Thegirlshadconsiderablefunaswellaspainingettingupandkeepingeachothererectuntiltheirlimbswouldholdthemfirmly。Theyweredelightedwiththesprucelean-to。Itfacedtheopenandstoodjustunderthewide-spreadingshelfofrock。Thetinyoutletfromthespringflowedbesideitandspilleditsclearwateroverastone，tofallintoalittlepool。Thefloorofthiswoodlandhabitationconsistedoftipsofspruceboughstoaboutafootindepth，alllaidoneway，smoothandspringy，andsosweetlyodorousthattheairseemedintoxicating。HelenandBoopenedtheirbaggage，andwhatwithuseofthecoldwater，brushandcomb，andcleanblouses，theymadethemselvesfeelascomfortableaspossible，consideringtheexcruciatingaches。Thentheywentouttothecampfire。
Helen\'seyewasattractedbymovingobjectsnearathand。
ThensimultaneouslywithBo\'scryofdelightHelensawabeautifuldoeapproachingunderthetrees。Dalewalkedbesideit。
\"Yousurehadalongsleep，\"wasthehunter\'sgreeting。\"I
reckonyoubothlookbetter。\"
\"Goodmorning。Orisitafternoon？We\'rejustabletomoveabout，\"saidHelen。
\"Icouldride，\"declaredBo，stoutly。\"Oh，Nell，lookatthedeer！It\'scomingtome。\"
ThedoehadhungbackalittleasDalereachedthecamp-fire。Itwasagray，slendercreature，smoothassilk，withgreatdarkeyes。Itstoodamoment，longearserect，andthenwithagracefullittletrotcameuptoBoandreachedaslimnoseforheroutstretchedhand。Allaboutit，exceptthebeautifulsofteyes，seemedwild，andyetitwasastameasakitten。Then，suddenly，asBofondledthelongears，itgaveastartand，breakingaway，ranbackoutofsightunderthepines。
\"Whatfrightenedit？\"askedBo。
Dalepointedupatthewallundertheshelvingroofofrock。
There，twentyfeetfromtheground，curleduponaledge，layahugetawnyanimalwithafacelikethatofacat。
\"She\'safraidofTom，\"repliedDale。\"Recognizeshimasahereditaryfoe，Iguess。Ican\'tmakefriendsofthem。\"
\"Oh！Sothat\'sTom——thepetlion！\"exclaimedBo。\"Ugh！Nowonderthatdeerranoff！\"
\"Howlonghashebeenupthere？\"queriedHelen，gazingfascinatedatDale\'sfamouspet。
\"Icouldn\'tsay。Tomcomesan\'goes，\"repliedDale。\"ButI
senthimuptherelastnight。\"
\"Andhewasthere——perfectlyfree——rightoverus——
whileweslept！\"burstoutBo。
\"Yes。An\'Ireckonyousleptthesaferforthat。\"
\"Ofallthings！Nell，isn\'theamonster？Buthedoesn\'tlooklikealion——anAfricanlion。He\'sapanther。Isawhislikeatthecircusonce。\"
\"He\'sacougar，\"saidDale。\"Thepantherislongandslim。
Tomisnotonlylong，butthickan\'round。I\'vehadhimfouryears。An\'hewasakittennobigger\'nmyfistwhenIgothim。\"
\"Isheperfectlytame——safe？\"askedHelen，anxiously。
\"I\'venevertoldanybodythatTomwassafe，butheis，\"
repliedDale。\"Youcanabsolutelybelieveit。Awildcougarwouldn\'tattackamanunlesscorneredorstarved。An\'Tomislikeabigkitten。\"
Thebeastraisedhisgreatcatlikeface，withitssleepy，half-shuteyes，andlookeddownuponthem。
\"ShallIcallhimdown？\"inquiredDale。
ForonceBodidnotfindhervoice。
\"Letus——getalittlemoreusedtohim——atadistance，\"
repliedHelen，withalittlelaugh。
\"Ifhecomestoyou，justrubhisheadan\'you\'llseehowtameheis，\"saidDale。\"Reckonyou\'rebothhungry？\"
\"Notsovery，\"returnedHelen，awareofhispenetratinggraygazeuponher。
\"Well，Iam，\"vouchsafedBo。
\"Soonastheturkey\'sdonewe\'lleat。Mycampisroundbetweentherocks。I\'llcallyou。\"
NotuntilhisbroadbackwasturneddidHelennoticethatthehunterlookeddifferent。Thenshesawheworealighter，cleanersuitofbuckskin，withnocoat，andinsteadofthehigh-heeledhorseman\'sbootsheworemoccasinsandleggings。
Thechangemadehimappearmorelithe。
\"Nell，Idon\'tknowwhatyouthink，but_I_callhimhandsome，\"declaredBo。
Helenhadnoideawhatshethought。
\"Let\'strytowalksome，\"shesuggested。
Sotheyessayedthatpainfultaskandgotasfarasapinelogsomefewrodsfromtheircamp。Thispointwasclosetotheedgeofthepark，fromwhichtherewasanunobstructedview。
\"My！Whataplace！\"exclaimedBo，witheyeswideandround。
\"Oh，beautiful！\"breathedHelen。
Anunexpectedblazeofcolordrewhergazefirst。Outoftheblackspruceslopesshonepatchesofaspens，gloriouslyredandgold，andlowdownalongtheedgeoftimbertroopsofaspensranoutintothepark，notyetsoblazingasthoseabove，butpurpleandyellowandwhiteinthesunshine。
Massesofsilverspruce，liketreesinmoonlight，borderedthepark，sendingouthereandthereanisolatedtree，sharpasaspear，withunder-branchesclosetotheground。Longgolden-greengrass，resemblinghalf-ripewheat，coveredtheentirefloorofthepark，gentlywavingtothewind。Abovesheeredtheblack，gold-patchedslopes，steepandunscalable，risingtobuttressesofdark，iron-huedrock。
Andtotheeastcircledtherowsofcliff-bench，grayandoldandfringed，splittingatthetopinthenotchwherethelacy，slumberouswaterfall，likewhitesmoke，fellandvanished，toreappearinwidersheetoflace，onlytofallandvanishagaininthegreendepths。
Itwasaverdantvalley，deep-setinthemountainwalls，wildandsadandlonesome。Thewaterfalldominatedthespiritoftheplace，dreamyandsleepyandtranquil；itmurmuredsweetlyononebreathofwind，andlulledwithanother，andsometimesdiedoutaltogether，onlytocomeagaininsoft，strangeroar。
\"ParadisePark！\"whisperedBotoherself。
AcallfromDaledisturbedtheirraptures。Turning，theyhobbledwitheagerbutpainfulstepsinthedirectionofalargercamp-fire，situatedtotherightofthegreatrockthatshelteredtheirlean-to。Nohutorhouseshowedthereandnonewasneeded。Hiding-placesandhomesforahundredhunterswerethereinthesectionsofcavernedcliffs，splitoffinbygoneagesfromthemountainwallabove。Afewstatelypinesstoodoutfromtherocks，andaclumpofsilversprucerandowntoabrownbrook。Thiscampwasonlyastepfromthelean-to，roundthecornerofahugerock，yetithadbeenoutofsight。Hereindeedwasevidenceofahunter\'shome——peltsandskinsandantlers，aneatpileofsplitfire-wood，alongledgeofrock，wellsheltered，andloadedwithbagslikeahugepantry-shelf，packsandropesandsaddles，toolsandweapons，andaplatformofdrybrushasshelterforafirearoundwhichhungonpolesavariousassortmentofutensilsforcamp。
\"Hyar——yougit！\"shoutedDale，andhethrewastickatsomething。Abearcubscamperedawayinhaste。Hewassmallandwoollyandbrown，andhegruntedasheran。Soonhehalted。
\"That\'sBud，\"saidDale，asthegirlscameup。\"Guesshenearstarvedinmyabsence。An\'nowhewantseverythin\'，especiallythesugar。Wedon\'thavesugaroftenuphere。\"
\"Isn\'thedear？Oh，Ilovehim！\"criedBo。\"Comeback，Bud。
Come，Buddie。\"
Thecub，however，kepthisdistance，watchingDalewithbrightlittleeyes。
\"Where\'sMr。Roy？\"askedHelen。
\"Roy\'sgone。Hewassorrynottosaygood-by。Butit\'simportanthegetsdowninthepinesonAnson\'strail。He\'llhangtoAnson，an\'incasetheygetnearPinehe\'llrideintoseewhereyouruncleis。\"
\"Whatdoyouexpect？\"questionedHelen，gravely。
\"\'Mostanythin\'，\"hereplied。\"Al，Ireckon，knowsnow。
Maybehe\'srustlin\'intothemountainsbythistime。IfhemeetsupwithAnson，wellan\'good，forRoywon\'tbefaroff。An\'sureifherunsacrossRoy，whythey\'llsoonbehere。ButifIwereyouIwouldn\'tcountonseein\'youruncleverysoon。I\'msorry。I\'vedonemybest。Itsureisabaddeal。\"
\"Don\'tthinkmeungracious，\"repliedHelen，hastily。Howplainlyhehadintimatedthatitmustbeprivationandannoyanceforhertobecompelledtoaccepthishospitality！
\"Youaregood——kind。Ioweyoumuch。I\'llbeeternallygrateful。\"
Dalestraightenedashelookedather。Hisglancewasintent，piercing。Heseemedtobereceivingastrangeorunusualportent。Noneedforhimtosayhehadneverbeforebeenspokentolikethat！
