FOREWORD
ItwasinevitablethatinmyeffortstowriteromantichistoryofthegreatWestIshouldatlengthcometothestoryofafeud。ForlongIhavesteeredclearofthisrock。ButatlastIhavereacheditandmustgooverit，drivenbymydesiretochroniclethestirringeventsofpioneerdays。
Evento—dayitisnotpossibletotravelintotheremotecornersoftheWestwithoutseeingthelivesofpeoplestillaffectedbyafightingpast。HowcanthetruthbetoldaboutthepioneeringoftheWestifthestruggle，thefight，thebloodbeleftout？Itcannotbedone。Howcananovelbestirringandthrilling，aswerethosetimes，unlessitbefullofsensation？Mylonglaborshavebeendevotedtomakingstoriesresemblethetimestheydepict。IhavelovedtheWestforitsvastness，itscontrast，itsbeautyandcolorandlife，foritswildnessandviolence，andforthefactthatI
haveseenhowitdevelopedgreatmenandwomenwhodiedunknownandunsung。
Inthismaterialisticage，thishard，practical，swift，greedyageofrealism，itseemsthereisnoplaceforwritersofromance，noplaceforromanceitself。Formanyyearsalltheeventsleadinguptothegreatwarwererealistic，andthewaritselfwashorriblyrealistic，andtheaftermathislikewise。Romanceisonlyanothernameforidealism;andIcontendthatlifewithoutidealsisnotworthliving。Neverinthehistoryoftheworldwereidealsneededsoterriblyasnow。WalterScottwroteromance;sodidVictorHugo;
andlikewiseKipling，Hawthorne，Stevenson。ItwasStevenson，particularly，whowieldedabludgeonagainsttherealists。Peopleliveforthedreamintheirhearts。AndIhaveyettoknowanyonewhohasnotsomesecretdream，somehope，howeverdim，somestoriedwalltolookatinthedusk，somepaintedwindowleadingtothesoul。
Howstrangeindeedtofindthattherealistshaveidealsanddreams！
Toreadthemonewouldthinktheirlivesheldnothingsignificant。
Buttheylove，theyhope，theydream，theysacrifice，theystruggleonwiththatdreamintheirheartsjustthesameasothers。Weallaredreamers，ifnotintheheavy—liddedwastingoftime，theninthemeaningoflifethatmakesusworkon。
ItwasWordsworthwhowrote，\"Theworldistoomuchwithus\";andifIcouldgivethesecretofmyambitionasanovelistinafewwordsitwouldbecontainedinthatquotation。Myinspirationtowritehasalwayscomefromnature。Characterandactionaresubordinatedtosetting。InallthatIhavedoneIhavetriedtomakepeopleseehowtheworldistoomuchwiththem。Gettingandspendingtheylaywastetheirpowers，withneverabreathofthefreeandwonderfullifeoftheopen！
SoIcomebacktothemainpointofthisforeword，inwhichIamtryingtotellwhyandhowIcametowritethestoryofafeudnotoriousinArizonaasthePleasantValleyWar。
SomeyearsagoMr。HarryAdams，acattlemanofVermajoPark，NewMexico，toldmehehadbeenintheTontoBasinofArizonaandthoughtImightfindinterestingmaterialthereconcerningthisPleasantValleyWar。
Hisversionofthewarbetweencattlemenandsheepmencertainlydeterminedmetolookovertheground。Myoldguide，AlDoyleofFlagstaff，hadledmeoverhalfofArizona，butneverdownintothatwonderfulwildandruggedbasinbetweentheMogollonMesaandtheMazatzalMountains。DoylehadlonglivedonthefrontierandhisversionofthePleasantValleyWardifferedmarkedlyfromthatofMr。Adams。Iaskedotheroldtimersaboutit，andtheirremarksfurtherexcitedmycuriosity。
