Asuddendarkeningofthelandscapebelow，andasingularopaquewhiteningoftheairaroundthem，arousedhimfromhisthoughts。
Thedriverdrewupthecollarofhisovercoatandlaidhiswhipsmartlyoverthebacksofhiscattle。Theairgrewgraduallydarker，untilsuddenlyitseemedtodisintegrateintoinvisiblegrittyparticlesthatsweptthroughthewagon。Presentlytheseparticlesbecameheavier，moreperceptible，andpolishedlikesmallshot，andakeenwinddrovethemstinginglyintothefacesofthepassengers，orinsidiouslyintotheirpockets，collars，orthefoldsoftheirclothes。Thesnowforceditselfthroughthesmallestcrevice。
\"We’llgetoverthiswhenoncewe’vepassedthebend；theroadseemstodipbeyond，\"saidMastertoncheerfullyfromhisseatbesidethedriver。
Thedrivergavehimasinglescornfullook，andturnedtothepassengerwhooccupiedtheseatontheothersideofhim。\"Idon’tlikethelooko’thingsdownthere，butefwearestuck，we’llhavetostrikeoutforthenextstation。\"
\"But，\"saidMasterton，asthewindvolleyedthesharpsnowpelletsintheirfacesandtheleaderswerescarcelydistinguishablethroughthesmoke-likedischarges，\"itcan’tbeworsethanhere。\"
Thedriverdidnotspeak，buttheotherpassengercranedoverhisback，andsaidexplanatorily：——
\"Ireckonyedon’tknowthesestorms；thiskindo’drysnowdon’tstickanddon’tclog。Look！\"
Indeed，betweenthevolleys，Mastertoncouldseethattheroadwasperfectlybareandwind-swept，andexceptslightdriftsandbanksbesideoutlyingbushesandshrubs，——whicheventhenwereagainblownawaybeforehiseyes，——thelevellandscapewasunclothedandunchanged。Wherethesemysterioussnowpelletswenttopuzzledandconfusedhim；theyseemedtovanish，astheyhadappeared，intotheairaboutthem。
\"I’dmakeastraightrushforthenextstation，\"saidtheotherpassengerconfidentlytothedriver。\"Ifwe’restuck，we’rethatmuchontheway；ifweturnbacknow，we’llhavetotakethegradeanywaywhenthestorm’sover，andneitheryounorIknowwhenTHAT’llbe。Itmaybeonlyasqualljustnow，butit’sgettin’
ratherlateintheseason。Justpitchinanddriveallyeknow。\"
Thedriverlaidhislashonthehorses，andforafewmomentstheheavyvehicledashedforwardinviolentconflictwiththestorm。
Attimestheelastichickoryframeworkofitsdomedleatherroofswayedandbentliketheribsofanumbrella；attimesitseemedasifitwouldbeliftedbodilyoff；attimesthewholeinteriorofthevehiclewasfilledwithathinsmokebydriftsthrougheverycranny。Butpresently，toMasterton’sgreatrelief，theinterminablelevelseemedtoend，andbetweenthewhitenedblastshecouldseethattheroadwasdescending。Againthehorseswereurgedforward，andatlasthecouldfeelthatthevehiclebegantoaddthemomentumofitsdescenttoitsconflictwiththestorm。
Theblastsgrewlessviolent，orbecameonlythenaturalresistanceoftheairtotheirdominantrush。Withthecessationofthesnowvolleysandtheclearingoftheatmosphere，theroadbecamemorestronglydefinedasitplungeddownwardtoaterraceonthemountainflank，severalhundredfeetbelow。Presentlytheycameagainuponathickergrowthofbushes，andhereandthereasolitaryfir。Thewinddiedaway；thecoldseemedtobelessbitter。Masterton，inhisrelief，glancedsmilinglyathiscompanionsonthebox，butthedriver’smouthwascompressedasheurgedhisteamforward，andtheotherpassengerlookedhardlylessanxious。Theywerenowuponthelevelterrace，andthestormapparentlyspendingitsfuryhighupandbehindthem。Butinspiteoftheclearingoftheair，hecouldnotbutnoticethatitwassingularlydark。Whatwasmoresingular，thedarknessseemedtohaverisenfrombelow，andtoflowinuponthemastheydescended。
Acurtainofprofoundobscurity，darkereventhanthemountainwallattheirside，shutoutthehorizonandthevalleybelow。Butforthetemperature，Mastertonwouldhavethoughtathunderstormwasclosinginuponthem。Anoddfeelingofuneasinesscreptoverhim。
Afewfitfulgustsnowcamefromtheobscurity；oneofthemwasaccompaniedbywhatseemedaflightofsmallstartledbirdscrossingtheroadaheadofthem。Asecondlargerandmoresustainedflightshowedhisastonishedeyesthattheywerewhite，andeachbirdanenormousflakeofSNOW！Foraninstanttheairwasfilledwiththesedisks，shreds，patches，——twoorthreeclingingtogether，——likethedownfallshakenfromatree，strikingtheleatherroofandsideswithadullthud，spatteringtheroadintowhichtheydescendedwithlargerosettesthatmeltedawayonlytobefollowedbyhundredsmorethatstuckandSTAYED。Infiveminutesthegroundwaswhitewithit，thelongroadgleamingoutaheadinthedarkness；theroofandsidesofthewagonwereoverlaidwithitaswithacoatingofplasterofParis；theharnessofthehorses，andeventhereins，stoodoutovertheirsteamingbackslikewhitetrappings。Infiveminutesmorethesteamingbacksthemselveswereblanketedwithit；thearmsandlegsoftheoutsidepassengerspinionedtotheseatswithit，andthearmsofthedriverkeptfreeonlybyincessantmotion。Itwasnolongersnowing；itwas\"snowballing；\"itwasanavalancheoutoftheslopesofthesky。Theexhaustedhorsesflounderedinit；thecloggingwheelsdraggedinit；thevehicleatlastplungedintoabillowofit——andstopped。
