JosephshehadfacedtheWestwithabeatingheartandahighresolvetobeworthyofthatWest。Homeshadtobemadeoutthereinthatfarcountry，soUncleAlhadwritten，andwomenwereneededtomakehomes。Shemeanttobeoneofthesewomenandtomakeofhersisteranother。AndwiththethoughtthatshewouldknowdefinitelywhattosaytoRiggswhenheapproachedher，soonerorlater，Helendismissedhimfrommind。
Whilethetrainwasinmotion，enablingHelentowatchtheever-changingscenery，andrestingherfromthestrenuoustaskofkeepingBowellinhandatstations，shelapsedagainintodreamygazeatthepineforestsandthered，rockygulliesandthedim，boldmountains。ShesawthesunsetoverdistantrangesofNewMexico——agoldenblazeofglory，asnewtoherasthestrangefanciesborninher，thrillingandfleetingby。Bo\'sraptureswerenotsilent，andtheinstantthesunsankandthecolorfadedshejustasrapturouslyimportunedHelentogetoutthehugebasketoffoodtheybadbroughtfromhome。
Theyhadtwoseats，facingeachother，attheendofthecoach，andpiledthere，withthebasketontop，wasluggagethatconstitutedallthegirlsownedintheworld。Indeed，itwasverymuchmorethantheyhadeverownedbefore，becausetheirmother，inhercareforthemanddesiretohavethemlookwellintheeyesofthisrichuncle，hadspentmoneyandpainstogivethemprettyandserviceableclothes。
Thegirlssattogether，withtheheavybasketontheirknees，andatewhiletheygazedoutatthecool，darkridges。Thetrainclatteredslowlyon，apparentlyoveraroadthatwasallcurves。Anditwassupper-timeforeverybodyinthatcrowdedcoach。IfHelenhadnotbeensoabsorbedbythegreat，wildmountain-landshewouldhavehadmoreinterestinthepassengers。Asitwasshesawthem，andwasamusedandthoughtfulatthemenandwomenandafewchildreninthecar，allmiddle-classpeople，poorandhopeful，travelingouttheretotheNewWesttofindhomes。
Itwassplendidandbeautiful，thisfact，yetitinspiredabriefandinexplicablesadness。Fromthetrainwindow，thatworldofforestandcrag，withitslongbarereachesbetween，seemedsolonely，sowild，sounlivable。Howendlessthedistance！Forhoursandmilesuponmilesnohouse，nohut，noIndiantepee！Itwasamazing，thelengthandbreadthofthisbeautifulland。AndHelen，wholovedbrooksandrunningstreams，sawnowateratall。
Thendarknesssettleddownovertheslow-movingpanorama；acoolnightwindblewinatthewindow；whitestarsbegantoblinkoutoftheblue。Thesisters，withhandsclaspedandheadsnestledtogether，wenttosleepunderaheavycloak。
Earlythenextmorning，whilethegirlswereagaindelvingintotheirapparentlybottomlessbasket，thetrainstoppedatLasVegas。
\"Look！Look！\"criedBo，inthrillingvoice。\"Cowboys！Oh，Nell，look！\"
Helen，laughing，lookedfirstathersister，andthoughthowmostofallshewasgoodtolookat。Bowaslittle，instinctwithpulsatinglife，andshehadchestnuthairanddark-blueeyes。Theseeyeswereflashing，roguish，andtheydrewlikemagnets。
Outsideontherudestationplatformwererailroadmen，Mexicans，andagroupofloungingcowboys。Long，lean，bow-leggedfellowstheywere，withyoung，frankfacesandintenteyes。Oneofthemseemedparticularlyattractivewithhissuperbbuild，hisred-bronzefaceandbright-redscarf，hisswinginggun，andthehuge，long，curvedspurs。
EvidentlyhecaughtBo\'sadmiringgaze，for，withawordtohiscompanions，hesaunteredtowardthewindowwherethegirlssat。Hisgaitwassingular，almostawkward，asifhewasnotaccustomedtowalking。Thelongspursjingledmusically。Heremovedhissombreroandstoodatease，frank，cool，smiling。Helenlikedhimonsight，and，lookingtoseewhateffecthehaduponBo，shefoundthatyoungladystaring，frightenedstiff。
\"Goodmawnin\'，\"drawledthecowboy，withslow，good-humoredsmile。\"Nowwheremightyou-allbetravelin\'？\"
Thesoundofhisvoice，theclean-cutanddrollgeniality；
seemednewanddelightfultoHelen。
\"WegotoMagdalena——thentakestagefortheWhiteMountains，\"repliedHelen。
Thecowboy\'sstill，intenteyesshowedsurprise。
\"Apachecountry，miss，\"hesaid。\"IreckonI\'msorry。Thet\'sshorenoplaceforyou-all……Beggin\'yourpawdin——youain\'tMormons？\"
\"No。We\'reniecesofAlAuchincloss，\"rejoinedHelen。
\"Wal，youdon\'tsay！I\'vebeendownMagdalenawayan\'heerdofAl……Reckonyou\'regoin\'a-visitin\'？\"
\"It\'stobehomeforus。\"
\"Shorethet\'sfine。TheWestneedsgirls……Yes，I\'veheerdofAl。AnoldArizonacattle-maninasheepcountry！
Thet\'sbad……NowI\'mwonderin\'——ifI\'ddriftdowntherean\'askhimforajobridin\'forhim——wouldIgetit？\"