Oncedownthere，DoyleandIfoundthewildest，mostrugged，roughest，andmostremarkablecountryeitherofushadvisited;andthefewinhabitantswerelikethecountry。Iwentinostensiblytohuntbearandlionandturkey，butwhatIreallywashuntingforwasthestoryofthatPleasantValleyWar。Iengagedtheservicesofabearhunterwhohadthreestrappingsonsasreservedandstrangeandaloofashewas。
Nowheeltracksofanykindhadevercomewithinmilesoftheircabin。
IspenttwowonderfulmonthshuntinggameandrevelinginthebeautyandgrandeurofthatRimRockcountry，butIcameoutknowingnomoreaboutthePleasantValleyWar。TheseTexansandtheirfewneighbors，likewisefromTexas，didnottalk。ButallIsawandfeltonlyinspiredmethemore。Thistripwasinthefallof1918。
ThenextyearIwentagainwiththebesthorses，outfit，andmentheDoylescouldprovide。AndthistimeIdidnotaskanyquestions。
ButIrodehorses——someofthemtoowildforme——andpackedariflemanyahundredmiles，ridingsometimesthirtyandfortymilesaday，andIclimbedinandoutofthedeepcanyons，desperatelystayingattheheelsofoneofthoselong—leggedTexans。Ilearnedthelifeofthosebackwoodsmen，butIdidnotgetthestoryofthePleasantValleyWar。Ihad，however，wonthefriendshipofthathardypeople。
In1920Iwentbackwithastilllargeroutfit，equippedtostayaslongasIliked。Andthistime，withoutmyaskingit，differentnativesoftheTontocametotellmeaboutthePleasantValleyWar。
Notwoofthemagreedonanythingconcerningit，exceptthatonlyoneoftheactiveparticipantssurvivedthefighting。Whencecomesmytitle，TOTHELASTMAN。ThusIwasswampedinamassofmaterialoutofwhichIcouldonlyfloundertomyownconclusion。Someofthestoriestoldmearesingularlytemptingtoanovelist。But，thoughIbelievethemmyself，Icannotrisktheirimprobabilitytothosewhohavenoideaofthewildnessofwildmenatawildtime。Therereallywasaterribleandbloodyfeud，perhapsthemostdeadlyandleastknowninalltheannalsoftheWest。Isawtheground，thecabins，thegraves，allsodarklysuggestiveofwhatmusthavehappened。
IneverlearnedthetruthofthecauseofthePleasantValleyWar，orifIdidhearitIhadnomeansofrecognizingit。Allthegivencauseswereplausibleandconvincing。Strangetostate，thereisstillsecrecyandreticenceallovertheTontoBasinastothefactsofthisfeud。Manydescendentsofthosekilledarelivingtherenow。
Butnoonelikestotalkaboutit。Assuredlymanyoftheincidentstoldmereallyoccurred，as，forexample，theterribleoneofthetwowomen，inthefaceofrelentlessenemies，savingthebodiesoftheirdeadhusbandsfrombeingdevouredbywildhogs。Sufficeittosaythatthisromanceistruetomyconceptionofthewar，andIbaseituponthesettingIlearnedtoknowandlovesowell，uponthestrangepassionsofprimitivepeople，anduponmyinstinctivereactiontothefactsandrumorsthatIgathered。
ZANEGREY。
AVALON，CALIFORNIA，April，1921
CHAPTERI
Attheendofadry，uphillrideoverbarrencountryJeanIsbelunpackedtocampattheedgeofthecedarswherealittlerockycanyongreenwithwillowandcottonwood，promisedwaterandgrass。
Hisanimalsweretired，especiallythepackmulethathadcarriedaheavyload;andwithslowheaveofrelieftheykneltandrolledinthedust。Jeanexperiencedsomethingofreliefhimselfashethrewoffhischaps。Hehadnotbeenusedtohot，dusty，glaringdaysonthebarrenlands。Stretchinghislonglengthbesideatinyrillofclearwaterthattinkledovertheredstones，hedrankthirstily。
