THEMANANDTHEMOUNTAIN
Hewassuchalarge，strongmanthat，whenhefirstsetfootinthelittleparallelogramIcalledmygarden，itseemedtoshrinktohalfitssizeandbecomepreposterous。ButInoticedatthesametimethathewasholdingintheopenpalmofhishugehandtherootsofaviolet，withsuchinfinitetendernessanddelicacythatIwouldhaveengagedhimasmygardeneronthespot。Butthiscouldnotbe，ashewasalreadytheproudproprietorofamarket-
gardenandnurseryontheoutskirtsofthesuburbanCaliforniantownwhereIlived。Hewould，however，comefortwodaysintheweek，stockandlookaftermygarden，andimparttomyurbanintellectsuchhorticulturalhintsaswerenecessary。Hisnamewas\"Rutli，\"whichIpresumedtobeGerman，butwhichmyneighborsrenderedas\"Rootleigh，\"possiblyfromsomevagueconnectionwithhisoccupation。HisownknowledgeofEnglishwasoralandphonetic。IhaveadelightfulrecollectionofabillofhisinwhichIwaschargedfor\"fioletz，\"withthevagueadditionof\"mainecains。\"Subsequentexplanationprovedittobe\"manykinds。\"
Nevertheless，mylittlegardenbourgeonedandblossomedunderhislarge，protectinghand。Ibecameaccustomedtowalkaroundhisfeetrespectfullywhentheyblockedthetinypaths，andtoexpectthetotaleclipseofthatgarden-bedonwhichheworked，byhishugebulk。Forthetiniestandmostreluctantrootletseemedtorespondtohiscaressingpaternaltouch；itwasaprettysighttoseehishugefingerstyingupsomeslenderstalktoitsstickwiththesmallestthread，andhehadareverentwayoflayingabulborseedintheground，andthengentlyshapingandsmoothingasmallmoundoverit，whichmadethelittleinscriptiononthestickabovemorelikeanaffectingepitaphthanever。Muchofthisgentlenessmayhavebeenthatapologyforhisgreatstrength，commonwithlargemen；buthisfacewasdistinctlyamiable，andhisverylightblueeyeswereattimeswistfulanddoglikeintheirkindliness。I
wassoontolearn，however，thatplacabilitywasnotentirelyhisnature。
Thegardenwaspartofafiftyvaralotofland，onwhichIwassimultaneouslyerectingahouse。Butthegardenwasfinishedbeforethehousewas，throughcertaincircumstancesverycharacteristicofthatepochandcivilization。IhadpurchasedtheSpanishtitle，theonlyLEGALone，totheland，which，however，hadbeeninPOSSESSIONofa\"squatter。\"Buthehadbeenunabletoholdthatpossessionagainsta\"jumper，\"——anotherkindofsquatterwhohadentereduponitcovertly，fenceditin，andmarkeditoutinbuildingsites。Neitherhavinglegalrights，theycouldnotinvokethelaw；thelastmanheldpossession。Therewasnodoubtthatinduecourseoflitigationandtimeboththeseingenuousgentlemenwouldhavebeendispossessedinfavoroftherealowner，——myself，——
butthatcoursewouldbeaprotractedone。Followingtheusualcustomofthelocality，IpaidacertainsumtothejumpertoyielduppeaceablyHISpossessionoftheland，andbegantobuilduponit。Itmightbereasonablysupposedthatthequestionwassettled。
Butitwasnot。Thehousewasnearlyfinishedwhen，onemorning，I
wascalledoutofmyeditorialsanctumbyapallidpainter，lookingevenmorewhite-leadedthanusual，whoinformedmethatmyhousewasinthepossessionoffivearmedmen！Theentryhadbeenmadepeaceablyduringthepainters’absencetodinnerunderawaysidetree。Whentheyreturned，theyhadfoundtheirpotsandbrushesintheroad，andanintimationfromthewindowsthattheirreentrancewouldbeforciblyresistedasatrespass。
IhonestlybelievethatRutliwasmoreconcernedthanmyselfoverthisdispossession。WhileheloyallybelievedthatIwouldgetbackmyproperty，hewasdreadfullygrievedovertheinevitabledamagethatwouldbedonetothegardenduringthisintervalofneglectandcarelessness。Ieventhinkhewouldhavemadeatrucewithmyenemies，iftheywouldonlyhavelethimlookafterhisbelovedplants。Asitwas，hekeptapassingbutmelancholysurveillanceofthem，andwasindeedabetterspyoftheactionsoftheintrudersthananyIcouldhaveemployed。Oneday，tomyastonishment，hebroughtmeamoss-rosebudfromabushwhichhadbeentrainedagainstacolumnoftheveranda。Itappearedthathehadcalled，fromoverthefence，theattentionofoneofthementotheneglectedconditionoftheplant，andhadobtainedpermissionto\"comeinandtieitup。\"Themen，beingmerelyhirelingsofthechiefsquatter，hadnopersonalfeeling，andIwasnotthereforesurprisedtohearthattheypresentlyallowedRutlitocomeinoccasionallyandlookafterhisprecious\"slips。\"Iftheyhadanysuspicionsofhisgreatstrength，itwasprobablyoffsetbyhispeacefulavocationandhisbland，childlikeface。Meantime，Ihadbeguntheusualuselesslegalproceeding，buthadalsoengagedafewrascalsofmyowntobereadytotakeadvantageofanywantofvigilanceonthepartofmyadversaries。IneverthoughtofRutliinthatconnectionanymorethantheyhad。
AfewSundayslaterIwassittinginthelittletea-arborofRutli’snursery，peacefullysmokingwithhim。Presentlyhetookhislongchina-bowledpipefromhismouth，and，lookingatmeblandlyoverhisyellowmustache，said：——
\"Youvontssometimestogoindothouse，eh？\"
Isaid，\"Decidedly。\"
\"Mitarevolver，andkeepdothousedosemenout？\"
\"Yes！\"
\"Vell！Iputyouindothouse——today！\"
\"Sunday？\"
\"Shoostso！Itisagootday！OnderSuntayDREEmenvilloutgotovalkmitdemselluffs，andviskytrinken。TWO，\"holdinguptwogiganticfingers，apparentlyonlyashadeortwosmallerthanhisdestinedvictims，\"staydere。DoseIliftdefenceover。\"
IhastenedtoinformhimthatanyviolenceattemptedagainstthepartiesWHILEINPOSSESSION，althoughthatpossessionwasillegal，would，byafatuityofthelaw，landhiminthecountyjail。I
saidIwouldnothearofit。
\"Butsupposederevosnofiolence？Supposedosemenvosvillin’，eh？Howvosdotforhigh？\"
