Itwasveryquiet。Thefaint，farbarkingofadog，oranoccasionalsubduedmurmurfromtherivershallows，audibleonlywhenthewindroseslightly，helpedtointensifytheirsolitude。
Sosupremehaditbecomethatwhenthemanatthewindowatlastcontinuedhisconversationmeditatively，withhisfacetowardsit，heseemedtobetakingallNatureintohisconfidence。
\"Theworstthingaboutitis，thattheonlywaywecankeepheroutofthesettlementisbythesameillegalmethodswhichwedeploreinothercamps。WehavealwaysboastedthatBuckeyecouldgetalongwithoutVigilanceCommitteesorRegulators。\"
\"Yes，andthatwasbecausewestarteditontheprincipleoforiginalselection，whichweareonlyproposingtocontinue，\"
repliedoneofthemenonthecounter。\"Sothere’snothingwrongaboutoursendingadeputationtowaituponher，toprotestagainsthersettlinghere，andgiveherourreasons。\"
\"Yes，onlyithasalltheimpudencewithoutthepluckoftheRegulators。Youdemandwhatyouareafraidtoenforce。Come，Parks，youknowshehasalltherightsonherside。Lookatitsquarely。Sheproposestoopenastoreandsellliquorandcigars，whichsheservesherself，inthebroken—downtiendawhichwasregularlygiventoherpeoplebytheSpanishgranteeofthelandwe’resquattingon。It’snotherfaultbutoursifwe’veadoptedalineofrules，whichdon’tagreewithhers，togovernthesettlersonHERland，norshouldshebecompelledtofollowthem。NorbecausewejustifyOURsquattinghere，onthegroundthattheSpanishgrantisn’tconfirmedyet，canweforbidhersquattingunderthesameright。\"
\"Butlookatthemoralquestion，Brace。Considertheexample;theinfluenceofsuchashop，keptbysuchawoman，onthecommunity！
Wehavetherighttoprotectourselves——themajority。\"
\"That’sthewaythelyncherstalk，\"returnedBrace。\"AndI’mnotsosureabouttherebeinganymoralquestionyet。Youareassumingtoomuch。Thereisnoreasonwhysheshouldn’trunthetiendaasdecently——barringtheliquorsale，which，however，islegal，andforwhichshecangetalicense——asamancould，andwithoutinterferingwithourmorals。\"
\"Thenwhatistheuseofourrules？\"
\"Theyweremadeforthosewhoconsentedtoadoptthem，aswealldid。TheystillbindUS，andifwedon’tchoosetobuyherliquororcigarsthatwilldisposeofherandhertiendamuchmoreeffectuallythanyourprotest。It’sapityshe’saloneunprotectedwoman。Nowifsheonlyhadahusband\"——
\"Shecarriesadaggerinhergarter。\"
Thisapparentlyirrelevantremarkcamefromthemanwhohadnotyetspoken，butwhohadbeenlisteningwiththelanguidunconcernofonewho，relinquishingthelaborofargumenttoothers，hadconsentedtoabidebytheirdecision。Itwasmetwithascornfulsmilefromeachofthedisputants，perhapsevenbyanaddedshrugoftheshouldersfromthewoman’spreviousdefender！HEwasevidentlynottobetakeninbyextraneoussentiment。Nevertheless，bothlistenedasthespeaker，slowlyfeelinghiskneesasiftheywerehiswaytoadifficultsubject，continuedwiththesamesuggestionofstatinggeneralfact，butwaivinganyargumenthimself。\"ClarksonofAngelsallowsshe’sgotafree，gaudy，picter—coveredstylewiththeboys，butthatshecanbegilt—edgedwhenshewantsto。RowleyMeade——himezhedhisskelppulledoverhiseyesatonestroke，foolin’withashebearoveronBlackMountain——allowsitwouldberathermonotonousinhimattemptin’anyfamiliaritieswithher。Bulstrode’sbrother，ezwasinMarysville，saidtherewasawoman——liketoher，butnother——ezmadeitlivelyfortheboyswithagamecalled’LittleMonte，’andhedroppedahundreddollarsthereaforehecameaway。TheydosaythataboutsevenmengotshotinMarysvilleonaccounto’thisone，orfromsomeoneasinessthathappenedathershop。Butthen，\"hewentonslowlyanddeferentiallyasthefacesofthetwootherswereloweredandbecamefixed，\"SHEsaysshetiredo’drunkenrowdies，——there’sasamenessabout’em，anditdon’tsellherpipesandcigars，andthat’sWHYshe’scominghere。ThompsonoveratDryCreeksezthatTHAT’Swhereourreputationisplayin’us！’We’vegotherasarewardo’virtoo，andbed————dtous。’But，\"cautiously，\"Thompsonain’tdrawedasoberbreathsinceChristmas。\"
Thethreemenlookedineachother’sfacesinsilence。Thesamethoughtoccurredtoeach;theprofaneThompsonwasright，andthewoman’sadventwasthelogicalsequenceoftheirownethics。Twoyearspreviously，theBuckeyeCompanyhadfoundgoldontheSouthFork，andhadtakenupclaims。Composedmainlyofcareful，provident，andthoughtfulmen，——someofcultivationandrefinement，——theyhadadoptedacertainorderlydisciplinefortheirownguidancesolely，which，however，commendeditselftolatersettlers，alreadywearyofthelawlessnessandrecklessfreedomwhichusuallyattendedtheinceptionofminingsettlements。
ConsequentlythebirthofBuckeyewasaccompaniedwithnodangeroustravail;itsinfancywasfreefromthediseasesofadolescentcommunities。Thesettlers，withoutanyexpressprohibition，hadtacitlydispensedwithgamblinganddrinkingsaloons;followingtheunwrittenlawofexample，hadlaidasidetheirrevolvers，andmingledtogetherpeacefullywhentheirlaborswereended，withoutasingleperemptoryregulationagainstdrinkingandplaying，orcarryinglethalweapons。Norhadtherebeenanytestoffitnessorqualificationforcitizenshipthroughpreviousvirtue。Therewereoneortwogamblers，askillfulduelist，andmenwhostilldrankwhiskeywhohadvoluntarilysoughtthecamp。Ofsomesuchantecedentswasthelastspeaker。Probablywithtwowiveselsewhere，andapossiblehomicidalrecord，hehadmodestlyheldalooffromobtrusiveargument。
