Onemorningaweekafterward,theforemanenteredthesanctumcautiously,and,closingthedoorofthecomposing-roombehindhim,stoodforamomentbeforetheeditorwithasingularcombinationofirresolution,shamefacedness,andhumorousdiscomfitureinhisface。
Answeringtheeditor’slookofinquiry,hebeganslowly,\"Mebbeyerememberwhenwewastalkin’lastweeko’ColonelStarbottle’saccident,IsorterallowedthatheknewallthetimeWHYhewasattackedthatway,onlyhewouldn’ttell。\"
\"Yes,Irememberyouwereincredulous,\"saidtheeditor,smiling。
\"Well,Itakeitallback!Ireckonhetoldallheknew。Iwaswrong!Icave!\"
\"Why?\"askedtheeditorwonderingly。
\"Well,Ihavebeenthroughthemillmyself!\"
Heunbuttonedhisshirtcollar,pointedtohisneck,whichshowedaslightabrasionandasmalllividmarkofstrangulationatthethroat,andadded,withagrimsmile,\"AndI’vegotaboutasmuchproofasIwant。\"
Theeditorputdownhispenandstaredathim。
\"Yousee,Mr。Grey,itwaspartlyyourfault!Whenyoubedeviledmeaboutgettin’thatnews,andallowedImighttrymyhandatreportin’,Iwasfoolenoughtotakeupthechallenge。Soonceortwice,whenIwasoffdutyhere,IhungaroundtheRamierezshanty。
OnceIwentintharwhentheyweregamblin’;tharwaroneortwoAmericanstharthatwarwinnin’asfarasIcouldsee,andwasprettyfullo’thataguardientethattheysellthar——thatkillsatfortyrods。Yousee,Ihadakindo’suspicionthateftharwasanyfoulplaygoin’onitmightbeworkedonthesefellersARTER
theyweredrunk,andwargoin’homewiththarwinnin’s。\"
\"Soyougaveupyourtheoryofthecolonelbeingattackedfromjealousy?\"saidtheeditor,smiling。
\"Hol’on!Iain’tthroughyet!Ionlyreckonedthateftharwasagangofroughskepttharonthepremisestheymightbeusedforthatpurpose,andIonlywantedtoketchemattharwork。SoI
jestmeanderedintotheroadwhentheywaraboutcomin’out,andkeptmyeyeskinnedforwhatmighthappen。Tharwasakindo’
corralaboutahundredyardsdowntheroad,halfadobewall,andastockadeo’palm’sontopofit,aboutsixfeethigh。Someofthepalm’swereoff,andIpeepedthrough,buttharwarn’tnobodythar。
Istoodthar,alongsidethebank,leanin’mybackaginoneo’themopenin’s,andjestwatchedandwaited。
\"AllofasuddentIfeltmyselfgrabbedbymycoatcollarbehind,andmyneck-handkercherandcollardrawntightaroundmythroattillIcouldn’tbreathe。ThemoreItwistedround,thetightertheclinchseemedtoget。Icouldn’thollernorspeak,buttharI
stoodwithmymouthopen,pinnedbackaginthatcursedstockade,andmyarmsandlegsmovin’upanddown,likeoneo’themdancin’
jacks!Itseemsfunny,Mr。Grey——IreckonIlookedlikeadarnedfool——butIdon’twanterfeelag’inasIdidjestthen。Theclincho’mythroatgottighter;everythinggotblackaboutme;Iwasjestgoin’offandkalkilatin’itwasabouttimeforyoutoadvertiseforanotherforeman,whensuthinbroke——fetchedaway!
\"Itwasmycollarbutton,andIdroppedlikeashot。ItwasaminutebeforeIcouldgetmybreathag’in,andwhenIdidandmanagedtoclimbthatdarnedstockade,anddropontheotherside,tharwarn’tasoultobeseen!Afewhossesthatstampededinmygettin’overthefencewarallthatwasthere!Iwasmightyshookup,youbet!——andtomakethehullthingperfectlyridic’lous,whenIgotbacktotheroad,afterallI’dgotthrough,darnmyskin,eftharwarn’tthatpeskyloto’drunkenmenstaggerin’along,jinglin’thescadstheyhadwon,andenjoyin’themselves,andnobodya-followin’’em!Ijined’emjestforkempany’ssake,tillwegotbacktotown,butnothin’happened。\"
\"But,mydearRichards,\"saidtheeditorwarmly,\"thisisnolongeramatterofmerereporting,butofbusinessforthepolice。Youmustseethedeputysheriffatonce,andbringyourcomplaint——orshallI?It’snojokingmatter。\"
\"Hol’on,Mr。Grey,\"repliedRichardsslowly。\"I’vetoldthistonobodybutyou——noramIgoin’to——sabe?It’sanaffairofmyown——
andIreckonIkintakecareofitwithoutgoin’totheRevisedStatutesoftheStateofCalifornia,orcallin’outthesheriff’sposse。\"
Hishumorousblueeyesjustthenhadcertainsteelypointsinthemlikeglitteringfacetsasheturnedthemaway,whichtheeditorhadseenbeforeonmomentousoccasions,andhewasspeakingslowlyandcomposedly,whichtheeditoralsoknewbodednogoodtoanadversary。
\"Don’tbeafool,Richards,\"hesaidquietly。\"Don’ttakeasapersonalaffrontwhatwasacommon,vulgarcrime。Youwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenrobbedbythatrascalhadnottheotherscomealong。\"
Richardsshookhishead。\"ImighthevbinrobbedadozentimesaforeTHEYcamealong——efthatwasthelittlegame。No,Mr。Grey,——
itwarn’tnorobbery。\"
\"HadyoubeenpayingcourttotheSenoraRamierez,likeColonelStarbottle?\"askedtheeditor,withasmile。
\"Notmuch,\"returnedRichardsscornfully;\"sheain’tmystyle。
But\"——hehesitated,andthenadded,\"tharwasamightypurtygalthar——andherdarter,Ireckon——areg’larpinkfairy!Shekeminonlyaminute,andtheysorterhustledheroutag’in——fordarnmyskinefshedidn’tlookasmuchouto’placeinthatsmokyoldgarlic-smellin’roomasanangelatabull-fight。Andwhatgotme——
shewasezwhiteezyouorme,withblueeyes,andaloto’darkreddishhairinalongbraiddownherback。Why,onlyforherpurtysing-songvoiceandher’Gracias,senor,’you’dhevreckonedshewasaBlueGrassgirljestfreshfromacrosstheplains。\"
Alittleamusedathisforeman’senthusiasm,Mr。Greygaveanostentatiouswhistleandsaid,\"Come,now,Richards,lookhere!