Thewaterwascool，butithadanacridtaste——analkalibitethathedidnotlike。NotsincehehadleftOregonhadhetastedclear，sweet，coldwater;andhemisseditjustashelongedforthestatelyshadyforestshehadloved。Thiswild，endlessArizonalandbadefairtoearnhishatred。
Bythetimehehadleisurelycompletedhistaskstwilighthadfallenandcoyoteshadbeguntheirbarking。Jeanlistenedtotheyelpsandtothemoanofthecoolwindinthecedarswithasenseofsatisfactionthattheselonelysoundswerefamiliar。Thiscedarwoodburnedintoaprettyfireandthesmellofitssmokewasnewlypleasant。
\"ReckonmaybeI’lllearntolikeArizona，\"hemused，halfaloud。
\"ButI’veahankerin’forwaterfallsan’dark—greenforests。
MustbetheIndianinme……Anyway，dadneedsmebad，an’
IreckonI’mhereforkeeps。\"
Jeanthrewsomecedarbranchesonthefire，inthelightofwhichheopenedhisfather’sletter，hopingbyrepeatedreadingtograspmoreofitsstrangeportent。Ithadbeentwomonthsinreachinghim，comingbytraveler，bystageandtrain，andthenbyboat，andfinallybystageagain。Writteninleadpencilonaleaftornfromanoldledger，itwouldhavebeenhardtoreadevenifthewritinghadbeenmorelegible。
\"Dad’swritin’wasalwaysbad，butIneversawitsoshaky，\"saidJean，thinkingaloud。
GRASSVALLY，ARIZONA。
SonJean，——Comehome。Hereisyourhomeandhereyourneeded。
WhenweleftOregonweallreckonedyouwouldnotbelongbehind。
Butitsyearsnow。Iamgrowingold，son，andyouwasalwaysmysteadiestboy。Notthatyoueverwassodamsteady。Onlyyourwildnessseemedmoreforthewoods。Youtakeaftermother，andyourbrothersBillandGuytakeafterme。Thatistheredandwhiteofit。YourpartIndian，Jean，andthatIndianIreckonIamgoingtoneedbad。Iamrichincattleandhorses。AndmyrangehereisthebestIeverseen。Latelywehavebeenlosingstock。Butthatisnotallnorsobad。SheepmenhavemovedintotheTontoandaregrazingdownonGrassVally。Cattlemenandsheepmencanneverbideinthiscountry。Wehavebadtimesahead。
ReckonIhavemorereasonstoworryandneedyou，butyoumustwaittohearthatbywordofmouth。Whateveryourdoing，chuckitandrustleforGrassVallysotomakeherebyspring。Iamaskingyoutotakepainstopackinsomegunsandalotofshells。Andhidetheminyouroutfit。IfyoumeetanyonewhenyourcomingdownintotheTonto，listenmorethanyoutalk。Andlast，son，dontletanythingkeepyouinOregon。Reckonyouhaveasweetheart，andifsofetchheralong。Withlovefromyourdad，GASTONISBEL。
Jeanponderedoverthisletter。judgedbymemoryofhisfather，whohadalwaysbeenself—sufficient，ithadbeenasurpriseandsomewhatofashock。Weeksoftravelandreflectionhadnothelpedhimtograspthemeaningbetweenthelines。
\"Yes，dad’sgrowin’old，\"musedJean，feelingawarmthandasadnessstirinhim。\"Hemustbe’wayoversixty。Butheneverlookedold……Sohe’srichnowan’losin’stock，an’goin’tobesheepedoffhisrange。Dadcouldstandalotofrustlin’，butnotmuchfromsheepmen。\"
ThesoftnessthatstirredinJeanmergedintoacold，thoughtfulearnestnesswhichhadfollowedeveryperusalofhisfather’sletter。
