CHAPTERFIVE
THEARRIVAL
TheOverlanddrewintoWillets，coatedfromenginetoobservationwithwhitedust。Aporter，instrangecontrastofneatness，flungopenthevestibule，droppedhislittlecarpetedstep，andturnedtoassistsomeone。Afewidlepassengersgazedoutontheuninteresting，flatfrontiertown。
SenorJohnsoncaughthisbreathinamazement。\"God！Ain\'tshejustlikeherpicture！\"heexclaimed。Heseemedtofindthisastonishing。
Foramomenthedidnotstepforwardtoclaimher，soshestoodlookingaboutheruncertainly，herleathersuit-caseatherfeet。
Shewasindeedlikethephotograph。Thesamefull-curved，compactlittlefigure，thesameroundface，thesamecupid\'sbowmouth，thesameappealing，largeeyes，thesamehazeofdoll\'shair。InamomentshecaughtsightofSenorJohnsonandtooktwostepstowardhim，thenstopped。TheSenoratoncecameforward。
\"You\'reMr。Johnson，ain\'tyou？\"sheinquired，thrustingherlittlepointedchinforward，andsoelevatingherbaby-blueeyestohis。
\"Yes，ma\'am，\"heacknowledgedformally。Then，afteramoment\'spause：\"Ihopeyou\'rewell。\"
\"Yes，thankyou。\"
Thestationloungers，augmentedbyalltheranchmenandcowboysintown，wereexaminingherclosely。Shelookedattheminaswiftsideglancethatseemedtogatheralltheireyestohers。
Then，satisfiedthatshepossessedtheuniversaladmiration，shereturnedthefullforceofherattentiontothemanbeforeher。
\"Nowyougivemeyourtrunkchecks，\"hewassaying，\"andthenwe\'llgorightoverandgetmarried。\"
\"Oh！\"shegasped。
\"That\'sright，ain\'tit？\"hedemanded。
\"Yes，Isupposeso，\"sheagreedfaintly。
Alittlesubdued，shefollowedhimtotheclergyman\'shouse，where，inthepresenceofGoodrich，thestorekeeper，andthepreacher\'swife，thetwowereunited。Thentheymountedthebuckboardanddrovefromtown。
SenorJohnsonsaidnothing，becauseheknewofnothingtosay。
Hedroveskilfullyandfastthroughthegatheringdusk。Itwasahundredmilestothehomeranch，andthathundredmiles，bymeansoffiverelaysofhorsesalreadyarrangedfor，theywouldcoverbymorning。Thustheywouldavoidthedustandheatandhighwindsoftheday。
Thesweetnightfell。Thelittledesertwindslaidsoftfingersontheirchecks。Overheadburnedthestars，clear，unflickering，likecandles。Dimlycouldbeseenthehorses，theirflanksswingingsteadilyinthesquaretrot。Ghostlybushespassedthem；ghostlyrockelevations。Far，inindeterminatedistance，laytheoutlinesofthemountains。Always，theyseemedtorecede。Theplain，allbutinvisible，thewagontrailquiteso，thedepthsofspace——theseflungheavyonthesoultheirweightofmysticism。Thewoman，untilnowboltuprightinthebuckboardseat，shranknearertotheman。Hefeltagainsthissleevethedelicatecontactofhergarmentandthrilledtothetouch。A
coyotebarkedsharplyfromaneighbouringeminence，thentrailedoffintothelong-drawn，shrillhowlofhisspecies。
\"Whatwasthat？\"sheaskedquickly，inasubduedvoice。
\"Acoyote——oneofthemlittlewolves，\"heexplained。
Thehorses\'hoofsrangclearonahardenedbitofthealkalicrust，thendullyastheyencounteredagainthedustoftheplain。Vast，vague，mysteriousinthesilenceofnight，filledwithstrangeinfluencesbreathingthroughspacelikedampwinds，thedeserttookthemtotheheartofhergreatspaces。
\"Buck，\"shewhispered，alittletremblingly。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadspokenhisname。
\"Whatisit？\"heasked，anewnoteinhisvoice。
Butforatimeshedidnotreply。Onlythecontactagainsthissleeveincreasedbyeversolittle。
\"Buck，\"sherepeated，thenallinarushandwithasob，\"Oh，I\'mafraid。\"
Tenderlythemandrewhertohim。Herheadfellagainsthisshoulderandshehidhereyes。
\"There，littlegirl，\"hereassuredher，hisbigvoicerichandmusical。\"There\'snothingtogetscairtof，I\'lltakecareofyou。Whatfrightensyou，honey？\"
Shenestledcloseinhisarmwithasighofhalfrelief。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"shelaughed，butstillwithatrembleinhertones。\"It\'sallsobigandlonesomeandstrange——andI\'msolittle。\"
\"There，littlegirl，\"herepeated。
Theydroveonandon。Attheendoftwohourstheystopped。Menwithlanternsdazzledtheireyes。Thehorseswerechanged，andsooutagainintothenightwherethedesertseemedtobreatheindeep，mysteriousexhalationslikeasleepingbeast。
SenorJohnsondrovehishorsesmasterfullywithhisonefreehand。Theroaddidnotexist，excepttohistrainedeves。Theyseemedtobeswimmingout，out，intoavapourofnightwiththewindoftheirgoingsteadyagainsttheirfaces。
\"Buck，\"shemurmured，\"I\'msotired。\"
Hetightenedhisarmaroundherandshewenttosleep，half-wakingattherancheswheretherelayswaited，dozingagainassoonasthelanternsdroppedbehind。AndSenorJohnson，alonewithhishorsesandthesolemnstars，droveon，everon，intothedesert。
Bygreyoftheearlysummerdawntheyarrived。Thegirlwakened，descended，smilinguncertainlyatSusieO\'Toole，blinkingsomnolentlyathersurroundings。SusieputhertobedinthelittlesouthwestroomwherehungtheshinyColt\'sforty-fiveinitswornleather\"Texas-style\"holster。Shemurmuredincoherentthanksandsankagaintosleep，overcomebythefatigueofunaccustomedtravelling，bythepotencyofthedesertair，bytheexcitementofanticipationtowhichhernerveshadlongbeenstrung。
SenorJohnsondidnotsleep。Hewastough，andusedtoit。Helitacigarandrambledabout，nowreadingthenewspapershehadbroughtwithhim，nowprowlingsoftlyaboutthebuilding，nowvisitingthecorralsandoutbuildings，onceeventhethousand-acrepasturewherehissaddle-horseknewhimandcametohimtohaveitsforeheadrubbed。Thedawnbrokeingoodearnest，throwingasideitsgauzydraperiesofmauve。Sang，theChinesecook，builthisfire。SenorJohnsonforbadehimtoclangtherisingbell，andhimselfrousedthecow-punchers。Thegirlslepton。SenorJohnsontip-toedadozentimestothebedroomdoor。
Onceheventuredtopushitopen。Helookedlongwithin，thenshutitsoftlyandtiptoedoutintotheopen，hiseyesshining。
\"Jed，\"hesaidtohisforeman，\"youdon\'tknowhowitmademefeel。Toseeherlyingtheresopinkandsoftandpretty，withheryallerhairalltumbledaboutandalittlesmileonher——
thereinmyoldbed，withmyoldgunhangingoverherthatway——ByHeaven，Jed，itmademefeelalmostHOLY！\"
CHAPTERSIX
THEWAGONTIRE
Aboutnoonsheemergedfromtheroom，fullyrefreshedandwideawake。SheandSusieO\'Toolehadunpackedatleastoneofthetrunks，andnowshestoodarrayedinshirtwaistandblueskirt。
Atonceshesteppedintotheopenairandlookedaboutherwithconsiderablecuriosity。
\"Sothisisarealcattleranch，\"washercomment。
SenorJohnsonwasathersidepressingonherwithboyisheagernessthesightsoftheplace。Shepattedthestaghoundsandinspectedthegarden。Then，confessingherselfhungry，sheobeyedwithalacritySang\'scalltoanearlymeal。Atthetablesheatecoquettishly，throwingherbirdlikesideglancesatthemanopposite。
\"Iwanttoseearealcowboy，\"sheannounced，asshepushedherchairback。
