Boessayedtodismount，andfinallyfelloff，andwhenshedidgettothegroundherlegsappearedtorefusetheirnaturalfunction，andshefellflat。Dalehelpedherup。
\"What\'swrongwithme，anyhow？\"shedemanded，ingreatamaze。
\"Juststiff，Ireckon，\"repliedDale，asheledherafewawkwardsteps。
\"Bo，haveyouanyhurts？\"queriedHelen，whostillsatherhorse，loathtotrydismounting，yetwantingtobeyondallwords。
Bogaveheraneloquentglance。
\"Nell，didyouhaveoneinyourside，likeawicked，longdarning-needle，punchingdeepwhenyouweren\'tready？\"
\"ThatoneI\'llnevergetover！\"exclaimedHelen，softly。
Then，profitingbyBo\'sexperience，shedismountedcautiously，andmanagedtokeepupright。Herlegsfeltlikewoodenthings。
Presentlythegirlswenttowardthespring。
\"Drinkslow，\"calledoutDale。
BigSpringhaditssourcesomewheredeepunderthegray，weatheredbluff，fromwhichcameahollowsubterraneangurgleandroarofwater。Itsfountainheadmusthavebeenagreatwellrushingupthroughthecoldstone。
HelenandBolayflatonamossybank，seeingtheirfacesastheybentover，andtheysippedamouthful，byDale\'sadvice，andbecausetheyweresohotandparchedandburningtheywantedtotarryamomentwithapreciousopportunity。
ThewaterwassocoldthatitsentashockoverHelen，madeherteethache，andasingular，revivifyingcurrentstealallthroughher，wonderfulinitscoolabsorptionofthatdryheatofflesh，irresistibleinitsappealtothirst。
Helenraisedherheadtolookatthiswater。Itwascolorlessasshehadfoundittasteless。
\"Nell——drink！\"pantedBo。\"Thinkofour——oldspring——
intheorchard——fullofpollywogs！\"
AndthenHelendrankthirstily，withclosedeyes，whileamemoryofhomestirredfromBo\'sgiftofpoignantspeech。
CHAPTERVII
ThefirstcampdutyDaleperformedwastothrowapackoffoneofthehorses，and，openingit，hetookouttarpaulinandblankets，whichhearrangedonthegroundunderapine-tree。
\"Yougirlsrest，\"hesaid，briefly。
\"Can\'twehelp？\"askedHelen，thoughshecouldscarcelystand。
\"You\'llbewelcometodoallyoulikeafteryou\'rebrokein。\"
\"Brokein！\"ejaculatedBo，withalittlelaugh。\"I\'mallbrokeUPnow。\"
\"Bo，itlooksasifMr。Daleexpectsustohavequiteastaywithhiminthewoods。\"
\"Itdoes，\"repliedBo，asslowlyshesatdownupontheblankets，stretchedoutwithalongsigh，andlaidherheadonasaddle。\"Nell，didn\'thesaynottocallhimMister？\"
Dalewasthrowingthepacksofftheotherhorses。
HelenlaydownbesideBo，andthenforonceinherlifesheexperiencedthesweetnessofrest。
\"Well，sister，whatdoyouintendtocallhim？\"queriedHelen，curiously。
\"Milt，ofcourse，\"repliedBo。
Helenhadtolaughdespiteherwearinessandaches。
\"Isuppose，then，whenyourLasVegascowboycomesalongyouwillcallhimwhathecalledyou。\"
Boblushed，whichwasaratherunusualthingforher。
\"IwillifIlike，\"sheretorted。\"Nell，eversinceIcouldrememberyou\'veravedabouttheWest。Nowyou\'reOUTWest，rightinitgoodanddeep。Sowakeup！\"
ThatwasBo\'sbluntandcharacteristicwayofadvisingtheeliminationofHelen\'ssuperficialities。Itsankdeep。Helenhadnoretort。Herambition，asfarastheWestwasconcerned，hadmostassuredlynotbeenforsuchawild，unheard-ofjauntasthis。ButpossiblytheWest——alivingfromdaytoday——wasonesuccessionofadventures，trials，tests，troubles，andachievements。Tomakeaplaceforotherstolivecomfortablysomeday！ThatmightbeBo\'smeaning，embodiedinherforcefulhint。ButHelenwastootiredtothinkitoutthen。ShefounditinterestingandvaguelypleasanttowatchDale。
Hehobbledthehorsesandturnedthemloose。Thenwithaxinhandheapproachedashort，deadtree，standingamongafewwhite-barkedaspens。Daleappearedtoadvantageswingingtheax。Withhiscoatoff，displayinghiswideshoulders，straightback，andlong，powerfularms，helookedayounggiant。Hewaslitheandsupple，brawnybutnotbulky。Theaxrangonthehardwood，reverberatingthroughtheforest。A
fewstrokessufficedtobringdownthestub。Thenhesplititup。Helenwascurioustoseehowhekindledafire。Firstherippedsplintersoutoftheheartofthelog，andlaidthemwithcoarserpiecesontheground。Thenfromasaddlebagwhichhungonanear-bybranchhetookflintandsteelandapieceofwhatHelensupposedwasragorbuckskin，uponwhichpowderhadbeenrubbed。Atanyrate，thefirststrikeofthesteelbroughtsparks，ablaze，andburningsplinters。Instantlytheflameleapedafoothigh。
Heputonlargerpiecesofwoodcrosswise，andthefireroared。
Thatdone，hestooderect，and，facingthenorth，helistened。HelenrememberednowthatshehadseenhimdothesamethingtwicebeforesincethearrivalatBigSpring。ItwasRoyforwhomhewaslisteningandwatching。Thesunhadsetandacrosstheopenspacethetipsofthepineswerelosingtheirbrightness。
Thecamputensils，whichthehunteremptiedoutofasack，gaveforthajangleofironandtin。Nextheunrolledalargepack，thecontentsofwhichappearedtobenumeroussacksofallsizes。Theseevidentlycontainedfoodsupplies。
Thebucketlookedasifahorsehadrolledoverit，packandall。Dalefilleditatthespring。Uponreturningtothecamp-firehepouredwaterintoawashbasin，and，gettingdowntohisknees，proceededtowashhishandsthoroughly。
Theactseemedahabit，forHelensawthatwhilehewasdoingithegazedoffintothewoodsandlistened。Thenhedriedhishandsoverthefire，and，turningtothespread-outpack，hebeganpreparationsforthemeal。
SuddenlyHelenthoughtofthemanandallthathisactionsimplied。AtMagdalena，onthestage-ride，andlastnight，shehadtrustedthisstranger，ahunteroftheWhiteMountains，whoappearedreadytobefriendher。Andshehadfeltanexceedinggratitude。Still，shehadlookedathimimpersonally。Butitbegantodawnuponherthatchancehadthrownherinthecompanyofaremarkableman。Thatimpressionbaffledher。Itdidnotspringfromthefactthathewasbraveandkindtohelpayoungwomaninperil，orthatheappeareddeftandquickatcamp-firechores。MostWesternmenwerebrave，herunclehadtoldher，andmanywereroughlykind，andallofthemcouldcook。Thishunterwasphysicallyawonderfulspecimenofmanhood，withsomethingleonineabouthisstature。Butthatdidnotgiverisetoherimpression。Helenhadbeenaschool-teacherandusedtoboys，andshesensedaboyishsimplicityorvigororfreshnessinthishunter。Shebelieved，however，thatitwasamentalandspiritualforceinDalewhichhaddrawnhertothinkofit。
\"Nell，I\'vespokentoyouthreetimes，\"protestedBo，petulantly。\"What\'reyoumooningover？\"
\"I\'mprettytired——andfaraway，Bo，\"repliedHelen。\"Whatdidyousay？\"
\"IsaidIhadane-normousappetite。\"
\"Really。That\'snotremarkableforyou。I\'mtootiredtoeat。Andafraidtoshutmyeyes。They\'dnevercomeopen。
Whendidwesleeplast，Bo？\"
\"Secondnightbeforewelefthome，\"declaredBo。
\"Fournights！Oh，we\'vesleptsome。\"
\"I\'llbetImakemineupinthiswoods。Doyousupposewe\'llsleeprighthere——underthistree——withnocovering？\"
\"Itlooksso，\"repliedHelen，dubiously。
\"Howperfectlylovely！\"exclaimedBo，indelight。\"We\'llseethestarsthroughthepines。\"
\"Seemstobecloudingover。Wouldn\'titbeawfulifwehadastorm？\"
\"Why，Idon\'tknow，\"answeredBo，thoughtfully。\"ItmuststormoutWest。\"
AgainHelenfeltaqualityofinevitablenessinBo。ItwassomethingthathadappearedonlypracticalinthehumdrumhomelifeinSt。Joseph。AllofasuddenHelenreceivedaflashofwonderingthought——athrillingconsciousnessthatsheandBohadbeguntodevelopinanewandwildenvironment。Howstrange，andfearful，perhaps，towatchthatgrowth！Bo，beingyounger，moreimpressionable，withelementalratherthanintellectualinstincts，wouldgrowstrongermoreswiftly。Helenwonderedifshecouldyieldtoherownleaningtotheprimitive。Buthowcouldanyonewithathoughtfulandgraspingmindyieldthatway？Itwasthesavagewhodidnotthink。
HelensawDalestanderectoncemoreandgazeintotheforest。
\"ReckonRoyain\'tcomin\'，\"hesoliloquized。\"An\'that\'sgood。\"Thenheturnedtothegirls。\"Supper\'sready。\"
Thegirlsrespondedwithaspiritgreaterthantheiractivity。Andtheyatelikefamishedchildrenthathadbeenlostinthewoods。Daleattendedthemwithapleasantlightuponhisstillface。
