Dale\'sanswerwasararesmileofunderstandingandapprovalthatwarmedHelen\'shearttowardhim。Allthesame，hewasamused。Sheathingthegun，hemountedhishorse。
\"Comeon，Pedro，\"hecalled。\"Come，Itellyou，\"headded，sharply，\"Well，girls，wetreedhim，anyhow，an，itwasfun。
Nowwe\'llridebacktothedeerhekilledan\'packahaunchtocampforourownuse。\"
\"Willtheliongobacktohis——hiskill，Ithinkyoucalledit？\"askedBo。
\"I\'vechasedoneawayfromhiskillhalfadozentimes。
Lionsarenotplentifulherean\'theydon\'tgetoverfed。I
reckonthebalanceisprettyeven。\"
ThislastremarkmadeHeleninquisitive。Andastheyslowlyrodeontheback-trailDaletalked。
\"Yougirls，bein\'tender-heartedan\'notknowin\'thelifeoftheforest，what\'sgoodan\'what\'sbad，thinkitwasapitythepoordeerwaskilledbyamurderouslion。Butyou\'rewrong。AsItoldyou，thelionisabsolutelynecessarytothehealthan\'joyofwildlife——ordeer\'swildlife，sotospeak。Whendeerwerecreatedorcameintoexistence，thenthelionmusthavecome，too。Theycan\'tlivewithouteachother。Wolves，now，arenotparticularlydeer-killers。
Theyliveoffelkan\'anythin\'theycancatch。Sowilllions，forthatmatter。ButImeanlionsfollowthedeertoan\'frofromwintertosummerfeedin\'-grounds。Wherethere\'snodeeryouwillfindnolions。Well，now，ifleftalonedeerwouldmultiplyveryfast。Inafewyearstherewouldbehundredswherenowthere\'sonlyone。An\'intime，asthegenerationspassed，they\'dlosethefear，thealertness，thespeedan\'strength，theeternalvigilancethatisloveoflife——they\'dlosethatan\'begintodeteriorate，an\'
diseasewouldcarrythemoff。Isawoneseasonofblack-tongueamongdeer。Itkilledthemoff，an\'Ibelievethatisoneofthediseasesofover-production。Thelions，now，areforeveronthetrailofthedeer。Theyhavelearned。Warinessisaninstinctborninthefawn。Itmakeshimkeen，quick，active，fearful，an\'sohegrowsupstrongan\'healthytobecomethesmooth，sleek，beautiful，soft-eyed，an\'wild-lookin\'deeryougirlslovetowatch。
Butifitwasn\'tforthelions，thedeerwouldnotthrive。
Onlythestrongestan\'swiftestsurvive。Thatisthemeanin\'
ofnature。Thereisalwaysaperfectbalancekeptbynature。
Itmayvaryindifferentyears，butonthewhole，inthelongyears，itaveragesanevenbalance。\"
\"Howwonderfullyyouputit！\"exclaimedBo，withallherimpulsiveness。\"Oh，I\'mgladIdidn\'tkillthelion。\"
\"Whatyousaysomehowhurtsme，\"saidHelen，wistfully，tothehunter。\"Isee——Ifeelhowtrue——howinevitableitis。Butitchangesmy——myfeelings。AlmostI\'drathernotacquiresuchknowledgeasyours。Thisbalanceofnature——
howtragic——howsad！\"
\"Butwhy？\"askedDale。\"Youlovebirds，an\'birdsarethegreatestkillersintheforest。\"
\"Don\'ttellmethat——don\'tproveit，\"imploredHelen。Itisnotsomuchtheloveoflifeinadeeroranycreature，andtheterribleclingingtolife，thatgivesmedistress。
Itissuffering。Ican\'tbeartoseepain。IcanSTANDpainmyself，butIcan\'tBEARtoseeorthinkofit。\"
\"Well，\"replied。Dale，thoughtfully，\"Thereyoustumpmeagain。I\'velivedlongintheforestan\'whenaman\'salonehedoesaheapofthinkin\'。An\'alwaysIcouldn\'tunderstandareasonorameanin\'forpain。Ofallthebafflin\'thingsoflife，thatisthehardesttounderstandan\'toforgive——
pain！\"
Thatevening，astheysatinrestfulplacesroundthecamp-fire，withthestilltwilightfadingintonight，Daleseriouslyaskedthegirlswhattheday\'schasehadmeanttothem。Hismannerofaskingwasproductiveofthought。Bothgirlsweresilentforamoment。
\"Glorious！\"wasBo\'sbriefandeloquentreply。
\"Why？\"asked。Dale，curiously。\"Youareagirl。You\'vebeenusedtohome，people，love，comfort，safety，quiet。\"
\"Maybethatisjustwhyitwasglorious，\"saidBo，earnestly。\"Icanhardlyexplain。Ilovedthemotionofthehorse，thefeelofwindinmyface，thesmellofthepine，thesightofslopeandforestgladeandwindfallandrocks，andtheblackshadeunderthespruces。Mybloodbeatandburned。Myteethclicked。Mynervesallquivered。Myheartsometimes，atdangerousmoments，almostchokedme，andallthetimeitpoundedhard。Nowmyskinwashotandthenitwascold。ButIthinkthebestofthatchaseformewasthatIwasonafasthorse，guidinghim，controllinghim。Hewasalive。Oh，howIfelthisrunning！\"
\"Well，whatyousayisasnaturaltomeasifIfeltit，\"
saidDale。\"Iwondered。You\'recertainlyfulloffire，An\'，Helen，whatdoyousay？\"
\"Bohasansweredyouwithherfeelings，\"repliedHelen，\"I
couldnotdothatandbehonest。ThefactthatBowouldn\'tshootthelionafterwetreedhimacquitsher。Nevertheless，heranswerispurelyphysical。Youknow，Mr。Dale，howyoutalkaboutthephysical。Ishouldsaymysisterwasjustayoung，wild，highlysensitive，hot-bloodedfemaleofthespecies。SheexultedinthatchaseasanIndian。Hersensationswereinheritedones——certainlynotacquiredbyeducation。Boalwayshatedstudy。Theridewasarevelationtome。IhadagoodmanyofBo\'sfeelings——thoughnotsostrong。Butoveragainstthemwastheoppositionofreason，ofconsciousness。Anew-bornsideofmynatureconfrontedme，strange，surprising，violent，irresistible。Itwasasifanothersideofmypersonalitysuddenlysaid：\'HereIam。
Reckonwithmenow！\'Andtherewasnouseforthemomenttoopposethatstrangeside。I——thethinkingHelenRayner，waspowerless。Ohyes，IhadsuchthoughtsevenwhenthebrancheswerestingingmyfaceandIwasthrillingtothebayofthehound。Oncemyhorsefellandthrewme……Youneedn\'tlookalarmed。Itwasfine。Iwentintoasoftplaceandwasunhurt。ButwhenIwassailingthroughtheairathoughtflashed：thisistheendofme！Itwaslikeadreamwhenyouarefallingdreadfully。MuchofwhatIfeltandthoughtonthatchasemusthavebeenbecauseofwhatIhavestudiedandreadandtaught。Therealityofit，theactionandflash，weresplendid。Butfearofdanger，pityforthechasedlion，consciousnessoffoolishrisk，ofarecklessdisregardfortheseriousresponsibilityIhavetaken——alltheseworkedinmymindandheldbackwhatmighthavebeenasheerphysical，primitivejoyofthewildmoment。\"
Dalelistenedintently，andafterHelenhadfinishedhestudiedthefireandthoughtfullypokedtheredemberswithhisstick。Hisfacewasstillandserene，untroubledandunlined，buttoHelenhiseyesseemedsad，pensive，expressiveofanunsatisfiedyearningandwonder。Shehadcarefullyandearnestlyspoken，becauseshewasverycurioustohearwhathemightsay。
\"Iunderstandyou，\"hereplied，presently。\"An\'I\'msuresurprisedthatIcan。I\'vereadmybooks——an\'rereadthem，butnooneevertalkedlikethattome。WhatImakeofitisthis。You\'vethesamebloodinyouthat\'sinBo。An\'bloodisstrongerthanbrain。Rememberthatbloodislife。Itwouldbegoodforyoutohaveitrunan\'beatan\'burn，asBo\'sdid。Yourblooddidthatathousandyearsortenthousandbeforeintellectwasborninyourancestors。
