\"Youdon’t？\"returnedMrs。Baxter。\"Blessyourinnocentheart！
Whywashesokeentohuntmeupatfirst，shadowingmyfriendsandallthat，andwhyhashedroppeditnowheknowsI’mhere，ifhedidn’tknowwhereSpencerwas？\"
\"Icanexplainthat，\"interruptedMrs。Tucker，hastily，withablushofconfusion。\"Thatis——I——\"
\"Thenmebbeyoukinexplaintoo，\"brokeinPattersonwithgloomysignificance，\"whyhehasboughtupmostofSpencer’sdebtshimself，andperhapsyou’resatisfieditISN’Ttoholdthewhiphandofhimandkeephimfromcomingbackopenly。Pr’apsyouknowwhyhe’smovin’heavenandearthtomakeDonJoseSantierraselltheranch，andwhytheDondon’tseeitall。\"
\"DonJosesellLosCuervos！Buyit，youmean？\"saidMrs。Tucker。
\"Iofferedtosellittohim。\"
Pattersonarosefromthechair，lookeddespairinglyaroundhim，passedhishandsadlyacrosshisforehead，andsaid：\"It’scome！I
knewitwould。It’sthewarning！It’ssuthingbetwixtjim—jamsanddodderingidjiocy。HereI’dhevbeenwillin’toswearthatMrs。BaxterheretoldmeSHEhadsoldthisyerranchnearlytwoyearsagotoDonJose，andnowyou——\"
\"Stop！\"saidMrs。Tucker，inavoicethatchilledthem。
Shewasstandinguprightandrigid，asifstrickentostone。\"I
commandyoutotellmewhatthismeans！\"shesaid，turningonlyherblazingeyesuponthewoman。
EventhereadysmilefadedfromMrs。Baxter’slipsassherepliedhesitatinglyandsubmissively：\"IthoughtyouknewalreadythatSpencerhadgiventhisranchtome。IsoldittoDonJosetogetthemoneyforustogoawaywith。ItwasSpencer’sidea——\"
\"Youlie！\"saidMrs。Tucker。
Therewasadeadsilence。ThewrathfulbloodthathadquicklymountedtoMrs。Baxter’scheek，toPatterson’sadditionalbewilderment，fadedasquickly。ShedidnotlifthereyesagaintoMrs。Tucker’s，but，slowlyraisingherselffromherseat，said，\"I
wishtoGodIdidlie;butit’strue。Andit’struethatInevertouchedacentofthemoney，butgaveitalltohim！\"ShelaidherhandonPatterson’sarm，andsaid，\"Come！letusgo，\"andledhimafewstepstowardsthegateway。ButherePattersonpaused，andagainpassedhishandoverhismelancholybrow。Thenecessityofcoherentlyandlogicallyclosingtheconversationimpresseditselfuponhisdarkeningmind。\"Thenyoudon’thappentohaveheardanythingofSpencer？\"hesaidsadly，andvanishedwithMrs。Baxterthroughthegate。
Leftalonetoherself，Mrs。Tuckerraisedherhandsaboveherheadwithalittlecry，interlockedherrigidfingers，andslowlybroughtherpalmsdownuponherupturnedfaceandeyes，pressinghardasiftocrushoutalllightandsenseoflifebeforeher。
Shestoodthusforamomentmotionlessandsilent，withtherisingwindwhisperingwithoutandfleckingherwhitemorningdresswithgustyshadowsfromthearbor。Then，withclosedeyes，droppingherhandstoherbreast，stillpressinghard，sheslowlypassedthemdowntheshapelycontoursofherfiguretothewaist，andwithanothercrycastthemoffasifshewerestrippingherselfofsomeloathsomegarment。Thenshewalkedquicklytothegateway，lookedout，returnedtothecorridor，unlooseningandtakingoffherwedding—ringfromherfingerasshewalked。Hereshepaused，thenslowlyanddeliberatelyrearrangedthechairsandadjustedthegay—
coloredrugsthatdrapedthem，andquietlyre—enteredherchamber。
TwodaysafterwardsthesweatingsteedofCaptainPoindexterwasturnedlooseinthecorral，andamomentlaterthecaptainenteredthecorridor。HandingalettertothedecrepitConcha，whoseemedtobeutterlydisorganizedbyitscontents，andthefewcurtwordswithwhichitwasdelivered，hegazedsilentlyuponthevacantbower，stillfreshandredolentwiththedelicacyandperfumeofitsgracefuloccupant，untilhisdarkeyesfilledwithunaccustomedmoisture。Buthisreveriewasinterruptedbythesoundofjinglingspurswithout，andtheoldhumorstruggledbackinhiseyesasDonJoseimpetuouslyentered。TheSpaniardstartedback，butinstantlyrecoveredhimself。
\"SoIfindyouhere。Ah！itiswell！\"hesaidpassionately，producingaletterfromhisbosom。\"Look！Doyoucallthishonor？
Lookhowyoukeepyourcompact！\"
Poindextercoollytooktheletter。ItcontainedafewwordsofgentledignityfromMrs。Tucker，informingDonJosethatshehadonlythatinstantlearnedofhisjustclaimsuponLosCuervos，tenderinghimhergratitudeforhisdelicateintentions，butpointingoutwithrespectfulfirmnessthathemustknowthatamoment’sfurtheracceptanceofhiscourtesywasimpossible。
\"Shehasgainedthisknowledgefromnowordofmine，\"saidPoindexter，calmly。\"Rightorwrong，Ihavekeptmypromisetoyou。Ihaveasmuchreasontoaccuseyouofbetrayingmysecretinthis，\"headdedcoldly，ashetookanotherletterfromhispocketandhandedittoDonJose。
Itseemedbrieferandcolder，butwasneither。ItremindedPoindexterthatashehadagaindeceivedhershemusttakethegovernmentofheraffairsinherownhandshenceforth。SheabandonedallthefurnitureandimprovementsshehadputinLosCuervostohim，towhomshenowknewshewasindebtedforthem。
Shecouldnotthankhimforwhathishabitualgenerosityimpelledhimtodoforanywoman，butshecouldforgivehimformisunderstandingherlikeanyotherwoman，perhapssheshouldsay，likeachild。WhenhereceivedthisshewouldbealreadyonherwaytoheroldhomeinKentucky，whereshestillhopedtobeablebyherowneffortstoamassenoughtodischargeherobligationstohim。
\"Shedoesnotspeakofherhusband，thiswoman，\"saidDonJose，scanningPoindexter’sface。\"Itispossiblesherejoinshim，eh？\"
\"Perhapsinonewayshehasneverlefthim，DonJose，\"saidPoindexter，withgravesignificance。
DonJose’sfaceflushed，buthereturnedcarelessly，\"Andtherancho，naturallyyouwillnotbuyitnow？\"
\"Onthecontrary，Ishallabidebymyoffer，\"saidPoindexter，quietly。
DonJoseeyedhimnarrowly，andthensaid，\"Ah，weshallconsiderofit。\"
Hedidconsiderit，andacceptedtheoffer。Withthefullcontroloftheland，CaptainPoindexter’simprovements，soindefinitelypostponed，wereactivelypushedforward。Thethickwallsofthehaciendawerethefirsttomeltawaybeforethem;thelowlinesofcorralwereeffaced，andtheearlybreathofthesummertradewindssweptuninterruptedlyacrossthenowleveledplaintotheembarcadero，whereanewerstructurearose。Amorevividgreenalonemarkedthespotwherethecrumblingadobewallsofthecasahadreturnedtotheparentsoilthatgaveit。Thechannelwasdeepened，thelagoonwasdrained，untiloneeveningthemagicmirrorthathadsolongreflectedthewearywaitingoftheBlueGrassPenelopelaydull，dead，lustreless，anopaquequagmireofnoisomecorruptionanddecaytobeputawayfromthesightofmanforever。Onthisspotthecrows，thetitulartenantsofLosCuervos，assembledintumultuouscongress，comingandgoinginmysteriousclouds，orlaboringinthickandwrithingmasses，asiftheywerecontinuingtheworkofimprovementbegunbyhumanagency。
Sowellhadtheydonetheworkthatbytheendofaweekonlyafewscatteredwhiteobjectsremainedglitteringonthesurfaceofthequicklydryingsoil。Buttheywerethebonesofthemissingoutcast，SpencerTucker！……
Thesamespringabreathofwarsweptoverafoul，decayingquagmireofthewholeland，beforewhichsuchpassingdeedsasthesewereblownasvapor。Itcalledmenofallrankandconditiontobattleforanation’slife，andamongthefirsttorespondwerethoseintowhoseboyishhandshadbeenplacedthenation’shonor。
ItreturnedtheepauletstoPoindexter’sshoulderwiththeadditionofadoublestar，carriedhimtriumphantlytothefront，andlefthim，attheendofasummer’sdayandahard—wonfight，sorelywounded，atthedoorofaBlueGrassfarmhouse。Andthewomanwhosoughthimoutandministeredtohiswantssaidtimidly，assheleftherhandinhis，\"ItoldyouIshouldlivetorepayyou。\"
LEFTOUTONLONESTARMOUNTAIN。