\"Idon’tunderstand。\"
\"So！YoushallNOTunderstand！Dotisbetter。Goawaynowanddellyourmentocoomdothousearountathalluffpastdree。ButYOUcoom，mityourselluffalone，shoostasifyouvosspazierengehen，foravalk，bydatfenceatdree！Venyoushalldotfrontdoorvideopensee，goin，anddereyouvos！Youvillderrestleeftome！\"
ItwasinvainthatIbeggedRutlitodivulgehisplan，andpointedoutagainthedangerofhistechnicallybreakingthelaw。Buthewasfirm，assuringmethatImyselfwouldbeawitnessthatnoassaultwouldbemade。Ilookedintohisclear，good-humoredeyes，andassented。Ihadaburningdesiretorightmywrongs，butI
thinkIalsohadconsiderablecuriosity。
IpassedamiserablequarterofanhourafterIhadwarnedmypartisans，andthenwalkedaloneslowlydownthebroadleafystreettowardsthesceneofcontest。Ihaveaveryvividrecollectionofmyconflictingemotions。IdidnotbelievethatIwouldbekilled；
Ihadnodistinctintentionofkillinganyofmyadversaries；butI
hadsomeconsiderableconcernformyloyalfriendRutli，whomI
foresawmightbeinsomeperilfromtherevolverinmyunpracticedhand。IfIcouldonlyavoidshootingHIM，Iwouldbesatisfied。I
rememberthatthebellswereringingforchurch，——achurchofwhichmyenemy，thechiefsquatter，wasadeaconingoodstanding，——andI
feltguiltilyconsciousofmyrevolverinmyhip-pocket，astwoorthreechurch-goerspassedmewiththeirhymn-booksintheirhands。
Iwalkedleisurely，soasnottoattractattention，andtoappearattheexacttime，anotveryeasytaskinmyyouthfulexcitement。
AtlastIreachedthefrontgatewithabeatingheart。Therewasnooneonthehighveranda，whichoccupiedthreesidesofthelowone-storiedhouse，norinthegardenbeforeit。Butthefrontdoorwasopen；Isoftlypassedthroughthegate，darteduptheverandaandintothehouse。Asingleglancearoundthehallandbare，desertedrooms，stillsmellingofpaint，showedmeitwasempty，andwithmypistolinonehandandtheotheronthelockofthedoor，Istoodinside，readytoboltitagainstanyonebutRutli。
ButwherewasHE？
Thesoundoflaughterandanoiselikeskylarkingcamefromtherearofthehouseandthebackyard。ThenIsuddenlyheardRutli’sheavytreadontheveranda，butitwasslow，deliberate，andsoexaggeratedinitsweightthatthewholehouseseemedtoshakewithit。ThenfromthewindowIbeheldanextraordinarysight！ItwasRutli，swayingfromsidetoside，butsteadilycarryingwithoutstretchedarmstwoofthesquatterparty，hishandstightlygraspingtheircollars。YetIbelievehistouchwasasgentleaswiththeviolets。Hisfacewaspreternaturallygrave；theirs，tomyintenseastonishment，whiletheyhungpassivefromhisarms，worethatfatuous，imbecilesmileseenonthefacesofthosewholendthemselvestotricksofacrobatsandstrongmeninthearena。
Heslowlytraversedthewholelengthofonesideofthehouse，walkeddownthestepstothegate，andthengravelydepositedthemOUTSIDE。Iheardhimsay，\"Dotvinsderpet，ain’tit？\"andimmediatelyafterthesharpclickofthegate-latch。
Withoutunderstandingathingthathadhappened，Irightlyconceivedthiswasthecueformyappearancewithmyrevolveratthefrontdoor。AsIopeneditIstillheardthesoundoflaughter，which，however，instantlystoppedatasentencefromRutli，whichIcouldnothear。Therewasanoath，themomentaryapparitionoftwofuriousandindignantfacesoverthefence；butthese，however，seemedtobeinstantlyextinguishedandputdownbytheenormouspalmsofRutliclappedupontheirheads。Therewasapause，andthenRutliturnedaroundandquietlyjoinedmeinthedoorway。Butthegatewasnotagainopeneduntilthearrivalofmypartisans，whenthehousewasclearlyinmypossession。
Safeinsidewiththedoorbolted，IturnedeagerlytoRutliforanexplanation。Itthenappearedthatduringhisoccasionalvisitstothegardenhehadoftenbeenanobjectofamusementandcriticismtothemenonaccountofhissize，whichseemedtothemridiculouslyinconsistentwithhisgreatgoodhumor，gentleness，anddelicacyoftouch。Theyhaddoubtedhisstrengthandchallengedhispowers。Hehadrespondedonceortwicebefore，liftingweightsorevencarryingoneofhiscriticsatarm’slengthforafewsteps。Buthehadreservedhisfinalfeatforthisdayandthispurpose。Itwasforabet，whichtheyhadeagerlyaccepted，secureintheirbeliefinhissimplicity，thesincerityofhismotivesincomingthere，andgladoftheopportunityofalittleSundaydiversion。Intheirsecuritytheyhadnotlockedthedoorwhentheycameout，andhadnotnoticedthatHEhadopenedit。Thiswashissimplestory。Hisonlycomment，\"Ihafvonderpet，butIdinksIshallnodgollectdermoney。\"Thetwomendidnotreturnthatafternoon，nordidtheircomrades。
Whethertheywiselyconceivedthatamanwhowassopowerfulinplaymightbeterribleinearnest；whethertheyknewthathisact，inwhichtheyhadbeenwillingperformers，hadbeenwitnessedbypassingcitizens，whosupposeditwasskylarking；orwhethertheiremployergottiredofhisexpensiveoccupation，Ineverknew。Thepublicbelievedthelatter；Rutli，myself，andthetwomenhehadevictedalonekeptoursecret。
FromthattimeRutliandIbecamefirmfriends，and，longafterI
hadnofurtherneedofhisservicesintherecapturedhouse，Ioftenfoundmyselfinthelittletea-arborofhisprosperousnursery。Hewasfrugal，sober，andindustrious；smallwonderthatinthatgrowingtownhewaxedrich，andpresentlyopenedarestaurantinthemainstreet，connectedwithhismarket-garden，whichbecamefamous。
Hisrelationstomeneverchangedwithhischangedfortunes；hewasalwaysthesimplemarket-gardenerandfloristwhohadaidedmyfirsthousekeeping，andstoodbymeinanhourofneed。Ofallthingsregardinghimselfhewassingularlyreticent；Idonotthinkhehadanyconfidantsorintimates，evenamonghisowncountrymen，whomI