Really!\"
\"Onlyalittlegirl——amerechild,Mr。Grey——notmore’nfourteenifaday,\"respondedRichards,inembarrasseddepreciation。
\"Yes,butthosepeoplemarryattwelve,\"saidtheeditor,withalaugh。\"Lookout!Yourappreciationmayhavebeennoticedbysomeotheradmirer。\"
Hehalfregrettedthisspeechthenextmomentinthequickflush——
themaleinstinctofrivalry——thatbroughtbacktheglitterofRichards’seyes。\"IreckonIkintakecareofthat,sir,\"hesaidslowly,\"andIkalkilatethatthenexttimeImeetthatchap——
whoeverhemaybe——hewon’tseesomuchofmybackashedid。\"
Theeditorknewtherewaslittledoubtofthis,andforaninstantbelievedithisdutytoputthematterinthehandsofthepolice。
Richardswastoogoodandbraveamantoberiskedinabar-roomfight。Butreflectingthatthismightprecipitatethescandalhewishedtoavoid,heconcludedtomakesomepersonalinvestigation。
Astrongercuriositythanhehadfeltbeforewaspossessinghim。
Itwassingular,too,thatRichards’sdescriptionofthegirlwasthatofadifferentandsuperiortype——thehidalgo,orfair-skinnedSpanishsettler。Ifthiswastrue,whatwasshedoingthere——andwhatwereherrelationstotheRamierez?
PARTII
Thenextafternoonhewenttothefonda。Situatedontheoutskirtsofthetownwhichhadlongoutgrownit,itstillboretracesofitsformerimportanceasahacienda,orsmallerfarm,ofoneoftheoldSpanishlandholders。Thepatio,orcentralcourtyard,stillexistedasastable-yardforcarts,andevenoneortwohorsesweretetheredtotherailingsoftheinnercorridor,whichnowservedasanopenverandatothefondaorinn。Theoppositewingwasutilizedasatienda,orgeneralshop,——amagazineforsuchgoodsaswereusedbytheMexicaninhabitants,——andbelongedalsotoRamierez。
Ramierezhimself——round-whiskeredandSanchoPanza-likeinbuild——
welcomedtheeditorwithfat,perfunctoryurbanity。Thefondaandallitcontainedwasathisdisposicion。
Thesenoracoquettishlybewailed,inrisingandfallinginflections,hislongabsence,hisinfidelityandgeneralperfidiousness。Trulyhewasgrowinggreatinwritingoftheaffairsofhisnation——hecouldnolongerseehishumblefriends!Yetnotlongago——trulythatveryweek——therewastheheadimpresorofDonPancho’simprentahimselfwhohadbeenthere!
Agreatman,ofacertainty,andtheymusttakewhattheycouldget!Theywereonlypoorinnkeepers;whenthegovernorcamenottheymustwelcomethealcalde。Towhichtheeditor——otherwiseDonPancho——repliedwithequaleffusion。Hehadindeedrecommendedthefondatohisimpresor,whowasbutacourierbeforehim。Butwhatwasthis?Theimpresorhadbeenravishedatthesightofabeautifulgirl——ameremuchacha——yetofabeautythatdeprivedthesenses——thisangel——clearlythedaughterofhisfriend!Herewastheoldmiracleoftheorangeinfullfruitionandthelovelyfragrantblossomallonthesametree——atthefonda。Andthishadbeenkeptfromhim!
\"Yes,itwasbutathingofyesterday,\"saidthesenora,obviouslypleased。\"Themuchacha——forshewasbutthat——hadjustreturnedfromtheconventatSanJose,whereshehadbeenforfouryears。
Ah!whatwouldyou?Thefondawasnoplaceforthechild,whoshouldknowonlythelitanyoftheVirgin——andtheyhadkeptherthere。Andnow——thatshewashomeagain——shecaredonlyforthehorse。Frommorningtonight!Caballerosmightcomeandgo!
Theremightbeafestival——allthesametoher,itmadenothingifshehadthehorsetoride!Evennowshewaswithoneinthefields。WouldDonPanchoattendandseeCotaandherhorse?\"
Theeditorsmilinglyassented,andaccompaniedhishostessalongthecorridortoafewstepswhichbroughtthemtotheleveloftheopenmeadowsoftheoldfarminclosure。Aslightwhitefigureonhorsebackwascareeringinthedistance。AtasignalfromSenoraRamierezitwheeledandcamedownrapidlytowardsthem。Butwhenwithinahundredyardsthehorsewassuddenlypulledupvaquerofashion,andthelittlefigureleapedoffandadvancedtowardthemonfoot,leadingthehorse。
Tohissurprise,Mr。Greysawthatshehadbeenridingbareback,andfromherdiscreethaltatthatdistancehehalfsuspectedASTRIDE!Hiseffusivecomplimentstothemotheronthisexhibitionofskillweresincere,forhewasstruckbythegirl’sfearlessness。
Butwhenbothhorseandrideratlaststoodbeforehim,hewasspeechlessandembarrassed。
ForRichardshadnotexaggeratedthegirl’scharms。Shewasindeeddangerouslypretty,fromhertawnylittleheadtohersmallfeet,andherfigure,althoughcomparativelydiminutive,wasperfectlyproportioned。Grayeyedandblondeasshewasincolor,herracialpeculiaritiesweredistinct,andonlythegood-humoredandenthusiasticRichardscouldhavelikenedhertoanAmericangirl。
Buthewasthemoreastonishedinnoticingthathermustangwasasdistinctandpeculiarasherself——amongrelmareoftheextraordinarytypeknownasa\"pinto,\"or\"calico\"horse,mottledinlavenderandpink,Arabianinproportions,andhalfbroken!Hergreenishgrayeyes,inwhichtoomuchofthewhitewasvisible,had,hefancied,asingularsimilarityofexpressiontoCota’sown!
