CONTENTS
FROMSANDHILLTOPINE
ANIECEOFSNAPSHOTHARRY’S
ATREASUREOFTHEREDWOODS
ABELLEOFCANADACITY
WHATHAPPENEDATTHEFONDA
AJACKANDJILLOFTHESIERRAS
MR。BILSON’SHOUSEKEEPER
FROMSANDHILLTOPINE
ANIECEOFSNAPSHOTHARRY’S
I
Therewasaslightjarringthoughthewholeframeofthecoach，agrindingandhissingfromthebrakes，andthenasuddenjoltasthevehicleranuponandrecoiledfromthetautpole-strapsofthenowarrestedhorses。Themurmurofavoiceintheroadwasheard，followedbytheimpatientaccentsofYubaBill，thedriver。
\"Wha-a-t？Speakup，can’tye？\"
Herethevoiceutteredsomethinginalouderkey，butequallyunintelligibletothenowinterestedandfullyawakenedpassengers。
Oneofthemdroppedthewindownearesthimandlookedout。Hecouldseethefaintglisteningofarain-washedlanternnearthewheelers’heads，minglingwiththestrongercoachlights，andtheglowofadistantopencabindoorthroughtheleavesandbranchesoftheroadside。Thesoundoffallingrainontheroof，asoftswayingofwind-tossedtrees，andanimpatientmovementonthebox-
seatwerealltheyheard。ThenYubaBill’svoiceroseagain，apparentlyinanswertotheother。
\"Why，that’shalfamileaway！\"
\"Yes，butyemighthavedroppedontoitinthedark，andit’sallonthedowngrade，\"respondedthestrangevoicemoreaudibly。
Thepassengerswerenowthoroughlyaroused。
\"What’sup，Ned？\"askedtheoneatthewindowofthenearestoftwofiguresthathaddescendedfromthebox。
\"Treefallenacrosstheroad，\"saidNed，theexpressman，briefly。
\"Idon’tseenotree，\"respondedthepassenger，leaningoutofthewindowtowardstheobscurityahead。
\"Now，that’sonfortnit！\"saidYubaBillgrimly；\"butefanygentlemanwillonlylendhimanoperyglass，mebbehecanseeroundthecurveandovertheothersideo’thehillwhereitis。Now，then，\"addressingthestrangerwiththelantern，\"bringalongyouraxes，can’tye？\"
\"Here’sone，Bill，\"saidanofficiousoutsidepassenger，producingtheinstrumenthehadtakenfromitsstrapintheboot。Itwasthe\"regulation\"axe，beautifullyshaped，highlypolished，andutterlyineffective，asBillwellknew。
\"Weain’tcuttin’nokindlin’s，\"hesaidscornfully；thenheaddedbrusquelytothestranger：\"Fetchoutyourbiggestwoodaxe——you’vegotone，yeknow——andlooksharp。\"
\"Idon’tthinkBillneedbesod————droughwiththestranger，consideringhe’ssavedthecoachaverybadsmash，\"suggestedareflectiveyoungjournalistinthenextseat。\"Hetalksasifthemanwasresponsible。\"
\"Heain’tquitesureifthatisn’tthefact，\"saidtheexpressmessenger，inaloweredvoice。
\"Why？Whatdoyoumean？\"clamoredtheothersexcitedly。
\"Well——THISisaboutthespotwheretheupcoachwasrobbedsixmonthsago，\"returnedthemessenger。
\"Dearme！\"saidtheladyinthebackseat，risingwithahalfhystericallaugh，\"hadn’twebettergetoutbeforetheycome？\"
\"Thereisnottheslightestdanger，madam，\"saidaquiet，observantman，whohadscarcelyspokenbefore，\"ortheexpressmanwouldnothavetoldus；norwouldhe，Ifancy，havelefthispostbesidethetreasureonthebox。\"
Theslightsarcasmimpliedinthiswasenoughtoreddentheexpressman’scheekinthelightofthecoachlampwhichYubaBillhadjustunshippedandbroughttothewindow。Hewouldhavemadesometartrejoinder，butwaspreventedbyYubaBilladdressingthepassengers：\"Ye’llhavetoputupwithONElight，Ireckon，untilwe’vegotthisjobfinished。\"
\"Howlongwillitlast，Bill？\"askedthemannearestthewindow。
\"Well，\"saidBill，withacontemptuousglanceattheelegantcoachaxehewascarryinginhishand，\"considerin’thesepurtyfirst-
classhighlyexpensivehashchoppersthatthekempanyfurnishesus，Ireckonitmaytakeanhour。\"
\"Butistherenoplacewherewecanwait？\"askedtheladyanxiously。
\"Iseealightinthathouseyonder。\"
\"Yemighttryit，thoughthekempany，asarule，ain’tinthehabito’makin’socialcallsthere，\"returnedBill，withacertaingrimsignificance。Then，turningtosomeoutsidepassengers，headded，\"Now，then！themezisgoin’tohelpmetacklethattree，trotdown！Ireckonthatblitherin’idiot\"（thestrangerwiththelantern，whohaddisappeared）\"willhavesenseenoughtofetchussomeropeswithhisdarnedaxe。\"
Thepassengersthusaddressed，apparentlyminersandworkingmen，goodhumoredlydescended，allexceptone，whoseemeddisinclinedtoleavethemuchcovetedseatontheboxbesidethedriver。
\"I’lllookafteryourplacesandkeepmyown，\"hesaid，withalaugh，astheothersfollowedBillthroughthedrippingrain。Whentheyhaddisappeared，theyoungjournalistturnedtothelady。
\"Ifyouwouldreallyliketogotothathouse，Iwillgladlyaccompanyyou。\"ItwaspossiblethatinadditiontohisyouthfulchivalrytherewasalittleyouthfulresentmentofYubaBill’sdomineeringprejudicesinhisattitude。However，thequiet，observantpassengerliftedalookofapprovaltohim，andadded，inhispreviouslevel，halfcontemptuoustone：——
\"You’llbequiteaswellthereashere，madam，andthereiscertainlynoreasonforyourstoppinginthecoachwhenthedriverchoosestoleaveit。\"
