TheslopethatStewartentereduponwasamagnificentmonumenttotheruinedcragsabove。Itwasasoutherlyslope，andthereforesemi-arid，coveredwithcercocarpusandyuccaandsomeshrubthatMadelinebelievedwasmanzanita。EveryfootofthetrailseemedtoslideunderMajesty。Whathardgroundtherewascouldnotbetraveledupon，owingtothespinycoveringormassesofshatteredrocks。Gullieslinedtheslope。
Thentheskygrewblacker；theslow-gatheringcloudsappearedtobesuddenlyagitated；theypiledandrolledandmushroomedandobscuredthecrags。Theairmovedheavilyandseemedtobeladenwithsulphuroussmoke，andsharplightningflashesbegantoplay。
Adistantroarofwindcouldbeheardbetweenthepealsofthunder。
StewartwaitedforMadelineundertheleeofashelvingcliff，wherethecowboyshadhaltedthepack-train。Majestywassensitivetotheflashesoflightning。Madelinepattedhisneckandsoftlycalledtohim。Thewearyburrosnodded；theMexicanwomencoveredtheirheadswiththeirmantles。StewartuntiedtheslickeratthebackofMadeline\'ssaddleandhelpedheronwithit。Thenheputonhisown。Theothercowboysfollowedsuit。
PresentlyMadelinesawMontyandDorothyroundingthecliff，andhopedtheotherswouldcomesoon。
Ablue-white，knottedropeoflightningburneddownoutoftheclouds，andinstantlyathunder-clapcrashed，seemingtoshakethefoundationsoftheearth。Thenitrolled，asifbangingfromcloudtocloud，andboomedalongthepeaks，andreverberatedfromdeeptolow，atlasttorumbleawayintosilence。MadelinefelttheelectricityinMajesty\'smane，anditseemedtotinglethroughhernerves。Theairhadaweird，brightcast。Theponderouscloudsswallowedmoreandmoreoftheeasterndomes。
Thismomentofthebreakingofthestorm，withthestrangegrowingroarofwind，likeamoaningmonster，waspregnantwithaheart-disturbingemotionforMadelineHammond。Gloriousitwastobefree，healthy，outintheopen，undertheshadowofthemountainandcloud，intheteethofthewindandrainandstorm。
Anotherdazzlingblueblazeshowedtheboldmountain-sideandthestorm-drivenclouds。IntheflareoflightMadelinesawStewart\'sface\"Areyouafraid？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，\"hereplied，simply。
Thenthethunderboltrackedtheheavens，andasitboomedawayinlesseningpowerMadelinereflectedwithsurpriseuponStewart\'sanswer。Somethinginhisfacehadmadeheraskhimwhatsheconsideredafoolishquestion。Hisreplyamazedher。Shelovedastorm。Whyshouldhefearit——he，withwhomshecouldnotassociatefear？
\"Howstrange！Haveyounotbeenoutinmanystorms？\"
Asmilethatwasonlyagleamflittedoverhisdarkface。
\"Inhundredsofthem。Byday，withthecattlestampeding。Atnight，aloneonthemountain，withthepinescrashingandtherocksrolling——infloodonthedesert。\"
\"It\'snotonlythelightning，then？\"sheasked。
\"No。Allthestorm。\"
Madelinefeltthathenceforthshewouldhavelessfaithinwhatshehadimaginedwasherloveoftheelements。Whatlittlesheknew！Ifthisiron-nervedmanfearedastorm，thentherewassomethingaboutastormtofear。
Andsuddenly，asthegroundquakedunderherhorse\'sfeet，andalltheskygrewblackandcrisscrossedbyflamingstreaks，andbetweenthunderousreportstherewasastrangehollowroarsweepingdownuponher，sherealizedhowsmallwasherknowledgeandexperienceofthemightyforcesofnature。Then，withthatperversityofcharacterofwhichshewaswhollyconscious，shewashumble，submissive，reverent，andfearfulevenwhileshegloriedinthegrandeurofthedark，cloud-shadowedcragsandcanons，thestupendousstrifeofsound，thewonderfuldrivinglancesofwhitefire。
Withblackergloomanddeafeningroarcamethetorrentofrain。
Itwasacloud-burst。Itwaslikesolidwatertumblingdown。
ForlongMadelinesatherhorse，headbenttothepeltingrain。
WhenitsforcelessenedandsheheardStewartcallforalltofollow，shelookeduptoseethathewasstartingoncemore。SheshotaglimpseatDorothyandasquicklyglancedaway。Dorothy，whowouldnotwearahatsuitableforinclementweather，noroneofthehorridyellow，stickyslickers，wasadrenchedanddisheveledspectacle。Madelinedidnottrustherselftolookattheothergirls。Itwasenoughtoheartheirlament。SosheturnedherhorseintoStewart\'strail。
Rainfellsteadily。Thefuryofthestorm，however，hadpassed，andtherollofthunderdiminishedinvolume。Theairhadwonderfullyclearedandwasgrowingcool。Madelinebegantofeeluncomfortablycoldandwet。Stewartwasclimbingfasterthanformerly，andshenotedthatMontykeptatherheels，pressingheron。Timehadbeenlost，andthecamp-sitewasalongwayoff。Thestag-houndsbegantolagandgetfootsore。Thesharprocksofthetrailwerecrueltotheirfeet。Then，asMadelinebegantotire，shenoticedlessandlessaroundher。Theascentgrewrougherandsteeper——slowtoilforpantinghorses。Thethinningraingrewcolder，andsometimesastrongerwhipofwindlashedstinginglyinMadeline\'sface。Herhorseclimbedandclimbed，andbrushandsharpcornersofstoneeverlastinglypulledandtoreatherwetgarments。Agraygloomsettleddownaroundher。Nightwasapproaching。Majestyheavedupwardwithasnort，thewetsaddlecreaked，andanevenmotiontoldMadelineshewasonlevelground。Shelookeduptoseeloomingcragsandspires，likehugepipe-organs，darkatthebaseandgrowinglightupward。Therainhadceased，butthebranchesoffir-treesandjuniperwerewater-soakedarmsreachingoutforher。ThroughanopeningbetweencragsMadelinecaughtamomentaryglimpseofthewest。Redsun-shaftsshonethroughthemurky，brokenclouds。
Thesunhadset。
Stewart\'shorsewasonajog-trotnow，andMadelineleftthetrailmoretoMajestythantoherownchoosing。Theshadowsdeepened，andthecragsgrewgloomyandspectral。Acoolwindmoanedthroughthedarktrees。Coyotes，scentingthehounds，keptapaceofthem，andbarkedandhowledoffinthegloom。Butthetiredhoundsdidnotappeartonotice。
Asblacknightbegantoenvelophersurroundings，Madelinemarkedthatthefir-treeshadgivenplacetopineforest。Suddenlyapin-pointoflightpiercedtheebonyblackness。Likeasolitarystarindarkskyittwinkledandblinked。Shelostsightofit——
founditagain。Itgrewlarger。Blacktree-trunkscrossedherlineofvision。Thelightwasafire。Sheheardacowboysongandthewildchorusofapackofcoyotes。Dropsofrainonthebranchesoftreesglitteredintheraysofthefire。Stewart\'stallfigure，withsombrerosloucheddown，wasnowandthenoutlinedagainstagrowingcircleoflight。Andbytheaidofthatlightshesawhimturneverymomentorsotolookback，probablytoassurehimselfthatshewasclosebehind。
Withaprospectoffireandwarmth，andfoodandrest，Madeline\'senthusiasmrevived。Whataclimb！Therewaspromiseinthiswildrideandlonelytrailandhiddencraggyheight，notonlyintheadventureherfriendsyearnedfor，butinsomenamelessjoyandspiritforherself。
XVITheCragsGladindeedwasMadelinetobeliftedoffherhorsebesidearoaringfire——toseesteamingpotsuponred-hotcoals。Exceptabouthershoulders，whichhadbeenprotectedbytheslicker，shewaswringingwet。TheMexicanwomencamequicklytohelpherchangeinatentnearby；butMadelinepreferredforthemomenttowarmhernumbfeetandhandsandtowatchthespectacleofherarrivingfriends。
Dorothyplumpedoffhersaddleintothearmsofseveralwaitingcowboys。Shecouldscarcelywalk。Farremovedinappearancewasshefromherusualstylishself。Herfacewashiddenbyalimpandlopsidedhat。Fromunderthedisheveledbrimcameaplaintivemoan：\"O-h-h！whata-ana-awfulride！\"Mrs。Beckwasinworsecondition；shehadtobetakenoffherhorse。\"I\'mparalyzed——I\'mawreck。Bobby，getaroller-chair。\"Bobbywassolicitousandwilling，buttherewerenoroller-chairs。
