CHAPTERXII。
Themasterawokethenextmorning，albeitafterarestlessnight，withthatclarityofconscienceandperceptionwhichitistobefearedismoreoftentheconsequenceofyouthandaperfectcirculationthanofanymoralconvictionorintegrity。Hearguedwithhimselfthatastheonlypartyreallyaggrievedintheincidentofthepreviousnight，therightofremedyremainedwithhimsolely，andunderthebenigninfluenceofanearlybreakfastandthefreshmorningairhewasinclinedtofeellesssternlyeventowardsSethDavis。Inanyevent，hemustfirstcarefullyweightheevidenceagainsthim，andexaminethesceneoftheoutrageclosely。Forthispurpose，hehadstartedfortheschool-housefullyanhourbeforehisusualtime。Hewasevenlight-heartedenoughtorecognizethehumorousaspectofUncleBen’sappealtohim，andhisownludicrouslyparadoxicalattitude，andasheatlastpassedfromthedrearyflatintothefringeofuplandpines，hewassmiling。Wellforhim，perhaps，thathewasnomoreaffectedbyanypremonitionofthedaybeforehimthanthelatelyawakenedbirdsthatlightlycutthestillsleepingwoodsaroundhimintheirlongflashingsabre-curvesofflight。Ayellow-throat，destinedtobecomethebreakfastofalazyhawkstillswingingabovetheriver，wasespeciallymovedtosuchacauselessandidioticrouladeofmirththatthemasterlisteningtothefoolishbirdwasfaintowhistletoo。Hepresentlystopped，however，withaslightembarrassment。ForafewpacesbeforehimCressyhadunexpectedlyappeared。
Shehadevidentlybeenwatchingforhim。Butnotwithherusualindolentconfidence。Therewasastrainedlookofthemusclesofhermouth，asofsomepastrepression，andashadedhollowunderhertemplesbeneaththeblonderingsofhershorterhair。Herhabituallyslow，steadyeyewastroubled，andshecastafurtiveglancearoundherbeforeshesearchedhimwithherglance。Withoutknowingwhy，yetvaguelyfearingthathedid，hebecamestillmoreembarrassed，andintheveryegotismofawkwardness，stammeredwithoutafurthersalutation：\"Adisgracefulthinghashappenedlastnight，andI’mupearlytofindtheperpetrator。Mydeskwasbrokeninto，and\"——
\"Iknowit，\"sheinterrupted，withahalf-impatient，halfuneasyputtingawayofthesubjectwithherlittlehand——\"there——don’tgoalloveritagain。PawandMawhavebeenatmeaboutitallnight——
eversincethoseHarrisonsintheiranxiousnesstomakeuptheirquarrel，rushedoverwiththenews。I’mtiredofit！\"
Foraninstanthewasstaggered。Howmuchhadshelearned！Withthesameawkwardindirectness，hesaidvaguely，\"ButitmighthavebeenYOURletters，youknow？\"
\"Butitwasn’t，\"shesaid，simply。\"ItOUGHTtohavebeen。Iwishithad\"——Shestopped，andagainregardedhimwithastrangeexpression。\"Well，\"shesaidslowly，\"whatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"Tofindoutthescoundrelwhohasdonethis，\"hesaidfirmly，\"andpunishhimashedeserves。\"
Thealmostimperceptibleshrugthathadraisedhershouldersgavewayassheregardedhimwithalookofweariedcompassion。
\"No，\"shesaid，gravely，\"youcannot。They’retoomanyforyou。
Youmustgoaway，atonce。\"
\"Never，\"hesaidindignantly。\"Evenifitwerenotacowardice。
Itwouldbemore——aconfession！\"
\"Notmorethantheyalreadyknow，\"shesaidwearily。\"But，Itellyou，youMUSTgo。Ihavesneakedoutofthehouseandrunhereallthewaytowarnyou。Ifyou——youcareforme，Jack——youwillgo。\"
\"IshouldbeatraitortoyouifIdid，\"hesaidquickly。\"Ishallstay。\"
\"Butif——if——Jack——if\"——shedrewnearerhimwithanew-foundtimidity，andthensuddenlyplacedhertwohandsuponhisshoulders：\"If——if——Jack——Iweretogowithyou？\"
Theoldrapt，eagerlookofpossessionhadcomebacktoherfacenow；herlipsweresoftlyparted。Yeteventhensheseemedtobewaitingsomereplymorepotentthanthatsyllabledonthelipsofthemanbeforeher。
Howbeitthatwastheonlyresponse。\"Darling，\"hesaidkissingher，\"butwouldn’tthatjustifythem\"——
\"Stop，\"shesaidsuddenly。Thenputtingherhandoverhismouth，shecontinuedwiththesamehalf-wearyexpression：\"Don’tletusgooverallthatagaineither。ItisSOtiresome。Listen，dear。
You’lldooneortwolittlethingsforme——won’tyou，dandyboy？
Don’tlingerlongattheschool-houseafterlessons。Gorighthome！Don’tlookafterthesemenTO-DAY——to-morrow，Saturday，isyourholiday——youknow——andyou’llhavemoretime。Keeptoyourselfto-dayasmuchasyoucan，dear，fortwelvehours——until——
until——youhearfromme，youknow。Itwillbeallrightthen，\"sheadded，liftinghereyelidswithasuddenoddresemblancetoherfather’slookofdrowsypain，whichFordhadnevernoticedbefore。
\"Promisemethat，dear，won’tyou？\"
Withamentalreservationhepromisedhurriedly——preoccupiedinhiswonderwhysheseemedtoavoidhisexplanation，inhisdesiretoknowwhathadhappened，inthepridethathadkepthimfromaskingmoreorvolunteeringadefence，andinhisstillhauntingsenseofhavingbeenwronged。Yethecouldnothelpsayingashecaughtandheldherhand：——
\"YOUhavenotdoubtedme，Cressy？YOUhavenotallowedthisinfamousrakingupofthingsthatarepastandgonetoalteryourfeelings？\"
Shelookedathimabstractedly。\"YouthinkitmightalterANYBODY’S
feelings，then？\"
\"Nobody’swhoreallylovedanother\"——hestammered。
\"Don’tletustalkofitanymore，\"shesaidsuddenlystretchingoutherarms，liftingthemaboveherheadwithaweariedgesture，andthenlettingthemfallclaspedbeforeherinheroldhabitualfashion。\"Itmakesmyheadache；whatwithPawandMawandtherestofthem——I’msickofitall。\"
SheturnedawayasForddrewbackcoldlyandletherhandfallfromhisarm。Shetookafewstepsforward，stopped，ranbacktohimagain，crushedhisfaceandheadinacloseembrace，andthenseemedtodiplikeabirdintothetallbracken，andwasgone。
