Butinthecanyonswaterwasplentifulandalsoaluxuriantforestgrowth。
Theminewasanabandonedaffair，butheenjoyedthehalf-hour’sscramblearound。Hehadhadexperienceinquartz-miningbeforehewenttoAlaska，andheenjoyedtherecrudescenceofhisoldwisdominsuchmatters。Thestorywassimpletohim:goodprospectsthatwarrantedthestartingofthetunnelintothesidehill；thethreemonths’workandthegettingshortofmoney；thelay-offwhilethemenwentawayandgotjobs；thenthereturnandanewstretchofwork，withthe”pay”everluringandeverrecedingintothemountain，until，afteryearsofhope，themenhadgivenupandvanished。Mostlikelytheyweredeadbynow，Daylightthought，asheturnedinthesaddleandlookedbackacrossthecanyonattheancientdumpanddarkmouthofthetunnel。
Asonthepreviousday，justforthejoyofit，hefollowedcattle-trailsathaphazardandworkedhiswayuptowardthesummits。Comingoutonawagonroadthatledupward，hefolloweditforseveralmiles，emerginginasmall，mountain-encircledvalley，wherehalfadozenpoorranchersfarmedthewine-grapesonthesteepslopes。Beyond，theroadpitchedupward。
Densechaparralcoveredtheexposedhillsidesbutinthecreasesofthecanonshugesprucetreesgrew，andwildoatsandflowers。
Halfanhourlater，shelteringunderthesummitsthemselves，hecameoutonaclearing。Hereandthere，inirregularpatcheswherethesteepandthesoilfavored，winegrapesweregrowing。Daylightcouldseethatithadbeenastiffstruggle，andthatwildnatureshowedfreshsignsofwinning——chaparralthathadinvadedtheclearings；patchesandpartsofpatchesofvineyard，unpruned，grassgrown，andabandoned；andeverywhereoldstake-and-riderfencesvainlystrivingtoremainintact。Here，atasmallfarm-housesurroundedbylargeoutbuildings，theroadended。Beyond，thechaparralblockedtheway。
Hecameuponanoldwomanforkingmanureinthebarnyard，andreinedinbythefence。”Hello，mother，”washisgreeting；”ain’tyougotanymen-folkaroundtodothatforyou？”
Sheleanedonherpitchfork，hitchedherskirtinatthewaist，andregardedhimcheerfully。Hesawthathertoil-worn，weather-exposedhandswerelikeaman’s，callused，large-knuckled，andgnarled，andthatherstockinglessfeetwerethrustintoheavyman’sbrogans。”Naryaman，”sheanswered。”Andwherebeyoufrom，andallthewayuphere？Won’tyoustopandhitchandhaveaglassofwine？”
Stridingclumsilybutefficiently，likealaboring-man，sheledhimintothelargestbuilding，whereDaylightsawahand-pressandalltheparaphernaliaonasmallscaleforthemakingofwine。Itwastoofarandtoobadaroadtohaulthegrapestothevalleywineries，sheexplained，andsotheywerecompelledtodoitthemselves。”They，”helearned，weresheandherdaughter，thelatterawidowofforty-odd。IthadbeeneasierbeforethegrandsondiedandbeforehewentawaytofightsavagesinthePhilippines。Hehaddiedoutthereinbattle。
DaylightdrankafulltumblerofexcellentRiesling，talkedafewminutes，andaccountedforasecondtumbler。Yes，theyjustmanagednottostarve。
Herhusbandandshehadtakenupthisgovernmentlandin’57andcleareditandfarmediteversince，untilhedied，whenshehadcarriediton。
Itactuallydidn’tpayforthetoil，butwhatweretheytodo？Therewasthewinetrust，andwinewasdown。ThatRiesling？Shedeliveredittotherailroaddowninthevalleyfortwenty-twocentsagallon。Anditwasalonghaul。Ittookadayfortheroundtrip。Herdaughterwasgonenowwithaload。
Daylightknewthatinthehotels，Riesling，notquitesogoodeven，waschargedforatfromadollarandahalftotwodollarsaquart。Andshegottwenty-twocentsagallon。Thatwasthegame。Shewasoneofthestupidlowly，sheandherpeoplebeforeher——theonesthatdidthework，drovetheiroxenacrossthePlains，clearedandbrokethevirginland，toiledalldaysandallhours，paidtheirtaxes，andsenttheirsonsandgrandsonsouttofightanddiefortheflagthatgavethemsuchampleprotectionthattheywereabletoselltheirwinefortwenty-twocents。ThesamewinewasservedtohimattheSt。Francisfortwodollarsaquart，oreightdollarsashortgallon。Thatwasit。
Betweenherandherhand-pressonthemountainclearingandhimorderinghiswineinthehotelwasadifferenceofsevendollarsandseventy-eightcents。Acliqueofsleekmeninthecitygotbetweenherandhimtojustaboutthatamount。And，besidesthem，therewasahordeofothersthattooktheirwhack。Theycalleditrailroading，highfinance，banking，wholesaling，realestate，andsuchthings，butthepointwasthattheygotit，whileshegotwhatwasleft，——twenty-twocents。Oh，well，asuckerwasborneveryminute，hesighedtohimself，andnobodywastoblame；itwasallagame，andonlyafewcouldwin，butitwasdamnedhardonthesuckers。”Howoldareyou，mother？”heasked。”Seventy-ninecomenextJanuary。””Workedprettyhard，Isuppose？””SenseIwasseven。IwasboundoutinMichiganstateuntilIwaswoman-grown。
ThenImarried，andIreckontheworkgotharderandharder。””Whenareyougoingtotakearest？”
Shelookedathim，asthoughshechosetothinkhisquestionfacetious，anddidnotreply。”DoyoubelieveinGod？”
Shenoddedherhead。”Thenyougetitallback，”heassuredher；butinhishearthewaswonderingaboutGod，thatallowedsomanysuckerstobebornandthatdidnotbreakupthegamblinggamebywhichtheywererobbedfromthecradletothegrave。”HowmuchofthatRieslingyougot？”
Sheranhereyesoverthecasksandcalculated。”Justshortofeighthundredgallons。”
Hewonderedwhathecoulddowithallofit，andspeculatedastowhomhecouldgiveitaway。”Whatwouldyoudoifyougotadollaragallonforit？”heasked。”Dropdead，Isuppose。””No；speakingseriously。””Getmesomefalseteeth，shinglethehouse，andbuyanewwagon。
Theroad’smightyhardonwagons。””Andafterthat？””Buymeacoffin。””Well，they’reyours，mother，coffinandall。”
Shelookedherincredulity。”No；Imeanit。Andthere’sfiftytobindthebargain。Nevermindthereceipt。It’stherichonesthatneedwatching，theirmemoriesbeingsoinfernalshort，youknow。Here’smyaddress。You’vegottodeliverittotherailroad。Andnow，showmethewayoutofhere。Iwanttogetuptothetop。”
Onthroughthechaparralhewent，followingfaintcattle。trailsandworkingslowlyupwardtillhecameoutonthedivideandgazeddownintoNapaValleyandbackacrosstoSonomaMountain……”Asweetland，”hemuttered，”analmightysweetland。”
Circlingaroundtotherightanddroppingdownalongthecattle-trails，hequestedforanotherwaybacktoSonomaValley；butthecattle-trailsseemedtofadeout，andthechaparraltogrowthickerwithadeliberateviciousnessandevenwhenhewonthroughinplaces，thecanonandsmallfeedersweretooprecipitousforhishorse，andturnedhimback。Buttherewasnoirritationaboutit。Heenjoyeditall，forhewasbackathisoldgameofbuckingnature。Lateintheafternoonhebrokethrough，andfollowedawell-definedtraildownadrycanon。Herehegotafreshthrill。Hehadheardthebayingofthehoundsomeminutesbefore，andsuddenly，acrossthebarefaceofthehillabovehim，hesawalargebuckinflight。Andnotfarbehindcamethedeer-hound，amagnificentanimal。Daylightsattenseinhissaddleandwatcheduntiltheydisappeared，hisbreathjustatrifleshorter，asifhe，too，wereinthechase，hisnostrilsdistended，andinhisbonestheoldhuntingacheandmemoriesofthedaysbeforehecametoliveincities。
Thedrycanongaveplacetoonewithaslenderribbonofrunningwater。
Thetrailranintoawood-road，andthewood-roademergedacrossasmallflatuponaslightlytravelledcountyroad。Therewerenofarmsinthisimmediatesection，andnohouses。Thesoilwasmeagre，thebed-rockeitherclosetothesurfaceorconstitutingthesurfaceitself。Manzanitaandscrub-oak，however，flourishedandwalledtheroadoneithersidewithajunglegrowth。AndoutarunwaythroughthisgrowthamansuddenlyscuttledinawaythatremindedDaylightofarabbit。