Adark，fullcurrentseemedflowinginhisveins，andattimeshefeltitswellandheat。Ittroubledhim，makinghimconsciousofadeeper，strongerself，opposedtohiscareless，free，anddreamynature。NotieshadboundhiminOregon，exceptloveforthegreat，stillforestsandthethunderingrivers;andthislovecamefromhissofterside。Ithadcosthimawrenchtoleave。AndallthewaybyshipdownthecoasttoSanDiegoandacrosstheSierraMadresbystage，andsoontothislastoverlandtravelbyhorseback，hehadfeltaretreatingoftheselfthatwastranquilandhappyandadominatingofthisunknownsomberself，withitsmenacingpossibilities。YetdespiteanamelessregretandaloyaltytoOregon，whenhelayinhisblanketshehadtoconfessakeeninterestinhisadventurousfuture，akeenenjoymentofthisstark，wildArizona。Itappearedtobeadifferentskystretchingindark，star—spangleddomeoverhim——closer，vaster，bluer。Thestrongfragranceofsageandcedarfloatedoverhimwiththecamp—firesmoke，andallseemeddrowsilytosubduehisthoughts。
Atdawnherolledoutofhisblanketsand，pullingonhisboots，beganthedaywithazestfortheworkthatmustbringcloserhiscallingfuture。White，cracklingfrostandcold，nippingairwerethesamekeenspurstoactionthathehadknownintheuplandsofOregon，yettheywerenotwhollythesame。Hesensedanexhilarationsimilartotheeffectofastrong，sweetwine。Hishorseandmulehadfaredwellduringthenight，havingbeenmuchrefreshedbythegrassandwaterofthelittlecanyon。Jeanmountedandrodeintothecedarswithgladnessthatatlasthehadputtheendlessleaguesofbarrenlandbehindhim。
Thetrailhefollowedappearedtobeseldomtraveled。Itled，accordingtothemeagerinformationobtainableatthelastsettlement，directlytowhatwascalledtheRim，andfromthereGrassValleycouldbeseendownintheBasin。Theascentofthegroundwassogradualthatonlyinlong，openstretchescoulditbeseen。ButthenatureofthevegetationshowedJeanhowhewasclimbing。Scant，low，scraggycedarsgaveplacetomorenumerous，darker，greener，bushierones，andthesetohigh，full—foliaged，green—berriedtrees。Sageandgrassintheopenflatsgrewmoreluxuriously。Thencamethepinyons，andpresentlyamongthemthechecker—barkedjunipers。Jeanhailedthefirstpinetreewithaheartyslaponthebrown，ruggedbark。Itwasasmalldwarfpinestrugglingtolive。Thenextonewaslarger，andafterthatcameseveral，andbeyondthempinesstoodupeverywhereabovethelowertrees。OdorofpineneedlesmingledwiththeotherdrysmellsthatmadethewindpleasanttoJean。Inanhourfromthefirstlineofpineshehadriddenbeyondthecedarsandpinyonsintoaslowlythickeninganddeepeningforest。Underbrushappearedscarceexceptinravines，andthegroundinopenpatchesheldableachedgrass。
Jean’seyerovedforsightofsquirrels，birds，deer，oranymovingcreature。Itappearedtobeadry，uninhabitedforest。AboutmiddayJeanhaltedatapondofsurfacewater，evidentlymeltedsnow，andgavehisanimalsadrink。Hesawafewolddeertracksinthemudandseveralhugebirdtracksnewtohimwhichheconcludedmusthavebeenmadebywildturkeys。
Thetraildividedatthispond。Jeanhadnoideawhichbranchheoughttotake。\"Reckonitdoesn’tmatter，\"hemuttered，ashewasabouttoremount。Hishorsewasstandingwithearsup，lookingbackalongthetrail。ThenJeanheardaclip—clopoftrottinghoofs，andpresentlyespiedahorseman。