\"Why，sure！\"criedSenorJohnsonjoyously。\"Sang！hi，Sang！
TellBrentPalmertostepinhereaminute。\"
Afteranintervalthecowboyappeared，mincinginonhishigh-heeledboots，hissilverspursjingling，thefringeofhischapsimpactingsoftlyontheleather。Hestoodatease，hisbroadhatinbothhands，hisdark，levelbrowsfixedonhischief。
\"ShakehandswithMrs。Johnson，Brent。Icalledyouinbecauseshesaidshewantedtoseearealcow-puncher。\"
\"Oh，BUCK！\"criedthewoman。
Foraninstantthecow-puncher\'slevelbrowsdrewtogether。Thenhecaughtthewoman\'sglancefair。Hesmiled。
\"Well，Iain\'tmuchtolookat，\"heproffered。
\"That\'snotforyoutosay，sir，\"saidEstrella，recovering。
\"Brent，here，gentledyourponyforyou，\"exclaimedSenorJohnson。
\"Oh，\"criedEstrella，\"haveIapony？Hownice。Anditwassogoodofyou，Mr。Brent。Can\'tIseehim？Iwanttoseehim。I
wanttogivehimapieceofsugar。\"Shefumbledinthebowl。
\"Sureyoucanseehim。Idon\'tknowashe\'lleatsugar。Heain\'tthateducated。Thinkyoucouldteachhimtoeatsugar，Brent？\"
\"Ireckon，\"repliedthecowboy。
Theywentouttowardthecorral，thecowboyjoiningthemasamatterofcourse。Estrellademandedexplanationsasshewentalong。Theirprogresswasleisurely。Theblindfoldedpumpmuleinterestedher。
\"Andhegoesroundandroundthatwayalldaywithoutstopping，thinkinghe\'sreallygettingsomewhere！\"shemarvelled。\"Ithinkthat\'sashame！Pooroldfellow，togetfooledthatway！\"
\"Itissomefoolish，\"saidBrentPalmer，\"butheain\'tanyworseoffthanacow-ponythathikesouttwentymileandthentwentyback。\"
\"No，Isupposenot，\"admittedEstrella。
\"Andwegottohavewater，youknow，\"addedSenorJohnson。
Brentrodeupthesorrelbareback。Theprettyanimal，gentleasakitten，neverthelessplantedhisforefeetstronglyandsnortedatEstrella。
\"Ireckonheain\'tusedtothesightofawoman，\"profferedtheSenor，disappointed。\"He\'llgetusedtoyou。Gouptohimsoft-likeandrubhimbetweentheeyes。\"\'
Estrellaapproached，buttheponyjerkedbackhisheadwitheverysymptomofdistrust。Sheforgotthesugarshehadintendedtoofferhim。
\"He\'saperfectbeauty，\"shesaidatlast，\"but，my！I\'dneverdareridehim。I\'mawfulscairtofhorses。\"
\"Oh，he\'llcomearoundallright，\"assuredBrenteasily。\"I\'llfixhim。\"
\"Oh，Mr。Brent，\"sheexclaimed，\"don\'tthinkIdon\'tappreciatewhatyou\'vedone。I\'msurehe\'sreallyjustasgentleashecanbe。It\'sonlythatI\'mfoolish。\"
\"I\'llfixhim，\"repeatedBrent。
Thetwomenconductedherhereandthere，showingherthevariousinstitutionsoftheplace。Amanbentneartheshednailingashoetoahorse\'shoof。
\"Soyouevenhaveablacksmith！\"saidEstrella。Herguideslaughedamusedly。
\"Tommy，comehere！\"calledtheSenor。
Thehorseshoerstraightenedupandapproached。Hewasalithe，curly-hairedyoungboy，withareckless，humorouseyeandasmoothface，nowredfrombendingover。
\"Tommy，shakehandswithMrs。Johnson，\"saidtheSenor。\"Mrs。
Johnsonwantstoknowifyou\'retheblacksmith。\"Heexplodedinlaughter。
\"Oh，BUCK！\"criedEstrellaagain。
\"No，ma\'am，\"answeredtheboydirectly；\"I\'mjusttackingashoeonDanger，here。Wealldoesourownblacksmithing。\"
Hisrovingeyeexaminedhercountenancerespectfully，butwithadmiration。Shecaughttheadmirationandreturnedit，covertlybutunmistakably，pleasedthathercharmswereappreciated。
Theycontinuedtheirrounds。Thesunwasveryhotandthedustdeep。AwomanwouldhaveknownthatthesethingsdistressedEstrella。Shepickedherwaythroughthedebris；shedroppedherheadfromtheburning；shefeltherdelicategarmentsmoisteningwithperspiration，herhairdampening；thedustsiftedupthroughtheair。Overinthelargecorralabroncobuster，assistedbytwoofthecowboys，wasengagedinropingandthrowingsomewildmustangs。Thesightwaswonderful，butherethedustbillowedinclouds。
\"I\'mgettingalittlehotandtired，\"sheconfessedatlast。\"I
thinkI\'llgotothehouse。\"
Butneartheshedshestoppedagain，interestedinspiteofherselfbyabitofrepairingTommyhadunderway。Thetireofawagonwheelhadbeendestroyed。Tommywasmendingit。Onthegroundlayafreshcowhide。FromthisTommywascuttingawidestrip。Asshewatchedliemeasuredthestriparoundthecircumferenceofthewheel。
\"Heisn\'tgoingtomakeatireofthat！\"sheexclaimed，incredulously。
\"Sure，\"repliedSenorJohnson。
\"Willitwear？\"
\"It\'llwearforamonthorso，tillwecangetanotherfromtown。\"
Estrellaadvancedandfeltcuriouslyoftherawhide。Tommywasfasteningittothewheelattheendsonly。
\"Buthowcanitstayonthatway？\"sheobjected。\"It\'llcomerightoffassoonasyouuseit。\"
\"It\'llhardenontightenough。\"
\"Why？\"shepersisted。\"Doesitshrinkmuchwhenitdries？\"
SenorJohnsonstaredtoseeifshemightbejoking。\"Doesitshrink？\"herepeatedslowly。\"Thereain\'tnothingshrinksmore，norharder。It\'llmightynighbreakthatwood。\"
Estrella，incredulous，interested，shecouldnothavetoldwhy，stoopedagaintofeelthesoft，yieldinghide。Sheshookherhead。
\"You\'rejokingmebecauseI\'matenderfoot，\"sheaccusedbrightly。\"Iknowitdrieshard，andI\'llbelieveitshrinksalot，buttobreakwood——that\'spilingitonalittlethick。\"
\"No，that\'sright，ma\'am，\"brokeinBrentPalmer。\"It\'sawfulstrong。Itpullslikeahorsewhenthedesertsungetsonit。
Youwrapanythingupinapieceofthathideandseewhathappens。Sometimeyoutakeandwrapapiecearoundapotatoandputheroutinthesunandseehowit\'llsqueezethewateroutofher。\"
\"Isthatso？\"sheappealedtoTommy。\"Ican\'ttellwhentheyaremakingfunofme。\"
\"Yes，ma\'am，that\'sright，\"heassuredher。
Estrellapassedastripoftheflexiblehideplayfullyaboutherwrists。
\"AndifIletthatdrythatwayI\'dbehandcuffedhardandfast，\"
shesaid。
\"Itwouldcutyoudowntothebone，\"supplementedBrentPalmer。
Sheuntwistedthestrip，andstoodlookingatit，hereyeswide。
\"I——Idon\'tknowwhy——\"shefaltered。\"Thethoughtmakesmealittlesick。Why，isn\'titqueer？Ugh！it\'slikeasnake！\"Sheflungitfromherenergeticallyandturnedtowardtheranchhouse。
CHAPTERSEVEN
ESTRELLA
Thehoneymoondevelopedandthenecessaryadjustmentstookplace。
ThelatterSenorJohnsonhadnotforeseen；andyet，whenthenecessityforthemarose，heacknowledgedthemrightandproper。
\"Courseshedon\'twanttorideovertoCircleIwithus，\"heinformedhisconfidant，JedParker。\"It\'salongride，andsheain\'tusedtoridingyet。TroubleisI\'vebeenthinkingofdoingthingswithherjustasifshewasaman。Womenaredifferent。
Theylikesdifferentthings。\"
ThissecondideagraduallyoverlaidthefirstinSenorJohnson\'smind。Estrellashowedlittleaptitudeorinterestintheroughersideoflife。Herhusband\'sstatementastoherbeingstillunusedtoridingwasdistinctlyaeuphemism。Estrellaneverarrivedatthepointoffeelingsafeonahorse。Intimeshegaveuptrying，andthesorreldriftedbacktocow-punching。Therangeworksheneverunderstood。