Instinctmaynotbegreaterthanreason，butit\'samillionyearsolder。Don\'tfightyourinstinctssohard。IftheywerenotgoodtheGodofCreationwouldnothavegiventhemtoyou。To-dayyourmindwasfullofself-restraintthatdidnotaltogetherrestrain。Youcouldn\'tforgetyourself。Youcouldn\'tFEELonly，asBodid。Youcouldn\'tbetruetoyourrealnature。\"
\"Idon\'tagreewithyou，\"repliedHelen，quickly。\"Idon\'thavetobeanIndiantobetruetomyself。\"
\"Why，yesyoudo，\"saidDale。
\"ButIcouldn\'tbeanIndian，\"declaredHelen，spiritedly。
\"Icouldn\'tFEELonly，asyousayBodid。Icouldn\'tgobackinthescale，asyouhint。Whatwouldallmyeducationamountto——thoughgoodnessknowsit\'slittleenough——ifIhadnocontroloverprimitivefeelingsthathappenedtobeborninme？\"
\"You\'llhavelittleornocontroloverthemwhentherighttimecomes，\"repliedDale。\"Yourshelteredlifean\'
educationhaveledyouawayfromnaturalinstincts。Butthey\'reinyouan\'you\'lllearntheproofofthatouthere。\"
\"No。NotifIlivedahundredyearsintheWest，\"assertedHelen。
\"But，child，doyouknowwhatyou\'retalkin\'about？\"
HereBoletoutablissfulpealoflaughter。
\"Mr。Dale！\"exclaimedHelen，almostaffronted。Shewasstirred。\"IknowMYSELF，atleast。\"
\"Butyoudonot。You\'venoideaofyourself。You\'veeducation，yes，butnotinnaturean\'life。An\'afterall，theyaretherealthings。Answerme，now——honestly，willyou？\"
\"Certainly，ifIcan。Someofyourquestionsarehardtoanswer。\"
\"Haveyoueverbeenstarved？\"heasked。
\"No，\"repliedHelen。
\"Haveyoueverbeenlostawayfromhome？\"
\"No。\"
\"Haveyoueverfaceddeath——realstarkan\'nakeddeath，closean\'terrible？\"
\"No，indeed。\"
\"Haveyoueverwantedtokillanyonewithyourbarehands？\"
\"Oh，Mr。Dale，you——youamazeme。No！……No！\"
\"IreckonIknowyouranswertomylastquestion，butI\'llaskit，anyhow……Haveyoueverbeensomadlyinlovewithamanthatyoucouldnotlivewithouthim？\"
Bofelloffherseatwithahigh，trillinglaugh。\"Oh，youtwoaregreat！\"
\"ThankHeaven，Ihaven\'tbeen，\"repliedHelen，shortly。
\"Thenyoudon\'tknowanythin\'aboutlife，\"declaredDale，withfinality。
Helenwasnottobeputdownbythat，dubiousandtroubledasitmadeher。
\"Haveyouexperiencedallthosethings？\"shequeried，stubbornly。
\"Allbutthelastone。Lovenevercamemyway。Howcouldit？
Ilivealone。Iseldomgotothevillageswheretherearegirls。Nogirlwouldevercareforme。Ihavenothin\'……
But，allthesame，Iunderstandlovealittle，justbycomparisonwithstrongfeelin\'sI\'velived。\"
Helenwatchedthehunterandmarveledathissimplicity。Hissadandpenetratinggazewasonthefire，asifinitswhitehearttoreadthesecretdeniedhim。Hehadsaidthatnogirlwouldeverlovehim。Sheimaginedhemightknowconsiderablylessaboutthenatureofgirlsthanoftheforest。
\"Tocomebacktomyself，\"saidHelen，wantingtocontinuetheargument。\"YoudeclaredIdidn\'tknowmyself。ThatI
wouldhavenoself-control。Iwill！\"
\"Imeantthebigthingsoflife，\"hesaid，patiently。
\"Whatthings？\"
\"Itoldyou。Byaskin\'whathadneverhappenedtoyouI
learnedwhatwillhappen。\"
\"ThoseexperiencestocometoME！\"breathedHelen，incredulously。\"Never！\"
\"SisterNell，theysurewill——particularlythelast-namedone——themadlove，\"chimedinBo，mischievously，yetbelievingly。
NeitherDalenorHelenappearedtohearherinterruption。
\"Letmeputitsimpler，\"beganDale，evidentlyrackinghisbrainforanalogy。Hisperplexityappearedpainfultohim，becausehehadagreatfaith，agreatconvictionthathecouldnotmakeclear。\"HereIam，thenaturalphysicalman，livin\'inthewilds。An\'hereyoucome，thecomplex，intellectualwoman。Remember，formyargument\'ssake，thatyou\'rehere。An\'supposecircumstancesforcedyoutostayhere。You\'dfighttheelementswithmean\'workwithmetosustainlife。Theremustbeagreatchangeineitheryouorme，accordin\'totheother\'sinfluence。An\'can\'tyouseethatchangemustcomeinyou，notbecauseofanythin\'
superiorinme——I\'mreallyinferiortoyou——butbecauseofourenvironment？You\'dloseyourcomplexity。An\'inyearstocomeyou\'dbeanaturalphysicalwoman，becauseyou\'dlivethroughan\'bythephysical。\"
\"Ohdear，willnoteducationbeofhelptotheWesternwoman？\"queriedHelen，almostindespair。
\"Sureitwill，\"answeredDale，promptly。\"WhattheWestneedsiswomenwhocanraisean\'teachchildren。Butyoudon\'tunderstandme。Youdon\'tgetunderyourskin。IreckonIcan\'tmakeyouseemyargumentasIfeelit。Youtakemywordforthis，though。SoonerorlateryouWILLwakeupan\'
forgetyourself。Remember。\"
\"Nell，I\'llbetyoudo，too，\"saidBo，seriouslyforher。
\"Itmayseemstrangetoyou，butIunderstandDale。Ifeelwhathemeans。It\'sasortofshock。Nell，we\'renotwhatweseem。We\'renotwhatwefondlyimagineweare。We\'velivedtoolongwithpeople——toofarawayfromtheearth。YouknowtheBiblesayssomethinglikethis：\'Dustthouartandtodustthoushaltreturn。\'WhereDOwecomefrom？\"
CHAPTERXII
Dayspassed。
EverymorningHelenawokewithawonderingquestionastowhatthisdaywouldbringforth，especiallywithregardtopossiblenewsfromheruncle。Itmustcomesometimeandshewasanxiousforit。Somethingaboutthissimple，wildcamplifehadbeguntogripher。ShefoundherselfshirkingdailyattentiontotheclothesshehadbroughtWest。Theyneededit，butshehadbeguntoseehowsuperficialtheyreallywere。Ontheotherhand，camp-firetaskshadcometobeapleasure。ShehadlearnedagreatdealmoreaboutthemthanhadBo。Worryanddreadwerealwaysimpinginguponthefringeofherthoughts——alwaysvaguelypresent，thoughseldomannoying。Theywerelikeshadowsindreams。Shewantedtogettoheruncle\'sranch，totakeupthedutiesofhernewlife。Butshewasnotpreparedtobelieveshewouldnotregretthiswildexperience。Shemustgetawayfromthatinordertoseeitclearly，andshebegantohavedoubtsofherself。
Meanwhiletheactiveandrestfuloutdoorlifewenton。Boleanedmoreandmoretowardutterreconciliationtoit。Hereyeshadawonderfulflash，likebluelightning；hercheeksweregoldandbrown；herhandstanneddarkasanIndian\'s。
Shecouldvaultuponthegraymustang，or，forthatmatter，clearoverhisback。ShelearnedtoshootarifleaccuratelyenoughtowinDale\'spraise，andvowedshewouldliketodrawabeaduponagrizzlybearoruponSnakeAnson。
\"Bo，ifyoumetthatgrizzlyDalesaidhasbeenprowlingroundcamplatelyyou\'drunrightupatree，\"declaredHelen，onemorning，whenBoseemedparticularlyboastful。
