CHAPTERXII
GWEN’SCANYON
Gwen’shopeandbrightcourage，inspiteofallherpain，werewonderfultowitness。Butallthischeeryhopeandcourageandpatiencesnuffedoutasacandle，leavingnoisomedarknesstosettledowninthatsick-roomfromthedayofthedoctor’sconsultation。
Theverdictwasclearandfinal。Theolddoctor，wholovedGwenashisown，wasinclinedtohopeagainsthope，butFawcett，thecleveryoungdoctorfromthedistanttown，waspositiveinhisopinion。
Thesceneiscleartomenow，aftermanyyears。Wethreestoodintheouterroom;TheDukeandherfatherwerewithGwen。SoearnestwasthediscussionthatnoneofusheardthedooropenjustasyoungFawcettwassayinginincisivetones：
\"No！Icanseenohope。Thechildcanneverwalkagain。\"
Therewasacrybehindus。
\"What！Neverwalkagain！It’salie！\"TherestoodtheOldTimer，white，fierce，shaking。
\"Hush！\"saidtheolddoctor，pointingattheopendoor。Hewastoolate。Evenashespoke，therecamefromtheinnerroomawild，unearthlycryasofsomedyingthingand，aswestoodgazingatoneanotherwithawe-strickenfaces，weheardGwen’svoiceasinquick，sharppain。
\"Daddy！daddy！come！Whatdotheysay？Tellme，daddy。Itisnottrue！Itisnottrue！Lookatme，daddy！\"
Shepulledupherfather’shaggardfacefromthebed。
\"Oh，daddy，daddy，youknowit’strue。Neverwalkagain！\"
SheturnedwithapitifulcrytoTheDuke，whostoodwhiteandstiffwitharmsdrawntightacrosshisbreastontheothersideofthebed。
\"Oh，Duke，didyouhearthem？Youtoldmetobebrave，andItriednottocrywhentheyhurtme。ButIcan’tbebrave！CanI，Duke？
Oh，Duke！Nevertorideagain！\"
Shestretchedoutherhandstohim。ButTheDuke，leaningoverherandholdingherhandsfastinhis，couldonlysaybrokenlyoverandover：\"Don’t，Gwen！Don’t，Gwendear！\"
Butthepitiful，pleadingvoicewenton。
\"Oh，Duke！MustIalwaysliehere？Must，I？WhymustI？\"
\"Godknows，\"answeredTheDukebitterly，underhisbreath，\"I
don’t！\"
Shecaughtattheword。
\"DoesHe？\"shecried，eagerly。Thenshepausedsuddenly，turnedtomeandsaid：\"DoyourememberhesaidsomedayIcouldnotdoasI
liked？\"
Iwaspuzzled。
\"ThePilot，\"shecried，impatiently，\"don’tyouremember？AndI
saidIshoulddoasIlikedtillIdied。\"
Inoddedmyheadandsaid：\"Butyouknowyoudidn’tmeanit。\"
\"ButIdid，andIdo，\"shecried，withpassionatevehemence，\"andI
willdoasIlike！Iwillnotliehere！Iwillride！Iwill！I
will！Iwill！\"andshestruggledup，clenchedherfists，andsankbackfaintandweak。Itwasnotapleasantsight，butgruesome。
HerrageagainstthatUnseenOmnipotencewassodefiantandsohelpless。
ThoseweredreadfulweekstoGwenandtoallabouther。Theconstantpaincouldnotbreakherproudspirit;sheshednotears;
butshefrettedandchafedandgrewmoreimperiouslyexactingeveryday。PonkaandJoeshedrovelikeaslavemaster，andevenherfather，whenhecouldnotunderstandherwishes，sheimpatientlybanishedfromherroom。OnlyTheDukecouldpleaseorbringheranycheer，andevenTheDukebegantofeelthatthedaywasnotfaroffwhenhe，too，wouldfail，andthethoughtmadehimdespair。
Herpainwashardtobear，butharderthanthepainwasherlongingfortheopenairandthefree，flower-strewn，breeze-sweptprairie。
Butmostpitifulofallwerethedayswhen，inherutterwearinessanduncontrollableunrest，shewouldpraytobetakendownintothecanyon。
\"Oh，itissocoolandshady，\"shewouldplead，\"andtheflowersupintherocksandthevinesandthingsareallsolovely。Iamalwaysbetterthere。IknowIshouldbebetter，\"tillTheDukewouldbedistractedandwouldcometomeandwonderwhattheendwouldbe。
Oneday，whenthestrainhadbeenmoreterriblethanusual，TheDukerodedowntomeandsaid：
\"Lookhere，thisthingcan’tgoon。WhereisThePilotgone？Whydoesn’thestaywherehebelongs？IwishtoHeavenhewouldgetthroughwithhisabsurdrambling。\"
\"He’sgonewherehewassent，\"Irepliedshortly。\"Youdon’tsetmuchstorebyhimwhenhedoescomeround。HeisgoneonanexploringtripthroughtheDogLakecountry。He’llbebackbytheendofnextweek。\"
\"Isay，bringhimup，forHeaven’ssake，\"saidTheDuke，\"hemaybeofsomeuse，andanywayitwillbeanewfaceforher，poorchild。\"
Thenheadded，ratherpenitently：\"Ifearthisthingisgettingontomynerves。Shealmostdrovemeoutto-day。Don’tlayitupagainstme，oldchap。\"
ItwasanewthingtohearTheDukeconfesshisneedofanyman，muchlesspenitenceforafault。Ifeltmyeyesgrowingdim，butI
said，roughly：
\"Youbehanged！I’llbringThePilotupwhenhecomes。\"
ItwaswonderfulhowwehadallcometoconfideinThePilotduringhisyearofmissionaryworkamongus。Somehowthecowboy’snameof\"SkyPilot\"seemedtoexpressbetterthananythingelsetheplaceheheldwithus。Certainitis，thatwhen，intheirdarkhours，anyofthefellowsfeltinneedofhelptostrikethe\"upwardtrail，\"theywenttoThePilot;andsothenamefirstgiveninchaffcametobethenamethatexpressedmosttrulythedeepandtenderfeelingtheserough，big-heartedmencherishedforhim。
WhenThePilotcamehomeIcarefullypreparedhimforhistrial，tellingallthatGwenhadsufferedandstrivingtomakehimfeelhowdesperatewashercasewhenevenTheDukehadtoconfesshimselfbeaten。Hedidnotseemsufficientlyimpressed。ThenI
picturedforhimallherfiercewilfulnessandherfretfulhumors，herimpatiencewiththosewholovedherandwerewearingouttheirsoulsandbodiesforher。\"Inshort，\"Iconcluded，\"shedoesn’tcarearushforanythinginheavenorearth，andwillyieldtoneithermannorGod。\"
ThePilot’seyeshadbeenkindlingasItalked，butheonlyanswered，quietly：
\"Whatcouldyouexpect？\"
\"Well，Idothinkshemightshowsomesignsofgratitudeandsomegentlenesstowardsthosereadytodieforher。\"
\"Oh，youdo！\"saidhe，withhighscorn。\"Youallcombinetoruinhertemperanddispositionwithfoolishflatteryandweakyieldingtoherwhims，rightorwrong;yousmileatherimperiousprideandencourageherwilfulness，andthennotonlywonderattheresults，butblameher，poorchild，forall。Oh，youareafinelot，TheDukeandallofyou！\"
Hehadamostexasperatingabilityforputtingoneinthewrong，andIcouldonlythinkoftheproperandsufficientreplylongaftertheopportunityformakingithadpassed。IwonderedwhatTheDukewouldsaytothisdoctrine。Allthefollowingday，whichwasSunday，IcouldseethatGwenwasonThePilot’smind。Hewasstrugglingwiththeproblemofpain。
MondaymorningfoundusonthewaytotheOldTimer’sranch。Andwhatamorningitwas！Howbeautifulourworldseemed！Aboutusrolledtheround-topped，velvethills，brownandyelloworfaintlygreen，spreadingoutbehindustothebroadprairie，andbefore，clamberingupanduptomeetthepurplebasesofthegreatmountainsthatlaytheirmightylengthalongthehorizonandthrustupwhite，sunlitpeaksintothebluesky。Onthehillsidesanddownintheshelteringhollowswecouldseethebunchesofcattleandhorsesfeedingupontherichgrasses。Highabove，thesky，cloudlessandblue，archeditsgreatkindlyrooffromprairietomountainpeaks，andoverall，above，below，uponprairie，hillsidesandmountains，thesunpouredhisfloodsofradiantyellowlight。