\"Youmayhavetostayherewithme——forweeks——maybemonths——ifwe\'vethebadlucktogetsnowedin，\"hesaid，slowly，asifstartledatthisdeduction。\"You\'resafehere。
Nosheep-thiefcouldeverfindthiscamp。I\'lltakeriskstogetyousafeintoAl\'shands。ButI\'mgoin\'tobeprettysureaboutwhatI\'mdoin\'……So——there\'splentytoeatan\'it\'saprettyplace。\"
\"Pretty！Why，it\'sgrand！\"exclaimedBo。\"I\'vecalleditParadisePark。\"
\"ParadisePark，\"herepeated，weighingthewords。\"You\'venameditan\'alsothecreek。ParadiseCreek！I\'vebeenheretwelveyearswithnofitnameformyhometillyousaidthat。\"
\"Oh，thatpleasesme！\"returnedBo，withshiningeyes。
\"Eatnow，\"saidDale。\"An\'Ireckonyou\'lllikethatturkey。\"
Therewasacleantarpaulinuponwhichwerespreadsteaming，fragrantpans——roastturkey，hotbiscuitsandgravy，mashedpotatoesaswhiteasifpreparedathome，steweddriedapples，andbutterandcoffee。Thisbounteousrepastsurprisedanddelightedthegirls；whentheyhadoncetastedtheroastwildturkey，thenMiltDalehadoccasiontoblushattheirencomiums。
\"Ihope——UncleAl——doesn\'tcomeforamonth，\"declaredBo，asshetriedtogetherbreath。Therewasabrownspotonhernoseandoneoneachcheek，suspiciouslyclosetohermouth。
Dalelaughed。Itwaspleasanttohearhim，forhislaughseemedunusedanddeep，asifitcamefromtranquildepths。
\"Won\'tyoueatwithus？\"askedHelen。
\"ReckonIwill，\"hesaid。\"it\'llsavetime，an\'hotgrubtastesbetter。\"
Quiteanintervalofsilenceensued，whichpresentlywasbrokenbyDale。
\"HerecomesTom。\"
Helenobservedwithathrillthatthecougarwasmagnificent，seenerectonall-fours，approachingwithslow，sinuousgrace。Hiscolorwastawny，withspotsofwhitishgray。Hehadbow-legs，bigandroundandfurry，andahugeheadwithgreattawnyeyes。Nomatterhowtamehewassaidtobe，helookedwild。Likeadoghewalkedrightup，anditsohappenedthathewasdirectlybehindBo，withinreachofherwhensheturned。
\"Oh，Lord！\"criedBo，andupwentbothofherhands，inoneofwhichwasahugepieceofturkey。Tomtookit，notviciously，butneverthelesswithasnapthatmadeHelenjump。Asifbymagictheturkeyvanished。AndTomtookaclosersteptowardBo。Herexpressionoffrightchangedtoconsternation。
\"Hestolemyturkey！\"
\"Tom，comehere，\"orderedDale，sharply。Thecougarglidedroundrathersheepishly。\"Nowliedownan\'behave。\"
Tomcrouchedonall-fours，hisheadrestingonhispaws，withhisbeautifultawnyeyes，lightandpiercing，fixeduponthehunter。
\"Don\'tgrab，\"saidDale，holdingoutapieceofturkey。
WhereuponTomtookitlessvoraciously。
Asithappened，thelittlebearcubsawthistransaction，andheplainlyindicatedhisopinionofthepreferenceshowntoTom。
\"Oh，thedear！\"exclaimedBo。\"Hemeansit\'snotfair……
Come，Bud——comeon。\"
ButBudwouldnotapproachthegroupuntilcalledbyDale。
Thenhescrambledtothemwitheverymanifestationofdelight。Boalmostforgotherownneedsinfeedinghimandgettingacquaintedwithhim。TomplainlyshowedhisjealousyofBud，andBudlikewiseshowedhisfearofthegreatcat。
Helencouldnotbelievetheevidenceofhereyes——thatshewasinthewoodscalmlyandhungrilypartakingofsweet，wild-flavoredmeat——thatafull-grownmountainlionlayononesideofherandababybrownbearsatontheother——
thatastrangehunter，amanoftheforest，thereinhislonelyandisolatedfastness，appealedtotheromanceinherandinterestedherasnooneelseshehadevermet。
WhenthewonderfulmealwasatlastfinishedBoenticedthebearcubaroundtothecampofthegirls，andtheresoonbecamegreatcomradeswithhim。Helen，watchingBoplay，wasinclinedtoenvyher。NomatterwhereBowasplaced，shealwaysgotsomethingoutofit。Sheadaptedherself。She，whocouldhaveagoodtimewithalmostanyoneoranything，wouldfindthehourssweetandfleetinginthisbeautifulparkofwildwonders。
Butmerelyobjectiveactions——merelyphysicalmovements，hadneveryetcontentedHelen。Shecouldrunandclimbandrideandplaywithheartyandhealthyabandon，butthosethingswouldnotsufficelongforher，andhermindneededfood。Helenwasathinker。OnereasonshehaddesiredtomakeherhomeintheWestwasthatbytakingupalifeoftheopen，ofaction，shemightthinkanddreamandbroodless。AndhereshewasinthewildWest，afterthethreemoststrenuouslyactivedaysofhercareer，andstillthesameoldgiantrevolvedhermindandturnedituponherselfanduponallshesaw。
\"WhatcanIdo？\"sheaskedBo，almosthelplessly。
\"Why，rest，yousilly！\"retortedBo。\"Youwalklikeanold，crippledwomanwithonlyoneleg。\"
Helenhopedthecomparisonwasundeserved，buttheadvicewassound。Theblanketsspreadoutonthegrasslookedinvitingandtheyfeltcomfortablywarminthesunshine。Thebreezewasslow，languorous，fragrant，anditbroughtthelowhumofthemurmuringwaterfall，likeamelodyofbees。
Helenmadeapillowandlaydowntorest。Thegreenpine-needles，sothinandfineintheircrisscrossnetwork，showedclearlyagainstthebluesky。Shelookedinvainforbirds。Thenhergazewent。wonderinglytotheloftyfringedrimofthegreatamphitheater，andasshestudieditshebegantograspitsremoteness，howfarawayitwasintherarefiedatmosphere。Ablackeagle，sweepingalong，lookedoftinysize，andyethewasfarundertheheightsabove。
Howpleasantshefanciedittobeupthere！Anddrowsyfancylulledhertosleep。
Helensleptallafternoon，anduponawakening，towardsunset，foundBocurledbesideher。Dalehadthoughtfullycoveredthemwithablanket；alsohehadbuiltacamp-fire。
Theairwasgrowingkeenandcold。
Later，whentheyhadputtheircoatsonandmadecomfortableseatsbesidethefire，Dalecameover，apparentlytovisitthem。
\"Ireckonyoucan\'tsleepallthetime，\"hesaid。\"An\'bein\'
citygirls，you\'llgetlonesome。\"
\"Lonesome！\"echoedHelen。Theideaofherbeinglonesomeherehadnotoccurredtoher。
\"I\'vethoughtthatallout，\"wentonDale，ashesatdown，Indianfashion，beforetheblaze。\"It\'snaturalyou\'dfindtimedraguphere，bein\'usedtolotsofpeoplean\'
goin\'s-on，an\'work，an\'allgirlslike。\"
\"I\'dneverbelonesomehere，\"repliedHelen，withherdirectforce。
Daledidnotbetraysurprise，butheshowedthathismistakewassomethingtoponderover。
\"Excuseme，\"hesaid，presently，ashisgrayeyesheldhers。
\"That\'showIhadit。AsIremembergirls——an\'itdoesn\'tseemlongsinceIlefthome——mostofthemwoulddieoflonesomenessuphere。\"ThenheaddressedhimselftoBo。\"Howaboutyou？Yousee，Ifiguredyou\'dbetheonethatlikedit，an\'yoursistertheonewhowouldn\'t。\"
\"Iwon\'tgetlonesomeverysoon，\"repliedBo。
\"I\'mglad。Itworriedmesome——noteverhavin\'girlsascompanybefore。An\'inadayorso，whenyou\'rerested，I\'llhelpyoupassthetime。\"
Bo\'seyeswerefullofflashinginterest，andHelenaskedhim，\"How？\"
Itwasasincereexpressionofhercuriosityandnotdoubtfulorironicchallengeofaneducatedwomantoamanoftheforest。Butasachallengehetookit。
\"How！\"herepeated，andastrangesmileflittedacrosshisface。\"Why，bygivin\'youridesan\'climbstobeautifulplaces。An\'then，ifyou\'reinterested，\'toshowyouhowlittleso-calledcivilizedpeopleknowofnature。\"
Helenrealizedthenthatwhateverhiscalling，hunterorwandererorhermit，hewasnotuneducated，evenifheappearedilliterate。
\"I\'llbehappytolearnfromyou，\"shesaid。
\"Me，too！\"chimedinBo。\"Youcan\'ttelltoomuchtoanyonefromMissouri。\"
Hesmiled，andthatwarmedHelentohim，forthenheseemedlessremovedfromotherpeople。Aboutthishuntertherebegantobesomethingoftheverynatureofwhichhespoke——astillness，aloofness，anunbreakabletranquillity，acold，clearspiritlikethatinthemountainair，aphysicalsomethingnotunlikethetamedwildnessofhispetsorthestrengthofthepines。
