NowitseemsthatUncleJosh，too，wasnotanativeandthathehadlefthomeearlyinlifeforhisState’sgoodandforhisown。UncleTommiehadwhisperedthis，andtheHon。Samuelraisedhimselfhighonbothtoeswhiletheexpectantcrowd，onthevergeofaroar，waited——asdidUncleJoshua，withasicklysmile。
``WhydidyourUncleJoshcomeamongyou？Becausehewashoop-poledawayfromhome。’’Thencametheroar——
andtheHon。Samuelhadtoquellitwithupliftedhand。
``AnddidyourUncleJoshuamarryamountainwife？NoIHedidn’tthinkanyofyourmountainwomenweregoodenoughforhim，soheslipsdownintothesettlemintsandSTEALSone。Andnow，fellow-citizens，thatisjustwhatI’mherefor——I’mlookingforanicemountaingirl，andI’mgoingtohaveher。’’AgaintheHon。Samuelhadtostilltheroar，andthenhewentonquietlytoshowhowtheymustlosetheCourt-Housesiteiftheydidnotsendhimtothelegislature，andhow，whiletheymightnotgetitiftheydidsendhim，itwastheironlyhopetosendonlyhim。
Thecrowdhadgrownsomewhathostileagain，anditwasafteronetellingperiod，whentheHon。Samuelstoppedtomophisbrow，thatagiganticmountaineerroseintherearofthecrowd：
``Talkon，stranger；you’retalkingsense。I’lltrustye。You’vegotbigears！’’
NowtheHon。Samuelpossessedaprimordialtalentthatisratherrareinthesephysicallydegeneratedays。Hesaidnothing，butstoodquietlyinthemiddleoftheroad。Theeyesofthecrowdoneithersideoftheroadbegantobulge，thelipsofallopenedwithwonder，andasimultaneousburstoflaughterrosearoundtheHon。SamuelBudd。Adozenmensprangtotheirfeetandrusheduptohim——lookingatthoseremarkableears，astheygravelywaggedtoandfro。Thatsettledthings，andasweleft，theHon。Samwashavingthingshisownway，andontheedgeofthecrowdUncleTommieHendrickswasshakinghishead：
``Itellye，boys，heain’tnojackassevenifhecanflophisears。’’
Attheriverwestartedupstream，andsomeimpulsemademeturninmysaddleandlookback。AllthetimeIhadhadaneyeopenfortheyoungmountaineerwhoseinterestinusseemedtobesokeen。AndnowIsaw，standingattheheadofagrayhorse，ontheedgeofthecrowd，atallfigurewithhishandsonhishipsandlookingafterus。Icouldn’tbesure，butitlookedliketheWildDog。
IV
CLOSEQUARTERS
TwohoursuptheriverwestruckBuck。Buckwassittingonthefencebytheroadside，barefootedandhatless。
``How-dye-do？’’Isaid。
``Purtywell，’’saidBuck。
``Anyfishinthisriver？’’
``Several，’’saidBuck。Nowinmountainspeech，``several’’meanssimply``agoodmany。’’
``Anyminnowsinthesebranches？’’
``Iseedseveralinthebranchbacko’
ourhouse。’’
``Howfarawaydoyoulive？’’
``Oh，’boutonewhoopan’aholler。’’IfhehadspokenGreektheBlightcouldnothavebeenmorepuzzled。Hemeanthelivedasfarasaman’svoicewouldcarrywithoneyellandaholla。
``Willyouhelpmecatchsome？’’
Bucknodded。
``Allright，’’Isaid，turningmyhorseuptothefence。``Getonbehind。’’Thehorseshiedhishindquartersaway，andI
pulledhimback。
``Now，youcangeton，ifyou’llbequick。’’Bucksatstill。
``Yes，’’hesaidimperturbably；``butI
ain’tquick。’’Thetwogirlslaughedaloud，andBucklookedsurprised。
Aroundacurvingcornfieldwewent，andthroughameadowwhichBucksaidwasa``nighcut。’’Fromthelimbofatreethatwepassedhungapieceofwirewithanironringswingingatitsupturnedend。Alittlefartherwasanothertreeandanotherring，andfartheronanotherandanother。
``Forheaven’ssake，Buck，whatarethesethings？’’
``Mart’sa-gittin’readyferatourneyment。’’
``Awhat？’’
``That’swhutMartcallshit。HewasovertotheGaplastFourtho’July，an’hesaysfellersovertharfixuplikeKukluxandgoa-chargin’onhossesandtakin’offthemringswithaash-stick——`spear，’Martcallshit。Hecomebackan’hesayshe’sa-goin’towinthatartourneymentnextFourtho’July。He’sgotthebesthossupthisriver，andonSundayshiman’DaveBranhamgoesa-chargin’alongherea-pickingofftheseringsjus’a-flyin’；an’Martcandohit，I’mtellin’ye。Dave’smightygoodhisself，butheain’tnowhar’longsideo’Mart。’’
Thiswasstrange。IhadtoldtheBlightaboutourFourthofJuly，andhowontheVirginiasidetheancientcustomofthetournamentstillsurvived。ItwasonthelastFourthofJulythatshehadmeanttocometotheGap。Trulycivilizationwasspreadingthroughoutthehills。
``Who’sMart？’’
``Mart’smybrother，’’saidlittleBuck。
``HewasovertotheGapnotlongago，an’hecomebackmadashops——’’Hestoppedsuddenly，andinsuchawaythatIturnedmyhead，knowingthatcautionhadcaughtBuck。
``Whatabout？’’
``Oh，nothin’，’’saidBuckcarelessly；
``onlyhe’sbeenquareversince。Mysisterssayshe’sgotagaloverthar，an’
he’sa-pickin’offtheseringsmore’nevernow。He’sgoingtowinorbustabelly-
band。’’
``Well，who’sDaveBranham？’’
Buckgrinned。``YoujesaxemysisterMollie。Tharsheis。’’
Beforeuswasawhite-framedhouseoflogsintheporchofwhichstoodtwostalwart，good-lookinggirls。Couldwestayallnight？Wecould——therewasnohesitation——andstraightinwerode。
``Where’syourfather？’’Bothgirlsgiggled，andonesaid，withfrankunembarrassment：
``Pap’stight！’’Thatdidnotlookpromising，butwehadtostayjustthesame。Buckhelpedmetounhitchthemules，helpedmealsotocatchminnows，andinhalfanhourwestarteddowntherivertotryfishingbeforedarkcame。
Bucktrottedalong。
``Haveyougotawagon，Buck？’’
``Whatfer？’’
``Tobringthefishback。’’Buckwasnottobecaughtnapping。