Aswefollowedthetrailthatwoundupandintotheheartoftheseroundedhillsandevernearertothepurplemountains，themorningbreezesweptdowntomeetus，bearingathousandscents，andfillinguswithitsownfreshlife。OnecanknowthequickeningjoyousnessoftheseFoothillbreezesonlyafterhehasdrunkwithwide-openmouth，deepandfullofthem。
Throughallthisminglingbeautyofsunlithillsandshadyhollowsandpurple，snow-peakedmountains，werodewithhardlyaword，everyminuteaddingtoourheart-fillingdelight，buteverwiththethoughtofthelittleroomwhere，shutinfromallthisoutsideglory，layGwen，heart-sorewithfrettingandlonging。ThismusthavebeeninThePilot’smind，forhesuddenlyhelduphishorseandburstout：
\"PoorGwen，howshelovesallthis！——itisherverylife。Howcanshehelpfrettingtheheartoutofher？Toseethisnomore！\"Heflunghimselfoffhisbroncoandsaid，asifthinkingaloud：\"Itistooawful！Oh，itiscruel！Idon’twonderather！Godhelpme，whatcanIsaytoher？\"
Hethrewhimselfdownuponthegrassandturnedoveronhisface。
Afterafewminutesheappealedtome，andhisfacewassorelytroubled。
\"Howcanonegotoher？Itseemstomesheerestmockerytospeakofpatienceandsubmissiontoawildyoungthingfromwhomallthisissuddenlysnatchedforever——andthiswasverylifetoher，too，remember。\"
Thenhesprangupandwerodehardforanhour，tillwecametothemouthofthecanyon。Herethetrailgrewdifficultandwecametoawalk。AswewentdownintothecooldepthsthespiritofthecanyoncametomeetusandtookThePilotinitsgrip。Herodeinfront，feastinghiseyesonallthewondersinthatstorehouseofbeauty。Treesofmanykindsdeepenedtheshadowsofthecanyon。
Overuswavedthebigelmsthatgrewuphereandthereoutofthebottom，andaroundtheirfeetclusteredlowcedarsandhemlocksandbalsams，whilethesturdy，ruggedoaksanddelicate，tremblingpoplarsclungtotherockysidesandclamberedupandouttothecanyon’ssunnylips。Backofall，thegreatblackrocks，deckedwithmossybitsandclingingthings，glistenedcoolandmoistbetweenthepartingtrees。Frommanyanoozynookthedaintyclematisandcolumbineshookouttheirbells，and，lowerdown，frombedsofmany-coloredmossthelatewind-flowerandmaiden-hairandtinyvioletliftedupbrave，sweetfaces。AndthroughthecanyontheLittleSwansangitssongtorocksandflowersandoverhangingtrees，asongofmanytones，deep-boomingwhereittookitsfirstsheerplunge，gay-chatteringwhereitthrewitselfdowntheraggedrocks，andsoft-murmuringwhereitlingeredabouttherootsoftheloving，listeningelms。Acool，sweet，soothingplaceitwas，withallitsshadesandsoundsandsilences，and，lestitshouldbesadtoany，thesharp，quicksunbeamsdancedandlaugheddownthroughallitsleavesuponmosses，flowersandrocks。NowonderthatThePilot，drawingadeepbreathashetouchedtheprairiesodagain，said：
\"Thatdoesmegood。Itisbetterattimeseventhanthesunnyhills。ThiswasGwen’sbestspot。\"
Isawthatthecanyonhaddoneitsworkwithhim。Hisfacewasstrongandcalmasthehillsonasummermorning，andwiththisfacehelookedinuponGwen。Itwasoneofherbaddaysandoneofherbadmoods，butlikeasummerbreezeheburstintothelittleroom。
\"Oh，Gwen！\"hecried，withoutawordofgreeting，muchlessofCommiseration，\"wehavehadsucharide！\"Andhespreadoutthesunlit，round-toppedhillsbeforeher，tillIcouldfeeltheirverybreezesinmyface。ThisTheDukehadneverdaredtodo，fearingtogrieveherwithpicturesofwhatsheshouldlookuponnomore。
But，asThePilottalked，beforesheknew，Gwenwasoutagainuponherbelovedhills，breathingtheirfresh，sunnyair，fillingherheartwiththeirmultitudinousdelights，tillhereyesgrewbrightandthelinesoffrettingsmoothedoutofherfaceandsheforgotherpain。Then，beforeshecouldremember，hehadherdownintothecanyon，feastingherheartwithitsairsandsightsandsounds。
Theblack，glisteningrocks，trickedoutwithmossandtrailingvines，thegreatelmsandlowgreencedars，theoaksandshiveringpoplars，theclematisandcolumbinehangingfromtherockynooks，andthevioletsandmaiden-hairdeepbeddedintheirmosses。Allthisandfarmoreheshowedherwithatouchsolightasnottoshakethemorningdewfrombellorleaforfrond，andwithavoicesosoftandfullofmusicastofillourheartswiththecanyon’sminglingsounds，and，asIlookeduponherface，Isaidtomyself：
\"DearoldPilot！forthisIshallalwaysloveyouwell。\"AspoorGwenlistened，theraptureofitdrewthebigtearsdownhercheeks——alas！nolongerbrown，butwhite，andforthatdayatleastthedull，deadwearinesswasliftedfromherheart。
CHAPTERXIII
THECANYONFLOWERS
ThePilot’sfirstvisittoGwenhadbeenatriumph。Butnoneknewbetterthanhethatthefightwasstilltocome，fordeepinGwen’sheartwerethoughtswhosepainmadeherforgetallother。
\"WasitGodletmefall？\"sheaskedabruptlyoneday，andThePilotknewthefightwason;butheonlyanswered，lookingfearlesslyintohereyes：
\"Yes，Gwendear。\"
\"WhydidHeletmefall？\"andhervoicewasverydeliberate。
\"Idon’tknow，Gwendear，\"saidThePilotsteadily。\"Heknows。\"
\"AnddoesHeknowIshallneverrideagain？DoesHeknowhowlongthedaysare，andthenightswhenIcan’tsleep？DoesHeknow？\"
\"Yes，Gwendear，\"saidThePilot，andthetearswerestandinginhiseyes，thoughhisvoicewasstillsteadyenough。
\"AreyousureHeknows？\"Thevoicewaspainfullyintense。
\"Listentome，Gwen，\"beganThePilot，ingreatdistress，butshecuthimshort。
\"AreyouquitesureHeknows？Answerme！\"shecried，withheroldimperiousness。
\"Yes，Gwen，Heknowsallaboutyou。\"
\"ThenwhatdoyouthinkofHim，justbecauseHe’sbigandstrong，treatingalittlegirlthatway？\"Thensheadded，viciously：\"I
hateHim！Idon’tcare！IhateHim！\"
ButThePilotdidnotwince。Iwonderedhowhewouldsolvethatproblemthatwaspuzzling，notonlyGwen，butherfatherandTheDuke，andallofus——theWHYofhumanpain。
\"Gwen，\"saidThePilot，asifchangingthesubject，\"didithurttoputontheplasterjacket？\"
\"Youjustbet！\"saidGwen，lapsinginherEnglish，asTheDukewasnotpresent;\"itwasworsethananything——awful！Theyhadtostraightenmeout，youknow，\"andsheshudderedatthememoryofthatpain。
\"WhatapityyourfatherorTheDukewasnothere！\"saidThePilot，earnestly。
\"Why，theywerebothhere！\"
\"Whatacruelshame！\"burstoutThePilot。\"Don’ttheycareforyouanymore？\"
\"Ofcoursetheydo，\"saidGwen，indignantly。
\"Whydidn’ttheystopthedoctorsfromhurtingyousocruelly？\"
\"Why，theyletthedoctors。Itisgoingtohelpmetositupandperhapstowalkaboutalittle，\"answeredGwen，withblue-grayeyesopenwide。
\"Oh，\"saidThePilot，\"itwasverymeantostandbyandseeyouhurtlikethat。\"
\"Why，yousilly，\"repliedOwen，impatiently，\"theywantmybacktogetstraightandstrong。\"