CHAPTERI
TherewaslittledoubtthattheLoneStarclaimwas\"playedout。\"
Notdugout，workedout，washedout，butPLAYEDout。Fortwoyearsitsfivesanguineproprietorshadgonethroughthevariousstagesofminingenthusiasm;hadprospectedandplanned，duganddoubted。
Theyhadborrowedmoneywithheartybutunredeemingfrankness，establishedacreditwithunselfishabnegationofallresponsibility，andhadbornethedisappointmentoftheircreditorswithacheerfulresignationwhichonlytheconsciousnessofsomedeepCompensatingFuturecouldgive。Givinglittleelse，however，asingulardissatisfactionobtainedwiththetraders，and，beingaccompaniedwithareluctancetomakefurtheradvances，atlasttouchedthegentlestoicismoftheproprietorsthemselves。Theyouthfulenthusiasmwhichhadatfirstliftedthemostineffectualtrial，themostuselessessay，totheplaneofactualachievement，diedout，leavingthemonlythedull，prosaicrecordofhalf—finishedditches，purposelessshafts，untenablepits，abandonedengines，andmeaninglessdisruptionsofthesoilupontheLoneStarclaim，andemptyfloursacksandporkbarrelsintheLoneStarcabin。
Theyhadbornetheirpoverty，ifthattermcouldbeappliedtoalightrenunciationofallsuperfluitiesinfood，dress，orornament，amelioratedbythegentledepredationsalreadyalludedto，withunassuminglevity。Morethanthat：havingsegregatedthemselvesfromtheirfellow—minersofRedGulch，andentereduponthepossessionofthelittlemanzanita—thicketedvalleyfivemilesaway，thefailureoftheirenterprisehadassumedintheireyesonlythevaguesignificanceofthedeclineandfallofageneralcommunity，andtothatextentrelievedthemofindividualresponsibility。ItwaseasierforthemtoadmitthattheLoneStarclaimwas\"playedout\"thanconfesstoapersonalbankruptcy。
Moreover，theystillretainedthesacredrightofcriticismofgovernment，androsesuperiorintheirprivateopinionstotheirowncollectivewisdom。Eachoneexperiencedagratefulsenseoftheentireresponsibilityoftheotherfourinthefateoftheirenterprise。
OnDecember24，1863，agentlerainwasstillfallingoverthelengthandbreadthoftheLoneStarclaim。Ithadbeenfallingforseveraldays，hadalreadycalledafaintspringcolortothewanlandscape，repairingwithtendertouchestheravageswroughtbytheproprietors，orcharitablycoveringtheirfaults。Theraggedseamsingulchandcanyonlosttheirharshoutlines，athingreenmantlefaintlyclothedthetornandabradedhillside。Afewweeksmore，andaveilofforgetfulnesswouldbedrawnoverthefeeblefailuresoftheLoneStarclaim。Thecharmingderelictsthemselves，listeningtotheraindropsontheroofoftheirlittlecabin，gazedphilosophicallyfromtheopendoor，andacceptedtheprospectasamoraldischargefromtheirobligations。Fourofthefivepartnerswerepresent。TheRightandLeftBowers，UnionMills，andtheJudge。
Itisscarcelynecessarytosaythatnotoneofthesetitleswasthegenuinenameofitspossessor。TheRightandLeftBowersweretwobrothers;theirsobriquets，acheerfuladaptationfromthefavoritegameofeuchre，expressingtheirrelativevalueinthecamp。ThemerefactthatUnionMillshadatonetimepatchedhistrouserswithanoldfloursacklegiblybearingthatbrandofitsfabrication，wasatemptingbaptismalsuggestionthattheotherpartnerscouldnotforego。TheJudge，asingularlyinequitableMissourian，withnoknowledgewhateverofthelaw，wasaninspirationofgratuitousirony。
UnionMills，whohadbeenforsometimesittingplacidlyonthethresholdwithonelegexposedtotherain，fromasheerindolentinabilitytochangehisposition，finallywithdrewthatweather—
beatenmember，andstoodup。Themovementmoreorlessderangedtheattitudesoftheotherpartners，andwasreceivedwithcynicaldisfavor。Itwassomewhatremarkablethat，althoughgenerallygivingtheappearanceofhealthyyouthandperfectphysicalcondition，theyoneandallsimulatedthedecrepitudeofageandinvalidism，andafterlimpingaboutforafewmoments，settledbackagainupontheirbunksandstoolsintheirformerpositions。TheLeftBowerlazilyreplacedabandagethathehadwornaroundhisankleforweekswithoutanyapparentnecessity，andtheJudgescrutinizedwithtendersolicitudethefadedcicatrixofascratchuponhisarm。Apassivehypochondria，bornoftheirisolation，wasthelastludicrouslypathetictouchtotheirsituation。
Theimmediatecauseofthiscommotionfeltthenecessityofanexplanation。
\"Itwouldhavebeenjustaseasyforyoutohavestayedoutsidewithyourbusinessleg，insteadofdraggingitintoprivatelifeinthatobtrusiveway，\"retortedtheRightBower;\"butthatexhaustiveeffortisn’tgoingtofilltheporkbarrel。ThegrocerymanatDaltonsays——what’sthathesaid？\"heappealedlazilytotheJudge。
\"SaidhereckonedtheLoneStarwasaboutplayedout，andhedidn’twantanymoreinhis——thankyou！\"repeatedtheJudgewithamechanicaleffortofmemoryutterlydevoidofpersonalorpresentinterest。
\"Ialwayssuspectedthatman，afterGrimshawbeguntodealwithhim，\"saidtheLeftBower。\"They’rejustmeanenoughtojoinhandsagainstus。\"ItwasafixedbeliefoftheLoneStarpartnersthattheywerepursuedbypersonalenmities。
\"MorethanlikelythosenewstrangersoverintheForkhavebeenpayingcashandfilledhimupwithconceit，\"saidUnionMills，tryingtodryhislegbyalternatelybeatingitorrubbingitagainstthecabinwall。\"Oncebeginwrongwiththatkindofsnipeandyoudrageverybodydownwithyou。\"
Thisvagueconclusionwasreceivedwithdeadsilence。Everybodyhadbecomeinterestedinthespeaker’speculiarmethodofdryinghisleg，totheexclusionoftheprevioustopic。Afewofferedcriticism，nooneassistance。
\"Whodidthegrocerymansaythatto？\"askedtheRightBower，finallyreturningtothequestion。
\"TheOldman，\"answeredtheJudge。
\"Ofcourse，\"ejaculatedtheRightBowersarcastically。
\"Ofcourse，\"echoedtheotherpartnerstogether。\"That’slikehim。
TheOldManallover！\"
ItdidnotappearexactlywhatwasliketheOldMan，orwhyitwaslikehim，butgenerallythathealonewasresponsibleforthegroceryman’sdefection。ItwasputmoreconciselybyUnionMills。
\"Thatcomesoflettinghimgothere！It’sjustafairprovocationtoanymantohavetheOldMansenttohim。Theycan’t，sorter，restrainthemselvesathim。He’senoughtospoilthecreditoftheRothschilds。\"
\"That’sso，\"chimedintheJudge。\"Andlookathisprospecting。
Why，hewasouttwonightslastweek，allnight，prospectinginthemoonlightforblindleads，justoutofsheerfoolishness。\"
\"Itwasquiteenoughforme，\"brokeintheLeftBower，\"whentheotherday，yourememberwhen，heproposedtouswhitementosettledowntoplaingroundsluicing，making’grub’wagesjustlikeanyChinaman。ItjustshowedhisideaoftheLoneStarclaim。\"
\"Well，Ineversaiditafore，\"addedUnionMills，\"butwhenthatoneoftheMattisonboyscameoverheretoexaminetheclaimwithaneyetopurchasin’，itwastheOldManthattooktheconceitoutofhim。Hejustasgoodasadmittedthatalotofworkhadgottobedoneaforeanypayorecouldberealized。Neverevenaskedhimovertotheshantyheretojineusinafriendlygame;justkepthim，sotospeak，tohimself。AndnaturallytheMattisonsdidn’tseeit。\"
Asilencefollowed，brokenonlybytherainmonotonouslyfallingontheroof，andoccasionallythroughthebroadadobechimney，whereitprovokedaretaliatinghissandsplutterfromthedyingembersofthehearth。TheRightBower，withasuddenaccessofenergy，drewtheemptybarrelbeforehim，andtakingapackofwell—worncardsfromhispocket，begantomakea\"solitaire\"uponthelid。
Theothersgazedathimwithlanguidinterest。
\"Makin’itforanythin’？\"askedMills。
TheRightBowernodded。