Asaspectacleitimposeditselfonherinterestforaweek；butsinceshecoulddiscovernorealandvitalconcerninthewelfareofcows，soonthemereoutwardshowbecameanoldstory。
Estrella\'ssleeknatureavoidedinstinctivelyallthatinterferedwithbodilywell-being。Whenshewascoolandwell-fedandnotthirsty，andsurroundedbyaproperdegreeoffemininedaintiness，thenshewasreadytoamuseherself。Butshecouldnotunderstandthedesirabilityofthosepleasuresforwhichacertainpriceindiscomfortmustbepaid。Asforfirearms，sheconfessedherselffranklyafraidofthem。Thatwasthepointatwhichherintimacywiththemstopped。
Thenaturalleveltowhichthesewatersfelliseasilyseen。
Quitesimply，theSenorfoundthatawifedoesnotenterfullyintoherhusband\'sworkadaylife。Thedreamshehaddreameddidnotcometrue。
Thiswasatfirstadisappointmenttohim，ofcourse，butthedisappointmentdidnotlast。SenorJohnsonwasamanofsense，andheeasilymodifiedhisfirstschemeofmarriedlife。
\"She\'dgetsickofit，andI\'dgetsickofit，\"heformulatedhisnewphilosophy。\"NowIgotsomethingtocomebackto，somebodytolookforwardto。Andit\'saWOMAN；itain\'toneofthesedarngangle-legcowgirls。ThegreatthingistofeelyouBELONGtosomeone；andthatsomeoneniceandcoolandfreshandpurtyiswaitin\'foryouwhenyoucomeintired。Itbeatsthatotherlittleoldideeofmineslickasagunbarrel。\"
So，duringthis，thebusyseasonoftherangeriding，immediatelybeforethegreatfallround-ups，SenorJohnsonrodeabroadallday，andreturnedtohisownhearthasmanyeveningsoftheweekashecould。Estrellaalwayssawhimcomingandstoodinthedoorwaytogreethim。Hekickedoffhisspurs，washedanddustedhimself，andspenttheeveningwithhiswife。Helikedthesoundofexactlythatphrase，andwasfondofrepeatingittohimselfinavarietyofconnections。
\"WhenIgetinI\'llspendtheeveningwithmywife。\"\"IfIdon\'trideovertoCircleI，I\'llspendtheeveningwithmywife，\"andsoon。Hehadagooddealtotellheroftheday\'sdiscoveries，thestateoftherange，andtheconditionofthecattle。Toallofthisshelistenedatleastwithpatience。SenorJohnson，likemostmenwhohavelongdelayedmarriage，wasself-centredwithoutknowingit。Hisinterestinhismatehadtodowithherpersonalityratherthanwithherdoings。
\"Whatyoudowithyourselfalldayto-day？\"heoccasionallyinquired。
\"Oh，there\'slotstodo，\"shewouldanswer，atriflelistlessly；
andthisreplyalwaysseemedquitetosatisfyhisinterestinthesubject。
SenorJohnson，withacuriouslyinstanttransformationoftentobeobservedamongtheadventurous，settledluxuriouslyintothestateofbeingamarriedman。Itssmallestdetailsgavehimdistinctandseparatesensationsofpleasure。
\"Iplumblikesitall，\"hesaid。\"Ilikeshavin\'interestinsomefoolgeraniumplant，andIlikesworryin\'aboutthescreendoorsandalltherestoftheplumbfoolishness。Itdoesmegood。Itfeelslikestretchin\'yourlegsinfrontofagoodwarmfire。\"
Thecentre，thecompellinginfluenceofthisnewstateofaffairs，wasundoubtedlyEstrella，andyetitisequallytobedoubtedwhethershestoodformorethanthesuggestion。SenorJohnsonconductedhisentirelifewithreferencetohiswife。
Hiswakinghourswereconcernedonlywiththethoughtofher，hiseveryactrevolvedinitsorbitcontrolledbyherinfluence。
Neverthelessshe，asanindividualhumanbeing，hadlittletodowithit。SenorJohnsonreferredhislifetoastateofaffairshehadhimselfinventedandwhichhecalledthemarriedstate，andtoawomanwhoseattitudehehadhimselfdetermineduponandwhombedesignatedashiswife。Theactualstateofaffairs——
whateveritmightbe——hedidnotsee；andtheactualwomansuppliedmerelythematerialmediumnecessarytotherealityofhisidea。WhetherEstrella\'seyeswereinterestedorbored，brightordull，alertorabstracted，contentedorafraid，SenorJohnsoncouldnothavetoldyou。Hemighthaverepliedpromptlyenough——thattheywerehappyandloving。ThatisthewaySenorJohnsonconceivedawife\'seyes。
Theroutineoflife，then，soonsettled。AfterbreakfasttheSenorinsistedthathiswifeaccompanyhimonashorttourofinspection。\"Alittlepasear，\"hecalledit，\"justtogetsetfortheday。\"Thenhishorsewasbrought，andherodeawayonwhateverbusinesscalledhim。Likeatruesonofthealkali，hetooknolunchwithhim，norexpectedhishorsetofeeduntilhisreturn。Thiswasanhourbeforesunset。Theeveningpassedashasbeendescribed。Itwasallverysimple。
Whenthebusinesshungclosetotheranchhousewasinthebroncobusting，therebrandingofboughtcattle，andthelike——hewasabletosharehiswife\'sday。Estrellaconductedherselfdreamily，withaslowsmileforhimwhenhisactualpresenceinsistedonherattention。Sheseemedmuchgiventostaringoutoverthedesert。SenorJohnson，appreciatively，thoughthecouldunderstandthis。Again，shegavemuchleisuretorockingbackandforthonthelow，wideveranda，herhandsidle，hereyesvacant，herlipsdumb。SusieO\'Toolehadearlyprovedincompatibleandhadgone。
\"Anice，contented，homesortofawoman，\"saidSenorJohnson。
Onethingalonebesidesthedesertsonwhichsheneverseemedtiredoflooking，fascinatedher。Wheneverabeefwaskilledfortheusesoftheranch，shecommandedstripsofthegreenskin。
Then，likeachild，sheboundthemandsewedthemandnailedthemtosubstancesparticularlysusceptibletotheirconstrictingpower。Shechokedthenecksofgreengourds，sheindentedthetenderbarkofcottonwoodshoots，sheexpendedanapparentlyexhaustlessingenuityonthefabricationofmechanicaldeviceswhoseprincipleansweredtothepullingofthedryingrawhide。
Andalwaysalongtheadobefencecouldbeseenalongrowofpotatoesboundinskin，someofthemfreshandsmoothandround；
somesweatingintheagonyofsqueezing；somewrinkledanddryandlittle，thelastdropsoflifetorturedoutofthem。SenorJohnsonlaughedgood-humouredlyatthesetoys，puzzledtoexplaintheirfascinationforhiswife。
\"They\'resureanamusingenoughcontraptionhoney，\"saidhe，\"butwhatmakesyoustandoutthereinthehotsunstaringatthemthatway？It\'scoolerontheporch。\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidEstrella，helplessly，turningherslow，vacantgazeonhim。Suddenlysheshiveredinastrongphysicalrevulsion。\"Idon\'tknow！\"shecriedwithpassion。
AftertheyhadbeenmarriedaboutamonthSenorJohnsonfounditnecessarytodriveintoWillets。
\"Howwouldyouliketogo，too，andbuysomeduds？\"heaskedEstrella。
\"Oh！\"shecriedstrangely。\"When？\"
\"Dayaftertomorrow。\"
Thetripdecided，herentireattitudechanged。Thevacancyofhergazelifted；hermovementsquickened；sheleftoffstaringatthedesert，andherrawhidetoyswereneglected。Beforestarting，SenorJohnsongaveheracheckbook。HeexplainedthattherewerenobanksinWillets，butthatGoodrich，thestorekeeper，wouldhonourhersignature。
\"Buywhatyouwantto，honey，\"saidhe。\"Tearherwideopen。I\'mgoodforit。\"
\"HowmuchcanIdraw？\"sheasked，smiling。
\"Asmuchasyouwantto，\"herepliedwithemphasis。
\"Takecare\"——shepoisedbeforehimwiththecheckbookextended——
