VIII。
DAYwaswhiteningontheStetsonshore。Acrosstherivertheairwasstillsharpwiththechillofdawn，andthemistslaylikeflocksofsheepundershelterofrockandcrag。ApeculiarcryradiatedfromtheLewallencabinwithsingularresonanceonthecrispair—themountaincryforstrayingcattle。Asoftlowcamefromadistantpatchoflaurel，andoldJasper’sgirl，Martha，folded。herhandslikeaconchathermouth，andtheshrillcryagainstartledtheair。
Yebettercome，yepiededcow—brute。\"Pickingupacedarpiggin，shesteppedfromtheporchtowardthemeekvoicethathadansweredher。Temperandexertionhadbroughtthequickbloodtoherface。Herheadwasbare，herthickhairwaslooselycoiled，andherbrownarmswerenakedalmosttotheshoulder。Atthestableayoungmountaineerwasoverhaulinghisriding—gear。
Airyougoin’toridethehossto—day，Jas？\"sheasked，querulously。
\"That’sjeswhutIwasaimin’todo。I’ma—goin’totown。\"
Well，I’lowedIwasgoin’tomillto—day。Theco’nis’mos’gone。\"
\"Well，y’u’lowedwrong，\"heanswered，imperturbably。
Y’u’remean，JasLewallen，\"shecried，hotly；\"that’swhutyeair，mean—dog—mean!
Theyoungmountaineerlookedup，whistledsoftly，andlaughed。
Butwhenhebroughthishorsetothedooranhourlatertherewasabagofcornacrossthesaddle。
\"Asyeairsopowerfulsotongoin’tomill，whetherorno，I’llleavethishyehsackatthebendO’theroad，’n’yekingititthar。I’llbringthemealbackefyeputsitinthesameplace。Ihatestoseewomen—folksa—ridin’thishorse。Hitspileshim。\"
Thehorsewasadapple—grayofunusualbeauty，andasthegirlreachedoutherhandtostrokehisthroat，heturnedtonibbleatherarm。
\"Ireckonhe’djesaslievehavemeridehimasyou，Jas，\"shesaid。
\"Me’n’himhavegottobegreatfriends。Yeortern’ttobesostingy。\"
Well，heain’tnohosstobeleftout’nthebreshnow，’n’Ihain’tgoin’
to’lowit。\"
OldJasperhadloungedoutofthekitchendoor，andstoodwithhishugebulkagainstashrinkingpillaroftheporch。Thetwomenweremuchalike。Bothhadthesameblack，threateningbrowsmeetingoverthebridgeofthenose。Akindofgrimhumorlurkedabouttheoldman’smouth，whichtimemighttraceaboutyoungJasper’s。Thegirl’sfacehadnohumor；thesamesquarebrows，apartandclearlymarked，gaveitastrong，seriouscast，andwhileshehadtheLewallenfire，shefavoredhermotherenough，sotheneighborssaid，\"tohaveamightymild，takin’wayaboutherefshewanted。\"
You’reright，Jas，\"theoldmountaineersaid；\"thehossairasin’n’
temptation。Hitdomegoodever’timeIlookathim。Tharairnosechhoss，Itellye，thissideo’thesettlements。\"
Theboystartedaway，andtheoldmanfollowed，andhaltedhimoutofthegirl’shearing。
\"TellEliCrump’n’JimStovertowatchtheBreathittroadclosenow，\"hesaid，inalowvoice。\"SeeallthemcitizensItol’ye，’n’
tell’emtobereadywhenIsaystheword。Thar’snotellin’whut’sgoin’tohappen。\"
YoungJaspernoddedhishead，andstruckhishorseintoagallop。
Theoldmanlightedhispipe，andturnedbacktothehouse。Thegirl，bonnetinhand，wasstartingforthevalley。
\"Tharain’tnousegoin’toGabeBunch’sferyergrist，\"hesaid。\"
ThemillonDeadCrick’sa—runnin’ag’in，’n’Idon’twantyeovertharaxinfavors，speciallyjesnow。\"
\"Ilef’somethin’feryetoeat，dad，\"shereplied，\"efyegitshungrybeforeIgitback。\"
Youheerdme？\"hecalledafterher，knittinghisbrows。
Yes，dad；Iheerdye，\"sheanswered，addingtoherself，\"ButIdon’theedye。\"Intruth，thegirlheedednobody。Itwasnotherwaytoaskconsent，evenherown，nortofollowadvice。Atthebendoftheroadshefoundthebag，andforaninstantshestoodwavering。Animpulseturnedhertotheriver，andsheloosedtheboat，andheadeditacrosstheswift，shallowwaterfromthefordandstraighttowardthemill。Ateverystrokeofherpaddlethewaterroseabovetheprowoftheboat，and，blownintospray，flewbackanddrenchedher；thewindloosedherhair，and，tuggingatherskirts，drapedherlikeastatue；andshefoughtthem，windandwater，withmouthsetandasmileinhereyes。Onesharpstrugglestill，wherethecreekleapedintofreedom；themouthgrewalittlefirmer，theeyeslaughedmore，thekeelgratedonpebbles，andtheboatranitsnoseintothewitheredsedgeontheStetsonshore。
Atallgrayfigurewaspouringgrainintothehopperwhenshereachedthedoorofthemill。Shestoppedabruptly，RomeStetsonturned，andagainthetwowerefacetoface。Nogreetingpassed。
Thegirlliftedherheadwithalittletossthatdeepenedthesetlookaboutthemountaineer’smouth；herlaxfiguregrewtenseasthoughstrungsuddenlyagainstsomecomingharm，andhereyessearchedtheshadowswithoutoncerestingonhim。
Whar’sUncleGabe？\"Shespokeshortly，andastoastranger。
Gonetotown，\"saidRome，composedly。Hehadschooledhimselfforthismeeting。
When’shecomm’back？
Not’forenight，Ireckon。\"
Whar’sIsom？
Isom’ssick。\"
Well，who’stendin’thismill？
Foranswerhetossedtheemptybagintothecornerand，withoutlookingather，pickedupanotherbag。
\"Ireckonyeseeme，don’tye？\"heasked，coolly。\"Hevacheer，andrestaspell。Hit’sapurtylongclimbwharyoucomefrom。\"
Thegirlwasconfused。Shestayedinthedoorway，alittlehelplessandsuspicious。WhatwasRomeStetsondoinghere？Hismasteryofthesituation，hiseasyconfidence，puzzledandirritatedher。
Shouldsheleave？ThemountaineerwasaStetson，awormtotreadonifitcrawledacrossthepath。Itwouldbelikebackingdownbeforeanenemy。Hemightlaughatheraftershewasgone，and，atthatthought，shesatdowninthechairwithcomposedface，lookingthroughthedooratthetumblingwater，whichbrokewithathousandtintsunderthesun，butablestilltoseeRome，sidewise，ashemovedaboutthehopper，whistlingsoftly。