\"Oh，thentheydidn’tdoitjustforfunorfornothing？\"saidThePilot，innocently。
Gwengazedathiminamazedandspeechlesswrath，andhewenton：
\"Imeantheyloveyouthoughtheyletyoubehurt;orrathertheyletthedoctorshurtyouBECAUSEtheylovedyouandwantedtomakeyoubetter。\"
Gwenkepthereyesfixedwithcuriousearnestnessuponhisfacetillthelightbegantodawn。
\"Doyoumean，\"shebeganslowly，\"thatthoughGodletmefall，Helovesme？\"
ThePilotnodded;hecouldnottrusthisvoice。
\"Iwonderifthatcanbetrue，\"shesaid，asiftoherself;andsoonwesaidgood-byandcameaway——ThePilot，limpandvoiceless，butItriumphant，forIbegantoseealittlelightforGwen。
Butthefightwasbynomeansover;indeed，itwashardlywellbegun。Forwhentheautumncame，withitsmisty，purpledays，mostgloriousofalldaysinthecattlecountry，theoldrestlessnesscamebackandthefiercerefusalofherlot。Thencamethedayoftheround-up。Whyshouldshehavetostaywhileallwentafterthecattle？TheDukewouldhaveremained，butsheimpatientlysenthimaway。Shewaswearyandheart-sick，and，worstofall，shebegantofeelthatmostterribleofburdens，theburdenofherlifetoothers。IwasmuchrelievedwhenThePilotcameinfreshandbright，wavingabunchofwild-flowersinhishand。
\"Ithoughttheywereallgone，\"hecried。\"WheredoyouthinkI
foundthem？Rightdownbythebigelmroot，\"and，thoughhesawbythesettledgloomofherfacethatthestormwascoming，hewentbravelyonpicturingthecanyoninallthesplendorofitsautumndress。Butthespellwouldnotwork。Herheartwasoutontheslopinghills，wherethecattlewerebunchingandcrowdingwithtossingheadsandrattlinghorns，anditwasinavoiceverybitterandimpatientthatshecried：
\"Oh，Iamsickofallthis！Iwanttoride！Iwanttoseethecattleandthemenand——and——andallthethingsoutside。\"ThePilotwascowboyenoughtoknowthelongingthattuggedatherheartforonewildraceafterthecalvesorsteers，buthecouldonlysay：
\"Wait，Gwen。Trytobepatient。\"
\"Iampatient;atleastIhavebeenpatientfortwowholemonths，andit’snouse，andIdon’tbelieveGodcaresonebit！\"
\"Yes，Hedoes，Gwen，morethananyofus，\"repliedThePilot，earnestly。
\"No，Hedoesnotcare，\"sheanswered，withangryemphasis，andThePilotmadenoreply。
\"Perhaps，\"shewenton，hesitatingly，\"He’sangrybecauseIsaidI
didn’tcareforHim，youremember？Thatwasverywicked。Butdon’tyouthinkI’mpunishednearlyenoughnow？Youmademeveryangry，andIdidn’treallymeanit。\"
PoorGwen！Godhadgrowntobeveryrealtoherduringtheseweeksofpain，andveryterrible。ThePilotlookeddownamomentintotheblue-grayeyes，grownsobigandsopitiful，andhurriedlydroppingonhiskneesbesidethebedhesaid，inaveryunsteadyvoice：
\"Oh，Gwen，Gwen，He’snotlikethat。Don’tyourememberhowJesuswaswiththepoorsickpeople？That’swhatHe’slike。\"
\"CouldJesusmakemewell？\"
\"Yes，Gwen。\"
\"Thenwhydoesn’tHe？\"sheasked;andtherewasnoimpatiencenow，butonlytremblinganxietyasshewentoninatimidvoice：\"I
askedHimto，overandover，andsaidIwouldwaittwomonths，andnowit’smorethanthree。AreyouquitesureHehearsnow？\"SheraisedherselfonherelbowandgazedsearchinglyintoThePilot’sface。Iwasgladitwasnotintomine。Assheutteredthewords，\"Areyouquitesure？\"onefeltthatthingswereinthebalance。I
couldnothelplookingatThePilotwithintenseanxiety。Whatwouldheanswer？ThePilotgazedoutofthewindowuponthehillsforafewmoments。Howlongthesilenceseemed！Then，turning，lookedintotheeyesthatsearchedhissosteadilyandansweredsimply：
\"Yes，Gwen，Iamquitesure！\"Then，withquickinspiration，hegothermother’sBibleandsaid：\"Now，Gwen，trytoseeitasIread。\"
But，beforeheread，withthetrueartist’sinstincthecreatedtheproperatmosphere。ByafewvividwordshemadeusfeelthepatheticlonelinessoftheManofSorrowsinHislastsaddays。
Thenhereadthatmasterpieceofalltragicpicturing，thestoryofGethsemane。Andashereadwesawitall。Thegardenandthetreesandthesorrow-strickenManalonewithHismysteriousagony。
Weheardtheprayersopatheticallysubmissiveandthen，foranswer，therabbleandthetraitor。
Gwenwasfartooquicktoneedexplanation，andThePilotonlysaid，\"Yousee，Gwen，Godgavenothingbutthebest——toHisownSononlythebest。\"
\"Thebest？TheytookHimaway，didn’tthey？\"Sheknewthestorywell。
\"Yes，butlisten。\"Heturnedtheleavesrapidlyandread：\"’WeseeJesusforthesufferingofdeathcrownedwithgloryandhonor。’
ThatishowHegotHisKingdom。\"
Gwenlistenedsilentbutunconvinced，andthensaidslowly：
\"Buthowcanthisbebestforme？Iamnousetoanyone。Itcan’tbebesttojustliehereandmakethemallwaitonme，and——and——I
didwanttohelpdaddy——and——oh——Iknowtheywillgettiredofme！
Theyaregettingtiredalready——I——I——can’thelpbeinghateful。\"
ShewasbythistimesobbingasIhadneverheardherbefore——deep，passionatesobs。ThenagainthePilothadaninspiration。
\"Now，Gwen，\"hesaidseverely，\"youknowwe’renotasmeanasthat，andthatyouarejusttalkingnonsense，everyword。NowI’mgoingtosmoothoutyourredhairandtellyouastory。\"
\"It’sNOTred，\"shecried，betweenhersobs。Thiswashersorepoint。
\"Itisred，asredcanbe;abeautiful，shiningpurpleRED，\"saidThePilotemphatically，beginningtobrush。
\"Purple！\"criedGwen，scornfully。
\"Yes，I’veseenitinthesun，purple。Haven’tyou？\"saidThePilot，appealingtome。\"Andmystoryisaboutthecanyon，ourcanyon，yourcanyon，downthere。\"
\"Isittrue？\"askedGwen，alreadysoothedbythecool，quick-movinghands。
\"True？It’sastrueas——as——\"heglancedroundtheroom，\"asthePilgrim’sProgress。\"Thiswassatisfactory，andthestorywenton。
\"Atfirsttherewerenocanyons，butonlythebroad，openprairie。
OnedaytheMasterofthePrairie，walkingoutoverhisgreatlawns，wherewereonlygrasses，askedthePrairie，’Whereareyourflowers？’andthePrairiesaid，’Master，Ihavenoseeds。’Thenhespoketothebirds，andtheycarriedseedsofeverykindofflowerandstrewedthemfarandwide，andsoonthePrairiebloomedwithcrocusesandrosesandbuffalobeansandtheyellowcrowfootandthewildsunflowersandtheredliliesallthesummerlong。ThentheMastercameandwaswellpleased;buthemissedtheflowershelovedbestofall，andhesaidtothePrairie：’Wherearetheclematisandthecolumbine，thesweetvioletsandwindflowers，andallthefernsandfloweringshrubs？’Andagainhespoketothebirds，andagaintheycarriedalltheseedsandstrewedthemfarandwide。But，again，whentheMastercame，hecouldnotfindtheflowershelovedbestofall，andhesaid：’Wherearethose，mysweetestflowers？’andthePrairiecriedsorrowfully：’Oh，Master，Icannotkeeptheflowers，forthewindssweepfiercely，andthesunbeatsuponmybreast，andtheywitherupandflyaway。’ThentheMasterspoketotheLightning，andwithoneswiftblowtheLightningcleftthePrairietotheheart。AndthePrairierockedandgroanedinagony，andformanyadaymoanedbitterlyoveritsblack，jagged，gapingwound。ButtheLittleSwanpoureditswatersthroughthecleft，andcarrieddowndeepblackmould，andoncemorethebirdscarriedseedsandstrewedtheminthecanyon。Andafteralongtimetheroughrocksweredeckedoutwithsoftmossesandtrailingvines，andallthenookswerehungwithclematisandcolumbine，andgreatelmsliftedtheirhugetopshighupintothesunlight，anddownabouttheirfeetclusteredthelowcedarsandbalsams，andeverywherethevioletsandwind-flowerandmaiden-hairgrewandbloomed，tillthecanyonbecametheMastersplaceforrestandpeaceandjoy。\"
