\"Forgiveme，Bill，\"saidtheyoungman，seizingbothhishands。\"I
knowyoudiditforthebest;butgoon。\"
\"Tharain’tmuchmoretotell，normuchusetotellit，asIcansee，\"saidBill，moodily。\"Henevercouldbecured，thedoctorssaid，forhehadwhattheycalledmonomania，——wasalwaystalkingabouthiswifeanddarterthatsomebodyhadstoleawayyearsago，andplannin’revengeonthatsomebody。Andsixmonthsagohewasmissed。ItrackedhimtoCarson，toSaltLakeCity，toOmaha，toChicago，toNewYork，——andhere！\"
\"Here！\"echoedIslington。
\"Here！Andthat’swhatbringsmehereto-day。Whethershe’scrazyorwell，whethershe’shuntin’youorlookin’upthatotherman，youmustgetawayfromhere。Youmustn’tseehim。Youandme，Tommy，willgoawayonacruise。Inthreeorfouryearshe’llbedeadormissing，andthenwe’llcomeback。Come。\"Andherosetohisfeet。
\"Bill，\"saidIslington，risingalso，andtakingthehandofhisfriend，withthesamequietobstinacythatintheolddayshadendearedhimtoBill，\"whereverheis，hereorelsewhere，saneorcrazy，Ishallseekandfindhim。EverydollarthatIhaveshallbehis，everydollarthatIhavespentshallbereturnedtohim。I
amyoungyet，thankGod，andcanwork;andifthereisawayoutofthismiserablebusiness，Ishallfindit。\"
\"Iknew，\"saidBill，withasurlinessthatillconcealedhisevidentadmirationofthecalmfigurebeforehim——\"Iknewthepartiklerstyleofd——nfoolthatyouwas，andexpectednobetter。
Goodby，then——GodAlmighty！who’sthat？\"
HewasonhiswaytotheopenFrenchwindow，buthadstartedback，hisfacequitewhiteandbloodless，andhiseyesstaring。
Islingtonrantothewindow，andlookedout。Awhiteskirtvanishedaroundthecorneroftheveranda。Whenhereturned，Billhaddroppedintoachair。
\"ItmusthavebeenMissMasterman，Ithink;butwhat’sthematter？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidBill，faintly;\"haveyougotanywhiskeyhandy？\"
Islingtonbroughtadecanter，and，pouringoutsomespirits，handedtheglasstoBill。Billdrainedit，andthensaid，\"WhoisMissMasterman？\"
\"Mr。Masterman’sdaughter;thatis，anadopteddaughter，Ibelieve。\"
\"Wotname？\"
\"Ireallydon’tknow，\"saidIslington，pettishly，morevexedthanhecaredtoownatthisquestioning。
YubaBillroseandwalkedtothewindow，closedit，walkedbackagaintothedoor，glancedatIslington，hesitated，andthenreturnedtohischair。
\"Ididn’ttellyouIwasmarried。，——didI？\"hesaidsuddenly，lookingupinIslington’sfacewithanunsuccessfulattemptatarecklesslaugh。
\"No，\"saidIslington，morepainedatthemannerthanthewords。
\"Fact，\"saidYubaBill。\"Threeyearsagoitwas，Tommy，——threeyearsago！\"
HelookedsohardatIslington，that，feelinghewasexpectedtosaysomething，heaskedvaguely，\"Whodidyoumarry？\"
\"Thet’sit！\"saidYubaBill;\"Ican’tezactlysay;partikly，though，ashedevil！generally，thewifeofhalfadozenothermen。\"
Accustomed，apparently，tohavehisconjugalinfelicitiesathemeofmirthamongmen，andseeingnotraceofamusementonIslington’sgraveface，hisdogged，recklessmannersoftened，and，drawinghischairclosertoIslington，hewenton：\"Itallbeganouterthis：wewascomingdownWatson’sgradeonenightprettyfree，whentheexpressmanturnstomeandsez，’There’sarowinside，andyou’dbetterpullup！’Ipullsup，andouthops，firstawoman，andthentwoorthreechapsswearingandcursin’，andtryin’todragsomeonearterthem。Thenit’pear’d，Tommy，thetitwasthiswoman’sdrunkenhusbandtheywasgoingtoputoutforabusin’her，andstrikin’herinthecoach;andifithadn’tbeenforme，myboy，they’dhevleftthatchaptharintheroad。ButIfixesmattersupbyputtingheralongsideo’meonthebox，andwedroveon。Shewasverywhite，Tommy，——forthemattero’that，shewasalwaysoneo’theseverywhitewomen，thatnevergotredintheface，——butshenevercriedawhimper。Mostwiminwouldhavecried。Itwasqueer，butshenevercried。Ithoughtsoatthetime。
\"Shewasverytall，withaloto’lighthairmeanderingdownthebackofherhead，aslongasadeer-skinwhip-lash，andaboutthecolor。Shehedeyesthet’dboreyouthroughatfiftyyards，andpootyhandsandfeet。Andwhenshekindergotouto’thatstiff，narvousstateshewasin，andwarmedupalittle，andgotchipper，byG-d，sir，shewashandsome，——shewasthat！\"
Alittleflushedandembarrassedathisownenthusiasm，hestopped，andthensaid，carelessly，\"TheygotoffatMurphy’s。\"
\"Well，\"saidIslington。
\"Well，Iusedtoseeheroftenarterthet，andwhenshewasalonesheallustookthebox-seat。Shekinderconfidedhertroublestome，howherhusbandgotdrunkandabusedher;andIdidn’tseemucho’him，forhewasawayin’Friscoarterthet。Butitwasallsquare，Tommy，——allsquare’twixtmeandher。
\"Igotagoingthereagooddeal，andthenonedayIseztomyself，’Bill，thiswon’tdo，’andIgotchangedtoanotherroute。DidyoueverknowJacksonFilltree，Tommy？\"saidBill，breakingoffsuddenly。
\"No。\"
\"Mighthaveheerdofhim，p’r’aps？\"
\"No，\"saidIslington，impatiently。
\"JacksonFilltreerantheexpressfromWhite’souttoSummit，’crosstheNorthForkoftheYuba。Onedayheseztome，’Bill，that’samightybadfordattheNorthFork。’Isez，’Ibelieveyou，Jackson。’’It’llgitmesomeday，Bill，sure，’sezhe。I
sez，’Whydon’tyoutakethelowerford？’’Idon’tknow，’sezhe，’butIcan’t。’Soeverafter，whenImethim，hesez，’ThatNorthForkain’tgotmeyet。’OnedayIwasinSacramento，andupcomesFilltree。Hesez，’I’vesoldouttheexpressbusinessonaccountoftheNorthFork，butit’sboundtogetmeyet，Bill，sure’;andhelaughs。Twoweeksaftertheyfindshisbodybelowtheford，wharhetriedtocross，comin’downfromtheSummitway。Folkssaiditwasfoolishness：Tommy，IsezitwasFate！TheseconddayarterIwaschangedtothePlacervilleroute，thetwomancomesouterthehotelabovethestage-office。Herhusband，shesaid，waslyingsickinPlacerville;that’swhatshesaid;butitwasFate，Tommy，Fate。Threemonthsafterward，herhusbandtakesanoverdoseofmorphinefordeliriumtremems，anddies。There’sfolksezsezshegaveittohim，butit’sFate。AyearafterthatImarriedher，——Fate，Tommy，Fate！
\"Ilivedwithherjestthreemonths，\"hewenton，afteralongbreath，——\"threemonths！Itain’tmuchtimeforahappyman。I’veseenagooddealo’hardlifeinmyday，buttherewasdaysinthatthreemonthslongerthananydayinmylife，——days，Tommy，whenitwasatoss-upwhetherIshouldkillherorsheme。Butthar，I’mdone。Youareayoungman，Tommy，andIain’tgoin’totellthingsthet，oldasIam，threeyearsagoIcouldn’thavebelieved。\"
Whenatlast，withhisgrimfaceturnedtowardthewindow，hesatsilentlywithhisclinchedhandsonhiskneesbeforehim，Islingtonaskedwherehiswifewasnow。
\"Askmenomore，myboy，——nomore。I’vesaidmysay。\"Withagestureasofthrowingdownapairofreinsbeforehim，herose，andwalkedtothewindow。