Onceshelookedaround，fancyingshesawasmileonhissoberface。Theireyescamenearmeeting，andsheturnedquiteaway。
Everseedabodyout’nhishead？
Thegirl’seyesroundedwithastartofsurprise。
Well，it’splumbcur’us。Isom’sbeenthatwaylately。Isom’ssick，yeknow。UncleGabe’sgottherheumatiz，’n’Isom’smightyfondo’
UncleGabe，’n’theboypesteredmetillIcomedowntohe’phim。
Hitp’int’lyairstrangetohearhimtalkin’。He’sjesa—ravin’’bouthell’n’heaven，’n’thesino’killin’folks。You’dha’thoughthehedbeenconvicted，thoughnoneo’ourfamblyhevbeenmuchatterreligion。Hesaysashowthewrathuvalivin’Godisa—goin’tosweepthesemountins，efsomemightytallrepentin’hain’tdone。
Ofco’sehegotallthemnotionsfromGabe。ButIsomal’ayswasquar，’n’seedthingshisself。Heain’tnofool!\"
Thegirlwaslistening。Morbidlysensitivetothesupernatural，shehadturnedtowardhim，andherfacewasrelaxedwithfearandawe。
\"He’shavin’dreams’n’sech—likenow，’n’Ireckonthar’snothinghe’sseedorheerdthathedon’talkabout。He’sbeena—goin’onaboutyou，\"headded，abruptly。Thegirl’shandsgaveanervoustwitch。\"Oh，hedon’tsaynothin’ag’in’ye。Ireckonhetukafancytoye。Mamwasplumbdistracted，notknowin’wharhehadseedye。Shethoughtitwaslikehisothertalk，’n’Ineverleton—a—knowin’howmamwas。\"Aflushroselikeaflamefromthegirl’sthroattoherhair。\"Buthit’sthis，\"Romewentoninanunsteadytone，\"thathetalksmostabout，’n’I’msorrymyselfthattrouble’sa—comm’。\"Hedroppedallpretencenow。\"I’vebeena—watchin’feryeovertharont’othershoreagooddeallately。I
didn’tknowyeatfust，Marthy\"—hespokehernameforthefirsttime—’’n’Gabesaysy’udidn’tknowme。Irememberedye，though，’n’IwanttotellyenowwhatItol’yethen：I’vegotnothin’ag’inyou。Iwashopin’yemoughtcomeoverag’in—hitwassortercur’usthaty’uwasthesamegal—thesamegal—\"
Hisself—controllefthim；hewashaltinginspeech，andblunderinghedidnotknowwhere。Fumblinganemptybagatthehopper，hehadnotdaredtolookatthegirltillheheardhermove。Shehadrisen，andwaspickingupherbag。Thehardantagonismofherfacecalmedhiminstantly。
Hain’tyegoin’tohaveyergristground？
Nothyeh，\"sheanswered，quickly。
\"Why，gal\"Hegotnofurther。Marthawasgone，andhefollowedhertothebank，bewildered。
Thegirl’ssuspicion，lulledbyhisplausibleexplanation，hadgrownsharpagain。Themountaineerknewthatshehadbeencomingthere。Hewasatthemillforanotherreasonthantotaketheboy’splace；andwithswiftin—tuitionshesawthetruth。
Hegotangryassherodeaway—angrywithhimselfthathehadlethergo；andthesamehalf—tender，half—brutalimpulseseizedhimaswhenhesawherfirst。Thistimeheyielded。Hishorsewasathand，andtherivernotfarbelowwasnarrow。Thebridle—paththatledtotheLewallencabinswervedatoneplacetoacliffoverlookingtheriver，andbyhardridingandaclimbofafewhundredfeetonfoothecouldovertakeherhalf—wayupthemountainsteep。
Theplanwasnomorethanshapedbeforehewasinthesaddleandgallopingdowntheriver。Thesetofhisfacechangedhardlyalinewhileheswamthestream，and，drenchedtothewaist，scaledthecliff。Whenhereachedthespot，hefoundtheprintsofawoman’sshoeinthedustofthepath，goingdown。Therewerenonereturning，andhehadnotlongtowait。Ascarletbitofcolorsoonflashedthroughthegraybushesbelowhim。Thegirlwaswithoutherbagofcorn。Shewasclimbingslowly，andwaslookingatthegroundasthoughindeepthought。Recklessasshewas，shehadcometorealizeatlastjustwhatshehaddone。Shehadbeenpleasedatfirst，aswouldhavebeenanywoman，whenshesawthebigmountaineerwatchingher，forherlifewaslonely。Shehadwavedherbonnetathimfrommeremischief。Shehardlyknewitherself，butshehadgoneacrosstherivertofindoutwhohewas。
Shehadshrunkfromhimasfromasnakethereafter，andhadgonenomoreuntiloldJasperhadsentherbecausetheLewallenmillwasbroken，andbecauseshewasawoman，andwouldbesafefromharm。Shehadmethimthenwhenshecouldnothelpherself。Butnowshehadgoneofherownaccord。ShehadgiventhisStetson，abitterenemy，achancetoseeher，totalkwithher。
Shehadlistenedtohim；shehadbeenonthepointoflettinghimgrindhercorn。Andheknewhowoftenshehadgonetothemill，andhecouldnotknowthatshehadeverbeensent。Perhapshethoughtthatshehadcometomakeoverturesofpeace，friendship，evenmore。Thesuspicionreddenedherfacewithshame，andherangerathimwasturneduponherself。Whyshehadgoneagainthatdayshehardlyknew。Butiftherewasanotherreasonthansimpleperversity，itwasthememoryofRomeStetson’sfacewhenhecaughtherboatandspoketoherinawayshecouldnotanswer。
Theangerofthemomentcamewitheverythoughtoftheincidentafterward，andwithitcametoothismemoryofhislook，whichmadeheratoncedefiantanduneasy。Shesawhimnowonlywhenshewasquiteclose，and，startled，shestoodstill；hissternlookbroughtherthesamedisquiet，butshegavenosignoffear。
Whut’sthematterwithye？
Thequestionwastooabrupt，toosavage，andthegirllookedstraightathim，andherlipstightenedwitharesolutionnottospeak。Themovementputhimbeyondcontrol。
\"Y’uputshellintome，MarthyLewallen；y’uputsdownrighthellintome。\"Thewordscamebetweengrittedteeth。\"Iwanttotakeyeup’n’throwyeoffthiscliffcleanintotheriver，’n’IreckonthenextminuteI’djumpoffatterye。Y’u’ve’witchedme，gal!Iforgitswhoyeair’n’whoIbe，’n’sometimesIwanttocomeoverhyeh’n’
