CHAPTERI
ForsomemomentsprofoundsilenceanddarknesshadaccompaniedaSierranstage—coachtowardsthesummit。Thehuge，dimbulkofthevehicle，swayingnoiselesslyonitsstraps，glidedonwardandupwardasifobeyingsomemysteriousimpulsefrombehind，sofaintandindefiniteappeareditsrelationtotheviewlessandsilenthorsesahead。Theshadowytrunksoftalltreesthatseemedtoapproachthecoachwindows，lookin，andthenmovehurriedlyaway，weretheonlydistinguishableobjects。Yeteventheseweresovagueandunrealthattheymighthavebeenthemerephantomsofsomedreamofthehalf—sleepingpassengers；forthethickly—strewnneedlesofthepine，thatchokedthewayanddeadenedallsound，yieldedunderthesilently—crushingwheelsafaintsoporificodorthatseemedtobenumbtheirsenses，alreadyslippingbackintounconsciousnessduringthelongascent。Suddenlythestagestopped。
Threeofthefourpassengersinsidestruggledatonceintouprightwakefulness。Thefourthpassenger，JohnHale，hadnotbeensleeping，andturnedimpatientlytowardsthewindow。Itseemedtohimthattwoofthemovingtreeshadsuddenlybecomemotionlessoutside。Oneofthemmovedagain，andthedooropenedquicklybutquietly，asofitself。
\"Gitdown，\"saidavoiceinthedarkness。
AllthepassengersexceptHalestarted。Themannexttohimmovedhisrighthandsuddenlybehindhim，butasquicklystopped。Oneofthemotionlesstreeshadapparentlycloseduponthevehicle，andwhathadseemedtobeaboughprojectingfromitatrightangleschangedslowlyintothefaintlyshiningdouble—barrelsofagunatthewindow。
\"Dropthat!\"saidthevoice。
Themanwhohadmovedutteredashortlaugh，andreturnedhishandemptytohisknees。Thetwoothersperceptiblyshruggedtheirshouldersasoveragamethatwaslost。Theremainingpassenger，JohnHale，fearlessbynature，inexperiencedbyhabit，awakingsuddenlytothetruth，conceiveddesperateresistance。Butwithouthismakingagesturethiswasinstinctivelyfeltbytheothers；themuzzleofthegunturnedspontaneouslyonhim，andhewasvaguelyconsciousofacertaincontemptandimpatienceofhiminhiscompanions。
\"Gitdown，\"repeatedthevoiceimperatively。
Thethreepassengersdescended。Hale，furious，alert，buthelplessofanyopportunity，followed。Hewassurprisedtofindthestage—
driverandexpressmessengerstandingbesidehim；hehadnotheardthemdismount。Heinstinctivelylookedtowardsthehorses。Hecouldseenothing。
\"Holdupyourhands!\"
Oneofthepassengershadalreadyliftedhis，inaweary，perfunctoryway。Theothersdidthesamereluctantlyandawkwardly，butapparentlymorefromtheconsciousnessoftheludicrousnessoftheirattitudethanfromanysenseofdanger。Theraysofabull’s—eyelantern，deftlymanagedbyinvisiblehands，whileitlefttheintrudersinshadow，completelyilluminatedthefacesandfiguresofthepassengers。Inspiteofthemajesticobscurityandsilenceofsurroundingnature，thegroupofhumanitythusilluminatedwasmorefarcicalthandramatic。Ascrapofnewspaper，partofasandwich，andanorangepeelthathadfallenfromthefloorofthecoach，broughtintoequalprominencebythesearchinglight，completedtheabsurdity。
\"There’samanherewithapackageofgreenbacks，\"saidthevoice，withanofficialcoolnessthatlentacertainsuggestionofCustomHouseinspectiontothetransaction；\"whoisit？\"Thepassengerslookedateachother，andtheirglancefinallysettledonHale。
\"It’snotHIM，\"continuedthevoice，withaslighttingeofcontemptontheemphasis。\"You’llsavetimeandsearching，gentlemen，ifyou’lltoteitout。Ifwe’vegottogothrougheveryoneofyouwe’lltrytomakeitpay。\"
Thesignificantthreatwasnotunheeded。Thepassengerwhohadfirstmovedwhenthestagestoppedputhishandtohisbreast。
\"T’otherpocketfirst，ifyouplease，\"saidthevoice。
Themanlaughed，drewapistolfromhishippocket，and，underthestronglightofthelantern，laiditonaspotintheroadindicatedbythevoice。Athickenvelope，takenfromhisbreastpocket，waslaidbesideit。\"Itoldthed——dfoolsthatgaveittome，insteadofsendingitbyexpress，itwouldbeattheirownrisk，\"hesaidapologetically。
\"Asit’sgoingwiththeexpressnowit’sallthesame，\"saidtheinevitablehumoristoftheoccasion，pointingtothedespoiledexpresstreasure—boxalreadyintheroad。
TheintentionanddeliberationoftheoutragewasplainenoughtoHale’sinexperiencenow。Yethecouldnotunderstandthecoolacquiescenceofhisfellow—passengers，andwasfurious。Hisreflectionswereinterruptedbyavoicewhichseemedtocomefromagreaterdistance。Hefancieditwasevensofterintone，asifacertainausteritywasrelaxed。
\"Stepinasquickasyoulike，gentlemen。You’vefiveminutestowait，Bill。\"
Thepassengersreenteredthecoach；thedriverandexpressmessengerhurriedlyclimbedtotheirplaces。Halewouldhavespoken，butanimpatientgesturefromhiscompanionsstoppedhim。
Theywereevidentlylisteningforsomething；helistenedtoo。
Yetthesilenceremainedunbroken。Itseemedincrediblethatthereshouldbenoindicationnearorfarofthatforcefulpresencewhichamomentagohadbeensodominant。Norustleinthewayside\"brush，\"norechofromtherockycanyonbelow，betrayedasoundoftheirflight。Afaintbreezestirredthetalltipsofthepines，aconedroppedonthestageroof，oneoftheinvisiblehorsesthatseemedtobelisteningtoomovedslightlyinhisharness。Butthisonlyappearedtoaccentuatetheprofoundstillness。Themomentsweregrowinginterminable，whenthevoice，sonearastostartleHale，brokeoncemorefromthesurroundingobscurity。
\"Good—night!\"
Itwasthesignalthattheywerefree。Thedriver’swhipcrackedlikeapistolshot，thehorsessprangfuriouslyforward，thehugevehiclelurchedahead，andthenboundedviolentlyafterthem。WhenHalecouldmakehisvoiceheardintheconfusion——aconfusionwhichseemedgreaterfromthecolorlessintensityoftheirlastfewmoments’experience——hesaidhurriedly，\"Thenthatfellowwasthereallthetime？\"
\"Ireckon，\"returnedhiscompanion，\"hestoppedfiveminutestocoverthedriverwithhisdouble—barrel，untilthetwoothermengotoffwiththetreasure。\"