\"Youkinunderstand，Tommy，whyalittletriparoundtheworld’uddomegood。Efyoucan’tgowithme，wellandgood。ButgoI
must。\"
\"Notbeforeluncheon，Ihope，\"saidaverysweetvoice，asBlancheMastermansuddenlystoodbeforethem。\"FatherwouldneverforgivemeifinhisabsenceIpermittedoneofMr。Islington’sfriendstogointhisway。Youwillstay，won’tyou？Do！Andyouwillgivemeyourarmnow;andwhenMr。Islingtonhasdonestaring，hewillfollowusintothedining-roomandintroduceyou。\"
\"Ihavequitefalleninlovewithyourfriend，\"saidMissBlanche，astheystoodinthedrawing-roomlookingatthefigureofBill，strolling，withhisshortpipeinhismouth，throughthedistantshrubbery。\"Heasksveryqueerquestions，though。Hewantedtoknowmymother’smaidenname。\"
\"Heisanhonestfellow，\"saidIslington，gravely。
\"Youareverymuchsubdued。Youdon’tthankme，Idaresay，forkeepingyouandyourfriendhere;butyoucouldn’tgo，youknow，untilfatherreturned。\"
Islingtonsmiled，butnotverygayly。
\"AndthenIthinkitmuchbetterforustoparthereunderthesefrescos，don’tyou？Goodby。\"
Sheextendedherlong，slimhand。
\"Outinthesunlightthere，whenmyeyeswerered，youwereveryanxioustolookatme，\"sheadded，inadangerousvoice。
Islingtonraisedhissadeyestohers。Somethingglitteringuponherownsweetlashestrembledandfell。
\"Blanche！\"
Shewasrosyenoughnow，andwouldhavewithdrawnherhand，butIslingtondetainedit。Shewasnotquitecertainbutthatherwaistwasalsoinjeopardy。Yetshecouldnothelpsaying，\"Areyousurethatthereisn’tanythinginthewayofayoungwomanthatwouldkeepyou？\"
\"Blanche！\"saidIslingtoninreproachfulhorror。
\"Ifgentlemenwillroarouttheirsecretsbeforeanopenwindow，withayoungwomanlyingonasofaontheveranda，readingastupidFrenchnovel，theymustnotbesurprisedifshegivesmoreattentiontothemthanherbook。\"
\"Thenyouknowall，Blanche？\"
\"Iknow，\"saidBlanche，\"let’ssee——Iknowthepartiklarstyleof——
ahem！——foolyouwas，andexpectednobetter。Goodby。\"And，glidinglikealovelyandinnocentmilksnakeoutofhisgrasp，sheslippedaway。
Tothepleasantrippleofwaves，thesoundofmusicandlightvoices，theyellowmidsummermoonagainroseoverGreyport。Itlookeduponformlessmassesofrockandshrubbery，widespacesoflawnandbeach，andashimmeringexpanseofwater。Itsingledoutparticularobjects，——awhitesailinshore，acrystalglobeuponthelawn，andflasheduponsomethingheldbetweentheteethofacrouchingfigurescalingthelowwallofCliffwoodLodge。Then，asamanandwomanpassedoutfromundertheshadowsofthefoliageintotheopenmoonlightofthegardenpath，thefigureleapedfromthewall，andstooderectandwaitingintheshadow。
Itwasthefigureofanoldman，withrollingeyes，histremblinghandgraspingalong，keenknife，——afiguremorepitiablethanpitiless，morepatheticthanterrible。Butthenextmomenttheknifewasstrickenfromhishand，andhestruggledinthefirmgraspofanotherfigurethatapparentlysprangfromthewallbesidehim。
\"D——nyou，Masterman！\"criedtheoldman，hoarsely;\"givemefairplay，andI’llkillyouyet！\"
\"WhichmynameisYubaBill，\"saidBill，quietly，\"andit’stimethisd——nfoolingwasstopped。\"
TheoldmanglaredinBill’sfacesavagely。\"Iknowyou。You’reoneofMasterman’sfriends，——d——nyou，——letmegotillIcuthisheartout，——letmego！WhereismyMary？——whereismywife？——theresheis！there！——there！——there！Mary！\"Hewouldhavescreamed，butBillplacedhispowerfulhanduponhismouth，asheturnedinthedirectionoftheoldman’sglance。DistinctinthemoonlightthefiguresofIslingtonandBlanche，arminarm，stoodoutuponthegardenpath。
\"Givememywife！\"mutteredtheoldmanhoarsely，betweenBill’sfingers。\"Whereisshe？\"
AsuddenfurypassedoverYubaBill’sface。\"Whereisyourwife？\"
heechoed，pressingtheoldmanbackagainstthegardenwall，andholdinghimthereasinavice。\"Whereisyourwife？\"herepeated，thrustinghisgrimsardonicjawandsavageeyesintotheoldman’sfrightenedface。\"WhereisJackAdam’swife？WhereisMYwife？
Whereistheshe-devilthatdroveonemanmad，thatsentanothertohellbyhisownhand，thateternallybrokeandruinedme？Where！
Where！Doyouaskwhere？InjailinSacramento，——injail，doyouhear？——injailformurder，Johnson，——murder！\"
Theoldmangasped，stiffened，andthen，relaxing，suddenlyslipped，amereinanimatemass，atYubaBill’sfeet。Withasuddenrevulsionoffeeling，YubaBilldroppedathisside，and，liftinghimtenderlyinhisarms，whispered，\"Lookup，oldman，Johnson！
lookup，forGod’ssake！——it’sme，——YubaBill！andyonderisyourdaughter，and——Tommy！——don’tyouknow——Tommy，littleTommyIslington？\"
Johnson’seyesslowlyopened。Hewhispered，\"Tommy！yes，Tommy！
Sitbyme，Tommy。Butdon’tsitsonearthebank。Don’tyouseehowtheriverisrisingandbeckoningtome，——hissing，andboilin’
overtherocks？It’sgittinhigher！——holdme，Tommy，——holdme，anddon’tletmegoyet。We’lllivetocuthisheartout，Tommy，——
we’lllive——we’ll——\"Hisheadsank，andtherushingriver，invisibletoalleyessavehis，leapedtowardhimoutofthedarkness，andborehimaway，nolongertothedarkness，butthroughittothedistant，peacefulshiningsea。
HOWSANTACLAUSCAMETOSIMPSON’SBAR。
IthadbeenraininginthevalleyoftheSacramento。TheNorthForkhadoverfloweditsbanksandRattlesnakeCreekwasimpassable。
ThefewbouldersthathadmarkedthesummerfordatSimpson’sCrossingwereobliteratedbyavastsheetofwaterstretchingtothefoothills。TheupstagewasstoppedatGrangers;thelastmailhadbeenabandonedinthetules，theriderswimmingforhislife。
\"Anarea，\"remarkedthe\"SierraAvalanche，\"withpensivelocalpride，\"aslargeastheStateofMassachusettsisnowunderwater。\"
Norwastheweatheranybetterinthefoothills。Themudlaydeeponthemountainroad;wagonsthatneitherphysicalforcenormoralobjurgationcouldmovefromtheevilwaysintowhichtheyhadfallen，encumberedthetrack，andthewaytoSimpson’sBarwasindicatedbybroken-downteamsandhardswearing。Andfartheron，cutoffandinaccessible，raineduponandbedraggled，smittenbyhighwindsandthreatenedbyhighwater，Simpson’sBar，ontheeveofChristmasday，1862，clunglikeaswallow’snesttotherockyentablatureandsplinteredcapitalsofTableMountain，andshookintheblast。