kerryyeout’nthesemountins，n’nuvercomeback。YouknowwhutI’vebeenwatchin’theriverfersencethefusttimeIseedye。
YouknowwhutI’vebeena—stayin’atthemillfer，’n’Stevemad’n’
mama—jowerin’—’n’a—lookin’overhyehferyenight’n’day!Y’uknowwhutI’vejesswumoverhyehfer!Whut’sthematterwithye？\"
Marthawasnotlookingforaconfessionlikethis。Ittookawayhershameatonce，andthepassionofitthrilledher，andlefthertrembling。Whilehespokeherlashesdroopedquickly，herfacesoftened，andthecolorcamebacktoit。Shebeganintertwiningherfingers，andwouldnotlookupathim。
Efy’uhatesmeliketherestuvye，whydon’tyesayitrightout？
’N’efyedohateme，whuthevyoubeenlookin’’crosstheriverfer，’n’a—shakin’yerbonnetatme，’n’paddlin’toGabe’sferyergrist，whenthemillonDeadCrick’sbeena—runnin’，’n’Iknowit？You’vebeenbanterin’me，hevye？\"—thebloodrosetohiseyesagain。\"Yemustn’tfoolwithme，gal，by，yemustn’t。Whuthevyoubeengoin’overtharfer？\"Heeventookathreateningsteptowardher，and，withahelplessgesture，stopped。Thegirlwasalittlefrightened。Indeed，shesmiled，seeingherpoweroverhim；sheseemedevenabouttolaughoutright；butthesmileturnedtoaquicklookofalarm，andshebentherheadsuddenlytolistentosomethingbelow。Atlastshedidspeak。\"Somebody’scomm’!\"
shesaid。\"You’dbettergitoutO’theway，\"shewenton，hurriedly。\"Somebody’scomm’，Itellye!Don’tyehear？
Itwasnorusetogetridofhim。Thegirl’seyesweredilating。
Somethingwascomingfarbelow。Romecouldcatchthefaintbeatsofahorse’shoofs。Hewasunarmed，andheknewitwasdeathforhimtobeseenonthatforbiddenmountain；buthewasbeyondcaution，andreadytowelcomeanyventtohispassion，andhemerelyshookhishead。
Efit’sSatanhisself，Ihain’tgoin’torun。\"Thehoof—beatscamenearer。Theridermustsoonseethemfromthecoilbelow。
Rome，hit’sJas!He’sgothisrifle，andhe’llkillye，’n’metoo!\"
Thegirlwaswhitewithdistress。Shehadcalledhimbyhisname，andthetonewasofappeal，notanger。Theblacklookpassedfromhisface，andhecaughtherbytheshoulderswithroughtenderness；
butshepushedhimaway，andwithoutawordhesprangfromtheroadandlethimselfnoiselesslydownthecliff。Thehoof—beatsthunderedabovehishead，andYoungJasper’svoicehailedMartha。
Thishyeh’sthebigges’mealIeverstraddled。Whyd’n’tyegitthegristground？\"
Foramomentthegirldidnotanswer，andRomewaited，breathless。\"Wasn’tthemillrunnin’？Whyn’tyegoon’crosstheriver？
That’swhutIdid，\"saidthegirl，quietly。UncleGabewasn’tthar，’n’
RomeStetsonwas。Iwouldn’t’lowhimtogrin’theco’n，’n’soI
totedhitback。\"
RomeStetson!\"Thevoicewaslostinavolleyofoaths。
Thetwopassedoutofhearing，andRomewentplungingdownthemountain，swingingrecklesslyfromonelittletreetoanother，andwrenchinglimbsfromtheirsocketsoutofpurephysicalecstasy。
Whenhereachedhishorsehesatdown，breathingheavily，onabedofmoss，withastrangenewyearninginhisheart。Ifpeaceshouldcome!Whynotpeace，ifRufeshouldnotcomeback？Hewouldbetheleaderthen，andwithouthimtherecouldbenowar。
OldJasperhadkilledhisfather。Hewastooyoungatthetimetofeelpoignantsorrownow，andsomehowhecouldlookevenatthatdeathinafairerway。HisfatherhadkilledoldJasper’sbrother。
Soitwentback：aLewallenkilledaStetson；thatStetsonhadkilledaLewallen，untiloneendofthechainofdeathswaslost，andthefirstfaultcouldnotbeplaced，thougheachclanputitontheother。Ineverygenerationtherehadbeencompromises—
periodsofpeace；whynotnow？OldGabewouldgladlyhelphim。
HemightmakefriendswithyoungJasper；hemightevenendthefeud。Andthen—heandMartha—whynot？Heclosedhiseyes，andforoneradiantmomenttallseemedpossible。Andthenagauntimageroseinthedream，andonlytheimagewasleft。Itwasthefigureofhismother，sternandsilentthroughtheyears，openinghergrimlipsrarelywithoutsomecurseagainsttheLewallenrace。
Herememberedshehadsmiledforthefirsttimewhensheheardofthenewtrouble—theflightofhisuncleandthehopeofconflict。
Shehadturnedtohimwithhereyesonfireandheroldhandsclinched。Shehadsaidnothing，butheunderstoodherlook。Andnow—GoodGod!whatwouldshethinkandsayifshecouldknowwhathehaddone？Hiswholeframetwitchedatthethought，and，withanervousspringtoescapeit，hewasonhisfeet，andstartingdownthemountain。
Closetotheriverheheardvoicesbelowhim，andheturnedhishorsequicklyasideintothebushes。Twowomenwhohadbeenwashingclothespassed，carryingwhitebundleshome。Theyweretalkingofthecomingfeud。
\"ThataryoungStetsonain’tmuchlikehisdad，\"saidone。\"YoungJashasbeena—darin’’n’a—banterin’him，’n’hewon’ttakeitup。Theysayheairturnin’outaplumbcoward。\"
WhenhereachedtheStetsoncabinthreehorseswithdroopingheadswerehitchedtothefence。Allhadtravelledalongway。
Oneworeaman’ssaddle；ontheotherswerethickblanketstiedtogetherwithleathernthongs。
Inthedarkporchsatseveralmen。Throughthekitchendoorhecouldseehismothergettingsupper。Insideadozenriflesleanedagainstthewallinthefirelight，andabouttheirbuttswasapileofammunition。InthedoorwaystoodRufeStetson。
IX
ALLweresmokingandsilent。SeveralspokefromtheshadowsasRomesteppedontheporch，andRufeStetsonfacedhimamomentinthedoorway，andlaughed。
Seemkinders’prised？\"hesaid，withasearchinglook。\"Wasn’tlookin’forme？IreckonI’lls’prisesev’ralefIhevgood—luck。\"
Thesubtletyofthissentachuckleofappreciationthroughtheporch，butRomepassedinwithoutanswer。