\"Imaydraw——Imightdrawfiftythousanddollars。\"
\"NotoutofGoodrich，\"hegrinned；\"you\'dbustthegame。Butholdhimupforthelimit，anyway。\"
Hechuckledaloud，pleasedattherare，bird-likecoquetryofthewoman。TheydrovetoWillets。Ittookthemtwodaystogoandtwodaystoreturn。Estrellawentthroughthetowninacycloneburstofenthusiasm，saweverything，boughteverything，exhaustedeverythingintwohours。Willetswasnotalargeplace。Onherreturntotheranchshesatdownatonceintherocking-chairontheveranda。Herhandsfellintoherlap。Shestaredoutoverthedesert。
SenorJohnsonstoleupbehindher，clumsyasaplayfulbear。Hiseyesfollowedthedirectionofherstowhereacloudshadowlayacrosstheslope，heavy，palpable，untransparent，likeablotchofink。
\"Pretty，isn\'tit，honey？\"saidhe。\"Gladtogetback？\"
Shesmiledathimhervacant，slowsmile。
\"Here\'smycheckbook，\"shesaid；\"putitawayforme。I\'mthroughwithit。\"
\"I\'llputitinmydesk，\"saidhe。\"It\'sintheleft-handcubbyhole，\"hecalledfrominside。
\"Verywell，\"shereplied。
Hestoodinthedoorway，lookingfondlyatherunconsciousshouldersandtheposeofherblondeheadthrownbackagainstthehighrocking-chair。
\"That\'sthesortofawoman，afterall，\"saidSenorJohnson。\"Noblamefussabouther。\"
CHAPTEREIGHT
THEROUND-UP
This，asyouwellmaygather，wasinthesummerroutine。Nowthetimeofthegreatfallround-updrewnear。Thehomeranchbegantobustleinpreparation。
AllthroughCochiseCountywereshortmountainrangessetdown，apparentlyatrandom，likeachild\'sblocks。Inandoutbetweenthemflowedthebroad，plain-likevalleys。Onthevalleyswerethevariousranges，greatorsmall，controlledbythedifferentindividualsoftheCattlemen\'sAssociation。Duringtheyearanunimportant，butcertain，shiftingofstocktookplace。AfewcattleofSenorJohnson\'sLazyYeludedthevigilanceofhisriderstodriftoverthroughtheGrantPassandintotherangesofhisneighbour；equally，manyoftheneighbour\'ssteerswatereddailyatSenorJohnson\'stroughs。Itwasamatterofcourtesytopermitthis，butoneofthereasonsforthefallround-upwasaredistributiontotheproperranges。Eachcattle-ownersentanoutfittothesceneoflabour。Thecombinedoutfitsmovedslowlyfromonevalleytoanother，cuttingoutthestrays，brandingthelatecalves，collectingfortheownerofthatparticularrangeallhisstock，thathemightselecthismarketablebeef。Inturneachcattlemanwashosttohisneighboursandtheirmen。
Thisyearithadbeendecidedtobeginthecircleoftheround-upattheC0Bar，nearthebanksoftheSanPedro。Thenceitwouldworkeastward，wanderingslowlyinnorthandsouthdeviation，toincludeallthecountry，untilthefinalbreak-upwouldoccurattheLazyY。
TheLazyYcrewwastoconsistoffourmen，thirtyridinghorses，a\"chuckwagon，\"andcook。These，helpingothers，andreceivinghelpinturn，wouldsuffice，forintheround-uplabourwaspooledtoacommonend。WiththemwouldrideJedParker，tosafeguardhismaster\'sinterests。
Foraweekthepunchers，intheirdailyrides，gatheredintherangeponies。SenorJohnsonownedfiftyhorseswhichhemaintainedatthehomeranchforevery-dayriding，twohundredbrokensaddleanimals，allowedthefreedomoftherange，exceptwhenspecialoccasiondemandedtheiruse，andperhapshalfathousandquiteunbroken——broodmares，stallions，younghorses，broncos，andthelike。Atthistimeofyearitwashishabittocorralallthosesaddlewiseinordertoselecthorsesfortheround-upsandtoreplacetheranchanimals。Thelatterheturnedloosefortheirturnatthefreedomoftherange。
Thehorseschosen，nextthementurnedtheirattentiontooutfit。
Eachhad，ofcourse，hissaddle，spurs，and\"rope。\"Ofthelatterthechuckwagoncarriedmanyextra。Thatvehicle，furthermore，transportedsucharticlesastheblankets，thetarpaulinsunderwhichtosleep，therunningironsforbranding，thecookinglayout，andthemen\'spersonaleffects。Allwasinreadinesstomoveforthesixweeks\'circle，whenacomplicationarose。JedParker，whilenimblyescapinganirritatedsteer，twistedthehighheelofhisbootonthecorralfence。Heinsistedtheinjuryamountedtonothing。SenorJohnsonhowever，disagreed。
\"Itdon\'tamounttonothing，Jed，\"hepronounced，aftermanipulation，\"butshemightmakeagoodable-bodiedinjurywithalittlecoaxing。Restheraweekandthenyou\'llbeallright。\"
\"Resther，thedevil！\"growledJed；\"who\'sgoingtoSanPedro？\"
\"Iwill，ofcourse，\"repliedtheSenorpromptly。\"Didjethinkwe\'dsendtheChink？\"
\"IwasfirstcousintoaYaquijackassforsendin\'youngBillyEllisout。He\'llbebackinaweek。He\'ddo。\"
\"So\'dthePresident，\"theSenorpointedout；\"Ihearhe\'shadsomeexperience。\"
\"Ihatetohaveyoutogo，\"objectedJed。\"There\'sthemissis。\"
Heshotaglancesidewaysathischief。
\"IguesssheandIcanstanditforaweek，\"scoffedthelatter。
\"Why，weareoldmarriedfolksbynow。Besides，youcantakecareofher。\"
\"I\'lltry，\"saidJedParker，alittlegrimly。
CHAPTERNINE
THELONGTRAIL
Theround-upcrewstartedearlythenextmorning，justaboutsun-up。SenorJohnsonrodefirst，merelytokeepoutofthedust。ThenfollowedTornRich，joggingalongeasilyinthecow-puncher\'s\"Spanishtrot\"whistlingsoothinglytoquietthehorses，givingaleadtothebandofsaddleanimalsstrungoutlooselybehindhim。Thesemovedongracefullyandlightlyinthemanneroftheunburdenedplainshorse，halfdecidedtofollowTom\'sguidance，halfinclinedtobreaktorightorleft。HomerandJimLesterflankedthem，alsoridinginaslouchofapparentlaziness，buteveryonceinawhiledartingforwardlikebulletstoturnbackintothemainherdcertainindividualswhomtheearlymorningoftheunwearieddayhadinspiredtomakeadashforliberty。TherearwasbroughtupbyJerkyJones，thefourthcow-puncher，andthefour-mulechuckwagon，lostinitsowndust。
Thesunmounted；thedesertwentsilentlythroughitschanges。
Winddevilsraisedstraight，truecolumnsofdustsix，eighthundred，evenathousandfeetintotheair。Thebillowsofdustfromthehorsesandmencreptandcrawledwiththemlikealivingcreature。Gloriouscolour，magnificentdistance，astonishingillusion，filledtheworld。
SenorJohnsonrodeahead，lookingatthesethings。Theseparationfromhiswife，briefasitwouldbe，leftroominhissoulfortheheart-hungerwhichbeautyarousesinmen。Helovedthecharmofthedesert，yetithurthim。
Behindhimthepunchersrelievedthetediumofthemarch，eachafterhisownmanner。Inanhourthebunchofloosehorseslostitsearly-morninggoodspiritsandsettleddowntoasteadyplodding，thatneedednosupervision。TomRichledthem，now，insilence，histimefullyoccupiedinrollingMexicancigaretteswithonehand。Theotherthreedroppedbacktogetherandexchangeddesultoryremarks。OccasionallyJimLestersang。Itwasalwaysthesamesongofuncountedverses，butJimhadastrangefashionofsingingasingleverseatatime。Afteralongintervalhewouldsinganother。
\"MyLoveisariderAndbroncoshebreaks，Buthe\'sgivenupridingAndallformysake，ForhefoundhimahorseAnditsuitedhimsoThathevowedhe\'dne\'errideAnyotherbronco！\"