Florencedismountedeasily，andbutforhermassofhair，wetandtumbling，wouldhavebeentakenforahandsomecowboy。EdithWaynehadstoodthephysicalstrainoftheridebetterthanDorothy；however，ashermountwasrathersmall，shehadbeenmoreatthemercyofcactusandbrush。Herhabithungintatters。Helenhadpreservedaremnantofstyle，aswellasofpride，andperhapsalittlestrength。Butherfacewaswhite，hereyeswerebig，andshelimped。\"Majesty！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Whatdidyouwanttodotous？Killusoutrightormakeushomesick？\"Ofallofthem，however，Ambrose\'swife，Christine，thelittleFrenchmaid，hadsufferedthemostinthatlongride。
Shewasunaccustomedtohorses。Ambrosehadtocarryherintothebigtent。FlorencepersuadedMadelinetoleavethefire，andwhentheywentinwiththeothersDorothywaswailingbecauseherwetbootswouldnotcomeoff，Mrs。BeckwasweepingandtryingtodirectaMexicanwomantounfastenherbedraggleddress，andtherewasgeneralpandemonium。
\"Warmclothes——hotdrinksandgrub——warmblankets，\"rangoutStewart\'ssharporder。
Then，withFlorencehelpingtheMexicanwomen，itwasnotlonguntilMadelineandthefemininesideofthepartywerecomfortable，exceptforthewearinessandachesthatonlyrestandsleepcouldalleviate。
Neitherfatiguenorpains，however，northestrangenessofbeingpackedsardine-likeundercanvas，northehowlsofcoyotes，keptMadeline\'sguestsfromstretchingoutwithlong，gratefulsighs，andonebyonedroppingintodeepslumber。MadelinewhisperedalittletoFlorence，andlaughedwithheronceortwice，andthenthelightflickeringonthecanvasfadedandhereyelidsclosed。
Darknessandroarofcamplife，lowvoicesofmen，thumpofhorses\'hoofs，coyoteserenade，thesenseofwarmthandsweetrest——alldriftedaway。
Whensheawakenedshadowsofswayingbranchesmovedonthesunlitcanvasaboveher。Sheheardtheringingstrokesofanax，butnoothersoundfromoutside。Slow，regularbreathingattestedtothedeepslumbersofhertentcomrades。SheobservedpresentlythatFlorencewasmissingfromthenumber。Madelineroseandpeepedoutbetweentheflaps。
Anexquisitelybeautifulscenesurprisedandenthralledhergaze。
Shesawalevelspace，greenwithlonggrass，brightwithflowers，dottedwithgrovesofgracefulfirsandpinesandspruces，reachingtosuperbcrags，rosyandgoldeninthesunlight。Eagertogetoutwhereshecouldenjoyanunrestrictedview，shesearchedforherpack，founditinacorner，andthenhurriedlyandquietlydressed。
Herfavoritestag-hounds，RussandTartar，wereasleepbeforethedoor，wheretheyhadbeenchained。Sheawakenedthemandloosenedthem，thinkingthewhilethatitmusthavebeenStewartwhohadchainedthemnearher。Closeathandalsowasacowboy\'sbedrolledupinatarpaulin。
Thecoolair，fragrantwithpineandspruceandsomesubtlenamelesstang，sweetandtonic，madeMadelinestanderectandbreatheslowlyanddeeply。Itwaslikedrinkingofamagicdraught。Shefeltitinherblood，thatitquickeneditsflow。
Turningtolookintheotherdirection，beyondthetent，shesawtheremnantsoflastnight\'stemporarycamp，andfartheronagroveofbeautifulpinesfromwhichcamethesharpringoftheax。Widergazetookinawonderfulpark，notonlysurroundedbyloftycrags，butfullofcragsoflesserheight，manyliftingtheirheadsfromdark-greengrovesoftrees。Themorningsun，notyetabovetheeasternelevations，sentitsrosyandgoldenshaftsinbetweenthetoweringrocks，totipthepines。
Madeline，withthehoundsbesideher，walkedthroughthenearestgrove。Thegroundwassoftandspringyandbrownwithpine-needles。Thenshesawthataclumpoftreeshadpreventedherfromseeingthemoststrikingpartofthisnaturalpark。Thecowboyshadselectedacampsitewheretheywouldhavethemorningsunandafternoonshade。Severaltentsandflieswerealreadyup；therewasahugelean-tomadeofspruceboughs；cowboyswerebusyroundseveralcamp-fires；pilesofpackslaycoveredwithtarpaulins，andbedswererolledupunderthetrees。Thisspacewasakindofrollingmeadow，withisolatedtreeshereandthere，andothertreesinaislesandcircles；anditmountedupinlow，grassybankstogreattowersofstonefivehundredfeethigh。
Othercragsrosebehindthese。Fromunderamossycliff，hugeandgreenandcool，bubbledafull，clearspring。Wildflowersfringeditsbanks。Outinthemeadowthehorseswereknee-deepingrassthatwavedinthemorningbreeze。
FlorenceespiedMadelineunderthetreesandcamerunning。Shewaslikeayounggirl，withlifeandcolorandjoy。Sheworeaflannelblouse，corduroyskirt，andmoccasins。AndherhairwasfastenedunderabandlikeanIndian\'s。
\"Castleton\'sgonewithagun，forhours，itseems，\"saidFlorence。\"Genejustwenttohunthimup。Theothergentlemenarestillasleep。Iimaginetheysurewillsleepupheahinthisair。\"
Then，business-like，FlorencefelltoquestioningMadelineaboutdetailsofcamparrangementwhichStewart，andFlorenceherself，couldhardlyseetowithoutsuggestion。
BeforeanyofMadeline\'ssleepyguestsawakenedthecampwascompleted。MadelineandFlorencehadatentunderapine-tree，buttheydidnotintendtosleepinitexceptduringstormyweather。Theyspreadatarpaulin，madetheirbedonit，andelectedtosleepunderthelightofthestars。Afterthat，takingthehoundswiththem，theyexplored。ToMadeline\'ssurprise，theparkwasnotalittlehalf-milenooknestlingamongthecrags，butextendedfartherthantheycaredtowalk，andwasratheraseriesofparks。Theywerenomorethansmallvalleysbetweengray-toothedpeaks。AsthedayadvancedthecharmoftheplacegrewuponMadeline。Evenatnoon，withthesunbeatingdown，therewascomfortablewarmthratherthanheat。ItwasthekindofwarmththatMadelinelikedtofeelinthespring。Andthesweet，thin，rareatmospherebegantoaffectherstrangely。
Shebreatheddeeplyofituntilshefeltlight-headed，asifherbodylackedsubstanceandmightdriftawaylikeathistledown。
Allatonceshegrewuncomfortablysleepy。Adreamylanguorpossessedher，and，lyingunderapinewithherheadagainstFlorence，shewenttosleep。Whensheopenedhereyestheshadowsofthecragsstretchedfromthewest，andbetweenthemstreamedared-goldlight。Itwashazy，smokysunshinelosingitsfire。Theafternoonhadfaradvanced。Madelinesatup。
Florencewaslazilyreading。ThetwoMexicanwomenwereatworkundertheflywherethebigstonefireplacehadbeenerected。Nooneelsewasinsight。
Florence，uponbeingquestioned，informedMadelinethatincidentaboutcamphadbeendelightfullyabsent。Castletonhadreturnedandwasprofoundlysleepingwiththeothermen。PresentlyachorusofmerrycallsattractedMadeline\'sattention，andsheturnedtoseeHelenlimpingalongwithDorothy，andMrs。BeckandEdithsupportingeachother。Theywereallrested，butlame，anddelightedwiththeplace，andashungryasbearsawakenedfromawinter\'ssleep。Madelineforthwithescortedthemroundthecamp，andthroughthemanyaislesbetweenthetrees，andtothemossy，pine-mattednooksunderthecrags。
Thentheyhaddinner，sittingonthegroundafterthemannerofIndians；anditwasadinnerthatlackedmerrimentonlybecauseeverybodywastoobusilyappeasingappetite。
LaterStewartledthemacrossaneckofthepark，uparathersteepclimbbetweentoweringcrags，totakethemoutuponagrassypromontorythatfacedthegreatopenwest——avast，ridged，streaked，andreddenedsweepofearthrollingdown，asitseemed，tothegoldensunsetendoftheworld。Castletonsaiditwasajollyfineview；Dorothyvoicedherusuallanguidenthusiasm；
Helenwasonfirewithpleasureandwonder；Mrs。BeckappealedtoBobbytoseehowhelikeditbeforesheventured，andshethenreiteratedhispraise；andEdithWayne，likeMadelineandFlorence，wassilent。Boydwaspolitelyinterested；hewasthekindofmanwhoappearedtocareforthingsasotherpeoplecaredforthem。
