ThenHelensawHarveRiggsenter，burdenedwithmuchluggage。Hewasamanofaboutmediumheight，ofdark，flashyappearance，cultivatinglongblackmustacheandhair。
Hisapparelwasstriking，asitconsistedofblackfrock-coat，blacktrousersstuffedinhigh，fancy-toppedboots，anembroideredvest，andflowingtie，andablacksombrero。Hisbeltandgunwereprominent。Itwassignificantthatheexcitedcommentamongtheotherpassengers。
Whenhehaddepositedhispiecesofbaggageheseemedtosquarehimself，and，turningabruptly，approachedtheseatoccupiedbythegirls。Whenhereachedithesatdownuponthearmoftheoneopposite，tookoffhissombrero，anddeliberatelylookedatHelen。Hiseyeswerelight，glinting，withhard，restlessquiver，andhismouthwascoarseandarrogant。Helenhadneverseenhimdetachedfromherhomesurroundings，andnowthedifferencestruckcolduponherheart。
\"Hello，Nell！\"hesaid。\"Surprisedtoseeme？\"
\"No，\"shereplied，coldly。
\"I\'llgambleyouare。\"
\"HarveRiggs，ItoldyouthedaybeforeIlefthomethatnothingyoucoulddoorsaymatteredtome。\"
\"Reckonthatain\'tso，Nell。AnywomanIkeeptrackofhasreasontothink。An\'youknowit。\"
\"Thenyoufollowedme——outhere？\"demandedHelen，andhervoice，despitehercontrol，quiveredwithanger\"Isuredid，\"hereplied，andtherewasasmuchthoughtofhimselfintheactastherewasofher。
\"Why？Why？It\'suseless——hopeless。\"
\"IsworeI\'dhaveyou，ornobodyelsewould，\"hereplied，andhere，inthepassionofhisvoicetheresoundedegotismratherthanhungerforawoman\'slove。\"ButIreckonI\'dhavestruckWestanyhow，soonerorlater。\"
\"You\'renotgoingto——alltheway——toPine？\"falteredHelen，momentarilyweakening。
\"Nell，I\'llcamponyourtrailfromnowon，\"hedeclared。
ThenBosatbolt-upright，withpalefaceandflashingeyes。
\"HarveRiggs，youleaveNellalone，\"sheburstout，inringing，braveyoungvoice。\"I\'lltellyouwhat——I\'llbet——ifyoufollowherandnagheranymore，myuncleAlorsomecowboywillrunyououtofthecountry。\"
\"Hello，Pepper！\"repliedRiggs，coolly。\"Iseeyourmannershaven\'timprovedan\'you\'restillwildaboutcowboys。\"
\"Peopledon\'thavegoodmannerswith——with——\"
\"Bo，hush！\"admonishedHelen。ItwasdifficulttoreproveBojustthen，forthatyoungladyhadnottheslightestfearofRiggs。Indeed，shelookedasifshecouldslaphisface。AndHelenrealizedthathoweverherintelligencehadgraspedthepossibilitiesofleavinghomeforawildcountry，andwhateverherdeterminationtobebrave，theactualbeginningofself-reliancehadleftherspiritweak。Shewouldriseoutofthat。Butjustnowthisflashing-eyedlittlesisterseemedaprotector。BowouldreadilyadaptherselftotheWest，Helenthought，becauseshewassoyoung，primitive，elemental。
WhereuponBoturnedherbacktoRiggsandlookedoutofthewindow。Themanlaughed。ThenhestoodupandleanedoverHelen。
\"Nell，I\'mgoin\'whereveryougo，\"hesaid，steadily。\"Youcantakethatfriendlyornot，justasitpleasesyou。Butifyou\'vegotanysenseyou\'llnotgivethesepeopleouthereahunchagainstme。Imighthurtsomebody……An\'
wouldn\'titbebetter——toactfriends？ForI\'mgoin\'tolookafteryou，whetheryoulikeitornot。\"
Helenhadconsideredthismananannoyance，andlateramenace，andnowshemustdeclareopenenmitywithhim。
Howeverdisgustingtheideathatheconsideredhimselfafactorinhernewlife，itwasthetruth。Heexisted，hehadcontroloverhismovements。Shecouldnotchangethat。Shehatedtheneedofthinkingsomuchabouthim；andsuddenly，withahot，burstinganger，shehatedtheman。
\"You\'llnotlookafterme。I\'lltakecareofmyself，\"shesaid，andsheturnedherbackuponhim。Sheheardhimmutterunderhisbreathandslowlymoveawaydownthecar。ThenBoslippedahandinhers。
\"Nevermind，Nell，\"shewhispered。\"YouknowwhatoldSheriffHainessaidaboutHarveRiggs。\'Afour-flushwould-begun-fighter！IfheeverstrikesarealWesterntownhe\'llgetrunoutofit。\'Ijustwishmyred-facedcowboyhadgotonthistrain！\"
HelenfeltarushofgladnessthatshehadyieldedtoBo\'swildimportunitiestotakeherWest。ThespiritwhichhadmadeBoincorrigibleathomeprobablywouldmakeherreacthappilytolifeoutinthisfreecountry。YetHelen，withallherwarmthandgratefulness，hadtolaughathersister。
\"Yourred-facedcowboy！Why，Bo，youwerescaredstiff。Andnowyouclaimhim！\"
\"Icertainlycouldlovethatfellow，\"repliedBo，dreamily。
\"Child，you\'vebeensayingthataboutfellowsforalongtime。Andyou\'veneverlookedtwiceatanyofthemyet。\"
\"Hewasdifferent……Nell，I\'llbethecomestoPine。\"
\"Ihopehedoes。Iwishhewasonthistrain。Ilikedhislooks，Bo。\"
\"Well，Nelldear，helookedatMEfirstandlast——sodon\'tgetyourhopesup……Oh，thetrain\'sstarting！……
Good-by，Albu-ker——what\'sthatawfulname？……Nell，let\'seatdinner。I\'mstarved。\"
ThenHelenforgothertroublesandtheuncertainfuture，andwhatwithlisteningtoBo\'schatter，andpartakingagainoftheendlessgoodthingstoeatinthehugebasket，andwatchingthenoblemountains，shedrewoncemoreintohappymood。
ThevalleyoftheRioGrandeopenedtoview，widenearathandinagreatgray-greengapbetweenthebareblackmountains，narrowinthedistance，wheretheyellowriverwoundaway，glisteningunderahotsun。BosquealedingleeatsightofnakedlittleMexicanchildrenthatdartedintoadobehutsasthetrainclatteredby，andsheexclaimedherpleasureintheIndians，andthemustangs，andparticularlyinagroupofcowboysridingintotownonspiritedhorses。
HelensawallBopointedout，butitwastothewonderfulrollingvalleythathergazeclunglongest，andtothedimpurpledistancethatseemedtoholdsomethingfromher。Shehadneverbeforeexperiencedanyfeelinglikethat；shehadneverseenatenthsofar。Andthesightawokesomethingstrangeinher。Thesunwasburninghot，asshecouldtellwhensheputahandoutsidethewindow，andastrongwindblewsheetsofdrydustatthetrain。ShegatheredatoncewhattremendousfactorsintheSouthwestwerethesunandthedustandthewind。Andherrealizationmadeherlovethem。Itwasthere；theopen，thewild，thebeautiful，thelonelyland；andshefeltthepoignantcallofbloodinher——toseek，tostrive，tofind，tolive。Onelookdownthatyellowvalley，endlessbetweenitsdarkironramparts，hadgivenherunderstandingofheruncle。Shemustbelikehiminspirit，asitwasclaimedsheresembledhimotherwise。
AtlengthBogrewtiredofwatchingscenerythatcontainednolife，and，withherbrightheadonthefadedcloak，shewenttosleep。ButHelenkeptsteady，farseeinggazeoutuponthatlandofrockandplain；andduringthelonghours，asshewatchedthroughcloudsofdustandveilsofheat，somestronganddoubtfulandrestlesssentimentseemedtochangeandthentofix。Itwasherphysicalacceptance——
hereyesandhersensestakingtheWestasshehadalreadytakenitinspirit。
Awomanshouldloveherhomewhereverfateplacedher，Helenbelieved，andnotsomuchfromdutyasfromdelightandromanceandliving。Howcouldlifeeverbetediousormonotonousouthereinthistremendousvastnessofbareearthandopensky，wheretheneedtoachievemadethinkingandponderingsuperficial？
ItwaswithregretthatshesawthelastofthevalleyoftheRioGrande，andthenofitsparalleledmountainranges。
Butthemilesbroughtcompensationinothervalleys，otherbold，blackupheavalsofrock，andthenagainbare，boundlessyellowplains，andsparselycedaredridges，andwhitedrywashes，ghastlyinthesunlight，anddazzlingbedsofalkali，andthenadesertspacewheregoldenandblueflowersbloomed。
Shenoted，too，thatthewhitesandyellowsofearthandrockhadbeguntoshadetored——andthissheknewmeantanapproachtoArizona。Arizona，thewild，thelonely，thereddesert，thegreenplateau——Arizonawithitsthunderingrivers，itsunknownspaces，itspasture-landsandtimber-lands，itswildhorses，cowboys，outlaws，wolvesandlionsandsavages！Astoaboy，thatnamestirredandthrilledandsangtoherofnameless，sweet，intangiblethings，mysteriousandallofadventure。Butshe，beingagirloftwenty，whohadacceptedresponsibilities，mustconcealthedepthsofherheartandthatwhichhermotherhadcomplainedwashermisfortuneinnotbeingbornaboy。