``Wegotthatsledthar，buthitwon’tbebigenough，’’hesaidgravely。``An’
ourtwo-hosswagon’soutinthecornfield。
We’llhavetostringthefish，leave’emintheriverandgofer’eminthemornin’。’’
``Allright，Buck。’’TheBlightwasgreatlyamusedatBuck。
Twohundredyardsdowntheroadstoodhissistersoverthefigureofamanoutstretchedintheroad。Unashamed，theysmiledatus。Themanintheroadwas``pap’’——tight——andtheyweretryingtogethimhome。
Wecastintoadarkpoolfartherdownandfishedmostpatiently；notabite——notanibble。
``Arethereanyfishinhere，Buck？’’
``Dunno——usedterbe。’’Theshadowsdeepened；wemustgobacktothehouse。
``Isthereadambelowhere，Buck？’’
``Yes，thar’sadamaboutahalf-miledowntheriver。’’
Iwasdisgusted。Nowondertherewerenobassinthatpool。
``Whydidn’tyoutellmethatbefore？’’
``Youneveraxedme，’’saidBuckplacidly。
Ibeganwindinginmyline。
``Ain’tnobottomtothatpool，’’saidBuck。
NowIneversawanyruralcommunitywheretherewasnotabottomlesspool，andIsuddenlydeterminedtoshakeonetraditioninatleastonecommunity。SoItookanextrafish-line，tiedastonetoit，andclimbedintoacanoe，Buckwatchingme，butnotaskingaword。
``Getin，Buck。’’
SilentlyhegotinandIpushedoff——tothecentre。
``Thisthedeepestpart，Buck？’’
``Ireckonso。’’
Idroppedinthestoneandthelinereeledoutsomefiftyfeetandbegantocoilonthesurfaceofthewater。
``Iguessthat’sonthebottom，isn’tit，Buck？’’
Bucklookedgenuinelydistressed；butpresentlyhebrightened。
``Yes，’’hesaid，``efhitain’tonaturtle’sback。’’
LiterallyIthrewupbothhandsandbackwetrailed——fishless。
``Reckonyouwon’tneedthattwo-hosswagon，’’saidBuck。
``No，Buck，Ithinknot。’’BucklookedattheBlightandgavehimselfthepleasureofhisfirstchuckle。Abigcrackling，cheerfulfireawaitedus。ThroughthedoorI
couldsee，outstretchedonabedinthenextroom，thelimpfigureof``pap’’inalcoholicsleep。Theoldmother，big，kind-
faced，explained——andtherewasaheavenofkindnessandcharityinherdrawlingvoice。
``Daddidn’oftengitthata-way，’’shesaid；``buthe’dbeenouta-huntin’hawgsthatmornin’andhadmetupwithsometeamstersandgonetoapoliticalspeakin’
andhadtukadramortwooftheirmeanwhiskey，andnothavin’nothin’onhisstummick，hithadallgonetohishead。
No，`pap’didn’tgitthata-wayoften，andhe’dbeallrightjes’assoonashesleptitoffawhile。’’TheoldwomanmovedaboutwithacaneandthesympatheticBlightmerelylookedaquestionather。
``Yes，she’dfelldownayearago——andhadsorto’hurtherself——didn’tdonothin’，though，’ceptbreakonehip，’’sheadded，inherkind，patientoldvoice。Didmanypeoplestopthere？Oh，yes，sometimesfifteenatatime——they``neverturnednobodyaway。’’Andshehadabigfamily，littleCindyandthetwobiggirlsandBuckandMart——whowasoutsomewhere——andthehiredman，andyes——``Tharwasanotherboy，buthewasfitified，’’saidoneofthebigsisters。
``Ibegyourpardon，’’saidthewonderingBlight，butsheknewthatphrasewouldn’tdo，sosheaddedpolitely：
``Whatdidyousay？’’
``Fitified——Tomhasfits。He’sinaasyluminthesettlements。’’
``Tomcomebackoncean’hewasallright，’’saidtheoldmother；``butheworriedsomuchoverthemgalsworkin’sohardthatitplum’throwedhimoffag’in，andwehadtosendhimback。’’
``Doyouworkprettyhard？’’Iaskedpresently。Thenastorycamethatwasfullofunconsciouspathos，becausetherewasnohintofcomplaint——simplyaplainstatementofdailylife。Theygotupbeforethemen，inordertogetbreakfastready；
thentheywentwiththemenintothefields——thosetwogirls——andworkedlikemen。
Atdarktheygotsupperready，andafterthemenwenttobedtheyworkedon——
washingdishesandclearingupthekitchen。
Theytookitturnaboutgettingsupper，andsometimes，onesaid，shewas``soplumbtuckeredoutthatshe’ddraponthebedandgotosleeprutherthaneatherownsupper。’’NowonderpoorTomhadtogobacktotheasylum。Allthewhilethetwogirlsstoodbythefirelooking，politelybutminutely，atthetwostrangegirlsandtheircuriousclothesandtheirboots，andthewaytheydressedtheirhair。Theirhardlifeseemedtohavehurtthemnone——forbothwerethepicturesofhealth——whateverthatphrasemeans。
Aftersupper``pap’’camein，perfectlysober，withabigruddyface，giantframe，andtwinklinggrayeyes。HewasthemanwhohadrisentospeakhisfaithintheHon。SamuelBuddthatdayonthesizeoftheHon。Samuel’sears。He，too，wasunashamedand，asheexplainedhisplightagain，hediditwithlittleapology。
``Iseedyeatthespeakin’to-day。ThatmanBuddisagoodman。Hedonesomethin’
feraboyo’mineoverattheGap。’’
LikelittleBuck，he，too，stoppedshort。
``He’sagoodmanan’I’ma-goin’tohelphim。’’
Yes，herepeated，quiteirrelevantly，itwashuntinghogsalldaywithnothingtoeatandonlymeanwhiskeytodrink。
Marthadnotcomeinyet——hewas``workin’out’’now。
``He’sthebestworkerinthesemountains，’’saidtheoldwoman；``Martworkstoohard。’’
Thehiredmanappearedandjoinedusatthefire。Bedtimecame，andIwhisperedjokinglytotheBlight：
``IbelieveI’llaskthatgood-lookingoneto`setup’withme。’’``Settin’up’’
iswhatcourtingiscalledinthehills。Thecouplesitupinfrontofthefireaftereverybodyelsehasgonetobed。Themanputshisarmaroundthegirl’sneckandwhispers；thensheputsherarmaroundhisneckandwhispers——sothattherestmaynothear。ThisIhadrelatedtotheBlight，andnowshewitheredme。