\"TheTWOothers!\"gaspedHale。\"ThentherewereonlyTHREEmen，andweSIX。\"
Themanshruggedhisshoulders。Thepassengerwhohadgivenupthegreenbacksdrawled，withaslow，irritatingtolerance，\"Ireckonyou’reastrangerhere？\"
\"Iam——tothissortofthing，certainly，thoughIliveadozenmilesfromhere，atEagle’sCourt，\"returnedHalescornfully。
\"Thenyou’rethechapthat’sdoin’thatfancyranchin’overatEagle’s，\"continuedthemanlazily。
\"WhateverI’mdoingatEagle’sCourt，I’mnotashamedofit，\"saidHaletartly；\"andthat’smorethanIcansayofwhatI’vedone——orHAVEN’Tdone——to—night。I’vebeenoneofsixmenover—awedandrobbedbyTHREE。\"
\"Astotheover—awin’，ezyoucallit——mebbeeyouknowmoreaboutitthanus。Astotherobbin’——ezfarasIkinremember，YOU
haven’tonloadedmuch。Efyou’retalkin’aboutwhatOUGHTERhavebeendone，I’lltellyouwhatCOULDhavehappened。P’r’apsyenoticedthatwhenhepulledupImadeakindofgrabformyweppingbehindme？\"
\"Idid；andyouwern’tquickenough，\"saidHaleshortly。
\"Iwasn’tquickenough，andthatsavedYOU。ForefIgotthatpistoloutandinsighto’thatmanthatheldthegun——\"
\"Well，\"saidHaleimpatiently，\"he’dhavehesitated。\"
\"He’dhevblownYOUwithbothbarrelsouterthewindow，andthatbeforeI’dgotahalf—cockonmyrevolver。\"
\"Butthatwouldhavebeenonlyonemangone，andtherewouldhavebeenfiveofyouleft，\"saidHalehaughtily。
\"Thatmighthavebeen，efyou’dcontractedtotakethehullchargeoftwohandfulsofbuck—shotandslugs；butezoneeightho’thatamountwouldhavedoneyourbusiness，andyetleftenoughtohavegoneround，promiskiss，andsatisfiedtheotherpassengers，itwouldn’tdotokalkilateupon。\"
\"Buttheexpressmessengerandthedriverwerearmed，\"continuedHale。
\"Theywerearmed，butnotFIXED；thatmakesallthedifference。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand。\"
\"Ireckonyouknowwhataduelis？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，thechancesaginUSwasaboutthesameasyou’dhaveefyouwasputupaginanotherchapwhowasallowedtodrawabeadonyou，andthesignaltofirewasYOURDRAWIN’YOURWEAPON。Youmaybeastrangertothissorto’thing，andp’r’apsyouneverfoughtaduel，buteventhenyouwouldn’tgofoolin’yourlifeawayonanysuchchances。\"
Somethingintheman’smanner，asinacertainslyamusementtheotherpassengersappearedtoextractfromtheconversation，impressedHale，alreadybeginningtobeconsciousoftheludicrousinsufficiencyofhisowngrievancebesidethatofhisinterlocutor。
\"Thenyoumeantosaythisthingisinevitable，\"saidhebitterly，butlessaggressively。
\"EzlongeztheyhuntYOU；whenyouhuntTHEMyou’vegottheadvantage，allusprovidedyouknowhowtogetatthemezwellastheyknowhowtogetatyou。Thisyercoachisboundtogoregular，andoncertaindays。THEYain’t。Bythetimethesheriffgetsouthispossethey’veskedaddled，andtheleader，likeasnot，istakin’hisquietcocktailattheBankExchange，ormebbelosin’
hisearningstothesheriffoverdrawpoker，inSacramento。Youseeyoucan’tproveanythingaginthemunlessyoutakethem’onthefly。’ItmaybeapartofJoaquimMurietta’sband，thoughI
wouldn’tsweartoit。\"
\"TheleadermighthavebeenGentlemanGeorge，fromup—country，\"
interposedapassenger。\"Heseemedtothrowinafewfancytouches，particlerlyinthat’Goodnight。’Sorterchuckedalittlesentimentinit。Didn’tseemtobethesamethingez，’Git，yerd——dsuckers，’ontheotherline。\"
\"Whoeverhewas，heknewtheroadandthemenwhotravelledonit。
Likeeznot，hewentoverthelinebesidethedriverontheboxonthedowntrip，andtookstockofeverything。HeevenknewIhadthosegreenbacks；thoughtheywerehandedtomeinthebankatSacramento。Hemusthavebeenhanging’roundthere。\"
ForsomemomentsHaleremainedsilent。Hewasacivic—bredman，withanintenseloveoflawandorder；thekindofmanwhoisthefirsttotakethatlawandorderintohisownhandswhenhedoesnotfinditexistingtopleasehim。HehadaBostonian’srespectforrespectability，tradition，andpropriety，butwaswillingtofaceirregularityandimproprietytocreateorderelsewhere。HewasfondofNaturewiththeselimitations，neverquitetrustingherunguidedinstincts，andfindingherasaninstructressgreatlyinferiortoHarvardUniversity，thoughpossiblynottoCornell。
WithdauntlessenterpriseandenergyhehadbuiltandstockedacharmingcottagefarminanookintheSierras，whenceheopposed，likethelesserEnglishmanthathewas，hisowntastestothoseofthealienWest。Inthepresentinstancehefeltitincumbentuponhimnotonlytoasserthisprinciples，buttoactuponthemwithhisusualenergy。Howfarhewasimpelledbythehalf—contemptuouspassivenessofhiscompanionsitwouldbedifficulttosay。
\"Whatistopreventthepursuitofthematonce？\"heaskedsuddenly。\"Weareafewmilesfromthestation，wherehorsescanbeprocured。\"
\"Who’stodoit？\"repliedtheotherlazily。\"Thestagecompanywilllodgethecomplaintwiththeauthorities，butitwilltaketwodaystogetthecountyofficersout，andit’snobodyelse’sfuneral。\"
\"Iwillgoforone，\"saidHalequietly。\"Ihaveahorsewaitingformeatthestation，andcanstartatonce。\"
Therewasaninstantofsilence。Thestage—coachhadlefttheobscurityoftheforest，andbythestrongerlightHalecouldperceivethathiscompanionwasexamininghimwithtwocolorless，lazyeyes。Presentlyhesaid，meetingHale’sclearglance，butratherasifyieldingtoacarelessreflection，——
\"ItMIGHTbedonewithfourmen。Weoughterraiseonemanatthestation。\"Hepaused。\"Idon’tknowezI’dmindtakingahandmyself，\"headded，stretchingouthislegswithaslightyawn。
\"YecancountMEin，ifyou’regoin’，Kernel。IreckonI’mtalkin’
toKernelClinch，\"saidthepassengerbesideHalewithsuddenalacrity。\"I’mRawlins，ofFrisco。Heerdofyeafore，Kernel，andkinderspottedyoujistnowfromyourtalk。\"