\"Don\'tfoolyourself，\"retortedBo。
\"ButI\'veseenyourunfromamouse！\"
\"Sister，couldn\'tIbeafraidofamouseandnotabear？\"
\"Idon\'tseehow。\"
\"Well，bears，lions，outlaws，andotherwildbeastsaretobemetwithhereintheWest，andmymind\'smadeup，\"saidBo，inslow-noddingdeliberation。
Theyarguedastheyhadalwaysargued，Helenforreasonandcommonsenseandrestraint，Boontheprinciplethatifshemustfightitwasbettertogetinthefirstblow。
ThemorningonwhichthisargumenttookplaceDalewasalongtimeincatchingthehorses。Whenhedidcomeinheshookhisheadseriously。
\"Somevarmint\'sbeenchasin\'thehorses，\"hesaid，ashereachedforhissaddle。\"Didyouhearthemsnortin\'an\'
runnin\'lastnight？\"
Neitherofthegirlshadbeenawakened。
\"Imissedoneofthecolts，\"wentonDale，\"an\'I\'mgoin\'torideacrossthepark。\"
Dale\'smovementswerequickandstern。Itwassignificantthathechosehisheavierrifle，and，mounting，withasharpcalltoPedro，herodeoffwithoutanotherwordtothegirls。
Bowatchedhimforamomentandthenbegantosaddlethemustang。
\"Youwon\'tfollowhim？\"askedHelen，quickly。
\"Isurewill，\"repliedBo。\"Hedidn\'tforbidit。\"
\"Buthecertainlydidnotwantus。\"
\"Hemightnotwantyou，butI\'llbethewouldn\'tobjecttome，whatever\'sup，\"saidBo，shortly。
\"Oh！Soyouthink——\"exclaimedHelen，keenlyhurt。Shebithertonguetokeepbackahotreply。Anditwascertainthataburstinggushofangerfloodedoverher。Wasshe，then，suchacoward？DidDalethinkthisslipofasister，sowildandwilful，wasastrongerwomanthanshe？Amoment\'ssilentstrifeconvincedherthatnodoubthethoughtsoandnodoubthewasright。Thentheangercentereduponherself，andHelenneitherunderstoodnortrustedherself。
Theoutcomeprovedanuncontrollableimpulse。Helenbegantosaddleherhorse。ShehadthetaskhalfaccomplishedwhenBo\'scallmadeherlookup。
\"Listen！\"
Helenheardaringing，wildbayofthehound。
\"That\'sPedro，\"shesaid，withathrill。
\"Sure。He\'srunning。Weneverheardhimbaylikethatbefore。\"
\"Where\'sDale？\"
\"Herodeoutofsightacrossthere，\"repliedBo，pointing。
\"AndPedro\'srunningtowardusalongthatslope。Hemustbeamile——twomilesfromDale。\"
\"ButDalewillfollow。\"
\"Sure。Buthe\'dneedwingstogetnearthathoundnow。Pedrocouldn\'thavegoneacrosstherewithhim……justlisten。\"
ThewildnoteofthehoundmanifestlystirredBotoirrepressibleaction。SnatchingupDale\'slighterrifle，sheshoveditintohersaddle-sheath，and，leapingonthemustang，sheranhimoverbrushandbrook，straightdowntheparktowardtheplacePedrowasclimbing。ForaninstantHelenstoodamazedbeyondspeech。WhenBosailedoverabiglog，likeasteeple-chaser，thenHelenansweredtofurtherunconsideredimpulsebyfranticallygettinghersaddlefastened。Withoutcoatorhatshemounted。Thenervoushorseboltedalmostbeforeshegotintothesaddle。Astrange，trenchanttremblingcoursedthroughallherveins。ShewantedtoscreamforBotowait。Bowasoutofsight，butthedeep，muddytracksinwetplacesandthepaththroughthelonggrassaffordedHelenaneasytrailtofollow。Infact，herhorseneedednoguiding。Heraninandoutofthestragglingsprucesalongtheedgeofthepark，andsuddenlywheeledaroundacorneroftreestocomeuponthegraymustangstandingstill。Bowaslookingupandlistening。
\"Thereheis！\"criedBo，asthehoundbayedringingly，closertothemthistime，andshespurredaway。
Helen\'shorsefollowedwithouturging。Hewasexcited。Hisearswereup。Somethingwasinthewind。Helenhadneverriddenalongthisbrokenendofthepark，andBowasnoteasytokeepupwith。Sheledacrossbogs，brooks，swales，rockylittleridges，throughstretchesoftimberandgrovesofaspensothickHelencouldscarcelysqueezethrough。ThenBocameoutintoalargeopenoffshootofthepark，rightunderthemountainslope，andhereshesat，herhorsewatchingandlistening。Helenrodeuptoher，imaginingoncethatshehadheardthehound。
\"Look！Look！\"Bo\'sscreammadehermustangstandalmoststraightup。
Helengazeduptoseeabigbrownbearwithafrostedcoatgolumberingacrossanopeningontheslope。
\"It\'sagrizzly！He\'llkillPedro！Oh，whereisDale！\"criedBo，withintenseexcitement。
\"Bo！Thatbearisrunningdown！We——wemustget——outofhisroad，\"pantedHelen，inbreathlessalarm。
\"Dalehasn\'thadtimetobeclose……Oh，Iwishhe\'dcome！Idon\'tknowwhattodo。\"
\"Rideback。Atleastwaitforhim。\"
JustthenPedrospokedifferently，insavagebarks，andfollowingthatcamealoudgrowlandcrashingsinthebrush。
Thesesoundsappearedtobenotfaruptheslope。
\"Nell！Doyouhear？Pedro\'sfightingthebear，\"burstoutBo。Herfacepaled，hereyesflashedlikebluesteel。\"Thebear\'llkillhim！\"
\"Oh，thatwouldbedreadful！\"repliedHelen，indistress。
\"Butwhatonearthcanwedo？\"
\"HEL-LO，DALE！\"calledBo，atthehighestpitchofherpiercingvoice。
Noanswercame。Aheavycrashofbrush，arollingofstones，anothergrowlfromtheslopetoldHelenthatthehoundhadbroughtthebeartobay。
\"Nell，I\'mgoingup，\"saidBo，deliberately。
\"No-no！Areyoumad？\"returnedHelen。
\"ThebearwillkillPedro。\"
\"Hemightkillyou。\"
\"YouridethatwayandyellforDale，\"rejoinedBo。
\"Whatwill——youdo？\"gaspedHelen。
\"I\'llshootatthebear——scarehimoff。Ifhechasesmehecan\'tcatchmecomingdownhill。Dalesaidthat。\"
\"You\'recrazy！\"criedHelen，asBolookeduptheslope，searchingforopenground。Thenshepulledtheriflefromitssheath。
ButBodidnothearordidnotcare。Shespurredthemustang，andhe，wildtorun，flunggrassanddirtfromhisheels。WhatHelenwouldhavedonethensheneverknew，butthefactwasthatherhorseboltedafterthemustang。Inaninstant，seemingly，Bohaddisappearedinthegoldandgreenoftheforestslope。Helen\'smountclimbedonarun，snortingandheaving，throughaspens，brush，andtimber，tocomeoutintoanarrow，longopeningextendinglengthwiseuptheslope。
AsuddenprolongedcrashaheadalarmedHelenandhaltedherhorse。Shesawashakingofaspens。Thenahugebrownbeastleapedasacatoutofthewoods。Itwasabearofenormoussize。Helen\'sheartstopped——hertongueclovetotheroofofhermouth。Thebearturned。Hismouthwasopen，redanddripping。Helookedshaggy，gray。Heletoutaterriblebawl。Helen\'severymusclefrozestiff。Herhorseplungedhighandsidewise，wheelingalmostintheair，neighinghisterror。Likeastoneshedroppedfromthesaddle。Shedidnotseethehorsebreakintothewoods，butsheheardhim。
Hergazeneverleftthebearevenwhileshewasfalling，anditseemedshealightedinanuprightpositionwithherbackagainstabush。Itupheldher。Thebearwaggedhishugeheadfromsidetoside。Then，asthehoundbarkedcloseathand，heturnedtorunheavilyuphillandoutoftheopening。
