Mrs。Bunkercastahastyglancearoundher，andpressedthelettertoherlips。Itwasasuddenconsummationofhervaguest，half—
formedwishes，therealizationofherwildestdreams！Tobetheconfidanteofthegallantbutmelancholyheroinhislonelyexileandpersecutionwastosatisfyalltheunformulatedromanticfanciesofhergirlishreading;tobelater，perhaps，theFloraMacdonaldofamiddle—agedPrinceCharliedidnot，however，evokeanyludicrousassociationsinhermind。Herfemininefancyexaltedtheescapedduelistandallegedassassinintoasocialmartyr。Hisactualsmallpoliticalintriguesandignobleaimsofofficeseemedtoherlittledifferentfromthoseaspirationsofroyaltywhichshehadreadabout——asperhapstheywere。Indeed，itistobefearedthatinfoolishlittleMrs。Bunker，WynyardMarionhadfoundtheoldfeminineadorationofpretensionandprivilegewhicheveryrascalhastakenadvantageofsincetheflood。
Howbeit，thenextmorningaftershehadreturnedandZephashadsailedaway，sheflewaredbandanahandkerchiefonthelittleflagstaffbeforethehouse。Afewhourslater，aboatappearedmysteriouslyfromaroundthePoint。Itsonlyoccupant——acommonsailor——askedhername，andhandedherasealedpackage。Mrs。
Bunker’sinventionhadalreadybeenatwork。ShehadcreatedanauntinMexico，forwhomshehad，withsomeostentation，madesomesmallpurchaseswhileinSanFrancisco。WhenherhusbandspokeofgoingasfarsouthasTodosSantos，shebeggedhimtodelivertheparceltoheraunt’smessenger，andevenaddresseditboldlytoher。InsidetheouterwrappershewroteanotetoMarion，which，withanewandamazingdiffidence，shecomposedandalteredadozentimes，atlastaddressingthefollowinginalarge，school—girlhand：\"Sir，Iobeyyourcommandstothelast。Whateveryouroppressorsorenemiesmaydo，youcanalwaysrelyandtrustuponShewhoindeepestsympathysignsherselfever，MollieRosalieMacEwan。\"Thesubstitutionofhermaidennameinfullseemedinhersimplicitytobeadelicateexclusionofherhusbandfromtheaffair，andacertaindisguiseofherselftoalieneyes。Thesuperscription，\"ToMrs。MarionMacEwanfromMollieBunker，tobecalledforbyhandatTodosSantos，\"alsostruckherasamarvelofingenuity。ThepackagewassafelyandpunctuallydeliveredbyZephas，whobroughtbackasmallpacketdirectedtoher，whichonprivateexaminationprovedtocontainaletteraddressedto\"J。E。
Kirby，tobecalledfor，\"withthehurriedline：\"Athousandthanks，W。M。\"Mrs。Bunkerdrewalong，quickbreath。Hemighthavewrittenmore;hemighthave——butthewishremainedstillunformulated。Thenextdaysheranupasignal;thesameboatandsolitaryrowerappearedaroundthePoint，andtookthepackage。A
weeklater，whenherhusbandwasreadyforsea，sheagainhoistedhersignal。ItbroughtareturnpackageforMexico，whichsheinclosedandreaddressed，andgavetoherhusband。TherecurrenceofthisincidentapparentlystruckabrightideafromthesimpleZephas。
\"Lookhere，Mollie，whydon’tyoucomeYOURSELFandseeyouraunt。
Ican’tgointoportwithoutalicense，andthemportchargescostaheapo’redtape，forthey’vegotaFilibusterscareondowntherejustnow，butyoucangoashoreintheboatandI’llgetpermissionfromtheSecretarytostandoffandwaitforyoutherefortwenty—fourhours。\"Mrs。Bunkerflushedandpaledatthethought。Shecouldseehim！Theletterwouldbesufficientexcuse，thedistrustsuggestedbyherhusbandwouldgivecolortoherdeliveringitinperson。TherewasperhapsabrieftwingeofconscienceintakingthisadvantageofZephas’kindness，butthenextmoment，withthatpeculiarlogicknownonlytothesex，shemadetheunfortunateman’ssuggestionacondonationofherdeceit。
SHEhadn’taskedtogo;HEhadofferedtotakeher。Hehadonlyhimselftothank。
Meantimethepoliticalexcitementinwhichshehadbecomeapartisanwithoutunderstandingorevenconviction，presentlyculminatedwiththePresidentialcampaignandtheelectionofAbrahamLincoln。TheintriguesofSouthernstatesmenwererevealedinopenexpression，andechoedinCaliforniabythosecitizensofSouthernbirthandextractionwhohadlong，heldplace，power，andopinionthere。Therewererumorsofsecession，ofCaliforniajoiningtheSouth，orofherfoundinganindependentPacificEmpire。Anotefrom\"J。E。Kirby\"informedMrs。Bunkerthatshewastocarefullyretainanycorrespondencethatmightbeinherhandsuntilfurtherorders，almostatthesametimethatZephasasregretfullytoldherthathisprojectedSoutherntriphadbeensuspended。Mrs。Bunkerwasdisappointed，andyet，insomesingularconditionsofherfeelings，feltrelievedthathermeetingwithMarionwaspostponed。Itistobefearedthatsomedimconviction，unworthyapartisan，thatinthemagnitudeofpoliticaleventsherownpettypersonalitymightbeoverlookedbyherherotendedsomewhattoherresignation。
Meanwhiletheseasonshadchanged。Thewinterrainshadsetin;
thetradewindshadshiftedtothesoutheast，andthecottage，althoughstrengthened，enlarged，andmademorecomfortablethroughthegoodfortunesoftheBunkers，wasnolongershelteredbythecliff，butwasexposedtothefullstrengthofthePacificgales。
Therewerelongnightswhenshecouldheartherainfallmonotonouslyontheshingles，orstartleherwithashort，sharpreveilleenthewindows;therewerebriefdaysofflyingcloudsanddriftingsunshine，andintervalsofdullgrayshadow，whentheheavingwhitebreakersbeyondtheGateslowlyliftedthemselvesandsankbeforeherlikewraithsofwarning。Atsuchtimes，inheracceptedsolitude，Mrs。Bunkergaveherselfuptostrangemoodsandsingularvisions;themoreaudaciousandmorestrikingitseemedtoherfromtheirveryremoteness，andthedifficultyshewasbeginningtohaveinmaterializingthem。TheactualpersonalityofWynyardMarion，assheknewitinheroneinterview，hadbecomeveryshadowyandfaintinthemonthsthatpassed，yetwhenthedayswereheavyshesometimessawherselfstandingbyhissideinsomevaguetropicalsurroundings，andhailedbythemultitudeasthefaithfulwifeandconsortofthegreatLeader，President，Emperor——sheknewnotwhat！