Asnightshutdownonthesettlement，afewlightsgleamedthroughthemistfromthewindowsofcabinsoneithersideofthehighwaynowcrossedandgulliedbylawlessstreamsandsweptbymaraudingwinds。HappilymostofthepopulationweregatheredatThompson’sstore，clusteredaroundared-hotstove，atwhichtheysilentlyspatinsomeacceptedsenseofsocialcommunionthatperhapsrenderedconversationunnecessary。Indeed，mostmethodsofdiversionhadlongsincebeenexhaustedonSimpson’sBar;highwaterhadsuspendedtheregularoccupationsongulchandonriver，andaconsequentlackofmoneyandwhiskeyhadtakenthezestfrommostillegitimaterecreation。EvenMr。HamlinwasfaintoleavetheBarwithfiftydollarsinhispocket，——theonlyamountactuallyrealizedofthelargesumswonbyhiminthesuccessfulexerciseofhisarduousprofession。\"EfIwasasked，\"heremarkedsomewhatlater，——\"efIwasaskedtopintoutapurtylittlevillagewherearetiredsportasdidn’tcareformoneycouldexercisehisself，frequentandlively，I’dsaySimpson’sBar;butforayoungmanwithalargefamilydependingonhisexertions，itdon’tpay。\"AsMr。Hamlin’sfamilyconsistedmainlyoffemaleadults，thisremarkisquotedrathertoshowthebreadthofhishumorthantheexactextentofhisresponsibilities。
Howbeit，theunconsciousobjectsofthissatiresatthateveninginthelistlessapathybegottenofidlenessandlackofexcitement。
Eventhesuddensplashingofhoofsbeforethedoordidnotarousethem。DickBullenalonepausedintheactofscrapingouthispipe，andliftedhishead，butnootheroneofthegroupindicatedanyinterestin，orrecognitionof，themanwhoentered。
Itwasafigurefamiliarenoughtothecompany，andknowninSimpson’sBaras\"TheOldMan。\"Amanofperhapsfiftyyears;
grizzledandscantofhair，butstillfreshandyouthfulofcomplexion。Afacefullofready，butnotverypowerfulsympathy，withachameleon-likeaptitudefortakingontheshadeandcolorofcontiguousmoodsandfeelings。Hehadevidentlyjustleftsomehilariouscompanions，anddidnotatfirstnoticethegravityofthegroup，butclappedtheshoulderofthenearestmanjocularly，andthrewhimselfintoavacantchair。
\"Jestheardthebestthingout，boys！YeknowSmiley，overyar，——
JimSmiley，——funniestmanintheBar？Well，Jimwasjesttellingtherichestyarnabout——\"
\"Smiley’sa————fool，\"interruptedagloomyvoice。
\"Aparticular————skunk，\"addedanotherinsepulchralaccents。
Asilencefollowedthesepositivestatements。TheOldManglancedquicklyaroundthegroup。Thenhisfaceslowlychanged。\"That’sso，\"hesaidreflectively，afterapause，\"certinglyasortofaskunkandsuthinofafool。Incourse。\"HewassilentforamomentasinpainfulcontemplationoftheunsavorinessandfollyoftheunpopularSmiley。\"Dismalweather，ain’tit？\"headded，nowfullyembarkedonthecurrentofprevailingsentiment。\"Mightyroughpapersontheboys，andnoshowformoneythisseason。Andtomorrow’sChristmas。\"
Therewasamovementamongthemenatthisannouncement，butwhetherofsatisfactionordisgustwasnotplain。\"Yes，\"continuedtheOldManinthelugubrioustonehehad，withinthelastfewmoments，unconsciouslyadopted，——\"yes，Christmas，andto-night’sChristmaseve。Yesee，boys，Ikinderthought——thatis，Isorterhadanidee，jestpassin’like，youknow——thatmaybeye’dallliketocomeovertomyhouseto-nightandhaveasortoftearround。
ButIsuppose，now，youwouldn’t？Don’tfeellikeit，maybe？\"headdedwithanxioussympathy，peeringintothefacesofhiscompanions。
\"Well，Idon’tknow，\"respondedTomFlynnwithsomecheerfulness。
\"P’r’apswemay。Buthowaboutyourwife，OldMan？WhatdoesSHE
saytoit？\"
TheOldManhesitated。Hisconjugalexperiencehadnotbeenahappyone，andthefactwasknowntoSimpson’sBar。Hisfirstwife，adelicate，prettylittlewoman，hadsufferedkeenlyandsecretlyfromthejealoussuspicionsofherhusband，untilonedayheinvitedthewholeBartohishousetoexposeherinfidelity。Onarriving，thepartyfoundtheshy，petitecreaturequietlyengagedinherhouseholdduties，andretiredabashedanddiscomfited。Butthesensitivewomandidnoteasilyrecoverfromtheshockofthisextraordinaryoutrage。Itwaswithdifficultysheregainedherequanimitysufficientlytoreleaseherloverfromtheclosetinwhichhewasconcealedandescapewithhim。Sheleftaboyofthreeyearstocomfortherbereavedhusband。TheOldMan’spresentwifehadbeenhiscook。Shewaslarge，loyal，andaggressive。
Beforehecouldreply，JoeDimmicksuggestedwithgreatdirectnessthatitwasthe\"OldMan’shouse，\"andthat，invokingtheDivinePower，ifthecasewerehisown，hewouldinvitewhomhepleased，evenifinsodoingheimperilledhissalvation。ThePowersofEvil，hefurtherremarked，shouldcontendagainsthimvainly。Allthisdeliveredwithatersenessandvigorlostinthisnecessarytranslation。
\"Incourse。Certainly。Thet’sit，\"saidtheOldManwithasympatheticfrown。\"Thar’snotroubleaboutTHET。It’smyownhouse，builteverystickonitmyself。Don’tyoubeafeardo’her，boys。SheMAYcutupatriflerough，——ezwimmindo，——butshe’llcomeround。\"SecretlytheOldMantrustedtotheexaltationofliquorandthepowerofcourageousexampletosustainhiminsuchanemergency。
Asyet，DickBullen，theoracleandleaderofSimpson’sBar，hadnotspoken。Henowtookhispipefromhislips。\"OldMan，how’sthatyerJohnnygettin’on？Seemstomehedidn’tlooksopeartlasttimeIseedhimonthebluffheavin’rocksatChinamen。
Didn’tseemtotakemuchinterestinit。Tharwasagangof’embyyaryesterday，——drowndedoutuptheriver，——andIkinderthoughto’
Johnny，andhowhe’dmiss’em！Maybenow，we’dbeinthewayefhewussick？\"
Thefather，evidentlytouchednotonlybythispatheticpictureofJohnny’sdeprivation，butbytheconsideratedelicacyofthespeaker，hastenedtoassurehimthatJohnnywasbetterandthata\"littlefunmight’livenhimup。\"WhereuponDickarose，shookhimself，andsaying，\"I’mready。Leadtheway，OldMan：heregoes，\"himselfledthewaywithaleap，acharacteristichowl，anddartedoutintothenight。Ashepassedthroughtheouterroomhecaughtupablazingbrandfromthehearth。Theactionwasrepeatedbytherestoftheparty，closelyfollowingandelbowingeachother，andbeforetheastonishedproprietorofThompson’sgrocerywasawareoftheintentionofhisguests，theroomwasdeserted。
Thenightwaspitchydark。Inthefirstgustofwindtheirtemporarytorcheswereextinguished，andonlytheredbrandsdancingandflittinginthegloomlikedrunkenwill-o’-the-wispsindicatedtheirwhereabouts。TheirwayledupPine-TreeCanyon，attheheadofwhichabroad，low，bark-thatchedcabinburrowedinthemountain-side。ItwasthehomeoftheOldMan，andtheentrancetothetunnelinwhichheworkedwhenheworkedatall。Herethecrowdpausedforamoment，outofdelicatedeferencetotheirhost，whocameuppantingintherear。
\"P’r’apsye’dbetterholdonasecondoutyer，whilstIgoinandseethetthingsisallright，\"saidtheOldMan，withanindifferencehewasfarfromfeeling。Thesuggestionwasgraciouslyaccepted，thedooropenedandclosedonthehost，andthecrowd，leaningtheirbacksagainstthewallandcoweringundertheeaves，waitedandlistened。
Forafewmomentstherewasnosoundbutthedrippingofwaterfromtheeaves，andthestirandrustleofwrestlingboughsabovethem。