Hewasalittleman，inpatchedoveralls；bareheaded，withacottonshirtopenatthethroatanddownthechest。Thesunwasruddy-browninhisface，andbyithissandyhairwasbleachedontheendstoperoxideblond。HesignedtoDaylighttohalt，andheldupaletter。”Ifyou’regoingtotown，I’dbeobligedifyoumailthis。””Isurewill。”Daylightputitintohiscoatpocket。”Doyoulivehereabouts，stranger？”
Butthelittlemandidnotanswer。HewasgazingatDaylightinasurprisedandsteadfastfashion。”Iknowyou，”thelittlemanannounced。”You’reElamHarnish——BurningDaylight，thepaperscallyou。AmIright？”
Daylightnodded。”Butwhatunderthesunareyoudoinghereinthechaparral？”
Daylightgrinnedasheanswered，”Drumminguptradeforafreeruraldeliveryroute。””Well，I’mgladIwrotethatletterthisafternoon，”thelittlemanwenton，”orelseI’dhavemissedseeingyou。I’veseenyourphotointhepapersmanyatime，andI’veagoodmemoryforfaces。Irecognizedyouatonce。Myname’sFerguson。””Doyoulivehereabouts？”Daylightrepeatedhisquery。”Oh，yes。I’vegotalittleshackbackhereinthebushahundredyards，andaprettyspring，andafewfruittreesandberrybushes。Comeinandtakealook。Andthatspringisadandy。Younevertastedwaterlikeit。
Comeinandtryit。”
Walkingandleadinghishorse，Daylightfollowedthequick-steppingeagerlittlemanthroughthegreentunnelandemergedabruptlyupontheclearing，ifclearingitmightbecalled，wherewildnatureandman’searth-scratchingwereinextricablyblended。Itwasatinynookinthehills，protectedbythesteepwallsofacanonmouth。Herewereseverallargeoaks，evidencingarichersoil。Theerosionofagesfromthehillsidehadslowlyformedthisdepositoffatearth。Undertheoaks，almostburiedinthem，stoodarough，unpaintedcabin，thewideverandahofwhich，withchairsandhammocks，advertisedanout-ofdoorsbedchamber。Daylight’skeeneyestookineverything。Theclearingwasirregular，followingthepatchesofthebestsoil，andeveryfruittreeandberrybush，andeveneachvegetableplant，hadthewaterpersonallyconductedtoit。Thetinyirrigationchannelswereeverywhere，andalongsomeofthemthewaterwasrunning。
Fergusonlookedeagerlyintohisvisitor’sfaceforsignsofapprobation。”Whatdoyouthinkofit，eh？””Hand-rearedandmanicured，everyblessedtree，”Daylightlaughed，butthejoyandsatisfactionthatshoneinhiseyescontentedthelittleman。”Why，d’yeknow，Iknoweveryoneofthosetreesasiftheyweresonsofmine。Iplantedthem，nursedthem，fedthem，andbroughtthemup。Comeonandpeepatthespring。””It’ssureahummer，”wasDaylight’sverdict，afterdueinspectionandsampling，astheyturnedbackforthehouse。
Theinteriorwasasurprise。Thecookingbeingdoneinthesmall，lean-tokitchen，thewholecabinformedalargelivingroom。Agreattableinthemiddlewascomfortablylitteredwithbooksandmagazines。Alltheavailablewallspace，fromfloortoceiling，wasoccupiedbyfilledbookshelves。
ItseemedtoDaylightthathehadneverseensomanybooksassembledinoneplace。Skinsofwildcat，’coon，anddeerlayaboutonthepine-boardfloor。”Shotthemmyself，andtannedthem，too，”Fergusonproudlyasserted。
Thecrowningfeatureoftheroomwasahugefireplaceofroughstonesandboulders。”Builtitmyself，”Fergusonproclaimed，”and，byGod，shedrew！Neverawispofsmokeanywheresaveinthepointedchannel，andthatduringthebigsoutheasters。
Daylightfoundhimselfcharmedandmadecuriousbythelittleman。Whywashehidingawayhereinthechaparral，heandhisbooks？Hewasnobody’sfool，anybodycouldseethat。Thenwhy？Thewholeaffairhadatingeofadventure，andDaylightacceptedaninvitationtosupper，halfpreparedtofindhishostaraw-fruit-and-nut-eaterorsomesimilarsortofhealthfaddest。Attable，whileeatingriceandjack-rabbitcurrythelattershotbyFerguson，theytalkeditover，andDaylightfoundthelittlemanhadnofood”views。”Heatewhateverheliked，andallhewanted，avoidingonlysuchcombinationsthatexperiencehadtaughthimdisagreedwithhisdigestion。
Next，Daylightsurmisedthathemightbetouchedwithreligion；but，questaboutashewould，inaconversationcoveringthemostdivergenttopics，hecouldfindnohintofqueernessorunusualness。Soitwas，whenbetweenthemtheyhadwashedandwipedthedishesandputthemaway，andhadsettleddowntoacomfortablesmoke，thatDaylightputhisquestion。”Lookhere，Ferguson。Eversincewegottogether，I’vebeencastingabouttofindoutwhat’swrongwithyou，tolocateascrewloosesomewhere，butI’llbedangedifI’vesucceeded。Whatareyoudoinghere，anyway？
Whatmadeyoucomehere？Whatwereyoudoingforalivingbeforeyoucamehere？Goaheadandelucidateyourself。”
Fergusonfranklyshowedhispleasureatthequestions。”Firstofall，”hebegan，”thedoctorswoundupbylosingallhopeforme。Gavemeafewmonthsatbest，andthat，afteracourseinsanatoriumsandatriptoEuropeandanothertoHawaii。Theytriedelectricity，andforcedfeeding，andfasting。
Iwasagraduateofabouteverythinginthecurriculum。TheykeptmepoorwiththeirbillswhileIwentfrombadtoworse。Thetroublewithmewastwofold:first，Iwasabornweakling；andnext，Iwaslivingunnaturally——toomuchwork，andresponsibility，andstrain。IwasmanagingeditoroftheTimes-Tribune——”
Daylightgaspedmentally，fortheTimes-TribunewasthebiggestandmostinfluentialpaperinSanFrancisco，andalwayshadbeenso。”——andIwasn’tstrongenoughforthestrain。Ofcoursemybodywentbackonme，andmymind，too，forthatmatter。Ithadtobebolsteredupwithwhiskey，whichwasn’tgoodforitanymorethanwasthelivinginclubsandhotelsgoodformystomachandtherestofme。Thatwaswhatailedme；Iwaslivingallwrong。”
Heshruggedhisshouldersanddrewathispipe。”Whenthedoctorsgavemeup，Iwoundupmyaffairsandgavethedoctorsup。Thatwasfifteenyearsago。I’dbeenhuntingthroughherewhenIwasaboy，onvacationsfromcollege，andwhenIwasalldownandoutitseemedayearningcametometogobacktothecountry。SoIquit，quiteverything，absolutely，andcametoliveintheValleyoftheMoon——that’stheIndianname，youknow，forSonomaValley。Ilivedinthelean-tothefirstyear；
thenIbuiltthecabinandsentformybooks。Ineverknewwhathappinesswasbefore，norhealth。LookatmenowanddaretotellmethatIlookforty-seven。””Iwouldn’tgiveadayoverforty，”Daylightconfessed。”YetthedayIcamehereIlookednearersixty，andthatwasfifteenyearsago。”
Theytalkedalong，andDaylightlookedattheworldfromnewangles。
Herewasaman，neitherbitternorcynical，wholaughedatthecity-dwellersandcalledthemlunatics；amanwhodidnotcareformoney，andinwhomthelustforpowerhadlongsincedied。Asforthefriendshipofthecity-dwellers，hishostspokeinnouncertainterms。”Whatdidtheydo，allthechapsIknew，thechapsintheclubswithwhomI’dbeencheekbyjowlforheavenknowshowlong？Iwasnotbeholdentothemforanything，andwhenIslippedouttherewasnotoneofthemtodropmealineandsay，’Howareyou，oldman？AnythingIcandoforyou？’Forseveralweeksitwas:’What’sbecomeofFerguson？”AfterthatIbecameareminiscenceandamemory。YeteverylastoneofthemknewI
hadnothingbutmysalaryandthatI’dalwayslivedalapaheadofit。””Butwhatdoyoudonow？”wasDaylight’squery。”Youmustneedcashtobuyclothesandmagazines？””Aweek’sworkoramonth’swork，nowandagain，ploughinginthewinter，orpickinggrapesinthefall，andthere’salwaysoddjobswiththefarmersthroughthesummer。Idon’tneedmuch，soIdon’thavetoworkmuch。MostofmytimeIspendfoolingaroundtheplace。Icoulddohackworkforthemagazinesandnewspapers；butIprefertheploughingandthegrapepicking。
