第7章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Tales of Trail and Town",免费读到尾

  Nowitisonethingtobecarriedupahillintemperate,unconsciousbloodandpracticalbusinessfashionbyatall,powerfulmanwithsteadfast,gloweringeyes,butquiteanotherthingtobecarrieddownagainbythesameman,whohasbeencrying,andwhenyouareconsciousthatyouaregoingtocrytoo,andyourtearsmaybeapttomingle。SoMissAmyForestersaid:

  \"Oh,wait,please!Sitdownamoment。Oh,Mr。Tenbrook,Iamsovery,verysorry,\"and,clappingherhandtohereyes,burstintotears。

  \"Oh,please,pleasedon’t,MissForester,\"saidJack,sittingdownontheendofthebunkwithfrightenedeyes,\"pleasedon’tdothat!

  Itain’tworthit。I’monlyabrutetohavesaidanything。\"

  \"No,no!YouareSOnoble,SOforgiving!\"sobbedMissForester,\"andIhavemadeyougoandkilltheonlythingyoucaredfor,thatwasallyourown。\"

  \"No,Miss,——notallmyown,either,——andthatmakesitsorough。

  Foritwasonlyleftintrustwithmebyafriend。Itwasheronlycompanion。\"

  \"HERonlycompanion?\"echoedMissForester,sharplyliftingherbowedhead。

  \"Except,\"saidJackhurriedly,miscomprehendingtheemphasiswithmasculinefatuity,——\"exceptthedyingmanforwhomshelivedandsacrificedherwholelife。Shegavemethisring,toalwaysremindmeofmytrust。Isuppose,\"headdedruefully,lookingdownuponit,\"it’snousenow。I’dbettertakeitoff。\"

  ThenAmyeyedthemonstrousobjectwithangelicsimplicity。\"I

  certainlyshould,\"shesaidwithinfinitesweetness;\"itwouldonlyremindyouofyourloss。But,\"sheadded,withasudden,swift,imploringlookofherblueeyes,\"ifyoucouldpartwithittome,itwouldbesuchareminderandtokenof——ofyourforgiveness。\"

  Jackinstantlyhandedittoher。\"Andnow,\"hesaid,\"letmecarryyoudown。\"

  \"Ithink,\"shesaidhesitatingly,\"that——Ihadbettertrytowalk,\"

  andsherosetoherfeet。

  \"ThenIshallknowthatyouhavenotforgivenme,\"saidJacksadly。

  \"ButIhavenorighttotrouble\"——

  Alas!shehadnotimetofinishherpoliteobjection,forthenextmomentshefeltherselfliftedintheair,smelledthebarkthatchwithinaninchofhernose,sawthefirelightvanishbehindher,andsubsidingintohiscurvedarmsasinahammock,thetwopassedforthintothenighttogether。

  \"Ican’tfind,yourbraceletanywhere,Amy,\"saidherfather,whentheyreachedthewagon。

  \"Itwasonthefloorinthelint,\"saidAmyreproachfully。\"But,ofcourse,youneverthoughtofthat!\"……

  Mypenhaltswithsomediffidencebetweentwoconclusionstothisveraciouschronicle。Astheyagreeinresult,thoughnotintheoryorintention,Imayventuretogivethemboth。ToonecomingfromthelipsofthecharmingheroineherselfInaturallyyieldtheprecedence。\"Oh,thebearstory!Idon’treallyrememberwhetherthatwasbeforeIwasengagedtoJohnorafter。ButIhadknownhimforsometime;fatherintroducedhimattheGovernor’sballatSacramento。Letmesee!——Ithinkitwasinthewinterof’56。

  Yes!itwasveryamusing;IalwaysusedtochargeJohnwithhavingtrainedthatbeartoattackourcarriagesothathemightcomeinasahero!Oh,ofcourse,thereareahundredabsurdstoriesabouthim,——theyusedtosaythathelivedallaloneinacabinlikeasavage,andallthatsortofthing,andwasafriendofadubiouswomaninthelocality,whomthecommonpeoplemadeaheroineof,——

  Miggles,orWiggles,orsomesuchpreposterousname。ButlookatJohnthere;canyouconceiveit?\"Thelistener,glancingataveryhandsome,clean—shavenfellow,faultlesslyattired,couldnotconceivesuchanabsurdity。SoIthereforesimplygivetheopinionofJoshuaBixley,SuperintendentoftheLongDivideTunnelCompany,forwhatitisworth:\"Inevertookmuchstockinthatbearstory,anditscaptivatingoldForester’sdaughter。OldForesterknewathingortwo,andwhenhewasouthereconsolidatingtunnels,hefoundoutthatJackTenbrookwasaboutheadedforthebiglead,andbroughthimoutandintroducedhimtoAmy。Yousee,Jack,cleargritashewas,wasmightyroughstyle,andaboutassimpleastheymake’em,andtheyhadtogetupsomethingtoaccountforthatgirl’stakingashinetohim。Buttheyseemtobehappyenough——

  andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit?\"

  AndItransferthisphilosophicquerytothereader。

  THEYOUNGESTPROSPECTORINCALAVERAS

  Hewasscarcelyeightwhenitwasbelievedthathecouldhavereasonablylaidclaimtotheabovetitle。Butheneverdid。Hewasasmallboy,intenselyfreckledtotherootsofhistawnyhair,withevenasuspicionofitinhisalmond—shapedbutsomewhatfulleyes,whichwerethegreenishhueofaripegooseberry。Allthiswasveryunlikehisparents,fromwhomhedivergedinresemblanceinthatfashionsooftenseenintheSouthwestofAmerica,asiftheyouthoftheboundlessWesthadstruckanewnoteofindependenceandoriginality,overridingallconservativeandestablishedrulesofheredity。Somethingofthiswasalsoshowninasingularandremarkablereticenceandfirmnessofpurpose,quiteunlikehisfamilyorschoolfellows。Hismotherwasthewifeofateamster,whohadapparentlyonce\"dumped\"hisfamily,consistingofaboyandtwogirls,ontheroadsideatBurntSpring,withthecanvasroofofhiswagontocoverthem,whileheproceededtodeliverotherfreight,notsoexclusivelyhisown,atotherstationsalongtheroad,returningtothemondistantandseparateoccasionswithslightadditionstotheirstock,habitation,andfurniture。Inthiswaythecanvasroofwasfinallyshingledandthehutenlarged,and,underthequickeningofasmilingCaliforniaskyandtheforcingofateemingCaliforniasoil,thechance—sownseedtookrootandbecameknownasMedliker’sRanch,or\"Medliker’s,\"

  withitsburstinggardenpatchanditsthreeshedsor\"lean—to’s。\"

  Thegirlshelpedtheirmotherinachildish,imitativeway;theboy,JohnBunyan,afteramoredesultoryandoriginalfashion——whenhewasnot\"goingto\"orostensibly\"comingfrom\"school,forhewasseldomactuallythere。SomethingofthisfearwasinthemindofMrs。Medlikeronemorningasshelookedupfromthekettleshewasscrubbing,withpremonitionof\"moreworriting,\"tobeholdtheReverendMr。Staples,thelocalminister,haleJohnBunyanMedlikerintotheshantywithonehand。LettingJohnnygo,heplacedhisbackagainstthedoorandwipedhisfacewitharedhandkerchief。

  Johnnydroppedintoachair,furtivelyglancingatthearmbywhichMr。Stapleshaddraggedhim,andfeelingitwiththeotherhandtoseeifitwasreallylonger。

  \"I’vebeenrequestedbytheschoolmaster,\"saidtheRev。Mr。

  Staples,puttinghishandkerchiefbackintohisbroadfelthatwithagaspingsmile,\"tobringouryoungfriendbeforeyouforamatterofcounselanddiscipline。Ihavedoneso,SisterMedliker,withsomedifficulty,\"——helookeddownatJohnBunyan,whoagainfelthisarmandwassatisfiedthatitWASlonger——\"butwemustdoourdooty,evenwithdifficultytoourselves,and,perhaps,toothers。

  Ouryoungfriend,JohnBunyan,standsonagiddyheight——onslipperyplaces,and,\"continuedMr。Staples,withaloftydisregardtoconsecutivemetaphor,\"hisfeetaretakingfastholdofdestruction。\"Herethechilddrewabreathofrelief,possiblyattheprospectofbeingonfirmgroundofanykindatlast;butSisterMedliker,towhomtheStaplesstyleofexordiumhadonlyaSabbathsignificance,turnedtoheroffspringabruptly:——