Thenthemenbecameuneasy，andwhisperedsuggestionandsuspicionpassedfromtheonetotheother。\"Reckonshe’scavedinhisheadthefirstlick！\"\"Decoyedhiminterthetunnelandbarredhimup，likely。\"\"Gothimdownandsittin’onhim。\"\"Prob’lybilinsuthintoheaveonus：standclearthedoor，boys！\"Forjustthenthelatchclicked，thedoorslowlyopened，andavoicesaid，\"Comeinouto’thewet。\"
ThevoicewasneitherthatoftheOldMannorofhiswife。Itwasthevoiceofasmallboy，itsweaktreblebrokenbythatpreternaturalhoarsenesswhichonlyvagabondageandthehabitofprematureself-assertioncangive。Itwasthefaceofasmallboythatlookedupattheirs，——afacethatmighthavebeenprettyandevenrefinedbutthatitwasdarkenedbyevilknowledgefromwithin，anddirtandhardexperiencefromwithout。Hehadablanketaroundhisshouldersandhadevidentlyjustrisenfromhisbed。\"Comein，\"herepeated，\"anddon’tmakenonoise。TheOldMan’sintheretalkingtomar，\"hecontinued，pointingtoanadjacentroomwhichseemedtobeakitchen，fromwhichtheOldMan’svoicecameindeprecatingaccents。\"Letmebe，\"headded，querulously，toDickBullen，whohadcaughthimup，blanketandall，andwasaffectingtotosshimintothefire，\"letgoo’me，youd————doldfool，d’yehear？\"
Thusadjured，DickBullenloweredJohnnytothegroundwithasmotheredlaugh，whilethemen，enteringquietly，rangedthemselvesaroundalongtableofroughboardswhichoccupiedthecentreoftheroom。Johnnythengravelyproceededtoacupboardandbroughtoutseveralarticleswhichhedepositedonthetable。\"Thar’swhiskey。Andcrackers。Andredherons。Andcheese。\"Hetookabiteofthelatteronhiswaytothetable。\"Andsugar。\"Hescoopedupamouthfulenroutewithasmallandverydirtyhand。
\"Andterbacker。Thar’sdriedappilstooontheshelf，butIdon’tadmire’em。Appilsisswellin’。Thar，\"heconcluded，\"nowwadein，anddon’tbeafeard。Idon’tmindtheoldwoman。Shedon’tb’longtoME。S’long。\"
Hehadsteppedtothethresholdofasmallroom，scarcelylargerthanacloset，partitionedofffromthemainapartment，andholdinginitsdimrecessasmallbed。Hestoodthereamomentlookingatthecompany，hisbarefeetpeepingfromtheblanket，andnodded。
\"Hello，Johnny！Youain’tgoin’toturninagin，areye？\"saidDick。
\"Yes，Iare，\"respondedJohnny，decidedly。
\"Why，wot’sup，oldfellow？\"
\"I’msick。\"
\"Howsick！\"
\"I’vegotafevier。Andchildblains。Androomatiz，\"returnedJohnny，andvanishedwithin。Afteramoment’spause，headdedinthedark，apparentlyfromunderthebedclothes，——\"Andbiles！\"
Therewasanembarrassingsilence。Themenlookedateachother，andatthefire。Evenwiththeappetizingbanquetbeforethem，itseemedasiftheymightagainfallintothedespondencyofThompson’sgrocery，whenthevoiceoftheOldMan，incautiouslylifted，camedeprecatinglyfromthekitchen。
\"Certainly！Thet’sso。Incoursetheyis。Agango’lazydrunkenloafers，andthatarDickBullen’stheornariestofall。Didn’thevnomoresabethantocomeroundyarwithsicknessinthehouseandnoprovision。Thet’swhatIsaid：’Bullen，’sezI，’it’scrazydrunkyouare，orafool，’sezI，’tothinko’suchathing。’
’Staples，’Isez，’beyouaman，Staples，and’specttoraiseh-llundermyroofandinvalidslyin’round？’Buttheywouldcome，——
theywould。Thet’swotyoumust’specto’suchtrashaslaysroundtheBar。\"
Aburstoflaughterfromthemenfollowedthisunfortunateexposure。Whetheritwasoverheardinthekitchen，orwhethertheOldMan’siratecompanionhadjustthenexhaustedallothermodesofexpressinghercontemptuousindignation，Icannotsay，butabackdoorwassuddenlyslammedwithgreatviolence。AmomentlaterandtheOldManreappeared，haplyunconsciousofthecauseofthelatehilariousoutburst，andsmiledblandly。
\"Theoldwomanthoughtshe’djestrunovertoMrs。McFadden’sforasociablecall，\"heexplained，withjauntyindifference，ashetookaseatattheboard。
Oddlyenoughitneededthisuntowardincidenttorelievetheembarrassmentthatwasbeginningtobefeltbytheparty，andtheirnaturalaudacityreturnedwiththeirhost。Idonotproposetorecordtheconvivialitiesofthatevening。Theinquisitivereaderwillacceptthestatementthattheconversationwascharacterizedbythesameintellectualexaltation，thesamecautiousreverence，thesamefastidiousdelicacy，thesamerhetoricalprecision，andthesamelogicalandcoherentdiscoursesomewhatlaterintheevening，whichdistinguishsimilargatheringsofthemasculinesexinmorecivilizedlocalitiesandundermorefavorableauspices。Noglasseswerebrokenintheabsenceofany;noliquorwasuselesslyspiltonfloorortableinthescarcityofthatarticle。
Itwasnearlymidnightwhenthefestivitieswereinterrupted。
\"Hush，\"saidDickBullen，holdinguphishand。ItwasthequerulousvoiceofJohnnyfromhisadjacentcloset：\"Odad！\"
TheOldManarosehurriedlyanddisappearedinthecloset。
Presentlyhereappeared。\"Hisrheumatiziscomingonaginbad，\"heexplained，\"andhewantsrubbin’。\"Heliftedthedemijohnofwhiskeyfromthetableandshookit。Itwasempty。DickBullenputdownhistincupwithanembarrassedlaugh。Sodidtheothers。
TheOldManexaminedtheircontentsandsaidhopefully，\"Ireckonthat’senough;hedon’tneedmuch。Youholdonallo’youforaspell，andI’llbeback\";andvanishedintheclosetwithanoldflannelshirtandthewhiskey。Thedoorclosedbutimperfectly，andthefollowingdialoguewasdistinctlyaudible：——
\"Now，Sonny，whardoessheacheworst？\"
\"Sometimesoveryarandsometimesunderyer;butit’smostpowerfulfromyertoyer。Rubyer，dad。\"
Asilenceseemedtoindicateabriskrubbing。ThenJohnny：
\"Hevin’agoodtimeoutyer，dad？\"
\"Yes，sonny。\"
\"To-morrer’sChrismiss，ain’tit？\"
\"Yes，Sonny。Howdoesshefeelnow？\"
\"Betterrubalittlefurderdown。Wot’sChrismiss，anyway？Wot’sitallabout？\"
\"O，it’saday。\"
Thisexhaustivedefinitionwasapparentlysatisfactory，fortherewasasilentintervalofrubbing。PresentlyJohnnyagain：
\"MarsezthateverywhereelsebutyereverybodygivesthingstoeverybodyChrismiss，andthenshejistwadedinteryou。Shesezthar’samantheycallSandyClaws，notawhiteman，youknow，butakindo’Chinemin，comesdownthechimbleynightaforeChrismissandgivesthingstochillern，——boyslikeme。Puts’emintheirbutes！
Thet’swhatshetriedtoplayuponme。Easynow，pop，wharareyourubbin’to，——thet’samilefromtheplace。Shejestmadethatup，didn’tshe，jesttoaggrewatemeandyou？Don’trubthar……
Why，dad！\"
Inthegreatquietthatseemedtohavefallenuponthehousethesighofthenearpinesandthedripofleaveswithoutwasverydistinct。Johnny’svoice，too，wasloweredashewenton，\"Don’tyoutakeonnow，furI’mgettin’allrightfast。Wot’stheboysdoin’outthar？\"
TheOldManpartlyopenedthedoorandpeeredthrough。Hisguestsweresittingtheresociablyenough，andtherewereafewsilvercoinsandaleanbuckskinpurseonthetable。\"Bettin’onsuthin，——
somelittlegameor’nother。They’reallright，\"herepliedtoJohnny，andrecommencedhisrubbing。