Thebewilderedandhalfblindedpassengershurriedoutintotheroadtoassistthedrivertounshipthewheelsandfitthesteelrunnersintheiraxles。Butitwastoolate！Bythetimetheheavywagonwasconvertedintoasledge，itwasdeeplyimbeddedinwetandclingingsnow。Thenarrow，long-handledshovelsborrowedfromtheprospectors’kitswerepowerlessbeforethisheavy，halfliquidimpediment。Atlastthedriver，withanoath，relinquishedtheattempt，and，unhitchinghishorses，collectedthepassengersandledthemforwardbyanarrowerandmoreshelteredtrailtowardthenextstationsnowscarceamileaway。Theledhorsesbrokeapathbeforethem，thesnowfelllessheavily，butitwasnearlyanhourbeforethestragglingprocessionreachedthehouse，andthesnow-coatedandexhaustedpassengershuddledandsteamedroundthered-hotstoveinthebar-room。Thedriverhadvanishedwithhisteamintotheshed；Masterton’sfellowpassengeronthebox-seat，afterafewwhisperedwordstothelandlord，alsodisappeared。
\"Iseeyou’vegotJakePoolewithyou，\"saidoneofthebar-roomloungerstoMasterton，indicatingthepassengerwhohadjustleft。
\"Ireckonhe’shereonthesamefoolbusiness。\"
Mastertonlookedhissurpriseandmystification。
\"JakePoole，thedeputysheriff，\"repeatedtheother。\"Ireckonhe’sherepretendin’tohuntforMontaguTrixitliketheSanFranciscodetectivesthatkemupyesterday。\"
Mastertonwithdifficultyrepressedastart。HehadheardofPoole，butdidnotknowhimbysight。\"Idon’tthinkI
understand，\"hesaidcoolly。
\"Ireckonyou’reastrangerintheseparts，\"returnedthelounger，lookingatMastertoncuriously。\"Efyouwarn’t，ye’dknowthataboutthelastmanSanFranciscoorCanadaCityWANTEDtoketchisMontyTrixit！HeknowstoomuchandTHEYknowit。Butthey’vegottokeepupashowchase——akindo’cirkis-ridin’——upheretosatisfythestockholders。YoubetthatJakePoolehezgothisorders——theymightkillhimtoshuthismouth，eftheygotanexcuse——andhemadeafight——butheain’tnosuchfool。No，sir！
Why，thesickestmanyoueversawwasthatdirectorthatkemupherewithadetectivewhenhefoundthatMontyHADN’TlefttheState。\"
\"ThenheIShidingabouthere？\"saidMasterton，withassumedcalmness。
Themanpaused，loweredhisvoice，andsaid：\"Iwouldn’tswearhewasn’tamilefromwharwe’retalkin’now。Why，theydoallowthathe’stakenadrinkatthisverybarSINCEthenewscame！——andthatthar’sahosskepthandyinthestablealreadysaddledjusttotempthimefhewasinclinedtoscoot。\"
\"That’sonlyablufftostarthimgoin’sothattheykinshoothiminhistracks，\"saidabystander。
\"Thatain’tnogoodefhehas，astheySAYhehas，papersstowedawaywithafriendthatwouldfrightensomemightyparticklermenouto’theirboots，\"returnedthefirstspeaker。\"Buthe’sgothisspiestoo，andtharain’tamanthatcrossestheDivideasain’tspottedbythem。Theofficersbragabouthavin’putacordonaroundthedistrict，andyetthey’vejustfoundoutthathemanagedtosendatelegraphicdispatchfromBlackRockstationrightundertheirnoses。Why，onlyanhourorsoarterthedetectivesandthenewsarrivedhere，tharkemalongoneo’thememigrantteamsfromPike，andthedriversaidthatasmart-lookin’chapinstore-
clotheshadcomeoutofanoldprospector’scabinuptharontheriseaboutamileawayandaskedforanewspaper。AndthedescriptiontheteamstergavejustfittedTrixittoaT。Well，theinformationwasgivesopubliclikethatthedetectivesHADtomakearushoverthar，andb’gosh！althoughtharwasn’tasoulpassedthembutafileofChinesecoolies，whentheygotthartheyfoundNOTHIN’，——nothin’butthemChinamencookin’theirricebytheroadside。\"
Mastertonsmiledcarelessly，andwalkedtothewindow，asifintentuponthestillfallingsnow。Buthehadatoncegraspedthesituationthatseemednowalmostprovidentialforhisinexperienceandhismission。Themanhewasseekingwaswithinhispossiblereach，ifthestoryhehadheardwastrue。Thedetectiveswouldnotbelikelytointerferewithhisplans，forhewastheonlymanwhoreallywishedtomeetthefugitive。ThepresenceofPoolemadehimuneasy，thoughhehadnevermetthemanbefore。Wasitbarelypossiblethathewasonthesamemissiononbehalfofothers？IF
whatheheardwastrue，theremightbeothersequallyinvolvedwiththeabscondingmanager。Butthenthespies——howcouldthedeputysheriffeludethem，andhowcouldHE？
HewasturningimpatientlyawayfromthewindowwhenhiseyecaughtsightofastragglingfileofChinamenbreastingthestormontheirwayupthehill。Asuddenideaseizedhim。PerhapsTHEYwerethespiesinquestion。Herememberedthedriver’sstory。Asuddenflashofintuitionmadehimnowunderstandthesingularwaythefileofcoolieswhichtheymethaddivertedtheircourseafterpassingthewagon。Theyhadrecognizedthedeputyonthebox。
Stay！——therewasanotherChinamaninthecoach；HEmighthavegiventhemthesignal。Heglancedhurriedlyaroundtheroomforhim；hewasgone。Perhapshehadalreadyjoinedthefilehehadjustseen。