Timepassed，whileHelenwatchedandlearnedanddreamed。
Thetrainstopped，atlongintervals，atwaysidestationswherethereseemednothingbutadobeshedsandlazyMexicans，anddustandheat。Boawokeandbegantochatter，andtodigintothebasket。ShelearnedfromtheconductorthatMagdalenawasonlytwostationson。Andshewasfullofconjecturesastowhowouldmeetthem，whatwouldhappen。SoHelenwasdrawnbacktosoberrealities，inwhichtherewasconsiderablezest。Assuredlyshedidnotknowwhatwasgoingtohappen。TwiceRiggspassedupanddowntheaisle，hisdarkfaceandlighteyesandsardonicsmiledeliberatelyforceduponhersight。ButagainHelenfoughtagrowingdreadwithcontemptuousscorn。Thisfellowwasnothalfaman。Itwasnotconceivablewhathecoulddo，exceptannoyher，untilshearrivedatPine。HerunclewastomeetherorsendforheratSnowdrop，whichplace，Helenknew，wasdistantagoodlongridebystagefromMagdalena。Thisstage-ridewastheclimaxandthedreadofallthelongjourney，inHelen\'sconsiderations。
\"Oh，Nell！\"criedBo，withdelight。\"We\'renearlythere！
Nextstation，theconductorsaid。\"
\"Iwonderifthestagetravelsatnight，\"saidHelen，thoughtfully。
\"Sureitdoes！\"repliedtheirrepressibleBo。
Thetrain，thoughitclatteredalongasusual，seemedtoHelentofly。TherethesunwassettingoverbleakNewMexicanbluffs，Magdalenawasathand，andnight，andadventure。Helen\'sheartbeatfast。Shewatchedtheyellowplainswherethecattlegrazed；theirpresence，andirrigationditchesandcottonwood-treestoldherthattherailroadpartofthejourneywasnearlyended。Then，atBo\'slittlescream，shelookedacrossthecarandoutofthewindowtoseealineoflow，flat，red-adobehouses。Thetrainbegantoslowdown。Helensawchildrenrun，whitechildrenandMexicantogether；thenmorehouses，andhighuponahillanimmenseadobechurch，crudeandglaring，yetsomehowbeautiful。
HelentoldBotoputonherbonnet，and，performingalikeofficeforherself，shewasashamedofthetremblingofherfingers。Therewerebustleandtalkinthecar。
Thetrainstopped。HelenpeeredouttoseeastragglingcrowdofMexicansandIndians，allmotionlessandstolid，asiftrainsornothingelsemattered。NextHelensawawhiteman，andthatwasarelief。Hestoodoutinfrontoftheothers。Tallandbroad，somehowstriking，hedrewasecondglancethatshowedhimtobeahuntercladingray-fringedbuckskin，andcarryingarifle。
CHAPTERV
Here，therewasnokindlybrakemantohelpthesisterswiththeirluggage。HelenbadeBotakehershare；thusburdened，theymadeanawkwardandlaboriousshifttogetoffthetrain。
UpontheplatformofthecarastronghandseizedHelen\'sheavybag，withwhichshewasstraining，andaloudvoicecalledout：
\"Girls，we\'rehere——sureoutinthewildan\'woollyWest！\"
ThespeakerwasRiggs，andhehadpossessedhimselfofpartofherbaggagewithactionandspeechmeantmoretoimpressthecuriouscrowdthantobereallykind。IntheexcitementofarrivingHelenhadforgottenhim。Themannerofsuddenreminder——theinsincerityofit——madehertemperflash。
Shealmostfell，encumberedasshewas，inherhurrytodescendthesteps。ShesawthetallhunteringraystepforwardclosetoherasshereachedforthebagRiggsheld。
\"Mr。Riggs，I\'llcarrymybag，\"shesaid。
\"Letmelugthis。YouhelpBowithhers，\"hereplied，familiarly。
\"ButIwantit，\"sherejoined，quietly，withsharpdetermination。NolittleforcewasneededtopullthebagawayfromRiggs。
\"Seehere，Helen，youain\'tgoin\'anyfartherwiththatjoke，areyou？\"hequeried，deprecatingly，andhestillspokequiteloud。
\"It\'snojoketome，\"repliedHelen。\"ItoldyouIdidn\'twantyourattention。\"
\"Sure。Butthatwastemper。I\'myourfriend——fromyourhometown。An\'Iain\'tgoin\'toletaquarrelkeepmefromlookin\'afteryoutillyou\'resafeatyouruncle\'s。\"
Helenturnedherbackuponhim。ThetallhunterhadjusthelpedBooffthecar。ThenHelenlookedupintoasmoothbronzedfaceandpiercinggrayeyes。
\"AreyouHelenRayner？\"heasked。
\"Yes。\"
\"Myname\'sDale。I\'vecometomeetyou。\"
\"Ah！Myunclesentyou？\"addedHelen，inquickrelief。
\"No；Ican\'tsayAlsentme，\"begantheman，\"butIreckon——\"
HewasinterruptedbyRiggs，who，graspingHelenbythearm，pulledherbackastep。
\"Say，mister，didAuchinclosssendyoutomeetmyyoungfriendshere？\"hedemanded，arrogantly。
Dale\'sglanceturnedfromHelentoRiggs。Shecouldnotreadthisquietgraygaze，butitthrilledher。
\"No。Icomeonmyownhook，\"heanswered。
\"You\'llunderstand，then——they\'reinmycharge，\"addedRiggs。
Thistimethesteadylight-grayeyesmetHelen\'s，andiftherewasnotasmileinthemorbehindthemshewasstillfurtherbaffled。
\"Helen，Ireckonyousaidyoudidn\'twantthisfellow\'sattention。\"
\"Icertainlysaidthat，\"repliedHelen，quickly。JustthenBoslippedclosetoherandgaveherarmalittlesqueeze。
ProbablyBo\'sthoughtwaslikehers——herewasarealWesternman。Thatwasherfirstimpression，andfollowingswiftlyuponitwasasensationofeasednerves。
RiggsswaggeredclosertoDale。
\"Say，Buckskin，IhailfromTexas——\"
\"You\'rewastin\'ourtimean\'we\'veneedtohurry，\"
interruptedDale。Histoneseemedfriendly。\"An\'ifyoueverlivedlonginTexasyouwouldn\'tpesteraladyan\'yousurewouldn\'ttalklikeyoudo。\"
\"What！\"shoutedRiggs，hotly。Hedroppedhisrighthandsignificantlytohiship。
\"Don\'tthrowyourgun。Itmightgooff，\"saidDale。
WhateverRiggs\'sintentionhadbeen——anditwasprobablyjustwhatDaleevidentlyhadreadit——henowflushedanangryredandjerkedathisgun。
Dale\'shandflashedtooswiftlyforHelen\'seyetofollowit。Butsheheardthethudasitstruck。ThegunwentflyingtotheplatformandscatteredagroupofIndiansandMexicans。
\"You\'llhurtyourselfsomeday，\"saidDale。
Helenhadneverheardaslow，coolvoicelikethishunter\'s。
Withoutexcitementoremotionorhurry，ityetseemedfullandsignificantofthingsthewordsdidnotmean。Boutteredastrangelittleexultantcry。
Riggs\'sarmhaddroppedlimp。Nodoubtitwasnumb。Hestared，andhispredominatingexpressionwassurprise。Astheshufflingcrowdbegantosnickerandwhisper，RiggsgaveDaleamalignantglance，shiftedittoHelen，andthenlurchedawayinthedirectionofhisgun。
Daledidnotpayanymoreattentiontohim。GatheringupHelen\'sbaggage，hesaid，\"Comeon，\"andshoulderedalanethroughthegapingcrowd。Thegirlsfollowedcloseathisheels。
\"Nell！what\'dItellyou？\"whisperedBo。\"Oh，you\'reallatremble！\"
Helenwasawareofherunsteadiness；angerandfearandreliefinquicksuccessionhadleftherratherweak。Oncethroughthemotleycrowdofloungers，shesawanoldgraystage-coachandfourleanhorses。Agrizzled，sunburnedmansatonthedriver\'sseat，whipandreinsinhand。Besidehimwasayoungermanwithrifleacrosshisknees。Anotherman，young，tall，lean，dark，stoodholdingthecoachdooropen。
Hetouchedhissombrerotothegirls。HiseyesweresharpasheaddressedDale。
\"Milt，wasn\'tyouheldup？\"
\"No。Butsomelong-hairedgalootwastryin\'toholdupthegirls。Wantedtothrowhisgunonme。Iwassurescared，\"
repliedDale，ashedepositedtheluggage。
Bolaughed。Hereyes，restinguponDale，werewarmandbright。Theyoungmanatthecoachdoortookasecondlookather，andthenasmilechangedthedarkhardnessofhisface。
Dalehelpedthegirlsupthehighstepintothestage，andthen，placingthelighterluggage，inwiththem，hethrewtheheavierpiecesontop\"Joe，climbup，\"hesaid。
\"Wal，Milt，\"drawledthedriver，\"let\'soozealong。\"
Dalehesitated，withhishandonthedoor。Heglancedatthecrowd，nowedgingcloseagain，andthenatHelen。