Isomlayonhisbedwithinthecircleoflight，andhisfaceinthebrilliantglowwaswhite，andhiseyesshonefeverishly。\"Rome，\"
hesaid，excitedly，\"UncleRufe’shyeh，’n’theylaywayedhim，’n’____\"Hepausedabruptly。Hismothercamein，andathercallthemountaineerstroopedthroughthecoveredporch，andsatdowntosupperinthekitchen。Theyatehastilyandinsilence，themotherattendingtheirwants，andRomehelpingher。Themealfinished，theydrewtheirchairsaboutthefire。Pipeswerelighted，andRufeStetsonroseandclosedthedoor。
Thar’snouseharryin’theboy，\"hesaid；\"Ireckonhe’llbetoopunytotakeahand。\"
Themotherstoppedclearingthetable，andsatontherockhearthclosetothefire，herwitheredlipsshuttightaboutalightedpipe，andhersunkeneyesglowinglikethecoaloffireinitsblackbowl。
Nowandthenshewouldstretchherknottedhandsnervouslyintotheflames，orknitthemaboutherknees，lookingcloselyattheheavyfacesabouther，whichhadlightenedalittlewithexpectancy。RufeStetsonstoodbeforetheblaze，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，andhishugefigurebentinreflection。Atintervalshewouldlookwithhalf—shuteyesatRome，whoSatwithtroubledfaceoutsidethefirelight。AcrossthekneesofSteveMarcum，thebestmarksmaninthemountains，laythebarrelofanewWinchester。OldSamDay，Rufe’sfather—in—lawandcounsellortotheStetsonsforascoreofyears，satasifasleepontheoppositesideofthefireplacefromtheoldmother，withhisbigsquareheadpresseddownbetweenhismisshapenshoulders。
\"Thetimehevcome，Rome。\"Rufespokebetweenthepuffsofhispipe，andRome’sheartquickened，foreveryeyewasuponhim。
Thar’sgoin’tobetroublenow。IhearashowyoungJasperhevbeentalkin’purtytallaboutye—’lowin’ashowyeairafeardO’him。\"
Romefelthismother’sburninglook。HedidnotturntowardhernorRufe，buthisfacegrewsullen，andhisvoicewaslowandharsh。\"Ireckonhe’llfindoutaboutthatwhenthetimecomes，\"hesaid，quietly—tooquietly，fortheoldmotherstirreduneasily，andsignificantglanceswentfromeyetoeye。Rufedidnotlookupfromthefloor。HehadbeentoldaboutRome’speculiarconduct，and，whilethereasonforitwasbeyondguessing，heknewthetemperoftheboyandhowtokindleit。Hehadthrustathorninatenderspot，andheletitrankle。Howsorelyitdidranklehelittleknew。ThevoiceofthewomanacrosstheriverwasstillinRome5
ears。Nothingcutsthemountaineertothequicklikethenameofcoward。Itstunghimlikethelashofanox—whipthen；itsmartedallthewayacrosstheriverandupthemountain。YoungJasperhadbeencharginghimbroadcastwithcowardice，andJasper’speoplenodoubtbelievedit。Perhapshisowndid—hisuncle，hismother。Thebarechanceofsuchahumiliationsetupaninwardrage。Hewonderedhowhecouldeverhavebeensuchafoolastothinkofpeace。Thewoman’sgossiphadsweptkindlyimpulsesfromhisheartwithafreshtideofbitterness，and，helplessnowagainstitscurrent，hesullenlygaveway，andlethispassionsloosetodriftwithit。
\"Whard’yegittheguns，Rufe？\"StevewastestingtheactionoftheWinchesterwithakindlinglook，astheclickofthelocksstrucksoftlythroughthesilence。
\"Jackson；’wayupinBreathitt，attheeendofthenewroad。\"
\"Nowondery’u’vebeengonesolong。\"
\"Ihadtowaittharfertheguns，’n’Ihadtotravelatterdarkcomm’
back，’n’layout’nthebreshbyday。Hit’sfulleightymileupthar。\"
\"Airyeshorenobodyseedye？\"
ThequestionwasfromaMarcum，whohadcomeinlate，andseverallaughed。Rufethrewbackhisdustycoat，whichwasrippedthroughthelapelbyabullet。
Theyseedmewell’noughferthat，\"hesaid，grimly，andthenhelookedtowardRome，whothoughtofoldJasper，andgavebackagleamoffiercesympathy。Therewereseveralnodsofapprovalalongwiththelaughthatfollowed。Itwasasurprise—solittleconsiderationofanescapesonarrow—fromRufe；for，asoldGabesaid，Rufewasbigandgood—natured，andwasnotthoughtfitforleadership。ButtherewasachangeinhimwhenhecamebackfromtheWest。Hewasquieter；helaughedlessNoonespokeofthedifference；itwastoovague；buteveryonefeltit，andithadaneffect。Hisflighthadmademanyuneasy，buthisreturn，forthatreason，broughtastancherfealtyfromthese；andthiswasevidentnow。Alleyeswereuponhim，andalltongues，evenoldSam’s，waitednowforhistospeak。
\"Whutwe’vegottodo，we’vegottodomightyquick，\"hebegan，atlast。\"Thingsairchangin’。IseeditovertharinBreathitt。Thesoldiers’n’thatscar—facedJellicopreacherhevbrokeupthefightin’
overthar，’n’efwedon’twatchout，they’llbea—doin’ithyeh，whenwestartourleetlefrolic。Wehain’tgotnotimetofool。OldJasknowsthisaswellasme，’n’thar’sgoin’tobemightyleetlechancefer’emtolayway’n’pickusofffromthebresh。Thar’sgoin’tobefa’rfightin’feronce，thanktheLord。Theybushwhackedusdunn’
thewar，’n’they’velaywayedus’n’shotustopieceseversence；butnow，efGodA’mighty’swillin’，thething’sa—goin’tobesettledonewayort’otheratlast，Ireckon。\"
Hestoppedamomenttothink。Themen’sbreathingcouldbeheard，soquietwastheroom，andRufewentontellingindetail，slowly，asiftohimself，thewrongstheLewallenshaddonehispeople。WhenhecametooldJasperhisvoicewaslow，andhismannerwasquieterthanever。
\"NowoldJashavegottothep’intwharhesaysashownobodyinthiscountykinundersellhim’n’stayhyeh。OldJasdruvBondVickersout’nthemount’insfertryin’hit。HedruvJessHaleaway；
’n’themtwoairourkin。\"
Thebigmountaineerturnedthen，andknockedtheashesfromhispipe。Hiseyesgrewalittlebrighter，andhisnostrilsspread，butwithasweepofhisarmheadded，stillquietly：