\"Well，wemusthaveameetingandputthequestionsquarelytotheboysto—morrow，\"saidParks，gazingthoughtfullyfromthewindow。
Theremarkwasfollowedbyanotherlongsilence。Beyond，inthedarkness，Buckeye，unconsciousofthemomentousquestionawaitingitsdecision，sleptonpeacefully。
\"IbroughtthekegofwhiskeyandbrandyfromRedGulchto—daythatDoctorDuchesnespokeof，\"heresumedpresently。\"Youknowhesaidweoughttohavesomeincommonstockthathecouldalwaysrelyuponinemergencies，andforuseafterthetulefever。Ididn’tagreewithhim，andtoldhimhowIhadbroughtSamDenverthroughanattackwithquinineandarrowroot，buthelaughedandwantedtoknowifwe’d’resolved’thateverybodyshouldhereafterhavetheDenverconstitution。That’sthetroublewiththoseoldarmysurgeons，——theynevercangetoverthe’heroics’oftheirpast。
WhyhetoldParsonJenningsthathe’drathertreatamanforjim—
jamsthanonethatwasdyingforwantofstimulants。However，theliquorishere，andoneofthethingswemustsettletomorrowisthequestionifitoughtnottobeissuedonlyonDuchesne’sprescription。WhenImadethatpointtohimsquarely，hegrinnedagain，andwantedtoknowifIcalculatedtoputthesamerestrictiononthesaleofpatentmedicinesanddrugsgenerally。\"
\"’Npowder’nshot，\"contributedtheindifferentman。
\"Perhapsyou’dbettertakealookattheliquor，Saunders，\"saidParks，dismissingtheethicalquestion。\"YOUknowmoreaboutitthanwedo。Itoughttobethebest。\"
Saunderswentbehindthecounter，drewouttwodemijohns，and，possiblyfromtheforceofhabit，selectedTHREEmugsfromthecrockeryandpouredsomewhiskeyintoeach，beforehecouldcheckhimself。
\"Perhapswehadbettercomparetastes，\"saidBraceblandly。Theyallsippedtheirliquorslowlyandinsilence。Thedecisionwasfavorable。\"Bettertrysomewithwatertoseehowitmixes，\"saidSaunders，lazilyfillingtheglasseswithapracticedhand。Thisrequiredmoredeliberation，andtheydrewtheirchairstothetableandsatdown。AslightrelaxationstoleoverthethoughtfulfacesofBraceandParks，agentleperspirationcameoverthelatter’sbrow，butthefeaturesandexpressionofSaundersneverchanged。
Theconversationtookabroaderrange;politicsandphilosophyenteredintoit;literatureandpoetrywerediscussedbyParksandBrace，Saundersstillretainingtheairofadispassionateobserver，readytobeconvinced，butabstainingfromargument——andoccasionallyreplenishingtheglasses。Therewasfelttobenoinconsistencybetweentheirpresentattitudeandtheirpreviousconversation;ratheritprovedtothemthatgentlemencouldoccasionallyindulgeinasocialglasstogetherwithoutfrequentingaliquorsaloon。ThiswasstatedwithsomedegreeofeffusionbyParksandassentedtowithsingularenthusiasmbyBrace;Saundersnodding。ItwasalsoobservedwithgreatpenetrationbyBracethatinhavingreallyGOOD，speciallyselectedliquorlikethat，thegreatdangeroftheintoshikat’n’fx——hecorrectedhimselfwithgreatdeliberation，\"theintoxicatingeffects\"——ofadulteratedliquorssoldindrinkingsaloonswasobviated。Mr。Bracethoughtalsothatthevitiatedqualityofthecloseairofacrowdedsaloonhadagreatdealtodowithit——theexcessofcarbon——hic——hebeggedtheirpardon——carbonicacidgasundoubtedlyrenderedpeople\"slupidandsteepy。\"\"Buthere，fromtheopenwindow，\"hewalkeddreamilytoitandleanedoutadmiringlytowardsthedarklandscapethatsoftlyslumberedwithout，\"onecoulddrinkinonlyhealthandpoetry。\"
\"Wot’sthat？\"saidSaunders，lookingup。
\"Isaidhealthandpoetry，\"returnedBracewithsomedignity。\"I
repeat\"——
\"No。Imeanwot’sthatnoise？Listen。\"
Theylistenedsobreathlesslythatthesoftmurmuroftheriverseemedtoflowinuponthem。Butaboveitquitedistinctlycametheregularmuffledbeatofhorse—hoofsinthethickdustandtheoccasionalrattleofwheelsoverrockyirregularities。Butstillveryfarandfaint，andfadinglikethenoisesinadream。Bracedrewalongbreath;Parkssmiledandsoftlyclosedhiseyes。ButSaundersremainedlistening。
\"ThatwasoverOURroad，neartheturnpike！\"hesaidmusingly。
\"That’squeer;tharain’tanyoftheboysawayto—night，andthat’sawagon。It’ssomeonecomin’here。Harktothat！Thereitisagain。\"
Itwasthesamesoundbutmoredistinctandnearer，andthenwaslostagain。
\"They’redraggingthroughtheriversandthat’sjustabreasto’
Mallory’s。Stoppedthere，Ireckon。No！pushin’onagain。Hear’emgrindingalongthegraveloverHamilton’strailin’s？Stoppedagin——that’sbeforeSomerville’sshanty。What’sgoneo’themnow？
Maybethey’velostthetrailandgotontoGray’sslidethroughthewoods。It’snouselookin’;yecouldn’tseeanythinginthisniggerdark。Hol’on！Ifthey’recomin’throughthewoods，ye’llhear’emagainjestoffhere。Yes！bythunder！heretheyare。\"
Thistimetheclatterandhorse—hoofswerebeforethem，attheverydoor。Aman’svoicecried，\"Whoa！\"andtherewasasuddenboundontheveranda。Thedooropened;foraninstanttheentranceappearedtobefilledwithamassofdazzlingwhiteflounces，andafigurewhichfromwaisttocrownwasimpenetrablywrappedandswathedinblacklace。SomewherebeneathitsfoldsasoftSpanish，yetsomewhatchildishvoicecried，\"Tente。Hol’on，\"turnedandvanished。Thiswassucceededbytheapparitionofasilent，swarthyMexican，whodroppedasmalltrunkattheirfeetandvanishedalso。Thenthewhite—flouncedandblack—lacedfigurereappearedasthedepartingwagonrattledaway，glidedtothecentreoftheroom，placedonthetrunkasmallfoot，whoselow—
