PREFACE
Themeasureofaman’spowertohelphisbrotheristhemeasureoftheloveintheheartofhimandofthefaithhehasthatatlastthegoodwillwin。Withthislovethatseeksnotitsownandthisfaiththatgripstheheartofthings，hegoesouttomeetmanyfortunes，butnotthatofdefeat。
ThisstoryisofthepeopleoftheFoothillCountry;ofthosemenofadventurousspirit，wholefthomesofcomfort，oftenofluxury，becauseofthestirringinthemtobeandtodosomeworthything;
andofthoseotherswho，outcastfromtheirkind，soughttofindinthesevalleys，remoteandlonely，aspotwheretheycouldforgetandbeforgotten。
ThewavingskylineoftheFoothillswastheboundaryoftheirlookoutuponlife。Heretheydweltsafefromthescanningoftheworld，freedfromallrestraintsofsociallaw，deniedthegentlerinfluencesofhomeandthesweetupliftofagoodwoman’sface。
Whatwonderif，withthenewfreedombeatingintheirheartsandears，somerodefierceandhardthewildtrailtothecut-bankofdestruction！
Thestoryis，too，ofhowamanwithvisionbeyondthewavingskylinecametothemwithfirmpurposetoplaythebrother’spart，andbysheerloveofthemandbyfaithinthem，winthemtobelievethatlifeispriceless，andthatitisgoodtobeaman。
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I。TheFoothillsCountryII。TheCompanyoftheNobleSevenIII。TheComingofthePilotIV。ThePilot’sMeasureV。FirstBloodVI。HisSecondWindVII。TheLastofthePermitSundaysVIII。ThePilot’sGripIX。GwenX。Gwen’sFirstPrayersXI。Gwen’sChallengeXII。Gwen’sCanyonXIII。TheCanyonFlowersXIV。Bill’sBluffXV。Bill’sPartnerXVI。Bill’sFinancingXVII。HowthePintoSoldXVIII。TheLadyCharlotteXIX。ThroughGwen’sWindowXX。HowBillFavored\"Home-GrownIndustries\"
XXI。HowBillHittheTrailXXII。HowtheSwanCreekChurchwasOpenedXXIII。ThePilot’sLastPortTHESKYPILOT
CHAPTERI
THEFOOTHILLSCOUNTRY
BeyondthegreatprairiesandintheshadowoftheRockieslietheFoothills。Forninehundredmilestheprairiesspreadthemselvesoutinvastlevelreaches，andthenbegintoclimboversoftlyroundedmoundsthatevergrowhigherandsharpertill，hereandthere，theybreakintojaggedpointsandatlastrestuponthegreatbasesofthemightymountains。TheseroundedhillsthatjointheprairiestothemountainsformtheFoothillCountry。Theyextendforaboutahundredmilesonly，butnootherhundredmilesofthegreatWestaresofullofinterestandromance。Thenaturalfeaturesofthecountrycombinethebeautiesofprairieandofmountainscenery。Therearevalleyssowidethatthefarthersidemeltsintothehorizon，anduplandssovastastosuggesttheunbrokenprairie。Nearerthemountainsthevalleysdipdeepandeverdeepertilltheynarrowintocanyonsthroughwhichmountaintorrentspourtheirblue-graywatersfromglaciersthatlieglisteningbetweenthewhitepeaksfaraway。Herearethegreatrangesonwhichfeedherdsofcattleandhorses。Herearethehomesoftheranchmen，inwhosewild，free，lonelyexistencethereminglesmuchofthetragedyandcomedy，thehumorandpathos，thatgotomakeuptheromanceoflife。Amongthemaretobefoundthemostenterprising，themostdaring，ofthepeoplesoftheoldlands。Thebroken，theoutcast，thedisappointed，thesetoohavefoundtheirwaytotheranchesamongtheFoothills。Acountryitiswhosesunlithillsandshadedvalleysreflectthemselvesinthelivesofitspeople;fornowherearethecontrastsoflightandshademorevividlyseenthaninthehomesoftheranchmenoftheAlbertas。
TheexperiencesofmylifehaveconfirmedinmetheorthodoxconvictionthatProvidencesendshisrainupontheevilasuponthegood;elseIshouldneverhavesetmyeyesupontheFoothillcountry，nortoucheditsstrangelyfascinatinglife，norcometoknowandlovethemoststrikingmanofallthatgroupofstrikingmenoftheFoothillcountry——thedearoldPilot，aswecametocallhimlongafterwards。Myfirstyearincollegeclosedingloom。Myguardianwasindespair。FromthisdistanceofyearsIpityhim。
ThenIconsideredhimunnecessarilyconcernedaboutme——\"afussyoldhen，\"asoneoftheboyssuggested。TheinvitationfromJackDale，adistantcousin，tospendasummerwithhimonhisranchinSouthAlbertacameinthenickoftime。Iwaswildtogo。Myguardianhesitatedlong;butnoothersolutionoftheproblemofmydisposaloffering，hefinallyagreedthatIcouldnotwellgetintomoretroublebygoingthanbystaying。Henceitwasthat，intheearlysummerofoneoftheeighties，IfoundmyselfattachedtoaHudson’sBayCompanyfreighttrain，makingourwayfromalittlerailwaytowninMontanatowardstheCanadianboundary。Ourtrainconsistedofsixwagonsandfourteenyokeofoxen，withthreecayuses，inchargeofaFrenchhalf-breedandhisson，aladofaboutsixteen。Wemadeslowenoughprogress，buteveryhourofthelongday，fromthedim，gray，mistylightofdawntothesoftglowofshadowyevening，wasfullofnewdelightstome。OntheeveningofthethirddaywereachedtheLineStoppingPlace，whereJackDalemetus。Irememberwellhowmyheartbeatwithadmirationoftheeasygracewithwhichhesaileddownuponusintheloose-
jointedcowboystyle，swinginghisownbroncoandthelittlecayusehewasleadingformeintothecircleofthewagons，carelessofropesandfreightandotherimpedimenta。Heflunghimselfoffbeforehisbroncohadcometoastop，andgavemeagripthatmademesureofmywelcome。Itwasyearssincehehadseenamanfromhome，andtheeagerjoyinhiseyestoldoflongdaysandnightsoflonelyyearningfortheolddaysandtheoldfaces。Icametounderstandthisbetteraftermytwoyears’stayamongthesehillsthathaveastrangepoweronsomedaystowakeninamanlongingsthatmakehisheartgrowsick。Whensupperwasoverwegatheredaboutthelittlefire，whileJackandthehalf-breedsmokedandtalked。Ilayonmybacklookingupatthepale，steadystarsinthedeepblueofthecloudlesssky，andlistenedinfullnessofcontenteddelighttothechatbetweenJackandthedriver。NowandthenIaskedaquestion，butnottoooften。Itisalisteningsilencethatdrawstalesfromawesternman，notvexingquestions。
ThismuchIhadlearnedalreadyfrommythreedays’travel。SoI
layandlistened，andthetalesofthatnightaremingledwiththewarmeveninglightsandthepalestarsandthethoughtsofhomethatJack’scomingseemedtobring。
Nextmorningbeforesun-upwehadbrokencampandwerereadyforourfifty-mileride。Therewasaslightdrizzleofrainand，thoughrainandshinewerealiketohim，JackinsistedthatI
shouldwearmymackintosh。ThisgarmentwasquitenewandhadaloosecapewhichrustledasImovedtowardmycayuse。Hewasanugly-lookinglittleanimal，withmorewhiteinhiseyethanIcaredtosee。Altogether，Ididnotdrawtowardhim。Nordidhetome，apparently。ForasItookhimbythebridlehesnortedandsidledaboutwithgreatswiftness，andstoodfacingmewithhisfeetplantedfirmlyinfrontofhimasifpreparedtorejectoverturesofanykindsoever。Itriedtoapproachhimwithsoothingwords，buthepersistentlybackedawayuntilwestoodlookingateachotherattheutmostdistanceofhisoutstretchedneckandmyoutstretchedarm。AtthispointJackcametomyassistance，gottheponybytheothersideofthebridle，andheldhimfasttillI
gotintopositiontomount。TakingafirmgripofthehornoftheMexicansaddle，Ithrewmylegoverhisback。ThenextinstantI
wasflyingoverhishead。Myonlyemotionwasoneofsurprise，thethingwassounexpected。Ihadfanciedmyselfafairrider，havinghadexperienceoffarmers’coltsofdiverskinds，butthiswassomethingquitenew。Thehalf-breedstoodlookingon，mildlyinterested;Jackwassmiling，buttheboywasgrinningwithdelight。