Justlookatmeandyoucanseewhy。I’mhardasrocks。AndIlikethework。ButItellyouachap’sgottobreakintoit。It’sagreatthingwhenhe’slearnedtopickgrapesawholelongdayandcomehomeattheendofitwiththattiredhappyfeeling，insteadofbeinginastateofphysicalcollapse。Thatfireplace——thosebigstones——Iwassoft，then，alittle，anemic，alcoholicdegenerate，withthespunkofarabbitandaboutonepercentasmuchstamina，andsomeofthosebigstonesnearlybrokemybackandmyheart。ButIpersevered，andusedmybodyinthewayNatureintendeditshouldbeused——notbendingoveradeskandswillingwhiskey……and，well，hereIam，abettermanforit，andthere’sthefireplace，fineanddandy，eh？”AndnowtellmeabouttheKlondike，andhowyouturnedSanFranciscoupsidedownwiththatlastraidofyours。You’reabonnyfighter，youknow，andyoutouchmyimagination，thoughmycoolerreasontellsmethatyouarealunaticliketherest。Thelustforpower！It’sadreadfulaffliction。
Whydidn’tyoustayinyourKlondike？Orwhydon’tyouclearoutandliveanaturallife，forinstance，likemine？Yousee，Icanaskquestions，too。Nowyoutalkandletmelistenforawhile。”
Itwasnotuntilteno’clockthatDaylightpartedfromFerguson。Asherodealongthroughthestarlight，theideacametohimofbuyingtheranchontheothersideofthevalley。Therewasnothoughtinhismindofeverintendingtoliveonit。HisgamewasinSanFrancisco。Buthelikedtheranch，andassoonashegotbacktotheofficehewouldopenupnegotiationswithHillard。Besides，theranchincludedtheclay-pit，anditwouldgivehimthewhip-handoverHoldsworthyifheevertriedtocutupanydidoes。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXPartIIChapterXThetimepassed，andDaylightplayedonatthegame。Butthegamehadentereduponanewphase。Thelustforpowerinthemeregamblingandwinningwasmetamorphosingintothelustforpowerinordertorevenge。
ThereweremanymeninSanFranciscoagainstwhomhehadregisteredblackmarks，andnowandagain，withoneofhislightningstrokes，heerasedsuchamark。Heaskednoquarter；hegavenoquarter。Menfearedandhatedhim，andnoonelovedhim，exceptLarryHegan，hislawyer，whowouldhavelaiddownhislifeforhim。ButhewastheonlymanwithwhomDaylightwasreallyintimate，thoughhewasontermsoffriendliestcamaraderiewiththeroughandunprincipledfollowingofthebosseswhoruledtheRiversideClub。
Ontheotherhand，SanFrancisco’sattitudetowardDaylighthadundergoneachange。Whilehe，withhisslashingbuccaneermethods，wasadistinctmenacetothemoreorthodoxfinancialgamblers，hewasneverthelesssograveamenacethattheyweregladenoughtoleavehimalone。Hehadalreadytaughtthemtheexcellenceoflettingasleepingdoglie。Manyofthemen，whoknewthattheywereindangerofhisbigbear-pawwhenitreachedoutforthehoneyvats，evenmadeeffortstoplacatehim，togetonthefriendlysideofhim。TheAlta-Pacificapproachedhimconfidentiallywithanofferofreinstatement，whichhepromptlydeclined。Hewasafteranumberofmeninthatclub，and，wheneveropportunityoffered，hereachedoutforthemandmangledthem。Eventhenewspapers，withoneortwoblackmailingexceptions，ceasedabusinghimandbecamerespectful。Inshort，hewaslookeduponasabald-facedgrizzlyfromtheArcticwildstowhomitwasconsideredexpedienttogivethetrail。Atthetimeheraidedthesteamshipcompanies，theyhadyappedathimandworriedhim，thewholepackofthem，onlytohavehimwhirlaroundandwhiptheminthefiercestpitchedbattleSanFranciscohadeverknown。NoteasilyforgottenwasthePacificSlopeSeaman’sstrikeandthegivingoverofthemunicipalgovernmenttothelaborbossesandgrafters。ThedestructionofCharlesKlinknerandtheCaliforniaandAltamontTrustCompanyhadbeenawarning。Butitwasanisolatedcase；theyhadbeenconfidentinstrengthinnumbers——untilhetaughtthembetter。
Daylightstillengagedindaringspeculations，as，forinstance，attheimpendingoutbreakoftheJapanese-RussianWar，when，inthefaceoftheexperienceandpoweroftheshippinggamblers，hereachedoutandclutchedpracticallyamonopolyofavailablesteamer-charters。TherewasscarcelyabatteredtrampontheSevenSeasthatwasnothisontimecharter。Asusual，hispositionwas，”You’vegottocomeandseeme”；whichtheydid，and，touseanotherofhisphrases，they”paidthroughthenose”fortheprivilege。Andallhisventuringandfightinghadnowbutonemotive。Someday，asheconfidedtoHegan，whenhe’dmadeasufficientstake，hewasgoingbacktoNewYorkandknockthespotsoutofMessrs。Dowsett，Letton，andGuggenhammer。He’dshowthemwhatanall-aroundgeneralbuzz-sawhewasandwhatamistakethey’dmadeevertomonkeywithhim。Butheneverlosthishead，andheknewthathewasnotyetstrongenoughtogointodeath-grappleswiththosethreeearlyenemies。Inthemeantimetheblackmarksagainstthemremainedforafutureeasementday。
DedeMasonwasstillintheoffice。Hehadmadenomoreovertures，discussednomorebooksandnomoregrammar。Hehadnoactiveinterestinher，andshewastohimapleasantmemoryofwhathadneverhappened，ajoy，which，byhisessentialnature，hewasbarredfromeverknowing。Yet，whilehisinteresthadgonetosleepandhisenergywasconsumedintheendlessbattleshewaged，hekneweverytrickofthelightonherhair，everyquickdenotemannerismofmovement，everylineofherfigureasexpoundedbyhertailor-madegowns。Severaltimes，sixmonthsorsoapart，hehadincreasedhersalary，untilnowshewasreceivingninetydollarsamonth。Beyondthishedarednotgo，thoughhehadgotarounditbymakingtheworkeasier。Thishehadaccomplishedafterherreturnfromavacation，byretaininghersubstituteasanassistant。Also，hehadchangedhisofficesuite，sothatnowthetwogirlshadaroombythemselves。
HiseyehadbecomequitecriticalwhereverDedeMasonwasconcerned。
Hehadlongsincenotedherprideofcarriage。Itwasunobtrusive，yetitwasthere。Hedecided，fromthewayshecarriedit，thatshedeemedherbodyathingtobeproudof，tobecaredforasabeautifulandvaluedpossession。Inthis，andinthewayshecarriedherclothes，hecomparedherwithherassistant，withthestenographersheencounteredinotheroffices，withthewomenhesawonthesidewalks。”She’ssurewellputup，”
hecommunedwithhimself；”andshesureknowshowtodressandcarryitoffwithoutbeingstuckonherselfandwithoutlayingitonthick。”
Themorehesawofher，andthemorehethoughtheknewofher，themoreunapproachabledidsheseemtohim。Butsincehehadnointentionofapproachingher，thiswasanythingbutanunsatisfactoryfact。Hewasgladhehadherinhisoffice，andhopedshe’dstay，andthatwasaboutall。
Daylightdidnotimprovewiththepassingyears。Thelifewasnotgoodforhim。Hewasgrowingstoutandsoft，andtherewasunwontedflabbinessinhismuscles。Themorehedrankcocktails，themorehewascompelledtodrinkinordertogetthedesiredresult，theinhibitionsthateasedhimdownfromtheconcertpitchofhisoperations。Andwiththiswentwine，too，atmeals，andthelongdrinksafterdinnerofScotchandsodaattheRiverside。Then，too，hisbodysufferedfromlackofexercise；and，fromlackofdecenthumanassociations，hismoralfibreswereweakening。Neveramantohideanything，someofhisescapadesbecamepublic，suchasspeeding，andofjoy-ridesinhisbigredmotor-cardowntoSanJosewithcompanionsdistinctlysporty——incidentsthatwerenarratedasgoodfunandcomicallyinthenewspapers。
Norwasthereanythingtosavehim。Religionhadpassedhimby。”Alongtimedead”washisepitomeofthatphaseofspeculation。Hewasnotinterestedinhumanity。Accordingtohisrough-hewnsociology，itwasallagamble。
Godwasawhimsical，abstract，madthingcalledLuck。Astohowonehappenedtobeborn——whetherasuckerorarobber——wasagambletobeginwith；Luckdealtoutthecards，andthelittlebabiespickedupthehandsallottedthem。Protestwasvain。Thoseweretheircardsandtheyhadtoplaythem，willy-nilly，hunchbackedorstraightbacked，crippledorclean-limbed，addle-patedorclear-headed。Therewasnofairnessinit。Thecardsmostpickedupputthemintothesuckerclass；thecardsofafewenabledthemtobecomerobbers。Theplayingofthecardswaslife——thecrowdofplayers，society。