Thequainttalewasended，andGwenlayquietforsomemoments，thensaidgently：
\"Yes！Thecanyonflowersaremuchthebest。Tellmewhatitmeans。\"
ThenThePilotreadtoher：\"Thefruits——I’llread’flowers’——
oftheSpiritarelove，joy，peace，long-suffering，gentleness，goodness，faith，meekness，self-control，andsomeofthesegrowonlyinthecanyon。\"
\"Whicharethecanyonflowers？\"askedGwensoftly，andThePilotanswered：
\"Gentleness，meekness，self-control;butthoughtheothers，love，joy，peace，bloomintheopen，yetneverwithsorichabloomandsosweetaperfumeasinthecanyon。\"
ForalongtimeGwenlayquitestill，andthensaidwistfully，whileherliptrembled：
\"Therearenoflowersinmycanyon，butonlyraggedrocks。\"
\"Somedaytheywillbloom，Gwendear;Hewillfindthem，andwe，too，shallseethem。\"
Thenhesaidgood-byandtookmeaway。Hehaddonehisworkthatday。
Werodethroughthebiggate，downtheslopinghill，pastthesmiling，twinklinglittlelake，anddownagainoutofthebroadsunshineintotheshadowsandsoftlightsofthecanyon。Aswefollowedthetrailthatwoundamongtheelmsandcedars，theveryairwasfullofgentlestillness;andaswemovedweseemedtofeelthetouchoflovinghandsthatlingeredwhiletheyleftus，andeveryflowerandtreeandvineandshrubandthesoftmossesandthedeep-beddedfernswhispered，aswepassed，ofloveandpeaceandjoy。
ToTheDukeitwasallawonder，forasthedaysshortenedoutsidetheybrightenedinside;andeveryday，andmoreandmoreGwen’sroombecamethebrightestspotinallthehouse，andwhenheaskedThePilot：
\"WhatdidyoudototheLittlePrincess，andwhat’sallthisaboutthecanyonanditsflowers？\"ThePilotsaid，lookingwistfullyintoTheDuke’seyes：
\"ThefruitsoftheSpiritarelove，peace，long-suffering，gentleness，goodness，faith，meekness，self-control，andsomeofthesearefoundonlyinthecanyon，\"andTheDuke，standingupstraight，handsomeandstrong，lookedbackatThePilotandsaid，puttingouthishand：
\"Doyouknow，Ibelieveyou’reright。\"
\"Yes，I’mquitesure，\"answeredThePilot，simply。Then，holdingTheDuke’shandaslongasonemandareholdanother’s，headded：
\"Whenyoucometoyourcanyon，remember。\"
\"WhenIcome！\"saidTheDuke，andaquickspasmofpainpassedoverhishandsomeface——\"Godhelpme，it’snottoofarawaynow。\"Thenhesmiledagainhisold，sweetsmile，andsaid：
\"Yes，youareallright，for，ofallflowersIhaveseen，nonearefairerorsweeterthanthosethatarewavinginGwen’sCanyon。\"
CHAPTERXIV
BILL’SBLUFF
ThePilothadsethisheartuponthebuildingofachurchintheSwanCreekdistrict，partlybecausehewashumanandwishedtosetamarkofremembranceuponthecountry，butmorebecauseheheldthesensibleopinion，thatacongregation，asaman，musthaveahomeifitistostay。
Allthroughthesummerhekeptsettingthisasanobjectatoncedesirableandpossibletoachieve。Butfewwerefoundtoagreewithhim。
LittleMrs。Muirwasofthefew，andshewasnottobedespised，butherinfluencewasneutralizedbythesolidimmobilityofherhusband。Hehadneverdoneanythingsuddeninhislife。Everyresolvewastheresultofalongprocessofmind，andeveryactofimportancehadtobepreviewedfromallpossiblepoints。Anhonestman，stronglyreligious，andagreatadmirerofThePilot，butslow-movingasaglacier，althoughwithplentyoffireinhimdeepdown。
\"He’ssoondatthehairt，mamanRobbie，\"hiswifesaidtoThePilot，whowasfumingandfrettingattheblockingofhisplans，\"buthe’sterribledeleeberate。Bideyeabit，laddie。He’llcometae。\"
\"Butmeantimethesummer’sgoingandnothingwillbedone，\"wasThePilot’sdistressedandimpatientanswer。
Soameetingwascalledtodiscussthequestionofbuildingachurch，withtheresultthatthefivemenandthreewomenpresentdecidedthatforthepresentnothingcouldbedone。ThiswasreallyRobbie’sopinion，thoughherefusedtodoorsayanythingbutgrunt，asThePilotsaidtomeafterwards，inarage。Itistrue，Williams，thestorekeeperjustcomefrom\"acrosstheline，\"
didallthetalking，butnoonepaidmuchattentiontohisfluentfatuitiesexceptastheyrepresentedtheunexpressedmindofthedour，exasperatinglittleScotchman，whosatsilentbutforan\"ay\"
nowandthen，soexpressiveandconclusivethateveryoneknewwhathemeant，andthatdiscussionwasatanend。Theschoolhousewasquitesufficientforthepresent;thepeopleweretoofewandtoopoorandtheyweregettingonwellundertheleadershipoftheirpresentminister。TheseweretheargumentswhichRobbie’s\"ay\"
stampedasquiteunanswerable。
ItwasasoreblowtoThePilot，whohadsethisheartuponachurch，andneitherMrs;Muir’s\"hoots\"atherhusband’sslownessnorherpromisesthatshe\"wadmakhimhearit\"couldbringcomfortorrelievehisgloom。
Inthisstateofmindherodeupwithmetopayourweeklyvisittothelittlegirlshutupinherlonelyhouseamongthehills。
IthadbecomeThePilot’scustomduringtheseweekstoturnforcheertothatlittleroom，andseldomwashedisappointed。Shewassobright，sobrave，socheery，andsofulloffun，thatgloomfadedfromherpresenceasmistbeforethesun，andimpatiencewasshamedintocontent。
Gwen’sbrightface——itwasalmostalwaysbrightnow——andherbrightwelcomedidsomethingforThePilot，butthefeelingoffailurewasuponhim，andfailuretohisenthusiasticnaturewasworsethanpain。Notthatheconfessedeithertofailureorgloom;hewasfartootrueamanforthat;butGwenfelthisdepressioninspiteofallhisbraveattemptsatbrightness，andinsistedthathewasill，appealingtome。
\"Oh，it’sonlyhischurch，\"Isaid，proceedingtogiveheranaccountofRobbieMuir’ssilent，solidinertness，andhowhehadblockedThePilot’sscheme。
\"Whatashame！\"criedGwen，indignantly。\"Whatabadmanhemustbe！\"
ThePilotsmiled。\"No，indeed，\"heanswered;\"why，he’sthebestmanintheplace，butIwishhewouldsayordosomething。IfhewouldonlygetmadandswearIthinkIshouldfeelhappier。\"
Gwenlookedquitemystified。
\"Yousee，hesitsthereinsolemnsilencelookingsotremendouslywisethatmostmenfeelfoolishiftheyspeak，whileasfordoinganythingtheideaappearspreposterous，inthefaceofhisimmovableness。\"
\"Ican’tbearhim！\"criedGwen。\"Ishouldliketostickpinsinhim。\"
\"Iwishsomeonewould，\"answeredThePilot。\"Itwouldmakehimseemmorehumanifhecouldbemadetojump。\"
