CHAPTERI。
ThesunwasgoingdownontheCarquinezWoods。Thefewshaftsofsunlightthathadpiercedtheirpillaredgloomwerelostinunfathomabledepths，orsplinteredtheirineffectuallancesontheenormoustrunksoftheredwoods。Foratimethedullredoftheirvastcolumns，andthedullredoftheircast-offbarkwhichmattedtheecholessaisles，stillseemedtoholdafaintglowofthedyingday。Buteventhissoonpassed。Lightandcolorfledupwards。Thedarkinterlacedtreetops，thathadalldaymadeanimpenetrableshade，brokeintofirehereandthere;theirlostspiresglittered，faded，andwentutterlyout。Aweirdtwilightthatdidnotcomefromtheouterworld，butseemedbornofthewooditself，slowlyfilledandpossessedtheaisles。Thestraight，tall，colossaltrunksrosedimlylikecolumnsofupwardsmoke。Thefewfallentreesstretchedtheirhugelengthintoobscurity，andseemedtolieonshadowytrestles。Thestrangebreaththatfilledthesemysteriousvaultshadneithercoldnessnormoisture;adry，fragrantdustarosefromthenoiselessfootthattrodtheirbark-strewnfloor;theaislesmighthavebeentombs，thefallentreesenormousmummies;thesilencethesolitudeofaforgottenpast。
Andyetthissilencewaspresentlybrokenbyarecurringsoundlikebreathing，interruptedoccasionallybyinarticulateandstertorousgasps。Itwasnotthequick，panting，listeningbreathofsomestealthyfelineorcanineanimal，butindicatedalarger，slower，andmorepowerfulorganization，whoseprogresswaslesswatchfulandguarded，orasifafragmentofoneofthefallenmonstershadbecomeanimate。Attimesthislifeseemedtotakevisibleform，butasvaguely，asmisshapenly，asthephantomofanightmare。Nowitwasasquareobjectmovingsideways，endways，withneitherheadnortailandscarcelyvisiblefeet;
thenanarchedbulkrollingagainstthetrunksofthetreesandrecoilingagain，oranuprightcylindricalmass，butalwaysoscillatingandunsteady，andstrikingthetreesoneitherhand。
Thefrequentoccurrenceofthemovementsuggestedthefiguresofsomeweirdrhythmicdancetomusicheardbytheshapealone。
Suddenlyiteitherbecamemotionlessorfadedaway。
Therewasthefrightenedneighingofahorse，thesuddenjinglingofspurs，ashoutandoutcry，andtheswiftapparitionofthreedancingtorchesinoneofthedarkaisles;butsointensewastheobscuritythattheyshednolightonsurroundingobjects，andseemedtoadvanceoftheirownvolitionwithouthumanguidance，untiltheydisappearedsuddenlybehindtheinterposingbulkofoneofthelargesttrees。Beyonditseightyfeetofcircumferencethelightcouldnotreach，andthegloomremainedinscrutable。
Butthevoicesandjinglingspurswerehearddistinctly。
\"Blastthemare！She’sshiedoffthatcursedtrailagain。\"
\"Yeain’tlostitagain，hevye？\"growledasecondvoice。
\"That’sjistwhatIhev。Andtheseblastedpine-knotsdon’tgivelightaninchbeyond’em。D——difIdon’tthinktheymakethiscursedholeblacker。\"
Therewasalaugh——awoman’slaugh——hysterical，bitter，sarcastic，exasperating。Thesecondspeaker，withoutheedingit，wenton：——
\"Whatinthunderskeertthehosses？Didyouseeorhearanything？\"
\"Nothin’。Thewoodislikeagraveyard。\"
Thewoman’svoiceagainbrokeintoahoarse，contemptuouslaugh。
Themanresumedangrily：——
\"Ifyouknowanything，whyinh-lldon’tyousayso，insteadofcacklinglikead——dsquawthere？P’rapsyoureckonyoukenfindthetrailtoo。\"
\"Takethisropeoffmywrist，\"saidthewoman’svoice，\"untiemyhands，letmedown，andI’llfindit。\"ShespokequicklyandwithaSpanishaccent。
Itwasthemen’sturntolaugh。\"Andgiveyouashowtosnatchthatsix-shooterandblowaholethroughme，asyoudidtotheSheriffofCalaveras，eh？Notifthiscourtunderstandsitself，\"
saidthefirstspeakerdryly。
\"Gotothedevil，then，\"shesaidcurtly。
\"Notbeforealady，\"respondedtheother。Therewasanotherlaughfromthemen，thespursjingledagain，thethreetorchesreappearedfrombehindthetree，andthenpassedawayinthedarkness。
Foratimesilenceandimmutabilitypossessedthewoods;thegreattrunksloomedupwards，theirfallenbrothersstretchedtheirslowlengthintoobscurity。Thesoundofbreathingagainbecameaudible;theshapereappearedintheaisle，andrecommenceditsmysticdance。Presentlyitwaslostintheshadowofthelargesttree，andtothesoundofbreathingsucceededagratingandscratchingofbark。Suddenly，asifrivenbylightning，aflashbrokefromthecenterofthetree-
trunk，litupthewoods，andasharpreportrangthroughit。
Afterapausethejinglingofspursandthedancingoftorcheswererevivedfromthedistance。
\"Hallo？\"
Noanswer。
\"Whofiredthatshot？\"
Buttherewasnoreply。Aslightveilofsmokepassedawaytotheright，therewasthespiceofgunpowderintheair，butnothingmore。
Thetorchescameforwardagain，butthistimeitcouldbeseentheywereheldinthehandsoftwomenandawoman。Thewoman’shandsweretiedatthewristtothehorse-hairreinsofhermule，whileariata，passedaroundherwaistandunderthemule’sgirth，washeldbyoneofthemen，whowerebotharmedwithriflesandrevolvers。Theirfrightenedhorsescurveted，anditwaswithdifficultytheycouldbemadetoadvance。
\"Ho！stranger，whatareyoushootingat？\"
Thewomanlaughedandshruggedhershoulders。\"Lookyonderattherootsofthetree。You’read——dsmartmanforasheriff，ain’tyou？\"
Themanutteredanexclamationandspurredhishorseforward，buttheanimalrearedinterror。Hethensprangtothegroundandapproachedthetree。Theshapelaythere，ascarcelydistinguishablebulk。
\"Agrizzly，bythelivingJingo！Shotthroughtheheart。\"
Itwastrue。Thestrangeshapelitupbytheflaringtorchesseemedmorevague，unearthly，andawkwardinitsdyingthroes，yetthesmallshuteyes，thefeeblenose，theponderousshoulders，andhalf-humanfootarmedwithpowerfulclawswereunmistakable。Thementurnedbyacommonimpulseandpeeredintotheremoterecessesofthewoodagain。
\"Hi，Mister！comeandpickupyourgame。Hallothere！\"
Thechallengefellunheededontheemptywoods。
\"Andyet，\"saidhewhomthewomanhadcalledthesheriff，\"hecan’tbefaroff。Itwasacloseshot，andthebearhezdroppedinhistracks。Why，wot’sthisstickinginhisclaws？\"
Thetwomenbentovertheanimal。\"Why，it’ssugar，brownsugar——
look！\"Therewasnomistake。Thehugebeast’sforepawsandmuzzlewerestreakedwiththeunromantichouseholdprovision，andheightenedtheabsurdcontrastofitsincongruousmembers。Thewoman，apparentlyindifferent，hadtakenthatopportunitytopartlyfreeoneofherwrists。
\"Ifwehadn’tbeencavortingroundthisyerspotforthelasthalfhour，I’dsweartherewasashantynotahundredyardsaway，\"saidthesheriff。