Thepassengerslookedateachother。Thestrangerspokewithauthority，andBillhadcertainlybeenalittlearbitrary！
\"I’llgotoo，\"saidthepassengerbythewindow。\"Andyou’llcome，won’tyou，Ned？\"headdedtotheexpressmessenger。Theyoungmanhesitated；hewasrecentlyappointed，andasyetfreshtothebusiness——buthewasnottobetaughthisdutybyanofficiousstranger！HeresentedtheinterferenceyouthfullybydoingtheverythinghewouldhavepreferredNOTtodo，andwithassumedcarelessness——yetfeelinginhispockettoassurehimselfthatthekeyofthetreasurecompartmentwassafe——turnedtofollowthem。
\"Won’tYOUcometoo？\"saidthejournalist，politelyaddressingthecynicalpassenger。
\"No，Ithankyou！I’lltakechargeofthecoach，\"wasthesmilingrejoinder，ashesettledhimselfmorecomfortablyinhisseat。
Thelittleprocessionmovedawayinsilence。Oddlyenough，noone，exceptthelady，reallycaredtogo，andtwo——theexpressmanandjournalist——wouldhavepreferredtoremainonthecoach。Butthenationalinstinctofquestioninganypurelyarbitraryauthorityprobablywasasufficientimpulse。Astheynearedtheopeneddoorofwhatappearedtobeafour-roomed，unpainted，redwoodboardedcabin，thepassengerwhohadoccupiedtheseatnearthewindowsaid，——
\"I’llgofirstandsampletheshanty。\"
Hewasnot，however，sofarinadvanceofthembutthattheotherscouldhearquitedistinctlyhisoffhandintroductionoftheirpartyonthethreshold，andthesomewhatlukewarmresponseoftheinmates。\"Wethoughtwe’djustdropinandbesociableuntilthecoachwasreadytostartagain，\"hecontinued，astheotherpassengersentered。\"ThisyergentlemanisNedBrice，Adams&
Co。’sexpressman；thisyerisFrankFrenshaw，editorofthe’MountainBanner；’thisyer’salady，soitain’tnecessarytogiveHERname，Ireckon——evenifweknowedit！Mine’sSamHexshill，ofHexshill&Dobbs’sFlourMills，ofStockton，whar，efyouevercomethatway，I’llbehappytoreturnthecomplimentandhospitality。\"
Theroomtheyhadenteredhadlittleofcomfortandbrightnessinitexceptthefireofpinelogswhichroaredandcrackledintheadobechimney。Theairwouldhavebeentoowarmbutforthestrongwestwindandrainwhichenteredtheopendoorfreely。Therewasnootherlightthanthefire，anditstremulousandever-changingbrilliancygaveaspasmodicmobilitytothefacesofthoseturnedtowardsit，orthrewintostrongershadowthefeaturesthatwereturnedaway。Yet，bythisuncertainlight，theycouldseethefiguresofamanandtwowomen。Themanroseand，withacertainapatheticgesturethatseemedtopartakemoreofwearinessandlongsufferingthanpositivediscourtesy，tenderedseatsonchairs，boxes，andevenlogstotheself-invitedguests。Thestagepartyweresurprisedtoseethatthismanwasthestrangerwhohadheldthelanternintheroad。
\"Ah！thenyoudidn’tgowithBilltohelpcleartheroad？\"saidtheexpressmansurprisedly。
Themanslowlydrewuphistall，shamblingfigurebeforethefire，andthenfacingthem，withhishandsbehindhim，asslowlyloweredhimselfagainasiftobringhisspeechtothelevelofhishearersandgivealazierandmoredeliberateeffecttohislong-drawnutterance。
\"Well——no！\"hesaidslowly。\"I——didn’t——go——with——no——Bill——to——
help——clear——theroad！I——don’t——reckon——TOgo——with——no——Bill——
to——clear——ANYroad！I’vejustwhittledthisthingdowntoapint，andit’sthis——Iain’tnostagekempany’snigger！Sofarasturnin’outandwarnin’’emagingoin’tosmashoverafallentree，andslapdownintothecanyonwithapasselofinnercentpassengers，I’mthatmuchawhiteman，butIain’tnoNIGGERtoworkclearingthingsawayfor’em，norIain’tnoscrubtoworkbeside’em。\"Heslowlystraightenedhimselfupagain，and，withhisformerapatheticair，lookingdownupononeofthewomenwhowassettingacoffee-potonthecoals，added，\"ButIreckonmyoldwomanherekingiveyousomecoffeeandwhiskey——ofyoukeerforit。\"
UnfortunatelytheyoungexpressmanwasmoreloyaltoBillthandiplomatic。\"IfBill’salittlerough，\"hesaid，withaheightenedcolor，\"perhapshehassomeexcuseforit。Youforgetit’sonlysixmonthsagothatthiscoachwas’heldup’notahundredyardsfromthisspot。\"
Thewomanwiththecoffee-potherefacedabout，stoodup，and，eitherfromdesignorsomeoddcoincidence，fellintothesamedoggedattitudethatherhusbandhadpreviouslytaken，exceptthatsherestedherhandsonherhips。Shewasprematurelyaged，likemanyofherclass，andherblack，snake-likelocks，twistingloosefromhercombassheliftedherhead，showedthreadsofwhiteagainstthefirelight。Thenwithslowandimplacabledeliberationshesaid：
