Thepeach-andapple-treeswereminglingblossomsofpinkandwhite；adrowsyhumofbeesfilledthefragrantair；
rich，dark-greenalfalfacoveredthesmallorchardflat；awoodfiresentupalazycolumnofbluesmoke；andbirdsweresingingsweetly。
Helencouldscarcelybelievethatamidallthistranquillityamanlayperhapsfatallyinjured。AssuredlyCarmichaelhadbeensomberandreticentenoughtorousethegravestfears。
WidowCassappearedonthelittleporch，agray，bent，worn，butcheerfuloldwomanwhomHelenhadcometoknowasherfriend。
\"Myland！I\'mthetgladtoseeyou，MissHelen，\"shesaid。
\"An\'you\'vefetchedthelittlelassasI\'venotgotacquaintedwithyet。\"
\"Goodmorning，Mrs。Cass。How——howisRoy？\"repliedHelen，anxiouslyscanningthewrinkledface。
\"Roy？Nowdon\'tyoulooksoscared。Roy\'s\'mostreadytogitonhishossan\'ridehome，ifIlethim。Heknowedyouwasa-comin\'。An\'hemademeholdalookin\'-glassforhimtoshave。How\'sthetferamanwithabullet-holethroughhim！
Youcan\'tkillthemMormons，nohow。\"
Sheledthemintoalittlesitting-room，whereonacouchunderneathawindowRoyBeemanlay。Hewaswideawakeandsmiling，buthaggard。Helaypartlycoveredwithablanket。
Hisgrayshirtwasopenattheneck，disclosingbandages。
\"Mornin\'——girls，\"hedrawled。\"Shoreisgoodofyou，now，comin\'down。\"
Helenstoodbesidehim，bentoverhim，inherearnestness，asshegreetedhim。Shesawashadeofpaininhiseyesandhisimmobilitystruckher，buthedidnotseembadlyoff。Bowaspale，round-eyed，andapparentlytooagitatedtospeak。
Carmichaelplacedchairsbesidethecouchforthegirls。
\"Wal，what\'sailin\'youthisnicemornin\'？\"askedRoy，eyesonthecowboy。
\"Huh！Wouldyouexpectmetobewearin\'thesmileof\'afellargoin\'tobemarried？\"retortedCarmichael。
\"Shoreyouhaven\'tmadeupwithBoyet，\"returnedRoy。
Boblushedrosyred，andthecowboy\'sfacelostsomethingofitssomberhue。
\"Iallowit\'snoneofyourd——darnbiznessifSHEain\'tmadeupwithme，\"hesaid。
\"LasVegas，you\'reawonderwithahossan\'arope，an\'I
reckonwithagun，butwhenitcomestogirlsyoushoreain\'tthere。\"
\"I\'mnoMormon，bygolly！Come，MaCass，let\'sgetoutofhere，sotheycantalk。\"
\"Folks，Iwasjesta-goin\'tosaythetRoy\'sgotfeveran\'
heoughtn\'tt\'talktoomuch，\"saidtheoldwoman。ThensheandCarmichaelwentintothekitchenandclosed，thedoor。
RoylookedupatHelenwithhiskeeneyes，morekindlypiercingthanever。
\"MybrotherJohnwashere。He\'djustleftwhenyoucome。HerodehometotellmyfolksI\'mnotsobadhurt，an\'thenhe\'sgoin\'torideabee-lineintothemountains。\"
Helen\'seyesaskedwhatherlipsrefusedtoutter。
\"He\'sgoin\'afterDale。Isenthim。Ireckonedwe-allsortaneededsightofthetdoggonehunter。\"
RoyhadavertedhisgazequicklytoBo。
\"Don\'tyouagreewithme，lass？\"
\"Isuredo，\"repliedBo，heartily。
AllwithinHelenhadbeenstilledforthemomentofherrealization；andthencameswellandbeatofheart，andinconceivablechafingofatideatitsrestraint。
\"CanJohn——fetchDaleout——whenthesnow\'ssodeep？\"sheasked，unsteadily。
\"Shore。He\'stakin\'twohossesuptothesnow-line。Then，ifnecessary，he\'llgooverthepassonsnow-shoes。ButIbethimDalewouldrideout。Snow\'saboutgoneexceptonthenorthslopesan\'onthepeaks。\"
\"Then——whenmayI——weexpecttoseeDale？\"
\"Threeorfourdays，Ireckon。Iwishhewasherenow……
MissHelen，there\'stroubleafoot。\"
\"Irealizethat。I\'mready。DidLasVegastellyouaboutBeasley\'svisittome？\"
\"No。Youtellme，\"repliedRoy。
BrieflyHelenbegantoacquainthimwiththecircumstancesofthatvisit，andbeforeshehadfinishedshemadesureRoywasswearingtohimself。
\"Heaskedyoutomarryhim！Jerusalem！……ThetI\'dneverhavereckoned。The——low-downcoyoteofagreaser！……
Wal，MissHelen，whenImetupwithSenuorBeasleylastnighthewasshorespoilin\'fromsomethin\'；nowIseewhatthetwas。An\'IreckonIpickedoutthebadtime。\"
\"Forwhat？Roy，whatdidyoudo？\"
\"Wal，I\'dmadeupmymindawhilebacktotalktoBeasleythefirstchanceIhad。An\'thetwasit。IwasinthestorewhenIseenhimgointoTurner\'s。SoIfollowed。Itwas\'mostdark。Beasleyan\'Riggsan\'Mulveyan\'somemoreweredrinkin\'an\'powwowin\'。SoIjustbracedhimrightthen。\"
\"Roy！Oh，thewayyouboyscourtdanger！\"
\"But，MissHelen，thet\'stheonlyway。TobeafraidMAKES
moredanger。Beasley\'pearedcivilenoughfirstoff。Himan\'
mekeptedgin\'off，an\'hispardskeptedgin\'afterus，tillwegotoverinacornerofthesaloon。Idon\'tknowallI
saidtohim。ShoreItalkedaheap。Itoldhimwhatmyoldmanthought。An\'BeasleyknowedaswellasIthetmyoldman\'snotonlytheoldestinhabitanthereabouts，buthe\'sthewisest，too。An\'hewouldn\'ttellalie。Wal，Iusedallhissayin\'sinmyargumenttoshowBeasleythetifhedidn\'thaulupshorthe\'dendalmostasshort。Beasley\'sthick-headed，an\'powerfulconceited。Vainasapeacock！Hecouldn\'tsee，an\'hegotmad。Itoldhimhewasrichenoughwithoutrobbin\'youofyourranch，an\'——wal，Ishoreputupabigtalkforyourside。Bythistimehean\'hisganghadmecrowdedinacorner，an\'fromtheirlooksIbeguntogetcoldfeet。ButIwasinitan\'hadtomakethebestofit。Theargumentworkeddowntohispinnin\'metomywordthatI\'dfightforyouwhenthetfightcomeoff。An\'IshoretoldhimformyownsakeIwishedit\'dcomeoffquick……Then——wal——thensomethin\'didcomeoffquick！\"
\"Roy，thenheshotyou！\"exclaimedHelen，passionately。
\"Now，MissHelen，Ididn\'tsaywhodoneit，\"repliedRoy，withhisengagingsmile。
\"Tellme，then——whodid？\"
\"Wal，IreckonIsha\'n\'ttellyouunlessyoupromisenottotellLasVegas。Thetcowboyisplumboffhishead。Hethinksheknowswhoshotmean\'I\'vebeenlyin\'somethin\'
scandalous。Yousee，ifhelearns——thenhe\'llgogunnin\'。
An\'，MissHelen，thetTexanisbad。HemightgetpluggedasIdid——an\'therewouldbeanothermanputoffyoursidewhenthebigtroublecomes。\"
\"Roy，IpromiseyouIwillnottellLasVegas，\"repliedHelen，earnestly。
\"Wal，then——itwasRiggs！\"Roygrewstillpalerasheconfessedthisandhisvoice，almostawhisper，expressedshameandhate。\"Thetfour-flushdidit。ShotmefrombehindBeasley！Ihadnochance。Icouldn\'tevenseehimdraw。ButwhenIfellan\'laytherean\'theothersdroppedback，thenIseenthesmokin\'guninhishand。Helookedpowerfulimportant。An\'Beasleybegantocusshiman\'wascussin\'himastheyallrunout。\"