TheJudgeandLeftBower，whowerepartlylyingintheirrespectivebunks，satuptogetabetterviewofthegame。UnionMillsslowlydisengagedhimselffromthewallandleanedoverthe\"solitaire\"
player。TheRightBowerturnedthelastcardinapauseofalmostthrillingsuspense，andclappeditdownonthelidwithfatefulemphasis。
\"Itwent！\"saidtheJudgeinavoiceofhushedrespect。\"Whatdidyoumakeitfor？\"healmostwhispered。
\"Toknowifwe’dmakethebreakwetalkedaboutandvamosetheranch。It’stheFIFTHtimetoday，\"continuedtheRightBowerinavoiceofgloomysignificance。\"Anditwentaginbadcardstoo。\"
\"Iain’tsuperstitious，\"saidtheJudge，withaweandfatuitybeamingfromeverylineofhiscredulousface，\"butit’sflyin’inthefaceofProvidencetogoaginsuchsignsasthat。\"
\"Makeitagain，toseeiftheOldManmustgo，\"suggestedtheLeftBower。
Thesuggestionwasreceivedwithfavor，thethreemengatheringbreathlesslyaroundtheplayer。Againthefatefulcardswereshuffleddeliberately，placedintheirmysteriouscombination，withthesameominousresult。Yeteverybodyseemedtobreathemorefreely，asifrelievedfromsomeresponsibility，theJudgeacceptingthismanifestexpressionofProvidencewithresignedself—righteousness。
\"Yes，gentlemen，\"resumedtheLeftBower，serenely，asifacalmlegaldecisionhadjustbeenrecorded，\"wemustnotletanyfoolishnessorsentimentgetmixedupwiththisthing，butlookatitlikebusinessmen。Theonlysensiblemoveistogetupandgetoutofthecamp。\"
\"AndtheOldMan？\"queriedtheJudge。
\"TheOldMan——hush！he’scoming。\"
Thedoorwaywasdarkenedbyaslightlissomeshadow。Itwastheabsentpartner，otherwiseknownas\"theOldMan。\"NeeditbeaddedthathewasaBOYofnineteen，withaslightdownjustclothinghisupperlip！
\"Thecreekisupovertheford，andIhadto’shin’upawillowonthebankandswingmyselfacross，\"hesaid，withaquick，franklaugh;\"butallthesame，boys，it’sgoingtoclearupinaboutanhour，youbet。It’sbreakingawayoverBaldMountain，andthere’sasunflashonabitofsnowonLonePeak。Look！youcanseeitfromhere。It’sforalltheworldlikeNoah’sdovejustlandedonMountArarat。It’sagoodomen。\"
FromsheerforceofhabitthemenhadmomentarilybrightenedupattheOldMan’sentrance。Buttheunblushingexhibitionofdegradingsuperstitionshowninthelastsentencerecalledtheirjustseverity。Theyexchangedmeaningglances。UnionMillsutteredhopelesslytohimself：\"Hell’sfullofsuchomens。\"
Toooccupiedwithhissubjecttonoticethisominousreception，theOldMancontinued：\"IreckonIstruckafreshleadinthenewgrocerymanattheCrossing。Hesayshe’lllettheJudgehaveapairofbootsoncredit，buthecan’tsendthemoverhere;andconsideringthattheJudgehasgottotrythemanyway，itdon’tseemtobeaskingtoomuchfortheJudgetogooverthere。Hesayshe’llgiveusabarrelofporkandabagofflourifwe’llgivehimtherightofusingourtail—raceandcleanoutthelowerendofit。\"
\"It’stheworkofaChinaman，andafourdays’job，\"brokeintheLeftBower。
\"Ittookonewhitemanonlytwohourstocleanoutathirdofit，\"
retortedtheOldMantriumphantly，\"forIpitchedinatoncewithapickheletmehaveoncredit，anddidthatamountofworkthismorning，andtoldhimtherestofyouboyswouldfinishitthisafternoon。\"
AslightgesturefromtheRightBowercheckedanangryexclamationfromtheLeft。TheOldMandidnotnoticeeither，but，knittinghissmoothyoungbrowinapaternallyreflectivefashion，wenton：
\"You’llhavetogetanewpairoftrousers，Mills，butashedoesn’tkeepclothing，we’llhavetogetsomecanvasandcutyououtapair。ItradedoffthebeansheletmehaveforsometobaccofortheRightBowerattheothershop，andgotthemtothrowinanewpackofcards。Theseareaboutplayedout。We’llbewantingsomebrushwoodforthefire;there’saheapinthehollow。Who’sgoingtobringitin？It’stheJudge’sturn，isn’tit？Why，what’sthematterwithyouall？\"
Therestraintandevidentuneasinessofhiscompanionshadatlasttouchedhim。Heturnedhisfrankyoungeyesuponthem;theyglancedhelplesslyateachother。Yethisfirstconcernwasforthem，hisfirstinstinctpaternalandprotecting。Heranhiseyesquicklyoverthem;theywereallthereandapparentlyintheirusualcondition。\"Anythingwrongwiththeclaim？\"hesuggested。
WithoutlookingathimtheRightBowerrose，leanedagainsttheopendoorwithhishandsbehindhimandhisfacetowardsthelandscape，andsaid，apparentlytothedistantprospect：\"Theclaim’splayedout，thepartnership’splayedout，andthesoonerweskedaddleoutofthisthebetter。If，\"headded，turningtotheOldMan，\"ifYOUwanttostay，ifyouwanttodoChinaman’sworkatChinaman’swages，ifyouwanttohangontothecharityofthetradersattheCrossing，youcandoit，andenjoytheprospectsandtheNoah’sdovesalone。Butwe’recalculatin’tostepoutofit。\"
\"ButIhaven’tsaidIwantedtodoitALONE，\"protestedtheOldManwithagestureofbewilderment。
\"Iftheseareyourgeneralideasofthepartnership，\"continuedtheRightBower，clingingtotheestablishedhypothesisoftheotherpartnersforsupport，\"itain’tours，andtheonlywaywecanproveitistostopthefoolishnessrighthere。Wecalculatedtodissolvethepartnershipandstrikeoutforourselveselsewhere。
You’renolongerresponsibleforus，norweforyou。Andwereckonit’sthesquarethingtoleaveyoutheclaimandthecabin，andallitcontains。Topreventanytroublewiththetraders，we’vedrawnupapaperhere——\"
\"Withabonusoffiftythousanddollarseachdown，andtheresttobesettledonmychildren，\"interruptedtheOldMan，withahalf—
uneasylaugh。\"Ofcourse。But——\"hestoppedsuddenly，theblooddroppedfromhisfreshcheek，andheagainglancedquicklyroundthegroup。\"Idon’tthink——I——Iquitesabe，boys，\"headded，withaslighttremorofvoiceandlip。\"Ifit’saconundrum，askmeaneasierone。\"
AnylingeringdoubthemighthavehadoftheirmeaningwasdispelledbytheJudge。\"It’saboutthesoftestthingyoukindropinto，OldMan，\"hesaidconfidentially;\"ifIhadn’tpromisedtheotherboystogowiththem，andifIdidn’tneedthebestmedicaladviceinSacramentoformylungs，I’djustenjoystayingwithyou。\"
\"Itgivesasorterfreedomtoayoungfellowlikeyou，OldMan，likegoin’intotheworldonyourowncapital，thateveryCalifornianboyhasn’tgot，\"saidUnionMills，patronizingly。
\"Ofcourseit’sratherhardpapersonus，youknow，givin’upeverything，sotospeak;butit’sforyourgood，andweain’tgoin’
backonyou，\"saidtheLeftBower，\"arewe，boys？\"
ThecolorhadreturnedtotheOldMan’sfacealittlemorequicklyandfreelythanusual。Hepickedupthehathehadcastdown，putitoncarefullyoverhisbrowncurls，drewtheflapdownonthesidetowardshiscompanions，andputhishandsinhispockets。
\"Allright，\"hesaid，inaslightlyalteredvoice。\"Whendoyougo？\"
\"To—day，\"answeredtheLeftBower。\"WecalculatetotakeamoonlightpasearovertotheCrossRoadsandmeetthedownstageatabouttwelveto—night。There’splentyoftimeyet，\"headded，withaslightlaugh;\"it’sonlythreeo’clocknow。\"
Therewasadeadsilence。Eventherainwithhelditscontinuouspatter，adumb，grayfilmcoveredtheashesofthehushedhearth。
ForthefirsttimetheRightBowerexhibitedsomeslightembarrassment。
\"Ireckonit’sheldupforaspell，\"hesaid，ostentatiouslyexaminingtheweather，\"andwemightaswelltakearunroundtheclaimtoseeifwe’veforgottennothing。Ofcourse，we’llbebackagain，\"headdedhastily，withoutlookingattheOldMan，\"beforewego，youknow。\"
Theothersbegantolookfortheirhats，butsoawkwardlyandwithsuchevidentpreoccupationofmindthatitwasnotatfirstdiscoveredthattheJudgehadhisalreadyon。Thisraisedalaugh，asdidalsoaclumsystumbleofUnionMillsagainsttheporkbarrel，althoughthatgentlemantookrefugefromhisconfusionandsecuredadecentretreatbyagrossexaggerationofhislameness，ashelimpedaftertheRightBower。TheJudgewhistledfeebly。