\"Y’allknowwhuthe’sdone。\"
Thegesturelightedmemoriesofpersonalwrongsineverybreast；
hehadtossedafire—brandamongfagots，andanangrylightbegantoburnfromtheeyesthatwatchedhim。
\"Yeknow，too，thathethinkshehasplayedthesamegamewithme；butyedon’tknow，Ireckon，thathehadoleJimStover’n’thatmis’—ableEliCrumpa—hidin’inthebushestoshootme\"—againhegraspedthetornlapel；\"thatabodywarnedmetogitawayfromHazlan；n’thenightIlefthometheycomethartokillme，’n’
s’archedthehouse，’n’skeeredMollien’theleetlegal’mosttodeath。\"
Themountaineer’sself—controlwaslostsuddenlyinafuriousoath。
Themendidknow，butinfreshangertheyleanedforwardintheirchairs，andtwistedaboutwithsmotheredcurses。Theoldwomanhadstoppedsmoking，andwasrockingherbodytoandfro。Herlipsweredrawninuponhertoothlessgums，andherpipewasclinchedagainsthersunkenbreast。Theheadoftheoldmountaineerwaslifted，andhiseyeswereopenandshiningfiercely。
\"IhearashowhesaysI’mgonefergood。Well，Ihavebeenkindereasy—goin’，hatin’tofight，butsencethedayIseedRome’sdadthardeadinhisblood，IhevhadjesonethingIwantedtodo。Tharwasn’tnousestayin’hyeh；Iseedthat。Rometharwastooleetle，andtheywastoomanyferme。IknoweditwaseasiertogitanewstartoutWest，’n’whenIcomebacktothemount’in，hitwastodojes—whutI’m—going—to—do—now。\"HewheeledsuddenlyuponRome，withonehugehandlifted。Underittheoldwoman’svoiceroseinasuddenwail：
Yes；’n’IwanttoseeitdonebefohIdie。Ihain’thyehferlong，butI
hain’tgoin’toleaveaslongasoleJasishyeh，’n’Iwantyealltoknowit。OleJashevgottogofust。Youhearme，Rome？I’ma—talkin’toyou；I’ma—talkin’toyou。Hit’syo’timenow!
ThefrenziedchantraisedRomefromhischair。Rufehimselftookupthespiritofit，andhisvoicewasaboveallcaution。
\"Yes，Rome!Theykilledhim，boy。Theysneakedonhim，’n’shothimtopiecesfromthebushes。Yes；hit’syo’timenow!Lookhyeh，boys!\"Hereachedabovethefireplaceandtookdownanoldrifle—hisbrother’s—whichtheoldmotherhadsufferednoonetotouch。Hehelditbeforethefire，pointingtotwocrossesmadeneartheflash—pan。\"Thar’soneferoleJimLewallen!Thar’soneferoleJas!HegotJim，butoleJashasgothim，’n’thar’shiscrosstharyit!Whar’syo’gun，Rome？Shameonye，boy!\"
Thewild—eyedoldwomanwasbeforehim。ShehaddivinedRufe’spurpose，andwasalreadyathisside，withRome’sWinchesterinonehandandaclasp—knifeintheother。Everymanwasonhisfeet；thedoorwasopen，andtheboyIsomwasatthethreshold，hiseyesblazingfromhiswhitcface。Romehadstrodeforward。
Yes，boy；now’sthetime，righthyehbeforeusall!
Themotherhadtheknifeoutstretched。Rometookit，andthescratchofthepointonthehardsteelwenttwicethroughthestillness—onemorefertheyoungun\"；thevoicewastheoldmother’s—thentwiceagain。
ThemoonwassinkingwhenRomestoodinthedooralone。Thetrampofhorseswasgrowingfainterdownthemountain。Thetreeswereswayinginthewindbelowhim，andhecouldjustseethegraycliffsontheothershore。Themorningseemedfaraway；itmadehimdizzylookingbacktoitthroughthetumultoftheday。
Somewhereinthehazewasthevisionofagirl’swhiteface—whitewithdistressforhim。Herfatherandherbrotherhehadsworntokill。Hehadmadeacrossforeach，andeachcrosswasanoath。
Heclosedthedoor；andthenhegaveway，andsatdownwithhisheadinbothhands。Thenoisesinthekitchenceased。Thefirediedaway，andthechillairgatheredabouthim。Whenherose，therestlesseyesoftheboywereuponhimfromtheshadows。
X
ITwascourt—dayinHazlan，butsoearlyinthemorningnothingwasastirinthetownthathintedofitslifeonsuchaday。Butfortheringofablacksmith’sanvilonthequietair，andthefactthatnowherewasachurch—spirevisible，astrangerwouldhavethoughtthatthepeaceofSabbathoverlayavillageofGod—fearingpeople。
Aburlyfigureloungedintheporchofaricketyhouse，andyawnedunderaswingingsign，therudelettersofwhichpromised\"privateentertainment\"forthetravellerunluckyenoughtopassthatway。
Intheonelong，narrowmainstreet，closelyflankedbylogandframedhouses，nothingelsehumanwasinsight。Outfromthisstreet，andinanemptysquare，stoodtheonebrickbuildingintheplace，thecourt—house，brickwithout，brickwithin；unfinished，unpencilled，unpainted；panesoutofthewindows，ashutteroffhereandthere，orswingingdrunkenlyononehinge；thedoorwideopen，asthoughtherewasnoprivacywithin—apoorstructure，withthelookofagoodmangoneshiftlessandfastgoingwrong。
Soontwoorthreelankbrownfiguresappearedfromeachdirectiononfoot；thenahorsemanortwo，andbyandbymountaineerscameingroups，onhorseandonfoot。Intimethesidealleysandthecourt—housesquarewerefilledwithhorsesandmules，andevensteers。Themountaineerscrowdedthenarrowstreet：idlingfromsidetoside；squattingforabargainonthewoodensidewalks；
groupingontheporchofthericketyhotel，andonthecourt—housestepsloiteringinandoutoftheonestoreinsight。Outinthestreetseveralstoodaboutahorse，lookingathisteeth，holdinghiseyestothesun，punchinghisribs，twistinghistail；whilethephlegmaticownersatastridethesubmissivebeast，andspokeshortanswerstorarequestions。Everybodytalkedpolitics，thecropfailure，orthelastfightattheseatofsomeprivatewar；butnobodyspokeofaLewallenoraStetsonunlessheknewhislistener’sheart，andsaiditinawhisper。Fornobodyknewwhenthepowderwouldflash，orwhohadtakensides，orthatacarelesswordmightnotarrayhimwithoneortheotherfaction。