\"To-morrownightwe\'llhavemeat，\"hesaid。
\"Whatkind？\"askedBo。
\"Wildturkeyordeer。Maybeboth，ifyoulike。Butit\'swelltotakewildmeatslow。An\'turkey——that\'llmeltinyourmouth。\"
\"Uummm！\"murmuredBo，greedily。\"I\'veheardofwildturkey。\"
WhentheyhadfinishedDaleatehismeal，listeningtothetalkofthegirls，andoccasionallyreplyingbrieflytosomequeryofBo\'s。Itwastwilightwhenhebegantowashthepotsandpans，andalmostdarkbythetimehisdutiesappearedended。Thenhereplenishedthecampfireandsatdownonalogtogazeintothefire。Thegirlsleanedcomfortablyproppedagainstthesaddles。
\"Nell，I\'llkeeloverinaminute，\"saidBo。\"AndIoughtn\'t——rightonsuchabigsupper。\"
\"Idon\'tseehowIcansleep，andIknowIcan\'tstayawake，\"rejoinedHelen。
Daleliftedhisheadalertly。
\"Listen。\"
Thegirlsgrewtenseandstill。Helencouldnothearasound，unlessitwasalowthudofhoofoutinthegloom。
Theforestseemedsleeping。SheknewfromBo\'seyes，wideandshininginthecamp-firelight，thatshe，too，hadfailedtocatchwhateveritwasDalemeant。
\"Bunchofcoyotescomin\'，\"heexplained。
Suddenlythequietnesssplittoachorusofsnappy，high-strung，strangebarks。Theysoundedwild，yettheyheldsomethingofafriendlyorinquisitivenote。Presentlygrayformscouldbedescriedjustattheedgeofthecircleoflight。Softrustlingsofstealthyfeetsurrounded。thecamp，andthenbarksandyelpsbrokeoutallaround。Itwasarestlessandsneakingpackofanimals，thoughtHelen；shewasgladafterthechorusendedandwithafewdesultory，spitefulyelpsthecoyoteswentaway。
Silenceagainsettleddown。IfithadnotbeenfortheanxietyalwayspresentinHelen\'smindshewouldhavethoughtthissilencesweetandunfamiliarlybeautiful。
\"Ah！Listentothatfellow，\"spokeupDale。Hisvoicewasthrilling。
Againthegirlsstrainedtheirears。Thatwasnotnecessary，forpresently，clearandcoldoutofthesilence，pealedamournfulhowl，longdrawn，strangeandfullandwild。
\"Oh！What\'sthat？\"whisperedBo。
\"That\'sabiggraywolf——atimber-wolf，orlofer，ashe\'ssometimescalled，\"repliedDale。\"He\'shighonsomerockyridgebackthere。Hescentsus，an\'hedoesn\'tlikeit……Therehegoesagain。Listen！Ah，he\'shungry。\"
WhileHelenlistenedtothisexceedinglywildcry——sowildthatitmadeherfleshcreepandthemostindescribablesensationsoflonelinesscomeoverher——shekeptherglanceuponDale。
\"Youlovehim？\"shemurmuredinvoluntarily，quitewithoutunderstandingthemotiveofherquery。
AssuredlyDalehadneverhadthatquestionaskedofhimbefore，anditseemedtoHelen，ashepondered，thathehadneverevenaskeditofhimself。
\"Ireckonso，\"hereplied，presently。
\"Butwolveskilldeer，andlittlefawns，andeverythinghelplessintheforest，\"expostulatedBo。
Thehunternoddedhishead。
\"Why，then，canyoulovehim？\"repeatedHelen。
\"Cometothinkofit，Ireckonit\'sbecauseoflotsofreasons，\"returnedDale。\"Hekillsclean。Heeatsnocarrion。He\'snocoward。Hefights。Hediesgame……An\'
helikestobealone。\"
\"Killsclean。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"
\"Acougar，now，hemanglesadeer。An\'asilvertip，whenkillin\'acoworcolt，hemakesamessofit。Butawolfkillsclean，withsharpsnaps。\"
\"Whatareacougarandasilvertip？\"
\"Cougarmeansmountain-lionorpanther，an\'asilvertipisagrizzlybear。\"
\"Oh，they\'reallcruel！\"exclaimedHelen，shrinking。
\"Ireckon。OftenI\'veshotwolvesforrelayin\'adeer。\"
\"What\'sthat？\"
\"Sometimestwoormorewolveswillrunadeer，an\'whileoneofthemreststheotherwilldrivethedeeraroundtohispardner，who\'ll，takeupthechase。Thatwaytheyrunthedeerdown。Cruelitis，butnature，an\'noworsethansnowan\'icethatstarvedeer，orafoxthatkillsturkey-chicksbreakin\'outoftheegg，orravensthatpicktheeyesoutofnew-bornlambsan\'waittilltheydie。An\'forthatmatter，menarecruelerthanbeastsofprey，formenaddtonature，an\'havemorethaninstincts。\"
Helenwassilenced，aswellasshocked。Shehadnotonlylearnedanewandstrikingviewpointinnaturalhistory，butaclearintimationtothereasonwhyshehadvaguelyimaginedordivinedaremarkablecharacterinthisman。A
hunterwasonewhokilledanimalsfortheirfur，fortheirmeatorhorns，orforsomelustforblood——thatwasHelen\'sdefinitionofahunter，andshebelieveditwasheldbythemajorityofpeoplelivinginsettledstates。Butthemajoritymightbewrong。Ahuntermightbevastlydifferent，andvastlymorethanatrackerandslayerofgame。Themountainworldofforestwasamysterytoalmostallmen。
PerhapsDaleknewitssecrets，itslife，itsterror，itsbeauty，itssadness，anditsjoy；andifso，howfull，howwonderfulmustbehismind！Hespokeofmenasnobetterthanwolves。Couldalonelylifeinthewildernessteachamanthat？Bitterness，envy，jealousy，spite，greed，andhate——thesehadnoplaceinthishunter\'sheart。ItwasnotHelen\'sshrewdness，butawoman\'sintuition，whichdivinedthat。
Dalerosetohisfeetand，turninghiseartothenorth，listenedoncemore。
\"AreyouexpectingRoystill？\"inquiredHelen。
\"No，itain\'tlikelyhe\'llturnupto-night，\"repliedDale，andthenhestrodeovertoputahandonthepine-treethatsoaredabovewherethegirlslay。Hisaction，andthewayhelookedupatthetree-topandthenatadjacenttrees，heldmoreofthatsignificancewhichsointerestedHelen。
\"Ireckonhe\'sstoodtheresomefivehundredyearsan\'willstandthroughto-night，\"mutteredDale。
Thispinewasthemonarchofthatwide-spreadgroup。
\"Listenagain，\"saidDale。
Bowasasleep。AndHelen，listening，atoncecaughtlow，distantroar。
\"Wind。It\'sgoin\'tostorm，\"explainedDale。\"You\'llhearsomethin\'worthwhile。Butdon\'tbescared。Reckonwe\'llbesafe。Pinesblowdownoften。Butthisfellowwillstandanyfallwindthateverwas……BetterslipundertheblanketssoIcanpullthetarpup。\"
Helensliddown，justasshewas，fullydressedexceptforboots，whichsheandBohadremoved；andshelaidherheadclosetoBo\'s。Dalepulledthetarpaulinupandfoldeditbackjustbelowtheirheads。
\"Whenitrainsyou\'llwake，an\'thenjustpullthetarpupoveryou，\"hesaid。
\"Willitrain？\"Helenasked。Butshewasthinkingthatthismomentwasthestrangestthathadeverhappenedtoher。Bythelightofthecamp-fireshesawDale\'sface，justasusual，still，darklyserene，expressingnothought。Hewaskind，buthewasnotthinkingofthesesistersasgirls，alonewithhiminapitch-blackforest，helplessanddefenseless。Hedidnotseemtobethinkingatall。ButHelenhadneverbeforeinherlifebeensokeenlysusceptibletoexperience。
\"I\'llbeclosebyan\'keepthefiregoin\'allnight，\"hesaid。
Sheheardhimstrideoffintothedarkness。Presentlytherecameadragging，bumpingsound，thenacrashofalogdroppeduponthefire。Acloudofsparksshotup，andmanypattereddowntohissuponthedampground。Smokeagaincurledupwardalongthegreat，seamedtree-trunk，andflamessputteredandcrackled。
Helenlistenedagainfortheroarofwind。ItseemedtocomeonabreathofairthatfannedhercheekandsoftlyblewBo\'scurls，anditwasstronger。Butitdiedoutpresently，onlytocomeagain，andstillstronger。Helenrealizedthenthatthesoundwasthatofanapproachingstorm。Herheavyeyelidsalmostrefusedtostayopen，andsheknewifsheletthemcloseshewouldinstantlydroptosleep。Andshewantedtohearthestorm-windinthepines。
Afewdropsofcoldrainfelluponherface，thrillingherwiththeproofthatnoroofstoodbetweenherandtheelements。Thenabreezeborethesmellofburntwoodintoherface，andsomehowherquickmindflewtogirlhooddayswhensheburnedbrushandleaveswithherlittlebrothers。
Thememoryfaded。Theroarthathadseemeddistantwasnowbackintheforest，comingswiftly，increasinginvolume。
Likeastreaminflooditboredown。Helengrewamazed，startled。Howrushing，oncoming，andheavythisstorm-wind！
Shelikeneditsapproachtothetreadofanarmy。Thentheroarfilledtheforest，yetitwasbacktherebehindher。
Notapine-needlequiveredinthelightofthecamp-fire。
Buttheairseemedtobeoppressedwithaterriblecharge。