TheinstantofhisdisappearancewasoneofcollapseforHelen。Frozenwithhorror，shehadbeenunabletomoveorfeelorthink。Allatonceshewasaquiveringmassofcold，helplessflesh，wetwithperspiration，sickwithashuddering，retching，internalconvulsion，hermindliberatedfromparalyzingshock。Themomentwasashorribleasthatinwhichthebearhadbawledhisfrightfulrage。A
stark，icy，blackemotionseemedinpossessionofher。Shecouldnotliftahand，yetallofherbodyappearedshaking。
Therewasafluttering，astranglinginherthroat。Thecrushingweightthatsurroundedherhearteasedbeforesherecovereduseofherlimbs。Then，thenakedandterriblethingwasgone，likeanightmaregivingwaytoconsciousness。Whatblessedrelief！Helenwildlygazedabouther。Thebearandhoundwereoutofsight，andsowasherhorse。Shestoodupverydizzyandweak。ThoughtofBothenseemedtoreviveher，toshockdifferentlifeandfeelingthroughoutallhercoldextremities。Shelistened。
Sheheardathuddingofhoofsdowntheslope，thenDale\'sclear，strongcall。Sheanswered。Itappearedlongbeforeheburstoutofthewoods，ridinghardandleadingherhorse。
Inthattimesherecoveredfully，andwhenhereachedher，toputasuddenhaltuponthefieryRanger，shecaughtthebridlehethrewandswiftlymountedherhorse。Thefeelofthesaddleseemeddifferent。Dale\'spiercinggrayglancethrilledherstrangely。
\"You\'rewhite。Areyouhurt？\"hesaid。
\"No。Iwasscared。\"
\"Buthethrewyou？\"
\"Yes，hecertainlythrewme。\"
\"Whathappened？\"
\"Weheardthehoundandwerodealongthetimber。Thenwesawthebear——amonster——white——coated——\"
\"Iknow。It\'sagrizzly。Hekilledthecolt——yourpet。
Hurrynow。WhataboutBo？\"
\"Pedrowasfightingthebear。Bosaidhe\'dbekilled。Sheroderightuphere。Myhorsefollowed。Icouldn\'thavestoppedhim。ButwelostBo。Righttherethebearcameout。
Heroared。Myhorsethrewmeandranoff。Pedro\'sbarkingsavedme——mylife，Ithink。Oh！thatwasawful！Thenthebearwentup——there……Andyoucame。\"
\"Bo\'sfollowin\'thehound！\"ejaculatedDale。And，liftinghishandstohismouth，hesentoutastentorianyellthatrolleduptheslope，rangagainstthecliffs，pealedandbrokeanddiedaway。Thenhewaited，listening。Fromfaruptheslopecameafaint，wildcry，high-pitchedandsweet，tocreatestrangeechoes，floatingawaytodieintheravines。
\"She\'safterhim！\"declaredDale，grimly。
\"Bo\'sgotyourrifle，\"saidHelen。\"Oh，wemusthurry。\"
\"Yougoback，\"orderedDale，wheelinghishorse。
\"No！\"Helenfeltthatwordleaveherlipswiththeforceofabullet。
DalespurredRangerandtooktotheopenslope。Helenkeptathisheelsuntiltimberwasreached。Hereasteeptrailledup。Daledismounted。
\"Horsetracks——beartracks——dogtracks，\"hesaid，bendingover。\"We\'llhavetowalkuphere。It\'llsaveourhorsesan\'maybetime，too。\"
\"IsBoridingupthere？\"askedHelen，eyingthesteepascent。
\"Shesureis。\"WiththatDalestartedup，leadinghishorse。
Helenfollowed。Itwasroughandhardwork。Shewaslightlyclad，yetsoonshewashot，laboring，andherheartbegantohurt。WhenDalehaltedtorestHelenwasjustreadytodrop。
Thebayingofthehound，thoughinfrequent，inspiritedher。
Butpresentlythatsoundwaslost。Dalesaidbearandhoundhadgoneovertheridgeandassoonasthetopwasgainedhewouldhearthemagain。
\"Lookthere，\"hesaid，presently，pointingtofreshtracks，largerthanthosemadebyBo\'smustang。\"Elktracks。We\'vescaredabigbullan\'he\'srightaheadofus。Looksharpan\'
you\'llseehim。\"
Helenneverclimbedsohardandfastbefore，andwhentheyreachedtheridge-topshewasalltuckeredout。Itwasallshecoulddotogetonherhorse。Daleledalongthecrestofthiswoodedridgetowardthewesternend，whichwasconsiderablyhigher。Inplacesopenrockygroundsplitthegreentimber。Dalepointedtowardapromontory。
Helensawasplendidelksilhouettedagainstthesky。Hewasalightgrayoverallhishindquarters，withshouldersandheadblack。Hisponderous，wide-spreadantlerstoweredoverhim，addingtothewildnessofhismagnificentpoiseashestoodthere，lookingdownintothevalley，nodoubtlisteningforthebayofthehound。WhenheheardDale\'shorsehegaveonebound，gracefullyandwonderfullycarryinghisantlers，todisappearinthegreen。
AgainonabarepatchofgroundDalepointeddown。Helensawbigroundtracks，toeinginalittle，thatgaveherachill。
Sheknewtheseweregrizzlytracks。
Hardridingwasnotpossibleonthisridgecrest，afactthatgaveHelentimetocatchherbreath。Atlength，comingoutupontheverysummitofthemountain，Daleheardthehound。Helen\'seyesfeastedafaruponawildsceneofruggedgrandeur，beforeshelookeddownonthiswesternslopeatherfeettoseebare，gradualdescent，leadingdowntosparselywoodedbenchandontodeep-greencanuon。
\"Ridehardnow！\"yelledDale。\"IseeBo，an\'I\'llhavetoridetocatchher。\"
Dalespurreddowntheslope。Helenrodeinhistracksand，thoughsheplungedsofastthatshefeltherhairstandupwithfright，shesawhimdrawawayfromher。Sometimesherhorseslidonhishaunchesforafewyards，andatthesehazardousmomentsshegotherfeetoutofthestirrupssoastofallfreefromhimifhewentdown。Shelethimchoosetheway，whileshegazedaheadatDale，andthenfartheron，inthehopeofseeingBo。Atlastshewasrewarded。FarDownthewoodedbenchshesawagrayflashofthelittlemustangandabrightglintofBo\'shair。Herheartswelled。DalewouldsoonoverhaulBoandcomebetweenherandperil。Andontheinstant，thoughHelenwasunconsciousofitthen，aremarkablechangecameoverherspirit。Fearlefther。Andahot，exalting，incomprehensiblesomethingtookpossessionofher。
Sheletthehorserun，andwhenhehadplungedtothefootofthatslopeofsoftgroundhebrokeoutacrosstheopenbenchatapacethatmadethewindbiteHelen\'scheeksandroarinherears。ShelostsightofDale。Itgaveherastrange，grimexultance。Shebenthereagergazetofindthetracksofhishorse，andshefoundthem。AlsoshemadeoutthetracksofBo\'smustangandthebearandthehound。Herhorse，scentinggame，perhaps，andafraidtobeleftalone，settledintoafleetandpowerfulstride，sailingoverlogsandbrush。Thatopenbenchhadlookedshort，butitwaslong，andHelenrodedownthegradualdescentatbreakneckspeed。Shewouldnotbeleftbehind。Shehadawakenedtoaheedlessnessofrisk。Somethingburnedsteadilywithinher。
Agrim，hardangerofjoy！Whenshesaw，fardownanotheropen，gradualdescent，thatDalehadpassedBoandthatBowasridingthelittlemustangasneverbefore，thenHelenflamedwithamadnesstocatchher，tobeatherinthatwonderfulchase，toshowherandDalewhattherereallywasinthedepthsofHelenRayner。
