\"Pullyourselftogether，Jeff!\"saidBill，afterapause。\"Thar!
Lookyar!\"hesaidsuddenly。\"DoyouthinkyoucandriveSIX？\"
ThewordsrecalledJefftohissenses。Billlaidthesixreinsinhishands。Asenseoflife，ofactivity，ofPOWER，camebacktotheyoungman，ashisfingerscloseddeliciouslyonthefar—
reaching，thrilling，livingleathernsinewsthatcontrolledthesixhorses，andseemedtobeinstinctandmagneticwiththeirboundinglife。Jeff，leaningbackagainstthem，feltthestrongyouthfultiderushbacktohisheart，andwashimselfagain。Bill，meantime，tookthelamp，examinedthepapers，andreadMissMayfield’snote。Agrimsmilestoleoverhisface。Afterapause，hesaidagain，\"GiveBlueGrassherhead，Jeff。D——nit，sheain’tMissMayfield!\"
Jeffrelaxedthemusclesofhiswrists，soastothrowthethumbandforefingersatrifleforward。ThissimpleactionrelievedBlueGrass，aliasMissMayfield，andmadethecoachsteadierandlessjerky。Wonderfulco—relationofforces。
\"Thar!\"saidYubaBill，quietlyputtingthecoachlampbackinitsplace；\"you’rebetteralready。Thar’snothinglikesixhorsestodrawawomanoutofaman。I’veknowedacasewhereittookeightmustangs，butitwasamulatterfromNewOrleans，andtheyarepizen!YemighthitupalittleonthePintohoss——heain’tharmin’ye。So!Now，Jeff，takeyourtime，andtakeiteasy，andwhat’sallthisyerabout？\"
Tocontrolsixfierymustangs，andatthesametimegivepicturesqueandaffectingexpositionofthesubtlestrugglesofLoveandPride，wasaperformancebeyondJeff’spowers。Hehadrecoursetoanangrystaccato，whichsomehowseemedtohimasineffectiveashispreviousdiscoursetoMissMayfield；hewasalittleincoherent，andperhapsmixedhisimpressionswithhisfacts，butheneverthelessmanagedtoconveytoBillsomegeneralideaoftheeventsofthepastthreedays。
\"Andshesentyeoffafterthatletter，thatwasn’tthar，whileshefixedthingsupwithDodd？\"
\"Yes，\"saidJefffuriously。
\"Yeneedn’tbullythePintocolt，Jeff；heisdoin’hislevelbest。
AndshesnakedthatartendollarsouterDodd？\"
\"Yes；andsentitbacktoME。ToME，Bill!Atsuchatimeasthis!AsifIwasdeadbroke!——ameretramp。Asif——\"
\"Incourse!incourse!\"saidBillsoothingly，yetturninghisheadasidetobestowadeceitfulsmileuponthetreesthatwhirledbesidethem。\"Andyetoldheryedidn’twanthermoney？\"
\"Yes，Bill——butit——it——itwasAFTERshehaddonethis!\"
\"Surely!I’lltakethelinesnow，Jeff。\"
Hetookthem。Jeffrelapsedintogloomysilence。ThestarlightofthatdewlessSierrannightwasbrightandcoldandpassionless。
Therewasnomoontoleadthefancyastraywithitsfaintmysteriesandsuggestions；nothingbutaclear，grayish—bluetwilight，withsharplysilhouettedshadows，pointedhereandtherewithbrightlarge—spacedconstantstars。Thedeepbreathofthepine—woods，thefaint，coolresinousspicesofbayandlaurel，atlastbroughtsurceasetohiswoundedspirit。Theblessedwearinessofexhaustedyouthstoletenderlyonhim。Hisheadnodded，dropped。YubaBill，withagrimsmile，drewhimtohisside，envelopedhiminhisblanket，andfelthisheadatlastsinkuponhisownbroadshoulder。
Afewminuteslaterthecoachdrewupatthe\"SummitHouse。\"YubaBilldidnotdismount，anunusualanddisturbingcircumstancethatbroughtthebar—keepertotheveranda。
\"What’sup，oldman？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Swornoffyourreg’larpizen？\"
\"Myphysician，\"saidBillgravely，\"hezorderedmedrychampagneeverythreehours。\"
Nevertheless，thebar—keeperlingered。
\"Who’sthatyou’redry—nussin’upthere？\"
IregretthatImaynotgiveYubaBill’sliteralreply。Itsuggestedaformofinquiryatoncedistant，indirect，outrageous，andimpossible。
Thebar—keeperflashedalanternuponJeff’scurlsandhisdroopingeyelashesandmustaches。
\"It’sthatsono’Briggso’Tuolumne——pootyboy，ain’the？\"
Billdisdainedareply。
\"Playedhimselfoutdownthere，Ireckon。Lefthisriflehereinpawn。\"
\"Youngman，\"saidBillgravely。
\"Oldman。\"
\"Efyou’relookingforasafeinvestmentezwillpayyebetterthanforty—rodwhiskeyattwobitsaglass，jistyouhangonterthatarrifle。Itmaymakeyourfortinyet，orsaveyefromadrunkard’sgrave。\"Withthisungraciouspleasantryhehurriedhisdilatorypassengersbackintothecoach，crackedhiswhip，andwasagainupontheroad。Thelightsofthe\"SummitHouse\"presentlydroppedhereandthereintothewastingshadowsofthetrees。Anotherstretchthroughtheclose—setranksofpines，anotherdashthroughtheopening，anotherwhirlandrattlebyoverhangingrocks，andthevehiclewasswiftlydescending。Billputhisfootonthebrake，threwhisreinslooselyonthenecksofhiscattle，andlookedleisurelyback。Thegreatmountainwasslowlyandsteadilyrisingbetweenthemandthevalleytheyquitted。