Hislazysmilewasinfectiousandhismeaningwasasclearascrystalwater。ThegazehebentuponBosomehowpleasedHelen。Thelastyearortwo，sinceBohadgrownprettierallthetime，shehadbeenamagnetforadmiringglances。Thisoneofthecowboy\'sinspiredrespectandliking，aswellasamusement。ItcertainlywasnotlostuponBo。
\"Myuncleoncesaidinaletterthatheneverhadenoughmentorunhisranch，\"repliedHelen，smiling。
\"ShoreI\'llgo。IreckonI\'djestnaturallydriftthatway——now。\"
Heseemedsolaconic，soeasy，sonice，thathecouldnothavebeentakenseriously，yetHelen\'squickperceptionsregisteredadaring，asomethingthatwasbothsuddenandinevitableinhim。HislastwordwasasclearasthesoftlookhefixeduponBo。
Helenhadamischievoustrait，which，subdueitasshewould，occasionallycroppedout；andBo，whoonceinherwilfullifehadbeenrenderedspeechless，offeredsuchatemptation。
\"Maybemylittlesisterwillputinagoodwordforyou——
toUncleAl，\"saidHelen。Justthenthetrainjerked，andstartedslowly。Thecowboytooktwolongstridesbesidethecar，hisheatedboyishfacealmostonalevelwiththewindow，hiseyes，nowshyandalittlewistful，yetbold，too，fixeduponBo。
\"Good-by——Sweetheart！\"hecalled。
Hehalted——waslosttoview。
\"Well！\"ejaculatedHelen，contritely，halfsorry，halfamused。\"Whatasuddenyounggentleman！\"
Bohadblushedbeautifully。
\"Nell，wasn\'theglorious！\"sheburstout，witheyesshining。
\"I\'dhardlycallhimthat，buthewas-nice，\"repliedHelen，muchrelievedthatBohadapparentlynottakenoffenseather。
ItappearedplainthatBoresistedafranticdesiretolookoutofthewindowandtowaveherhand。Butsheonlypeepedout，manifestlytoherdisappointment。
\"Doyouthinkhe——he\'llcometoUncleAl\'s？\"askedBo。
\"Child，hewasonlyinfun。\"
\"Nell，I\'llbetyouhecomes。Oh，it\'dbegreat！I\'mgoingtolovecowboys。Theydon\'tlooklikethatHarveRiggswhoranafteryouso。\"
Helensighed，partlybecauseofthereminderofherodioussuitor，andpartlybecauseBo\'sfuturealreadycalledmysteriouslytothechild。Helenhadtobeatonceamotherandaprotectortoagirlofintenseandwilfulspirit。
Oneofthetrainmendirectedthegirls\'attentiontoagreen，slopingmountainrisingtoabold，bluntbluffofbarerock；and，callingitStarvationPeak，betoldastoryofhowIndianshadoncedrivenSpaniardsupthereandstarvedthem。Bowasintenselyinterested，andthereaftershewatchedmorekeenlythanever，andalwayshadaquestionforapassingtrainman。TheadobehousesoftheMexicanspleasedher，and，thenthetraingotoutintoIndiancountry，wherepueblosappearednearthetrackandIndianswiththeirbrightcolorsandshaggywildmustangs——thenshewasenraptured。
\"ButtheseIndiansarepeaceful！\"sheexclaimedonce，regretfully。
\"Gracious，child！Youdon\'twanttoseehostileIndians，doyou？\"queriedHelen。
\"Ido，youbet，\"wasthefrankrejoinder。
\"Well，I\'LLbetthatI\'llbesorryIdidn\'tleaveyouwithmother。\"
\"Nell——youneverwill！\"
TheyreachedAlbuquerqueaboutnoon，andthisimportantstation，wheretheyhadtochangetrains，hadbeenthefirstdreadedanticipationofthejourney。Itcertainlywasabusyplace——fullofjabberingMexicans，stalking，red-faced，wicked-lookingcowboys，lollingIndians。IntheconfusionHelenwouldhavebeenhardputtoittopreservecalmness，withBotowatch，andallthatbaggagetocarry，andtheothertraintofind；butthekindlybrakemanwhohadbeenattentivetothemnowhelpedthemoffthetrainintotheother——aserviceforwhichHelenwasverygrateful。
\"Albuquerque\'sahardplace，\"confidedthetrainman。\"Betterstayinthecar——anddon\'thangoutthewindows……
Goodlucktoyou！\"
OnlyafewpassengerswereinthecarandtheywereMexicansattheforwardend。Thisbranchtrainconsistedofonepassenger-coach，withabaggage-car，attachedtoastringoffreight-cars。Helentoldherself，somewhatgrimly，thatsoonshewouldknowsurelywhetherornothersuspicionsofHarveRiggshadwarrant。IfhewasgoingontoMagdalenaonthatdayhemustgointhiscoach。PresentlyBo，whowasnotobeyingadmonitions，drewherheadoutofthewindow。Hereyeswerewideinamaze，hermouthopen。
\"Nell！IsawthatmanRiggs！\"shewhispered。\"He\'sgoingtogetonthistrain。\"
\"Bo，Isawhimyesterday，\"repliedHelen，soberly。\"He\'sfollowedyou——the——the——\"
\"Now，Bo，don\'tgetexcited，\"remonstratedHelen。\"We\'velefthomenow。We\'vegottotakethingsastheycome。NevermindifRiggshasfollowedme。I\'llsettlehim。\"
\"Oh！Thenyouwon\'tspeak——haveanythingtodowithhim？\"
\"Iwon\'tifIcanhelpit。\"
Otherpassengersboardedthetrain，dusty，uncouth，raggedmen，andsomehard-featured，poorlycladwomen，markedbytoil，andseveralmoreMexicans。Withbustleandloudtalktheyfoundtheirseveralseats。