``Youjustdo，now！’’
Iturnedtothegirlinquestion，whosenamewasMollie。``BucktoldmetoaskyouwhoDaveBranhamwas。’’Molliewheeled，blushingandangry，butBuckhaddartedcacklingoutthedoor。``Oh，’’I
said，andIchangedthesubject。``Whattimedoyougetup？’’
``Oh，’boutcracko’day。’’Iwastired，andthatwasdiscouraging。
``Doyougetupthatearlyeverymorning？’’
``No，’’wasthequickanswer；``amornin’later。’’
Amorninglater，Molliegotup，eachmorning。TheBlightlaughed。
Prettysoonthetwogirlsweretakenintothenextroom，whichwasalongone，withonebedinonedarkcorner，oneintheother，andathirdbedinthemiddle。Thefemininemembersofthefamilyallfollowedthemoutontheporchandwatchedthembrushtheirteeth，fortheyhadneverseentooth-brushesbefore。Theywatchedthemprepareforbed——andIcouldhearmuchgigglingandcommentandmanyquestions，allofwhichculminated，byandby，inachorusofshriekinglaughter。
Thatclimax，asIlearnednextmorning，wasovertheBlight’shot-waterbag。
Neverhadtheireyesrestedonanarticleofmorewonderandhumorthanthatwaterbag。
Byandby，thefemininememberscamebackandwesataroundthefire。StillMartdidnotappear，thoughsomebodysteppedintothekitchen，andfromthewarningglancethatMolliegaveBuckwhenshelefttheroomIguessedthatthenewcomerwasherloverDave。Prettysoontheoldmanyawned。
``Well，mammy，Ireckonthisstranger’saboutreadytolaydown，ifyou’vegotaplaceferhim。’’
``Gitalight，Buck，’’saidtheoldwoman。Buckgotalight——achimneyless，smokingoil-lamp——andledmeintothesameroomwheretheBlightandmylittlesisterwere。Theirheadswerecoveredup，butthebedinthegloomofonecornerwasshakingwiththeirsmotheredlaughter。
Buckpointedtothemiddlebed。
``Icangetalongwithoutthatlight，Buck，’’Isaid，andImusthavebeenratherhaughtyandabrupt，forastifledshriekcamefromunderthebedclothesinthecornerandBuckdisappearedswiftly。
Preparationsforbedaresimpleinthemountains——theywereprimitivelysimpleformethatnight。Beinginknickerbockers，Imerelytookoffmycoatandshoes。Presentlysomebodyelsesteppedintotheroomandthebedintheothercornercreaked。Silenceforawhile。
Thenthedooropened，andtheheadoftheoldwomanwasthrustin。
``Mart！’’shesaidcoaxingly；``gituptharnowan’climboverinterbedwiththatarstranger。’’
ThatwasMartatlast，overinthecorner。Martturned，grumbled，and，tomygreatpleasure，sworethathewouldn’t。
Theoldwomanwaitedamoment。
``Mart，’’shesaidagainwithgentleimperiousness，``gituptharnow，Itellye——you’vegottosleepwiththattharstranger。’’
SheclosedthedoorandwithasnortMartpiledintobedwithme。Igavehimplentyofroomanddidnotintroducemyself。Alittlemoredarksilence——theshakingofthebedunderthehilarityofthoseastonished，bethrilled，butthoroughlyunfrightenedyoungwomeninthedarkcorneronmyleftceased，andagainthedooropened。Thistimeitwasthehiredman，andIsawthatthetroublewaseitherthatneitherMartnorBuckwantedtosleepwiththehiredmanorthatneitherwantedtosleepwithme。AlongsilenceandthentheboyBuckslippedin。Thehiredmandeliveredhimselfwiththeintonationsomewhatofacircuitrider。
``I’vebeena-watchin’thatstarthar，throughthewinder。Sometimeshitmoves，thenhitstandsplum’still，an’ag’inhitgitstopitchin’。’’Thehiredmanmusthavebeentouchingupmeanwhiskeyhimself。
Meanwhile，Martseemedtobehavingspellsoftroubledslumber。Hewouldsnoregently，accentuatesaidsnorewithasuddenquiverofhisbodyandthenwakeupwithaclimactericsnortandstartthatwouldshakethebed。Thiswasrepeatedseveraltimes，andIbegantothinkoftheunfortunateTomwhowas``fitified。’’
Martseemedonthevergeofafithimself，andIwaitedapprehensivelyforeachsnortingclimaxtoseeiffitswereafamilyfailing。Theywerenot。PeaceovercameMartandhesleptdeeply，butnotI。Thehiredmanbegantoshowsymptoms。Hewouldrollandgroan，dreamingoffeuds，_quorumparsmagnafuit_，itseemed，andofreligiousconversion，inwhichhefearedhewasnotsogreat。Twicehesaidaloud：
``An’Itellyoutharwouldn’taoneof’emhavesaidawordifI’dbeenkilledstone-dead。’’Twicehesaiditalmostweepingly，andnowandthenhewouldgroanappealingly：
``OLawd，havemercyonmyporesoul！’’
Fortunatelythosetwotiredgirlsslept——
Icouldheartheirbreathing——butsleeptherewaslittleforme。Oncethetroubledsoulwiththehoegotupandstumbledouttothewater-bucketontheporchtosoothethefeverorwhateveritwasthatwasburninghim，andafterthathewasquiet。
Iawokebeforeday。Thedimlightatthewindowshowedanemptybed——Buckandthehiredmanweregone。Martwasslippingoutofthesideofmybed，butthegirlsstillslepton。IwatchedMart，forIguessedImightnowseewhat，perhaps，isthedistinguishingtraitofAmericancivilizationdowntoitsbed-rock，asyoufinditthroughtheWestandintheSouthernhills——achivalrousrespectforwomen。
MartthoughtIwasasleep。OverinthecornerweretwocreaturesthelikeofwhichIsupposedhehadneverseenandwouldnotsee，sincehecameintoolatethenightbefore，andwasgoingawaytooearlynow——andtwoangelsstraightfromheavencouldnothavestirredmycuriosityanymorethantheyalreadymusthavestirredhis。ButnotoncedidMartturnhiseyes，muchlesshisface，towardthecornerwheretheywere——notonce，forIwatchedhimclosely。Andwhenhewentouthesenthislittlesisterbackforhisshoes，whichthenight-walkinghiredmanhadaccidentallykickedtowardthefootofthestrangers’bed。InaminuteIwasoutafterhim，buthewasgone。Behindmethetwogirlsopenedtheireyesonaroomthatwasemptysaveforthem。ThentheBlightspoke（thisIwastoldlater）。