\"I\'llbetIcantellyoumore\'nyou\'lleverremember，\"hesaid。
\"What\'llyoubet？\"retortedBo。
\"Well，moreroastturkeyagainst——saysomethin\'nicewhenyou\'resafean\'hometoyouruncleAl\'s，runnin\'hisranch。\"
\"Agreed。Nell，youhear？\"
Helennoddedherhead。
\"Allright。We\'llleaveittoNell，\"beganDale，halfseriously。\"NowI\'lltellyou，first，forthefunofpassin\'
timewe\'llridean\'racemyhorsesoutinthepark。An\'
we\'llfishinthebrooksan\'huntinthewoods。There\'sanoldsilvertiparoundthatyoucanseemekill。An\'we\'llclimbtothepeaksan\'seewonderfulsights……Somuchforthat。Now，ifyoureallywanttolearn——orifyouonlywantmetotellyou——well，that\'snomatter。OnlyI\'llwinthebet！……You\'llseehowthisparkliesinthecraterofavolcanoan\'wasoncefullofwater——an\'howthesnowblowsinononesideinwinter，ahundredfeetdeep，whenthere\'snoneontheother。An\'thetrees——howtheygrowan\'livean\'fightoneanotheran\'dependononeanother，an\'protecttheforestfromstorm-winds。An\'howtheyholdthewaterthatisthefountainsofthegreatrivers。An\'howthecreaturesan\'thingsthatliveinthemoronthemaregoodforthem，an\'neithercouldlivewithouttheother。An\'
thenI\'llshowyoumypetstamean\'untamed，an\'tellyouhowit\'smanthatmakesanycreaturewild——howeasytheyaretotame——an\'howtheylearntoloveyou。An\'there\'sthelifeoftheforest，thestrifeofit——howthebearlives，an\'thecats，an\'thewolves，an\'thedeer。You\'llseehowcruelnatureishowsavagean\'wildthewolforcougartearsdownthedeer——howawolflovesfresh，hotblood，an\'howacougarunrollstheskinofadeerbackfromhisneck。An\'you\'llseethatthiscrueltyofnature——thisworkofthewolfan\'cougar——iswhatmakesthedeersobeautifulan\'healthyan\'swiftan\'sensitive。Withouthisdeadlyfoesthedeerwoulddeterioratean\'dieout。An\'
you\'llseehowthisprincipleworksoutamongallcreaturesoftheforest。Strife！It\'sthemeanin\'ofallcreation，an\'
thesalvation。Ifyou\'requicktosee，you\'lllearnthatthenaturehereinthewildsisthesameasthatofmen——onlymenarenolongercannibals。Treesfighttolive——birdsfight——animalsfight——menfight。Theyallliveoffoneanother。An\'it\'sthisfightin\'thatbringsthemallcloseran\'closertobein\'perfect。Butnothin\'willeverbeperfect。\"
\"Buthowaboutreligion？\"interruptedHelen，earnestly。
\"Naturehasareligion，an\'it\'stolive——togrow——toreproduce，eachofitskind。\"
\"ButthatisnotGodortheimmortalityofthesoul，\"
declaredHelen。
\"Well，it\'sasclosetoGodan\'immortalityasnatureevergets。\"
\"Oh，youwouldrobmeofmyreligion！\"
\"No，IjusttalkasIseelife，\"repliedDale，reflectively，ashepokedastickintotheredembersofthefire。\"MaybeIhaveareligion。Idon\'tknow。Butit\'snotthekindyouhave——nottheBiblekind。Thatkinddoesn\'tkeepthemeninPinean\'Snowdropan\'allover——sheepmenan\'ranchersan\'farmersan\'travelers，suchasI\'veknown——thereligiontheyprofessdoesn\'tkeepthemfromlyin\'，cheatin\'，stealin\'，an\'killin\'。IreckonnomanwholivesasIdo——whichperhapsismyreligion——willlieorcheatorstealorkill，unlessit\'stokillinself-defenseorlikeI\'ddoifSnakeAnsonwouldrideupherenow。Myreligion，maybe，isloveoflife——wildlifeasitwasinthebeginnin\'——an\'thewindthatblowssecretsfromeverywhere，an\'thewaterthatsingsalldayan\'night，an\'
thestarsthatshineconstant，an\'thetreesthatspeaksomehow，an\'therocksthataren\'tdead。I\'mneveralonehereoronthetrails。There\'ssomethin\'unseen，butalwayswithme。An\'that\'sIt！CallitGodifyoulike。Butwhatstallsmeis——wherewasthatSpiritwhenthisearthwasaballoffierygas？WherewillthatSpiritbewhenalllifeisfrozenoutorburnedoutonthisglobean\'ithangsdeadinspacelikethemoon？Thattimewillcome。There\'snowasteinnature。Notthelittlestatomisdestroyed。Itchanges，that\'sall，asyouseethispinewoodgoupinsmokean\'feelsomethin\'that\'sheatcomeoutofit。Wheredoesthatgo？It\'snotlost。Nothin\'islost。So，thebeautifulan\'savin\'thoughtis，maybeallrockan\'wood，wateran\'bloodan\'flesh，areresolvedbackintotheelements，tocometolifesomewhereagainsometime。\"
\"Oh，whatyousayiswonderful，butit\'sterrible！\"
exclaimedHelen。Hehadstruckdeepintohersoul。
\"Terrible？Ireckon，\"hereplied，sadly。
Thenensuedalittleintervalofsilence。
\"MiltDale，Ilosethebet，\"declaredBo，withearnestnessbehindherfrivolity。
\"I\'dforgottenthat。ReckonItalkedalot，\"hesaid，apologetically。\"Yousee，Idon\'tgetmuchchancetotalk，excepttomyselforTom。Yearsago，whenIfoundthehabitofsilencesettlin\'downonme，Itooktothinkin\'outloudan\'talkin\'toanythin\'。\"
\"Icouldlistentoyouallnight，\"returnedBo，dreamily。
\"Doyouread——doyouhavebooks？\"inquiredHelen，suddenly。
\"Yes，Ireadtolerablewell；agooddealbetterthanItalkorwrite，\"hereplied。\"IwenttoschooltillIwasfifteen。
Alwayshatedstudy，butlikedtoread。YearsagoanoldfriendofminedownhereatPine——WidowCass——shegavemealotofoldbooks。An\'Ipackedthemuphere。Winter\'sthetimeIread。\"
Conversationlaggedafterthat，exceptfordesultoryremarks，andpresentlyDalebadethegirlsgoodnightandleftthem。Helenwatchedhistallformvanishinthegloomunderthepines，andafterhehaddisappearedshestillstared。
\"Nell！\"calledBo，shrilly。\"I\'vecalledyouthreetimes。I
wanttogotobed。\"
\"Oh！I——Iwasthinking，\"rejoinedHelen，halfembarrassed，halfwonderingatherself。\"Ididn\'thearyou。\"
\"Ishouldsmileyoudidn\'t，\"retortedBo。\"Wishyoucouldjusthaveseenyoureyes。Nell，doyouwantmetotellyousomething？
\"Why——yes，\"saidHelen，ratherfeebly。Shedidnotatall，whenBotalkedlikethat。
\"You\'regoingtofallinlovewiththatwildhunter，\"
declaredBoinavoicethatranglikeabell。
Helenwasnotonlyamazed，butenraged。Shecaughtherbreathpreparatorytogivingthisincorrigiblesisterapieceofhermind。Bowentcalmlyon。
\"Icanfeelitinmybones。\"
\"Bo，you\'realittlefool——asentimental，romancing，gushylittlefool！\"retortedHelen。\"Allyouseemtoholdinyourheadissomerotaboutlove。Tohearyoutalkonewouldthinkthere\'snothingelseintheworldbutlove。\"
Bo\'seyeswerebright，shrewd，affectionate，andlaughingasshebenttheirsteadygazeuponHelen。
\"Nell，that\'sjustit。ThereISnothingelse！\"
CHAPTERX
ThenightofsleepwassoshortthatitwasdifficultforHelentobelievethathourshadpassed。Boappearedlivelierthismorning，withlesscomplaintofaches。
\"Nell，you\'vegotcolor！\"exclaimedBo。\"Andyoureyesarebright。Isn\'tthemorningperfectlylovely？……Couldn\'tyougetdrunkonthatair？Ismellflowers。Andoh！I\'mhungry！\"
\"Bo，ourhostwillsoonhaveneedofhishuntingabilitiesifyourappetiteholds，\"saidHelen，asshetriedtokeepherhairoutofhereyeswhileshelacedherboots。
\"Look！there\'sabigdog——ahound。\"
HelenlookedasBodirected，andsawahoundofunusuallylargeproportions，blackandtanincolor，withlong，droopingears。Curiouslyhetrottednearertothedooroftheirhutandthenstoppedtogazeatthem。Hisheadwasnoble，hiseyesshonedarkandsad。Heseemedneitherfriendlynorunfriendly。
\"Hello，doggie！Comerightin——wewon\'thurtyou，\"calledBo，butwithoutenthusiasm。
ThismadeHelenlaugh。\"Bo，you\'resimplydelicious，\"shesaid。\"You\'reafraidofthatdog。\"
\"Sure。Wonderifhe\'sDale\'s。Ofcoursehemustbe。\"
Presentlythehoundtrottedawayoutofsight。Whenthegirlspresentedthemselvesatthecamp-firetheyespiedtheircuriouscaninevisitorlyingdown。Hisearsweresolongthathalfofthemlayontheground。
\"IsentPedroovertowakeyougirlsup，\"saidDale，aftergreetingthem。\"Didhescareyou？\"