\"We’forget’！Well！notmuch，sonny！Weain’tforgotit，andweain’tgoin’toforgetit，neither！Weain’tbinlikelytoforgetitforanytimethelastsixmonths。Whatwithvisitationsfromthecountyconstables，snoopin’sroundfrom’Friscodetectives，droppin’s-infromnewspapermen，andyawpin’sandstarin’sfromtrampsandstrangersontheroad——wehaven’thadachancetodisrememberMUCH！AndwhenatlastHiramtackledtheheadstageagentatMarysville，andallowedthatthisyerpesterin’andpersecutin’hadgotterstop——whatdidthatyerheadagenttellhim？Toldhimto’shethishead，’andbethankfulthathis’thievin’oldshantywasn’tburntdownaroundhisears！’Forgetthatsixmonthsagothecoachwasheldupnearhere？Notmuch，sonny——notmuch！\"
Thesituationwasembarrassingtotheguests，asordinarypolitenesscalledforsomeexpressionofsympathywiththeirgloomyhostess，andyetaselfishinstinctofhumanitywarnedthemthattheremustbesomefoundationforthisgeneraldistrustofthepublic。Thejournalistwastroubledinhisconscience；theexpressmantookrefugeinanofficialreticence；theladycoughedslightly，anddrewnearertothefirewithavaguebutsafecomplimenttoitsbrightnessandcomfort。ItdevolveduponMr。Heckshill，whofelttheresponsibilityofhislateairyintroductionoftheparty，toboldlykeepuphisrole，withanequallynon-committal，light-heartedphilosophy。
\"Well，ma’am，\"hesaid，addressinghishostess，\"it’saqueerworld，andnoman’sgotsabeenoughtosaywhat’stherightsandwrongso’anything。Somefolksbelieveonethingandactuponit，andotherfolksthinkdifferentlyandactuponTHAT！TheonlythingyekinsafelysayisthatTHINGSISEZTHEYBE！MyrulehereandatthemillisjesttotakethingsezIfind’em！\"
ItoccurredtothejournalistthatMr。Heckshillhadthereputation，inhisearliercareer，of\"taking\"suchthingsasunoccupiedlandsandtimber\"ashefoundthem，\"withoutmuchreferencetotheiractualowners。Apparentlyhewasactinguponthesameprinciplenow，ashereachedforthedemijohnofwhiskeywiththeingenuouspleasantry，\"Didsomebodysaywhiskey，ordidI
dreamit？\"
ButthisdidnotsatisfyFrenshaw。\"Isuppose，\"hesaid，ignoringHeckshill’sdiplomaticphilosophy，\"thatyoumayhavebeenthevictimofsomemisunderstandingorsomeunfortunatecoincidence。
Perhapsthecompanymayhaveconfoundedyouwithyourneighbors，whoarebelievedtobefriendlytothegang；oryoumayhavemadesomeinjudiciousacquaintances。Perhaps\"——
Hewasstoppedbyasuppressedbutnotunmusicalgiggle，whichappearedtocomefromthewomaninthecornerwhohadnotyetspoken，andwhosefaceandfigureintheshadowhehadpreviouslyoverlooked。Buthecouldnowseethatheroutlinewasslimandgraceful，andthecontourofherheadcharming，——factsthathadevidentlynotescapedtheobservationoftheexpressmanandMr。
Heckshill，andthatmighthaveaccountedforthecautiousreticenceoftheoneandthecomfortablemoralizingoftheother。
Theoldwomancastanuneasyglanceonthefairgiggler，butrepliedtoFrenshaw：
\"That’sit！’injerdishusacquaintances！’Butjustbecausewemighthappentohavefriends，orevenbesorterrelatedtofolksinanotherlineo’businessthatain’tnoneo’ours，thekempanyhain’tnocalltopersecuteUSforit！S’posewedohappentoknowsomeonelike\"——
\"Spititout，aunty，nowyou’vestartedin！Idon’tmind，\"saidthefairgiggler，nowapparentlycastingoffallrestraintinanoutburstoflaughter。
\"Well，\"saidtheoldwoman，withdoggeddesperation，\"suppose，then，thatthatyounggirltharisthenieceofSnapshotHarry，whostoppedthecoachthelasttime\"——
\"Andain’tashamedofit，either！\"interruptedtheyounggirl，risinganddisclosinginthefirelightanaudaciousbutwonderfullyprettyface；\"andsupposingheISmyuncle，thatain’tanycausefortheirbedevilin’mypooroldcousinsHiramandSophythar！\"
Foralltheindignationofherwords，herlittlewhiteteethflashedmischievouslyinthedancinglight，asifsheratherenjoyedtheembarrassmentofheraudience，notexcludingherownrelatives。EvidentlycousinSophythoughtsotoo。
\"It’sallverywellforyoutolaugh，Flo，youlimb！\"sheretortedquerulously，yetwithanadmiringglanceatthegirl，\"foryeknowtharain’tamandaretouchyeevenwithaword；butit’smightyhardonmeandHiram，allthesame。\"
\"Neveryoumind，Sophydear，\"saidthegirl，placingherhandhalfaffectionately，halfhumorouslyontheoldwoman’sshoulder；\"mebbeIwon’talwaysbeadiscreditandabothertoyou。Jestyouholdyourhosses，andwaituntiluncleHarry’holdsup’thenextPioneerCoach，\"——thedancingdevilinhereyesglancedasifaccidentallyontheyoungexpressman，——\"andhe’llmakeabigenoughpiletosendmetoEurope，andyou’llbequito’me。\"
Theembarrassment，suspiciousness，anduneasinessofthecoachpartyherefoundreliefinahalfhystericexplosionoflaughter，inwhicheventhedoggedHiramandSophyjoined。Itseemedasimpossibletowithstandthegirl’sinvincibleaudacityasherbeauty。Shewasquicktoperceiveheradvantage，and，witharesponsivelaughandapicturesquegestureofinvitation，said：——
\"Nowthat’sallsettled，ye’dbetterwaltzinandhaveyourwhiskeyandcoffeeaforethestagestarts。Yekincomfortyourselvesthatitain’tstolenorpizoned，evenifitisserveduptoyebySnapshotHarry’sniece！\"Withanothereasygesturesheswungthedemijohnoverherarm，and，offeringatincuptoeachofthemen，filledtheminturn。