\"Oh，coward！thedespicablecoward！\"criedHelen。
\"NowonderTomwantstofindout！\"exclaimedBo，lowanddeep。\"I\'llbethesuspectsRiggs。\"
Shorehedoes，butIwouldn\'tgivehimnosatisfaction。\"
\"Roy，youknowthatRiggscan\'tlastouthere。\"
\"Wal，IhopehelaststillIgetonmyfeetagain。\"
\"Thereyougo！Hopeless，allyouboys！Youmustspillblood！\"murmuredHelen，shudderingly。
\"DearMissHelen，don\'ttakeonso。I\'mlikeDale——nomantohuntuptrouble。Butoutherethere\'sasortofunwrittenlaw——aneyeforaneye——atoothforatooth。IbelieveinGodAlmighty，an\'killin\'isagainstmyreligion，butRiggsshotme——thesameasshootin\'meintheback。\"
\"Roy，I\'monlyawoman——Ifear，faint-heartedandunequaltothisWest。\"
\"Waittillsomethin\'happenstoyou。\'Supposin\'Beasleycomesan\'grabsyouwithhisowndirtybigpawsan\'，aftermaulin\'yousome，throwsyououtofyourhome！Orsupposin\'
Riggschasesyouintoacorner！\"
Helenfeltthestartofallherphysicalbeing——aviolentleapofblood。Butshecouldonlyjudgeofherlooksfromthegrimsmileofthewoundedmanashewatchedherwithhiskeen，intenteyes。
\"Myfriend，anythin\'canhappen，\"hesaid。\"Butlet\'shopeitwon\'tbetheworst。\"
Hehadbeguntoshowsignsofweakness，andHelen，risingatonce，saidthatsheandBohadbetterleavehimthen，butwouldcometoseehimthenextday。AthercallCarmichaelenteredagainwithMrs。Cass，andafterafewremarksthevisitwasterminated。Carmichaellingeredinthedoorway。
\"Wal，Cheerup，youoldMormon！\"hecalled。
\"Cheerupyourself，youcrossoldbachelor！\"retortedRoy，quiteunnecessarilyloud。\"Can\'tyouraiseenoughnervetomakeupwithBo？\"
Carmichaelevacuatedthedoorwayasifhehadbeenspurred。
Hewasquiteredinthefacewhileheunhitchedtheteam，andsilentduringtherideuptotheranch-house。Therehegotdownandfollowedthegirlsintothesittingroom。Heappearedstillsomber，thoughnotsullen，andhadfullyregainedhiscomposure。
\"DidyoufindoutwhoshotRoy？\"heasked，abruptly，ofHelen。
\"Yes。ButIpromisedRoyIwouldnottell，\"repliedHelen，nervously。Sheavertedhereyesfromhissearchinggaze，intuitivelyfearinghisnextquery。
\"Wasitthet——Riggs？\"
\"LasVegas，don\'taskme。Iwillnotbreakmypromise。\"
Hestrodetothewindowandlookedoutamoment，andpresently，whenheturnedtowardBo，heseemedastronger，loftier，moreimpellingman，withallhisemotionsundercontrol。
\"Bo，willyoulistentome——ifIsweartospeakthetruth——asIknowit？\"
\"Why，certainly，\"repliedBo，withthecolorcomingswiftlytoherface。
\"Roydoesn\'twantmetoknowbecausehewantstomeetthetfellarhimself。An\'IwanttoknowbecauseIwanttostophimbeforehecandomoredirttousorourfriends。Thet\'sRoy\'sreasonan\'mine。An\'I\'maskin\'YOUtotellme。\"
\"But，Tom——Ioughtn\'t，\"repliedBo，haltingly。
\"DidyoupromiseRoynottotell？\"
\"No。\"
\"Oryoursister？\"
\"No。Ididn\'tpromiseeither。\"
\"Wal，thenyoutellme。Iwantyoutotrustmeinthisherematter。ButnotbecauseIloveyouan\'oncehadawilddreamyoumightcarealittleforme——\"
\"Oh——Tom！\"falteredBo。
\"Listen。IwantyoutotrustmebecauseI\'mtheonewhoknowswhat\'sbest。Iwouldn\'tliean\'Iwouldn\'tsaysoifI
didn\'tknowshore。IswearDalewillbackmeup。Buthecan\'tbehereforsomedays。An\'thetganghasgottobebluffed。Yououghttoseethis。Ireckonyou\'vebeenquickinsavvyin\'Westernways。Icouldn\'tpayyounohighercompliment，BoRayner……Nowwillyoutellme？\"
\"Yes，Iwill，\"repliedBo，withtheblazeleapingtohereyes。
\"Oh，Bo——pleasedon\'t——pleasedon\'t。Wait！\"imploredHelen。
\"Bo——it\'sbetweenyouan\'me，\"saidCarmichael。
\"Tom，I\'lltellyou，\"whisperedBo。\"Itwasalowdown，cowardlytrick……Roywassurrounded——andshotfrombehindBeasley——bythatfour-flushRiggs！\"
CHAPTERXIX
ThememoryofawomanhadruinedMiltDale\'speace，hadconfoundedhisphilosophyofself-sufficient，lonelyhappinessinthesolitudeofthewilds，hadforcedhimtocomefacetofacewithhissoulandthefatalsignificanceoflife。
Whenherealizedhisdefeat，thatthingswerenotastheyseemed，thattherewasnojoyforhiminthecomingofspring，thathehadbeenblindinhisfree，sensorial，Indianrelationtoexistence，hefellintoaninexplicablystrangestate，adespondency，agloomasdeepasthesilenceofhishome。Dalereflectedthatthestrongerananimal，thekeeneritsnerves，thehigheritsintelligence，thegreatermustbeitssufferingunderrestraintorinjury。Hethoughtofhimselfasahighorderofanimalwhosegreatphysicalneedwasaction，andnowtheincentivetoactionseemeddead。Hegrewlax。Hedidnotwanttomove。Heperformedhisdiminishingdutiesundercompulsion。
Hewatchedforspringasaliberation，butnotthathecouldleavethevalley。Hehatedthecold，hegrewwearyofwindandsnow；heimaginedthewarmsun，theparkoncemoregreenwithgrassandbrightwithdaisies，thereturnofbirdsandsquirrelsanddeertoheiroldhaunts，wouldbethemeanswherebyhecouldbreakthisspelluponhim。Thenhemightgraduallyreturntopastcontentment，thoughitwouldneverbethesame。
Butspring，comingearlytoParadisePark，broughtafevertoDale\'sblood——afireofunutterablelonging。Itwasgood，perhaps，thatthiswasso，becauseheseemeddriventowork，climb，tramp，andkeepceaselesslyonthemovefromdawntilldark。Actionstrengthenedhislaxmusclesandkepthimfromthosemotionless，senselesshoursofbrooding。Heatleastneednotbeashamedoflongingforthatwhichcouldneverbehis——thesweetnessofawoman——ahomefulloflight，joy，hope，themeaningandbeautyofchildren。Butthosedarkmoodsweresinkingsintoapitofhell。
Dalehadnotkepttrackofdaysandweeks。HedidnotknowwhenthesnowmeltedoffthreeslopesofParadisePark。Allheknewwasthatanagehaddraggedoverhisheadandthatspringhadcome。Duringhisrestlesswakinghours，andevenwhenhewasasleep，thereseemedalwaysinthebackofhismindagrowingconsciousnessthatsoonhewouldemergefromthistrial，achangedman，readytosacrificehischosenlot，togiveuphislonelylifeofselfishindulgenceinlazyaffinitywithnature，andtogowhereverhisstronghandsmightperformsomerealservicetopeople。
Nevertheless，hewantedtolingerinthismountainfastnessuntilhisordealwasover——untilhecouldmeether，andtheworld，knowinghimselfmoreofamanthaneverbefore。