Utterlyconfounded,andstaringatthegirlinherwhite,manyflouncedfrock,barehead,andtawnybraids,asshestoodbesidethisincarnationofequinebarbarism,Greycouldremembernothinglikeitoutsideofacircus。
Hestammeredafewwordsofadmirationofthemare。MissCotathrewouthertwoarmswithagracefulgestureandaprofoundcurtsey,andsaid——
\"AladisposiciondeleUsted,senor。\"
Greywasquicktounderstandthemaliciousmischiefwhichunderlaythisformalcurtseyanddancedinthegirl’seyes,andevenfancieditsharedbytheanimalitself。Buthewasasingularlygoodriderofuntrainedstock,andratherproudofhisprowess。Hebowed。
\"IacceptthatImayhavethehonoroflayingthesenorita’sgiftagainatherlittlefeet。\"
ButheretheburlyRamierezintervened。\"Ah,MotherofGod!Maythedevilflyawaywithallthisnonsense!Iwillhavenomoreofit,\"hesaidimpatientlytothegirl。\"Haveacare,DonPancho,\"
heturnedtotheeditor;\"itisatrick!\"
\"OneIthinkIknow,\"saidGreysapiently。Thegirllookedathimcuriouslyashemanagedtoedgebetweenherandthemustang,underthepretenseofstrokingitsglossyneck。\"IshallkeepMYOWN
spurs,\"hesaidtoherinalowervoice,pointingtothesharp,small-roweledAmericanspurshewore,insteadofthelarge,blunt,five-pointedstaroftheMexicanpattern。
Thegirlevidentlydidnotunderstandhimthen——thoughshedidamomentlater!Forwithoutattemptingtocatchholdofthemustang’smane,Greyinasingleleapthrewhimselfacrossitsback。Theanimal,utterlyunprepared,wasatfirststupefied。Butbythistimeherriderhadhisseat。Hefelthersensitivespinearchlikeacat’sbeneathhimasshesprangrocket-wiseintotheair。
Buthereshewasmistaken!Insteadofclingingtightlytoherflankswiththeinnersideofhiscalves,aftertheoldvaquerofashiontowhichshewasaccustomed,hedroppedhisspurredheelsintohersidesandallowedhisbodytorisewithherspring,andthecruelspurtocutitstrackupwardfromherbellyalmosttoherback。
Shedroppedlikeashot,hedexterouslywithdrawinghisspurs,andregaininghisseat,jarredbutnotdiscomfited。Againsheessayedaleap;thespursagainmarkeditsheightinascarifyingtrackalonghersmoothbarrel。Shetriedathirdleap,butthistimedroppedhalfwayasshefeltthesteelscrapingherside,andthenstoodstill,trembling。Greyleapedoff!
Therewasasoundofapplausefromtheinnkeeperandhiswife,assistedbyaloungingvaquerointhecorridor。Ashamedofhisvictory,GreyturnedapologeticallytoCota。Tohissurprisesheglancedindifferentlyatthetricklingsidesofherfavorite,andonlyregardedhimcuriously。
\"Ah,\"shesaid,drawinginherbreath,\"youarestrong——andyoucomprehend!\"
\"Itwasonlyatrickforatrick,senorita,\"hereplied,reddening;
\"letmelookafterthosescratchesinthestable,\"headded,asshewasturningaway,leadingtheagitatedandexcitedanimaltowardashedintherear。
Hewouldhavetakentheriatawhichshewasstillholding,butshemotionedhimtoprecedeher。Hedidsobyafewfeet,buthehadscarcelyreachedthestabledoorbeforeshesuddenlycaughthimroughlybytheshoulders,and,shovinghimintotheentrance,slammedthedooruponhim。
Amazedandalittleindignant,heturnedintimetohearaslightsoundofscufflingoutside,andtoseeCotare-enterwithaflushedface。
\"Pardon,senor,\"shesaidquickly,\"butIfearedshemighthavekickedyou。Resttranquil,however,fortheservanthehastakenheraway。\"
Shepointedtoaslouchingpeonwithamalevolentface,whowasangrilydrivingthemustangtowardthecorral。
\"Consideritnomore!Iwasrude!SantaMaria!Ialmostthrewyou,too;but,\"sheadded,withadazzlingsmile,\"youmustnotpunishmeasyouhaveher!Foryouareverystrong——andyoucomprehend。\"
ButGreydidnotcomprehend,andwithafewhurriedapologieshemanagedtoescapehisfairbutuncannytormentor。Besides,thisunlooked-forincidenthaddrivenfromhismindthemoreimportantobjectofhisvisit,——thediscoveryoftheassailantsofRichardsandColonelStarbottle。
HisinquiriesoftheRamierezproducednoresult。SenorRamierezwasnotawareofanysuspiciousloiterersamongthefrequentersofthefonda,andexceptfromsomedrunkenAmericanorIrishrevelershehadbeenfreeofdisturbance。
Ah!thepeon——anoldvaquero——wasnotanangel,truly,buthewasdangerousonlytothebullandthewildhorses——andhewasafraidevenofCota!Mr。Greywasfaintoridehomeemptyofinformation。
Hewasstillmoreconcernedaweeklater,onreturningunexpectedlyoneafternoontohissanctum,tohearamusical,childishvoiceinthecomposing-room。
ItwasCota!Shewasthere,asRichardsexplained,onhisinvitation,toviewthemarvelsandmysteriesofprintingatatimewhentheywouldnotbelikelyto\"disturbMr。Greyathiswork。\"
ButthebeamingfaceofRichardsandthesimpletendernessofhisblueeyesplainlyrevealedthesuddengrowthofanevidentlysincerepassion,andtheunwontedsplendorsofhisbestclothesshowedhowcarefullyhehadpreparedfortheoccasion。