\"IreckonIoughttotellyou，\"hesaid，andindecisionappearedtoconcernhim。
\"What？\"exclaimedHelen。
\"Badnews。Buttalkin\'takestime。An\'wemustn\'tloseany。\"
\"There\'sneedofhurry？\"queriedHelen，sittingupsharply。
\"Ireckon。\"
\"IsthisthestagetoSnowdrop？
\"No。Thatleavesinthemornin\'。Werustledthisoldtraptogetastartto-night。\"
\"Thesoonerthebetter。ButI——Idon\'tunderstand，\"saidHelen，bewildered。
\"It\'llnotbesafeforyoutorideonthemornin\'stage，\"
returnedDale。
\"Safe！Oh，whatdoyoumean？\"exclaimedHelen。
ApprehensivelyshegazedathimandthenbackatBo。
\"Explainin\'willtaketime。An\'factsmaychangeyourmind。
Butifyoucan\'ttrustme——\"
\"Trustyou！\"interposedHelen，blankly。\"YoumeantotakeustoSnowdrop？\"
\"Ireckonwe\'dbettergoroundaboutan\'nothitSnowdrop，\"
hereplied，shortly。
\"ThentoPine——tomyuncle——AlAuchincloss？
\"Yes，I\'mgoin\'totryhard。\"
Helencaughtherbreath。Shedivinedthatsomeperilmenacedher。Shelookedsteadily，withallawoman\'skeenness，intothisman\'sface。ThemomentwasoneofthefatefuldecisionssheknewtheWesthadinstoreforher。HerfutureandthatofBo\'swerenowtobedependentuponherjudgments。Itwasahardmomentand，thoughsheshiveredinwardly，shewelcomedtheinitialandinevitablestep。ThismanDale，byhisdressofbuckskin，mustbeeitherscoutorhunter。Hissize，hisaction，thetoneofhisvoicehadbeenreassuring。
ButHelenmustdecidefromwhatshesawinhisfacewhetherornottotrusthim。Andthatfacewasclearbronze，unlined，unshadowed，likeatranquilmask，clean-cut，strong-jawed，witheyesofwonderfultransparentgray。
\"Yes，I\'lltrustyou，\"shesaid。\"Getin，andletushurry。
Thenyoucanexplain。\"
\"Allready，Bill。Send\'emalong，\"calledDale。
Hehadtostooptoenterthestage，and，oncein，heappearedtofillthatsideuponwhichhesat。Thenthedrivercrackedhiswhip；thestagelurchedandbegantoroll；themotleycrowdwasleftbehind。Helenawakenedtothereality，asshesawBostaringwithbigeyesatthehunter，thatastrangeradventurethanshehadeverdreamedofhadbeganwiththerattlingrollofthatoldstage-coach。
Dalelaidoffhissombreroandleanedforward，holdinghisriflebetweenhisknees。Thelightshonebetteruponhisfeaturesnowthathewasbareheaded。Helenhadneverseenafacelikethat，whichatfirstglanceappeareddarklybronzedandhard，andthenbecameclear，cold，aloof，still，intense。Shewishedshemightseeasmileuponit。Andnowthatthediewascastshecouldnottellwhyshehadtrustedit。Therewassingularforceinit，butshedidnotrecognizewhatkindofforce。Oneinstantshethoughtitwasstern，andthenextthatitwassweet，andagainthatitwasneither。
\"I\'mgladyou\'vegotyoursister，\"hesaid，presently。
\"Howdidyouknowshe\'smysister？\"
\"Ireckonshelookslikeyou。\"
\"Nooneelseeverthoughtso，\"repliedHelen，tryingtosmile。
Bohadnodifficultyinsmiling，asshesaid，\"WishIwashalfasprettyasNell。\"
\"Nell。Isn\'tyournameHelen？\"queriedDale。
\"Yes。Butmy——somefewcallmeNell。\"
\"IlikeNellbetterthanHelen。An\'what\'syours？\"wentonDale，lookingatBo。
\"Mine\'sBo。justplainB-o。Isn\'titsilly？ButIwasn\'taskedwhentheygaveittome，\"shereplied。
\"Bo。It\'snicean\'short。Neverhearditbefore。ButI
haven\'tmetmanypeopleforyears。\"
\"Oh！we\'veleftthetown！\"criedBo。\"Look，Nell！Howbare！
It\'sjustlikedesert。\"
\"Itisdesert。We\'vefortymilesofthatbeforewecometoahilloratree。\"
Helenglancedout。Aflat，dull-greenexpansewavedawayfromtheroadonandontoabright，darkhorizon-line，wherethesunwassettingraylessinaclearsky。Open，desolate，andlonely，thescenegaveheracoldthrill。
\"DidyouruncleAleverwriteanythin\'aboutamannamedBeasley？\"askedDale。
\"Indeedhedid，\"repliedHelen，withastartofsurprise。
\"Beasley！Thatnameisfamiliartous——anddetestable。Myunclecomplainedofthismanforyears。Thenhegrewbitter——accusedBeasley。Butthelastyearorsonotaword！\"
\"Well，now，\"beganthehunter，earnestly，\"let\'sgetthebadnewsover。I\'msorryyoumustbeworried。ButyoumustlearntotaketheWestasitis。There\'sgoodan\'bad，maybemorebad。That\'sbecausethecountry\'syoung……Sotocomerightoutwithit——thisBeasleyhiredagangofoutlawstomeetthestageyouwasgoin\'intoSnowdrop——to-morrow——
an\'tomakeoffwithyou。\"
\"Makeoffwithme？\"ejaculatedHelen，bewildered。
\"Kidnapyou！Which，inthatgang，wouldbeworsethankillingyou！\"declaredDale，grimly，andheclosedahugefistonhisknee。
Helenwasutterlyastounded。
\"Howhor-rible！\"shegaspedout。\"Makeoffwithme！……
WhatinHeaven\'snamefor？\"
Bogaveventtoafiercelittleutterance。
\"Forreasonsyououghttoguess，\"repliedDale，andheleanedforwardagain。Neitherhisvoicenorfacechangedintheleast，butyettherewasasomethingabouthimthatfascinatedHelen。\"I\'mahunter。Iliveinthewoods。AfewnightsagoIhappenedtobecaughtoutinastorman\'Itooktoanoldlogcabin。SoonasIgotthereIheardhorses。I
hidupintheloft。Somemenrodeupan\'comein。Itwasdark。Theycouldn\'tseeme。An\'theytalked。ItturnedouttheywereSnakeAnsonan\'hisgangofsheep-thieves。TheyexpectedtomeetBeasleythere。Prettysoonhecame。HetoldAnsonhowoldAl，youruncle，wasonhislastlegs——howhehadsentforyoutohavehispropertywhenhedied。BeasleysworehehadclaimsonAl。An\'hemadeadealwithAnsontogetyououtoftheway。HenamedthedayyouweretoreachMagdalena。WithAldeadan\'younotthere，Beasleycouldgettheproperty。An\'thenhewouldn\'tcareifyoudidcometoclaimit。It\'dbetoolate……Well，theyrodeawaythatnight。An\'nextdayIrustleddowntoPine。They\'reallmyfriendsatPine，exceptoldAl。ButtheythinkI\'mqueer。I
didn\'twanttoconfide。inmanypeople。BeasleyisstronginPine，an\'forthatmatterIsuspectSnakeAnsonhasotherfriendstherebesidesBeasley。SoIwenttoseeyouruncle。
HeneverhadanyuseformebecausehethoughtIwaslazylikeanIndian。OldAlhateslazymen。Thenwefellout——
orhefellout——becausehebelievedatamelionofminehadkilledsomeofhissheep。An\'nowIreckonthatTommighthavedoneit。ItriedtoleaduptothisdealofBeasley\'saboutyou，butoldAlwouldn\'tlisten。He\'scross——verycross。An\'whenItriedtotellhim，why，hewentrightoutofhishead。Sentmeofftheranch。NowIreckonyoubegintoseewhatapickleIwasin。FinallyIwenttofourfriendsIcouldtrust。They\'reMormonboys——brothers。
That\'sJoeoutontop，withthedriver。ItoldthemallaboutBeasley\'sdealan\'askedthemtohelpme。SoweplannedtobeatAnsonan\'hisgangtoMagdalena。IthappensthatBeasleyisasstronginMagdalenaasheisinPine。An\'
wehadtogocareful。Buttheboyshadacoupleoffriendshere——Mormons，too，whoagreedtohelpus。Theyhadthisoldstage……An\'hereyouare。\"DalespreadouthisbighandsandlookedgravelyatHelenandthenatBo。
\"You\'reperfectlysplendid！\"criedBo，ringingly。Shewaswhite；herfingerswereclenched；hereyesblazed。
Daleappearedstartledoutofhisgravity，andsurprised，thenpleased。Asmilemadehisfacelikeaboy\'s。Helenfeltherbodyallrigid，yetslightlytrembling。Herhandswerecold。Thehorrorofthisrevelationheldherspeechless。ButinherheartsheechoedBo\'sexclamationofadmirationandgratitude。
\"Sofar，then，\"resumedDale，withaheavybreathofrelief。
\"Nowonderyou\'reupset。I\'veabluntwayoftalkin\'……
Nowwe\'vethirtymilestorideonthisSnowdroproadbeforewecanturnoff。To-daysometimetherestoftheboys——
Roy，John，an\'Hal——weretoleaveShowDown，which\'satownfartheronfromSnowdrop。Theyhavemyhorsesan\'packsbesidestheirown。Somewhereontheroadwe\'llmeetthem——
to-night，maybe——ortomorrow。Ihopenotto-night，becausethat\'dmeanAnson\'sgangwasridin\'intoMagdalena。\"
Helenwrungherhandshelplessly。
\"Oh，haveInocourage？\"shewhispered。
\"Nell，I\'masscaredasyouare，\"saidBo，consolingly，embracinghersister。