Exactlyhowthiswastobemanaged，andthemannerofZephas’
effacementfromthescene，nevertroubledherchildishfancy，and，itisbutfairtosay，herwoman’sconscience。Inthelogicbeforealludedto，itseemedtoherthatallethicalresponsibilityforheractionsrestedwiththehusbandwhohadundulymarriedher。Norwerethosevisionsalwaysroseate。Inthewilddeclamationofthatexcitingepochwhichfilledthenewspaperstherewastalkofshortshriftwithtraitors。Sothereweredayswhenthesuddenonsetofasquallofhailagainstherwindowcausedhertostartasifshehadheardthesharpfusilladeofthatfileofmusketsofwhichshehadsometimesreadinhistory。
Onedayshehadasingularfright。Shehadheardthesoundofoarsfallingwithaprecisionandregularityunknowntoher。Shewasstartledtoseetheapproachofalargeeight—oaredbargerowedbymeninuniform，withtwoofficerswrappedincloaksinthesternsheets，andbeforethemtheglitterofmusketbarrels。Thetwoofficersappearedtobeconversingearnestly，andoccasionallypointingtotheshoreandthebluffabove。Foraninstantshetrembled，andthenaninstinctofrevoltandresistancefollowed。
Shehurriedlyremovedthering，whichsheusuallyworewhenalone，fromherfinger，slippeditwiththepacketunderthemattressofherbed，andpreparedwithblazingeyestofacetheintruders。Butwhentheboatwasbeached，thetwoofficers，withscarcelyaglancetowardsthecottage，proceededleisurelyalongtheshore。Relieved，yetitmustbeconfessedalittlepiquedattheirindifference，shesnatchedupherhatandsalliedforthtoconfrontthem。
\"Isupposeyoudon’tknowthatthisisprivateproperty？\"shesaidsharply。
Thegrouphaltedandturnedtowardsher。Theorderly，whowasfollowing，turnedhisfaceasideandsmiled。Theyoungerofficerdemurelyliftedhiscap。Theelder，gray，handsome，inageneral’suniform，afteramoment’shalf—astounded，half—amusedscrutinyofthelittlefigure，gravelyraisedhisgauntletedfingersinamilitarysalute。
\"Ibegyourpardon，madam，butIamafraidwenevereventhoughtofthat。WearemakingapreliminarysurveyfortheGovernmentwithapossibleviewoffortifyingthebluff。Itisverydoubtfulifyouwillbedisturbedinanyrightsyoumayhave，butifyouare，theGovernmentwillnotfailtomakeitgoodtoyou。\"Heturnedcarelesslytotheaidebesidehim。\"Isupposethebluffisquiteinaccessiblefromhere？\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，general。TheysaythatMarion，afterhekilledHenderson，escapeddownthisway，\"saidtheyoungman。
\"Indeed，whatgoodwasthat？Howdidhegetawayfromhere？\"
\"TheysaythatMrs。Fairfaxwashangingroundinaboat，waitingforhim。Thestoryoftheescapeisalloutnow。\"
TheymovedawaywithaslightperfunctorybowtoMrs。Bunker，onlytheyoungerofficernotingthatthepert，prettylittleWesternwomanwasn’tassharpandsnappytohissuperiorasshehadatfirstpromisedtobe。
Sheturnedbacktothecottageastounded，angry，andvaguelyalarmed。WhowasthisMrs。Fairfaxwhohadusurpedherfameandsolitarydevotion？Therewasnowomanintheboatthattookhimoff;itwasequallywellknownthathewentintheshipalone。Iftheyhadheardthatsomewomanwaswithhimhere——whyshouldtheyhavesupposeditwasMrs。Fairfax？Zephasmightknowsomething——
buthewasaway。Thethoughthauntedherthatdayandthenext。
Onthethirdcameamorestartlingincident。
ShehadbeenwanderingalongtheedgeofherdomaininastateofrestlessnesswhichhaddrivenherfromthemonotonyofthehousewhensheheardthebarkingofthebigNewfoundlanddogwhichZephashadlatelyboughtforprotectionandcompany。Shelookedupandsawtheboatanditssolitaryroweratthelanding。Sheranquicklytothehousetobringthepacket。Assheenteredshestartedbackinamazement。Forthesitting—roomwasalreadyinpossessionofawomanwhowasseatedcalmlybythetable。
ThestrangerturnedonMrs。Bunkerthatfranklyinsolentglanceanddeliberateexaminationwhichonlyonewomancangiveanother。InthatglanceMrs。Bunkerfeltherselfinthepresenceofasuperior，evenifherowneyeshadnottoldherthatinbeauty，attire，andbearingtheintruderwasofatypeandconditionfarbeyondherown，oreventhatofanyshehadknown。ItwasthemorecrushingthattherealsoseemedtobeinthishaughtywomanthesameincongruousnessandsharpcontrasttotheplainandhomelysurroundingsofthecottagethatsherememberedinHIM。
\"Yo’awMrs。Bunker，Ibelieve，\"shesaidinlanguidSouthernaccents。\"Howdedoh？\"
\"IamMrs。Bunker，\"saidMrs。Bunkershortly。
\"AndsothisiswhereCunnleMarionstoppedwhenhewaitedfo’theboattotakehimoff，\"saidthestranger，glancinglazilyaround，anddelayingwithsmilinginsolencetheexplanationsheknewMrs。
Bunkerwasexpecting。\"Thecunnlesaiditwasapoohenoughplace，butIdon’tseeit。Ireckon，however，hewastooworriedtojudgeandgladenoughtogetoff。Yo’oughttohavemadehimtalk——hegenerallydon’twantmuchpromptingtotalktowomen，ifthey’repooty。\"
\"Hedidn’tseeminahurrytogo，\"saidMrs。Bunkerindignantly。
Thenextmomentshesawhererror，evenbeforethecruel，handsomesmileofherunbiddenguestrevealedit。
\"Ithoughtso，\"shesaidlazily;\"thisIStheplaceandhere’swherethecunnlestayed。Onlyyo’oughtn’thavegivenhimandyo’selfawaytothefirststrangerquitesoeasy。Thecunnlemighthavetaughtyo’THATthetwoorthreehourshewaswithyo’。\"
\"Whatdoyouwantwithme？\"demandedMrs。Bunkerangrily。
