TOMINERVAANDELIZABETH
ACumberlandVendettaI
THEcavehadbeentheirhiding—placeaschildren；itwasasecretrefugenowagainsthungerordarknesswhentheywerehuntinginthewoods。Theprimitivemealwasfinished；asheswererakedovertheredcoals；thesliceofbaconandthelittlebagofmealwerehunghighagainsttherockwall；andthetwosteppedfromthecavernintoathicketofrhododendrons。
Partingthebushestowardthedimlight，theystoodonamassiveshoulderofthemountain，therivergirdingitfarbelow，andtheafternoonshadowsattheirfeet。Bothcarriedguns—thetallmountaineer，aWinchester；theboy，asquirrelriflelongerthanhimself。Climbingabouttherockyspur，theykeptthesameleveloverlogandbowlderandthroughbushyravinetothenorth。Inhalfanhour，theyranintoapaththatleduphomefromtheriver，andtheystoppedtorestonacliffthatsankinasolidblackwallstraightunderthem。Thesharpedgeofasteepcorn—fieldrannear，and，strippedofbladeandtassel，thestalksandhoodedearslookedinthecomingduskalittlelikemonksatprayer。Inthesunlightacrosstheriverthecornstoodthinandfrail。Overthereadroughtwasonit；andwhendriftingthistle—plumesmarkedthenoontideoftheyear，eachyellowstalkhadwitheredbladesandanemptysheath。Every—wherealookofvaguetroublelayuponthefaceofthemountains，andwhenthewindblew，thesilveroftheleavesshowedashen。Autumnwasathand。
Therewasnophysicalsignofkinshipbetweenthetwo，half—brothersthoughtheywere。Thetallonewasdark；theboy，afoundling，hadflaxenhair，andwasstuntedand~lender。Hewasadreamy~lookinglittlefellow，andonemayeasilyfindhislikethroughouttheCumberland—palerthanhisfellows，fromstayingmuchindoors，withhalf—hauntedface，andeyesthataredeeplypatheticwhennotcunning；ignorantlycreditedwithidiocyanduncannypowers；treatedwithmuchforbearance，someawe，andalittlecontempt；andsufferedtodohispleasure—nothing，ormuchthatisstrange—withoutcomment。
\"Itellye，Rome，\"hesaid，takingupthethreadoftalkthatwasbrokenatthecave，\"whenUncleGabesayshe’safeardthar’stroublecomm’，hit’sa—comm’；’n’IwantyoutogitmeaWinchester。
I’ma—gittin’bigenoughnow。Ikinshootmight’nighasgoodasyou，’n’whutamIfitferwiththishyeholdpawpawpop—gun？\"
\"Idon’twantyoufightin’，boy，I’vetoldye。Y’uairtoolittle’n’
puny，’n’Iwantyetostayhome’n’takekeero’mam’n’thecattle—effightin’doescome，Ireckontharwon’tbetriuch。\"
Don’tye？\"criedtheboy，withsharpcontempt—\"witholeJasLewallena—devilin’UncleRufe，’n’thatblackheadedyoungJasa—climbin’onstumpsoverthar’crosstheriver，n’crowin’n’sayin’
outopeninHazlanthatyeairafeardohim？Yes；’n’hecalledmeaidgit。\"Theboy’svoicebrokeintoawhimperofrage。
\"Shetup，Isom!Don’tyougogittin’madnow。You’llbesickag’in。
I’lltendtohimwhenthetimecomes。\"Romespokewithroughkindness，butuglylineshadgatheredathismouthandforehead。
Theboy’stearscameandwenteasily。Hedrewhissleeveacrosshiseyes，andlookeduptheriver。Beyondthebend，threehugebirdsroseintothesunlightandfloatedtowardthem。Closeathand，theyswervedside—wise。
\"Theyhain’tbuzzards，\"hesaid，standingup，hisangergone；\"lookatthemstraightwings!
Againtheeaglesswerved，andtwoshotacrosstheriver。Thethirddroppedwithshutwingstothebarecrestofagauntoldpoplarunderthem。
\"Hit’sayoungun，RomeY\"saidtheboy，excitedly。\"He’sgoin’towaitthartelltheoldunscomeback。Gimmethatgun!
CatchinguptheWinchester，heslippedovertheledge；andRomeleanedsuddenlyforward，lookingdownattheriver。
Agroupofhorsemenhadriddenaroundthebend，andwerecomingatawalkdowntheothershore。Everymancarriedsomethingacrosshissaddle—bow。Therewasagrayhorseamongthem—youngJasper’s—andanevilshadowcameintoRome’sface，andquicklypassed。Nearastripofwoodsthegrayturnedupthemountainfromtheparty，andonitsbackhesawtheredglintofawoman’sdress。Withahalf—smilehewatchedthescarletfigureridefromthewoods，andclimbslowlyupthroughthesunnycorn。Onthespuraboveandfullintherichyellowlight，shehalted，halfturninginhersaddle。Herosetohisfeet，tohisfullheight，hisheadbare，andthrownfarbackbetweenhisbigshoulders，and，stillasstatues，themanandthewomanlookedateachotheracrossthegulfofdarkeningair。Afullminutethewomansatmotionless，thenrodeon。Attheedgeofthewoodsshestoppedandturnedagain。
TheeagleunderRomeleapedonestrokeintheair，anddroppedlikeaclodintotheseaofleaves。Thereportofthegunandafaintcryoftriumphrosefrombelow。Itwasgoodmarksmanship，butonthecliffRomedidnotheedit。Somethinghadflutteredintheairabovethegirl’shead，andhelaughedaloud。Shewaswavingherbonnetathim。
II