Theicethusbroken，orperhapsthusperilouslyskatedover，thepassengerswereasprofuseintheirthanksandapologiesastheyhadbeenconstrainedandartificialbefore。HeckshillandFrenshawviedwitheachotherforaglancefromtheaudaciousFlo。Iftheircomplimentspartookofanextravagancethatwasattimesironical，thegirlwasevidentlynotdeceivedbyit，butrepliedinkind。
Onlytheexpressmanwhoseemedtohavefallenunderthespellofheraudaciousglances，wasuneasyatthelicenseoftheothers，yethimselfdumbtowardsher。Theladydiscreetlydrewnearertothefire，theoldwoman，andhercoffee；Hiramsubsidedintohisapatheticattitudebythefire。
AshoutfromtheroadatlastproclaimedthereturnofYubaBillandhishelpers。Ithadthesingulareffectofstartlingthepartyintoavagueanduneasyconsciousnessofindiscretion，asifithadbeenthevoiceoftheouterworldoflawandorder，andtheirmanneragainbecameconstrained。Theleave-takingwashurriedandperfunctory；thediplomaticHeckshillagainlapsedintoglitteringgeneralitiesabout\"thebestoffriendsparting。\"Onlytheexpressmanlingeredforamomentonthedoorstepinthelightofthefireandthegirl’sdancingeyes。
\"Ihope，\"hestammered，withaveryyouthfulblush，\"tocomethenexttime——with——with——abetterintroduction。\"
\"UncleHarry’s，\"shesaid，withaquicklaughandamockcurtsey，assheturnedaway。
Onceoutofhearing，thepartybrokeintohurriedcommentandcriticismofthescenetheyhadjustwitnessed，andparticularlyofthefairactresswhohadplayedsoimportantapart，averringtheiremphaticintentionofwrestingthefactsfromYubaBillatonce，andcross-examininghimclosely；butoddlyenough，reachingthecoachandthatredoubtedindividual，nooneseemedtocaretotaketheinitiative，andtheyallscrambledhurriedlytotheirseatswithoutaword。HowfarYubaBill’sirritabilityandimperioushastecontributedtothis，orafearthathemightinturncatechisethemkeptthemsilent，nooneknew。Thecynicallyobservantpassengerwasnotthere；heandthesoleoccupantofthebox-seat，theyweretold，hadjoinedtheclearingpartysomemomentsbefore，andwouldbepickedupbyYubaBilllateron。
FiveminutesafterBillhadgatheredupthereins，theyreachedthesceneofobstruction。Thegreatpine-treewhichhadfallenfromthesteepbankaboveandstretchedacrosstheroadhadbeenpartlyloppedofitsbranches，dividedintwolengths，whichwerenowrolledtoeithersideofthetrack，leavingbarelyspaceforthecoachtopass。Thehugevehicle\"slowedup\"asYubaBillskillfullyguidedhissixhorsesthroughthisnarrowalley，whosetasselsofpine，glisteningwithwet，brushedthepanelsandsidesofthecoach，andeffectuallyexcludedanyviewfromitswindows。
Seenfromthecoachtop，thehorsesappearedtobecleavingtheirwaythroughadark，shiningolivesea，thatpartedbeforeandclosedbehindthem，astheyslowlypassed。Theleaderswerejustemergingfromit，andBillwasgatheringuphisslackenedreins，whenaperemptoryvoicecalled，\"Halt！\"Atthesamemomentthecoachlightsflasheduponamaskedandmotionlesshorsemanintheroad。Billmadeanimpulsivereachforhiswhip，butinthesameinstantcheckedhimself，reinedinhishorseswithasuppressedoath，andsatperfectlyrigid。Notsotheexpressman，whocaughtuphisrifle，butitwasarrestedbyBill’sarm，andhisvoiceinhisear！
Toolate！——we’recovered！——don’tbead————dfool！\"
Theinsidepassengers，stillencompassedbyobscurity，knewonlythatthestagehadstopped。The\"outsiders\"knew，byexperience，thattheywerecoveredbyunseengunsinthewaysidebranches，andscarcelymoved。
\"Ididn’tthinkitwasthesquarethingtostopyou，Bill，tillyou’dgotthroughyourwork，\"saidamasterfulbutnotunpleasantvoice，\"andifyou’lljusthanddowntheexpressbox，I’llpassyouandtherestofyourloadthroughfree。Butaswe’rebothinahurry，you’dbetterlooklivelyaboutit。\"
\"Handitdown，\"saidBillgrufflytotheexpressman。
Theexpressmanturnedwithawhitecheckbutblazingeyestothecompartmentbelowhisseat。Helingered，apparentlyinsomedifficultywiththelockofthecompartment，butfinallybroughtouttheboxandhandedittoanotherarmedandmaskedfigurethatappearedmysteriouslyfromthebranchesbesidethewheels。
\"Thankyou！\"saidthevoice；\"youcanslideonnow。\"
\"Andthankyoufornothing，\"saidBill，gatheringuphisreins。
\"It’sthefirsttimeanyofyourkindhadtothrowdownatreetoholdmeup！\"
\"You’relying，Bill！——thoughyoudon’tknowit，\"saidthevoicecheerfully。\"Farfromthrowingdownatreetostopyou，itwasI
sentwordalongtheroadtowarnyoufromcrashingdownuponit，andsendingyouandyourloadtoh-llbeforeyourtime！Driveon！\"