Greywasworriedandperplexed,believingthegirlamaliciousflirt。Yetnothingcouldbemorecaptivatingthanhersimpleandchildishcuriosity,asshewatchedRichardsswingtheleverofthepress,orstoodbyhissideashemarshaledthetypeintofilesonhis\"composing-stick。\"Hehadevenprintedacardwithhername,\"SenoritaCotaRamierez,\"thetypeofwhichhadbeensetup,totheaccompanimentofripplesofmusicallaughter,byherlittlebrownfingers。
Theeditormighthavebecomequitesentimentalandpoeticalhadhenotnoticedthatthegrayeyeswhichoftenrestedtentativelyandmeaninglyonhimself,evenwhileapparentlylisteningtoRichards,weremorethaneverliketheeyesofthemustangonwhosescarredflanksherglancehadwanderedsocoldly。
Hewithdrewpresentlysoasnottointerrupthisforeman’sinnocenttete-a-tete,butitwasnotverylongafterthatCotapassedhimonthehighroadwiththepintohorseinagallop,andblewhimanaudaciouskissfromthetipsofherfingers。
ForseveraldaysafterwardsRichards’smannerwastingedwithacertainreserveonthesubjectofCotawhichtheeditorattributedtothedelicacyofaseriousaffection,buthewassurprisedalsotofindthathisforeman’seagernesstodiscusshisunknownassailanthadsomewhatabated。Furtherdiscussionregardingitnaturallydropped,andtheeditorwasbeginningtolosehiscuriositywhenitwassuddenlyawakenedbyachanceincident。
Anintimatefriendandoldcompanionofhis——oneEnriquezSaltillo——
haddivergedfromamountaintripespeciallytocalluponhim。
EnriquezwasascionofoneoftheoldestSpanish-Californiafamilies,andinadditiontohisfriendshipfortheeditoritpleasedhimalsotoaffectanintenseadmirationofAmericanwaysandhabits,andeventocombinethecurrentCaliforniaslangwithhisnativeprecisionofspeech——andacertainironicallevitystillmorehisown。
Itseemed,therefore,quitenaturaltoMr。Greytofindhimseatedwithhisfeetontheeditorialdesk,hishatcockedonthebackofhishead,readingthe\"Clarion\"exchanges。Buthewasupinamoment,andhadembracedGreywithcharacteristiceffusion。
\"Ifindmyself,myleetlebrother,butanhouragotwoleaguesfromthisspot!Isaytomyself,’Hola!ItisthehomeofDonPancho——
myfriend!Ishallfindhimcomposingthemagnificenteditorialleader,collectingthesubscriptionofthebigpumpkinandthegreatgooseberry,orgougingouttheeyeoftherivaleditor,atwhichIshallassist!’Ihesitatenolonger;Iflyontheinstant,andIamhere。\"
Greywasdelighted。SaltilloknewtheSpanishpopulationthoroughly——hisownsuperiorraceandtheirMexicanandIndianallies。IfanyonecouldsolvethemysteryoftheRamierezfonda,anddiscoverRichards’sunknownassailant,itwasHE!ButGreycontentedhimself,atfirst,withafewbriefinquiriesconcerningthebeautifulCotaandheranonymousassociationwiththeRamierez。
Enriquezwasasbrieflycommunicative。
\"Ofyoursuspicions,myleetlebrother,youareright——onthehalf!
ThatleetleangelofaCotais,withoutdoubt,thedaughteroftheadorableSenoraRamierez,butnotoftheadmirablesenor——herhusband。Ah!whatwouldyou?Weareasimple,patriarchalrace;
theesRamierez,hewastheMexicantenantoftheoldSpanishlandlord——suchasmyfather——andweareeverthefathersofthepoor,andsometimesoftheirchildren。Itispossible,therefore,thattheexquisiteCotaresembletheSpanishlandlord。Ah!stop——
remaintranquil!Iremember,\"hewenton,suddenlystrikinghisforeheadwithadramaticgesture,\"theoldowneroftheesranchwasmycousinTiburcio。Ofaconsequence,myfriend,theesangelismysecondcousin!Behold!Ishallcallthereontheinstant。I
shallembracemylong-lostrelation。Ishallintroducemybestfriend,DonPancho,wholofeher。Ishallsay,’Blessyou,mychildren,’anditisfeenish!Igo!Iamgoneevennow!\"
Hestartedupandclappedonhishat,butGreycaughthimbythearm。
\"ForHeaven’ssake,Enriquez,beseriousforonce,\"hesaid,forcinghimbackintothechair。\"Anddon’tspeaksoloud。Theforemanintheotherroomisanenthusiasticadmirerofthegirl。
Infact,itisonhisaccountthatIammakingtheseinquiries。\"
\"Ah,thegentlemanofthepantuflos,whosetrouserswillnotremain!Ihaveseenhim,friend。Trulyhehastheambitionexcessiftoarrivefromthebedtogototheworkwithoutthedressorthewash。But,\"inrecognitionofGrey’shalfseriousimpatience,\"remaintranquil。OnhimIshallnotgoback!Ihavesaid!Thefriendofmyfriendiseverthesameasmyfriend!Heistrulynotseducingtotheeye,butwithoutdoubthewillarriveagovernororasenatoringoodtime。Ishallgiftohimmysecondcousin。Itisfeenish!Iwilltellhimnow!\"
Heattemptedtorise,butwashelddownandvigorouslyshakenbyGrey。
\"I’vehalfamindtoletyoudoit,andgetchuckedthroughthewindowforyourpains,\"saidtheeditor,withahalflaugh。
\"Listentome。Thisisamoreseriousmatterthanyousuppose。\"
AndGreybrieflyrecountedtheincidentofthemysteriousattacksonStarbottleandRichards。Asheproceededhenoticed,however,thattheironicallightdiedoutofEnriquez’seyes,andasingularthoughtfulness,yetunlikehisusualprecisegravity,cameoverhisface。Hetwirledtheendsofhispenciledmustache——anunfailingsignofEnriquez’semotion。