Theotherman，withoutreplying，remountedhishorseinstantly。
\"Ifthereis，andit’sinhabitedbyagentlemanthatkinmakecentreshotslikethatinthedark，anddon’tcaretoexplainhow，IreckonIwon’tdisturbhim。\"
Thesheriffwasapparentlyofthesameopinion，forhefollowedhiscompanion’sexample，andoncemoreledtheway。Thespurstinkled，thetorchesdanced，andthecavalcadeslowlyreenteredthegloom。Inanothermomentithaddisappeared。
Thewoodsankagainintorepose，thistimedisturbedbyneithershapenorsound。Whatlowerformsoflifemighthavecreptclosetoitsrootswerehiddenintheferns，orpassedwithdeadenedtreadoverthebark-strewnfloor。Towardsmorningacoolnesslikedewfellfromabove，withhereandthereadroppingtwigornut，orthecrepitantawakeningandstretching-outofcrampedandwearybranches。Lateradull，luriddawn，notunlikethelastevening’ssunset，filledtheaisles。Thisfadedagain，andacleargraylight，inwhicheveryobjectstoodoutinsharpdistinctness，tookitsplace。Morningwaswaitingoutsideinallitsbrilliant，youthfulcoloring，butonlyenteredasthematuredandsoberedday。
Seeninthatstrongerlight，themonstroustreenearwhichthedeadbearlayrevealeditsageinitsdenudedandscarredtrunk，andshowedinitsbaseadeepcavity，afootortwofromtheground，partlyhiddenbyhangingstripsofbarkwhichhadfallenacrossit。Suddenlyoneofthesestripswaspushedaside，andayoungmanleapedlightlydown。
Butfortheriflehecarriedandsomemodernpeculiaritiesofdress，hewasofagracesounusualandunconventionalthathemighthavepassedforafaunwhowasquittinghisancestralhome。
Hesteppedtothesideofthebearwithalightelasticmovementthatwasasunlikecustomaryprogressionashisfaceandfigurewereunliketheordinarytypesofhumanity。Evenasheleaneduponhisrifle，lookingdownattheprostrateanimal，heunconsciouslyfellintoanattitudethatinanyothermortalwouldhavebeenapose，butwithhimwasthepicturesqueandunstudiedrelaxationofperfectsymmetry。
\"Hallo，Mister！\"
Heraisedhisheadsocarelesslyandlistlesslythathedidnototherwisechangehisattitude。Steppingfrombehindthetree，thewomanoftheprecedingnightstoodbeforehim。Herhandswerefreeexceptforathongoftheriata，whichwasstillknottedaroundonewrist，theendofthethonghavingbeentornorburntaway。Hereyeswerebloodshot，andherhairhungoverhershouldersinonelongblackbraid。
\"IreckonedallalongitwasYOUwhoshotthebear，\"shesaid;
\"atleastsomeonehidingyer，\"andsheindicatedthehollowtreewithherhand。\"Itwasn’tnochanceshot。\"Observingthattheyoungman，eitherfrommisconceptionorindifference，didnotseemtocomprehendher，sheadded，\"Wecamebyhere，lastnight，aminuteafteryoufired。\"
\"Oh，thatwasYOUkickedupsucharow，wasit？\"saidtheyoungman，withashadeofinterest。
\"Ireckon，\"saidthewoman，noddingherhead，\"andthemthatwaswithme。\"
\"Andwhoarethey？\"
\"SheriffDunn，ofYolo，andhisdeputy。\"
\"Andwherearetheynow？\"
\"Thedeputy——inh-ll，Ireckon;Idon’tknowaboutthesheriff。\"
\"Isee，\"saidtheyoungmanquietly;\"andyou？\"
\"I——gotaway，\"shesaidsavagely。Butshewastakenwithasuddennervousshiver，whichsheatoncerepressedbytightlydragginghershawloverhershouldersandelbows，andfoldingherarmsdefiantly。
\"Andyou’regoing？\"
\"Tofollowthedeputy，maybe，\"shesaidgloomily。\"Butcome，I
say，ain’tyougoingtotreat？It’scursedcoldhere。\"
\"Waitamoment。\"Theyoungmanwaslookingather，withhisarchedbrowsslightlyknitandahalfsmileofcuriosity。\"Ain’tyouTeresa？\"
Shewaspreparedforthequestion，butevidentlywasnotcertainwhethershewouldreplydefiantlyorconfidently。Afteranexhaustivescrutinyofhisfaceshechosethelatter，andsaid，\"Youcanbetyourlifeonit，Johnny。\"
\"Idon’tbet，andmynameisn’tJohnny。Thenyou’rethewomanwhostabbedDickCursonoveratLagrange’s？\"
Shebecamedefiantagain。
\"That’sme，allthetime。Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
\"Nothing。AndyouusedtodanceattheAlhambra？\"Shewhiskedtheshawlfromhershoulders，heldituplikeascarf，andmadeoneortwostepsofthesembicuacua。Therewasnottheleastgayety，recklessness，orspontaneityintheaction;itwassimplymechanicalbravado。Itwassoineffective，evenuponherownfeelings，thatherarmspresentlydroppedtoherside，andshecoughedembarrassedly。\"Where’sthatwhiskey，pardner？\"sheasked。
Theyoungmanturnedtowardthetreehehadjustquitted，andwithoutfurtherwordsassistedhertomounttothecavity。Itwasanirregular-shapedvaultedchamber，piercedfiftyfeetabovebyashaftorcylindricalopeninginthedecayedtrunk，whichwasblackenedbysmoke，asifithadservedthepurposeofachimney。
Inonecornerlayabearskinandblanket;atthesideweretwoalcovesorindentations，oneofwhichwasevidentlyusedasatable，andtheotherasacupboard。Inanotherhollow，neartheentrance，layafewsmallsacksofflour，coffee，andsugar，thestickycontentsofthelatterstillstrewingthefloor。Fromthisstorehousetheyoungmandrewawickerflaskofwhiskey，andhandedit，withatincupofwater，tothewoman。Shewavedthecupaside，placedtheflasktoherlips，anddranktheundilutedspirit。Yeteventhiswasevidentlybravado，forthewaterstartedtohereyes，andshecouldnotrestraintheparoxysmofcoughingthatfollowed。
\"Ireckonthat’sthekindthatkillsatfortyrods，\"shesaid，withahystericallaugh。\"ButIsay，pardner，youlookasifyouwerefixedheretostay，\"andshestaredostentatiouslyaroundthechamber。Butshehadalreadytakeninitsminutestdetails，eventoobservingthatthehangingstripsofbarkcouldbedisposedsoastocompletelyhidetheentrance。
\"Well，yes，\"hereplied;\"itwouldn’tbeveryeasytopullupthestakesandmovetheshantyfurtheron。\"
Seeingthateitherfromindifferenceorcautionhehadnotacceptedhermeaning，shelookedathimfixedly，andsaid，——
\"Whatisyourlittlegame？\"
\"Eh？\"
\"Whatareyouhidingfor——here，inthistree？\"
\"ButI’mnothiding。\"
\"Thenwhydidn’tyoucomeoutwhentheyhailedyoulastnight？\"
\"BecauseIdidn’tcareto。\"
Teresawhistledincredulously。\"Allright——thenifyou’renothiding，I’mgoingto。\"Ashedidnotreply，shewenton：\"IfI
cankeepoutofsightforacoupleofweeks，thisthingwillblowoverhere，andIcangetacrossintoYolo。Icouldgetafairshowthere，wheretheboysknowme。Justnowthetrailsareallwatched，butnoonewouldthinkoflookin’here。\"
\"Thenhowdidyoucometothinkofit？\"heaskedcarelessly。