AndatthatsamemomentMissMayfieldhadcreptfromherbed，and，withashawlaroundherprettylittlefigure，waspressinghereyesagainstablankwindowofthe\"Half—wayHouse，\"andwonderingwhereHEwasnow。
V。
The\"opening\"suggestedbyBillwasnotafortunateone。Possiblyviewsofbusinessopeningsinthepublic—houselinetakenfromthetopsofstage—coachesarenotasjudiciousasthosetakenfromlessexaltedlevels。Certainitisthatthe\"goodwill\"ofthe\"LoneStarHouse\"promisedlittlemorepecuniaryvaluethanaconventionalblessing。Itwasinanolderandmorethicklysettledlocalitythanthe\"Half—wayHouse；\"indeed，itwasbuthalfamileawayfromCampville，famousin’49——aplacewithahistoryandadisaster。
Butyoungcommunitiesareimpatientofsettlementsthatthroughanyaccidentfailtofulfiltheextravagantpromiseoftheiryouth，andthewoundedhamletofCampvillehadcreptintothewoodsanddied。
The\"LoneStarHouse\"wasanattempttowoothepassingtravelersfromanotherpoint；butitsroadledtoCampville，andwasalreadytouchedbyitsdry—rot。Bill，whohonestlyconceivedthattheinfusionoffreshyoungbloodlikeJeff’sintothestagnantcurrentwouldquickenit，hadtoconfesshisdisappointment。\"Ithoughtyecouldputsomegointotheshanty，Jeff，\"saidBill，\"andmakeitlivelyandinvitin’!\"Butthelackofvitalitywasnotinthelandlord，butintheguests。Theregularcustomersweredisappointed，vacant，hopelessmen，whogatheredlistlesslyontheveranda，andtalkedvaguelyofthepast。Theirhollow—eyed，feebleimpotencyaffectedthestranger，evenasitcheckedallambitionamongthemselves。DowhatJeffmight，thehabitsofthelocalitywerestrongerthanhisindividuality；thedeadghostsofthepastCampvilleheldtheirpropertybyinvisiblemortmain。
Inthemidstofthisstrugglethe\"Half—wayHouse\"wassold。SpiteofBill’sprediction，theproceedsbarelypaidJeff’sdebts。AuntSallypreventedanytroublesomeconsiderationofHERfuture，byapplyingasmallsurplusofprofittotheexpensesofajourneybacktoherrelativesinKentucky。ShewroteJeffaletterofcheerlessinstruction，remindedhimofthefulfillmentofherworstpropheciesregardinghim，butbeggedhim，inherabsence，torelysolelyuponthe\"Word。\"\"Forthesperritkilleth，\"sheaddedvaguely。WhetherthisreferredfigurativelytoJeff’sbusiness，hedidnotstoptoconsider。HewasmoreinterestedintheinformationthattheMayfieldshadremovedtothe\"SummitHotel\"
twodaysafterhehadleft。\"Shealloweditwasforherhealth’ssake，\"continuedAuntSally，\"butIreckonit’sanothernameforoneofthemcityfellerswhoj’inedtheirpartyandiskeepin’
companywithhernow。Theytalko’propertyandstocksandsichworldlytriflesallthetime，andit’seasytoseetheirideesissettogether。It’sallowedattheForksthatMr。MayfieldpaidParker’sbillforyou。Isaiditwasn’tso，furye’dhevtoldme；
butifitisso，Jeff，andyedidn’ttellme，itwasforonlyonepuppos，andthatwosthatMayfieldbribedyetobreakoffwithhisdarter!ThatwasWHYyouwentoffsosuddent，’likeathiefinthenight，’andwhyMissMayfieldneverletonawordaboutyouafteryouleft——notevenyourname!\"
Jeffcrushedtheletterbetweenhisfingers，and，goingbehindthebar，pouredouthalfaglassofstimulantanddrankit。Itwasnotthefirsttimesincehecametothe\"LoneStarHouse\"thathehadfoundthiseasyrelieffromhispresentthought；itwasnotthefirsttimethathehadfoundthisdangerousallyofsureandswiftserviceinbringinghimupordowntothatlevelofhisdreary，soddenguests，sonecessarytohistrade。Jeffhadnottheexcuseoftheinborndrunkard’staste。Hewasimpulsiveandextreme。AttheendofthefourweekshecameoutontheporchonenightasBilldrewup。\"Youmusttakemefromthisplaceto—night，\"hesaid，inabrokenvoicescarcelikehisown。\"Whenwe’reontheroadwecanarrangematters，butImustgoto—night。\"
\"Butwhere？\"askedBill。
\"Anywhere!OnlyImustgofromhere。IshallgoifIhavetowalk。\"
Billlookedhardattheyoungman。Hisfacewasflushed，hiseyesblood—shot，andhishandstrembled，notwithexcitement，butwithavacant，purposelessimpotence。Billlookedalittlerelieved。
\"You’vebeendrinkingtoohard。Jeff，Ithoughtbetterofyethanthat!\"
\"IthinkbetterofMYSELFthanthat，\"saidJeff，withacertainwild，half—hystericallaugh，\"andthatiswhyIwanttogo。Don’tbealarmed，Bill，\"headded；\"Ihavestrengthenoughtosavemyself，andIshall!Butitisn’tworththestruggleHERE。\"
Heleftthe\"LoneStarHouse\"thatnight。Hewould，hesaidtoBill，goontoSacramento，andtrytogetasituationasclerkorporterthere；hewastoooldtolearnatrade。Hesaidlittlemore。When，afterforty—eighthours’inabilitytoeat，drink，orsleep，Bill，lookingathishaggardfaceandstaringeyes，pressedhimtopartake，medicinally，fromacertainblackbottle，Jeffgentlyputitaside，andsaying，withasadsmile，\"Icangetalongwithoutit；I’vegonethroughmorethanthis，\"lefthismentorinastateofmingledadmirationandperplexity。