Hisonlyhopewastofollowthem——buthow？andhowtodoitquietly？Theafternoonwaswaning；itwouldbethreeorfourhoursbeforethedowncoachwouldarrive，fromwhichthedriverexpectedassistance。Now，ifever，washisopportunity。
Hemadehiswaythroughthebackdoor，andfoundhimselfamongthestrawandchipsofthestable-yardandwoodshed。Stilluncertainwhattodo，hemechanicallypassedbeforethelongshedwhichservedastemporarystallsforthesteamingwagonhorses。Atthefurtherend，tohissurprise，wasatetheredmustangreadysaddledandbridled——theopportunehorseleftforthefugitive，accordingtothelounger’sstory。Mastertoncastaquickglancearoundthestable；itwasdesertedbyallsavethefeedinganimals。
Hewasnewtoadventuresofthiskind，orhewouldprobablyhaveweighedthepossibilitiesandconsequences。Hewasordinarilyathoughtful，reflectiveman，butlikemostmenofintellect，hewasalsoimaginativeandsuperstitious，andthiscrowningaccidentoftheprovidentialsituationinwhichhefoundhimselfwassuperiortohislogic。Therewouldalsobeagrimironyinhistakingthishorseforsuchapurpose。Heagainlookedandlistened。Therewasnoonewithinsightorhearing。Heuntiedtheropefromthebit-
ring，leapedintothesaddle，andemergedcautiouslyfromtheshed。
Thewetsnowmuffledthesoundofthehorse’shoofs。Movingroundtotherearofthestablesoastobringitbetweenhimselfandthestation，heclappedhisheelsintothemustang’sflanksanddashedintotheopen。
Atfirsthewasconfusedandbewilderedbythehalfhiddenbouldersandsnow-shroudedbushesthatbesetthebrokenground，anddazzledbythestilldrivingstorm。Butheknewthattheywouldalsodivertattentionfromhisflight，andbeyond，hecouldnowseeawhiteslopeslowlyrisingbeforehim，nearwhosecrestafewdarkspotswerecrawlinginfile，likeAlpineclimbers。TheyweretheChinamenhewasseeking。Hehadreasonedthatwhentheydiscoveredtheywerefollowedtheywould，intheabsenceofanychanceofsignalingthroughthestorm，detachoneoftheirnumbertogivethealarm。HIMhewouldfollow。Hefelthisrevolversafeonhiship；
hewoulduseitonlyifnecessarytointimidatethespies。
Forsomemomentshisascentthroughthewetsnowwasslowanddifficult，butasheadvanced，hefeltachangeoftemperaturecorrespondingtothathehadexperiencedthatafternoononthewagoncomingdown。Theairgrewkeener，thesnowdrierandfiner。
Hekeptasharplookoutforthemovingfigures，andscannedthehorizonforsomeindicationoftheprospector’sdesertedhut。
Suddenlythelineoffigureshewaswatchingseemedtobebroken，andthengatheredtogetherasagroup。Hadtheydetectedhim？
Evidentlytheyhad，for，ashehadexpected，oneofthemhadbeendetached，andwasnowmovingatrightanglesfromthepartytowardstheright。Withathrillofexcitementheurgedhishorseforward；
thegroupwasfartotheleft，andhewasnearingthesolitaryfigure。Buttohisastonishment，asheapproachedthetopoftheslopehenowobservedanotherfigure，asfartotheleftofthegroupashewastotheright，andthatfigurehecouldsee，evenatthatdistance，wasNOTaChinaman。Hehaltedforabetterobservation；foraninstanthethoughtitmightbethefugitivehimself，butasquicklyherecognizeditwasanotherman——thedeputy。ItwasHEwhomtheChinamanhaddiscovered；itwasHEwhohadcausedthediversionandthedispatchofthevedettetowarnthefugitive。Hisownfigurehadevidentlynotyetbeendetected。
Hisheartbeathighwithhope；heagaindashedforwardaftertheflyingmessenger，whowasundoubtedlyseekingtheprospector’sruinedhutand——Trixit。
Butitwasnoeasymatter。Atthiselevationthesnowhadformedacrust，overwhichthesingleChinaman——alitheyoungfigure——
skimmedlikeaskater，whileMasterton’shorsecrashedthoughitintounexpecteddepths。Again，therunnercoulddeviatebyashortercut，whilethehorsemanwascondemnedtotheonehalfobliteratedtrail。TheonlythinginMasterton’sfavor，however，wasthathewassteadilyincreasinghisdistancefromthegroupandthedeputysheriff，andsocuttingofftheirconnectionwiththemessenger。Butthetrailgrewmoreandmoreindistinctasitnearedthesummit，untilatlastitutterlyvanished。Stillhekeptuphisspeedtowardtheactivelittlefigure——whichnowseemedtobethatofamereboy——skimmingoverthefrozensnow。Twiceastumbleandflounderofthemustangthroughthebrokencrustoughttohavewarnedhimofhisrecklessness，butnowadistinctglimpseofalow，blackenedshanty，theprospector’sruinedhut，towardwhichthemessengerwasmaking，madehimforgetallelse。Thedistancewaslesseningbetweenthem；hecouldseethelongpigtailofthefugitivestandingoutfromhisbenthead，whensuddenlyhishorseplungedforwardanddownward。Inanawfulinstantofsuspenseandtwilight，suchashemighthaveseeninadream，hefelthimselfpitchedheadlongintosuffocatingdepths，followedbyashock，thecrushingweightandsteamingflankofhishorseacrosshisshoulder，utterdarkness，and——mercifulunconsciousness。