quarteredblacksatinslipperseemedtobeheldonlybythetoe，threwbackwithbothhandstheblacklacemantilla，whichwaspinnedbyaroseoverherlittlerightear，andwithherhandsslightlyextendedandwavingsoftlysaid，\"Miracaballeros！’Ereweareagain，boys！Viva！Aoweesyourmother？Aoweesthatforhigh？Beholdme！justfromPike！\"
ParksandBrace，whohadpartlyrisen，fellbackhopelesslyintheirchairsagainandgazedatthefigurewithafeeblesmileofvacuouspainandpoliteness。Atwhichitadvanced，lowereditsblackeyesmischievouslyoverthetableandthemenwhosatthere，pouredoutaglassoftheliquor，andsaid：\"Ilooktowardsyou，boys！Don’terrise。Youarejustaleetleweary，eh？Aleetle。
Ohyes！aleetletiredofcrookin’yourelbow——eh？Don’tcareiftheschoolkeep！——eh？Don’twantanypie！Wanttogo’ome，eh？\"
ButhereMr。Parksrosewithslightdifficulty，butunflinchingdignity，andleanedimpressivelyoverthetable，\"MayIashk——mayI
bepermittedtoarsk，madam，towhatwemayowethepleasureofthish——ofthis——visit？\"
Herfaceandattitudeinstantlychanged。Herarmsdroppedandcaughtupthemantillawithaquickbutnotungracefulsweep，andinapparentlyasinglemovementshewasdraped，wrapped，andmuffledfromwaisttocrownasbefore。Withaslightinclinationofherhead，shesaidinquiteanothervoice：\"Si，senor。IhavearriveherebecauseinyourwholegreattownofBookithereisnotsomuchasone\"——sheheldupasmallbrownfinger——\"asmuchasONE
leetlelightorfirelikethees;be—causeinthisgrandpueblothereisnotonepeopleswhohavenotalreadysleepinhisbedbutthees！Bueno！Ihavearriveallthesamelikealeetlebird，likethesmallflyarrivetothelight！nottoYOU——onlytoTHELIGHT！
Igonottomycasaforsheisdark，andtonightshehavenothingtomakethefireorbed。Igonottothe’otel——thereisnotONE\"——
thebrownfingeragainuplifted——\"’otelinBooki！Imakethe’otel——theFonda——inmyhoosemanana——to—morrow！TonightIandSanchichamakethebedforus’ere。Sanchicha，shestandsherselfnowoverinthestreet。Wehavemoochsorrowwehavetomakethecaballerosmoochtr—roubletomakedispositionofhishouse。Butwhatwillyou？\"
Therewasanotherawkwardsilence，andthenSaunders，whohadbeenexaminingtheintruderwithlanguidcriticism，removedhispipefromhismouthandsaidquietly：——
\"That’sthewomanyou’relookingfor——JovitaMendez！\"
PARTII。
Therestofthatinterviewhasnotbeenrecorded。SufficeitthatafewminuteslaterParks，Brace，andSaunderslefttheEmporium，andpassedthenightinthelatter’scabin，leavingtheEmporiuminpossessionofMissMendezandherpeonservant;thatattheearliestdawnthetwowomenandtheirbaggageweretransferredtotheoldadobehouse，where，however，aMexicanworkmanhadalreadyarrived，andwithabasketfulofredtileswasmakingithabitable。
Buckeye，whichwaspopularlysupposedtosleepwithoneeyeontheriver，andalwaysfirstrepairedthereinthemorningtowashandwork，wasonlyawaketotheknowledgeoftheinvasionatnoon。ThemeetingsoconfidentlyspokenofthenightbeforehadNOTbeencalled。Messrs。ParksandBraceweresufferingfromheadaches——
undoubtedlyatouchoftulechill。Saunders，atworkwithhispartnerinEagleBar，wasasusualgenerouswithapparentlyirrelevantfactsonallsubjects——butthatofthestrangers。Itwouldseemasiftheself—constitutedCommitteeofSafetyhaddonenothing。
Andnothingwhateverseemedtohappen！ThompsonofAngels，smokingameditativepipeatnoononthetrailnoticedtherepairingoftheoldadobehouse，casuallyspokeofitonhisreturntohiswork，withoutapparentconcernorexcitinganycomment。ThetwoBillingerbrotherssawJovitaMendezatthedoorofherhouseanhourlater，werethemselvesseenconversingwithherbyJimBarker，butonreturningtotheirclaim，neithertheynorBarkerexhibitedanyinsurrectionaryexcitement。Lateron，Shuttleworthwasfoundinpossessionoftwobundlesoffreshlyrolledcorn—huskcigarettes，andpromisedtogethispartnersomethenextday，butthatgentlemananticipatedhim。BynightfallnearlyallBuckeyehadpassedinprocessionbeforethelittlehousewithoutexhibitinganyindignationorprotest。Thatnight，however，itseemedasiftheeventsforwhichtheCommitteewaswaitingwerereallyimpending。
TheadultfemalepopulationofBuckeyeconsistedofsevenwomen——wivesofminers。Thattheywouldsubmittamelytotheintroductionofayoung，pretty，andpresumablydangerousmemberoftheirownsexwasnottobesupposed。Butwhateverprotesttheymadedidnotpassbeyondtheirconjugalseclusion，andwasapparentlynotsupportedbytheirhusbands。Twoorthreeofthem，underthepretextofsympathyofsex，securedinterviewswiththefairintruder，theresultofwhichwasnot，however，generallyknown。ButafewdayslaterMrs。\"Bob\"Carpenter——asomewhatbrick—dustyblonde——wasobservedwearingsomeblacknettingandaheavilyflouncedskirt，andMrs。ShuttleworthinhernextvisittoFiddletownworeherPaisleyshawlaffixedtoherchestnuthairbyabunchofdog—roses，andwrappedlikeaplaidaroundherwaist。ThesevenladiesofBuckeye，whohadneverbeforemet，exceptondomesticerrandstoeachother’shousesoronSundayattendanceatthe\"FirstMethodistChurch\"atFiddletown，nowtooktowalkingtogether，orintheirhusbands’company，alongtheupperbankoftheriver——theoneboulevardofBuckeye。ThethirddayafterMissMendez’arrivaltheyfeltthenecessityofimmediateshoppingexpeditionstoFiddletown。Thisoperationhadhithertobeenconfinedtocertainperiods，andrestrictedtothelayinginofstoresofroughhouseholdstuffs;butitnowapparentlyincludedawiderrangeandmoreostentatiousquality。Parks’Emporiumnolongersatisfiedthem，andthisunexpectedphaseofthesituationwaspracticallybroughthometotheproprietorinthenecessityofextendingthemoreinoffensiveandpeacefulpartofhisstock。Andwhen，towardstheendoftheweek，acartloadofprettyfixtures，mirrors，andfurniturearrivedatthetienda，therewasareneweddemandattheEmporiumforarticlesnotinstock，andtheconsequentdivertingofcustomtoFiddletown。Buckeyefounditselffacetofacewithahithertoundreamtofandpreposterousproposition。Itseemedthattheadventofthestrangewoman，withouthavingyetproducedanyappreciableeffectuponthemen，hadalreadyinsidiouslyinveigledtheadultfemalepopulationintoostentatiousextravagance。