JUSTwhereyoungStetsonstood，themountainsracingalongeachbankoftheCumberlandhadsentoutagainsteachother，bymutualimpulse，twogreatspurs。Attheriver’sbrinktheystoppedsheer，withcrestsuplifted，asthoughsomehandatthelastmomenthadhurledthemapart，andhadledthewaterthroughthebreachtokeepthematpeace。To—daythecragslookedseamedbythwartedpassion；and，sullenwithfirs，theymadefitsymbolsofthehumanhateaboutthebaseofeach。
Whenthefeudbegan，nooneknew。Eventheoriginalcausewasforgotten。BothfamilieshadcomeasfriendsfromVirginialongago，andhadlivedasenemiesnearlyhalfacentury。Therewashostilitybeforethewar，but，untilthen，littlebloodshed。Throughthehatredofchange，characteristicofthemountaineertheworldover，theLewallenswerefortheUnion。TheStetsonsownedafewslaves，andtheyfoughtforthem。Peacefoundbothstillneighborsandworsefoes。Thewararmedthem，andbroughtbackanancestralcontemptforhumanlife；itleftthemaheritageoflawlessnessthatformutualprotectionmadenecessarytheverymeansusedbytheirfeudalforefathers；personalhatredsupplanteditsdeadissues，andwiththemthewarwenton。TheStetsonshadagoodstrainofAnglo—Saxonblood，andownedvalley—lands；theLewallenskeptstoreandmade\"moonshine\"；sokindredanddebtorsandkindredandtenantswerearrayedwithoneortheotherleader，andgraduallytheretainersofbothsettledononeortheothersideoftheriver。IntimeofhostilitytheCumberlandcametobetheboundarybetweenlifeanddeathforthedwellersoneachshore。Itwasfeudalismbornagain。
Aboveoneofthespurseachfamilyhaditshome；theStetsons，underthesearedfaceofThunderstruckKnob；theLewallens，justbeneaththewoodedrimofWolf’sHead。Theeavesandchimneyofeachcabinwerefaintlyvisiblefromtheporchoftheother。ThefirstlighttouchedthehouseoftheStetsons；thelast，theLewallencabin。Sothereweretimeswhentheonecouldnotturntothesunrisenortheothertothesunsetbutwithacurseinhisheart，forhiseyemustfallonthehomeofhisenemy。
Foryearstherehadbeenpeace。ThedeathofRomeStetson’sfatherfromambush，andthefightinthecourt—housesquare，hadforcedit。Afterthatfightonlyfourwereleft—oldJasperLewallenandyoungJasper，theboyRomeandhisuncle，RufeStetson。
ThenRufefledtotheWest，andtheStetsonswerehelpless。Forthreeyearsnowordwasheardofhim，butthehatredburnedintheheartofRome’smother，andwastraceddeepinhergrimoldfacewhileshepatientlywaitedthedayofretribution。Itsmouldered，too，intheheartsofthewomenofbothclanswhohadlosthusbandsorsonsorlovers；andthefriendsandkinofeachhadlittletodowithoneanother，andmetandpassedwithwatchfuleyes。Indeed，itwouldtakesolittletoturnpeacetowarthatthewonderwasthatpeacehadlivedsolong。Nowtroublewasathand。
RufeStetsonhadcomebackatlast，afewmonthssince，andhadquietlyopenedstoreatthecounty—seat，Hazlan—alittletownfivemilesuptheriver，whereTroubledForkrunsseethingintotheCumberland—apointofneutralityforthefactions，andconsequentlyabattIe—ground。OldJasper’sstorewasattheotherendofthetown，andtheoldmanhadneverbeenknowntobrookcompetition。HehaddriventhreemenfromHazlanduringthelasttermofpeaceforthisoffence，andeverybodyknewthatthefourthmustleaveorfight。AlreadyRufeStetsonhadbeenwarnednottoappearoutsidehisdoorafterdusk。Onceortwicehiswifehadseenskulkingshadowsunderthetreesacrosstheroad，andatremorofanticipationranalongbothbanksoftheCumberland。
III
AFORTNIGHTlater，courtcame。RomewasgoingtoHazlan，andthefeebleoldStetsonmotherlimpedacrosstheporchfromthekitchen，trailingaWinchesterbehindher。Usuallyhewentunarmed，buthetookthegunnow，asshegaveit，insilence。
TheboyIsomwasnotwell，andRomehadtoldhimtoridethehorse。ButtheladhadgoneonafoottohisdutiesatoldGabeBunch’smill，andRomehimselfrodedownThunderstruckKnobthroughthemistanddewoftheearlymorning。ThesunwascomingupoverVirginia，andthroughadipinBlackMountainthefoot—hillsbeyondwashedinbluewavesagainstitswhitedisk。A
littlewaydownthemountain，theraysshotthroughthegapuponhim，and，lancingthemistintotatters，andlightingthedew—drops，setthebirdssinging。Romerode，heedlessofitall，underprimevaloakandpoplar，andalongrain—clearbrooksandhappywaterfalls，shutinbylaurelandrhododendron，andsingingpastmossystonesandlacelikefernsthatbrushedhisstirrup。Onthebrowofeverycliffhewouldstoptolookoverthetreesandtherivertotheothershore，wherethegraylineofapathranaslantWolf’sHead，andwaslostinwoodsaboveandbelow。