\"Ireckonthat\'snatural，\"saidDale，asifexcusingthem。
\"But，scaredornot，youbothbraceup。It\'sabadjob。ButI\'vedonemybest。An\'you\'llbesaferwithmean\'theBeemanboysthanyou\'dbeinMagdalena，oranywhereelse，exceptyouruncle\'s。\"
\"Mr——Mr。Dale，\"falteredHelen，withhertearsfalling，\"don\'tthinkmeacoward——or——orungrateful。I\'mneither。It\'sonlyI\'mso——soshocked。Afterallwehopedandexpected——this——this——issucha——aterriblesurprise。\"
\"Nevermind，Nelldear。Let\'stakewhatcomes，\"murmuredBo。
\"That\'sthetalk，\"saidDale。\"Yousee，I\'vecomerightoutwiththeworst。Maybewe\'llgetthrougheasy。Whenwemeettheboyswe\'lltaketothehorsesan\'thetrails。Canyouride？\"
\"BohasbeenusedtohorsesallherlifeandIridefairlywell，\"respondedHelen。Theideaofridingquickenedherspirit。
\"Good！Wemayhavesomehardridin\'beforeIgetyouuptoPine。Hello！What\'sthat？\"
Abovethecreaking，rattling，rollingroarofthestageHelenheardarapidbeatofhoofs。Ahorseflashedby，gallopinghard。
Daleopenedthedoorandpeeredout。Thestagerolledtoahalt。Hesteppeddownandgazedahead。
\"Joe，whowasthat？\"hequeried。
\"Naryme。An\'Billdidn\'tknowhim，either，\"repliedJoe。\"I
seenhim\'wayback。Hewasridin\'some。An\'heslowedupgoin\'pastus。Nowhe\'srunnin\'again。\"
Daleshookhisheadasifhedidnotlikethecircumstances。
\"Milt，he\'llnevergetbyRoyonthisroad，\"saidJoe。
Maybehe\'llgetbybeforeRoystrikesinontheroad。\"
\"Itain\'tlikely。\"
Helencouldnotrestrainherfears。\"Mr。Dale，youthinkhewasamessenger——goingaheadtopostthat——thatAnsongang？\"
\"Hemightbe，\"repliedDale，simply。
ThentheyoungmancalledJoeleanedoutfromtheseataboveandcalled：\"MissHelen，don\'tyouworry。Thetfellarismoreliabletostopleadthananythin\'else。\"
Hiswords，meanttobekindandreassuring，werealmostassinistertoHelenasthemenacetoherownlife。LonghadsheknownhowcheaplifewasheldintheWest，butshehadonlyknownitabstractly，andshehadneverletthefactremainbeforeherconsciousness。Thischeerfulyoungmanspokecalmlyofspillingbloodinherbehalf。Thethoughtitrousedwastragic——forbloodshedwasinsupportabletoher——andthenthethrillswhichfollowedweresonew，strange，bold，andtinglingthattheywererevolting。Helengrewconsciousofunplumbeddepths，ofinstinctsatwhichshewasamazedandashamed。
\"Joe，handdownthatbasketofgrub——thesmallonewiththecanteen，\"saidDale，reachingoutalongarm。Presentlyheplacedacloth-coveredbasketinsidethestage。\"Girls，eatallyouwantan\'thensome。\"
\"Wehaveabaskethalffullyet，\"repliedHelen。
\"You\'llneeditallbeforewegettoPine……Now，I\'llrideupontopwiththeboysan\'eatmysupper。It\'llbedark，presently，an\'we\'llstopoftentolisten。Butdon\'tbescared。\"
Withthathetookhisrifleand，closingthedoor，clambereduptothedriver\'sseat。Thenthestagelurchedagainandbegantorollalong。
NottheleastthingtowonderatofthiseventfuleveningwasthewayBoreachedforthebasketoffood。Helensimplystaredather。
\"Bo，youCAN\'TEAT！\"sheexclaimed。
\"IshouldsmileIcan，\"repliedthatpracticalyounglady。
\"Andyou\'regoingtoifIhavetostuffthingsinyourmouth。Where\'syourwits，Nell？Hesaidwemusteat。Thatmeansourstrengthisgoingtohavesomeprettyseveretrials……Gee！it\'sallgreat——justlikeastory！Theunexpected——why，helookslikeaprinceturnedhunter！——
long，dark，stagejourney——heldup——fight——escape——
wildrideonhorses——woodsandcampsandwildplaces——
pursued——hiddenintheforest——morehardrides——thensafeattheranch。Andofcoursehefallsmadlyinlovewithme——no，you，forI\'llbetruetomyLasVegaslover——\"
\"Hush，silly！Bo，tellme，aren\'tyouSCARED？\"
\"Scared！I\'mscaredstiff。ButifWesterngirlsstandsuchthings，wecan。NoWesterngirlisgoingtobeatME！\"
ThatbroughtHelentoarealizationofthebraveplaceshehadgivenherselfindreams，andshewasatonceashamedofherselfandwildlyproudofthislittlesister。
\"Bo，thankHeavenIbroughtyouwithme！\"exclaimedHelen，fervently。\"I\'lleatifitchokesme。\"
Whereuponshefoundherselfactuallyhungry，andwhilesheatesheglancedoutofthestage，firstfromonesideandthenfromtheother。Thesewindowshadnoglassandtheyletthecoolnightairblowin。Thesunhadlongsincesunk。Outtothewest，whereabold，blackhorizon-linesweptawayendlessly，theskywascleargold，shadingtoyellowandblueabove。Starswereout，paleandwan，butgrowingbrighter。Theearthappearedbareandheaving，likeacalmsea。ThewindboreafragrancenewtoHelen，acridlysweetandclean，anditwassocolditmadeherfingersnumb。
\"Iheardsomeanimalyelp，\"saidBo，suddenly，andshelistenedwithheadpoised。
ButHelenheardnothingsavethesteadyclip-clopofhoofs，theclinkofchains，thecreakandrattleoftheoldstage，andoccasionallythelowvoicesofthemenabove。
Whenthegirlshadsatisfiedhungerandthirst，nighthadsettleddownblack。Theypulledthecloaksupoverthem，andclosetogetherleanedbackinacorneroftheseatandtalkedinwhispers。Helendidnothavemuchtosay，butBowastalkative。
\"Thisbeatsme！\"shesaidonce，afteraninterval。\"Wherearewe，Nell？ThosemenupthereareMormons。Maybetheyareabductingus！\"
\"Mr。Daleisn\'taMormon，\"repliedHelen。
\"Howdoyouknow？\"
\"Icouldtellbythewayhespokeofhisfriends。\"
\"Well，Iwishitwasn\'tsodark。I\'mnotafraidofmenindaylight……Nell，didyoueverseesuchawonderfullookingfellow？What\'dtheycallhim？Milt——MiltDale。Hesaidhelivedinthewoods。IfIhadn\'tfalleninlovewiththatcowboywhocalledme——well，I\'dbeagonernow。\"
AfteranintervalofsilenceBowhispered，startlingly，\"WonderifHarveRiggsisfollowingusnow？\"
\"Ofcourseheis，\"repliedHelen，hopelessly。
\"He\'dbetterlookout。Why，Nell，heneversaw——henever——whatdidUncleAlusedtocallit？——sav——savvied——
that\'sit。Riggsneversavviedthathunter。ButIdid，youbet。\"
\"Savvied！Whatdoyoumean，Bo？\"
\"Imeanthatlong-hairedgalootneversawhisrealdanger。
ButIfeltit。Somethingwentlightinsideme。Dalenevertookhimseriouslyatall。\"
\"RiggswillturnupatUncleAl\'s，sureasI\'mborn，\"saidHelen。
\"Lethimturn，\"repliedBo，contemptuously。\"Nell，don\'tyoueverbotheryourheadagainabouthim。I\'llbetthey\'reallmenouthere。AndIwouldn\'tbeinHarveRiggs\'sbootsforalot。\"
AfterthatBotalkedofheruncleandhisfatalillness，andfromthatshedriftedbacktothelovedonesathome，nowseeminglyattheothersideoftheworld，andthenshebrokedownandcried，afterwhichshefellasleeponHelen\'sshoulder。
ButHelencouldnothavefallenasleepifshehadwantedto。
Shehadalways，sinceshecouldremember，longedforamoving，activelife；and\'orwantofabetterideashehadchosentodreamofgipsies。Andnowitstruckhergrimlythat，ifthesefirstfewhoursofheradventintheWestwereforecastsofthefuture，shewasdestinedtohaveherlongingsmorethanfulfilled。
Presentlythestagerolledslowerandslower，untilitcametoahalt。Thenthehorsesheaved，theharnessesclinked，themenwhispered。Otherwisetherewasanintensequiet。Shelookedout，expectingtofinditpitch-dark。Itwasblack，yetatransparentblackness。Tohersurpriseshecouldseealongway。Ashooting-starelectrifiedher。Themenwerelistening。Shelistened，too，butbeyondtheslightsoundsaboutthestagesheheardnothing。Presentlythedrivercluckedtohishorses，andtravelwasresumed。
Forawhilethestagerolledonrapidly，evidentlydownhill，swayingfromsidetoside，andrattlingasifabouttofalltopieces。Thenitslowedonalevel，andagainithaltedforafewmoments，andoncemoreinmotionitbeganalaborsomeclimb。Helenimaginedmileshadbeencovered。Thedesertappearedtoheaveintobillows，growingrougher，anddark，roundbushesdimlystoodout。Theroadgrewunevenandrocky，andwhenthestagebegananotherdescentitsviolentrockingjoltedBooutofhersleepandinfactalmostoutofHelen\'sarms。