Theroaraugmentedtillitwasnolongeraroar，butanon-sweepingcrash，likeanoceantorrentengulfingtheearth。BoawoketoclingtoHelenwithfright。Thedeafeningstorm-blastwasuponthem。Helenfeltthesaddle-pillowmoveunderherhead。Thegiantpinehadtrembledtoitsveryroots。Thatmightyfuryofwindwasallaloft，inthetree-tops。Andforalongmomentitbowedtheforestunderitstremendouspower。Thenthedeafeningcrashpassedtoroar，andthatsweptonandon，lesseninginvolume，deepeninginlowdetonation，atlasttodieinthedistance。
Nosoonerhaditdiedthanbacktothenorthanotherlowroarroseandceasedandroseagain。Helenlaythere，whisperingtoBo，andheardagainthegreatwaveofwindcomeandcrashandcease。Thatwasthewayofthisstorm-windofthemountainforest。
AsoftpatterofrainonthetarpaulinwarnedHelentorememberDale\'sdirections，and，pullinguptheheavycovering，shearrangedithoodlikeoverthesaddle。Then，withBocloseandwarmbesideher，sheclosedhereyes，andthesenseoftheblackforestandthewindandrainfaded。
Lastofallsensationswasthesmellofsmokethatblewunderthetarpaulin。
Whensheopenedhereyessherememberedeverything，asifonlyamomenthadelapsed。Butitwasdaylight，thoughgrayandcloudy。Thepinesweredrippingmist。Afirecrackledcheerilyandbluesmokecurledupwardandasavoryodorofhotcoffeehungintheair。Horseswerestandingnearby，bitingandkickingatoneanother。Bowassoundasleep。Daleappearedbusyaroundthecamp-fire。AsHelenwatchedthehuntershesawhimpauseinhistask，turnhiseartolisten，andthenlookexpectantly。Andatthatjunctureashoutpealedfromtheforest。HelenrecognizedRoy\'svoice。
Thensheheardasplashingofwater，andhoof-beatscomingcloser。Withthatthebuckskinmustangtrottedintocamp，carryingRoy。
\"Badmornin\'forducks，butgoodforus，\"hecalled。
\"Howdy，Roy！\"greetedDale，andhisgladnesswasunmistakable。\"Iwaslookin\'foryou。\"
Royappearedtoslideoffthemustangwithouteffort，andhisswifthandsslappedthestrapsasheunsaddled。Buckskinwaswetwithsweatandfoammixedwithrain。Heheaved。Andsteamrosefromhim。
\"Musthaverodehard，\"observedDale。
\"Ishoredid，\"repliedRoy。ThenheespiedHelen，whohadsatup，withhandstoherhair，andeyesstaringathim。
\"Mornin\'，miss。It\'sgoodnews。\"
\"ThankHeaven！\"murmuredHelen，andthensheshookBo。Thatyoungladyawoke，butwasloathtogiveupslumber。\"Bo！Bo！
Wakeup！Mr。Royisback。\"
WhereuponBosatup，disheveledandsleepy-eyed。
\"Oh-h，butIache！\"shemoaned。Buthereyestookinthecampscenetotheeffectthatsheadded，\"Isbreakfastready？\"
\"Almost。An\'flapjacksthismornin\'，\"repliedDale。
Bomanifestedactivesymptomsofhealthinthemannerwithwhichshelacedherboots。Helengottheirtraveling-bag，andwiththistheyrepairedtoaflatstonebesidethespring，not，however，outofearshotofthemen。
\"Howlongareyougoin\'tohangaroundcampbeforetellin\'
me？\"inquiredDale。
\"JestasIfiggered，Milt，\"repliedRoy。\"ThetriderwhopassedyouwasamessengertoAnson。Hean\'hisganggotonourtrailquick。Aboutteno\'clockIseenthemcomin\'。ThenIlitoutforthewoods。Istayedoffinthewoodscloseenoughtoseewheretheycomein。An\'shoretheylostyourtrail。Thentheyspreadthroughthewoods，workin\'offtothesouth，thinkin\'，ofcourse，thetyouwouldcircleroundtoPineonthesouthsideofOldBaldy。Thereain\'tahoss-trackerinSnakeAnson\'sgang，thet\'sshore。Wal，I
folleredthemforanhourtillthey\'drustledsomemilesoffourtrail。ThenIwentbacktowhereyoustruckintothewoods。An\'Iwaitedthereallafternoontilldark，expectin\'
mebbethey\'dback-trail。Buttheydidn\'t。Irodeonawaysan\'campedinthewoodstilljestbeforedaylight。\"
\"Sofarsogood，\"declaredDale。
\"Shore。There\'sroughcountrysouthofBaldyan\'alongthetwoorthreetrailsAnsonan\'hisoutfitwillcamp，youbet。\"
\"Itain\'ttobethoughtof，\"mutteredDale，atsomeideathathadstruckhim。
\"Whatain\'t？\"
\"Goin\'roundthenorthsideofBaldy。\"
\"Itshoreain\'t，\"rejoinedRoy，bluntly。
\"ThenI\'vegottohidetrackscertain——rustletomycampan\'staytheretillyousayit\'ssafetorisktakin\'thegirlstoPine。\"
\"Milt，you\'retalkin\'thewisdomoftheprophets。\"
\"Iain\'tsosurewecanhidetracksaltogether。IfAnsonhadanyeyesforthewoodshe\'dnothavelostmesosoon。
\"No。But，yousee，he\'sfiggerin\'tocrossyourtrail。\"
\"IfIcouldgetfifteenortwentymilefartheronan\'hidetrackscertain，I\'dfeelsafefrompursuit，anyway，\"saidthehunter，reflectively。
\"Shorean\'easy，\"respondedRoy，quickly。\"Ijestmetupwithsomegreasersheep-herdersdrivin\'abigflock。They\'vecomeupfromthesouthan\'aregoin\'tofattenupatTurkeySenacas。Thenthey\'lldrivebacksouthan\'goontoPhenix。
Wal，it\'smuddyweather。Nowyoubreakcampquickan\'makeaplaintrailouttothetsheeptrail，asifyouwastravelin\'
south。But，instead，yourideroundaheadofthetflockofsheep。They\'llkeeptotheopenparksan\'thetrailsthroughthemnecksofwoodsouthere。An\'，passin\'overyourtracks，they\'llhide\'em。\"
\"Butsupposin\'Ansoncirclesan\'hitsthiscamp？He\'lltrackmeeasyouttothatsheeptrail。Whatthen？\"
\"Jestwhatyouwant。Goin\'souththetsheeptrailisdownhillan\'muddy。It\'sgoin\'torainhard。Yourtrackswouldgetwashedoutevenifyoudidgosouth。An\'Ansonwouldkeeponthetwaytillhewasclearoffthescent。
Leaveittome，Milt。You\'reahunter。ButI\'mahoss-tracker。\"
\"Allright。We\'llrustle。\"
Thenhecalledthegirlstohurry。
CHAPTERVIII
Onceastridethehorseagain，Helenhadtocongratulateherselfuponnotbeingsocrippledasshehadimagined。
Indeed，Bomadealltheaudiblecomplaints。
Bothgirlshadlongwater-proofcoats，brand-new，andofwhichtheywereconsiderablyproud。Newclotheshadnotbeenacommoneventintheirlives。
\"ReckonI\'llhavetoslitthese，\"Dalehadsaid，whippingoutahugeknife。
\"Whatfor？\"hadbeenBo\'sfeebleprotest。
\"Theywasn\'tmadeforridin\'。An\'you\'llgetwetenoughevenifIdocutthem。An\'ifIdon\'t，you\'llgetsoaked。\"
\"Goahead，\"hadbeenHelen\'sreluctantpermission。
Sotheirlongnewcoatswereslithalf-wayuptheback。TheexigencyofthecasewasmanifesttoHelen，whenshesawhowtheycamedownoverthecantlesofthesaddlesandtotheirboot-tops。
Themorningwasgrayandcold。Afine，mistyrainfellandthetreesdrippedsteadily。Helenwassurprisedtoseetheopencountryagainandthatapparentlytheyweretoleavetheforestbehindforawhile。Thecountrywaswideandflatontheright，andtotheleftitrolledandheavedalongablack，scallopedtimber-line。Abovethisborderingoftheforestlow，driftingcloudsobscuredthemountains。ThewindwasatHelen\'sbackandseemedtobegrowingstronger。DaleandRoywereahead，travelingatagoodtrot，withthepack-animalsbunchedbeforethem。HelenandBohadenoughtodotokeepup。
Thefirsthour\'sridebroughtlittlechangeinweatherorscenery，butitgaveHelenaninklingofwhatshemustendureiftheykeptthatupallday。Shebegantowelcometheplaceswherethehorseswalked，butshedislikedthelevels。Asforthedescents，shehatedthose。Rangerwouldnotgodownslowlyandtheshake-upshereceivedwasunpleasant。Moreover，thespiritedblackhorseinsistedonjumpingtheditchesandwashes。Hesailedoverthemlikeabird。Helencouldnotacquiretheknackofsittingthesaddleproperly，andso，notonlywasherpersonbruisedontheseoccasions，butherfeelingswerehurt。Helenhadneverbeforebeenconsciousofvanity。Still，shehadneverrejoicedinlookingatadisadvantage，andherexhibitionsheremusthavebeenfrightful。Boalwayswouldforgetothefront，andsheseldomlookedback，forwhichHelenwasgrateful。
Beforelongtheystruckintoabroad，muddybelt，fullofinnumerablesmallhooftracks。This，then，wasthesheeptrailRoyhadadvisedfollowing。Theyrodeonitforthreeorfourmiles，andatlength，comingtoagray-greenvalley，theysawahugeflockofsheep。Soontheairwasfullofbleatsandbaasaswellastheodorofsheep，andalow，softroarofpatteringhoofs。Theflockheldacompactformation，coveringseveralacres，andgrazedalongrapidly。
Therewerethreeherdersonhorsesand。severalpack-burros。