``Dear，’’shesaid，``haveourroom-
matesgone？’’
Breakfastatdawn。Themountaingirlswerereadytogotowork。Alllookedsorrytohaveusleave。Theyaskedustocomebackagain，andtheymeantit。Wesaidwewouldliketocomeback——andwemeantit——toseethem——thekindoldmother，thepioneer-likeoldman，sturdylittleBuck，shylittleCindy，theelusive，hard-working，unconsciouslyshiveryMart，andthetwobigsisters。Aswestartedbackuptheriverthesistersstartedforthefields，andIthoughtoftheirstrickenbrotherinthesettlements，whomusthavebeenmuchlikeMart。
BackuptheBigBlackMountainwetoiled，andlateintheafternoonwewereontheStatelinethatrunsthecrestoftheBigBlack。RightontopandbisectedbythatStatelinesatadingylittleshack，andthere，withonelegthrownoverthepommelofhissaddle，satMarston，drinkingwaterfromagourd。
``Iwascomingovertomeetyou，’’hesaid，smilingattheBlight，who，greatlypleased，smiledbackathim。Theshackwasa``blindTiger’’wherewhiskeycouldbesoldtoKentuckiansontheVirginiasideandtoVirginiansontheKentuckyside。
Hangingaroundweretheslouchingfiguresofseveralmoonshinersandthevillainousfellowwhoranit。
``Theyarerealonesallright，’’saidMarston。``Oneofthemkilledarevenueofficeratthatfrontdoorlastweek，andwaskilledbytheposseashewastryingtoescapeoutofthebackwindow。Thathousewillbeinashessoon，’’headded。
Anditwas。
Aswerodedownthemountainwetoldhimaboutourtripandthepeoplewithwhomwehadspentthenight——andallthetimehewassmilingcuriously。
``Buck，’’hesaid。``Oh，yes，Iknowthatlittlechap。Marthadhimposteddownthereontherivertotollyoutohishouse——totollYOU，’’headdedtotheBlight。Hepulledinhishorsesuddenly，turnedandlookeduptowardthetopofthemountain。
``Ah，Ithoughtso。’’Wealllookedback。Ontheedgeofthecliff，farupward，onwhichthe``blindTiger’’satwasagrayhorse，andonitwasamanwho，motionless，waslookingdownatus。
``He’sbeenfollowingyoualltheway，’’
saidtheengineer。
``Who’sbeenfollowingus？’’Iasked。
``That’sMartupthere——myfriendandyours，’’saidMarstontotheBlight。``I’mrathergladIdidn’tmeetyouontheothersideofthemountain——that’s`theWildDog。’’’TheBlightlookedincredulous，butMarstonknewthemanandknewthehorse。
SoMart——hard-workingMart——wastheWildDog，andhewascontenttodotheBlightallservicewithoutthanks，merelyfortheprivilegeofsecretlyseeingherfacenowandthen；andyethewouldnotlookuponthatfacewhenshewasaguestunderhisroofandasleep。
Still，whenwedroppedbehindthetwogirlsIgaveMarstontheHon。Sam’swarning，andforamomenthelookedrathergrave。
``Well，’’hesaid，smiling，``ifI’mfoundintheroadsomeday，you’llknowwhodidit。’’
Ishookmyhead。``Oh，no；heisn’tthatbad。’’
``Idon’tknow，’’saidMarston。
Thesmokeoftheyoungengineer’scokeovenslayfarbelowusandtheBlighthadneverseenacoke-plantbefore。ItlookedlikeHadesevenintheearlydusk——thesnake-likecoiloffieryovensstretchingupthelong，deepravine，andthesmoke-
streakedcloudsoffire，trailinglikeayellowmistoverthem，withafiercewhiteblastshootinguphereandtherewhenthelidofanovenwasraised，asthoughtoaddfreshtemperaturetosomeparticularmale-
factorinsomeparticularchamberoftorment。
Humanityaboutwasjoyous，however。
Laughterandbanterandsongcamefromthecabinsthatlinedthebigravineandthelittleravinesopeningintoit。A
banjotinkledattheentranceof``PossumTrot，’’sacredtothedarkies。Wemovedtowardit。Onthestoopsatanecstaticpickerandinthedustshuffledthreepickaninnies——oneboyandtwogirls——theyoungestnotfiveyearsold。Thecrowdthatwasgatheredaboutthemgavewayrespectfullyaswedrewnear；thelittledarkiesshowedtheirwhiteteethinjollygrins，andtheirfeetshookthedustinhappycompetition。IshoweredafewcoinsfortheBlightandonwewent——intothemouthofthemany-peakedGap。ThenighttrainwascominginandeverybodyhadasmileofwelcomefortheBlight——
post-officeassistant，drugclerk，soda-waterboy，telegraphoperator，hostler，whocameforthemules——andwhentired，buthappy，sheslippedfromhersaddletotheground，shethenandtheregavemewhatsheusuallyreservesforChristmasmorning，andthat，too，whileMarstonwaslookingon。OverhershoulderIsmiledathim。
ThatnightMarstonandtheBlightsatunderthevinesontheporchuntilthelatemoonroseoverWallensRidge，and，whenbedtimecame，theBlightsaidimpatientlythatshedidnotwanttogohome。Shehadtogo，however，nextday，butonthenextFourthofJulyshewouldsurelycomeagain；and，astheyoungengineermountedhishorseandsethisfacetowardBlackMountain，Iknewthatuntilthatday，forhim，ablightwouldstillbeinthehills。
V
BACKTOTHEHILLS