\"I’dliketotakeahandandwinsomemoney，\"saidJohnny，reflectively，afterapause。
TheOldMangliblyrepeatedwhatwasevidentlyafamiliarformula，thatifJohnnywouldwaituntilhestruckitrichinthetunnelhe’dhavelotsofmoney，etc。，etc。
\"Yes，\"saidJohnny，\"butyoudon’t。AndwhetheryoustrikeitorI
winit，it’saboutthesame。It’sallluck。Butit’smightycur’o’saboutChrismiss，——ain’tit？WhydotheycallitChrismiss？\"
Perhapsfromsomeinstinctivedeferencetotheoverhearingofhisguests，orfromsomevaguesenseofincongruity，theOldMan’sreplywassolowastobeinaudiblebeyondtheroom。
\"Yes，\"saidJohnny，withsomeslightabatementofinterest，\"I’veheerdo’HIMbefore。Thar，that’lldo，dad。Idon’tachenearsobadasIdid。Nowwrapmetightinthisyerblanket。So。Now，\"
headdedinamuffledwhisper，\"sitdownyerbymetillIgoasleep。\"Toassurehimselfofobedience，hedisengagedonehandfromtheblanketand，graspinghisfather’ssleeve，againcomposedhimselftorest。
ForsomemomentstheOldManwaitedpatiently。Thentheunwontedstillnessofthehouseexcitedhiscuriosity，andwithoutmovingfromthebed，hecautiouslyopenedthedoorwithhisdisengagedhand，andlookedintothemainroom。Tohisinfinitesurpriseitwasdarkanddeserted。Buteventhenasmoulderinglogonthehearthbroke，andbytheupspringingblazehesawthefigureofDickBullensittingbythedyingembers。
\"Hello！\"
Dickstarted，rose，andcamesomewhatunsteadilytowardhim。
\"Whar’stheboys？\"saidtheOldMan。
\"Goneupthecanyononalittlepasear。They’recomingbackformeinaminit。I’mwaitin’roundfor’em。Whatareyoustarin’at，OldMan？\"headdedwithaforcedlaugh;\"doyouthinkI’mdrunk？\"
TheOldManmighthavebeenpardonedthesupposition，forDick’seyeswerehumidandhisfaceflushed。Heloiteredandloungedbacktothechimney，yawned，shookhimself，buttoneduphiscoatandlaughed。\"Liquorain’tsoplentyasthat，OldMan。Nowdon’tyougitup，\"hecontinued，astheOldManmadeamovementtoreleasehissleevefromJohnny’shand。\"Don’tyoumindmanners。Sitjestwharyoube;I’mgoin’inajiffy。Thar，that’sthemnow。\"
Therewasalowtapatthedoor。DickBullenopeneditquickly，nodded\"Goodnight\"tohishost，anddisappeared。TheOldManwouldhavefollowedhimbutforthehandthatstillunconsciouslygraspedhissleeve。Hecouldhaveeasilydisengagedit：itwassmall，weak，andemaciated。ButperhapsbecauseitWASsmall，weak，andemaciated，hechangedhismind，and，drawinghischairclosertothebed，restedhisheaduponit。Inthisdefencelessattitudethepotencyofhisearlierpotationssurprisedhim。Theroomflickeredandfadedbeforehiseyes，reappeared，fadedagain，wentout，andlefthim——asleep。
MeantimeDickBullen，closingthedoor，confrontedhiscompanions。
\"Areyouready？\"saidStaples。\"Ready，\"saidDick;\"what’sthetime？\"\"Pasttwelve，\"wasthereply;\"canyoumakeit？——it’snighonfiftymiles，theroundtriphitherandyon。\"\"Ireckon，\"
returnedDick，shortly。\"Whar’sthemare？\"\"BillandJack’sholdin’heratthecrossin’。\"\"Let’emholdonaminitlonger，\"
saidDick。
Heturnedandre-enteredthehousesoftly。Bythelightofthegutteringcandleanddyingfirehesawthatthedoorofthelittleroomwasopen。Hesteppedtowarditontiptoeandlookedin。TheOldManhadfallenbackinhischair，snoring，hishelplessfeetthrustoutinalinewithhiscollapsedshoulders，andhishatpulledoverhiseyes。Besidehim，onanarrowwoodenbedstead，layJohnny，muffledtightlyinablanketthathidallsaveastripofforeheadandafewcurlsdampwithperspiration。DickBullenmadeastepforward，hesitated，andglancedoverhisshoulderintothedesertedroom。Everythingwasquiet。Withasuddenresolutionhepartedhishugemustacheswithbothhandsandstoopedoverthesleepingboy。Butevenashedidsoamischievousblast，lyinginwait，swoopeddownthechimney，rekindledthehearth，andlituptheroomwithashamelessglowfromwhichDickfledinbashfulterror。
Hiscompanionswerealreadywaitingforhimatthecrossing。Twoofthemwerestrugglinginthedarknesswithsomestrangemisshapenbulk，whichasDickcamenearertookthesemblanceofagreatyellowhorse。
Itwasthemare。Shewasnotaprettypicture。FromherRomannosetoherrisinghaunches，fromherarchedspinehiddenbythestiffmachillasofaMexicansaddle，toherthick，straight，bonylegs，therewasnotalineofequinegrace。Inherhalf-blindbutwhollyviciouswhiteeyes，inherprotrudingunderlip，inhermonstrouscolor，therewasnothingbutuglinessandvice。
\"Nowthen，\"saidStaples，\"standcl’arofherheels，boys，andupwithyou。Don’tmissyourfirstholtofhermane，andmindyegetyouroffstirrupQUICK。Ready！\"
Therewasaleap，ascramblingstruggle，abound，awildretreatofthecrowd，acircleofflyinghoofs，twospringlessleapsthatjarredtheearth，arapidplayandjingleofspurs，aplunge，andthenthevoiceofDicksomewhereinthedarkness，\"Allright！\"
\"Don’ttakethelowerroadbackonlessyou’rehardpushedfortime！
Don’tholdherindownhill！We’llbeatthefordatfive。
G’lang！Hoopa！Mula！GO！\"
Asplash，asparkstruckfromtheledgeintheroad，aclatterintherockycutbeyond，andDickwasgone……
Sing，OMuse，therideofRichardBullen！Sing，OMuseofchivalrousmen！thesacredquest，thedoughtydeeds，thebatteryoflowchurls，thefearsomerideandgrewsomeperilsoftheFlowerofSimpson’sBar！Alack！sheisdainty，thisMuse！Shewillhavenoneofthisbuckingbruteandswaggering，raggedrider，andImustfainfollowhiminprose，afoot！
Itwasoneo’clock，andyethehadonlygainedRattlesnakeHill。
ForinthattimeJovitahadrehearsedtohimallherimperfectionsandpractisedallhervices。Thricehadshestumbled。TwicehadshethrownupherRomannoseinastraightlinewiththereins，and，resistingbitandspur，struckoutmadlyacrosscountry。
Twicehadshereared，and，rearing，fallenbackward;andtwicehadtheagileDick，unharmed，regainedhisseatbeforeshefoundherviciouslegsagain。Andamilebeyondthem，atthefootofalonghill，wasRattlesnakeCreek。Dickknewthatherewasthecrucialtestofhisabilitytoperformhisenterprise，sethisteethgrimly，puthiskneeswellintoherflanks，andchangedhisdefensivetacticstobriskaggression。Bulliedandmaddened，Jovitabeganthedescentofthehill。HeretheartfulRichardpretendedtoholdherinwithostentatiousobjurgationandwell-
feignedcriesofalarm。ItisunnecessarytoaddthatJovitainstantlyranaway。NorneedIstatethetimemadeinthedescent;
itiswritteninthechroniclesofSimpson’sBar。Enoughthatinanothermoment，asitseemedtoDick，shewassplashingontheoverflowedbanksofRattlesnakeCreek。AsDickexpected，themomentumshehadacquiredcarriedherbeyondthepointofbalking，and，holdingherwelltogetherforamightyleap，theydashedintothemiddleoftheswiftlyflowingcurrent。Afewmomentsofkicking，wading，andswimming，andDickdrewalongbreathontheoppositebank。