Themasterstoodforsomemomentschagrinedandbewildered；itwascharacteristicofhistemperamentthathehadpaidlessheedtowhatshetoldhimthanwhatheIMAGINEDhadpassedbetweenhermotherandherself。Shewasnaturallyjealousoftheletters——hecouldforgiveherforthat；shehaddoubtlessbeentwittedaboutthem，buthecouldeasilyexplainthemtoherparents——ashewouldhavedonetoher。Buthewasnotsuchafoolastoelopewithheratsuchamoment，withoutfirstclearinghischaracter——andknowingmoreofhers。Anditwasequallycharacteristicofhimthatinhissenseofinjuryheconfoundedherwiththewriteroftheletters——
assympathizingwithhiscorrespondentinherestimateofhischaracter，andwasquitecarriedawaywiththebeliefthathewasequallywrongedbyboth。
Itwasnotuntilhereachedtheschoolhousethattheevidencesoflastnight’soutrageforatimedistractedhismindfromhissingularinterview。Hewasstruckwiththeworkmanlikemannerinwhichthelockshadbeenrestored，andthecarethathadevidentlybeentakentoremovethemoreobviousandbrutaltracesofburglary。ThissomewhatstaggeredhistheorythatSethDaviswastheperpetrator；mechanicalskillandthoughtfulnesswerenotamongthelout’scharacteristics。Buthewasstillmoredisconcertedonpushingbackhischairtofindasmallindia-rubbertobaccopouchlyingbeneathit。Themasterinstantlyrecognizedit：hehadseenitahundredtimesbefore——itwasUncleBen’s。Itwasnottherewhenhehadclosedtheroomyesterdayafternoon。EitherUncleBenhadbeentherelastnight，orhadanticipatedhimthismorning。
Butinthelattercasehewouldscarcelyhaveoverlookedhisfallenproperty——that，inthedarknessofthenight，mighthavereadilyescapeddetection。HisbrowdarkenedwithasuddenconvictionthatitwasUncleBenwhowastherealandonlyoffender，andthathissimplicityofthepreviousnightwaspartofhisdeception。A
sickeningsensethathehadbeenagainduped——butwhyortowhatpurposehehardlydaredtothink——overcamehim。Whoamongthesestrangepeoplecouldheeveragaintrust？Afterthefashionofmoreelevatedindividuals，hehadacceptedtherespectandkindnessofthosehebelievedhisinferiorsasanaturaltributetohisownsuperiority；anychangeinTHEIRfeelingsmustthereforebehypocrisyordisloyalty；itneveroccurredtohimthatHEmighthavefallenbelowtheirstandard。
Thearrivalofthechildrenandtheresumptionofhisdutiesforatimedivertedhim。Butalthoughthemorning’sexerciserestoredthemaster’sself-confidence，itcannotbesaidtohaveimprovedhisjudgment。DisdainingtoquestionRupertFilgee，asthepossibleconfidantofUncleBen，heansweredthecuriousinquiriesofthechildrenastothebrokendoorlockwiththeremarkthatitwasamatterthatheshouldhavetobringbeforetheTrusteesoftheBoard，andbythetimethatschoolwasoverandthepupilsdismissedhehadquiteresolveduponthisformaldispositionofit。
InspiteofCressy’swarning——ratherbecauseofit——inthenewattitudehehadtakentowardsherandherfriends，helingeredintheschool-houseuntillate。Hehadoccupiedhimselfindrawingupastatementofthefacts，withanintimationthathiscontinuanceintheschoolwoulddependuponarigidinvestigationofthecircumstances，whenhewasarousedbytheclatterofhorses’hoofs。
Thenextmomenttheschool-housewassurroundedbyadozenmen。
Helookedup；halfofthemdismountedandenteredtheroom。Theotherhalfremainedoutsidedarkeningthewindowswiththeirmotionlessfigures。Eachmancarriedagunbeforehimonthesaddle；eachmanworearudemaskofblackclothpartlycoveringhisface。
Althoughthemasterwasinstinctivelyawarethathewasthreatenedbyseriousdanger，hewasfarfrombeingimpressedbythearmsanddisguiseofhismysteriousintruders。Onthecontrary，theobviousandglaringinconsistencyofthischeaplytheatricalinvasionofthepeacefulschool-house；ofthisoppositionofmenacingfigurestothescatteredchildishprimersandtext-booksthatstilllayonthedesksaroundhim，onlyextractedfromhimahalfscornfulsmileashecoollyregardedthem。Thefearlessnessofignoranceisoftenasunassailableasthemostexperiencedvalor，andtheawe-
inspiringinvaderswereatfirstembarrassedandthenhumanlyangry。Alankfiguretotherightmadeaforwardmovementofimpotentrage，butwascheckedbytheevidentleaderoftheparty。
\"Efhelikestotakeitthatway，thereain’tnoRegulatorslawaginit，Ireckon，\"hesaid，inavoicewhichthemasterinstantlyrecognizedasJimHarrison’s，\"thoughezagin’ralthingtheydon’tusuallyfinditFUN。\"Thenturningtothemasterheadded，\"MisterFord，efthat’sthenameyougobyeverywhere，we’rewantin’amanaboutyoursize。\"
Fordknewthathewasinhopelessperil。Heknewthathewasphysicallydefencelessandatthemercyoftwelvearmedandlawlessmen。Butheretainedapreternaturalclearnessofperception，andaudacitybornofunqualifiedscornforhisantagonists，withafemininesharpnessoftongue。Inavoicewhichastonishedevenhimselfbyitscontemptuousdistinctness，hesaid：\"MynameIS
Ford，butasIonlySUPPOSEyournameisHarrisonperhapsyou’llbefairenoughtotakethatragfromyourfaceandshowittomelikeaman。\"
Themanremovedthemaskfromhisfacewithaslightlaugh。
\"Thankyou，\"saidFord。\"Now，perhapsyouwilltellmewhichoneofyougentlemenbrokeintotheschool-house，forcedthelockofmydesk，andstolemypapers。IfheishereIwishtotellhimheisnotonlyathief，butacurandacoward，forthelettersareawoman’s——whomheneitherknowsnorhastherighttoknow。\"
Ifhehadhopedtoforceapersonalquarrelandtrusthislifetothechanceofasingleantagonist，hewasdisappointed，foralthoughhisunexpectedattitudehadproducedsomeeffectamongthegroup，andevenattractedtheattentionofthemenatthewindows，Harrisonstrodedeliberatelytowardshim。
\"Thatkinwait，\"hesaid；\"jestnowweproposetotakeyouandyourlettersanddrop’emandyououterthisyertownshipofInjinSprings。Youkintake’embacktothewomanorcritteryougot’emof。Butwekalkilateyou’realittletoohandyandfreeinthemsorterthingstoteachschoolroundyer，andwekinderallowwedon’tkeertohevourgalsandboyseddicateduptoyourhigh-tonedstandard。Soefyouchoosetokemalongeasywe’llmak’youcomf’bleonahosswe’vegotwaitin’outside，an’escortyouacrosstheline。Efyoudon’t——we’lltakeyouanyway。\"