\"ThesameaccidentthatarrivetotwomenthatshallbeasoppositeasthegallantStarbottleandtheexcellentRichardsshallnotprovethatitcomefromRamierez,thoughtheybothwereatthefonda,\"hesaidgravely。\"Thecauseofithavenotcometo-day,noryesterday,norlastweek。ThecauseofithavearrivebeforetherewasanygallantStarbottleorexcellentRichards;beforetherewasanyAmericaninCalifornia——beforeyouandI,myleetlebrother,havelif!Thecausehappenfirst——TWOHUNDREDYEARSAGO!\"
Theeditor’sstartofimpatientincredulitywascheckedbytheunmistakablesincerityofEnriquez’sface。\"Itisso,\"hewentongravely;\"itisanoldstory——itisalongstory。Ishallmakehimshort——andnew。\"
Hestoppedandlitacigarettewithoutchanginghisoddexpression。
\"Itwaswhenthepadresfirsthavethemission,andtaketheheathenandconverthim——andsavehissoul。Itwastheirbusiness,youcomprehend,myPancho?Themoreheathentheyconvert,themoresoultheysave,thebetterbusinessfortheirmissionshop。Buttheheathendonotalwayswishtobe’convert;’theheathenfly,theheathenskidaddle,theheathenwillnotremain,orwillbackslide。Whatwillyoudo?Sotheholyfathersmakealittlegame。Youdonotofapossibilitycomprehendhowtheholyfathersmakeaconvert,myleetlebrother?\"headdedgravely。
\"No,\"saidtheeditor。
\"Ishalltelltoyou。Theytakefromthepresidiofiveorsixdragons——youcomprehend——thecavalrysoldiers,andtheypursuetheheathenfromhislittlehut。Whentheycannotsurroundhimandhefly,theycatchhimwiththelasso,likethewildhoss。Thelassocatchhimaroundtheneck;heisobligedtoremain。Sometimeheisstrangle。Sometimeheisdead,butthesoulissave!Youbelievenot,Pancho?Iseeyouwrinklethebrow——youflashtheeye;youlikeitnot?Believeme,Ilikeitnot,neither,butitisso!\"
Heshruggedhisshoulders,threwawayhishalfsmokedcigarette,andwenton。
\"Onetimeapadrewhohavethezealexcessifforthesavingofsoul,whenhefindtheheathen,whoisayounggirl,haveescapethesoldiers,heofhimselfhaveseizethelassoandflungit!Heislucky;hecatchher——butlookyou!Shestopnot——shestillfly!
Shenotonlyfly,butofasuretyshedragthegoodpadrewithher!
Hecannotloosehimself,forhisriataisfasttothesaddle;thedragonscannothelp,forheisdragsofast。Ontheinstantshehavegone——andsohavethepadre。Forwhy?Itisnotayounggirlhehavelasso,butthedevil!Youcomprehend——itisapunishment——
aretribution——heisfeenish!Andforever!
\"Foreveryyearhemustcomebackaspirit——onaspirithoss——andswingthelasso,andmakeasiftocatchtheheathen。Heiscondemnevertoplayhislittlegame;nowthereisnoheathenmoretoconvert,hecatchwhathecan。Mygrandfatherhaveonceseenhim——itisnightandastorm,andhepassbylikeaflash!Mygrandfatherlikeitnot——heismuchdissatisfied!Myunclehaveseenhim,too,buthemakethesignofthecross,andthelassohavefalltotheside,andmyunclehavemuchgratification。A
vaqueroofmyfatherandapeonofmycousinhavebothbeenpickedup,lassoed,anddraggeddead。
\"Manypeopleshavediedofhiminthestrangling。Sometimeheisseen,sometimeitisthewomanonlythatonesees——sometimeitisbutthehoss。Buteversomebodyisdead——strangle!Ofatruth,myfriend,thegallantStarbottleandtheambitiousRichardshavejustescaped!\"
Theeditorlookedcuriouslyathisfriend。Therewasnottheslightestsuggestionofmischieforironyinhistoneormanner;
nothing,indeed,butasincerityandanxietyusuallyrarewithhistemperament。ItstruckhimalsothathisspeechhadbutlittleoftheoddCaliforniaslangwhichwasalwaysapartofhisimitativelevity。Hewaspuzzled。
\"Doyoumeantosaythatthissuperstitioniswellknown?\"heasked,afterapause。
\"Amongmypeople——yes。\"
\"AnddoYOUbelieveinit?\"
Enriquezwassilent。Thenhearose,andshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Quiensabe?Itisnotmoredifficulttocomprehendthanyourstory。\"
Hegravelyputonhishat。Withitheseemedtohaveputonhisoldlevity。\"Come,behold,itisalongtimebetweendrinks!Letustothehotelandthebarkeep,whoshallgiveupthesmashofbrandyandthejulepofmintsbeforethelassoofFriarPedroshallpreventustheswallow!Letusskiddadle!\"
Mr。Greyreturnedtothe\"Clarion\"officeinamuchmoresatisfiedconditionofmind。WhateverfaithheheldinEnriquez’ssincerity,forthefirsttimesincetheattackonColonelStarbottlehebelievedhehadfoundareallylegitimatejournalisticopportunityintheincident。Thelegendanditssingularcoincidencewiththeoutrageswouldmakecapital\"copy。\"
Nonameswouldbementioned,yetevenifColonelStarbottlerecognizedhisownadventure,hecouldnotpossiblyobjecttothisinterpretationofit。Theeditorhadfoundthatfewpeopleobjectedtobetheheroofaghoststory,orthefavoredwitnessofaspiritualmanifestation。NorcouldRichardsfindfaultwiththisviewofhisownexperience,hithertokeptasecret,solongasitdidnotrefertohisrelationswiththefairCota。Summoninghimatoncetohissanctum,hebrieflyrepeatedthestoryhehadjustheard,andhispurposeofusingit。Tohissurprise,Richards’sfaceassumedaseriousnessandanxietyequaltoEnriquez’sown。