believedtobeGerman。ButonedayhequiteaccidentallyadmittedhewasaSwiss。AsayouthfuladmireroftheraceIwasdelighted，andtoldhimso，withtheenthusiasticadditionthatIcouldnowquiteunderstandhisindependence，withhisdevotedadherencetoanother’scause。Hesmiledsadly，andastonishedmebysayingthathehadnotheardfromSwitzerlandsinceheleftsixyearsago。Hedidnotwanttohearanything；heevenavoidedhiscountrymenlestheshould。Iwasconfounded。
\"But，\"Isaid，\"surelyyouhavealongingtoreturntoyourcountry；allSwisshave！Youwillgobacksomedayjusttobreathetheairofyournativemountains。\"
\"Ishallgobacksomedays，\"saidRutli，\"afterIhavemademooch，moochmoney，butnotfordotair。\"
\"Whatfor，then？\"
\"Forrevenge——togetefen。\"
Surprised，andforamomentdismayedasIwas，Icouldnothelplaughing。\"Rutliandrevenge！\"Impossible！Andtomakeitthemoreabsurd，hewasstillsmokinggentlyandregardingmewithsoft，complacenteyes。Sounchangedwashisfaceandmannerthathemighthavetoldmehewasgoingbacktobemarried。
\"Youdonotoonderstand，\"hesaidforgivingly。\"SomedaysIshalldelltoyouid。Idisastory。Youshallmakeityoursellufffordosebabersdotyouwrite。Itisnotbretty，berhaps，ain’tit，butitisdroo。Anddeendtisnotyet。\"
OnlythatRutlineverjoked，exceptinaponderousfashionwithmanyinvolvedsentences，Ishouldhavethoughthewastakingagood-humoredriseoutofme。Butitwasnotfunny。IamafraidI
dismisseditfrommymindasarevelationofsomethingweakandpuerile，quiteinconsistentwithhispracticalcommonsenseandstrongsimplicity，andwishedhehadnotalludedtoit。Ineveraskedhimtotellmethestory。Itwasayearlater，andonlywhenhehadinvitedmetocometotheopeningofanewhotel，erectedbyhimatamountainspaofgreatresort，thathehimselfalludedtoit。
Thehotelwasawonderfulaffair，evenforthosedays，andRutli’soutlayofcapitalconvincedmethatbythistimehemusthavemadethe\"moochmoney\"hecoveted。Somethingofthiswasinmymindwhenwesatbythewindowofhishandsomelyfurnishedprivateoffice，overlookingthepinesofaCaliforniancanyon。IaskedhimifthescenerywaslikeSwitzerland。
\"Ach！no！\"hereplied；\"butIvillpuildahotelshoostlikedisdare。\"
\"Isthatapartofyourrevenge？\"Iasked，withalaugh。
\"Ah！so！abart。\"
Ifeltrelieved；arevengesopracticaldidnotseemverymaliciousoridiotic。Afterapausehepuffedcontemplativelyathispipe，andthensaid，\"Idellyousomedingsofdotstorynow。\"
Hebegan。IshouldliketotellitinhisownparticularEnglish，mixedwithAmericanslang，butitwouldnotconveythesimplicityofthenarrator。HewasthesonofalargefamilywhohadlivedforcenturiesinoneofthehighestvillagesintheBerneseOberland。Heattainedhissizeandstrengthearly，butwithasingulardistastetousethemintheroughregularworkonthefarm，althoughhewasagreatclimberandmountaineer，and，whatwasatfirstoverlookedasmereboyishfancy，hadaninsatiableloveandcuriousknowledgeofplantsandflowers。HeknewthehauntsofEdelweiss，Alpinerose，andbluegentian，andhadbroughthomerareandunknownblossomsfromundertheicylipsofglaciers。
Butashedidthiswhenhistimewassupposedtobeoccupiedinlookingafterthecowsinthehigherpasturesandmakingcheeses，therewastroubleinthathard-working，practicalfamily。AgiantwiththetastesanddispositionofaschoolgirlwasananomalyinaSwissvillage。Unfortunatelyagain，hewasnotstudious；hisrecordinthevillageschoolhadbeenonaparwithhismanualwork，andthefamilyhadnoteventheconsolationofbelievingthattheywerefosteringagenius。Inacommunitywherepracticalindustrywasthehighestvirtue，itwasnotstrange，perhaps，thathewascalled\"lazy\"and\"shiftless；\"nooneknewthelongclimbsandtirelessvigilshehadundergoneinremotesolitudesinquestofhisfavorites，or，knowing，forgavehimforit。Abstemious，frugal，andpatientashewas，eventhecrustsofhisfather’stableweregivenhimgrudgingly。Heoftenwenthungryratherthanaskthebreadhehadfailedtoearn。Howhisgreatframewasnurturedinthosedaysheneverknew；perhapsthegiantmountainsrecognizedsomekininhimandfedandstrengthenedhimaftertheirownfashion。Evenhisgentlenesswasconfoundedwithcowardice。
\"Dotvosdehardtest，\"hesaidsimply；\"itisnotgoottobeopligittohalfcrushyourbrudder，venhewouldmakealaughofyoutoyoursweetheart。\"Theendcamesoonerthanheexpected，and，oddlyenough，throughthissweetheart。\"Gottlieb，\"shesaidtohimoneday，\"theEnglishFremdewhostayedherelastnightmetmewhenIwascarryingsomeofthosebeautifulflowersyougaveme。
Heaskedmewheretheyweretobefound，andItoldhimonlyYOU
knew。Hewantstoseeyou；gotohim。Itmaybelucktoyou。\"
Rutliwent。Thestranger，anEnglishAlpineclimberofscientifictastes，talkedwithhimforanhour。Attheendofthattime，toeverybody’sastonishment，heengagedthishopelessidlerashispersonalguideforthreemonths，atthesumoffivefrancsaday！
Itwasinconceivable，itwasunheardof！TheEnglanderwasasmadasGottlieb，whoseintellecthadalwaysbeenundersuspicion！Theschoolmasterpurseduphislips，thepastorshookhishead；nogoodcouldcomeofit；thefamilylookeduponitasanotherfreakofGottlieb’s，buttherewasonebigmouthlesstofeedandmoreroominthekitchen，andtheylethimgo。Theypartedfromhimasungraciouslyastheyhadenduredhispresence。
ThenfollowedtwomonthsofsunshineinRutli’slife——associationwithhisbelovedplants，andtheintelligentsympathyanddirectionofacultivatedman。Eveninaltitudessodangerousthattheyhadtotakeotherandmoreexperiencedguides，Rutliwasalwaysathismaster’sside。Thatsavant’scollectionofAlpinefloraexcelledallpreviousones；hetalkedfreelywithRutlioffurtherworkinthefuture，andrelaxedhisEnglishreservesofarastoconfidetohimthattheoutcomeoftheircollectionandobservationmightbeabook。HegaveafloweraLatinname，inwhicheventheignorantanddelightedRutlicoulddistinguishsomelikenesstohisown。