Madelinewatchedtheslowtransformationofthechangingwest，withitshazeofdesertdust，throughwhichmountainandcloudandsunslowlydarkened。Shewatcheduntilhereyesached，andscarcelyhadathoughtofwhatshewaswatching。WhenhereyesshiftedtoencounterthetallformofStewartstandingmotionlessontherim，hermindbecameactiveagain。Asusual，hestoodapartfromtheothers，andnowheseemedaloofandunconscious。
Hemadeadark，powerfulfigure，andhefittedthatwildpromontory。
Sheexperiencedastrange，annoyingsurprisewhenshediscoveredbothHelenandDorothywatchingStewartwithpeculiarinterest。
Edith，too，wasalivetothesplendidpicturethecowboymade。
ButwhenEdithsmiledandwhisperedinherear，\"It\'ssogoodtolookatamanlikethat，\"Madelineagainfeltthesurprise，onlythistimetheaccompanimentwasavaguepleasureratherthanannoyance。HelenandDorothywereflirts，onedeliberateandskilled，theotherunconsciousandnatural。EdithWayne，occasionally——andMadelinereflectedthattheoccasionswereinfrequent——admiredamansincerely。JusthereMadelinemighthavefallenintoasomewhatrevealingstateofmindifithadnotbeenforthefactthatshebelievedStewartwasonlyanobjectofdeepinteresttoher，notasaman，butasapartofthiswildandwonderfulWestwhichwasclaimingher。SoshedidnotinquireofherselfwhyHelen\'scoquetryandDorothy\'slanguishingallurementannoyedher，orwhyEdith\'seloquentsmileandwordshadpleasedher。Shegotasfar，however，astothinkscornfullyhowHelenandDorothywouldwelcomeandmeetaflirtationwiththiscowboyandthengobackhomeandforgethimasutterlyasifhehadneverexisted。Shewondered，too，withacurioustwistoffeelingthatwasalmosteagerness，howthecowboywouldmeettheiradvances。Obviouslythesituationwasunfairtohim；andifbysomestrangeaccidentheescapedunscathedbyDorothy\'sbeautifuleyeshewouldneverbeabletowithstandHelen\'ssubtleandfascinatingandimperiouspersonality。
Theyreturnedtocampinthecooloftheeveningandmademerryroundablazingcamp-fire。ButMadeline\'sguestssoonsuccumbedtothepersistentandirresistibledesiretosleep。
ThenMadelinewenttobedwithFlorenceunderthepine-tree。
RusslayupononesideandTartarupontheother。Thecoolnightbreezesweptoverher，fanningherface，wavingherhair。Itwasnotstrongenoughtomakeanysoundthroughthebranches，butitstirredafaint，silkenrustleinthelonggrass。Thecoyotesbegantheirweirdbarkandhowl。Russraisedhisheadtogrowlattheirimpudence。
Madelinefacedupward，anditseemedtoherthatunderthosewonderfulwhitestarsshewouldneverbeabletogotosleep。
Theyblinkeddownthroughtheblack-barred，delicatecrisscrossofpinefoliage，andtheylookedsobigandsoclose。Thenshegazedawaytoopenspace，whereanexpanseofskyglitteredwithstars，andthelongershegazedthelargertheygrewandthemoreshesaw。
Itwasherbeliefthatshehadcometoloveallthephysicalthingsfromwhichsensationsofbeautyandmysteryandstrengthpouredintoherresponsivemind；butbestofallshelovedtheseWesternstars，fortheyweretohavesomethingtodowithherlife，weresomehowtoinfluenceherdestiny。
ForafewdaystheprevailingfeaturesofcamplifeforMadeline\'sguestsweresleepandrest。DorothyCoombssleptthroughtwenty-fourhours，andthenwassodifficulttoawakenthatforawhileherfriendswerealarmed。Helenalmostfellasleepwhileeatingandtalking。Themenweremorevisiblyaffectedbythemountainairthanthewomen。Castleton，however，wouldnotsuccumbtothestrangedrowsinesswhilehehadachancetoprowlaroundwithagun。
Thislanguorousspelldisappearedpresently，andthenthedayswerefulloflifeandaction。Mrs。BeckandBobbyandBoyd，however，didnotgoinforanythingverystrenuous。EdithWayne，too，preferredtowalkthroughthegrovesorsituponthegrassypromontory。ItwasHelenandDorothywhowantedtoexplorethecragsandcanons，andwhentheycouldnotgettheotherstoaccompanythemtheywentalone，givingthecowboyguidesmanyalongclimb。
Necessarily，ofcourse，Madelineandherguestswerenowthrownmuchincompanywiththecowboys。Andthepartygrewtobelikeonebigfamily。Herfriendsnotonlyadaptedthemselvesadmirablytothesituation，butcametorevelinit。AsforMadeline，shesawthatoutsideofacertainproclivityofthecowboystobegallantandondress-paradeandalivetopossibilitiesoffunandexcitement，theywerenotgreatlydifferentfromwhattheywereatalltimes。IftherewerealevelingprocesshereitwasmadebyherfriendscomingdowntomeettheWesterners。Besides，anyclassofpeoplewouldtendtogrownaturalinsuchcircumstancesandenvironment。
Madelinefoundthesituationoneofkeenanddoubleinterestforher。Ifbeforeshehadcaredtostudyhercowboys，particularlyStewart，now，withthecontrastsaffordedbyherguests，shefeltbyturnsshewasamusedandmystifiedandperplexedandsaddened，andthenagainsubtlypleased。
Monty，oncehehadovercomehisshyness，becameasourceofdelighttoMadeline，and，forthatmatter，toeverybody。Montyhadsuddenlydiscoveredthathewasasuccessamongtheladies。
Eitherhewasexaltedtoheroicheightsbythisknowledgeorhemadeitappearso。Dorothyhadbeenhisundoing，andinjusticetoherMadelinebelievedherinnocent。DorothythoughtMontyhideoustolookat，and，accordingly，ifhehadbeenaheroahundredtimesandhadsavedahundredpoorlittlebabies\'lives，hecouldnothaveinterestedher。Montyfollowedheraround，remindingher，shetoldMadeline，ofalittleadoringdogonemomentandthenextofahuge，devouringgorilla。
NelsandNickstalkedatHelen\'sheelslikegrenadiersonduty，andifsheasmuchasdroppedherglovetheyalmostcametoblowstoseewhoshouldpickitup。
InawayCastletonwasthebestfeatureofthecampingparty。Hewassuchanabsurd-lookinglittleman，andhisabilitieswereatsuchtremendousoddswithwhatmighthavebeenexpectedofhimfromhislooks。Hecouldride，tramp，climb，shoot。Helikedtohelparoundthecamp，andthecowboyscouldnotkeephimfromit。
Hehadaninsatiabledesiretodothingsthatwerenewtohim。
Thecowboysplayedinnumerabletricksuponhim，notoneofwhichheeverdiscovered。Hewasserious，slowinspeechandaction，andabsolutelyimperturbable。Ifimperturbabilitycouldeverbegoodhumor，thenhewasalwaysgood-humored。Presentlythecowboysbegantounderstandhim，andthentolikehim。Whentheylikedamanitmeantsomething。MadelinehadbeensorrymorethanoncetoseehowlittlethecowboyschosetospeaktoBoydHarvey。WithCastleton，however，theyactuallybecamefriends。
Theydidnotknowit，andcertainlysuchathingneveroccurredtohim；allthesame，itwasafact。AnditgrewsolelyoutofthetruththattheEnglishmanwasmanlyintheonlywaycowboyscouldhaveinterpretedmanliness。When，afterinnumerableattempts，hesucceededinthrowingthediamond-hitchonapack-horsethecowboysbegantorespecthim。Castletonneededonlyonemoreaccomplishmenttoclaimtheirhearts，andhekepttryingthat——torideabuckingbronco。OneofthecowboyshadabroncothattheycalledDevil。EverydayforaweekDevilthrewtheEnglishmanalloverthepark，ruinedhisclothes，bruisedhim，andfinallykickedhim。ThenthecowboyssolicitouslytriedtomakeCastletongiveup；andthiswasremarkableenough，forthespectacleofanEnglishlordonabuckingbroncowasonethatanyWesternerwouldhaveriddenathousandmilestosee。
WheneverDevilthrewCastletonthecowboyswentintospasms。ButCastletondidnotknowthemeaningofthewordfail，andtherecameadaywhenDevilcouldnotthrowhim。ThenitwasasingularsighttoseethemenlineuptoshakehandswiththecoolEnglishman。EvenStewart，whohadwatchedfromthebackground，cameforwardwithawarmandpleasantsmileonhisdarkface。WhenCastletonwenttohistenttherewasmuchcharacteristiccowboytalk，andthistimevastlydifferentfromtheformerpersiflage。
\"ByGawd！\"ejaculatedMontyPrice，whoseemedtobethemostamazedandelatedofthemall。\"Thet\'sthefustEnglishmanI