\"Iwantaletteryo’haveformefromCunnleMarion。\"
\"Ihavenothingforyou，\"saidMrs。Bunker。\"Idon’tknowwhoyouare。\"
\"Yououghtto，consideringyou’vebeenactingasmessengerbetweenthecunnleandme，\"saidtheladycoolly。
\"That’snottrue，\"saidMrs。Bunkerhotly，tocombataninwardsinking。
Theladyrosewithalazy，languidgrace，walkedtothedoorandcalledstilllazily，\"OPedro！\"
Thesolitaryrowerclambereduptherocksandappearedonthecottagethreshold。
\"Isthistheladywhogaveyouthelettersformeandtowhomyoutookmine？\"
\"Si，senora。\"
\"TheywereaddressedtoaMr。Kirby，\"saidMrs。Bunkersullenly。
\"HowwasItoknowtheywereforMrs。Kirby？\"
\"Mr。Kirby，Mrs。Kirby，andmyselfareallthesame。Youdon’tsupposethecunnlewouldgivemyrealnameandaddress？Didyouaddressyo’rpackettoHISrealnameortosomeoneelse。Didyouletyourhusbandknowwhotheywerefor？\"
Oddly，asickeningsenseofthemeannessofallthesedeceitsandsubterfugessuddenlycameoverMrs。Bunker。WithoutreplyingshewenttoherbedroomandreturnedwithColonelMarion’slastletter，whichshetossedintohervisitor’slap。
\"Thankyo’，Mrs。Bunker。I’llbesuretotellthecunnlehowcarefulyo’werenottogiveuphiscorrespondencetoeverybody。
It’llpleasehimmo’thantohearyo’arewearinghisring——whicheverybodyknows——beforepeople。\"
\"Hegaveittome——he——heknewIwouldn’ttakemoney，\"saidMrs。
Bunkerindignantly。
\"Hedidn’thaveanytogive，\"saidtheladyslowly，assheremovedtheenvelopefromherletterandlookedupwithadazzlingbutcruelsmile。\"ASo’th’ngentlemandon’tfilluphispocketswhenhegoesouttofight。Hedon’ttuckhismaw’sBibleinhisbreast—
pocket，claphisdearauntie’slocketbigasacheeseplateoverhisheart，norlethissoleleathercigyarcasethathisgyrlgavehimlieroundhiminspotswhenhegoesouttotakeanothergentleman’sfire。HeleavesthattoYanks！\"
\"Didyoucomeheretoinsultmyhusband？\"saidMrs。Bunkerintherageofdesperation。
\"Toinsultyo’husband！Well——Icameheretogetaletterthathiswifereceivedfromhispoliticalandnaturalenemyand——perhapsI
DID！\"WithasideglanceatMrs。Bunker’scrimsoncheeksheaddedcarelessly，\"IhavenothingagainstCaptainBunker;he’sastraightforwardmanandmustgowithhiskind。HehelpedthosehoundsofVigilantesbecausehebelievesinthem。Wecouldn’tbribehimifwewantedto。Andwedon’t。\"
Ifsheonlyknewsomethingofthiswoman’srelationstoMarion——
whichsheonlyinstinctivelysuspected——andcouldretaliateuponher，Mrs。Bunkerfeltshewouldhavegivenupherlifeatthatmoment。
\"ColonelMarionseemstofindplentythathecanbribe，\"shesaidroughly，\"andI’veyettoknowwhoYOUaretositinjudgmentonthem。You’vegotyourletter，takeitandgo！Whenhewantstosendyouanotherthroughme，somebodyelsemustcomeforit，notyou。That’sall！\"
Shedrewbackasiftolettheintruderpass，butthelady，withoutmovingamuscle，finishedthereadingofherletter，thenstoodupquietlyandbegancarefullytodrawherhandsomecloakoverhershoulders。\"Yo’wanttoknowwhoIam，Mrs。Bunker，\"shesaid，arrangingthevelvetcollarunderherwhiteovalchin。\"Well，I’maSo’th’nwomanfromFiginya，andI’mFiginyanfirst，last，andallthetime。\"Sheshookouthersleevesandthefoldsofhercloak。
\"IbelieveinStaterightsandslavery——ifyouknowwhatthatmeans。IhatetheNorth，IhatetheEast，IhatetheWest。IhatethisniggerGovernment，I’dkillthatmanLincolnquickerthanlightning！\"Shebegantodrawdownthefingersofhergloves，holdinghershapelyhandsuprightbeforeher。\"I’mhardandfasttotheCause。Igaveuphouseandniggersforit。\"Shebegantobuttonherglovesatthewristwithsomedifficulty，tightlysettingtogetherherbeautifullipsasshedidso。\"Igaveupmyhusbandforit，andIwenttothemanwholoveditbetterandhadriskedmoreforitthaneverhehad。CunnleMarion’smyfriend。
I’mMrs。Fairfax，JosephineHardeethatwas;HISdiscipleandfollower。Well，maybethosepuritanicalNo’th’nfolksmightgiveitanothername！\"
Shemovedslowlytowardsthedoor，butonthethresholdpaused，asColonelMarionhad，andcamebacktoMrs。Bunkerwithanoutstretchedhand。\"Idon’tseethatyo’andmeneedquo’ll。I
didn’tcomehereforthat。Icameheretoseeyo’rhusband，andseeingYO’Ithoughtitwasonlyrighttotalksquarelytoyo’，asyo’understandIWOULDN’Ttalktoyo’rhusband。Mrs。Bunker，I
wantyo’rhusbandtotakemeaway——Iwanthimtotakemetothecunnle。IfItriedtogoinanyotherwayI’dbewatched，spieduponandfollowed，andonlyleadthosehoundsonhistrack。I
don’texpectyo’toASKyo’husbandforme，butonlynottointerferewhenIdo。\"
TherewasatouchofunexpectedweaknessinhervoiceandalookofpaininhereyeswhichwasnotunlikewhatMrs。BunkerhadseenandpitiedinMarion。Buttheyweretheeyesofawomanwhohadhumbledher，andMrs。Bunkerwouldhavebeenunworthyhersexifshehadnotfeltacruelenjoymentinit。Yetthedominanceofthestrangerwasstillsostrongthatshedidnotdaretorefusetheprofferedhand。She，however，slippedtheringfromherfingerandlaiditinMrs。Fairfax’spalm。
\"Youcantakethatwithyou，\"shesaid，withadesperateattempttoimitatetheother’spreviousindifference。\"Ishouldn’tliketodepriveyouandYOURFRIENDoftheopportunityofmakinguseofitagain。AsforMYhusband，Ishallsaynothingofyoutohimaslongasyousaynothingtohimofme——whichIsupposeiswhatyoumean。\"
TheinsolentlookcamebacktoMrs。Fairfax’sface。\"Ireckonyo’
’reright，\"shesaidquietly，puttingtheringinherpocketasshefixedherdarkeyesonMrs。Bunker，\"andtheringmaybeofuseagain。Good—by，Mrs。Bunker。\"
Shewavedherhandcarelessly，andturningawaypassedoutofthehouse。Amomentlatertheboatanditstwooccupantspushedfromtheshore，anddisappearedroundthePoint。