ToHale’ssurprisethetwomen，afterawkwardlyandperfunctorilygraspingeachother’shand，enteredatonceintoalanguidconversationontherecentelectionatFresno，withouttheslightestfurtherreferencetothepursuitoftherobbers。ItwasnotuntiltheremainingandundenominatedpassengerturnedtoHale，and，regrettingthathehadimmediatebusinessattheSummit，offeredtoaccompanythepartyiftheywouldwaitacoupleofhours，thatColonelClinchbrieflyreturnedtothesubject。
\"FOURmenwilldo，andezwe’llhevtotakehorsesfromthestationwe’llhevtotakethefourthmanfromthere。\"
WiththesewordsheresumedhisuninterestingconversationwiththeequallyuninterestedRawlins，andtheundenominatedpassengersubsidedintoanadmiringanddreamycontemplationofthemboth。
Withallhisprincipleandreallyhigh—mindedpurpose，Halecouldnothelpfeelingconstrainedandannoyedatthesuddensubordinateandauxiliarypositiontowhichhe，theprojectoroftheenterprise，hadbeenreduced。Itwastruethathehadneverofferedhimselfastheirleader；itwastruethattheprinciplehewishedtoupholdandtheeffecthesoughttoobtainwouldbeequallydemonstratedunderanother；itwastruethattheexecutionofhisownconceptiongravitatedbysomeoccultimpulsetothemanwhohadnotsoughtit，andwhomhehadalwaysregardedasanincapable。Butallthiswassounlikeprecedentortraditionthat，afterthefashionofconservativemen，hewassuspiciousofit，andonlythathishonorwasnowinvolvedhewouldhavewithdrawnfromtheenterprise。Therewasstillachanceofreassertinghimselfatthestation，wherehewasknown，andwheresomeauthoritymightbedeputedtohim。
Buteventhisprospectfailed。Thestation，halfhotelandhalfstable，containedonlythelandlord，whowasalsoexpressagent，andthenewvolunteerwhoClinchhadsuggestedwouldbefoundamongthestable—men。Thenearestjusticeofthepeacewastenmilesaway，andHalehadtoabandonevenhishopeofbeingsworninasadeputyconstable。Thisintroductionofacommonandilliterateostlerintothepartyonequaltermswithhimselfdidnotaddtohissatisfaction，andaremarkfromRawlinsseemedtocompletehisembarrassment。
\"Yehadamightynarrerescapedowntherejustnow，\"saidthatgentlemanconfidentially，asHalebuckledhissaddlegirths。
\"Ithought，aswewerenotsupposedtodefendourselves，therewasnodanger，\"saidHalescornfully。
\"Oh，Idon’tmeanthemroadagents。ButHIM。\"
\"Who？\"
\"KernelClinch。Youjistezgoodasallowedhehadn’tanygrit。\"
\"WhateverIsaid，IsupposeIamresponsibleforit，\"answeredHalehaughtily。
\"That’swhatgitsme，\"wastheimperturbablereply。\"He’sthebestshotinSouthernCalifornia，andhezletdaylightthroughadozenchapsaforenowforhalfwhatyousaid。\"
\"Indeed!\"
\"Howsummever，\"continuedRawlinsphilosophically，\"ezhe’sconcludedtogoWITHyeinsteadofFORye，you’relikelytohevyourideasonthismattercarriedoutuptothehandle。He’llmakeshortworkofit，youbet。Ef，ezIsuspect，theleaderisanairyyoungfellerfromFrisco，whoheztooktotheroadlately，Clinchhezgotapersonalgrudgeaginhimfromaquarreloverdrawpoker。\"
ThiswasthelastblowtoHale’sidealcrusade。Herehewas——anhonest，respectablecitizen——engagedassimpleaccessorytoalawlessvendettaoriginatingatagamblingtable!Whenthefirstshockwasoverthatgrimphilosophywhichisthereactionofallimaginativeandsensitivenaturescametohisaid。Hefeltbetter；
oddlyenoughhebegantobeconsciousthathewasthinkingandactinglikehiscompanions。Withthisfeelingavaguesympathy，beforeabsent，faintlyshoweditselfintheiractions。TheSharpe’srifleputintohishandsbythestable—manwasaccompaniedbyafamiliarwordofsuggestionastoanequal，whichhewasashamedtofindflatteredhim。HewasabletocontinuetheconversationwithRawlinsmorecoolly。
\"Thenyoususpectwhoistheleader？\"
\"Onlyonginiralprinciples。Therewasafinertouch，sotospeak，inthisyerrobberythatwasn’tintheold—fashionedstyle。Downinmycountrytheyhedcrudeideasaboutthemthings——usedtostripthepassengersofeverything，includin’theirclothes。Theysaythatatthestationhotels，whenthecoachcamein，thefolksusedtostandroundwithblanketstowrapupthepassengerssoeznottoskeerthewimen。Thar’sastorythatthedriverandexpressmanagerdroveuponedaywithonlyacopyoftheAltyCalifornywrappedaround’em；butthin，\"addedRawlinsgrimly，\"thereWAS
folksezsaidthehullstorywasonlyanadvertisementgotupfortheAlty。\"
\"Time’sup。\"
\"Areyouready，gentlemen？\"saidColonelClinch。
Halestarted。HehadforgottenhiswifeandfamilyatEagle’sCourt，tenmilesaway。Theywouldbealarmedathisabsence，wouldperhapshearsomeexaggeratedversionofthestagecoachrobbery，andfeartheworst。
\"IsthereanywayIcouldsendalinetoEagle’sCourtbeforedaybreak？\"heaskedeagerly。
Thestationwasalreadydrainedofitssparemenandhorses。Theundenominatedpassengersteppedforwardandofferedtotakeithimselfwhenhisbusiness，whichhewoulddespatchasquicklyaspossible，wasconcluded。
\"Thatain’tabadidea，\"saidClinchreflectively，\"forefyerhurryyou’llhead’emoffincasetheyscentus，andtrytodoublebackontheNorthRidge。They’llfightshyofthetrailiftheyseeanybodyonit，andoneman’sasgoodasadozen。\"
Halecouldnothelpthinkingthathemighthavebeenthatoneman，andhadhisopportunityforindependentactionbutforhisrashproposal，butitwastoolatetowithdrawnow。Hehastilyscribbledafewlinestohiswifeonasheetofthestationpaper，handedittotheman，andtookhisplaceinthelittlecavalcadeasitfiledsilentlydowntheroad。
Theyhadriddeninsilencefornearlyanhour，andhadpassedthesceneoftherobberybyahighertrack。Morninghadlongagoadvanceditscolorsonthecoldwhitepeakstotheirright，andwastakingpossessionofthespurwheretheyrode。
\"Itlookslikesnow，\"saidRawlinsquietly。
Haleturnedtowardshiminastonishment。Nothingonearthorskylookedlesslikely。Ithadbeencold，butthatmighthavebeenonlyacurrentfromthefrozenpeaksbeyond，reachingthelowervalley。Theridgeonwhichtheyhadhaltedwasstillthickwithyellowish—greensummerfoliage，mingledwiththedarkerevergreenofpineandfir。Oven—likecanyonsinthelongflanksofthemountainseemedstilltoglowwiththeheatofyesterday’snoon；