\"I’lltakethelittlebeast，\"saidJack。ButthegrinningboybracedmeupandIrepliedascarelesslyasmyshakingvoicewouldallow：
\"Oh，IguessI’llmanagehim，\"andoncemoregotintoposition。
ButnosoonerhadIgotintothesaddlethantheponysprangstraightupintotheairandlitwithhisbackcurvedintoabow，hisfourlegsgatheredtogetherandsoabsolutelyrigidthattheshockmademyteethrattle。Itwasmyfirstexperienceof\"bucking。\"Thenthelittlebrutewentseriouslytoworktogetridoftherustling，flappingthingonhisback。Hewouldbacksteadilyforsomeseconds，then，withtwoorthreeforwardplunges，hewouldstopasifshotandspringstraightintotheupperair，lightingwithbackcurvedandlegsrigidasiron。Thenhewouldwalkonhishindlegsforafewsteps，thenthrowhimselfwithamazingrapiditytoonesideandagainproceedtobuckwithviciousdiligence。
\"Sticktohim！\"yelledJack，throughhisshoutsoflaughter。
\"You’llmakehimsickbeforelong。\"
Irememberthinkingthatunlesshisinsidesweresomewhatmoredelicatelyorganizedthanhisexternalappearancewouldleadonetosupposethechanceswerethatthelittlebrutewouldbethelasttosuccumbtosickness。Tomakemattersworse，awilderjumpthanordinarythrewmycapeupovermyhead，sothatIwasincompletedarkness。Andnowhehadmeathismercy，andheknewnopity。Hekickedandplungedandrearedandbucked，nowonhisfrontlegs，nowonhishindlegs，oftenonhisknees，whileI，inthedarkness，couldonlyclingtothehornofthesaddle。Atlast，inoneofthegleamsoflightthatpenetratedthefoldsofmyenvelopingcape，I
foundthatthehornhadslippedtohisside，sothenexttimehecametohiskneesIthrewmyselfoff。Iamanxioustomakethispointclear，for，fromtheexpressionoftriumphonthefaceofthegrinningboy，andhisencomiumsofthepony，Igatheredthathescoredawinforthecayuse。Withoutpausethatlittlebrutecontinuedforsomesecondstobuckandplungeevenaftermydismounting，asifheweresomepieceofmechanismthatmustrundownbeforeitcouldstop。
BythistimeIwassickenoughandbadlyshakeninmynerve，butthetriumphantshoutsandlaughteroftheboyandthecomplacentsmilesonthefacesofJackandthehalf-breedstirredmywrath。I
toreoffthecapeand，havinggotthesaddleputright，seizedJack’sridingwhipand，disregardinghisremonstrances，sprangonmysteedoncemore，andbeforehecouldmakeuphismindastohislineofactionpliedhimsovigorouslywiththerawhidethathesetoffovertheprairieatfullgallop，andinafewminutescameroundtothecampquitesubdued，totheboy’sgreatdisappointmentandtomyowngreatsurprise。Jackwashighlypleased，andeventhestolidfaceofthehalf-breedshowedsatisfaction。
\"Don’tthinkIputthisuponyou，\"Jacksaid。\"Itwasthatcape。
Heain’tusedtosuchfrills。Butitwasacircus，\"headded，goingoffintoafitoflaughter，\"worthfivedollarsanyday。\"
\"Youbet！\"saidthehalf-breed。\"Dat’smakeprettybeegfun，eh？\"
Itseemedtomethatitdependedsomewhatuponthepointofview，butImerelyagreedwithhim，onlytoogladtobesowelloutofthefight。
Alldaywefollowedthetrailthatwoundalongtheshouldersoftheround-toppedhillsordowntheirlongslopesintothewide，grassyvalleys。Hereandtherethevalleyswerecutthroughbycouleesthroughwhichranswift，blue-grayrivers，clearandicycold，whilefromthehilltopswecaughtglimpsesoflittlelakescoveredwithwild-fowlthatshriekedandsquawkedandsplashed，carelessofdanger。Nowandthenwesawwhatmadeablackspotagainstthegreenoftheprairie，andJacktoldmeitwasarancher’sshack。
Howremotefromthegreatworld，andhowlonelyitseemed！——thislittleblackshackamongthesemultitudinoushills。
IshallneverforgetthesummereveningwhenJackandIrodeintoSwanCreek。Isayinto——butthevillagewasalmostentirelyoneofimagination，inthatitconsistedoftheStoppingPlace，alonglogbuilding，astoryandahalfhigh，withstablesbehind，andthestoreinwhichthepost-officewaskeptandoverwhichtheownerdwelt。Butthesituationwasoneofgreatbeauty。Ononesidetheprairierambleddownfromthehillsandthenstretchedawayintawnylevelsintothemistypurpleatthehorizon;ontheotheritclamberedovertheround，sunnytopstothedimblueofthemountainsbeyond。
Inthisworld，whereitisimpossibletoreachabsolutevalues，weareforcedtoholdthingsrelatively，andincontrastwiththelong，lonelymilesofourrideduringthedaythesetwohouses，withtheiroutbuildings，seemedacenteroflife。SomehorsesweretiedtotherailthatranalonginfrontoftheStoppingPlace。
\"Hello！\"saidJack，\"IguesstheNobleSevenareintown。\"
\"Andwhoarethey？\"Iasked。
\"Oh，\"hereplied，withashrug，\"theyaretheeliteOfSwanCreek;
andbyJove，\"headded，\"thismustbeaPermitNight。\"
\"Whatdoesthatmean？\"Iasked，aswerodeuptowardsthetierail。
\"Well，\"saidJack，inalowtone，forsomemenwerestandingaboutthedoor，\"yousee，thisisaprohibitioncountry，butwhenoneoftheboysfeelsasifheweregoingtohaveaspellofsicknesshegetsapermittobringinafewgallonsformedicinalpurposes;andofcourse，theotherboysbeingsimilarlyexposed，heinvitesthemtoassisthimintakingpreventivemeasures。And，\"addedJack，withasolemnwink，\"itisremarkable，inahealthycountrylikethis，howmanyepidemicscomenearketchingus。\"
AndwiththismystifyingexplanationwejoinedthemysteriouscompanyoftheNobleSeven。
CHAPTERII
THECOMPANYOFTHENOBLESEVEN
Asweweredismounting，thecries，\"Hello，Jack！\"\"Howdo，Dale？\"
\"Hello，oldSmoke！\"intheheartiestoftones，mademeseethatmycousinwasafavoritewiththemengroupedaboutthedoor。Jacksimplynoddedinreplyandthenpresentedmeindueform。\"Mytenderfootcousinfromtheeffete，\"hesaid，withaflourish。I
wassurprisedatthegraceofthebowsmademebytheseroughly-
dressed，wild-lookingfellows。ImighthavebeeninaLondondrawing-room。Iwasputatmyeaseatoncebythekindlinessoftheirgreeting，for，uponJack’sintroduction，Iwasadmittedatonceintotheircircle，which，toatenderfoot，wasusuallyclosed。
Whatahardy-lookinglottheywere！Brown，spare，sinewyandhardasnails，theyappearedlikesoldiersbackfromahardcampaign。
Theymovedandspokewithaneasy，carelessairofalmostlazyindifference，buttheireyeshadatrickoflookingstraightoutatyou，coolandfearless，andyoufelttheywerefitandready。
ThatnightIwasinitiatedintotheCompanyoftheNobleSeven——butoftheceremonyIregrettosayIretainbutanindistinctmemory;
fortheydrankastheyrode，hardandlong，anditwasonlyJack’scarethatgotmesafelyhomethatnight。
TheCompanyoftheNobleSevenwasthedominantsocialforceintheSwanCreekcountry。Indeed，itwastheonlysocialforceSwanCreekknew。OriginallyconsistingofsevenyoungfellowsofthebestbloodofBritain，\"bandedtogetherforpurposesofmutualimprovementandsocialenjoyment，\"ithadchangeditscharacterduringtheyears，butnotitsname。First，itsmembershipwasextendedtoinclude\"approvedcolonials，\"suchasJackDaleand\"othersofkindredspirit，\"underwhichhead，Isuppose，thetwocowboysfromtheAshleyRanch，HiKeadaland\"Bronco\"Bill——nooneknewandnooneaskedhisothername——wereadmitted。Thenitspurposesgraduallylimitedthemselvestothoseofasocialnature，chieflyinthelineofpoker-playingandwhisky-drinking。WellbornanddelicatelybredinthatatmosphereofculturemingledwithasturdycommonsenseandacertainhighchivalrywhichsurroundsthestatelyhomesofBritain，theseyounglads，freedfromtherestraintsofcustomandsurrounding，soonshedallthatwassuperficialintheirmake-upandstoodforthinthenakedsimplicityoftheirnativemanhood。TheWestdiscoveredandrevealedthemaninthem，sometimestotheirhonor，oftentotheirshame。TheChiefoftheCompanywastheHon。FredAshley，oftheAshleyRanch，sometimeofAshleyCourt，England——abig，good-