  \"Andwhat’stheseyerdoin’snow,John?andmeaslavin’tosendyetoschool?\"

  Thusappealedto,Johnnylookedforareplyathisfeet,athisarm,andatthekettle。Thenhesaid:\"Iain’tdonenothin’,buthe\"——indicatingStaples——\"hezbeennighonterpullin’offmyarm。\"

  \"It’snowalmostaweekago,\"continuedMr。Staples,wavingasidetheinterruptionwithasmileofpainfulChristiantolerance,\"orperhapstendays——Iwon’tbetoosure——thattheschoolmasterdiscoveredthatJohnnyhadinhispossessiontwoorthreeflakesoffinerivergold——eachofthevalueofhalfadollar,orperhapssixty—twoandonehalfcents。Onbeingquestionedwherehegotthemherefusedtosay;althoughsubsequentlyheallegedthathehad’found’them。Itbeingasingleinstance,hewasgiventhebenefitofthedoubt,andnothingmorewassaidaboutit。Butafewdaysafterhewasfoundtryingtopassoff,atMr。Smith’sstore,twootherflakesofadifferentsize,andasmallnuggetofthevalueoffourorfivedollars。AtthispointIwascalledin;

  herepeatedtome,Igrievetosay,thesameuntruthfulness,andwhenIsuggestedtohimtheobviousfactthathehadtakenitfromoneoftheminer’ssluiceboxesandcommittedthegrievoussinoftheft,hewickedlydeniedit——sothatwearepreventedfromcarryingouttheChristiancommandofrestoringitevenONEfold,insteadoffourorfivefoldastheMosaicLawmighthaverequired。

  Wewere,alas!unabletoascertainanythingfromtheminersthemselves,thoughIgrievetosaytheyoneandallagreedthattheir’take’thatweekwasnotatallwhattheyhadexpected。I

  evenwentsofarastoadmitthepossibilityofhisownstatement,andbesoughthimatleasttoshowmewherehehadfoundit。Heatfirstrefusedwithgreatstubbornnessoftemper,butlaterconsentedtoaccompanymeprivatelythisafternoontothespot。\"

  Mr。Staplespaused,andsinkinghisvoicegloomily,andwithhiseyesfixeduponJohnny,continuedslowly:\"WhenIstatethat,afterseveraltimestryingtoevademeontheway,hefinallyledmetothetopofBaldHill,wherethereisnotascrapofsoil,andnottheslightestindication,andstillpersistedthathefounditTHERE,youwillunderstand,SisterMedliker,theincorrigibilityofhisconduct,andhowhehasaddedthesinof’falsewitness’tohisbreakingtheEighthCommandment。ButIleavehimtoyourChristiandiscipline!Letushopethatif,throughhisstiff—neckedobduracy,hehashaplyescapedthevengeanceofman’slaw,hewillnotescapetherodofthedomestictabernacle。\"

  \"Yekinleavehimtome,\"saidMrs。Medliker,inheranxietytogetridoftheparson,assumingaconfidenceshewasfarfromfeeling。

  \"Sobeit,SisterMedliker,\"saidStaples,drawingalong,satisfactorybreath;\"andletustrustthatwhenyouhaverastledwithhisfleshandspirit,youwillbringusjoyfultidingstoWednesday’sMother’sMeeting。\"

  Heclappedhissofthatonhishead,castanotherglanceatthewickedJohnny,openedthedoorwithhishandbehindhim,andbackedhimselfintotheroad。

  \"Now,Johnny,\"saidMrs。Medliker,settingherlipstogetherasthedoorclosed,\"lookmerightintheface,andsaywhereyoustolethatgold。\"

  ButJohnnyevidentlydidnotthinkthathismother’sfaceatthatmomentofferedanymoralsupport,forhedidnotlookather;but,aftergazingatthekettle,saidslowly,\"Ididn’tstealnogold。\"

  \"Then,\"saidMrs。Medlikertriumphantly,\"ifyedidn’tstealit,you’dsayrightoffHOWyegotit。\"

  Childrenareoftenbetterlogiciansthantheirelders。ToJohnBunyanthestealingofgoldandthemererefusaltosaywherehegotitweretwodistinctandseparatethings;thatthenegationofthesecondpropositionmeanttheaffirmationofthefirsthecouldnotaccept。Butthenchildrenarealsoimitative,andfearfuloftheolderintellect。ItstruckJohnnythathismothermightberight,andthattoheritreallymeantthesamething。So,afteramoment’ssilenceherepliedmoreconfidently,\"IsupposeIstoledit。\"

  Buthewasutterlyunpreparedforthedarkeningchangeinhismother’sface,andherfuriousaccents。\"Youstoleit?——youSTOLE

  it,youlimb!Andyousitthereandbrazenlytellme!Whodidyoustealitfrom?Tellmequick,aforeIwringitoutofyou!\"

  Completelyastoundedandbewilderedatthisnewturnofaffairs,Johnnyagainfellbackuponthedreadfultruth,andgasped,\"I

  don’tknow。\"

  \"Youdon’tknow,youdevil!DidyoutakeitfromFrazer’s?\"

  \"No。\"

  \"FromtheSimmonsBrothers?\"

  \"No。\"

  \"FromtheBlazingStarCompany?\"

  \"No。\"

  \"Fromastore?\"

  \"No。\"

  \"Then,increatedgoodness!——WHEREdidyougetit?\"

  Johnnyraisedhisbrown—gooseberryeyesforasingleinstanttohismother’sandsaid,\"Ifoundit。\"

  Mrs。Medlikergaspedagainandstaredhopelesslyattheceiling。

  Yetshewasconsciousofacertainrelief。Afterall,itwasPOSSIBLEthathehadfoundit——liarasheundoubtedlywas。

  \"Thenwhydon’tyousaywhere,youawfulchild?\"

  \"Don’twantto!\"

  Johnnywouldhavelikedtoaddthathesawnoreasonwhyheshouldtell。Otherpeoplewhofoundgoldwerenotobligedtotell。TherewasJimBrody,whohadstruckaleadandkeptthelocalitysecret。

  Nobodyforcedhimtotell。Nobodycalledhimathief;nobodyhaddraggedhimaboutbythearmuntilheshowedit。Whywasitwrongthatalittleboyshouldfindgold?Itwasn’tagintheCommandments。Mr。Stapleshadnevergotupandsaid,\"Thoushaltnotfindgold!\"Hismotherhadnevermadehimpraynottofindit!

  Theschoolmasterhadneverreadhimawfulstoriesofboyswhofoundgoldandneversaidanythingaboutit,andsocametoahorridend。

  Allthiscrowdedhissmallboy’smind,and,crowding,chokedhissmallboy’sutterance。

  \"Youjestwaittillyourfathercomeshome,\"saidMrs。Medliker,\"andhe’llseewhetheryou’wantto’ornot。Andnowgetyourselfofftobedandstaythere。\"

  Johnnyknewthathisfather——whoseteamshadincreasedtofivewagons,andwhoserouteextendedfortymilesfurther——wasnotdueforaweek,andthatthecatastrophewasyetremote。Hispresentpunishmenthehadexpected。Hewentintotheadjoiningbedroom,whichheoccupiedwithhissister,andbegantoundress。Helingeredforsometimeoveronestocking,andfinallycautiouslyremovedfromitasmallpieceofflakegoldwhichhehadkeptconcealedalldayunderhisbigtoe,tothegreatdiscomfortofthatmember。Butthiswasonlyasmall,ordinaryself—martyrdomofboyhood。Hescratchedaboyishhieroglyphiconthemetal,andwhenhismother’sbackwasturnedscrapedasmallholeintheadobewall,insertedthegoldinit,andcovereditupwithaplastermadeofthemoisteneddebris。Itwassafe——sowashissecret——foritneednot,perhaps,bestatedherethatJohnnyHADtoldthetruthandHADhonestlyfoundthegold!Butwhere?——yes,thatwashisownsecret!Andnow,Johnny,withtheinstinctofallyounganimals,dismissedthewholesubjectfromhismind,and,recliningcomfortablyuponhisarm,fellintoaninterestingstudyofthehabitsoftheredantasexemplifiedinacrackoftheadobewall,andwiththeaidofaburntmatchsucceededindivertingfortherestoftheafternoontheattentionofawholelaboriouscolony。