Thetablewastheearth，andtheearth，inlumpsandchunks，fromloavesofbreadtobigredmotor-cars，wasthestake。Andintheend，luckyandunlucky，theywereallalongtimedead。
Itwashardonthestupidlowly，fortheywerecopperedtolosefromthestart；butthemorehesawoftheothers，theapparentwinners，thelessitseemedtohimthattheyhadanythingtobragabout。They，too，werealongtimedead，andtheirlivingdidnotamounttomuch。Itwasawildanimalfight；thestrongtrampledtheweak，andthestrong，hehadalreadydiscovered，——menlikeDowsett，andLetton，andGuggenhammer，——werenotnecessarilythebest。HerememberedhisminercomradesoftheArctic。
Theywerethestupidlowly，theydidthehardworkandwererobbedofthefruitoftheirtoiljustaswastheoldwomanmakingwineintheSonomahills；andyettheyhadfinerqualitiesoftruth，andloyalty，andsquare-dealingthandidthemenwhorobbedthem。Thewinnersseemedtobethecrookedones，theunfaithfulones，thewickedones。Andeventheyhadnosayinthematter。Theyplayedthecardsthatweregiventhem；andLuck，themonstrous，mad-godthing，theownerofthewholeshebang，lookedonandgrinned。Itwashewhostackedtheuniversalcard-deckofexistence。
Therewasnojusticeinthedeal。Thelittlementhatcame，thelittlepulpybabies，werenotevenaskediftheywantedtotryaflutteratthegame。Theyhadnochoice。Luckjerkedthemintolife，slammedthemupagainstthejostlingtable，andtoldthem:”Nowplay，damnyou，play！”Andtheydidtheirbest，poorlittledevils。Theplayofsomeledtosteamyachtsandmansions；ofothers，totheasylumorthepauper’sward。Someplayedtheonesamecard，overandover，andmadewinealltheirdaysinthechaparral，hoping，attheend，topulldownasetoffalseteethandacoffin。Othersquitthegameearly，havingdrawncardsthatcalledforviolentdeath，orfamineintheBarrens，orloathsomeandlingeringdisease。Thehandsofsomecalledforkingshipandirresponsibleandnumeratedpower；otherhandscalledforambition，forwealthinuntoldsums，fordisgraceandshame，orforwomenandwine。
Asforhimself，hehaddrawnaluckyhand，thoughhecouldnotseeallthecards。Somebodyorsomethingmightgethimyet。Themadgod，Luck，mightbetrickinghimalongtosomesuchend。Anunfortunatesetofcircumstances，andinamonth’stimetherobbergangmightbewar-dancingaroundhisfinancialcarcass。Thisverydayastreet-carmightrunhimdown，orasignfallfromabuildingandsmashinhisskull。Ortherewasdisease，everrampant，oneofLuck’sgrimmestwhims。Whocouldsay？To-morrow，orsomeotherday，aptomainebug，orsomeotherofathousandbugs，mightjumpoutuponhimanddraghimdown。TherewasDoctorBascom，LeeBascomwhohadstoodbesidehimaweekagoandtalkedandargued，apictureofmagnificentyouth，andstrength，andhealth。Andinthreedayshewasdead——pneumonia，rheumatismoftheheart，andheavenknewwhatelse——attheendscreaminginagonythatcouldbeheardablockaway。Thathadbeenterrible。Itwasafresh，rawstrokeinDaylight’sconsciousness。Andwhenwouldhisownturncome？
Whocouldsay？
Inthemeantimetherewasnothingtodobutplaythecardshecouldseeinhishand，andtheywereBATTLE，REVENGE，ANDCOCKTAILS。AndLucksatoverallandgrinned。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXIPartIIChapterXIOneSunday，lateintheafternoon，foundDaylightacrossthebayinthePiedmonthillsbackofOakland。Asusual，hewasinabigmotor-car，thoughnothisown，theguestofSwiftwaterBill，Luck’sowndarling，whohadcomedowntospendtheclean-upoftheseventhfortunewrungfromthefrozenArcticgravel。Anotoriousspender，hislatestpilewasalreadyonthefairroadtofollowtheprevioussix。Heitwas，inthefirstyearofDawson，whohadcrackedanoceanofchampagneatfiftydollarsaquart；
who，withthebottomofhisgold-sackinsight，hadcorneredtheegg-market，attwenty-fourdollarsperdozen，tothetuneofonehundredandtendozen，inordertopiquethelady-lovewhohadjiltedhim；andheitwas，payinglikeaprinceforspeed，whohadcharteredspecialtrainsandbrokenallrecordsbetweenSanFranciscoandNewYork。Andherehewasoncemore，the”luck-pupofhell，”asDaylightcalledhim，throwinghislatestfortuneawaywiththesameold-timefacility。
Itwasamerryparty，andtheyhadmadeamerrydayofit，circlingthebayfromSanFranciscoaroundbySanJoseanduptoOakland，havingbeenthricearrestedforspeeding，thethirdtime，however，ontheHaywardsstretch，runningawaywiththeircaptor。Fearingthatatelephonemessagetoarrestthemhadbeenflashedahead，theyhadturnedintotheback-roadthroughthehills，andnow，rushinginuponOaklandbyanewroute，wereboisterouslydiscussingwhatdispositiontheyshouldmakeoftheconstable。”We’llcomeoutatBlairParkintenminutes，”oneofthemenannounced。”Lookhere，Swiftwater，there’sacrossroadsrightahead，withlotsofgates，butit’lltakeusbackcountryclearintoBerkeley。ThenwecancomebackintoOaklandfromtheotherside，sneakacrossontheferry，andsendthemachinebackaroundto-nightwiththechauffeur。”
ButSwiftwaterBillfailedtoseewhyheshouldnotgointoOaklandbywayofBlairPark，andsodecided。
Thenextmoment，flyingaroundabend，theback-roadtheywerenotgoingtotakeappeared。Insidethegateleaningoutfromhersaddleandjustclosingit，wasayoungwomanonachestnutsorrel。Withhisfirstglimpse，Daylightfelttherewassomethingstrangelyfamiliarabouther。Thenextmoment，straighteningupinthesaddlewithamovementhecouldnotfailtoidentify，sheputthehorseintoagallop，ridingawaywithherbacktowardthem。ItwasDedeMason——herememberedwhatMorrisonhadtoldhimaboutherkeepingaridinghorse，andhewasgladshehadnotseenhiminthisriotouscompany。SwiftwaterBillstoodup，clingingwithonehandtothebackofthefrontseatandwavingtheothertoattractherattention。
HislipswerepursedforthepiercingwhistleforwhichhewasfamousandwhichDaylightknewofold，whenDaylight，withahookofhislegandayankontheshoulder，slammedthestartledBilldownintohisseat。”Youm-m-mustknowthelady，”SwiftwaterBillspluttered。”Isuredo，”Daylightanswered，”soshutup。””Well，Icongratulateyourgoodtaste，Daylight。She’sapeach，andsherideslikeone，too。”
Interveningtreesatthatmomentshutherfromview，andSwiftwaterBillplungedintotheproblemofdisposingoftheirconstable，whileDaylight，leaningbackwithclosedeyes，wasstillseeingDedeMasongallopoffdownthecountryroad。SwiftwaterBillwasright。Shecertainlycouldride。
And，sittingastride，herseatwasperfect。GoodforDede！Thatwasanaddedpoint，herhavingthecouragetorideintheonlynaturalandlogicalmanner。Herheadasscrewedonright，thatwasonethingsure。
OnMondaymorning，cominginfordictation，helookedatherwithnewinterest，thoughhegavenosignofit；andthestereotypedbusinesspassedoffinthestereotypedway。ButthefollowingSundayfoundhimonahorsehimself，acrossthebayandridingthroughthePiedmonthills。Hemadealongdayofit，butnoglimpsedidhecatchofDedeMason，thoughheeventooktheback-roadofmanygatesandrodeonintoBerkeley。Here，alongthelinesofmultitudinoushouses，uponestreetanddownanother，hewonderedwhichofthemmightbeoccupiedbyher。MorrisonhadsaidlongagothatshelivedinBerkeley，andshehadbeenheadedthatwayinthelateafternoonofthepreviousSunday——evidentlyreturninghome。
Ithadbeenafruitlessday，sofarasshewasconcerned；andyetnotentirelyfruitless，forhehadenjoyedtheopenairandthehorseunderhimtosuchpurposethat，onMonday，hisinstructionswereouttothedealerstolookforthebestchestnutsorrelthatmoneycouldbuy。Atoddtimesduringtheweekheexaminednumbersofchestnutsorrels，triedseveral，andwasunsatisfied。ItwasnottillSaturdaythathecameuponBob。Daylightknewhimforwhathewantedthemomenthelaideyesonhim。Alargehorseforaridinganimal，hewasnonetoolargeforabigmanlikeDaylight。