\"BecauseIknewthatbearhadn’tgonefarforthatsugar;becauseIknowhehadn’tstoleitfromacache——itwastoofresh，andwe’dhaveseenthetorn-upearth;becausewehadpassednocamp;
andbecauseIknewtherewasnoshantyhere。And，besides，\"sheaddedinalowvoice，\"maybeIwashuntin’aholemyselftodiein——andspotteditbyinstinct。\"
Therewassomethinginthissuggestionofahuntedanimalthat，unlikeanythingshehadpreviouslysaidorsuggested，wasnotexaggerated，andcausedtheyoungmantolookatheragain。Shewasstandingunderthechimney-likeopening，andthelightfromaboveilluminatedherheadandshoulders。Thepupilsofhereyeshadlosttheirfeverishprominence，andwereslightlysuffusedandsoftenedasshegazedabstractedlybeforeher。Theonlyvestigeofherpreviousexcitementwasinherleft-handfingers，whichwereincessantlytwistingandturningadiamondringuponherrighthand，butwithoutimpartingtheleastanimationtoherrigidattitude。Suddenly，asifconsciousofhisscrutiny，shesteppedasideoutoftherevealinglightandbyaswiftfeminineinstinctraisedherhandtoherheadasiftoadjustherstragglinghair。Itwasonlyforamoment，however，for，asifawareoftheweakness，shestruggledtoresumeheraggressivepose。
\"Well，\"shesaid。\"Speakup。AmIgoin’tostophere，orhaveI
gottogetupandget？\"
\"Youcanstay，\"saidtheyoungmanquietly;\"butasI’vegotmyprovisionsandammunitionhere，andhaven’tanyotherplacetogotojustnow，Isupposewe’llhavetoshareittogether。\"
Sheglancedathimunderhereyelids，andahalf-bitter，half-
contemptuoussmilepassedacrossherface。\"Allright，oldman，\"
shesaid，holdingoutherhand，\"it’sago。We’llstartinhousekeepingatonce，ifyoulike。\"
\"I’llhavetocomehereonceortwiceaday，\"hesaid，quitecomposedly，\"tolookaftermythings，andgetsomethingtoeat;
butI’llbeawaymostofthetime，andwhatwithcampingoutunderthetreeseverynightIreckonmysharewon’tincommodeyou。\"
Sheopenedherblackeyesuponhim，atthisoriginalproposition。
Thenshelookeddownathertorndress。\"Isupposethisstyleofthingain’tveryfancy，isit？\"shesaid，withaforcedlaugh。
\"IthinkIknowwheretobegorborrowachangeforyou，ifyoucan’tgetany，\"herepliedsimply。
Shestaredathimagain。\"Areyouafamilyman？\"
\"No。\"
Shewassilentforamoment。\"Well，\"shesaid，\"youcantellyourgirlI’mnotparticularaboutitsbeinginthelatestfashion。\"
Therewasaslightflushonhisforeheadasheturnedtowardthelittlecupboard，butnotremorinhisvoiceashewenton：
\"You’llfindteaandcoffeehere，and，ifyou’rebored，there’sabookortwo。Youread，don’tyou——ImeanEnglish？\"
Shenodded，butcastalookofundisguisedcontemptuponthetwoworn，coverlessnovelsheheldouttoher。\"Youhaven’tgotlastweek’s’SacramentoUnion，’haveyou？Iheartheyhavemycaseallin;onlythemlyingreportersmadeitoutagainstmeallthetime。\"
\"Idon’tseethepapers，\"herepliedcurtly。
\"Theysaythere’sapictureofmeinthe’PoliceGazette，’takenintheact，\"andshelaughed。
Helookedalittleabstracted，andturnedasiftogo。\"Ithinkyou’lldowelltorestawhilejustnow，andkeepasclosehidaspossibleuntilafternoon。Thetrailisamileawayatthenearestpoint，butsomeonemightmissitandstrayoverhere。
You’requitesafeifyou’recareful，andstandbythetree。Youcanbuildafirehere，\"hesteppedunderthechimney-likeopening，\"withoutitsbeingnoticed。Eventhesmokeislostandcannotbeseensohigh。\"
Thelightfromabovewasfallingonhisheadandshoulders，asithadonhers。Shelookedathimintently。
\"Youtravelagooddealonyourfigure，pardner，don’tyou？\"shesaid，withacertainadmirationthatwasquitesexlessinitsquality;\"butIdon’tseehowyoupickupalivingbyitintheCarquinezWoods。Soyou’regoing，areyou？Youmightbemoresociable。Good-by。\"
\"Good-by！\"Heleapedfromtheopening。
\"Isaypardner！\"
Heturnedalittleimpatiently。Shehadkneltdownattheentrance，soastobenearerhislevel，andwasholdingoutherhand。Buthedidnotnoticeit，andshequietlywithdrewit。
\"Ifanybodydroppedinandaskedforyou，whatnamewilltheysay？\"
Hesmiled。\"Don’twaittohear。\"
\"ButsupposeIwantedtosingoutforyou，whatwillIcallyou？\"
Hehesitated。\"Callme——Lo。\"
\"Lo，thepoorIndian？\"*
\"Exactly。\"
*ThefirstwordofPope’sfamiliarapostropheishumorouslyusedintheFarWestasadistinguishingtitlefortheIndian。
Itsuddenlyoccurredtothewoman，Teresa，thatintheyoungman’sheight，supple，yeterectcarriage，color，andsingulargravityofdemeanortherewasarefined，aboriginalsuggestion。
HedidnotlooklikeanyIndianshehadeverseen，butratherasayouthfulchiefmighthavelooked。Therewasafurthersuggestioninhisfringedbuckskinshirtandmoccasins;butbeforeshecouldutterthehalf-sarcasticcommentthatrosetoherlipshehadglidednoiselesslyaway，evenasanIndianmighthavedone。
Shereadjustedtheslipsofhangingbarkwithfeminineingenuity，dispersingthemsoastocompletelyhidetheentrance。Yetthisdidnotdarkenthechamber，whichseemedtodrawapurerandmorevigorouslightthroughthesoaringshaftthatpiercedtheroofthanthatwhichcamefromthedimwoodlandaislesbelow。
Nevertheless，sheshivered，anddrawinghershawlcloselyaroundherbegantocollectsomehalf-burntfragmentsofwoodinthechimneytomakeafire。Butthepreoccupationofherthoughtsrenderedthisatediousprocess，asshewouldfromtimetotimestopinthemiddleofanactionandfallintoanattitudeofraptabstraction，withfar-offeyesandrigidmouth。Whenshehadatlastsucceededinkindlingafireandraisingafilmofpalebluesmoke，thatseemedtofadeanddissipateentirelybeforeitreachedthetopofthechimneyshaft，shecrouchedbesideit，fixedhereyesonthedarkestcornerofthecavern，andbecamemotionless。
Whatdidsheseethroughthatshadow？
Nothingatfirstbutaconfusedmedleyoffiguresandincidentsoftheprecedingnight;thingstobeputawayandforgotten;
thingsthatwouldnothavehappenedbutforanotherthing——thethingbeforewhicheverythingfaded！Aball-room;thesoundsofmusic;theonemanshehadcaredforinsultingherwiththeflauntingostentationofhisunfaithfulness;herselfdespised，putaside，laughedat，orworse，jilted。Andthenthemomentofdelirium，whenthelightdanced;theonewildactthatliftedher，thedespisedone，abovethemall——madeherthesupremefigure，tobeglancedatbyfrightenedwomen，staredatbyhalf-
startled，half-admiringmen！\"Yes，\"shelaughed;butstruckbythesoundofherownvoice，movedtwiceroundthecavernnervously，andthendroppedagainintoheroldposition。