TheangryBillwaitedfornosecondcomment，butlayinghiswhipoverthebacksofhisteam，drovefuriouslyforward。Sorapidlyhadthewholescenepassedthattheinsidepassengersknewnothingofit，andeventhoseonthetopofthecoachrousedfromtheirstuporandingloriousinactiononlytoclingdesperatelytotheterriblyswayingcoachasitthundereddownthegradeandtrytokeeptheirequilibrium。Yet，furiousaswastheirspeed，YubaBillcouldnothelpnoticingthattheexpressmanfromtimetotimecastahurriedglancebehindhim。Billknewthattheyoungmanhadshownreadinessandnerveintheattack，althoughbothwerehopeless；yethewassomuchconcernedathissetwhitefaceandcompressedlipsthatwhen，attheendofthreemiles’unabatedspeed，theygallopeduptothefirststation，heseizedtheyoungmanbythearm，and，astheclamorofthenewstheyhadbroughtrosearoundthem，draggedhimpastthewonderingcrowd，caughtadecanterfromthebar，and，openingthedoorofasideroom，pushedhimintoitandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
\"Lookyar，Brice！Stopit！Quititrightthar！\"hesaidemphatically，layinghislargehandontheyoungfellow’sshoulder。
\"Beaman！You’veshownyouareone，greenezyouare，foryouhadthesandinye——thecleargritto-night，yetyou’dhavebeenadeadmannow，ifIhadn’tstoppedye！Man！youhadnoshowfromthebeginning！You’vedoneyourlevelbesttosaveyourtreasure，andI’myourwitnesstothekempany，andproudofit，too！Soshetyourheadand——and，\"pouringoutaglassofwhiskey，\"swallerthat！\"
ButBricewavedhimasidewithburningeyesanddrylips。
\"Youdon’tknowitall，Bill！\"hesaid，withahalfchokedvoice。
\"Allwhat？\"
\"Swearthatyou’llkeepitasecret，\"hesaidfeverishly，grippingBill’sarminturn，\"andI’lltellyou。\"
\"Goon！\"
\"THECOACHWASROBBEDBEFORETHAT！\"
\"Wotyersay？\"ejaculatedBill。
\"Thetreasure——apacketofgreenbacks——hadbeentakenfromtheboxbeforethegangstoppedus！\"
\"Theh-ll，yousay！\"
\"Listen！Whenyoutoldmetohanddownthebox，Ihadanidea——ad————dfoolone，perhaps——oftakingthatpackageoutandjumpingfromthecoachwithit。Iknewtheywouldfireatmeonly；Imightgetaway，butiftheykilledme，I’dhavedoneonlymyduty，andnobodyelsewouldhavegothurt。ButwhenIgottotheboxIfoundthatthelockhadbeenforcedandthemoneywasgone。ImanagedtosnapthelockagainbeforeIhandeditdown。Ithoughttheymightdiscoveritatonceandchaseus，buttheydidn’t。\"
\"Andthentharwarnogreenbacksintheboxthattheytook？\"gaspedBill，withstaringeyes。
\"No！\"
Billraisedhishandintheairasifinsolemnadjuration，andthenbroughtitdownonhisknee，doublingupinafitofuncontrollablebutperfectlynoiselesslaughter。\"Oh，Lord！\"hegasped，\"hol’meaforeIbustrightopen！Hush，\"hewenton，withajerkofhisfingerstowardsthenextroom，\"notawordo’thistoanyone！It’stoomuchtokeep，Iknow；it’snearlykillingme！
butwemustswalleritourselves！Oh，JerusalemtheGolden！Oh，Brice！Thinko’thatfaceo’SnapshotHarry’sezheopenedthattreasureboxaforehisganginthebrush！Andheallerssokeenandsoeasyandsococksure！Createdsnakes！I’dgothroughthiseverytripforonesightofhimashejustrizupfromthatboxandcussed！\"Heagainshookwithinwardconvulsionstillhisfacegrewpurple，andeventheredcamebacktotheyoungerman’scheek。
\"Butthisdon’tbringthemoneyback，Bill，\"saidBricegloomily。
YubaBillswallowedtheglassofwhiskeyatagulp，wipedhismouthandeyes，smotheredasecondexplosion，andthengravelyconfrontedBrice。
\"Whendoyouthinkitwastaken，andhow？\"
\"ItmusthavebeentakenwhenIleftthecoachontheroadandwentovertothatsettler’scabin，\"saidBricebitterly。\"YetI
believedeverythingwassafe，andIlefttwomen——bothpassengers——
oneinsideandoneonthebox，thatmanwhosattheothersideofyou。\"
\"Jeewhillikins！\"ejaculatedBill，withhishandtohisforehead，\"themenIcleanforgottopickupintheroad，andnowIreckontheyneverintendedtobepickedup，either。\"
\"Nodoubtapartofthegang，\"saidBrice，withincreasedbitterness；\"Iseeitallnow。\"
\"No！\"saidBilldecisively，\"thatain’tSnapshotHarry’sstyle；
he’sacleanfighter，withnounderhandtricks。AndIdon’tbelievehethrewdownthattree，either。Lookyer，sonny！\"headded，suddenlylayinghishandonBrice’sshoulder，\"ahundredtoonethatthatwastheworkofacoupleo’d————dsneaksortraitorsinthatgangwhokemalongaspassengers。Inevertookanystockinthatcoyotewhopaidextraforhisbox-seat。\"
BriceknewthatBillneverlookedkindlyonanypassengerwho，bybribingtheticketagent，securedthisfavoriteseat，whichBillfeltwasduetohispersonalfriendsandwasinhisownselection。
Heonlyreturnedgloomily：——
\"Idon’tseewhatdifferenceitmakestouswhichrobbergotthemoney。
\"Yedon’t，\"saidBill，raisinghishead，withasuddentwinkleinhiseyes。\"Thenyedon’tknowSnapshotHarry。Doyesupposehe’sgoin’tositdownandtwiddlehisthumbswiththatskingameplayedonhim？No，sir，\"hecontinued，withathoughtfuldeliberation，drawinghisfingersslowlythroughhislongbeard，\"hespottedit——
andsmeltoutthewholetrickezsoonezheopenedthatbox，andthat’swhyhedidn’tfollerus！He’llhuntthosesneakthievesintoh-llbutwhathe’llget’em，and，\"hewentonstillmoreslowly，\"bythelivin’hokey！Ireckon，sonny，that’sjesthowye’llgetyourchancetochipin！\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"saidBriceimpatiently。