Onebrightmorning，whilehewasathiscamp-fire，thetamecougargavealow，growlingwarning。Dalewasstartled。Tomdidnotactlikethatbecauseofaprowlinggrizzlyorastrayingstag。PresentlyDaleespiedahorsemanridingslowlyoutofthestragglingspruces。AndwiththatsightDale\'sheartgavealeap，recallingtohimadivinationofhisfuturerelationtohiskind。Neverhadhebeensogladtoseeaman！
ThisvisitorresembledoneoftheBeemans，judgingfromthewayhesathishorse，andpresentlyDalerecognizedhimtobeJohn。
Atthisjuncturethejadedhorsewasspurredintoatrot，soonreachingthepinesandthecamp。
\"Howdy，there，youoleb\'ar-hunter！\"calledJohn，wavinghishand。
ForallhisheartygreetinghisappearancecheckedalikeresponsefromDale。ThehorsewasmudtohisflanksandJohnwasmudtohisknees，wet，bedraggled，worn，andwhite。Thishueofhisfacemeantmorethanfatigue。
\"Howdy，John？\"repliedDale。
Theyshookhands。Johnwearilyswunghislegoverthepommel，butdidnotatoncedismount。Hiscleargrayeyeswerewonderinglyriveteduponthehunter。
\"Milt——what\'nhell\'swrong？\"hequeried。
\"Why？\"
\"Bustmeifyouain\'tchangedsoIhardlyknowedyou。You\'vebeensick——allalonehere！\"
\"DoIlooksick？\"
\"Wal，Ishouldsmile。Thinan\'palean\'downinthemouth！
Milt，whatailsyou？\"
\"I\'vegonetoseed。\"
\"You\'vegoneoffyourhead，jestasRoysaid，livin\'alonehere。Youoverdidit，Milt。An\'youlooksick。\"
\"John，mysicknessishere，\"repliedDale，soberly，ashelaidahandonhisheart。
\"Lungtrouble！\"ejaculatedJohn。\"Withthetchest，an\'upinthisair？……Getout！\"
\"No——notlungtrouble，\"saidDale。
\"Isavvy。HadahunchfromRoy，anyhow。\"
\"Whatkindofahunch？\"
\"Easynow，Dale，oleman……Don\'tyoureckonI\'mridin\'
inonyouprettyearly？Lookatthethoss！\"Johnslidoffandwavedahandatthedroopingbeast，thenbegantounsaddlehim。\"Wal，hedonegreat。Weboggedsomecomin\'
over。An\'Iclimbedthepassatnightonthefrozensnow。\"
\"You\'rewelcomeastheflowersinMay。John，whatmonthisit？\"
\"Byspades！areyouasbadasthet？……Let\'ssee。It\'sthetwenty-thirdofMarch。\"
\"March！Well，I\'mbeat。I\'velostmyreckonin\'——an\'alotmore，maybe。\"
\"Thar！\"declaredJohn，slappingthemustang。\"Youcanjesthangupheretillmynexttrip。Milt，how\'reyourhosses？\"
\"Winteredfine。\"
\"Wal，thet\'sgood。We\'llneedtwobig，stronghossesrightoff。\"
\"Whatfor？\"queriedDale，sharply。Hedroppedastickofwoodandstraightenedupfromthecamp-fire。
\"You\'regoin\'toridedowntoPinewithme——thet\'swhatfor。\"
FamiliarlythencamebacktoDalethequiet，intentsuggestivenessoftheBeemansinmomentsforebodingtrial。
AtthiscertainassuranceofJohn\'s，toosignificanttobedoubted，Dale\'sthoughofPinegaveslowbirthtoastrangesensation，asifhehadbeendeadandwasvibratingbacktolife。
\"Tellwhatyougottotell！\"hebrokeout。
QuickasaflashtheMormonreplied：\"Roy\'sbeenshot。Buthewon\'tdie。Hesentforyou。Baddeal\'safoot。BeasleymeanstoforceHelenRayneroutan\'stealherranch。\"
AtremorranallthroughDale。Itseemedanotherpainfulyetthrillingconnectionbetweenhispastandthisvaguelycallingfuture。Hisemotionshadbeenbroodingsdreams，longings。Thisthinghisfriendsaidhadthestingofreallife。
\"ThenoldAl\'sdead？\"heasked。
\"Longago——IreckonaroundthemiddleofFebruary。ThepropertywenttoHelen。She\'sbeendoin\'fine。An\'manyfolkssayit\'sapityshe\'llloseit。\"
\"Shewon\'tloseit，\"declaredDale。Howstrangehisvoicesoundedtohisownears！Itwashoarseandunreal，asiffromdisuse。
\"Wal，we-allhaveouridees。Isayshewill。Myfathersaysso。Carmichaelsaysso。\"
\"Who\'she？\"
\"Reckonyourememberthetcow-puncherwhocameupwithRoyan\'Auchinclossafterthegirls——lastfall？\"
\"Yes。TheycalledhimLas——LasVegas。Ilikedhislooks。\"
\"Humph！You\'lllikehimaheapwhenyouknowhim。He\'skepttheranchgoin\'forMissHelenallalong。Butthedeal\'scomin\'toahead。Beasley\'sgotthickwiththetRiggs。Yourememberhim？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Wal，he\'sbeenhangin\'outatPineallwinter，watchin\'forsomechancetogetatMissHelenorBo。Everybody\'sseenthet。An\'jestlatelyhechasedBoonhossback——gavethekidanastyfall。RoysaysRiggswasafterMissHelen。ButI
thinkoneort\'otherofthegirlswoulddothetvarmint。
Wal，thetsortastartedgoin\'s-on。CarmichaelbeatRiggsan\'
drovehimoutoftown。Buthecomeback。BeasleycalledonMissHelenan\'offeredtomarryherso\'snottotaketheranchfromher，hesaid。\"
Daleawokewithathunderingcurse。
\"Shore！\"exclaimedJohn。\"I\'dsaythesame——onlyI\'mreligious。Don\'tthetbeady-eyedgreaser\'sgallmakeyouwanttospitalloveryourself？MyGawd！butRoywasmad！
Roy\'spowerfulfondofMissHelenan\'Bo……Wal，then，Roy，firstchancehegot，bracedBeasleyan\'givehimsomestraighttalk。Beasleywasfoamin\'atthemouth，Roysaid。
ItwasthenRiggsshotRoy。ShothimfrombehindBeasleywhenRoywasn\'tlookin\'！An\'Riggsbragsofbein\'agun-fighter。Mebbethetwasn\'tabadshotforhim！\"
\"Ireckon，\"repliedDale，asheswallowedhard。\"Now，justwhatwasRoy\'smessagetome？\"
\"Wal，Ican\'trememberallRoysaid，\"answeredJohn，dubiously。\"ButRoyshorewasexcitedan\'deadinearnest。
Hesays：\'TellMiltwhat\'shappened。TellhimHelenRayner\'sinmoredangerthanshewaslastfall。TellhimI\'veseenherlookawayacrostthemountainstowardParadiseParkwithherheartinhereyes。Tellhimsheneedshimmostofall！\'\"
Daleshookalloveraswithanattackofague。Hewasseizedbyawhirlwindofpassionate，terriblesweetnessofsensation，whenwhathewildlywantedwastocurseRoyandJohnfortheirsimple-mindedconclusions。
\"Roy\'s——crazy！\"pantedDale。
\"Wal，now，Milt——thet\'sdownrightsurprisin\'ofyou。Roy\'sthelevel-headestofanyfellarsIknow。\"
\"Man！ifheMADEmebelievehim——an\'itturnedoutuntrue——I\'d——I\'dkillhim，\"repliedDale。
\"Untrue！DoyouthinkRoyBeemanwouldlie？\"
\"But，John——youfellowscan\'tseemycase。NellRaynerwantsme——needsme！……Itcan\'tbetrue！\"
\"Wal，mylove-sickpard——itjestIStrue！\"exclaimedJohn，feelingly。\"Thet\'sthehelloflife——neverknowin\'。Buthereit\'sjoyforyou。YoucanbelieveRoyBeemanaboutwomenasquickasyou\'dtrusthimtotrackyourlosthoss。