\"Tryagain，\"saidGwen，\"andgetsomeonetomakehimjump。\"
\"Itwouldbeeasiertobuildthechurch，\"saidThePilot，gloomily。
\"Icouldmakehimjump，\"saidGwen，viciously，\"andIWILL，\"sheadded，afterapause。
\"You！\"answeredThePilot，openinghiseyes。\"How？\"
\"I’llfindsomeway，\"shereplied，resolutely。
Andsoshedid，forwhenthenextmeetingwascalledtoconsultastothebuildingofachurch，thecongregation，chieflyoffarmersandtheirwives，withWilliams，thestorekeeper，weregreatlysurprisedtoseeBroncoBill，Hi，andhalfadozenranchersandcowboyswalkinatintervalsandsolemnlyseatthemselves。Robbielookedatthemwithsurpriseandalittlesuspicion。InchurchmattershehadnodealingswiththeSamaritansfromthehills，andwhile，intheirunregeneratecondition，theymightberegardedassuitableobjectsofmissionaryeffort，astotheirhavinganypartinthedirection，muchlesscontrol，ofthechurchpolicy——fromsuchanotionRobbiewasdeliveredbyhisloyaladherencetothescripturalinjunctionthatheshouldnotcastpearlsbeforeswine。
ThePilot，thoughsurprisedtoseeBillandthecattlemen，wasnonethelessdelighted，andfacedthemeetingwithmoreconfidence。
Hestatedthequestionfordiscussion：ShouldachurchbuildingbeerectedthissummerinSwanCreek？andheputhiscasewell。Heshowedtheneedofachurchforthesakeofthecongregation，forthesakeofthemeninthedistrict，thefamiliesgrowingup，theincomingsettlers，andforthesakeofthecountryanditsfuture。
Hecalleduponallwholovedtheirchurchandtheircountrytouniteinthiseffort。Itwasanenthusiasticappealandallthewomenandsomeofthemenwereatonceuponhisside。
Thenfolloweddead，solemnsilence。Robbiewascontenttowaittilltheeffectofthespeechshouldbedissipatedinsmallertalk。
Thenhegravelysaid：
\"Thekirkwadbeagran’thing，naedoot，an’theywada’
dootless\"——withasuspiciousglancetowardBill——\"rejoiceinitserection。Butwemaunbecautious，an’Iwadliketoenquirehoomuchmoneyakirkcudbebuiltfor，andwhaurthemoneywadcomefrae？\"
ThePilotwasreadywithhisanswer。Thecostwouldbe$1，200。
TheChurchBuildingFundwouldcontribute$200，thepeoplecouldgive$300inlabor，andtheremaining$700hethoughtcouldberaisedinthedistrictintwoyears’time。
\"Ay，\"saidRobbie，andthetoneandmannerweresufficienttodrenchanyenthusiasmwiththechilliestofwater。Somuchwasthisthecasethatthechairman，Williams，seemedquitejustifiedinsaying：
\"Itisquiteevidentthattheopinionofthemeetingisadversetoanyattempttoloadthecommunitywithadebtofonethousanddollars，\"andheproceededwithaverycompletestatementofthemanyandvariousobjectionstoanyattemptatbuildingachurchthisyear。Thepeoplewereveryfew，theyweredispersedoveralargearea，theywerenotinterestedsufficiently，theywereallspendingmoneyandmakinglittleinreturn;hesupposed，therefore，thatthemeetingmightadjourn。
Robbiesatsilentandexpressionlessinspiteofhislittlewife’sanxiouswhispersandnudges。ThePilotlookedthepictureofwoe，andwasonthepointofburstingforth，whenthemeetingwasstartledbyBill。
\"Say，boys！theyhain’tmuchstuckontheirshop，heh？\"Thelow，drawlingvoicewasperfectlydistinctandarresting。
\"Hain’tgotnouseforit，seemingly，\"wastheanswerfromthedarkcorner。
\"OldScotchietakeshisreligionoutinprayin’，Iguess，\"drawledinBill，\"butwantstospongeforhisplant。\"
ThisreferencetoRobbie’sproposaltousetheschoolmovedtheyoungsterstotitteringandmadethelittleScotchmansquirm，forhepridedhimselfuponhisindependence。
\"Thereain’t$700inthehullblankedoutfit。\"Thiswasastranger’svoice，andagainRobbiesquirmed，forheratherpridedhimselfalsoonhisabilitytopayhisway。
\"Nogood！\"saidanotheremphaticvoice。\"Ablankedloto’psalm-
singingsnipes。\"
\"Order，order！\"criedthechairman。
\"OldWindbagtheredon’tseeanyshowforswipin’thecollection，withScotchieround，\"saidHi，withafollowingrippleofquietlaughter，forWilliams’reputationwasnonetoosecure。
Robbiewasinamostuncomfortablestateofmind。Sounusuallystirredwashethatforthefirsttimeinhishistoryhemadeamotion。
\"Imoveweadjourn，Mr。Chairman，\"hesaid，inavoicewhichactuallyvibratedwithemotion。
\"Differenthere！eh，boys？\"drawledBill。
\"Youbet，\"saidHi，inhugedelight。\"Themeetin’ain’toutyit。\"
\"Yecanbidetillmor-r-nin’，\"saidRobbie，angrily。\"A’mgaenhame，\"beginningtoputonhiscoat。
\"Seemsasifheortergivethepassword，\"drawledBill。
\"Rightyouare，pardner，\"saidHi，springingtothedoorandwaitingindelightedexpectationforhisfriend’slead。
Robbielookedatthedoor，thenathiswife，hesitatedamoment，I
havenodoubtwishingherhome。ThenBillstoodupandbegantospeak。
\"Mr。Chairman，Ihain’tbeencalledonforanyremarks——\"
\"Goon！\"yelledhisfriendsfromthedarkcorner。\"Hear！hear！\"
\"An’Ididn’tfeelasifthiswarhardlymygame，thoughThePilotain’tmeanaboutinvitin’afelleronSundayafternoons。Butthemasrunstheshopdon’tseemtowantusfellersroundtoomuch。\"
RobbiewasgazingkeenlyatBill，andhereshookhishead，mutteringangrily：\"Hoots，nonsense！ye’rewelcomeeneuch。\"
\"But，\"wentonBill，slowly，\"IguessI’vebeenonthewrongtrack。
I’vebeena-cherishin’theopinion\"[\"Hear！hear！\"yelledhisadmirers]，\"cherishin’theopinion，\"repeatedBill，\"thatthesefellers，\"pointingtoRobbie，\"wasstuckonreligion，whichIain’tmuchmyself，andreelyconsarnedabouttheblockingovthedevil，whichThePilotsayscan’tbedidwithoutaregularGospelfactory。
O’course，ittain’tanybiznisovmine，butifusfellerswasreelyonlysotonanythingcondoocin’，\"[\"Hear！hear！\"yelledHi，inecstasy]，\"condoocin’，\"repeatedBillslowlyandwithrelish，\"tothegoodovtheOrder\"（Billwasabrotherhoodman），\"Ib’lieveIknowwharfivehundreddollarsmebbecudper’apsbegot。\"
\"Youbetyoursox，\"yelledthestrangevoice，inchoruswithothershoutsofapproval。
\"O’course，Iain’tnobettin’man，\"wentonBill，insinuatingly，\"asaregularthing，butI’dgambleafewjisthereonthispint;
iftheboyswasstuckonanythin’costin’aboutsevenhundreddollars，itseemstomelikelythey’dgititinabouttwodays，per’aps。\"
HereRobbiegruntedoutan\"ay\"ofsuchfulnessofcontemptuousunbeliefthatBillpaused，and，lookingoverRobbie’shead，hedrawledout，evenmoreslowlyandmildly：
\"Iain’tmuchgiventobettin’，asIremarkedbefore，but，ifamanshakesmoneyatmeonthatproposition，I’daccommodatehimtoalimitedextent。\"[\"Hear！hear！Bullyboy！\"yelledHiagain，fromthedoor。]\"Notbein’toobold，Icherishtheopinion\"[againyellsofapprovalfromthecorner]，\"thatevenforthishereGospelplant，seein’ThePilot’srathersotontoit，Ib’lievetheboyscouldfindfivehundreddollarsinsideovamonth，ifperhapsthesefellerscudwiggletherestoutovtheirpants。\"