Amotleythrongitwas—inbrownorgrayhomespun，withtrousersincowhideboots，andslouchedhatswithbrimscurvedaccordingtotemperament，butwithstrikingfiguresinit；thepatriarchwithlong，whitehair，shornevenwiththebaseoftheneck，andbeardedonlyatthethroat—ajusticeofthepeace，andthesageofhisdistrict；
alittlemountaineerwithcurlingblackhairandbeard，anddark，finefeatures；agrizzledgiantwithaheadruggedenoughtohavebeencarelesslychippedfromstone；abraggingcandidateclaimingeverybody’snotice；asquare—shoulderedfellowsurgingthroughthecrowdlikeastranger；anopen—faced，devil—may—careyounggallantonfirewithmoonshine；askulkingfigurewithbrutishmouthandshiftingeyes。Indeed，everyfigureseemeddistinct；for，livingapartfromhisneighbor，andtroublingthelawbutlittleinsmallmattersofdispute，themountaineerpreservesindependence，andkeepstheedgesofhisindividualityunworn。Apparentlytherewasnotawomanintown。Thosethatlivedtherekepthoused，andthefactwassignificant。Still，itwasclosetonoon，andyetnotaStetsonoraLewallenhadbeenseen。ThestoresofRufeandoldJasperwereattheextremitiesofthetown，andthecrowddidnotmovethoseways。Itwaitedinthecentre，andwhettedimpatiencebyslytripsintwosandthreetostablesorsidealleysfor\"mountaindew。\"Nowandthenthesheriff，alittlemanwithamightyvoice，wouldappearonthecourthousesteps，andsummonawitnesstocourt，whereafrightenedjudgegaveinstructionstoafrightenedjury。Butfewwent，unlesscalled；fortheinterestwasoutside；
everymaninthestreetsknewthatastormwasnigh，andwaswaitingtoseeitburst。
Noonpassed。Ahoarsebellandawhininghoundhadannounceddinnerinthehotel。Theguestswerecomingagainintothestreets。
Eyeswerebrighter，facesalittlemoreflushed，andthe\"moonshine\"waspassedmoreopenly。Bothwaysthecrowdwatchedclosely。Thequietateachendofthestreetwasominous，andthedelaycouldlastbutlittlelonger。Thelookers—onthemselvesweregettingquarrelsome。Theventmustcomesoon，oramongthemtherewouldbetrouble。
TharcomesJasLewallen!\"Atlast。Adozenvoicesspokeatonce。AhorsemanhadappearedfardownthestreetfromtheLewallenend。Thecloudsbrokefromaboutthesun，andadozenmenknewthehorsethatborehim；forthegraywasprancingthestreetsidewise，andthrowingthesunlightfromhisflanks。Nobodyfollowed，andthecrowdwaspuzzled。YoungJaspercarriedaWinchesteracrosshissaddle—bow，and，swayingwiththeactionofhishorse，cameon。
\"Whatairheabout？\"
\"He’saplumbidgit。\"
Hemus’becrazy。\"
He’sdrunk!
Thewonderceased。YoungJasperwasreeling。TwoorthreeStetsonsslippedfromthecrowd，andtherewasagallopingofhoofstheotherway。AnotherhorsemanappearedfromtheLewallenend，ridinghastily。Thenew—comer’serrandwastocallJasperback。Buttheyoungdare—devilwasclosetothecrowd，andwasswingingabottleoverhishead。
Comebackhyeh，Jas!Comehyeh!\"Thenew—comerwasshoutingafaroffwhilehegalloped。Horseswerebeinguntetheredfromthesidealleys。SeveralmoreLewallenriderscameinsight。Theycouldseethegrayshininginthesunlightamidthecrowd，andthemansentafterhimhaltedatasafedistance，gesticulating；andthey，too，spurredforward。
Hello，boys!\"youngJasperwascallingout，asheswayedfromsidetoside，thepeopleeverywheregivinghimway。
\"Funto—day，by—!funto—day!Who’llhevadrink？Hyeh’shelltotheStetsons，wharsomeof’em’11beaforenight!
Withaswaggerheliftedthebottletohislips，and，stoppingshort，letitfalluntouchedtotheground。Hehadstraightenedinhissaddle，andwaslookingupthestreet。WithadeepcursehethrewtheWinchestertohisshoulder，fired，andbeforehisyellhaddiedonhislipshorseandriderwereawaylikeashaftoflight。Thecrowdmeltedlikemagicfromthestreet。TheStetsons，chieflyonfoot，didnotreturnthefire，buthaltedupthestreet，asifparleying。
YoungJasperjoinedhisparty，andthey，too，stoodstillamoment，puzzledbytheirresolutionoftheotherside。
\"Watchout!they’regittin’roundye!Runforthecourt—house，yefools!—ye，run!\"Thevoicecameinaloudyellfromsomewheredownthestreet，anditswarningwasjustintime。
Awreathofsmokecameaboutacornerofthehousefardownthestreet，andyoungJasperyelled，anddashedupasidealleywithhisfollowers。Amomentlaterjudge，jury，witnesses，andsheriffwereflyingdownthecourt—housestepsatthepointofLewallenguns；
theLewallenhorses，ledbythegray，weresnortingthroughthestreets；theirriders，barricadedintheforsakencourt—house，werepuffingastreamoffireandsmokefromeverywindowofcourt—roombelowandjury—roomabove。
Thestreetswereabedlam。TheStetsonswereyellingwithtriumph。TheLewallensweredivided，andRufeplacedthreeStetsonswithWinchestersoneachsideofthecourthouse，andkeptthemfiring。Rome，paleandstern，hidhisforcebetweenthesquareandtheLewallenstore。Hewasnonetooquick。Therestwerecomingon，ledbyoldJasper。Itwasreckless，ridingthatwayrightintodeath；buttheoldmanbelievedyoungJasper’slifeatstake，andthemenbehindaskednoquestionswhenoldJasperledthem。Thehorses’hoofsbeatthedirtstreetlikethecrescendoofthunder。Thefierceoldman’shatwasgone，andhismane—likehairwasshakinginthewind。Louder—andstilltheStetsonswerequiet—quiettoolong。Thewilyoldmansawthetrap，and，withayell，whirledthecolumnupanalley，eachmanflatteningoverhissaddle。Fromeverywindow，frombehindeverycornerandtree，smokebelchedfromthemouthofaWinchester。Twohorseswentdown；onescreamed；theotherstruggledtohisfeet，andlimpedawaywithanemptysaddle。Onepfthefallenmensprangintosafetybehindahouse，andonelaystill，withhisarmsstretchedoutandhisfaceinthedust。