TheLeftBower，inamoreambitiousefforttoimpartacertaingayetytohisexit，stoppedonthethresholdandsaid，asifinarchconfidencetohiscompanions，\"DarnediftheOldMandon’tlooktwoincheshighersincehebecameaproprietor，\"laughedpatronizingly，andvanished。
Ifthenewly—madeproprietorhadincreasedinstature，hehadnototherwisechangedhisdemeanor。Heremainedinthesameattitudeuntilthelastfiguredisappearedbehindthefringeofbuckeyethathidthedistanthighway。Thenhewalkedslowlytothefire—place，and，leaningagainstthechimney，kickedthedyingemberstogetherwithhisfoot。Somethingdroppedandspatteredinthefilmofhotashes。Surelytherainhadnotyetceased！
Hishighcolorhadalreadyfledexceptforaspotoneithercheek—
bonethatlentabrightnesstohiseyes。Heglancedaroundthecabin。Itlookedfamiliarandyetstrange。Rather，itlookedstrangeBECAUSEstillfamiliar，andthereforeincongruouswiththenewatmospherethatsurroundedit——discordantwiththeechooftheirlastmeeting，andpainfullyaccentingthechange。Therewerethefour\"bunks，\"orsleepingberths，ofhiscompanions，eachstillbearingsometracesoftheindividualityofitslateoccupantwithadumbloyaltythatseemedtomaketheirlight—hearteddefectionmonstrous。InthedeadashesoftheJudge’spipe，scatteredonhisshelf，stilllivedhisoldfire;inthewhittledandcarvededgesoftheLeftBower’sbunkstillwerethememoriesofbygonedaysofdeliciousindolence;inthebullet—holesclusteredroundaknotofoneofthebeamstherewasstilltherecordoftheRightBower’sold—timeskillandpractice;inthefewengravingsoffemalelovelinessstuckuponeachheadboardthereweretheproofsoftheiroldextravagantdevotion——allamuteprotesttothechange。
Herememberedhow，afatherless，truantschoolboy，hehaddriftedintotheiradventurous，nomadiclife，itselfalifeofgrown—uptruancylikehisown，andbecameoneofthatgypsyfamily。Howtheyhadtakentheplaceofrelationsandhouseholdinhisboyishfancy，fillingitwiththeunsubstantialpageantryofachild’splayatgrown—upexistence，heknewonlytoowell。Buthow，frombeingapetandprotege，hehadgraduallyandunconsciouslyassertedhisownindividualityandtakenuponhisyoungershouldersnotonlyapoet’skeenappreciationofthatlife，butitsactualresponsibilitiesandhalf—childishburdens，heneversuspected。Hehadfondlybelievedthathewasaneophyteintheirways，anoviceintheircharmingfaithandindolentcreed，andtheyhadencouragedit;nowtheirrenunciationofthatfaithcouldonlybeanexcuseforarenunciationofHIM。Thepoetrythathadfortwoyearsinvestedthematerialandsometimesevenmeandetailsoftheirexistencewastoomuchapartofhimselftobelightlydispelled。
Thelessonofthoseingenuousmoralistsfailed，assuchlessonsareapttofail;theirdisciplineprovokedbutdidnotsubdue;arisingindignation，stirredbyasenseofinjury，mountedtohischeekandeyes。Itwasslowtocome，butwasnonethelessviolentthatithadbeenprecededbythebenumbingshockofshameandpride。
IhopeIshallnotprejudicethereader’ssympathiesifmydutyasasimplechroniclercompelsmetostate，therefore，thatthesobersecondthoughtofthisgentlepoetwastoburndownthecabinonthespotwithallitscontents。Thisyieldedtoamildercounsel——
waitingforthereturnoftheparty，challengingtheRightBower，adueltothedeath，perhapshimselfthevictim，withacrushingexplanationinextremis，\"ItseemsweareONEtoomany。Nomatter;
itissettlednow。Farewell！\"Dimlyremembering，however，thattherewassomethingofthisinthelastwell—wornnoveltheyhadreadtogether，andthathisantagonistmightrecognizeit，orevenworse，anticipateithimself，theideawasquicklyrejected。
Besides，theopportunityforanapotheosisofself—sacrificewaspast。Nothingremainednowbuttorefusetheprofferedbribeofclaimandcabinbyletter，forhemustnotwaittheirreturn。Hetorealeaffromablotteddiary，begunandabandonedlongsince，andessayedtowrite。Scrawlafterscrawlwastornup，untilhisfuryhadcooleddowntoafrigidthirdpersonality。\"Mr。JohnFordregretstoinformhislatepartnersthattheirtenderofhouse，offurniture，\"however，seemedtooinconsistentwiththepork—barreltablehewaswritingon;amoreeloquentrenunciationoftheirofferbecamefrivolousandidioticfromacaricatureofUnionMills，labelandall，thatappearedsuddenlyontheothersideoftheleaf;andwhenheatlastinditedasatisfactoryandimpassionedexpositionofhisfeelings，thelegibleaddendumof\"Oh，ain’tyougladyou’reoutofthewilderness！\"——theforgottenfirstlineofapopularsong，whichnoscratchingwoulderase——
seemedtoolikeanironicalpostscripttobethoughtofforamoment。Hethrewasidehispenandcastthediscordantrecordofpastfoolishpastimeintothedeadashesofthehearth。
Howquietitwas。Withthecessationoftherainthewindtoohadgonedown，andscarcelyabreathofaircamethroughtheopendoor。
Hewalkedtothethresholdandgazedonthehushedprospect。Inthislistlessattitudehewasfaintlyconsciousofadistantreverberation，amerephantomofsound——perhapstheexplosionofadistantblastinthehills——thatleftthesilencemoremarkedandoppressive。Asheturnedagainintothecabinachangeseemedtohavecomeoverit。Italreadylookedoldanddecayed。Thelonelinessofyearsofdesertionseemedtohavetakenpossessionofit;theatmosphereofdryrotwasinthebeamsandrafters。Tohisexcitedfancythefewdisorderedblanketsandarticlesofclothingseemeddroppingtopieces;inoneofthebunkstherewasahideousresemblanceinthelongitudinalheapofclothingtoawitheredandmummiedcorpse。Soitmightlookinafteryearswhensomepassingstranger——buthestopped。Adreadoftheplacewasbeginningtocreepoverhim;adreadofthedaystocome，whenthemonotonoussunshineshouldlaybarethelonelinessofthesewalls;thelong，longdaysofendlessblueandcloudless，overhangingsolitude;
summerdayswhenthewearying，incessanttradewindsshouldsingaroundthatemptyshellandvoiceitsdesolation。Hegatheredtogetherhastilyafewarticlesthatwereespeciallyhisown——
ratherthatthefreecommunionofthecamp，fromindifferenceoraccident，hadleftwhollytohim。Hehesitatedforamomentoverhisrifle，but，scrupulousinhiswoundedpride，turnedawayandleftthefamiliarweaponthatinthedarkdayshadsooftenprovidedthedinnerorbreakfastofthelittlehousehold。Candorcompelsmetostatethathisequipmentwasnotlargenoreminentlypractical。Hisscantpackwasalightweightforevenhisyoungshoulders，butIfearhethoughtmoreofgettingawayfromthePastthanprovidingfortheFuture。
Withthisvaguebutsolepurposeheleftthecabin，andalmostmechanicallyturnedhisstepstowardsthecreekhehadcrossedthatmorning。Heknewthatbythisroutehewouldavoidmeetinghiscompanions;itsdifficultiesandcircuitousnesswouldexercisehisfeverishlimbsandgivehimtimeforreflection。Hehaddeterminedtoleavetheclaim，butwhencehehadnotyetconsidered。Hereachedthebankofthecreekwherehehadstoodtwohoursbefore;
itseemedtohimtwoyears。Helookedcuriouslyathisreflectioninoneofthebroadpoolsofoverflow，andfanciedhelookedolder。
HewatchedtherushandoutsetoftheturbidcurrenthurryingtomeettheSouthFork，andtoeventuallyloseitselfintheyellowSacramento。Eveninhispreoccupationhewasimpressedwithalikenesstohimselfandhiscompanionsinthisfloodthathadburstitspeacefulboundaries。Inthedriftingfragmentsofoneoftheirforgottenflumeswashedfromthebank，hefanciedhesawanomenofthedisintegrationanddecayoftheLoneStarclaim。