  Thenextmorning,however,broughttroubletohiminthecuriosityofhissisters,heightenedbytheirbeliefthathecouldatanymomentbetakenofftoprison——whichwastheirunderstandingoftheirmother’sstory。Igrievetosaythattothemthisinvestedhimwithacertainromanticheroism,fromthegratificationofwhichtheherohimselfwasnotexempt。Nevertheless,hesuccessfullyevadedtheirquestioning,andonbroaderimpersonalgrounds。Asgirls,itwasnoneoftheirbusiness!Hewasn’ta—

  goingtotellthemHISsecrets!Andwhatdidtheyknowaboutgold,anyway?Theycouldn’ttellitfrombrass!Theattitudeofhismotherwas,however,stillperplexing。Shewasnolongeractivelyindignant,buttreatedhimwithamysteriousreservethatwasthemoreappalling。Thefactwasthatshenolongerbelievedinhistheft,——indeed,shehadneverseriouslyacceptedit,——buthisstrangereticenceandsecretivenesspiquedhercuriosity,andevenmadeheralittleafraidofhim。Thecapacityforkeepingasecretshebelievedwasmanlike,andremindedher——fornoreasonintheworld——ofJimMedliker,herhusband,whomshefeared。Well,shewouldletthemfightitoutbetweenthem。Morethanthat,shewasfinallyobligedtosinkherreserveinemployinghiminthenecessary\"chores\"forthehouse,andhewassentonanerrandtothecountrystoreatthecross—roads。Buthefirstextractedhisgold—flakefromthewall,andputitinhispocket。

  Onarrivingatthestore,itwasplaineventohisboyishperceptionsthattheministerhadcirculatedhismiserablestory。

  Twoorthreeofthecustomersspoketoeachotherinawhisper,andlookedathim。Morethanthat,whenhebeganhishomewardjourneyhesawthattwooftheloungerswereevidentlyfollowinghim。Halfintimidityandhalfinboyishmischiefheonceortwicestrayedfromthedirectroad,andsnatchedafearfuljoyinobservingtheirequaldivergence。AshepassedMr。Staples’shousehesawthatreverendgentlemansneakoutofhisbackgate,and,withoutseeingthetwoothers,joinintheinquisitorialprocession。ButtheeventsofthepastdayhadhadtheirquickeningeffectuponJohnny’sintellect。Abrilliantlywickedthoughtstruckhim。Ashewaspassingaperfectlybarespotontheroadhemanaged,withoutbeingnoticed,tocasthisglitteringflakeofgoldonthesterilegroundattheothersideoftheroad,wheretheminister’spathwouldlie。Then,atapointwheretheroadturned,heconcealedhimselfinthebrush。TheReverendMr。Stapleshurriedforwardashelostsightoftheboyinthesweepoftheroad,buthaltedsuddenly。Johnny’sheartleaped。Theministerlookedaroundhim,stooped,pickedupthepieceofgold,thrustithurriedlyinhiswaistcoatpocket,andcontinuedhisway。Whenhereachedtheturnoftheroad,beforepassingit,heavailedhimselfofhissolitudetopauseandagainexaminethetreasure,andagainreturnittohispocket。But,toJohnny’ssurprise,hehereturnedback,walkedquicklytothespotwherehehadfoundit,carefullyexaminedthelocality,kickingtheloosesoilandstonesaroundwithhisfeetuntilhehadapparentlysatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnomore,andnogold—bearingindicationsinthesoil。Atthismoment,however,thetwootherinquisitorscameinsight,andMr。

  Staplesturnedquicklyandhurriedon。BeforehehadpassedthebrushwhereJohnnywasconcealed,thetwomenovertookhimandexchangedgreetings。Theybothspokeof\"Johnny\"andhiscrime;ofhavingfollowedhimwithaviewoffindingoutwherehewenttoprocurehisgold,andofhishavingagainevadedthem。Mr。Staplesagreedwiththeirpurpose,but,toJohnny’sintenseastonishment,SAIDNOTHINGABOUTHISOWNFIND!Whentheyhadpassedon,theboyslippedfromhisplaceofconcealmentandfollowedthematadistanceuntilhisownhousecameinview。Herethetwomendiverged,buttheministercontinuedontowardstheother\"store\"

  andpost—officeonthemainroad。

  Hewouldhavetoldhismotherwhathehadseen,andhissurprisethattheministerhadnotspokenoffindingthegoldtotheothermen,buthewaschecked,firstbyhismother’sattitudetowardshim,whichwasclearlythesameastheminister’s,and,second,bytheknowledgethatshewouldhavecondemnedhisdroppingthegoldintheminister’spath,——thoughheknewnotWHY,——oraskedhisreasonforit,whichhewasequallysurehecouldnotformulate,thoughhealsoknewnotwhy。Butthatevening,ashewasreturningfromthespringwithwater,heheardtheminister’svoiceinthekitchen。IthadbeenadayofsurprisesandrevelationstoJohnny,buttheclimaxseemedtobereachedasheenteredtheroom;andhenowstoodtransfixedandopen—mouthedasheheardMr。Staplessay:——

  \"It’sallverywell,SisterMedliker,tocomfortyourheartwithvainhopesanddelusions。Amother’sleanin’sisthesoul’sdeceivin’s,——andyerleanin’onabrokenreed。Iftheboytrulyfoundthatgoldhe’dhavecometoyeandsaid:’Behold,mother,I

  havefoundgoldinthehighwaysandbyways;rejoiceandbeexceedin’glad!’andhevpoureditinteryerlap。Yes,\"continuedMr。Staplesaggressivelytotheboy,ashesawhimstaggerbackwithhispailinhand,\"yes,sir,THATwouldhavebeenthecourseofaChristianchild!\"

  ForamomentJohnnyfeltthebloodboilinginhisears,andathousandwordsseemedcrowdinginhisthroat。\"Then\"——hegaspedandchoked。\"Then\"——hebeganagain,andstoppedwiththesuffocationofindignation。

  ButMr。Staplessawinhisagitationonlyanawakenedconscience,and,nudgingMrs。Medliker,leanedeagerlyforwardforareply。

  \"Then,\"herepeated,withsuaveencouragement,\"goon,Johnny!

  Speakitout!\"

  \"Then,\"saidJohnny,inahigh,shrillfalsettothatstartledthem,\"thenwotfordidYOUpickupthatpieceo’goldintheroadthisarternoon,andsaynothin’ofittothemenwhofollowedye?Yedid;Iseedyer!Andyedidn’tsaynothin’ofittoanybody;andyeain’tsayin’nothin’ofitnowtermaw!andye’vegotitinyervest!Andit’smine,andIdroppedit!Gimmeit。\"

  Astonishment,confusion,andrageswelledandempurpledStaples’

  face。ItwasHISturntogaspforbreath。Yetinthesamemomenthemadeanangrydashattheboy。ButMrs。Medlikerinterfered。

  Thiswasanentirelynewfeatureinthecase。Greatisthepowerofgold。Asingleglanceattheminister’sconfusionhadconvincedherthatJohnny’saccusationwastrue,anditwasJohnny’sMONEY——

  constructivelyHERS——thattheministerwasconcealing。Hismerepossessionofthatgoldhadmoreeffectinstraighteningoutherlooselogicthananysenseofhypocrisy。

  \"Youleavetheboybe,BrotherStaples,\"saidMrs。Medlikersharply。\"Ireckonwot’shisishisn,spiteofwharhegotit。\"

  Mr。Staplessawhismistake,andsmiledpainfullyashefumbledinhiswaistcoatpocket。\"IbelieveIDIDpickupsomething,\"hesaid,\"thatmayormaynothavebeengold,butIhavedroppeditagainorthrownitaway;andreallyitisoflittleconcerninourmorallesson。ForwehaveonlyHISwordthatitwasreallyhis!

