CHAPTERI。
WheretheSanLeandroturnpikestretchesitsdusty，hot，andinterminablelengthalongthevalley，atapointwheretheheatanddusthavebecomeintolerable，themonotonousexpanseofwildoatsoneithersideillimitable，andthedistanthorizonapparentlyremoterthanever，itsuddenlyslipsbetweenastuntedthicketorhedgeof\"scruboaks，\"whichuntilthatmomenthadbeenundistinguishableabovethelong，misty，quiveringlevelofthegrain。Thethicketrisinggraduallyinheight，butwitharegularslopewhosegradienthadbeendeterminedbycenturiesofwesterntradewinds，presentlybecomesafairwoodoflive—oak，andafewhundredyardsfurtheratlastassumestheaspectofaprimevalforest。Adeliciouscoolnessfillstheair;thelong，shadowyaislesgreettheachingeyewithasoothingtwilight;themurmurofunseenbrooksisheard，and，byastrangeirony，theenormous，widely—spacedstacksofwildoatsarereplacedbyacarpetoftiny—leavedmossesandchickweedattherootsoftrees，andtheminutestcloverinmoreopenspaces。Thebakedandcrackedadobesoilofthenowvanishedplainsisexchangedforaheavyredmineraldustandgravel，rocksandbouldersmaketheirappearance，andattimestheroadiscrossedbythewhiteveinsofquartz。ItisstilltheSanLeandroturnpike，——afewmileslatertorisefromthiscanadaintotheupperplainsagain，——butitisalsotheactualgatewayandavenuetotheRoblesRancho。WhenthedepartingvisitorsofJudgePeyton，nowowneroftherancho，reachtheouterplainsagain，aftertwentyminutes’drivefromthehouse，thecanada，rancho，andavenuehaveascompletelydisappearedfromviewasiftheyhadbeenswallowedupintheplain。
Acrossroadfromtheturnpikeistheusualapproachtothecasaormansion，——along，lowquadrangleofbrownadobewallinabarebutgentlyslopingeminence。Andhereasecondsurprisemeetsthestranger。Heseemstohaveemergedfromtheforestuponanotherillimitableplain，butoneutterlytrackless，wild，anddesolate。
Itis，however，onlyalowerterraceofthesamevalley，and，infact，comprisesthethreesquareleaguesoftheRoblesRancho。
Uncultivatedandsavageasitappears，givenovertowildcattleandhorsesthatsometimessweepinfrightenedbandsaroundtheverycasaitself，thelongsouthwallofthecorralembracesanorchardofgnarledpear—trees，anoldvineyard，andavenerablegardenofolivesandoranges。Amanor，formerlygrantedbyCharlesV。toDonVincenteRobles，ofAndalusia，ofpiousandasceticmemory，ithadcommendeditselftoJudgePeyton，ofKentucky，amodernhereticpioneerofbookishtastesandsecludedhabits，whohadboughtitofDonVincente’sdescendants。HereJudgePeytonseemedtohaverealizedhisideaofaperfectclimate，andaretirement，half—
studious，half—active，withsomethingoftheseignioraltyoftheoldslaveholderthathehadbeen。Here，too，hehadseenthehopeofrestoringhiswife’shealth——forwhichhehadundertakentheoverlandemigration——morethanfulfilledinMrs。Peyton’simprovedphysicalcondition，albeitattheexpense，perhaps，ofsomeofthelanguorousgracesofailingAmericanwifehood。
ItwaswithacuriousrecognitionofthislatterfactthatJudgePeytonwatchedhiswifecrossingthepatioorcourtyardwithherarmaroundtheneckofheradopteddaughter\"Suzette。\"Asuddenmemorycrossedhismindofthefirstdaythathehadseenthemtogether，——
thedaythathehadbroughtthechildandherboy—companion——twoestraysfromanemigranttrainontheplains——tohiswifeincamp。
CertainlyMrs。Peytonwasstouterandstrongerfibred;thewonderfulCalifornianclimatehadmaterializedherfigure，asithadtheirEasternfruitsandflowers，butitwasstrangerthat\"Susy\"——thechildofhomelierfrontierbloodandparentage，whosewholesomepeasantplumpnesshadatfirstattractedthem——shouldhavegrownthinnerandmoregraceful，andevenseemedtohavegainedthedelicacyhiswifehadlost。Sixyearshadimperceptiblywroughtthischange;ithadneverstruckhimbeforesoforciblyasonthisdayofSusy’sreturnfromtheconventschoolatSantaClarafortheholidays。