Herambitionwastobeshort-lived，shedivinedfromthelayofthelandahead，buttherideshelivedthenforaflyingmilewassomethingthatwouldalwaysblanchhercheeksandprickherskininremembrance。
Theopengroundwasonlytooshort。ThatthunderingpacesoonbroughtHelen\'shorsetothetimber。Hereittookallherstrengthtocheckhisheadlongflightoverdeadfallsandbetweensmalljack-pines。HelenlostsightofBo，andsherealizeditwouldtakeallherwitstokeepfromgettinglost。Shehadtofollowthetrail，andinsomeplacesitwashardtoseefromhorseback。
Besides，herhorsewasmettlesome，thoroughlyaroused，andhewantedafreereinandhisownway。Helentriedthat，onlytolosethetrailandtogetsundryknocksfromtreesandbranches。Shecouldnothearthehound，norDale。Thepinesweresmall，closetogether，andtough。Theywerehardtobend。Helenhurtherhands，scratchedherface，barkedherknees。ThehorseformedahabitsuddenlyofdecidingtogothewayhelikedinsteadofthewayHelenguidedhim，andwhenheplungedbetweensaplingstooclosetopermiteasypassageitwasexceedinglyhardonher。ThatdidnotmakeanydifferencetoHelen。Onceworkedintoafrenzy，herbloodstayedathighpressure。Shedidnotarguewithherselfaboutaneedofdesperatehurry。Evenablowontheheadthatnearlyblindedherdidnotintheleastretardher。Thehorsecouldhardlybeheld，andnotatallinthefewopenplaces。
AtlastHelenreachedanotherslope。Comingoutuponcanuonrim，sheheardDale\'sclearcall，fardown，andBo\'sansweringpeal，highandpiercing，withitsnoteofexultantwildness。Helenalsoheardthebearandthehoundfightingatthebottomofthiscanuon。
HereHelenagainmissedthetracksmadebyDaleandBo。Thedescentlookedimpassable。Sherodebackalongtherim，thenforward。Finallyshefoundwherethegroundhadbeenploweddeepbyhoofs，downoverlittlebanks。Helen\'shorsebalkedatthesejumps。Whenshegoadedhimoverthemshewentforwardonhisneck。Itseemedlikeridingstraightdownhill。ThemadspiritofthatchasegrewmorestinginglykeentoHelenastheobstaclesgrew。Then，oncemorethebayofthehoundandthebawlofthebearmadeademonofherhorse。Hesnortedashrilldefiance。Heplungedwithforehoofsintheair。Heslidandbrokeawaydownthesteep，softbanks，throughthethickbrushandthickclustersofsaplings，sendinglooserocksandearthintoavalanchesaheadofhim。Hefelloveronebank，butathicketofaspensupheldhimsothathereboundedandgainedhisfeet。Thesoundsoffightceased，butDale\'sthrillingcallfloateduponthepine-scentedair。
BeforeHelenrealizeditshewasatthefootoftheslope，inanarrowcanuon-bed，fullofrocksandtrees，withasoftroarofrunningwaterfillingherears。Trackswereeverywhere，andwhenshecametothefirstopenplaceshesawwherethegrizzlyhadplungedoffasandybarintothewater。HerehehadfoughtPedro。Signsofthatbattlewereeasytoread。Helensawwherehishugetracks，stillwet，leduptheoppositesandybank。
Thendown-streamHelendidsomemorerecklessandsplendidriding。Onlevelgroundthehorsewasgreat。Onceheleapedclearacrossthebrook。Everyplunge，everyturnHelenexpectedtocomeuponDaleandBofacingthebear。Thecanuonnarrowed，thestream-beddeepened。Shehadtoslowdowntogetthroughthetreesandrocks。Quiteunexpectedlysherodepell-melluponDaleandBoandthepantingPedro。Herhorseplungedtoahalt，answeringtheshrillneighsoftheotherhorses。
DalegazedinadmiringamazementatHelen。
\"Say，didyoumeetthebearagain？\"hequeried，blankly。
\"No。Didn\'t——you——killhim？\"pantedHelen，slowlysagginginhersaddle。
\"Hegotawayintherocks。Roughcountrydownhere。
Helenslidoffherhorseandfellwithalittlepantingcryofrelief。Shesawthatshewasbloody，dirty，disheveled，andwringingwetwithperspiration。Herridinghabitwastornintotatters。Everymuscleseemedtoburnandsting，andallherbonesseemedbroken。ButitwasworthallthistomeetDale\'spenetratingglance，toseeBo\'sutter，incredulousastonishment。
\"Nell——Rayner！\"gaspedBo。
\"If——myhorse\'dbeen——anygood——inthewoods，\"pantedHelen，\"I\'dnotlost——somuchtime——ridingdownthismountain。AndI\'dcaughtyou——beatyou。\"
\"Girl，didyouRIDEdownthislastslope？\"queriedDale。
\"Isuredid，\"repliedHelen，smiling。
\"Wewalkedeverystepoftheway，andwasluckytogetdownatthat，\"respondedDale，gravely。\"Nohorseshouldhavebeenriddendownthere。Why，hemusthavesliddown。\"
\"Weslid——yes。ButIstayedonhim。\"
Bo\'sincredulitychangedtowondering，speechlessadmiration。AndDale\'sraresmilechangedhisgravity。
\"I\'msorry。Itwasrashofme。Ithoughtyou\'dgoback……Butall\'swellthatendswell……Helen，didyouwakeupto-day？\"
Shedroppedhereyes，notcaringtomeetthequestioninggazeuponher。
\"Maybe——alittle，\"shereplied，andshecoveredherfacewithherhands。Remembranceofhisquestions——ofhisassurancethatshedidnotknowtherealmeaningoflife——
ofherstubbornantagonism——madehersomehowashamed。Butitwasnotforlong。
\"Thechasewasgreat，\"shesaid。\"Ididnotknowmyself。Youwereright。\"
\"Inhowmanywaysdidyoufindmeright？\"heasked。
\"Ithinkall——butone，\"shereplied，withalaughandashudder。\"I\'mnearstarvedNOW——IwassofuriousatBothatIcouldhavechokedher。Ifacedthathorriblebrute……Oh，Iknowwhatitistofeardeath！……Iwaslosttwiceontheride——absolutelylost。That\'sall。\"
Bofoundhertongue。\"Thelastthingwasforyoutofallwildlyinlove，wasn\'tit？\"
\"AccordingtoDale，Imustaddthattomynewexperiencesofto-day——beforeIcanknowreallife，\"repliedHelen，demurely。
Thehunterturnedaway。\"Letusgo，\"hesaid，soberly。
CHAPTERXIII
Aftermoredaysofridingthegrassylevelofthatwonderfullygoldandpurplepark，anddreamilylisteningbydaytotheever-lowandever-changingmurmurofthewaterfall，andbynighttothewild，lonelymournofahuntingwolf，andclimbingtothedizzyheightswherethewindstungsweetly，HelenRaynerlosttrackoftimeandforgotherperil。
RoyBeemandidnotreturn。IfoccasionallyDalementionedRoyandhisquest，thegirlshadlittletosaybeyondarecurrentanxietyfortheolduncle，andthentheyforgotagain。ParadisePark，livedinalittlewhileatthatseasonoftheyear，wouldhaveclaimedanyone，andeverafterwardhauntedsleepingorwakingdreams。
Bogaveuptothewildlife，tothehorsesandrides，tothemanypets，andespeciallytothecougar，Tom。Thebigcatfollowedhereverywhere，playedwithher，rollingandpawing，kitten-like，andhewouldlayhismassiveheadinherlaptopurrhiscontent。Bohadlittlefearofanything，andhereinthewildsshesoonlostthat。
AnotherofDale\'spetswasahalf-grownblackbearnamedMuss。HewasabnormallyjealousoflittleBudandhehadawell-developedhatredofTom，otherwisehewasaverygood-temperedbear，andenjoyedDale\'simpartialregard。