Roy\'smarriedthreegirls。Ireckonhe\'llmarrysomemore。
Roy\'sonlytwenty-eightan\'hehastwobigfarms。Hesaidhe\'dseenNellRayner\'sheartinhereyes，lookin\'foryou——an\'youcanjestbetyourlifethet\'strue。An\'hesaiditbecausehemeansyoutorustledowntherean\'fightforthetgirl。\"
\"I\'ll——go，\"saidDale，inashakywhisper，ashesatdownonapinelognearthefire。Hestaredunseeinglyatthebluebellsinthegrassbyhisfeetwhilestormafterstormpossessedhisbreast。Theywerefierceandbriefbecausedrivenbyhiswill。InthosefewmomentsofcontendingstrifeDalewasimmeasurablyremovedfromthatdarkgulfofselfwhichhadmadehiswinteranightmare。Andwhenhestooderectagainitseemedthattheoldearthhadastirring，electrifyingimpetusforhisfeet。Somethingblack，bitter，melancholy，andmorbid，alwaysunrealtohim，hadpassedawayforever。Thegreatmomenthadbeenforceduponhim。HedidnotbelieveRoyBeeman\'spreposteroushintregardingHelen；buthehadgonebackorsoaredonward，asifbymagic，tohisoldtrueself。
MountedonDale\'sstrongesthorses，withonlyalightpack，anax，andtheirweapons，thetwomenhadreachedthesnow-lineonthepassbynoonthatday。Tom，thetamecougar，trottedalongintherear。
Thecrustofthesnow，nowhalfthawedbythesun，wouldnotholdtheweightofahorse，thoughitupheldthemenonfoot。Theywalked，leadingthehorses。Travelwasnotdifficultuntilthesnowbegantodeepen；thenprogressslackenedmaterially。Johnhadnotbeenabletopickoutthelineofthetrail，soDaledidnotfollowhistracks。AnoldblazeonthetreesenabledDaletokeepfairlywelltothetrail；andatlengththeheightofthepasswasreached，wherethesnowwasdeep。Herethehorseslabored，plowingthroughfootbyfoot。When，finally，theysanktotheirflanks，theyhadtobedraggedandgoadedon，andhelpedbythickflatbunchesofspruceboughsplacedundertheirhoofs。Ittookthreehoursofbreakingtoiltodothefewhundredyardsofdeepsnowontheheightofthepass。Thecougardidnothavegreatdifficultyinfollowing，thoughitwasevidenthedidnotlikesuchtraveling。
Thatbehindthem，thehorsesgatheredheartandworkedontotheedgeofthesteepdescent，wheretheyhadalltheycoulddotoholdbackfromslidingandrolling。Fasttimewasmadeonthisslope，atthebottomofwhichbeganadenseforestwithsnowstilldeepinplacesandwindfallshardtolocate。
ThemenhereperformedHerculeanlabors，buttheygotthroughtoaparkwherethesnowwasgone。Theground，however，softandboggy，inplaceswasmoretreacherousthanthesnow；andthetravelershadtoskirttheedgeoftheparktoapointopposite，andthengoonthroughtheforest。
Whentheyreachedbareandsolidground，justbeforedarkthatnight，itwashightime，forthehorseswerereadytodrop，andthemenlikewise。
Campwasmadeinanopenwood。Darknessfellandthemenwererestingonboughbeds，feettothefire，withTomcurledupcloseby，andthehorsesstilldroopingwheretheyhadbeenunsaddled。Morning，however，discoveredthemgrazingonthelong，bleachedgrass。Johnshookhisheadwhenhelookedatthem。
\"YoureckonedtomakePinebynightfall。Howfarisit——
thewayyou\'llgo？\"
\"Fiftymileorthereabouts，\"repliedDale。
\"Wal，wecan\'trideitonthemcritters。\"
\"John，we\'ddomorethanthatifwehadto。\"
Theyweresaddledandonthemovebeforesunrise，leavingsnowandbogbehind。Levelparksandlevelforestsledoneafteranothertolongslopesandsteepdescents，allgrowingsunnierandgreenerasthealtitudediminished。Squirrelsandgrouse，turkeysanddeer，andlesstamedenizensoftheforestgrewmoreabundantasthetraveladvanced。Inthisgamezone，however，DalehadtroublewithTom。Thecougarhadtobewatchedandcalledoftentokeephimoffoftrails。
\"Tomdoesn\'tlikealongtrip，\"saidDale。\"ButI\'mgoin\'totakehim。Somewayorotherhemaycomeinhandy。\"
\"SichimontoBeasley\'sgang，\"repliedJohn。\"Somemenarepowerfulscaredofcougars。ButIneverwas。\"
\"Norme。ThoughI\'vehadcougarsgivemeadarnuncannyfeelin\'。\"
Thementalkedbutlittle。Daleledtheway，withTomtrottingnoiselesslybesidehishorse。Johnfollowedclosebehind。Theylopedthehorsesacrossparks，trottedthroughtheforests，walkedslowupwhatfewinclinestheymet，andsliddownthesoft，wet，pine-matteddescents。Sotheyaveragedfromsixtoeightmilesanhour。Thehorsesheldupwellunderthatsteadytravel，andthiswithoutanyrestatnoon。
Daleseemedtofeelhimselfinanemotionaltrance。Yet，despitethis，thesameoldsensorialperceptionscrowdedthickandfastuponhim，strangelysweetandvividafterthepastdeadmonthswhenneithersunnorwindnorcloudnorscentofpinenoranythinginnaturecouldstirhim。Hismind，hisheart，hissoulseemedsteepedinanintoxicatingwineofexpectation，whilehiseyesandearsandnosehadneverbeenkeenertoregisterthefactsoftheforest-land。
Hesawtheblackthingfaraheadthatresembledaburnedstump，butheknewwasabearbeforeitvanished；hesawgrayflashofdeerandwolfandcoyote，andtheredoffox，andthesmall，waryheadsofoldgobblersjuststickingabovethegrass；andhesawdeeptracksofgameaswellastheslow-risingbladesofbluebellswheresomesoft-footedbeasthadjusttrod。Andheheardthemelancholynotesofbirds，thetwitterofgrouse，thesoughofthewind，thelightdroppingofpine-cones，thenearanddistantbarkofsquirrels，thedeepgobbleofaturkeycloseathandandthechallengefromarivalfaraway，thecrackingoftwigsinthethickets，themurmurofrunningwater，thescreamofaneagleandtheshrillcryofahawk，andalwaysthesoft，dull，steadypadsofthehoofsofthehorses。
Thesmells，too，werethesweet，stingingonesofspring，warmandpleasant——theodoroftheclean，freshearthcuttingitswaythroughthatthick，strongfragranceofpine，thesmelloflogsrottinginthesun，andoffreshnewgrassandflowersalongabrookofsnow-water。
\"Ismellsmoke，\"saidDale，suddenly，ashereinedin，andturnedforcorroborationfromhiscompanion。
Johnsniffedthewarmair。
\"Wal，you\'remoreofanInjunthanme，\"hereplied，shakinghishead。
Theytraveledon，andpresentlycameoutupontherimofthelastslope。Alongleagueofgreenslantedbelowthem，breakingupintostragglinglinesoftreesandgrovesthatjoinedthecedars，andtheseinturnstretchedonanddowningray-blackpatchestothedesert，thatglitteringandbare，withstreaksofsomberhue，fadedintheobscurityofdistance。