\"WhereamI？\"askedBo，dazedly。
\"Bo，you\'rehavingyourheart\'sdesire，butIcan\'ttellyouwhereyouare，\"repliedHelen。
Boawakenedthoroughly，whichfactwasnownowonder，consideringthejostlingoftheoldstage。
\"Holdontome，Nell！……Isitarunaway？\"
\"We\'vecomeaboutathousandmileslikethis，Ithink，\"
repliedHelen。\"I\'venotawholeboneinmybody。\"
Bopeeredoutofthewindow。
\"Oh，howdarkandlonesome！Butit\'dbeniceifitwasn\'tsocold。I\'mfreezing。\"
\"Ithoughtyoulovedcoldair，\"tauntedHelen。
\"Say，Nell，youbegintotalklikeyourself，\"respondedBo。
Itwasdifficulttoholdontothestageandeachotherandthecloakallatonce，buttheysucceeded，exceptintheroughestplaces，whenfromtimetotimetheywerebouncedaround。Bosustainedasharpraponthehead。
\"Oooooo！\"shemoaned。\"NellRayner，I\'llneverforgiveyouforfetchingmeonthisawfultrip。\"
\"JustthinkofyourhandsomeLasVegascowboy，\"repliedHelen。
EitherthisremarksubduedBoorthesuggestionsufficedtoreconcilehertothehardshipsoftheride。
Meanwhile，astheytalkedandmaintainedsilenceandtriedtosleep，thedriverofthestagekeptathistaskafterthemannerofWesternmenwhoknewhowtogetthebestoutofhorsesandbadroadsanddistance。
Byandbythestagehaltedagainandremainedatastandstillforsolong，withthemenwhisperingontop，thatHelenandBowererousedtoapprehension。
Suddenlyasharpwhistlecamefromthedarknessahead。
\"Thet\'sRoy，\"saidJoeBeeman，inalowvoice。
\"Ireckon。An\'meetin\'ussoquicklooksbad，\"repliedDale。
\"Driveon，Bill。\"
\"Mebbeitseemsquicktoyou，\"mutteredthedriver，butifwehain\'tcomethirtymile，an\'ifthetridgetharhain\'tyourturnin\'-offplace，why，Idon\'tknownothin\'。\"
Thestagerolledonalittlefarther，whileHelenandBosatclaspingeachothertight，wonderingwithbatedbreathwhatwastobethenextthingtohappen。
Thenoncemoretheywereatastandstill。Helenheardthethudofbootsstrikingtheground，andthesnortsofhorses。
\"Nell，Iseehorses，\"whisperedBo，excitedly。\"There，tothesideoftheroad……andherecomesaman……Oh，ifheshouldn\'tbetheonethey\'reexpecting！\"
Helenpeeredouttoseeatall，darkform，movingsilently，andbeyonditavagueoutlineofhorses，andthenpalegleamsofwhatmusthavebeenpack-loads。
Daleloomedup，andmetthestrangerintheroad。
\"Howdy，Milt？Yougotthegirlsure，oryouwouldn\'tbehere，\"saidalowvoice。
\"Roy，I\'vegottwogirls——sisters，\"repliedDale。
ThemanRoywhistledsoftlyunderhisbreath。Thenanotherlean，rangyformstrodeoutofthedarkness，andwasmetbyDale。
\"Now，boys——howaboutAnson\'sgang？\"queriedDale。
\"AtSnowdrop，drinkin\'an\'quarrelin\'。Reckonthey\'llleavethereaboutdaybreak，\"repliedRoy。
\"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\"
\"Mebbeacoupleofhours。\"
\"Anyhorsegoby？\"
\"No。\"
\"Roy，astrangeriderpassedusbeforedark。Hewashittin\'
theroad。An\'he\'sgotbyherebeforeyoucame。\"
\"Idon\'tlikethetnews，\"repliedRoy，tersely。\"Let\'srustle。Withgirlsonhossbackyou\'llneedallthestartyoucanget。Hey，John？\"
\"SnakeAnsonshorecanfollerhosstracks，\"repliedthethirdman。
\"Milt，saytheword，\"wentonRoy，ashelookedupatthestars。\"Daylightnotfaraway。Here\'stheforksoftheroad，an\'yourhosses，an\'ouroutfit。Youcanbeinthepinesbysunup。\"
InthesilencethatensuedHelenheardthethrobofherheartandthepantinglittlebreathsofhersister。Theybothpeeredout，handsclenchedtogether，watchingandlisteninginstrainedattention。
\"It\'spossiblethatriderlastnightwasn\'tamessengertoAnson，\"saidDale。\"InthatcaseAnsonwon\'tmakeanythin\'
ofourwheeltracksorhorsetracks。He\'llgorightontomeettheregularstage。Bill，canyougobackan\'meetthestagecomin\'beforeAnsondoes？\"
\"Wal，Ireckonso——an\'takeiteasyatthet，\"repliedBill。
\"Allright，\"continuedDale，instantly。\"John，youan\'Joean\'Halridebacktomeettheregularstage。An\'whenyoumeetitgetonan\'beonitwhenAnsonholdsitup。\"
\"Thet\'sshoreagreeabletome，\"drawledJohn。
\"I\'dliketobeonit，too，\"saidRoy，grimly。
\"No。I\'llneedyoutillI\'msafeinthewoods。Bill，handdownthebags。An\'you，Roy，helpmepackthem。DidyougetallthesuppliesIwanted？\"
\"Shoredid。Iftheyoungladiesain\'tpowerfulparticularyoucanfeedthemwellforacoupleofmonths。\"
Dalewheeledand，stridingtothestage，heopenedthedoor。
\"Girls，you\'renotasleep？Come，\"hecalled。
Bosteppeddownfirst。
\"Iwasasleeptillthis——thisvehiclefellofftheroadbackaways，\"shereplied。
RoyBeeman\'slowlaughwassignificant。Hetookoffhissombreroandstoodsilent。Theolddriversmotheredaloudguffaw。
\"Veehicle！Wal，I\'llbedoggoned！Joe，didyouhearthet？
Allthespunkygurlsain\'tbornoutWest。\"
AsHelenfollowedwithcloakandbagRoyassistedher，andsheencounteredkeeneyesuponherface。Heseemedbothgentleandrespectful，andshefelthissolicitude。Hisheavygun，swinginglow，struckherasshesteppeddown。
Dalereachedintothestageandhauledoutbasketsandbags。
Thesehesetdownontheground。
\"Turnaround，Bill，an\'goalongwithyou。Johnan\'Halwillfollowpresently，\"orderedDale。
\"Wal，gurls，\"said，lookingdownuponthem，\"Iwasshorepowerfulgladtomeetyou-all。An\'I\'mashamedofmycountry——offerin\'twosichpurtygurlsinsultsan\'low-downtricks。Butshoreyou\'llgothroughsafenow。Youcouldn\'tbeinbettercompanyferridin\'orhuntin\'ormarryin\'orgittin\'religion——\"
\"Shutup，youoldgrizzly！\"brokeinDale，sharply。
\"Haw！Haw！Good-by，gurls，an\'goodluck！\"endedBill，ashebegantowhipthereins。
Bosaidgood-byquitedistinctly，butHelencouldonlymurmurhers。Theolddriverseemedafriend。
Thenthehorseswheeledandstamped，thestagecareenedandcreaked，presentlytorolloutofsightinthegloom。
\"You\'reshiverin\'，\"saidDale，suddenly，lookingdownuponHelen。Shefelthisbig，hardhandclasphers。\"Coldasice！\"
\"Iamc-cold，\"repliedHelen。\"Iguesswe\'renotwarmlydressed。\"
\"Nell，weroastedallday，andnowwe\'refreezing，\"declaredBo。\"Ididn\'tknowitwaswinteratnightouthere。\"
\"Miss，haven\'tyousomewarmglovesan\'acoat？\"askedRoy，anxiously。\"It\'ain\'tbeguntogetcoldyet。\"
\"Nell，we\'veheavygloves，riding-suitsandboots——allfineandnew——inthisblackbag，\"saidBo，enthusiasticallykickingabagatherfeet。
\"Yes，sowehave。Butalotofgoodthey\'lldous，to-night，\"returnedHelen。
\"Miss，you\'ddowelltochangerighthere，\"saidRoy，earnestly。\"It\'llsavetimeinthelongrunan\'alotofsufferin\'beforesunup。\"
Helenstaredattheyoungman，absolutelyamazedwithhissimplicity。Shewasadvisedtochangehertraveling-dressforariding-suit——outsomewhereinacold，windydesert——inthemiddleofthenight——amongstrangeyoungman！
\"Bo，whichbagisit？\"askedDale，asifshewerehissister。Andwhensheindicatedtheone，hepickeditup。
\"Comeofftheroad。\"
Bofollowedhim，andHelenfoundherselfmechanicallyattheirheels。Daleledthemafewpacesofftheroadbehindsomelowbushes。
\"Hurryan\'changehere，\"hesaid。\"We\'llmakeapackofyouroutfitan\'leaveroomforthisbag。\"
Thenhestalkedawayandinafewstridesdisappeared。
Bosatdowntobeginunlacinghershoes。Helencouldjustseeherpale，prettyfaceandbig，gleamingeyesbythelightofthestars。ItstruckherthenthatBowasgoingtomakeeminentlymoreofasuccessofWesternlifethanshewas。
\"Nell，thosefellowsaren-nice，\"saidBo，reflectively。
\"Aren\'tyouc-cold？Say，hesaidhurry！\"
ItwasbeyondHelen\'scomprehensionhowsheeverbegantodisrobeoutthereinthatopen，windydesert，butaftershehadgottenlaunchedonthetaskshefoundthatitrequiredmorefortitudethancourage。Thecoldwindpiercedrightthroughher。AlmostshecouldhavelaughedatthewayBomadethingsfly。