\"It’sagoodstory,Mr。Grey,\"hesaidawkwardly,\"andIain’tsayin’itain’tmightygoodnewspaperstuff,butitwon’tdoNOW,forthewholemystery’supandtheassailantfound。\"
\"Found!When?Whydidn’tyoutellmebefore?\"exclaimedGrey,inastonishment。
\"Ididn’treckonyeweresokeenonit,\"saidRichardsembarrassedly,\"and——and——itwasn’tmyownsecretaltogether。\"
\"Goon,\"saidtheeditorimpatiently。
\"Well,\"saidRichardsslowlyanddoggedly,\"yeseetherewasafoolthatwassweetonCota,andheallowedhimselftobebedeviledbyhertoridehercursedpinkandyallermustang。Naturallythebeastboltedatonce,buthemanagedtohangonbythemaneforhalfamileorso,whenittooktobuck-jumpin’。Thefirst’buck’
threwhimcleanintotheroad,butdidn’tstunhim,yetwhenhetriedtorise,thefirstthingheknowedhewasgrabbedfrombehindandhalfchokedbysomebody。Hewasheldsotightthathecouldn’tturn,buthemanagedtogetouthisrevolverandfiretwoshotsunderhisarm。Thegripheldonforaminute,andthenloosened,andthesomethin’slumpeddownontopo’him,buthemanagedtoworkhimselfaround。Andthen——whatdoyouthinkhesaw?——why,thattharhoss!withtwobulletholesinhisneck,lyin’besidehim,butstillgrippin’hiscoatcollarandneck-handkercherinhisteeth!Yes,sir!theroughthatattackedColonelStarbottle,thevillainthattookmebehindwhenIwasleanin’aginthatcursedfence,wasthatsameGod-forsaken,hell-inventedpintohoss!\"
Inaflashofrecollectiontheeditorrememberedhisownexperience,andthesingularscuffleoutsidethestabledoorofthefonda。UndoubtedlyCotahadsavedhimfromasimilarattack。
\"Butwhynottellthisstorywiththeother?\"saidtheeditor,returningtohisfirstidea。\"It’stremendouslyinteresting。\"
\"Itwon’tdo,\"saidRichards,withdoggedresolution。
\"Why?\"
\"Because,Mr。Grey——thatfoolwasmyself!\"
\"You!Againattacked!\"
\"Yes,\"saidRichards,withadarkeningface。\"Againattacked,andbythesamehoss!Cota’shoss!WhetherCotawasorwasnotknowin’itstricks,shewasactuallyfuriousatmeforkillin’it——
andit’sallover’twixtmeandher。\"
\"Nonsense,\"saidtheeditorimpulsively;\"shewillforgiveyou!
Youdidn’tknowyourassailantwasahorseWHENYOUFIRED。Lookattheattackonyouintheroad!\"
Richardsshookhisheadwithdoggedhopelessness。\"It’snouse,Mr。Grey。Ioughterguesseditwasahossthen——tharwasnothin’
elseinthatcorral。No!Cota’salreadygoneawaybacktoSanJose,andIreckontheRamierezhasgotscaredofherandpackedheroff。So,onaccountofitsbein’HERhoss,andwhathappenedbetwixtmeandher,youseemymouthisshut。\"
\"Andthecolumnsofthe’Clarion’too,\"saidtheeditor,withasigh。
\"Iknowit’shard,sir,butit’sbetterso。I’vereckonedmebbeshewasalittlecrazy,andsinceyou’vetoldmethatSpanishyarn,itmoutbethatshewassorto’playin’shewasthatpriest,andtrainedthatmustangezshedid。\"
Afterapause,somethingofhisoldselfcamebackintohisblueeyesashesadlyhitcheduphisbracesandpassedthemoverhisbroadshoulders。\"Yes,sir,Iwasafool,forwe’velosttheonlybitofrealsensationnewsthatevercameinthewayofthe’Clarion。’\"
AJACKANDJILLOFTHESIERRAS
Itwasfouro’clockintheafternoon,andthehottesthourofthedayonthatSierranfoothill。Thewesternsun,streamingdownthemile-longslopeofclose-setpinecrests,hadbeencaughtonanoutlyingledgeofglaringwhitequartz,coveredwithminingtoolsanddebris,andseemedtohavebeenthrownintoanincandescentrage。Theairaboveitshimmeredandbecamevisible。Awhitecanvastentonitwasanobjectnottobeborne;thesteel-tippedpicksandshovels,intolerabletotouchandeyesight,andatiltedtinprospectingpan,fallingover,flashedoutasanothersunofinsufferableeffulgence。Atsuchmomentsthefivemembersofthe\"EurekaMiningCompany\"prudentlywithdrewtothenearestpine-
tree,whichcastashadowsosharplydefinedontheglisteningsandthattheimpingementofahandorfingerbeyondthatlinecutlikeaknife。Themenlay,orsquatted,inthisshadow,feverishlypuffingtheirpipesandwaitingforthesuntoslipbeyondtheburningledge。Yetsoirritatingwasthedryair,fragrantwiththearomaoftheheatedpines,thatoccasionallyonewouldstartupandwalkaboutuntilhehadbroughtonthatprofuseperspirationwhichgaveamomentaryrelief,and,ashebelieved,savedhimfromsunstroke。Suddenlyavoiceexclaimedquerulously:——
\"Dernediftheblastedbucketain’temptyag’in!Notadropleft,byJimminy!\"
Astareofhelplessdisgustwasexchangedbythemomentarilyupliftedheads;theneverymanlaydownagain,asiftryingtoerasehimself。
\"Whobroughtthelast?\"demandedtheforeman。
\"Idid,\"saidareflectivevoicecomingfromapartnerlyingcomfortablyonhisback,\"andifanybodyreckonsI’mgoingtofaceTophetag’indownthatslope,he’smistaken!\"Thespeakerwasthirsty——buthehadprinciples。