  HowdoweKNOWit?\"

  \"Cosithasmymarksonit,\"saidJohnnyquickly;\"ithadacriss—

  crossIscratchedonit。Ikintellitgoodenuf。\"

  Mr。Staplesturnedsuddenlypaleandrose。\"Ofcourse,\"hesaidtoMrs。Medlikerwithpainfuldignity,\"ifyousetsomuchvalueuponamereworldlytrifle,Iwillendeavortofindit。Itmaybeinmyotherpocket。\"Hebackedoutofthedoorinhisusualfashion,butinstantlywentovertothepost—office,where,asheafterwardsalleged,hehadchangedtheoreforcoininamomentofinadvertence。

  ButJohnny’shieroglyphicswerefoundonit,andinsomemysteriouswaythestorygotabout。IthadtwoeffectsthatJohnnydidnotdreamof。Ithadforcedhismotherintoanattitudeofcomplicitywithhim;ithadraisedupforhimasinglefriend。JakeStielitzer,quartzminer,haddeclaredthatBurntSpringwas\"playingitlowdown\"onJohnny!Thatiftheyreallybelievedthattheboytookgoldfromtheirsluiceboxes,itwastheirdutytowatchtheirCLAIMSandnottheboy。Thatitwasonlytheirexcusefor\"snooping\"afterhim,andtheyonlywantedtofindhis\"strike,\"

  whichwasasmuchhisastheirclaimsweretheirown!Allthiswithgreatproficiencyofepithet,butalsoastillmorerecognizedproficiencywiththerevolver,whichmadetheformerrespected。

  \"That’stherealniggerinthefence,Johnny,\"saidJake,twirlinghishugemustache,\"andtheyonlywanttoknowwhereyourleadis,——

  anddon’tyertell’em!Let’embileoverwithwaitin’first,andthat’llputthefireout。Doesyerpopknow?\"

  \"No,\"saidJohnny。

  \"Noryermar?\"

  \"No。\"

  Jakewhistled。\"Thenit’sonlyYOU,yourself?\"

  Johnnynoddedviolently,andhisbrowneyesglistened。

  \"It’saheapofinformationtobepackedawayinachapofyoursize,Johnny。Makesyoufeelkindercrowdedinside,eh?MUSTkeepittoyourself,eh?\"

  \"Haveto,\"saidJohnnywithagaspthatwasalittlelikeasigh。

  ItcausedJaketolookathimattentively。\"Seehere,Johnny,\"hesaid,\"nowefyewantedtotellsomebodyaboutit,——somebodyaswasafriendofyours,——ME,f’rinstance?\"

  Johnnyslowlywithdrewthefreckled,wartylittlehandthathadbeenrestingconfidinglyinJake’sandgentlysidledawayfromhim。

  Jakeburstintoaloudlaugh。

  \"Allright,Johnnyboy,\"hesaidwithaheartyslapupontheboy’sback,\"keepyerheadshutefyerwanter!Onlyefanybodyelsecomesbummin’roundye,likethis,jestturnhimoverTOME,andI’lllifthimouterhisboots!\"

  Jakekepthisword,andhisdistancethereafter。Indeed,itwasafterthisfirstandlastconversationwithhimthattheinfluenceofhispowerfulprotectionwassostrongthatallactivecriticismsofJohnnyceased,andonlyarespectfulsurveillanceofhismovementslingeredinthesettlement。Idonotknowthatthiswasaltogetherdistastefultothechild;itwouldhavebeenstrange,indeed,ifhehadnotfeltattimesexaltedbythismysteriousinfluencethatheseemedtohaveacquiredoverhisfellowcreatures。Ifheweremerelyhuntingblackberriesinthebrush,hewasalwayssure,soonerorlater,tofindareadyhandofferedtohelpandaccompanyhim;ifhetrappedasquirrelortrackeddownawildbees’hoard,hegenerallyfoundasmilingfacewatchinghim。

  Prospectorssometimesstoppedhimwith:\"Well,Johnny,asachipperandfar—mindedboy,nowWHARwouldYOUadviseustodig?\"IgrievetosaythatJohnnywasnotabovegivinghisadvice,——andthatitwasinvariablyofnotthesmallestusetotherecipient。

  Andsothedayspassed。Mr。Medliker’sabsencewasprotracted,andthehourofretributionandpunishmentstillseemedfaraway。Theblackberriesripenedanddrieduponthehillside,andthesquirrelshadgatheredtheirhoards;thebeesnolongercameandwentthroughthethicket,butJohnnywasstillindailymysteriouspossessionofhisgrainsofgold!Andthenoneday——afterthefateofallheroichumanity——hissecretwasimperilledbytheblandishmentsandmachinationsoftheall—powerfulsex。

  FlorryFraserwasalittleplaymateofJohnny’s。Why,withhisdoubtsofhiseldersister’sintelligenceandintegrity,heshouldhaveselectedachildtwoyearsyounger,andofsingularsimplicity,was,likehisothersecret,hisown。WhatSHEsawinhimtoattractherwasequallystrange;possiblyitmayhavebeenhisbrown—gooseberryeyesorhiswarts;butshewasquitecontenttotrotafterhim,likeayoungsquaw,carryinghis\"bow—arrow,\"orhis\"trap,\"supremelysatisfiedtosharehiswoodlandknowledgeorhisscanterconfidences。FornobodywhoknewJohnnysuspectedthatshewasprivytohisgreatsecret。Howbeit,whereverhisraggedstrawhat,thatchedwithhistawnyhair,wasdetectedinthebrush,thelittlenankeensunbonnetofFlorrywassuretobediscernednotfarbehind。Fortwoweekstheyhadnotseeneachother。Afelldisease,nurturedinignorance,dirt,andcarelessness,wasstrikingrightandleftthroughthevalleysofthefoothills,andFlorry,whosesisterhadjustrecoveredfromanattack,hadbeensequesteredwithher。Butonemorning,asJohnnywasbringinghiswoodfromthestackbehindthehouse,hesaw,tohisintensedelight,apicketoftheroadfenceslippedasidebyasmallredhand,andamomentafterFlorrysqueezedherselfthroughthenarrowopening。Herroundcheekswereslightlyflushed,andtherewasascrapofredflannelaroundherplumpthroatthatheightenedthewhitenessofherskin。

  \"My!\"saidJohnny,withhalf—real,half—affectedadmiration,\"howsplendiferous!\"

  \"Sorefroat,\"saidFlorry,inawhisper,tryingtoinserthertwochubbyfingersbetweenthebandageandherchin。\"Imussentgoouterthegardenpatch!Imussentplayinthewoods,forI’llbeseed!Imussentstaylong,forthey’llketchmeouterbed!\"

  \"Outerbed?\"repeatedJohnny,withintenseadmiration,asheperceivedforthefirsttimethatFlorrywasinaflannelnightgown,withbarelegsandfeet。

  \"Ess。\"

  Whereuponthesetwodelightfulimpschuckledandwaggedtheirheadswithasincereenjoymentthatthismereworldcouldnotgive!

  JohnnyslippedoffhisshoesandstockingsandhurriedlyputthemontheinfantFlorry,securingthemfromfallingoffwithathickcord。Thisaddedtotheirenjoyment。

  \"Wecanplaycubbyhouseinthestoneheap,\"whisperedFlorry。

  \"Hol’ontillItoteinthiswood,\"saidJohnny。\"YouhidetillI

  comeback。\"

  Johnnyswiftlydeliveredhisloadwithanalacrityhehadnevershownbefore。Thentheyplayed\"cubbyhouse\"——notfiftyfeetfromthecabin,withahushedbutguiltysatisfaction。Butpresentlyitpalled。Theirdomainwastoocircumscribedforvariety。\"RobinsonCrusoeupthetree\"wasimpossible,asbeingvisiblefromthehousewindows。Johnnywasathiswits’end。Florrywasfretfulandfastidious。Thenagreatthoughtstruckhimandlefthimcold。

  \"IfIshowyouashow,youwon’ttell?\"hesaidsuddenly。

  \"No。\"

  \"Wishyer—ma—die?\"

  \"Ess。\"

  \"Gotanypenny?\"

  \"No。\"

  \"Gotanyslatepencil?\"

  \"No。\"

  \"Ain’tgotanypinsnornuthin’?Youkingoinforapin。\"

  ButFlorryhadnoneofchildhood’sfluctuatingcurrencywithher,having,sotospeak,nopockets。

  \"Well,\"saidJohnny,brighteningup,\"yekingoinforluv。\"

  Thechildclippedhimwithhersmallarmsandsmiled,and,Johnnyleadingtheway,theycreptonallfoursthroughthethickfernsuntiltheypausedbeforeadeepfissureinthesoilhalfovergrownwithbramble。Initsdepthstheycouldhearthemonotonoustrickleofwater。Itwasreallythesourceofthespringthatafterwardsreappearedfiftyyardsnearertheroad,andtrickledintoanunfailingpoolknownastheBurntSpring,fromthebrowncolorofthesurroundingbracken。Itwasthewatersupplyoftheranch,andthereasonforMr。Medliker’soriginalselectionofthatsite。

  Johnnylingeredforaninstant,lookedcarefullyaround,andthenloweredhimselfintothefissure。AmomentlaterhereacheduphisarmstoFlorry,loweredheralso,andbothdisappearedfromview。