DaleengagedoneoftheMexicansinconversation，andpassedsomethingtohim，thenpointednorthwardanddownalongthetrail。TheMexicangrinnedfromeartoear，andHelencaughtthequick\"SI，SENYOR！GRACIAS，SENYOR！\"Itwasaprettysight，thatflockofsheep，asitrolledalonglikearoundedwoollystreamofgraysandbrownsandhereandthereablack。Theywerekeepingtoatrailovertheflats。Daleheadedintothistrailand，ifanything，trottedalittlefaster。
Presentlythecloudsliftedandbroke，showingblueskyandonestreakofsunshine。Buttheaugurywaswithoutwarrant。
Thewindincreased。Ahugeblackpallboredownfromthemountainsanditbroughtrainthatcouldbeseenfallinginsheetsfromaboveandapproachinglikeaswiftlymovingwall。Soonitenvelopedthefugitives。
Withheadbowed，Helenrodealongforwhatseemedagesinacold，grayrainthatblewalmostonalevel。Finallytheheavydownpourpassed，leavingafinemist。Thecloudsscurriedlowanddark，hidingthemountainsaltogetherandmakingthegray，wetplainadrearysight。Helen\'sfeetandkneeswereaswetasifshehadwadedinwater。Andtheywerecold。Hergloves，too，hadnotbeenintendedforrain，andtheywerewetthrough。Thecoldbitatherfingerssothatshehadtobeatherhandstogether。Rangermisunderstoodthistomeanthathewastotrotfaster，whicheventwasworseforHelenthanfreezing。
Shesawanotherblack，scuddingmassofcloudsbearingdownwithitstrailingsheetsofrain，andthisoneappearedstreakedwithwhite。Snow！Thewindwasnowpiercinglycold。
Helen\'sbodykeptwarm，butherextremitiesandearsbegantosufferexceedingly。Shegazedaheadgrimly。Therewasnohelp；shehadtogoon。DaleandRoywerehuncheddownintheirsaddles，probablywetthrough，fortheyworenorain-proofcoats。Bokeptclosebehindthem，andplainitwasthatshefeltthecold。
Thissecondstormwasnotsobadasthefirst，becausetherewaslessrain。Still，theicykeennessofthewindbitintothemarrow。Itlastedforanhour，duringwhichthehorsestrottedon，trottedon。Againthegraytorrentroaredaway，thefinemistblew，thecloudsliftedandseparated，and，closingagain，darkenedforanotheronslaught。Thisonebroughtsleet。ThedrivingpelletsstungHelen\'sneckandcheeks，andforawhiletheyfellsothickandsoharduponherbackthatshewasafraidshecouldnotholdupunderthem。Thebareplacesonthegroundshowedasparklingcoverletofmarblesofice。
Thus，stormafterstormrolledoverHelen\'shead。Herfeetgrewnumbandceasedtohurt。Butherfingers，becauseofherceaselesseffortstokeepupthecirculation，retainedthestingingpain。Andnowthewindpiercedrightthroughher。Shemarveledatherendurance，andthereweremanytimesthatshebelievedshecouldnotridefarther。Yetshekepton。Allthewintersshehadeverlivedhadnotbroughtsuchadayasthis。Hardandcold，wetandwindy，atanincreasingelevation——thatwastheexplanation。Theairdidnothavesufficientoxygenforherblood。
Still，duringallthoseinterminablehours，Helenwatchedwhereshewastraveling，andifsheeverreturnedoverthattrailshewouldrecognizeit。TheafternoonappearedfaradvancedwhenDaleandRoyleddownintoanimmensebasinwhereareedylakespreadovertheflats。Theyrodealongitsmargin，splashinguptothekneesofthehorses。Cranesandheronsflewonwithlumberingmotion；flocksofduckswingedswiftflightfromonesidetotheother。Beyondthisdepressionthelandslopedratherabruptly；outcroppingsofrockcircledalongtheedgeofthehighestground，andagainadarkfringeoftreesappeared。
Howmanymiles！wonderedHelen。Theyseemedasmanyandaslongasthehours。Butatlast，justasanotherhardraincame，thepineswerereached。Theyprovedtobewidelyscatteredandaffordedlittleprotectionfromthestorm。
Helensathersaddle，adeadweight。WheneverRangerquickenedhisgaitorcrossedaditchsheheldontothepommeltokeepfromfallingoff。Hermindharboredonlysensationsofmisery，andapersistentthought——whydidsheeverleavehomefortheWest？HersolicitudeforBohadbeenforgotten。Nevertheless，anymarkedchangeinthetopographyofthecountrywasregistered，perhapsphotographedonhermemorybythetorturingvividnessofherexperience。
Theforestgrewmorelevelanddenser。Shadowsoftwilightorgloomlayunderthetrees。PresentlyDaleandRoy，disappeared，goingdownhill，andlikewiseBo。ThenHelen\'searssuddenlyfilledwitharoarofrapidwater。Rangertrottedfaster。SoonHelencametotheedgeofagreatvalley，blackandgray，sofullofobscuritythatshecouldnotseeacrossordownintoit。Butsheknewtherewasarushingriveratthebottom。Thesoundwasdeep，continuous，aheavy，murmuringroar，singularlymusical。Thetrailwassteep。Helenhadnotlostallfeeling，asshehadbelievedandhoped。Herpoor，mistreatedbodystillrespondedexcruciatinglytoconcussions，jars，wrenches，andalltheotherhorriblemovementsmakingupahorse-trot。
ForlongHelendidnotlookup。Whenshedidsotherelayagreen，willow-bordered，treelessspaceatthebottomofthevalley，throughwhichabrown-whitestreamrushedwithsteady，ear-fillingroar。
DaleandRoydrovethepack-animalsacrossthestream，andfollowed，goingdeeptotheflanksoftheirhorses。Borodeintothefoamingwaterasifshehadbeenusedtoitallherdays。Aslip，afall，wouldhavemeantthatBomustdrowninthatmountaintorrent。
Rangertrottedstraighttotheedge，andthere，obedienttoHelen\'sclutchonthebridle，hehalted。Thestreamwasfiftyfeetwide，shallowonthenearside，deepontheopposite，withfastcurrentandbigwaves。Helenwassimplytoofrightenedtofollow。
\"Lethimcome！\"yelledDale。\"Stickonnow！……Ranger！\"
Thebigblackplungedin，makingthewaterfly。Thatstreamwasnothingforhim，thoughitseemedimpassabletoHelen。
Shehadnotthestrengthlefttoliftherstirrupsandthewatersurgedoverthem。Ranger，intwomoreplunges，surmountedthebank，andthen，trottingacrossthegreentowheretheotherhorsesstoodsteamingundersomepines，hegaveagreatheaveandhalted。
Royreacheduptohelpheroff。
\"Thirtymiles，MissHelen，\"hesaid，andthewayhespokewasacompliment。
HehadtoliftheroffandhelphertothetreewhereBoleaned。Dalehadrippedoffasaddleandwasspreadingsaddle-blanketsonthegroundunderthepine。
\"Nell——youswore——youlovedme！\"wasBo\'smournfulgreeting。Thegirlwaspale，drawn，blue-lipped，andshecouldnotstandup。
\"Bo，Ineverdid——orI\'dneverhavebroughtyoutothis——
wretchthatIam！\"criedHelen。\"Oh，whatahorribleride！\"
Rainwasfalling，thetreesweredripping，theskywaslowering。Allthegroundwassoakingwet，withpoolsandpuddleseverywhere。Helencouldimaginenothingbutaheartless，dreary，coldprospect。Justthenhomewasvividandpoignantinherthoughts。Indeed，soutterlymiserablewasshethattheexquisitereliefofsittingdown，ofacessationofmovement，ofareleasefromthatinfernalperpetual-trottinghorse，seemedonlyamockery。Itcouldnotbetruethatthetimehadcomeforrest。
Evidentlythisplacehadbeenacampsiteforhuntersorsheep-herders，fortherewereremainsofafire。Daleliftedtheburntendofalogandbroughtitdownhardupontheground，splittingoffpieces。Severaltimeshedidthis。Itwasamazingtoseehisstrength，hisfacility，ashesplitoffhandfulsofsplinters。Hecollectedabundleofthem，and，layingthemdown，hebentoverthem。Roywieldedtheaxonanotherlog，andeachstrokesplitoffalongstrip。ThenatinycolumnofsmokedriftedupoverDale\'sshoulderasheleaned，bareheaded，shelteringthesplinterswithhishat。A
blazeleapedup。Roycamewithanarmfulofstripsallwhiteanddry，outoftheinsideofalog。Crosswisethesewerelaidovertheblaze，anditbegantoroar。Thenpiecebypiecethemenbuiltupaframeuponwhichtheyaddedheavierwoods，branchesandstumpsandlogs，erectingapyramidthroughwhichflamesandsmokeroaredupward。Ithadnottakentwominutes。AlreadyHelenfeltthewarmthonhericyface。Sheheldupherbare，numbhands。
BothDaleandRoywerewetthroughtotheskin，yettheydidnottarrybesidethefire。Theyrelievedthehorses。Alassowentupbetweentwopines，andatarpaulinoverit，V-shapedandpeggeddownatthefourends。Thepackscontainingthebaggageofthegirlsandthesuppliesandbeddingwereplacedunderthisshelter。