\"Pedro。Sothat\'shisname。No，hedidn\'texactlyscareme。
HedidNell，though。She\'sanawfultenderfoot，\"repliedBo。
\"He\'sasplendid-lookingdog，\"saidHelen，ignoringhersister\'ssally。\"Ilovedogs。Willhemakefriends？\"
\"He\'sshyan\'wild。Yousee，whenIleavecamphewon\'thangaround。Hean\'Tomarejealousofeachother。Ihadapackofhoundsan\'lostallbutPedroonaccountofTom。IthinkyoucanmakefriendswithPedro。Tryit。\"
WhereuponHelenmadeoverturestoPedro，andnotwhollyinvain。Thedogwasmatured，ofalmoststernaloofness，andmanifestlynotusedtopeople。Hisdeep，wine-darkeyesseemedtosearchHelen\'ssoul。Theywerehonestandwise，withastrangesadness。
\"Helooksintelligent，\"observedHelen，asshesmoothedthelong，darkears。
\"Thathoundisnighhuman，\"respondedDale。\"Come，an\'whileyoueatI\'lltellyouaboutPedro。\"
DalehadgottenthehoundasapupfromaMexicansheep-herderwhoclaimedhewaspartCaliforniabloodhound。
Hegrewup，becomingattachedtoDale。InhisyoungerdayshedidnotgetalongwellwithDale\'sotherpetsandDalegavehimtoarancherdowninthevalley。PedrowasbackinDale\'scampnextday。FromthatdayDalebegantocaremoreforthehound，buthedidnotwanttokeephim，forvariousreasons，chiefofwhichwasthefactthatPedrowastoofineadogtobeleftalonehalfthetimetoshiftforhimself。
ThatfallDalehadneedtogotothefarthestvillage，Snowdrop，whereheleftPedrowithafriend。ThenDalerodetoShowDownandPine，andthecampoftheBeemans\'andwiththemhetrailedsomewildhorsesforahundredmiles，overintoNewMexico。ThesnowwasflyingwhenDalegotbacktohiscampinthemountains。AndtherewasPedro，gauntandworn，overjoyedtowelcomehimhome。RoyBeemanvisitedDalethatOctoberandtoldthatDale\'sfriendinSnowdrophadnotbeenabletokeepPedro。Hebrokeachainandscaledaten-footfencetoescape。HetrailedDaletoShowDown，whereoneofDale\'sfriends，recognizingthehound，caughthim，andmeanttokeephimuntilDale\'sreturn。ButPedrorefusedtoeat。IthappenedthatafreighterwasgoingouttotheBeemancamp，andDale\'sfriendboxedPedroupandputhimonthewagon。Pedrobrokeoutofthebox，returnedtoShowDown，tookupDale\'strailtoPine，andthenontotheBeemancamp。ThatwasasfarasRoycouldtracethemovementsofthehound。Buthebelieved，andsodidDale，thatPedrohadtrailedthemoutonthewild-horsehunt。ThefollowingspringDalelearnedmorefromtheherderofasheepmanatwhosecampheandtheBeemans；hadrestedonthewayintoNewMexico。ItappearedthatafterDalehadleftthiscampPedrohadarrived，andanotherMexicanherderhadstolenthehound。ButPedrogotaway。
\"An\'hewasherewhenIarrived，\"concludedDale，smiling。
\"Ineverwantedtogetridofhimafterthat。He\'sturnedouttobethefinestdogIeverknew。HeknowswhatIsay。
Hecanalmosttalk。An\'Iswearhecancry。HedoeswheneverIstartoffwithouthim。\"
\"Howperfectlywonderful！\"exclaimedBo。\"Aren\'tanimalsgreat？……ButIlovehorsesbest。\"
ItseemedtoHelenthatPedrounderstoodtheyweretalkingabouthim，forhelookedashamed，andswallowedhard，anddroppedhisgaze。Sheknewsomethingofthetruthabouttheloveofdogsfortheirowners。ThisstoryofDale\'s，however，wasstrangerthananyshehadeverheard。
Tom，thecougar，putinanappearancethen，andtherewasscarcelyloveinthetawnyeyeshebentuponPedro。Butthehounddidnotdeigntonoticehim。TomsidleduptoBo，whosatonthefarthersideofthetarpaulintable-cloth，andmanifestlywantedpartofherbreakfast。
\"Gee！Ilovethelookofhim，\"shesaid。\"Butwhenhe\'sclosehemakesmyfleshcreep。\"
\"Beastsareasqueeraspeople，\"observedDale。\"Theytakelikesan\'dislikes。IbelieveTomhastakenashinetoyouan\'Pedrobeginstobeinterestedinyoursister。Icantell。\"
\"Where\'sBud？\"inquiredBo。
\"He\'sasleeporaroundsomewhere。Now，soonasIgettheworkdone，whatwouldyougirlsliketodo？\"
\"Ride！\"declaredBo，eagerly。
\"Aren\'tyousorean\'stiff？\"
\"Iamthat。ButIdon\'tcare。Besides，whenIusedtogoouttomyuncle\'sfarmnearSaintJoeIalwaysfoundridingtobeacureforaches。\"
\"Sureis，ifyoucanstandit。An\'whatwillyoursisterliketodo？\"returnedDale，turningtoHelen。
\"Oh，I\'llrest，andwatchyoufolks——anddream，\"repliedHelen。
\"Butafteryou\'verestedyoumustbeactive，\"saidDale，seriously。\"Youmustdothings。Itdoesn\'tmatterwhat，justaslongasyoudon\'tsitidle。\"
\"Why？\"queriedHelen，insurprise。\"Whynotbeidlehereinthisbeautiful，wildplace？justtodreamawaythehours——
thedays！Icoulddoit。\"
\"Butyoumustn\'t。Ittookmeyearstolearnhowbadthatwasforme。An\'rightnowIwouldlovenothin\'morethantoforgetmywork，myhorsesan\'pets——everythin\'，an\'justlayaround，seein\'an\'feelin\'。\"
\"Seeingandfeeling？Yes，thatmustbewhatImean。Butwhy——whatisit？Therearethebeautyandcolor——thewild，shaggyslopes——thegraycliffs——thesingingwind——thelullingwater——theclouds——thesky。Andthesilence，loneliness，sweetnessofitall。\"
\"It\'sadriftin\'back。WhatIlovetodoan\'yetfearmost。
It\'swhatmakesalonehunterofaman。An\'itcangrowsostrongthatitbindsamantothewilds。\"
\"Howstrange！\"murmuredHelen。\"ButthatcouldneverbindME。Why，Imustliveandfulfilmymission，myworkinthecivilizedworld。\"
ItseemedtoHelenthatDalealmostimperceptiblyshrankatherearnestwords。
\"ThewaysofNaturearestrange，\"hesaid。\"Ilookatitdifferent。Nature\'sjustaskeentoweanyoubacktoasavagestateasyouaretobecivilized。An\'ifNaturewon，youwouldcarryoutherdesignallthebetter。\"
Thishunter\'stalkshockedHelenandyetstimulatedhermind。
\"Me——asavage？Ohno！\"sheexclaimed。\"But，ifthatwerepossible，whatwouldNature\'sdesignbe？\"
\"Youspokeofyourmissioninlife，\"hereplied。\"Awoman\'smissionistohavechildren。Thefemaleofanyspecieshasonlyonemission——toreproduceitskind。An\'Naturehasonlyonemission——towardgreaterstrength，virility，efficiency——absoluteperfection，whichisunattainable。\"
\"Whatofmentalandspiritualdevelopmentofmanandwoman？\"
askedHelen。
\"BotharedirectobstaclestothedesignofNature。Natureisphysical。Tocreateforlimitlessenduranceforeternallife。ThatmustbeNature\'sinscrutabledesign。An\'whyshemustfail。\"
\"Butthesoul！\"whisperedHelen。
\"Ah！Whenyouspeakofthesoulan\'Ispeakoflifewemeanthesame。Youan\'Iwillhavesometalkswhileyou\'rehere。
Imustbrushupmythoughts。\"
\"SomustI，itseems，\"saidHelen，withaslowsmile。Shehadbeenrenderedgraveandthoughtful。\"ButIguessI\'llriskdreamingunderthepines。\"
Bohadbeenwatchingthemwithherkeenblueeyes。
\"Nell，it\'dtakeathousandyearstomakeasavageofyou，\"
shesaid。\"Butaweekwilldoforme。\"
\"Bo，youwereonebeforeyouleftSaintJoe，\"repliedHelen。
\"Don\'tyourememberthatschool-teacherBarneswhosaidyouwereawildcatandanIndianmixed？Hespankedyouwitharuler。\"
\"Never！Hemissedme，\"retortedBo，withredinhercheeks。
\"Nell，Iwishyou\'dnottellthingsaboutmewhenIwasakid。\"
\"Thatwasonlytwoyearsago，\"expostulatedHelen，inmildsurprise。
\"Supposeitwas。Iwasakidallright。I\'llbetyou-\"Bobrokeupabruptly，and，tossingherhead，shegaveTomapatandthenranawayaroundthecornerofcliffwall。
Helenfollowedleisurely。
\"Say，Nell，\"saidBo，whenHelenarrivedattheirlittlegreenledge-polehut，\"doyouknowthathunterfellowwillupsetsomeofyourtheories？\"
\"Maybe。I\'lladmitheamazesme——andaffrontsme，too，I\'mafraid，\"repliedHelen。\"Whatsurprisesmeisthatinspiteofhisevidentlackofschoolinghe\'snotraworcrude。He\'selemental。\"
\"Sisterdear，wakeup。Theman\'swonderful。Youcanlearnmorefromhimthanyoueverlearnedinyourlife。SocanI。