naturedmanwithamagnificentphysique，agoodincomefromhome，andabeautifulwife，theLadyCharlotte，daughterofanobleEnglishfamily。AttheAshleyRanchthetraditionsofAshleyCourtwerepreservedasfaraspossible。TheHon。Fredappearedatthewolf-huntsinriding-breechesandtopboots，withhuntingcropandEnglishsaddle，whileinalltheappointmentsofthehousethecustomsoftheEnglishhomewereobserved。Itwascharacteristic，however，ofwesternlifethathistwocowboys，HiKendalandBroncoBill，feltthemselvesquitehissocialequals，thoughinthepresenceofhisbeautiful，statelywifetheyconfessedthatthey\"ratherweakened。\"Ashleywasathoroughlygoodfellow，welluptohisworkasacattle-man，andtoomuchofagentlemantofeel，muchlessassert，anysuperiorityofstation。Hehadthelargestranchinthecountryandwasoneofthefewmenmakingmoney。
Ashley’schieffriend，or，atleast，mostfrequentcompanion，wasamanwhomtheycalled\"TheDuke。\"Nooneknewhisname，buteveryonesaidhewas\"thesonofalord，\"andcertainlyfromhisstyleandbearinghemightbethesonofalmostanythingthatwashighenoughinrank。Hedrew\"aremittance，\"but，asthatwaspaidthroughAshley，nooneknewwhenceitcamenorhowmuchitwas。Hewasaperfectpictureofaman，andinallwesternvirtueswaseasilyfirst。Hecouldropeasteer，bunchcattle，playpokerordrinkwhiskytotheadmirationofhisfriendsandtheconfusionofhisfoes，ofwhomhehadafew;whileasto\"broncobusting，\"thevirtueparexcellenceofwesterncattle-men，evenBroncoBillwasheardtoacknowledgethat\"hewasn’tinitwiththeDook，foritwashisopinionthathecouldrideanythin’thathadlegsinunderit，evenifitwasablankedcentipede。\"Andthis，comingfromonewhomadeaprofessionof\"broncobusting，\"wasunquestionablyhighpraise。TheDukelivedalone，exceptwhenhedeignedtopayavisittosomelonelyrancherwho，forthemarvellouscharmofhistalk，wasdelightedtohavehimasguest，evenattheexpenseofthelossofafewgamesatpoker。Hemadeafriendofnoone，thoughsomemencouldtelloftimeswhenhestoodbetweenthemandtheirlastdollar，exactingonlythepromisethatnomentionshouldbemadeofhisdeed。Hehadaneasy，lazymannerandaslowcynicalsmilethatrarelylefthisface，andtheonlysignofdeepeningpassioninhimwasalittlebroadeningofhissmile。OldLatour，whokepttheStoppingPlace，toldmehowonceTheDukehadbrokenintoagentlelaugh。AFrenchhalf-breedfreighteronhiswaynorthhadenteredintoagameofpokerwithTheDuke，withtheresultthathissixmonths’paystoodinalittleheapathisenemy’slefthand。Theenragedfreighteraccusedhissmilingopponentofbeingacheat，andwasproceedingtodemolishhimwithonemightyblow。ButTheDuke，stillsmiling，andwithoutmovingfromhischair，caughtthedescendingfist，slowlycrushedthefingersopen，andsteadilydrewtheFrenchmantohisknees，grippinghimsocruellyinthemeantimethathewasforcedtocryaloudinagonyformercy。ThenitwasthatTheDukebrokeintoalightlaughand，touchingthekneelingFrenchmanonhischeekwithhisfinger-tips，said：\"Lookhere，myman，youshouldn’tplaythegametillyouknowhowtodoitandwithwhomyouplay。\"Then，handinghimbackthemoney，headded：\"Iwantmoney，butnotyours。\"Then，ashesatlookingattheunfortunatewretchdividinghisattentionbetweenhismoneyandhisbleedingfingers，heoncemorebrokeintoagentlelaughthatwasnotgoodtohear。
TheDukewasbyalloddsthemoststrikingfigureintheCompanyoftheNobleSeven，andhiswordwentfartherthanthatofanyother。
HisshadowwasBruce，anEdinburghUniversityman，metaphysical，argumentative，persistent，devotedtoTheDuke。Indeed，hischiefambitionwastoattaintoTheDuke’shighandlordlymanner;but，inasmuchashewasrathersquatinfigureandhadanopen，good-
naturedfaceandaScotchvoiceofthehardandraspingkind，hisattemptsatimitationwerenotconspicuouslysuccessful。EverymailthatreachedSwanCreekbroughthimaletterfromhome。Atfirst，afterIhadgottoknowhim，hewouldgivemenowandthenalettertoread，butasthetonebecamemoreandmoreanxiousheceasedtoletmereadthem，andIwasgladenoughofthis。HowhecouldreadthoselettersandgothepaceoftheNobleSevenIcouldnotsee。PoorBruce！Hehadgoodimpulses，agenerousheart，butthe\"Permit\"nightsandthehuntsandthe\"roundups\"andthepokerandallthewildexcessesoftheCompanyweremorethanhecouldstand。
ThentherewerethetwoHillbrothers，theyounger，Bertie，afair-
haired，bright-facedyoungster，nonetooabletolookafterhimself，butmuchinclinedtofolliesofalldegreesandsorts。
Buthewaswarm-heartedanddevotedtohisbigbrother，Humphrey，called\"Hump，\"whohadtakentoranchingmainlywiththeideaoflookingafterhisyoungerbrother。Andnoeasymatterthatwas，foreveryonelikedtheladandinconsequencehelpedhimdown。
Inadditiontothesethereweretwoothersoftheoriginalseven，butbyforceofcircumstancestheywerepreventedfromanymorethananominalconnectionwiththeCompany。Blake，atypicalwildIrishman，hadjoinedthepoliceattheFort，andGiffordhadgotmarriedand，asBillsaid，\"wasropedtighter’nasteer。\"
TheNobleCompany，withthecowboysthathelpedontherangeandtwoorthreefarmersthatlivednearertheFort，composedthesettlersoftheSwanCreekcountry。Astrangemedleyofpeopleofallranksandnations，butwhileamongthemthereweretheevil-
heartedandevil-living，still，fortheNobleCompanyIwillsaythatneverhaveIfalleninwithmenbraver，truer，orofwarmerheart。Vicestheyhad，alltooapparentanddeadly，buttheywereduerathertothecircumstancesoftheirlivesthantothenativetendenciesoftheirhearts。ThroughoutthatsummerandthewinterfollowingIlivedamongthem，campingontherangewiththemandsleepingintheirshacks，bunchingcattleinsummerandhuntingwolvesinwinter，nordidI，forIwasnowiserthanthey，refusemyparton\"Permit\"nights;butthroughallnotamanofthemeverfailedtobetruetohisstandardofhonorinthedutiesofcomradeshipandbrotherhood。
CHAPTERIII
THECOMINGOFTHEPILOT
Hewasthefirstmissionaryeverseeninthecountry，anditwastheOldTimerwhonamedhim。TheOldTimer’sadventtotheFoothillcountrywasprehistoric，andhisinfluencewas，inconsequence，immense。Nooneventuredtodisagreewithhim，fortodisagreewiththeOldTimerwastowriteyourselfdownatenderfoot，whichnoone，ofcourse，caredtodo。Itwasamisfortunewhichonlytimecouldrepairtobeanew-comer，anditwaseverynew-comer’saimtoassumewithallpossiblespeedthestyleandcustomsofthearistocraticOldTimers，andtoforgetassoonaspossiblethedateofhisownarrival。Soitwasas\"TheSkyPilot，\"familiarly\"ThePilot，\"thatthemissionarywentformanyadayintheSwanCreekcountry。
IhadbecomeschoolmasterofSwanCreek。ForinthespringakindProvidencesentintheMuirsandtheBremanswithhousefulsofchildren，totheranchers’disgust，fortheyforesawploughedfieldsandbarbed-wirefencescrampingtheirunlimitedranges。A
schoolbecamenecessary。AlittlelogbuildingwaserectedandI
wasappointedschoolmaster。ItwasasschoolmasterthatIfirstcametotouchThePilot，fortheletterwhichtheHudsonBayfreightersbroughtmeearlyonesummereveningboretheinscription：