Winterdrewagrayveiloverthemountains，woveintoittinyjewelsoffrostandturneditmanytimesintoamaskofsnow，beforespringbrokeagainamongthemandinMarston’simpatientheart。Nospringhadeverbeenlikethattohim。Thecomingofyoungleavesandflowersandbird-songmeantbutonejoyforthehillstohim——theBlightwascomingbacktothem。Allthosewearywaitingmonthshehadclunggrimlytohiswork。Hemusthaveheardfromhersometimes，elseIthinkhewouldhavegonetoher；butIknewtheBlight’spenwasreluctantandcasualforanybody，and，moreover，shewashavingastrenuouswinterathome。Thatheknewaswell，forhetookonepaper，atleast，thathemightsimplyreadhername。Hesawaccountsofhermanysocialdoingsaswell，andatehisheartoutaslovershavedoneforalltimegoneandwilldoforalltimetocome。
I，too，wasawayallwinter，butIgotbackamonthbeforetheBlight，tolearnmuchofinterestthathadcomeabout。
TheHon。SamuelBuddhadear-waggedhimselfintothelegislature，hadmovedthatCourt-House，andwasgoingtobeStateSenator。TheWildDoghadconfinedhisrecklesscareertohisownhillsthroughthewinter，butwhenspringcame，migratory-like，hebegantotakefrequentwingtotheGap。Sofar，heandMarstonhadnevercomeintopersonalconflict，thoughMarstonkepteverreadyforhim，andseveraltimestheyhadmetintheroad，eyedeachotherinpassingandmadenohipwardgestureatall。ButthenMarstonhadnevermethimwhentheWildDogwasdrunk——andwhensober，Itookitthattheoneactofkindnessfromtheengineeralwaysstayedhishand。ButthePoliceGuardattheGapsawhimquiteoften——
andtoithewasafearfulandelusivenuisance。Heseemedtobestayingsomewherewithinaradiusoftenmiles，foreverynightortwohewouldcircleaboutthetown，yellingandfiringhispistol，andwhenwechasedhim，escapingthroughtheGaporupthevalleyordowninLee。
Manyplanswerelaidtocatchhim，butallfailed，andfinallyhecameinonedayandgavehimselfupandpaidhisfines。AfterwardIrecalledthatthetimeofthisgracioussurrendertolawandorderwasbutlittlesubsequenttoonemorningwhenawomanwhobroughtbutterandeggstomylittlesistercasuallyaskedwhenthat``purtyslimlittlegalwiththesnappin’
blackeyeswasa-comin’back。’’Andthelittlesister，pleasedwiththeremembrance，hadsaidcordiallythatshewascomingsoon。
ThereaftertheWildDogwasintowneveryday，andhebehavedwelluntiloneSaturdayhegotdrunkagain，andthistime，byapeculiarchance，itwasMarstonagainwholeapedonhim，wrenchedhispistolaway，andputhiminthecalaboose。
Againhepaidhisfine，promptlyvisiteda``blindTiger，’’camebacktotown，emptiedanotherpistolatMarstononsightandfledforthehills。
TheenragedguardchasedhimfortwodaysandfromthatdaytheWildDogwasamarkedman。TheGuardwantedmanymen，butiftheycouldhavehadtheirchoicetheywouldhavepickedoutoftheworldofmalefactorsthatsameWildDog。
WhyallthisshouldhavethrowntheHon。SamuelBuddintosuchgloomIcouldnotunderstand——exceptthattheWildDoghadbeensoloyalahenchmantohiminpolitics，butlaterIlearnedabetterreason，thatthreatenedtocosttheHon。Sammuchmorethanthefinesthat，asIlaterlearned，hehadbeenpayingforhismountainfriend。
Meanwhile，theBlightwascomingfromherNorthernhomethroughthegreenlowlandsofJersey，thefatpasturesofMaryland，and，asthewhitedressesofschoolgirlsandtheshiningfacesofdarkiesthickenedatthestations，sheknewthatshewasgettingsouthward。Allthewayshewasknownandwelcomed，andnextmorningsheawokewiththekeenairofthedistantmountainsinhernostrilsandanexpectantlightinherhappyeyes。Atleastthelightwastherewhenshesteppeddaintilyfromthedustytrainanditleapedalittle，I
fancied，whenMarston，bronzedandflushed，heldouthissunburnthand。Likeaconventgirlshebabbledquestionstothelittlesisterasthedummypuffedalongandshebubbledlikewineoverthemidsummergloryofthehills。Andwellshemight，forthegloryofthemountains，full-leafed，shroudedineveningshadows，blue-veiledinthedistance，wasunspeakable，andthroughtheGapthesunwassendinghislastraysasthoughhe，too，meanttotakeapeepatherbeforehestartedaroundtheworldtowelcomehernextday。Andshemustknoweverythingatonce。TheanniversaryoftheGreatDayonwhichallmenwerepronouncedfreeandequalwasonlytendaysdistantandpreparationsweregoingon。Therewouldbeabigcrowdofmountaineersandtherewouldbesportsofallkinds，andgames，butthetournamentwastobethefeatureoftheday。
``Atournament？’’``Yes，atournament，’’
repeatedthelittlesister，andMarstonwasgoingtorideandthemeanthingwouldnottellwhatmediaevalnamehemeanttotake。AndtheHon。SamBudd——didtheBlightrememberhim？（Indeed，shedid）
——hada``darkhorse，’’andhehadbetheavilythathisdarkhorsewouldwinthetournament——whereatthelittlesisterlookedatMarstonandattheBlightandsmileddisdainfully。AndtheWildDog——
DIDsherememberhim？Icheckedthesisterherewithaglance，forMarstonlookeduncomfortableandtheBlightsawmedoit，andonthepointofsayingsomethingshecheckedherself，andherface，I
thought，paledalittle。
ThatnightIlearnedwhy——whenshecameinfromtheporchafterMarstonwasgone。Isawshehadwormedenoughofthestoryoutofhimtoworryher，forherfacethistimewasdistinctlypale。Iwouldtellhernomorethansheknew，however，andthenshesaidshewassureshehadseentheWildDogherselfthatafternoon，sittingonhishorseinthebushesnearastationinWildcatValley。Shewassurethathesawher，andhisfacehadfrightenedher。IknewherfrightwasforMarstonandnotforherself，soIlaughedatherfears。Shewasmistaken——WildDogwasanoutlawnowandhewouldnotdareappearattheGap，andtherewasnochancethathecouldharmherorMarston。