Attheendofaweekthelittleadobehousewasnotonlyrenderedhabitable，butwasevenmadepicturesquebycleanwhitecurtainsatitsbarredwindows，andsomebright，half—Moorishcoloringofbeamsandrafters。Nearlythewholegroundfloorwasgivenuptothesaloonofthetienda，whichconsistedofasmallcounteratoneside，containingbottlesandglasses，andanother，flankingit，withglasscases，containingcigars，pipes，andtobacco，whilethecentreoftheroomwasgivenuptofourorfivesmallrestauranttables。ThestaffofJovitawasnolongerlimitedtoSanchicha，buthadbeenaugmentedbyalittleoldmanofindefiniteantiquitywhoresembledanAztecidol，andanequallyoldMexican，wholookednotunlikeabrown—tintedandveinedtobaccoleafhimself，andmighthavestoodforasign。Butthegeniusoftheplace，itsomnipresentandall—pervadinggoddess，wasJovita！Smiling，joyous，indefatigableinsuavityandattention;all—embracinginhercourtesies;frankofspeechandeye;quickatreparteeanddeftlyhandlingtheslangofthedayandthelocalitywithachildlikeappreciationandaninfantineaccentthatseemedtoredeemitfromvulgarityorunfeminineboldness！Fewcouldresistthevolatileinfectionofherpresence。Asmilewastheonlytributesheexacted，andgood—humortherulelaiddownforherguests。Ifitoccasionallyrequiredsomementalagilitytorespondtoherbanter，aCaliforniangatheringwas，however，seldomlackinginhumor。Yetshewasalwaystheprincipalperformertoanadmiringaudience。Perhapstherewassecurityinthismultitudeofadmirers;perhapstherewasasavinggraceinthishumoroustrifling。Thepassionsareapttobeseriousandsolitary，andJovitaevadedthemwithajest，——which，ifnotalwaysdelicateorwitty，waseffectiveinsecuringthelaughterofthemajorityandthejealousyofnone。
Attheendoftheweekanotherpeculiaritywasnoticed。TherewasaperceptibleincreaseoftheMexicanpopulation，whohadalwayshithertoavoidedBuckeye。OnSundayanIrishpriestfromElPastosaidmassinapatched—upcorneroftheoldMissionruinoppositeRollinson’sFord。Afewlounging\"Excelsior\"boyswereequallyastonishedtoseeJovita’sredrosecrestandblackmantillaglideby，andfollowedherunvaryingsmileandjestingsalutationuptotheshadowofthecrumblingportal。AtvespersnearlyallBuckeye，hithertovirtuouslyskepticalandgood—humoredlysecureinWorkswithoutFaith，madeapointofattending;itwasallegedbysometoseeifJovita’sglossyIndian—inkyeyeswouldsufferaberrationinherdevotions。Buttherose—crestedheadwasneverliftedfromthewell—wornprayer—bookorthebrownhandswhichheldacertainpoorlittlecheaprosarylikeachild’sstringofbatteredcoppercoins。
Buckeyeloungedbythewallthroughtheservicewithrespectfultoleranceanduneasyshiftinglegs，andcameaway。Buttheapparentlysimpleeventdidnotendthere。Itwasunconsciouslychargedwithatremendousimporttothesettlement。ForitwasdiscoveredthenextdaybyMrs。\"Bob\"CarpenterandNanShuttleworththattheMethodistChurchatFiddletownwastoofaraway，andBuckeyeoughttohaveapreacherofitsown。SeatswerefittedupintheloftofCarpenter’sstore—house，wheretheReverendHenryMcCorklehelddivineservice，andinstitutedaBibleclass。AttheendoftwoweeksitappearedthatJovita’sinvasion——
whichwastobringdissipationandruintoBuckeye——hadindirectlybroughttwochurches！Achillingdoubtlikeacoldmistsettledalongtheriver。AsthetworivalprocessionspassedonthethirdSunday，JoBateman，whohadbeeninthehabitofrecliningonthatdayinhisshirtsleevesunderatree，withanovelinhishand，lookedgloomilyafterthem。Thenknockingtheashesfromhispipe，herose，shookhandswithhispartners，saidapologeticallythathehadlatelygotintothehabitofRESPECTINGTHESABBATH，andwastoooldtochangeagain，andsoshookthereddustofBuckeyefromhisfeetanddeparted。
Asyettherehadnotbeentheslightestevidenceofdisorderlyconductonthepartofthefairproprietressofthetienda，norhercustomers，noranydrunkennessorriotousdisturbancethatcouldbeatallattributedtoherpresence。Therewas，itistrue，considerablehilarity，smoking，andsomegamblingthereuntilalatehour，butthiscouldnotbesaidtointerferewiththerestandcomfortofotherpeople。AcluetothemysteryofsoextraordinaryaproprietywasgivenbyJovitaherself。OnedayshewalkedintoParks’Emporiumanddemandedaninterviewwiththeproprietor。
\"YouhavemadetherulesfortheesBooki？\"
\"Yes——thatis——Iandmyfriendshave。\"
\"Andwhenoneshallnothavemindtherule——whenonehavesay，’No！
damntherule，’whatshallyoumaketohim？Shallyouaprisonhim？\"
Mr。Parkshastenedtosaywithasuperior，yetengagingsmilethatitneverhadbeennecessary，astheruleswereobligatoryuponthehonorandconsentofall——andwereneverbroken。\"Except，\"headded，stillmoreengagingly，\"shewouldremember，inhercase——
withtheirconsent。\"
\"Andyourcaballerosbreaknottherules？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thentheyshallnotbreaktherulesofme——atMYTIENDA！Look！I