  Yetfromtimetotimetheirvoicescamefaintlyfrombelow——withthegurgleofwater——asoffestivegnomesatplay。

  Attheendoftenminutestheyreappeared,alittlemuddy,alittlebedraggled,butflushedandhappy。ThereweretwopinkspotsonFlorry’scheeks,andsheclaspedsomethingtightlyinherlittleredfist。

  \"There,\"saidJohnny,whentheywereseatedinthestrawagain,\"nowmindyoudon’ttell。\"

  ButheresuddenlyFlorry’slipsbegantoquiver,andshegaveventtoasmallhowlofanguish。

  \"Youain’tbitbyatrant’lernornuthin’?’saidJohnnyanxiously。

  \"Hushup!\"

  \"N——o——o!But\"——

  \"Butwhat?\"saidJohnny。

  \"MarsaidIMUSTtell!MarsaidIwastofin’outwhereyougetthetrulygold!MarsaidIwastogetyoutotakeme,\"howledFlorry,inanagonyofremorse。

  Johnnygasped。\"YouInjin!\"hebegan。

  \"ButIwon’t——Johnny!\"saidFlorry,clutchinghislegfrantically。

  \"Iwon’tandIsha’n’t!Iain’tnoInjin!\"

  Then,betweenhersobs,shetoldhimhowhermotherandMr。StapleshadsaidthatshewastoaskJohnnythenexttimetheymettotakeherwheretheyfoundthe\"trulygold,\"andshewastorememberwhereitwasandtotellthem。Andtheyweregoingtogiveheranewdollyandahunkofgingerbread。\"ButIwon’t——andIsha’n’t!\"

  shesaidpassionately。Shewasquitepaleagain。

  Johnnywasconvinced,butthoughtful。\"Tell’em,\"hesaidhoarsely,\"tell’emabigwhopper!Theywon’tknownobetter。

  They’llneverguesswhere。\"Andhebrieflyrecountedthewild—

  goosechasehehadgiventheminister。

  \"Andgetthedollyandthecake,\"saidFlorry,hereyesshiningthroughhertears。

  \"Incourse,\"saidJohnny。\"They’llgetthedollyback,butyoukinhaveeatedthecakefirst。\"Theylookedateachother,andtheireyesdancedtogetheroverthisheaven—sentinspiration。ThenJohnnytookoffhershoesandstockings,rubbedhercoldfeetwithhisdirtyhandkerchief,andsaid:\"Nowyoutrotovertoyourmar!\"

  Hehelpedherthroughtheloosepicketofthefenceandwasturningawaywhenherfaintvoiceagaincalledhim。

  \"Johnny!\"

  Heturnedback;shewasstandingontheothersideofthefenceholdingoutherarmstohim。Hewenttoherwithshiningeyes,liftedherup,andfromherhotbutlovinglittlelipstookafatalkiss。

  ForonlyanhourlaterMrs。FraserfoundFlorryinherbed,tossingwithahighfeverandalighthead。Shewastalkingof\"Johnny\"

  and\"gold,\"andhadaflakeofthemetalinhertinyfist。WhenMr。Stapleswassentfor,andwiththemotherandfather,hunganxiouslyaboveherbed,totheireagerquestioningtheycouldonlyfindoutthatFlorryhadbeentoahighmountain,eversofaraway,andonthetopofittherewasgoldlyingaround,andashiningfigurewasgivingitawaytothepeople。

  \"Andwhowerethepeople,Florrydear,\"saidMr。Staplespersuasively;\"anybodyyeknowhere?\"

  \"Theywozangels,\"saidFlorry,withafrightenedglanceoverhershoulder。

  IgrievetosaythatMr。Staplesdidnotlookaspleasedatthecelestialvisionashemighthave,andpoorMrs。Fraserprobablysawthatinherchild’sfacewhichdroveotherthingsfromhermind。YetMr。Staplespersisted:——

  \"Andwholedyoutothisbeautifulmountain?WasitJohnny?\"

  \"No。\"

  \"Whothen?\"

  Florryopenedhereyesonthespeaker。\"IfinkitwasDod,\"shesaid,andclosedthemagain。

  ButhereDr。Duchesnehurriedin,andafterasingleglanceatthechildhustledMr。Staplesfromtheroom。Forthereweregravecomplicationsthatpuzzledhim,Florryseemedeasierandquieterunderhiskindlyvoiceandtouch,butdidnotspeakagain,——andso,slowlysinking,passedawaythatnightinadreamlesssleep。ThiswasfollowedbyamadpanicatBurntSpringthenextday,andMrs。

  MedlikerfledwithhertwogirlstoSacramento,leavingJohnny,ostensiblystrongandactive,tokeephouseuntilhisfather’sreturn。ButMr。Medliker’sreturnwasagaindelayed,andintheepidemic,whichhadnowtakenafastholdofthesettlement,Johnny’ssecret——andindeedtheboyhimself——wasquiteforgotten。

  ItwasonlyonMr。Medliker’sarrivalitwasknownthathehadbeenlyingdangerouslyill,alone,intheabandonedhouse。Inhisstrangereticenceandfirmnessofpurposehehadkepthissufferingstohimself,——ashehadhisothersecret,——andtheywererevealedonlyinthewasted,hollowfigurethatfeeblyopenedthedoortohisfather。

  OnwhichintelligenceMr。Stapleswas,asusual,promptlyonthespotwithhisstoryofJohnny’ssecrettothefather,andhisusualeagerquestioningtothefast—sinkingboy。\"Andnow,Johnny,\"hesaid,leaningoverthebed,\"tellusALL。ThereisOnefromwhomnosecretsarehid。Remember,too,thatdearFlorry,whoisnowwiththeangels,hasalreadyconfessed。\"

  PerhapsitwasbecauseJohnny,evenatthatmoment,hatedtheman;

  perhapsitwasbecauseatthatmomenthelovedandbelievedinFlorry,orperhapsitwasonlythatbecauseatthatmomenthewasnearerthegreaterTruththanhisquestioner,buthesaid,inahuskyvoice,\"Youlie!\"

  Staplesdrewbackwithaflushedface,butlipsthatwrithedinapainedandstillpersistenteagerness。\"But,Johnny,atleasttelluswhere——wh——wow——wow。\"

  IamobligedtoadmitthattheseundignifiedaccentscamefromMr。

  Staples’ownlips,andwereduetothesuddenpressureofMr。

  Medliker’sarmaroundhisthroat。Theteamsterwasirascibleandpromptthroughmuchmule—driving,andhisarmwas,fromthesamereason,strongandsinewy。Mr。Staplesfelthimselfgarrotedanddraggedfromtheroom,andonlycametounderthestarsoutside,withthehoarsevoiceofMr。Medlikerinhisears:——

  \"You’reaministerofthegospel,Iknow,butefyesayanotherwordtomyJohnny,I’llknockthegospelstuffin’outofye。Yehearme!I’VEDRIVENMULESAFORE!\"

  Hethenstrodebackintotheroom。\"Yeneedn’tanswer,Johnny,he’sgone。\"

  Butso,too,hadJohnny,forheneveransweredthequestioninthisworld,nor,pleaseGod,washerequiredtointhenext。Helaystillanddead。ThecommunitywasscandalizedthenextdaywhenMr。MedlikersentforaministerfromSacramentotoofficiateathischild’sfuneral,inplaceofMr。Staples,andthenthesubjectwasdropped……

  ButtheinfluenceofJohnny’shiddentreasurestillremainedasasuperstitioninthelocality。Prospectingpartieswerecontinuallymadeuptodiscovertheunknownclaim,butalwaysfromevidenceanddataaltogetherapocryphal。ItwasevenallegedthataminerhadonenightseenthelittlefiguresofJohnnyandFlorrywalkingoverthehilltop,handinhand,butthattheyhadvanishedamongthestarsattheverymomenthethoughthehaddiscoveredtheirsecret。

  Andthenitwasforgotten;theprosperousMr。Medliker,nowtheproprietorofastage—coachroute,movedawaytoSacramento;

  Medliker’sRanchbecameastationforchanginghorses,and,asthenewrailwayintimesupersededeventhat,sankintoablacksmith’sshopontheoutskirtsofthenewtownofBurntSpring。Andthenoneday,sixyearsafter,newsfellasaboltfromtheblue!