AtSacramentohefoundacommercial\"opening。\"Butcertainhabitsofpersonalindependence，combinedwithadirecttruthfulnessandsimplicity，werenotconducivetobusinessadvancement。Hewasfrank，andinhishabitsimpulsiveandselfishlyoutspoken。Hisemployer，agood—naturedman，successfulinhisway，anxioustoservehisowninterestandJeff’sequally，stroveandlaboredwithhim，butinvain。Hisemployer’swife，astillmoregood—naturedwoman，successfulinherway，andequallyanxioustoserveJeff’sinterestsandherown，alsostrovewithhimasunsuccessfully。Attheendofamonthhedischargedhisemployer，afterasimple，boyish，utterlyunbusiness—likeinterview，andsecretlytoreuphiswife’sletter。\"Idon’tknowwhattomakeofthatchap，\"saidthehusbandtohiswife；\"he’saboutascivilizedasanInjun。\"\"Andasconceited，\"addedthelady。
Howbeithetookhisconceit，hissorrows，hiscurls，mustaches，broadshoulders，andfiftydollarsintohumblelodgingsinabackstreet。Thedayssucceedingthiswerethemostrestfulhehadpassedsinceheleftthe\"Half—wayHouse。\"Towanderthroughthetown，halfconsciousofitsstrangenessandnovelbustlinglife，andtodreamofahigherandnoblerfuturewithMissMayfield——tofeelnoresponsibilitybutthatofwaiting——was，Iregrettosay，apleasuretohim。Hemadenoacquaintancesexceptamongthepoorerpeopleandthechildren。Hewassometimeshungry，hewasalwayspoorlyclad，butthesefactscarriednodegradationwiththemnow。
Hereadmuch，andinhisway——Jeff’sway——triedtoimprovehismind；hisrecentcommercialexperiencehadshownhimvariousinfelicitiesinhisspeechandaccent。Helearnedtocorrectcertainprovincialisms。HewasconsciousthatMissMayfieldmusthavenoticedthem，yethisoddirrationalpridekepthimfromeverregrettingthem，iftheyhadofferedapossibleexcuseforhertreatmentofhim。
Ononeofthesenightshisstepschancedtoleadhimintoagambling—saloon。Theplacehadofferednotemptationtohim；hisdealingswiththegoddessChancehadbeenoflessactivenature。
Neverthelessheplacedhislastfivedollarsontheturnofacard。
Hewon。Hewonrepeatedly；hisgainshadreachedaconsiderablesumwhen，flushed，excited，andabsorbed，hewassuddenlyconsciousthathehadbecomethecentreofobservationatthetable。Lookingup，hesawthatthedealerhadpaused，and，withthecardsinhismotionlessfingers，wasgazingathimwithfixedeyesandawhiteface。
Jeffroseandpassedhurriedlytohisside。\"What’sthematter？\"
Thegamblershrunkslightlyasheapproached。\"What’syourname？\"
\"Briggs。\"
\"God!Iknewit!Howmuchhaveyougotthere？\"hecontinued，inaquickwhisper，pointingtoJeff’swinnings。
\"Fivehundreddollars。\"
\"I’llgiveyoudoubleifyou’llgetupandquittheboard!\"
\"Why？\"askedJeffhaughtily。
\"Why？\"repeatedthemanfiercely；\"why？Well，yourfathershothimselfthar，whereyou’resittin’，atthistable；\"andheadded，withahalf—forced，half—hystericallaugh，\"HE’SPLAYIN’ATMEOVER
YOURSHOULDERS!\"
Jeffliftedafaceascolorlessasthegambler’sown，wentbacktohisseat，andplacedhisentiregainsonasinglecard。Thegamblerlookedathimnervously，butdealt。Therewasapause，aslightmovementwhereJeffstood，andthenasimultaneouscryfromtheplayersastheyturnedtowardshim。Buthisseatwasvacant。
\"Runafterhim!Callhimback!HE’SWONAGAIN!\"Buthehadvanishedutterly。
HOWheleft，orwhatindeedfollowed，heneverclearlyremembered。
Hismovementsmusthavebeenautomatic，forwhen，twohourslater，hefoundhimselfatthe\"Pioneer\"coachoffice，withhiscarpet—bagandblanketsbyhisside，hecouldnotrecallhoworwhyhehadcome!Hehadadumbimpressionthathehadbarelyescapedsomedirecalamity，——ratherthathehadonlytemporarilyavertedit，——
andthathewasstillintheshadowofsomeimpendingcatastropheofdestiny。Hemustgosomewhere，hemustdosomethingtobesaved!Hehadnomoney，hehadnofriends；evenYubaBillhadbeentransferredtoanotherroute，milesaway。Yet，inthemidstofthisstupefaction，itwasapartofhisstrangementalconditionthattrivialdetailsofMissMayfield’sfaceandfigure，andevenapparel，wereconstantlybeforehim，totheexclusionofconsecutivethought。Acollarsheusedtowear，aribbonshehadoncetiedaroundherwaist，ablueveininherdroppedeyelid，acurveinhersoft，full，bird—likethroat，thearchofherin—stepinhersmallboots——allthesewereplainertohimthanthefuture，oreventhepresent。Butavoiceinhisear，afigurebeforehisabstractedeyes，atlastbrokeuponhisreverie。
\"JeffBriggs!\"
JeffmechanicallytooktheoutstretchedhandofayoungclerkofthePioneerCoachCompany，whohadonceaccompaniedYubaBillandstoppedatthe\"Half—wayHouse。\"Heendeavoredtocollecthisthoughts；hereseemedtobeanopportunitytogosomewhere!