ThenRobbiewasingreatwrathand，stungbythetaunting，drawlingvoicebeyondallself-command，hebrokeoutsuddenly：
\"Ye’llnocanmakthatguid，Idoot。\"
\"D’yemeanIain’tpreparedtobackitup？\"
\"Ay，\"saidRobbie，grimly。
’Tain’tlikelyI’llbecalledon;Iguess$500issafeenough，\"
drawledBill，cunninglydrawinghimon。ThenRobbiebit。
\"Ooay！\"saidhe，inavoiceofquietcontempt，\"thetwahunnerwullbehereand’twullwaityelongeneuch，I’sewarrantye。\"
ThenBillnailedhim。
\"Ihain’tgotmycardcaseonmyperson，\"hesaid，withaslightgrin。
\"Leftitonthepianner，\"suggestedHi，whowasinastateofgreathilarityatBill’ssuccessindrawingtheScottie。
\"But，\"Billproceeded，recoveringhimself，andwithincreasingsuavity，\"ifsomegentlemanwouldmarkdownthedateofthealmanacIcherishtheopinion\"[cheersfromthecorner]\"thatinonemonthfromto-daytherewillbefivehundreddollarslookin’roundfortwohundredonthattheredeskmebbe，orp’rapsyouwouldinclinetotwofifty，\"hedrawled，inhismostwinningtonetoRobbie，whowasgrowingmoreimpatienteverymoment。
\"Naemattertaeme。Ye’rehaverin’likeadaftloon，onyway。\"
\"Youwillmakeamementoofthisslighttransaction，boys，andper’apstheschoolmasterwillwriteitdown，\"saidBill。
Itwasallcarefullytakendown，andamidmuchenthusiasticconfusiontheranchersandtheirgangcarriedBillofftoOldLatour’sto\"lickerup，\"whileRobbie，indeepwrathbutindoursilence，wentoffthroughthedarkwithhislittlewifefollowingsomepacesbehindhim。Hischiefgrievance，however，wasagainstthechairmanfor\"allooin’sicadisorderlypacko’loonstaedisturbrespectablefowk，\"forhecouldnothidethefactthathehadbeenmadetobreakthroughhisaccustomeddefencelineofimmovablesilence。Isuggested，conversingwithhimnextdayuponthematter，thatBillwasprobablyonlychaffing。
\"Ay，\"saidRobbie，ingreatdisgust，\"thedafteejut，hewadmakafuleo’onythingoronybuddie。\"
ThatwasthesorestpointwithpoorRobbie。Billhadnotonlycastdoubtsuponhisreligioussincerity，whichthelittlemancouldnotendure，buthehadalsoheldhimuptotheridiculeofthecommunity，whichwaspainfultohispride。Butwhenheunderstood，somedayslater，thatBillwastakingstepstobackuphisofferandhadbeenheardtodeclarethat\"he’dmakethempiousduckstakewaterifhehadtoputupayear’spay，\"Robbiewentquietlytoworktomakegoodhispartofthebargain。ForhisScotchpridewouldnotsufferhimtorefuseachallengefromsuchaquarter。
CHAPTERXV
BILL’SPARTNER
ThenextdayeveryonewastalkingofBill’sbluffingthechurchpeople，andtherewasmuchquietchucklingoverthediscomfitureofRobbieMuirandhisparty。
ThePilotwasequallydistressedandbewildered，forBill’sconduct，soveryunusual，hadonlyoneexplanation——theusualoneforanyfollyinthatcountry。
\"IwishhehadwaitedtillafterthemeetingtogotoLatour’s。HespoiledthelastchanceIhad。There’snousenow，\"hesaid，sadly。
\"Buthemaydosomething，\"Isuggested。
\"Oh，fiddle！\"saidThePilot，contemptuously。\"HewasonlygivingMuir’asonganddance，’ashewouldsay。Thewholethingisoff。\"
ButwhenItoldGwenthestoryofthenight’sproceedings，shewentintorapturesoverBill’sgravespeechandhissuccessindrawingthecannyScotchman。
\"Oh，lovely！dearoldBillandhis’cherishedopinion。’Isn’thejustlovely？Nowhe’lldosomething。\"
\"Who，Bill？\"
\"No，thatstupidScottie。\"ThiswashernamefortheimmovableRobbie。
\"Nothe，I’mafraid。OfcourseBillwasjustbluffinghim。Butitwasgoodsport。\"
\"Oh，lovely！Iknewhe’ddosomething。\"
\"Who？Scottie？\"Iasked，forherpronounswereperplexing。
\"No！\"shecried，\"Bill！Hepromisedhewould，youknow，\"sheadded。
\"Soyouwereatthebottomofit？\"Isaid，amazed。
\"Oh，dear！Oh，dear！\"shekeptcrying，shriekingwithlaughteroverBill’scherishingopinionsanddesires。\"Ishallbeill。DearoldBill。Hesaidhe’d’trytogetamoveontohim。’\"
BeforeIleftthatday，BillhimselfcametotheOldTimer’sranch，inquiringinacasualway\"ifthe’boss’wasin。\"
\"Oh，Bill！\"calledoutGwen，\"comeinhereatonce;Iwantyou。\"
Aftersomedelayandsomeshufflingwithhatandspurs，Billloungedinandsethislankformupontheextremeendofabenchatthedoor，tryingtolookunconcernedasheremarked：\"Gittin’cold。
Shouldn’twonderifwe’dhavealittlesnow。\"
\"Oh，comehere，\"criedGwen，impatiently，holdingoutherhand。
\"Comehereandshakehands。\"
Billhesitated，spatoutintotheotherroomhisquidoftobacco，andswayedawkwardlyacrosstheroomtowardthebed，and，takingGwen’shand，heshookitupanddown，andhurriedlysaid：
\"Fineday，ma’am;hopeIseeyouquitewell。\"
\"No;youdon’t，\"criedGwen，laughingimmoderately，butkeepingholdofBill’shand，tohisgreatconfusion。\"I’mnotwellabit，butI’magreatdealbettersincehearingofyourmeeting，Bill。\"
TothisBillmadenoreply，beingentirelyengrossedingettinghishard，bony，brownhandoutofthegraspofthewhite，clingingfingers。
\"Oh，Bill，\"wentonGwen，\"itwasdelightful！Howdidyoudoit？\"
ButBill，whohadbythistimegotbacktohisseatatthedoor，pretendedignoranceofanyachievementcallingforremark。He\"hadn’tdonenothin’moreoutovthewaythanusual。\"
\"Oh，don’ttalknonsense！\"criedGwen，impatiently。\"TellmehowyougotScottietolayyoutwohundredandfiftydollars。\"
\"Oh，that！\"saidBill，ingreatsurprise;\"thatain’tnuthin’much。
Scottierizslickenough。\"
\"Buthowdidyougethim？\"persistedGwen。\"Tellme，Bill，\"sheadded，inhermostcoaxingvoice。
\"Well，\"saidBill，\"itwaseasyasrollin’offalog。Imadetheremarkashowtheboysginerallyputupforwhattheywantedwithoutnofuss，andthatiftheywassotonhavin’aGospelshackIcherishedtheopinion\"——hereGwenwentoffintoasmotheredshriek，whichmadeBillpauseandlookatherinalarm。
\"Goon，\"shegasped。
\"Icherishedtheopinion，\"drawledonBill，whileGwenstuckherhandkerchiefintohermouth，\"thatmebbethey’dputupforitthesevenhundreddollars，and，evenasitwas，seein’asThePilotappearedtobesotontoit，ifthemfellerswouldfindtwohundredandfiftyIcher——\"anothershriekfromGwencuthimsuddenlyshort。
\"It’stherheumaticks，mebbe，\"saidBill，anxiously。\"Terriblebadweatherfor’em。Iget’emmyself。\"
\"No，no，\"saidGwen，wipingawayhertearsandsubduingherlaughter。\"Goon，Bill。\"
\"Thereain’tnomore，\"saidBill。\"Hebit，andthemasterhereputitdown。\"
\"Yes，it’shererightenough，\"Isaid，\"butIdon’tsupposeyoumeantofollowitup，doyou？\"
\"Youdon’t，eh？Well，Iamnotresponsibleforyoursupposin’，butthemthatisfamiliarwithBroncoBillgenerallyexpectshimtobackuphisundertakin’s。\"
\"Buthowintheworldcanyougetfivehundreddollarsfromthecowboysforachurch？\"
\"Ihain’tdonethearithmeticyet，butit’ssafeenough。Yousee，itain’tthechurchaltogether，it’sthereputationoftheboys。\"