Helenthoughtthismighthavetakenfiveminutesmore。Inthisshortspaceoftimethefirehadleapedandflameduntilitwashugeandhot。Rainwasfallingsteadilyallaround，butoverandnearthatroaringblaze，tenfeethigh，nowaterfell。Itevaporated。Thegroundbegantosteamandtodry。Helensufferedatfirstwhiletheheatwasdrivingoutthecold。Butpresentlythepainceased。
\"Nell，Ineverknewbeforehowgoodafirecouldfeel，\"
declaredBo。
AndthereinlaymorefoodforHelen\'sreflection。
IntenminutesHelenwasdryandhot。Darknesscamedownuponthedreary，soddenforest，butthatgreatcamp-firemadeitadifferentworldfromtheoneHelenhadanticipated。Itblazedandroared，crackedlikeapistol，hissedandsputtered，shotsparkseverywhere，andsentaloftadense，yellow，whirlingcolumnofsmoke。Itbegantohaveaheartofgold。
Daletookalongpoleandrakedoutapileofredembersuponwhichthecoffee-potandovensoonbegantosteam。
\"Roy，Ipromisedthegirlsturkeyto-night，\"saidthehunter。
\"Mebbeto-morrow，ifthewindshifts。This\'sturkeycountry。\"
\"Roy，apotatowilldome！\"exclaimedBo。
\"NeveragainwillIaskforcakeandpie！Ineverappreciatedgoodthingstoeat。AndI\'vebeenalittlepig，always。Inever——neverknewwhatitwastobehungry——
untilnow。\"
Daleglancedupquickly。
\"Lass，it\'sworthlearnin\'，\"hesaid。
Helen\'sthoughtwastoodeepforwords。Insuchbriefspacehadshebeentransformedfrommiserytocomfort！
Therainkeptonfalling，thoughitappearedtogrowsofterasnightsettleddownblack。Thewinddiedawayandtheforestwasstill，exceptforthesteadyroarofthestream。
Afoldedtarpaulinwaslaidbetweenthepineandthefire，wellinthelightandwarmth，anduponitthemensetsteamingpotsandplatesandcups，thefragrancefromwhichwasstrongandinviting。
\"Fetchthesaddle-blanketan\'setwithyourbackstothefire，\"saidRoy。
Later，whenthegirlsweretuckedawaysnuglyintheirblanketsandshelteredfromtherain，HelenremainedawakeafterBohadfallenasleep。Thebigblazemadetheimprovisedtentasbrightasday。Shecouldseethesmoke，thetrunkofthebigpinetoweringaloft，andablankspaceofsky。Thestreamhummedasong，seeminglymusicalattimes，andthendiscordantanddull，nowlow，nowroaring，andalwaysrushing，gurgling，babbling，flowing，chafinginitshurry。
Presentlythehunterandhisfriendreturnedfromhobblingthehorses，andbesidethefiretheyconversedinlowtones。
\"Wal，thettrailwemadeto-daywillbehid，Ireckon，\"saidRoy，withsatisfaction。
\"Whatwasn\'tsheepedoverwouldbewashedout。We\'vehadluck。An\'nowIain\'tworryin\'，\"returnedDale。
\"Worryin\'？Thenit\'sthefirstIeverknowedyoutodo。\"
\"Man，Ineverhadajoblikethis，\"protestedthehunter。
\"Wal，thet\'sso。\"
\"Now，Roy，whenoldAlAuchinclossfindsoutaboutthisdeal，ashe\'sboundtowhenyouortheboysgetbacktoPine，he\'sgoin\'toroar。\"
\"DoyoureckonfolkswillsidewithhimagainstBeasley？\"
\"Someofthem。ButAl，likeasnot，willtellfolkstogowhereit\'shot。He\'llbunchhismenan\'strikeforthemountainstofindhisnieces。\"
\"Wal，allyou\'vegottodoistokeepthegirlshidtillI
canguidehimuptoyourcamp。Or，failin\'thet，tillyoucanslipthegirlsdowntoPine。\"
\"Noonebutyouan\'yourbrotherseverseenmysenaca。Butitcouldbefoundeasyenough。\"
\"Ansonmightblunderonit。Butthetain\'tlikely。\"
\"Whyain\'tit？\"
\"BecauseI\'llsticktothetsheep-thief\'strackslikeawolfafterableedin\'deer。An\'ifheevergetsnearyourcampI\'llrideinaheadofhim。\"
\"Good！\"declaredDale。\"Iwascalculatin\'you\'dgodowntoPine，soonerorlater。\"
\"NotunlessAnsongoes。ItoldJohnthetincasetherewasnofightonthestagetomakeabee-linebacktoPine。HewastotellAlan\'offerhisservicesalongwithJoean\'
Hal。\"
\"Onewayoranother，then，there\'sboundtobebloodspilledoverthis。\"
\"Shore！An\'hightime。IjesthopeIgetalookdownmyold\'forty-four\'atthetBeasley。\"
\"InthatcaseIhopeyouholdstraighterthantimesI\'veseenyou。\"
\"MiltDale，I\'magoodshot，\"declaredRoy，stoutly。
\"You\'renogoodonmovin\'targets。\"
\"Wal，mebbeso。ButI\'mnotlookin\'foramovin\'targetwhenImeetupwithBeasley。I\'mahossman，notahunter。You\'reusedtoshootin\'fliesoffdeer\'shorns，jestforpractice。\"
\"Roy，canwemakemycampbyto-morrownight？\"queriedDale，moreseriously。
\"Wewill，ifeachofushastocarryoneofthegirls。Butthey\'lldoitordie。Dale，didyoueverseeagamergirlthanthetkidBo？\"
\"Me！Where\'dIeverseeanygirls？\"ejaculatedDale。\"I
remembersomewhenIwasaboy，butIwasonlyfourteenthen。Neverhadmuchuseforgirls。\"
\"I\'dliketohaveawifelikethatBo，\"declaredRoy，fervidly。
Thereensuedamoment\'ssilence。
\"Roy，you\'reaMormonan\'youalreadygotawife，\"wasDale\'sreply。
\"Now，Milt，haveyoulivedsolonginthewoodsthetyouneverheardofaMormonwithtwowives？\"returnedRoy，andthenhelaughedheartily。
\"InevercouldstomachwhatIdidhearpertainin\'tomorethanonewifeforaman。\"
\"Wal，myfriend，yougoan\'getyourselfONE。An\'seethenifyouwouldn\'tliketohaveTWO。\"
\"Ireckonone\'dbemorethanenoughforMiltDale。\"
\"Milt，oldman，letmetellyouthetIalwaysenviedyouyourfreedom，\"saidRoy，earnestly。\"Butitain\'tlife。\"
\"Youmeanlifeisloveofawoman？\"
\"No。Thet\'sonlypart。Imeanason——aboythet\'slikeyou——thetyoufeelwillgoonwithyourlifeafteryou\'regone。\"
\"I\'vethoughtofthat——thoughtitallout，watchin\'thebirdsan\'animalsmateinthewoods……IfIhavenosonI\'llneverlivehereafter。\"
\"Wal，\"repliedRoy，hesitatingly，\"Idon\'tgoinsodeepasthet。Imeanasongoesonwithyourbloodan\'yourwork。\"
\"Exactly……An\'，Roy，Ienvyyouwhatyouvegot，becauseit\'soutofallboundsforMiltDale。\"
Thosewords，sadanddeep，endedtheconversation。Againtherumbling，rushingstreamdominatedtheforest。Anowlhooteddismally。Ahorsetrodthuddinglynearbyandfromthatdirectioncameacuttingtearofteethongrass。
AvoicepiercedHelen\'sdeepdreamsand，awaking，shefoundBoshakingandcallingher。
\"Areyoudead？\"camethegayvoice。
\"Almost。Oh，myback\'sbroken，\"repliedHelen。Thedesiretomoveseemedclampedinavise，andevenifthatcameshebelievedtheeffortwouldbeimpossible。
\"Roycalledus，\"saidBo。\"Hesaidhurry。IthoughtI\'ddiejustsittingup，andI\'dgiveyouamilliondollarstolacemyboots。Wait，sister，tillyoutrytopullononeofthosestiffboots！\"
WithheroicandviolentspiritHelensatuptofindthatintheactherachesandpainsappearedbeyondnumber。Reachingforherboots，shefoundthemcoldandstiff。Helenunlacedoneand，openingitwide，essayedtogethersorefootdownintoit。Butherfootappearedswollenandthebootappearedshrunken。Shecouldnotgetithalfon，thoughsheexpendedwhatlittlestrengthseemedleftinherachingarms。Shegroaned。
Bolaughedwickedly。Herhairwastousled，hereyesdancing，hercheeksred。
\"Begame！\"shesaid。\"StanduplikearealWesterngirlandPULLyourbooton。\"
WhetherBo\'sscornoradvicemadethetaskeasierdidnotoccurtoHelen，butthefactwasthatshegotintoherboots。Walkingandmovingalittleappearedtoloosenthestiffjointsandeasethattiredfeeling。ThewaterofthestreamwherethegirlswashedwascolderthananyiceHelenhadeverfelt。Italmostparalyzedherhands。Bomumbled，andblewlikeaporpoise。Theyhadtoruntothefirebeforebeingabletocombtheirhair。Theairwaswonderfullykeen。
Thedawnwasclear，bright，witharedglowintheeastwherethesunwasabouttorise。
\"Allready，girls，\"calledRoy。\"Reckonyoucanhelpyourselves。Miltain\'tcomin\'inveryfastwiththehosses。
I\'llrustleofftohelphim。We\'vegotaharddaybeforeus。
Yesterdaywasn\'tnowheretowhatto-day\'llbe。\"
\"Butthesun\'sgoingtoshine？\"imploredBo。
\"Wal，youbet，\"rejoinedRoy，ashestrodeoff。
HelenandBoatebreakfastandhadthecamptothemselvesforperhapshalfanhour；thenthehorsescamethuddingdown，withDaleandRoyridingbareback。
Bythetimeallwasinreadinesstostartthesunwasup，meltingthefrostandice，sothatadazzling，brightmist，fullofrainbows，shoneunderthetrees。
DalelookedRangerover，andtriedthecinchesofBo\'shorse。
\"What\'syourchoice——alongridebehindthepackswithme——orashortcutoverthehillswithRoy？\"heasked。