Attheriverherodeup—stream，lookingstillacrossit。OldGabeBunchhalloedtohimfromthedoorwayofthemill，ashesplashedthroughthecreek，andIsom’sthinfacepeeredthroughabreachinthelogs。Atthefordbeyond，hecheckedhishorsewithashortoathofpleasedsurprise。Acrossthewater，ascarletdresswasmovingslowlypastabrownfieldofcorn。Thefigurewasbonneted，butheknewthegirl’swalkandthepoiseofherheadthatfaraway。Justwhoshewas，however，hedidnotknow，andhesatirresolute。Hehadseenherfirstamonthsince，paddlingalongtheothershore，erect，andwithbonnetoffandhairdown；shehadtakentheLewallenpathupthemountain。Afterward，hesawhergoingatagalloponyoungJasper’sgrayhorse，bareheadedagain，andwithherhairloosetothewind，andheknewshewasoneofhisenemies。HethoughtherthegirlpeoplesaidyoungJasperwasgoingtomarry，andhehadwatchedherthemoreclosely。Fromthecanoesheseemednevertonoticehim；butheguessed，fromthequickenedsweepofherpaddle，thatsheknewhewaslookingather，andonce，whenhehaltedonhiswayhomeupthemountain，shehalfturnedinhersaddleandlookedacrossathim。
Thishappenedagain，andthenshewavedherbonnetathim。Itwasbadenough，anyStetsonseekinganyLewallenforawife，andforhimtocourtyoungJasper’ssweetheart—itwasathoughttolaughat。
Butthemischiefwasdone。Thegesturethrilledhim，whetheritmeantdefianceorgood—will，andthemeredeviltryofsuchacourtshipmadehimlongforitateverysightofherwiththeriverbetweenthem。Atoncehebegantoplanhowheshouldgetnearher，but，throughsomefreak，shehadpaidnofurtherheedtohim。
Hesawherlessoften—foraweek，in—deed，hehadnotseenheratalltillthisday—andtheforcesthathindrancegeneratesinanimperiousnaturehadbeenatworkwithinhim。Thechancenowwasoneofgold，andwithhislifeinhishandheturnedintothestream。Across，hecouldseesomethingwhiteonhershoulder—anemptybag。Itwasgrinding~day，andshewasgoingtothemill—theLewallenmill。Shestoppedashegallopedup，andturned，pushingbackherbonnetwithonehand；andhedrewrein。Butthefriendly，expectantlightinherfacekindledtosuchablazeofangerinhereyesthathestruckhishorseviolently，asthoughthebeasthadstoppedofitsownaccord，and，cursinghimself，kepton。Alittlefarther，hehaltedagain。Threehorsemen，armedwithWinchesters，werejoggingalongtowardtownaheadofhim，andhewheeledaboutsharply。Thegirl，climbingrapidlytowardSteveBray—ton’scabin，wasoutoftheway，buthewastoolatetoreachthefordagain。DowntheroadtwomoreLewallenswithgunswereinsight，andhelashedhishorseintothestreamwherethewaterwasdeep。OldGabe，lookingfromthedoorofhismill，quitlaughingtohimself；andundercoverofthewoods，thegirlwatchedmanandhorsefightingthetide。TwiceyoungStetsonturnedhishead。Buthisenemiesapparentlyhadnotseenhim，andhorseandriderscrambledupthesteepbankandundershelterofthetrees。Thegirlhadevidentlylearnedwhohewas。Hersuddenangerwassignificant，aswasthesightoftheLewallensgoingarmedtocourt，andRomerodeon，uneasy。
WhenhereachedTroubledFork，insightofHazlan，hethrewacartridgeintoplaceandshiftedtheslidetoseethatitwasreadyforuse。PassingoldJasper’sstoreontheedgeofthetown，hesawtheoldman’sbushyheadthroughtheopendoor，andLewallensandBraytonscrowdedoutonthestepsandlookedafterhim。Allwerearmed。TwentypacesfartherhemetyoungJasperonhisgray，andthelookonhisenemy’sfacemadehimgriphisrifle。Withaflashingcross—firefromeyetoeye，thetwopassed，eachwithhisthumbonthehammerofhisWinchester。Thegroupsonthecourt—housestepsstoppedtalkingasherodeby，andturnedtolookathim。Hesawnoneofhisownfriends，andhewentonatagalloptoRufeStetson’sstore。Hisunclewasnotinsight。SteveMarcumandoldSamDaystoodintheporch，andinsideawomanwascrying。SeveralStetsonswerenear，andallwithgravefacesgatheredabouthim。
HeknewwhatthematterwasbeforeStevespoke。Hisunclehadbeendrivenfromtown。Alastwarninghadcometohimonthedaybefore。Thehandofafriendwasinthecaution，andRuferodeawayatdusk。Thatnighthishousewassearchedbymenmaskedandarmed。TheLewallenswereintown，andwerereadytofight。
Thecrisishadcome。
IV
BACKatthemilloldGabewastroubled。Usuallyhesatinacane—bottomedchairnearthehopper，whittling，whiletheladtendedthemill，andtookpayinanoakentoll—dishsmoothwiththeuseofhalfacentury。Buttheincidentacrosstheriverthatmorninghadmadetheoldmanuneasy，andhemovedrestlesslyfromhischairtothedoor，andbackagain，whiletheboywatchedhim，wonderingwhatthematterwas，butaskingnoquestions。Atnoonanoldmountaineerrodeby，andthemillerhailedhim。
\"Anynewsintown？\"heasked。
\"Hain’tbeentotown。Reckonfightin’’sgoin’ontharfromwhutI
heerd。\"Thecareless，high—pitchedanswerbroughttheboywithwideeyestothedoor。
Whutd’yehear？\"askedGabe。Jesheerdfightin’’sgoin’on!