\"Well，\"saidBill，withmoreprovokingslowness，asifhewerecommuningwithhimselfratherthanBrice，\"Harry’smightyproudandhightoned，andtobegivenawaylikethishascutdownintohisheart，youbet。Itain’tthemoneyhe’sthinkin’of；it’sthissplitinthegang——thelossofhispowerezboss，yesee——andefhecouldgetholdo’themchapshe’dletthemoneyslideezlongeztheydidn’tgetit。Soyou’vegotadetectiveonyoursidethat’sworththewholepoliceforceofCaliforny！YeneverheardanythingaboutSnapshotHarry，didye？\"askedBillcarelessly，raisinghiseyestoBrice’seagerface。
Theyoungmanflushedslightly。\"Verylittle，\"hesaid。Atthesametimeavisionoftheprettygirlinthesettler’scabinflasheduponhimwithanewsignificance。
\"He’smorethanhalfwhite，insomeways，\"saidBillthoughtfully，\"andtheysayhelivessomewhereabouthereinacabininthebush，withacrippledsisterandherdarter，whobothswearbyhim。Itmightn’tbehardtofindhim——efamanwasdeadsetonit。\"
Bricefacedaboutwithdeterminedeyes。\"I’LLDOIT，\"hesaidquietly。
\"Yemight，\"saidBill，stillmoredeliberatelystrokinghisbeard，\"mentionmyname，efyeevergettoseehim。\"
\"Yourname，\"ejaculatedtheastonishedBrice。
\"Myname，\"repeatedBillcalmly。\"Heknowsit’smyboundendutytokillhimefIgetthechance，andIknowthathe’dplugmefullo’
holesinaminiteftharwaranecessityforit。Butintheseyeraffairs，sonny，itseemstobetheunderstoodthingbythekempanythatI’mtokeepfieryyoungsquirtslikeyou，andchuckle-headedpassengerslikethem\"——jerkinghisthumbtowardstheotherroom——
\"fromgettin’themselveskilledbytheirrashness。Soontilthekempanyfillthetopo’thatcoachwithmenwhoain’tgotanybusinesstodoBUTfightin’othermenwhoain’tgotanyotherbusinesstodoBUTtofightthem——theoddsareaginus！Harryhasalwaysactedsquaretome——that’showIknowheain’tinthissneak-thiefbusiness，andwhyhedidn’tfollerus，suspectin’
suthin’，andI’vealwaysactedsquaretohim。Allthesame，I’dliketerhevseenhisfacewhenthatboxwasopened！Lordy！\"HereBillagaincollapsedinhissilentparoxysmofmirth。\"YemighttellhimhowIlaughed！\"
\"Iwouldhardlydothat，Bill，\"saidtheyoungman，smilinginspiteofhimself。\"Butyou’vegivenmeanidea，andI’llworkitout。\"
Billglancedattheyoungfellow’skindlingeyesandflushingcheek，andnodded。\"Well，rastlewiththatidealateron，sonny。
I’llfixyouallrightinmyreporttothekempany，buttherestyoumustworkalone。I’vestartedouttheusualposse，circus-
ridin’downtheroadafterHarry。He’dbearoughcustomertomeetjustnow，\"continuedBill，withachuckle，\"eftharwastheghostofachanceo’themcomin’upwithhim，forhimandhisgangisscatteredmilesawaybythis。\"Hepaused，tossedoffanotherglassofwhiskey，wipedhismouth，andsayingtoBrice，withawink，\"It’sabouttimetogoandcomfortthemtharpassengers，\"ledthewaythroughthecrowdedbarroomintothestageoffice。
ThespectacleofBill’shumorouslysatisfiedfaceandBrice’sbrighteyesandheightenedcolorwassingularlyeffective。The\"inside\"passengers，whohadexperiencedneithertheexcitementnorthedangeroftherobbery，yethadbeenobligedtolistentothehairbreadthescapesoftheothers，pooh-poohedthewholeaffair，andeventhe\"outsides\"themselveswereatlastconvincedthattherobberywasaslightone，withlittleornolosstothecompany。
Theclamorsubsidedalmostassuddenlyasithadarisen；thewiserpassengersfashionedtheirattitudeonthesang-froidofYubaBill，andthewholecoachloadpresentlyrolledawayascomplacentlyasifnothinghadhappened。
II
Therobberyfurnishedtheusualamountofcopyforthelocalpress。
TherewastheinevitablecomplimenttoYubaBillforhiswell-knowncoolness；theconductoftheyoungexpressman，\"who，thoughnewtotheservice，displayedanintrepiditythatonlysuccumbedtonumbers，\"washighlycommended，andeventhepassengersreceivedtheirmeedofpraise，notforgettingthelady，\"whoacceptedtheincidentwiththelight-heartedpleasantrycharacteristicoftheCalifornianwoman。\"TherewastheusualallusiontothenecessityofaVigilanceCommitteetocopewiththis\"organizedlawlessness\"
butitistobefearedthatthereadersof\"TheRedDogClarion，\"
howeverreadytolynchahorsethief，wereoftheopinionthatrichstageexpresscompanieswerequiteabletotakecareoftheirownproperty。
ItwaswithfullcognizanceofthesefactsandtheiruselessnesstohimthatthenextmorningMr。NedBriceturnedfromtheroadwherethecoachhadjusthaltedonthepreviousnightandapproachedthesettler’scabin。IfalittlelesssanguinethanhewasinYubaBill’spresence，hewasstilldoggedlyinflexibleinhisdesign，whateveritmighthavebeen，forhehadnotrevealediteventoYubaBill。Itwashisown；itwasprobablycrudeandyouthfulinitsdirectness，butforthatreasonitwasprobablymoreconvincingthanthevacillationsofoldercounsel。