\"Wemustthrowroundforit,\"saidtheforeman,takingthedicefromhispocket。
Hecast;thelowestnumberfelltoParkhurst,aflorid,full-
bloodedTexan。\"Allright,gentlemen,\"hesaid,wipinghisforehead,andliftingthetinpailwitharesignedair,\"onlyEF
anythingcomestomeonthatbarestretcho’stageroad,——andI’mkinderseein’thingsspottyandblacknow,rememberyouain’tanywharNEARERthewaterthanyouwere!Iain’tsayin’itformyself——butitmoutberoughonYOU——and\"——
\"GiveMEthepail,\"interruptedatallyoungfellow,rising。\"I’llriskit。\"
Criesof\"GoodoldNed,\"and\"Hunkyboy!\"greetedhimashetookthepailfromtheperspiringParkhurst,whoatoncelaydownagain。
\"Youmayn’tbeaprofessin’Christian,ingoodstandin’,NedBray,\"
continuedParkhurstfromtheground,\"butyou’reaboutaswhiteastheymake’em,andyou’regoin’todoaHeavenlyAct!Irepeatit,gents——aHeavenlyAct!\"
WithoutareplyBraywalkedoffwiththepail,stoppingonlyintheunderbrushtopluckafewsoftfrondsoffern,partofwhichheputwithinthecrownofhishat,andstucktherestinitsbandaroundtheouterbrim,makingaparasol-likeshadeabovehisshoulders。
Thusequippedhepassedthroughtheouterfringeofpinestoarockytrailwhichbegantodescendtowardsthestageroad。Herehewasinthefullglareofthesunanditsreflectionfromtheheatedrocks,whichscorchedhisfeetandprickedhisbentfaceintoarash。Thedescentwassteepandnecessarilyslowfromtheslipperinessofthedesiccatedpineneedlesthathadfallenfromabove。Norwerehistroublesoverwhen,afewrodsfurther,hecameuponthestageroad,whichheresweptinasharpcurveroundtheflankofthemountain,itsreddust,groundbyheavywagonsandpack-trainsintoafinepowder,wasneverthelesssoheavywithsomemetallicsubstancethatitscarcelyliftedwiththefoot,andhewasobligedtoliterallywadethroughit。Yetthereweretwohundredyardsofthisroadtobepassedbeforehecouldreachthatpointofitsbankwhereanarrowandprecipitoustraildroppeddiagonallyfromit,tocreepalongthemountainsidetothespringhewasseeking。
Whenhereachedthetrail,hepausedtotakebreathandwipetheblindingbeadsofsweatfromhiseyesbeforehecautiouslyswunghimselfoverthebankintoit。Asinglemisstepherewouldhavesenthimheadlongtothetopsofpine-treesathousandfeetbelow。
Holdinghispailinonehand,withtheotherhesteadiedhimselfbyclutchingthefernsandbramblesathisside,andatlastreachedthespring——anicheinthemountainsidewithaledgescarcelyfourfeetwide。HehadmerelyaccomplishedtheordinarygymnasticfeatperformedbythemembersoftheEurekaCompanyfourorfivetimesaday!Butthedaywasexceptionallyhot。Heheldhiswriststocooltheirthrobbingpulsesintheclear,coldstreamthatgurgledintoitsrockybasin;hethrewthewateroverhisheadandshoulders;heswunghislegsovertheledgeandlettheoverflowfallonhisdustyshoesandankles。Gentleanddeliciousrigorscameoverhim。Hesatwithhalfclosedeyeslookingacrossthedarkolivedepthsofthecanyonbetweenhimandtheoppositemountain。Ahawkwasswinginglazilyaboveit,apparentlywithinastone’sthrowofhim;heknewitwasatleastamileaway。Thirtyfeetabovehimranthestageroad;hecouldhearquitedistinctlytheslowthudofhoofs,thedulljarofharness,andthelaboredcreakingofthePioneerCoachasitcrawledupthelongascent,partofwhichhehadjustpassed。Hethoughtofit,——aslowdriftingcloudofdustandheat,ashehadoftenseenit,abandonedbyevenitspassengers,whosoughtshelterinthewaysidepinesastheytoiledbehindittothesummit,——andhuggedhimselfinthegratefulshadowsofthespring。Ithadpassedoutofhearingandthought,hehadturnedtofillhispail,whenhewasstartledbyashowerofdustandgravelfromtheroadabove,andthenextmomenthewasthrownviolentlydown,blindedandpinnedagainsttheledgebythefallofsomeheavybodyonhisbackandshoulders。Hislastflashofconsciousnesswasthathehadbeenstruckbyasackofflourslippedfromthepackofsomepassingmule。
Howlongheremainedunconsciousheneverknew。Itwasprobablynotlong,forhischilledhandsandarms,thrustbytheblowonhisshouldersintothepoolofwater,assistedinrestoringhim。Hecametowithasenseofsuffocatingpressureonhisback,buthisheadandshoulderswereswathedinutterdarknessbythefoldsofsomesoftfabricsanddraperies,which,tohisconnectingconsciousness,seemedasifthecontentsofabrokenbaleortrunkhadalsofallenfromthepack。Withatremendousefforthesucceededingettinghisarmoutofthepool,andattemptedtofreehisheadfromitsblindingenwrappings。Indoingsohishandsuddenlytouchedhumanflesh——asoft,baredarm!Withthesameastoundingdiscoverycameonemoreterrible:thatarmbelongedtotheweightthatwaspressinghimdown;andnow,assistedbyhisstruggles,itwasslowlyslippingtowardthebrinkoftheledgeandtheabyssbelow!Withadesperateeffortheturnedonhisside,caughtthebody,——assuchitwas,——draggeditbackontheledge,atthesamemomentthat,freeinghisheadfromitscovering,——afeminineskirt,——hediscovereditwasawoman!