Theneverymanwhocameforhismealbroughtawildrumorfromtown，andtheoldmillermovedhischairtothedoor，andsattherewhittlingfast，andlookinganxiouslytowardHazlan。Theboywasinafeverofunrest，andoldGabecouldhardlykeephiminthemill。Inthemiddleoftheafternoonthereportofariflecamedowntheriver，breakingintoechoesagainstthecliffsbelow，andIsomranoutthedoor，andstoodlisteningforanother，withanoddcontradictionoffearanddelightonhiseagerface。InafewmomentsRomeStetsongallopedintosight，and，withashrillcryofrelief，theboyrandowntheroadtomeethim，andranback，holdingbyastirrup。YoungStetson’sfacewasblackwithpassion，andhiseyeswereheavywithdrink。Atthedoorofthemillheswungfromhishorse，andforamomentwashardlyabletospeakfromrage。Therehadbeennofight。TheStetsonswerefewandunprepared。Theyhadneitherthegunsnor，withoutRufe，themeanstoopenthewar，andtheybelievedRufehadgoneforarms。
Sotheyhadchafedinthestoreallday，andalldayLewallensonhorsebackandonfootwereinsight；andeachwasataunttoeveryStetson，and，fewastheywere，theyoungandhot—headedwantedtogooutandfight。Intheafternoonatale—bearerhadbroughtsomeofJasper’sboaststoRome，and，maderecklessbymoonshineandmuchbrooding，hespranguptoleadthem。SteveMarcum，too，caughtuphisgun，butoldSam’scounselcheckedhim，andthetwobyforceheldRomeback。AlittlelatertheLewallenslefttown。
TheStetsons，too，disbanded，andonthewayhomealastdropofgallranRome’scupofbitternessover。OppositeSteveBrayton’scabinajetofsmokepuffedfromthebushesacrosstheriver，andabulletfurrowedtheroadinfrontofhim。Thatwastheshottheyhadheardatthemill。Somebodywasdrawingadead—line，\"andRomewheeledhishorseatthebrinkofit。Amockingyellcameovertheriver，andagrayhorseflashedpastanopenspaceinthebushes。Romeknewthehorseandknewtheyell；youngJasperwas\"bantering\"him。Nothingmaddensthemountaineerlikethischildishmethodofinsult；andtellingofit，Romesatinacorner，andloosedatorrentofcursesagainstyoungLewallenandhisclan。
OldGabehadlistenedwithoutaword，andthestraininhisfacewaseased。Alwaystheoldmanhadstoodforpeace。Hebelievedithadcomeafterthecourt—housefight，andhehadhopedagainsthope，evenwhenRufecamebacktotradeagainstoldJasper；forRufewasbigandgood—natured，andunsuspectedofresolutepurpose，andtheLewallens’powerhadweakened。So，nowthatRufewasgoneagain，theoldmillerhalfbelievedhewasgoneforgood。Nobodywashurt；therewasachanceyetforpeace，andwitharebukeonhistongueandreliefinhisface，theoldmansatbackinhischairandwentonwhittling。Theboyturnedeagerlytoacreviceinthelogsand，tremblingwithexcitement，searchedtheotherbankforJasper’sgrayhorse，goinghome。
Hecalledmeaidgit，\"hesaidtohimself，withathreateningshakeofhishead。\"Jeswouldn’tIliketohevachanceathim!Romeullgithim!Romeullgithim!\"
Therewasnomovingpointofwhiteonthebroadfaceofthemountainsnoralongtheriverroad。Jasperwasyettocomeand，withearsalerttoeverywordbehindhim，theladfixedhiseyeswhereheshouldseehimfirst。
\"Oh，hedidn’tmeantohitme。Notthatheain’tmeanenoughtoshootfromthebresh，\"Romebrokeoutsavagely。\"That’sjeswhutI’mafeardhewilldo。Tharwastoomuchdaylightferhim。Efhejesdon’tcomea—sneakin’overhyeh，’n’waitin’inthelorrelatterdarkferme，it’sallIaxe。\"
Waitin’inthelorrel!\"OldGabecouldholdbacknolonger。\"Hit’sashame，aburn—in’shame!Idon’knowwhutthingsaircomm’to!
’Pearslikeallyouyoungfolksthinkaboutiskillin’somebody。
Folksusentotalkabouthowfertheycouldkilladeer；nowit’showfertheykinkillaman。Ihevknowedthetimewhenamanwould’a’beendruvouto’thecountyferdrawin’aknifeurapistol；
’n’efafellerwaseverkilled，itwaskinderaccidental，byaBarlow。
Ireckonfolksgotuse’toweepons’n’killin’’n’bushwhackin’inthewar。Lookslikeit’sbeengittin’wusseversence，’n’nowhit’sdirk’n’
Winchester，’n’shootin’fromthebushesallthetime。Hit’swuss’nstealin’moneytotakeafeller—creetur’slifethatway!
Theoldmiller’sindignationsprangfrommemoriesofabetteryouth。ForthecourtesiesofthecodewentontotheBlueGrass，andbeforethewarthemountaineerfoughtwithEnglishfairnessandhisfists。Itwasadisgracetouseadeadlyweaponinthosedays；itwasadisgracenownottouseit。
Oh，Iknowalltheexcusesfolksmake，\"hewenton：\"hit’sfa’rferoneas’tisfert’other；y’ucan’tfightamanfa’r’n’squar’who’llshootyouintheback；aporemancan’tfightmoneyinthecouhts；’n’tharhain’tnowitnessesinthelorrelbutleaves；’n’deadmendon’thevmuchtosay。Iknowitall。Hit’scur’us，butitact’—allylookslikelotso’decentyoungfolkshevgotusentotheidee—thar’ssomuchofitgoin’on，’n’thar’ssomuchtalk’boutkillin’’n’layin’outinthelorrel。Reckonfolks’llgittopesterm’womenn’strangersbimeby，’n’robbin’’n’thievin’。Hit’sbadenoughthar’ssoleetlelawthetfolkshevtotakeitintheirownhandsoncetinawhile，butthisshootin’fromthebresh—hit’sp’int’lyasin’n’shame!Why，\"heconcluded，pointinghisremonstranceashealwaysdid，\"IseedyourgrandadandyoungJas’sfightuptharinHazlanfulltwohours’forethewar—fistandskull—’n’yourgrandadwaswhooped。Theygotupandshukhands。Idon’tseewhyfolkscan’tfightthatwaynow。IwishRufe’n’oldJas’n’you’n’youngJascouldhaveitoutfistandskull，’n’stopthiskillin’o’peoplelikehogs。Thar’snobodyleftbutyoufour。Butthar’snochanceo’that，Ireckon。\"
\"I’llfighthimanyway，’n’Ireckonefhedon’tdietillIlayoutinthelorrelferhim，he’lllivealongtime。EfaStetsoneverdonesechmeannessasthatIneverheerdit。\"
NotherhevI，\"saidtheoldman，withquickjustice。\"Youairaover—bearin’race，allo’ye，butIneverknowedyetobethatmean。
Hit’sallthewusferyethetyeairinsechdoin’s。Itellye，Rome——
Afaintcryroseabovethedroneofthemillstones，andoldGabestoppedwithopenlipstolisten。Theboy’sfacewaspressedclosetothelogs。Awetpaddlehadflashedintothesunlightfromoutthebushesacrosstheriver。Hecouldjustseeacanoeintheshadowsunderthem，andwithquicksuspicionhisbrainpicturedJasper’shorsehitchedinthebushes，andJasperstealingacrosstherivertowaylayRome。Butthecanoemovedslowlyoutofsightdownstreamandtowardthedeepwater，thepaddlerunseen，andtheboylookedaroundwithaweaksmile。Neitherseemedtohaveheardhim。Romewasbrooding，withhissullenfaceinhishands；
theoldmillerwasbusywithhisownthoughts；andtheboyturnedagaintohiswatch。
Jasperdidnotcome。Isom’seyesbegantoachefromthesteadygaze，andnowandthenhewoulddropthemtothewaterswirlingbeneath。Aslowwindswayedtheoverhangingbranchesatthemouthofthestream，andunderthemwasaneddy。Escapingthis，thefrothandbubblesracedouttothegleamsbeatingtheairfromthesunlitriver。Hesawonetinyfleetcaught；amassofyellowscumboredownand，sweepingthroughbubblesandeddy，wasitselfstruckintofragmentsbysomethingafloat。Atremulousshadowshotthroughaspaceofsunlightintothegloomcastbyathicketofrhododendrons，andtheboycaughthisbreathsharply。A
momentmore，andtheshapeofaboatandahumanfigurequiveredonthewaterrunningunderhim。ThesternofaLewallencanoeswungintothebasin，andhesprangtohisfeet。
\"Rome!\"Thecrycutsharplythroughthedrowsyair。\"Tharheis!