AndyetIwasuneasy。
Itmusthavebeenahappytendaysforthosetwoyoungpeople。EveryafternoonMarstonwouldcomeinfromtheminesandtheywouldgooffhorsebacktogether，overgroundthatIwellknew——forIhadbeenalloveritmyself——upthroughthegray-peakedrhododendron-borderedGapwiththeswirlingwaterbelowthemandthegrayrockhighabovewhereanothersuchfoolishloverlosthislife，climbingtogetaflowerforhissweetheart，ordownthewindingdirtroadintoLee，orupthroughthebeechwoodsbehindImbodenHill，orclimbingthespurofMorris’sFarmtowatchthesunsetoverthemajesticBigBlackMountains，wheretheWildDoglived，andbackthroughthefragrant，cool，moonlitwoods。Hewasdoinghisbest，Marstonwas，andhewashavingtrouble——aseverymanshould。AndthattroubleIknewevenbetterthanhe，forIhadonceknownaSoutherngirlwhowassotenderofheartthatshecouldrefusenomanwhoreallylovedhersheacceptedhimandsenthimtoherfather，whodidallofherrefusingforher。AndIknewnomanwouldknowthathehadwontheBlightuntilhehadheratthealtarandthepriestlyhandofbenedictionwasaboveherhead。
OfsuchkindwastheBlight。EverynightwhentheycameinIcouldreadthestoryoftheday，alwaysinhisfaceandsometimesinhers；anditwasaseriesofupsanddownsthatmusthavewrungtheboy’sheartbloodless。StillIwasingoodhopeforhim，untilthecrisiscameonthenightbeforetheFourth。Thequarrelwasasplainasthoughtypewrittenonthefaceofeach。MarstonwouldnotcomeinthatnightandtheBlightwentdinnerlesstobedandcriedherselftosleep。ShetoldthelittlesisterthatshehadseentheWildDogagainpeeringthroughthebushes，andthatshewasfrightened。Thatwasherexplanation——butIguessedabetterone。
VI
THEGREATDAY
Itwasadaytomakegladtheheartofslaveorfreeman。Theearthwascoolfromanight-longrain，andagentlebreezefannedcoolnessfromthenorthalldaylong。Thecloudsweresnow-white，tumbling，ever-moving，andbetweenthemtheskyshowedblueanddeep。Grass，leaf，weedandflowerwereintherichnessthatcomestothegreenthingsoftheearthjustbeforethatfulltideofsummerwhosefoamisdriftingthistledown。Theairwasclearandthemountainsseemedtohavebrushedthehazefromtheirfacesanddrawnnearerthatthey，too，mightbetterseethedoingsofthatday。
Fromthefourwindsofheaven，thatmorning，camethebraveandthefree。UpfromLee，downfromLittleStoneGap，andfromoverinScott，camethevalley-
farmers——horseback，inbuggies，hacks，two-horsewagons，withwives，mothers，sisters，sweethearts，inwhitedresses，floweredhats，andmanyribbons，andwithdinner-basketsstuffedwithgoodthingstoeat——oldham，youngchicken，angel-cakeandblackberrywine——tobespreadinthesunlessshadeofgreatpoplarandoak。FromBumHollowandWildcatValleyandfromuptheslopesthatleadtoCracker’sNeckcamesmallertillersofthesoil——asyetbutfaintlymarkedbythegewgawtrappingsoftheouterworld；whilefrombeyondHighKnob，whosecrownisincloud-land，andthroughtheGap，camethemountaineerintheprimitivesimplicityofhomespunandcowhide，wide-brimmedhatandpoke-bonnet，quaintspeech，andslouchinggait。ThroughtheGaphecameintwostreams——theVirginiansfromCrabOrchardandWiseandDickinson，theKentuckiansfromLetcherandfeudalHarlan，beyondtheBigBlack——andnotamancarriedaweaponinsight，forthesternspiritofthatPoliceGuardattheGapwasrespectedwideandfar。Intothetown，whichsitsonaplateausometwentyfeetabovethelevelofthetworiversthatallbutencircleit，theypoured，hitchingtheirhorsesinthestripofwoodsthatrunsthroughtheheartoftheplace，andbroadensintoaprimevalparkthat，fan-like，opensontheovallevelfieldwhereallthingshappenontheFourthofJuly。
Aboutthestreettheyloitered——lovershandinhand——eatingfruitandcandyanddrinkingsoda-water，orsatonthecurb-stone，motherswithbabiesattheirbreastsandtoddlingchildrenclingingclose——allwaitingforthecelebrationtobegin。
ItwasagreatdayfortheHon。SamuelBudd。Withacheerysmileandbeaminggoggles，hemovedamonghisconstituents，jokingwithyokels，sayingnicethingstomothers，payinggallantriestogirls，andchuckingbabiesunderthechin。Hefeltpopularandhewas——sopopularthathehadbeguntoseehimselfwithpropheticeyeinacongressionalseatatnodistantday；
andyet，withal，hewasnotwhollyhappy。
``Doyouknow，’’hesaid，``themfellersImadebetswithinthetournamentgottogetherthismorninganddecided，allof’em，thattheywouldn’tletmeoff？Jerusalem，it’smostfivehundreddollars！’’And，lookingthepictureofdismay，hetoldmehisdilemma。
Itseemsthathis``darkhorse’’wasnoneotherthantheWildDog，whohadbeenpractisingathomeforthistournamentfornearlyayear；andnowthattheWildDogwasanoutlaw，he，ofcourse，wouldn’tandcouldn’tcometotheGap。
AndsaidtheHon。SamBudd：
``ThemfellerssaysIbetI’dBRINGINadarkhorsewhowouldwinthistournament，andifIdon’tBRINGhimin，IlosejustthesameasthoughIhadbroughthiminandhehadn’twon。An’Ireckonthey’vegotme。’’
``Iguesstheyhave。’’
``Itwouldhavebeenlikepickin’moneyoffablackberry-bush，forIwasgoin’tolettheWildDoghavethatblackhorseo’
mine——thesteadiestandfastestrunnerinthiscountry——andmy，howthatfellowcanpickofftherings！He’sbeena-practisingforayear，andIbelievehecouldrunthepointo’thatspearofhisthroughalady’sfinger-ring。’’