Thewomanandchildhadreachedthebroadverandawhich，ononesideofthepatio，replacedtheoldSpanishcorridor。ItwasthesinglemoderninnovationthatPeytonhadallowedhimselfwhenhehadbrokenthequadrangularsymmetryoftheoldhousewithawooden\"annexe\"oradditionbeyondthewalls。Itmadeapleasantlounging—place，shadowedfromthehotmiddaysunbyslopingroofsandawnings，andshelteredfromtheboisterousafternoontradewindsbytheoppositesideofthecourt。ButSusydidnotseeminclinedtolingertherelongthatmorning，inspiteofMrs。Peyton’sevidentdesireforamaternaltete—a—tete。Thenervouspreoccupationandcapriciousennuiofanindulgedchildshowedinherprettybutdiscontentedface，andknithercurvedeyebrows，andPeytonsawalookofpainpassoverhiswife’sfaceastheyounggirlsuddenlyandhalf—
laughinglybrokeawayandflutteredofftowardstheoldgarden。
Mrs。Peytonlookedupandcaughtherhusband’seye。
\"IamafraidSusyfindsitmoredullhereeverytimeshereturns，\"
shesaid，withanapologeticsmile。\"Iamgladshehasinvitedoneofherschoolfriendstocomeforavisitto—morrow。Youknow，yourself，John，\"sheadded，withaslightpartisanattitude，\"thatthelonelyoldhouseandwildplainarenotparticularlylivelyforyoungpeople，howevermuchtheymaysuitYOURways。\"
\"Itcertainlymustbedullifshecan’tstanditforthreeweeksintheyear，\"saidherhusbanddryly。\"ButwereallycannotopentheSanFranciscohouseforhersummervacation，norcanwemovefromtheranchotoamorefashionablelocality。Besides，itwilldohergoodtorunwildhere。Icanrememberwhenshewasn’tsofastidious。Infact，Iwasthinkingjustnowhowchangedshewasfromthedaywhenwepickedherup\"——
\"HowoftenamItoremindyou，John，\"interruptedthelady，withsomeimpatience，\"thatweagreednevertospeakofherpast，oreventothinkofherasanythingbutourownchild。Youknowhowitpainsme！Andthepoordearherselfhasforgottenit，andthinksofusonlyasherownparents。IreallybelievethatifthatwretchedfatherandmotherofhershadnotbeenkilledbytheIndians，orweretocometolifeagain，shewouldneitherknowthemnorcareforthem。Imean，ofcourse，John，\"shesaid，avertinghereyesfromaslightlycynicalsmileonherhusband’sface，\"thatit’sonlynaturalforyoungchildrentobeforgetful，andreadytotakenewimpressions。\"
\"Andaslong，dear，asWEarenotthesubjectsofthisyouthfulforgetfulness，andsheisn’treallyfindingUSasstupidastherancho，\"repliedherhusbandcheerfully，\"Isupposewemustn’tcomplain。\"
\"John，howcanyoutalksuchnonsense？\"saidMrs。Peytonimpatiently。
\"ButIhavenofearofthat，\"sheadded，withaslightlyostentatiousconfidence。\"IonlywishIwasassure\"——
\"Ofwhat？\"
\"Ofnothinghappeningthatcouldtakeherfromus。Idonotmeandeath，John，——likeourfirstlittleone。Thatdoesnothappentoonetwice;butIsometimesdread\"——
\"What？She’sonlyfifteen，andit’sratherearlytothinkabouttheonlyotherinevitableseparation，——marriage。Come，Ally，thisismerefancy。Shehasbeengivenuptousbyherfamily，——atleast，byallthatweknowareleftofthem。Ihavelegallyadoptedher。
IfIhavenotmadehermyheiress，itisbecauseIprefertoleaveeverythingtoYOU，andIwouldrathersheshouldknowthatshewasdependentuponyouforthefuturethanuponme。\"
\"AndIcanmakeawillinherfavorifIwantto？\"saidMrs。Peytonquickly。