Howlonghelaytherethusheneverknew。Withhisreturningconsciousnesscamethisstrangetwilightagain，——thetwilightofadream。HewassittinginthenewchurchatCanadaCity，ashehadsatthefirstSundayofhisarrivalthere，gazingattheprettyfaceofCissyTrixitinthepewoppositehim，andwonderingwhoshewas。Againhesawthestartled，awakenedlightthatcameintoheradorableeyes，thefaintblushthatsuffusedhercheekasshemethisinquiringgaze，andtheconscious，halfconceited，halfgirlishtossofherlittleheadassheturnedhereyesaway，andthenafileofbrownChinamen，mutteringsomeharsh，uncouthgibberish，interposedbetweenthem。Thiswasfollowedbywhatseemedtobethecrashinginofthechurchroof，astiflingheatsucceededbyalong，deadlychill。ButheknewthatTHISlastwasalladream，andhetriedtostruggletohisfeettoseeCissy’sfaceagain，——arealitythathefeltwouldtakehimoutofthishorribletrance，——
andhecalledtoheracrossthepewandheardhersweetvoiceagaininanswer，andthenawaveofunconsciousnessoncemoresubmergedhim。
Hecamebacktolifewithasharptinglingofhiswholeframeasifpiercedwithathousandneedles。Heknewhewasbeingrubbed，andinhisattemptstothrowhistorturersaside，hesawfaintlybythelightofaflickeringfirethattheywereChinamen，andhewaslyingonthefloorofarudehut。Withhisfirstmovementstheyceased，and，wrappinghimlikeamummyinwarmblankets，draggedhimoutoftheheapofloosesnowwithwhichtheyhadbeenrubbinghim，towardthefirethatgloweduponthelargeadobehearth。Thestingingpainwassucceededbyawarmglow；apleasantlanguor，whichmadeeventhoughtaburden，cameoverhim，andyethisperceptionswerekeenlyalivetohissurroundings。HeheardtheChinamenmuttersomethingandthendepart，leavinghimalone。Butpresentlyhewasawareofanotherfigurethathadentered，andwasnowsittingwithitsbacktohimatarudetable，roughlyextemporizedfromapacking-box，apparentlyengagedinwriting。ItwasasmallChinaman，evidentlytheonehehadchased！Theeventsofthepastfewhours——hismission，hisintentions，andeveryincidentofthepursuit——flashedbackuponhim。Wherewashe？
Whatwashedoinghere？HadTrixitescapedhim？
InhisexhaustedstatehewasunabletoformulateaquestionwhicheventhenhedoubtediftheChinamancouldunderstand。Sohesimplywatchedhimlazily，andwithacertainkindoffascination，untilheshouldfinishhiswritingandturnround。Hislongpigtail，whichseemedridiculouslydisproportionatetohissize，——
thepigtailwhichherememberedhadstreamedintotheairinhisflight，——hadpartlyescapedfromthediscoveredhatunderwhichithadbeencoiled。Butwhatwassingular，itwasnotthewiryblackpigtailofhisMongolianfellows，butsoftandsilky，andasthefirelightplayeduponit，itseemedofashiningchestnutbrown！
Itwaslike——like——hestopped——washedreamingagain？Alongsighescapedhim。
Thefigureinstantlyturned。Hestarted。ItwasCissyTrixit！
Therewasnomistakingthatcharming，sensitiveface，glowingwithhealthandexcitement，albeitshowinghereandtherethemarkofthepigmentwithwhichithadbeenstained，nowhurriedlywashedoff。Alittleofithadrunintothecornersofhereyelids，andenhancedthebrilliancyofhereyes。
Hefoundhistonguewithaneffort。\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"heaskedwithafaintvoice，andafainterattempttosmile。
\"That’swhatImightaskaboutyou，\"shesaidpertly，butwithaslighttouchofscorn；\"butIguessIknowaswellasIdoabouttheothers。Icameheretoseemyfather，\"sheaddeddefiantly。
\"Andyouarethe——the——one——Ichased？\"
\"Yes；andI’dhaveoutrunyoueasily，evenwithyourhorsetohelpyou，\"shesaidproudly，\"onlyIturnedbackwhenyouwentdownintothatprospector’sholewithyourhorseandhisbrokenneckatopofyou。\"
Hegroanedslightly，butmorefromshamethanpain。Theyounggirltookupaglassofwhiskeyreadyonthetableandbroughtittohim。\"Takethat；itwillfetchyouallrightinamoment。Poppersaysnobonesarebroken。\"
Mastertonwaivedtheprofferedglass。\"Yourfather——ishehere？\"
heaskedhurriedly，recallinghismission。
\"Notnow；he’sgonetothestation——to——fetch——myclothes，\"shesaid，withalittlelaugh。
\"Tothestation？\"repeatedMasterton，bewildered。
\"Yes，\"shereplied，\"tothestation。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowthenews，\"sheadded，withanairofgirlishimportance。\"They’vestoppedallproceedingsagainsthim，andhe’sasfreeasyouare。\"
Mastertontriedtorise，butanothergroanescapedhim。Hewasreallyinpain。Cissy’sbrighteyessoftened。Shekneltbesidehim，hersoftbreathfanninghishair，andliftedhimgentlytoasittingposition。
\"Oh，I’vedoneitbefore，\"shelaughed，asshereadhiswonder，withhisgratitude，inhiseyes。\"Thehorsewasalreadystiff，andyouwerenearlyso，bythetimeIcameuptoyouandgot\"——shelaughedagain——\"theOTHERChinamantohelpmepullyououtofthathole。\"
\"IknowIoweyoumylife，\"hesaid，hisfaceflushing。
\"ItwasluckyIwasthere，\"shereturnednaively；\"perhapsluckyyouwerechasingme。\"