  Itwasthusrecordedinthecountypaper:\"Apieceofraregoodfortune,involving,itissaid,thedevelopmentofaleadofextraordinaryvalue,haslatelyfallentothelotofMr。JohnSilsbee,thepopularblacksmith,onthesiteoftheoldMedlikerRanch。Inclearingoutthefailingwater—courseknownasBurntSpring,Mr。Silsbeecameuponarichledgeorpocketattheactualsourceofthespring,——afissureinthegroundafewrodsfromtheroad。Thepresentyieldhasbeenestimatedtobefromeighttotenthousanddollars。Buttheeventisconsideredasoneofthemostremarkableinstancesofthevagariesof’prospecting’everknown,asthisvaluable’pot—hole’existedundisturbedforEIGHTYEARSnotFIFTYYARDSfromtheoldcabinthatwasinformertimestheresidenceofJ。Medliker,Esq。,andthestationofthePioneerStageCompany,andwasutterlyunknownandunsuspectedbythepreviousinhabitants!Verilytruthisstrangerthanfiction!\"

  ATALEOFTHREETRUANTS

  TheschoolmasteratHemlockHillwastroubledthatmorning。Threeofhisboysweremissing。Thiswasnotonlyanotabledeficitinaroll—calloftwenty,buttheabsenteeswerehisthreemostoriginalanddistinctivescholars。Hehadreceivednopreliminarywarningorexcuse。Norcouldheattributetheirabsencetoanycommonlocaldetentionordifficultyoftravel。Theylivedwidelyapartandindifferentdirections。Neitherweretheygenerallyknownas\"chums,\"orcomrades,whomighthaveenteredintoanunhallowedcombinationto\"playhookey。\"

  Helookedatthevacantplacesbeforehimwithaconcernwhichhisotherscholarslittleshared,having,aftertheirfirstlivelycuriosity,notunmixedwithsomeenvyofthederelicts,apparentlyforgottenthem。HemissedthecroppedheadandinquisitiveglancesofJacksonTribbsonthethirdbench,theredhairandbrowneyesofProvidenceSmithinthecorner,andtherewasablankspaceinthefirstbenchwhereJulianFleming,alankygiantofseventeen,hadsat。Still,itwouldnotdotoshowhisconcernopenly,and,asbecameamanwhowasatleastthreeyearsthesenioroftheeldest,JulianFleming,hereflectedthattheywere\"onlyboys,\"

  andthattheirfriendswereprobablyignorantofthegoodhewasdoingthem,andsodismissedthesubject。Nevertheless,itstruckhimaswonderfulhowthelittleworldbeneathhimgotonwithoutthem。HankyRogers,bully,whohadbeenkeptinwholesomecheckbyJulianFleming,waslivelyandexuberant,andhisconductwasquietlyacceptedbythewholeschool;JohnnyStebbins,Tribbs’sbosomfriend,consortedopenlywithTribbs’sparticularenemy;someofthegirlsweresingularlygayandconceited。Itwasevidentthatsomesuperiormasculineoppressionhadbeenremoved。

  Hewasparticularlystruckbythislastfact,when,thenextmorning,nonewscomingoftheabsentees,hewasimpelledtoquestionhisflocksomewhatpreciselyconcerningthem。Therewastheusualshysilencewhichfollowsageneralinquiryfromtheteacher’sdesk;thechildrenlookedatoneanother,gigglednervously,andsaidnothing。

  \"Canyougivemeanyideaastowhatmighthavekeptthemaway?\"

  saidthemaster。

  HankyRogerslookedquicklyaround,began,\"Playin’hook——\"inaloudvoice,butstoppedsuddenlywithoutfinishingtheword,andbecameinaudible。Themastersawfittoignorehim。

  \"Bee—huntin’,\"saidAnnieRokervivaciously。

  \"Whois?\"askedthemaster。

  \"ProvySmith,ofcourse。Allersbee—huntin’。Getslotso’honey。

  Gottwofullcombsinhisdesklastweek。He’sawfulonbeesandhoney。Ain’the,Jinny?\"Thisinahighvoicetohersister。

  TheyoungerMissRoker,thusappealedto,washeardtomurmurthatofallthesneakin’bee—huntersshehadeverseed,ProvySmithwastheworst。\"Andsquirrels——fornuts,\"sheadded。

  Themasterbecameattentive,——aclueseemedprobablehere。\"WouldTribbsandFlemingbelikelytogowithhim?\"heasked。

  Asignificantsilencefollowed。Themasterfeltthatthechildrenrecognizedadoubtofthis,knowingtheboyswerenot\"chums;\"

  possiblytheyalsorecognizedsomethingincriminatingtothem,andwithcharacteristicfreemasonrylookedatoneanotherandweredumb。

  Heaskednofurtherquestions,but,whenschoolwasdismissed,mountedhishorseandstartedforthedwellingofthenearestculprit,JacksonTribbs,fourmilesdistant。Hehadoftenadmiredtheenduranceoftheboy,whohadaccomplishedthedistance,includingtheusualmeanderingsofacountryyouth,twiceaday,onfoot,inallweathers,withnodiminutionofspiritsorenergy。Hewasstillmoresurprisedwhenhefounditamountainroad,andthatthehouselaywellupontheascentofthepass。Autumnwasvisibleonlyinafewflamingsumacssetamongtheclimbingpines,andhere,inalittleclearingtotheright,appearedthedwellinghewasseeking。

  \"Tribbses,\"or\"Tribbs’sRun,\"wasdevotedtotheworkofcuttingdownthepinesmidwayonalongregularlyslopingmountain—side,whichallowedthetrunks,aftertheyweretrimmedandcutintosuitablelengths,tobesliddownthroughruderuns,orartificialchannels,intothevalleybelow,wheretheywerecollectedbyteamsandconveyedtothenearestmills。Thebusinesswassimpleintheextreme,andwascarriedonbyTribbssenior,twomenwithsawsandaxes,andthenaturallawsofgravitation。Thehousewasalonglogcabin;severalshedsroofedwithbarkorcanvasseemedconsistentwiththestilllingeringsummerandtheheatedodorsofthepines,butwerestrangelyincongruoustothosewhitepatchesonthetable—landandthewhitetonguestretchingfromtheridgetothevalley。ButthemasterwasfamiliarwiththoseSierrancontrasts,andashehadneverascendedthetrailbefore,itmightbeonlytheusualprospectofthedwellersthere。AtthismomentMr。Tribbsappearedfromthecabin,withhisaxeonhisshoulder。

  Noddingcarelesslytothemaster,hewasmovingaway,whenthelatterstoppedhim。

  \"IsJacksonhere?\"heasked。

  \"No,\"saidthefather,halfimpatiently,stillmovingon。\"Hain’tseenhimsinceyesterday。\"

  \"Norhashebeenatschool,\"saidthemaster,\"eitheryesterdayorto—day。\"

  Mr。Tribbslookedpuzzledandgrieved。\"NowIreckonedyouhadkep’himinforsomedevilmentofhis’n,orlessons。\"

  \"NotALLNIGHT!\"saidthemaster,somewhatindignantatthispresumptionofhisarbitraryfunctions。

  \"Humph!\"saidMr。Tribbs。\"Mariar!\"Mrs。Tribbsmadeherappearanceinthedoorway。\"TheschoolmasterallowsthatJacksonain’tbintoschoolatall。\"Then,turningtothemaster,headded,\"Thar!yousettleitbetweenye,\"andquietlywalkedaway。

  Mrs。Tribbslookedbynomeanssatisfiedwithorinterestedintheproposedtete—a—tete。\"Hevyelookedinthebresh\"(i。e。,brushorunderwood)\"forhim?\"shesaidquerulously。

  \"No,\"saidthemaster,\"Icameherefirst。Therearetwootherboysmissing,——ProvidenceSmithandJulianFleming。Dideitherofthem\"——

  ButMrs。Tribbshadinterruptedhimwithagestureofimpatientrelief。\"Oh,that’sall,isit?Playin’hookeytogether,incourse。’Scuseme,Imustgobacktomybakin’。\"Sheturnedaway,butstoppedsuddenly,touched,asthemasterfondlybelieved,bysometardymaternalsolicitude。Butsheonlysaid:\"WhenheDOES

  comeback,youjustgivehimawhalin’,willye?\"andvanishedintoherkitchen。

  Themasterrodeaway,halfashamedofhisfoolishconcernforthederelicts。ButhedeterminedtotrySmith’sfather,whoownedasmallrancholowerdownonaspurofthesameridge。ButthespurwasreallynearerHemlockHill,andcouldhavebeenreachedmoredirectlybyaroadfromthere。He,however,keptalongtheridge,andafterhalfanhour’sridewasconvincedthatJacksonTribbscouldhavecommunicatedwithProvySmithwithoutcomingnearerHemlockHill,andthisrevivedhisformerbeliefthattheyweretogether。HefoundthepaternalSmithengagedinhoeingpotatoesinastonyfield。Thelookoflanguidcuriositywithwhichhehadregardedtheapproachofthemasterchangedtooneofequallylanguidaggressionashelearnedtheobjectofhisvisit。