Hit’sJas\"
Theoldmillerrosetohisfeet。Theboythrewhimselfbehindthesacksofgrain。Romewheeledforhisrifle，andstoodrigidbeforethedoor。Therewasalightstepwithout，theclickofagun—lockwithin；ashadowfellacrossthedoorway，andagirlstoodatthethresholdwithanemptybaginherhand。
V
WITHalittlecrysheshrankbackastep。Herfacepaledandherlipstrembled，andforamomentshecouldnotspeak。Buthereyessweptthegroup，andwerefixedintwopointsoffireonRome。
\"Whydon’tyeshoot!\"sheasked，scornfully。
\"IhevheerdthattheStetsonshavegottomakinwaronwomen—folks，butIneverbelieveditafore。\"Thensheturnedtothemiller。
KinIgitsomemoremealhyeh？\"sheasked。\"Orhaveyestoppedsellin’tofolksont’otherside？\"sheadded，inatonethatsoughtnofavor。
\"Youkinhaveallyewant，\"saidoldGabe，quietly。
\"ThemillonDeadCrickisbrokeag’in，\"shecontinued，\"’n’co’nisskeerceonourside。We’llhavetobeginbuyin’purtysoon，soI
thoughtI’dsavetotin’theco’ndownhyeh。\"ShehandedoldGabetheemptybag。
Well，’’saidhe，’’asitairgittin’late，’n’yehavetoclimbthemountainag’in，I’llletyehavethatcomm’outo’thehoppernow。
Takeacheer。\"
Thegirlsatdowninthelowchair，and，looseningthestringsofherbonnet，pusheditbackfromherhead。Anold—fashionedhorncombdroppedtothefloor，andwhenshestoopedtopickitupsheletherhairfallinaheadabouthershoulders。Thrustingonehandunderit，shecalmlytossedthewholemassofchestnutandgoldoverthebackofthechair，whereitfellripplinglikewaterthroughabarofsunlight。Withheadthrownbackandthroatbared，sheshookitfromsidetoside，and，slowlycoilingit，pierceditwiththecoarsecomb。Thenpassingherhandsacrossherforeheadandtemples，aswomendo，shefoldedtheminherlap，andsatmotionless。Theboy，crouchednear，helduponherthemesmericlookofaserpent。OldGabewaspeeringcovertlyfromunderthebrimofhishat，withachuckleathislips。Romehadfallenbacktoacornerofthemill，sobered，speechless，hisrifleinanervelesshand。Thepassionthatfiredhimattheboy’swarninghadasswiftlygonedownatsightofthegirl，andhercuttingrebukemadehimhotagainwithshame。Hewasangry，too—morethanangry—becausehefeltsohelpless，asensationthatwasnewandstifling。Thescornofherface，asheremembereditthatmorning，hurthimagainwhilehelookedather。Aspiritofcontemptwasstillinhereyes，andquiveringaboutherthinlipsandnostrils。Shehadputhimbeneathfurthernotice，andyeteverytossofherhead，everymovementofherhands，seemedmeantforhim，toirritatehim。Andonce，whileshecombedherhair，hisbrainwhirledwithanimpulsetocatchtheshiningstuffinonehandandtopinionbothherwristswiththeother，Justtoshowherthathewasmaster，andstillwouldharmhernotatall。Butheshuthisteeth，andwatchedher。Amongmountainwomenthegirlwasmorethanpretty；elsewhereonlyherhair，perhaps，wouldhavecaughtthecasualeye。Sheworeredhomespunandcoarseshoes；herhandswerebrownandhardened。Herarmsandshoulderslookedmuscular，herwaistwasratherlarge—beingasnaturemeantit—andherfaceinreposehadaheavylook。Butthepoiseofherheadsuggestednativeprideanddignity；hereyesweredeep，andfullofchanginglights；thescarletdress，looseasitwas，showedrichcurvesinherfigure，andhermovementshadacertainchildlikegrace。Herbrowwaslow，andhermouthhadcharacter；thechinwasfirm，theupperlipshort，andtheteethwereevenandwhite。
\"Ireckonthar’senoughtofillthesack，Isom，\"saidtheoldmiller，breakingthestrainedsilenceofthegroup。Thegirlroseandhandedhimafewpiecesofsilver。
IreckonI’dbetterpayferitall，\"shesaid。Is’poseIwon’tbeoverhyehag’in。\"
OldGabegavesomeofthecoinsback。
\"Y’uknowwhutmypriceal’aysis，\"hesaid。
I’mobleeged，\"answeredthegirl，flushing。
\"Co’nhevrizonourside。Ithoughtmebbeyouchargedfolksovertharmore，anyways。\"
\"Isellsferthesame，efco’nishighurlow，\"wastheanswer。\"Thissideort’othermakesnodiff’uncetome。Ihevfrien’sonbothsides，’n’Itakenopartinsechdoin’sasairashametothemountains。\"
Therewasaquicklightofprotestinthegirl’sdarkeyes；buttheoldmillerwashonoredbybothfactions，andwithoutawordsheturnedtotheboy，whowastyingthesack。
Theboat’sloose!\"hecalledout，with。thestringbetweenhisteeth；
andsheturnedagainandranout。Romestoodstill。
Kerrythesackout，boy，’n’holpthegal。\"OldGabe’svoicewasstern，andtheyoungmountaineerdoggedlyswungthebagtohisshoulders。Thegirlhadcaughttherope，anddrawntherudedugoutalongtheshore。
\"Whoaxedyetodothat？\"sheasked，angrily。
Romedroppedthebagintotheboat，andmerelylookedherintheface。
\"Lookhyeh，RomeStetson\"—thesoundofhisnamefromherlipsalmoststartledhim—\"I’llhevyeunderstan’thatIdon’twanttobeboundentoyou，nornoneo’yerkin。\"