hewarbled，andtheninthesamebreath：
\"Say，boys，didyougetontothepisano-lookingshorthornatWilletslastweek？
\"Nope。\"
\"Hesiftedinwearin\'oneofthesehardboiledhats，andcarryin\'
abroguethickenoughtoskateon。Sayshewantsajobdrivin\'
team——thathedrivesatruckplentybacktoSt。Louis，wherehecomesfrom。Goodrichsetshimbehindthemlittlepintocavalloshehas。Say！thatsonofagunadriver！Hecouldn\'tdrivenailsinasnowbank。\"Anexpressivefree-handgesturetoldalltherewastotelloftherunaway。\"Th\'shorthornlandedheadfirstinGoldfishCharlie\'shorsetrough。Charliefisheshimout。\'Howthedevil，stranger，\'saysCharlie，\'didyoucometofallinhere？\'\'Youblamedfool，\'saystheshorthorn，justcryin\'
mad，\'Ididn\'tcometofallinhere，Icometodrivehorses。\'\"
Andthen，withoutatransitorypause：
\"Oh，mylovehasagunAndthatgunhecanuse，Buthe\'squithisgunfightingAswellashisbooze。
Andhe\'ssoldhimhissaddle，Hisspurs，andhisrope，Andthere\'snomorecow-punchingAndthat\'swhatIhope。\"
Thealkalidust，swirledbackbyalittlebreeze，billowedupandchokedhim。Behind，themulescoughed，theircoatswhiteningwiththepowder。Faraheadinthedistancelaythewesterlymountains。Theylookedanhouraway，andyeteverymanandbeastintheoutfitknewthathourafterhourtheyweredoomed，bytheenchantmentoftheland，toplodaheadwithoutapparentlygettinganinchnearer。Theonlysalvationwastoforgetthemountainsandtofillthepresentmomentfulloflittlethings。
ButSenorJohnson，to-day，foundhimselfunabletodothis。Inspiteofhisbesteffortshecaughthimselfstrainingtowardthedistantgoal，becomingimpatient，tryingtomeasureprogressbylandmarks——inshortactinglikeatenderfootonthedesert，whowearshimselfdownanddies，notfromthehardship，butfromthenervousstrainwhichhedoesnotknowhowtoavoid。SenorJohnsonknewthisaswellasyouandI。Hecursedhimselfvigorously，andbeganwithgreatresolutiontothinkofsomethingelse。
HewasarousedfromthisbyTomRich，ridingalongside。\"Somebodycoming，Senor，\"saidhe。
SenorJohnsonraisedhiseyestotheapproachingcloudofdust。
Silentlythetwowatchedituntilitresolvedintoariderlopingeasilyalong。Infifteenminuteshedrewrein，hisponydroppedimmediatelyfromagalloptoimmobility，heswungintoagracefulat-easeattitudeacrosshissaddle，grinnedamiably，andbegantorollacigarette。
\"BillyEllis，\"criedRich。
\"That\'sme，\"repliedthenewcomer。
\"ThoughtyouweredowntoTucson？\"
\"Iwas。\"
\"Thoughtyouwasn\'tcomin\'backforaweekyet？\"
\"Tommy，\"profferedBillyEllisdreamily，\"whenyougotoTucsonnextyouwatchoutuntilyouseesalittle，squint-eyedBritisher。Takealookathim。Thencomeaway。Hesayshedon\'tknownothin\'aboutpoker。Mebbehedon\'t，buthe\'lloutholdawarehouse。\"
ButhereSenorJohnsonbrokein：\"Billy，you\'rejustintime。
Jedhashurthisfootandcan\'tgetonforaweekyet。Iwantyoutotakecharge。I\'vegotalottodoattheranch。\"
\"Ain\'tgotmywar-bag，\"objectedBilly。
\"Takemystuff。I\'llsendyoursonwhenParkergoes。\"
\"Allright。\"
\"Well，solong。\"
\"Solong，Senor。\"Theymoved。TheerraticArizonabreezestwistedthedustoftheirgoing。SenorJohnsonwatchedthemdwindle。Withthemseemedtogothejoyintheoldlife。Nolongerdidthelongtrailpossessforhimitsancientfascination。Hehadbecomeadomesticman。
\"AndI\'mgladofit，\"commentedSenorJohnson。
Thedusteddiedaside。Plainlycouldbeseentheswayingwagon，theloose-ridingcowboys，thegleaming，nakedbacksoftheherd。
Thentheveilclosedoverthemagain。Butdownthewind，faintly，insnatches，camethewordsofJimLester\'ssong：
\"Oh，SamhasagunThathasgonetothebad，WhichmakespooroldSammyFeelpretty，damnsad，Forthatgainitshootshigh，Andthatgunitshootslow，AnditwabblesaboutLikeabuckingbronco！\"
SenorJohnsonturnedandstruckspurstohiswillingpony。
CHAPTERTEN
THEDISCOVERY
SenorBuckJohnsonlopedquicklybacktowardthehomeranch，hisheartgladatthisfortunatesolutionofhisannoyance。Thehomeranchlayinplainsightnottenmilesaway。AsSenorJohnsonidlywatcheditshimmeringintheheat，atinyfiguredetacheditselffromthemassandlauncheditselfinhisdirection。
\"Wonderwhat\'seatingHIM！\"marvelledSenorJohnson，\"——andwhoisit？\"
Thefiguredrewsteadilynearer。Inhalfanhourithadapproachednearenoughtoberecognised。
\"Why，it\'sJed！\"criedtheSenor，andspurredhishorse。\"Whatdoyoumean，ridingoutwiththatfoot？\"hedemandedsternly，whenwithinhailingdistance。
\"Foot，hell！\"gaspedParker，whirlinghishorsealongside。
\"Yourwife\'srunawaywithBrentPalmer。\"
Forfullytensecondsnotthefaintestindicationprovedthatthehusbandhadheard，exceptthatheliftedhisbridle-hand，andthewell-trainedponystopped。
\"Whatdidyousay？\"heaskedfinally。
\"Yourwife\'srunawaywithBrentPalmer，\"repeatedJed，almostwithimpatience。
Againthelongpause。
\"Howdoyouknow？\"askedSenorJohnson，then。
\"Know，hell！It\'sbeengoingonforamonth。Sangsawthemdriveoff。Theytookthebuckboard。Heheard\'emplanningit。
Hewastooscairttotelltillthey\'dgone。Ijustfounditout。
They\'vebeengonetwohours。MustbegoingtomaketheLimited。\"
Parkerfidgeted，impatienttobeoff。\"You\'rewastingtime，\"hesnappedatthemotionlessfigure。
SuddenlyJohnson\'sfaceflamed。HereachedfromhissaddletoclutchJed\'sshoulder，nearlypullingtheforemanfromhispony。
\"Youlie！\"hecried。\"You\'relyingtome！Itain\'tSO！\"
Parkermadenoefforttoextricatehimselffromthepainfulgrasp。Hiscooleyesmettheblazingeyesofhischief。
\"IwishtIdidlie，Buck，\"hesaidsadly。\"Iwishtitwasn\'tso。
Butitis。\"
Johnson\'sheadsnappedbacktothefrontwithagroan。Theponysnortedasthesteelbithisflanks，leapedforward，andwithheadoutstretched，nostrilswide，thewickedwhiteofthebroncoflickeringinthecornerofhiseye，struckthebeelineforthehomeranch。Jedfollowedasfastashewasable。
Onhisarrivalhefoundhischiefragingaboutthehouselikeawildbeast。Sangtrembledfromaquickandstormyinterrogatoryinthekitchen。Chairshadbeenupsetandletlie。Estrella\'sbelongingshadbeentumbledover。SenorJohnsontherefoundonlytoosureproof，inthevariouslacks，ofapremeditatedandpermanentflight。Stillhehoped；andaslongashehoped，hedoubted，andthedemonsofdoubttorehimtoafrenzy。Jedstoodnearthedoor，hisarmsfolded，hisweightshiftedtohissoundfoot，waitingandwonderingwhatthenextmovewastobe。
Finally，SenorJohnson，struckwithanewidea，rantohisdesktorummageinapigeon-hole。Buthefoundnoneedtodoso，forlyingonthedeskwaswhathesought——thecheckbookfromwhichEstrellawastodrawonGoodrichforthemoneyshemightneed。
Hefairlysnatcheditopen。Twoofthecheckshadbeentornout，stubandall。Andthenhiseyecaughtacrumpledbitofbluepaperundertheedgeofthedesk。
Hesmootheditout。ThecheckwasmadeouttobearerandsignedEstrellaJohnson。Itcalledforfifteenthousanddollars。