Ialwayshatedbooks，anyway。\"
When，alittlelater，Daleapproachedcarryingsomebridles，thehoundPedrotrottedathisheels。
\"Ireckonyou\'dbetterridethehorseyouhad，\"hesaidtoBo。
\"Whateveryousay。ButIhopeyouletmeridethemall，byandby。\"
\"Sure。I\'veamustangoutthereyou\'lllike。Buthepitchesalittle，\"herejoined，andturnedawaytowardthepark。ThehoundlookedafterhimandthenatHelen。
\"Come，Pedro。Staywithme，\"calledHelen。
Dale，hearingher，motionedthehoundback。ObedientlyPedrotrottedtoher，stillshyandsoberlywatchful，asifnotsureofherintentions，butwithsomethingoffriendlinessabouthimnow。Helenfoundasoft，restfulseatinthesunfacingthepark，andtherecomposedherselfforwhatshefeltwouldbeslow，sweet，idlehours。Pedrocurleddownbesideher。ThetallformofDalestalkedacrossthepark，outtowardthestragglinghorses。Againshesawadeergrazingamongthem。HowerectandmotionlessitstoodwatchingDale！Presentlyitboundedawaytowardtheedgeoftheforest。Someofthehorseswhistledandran，kickingheelshighintheair。Theshrillwhistlesrangclearinthestillness。
\"Gee！Lookatthemgo！\"exclaimedBo，gleefully，cominguptowhereHelensat。Bothrewherselfdownuponthefragrantpine-needlesandstretchedherselflanguorously，likealazykitten。Therewassomethingfelineinherlithe，gracefuloutline。Shelayflatandlookedupthroughthepines。
\"Wouldn\'titbegreat，now，\"shemurmured，dreamily，halftoherself，\"ifthatLasVegascowboywouldhappensomehowtocome，andthenanearthquakewouldshutusuphereinthisParadisevalleysowe\'dnevergetout？\"
\"Bo！Whatwouldmothersaytosuchtalkasthat？\"gaspedHelen。
\"But，Nell，wouldn\'titbegreat？\"
\"Itwouldbeterrible。\"
\"Oh，thereneverwasanyromanceinyou，NellRayner，\"
repliedBo。\"Thatverythinghasactuallyhappenedouthereinthiswonderfulcountryofwildplaces。Youneednottellme！Sureit\'shappened。Withthecliff-dwellersandtheIndiansandthenwhitepeople。EveryplaceIlookmakesmefeelthat。Nell，you\'dhavetoseepeopleinthemoonthroughatelescopebeforeyou\'dbelievethat。\"
\"I\'mpracticalandsensible，thankgoodness！\"
\"But，forthesakeofargument，\"protestedBo，withflashingeyes，\"supposeitMIGHThappen。Justtopleaseme，supposeweDIDgetshutupherewithDaleandthatcowboywesawfromthetrain。Shutinwithoutanyhopeofeverclimbingout……Whatwouldyoudo？Wouldyougiveupandpineawayanddie？Orwouldyoufightforlifeandwhateverjoyitmightmean？\"
\"Self-preservationisthefirstinstinct，\"repliedHelen，surprisedatastrange，deepthrillinthedepthsofher。
\"I\'dfightforlife，ofcourse。\"
\"Yes。Well，really，whenIthinkseriouslyIdon\'twantanythinglikethattohappen。But，justthesame，ifitDID
happenIwouldgloryinit。\"
WhiletheyweretalkingDalereturnedwiththehorses。
\"Canyoubridlean\'saddleyourownhorse？\"heasked。
\"No。I\'mashamedtosayIcan\'t，\"repliedBo。
\"Timetolearnthen。Comeon。WatchmefirstwhenIsaddlemine。\"
BowasalleyeswhileDaleslippedoffthebridlefromhishorseandthenwithslow，plainactionreadjustedit。Nexthesmoothedthebackofthehorse，shookouttheblanket，and，foldingithalfover，hethrewitinplace，beingcarefultoexplaintoBojusttherightposition。Heliftedhissaddleinacertainwayandputthatinplace，andthenhetightenedthecinches。
\"Nowyoutry，\"hesaid。
AccordingtoHelen\'sjudgmentBomighthavebeenaWesterngirlallherdays。ButDaleshookhisheadandmadeherdoitover。
\"Thatwasbetter。Ofcourse，thesaddleistooheavyforyoutoslingitup。Youcanlearnthatwithalightone。Nowputthebridleonagain。Don\'tbeafraidofyourhands。Hewon\'tbite。Slipthebitinsideways……There。Nowlet\'sseeyoumount。\"
WhenBogotintothesaddleDalecontinued：\"Youwentupquickan\'light，butthewrongway。Watchme。\"
BohadtomountseveraltimesbeforeDalewassatisfied。
Thenhetoldhertorideoffalittledistance。WhenBohadgottenoutofearshotDalesaidtoHelen：\"She\'lltaketoahorselikeaducktakestowater。\"Then，mounting，herodeoutafterher。
Helenwatchedthemtrottingandgallopingandrunningthehorsesroundthegrassypark，andratherregrettedshehadnotgonewiththem。EventuallyBorodeback，todismountandflingherselfdown，red-cheekedandradiant，withdisheveledhair，andcurlsdamponhertemples。Howalivesheseemed！
Helen\'ssensesthrilledwiththegraceandcharmandvitalityofthissurprisingsister，andshewasawareofasheerphysicaljoyinherpresence。Borested，butshedidnotrestlong。ShewassoonofftoplaywithBud。Thenshecoaxedthetamedoetoeatoutofherhand。ShedraggedHelenoffforwildflowers，curiousandthoughtlessbyturns。Andatlengthshefellasleep，quickly，inawaythatremindedHelenofthechildhoodnowgoneforever。
Dalecalledthemtodinneraboutfouro\'clock，asthesunwasreddeningthewesternrampartofthepark。Helenwonderedwherethedayhadgone。Thehourshadflownswiftly，serenely，bringingherscarcelyathoughtofheruncleordreadofherforceddetentionthereorpossiblediscoverybythoseoutlawssupposedtobehuntingforher。
AftersherealizedthepassingofthosehoursshehadanintangibleandindescribablefeelingofwhatDalehadmeantaboutdreamingthehoursaway。ThenatureofParadiseParkwasinimicaltothekindofthoughtthathadhabituallybeenhers，Shefoundthenewthoughtabsorbing，yetwhenshetriedtonameitshefoundthat，afterall，shehadonlyfelt。Atthemealhourshewasmorethanusuallyquiet。ShesawthatDalenoticeditandwastryingtointerestherordistractherattention。Hesucceeded，butshedidnotchoosetolethimseethat。Shestrolledawayalonetoherseatunderthepine。Bopassedheronce，andcried，tantalizingly：
\"My，Nell，butyou\'regrowingromantic！\"
NeverbeforeinHelen\'slifehadthebeautyoftheeveningstarseemedsoexquisiteorthetwilightsomovingandshadowyorthedarknesssochargedwithloneliness。Itwastheirenvironment——theaccompanimentofwildwolf-mourn，ofthemurmuringwaterfall，ofthisstrangemanoftheforestandtheunfamiliarelementsamongwhichhemadehishome。
Nextmorning，herenergyhavingreturned，HelensharedBo\'slessoninbridlingandsaddlingherhorse，andinriding。
Bo，however，rodesofastandsohardthatforHelentosharehercompanywasimpossible。AndDale，interestedandamused，yetanxious，spentmostofhistimewithBo。ItwasthusthatHelenrodeallovertheparkalone。Shewasastonishedatitssize，whenfromalmostanypointitlookedsosmall。Theatmospheredeceivedher。Howclearlyshecouldsee！Andshebegantojudgedistancebythesizeoffamiliarthings。Ahorse，lookedatacrossthelongestlengthofthepark，seemedverysmallindeed。Hereandtheresherodeupondark，swift，littlebrooks，exquisitelyclearandamber-coloredandalmosthiddenfromsightbythelonggrass。Theseallranoneway，andunitedtoformadeeperbrookthatapparentlywoundunderthecliffsatthewestend，andplungedtoanoutletinnarrowclefts。WhenDaleandBocametoheronceshemadeinquiry，andshewassurprisedtolearnfromDalethatthisbrookdisappearedinaholeintherocksandhadanoutletontheothersideofthemountain。Sometimehewouldtakethemtothelakeitformed。
\"Overthemountain？\"askedHelen，againrememberingthatshemustregardherselfasafugitive。\"Willitbesafetoleaveourhiding-place？Iforgetsooftenwhywearehere。\"
\"Wewouldbebetterhiddenovertherethanhere，\"repliedDale。\"Thevalleyonthatsideisaccessibleonlyfromthatridge。An\'don\'tworryaboutbein\'found。ItoldyouRoyBeemaniswatchin\'Ansonan\'hisgang。Roywillkeepbetweentheman\'us。\"
Helenwasreassured，yettheremustalwayslingerinthebackgroundofhermindasenseofdread。Inspiteofthis，shedeterminedtomakethemostofheropportunity。Bowasastimulus。AndsoHelenspenttherestofthatdayridingandtaggingafterhersister。