ThevillageofPineappearedtonestleinacurveoftheedgeofthegreatforest，andthecabinslookedliketinywhitedotssetingreen。
\"Lookthere，\"saidDale，pointing。
Somemilestotherightagrayescarpmentofrockcroppedoutoftheslope，formingapromontory；andfromitathin，palecolumnofsmokecurledupwardtobelostfromsightassoonasithadnobackgroundofgreen。
\"Thet\'syoursmoke，shoreenough，\"repliedJohn，thoughtfully。\"Now，Ijestwonderwho\'scampin\'there。Nowaternearorgrassforhosses。\"
\"John，thatpoint\'sbeenusedforsmokesignalsmanyatime。\"
\"Wasjestthinkin\'ofthetsame。Shallweridearoundtherean\'takeapeek？\"
\"No。Butwe\'llrememberthat。IfBeasley\'sgothisdeepschemegoin\'，he\'llhaveSnakeAnson\'sgangsomewhereclose。\"
\"Roysaidthetsame。Wal，it\'ssomethreehourstillsundown。Thehosseskeepup。IreckonI\'mfooled，forwe\'llmakePineallright。ButoldTomthere，he\'stiredorlazy。\"
Thebigcougarwaslyingdown，panting，andhishalf-shuteyeswereonDale。
\"Tom\'sonlylazyan\'fat。Hecouldtravelatthisgaitforaweek。Butlet\'srestahalf-houran\'watchthatsmokebeforemovin\'on。WecanmakePinebeforesundown。\"
Whentravelhadbeenresumed，half-waydowntheslopeDale\'ssharpeyescaughtabroadtrackwhereshodhorseshadpassed，climbinginalongslanttowardthepromontory。Hedismountedtoexamineit，andJohn，comingup，proceededwithalacritytogetoffanddolikewise。Dalemadehisdeductions，afterwhichhestoodinabrownstudybesidehishorse，waitingforJohn。
\"Wal，what\'dyoumakeoftheseheretracks？\"askedthatworthy。
\"Somehorsesan\'aponywentalonghereyesterday，an\'
to-dayasinglehorsemade，thatfreshtrack。\"
\"Wal，Milt，forahunteryouain\'tsobadathosstracks，\"
observedJohn，\"Buthowmanyhosseswentyesterday？\"
\"Icouldn\'tmakeout——several——maybefourorfive。\"
\"Sixhossesan\'acoltorlittlemustang，unshod，tobestrict-correct。Wal，supposin\'theydid。What\'sitmeantous？\"
\"Idon\'tknowasI\'dthoughtanythin\'unusual，ifithadn\'tbeenforthatsmokewesawofftherim，an\'thenthisherefreshtrackmadealongto-day。Looksqueertome。\"
\"WishRoywashere，\"repliedJohn，scratchinghishead。
\"Milt，I\'veahunch，ifhewas，he\'dfollerthemtracks。\"
\"Maybe。Butwehaven\'ttimeforthat。Wecanbacktrailthem，though，iftheykeepclearastheyarehere。An\'we\'llnotloseanytime，either。\"
ThatbroadtrackledstraighttowardPine，downtotheedgeofthecedars，where，amidsomejaggedrocks，evidencesshowedthatmenhadcampedtherefordays。Hereitendedasabroadtrail。Butfromthenorthcamethesinglefreshtrackmadethatveryday，andfromtheeast，moreinalinewithPine，cametwotracksmadethedaybefore。Andthesewereimprintsofbigandlittlehoofs。ManifestlytheseinterestedJohnmorethantheydidDale，whohadtowaitforhiscompanion。
\"Milt，itain\'tacolt\'s——thetlittletrack，\"avowedJohn。
\"Whynot——an\'whatifitisn\'t？\"queriedDale。
\"Wal，itain\'t，becauseacoltalwaysstragglesback，an\'
fromonesidetot\'other。Thislittletrackkeepsclosetothebigone。An\'，byGeorge！itwasmadebyaledmustang。\"
JohnresembledRoyBeemanthenwiththatleaping，intentfireinhisgrayeyes。Dale\'sreplywastospurhishorseintoatrotandcallsharplytothelaggingcougar。
Whentheyturnedintothebroad，blossom-borderedroadthatwastheonlythoroughfareofPinethesunwassettingredandgoldbehindthemountains。Thehorsesweretootiredforanymorethanawalk。Nativesofthevillage，catchingsightofDaleandBeeman，andthehugegraycatfollowinglikeadog，calledexcitedlytooneanother。AgroupofmeninfrontofTurner\'sgazedintentlydowntheroad，andsoonmanifestedsignsofexcitement。DaleandhiscomradedismountedinfrontofWidowCass\'scottage。AndDalecalledashestrodeupthelittlepath。Mrs。Casscameout。Shewaswhiteandshaking，butappearedcalm。AtsightofherJohnBeemandrewasharpbreath。
\"Wal，now——\"hebegan，hoarsely，andleftoff。
\"How\'sRoy？\"queriedDale。
\"LordknowsI\'mgladtoseeyou，boys！Milt，you\'rethinan\'
strange-lookin\'。Roy\'shadalittlesetback。Hegotashockto-dayan\'itthrowedhimoff。Fever——an\'nowhe\'soutofhishead。Itwon\'tdonogoodforyoutowastetimeseein\'
him。Takemywordforithe\'sallright。Butthere\'sothersas——Fortheland\'ssakes，MiltDale，youfetchedthetcougarback！Don\'tlethimnearme！\"
\"Tomwon\'thurtyou，mother，\"saidDale，asthecougarcamepaddingupthepath。\"Youweresayin\'somethin\'——aboutothers。IsMissHelensafe？Hurry！\"
\"Rideuptoseeher——an\'wastenomoretimehere。\"
Dalewasquickinthesaddle，followedbyJohn，butthehorseshadtobeseverelypunishedtoforcethemeventoatrot。Andthatwasalaggingtrot，whichnowdidnotleaveTornbehind。
TherideuptoAuchincloss\'sranch-houseseemedendlesstoDale。Nativescameoutintheroadtowatchafterhehadpassed。SternasDalewasindominatinghisfeelings，hecouldnotwhollysubordinatehismountingjoytoawaitingterribleanticipationofcatastrophe。Butnomatterwhatawaited——norwhatfatefuleventsmighthingeuponthisnamelesscircumstanceabouttobedisclosed，thewonderfulandgloriousfactofthepresentwasthatinamomenthewouldseeHelenRayner。
Thereweresaddledhorsesinthecourtyard，butnoriders。A
Mexicanboysatontheporchbench，intheseatwhereDalerememberedhehadencounteredAlAuchincloss。Thedoorofthebigsitting-roomwasopen。Thescentofflowers，themurmurofbees，thepoundingofhoofscamevaguelytoDale。
Hiseyesdimmed，sothattheground，whenheslidoutofhissaddle，seemedfarbelowhim。Hesteppedupontheporch。Hissightsuddenlycleared。AtightfullnessathisthroatmadeincoherentthewordshesaidtotheMexicanboy。Buttheywereunderstood，astheboyranbackaroundthehouse。Daleknockedsharplyandsteppedoverthethreshold。
Outside，John，truetohishabits，wasthinking，eveninthatmomentofsuspense，aboutthefaithful，exhaustedhorses。Asheunsaddledthemhetalked：\"Fersoftan\'fathosses，winterin\'highup，wal，you\'vedonesomethin\'！\"
ThenDaleheardavoiceinanotherroom，astep，acreakofthedoor。Itopened。Awomaninwhiteappeared。HerecognizedHelen。Butinsteadoftherichbrownbloomanddark-eyedbeautysohauntinglylimnedonhismemory，hesawawhite，beautifulface，strainedandquiveringinanguish，andeyesthatpiercedhisheart。Hecouldnotspeak。