ThenMrs。Bunkerlookedroundtheroom，anddownuponheremptyfinger，andknewthatitwastheendofherdream。Itwasallovernow——indeed，withthepictureofthatproud，insolentwomanbeforehershewonderedifithadeverbegun。ThiswasthewomanshehadallowedherselftothinkSHEmightbe。ThiswasthewomanHEwasthinkingofwhenhesatthere;thiswastheMrs。Fairfaxtheofficershadspokenof，andwhohadmadeher——Mrs。Bunker——thego—
betweenfortheirlove—making！Alltheworkthatshehaddoneforhim，thedeceitshehadpracticedonherhusband，wastobringhimandthiswomantogether！Andtheybothknewit，andhadnodoubtlaughedatherandherpretensions！
ItwaswithaburningcheekthatshethoughthowshehadintendedtogotoMarion，andimaginedherselfarrivingperhapstofindthatshamelesswomanalreadythere。Inhervagueunformulatedlongingsshehadneverbeforerealizedthedegradationintowhichherfoolishromancemightleadher。Shesawitnow;thathumiliatingmorallessonweareallapttoexperienceintheaccidentaldisplayofourownparticularvicesinthepersonwehate，shehadjustfeltinMrs。Fairfax’spresence。Withitcametheparalyzingfearofherhusband’sdiscoveryofhersecret。Secureasshehadbeeninherdullbeliefthathehadinsomewaywrongedherbymarryingher，sheforthefirsttimebegantodoubtifthiscondonedthedeceitshehadpracticedonhim。ThetributeMrs。Fairfaxhadpaidhim——thisappreciationofhisintegrityandhonestybyanenemyandawomanlikeherself——troubledher，frightenedher，andfilledherwithherfirstjealousy！Whatifthiswomanshouldtellhimall;
whatifsheshouldmakeuseofhimasMarionhadofher！ZephaswasastrongNorthernpartisan，butwasheproofagainsttheguilefulcharmsofsuchadevil？Shehadneverthoughtbeforeofquestioninghisfidelitytoher;shesuddenlyrememberednowsomeroughpleasantriesofCaptainSimmonsinregardtotheinconstancyofhiscalling。No！therewasbutonethingforhertodo：shewouldmakeacleanbreasttohim;shewouldtellhimeverythingshehaddoneexceptthefatalfancythatcompelledhertoit！Shebegantolookforhiscomingnowwithalternatehopeandfear——withunabatedimpatience！Thenightthatheshouldhavearrivedpassedslowly;morningcame，butnotZephas。Whenthemisthadliftedsheranimpatientlytotherocksandgazedanxiouslytowardsthelowerbay。Therewereafewgraysailsscarcedistinguishableabovethegrayerwater——buttheywerenothis。Sheglancedhalfmechanicallyseaward，andhereyesbecamesuddenlyfixed。Therewasnomistake！
Sheknewtherig！——shecouldseethefamiliarwhitelap—streakasthevesselcareenedonthestarboardtack——itwasherhusband’sschoonerslowlycreepingoutoftheGoldenGate！
PARTIII。
Herfirstwildimpulsewastoruntothecove，forthelittledingeyalwaysmooredthere，andtodesperatelyattempttoovertakehim。Buttheswiftconsciousnessofitsimpossibilitywasfollowedbyadull，bewilderingtorpor，thatkepthermotionless，helplesslyfollowingthevesselwithstrainingeyes，asiftheycouldevokesomeresponsefromitsdecks。Shewassolostinthisoccupationthatshedidnotseethatapilot—boatnearlyabreastofthecovehadputoutatwo—oaredgig，whichwaspullingquicklyfortherocks。Whenshesawit，shetrembledwiththeinstinctthatitbroughtherintelligence。Shewasright;itwasabriefnotefromherhusband，informingherthathehadbeenhurriedlydispatchedonashortseacruise;thatinordertocatchthetidehehadnottimetogoashoreatthebluff，buthewouldexplaineverythingonhisreturn。Herreliefwasonlypartial;shewasalreadyexperiencedenoughinhisvocationtoknowthattheexcusewasafeebleone。
Hecouldeasilyhave\"fetched\"thebluffintackingoutoftheGateandhavesignaledtohertoboardhiminherownboat。Thenextdayshelockedupherhouse，rowedroundthePointtotheEmbarcadero，wheretheBaysteamboatsoccasionallytouchedandtookuppassengerstoSanFrancisco。CaptainSimmonshadnotseenherhusbandthislasttrip;indeed，didnotknowthathehadgoneoutoftheBay。Mrs。Bunkerwasseizedwithadesperateidea。ShecalledupontheSecretaryoftheFishingTrust。Thatgentlemanwasbusiness—like，butneitherexpansivenorcommunicative。HerhusbandhadNOTbeenorderedouttoseabythem;sheoughttoknowthatCaptainBunkerwasnowhisownmaster，choosinghisownfishinggrounds，andhisowntimesandseasons。HewasnotawareofanysecretservicefortheCompanyinwhichCaptainBunkerwasengaged。HehopedMrs。Bunkerwoulddistinctlyrememberthatthelittlematterofthedueltowhichshereferredwasanoldbygoneaffair，andneveranythingbutapersonalmatter，inwhichtheFisheryhadnoconcernwhatever，andinwhichHEcertainlyshouldnotagainengage。HewouldadviseMrs。Bunker，ifshevaluedherowngood，andespeciallyherhusband’s，tospeedilyforgetallaboutit。Thesewereuglytimes，asitwas。IfMrs。Bunker’sserviceshadnotbeenproperlyrewardedorconsidereditwascertainlyagreatshame，butreallyHEcouldnotbeexpectedtomakeitgood。Certainpartieshadcosthimtroubleenoughalready。
Besides，really，shemustseethathispositionbetweenherhusband，whomherespected，andacertainotherpartywasadelicateone。ButMrs。Bunkerheardnomore。Sheturnedandrandownthestaircase，carryingwithheraburningcheekandblazingeyethatsomewhatstartledthecomplacentofficial。