Thestrangehushintheairthathehadnoticedbefore——acalmsoinconsistentwiththathourandtheseasonastoseemportentous——
becamemoremarkedincontrasttothefeverishrushoftheturbulentwater—course。Afewcloudslazilyhuddledinthewestapparentlyhadgonetorestwiththesunonbedsofsomnolentpoppies。Therewasagleamasofgoldenwatereverywherealongthehorizon，washingoutthecoldsnowpeaks，anddrowningeventherisingmoon。Thecreekcaughtithereandthere，until，ingrimirony，itseemedtobeartheirbrokensluice—boxesanduselessenginesontheveryPactolianstreamtheyhadbeenhopefullycreatedtodirectandcarry。Butbysomepeculiartrickoftheatmosphere，theperfectplenitudeofthatgoldensunsetglorywaslavishedontheruggedsidesandtangledcrestoftheLoneStarmountain。Thatisolatedpeak，thelandmarkoftheirclaim，thegauntmonumentoftheirfolly，transfiguredintheeveningsplendor，keptitsradianceunquenchedlongaftertheglowhadfallenfromtheencompassingskies，andwhenatlasttherisingmoon，stepbystep，putoutthefiresalongthewindingvalleyandplains，andcreptuptheboskysidesofthecanyon，thevanishingsunsetwaslostonlytoreappearasagoldencrown。
Theeyesoftheyoungmanwerefixeduponitwithmorethanamomentarypicturesqueinterest。Ithadbeenthefavoritegroundofhisprospectingexploits，itslowestflankhadbeenscarredintheoldenthusiasticdayswithhydraulicengines，orpiercedwithshafts，butitscentralpositionintheclaimanditssuperiorheighthadalwaysgivenitacommandingviewoftheextentoftheirvalleyanditsapproaches，anditwasthispracticalpre—eminencethataloneattractedhimatthatmoment。Heknewthatfromitscresthewouldbeabletodistinguishthefiguresofhiscompanions，astheycrossedthevalleynearthecabin，inthegrowingmoonlight。
Thushecouldavoidencounteringthemonhiswaytothehighroad，andyetseethem，perhaps，forthelasttime。Eveninhissenseofinjurytherewasastrangesatisfactioninthethought。
Theascentwastoilsome，butfamiliar。Allalongthedimtrailhewasaccompaniedbygentlermemoriesofthepast，thatseemed，likethefaintodorofspicedleavesandfragrantgrasseswetwiththerainandcrushedbeneathhisascendingtread，toexhalethesweeterperfumeinhisefforttosubdueorriseabovethem。Therewasthethicketofmanzanita，wheretheyhadbrokennoondaybreadtogether;
herewastherockbesidetheirmaidenshaft，wheretheyhadpouredawildlibationinboyishenthusiasmofsuccess;andheretheledgewheretheirfirstflag，aredshirtheroicallysacrificed，wasdisplayedfromalong—handledshoveltothegazeofadmirersbelow。
Whenheatlastreachedthesummit，themysterioushushwasstillintheair，asifinbreathlesssympathywithhisexpedition。Inthewest，theplainwasfaintlyilluminated，butdisclosednomovingfigures。Heturnedtowardstherisingmoon，andmovedslowlytotheeasternedge。Suddenlyhestopped。Anotherstepwouldhavebeenhislast！Hestooduponthecrumblingedgeofaprecipice。Alandsliphadtakenplaceontheeasternflank，leavingthegauntribsandfleshlessbonesofLoneStarmountainbareinthemoonlight。Heunderstoodnowthestrangerumbleandreverberationhehadheard;heunderstoodnowthestrangehushofbirdandbeastinbrakeandthicket！
Althoughasinglerapidglanceconvincedhimthattheslidehadtakenplaceinanunfrequentedpartofthemountain，aboveaninaccessiblecanyon，andreflectionassuredhimhiscompanionscouldnothavereachedthatdistancewhenittookplace，afeverishimpulseledhimtodescendafewrodsinthetrackoftheavalanche。Thefrequentrecurrenceofoutcropandanglemadethiscomparativelyeasy。Herehecalledaloud;thefeebleechoofhisownvoiceseemedonlyadullimpertinencetothesignificantsilence。Heturnedtoreascend;thefurrowedflankofthemountainbeforehimlayfullinthemoonlight。Tohisexcitedfancy，adozenluminousstar—likepointsintherockycrevicesstartedintolifeashefacedthem。Throwinghisarmovertheledgeabovehim，hesupportedhimselfforamomentbywhatappearedtobeaprojectionofthesolidrock。Ittrembledslightly。Asheraisedhimselftoitslevel，hisheartstoppedbeating。Itwassimplyafragmentdetachedfromtheoutcrop，lyinglooselyontheledgebutupholdinghimbyITSOWNWEIGHTONLY。Heexamineditwithtremblingfingers;theencumberingsoilfellfromitssidesandleftitssmoothedandwornprotuberancesglisteninginthemoonlight。Itwasvirgingold！
Lookingbackuponthatmomentafterwards，herememberedthathewasnotdazed，dazzled，orstartled。Itdidnotcometohimasadiscoveryoranaccident，astrokeofchanceoracapriceoffortune。Hesawitallinthatsuprememoment;Naturehadworkedouttheirpoordeduction。Whattheirfeebleengineshadessayedspasmodicallyandhelplesslyagainstthecurtainofsoilthathidthetreasure，theelementshadachievedwithmightierbutmorepatientforces。Theslowsappingofthewinterrainshadloosenedthesoilfromtheauriferousrock，evenwhiletheswollenstreamwascarryingtheirimpotentandshatteredenginestothesea。
Whatmatteredthathissinglearmcouldnotliftthetreasurehehadfound！Whatmatteredthattounfixthoseglitteringstarswouldstilltaxbothskillandpatience！Theworkwasdone，thegoalwasreached！evenhisboyishimpatiencewascontentwiththat。
Heroseslowlytohisfeet，unstrappedhislong—handledshovelfromhisback，secureditinthecrevice，andquietlyregainedthesummit。
Itwasallhisown！Hisownbyrightofdiscoveryunderthelawoftheland，andwithoutacceptingafavorfromTHEM。HerecalledeventhefactthatitwasHISprospectingonthemountainthatfirstsuggestedtheexistenceofgoldintheoutcropandtheuseofthehydraulic。HEhadneverabandonedthatbelief，whatevertheothershaddone。Hedweltsomewhatindignantlytohimselfonthiscircumstance，andhalfunconsciouslyfaceddefiantlytowardstheplainbelow。Butitwassleepingpeacefullyinthefullsightofthemoon，withoutlifeormotion。Helookedatthestars;itwasstillfarfrommidnight。Hiscompanionshadnodoubtlongsincereturnedtothecabintopreparefortheirmidnightjourney。Theywerediscussinghim，perhapslaughingathim，orworse，pityinghimandhisbargain。Yetherewashisbargain！Aslightlaughhegaveventtoherestartledhimalittle，itsoundedsohardandsounmirthful，andsounlike，asheoddlyfancied，whathereallyTHOUGHT。ButWHATdidhethink？
Nothingmeanorrevengeful;no，theyneverwouldsayTHAT。Whenhehadtakenoutallthesurfacegoldandputthemineinworkingorder，hewouldsendthemeachadraftforathousanddollars。Ofcourse，iftheywereeverillorpoorhewoulddomore。Oneofthefirst，theveryfirstthingsheshoulddowouldbetosendthemeachahandsomegunandtellthemthatheonlyaskedinreturntheold—fashionedriflethatoncewashis。Lookingbackatthemomentinafteryears，hewonderedthat，withthisexception，hemadenoplansforhisownfuture，orthewayheshoulddisposeofhisnewlyacquiredwealth。Thiswasthemoresingularasithadbeenthecustomofthefivepartnerstolieawakeatnight，audiblycomparingwitheachotherwhattheywoulddoincasetheymadeastrike。Herememberedhow，Alnaschar—like，theynearlyseparatedonceoveradifferenceinthedisposalofahundredthousanddollarsthattheyneverhad，norexpectedtohave。HerememberedhowUnionMillsalwaysbeganhiscareerasamillionnairebya\"squaremeal\"atDelmonico’s;howtheRightBower’sinitialstepwasalwaysatriphome\"toseehismother\";howtheLeftBowerwouldimmediatelyplacatetheparentsofhisbelovedwithpricelessgifts（itmaybeparentheticallyremarkedthattheparentsandthebelovedonewereashypotheticalasthefortune）;andhowtheJudgewouldmakehisfirststartasacapitalistbybreakingacertainfarobankinSacramento。Hehimselfhadbeenequallyeloquentinextravagantfancyinthosepennilessdays，hewhonowwasquitecoldandimpassivebesidethemoreextravagantreality。