Astheycarriedhimawayhehadlaughedather——likeahoundthathewas;hewhohadpraisedherforherspirit，andincitedherrevengeagainstothers;hewhohadtaughthertostrikewhenshewasinsulted;anditwasonlyfitheshouldreapwhathehadsown。Shewaswhathe，whatothermen，hadmadeher。Andwhatwasshenow？Whathadshebeenonce？
Shetriedtorecallherchildhood：themanandwomanwhomighthavebeenherfatherandmother;whofoughtandwrangledoverherprecociouslittlelife;abusedorcaressedherasshesidedwitheither;andthenleftherwithacircustroupe，whereshefirsttastedthepowerofhercourage，herbeauty，andherrecklessness。Sherememberedthoseflashesoftriumphthatleftafeverinherveins——afeverthatwhenitfailedmustbestimulatedbydissipation，byanything，byeverythingthatwouldkeephernameawonderinmen’smouths，anenviousfeartowomen。
Sherecalledhertransfertothestrollingplayers;hercheappleasures，andcheaperrivalriesandhatred——butalwaysTeresa！
thedaringTeresa！therecklessTeresa！audaciousasawoman，invincibleasaboy;dancing，flirting，fencing，shooting，swearing，drinking，smoking，fightingTeresa！\"Oh，yes;shehadbeenloved，perhaps——whoknows？——butalwaysfeared。Whyshouldshechangenow？Ha，heshouldsee。\"
Shehadlashedherselfinafrenzy，aswasherwont，withgestures，ejaculations，oaths，adjurations，andpassionateapostrophes，butwiththisstrangeandunexpectedresult。
Heretoforeshehadalwaysbeensustainedandkeptupbyanaudienceofsomekindorquality，ifonlyperhapsahumblecompanion;therehadalwaysbeensomeoneshecouldfascinateorhorrify，andshecouldreadherpowermirroredintheireyes。
Eventhehalf-abstractedindifferenceofherstrangehosthadbeensomething。Butshewasalonenow。Herwordsfellonapatheticsolitude;shewasactingtoviewlessspace。Sherushedtotheopening，dashedthehangingbarkaside，andleapedtotheground。
Sheranforwardwildlyafewsteps，andstopped。
\"Hallo！\"shecried。\"Look，’tisI，Teresa！\"
Theprofoundsilenceremainedunbroken。Hershrillesttoneswerelostinanecholessspace，evenasthesmokeofherfirehadfadedintopureether。Shestretchedoutherclenchedfistsasiftodefythepillaredausteritiesofthevaultsaroundher。
\"Comeandtakemeifyoudare！\"
Thechallengewasunheeded。Ifshehadthrownherselfviolentlyagainstthenearesttree-trunk，shecouldnothavebeenstrickenmorebreathlessthanshewasbythecompact，embattledsolitudethatencompassedher。Thehopelessnessofimpressingthesecoldandpassivevaultswithherselfishpassionfilledherwithavaguefear。Inherrageofthepreviousnightshehadnotseenthewoodinitsprofoundimmobility。Leftalonewiththemajestyofthoseenormouscolumns，shetrembledandturnedfaint。Thesilenceofthehollowtreeshehadjustquittedseemedtoherlessawfulthanthecrushingpresenceofthesemuteandmonstrouswitnessesofherweakness。Likeawoundedquailwithloweredcrestandtrailingwing，shecreptbacktoherhidingplace。
Eventhentheinfluenceofthewoodwasstilluponher。Shepickedupthenovelshehadcontemptuouslythrownaside，onlytoletitfallagaininutterweariness。Foramomentherfemininecuriositywasexcitedbythediscoveryofanoldbook，inwhoseblankleaveswerepressedavarietyofflowersandwoodlandgrasses。Asshecouldnotconceivethatthesehadbeenkeptforanybutasentimentalpurpose，shewasdisappointedtofindthatunderneatheachwasasentenceinanunknowntongue，thateventoheruntutoredeyedidnotappeartobethelanguageofpassion。
Finallysherearrangedthecouchofskinsandblankets，and，impartingtoitinthreeclevershakesanentirelydifferentcharacter，laydowntopursueherreveries。Butnatureassertedherself，anderesheknewitshewasasleep。
Sointenseandprolongedhadbeenherpreviousexcitementthat，thetensiononcerelieved，shepassedintoaslumberofexhaustionsodeepthatsheseemedscarcetobreathe。Highnoonsucceededmorning，thecentralshaftreceivedasinglerayofuppersunlight，theafternooncameandwent，theshadowsgatheredbelow，thesunsetfiresbegantoeattheirwaythroughthegroinedroof，andshestillslept。Shesleptevenwhenthebarkhangingsofthechamberwereputaside，andtheyoungmanreentered。
Helaiddownabundlehewascarryingandsoftlyapproachedthesleeper。Foramomenthewasstartledfromhisindifference;shelaysostillandmotionless。Butthiswasnotallthatstruckhim;thefacebeforehimwasnolongerthepassionate，haggardvisagethatconfrontedhimthatmorning;thefeverishair，theburningcolor，thestrainedmusclesofmouthandbrow，andthestaringeyesweregone;wipedaway，perhaps，bythetearsthatstilllefttheirtracesoncheekanddarkeyelash。Itwasthefaceofahandsomewomanofthirty，withevenasuggestionofsoftnessinthecontourofthecheekandarchingofherupperlip，nolongerrigidlydrawndowninanger，butrelaxedbysleeponherwhiteteeth。
Withthelithe，softtreadthatwashabitualtohim，theyoungmanmovedabout，examiningtheconditionofthelittlechamberanditsstockofprovisionsandnecessaries，andwithdrewpresently，toreappearasnoiselesslywithatinbucketofwater。
Thisdone，hereplenishedthelittlepileoffuelwithanarmfulofbarkandpinecones，castanapprovingglanceabouthim，whichincludedthesleeper，andsilentlydeparted。
Itwasnightwhensheawoke。Shewassurroundedbyaprofounddarkness，exceptwheretheshaft-likeopeningmadeanebulousmistinthecornerofherwoodencavern。Providentiallyshestruggledbacktoconsciousnessslowly，sothatthesolitudeandsilencecameuponhergradually，withagrowingrealizationoftheeventsofthepasttwenty-fourhours，butwithoutashock。
Shewasalonehere，butsafestill，andeveryhouraddedtoherchancesofultimateescape。Sherememberedtohaveseenacandleamongthearticlesontheshelf，andshebegantogropeherwaytowardsthematches。Suddenlyshestopped。Whatwasthatpanting？
Wasitherownbreathing，quickenedwithasuddennamelessterror？orwastheresomethingoutside？Herheartseemedtostopbeatingwhileshelistened。Yes！itwasapantingoutside——apantingnowincreased，multiplied，redoubled，mixedwiththesoundsofrustling，tearing，craunching，andoccasionallyaquick，impatientsnarl。Shecreptonherhandsandkneestotheopeningandlookedout。Atfirstthegroundseemedtobeundulatingbetweenherandtheoppositetree。Butasecondglanceshowedhertheblackandgray，bristling，tossingbacksoftumblingbeastsofprey，chargingthecarcassofthebearthatlayatitsroots，orcontestingfortheprizewithgluttonous，chokedbreath，sidelongsnarls，archedspines，andrecurvedtails。Oneoftheboldesthadleapeduponabuttressingrootofhertreewithinafootoftheopening。Theexcitement，awe，andterrorshehadundergoneculminatedinonewild，maddenedscream，thatseemedtopierceeventhecolddepthsoftheforest，asshedroppedonherface，withherhandsclaspedoverhereyesinanagonyoffear。