TheSchoolmaster，PublicSchool，SwanCreek，Alberta。
Therewasaltogetherafineairabouttheletter;thewritingwasinfine，smallhand，thetonewasfine，andtherewassomethingfineinthesignature——\"ArthurWellingtonMoore。\"HewasgladtoknowthattherewasaschoolandateacherinSwanCreek，foraschoolmeantchildren，inwhomhissouldelighted;andintheteacherhewouldfindafriend，andwithoutafriendhecouldnotlive。Hetookmeintohisconfidence，tellingmethatthoughhehadvolunteeredforthisfar-awaymissionfieldhewasnotmuchofapreacherandhewasnotatallsurethathewouldsucceed。Buthemeanttotry，andhewascharmedattheprospectofhavingonesympathizeratleast。WouldIbekindenoughtoputupinsomeconspicuousplacetheenclosednotice，fillingintheblanksasI
thoughtbest？
\"DivineservicewillbeheldatSwancreekin————————-at————o’clock。
Allarecordiallyinvited。
ArthurWellingtonMoore。\"
OnthewholeIlikedhisletter。Ilikeditsmodestself-
depreciationandIlikeditscoolassumptionofmysympathyandco-
operation。ButIwasperplexed。IrememberedthatSundaywasthedayfixedforthegreatbaseballmatch，whenthosefrom\"Home，\"astheyfondlycalledthelandacrosstheseafromwhichtheyhadcome，wereto\"wipetheearth\"withallcomers。Besides，\"Divineservice\"wasaninnovationinSwanCreekandIfeltsurethat，likeallinnovationsthatsuggestedtheapproachoftheEast，itwouldbebynomeanswelcome。
However，immediatelyunderthenoticeofthe\"GrandBaseballMatchfor’ThePainKiller’aweekfromSunday，at2：30，Homevs。theWorld，\"IpinnedonthedooroftheStoppingPlacetheannouncement：
\"DivineservicewillbeheldatSwanCreek，intheStoppingPlaceParlor，aweekfromSunday，immediatelyupontheconclusionofthebaseballmatch。
\"ArthurWellingtonMoore。\"
Therewasastrangeincongruityinthetwo，andanunconsciouschallengeaswell。
Allnextday，whichwasSaturday，and，indeed，duringthefollowingweek，Istoodguardovermynotice，enjoyingtheexcitementitproducedandthecommentsitcalledforth。Itwastheadvancewaveofthegreatoceanofcivilizationwhichmanyofthemhadbeengladtoleavebehind——somecouldhavewishedforever。
ToRobertMuir，oneofthefarmersnewlyarrived，thenoticewasaharbingerofgood。Itstoodforprogress，marketsandahigherpriceforland;albeithewondered\"hoohewadbekeepitup。\"Buthishard-wrought，quick-spokenlittlewifeathiselbow\"hooted\"
hisscruplesand，thinkingofhergrowinglads，welcomedwithunmixedsatisfactionthecomingof\"themeenister。\"Hersatisfactionwassharedbyallthemothersandmostofthefathersinthesettlement;butbytheothers，andespeciallybythatrollicking，roisteringcrew，theCompanyoftheNobleSeven，themissionary’scomingwasviewedwithvaryingdegreesofanimosity。
Itmeantalimitationoffreedomintheirwildlyrecklessliving。
The\"Permit\"nightswouldnow，tosaytheleast，besubjecttocriticism;theSundaywolf-huntsandhorse-races，withtheirattendantdelights，wouldnowbepursuedundertheeyeoftheChurch，andthiswouldnotaddtotheenjoymentofthem。Onegreatcharmofthecountry，whichBruce，himselfthesonofanEdinburghminister，andnowSecretaryoftheNobleSeven，describedas\"lettingafellowdoasheblankedpleased，\"wouldbegone。Noneresentedmorebitterlythanhethemissionary’sintrusion，whichhedeclaredtobeanattempt\"toreimposeupontheirfreedomthetrammelsofanantiquatedandbigotedconventionality。\"ButtherestoftheCompany，whilenottakingsodecidedastand，wereagreedthattheestablishmentofachurchinstitutionwasanobjectionableandimpertinentaswellasunnecessaryproceeding。
Ofcourse，HiKendalandhisfriendBroncoBillhadnoopiniononewayortheother。TheChurchcouldhardlyaffectthemevenremotely。Adozenyears’stayinMontanahadprovedwithsufficientclearnesstothemthatachurchwasaluxuryofcivilizationtheWestmightwelldowithout。
OutsidetheCompanyoftheNobleSeventherewasonlyonewhoseopinionhadvalueinSwanCreek，andthatwastheOldTimer。TheCompanyhadsoughttobringhiminbymakinghimanhonorarymember，butherefusedtobedrawnfromhishomefarupamongthehills，wherehelivedwithhislittlegirlGwenandheroldhalf-
breednurse，Ponka。Theapproachofthechurchheseemedtoresentasapersonalinjury。Itrepresentedtohimthatcivilizationfromwhichhehadfledfifteenyearsagowithhiswifeandbabygirl，andwhenfiveyearslaterhelaidhiswifeinthelonelygravethatcouldbeseenontheshadedknolljustfrontinghiscabindoor，thelastlinktohispastwasbroken。FromallthatsuggestedthegreatworldbeyondtherunofthePrairieheshrankasoneshrinksfromasuddentouchuponanoldwound。
\"IguessI’llhavetomoveback，\"hesaidtomegloomily。
\"Why？\"Isaidinsurprise，thinkingofhisgrazingrange，whichwasampleforhisherd。
\"ThisblankSkyPilot。\"Heneversworeexceptwhenunusuallymoved。
\"SkyPilot？\"Iinquired。
Henoddedandsilentlypointedtothenotice。
\"Oh，well，hewon’thurtyou，willhe？\"
\"Can’tstandit，\"heansweredsavagely，\"mustgetaway。\"
\"WhataboutGwen？\"Iventured，forshewasthelightofhiseyes。
\"Pitytostopherstudies。\"Iwasgivingherweeklylessonsattheoldman’sranch。
\"Dunno。Ain’tfiggeredoutyetaboutthatbaby。\"Shewasstillhisbaby。\"Guessshe’sallshewantsfortheFoothills，anyway。
What’stheuse？\"headded，bitterly，talkingtohimselfafterthemannerofmenwholivemuchalone。
Iwaitedforamoment，thensaid：\"Well，Iwouldn’thurryaboutdoinganything，\"knowingwellthattheonethinganold-timerhatestodoistomakeanychangeinhismodeoflife。\"Maybehewon’tstay。\"
Hecaughtatthiseagerly。\"That’sso！Thereain’tmuchtokeephim，anyway，\"andherodeofftohislonelyranchfarupinthehills。
Ilookedaftertheswayingfigureandtriedtopicturehispastwithitstragedy;thenIfoundmyselfwonderinghowhewouldendandwhatwouldcometohislittlegirl。AndImadeupmymindthatifthemissionaryweretherightsorthiscomingmightnotbeabadthingfortheOldTimerandperhapsformorethanhim。
CHAPTERIV
THEPILOT’SMEASURE
ItwasHiKendalthatannouncedthearrivalofthemissionary。I
wasstandingatthedoorofmyschool，watchingthechildrenrideoffhomeontheirponies，whenHicamelopingalongonhisbroncointheloose-jointedcowboystyle。
\"Well，\"hedrawledout，bringinghisbroncotoadeadstopinasinglebound，\"he’slit。\"
\"Lit？Where？What？\"saidI，lookingroundforaneagleorsomeotherflyingthing。
\"YourblankedSkyPilot，andhe’sabeauty，aprettykid——lookstootenderforthisclimate。Betternotlethimoutontherange。\"Hiwasquitedisgusted，evidently。
\"What’sthematterwithhim，Hi？\"
\"Why，HEain’tnoparson！Idon’tgomuchonparsons，butwhenI
callsforoneIdon’twantnobantamchicken。No，sirree，horse！
Idon’twantnoblankety-blank，pink-and-whitecomplectednurserykidfoolin’roundmygraveyard。Ifyou’regoin’tobringalongaparson，whybringhimwithhiseye-teethcutandhistailfeatherson。\"
ThatHiwasdeeplydisappointedwasquiteclearfromtheselectionoftheprofanitywithwhichheadornedthislengthyaddress。Itwasnevertheextentofhisprofanity，butthechoice，thatindicatedHi’sinterestinanysubject。
Altogether，theoutlookforthemissionarywasnotencouraging。
WiththesingleexceptionoftheMuirs，whoreallycountedforlittle，nobodywantedhim。TomostoftherecklessyoungbloodsoftheCompanyoftheNobleSevenhispresencewasanoffence;tootherssimplyanuisance，whiletheOldTimerregardedhisadventwithsomethinglikedismay;andnowHi’simpressionofhispersonalappearancewasnotcheering。