Howdifferentitmighthavebeen！Iftheyhadonlywaitedadaylonger！iftheyhadonlybrokentheirresolvestohimkindlyandpartedingoodwill！Howhewouldlongerethishaverushedtogreetthemwiththejoyfulnews！Howtheywouldhavedancedaroundit，sungthemselveshoarse，laugheddowntheirenemies，andrunuptheflagtriumphantlyonthesummitoftheLoneStarMountain！Howtheywouldhavecrownedhim\"theOldMan，\"\"theheroofthecamp！\"
Howhewouldhavetoldthemthewholestory;howsomestrangeinstincthadimpelledhimtoascendthesummit，andhowanothersteponthatsummitwouldhaveprecipitatedhimintothecanyon！
Andhow——butwhatifsomebodyelse，UnionMillsortheJudge，hadbeenthefirstdiscoverer？Mighttheynothavemeanlykeptthesecretfromhim;haveselfishlyhelpedthemselvesanddone——
\"WhatYOUaredoingnow。\"
Thehotbloodrushedtohischeek，asifastrangevoicewereathisear。Foramomenthecouldnotbelievethatitcamefromhisownpalelipsuntilhefoundhimselfspeaking。Herosetohisfeet，tinglingwithshame，andbeganhurriedlytodescendthemountain。
Hewouldgotothem，tellthemofhisdiscovery，letthemgivehimhisshare，andleavethemforever。Itwastheonlythingtobedone，strangethathehadnotthoughtofitatonce。Yetitwashard，veryhardandcrueltobeforcedtomeetthemagain。Whathadhedonetosufferthismortification？Foramomentheactuallyhatedthisvulgartreasurethathadforeverburiedunderitsgrossponderabilitythelightandcarelesspast，andutterlycrushedoutthepoetryoftheirold，indolent，happyexistence。
HewassuretofindthemwaitingattheCrossRoadswherethecoachcamepast。Itwasthreemilesaway，yethecouldgetthereintimeifhehastened。Itwasawiseandpracticalconclusionofhisevening’swork，alameandimpotentconclusiontohisevening’sindignation。Nomatter。Theywouldperhapsatfirstthinkhehadcometoweaklyfollowthem，perhapstheywouldatfirstdoubthisstory。Nomatter。Hebithislipstokeepdownthefoolishrisingtears，butstillwentblindlyforward。
Hesawnotthebeautifulnight，cradledinthedarkhills，swathedinluminousmists，andhushedintheaweofitsownloveliness！
Hereandtherethemoonhadlaidhercalmfaceonlakeandoverflow，andgonetosleepembracingthem，untilthewholeplainseemedtobeliftedintoinfinitequiet。Walkingonasinadream，theblack，impenetrablebarriersofskirtingthicketsopenedandgavewaytovaguedistancesthatitappearedimpossibletoreach，dimvistasthatseemedunapproachable。Graduallyheseemedhimselftobecomeapartofthemysteriousnight。Hewasbecomingaspulseless，ascalm，aspassionless。
Whatwasthat？Ashotinthedirectionofthecabin！yetsofaint，soecholess，soineffectiveinthevastsilence，thathewouldhavethoughtithisfancybutforthestrangeinstinctivejaruponhissensitivenerves。Wasitanaccident，orwasitanintentionalsignaltohim？Hestopped;itwasnotrepeated，thesilencereasserteditself，butthistimewithanominousdeath—likesuggestion。Asuddenandterriblethoughtcrossedhismind。Hecastasidehispackandallencumberingweight，tookadeepbreath，loweredhisheadanddartedlikeadeerinthedirectionofthechallenge。
CHAPTERII
TheexodusofthesecedingpartnersoftheLoneStarclaimhadbeenscarcelyanimposingone。Forthefirstfiveminutesafterquittingthecabin，theprocessionwasstragglingandvagabond。
Unwontedexertionhadexaggeratedthelamenessofsome，andfeeblenessofmoralpurposehadpredisposedtheotherstoobtrusivemusicalexhibition。UnionMillslimpedandwhistledwithaffectedabstraction;theJudgewhistledandlimpedwithaffectedearnestness。TheRightBowerledthewaywithsomeshowofdefinitedesign;theLeftBowerfollowedwithhishandsinhispockets。Thetwofeeblernatures，drawntogetherinunconscioussympathy，lookedvaguelyateachotherforsupport。
\"Yousee，\"saidtheJudge，suddenly，asiftriumphantlyconcludinganargument，\"thereain’tanythingbetterforayoungfellowthanindependence。Nature，sotospeak，pointstheway。Lookattheanimals。\"
\"There’saskunkhereabouts，\"saidUnionMills，whowassupposedtobegiftedwitharistocraticallysensitivenostrils，\"withintenmilesofthisplace;likeasnotcrossingtheRidge。It’salwaysmylucktohappenoutjustatsuchtimes。Idon’tseethenecessityanyhowoftrapesingroundtheclaimnow，ifwecalculatetoleaveitto—night。\"
BothmenwaitedtoobserveifthesuggestionwastakenupbytheRightandLeftBowermoodilyploddingahead。Noresponsefollowing，theJudgeshamelesslyabandonedhiscompanion。
\"Youwouldn’tstandsnoopin’roundinsteadoflettin’theOldMangetusedtotheideaalone？No;Icouldseeallalongthathewastakin’itin，takin’itin，kindlybutslowly，andIreckonedthebestthingforustodowastogitupandgituntilhe’dgotroundit。\"TheJudge’svoicewasslightlyraisedforthebenefitofthetwobeforehim。
\"Didn’thesay，\"remarkedtheRightBower，stoppingsuddenlyandfacingtheothers，\"didn’thesaythatthatnewtraderwasgoin’tolethimhavesomeprovisionsanyway？\"
UnionMillsturnedappealinglytotheJudge;thatgentlemanwasforcedtoreply，\"Yes;Irememberdistinctlyhesaidit。ItwasoneofthethingsIwasparticularaboutonhisaccount，\"respondedtheJudge，withtheairofhavingarrangeditallhimselfwiththenewtrader。\"IrememberIwaseasierinmymindaboutit。\"
\"Butdidn’thesay，\"queriedtheLeftBower，alsostoppingshort，\"suthin’aboutit’sbeingcontingentonourdoingsomeworkontherace？\"
TheJudgeturnedforsupporttoUnionMills，who，however，underthehollowpretenseofpreparingforalongconference，hadluxuriouslyseatedhimselfonastump。TheJudgesatdownalso，andreplied，hesitatingly，\"Well，yes！Usorhim。\"
\"Usorhim，\"repeatedtheRightBower，withgloomyirony。\"Andyouain’tquiteclearinyourmind，areyou，ifYOUhaven’tdonetheworkalready？You’rejustkillingyourselfwiththisspontaneous，promiscuous，andprematureoverwork;that’swhat’sthematterwithyou。\"
\"IreckonIheardsomebodysaysuthin’aboutit’sbeingaChinaman’sthree—dayjob，\"interpolatedtheLeftBower，withequalirony，\"butIain’tquiteclearinmymindaboutthat。\"
\"It’llbeasorterdistractionfortheOldMan，\"saidUnionMills，feebly——\"kindertakehismindoffhisloneliness。\"
Nobodytakingtheleastnoticeoftheremark，unionMillsstretchedouthislegsmorecomfortablyandtookouthispipe。HehadscarcelydonesowhentheRightBower，wheelingsuddenly，setoffinthedirectionofthecreek。TheLeftBower，afteraslightpause，followedwithoutaword。TheJudge，wiselyconceivingitbettertojointhestrongerparty，ranfeeblyafterhim，andleftUnionMillstobringupaweakandvacillatingrear。
Theircourse，divergingfromLoneStarMountain，ledthemnowdirectlytothebendofthecreek，thebaseoftheiroldineffectualoperations。Herewasthebeginningofthefamoustail—
racethatskirtedthenewtrader’sclaim，andthenlostitswayinaswampyhollow。Itwaschokedwithdebris;athin，yellowstreamthatonceranthroughitseemedtohavestoppedworkwhentheydid，andgoneintogreenishliquidation。
Theyhadscarcelyspokenduringthisbriefjourney，andhadreceivednootherexplanationfromtheRightBower，wholedthem，thanthataffordedbyhismuteexamplewhenhereachedtherace。
Leapingintoitwithoutaword，heatoncebegantoclearawaythebrokentimbersanddriftwood。Firedbythespectacleofwhatappearedtobeanewandutterlyfrivolousgame，themengaylyleapedafterhim，andweresoonengagedinafascinatingstrugglewiththeimpededrace。TheJudgeforgothislamenessinspringingoverabrokensluice—box;UnionMillsforgothiswhistleinahappyimitationofaChinesecoolie’ssong。Nevertheless，aftertenminutesofthismilddissipation，thepastimeflagged;UnionMillswasbeginningtorubhislegwhenadistantrumbleshooktheearth。