Themastercastarapidglancearoundhim。Inhisquicknessofperceptionhehadalreadynotedthattheledhorseamongthecavalcadewasfastenedbyalariattooneoftheriderssothatescapebyflightwasimpossible，andthathehadnotasingleweapontodefendhimselfwithorevenprovoke，inhisdesperation，thestrugglethatcouldforestallignominybydeath。Nothingwaslefthimbuthisvoice，clearandtrenchantashefacedthem。
\"Youaretwelvetoone，\"hesaidcalmly，\"butifthereisasinglemanamongyouwhodarestepforwardandaccusemeofwhatyouonlyTOGETHERdaredo，Iwilltellhimheisaliarandacoward，andstandherereadytomakeitgoodagainsthim。Youcomehereasjudgeandjurycondemningmewithouttrial，andconfrontingmewithnoaccusers；youcomehereaslawlessavengersofyourhonor，andyoudarenotgiveMEtheprivilegeofaslawlesslydefendingmyown。\"
Therewasanotherslightmurmuramongthemen，buttheleadermovedimpatientlyforward。\"We’vehadenougho’yourpreachin’：wewantYOU，\"hesaidroughly。\"Come。\"
\"Stop，\"saidadullvoice。
Itcamefromamutefigurewhichhadremainedmotionlessamongtheothers。Everyeyewasturneduponitasitroseandlazilypushedtheclothfromitsface。
\"HiramMcKinstry！\"saidtheothersinmingledtonesofastonishmentandsuspicion。
\"That’sme！\"saidMcKinstry，comingforwardwithheavydeliberation。
\"Ijoinedthisyerdelegationatthecrossroadsinsteado’mybrother，whohadthecall。Ireckonet’sallthesame——ormebbebetter。ForIperposetotakethisyergentlemanoffyourhands。\"
Heliftedhisslumbrouseyesforthefirsttimetothemaster，andatthesametimeputhimselfbetweenhimandHarrison。\"I
perpose，\"hecontinued，\"totakehimathisword；Iperposetergivehimachancetoanswerwithagun。AndezIreckon，byallaccounts，there’snomanyerezhezabetterrightthanME，I
perposetobethemantoputthatquestiontohiminthesameway。
Etmaynotsuitsomegents，\"hecontinuedslowly，facinganangryexclamationfromthelankfigurebehindhim，\"ezwouldprefertohevelevenmentotakeupTHEIRprivatequo’lls，buteventhenI
reckonthatthemanwhoisthemostinjuredheztherighttothefirstsayandthatman’sME。\"
Withacarefuldeliberationthathadadoublesignificancetothemalcontents，hehandedhisownrifletothemasterandwithoutlookingathimcontinued：\"Ireckon，sir，you’veseenthatafore，butefitain’tquitetoyourhand，anyofthosegents，I
kalkilate，willbehigh-tonedenufftogivyouthechyceo’theirs。
Andthere’snoneedo’trapsin’beyon’thetownshiplines，tofixthisyeraffair；Iperposetodoitintenminutesinthebrushyonder。\"
Whatevermighthavebeenthefeelingsandintentionsofthemenaroundhim，theprecedenceofMcKinstry’srighttotheduellowasaprincipletoodeeplyrootedintheirtraditionstodeny；ifanyresistancetoithadbeencontemplatedbysomeofthem，thefactthatthemasterwasnowarmed，andthatMr。McKinstrywouldquicklydobattleathissidewitharevolverindefenceofhisrights，checkedanyexpression。TheysilentlydrewbackasthemasterandMcKinstryslowlypassedoutoftheschool-housetogether，andthenfollowedintheirrear。InthatintervalthemasterturnedtoMcKinstryandsaidinalowvoice：\"Iacceptyourchallengeandthankyouforit。Youhaveneverdonemeagreaterkindness——
whateverIhavedonetoYOU——yetIwantyoutobelievethatneithernownorTHEN——Imeantyouanyharm。\"
\"Efyoumeanbythat，sir，thatyereckonyewon’treturnmyfire，ye’reblindandwrong。Foritwilldoyounogoodwiththem，\"hesaidwithasignificantwaveofhiscrippledhandtowardsthefollowingcrowd，\"normeneither。\"
Firmlyresolved，however，thathewouldnotfireatMcKinstry，andclingingblindlytothiswhichhebelievedwasthelastideaofhisfoolishlife，hecontinuedonwithoutanotherworduntiltheyreachedtheopenstripofchemisalthatflankedtheclearing。
Therudepreliminariesweresoonsettled。Thepartiesarmedwithriflesweretofireatthewordfromadistanceofeightyyards，andthenapproacheachother，continuingthefightwithrevolversuntiloneortheotherfell。TheselectionofsecondswaseffectedbytheelderHarrisonactingforMcKinstry，andafteramoment’sdelaybythevolunteeringofthelong，lankfigurepreviouslynotedtoactforthemaster。Preoccupiedbyotherthoughts，Mr。Fordpaidlittleheedtohisself-electedsupporter，whototheothersseemedtobeonlytakingthatmethodofshowinghiscontemptforMcKinstry’srecentinsult。Themasterreceivedtheriflemechanicallyfromhishandandwalkedtoposition。Henoticed，however，andrememberedafterwardsthathissecondwashalfhiddenbythetrunkofalargepinetohisrightthatmarkedthelimitoftheground。
Inthatsuprememomentitmustberecorded，albeitagainstallpreconceivedtheory，thathedidNOTreviewhispastlife，wasNOT
illuminatedbyaflashofremorsefulorsentimentalmemory，anddidNOTcommendhissoultohisMaker，butthathewassimplyandkeenlyalivetotheveryactualpresentinwhichhestillexistedandtohisoneideaofnotfiringathisadversary。AndifanythingcouldrenderhisconductmoretheoreticallyincorrectitwasacertainexaltedsensethathewasdoingquiterightandwasnotonlyNOTabadsortoffellow，butonewhomhissurvivorsmightpossiblyregret！
\"Areyouready，gentlemen？One——two——three——fi……！\"
Theexplosionsweresingularlysimultaneous——soremarkableinfactthatitseemedtothemasterthathisrifle，firedintheair，hadgivenaDOUBLEreport。Alightwreathofsmokelaybetweenhimandhisopponent。Hewasunhurt——soevidentlywashisadversary，forthevoiceroseagain。
\"Advance！……Hallothere！Stop！\"
HelookedupquicklytoseeMcKinstrystaggerandthenfallheavilytotheground。
Withanexclamationofhorror，thefirstandonlyterribleemotionhehadfelt，herantothefallenman，asHarrisonreachedhissideatthesamemoment。
\"ForGod’ssake，\"hesaidwildly，throwinghimselfonhiskneesbesideMcKinstry，\"whathashappened？ForIsweartoyou，Ineveraimedatyou！Ifiredintheair。Speak！Tellhim，you，\"heturnedwithadespairingappealtoHarrison，\"youmusthaveseenitall——tellhimitwasnotme！\"