\"Oh！myfriend——you\'vecome！\"shewhispered。
Daleputoutashakinghand。Butshedidnotseeit。Sheclutchedhisshoulders，asiftofeelwhetherornothewasreal，andthenherarmswentuproundhisneck。
\"Oh，thankGod！Iknewyouwouldcome！\"shesaid，andherheadsanktohisshoulder。
Daledivinedwhathehadsuspected。Helen\'ssisterhadbeencarriedoff。Yet，whilehisquickmindgraspedHelen\'sbrokenspirit——theunbalancethatwasreasonforthismarvelousandgloriousact——hedidnottakeothermeaningoftheembracetohimself。Hejuststoodthere，transported，chargedlikeatreestruckbylightning，makingsurewithallhiskeensenses，sothathecouldfeelforever，howshewasclingingroundhisneck，herfaceoverhisburstingheart，herquiveringformclosepressedtohis。
\"It\'s——Bo，\"hesaid，unsteadily。
\"Shewentridingyesterday——and——never——came——back！\"
repliedHelen，brokenly。
\"I\'veseenhertrail。She\'sbeentakenintothewoods。I\'llfindher。I\'llfetchherback，\"hereplied，rapidly。
Withashocksheseemedtoabsorbhismeaning。Withanothershocksheraisedherface——leanedbackalittletolookathim。
\"You\'llfindher——fetchherback？\"
\"Yes，\"heanswered，instantly。
WiththatringingworditseemedtoDalesherealizedhowshewasstanding。Hefelthershakeasshedroppedherarmsandsteppedback，whilethewhiteanguishofherfacewasfloodedoutbyawaveofscarlet。Butshewasbraveinherconfusion。Hereyesneverfell，thoughtheychangedswiftly，darkeningwithshame，amaze，andwithfeelingshecouldnotread。
\"I\'malmost——outofmyhead，\"shefaltered。
\"Nowonder。Isawthat……Butnowyoumustgetclear-headed。I\'venotimetolose。\"
Heledhertothedoor。
\"John，it\'sBothat\'sgone，\"hecalled。\"Sinceyesterday……Sendtheboytogetmeabagofmeatan\'bread。Youruntothecorralan\'getmeafreshhorse。MyoldhorseRangerifyoucanfindhimquick。An\'rustle。\"
WithoutawordJohnleapedbarebackononeofthehorseshehadjustunsaddledandspurredhimacrossthecourtyard。
Thenthebigcougar，seeingHelen，gotupfromwherehelayontheporchandcametoher。
\"Oh，it\'sTom！\"criedHelen，andasherubbedagainstherkneesshepattedhisheadwithtremblinghand。\"Youbig，beautifulpet！Oh，howIremember！Oh，howBowouldloveto——\"
\"Where\'sCarmichael？\"interruptedDale。\"Outhuntin\'Bo？\"
\"Yes。Itwashewhomissedherfirst。Herodeeverywhereyesterday。Lastnightwhenhecamebackhewaswild。I\'venotseenhimto-day。HemadealltheothermenbutHalandJoestayhomeontheranch。\"
\"Right。An\'Johnmuststay，too，declaredDale。\"Butit\'sstrange。Carmichaeloughttohavefoundthegirl\'stracks。
Shewasridin\'apony？\"
\"BorodeSam。He\'salittlebronc，verystrongandfast。\"
\"Icomeacrosshistracks。How\'dCarmichaelmissthem？\"
\"Hedidn\'t。Hefoundthem——trailedthemallalongthenorthrange。That\'swhereheforbadeBotogo。Yousee，they\'reinlovewitheachother。They\'vebeenatodds。
Neitherwillgivein。Bodisobeyedhim。There\'shardgroundoffthenorthrange，sohesaid。Hewasabletofollowhertracksonlysofar。\"
\"Werethereanyothertracksalongwithhers？\"
\"No。\"
\"MissHelen，Ifoundthem\'waysoutheastofPineupontheslopeofthemountain。Thereweresevenotherhorsesmakin\'
thattrail——whenwerunacrossit。Onthewaydownwefoundacampwheremenhadwaited。An\'Bo\'spony，ledbyarideronabighorse，comeintothatcampfromtheeast——
maybenorthalittle。An\'thattellsthestory。\"
\"Riggsranherdown——madeoffwithher！\"criedHelen，passionately。\"Oh，thevillain！Hehadmeninwaiting。
That\'sBeasley\'swork。Theywereafterme。\"
\"Itmaynotbejustwhatyousaid，butthat\'scloseenough。
An\'Bo\'sinabadfix。Youmustfacethatan\'trytobearupunder——fearsoftheworst。\"
\"Myfriend！Youwillsaveher！\"
\"I\'llfetchherback，aliveordead。\"
\"Dead！Oh，myGod！\"Helencried，andclosedhereyesaninstant，toopenthemburningblack。\"ButBoisn\'tdead。I
knowthat——Ifeelit。She\'llnotdieveryeasy。She\'salittlesavage。Shehasnofear。She\'dfightlikeatigressforherlife。She\'sstrong。Yourememberhowstrong。Shecanstandanything。Unlesstheymurderheroutrightshe\'lllive——alongtime——throughanyordeal……SoIbegyou，myfriend，don\'tloseanhour——don\'tevergiveup！\"
Daletrembledundertheclaspofherhands。Loosinghisownfromherclinginghold，hesteppedoutontheporchAtthatmomentJohnappearedonRanger，comingatagallop。
\"Nell，I\'llnevercomebackwithouther，\"saidDale。\"I
reckonyoucanhope——onlybeprepared。That\'sall。It\'shard。ButthesedamneddealsarecommonouthereintheWest。\"
\"SupposeBeasleycomes——here！\"exclaimedHelen，andagainherhandwentouttowardhim。
\"Ifhedoes，yourefusetogetoff，\"repliedDale。\"Butdon\'tlethimorhisgreasersputadirtyhandonyou。
Shouldhethreatenforce——why，packsomeclothes——an\'
yourvaluables——an\'godowntoMrs。Cass\'s。An\'waittillIcomeback！\"
\"Wait——tillyou——comeback！\"shefaltered，slowlyturningwhiteagain。Herdarkeyesdilated。\"Milt——you\'relikeLasVegas。You\'llkillBeasley！\"
Daleheardhisownlaugh，verycoldandstrange，foreigntohisears。Agrim，deadlyhateofBeasleyviedwiththetendernessandpityhefeltforthisdistressedgirl。Itwasasoretrialtoseeherleaningthereagainstthedoor——tobecompelledtoleaveheralone。Abruptlybestalkedofftheporch。Tomfollowedhim。TheblackhorsewhinniedhisrecognitionofDaleandsnortedatsightofthecougar。JustthentheMexicanboyreturnedwithabag。Daletiedthis，withthesmallpack，behindthesaddle。
\"John，youstayherewithMissHelen，\"saidDale。\"An\'ifCarmichaelcomesback，keephim，too！An\'to-night，ifanyoneridesintoPinefromthewaywecome，youbesuretospothim。\"
\"I\'lldothet，Milt，\"respondedJohn。
Dalemounted，and，turningforalastwordtoHelen，hefeltthewordsofcheerhaltedonhislipsashesawherstandingwhiteandbroken-hearted，withherhandstoherbosom。Hecouldnotlooktwice。
\"Comeonthere，youTom，\"hecalledtothecougar。Reckononthistrackyou\'llpaymeforallmytrainin\'ofyou\"
\"Oh，myfriend！\"cameHelen\'ssadvoice，almostawhispertohisthrobbingears。\"Heavenhelpyou——tosaveher！I——\"
ThenRangerstartedandDaleheardnomore。Hecouldnotlookback。Hiseyeswerefulloftearsandhisbreastached。
Byatremendouseffortheshiftedthatemotion——calledonallthespiritualenergyofhisbeingtothedutyofthisgrimtaskbeforehim。