Acrossthemiddlewasagreatinkblot，reasonforitsrejection。
AtonceSenorJohnsonbecamesingularlyanddangerouslycool。
\"Ireckonyou\'reright，Jed，\"hecriedinhisnaturalvoice。
\"she\'sgonewithhim。She\'sgotallhertrapswithher，andshe\'sdrawnonGoodrichforfifteenthousand。AndSHEneverthoughtofgoingjustthistimeofmonthwhentheminersareinwiththeirdust，andGoodrichwouldbesuretohavethatmuch。
That\'sfriendPalmer。Beengoingonamonth，yousay？\"
\"Icouldn\'tsayanything，Buck，\"saidParkeranxiously。\"Aman\'sneversureenoughaboutthemthingstillafterwards。\"
\"Iknow，\"agreedBuckJohnson；\"givemealightformycigarette。\"
Hepuffedforamoment，thenrose，stretchinghislegs。Inamomenthereturnedfromtheotherroom，theoldshinyColt\'sforty-fivestrappedlooselyonhiship。Jedlookedhiminthefacewithsomeanxiety。Theforemanwasnotdeceivedbytheman\'seasymanner；infact，heknewittobesymptomaticofoneofthedangerousphasesofSenorJohnson\'scharacter。
\"What\'sup，Buck？\"heinquired。
\"Justgoingoutforapasearwiththelittlehorse，Jed。\"
\"IsupposeIbettercomealong？\"
\"Notwithyourlamefoot，Jed。\"
Thetoneofvoicewasconclusive。Jedclearedhisthroat。
\"Sheleftthisforyou，\"saidhe，profferinganenvelope。\"Themkindalwayswrites。\"
\"Sure，\"agreedSenorJohnson，stuffingthelettercarelesslyintohissidepocket。HehalfdrewtheColt\'sfromitsholsterandslippeditbackagain。\"Makesyoufeelplumblikeamantohaveoneofthesethingsrubbin\'againstyouagain，\"heobservedirrelevantly。Thenhewentout，leavingtheforemanleaning，chairtilted，againstthewall。
CHAPTERELEVEN
THECAPTURE
Althoughhehadlefttheroomsosuddenly，SenorJohnsondidnotatonceopenthegateoftheadobewall。Hisdemeanourwasgay，forhewasaWesterner，buthisheartwasblack。Hardlydidheseebeyondtheconvexityofhiseyeballs。
Thepony，warmedupbyitslittlerun，pawedtheground，impatienttobeoff。Itwasafineanimal，clean-built，deep-chested，oneofthemustangstockdescendedfromtheArabsbroughtoverbyPizarro。Sangwatchedfearfullyfromtheslantofthekitchenwindow。JedParker，even，listenedforthebeatofthehorse\'shoofs。
ButSenorJohnsonstoodstock-still，hisbrainabsolutelynumbandempty。Hishandbrushedagainstsomethingwhichfell，totheground。Hebroughthisdullgazetobearonit。Theobjectprovedtobeablack，wrinkledspheroid，bakedhardasironinthesunshineofEstrella\'stoys，apotatosqueezedtodrynessbytheconstrictingpoweroftherawhide。Inarowalongthefencewereothers。ToSenorJohnsonitseemedthatthushisheartwasbeingsqueezedinthefireofsuffering。
Buttheslightmovementofthefallingobjectrousedhim。Heswungopenthegate。Theponybowedhisheaddelightedly。Hewasnottired，buthisreinsdependedstraighttotheground，anditwasapointofhonourwithhimtostand。Atthesaddleborn，initssling，hungtheriata，the\"rope\"withoutwhichnocowmaneverstirsabroad，butwhichSenorJohnsonhadrarelyusedoflate。SenorJohnsonthrewthereinsover，seizedthepony\'smaneinhislefthand，heldthepommelwithhisright，andsoswungeasilyaboard，thepony\'sjumphelpinghimtothesaddle。Wheeltracksleddownthetrail。Hefollowedthem。
Truthtotell，SenorJohnsonhadverylittleideaofwhathewasgoingtodo。Hisactionwasentirelyinstinctive。Thewheeltracksheldtothesouthwestsoheheldtothesouthwest，too。
Theponyhithisstride。Themilesslippedby。Aftersevenofthemtheanimalslowedtoawalk。SenorJohnsonallowedhimtogethiswind，thenspurredhimonagain。Hedidnoteventaketheordinaryprecautionsofapursuer。Hedidnotevenglancetothehorizoninsearch。
Aboutsupper-timehecametothefirstranchhouse。Therehetookabitetoeatandexchangedhishorseforanother，afavouriteofhis，namedButton。Thetwomenaskednoquestions。
\"SeeMrs。Johnsongothrough？\"askedtheSenorfromthesaddle。
\"Yes，aboutthreeo\'clock。BrentPalmerdrivingher。BoundforWilletstovisitthepreacher\'swife，shesaid。OughttocatchupattheCircleI。That\'swherethey\'dallspendthenight，ofcourse。Solong。\"
SenorJohnsonknewnowthecouplewouldfollowthestraightroad。
Theywouldfearnopursuit。Hehimselfwassupposednottoreturnforaweek，andthestoryofvisitingtheminister\'swifewasnotonlyplausible，itwasnatural。Jedhadupsetcalculations，becauseJedwasshrewd，andhadeyesinhishead。
BuckJohnson\'sfirstmentalnumbnesswaswearingaway；hewasbeginningtothink。
Thenightwasverystillandverydark，thestarsverybrightintheircandle-likeglow。Theman，lopingsteadilyonthroughthedarkness，recalledthatothernight，equallystill，equallydark，equallystarry，whenhehaddrivenoutfromhisaccustomedlifeintotheunknownwithawomanbyhisside，thesightofwhomasleephadmadehimfeel\"almostholy。\"Heutteredashortlaugh。
Theponywasagoodone，wellequaltotwicethedistancehewouldbecalledupontocoverthisnight。SenorJohnsonmanagedhimwell。Bylongexperienceandanaturalinstinctheknewjusthowhardtopushhismount，justhowtokeepinsidethepointwheretoorapidexhaustionofvitalitybegins。
Towardthehourofsunrisehedrewreintolookabouthim。Thedesert，tillnowwrappedinthethousandlittlenoisesthatmakenightsilence，drewbreathinpreparationfortheaweofthedailywonder。Itlayacrosstheworldheavyasaseaoflead，andaslifeless；deeplyunconscious，likeanexhaustedsleeper。
Theskybentabove，thestarspaling。Farawaythemountainsseemedtowait。Andthen，imperceptibly，thoseintheeastbecameblackerandsharper，whilethoseinthewestbecamefaintlylucentandlostthedistinctnessoftheiroutline。Thechangewasnothing，yeteverything。Andsuddenlyadesertbirdsprangintotheairandbegantosing。
SenorJohnsoncaughtthewonderofit。Thewonderofitseemedtohimwasted，useless，cruelinitseffect。Hesighedimpatiently，anddrewhishandacrosshiseyes。
Thedesertbecamegreywiththefirstlightbeforetheglory。IntheillusoryrevealmentofitSenorJohnson\'ssharpfrontiersman\'seyesmadeoutanobjectmovingawayfromhiminthemiddledistance。Inamomenttheobjectroseforasecondagainsttheskyline，thendisappeared。Heknewittobethebuckboard，andthatthevehiclehadjustplungedintothedrybedofanarroyo。
Immediatelylifesurgedthroughhimlikeanelectricshock。Heunfastenedtheriatafromitssling，shookloosethenoose，andmovedforwardinthedirectioninwhichhehadlastseenthebuckboard。
Atthetopofthesteeplittlebankhestoppedbehindthemesquite，straininghiseyes；luckhadbeengoodtohim。Thebuckboardhadpulledup，andBrentPalmerwasatthemomentbeginningalittlefire，evidentlytomakethemorningcoffee。
SenorJohnsonstruckspurstohishorseandhalfslid，halffell，clattering，downthesteepclaybankalmostontopofthecouplebelow。
Estrellascreamed。BrentPalmerjerkedoutanoath，andreachedforhisgun。Theloopoftheriatafellwideoverhim，immediatelytobejerkedtight，bindinghisarmstighttohisside。
Thebronco-buster，sweptfromhisfeetbythepony\'srapidturn，neverthelessstruggleddesperatelytowrenchhimselfloose。