Butthebookwasnevercompiled。Inoneoftheirlaterandmoredifficultascentstheyandtheirtwoadditionalguideswereovertakenbyasuddenstorm。Sweptfromtheirfeetdownanice-
boundslope，Rutlialoneoftheroped-togetherpartykeptafootholdonthetreacherousincline。HerethisyoungTitan，withbleedingfingersclenchedinarockcleft，sustainedthestrugglesandheldupthelivesofhiscompanionsbythatpreciousthreadformorethananhour。Perhapshemighthavesavedthem，butintheirdesperateeffortstoregaintheirfootingtheropeslippeduponajaggededgeofoutcropandpartedasifcutbyaknife。Thetwoguidespassedwithoutanoutcryintoobscurityanddeath；Rutli，withalastdespairingexertion，draggedtohisownlevelhisunconsciousmaster，crippledbyabrokenleg。
Yourtrueheroisapttotellhistalesimply。Rutlididnotdwelluponthesedetails，norneedI。Leftaloneuponatreacherousiceslopeinbenumbingcold，withahelplessman，eighthoursafterwardshestaggered，halfblind，incoherent，andinarticulate，intoa\"shelter\"hut，withthedeadbodyofhismasterinhisstiffenedarms。Theshelter-keepersturnedtheirattentiontoRutli，whoneededitmost。Blindanddelirious，withscarceachanceforlife，hewassentthenextdaytoahospital，wherehelayforthreemonths，helpless，imbecile，andunknown。ThedeadbodyoftheEnglishmanwasidentified，andsenthome；thebodiesoftheguideswererecoveredbytheirfriends；butnooneknewaughtofRutli，evenhisname。Whiletheeventwasstillfreshinthemindsofthosewhosawhimenterthehutwiththebodyofhismaster，aparagraphappearedinaBernejournalrecordingtheheroismofthisnamelessman。Butitcouldnotbecorroboratednorexplainedbythedementedhero，andwaspresentlyforgotten。Sixmonthsfromthedayhehadlefthishomehewasdischargedcured。
Hehadnotakreutzerinhispocket；hehadneverdrawnhiswagesfromhisemployer；hehadpreferredtohaveitinalumpsumthathemightastonishhisfamilyonhisreturn。Hiseyeswerestillweak，hismemoryfeeble；onlyhisgreatphysicalstrengthremainedthroughhislongillness。Afewsympathizingtravelersfurnishedhimthemeanstoreachhisnativevillage，manymilesaway。HefoundhisfamilyhadheardofthelossoftheEnglishmanandtheguides，andhadbelievedhewasoneofthem。Alreadyhewasforgotten。
\"Venyouvosoncepeliefedtobedet，\"saidRutli，afteraphilosophicpauseandpuff，\"itvosnotgoottoondeceifbeoples。
Youoopsetsomedings，soomdimesalways。Derholedotyouhefmadeindergrount，amongyourfrientsandyourfamily，voscoveredupalretty。Youareloockyifyouvillnotfintsomevellarsshtandinguponid！Myfrent，venyouvosDINKdet，SHTAYdet，BE
det，andyouvilllifhappy！\"
\"Butyoursweetheart？\"Isaideagerly。
AslightgleamofsatirestoleintoRutli’slighteyes。\"Mysweetheart，venIvosdinksdet，isdermillerengageddobromply！
Itismoochbetterdantoamandotvosboorandplintandgrazy！
So！Vell，dernextdayIpidsdemgoot-py，undfromderdoorI
say，’Iamdetnow；butvenInextcomespackalife，Ishalldisvillagepy！derlants，derhousesalltogedders。Anddenforyourselluffslookoudt！’\"
\"Thenthat’syourrevenge？Thatiswhatyoureallyintendtodo？\"
Isaid，halflaughing，yetwithanuneasyrecollectionofhisillnessandenfeebledmind。
\"Yes。Lookhere！Ishowyousomedings。\"Heopenedadrawerofhisdeskandtookoutwhatappearedtobesomediagrams，plans，andasmallwater-coloredmap，likeasurveyor’stracing。\"Look，\"hesaid，layinghisfingeronthelatter，\"datisamapfrommyfillage。Ihefmyselluffmadeitoutfrommymemory。Dot，\"
pointingtoablankspace，\"isdermountainsidehighup，sofar。
ItisnogootuntilIvillatunnelmakeordergradelefel。Derevasminefader’shouse，derevosderchurch，derschoolhouse，dotvosdeburgomaster’shouse，\"hewenton，pointingtotherespectiveplotsinthisoldcurvingparallelogramofthemountainshelf。\"SowasthefillagewhenIleavehimonthe5thofMarch，eighteenhundredandfeefty。NowyoushallseehimshoostasIvillmakehimvenIgoback。\"Hetookupanotherplan，beautifullydrawnandcolored，andevidentlydonebyaprofessionalhand。Itwasapractical，yetalmostfairyliketransformationofthesamespot！
Thenarrowmountainshelfwaswidenedbyexcavation，andaboulevardstretchedoneitherside。Agreathotel，notunliketheoneinwhichwesat，stoodinanopenterrace，withgardensandfountains——thesiteofhisfather’shouse。Blocksofprettydwellings，shops，andcafesfilledtheintermediatespace。Ilaiddownthepaper。
\"Howlonghaveyouhadthisidea？\"
\"EfersinceIleftdere，fifteenyearsago。\"
\"Butyourfatherandmothermaybedeadbythistime？\"
\"So，butderevillbeodders。Undderblace——itvillremain。\"
\"Butallthiswillcostafortune，andyouarenotsure\"——
\"Iknowshoostvotidvillgost，toacend。\"
\"Andyouthinkyoucaneveraffordtocarryoutyouridea？\"
\"IVILLaffortid。VenyoushallmakeyetsomemoneysandgotoEurope，youshallsee。IVILLinfiteyouderefirst。Nowcoomandlookderhousearound。\"……
IdidNOTmake\"somemoneys，\"butIDIDgotoEurope。ThreeyearsafterthislastinterviewwithRutliIwascomingfromInterlakentoBernebyrail。Ihadnotheardfromhim，andIhadforgottenthenameofhisvillage，butasIlookedupfromthepaperIwasreading，IsuddenlyrecognizedhiminthefurtherendofthesamecompartmentIoccupied。Hisrecognitionofmewasevidentlyassuddenandunexpected。Afterourfirsthand-graspandgreeting，I
said：——
\"Andhowaboutournewvillage？\"
\"Dereisnofillage。\"
\"What！Youhavegivenuptheidea？\"
\"Yes。Thereisnofillage，oltornew。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand。\"