havemadetherulethatIshallnothaveacaballerodrunkatmyhouse;IhavemadetherulethatIshallnotsellhimtheaguardientewhenhehavetoomooch。Ihavemadetherulethatwhenhegambletoomooch，whenheputuptoomoochmoney，Isay’No！’I
willnotthatheshall！Imakeonemorerule：thatheshallnotquarrelnorfightinmyhouse。Whenhequarrelandfight，Isay’Go！Vamos！Getout！’\"
\"Andverygoodrulestheyaretoo，MissMendez。\"
JovitafixedhershiningblackeyesonthesmilingParks。\"Andwhenhesay，’No，nevarre，damntherules！’Whenhecomedrunk，remaindrunk，playhighandfight，YOUwillnotpoonishhim？YOU
willnottakehimout？\"
\"Well，yousee，thefactis，Ihavenotthepower。\"
\"AreyounottheAlcalde？\"
\"No。ThereisaJusticeofthePeaceatFiddletown，butevenhecoulddonothingtoenforceyourrules。Butifanythingshouldhappen，youcanmakeacomplainttohim。\"
\"Bueno。Youhavenotthepower;Ihave。ImakenotthecomplainttoFiddletown。ImakethecomplainttoJosePerez，toManuel，toAntonio，toSanchicha——sheisastrongone！Isay’Chookhimout。’
Theychookhimout！theyremovehim！Hedoesnotr—r—remain。
Enough。Bueno。Gracias，senor，good—a—by！\"
Shewasgone。ForthenextfourdaysParkswasinastateofsomeanxiety——butitappearedunnecessarilyso。Whethertheinterviewhadbecomeknownalongtheriverdidnottranspire，butthereseemedtobenoreasonforMissMendeztoenforceherrules。Itwassaidthatonce，whenThompsonofAngelswasalittletoonoisy，hehadbeenquietlyconductedbyhisfriendsfromthetiendawithouttheinterventionofJose。Thefrequentersofthesaloonbecameitspolice。
Yettheevent——longprotracted——cameatlast！Itwasadry，feverish，breezelessafternoon，whentheshort，echolessexplosionofarevolverpuffedoutontheriver，followedbyanother，deliveredsorapidlythattheyseemedrolledintoone。Therewasnomistakingthatsignificantrepetition。ONEshotmighthavebeenanaccident;TWOmeantintention。Themendroppedtheirpicksandshovelsandran——ranastheyneverbeforeraninBuckeye——ranmechanically，blindlygropingattheirbeltsandpocketsfortheweaponsthathungtherenolonger;ranaimlessly，astopurpose，butfollowinginstinctivelywithhurriedbreathandquiveringnostrilsthecruelscentofpowderandblood。Ranuntil，reachingthetienda，theforemoststumbledoverthebodyofShuttleworth;
cameuponthehalf—sitting，half—leaningfigureofSaundersagainstitsadobewall！Thedoorswerebarredandclosed，andevenasthecrowdchargedfuriouslyforward，awindowwassharplyshutabove，intheirveryface。
\"Standback，gentlemen！Lifthimup。What’stherow？Whatisit，Saunders？Whodidit？Speak，man！\"
ButSaunders，whowasstillsupportinghimselfagainstthewall，onlylookedatthemwithasingularandhalf—apologeticsmile，andthenleanedforwardasiftocatchtheeyeofShuttleworth，whowasrecoveringconsciousnessintheupliftedarmsofhiscompanions。
Butneitherspoke。
\"It’ssomed————dGreaserinside！\"saidThompson，withsuddenferocity。\"Someofhercursedcrew！Breakdownthedoors，boys！\"
\"Stop！\"
ItwasthevoiceofShuttleworth，speakingwithaneffort。Hewashardhit，somewhereinthegroin;painandbloodwerecomingwithconsciousnessandmovement，andhisfacewasghastly。YettherewasthesamesingularsmileofembarrassmentwhichSaundershadworn，andatouchofinvincibledisgustinhisvoiceashestammeredquickly，\"Don’tbed————dfools！It’snooneinTHERE。
It’sonlymeandHIM！He’lltellyouthat。Won’tyou，Saunders？\"
\"Yes，\"saidSaunders，leaninganxiouslyforward，withabrighteningface。\"D——nitall——can’tyousee？It’sonly——onlyus。\"
\"Youandme，that’sall，\"repeatedShuttleworth，withafeverishlaugh。\"Onlyourd————dfoolishness！Thinkofit，boys！Hegavemethelie，andIdrew！\"
\"Bothofusfull，youknow——reg’larbeasts，\"saidSaunders，sinkingbackagainstthewall。\"Kickme，somebody，andfinishmeoff。\"
\"Idon’tseeanyweaponshere，\"saidBracegravely，examiningtheground。
\"They’reinside，\"saidShuttleworthwithtremuloushaste。\"Webeganitinthere——justlikehogs，youknow！Didn’twe，Saunders？\"
bitterly。
\"Youbet，\"saidSaundersfaintly。\"Reg’larswine。\"
Parkslookedgraverstill，andashepassedahandkerchiefaroundthewoundedman’sthigh，said：\"ButIdon’tseewhereyougotyourpistols，andhowyougotouthere。\"
\"Clinched，youknow;sorterrolledoverouthere——and——and——oh，d——nit——don’ttalk！\"
\"Hemeans，\"saidShuttleworthstillfeebly，\"thatwe——we——grabbedANOTHERMAN’Ssix—shooterand——and——hethatis——andthey——he——heandmegrabbedeachother，and——don’tyousee——？\"buthere，becomingmoreinvolvedandmuchweaker，hediscreetlyfaintedaway。
AndthatwasallBuckeyeeverknewoftheaffair！Fortheyrefusedtospeakofitagain，andDr。Duchesnegravelyforbadeanyfurtherinterrogation。Bothmen’srevolverswerefoundundischargedintheirholsters，hangingintheirrespectivecabins。Theballswhichwereafterwardsextractedfromthetwomensingularlydisappeared;Dr。Duchesneassertingwithagrimsmilethattheyhadswallowedthem。*
*Itwasafrontiersuperstitionthattheballextractedfromagunshotwound，ifswallowedbythewoundedman，preventedinflammationoranysuperveningcomplications。
Nothingcouldbeascertainedofthefactsatthetienda，whichatthathourofthedayappearedtohavebeenemptyofcustomers，andwasoccupiedonlybyMissMendezandherretainers。AllsurmisesastotherealcauseofthequarrelandthereasonforthereticenceofthetwobelligerentsweresuddenlyandunexpectedlystoppedbytheirdeparturefromBuckeyeassoonastheirconditionpermitted，ontheallegedopinionofDr。Duchesnethattheairoftheriverwasdangeroustotheirconvalescence。Themomentaryindignationagainstthetiendawhichthetwocombatantshadchecked，eventuallysubsidedaltogether。Afterall，thefighthadtakenplaceOUTSIDE;itwasnotevenproventhattheprovocationhadbeengivenATthetienda！Itspopularitywasundiminished。