Tom，however，chasedMussoutofcampwheneverDale\'sbackwasturned，andsometimesMussstayedaway，shiftingforhimself。WiththeadventofBo，whospentagooddealoftimeontheanimals，Mussmanifestlyfoundthecampmoreattractive。Whereupon，DalepredictedtroublebetweenTomandMuss。
Bolikednothingbetterthanarough-and-tumblefrolicwiththeblackbear。Musswasnotverybignorveryheavy，andinawrestlingboutwiththestrongandwirygirlhesometimescameoutsecondbest。ItspokewellofhimthatheseemedtobecarefulnottohurtBo。Heneverbitorscratched，thoughhesometimesgavehersoundingslapswithhispaws。
Whereupon，Bowouldclenchhergauntletedfistsandsailintohiminearnest。
Oneafternoonbeforetheearlysuppertheyalwayshad，DaleandHelenwerewatchingBoteasingthebear。Shewasinhermostvixenishmood，fulloflifeandfight。Tomlayhislonglengthonthegrass，watchingwithnarrow，gleamingeyes。
WhenBoandMusslockedinanembraceandwentdowntorolloverandover，DalecalledHelen\'sattentiontothecougar。
\"Tom\'sjealous。It\'sstrangehowanimalsarelikepeople。
PrettysoonI\'llhavetocorralMuss，orthere\'llbeafight。\"
HelencouldnotseeanythingwrongwithTomexceptthathedidnotlookplayful。
Duringsupper-timebothbearandcougardisappeared，thoughthiswasnotremarkeduntilafterward。Dalewhistledandcalled，buttherivalpetsdidnotreturn。NextmorningTomwasthere，curledupsnuglyatthefootofBo\'sbed，andwhenshearosehefollowedheraroundasusual。ButMussdidnotreturn。
ThecircumstancemadeDaleanxious。Heleftcamp，takingTomwithhim，anduponreturningstatedthathehadfollowedMuss\'strackasfaraspossible，andthenhadtriedtoputTomonthetrail，butthecougarwouldnotorcouldnotfollowit。DalesaidTomneverlikedabeartrail，anyway，cougarsandbearsbeingcommonenemies。So，whetherbyaccidentordesign，Bolostoneofherplaymates。
Thehuntersearchedsomeoftheslopesnextdayandevenwentupononeofthemountains。HedidnotdiscoveranysignofMuss，buthesaidhehadfoundsomethingelse。
\"Boyougirlswantsomemorerealexcitement？\"heasked。
HelensmiledheracquiescenceandBorepliedwithoneofherforcefulspeeches。
\"Don\'tmindbein\'goodan\'scared？\"hewenton。
\"Youcan\'tscareme，\"banteredBo。ButHelenlookeddoubtful。
\"UpinoneoftheparksIranacrossoneofmyhorses——alamebayyouhaven\'tseen。Well，hehadbeenkilledbythatoldsilvertip。Theonewechased。Hadn\'tbeendeadoveranhour。Bloodwasstillrunnin\'an\'onlyalittlemeateaten。
Thatbearheardmeorsawmean\'madeoffintothewoods。
Buthe\'llcomebackto-night。I\'mgoin\'upthere，layforhim，an\'killhimthistime。Reckonyou\'dbettergo，becauseIdon\'twanttoleaveyouherealoneatnight。\"
\"AreyougoingtotakeTom？\"askedBo。
\"No。Thebearmightgethisscent。An\'，besides，Tomain\'treliableonbears。I\'llleavePedrohome，too。\"
Whentheyhadhurriedsupper，andDalehadgotteninthehorses，thesunhadsetandthevalleywasshadowinglowdown，whiletherampartswerestillgolden。ThelongzigzagtrailDalefolloweduptheslopetooknearlyanhourtoclimb，sothatwhenthatwassurmountedandheledoutofthewoodstwilighthadfallen。ArollingparkextendedasfarasHelencouldsee，borderedbyforestthatinplacessentoutstragglingstretchesoftrees。Hereandthere，likeislands，wereisolatedpatchesoftimber。
Attenthousandfeetelevationthetwilightofthisclearandcoldnightwasarichandrareatmosphericeffect。Itlookedasifitwasseenthroughperfectlyclearsmokedglass。Objectsweresingularlyvisible，evenatlongrange，andseemedmagnified。Inthewest，wheretheafterglowofsunsetlingeredoverthedark，ragged，spruce-spearedhorizon-line，therewassuchatransparentgoldenlinemeltingintovividstar-firedbluethatHelencouldonlygazeandgazeinwonderingadmiration。
Dalespurredhishorseintoalopeandthespiritedmountsofthegirlskeptupwithhim。Thegroundwasrough，withtuftsofgrassgrowingclosetogether，yetthehorsesdidnotstumble。Theiractionandsnortingbetrayedexcitement。
Daleledaroundseveralclumpsoftimber，upalonggrassyswale，andthenstraightwestwardacrossanopenflattowardwherethedark-fringedforest-lineraiseditselfwildandclearagainstthecoldsky。Thehorseswentswiftly，andthewindcutlikeabladeofice。Helencouldbarelygetherbreathandshepantedasifshehadjustclimbedalaborsomehill。Thestarsbegantoblinkoutoftheblue，andthegoldpaledsomewhat，andyettwilightlingered。Itseemedlongacrossthatflat，butreallywasshort。Comingtoathinlineoftreesthatleddownoveraslopetoadeeperbutstillisolatedpatchofwoods，Daledismountedandtiedhishorse。Whenthegirlsgotoffhehalteredtheirhorsesalso。
\"Stickclosetomean\'putyourfeetdowneasy，\"hewhispered。Howtallanddarkheloomedinthefadinglight！
Helenthrilled，asshehadoftenoflate，atthestrange，potentialforceoftheman。Steppingsoftly，withouttheleastsound，Daleenteredthisstragglybitofwoods，whichappearedtohavenarrowbywaysandnooks。Thenpresentlyhecametothetopofawell-woodedslope，darkaspitch，apparently。ButasHelenfollowedsheperceivedthetrees，andtheywerethindwarfspruce，partlydead。Theslopewassoftandspringy，easytostepuponwithoutnoise。DalewentsocautiouslythatHelencouldnothearhim，andsometimesinthegloomshecouldnotseehim。Thenthechillthrillsranoverher。BokeptholdingontoHelen，whichfacthamperedHelenaswellasworkedsomewhattodisproveBo\'sboast。Atlastlevelgroundwasreached。Helenmadeoutalight-graybackgroundcrossedbyblackbars。Anotherglanceshowedthistobethedarktree-trunksagainsttheopenpark。
Dalehalted，andwithatouchbroughtHelentoastrainingpause。Hewaslistening。Itseemedwonderfultowatchhimbendhisheadandstandassilentandmotionlessasoneofthedarktrees。
\"He\'snotthereyet，\"Dalewhispered，andhesteppedforwardveryslowly。HelenandBobegantocomeupagainstthindeadbranchesthatwereinvisibleandthencracked。ThenDalekneltdown，seemedtomeltintotheground。
\"You\'llhavetocrawl，\"hewhispered。
HowstrangeandthrillingthatwasforHelen，andhardwork！
Thegroundboretwigsanddeadbranches，whichhadtobecarefullycrawledover；andlyingflat，aswasnecessary，ittookprodigiousefforttodragherbodyinchbyinch。Likeahugesnake，Dalewormedhiswayalong。
Graduallythewoodlightened。Theywerenearingtheedgeofthepark。Helennowsawastripofopenwithahigh，blackwallofsprucebeyond。Theafterglowflashedorchanged，likeadimmingnorthernlight，andthenfailed。Dalecrawledonfarthertohaltatlengthbetweentwotree-trunksattheedgeofthewood。
\"Comeupbesideme，\"hewhispered。
Helencrawledon，andpresentlyBowasbesideherpanting，withpalefaceandgreat，staringeyes，plaintobeseeninthewanlight。