Ahalfwondering，halfincreduloussmilepassedquicklyoverHarrison’sface。\"Incourseyoudidn’tMEANit，\"hesaiddryly，\"butletthatslide。Getupandgetawayfromyer，whileyoukin，\"
headdedimpatiently，withasignificantglanceatoneortwomenwholingeredafterthesuddenandgeneraldispersionofthecrowdatMcKinstry’sfall。\"Get——willye！\"
\"Never！\"saidtheyoungmanpassionately，\"untilheknowsthatitwasnotmyhandthatfiredthatshot。\"
McKinstrypainfullystruggledtohiselbow。\"Ittookmeyere，\"hesaidwithaslowdeliberation，asifansweringsomepreviousquestion，andpointingtohiship，\"anditkinderletmedownwhenIstartedforwardatthesecondcall。\"
\"ButitwasnotIwhodidit，McKinstry，Iswearit。Hearme！ForGod’ssake，sayyoubelieveme。\"
McKinstryturnedhisdrowsytroubledeyesuponthemasterasifhewerevaguelyrecallingsomething。\"Standbacktharaminit，willye，\"hesaidtoHarrison，withalanguidwaveofhiscrippledhand；
\"Iwantterspeaktothisyerman。\"
Harrisondrewbackafewpacesandthemastersoughttotakethewoundedman’shand，buthewasstoppedbyagesture。\"WherehevyouputCressy？\"McKinstrysaidslowly。
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"stammeredFord。
\"Whereareyouhidin’herfromme？\"repeatedMcKinstrywithpainfuldistinctness。\"Wharhevyourunherto，thatyou’rereckonin’tojineherarter——arter——THIS？\"
\"Iamnothidingher！Iamnotgoingtoher！Idonotknowwheresheis。Ihavenotseenhersincewepartedearlythismorningwithoutawordofmeetingagain，\"saidthemasterrapidly，yetwithabewilderedastonishmentthatwasobviouseventothedulledfacultiesofhishearer。
\"Thatwartrue？\"askedMcKinstry，layinghishanduponthemaster’sshoulderandbringinghisdulleyestotheleveloftheyoungman’s。
\"Itisthewholetruth，\"saidFordfervently，\"andtruealsothatI
neverraisedmyhandagainstyou。\"
McKinstrybeckonedtoHarrisonandthetwootherswhohadjoinedhim，andthensankpartlybackwithhishanduponhisside，wheretheslowempurplingofhisredshirtshowedtheslightoozeofadeeply-seatedwound。
\"Youfellerskintakemeovertotheranch，\"hesaidcalmly，\"andlethim，\"pointingtoFord，\"rideyourbesthossferthedoctor。I
don’t，\"hecontinuedingraveexplanation，\"gin’rallyuseadoctor，butthisyerissuthin’outsidetheoldwoman’sregulargait。\"Hepaused，andthendrawingthemaster’sheaddowntowardshim，headdedinhisear，\"WhenIgettohevalookatthesizeandshapeo’thisyerballthat’sinmyhip，I’ll——I’ll——I’ll——be——a——littlemorekam！\"Agleamofdullsignificancestruggledintohiseye。
Themasterevidentlyunderstoodhim，forherosequickly，rantothehorse，mountedhimanddashedoffformedicalassistance，whileMcKinstry，closinghisheavylids，anticipatedthislooked-forcalmbyfaintinggentlyaway。
CHAPTERXIII。
Ofthevarioussentimentalfallaciesentertainedbyadulthumanityinregardtochildhood，nonearemoreingeniouslyinaccurateandgratuitouslyidioticthanacomfortablebeliefinitsprofoundignoranceoftheeventsinwhichitdailymoves，andthemotivesandcharactersofthepeoplewhosurroundit。Yeteventheoccasionalrevelationsofanenfantterribleareasnothingcomparedtotheperiloussecretswhichadiscreetinfantdailybuttonsup，orsecureswithahook-and-eye，orevenfastenswithasafety-pinacrossitsgentlebosom。Societycanneverceasetobegratefulforthattactandconsideration——qualitiesmoreoftenjoinedwithchildishintuitionandperceptionthanwithmaturedobservation——thattheyowetoit；andthemostaccomplishedmanorwomanofthegreatworldmighttakealessonfromthislittleaudiencewhoreceivefromtheirlipsthelietheyfeeltoopalpable，withround-eyedcomplacency，oroutwardlyacceptasmoralandgenuinethehollowsentimenttheyhaveoverheardrehearsedinprivatefortheirbenefit。
ItwasnotstrangethereforethatthelittlepeopleoftheIndianSpringschoolknewperhapsmoreoftherealrelationsofCressyMcKinstrytoheradmirersthantheadmirersthemselves。Notthatthisknowledgewasoutspoken——forchildrenrarelygossipinthegrown-upsense——orevencommunicablebywordsintelligenttothematuredintellect。Awhisper，alaughthatoftenseemedvagueandunmeaning，conveyedtoeachotheraworldofsecretsignificance，andanapparentlysenselessburstofmerrimentinwhichthewholeclassjoinedandthattheadultcriticsetdownto\"animalspirits\"——aqualitymuchmorerarewithchildrenthangenerallysupposed——wasonlyasympatheticexpressionofsomediscoveryhappilyoblivioustoolderpreoccupation。ThechildishsimplicityofUncleBenperhapsappealedmorestronglytotheirsympathy，andalthough，forthatveryreason，theyregardedhimwithnomorerespectthantheydideachother，hewasattimescarelesslyadmittedtotheirconfidence。ItwasespeciallyRupertFilgeewhoextendedakindofpatronizingprotectorateoverhim——notunmixedwithdoubtsofhissanity，inspiteofthepromisedconfidentialclerkshiphewastoreceivefromhishands。
Onthedayoftheeventschronicledintheprecedingchapter，RupertonreturningfromschoolwassomewhatsurprisedtofindUncleBenperchedupontherail-fencebeforethehumbledooroftheFilgeemansionandevidentlyawaitinghim。SlowlydismountingasRupertandJohnnyapproached，hebeamedupontheformerforsomemomentswitharchandyetaffablemystery。
\"Roopy，oldman，Is’poseye’vegotyerdudsallreadyinyerpack，eh？\"
Aflushofpleasurepassedovertheboy’shandsomeface。Hecast，however，ahurriedlookdownontheall-pervadingJohnny。
\"’CauseyeseewekalkilatetotakethedownstagetoSacramentoatfouro’clock，\"continuedUncleBen，enjoyingRupert’shalfscepticalsurprise。\"Yeenterintooffice，sotospeak，withmeatthathour，whenthesellery，seventy-fivedollarsamonthandboard，ezprivateandconfidentialclerk，begins——eh？\"
Rupert’sdimplesdeepenedincharming，almostfeminine，embarrassment。\"Butdad——？\"hestammered。
\"Et’sallrightwithHIM。He’sagreeable。\"
\"But——？\"