thebreathlessairyettrembledandquiveredoverstiflinggorgesandpassesinthegraniterocks，whilefarattheirfeetsixtymilesofperpetualsummerstretchedawayoverthewindingAmericanRiver，nowandthenlostinagossamerhaze。ItwasscarcelyripeOctoberwheretheystood；theycouldseetheplenitudeofAuguststilllingeringinthevalleys。
\"I’veseenThomson’sPasschokedupwithfifteenfeeto’snowearlierthanthis，\"saidRawlins，answeringHale’sgaze；\"andlastSeptemberthepassengerssleddedovertheroadwecamelastnight，andallthetimeThomson，amilelowerdownovertheridgeinthehollow，smokinghispipesunderrosesinhispiazzy!Mountainsismightyuncertain；theymaketheirownweathereztheywantit。I
reckonyouain’twinteredhereyet。\"
HalewasobligedtoadmitthathehadonlytakenEagle’sCourtintheearlyspring。
\"Oh，you’reallrightatEagle’s——whenyou’rethere!Butit’slikeThomson’s——it’sthegettin’therethat——Hallo!What’sthat？\"
Ashot，distantbutdistinct，hadrungthroughthekeenair。Itwasfollowedbyanothersoalikeastoseemanecho。
\"That’soveryon，ontheNorthRidge，\"saidtheostler，\"abouttwomilesasthecrowfliesandfivebythetrail。Somebody’sshootin’
b’ar。\"
\"Notwithashotgun，\"saidClinch，quicklywheelinghishorsewithagesturethatelectrifiedthem。\"It’sTHEM，andthe’vedoubledonus!TotheNorthRidge，gentlemen，andrideallyouknow!\"
Itneedednosecondchallengetocompletelytransformthatquietcavalcade。Thewildman—huntinginstinct，inseparabletomosthumanity，roseattheirleader’slookandword。Withanincoherentandunintelligiblecry，givingvoicetothechaselikethecommonesthoundoftheirfields，theorder—lovingHaleandthephilosophicalRawlinswheeledwiththeothers，andinanotherinstantthelittlebandsweptoutofsightintheforest。
Animmenseandimmeasurablequietsucceeded。Thesunlightglistenedsilentlyoncliffandscar，thevastdistancebelowseemedtostretchoutandbroadenintorepose。Itmighthavebeenfancy，butoverthesharplineoftheNorthRidgealightsmokeliftedasofanescapingsoul。
CHAPTERII
Eagle’sCourt，oneofthehighestcanyonsoftheSierras，wasinrealityaplateauoftable—land，embayedlikeagreenlakeinasemi—circularsweepofgranite，that，liftingitselfthreethousandfeethigher，becameafoundationfortheeternalsnows。Themountaingeniiofspaceandatmospherejealouslyguardeditsseclusionandsurroundeditwithillusions；itneverlookedtobeexactlywhatitwas：thetravellerwhosawitfromtheNorthRidgeapparentlyathisfeetindescendingfoundhimselfseparatedfromitbyamile—longabyssandarushingriver；thosewhosoughtitbyaseemingdirecttrailattheendofanhourlostsightofitcompletely，or，abandoningthequestandretracingtheirsteps，suddenlycameuponthegapthroughwhichitwasentered。ThatwhichfromtheRidgeappearedtobeacopseofbushesbesidethetinydwellingweretreesthreehundredfeethigh；thecultivatedlawnbeforeit，whichmighthavebeencoveredbythetraveller’shandkerchief，wasafieldofathousandacres。
Thehouseitselfwasalong，low，irregularstructure，chieflyofroofandveranda，picturesquelyupheldbyrusticpillarsofpine，withthebarkstilladhering，andcoveredwithvinesandtrailingroses。Yetitwasevidentthatthecoolnessproducedbythisvastextentofcoverwasmorethanthearchitect，whohadplanneditundertheinfluenceofastaringandbewilderingsky，hadtrustfullyconceived，forithadtobemitigatedbyblazingfiresinopenhearthswhenthethermometermarkedahundreddegreesinthefieldbeyond。Thedry，restlesswindthatcontinuallyrockedthetallmastsofthepineswithasoundlikethedistantsea，whileitstimulatedout—doorphysicalexertionanddefiedfatigue，leftthesedentarydwellersinthesealtitudeschilledintheshadetheycourted，orscorchedthemwithheatwhentheyventuredtobasksupinelyinthesun。WhitemuslincurtainsattheFrenchwindows，andrugs，skins，andheavyfursdispersedintheinterior，withcertainothercharmingbutincongruousdetailsoffurniture，markedtheinconsistenciesoftheclimate。
TherewasacoquettishindicationofthisinthecostumeofMissKateScottasshesteppedoutontheverandathatmorning。Aman’sbroad—brimmedPanamahat，partlyunsexedbyatwistedgayly—coloredscarf，butretainingenoughcharactertogivepiquancytotheprettycurvesofthefacebeneath，protectedherfromthesun；aredflannelshirt——anotherspoilfromtheenemy——andathickjacketshieldedherfromtheausteritiesofthemorningbreeze。Butthenextinconsistencywaspeculiarlyherown。MissKatealwaysworethefreshestandlightestofwhitecambricskirts，withouttheleastreferencetothetemperature。Tothepracticalsanatoryremonstrancesofherbrother—in—law，andtotheconventionalcriticismofhersister，sheopposedthesamedefence：\"Howelseisonetotellwhenitissummerinthisridiculousclimate？Andthen，woollenisstuffy，colordrawsthesun，andoneatleastknowswhenoneiscleanordirty。\"Artisticallytheresultwasfarfromunsatisfactory。Itwasaprettyfigureunderthesombrepines，againstthegraygraniteandthesteelysky，andseemedtolendtheyellowingfieldsfromwhichtheflowershadalreadyfledafloralreliefofcolor。Idonotthinkthefewmasculinewayfarersofthatlocalityobjectedtoit；indeed，somehadbetrayedanindiscreetadmiration，andhadcuriouslyfollowedtheinvitationofMissKate’swarmly—coloredfigureuntiltheyhadencounteredtheinvincibleindifferenceofMissKate’scoldgrayeyes。Withthesemanifestationsherbrother—in—lawdidnotconcernhimself；hehadperfectconfidenceinherunqualifieddisinterestintheneighboringhumanity，andpermittedhertowanderinhersolitarypicturesqueness，oraccompaniedherwhensherodeinherdarkgreenhabit，withequalfreedomfromanxiety。