Herscreamwasanswered，afterapause，byasuddenvolleyoffirebrandsandsparksintothemidstofthepanting，crowdingpack;afewsmotheredhowlsandsnaps，andasuddendispersionoftheconcourse。Inanothermomenttheyoungman，withablazingbrandineitherhand，leapeduponthebodyofthebear。
Teresaraisedherhead，utteredahystericalcry，sliddownthetree，flewwildlytohisside，caughtconvulsivelyathissleeve，andfellonherkneesbesidehim。
\"Saveme！saveme！\"shegasped，inavoicebrokenbyterror。
\"Savemefromthosehideouscreatures。No，no！\"sheimplored，asheendeavoredtolifthertoherfeet。\"No——letmestayhereclosebesideyou。So，\"clutchingthefringeofhisleatherhunting-shirt，anddraggingherselfonherkneesnearerhim——
\"so——don’tleaveme，forGod’ssake！\"
\"Theyaregone，\"hereplied，gazingdowncuriouslyather，asshewoundthefringearoundherhandtostrengthenherhold;\"they’reonlyalotofcowardlycoyotesandwolves，thatdarenotattackanythingthatlivesandcanmove。\"
Theyoungwomanrespondedwithanervousshudder。\"Yes，that’sit，\"shewhispered，inabrokenvoice;\"it’sonlythedeadtheywant。Promiseme——sweartome，ifI’mcaught，orhung，orshot，youwon’tletmebeleftheretobetornand——ah！myGod！what’sthat？\"
Shehadthrownherarmsaroundhisknees，completelypinioninghimtoherfranticbreast。Somethinglikeasmileofdisdainpassedacrosshisfaceasheanswered，\"It’snothing。Theywillnotreturn。Getup！\"
Eveninherterrorshesawthechangeinhisface。\"Iknow，I
know！\"shecried。\"I’mfrightened——butIcannotbearitanylonger。Hearme！Listen！Listen——butdon’tmove！Ididn’tmeantokillCurson——no！IsweartoGod，no！Ididn’tmeantokillthesheriff——andIdidn’t。Iwasonlybragging——doyouhear？Ilied！Ilied——don’tmove，IsweartoGodIlied。I’vemademyselfoutworsethanIwas。Ihave。Onlydon’tleavemenow——andifIdie——andit’snotfaroff，maybe——getmeawayfromhere——andfromTHEM。Swearit！\"
\"Allright，\"saidtheyoungman，withascarcelyconcealedmovementofirritation。\"Butgetupnow，andgobacktothecabin。\"
\"No;notTHEREalone。\"Nevertheless，hequietlybutfirmlyreleasedhimself。
\"Iwillstayhere，\"hereplied。\"Iwouldhavebeennearertoyou，butIthoughtitbetterforyoursafetythatmycamp-fireshouldbefurtheroff。ButIcanbuildithere，andthatwillkeepthecoyotesoff。\"
\"Letmestaywithyou——besideyou，\"shesaidimploringly。
Shelookedsobroken，crushed，andspiritless，sounlikethewomanofthemorningthat，albeitwithanillgrace，hetacitlyconsented，andturnedawaytobringhisblankets。Butinthenextmomentshewasathisside，followinghimlikeadog，silentandwistful，andevenofferingtocarryhisburden。Whenhehadbuiltthefire，forwhichshehadcollectedthepine-conesandbrokenbranchesnearthem，hesatdown，foldedhisarms，andleanedbackagainstthetreeinreservedanddeliberatesilence。
Humbleandsubmissive，shedidnotattempttobreakinuponareverieshecouldnothelpbutfeelhadlittlekindlinesstoherself。Asthefiresnappedandsparkled，shepillowedherheaduponaroot，andlaystilltowatchit。
Itroseandfell，anddyingawayattimestoamereluridglow，andagain，agitatedbysomebreathscarcelyperceptibletothem，quickeningintoaroaringflame。Whenonlytheembersremained，adeadsilencefilledthewood。Thenthefirstbreathofmorningmovedthetangledcanopyabove，andadozentinyspraysandneedlesdetachedfromtheinterlockedboughswingedtheirsoftwaynoiselesslytotheearth。Afewfellupontheprostratewomanlikeagentlebenediction，andsheslept。Buteventhen，theyoungman，lookingdown，sawthattheslenderfingerswerestillaimlesslybutrigidlytwistedintheleatherfringeofhishunting-shirt。
CHAPTERII。
ItwasapeculiarityoftheCarquinezWoodthatitstoodapartanddistinctinitsgiganticindividuality。Evenwheretheintegrityofitsownsingularspecieswasnotentirelypreserved，itadmittednoinferiortrees。Norwasthereanydiminishingfringeonitsoutskirts;thesentinelsthatguardedthefewgatewaysofthedimtrailswereasmonstrousastheserriedranksdrawnupintheheartoftheforest。Consequently，theredhighwaythatskirtedtheeasternanglewasbareandshadeless，untilitslippedaleagueoffintoawateredvalleyandrefresheditselfunderlessersycamoresandwillows。ItwasherethenewlyborncityofExcelsior，stillinitscradle，had，likeaninfantHercules，strangledtheserpentineNorthForkoftheAmericanriver，andturneditslifecurrentintotheditchesandflumesoftheExcelsiormines。
Newestofthenewhousesthatseemedtohaveaccidentallyformeditssingle，stragglingstreetwastheresidenceoftheRev。
WinslowWynn，notunfrequentlyknownas\"FatherWynn，\"pastoroftheFirstBaptistchurch。The\"pastorage，\"asitwascheerfullycalled，hadtheglaringdistinctionofbeingbuiltofbrick，andwas，ashadbeenwickedlypointedoutbyidlescoffers，theonly\"fireproof\"structureintown。Thissarcasmwasnot，however，supposedtobeparticularlydistastefulto\"FatherWynn，\"whoenjoyedthereputationofbeing\"hailfellow，wellmet\"withtheroughminingelement，whocalledthembytheirChristiannames，hadbeenknowntodrinkatthebarofthePolkaSaloonwhileengagedintheconversionofaprominentcitizen，andwaspopularlysaidtohaveno\"gospelstarch\"abouthim。Certainconsciousoutcastsandtransgressorsweretouchedatthisapparentunbendingofthespiritualauthority。TherigidtenetsofFatherWynn’sfaithwerelostinthesupposedcatholicityofhishumanity。\"Apreacherthatcanjineamanwhenhe’shistin’
liquorintohim，withoutjawin’aboutit，oughttobeallowedtowrestlewithsinnersandsplashaboutinasmuchcoldwaterashelikes，\"wasthecriticismofoneofhisconverts。Nevertheless，itwastruethatFatherWynnwassomewhatloudandintolerantinhistolerance。Itwastruethathewasalittlemorerough，alittlemorefrank，alittlemorehearty，alittlemoreimpulsivethanhisdisciples。Itwastruethatoftentheproclamationofhisextremeliberalityandbrotherlyequalitypartooksomewhatofanapology。Itistruethatafewwhomighthavebeenmostbenefitedbythiskindofgospelregardedhimwithasingulardisdain。Itistruethathisliberalitywasofanornamental，insinuatingquality，accompaniedwithbutlittlesacrifice;hisacceptanceofacollectiontakenupinagamblingsaloonfortherebuildingofhischurch，destroyedbyfire，gavehimapopularitylargeenough，itmustbeconfessed，tocoverthesinsofthegamblersthemselves，butitwasnotproventhatHEhadeverorganizedanyformofrelief。ButitwastruethatlocalhistorysomehowacceptedhimasanexponentofminingChristianity，withouttheleastreferencetotheopinionsoftheChristianminersthemselves。