Shedidnotrememberhowshegothomeagain。Shehadavaguerecollectionofpassingthroughthecrowdedstreets，wonderingifthepeopleknewthatshewasanoutcast，desertedbyherhusband，deceivedbyheridealhero，repudiatedbyherfriends！Menhadgatheredinknotsbeforethenewspaperoffices，excitedandgesticulatingoverthebulletinboardsthathadsuchstrangelegendsas\"TheCrisis，\"\"DetailsofanAllegedConspiracytoOverthrowtheGovernment，\"\"TheAssassinofHendersontotheForeAgain，\"\"RumoredArrestsontheMexicanFrontier。\"Sometimesshethoughtsheunderstoodthedriftofthem;evenfanciedtheyweretheoutcomeofhervisit——asifherverypresencecarriedtreacheryandsuspicionwithit——butgenerallytheyonlystruckherbenumbedsenseasadull，meaninglessechoofsomethingthathadhappenedlongago。Whenshereachedherhouse，latethatnight，thefamiliarsolitudeofshoreandseagaveheramomentaryrelief，butwithitcametheterribleconvictionthatshehadforfeitedherrighttoit，thatwhenherhusbandcamebackitwouldbehersnolonger，andthatwiththeirmeetingshewouldknowitnomore。Forthroughallherchildishvacillationandimaginingsshemanagedtoclingtoonesteadfastresolution。ShewouldtellhimEVERYTHING，andknowtheworst。Perhapshewouldnevercome;perhapssheshouldnotbealivetomeethim。
Andsothedaysandnightsslowlypassed。Thesolitudewhichherpreviousemptydeceithadenabledhertofillwithsuchcharmingvisionsnowinherawakenedremorseseemedonlytoprotracthermisery。Hadshebeenamoreexperienced，thoughevenamoreguilty，womanshewouldhavesufferedless。Withoutsympathyorcounsel，withouteventhefaintestknowledgeoftheworldoritsstandardsofmoralitytoguideher，sheacceptedherisolationandfriendlessnessasanecessarypartofherwrongdoing。Heronlycriterionwasherenemy——Mrs。Fairfax——andSHEcouldseekherreliefbyjoiningherlover;butMrs。Bunkerknewnowthatsheherselfhadneverhadone——andwasalone！Mrs。Fairfaxhadbrokenopenlywithherhusband;butSHEhadDECEIVEDhers，andtheexperienceandreckoningwerestilltocome。Inhermiserableconfessionitwasnotstrangethatthishalfchild，halfwoman，sometimeslookedtowardsthatgraysea，eternallywaitingforher，——
thatseawhichhadtakeneverythingfromherandgivenhernothinginreturn，——foranobliteratingandperhapsexoneratingdeath！
Thethirddayofherwaitingisolationwasbrokenuponbyanotherintrusion。Themorninghadbeenthreatening，withanopaque，motionless，lividarchabove，whichhadtakentheplaceoftheusualflyingscudandshadedcloudmassesoftherainyseason。Thewholeoutlyingocean，too，beyondthebar，appearednearer，andevenseemedtobeliftedhigherthantheBayitself，andwasliteverynowandthenwithwonderfulclearnessbylongflashesofbreakingfoamlikesummerlightning。Sheknewthatthismeantasouthwester，andbegan，withacertainmechanicaldeliberation，tosetherlittledomaininorderagainstthecominggale。Shedrovethecowstotherudeshedamongthescruboaks，shecollectedthegoatsandyoungkidsinthecorral，andreplenishedthestockoffuelfromthewoodpile。Shewasquitehiddenintheshrubberywhenshesawaboatmakingslowheadwayagainstthewindtowardsthelittlecovewherebutamomentbeforeshehaddrawnupthedingeybeyondthereachofbreakingseas。ItwasawhaleboatfromSaucelitocontainingafewmen。AstheynearedthelandingsherecognizedinthemanwhoseemedtobedirectingtheboatthesecondfriendofColonelMarion——themanwhohadcomewiththeSecretarytotakehimoff，butwhomshehadneverseenagain。Inherpresenthorrorofthatmemorysheremainedhidden，determinedatallhazardstoavoidameeting。Whentheyhadlanded，oneofthemenhaltedaccidentallybeforetheshrubberywhereshewasconcealedashecaughthisfirstviewofthecottage，whichhadbeeninvisiblefromthepointtheyhadrounded。
\"Lookhere，Bragg，\"hesaid，turningtoMarion’sfriend，inavoicewhichwasdistinctlyaudibletoMrs。Bunker。\"Whatarewetosaytothesepeople？\"
\"There’sonlyone，\"returnedtheother。\"Theman’satsea。Hiswife’shere。She’sallright。\"
\"Yousaidshewasoneofus？\"
\"Afterafashion。She’sthewomanwhohelpedMarionwhenhewashere。Ireckonhemadeitsquarewithherfromthebeginning，forsheforwardedlettersfromhimsince。Butyoucantellherasmuchoraslittleasyoufindnecessarywhenyouseeher。\"
\"Yes，butwemustsettlethatNOW，\"saidBraggsharply，\"andI
proposetotellherNOTHING。I’magainsthavinganymorepetticoatsmixedupwithouraffairs。Iproposetomakeanexaminationoftheplacewithoutbotheringourheadsabouther。\"
\"Butwemustgivesomereasonforcominghere，andwemustaskhertokeepdark，orwe’llhaveherblabbingtothefirstpersonshemeets，\"urgedtheother。
\"She’snotlikelytoseeanybodybeforenight，whenthebrigwillbeinandthemenandgunslanded。Moveon，andletJimtakesoundingsoffthecove，whileIlookalongtheshore。It’sjustaswellthatthere’sahousehere，andalittlecoverlikethis\"——
pointingtotheshrubbery——\"tokeepthemenfrommakingtoomuchofashowuntilaftertheearthworksareup。TherearesharpeyesoverattheFort。\"
\"Theredon’tseemtobeanyoneinthehousenow，\"returnedtheotherafteramoment’sscrutinyofthecottage，\"orthewomanwouldsurelycomeoutatthebarkingofthedog，evenifshehadn’tseenus。Likelyshe’sgonetoSaucelito。\"
\"Somuchthebetter。Justaswellthatsheshouldknownothinguntilithappens。Afterwardswe’llsettlewiththehusbandforthepriceofpossession;hehasonlyasquatter’srights。Comealong;
we’llhavebadweatherbeforewegetbackroundthePointagain，butsomuchthebetter，foritwillkeepoffanyinquisitivelongshorecruisers。\"
Theymovedaway。ButMrs。Bunker，stungthroughherbenumbedandbroodingconsciousness，andmadedesperatebythisrepeatedrevelationofherformerweakness，hadheardenoughtomakeherfeverishtohearmore。Sheknewtheintricaciesoftheshrubberythoroughly。Shekneweveryfootofshadeandcoveroftheclearing，andcreepinglikeacatfrombushtobushshemanaged，withoutbeingdiscovered，tokeepthepartyinsightandhearingallthetime。Itrequirednogreatdiscernment，evenforaninexperiencedwomanlikeherself，attheendofanhour，togathertheirrealpurpose。Itwastoprepareforthesecretlandingofanarmedforce，disguisedaslaborers，who，undertheoutwardshowofquarryinginthebluff，weretothrowupbreastworks，andfortifythecraggyshelf。Thelandingwasfixedforthatnight，andwastobeeffectedbyavesselnowcruisingoutsidetheHeads。