  \"Wotareyecomin’toMEfor?Iain’trunnin’yourschool,\"hesaidslowlyandaggressively。\"IstartedProvidenceallrightforitmornin’aforelast,sincewhenIneverseteyesonhim。ThatletsMEout。Mybusiness,youngfeller,islookin’artertheranch。Yours,Ireckon,islookin’arteryourscholars。\"

  \"Ithoughtitmybusinesstotellyouyoursonwasabsentfromschool,\"saidthemastercoldly,turningaway。\"Ifyouaresatisfied,Ihavenothingmoretosay。\"Nevertheless,forthemomenthewassostartledbythisremarkabletheoryofhisownresponsibilityinthecasethathequiteacceptedthefather’scallousness,——orratheritseemedtohimthathisunfortunatechargesmorethaneverneededhisprotection。TherewasstillthechanceofhishearingsomenewsfromJulianFleming’sfather;helivedatsomedistance,inthevalleyontheoppositesideofHemlockHill;andthitherthemastermadehisway。LuckilyhehadnotgonefarbeforehemetMr。Fleming,whowasateamster,enroute。Likethefathersoftheothertruants,hewasalsoengagedinhisvocation。But,unliketheothers,Flemingseniorwasjovialandtalkative。Hepulleduphislongteampromptly,receivedthemaster’snewswithamusedinterest,andaninvitationtospirituousrefreshmentfromademijohninhiswagon。

  \"Meandtheolewomankindo’spekilatedthatJulemighthevbeenoverwithAuntMarthy;butdon’tyouworry,Mr。Schoolmaster。

  They’relimbs,everyoneo’them,butthey’llfetchupsomewhere,allsquare!Justyouputtwofingerso’thatcornjuiceinsideye,andlet’emslide。Yedidn’thearwhatthe’lekshunnewswaswhenyewasatSmith’s,didye?\"

  Themasterhadnotinquired。Heconfessedhehadbeenworriedabouttheboys。HehadeventhoughtthatJulianmighthavemetwithanaccident。

  Mr。Flemingwipedhismouth,withahumorousaffectationofconcern。\"MetwithanACCIDENT?Yes,IreckonnotONEaccident,butTWOof’em。TheseyeraccidentsJule’smetwithhadtwolegs,andweremightylivelyaccidents,youbet,andtookhimoffwith’em;ormebbetheyhadfourlegs,andhe’shuntin’’emyet。

  Accidents!NowIneverthoughto’that!Well,whenyoucomeacrosshimandTHEMACCIDENTS,youjustwhale’em,allthree!Andyewon’ttakeanotherdrink?Well,solong,then!Geeup!\"Herolledaway,withalaugh,intheheavydustkickedupbyhisplungingmules,andthemastermadehiswaybacktotheschoolhouse。

  Hisquestforthatdaywasended。

  Butthenextmorninghewasbothastoundedandrelieved,attheassemblingofschool,tofindthethreetruantsbackintheirplaces。Hisurgentquestioningofthembroughtonlytheoneandsameresponsefromeach:\"Gotlostontheridge。\"Hefurthergatheredthattheyhadsleptoutfortwonights,andweretogetherallthetime,butnothingfurther,andnodetailsweregiven。Themasterwaspuzzled。Theyevidentlyexpectedpunishment;thatwasnodoubtalsothewishoftheirparents;butiftheirstorywastrue,itwasaseriousquestionifheoughttoinflictit。Therewasnomeansoftestingtheirstatement;therewasequallynonebywhichhecouldcontrovertit。Itwasevidentthatthewholeschoolaccepteditwithoutdoubt;whethertheywereinpossessionofdetailsgainedfromthetruantsthemselveswhichtheyhadwithheldfromhim,orwhetherfromsomelargercomplicitywiththeculprits,hecouldnotsay。Hetoldthemgravelythatheshouldwithholdequallytheirpunishmentandtheirpardonuntilhecouldsatisfyhimselfoftheirveracity,andthattherehadbeennopremeditationintheiract。Theyseemedrelieved,buthere,again,hecouldnottellwhetheritsprangfromconfidenceintheirownintegrityormerelyfromyouthfulhopefulnessthatdelayedretributionneverarrived!

  Itwasamonthbeforetheirsecretwasfullydisclosed。Itwasslowlyevolvedfromcorroboratingcircumstances,butalwayswithashyreluctancefromtheboysthemselves,andasurprisethatanyoneshouldthinkitofimportance。Itwasgatheredpartlyfromdetailspickedupatrecessorontheplayground,fromthevoluntarytestimonyofteamstersandpackers,fromarecordinthecountynewspaper,butalwaysshapingitselfintoaconsecutiveandharmoniousnarrative。

  Itwasastorysorepletewithmarvelousescapeandadventurethatthemasterhesitatedtoacceptitinitsentiretyuntilafterithadlongbecomeafamiliarhistory,andwasevenforgottenbytheactorsthemselves。Andevennowhetranscribesitmorefromthecircumstancesthatsurroundeditthanfromahopethatthestorywillbebelieved。

  WHATHAPPENED

  MasterProvySmithhadstartedoutthateventfulmorningwiththeintentionoffightingMasterJacksonTribbsforthe\"Kingship\"ofTableRidge——atriflingterritoryoftenleaguessquare——Tribbshavinginfringedonhisboundariesandclaimedabsolutesovereigntyoverthewholemountainrange。JulianFlemingwaspresentasrefereeandbottle—holder。Thebattlegroundselectedwasthehighestpartoftheridge。Thehourwassixo’clock,whichwouldallowthemtimetoreachschoolbeforeitsopening,withalltracesoftheirconflictremoved。Theairwascrispandcold,——atriflecolderthanusual,——andtherewasasingularthickeningofthesun’sraysontheridge,whichmadethedistantpeaksindistinctandghostlike。However,thetwocombatantsstripped\"tothebuff,\"

  andFlemingpatronizinglytookpositionatthe\"corner,\"leaninguponarifle,which,byreasonofhissuperioryears,andthewildernesshewasobligedtotraverseingoingtoschool,hisfatherhadlenthimtocarry。Itwasthatdayaprovidentialweapon。

  Suddenly,Flemingutteredtheword,\"Sho!\"Thetwocombatantspausedintheirfirst\"squaringoff\"tosee,totheirsurprise,thattheirrefereehadfacedround,withhisguninhishand,andwasstaringinanotherdirection。

  \"B’ar!\"shoutedthethreevoicestogether。Ahugebear,followedbyitscubs,wasseenstumblingawkwardlyawaytotheright,makingforthetimberbelow。Inaninstanttheboyshadhurriedintotheirjacketsagain,andthegloryoffightwasforgotteninthefeverofthechase。WhyshouldtheypoundeachotherwhentherewassomethingtoreallyKILL?Theystartedininstantpursuit,Julianleading。

  Butthewindwasnowkeenandbitterintheirfaces,andthatpeculiarthickeningoftheairwhichtheyhadnoticedhadbecomefirstadarkblueandthenawhiteningpall,inwhichthebearwaslost。Theystillkepton。SuddenlyJulianfelthimselfstruckbetweentheeyesbywhatseemedasnowball,andhiscompanionswereasquicklyspatteredbygoutsofmonstrousclingingsnowflakes。

  Othersasquicklyfollowed——itwasnotsnowing,itwassnowballing。

  Theyatfirstlaughed,affectingtoretaliatewiththesewhirling,flyingmassesshakenlikeclingingfeathersfromapillow;butinafewsecondstheywerecoveredfromheadtofootbysnow,theirlimbsimpededorpinionedagainstthembyitsweight,theirbreathgone。Theystoppedblindly,breathlessly。Then,withacommoninstinct,theyturnedback。ButthenextmomenttheyheardJuliancry,\"Lookout!\"Comingtowardsthemoutofthestormwasthebear,whohadevidentlyturnedbackbythesameinstinct。Anungovernableinstinctseizedtheyoungerboys,andtheyfled。ButJulianstoppedwithleveledrifle。Thebearstoppedtoo,withsullen,staringeyes。Buttheeyesthatglancedalongtheriflewereyoung,true,andsteady。Julianfired。Thehotsmokewassweptbackbythegaleintohisface,butthebearturnedanddisappearedinthestormagain。Julianranontowherehiscompanionshadhaltedatthereport,alittleashamedoftheircowardice。\"Keeponthatway!\"heshoutedhoarsely。\"Nousetryin’togowheretheb’arcouldn’t。Keepon!\"