Insplendidcondition，Bob’scoatinthesunlightwasaflameoffire，hisarchedneckajeweledconflagration。”He’sasurewinner，”wasDaylight’scomment；butthedealerwasnotsosanguine。Hewassellingthehorseoncommission，anditsownerhadinsistedonBob’struecharactorbeinggiven。Thedealergaveit。”Notwhatyou’dcallarealvicioushorse，butadangerousone。Fullofvinegarandall-roundcussedness，butwithoutmalice。Justassoonkillyouasnot，butinaplayfulsortofway，youunderstand，withoutmeaningtoatall。Personally，Iwouldn’tthinkofridinghim。Buthe’sastayer。
Lookatthemlungs。Andlookatthemlegs。Notablemish。He’sneverbeenhurtorworked。Nobodyeversucceededintakingitoutofhim。Mountainhorse，too，trail-brokeandallthat，beingraisedinroughcountry。Sure-footedasagoat，solongashedon’tgetitintohisheadtocutup。Don’tshy。
Ain’treallyafraid，butmakesbelieve。Don’tbuck，butrears。Gottoridehimwithamartingale。HasabadtrickofwhirlingaroundwithoutcauseIt’shisideaofajokeonhisrider。It’salljusthowhefeelsOnedayhe’llridealongpeaceableandpleasantfortwentymiles。
Nextday，beforeyougetstarted，he’swell-nighunmanageable。Knowsautomobilessohecanlaydownalongsideofoneandsleeporeathayoutofit。He’llletnineteengobywithoutbattinganeye，andmebbethetwentieth，justbecausehe’sfeelingfrisky，he’llcutupoverlikearangecayuse。
Generallyspeaking，toolivelyforagentleman，andtoounexpected。PresentownernicknamedhimJudasIscariot，andrefusestosellwithoutthebuyerknowingallabouthimfirst。There，that’saboutallIknow，exceptlookatthatmaneandtail。Everseeanythinglikeit？Hairasfineasababy’s。”
Thedealerwasright。Daylightexaminedthemaneandfounditfinerthananyhorse’shairhehadeverseen。Also，itscolorwasunusualinthatitwasalmostauburn。Whileheranhisfingersthroughit，BobturnedhisheadandplayfullynuzzledDaylight’sshoulder”Saddlehimup，andI’lltryhim，”hetoldthedealer。”Iwonderifhe’susedtospurs。NoEnglishsaddle，mind。GivemeagoodMexicanandacurbbit——nottoosevere，seeingashelikestorear。”
Daylightsuperintendedthepreparations，adjustingthecurbstrapandthestirruplength，anddoingthecinching。Heshookhisheadatthemartingale，butyieldedtothedealer’sadviceandallowedittogoon。AndBob，beyondspiritedrestlessnessandafewplayfulattempts，gavenotrouble。Norinthehour’sridethatfollowed，saveforsomepermissiblecurvetingandprancing，didhemisbehave。Daylightwasdelighted；thepurchasewasimmediatelymade；andBob，withridinggearandpersonalequipment，wasdespatchedacrossthebayforthwithtotakeuphisquartersinthestablesoftheOaklandRidingAcademy。
ThenextdaybeingSunday，Daylightwasawayearly，crossingontheferryandtakingwithhimWolf，theleaderofhissledteam，theonedogwhichhehadselectedtobringwithhimwhenheleftAlaska。QuestashewouldthroughthePiedmonthillsandalongthemany-gatedback-roadtoBerkeley，DaylightsawnothingofDedeMasonandherchestnutsorrel。Buthehadlittletimefordisappointment，forhisownchestnutsorrelkepthimbusy。Bobprovedahandfulofimpishnessandcontrariety，andhetriedouthisriderasmuchashisridertriedhimout。AllofDaylight’shorseknowledgeandhorsesensewascalledintoplay，whileBob，inturn，workedeverytrickinhislexicon。Discoveringthathismartingalehadmoreslackinitthanusual，heproceededtogiveanexhibitionofrearingandhind-legwalking。Aftertenhopelessminutesofit，Daylightslippedoffandtightenedthemartingale，whereuponBobgaveanexhibitionofangelicgoodness。
HefooledDaylightcompletely。Attheendofhalfanhourofgoodness，Daylight，luredintoconfidence，wasridingalongatawalkandrollingacigarette，withslackkneesandrelaxedseat，thereinslyingontheanimal’sneck。Bobwhirledabruptlyandwithlightningswiftness，pivotingonhishindlegs，hisforelegsjustliftedclearoftheground。Daylightfoundhimselfwithhisrightfootoutofthestirrupandhisarmsaroundtheanimal’sneck；andBobtookadvantageofthesituationtoboltdowntheroad。WithahopethatheshouldnotencounterDedeMasonatthatmoment，Daylightregainedhisseatandcheckedinthehorse。
Arrivedbackatthesamespot，Bobwhirledagain。ThistimeDaylightkepthisseat，but，beyondafutilereinacrosstheneck，didnothingtopreventtheevolution。HenotedthatBobwhirledtotheright，andresolvedtokeephimstraightenedoutbyaspurontheleft。Butsoabruptandswiftwasthewhirlthatwarningandaccomplishmentwerepracticallysimultaneous。”Well，Bob，”headdressedtheanimal，atthesametimewipingthesweatfromhisowneyes，”I’mfreetoconfessthatyou’resuretheblamedestall-firedquickestcreatureIeversaw。Iguessthewaytofixyouistokeepthespurjusta-touching——ah！youbrute！”
For，themomentthespurtouchedhim，hislefthindleghadreachedforwardinakickthatstruckthestirrupasmartblow。Severaltimes，outofcuriosity，Daylightattemptedthespur，andeachtimeBob’shooflandedthestirrup。ThenDaylight，followingthehorse’sexampleoftheunexpected，suddenlydrovebothspursintohimandreachedhimunderneathwiththequirt。”Youain’tneverhadareallickingbefore，”hemutteredasBob，thusrudelyjerkedoutofthecircleofhisownimpishmentalprocesses，shotahead。
Halfadozentimesspursandquirtbitintohim，andthenDaylightsettleddowntoenjoythemadmagnificentgallop。Nolongerpunished，attheendofahalfmileBobeaseddownintoafastcanter。Wolf，toilingintherear，wascatchingup，andeverythingwasgoingnicely。”I’llgiveyouafewpointersonthiswhirlinggame，myboy，”Daylightwassayingtohim，whenBobwhirled。
Hediditonagallop，breakingthegallopoffshortbyforelegsstifflyplanted。Daylightfetchedupagainsthissteed’sneckwithclaspedarms，andatthesameinstant，withforefeetclearoftheground，Bobwhirledaround。Onlyanexcellentridercouldhaveescapedbeingunhorsed，andasitwas，Daylightwasnastilyneartoit。Bythetimeherecoveredhisseat，Bobwasinfullcareer，boltingthewayhehadcome，andmakingWolfside-jumptothebushes。”Allright，darnyou！”Daylightgrunted，drivinginspursandquirtagainandagain。”Back-trackyouwanttogo，andback-trackyousurewillgotillyou’redeadsickofit。”
When，afteratime，Bobattemptedtoeasedownthemadpace，spursandquirtwentintohimagainwithundiminishedvimandputhimtorenewedeffort。Andwhen，atlast，Daylightdecidedthatthehorsehadhadenough，heturnedhimaroundabruptlyandputhimintoagentlecanterontheforwardtrack。Afteratimehereinedhimintoastoptoseeifhewerebreathingpainfully。
Standingforaminute，Bobturnedhisheadandnuzzledhisrider’sstirrupinaroguish，impatientway，asmuchastointimatethatitwastimetheyweregoingon。”Well，I’llbeplumbgoshdarned！”wasDaylight’scomment。”Noill-will，nogrudge，nonothing-andafterthatlambasting！You’resureahummer，Bob。”
OnceagainDaylightwaslulledintofanciedsecurity。ForanhourBobwasallthatcouldbedesiredofaspiritedmount，when，andasusualwithoutwarning，hetooktowhirlingandbolting。Daylightputastoptothiswithspursandquirt，runninghimseveralpunishingmilesinthedirectionofhisbolt。Butwhenheturnedhimaroundandstartedforward，Bobproceededtofeignfrightattrees，cows，bushes，Wolf，hisownshadow——inshort，ateveryridiculouslyconceivableobject。Atsuchtimes，Wolflaydownintheshadeandlookedon，whileDaylightwrestleditout。
Sothedaypassed。Amongotherthings，Bobdevelopedatrickofmakingbelievetowhirlandnotwhirling。Thiswasasexasperatingastherealthing，foreachtimeDaylightwasfooledintotighteninghisleggripandintoageneralmusculartensingofallhisbody。Andthen，afterafewmake-believeattempts，BobactuallydidwhirlandcaughtDaylightnappingagainandlandedhimintheoldpositionwithclaspedarmsaroundtheneck。
Andtotheendoftheday，Bobcontinuedtobeuptoonetrickoranother；