PARTIII。
Itwastheendoftherainyseason，andawetnight。BraceandParkswerelookingfromthewindowovertheswollenriver，withfacesquiteastroubledasthestreambelow。Norwastheprospectanylongerthesame。InthepasttwoyearsBuckeyehadgrownintoacity。Theycouldnowcountahalfdozenchurchspiresfromthewindowofthethree—storiedbrickbuildingwhichhadtakentheplaceoftheoldwoodenEmporium，buttheycouldalsocountthebrilliantlylitwindowsofanequalnumberofsaloonsandgambling—
houseswhichglitteredthroughtherain，or，tousethewordsofalocalcritic，\"ShonesevennightsintheweektotheGospelshops’
ONE！\"Adifficultyhadarisenwhichthetwomenhadneverdreamedof，andastrugglehadtakenplacebetweenthetworivalpowers，whichwasdevelopingadegreeofvirulenceandintoleranceonbothsidesthatbodednogoodtoBuckeye。Thediseasewhichitsinfancyhadescapedhadattackeditsadultgrowthwithgreaterviolence。
ThenewAmericansaloonswhichcompetedwithJovitaMendez’Spanishventurehadsubstitutedabrutalmasculinesincerityforherveiledfemininemethods。Therewashigherplay，deeperdrinking，darkerpassion。Yettheopposition，afterthefashionofmostreformers，werecastingbacktotheoriginofthetroubleinJovita，andwereconfoundingprinciplesandgrowth。\"Ifithadnotbeenforhertherulewouldneverhavebeenbroken。\"\"Iftherewastobeacleaningoutofthegamblinghouses，shemustgofirst！\"
Thesoundsofaharpandaviolinplayedinthenearestsaloonstruggleduptothemwiththeopeningandshuttingofitsswingingbaizeinnerdoors。Therewasboisterouschantingfromcertainbelatedrevelersinthenextstreetwhichhadnosuchremission。
Thebrawlingofthestreambelowseemedtobeechoedintheuneasystreets;thequietoftheolddayshaddepartedwiththesedate，encompassingwoodsthatnolongerfringedtheriverbank;therestfulcalmofNaturehadrecededbeforethedustyoutskirtsofthetown。
\"It’smightyunfortunate，too，\"saidBracemoodily，\"thatShuttleworthandSaunders，whohaven’tbeenintheplacesincetheirrow，havecomeoverfromFiddletownto—day，andarebangingaroundtown。Theyhaven’tsaidanythingthatIknowof，buttheirPRESENCEisquiteenoughtorevivetheoldfeelingagainsthershop。TheCommittee，\"headdedbitterly，\"willbesuretosaythatnotonlythefirstgambling，butthefirstshootinginBuckeyetookplacethere。Iftheygetupthatstoryagain——nomatterhowquietSHEhasbecomesince——nomatterwhatYOUmaysayasmayor——itwillgohardwithher。What’sthatnow？\"
Theylistenedbreathlessly。Abovethebrawlingoftheriver，thetwangingoftheharp—player，andtherecedingshoutsoftherevelers，theycouldhearthehollowwoodensidewalksresoundingwiththedull，monotonoustramplingofcloselyfollowingfeet。
Parksrosewithawhiteface。
\"Brace！\"
\"Yes！\"
\"Willyoustandbyme——andHER？\"
\"StandbyYOUANDHER？Eh？What？GoodGod！Parks！——youdon’tmeantosayyou——it’sgoneasfarasTHAT？\"
\"Willyouorwon’tyou？\"
Thesoundofthetramplinghadchangedtoashufflingonthepavementbelow，andthenfootstepsbegantoascendthestairs。
BraceheldouthishandquicklyandgraspedthatofParksasthedooropenedtohalfadozenmen。Theywereevidentlytheringleadersofthecrowdbelow。Therewasnohesitationordoubtintheirmanner;theunswervingdirectnesswhichalwayscharacterizedthoseillegaldemonstrationslentitsomethingofdignity。Nevertheless，Carpenter，thespokesman，flushedslightlybeforeParks’white，determinedface。
\"Come，Parks，youknowwhatwe’reafter，\"hesaidbluntly。\"Wedidn’tcomeheretoparley。WeknewYOURsentimentsandwhatYOU
thinkisyourduty。WeknowwhatweconsiderOURS——andsodoyou。
Butwe’reheretogiveyouachance，eitherasmayor，or，ifyoupreferit，astheoldestcitizenhere，totakeahandinourbusinessto—night。We’renotashamedofwhatwe’regoingtodo，andwe’rewillingtoabidebyit;sothere’snoreasonwhyweshouldn’tspeakaboveboardofittoyou。Weeveninviteyoutotakepartinourlast’call’tonightattheHall。\"
\"Go！\"whisperedBracequickly，\"YOU’LLGAINTIME！\"
Parks’facechanged，andheturnedtoCarpenter。\"Enough，\"hesaidgravely。\"IreservewhatIhavetosayoftheseproceedingstillI
joinyouthere。\"Hestopped，whisperedafewwordstoBrace，andthendisappearedasthemendescendedthestairs，and，joiningthecrowdonthepavement，proceededsilentlytowardstheTownHall。
Therewasnothingintheappearanceofthatdecorousprocessiontoindicateitsunlawfulcharacterortherecklessnesswithwhichitwascharged。
TherewerethirtyorfortymenalreadyseatedintheHall。Themeetingwasbriefandtothepoint。Thegamblingsaloonsweretobe\"cleanedout\"thatnight，thetablesandappliancesthrownintothestreetandburnt，thedoorsclosed，andthegamblersweretobeconductedtotheoutskirtsofthetownandforbiddentoenteritagainonpainofdeath。
\"DoesthisyerrefertoJovitaMendez’saloon？\"askedavoice。
TotheirsurprisethevoicewasnotParks’butShuttleworth’s。Itwasalsoamattertobenotedthathestoodalittleforwardofthecrowd，andthattherewasacorrespondingmovementofadozenormoremenfromFiddletownwhoapparentlywerepartofthemeeting。
Thechairman（No。10）saidtherewastobenoexception，andcertainlynotfortheoriginatorofdisorderinBuckeye！HewassurprisedthatthequestionshouldbeaskedbyNo。72，whowasanoldresidentofBuckeye，andwho，withNo。73，hadsufferedfromthecharacterofthatwoman’ssaloon。