\"I’mafraidthatofthemanywhowouldrunafteryouIshouldbetheleastlucky，\"hesaid，withanattempttolaughthatdidnot，however，concealhismortification；\"butIassureyouthatIonlywishedtohaveaninterviewwithyourfather，——aBUSINESS
interview，perhapsasmuchinhisinterestasmyown。\"
Theoldlookofaudacitycamebacktoherface。\"Iguessthat’swhattheyallcameherefor，exceptone，butitdidn’tkeepthemfrombelievingandsayinghewasathiefbehindhisback。Yettheyallwantedhis——confidence，\"sheaddedbitterly。
Mastertonfeltthathisburningcheekswereconfessingthetruthofthis。\"Youexceptedone，\"hesaidhesitatingly。
\"Yes——thedeputysheriff。HecametohelpME。\"
\"You！\"
\"Yes，ME！\"Acoquettishlittletossofherheadaddedtohisconfusion。\"Hethrewuphisjobjusttofollowme，withoutmyknowingit，toseethatIdidn’tcometoanyharm。Hesawmeonlyonce，too，atthehousewhenhecametotakepossession。HesaidhethoughtIwas’cleargrit’toriskeverythingtofindfather，andhesaidhesawitinmewhenhewasthere；that’showheguessedwhereIwasgonewhenIranaway，andfollowedme。\"
\"Hewasasrightashewaslucky，\"saidMastertongravely。\"Buthowdidyougethere？\"
Sheslippeddownonthefloorbesidehimwithanunconsciousmovementthathermasculinegarmentsonlymadethemorequaintlygirlish，and，claspingherkneewithbothhands，lookedatthefireassherockedherselfslightlybackwardandforwardasshespoke。
\"Itwillshockapropermanlikeyou，Iknow，\"shebegandemurely，\"butIcameALONE，withonlyaChinamantoguideme。Igottheseclothesfromourlaundryman，sothatIshouldn’tattractattention。
IwouldhavegotaChineselady’sdress，butIcouldn’twalkinTHEIRshoes，\"——shelookeddownatherlittlefeetencasedinwoodensandals，——\"andIhadalongwaytowalk。ButevenifIdidn’tlookquiterighttoChinamen，nowhitemanwasabletodetectthedifference。Youpassedmetwiceinthestage，andyoudidn’tknowme。Itravelednightandday，mostofthetimewalking，andbeingpassedalongfromoneChinamantoanother，or，whenwewerealone，beingslungonapolebetweentwocoolieslikeabaleofgoods。I
atewhattheycouldgiveme，forIdarednotgointoashoporarestaurant；Icouldn’tshutmyeyesintheirdens，soIstayedawakeallnight。YetIgotaheadofyouandthesheriff，——thoughI
didn’tknowatthetimewhatYOUwereafter，\"sheaddedpresently。
Hewasovercomewithwonderingadmirationofhercourage，andofself-reproachathisownshort-sightedness。Thiswasthegirlhehadlookeduponasaspoiledvillagebeauty，satisfiedwithhersmalltriumphsandprovincialelevation，andvacantofallotherpurpose。Herewasshe——theall-unconsciousheroine——andhehercritichelplessatherfeet！Itwasnotacheerfulreflection，andyethetookacertaindelightinhisexpiation。Perhapshehadhalfbelievedinherwithoutknowingit。Whatcouldhedoorsay？
Iregrettosayhedodgedthequestionmeanly。
\"Andyouthinkyourdisguiseescapeddetection？\"hesaid，lookingmarkedlyatherescapedbraidofhair。
Shefollowedhiseyesratherthanhiswords，halfpettishlycaughtuptheloosenedbraid，swiftlycoileditaroundthetopofherhead，and，clappingtheweather-beatenandbatteredconicalhatbackagainuponit，defiantlysaid：\"Yes！Everybodyisn’tascriticalasyouare，andevenyouwouldn’tbe——ofaChinaman！\"
Hehadneverseenherexceptwhenshewasarrayedwiththefullintentiontoaffectthebeholdersandperfectlyconsciousofherattractions；hewasutterlyunpreparedforthiscompleteignoringofadornmentnow，albeithewasforthefirsttimeawarehowherrealprettinessmadeitunnecessary。Shelookedfullyascharminginthisgrotesquehead-coveringasshehadinthatparagonoffashion，thenewhat，whichhadexcitedhistolerantamusement。
\"I’mafraidI’maverypoorcritic，\"hesaidbluntly。\"Ineverconceivedthatthissortofthingwasatalltoyourtaste。\"
\"IcametoseemyfatherbecauseIwantedto，\"shesaid，withequalbluntness。
\"AndIcametoseehimthoughIDIDN’Twantto，\"hesaid，withacynicallaugh。
Sheturned，andfixedherbrowneyesinquiringlyuponhim。
\"Whydidyoucome，then？\"
\"Iwasorderedbymydirectors。\"
\"Thenyoudidnotbelievehewasathief？\"sheasked，hereyessoftening。
\"Itwouldillbecomemetoaccuseyourfatherormydirectors，\"heanswereddiplomatically。
Shewasquickenoughtodetectthesuggestionofmoralsuperiorityinhistone，butwomanenoughtoforgiveit。\"You’renofriendofWindibrook，\"shesaid，\"Iknow。\"
\"Iamnot，\"herepliedfrankly。
\"Ifyouwouldliketoseemypopper，Icanmanageit，\"shesaidhesitatingly。\"He’lldoanythingforme，\"sheadded，withatouchofheroldpride。
\"Whocouldblamehim？\"returnedMastertongravely。\"Butifheisafreemannow，andabletogowherehelikes，andtoseewhomhelikes，hemaynotcaretogiveanaudiencetoameremessenger。\"
\"Youwaitandletmeseehimfirst，\"saidthegirlquickly。Then，asthesoundofsleigh-bellscamefromtheroadoutside，sheadded，\"Hereheis。I’llgetyourclothes；theyareoutheredryingbythefireintheshed。\"Shedisappearedthroughabackdoor，andreturnedpresentlybearinghisdriedgarments。\"DressyourselfwhileItakepopperintotheshed，\"shesaidquickly，andranoutintotheroad。