Turning，shegaveanimpatientsweepwithherpaddle。Theprowofthecanoedippedandwasmotionless。Romehadcaughtthestern，andthegirlwheeledinhotanger。Herimpulsetostrikemayhavebeenforthemomentandnolonger，orshemayhavereadswiftlynounkindnessinthemountaineer’ssteadylook；fortheupliftedoarwasstayedintheair，asthoughatleastshewouldhearhim。
\"I’vegotnothin’ag’in’you，\"hesaid，slowly，JasLewallenhevbeenthreatenin’me，’n’Ithoughtitwashim，’n’Iwasreadyferhim，whenyoucomeintothemill。Iwouldn’thurtyounurnootherwoman。Y’uoughttoknowit，’n’yedoknowit。\"
Thewordsweremasterful，butsaidinawaythatvaguelysoothedthegirl’spride，andtheoarwasletslowlyintothewater。
\"Ireckony’uairafriendo’his，\"headded，stillquietly。\"I’veseedyegoin’upthar，butI’vegotnothin’ag’in’ye，whoeveryebe。\"
Sheturnedonhimasharplookofsuspicion。\"IreckonIdobeafriendo’hisn，\"shesaid，deliberately；andthenshesawthathewasinearnest。Aqueerlittlesmilewentlikearayoflightfromhereyestoherlips，andshegaveaquickstrokewithherpaddle。Theboatshotintothecurrent，andwascarriedswiftlytowardtheCumberland。Thegirlstooderect，swayingthroughlightandshadowlikeagreatscarletflowerblowinginthewind；andRomewatchedhertillshetouchedtheotherbank。Swingingthesackout，shesteppedlightlyafterit，and，withoutlookingbehindher，disappearedinthebushes。
TheboyIsomwasridingawaywhenRome，turned，andoldGabewaswatchingfromthedoorofthemill。
Whoisthatgal？\"heasked，slowly。Itseemedsomehowthathehadknownheralongwhileago。Apuzzledfrownoverlayhisface，andtheoldmillerlaughed。
\"Youa—axin’whoshebe，’n’shea—axinwhoyoube，’n’botho’yea—knowin’one’nothersenceyewasknee—high。Why，boy，hit’soldJasper’sgal—Marthy!
VI
INaflashofmemoryRomesawthegirlasvividlyaswhenhelastsawheryearsago。
Theyhadmetatthemill，hewithhisfather，shewithhers。Therewasaquarrel，andthetwomenwereheldapart。Buttheoldsoreasusualwasopened，andaweeklaterRome’sfatherwaskilledfromthebrush。Herememberedhismother’srageandgrief，hercallsforvcngeance，theuprising，thefights，plots，andambushes。
Herememberedthelookthegirlhadgivenhimthatlongago，andherlookthatdaywaslittlechanged。
Whenfightingbegan，shehadbeensentforsafetytothesisterofherdeadmotherinanothercounty。Whenpeacecame，oldJaspermarriedagainandthegirlrefusedtocomehome。Latelythestep—mother，too，hadpassedaway，andthenshecamebacktolive。
AllthistheoldmillertoldinanswertoRome’squestionsasthetwowalkedawayinthetwilight。Thiswaswhyhehadnotrecognizedher，andwhyherfaceyetseemedfamiliarevenwhenhecrossedtheriverthatmorning。
\"UncleGabe，howdoyoureckonthegalknowedwhoIwas？\"
\"Sheaxedme。\"
\"Sheaxedyou!Whar？\"
Overtharinthemill。\"Themillerwaswatchingtheyoungmountaineerclosely。ThemannerofthegirlwassignificantwhensheaskedwhoRomewas，andthemillerknewbutonereasonpossibleforhisfoolhardinessthatmorning。
\"Doyoumeantosayshehavebeenoverhyehafore？\"
\"Why，yes，cometothinkaboutit，threeorfourtimeswhileIsomwassick，andwhutshecomeferIcan’tmakeout。Themillovertharwasn’tbrokelong，’n’whyshedidn’tgotharorbringmoreco’natatime，tosaveherthetroubleo’somanytrips，Ican’tseetosaveme。
YoungStetsonwaslisteningeagerly。Againthemillercasthisbait。
Mebbeshe’sspyin’。\"
Romefacedhim，alertwithsuspicion；butoldGabewaslaughingsilently。
\"Don’tyoubeafool，Rome。Thegalcomesandgoesinthatboat，’n’shecouldn’tseeasoulwithoutmyknowin’it。Sheseedyeridin’
byoneday，’n’shelookedmightycur’uswhenItoleherwhoyewas。\"
OldGabestoppedhisteasing，Rome’sfacewassotroubled，andhimselfgrewserious。
\"Rome，\"hesaid，earnestly，\"IwishtothegoodLordyewasn’tinsechdoin’s。EfthathadbeenyoungJas’stido’Marthy，Ireckonyewould’a’killedhimrightthar。\"
\"Iwasn’tgoingtolethimkillme，\"wasthesullenanswer。
Thetwohadstoppedataricketygateswingingopenontheroad。
Theyoungmountaineerwaspushingastoneaboutwiththetoeofhisboot。Hehadneverbeforelistenedtoremonstrancewithsuchpatience，andoldGabegrewbold。
\"You’vebeendrinkin’ag’in，Rome，\"hesaid，sharply，\"’n’Iknowit。
Hit’sbeenmoonshinethat’swhoopedyouStetsons，nottheLewallens，longasIkinrickollect，’n’itullbemoonshineag’inefyedon’tletitalone。\"
Romemadenodenial，nodefence。\"UncleGabe，\"hesaidslowly，stillbusiedwiththestone，\"hevthatgalbeenoverhyehsencey’utol’herwhoIwas？\"
Theoldmanwaswaitingforthepledgethatseemedonhislips，buthedidnotlosehistemper。
Nottillto—day，\"hesaid，quietly。
Rometurnedabruptly，andthetwoseparatedwithnowordofparting。Foramomentthemillerwatchedtheyoungfellowstridingawayunderhisrifle。