Jeanmadeapretenseoftighteninghissaddlegirthswhilehepeeredoverhishorseattheapproachingrider。AllmeninthiscountryweregoingtobeofexceedinginteresttoJeanIsbel。ThismanatadistancerodeandlookedlikealltheArizoniansJeanhadseen，hehadasuperbseatinthesaddle，andhewaslongandlean。Heworeahugeblacksombreroandasoiledredscarf。Hisvestwasopenandhewaswithoutacoat。
TheridercametrottingupandhaltedseveralpacesfromJean\"Hullo，stranger！\"hesaid，gruffly。
\"Howdyyourself！\"repliedJean。Hefeltaninstinctiveimportanceinthemeetingwiththeman。NeverhadsharpereyesflashedoverJeanandhisoutfit。Hehadadust—colored，sun—burnedface，long，lean，andhard，ahugesandymustachethathidhismouth，andeyesofpiercinglightintensity。NotverymuchhardWesternexperiencehadpassedbythisman，yethewasnotold，measuredbyyears。
WhenhedismountedJeansawhewastall，evenforanArizonian。
\"Seenyourtracksbackaways，\"hesaid，asheslippedthebittolethishorsedrink。\"Wherebound？\"
\"ReckonI’mlost，allright，\"repliedJean。\"Newcountryforme。\"
\"Shore。Iseenthetfromyourtracksan’yourlastcamp。Wal，wherewasyouheadin’forbeforeyougotlost？\"
Thequerywasdeliberatelycool，withadry，crispring。Jeanfeltthelackoffriendlinessorkindlinessinit。
\"GrassValley。Myname’sIsbel，\"hereplied，shortly。
Theriderattendedtohisdrinkinghorseandpresentlyrebridledhim;
thenwithlongswingoflegheappearedtostepintothesaddle。
\"ShoreIknowedyouwasJeanIsbel，\"hesaid。\"EverybodyintheTontohasheerdoldGassIsbelsentferhisboy。\"
\"Wellthen，whydidyouask？\"inquiredJean，bluntly。
\"ReckonIwantedtoseewhatyou’dsay。\"
\"So？Allright。ButI’mnotcarin’verymuchforwhatYOUsay。\"
Theirglanceslockedsteadilythenandeachmeasuredtheotherbytheintangibleconflictofspirit。
\"Shorethet’snatural，\"repliedtherider。Hisspeechwasslow，andthemotionsofhislong，brownhands，ashetookacigarettefromhisvest，kepttimewithhiswords。\"Butseein’you’reoneoftheIsbels，I’llhevmysaywhetheryouwantitornot。Myname’sColteran’I’moneofthesheepmenGassIsbel’sriledwith。\"
\"Colter。Gladtomeetyou，\"repliedJean。\"An’Ireckonwhoriledmyfatherisgoin’torileme。\"
\"Shore。Ifthetwasn’tsoyou’dnotbeanIsbel，\"returnedColter，withagrimlittlelaugh。\"It’seasytoseeyouain’trunintoanyTontoBasinfellersyet。Wal，I’mgoin’totellyouthetyouroldmangabbedlikeawomandownatGreaves’sstore。Braggedabootyouan’howyoucouldfightan’howyoucouldshootan’howyoucouldtrackahossoraman！Braggedhowyou’dchaseeverysheepherderbackupontheRim……I’mtellin’youbecausewewantyoutogitourstandright。We’regoin’torunsheepdowninGrassValley。\"
\"Ahuh！Well，who’swe？\"queriedJean，curtly。
\"What—at？……We——Imeanthesheepmenrangin’thisRimfromBlackButtetotheApachecountry。\"
\"Colter，I’mastrangerinArizona，\"saidJean，slowly。Iknowlittleaboutranchersorsheepmen。It’struemyfathersentforme。It’strue，Idaresay，thathebragged，forhewasgiventoblusteran’blow。
An’he’soldnow。Ican’thelpitifhebraggedaboutme。Butifhehas，an’ifhe’sjustifiedinhisstandagainstyousheepmen，Imgoin’
todomybesttoliveuptohisbrag。\"
\"Igetyourhunch。Shoreweunderstandeachother，an’thet’sapowerfulhelp。Youtakemyhunchtoyouroldman，\"repliedColter，asheturnedhishorseawaytowardtheleft。\"Thettrailleadin’