UncleBenfollowedRupert’sglanceatJohnny，whohoweverappearedtobeabsorbedinthepatternofUncleBen’snewtrousers。
\"That’sfixed，\"hesaidwithameaningsmile。\"There’sasorto’
bonuswepaysdown，youknow——foraChinymantodotheoddjobs。\"
\"Andteacher——Mr。Ford——didyetellhim？\"saidRupertbrightening。
UncleBencoughedslightly。\"He’sagreeable，too，Ireckon。Thatis，\"hewipedhismouthmeditatively，\"heezgoodezalloweditingin’ralconversationaweekago，Roop。\"
Aswiftshadowofsuspiciondarkenedtheboy’sbrowneyes。\"Isanybodyelsegoin’withus？\"hesaidquickly。
\"Notthisyertrip，\"repliedUncleBencomplacently。\"Yesee，Roop，\"hecontinued，drawinghimasidewithanairofcomfortablemystery，\"thisyerbiz’nessb’longstotheprivateandconfidentialbranchoftheoffice。Frominformashunwe’vereceived\"——
\"WE？\"interruptedRupert。
\"’We，’that’stheOFFICE，youknow，\"continuedUncleBenwithaheavyassumptionofbusinessformality，\"wotwe’vereceivedperseveralhandsandconsignee——we——that’sYOUandME，Roop——wegoesdowntoSacramentotoinquireintothestandin’ofacertingparty，asperinvoice，andtersee——tersee——ternegotiateyouknow，terfindoutifshe’smarriedordi-vorced，\"heconcludedquickly，asifabandoningforthemomenthisbusinessmannerinconsiderationofRupert’sinexperience。\"We’retofindoutherstandin’，Roop，\"
hebeganagainwithamorejudiciousblendingofeaseandtechnicality，\"andhercontracts，ifany，andwhereshelivesandherwayo’life，andexamineherbooksandpaperseztomarriagesandsich，andarbitratewithhergin’rallyinconversation——youinsidethehouseandmeoutonthepavement，readytobecalledinifaninterviewwithbusinessprincipalsisdesired。\"
ObservingRupertsomewhatperplexedandconfusedwiththesetechnicalities，hetactfullyabandonedthemforthepresent，andconsultingapocket-booksaid，\"I’vemadeamemorandumofsomepintsthatwe’lltalkoveronthejourney，\"againchargedRuperttobepunctuallyatthestageofficewithhiscarpetbag，andcheerfullydeparted。
WhenhehaddisappearedJohnnyFilgee，withoutasinglewordofexplanation，felluponhisbrother，andatoncebeganaviolentattackofkicksandblowsuponhislegsandothereasilyaccessiblepartsofhisperson，accompanyinghisassaultwithunintelligiblegaspsandactions，finallyculminatinginafloodoftearsandthecastingofhimselfonhisbackinthedustwiththecopper-fastenedtoesofhissmallbootsturningimaginarywheelsintheair。
Rupertreceivedthesecharacteristicmarksofdespairingandoutragedaffectionwithgreatforbearance，onlysaying，\"There，now，Johnny，quitthat，\"andeventuallybearinghimstillstrugglingintothehouse。HereJohnny，declaringthathewouldkillany\"Chinyman\"thatofferedtodresshim，andburndownthehouseafterhisbrother’sinfamousdesertionofit，Rupertwasconstrainedtomingleafewnervous，excitedtearswithhisbrother’soutbreak。WhereatJohnny，admittingthealleviationofanorange，afour-bladedknife，andthereversionaryinterestinmuchofRupert’spersonalproperty，becamemoresubdued。Sittingtherewiththeirarmsentwinedabouteachother，thesunlightsearchingtheshiftlessdesolationoftheirmotherlesshome，thefewcheapplaythingstheyhadknownlyingaroundthem，theybeguiledthemselveswiththosecharmingillusionsoftheirfutureintentionscommontotheiryears——illusionstheyonlyhalfbelievedthemselvesandhalfacceptedofeachother。RupertwasquitecertainthathewouldreturninafewdayswithagoldwatchandapresentforJohnny，andJohnny，withabalefulvisionofneverseeinghimagain，andacatchingbreath，magnificentlyundertooktobringinthewoodandbuildthefireandwashthedishes\"allofhimself。\"Andthentherewereafewchildishconfidencesregardingtheirabsentfather——theningenuouslyplayingpokerintheMagnoliaSaloon——thatmighthavemadethatpublic-spirited，genialcompanionsomewhatuncomfortable，andmoretearsthatwerehalfsmilingandsomebravesilencesthatwerewhollypathetic，andthenthehourforRupert’sdeparturealltoosuddenlyarrived。Theyseparatedwithostentatiouswhooping，andthenJohnny，suddenlyovercomewiththedreadfulnessofallearthlythings，andthehollownessoflifegenerally，instantlyresolvedtorunaway！
Todothishepreparedhimselfwithapurposelesshatchet，aninconsistentbutlong-treasuredlumpofputtyandallthesugarthatwasleftinthecrackedsugar-bowl。Thusaccoutredhesalliedforth，firsttoremovealltracesofhishatedexistencethatmightbeleftinhisdeskatschool。IfthemasterweretherehewouldsayRuperthadsenthim；ifhewasn’t，hewouldclimbinatthewindow。Thesunwasalreadysinkingwhenhereachedtheclearingandfoundacavalcadeofarmedmenaroundthebuilding。
Johnny’sfirstconvictionwasthatthemasterhadkilledUncleBenorMasters，andthatthemen，takingadvantageoftheabsenceofhis——Johnny’s——bigbrother，wereabouttosummarilyexecutehim。
Observingnostrugglefromwithin，hissecondbeliefwasthatthemasterhadbeensuddenlyelectedGovernorofCaliforniaandwasabouttostartwithastateescortfromtheschool-house，andthathe，Johnny，wasintimetoseetheprocession。ButwhenthemasterappearedwithMcKinstry，followedbypartofthecrowdafoot，thisquick-wittedchildofthefrontier，fromhissecureoutlookinthe\"brush，\"gatheredenoughfromtheirfragmentaryspeechtoguesstheseriouspurportoftheirerrand，andthrillwithanticipationandslightlycreepyexcitement。
Aduel！Athinghithertowitnessedonlybygrown-upmen，afterwardsswaggeringwithimportanceandstrangetechnicalbloodthirstywords，andnowforthefirsttimereservedforaBOY——
andthatboyhim，Johnny！——tobeholdinallitsfearfulcompleteness！Aduel！ofwhich，he，Johnny，meanlyabandonedbyhisbrother，wasnowexaltedperhapstobetheonlysurvivor！Hecouldscarcelycredithissenses。Itwastoomuch！