Mastertondressedhimselfwithdifficulty。Althoughcirculationwasnowrestored，andhefeltaglowthroughhiswarmedclothes，hehadbeensorelybruisedandshakenbyhisfall。HehadscarcelyfinisheddressingwhenMontaguTrixitenteredfromtheshed。
Mastertonlookedathimwithanewinterestandarespecthehadneverfeltbefore。Therecertainlywaslittleofthedaughterinthiskeen-faced，resolute-lippedman，thoughhisbrowneyes，likehers，hadthesamefrank，steadfastaudacity。Withabusinessbrevitythatwashurriedbutnotunkindly，hehopedMastertonhadfullyrecovered。
\"Thankstoyourdaughter，I’mallrightnow，\"saidMasterton。\"I
neednottellyouthatIbelieveIowemylifetoherenergyandcourage，forIthinkyouhaveexperiencedwhatshecandointhatway。ButYOUhavehadtheadvantageofthosewhohaveonlyenjoyedhersocialacquaintanceinknowingallthetimewhatshewascapableof，\"headdedsignificantly。
\"Sheisagoodgirl，\"saidTrixitbriefly，yetwithaslightriseincoloronhisdark，sallowcheek，andasuddenwaveringofhissteadfasteyes。\"Shetellsmeyouhaveamessagefromyourdirectors。IthinkIknowwhatitis，butwewon’tdiscussitnow。
AsIamgoingdirectlytoSacramento，Ishallnotseethem，butI
willgiveyouananswertotaketothemwhenwereachthestation。
Iamgoingtogiveyoualifttherewhenmydaughterisready。Andheresheis。\"
ItwastheoldCissythatsteppedintotheroom，dressedasshewaswhensheleftherfather’shousetwodaysbefore。Oddlyenough，hefanciedthatsomethingofheroldconsciousmannerhadreturnedwithherclothes，andashesteppedwithherintothebackseatofthecoveredsleighinwaiting，hecouldnothelpsaying，\"IreallythinkIunderstandyoubetterinyourotherclothes。\"
AslightblushmountedtoCissy’scheek，buthereyeswerestillaudacious。\"Allthesame，Idon’tthinkyou’dliketowalkdownMainStreetwithmeinthatrig，althoughyouoncethoughtnothingoftakingmeoveryouroldmillinyourblueblouseandoveralls。\"
Andhavingapparentlygreatlyrelievedherproudlittleheartbythisenigmaticstatement，shegrewsochattyandconfidentialthattheyoungmanwassatisfiedthathehadbeeninlovewithherfromthefirst！
Whentheyreachedthestation，Trixitdrewhimaside。Takinganenvelopemarked\"PrivateContracts\"fromhispocket，heopeneditanddisplayedsomepapers。\"Thesearethesecurities。Tellyourdirectorsthatyouhaveseenthemsafeinmyhands，andthatnooneelsehasseenthem。Tellthemthatiftheywillsendmetheirrenewednotes，datedfromto-day，toSacramentowithinthenextthreedays，Iwillreturnthesecurities。Thatismymessage。\"
Theyoungmanbowed。ButbeforethecoachstartedhemanagedtodrawneartoCissy。\"YouarenotreturningtoCanadaCity，\"hesaid。
Theyounggirlmadeagestureofindignation。\"No！Iamnevergoingthereagain。IgowithmypoppertoSacramento。\"
\"ThenIsupposeImustsay’good-by。’\"
Thegirllookedathiminsurprise。\"PoppersaysyouarecomingtoSacramentointhreedays！\"
\"AmI？\"
Helookedatherfixedly。Shereturnedhisglanceaudaciously，steadfastly。
\"Youare，\"shesaid，inherlowbutdistinctvoice。
\"Iwill。\"
Andhedid。
WHATHAPPENEDATTHEFONDA
PARTI
\"Well！\"saidtheeditorofthe\"MountainClarion，\"lookingupimpatientlyfromhiscopy。\"What’sthematternow？\"
Theintruderinhissanctumwashisforeman。Hewasalsoactingaspressman，asmightbeseenfromhisshirt-sleevesspatteredwithink，rolledupoverthearmthathadjustbeenworking\"theArchimedianleverthatmovestheworld，\"whichwastheeditor’sfavoriteallusiontothehand-pressthatstricteconomyobligedthe\"Clarion\"touse。Hisbraces，slippedfromhisshouldersduringhiswork，wereloopednegligentlyoneitherside，theirfunctionsbeingreplacedbyonehand，whichoccasionallyhitcheduphistrouserstoasecurerposition。Apairofdown-at-heelslippers——
deartothecountryprinter——completedhisnegligee。
Buttheeditorknewthattheink-spatteredarmwassinewyandready，thatastoutandloyalheartbeatunderthesoiledshirt，andthattheslipshodslippersdidnotpreventitsowner’sfootfrombeing\"putdown\"veryfirmlyonoccasion。Heaccordinglymettheshrewd，good-humoredblueeyesofhisfaithfulhenchmanwithaninterrogatingsmile。
\"Iwon’tkeepyoulong，\"saidtheforeman，glancingattheeditor’scopywithhishabitualhalfhumoroustolerationofthatwork，itbeinghisgeneralconvictionthatnewsandadvertisementsweretheonlyvaluablefeaturesofanewspaper；\"Ionlywantedtotalktoyouaminuteaboutmakin’suthinmoreo’thisyeraccidenttoColonelStarbottle。\"
\"Well，we’veafullreportofitin，haven’twe？\"saidtheeditorwonderingly。\"Ihaveevenmadeaneditorialpara。aboutthefrequencyoftheseaccidents，andcalledattentiontothedangerofridingthosehalfbrokenSpanishmustangs。\"
\"Yes，yedidthat，\"saidtheforemantolerantly；\"butyesee，thar’ssomefolksaroundherethatallowitwarn’tnoaccident。