TheRev。Mr。Wynn’sliberalhabitsandopinionswerenot，however，sharedbyhisonlydaughter，amotherlessyoungladyofeighteen。NellieWynnwasintheeyeofExcelsioranunapproachabledivinity，asinaccessibleandcoldasherfatherwasimpulsiveandfamiliar。Anatmosphereofchasteandproudvirginitymadeitselffelteveninthestarchedintegrityofherspotlessskirts，inherneatlyglovedfinger-tips，inherclearambereyes，inherimperiousredlips，inhersensitivenostrils。
NeeditbesaidthattheyouthandmiddleageofExcelsiorweremadly，becauseapparentlyhopelessly，inlovewithher？Fortherest，shehadbeenexpensivelyeducated，wasprofoundlyignorantintwolanguages，withatrainedmisunderstandingofmusicandpainting，andanaturalandfaultlesstasteindress。
TheRev。Mr。Wynnwasengagedinacharacteristicheartypartingwithoneofhislatestconverts，uponhisowndoorstep，withadmirablealfrescoeffect。Hehadjustclappedhimontheshoulder。\"Good-by，good-by，Charley，myboy，andkeepintherightpath;notup，ordown，orroundthegulch，youknow——ha，ha！——butstraightacrosslotstotheshininggate。\"Hehadraisedhisvoiceunderthestimulusofafewadmiringspectators，andbackedhisconvertplayfullyagainstthewall。\"Yousee！
we’regoin’intowin，youbet。Good-by！I’daskyoutostepinandhaveachat，butI’vegotmyworktodo，andsohaveyou。
Thegospelmustn’tkeepusfromthat，mustit，Charley？Ha，ha！\"
Theconvert（whoelsewherewasaprofaneexpressman，andhadbecomequiteimbecileunderMr。Wynn’sactiveheartinessandbrotherlyhorse-playbeforespectators）managed，however，tofeeblystammerwithablushsomethingabout\"MissNellie。\"
\"Ah，Nellie。She，too，isathertasks——trimmingherlamp——youknow，theparableofthewisevirgins，\"continuedFatherWynnhastily，fearingthattheconvertmighttaketheillustrationliterally。\"There，there——good-by。Keepintherightpath。\"
AndwithapartingshovehedismissedCharleyandenteredhisownhouse。
That\"wisevirgin，\"Nellie，hadevidentlyfinishedwiththelamp，andwasnowgoingouttomeetthebridegroom，asshewasfullydressedandgloved，andhadapinkparasolinherhand，asherfatherenteredthesitting-room。Hisbluffheartinessseemedtofadeawayasheremovedhissoft，broad-brimmedhatandglancedacrossthetoofresh-lookingapartment。Therewasasmellofmortarstillintheair，andafaintsuggestionthatatanymomentgreengrassmightappearbetweentheintersticesofthered-brickhearth。Theroom，yieldingalittleinthepointofcoldness，seemedtoshareMissNellie’sfreshvirginity，and，barringthepinkparasol，setheroffasinavestal’scell。
\"Isupposedyouwouldn’tcaretoseeBrace，theexpressman，soI
gotridofhimatthedoor，\"saidherfather，drawingoneofthenewchairstowardshimslowly，andsittingdowncarefully，asifitwereahithertountriedexperiment。
MissNellie’sfacetookatintofinterest。\"Thenhedoesn’tgowiththecoachtoIndianSpringto-day？\"
\"No;why？\"
\"IthoughtofgoingovermyselftogettheBurnhamgirlstocometochoir-meeting，\"repliedMissNelliecarelessly，\"andhemighthavebeencompany。\"
\"He’dgonow，ifheknewyouweregoing，\"saidherfather;\"butit’sjustaswellheshouldn’tbeneedlesslyencouraged。I
ratherthinkthatSheriffDunnisalittlejealousofhim。Bytheway，thesheriffismuchbetter。Icalledtocheerhimupto-day\"（Mr。Wynnhadinfacttumultuouslyacceleratedthesickman’spulse），\"andhetalkedofyou，asusual。Infact，hesaidhehadonlytwothingstogetwellfor。OnewastocatchandhangthatwomanTeresa，whoshothim;theother——can’tyouguesstheother？\"headdedarchly，withafaintsuggestionofhisothermanner。
MissNelliecoldlycouldnot。
TheRev。Mr。Wynn’sarchnessvanished。\"Don’tbeafool，\"hesaiddryly。\"Hewantstomarryyou，andyouknowit。\"
\"Mostofthemenheredo，\"respondedMissNellie，withouttheleasttraceofcoquetry。\"Istheweddingorthehangingtotakeplacefirst，ortogether，sohecanofficiateatboth？\"
\"HisshareintheUnionDitchisworthahundredthousanddollars，\"continuedherfather;\"andifheisn’tnominatedfordistrictjudgethisfall，he’sboundtogotothelegislature，anyway。Idon’tthinkagirlwithyouradvantagesandeducationcanaffordtothrowawaythechanceofshininginSacramento，SanFrancisco，or，ingoodtime，perhapsevenWashington。\"
MissNellie’seyesdidnotreflectentiredisapprovalofthissuggestion，althoughsherepliedwithsomethingofherfather’spracticalquality。
\"Mr。Dunnisnotoutofhisbedyet，andtheysayTeresa’sgotawaytoArizona，sothereisn’tanyparticularhurry。\"
\"Perhapsnot;butseehere，Nellie，I’vesomeimportantnewsforyou。YouknowyouryoungfriendoftheCarquinezWoods——Dorman，thebotanist，eh？Well，Braceknowsallabouthim。Andwhatdoyouthinkheis？\"
MissNellietookuponherselfafewextradegreesofcold，anddidn’tknow。
\"AnInjin！Yes，anout-and-outCherokee。YouseehecallshimselfDorman——LowDorman。That’sonlyFrenchfor’SleepingWater，’hisInjinname！——’LowDorman。’\"
\"Youmean’L’EauDormante，’\"saidNellie。
\"That’swhatIsaid。Thechiefcalledhim’SleepingWater’whenhewasaboy，andoneofthemFrenchCanadiantrapperstranslateditintoFrenchwhenhebroughthimtoCaliforniatoschool。Buthe’sanInjin，sure。Nowonderhepreferstoliveinthewoods。\"
\"Well？\"saidNellie。
\"Well，\"echoedherfatherimpatiently，\"he’sanInjin，Itellyou，andyoucan’tofcoursehaveanythingtodowithhim。Hemustn’tcomehereagain。\"
\"Butyouforget，\"saidNellieimperturbably，\"thatitwasyouwhoinvitedhimhere，andweresomuchexercisedoverhim。YourememberyouintroducedhimtotheBishopandthoseEasternclergymenasamagnificentspecimenofayoungCalifornian。YouforgetwhatanoccasionyoumadeofhiscomingtochurchonSunday，andhowyoumadehimcomeinhisbuckskinshirtandwalkdownthestreetwithyouafterservice！\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidtheRev。Mr。Wynn，hurriedly。
\"And，\"continuedNelliecarelessly，\"howyoumadeussingoutofthesamebook’ChildrenofourFather’sFold，’andhowyoupreachedathimuntilheactuallygotacolor！\"
\"Yes，\"saidherfather;\"butitwasn’tknownthenhewasanInjin，andtheyarefrightfullyunpopularwiththoseSouthwesternmenamongwhomwelabor。Indeed，IamquiteconvincedthatwhenBracesaid’theonlygoodIndianwasadeadone’hisexpression，thoughextravagant，perhaps，reallyvoicedthesentimentsofthemajority。Itwouldbeonlykindnesstotheunfortunatecreaturetowarnhimfromexposinghimselftotheirrudebutconscientiousantagonism。\"