\"That’sjestit，\"saidShuttleworth，\"andezIreckonthatSAUNDERS
ANDMEdidallthedisordertherewas，andhadtoturnourselvesouto’townonaccountofit，Idon’tseejestwhereSHEcouldcomeintothisaffair。Only，\"heturnedandlookedaroundhim，\"inoneway！Andthatway，gentlemen，wouldbeforhertocomehereandbootonehalfo’thiskempanyouto’town，andshoottheotherhalf！Youhearme！——that’sso！\"Hestopped，tuggedamomentathiscravatandloosenedhisshirt—collarasifitimpededhisutterance，andwenton。\"I’vegottosaysuthin’toyougentlemenaboutmeandSaundersandthiswoman;I’vegottosaysuthin’
that’shardforawhitemantosay，andhimamarriedman，too——
I’vegottosaythatmeandSaundersneverhadnoQU’OLL，neverhadNOFIGHTathershop：I’vegottosaythatmeandSaundersgotshotbyJovitaMendezforINSULTIN’HER——fortryin’totreatherasifshewasthecommondirtoftheturnpike——andservedusright！I’vegottosaythatSaundersandmemadeabetthatforallherairsshewasn’tnobetterthanshemightbe，andwewenttheredrunktotryher——andthatwegotleft，withtwoshotsintouslikehoundsaswewere！That’sso！——wasn’tit，Saunders？\"
\"Withtwoshotsinteruslikehoundsezwewere，\"repeatedSaunderswithdeliberateprecision。
\"AndI’vegottosaysuthin’more，gen’lemen，\"continuedShuttleworth，nowentirelyremovinghiscoatandvest，andapparentlyshakinghimselffreefromanyextraneoustrammels。\"I’vegottosaythis——I’vegottosaythattharain’tamaninBuckeye，fromDirtyDickoveryontothemayorofthistown，ezhasn’ttriedthesamethingonandgotleft——gotleft，withoutshootin’maybe，more’sthepity，butgotleftallthesame！AndI’vegottosay，\"
liftinghisvoice，\"THATEFTHAT’SWHATYOUCALLDISORDERLINESSIN
HER——ifthat’swhatyo’rturnin’thiswomanouto’townfor——why\"——
Hestopped，absolutelybreathlessandgasping。Fortherewasamomentaryshockofsurpriseandshame，andthenhewasoverbornebypealafterpealofinextinguishablelaughter。Butitwasthelaughterthatprecipitateddoubt，enlightenedjustice，clearedconfusion，and——savedthem！
InvainafewstruggledtoremindthemthatthequestionoftheOTHERsaloonswasstillunaffected。ItwaslostinthemotionenthusiasticallyputandcarriedthattheCommitteeshouldinstantlyaccompanySaundersandShuttleworthtoJovita’ssaloontomakeanapologyintheirpresence。Fiveminuteslatertheyhaltedhilariouslybeforeitsdoor。Butitwasclosed，dark，andsilent！
TheirsuddenonsetandalarmbroughtSanchichatothehalf—openeddoor。\"Ah，yes！theSenorita？Bueno！ShehadjustleftforFiddletownwiththeSenorParks，thehonorablemayor。TheyhadbeenmarriedonlyafewmomentsbeforebytheReverendMr。McCorkle！\"
THEIRUNCLEFROMCALIFORNIA。
PARTI。
Itwasbitterlycold。WhennightfelloverLakeville，Wisconsin，thesunset，whichhadflickeredratherthanglowedinthewesternsky，tookuponitselfastillmoreborealtremulousness，untilatlastitseemedtofadeawayincoldblueshiverstothezenith。
Nothingelsestirred;inthecrispstillairtheeveningsmokeofchimneysrosethreadlikeandvanished。Thestarswereearly，pale，andpitiless;whenthelatermoonlightfell，itappearedonlytowhitenthestiffenedearthlikesnow，exceptwhereitmadeadull，pewter—likefilmoverthethreefrozenlakeswhichencompassedthetown。
Thesiteofthetownitselfwasrarelybeautiful，anditspioneersandfoundershadcarriedoutthesuggestionstheyhadfoundtherewithlovingtasteandintelligence。
Themselvesoldvoyageurs，trappers，andtraders，theystilllovedNaturetoowelltoexcludeherfromtherestfulhomestheyhadachievedafteryearsoftoilingfacetofacewithher。Soastripofprimevalforestontheoneside，androllinglevelprairieontheother，stillcameuptothebaseofthehill，whereontheyhadbuiltcertainsolidhouses，whichasecondgenerationhadbeautifiedandimprovedwithmoderntaste，butwhichstillretainedtheiroldhonestyoffoundationandwholesomerusticspace。Theseyetstoodamongtheoldtrees，militarysquares，andbroadslopingavenuesofthetown。Seenfromtherailwaybyday，theregularityofstreetsandblockswashiddenbyenvironingtrees;thereremainedonlyapicturesqueliftingofrusticgardens，brownroofs，gables，spires，andcupolasabovethemirroringlake：seenfromtherailwaythisbitternight，theinvisibleterracesandstreetswerenowprickedoutbysymmetricallinesandcurvesofsparklinglights，whichglitteredthroughtheleaflessboughsandseemedtoencirclethehilllikeadiadem。
Centralinthechiefestsquare，andyetpreservingitsoldlordlyisolationinawoodedgarden，thehomesteadofEnochLanestoodwithallitsmodernadditionsandimprovements。Alreadytheseincludednotonlythelatestphasesofdecoration，butvarioustreasuresbroughtbythesecondgenerationfromEurope，whichtheywerewonttovisit，butfromwhichtheyalwayscontentedlyreturnedtotheirlittleprovincialtown。Whethertherewassomeinstinctiveyearning，likethestirredsapofgreatforests，intheirwholesomepioneerblood，orwhethertherewassomeoccultfascinationintheprettytown—crestedhillitself，itwasstillcertainthattherichestinhabitantsalwayspreferredtoliveinLakeville。Eventheyoung，wholeftittoseektheirfortuneelsewhere，camebacktoenjoytheirsuccessunderthesylvanvaultsofthisvastancestralroof。Andthatwaswhy，this22dofDecember，1870，thewholehouseholdofGabrielLanewasawaitingthearrivalfromCaliforniaofhisbrother，SylvesterLane，attheoldhomesteadwhichhehadlefttwentyyearsago。