southisyours。WhenyoucometotheRimyou’llseeabarespotdownintheBasin。Thet’llbeGrassValley。\"
Herodeawayoutofsightintothewoods。Jeanleanedagainsthishorseandpondered。ItseemeddifficulttobejusttothisColter，notbecauseofhisclaims，butbecauseofasubtlehostilitythatemanatedfromhim。Colterhadthehardface，themaskedintent，theturnofspeechthatJeanhadcometoassociatewithdishonestmen。
EvenifJeanhadnotbeenprejudiced，ifhehadknownnothingofhisfather’stroublewiththesesheepmen，andifColterhadmethimonlytoexchangeglancesandgreetings，stillJeanwouldneverhavehadafavorableimpression。Coltergrateduponhim，rousedanantagonismseldomfelt。
\"Heigho！\"sighedtheyoungman，\"Good—bytohuntin’an’fishing’！
Dad’sgivenmeaman’sjob。\"
Withthathemountedhishorseandstartedthepackmuleintotheright—handtrail。Walkingandtrotting，hetraveledallafternoon，towardsunsetgettingintoheavyforestofpine。Morethanonesnowbankshowedwhitethroughthegreen，shelteredonthenorthslopesofshadyravines。Anditwasuponenteringthiszoneofricher，deeperforestlandthatJeansloughedoffhisgloomyforebodings。ThesestatelypineswerenotthegiantfirsofOregon，butanyloverofthewoodscouldbehappyunderthem。Higherstillheclimbeduntiltheforestspreadbeforeandaroundhimlikealevelpark，withthicketedravineshereandthereoneachside。Andpresentlythatdeceitfullevelledtoahigherbenchuponwhichthepinestowered，andwerematchedbybeautifultreeshetookforspruce。Heavilybarked，withregularspreadingbranches，theseconifersroseinsymmetricalshapetospeartheskywithsilverplumes。Agracefulgray—greenmoss，wavedlikeveilsfromthebranches。Theairwasnotsodryanditwascolder，withascentandtouchofsnow。Jeanmadecampatthefirstlikelysite，takingtheprecautiontounrollhisbedsomelittledistancefromhisfire。Underthesoftlymoaningpineshefeltcomfortable，havinglostthesenseofanimmeasurableopenspacefallingawayfromallaroundhim。
ThegobblingofwildturkeysawakenedJean，\"Chuga—lug，chug—a—lug，chug—a—lug—chug。\"Therewasnotagreatdifferencebetweenthegobbleofawildturkeyandthatofatameone。Jeangotup，andtakinghisriflewentoutintothegrayobscurityofdawntotrytolocatetheturkeys。Butitwastoodark，andfinallywhendaylightcametheyappearedtobegone。Themulehadstrayed，and，whatwithfindingitandcookingbreakfastandpacking，Jeandidnotmakeaveryearlystart。Onthislastlapofhislongjourneyhehadsloweddown。
Hewaswearyofhurrying;thechangefromweeksintheglaringsunanddust—ladenwindtothissweetcootdarklygreenandbrownforestwasverywelcome;hewantedtolingeralongtheshadedtrail。ThisdayhemadesurewouldseehimreachtheRim。Byandbyhelostthetrail。Ithadjustwornoutfromlackofuse。EverynowandthenJeanwouldcrossanoldtrail，andashepenetrateddeeperintotheforesteverydampordustyspotshowedtracksofturkey，deer，andbear。Theamountofbearsignsurprisedhim。Presentlyhiskeennostrilswereassailedbyasmellofsheep，andsoonherodeintoabroadsheep，trail。FromthetracksJeancalculatedthatthesheephadpassedtherethedaybefore。
Anunreasonableantipathyseemedborninhim。Tobesurehehadbeenpreparedtodislikesheep，andthatwaswhyhewasunreasonable。Butontheotherhandthisbandofsheephadleftabroadbareswath，weedless，grassless，flowerless，intheirwake。Wheresheepgrazedtheydestroyed。ThatwaswhatJeanhadagainstthem。