\"Ichoosethelesseroftworides，\"repliedHelen，smiling。
\"Reckonthat\'llbeeasier，butyou\'llknowyou\'vehadaride，\"saidDale，significantly。
\"Whatwasthatwehadyesterday？\"askedBo，archly。
\"Onlythirtymiles，butcoldan\'wet。To-daywillbefineforridin\'。\"
\"Milt，I\'lltakeablanketan\'somegrubincaseyoudon\'tmeetusto-night，\"saidRoy。\"An\'Ireckonwe\'llsplitupherewhereI\'llhavetostrikeoutonthetshortcut。\"
Bomountedwithoutahelpinghand，butHelen\'slimbsweresostiffthatshecouldnotgetastridethehighRangerwithoutassistance。Thehunterheadeduptheslopeofthecanuon，whichonthatsidewasnotsteep。Itwasbrownpineforest，withhereandthereaclumpofdark，silver-pointedevergreensthatRoycalledspruce。BythetimethisslopewassurmountedHelen\'sacheswerenotsobad。Thesaddleappearedtofitherbetter，andthegaitofthehorsewasnotsounfamiliar。Shereflected，however，thatshealwayshaddoneprettywelluphill。Hereitwasbeautifulforest-land，unevenandwilder。Theyrodeforatimealongtherim，withthewhiterushingstreaminplainsightfarbelow，withitsmelodiousroareverthrummingintheear。
Dalereinedinandpeereddownatthepine-mat。
\"Freshdeersignallalonghere，\"hesaid，pointing。
\"Wal，Iseenthetlongago，\"rejoinedRoy。
Helen\'sscrutinywasrewardedbydescryingseveraltinydepressionsinthepine-needles，darkincolorandsharplydefined。
\"Wemaynevergetabetterchance，\"saidDale。\"Thosedeerareworkin\'upourway。Getyourrifleout。\"
Travelwasresumedthen，withRoyalittleinadvanceofthepack-train。Presentlyhedismounted，threwhisbridle，andcautiouslypeeredahead。Then，turning，hewavedhissombrero。Thepack-animalshaltedinabunch。DalebeckonedforthegirlstofollowandrodeuptoRoy\'shorse。Thispoint，Helensaw，wasatthetopofanintersectingcanuon。
Daledismounted，withoutdrawinghisriflefromitssaddle-sheath，andapproachedRoy。
\"Buckan\'twodoes，\"hesaid，low-voiced。\"An\'they\'vewindedus，butdon\'tseeusyet……Girls，rideupcloser。\"
FollowingthedirectionsindicatedbyDale\'slongarm，Helenlookeddowntheslope。Itwasopen，withtallpineshereandthere，andclumpsofsilverspruce，andaspensshininglikegoldinthemorningsunlight。PresentlyBoexclaimed：\"Oh，look！Isee！Isee！\"ThenHelen\'srovingglancepassedsomethingdifferentfromgreenandgoldandbrown。Shiftingbacktoitshesawamagnificentstag，withnoblespreadingantlers，standinglikeastatue，hisheadupinalertandwildposture。Hiscolorwasgray。Besidehimgrazedtwodeerofslighterandmoregracefulbuild，withouthorns。
\"It\'sdownhill，\"whisperedDale。\"An\'you\'regoin\'toovershoot。\"
ThenHelensawthatRoyhadhisrifleleveled。
\"Oh，don\'t！\"shecried。
Dale\'sremarkevidentlynettledRoy。Heloweredtherifle。
\"Milt，it\'smelookin\'overthisgun。Howcanyoustandtherean\'tellmeI\'mgoin\'toshoothigh？Ihadadeadbeadonhim。\"
\"Roy，youdidn\'tallowfordownhill……Hurry。Heseesusnow。\"
Royleveledtherifleand，takingaimasbefore，hefired。
Thebuckstoodperfectlymotionless，asifhehadindeedbeenstone。Thedoes，however，jumpedwithastart，andgazedinfrightineverydirection。
\"Toldyou！Iseenwhereyourbullethitthetpine——halfafootoverhisshoulder。Tryagainan\'aimathislegs。\"
Roynowtookaquickeraimandpulledtrigger。ApuffofdustrightatthefeetofthebuckshowedwhereRoy\'sleadhadstruckthistime。Withasinglebound，wonderfultosee，thebigdeerwasoutofsightbehindtreesandbrush。Thedoesleapedafterhim。
\"Doggonetheluck！\"ejaculatedRoy，redintheface，asheworkedtheleverofhisrifle。\"Nevercouldshootdownhill，nohow！\"
HisruefulapologytothegirlsformissingbroughtamerrylaughfromBo。
\"NotforworldswouldIhavehadyoukillthatbeautifuldeer！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Wewon\'thavevenisonsteakoffhim，that\'scertain，\"
remarkedDale，dryly。\"An\'maybenoneoffanydeer，ifRoydoestheshootin\'。\"
Theyresumedtravel，sheeringofftotherightandkeepingtotheedgeoftheintersectingcanuon。Atlengththeyrodedowntothebottom，whereatinybrookbabbledthroughwillows，andtheyfollowedthisforamileorsodowntowhereitflowedintothelargerstream。Adimtrailovergrownwithgrassshowedatthispoint。
\"Here\'swherewepart，\"saidDale。\"You\'llbeatmeintomycamp，butI\'llgettheresometimeafterdark。\"
\"Hey，Milt，Iforgotaboutthetdarnedpetcougarofyoursan\'therestofyourmenagerie。Reckontheywon\'tscarethegirls？EspeciallyoldTom？\"
\"Youwon\'tseeTomtillIgethome，\"repliedDale。
\"Ain\'thecorralledortiedup？\"
\"No。Hehastherunoftheplace。\"
\"Wal，good-by，then，an\'rustlealong。\"
Dalenoddedtothegirls，and，turninghishorse，hedrovethepack-trainbeforehimuptheopenspacebetweenthestreamandthewoodedslope。
RoysteppedoffhishorsewiththatsingleactionwhichappearedsuchafeattoHelen。
\"GuessI\'dbettercinchup，\"hesaid，ashethrewastirrupupoverthepommelofhissaddle。\"Yougirlsaregoin\'toseewildcountry。\"
\"Who\'soldTom？\"queriedBo，curiously。
\"Why，he\'sMilt\'spetcougar。\"
\"Cougar？That\'sapanther——amountain-lion，didn\'thesay？\"
\"Shoreis。Tomisabeauty。An\'ifhetakesalikin\'toyouhe\'llloveyou，playwithyou，maulyouhalftodeath。\"
Bowasalleyes。
\"Dalehasotherpets，too？\"shequestioned，eagerly。
\"Ineverwasuptohiscampbutwhatitwasoverrunwithbirdsan\'squirrelsan\'verminofallkinds，astameastameascows。Toodarntame，Miltsays。ButIcan\'tfiggerthet。
Yougirlswillneverwanttoleavethetsenacaofhis。\"
\"What\'sasenaca？\"askedHelen，assheshiftedherfoottolethimtightenthecinchesonhersaddle。
\"Thet\'sMexicanforpark，Iguess，\"hereplied。\"Thesemountainsarefullofparks；an\'，say，Idon\'teverwanttoseenoprettierplacetillIgettoheaven……There，Ranger，oldboy，thet\'stight。\"
Heslappedthehorseaffectionately，and，turningtohisown，hesteppedandswunghislonglengthup。
\"Itain\'tdeepcrossin\'here。Comeon，\"hecalled，andspurredhisbay。
Thestreamherewaswideanditlookeddeep，butturnedouttobedeceptive。
\"Wal，girls，herebeginneththesecondlesson，\"hedrawled，cheerily。\"Rideonebehindtheother——stickclosetome——
dowhatIdo——an\'hollerwhenyouwanttorestorifsomethin\'goesbad。\"
Withthathespurredintothethicket。BowentnextandHelenfollowed。ThewillowsdraggedathersohardthatshewasunabletowatchRoy，andtheresultwasthatalow-sweepingbranchofatreeknockedherhardonthehead。
Ithurtandstartledher，androusedhermettle。Roywaskeepingtotheeasytrotthatcoveredgroundsowell，andheledupaslopetotheopenpineforest。Heretherideforseveralmileswasstraight，level，andopen。Helenlikedtheforestto-day。Itwasbrownandgreen，withpatchesofgoldwherethesunstruck。Shesawherfirstbird——bigbluegrousethatwhirredupfromunderherhorse，andlittlecheckeredgrayquailthatappearedawkwardonthewing。
SeveraltimesRoypointedoutdeerflashinggrayacrosssomeforestaisle，andoftenwhenhepointedHelenwasnotquickenoughtosee。
Helenrealizedthatthisridewouldmakeupforthehideousoneofyesterday。Sofarshehadbeenonlybarelyconsciousofsoreplacesandachingbones。Theseshewouldbearwith。
Shelovedthewildandthebeautiful，bothofwhichincreasedmanifestlywitheverymile。Thesunwaswarm，theairfragrantandcool，theskyblueasazureandsodeepthatsheimaginedthatshecouldlookfarupintoit。
SuddenlyRoyreinedinsosharplythathepulledthebayupshort。
\"Look！\"hecalled，sharply。
Boscreamed。
\"Notthetway！Here！Aw，he\'sgone！\"
\"Nell！Itwasabear！Isawit！Oh！notlikecircusbearsatall！\"criedBo。
Helenhadmissedheropportunity。
\"Reckonhewasagrizzly，an\'I\'mjestaswellpleasedthethelopedoff，\"saidRoy。Alteringhiscoursesomewhat，heledtoanoldrottenlogthatthebearhadbeendiggingin。
\"Aftergrubs。There，seehistrack。Hewasawhoppershoreenough。\"
Theyrodeon，outtoahighpointthatoverlookedcanuonandrange，gorgeandridge，greenandblackasfarasHelencouldsee。Therangeswereboldandlong，climbingtothecentraluplift，whereanumberoffringedpeaksraisedtheirheadstothevastbaredomeofOldBaldy。Farasvisioncouldsee，totherightlayonerollingforestofpine，beautifulandserene。Somewheredownbeyondmusthavelainthedesert，butitwasnotinsight。