\"Always，\"respondedherhusbandsmilingly;\"butyouhaveampletimetothinkofthat，Itrust。MeanwhileIhavesomenewsforyouwhichmaymakeSusy’svisittotheranchothistimelessdulltoher。YourememberClarenceBrant，theboywhowaswithherwhenwepickedherup，andwhoreallysavedherlife？\"
\"No，Idon’t，\"saidMrs。Peytonpettishly，\"nordoIwantto！Youknow，John，howdistastefulandunpleasantitisformetohavethosedreary，petty，andvulgardetailsofthepoorchild’spastliferecalled，and，thankHeaven，Ihaveforgottenthemexceptwhenyouchoosetodragthembeforeme。Youagreed，longago，thatwewerenevertotalkoftheIndianmassacreofherparents，sothatwecouldalsoignoreitbeforeher;thenwhydoyoutalkofhervulgarfriends，whoarejustasunpleasant？Pleaseletusdropthepast。\"
\"Willingly，mydear;but，unfortunately，wecannotmakeothersdoit。Andthisisacaseinpoint。Itappearsthatthisboy，whomwebroughttoSacramentotodelivertoarelative\"——
\"Andwhowasawickedlittleimpostor，——yourememberthatyourself，John，forhesaidthathewasthesonofColonelBrant，andthathewasdead;andyouknow，andmybrotherHarryknew，thatColonelBrantwasaliveallthetime，andthathewaslying，andColonelBrantwasnothisfather，\"brokeinMrs。Peytonimpatiently。
\"Asitseemsyoudorememberthatmuch，\"saidPeytondryly，\"itisonlyjusttohimthatIshouldtellyouthatitappearsthathewasnotanimpostor。HisstorywasTRUE。IhavejustlearnedthatColonelBrantWASactuallyhisfather，buthadconcealedhislawlesslifehere，aswellashisidentity，fromtheboy。HewasreallythatvaguerelativetowhomClarencewasconfided，andunderthatdisguiseheafterwardsprotectedtheboy，hadhimcarefullyeducatedattheJesuitCollegeofSanJose，and，dyingtwoyearsagointhatfilibusterraidinMexico，lefthimaconsiderablefortune。\"
\"AndwhathashetodowithSusy’sholidays？\"saidMrs。Peyton，withuneasyquickness。\"John，yousurelycannotexpectherevertomeetthiscommoncreatureagain，withhisvulgarways。HiswretchedassociateslikethatJimHooker，and，asyouyourselfadmit，thebloodofanassassin，duelist，and——Heavenknowswhatkindofapiratehisfatherwasn’tatthelast——inhisveins！Youdon’tbelievethataladofthistype，howevermuchofhisfather’sill—
gottenmoneyhemayhave，canbefitcompanyforyourdaughter？Younevercouldhavethoughtofinvitinghimhere？\"
\"I’mafraidthat’sexactlywhatIhavedone，Ally，\"saidthesmilingbutunmovedPeyton;\"butI’mstillmoreafraidthatyourconceptionofhispresentconditionisanunfairone，likeyourremembranceofhispast。FatherSobriente，whomImetatSanJoseyesterday，saysheisveryintelligent，andthoroughlyeducated，withcharmingmannersandrefinedtastes。Hisfather’smoney，whichtheysaywasaninvestmentforhiminCarson’sBankfiveyearsago，isasgoodasanyone’s，andhisfather’sbloodwon’thurthiminCaliforniaortheSouthwest。Atleast，heisreceivedeverywhere，andDonJuanRobinsonwashisguardian。Indeed，asfarassocialstatusgoes，itmightbeaseriousquestioniftheactualdaughterofthelateJohnSilsbee，ofPikeCounty，andtheadoptedchildofJohnPeytonwasintheleasthissuperior。AsFatherSobrienteevidentlyknewClarence’sformercompanionshipwithSusyandherparents，itwouldbehardlypoliticforustoignoreitorseemtobeashamedofit。
SoIintrustedSobrientewithaninvitationtoyoungBrantonthespot。\"
Mrs。Peyton’simpatience，indignation，andopposition，whichhadsuccessivelygivenwaybeforeherhusband’squiet，masterfulgoodhumor，heretooktheformofaneuroticfatalism。Sheshookherheadwithsuperstitiousresignation。
\"Didn’tItellyou，John，thatIalwayshadadreadofsomethingcoming\"——