\"Whatareyoudoingnow？\"saidtheyoungmanbriskly。
\"Nothing，\"saidJeffsimply。
\"Oh，Isee——goinghome!\"
Home!thewordstungsharplythroughJeff’sbenumbedconsciousness。
\"No，\"hestammered，\"thatis——\"
\"Lookhere，Jeff，\"brokeintheyoungman，\"I’vegotachanceforyouthatdon’tfallinaman’swayeveryday。Wells，Fargo&Co。’streasuremessengerfromRobinson’sFerrytoMempheyshasslippedout。Theplaceisvacant。IreckonIcangetitforyou。\"
\"When？\"
\"Now——to—night。\"
\"I’mready。\"
\"Come，then。\"
Intenminutestheywereinthecompany’soffice，whereitsmanager，amanfamousinthosedaysforhisboldnessandshrewdness，stilllingeredinthedispatchofbusiness。
Theyoungclerkbrieflybutdeferentiallystatedcertainfacts。
Afewquestionsandanswersfollowed，ofwhichJeffheardonlythewords\"Tuolumne\"and\"YubaBill。\"
\"Sitdown，Mr。Briggs。Good—night，Roberts。\"
Theyoungclerk，withanencouragingsmileatJeff，bowedhimselfoutasthemanagerseatedhimselfathisdeskandbegantowrite。
\"YouknowthecountryprettywellbetweentheForkandtheSummit，Mr。Briggs？\"hesaid，withoutlookingup。
\"Ilivedthere，\"saidJeff。
\"Thatwassomemonthsago，wasn’tit？\"
\"Sixmonths，\"saidJeff，withasigh。
\"It’schangedfortheworsesinceyourhousewasshutup。There’salongstretchofunsettledcountryinfestedbybadcharacters。\"
Jeffsatsilent。\"Briggs。\"
\"Sir？\"
\"Thelastmanbutonewhoprecededyouwasshotbyroadagents。\"*
*Highwayrobbers。
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Welostsixtythousanddollarsupthere。\"
\"Yes？\"
\"YourfatherwasBriggsofTuolumne？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"Jeff’sheaddropped，but，glancingshylyup，hesawapleasantsmileonhisquestioner’sface。Hewasstillwritingrapidly，butwasapparentlyenjoyingatthesametimesomepleasantrecollection。
\"YourfatherandIlostnearlysixtythousanddollarstogetheronenight，tenyearsago，whenwewerebothyounger。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidJeffdubiously。
\"ButitwasOUROWNMONEY，Jeff。\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Here’syourappointment，\"hesaidbriefly，throwingawayhispen，foldingwhathehadwritten，andhandingittoJeff。Itwasthefirsttimethathehadlookedathimsinceheentered。Henowheldouthishand，graspedJeff’s，andsaid，\"Good—night!\"
VI。
ItwaslatethenexteveningwhenJeffdrewupatthecoachofficeatRobinson’sFerry，wherehewastoawaitthecomingoftheSummitcoach。Hismind，liftedonlytemporarilyoutofitsdenumbedconditionduringhisinterviewwiththemanager，againfellbackintoitsdullabstraction。Fullyembarkeduponhisdangerousjourney，acceptingallthemeaningofthetrustimposeduponhim，hewasyetvaguelyconsciousthathedidnotrealizeitsfullimportance。Hehadneitherthedreadnorthestimulationofcomingdanger。Hehadfaceddeathbeforeintheboyishconfidenceofanimalspirits；hispulsenowwasscarcelystirredwithanticipation。
Onceortwicebefore，intheextravaganceofhispassion，hehadimaginedhimselfrescuingMissMayfieldfromdanger，orevendyingforher。Duringhisjourneyhismindhaddweltfullyandminutelyoneverydetailoftheirbriefacquaintance；shewascontinuallybeforehim，thetonesofhervoicewereinhisears，thesuggestivetouchofherfingers，thethrillthathislipshadfeltwhenhekissedthem——allwerewithhimnow，butonlyasamemory。Inhiscomingfate，inhisfuturelife，hesawhernot。Hebelieveditwasapremonitionofcomingdeath。
Hemadeafewpreparations。Thecompany’sagenthadtoldhimthatthetreasure，letters，anddispatches，whichhadaccumulatedtoaconsiderableamount，wouldbehandedtohimonthebox；andthatthearmsandammunitionwereintheboot。Alesscourageousanddeterminedmanmighthavebeenaffectedbythecold，practicalbrutalityofcertainadviceandinstructionsofferedhimbytheagent，butJeffrecognizedthiscomplimenttohisdetermination，evenbeforetheagentconcludedhisspeechbysaying，\"ButIreckontheyknewwhattheywereaboutinthelowerofficewhentheysentYOUup。Idaresayyoukingivemep’ints，efyecaredto，forallye’resoftspoken。Thereareonlyfourpassengersbookedthrough；
wehevtobealittlepartikler，suspectin’spies!Twoofthefouryekindependupontogetthetopo’theird————dheadsblowedoffthefirstfire，\"headdedgrimly。
Atteno’clocktheSummitcoachflashed，rattled，glittered，andsnapped，likeadisorganizedfirework，uptothedoorofthecompany’soffice。Afamiliarfigure，butmorethanusuallytruculentandaggressive，slowlydescendedwithviolentoathsfromthebox。WithoutseeingJeff，itstrodeintotheoffice。
\"Nowthen，\"saidYubaBill，addressingtheagent，\"whar’sthatGod—
forsakenfoolthatWells，Fargo&Co。hevsentupyartotakechargeo’theirtreasure？BecauseI’dliketointroducehimtothechampionidgitofCalaverasCounty，that’sbeenselectedtogotoh—llwithhim；andthat’sme，YubaBill!P’inthimout。Don’tkeepmewaitin’!\"
TheagentgrinnedandpointedtoJeff。
Bothmenrecoiledinastonishment。YubaBillwasthefirsttorecoverhisspeech。
\"It’salie!\"heroared；\"orsomebodyhasbeenputtingupajobonye，Jeff!BecauseI’vebeentwentyyearsintheservice，andamsuchanat’ralbornmulethatwhenthecompanystrokesmybackandsez，’You’retheon’ymulewekintrust，Bill，’Istartsupandgoesoutasablastedwoodenfiggerheadforroadagentstolayfurandpracticeon，itdon’tfollowthatYOU’VEanycalltogo。\"