Sheunderstooditallnow。SherememberedMarion’sspeechabouttheimportanceofthebluffformilitarypurposes;sherememberedthevisitoftheofficersfromtheFortopposite。ThestrangerswerestealingamarchupontheGovernment，andbynightwouldbeinpossession。Itwasperhapsanevidenceofhernewlyawakenedandlargercomprehensionthatshetooknothoughtofherlossofhomeandproperty，——perhapstherewaslittletodrawhertoitnow，——butwasconsciousonlyofamoreterriblecatastrophe——acatastrophetowhichshewaspartlyaccessory，ofwhichanyotherwomanwouldhavewarnedherhusband——oratleastthoseofficersoftheFortwhosebusinessitwasto——Ah，yes！theofficersoftheFort——onlyjustoppositetoher！Shetrembled，andyetflushedwithaninspiration。Itwasnottoolateyet——whynotwarnthemNOW？
Buthow？AmessagesentbySaucelitoandthesteamboattoSanFrancisco——theusualway——wouldnotreachthemtonight。Togoherself，rowingdirectlyacrossinthedingey，wouldbetheonlysecurityofsuccess。Ifshecoulddoit？Itwasalongpull——theseawasgettingup——butshewouldtry。
Shewaiteduntilthelastmanhadsteppedintotheboat，innervousdreadofsomeoneremaining。Then，whentheboathadvanishedroundthePointagain，sheranbacktothecottage，arrayedherselfinherhusband’spilotcoat，hat，andboots，andlaunchedthedingey。Itwasaheavy，slow，butluckilyastanchandseaworthyboat。Itwasnotuntilshewaswelloffshorethatshebegantofeelthefullfuryofthewindandwaves，andknewthedifficultyanddangerofherundertaking。Shehaddecidedthathershortestandmostdirectcoursewaswithinafewpointsofthewind，butthequarteringofthewavesonthebroadbluffbowsoftheboattendedtothrowittoleeward，amovementthat，whileitretardedherforwardprogress，nodoubtsavedthelittlecraftfromswamping。
Again，thefeeblenessandshortnessofherstroke，whichneverimpelledherthrougharisingwave，butratherliftedherhalfwayupitsface，preventedtheboatfromtakingmuchwater，whilehersteadfastgaze，fixedonlyontheslowlyretreatingshore，kepthersteeringfreefromanyfatalnervousvacillation，whichthesightofthethreateningseasonherbowmighthaveproduced。Preservedthroughherveryweakness，ignorance，andsimplicityofpurpose，thedingeyhadallthesecurityofadriftingboat，yetretainedacertaingentlebutpersistentguidance。InthisfemininefashionshemadeenoughheadwaytocarryherabreastofthePoint，whereshemettherefluxcurrentsweepingrounditthatcarriedherwellalongintothechannel，nowsluggishwiththeturnofthetide。
Afterhalfanhour’spulling，shewasdelightedtofindherselfagaininareversecurrent，abreastofhercottage，butsteadilyincreasingherdistancefromit。Shewas，infact，ontheextremeouteredgeofavastwhirlpoolformedbytheforceofthegaleonacurvingleeshore，andwasbeingcarriedtoherdestinationinasemicirclearoundthatbaywhichshenevercouldhavecrossed。ShewasmovingnowinalinewiththeshoreandtheFort，whoseflagstaff，aboveitsgreen，square，andwhitequarters，shecouldseedistinctly，andwhoselowerwaterbatteryandlandingseemedtostretchoutfromtherocksscarcelyamileahead。Protectedbytheshorefromthefuryofthewind，andevenofthesea，herprogresswasalsosteadilyacceleratedbythevelocityofthecurrent，minglingwiththeebbingtide。Asuddenfearseizedher。Sheturnedtheboat’sheadtowardstheshore，butitwassweptquicklyroundagain;sheredoubledherexertions，tuggingfranticallyatherhelplessoars。Sheonlysucceededingettingtheboatintothetroughofthesea，where，afteralurchthatthreatenedtocapsizeit，itprovidentiallyswungaroundonitsshortkeelandbegantodriftsternon。Shewasalmostabreastofthebatterynow;shecouldhearthefitfulnotesofabuglethatseemedblownandscatteredaboveherhead;sheeventhoughtshecouldseesomemeninblueuniformsmovingalongthelittlepier。Shewaspassingit;
anotherfruitlessefforttoregainherground，butshewassweptalongsteadilytowardstheGate，thewhiteningbar，andtheopensea。
Sheknewnowwhatitallmeant。Thiswaswhatshehadcomefor;
thiswastheend！Beyond，onlyalittlebeyond，justafewmomentslongertowait，andthen，outthereamongthebreakerswastherestthatshehadlongedforbuthadnotdaredtoseek。Itwasnotherfault;theycouldnotblameHER。Hewouldcomebackandneverknowwhathadhappened——norevenknowhowshehadtriedtoatoneforherdeceit。Andhewouldfindhishouseinpossessionof——of——thosedevils！No！No！shemustnotdieyet，atleastnotuntilshehadwarnedtheFort。Sheseizedtheoarsagainwithfrenziedstrength;
theboathadstoppedundertheunwontedstrain，staggered，triedtoriseinanupliftedsea，tookpartofitoverherbow，struckdownMrs。Bunkerunderhalfatonofbluewaterthatwrestedtheoarsfromherparalyzedhandslikeplaythings，sweptthemoverthegunwale，andleftherlyingsenselessinthebottomoftheboat……
\"Holdhar—rd——oryou’llrunherdown。\"
\"Nowthen，Riley，——lookalive，——isitslapin’yeare！\"
\"Holdyerjaw，Flanigan，andstandreadywiththeboat—hook。Nowthen，holdhar—rd！\"
Thesuddenjarringandtiltingofthewater—loggedboat，asoundofraspingtimbers，theswarmingofmeninshirtsleevesandbluetrousersaroundher，seemedtorousehermomentarily，butsheagainfaintedaway。