Hedidnotridedownthroughthevillage，butskirtedthenorthernborder，andworkedroundtothesouth，where，comingtothetrailhehadmadeanhourpast，heheadedonit，straightfortheslopenowdarkeninginthetwilight。
Thebigcougarshowedmorewillingnesstoreturnonthistrailthanhehadshowninthecoming。Rangerwasfreshandwantedtogo，butDaleheldhimin。
Acoolwindblewdownfromthemountainwiththecomingofnight。AgainstthebrighteningstarsDalesawthepromontoryliftitsboldoutline。Itwasmilesaway。Ithauntedhim，strangelycalling。Anight，andperhapsaday，separatedhimfromthegangthatheldBoRaynerprisoner。Dalehadnoplanasyet。HehadonlyamotiveasgreatastheloveheboreHelenRayner。
Beasley\'sevilgeniushadplannedthisabduction。Riggswasatool，acowardlyknavedominatedbyastrongerwill。SnakeAnsonandhisganghadlaininwaitatthatcedarcamp；hadmadethatbroadhooftrackleadingupthemountain。Beasleyhadbeentherewiththemthatveryday。AllthiswasasassuredtoDaleasifhehadseenthemen。
ButthematterofDale\'srecoveringthegirlanddoingitspeedilystrunghismentalstrengthtoitshighestpitch。
Manyoutlinesofactionflashedthroughhismindasherodeon，peeringkeenlythroughthenight，listeningwithpractisedears。Allwererejected。Andattheoutsetofeverynewbranchingofthoughthewouldgazedownatthegrayformofthecougar，long，graceful，heavy，ashepaddedbesidethehorse。FromthefirstthoughtofreturningtohelpHelenRaynerhehadconceivedanundefinedideaofpossiblevalueinthequalitiesofhispet。Tomhadperformedwonderfulfeatsoftrailing，buthehadneverbeentriedonmen。Dalebelievedhecouldmakehimtrailanything，yethehadnoproofofthis。OnefactstoodoutofallDale\'sconjectures，anditwasthathehadknownmen，andbravemen，tofearcougars。
Farupontheslope，inalittlehollowwherewaterranandtherewasalittlegrassforRangertopick，Dalehalteredhimandmadereadytospendthenight。Hewassparingwithhisfood，givingTommorethanhetookhimself。CurledcloseuptoDale，thebigcatwenttosleep。
ButDalelayawakeforlong。
Thenightwasstill，withonlyafaintmoanofwindonthisshelteredslope。Dalesawhopeinthestars。HedidnotseemtohavepromisedhimselforHelenthathecouldsavehersister，andthenherproperty。Heseemedtohavestatedsomethingunconsciouslysettled，outsideofhisthinking。
Strangehowthiscertaintywasnotvague，yetirreconcilablewithanyplanshecreated！Behindit，somehownamelesswithinconceivablepower，surgedallhiswonderfulknowledgeofforest，oftrails，ofscents，ofnight，ofthenatureofmenlyingdowntosleepinthedark，lonelywoods，ofthenatureofthisgreatcatthatliveditseveryactioninaccordancewithhiswill。
Hegrewsleepy，andgraduallyhismindstilled，withhislastconsciousthoughtaportentthathewouldawakentoaccomplishhisdesperatetask。
CHAPTERXX
YoungBurtpossessedthekeenesteyesofanymaninSnakeAnson\'sgang，forwhichreasonhewasgiventhepostaslookoutfromtheloftypromontory。Hisinstructionsweretokeepsharpwatchovertheopenslopesbelowandtoreportanysightofahorse。
Acedarfirewithgreenboughsontopofdeadwoodsentupalong，palecolumnofsmoke。Thissignal-firehadbeenkeptburningsincesunrise。
Theprecedingnightcamphadbeenmadeonalevelspotinthecedarsbackofthepromontory。ButmanifestlyAnsondidnotexpecttoremaintherelong。For，afterbreakfast，thepackshadbeenmadeupandthehorsesstoodsaddledandbridled。Theywererestlessanduneasy，tossingbitsandfightingflies。Thesun，nowhalf-waytomeridian，washotandnobreezeblewinthatshelteredspot。
ShadyJoneshadriddenoffearlytofillthewater-bags，andhadnotyetreturned。Anson，thinnerandscalierandmoresnakelikethanever，wasdealingagreasy，dirtydeckofcards，hisopponentbeingthesquare-shaped，black-visagedMoze。Inlieuofmoneythegamblerswageredwithcedar-berries，eachofwhichberriesrepresentedapipefuloftobacco。JimWilsonbroodedunderacedar-tree，hisunshavenfaceadirtydust-hue，asmolderingfireinhislighteyes，asullensettohisjaw。EverylittlewhilehewouldraisehiseyestoglanceatRiggs，anditseemedthataquickglancewasenough。Riggspacedtoandfrointheopen，coatlessandhatless，hisblack-broadclothtrousersandembroideredvestdustyandtorn。Anenormousgunbumpedawkwardlyinitssheathswingingbelowhiship。Riggslookedperturbed。Hisfacewassweatingfreely，yetitwasfarfromredincolor。Hedidnotappeartomindthesunortheflies。Hiseyeswerestaring，dark，wild，shiftingingazefromeverythingtheyencountered。Butoftenthatgazeshotbacktothecaptivegirlsittingunderacedarsomeyardsfromtheman。
BoRayner\'slittle，bootedfeetweretiedtogetherwithoneendofalassoandtheotherendtrailedoffovertheground。Herhandswerefree。Herriding-habitwasdustyanddisordered。Hereyesblazeddefiantlyoutofasmall，paleface。
\"HarveRiggs，Iwouldn\'tbestandinginthosecheapbootsofyoursforamilliondollars，\"shesaid，sarcastically。Riggstooknonoticeofherwords。
\"Youpackthatgun-sheathwrongendout。Whathaveyougotthegunfor，anyhow？\"sheadded，tauntingly。
SnakeAnsonletoutahoarselaughandMoze\'sblackvisageopenedinahugegrin。JimWilsonseemedtodrinkinthegirl\'swords。Sullenandsomber，hebenthisleanhead，verystill，asiflistening。
\"You\'dbettershutup，\"saidRiggs，darkly。
\"Iwillnotshutup，\"declaredBo。
\"ThenI\'llgagyou，\"hethreatened。
\"Gagme！Why，youdirty，low-down，two-bitofabluff！\"sheexclaimed，hotly，\"I\'dliketoseeyoutryit。I\'lltearthatlonghairofyoursrightoffyourhead。\"
Riggsadvancedtowardherwithhishandsclutching，asifeagertothrottleher。Thegirlleanedforward，herfacereddening，hereyesfierce。
\"Youdamnedlittlecat！\"mutteredRiggs，thickly。\"I\'llgagyou——ifyoudon\'tstopsquallin\'。\"
\"Comeon。Idareyoutolayahandonme……HarveRiggs，I\'mnottheleastafraidofyou。Can\'tyousavvythat？
You\'realiar，afour-flush，asneak！Why，you\'renotfittowipethefeetofanyoftheseoutlaws。\"
Riggstooktwolongstridesandbentoverher，histeethprotrudinginasnarl，andhecuffedherhardonthesideofthehead。
Bo\'sheadjerkedbackwiththeforceoftheblow，butsheutterednocry。
\"Areyougoin\'tokeepyourjawshut？\"hedemanded，stridently，andadarktideofbloodsurgedupintohisneck。