TheroadfromRattlesnakeCreektoRedMountainwastolerablylevel。EithertheplungeinRattlesnakeCreekhaddampenedherbalefulfire，ortheartwhichledtoithadshownherthesuperiorwickednessofherrider，forJovitanolongerwastedhersurplusenergyinwantonconceits。Onceshebucked，butitwasfromforceofhabit;oncesheshied，butitwasfromanewfreshlypaintedmeeting-houseatthecrossingofthecountyroad。Hollows，ditches，gravellydeposits，patchesoffreshlyspringinggrasses，flewfrombeneathherrattlinghoofs。Shebegantosmellunpleasantly，onceortwiceshecoughedslightly，buttherewasnoabatementofherstrengthorspeed。Bytwoo’clockhehadpassedRedMountainandbegunthedescenttotheplain。TenminuteslaterthedriverofthefastPioneercoachwasovertakenandpassedbya\"manonaPintohoss，\"——aneventsufficientlynotableforremark。
AthalfpasttwoDickroseinhisstirrupswithagreatshout。
Starswereglitteringthroughtheriftedclouds，andbeyondhim，outoftheplain，rosetwospires，aflagstaff，andastragglinglineofblackobjects。Dickjingledhisspursandswunghisriata，Jovitaboundedforward，andinanothermomenttheysweptintoTuttlevilleanddrewupbeforethewoodenpiazzaof\"TheHotelofAllNations。\"
WhattranspiredthatnightatTuttlevilleisnotstrictlyapartofthisrecord。BrieflyImaystate，however，thatafterJovitahadbeenhandedovertoasleepyostler，whomsheatoncekickedintounpleasantconsciousness，Dicksalliedoutwiththebar-keeperforatourofthesleepingtown。Lightsstillgleamedfromafewsaloonsandgambling-houses;but，avoidingthese，theystoppedbeforeseveralclosedshops，andbypersistenttappingandjudiciousoutcryrousedtheproprietorsfromtheirbeds，andmadethemunbarthedoorsoftheirmagazinesandexposetheirwares。
Sometimestheyweremetbycurses，butoftenerbyinterestandsomeconcernintheirneeds，andtheinterviewwasinvariablyconcludedbyadrink。Itwasthreeo’clockbeforethispleasantrywasgivenover，andwithasmallwaterproofbagofindia-rubberstrappedonhisshouldersDickreturnedtothehotel。ButherehewaswaylaidbyBeauty，——Beautyopulentincharms，affluentindress，persuasiveinspeech，andSpanishinaccent！Invainsherepeatedtheinvitationin\"Excelsior，\"happilyscornedbyallAlpine-climbingyouth，andrejectedbythischildoftheSierras，——arejectionsoftenedinthisinstancebyalaughandhislastgoldcoin。Andthenhesprangtothesaddleanddasheddownthelonelystreetandoutintothelonelierplain，wherepresentlythelights，theblacklineofhouses，thespires，andtheflagstaffsankintotheearthbehindhimagainandwerelostinthedistance。
Thestormhadclearedaway，theairwasbriskandcold，theoutlinesofadjacentlandmarksweredistinct，butitwashalfpastfourbeforeDickreachedthemeeting-houseandthecrossingofthecountyroad。Toavoidtherisinggradehehadtakenalongerandmorecircuitousroad，inwhoseviscidmudJovitasankfetlockdeepateverybound。Itwasapoorpreparationforasteadyascentoffivemilesmore;butJovita，gatheringherlegsunderher，tookitwithherusualblind，unreasoningfury，andahalf-hourlaterreachedthelonglevelthatledtoRattlesnakeCreek。Anotherhalf-hourwouldbringhimtothecreek。Hethrewthereinslightlyupontheneckofthemare，chirrupedtoher，andbegantosing。
SuddenlyJovitashiedwithaboundthatwouldhaveunseatedalesspractisedrider。Hangingtoherreinwasafigurethathadleapedfromthebank，andatthesametimefromtheroadbeforeheraroseashadowyhorseandrider。\"Throwupyourhands，\"commandedthissecondapparition，withanoath。
Dickfeltthemaretremble，quiver，andapparentlysinkunderhim。
Heknewwhatitmeantandwasprepared。
\"Standaside，JackSimpson，Iknowyou，youd————dthief。Letmepassor——\"
Hedidnotfinishthesentence。Jovitarosestraightintheairwithaterrificbound，throwingthefigurefromherbitwithasingleshakeofhervicioushead，andchargedwithdeadlymalevolencedownontheimpedimentbeforeher。Anoath，apistol-
shot，horseandhighwaymanrolledoverintheroad，andthenextmomentJovitawasahundredyardsaway。Butthegoodrightarmofherrider，shatteredbyabullet，droppedhelplesslyathisside。
Withoutslackinghisspeedheshiftedthereinstohislefthand。
Butafewmomentslaterhewasobligedtohaltandtightenthesaddle-girthsthathadslippedintheonset。Thisinhiscrippledconditiontooksometime。Hehadnofearofpursuit，butlookinguphesawthattheeasternstarswerealreadypaling，andthatthedistantpeakshadlosttheirghostlywhiteness，andnowstoodoutblacklyagainstalightersky。Daywasuponhim。Thencompletelyabsorbedinasingleidea，heforgotthepainofhiswound，andmountingagaindashedontowardRattlesnakeCreek。ButnowJovita’sbreathcamebrokenbygasps，Dickreeledinhissaddle，andbrighterandbrightergrewthesky。
Ride，Richard;run，Jovita;linger，Oday！
Forthelastfewrodstherewasaroaringinhisears。Wasitexhaustionfromlossofblood，orwhat？Hewasdazedandgiddyashesweptdownthehill，anddidnotrecognizehissurroundings。
Hadhetakenthewrongroad，orwasthisRattlesnakeCreek？
Itwas。Butthebrawlingcreekhehadswamafewhoursbeforehadrisen，morethandoubleditsvolume，andnowrolledaswiftandresistlessriverbetweenhimandRattlesnakeHill。ForthefirsttimethatnightRichard’sheartsankwithinhim。Theriver，themountain，thequickeningeast，swambeforehiseyes。Heshutthemtorecoverhisself-control。Inthatbriefinterval，bysomefantasticmentalprocess，thelittleroomatSimpson’sBarandthefiguresofthesleepingfatherandsonroseuponhim。Heopenedhiseyeswildly，castoffhiscoat，pistol，boots，andsaddle，boundhispreciouspacktightlytohisshoulders，graspedthebareflanksofJovitawithhisbaredknees，andwithashoutdashedintotheyellowwater。Acryrosefromtheoppositebankastheheadofamanandhorsestruggledforafewmomentsagainstthebattlingcurrent，andthenweresweptawayamidstuprootedtreesandwhirlingdrift-wood……
TheOldManstartedandwoke。Thefireonthehearthwasdead，thecandleintheouterroomflickeringinitssocket，andsomebodywasrappingatthedoor。Heopenedit，butfellbackwithacrybeforethedrippinghalf-nakedfigurethatreeledagainstthedoorpost。
\"Dick？\"
\"Hush！Isheawakeyet？\"
\"No，——but，Dick？——\"
\"Dryup，youoldfool！GetmesomewhiskeyQUICK！\"TheOldManflewandreturnedwith——anemptybottle！Dickwouldhavesworn，buthisstrengthwasnotequaltotheoccasion。Hestaggered，caughtatthehandleofthedoor，andmotionedtotheOldMan。
\"Thar’ssuthin’inmypackyerforJohnny。Takeitoff。Ican’t。\"
TheOldManunstrappedthepackandlaiditbeforetheexhaustedman。
\"Openit，quick！\"