\"G-g-g-gee！\"chatteredBo。\"In-neverw-wassoc-c-coldinallmylife。NellRayner，m-maytheg-goodLordforgivey-you！\"
Helenwastoointentonherowntroublestotakebreathtotalk。Shewasastrong，healthygirl，swiftandefficientwithherhands，yetthis，thehardestphysicalordealshehadeverexperienced，almostovercameher。Booutdistancedherbymoments，helpedherwithbuttons，andlacedonewholebootforher。Then，withhandsthatstung，Helenpackedthetraveling-suitsinthebag。
\"There！Butwhatanawfulmess！\"exclaimedHelen。\"Oh，Bo，ourprettytraveling-dresses！\"
\"We\'llpressthemt-to-morrow——onal-log，\"repliedBo，andshegiggled。
Theystartedfortheroad。Bo，strangetonote，didnotcarryhershareoftheburden，andsheseemedunsteadyonherfeet。
Themenwerewaitingbesideagroupofhorses，oneofwhichcarriedapack。
\"Nothin\'slowaboutyou，\"saidDale，relievingHelenofthegrip。\"Roy，putthemupwhileIslingonthisbag。\"
Royledouttwoofthehorses。
\"Getup，\"hesaid，indicatingBo。\"Thestirrupsareshortonthissaddle。\"
Bowasanadeptatmounting，butshemadesuchawkwardandslowworkofitinthisinstancethatHelencouldnotbelievehereyes。
\"Haw\'rethestirrups？\"askedRoy。\"Standinthem。Guessthey\'reaboutright……Carefulnow！Thethossisskittish。Holdhimin。\"
BowasnotlivinguptothereputationwithwhichHelenhadcreditedher。
\"Now，miss，yougetup，\"saidRoytoHelen。Andinanotherinstantshefoundherselfastrideablack，spiritedhorse。
Numbwithcoldasshewas，sheyetfeltthecoursingthrillsalongherveins。
Roywasatthestirrupswithswifthands。
\"You\'retaller\'nIguessed，\"hesaid。\"Stayup，butliftyourfoot……Shorenow，I\'mgladyouhavethemthick，softboots。Mebbewe\'llrideallovertheWhiteMountains。\"
\"Bo，doyouhearthat？\"calledHelen。
ButBodidnotanswer。Shewasleaningratherunnaturallyinhersaddle。Helenbecameanxious。JustthenDalestrodebacktothem。
\"Allcinchedup，Roy？\"
\"Jestready，\"repliedRoy。
ThenDalestoodbesideHelen。Howtallhewas！Hiswideshouldersseemedonalevelwiththepommelofhersaddle。
Heputanaffectionatehandonthehorse。
\"Hisname\'sRangeran\'he\'sthefastestan\'finesthorseinthiscountry。\"
\"Ireckonheshoreis——alongwithmybay，\"corroboratedRoy。
\"Roy，ifyourodeRangerhe\'dbeatyourpet，\"saidDale。\"Wecanstartnow。Roy，youdrivethepack-horses。\"
HetookanotherlookatHelen\'ssaddleandthenmovedtodolikewisewithBo\'s。
\"Areyou——allright？\"heasked，quickly。
Boreeledinherseat。
\"I\'mn-nearfroze，\"shereplied，inafaintvoice。Herfaceshonewhiteinthestarlight。HelenrecognizedthatBowasmorethancold。
\"Oh，Bo！\"shecalled，indistress。
\"Nell，don\'tyouworry，now。\"
\"Letmecarryyou，\"suggestedDale。
\"No。I\'lls-s-stickonthishorseord-die，\"fiercelyretortedBo。
Thetwomenlookedupatherwhitefaceandthenateachother。ThenRoywalkedawaytowardthedarkbunchofhorsesofftheroadandDaleswungastridetheonehorseleft。
\"Keepclosetome，\"hesaid。
BofellinlineandHelenbroughtuptherear。
Helenimaginedshewasneartheendofadream。Presentlyshewouldawakenwithastartandseethepalewallsofherlittleroomathome，andhearthecherrybranchesbrushingherwindow，andtheoldclarion-voicedcockproclaimthehourofdawn。
CHAPTERVI
Thehorsestrotted。AndtheexercisesoonwarmedHelen，untilshewasfairlycomfortableexceptinherfingers。Inmind，however，shegrewmoremiserableasshemorefullyrealizedhersituation。Thenightnowbecamesodarkthat，althoughtheheadofherhorsewasalongsidetheflankofBo\'s，shecouldscarcelyseeBo。FromtimetotimeHelen\'sanxiousquerybroughtfromhersistertheanswerthatshewasallright。
Helenhadnotriddenahorseformorethanayear，andforseveralyearsshehadnotriddenwithanyregularity。
Despiteherthrillsuponmounting，shehadentertainedmisgivings。Butshewasagreeablysurprised，forthehorse，Ranger，hadaneasygait，andshefoundshehadnotforgottenhowtoride。Bo，havingbeenusedtoridingonafarmnearhome，mightbeexpectedtoacquitherselfadmirably。ItoccurredtoHelenwhataplighttheywouldhavebeeninbutforthethick，comfortableridingoutfits。
Darkasthenightwas，Helencoulddimlymakeouttheroadunderneath。Itwasrocky，andapparentlylittleused。WhenDaleturnedofftheroadintothelowbrushorsageofwhatseemedalevelplain，thetravelingwasharder，rougher，andyetnoslower。Thehorseskepttothegaitoftheleaders。
Helen，discoveringitunnecessary，ceasedattemptingtoguideRanger。Thereweredimshapesinthegloomahead，andalwaystheygaveHelenuneasiness，untilcloserapproachprovedthemtoberocksorlow，scrubbytrees。Theseincreasedinbothsizeandnumberasthehorsesprogressed。
OftenHelenlookedbackintothegloombehind。Thisactwasinvoluntaryandoccasionedhersensationsofdread。Daleexpectedtobepursued。AndHelenexperienced，alongwiththedread，flashesofunfamiliarresentment。Notonlywasthereanattemptafoottorobherofherheritage，butevenherpersonalliberty。ThensheshudderedatthesignificanceofDale\'swordsregardingherpossibleabductionbythishiredgang。Itseemedmonstrous，impossible。Yet，manifestlyitwastrueenoughtoDaleandhisallies。TheWest，then，inrealitywasraw，hard，inevitable。
Suddenlyherhorsestopped。HehadcomeupalongsideBo\'shorse。Dalehadhaltedahead，andapparentlywaslistening。
Royandthepack-trainwereoutofsightinthegloom。
\"Whatisit？\"whisperedHelen。
\"ReckonIheardawolf，\"repliedDale。
\"Wasthatcryawolf\'s？\"askedBo。\"Iheard。Itwaswild。\"
\"We\'regettin\'upclosetothefoot-hills，\"saidDale。\"Feelhowmuchcoldertheairis。\"
\"I\'mwarmnow，\"repliedBo。\"Iguessbeingnearfrozewaswhatailedme……Nell，how\'reyou？\"
\"I\'mwarm，too，but——\"Helenanswered。
\"Ifyouhadyourchoiceofbeinghereorbackhome，snuginbed——whichwouldyoutake？\"askedBo。
\"Bo！\"exclaimedHelen，aghast。
\"Well，I\'dchoosetoberighthereonthishorse，\"rejoinedBo。
Daleheardher，forheturnedaninstant，thenslappedhishorseandstartedon。
HelennowrodebesideBo，andforalongtimetheyclimbedsteadilyinsilence。Helenknewwhenthatdarkhourbeforedawnhadpassed，andshewelcomedanalmostimperceptiblelighteningintheeast。Thenthestarspaled。Graduallyagraynessabsorbedallbutthelargerstars。Thegreatwhitemorningstar，wonderfulasHelenhadneverseenit，lostitsbrillianceandlifeandseemedtoretreatintothedimmingblue。
Daylightcamegradually，sothatthegraydesertbecamedistinguishablebydegrees。Rollingbarehills，halfobscuredbythegrayliftingmantleofnight，roseintheforeground，andbehindwasgrayspace，slowlytakingformandsubstance。Intheeasttherewasakindlingofpaleroseandsilverthatlengthenedandbrightenedalongahorizongrowingvisiblyrugged。
\"Reckonwe\'dbettercatchupwithRoy，\"saidDale，andhespurredhishorse。
RangerandBo\'smountneedednootherurging，andtheyswungintoacanter。Faraheadthepack-animalsshowedwithRoydrivingthem。ThecoldwindwassokeeninHelen\'sfacethattearsblurredhereyesandfrozehercheeks。AndridingRangeratthatpacewaslikeridinginarocking-chair。Thatride，invigoratingandexciting，seemedalltooshort。
\"Oh，Nell，Idon\'tcare——whatbecomesof——me！\"exclaimedBo，breathlessly。
Herfacewaswhiteandred，freshasarose，hereyesglanceddarklyblue，herhairblewoutinbright，unrulystrands。HelenknewshefeltsomeofthephysicalstimulationthathadsorousedBo，andseemedsoirresistible，butsomberthoughtwasnotdeflectedthereby。
ItwascleardaylightwhenRoyledoffroundaknollfromwhichpatchesofscrubbytrees——cedars，Dalecalledthem——straggleduponthesideofthefoot-hills。
\"Theygrowonthenorthslopes，wherethesnowstayslongest，\"saidDale。