\"Ihavebeenatterpeaceagoodwhile，\"hesaidtohimself，\"butI
reckonthar’sabiggerhanda—workin’nowthanmine。\"Thenheliftedhisvoice。\"EfIsom’stoosicktocomedowntothemillto—morrer，Iwishyou’dcome’n’holpme。\"
Romenoddedbackoverhisshoulder，andwenton，withheadbent，alongtheriverroad。Passingaclumpofpinesatthenextcurve，hepulledabottlefromhispocket。
\"UncleGabe’saboutright，Ireckon，\"hesaid，halfaloud；andheraiseditabovehisheadtohurlitaway，butcheckeditinmid—air。
Foramomenthelookedatthecolorlessliquid，then，withquicknervousness，pulledthecorkofsassafrasleaves，gulpeddownthepalemoonshine，anddashedthebottleagainstthetrunkofabeech。
Thefierystuffdoesitsworkinahurry。Hewasthirstywhenhereachedthemouthofabrookthattumbleddownthemountainalongthepathwaythatwouldleadhimhome，andhestoopedtodrinkwherethewatersparkledinariftofdimlightfromoverhead。Thenhesatuprightonastone，withhiswidehat—brimcurvedinacrescentoverhisforehead，hishandscaughtabouthisknees，andhiseyesontheemptyair。
HewasscarcelyoverhissurprisethatthegirlwasyoungLewallen’ssister，andthediscoveryhadwroughtacuriouschange。
Thepiquantimpulseofrivalrywasgone，andsomethingdeeperwastakingitsplace。Hewasconfusedandagooddealtroubled，thinkingitallover。Hetriedtomakeoutwhatthegirlmeantbylookingathimfromthemountain—side，bywavingherbonnetathim，andbycomingtooldGabe’smillwhenshecouldhavegonetoherown。Tobesure，shedidnotknowthenwhohewas，andshehadstoppedcomingwhenshelearned；butwhyhadshecrossedagainthatday？Perhapsshetoowasbanteringhim，andhewasatonceangryanddrawntoher；forhermettlesomespirittouchedhisownloveofdaring，evenwhenhishumiliationwasmostbitter—whenshetoldhimhewarredonwomen；whenheheldouttoherthebranchofpeaceandshesweptitasidewithastrokeofheroar。ButRomewaslittleconsciousoftheweightofsubtlefactslikethese。Hisunseeingeyeswentbacktoherasshecombedherhair。Hesawthecolorinhercheeks，thequicklightinhereyes，thenaked，fullthroatoncemore，andthewaveringforcesofhisunsteadybraincentredinastubbornresolution—toseeitallagain。HewouldmakeIsomstayathome，ifneedbe，andhewouldtaketheboy’splaceatthemill。Ifshecametherenomore，hewouldcrosstheriveragain。Comepeaceorwar，beshefriendorenemy，hewouldseeher。Histhirstwasfierceagain，and，withthishalf—drunkendeterminationinhisheart，hestoopedoncemoretodrinkfromthecheerfullittlestream。Asherose，aloudcursesmotetheair。Theriver，pressedbetweentwoprojectingcliffs，wasnarrowatthatpoint，andtheoathcameacrossthewater。Aninstantlateramanledalamedhorsefrombehindabowlder，andstoopedtoexamineitsleg。Theduskwasthickening，butRomeknewthehugeframeandgraybeardofoldJasperLewallen。Thebloodbeatinasuddentideathistemples，and，halfbyinstinct，hekneltbehindarock，and，thrustinghisriflethroughacrevice，cockeditsoftly。
Againthecurseofimpatiencecameoverthestillwater，andoldJasperroseandturnedtowardhim。Theglisteningsightcaughtinthecentreofhisbeard。Thatwouldtakehiminthethroat；itmightmiss，andheletthesightfalltillthebulletwouldcutthefringeofgrayhairintotheheart。OldJasper，sopeoplesaid，hadkilledhisfatherinjustthisway；hehaddrivenhisunclefromthemountains；
hewastryingnowtorevivethefeud。HewasthefatherofyoungJasper，whohadthreatenedhislife，andthefatherofthegirlwhosecontempthadcuthimtothequicktwicethatday。Againhertauntleapedthroughhisheatedbrain，andhisboasttotheoldmillerfollowedit。Hisfingertrembledatthetrigger。
\"No；by——，no!\"hebreathedbetweenhisteeth；andoldJasperpassedon，unharmed。
VII
NEXTdaythenewsofRufeStetson’sflightwentdowntheriveronthewind，andbeforenightfallthespiritofmurderwasloosedonbothshoresoftheCumberland。ThemorecautiouswarnedoldJasper。TheStetsonsweregainingstrengthagain，theysaid；soweretheirfeudsmen，theMarcums，enemiesoftheBraytons，oldJasper’skinspeople。Keepingstore，RufehadmademoneyintheWest，andmoneyandfriendsrightandleftthroughthemountains。
Withallhisgood—nature，hewasapersistenthater，andhewasshrewd。Hehadwaitedthechancetoputhimselfonthesideofthelaw，andnowthelawwaswithhim。ButoldJasperlaughedcontemptuously。RufeStetsonwasgoneagain，hesaid，ashehadgonebefore，andthistimeforgood。Rufehadtriedtodowhatnobodyhaddone，orcoulddo，whilehewasalive。Anyway，hewasreckless，andhecaredlittleifwardidcomeagain。Still，theoldmanpreparedforafight，andSteveMarcumontheothershoremadereadyforRufe’sreturn。