everseen！He\'sorfuldeceivin\'tolookat，butIknownowwhyEnglandrulesthewurrld。Jesttakeapeekatthetbronco。Hisspiritisbroke。RidbyaleetleEnglishdooknobigger\'nagrasshopper！Fellers，ifithain\'tdawnedonyouyit，letMontyPricegiveyouahunch。There\'snofliesonCastleton。An\'I\'llbetamillionsteerstoarawhideropethetnexthe\'llbethrowin\'agunasgoodasNels。\"
ItwasadistinctpleasureforMadelinetorealizethatshelikedCastletonallthebetterforthetraitsbroughtoutsoforciblybyhisassociationwiththecowboys。Ontheotherhand，shelikedthecowboysbetterforsomethinginthemthatcontactwithEasternersbroughtout。ThiswasespeciallytrueinStewart\'scase。ShehadbeenwhollywrongwhenshehadimaginedhewouldfallaneasyvictimtoDorothy\'seyesandHelen\'slures。Hewaskind，helpful，courteous，andwatchful。Buthehadnosentiment。
HedidnotseeDorothy\'scharmsorfeelHelen\'sfascination。AndtheireffortstocaptivatehimwerenowsoobviousthatMrs。Becktauntedthem，andEdithsmiledknowingly，andBobbyandBoydmadeplayfulremarks。AllofwhichcutHelen\'sprideandhurtDorothy\'svanity。TheyessayedopenconquestofStewart。
SoitcameaboutthatMadelineunconsciouslyadmittedthecowboytoaplaceinhermindneveroccupiedbyanyother。Theinstantitoccurredtoherwhyhewasproofagainstthewilesoftheotherwomenshedrovethatamazingandstrangelydisturbingthoughtfromher。Nevertheless，asshewashuman，shecouldnothelpthinkingandbeingpleasedandenjoyingalittlethediscomfitureofthetwocoquettes。
Moreover，fromthisthoughtofStewart，andthewatchfulnessgrowingoutofitshediscoveredmoreabouthim。Hewasnothappy；heoftenpacedupanddownthegroveatnight；heabsentedhimselffromcampsometimesduringtheafternoonwhenNelsandNickandMontywerethere；hewasalwayswatchingthetrails，asifheexpectedtoseesomeonecomeridingup。Healoneofthecowboysdidnotindulgeinthefunandtalkaroundthecamp-fire。
Heremainedpreoccupiedandsad，andwasalwayslookingawayintodistance。Madelinehadastrangesenseofhisguardianshipoverher；and，rememberingDonCarlos，sheimaginedheworriedagooddealoverhischarge，and，indeed，overthesafetyofalltheparty。
Butifhedidworryaboutpossiblevisitsfromwanderingguerrillas，whydidheabsenthimselffromcamp？SuddenlyintoMadeline\'sinquisitivemindflashedaremembranceofthedark-eyedMexicangirl，Bonita，whohadneverbeenheardofsincethatnightsherodeStewart\'sbighorseoutofElCajon。Theremembranceofherbroughtanidea。PerhapsStewarthadarendezvousinthemountains，andtheselonelytripsofhisweretomeetBonita。WiththeideahotbloodflamedintoMadeline\'scheek。Thenshewasamazedatherownfeelings——amazedbecauseherswiftestsucceedingthoughtwastodenytheidea——amazedthatitsconceptionhadfiredhercheekwithshame。Thenheroldself，theonealooffromthisred-bloodednewself，gainedcontroloverheremotions。
ButMadelinefoundthatnew-bornselfacreatureofstrangepowertoreturnandgovernatanymoment。Shefounditfightingloyallyforwhatintelligenceandwisdomtoldherwasonlyherromanticconceptionofacowboy。Shereasoned：IfStewartwerethekindofmanherfeminineskepticismwantedtomakehim，hewouldnothavebeensoblindtothecoquettishadvancesofHelenandDorothy。Hehadoncebeen——shedidnotwanttorecallwhathehadoncebeen。Buthehadbeenuplifted。MadelineHammonddeclaredthat。Shewasswayedbyastrong，beatingpride，andherinstinctivewoman\'sfaithtoldherthathecouldnotstooptosuchdishonor。Shereproachedherselfforhavingmomentarilythoughtofit。
Oneafternoonahugestorm-cloudswoopedoutoftheskyandenvelopedthecrags。Itobscuredthewesteringsunandlaidamantleofdarknessoverthepark。Madelinewasuneasybecauseseveralofherparty，includingHelenandDorothy，hadriddenoffwiththecowboysthatafternoonandhadnotreturned。Florenceassuredherthateveniftheydidnotgetbackbeforethestormbroketherewasnoreasonforapprehension。Nevertheless，MadelinesentforStewartandaskedhimtogoorsendsomeoneinsearchofthem。
PerhapshalfanhourlaterMadelineheardthewelcomepatteringofhoofsonthetrail。Thebigtentwasbrightlylightedbyseverallanterns。EdithandFlorencewerewithher。ItwassoblackoutsidethatMadelinecouldnotseearodbeforeherface。
Thewindwasmoaninginthetrees，andbigdropsofrainwerepeltinguponthecanvas。
Presently，justoutsidethedoor，thehorseshalted，andtherewasasharpbustleofsound，suchaswouldnaturallyresultfromahurrieddismountingandconfusioninthedark。Mrs。Beckcamerunningintothetentoutofbreathandradiantbecausetheyhadbeatenthestorm。Helenenterednext，andalittlelatercameDorothy，butlongenoughtomakeherentrancemorenoticeable。
TheinstantMadelinesawDorothy\'sblazingeyessheknewsomethingunusualhadhappened。WhateveritwasmighthaveescapedcommenthadnotHelencaughtsightofDorothy。
\"Heavens，Dot，butyou\'rehandsomeoccasionally！\"remarkedHelen。
\"Whenyougetsomelifeinyourfaceandeyes！\"
Dorothyturnedherfaceawayfromtheothers，andperhapsitwasonlyaccidentthatshelookedintoamirrorhangingonthetentwall。Swiftlysheputherhanduptofeelawideredweltonhercheek。Dorothyhadbeenassiduouslycarefulofhersoft，whiteskin，andherewasanuglymarkmarringitsbeauty。
\"Lookatthat！\"shecried，indistress。\"Mycomplexion\'sruined！\"
\"Howdidyougetsuchasplotch？\"inquiredHelen，goingcloser。
\"I\'vebeenkissed！\"exclaimedDorothy，dramatically。
\"What？\"queriedHelen，morecuriously，whiletheotherslaughed。
\"I\'vebeenkissed——huggedandkissedbyoneofthoseshamelesscowboys！Itwassopitch-darkoutsideIcouldn\'tseeathing。
AndsonoisyIcouldn\'thear。Butsomebodywastryingtohelpmeoffmyhorse。Myfootcaughtinthestirrup，andawayIwent——
rightintosomebody\'sarms。Thenhedidit，thewretch！Hehuggedandkissedmeinamostawfulbearishmanner。Icouldn\'tbudgeafinger。I\'msimplyboilingwithrage！\"
WhentheoutburstofmirthsubsidedDorothyturnedherbig，dilatedeyesuponFlorence。
\"Dothesecowboysreallytakeadvantageofagirlwhenshe\'shelplessandinthedark？\"
\"Ofcoursetheydo，\"repliedFlorence，withherfranksmile。
\"Dot，whatintheworldcouldyouexpect？\"askedHelen。\"Haven\'tyoubeendyingtobekissed？\"
\"No。\"
\"Well，youactedlikeit，then。Ineverbeforesawyouinarageoverbeingkissed。\"
\"I——Iwouldn\'tcaresomuchifthebrutehadn\'tscouredtheskinoffmyface。Hehadwhiskersassharpandstiffassandpaper。
AndwhenIjerkedawayherubbedmycheekwiththem。\"
Thisrevelationastothecauseofheroutrageddignityalmostprostratedherfriendswithglee。
\"Dot，Iagreewithyou；it\'sonethingtobekissed，andquiteanothertohaveyourbeautyspoiled，\"repliedHelen，presently。
\"Whowasthisparticularsavage？\"
\"Idon\'tknow！\"burstoutDorothy。\"IfIdidI\'d——I\'d——\"
Hereyesexpressedthedirefulpunishmentshecouldnotspeak。
\"Honestlynow，Dot，haven\'tyoutheleastideawhodidit？\"
questionedHelen。
\"Ihope——IthinkitwasStewart，\"repliedDorothy。
\"Ah！Dot，yourhopeisfathertothethought。Mydear，I\'msorrytoriddleyourlittleromance。Stewartdidnot——couldnothavebeentheoffenderorhero。\"
\"Howdoyouknowhecouldn\'t？\"demandedDorothy，flushing。
\"Becausehewasclean-shavento-dayatnoon，beforewerodeout。
Irememberperfectlyhowniceandsmoothandbrownhisfacelooked。\"
\"Oh，doyou？Well，ifyourmemoryforfacesissogood，maybeyoucantellmewhichoneofthesecowboyswasn\'tclean-shaven。\"
\"Merelyamatterofelimination，\"repliedHelen，merrily。\"ItwasnotNick；itwasnotNels；itwasnotFrankie。Therewasonlyoneothercowboywithus，andhehadashort，stubbygrowthofblackbeard，muchlikethatcactuswepassedonthetrail。\"
\"Oh，Iwasafraidofit，\"moanedDorothy。\"Iknewhewasgoingtodoit。Thathorriblelittlesmilingdemon，MontyPrice！\"