Theydescendedintoavalleythatlookedshallow，butprovedtobedeepandwide，andthenbegantoclimbanotherfoot-hill。UponsurmountingitHelensawtherisingsun，andsogloriousaviewconfrontedherthatshewasunabletoanswerBo\'swildexclamations。
Bare，yellow，cedar-dottedslopes，apparentlylevel，sogradualwastheascent，stretchedawaytoadenseraggedlineofforestthatroseblackoverrangeafterrange，atlasttofailnearthebaresummitofamagnificentmountain，sunrise-flushedagainstthebluesky。
\"Oh，beautiful！\"criedBo。\"ButtheyoughttobecalledBlackMountains。\"
\"OldBaldy，there，iswhitehalftheyear，\"repliedDale。
\"Lookbackan\'seewhatyousay，\"suggestedRoy。
Thegirlsturnedtogazesilently。Helenimaginedshelookeddownuponthewholewideworld。Howvastlydifferentwasthedesert！Verilyityawnedawayfromher，redandgoldnearathand，growingsoftlyflushedwithpurplefaraway，abarrenvoid，borderlessandimmense，wheredark-greenpatchesandblacklinesandupheavedridgesonlyservedtoemphasizedistanceandspace。
\"Seethetlittlegreenspot，\"saidRoy，pointing。\"Thet\'sSnowdrop。An\'theotherone——\'waytotheright——thet\'sShowDown。\"
\"WhereisPine？\"queriedHelen，eagerly。
\"Fartherstill，upoverthefoot-hillsattheedgeofthewoods。\"
\"Thenwe\'reridingawayfromit。\"
\"Yes。Ifwe\'dgonestraightforPinethetgangcouldovertakeus。Pineisfourdays\'ride。An\'bytakin\'tothemountainsMiltcanhidehistracks。An\'whenhe\'sthrownAnsonoffthescent，thenhe\'llcircledowntoPine。\"
\"Mr。Dale，doyouthinkyou\'llgetustheresafely——andsoon？\"askedHelen，wistfully。
\"Iwon\'tpromisesoon，butIpromisesafe。An\'Idon\'tlikebein\'calledMister，\"hereplied。
\"Areweevergoingtoeat？\"inquiredBo，demurely。
AtthisqueryRoyBeemanturnedwithalaughtolookatBo。
Helensawhisfacefullyinthelight，anditwasthinandhard，darklybronzed，witheyeslikethoseofahawk，andwithsquarechinandleanjawsshowingscant，lightbeard。
\"Weshoreare，\"hereplied。\"Soonaswereachthetimber。
Thetwon\'tbelong。\"
\"Reckonwecanrustlesomean\'thentakeagoodrest，\"saidDale，andheurgedhishorseintoajog-trot。
Duringasteadytrotforalonghour，Helen\'srovingeyeswereeverywhere，takingnoteofthethingsfromneartofar——thescantsagethatsoongaveplacetoasscantyagrass，andthedarkblotsthatprovedtobedwarfcedars，andtheravinesopeningoutasifbymagicfromwhathadappearedlevelground，towindawaywideningbetweengraystonewalls，andfartheron，patchesoflonelypine-trees，twoandthreetogether，andthenastragglingclumpofyellowaspens，andupbeyondthefringedborderofforest，growingnearerallthewhile，theblacksweepingbenchesrisingtothenobledomeofthedominantmountainoftherange。
Nobirdsoranimalswereseeninthatlongrideuptowardthetimber，whichfactseemedstrangetoHelen。Theairlostsomethingofitscold，cuttingedgeasthesunrosehigher，anditgainedsweetertangofforest-land。ThefirstfaintsuggestionofthatfragrancewasutterlynewtoHelen，yetitbroughtavaguesensationoffamiliarityandwithitanemotionasstrange。Itwasasifshehadsmelledthatkeen，pungenttanglongago，andherphysicalsensecaughtitbeforehermemory。
Theyellowplainhadonlyappearedtobelevel。Royleddownintoashallowravine，whereatinystreammeandered，andhefollowedthisaroundtotheleft，comingatlengthtoapointwherecedarsanddwarfpinesformedalittlegrove。
Here，astheothersrodeup，hesatcross-leggedinhissaddle，andwaited。
\"We\'llhangupawhile，\"hesaid。\"Reckonyou\'retired？\"
\"I\'mhungry，butnottiredyet，\"repliedBo。
Helendismounted，tofindthatwalkingwassomethingshehadapparentlylostthepowertodo。Bolaughedather，butshe，too，wasawkwardwhenoncemoreupontheground。
ThenRoygotdown。Helenwassurprisedtofindhimlame。Hecaughtherquickglance。
\"Ahossthrewmeoncean\'rolledonme。Onlybrokemycollar-bone，fiveribs，onearm，an\'mybow-legsintwoplaces！\"
Notwithstandingthisevidencethathewasacripple，ashestoodtheretallandlitheinhishomespun，raggedgarments，helookedsingularlypowerfulandcapable。
\"Reckonwalkin\'aroundwouldbegoodforyougirls，\"advisedDale。\"Ifyouain\'tstiffyet，you\'llbesoon。An\'walkin\'
willhelp。Don\'tgofar。I\'llcallwhenbreakfast\'sready。\"
Alittlewhilelaterthegirlswerewhistledinfromtheirwalkandfoundcamp-fireandmealawaitingthem。Roywassittingcross-legged，likeanIndian，infrontofatarpaulin，uponwhichwasspreadahomelybutsubstantialfare。Helen\'squickeyedetectedacleanlinessandthoroughnessshehadscarcelyexpectedtofindinthecampcookingofmenofthewilds。Moreover，thefarewasgood。
Sheateheartily，andasforBo\'sappetite，shewasinclinedtobeasmuchashamedofthatasamusedatit。Theyoungmenwerealleyes，assiduousintheirservicetothegirls，butspeakingseldom。ItwasnotlostuponHelenhowDale\'sgraygazewentoftendownacrosstheopencountry。Shedivinedapprehensionfromitratherthansawmuchexpressioninit。
\"I——declare，\"burstoutBo，whenshecouldnoteatanymore，\"thisisn\'tbelievable。I\'mdreaming……Nell，theblackhorseyourodeistheprettiestIeversaw。\"
Ranger，withtheotheranimals，wasgrazingalongthelittlebrook。Packsandsaddleshadbeenremoved。Themenateleisurely。Therewaslittleevidenceofhurriedflight。YetHelencouldnotcastoffuneasiness。Roymighthavebeendeep，andcareless，withamotivetosparethegirls\'
anxiety，butDaleseemedincapableofanythinghedidnotabsolutelymean。
\"Restorwalk，\"headvisedthegirls。\"We\'vegotfortymilestoridebeforedark。\"
Helenpreferredtorest，butBowalkedabout，pettingthehorsesandpryingintothepacks。Shewascuriousandeager。
DaleandRoytalkedinlowtoneswhiletheycleaneduptheutensilsandpackedthemawayinaheavycanvasbag。
\"YoureallyexpectAnson\'llstrikemytrailthismornin\'？\"
Dalewasasking。
\"Ishoredo，\"repliedRoy。
\"An\'howdoyoufigurethatsosoon？\"
\"How\'dyoufigureit——ifyouwasSnakeAnson？\"queriedRoy，inreply。
\"DependsonthatriderfromMagdalena，\"SaidDale，soberly。
\"Althoughit\'slikelyI\'dseenthemwheeltracksan\'hosstracksmadewhereweturnedoff。Butsupposin\'hedoes。\"
\"Milt，listen。ItoldyouSnakemetusboysfacetofacedaybeforeyesterdayinShowDown。An\'hewasplumbcurious。\"
\"Buthemissedseein\'orhearin\'aboutme，\"repliedDale。
\"Mebbehedidan\'mebbehedidn\'t。Anyway，what\'sthedifferencewhetherhefindsoutthismornin\'orthisevenin\'？\"
\"Thenyouain\'texpectin\'afightifAnsonholdsupthestage？\"
\"Wal，he\'dhavetoshootfirst，whichain\'tlikely。Johnan\'
Hal，sincethetshootin\'-scrapeayearago，havebeensortofgun-shy。Joemightgetriled。ButIreckonthebestwecanbeshoreofisadelay。An\'it\'dbesensenottocountonthet。\"
\"Thenyouhangupherean\'keepwatchforAnson\'sgang——
saylongenoughso\'stobesurethey\'dbeinsightiftheyfindourtracksthismornin\'。Makin\'sureonewayoranother，youride\'cross-countrytoBigSpring，whereI\'llcampto-night。\"
Roynoddedapprovalofthatsuggestion。Thenwithoutmorewordsbothmenpickedupropesandwentafterthehorses。
HelenwaswatchingDale，sothatwhenBocriedoutingreatexcitementHelenturnedtoseeasavageyellowlittlemustangstandingstraightuponhishindlegsandpawingtheair。Royhadropedhimandwasnowdragginghimintocamp。
\"Nell，lookatthatforawildpony！\"exclaimedBo。
Helenbusiedherselfgettingwelloutofthewayoftheinfuriatedmustang。Roydraggedhimtoacedarnearby。
\"Comenow，Buckskin，\"saidRoy，soothingly，andheslowlyapproachedthequiveringanimal。Hewentcloser，handoverhand，onthelasso。Buckskinshowedthewhitesofhiseyesandalsohiswhiteteeth。ButhestoodwhileRoyloosenedtheloopand，slippingitdownoverhishead，fasteneditinacomplicatedknotroundhisnose。