ThenextdaywaslesshardonHelen。Activity，rest，eating，andsleepingtookonawonderfulnewmeaningtoher。Shehadreallyneverknownthemasstrangejoys。Sherode，shewalked，sheclimbedalittle，shedozedunderherpine-tree，sheworkedhelpingDaleatcamp-firetasks，andwhennightcameshesaidshedidnotknowherself。Thatfacthauntedherinvague，deepdreams。Uponawakeningsheforgotherresolvetostudyherself。Thatdaypassed。Andthenseveralmorewentswiftlybeforesheadaptedherselftoasituationshehadreasontobelievemightlastforweeksandevenmonths。
ItwasafternoonthatHelenlovedbestofallthetimeoftheday。Thesunrisewasfresh，beautiful；themorningwaswindy，fragrant；thesunsetwasrosy，glorious；thetwilightwassad，changing；andnightseemedinfinitelysweetwithitsstarsandsilenceandsleep。Buttheafternoon，whennothingchanged，whenallwasserene，whentimeseemedtohalt，thatwasherchoice，andhersolace。
Oneafternoonshehadcampalltoherself。Bowasriding。
Dalehadclimbedthemountaintoseeifhecouldfindanytraceoftracksorseeanysmokefromcamp-fire。Budwasnowheretobeseen，noranyoftheotherpets。Tomhadgoneofftosomesunnyledgewherehecouldbaskinthesun，afterthehabitofthewilderbrothersofhisspecies。Pedrohadnotbeenseenforanightandaday，afactthatHelenhadnotedwithconcern。However，shehadforgottenhim，andthereforewasthemoresurprisedtoseehimcominglimpingintocamponthreelegs。
\"Why，Pedro！Youhavebeenfighting。Comehere，\"shecalled。
Thehounddidnotlookguilty。Helimpedtoherandhelduphisrightforepaw。Theactionwasunmistakable。Helenexaminedtheinjuredmemberandpresentlyfoundapieceofwhatlookedlikemussel-shellembeddeddeeplybetweenthetoes。Thewoundwasswollen，bloody，andevidentlyverypainful。Pedrowhined。Helenhadtoexertallthestrengthofherfingerstopullitout。ThenPedrohowled。Butimmediatelyheshowedhisgratitudebylickingherhand。
Helenbathedhispawandbounditup。
WhenDalereturnedsherelatedtheincidentand，showingthepieceofshell，sheasked：\"Wheredidthatcomefrom？Arethereshellsinthemountains？\"
\"Oncethiscountrywasunderthesea，\"repliedDale。\"I\'vefoundthingsthat\'dmakeyouwonder。\"
\"Underthesea！\"ejaculatedHelen。Itwasonethingtohavereadofsuchastrangefact，butavastlydifferentonetorealizeithereamongtheseloftypeaks。Dalewasalwaysshowinghersomethingortellinghersomethingthatastoundedher。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaidoneday。\"Whatdoyoumakeofthatlittlebunchofaspens？\"
Theywereonthefarthersideoftheparkandwererestingunderapine-tree。Theforesthereencroachedupontheparkwithitsstragglinglinesofspruceandgrovesofaspen。ThelittleclumpofaspensdidnotdifferfromhundredsHelenhadseen。
\"Idon\'tmakeanythingparticularlyofit，\"repliedHelen，dubiously。\"Justatinygroveofaspens——someverysmall，somelarger，butnoneverybig。Butit\'sprettywithitsgreenandyellowleavesflutteringandquivering。\"
\"Itdoesn\'tmakeyouthinkofafight？\"
\"Fight？No，itcertainlydoesnot，\"repliedHelen。
\"Well，it\'sasgoodanexampleoffight，ofstrife，ofselfishness，asyouwillfindintheforest，\"hesaid。\"Nowcomeover，youan\'Bo，an\'letmeshowyouwhatImean。\"
\"Comeon，Nell，\"criedBo，withenthusiasm。\"He\'llopenoureyessomemore。\"
Nothingloath，Helenwentwiththemtothelittleclumpofaspens。
\"Aboutahundredaltogether，\"saidDale。\"They\'reprettywellshadedbythespruces，buttheygetthesunlightfromeastan\'south。Theselittletreesallcamefromthesameseedlings。They\'reallthesameage。Fourofthemstand，say，tenfeetormorehighan\'they\'reaslargearoundasmywrist。Here\'sonethat\'slargest。Seehowfull-foliagedheis——howhestandsovermostoftheothers，butnotsomuchoverthesefournexttohim。Theyallstandclosetogether，veryclose，yousee。Mostofthemarenolargerthanmythumb。Lookhowfewbranchestheyhave，an\'nonelowdown。
Lookathowfewleaves。Doyouseehowallthebranchesstandouttowardtheeastan\'south——howtheleaves，ofcourse，facethesameway？Seehowonebranchofonetreebendsasideonefromanothertree。That\'safightforthesunlight。Hereareone——two——threedeadtrees。Look，I
cansnapthemoff。An\'nowlookdownunderthem。Herearelittletreesfivefeethigh——fourfeethigh——downtotheseonlyafoothigh。Lookhowpale，delicate，fragile，unhealthy！Theygetsolittlesunshine。Theywerebornwiththeothertrees，butdidnotgetanequalstart。Positiongivestheadvantage，perhaps。\"
Daleledthegirlsaroundthelittlegrove，illustratinghiswordsbyaction。Heseemeddeeplyinearnest。
\"Youunderstandit\'safightforwateran\'sun。Butmostlysun，because，iftheleavescanabsorbthesun，thetreean\'
rootswillgrowtograsptheneededmoisture。Shadeisdeath——slowdeathtothelifeoftrees。Theselittleaspensarefightin\'forplaceinthesunlight。Itisamercilessbattle。Theypushan\'bendoneanother\'sbranchesasidean\'
chokethem。Onlyperhapshalfoftheseaspenswillsurvive，tomakeoneofthelargerclumps，suchasthatoneoffull-growntreesoverthere。Oneseasonwillgiveadvantagetothissaplin\'an\'nextyeartothatone。Afewseasons\'
advantagetooneassuresitsdominanceovertheothers。Butitisneversureofholdin\'thatdominance。An\'ifwindorstormorastrong-growin\'rivaldoesnotoverthrowit，thensoonerorlateroldagewill。Forthereisabsoluteandcontinualfight。Whatistrueoftheseaspensistrueofallthetreesintheforestan\'ofallplantlifeintheforest。
Whatismostwonderfultomeisthetenacityoflife。\"
AndnextdayDaleshowedthemanevenmorestrikingexampleofthismysteryofnature。
Heguidedthemonhorsebackuponeofthethick，verdant-woodedslopes，callingtheirattentionatvarioustimestothedifferentgrowths，untiltheyemergedonthesummitoftheridgewherethetimbergrewscantanddwarfed。
Attheedgeoftimber-lineheshowedagnarledandknottedspruce-tree，twistedoutofallsemblancetoabeautifulspruce，bentandstorm-blasted，withalmostbarebranches，allreachingone\'way。Thetreewasaspecter。Itstoodalone。Ithadlittlegreenuponit。Thereseemedsomethingtragicaboutitscontortions。Butitwasaliveandstrong。
Ithadnorivalstotakesunormoisture。Itsenemieswerethesnowandwindandcoldoftheheights。
Helenfelt，astherealizationcametoher，theknowledgeDalewishedtoimpart，thatitwasassadaswonderful，andasmysteriousasitwasinspiring。Atthatmomenttherewereboththestingandsweetnessoflife——thepainandthejoy——inHelen\'sheart。Thesestrangefactsweregoingtoteachher——totransformher。Andeveniftheyhurt，shewelcomedthem。
CHAPTERXI
\"I\'llrideyouifitbreaks——myneck！\"pantedBo，passionately，shakingherglovedfistatthegraypony。
Dalestoodnearwithabroadsmileonhisface。Helenwaswithinearshot，watchingfromtheedgeofthepark，andshefeltsofascinatedandfrightenedthatshecouldnotcalloutforBotostop。Thelittlegraymustangwasabeauty，clean-limbedandracy，withlongblackmaneandtail，andafine，spiritedhead。Therewasablanketstrappedonhisback，butnosaddle。Boheldtheshorthalterthathadbeenfastenedinahackamoreknotroundhisnose。Sheworenocoat；herblousewascoveredwithgrassandseeds，anditwasopenattheneck；herhairhunglooseanddisheveled；
onesideofherfaceboreastainofgrassanddirtandasuspicionofblood；theotherwasredandwhite；hereyesblazed；beadsofsweatstoodoutonherbrowandwetplacesshoneonhercheeks。Asshebegantostrainonthehalter，pullingherselfclosertothefierypony，theoutlineofherslendershapestoodoutlitheandstrong。