\"IshouldsmileI\'mnot，\"retortedBo，incool，deliberateangerofopposition。\"You\'veropedme——andyou\'vestruckme！Nowgetaclub——standoffthere——outofmyreach——
andbeatme！Oh，ifIonlyknewcusswordsfitforyou——
I\'dcallyouthem！\"
SnakeAnsonhadstoppedplayingcards，andwaswatching，listening，withhalf-disgusted，half-amusedexpressiononhisserpent-likeface。JimWilsonslowlyrosetohisfeet。
Ifanyonehadobservedhimitwouldhavebeentonotethathenowseemedsingularlyfascinatedbythisscene，yetallthewhileabsorbedinhimself。Onceheloosenedtheneck-bandofhisblouse。
Riggsswunghisarmmoreviolentlyatthegirl。Butshedodged。
\"Youdog！\"shehissed。\"Oh，ifIonlyhadagun！\"
Herfacethen，withitsdeadwhitenessandtheeyesofflame，heldatragic，impellingbeautythatstungAnsonintoremonstrance。
\"Aw，Riggs，don\'tbeatupthekid，\"heprotested。\"Thetwon\'tdoanygood。Letheralone。\"
\"Butshe\'sgottoshutup，\"repliedRiggs。
\"How\'nhellairyougoin\'toshetherup？Mebbeifyougetoutofhersightshe\'llbequiet……Howaboutthet，girl？\"
AnsongnawedhisdroopingmustacheasheeyedBo。
\"HaveImadeanykicktoyouoryourmenyet？\"shequeried。
\"Itstrikesmeyou\'ain\'t，\"repliedAnson。
\"Youwon\'thearmemakeanysolongasI\'mtreateddecent，\"
saidBo。\"Idon\'tknowwhatyou\'vegottodowithRiggs。Heranmedown——ropedme——draggedmetoyourcamp。NowI\'veahunchyou\'rewaitingforBeasley。\"
\"Girl，yourhunch\'scorrect，\"saidAnson。
\"Well，doyouknowI\'mthewronggirl？\"
\"What\'sthet？Ireckonyou\'reNellRayner，whogotleftalloldAuchincloss\'sproperty。\"
\"No。I\'mBoRayner。Nellismysister。Sheownstheranch。
Beasleywantedher。\"
Ansoncurseddeepandlow。Underhissharp，bristlingeyebrowshebentcunninggreeneyesuponRiggs。
\"Say，you！Iswhatthiskidsaysso？\"
\"Yes。She\'sNellRayner\'ssister，\"repliedRiggs，doggedly。
\"A-huh！Wal，whyinthehelldidyoudragherintomycampan\'offupheretosignalBeasley？Heain\'twantin\'her。Hewantsthegirlwhoownstheranch。Didyoutakeonefertheother——sameasthetdaywewaswithyou？\"
\"GuessImusthave，\"repliedRiggs，sullenly。
\"Butyouknowedherfromhersisteraforeyoucometomycamp？\"
Riggsshookhishead。Hewaspalernowandsweatingmorefreely。Thedankhairhungwetoverhisforehead。Hismannerwasthatofamansuddenlyrealizinghehadgottenintoatightplace。
\"Oh，he\'saliar！\"exclaimedBo，withcontemptuousringinhervoice。\"Hecomesfrommycountry。HehasknownNellandmeforyears。\"
SnakeAnsonturnedtolookatWilson。
\"Jim，nowhyar\'saqueerdealthisfellerhasrunginonus。
Ithoughtthetkidwasprettyyoung。Don\'tyourememberBeasleytoldusNellRaynerwasahandsomewoman？\"
\"Wal，pardAnson，ifthisheahgurlain\'thandsomemyeyeshavegonepore，\"drawledWilson。
\"A-huh！SoyourTexaschilvareeovertheladiesissomeoperatin\'，\"retortedAnson，withfinesarcasm。\"Butthetain\'ttellin\'mewhatyouthink？\"
\"Wal，Iain\'ttellin\'youwhatIthinkyet。ButIknowthetkidain\'tNellRayner。ForI\'veseenher。\"
Ansonstudiedhisright-handmanforamoment，then，takingouthistobacco-pouch，hesathimselfdownuponastoneandproceededleisurelytorollacigarette。Heputitbetweenhisthinlipsandapparentlyforgottolightit。Forafewmomentshegazedattheyellowgroundandsomescantsage-brush。Riggstooktopacingupanddown。Wilsonleanedasbeforeagainstthecedar。Thegirlslowlyrecoveredfromherexcessofanger。
\"Kid，seehyar，\"saidAnson，addressingthegirl；\"ifRiggsknowedyouwasn\'tNellan\'fetchedyoualonganyhow——what\'dhedothetfur？\"
\"Hechasedme——caughtme。Thenhesawsomeoneafterusandhehurriedtoyourcamp。Hewasafraid——thecur！\"
Riggsheardherreply，forheturnedamalignantglanceuponher。
\"Anson，IfetchedherbecauseIknowNellRaynerwillgiveupanythin\'onearthforher，\"hesaid，inloudvoice。
Ansonponderedthisstatementwithanairofconsideringitsapparentsincerity。
\"Don\'tyoubelievehim，\"declaredBoRayner，bluntly。\"He\'saliar。He\'sdouble-crossingBeasleyandallofyou。\"
Riggsraisedashakinghandtoclenchitather。\"Keepstillorit\'llbetheworseforyou。\"
\"Riggs，shutupyourself，\"putinAnson，asheleisurelyrose。\"Mebbeit\'ain\'toccurredtoyouthetshemighthavesometalkinterestin\'tome。An\'I\'mrunnin\'thishyarcamp……Now，kid，talkupan\'saywhatyoulike。\"
\"Isaidhewasdouble-crossingyouall，\"repliedthegirl，instantly。\"Why，I\'msurprisedyou\'dbecaughtinhiscompany！MyuncleAlandmysweetheartCarmichaelandmyfriendDale——they\'vealltoldmewhatWesternmenare，evendowntooutlaws，robbers，cutthroatrascalslikeyou。
AndIknowtheWestwellenoughnowtobesurethatfour-flushdoesn\'tbelonghereandcan\'tlasthere。HewenttoDodgeCityonceandwhenhecamebackhemadeabluffatbeingabadman。Hewasaswaggering，bragging，drinkinggun-fighter。Hetalkedofthemenhe\'dshot，ofthefightshe\'dhad。Hedressedlikesomeofthosegun-throwinggamblers……HewasinlovewithmysisterNell。Shehatedhim。HefollowedusoutWestandhehashungonouractionslikeasneakingIndian。Why，NellandIcouldn\'tevenwalktothestoreinthevillage。Herodeaftermeoutontherange——chasedme……ForthatCarmichaelcalledRiggs\'sbluffdowninTurner\'ssaloon。Daredhimtodraw！
Cussedhimeverynameontherange！Slappedandbeatandkickedhim！DrovehimoutofPine！……Andnow，whateverhehassaidtoBeasleyoryou，it\'sadeadsurebethe\'splayinghisowngame。That\'stogetholdofNell，andifnother——thenme！……Oh，I\'moutofbreath——andI\'moutofnamestocallhim。IfItalkedforever——I\'dneverbe——
ableto——dohimjustice。Butlendme——agun——aminute！\"
JimWilson\'squietformvibratedwithastart。Ansonwithhisadmiringsmilepulledhisgunand，takingacoupleofstepsforward，helditoutbuttfirst。Shestretchedeagerlyforitandhejerkeditaway。
\"Holdonthere！\"yelledRiggs，inalarm。
\"Damme，Jim，ifshedidn\'tmeanbizness！\"exclaimedtheoutlaw。
\"Wal，now——seeheah，Miss。Wouldyouborehim——ifyouhedagun？\"inquiredWilson，withcuriousinterest。Therewasmoreofrespectinhisdemeanorthanadmiration。
\"No。Idon\'twanthiscowardlybloodonmyhands，\"repliedthegirl。\"ButI\'dmakehimdance——I\'dmakehimrun。\"
\"Shoreyoucanhandleagun？\"
Shenoddedheranswerwhilehereyesflashedhateandherresolutelipstwitched。