Button，intelligentatallropework，walkedsteadilybackward，stepbystep，takinguptheslack，keepingtheropetightashehaddonehundredsoftimesbeforewhenasteerhadstruggledasthismanwasstrugglingnow。Hismasterleapedfromthesaddleandranforward。Buttoncontinuedtowalkslowlyback。Theriataremainedtaut。Thenooseheld。
BrentPalmerfoughtsavagely，eventhen。Hekicked，herolledoverandover，hewrenchedviolentlyathispinionedarms，hetwistedhispowerfulyoungbodyfromSenorJohnson\'sgraspagainandagain。Butitwasnouse。Inlessthanaminutehewasboundhardandfast。Buttonpromptlyslackenedtherope。Thedustsettled。Thenoiseofthecombatdied。Againcouldbeheardthesingledesertbirdsingingagainstthedawn。
CHAPTERTWELVE
INTHEARROYO
SenorJohnsonquietlyapproachedEstrella。Thegirlhad，duringthestruggle，gonethroughanaimlessbutfranticexhibitionofterror。Nowsheshrankback，hereyesstaringwildly，herhandsbehindher，readytoflopagainoverthebrinkofhysteria。
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"shedemanded，hervoiceunnatural。
Shereceivednoreply。Themanreachedoutandtookherbythearm。
Andthenatonce，asthoughthepersonalcontactofthetouchhadbrokenthroughthelastcrumbofnumbnesswithwhichshockhadoverlaidBuckJohnson\'spassions，theinsanityofhisragebrokeout。Hetwistedherviolentlyonherface，kneltonherback，and，withtheshortpieceofhardropethecowboyalwayscarriesto\"hog-tie\"cattle，helashedherwriststogether。Thenhearosepanting，hissquareblackbeardrisingandfallingwiththeriseandfallofhisgreatchest。
Estrellahadscreamedagainandagainuntilherfacehadbeenfairlygroundintothealkali。Thereshehadchokedandstrangledandgaspedandsobbed，hermindnearlyunhingedwithterror。Shekeptappealingtohiminahoarsevoice，butcouldgetnoreply，noindicationthathehadevenheard。Thisterrifiedherstillmore。BrentPalmercursedsteadilyandaccurately，butthemandidnotseemtohearhimeither。
ThetempestbadbrokeninBuckJohnson\'ssoul。WhenhehadtouchedEstrellahehad，forthefirsttime，realisedwhathehadlost。Itwasnotthewoman——herhedespised。Butthedreams！
Allatonceheknewwhattheyhadbeentohim——heunderstoodhowcompletelytheverysubstanceofhislifehadchangedinresponsetotheirslowsoul-action。Thenewworldhadbeenblasted——theoldnolongerexistedtowhichtoreturn。
BuckJohnsonstaredatthiscatastropheuntilhissightblurred。
Why，itwasatrocious！Hehaddonenothingtodeserveit！Whyhadtheynotlefthimpeacefulinhisownlifeofcattleandthetrail？Hehadbeenhappy。Hisdulleyesfellonthecausesoftheruin。
Andthen，finally，intheunderstandingofhowhehadbeentrickedofhislife，hishappiness，hisrighttowell-being，thewholeforceoftheman\'sangerflared。BrentPalmerlaytherecursinghimartistically。Thatmanhaddoneit；thatmanwasinhispower。Hewouldgeteven。How？
Estrella，too，layhuddled，helplessanddefenseless，athisfeet。Shehaddoneit。Hewouldgeteven。How？
Hehadspokennoword。Hespokenonenow，eitherinanswertoEstrella\'sappeals，becomingpiteousintheircravingforrelieffromsuspense，orinresponsetoBrentPalmer\'ssteadystreamofinsultsandvituperations。Suchthingswerefarbelow。Thebitternessandangeranddesolationweresqueezinghisheart。
Herememberedthesillylittlerowofpotatoessewninthegreenhidelyingalongthetopoftheadobefence，somefreshandround，somedrippingastherawhidecontracted，someblackandwitheredandverysmall。Afierceandsavagelightsprangintohiseyes。
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
THERAWHIDE
Firstofallheunhitchedthehorsesfromthebuckboardandturnedthemloose。Then，sincehewasearlytrainedinIndianwarfare，hedraggedPalmertothewagonwheel，andtiedhimsocloselytoitthathecouldnotrollover。For，thoughthebronco-busterwasalreadysofetteredthathisonlypossiblemovementwasofthejack-knifevariety，neverthelesshemightbeabletohitchhimselfalongthegroundtoasharpstone，theretosawthroughtheropeabouthiswrists。Estrella，herhusbandheldincontempt。Hemerelysupplementedherwristbandsbyoneabouttheankles。
LeisurelyhemountedButtonandturnedupthewagontrail，leavingthetwo。Estrellahadexhaustedherself。Shewascapableofnothingmoreinthewayofemotion。Hereyestightclosed，sheinhaledindeep，trembling，long-drawnbreaths，andexhaledwiththenameofherMaker。
BrentPalmer，onthecontrary，wasbynomeanssubdued。Hehadexpectedtobeshotincoldblood。Nowhedidnotknowwhattoanticipate。Hisblack，levelbrowsdrawnstraightindefiance，hethrewhiscursesafterJohnson\'sretreatingfigure。
Thelatter，however，paidnoattention。Hehadhispurposes。
Onceatthetopofthearroyohetookacarefulsurveyofthelandscape，nowrichwithdawn。Eachexcrescenceontheplainhishalf-squintedeyesnoticed，andwithinstantskillrelegatedtoitspropercategoryofsoap-weed，mesquite，cactus。AtlengthheswungButtoninaneasylopetowardwhatlookedtobeabunchofsoap-weedinthemiddledistance。
Butinamomentthecattlecouldbeseenplainly。Buttonprickeduphisears。Heknewcattle。Nowheproceededtentatively，liftinghighhislittlehoofstoavoidthehalf-seeninequalitiesofthegroundandtheground\'sgrowths，wonderingwhetherheweretobecalledontoropeortodrive。Whentheriderhadapproachedtowithinahundredfeet，thecattlestarted。
ImmediatelyButtonunderstoodthathewastopursue。Noropeswungabovehishead，sohesheeredoffandranasfastashecouldtocutaheadofthebunch。Buthisriderwithkneeandreinforcedhimin。Afteramoment，tohisastonishment，hefoundhimselfrunningalongsideabigsteer。Buttonhadneverhuntedbuffalo——BuckJohnsonhad。
TheColt\'sforty-fivebarkedonce，andthenagain。Thesteerstaggered，felltohisknees，recovered，andfinallystopped，thebloodstreamingfromhisnostrils。Inamomenthefellheavilyonhisside——dead。
SenorJohnsonatoncedismountedandbeganmethodicallytoskintheanimal。Thiswasnoteasyforhehadnowayofsuspendingthecarcassnorofrollingitfromsidetoside。However，hewaspractisedatitanddidaneatjob。Twoorthreetimesheevencaughthimselftakingextrapainsthatthethinfleshstripsshouldnotadheretotheinsideofthepelt。Thenhesmiledgrimly，andrippeditloose。
Afterthehidehadbeenremovedhecutfromtheedge，aroundandaround，along，narrowstrip。Withthisheboundthewholeintoacompactbundle，strappeditonbehindhissaddle，andremounted。Hereturnedtothearroyo。
Estrellastilllaywithhereyesclosed。BrentPalmerlookedupkeenly。Thebronco-bustersawthegreenhide。Apuzzledexpressioncreptacrosshisface。
RoughlyJohnsonloosedhisenemyfromthewheelanddraggedhimtothewoman。Hepassedthefreeendoftheriataaboutthemboth，tyingthemclosetogether。Thegirlcontinuedtomoan，outofherwitswithterror。
\"Whatareyougoingtodonow，youdevil？\"demandedPalmer，butreceivednoreply。