Frombehindbarn，house，andfencetheLewallensgavebackascatteringfire；buttheStetsonscreptcloser，andwereplainlyingreaternumbers。OldJasperwasbeingsurrounded，andhemountedagain，andall，followedbyachorusofbulletsandtriumphantyells，fledforawoodedslopeintherearofthecourt—house。AdozenLewallenswereprisoners，andmustgiveuporstarve。TherewassavagejoyintheStetsoncrowd，andmany—footedrumorwentallwaysthatnight。
DespitesicknessandRome’sstrictorder，Isomhadriddendowntothemill。Standinginthedoorway，heandoldGabesawuptheriver，wherethewaterbrokeintofoamovertheford，ariderlessgrayhorseplungingacross。LateritneighedatagateunderWolf’sHead，andMarthaLewallenranouttomeetit。AcrossunderThunderstruckKnobthatnighttheoldStetsonmotherlistenedtoIsom’sstoryofthefightwithghastlyjoyinherdeath—markedface。
XI
ALLnightthecourt—housewasguardedandonguard。AtonecornerofthesquareRufeStetson，withafewmen，satonwatchinoldSamDay’scabin—thefortressofthetown，builtforsuchapurpose，andusedforitmanytimesbefore。Theprisoners，too，werealert，andnoStetsonventuredintotheopensquare，forthemoonwashigh；anexposureanywherewasnotedinstantlybythewhistleofarifle—ball，andthemountaineertakesfewrisksexceptunderstressofdrinkorpassion。RomeStetsonhadplacedpicketsaboutthetownwhereversurprisewaspossible。AllnighthepatrolledthestreetstokeephismeninsuchreadinessashecouldfortheattackthattheLewallenswouldsurelymaketorescuetheirlivingfriendsandtoavengethedeadones。
Butthetriumphwastoogreatandunexpected。TwoBraytonsweredead；severalmorewereprisonerswithyoungJasperinthecourthouse；anddrinkingbegan。
AsthenightdeepenedwithoutattacktheStetsonsdrankmore，andgrewreckless。Adancewasstarted。Musicand\"moonshine\"weregiventoeverymanwhoboreaWinchester。Thenightwasbrokenwithdrunkenyells，therandomdischargeoffire—arms，andthemono—toneofheavyfeet。Thetwoleaderswerehelpless，andtheinactionoftheLewallenspuzzledthem。Chafedwithanxiety，theykepttheireyesonthecourt—houseoronthethicketofgloomwheretheirenemieslay。Butthewoodswereasquietasthepallofshadowsoverthem。OnceRome，makinghisrounds，sawafigurecrawlingthroughafieldofcorn。ItlookedlikeCrump’s，butbeforehecouldfirethemanrolledlikeaballdownthebushybanktotheriver。Aninstantlatersomeobjectwentswiftlypastasidestreet—somebodyonhorseback—andapicketfiredanalarm。Thehorsekepton，andRomethrewhisrifleonapatchofmoonlight，butwhentheobjectflashedthrough，hisfingerwasnumbedatthetrigger。Inthemoonlightthehorselookedgray，andtheriderwasseatedsidewise。Abulletfromthecourt—houseclippedhishat—brimasheranrecklesslyacrossthestreettowhereSteveMarcumstoodinthedarkbehindoldSam’scabin。
\"JimHale’llgithimashegoesuptheroad，\"saidSteve，calmly—andthenwithhotimpatience，\"Whythehelldon’theshoot？
Romestartedforwardinthemoonlight，andStevecaughthisarm。
Twobulletshissedfromthecourt—house，andhefellback。
Ashotsoundedfromthebushesfarawayfromtheroad。Thehorsekepton，andsplashedintoTroubledFork，andStevesworebitterly。
\"Hithain’tJim。Hit’sthatmis’ableBudVickers；he’sbeena—standin’guardout’nthebushes’stido’theroad。Thatwasaspy，Itellye，’n’thecowardlethiminandlethimout。They’llknownowwe’realldrunk!Whut’sthematter？
Rome’smouthwashalfopen。Helookedwhiteandsick，andStevethoughthehadbeenhit，buthetookoffhishat。\"Purtyclose!\"hesaid，withalaugh，pointingatthebullet—holethroughthebrim。
Steve，unsuspicious，wenton：\"Hitwasaspy，Itellye。Budwasafeardtostan’intheroad，’n’I’mgoin’outthar’n’twisthisdamnedneck。We’vegot’em，Rome!Itellye，we’vegot’em!Efwekingitthroughthisnight，andgittheboyssoberinthemorning，we’vegot’emshore!\"
Thenightdidpassinsafety，darknessworeawaywithoutattack，andmorningbrokeonthetowninitsdrunkenstupor。ThenthecurioussilenceoftheLewallenswasexplained。TherumorcamethatoldJasperwasdead，anditwentbroadcast。Later，friendscomingtotheedgeofthetownforthebodiesofthedeadLewallensconfirmedit。ArandomballhadpassedthrougholdLewallen’sbodyinthewildflightforthewoods，andduringthenighthehadspenthislastbreathinacurseagainstthemanwhofiredit。
TheneachStetson，wakedfromhisdrunkensleep，drankagainwhenheheardofthedeath。Thedaybadefairtobelikethenight，andagaintheanxietyoftheleaderswasedgedwithfear。OldJasperdeadandyoungJasperaprisoner，thechancewasneartoendthefeud，ortherewouldbenoLewallenlefttoleadtheirenemies。But，again，theywerewellnighhelpless。Alreadytheyhadbarelyenoughmentoguardtheirprisoners。OftheMarcums，StevealonewasabletohandleaWinchester，andoutsidethesoundsofthecarousalwereintheairandgrowinglouder。Inalittlewhile，iftheLewallensbutknewit，escapewouldbeeasyandtheStetsonscouldbedrivenfromthetown。
Oh，theyknowit，\"saidSteve。\"They’llbea—whoopin’downoutO’
themwoodspurtysoon，’n’weregointoketchhell。I’dliketoknowmightywellwhothatspywaslastnight。ThatcussedBudVickerssaysitwasaha’nt，onawhitehoss，withlonghairflyin’inthewind，’n’thatheshotplumbthroughit。Ijus’wishI’dahadachanceatit。\"