Myfirstsightofhimdidnotreassureme。Hewasveryslight，veryyoung，veryinnocent，withafacethatmightdoforanangel，exceptforthetouchofhumorinit，butwhichseemedstrangelyoutofplaceamongtherough，hardfacesthatweretobeseenintheSwanCreekCountry。Itwasnotaweakface，however。Theforeheadwashighandsquare，themouthfirm，andtheeyeswereluminous，ofsomedarkcolor——violet，ifthereissuchacolorineyes——dreamyorsparkling，accordingtohismood;eyesforwhichawomanmightfinduse，butwhich，inamissionary’shead，appearedtomeoneofthoseextraordinarywastesofwhichNatureissometimesguilty。
HewasgazingfarawayintospaceinfinitelybeyondtheFoothillsandthebluelineofthemountainsbehindthem。HeturnedtomeasIdrewnear，witheyesalightandfaceglowing。
\"Itisglorious，\"healmostpanted。\"Youseethiseveryday！\"
Then，recallinghimself，hecameeagerlytowardme，stretchingouthishand。\"Youaretheschoolmaster，Iknow。Doyouknow，it’sagreatthing？Iwantedtobeone，butInevercouldgettheboyson。Theyalwaysgotmetellingthemtales。Iwasawfullydisappointed。Iamtryingthenextbestthing。Yousee，Iwon’thavetokeeporder，butIdon’tthinkIcanpreachverywell。Iamgoingtovisityourschool。Haveyoumanyscholars？Doyouknow，Ithinkit’ssplendid？IwishIcoulddoit。\"
Ihadintendedtobesomewhatstiffwithhim，buthisevidentadmirationofmemademequiteforgetthislaudableintention，and，ashetalkedonwithoutwaitingforananswer，hisenthusiasm，hisdeferencetomyopinion，hischarmofmanner，hisbeautifulface，hisluminouseyes，madehimperfectlyirresistible;andbeforeI
wasawareIwaslisteningtohisplansforworkinghismissionwitheagerinterest。Soeagerwasmyinterest，indeed，thatbeforeI
wasawareIfoundmyselfaskinghimtoteawithmeinmyshack。
Buthedeclined，saying：
\"I’dliketo，awfully;butdoyouknow，IthinkLatourexpectsme。\"
ThisconsiderationofLatour’sfeelingsalmostupsetme。
\"Youcomewithme，\"headded，andIwent。
Latourwelcomeduswithhisgrimoldfacewreathedinunusualsmiles。Thepilothadbeentalkingtohim，too。
\"I’vegotit，Latour！\"hecriedoutasheentered;\"hereyouare，\"
andhebrokeintothebeautifulFrench-Canadianchanson，\"AlaClaireFontaine，\"totheoldhalf-breed’salmosttearfuldelight。
\"Doyouknow，\"hewenton，\"IheardthatfirstdowntheMattawa，\"
andawayhewentintoastoryofanexperiencewithFrench-Canadianraftsmen，mixinguphisFrenchandEnglishinsocharmingamannerthatLatour;whoinhisyoungerdayslongagohadbeenashantymanhimself，hardlyknewwhetherhewasstandingonhisheadoronhisheels。
AfterteaIproposedarideouttoseethesunsetfromthenearestrisingground。Latour，withunexampledgenerosity，offeredhisowncayuse，\"Louis。\"
\"Ican’tridewell，\"protestedThePilot。
\"Ah！dat’sgoodponee，Louis，\"urgedLatour。\"He’squietlakwanleetlemouse;he’sridelak——whatyoucall？——wanhorse-on-de-rock。\"
Underwhichpersuasiontheponywasaccepted。
ThateveningIsawtheSwanCreekcountrywithneweyes——throughtheluminouseyesofThePilot。WerodeupthetrailbythesideoftheSwantillwecametothecouleemouth，darkandfullofmystery。
\"Comeon，\"Isaid，\"wemustgettothetopforthesunset。\"
Helookedlingeringlyintothedeepshadowsandasked：\"Anythinglivedownthere？\"
\"Coyotesandwolvesandghosts。\"
\"Ghosts？\"heasked，delightedly。\"Doyouknow，Iwassuretherewere，andI’mquitesureIshallseethem。\"
ThenwetookthePorcupinetrailandclimbedforabouttwomilesthegentleslopetothetopofthefirstrisingground。Therewestayedandwatchedthesuntakehisnightlyplungeintotheseaofmountains，nowdimlyvisible。Behindusstretchedtheprairie，sweepingoutleveltotheskyandcutbythewindingcouleeoftheSwan。Greatlongshadowsfromthehillswerelyinguponitsyellowface，andfaratthedistantedgethegrayhazewasdeepeningintopurple。Beforeuslaythehills，softlycurvingliketheshouldersofgreatsleepingmonsters，theirtopsstillbright，buttheseparatingvalleysfullofshadow。Andthere，farbeyondthem，upagainstthesky，wasthelineofthemountains——blue，purple，andgold，accordingasthelightfelluponthem。Thesunhadtakenhisplunge，buthehadleftbehindhimhisrobesofsaffronandgold。
Westoodlongwithoutawordormovement，fillingourheartswiththesilenceandthebeauty，tillthegoldinthewestbegantogrowdim。Highaboveallthenightwasstretchingherstar-pierced，bluecanopy，anddrawingslowlyupfromtheeastovertheprairieandoverthesleepinghillsthesoftfoldsofapurplehaze。Thegreatsilenceofthedyingdayhadfallenupontheworldandheldusfast。
\"Listen，\"hesaid，inalowtone，pointingtothehills。\"Can’tyouhearthembreathe？\"And，lookingattheircurvingshoulders，I
fanciedIcouldseethemslowlyheavingasifinheavysleep，andI
wasquitesureIcouldhearthembreathe。Iwasunderthespellofhisvoiceandhiseyes，andnaturewasalllivingtomethen。
WerodebacktotheStoppingPlaceinsilence，exceptforawordofminenowandthenwhichheheedednot;and，withhardlyagoodnight，heleftmeatthedoor。IturnedawayfeelingasifIhadbeeninastrangecountryandamongstrangepeople。
HowwouldhedowiththeSwanCreekfolk？Couldhemakethemseethehillsbreathe？WouldtheyfeelasIfeltunderhisvoiceandeyes？Whatacuriousmixturehewas！IwasdoubtfulabouthisfirstSunday，andwassurprisedtofindallmyindifferenceastohissuccessorfailuregone。Itwasapityaboutthebaseballmatch。Iwouldspeaktosomeofthemenaboutitto-morrow。
Himightbedisappointedinhisappearance，but，asIturnedintomyshackandthoughtovermylasttwohourswithThePilotandhowhehad\"got\"oldLatourandmyself，IbegantothinkthatHimightbemistakeninhismeasureofThePilot。
CHAPTERV
FIRSTBLOOD
Oneisneversoenthusiasticintheearlymorning，whentheemotionsarecalmestandthenervesattheirsteadiest。ButIwasdeterminedtotrytohavethebaseballmatchpostponed。Therecouldbenodifficulty。Onedaywasasmuchofaholidayasanothertotheseeasy-goingfellows。ButTheDuke，whenIsuggestedachangeintheday，simplyraisedhiseyebrowsaneighthofaninchandsaid：
\"Can’tseewhythedayshouldbechanged。\"Brucestormedandsworeallsortsofdestructionuponhimselfifhewasgoingtochangehisstyleoflifeforanyman。TheothersfollowedTheDuke’slead。
ThatSundaywasadayofincongruities。TheOldandtheNew，theEastandtheWest，thereverentialPastandiconoclasticPresentwerejumblingthemselvestogetherinbewilderingconfusion。Thebaseballmatchwasplayedwithmuchvigorandprofanity。TheexpressiononThePilot’sface，ashestoodwatchingforawhile，wasacuriousmixtureofinterest，surprise，doubtandpain。Hewasreadjustinghimself。Hewassomadeastobeextremelysensitivetohissurroundings。Hetookoncolorquickly。Theutterindifferencetotheaudaciousdisregardofallhehadhithertoconsideredsacredandessentialwasdisconcerting。Theywereallsodeadsure。Howdidheknowtheywerewrong？Itwashisfirstnearviewofpractical，livingskepticism。Skepticisminabookdidnotdisturbhim;hecouldputdownwordsagainstit。
Buthereitwasalive，cheerful，attractive，indeedfascinating;
forthesemenintheirwesterngarbandwiththeirwesternswinghadcapturedhisimagination。Hewasinafiercestruggle，andinafewminutesIsawhimdisappearintothecoulee。
Meantimethematchwentuproariouslyontoafinish，withtheresultthatthechampionsof\"Home\"had\"tostandThePainkiller，\"