Afavoritelounging-spotofMadeline\'swasashadednicheundertheleeofcragsfacingtheeast。Heretheoutlookwasentirelydifferentfromthatonthewesternside。Itwasnotredandwhiteandglaring，norsochangeablethatittaxedattention。
Thiseasternviewwasoneofthemountainsandvalleys，where，tobesure，therewerearidpatches；buttherestfulgreenofpineandfirwasthere，andthecoolgrayofcrags。Boldandruggedindeedwerethesemountainfeatures，yettheywerecompanionablyclose，notimmeasurablydistantandunattainablelikethedesert。
HereintheshadeofafternoonMadelineandEdithwouldoftenloungeunderalow-branchedtree。Seldomtheytalkedmuch，foritwasafternoonanddreamywiththestrangespellofthismountainfastness。Therewassmokyhazeinthevalleys，afleecycloudrestingoverthepeaks，asailingeagleinthebluesky，silencethatwastheunbrokensilenceofthewildheights，andasoftwindladenwithincenseofpine。
Oneafternoon，however，Edithappearedpronetotalkseriously。
\"Majesty，Imustgohomesoon。Icannotstayouthereforever。
Areyougoingbackwithme？\"
\"Well，maybe，\"repliedMadeline，thoughtfully。\"Ihaveconsideredit。Ishallhavetovisithomesometime。ButthissummermotherandfatheraregoingtoEurope。\"
\"Seehere，MajestyHammond，doyouintendtospendtherestofyourlifeinthiswilderness？\"askedEdith，bluntly。
Madelinewassilent。
\"Oh，itisglorious！Don\'tmisunderstandme，dear，\"wentonEdith，earnestly，asshelaidherhandonMadeline\'s。\"Thistriphasbeenarevelationtome。Ididnottellyou，Majesty，thatI
wasillwhenIarrived。NowI\'mwell。Sowell！LookatHelen，too。Why，shewasaghostwhenwegothere。Nowsheisbrownandstrongandbeautiful。IfitwerefornothingelsethanthiswonderfulgiftofhealthIwouldlovetheWest。ButIhavecometoloveitforotherthings——evenspiritualthings。Majesty，I
havebeenstudyingyou。Iseeandfeelwhatthislifehasmadeofyou。WhenIcameIwonderedatyourstrength，yourvirility，yourserenity，yourhappiness。AndIwasstunned。Iwonderedatthecausesofyourchange。NowIknow。Youweresickofidleness，sickofuselessness，ifnotofsociety——sickofthehorriblenoisesandsmellsandcontactsonecannolongerescapeinthecities。Iamsickofallthat，too，andIcouldtellyoumanywomenofourkindwhosufferinalikemanner。Youhavedonewhatmanyofuswanttodo，buthavenotthecourage。Youhaveleftit。Iamnotblindtothesplendiddifferenceyouhavemadeinyourlife。IthinkIwouldhavediscovered，evenifyourbrotherhadnottoldme，whatgoodyouhavedonetotheMexicansandcattlemenofyourrange。Thenyouhaveworktodo。Thatismuchthesecretofyourhappiness，isitnot？Tellme。Tellmesomethingofwhatitmeanstoyou？\"
\"Work，ofcourse，hasmuchtodowithanyone\'shappiness，\"
repliedMadeline。\"Noonecanbehappywhohasnowork。Asregardsmyself——fortherestIcanhardlytellyou。Ihavenevertriedtoputitinwords。Frankly，Ibelieve，ifIhadnothadmoneythatIcouldnothavefoundsuchcontentmenthere。ThatisnotinanysenseajudgmentagainsttheWest。ButifIhadbeenpoorIcouldnothaveboughtandmaintainedmyranch。Stillwelltellsmetherearemanylargerranchesthanmine，butnonejustlikeit。ThenIamalmostpayingmyexpensesoutofmybusiness。
Thinkofthat！Myincome，insteadofbeingwasted，ismostlysaved。Ithink——IhopeIamuseful。IhavebeenofsomelittlegoodtotheMexicans——easedthehardshipsofafewcowboys。Fortherest，Ithinkmylifeisakindofdream。Ofcoursemyranchandrangearereal，mycowboysaretypical。IfIweretotellyouhowIfeelaboutthemitwouldsimplybeastoryofhowMadelineHammondseestheWest。TheyaretruetotheWest。ItisIwhoamstrange，andwhatIfeelforthemmaybestrange，too。Edith，holdtoyourownimpressions。\"
\"But，Majesty，myimpressionshavechanged。AtfirstIdidnotlikethewind，thedust，thesun，theendlessopenstretches。
ButnowIdolikethem。WhereonceIsawonlyterriblewastesofbarrengroundnowIseebeautyandsomethingnoble。Then，atfirst，yourcowboysstruckmeasdirty，rough，loud，crude，savage——allthatwasprimitive。Ididnotwantthemnearme。I
imaginedthemcallous，hardmen，theironlyjoyacarousewiththeirkind。ButIwaswrong。Ihavechanged。Thedirtwasonlydust，andthisdesertdustisclean。Theyarestillrough，loud，crude，andsavageinmyeyes，butwithadifference。Theyarenaturalmen。Theyarelittlechildren。MontyPriceisoneofnature\'snoblemen。Thehardthingistodiscoverit。Allhishideousperson，allhisactionsandspeech，aremasksofhisrealnature。Nelsisajoy，asimple，sweet，kindly，quietmanwhomsomewomanshouldhaveloved。Whatwouldlovehavemeanttohim！
Hetoldmethatnowomaneverlovedhimexcepthismother，andhelostherwhenhewasten。Everymanoughttobeloved——
especiallysuchamanasNels。Somehowhisgunrecorddoesnotimpressme。Inevercouldbelievehekilledaman。Thentakeyourforeman，Stewart。Heisacowboy，hisworkandlifethesameastheothers。Buthehaseducationandmostofthegracesweareinthehabitofsayingmakeagentleman。Stewartisastrangefellow，justlikethisstrangecountry。He\'saman，Majesty，andIadmirehim。So，yousee，myimpressionsaredevelopingwithmystayouthere。\"
\"Edith，Iamsogladyoutoldmethat，\"repliedMadeline，warmly。
\"Ilikethecountry，andIlikethemen，\"wentonEdith。\"OnereasonIwanttogohomesoonisbecauseIamdiscontentedenoughathomenow，withoutfallinginlovewiththeWest。For，ofcourse，Majesty，Iwould。Icouldnotliveouthere。Andthatbringsmetomypoint。Admittingallthebeautyandcharmandwholesomenessandgoodofthiswonderfulcountry，stillitisnoplaceforyou，MadelineHammond。Youhaveyourposition，yourwealth，yourname，yourfamily。Youmustmarry。Youmusthavechildren。Youmustnotgiveupallthatforaquixoticlifeinawilderness。\"
\"Iamconvinced，Edith，thatIshallliveherealltherestofmylife。\"
\"Oh，Majesty！Ihatetopreachthisway。ButIpromisedyourmotherIwouldtalktoyou。AndthetruthisIhate——IhatewhatI\'msaying。Ienvyyouyourcourageandwisdom。IknowyouhaverefusedtomarryBoydHarvey。Icouldseethatinhisface。I
believeyouwillrefuseCastleton。Whomwillyoumarry？Whatchanceisthereforawomanofyourpositiontomarryouthere？
Whatintheworldwillbecomeofyou？\"
\"Quiensabe？\"repliedMadeline，withasmilethatwasalmostsad。
NotsomanyhoursafterthisconversationwithEdithMadelinesatwithBoydHarveyuponthegrassypromontoryoverlookingthewest，andshelistenedonceagaintohissuavecourtship。
Suddenlysheturnedtohimandsaid，\"Boyd，ifImarriedyouwouldyoubewilling——gladtospendtherestofyourlifehereintheWest？\"
\"Majesty！\"heexclaimed。Therewasamazeinthevoiceusuallysoevenandwellmodulated——amazeinthehandsomefaceusuallysoindifferent。Herquestionhadstartledhim。Shesawhimlookdowntheiron-graycliffs，overthebarrenslopesandcedaredridges，beyondthecactus-coveredfoothillstothegrimandghastlydesert。Justthen，withitsredveilsofsunlitdust-clouds，itsillimitablewasteofruinedandupheavedearth，itwasasinisterspectacle。
\"No，\"hereplied，withatingeofshameinhischeek。Madelinesaidnomore，nordidhespeak。Shewassparedthepainofrefusinghim，andsheimaginedhewouldneveraskheragain。
Therewasbothreliefandregretintheconviction。Humiliatedloversseldommadegoodfriends。
ItwasimpossiblenottolikeBoydHarvey。Thethoughtofthat，andwhyshecouldnotmarryhim，concentratedhernever-satisfiedmindupontheman。Shelookedathim，andshethoughtofhim。
Hewashandsome，young，rich，wellborn，pleasant，cultivated——hewasallthatmadeagentlemanofhisclass。Ifhehadanyvicesshehadnotheardofthem。Sheknewhehadnothirstfordrinkorcrazeforgambling。Hewasconsideredaverydesirableandeligibleyoungman。Madelineadmittedallthis。
Thenshethoughtofthingsthatwereperhapsexclusivelyherownstrangeideas。BoydHarvey\'swhiteskindidnottaneveninthissouthwesternsunandwind。Hishandswerewhiterthanherown，andassoft。Theywerereallybeautiful，andsherememberedwhatcarehetookofthem。Theywereaproofthatheneverworked。