Hedidsowithtremblingfingers。Itcontainedonlyafewpoortoys，——cheapandbarbaricenough，goodnessknows，butbrightwithpaintandtinsel。Oneofthemwasbroken;another，Ifear，wasirretrievablyruinedbywater;andonthethird——ahme！therewasacruelspot。
\"Itdon’tlooklikemuch，that’safact，\"saidDick，ruefully……
\"Butit’sthebestwecoulddo……Take’em，OldMan，andput’eminhisstocking，andtellhim——tellhim，youknow——holdme，OldMan——\"TheOldMancaughtathissinkingfigure。\"Tellhim，\"
saidDick，withaweaklittlelaugh，——\"tellhimSandyClaushascome。\"
Andevenso，bedraggled，ragged，unshavenandunshorn，withonearmhanginghelplesslyathisside，SantaClauscametoSimpson’sBarandfellfaintingonthefirstthreshold。TheChristmasdawncameslowlyafter，touchingtheremoterpeakswiththerosywarmthofineffablelove。AnditlookedsotenderlyonSimpson’sBarthatthewholemountainasifcaughtinagenerousaction，blushedtotheskies。
THEPRINCESSBOBANDHERFRIENDS。
ShewasaKlamathIndian。Hertitlewas，Ithink，acompromisebetweenherclaimasdaughterofachief，andgratitudetoherearliestwhiteprotector，whosename，aftertheIndianfashion，shehadadopted。\"Bob\"WalkerhadtakenherfromthebreastofherdeadmotheratatimewhenthesincerevolunteersoldieryoftheCaliforniafrontierwereimpressedwiththebeliefthatexterminationwasthemanifestdestinyoftheIndianrace。HehadwithdifficultyrestrainedthenoblezealofhiscompatriotslongenoughtoconvincethemthattheexemptionofoneIndianbabywouldnotinvalidatethistheory。Andhetookhertohishome，——apastoralclearingonthebanksoftheSalmonRiver，——whereshewascaredforafterafrontierfashion。
Beforeshewasnineyearsold，shehadexhaustedthescantkindlinessofthethin，overworkedMrs。Walker。AsaplayfellowoftheyoungWalkersshewasunreliable;asanurseforthebabyshewasinefficient。Shelosttheformerinthetracklessdepthsofaredwoodforest;shebaselyabandonedthelatterinanextemporizedcradle，hanginglikeachrysalistoaconvenientbough。Sheliedandshestole，——twounpardonablesinsinafrontiercommunity，wheretruthwasanecessityandprovisionsweretheonlyproperty。
Worsethanthis，theoutskirtsoftheclearingweresometimeshauntedbyblanketedtatterdemalionswithwhomshehadmysteriousconfidences。Mr。Walkermorethanonceregrettedhisindiscreethumanity;butshepresentlyrelievedhimofresponsibility，andpossiblyofbloodguiltiness，bydisappearingentirely。
Whenshereappeared，itwasattheadjacentvillageofLogport，inthecapacityofhousemaidtoatrader’swife，who，joiningsomelittleculturetoconsiderableconscientiousness，attemptedtoinstructhercharge。ButthePrincessprovedanunsatisfactorypupiltoevensoliberalateacher。Sheacceptedthealphabetwithgreatgood-humor，butalwaysasapleasingandrecurringnovelty，inwhichallinterestexpiredatthecompletionofeachlesson。
Shefoundathousandusesforherbooksandwritingmaterialsotherthanthoseknowntocivilizedchildren。Shemadeacuriousnecklaceofbitsofslate-pencil，sheconstructedaminiaturecanoefromthepasteboardcoversofherprimer，shebentherpensintofish-hooks，andtattooedthefacesofheryoungercompanionswithblueink。Religiousinstructionshereceivedasgood-humoredly，andlearnedtopronouncethenameoftheDeitywithacheerfulfamiliaritythatshockedherpreceptress。Norcouldherreverencebereachedthroughanalogy;sheknewnothingoftheGreatSpirit，andprofessedentireignoranceoftheHappyHunting-Grounds。Yetsheattendeddivineserviceregularly，andasregularlyaskedforahymn-book;anditwasonlythroughthediscoverythatshehadcollectedtwenty-fiveofthesevolumesandhadhiddenthembehindthewoodpile，thatherconnectionwiththeFirstBaptistChurchofLogportceased。ShewouldoccasionallyabandonthesecivilizedandChristianprivileges，anddisappearfromherhome，returningafterseveraldaysofabsencewithanodorofbarkandfish，andapeace-
offeringtohermistressintheshapeofvenisonorgame。
Toaddtohertroubles，shewasnowfourteen，and，accordingtothelawsofherrace，awoman。Idonotthinkthemostromanticfancywouldhavecalledherpretty。HercomplexiondefiedmostofthoseambiguoussimilesthroughwhichpoetsunconsciouslyapologizeforanydeviationfromtheCaucasianstandard。Itwasnotwinenorambercolored;ifanything，itwassmoky。Herfacewastattooedwithredandwhitelinesononecheek，asifaduo-toothedcombhadbeendrawnfromcheek-bonetojaw，and，butforthegood-humorthatbeamedfromhersmallberry-likeeyesandshoneinherwhiteteeth，wouldhavebeenrepulsive。Shewasshortandstout。Inherscantdraperyandunrestrainedfreedomshewashardlystatuesque，andhermoreunstudiedattitudesweremarredbyasimianhabitofsoftlyscratchingherleftanklewiththetoesofherrightfoot，inmomentsofcontemplation。
IthinkIhavealreadyshownenoughtoindicatetheincongruityofherexistencewitheventhelowstandardofcivilizationthatobtainedatLogportintheyear1860。Itneededbutonemorefacttoprovethefar-sightedpoeticalsagacityandpropheticethicsofthosesincereadvocatesofextermination，towhosevirtuesIhavedonebutscantjusticeinthebeginningofthisarticle。ThisfactwaspresentlyfurnishedbythePrincess。Afteroneofherperiodicaldisappearances，——thistimeunusuallyprolonged，——sheastonishedLogportbyreturningwithahalf-breedbabyofaweekoldinherarms。Thatnightameetingofthehard-featuredseriousmatronsofLogportwasheldatMrs。Brown’s。TheimmediatebanishmentofthePrincesswasdemanded。Soft-heartedMrs。Brownendeavoredvainlytogetamitigationorsuspensionofthesentence。But，asonaformeroccasion，thePrincesstookmattersintoherownhands。Afewmorningsafterwards，awickercradlecontaininganIndianbabywasfoundhangingonthehandleofthedooroftheFirstBaptistChurch。ItwastheParthianarrowoftheflyingPrincess。FromthatdayLogportknewhernomore。
Ithadbeenabrightcleardayontheupland，soclearthattherampartsofFortJacksonandtheflagstaffwereplainlyvisibletwelvemilesawayfromthelongcurvingpeninsulathatstretchedabaredwhitearmaroundthepeacefulwatersofLogportBay。Ithadbeenacleardayuponthesea-shore，albeittheairwasfilledwiththeflyingspumeandshiftingsandofastragglingbeachwhoselowdunesweredraggeddownbythelongsurgesofthePacificandthrownupagainbythetumultuoustrade-winds。Butthesunhadgonedowninabankoffleecyfogthatwasbeginningtorollinuponthebeach。Graduallytheheadlandattheentranceoftheharborandthelighthousedisappeared，thenthewillowfringethatmarkedthelineofSalmonRivervanished，andtheoceanwasgone。
Afewsailsstillgleamedonthewatersofthebay;buttheadvancingfogwipedthemoutonebyone，creptacrossthesteel-