``You’dbettergetsomebodyelse。’’
``Ah——that’sit。TheWildDogsentwordhe’dsendoveranotherfeller，namedDaveBranham，whohasbeenpractisingwithhim，who’sjustasgood，hesays，asheis。I’mlookingforhimattwelveo’clock，an’I’mgoin’totakehimdownan’seewhathecandoonthatblackhorseo’mine。
Butifhe’snogood，Ilosefivehundred，allright，’’andheslopedawaytohisduties。
ForitwastheHon。Samwhowasmasterofceremoniesthatday。HewasduenowtoreadtheDeclarationofIndependenceinapoplargrovetoallwhowouldlisten；hewastoactasumpireatthechampionshipbase-ballgameintheafternoon，andhewastogivethe``Charge’’totheassembledknightsbeforethetournament。
Atteno’clockthegamesbegan——andI
tooktheBlightandthelittlesisterdowntothe``grandstand’’——severaltiersofbacklessbencheswithleavesforacanopyandtheriversingingthroughrhododendronsbehind。Therewasjumpingbroadandhigh，anda100-yarddashandhurdlingandthrowingthehammer，whichtheBlightsaidwerenotinteresting——theyweretoomuchlikecollegesports——andshewantedtoseethebase-ballgameandthetournament。AndyetMarstonwasinthemall——doggedandresistless——histeethsetandhiseyesanywherebutliftedtowardtheBlight，whosecretlyproud，asIbelieved，butopenlydefiant，mentionednothisnameevenwhenhelost，whichwastwiceonly。
``Prettygood，isn’the？’’Isaid。
``Who？’’shesaidindifferently。
``Oh，nobody，’’Isaid，turningtosmile，butnotturningquicklyenough。
``What’sthematterwithyou？’’askedtheBlightsharply。
``Nothing，nothingatall，’’Isaid，andstraightwaytheBlightthoughtshewantedtogohome。ThethunderoftheDeclarationwasstillrumblinginthepoplargrove。
``That’stheHon。SamBudd，’’Isaid。
``Don’tyouwanttohearhim？’’
``Idon’tcarewhoitisandIdon’twanttohearhimandIthinkyouarehateful。’’
Ah，dearme，itwasmoreseriousthanI
thought。Thereweretearsinhereyes，andIledtheBlightandthelittlesisterhome——
conscience-strickenandhumbled。StillI
wouldfindthatyoungjackanapesofanengineerandlethimknowthatanybodywhomadetheBlightunhappymustdealwithme。Iwouldtakehimbytheneckandpoundsomesenseintohim。Ifoundhimlofty，uncommunicative，perfectlyalientoanyconsciousnessthatIcouldhaveanyknowledgeofwhatwasgoingoranyrighttopokemynoseintoanybody’sbusiness——
andIdidnothingexceptgobacktolunch——tofindtheBlightupstairsandthelittlesisterindignantwithme。
``Youjustletthemalone，’’shesaidseverely。
``Letwhoalone？’’Isaid，lapsingintothespeechofchildhood。
``You——just——let——them——alone，’’sherepeated。
``I’vealreadymadeupmymindtothat。’’
``Well，then！’’shesaid，withanairofsatisfaction，butwhyIdon’tknow。
Iwentbacktothepoplargrove。TheDeclarationwasoverandthecrowdwasgone，buttherewastheHon。SamuelBudd，moppinghisbrowwithonehand，slappinghisthighwiththeother，andallbutexecutingapigeon-wingontheturf。
Heturnedgogglesonmethatliterallyshonetriumph。
``He’scome——DaveBranham’scome！’’
hesaid。``He’sbetterthantheWildDog。
I’vebeentryinghimontheblackhorseand，Lord，howhecantakethemringsoff！
Ha，won’tIgetintothemfellowswhowouldn’tletmeoffthismorning！Oh，yes，Iagreedtobringinadarkhorse，andI’llbringhiminallright。Thatfivehundredisinmyclothesnow。Youseethatpointyonder？Well，there’sahollowthereandbushesallaround。That’swhereI’mgoingtodresshim。I’vegothisclothesallrightandanameforhim。Thisthingisa-goin’tocomeoffaccordin’toHoyle，Ivanhoe，Four-Quarters-of-Beef，andallthemmediaevalfellows。Justwatchme！’’
Ibegantogetnewlyinterested，forthatknight’snameIsuddenlyrecalled。LittleBuck，theWildDog’sbrother，hadmentionedhim，whenwewereoverintheKentuckyhills，aspractisingwiththeWildDog——asbeing``mightygood，butnowhar’longsideo’Mart。’’SotheHon。Sammighthaveagoodsubstitute，afterall，andbeingadevoteddiscipleofSirWalter，I
knewhisknightwouldrival，insplendor，atleast，anythatrodewithKingArthurindaysofold。
TheBlightwasveryquietatlunch，aswasthelittlesister，andmyefforttobejocosewasalamentablefailure。SoIgavenews。
``TheHon。Samhasasubstitute。’’Nocuriosityandnoquestion。
``Who——didyousay？Why，DaveBranham，afriendoftheWildDog。
Don’tyourememberBucktellingusabouthim？’’Noanswer。``Well，Ido——and，bytheway，IsawBuckandoneofthebigsistersjustawhileago。HernameisMollie。DaveBranham，youwillrecall，ishersweetheart。TheotherbigsisterhadtostayathomewithhermotherandlittleCindy，who’ssick。Ofcourse，Ididn’taskthemaboutMart——theWildDog。TheyknewIknewandtheywouldn’thavelikedit。TheWildDog’saround，Iunderstand，buthewon’tdareshowhisface。Everypolicemanintownisonthelookoutforhim。’’IthoughttheBlight’sfaceshowedasignalofrelief。
``I’mgoingtoplayshort-stop，’’Iadded。
``Oh！’’saidtheBlight，withasmile，butthelittlesistersaidwithsomescorn：
``You！’’
``I’llshowyou，’’Isaid，andItoldtheBlightaboutbase-ballattheGap。Wehadintroducedbase-ballintotheregionandthevalleyboysandmountainboys，beingswiftrunners，throwinglikearifleshotfromconstantpracticewithstones，andbeinghardasnails，caughtthegamequicklyandwithgreatease。Webeatthemallthetimeatfirst，butnowtheywerebeginningtobeatus。Wehadaleaguenow，andthiswasthechampionshipgameforthepennant。