ForMissScott，althoughonlytwenty，hadalreadysubjectedmostofhermaidenlyillusionstomaturecriticalanalyses。ShehadvoluntarilyaccompaniedhersisterandmothertoCalifornia，intheearnesthopethatnaturecontainedsomethingworthsayingtoher，andwasdisappointedtofindshehadalreadydiscounteditsvalueinthepagesofbooks。Shehopedtofindavaguefreedominthisunconventionallifethusopenedtoher，orrathertoshowothersthatsheknewhowintelligentlytoappreciateit，butasyetshewasonlyabletoexpressitintheonedetailofdressalreadyalludedto。Someofthemen，andnearlyallthewomen，shehadmetthusfar，shewasamazedtofind，valuedtheconventionalitiesshebelievedshedespised，andwerevoluntarilyassumingthechainsshethoughtshehadthrownoff。Insteadoflearninganythingfromthem，thesechildrenofnaturehadboredherwitheagerquestioningsregardingthecivilizationshehadabandoned，orirritatedherwithcrudeimitationsofitforherbenefit。
\"Fancy，\"shehadwrittentoafriendinBoston，\"mycallingonSueMurphy，whorememberedtheDonnertragedy，andwhoonceshotagrizzlythatwasprowlingroundhercabin，andthinkofherbeggingmetolendhermysackforapattern，andwantingtoknowif’polonays’werestillworn。\"Sherememberedmorebitterlytheromancethathadtickledherearlierfancy，toldoftwocollegefriendsofherbrother—in—law’swhowerelivingthe\"perfectlife\"
inthemines，laboringintheditcheswithacopyofHomerintheirpockets，andwritinglettersofthepurestphilosophyunderthefreeairofthepines。How，comingunexpectedlyonthemintheirArcadia，thepartyfoundthemunpresentablethroughdirt，andthenceforthunknowablethroughdomesticcomplicationsthathadfilledtheirArcadiancabinwithhalf—breedchildren。
Muchofthisdisillusionshehadkeptwithinherownheart，fromafeelingofpride，oronlylightlytoucheduponitinherrelationswithhermotherandsister。ForMrs。HaleandMrs。Scotthadnoidolstoshatter，noenthusiasmtosubdue。Firmlyandunalterablyconsciousoftheirownsuperioritytothelifetheyledandthecommunitythatsurroundedthem，theyacceptedtheirdutiescheerfully，andperformedthemconscientiously。ThosedutieswereloyaltytoHale’sinterestsandavaguemissionaryworkamongtheneighbors，which，likemostmissionarywork，consistedratherinmakingtheirownideasunderstoodthaninunderstandingtheideasoftheiraudience。OldMrs。Scott’szealwaspartlyreligious，aninheritancefromherPuritanancestry；Mrs。Hale’swastheaffabilityofagentlewomanandtheobligationofherposition。TothiswasaddedtheslightlanguorofthecultivatedAmericanwife，whosehealthhasbeenaffectedbythebirthofherfirstchild，andwhoseviewsofmarriageandmaternitywereslightlytingedwithgentlescepticism。Shewassincerelyattachedtoherhusband，\"whodominatedthehousehold\"liketherestofhis\"womenfolk，\"withthefaintconsciousnessofthatdivisionofservicewhichrendersthepositionofthesultanofaseraglioatoncesoprominentandsoprecarious。TheattitudeofJohnHaleinhisfamilycirclewasdominantbecauseithadneverbeensubjectedtocriticismorcomparison；andperilousforthesamereason。
Mrs。Halepresentlyjoinedhersisterintheveranda，and，shadinghereyeswithanarrowwhitehand，glancedontheprospectwithapoliteinterestandladylikeurbanity。Thesearchingsun，which，asMissKateonceintimated，was\"vulgarityitself，\"staredatherinreturn，butcouldnotcallablushtohersomewhatsallowcheek。
Neithercoulditdetract，however，fromthedelicateprettinessofherrefinedfacewithitssoftgrayshadows，orthedarkgentleeyes，whoseblue—veinedlidswerejustthenwrinkledintocoquettishlymischievouslinesbythestronglight。ShewastallerandthinnerthanKate，andhadattimesacertainshy，coysinuosityofmovementwhichgaveheramorevirginalsuggestionthanherunmarriedsister。ForMissKate，fromherearliestyouth，hadbeendistinguishedbythatmatronlysedatenessofvoiceandstep，andcompletenessoffigure，whichindicatessomemembersofthegallinaceoustribefromtheircallowinfancy。
\"IsupposeJohnmusthavestoppedattheSummitonsomebusiness，\"
saidMrs。Hale，\"orhewouldhavebeenherealready。It’sscarcelyworthwhilewaitingforhim，unlessyouchoosetorideoverandmeethim。Youmightchangeyourdress，\"shecontinued，lookingdoubtfullyatKate’scostume。\"Putonyourriding—habit，andtakeManuelwithyou。\"
\"Andtaketheonlymanwehave，andleaveyoualone？\"returnedKateslowly。\"No!\"
\"TherearetheChinesefieldhands，\"saidMrs。Hale；\"youmustcorrectyourideas，andreallyallowthemsomehumanity，Kate。
Johnsaystheyhaveaverygoodcompulsoryschoolsystemintheirowncountry，andcanreadandwrite。\"
\"Thatwouldbeoflittleusetoyouherealoneif——if——\"Katehesitated。
\"Ifwhat？\"saidMrs。Halesmiling。\"AreyouthinkingofManuel’sdreadfulstoryofthegrizzlytracksacrossthefieldsthismorning？IpromiseyouthatneitherI，normother，norMinnieshallstiroutofthehouseuntilyoureturn，ifyouwishit。\"
\"Iwasn’tthinkingofthat，\"saidKate；\"thoughIdon’tbelievethebeatingofagongandtheusingofstronglanguageisthebestwaytofrightenagrizzlyfromthehouse。Besides，theChinesearegoingdowntheriverto—daytoafuneral，orawedding，orafeastofstolenchickens——they’reallthesame——andwon’tbehere。\"
\"ThentakeManuel，\"repeatedMrs。Hale。\"WehavetheChineseservantsandIndianMollyinthehousetoprotectusfromHeavenknowswhat!IhavethegreatestconfidenceinChy—Leeasawarrior，andinChinesewarfaregenerally。Onehasonlytohearhimpipeintimeofpeacetoimaginewhataterrorhemightbecomeinwartime。Indeed，anythingmoredeadlyandsoul—harrowingthanthatlovesonghesangforuslastnightIcannotconceive。Butreally，Kate，Iamnotafraidtostayalone。YouknowwhatJohnsays：weoughttobealwayspreparedforanythingthatmighthappen。
\"MydearJosie，\"returnedKate，puttingherarmaroundhersister’swaist，\"Iamperfectlyconvincedthatifthree—fingeredJack，ortwo—toedBill，orevenJoaquimMuriettahimself，shouldstep，red—