\"I’llhelp，Bill，\"saidGwen。
Billnoddedhisheadslowlyandsaid：\"Proudtohaveyou，\"tryinghardtolookenthusiastic。
\"Youdon’tthinkIcan，\"saidGwen。Billprotestedagainstsuchanimputation。\"ButIcan。I’llgetdaddyandTheDuke，too。\"
\"Goodline！\"saidBill，slappinghisknee。
\"AndI’llgiveallmymoney，too，butitisn’tverymuch，\"sheadded，sadly。
\"Much！\"saidBill，\"iftherestofthefellowsplayuptothatleadtherewon’tbeanytroubleaboutthatfivehundred。\"
Gwenwassilentforsometime，thensaidwithanairofresolve：
\"I’llgivemypinto！\"
\"Nonsense！\"Iexclaimed，whileBilldeclared\"therewarn’tnocall。\"
\"Yes。I’llgivethePinto！\"saidGwen，decidedly。\"I’llnotneedhimanymore，\"herlipsquivered，andBillcoughedandspatintothenextroom，\"andbesides，IwanttogivesomethingIlike。AndBillwillsellhimforme！\"
\"Well，\"saidBill，slowly，\"nowcometothink，it’llbepurtyhardtosellthattherepinto。\"Gwenbegantoexclaimindignantly，andBillhurriedontosay，\"Notbutwhatheain’tagoodleetlehorseforhisweight，goodleetlehorse，butforcattle——\"
\"Why，Bill，thereisn’tabettercattlehorseanywhere！\"
\"Yes，that’sso，\"assentedBill。\"That’sso，ifyou’vegottherider，butputoneofthemrangersontohimanditwouldn’tbenofairshow。\"Billwasgrowingmoreconvincedeverymomentthatthepintowouldn’tselltoanyadvantage。\"Yesee，\"heexplainedcarefullyandcunningly，\"heain’tahorseyoucouldyankroundandslamintoabunchofsteersregardless。\"
Gwenshuddered。\"Oh，Iwouldn’tthinkofsellinghimtoanyofthosecowboys。\"Billcrossedhislegsandhitchedrounduncomfortablyonhisbench。\"Imeanoneofthoseroughfellowsthatdon’tknowhowtotreatahorse。\"Billnodded，lookingrelieved。\"Ithoughtthatsomeonelikeyou，Bill，whoknewhowtohandleahorse——\"
Gwenpaused，andthenadded：\"I’llaskTheDuke。\"
\"Nocallforthat，\"saidBill，hastily，\"notbutwhatTheDookain’tallrightasajedgeofahorse，butTheDookain’tgottheconnection，itain’thisline。\"Billhesitated。\"But，ifyouarerealsotontosellin’thatpinto，cometothinkIguessIcouldfindasaleforhim，though，ofcourse，Ithinkperhapsthefiggerwon’tbehigh。\"
AndsoitwasarrangedthatthepintoshouldbesoldandthatBillshouldhavethesellingofit。
ItwascharacteristicofGwenthatshewouldnottakefarewelloftheponyonwhosebackshehadspentsomanyhoursoffreedomanddelight。Whenonceshegavehimupsherefusedtoallowherhearttoclingtohimanymore。
Itwascharacteristic，too，ofBillthatheledoffthepintoafternighthadfallen，sothat\"hispardner\"mightbesavedthepainoftheparting。
\"Thishere’sratheranewgameforme，butwhenmypardner，\"herehejerkedhisheadtowardsGwen’swindow，\"callsfortrumps，I’mblankedifIdon’tthrowmyhighest，ifitcostsaleg。\"
CHAPTERXVI
BILL’SFINANCING
Bill’smethodofconductingthesaleofthepintowaseminentlysuccessfulasafinancialoperation，buttherearethoseintheSwanCreekcountrywhohaveneverbeenabletofathomthemysteryattachingtotheaffair。Itwasatthefallround-up，thebeefround-up，asitiscalled，whichthisyearendedattheAshleyRanch。Therewererepresentativesfromalltheranchesandsomecattle-menfromacrosstheline。ThehospitalityoftheAshleyRanchwasuptoitsownloftystandard，and，aftersupper，themenwereinastateofhighexhilaration。TheHon。Fredandhiswife，LadyCharlotte，gavethemselvestothedutiesoftheirpositionashostsforthedaywithaheartinessandgracebeyondpraise。Aftersupperthemengatheredroundthebigfire，whichwaspiledupbeforethelong，lowshed，whichstoodopeninfront。Itwasasceneofsuchwildandpicturesqueinterestascanonlybewitnessedinthewesternranchingcountry。Aboutthefire，mostofthemwearing\"shaps\"andallofthemwide，hard-brimmedcowboyhats，themengroupedthemselves，somereclininguponskinsthrownupontheground，somestanding，somesitting，smoking，laughing，chatting，allinhighestspiritsandhumor。Theyhadjustgotthroughwiththeirseasonofarduousand，attimes，dangeroustoil。
Theirmindswerefulloftheirlong，hardrides，theirwildandvaryingexperienceswithmadcattleandbuckingbroncos，theiranxiouswatchingsthroughhotnights，whenabreathofwindoracoyote’showlmightsettheherdoffinafranticstampede，theirwolfhuntsandbadgerfightsandallthemarvellousadventuresthatfillupacowboy’ssummer。Nowthesewereallbehindthem。
To-nighttheywerefreemenandofindependentmeans，fortheirseason’spaywasintheirpockets。Theday’sexcitement，too，wasstillintheirblood，andtheywerereadyforanything。
Bill，askingofthebronco-busters，movedaboutwiththeslow，carelessindifferenceofamansureofhispositionandsureofhisabilitytomaintainit。
Hespokeseldomandslowly，wasnotasready-wittedashispartner，HiKendal，butinacthewasswiftandsure，and\"introuble\"hecouldbecountedon。Hewas，astheysaid，\"awhiteman;whitetotheback，\"whichwasunderstoodtosumupthetruecattleman’svirtues。
\"Hello，Bill，\"saidafriend，\"where’sHi？Hain’tseenhimaround！\"
\"Well，don’tjestknow。Hewasgoingtobringupmypinto。\"
\"Yourpinto？Whatpinto’sthat？Youhain’tgotnopinto！\"
\"Mebbenot，\"saidBill，slowly，\"butIhadtheideebeforeyouspokethatIhad。\"
\"Thatso？Whar’dyegithim？Goodforcattle？\"Thecrowdbegantogather。
Billgrewmysterious，andevenmorethanusuallyreserved。
\"Goodfercattle！Well，Iain’tmuchongamblin’，butI’vegotaleetleinmypantsthatsaysthattherepintokinoutworkanyblankedbroncointhisoutfit，givin’himafairshowafterthecattle。\"
Themenbecameinterested。
\"Wharwasheraised？\"
\"Dunno。\"
\"Whar’dyegithim？Acrosstheline？\"
\"No，\"saidBillstoutly，\"rightinthisherecountry。TheDookthereknowshim。\"
Thisatonceraisedthepintoseveralpoints。Tobeknown，and，asBill’stoneindicated，favorablyknownbyTheDuke，wasatestimonialtowhichanyhorsemightaspire。
\"Whar’dyegithim，Bill？Don’tbesoblankedoncommunicatin’！\"
saidanimpatientvoice。
Billhesitated;then，withanapparentburstofconfidence，heassumedhisfrankestmannerandvoice，andtoldhistale。
\"Well，\"hesaid，takingafreshchewandofferinghisplugtohisneighbor，whopasseditonafterhelpinghimself，\"yesee，itwaslikethis。YeknowthatlittleMeredithgel？\"
Chorusofanswers：\"Yes！Thered-headedone。Iknow！She’sadaisy！——reg’larblizzard！——lightnin’conductor！\"
Billpaused，stiffenedhimselfalittle，droppedhisfrankairanddrawledoutincool，hardtones：\"Imightremarkthatthatyoungladyis，Imightpersoomtosay，afriendofmine，whichI’mpreparedtobackupinmybeststyle，andifanyblankedblankedsonofastreetsweeperhasanyremarktomake，here’shistimenow！\"