\"Thet\'sahackamore，\"hesaid，indicatingtheknot。He\'sneverhadabridle，an\'neverwillhaveone，Ireckon。\"
\"Youdon\'tridehim？\"queriedHelen。
\"SometimesIdo，\"repliedRoy，withasmile。\"Wouldyougirlsliketotryhim？\"
\"Excuseme，\"answeredHelen。
\"Gee！\"ejaculatedBo。\"Helookslikeadevil。ButI\'dtacklehim——ifyouthinkIcould。\"
ThewildleavenoftheWesthadfoundquickrootinBoRayner。
\"Wal，I\'msorry，butIreckonI\'llnotletyou——foraspell，\"repliedRoy，dryly。
\"Hepitchessomethin\'powerfulbad。\"
\"Pitches。Youmeanbucks？\"
\"Ireckon。\"
Inthenexthalf-hourHelensawmoreandlearnedmoreabouthowhorsesoftheopenrangewerehandledthanshehadeverheardof。ExceptingRanger，andRoy\'sbay，andthewhiteponyBorode，therestofthehorseshadactuallytoberopedandhauledintocamptobesaddledandpacked。Itwasajobforfearless，strongmen，andonethatcalledforpatienceaswellasarmsofiron。SothatforHelenRaynerthethingsucceedingtheconfidenceshehadplacedinthesemenwasrespect。Toanobservingwomanthathalf-hourtoldmuch。
WhenallwasinreadinessforastartDalemounted，andsaid，significantly：\"Roy，I\'lllookforyouaboutsundown。
Ihopenosooner。\"
\"Wal，it\'dbebadifIhadtorustlealongsoonwithbadnews。Let\'shopeforthebest。We\'vebeenshoreluckysofar。Nowyoutaketothepine-matsinthewoodsan\'hideyourtrail。\"
Daleturnedaway。ThenthegirlsbadeRoygood-by，andfollowed。SoonRoyandhisbuckskin-coloredmustangwerelosttosightroundaclumpoftrees。
Theunhamperedhorsesledtheway；thepack-animalstrottedafterthem；theriderswereclosebehind。Alltraveledatajog-trot。Andthisgaitmadethepacksbobupanddownandfromsidetoside。ThesunfeltwarmatHelen\'sbackandthewindlostitsfrostycoldness，thatalmostappeareddamp，foradry，sweetfragrance。Daledroveuptheshallowvalleythatshowedtimberonthelevelsaboveandablackborderoftimbersomefewmilesahead。Itdidnottakelongtoreachtheedgeoftheforest。
Helenwonderedwhythebigpinesgrewsofaronthatplainandnofarther。Probablythegrowthhadtodowithsnow，but，asthegroundwaslevel，shecouldnotseewhytheedgeofthewoodsshouldcomejustthere。
Theyrodeintotheforest。
ToHelenitseemedastrange，criticalentranceintoanotherworld，whichshewasdestinedtoknowandtolove。Thepineswerebig，brown-barked，seamed，andknotted，withnotypicalconformationexceptamajestyandbeauty。Theygrewfarapart。Fewsmallpinesandlittleunderbrushflourishedbeneaththem。Thefloorofthisforestappearedremarkableinthatitconsistedofpatchesofhighsilverygrassandwidebrownareasofpine-needles。ThesemanifestlywerewhatRoyhadmeantbypine-mats。Hereandthereafallenmonarchlayrivenorrotting。Helenwaspresentlystruckwiththesilenceoftheforestandthestrangefactthatthehorsesseldommadeanysoundatall，andwhentheydiditwasacrackingofdeadtwigorthudofhoofonlog。Likewiseshebecameawareofaspringynatureoftheground。Andthenshesawthatthepine-matsgavelikerubbercushionsunderthehoofsofthehorses，andaftertheyhadpassedsprangbacktoplaceagain，leavingnotrack。Helencouldnotseeasignofatrailtheyleftbehind。Indeed，itwouldtakeasharpeyetofollowDalethroughthatforest。ThisknowledgewasinfinitelycomfortingtoHelen，andforthefirsttimesincetheflighthadbegunshefeltalesseningoftheweightuponmindandheart。Itleftherfreeforsomeoftheappreciationshemighthavehadinthiswonderfulrideunderhappiercircumstances。
Bo，however，seemedtooyoung，toowild，toointensetomindwhatthecircumstanceswere。Sherespondedtoreality。Helenbegantosuspectthatthegirlwouldwelcomeanyadventure，andHelenknewsurelynowthatBowasatrueAuchincloss。
ForthreelongdaysHelenhadfeltaconstraintwithwhichheretoforeshehadbeenunfamiliar；forthelasthoursithadbeensubmergedunderdread。Butitmustbe，sheconcluded，bloodlikehersister\'s，poundingatherveinstobesetfreetoraceandtoburn。
Bolovedaction。Shehadaneyeforbeauty，butshewasnotcontemplative。ShewasnowhelpingDaledrivethehorsesandholdtheminrathercloseformation。Sherodewell，andasyetshowednosymptomsoffatigueorpain。Helenbegantobeawareofboth，butnotenoughyettolimitherinterest。
Awonderfulforestwithoutbirdsdidnotseemrealtoher。
OfalllivingcreaturesinnatureHelenlikedbirdsbest，andsheknewmanyandcouldimitatethesongsofafew。Buthereunderthestatelypinestherewerenobirds。Squirrels，however，begantobeseenhereandthere，andinthecourseofanhour\'stravelbecameabundant。Theonlyonewithwhichshewasfamiliarwasthechipmunk。Alltheothers，fromtheslimbrightblackstothestripedrussetsandthewhite-tailedgrays，weretotallynewtoher。Theyappearedtameandcurious。Theredsbarkedandscoldedatthepassingcavalcade；theblacksglidedtosomesafebranch，theretowatch；thegrayspaidnoespecialheedtothisinvasionoftheirdomain。
OnceDale，haltinghishorse，pointedwithlongarm，andHelen，followingthedirection，descriedseveralgraydeerstandinginaglade，motionless，withlongearsup。Theymadeawildandbeautifulpicture。Suddenlytheyboundedawaywithremarkablespringystrides。
Theforestonthewholeheldtothelevel，opencharacter，buttherewereswalesandstream-bedsbreakingupitsregularconformity。Towardnoon，however，itgraduallychanged，afactthatHelenbelievedshemighthaveobservedsoonerhadshebeenmorekeen。Thegenerallayofthelandbegantoascend，andthetreestogrowdenser。
Shemadeanotherdiscovery。Eversinceshehadenteredtheforestshehadbecomeawareofafullnessinherheadandasomethingaffectinghernostrils。Sheimagined，withregret，thatshehadtakencold。Butpresentlyherheadclearedsomewhatandsherealizedthatthethickpineodoroftheforesthadcloggedhernostrilsasifwithasweetpitch。
Thesmellwasoverpoweringanddisagreeablebecauseofitsstrength。Alsoherthroatandlungsseemedtoburn。
Whenshebegantoloseinterestintheforestandhersurroundingsitwasbecauseofachesandpainswhichwouldnolongerbedeniedrecognition。Thereaftershewasnotpermittedtoforgetthemandtheygrewworse。One，especially，wasapainbeyondallherexperience。Itlayinthemusclesofherside，aboveherhip，anditgrewtobeatreacherousthing，foritwasnotpersistent。Itcameandwent。Afteritdidcome，withaterribleflash，itcouldbebornebyshiftingoreasingthebody。Butitgavenowarning。Whensheexpecteditshewasmistaken；whenshedaredtobreatheagain，then，withpiercingswiftness，itreturnedlikeabladeinherside。This，then，wasoneoftheriding-painsthatmadeavictimofatenderfootonalongride。Itwasalmosttoomuchtobeborne。Thebeautyoftheforest，thelivingcreaturestobeseenscurryingaway，thetime，distance——everythingfadedbeforethatstablikepain。Toherinfinitereliefshefoundthatitwasthetrotthatcausedthistorture。WhenRangerwalkedshedidnothavetosufferit。ThereforesheheldhimtoawalkaslongasshedaredoruntilDaleandBowerealmostoutofsight；
thenshelopedhimaheaduntilhehadcaughtup。
Sothehourspassed，thesungotaroundlow，sendinggoldenshaftsunderthetrees，andtheforestgraduallychangedtoabrighter，butathicker，color。Thisslowlydarkened。
Sunsetwasnotfaraway。
Sheheardthehorsessplashinginwater，andsoonsherodeuptoseethetinystreamsofcrystalwaterrunningswiftlyoverbedsofgreenmoss。Shecrossedanumberoftheseandfollowedalongthelastoneintoamoreopenplaceintheforestwherethepineswerehuge，towering，andfarapart。A
low，graybluffofstonerosetotheright，perhapsone-thirdashighasthetrees。Fromsomewherecametherushingsoundofrunningwater。
\"BigSpring，\"announcedDale。\"Wecamphere。Yougirlshavedonewell。\"
AnotherglanceprovedtoHelenthatallthoselittlestreamspouredfromunderthisgraybluff。
\"I\'mdyingforadrink，\"criedBo。withhercustomaryhyperbole。
\"Ireckonyou\'llneverforgetyourfirstdrinkhere，\"
remarkedDale。