Hepausedamomentatthecloseddoor，conscious，however，ofsomehurriedmovementwithinwhichsignifiedthathisapproachhadbeenobserved。Thedoorwasopened，anddisclosedonlytheoldwoman。
Thesamedoggedexpressionwasonherfaceaswhenhehadlastseenit，withtheadditionofquerulousexpectancy。Inreplytohispolite\"Good-morning，\"sheabruptlyfacedhimwithherhandsstillonthedoor。
\"Yekinstoprightthere！Efyerwanttermakeanytalkaboutthisyarrobbery，yemightezwellskedaddletooncet，forweain’t’takin’any’to-day！\"
\"Ihavenowishtotalkabouttherobbery，\"saidBricequietly，\"andasfarasIcanpreventit，youwillnotbetroubledbyanyquestions。Ifyoudoubtmywordortheintentionsofthecompany，perhapsyouwillkindlyreadthat。\"
Hedrewfromhispocketastilldampcopyof\"TheRedDogClarion\"
andpointedtoaparagraph。
\"Wot’sthat？\"shesaidquerulously，feelingforherspectacles。
\"ShallIreadit？\"
\"Goon。\"
Hereaditslowlyaloud。Igrievetosayithadbeenjointlyconcoctedthenightbeforeattheofficeofthe\"Clarion\"byhimselfandtheyoungjournalist——thelatter’sassistancebeinghisownpersonaltributetothegracesofMissFlo。Itreadasfollows：——
\"ThegreatestassistancewasrenderedbyHiramTarbox，Esq。，aresidentofthevicinity，inremovingtheobstruction，whichwas，nodoubt，thepreliminaryworkofsomeoftherobbergang，andinprovidinghospitalityforthedelayedpassengers。Infact，butforthetimelywarningofYubaBillbyMr。Tarbox，thecoachmighthavecrashedintothetreeatthatdangerouspoint，andanaccidentensuedmoredisastroustolifeandlimbthantherobberyitself。\"
Thesuddenandunmistakabledelightthatexpandedtheoldwoman’smouthwassoconvincingthatitmighthavegivenBriceatingeofremorseoverthesuccessofhisstratagem，hadhenotbeenutterlyabsorbedinhispurpose。\"Hiram！\"sheshoutedsuddenly。
Theoldmanappearedfromsomebackdoorwithapromptnessthatprovedhisnearproximity，andglancedangrilyatBriceuntilhecaughtsightofhiswife’sface。Thenhisangerchangedtowonder。
\"Readthatagain，youngfeller，\"shesaidexultingly。
Bricere-readtheparagraphaloudforMr。Tarbox’sbenefit。
\"That’ar’HiramTarbox，Esquire，’meansYOU，Hiram，\"shegasped，indelightedexplanation。
Hiramseizedthepaper，readtheparagraphhimself，spreadoutthewholepage，examineditcarefully，andthenafatuousgrinbeganslowlytoextenditselfoverhiswholeface，invadinghiseyesandears，untiltheheavy，harsh，doggedlinesofhisnostrilsandjawshadutterlydisappeared。
\"B’gosh！\"hesaid，\"that’ssquare！KinIkeepit？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidBrice。\"Ibroughtitforyou。\"
\"Isthatallyecamefor？\"saidHiram，withsuddensuspicion。
\"No，\"saidtheyoungmanfrankly。Yethehesitatedamomentasheadded，\"IwouldliketoseeMissFlora。\"
Hishesitationandheightenedcolorweremoredisarmingtosuspicionthanthemostelaborateandcarefullypreparedindifference。Withtheirknowledgeandprideintheirrelative’sfascinationstheyfeltitcouldhavebutonemeaning！Hiramwipedhismouthwithhishand，assumedademureexpression，glancedathiswife，andanswered：——
\"Sheain’therenow。\"
Mr。Brice’sfacedisplayedhisdisappointment。Butthetrueloverholdsatalismanpotentwitholdandyoung。Mrs。TarboxfeltasneakingmaternalpityforthissuddenlystrickenStrephon。
\"She’sgonehome，\"sheaddedmoregently——\"wentatsun-upthismornin’。\"
\"Home，\"repeatedBrice。\"Where’sthat？\"
Mrs。Tarboxlookedatherhusbandandhesitated。Thenshesaid——alittleinheroldmanner——\"Heruncle’s。\"
\"Canyoudirectmethewaythere？\"askedBricesimply。
Theastonishmentintheirfacespresentlydarkenedintosuspicionagain。\"Efthat’syourlittlegame，\"beganHiram，withaloweringbrow——
\"Ihavenolittlegamebuttoseeherandspeakwithher，\"saidBriceboldly。\"Iamaloneandunarmed，asyousee，\"hecontinued，pointingtohisemptybeltandsmalldispatchbagslungonhisshoulder，\"andcertainlyunabletodoanyoneanyharm。Iamwillingtotakewhatrisksthereare。Andasnooneknowsofmyintention，norofmycominghere，whatevermighthappentome，nooneneedknowit。Youwouldbesafefromquestioning。\"
Therewasthathopefuldeterminationinhismannerthatoverrodetheirresigneddoggedness。\"Efweknewhowtodirectyouthar，\"
saidtheoldwomancautiously，\"ye’dbekilledouterhandaforeyeevenseteyesonthegirl。Thehouseisinahollerwithhillskeptbyspies；ye’dbeadeadmanassoonasyecrosseditsboundary。\"
\"WotdoYOUknowaboutit？\"interruptedherhusbandquickly，inquerulouswarning。\"Wotareyetalkin’about？\"
\"Youleavemealone，Hiram！Iain’tgoin’toletthatyoungfellergetpoppedoffwithoutashow，orwithoutknowin’jestwothe’sgottotackle，nohowyekinfixit！Andcan’tyeseehe’sboundtogo，whateveryesays？\"
Mr。TarboxsawthisfactplainlyinBrice’seyes，andhesitated。