Shehadbeenalsounconscious,althoughthetouchofhiscold,wethandonherskinhadprobablygivenherashockthatwasnowshowingitselfinaconvulsiveshudderofhershouldersandahalfopeningofhereyes。Suddenlyshebegantostareathim,todrawinherkneesandfeettowardher,sideways,withafemininemovement,asshesmoothedoutherskirt,andkeptitdownwithahandonwhichsheleaned。Shewasatall,handsomegirl,fromwhathecouldjudgeofherhalf-sittingfigureinhertornsilkdust-
cloak,which,althoughitscapeandonesleeveweresplitintoribbons,hadstillprotectedherdelicate,well-fittinggownbeneath。Shewasevidentlyalady。
\"What——isit?——whathashappened?\"shesaidfaintly,yetwithaslighttouchofformalityinhermanner。
\"Youmusthavefallen——fromtheroadabove,\"saidBrayhesitatingly。\"
\"Fromtheroadabove?\"sherepeated,withaslightfrown,asiftoconcentrateherthought。Sheglancedupward,thenattheledgebeforeher,andthen,forthefirsttime,atthedarkeningabyssbelow。Thecolor,whichhadbeguntoreturn,suddenlyleftherfacehere,andshedrewinstinctivelybackagainstthemountainside。\"Yes,\"shehalfmurmuredtoherself,ratherthantohim,\"itmustbeso。Iwaswalkingtoonearthebank——and——Ifell!\"Thenturningtohim,shesaid,\"Andyoufoundmelyingherewhenyoucame。\"
\"Ithink,\"stammeredBray,\"thatIwasherewhenyoufell,andI——I
brokethefall。\"Hewassorryforitamomentafterward。
Sheliftedherhandsomegrayeyestohim,sawthedust,dirt,andleavesonhisbackandshoulders,thecollarofhisshirttornopen,andafewspotsofbloodfromabruiseonhisforehead。Herblackeyebrowsstraightenedagainasshesaidcoldly,\"Dearme!I
amverysorry;Icouldn’thelpit,youknow。Ihopeyouarenototherwisehurt。\"
\"No,\"herepliedquickly。\"Butyou,areyousureyouarenotinjured?Itmusthavebeenaterribleshock。\"
\"I’mnothurt,\"shesaid,helpingherselftoherfeetbytheaidofthemountain-sidebushes,andignoringhisprofferedhand。\"But,\"
sheaddedquicklyandimpressively,glancingupwardtowardthestageroadoverhead,\"whydon’ttheycome?Theymusthavemissedme!Imusthavebeenherealongtime;it’stoobad!\"
\"THEYmissedyou?\"herepeateddiffidently。
\"Yes,\"shesaidimpatiently,\"ofcourse!Iwasn’talone。Don’tyouunderstand?Igotoutofthecoachtowalkuphillonthebankunderthetrees。Itwassohotandstuffy。Myfootmusthaveslippedupthere——and——I——slid——down。Haveyouheardanyonecallingme?Haveyoucalledoutyourself?\"
Mr。Braydidnotliketosayhehadonlyjustrecoveredconsciousness。Hesmiledvaguelyandfoolishly。Butonturningaroundinherimpatience,shecaughtsightofthechasmagain,andlapsedquitewhiteagainstthemountainside。
\"Letmegiveyousomewaterfromthespring,\"hesaideagerly,asshesankagaintoasittingposture;\"itwillrefreshyou。\"
Helookedhesitatinglyaroundhim;hehadneithercupnorflask,buthefilledthepailandhelditwithgreatdexteritytoherlips。Shedrankalittle,extractedalacehandkerchieffromsomehiddenpocket,dippeditspointinthewater,andwipedherfacedelicately,afteracertainfelinefashion。Then,catchingsightofsomesmallobjectintheforkofabushaboveher,shequicklypounceduponit,andwithaswiftsweepofherhandunderherskirt,putonHERFALLENSLIPPER,andstoodonherfeetagain。
\"Howdoesonegetoutofsuchaplace?\"sheaskedfretfully,andthen,glancingathimhalfindignantly,\"whydon’tyoushout?\"
\"Iwasgoingtotellyou,\"hesaidgently,\"thatwhenyouarealittlestronger,wecangetoutbythewayIcamein,——alongthetrail。\"
Hepointedtothenarrowpathwayalongtheperilousincline。
Somehow,withthistall,beautifulcreaturebesidehim,itlookedmoreperilousthanbefore。Shemayhavethoughtsotoo,forshedrewinherbreathsharplyandsankdownagain。
\"Istherenootherway?\"
\"None!\"
\"HowdidYOUhappentobehere?\"sheaskedsuddenly,openinghergrayeyesuponhim。\"Whatdidyoucomeherefor?\"shewenton,almostimpertinently。
\"Tofetchapailofwater。\"Hestopped,andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatafteralltherewasnoreasonforhisbeingbulliedbythistall,good-lookinggirl,evenifheHADsavedher。
Hegavealittlelaugh,andaddedmischievously,\"JustlikeJackandJill,youknow。\"
\"What?\"shesaidsharply,bendingherblackbrowsathim。
\"JackandJill,\"hereturnedcarelessly;\"Ibrokemycrown,youknow,andYOU,\"——hedidnotfinish。
Shestaredathim,tryingtokeepherfaceandhercomposure;butasmile,thatonherimperiouslipshethoughtperfectlyadorable,hereliftedthecornersofhermouth,andsheturnedherfaceaside。Butthesmile,andthelineofdazzlinglittleteethitrevealed,wereunfortunatelyonthesidetowardhim。Emboldenedbythis,hewenton,\"Icouldn’tthinkwhathadhappened。AtfirstI
hadasortofideathatpartofamule’spackhadfallenontopofme,——blankets,flour,andallthatsortofthing,youknow,until\"——
Hersmilehadvanished。\"Well,\"shesaidimpatiently,\"until?\"