Tocreepthroughthebrushwhilethepreliminarieswerebeingsettled，reachacertainsilverfirontheappointedground，andwiththeaidofhisnowluckyhatchet，climbunseentoitsupperboughs，wasanexcitinganddifficulttask，butoneeventuallyovercomebyhisshortbutenergeticlegs。Herehecouldnotonlyseeallthatoccurred，butbyafortunatechancethelargepinenexttohimhadbeenselectedasthelimitoftheground。Thesharpeyesoftheboyhadlongsincepenetratedthedisguisesoftheremainingmaskedmen，andwhenthelong，lankfigureofthemaster’sself-appointedsecondtookupitspositionbeneaththepinesinfullviewofhim，althoughhiddenfromthespectators，JohnnyinstantlyrecognizedittobenoneotherthanSethDavis。
ThemanifestinconsistencyofhisappearanceasMr。Ford’ssecondwithwhatJohnnyknewofhisrelationstothemasterwastheonethingthatfirmlyfixedtheincidentintheboy’smemory。
Themenwerealreadyinposition。Harrisonsteppedforwardtogivetheword。Johnny’sdown-hanginglegstingledwithcrampandexcitement。Whydidn’ttheybegin？Whatweretheywaitingfor？
Whatifitwereinterrupted，or——terriblethought——madeupatthelastmoment？Wouldthey\"holler\"outwhentheywerehit，orstaggerroundconvulsivelyastheydidatthe\"cirkiss\"？WouldtheyallrunawayafterwardsandleaveJohnnyalonetotellthetale？And——horriblethought！——wouldanybodybelievehim？WouldRupert？Rupert，hadhe\"on’yknowedthis，\"hewouldn’thavegoneaway。
\"One\"——
Withachild’sperfectfaithintheinvulnerablesuperiorityofhisfriends，hehadnotevenlookedatthemaster，butonlyathisdestinedvictim。Yetastheword\"two\"rangoutJohnny’sattentionwassuddenlyattractedtothesurprisingfactthatthemaster’ssecond，SethDavis，hadalsodrawnapistol，andfrombehindhistreewasdeliberatelyandstealthilyaimingatMcKinstry！Heunderstooditallnow——hewasafriendofthemaster’s。BullyforSeth！
\"Three！\"
Crack！Z-i-i-p！Crackle！Whatafunnynoise！Andyethewasobligedtothrowhimselfflatupontheboughtokeepfromfalling。
Itseemedtohavesnappedbeneathhimandbenumbedhisrightleg。
Hedidnotknowthatthemaster’sbullet，firedintheair，hadrangedalongthebough，strippingthebarkthroughoutitslength，andglancingwithhalf-spentforcetoinflictaslightfleshwoundonhisleg！
Hewasgiddyandalittlefrightened。Andhehadseennobodyhit，nornothin’。Itwasallahumbug！Sethhaddisappeared。Sohadtheothers。Therewasafaintsoundofvoicesandsomethinglikeagroupinthedistance——thatwasall。Itwasgettingdark，too，andhislegwasstillasleep，butwarmandwet。Hewouldgetdown。
Thiswasverydifficult，forhislegwouldnotwakeup，andbutfortheoccasionalsupporthegotbystrikinghishatchetinthetreehewouldhavefallenindescending。Whenhereachedthegroundhislegbegantopain，andlookingdownhesawthathisstockingandshoeweresoakedwithblood。
Hissmallanddirtyhandkerchief，ahardwadinhispocket，wasinsufficienttostaunchtheflow。Withavaguerecollectionofacertainpoulticeappliedtoaboilonhisfather’sneck，hecollectedaquantityofsoftmossanddriedyerbabuenaleaves，andwiththeaidofhischeckapronandofoneofhistornsuspenderstightlywoundroundthewholemass，achievedabandageofsuchelephantineproportionsthathecouldscarcelymovewithit。Infact，likemostimaginativechildren，hebecameslightlyterrifiedathisownalarmingprecautions。Nevertheless，althoughawordoranoutcryfromhimwouldhaveatthatmomentbroughtthedistantgrouptohisassistance，acertainrespecttohimselfandhisbrotherkepthimfromutteringevenawhimperofweakness。
Yethefoundrefuge，oddlyenough，inasuppressedbutbitterdenunciationoftheotherboysofhisacquaintance。WhatwasCal。
Harrisondoing，whilehe，Johnny，wasaloneinthewoods，woundedinagrown-upduel——fornothingwouldconvincethisdoughtyinfantthathehadnotbeenanactiveparticipant？WherewasJimmySnyderthathedidn’tcometohisassistancewiththeotherfellers？
Cowardsall；theywereafraid。Ho，ho！Andhe，Johnny，wasn’tafraid！ho——hedidn’tmindit！Neverthelesshehadtorepeatthephrasetwoorthreetimesuntil，afterrepeatedstrugglestomoveforwardthroughthebrush，heatlastsankdownexhausted。Bythistimethedistantgrouphadslowlymovedaway，carryingsomethingbetweenthem，andleavingJohnnyaloneinthefastcomingdarkness。
Yeteventhisdesertiondidnotaffecthimasstronglyashisimplicitbeliefinthecowardlytreacheryofhisoldassociates。
Itgrewdarkeranddarker，untiltheopentheatreofthelateconflictappearedenclosedinfunerealwalls；acoolsearchingbreathofairthatseemedtohavecreptthroughthebrackenandundergrowthlikeastealthyanimal，liftedthecurlsonhishotforehead。Hegraspedhishatchetfirmlyasagainstpossiblewildbeasts，andasamedicinalandremedialprecaution，tookanotherturnwithhissuspenderaroundhisbandage。Itoccurredtohimthenthathewouldprobablydie。Theywouldallfeelexceedinglysorryandalarmed，andregrethavingmadehimwashhimselfonSaturdaynight。Theywouldattendhisfuneralinlargenumbersinthelittlegraveyard，whereawhitetombstoneinscribedto\"JohnFilgee，fellinaduelattheageofseven，\"wouldbeawaitinghim。
Hewouldforgivehisbrother，hisfather，andMr。Ford。Yeteventhenhevaguelyresentedafewleavesandtwigsdroppedbyawoodpeckerinthetreeabovehim，withashakeofhisweakfistandanincoherentdeclarationthattheycouldn’t\"playnobabesinthewoodonHIM。\"Andthenhavingcomposedhimselfheoncemoreturnedonhissidetodie，asbecamethescionofaheroicrace！Thefreewoods，touchedbyanupspringingwind，wavedtheirdarkarmsabovehim，andhigheryetafewpatientstarssilentlyrangedthemselvesaroundhispillow。
Butwiththerisingwindandstarscametheswifttramplingofhorses’hoofsandtheflashingoflanterns，andDoctorDuchesneandthemastersweptdownintotheopening。
\"Itwashere，\"saidthemasterquickly，\"buttheymusthavetakenhimontohisownhome。Letusfollow。\"
\"Holdonamoment，\"saidthedoctor，whohadhaltedbeforethetree。\"What’sallthis？Why，it’sbabyFilgee——bythunder！\"
Inanothermomenttheyhadbothdismountedandwereleaningoverthehalfconsciouschild。Johnnyturnedhisfeverishlybrighteyesfromthelanterntothemasterandbackagain。