handed，onthatveranda，youwouldgentlyinvitehimtotakeacupoftea，inquireaboutthestateoftheroad，andrefraindelicatelyfromanyallusionstothesheriff。ButIshan’ttakeManuelfromyou。Ireallycannotundertaketolookafterhismoralsatthestation，andkeephimfromdrinkingaguardientewithsuspiciouscharactersatthebar。Itistruehe’kissesmyhand’inhisspeech，evenwhenitisthickest，andoffershisbacktomeforahorse—block，butIthinkIpreferthesoberandhonestfamiliarityofeventhatPikeCountylandlordwhoissatisfiedtosay，’Jump，girl，andI’llketchye!’\"
\"Ihopeyoudidn’tchangeyourmannertoeitherofthemforthat，\"
saidMrs。Halewithafaintsigh。\"Johnwantstobegoodfriendswiththem，andtheyarebehavingquitedecentlylately，consideringthattheycan’tspeakagrammaticalsentencenorknowtheuseofafork。\"
\"AndnowthemanputsonglovesandatallhattocomehereonSundays，andthewomanwon’tcalluntilyou’vecalledfirst，\"
retortedKate；\"perhapsyoucallthatimprovement。Thefactis，Josephine，\"continuedtheyounggirl，foldingherarmsdemurely，\"wemightaswelladmititatonce——thesepeopledon’tlikeus。\"
\"That’simpossible!\"saidMrs。Hale，withsublimesimplicity。\"Youdon’tlikethem，youmean。\"
\"Ilikethembetterthanyoudo，Josie，andthat’sthereasonwhyI
feelitandYOUdon’t。\"Shecheckedherself，andafterapauseresumedinalightertone：\"No；Isha’n’tgotothestation；I’llcommunewithnatureto—day，andwon’t’takeanyhumanityinmine，thankyou，’asBillthedriversays。Adios。\"
\"IwishKatewouldnotusethatdreadfulslang，eveninjest，\"saidMrs。Scott，inherrocking—chairattheFrenchwindow，whenJosephinereenteredtheparlorashersisterwalkedbrisklyaway。
\"Iamafraidsheisbeinginfectedbythepeopleatthestation。
Sheoughttohaveachange。\"
\"Iwasjustthinking，\"saidJosephine，lookingabstractedlyathermother，\"thatIwouldtrytogetJohntotakehertoSanFranciscothiswinter。TheCareysareexpected，youknow；shemightvisitthem。\"
\"I’mafraid，ifshestaysheremuchlonger，shewon’tcaretoseethematall。Sheseemstocarefornothingnowthatsheeverlikedbefore，\"returnedtheoldladyominously。
Meantimethesubjectofthesecriticismswascarryingawayherownreflectionstightlybuttonedupinhershortjacket。ShehaddrivenbackherdogSpot——anotheroneofherdisillusions，who，givingwaytohislowernature，hadoncekilledasheep——asshedidnotwishherJacques—likecontemplationofanywoundeddeertobeinconsistentlyinterruptedbyafreshoutragefromhercompanion。
Theairwasreallyverychilly，andforthefirsttimeinhermountainexperiencethedirectraysofthesunseemedtobeshornoftheirpower。Thiscompelledhertowalkmorebrisklythanshewasconsciousof，forinlessthananhourshecamesuddenlyandbreathlesslyuponthemouthofthecanyon，ornaturalgatewaytoEagle’sCourt。
Toheralwaysaprofoundspectacleofmountainmagnificence，itseemedto—dayalmostterribleinitscold，stronggrandeur。Thenarrowingpasswaschokedforamomentbetweentwogiganticbuttressesofgranite，approachingeachothersocloselyattheirtoweringsummitsthattreesgrowinginoppositecleftsoftherockintermingledtheirbranchesandpointedthesoaringGothicarchofastupendousgateway。Sheraisedhereyeswithaquicklybeatingheart。Sheknewthattheinterlacingtreesaboveherwereaslargeasthoseshehadjustquitted；sheknewalsothatthepointwheretheymetwasonlyhalf—wayupthecliff，forshehadoncegazeddownuponthem，dwindledtoshrubsfromtheairysummit；sheknewthattheirshakenconesfellathousandfeetperpendicularly，orboundedlikeshotfromthescarredwallstheybombarded。Sherememberedthatoneofthesepines，dislodgedfromitshighfoundations，hadoncedroppedlikeaportcullisinthearchway，blockingthepass，andwasonlycarriedafterwardsbyassaultofsteelandfire。Bendingherheadmechanically，sheranswiftlythroughtheshadowypassage，andhaltedonlyatthebeginningoftheascentontheotherside。
Itwasherethattheactualpositionoftheplateau，soindefiniteofapproach，begantoberealized。Itnowappearedanindependentelevation，surroundedonthreesidesbygorgesandwatercourses，sonarrowastobeoverlookedfromtheprincipalmountainrange，withwhichitwasconnectedbyalongcanyonthatledtotheridge。Attheoutletofthiscanyon——inbygoneagesamightyriver——ithadtheappearanceofhavingbeenslowlyraisedbythediluviumofthatriver，andthedebriswasheddownfromabove——asuggestionrepeatedinminiaturebytheartificialplateausofexcavatedsoilraisedbeforethemouthsofminingtunnelsinthelowerflanksofthemountain。Itwastherealizationofafact——oftenforgottenbythedwellersinEagle’sCourt——thatthevalleybelowthem，whichwastheirconnectinglinkwiththesurroundingworld，wasonlyreachedbyascendingthemountain，andthenearestroadwasoverthehighermountainridge。Neverbeforehadthisimpresseditselfsostronglyupontheyounggirlaswhensheturnedthatmorningtolookupontheplateaubelowher。Itseemedtoillustratetheconvictionthathadbeenslowlyshapingitselfoutofherreflectionsontheconversationofthatmorning。Itwaspossiblethattheperfectunderstandingofahigherlifewasonlyreachedfromaheightstillgreater，andthattothosehalf—wayupthemountainthesummitwasneverastruthfullyrevealedastothehumblerdwellersinthevalley。
Idonotknowthattheseprofoundtruthspreventedherfromgatheringsomequaintfernsandberries，orfromkeepinghercalmgrayeyesopentocertainpracticalchangesthatweretakingplacearoundher。Shehadnoticedasingularthickeningintheatmospherethatseemedtopreventthepassageofthesun’srays，yetwithoutdiminishingthetransparentqualityoftheair。Thedistantsnow—peakswereasplainlyseen，thoughtheyappearedasifinmoonlight。Thisseemedduetonocloudormist，butrathertoafadingofthesunitself。Theoccasionalflurryofwingsoverhead，thewhirringoflargerbirdsinthecover，andafrequentrustlingintheundergrowth，asofthepassageofsomestealthyanimal，beganequallytoattractherattention。Itwassodifferentfromthehabitualsilenceofthesesedatesolitudes。Katehadnovaguefearofwildbeasts；shehadbeenlongenoughamountaineertounderstandthegeneralimmunityenjoyedbytheunmolestingwayfarer，andkeptherwayundismayed。Shewasdescendinganabrupttrailwhenshewasstoppedbyasuddencrashinthebushes。