There’saheapofthembelievethatnorunawayhossevermauledthecolonelezHEgotmauled。\"
\"ButIhearditfromthecolonel’sownlips，\"saidtheeditor，\"andHEsurelyoughttoknow。\"
\"Hemoutknowandhemoutn’t，andifheDIDknow，hewouldn’ttell，\"saidtheforemanmusingly，rubbinghischinwiththecleanersideofhisarm。\"Yedidn’tseehimwhenhewaspickedup，didye？\"
\"No，\"saidtheeditor。\"Onlyafterthedoctorhadattendedhim。
Why？\"
\"JakeParmlee，ezpickedhimupoutertheditch，saysthathewashalfchoked，andhisblacksilkneck-handkercherwaspulledtightaroundhisthroat。Therewasamarkonhisnoseezefsomeonehadtriedtogougeouthiseye，andhisleftearwaschawedezefhe’dbindowninareg’larrough-and-tumbleclinch。\"
\"Hetoldmehishorsebolted，buck-jumped，threwhim，andhelostconsciousness，\"saidtheeditorpositively。\"Hehadnoreasonforlying，andamanlikeStarbottle，whocarriesaDerringerandisadeadshot，wouldhavelefthismarkonsomebodyifhe’dbeenattacked。\"
\"That’swhattheboyssayisjustthereasonwhyhelied。HewasTOOKSUDDENT，don’tyesee，——he’dnoshow——anddon’tliketoconfessit。See？AmanlikeHIMain’tgoin’toadvertisethathekinbetackledandleftsenselessandnooneelsegothurtbyit！
Hispoliticalinfluencewouldberuinedhere！\"
Theeditorwasmomentarilystaggeredatthislargetruth。
\"Nonsense！\"hesaid，withalaugh。\"WhowouldattackColonelStarbottleinthatfashion？Hemighthavebeenshotonsightbysomepoliticalenemywithwhomhehadquarreled——butnotBEATEN。\"
\"S’poseitwarn’tnopoliticalenemy？\"saidtheforemandoggedly。
\"Thenwhoelsecoulditbe？\"demandedtheeditorimpatiently。
\"That’sjestforthepresstofindoutandexpose，\"returnedtheforeman，withasignificantglanceattheeditor’sdesk。\"Ireckonthat’swharthe’Clarion’oughttocomein。\"
\"Inamatterofthiskind，\"saidtheeditorpromptly，\"thepaperhasnobusinesstointerferewithaman’sstatement。Thecolonelhasaperfectrighttohisownsecret——ifthereisone，whichI
verymuchdoubt。But，\"headded，inlaughingrecognitionofthehalfreproachful，halfhumorousdiscontentontheforeman’sface，\"whatdreadfultheoryhaveYOUandtheboysgotaboutit——andwhatdoYOUexpecttoexpose？\"
\"Well，\"saidtheforemanveryseriously，\"it’sjestthis：Yousee，thecolonelismightysweetonthatSpanishwomanRamierezuponthehillyonder。Itwashermustanghewasridin’whentherowhappenednearherhouse。\"
\"Well？\"saidtheeditor，withdisconcertingplacidity。
\"Well，\"——hesitatedtheforeman，\"yousee，they’reabadlot，thoseGreasers，especiallytheRamierez，herhusband。\"
Theeditorknewthattheforemanwasonlyechoingtheprovincialprejudiceagainstthisrace，whichhehimselfhadalwayscombated。
Ramierezkeptafondaorhostelryonasmallestate，——thelastofmanyleaguesformerlyownedbytheSpanishgrantee，hislandlord，——
andhadawifeofsomesmallcoquetriesandredundantcharms。
Gamblingtookplaceatthefonda，anditwassaidthecommonprejudiceagainsttheMexicandidnot，however，preventtheAmericanfromtryingtowinhismoney。
\"ThenyouthinkRamierezwasjealousofthecolonel？Butinthatcasehewouldhaveknifedhim，——Spanishfashion，——andnotwithoutastruggle。\"
\"There’smorewaystheyhaveo’killin’amanthanthat；hemighthevbeendraggedoffhishorsebyalassoandchoked，\"saidtheforemandarkly。
Theeditorhadheardofthisvaqueromethodofputtinganenemyhorsdecombat；butitwasaclumsyperformanceforthepublicroad，andthebrutalityofitsmannerwouldhavejustifiedthecolonelinexposingit。
Theforemansawtheincredulityexpressedinhisface，andsaidsomewhataggressively，\"OfcourseIknowyedon’ttakenostockinwhat’ssaidagintheGreasers，andthat’swhattheboysknow，andwhattheysaid，andthat’sthereasonwhyIthoughtIoughtertellye，sothatyemightn’tseemtobealwaysfavorin’’em。\"
Theeditor’sfacedarkenedslightly，buthekepthistemperandhisgoodhumor。\"Sothattoprovethatthe’Clarion’isunbiasedwheretheMexicansareconcerned，Ioughttomakeittheironlyaccuser，andcastadoubtontheAmerican’sveracity？\"hesaid，withasmile。
\"Idon’tmeanthat，\"saidtheforeman，reddening。\"OnlyIthoughtyemight——asyeunderstandthesefolks’ways——yemightbeabletogetatthemeasy，andmebbemakesomecopyoutertheblamedthing。
Itwouldjustmakeastirhere，andbeabigboomforthe’Clarion。’\"
\"I’venodoubtitwould，\"saidtheeditordryly。\"However，I’llmakesomeinquiries；butyoumightaswelllet’theboys’knowthatthe’Clarion’willnotpublishthecolonel’ssecretwithouthispermission。Meanwhile，\"hecontinued，smiling，\"ifyouareveryanxioustoaddthefunctionsofareportertoyourotherdutiesandbringmeanydiscoveriesyoumaymake，I’ll——lookoveryourcopy。\"
Hegoodhumoredlynodded，andtookuphispenagain，——ahintatwhichtheembarrassedforeman，undercoverofhitchinguphistrousers，awkwardlyandreluctantlywithdrew。