Hisframewastall，graceful，elegant。Itdidnotbearevidenceofruggedness。Hehadneverindulgedinasportmorestrenuousthanyachting。Hehatedeffortandactivity。Herodehorsebackverylittle，dislikedanybutmoderatemotoring，spentmuchtimeinNewportandEurope，neverwalkedwhenhecouldhelpit，andhadnoambitionunlessitweretopassthedayspleasantly。Ifheeverhadanysonstheywouldbelikehim，onlyagenerationmoretowardtheinevitableextinctionofhisrace。
Madelinereturnedtocampinjustthemoodtomakeasharp，decidingcontrast。Ithappened——fatefully，perhaps——thatthefirstmanshesawwasStewart。Hehadjustriddenintocamp，andasshecameupheexplainedthathehadgonedowntotheranchfortheimportantmailaboutwhichshehadexpressedanxiety。
\"Downandbackinoneday！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Yes，\"hereplied。\"Itwasn\'tsobad。\"
\"Butwhydidyounotsendoneoftheboys，andlethimmaketheregulartwo-daytrip？\"
\"Youwereworriedaboutyourmail，\"heanswered，briefly，ashedeliveredit。Thenhebenttoexaminethefetlocksofhiswearyhorse。
Itwasmidsummernow，Madelinereflectedandexceedinglyhotanddustyonthelowertrail。Stewarthadriddendownthemountainandbackagainintwelvehours。Probablynohorseintheoutfit，excepthisbigblackorMajesty，couldhavestoodthattrip。Andhishorseshowedtheeffectsofagruelingday。Hewascakedwithdustandlameandweary。
Stewartlookedasifhehadsparedthehorsehisweightonmanyamileofthatroughascent。Hisbootswereevidenceofit。Hisheavyflannelshirt，wetthroughwithperspiration，adheredcloselytohisshouldersandarms，sothateveryrippleofmuscleplainlyshowed。Hisfacewasblack，exceptroundthetemplesandforehead，whereitwasbrightred。Dropsofsweat，runningoffhisblackenedhandsdrippedtotheground。Hegotupfromexaminingthelamefoot，andthenthrewoffthesaddle。Theblackhorsesnortedandlungedforthewatering-pool。Stewartlethimdrinkalittle，thenwithironarmsdraggedhimaway。Inthisactiontheman\'slithe，powerfulformimpressedMadelinewithawonderfulsenseofmuscularforce。Hisbrawnywristwasbare；
hisbig，stronghand，firstclutchingthehorse\'smane，thenpattinghisneck，hadabruisedknuckle，andonefingerwasboundup。Thathandexpressedasmuchgentlenessandthoughtfulnessforthehorseasithadstrengthtodraghimbackfromtoomuchdrinkingatadangerousmoment。
Stewartwasacombinationoffire，strength，andaction。Theseattributesseemedtoclingabouthim。Therewassomethingvitalandcompellinginhispresence。Wornandspentanddrawnashewasfromthelongride，hethrilledMadelinewithhispotentialyouthandunusedvitalityandpromiseofthingstobe，red-bloodeddeeds，bothoffleshandspirit。Inhimshesawthestrengthofhisforefathersunimpaired。Thelifeinhimwasmarvelouslysignificant。Thedust，thedirt，thesweat，thesoiledclothes，thebruisedandbandagedhand，thebrawnandbone——thesehadnotbeendespisedbytheknightsofancientdays，norbymodernwomenwhoseeyesshedsoftlightuponcoarseandbloodytoilers。
MadelineHammondcomparedthemanoftheEastwiththemanoftheWest；andthatcomparisonwasthelastpartingregretforheroldstandards。
XVIITheLostMineofthePadresInthecool，starryeveningsthecamperssataroundablazingfireandtoldandlistenedtostoriesthrillinglyfittedtothedarkcragsandthewildsolitude。
MontyPricehadcometoshinebrilliantlyasastoryteller。Hewasanatrociousliar，butthisfactwouldnothavebeenevidenttohisenthralledlistenersifhiscowboycomrades，inbasejealousy，hadnotbetrayedhim。Thetruthabouthisremarkablefabrications，however，hadnotbecomeknowntoCastleton，solelybecauseoftheEnglishman\'sobtuseness。Andtherewasanotherthingmuchstrangerthanthisandquiteasamusing。DorothyCoombsknewMontywasaliar；butshewassofascinatedbytheglittering，basiliskeyesheriveteduponher，sotakeninbyhishorribletalesofblood，thatdespiteherknowledgeshecouldnothelpbelievingthem。
ManifestlyMontywasveryproudofhissuddenlyacquiredgift。
Formerlyhehadhardlybeenknowntoopenhislipsinthepresenceofstrangers。Montyhaddevelopedmorethanonesingularandhithertounknowntraitsincehissupremacyatgolfhadrevealedhispossibilities。Hewasassoberandvainandpompousabouthiscapacityforlyingasaboutanythingelse。
Someofthecowboyswerejealousofhimbecauseheheldtheattentionand，apparently，theadmirationoftheladies；andNelswasjealous，notbecauseMontymadehimselfouttobeawonderfulgun-man，butbecauseMontycouldtellastory。Nelsreallyhadbeentheheroofahundredfights；hehadneverbeenknowntotalkaboutthem；butDorothy\'seyesandHelen\'ssmilehadsomehowupsethismodesty。WheneverMontywouldbegintotalkNelswouldgrowlandknockhispipeonalog，andmakeitappearhecouldnotstayandlisten，thoughheneverreallyleftthecharmedcircleofthecamp-fire。Wildhorsescouldnothavedraggedhimaway。
Oneeveningattwilight，asMadelinewasleavinghertent，sheencounteredMonty。Evidently，hehadway-laidher。Withthemostmysteriousofsignsandwhispersheledheralittleaside。
\"MissHammond，I\'mmakin\'boldtoaskafavorofyou，\"hesaid。
Madelinesmiledherwillingness。
\"To-night，whenthey\'veallshotofftheirchinsan\'it\'squiet-like，Iwantyoutoaskme，jestthisway，\'Monty，seein\'
asyou\'vehedmoreadventuresthanallthemcow-punchersputtogether，tellusaboutthemostturribletimeyoueverhed。\'
Willyouaskme，MissHammond，jestkindasincerelike？\"
\"CertainlyIwill，Monty，\"shereplied。
Hisdark，searedfacehadnomorewarmththanapieceofcold，volcanicrock，whichitresembled。MadelineappreciatedhowmonstrousDorothyfoundthisburnedanddistortedvisage，howdeformedthelittlemanlookedtoawomanofrefinedsensibilities。ItwasdifficultforMadelinetolookintohisface。Butshesawbehindtheblackenedmask。AndnowshesawinMonty\'sdeepeyesaspiritofpurefun。
So，truetoherword，Madelinerememberedatanopportunemoment，whenconversationhadhushedandonlythelong，dismalwailofcoyotesbrokethesilence，toturntowardthelittlecowboy。
\"Monty，\"shesaid，andpausedforeffect——\"Monty，seeingthatyouhavehadmoreadventuresthanallthecowboystogether，tellusaboutthemostterribletimeyoueverhad。\"
Montyappearedstartledatthequestionthatfastenedalleyesuponhim。Hewavedadeprecatoryhand。
\"Aw，MissHammond，thankin\'youallmodest-likeferthecompliment，I\'llhevtorefuse，\"repliedMonty，laboringindistress。\"It\'stooharrowin\'fertender-heartedgurlstolistento。\"
\"Goon？\"criedeverybodyexceptthecowboys。Nelsbegantonodhisheadasifhe，aswellasMonty，understoodhumannature。
Dorothyhuggedherkneeswithakindofshudder。Montyhadfastenedthehypnoticeyesuponher。Castletonceasedsmoking，adjustedhiseyeglass，andpreparedtolisteningreatearnestness。
Montychangedhisseattoonewherethelightfromtheblazinglogsfelluponhisface；andheappearedplungedintomelancholyandprofoundthought。
\"NowItaxmyself，Ican\'tjestdecidewhichwastheorfulesttimeIeverhed，\"hesaid，reflectively。
HereNelsblewforthanimmensecloudofsmoke，asifhedesiredtohidehimselffromsight。Montypondered，andthenwhenthesmokerolledawayheturnedtoNels。
\"Seehyar，oldpard，mean\'youseensomethin\'ofeachotherinthePanhandle，more\'nthirtyyearsago——\"
\"Whichwedidn\'t，\"interruptedNels，bluntly。\"Shoreyoucan\'tmakemeoutanoleman。\"
\"Mebbeitwasn\'tsodarnlong。Anyhow，Nels，yourecollectthemthreehoss-thievesIhungallononecottonwood-tree，an\'
likewisethetboo-tifulblondgurlIrescooedfromabandofcutthroatswhomurderedherpaw，oleBillWarren，thebuffalo-hunter？Now，whichofthemtwoscrapswastheturriblest，inyouridee？\"