Themenlookedateachother;thediversionwascomplete;alanguiddiscussionoftheprobabilitiesofitsbeinganearthquakeorablastfollowed，inthemidstofwhichtheRightBower，whowasworkingalittleinadvanceoftheothers，utteredawarningcryandleapedfromtherace。Hiscompanionshadbarelytimetofollowbeforeasuddenandinexplicableriseinthewatersofthecreeksentaswiftirruptionofthefloodthroughtherace。Inaninstantitschokedandimpededchannelwascleared，theracewasfree，andthescattereddebrisoflogsandtimberfloateduponitseasycurrent。Quicktotakeadvantageofthislabor—savingphenomenon，theLoneStarpartnerssprangintothewater，andbydisentanglinganddirectingtheeddyingfragmentscompletedtheirwork。
\"TheOldManoughterbeenheretoseethis，\"saidtheLeftBower;
\"it’sjustoneo’themclimaxesofpoeticjusticehe’salwayshuntin’up。It’seasytoseewhat’shappened。Oneo’themhigh—
tonedshrimpsoverintheExcelsiorclaimhasputablastintoonearthecreek。He’stumbledthebankintothecreekandsentthebackwaterdownherejusttowashoutourrace。That’swhatIcallpoeticalretribution。\"
\"Andwhowasitadvisedustodamthecreekbelowtheraceandmakeitdothething？\"askedtheRightBower，moodily。
\"ThatwasoneoftheOldMan’sideas，Ireckon，\"saidtheLeftBower，dubiously。
\"Andyouremember，\"brokeintheJudgewithanimation，\"Iallussaid，’Goslow，goslow。Youjustholdonandsuthin’willhappen。’And，\"headded，triumphantly，\"youseesuthin’hashappened。Idon’twanttotakecredittomyself，butIreckonedonthemExcelsiorboysbein’fools，andtookthechances。\"
\"AndwhatifIhappentoknowthattheExcelsiorboysain’tblastin’to—day？\"saidtheRightBower，sarcastically。
AstheJudgehadevidentlybasedhishypothesisontheallegedfactofablast，hedeftlyevadedthepoint。\"Iain’tsayingtheOldMan’sheadain’tlevelonsomethings;hewantsalittlemoresabeoftheworld。He’simprovedagooddealineuchrelately，andinpoker——well！he’sgotthatsorterdreamy，listenin’—to—the—angelskindo’waythatyoucan’texactlytellwhetherhe’sbluffin’orhasgotafullhand。Hasn’the？\"heasked，appealingtoUnionMills。
Butthatgentleman，whohadbeenwatchingthedarkfaceoftheRightBower，preferredtotakewhathebelievedtobehiscuefromhim。\"Thatain’tthequestion，\"hesaidvirtuously;\"weain’ttakin’thissteptomakeacardsharpoutofhim。We’renotdoin’
Chinamen’sworkinthisraceto—dayforthat。No，sir！We’reteachin’himtopaddlehisowncanoe。\"NotfindingthesympatheticresponsehelookedforintheRightBower’sface，heturnedtotheLeft。
\"Ireckonwewereteachin’himourcanoewastoofull，\"wastheLeftBower’sunexpectedreply。\"That’saboutthesizeofit。\"
TheRightBowershotarapidglanceunderhisbrowsathisbrother。
Thelatter，withhishandsinhispockets，staredunconsciouslyattherushingwaters，andthenquietlyturnedaway。TheRightBowerfollowedhim。\"Areyougoin’backonus？\"heasked。
\"Areyou？\"respondedtheother。
\"No！\"
\"NO，thenitis，\"returnedtheLeftBowerquietly。Theelderbrotherhesitatedinhalf—angryembarrassment。
\"Thenwhatdidyoumeanbysayingwereckonedourcanoewastoofull？\"
\"Wasn’tthatouridea？\"returnedtheLeftBower，indifferently。
Confoundedbythispracticalexpressionofhisownunformulatedgoodintentions，theRightBowerwasstaggered。
\"Speakin’oftheOldMan，\"brokeintheJudge，withcharacteristicinfelicity，\"Ireckonhe’llsorto’missus，timeslikethese。Wewereallersrunnin’himandbedevilin’him，afterwork，justtogethimexcitedandamusin’，andhe’llkindermissthatsorto’
stimulatin’。Ireckonwe’llmissittoo，somewhat。Don’tyouremember，boys，thenightweputupthatlittlesellonhimandmadehimbelievewe’dstruckitrichinthebankofthecreek，andgothimsoconceited，hewantedtogooffandsettleallourdebtsatonce？\"
\"AndhowIcamebustin’intothecabinwithapanfullofironpyritesandblacksand，\"chuckledUnionMills，continuingthereminiscences，\"andhowthembiggrayeyesofhisnearlybulgedoutofhishead。Well，it’ssomesatisfactiontoknowwedidourdutybytheyoungfelloweveninthoselittlethings。\"HeturnedforconfirmationoftheirgeneraldisinterestednesstotheRightBower，buthewasalreadystridingaway，uneasilyconsciousofthelazyfollowingoftheLeftBower，likealaggardconscienceathisback。
ThismovementagainthrewUnionMillsandtheJudgeintofeeblecomplicityintherear，astheprocessionslowlystraggledhomewardfromthecreek。
Nighthadfallen。TheirwaylaythroughtheshadowofLoneStarMountain，deepenedhereandtherebytheslight，boskyridgesthat，startingfromitsbase，creptacrosstheplainlikevastrootsofitsswellingtrunk。Theshadowsweregrowingblackerasthemoonbegantoassertitselfovertherestofthevalley，whentheRightBowerhaltedsuddenlyononeoftheseridges。TheLeftBowerloungeduptohim，andstoppedalso，whilethetwootherscameupandcompletedthegroup。
\"There’snolightintheshanty，\"saidtheRightBowerinalowvoice，halftohimselfand，halfinanswertotheirinquiringattitude。Themenfollowedthedirectionofhisfinger。InthedistancetheblackoutlineoftheLoneStarcabinstoodoutdistinctlyintheilluminedspace。Therewastheblank，sightless，externalglitterofmoonlightonitstwowindowsthatseemedtoreflectitsdimvacancy，emptyalikeoflight，andwarmth，andmotion。
\"That’ssing’lar，\"saidtheJudgeinanawedwhisper。
TheLeftBower，bysimplyalteringthepositionofhishandsinhistrousers’pockets，managedtosuggestthatheknewperfectlythemeaningofit，hadalwaysknownit;butthatbeingnow，sotospeak，inthehandsofFate，hewascalloustoit。Thismuch，atleast，theelderbrotherreadinhisattitude。ButanxietyatthatmomentwasthecontrollingimpulseoftheRightBower，asacertainsuperstitiousremorsewastheinstinctofthetwoothers，andwithoutheedingthecynic，thethreestartedatarapidpaceforthecabin。
Theyreacheditsilently，asthemoon，nowridinghighintheheavens，seemedtotouchitwiththetendergraceandhushedreposeofatomb。ItwaswithsomethingofthisfeelingthattheRightBowersoftlypushedopenthedoor;itwaswithsomethingofthisdreadthatthetwootherslingeredonthethreshold，untiltheRightBower，aftervainlytryingtostirthedeadembersonthehearthintolifewithhisfoot，struckamatchandlittheirsolitarycandle。Itsflickeringlightrevealedthefamiliarinteriorunchangedinaughtbutonething。ThebunkthattheOldManhadoccupiedwasstrippedofitsblankets;thefewcheapornamentsandphotographsweregone;therudepovertyofthebareboardsandscantpalletlookedupatthemunrelievedbythebrightfaceandgraciousyouththathadoncemadethemtolerable。Inthegrimironyofthatexposure，theirownpenurywasdoublyconscious。
Thelittleknapsack，theteacupandcoffee—potthathadhungnearhisbed，weregonealso。Themostindignantprotest，themostpatheticofthelettershehadcomposedandrejected，whosetornfragmentsstilllitteredthefloor，couldneverhavespokenwiththeeloquenceofthisemptyspace！Themenexchangednowords：thesolitudeofthecabin，insteadofdrawingthemtogether，seemedtoisolateeachoneinselfishdistrustoftheothers。EventheunthinkinggarrulityofUnionMillsandtheJudgewaschecked。A
momentlater，whentheLeftBowerenteredthecabin，hispresencewasscarcelynoticed。
ThesilencewasbrokenbyajoyousexclamationfromtheJudge。HehaddiscoveredtheOldMan’srifleinthecorner，whereithadbeenatfirstoverlooked。\"Heain’tgoneyet，gentlemen——foryer’shisrifle，\"hebrokein，withafeverishreturnofvolubility，andahighexcitedfalsetto。\"Hewouldn’thaveleftthisbehind。No！I