\"Itwasmyownseeking，Bill，\"saidJeff，withoneofhisold，sweet，boyishsmiles。\"Ididn’tknowYOUweretodrive。Butyou’renotgoingbackonmenow，Bill，areyou？you’renotgoingtosendmeoffwithanothervolunteer？\"
\"Thatbed————d!\"growledBill。Nevertheless，fortenminuteshereviledthePioneerCoachCompanywithpicturesqueimprecation，tenderedhisresignationrepeatedlytotheagent，andattheendofthattime，aseverybodyexpected，mountedthebox，andwithafinalmalediction，involvingthewholesettlement，wasoff。
Ontheroad，Jeff，inafewhurriedsentences，toldhisstory。
Billscarcelyseemedtolisten。\"Lookyar，Jeff，\"hesaidsuddenly。
\"Yes，Bill。\"
\"Iftheworsthappens，andyegounder，you’lltellyourfather，IF
IDON’THAPPENTOSEEHIMFIRST，itwasn’tnojobofmine，andI
didmybesttogetyeoutofit。\"
\"Yes，\"saidJeff，inafaintvoice。
\"Itmayn’tbesobad，\"saidBill，softening；\"theyKNOW，d——n’em，we’vegotapileaboard，ezwellasiftheyseedthatagentginitye，buttheyalsoknowwe’vepre—pared!\"
\"Iwasn’tthinkingofthat，Bill；Iwasthinkingofmyfather。\"
AndhetoldBillofthegamblingepisodeatSacramento。
\"D’yemeantosayyeleftthemhoundswithathousanddollarsofyerhard—earned——\"
\"Gamblinggains，Bill，\"interruptedJeffquietly。
\"Exactly!Well!\"Billsubsidedintoanincoherentgrowl。Afterafewmoments’pause，hebeganagain。\"Yerreadyasyeusedtobewithasix—shooter，Jeff，time’swhenyewasaboy，andIusterchuckhalf—dollarsintheairfuryetomakewartson？\"
\"Ireckon，\"saidJeff，withafaintsmile。
\"Thar’stwop’intsontheroadtobelookedto：thewoodsbeyondtheblacksmith’sshopthatusterbe；thefringeofalderandbuckeyebythecrossingbelowyourhouse——p’intswheretheykinfetchyouwithoutashow。Thar’stwowayso’meetin’themthar。
Onewayeztopullupandtrusttoluckandbrag。Theotherwayistowhipupandyell，andsendthewholesixkitingbylikeh—ll!\"
\"Yes，\"saidJeff。
\"Theonlydrawbacktothatplanisthis：theroadliesalongtheedgeofaprecipice，straightdownathousandfeetintotheriver。
Efthesedevilsgetashotintoanyoneo’thesixanditDROPS，thecoachturnssharpoff，anddownwego，thewholekerboodleofus，plumpintotheStanislaus!\"
\"ANDTHEYDON’TGETTHEMONEY，\"saidJeffquietly。
\"Well，no!\"repliedYubaBill，staringatJeff，whosefacewassetasaflintagainstthedarkness。\"Ishouldreckonnot。\"Hethendrewalongbreath，glancedatJeffagain，andsaidbetweenhisteeth，\"Well，I’md————d!\"
Atthenextstationtheychangedhorses，Billpersonallysupervising，especiallyasregardedthewelfareandproperconditionofBlueGrass，whoherewasbroughtoutasaleader。Formerlytherewasnochangeofhorsesatthisstation，andthisnoveltyexcitedJeff’sremark。\"Theseyarchapssaythar’snostationattheSummitnow，\"
growledBill，inexplanation；\"thehotelisclosed，andit’sallprivateproperty，boughtbysomechapfrom’Frisco。Tharoughttobealawaginsuchdoin’s!\"
ThissuggestedobliterationofthelasttracesofMissMayfieldseemedtoJeffasonlyacorroborationofhispremonition。Heshouldneverhearfromheragain!Yettohavestoodundertheroofthatlastshelteredher；to，perchance，havemetsomeonewhohadseenherlater——thiswasafancythathadhauntedhimonhisjourney。Itwasallovernow。Perhapsitwasforthebest。
Withthesinkingbehindofthelightsofthestation，theoccupantsofthecoachknewthatthedangerouspartofthejourneyhadbegun。
Thetwoguardsinthecoachhadalreadymadeobtrusiveandwarlikepreparations，totheill—concealeddisgustofYubaBill。\"I’dhevbeenwillin’togetthroughthisyarjobwithouttheburnin’ofpowder，butefanyofthemdevilseziswaitin’foruswouldbecontentwithashotatthemfancypolicemeninside，I’dpullupandgive’emashow!\"Havingrelievedhismind，Billsaidnomore，andthetwomenrelapsedintosilence。Themoonshonebrightlyandpeacefully，afactpointedoutbyBillasunfavorablydeepeningtheshadowsofthewoods，andbringingthecoachandtheroadintogreaterrelief。
Anhourpassed。WhatwereYubaBill’sthoughtsarenotapartofthishistory；thattheywereturbulentandaggressivemightbeinferredfromtheoccasionalgrowlsandinterjectedoathsthatbrokefromhislips。ButJeff，strangeanomaly，dueperhapstoyouthandmoonlight，waswrappedinasensuousdreamofMissMayfield，ofthescentofherdarkhairashehaddrawnhertohisside，oftheoutlinesofhersweetform，thathadforamomentlightlytouchedhisown——ofanything，Ifear，butthedeathhebelievedhewashasteningto。But——
\"Jeff，\"saidBill，inanunmistakabletone。
\"Yes，\"saidJeff。
\"THATARCLUMPO’BUCKEYEONTHERIDGE!Readythere!\"（Leaningoverthebox，totheguardswithin。）Aresponsiverustleinthecoach，whichnowboundedforwardasifinstinctwithlifeandintelligence。
\"Jeff，\"saidBill，inanodd，alteredvoice，\"takethelinesaminit。\"Jefftookthem。Billstoopedtowardstheboot。A
peacefulmoment!Apeacefuloutlookfromthecoach；thewhitemoonlitroadstretchingtotheridge，nonoisebutthesteadygallopofthehorses!
Thenayellowflash，breakingfromthedarknessofthebuckeye；acracklikethesnapofawhip；YubaBillsteadyinghimselfforamoment，andthendroppingatJeff’sfeet!