Anhourlaterherodetothecrestofalongparklikeslope，wherenewgreengrasswassproutingandflowerspeepedeverywhere。Thepinesappearedfarapart;gnarledoaktreesshowedruggedandgrayagainstthegreenwallofwoods。Awhitestripofsnowgleamedlikeamovingstreamawaydowninthewoods。
Jeanheardthemusicaltinkleofbellsandthebaa—baaofsheepandthefaint，sweetbleatingoflambs。Asheroadtowardthesesoundsadogranoutfromanoakthicketandbarkedathim。NextJeansmelledacampfireandsoonhecaughtsightofacurlingbluecolumnofsmoke，andthenasmallpeakedtent。BeyondtheclumpofoaksJeanencounteredaMexicanladcarryingacarbine。Theboyhadaswarthy，pleasantface，andtoJean’sgreetinghereplied，\"BUENASDIAS。\"JeanunderstoodlittleSpanish，andaboutallhegatheredbyhissimplequerieswasthattheladwasnotalone——andthatitwas\"lambingtime。\"
Thislattercircumstancegrewnoisilymanifest。Theforestseemedshrillyfullofincessantbaasandplaintivebleats。Allaboutthecamp，ontheslope，intheglades，andeverywhere，weresheep。Afewweregrazing;manywerelyingdown;mostofthemwereewessucklingwhitefleecylittlelambsthatstaggeredontheirfeet。EverywhereJeansawtinylambsjustborn。Theirpin—pointedbleatspiercedtheheavierbaa—baaoftheirmothers。
Jeandismountedandledhishorsedowntowardthecamp，whereheratherexpectedtoseeanotherandolderMexican，fromwhomhemightgetinformation。Theladwalkedwithhim。Downthiswaytheplaintiveuproarmadebythesheepwasnotsoloud。
\"Hellothere！\"calledJean，cheerfully，asheapproachedthetent。
Noanswerwasforthcoming。Droppinghisbridle，hewenton，ratherslowly，lookingforsomeonetoappear。Thenavoicefromonesidestartledhim。
\"Mawnin’，stranger。\"
Agirlsteppedoutfrombesideapine。Shecarriedarifle。Herfaceflashedrichlybrown，butshewasnotMexican。Thisfact，andthesuddenconvictionthatshehadbeenwatchinghim，somewhatdisconcertedJean。
\"Begpardon——miss，\"hefloundered。\"Didn’texpect，toseea——girl……I’msortoflost——lookin’fortheRim——an’thoughtI’dfindasheepherderwho’dshowme。Ican’tsavvythisboy’slingo。\"
Whilehespokeitseemedtohimanintentnessofexpression，astrainrelaxedfromherface。Afaintsuggestionofhostilitylikewisedisappeared。Jeanwasnotevensurethathehadcaughtit，buttherehadbeensomethingthatnowwasgone。
\"ShoreI’llbegladtoshowy’u，\"shesaid。
\"Thanks，miss。ReckonIcanbreatheeasynow，\"hereplied，\"It’salongridefromSanDiego。Hotan’dusty！I’mprettytired。
An’maybethiswoodsisn’tgoodmedicinetoachin’eyes！\"
\"SanDiego！Y’u’refromthecoast？\"
\"Yes。\"
Jeanhaddoffedhissombreroatsightofherandhestillheldit，ratherdeferentially，perhaps。Itseemedtoattractherattention。
\"Putony’urhat，stranger……ShoreIcan’trecollectwhenanymanbaredhishaidtome。\"Sheutteredalittlelaughinwhichsurpriseandfranknessmingledwithatintofbitterness。
Jeansatdownwithhisbacktoapine，and，layingthesombrerobyhisside，helookedfullather，consciousofasingulareagerness，asifhewantedtoverifybyclosescrutinyafirsthastyimpression。