\"Whatisit，Johnnyboy？\"askedthemastertenderly。\"Wereyoulost？\"
Withagleamoffeverishexaltation，Johnnyrose，albeitwanderingly，totheoccasion！
\"Hit！\"helispedfeebly，\"Hitinadoell！attheageoftheven。\"
\"What！\"askedthebewilderedmaster。
ButDoctorDuchesne，afterasingleswiftscrutinyoftheboy’sface，hadunearthedhimfromhisnestofleaves，laidhiminhislap，anddeftlyrippedawaythepreposterousbandage。\"Holdthelighthere。ByJove！hetellsthetruth。Whodidit，Johnny？\"
ButJohnnywassilent。Inanintervaloffeverishconsciousnessandpain，hisperceptionandmemoryhadbeenquickened；asuspicionoftherealcauseofhisdisasterhaddawneduponhim——buthischildishlipswereheroicallysealed。ThemasterglancedappealinglyattheDoctor。
\"TakehimbeforeyouinthesaddletoMcKinstry’s，\"saidthelatterpromptly。\"Icanattendtoboth。\"
Themasterliftedtheboytenderlyinhisarms。Johnny，stimulatedbytheprospectofafreeride，becamefeeblyinterestedinhisfellowsufferer。
\"DidThethhithimbad？\"heasked。
\"Seth？\"echoedthemaster，wildly。
\"Yeth。Itheedhimwhenhetookaim。\"
Themasterdidnotreply，butthenextmomentJohnnyfelthimselfclaspedinhisarmsinthesaddlebeforehim，bornelikeawhirlwindinthedirectionoftheMcKinstryranch。
CHAPTERXIV。
Theyfoundthewoundedmanlyinginthefrontroomuponarudelyextemporizedcouchofbear-skins，hehavingsternlydeclinedtheeffeminacyofhiswife’sbedroom。Inthepossibilityofafatalterminationtohiswound，andinobediencetoagrimfrontiertradition，hehadalsorefusedtohavehisbootsremovedinorderthathemight\"diewiththemon，\"asbecamehisancestralcustom。
JohnnywasthereforespeedilymadecomfortableintheMcKinstrybed，whileDr。Duchesnegavehiswholeattentiontohismoreseriouspatient。ThemasterglancedhurriedlyaroundforMrs。
McKinstry。Shewasnotonlyabsentfromtheroom，butthereseemedtobenosuggestionofherpresenceinthehouse。Tohisgreatersurprisethehurriedinquirythatrosetohislipswascheckedbyasignificantwarningfromtheattendant。Hesatdownbesidethenowsleepingboy，andawaitedthedoctor’sreturnwithhismindwanderingbetweentheconditionofthelittlesuffererandthesingularrevelationthathadmomentarilyescapedhischildishlips。
IfJohnnyhadactuallyseenSethfireatMcKinstry，thelatter’smysteriouswoundwasaccountedfor——butnotSeth’smotive。TheactwassoutterlyincomprehensibleandinconsistentwithSeth’savowedhatredofthemasterthattheboymusthavebeendelirious。
Hewasrousedbytheentranceofthesurgeon。\"It’snotsobadasIthought，\"hesaid，withareassuringnod。\"Itwasamightycloseshavebetweenashatteredboneandaseveredartery，butwe’vegottheball，andhe’llpullthroughinaweek。ByJove！though——theoldfire-eaterwasmoreconcernedaboutfindingtheballthanlivingordying！Gointhere——hewantstoseeyou。Don’tlethimtalktoomuch。He’scalledinalotofhisfriendsforsomereasonorother——andthere’saregularmass-meetinginthere。Goin，andgetridof’em。I’lllookafterbabyFilgee——thoughthelittlechapwillbeallrightagainafteranotherdressing。\"
Themastercastahurriedlookofreliefatthesurgeon，andre-
enteredthefrontroom。Itwasfilledwithmenwhomthemasterinstinctivelyrecognizedashisformeradversaries。ButtheygavewaybeforehimwithacertainruderespectandhalfabashedsympathyasMcKinstrycalledhimtohisside。Thewoundedmangraspedhishand。\"Liftmeupabit，\"hewhispered。Themasterassistedhimwithdifficultytohiselbow。
\"Gentlemen！\"saidMcKinstry，withacharacteristicwaveofhiscrippledhandtowardsthecrowdashelaidtheotheronthemaster’sshoulder。\"Yeheerdmetalkin’aminitago；yeheermenow。Thisyeryoungmanaswe’veslippeduponandmeskalkilatedhastoldthetruth——everytime！Yekentietohimwheneverandwhereveryewantto。Yeain’texpectedtofeelezIfeel，incourse，butthemanezgoesbackonHIM——quo’llswithme。That’sall——andthanksforinquiringfriends。Ye’llgitnow，boys，andleavehimaminitwithme。\"
Themenfiledslowlyout，afewlingeringlongenoughtoshakethemaster’shandwithgraveearnestness，orhalfsmiling，halfabashedembarrassment。Themasterreceivedtheprofferedreconciliationofthesemen，whobutafewhoursbeforewouldhavelynchedhimwithequalsincerity，withcoldbewilderment。AsthedoorclosedonthelastofthepartyheturnedtoMcKinstry。Thewoundedmanhadsunkdownagain，butwasregardingwithdrowsysatisfactionaleadenbullethewasholdingbetweenhisfingerandthumb。
\"Thisyershot，Mr。Ford，\"hesaidinaslowvoice，whoseweaknesswasonlyindicatedbyitsextremedeliberation，\"neverkemfromthegunIgaveye——andwasneverfiredbyyou。\"Hepausedandthenaddedwithhisolddullabstraction，\"It’salongtimesinceI’verunaginanythin’thatmakesmefeelmore——kam。\"
InMr。McKinstry’sweakconditionthemasterdidnotdaretomakeJohnny’srevelationknowntohim，andcontentedhimselfbysimplypressinghishand，butthenextmomentthewoundedmanresumed，——
\"ThatballjestfitsSeth’snavyrevolver——andthehoundhesmadetracksouterthecountry。\"
\"ButwhatmotivecouldhehaveinattackingYOUatsuchatime？\"
askedthemaster。
\"HereckonedthateitherI’dkillyouandsohe’dgotshutofusbothinthatway，withoutitbeingnoticed；orifImissedyou，theotherswouldhangYOU——eztheykalkilatedto——forkillingME！Theideakemtohimwhenheoverheardyouhintin’youwouldn’treturnmyfire。\"
AshudderingconvictionthatMcKinstryhaddivinedtherealtruthpassedoverthemaster。IntheimpulseofthemomentheagainwouldhavecorroborateditbyrevealingJohnny’sstory，butaglanceatthegrowingfeverishnessofthewoundedmancheckedhisutterance。\"Don’ttalkofitnow，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"EnoughformetoknowthatyouacquitME。Iamherenowonlytobegyoutocomposeyourselfuntilthedoctorcomesback——asyouseemedtobealone，andMrs。McKinstry\"——hestoppedinawkwardembarrassment。