afterpassingadozenautomobilesonthewayintoOakland，suddenlyelectingtogomadwithfrightatamostordinarylittlerunabout。Andjustbeforehearrivedbackatthestablehecappedthedaywithacombinedwhirlingandrearingthatbrokethemartingaleandenabledhimtogainaperpendicularpositiononhishindlegs。Atthisjuncturearottenstirrupleatherparted，andDaylightwasallbutunhorsed。
Buthehadtakenalikingtotheanimal，andrepentednotofhisbargain。
HerealizedthatBobwasnotviciousnormean，thetroublebeingthathewasburstingwithhighspiritsandwasendowedwithmorethantheaveragehorse’sintelligence。Itwasthespiritsandtheintelligence，combinedwithinordinateroguishness，thatmadehimwhathewas。Whatwasrequiredtocontrolhimwasastronghand，withtemperedsternnessandyetwiththerequisitetouchofbrutaldominance。”It’syouorme，Bob，”Daylighttoldhimmorethanoncethatday。
Andtothestableman，thatnight:——”My，butain’thealooker！Everseeanythinglikehim？BestpieceofhorsefleshIeverstraddled，andI’veseenafewinmytime。”
AndtoBob，whohadturnedhisheadandwasuptohisplayfulnuzzling:-”Good-by，youlittlebitofallright。SeeyouagainnextSundayA。M。，andjustyoubringalongyourwholebasketoftricks，youoldson-of-a-gun。”BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXIIPartIIChapterXIIThroughouttheweekDaylightfoundhimselfalmostasmuchinterestedinBobasinDede；and，notbeinginthethickofanybigdeals，hewasprobablymoreinterestedinbothofthemthaninthebusinessgame。Bob’strickofwhirlingwasofespecialmomenttohim。Howtoovercomeit，——thatwasthething。SupposehedidmeetwithDedeoutinthehills；andsuppose，bysomeluckystrokeoffate，heshouldmanagetoberidingalongsideofher；thenthatwhirlofBob’swouldbemostdisconcertingandembarrassing。
HewasnotparticularlyanxiousforhertoseehimthrownforwardonBob’sneck。Ontheotherhand，suddenlytoleaveherandgodashingdowntheback-track，plyingquirtandspurs，wouldn’tdo，either。
Whatwaswantedwasamethodwherewithtopreventthatlightningwhirl。
Hemuststoptheanimalbeforeitgotaround。Thereinswouldnotdothis。
Neitherwouldthespurs。Remainedthequirt。
Buthowtoaccomplishit？Absent-mindedmomentsweremanythatweek，when，sittinginhisofficechair，infancyhewasastridethewonderfulchestnutsorrelandtryingtopreventananticipatedwhirl。Onesuchmoment，towardtheendoftheweek，occurredinthemiddleofaconferencewithHegan。Hegan，elaboratinganewanddazzlinglegalvision，becameawarethatDaylightwasnotlistening。Hiseyeshadgonelack-lustre，andhe，too，wasseeingwithinnervision。”Gotit”hecriedsuddenly。”Hegan，congratulateme。It’sassimpleasrollingoffalog。AllI’vegottodoishithimonthenose，andhithimhard。”
ThenheexplainedtothestartledHegan，andbecameagoodlisteneragain，thoughhecouldnotrefrainnowandagainfrommakingaudiblechucklesofsatisfactionanddelight。Thatwasthescheme。Bobalwayswhirledtotheright。Verywell。Hewoulddoublethequirtinhishandand，theinstantofthewhirl，thatdoubledquirtwouldrapBobonthenose。Thehorsedidn’tlive，afterithadoncelearnedthelesson，thatwouldwhirlinthefaceofthedoubledquirt。
Morekeenlythanever，duringthatweekintheofficedidDaylightrealizethathehadnosocial，norevenhumancontactswithDede。ThesituationwassuchthathecouldnotaskherthesimplequestionwhetherornotshewasgoingridingnextSunday。Itwasahardshipofanewsort，thisbeingtheemployerofaprettygirl。Helookedatheroften，whentheroutineworkofthedaywasgoingon，thequestionhecouldnotaskherticklingatthefountsofspeech——WasshegoingridingnextSunday？Andashelooked，hewonderedhowoldshewas，andwhatlovepassagesshehadhad，musthavehad，withthosecollegewhippersnapperswithwhom，accordingtoMorrison，sheherdedanddanced。Hismindwasveryfullofher，thosesixdaysbetweentheSundays，andonethinghecametoknowthoroughlywell；hewantedher。
Andsomuchdidhewantherthathisoldtimidityoftheapron-stringwasputtorout。He，whohadrunawayfromwomenmostofhislife，hadnowgrownsocourageousastopursue。SomeSunday，soonerorlater，hewouldmeetheroutsidetheoffice，somewhereinthehills，andthen，iftheydidnotgetacquainted，itwouldbebecauseshedidnotcaretogetacquainted。
Thushefoundanothercardinthehandthemadgodhaddealthim。
Howimportantthatcardwastobecomehedidnotdream，yethedecidedthatitwasaprettygoodcard。Inturn，hedoubted。MaybeitwasatrickofLucktobringcalamityanddisasteruponhim。SupposeDedewouldn’thavehim，andsupposehewentonlovinghermoreandmore，harderandharder？
Allhisoldgeneralizedterrorsofloverevived。Herememberedthedisastrousloveaffairsofmenandwomenhehadknowninthepast。TherewasBerthaDoolittle，oldDoolittle’sdaughter，whohadbeenmadlyinlovewithDartworthy，therichBonanzafractionowner；andDartworthy，inturn，notlovingBerthaatall，butmadlylovingColonelWalthstone’swifeandelopingdowntheYukonwithher；andColonelWalthstonehimself，madlylovinghisownwifeandlightingoutinpursuitofthefleeingcouple。Andwhathadbeentheoutcome？CertainlyBertha’slovehadbeenunfortunateandtragic，andsohadtheloveoftheotherthree。DownbelowMinook，ColonelWalthstoneandDartworthyhadfoughtitout。Dartworthyhadbeenkilled。AbulletthroughtheColonel’slungshadsoweakenedhimthathediedofpneumoniathefollowingspring。AndtheColonel’swifehadnooneleftaliveonearthtolove。
AndthentherewasFreda，drowningherselfintherunningmush-icebecauseofsomemanontheothersideoftheworld，andhatinghim，Daylight，becausehehadhappenedalongandpulledheroutofthemush-iceandbacktolife。
AndtheVirgin……Theoldmemoriesfrightenedhim。Ifthislove-germgrippedhimgoodandhard，andifDedewouldn’thavehim，itmightbealmostasbadasbeinggougedoutofallhehadbyDowsett，Letton，andGuggenhammer。
HadhisnascentdesireforDedebeenless，hemightwellhavebeenfrightenedoutofallthoughtofher。Asitwas，hefoundconsolationinthethoughtthatsomeloveaffairsdidcomeoutright。Andforallheknew，maybeLuckhadstackedthecardsforhimtowin。Somemenwerebornlucky，livedluckyalltheirdays，anddiedlucky。Perhaps，too，hewassuchaman，abornluck-pupwhocouldnotlose。
Sundaycame，andBob，outinthePiedmonthills，behavedlikeanangel。
Hisgoodness，attimes，wasofthespiritedprancingorder，butotherwisehewasalamb。Daylight，withdoubledquirtreadyinhisrighthand，achedforawhirl，justonewhirl，whichBob，withanexcellenceofconductthatwastantalizing，refusedtoperform。ButnoDededidDaylightencounter。
HevainlycircledaboutamongthehillroadsandintheafternoontookthesteepgradeoverthedivideofthesecondrangeanddroppedintoMaragaValley。Justafterpassingthefootofthedescent，heheardthehoofbeatsofacanteringhorse。Itwasfromaheadandcomingtowardhim。WhatifitwereDede？HeturnedBobaroundandstartedtoreturnatawalk。IfitwereDede，hewasborntoluck，hedecided；forthemeetingcouldn’thaveoccurredunderbettercircumstances。Heretheywere，bothgoinginthesamedirection，andthecanterwouldbringheruptohimjustwherethestiffgradewouldcompelawalk。Therewouldbenothingelseforhertodothanridewithhimtothetopofthedivide；and，oncethere，theequallystiffdescentontheothersidewouldcompelmorewalking。
Thecantercamenearer，buthefacedstraightaheaduntilheheardthehorsebehindchecktoawalk。Thenheglancedoverhisshoulder。ItwasDede。Therecognitionwasquick，and，withher，accompaniedbysurprise。
Whatmorenaturalthingthanthat，partlyturninghishorse，heshouldwaittillshecaughtupwithhim；andthat，whenabreasttheyshouldcontinueabreastonupthegrade？Hecouldhavesighedwithrelief。Thethingwasaccomplished，andsoeasily。Greetingshadbeenexchanged；heretheyweresidebysideandgoinginthesamedirectionwithmilesandmilesaheadofthem。