Helookedatmeamoment。\"Youhavenotheard？\"
\"No。\"
Hegentlypickedupalittlelocalguidebookthatlayinmylap，andturningitsleaves，pointedtoapage，andreadasfollows：——
\"5M。beyond，thetrainpassesacurveR。，whereafineviewofthelakemaybeseen。AlittletotheR。risesthesteepslopesofthe————，thesceneofaterribledisaster。Atthreeo’clockonMarch5，1850，thelittlevillageof————，lyingmidwayoftheslope，withitspopulationof950souls，wascompletelydestroyedbyalandslipfromthetopofthemountain。Sosuddenwasthecatastrophethatnotasingleescapeisrecorded。Alargeportionofthemountaincrest，aswillbeobservedwhenitisseeninprofile，descendedtothevalley，buryingtheunfortunatevillagetoadepthvariouslyestimatedatfrom1000ft。to1800ft。Thegeologicalcauseswhichproducedthisextraordinarydisplacementhavebeenfullydiscussed，butthegreaterevidencepointstothetheoryofsubterraneanglaciers。5M。beyond————thetraincrossestheR。bridge。\"
Ilaiddowntheguide-bookinbreathlessastonishment。
\"Andyouneverheardofthisinalltheseyears？\"
\"Nefer！Iaskednoquestions，Ireadnopooks。Ihavenoleddersfromhome。\"
\"Andyetyou\"——Istopped，Icouldnotcallhimafool；neithercouldI，inthefaceofhisperfectcomposureandundisturbedeyes，exhibitaconcerngreaterthanhisown。Anuneasyrecollectionofwhatheconfessedhadbeenhismentalconditionimmediatelyafterhisaccidentcameoverme。Hadhebeenthevictimofastrangehallucinationregardinghishouseandfamilyalltheseyears？Werethesedreamsofrevenge，thisfancyofcreatinganewvillage，onlyanoutcomeofsomeshockarisingoutofthedisasteritself，whichhehadlongsinceforgotten？
Hewaslookingfromthewindow。\"Coom，\"hesaid，\"vearenearderblace。Ivillshowidtoyou。\"Heroseandpassedouttotherearplatform。Wewereintherearcar，andanewpanoramaofthelakeandmountainsflasheduponusateverycurveoftheline。I
followedhim。Presentlyhepointedtowhatappearedtobeasheerwallofrockandstuntedvegetationtoweringtwoorthreethousandfeetaboveus，whichstartedoutofagorgewewerepassing。\"Dereitvos！\"hesaid。Isawthevaststretchofrockfacerisingupwardandonward，butnothingelse。Nodebris，noruins，norevenaswellingorroundingofthemountainflankoverthatawfultomb。
Yet，stay！aswedashedacrossthegorge，andthefaceofthemountainshifted，highup，thesky-linewasslightlybrokenasifafewinches，amerehandful，ofthecrestwascrumbledaway。Andthen——bothgorgeandmountainvanished。
Iwasstillembarrassedanduneasy，andknewnotwhattosaytothismanatmyside，whosehopesandambitionhadbeenasquicklyoverthrownandburied，andwhoselife-dreamhadasquicklyvanished。Buthehimself，takinghispipefromhislips，brokethesilence。
\"Itvosanarrowesgabe！\"
\"Whatwas？\"
\"Vy，disdings。IfIhadstayedinmyfader’shouse，Ivouldhafbeendetforgoot，andperriedtoo！Somedimesdosedingscoomsoudtapoutright，don’tid？\"
Unvanquishedphilosopher！Aswestoodtherelookingattheflyinglandscapeandsinkinglesserhills，onebyonethegreatsnowpeaksslowlyarosebehindthem，liftingthemselves，asiftotakealastwonderinglookatthemantheyhadtriumphedover，buthadnotsubdued。
THEPASSINGOFENRIQUEZ
WhenEnriquezSaltilloranawaywithMissMannersley，asalreadyrecordedinthesechronicles，*herrelativesandfriendsfounditmucheasiertoforgivethatill-assortedunionthantounderstandit。For，afterall，EnriquezwasthescionofanoldSpanish-
Californianfamily，andinduetimewouldhavehisshareofhisfather’sthreesquareleagues，whateverincongruitytherewasbetweenhislivelyLatinextravaganceandMissMannersley’sPuritanprecisionandintellectualsuperiority。TheyhadgonetoMexico；
Mrs。Saltillo，aswasknown，havinganinterestinAztecantiquities，andhebeingutterlysubmissivetoherwishes。FormyselffrommyknowledgeofEnriquez’snature，Ihadgravedoubtsofhisentiresubjugation，althoughIknewtheprevailingopinionwasthatMrs。Saltillo’ssuperioritywouldspeedilytamehim。
Sincehisbriefandcharacteristicnoteapprisingmeofhismarriage，Ihadnotheardfromhim。Itwas，therefore，withsomesurprise，agooddealofreminiscentaffection，andaslighttwingeofreproachthat，twoyearsafter，Ilookedupfromsomeproofs，inthesanctumofthe\"DailyExcelsior，\"torecognizehishandwritingonanotethatwashandedtomebyayellowMexicanboy。
*See\"TheDevotionofEnriquez，\"inSelectedStoriesbyBretHarteGutenberg#1312。
AsingleglanceatitscontentsshowedmethatMrs。Saltillo’scorrectBostonianspeechhadnotyetsubduedEnriquez’speculiarSpanish-Americanslang：——
\"Hereweareagain，——rightsideupwithcare，——at1110DupontStreet，TelegraphHill。Secondfloorfromtop。’Ringandpush。’
’Nobookagentsneedapply。’How’syourroyalnibs？Ikissyourhand！Comeatsix，——thebandshallplayatseven，——andregardyourfriend’MeesBoston，’whowilltellyouaboutthelittleoldniggerboys，andyouroldUncle’Ennery。\"
Twothingsstruckme：Enriquezhadnotchanged；Mrs。Saltillohadcertainlyyieldedupsomeofherpeculiarprejudices。Fortheaddressgiven，farfrombeingafashionabledistrict，wasknownasthe\"Spanishquarter，\"which，whileitstillheldsomeoldSpanishfamilies，waschieflygivenovertohalf-castesandobscurerforeigners。EvenpovertycouldnothavedrivenMrs。Saltillotosucharefugeagainstherwill；nevertheless，agooddealofconcernforEnriquez’sfortunemingledwithmycuriosity，asI
impatientlywaitedforsixo’clocktosatisfyit。