``Itwasrightfunnythefirsttimewebeatanativeteam。Ofcourse，wegottogetherandcheered’em。Theythoughtwewerecheeringourselves，sotheygotredintheface，rushedtogetherandwhoopeditupforthemselvesforabouthalfanhour。’’
TheBlightalmostlaughed。
``Weusedtohavetocarryourgunsaroundwithusatfirstwhenwewenttootherplaces，andwecamenearhavingseveralfights。’’
``Oh！’’saidtheBlightexcitedly。``Doyouthinktheremightbeafightthisafternoon？’’
``Don’tknow，’’Isaid，shakingmyhead。
``It’sprettyhardforeighteenpeopletofightwhennineofthemarepolicemenandtherearefortymorearound。Stillthecrowdmighttakeahand。’’
This，Isaw，quitethrilledtheBlightandshewasingoodspiritswhenwestartedout。
``Marstondoesn’tpitchthisafternoon，’’
Isaidtothelittlesister。``Heplaysfirstbase。He’ssavinghimselfforthetournament。He’sdonetoomuchalready。’’
TheBlightmerelyturnedherheadwhileI
wasspeaking。``AndtheHon。Samwillnotactasumpire。Hewantstosavehisvoice——andhishead。’’
Theseatsinthe``grandstand’’wereinthesunnow，soIleftthegirlsinadesertedband-standthatstoodonstiltsundertreesonthesouthernsideofthefield，andonalinemidwaybetweenthirdbaseandthepositionofshort-stop。Nowthereisnoenthusiasminanysportthatequalstheexcitementarousedbyaruralbase-ballgameandIneversawtheenthusiasmofthatgameoutdoneexceptbytheexcitementofthetournamentthatfollowedthatafternoon。
ThegamewascloseandMarstonandIassuredlywerestars——Marstononeofthefirstmagnitude。``Goose-egg’’ononesidematched``goose-egg’’ontheotheruntiltheendofthefifthinning，whentheengineerknockedahome-run。Spectatorsthrewtheirhatsintothetrees，yelledthemselveshoarse，andIsawseveraloldmountaineerswhounderstoodnomoreofbase-ballthanofthelost_digamma_inGreekgoingwildwiththegeneralcontagion。
DuringtheseinningsIhad``assisted’’intwodoublesandhadfiredinthree``daisycutters’’tofirstmyselfinspiteoftheguyingIgotfromtheopposingrooters。
``Four-eyes’’theycalledmeonaccountofmyspectaclesuntilanewnicknamecameatthelasthalfoftheninthinning，whenwewereinthefieldwiththescorefourtothreeinourfavor。Itwasthenthatasmall，fatboywithapapermegaphonelongerthanhewaswaddledoutalmosttofirstbaseandlevellinghistrumpetatme，thunderedoutinasuddensilence：
``Hello，FoxyGrandpa！’’Thatwastoomuch。Igotrattled，andwhentherewerethreemenonbasesandtwoout，aswiftgroundercametome，Ifell——catchingit——andthrewwildlytofirstfrommyknees。Iheardshoutsofhorror，anger，anddistressfromeverywhereandmyownheartstoppedbeating——Ihadlostthegame——andthenMarstonleapedintheair——surelyitmusthavebeenfourfeet——
caughttheballwithhislefthandanddroppedbackonthebag。Thesoundofhisfootonitandtherunner’swasalmostsimultaneous，buttheumpiresaidMarston’swastherefirst。Thenbedlam！Oneofmybrotherswasumpireandthecaptainoftheotherteamwalkedthreateninglyouttowardhim，followedbytwoofhismenwithbase-ballbats。AsIstartedoffmyselftowardsthemIsaw，withthecornerofmyeye，anotherbrotherofminestartinarunfromtheleftfield，andI
wonderedwhyathird，whowasscoring，satperfectlystillinhischair，particularlyasawell-known，red-headedtoughfromoneofthemineswhohadbeenofficiouslyantagonisticrantowardthepitcher’sboxdirectlyinfrontofhim。Instantlyadozenoftheguardsprangtowardit，somemanpulledhispistol，abillycrackedstraightwayonhishead，andinafewminutesorderwasrestored。Andstillthebrotherscoringhadn’tmovedfromhischair，andIspoketohimhotly。
``Keepyourshirton，’’hesaideasily，liftinghisscore-cardwithhislefthandandshowinghisrightclinchedabouthispistolunderit。
``Iwasjustwaitingforthatred-headtomakeamove。IguessI’dhavegothimfirst。’’
IwalkedbacktotheBlightandthelittlesisterandbothofthemlookedveryseriousandfrightened。
``Idon’tthinkIwanttoseearealfight，afterall，’’saidtheBlight。``Notthisafternoon。’’
Itwasalittlesingularandprophetic，butjustasthewordsleftherlipsoneofthePoliceGuardhandedmeapieceofpaper。
``Somebodyinthecrowdmusthavedroppeditinmypocket，’’hesaid。Onthepaperwerescrawledthesewords：
``_LookoutfortheWildDog！_’’
IsentthepapertoMarston。
VII
ATLAST——THETOURNAMENT
Atlast——thetournament！
EverafterwardtheHon。SamuelBuddcalledit``TheGentleandJoyousPassageofArms——notofAshby——
butoftheGap，by-suh！’’TheHon。
SamuelhadarrangeditasnearlyafterSirWalteraspossible。Andasuddenleapitwasfromthemostmodernofgamestoagamemostancient。
NoknightsofoldeverjoustedonalovelierfieldthanthegreenlittlevalleytowardwhichtheHon。Samwavedonebighand。
Itwaslevel，shornofweeds，ellipticalinshape，andboundinbytreesthatraninasemicirclearoundthebankoftheriver，shutinthesouthernborder，andranbacktothenorthernextremityinaprimevallittleforestthatwood-thrushes，eventhen，weremakingmusical——allofitshutinbyawalloflivinggreen，saveforonenarrowspacethroughwhichtheknightsweretoenter。InfrontwavedWallens’leafyridgeandbehindrosetheCumberlandRangeshoulderingitselfspurbyspur，intothecomingsunsetandcrashingeastwardintothemightybulkofPowell’sMountain，whichloomedsouthwardfromtheheadofthevalley——allnoddingsunnyplumesofchestnut。