Henotedthathereyewasfirstforthehorseandnextforhim。”Oh，whatabeauty”shehadcriedatsightofBob。Fromtheshininglightinhereyes，andthefacefilledwithdelight，hewouldscarcelyhavebelievedthatitbelongedtoayoungwomanhehadknownintheoffice，theyoungwomanwiththecontrolled，subduedofficeface”Ididn’tknowyourode，”wasoneofherfirstremarks。”Iimaginedyouwereweddedtoget-there-quickmachines。””I’vejusttakenituplately，”washisanswer。”Beginningtogetstout；
youknow，andhadtotakeitoffsomehow。”
Shegaveaquicksidewiseglancethatembracedhimfromheadtoheel，includingseatandsaddle，andsaid:——”Butyou’veriddenbefore。”
Shecertainlyhadaneyeforhorsesandthingsconnectedwithhorseswashisthought，ashereplied:-”Notformanyyears。ButIusedtothinkIwasaregularrip-snorterwhenIwasayoungsterupinEasternOregon，sneakingawayfromcamptoridewiththecattleandbreakcayusesandthatsortofthing。”
Thus，andtohisgreatrelief，weretheylaunchedonatopicofmutualinterest。HetoldheraboutBob’stricks，andofthewhirlandhisschemetoovercomeit；andsheagreedthathorseshadtobehandledwithacertainrationalseverity，nomatterhowmuchonelovedthem。TherewasherMab，whichshehadforeightyearsandwhichshehadhadbreakofstall-kicking。
TheprocesshadbeenpainfulforMab，butithadcuredher。”You’veriddenalot，”Daylightsaid。”Ireallycan’trememberthefirsttimeIwasonahorse，”shetoldhim。”Iwasbornonaranch，youknow，andtheycouldn’tkeepmeawayfromthehorses。Imusthavebeenbornwiththeloveforthem。Ihadmyfirstpony，allmyown，whenIwassix。WhenIwaseightIknewwhatitwastobealldayinthesaddlealongwithDaddy。BythetimeIwaselevenhewastakingmeonmyfirstdeerhunts。I’dbelostwithoutahorse。Ihateindoors，andwithoutMabhereIsupposeI’dhavebeensickanddeadlongago。””Youlikethecountry？”hequeried，atthesamemomentcatchinghisfirstglimpseofalightinhereyesotherthangray。”AsmuchasIdetestthecity，”sheanswered。”Butawomancan’tearnalivinginthecountry。
SoImakethebestofit——alongwithMab。”
Andthereatshetoldhimmoreofherranchlifeinthedaysbeforeherfatherdied。AndDaylightwashugelypleasedwithhimself。Theyweregettingacquainted。Theconversationhadnotlaggedinthefullhalfhourtheyhadbeentogether。”Wecomeprettyclosefromthesamepartofthecountry，”hesaid。”I
wasraisedinEasternOregon，andthat’snonesofarfromSiskiyou。”
Thenextmomenthecouldhavebittenouthistongueforherquickquestionwas:——”HowdidyouknowIcamefromSiskiyou？I’msureInevermentionedit。””Idon’tknow，”heflounderedtemporarily。”Iheardsomewherethatyouwerefromthereabouts。”
Wolf，slidingupatthatmoment，sleek-footedandlikeashadow，causedherhorsetoshyandpassedtheawkwardnessoff，fortheytalkedAlaskandogsuntiltheconversationdriftedbacktohorses。Andhorsesitwas，allupthegradeanddowntheotherside。
Whenshetalked，helistenedandfollowedher，andyetallthewhilehewasfollowinghisownthoughtsandimpressionsaswell。Itwasanervythingforhertodo，thisridingastride，andhedidn’tknow，afterall，whetherhelikeditornot。Hisideasofwomenwerepronetobeold-fashioned；
theyweretheoneshehadimbibedintheearly-day，frontierlifeofhisyouth，whennowomanwasseenonanythingbutaside-saddle。Hehadgrownuptothetacitfictionthatwomenonhorsebackwerenotbipeds。Itcametohimwithashock，thissightofhersomanlikeinhersaddle。ButhehadtoconfessthatthesightlookedgoodtohimjustTwootherimmediatethingsaboutherstruckhim。First，therewerethegoldenspotsinhereyes。Queerthathehadnevernoticedthembefore。
Perhapsthelightintheofficehadnotbeenright，andperhapstheycameandwent。No；theywereglowsofcolor——asortofdiffused，goldenlight。
Norwasitgolden，either，butitwasnearerthatthananycolorheknew。
Itcertainlywasnotanyshadeofyellow。Alover’sthoughtsareevercolored，anditistobedoubtedifanyoneelseintheworldwouldhavecalledDede’seyesgolden。ButDaylight’smoodvergedonthetenderandmelting，andhepreferredtothinkofthemasgolden，andthereforetheyweregolden。
Andthenshewassonatural。Hehadbeenpreparedtofindheramostdifficultyoungwomantogetacquaintedwith。Yethereitwasprovingsosimple。Therewasnothinghighfalutinabouthercompanymanners——itwasbythishomelyphrasethathedifferentiatedthisDedeonhorsebackfromtheDedewiththeofficemannerswhomhehadalwaysknown。Andyet，whilehewasdelightedwiththesmoothnesswithwhicheverythingwasgoing，andwiththefactthattheyhadfoundplentytotalkabout，hewasawareofanirkunderitall。Afterall，thistalkwasemptyandidle。Hewasamanofaction，andhewantedher，DedeMason，thewoman；hewantedhertolovehimandtobelovedbyhim；andhewantedallthisgloriousconsummationthenandthere。Usedtoforcingissuesusedtogrippingmenandthingsandbendingthemtohiswill，hefelt，now，thesamecompulsiveprodofmastery。Hewantedtotellherthathelovedherandthattherewasnothingelseforhertodobutmarryhim。Andyethedidnotobeytheprod。Womenwereflutterycreatures，andheremeremasterywouldproveabungle。Herememberedallhishuntingguile，thelongpatienceofshootingmeatinfaminewhenahitoramissmeantlifeordeath。Truly，thoughthisgirldidnotyetmeanquitethat，neverthelessshemeantmuchtohim——more，now，thanever，asherodebesideher，glancingatherasoftenashedared，sheinhercorduroyriding-habit，sobravelymanlike，yetsoessentiallyandrevealinglywoman，smiling，laughing，talking，hereyessparkling，theflushofadayofsunandsummerbreezewarminhercheeks。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXIIIPartIIChapterXIIIAnotherSundaymanandhorseanddogrovedthePiedmonthills。
AndagainDaylightandDederodetogether。Butthistimehersurpriseatmeetinghimwastincturedwithsuspicion；orrather，hersurprisewasofanotherorder。ThepreviousSundayhadbeenquiteaccidental，buthisappearingasecondtimeamongherfavoritehauntshintedofmorethanthefortuitous。
Daylightwasmadetofeelthatshesuspectedhim，andhe，rememberingthathehadseenabigrockquarrynearBlairPark，statedoffhandthathewasthinkingofbuyingit。Hisone-timeinvestmentinabrickyardhadputtheideaintohishead——anideathathedecidedwasagoodone，foritenabledhimtosuggestthatsheridealongwithhimtoinspectthequarry。
Soseveralhourshespentinhercompany，inwhichshewasmuchthesamegirlasbefore，natural，unaffected，lighthearted，smilingandlaughing，agoodfellow，talkinghorseswithunflaggingenthusiasm，makingfriendswiththecrusty-temperedWolf，andexpressingthedesiretorideBob，whomshedeclaredshewasmoreinlovewiththanever。AtthislastDaylightdemurred。Bobwasfullofdangeroustricks，andhewouldn’ttrustanyoneonhimexcepthisworstenemy。”Youthink，becauseI’magirl，thatIdon’tknowanythingabouthorses，”
sheflashedback。”ButI’vebeenthrownoffandbuckedoffenoughnottobeover-confident。AndI’mnotafool。Iwouldn’tgetonabuckinghorse。
I’velearnedbetter。AndI’mnotafraidofanyotherkind。AndyousayyourselfthatBobdoesn’tbuck。””Butyou’veneverseenhimcuttingupdidoes，”Daylight”ButyoumustrememberI’veseenafewothers，andI’vebeenonseveralofthemmyself。IbroughtMabheretoelectriccars，locomotives，andautomobiles。
Shewasarawrangecoltwhenshecametome。Brokentosaddlethatwasall。Besides，Iwon’thurtyourhorse。”
Againsthisbetterjudgment，Daylightgavein，and，onanunfrequentedstretchofroad，changedsaddlesandbridles。”Remember，he’sgreasedlightning，”hewarned，ashehelpedhertomount。