Itwasabreezyclimbto1110DupontStreet；andalthoughthestreethadbeengraded，thehousesretainedtheirairyelevation，andwereaccessibleonlybysuccessiveflightsofwoodenstepstothefrontdoor，whichstillgaveperilouslyuponthestreet，sixtyfeetbelow。InowpainfullyappreciatedEnriquez’sadaptationofthetime-honoredjokeaboutthesecondfloor。AninvinciblesmellofgarlicalmosttookmyremainingbreathawayasthedoorwasopenedtomebyaswarthyMexicanwoman，whoseloosecamisaseemedtobeslippingfromherunstablebust，andwasheldononlybythemantua-likeshawlwhichsupplementedit，grippedbyonebrownhand。
Dizzyfrommyascenttothatnarrowperch，whichlookeduponnothingbutthedistantbayandshoresofContraCosta，IfeltasapologeticasifIhadlandedfromaballoon；butthewomangreetedmewithalanguidSpanishsmileandalazydisplayofwhiteteeth，asifmyarrivalwasquitenatural。DonEnriquez，\"ofafact，\"wasnothimselfinthecasa，butwasexpected\"ontheinstant。\"\"DonnaUrania\"wasathome。
\"DonnaUrania\"？ForaninstantIhadforgottenthatMrs。Saltillo’sfirstnamewasUrania，sopleasantlyandspontaneouslydiditfallfromtheSpanishlips。NorwasIdispleasedatthischanceoflearningsomethingofDonEnriquez’sfortunesandtheSaltillomenagebeforeconfrontingmyoldfriend。Theservantprecededmetothenextfloor，and，openingadoor，usheredmeintothelady’spresence。
Ihadcarriedwithme，onthatupwardclimb，alivelyrecollectionofMissMannersleyasIhadknownhertwoyearsbefore。I
rememberedherupright，almoststiff，slightfigure，thegracefulprecisionofherposes，thefaultlesssymmetryandtasteofherdress，andtheatmosphereofafastidiousandwholesomecleanlinesswhichexhaledfromher。IntheladyIsawbeforeme，halfreclininginarocking-chair，therewasnoneofthestiffnessandnicety。Habitedinaloosegownofsomeeasy，flexible，butrichmaterial，wornwiththatpeculiarlyindolentslouchoftheMexicanwoman，Mrs。Saltillohadpartedwithhalfherindividuality。Evenherarchedfeetandthinankles，theclose-fittingbootsorsmallslippersofwhichwerewonttoaccenttheirdelicacy，werenowlostinashort，low-quarteredkidshoeoftheSpanishtype，inwhichtheymovedloosely。Herhair，whichshehadalwayswornwithacertainGreeksimplicity，waspartedatoneside。Yetherface，withitsregularityoffeature，andsmall，thin，red-lippedmouth，wasquiteunchanged；andhervelvetybrowneyeswereasbeautifulandinscrutableasever。
WiththesameglanceIhadtakeninhersurroundings，quiteasincongruoustoherformerhabits。Thefurniture，thoughofoldandheavymahogany，hadsufferedfromcarelessalienhands，andwasinterspersedwithmodernandunmatchablemakeshifts，yetpreservingthedistinctlyscantandformalattitudeoffurnishedlodgings。Itwascertainlyunliketheartistictriflesanddelicaterefinementsofheruncle’sdrawing-room，whichweallknewhertastehaddictatedandruled。Theblackandwhiteengravings，theoutlinedheadsofMinervaandDiana，wereexcludedfromthewallsfortwocheapcoloredCatholicprints，——asoullessVirgin，andthemysteryoftheBleedingHeart。Againstthewall，inonecorner，hungtheonlyobjectwhichseemedamementooftheirtravels，——asingular-
lookinguprightIndian\"papoose-case\"orcradle，glaringlydecoratedwithbeadsandpaint，probablyanAztecrelic。Onaroundtable，thevelvetcoverofwhichshowedmarksofusageandabusage，therewerescatteredbooksandwritingmaterials；andmyeditorialinstinctsuddenlyrecognized，withathrillofapprehension，thelooseleavesofanundoubtedmanuscript。Thiscircumstance，takenwiththefactofDonnaUrania’shairbeingpartedononeside，andthegeneralnegligeeofherappearance，wasadisturbingrevelation。
Mywanderingeyeapparentlystruckher，forafterthefirstgreetingshepointedtothemanuscriptwithasmile。
\"Yes；thatisTHEmanuscript。IsupposeEnriqueztoldyouallaboutit？Hesaidhehadwritten。\"
Iwasdumfounded。IcertainlyhadnotunderstoodALLofEnriquez’sslang；itwasalwayssodecidedlyhisown，andpeculiar。YetI
couldnotrecallanyallusiontothis。
\"Hetoldmesomethingofit，butveryvaguely，\"Iventuredtosaydeprecatingly；\"butIamafraidthatIthoughtmoreofseeingmyoldfriendagainthanofanythingelse。\"
\"DuringourstayinMexico，\"continuedMrs。Saltillo，withsomethingofheroldprecision，\"ImadesomeresearchesintoAztechistory，asubjectalwaysdeeplyinterestingtome，andIthoughtI
wouldutilizetheresultbythrowingitonpaper。Ofcourseitisbetterfittedforavolumeofreferencethanforanewspaper，butEnriquezthoughtyoumightwanttouseitforyourjournal。\"
IknewthatEnriquezhadnotasteforliterature，andhadevenratherdepreciateditintheolddays，withhisusualextravagance；
butImanagedtosayverypleasantlythatIwasdelightedwithhissuggestionandshouldbegladtoreadthemanuscript。Afterall，itwasnotimprobablethatMrs。Saltillo，whowaseducatedandintelligent，shouldwritewell，ifnotpopularly。\"ThenEnriquezdoesnotbegrudgeyouthetimethatyourworktakesfromhim，\"I
addedlaughingly。\"Youseemtohaveoccupiedyourhoneymoonpractically。\"
\"Wequitecomprehendourrespectiveduties，\"saidMrs。Saltillodryly；\"andhavefromthefirst。Wehaveourownlivestolive，independentofmyuncleandEnriquez’sfather。Wehavenotonlyacceptedtheresponsibilityofourownactions，butwebothfeelthehigherprivilegeofcreatingourownconditionswithoutextraneousaidfromourrelatives。\"
Itstruckmethatthissomewhatexaltedstatementwasdecidedlyapose，orareturnofUraniaMannersley’soldironicalstyle。I
lookedquietlyintoherbrown，near-sightedeyes；but，asoncebefore，myglanceseemedtoslipfromtheirmoistsurfacewithoutpenetratingtheinnerthoughtbeneath。\"AndwhatdoesEnriquezdoforHISpart？\"Iaskedsmilingly。
IfullyexpectedtohearthattheenergeticEnriquezwasutilizinghispeculiartastesandexperiencesbyhorse-breaking，stock-
raising，professionalbull-fighting，orevenhorse-racing，butwasquiteastonishedwhensheansweredquietly：——