Asingularconfusionoverspreadtheinvalid’sface。\"Shehedstepptoutaforethishappened，owin’tocontrairyopinionsbetwixtmeandher。Yemouthevnoticed，Mr。Ford，thatgin’rallyshedidn’t’peartocottontoye！Tharain’tawomanagoin’ezistheekalofBlairRawlins’darterinnussin’amanandkeepinghiminfightin’order，butinmatterslikethingsthatconsarnherselfandCress，Ibegintothink，Mr。Ford，thatsomehow，sheain’texakly——
kam！Bein’kamyourself，ye’llputanyunpleasantnessdowntothat。WoteveryouhearfromHER，and，forthemattero’that，fromherowndartertoo——forI’mtakin’backthefoolishnessIsaidtoyeoveryonaboutyourrunnin’offwithCress——you’llremember，Mr。
Ford，itwarn’tfromnoillfeelingtoYOU，inherorCress——buton’yawantofkam！ImouthevhadMYideesaboutCress，youmouthevhadYOURS，andthatfoolDabneymouthevhadHIS；butitwarn’ttheoldwoman’s——norCressy’s——itwarn’tBlairRawlins’darter’sidea——noryetHERdarter’s！Andwhy？Forwanto’kam！TimesI
reckonitwasleftouto’woman’snater。Andbein’kamyourself，youunderstandit，andtakeitallin。\"
Theoldlookofdrowsypainhadsettledsostronglyinhisredeyesagainthatthemasterwasfaintoputhishandgentlyoverthem，andwithafaintsmilebeghimtocomposehimselftosleep。Thishefinallydidafterawhisperedsuggestionthathehimselfwasfeeling\"morekam。\"Themastersatforsomemomentswithhishanduponthesleepingman’seyes，andavagueandundefinablesenseoflonelinessseemedtofalluponhimfromtheemptyraftersofthesilentanddesertedhouse。Therisingwindmoanedfitfullyarounditsbleakshellwiththedespairingsoundoffarandforeverrecedingvoices。SostrongwastheimpressionthatwhenthedoctorandMcKinstry’sattendingbrotherre-enteredtheroom，themasterstilllingeredbesidethebedwithadazedsensationofabandonmentthatthedoctor’spracticalreassuringsmilecouldhardlydispel。
\"He’sdoingsplendidlynow，\"hesaid，listeningtothesleeper’smoreregularrespiration：\"andI’dadviseyoutogonow，Mr。Ford，beforehewakes，lesthemightbetemptedtoexcitehimselfbytalkingtoyouagain。He’sreallyquiteoutofdangernow。Good-
night！I’lldropinonyouatthehotelwhenIreturn。\"
Themaster，albeitstillconfusedandbewildered，felthiswaytothedoorandoutintotheopennight。Thewindwasstilldespairinglywrestlingwiththetree-tops，butthefarrecedingvoicesseemedtobegrowingfainterinthedistance，until，ashepassedon，theytooseemedtopassawayforever……
Mondaymorninghadcomeagain，andthemasterwasathisdeskintheschoolhouseearly，withastilldampandinkycopyoftheStarfreshfromthepressbeforehim。Thefreebreathofthepineswasblowinginthewindow，andbringingtohisearsthedistantvoicesofhisslowlygatheringflock，ashereadasfollows：——
\"TheperpetratorofthedastardlyoutrageattheIndianSpringAcademyonThursdaylast——which，throughunfortunatemisrepresentationofthefacts，ledtoaprematurecallingoutofseveralofourmostpublic-spiritedcitizens，andculminatedinamostregrettableencounterbetweenMr。McKinstryandtheaccomplishedandestimableprincipaloftheschool——has，weregrettosay，escapedcondignpunishmentbyleavingthecountrywithhisrelations。If，asisseriouslywhispered，hewasalsoguiltyofanunparalleledoffenceagainstachivalrouscodewhichwillexcludehiminthefuturefromeverseekingredressattheCourtofHonor，ourcitizenswillbeonlytoogladtogetridofthecontaminationofbeingobligedtoarresthim。Thoseofourreaderswhoknowthehighcharacterofthetwogentlemenwhowerethusforcedintoahostilemeeting，willnotbesurprisedtoknowthatthemostampleapologiesweretenderedonbothsides，andthattheententecordialehasbeenthoroughlyrestored。Thebullet——whichitissaidplayedahighlyimportantpartinthesubsequentexplanation，provingtohavecomefromaREVOLVERfiredbysomeoutsider——hasbeenextractedfromMr。McKinstry’sthigh，andheisdoingwell，witheveryprospectofaspeedyrecovery。\"
Smiling，albeitnotuncomplacently，atthisvaluablecontributiontohistoryfromanunfetteredpress，hiseyefelluponthenextparagraph，perhapsnotsocomplacently：——
\"BenjaminDaubigny，Esq。，wholefttownforSacramentoonimportantbusiness，notentirelyunconnectedwithhisnewinterestsinIndianSprings，will，itisrumored，beshortlyjoinedbyhiswife，whohasbeenenabledbyhisrecentgoodfortunetoleaveheroldhomeintheStates，andtakeherproperproudpositionathisside。
AlthoughpersonallyunknowntoIndianSprings，Mrs。Daubignyisspokenofasabeautifulandsingularlyaccomplishedwoman，anditistoberegrettedthatherhusband’sinterestswillcompelthemtoabandonIndianSpringsforSacramentoasafutureresidence。Mr。
DaubignywasaccompaniedbyhisprivatesecretaryRupert，theeldestsonofH。G。Filgee，Esq。，whohasbeenapromisinggraduateoftheIndianSpringAcademy，andoffersabrightexampletotheyouthofthisdistrict。Wearehappytolearnthathisyoungerbrotherisrecoveringrapidlyfromaslightaccidentreceivedlastweekthroughtheincautioushandlingoffirearms。\"
Themaster，withhiseyesuponthepaper，remainedsolongplungedinareveriethattheschool-roomwasquitefilledandhislittleflockwaswonderinglyregardinghimbeforeherecalledhimself。HewashurriedlyreachinghishandtowardsthebellwhenhewasattractedbytherisingfigureofOctaviaDean。
\"Please，sir，youdidn’taskifwehadanynews！\"
\"True——Iforgot，\"saidthemastersmiling。\"Well，haveyouanythingtotellus？\"
\"Yes，sir。CressyMcKinstryhasleftschool。\"
\"Indeed！\"
\"Yes，sir；she’smarried。\"
\"Married，\"repeatedthemasterwithaneffort，yetconsciousoftheeyesconcentrateduponhiscolorlessface。\"Married——andtowhom？\"
\"ToJoeMasters，sir，attheBaptistChapelatBigBluff，Sunday，an’MarmMcKinstrywastharwithher。\"
Therewasamomentaryandbreathlesspause。Thenthevoicesofhislittlepupils——thosesageandsweettruantsfromtradition，thosegentlebutrelentlesshistoriansofthefuture——rosearoundhiminshrillchorus——\"WHY，WEKNOWEDITALLALONG，SIR！\"