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？\"