\"Enriquezisgivinghimselfuptogeologyandpracticalmetallurgy，withaviewtoscientific，purelyscientific，mining。\"
Enriquezandgeology！InthatinstantallIcouldrememberofitwerehisgibesatthe\"geologian，\"ashewaswonttotermProfessorDobbs，aformeradmirerofMissMannersley’s。ToaddtomyconfusionMrs。Saltilloatthesamemomentabsolutelyvoicedmythought。
\"YoumayrememberProfessorDobbs，\"shewentoncalmly，\"oneofthemosteminentscientistsoverhere，andaveryoldBostonfriend。
HehastakenEnriquezinhand。Hisprogressismostsatisfactory；
wehavethegreatesthopesofhim。\"
\"Andhowsoondoyoubothhopetohavesomepracticalresultsofhisstudy？\"Icouldnothelpaskingalittlemischievously；forI
somehowresentedthepluralpronouninherlastsentence。
\"Verysoon，\"saidMrs。Saltillo，ignoringeverythingbutthequestion。\"YouknowEnriquez’ssanguinetemperament。Perhapsheisalreadygiventoevolvingtheorieswithoutasufficientbasisoffact。Still，hehasthedaringofadiscoverer。Hisideasoftheooliticformationarenotwithoutoriginality，andProfessorDobbssaysthatinhisconceptionoftheSilurianbeachtherearegleamsthataredistinctlyprecious。\"
IlookedatMrs。Saltillo，whohadreinforcedhereyeswithheroldpiquantpince-nez，butcoulddetectnoironyinthem。Shewasprettilyimperturbable，thatwasall。Therewasanawkwardsilence。Thenitwasbrokenbyaboundingsteponthestairs，awide-openflingofthedoor，andEnriquezpirouettedintotheroom：
Enriquez，asofold，unchangedfromthecrownofhissmooth，coal-
blackhairtothetipsofhissmall，narrowArabianfeet；Enriquez，withhisthin，curlingmustache，hisdancingeyessetinhisimmovableface，justasIhadalwaysknownhim！
Heaffectedtolapseagainstthedoorforaminute，asifstaggeredbyaresplendentvision。Thenhesaid：——
\"WhatdoIregard？Isitadream，orhaveIagaingotthem——theesjimjams？Mybestfriendandmybest——ImeanmyONLY——wife！
Embraceme！\"
Hegavemeanenthusiasticembraceandawinklikesheet-lightning，passedquicklytohiswife，beforewhomhedroppedononeknee，raisedthetoeofherslippertohislips，andthensankonthesofainsimulatedcollapse，murmuring，\"Theesistoomoochofwhitestoneforoneday！\"
ThroughallthisIsawhiswiferegardinghimwithexactlythesamecriticallyamusedexpressionwithwhichshehadlookeduponhiminthedaysoftheirstrangecourtship。Sheevidentlyhadnottiredofhisextravagance，andyetIfeelaspuzzledbyhermannerasthen。Sheroseandsaid：\"Isupposeyouhaveagooddealtosaytoeachother，andIwillleaveyoubyyourselves。\"Turningtoherhusband，sheadded，\"IhavealreadyspokenabouttheAztecmanuscript。\"
ThewordbroughtEnriqueztohisfeetagain。\"Ah！Thelittleoldnigger——youhaveread？\"Ibegantounderstand。\"Mywife，mybestfriend，andthelittleoldnigger，allinoneday。Eetisperfect！\"Nevertheless，inspiteofthisecstaticandoverpoweringcombination，hehurriedtotakehiswife’shand；kissingit，heledhertoadooropeningintoanotherroom，madeheralowbowtothegroundasshepassedout，andthenrejoinedme。
\"Sothesearethelittleoldniggersyouspokeofinyournote，\"I
said，pointingtothemanuscript。\"DeucetakemeifIunderstoodyou！\"
\"Ah，myleetlebrother，itisYOUwhohavechanged！\"saidEnriquezdolorously。\"IsitthatyounomoreunderstandAmerican，orhavethe’bighead’oftheeditor？Regardme！OftheseAztecsmywifehavemadestudy。Shehavepursuedthelittleniggertohiscave，hisgrotto，whereheisdeadathousandyear。Ihavemyselfassist，thoughIlikeitnot，becausetheesmummy，lookyou，Pancho，isnotlively。Andthemummywhoisnotdead，believeme！
eventheyoungladymummy，youshallnottaketoyourheart。Butmywife\"——hestopped，andkissedhishandtowardthedoorwhenceshehadflitted——\"ah，SHEiswonderful！Shehasmadethestoryofthem，thepeectureofthem，fromthelifeandontheinstant！Youshalltakethem，myleetlebrother，foryourjournal；youshallannounceinthebigletter：’MoochImportance。TheAztec，HeisFound。’’HowHeLookandLif。’’TheEverlastingNigger。’Youshallsellmanypaper，andUraniashallhavescoopinmuchspondulicsandrocks。Hoop-la！For——youcomprehend？——mywifeandIhavesettledthatsheshallforgifheroncle；Ishallforgifmyfather；butfromthemwetakenocent，notared，notascad！Weareindependent！OfourselveswemakeaFourthofJuly。Unitedwestand；dividedweshallfallover！Thereyouare！Bueno！\"
Itwasimpossibletoresisthiswild，yetperfectlysincere，extravagance，hisdancingblackeyesandoccasionalflashofwhiteteethinhisotherwiseimmovableandseriouscountenance。
Nevertheless，Imanagedtosay：——
\"Buthowaboutyourself，Enriquez，andthisgeology，youknow？\"
Hiseyestwinkled。\"Ah，youshallhear。Butfirstyoushalltakeadrink。IhavetheveryoldBourbon。HeisnotsooldastheAztec，but，believeme，heisverymuchliflier。Attend！Hol’
on！\"Hewasalreadyrummagingonashelf，butapparentlywithoutsuccess；thenheexploredabuffet，withnobetterresults，andfinallyattackedalargedrawer，throwingoutonthefloor，withhisoldimpetuosity，anumberofgeologicalspecimens，carefullylabeled。Ipickeduponethathadrollednearme。Itwaslabeled\"Conglomeratesandstone。\"Ipickedupanother：ithadthesamelabel。
\"Thenyouarereallycollecting？\"Isaid，withastonishment。
\"Ciertamente，\"respondedEnriquez，——\"whatotherfoolshallIlook？
IshallrelateofthisgeologywhenIshallhavefoundthisbeastofabottle。Ah，herehehavehide！\"Heextractedfromadrawerabottlenearlyfullofspirits，——tipplingwasnotoneofEnriquez’svices。\"Youshallsay’when。’’Ere’stoournobleselfs！\"
Whenhehaddrunk，Ipickedupanotherfragmentofhiscollection。