  \"Keepon——whar?Thereain’tnotrail——nonuthin’!\"saidJacksonquerulously,toholddownarisingfear。Itwastrue。Thetrailhadlongsincedisappeared;eventheirfootprintsofamomentbeforewerefilledupbythepilingsnow;theywereisolatedinthisstonyupland,highinair,withoutarockortreetoguidethemacrossitsvastwhitelevel。Theywerebitterlycoldandbenumbed。Thestimulusofthestormandchasehadpassed,butJuliankeptdrivingthembeforehim,himselfdrivenalongbythefuriousblast,yettryingtokeepsomevaguecoursealongthewaste。Soanhourpassed。Thenthewindseemedtohavechanged,orelsetheyhadtraveledinacircle——theyknewnotwhich,butthesnowwasintheirfacesnow。But,worstofall,thesnowhadchangedtoo;itnolongerfellinhugeblueflakes,butinmillionsofstinginggraygranules。Julian’sfacegrewhardandhiseyesbright。Heknewitwasnolongerasnow—squall,butalastingstorm。Hestopped;theboystumbledagainsthim。Helookedatthemwithastrangesmile。

  \"Hevyoutwomadeup?\"hesaid。

  \"No——o!\"

  \"Makeup,then。\"

  \"What?\"

  \"Shakehands。\"

  Theyclaspedeachother’sred,benumbedfingersandlaughed,albeitalittlefrightenedatJulian。\"Goon!\"hesaid,curtly。

  Theywentondazedly,stupidly,foranotherhour。

  SuddenlyProvySmith’skeeneyessparkled。Hepointedtoasingularirregularmoundofsnowbeforethem,plainlyseenabovethedrearylevel。Julianrantoitwithacry,andbeganwildlydigging。\"IknewIhithim,\"hecried,ashebrushedthesnowfromahugeandhairyleg。Itwasthebear——dead,butnotyetcold。Hehadsuccumbedwithhishugebacktotheblast,thesnowpilingabulwarkbehindhim,whereithadslowlyroofedhimin。Thehalf—

  frozenladsthrewthemselvesfearlesslyagainsthisfurrycoatandcreptbetweenhislegs,nestlingthemselvesbeneathhisstillwarmbodywithscreamsofjoy。Thesnowtheyhadthrownbackincreasedthebulwark,anddriftingoverit,inafewmomentsinclosedtheminathinshellofsnow。Thoroughlyexhausted,afterafewgruntsofsatisfaction,adeepsleepfelluponthem,fromwhichtheywereawakenedonlybythepangsofhunger。Alas!theirdinners——theschooldinners——hadbeenleftontheingloriousbattlefield。

  Nevertheless,theytalkedofeatingthebearifitcametotheworst。Theywouldhavetriediteventhen,buttheywerefarabovethebeltoftimber;theyhadmatches——whatboyhasnot?——butnoWOOD。Still,theywerereassured,andevendelighted,withthisprospect,andsofellasleepagain,stewingwiththedeadbearinthehalf—impervioussnow,andwokeupinthemorningravenous,yettoseethesunshiningintheirfacesthroughthemeltedsnow,andforJacksonTribbstoquicklydiscover,fourmilesawayasthecrowflies,thecabinofhisfatheramongtheflamingsumacs。

  Theystartedupintheglareofthesun,whichatfirstalmostblindedthem。Theythendiscoveredthattheywereinadepressionofthetable—landthatslopedbeforethemtoadeepgullyinthemountainside,whichagaindroppedintothecanyonbelow。Thetrailtheyhadlost,theynowremembered,mustbenearthisedge。Butitwasstillhidden,andinseekingittherewasdangerofsomefatalmisstepinthetreacheroussnow。Nevertheless,theysalliedoutbravely,althoughtheywouldfainhavestoppedtoskinthebear,butJulian’smandatewasperemptory。Theyspreadthemselvesalongtheridge,attimesscrapingtheloosesnowawayintheirsearchforthelosttrail。

  Suddenlytheyallslippedandfell,butroseagainquickly,laughing。Thentheyslippedandfellagain,butthistimewiththestartlingconsciousnessthatitwasnotTHEYwhohadslipped,butTHESNOW!Astheyregainedtheirfeettheycouldplainlyseenowthatalargecrackonthewhitefield,sometwentyfeetinwidth,extendedbetweenthemandthecarcassofthebear,showingtheglisteningrockbelow。Againtheywerethrowndownwithasharpshock。JacksonTribbs,whohadbeenshowingastrangeexcitement,suddenlygaveacryofwarning。\"Lieflat,fellers!butkeepa—

  crawlin’andjumpin’。We’regoin’downaslide!\"Andthenextmomenttheywereslidingandtossing,apparentlywiththewholesnow—field,downtowardsthegulliedprecipice。

  Whathappenedafterthis,andhowlongitlasted,theyneverknew。

  For,hurriedalongwithincreasingmomentum,butalwaysmechanicallyclutchingatthesnow,andboundingfromitastheyswepton,theysometimeslostbreath,andevenconsciousness。Attimestheywerehalfsuffocatedinrollingmassesofdrift,andagainfreeandskimmingoveritsarrestedsurface,butalwaysfalling,asitseemedtothem,almostperpendicularly。Inoneoftheseshockstheyseemedtobegoingthroughathicketofunderbrush;butProvySmithknewthattheywerethetopsofpine—

  trees。Atlasttherewasoneshocklongerandlasting,followedbyadeepeningthunderbelowthem。Theavalanchehadstruckaledgeinthemountainside,andprecipitateditslowerpartintothevalley。

  Theneverythingwasstill,untilProvyheardJulian’svoicecalling。Heanswered,buttherewasnoresponsefromTribbs。Hadhegoneoverintothevalley?Theysetupadespairingshout!A

  voice——asmotheredone——thatmightbehis,cameapparentlyfromthesnowbeneaththem。Theyshoutedagain;thevoice,vagueandhollow,responded,butitwasnowsurelyhis。

  \"Whereareyou?\"screamedProvy。

  \"Downthechimbley。\"

  Therewasablacksquareofadobestickingoutofthesnownearthem。Theyrantoit。Therewasahole。Theypeereddown,butcouldseenothingatfirstbutafaintglimmer。

  \"Comedown,fellows!Itain’tfar!\"saidTribbs’svoice。

  \"Wotyergotthere?\"askedJuliancautiously。

  \"Suthin’toeat。\"

  Thatwasenough。InanotherinstantJulianandProvywentdownthechimney。Whatwasamatteroffifteenfeetafterathousand?

  Tribbshadalreadylitacandlebywhichtheycouldseethattheywereinthecabinofsometunnel—manatworkontheridge。Hehadprobablybeeninthetunnelwhentheavalanchefell,andescaped,thoughhiscabinwasburied。Thethreediscoverershelpedthemselvestohislarder。Theylaughedandateasatapicnic,playedcards,pretendeditwasarobber’scave,andfinally,wrappingthemselvesintheminer’sblankets,sleptsoundly,knowingwheretheywere,andconfidentalsothattheycouldfindthetrailearlythenextmorning。Theydidso,andwithoutgoingtotheirhomescamedirectlytoschool——havingbeenabsentaboutfiftyhours。Theywereinhighspirits,exceptforthethoughtofapproachingpunishment,neverdreamingtoevadeitbyanythingmiraculousintheiradventures。

  Suchwasbrieflytheirstory。Itstruthwascorroboratedbythediscoveryofthebear’scarcass,bythetestimonyofthetunnel—

  man,whofoundhislardermysteriouslyransackedinhisburiedcabin,and,aboveall,bythelongwhitetonguethatformanymonthshungfromtheledgeintothevalley。NobodythoughtthelankyJulianahero,——leastofallhimself。NobodysuspectedthatJacksonTribbs’streatmentofa\"slide\"hadbeengatheredfromexperimentsinhisfather’s\"runs\"——andhewasgladtheydidnot。

  Themaster’spardonobtained,thethreetruantscaredlittlefortheopinionofHemlockHill。TheyknewTHEMSELVES,thatwasenough。

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