\"Theygotme，Jeff!But——IDRAWEDTHEIRFIRE!Don’tdropthelines!Don’tspeak!For——they——thinkI’mYOUandyouME!\"
TheflashhadilluminatedJeffastothedanger，astoBill’ssacrifice，butaboveall，andoverwhelmingall，toathrillingsenseofhisownpowerandability。
Yethesatlikeastatue。Sixmaskedfigureshadappearedfromtheveryground，clingingtothebitsofthehorses。Thecoachstopped。Twowildpurposelessshots——thefirstandlastfiredbytheguards——wereansweredbythemuzzleofsixriflespointedintothewindows，andthepassengersfoolishlyandimpotentlyfiledoutintotheroad。
\"Now，Bill，\"saidavoice，whichJeffinstantlyrecognizedastheblacksmith’s，\"wewon’tkeepyelong。Sohanddownthetreasure。\"
Theman’sfootwasonthewheel；inanotherinstanthewouldbebesideJeff，anddiscoverywascertain。Jeffleanedoverandunhookedthecoachlamp，asiftoassisthimwithitslight。Asifinturning，heSTUMBLED，brokethelamp，ignitedthekerosene，andscatteredthewickandblazingfluidoverthehaunchesofthewheelers!Themaddenedanimalsgaveonewildplungeforwards，thecoachfollowedtwiceitslength，throwingtheblacksmithunderitswheels，anddrivingtheotherhorsestowardsthebank。ButasthelampbrokeinJeff’srighthand，hispracticedlefthanddischargeditshiddenDerringerattheheadoftherobberwhohadheldthebitofBlueGrass，and，throwingtheuselessweaponaway，helaidthewhipsmartlyonherback。Sheleapedforwardmadly，draggingtheotherleaderswithher，andinthenextmomenttheywerefreeandwildlycareeringdownthegrade。
Adozenshotsfollowedthem。Themenwereprotectedbythecoach，butYubaBillgroaned。
\"Areyouhitagain？\"askedJeffhastily。Hehadforgottenhissaviour。
\"No；butthehorsesare!Ifelt’em!Lookat’em，Jeff。\"
Jeffhadgatheredupthealmostuselessreins。Thehorseswererunningaway；butBlueGrasswaslimping。
\"ForGod’ssake，\"saidBill，desperatelydragginghiswoundedfigureabovethedash—board，\"keepherup!LIFTHERUP，Jeff，tillwepassthecurve。Don’tletherdrop，orwe’re——\"
\"Canyouholdthereins？\"saidJeffquickly。
\"Give’emhere!\"
Jeffpassedthemtothewoundedman。Then，withhisbowie—knifebetweenhisteeth，heleapedoverthedash—boardonthebacksofthewheelers。Heextinguishedtheblazingdropsthatthewindhadnotblownoutoftheirsmartinghaunches，andwiththeskillandinstinctofaMexicanvaquero，madehiswayovertheirturbulenttossingbackstoBlueGrass，cuthertracesandreins，andasthevehiclenearedthecurve，withasharplash，drovehertothebank，whereshesankevenasthecoachdartedby。Billutteredafeeble\"Hurrah!\"butatthesamemomentthereinsdroppedfromhisfingers，andhesankatthebottomoftheboot。
Ridingpostilion—wise，Jeffcouldcontrolthehorses。Thedangerouscurvewaspassed，butnotthepossibilityofpursuit。
Thesingleleaderhewasbestridingwaspanting——morethanthat，hewasSWEATING，andfromtheevidenceofJeff’shands，sweatingBLOOD!Backofhisshoulderwasajaggedhole，fromwhichhislife—bloodwaswelling。Theoff—wheelhorsewaslimpingtoo。Thatlastvolleywasnofoolishoutburstofuselessrage，butwasdeliberateandpremeditatedskill。Jeffdrewthereins，andasthecoachstopped，thehorsehewasridingfelldead。Intothesilencethatfollowedbrokethemeasuredbeatofhorses’hoofsontheroadabove。Hewaspursued!
Toselectthebesthorseoftheremainingunscathedthree，tobreakopenthebootandplacethetreasureonhisback，andtoabandonandleavethesenselessBilllyingthere，wastheunhesitatingworkofamoment。Greatheroesandgreatloversareinvariablyone—
ideaedmen，andJeffwasatthatmomentboth。
Eightythousanddollarsingold—dustandJeff’sweightwasahandicap。Neverthelessheflewforwardlikethewind。Presentlyhefelltolistening。Acertainhoof—beatintherearwasgrowingmoredistinct。Abitterthoughtflashedthroughhismind。Helookedback。Overthehillappearedtheforemostofhispursuers。
Itwastheblacksmith，mountedonthefleetesthorseinthecounty——
Jeff’sOWNhorse——Rabbit!
Buttherearecompensationsinallnewtrials。AsJefffacedroundagain，hesawhehadreachedtheopentable—land，andthebleakwallsandghastly，untenantedwindowsofthe\"Half—wayHouse\"rosebeforehiminthedistance。Jeffwasmasterofthegroundhere!