Itwaswithsomenaturalyouthfulcuriosity，butnolackofloyaltytoColonelStarbottle，thattheeditorthateveningsoughtthis\"war-horseoftheDemocracy，\"ashewasfamiliarlyknown，inhisinvalidchamberatthePalmettoHotel。Hefoundtheherowithabandagedearand——perhapsitwasfancysuggestedbythestoryofthechoking——cheeksmorethanusuallysuffusedandapoplectic。
Nevertheless，hewasseatedbythetablewithamintjulepbeforehim，andwelcomedtheeditorbyinstantlyorderinganother。
Theeditorwasgladtofindhimsomuchbetter。
\"Gad，sir，nobonesbroken，butagooddealof’possumscratchingabouttheheadforsuchalittlethrowlikethat。ImusthaveslidayardortwoonmyleftearbeforeIbroughtup。\"
\"Youwereunconsciousfromthefall，Ibelieve。\"
\"Onlyforaninstant，sir——asingleinstant！IrecoveredmyselfwiththeassistanceofaNo’the’ngentleman——aMr。Parmlee——whowaspassing。\"
\"Thenyouthinkyourinjurieswereentirelyduetoyourfall？\"
Thecolonelpausedwiththemintjulephalfwaytohislips，andsetitdown。\"Sir！\"heejaculated，withastoundedindignation。
\"Yousayyouwereunconscious，\"returnedtheeditorlightly，\"andsomeofyourfriendsthinktheinjuriesinconsistentwithwhatyoubelievetobethecause。Theyareconcernedlestyouwereunknowinglythevictimofsomefoulplay。\"
\"Unknowingly！Sir！Doyoutakemeforachuckle-headedniggah，thatIdon’tknowwhenI’mthrownfromabuck-jumpingmustang？ordotheythinkI’maChinamantobehustledandbeatenbyagangofbullies？Dotheyknow，sir，thattheaccountIhavegivenIamresponsiblefor，sir？——personallyresponsible？\"
Therewasnodoubttotheeditorthatthecolonelwasperfectlyserious，andthattheindignationarosefromnoguiltyconsciousnessofasecret。Amanaspepperyasthecolonelwouldhavebeenequallyalertindefense。
\"Theyfearedthatyoumighthavebeenillusedbysomeevillydisposedpersonduringyourunconsciousness，\"explainedtheeditordiplomatically；\"butasyousayTHATwasonlyforamoment，andthatyouwereawareofeverythingthathappened\"——Hepaused。
\"Perfectly，sir！Perfectly！AsplainasIseethisjulepbeforeme。IhadjustlefttheRamierezrancho。Thesenora，——adevilishprettywoman，sir，——afteralittleplayfulbadinage，hadofferedtolendmeherdaughter’smustangifIcouldrideithome。Youknowwhatitis，Mr。Grey，\"hesaidgallantly。\"I’manoldermanthanyou，sir，butachallengefromad————dfascinatingcreature，I
trust，sir，Iamnotyetoldenoughtodecline。Gad，sir，I
mountedthebrute。I’veriddenMorganstockandBlueGrassthoroughbredsbareback，sir，butI’veneverthrownmylegoversuchablankedChinesecrackerbefore。AfterheboltedIheldmyownfairly，buthebuck-jumpedbeforeIcouldlockmyspursunderhim，andthesecondjumplandedme！\"
\"HowfarfromtheRamierezfondawereyouwhenyouwerethrown？\"
\"Amatteroffourorfivehundredyards，sir。\"
\"Thenyouraccidentmighthavebeenseenfromthefonda？\"
\"Scarcely，sir。Forinthatcase，Imaysay，withoutvanity，that——
er——the——ersenorawouldhavecometomyassistance。\"
\"Butnotherhusband？\"
Theold-fashionedshirt-frillwhichthecolonelhabituallyworegrewerectilewithaswellingindignation，possiblyhalfassumedtoconcealacertainconscioussatisfactionbeneath。\"Mr。Grey，\"hesaid，withpainedseverity，\"asapersonalfriendofmine，andarepresentativeofthepress，——apowerwhichIrespect，——Ioverlookadisparagingreflectionuponalady，whichIcanonlyattributetothelevityofyouthandthoughtlessness。Atthesametime，sir，\"
headded，withillogicalsequence，\"ifRamierezfeltaggrievedatmyattentions，heknewwhereIcouldbefound，sir，andthatitwasnotmyhabittodeclinegivinggentlemen——ofanynationality——
satisfaction——sir！——personalsatisfaction。\"
Hepaused，andthenadded，withasingularblendingofanxietyandacertainnaturaldignity，\"Itrust，sir，thatnothingofthis——er——
kindwillappearinyourpaper。\"
\"Itwastokeepitoutbylearningthetruthfromyou，mydearcolonel，\"saidtheeditorlightly，\"thatIcalledto-day。Why，itwasevensuggested，\"headded，withalaugh，\"thatyouwerehalfstrangledbyalasso。\"
Tohissurprisethecoloneldidnotjoininthelaugh，butbroughthishandtohisloosecravatwithanuneasygestureandasomewhatdisturbedface。
\"Iadmit，sir，\"hesaid，withaforcedsmile，\"thatIexperiencedacertainsensationofchoking，andImayhavementionedittoMr。
Parmlee；butitwasdue，Ibelieve，sir，tomycravat，whichI
alwayswearloosely，asyouperceive，becomingtwistedinmyfall，andinrollingover。\"
Heextendedhisfatwhitehandtotheeditor，whoshookitcordially，andthenwithdrew。Nevertheless，althoughperfectlysatisfiedwithhismission，andfirmlyresolvedtopreventanyfurtherdiscussiononthesubject，Mr。Grey’scuriositywasnotwhollyappeased。WhatweretherelationsofthecolonelwiththeRamierezfamily？Fromwhathehimselfhadsaid，thetheoryoftheforemanastothemotivesoftheattackmighthavebeenpossible，andtheassaultitselfcommittedwhilethecolonelwasunconscious。
Mr。Grey，however，keptthistohimself，brieflytoldhisforemanthathefoundnoreasontoaddtotheaccountalreadyintype，anddismissedthesubjectfromhismind。Thecolonelleftthetownthenextday。