\"Butifitcomesintheshapeofashyyounglad，Iseenothingsingularlyportentousinit。Theyhavenotmetsincetheywerequitesmall;theirtasteshavechanged;iftheydon’tquarrelandfighttheymaybeequallyboredwitheachother。Yetuntilthen，inonewayoranother，Clarencewilloccupytheyounglady’svacantcaprice，andherschoolfriend，MaryRogers，willbehere，youknow，todividehisattentions，and，\"addedPeyton，withmocksolemnity，preservetheinterestofstrictpropriety。ShallIbreakittoher，——orwillyou？\"
\"No，——yes，\"hesitatedMrs。Peyton;\"perhapsIhadbetter。\"
\"Verywell，Ileavehischaracterinyourhands;onlydon’tprejudiceherintoaromanticfancyforhim。\"AndJudgePeytonloungedsmilinglyaway。
ThentwolittletearsforcedthemselvesfromMrs。Peyton’seyes。
AgainshesawthatprospectofuninterruptedcompanionshipwithSusy，uponwhicheachsuccessiveyearshehadbuiltsomanymaternalhopesandconfidences，fadeawaybeforeher。ShedreadedthecomingofSusy’sschoolfriend，whosharedherdaughter’spresentthoughtsandintimacy，althoughshehadherselfinvitedherinamoredesperatedreadofthechild’sabstracted，discontentedeyes;shedreadedtheadventoftheboywhohadsharedSusy’searlylifebeforesheknewher;shedreadedtheordealofbreakingthenewsandperhapsseeingthatprettyanimationspringintohereyes，whichshehadbeguntobelievenosolicitudeortendernessofherowneveragainawakened，——andyetshedreadedstillmorethatherhusbandshouldseeittoo。Fortheloveofthisrecreatedwoman，althoughnotentirelymaterializedwithherchangedfibre，hadneverthelessbecomeacoarserselfishnessfosteredbyherlonelinessandlimitedexperience。Thematernalyearningleftunsatisfiedbythelossofherfirst—bornhadneverbeenfilledbySusy’sthoughtlessacceptanceofit;shehadbeenledastraybythechild’seasytransferenceofdependenceandtheforgetfulnessofyouth，andwasonlynowdimlyconsciousoffindingherselffacetofacewithanaliennature。
ShestartedtoherfeetandfollowedthedirectionthatSusyhadtaken。Foramomentshehadtofronttheafternoontradewindwhichchilledherasitswepttheplainbeyondthegateway，butwasstoppedbytheadobewall，abovewhoseshelterthestuntedtreetops——
throughyearsofexposure——slantedasiftrimmedbygiganticshears。Atfirst，lookingdownthevenerablealleyoffantastic，knottedshapes，shesawnotraceofSusy。Buthalfwaydownthegleamofawhiteskirtagainstathicketofdarkolivesshowedhertheyounggirlsittingonabenchinaneglectedarbor。Inthemidstofthisformalandfadedpageantryshelookedcharminglyfresh，youthful，andpretty;andyettheunfortunatewomanthoughtthatherattitudeandexpressionatthatmomentsuggestedmorethanherfifteenyearsofgirlhood。Hergoldenhairstillhungunfetteredoverherstraight，boy—likebackandshoulders;hershortskirtstillshowedherchildishfeetandankles;yetthereseemedtobesomeundefinedmaturityoravaguewomanlinessaboutherthatstungMrs。Peyton’sheart。Thechildwasgrowingawayfromher，too！
\"Susy！\"
Theyounggirlraisedherheadquickly;herdeepvioleteyesseemedalsotoleapwithasuddensuspicion，andwithahalf—mechanical，secretivemovement，thatmighthavebeenonlyaschoolgirl’sinstinct，herrighthandhadslippedapaperonwhichshewasscribblingbetweentheleavesofherbook。Yetthenextmoment，evenwhilelookinginterrogativelyathermother，shewithdrewthepaperquietly，toreitupintosmallpieces，andthrewthemontheground。
ButMrs。Peytonwastoopreoccupiedwithhernewstonoticethecircumstance，andtoonervousinherhastetobetactful。\"Susy，yourfatherhasinvitedthatboy，ClarenceBrant，——youknowthatcreaturewepickedupandassistedontheplains，whenyouwereamerebaby，——tocomedownhereandmakeusavisit。\"
Herheartseemedtostopbeatingasshegazedbreathlesslyatthegirl。ButSusy’sface，unchangedexceptforthealert，questioningeyes，remainedfixedforamoment;thenachildishsmileofwonderopenedhersmallredmouth，expandeditslightlyasshesaidsimply：——