blueexpanse，swallowedupthewhitemillsandsinglespireofLogport，and，joiningwithreinforcementsfromthemarshes，movedsolemnlyuponthehills。Tenminutesmoreandthelandscapewasutterlyblottedout;simultaneouslythewinddiedaway，andadeath-likesilencestoleoverseaandshore。Thefaintclang，highoverhead，ofunseenbrent，thenearercallofinvisibleplover，thelapandwashofundistinguishablewaters，andthemonotonousrollofthevanishedocean，weretheonlysounds。Asnightdeepened，thefar-offboomingofthefog-bellontheheadlandatintervalsstirredthethickair。
Hardbytheshoreofthebay，andhalfhiddenbyadriftingsand-
hill，stoodalownondescriptstructure，towhosecompositionseaandshorehadequallycontributed。Itwasbuiltpartlyoflogsandpartlyofdriftwoodandtarredcanvas。Joinedtooneendofthemainbuilding——theordinarylog-cabinofthesettler——wasthehalf-
roundpilot-houseofsomewreckedsteamer，whiletheothergableterminatedinhalfofabrokenwhale-boat。Nailedagainsttheboatwerethedriedskinsofwildanimals，andscatteredaboutlaytheflotsamandjetsamofmanyyears’gathering，——bamboocrates，casks，hatches，blocks，oars，boxes，partofawhale’svertebrae，andthebladesofsword-fish。Drawnuponthebeachofalittlecovebeforethehouselayacanoe。Asthenightthickenedandthefoggrewmoredense，thesedetailsgrewimperceptible，andonlythewindowsofthepilot-house，litupbyaroaringfirewithinthehut，gleamedredlythroughthemist。
Bythisfire，beneathaship’slampthatswungfromtheroof，twofigureswereseated，amanandawoman。Theman，broad-shoulderedandheavilybearded，stretchedhislistlesspowerfullengthbeyondabrokenbamboochair，withhiseyesfixedonthefire。Thewomancrouchedcross-leggeduponthebroadearthenhearth，withhereyesblinkinglyfixedonhercompanion。Theyweresmall，black，round，berry-likeeyes，andasthefirelightshoneuponhersmokyface，withitsonestripedcheekofgorgeousbrilliancy，itwasplainlythePrincessBobandnoother。
Notawordwasspoken。Theyhadbeensittingthusformorethananhour，andtherewasabouttheirattitudeasuggestionthatsilencewashabitual。Onceortwicethemanroseandwalkedupanddownthenarrowroom，orgazedabsentlyfromthewindowsofthepilot-
house，butneverbylookorsignbetrayedtheslightestconsciousnessofhiscompanion。AtsuchtimesthePrincessfromhernestbythefirefollowedhimwitheyesofcanineexpectancyandwistfulness。Buthewouldasinevitablyreturntohiscontemplationofthefire，andthePrincesstoherblinkingwatchfulnessofhisface。
Theyhadsattheresilentandundisturbedformanyaneveninginfairweatherandfoul。Theyhadspentmanyadayinsunshineandstorm，gatheringtheunclaimedspoilofseaandshore。Theyhadkeptthesemuterelations，variedonlybytheincidentsofthehuntormeagrehouseholdduties，forthreeyears，eversincetheman，wanderingmoodilyoverthelonelysands，hadfallenuponthehalf-
starvedwomanlyinginthelittlehollowwhereshehadcrawledtodie。Ithadseemedasiftheywouldneverbedisturbed，untilnow，whenthePrincessstarted，and，withtheinstinctofherrace，benthereartotheground。
Thewindhadrisenandwasrattlingthetarredcanvas。Butinanothermomentthereplainlycamefromwithoutthehutthesoundofvoices。Thenfollowedarapatthedoor;thenanotherrap;andthen，beforetheycouldrisetotheirfeet，thedoorwasflungbrisklyopen。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidapleasantbutsomewhatdecidedcontraltovoice，\"butIdon’tthinkyouheardmeknock。Ah，Iseeyoudidnot。MayIcomein？\"
Therewasnoreply。HadthebatteredfigureheadoftheGoddessofLiberty，whichlaydeeplyembeddedinthesandonthebeach，suddenlyappearedatthedoordemandingadmittance，theoccupantsofthecabincouldnothavebeenmorespeechlesslyandhopelesslyastonishedthanattheformwhichstoodintheopendoorway。
Itwasthatofaslim，shapely，elegantlydressedyoungwoman。A
scarlet-linedsilkenhoodwashalfthrownbackfromtheshiningmassoftheblackhairthatcoveredhersmallhead;fromherprettyshouldersdroppedafurcloak，onlyrestrainedbyacordandtasselinhersmallglovedhand。Aroundherfullthroatwasadoublenecklaceoflargewhitebeads，thatbysomecunningfemininetrickrelievedwithitsinfantilesuggestionthestrongdecisionofherlowerface。
\"Didyousayyes？Ah，thankyou。Wemaycomein，Barker。\"（Hereashadowinabluearmyovercoatfollowedherintothecabin，toucheditscaprespectfully，andthenstoodsilentanderectagainstthewall。）\"Don’tdisturbyourselfintheleast，Ibeg。
Whatadistressinglyunpleasantnight！Isthisyourusualclimate？\"
Halfgraciously，halfabsentlyoverlookingthestillembarrassedsilenceofthegroup，shewenton：\"Westartedfromthefortoverthreehoursago，——threehoursago，wasn’tit，Barker？\"（theerectBarkertouchedhiscap，）——\"togotoCaptainEmmons’squartersonIndianIsland，——IthinkyoucallitIndianIsland，don’tyou？\"（shewasappealingtotheawe-strickenPrincess，）——\"andwegotintothefogandlostourway;thatis，Barkerlosthisway，\"（Barkertouchedhiscapdeprecatingly，）\"andgoodnessknowswherewedidn’twandertountilwemistookyourlightforthelighthouseandpulleduphere。No，no，praykeepyourseat，do！ReallyImustinsist。\"
Nothingcouldexceedthelanguidgraceofthelatterpartofthisspeech，——nothingexcepttheeasyunconsciousnesswithwhichsheglidedbytheofferedchairofherstammering，embarrassedhostandstoodbesidetheopenhearth。
\"Barkerwilltellyou，\"shecontinued，warmingherfeetbythefire，\"thatIamMissPortfire，daughterofMajorPortfire，commandingthepost。Ah，excuseme，child！\"（ShehadaccidentallytroddenuponthebareyellowtoesofthePrincess。）\"Really，Ididnotknowyouwerethere。Iamverynear-sighted。\"（Inconfirmationofherstatement，sheputtohereyesadaintydoubleeyeglassthatdangledfromherneck。）\"It’sashockingthingtobenear-sighted，isn’tit？\"
Iftheshamefaceduneasymantowhomthisremarkwasaddressedcouldhavefoundwordstoutterthethoughtthateveninhisconfusionstruggleduppermostinhismind，hewould，lookingatthebold，darkeyesthatquestionedhim，havedeniedthefact。Butheonlystammered，\"Yes。\"Thenextmoment，however，MissPortfirehadapparentlyforgottenhimandwasexaminingthePrincessthroughherglass。
\"Andwhatisyourname，child？\"
ThePrincess，beatifiedbytheeyesandeyeglass，showedallherwhiteteethatonce，andsoftlyscratchedherleg。
\"Bob？\"
\"Bob？Whatasingularname！\"
MissPortfire’shostherehastenedtoexplaintheoriginofthePrincess’stitle。
\"ThenYOUareBob。\"（Eye-glass。）
\"No，mynameisGrey，——JohnGrey。\"Andheactuallyachievedabowwhereawkwardnesswasrathertheairofimperfectlyrecallingaforgottenhabit。
\"Grey？——ah，letmesee。Yes，certainly。YouareMr。Greytherecluse，thehermit，thephilosopher，andallthatsortofthing。
Why，certainly;Dr。Jones，oursurgeon，hastoldmeallaboutyou。