Still，nooncameagainwithouttrouble，andtheimprisonedLewallenshadbeentwenty—fourhourswithoutfood。Theirammunitionwasgettingscarce。Thefiringwaslessfrequent，thoughthewatchwasascloseasever，andtwiceaWinchesterhadsoundedasignalofdistress。Allknewthataresponsemustcomesoon；andcomeitdid。Apicket，watchingtheriverroad，sawyoungJasper’shorsecomingalongthedarkbushesfaruptheriver，andbroughtthenewstothegroupstandingbehindoldSam’scabin。Thegraygallopedintosight，and，skirtingthewoods，camestraightforthetown—withawomanonhisback。Thestirrupofaman’ssaddledangledononeside，andthewoman’sbonnethadfallenfromherhead。Someonechallengedher。
Stop，Itellye!Don’tyegonearthatcourthouse!Stop，Itellye!I’llshoot!Stop!\"
Romeranfromthecabinwitharevolverineachhand。AdrunkenmountaineerwasraisingaWinchestertohisshoulder，and，springingfromthebackofthegrayatthecourt—housesteps，wasMarthaLewallen。
\"I’llkillthefustmanthatliftshisfingertohurtthegal，\"Romesaid，knockingthedrunkenman’sgunintheair。\"Wehain’tfightin’
women!\"
Itwastoolatetoopposeher，andthecrowdstoodhelplesslywatching。Noonedaredapproach，so，shieldingwithherbodythespaceoftheopeningdoor，shethrewthesackoffoodwithin。Thenshestoodamomenttalkingand，turning，climbedtohersaddle。
Thegraywasspottedwithfoam，andshowedtheredofhisnostrilswitheverybreathas，withfaceflushedandeyesstraightbeforeher，sherodeslowlytowardthecrowd。Whatwassheabout？
Romestoodrigid，hisforgottenpistolshangingateachside；themouthofthedrunkenmountaineerwasopenwithstupidwonder；
therestfellapartasshecamearoundthecornerofthecabinand，throughthespacegiven，rodeslowly，herskirtalmostbrushingRome，lookingneithertotherightnortotheleft；andwhenshehadgonequitethroughthemall，shewheeledandrode，stillslowly，throughtheopenfieldstowardthewoodswhichshelteredtheLewallens，whilethecrowdstoodinbewilderedsilencelookingafterher。Yellsoflaughtercamefromtheoldcourt—house。
SomeoftheStetsonslaughed，too；someswore，afewgrumbled；
buttherewasnotonewhowasnotstirredbythesuperbdaringofthegirl，thoughshehaduseditonlytoshowhercontempt。
\"Rome，you’reafool；though，ferafac’，wecan’tshootawoman；
’n’anywaysIruthershootherthanthehoss。Butlemmetellye，tharwasmore’nsump’ntoeatinthatbag!Theyairuptosomedodge。\"
RufeStetsonhadwatchedtheincidentthroughaport—holeofthecabin，andhistonewasatoncejestingandanxious。
\"Thatgrubwon’tlastmore’noneday，Ireckon，\"saidthedrunkenmountaineer。We’llwatchoutferthegalnex’time。We’reboun’togit’emonetimeort’other。\"
\"Sheridthroughustofindouthowmanyofuswasn’tdeaddrunk，\"
saidSteveMarcum，stillwatchingthegirlassherodeon，towardthewoods；\"’n’I’ma—thinkin’they’llbedownonuspurtysoonnow，’n’Ireckonwe’llhavetorunferit。Looktharboys!\"
Thegirlhadstoppedattheedgeofthewoods；facingthetown，shewavedherbonnethighaboveherhead。
\"Well，whutinthe——!\"hesaid，withslowemphasis，andthenheleapedfromthedoorwithayell。ThebonnetwasasignaltothebeleagueredLewallens。Thereardoorofthecourthousehadbeenquietlyopened，andtheprisonerswereoutinabodyandscramblingoverthefencebeforethepicketscouldgiveanalarm。
Thesuddenyells，thecrackofWinchesters，startledeventherevellersandallwhocould，headedbyRomeandSteveMarcum，sprangintothesquare，andstartedinpursuit。ButtheLewallenshadgotfarahead，andwererunninginzigzaglinestododgetheballsflyingafterthem。Half—waytothewoodswasagullyofredclay，andintothisthefleetestleaped，andturnedinstantlytocovertheircomrades。TheWinchestersbegantorattlefromthewoods，andthebulletscamelikerainfromeverywhere。
\"T—h—up!T—h—up!T—h—up!\"therewerethreeofthem—thepeculiarsoft，dullmessagesofhotleadtolivingflesh。AStetsonwentdown；anotherstumbled；RufeStetson，climbingthefence，caughtathisbreastwithanoath，andfellback。RomeandStevedroppedforsafetytotheground。EveryotherStetsonturnedinapanic，andeveryLewalleninthegullyleapedfromit，andranundertheLewallenfireforshelterinthewoods。Theescapewasover。
\"Thatwasapurtyneattrick，\"saidSteve，wipingaredstreakfromhischeek。\"Nex’timeshetriesthat，she’llgitherselfintotrouble。\"
Atnightfallthewoundedleaderandthedeadonewerecarriedupthemountain，eachtohishome；andtherewasmourningfarintothenightononebankoftheCumberland，and，seriousthoughRufeStetson’swoundwas，exultationontheother。ButinitRomecouldtakebutlittlepart。Therehadbeennofaulttofindwithhiminthefight。ButareactionhadsetinwhenhesawthegirlflashinthemoonlightpastthesightsofhisWinchester，andherfacethatdayhadagainloosedwithinhimafloodoffeelingthatdrovethelustforrevengefromhisveins。Evennow，whilehesatinhisowncabin，histhoughtswereacrosstheriverwhereMartha，brokenatlast，satatherdeathvigils。Heknewwhatherdaringridethatdayhadcosther，witholdJasperdeadoutthereinthewoods；andasshepassedhimhehadgrownsuddenlyhumbled，shamed。Hegrewheart—sicknowashethoughtofitall；andthesightofhismotheronherbedinthecorner，closetodeathasshewas，filledhimwithbitterness。Therewasnohelpforhim。Hewasalonenow，pittedagainstyoungJasperalone。Ononebedlayhisuncle—nightodeath。
Therewasthegrimfigureinthecorner，theimplacablespiritofhateandrevenge。Hisriflewasagainstthewall。IftherewasanyjoyforhiminoldJasper’sdeath，itwasthathishandhadnotcausedit，andyet—Godhelphim!—therewastheothercross，theotheroath。