Itseemedtocomefromtheoppositeincline，directlyinalinewithher，andapparentlyontheverytrailthatshewaspursuing。
Thecrashwasthenrepeatedagainandagainlowerdown，asofadescendingbody。Expectingtheapparitionofsomefallentree，ordetachedboulderburstingthroughthethicket，initswaytothebottomofthegulch，shewaited。Thefoliagewassuddenlybrushedaside，andalargegrizzlybearhalfrolled，halfwaddled，intothetrailontheoppositesideofthehill。Afewmomentsmorewouldhavebroughtthemfacetofaceatthefootofthegulch；whenshestoppedtherewerenotfiftyyardsbetweenthem。
Shedidnotscream；shedidnotfaint；shewasnotevenfrightened。
Theredidnotseemtobeanythingterrifyinginthishuge，stupidbeast，who，arrestedbytherustleofastonedisplacedbyherdescendingfeet，roseslowlyonhishaunchesandgazedatherwithsmall，wonderingeyes。Nordiditseemstrangetoher，seeingthathewasinherway，topickupastone，throwitinhisdirection，andsaysimply，\"Sho!getaway!\"asshewouldhavedonetoanintrudingcow。Nordiditseemoddthatheshouldactually\"goaway\"ashedid，scramblingbackintothebushesagain，anddisappearinglikesomegrotesquefigureinatransformationscene。
Itwasnotuntilafterhehadgonethatshewastakenwithaslightnervousnessandgiddiness，andretracedherstepssomewhathurriedly，shyingalittleateveryrustleinthethicket。Bythetimeshehadreachedthegreatgatewayshewasdoubtfulwhethertobepleasedorfrightenedattheincident，butsheconcludedtokeepittoherself。
Itwasstillintenselycold。Thelightofthemiddaysunhaddecreasedstillmore，andonreachingtheplateauagainshesawthatadarkcloud，notunliketheprecursorofathunder—storm，wasbroodingoverthesnowypeaksbeyond。Inspiteofthecoldthissingularsuggestionofsummerphenomenawasstillborneoutbythedistantsmilingvalley，andeveninthesoftgrassesatherfeet。
Itseemedtoherthecrowninginconsistencyoftheclimate，andwithahalf—serious，half—playfulprotestonherlipsshehurriedforwardtoseektheshelterofthehouse。
CHAPTERIII
ToKate’ssurprise，thelowerpartofthehousewasdeserted，buttherewasanunusualactivityonthefloorabove，andthesoundofheavysteps。Therewerealienmarksofdustyfeetonthescrupulouslycleanpassage，andonthefirststepofthestairsaspotofblood。Withasuddengenuinealarmthatdroveherpreviousadventurefromhermind，sheimpatientlycalledhersister’sname。
Therewasahastyyetsubduedrustleofskirtsonthestaircase，andMrs。Hale，withherfingeronherlip，sweptKateunceremoniouslyintothesitting—room，closedthedoor，andleanedbackagainstit，withafaintsmile。Shehadacrumpledpaperinherhand。
\"Don’tbealarmed，butreadthatfirst，\"shesaid，handinghersisterthepaper。\"Itwasbroughtjustnow。\"
Kateinstantlyrecognizedherbrother’sdistincthand。Shereadhurriedly，\"Thecoachwasrobbedlastnight；nobodyhurt。I’velostnothingbutaday’stime，asthisbusinesswillkeepmehereuntilto—morrow，whenManuelcanjoinmewithafreshhorse。Nocauseforalarm。Asthebearergoesoutofhiswaytobringyouthis，seethathewantsfornothing。\"
\"Well，\"saidKateexpectantly。
\"Well，the’bearer’wasfireduponbytherobbers，whowerelurkingontheRidge。Hewaswoundedintheleg。Luckilyhewaspickedupbyhisfriend，whowascomingtomeethim，andbroughthereasthenearestplace。He’sup—stairsinthesparebedinthespareroom，withhisfriend，whowon’tleavehisside。Hewon’tevenhavemotherintheroom。They’vestoppedthebleedingwithJohn’sambulancethings，andnow，Kate，here’sachanceforyoutoshowthevalueofyoureducationintheambulanceclass。Theballhasgottobeextracted。Here’syouropportunity。\"
Katelookedathersistercuriously。Therewasafaintpinkflushonherpalecheeks，andhereyesweregentlysparkling。Shehadneverseenherlooksoprettybefore。
\"WhynothavesentManuelforadoctoratonce？\"askedKate。
\"Thenearestdoctorisfifteenmilesaway，andManuelisnowheretobefound。Perhapshe’sgonetolookafterthestock。There’ssometalkofsnow；imaginetheabsurdityofit!\"
\"Butwhoarethey？\"
\"Theyspeakofthemselvesas’friends，’asifitwereaprofession。
Thewoundedonewasapassenger，Isuppose。\"
\"Butwhataretheylike？\"continuedKate。\"Isupposethey’relikethemall。\"
Mrs。Haleshruggedhershoulders。
\"Thewoundedone，whenhe’snotfaintingaway，islaughing。Theotherisacreaturewithamoustache，andgloomybeyondexpression。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtodowiththem？\"saidKate。
\"WhatshouldIdo？EvenwithoutJohn’sletterIcouldnotrefusetheshelterofmyhousetoawoundedandhelplessman。Ishallkeephim，ofcourse，untilJohncomes。Why，Kate，Ireallybelieveyouaresoprejudicedagainstthesepeopleyou’dliketoturnthemout。ButIforget!It’sbecauseyouLIKEthemsowell。Well，youneednotfeartoexposeyourselftothefascinationsofthewoundedChristyMinstrel——I’msurehe’sthat——ortotheunspeakableone，whoisshynessitself，andwouldnotdaretoraisehiseyestoyou。\"
Therewasatimid，hesitatingstepinthepassage。Itpausedbeforethedoor，movedaway，returned，andfinallyasserteditsintentionsinthegentlestoftaps。
\"It’shim；I’msureofit，\"saidMrs。Hale，withasuppressedsmile。
Katethrewopenthedoorsmartly，totheextremediscomfitureofatall，darkfigurethatalreadyhadslunkawayfromit。Forallthat，hewasagood—lookingenoughfellow，withamoustacheaslongandalmostasflexibleasaringlet。Katecouldnothelpnoticingalsothathishand，whichwasnervouslypullingthemoustache，waswhiteandthin。
\"Excuseme，\"hestammered，withoutraisinghiseyes，\"Iwaslookingfor——for——theoldlady。I——Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tknowthatyou——theyoungladies——company——werehere。Iintended——Ionlywantedtosaythatmyfriend——\"HestoppedattheslightsmilethatpassedquicklyoverMrs。Hale’smouth，andhispalefacereddenedwithanangryflush。
\"Ihopeheisnotworse，\"saidMrs。Hale，withmorethanherusuallanguidgentleness。\"Mymotherisnothereatpresent。CanI——canWE——thisismysister——doaswell？\"