Shenodded，whileBobprickeduphisearstotheknowledgethathehadastrangerideronhisback。Thefuncamequicklyenough——tooquicklyforDede，whofoundherselfagainstBob’sneckashepivotedaroundandboltedtheotherway。Daylightfollowedonherhorseandwatched。Hesawherchecktheanimalquicklytoastandstill，andimmediately，withreinacrossneckandadecisiveprodoftheleftspur，whirlhimbackthewayhehadcomeandalmostasswiftly。”Getreadytogivehimthequirtonthenose，”Daylightcalled。
But，tooquicklyforher，Bobwhirledagain，thoughthistime，byasevereeffort，shesavedherselffromtheundignifiedpositionagainsthisneck。Hisboltwasmoredetermined，butshepulledhimintoaprancingwalk，andturnedhimroughlybackwithherspurredheel。Therewasnothingfeminineinthewayshehandledhim；hermethodwasimperativeandmasculine。
Hadthisnotbeenso，Daylightwouldhaveexpectedhertosayshehadhadenough。ButthatlittlepreliminaryexhibitionhadtaughthimsomethingofDede’squality。Andifithadnot，aglanceathergrayeyes，justperceptiblyangrywithherself，andatherfirm-setmouth，wouldhavetoldhimthesamething。Daylightdidnotsuggestanything，whilehehungalmostgleefullyuponheractionsinanticipationofwhatthefractiousBobwasgoingtoget。AndBobgotit，onhisnextwhirl，orattempt，rather，forhewasnomorethanhalfwayaroundwhenthequirtmethimsmackonhistendernose。Thereandthen，inhisbewilderment，surprise，andpain，hisforefeet，justskimmingabovetheroad，droppeddown。”Great！”Daylightapplauded。”Acouplemorewillfixhim。He’stoosmartnottoknowwhenhe’sbeaten。”
AgainBobtried。Butthistimehewasbarelyquarteraroundwhenthedoubledquirtonhisnosecompelledhimtodrophisforefeettotheroad。
Then，withneitherreinnorspur，butbythemerethreatofthequirt，shestraightenedhimout。
DedelookedtriumphantlyatDaylight。”Letmegivehimarun？”sheasked。
Daylightnodded，andsheshotdowntheroad。Hewatchedheroutofsightaroundthebend，andwatchedtillshecameintosightreturning。Shecertainlycouldsitherhorse，washisthought，andshewasasureenoughhummer。
God，shewasthewifeforaman！Mademostofthemlookprettyslim。Andtothinkofherhammeringallweekatatypewriter。Thatwasnoplaceforher。Sheshouldbeaman’swife，takingiteasy，withsilksandsatinsanddiamondshisfrontiernotionofwhatbefittedawifebeloved，anddogs，andhorses，andsuchthings——”Andwe’llsee，Mr。BurningDaylight，whatyouandmecandoaboutit，”hemurmuredtohimself！andaloudtoher:——”You’lldo，MissMason；you’lldo。There’snothingtoogoodinhorsefleshyoudon’tdeserve，awomanwhocanridelikethat。No；staywithhim，andwe’lljogalongtothequarry。”Hechuckled。”Say，heactuallygavejusttheleastmiteofagroanthatlasttimeyoufetchedhim。Didyouhearit？Anddidyouseethewayhedroppedhisfeettotheroad——justlikehe’dstruckastonewall。Andhe’sgotsavveeenoughtoknowfromnowonthatthatsamestonewallwillbealwaystherereadyforhimtolaminto。”
Whenhepartedfromherthatafternoon，atthegateoftheroadthatledtoBerkeley，hedrewofftotheedgeoftheinterveningclumpoftrees，where，unobserved，hewatchedheroutofsight。Then，turningtoridebackintoOakland，athoughtcametohimthatmadehimgrinruefullyashemuttered:”Andnowit’suptometomakegoodandbuythatblamedquarry。Nothinglessthanthatcangivemeanexcuseforsnoopingaroundthesehills。”
Butthequarrywasdoomedtopassoutofhisplansforatime，foronthefollowingSundayherodealone。NoDedeonachestnutsorrelcameacrosstheback-roadfromBerkeleythatday，northedayaweeklater。Daylightwasbesidehimselfwithimpatienceandapprehension，thoughintheofficehecontainedhimself。Henotednochangeinher，andstrovetoletnoneshowinhimself。Thesameoldmonotonousroutinewenton，thoughnowitwasirritatingandmaddening。Daylightfoundabigquarrelonhishandswithaworldthatwouldn’tletamanbehavetowardhisstenographerafterthewayofallmenandwomen。Whatwasthegoodofowningmillionsanyway？
hedemandedonedayofthedesk-calendar，asshepassedoutafterreceivinghisdictation。
AsthethirdweekdrewtoacloseandanotherdesolateSundayconfrontedhim，Daylightresolvedtospeak，officeornooffice。Andaswashisnature，hewentsimplyanddirectlytothepointShehadfinishedherworkwithhim，andwasgatheringhernotepadandpencilstogethertodepart，whenhesaid:——”Oh，onethingmore，MissMason，andIhopeyouwon’tmindmybeingfrankandstraightout。You’vestruckmerightalongasasensible-mindedgirl，andIdon’tthinkyou’lltakeoffenceatwhatI’mgoingtosay。Youknowhowlongyou’vebeenintheoffice——it’syears，now，severalofthem，anyway；andyouknowI’vealwaysbeenstraightandaboveboardwithyou。
I’veneverwhatyoucall——presumed。BecauseyouwereinmyofficeI’vetriedtobemorecarefulthanif——ifyouwasn’tinmyoffice——youunderstand。
Butjustthesame，itdon’tmakemeanythelesshuman。I’malonelysortofafellow——don’ttakethatasabidforkindness。WhatImeanbyitistotryandtellyoujusthowmuchthosetworideswithyouhavemeant。
AndnowIhopeyouwon’tmindmyjustaskingwhyyouhaven’tbeenoutridingthelasttwoSundays？”
Hecametoastopandwaited，feelingverywarmandawkward，theperspirationstartingintinybeadsonhisforehead。Shedidnotspeakimmediately，andhesteppedacrosstheroomandraisedthewindowhigher。”Ihavebeenriding，”sheanswered；”inotherdirections。””Butwhy……？”Hefailedsomehowtocompletethequestion。”Goaheadandbefrankwithme，”heurged。”JustasfrankasIamwithyou。Whydidn’tyourideinthePiedmonthills？Ihuntedforyoueverywhere。”Andthatisjustwhy。”Shesmiled，andlookedhimstraightintheeyesforamoment，thendroppedherown。”Surely，youunderstand，Mr。Harnish。”
Heshookhisheadglumly。”Ido，andIdon’t。Iain’tusedtocitywaysbyalongshot。There’sthingsonemustn’tdo，whichIdon’tmindaslongasIdon’twanttodothem。””Butwhenyoudo？”sheaskedquickly。”ThenIdothem。”Hislipshaddrawnfirmlywiththisaffirmationofwill，butthenextinstanthewasamendingthestatement”Thatis，Imostlydo。Butwhatgetsmeisthethingsyoumustn’tdowhenthey’renotwrongandtheywon’thurtanybody——thisriding，forinstance。”
Sheplayednervouslywithapencilforatime，asifdebatingherreply，whilehewaitedpatiently。”Thisriding，”shebegan；”it’snotwhattheycalltherightthing。
Ileaveittoyou。Youknowtheworld。YouareMr。Harnish，themillionaire-””Gambler，”hebrokeinharshlyShenoddedacceptanceofhistermandwenton。”AndI’mastenographerinyouroffice——””You’reathousandtimesbetterthanme——”heattemptedtointerpolate，butwasinturninterrupted。”Itisn’taquestionofsuchthings。It’sasimpleandfairlycommonsituationthatmustbeconsidered。Iworkforyou。Anditisn’twhatyouorImightthink，butwhatotherpersonswillthink。Andyoudon’tneedtobetoldanymoreaboutthat。Youknowyourself。”
Hercool，matter-of-factspeechbeliedher——orsoDaylightthought，lookingatherperturbedfeminineness，attheroundedlinesofherfigure，thebreastthatdeeplyroseandfell，andatthecolorthatwasnowexcitedinhercheeks。”I’msorryIfrightenedyououtofyourfavoritestampingground，”hesaidratheraimlessly。”Youdidn’tfrightenme，”sheretorted，withatouchoffire。”I’mnotasillyseminarygirl。I’vetakencareofmyselfforalongtimenow，andI’vedoneitwithoutbeingfrightened。WeweretogethertwoSundays，andI’msureIwasn’tfrightenedofBob，oryou。Itisn’tthat。Ihavenofearsoftakingcareofmyself，buttheworldinsistsontakingcareofoneaswell。That’sthetrouble。It’swhattheworldwouldhavetosayaboutmeandmyemployermeetingregularlyandridinginthehillsonSundays。It’sfunny，butit’sso。Icouldridewithoneoftheclerkswithoutremark，butwithyou——no。””Buttheworlddon’tknowanddon’tneedtoknow，”hecried。”Whichmakesitworse，inaway，feelingguiltyofnothingandyetsneakingaroundback-roadswithallthefeelingofdoingsomethingwrong。Itwouldbefinerandbraverformepublicly……””Togotolunchwithmeonaweek-day，”Daylightsaid，diviningthedriftofheruncompletedargument。
Shenodded。