BohadbeendefeatedinhercherishedanddeterminedambitiontorideDale\'smustang，andshewasfurious。Themustangdidnotappeartobeviciousormean。Buthewasspirited，tricky，mischievous，andhehadthrownhersixtimes。ThesceneofBo\'sdefeatwasattheedgeofthepark，wherethickmossandgrassaffordedsoftplacesforhertofall。Italsoaffordedpoorfootholdforthegraymustang，obviouslyplacinghimatadisadvantage。Daledidnotbridlehim，becausehehadnotbeenbrokentoabridle；andthoughitwasharderforBototrytoridehimbareback，therewaslessriskofherbeinghurt。Bohadbeguninalleagernessandenthusiasm，lovingandpettingthemustang，whichshenamed\"Pony。\"Shehadevidentlyanticipatedanadventure，buthersmiling，resolutefacehaddenotedconfidence。Ponyhadstoodfairlywelltobemounted，andthenhadpitchedandtosseduntilBohadslidofforbeenupsetorthrown。
AftereachfallBobouncedupwithlessofasmile，andmoreofspirit，untilnowtheWesternpassiontomasterahorsehadsuddenlyleapedtolifewithinher。Itwasnolongerfun，nomoreadaringcircustricktoscareHelenandrouseDale\'sadmiration。TheissuenowlaybetweenBoandthemustang。
Ponyreared，snorting，tossinghishead，andpawingwithfrontfeet。
\"Pullhimdown！\"yelledDale。
Bodidnothavemuchweight，butshehadstrength，anshehauledwithallhermight，finallybringinghimdown。
\"Nowholdhardan\'takeupropean\'getintohim，\"calledDale。\"Good！You\'resurenotafraidofhim。Heseesthat。
Nowholdhim，talktohim，tellhimyou\'regoin\'toridehim。Pethimalittle。An\'whenhequitsshakin\'，grabhismanean\'jumpupan\'slidealegoverhim。Thenhookyourfeetunderhim，hardasyoucan，an\'stickon。\"
IfHelenhadnotbeensofrightenedforBoshewouldhavebeenabletoenjoyherothersensations。Creeping，coldthrillschasedoverherasBo，suppleandquick，slidanarmandalegoverPonyandstraighteneduponhimwithadefiantcry。Ponyjerkedhisheaddown，broughthisfeettogetherinonejump，andbegantobounce。Bogottheswingofhimthistimeandstayedon。
\"You\'reridin\'him，\"yelledDale。\"Nowsqueezehardwithyourknees。Crackhimovertheheadwithyourrope……
That\'stheway。Hangonnowan\'you\'llhavehimbeat。\"
ThemustangpitchedalloverthespaceadjacenttoDaleandHelen，tearingupthemossandgrass。SeveraltimeshetossedBohigh，butsheslidbacktogriphimagainwithherlegs，andhecouldnotthrowher。Suddenlyheraisedhisheadandbolted。DaleansweredBo\'striumphantcry。ButPonyhadnotrunfiftyfeetbeforehetrippedandfell，throwingBofaroverhishead。Asluckwouldhaveit——goodluck，Daleafterwardsaid——shelandedinaboggyplaceandtheforceofhermomentumwassuchthatsheslidseveralyards，facedown，inwetmossandblackooze。
Helenutteredascreamandranforward。BowasgettingtoherkneeswhenDalereachedher。Hehelpedherupandhalfled，halfcarriedheroutoftheboggyplace。Bowasnotrecognizable。Fromheadtofootshewasdrippingblackooze。
\"Oh，Bo！Areyouhurt？\"criedHelen。
EvidentlyBo\'smouthwasfullofmud。
\"Pp——su——tt！Ough！Whew！\"shesputtered。\"Hurt？No！Can\'tyouseewhatIlitin？Dale，thesun-of-a-gundidn\'tthrowme。Hefell，andIwentoverhishead。\"
\"Right。Yousurerodehim。An\'hetrippedan\'slungyouamile，\"repliedDale。\"It\'sluckyyoulitinthatbog。\"
\"Lucky！Witheyesandnosestoppedup？Oooo！I\'mfullofmud。Andmynice——newriding-suit！\"
Bo\'stonesindicatedthatshewasreadytocry。Helen，realizingBohadnotbeenhurt，begantolaugh。Hersisterwasthefunniest-lookingobjectthathadevercomebeforehereyes。
\"NellRayner——areyou——laughing——atme？\"demandedBo，inmostrighteousamazeandanger。
\"Melaugh-ing？N-never，Bo，\"repliedHelen。\"Can\'tyouseeI\'mjust——just——\"
\"See？Youidiot！myeyesarefullofmud！\"flashedBo。\"ButIhearyou。I\'ll——I\'llgeteven。\"
Dalewaslaughing，too，butnoiselessly，andBo，beingblindforthemoment，couldnotbeawareofthat。Bythistimetheyhadreachedcamp。Helenfellflatandlaughedasshehadneverlaughedbefore。WhenHelenforgotherselfsofarastorollonthegrounditwasindeedalaughingmatter。
Dale\'sbigframeshookashepossessedhimselfofatoweland，wettingitatthespring，begantowipethemudoffBo\'sface。Butthatdidnotserve。Boaskedtobeledtothewater，whereshekneltand，withsplashing，washedouthereyes，andthenherface，andthenthebedraggledstrandsofhair。
\"Thatmustangdidn\'tbreakmyneck，butherootedmyfaceinthemud。I\'llfixhim，\"shemuttered，asshegotup。\"Pleaseletmehavethetowel，now……Well！MiltDale，you\'relaughing！\"
\"Ex-cuseme，Bo。I——Haw！haw！haw！\"ThenDalelurchedoff，holdinghissides。
BogazedafterhimandthenbackatHelen。
\"IsupposeifI\'dbeenkickedandsmashedandkilledyou\'dlaugh，\"shesaid。Andthenshemelted。\"Oh，myprettyriding-suit！Whatamess！Imustbeasight……Nell，I
rodethatwildpony——thesun-of-a-gun！Irodehim！That\'senoughforme。YOUtryit。Laughallyouwant。Itwasfunny。
Butifyouwanttosquareyourselfwithme，helpmecleanmyclothes。\"
LateinthenightHelenheardDalesternlycallingPedro。
Shefeltsomelittlealarm。However，nothinghappened，andshesoonwenttosleepagain。AtthemorningmealDaleexplained。
\"Pedroan\'Tomwereuneasylastnight。Ithinktherearelionsworkin\'overtheridgesomewhere。Iheardonescream。\"
\"Scream？\"inquiredBo，withinterest。
\"Yes，an\'ifyoueverhearalionscreamyouwillthinkitawomaninmortalagony。Thecougarcry，asRoycallsit，isthewildesttobeheardinthewoods。Awolfhowls。Heissad。hungry，andwild。Butacougarseemshumanan\'dyin\'
an\'wild。We\'llsaddleupan\'rideoverthere。MaybePedrowilltreealion。Bo，ifhedoeswillyoushootit？\"
\"Sure，\"repliedBo，withhermouthfullofbiscuit。
Thatwashowtheycametotakealong，slow，steeprideundercoverofdensespruce。Helenlikedtherideaftertheygotontheheights。Buttheydidnotgettoanypointwhereshecouldindulgeinherpleasureofgazingafarovertheranges。Daleledupanddown，andfinallymostlydown，untiltheycameoutwithinsightofsparserwoodedridgeswithparkslyingbelowandstreamsshininginthesun。
MorethanoncePedrohadtobeharshlycalledbyDale。Thehoundscentedgame。
\"Here\'sanoldkill，\"saidDale，haltingtopointatsomebleachedbonesscatteredunderaspruce。Tuftsofgrayish-whitehairlaystrewnaround。
\"Whatwasit？\"askedBo。
\"Deer，ofcourse。Killedtherean\'eatenbyalion。Sometimelastfall。See，eventheskullissplit。ButIcouldnotsaythattheliondidit。\"
Helenshuddered。ShethoughtofthetamedeerdownatDale\'scamp。Howbeautifulandgraceful，andresponsivetokindness！
Theyrodeoutofthewoodsintoagrassyswalewithrocksandclumpsofsomegreenbushesborderingit。HerePedrobarked，thefirsttimeHelenhadheardhim。Thehaironhisneckbristled，anditrequiredsterncallsfromDaletoholdhimin。Daledismounted。
\"Hyar，Pede，yougetback，\"heordered。\"I\'llletyougopresently……Girls，you\'regoin\'toseesomethin\'。Butstayonyourhorses。\"
Dale，withthehoundtenseandbristlingbesidehim，strodehereandthereattheedgeoftheswale。Presentlyhehaltedonaslightelevationandbeckonedforthegirlstorideover。
\"Here，seewherethegrassispresseddownallnicean\'
round，\"hesaid，pointing。\"Alionmadethat。Hesneakedthere，watchin\'fordeer。Thatwasdonethismornin\'。Comeon，now。Let\'sseeifwecantrailhim。\"
Dalestoopednow，studyingthegrass，andholdingPedro。
Suddenlyhestraightenedupwithaflashinhisgrayeyes。
\"Here\'swherehejumped。\"
ButHelencouldnotseeanyreasonwhyDaleshouldsaythat。
Themanoftheforesttookalongstridethenanother。
\"An\'here\'swherethatlionlitonthebackofthedeer。Itwasabigjump。Seethesharphooftracksofthedeer。\"Dalepressedasidetallgrasstoshowdark，rough，freshtracksofadeer，evidentlymadebyviolentaction。
\"Comeon，\"calledDale，walkingswiftly。\"You\'resuregoin\'
toseesomethin\'now……Here\'swherethedeerbounded，carryin\'thelion。\"