WithoutlookinguphemadeaconstrainedrecognitionofKate’spresence，thatembarrassedandcurtasitwas，hadnoneoftheawkwardnessofrusticity。
\"Thankyou；you’reverykind。Butmyfriendisalittlestronger，andifyoucanlendmeanextrahorseI’lltrytogethimontheSummitto—night。\"
\"Butyousurelywillnottakehimawayfromussosoon？\"saidMrs。
Hale，withalanguidlookofalarm，inwhichKate，however，detectedacertainrealfeeling。\"Waitatleastuntilmyhusbandreturnsto—morrow。\"
\"Hewon’tbehereto—morrow，\"saidthestrangerhastily。Hestopped，andasquicklycorrectedhimself。\"Thatis，hisbusinessissoveryuncertain，myfriendsays。\"
OnlyKatenoticedtheslip；butshenoticedalsothathersisterwasapparentlyunconsciousofit。\"Youthink，\"shesaid，\"thatMr。
Halemaybedelayed？\"
Heturneduponheralmostbrusquely。\"Imeanthatitisalreadysnowingupthere；\"hepointedthroughthewindowtothecloudKatehadnoticed；\"ifitcomesdownlowerinthepasstheroadswillbeblockedup。Thatiswhyitwouldbebetterforustotryandgetonatonce。\"
\"ButifMr。Haleislikelytobestoppedbysnow，soareyou，\"saidMrs。Haleplayfully；\"andyouhadbetterletustrytomakeyourfriendcomfortablehereratherthanexposehimtothatuncertaintyinhisweakcondition。Wewilldoourbestforhim。Mysisterisdyingforanopportunitytoshowherskillinsurgery，\"shecontinued，withanunexpectedmischievousnessthatonlyaddedtoKate’ssurprisedembarrassment。\"Aren’tyou，Kate？\"
Equivocalastheyounggirlknewhersilenceappeared，shewasunabletoutterthesimplestpoliteevasion。Someunaccountableimpulsekeptherconstrainedandspeechless。Thestrangerdidnot，however，waitforherreply，but，castingaswift，hurriedglancearoundtheroom，said，\"It’simpossible；wemustgo。Infact，I’vealreadytakenthelibertytoorderthehorsesround。Theyareatthedoornow。Youmaybecertain，\"headded，withquickearnestness，suddenlyliftinghisdarkeyestoMrs。Hale，andasrapidlywithdrawingthem，\"thatyourhorsewillbereturnedatonce，and——and——wewon’tforgetyourkindness。\"Hestoppedandturnedtowardsthehall。\"I——Ihavebroughtmyfrienddown—stairs。
Hewantstothankyoubeforehegoes。\"
Asheremainedstandinginthehallthetwowomensteppedtothedoor。Totheirsurprise，halfrecliningonacanesofawasthewoundedman，andwhatcouldbeseenofhisslightfigurewaswrappedinadarkserape。Hisbeardlessfacegavehimaquaintboyishnessquiteinconsistentwiththematurelinesofhistemplesandforehead。Pale，andinpain，asheevidentlywas，hisblueeyestwinkledwithintenseamusement。Notonlydidhismannerofferamarkedcontrasttothesombreuneasinessofhiscompanion，butheseemedtobetheonlyoneperfectlyathiseaseinthegrouparoundhim。
\"It’sratherroughmakingyoucomeoutheretoseemeoff，\"hesaid，withanotunmusicallaughthatwasveryinfectious，\"butNedthere，whocarriedmedownstairs，wantedtototemeroundthehouseinhisarmslikeababytosayta—tatoyouall。Excusemynotrising，butIfeelasuncertainbelowasamermaid，andasoutofmyelement，\"headded，withamischievousglanceathisfriend。
\"NedconcludedImustgoon。ButImustsaygood—bytotheoldladyfirst。Ah!heresheis。\"
ToKate’scompletebewilderment，notonlydidtheutterfamiliarityofthisspeech，passunnoticedandunrebukedbyhersister，butactuallyherownmotheradvancedquicklywitheveryexpressionoflivelysympathy，andwiththeauthorityofheryearsandanalmostmaternalanxietyendeavoredtodissuadetheinvalidfromgoing。
\"Thisisnotmyhouse，\"shesaid，lookingatherdaughter，\"butifitwereIshouldnothearofyourleaving，notonlyto—night，butuntilyouwereoutofdanger。Josephine!Kate!Whatareyouthinkingoftopermitit？Well，thenIforbidit——there!\"
Hadtheybecomesuddenlyinsane，orweretheybewitchedbythismoroseintruderandhisinsufferablyfamiliarconfidant？Themanwaswounded，itwastrue；theymighthavetoputhimupincommonhumanity；butherewasherausteremother，whowouldn’tcomeintheroomwhenWhiskyDickcalledonbusiness，actuallypressingbothoftheinvalid’shands，whilehersister，whoneverextendedafingertotheordinaryvisitinghumanityoftheneighborhood，lookedonwithevidentcomplacency。
ThewoundedmansuddenlyraisedMrs。Scott’shandtohislips，kisseditgently，and，withhissmilequitevanished，endeavoredtorisetohisfeet。\"It’sofnouse——wemustgo。Givemeyourarm，Ned。Quick!Arethehorsesthere？\"
\"Dearme，\"saidMrs。Scottquickly。\"Iforgottosaythehorsecannotbefoundanywhere。Manuelmusthavetakenhimthismorningtolookupthestock。Buthewillbebackto—nightcertainly，andifto—morrow——\"
Thewoundedmansankbacktoasittingposition。\"IsManuelyourman？\"heaskedgrimly。
\"Yes。\"
Thetwomenexchangedglances。
\"Markedonhisleftcheekanddrinksagooddeal？\"
\"Yes，\"saidKate，findinghervoice。\"Why？\"
Theamusedlookcamebacktotheman’seyes。\"Thatkindofmanisn’tsafetowaitfor。Wemusttakeourownhorse，Ned。Areyouready？\"
\"Yes。\"
Thewoundedmanagainattemptedtorise。Hefellback，butthistimequiteheavily。Hehadfainted。
Involuntarilyandsimultaneouslythethreewomenrushedtohisside。\"Hecannotgo，\"saidKatesuddenly。
\"Hewillbebetterinamoment。\"
\"Butonlyforamoment。Willnothinginduceyoutochangeyourmind？\"
Asifinreplyasuddengustofwindbroughtavolleyofrainagainstthewindow。
\"THATwill，\"saidthestrangerbitterly。
\"Therain？\"
\"AmilefromhereitisSNOW；andbeforewecouldreachtheSummitwiththesehorsestheroadwouldbeimpassable。\"
Hemadeaslightgesturetohimself，asifacceptinganinevitabledefeat，andturnedtohiscompanion，whowasslowlyrevivingundertheactiveministrationofthetwowomen。Thewoundedmanlookedaroundwithaweaksmile。\"Thisisonewayofgoingoff，\"hesaidfaintly，\"butIcoulddothissortofthingaswellontheroad。\"
\"Youcandonothingnow，\"saidhisfriend，decidedly。\"BeforewegettotheGatetheroadwillbeimpassableforourhorses。\"
\"ForANYhorses？\"askedKate。