\"Iseeturkeys\'waydownthere，\"saidRoy，backingaway。
\"We\'llgodownandaroundan\'mebbeI\'llgetashot。\"
Descentbeyondarockypointwasmadethroughthickbrush。
Thisslopeconsistedofwidebenchescoveredwithcopsesandscatteredpinesandmanyoaks。Helenwasdelightedtoseethefamiliartrees，althoughtheseweredifferentfromMissourioaks。Ruggedandgnarled，butnottall，thesetreesspreadwidebranches，theleavesofwhichwereyellowing。
Royledintoagrassyglade，and，leapingoffhishorse，rifleinhand，hepreparedtoshootatsomething。AgainBocriedout，butthistimeitwasindelight。ThenHelensawanimmenseflockofturkeys，apparentlyliketheturkeyssheknewathome，butthesehadbronzeandchecksofwhite，andtheylookedwild。Theremusthavebeenahundredintheflock，mostofthemhens。Afewgobblersonthefarsidebegantheflight，runningswiftlyoff。Helenplainlyheardthethudoftheirfeet。Royshotonce——twice——threetimes。Thenroseagreatcommotion。andthumping，andaloudroarofmanywings。Dustandleaveswhirlingintheairwereleftwheretheturkeyshadbeen。
\"Wal，Igottwo，\"saidRoy，andhestrodeforwardtopickuphisgame。Returning，hetiedtwoshiny，plumpgobblersbackofhissaddleandremountedhishorse。\"We\'llhaveturkeyto-night，ifMiltgetstocampintime。\"
Theridewasresumed。Helenneverwouldhavetiredridingthroughthoseoakgroves，brownandsearandyellow，withleavesandacornsfalling。
\"Bearshavebeenworkin\'inherealready，\"saidRoy。\"Iseetracksallover。Theyeatacornsinthefall。An\'mebbewe\'llrunintooneyet。\"
Thefartherdownheledthewilderandthickergrewthetrees，sothatdodgingbrancheswasnolighttask。Rangerdidnotseemtocarehowclosehepassedatreeorunderalimb，sothathemissedthemhimself；butHelentherebygotsomeadditionalbruises。Particularlyhardwasit，whenpassingatree，togetherkneeoutofthewayintime。
Royhaltednextatwhatappearedalargegreenpondfullofvegetationandinplacescoveredwithathickscum。Butithadacurrentandanoutlet，provingittobeahuge，spring。Roypointeddownatamuddyplace。
\"Bear-wallow。Hehearduscomin\'。Lookatthetlittletrack。
Cubtrack。An\'lookatthesescratchesonthistree，higher\'nmyhead。Anoldshe-bearstoodup，an\'scratchedthem。\"
Roysathissaddleandreacheduptotouchfreshmarksonthetree。
\"Woods\'sfullofbigbears，\"hesaid，grinning。\"An\'Itakeitparticularkindofthisoldsherustlin\'offwithhercub。She-bearswithcubsaredangerous。\"
ThenextplacetostirHelentoenthusiasmwastheglenatthebottomofthiscanuon。Beech-trees，maples，aspens，overtoppedbyloftypines，madedenseshadeoverabrookwheretroutsplashedonthebrown，swirlingcurrent，andleavesdrifteddown，andstrayflecksofgoldensunlightlightenedthegloom。Herewashardridingtoandfroacrossthebrook，betweenhugemossyboulders，andbetweenaspenssoclosetogetherthatHelencouldscarcesqueezeherkneesthrough。
OncemoreRoyclimbedoutofthatcanuon，overaridgeintoanother，downlongwoodedslopesandthroughscrub-oakthickets，onandontillthesunstoodstraightoverhead。
Thenhehaltedforashortrest，unsaddledthehorsestoletthemroll，andgavethegirlssomecoldlunchthathehadpacked。Hestrolledoffwithhisgun，and，uponreturning，resaddledandgavethewordtostart。
Thatwasthelastofrestandeasytravelingforthegirls。
Theforestthathestruckintoseemedribbedlikeawashboardwithdeepravinessosteepofslopeastomakeprecarioustravel。Mostlyhekepttothebottomwheredrywashesaffordedakindoftrail。Butitwasnecessarytocrosstheseravineswhentheyweretoolongtobeheaded，andthiscrossingwaswork。
Thelocustthicketscharacteristicoftheseslopeswerethornyandcloseknit。Theytoreandscratchedandstungbothhorsesandriders。Rangerappearedtobethemostintelligentofthehorsesandsufferedless。Bo\'swhitemustangdraggedherthroughmorethanonebramblyplace。Ontheotherhand，someofthesesteepslopes，werecomparativelyfreeofunderbrush。Greatfirsandpinesloomeduponallsides。Theearthwassoftandthehoofssankdeep。TowardthebottomofadescentRangerwouldbracehisfrontfeetandthenslidedownonhishaunches。Thismodefacilitatedtravel，butitfrightenedHelen。Theclimboutthenontheothersidehadtobedoneonfoot。
AfterhalfadozenslopessurmountedinthiswayHelen\'sstrengthwasspentandherbreathwasgone。Shefeltlight-headed。Shecouldnotgetenoughair。Herfeetfeltlikelead，andherriding-coatwasaburden。Ahundredtimes，hotandwetandthrobbing，shewascompelledtostop。
Alwaysshehadbeenasplendidwalkerandclimber。Andhere，tobreakupthelongride，shewasgladtobeonherfeet。
Butshecouldonlydragonefootupaftertheother。Then，whenhernosebegantobleed，sherealizedthatitwastheelevationwhichwascausingallthetrouble。Herheart，however，didnothurther，thoughshewasconsciousofanoppressiononherbreast。
AtlastRoyledintoaravinesodeepandwideandfullofforestverdurethatitappearedimpossibletocross。
Nevertheless，hestarteddown，dismountingafteralittleway。HelenfoundthatleadingRangerdownwasworsethanridinghim。Hecamefastandhewouldsteprightinhertracks。Shewasnotquickenoughtoget，awayfromhim。
Twicehesteppedonherfoot，andagainhisbroadchesthithershoulderandthrewherflat。Whenhebegantoslide，nearthebottom，Helenhadtorunforherlife。
\"Oh，Nell！Isn\'t——this——great？\"pantedBo，fromsomewhereahead。
\"Bo——your——mind\'s——gone，\"pantedHelen，inreply。
Roytriedseveralplacestoclimbout，andfailedineach。
Leadingdowntheravineforahundredyardsormore，heessayedanotherattempt。Heretherehadbeenaslide，andinparttheearthwasbare。Whenhehadworkedupthis，hehaltedabove，andcalled：
\"Badplace！Keepontheupsideofthehosses！\"
Thisappearedeasiersaidthandone。HelencouldnotwatchBo，becauseRangerwouldnotwait。Hepulledatthebridleandsnorted。
\"Fasteryoucomethebetter，\"calledRoy。
Helencouldnotseethesenseofthat，butshetried。RoyandBohaddugadeeptrailzigzagupthattreacherousslide。Helenmadethemistakeofstartingtofollowintheirtracks，andwhensherealizedthisRangerwasclimbingfast，almostdraggingher，anditwastoolatetogetabove。Helenbegantolabor。ShesliddownrightinfrontofRanger。Theintelligentanimal，withasnort，plungedoutofthetrailtokeepfromsteppingonher。Thenhewasaboveher。
\"Lookoutdownthere，\"yelledRoy，inwarning。\"Getontheupside！\"
Butthatdidnotappearpossible。TheearthbegantoslideunderRanger，andthatimpededHelen\'sprogress。Hegotinadvanceofher，strainingonthebridle。
\"Letgo！\"yelledRoy。
HelendroppedthebridlejustasaheavyslidebegantomovewithRanger。Hesnortedfiercely，and，rearinghigh，inamightyplungehegainedsolidground。Helenwasburiedtoherknees，but，extricatingherself，shecrawledtoasafepointandrestedbeforeclimbingfarther。
\"Badcave-in，thet，\"wasRoy\'scomment，whenatlastshejoinedhimandBoatthetop。
Royappearedatalossastowhichwaytogo。Herodetohighgroundandlookedinalldirections。ToHelen，onewayappearedaswildandroughasanother，andallwasyellow，green，andblackunderthewesteringsun。Royrodeashortdistanceinonedirection，thenchangedforanother。
Presentlyhestopped。
\"Wal，I\'mshoreturnedround，\"hesaid。
\"You\'renotlost？\"criedBo。
\"ReckonI\'vebeenthetforacoupleofhours，\"hereplied，cheerfully。\"NeverdidrideacrosshereIhadthedirection，butI\'mblamednowifIcantellwhichwaythetwas。\"
Helengazedathiminconsternation。
\"Lost！\"sheechoed。
CHAPTERIX
Asilenceensued，fraughtwithpoignantfearforHelen，asshegazedintoBo\'swhiteningface。Shereadhersister\'smind。Bowasrememberingtalesoflostpeoplewhoneverwerefound。
\"Mean\'Miltgetlosteveryday，\"saidRoy。\"Youdon\'tsupposeanymancanknowallthisbigcountry。It\'snothin\'
forustobelost。\"
\"Oh！……IwaslostwhenIwaslittle，\"saidBo。
\"Wal，Ireckonit\'dbeenbetternottotellyousooffhandlike，\"repliedRoy，contritely。\"Don\'tfeelbad，now。AllI