\"Perhapsyou’dbettertellhim，then，inyourownpopularway，whichtheyallseemtounderstandsowell，\"respondedthedaughter。Mr。Wynncastaquickglanceather，buttherewasnotraceofironyinherface——nothingbutahalf-boredindifferenceasshewalkedtowardthewindow。
\"Iwillgowithyoutothecoach-office，\"saidherfather，whogenerallygavethesesimplepaternaldutiesthepronouncedcharacterofapublicChristianexample。
\"It’shardlyworthwhile，\"repliedMissNellie。\"I’vetostopattheWatsons’，atthefootofthehill，andaskafterthebaby;soIshallgoontotheCrossingandpickupthecoachwhenitpasses。Good-by。\"
Nevertheless，assoonasNelliehaddeparted，theRev。Mr。Wynnproceededtothecoach-office，andpubliclygraspingthehandofYubaBill，thedriver，commendedhisdaughtertohiscareinthenameoftheuniversalbrotherhoodofmanandtheChristianfraternity。Carriedawaybyhisheartiness，heforgothispreviouscaution，andconfidedtotheexpressmanMissNellie’sregretsthatshewasnottohavethatgentleman’scompany。TheresultwasthatMissNelliefoundthecoachwithitspassengersawaitingherwithupliftedhatsandwreathedsmilesattheCrossing，andtheboxseat（fromwhichanunfortunatestranger，whohadexpensivelypaidforit，hadbeensummarilyejected）atherservicebesideYubaBill，whohadthrownawayhiscigaranddonnedanewpairofbuckskinglovestodoherhonor。ButamoreseriousresulttotheyoungbeautywastheeffectoftheRev。Mr。
Wynn’sconfidencesupontheimpulsiveheartofJackBrace，theexpressman。Ithasbeenalreadyintimatedthatitwashis\"dayoff。\"Unabletosummarilyreassumehisusualfunctionsbesidethedriverwithoutsomepracticalreason，andashamedtogosopalpablyasamerepassenger，hewasforcedtoletthecoachproceedwithouthim。Discomfitedforthemoment，hewasnot，however，beaten。Hehadlosttheblissfuljourneybyherside，whichwouldhavebeenhisprofessionalright，but——shewasgoingtoIndianSpring！couldhenotanticipateherthere？Mighttheynotmeetinthemostaccidentalmanner？Andwhatmightnotcomefromthatmeetingawayfromthepryingeyesoftheirowntown？
Mr。Bracedidnothesitate，butsaddlinghisfleetBuckskin，bythetimethestage-coachhadpassedtheCrossinginthehigh-roadhehadmountedthehillandwasdashingalongthe\"cutoff\"inthesamedirection，afullmileinadvance。ArrivingatIndianSpring，helefthishorseataMexicanposadaontheconfinesofthesettlement，andfromthepileddebrisofatunnelexcavationawaitedtheslowarrivalofthecoach。Onmaturereflectionhecouldgivenoreasonwhyhehadnotboldlyawaiteditattheexpressoffice，exceptacertainbashfulconsciousnessofhisownfolly，andabeliefthatitmightbeglaringlyapparenttothebystanders。Whenthecoacharrivedandhehadovercomethisconsciousness，itwastoolate。YubaBillhaddischargedhispassengersforIndianSpringanddrivenaway。MissNelliewasinthesettlement，butwhere？Astimepassedhebecamemoredesperateandbolder。Hewalkedrecklesslyupanddownthemainstreet，glancinginattheopendoorsofshops，andeveninthewindowsofprivatedwellings。ItmighthaveseemedapoorcomplimenttoMissNellie，butitwasanevidenceofhiscompletepreoccupation，whenthesightofafemalefaceatawindow，eventhoughitwasplainorperhapspainted，causedhishearttobound，ortheglancingofaskirtinthedistancequickenedhisfeetandhispulses。HadJackcontentedhimselfwithremainingatExcelsiorhemighthavevaguelyregretted，butassoonbecomeasvaguelyaccustomedto，MissNellie’sabsence。Butitwasnotuntilhishithertoquietandpassivelovetookthisfirststepofactionthatitfullydeclareditself。Whenhehadmadethetourofthetownadozentimesunsuccessfully，hehadperfectlymadeuphismindthatmarriagewithNellieorthespeedydeathofseveralpeople，includingpossiblyhimself，wastheonlyalternative。Heregrettedhehadnotaccompaniedher;heregrettedhehadnotdemandedwhereshewasgoing;hecontemplatedacourseoffutureactionthattwohoursagowouldhavefilledhimwithbashfulterror。Therewasclearlybutonethingtodo——todeclarehispassiontheinstanthemether，andreturnwithhertoExcelsioranacceptedsuitor，ornottoreturnatall。
Suddenlyhewasvexatiouslyconsciousofhearinghisnamelazilycalled，andlookingupfoundthathewasontheoutskirtsofthetown，andinterrogatedbytwohorsemen。
\"Gotdowntowalk，andthecoachgotawayfromyou，Jack，eh？\"
Alittleashamedofhispreoccupation，Bracestammeredsomethingabout\"collections。\"Hedidnotrecognizethemen，buthisownface，name，andbusinesswerefamiliartoeverybodyforfiftymilesalongthestage-road。
\"Well，youcansettleabetforus，Ireckon。BillDacretharbetmefivedollarsandthedrinksthatayounggalwemetattheedgeoftheCarquinezWoods，dressedinalongbrowndusterandhalfmuffledupinahood，wasthedaughterofFatherWynnofExcelsior。Ididnotgetafairlookather，butitstandstoreasonthatahigh-tonedyoungladylikeNellieWynndon’tgotrap’singalongthewoodlikeaPikeCountytramp。Itookthebet。Maybeyouknowifshe’shereorinExcelsior？\"
Mr。Bracefelthimselfturningpalewitheagernessandexcitement。Butthenearprospectofseeingherpresentlygavehimbackhiscaution，andheansweredtruthfullythathehadleftherinExcelsior，andthatinhistwohours’sojourninIndianSpringhehadnotmetheronce。\"But，\"headded，withaCalifornian’sreverenceforthesanctityofabet，\"Ireckonyou’dbettermakeitastand-offfortwenty-fourhours，andI’llfindoutandletyouknow。\"Which，itisonlyfairtosay，hehonestlyintendedtodo。
Withahurriednodofparting，hecontinuedinthedirectionoftheWoods。Whenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthatthestrangershadenteredthesettlement，andwouldnotfollowhimforfurtherexplanation，hequickenedhispace。Inhalfanhourhepassedbetweentwoofthegiganticsentinelsthatguardedtheentrancetoatrail。Herehepausedtocollecthisthoughts。TheWoodswerevastinextent，thetraildimanduncertain——attimesapparentlybreakingoff，orintersectinganothertrailasfaintasitself。BelievingthatMissNelliehaddivergedfromthehighwayonlyasamomentaryexcursionintotheshade，andthatshewouldnotdaretopenetrateitsmoresombreandunknownrecesses，hekeptwithinsightoftheskirtingplain。Bydegreesthesedateinfluenceofthesilentvaultsseemedtodepresshim。