Hewasenteringtheshadowofthewoods——MissMayfield’swoods!andtherewasacutofffromtheroad，andabridle—path，knownonlytohimself，hardby。Tofindit，leaptheroadsideditch，dashthroughthethicket，andreinupbytheroadagain，wasswiftlydone。
Takeagentlewoman，betrayhertrust，outrageherbestfeelings，driveherintoacorner，andyouhaveafury!Takeagentle，trustfulman，abusehim，showhimthefollyofthisgentlenessandkindness，provetohimthatitisweakness，drivehimintoacorner，andyouhaveasavage!Anditwasthissavage，withanIndian’smemory，andanIndian’seyeandear，thatsuddenlyconfrontedtheblacksmith。
Whatmore!Asingleshotfromatrainedhandandone—ideaedintellectsettledtheblacksmith’sbusiness，andtemporarilyendedthisIliad!Isaytemporarily，forMr。Dodd，formerlydeputy—
sheriff，prudentlypulledupatthetopofthehill，andobservinghisprincipalbendhisheadforwardsandactlikeadrunkenman，untilhereeled，limpandsideways，fromthesaddle，andnoticingfurtherthatJefftookhisplacewithawell—filledsaddle—bag，concludedtofollowcautiouslyandunobtrusivelyintherear。
VII。
ButJeffsawhimnot。Withmindandwillbentononeobject——toreachthefirsthabitation，the\"Summit，\"andsendbackhelpandassistancetohiswoundedcomrade——heurgedRabbitforward。Themareknewherrider，buthehadnotimeforcaresses。Throughthesmartingofhishandshehadonlyjustnoticedthattheywerebadlyburned，andtheskinwaspeelingfromthem；hehadconfoundedthebloodthatwasflowingfromacutonhisscalp，withthatfromthewoundedhorse。Itwasonehouryettothe\"Summit，\"buttheroadwasgood，themoonwasbright，heknewwhatRabbitcoulddo，anditwasnotyetteno’clock。
Asthewhiteoutbuildingsandirregularoutlinesofthe\"SummitHouse\"begantobevisible，Jefffeltasingularreturnofhisformerdreamyabstraction。Thehourofperil，anger，andexcitementhehadjustpassedthroughseemedsomethingofyearsago，orrathertobeobliteratedwithallelsethathadpassedsincehehadlookeduponthatscene。Yetitwasallchanged——
strangelychanged!WhatJeffhadtakenforthewhite，woodenbarnsandouthousesweregreenhousesandconservatories。The\"SummitHotel\"wasapicturesquevilla，nestlingintheself—sametrees，butapproachedthroughcultivatedfields，dwellingsoflaborers，parklikegatesandwalls，andallthebountifulappointmentsofwealthandsecurity。JeffthoughtofYubaBill’smalediction，andunderstooditashegazed。
Thebarkingofdogsannouncedhisnearapproachtotheprincipalentrance。Lightswerestillburningintheupperwindowsofthehouseanditsoffices。HewasatoncesurroundedbythestrangemedleyofaCalifornianranchero’sservice，peons，Chinese，andvaqueros。Jeffbrieflystatedhisbusiness。\"Ah，Carrajo!\"Thiswasamatterforthemajor—domo，or，better，thepadrone——Wilson!
Butthepadrone，Wilson，calledoutbythetumult，appearedinperson——ahandsome，resolute，middle—agedman，who，inatwinkling，dispersedthegrouptobarnandstablewithadozenordersofpreparation，andthenturnedtoJeff。
\"Youarehurt；comein。\"
Jefffollowedhimdazedlyintothehouse。Thesamesenseofremoteabstraction，ofvaguedreaminess，wasovercominghim。Heresentedit，andfoughtagainstit，butinvain；hewasonlyhalfconsciousthathishosthadbathedhisheadandgivenhimsomeslightrestorative，hadsaidsomethingtohimsoothingly，andhadlefthim。Jeffwonderedifhehadfainted，orwasabouttofaint，——hehadanervousdreadofthatwomanishweakness，——orifhewerereallyhurtworsethanhebelieved。Hetriedtomasterhimselfandgraspthesituationbyminutelyexaminingtheroom。Itwasluxuriouslyfurnished；Jeffhadbutoncebeforesatinsuchanarm—
chairastheonethathalfembracedhim，andasaboyhehaddimrecollectionsofalifelikethis，ofwhichhisfatherwaspart。
TopoorJeff，withhisthrobbinghead，hissmartinghands，andhislapsingmomentsofhalfforgetfulness，thisseemedtobeareturnofhisoldpremonition。Therewasavagueperfumeintheroom，likethatwhichherememberedwhenhewasinthewoodswithMissMayfield。Hebelievedhewasgrowingfaintagain，andwasabouttorise，whenthedooropenedbehindhim。
\"Isthereanythingwecandoforyou？Mr。Wilsonhasgonetoseekyourfriend，andhassentManuelforadoctor。\"
HERvoice!Herosehurriedly，turned；SHEwasstandinginthedoorway!
Sheutteredaslightcry，turnedverypale，advancedtowardshim，stoppedandleanedagainstthechimney—piece。
\"Ididn’tknowitwasYOU。\"
WithheractualpresenceJeff’sdreamandweaknessfled。Heroseupbeforeher，hisoldbashful，stammering，awkwardself。
\"Ididn’tknowYOUlivedhere，MissMayfield。\"
\"Ifyouhadsentwordyouwerecoming，\"saidMissMayfield，recoveringhercolorbrightlyinonecheek。
ThepossibilityofhavingsentamessengerinadvancetoadviseMissMayfieldofhisprojectedvisitdidnotstrikeJeffasridiculous。Yourtrueloverisfarbeyondsuchtrivialities。
Heacceptedtherebukemeekly。Hesaidhewassorry。
\"Youmighthaveknownit。\"
\"What，MissMayfield？\"
\"ThatIwashere，ifyouWISHEDtoknow。\"
Jeffdidnotreply。Hebowedhisheadandclaspedhisburnedhandstogether。MissMayfieldsawtheirrawsurfaces，sawtheuglycutonhishead，pitiedhim，butwentonhastily，withbothcheeksburning，tosay，womanlike，whatwasthendeepestinherheart：
\"Mybrother—in—lawtoldmeyouradventure；butIdidnotknowuntilIenteredthisroomthatthegentlemanIwishedtohelpwasonewhohadoncerejectedmyassistance，whohadmisunderstoodme，andcruellyinsultedme!Oh，forgiveme，Mr。Briggs\"（Jeffhadrisen）。\"IdidnotmeanTHAT。But，Mr。Jeff——Jeff——oh!\"（Shehadcaughthistorturedhandandhadwrungamovementofpainfromhim。）\"Oh，dear!whatdidIdonow？ButMr。Jeff，afterwhathaspassed，afterwhatyousaidtomewhenyouwentaway，whenyouwereatthatdreadfulplace，Campville，whenyouweretwomonthsinSacramento，youmight——YOUOUGHTTOHAVELETMEKNOWIT!\"