theirdefeatbeingduechieflytotheworkofHiandBroncoBillaspitcherandcatcher。
Thecelebrationwasinfullswing;orasHiputit，\"theboysweretakin’theirpizengoodan’calm，\"wheninwalkedThePilot。Hisfacewasstilltroubledandhislipsweredrawnandblue，asifhewereinpain。Asilencefellonthemenashewalkedinthroughthecrowdanduptothebar。Hestoodamomenthesitating，lookingrounduponthefacesflushedandhotthatwerenowturnedtowardhimincuriousdefiance。Henoticedthelook，anditpulledhimtogether。HefacedabouttowardoldLatourandaskedinahigh，clearvoice：
\"Isthistheroomyousaidwemighthave？\"
TheFrenchmanshruggedhisshouldersandsaid：
\"Thereisnotanymore。\"
Theladpausedforaninstant，butonlyforaninstant。Then，liftingapileofhymnbookshehadnearhimonthecounter，hesaidinagrave，sweetvoice，andwiththequiverofasmileabouthislips：
\"Gentlemen，Mr。Latourhasallowedmethisroomforareligiousservice。Itwillgivemegreatpleasureifyouwillalljoin，\"andimmediatelyhehandedabooktoBroncoBill，who，surprised，tookitasifhedidnotknowwhattodowithit。TheothersfollowedBronco’sleadtillhecametoBruce，whorefused，sayingroughly：
\"No！Idon’twantit;I’venouseforit。\"
Themissionaryflushedanddrewbackasifhehadbeenstruck，butimmediately，asifunconsciously，TheDuke，whowasstandingnear，stretchedouthishandandsaid，withacourteousbow，\"Ithankyou;Ishouldbegladofone。\"
\"Thankyou，\"repliedThePilot，simply，ashehandedhimabook。
Themenseatedthemselvesuponthebenchthatranroundtheroom，orleanedupagainstthecounter，andmostofthemtookofftheirhats。JustthenincameMuir，andbehindhimhislittlewife。
InaninstantTheDukewasonhisfeet，andeveryhatcameoff。
Themissionarystoodupatthebar，andannouncedthehymn，\"Jesus，LoverofMySoul。\"Thesilencethatfollowedwasbrokenbythesoundofahorsegalloping。Abuckskinbroncoshotpastthewindow，andinafewmomentsthereappearedatthedoortheOldTimer。Hewasabouttostrideinwhentheunusualsightofarowofmensittingsolemnlywithhymnbooksintheirhandsheldhimfastatthedoor。Hegazedinanamazed，helplesswayuponthemen，thenatthemissionary，thenbackatthemen，andstoodspeechless。Suddenlytherewasahigh，shrill，boyishlaugh，andthementurnedtoseethemissionaryinafitoflaughter。Itcertainlywasashocktoanylingeringideasofreligiousproprietytheymighthaveaboutthem;butthecontrastbetweenhisfrank，laughingfaceandtheamazedanddisgustedfaceoftheshaggyoldmaninthedoorwaywastoomuchforthem，andonebyonetheygavewaytoroarsoflaughter。TheOldTimer，however，kepthisfaceunmoved，strodeuptothebarandnoddedtooldLatour，whoservedhimhisdrink，whichhetookatagulp。
\"Here，oldman！\"calledoutBill，\"getintothegame;here’syourdeck，\"offeringhimhisbook。Butthemissionarywasbeforehim，and，withverybeautifulgrace，hehandedtheOldTimerabookandpointedhimtoaseat。
Ishallneverforgetthatservice。Asareligiousaffairitwasadeadfailure，butsomehowIthinkThePilot，asHiapprovinglysaid，\"gotinhisfunnywork，\"anditwasnotwhollyadefeat。ThefirsthymnwassungchieflybythemissionaryandMrs。Muir，whosevoicewasveryhigh，withoneortwoofthemensoftlywhistlinganaccompaniment。Thesecondhymnwasbetter，andthencametheLesson，thestoryofthefeedingofthefivethousand。Asthemissionaryfinishedthestory，Bill，whohadbeenlisteningwithgreatinterest，said：
\"Isay，pard，IthinkI’llcallyoujustnow。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon！\"saidthestartledmissionary。
\"You’regivin’usquiteasonganddancenow，ain’tyou？\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"wasthepuzzledreply。
\"Howmanymenwasthereinthecrowd？\"askedBill，withajudicialair。
\"Fivethousand。\"
\"Andhowmuchgrub？\"
\"Fiveloavesandtwofishes，\"answeredBruceforthemissionary。
\"Well，\"drawledBill，withtheairofamanwhohasreachedaconclusion，\"that’salittletoounusualforme。Why，\"lookingpityinglyatthemissionary，\"itain’tnatarel。\"
\"Rightyouare，myboy，\"saidBruce，withalaugh。\"It’sdeucedlyunnatural。\"
\"NotforHim，\"saidthemissionary，quietly。ThenBrucejoyfullytookhimupandledhimonintoadiscussionofevidences，andfromevidencesintometaphysics，theoriginofevilandthefreedomofthewill，tillthemissionary，asBillsaid，\"wasrattledworsenoraroosterinthedark。\"PoorlittleMrs。Muirwasmuchscandalizedandlookedanxiouslyatherhusband，wishinghimtotakeherout。
Buthelpcamefromanunexpectedquarter，andHisuddenlycalledout：
\"Hereyou，Bill，shutyourblankedjaw，andyou，Bruce，givethemanachancetoworkoffhismusic。\"
\"That’sso！Fairplay！Goon！\"werethecriesthatcameinresponsetoHi’sappeal。
Themissionary，whowasalltremblingandmuchtroubled，gaveHiagratefullook，andsaid：
\"I’mafraidthereareagreatmanythingsIdon’tunderstand，andI
amnotgoodatargument。\"Therewereshoutsof\"Goon！fireahead，playthegame！\"buthesaid，\"Ithinkwewillclosetheservicewithahymn。\"Hisfranknessandmodesty，andhisrespectful，courteousmannergainedthesympathyofthemen，sothatalljoinedheartilyinsinging，\"SunofMySoul。\"Intheprayerthatfollowedhisvoicegrewsteadyandhisnervecamebacktohim。Thewordswereverysimple，andthepetitionsweremostlyforlightandforstrength。Withafewwordsofremembranceof\"thoseinourhomesfarawaywhothinkofusandprayforusandneverforget，\"thisstrangeservicewasbroughttoaclose。
Afterthemissionaryhadsteppedout，thewholeaffairwasdiscussedwithgreatwarmth。HiKendalthought\"ThePilotdidn’thavenofairshow，\"maintainingthatwhenhewas\"ropin’asteerhedidn’twantnoblankedtenderfoottobeshovin’inhisropelikeBillthere。\"ButBillsteadilymaintainedhispositionthat\"thestoryofthattherepicnicwasalittletoounusual\"forhim。
BrucewastryingmeanwhiletobeguileTheDukeintoadiscussionofthephysicsandmetaphysicsofthecase。ButTheDukerefusedwithquietcontempttobedrawnintoaregionwherehefelthimselfastranger。Hepreferredpokerhimself，ifBrucecaredtotakeahand;andsotheeveningwenton，withthetheologicaldiscussionbyHiandBillinajudicial，friendlyspiritinonecorner，whiletheothersforthemostpartplayedpoker。
Whenthemissionaryreturnedlatetherewereonlyafewleftintheroom，amongthemTheDukeandBruce，whowasdrinkingsteadilyandlosingmoney。Themissionary’spresenceseemedtoirritatehim，andheplayedevenmorerecklesslythanusual，swearingdeeplyateveryloss。Atthedoorthemissionarystoodlookingupintothenightskyandhummingsoftly\"SunofMySoul，\"andafterafewminutesTheDukejoinedinhummingabasstotheairtillBrucecouldcontainhimselfnolonger。
\"Isay，\"hecalledout，\"thisisn’tanyblankedprayer-meeting，isit？\"
TheDukeceasedhumming，and，lookingatBruce，saidquietly：
\"Well，whatisit？What’sthetrouble？\"
\"Trouble！\"shoutedBruce。\"Idon’tseewhathymn-singinghastodowithapokergame。\"
\"Oh，Isee！Ibegpardon！WasIsinging？\"saidTheDuke。Thenafterapauseheadded，\"You’requiteright。Isay，Bruce，let’squit。Somethinghasgotontoyournerves。\"Andcoollysweepinghispileintohispocket，hegaveupthegame。WithanoathBruceleftthetable，tookanotherdrink，andwentunsteadilyouttohishorse，andsoonweheardhimrideawayintothedarkness，singingsnatchesofthehymnandswearingthemostawfuloaths。