Whenshestruggledbacktoconsciousnessoncemoreshewaswrappedinasoldier’sjacket，herheadpillowedontheshirt—sleeveofanartillerycorporalinthesternsheetsofthateight—oaredgovernmentbargeshehadremembered。Buttheonlyofficerwasabareheaded，boyishlieutenant，andtherowerswereanathleticbutunseamanlikecrewofmingledartillerymenandinfantry。
\"Andwheredidyedriftfrom，darlint？\"
Mrs。Bunkerbridledfeeblyattheepithet。
\"Ididn’tdrift。IwasgoingtotheFort。\"
\"TheFort，isit？\"
\"Yes。Iwanttoseethegeneral。\"
\"Wadn’ttheliftenantdoye？Orshurethere’stheadjutant;he’safoineman。\"
\"Silence，Flanigan，\"saidtheyoungofficersharply。ThenturningtoMrs。Bunkerhesaid，\"Don’tmindHIM，butlethiswifetakeyoutothecanteen，whenwegetin，andgetyousomedryclothes。\"
ButMrs。Bunker，spurredtoconvalescenceattheindignity，protestedstiffly，anddemandedonherarrivaltobeledatoncetothegeneral’squarters。Afewofficers，whohadbeenattractedtothepierbytherescue，accededtoherdemand。
Sherecognizedthegray—haired，handsomemanwhohadcomeashoreatherhouse。Withatouchofindignationathertreatment，shebrieflytoldherstory。Butthegenerallistenedcoldlyandgravelywithhiseyesfixeduponherface。
\"Yousayyourecognizedintheleaderofthepartyamanyouhadseenbefore。Underwhatcircumstances？\"
Mrs。Bunkerhesitatedwithburningcheeks。\"HecametotakeColonelMarionfromourplace。\"
\"Whenyouwerehidinghim，——yes，we’veheardthestory。Now，Mrs。
Bunker，mayIaskyouwhatyou，asaSouthernsympathizer，expecttogainbytellingmethisstory？\"
ButhereMrs。Bunkerburstout。\"IamnotaSouthernsympathizer！
Never！Never！Never！I’maUnionwoman，——wifeofaNorthernman。
IhelpedthatmanbeforeIknewwhohewas。AnyChristian，NorthernerorSoutherner，wouldhavedonethesame！\"
Hersincerityandpassionwereequallyunmistakable。Thegeneralrose，openedthedooroftheadjoiningroom，saidafewwordstoanorderlyonduty，andreturned。\"Whatyouareaskingofme，Mrs。
Bunker，isalmostasextravagantandunprecedentedasyourstory。
Youmustunderstand，aswellasyourhusband，thatifIlandaforceonyourpropertyitwillbetoTAKEPOSSESSIONofitinthenameoftheGovernment，forGovernmentpurposes。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidMrs。Bunkereagerly;\"Iknowthat。Iamwilling;
Zephaswillbewilling。\"
\"And，\"continuedthegeneral，fixinghiseyesonherface，\"youwillalsounderstandthatImaybecompelledtodetainyouhereasahostageforthesafetyofmymen。\"
\"Ohno！no！please！\"saidMrs。Bunker，springingupwithanimploringfemininegesture;\"Iamexpectingmyhusband。Hemaybecomingbackatanymoment;ImustbetheretoseehimFIRST！
Pleaseletmegoback，sir，withyourmen;putmeanywhereashorebetweenthemandthosementhatarecoming。Lockmeup;keepmeaprisonerinmyownhome;doanythingelseifyouthinkIamdeceivingyou;butdon’tkeepmeheretomisshimwhenhecomes！\"
\"Butyoucanseehimlater，\"saidthegeneral。
\"ButImustseehimFIRST，\"saidMrs。Bunkerdesperately。\"Imustseehimfirst，for——for——HEKNOWSNOTHINGOFTHIS。HeknowsnothingofmyhelpingColonelMarion;heknowsnothingof——howfoolishIhavebeen，and——hemustnotknowitfromothers！There！\"
Itwasoutatlast。Shewassobbingnow，butherpridewasgone。
Shefeltrelieved，anddidnotevennoticethepresenceoftwoorthreeotherofficers，whohadenteredtheroom，exchangedafewhurriedwordswiththeirsuperior，andweregazingatherinastonishment。
Thegeneral’sbrowrelaxed，andhesmiled。\"Verywell，Mrs。
Bunker;itshallbeasyoulike，then。YoushallgoandmeetyourhusbandwithCaptainJenningshere，\"——indicatingoneoftheofficers，——\"whowilltakechargeofyouandtheparty。\"
\"And，\"saidMrs。Bunker，lookingimploringlythroughherwetbutprettylashesattheofficer，\"hewon’tsayanythingtoZephas，either？\"
\"Notasyllable，\"saidCaptainJenningsgravely。\"Butwhilethetugisgettingready，general，hadn’tMrs。BunkerbettergotoMrs。
Flanigan？\"
\"Ithinknot，\"saidthegeneral，withasignificantlookattheofficerashegallantlyofferedhisarmtotheastonishedMrs。
Bunker，\"ifshewillallowmethepleasureoftakinghertomywife。\"
TherewasanequallymarkedrespectinthemannerofthemenandofficersasMrs。Bunkerfinallysteppedonboardthesteamtugthatwastoconveythepartyacrosstheturbulentbay。Butsheheededitnot，neitherdidshetakeanyconcernofthestillfuriousgale，thedifficultlanding，thepreternaturalactivityofthebandofsappers，whoseemedtoworkmagicwiththeirpicksandshovels，thesheltertentsthataroseswiftlyaroundher，theshedsandbushinclosuresthatwereevokedfromtheverygroundbeneathherfeet;
thewonderfulskill，order，anddisciplinethatinafewhoursconvertedherstragglingdominionintoaformalcamp，eventothesentinel，whowasalreadycalmlypacingtherocksbythelandingasifhehadbeingdoingitforyears！Onlyonethingthrilledher——
thesuddenoutburst，flutteringandsnappingofthenationalflagfromherlittleflagstaff。Hewouldseeit——andperhapsbepleased！
Andindeeditseemedasifthemenhadcaughttheinfectionofheranxiety，forwhenherstrainedeyescouldnolongerpiercethemurkytwilightsettlingovertheGate，onecamerunningtohertosaythatthelookouthadjustdiscoveredthroughhisglassaclose—
reefedschoonerrunninginbeforethewind。Itwasherhusband，andscarcelyanhourafternighthadshutintheschoonerhadroundedtooffthePoint，droppedherboat，andspedawaytoanchorage。AndthenMrs。Bunker，runningbareheadeddowntherocks，breakinginuponthehurriedexplanationoftheofficeroftheguard，threwherselfuponherhusband’sbreast，andsobbedandlaughedasifherheartwouldbreak！