Jeffturned。Herface，morebeautifulthanhehadeverseenit，aliveandeloquentwitheverythoughtthatherwoman’sspeechbuthalfexpressed，wasverynearhis——sonear，thatunderherhonesteyesthewretchedscalesfellfromhisown，hisself—wroughtshacklescrumbledaway，andhedroppeduponhiskneesatherfeetasshesankintothechairhehadquitted。Bothhishandsweregraspedinherown。
\"YOUwentaway，andISTAYED，\"shesaidreflectively。
\"Ihadnohome，MissMayfield。\"
\"NorhadI。Ihadtobuythis，\"shesaid，withadelicioussimplicity；\"andbringafamilyheretoo，\"sheadded，\"incaseYOU\"——shestopped，withaslightcolor。
\"Forgiveme，\"saidJeff，buryinghisfaceinherhands。
\"Jeff。\"
\"Jessie。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkyouwereaLITTLE——justalittle——mean？\"
\"Yes。\"
MissMayfieldutteredafaintsigh。Helookedintoheranxiouscheeksandeyes，hisarmstoleroundher；theirlipsmetforthefirsttimeinonelonglingeringkiss。Then，Ifear，forthesecondtime。
\"Jeff，\"saidMissMayfield，suddenlybecomingpracticalandsweetlypossessory，\"youmusthaveyourhandsboundupincotton。\"
\"Yes，\"saidJeffcheerfully。
\"Andyoumustgoinstantlytobed。\"
Jeffstared。
\"Becausemysisterwillthinkitverylateformetobesittingupwithagentleman。\"
TheideathatMissMayfieldwasresponsibletoanybodywassomethingnewtoJeff。Buthesaidhastily，\"ImuststayandwaitforBill。
Heriskedhislifeforme。\"
\"Oh，yes!Youmusttellmeallaboutit。ImaywaitforTHAT!\"
Jeffpossessedhimselfofthechair；insomewayhealsopossessedhimselfofMissMayfieldwithoutentirelydispossessingher。Thenhetoldhisstory。Hehesitatedovertheepisodeoftheblacksmith。
\"I’mafraidIkilledhim，Jessie。\"
MissMayfieldbetrayedlittleconcernatthispossibleextrememeasurewithadangerousneighbor。\"Hecutyourhead，Jeff，\"shesaid，passingherlittlehandthroughhiscurls。
\"No，\"saidJeffhastily，\"thatmusthavebeendoneBEFORE。\"
\"Well，\"saidMissMayfieldconclusively，\"hewouldifhe’ddared。
Andyoubroughtoffthatwretchedmoneyinspiteofhim。PoordearJeff。\"
\"Yes，\"saidJeff，kissingher。
\"Whereisit？\"askedJessie，lookingroundtheroom。
\"Oh，justoutthere!\"
\"Outwhere？\"
\"Onmyhorse，youknow，outsidethedoor，\"continuedJeff，alittleuneasily，asherose。\"I’llgoand——\"
\"Youcarelessboy，\"saidMissMayfield，jumpingup，\"I’llgowithyou。\"
Theypassedoutontheporchtogether，holdingeachother’shands，likechildren。TheforgottenRabbitwasnotthere。MissMayfieldcalledavaquero。
\"Ah，yes!——thecaballero’shorse。Ofacertaintytheothercaballerohadtakenit!\"
\"Theothercaballero!\"gaspedJeff。
\"Si，senor。Theonewhoarrivedwithyou，oramoment，theverynextmoment，afteryou。’Yourfriend，’hesaid。\"
Jeffstaggeredagainsttheporch，andcastonedespairingreproachfullookatMissMayfield。
\"Oh，Jeff!Jeff!don’tlookso。IknowIoughtnottohavekeptyou!It’samistake，Jeff，believeme。\"
\"It’snomistake，\"saidJeffhoarsely。\"Go!\"hesaid，turningtothevaquero，\"go!——bring——\"Buthisspeechfailed。Heattemptedtogesticulatewithhishands，ranforwardafewsteps，staggered，andfellfaintingontheground。
\"Helpmewiththecaballerointotheblueroom，\"saidMissMayfield，whiteasJeff。\"Andharkye，Manuel!Youknoweveryruffian，manorwoman，onthisroad。Thathorseandthosesaddle—
bagsmustbehereto—morrow，ifyouhavetopayDOUBLEWHATTHEY’RE
WORTH!\"
\"Si，senora。\"
Jeffwentoffintofever，intodelirium，intohelplessstupor。
Fromtimetotimehemoaned\"Bill\"and\"thetreasure。\"Onthethirdday，inalucidinterval，ashelaystaringatthewall，MissMayfieldputinhishandaletterfromthecompany，acknowledgingthereceiptofthetreasure，thankinghimforhiszeal，andinclosingahandsomecheck。
Jeffsatup，andputhishandstohishead。
\"Itoldyouitwastakenbymistake，andwaseasilyfound，\"saidMissMayfield，\"didn’tI？\"
\"Yes，——andBill？\"
\"Youknowheissomuchbetterthatheexpectstoleaveusnextweek。\"
\"And——Jessie!\"
\"There——gotosleep!\"
AttheendofaweeksheintroducedJefftohersister—in—law，havingpreviouslyrunherfingersthroughhishairtoinsurethatbecomingnesstohiscurlswhichwouldbetterindicatehismoralcharacter；andspokeofhimasoneofheroldestCalifornianfriends。
Attheendoftwoweekssheagainpresentedhimasheraffiancedhusband——alongengagementofayearbeingjustpassed。Mr。
Wilson，whowasboredbythemountainlife，undertakentopleasehisrichwifeandrichersister，sawachanceofescapehere，andborewillingtestimonytothedistantMr。andMrs。MayfieldoftheexcellenceofMissJessie’schoice。AndYubaBillwasJeff’sbestman。
ThenameofBriggsremainedapowerinTuolumneandCalaverasCounty。Mr。andMrs。Briggsneverhadbutonewordofdisagreementordiscussion。Oneday，Jeff，lookingoversomeoldaccountsofhiswife’s，foundanunreceipted，unvouchedforexpenditureoftwentythousanddollars。\"Whatisthisfor，Jessie？\"heasked。
\"Oh，it’sallright，Jeff!\"
Butherethenowbusiness—likeandpracticalMr。Briggs，fatherofafamily，feltcalledupontomakesomegeneralremarksregardingthenecessityofexactitudeinaccounts，etc。
\"ButI’drathernottellyou，Jeff。\"
\"Butyououghtto，Jessie。\"
\"Wellthen，dear，itwastogetthosesaddle—bagsofyoursfromthatrascal，Dodd，\"saidlittleMrs。Briggsmeekly。