\"Monty，mymemory\'sshorebad，\"repliedtheunimpeachableNels。
\"Tellusaboutthebeautifulblonde，\"criedatleastthreeoftheladies。Dorothy，whohadsufferedfromnightmarebecauseofaformerstoryofhangingmenontrees，hadvoicelesslyappealedtoMontytosparehermoreofthat。
\"Allright，we\'llhevtheblondgurl，\"saidMonty，settlingback，\"thoughIain\'tthinkin\'herstoryismostturribleofthetwo，an\'it\'llrakeovertenderaffectionslongslumberin\'inmybreast。\"
Ashepausedtherecameasharp，rappingsound。ThisappearedtobeNelsknockingtheashesoutofhispipeonastump——atrueindicationofthepassingofcontentfromthatjealouscowboy。
\"ItwasdowninthePanhandle，\'wayoverinthewestendofthetComanchehuntin\'-ground，an\'alltheredskinsan\'outlawsinthetcountrywerehidin\'intheriver-bottoms，an\'chasin\'someofthelastbuffaloherdsthethedwinteredinthere。Iwasayoungbuckthemdays，an\'purtymuchofadesperado，I\'mthinkin\'。
Thoughofalltheseventeennotchesonmygun——an\'eachnotchmeantamankilledfacetoface——therewasonlyonethetIwasashamedof。ThetonewasferanexpressmessengerwhoIhitontheheadmostunprofessionallike，jestbecausehewouldn\'thandoveraleetlepackage。Ihedthekindofareputashunthetmadeallthefellersinsaloonssmilean\'buydrinks。
\"Well，IdroppedintoaplacenamedTaylor\'sBend，an\'waspeacefulstandin\'tothebarwhenthreecow-puncherscomein，an\'，mebein\'withmyhackturned，theydidn\'trecognizemean\'
gotplayful。Ididn\'tstopdrinkin\'，an\'Ididn\'tturnsquareround；butwhenIstoppedshootin\'undermyarmthesaloon-keeperhedtogoovertothesawmillan\'fetchaheapofsawdusttocoverupwhatwasleftofthemthreecow-punchers，aftertheywashauledout。Yousee，Iwasroughthemdays，an\'wouldshootearsoffan\'nosesoffan\'handsoff；wheninlaterdaysI\'djestkillamanquick，sameasWildBill。
\"Newsdriftsintotownthetnightthetagangofcut-throatshedmurderedoleBillWarrenan\'carriedoffhisgurl。Igathersupafewgoodgun-men，an\'weridoutan\'downtheriver-bottom，toanolelogcabin，wheretheoutlawshedarondevoo。Weridupboldlike，an\'madeahellofaracket。Thenthegangbegantothrowleadfromthecabin，an\'weallhuntedcover。Fightin\'
wentonallnight。Inthemornin\'allmyoutfitwaskilledbuttwo，an\'theywasshotupbad。Wefoughtalldaywithouteatin\'
ordrinkin\'，exceptsomewhiskyIhed，an\'atnightIwasonthejobbymylonesome。
\"Bein\'bungedupsomemyself，Ilaidoffan\'wentdowntotherivertowashthebloodoff，tieupmywounds，an\'drinkaleetle。WhileIwasdowntherealongcomesoneofthecutthroatswithabucket。Insteadofgettin\'waterhegotlead，an\'asbewasabouttocroakhetellsmeawholebunchofoutlawswasheadin\'inthere，dooto-morrer。An\'ifIwantedtorescoothegurlIhedtobehurryin\'。Therewasfivefellersleftinthecabin。
IwenthacktothethicketwhereIhedleftmyhoss，an\'loadedupwithtwomoregunsan\'anotherbelt，an\'bustedafreshboxofshells。IfIrecollectproper，Igotsomecigarettes，too。
Well，Imoziedbacktothecabin。Itwasaboo-tifulmoonshinynight，an\'IwonderedifoleBill\'sgunwasaspurtyasI\'dheerd。Thegrassgrowedlongroundthecabin，an\'Icrawleduptothedoorwithoutstartin\'anythin\'。ThenIfiggered。Therewasonlyonedoorinthetcabin，an\'itwasblackdarkinside。I
jestgrabbedopenthedooran\'slippedinquick。Itworkedallright。Theyheerdme，buthedn\'tbeenquickenoughtoketchmeinthelightofthedoor。Ofcoursetherewassomeshots，butI
duckedtooquick，an\'changedmyposition。
\"Ladiesan\'gentlemen，thettherewassomedoolbynight。An\'I
wasn\'toftenintheplacewheretheyshot。Iwasmostwonderfulpatient，an\'jestwaiteduntiloneofthemdarnedruffianswouldgetsonervoushe\'dhevtohuntmeup。Whenmornin\'cometheretheywasallpileduponthefloor，allshottopieces。Ifoundthegurl。Purty！Say，shewasboo-tiful。Wewentdowntotheriver，whereshebeguntobathemywounds。I\'dcollectedadozenmoreorso，an\'thesightoftearsinherlovelyeyes，an\'myblooda-stainin\'ofherlittlehands，jestnat\'rallywakenedatremblyspellinmyheart。Iseenshewastookthesameway，an\'
thetsettledit。
\"Wewascomin\'upfromtheriver，an\'Ihedjeststraddledmyhoss，withthegurlbehind，whenwerunrightintothetcutthroatgangthetwasdooaboutthen。Bein\'somehandicapped，Icouldn\'tdropmore\'nonegun-roundofthem，an\'thenIhedtoslope。Thewholegangfolleredme，an\'somemilesoutchasedmeoveraridgerightintoabigherdofbuffalo。BeforeIknowedwhatwaswhatthetherdbrokeintoastampede，withmeinthemiddle。Purtysoonthebuffaloclosedintight。IknowedIwasinsomeperilthen。Butthegurltrustedmesomethin\'pitiful。Iseenagainthetshehedfellinlovewithme。Icouldtellfromthewayshehuggedmean\'yelled。BeforelongIwassomeputtoittokeepmybossonhisfeet。FarasIcouldseewasdusty，black，bobbin\'，shaggyhumps。Ahugecloudofdustwentalongoverourheads。Theroaroftramplin\'hoofswasturrible。Myhossweakened，wentdown，an\'wascarriedalongaleetlewhileI
slippedoffwiththegurlontothebacksofthebuffalo。
\"Ladies，Iain\'tdenyin\'thatthenMontyPricewassomescairt。
Fusttimeinmylife！Butthetrustin\'faceofthetboo-tifulgurl，asshelayinmyarmsan\'huggedmean\'yelled，mademyspiritleaplikeashootin\'star。Ijustbegantojumpfrombuffalotobuffalo。Imusthevjumpedamileofthembobbin\'
backsbeforeIcometoopenplaces。An\'here\'swhereIperformedthegreateststuntsofmylife。Ihedonmybigspurs，an\'I
jestsitdownan\'ridan\'spurredtillthetperticklerbuffaloI
wasongotnearanother，an\'thenI\'dflopover。ThuslyIgottotheedgeoftheherd，tumbledoff\'nthelastone，an\'rescooedthegurl。
\"Well，asmymemorytakesmeback，thetwasamostaffectin\'walkhometothelittletownwhereshelived。Butshewasn\'ttrootome，an\'marriedanotherfeller。Iwastoomuchasporttokillhim。Butthetlow-downtrickrankledinmybreast。Gurlsisstrange。I\'veneverstoppedwonderin\'howanygurlwhohasbeenhuggedan\'kissedbyonemancouldmarryanother。Butmatoorexperienceteachesmethetsichisthecase。\"
Thecowboysroared；HelenandMrs。BeckandEdithlaughedtilltheycried；Madelinefoundrepressionabsolutelyimpossible；
Dorothysathuggingherknees，herhorroratthestorynogreaterthanatMonty\'sunmistakablereferencetoherandtotheficklenessofwomen；andCastletonforthefirsttimeappearedtobemovedoutofhisimperturbability，thoughnotinanysensebyhumor。Indeed，whenhecametonoticeit，hewasdumfoundedbythemirth。
\"ByJove！youAmericansareanextraordinarypeople，\"hesaid。
\"Idon\'tseeanythingbloomingfunnyinMr。Price\'sstoryofhisadventure。ByJove！thatwasaballywarmoccasion。Mr。Price，whenyouspeakofbeingfrightenedfortheonlytimeinyourlife，Iappreciatewhatyoumean。Ihaveexperiencedthat。I
wasfrightenedonce。\"
\"Dook，Iwouldn\'thevthoughtitofyou，\"repliedMonty。\"I\'msuretolerablecurioustohearaboutit。\"
Madelineandherfriendsdarednotbreakthespell，forfearthattheEnglishmanmightholdtohisusualmodestreticence。HehadexploredinBrazil，seenserviceintheBoerWar，huntedinIndiaandAfrica——mattersofexperienceofwhichheneverspoke。Uponthisoccasion，however，evidentlytakingMonty\'srecitalwordforwordasliteraltruth，andexcitedbyitintoaHomericmood，hemighttellastory。Thecowboysalmostfellupontheirkneesintheirimportunity。Therewasasuppressedeagernessintheirsolicitations，ahintofsomethingthatmeantmorethandesire，greatasitwas，tohearastorytoldbyanEnglishlord。
MadelinedivinedinstantlythatthecowboyshadsuddenlyfanciedthatCastletonwasnotthedenseandeasilyfooledpersontheyhadmadesuchgameof；thathehadplayedhispartwell；thathewashavingfunattheirexpense；thathemeanttotellastory，aliewhichwouldsimplydwarfMonty\'s。Nels\'skeen，brightexpectationsuggestedhowhewouldwelcomethejoketurneduponMonty。TheslowclosingofMonty\'scavernoussmile，thegradualsinkingofhisproudbearing，thedoubtwithwhichhebegantoregardCastleton——thesewereproofsofhisfears。