\"Moon\'scomin\'up。We\'rejustintime。Theoldgrizzly\'snotthereyet，butIseecoyotes。Look。\"
Dalepointedacrosstheopenneckofparktoadimblurredpatchstandingapartsomelittledistancefromtheblackwall。
\"That\'sthedeadhorse，\"whisperedDale。\"An\'ifyouwatchcloseyoucanseethecoyotes。They\'regrayan\'theymove……Can\'tyouhearthem？\"
Helen\'sexcitedears，sofullofthrobsandimaginings，presentlyregisteredlowsnapsandsnarls。Bogaveherarmasqueeze。
\"Ihearthem。They\'refighting。Oh，gee！\"shepanted，anddrewalong，fullbreathofunutterableexcitement。
\"Keepquietnowan\'watchan\'listen，\"saidthehunter。
Slowlytheblack，raggedforest-lineseemedtogrowblackerandlift；slowlythegrayneckofparklightenedundersomeinvisibleinfluence；slowlythestarspaledandtheskyfilledover。Somewherethemoonwasrising。Andslowlythatvagueblurredpatchgrewalittleclearer。
Throughthetipsofthespruce，nowseentoberathercloseathand，shoneaslender，silvercrescentmoon，darkening，hiding，shiningagain，climbinguntilitsexquisitesickle-pointtoppedthetrees，andthen，magically，itclearedthem，radiantandcold。Whiletheeasternblackwallshadedstillblacker，theparkblanchedandtheborder-lineoppositebegantostandoutastrees。
\"Look！Look！\"criedBo，verylowandfearfully，asshepointed。
\"Notsoloud，\"whisperedDale。
\"ButIseesomething！\"
\"Keepquiet，\"headmonished。
Helen，inthedirectionBopointed，couldnotseeanythingbutmoon-blanchedbareground，risingcloseathandtoalittleridge。
\"Liestill，\"whisperedDale。\"I\'mgoin\'tocrawlaroundtogetalookfromanotherangle。I\'llberightback。\"
Hemovednoiselesslybackwardanddisappeared。Withhimgone，Helenfeltapalpitatingofherheartandapricklingofherskin。
\"Oh，my！Nell！Look！\"whisperedBo，infright。\"IknowIsawsomething。\"
Ontopofthelittleridgearoundobjectmovedslowly，gettingfartheroutintothelight。Helenwatchedwithsuspendedbreath。Itmovedouttobesilhouettedagainstthesky——apparentlyahuge，round，bristlinganimal，frostyincolor。Oneinstantitseemedhuge——thenextsmall——thencloseathand——andfaraway。Itswervedtocomedirectlytowardthem。SuddenlyHelenrealizedthatthebeastwasnotadozenyardsdistant。Shewasjustbeginninganewexperience——arealandhorrifyingterrorinwhichherbloodcurdled，herheartgaveatremendousleapandthenstoodstill，andshewantedtofly，butwasrootedtothespot——whenDalereturnedtoherside。
\"That\'sapeskyporcupine，\"hewhispered。\"Almostcrawledoveryou。Hesurewouldhavestuckyoufullofquills。\"
Whereuponhethrewastickattheanimal。Itbouncedstraightuptoturnroundwithstartlingquickness，anditgavefortharattlingsound；thenitcrawledoutofsight。
\"Por——cu——pine！\"whisperedBo，pantingly。\"Itmight——
aswell——havebeen——anelephant！\"
Helenutteredalong，eloquentsigh。Shewouldnothavecaredtodescribeheremotionsatsightofaharmlesshedgehog。
\"Listen！\"warnedDale，verylow。HisbighandclosedoverHelen\'sgauntletedone。\"Thereyouhave——therealcryofthewild。\"
Sharpandcoldonthenightairsplitthecryofawolf，distant，yetwonderfullydistinct。Howwildandmournfulandhungry！Howmarvelouslypure！Helenshudderedthroughallherframewiththethrillofitsmusic，thewildandunutterableanddeepemotionsitaroused。Againasoundofthisforesthadpiercedbeyondherlife，backintothedimremotepastfromwhichshehadcome。
Thecrywasnotrepeated。Thecoyoteswerestill。Andsilencefell，absolutelyunbroken。
DalenudgedHelen，andthenreachedovertogiveBoatap。
Hewaspeeringkeenlyaheadandhisstrainedintensitycouldbefelt。Helenlookedwithallhermightandshesawtheshadowygrayformsofthecoyotesskulkaway，outofthemoonlightintothegloomofthewoods，wheretheydisappeared。NotonlyDale\'sintensity，buttheverysilence，thewildnessofthemomentandplace，seemedfraughtwithwonderfulpotency。Bomusthavefeltit，too，forshewastremblingallover，andholdingtightlytoHelen，andbreathingquickandfast。
\"A-huh！\"mutteredDale，underhisbreath。
Helencaughtthereliefandcertaintyinhisexclamation，andshedivined，then，somethingofwhatthemomentmusthavebeentoahunter。
Thenherroving，alertglancewasarrestedbyaloominggrayshadowcomingoutoftheforest。Itmoved，butsurelythathugethingcouldnotbeabear。Itpassedoutofgloomintosilvermoonlight。Helen\'sheartbounded。Foritwasagreatfrosty-coatedbearlumberingalongtowardthedeadhorse。
InstinctivelyHelen\'shandsoughtthearmofthehunter。Itfeltlikeironunderaripplingsurface。Thetoucheasedawaytheoppressionoverherlungs，thetightnessofherthroat。Whatmusthavebeenfearlefther，andonlyapowerfulexcitementremained。AsharpexpulsionofbreathfromBoandaviolentjerkofherframeweresignsthatshehadsightedthegrizzly。
Inthemoonlighthelookedofimmensesize，andthatwildparkwiththegloomyblacknessofforestfurnishedafitsettingforhim。Helen\'squickmind，sotakenupwithemotion，stillhadathoughtforthewonderandthemeaningofthatscene。Shewantedthebearkilled，yetthatseemedapity。
Hehadawagging，rolling，slowwalkwhichtookseveralmomentstoreachhisquarry。Whenatlengthhereachedithewalkedaroundwithsniffsplainlyheardandthenacrossgrowl。Evidentlyhehaddiscoveredthathismealhadbeenmessedover。Asawholethebigbearcouldbeseendistinctly，butonlyinoutlineandcolor。Thedistancewasperhapstwohundredyards。Thenitlookedasifhehadbeguntotugatthecarcass。Indeed，hewasdraggingit，veryslowly，butsurely。
\"Lookatthat！\"whisperedDale。\"Ifheain\'tstrong！……
ReckonI\'llhavetostophim。\"
Thegrizzly，however，stoppedofhisownaccord，justoutsideoftheshadow-lineoftheforest。Thenhehunchedinabigfrostyheapoverhispreyandbegantotearandrend。
\"Jesswasamightygoodhorse，\"mutteredDale，grimly；\"toogoodtomakeamealforahogsilvertip。\"
Thenthehuntersilentlyrosetoakneelingposition，swingingtherifleinfrontofhim。Heglancedupintothelowbranchesofthetreeoverhead。
\"Girls，there\'snotellin\'whatagrizzlywilldo。IfI
yell，youclimbupinthistree，an\'doitquick。\"
Withthatheleveledtherifle，restinghisleftelbowonhisknee。Thefrontendoftherifle，reachingoutoftheshade，shonesilverinthemoonlight。Manandweaponbecamestillasstone。Helenheldherbreath。ButDalerelaxed，loweringthebarrel。
\"Can\'tseethesightsverywell，\"hewhispered，shakinghishead。\"Remember，now——ifIyellyouclimb！\"
Againheaimedandslowlygrewrigid。Helencouldnottakeherfascinatedeyesoffhim。Heknelt，bareheaded，andintheshadowshecouldmakeoutthegleamofhisclear-cutprofile，sternandcold。