\"Andyoudon’tknowhowhelooks？\"saidKittyLanetoherfather。
\"Ido，perfectly;ratherchubby，withblueeyes，curlyhair，fairskin，andblusheswhenyouspeaktohim。\"
\"Papa！\"
\"Eh？——Oh，well，heUSEDto。Youseethatwastwenty—fiveyearsago，whenhelefthereforboarding—school。Heranawayfromthere，asItoldyou;wenttosea，andfinallybroughtupatSanFrancisco。\"
\"Andyouhaven’thadanypicture，orphotographofhim，since？\"
\"No——thatis——Isay！——youhaven’t，anyofyou，gotapictureofSylvester，haveyou？\"heturnedinavagueparentheticalappealtothecompanyofrelativesandfriendscollectedinthedrawing—roomafterdinner。
\"CousinJanehas;sheknowsallabouthim！\"
ButitappearedthatCousinJanehadonlyheardSusanMarcklandsaythatEdwardBinghamhadtoldherthathewasinCaliforniawhen\"UncleSylvester\"hadbeennearlyhangedbyaVigilanceCommitteeforprotectingahorsethieforagambler，orsomesuchperson。
Thiswasfelttobeineffectiveasapersonaldescription。
\"He’ssuretowearabigbeard;theyalldowhentheyfirstcomeback，\"saidAmosGunn，withmetropolitanoraculousness。
\"Hehasabigcurlingmustache，longsilkenhair，andbroadshoulders，\"saidMarieduPage。
Therewassuchpiquantconvictioninthemannerofthespeaker，whowasalsoaveryprettygirl，thattheyallturnedtowardsher，andKittyquicklysaid，——
\"ButYOU’VEneverseenhim？\"
\"No——but——\"Shestopped，and，liftingoneshoulder，threwherspiritedheadsideways，inaprettydeprecatoryway，withelevatedeyebrowsandanexpressionintendedtoshowtheotherwiseuntranslatablecharacterofherimpression。Butitshowedquiteaspleasantlytheotherfact，thatshewasthedaughterofaforeigner，anoldFrenchmilitaryexplorer，andthatshehadretainedeveninAnglo—SaxonLakevillesomeoftheGallicanimation。
\"Well，howmanyofyougirlsaregoingwithmetomeethimatthestation？\"saidGabriel，dismissingwithmasculinepromptnessthelesserquestion。\"It’stimetobeoff。\"
\"I’dliketogo，\"saidKitty，\"andsowouldCousinJane;butreally，papa，youseeifYOUdon’tknowhim，andWEdon’teither，andyou’vegottosatisfyyourselfthatit’stherightman，andthenintroduceYOURSELFandthenus——andallthisontheplatformbeforeeverybody——itmakesitratherembarrassingforus。Andthen，ashe’syouryoungerbrotherandwe’resupposedtobehisaffectionatenieces，youknow，itwouldmakeHIMfeelSO
ridiculous！\"
\"AndifheweretoKISSyou，\"saidMarietragically，\"andthenturnoutnottobehim！\"
\"So，\"continuedKitty，\"you’dbettertakeCousinJohn，whowasmoreinUncleSylvester’stime，torepresentthePastofthefamily，andperhapsMr。Gunn\"——
\"Torepresentthefuture，Isuppose？\"interruptedGabrielinawickedwhisper。
\"TorepresentanamethatmostmenoftheworldinNewYorkandSanFranciscoknow，\"wentonKitty，withoutablush。\"Itwouldmakerecognitionandintroductioneasier。Andtakeanextrafurwithyou，dear——notforHIMbutforyourself。Isupposehe’slivedsomuchintheopenairastolaughatourcoddling。\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"saidherfatherthoughtfully;\"thelasttelegramIhavefromhim，enroute，sayshe’shalffrozen，andwantsaclosecarriagesenttothestation。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidMarieimpatiently，\"youforgetthepoorcreaturecomesfromburningcanyonsandhotgoldensandsandperpetualsunshine。\"
\"Verywell;butcomealong，Marie，andseehowI’vepreparedhisroom，\"andasherfatherleftthedrawing—roomKittycarriedoffheroldschoolfellowupstairs。
TheroomselectedforthecomingSylvesterhadbeenoneoftheelaborateguest—chambers，butwasnowstrippedofitsmoreluxuriousfurnitureandarrangedwithpicturesqueyetruralextravagance。Afewrarebuffalo，bear，andpantherskinsweredisposedoverthebarefloor，andevendisplayedgracefullyoversomeelaboratelyrusticchairs。ThehandsomeFrenchbedsteadhadbeendisplacedforasmallwrought—ironascetic—lookingcouchcoveredwithagorgeouslystripedMexicanblanket。Thefireplacehadbeendismantledofitssteelgrate，andthehearthextendedsoastoallowapileofsymmetricallyheapedmoss—coveredhickorylogstotakeitsplace。Thewallswerecoveredwithtrophiesofthechase，buck—hornsanddeer—heads，andanumberofIndianarrowsstoodinasheafinthecornersbesideafewmoderngunsandrifles。
\"Perfectlylovely，\"saidMarie，\"but\"——withaslightshiverofherexpressiveshoulders——\"alittlecoldandoutdoorish，eh？\"
\"Nonsense，\"returnedKittydictatorially，\"andifheIScold，hecaneasilylightthoselogs。Theyalwaysbuildtheiropenfiresunderatree。Why，evenMr。GunnusedtodothatwhenhewascampingoutintheAdirondackslastsummer。IcallitperfectlycomfortableandSOnatural。\"Nevertheless，theyhadbothtuckedtheirchillyhandsunderthefleecyshawlstheyhadsnatchedfromthehallforthishyperboreanexpedition。
\"Youhavetakenmuchpainsforhim，Kaitee，\"saidMarie，withherfaintestforeignintonation。\"Youwilllikethisstrangeuncle——
you？\"
\"Heisawonderfulman，Marie;he’sbeeneverywhere，seeneverything，anddoneeverythingoutthere。He’sfoughtduels，beencapturedbyIndiansandtiedtoastaketobetortured。He’sbeenleaderofaVigilanceCommittee，andtheysaythathehasoftenshotandkilledmenhimself。I’mafraidhe’sbeenratherwicked，youknow。He’slivedaloneinthewoodslikeahermitwithoutseeingasoul，andthen，again，he’sbeenachiefamongtheIndians，withHeavenknowshowmanyIndianwives！Theycalledhim’ThePale—facedThunderbolt，’
mydear，and’TheYoungManwhoSwallowstheLightning，’orsomethinglikethat。\"
\"Andwhatcanhewanthere？\"askedMarie。