\"IhavefacedchargingtigersandelephantsinIndia，andchargingrhinosandlionsinAfrica，\"beganCastleton，hisquickandfluentspeechsodifferentfromthedrawlofhisordinaryconversation；\"butIneverwasfrightenedbutonce。Itwillnotdotohuntthosewildbeastsifyouareeasilyballedup。ThisadventureIhaveinmindhappenedinBritishEastAfrica，inUganda。Iwasoutwithsafari，andwewereinanativedistrictmuchinfestedbyman-eatinglions。PerhapsImayaswellstatethatman-eatersareverydifferentfromordinarylions。Theyarealwaysmaturedbeasts，andsometimes——indeed，mostly——areold。
Theybecomeman-eatersmostlikelybyaccidentornecessity。
Whenoldtheyfinditmoredifficulttomakeakill，beingslower，probably，andwithpoorerteeth。Drivenbyhunger，theystalkandkillanative，and，oncehavingtastedhumanblood，theywantnoother。Theybecomeabsolutelyfearlessandterribleintheirattacks。
\"Thenativesofthisvillagenearwherewecampedwereinaterrorizedstateowingtodepredationsoftwoormoreman-eaters。
Thenightofourarrivalalionleapedastockadefence，seizedanativefromamongotherssittingroundafire，andleapedoutagain，carryingthescreamingfellowawayintothedarkness。I
determinedtokilltheselions，andmadeapermanentcampinthevillageforthatpurpose。BydayIsentbeatersintothebrushandrocksoftheriver-valley，andbynightIwatched。Everynightthelionsvisitedus，butIdidnotseeone。Idiscoveredthatwhentheyroaredaroundthecamptheywerenotsoliabletoattackaswhentheyweresilent。Itwasindeedremarkablehowsilentlytheycouldstalkaman。Theycouldcreepthroughathicketsodenseyouwouldnotbelievearabbitcouldgetthrough，anddoitwithouttheslightestsound。Then，whenreadytocharge，theydidsowithterribleonslaughtandroar。Theyleapedrightintoacircleoffires，toredownhuts，evendraggednativesfromthelowtrees。Therewasnowaytotellatwhichpointtheywouldmakeanattack。
\"AftertendaysormoreofthisIwaswornoutbylossofsleep。
Andonenight，whentiredoutwithwatching，Ifellasleep。Mygun-bearerwasaloneinthetentwithme。Aterribleroarawakenedme，thenanunearthlyscreampiercedrightintomyears。
Ialwayssleptwithmyrifleinmyhands，and，graspingit，I
triedtorise。ButIcouldnotforthereasonthatalionwasstandingoverme。ThenIlaystill。Thescreamsofmygun-bearertoldmethatthelionhadhim。Iwasfondofthisfellowandwantedtosavehim。Ithoughtitbest，however，nottomovewhilethelionstoodoverme。Suddenlyhestepped，andIfeltpoorLuki\'sfeetdraggingacrossme。Hescreamed，\'Saveme，master！\'AndinstinctivelyIgraspedathimandcaughthisfoot。
ThelionwalkedoutofthetentdraggingmeasIheldtoLuki\'sfoot。Thenightwasbrightmoonlight。Icouldseetheliondistinctly。Hewasahuge，black-manedbrute，andheheldLukibytheshoulder。Thepoorladkeptscreamingfrightfully。Theman-eatermusthavedraggedmefortyyardsbeforehebecameawareofadoubleincumbrancetohisprogress。Thenhehaltedandturned。ByJove！hemadeadevilishfierceobjectwithhisshaggy，massivehead，hisgreen-fireeyes，andhishugejawsholdingLuki。IletgoofLuki\'sfootandbethoughtmyselfofthegun。ButasIlaythereonmyside，beforeattemptingtorise，Imadeahorriblediscovery。Ididnothavemyrifleatall。IhadLuki\'sironspear，whichhealwayshadnearhim。Myriflehadslippedoutofthehollowofmyarm，andwhenthelionawakenedme，inmyconfusionIpickedupLuki\'sspearinstead。
ThebloodybrutedroppedLukiandutteredaroarthatshooktheground。ItwasthenIfeltfrightened。ForaninstantIwasalmostparalyzed。Thelionmeanttocharge，andinonespringhecouldreachme。Undercircumstanceslikethoseamancanthinkmanythingsinlittletime。Iknewtotrytorunwouldbefatal。
Irememberedhowstrangelylionshadbeenknowntoactuponoccasion。Onehadbeenfrightenedbyanumbrella；onehadbeenfrightenedbyablastfromacow-horn；anotherhadbeenfrightenedbyanativewhoinrunningfromonelionranrightattheotherwhichhehadnotseen。Accordingly，IwonderedifI
couldfrightenthelionthatmeanttoleapatme。Actinguponwildimpulse，Iproddedhiminthehindquarterswiththespear。
Ladiesandgentlemen，Iamabloomingidiotifthatliondidnotcowerlikeawhippeddog，puthistaildown，andbegintoslinkaway。Quicktoseemychance，Ijumpedupyelling，andmadeafterhim，proddinghimagain。Heletoutabellowsuchasyoucouldimaginewouldcomefromanoutragedkingofbeasts。I
proddedagain，andthenhelopedoff。IfoundLukinotbadlyhurt。Infact，hegotwell。ButI\'veneverforgottenthatscare。\"
WhenCastletonfinishedhisnarrativetherewasatrenchantsilence。AlleyeswereuponMonty。Helookedbeaten，disgraced，adisgustedman。YetthereshonefromhisfaceawonderfuladmirationforCastleton。
\"Dook，youwin！\"hesaid；and，droppinghishead，heleftthecamp-firecirclewiththemannerofadeposedemperor。
Thenthecowboysexploded。Thequiet，serene，low-voicedNelsyelledlikeamadmanandhestooduponhishead。Alltheothercowboyswentthroughmarvelouscontortions。MerenoisewasinsufficienttorelievetheirjoyatwhattheyconsideredthefallandhumiliationofthetyrantMonty。
TheEnglishmanstoodthereandwatchedtheninamusedconsternation。Theybaffledhisunderstanding。PlainitwastoMadelineandherfriendsthatCastletonhadtoldthesimpletruth。Butneverontheearth，oranywhereelse，couldNelsandhiscomradeshavebeenpersuadedthatCastletonhadnotlieddeliberatelytohumbletheirgreatexponentofAnanias。
Everybodyseemedreluctanttobreakthecamp-firespell。Thelogshadburnedouttoagreatheapofopalandgoldandredcoals，intheheartofwhichquiveredaglowalluringtothespiritofdreams。Astheblazesubsidedtheshadowsofthepinesencroacheddarkeranddarkeruponthecircleoffadinglight。A
coolwindfannedtheembers，whippedupflakesofwhiteashes，andmoanedthroughthetrees。Thewildyelpsofcoyotesweredyinginthedistance，andtheskywasawonderfuldark-bluedomespangledwithwhitestars。
\"Whataperfectnight！\"saidMadeline。\"This。isanighttounderstandthedream，themystery，thewonderoftheSouthwest。
Florence，forlongyouhavepromisedtotellusthestoryofthelostmineofthepadres。Itwillgiveusallpleasure，makeusunderstandsomethingofthethrallinwhichthislandheldtheSpaniardswhodiscovereditsomanyyearsago。Itwillbeespeciallyinterestingnow，becausethismountainhidessomewhereunderitscragsthetreasuresofthelostmineofthepadres。\"
\'Inthesixteenthcentury，\"Florencebegan，inhersoft，slowvoicesosuitedtothenatureofthelegend，\"apooryoungpadreofNewSpainwasshepherdinghisgoatsuponahillwhentheVirginappearedbeforehim。Heprostratedhimselfatherfeet，andwhenhelookedupshewasgone。Butuponthemagueyplantnearwhereshehadstoodthereweregoldenashesofastrangeandwonderfulsubstance。Hetooktheincidentasagoodomenandwentagaintothehilltop。Underthemagueyhadsprungupslenderstalksofwhite，bearingdelicategoldflowers，andastheseflowerswavedinthewindafinegoldendust，asfineaspowderedashes，blewawaytowardthenorth。PadreJuanwasmystified，butbelievedthatgreatfortuneattendeduponhimandhispoorpeople。SohewentagainandagaintothehilltopinhopethattheVirginwouldappeartohim。
\"Onemorning，asthesunrosegloriously，helookedacrossthewindyhilltowardthewavinggrassaridgoldenflowersunderthemaguey，andhesawtheVirginbeckoningtohim。Againhefelluponhisknees；butsheliftedhimandgavehimofthegoldenflowers，andbadehimleavehishomeandpeopletofollowwheretheseblowinggoldenashesled。Therehewouldfindgold——puregold——wonderfulfortunetobringbacktohispoorpeopletobuildachurchforthem，andacity。