Astreakoffireandaheavyreportstartledher。Thensheheardthebullethit。Shiftingherglance，shesawthebearlurchwithconvulsiveaction，rearingonhishindlegs。Loudclickingsnapsmusthavebeenaclashingofhisjawsinrage。Buttherewasnoothersound。ThenagainDale\'sheavygunboomed。Helenheardagainthatsingularspattingthudofstrikinglead。Thebearwentdownwithaflopasifhehadbeendealtaterrificblow。Butjustasquicklyhewasuponall-foursandbegantowhirlwithhoarse，savagebawlsofagonyandfury。Hisactionquicklycarriedhimoutofthemoonlightintotheshadow，wherehedisappeared。Therethebawlsgaveplacetognashingsnarls，andcrashingsinthebrush，andsnappingofbranches，ashemadehiswayintotheforest。
\"Surehe\'smad，\"saidDale，risingtohisfeet。\"An\'I
reckonhardhit。ButIwon\'tfollowhimto-night。\"
Boththegirlsgotup，andHelenfoundshewasshakyonherfeetandverycold。
\"Oh-h，wasn\'t——it——won-wonder-ful！\"criedBo。
\"Areyouscared？Yourteetharechatterin\'，\"queriedDale。
\"I\'m——cold。\"
\"Well，itsureiscold，allright，\"heresponded。\"Nowthefun\'sover，you\'llfeelit……Nell，you\'refroze，too？\"
Helennodded。Shewas，indeed，ascoldasshehadeverbeenbefore。Butthatdidnotpreventastrangewarmnessalongherveinsandaquickenedpulse，thecauseofwhichshedidnotconjecture。
\"Let\'srustle，\"saidDale，andledthewayoutofthewoodandskirteditsedgearoundtotheslope。Theretheyclimbedtotheflat，andwentthroughthestragglinglineoftreestowherethehorsesweretethered。
Upherethewindbegantoblow，nothardthroughtheforest，butstillstrongandsteadyoutintheopen，andbitterlycold。DalehelpedBotomount，andthenHelen。
\"I\'m——numb，\"shesaid。\"I\'llfalloff——sure。\"
\"No。You\'llbewarminajiffy，\"hereplied，\"becausewe\'llridesomegoin\'back。LetRangerpickthewayan\'youhangon。\"
WithRanger\'sfirstjumpHelen\'sbloodbegantorun。Outheshot，hislean，darkheadbesideDale\'shorse。Thewildparklayclearandbrightinthemoonlight，withstrange，silveryradianceonthegrass。Thepatchesoftimber，likespiredblackislandsinamoon-blanchedlake，seemedtoharborshadows，andplacesforbearstohide，readytospringout。
AsHelennearedeachlittlegroveherpulsesshookandherheartbeat。Halfamileofrapidridingburnedoutthecold。
Andallseemedglorious——thesailingmoon，whiteinadark-bluesky，thewhite，passionlessstars，sosolemn，sofaraway，thebeckoningfringeofforest-landatoncemysteriousandfriendly，andthefleethorses，runningwithsoft，rhythmicthudsoverthegrass，leapingtheditchesandthehollows，makingthebitterwindstingandcut。Comingupthatparktheridehadbeenlong；goingbackwasasshortasitwasthrilling。InHelen，experiencesgatheredrealizationslowly，anditwasthisswiftride，thehorsesneckandneck，andallthewildnessandbeauty，thatcompletedtheslow，insidiousworkofyears。Thetearsofexcitementfrozeonhercheeksandherheartheavedfull。Allthatpertainedtothisnightgotintoherblood。Itwasonlytofeel，tolivenow，butitcouldbeunderstoodandrememberedforeverafterward。
Dale\'shorse，alittleinadvance，sailedoveraditch。
Rangermadeasplendidleap，buthealightedamongsomegrassytuftsandfell。Helenshotoverhishead。Shestrucklengthwise，herarmsstretched，andslidhardtoashockingimpactthatstunnedher。
Bo\'sscreamranginherears；shefeltthewetgrassunderherfaceandthenthestronghandsthatliftedher。Daleloomedoverher，bendingdowntolookintoherface；Bowasclutchingherwithfrantichands。AndHelencouldonlygasp。
Herbreastseemedcavedin。Theneedtobreathewastorture。
\"Nell！——you\'renothurt。Youfelllight，likeafeather。
Allgrasshere……Youcan\'tbehurt！\"saidDale，sharply。
Hisanxiousvoicepenetratedbeyondherhearing，andhisstronghandswentswiftlyoverherarmsandshoulders，feelingforbrokenbones。
\"Justhadthewindknockedoutofyou，\"wentonDale。Itfeelsawful，butit\'snothin\'。\"
Helengotalittleair，thatwaslikehotpin-pointsinherlungs，andthenadeeperbreath，andthenfull，gaspingrespiration。
\"Iguess——I\'mnothurt——notabit，\"shechokedout。
\"Yousurehadaheader。Neversawaprettierspill。Rangerdoesn\'tdothatoften。Ireckonweweretravelin\'toofast。
Butitwasfun，don\'tyouthink？\"
ItwasBowhoanswered。\"Oh，glorious！……But，gee！Iwasscared。\"
DalestillheldHelen\'shands。Shereleasedthemwhilelookingupathim。Themomentwasrealizationforherofwhatfordayshadbeenavague，sweetuncertainty，becomingnearandstrange，disturbingandpresent。Thisaccidenthadbeenasudden，violentendtothewonderfulride。Butitseffect，theknowledgeofwhathadgotintoherblood，wouldneverchange。Andinseparablefromitwasthismanoftheforest。
CHAPTERXIV
OnthenextmorningHelenwasawakenedbywhatsheimaginedhadbeenadreamofsomeoneshouting。Withastartshesatup。Thesunshineshowedpinkandgoldontheraggedsprucelineofthemountainrims。Bowasonherknees，braidingherhairwithshakinghands，andatthesametimetryingtopeepout。
Andtheechoesofaringingcrywerecrackingbackfromthecliffs。ThathadbeenDale\'svoice。
\"Nell！Nell！Wakeup！\"calledBo，wildly。\"Oh，someone\'scome！Horsesandmen！\"
HelengottoherkneesandpeeredoutoverBo\'sshoulder。
Dale，standingtallandstrikingbesidethecampfire，waswavinghissombrero。Awaydowntheopenedgeoftheparkcameastringofpack-burroswithmountedmenbehind。IntheforemostriderHelenrecognizedRoyBeeman。
\"Thatfirstone\'sRoy！\"sheexclaimed。\"I\'dneverforgethimonahorse……Bo，itmustmeanUncleAl\'scome！\"
\"Sure！We\'rebornlucky。Herewearesafeandsound——andallthisgrandcamptrip……Lookatthecowboys……
LOOK！Oh，maybethisisn\'tgreat！\"babbledBo。
Dalewheeledtoseethegirlspeepingout。
\"It\'stimeyou\'reup！\"hecalled。\"YouruncleAlishere。\"
ForaninstantafterHelensankbackoutofDale\'ssightshesatthereperfectlymotionless，sostruckwasshebythesingulartoneofDale\'svoice。Sheimaginedthatheregrettedwhatthisvisitingcavalcadeofhorsemenmeant——
theyhadcometotakehertoherranchinPine。Helen\'sheartsuddenlybegantobeatfast，butthickly，asifmuffledwithinherbreast。
\"Hurrynow，girls，\"calledDale。
Bowasalreadyout，kneelingontheflatstoneatthelittlebrook，splashingwaterinagreathurry。Helen\'shandstrembledsothatshecouldscarcelylaceherbootsorbrushherhair，andshewaslongbehindBoinmakingherselfpresentable。WhenHelensteppedout，ashort，powerfullybuiltmanincoarsegarbandheavybootsstoodholdingBo\'shands。
\"Wal，wal！YoufavortheRayners，\"hewassayingIrememberyourdad，an\'afinefellerhewas。\"
BesidethemstoodDaleandRoy，andbeyondwasagroupofhorsesandriders。