needisapeekatOldBaldy。ThenI\'llhavemybearin\'。Comeon。\"
Helen\'sconfidencereturnedasRoyledoffatafasttrot。
Herodetowardthewesteringsun，keepingtotheridgetheyhadascended，untiloncemorehecameoutuponapromontory。
OldBaldyloomedthere，blackerandhigherandcloser。Thedarkforestshowedround，yellow，barespotslikeparks。
\"Notsofaroffthetrack，\"saidRoy，ashewheeledhishorse。\"We\'llmakecampinMilt\'ssenacato-night。\"
Heleddownofftheridgeintoavalleyandthenuptohigheraltitude，wherethecharacteroftheforestchanged。
Thetreeswerenolongerpines，butfirsandspruce，growingthinandexceedinglytall，withfewbranchesbelowthetopmostfoliage。Sodensewasthisforestthattwilightseemedtohavecome。
Travelwasarduous。Everywherewerewindfallsthathadtobeavoided，andnotarodwastherewithoutafallentree。Thehorses，laboringslowly，sometimessankknee-deepintothebrownduff。Graymossfestoonedthetree-trunksandanamber-greenmossgrewthickontherottinglogs。
Helenlovedthisforestprimeval。Itwassostill，sodark，sogloomy，sofullofshadowsandshade，andadanksmellofrottingwood，andsweetfragranceofspruce。Thegreatwindfalls，wheretreeswerejammedtogetherindozens，showedthesavageryofthestorms。Whereverasinglemonarchlayuprootedtherehadsprungupanumberofambitioussons，jealousofoneanother，fightingforplace。Eventhetreesfoughtoneanother！Theforestwasaplaceofmystery，butitsstrifecouldbereadbyanyeye。Thelightningshadsplitfirscleartotheroots，andothersithadcircledwithrippingtearfromtoptotrunk。
Timecame，however，whentheexceedingwildnessoftheforest，indensityandfallentimber，madeitimperativeforHelentoputallherattentiononthegroundandtreesinherimmediatevicinity。Sothepleasureofgazingaheadatthebeautifulwildernesswasdeniedher。Thereaftertravelbecametoilandthehoursendless。
Royledon，andRangerfollowed，whiletheshadowsdarkenedunderthetrees。Shewasreelinginhersaddle，halfblindandsick，whenRoycalledoutcheerilythattheywerealmostthere。
Whateverhisideawas，toHelenitseemedmanymilesthatshefollowedhimfarther，outoftheheavy-timberedforestdownuponslopesoflowspruce，likeevergreen，whichdescendedsharplytoanotherlevel，wheredark，shallowstreamsflowedgentlyandthesolemnstillnessheldalowmurmuroffallingwater，andatlastthewoodendeduponawonderfulparkfullofathick，rich，goldenlightoffast-fadingsunset。
\"Smellthesmoke，\"saidRoy。\"BySolomon！ifMiltain\'thereaheadofme！\"
Herodeon。Helen\'swearygazetookintheroundsenaca，thecirclingblackslopes，leadinguptocraggyrimsallgoldandredinthelastflareofthesun；thenallthespiritleftinherflashedupinthrillingwonderatthisexquisite，wild，andcolorfulspot。
Horsesweregrazingoutinthelonggrassandthereweredeergrazingwiththem。Royledroundacornerofthefringed，borderingwoodland，andthere，underloftytrees，shoneacamp-fire。Hugegrayrocksloomedbeyond，andthencliffsrosestepbysteptoanotchinthemountainwall，overwhichpouredathin，lacywaterfall。AsHelengazedinrapturethesunsetgoldfadedtowhiteandallthewesternslopeoftheamphitheaterdarkened。
Dale\'stallformappeared。
\"Reckonyou\'relate，\"hesaid，aswithacomprehensiveflashofeyehetookinthethree。
\"Milt，Igotlost，\"repliedRoy。
\"Ifearedasmuch……Yougirlslooklikeyou\'ddonebettertoridewithme，\"wentonDale，asheofferedahandtohelpBooff。Shetookit，triedtogetherfootoutofthestirrups，andthensheslidfromthesaddleintoDale\'sarms。Heplacedheronherfeetand，supportingher，said，solicitously：\"Ahundred-milerideinthreedaysforatenderfootissomethin\'youruncleAlwon\'tbelieve……
Come，walkifitkillsyou！\"
WhereuponheledBo，verymuchasifhewereteachingachildtowalk。ThefactthatthevolubleBohadnothingtosaywassignificanttoHelen，whowasfollowing，withtheassistanceofRoy。
Oneofthehugerocksresembledasea-shellinthatitcontainedahollowoverwhichthewide-spreadingshelfflaredout。Itreachedtowardbranchesofgreatpines。A
springburstfromacrackinthesolidrock。Thecampfireblazedunderapine，andthebluecolumnofsmokerosejustinfrontoftheshelvingrock。Packswerelyingonthegrassandsomeofthemwereopen。Therewerenosignshereofapermanenthabitationofthehunter。Butfartheronwereotherhugerocks，leaning，cracked，andformingcaverns，someofwhichperhapsheutilized。
\"Mycampisjustback，\"saidDale，asifhehadreadHelen\'smind。\"To-morrowwe\'llfixupcomfortable-likeroundhereforyougirls。\"
HelenandBoweremadeaseasyasblanketsandsaddlescouldmakethem，andthemenwentabouttheirtasks。
\"Nell——isn\'tthis——adream？\"murmuredBo。
\"No，child。It\'sreal——terriblyreal，\"repliedHelen。\"Nowthatwe\'rehere——withthatawfulrideover——wecanthink。\"
\"It\'ssopretty——here，\"yawnedBo。\"I\'djustasliefUncleAldidn\'tfindusverysoon。\"
\"Bo！He\'sasickman。Thinkwhattheworrywillbetohim。\"
\"I\'llbetifheknowsDalehewon\'tbesoworried。\"
\"DaletoldusUncleAldislikedhim。\"
\"Pooh！Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？……Oh，Idon\'tknowwhichIam——hungrierortireder！\"
\"Icouldn\'teatto-night，\"saidHelen，wearily。
Whenshestretchedoutshehadavague，delicioussensationthatthatwastheendofHelenRayner，andshewasglad。
Aboveher，throughthelacy，fernlikepine-needles，shesawblueskyandapalestarjustshowing。Twilightwasstealingdownswiftly。Thesilencewasbeautiful，seeminglyundisturbedbythesoft，silky，dreamyfallofwater。Helenclosedhereyes，readyforsleep，withthephysicalcommotionwithinherbodygraduallyyielding。Insomeplacesherbonesfeltasiftheyhadcomeoutthroughherflesh；inothersthrobbeddeep-seatedaches；hermusclesappearedslowlytosubside，torelax，withthequiveringtwingesceasingonebyone；throughmuscleandbone，throughallherbody，pulsedaburningcurrent。
Bo\'sheaddroppedonHelen\'sshoulder。SensebecamevaguetoHelen。Shelostthelowmurmurofthewaterfall，andthenthesoundorfeelingofsomeoneatthecampfire。Andherlastconsciousthoughtwasthatshetriedtoopenhereyesandcouldnot。
Whensheawokeallwasbright。Thesunshonealmostdirectlyoverhead。Helenwasastounded。Bolaywrappedindeepsleep，herfaceflushed，withbeadsofperspirationonherbrowandthechestnutcurlsdamp。Helenthrewdowntheblankets，andthen，gatheringcourage——forshefeltasifherbackwasbroken——sheendeavoredtositup。Invain！Herspiritwaswilling，buthermusclesrefusedtoact。Itmusttakeaviolentspasmodiceffort。Shetrieditwithshuteyes，and，succeeding，sattheretrembling。ThecommotionshehadmadeintheblanketsawokeBo，andsheblinkedhersurprisedblueeyesinthesunlight。
\"Hello——Nell！doIhaveto——getup？\"sheasked，sleepily。
\"Canyou？\"queriedHelen。
\"CanIwhat？\"Bowasnowthoroughlyawakeandlaytherestaringathersister。
\"Why——getup。\"
\"I\'dliketoknowwhynot，\"retortedBo，asshemadetheeffort。Shegotonearmandshoulderup，onlytoflopbacklikeacrippledthing。Andsheutteredthemostpiteouslittlemoan。\"I\'mdead！Iknow——Iam！\"
\"Well，ifyou\'regoingtobeaWesterngirlyou\'dbetterhavespunkenoughtomove。\"
\"A-huh！\"ejaculatedBo。Thensherolledover，notwithoutgroans，and，onceuponherface，sheraisedherselfonherhandsandturnedtoasittingposture。\"Where\'severybody？……Oh，Nell，it\'sperfectlylovelyhere。Paradise！\"
Helenlookedaround。Afirewassmoldering。Noonewasinsight。Wonderfuldistantcolorsseemedtostrikeherglanceasshetriedtofixituponnear-byobjects。Abeautifullittlegreententorshackhadbeenerectedoutofspruceboughs。Ithadaslantingroofthatslopedallthewayfromaridge-poletotheground；halfoftheopeninginfrontwasclosed，aswerethesides。Thespruceboughsappearedalltobelaidinthesamedirection，givingitasmooth，compactappearance，actuallyasifithadgrownthere。
\"Thatlean-towasn\'ttherelastnight？\"inquiredBo。
\"Ididn\'tseeit。Lean-to？Where\'dyougetthatname？\"
\"It\'sWestern，mydear。I\'llbettheyputitupforus……Sure，Iseeourbagsinside。Let\'sgetup。Itmustbelate。\"