knoweditfromthefirst。He’sjustoutsideabit，foragingforwoodandwater。No，sir！ComingalonghereIsaidtoUnionMills——
didn’tI？——’BetyourlifetheOldMan’snotfaroff，evenifheain’tinthecabin。’Why，themomentIsteppedfoot——\"
\"AndIsaidcomingalong，\"interruptedUnionMills，withequallyrevivingmendacity，’Likeasnothe’shangin’roundyerandlyin’
lowjusttogiveusasurprise。’He！ho！\"
\"He’sgoneforgood，andheleftthatriflehereonpurpose，\"saidtheLeftBowerinalowvoice，takingtheweaponalmosttenderlyinhishands。
\"Dropit，then！\"saidtheRightBower。Thevoicewasthatofhisbrother，butsuddenlychangedwithpassion。Thetwootherpartnersinstinctivelydrewbackinalarm。
\"I’llnotleaveithereforthefirstcomer，\"saidtheLeftBower，calmly，\"becausewe’vebeenfoolsandhetoo。It’stoogoodaweaponforthat。\"
\"Dropit，Isay！\"saidtheRightBower，withasavagestridetowardshim。
Theyoungerbrotherbroughttherifletoahalfchargewithawhitefacebutasteadyeye。
\"Stopwhereyouare！\"hesaidcollectedly。\"Don’trowwithME，becauseyouhaven’teitherthegrittosticktoyourideasorthehearttoconfessthemwrong。We’vefollowedyourlead，and——hereweare！Thecamp’sbrokenup——theOldMan’sgone——andwe’regoing。
Andasforthed————drifle——\"
\"Dropit，doyouhear！\"shoutedtheRightBower，clingingtothatoneideawiththeblindpertinacityofrageandalosingcause。
\"Dropit！\"
TheLeftBowerdrewback，buthisbrotherhadseizedthebarrelwithbothhands。Therewasamomentarystruggle，aflashthroughthehalf—lightedcabin，andashatteringreport。Thetwomenfellbackfromeachother;therifledroppedonthefloorbetweenthem。
Thewholethingwasoversoquicklythattheothertwopartnershadnothadtimetoobeytheircommonimpulsetoseparatethem，andconsequentlyevennowcouldscarcelyunderstandwhathadpassed。
Itwasoversoquicklythatthetwoactorsthemselveswalkedbacktotheirplaces，scarcelyrealizingtheirownact。
Adeadsilencefollowed。TheJudgeandUnionMillslookedateachotherindazedastonishment，andthennervouslysetabouttheirformerhabits，apparentlyinthatfatuousbeliefcommontosuchnatures，thattheywereignoringapainfulsituation。TheJudgedrewthebarreltowardshim，pickedupthecards，andbeganmechanicallyto\"makeapatience，\"onwhichUnionMillsgazedwithostentatiousinterest，butwitheyesfurtivelyconsciousoftherigidfigureoftheRightBowerbythechimneyandtheabstractedfaceoftheLeftBoweratthedoor。Tenminuteshadpassedinthisoccupation，theJudgeandUnionMillsconversinginthefurtivewhispersofchildrenunavoidablybutfascinatedlypresentatafamilyquarrel，whenalightstepwashearduponthecracklingbrushwoodoutside，andthebrightpantingfaceoftheOldManappeareduponthethreshold。Therewasashoutofjoy;inanothermomenthewashalf—buriedinthebosomoftheRightBower’sshirt，half—draggedintothelapoftheJudge，upsettingthebarrel，andcompletelyencompassedbytheLeftBowerandUnionMills。Withtheenthusiasticutteranceofhisnamethespellwasbroken。
Happilyunconsciousofthepreviousexcitementthathadprovokedthisspontaneousunanimityofgreeting，theOldMan，equallyrelieved，atoncebrokeintoafeverishannouncementofhisdiscovery。Hepaintedthedetails，with，Ifear，aslightexaggerationofcoloring，duepartlytohisownexcitement，andpartlytojustifytheirown。Buthewasstrangelyconsciousthatthesebankruptmenappearedlesselatedwiththeirpersonalinterestintheirstrokeoffortunethanwithhisownsuccess。\"Itoldyouhe’ddoit，\"saidtheJudge，witharecklessunscrupulousnessofstatementthatcarriedeverybodywithit;\"lookathim！thegamelittlepup。\"\"Ohno！heain’ttherightbreed，ishe？\"echoedUnionMillswitharchirony，whiletheRightandLeftBower，graspingeitherhand，pressedaproudbutsilentgreetingthatwashalfnewtohim，butwhollydelicious。Itwasnotwithoutdifficultythathecouldatlastprevailuponthemtoreturnwithhimtothesceneofhisdiscovery，oreventhenrestrainthemfromattemptingtocarryhimthitherontheirshouldersonthepleaofhispreviousprolongedexertions。Onceonlytherewasamomentaryembarrassment。\"Thenyoufiredthatshottobringmeback？\"saidtheOldMan，gratefully。
Intheawkwardsilencethatfollowed，thehandsofthetwobrotherssoughtandgraspedeachother，penitently。\"Yes，\"interposedtheJudge，withdelicatetact，\"yeseetheRightandLeftBoweralmostquarreledtoseewhichshouldbethefirsttofireforye。I
disrememberwhichdid\"——\"Inevertouchedthetrigger，\"saidtheLeftBower，hastily。Withahurriedbackwardkick，theJudgeresumed，\"Itwentoffsorterspontaneous。\"
ThedifferenceinthesentimentoftheprocessionthatoncemoreissuedfromtheLoneStarcabindidnotfailtoshowitselfineachindividualpartneraccordingtohistemperament。ThesubtletactofUnionMills，however，inexpressinganawakenedrespectfortheirfortunatepartnerbyaddressinghim，asifunconsciously，as\"Mr。Ford\"wasatfirstdiscomposing，buteventhiswasforgottenintheirbreathlessexcitementastheynearedthebaseofthemountain。WhentheyhadcrossedthecreektheRightBowerstoppedreflectively。
\"Yousayyouheardtheslidecomedownbeforeyouleftthecabin？\"
hesaid，turningtotheOldMan。
\"Yes;butIdidnotknowthenwhatitwas。Itwasaboutanhourandahalfafteryouleft，\"wasthereply。
\"Thenlookhere，boys，\"continuedtheRightBowerwithsuperstitiousexultation;\"itwastheSLIDEthattumbledintothecreek，overflowedit，andhelpedUSclearouttherace！\"
ItseemedsoclearthatProvidencehadtakenthepartnersoftheLoneStardirectlyinhandthattheyfacedthetoilsomeascentofthemountainwiththeassuranceofconquerors。TheypausedonlyonthesummittoallowtheOldMantoleadthewaytotheslopethatheldtheirtreasure。Headvancedcautiouslytotheedgeofthecrumblingcliff，stopped，lookedbewildered，advancedagain，andthenremainedwhiteandimmovable。InaninstanttheRightBowerwasathisside。
\"Isanythingthematter？Don’t——don’tlookso，OldMan，forGod’ssake！\"
TheOldManpointedtothedull，smooth，blacksideofthemountain，withoutacrag，break，orprotuberance，andsaidwithashenlips：——
\"It’sgone！\"……
Anditwasgone！ASECONDslidehadtakenplace，strippingtheflankofthemountain，andburyingthetreasureandtheweakimplementthathadmarkeditssidedeepunderachaosofrockanddebrisatitsbase。
\"ThankGod！\"TheblankfacesofhiscompanionsturnedquicklytotheRightBower。\"ThankGod！\"herepeated，withhisarmroundtheneckoftheOldMan。\"Hadhestayedbehindhewouldhavebeenburiedtoo。\"Hepaused，and，pointingsolemnlytothedepthsbelow，said，\"AndthankGodforshowinguswherewemayyetlaborforitinhopeandpatiencelikehonestmen。\"
Themensilentlybowedtheirheadsandslowlydescendedthemountain。Butwhentheyhadreachedtheplainoneofthemcalledouttotheotherstowatchastarthatseemedtoberisingandmovingtowardsthemoverthehushedandsleepingvalley。
\"It’sonlythestagecoach，boys，\"saidtheLeftBower，smiling;
\"thecoachthatwastotakeusaway。\"
Inthesecurityoftheirnew—foundfraternitytheyresolvedtowaitandseeitpass。Asitsweptbywithflashoflight，beatofhoofs，andjingleofharness，theonlyrealpresenceinthedreamylandscape，thedrivershoutedahoarsegreetingtothephantompartners，audibleonlytotheJudge，whowasnearestthevehicle。
\"Didyouhear——DIDyouhearwhathesaid，boys？\"hegasped，turningtohiscompanions。\"No！Shakehandsallround，boys！Godblessyouall，boys！Tothinkwedidn’tknowitallthiswhile！\"
\"Knowwhat？\"
\"MerryChristmas！\"