Nordidshescarcelyhearhishurriedcommenttotheofficerandunconsciouscorroborationofherstory：howabrighadracedthemfromtheGate，washeadingforthebar，butsuddenlysheeredoffandputawaytoseaagain，asiffromsomesignalfromtheheadland。\"Yes——thebluff，\"interruptedCaptainJenningsbitterly，\"Ithoughtofthat，buttheoldmansaiditwasmorediplomaticjustnowtoPREVENTanattemptthaneventosuccessfullyresistit。\"
Butwhentheywerealoneagainintheirlittlecottage，andZephas’
honesteyes——withnotraceofevilknowledgeorsuspicionintheirhomely，neutrallightness——werelookingintoherswithhisusualsimpletrustfulness，Mrs。Bunkertrembled，whimpered，and——Igrievetosay——baselyfunkedherboastedconfession。ButheretheDeitywhichprotectsfeminineweaknessintervenedwiththeusualmiracle。
Ashegazedathiswife’stroubledface，anapologeticcloudcameoverhisruggedbutopenbrow，andasmileofawkwarddeprecatingembarrassmentsuffusedhiseyes。\"Ideclaretogoodness，Mollie，butImusttellyousuthin，althoughIguessIdidn’tkalkilatetosayawordaboutit。But，darnitall，Ican’tkeepitin。No！
Lookin’interthatinnercentfaceo’yourn\"——pressingherflushingcheeksbetweenhiscoolbrownhands——\"andgazinginterthemtwotruthfuleyes\"——theyblinkedatthismomentwithadivinemodesty——
\"andthinkin’ofwhatyou’vejustdidforyourkentry——likethemrevolutionarywomeno’’76——Ifeellikeadarnedswabofatraitormyself。Well！whatIwanttertellyouisthis：Yeknow，orye’veheardmetello’thatMrs。Fairfax，asleftherhusbandforthatfire—eatin’Marion，andstucktohimthroughthickandthin，andstoodwatchandwatchwithhiminthishowlin’Southernrumpusthey’rekickin’upallalongthecoast，asifshewasamanherself。Well，jesasIhauledupatthewharfat’Frisco，shecomesaboard。
\"’You’reCapBunker？’shesays。
\"’That’sme，ma’am，’Isays。
\"’You’reaNorthernmanandyougowithyourkind，’sezshe;’butyou’reawhiteman，andthar’snocurbloodinyou。’Butyouain’tlistenin’，Mollie;you’redeadtired，lass，\"——withacommiseratinglookathernowwhiteningface，——\"andI’llhaulinlineandwait。
Well，tocutitshort，shewantedmetotakeherdownthecoastabittowhereshecouldjoinMarion。Shesaidshe’dbeenshookbyhisfriends，followedbyspies——and，blamemyskin，Mollie，efthatproudwomandidn’tbreakdownandCRYlikeababy。Now，Mollie，whatgotMEinallthis，wasthatthemChivalryfolks——ezwasalwaysjawin’abouttheir’Southerndames’andtheir’Ladyefairs，’
andalwaysrunnin’thatkindofbilgewateroutertheirscupperswhenevertheycareenedoveronafairwind——wasjesthekindtothrowoffonawomanwhentheydidn’twanther，andIkinderthoughtI’dlikeHERtoseethedifferencebetwixtthelatitudeo’
CharlestonandCapeCod。SoItoldherIdidn’twantthejewelryanddimonssheofferedme，butifshewouldcomedowntothewharf，afterdark，I’dsmuggleheraboard，andI’dallowtothementhatshewasYOURAUNTIEezIwasgivin’afreepassageto！Lord！dear！
thinko’metakin’thenameo’MollieBunker’sauntinvainforthatsorto’woman！Thinko’me，\"continuedCaptainBunkerwithatentativechuckle，\"sorto’pretendin’tohandyo’rauntietoKernelMarionfor——forhisladylove！Idon’twonderye’shalffrightedandhalflaffin’，\"headded，ashiswifeutteredahystericalcry;\"itWASawful！Butitworked，andIgotheroff，andwot’smoreIgothershippedtoMazatlan，whereshe’lljoinMarion，andthetwoaregoin’backtoVirginy，whereIguesstheywon’ttroubleCalifornyagain。Yeknownow，deary，\"hewenton，speakingwithdifficultythroughMrs。Bunker’sclingingarmsandfastdrippingtears，\"whyIdidn’theavetotosay’good—by。’Butit’sallovernow——I’vemadeacleanbreastofit，Mollie——anddon’tyoucry！\"
ButitwasNOTallover。ForamomentlaterCaptainBunkerbegantofumbleinhiswaistcoatpocketwiththeonehandthatwasnotclaspinghiswife’swaist。\"Onethingmore，Mollie;whenIleftherandrefusedtotakeanyofherdimons，sheputaqueersorto’
ringintomyhand，andtoldmewithakindo’mischievious，bedevilin’smile，thatImustkeepittorememberherby。Hereitis——why，Mollielass！areyoucrazy？\"
Shehadsnatcheditfromhisfingersandwasrunningswiftlyfromthecottageoutintothetempestuousnight。Hefollowedclosely，untilshereachedtheedgeoftherocks。Andonlythen，inthestruggling，fast—flyingmoonlight，sheraisedapassionatehand，andthrewitfarintothesea！
Asheledherbacktothecottageshesaidshewasjealous，andhonestCaptainBunker，withhisarmaroundher，felthimselfthehappiestmanintheworld！……
Fromthatdaytheflagflewregularlyovertherockyshelf，and，intime，buglesandmorningdrumbeatswerewaftedfromittothedecksofpassingships。FortheFederalGovernmenthadadjudgedthelandforitsownuse，paidCaptainBunkerahandsomesumforitspossession，andhaddiscreetlyhiddenthelittlecottageofMrs。
Bunkeranditshistoryforeverbehindbastionandcasemate。
THETRANSFORMATIONOFBUCKEYECAMP
PARTI。
Thetinylightsthathadbeenfarscatteredandintermittentasfirefliesallalongthedarkstreamatlastdroppedoutonebyone，leavingonlythethreewindowsof\"Parks’Emporium\"topiercetheprofoundlywoodedbanksoftheSouthFork。Soall—pervadingwasthedarknessthatthemereopeningofthe\"Emporium\"frontdoorshotoutanilluminatingshaftwhichrevealedthewholelengthofthelittlemainstreetof\"Buckeye，\"whilethesimplepassingofasinglefigurebeforeoneofthewindowsmomentarilyeclipsedathirdofthesettlement。Thisunduepre—eminencegiventotheonlythreecitizensofBuckeyewhowerestillupatteno’clockseemedtobehardlyjustifiedbytheiroutwardappearance，whichwasthatofordinarylong—beardedandlong—bootedriverbarminers。Twosatuponthecounterwiththeirhandsupontheirknees，thethirdleanedbesidetheopenwindow。