IftherehadbeenaninstinctinhismeetingwithColter，therewasmoreinthis。Thegirlhalfsat，halfleanedagainstalog，withtheshinylittlecarbineacrossherknees。Shehadalevel，curiousgazeuponhim，andJeanhadnevermetonejustlikeit。Hereyeswereratherawideovalinshape，clearandsteady，withshadowsofthoughtintheiramber—browndepths。TheyseemedtolookthroughJean，andhisgazedroppedfirst。Thenitwashesawherraggedhomespunskirtandafewinchesofbrown，bareankles，strongandround，andcrudeworn—outmoccasinsthatfailedtohidetheshapeliness，ofherfeet。
Suddenlyshedrewbackherstockinglessanklesandill—shodlittlefeet。
WhenJeanliftedhisgazeagainhefoundherfacehalfavertedandastainofredinthegoldtanofhercheek。Thattouchofembarrassmentsomehowremovedherfromthisstrong，raw，wildwoodlandsetting。Itchangedherpoise。Itdetractedfromthecurious，unabashed，almostbold，lookthathehadencounteredinhereyes。
\"Reckonyou’refromTexas，\"saidJean，presently。
\"Shoream，\"shedrawled。ShehadalazySouthernvoice，pleasanttohear。\"How’dy’u—allguessthat？\"
\"AnybodycantellaTexan。WhereIcamefromtherewereagoodmanypioneersan’ranchersfromtheoldLoneStarstate。I’veworkedforseveral。An’，cometothinkofit，I’dratherhearaTexasgirltalkthananybody。\"
\"Didy’uknowmanyTexasgirls？\"sheinquired，turningagaintofacehim。
\"ReckonIdid——quiteagoodmany。\"
\"Didy’ugowiththem？\"
\"Gowiththem？Reckonyoumeankeepcompany。Why，yes，IguessI
did——alittle，\"laughedJean。\"SometimesonaSundayoradanceonceinabluemoon，an’occasionallyaride。\"
\"Shorethataccounts，\"saidthegirl，wistfully。
\"Forwhat？\"askedJean。
\"Y’urbein’agentleman，\"shereplied，withforce。Oh，I’venotforgotten。IhadfriendswhenwelivedinTexas……Threeyearsago。Shoreitseemslonger。Threemiserableyearsinthisdamnedcountry！\"
Thenshebitherlip，evidentlytokeepbackfurtherunwittingutterancetoatotalstranger。AnditwasthatbitingofherlipthatdrewJean’sattentiontohermouth。Itheldbeautyofcurveandfullnessandcolorthatcouldnothideacertainsadnessandbitterness。ThenthewholeflashingbrownfacechangedforJean。
Hesawthatitwasyoung，fullofpassionandrestraint，possessingapowerwhichgrewonhim。This，withhershameandpathosandthefactthatshecravedrespect，gavealeaptoJean’sinterest。
\"Well，Ireckonyouflatterme，\"hesaid，hopingtoputherathereaseagain。\"I’monlyaroughhunteran’fisherman—woodchopperan’
horsetracker。NeverhadalltheschoolIneeded——nornearenoughcompanyofnicegirlslikeyou。\"
\"AmInice？\"sheasked，quickly。
\"Yousureare，\"hereplied，smiling。
\"Intheserags，\"shedemanded，withasuddenflashofpassionthatthrilledhim。\"Lookattheholes。\"Sheshowedripsandworn—outplacesinthesleevesofherbuckskinblouse，throughwhichgleamedaround，brownarm。\"IsewwhenIhaveanythin’tosewwith……
Lookatmyskirt——adirtyrag。An’Ihaveonlyoneothertomyname……Look！\"Againacolortingedhercheeks，mostbecoming，andgivingthelietoheraction。Butshamecouldnotcheckherviolencenow。Adammed—upresentmentseemedtohavebrokenoutinflood。Sheliftedtheraggedskirtalmosttoherknees。\"Nostockings！NoShoes！……Howcanagirlbenicewhenshehasnoclean，decentwoman’sclothestowear？\"
\"How——howcanagirl……\"beganJean。\"Seehere，miss，I’mbeggin’
yourpardonfor——sortofstirrin’youtoforgetyourselfalittle。