\"ThemostthatIkintellye，\"hesaidgloomily，\"isthewaythegaltakeswhenshegoesfromhere，buthowfaritis，orifitain’tablind，Ican’tswar，forIhevn’tbintharmyself，andHarrynevercomesherebutonanoffnight，whenthecoachain’trunnin’andthar’snotravel。\"Hestoppedsuddenlyanduneasily，asifhehadsaidtoomuch。
\"Tharyego，Hiram，andyetalkofothersgabblin’！Soyemightaswelltelltheyoungfellerhowthattharain’tbutoneway，andthat’sthewayHarrytakes，too，whenhecomesyeroncetinanagetotalktohisownfleshandblood，andseeaChristianfacethatain’taginhim！\"
Mr。Tarboxwassilent。\"Yeknowwharthetreewasthrowndownontheroad，\"hesaidatlast。
\"Yes。\"
\"Themountainrisesstraightupontherightsideoftheroad，allhazelbrushandthorn——wharagoatcouldn’tclimb。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Butthat’salie！forthar’salittletrail，notafootwide，runsupfromtheroadforamile，keepin’itinviewallthewhile，butbein’hiddenbythebrush。Yekinseeeverythingfromthar，andhearateamsterspitontheroad。\"
\"Goon，\"saidBriceimpatiently。
\"Thenitgoesupandovertheridge，anddowntheothersideintoalittlegulchuntilitcomestothecanyonoftheNorthFork，wherethestageroadcrossesoverthebridgehighup。ThetrailwindsroundthebankoftheForkandcomesoutontheLEFTsideofthestageroadaboutathousandfeetbelowit。That’sthevalleyandhollowwharHarrylives，andthat’stheonlywayitcanbefound。
ForallalongtheLEFTofthestageroadisasheerpitchdownthatthousandfeet，wharnoonekingitupordown。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"saidBrice，withsparklingeyes。\"I’llfindmywayallright。\"
\"Andwhenyegitthar，lookoutforyourself！\"putinthewomanearnestly。\"Yemayhaveregulargreenhorn’sluckandpickupFloaforeyecrosstheboundary，forshe’sthatboldthatwhenshegetslonesomeo’stayin’tharshegoeswanderin’outo’bounds。\"
\"Hevyeanyweppin，——anyshootin’-ironaboutye？\"askedTarbox，withalatentsuspicion。
Theyoungmansmiled，andagainshowedhisemptybelt。\"None！\"hesaidtruthfully。
\"Iain’tsureefthatain’tthesafestthingarterallwithashotlikeHarry，\"remarkedtheoldmangrimly。\"Well，solong！\"headded，andturnedaway。
Itwasclearlyaleave-taking，andBrice，warmlythankingthemboth，returnedtotheroad。
Itwasnotfartothesceneoftheobstruction，yetbutforTarbox’stimelyhint，thelittletrailupthemountainsidewouldhaveescapedhisobservation。Ascending，hesoonfoundhimselfcreepingalonganarrowledgeofrock，hiddenfromtheroadthatranfiftyyardsbelowbyathicknetworkgrowthofthornandbramble，whichstillenabledhimtoseeitswholeparallellength。
Perilousintheextremetoanyhesitatingfoot，atonepoint，directlyabovetheobstruction，theledgeitselfwasmissing——
brokenawaybythefallofthetreefromtheforestcresthigherup。ForaninstantBricestooddizzyandirresolutebeforethegap。Lookingdownforafoothold，hiseyecaughtthefaintimprintofawoman’sshoeonaclayeyrockprojectingmidwayofthechasm。
Itmusthavebeentheyounggirl’sfootprintmadethatmorning，forthenarrowtoewaspointedinthedirectionshewouldgo！WhereSHEcouldpassshouldheshrinkfromgoing？Withoutfurtherhesitationhetwinedhisfingersaroundtherootsabovehim，andhalfswung，halfpulledhimselfalonguntilheoncemorefelttheledgebelowhim。
Fromtimetotime，ashewentonalongthedifficulttrack，thenarrowlittletoe-printpointedthewaytohim，likeanarrowthroughthewilds。Itwasapleasantthought，andyetaperplexingone。Wouldhehaveundertakenthisquestjusttoseeher？Wouldhebecontentwiththatifhisothermotivefailed？Forashemadehiswayuptotheridgehewasmorethanonceassailedbydoubtsofthepracticalsuccessofhisenterprise。Intheexcitementoflastnight，andeventhehopefulnessoftheearlymorning，itseemedaneasythingtopersuadethevainandeccentrichighwaymanthattheirinterestsmightbeidentical，andtoconvincehimthathis，Brice’s，assistancetorecoverthestolengreenbacksandinsurethepunishmentoftherobber，withthepossibleadditionofarewardfromtheexpresscompany，wouldbeaninducementforthemtoworktogether。Therisksthathewasrunningseemedtohisyouthfulfancytoatoneforanydefectsinhislogicorhisplans。Yetashecrossedtheridge，leavingthecivilizedhighwaybehindhim，anddescendedthenarrowtrail，whichgrewwilderateachstep，hisargumentsseemednolongersoconvincing。Henowhurriedforward，however，withafeverishhastetoanticipatetheworstthatmightbefallhim。
Thetrailgrewmoreintricateinthedeepferns；thefriendlylittlefootprinthadvanishedinthisprimevalwilderness。Ashepushedthroughthegorge，hecouldhearatlasttheroaroftheNorthForkforcingitswaythroughthecanyonthatcrossedthegorgeatrightangles。Atlasthereacheditscurrent，shutinbytwonarrowprecipitouswallsthatwerespannedfivehundredfeetabovebythestageroadoveraperilousbridge。Asheapproachedthegloomycanyon，herememberedthattheriver，seenfromabove，seemedtohavenobanks，buttohavecutitswaythroughthesolidrock。