Inthepausethatfollowedmurmurswereheardextollingthemanyexcellencesoftheyoungladyinquestion，andBill，appeased，yieldedtotherequestsforthecontinuanceofhisstory，and，ashedescribedGwenandherpintoandherworkontheranch，themen，manyofwhomhadhadglimpsesofher，gaveemphaticapprovalintheirownway。ButashetoldofherrescueofJoeandofthesuddencalamitythathadbefallenheragreatstillnessfelluponthesimple，tender-heartedfellows，andtheylistenedwiththeireyesshininginthefirelightwithgrowingintentness。ThenBillspokeofThePilotandhowhestoodbyherandhelpedherandcheeredhertilltheybegantoswearhewas\"allright\";\"andnow，\"
concludedBill，\"whenThePilotisinaholeshewantstohelphimout。\"
\"O’course，\"saidone。\"Rightenough。How’sshegoingtoworkit？\"saidanother。
\"Well，he’sdeadsetontobuildin’ameetin’-house，andthemfellowsdownattheCreekthatdoestheprayin’andsuchdon’tseemtobackhimup！\"
\"Whar’sthekick，Bill？\"
\"Oh，theydon’twanttogodownintotheirclothesandputupforit。\"
\"Howmuch？\"
\"Why，heonlyasked’emforsevenhundredthehulloutfit，andwouldgive’emtwoyears，buttheybucked——wouldn’tlookatit。\"
[ChorusofexpletivesdescriptiveofthecharactersandpersonalappearanceandbelongingsofthecongregationofSwanCreek。]
\"Wereyouthere，Bill？Whatdidyoudo？\"
\"Oh，\"saidBill，modestly，\"Ididn’tdomuch。Gave’emalittlebluff。\"
\"No！How？What？Goon，Bill。\"
ButBillremainedsilent，tillunderstrongpressure，and，asifmakingacleanbreastofeverything，hesaid：
\"Well，Ijesttold’emthatifyouboysmadesuchafussaboutanythin’liketheydidabouttheirGospeloutfit，an’Iain’tsayin’anythin’aginit，you’dputupsevenhundredwithoutturnin’
ahair。\"
\"You’rethestuff，Bill！Goodman！You’retalkin’now！Whatdidtheysaytothat，eh，Bill？\"
\"Well，\"saidBill，slowly，\"theyCALLEDme！\"
\"No！Thatso？An’whatdidyoudo，Bill？\"
\"Gave’emadeadstraightbluff！\"
[Yellsofenthusiasticapproval。]
\"Didtheytakeyou，Bill？\"
\"Well，Ireckontheydid。Themaster，here，putitdown。\"
WhereuponIreadthetermsofBill’sbluff。
TherewasachorusofveryheartyapprovalsofBill’scoursein\"nottakinganywater\"fromthatvariouslycharacterized\"outfit。\"
Buttheresponsibilityofthesituationbegantodawnuponthemwhensomeoneasked：
\"Howareyougoingaboutit，Bill？\"
\"Well，\"drawledBill，withatouchofsarcasminhisvoice，\"there’sthatpinto。\"
\"Pintobeblanked！\"saidyoungHill。\"Say，boys，isthatlittlegirlgoingtolosethatoneponyofherstohelpoutherfriendThePilot？Goodfellow，too，heis！Weknowhe’stherightsort。\"
[Chorusof，\"Notbyalongsight;notmuch;we’llputupthestuff！
Pinto！\"]
\"Then，\"wentonBill，evenmoreslowly，\"there’sThePilot;he’sgoingfortoanteupamonth’spay;’taintmuch，o’course——twenty-
eightamonthandgrubhimself。Hemightmakeittwo，\"headded，thoughtfully。ButBill’sproposalwasscornedwithcontemptuousgroans。\"Twenty-eightamonthandgrubhimselfo’courseain’tmuchforamantosavemoneyoutovtoeddicatehimself。\"Billcontinued，asifthinkingaloud，\"O’coursehe’sgothismotherathome，butshecan’tmakemuchmorethanherownlivin’，butshemighthelphimsome。\"
Thiswasaltogethertoomuchforthecrowd。TheyconsignedBillandhisplanstounutterabledepthsofwoe。
\"O’course，\"Billexplained，\"it’sjestasyouboysfeelaboutit。
MebbeIwas，bein’hot，alittleswiftingivin’’emthebluff。\"
\"Notmuch，youwasn’t！We’llseeyouout！That’sthetalk！
There’sbetweentwentyandthirtyofushere。\"
\"Ishouldbegladtocontributethirtyorfortyifneedbe，\"saidTheDuke，whowasstandingnotfaroff，\"toassistinthebuildingofachurch。Itwouldbeagoodthing，andIthinktheparsonshouldbeencouraged。He’stherightsort。\"
\"I’llcoveryourthirty，\"saidyoungHill;andsoitwentfromonetoanotherintensandfifteensandtwenties，tillwithinhalfanhourIhadenteredthreehundredandfiftydollarsinmybook，withAshleyyettohearfrom，whichmeantfiftymore。ItwasBill’shouroftriumph。
\"Boys，\"hesaid，withsolemnemphasis，\"ye’reallwhite。Butthatleetlepale-facedgel，that’swhatI’mthinkin’on。Won’tsheopenthembigeyesovhers！Icherishtheopinionthatthis’llticklehersome。\"
ThemenweregreatlypleasedwithBillandevenmorepleasedwiththemselves。Bill’spictureofthe\"leetlegel\"andherpatheticallytragiclothadgonerighttotheirheartsand，withmenofthatstamp，itwasoneoftheirfewluxuriestoyieldtotheirgenerousimpulses。Themostofthemhadfewopportunitiesoflavishingloveandsympathyuponworthyobjectsand，whentheopportunitycame，allthatwasbestinthemclamoredforexpression。
CHAPTERXVII
HOWTHEPINTOSOLD
Theglowofvirtuousfeelingfollowingtheperformanceoftheirgenerousactpreparedthemenforakeenerenjoymentthanusualofanight’ssport。TheyhadjustbeguntodisposethemselvesingroupsaboutthefireforpokerandothergameswhenHirodeupintothelightandwithhimastrangeronGwen’sbeautifulpintopony。
Hiwasevidentlyhalfdrunkand，asheswunghimselfofhisbronco，hesalutedthecompanywithawaveofthehandandhopedhesawthem\"kickin’。\"
Bill，lookingcuriouslyatHi，wentuptothepintoand，takinghimbythehead，ledhimupintothelight，saying：
\"Seehere，boys，there’sthatpintoofmineIwastellingyouabout;nofliesonhim，eh？\"
\"Holdonthere！Excuseme！\"saidthestranger，\"thisherehossbelongstome，ifpaid-downmoneymeansanythinginthiscountry。\"
\"Thecountry’sallright，\"saidBillinanominouslyquietvoice，\"butthisherepinto’sanothertransaction，Ireckon。\"
\"Thehossismine，Isay，andwhat’smore，I’mgoin’toholdhim，\"
saidthestrangerinaloudvoice。
Themenbegantocrowdaroundwithfacesgrowinghard。Itwasdangerousinthatcountrytoplayfastandloosewithhorses。
\"Looka-hyar，mates，\"saidthestranger，withaYankeedrawl，\"I
ain’tnohossthief，andifIhain’tboughtthishossreg’larandpaiddowngoodmoneythenitain’tmine——ifIhaveitis。That’sfair，ain’tit？\"
AtthisHipulledhimselftogether，andinahalf-drunkentonedeclaredthatthestrangerwasallright，andthathehadboughtthehorsefairandsquare，and\"there’syourdust，\"saidHi，handingarolltoBill。ButwithaquickmovementBillcaughtthestrangerbytheleg，and，beforeawordcouldbesaid，hewaslyingflatontheground。
\"Yougitoffthatpony，\"saidBill，\"tillthisthingissettled。\"
TherewassomethingsoterribleinBill’smannerthatthemancontentedhimselfwithblusteringandswearing，whileBill，turningtoHi，said：
\"Didyousellthispintotohim？\"
Hiwasabletoacknowledgethat，beingofferedagoodprice，andknowingthathispartnerwasalwaysreadyforadeal，hehadtransferredthepintotothestrangerforfortydollars。
Billwasindistress，deepandpoignant。\"’Taintthehorse，buttheleetlegel，\"heexplained;buthispartner’sbargainwashis，andwrathfulashewas，herefusedtoattempttobreakthebargain。
AtthismomenttheHon。Fred，notingtheunusualexcitementaboutthefire，cameup，followedatalittledistancebyhiswifeandTheDuke。
\"Perhapshe’llsell，\"hesuggested。