Ithadthesamelabel。\"Youareveryrichin’conglomeratesandstone，’\"Isaid。\"Wheredoyoufindit？\"
\"Inthestreet，\"saidEnriquez，withgreatcalmness。
\"Inthestreet？\"Iechoed。
\"Yes，myfriend！Heeescallthe’cobblestone，’alsothe’pouding-
stone，’whenheeesathishomeinthecountry。Heeesalsoasmall’boulder。’Ipickhimup；Icrackhim；hemadethreeseparatepieceofconglomeratesandstone。Ibringhimhometomywifeinmypocket。Sherejoice；wearehappy。Whencomestheefening，Isitdownandmakehimalabel；whilemywife，shesitdownandwriteoftheAztec。Ah，myfriend，youshallsayofthegeologyiteesafine，aBEAUTIFULstudy；butthestudyofthewife，andwhatshallpleaseher，believeme，eesmuchfiner！
BelieveyouroldUncle’Enneryeverytime！Ontheesquestionhegetsthere；hegetsleft，nevarre！\"
\"ButProfessorDobbs，yourgeologian，whatdoesHEsaytothisfrequentrecurrenceoftheconglomeratesandstoneperiodinyourstudy？\"Iaskedquickly。
\"Hesaynothing。Youcomprehend？Heeesaprofoundgeologian，buthealsohastheadmirationexcessifformywifeUrania。\"Hestoppedtokisshishandagaintowardthedoor，andlightedacigarette。\"Thegeologianwouldnotthatheshouldbreakupthehappyefeningofhisfriendsbytheessmalldetail。Heputasidehishead——so；hesay，’Aleetlefreestone，aleetlegranite，nowandthen，forvariety；theyarebuildinginMontgomeryStreet。’I
takethehint，likeawinktothehorsethathasgoneblind。I
attachtomyselfpartoftheedificethatiserectinghimselfinMontgomeryStreet。Icrackhim；Ibringhimhome。IsitagainatthefeetofmybeautifulUrania，andIlabelhim’Freestone，’
’Granite；’butIdonotsay’fromParrott’sBank’——eetisnotnecessaryforourhappiness。\"
\"Andyoudothissortofthingonlybecauseyouthinkitpleasesyourwife？\"Iaskedbluntly。
\"Myfriend，\"rejoinedEnriquez，perchinghimselfonthebackofthesofa，andcaressinghiskneesashepuffedhiscigarettemeditatively，\"youhaveaskaconundrum。Giftomeaneasierone！
ItisoftruththatImakemuchofthesethingtopleaseUrania。
ButIshallconfessall。Behold，Iappeartoyou，myleetlebrother，inmycamisa——myshirt！Iblowonmyself；Igifmyselfaway。\"
Herosegravelyfromthesofa，anddrewasmallboxfromoneofthedrawersofthewardrobe。Openingit，hediscoveredseveralspecimensofgold-bearingquartz，andoneortwoscalesofgold。
\"Thees，\"hesaid，\"friendPancho，ismyowngeology；fortheesIamwhatyousee。ButIsaynothingtoUrania；forshehavemuchdisgustofmeregold，——ofwhatshecalls’vulgarmining，’——andbelieveme，afearoftheeffectof’speculation’uponmytemperamento——youcomprehendmycomplexion，mybrother？Reflectuponit，Pancho！I，whoamthefilosofo，ifthatIamanything！\"
Helookedatmewithgreatlevityofeyeandsupernaturalgravityofdemeanor。\"Buteeteesthejealousaffectionofthewife，myfriend，forwhichImakeplaytoherwiththehumbleleetlepouding-stoneratherthanthegoldquartzthataffrights。\"
\"Butwhatdoyouwantwiththem，ifyouhavenosharesinanythinganddonotspeculate？\"Iasked。
\"Pardon！Thateeswhereyouslipup，myleetlefriend。\"Hetookfromthesamedraweraclaspedportfolio，andunlockedit，producinghalfadozenprospectusesandcertificatesofminingshares。IstoodaghastasIrecognizedthenamesofoneortwoextravagantfailuresofthelasttenyears，——\"played-out\"minesthathadbeengalvanizedintodeceptivelifeinLondon，Paris，andNewYork，tothegriefofshareholdersabroadandthelaughteroftheinitiatedathome。Icouldscarcelykeepmyequanimity。\"Youdonotmeantosaythatyouhaveanybelieforinterestinthisrubbish？\"Isaidquickly。
\"Whatyoucall’rubbish，’mygoodPancho，eestherubbishthattheAmericanspeculatorhavedumphimselfuponthemintheshaft，therubbishoftheadvertisement，oftheextravagantexpense，ofthesalary，oftheassessment，ofthe’freeze-out。’Forthees，lookyou，istheoldMexicanmine。Mygrandfatherandheesfatherhavebothseenthemworkbeforeyouwereborn，andtheAmericanknewnottherewasgoldinCalifornia。\"
Iknewhespoketruly。Oneortwowereoriginalsilverminesinthesouth，workedbypeonsandIndianslaves，aropewindlass，andavenerabledonkey。
\"Butthoseweresilvermines，\"Isaidsuspiciously，\"andthesearegoldspecimens。\"
\"Theyarefromthesamemother，\"saidtheimperturbableEnriquez，——
\"thesamemine。TheoldpeonsworkedhimforSILVER，thepreciousdollarthatbuyeverything，thathesendinthegalleontothePhilippinesforthesilkandspice！THATisgoodenoughforHIM！
Forthegoldhemadenothing，evenasmyleetlewifeUrania。Andregardmehere！Thereeesaproverbofmyfather’swhichsaythat’itshalltakeagoldminetoworkasilvermine，’somoochmorehecost。Youworkhim，youarelost！Naturalmente，ifyouturnhimround，ifittakeyouonlyasilverminetoworkagoldmine，youaregain。Theeseeslogic！\"
Theintensegravityofhisfaceatthisextraordinarydeductionupsetmyown。ButasIwasnevercertainthatEnriquezwasnotpurposelymystifyingme，withsomeulteriorobject，Icouldnothelpsayingalittlewickedly：——
\"Yes，Iunderstandallthat；buthowaboutthisgeologian？Willhenottellyourwife？Youknowhewasagreatadmirerofhers。\"
\"Thatshallshowthegreatintelligenceofhim，myPancho。HewillhavethefourS’s，’especiallythesecreto！\"
Therecouldbenoseriousdiscussioninhispresentmood。I
gatheredupthepagesofhiswife’smanuscript，saidlightlythat，asshehadthefirstclaimuponmytime，IshouldexaminetheAztecmaterialandreportinadayortwo。AsIknewIhadlittlechanceinthehandsofthesetwoincomprehensiblestogether，Ibeggedhimnottocallhiswife，buttoconveymyadieustoher，and，inspiteofhisembracesandprotestations，Imanagedtogetoutoftheroom。ButIhadscarcelyreachedthefrontdoorwhenIheardEnriquez’svoiceandhisboundingsteponthestairs。Inanothermomenthisarmwasroundmyneck。