Themissionary’sfacewaswhitewithhorror。Itwasallnewandhorribletohim。
\"Willhegetsafelyhome？\"heaskedofTheDuke。
\"Don’tyouworry，youngster，\"saidTheDuke，inhisloftiestmanner，\"he’llgetalong。\"
Theluminous，dreamyeyesgrewhardandbrightastheylookedTheDukeintheface。
\"Yes，Ishallworry;butyououghttoworrymore。\"
\"Ah！\"saidTheDuke，raisinghisbrowsandsmilinggentlyuponthebright，sternyoungfacelifteduptohis。\"Ididn’tnoticethatI
hadaskedyouropinion。\"
\"Ifanythingshouldhappentohim，\"repliedthemissionary，quickly，\"Ishouldconsideryoulargelyresponsible。\"
\"Thatwouldbekind，\"saidTheDuke，stillsmilingwithhislips。
Butafteramoment’ssteadylookintothemissionary’seyeshenoddedhisheadtwiceorthrice，and，withoutfurtherword，turnedaway。
Themissionaryturnedeagerlytome：
\"Theybeatmethisafternoon，\"hecried，\"butthankGod，IknownowtheyarewrongandIamright！Idon’tunderstand！Ican’tseemywaythrough！ButIamright！It’strue！Ifeelit’strue！Mencan’tlivewithoutHim，andbemen！\"
AndlongafterIwenttomyshackthatnightIsawbeforemetheeagerfacewiththeluminouseyesandheardthetriumphantcry：\"I
feelit’strue！Mencan’tlivewithoutHim，andbemen！\"andI
knewthatthoughhisfirstSundayendedindefeattherewasvictoryyetawaitinghim。
CHAPTERVI
HISSECONDWIND
ThefirstweekswerenotpleasantforThePilot。Hehadbeenbeaten，andthesenseoffailuredampedhisfineenthusiasm，whichwasoneofhischiefcharms。TheNobleSevendespised，ignored，orlaughedathim，accordingtotheirmoodanddisposition。Brucepatronizedhim;and，worstofall，theMuirspitiedhim。Thislastitwasthatbroughthimlow，andIwasgladofit。Ifindithardtoputupwithamanthatenjoyspity。
ItwasHiKendalthatrestoredhim，thoughHihadnothoughtofdoingsogoodadeed。Itwasinthisway：AbaseballmatchwasonwithThePorcupinesfromneartheFort。ToHi’sdisgustandtheteam’sdismayBillfailedtoappear。ItwasHi’sdelighttostandupforBill’spitching，andtheirbatterywasthegloryoftheHometeam。
\"TryThePilot，Hi，\"saidsomeone，chaffinghim。
HilookedglumlyacrossatThePilotstandingsomedistance，away;
thencalledout，holdinguptheball：
\"Canyouplaythegame？\"
ForanswerMoorehelduphishandsforacatch。Hitossedhimtheballeasily。TheballcamebacksoquicklythatHiwashardlyready，andthejarseemedtoamazehimexceedingly。
\"I’lltakehim，\"hesaid，doubtfully，andthegamebegan。Hifittedonhismask，anewimportationandhispeculiarpride，andwaited。
\"Howdoyoulikethem？\"askedThePilot。
\"Hot！\"saidHi。\"Ihain’tgotnoglovestoburn。\"
ThePilotturnedhisback，swungoffonefootontotheotheranddischargedhisball。
\"Strike！\"calledtheumpire。
\"Youbet！\"saidHi，withemphasis，buthisfacewasapictureofamazementanddawningdelight。
AgainThePilotwentthroughthemanoeuvreinhisboxandagaintheumpirecalled：
\"Strike！\"
Histoppedtheballwithoutholdingitandsethimselfforthethird。Oncemorethatdisconcertingswingandthewhip-likeactionofthearm，andforthethirdtimetheumpirecalled：
\"Strike！Strikerout！\"
\"That’sthehole，\"yelledHi。
ThePorcupineswereamazed。Hilookedattheballinhishand，thenattheslightfigureofThePilot。
\"Isay！wheredoyougetit？\"
\"What？\"askedMooreinnocently。
\"Thegait！\"
\"Thewhat？\"
\"Thegait！thespeed，youknow！\"
\"Oh！IusedtoplayinPrincetonalittle。\"
\"Did，eh？Whattheblankblankdidyouquitfor？\"
Heevidentlyregardedtheexchangeoftheprofessionofbaseballforthestudyoftheologyasaseriouserrorinjudgment，andinthisopinioneveryinningofthegameconfirmedhim。AtthebatThePilotdidnotshine，buthemadeupforlighthittingbyhisbase-running。Hewasfleetasadeer，andheknewthegamethoroughly。Hewaskeen，eager，intenseinplay，andbeforetheinningswerehalfoverhewasrecognizedasthebestall-roundmanonthefield。Inthepitcher’sboxhepuzzledthePorcupinestilltheygrewdesperateandhitwildlyandblindly，amidthejeersofthespectators。ThebewildermentofthePorcupineswasequaledonlybytheenthusiasmofHiandhisnine，andwhenthegamewasoverthescorestood37to7infavoroftheHometeam。TheycarriedThePilotoffthefield。
FromthatdayMoorewasanotherman。HehadwontheunqualifiedrespectofHiKendalandmostoftheothers，forhecouldbeatthemattheirowngameandstillbemodestaboutit。Oncemorehisenthusiasmcamebackandhisbrightnessandhiscourage。TheDukewasnotpresenttowitnesshistriumph，and，besides，heratherdespisedthegame。Brucewasthere，however，buttooknopartinthegeneralacclaim;indeed，heseemedratherdisgustedwithMoore’ssuddenleapintofavor。CertainlyhishostilitytoThePilotandtoallthathestoodforwasnonethelessopenandbitter。
ThehostilitywasmorethanusuallymarkedattheserviceheldontheSundayfollowing。Itwas，perhaps，thrownintostrongerreliefbytheopenanddelightedapprovalofHi，whowaspreparedtobackupanythingThePilotwouldventuretosay。Bill，whohadnotwitnessedThePilot’sperformanceinthepitcher’sbox，buthadonlyHi’senthusiasticreporttogoupon，stillpreservedhisjudicialair。Itisfairtosay，however，thattherewasnomean-
spiritedjealousyinBill’shearteventhoughHihadfranklyassuredhimthatThePilotwas\"ademon，\"andcould\"givehimpoints。\"BillhadgreatconfidenceinHi’sopinionuponbaseball，buthewasnotpreparedtosurrenderhisrightofprivatejudgmentinmatterstheological，sohewaitedforthesermonbeforecommittinghimselftoanyenthusiasticapproval。Thisservicewasanundoubtedsuccess。Thesingingwashearty，andinsensiblythemenfellintoareverentattitudeduringprayer。Thetheme，too，wasonethatgavelittleroomforskepticism。ItwasthestoryofZaccheus，andstory-tellingwasMoore’sstrongpoint。Thethingwaswelldone。Vividportraituresoftheoutcast，shrewd，convertedpublicanandthesupercilious，self-complacent，criticalPhariseeweredrawnwithafewdefttouches。AsinglesentencetransferredthemtotheFoothillsandarrayedthemincowboygarb。
Billwasnonetoosureofhimself，butHi，withdelightfulwinks，wasindicatingBruceasthePharisee，tothelatter’sscornfuldisgust。Thepreachermusthavenoticed，forwithaverycleverturnthePhariseewasshowntobethekindofmanwholikestofitfaultsuponothers。ThenBill，digginghiselbowsintoHi’sribs，saidinanaudiblewhisper：
\"Say，pardner，howdoesitfitnow？\"
\"Yougitout！\"answeredHi，indignantly，buthisconfidenceinhisinterpretationoftheapplicationwasshaken。WhenMoorecametodescribetheMasterandHisplaceinthatancientgroup，weintheStoppingPlaceparlorfellunderthespellofhiseyesandvoice，andourheartsweremovedwithinus。ThatgreatPersonalitywasmadeveryrealandverywinning。Hiwasquitesubduedbythestoryandthepicture。Billwasperplexed;itwasallnewtohim;butBrucewasmainlyirritated。Tohimitwasalloldandfilledwithmemorieshehatedtoface。Atanyratehewasunusuallysavagethatevening，drankheavilyandwenthomelate，ragingandcursingatthingsingeneralandThePilotinparticular——forMoore，inatimidsortofway，hadtriedtoquiethimandhelphimtohishorse。
\"Ornerysorto’beastnow，ain’the？\"saidHi，withtheideaofcomfortingThePilot，whostoodsadlylookingafterBrucedisappearinginthegloom。
\"No！no！\"heanswered，quickly，\"notabeast，butabrother。\"
\"Brother！Notmuch，ifIknowmyrelations！\"answeredHi，disgustedly。
\"TheMasterthinksagooddealofhim，\"wastheearnestreply。