Theardorofthechasebegantoflag。Underthecalmoftheirdimroofthefeverofhisveinsbegantosubside;hispaceslackened;hereasonedmoredeliberately。ItwasbynomeansprobablethattheyoungwomaninabrowndusterwasNellie;itwasnotherhabitualtravelingdress;itwasnotlikehertowalkunattendedintheroad;therewasnothinginhertastesandhabitstotakeherintothisgloomyforest，allowingthatshehadevenenteredit;andonthisabsolutequestionofheridentitythetwowitnessesweredivided。Hestoppedirresolutely，andcastalast，long，half-despairinglookaroundhim。Hithertohehadgiventhatpartofthewoodnearesttheplainhisgreatestattention。Hisglancenowsoughtitsdarkerrecesses。Suddenlyhebecamebreathless。Wasitabeamofsunlightthathadpiercedthegroinedroofabove，andnowrestedagainstthetrunkofoneofthedimmer，moresecludedgiants？No，itwasmoving;evenashegazeditslippedaway，glancedagainstanothertree，passedacrossoneofthevaultedaisles，andthenwaslostagain。Briefaswastheglimpse，hewasnotmistaken——itwasthefigureofawoman。
Inanothermomenthewasonhertrack，andsoonhadthesatisfactionofseeingherreappearatalesserdistance。Butthecontinualinterventionofthemassivetrunksmadethechasebynomeansaneasyone，andashecouldnotkeepheralwaysinsighthewasunabletofolloworunderstandtheoneintelligentdirectionwhichsheseemedtoinvariablykeep。Nevertheless，hegaineduponherbreathlessly，and，thankstothebark-strewnfloor，noiselessly。Hewasnearenoughtodistinguishandrecognizethedressshewore，apaleyellow，thathehadadmiredwhenhefirstsawher。ItwasNellie，unmistakably;ifitweresheofthebrownduster，shehaddiscardedit，perhapsforgreaterfreedom。Hewasnearenoughtocalloutnow，butasuddennervoustimidityovercamehim;hislipsgrewdry。Whatshouldhesaytoher？Howaccountforhispresence？\"MissNellie，onemoment！\"hegasped。Shedartedforwardand——vanished。
Atthismomenthewasnotmorethanadozenyardsfromher。Herushedtowhereshehadbeenstanding，butherdisappearancewasperfectandcomplete。Hemadeacircuitofthegroupoftreeswithinwhoseradiusshehadlastappeared，buttherewasneithertraceofher，norasuggestionofhermodeofescape。Hecalledaloudtoher;thevacantWoodslethishelplessvoicedieintheirunresponsivedepths。Hegazedintotheairanddownatthebark-strewncarpetathisfeet。Likemostofhisvocation，hewassparingofspeech，andepigrammaticafterhisfashion。
Comprehendinginoneswiftbutdespairingflashofintelligencetheexistenceofsomefatefulpowerbeyondhisownweakendeavor，heaccepteditslogicalresultwithcharacteristicgrimness，threwhishatupontheground，puthishandsinhispockets，andsaid——
\"Well，I’md——d！\"
CHAPTERIII。
OutofcomplimenttoMissNellieWynn，YubaBill，onreachingIndianSpring，hadmadeaslightdetourtoenablehimtoostentatiouslysetdownhisfairpassengerbeforethedooroftheBurnhams。Whenithadclosedontheadmiringeyesofthepassengersandthecoachhadrattledaway，MissNellie，withoutanyunduehasteorapparentchangeinherusualquietdemeanor，managed，however，todispatchherbusinesspromptly，and，leavinganimpressionthatshewouldcallagainbeforeherreturntoExcelsior，partedfromherfriendsandslippedawaythroughasidestreettotheGeneralFurnishingStoreofIndianSpring。Inpassingthisemporium，MissNellie’squickeyehaddiscoveredacheapbrownlinendusterhanginginitswindow。Topurchaseit，andputitoverherdelicatecambricdress，albeitwithashiveringsensethatshelookedlikeabadlyfoldedbrown-paperparcel，didnottakelong。Asshelefttheshopitwaswithmixedemotionsofchagrinandsecuritythatshenoticedthatherpassagethroughthesettlementnolongerturnedtheheadsofitsmaleinhabitants。ShereachedtheoutskirtsofIndianSpringandthehigh-roadataboutthetimeMr。Bracehadbegunhisfruitlesspatrolofthemainstreet。Farinthedistanceafaintolive-
greentablemountainseemedtoriseabruptlyfromtheplain。ItwastheCarquinezWoods。Gatheringherspotlessskirtsbeneathherextemporizedbrowndomino，shesetoutbrisklytowardsthem。
Butherprogresswasscarcelyfreeorexhilarating。Shewasnotaccustomedtowalkinginacountrywhere\"buggy-riding\"wasconsideredtheonlygenteelyoung-lady-likemodeofprogression，anditsregularprovisiontheexpectedcourtesyofmankind。
Alwaysfastidiouslybooted，herlow-quarteredshoeswerecharmingtotheeye，buthardlyadaptedtothedustandinequalitiesofthehighroad。ItwastruethatshehadthoughtofbuyingacoarserpairatIndianSpring，butoncefacetofacewiththeiruncompromisingugliness，shehadfalteredandfled。Thesunwasunmistakablyhot，butherparasolwastoowellknownandofferedtooviolentacontrasttothedusterforpracticaluse。Onceshestoppedwithanexclamationofannoyance，hesitated，andlookedback。Inhalfanhourshehadtwicelosthershoeandhertemper;apinkflushtookpossessionofhercheeks，andhereyeswerebrightwithsuppressedrage。Dustbegantoformgrimycirclesaroundtheirorbits;withcat-likeshiverssheevenfeltitpervadetherootsofherblondhair。Graduallyherbreathgrewmorerapidandhysterical，hersmartingeyesbecamehumid，andatlast，encounteringtwoobservanthorsemenintheroad，sheturnedandfled，until，reachingthewood，shebegantocry。
Neverthelessshewaitedforthetwohorsementopass，tosatisfyherselfthatshewasnotfollowed;thenpushedonvaguely，untilshereachedafallentree，where，withagestureofdisgust，shetoreoffherhaplessdusterandflungitontheground。Shethensatdownsobbing，butafteramomentdriedhereyeshurriedlyandstartedtoherfeet。Afewpacesdistant，erect，noiseless，withoutstretchedhand，theyoungsolitaryoftheCarquinezWoodsadvancedtowardsher。Hishandhadalmosttouchedhers，whenhestopped。
\"Whathashappened？\"heaskedgravely。
\"Nothing，\"shesaid，turninghalfaway，andsearchingthegroundwithhereyes，asifshehadlostsomething。\"OnlyImustbegoingbacknow。\"
\"Youshallgobackatonce，ifyouwishit，\"hesaid，flushingslightly。\"Butyouhavebeencrying;why？\"
FrankasMissNelliewishedtobe，shecouldnotbringherselftosaythatherfeethurther，andthedustandheatwereruininghercomplexion。Itwasthereforewithahalf-confidentbeliefthathertroubleswerereallyofamoralqualitythatsheanswered，\"Nothing——nothing，but——but——it’swrongtocomehere。\"
\"Butyoudidnotthinkitwaswrongwhenyouagreedtocome，atourlastmeeting，\"saidtheyoungman，withthatpersistentlogicwhichexasperatestheinconsequentfemininemind。\"Itcannotbeanymorewrongto-day。\"
\"Butitwasnotsofaroff，\"murmuredtheyounggirl，withoutlookingup。