BuckJohnsonspreadouttherawhide。Puttingforthhishugestrength，hecarriedtoitthepair，boundtogetherlikeabaleofgoods，andlaidthemonitscoolsurface。Hethrewacrossthemtheedges，andthendeliberatelybegantowindaroundandaroundthehugeandunwieldyrawhidepackagethestriphehadcutfromtheedgeofthepelt。
Norwasthisaltogethereasy。AtlastBrentPalmerunderstood。
Hewrithedinthestruggleofdesperation，foamingblasphemies。
Theuncouthbundlerolledhereandthere。Butinexorablytheother，fromtheadvantageofhisposition，drewthethongstighter。
Andthen，allatonce，fromvituperationthebronco-busterfelltopleading，notforlife，butfordeath。
\"ForGod\'ssake，shootme！\"hecriedfromwithinthesmotheringfoldsoftherawhide。\"Ifyoueverhadaheartinyou，shootme！
Don\'tleavemeheretobecrushedinthisvise。Youwouldn\'tdothattoayellowdog。AnInjinwouldn\'tdothat，Buck。It\'sajoke，isn\'tit？Don\'tgoawayandleaveme，Buck。I\'vedoneyoudirt。Cutmyheartout，ifyouwantto；Iwon\'tsayaword，butdon\'tleavemehereforthesun——\"
Hisvoicewasdrownedinapiercingscream，asEstrellacametoherselfandunderstood。Alwaystherawhidehadpossessedforheranoccultfascinationandrepulsion。Shehadneverbeenabletotouchitwithoutashudder，andyetshehadalwaysbeendrawntoexperimentwithit。Theterrorofherdoomhadnowaddedtoitforherallthevagueandpremonitoryterrorswhichheretoforeshehadnotunderstood。
Therichnessofthedawnhadflowedtothewest。Daywasathand。Breezeshadbeguntoplayacrossthedesert；thewinddevilstoraisetheirstraightcolumns。AfirstlongshaftofsunlightshotthroughapassintheChiricahuas，trembledinthedust-motedair，andlaiditswarmthontherawhide。SenorJohnsonrousedhimselffromhisgloomtospeakhisfirstwordsoftheepisode。
\"There，damnyou！\"saidhe。\"Iguessyou\'llbecloseenoughtogethernow！\"
Heturnedawaytolookforhishorse。
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
THEDESERT
ButtonwasatrustyofSenorJohnson\'sprivateanimals。Hewasneverknowntoleavehismasterinthelurch，andsowashabituallyallowedcertainprivileges。Now，insteadofremainingexactlyonthespotwherehewas\"tiedtotheground，\"hehadwanderedoutofthedryarroyobedtotheupperleveloftheplains，whereheknewcertainbunchgrassesmightbefound。BuckJohnsonclimbedthesteepwoodedbankinsearchofhim。
Theponystoodnottenfeetdistant。Athismaster\'sabruptappearancehemerelyraisedhishead，awispofgrassinthecornerofhismouth，withoutattemptingtomoveaway。BuckJohnsonwalkedconfidentlytohim，fumblinginhissidepocketforthepieceofsugarwithwhichhehabituallysoothedButton\'ssophisticatedpalate。HishandencounteredEstrella\'sletter。
Hedrewitoutandopenedit。
\"DearBuck，\"itread，\"Iamgoingaway。Itriedtobegood，butIcan\'t。It\'stoolonesomeforme。I\'mafraidofthehorsesandthecattleandthemenandthedesert。Ihateitall。ItriedtomakeyouseehowIfeltaboutit，butyoucouldn\'tseemtosee。Iknowyou\'llneverforgiveme，butI\'dgocrazyhere。I\'malmostcrazynow。IsupposeyouthinkI\'mabadwoman，butIamnot。Youwon\'tbelievethat。Its\'truethough。Thedesertwouldmakeanyonebad。Idon\'tseehowyoustandit。You\'vebeengoodtome，andI\'vereallytried，butit\'snouse。Thecountryisawful。Ineveroughttohavecome。I\'msorryyouaregoingtothinkmeabadwoman，forIlikeyouandadmireyou，butnothing，NOTHINGcouldmakemestayhereanylonger。\"ShesignedherselfsimplyEstrellaSands，hermaidenname。
BuckJohnsonstoodstaringatthepaperforamuchlongertimethanwasnecessarymerelytoabsorbthemeaningofthewords。
Hissenses，sharpenedbythestressofthelastsixteenhours，weretryingmightilytocuttothemysteryofachangegoingonwithinhimself。Thephrasesoftheletterwerebaldenough，yettheyconveyedsomethingvitaltohisinnerbeing。Hecouldnotunderstandwhatitwas。
Thenabruptlyheraisedhiseyes。
Beforehimlaythedesert，butadesertsuddenlyandmiraculouslychanged，adeserthehadneverseenbefore。Mileaftermileitsweptawaybeforehim，hot，dry，suffocating，lifeless。Thesparsevegetationwasgreywiththealkalidust。Theheathungchokingintheairlikeacurtain。Lizardssprawledinthesun，repulsive。Arattlesnakedraggeditsloathsomelengthfromunderamesquite。Thedriedcarcassofasteer，whoseparchmentskindrewtightacrossitsbones，rattledinthebreeze。Hereandthererockridgesshowedwiththeobscenityofsomanyskeletons，exposingtothehard，cruelskytheearth\'snakedness。Thirst，delirium，death，hoveredpalpableinthewind；dreadful，unconquerable，ghastly。
Thedesertshowedherteethandlayinwaitlikeafiercebeast。
Thelittlesoulofmanshrankinterrorbeforeit。
BuckJohnsonstared，recallingthephrasesoftheletter，recallingthewordsofhisforeman，JedParker。\"It\'stoolonesomeforme，\"\"I\'mafraid，\"\"Ihateitall，\"\"I\'dgocrazyhere，\"\"Thedesertwouldmakeanyonebad，\"\"Thecountryisawful。\"Andthemusingvoiceoftheoldcattleman，\"Iwonderifshe\'lllikethecountry！\"Theyreiteratedthemselvesoverandover；andalwaysasrefrainhisownconfidentreply，\"Likethecountry？Sure！WhySHOULDN\'Tshe？\"
Andthenherecalledthesummerjustpassing，andthewomanwhohadmadenofuss。Chanceremarksofherscamebacktohim，remarkswhosemeaninghehadnotatthetimegrasped，butwhichnowhesawweredesperateappealstohisunderstanding。Hehadknownhisdesert。Hehadneverknownhers。
WithanexclamationBuckJohnsonturnedabruptlybacktothearroyo。Buttonfollowedhim，mildlycurious，certainthathismaster\'sreappearancemeantasummonsforhimself。
Downtheminiaturecliffthemanslid，confidently，withouthesitation，sureofhimself。Hisshouldersheldsquarely，hisstepelastic，hiseyebright，hewalkedtothefearful，shapelessbundlenowlyingmotionlessontheflatsurfaceofthealkali。
BrentPalmerhadfallenintoagrimsilence，butEstrellastillmoaned。Thecattlemandrewhisknifeandrippedloosethebonds。
Immediatelytheflapsofthewetrawhidefellapart，exposingtothenewdaylightthetwoboundtogether。BuckJohnsonleanedovertotouchthewoman\'sshoulder。
\"Estrella，\"saidhegently。
Hereyescameopenwithasnap，andstaredintohis，wildwiththesurpriseofhisreturn。
\"Estrella，\"herepeated，\"howoldareyou？\"
Shegulpeddownasob，unabletocomprehendthepurportofhisquestion。
\"Howoldareyou，Estrella？\"herepeatedagain。
\"Twenty-one，\"shegaspedfinally。
\"Ah！\"saidhe。
Hestoodforamomentindeepthought，thenbeganmethodically，withouthaste，tocutloosethethongsthatboundthetwotogether。
Whenthemanandthewomanwerequitefreed，hestoodforamoment，theknifeinhishand，lookingdownonthem。Thenheswunghimselfintothesaddleandrodeaway，straightdownthenarrowarroyo，outbeyonditslowerwidening，intothevastplainsthehithersideoftheChiricahuas。Thealkalidustwassnatchedbythewindfrombeneathhishorse\'sfeet。Smallerandsmallerhedwindled，risingandfalling，risingandfallinginthemonotonouscow-pony\'slope。Theheatshimmerveiledhimforamoment，buthereappeared。Amirageconcealedhim，butheemergedontheothersideofit。Thensuddenlyhewasgone。Thedeserthadswallowedhimup。