\"What！\"exclaimedBo，incredulously。
\"Thedeerwasrunnin\'herewiththeliononhisback。I\'llproveittoyou。Comeon，now。Pedro，youstaywithme。
Girls，it\'safreshtrail。\"Dalewalkedalong，leadinghishorse，andoccasionallyhepointeddownintothegrass。
\"There！Seethat！That\'shair。\"
Helendidseesometuftsofgrayishhairscatteredontheground，andshebelievedshesawlittle，darkseparationsinthegrass，whereananimalhadrecentlypassed。AllatonceDalehalted。WhenHelenreachedhimBowasalreadythereandtheyweregazingdownatawide，flattenedspaceinthegrass。EvenHelen\'sinexperiencedeyescouldmakeoutevidencesofastruggle。Tuftsofgray-whitehairlayuponthecrushedgrass。Helendidnotneedtoseeanymore，butDalesilentlypointedtoapatchofblood。Thenhespoke：
\"Thelionbroughtthedeerdownherean\'killedhim。
Probablybrokehisneck。Thatdeerranahundredyardswiththelion。See，here\'sthetrailleftwheretheliondraggedthedeeroff。\"
Awell-definedpathshowedacrosstheswale。
\"Girls，you\'llseethatdeerprettyquick，\"declaredDale，startingforward。\"Thisworkhasjustbeendone。Onlyafewminutesago。\"
\"Howcanyoutell？\"queriedBo。
\"Look！Seethatgrass。Ithasbeenbentdownbythedeerbein\'draggedoverit。Nowit\'sspringin\'up。\"
Dale\'snextstopwasontheothersideoftheswale，underasprucewithlow，spreadingbranches。ThelookofPedroquickenedHelen\'spulse。Hewaswildtogivechase。
FearfullyHelenlookedwhereDalepointed，expectingtoseethelion。Butshesawinsteadadeerlyingprostratewithtongueoutandsightlesseyesandbloodyhair。
\"Girls，thatlionheardusan\'left。He\'snotfar，\"saidDale，ashestoopedtolifttheheadofthedeer。\"Warm！
Neckbroken。Seethelion\'steethan\'clawmarks……It\'sadoe。Lookhere。Don\'tbesqueamish，girls。Thisisonlyanhourlyincidentofeverydaylifeintheforest。SeewherethelionhasrolledtheskindownasneatasIcoulddoit，an\'he\'djustbeguntobiteintherewhenheheardus。\"
\"Whatmurderouswork，Thesightsickensme！\"exclaimedHelen。
\"Itisnature，\"saidDale，simply。
\"Let\'skillthelion，\"addedBo。
ForanswerDaletookaquickturnattheirsaddle-girths，andthen，mounting，hecalledtothehound。\"Hunthimup，Pedro。\"
Likeashotthehoundwasoff。
\"Rideinmytracksan\'keepclosetome，\"calledDale，ashewheeledhishorse。
\"We\'reoff！\"squealedBo，inwilddelight，andshemadehermountplunge。
Helenurgedherhorseafterthemandtheybrokeacrossacomeroftheswaletothewoods。Pedrowasrunningstraight，withhisnosehigh。Heletoutoneshortbark。Heheadedintothewoods，withDalenotfarbehind。HelenwasononeofDale\'sbesthorses，butthatfactscarcelymanifesteditself，becausetheothersbegantoincreasetheirlead。
Theyenteredthewoods。Itwasopen，andfairlygoodgoing。
Bo\'shorseranasfastinthewoodsashedidintheopen。
ThatfrightenedHelenandsheyelledtoBotoholdhimin。
Sheyelledtodeafears。ThatwasBo\'sgreatrisk——shedidnotintendtobecareful。SuddenlytheforestrangwithDale\'sencouragingyell，meanttoaidthegirlsinfollowinghim。Helen\'shorsecaughtthespiritofthechase。HegainedsomewhatonBo，hurdlinglogs，sometimestwoatonce。
Helen\'sbloodleapedwithastrangeexcitement，utterlyunfamiliarandasutterlyresistless。Yethernaturalfear，andtheintelligencethatreckonedwiththefoolishriskofthisride，sharedalikeinhersumofsensations。ShetriedtorememberDale\'scautionaboutdodgingbranchesandsnags，andslidingherkneesbacktoavoidknocksfromtrees。Shebarelymissedsomefrightfulreachingbranches。Shereceivedahardknock，thenanother，thatunseatedher，butfranticallysheheldonandslidback，andattheendofalongrunthroughcomparativelyopenforestshegotastingingblowinthefacefromafar-spreadingbranchofpine。Bomissed，bywhatseemedonlyaninch，asolidsnagthatwouldhavebrokenherintwo。BothPedroandDalegotoutofHelen\'ssight。ThenHelen，asshebegantoloseBo，feltthatshewouldratherrungreaterrisksthanbeleftbehindtogetlostintheforest，andsheurgedherhorse。
Dale\'syellpealedback。Thenitseemedevenmorethrillingtofollowbysoundthanbysight。Windandbrushtoreather。Theairwasheavilypungentwithodorofpine。Helenheardawild，fullbayofthehound，ringingback，fullofsavageeagerness，andshebelievedPedrohadrousedoutthelionfromsomecovert。Itlentmorestirtoherbloodanditsurelyurgedherhorseonfaster。
Thentheswiftpaceslackened。AwindfalloftimberdelayedHelen。ShecaughtaglimpseofDalefarahead，climbingaslope。Theforestseemedfullofhisringingyell。Helenstrangelywishedforlevelgroundandtheformerswiftmotion。NextshesawBoworkingdowntotheright，andDale\'syellnowcamefromthatdirection。Helenfollowed，gotoutofthetimber，andmadebettertimeonagradualslopedowntoanotherpark。
WhenshereachedtheopenshesawBoalmostacrossthisnarrowopenground。HereHelendidnotneedtourgehermount。HesnortedandplungedatthelevelandhegottogoingsofastthatHelenwouldhavescreamedaloudinmingledfearanddelightifshehadnotbeenbreathless。
Herhorsehadthebadlucktocrosssoftground。HewenttohiskneesandHelensailedoutofthesaddleoverhishead。
Softwillowsandwetgrassbrokeherfall。Shewassurprisedtofindherselfunhurt。UpsheboundedandcertainlydidnotknowthisnewHelenRayner。Herhorsewascoming，andhehadpatiencewithher，buthewantedtohurry。Helenmadethequickestmountofherexperienceandsomehowfeltaprideinit。ShewouldtellBothat。ButjustthenBoflashedintothewoodsoutofsight。Helenfairlychargedintothatgreenfoliage，breakingbrushandbranches。Shebrokethroughintoopenforest。Bowasinside，ridingdownanaislebetweenpinesandspruces。AtthatjunctureHelenheardDale\'smelodiousyellnearathand。Comingintostillmoreopenforest，withrockshereandthere，shesawDaledismountedunderapine，andPedrostandingwithforepawsuponthetree-trunk，andthenhighuponabranchahugetawnycoloredlion，justlikeTom。
Bo\'shorseslowedupandshowedfear，buthekeptonasfarasDale\'shorse。ButHelen\'srefusedtogoanynearer。Shehaddifficultyinhaltinghim。Presentlyshedismountedand，throwingherbridleoverastump，sheranon，pantingandfearful，yettinglingallover，uptohersisterandDale。
\"Nell，youdidprettygoodforatenderfoot，\"wasBo\'sgreeting。
\"Itwasafinechase，\"saidDale。\"Youbothrodewell。I
wishyoucouldhaveseenthelionontheground。Hebounded——greatlongboundswithhistailupintheair——veryfunny。An\'Pedroalmostcaughtupwithhim。Thatscaredme，becausehewouldhavekilledthehound。Pedrowasclosetohimwhenhetreed。An\'thereheis——theyellowdeer-killer。He\'samalean\'fullgrown。\"
WiththatDalepulledhisriflefromitssaddle-sheathandlookedexpectantlyatBo。Butshewasgazingwithgreatinterestandadmirationupatthelion。
\"Isn\'thejustbeautiful？\"sheburstout。\"Oh，lookathimspit！Justlikeacat！Dale，helooksafraidhemightfalloff。\"
\"Hesuredoes。Lionsareneversureoftheirbalanceinatree。ButIneversawonemakeamisstep。Heknowshedoesn\'tbelongthere。\"
ToHelenthelionlookedsplendidperchedupthere。Hewaslongandroundandgracefulandtawny。Histonguehungoutandhisplumpsidesheaved，showingwhataquick，hardrunhehadbeendrivento。WhatstruckHelenmostforciblyabouthimwassomethinginhisfaceashelookeddownatthehound。Hewasscared。Herealizedhisperil。ItwasnotpossibleforHelentowatchhimkilled，yetshecouldnotbringherselftobegBonottoshoot。Helenconfessedshewasatenderfoot。
\"Getdown，Bo，an\'let\'sseehowgoodashotyouare，saidDale。BoslowlywithdrewherfascinatedgazefromthelionandlookedwitharuefulsmileatDale。
\"I\'vechangedmymind。IsaidIwouldkillhim，butnowI
can\'t。Helooksso——sodifferentfromwhatI\'dimagined。\"