Itwaslikethebreakingofpeaceinfeudaldays。Theclosekinofeachleaderwerealreadyabouthim，andnowtheclosefriendsofeachtooksides。EachleadertradinginHazlanhaddebtorsscatteredthroughthemountains，andtheseralliedtoaidthemanwhohadbefriendedthem。Therewasnogrudgebutservedapretextforpartisanshipinthecomingwar。Politicalrivalryhadwedgedaparttwostrongfamilies，theMarcumsandBraytons；aboundarylineindisputewasachainofbitterness；asuitinacountrycourthadsownseedsofhatred。
Sometimesitwasahorse—trade，afenceleftdown，oragateleftopen，andthetrespassingofcattle；inoneinstance，throughspite，aneighborhaddockedthetailofaneighbor’shorse—had\"muledhiscritter，\"astheownerphrasedtheoutrage。Therewasnooldsorethatwasnotopenedbythecraftyleaders，noslumberingbitternessthattheydidnotwaketolife。\"Helpustorevenge，andwewillhe!pyou，\"wasthewhisperedpromise。So，hadonemanagrudgeagainstanother，hecouldsethisfootononeortheothershore，surethathisenemywouldbefightingfortheother。
Otherstherewere，friendsofneitherleader，who，understressofpovertyorhatredofwork，wouldfightwitheitherforfoodandclothes；andothersstill，thene’er—do—wellsandoutlaws，whofoughtbythedayormonthforhire。Eventheseweresecuredbyoneortheotherfaction，forSteveandoldJasperleftnoresourceuntried，knowingwellthatthefight，iftherewasone，wouldbefoughttoaquickanddecisiveend。Thedayfortheleisurelyfeud，forpatientplanning，andtheslowpickingoffofmenfromonesideortheother，wasgone。ThepeopleintheBlueGrass，whohadnofeudsintheirowncountry，weretryingtostoptheminthemountain。OverinBreathitt，aseverybodyknew，soldiershadcomefromthe\"settlemints，\"hadarrestedtheleaders，andhadtakenthemtotheBlueGrassforthefearedandhatedordealoftrialbyajuryof\"bigotedfurriners。\"OntheheelsofthesoldierscameayoungpreacherupfromtheJellicohills，half\"citizen，\"
halffurriner，\"withlongblackhairandascaracrosshisforehead，whowasstirringupthepeople，itwassaid，\"asthoughSatanwasatterthem。\"Overtherethespiritofthefeudwasbroken，andagoodeffectwasalreadyperceptiblearoundHazlan。Inpastdayseverypairoflipswassealedwithfear，andthenon—combatantsleftcropsandhomes，andmoveddowntheriver，whentroublebegan。
Nowonlythetimidconsideredthiswayofescape。SteveandoldJasperfoundafewmenwhorefusedtoenterthefight。Several，indeed，talkedopenlyagainsttherenewalofthefeud，andsomebody，itwassaid，haddaredtohintthathewouldsendtotheGovernorforaidifitshouldbreakoutagain。Butthesewererumorstouchingfewpeople。
Foronceagain，astimeandtimeagainbefore，onebankoftheCumberlandwasarrayedwithmortalenmityagainsttheother，andoldGabesat，withshakenfaith，inthedoorofhismill。Foryearshehadworkedandprayedforpeace，andforalittlewhiletheAlmightyseemedlendingaid。Nowthefriendlygraspwasloosening，andyetthemillerdidallhecould。HebeggedSteveMarcumtourgeRufetoseekaidfromthelawwhenthelattercameback；andStevelaughed，andaskedwhatjusticewaspossibleforaStetson，withaLewallenforajudgeandBraytonsforajury。ThemillerpleadedwitholdJasper，andoldJasperpointedtothesuccessesofhisownlife。
\"Ihevtriumphedag’in’myenemiestime’n’ag’in，\"hesaid。\"TheLordaironmyside，’n’IgitsabetterChristianever’year。\"Theoldmanspokewiththesincerityofabarbarismthathassurvivedthedarkages，and，holdingthesamefaith，themillerhadnoanswer。
ItwasoldGabeindeedwhohadthreatenedtosendtotheGovernorforsoldiers，andthishewouldhavedone，perhaps，hadtherenotbeenonehopeleft，andonlyone。Aweekhadgone，andtherewasnowordfromRufeStetson。UponThunderstruckKnobtheoldStetsonmotherwasgrowingpitiablyeagerandrestless。
Everydaysheslippedlikeaghostthroughtheleaflesswoodsandinandoutthecabin，kindlinghatred。AteverydawnorduskshewasonherporchpeeringthroughthedimlightforRufeStetson。
SteveMarcumwasillatease。RomeStetsonaloneseemedunconcerned，andhisnamewasoneverygossipingtongue。
Hetooklittleinterestandnohandingettingreadyforthewar。HeforbadethefiringofaguntillRufecameback，elseSteveshouldfighthisfightalone。Hegrewsullenandmorose。Hisoldmother’slookwasathorninhissoul，andhestayedlittleathome。Hehungaboutthemill，andwhenIsombecamebedfast，thebigmountaineer，whohadneverhandledanythingbutahorse，aplough，orarifle，settledhim—self，tothebewildermentoftheStetsons，intotheboy’sduties，andnobodydaredquestionhim。
EvenoldGabejestednolonger。Thematterwastooserious。
Meanwhilethewinterthrewoffthelastslumbrousmoodofautumn，asasleeperstartsfromadream。Afortnightwasgone，andstillnomessagecamefromtheabsentleader。Oneshorewasrestive，uneasy；theotherconfident，mocking。Betweenthetwo，RomeStetsonwaitedhischanceatthemill。