\"Gitout！\"saidHi，\"youdon’tmeanit！Why，\"headded，decidedly，\"he’smorestuckonhimselfthanthatmeanoldcussyouwastellin’
aboutthisafternoon，andwithouthalfthereason。\"
ButMooreonlysaid，kindly，\"Don’tbehardonhim，Hi，\"andturnedaway，leavingHiandBillgravelydiscussingthequestion，withtheaidofseveraldrinksofwhisky。Theywerestilldiscussingwhen，anhourlater，they，too，disappearedintothedarknessthatswallowedupthetrailtoAshleyRanch。Thatwasthefirstofmanysuchservices。Thepreachingwasalwaysofthesimplestkind，abstractquestionsbeingavoidedandtheconcreteinthosewonderfulBibletales，dressedinmodernandinwesterngarb，setforth。BillandHiweremorethaneverhisfriendsandchampions，andthelatterwasheardexultantlytoexclaimtoBruce：
\"Heain’tmuchtolookatasaparson，buthe’sa-ketchin’hissecondwind，and’forelongyouwon’tseehimfordust。\"
CHAPTERVII
THELASTOFTHEPERMITSUNDAYS
Thespring\"round-ups\"werealloverandBrucehadnothingtodobuttoloafabouttheStoppingPlace，drinkingoldLatour’sbadwhiskyandmakinghimselfanuisance。InvainThePilottriedtowinhimwithloansofbooksandmagazinesandotherkindlycourtesies。Hewouldbedecentforadayandthenwouldbreakforthinviolentargumentationagainstreligionandallwhoheldtoit。HesorelymissedTheDuke，whowasawaysouthononeofhisperiodicjourneys，ofwhichnooneknewanythingorcaredtoask。
TheDuke’spresencealwayssteadiedBruceandtooktheraspoutofhismanners。Itwasratherarelieftoallthathewasabsentfromthenextfortnightlyservice，thoughMooredeclaredhewasashamedtoconfessthisrelief。
\"Ican’ttouchhim，\"hesaidtome，aftertheservice;\"heisfartooclever，but，\"andhisvoicewasfullofpain，\"I’dgivesomethingtohelphim。\"
\"Ifhedoesn’tquithisnonsense，\"Ireplied，\"he’llsoonbepasthelping。Hedoesn’tgooutonhisrange，hisfewcattlewandereverywhere，hisshackisinabeastlystate，andhehimselfisgoingtopieces，miserablefoolthatheis。\"Foritdidseemashamethatafellowshouldsothrowhimselfawayfornothing。
\"Youarehard，\"saidMoore，withhiseyesuponme。
\"Hard？Isn’tittrue？\"Ianswered，hotly。\"Then，there’shismotherathome。\"
\"Yes，butcanhehelpit？Isitallhisfault？\"hereplied，withhissteadyeyesstilllookingintome。
\"Hisfault？Whosefault，then？\"
\"WhatoftheNobleSeven？Havetheyanythingtodowiththis？\"
Hisvoicewasquiet，buttherewasanarrestingintensityinit。
\"Well，\"Isaid，ratherweakly，\"amanoughttolookafterhimself。\"
\"Yes！——andhisbrotheralittle。\"Then，headded：\"Whathaveanyofyoudonetohelphim？TheDukecouldhavepulledhimupayearagoifhehadbeenwillingtodenyhimselfalittle，andsowithallofyou。Youalldojustwhatpleasesyouregardlessofanyother，andsoyouhelponeanotherdown。\"
Icouldnotfindanythingjustthentosay，thoughafterwardsmanythingscametome;for，thoughhisvoicewasquietandlow，hiseyeswereglowingandhisfacewasalightwiththefirethatburnedwithin，andIfeltlikeoneconvictedofacrime。ThiswascertainlyanewdoctrinefortheWest;anuncomfortabledoctrinetopractice，interferingseriouslywithpersonalliberty，butinThePilot’swayofviewingthingsdifficulttoescape。Therewouldbenoendtoone’sresponsibility。Irefusedtothinkitout。
Withinafortnightwewerethinkingitoutwithsomeintentness。
TheNobleSevenweretohaveagreat\"blow-out\"attheHillbrothers’ranch。TheDukehadgothomefromhissoutherntripalittlemoreweary-lookingandalittlemorecynicalinhissmile。
The\"blow-out\"wastobeheldonPermitSunday，thealternatetothePreachingSunday，whichwasaconcessiontoThePilot，securedchieflythroughtheinfluenceofHiandhisbaseballnine。ItwassomethingtohavecreatedthesituationinvolvedinthedistinctionbetweenPreachingandPermitSundays。Hiputitrathergraphically。
\"Thedeviltakeshisinnin’soneSundayandThePilotthenext，\"
addingemphatically，\"Hehain’tdonemuchscorin’yit，butmymoney’sonThePilot，youbet！\"Billwasmorecautiousandpreferredtowaitdevelopments。Anddevelopmentswererapid。
TheHillbrothers’meetwasunusuallysuccessfulfromasocialpointofview。SeveralPermitshadbeenrequisitioned，andwhiskyandbeerabounded。Racesalldayandpokerallnightanddrinksofvariousbrewsbothdayandnight，withvaryingimpromptudiversions——suchasshootingthehornsoffwanderingsteers——werethesocialamenitiesindulgedinbythenoblecompany。OnMondayeveningIrodeouttotheranch，urgedbyMoore，whowasanxiousthatsomeoneshouldlookafterBruce。
\"Idon’tbelongtothem，\"hesaid，\"youdo。Theywon’tresentyourcoming。\"
Nordidthey。Theyweresittingattea，andwelcomedmewithashout。
\"Hello，olddomine！\"yelledBruce，\"where’syourpreacherfriend？\"
\"Whereyououghttobe，ifyoucouldgetthere——athome，\"I
replied，nettledathisinsolenttone。
\"Strikeone！\"calledoutHi，enthusiastically，notapprovingBruce’sattitudetowardhisfriend，ThePilot。
\"Don’tbesoacute，\"saidBruce，afterthelaughhadpassed，\"buthaveadrink。\"
Hewasflushedandveryshakyandverynoisy。TheDuke，attheheadofthetable，lookedalittleharderthanusual，but，thoughpale，wasquitesteady。Theotherswereallmoreorlessnerve-
broken，andabouttheroomwerethesignsofawildnight。Abenchwasupset，whilebrokenbottlesandcrockerylaystrewnaboutoverafloorreekingwithfilth。ThedisgustonmyfacecalledforthanapologyfromtheyoungerHill，whowasservinguphamandeggsasbesthecouldtothemenloungingaboutthetable。
\"It’smyhousemaid’safternoonout，\"heexplainedgravely。
\"Goneforawalkinthepark，\"addedanother。
\"HopeMISTERConnorwillpardontheabsence，\"sneeredBruce，inhismostoffensivemanner。
\"Don’tmindhim，\"saidHi，underhisbreath，\"thebluedevilsarerunnin’himdown。\"
Thisbecamemoreevidentastheeveningwenton。FromhilarityBrucepassedtosullenferocity，withspasmsofnervousterror。
Hi’sattemptstosoothehimfinallydrovehimmad，andhedrewhisrevolver，declaringhecouldlookafterhimself，inproofofwhichhebegantoshootoutthelights。
Themenscrambledintosafecorners，allbutTheDuke，whostoodquietlybywatchingBruceshoot。Thensaying：
\"Letmehaveatry，Bruce，\"hereachedacrossandcaughthishand。
\"No！youdon’t，\"saidBruce，struggling。\"Nomangetsmygun。\"
Hetoremadlyatthegrippinghandwithbothofhis，butinvain，callingoutwithfrightfuloaths：
\"Letgo！letgo！I’llkillyou！I’llkillyou！\"
Withafuriousefforthehurledhimselfbackfromthetable，draggingTheDukepartlyacross。TherewasaflashandareportandBrucecollapsed，TheDukestillgrippinghim。Whentheyliftedhimuphewasfoundtohaveanuglywoundinhisarm，thebullethavingpassedthroughthefleshypart。IbounditupasbestI
couldandtriedtopersuadehimtogotobed。Buthewouldgohome。Nothingcouldstophim。FinallyTheDukeagreedtogowithhim，andofftheyset，Bruceloudlyprotestingthathecouldgethomealoneanddidnotwantanyone。
Itwasadismalbreak-uptothemeet，andweallwenthomefeelingrathersick，sothatitgavemenopleasuretofindMoorewaitinginmyshackformyreportofBruce。Itwasquitevainformetomakelightoftheaccidenttohim。HiseyeswerewideopenwithanxiousfearwhenIhaddone。
\"Youneedn’ttellmenottobeanxious，\"hesaid，\"youareanxiousyourself。Iseeit，Ifeelit。\"
\"Well，there’snousetryingtokeepthingsfromyou，\"Ireplied，\"butIamonlyalittleanxious。Don’tyougobeyondmeandworkyourselfupintoafeveroverit。\"
\"No，\"heansweredquietly，\"butIwishhismotherwerenearer。\"