\"Lor，mar！Hehasn’t，really！\"
Inexpressibly，yetunreasonablyreassured，Mrs。Peytonhurriedlyrecountedherhusband’sstoryofClarence’sfortune，andwasevenjoyfullysurprisedintosomefairnessofstatement。
\"Butyoudon’trememberhimmuch，doyou，dear？Itwassolongago，and——youarequiteayoungladynow，\"sheaddedeagerly。
Theopenmouthwasstillfixed;thewonderingsmilewouldhavebeenidioticinanyfacelessdimpled，rosy，andpiquantthanSusy’s。
Afteraslightgasp，asifinstillincredulousandpartlyreminiscentpreoccupation，shesaidwithoutreplying：——
\"Howfunny！Whenishecoming？\"
\"Dayafterto—morrow，\"returnedMrs。Peyton，withacontentedsmile。
\"AndMaryRogerswillbehere，too。Itwillberealfunforher。\"
Mrs。Peytonwasmorethanreassured。Halfashamedofherjealousfears，shedrewSusy’sgoldenheadtowardsherandkissedit。Andtheyounggirl，stillreminiscent，withsmilinglyabstractedtoleration，returnedthecaress。
CHAPTERII。
ItwasnotthoughtinconsistentwithSusy’scapriciousnessthatsheshoulddeclareherintentionthenextmorningofdrivingherponybuggytoSantaIneztoanticipatethestage—coachandfetchMaryRogersfromthestation。Mrs。Peyton，asusual，supportedtheyounglady’swhimandopposedherhusband’sobjections。
\"Becausethestage—coachhappenstopassourgate，John，itisnoreasonwhySusyshouldn’tdriveherfriendfromSantaInezifsheprefersit。It’sonlysevenmiles，andyoucansendPedrotofollowheronhorsebacktoseethatshecomestonoharm。\"
\"Butthatisn’tPedro’sbusiness，\"saidPeyton。
\"Heoughttobeproudoftheprivilege，\"returnedthelady，withatossofherhead。
Peytonsmiledgrimly，butyielded;andwhenthestage—coachdrewupthenextafternoonattheSantaInezHotel，Susywasalreadywaitinginherponycarriagebeforeit。Althoughthesusceptibledriver，expressman，andpassengersgenerally，charmedwiththisgolden—
hairedvision，wouldhavegladlyprotractedthemeetingofthetwoyoungfriends，thetransferofMaryRogersfromthecoachtothecarriagewaseffectedwithconsiderablehauteurandyouthfuldignitybySusy。EvenMaryRogers，twoyearsSusy’ssenior，aseriousbrunette，whosegood—humordidnot，however，impairhercapacityforsentiment，wasimpressedandevenembarrassedbyherdemeanor;butonlyforamoment。Whentheyhaddrivenfromthehotelandwerefairlyhiddenagaininthedustoftheoutlyingplain，withthediscreetPedrohoveringinthedistance，Susydroppedthereins，and，graspinghercompanion’sarm，gasped，intonesofdramaticintensity：——
\"He’sbeenheardfrom，andiscomingHERE！\"
\"Who？\"
Asickeningsensethatheroldconfidantehadalreadylosttouchwithher——theyhadbeenseparatedfornearlytwoweeks——mighthavepassedthroughSusy’smind。
\"Who？\"sherepeated，withaviciousshakeofMary’sarm，\"why，ClarenceBrant，ofcourse。\"
\"No！\"saidMary，vaguely。
Nevertheless，Susywentonrapidly，asiftoneutralizetheeffectofhercomrade’svacuity。
\"Younevercouldhaveimaginedit！Never！EvenI，whenmothertoldme，IthoughtIshouldhavefainted，andALLwouldhavebeenrevealed！\"
\"But，\"hesitatedthestillwonderingconfidante，\"Ithoughtthatwasalloverlongago。Youhaven’tseenhimnorheardfromhimsincethatdayyoumetaccidentallyatSantaClara，twoyearsago，haveyou？\"
Susy’seyesshotabluerayofdarkbutunutterablesignificanceintoMary’s，andthenwerecarefullyaverted。MaryRogers，althoughperfectlysatisfiedthatSusyhadneverseenClarencesince，neverthelessinstantlyacceptedandwaseventhrilledwiththisartfulsuggestionofaclandestinecorrespondence。Suchwasthesimplefaithofyouthfulfriendship。
\"Motherknowsnothingofit，ofcourse，andawordfromyouorhimwouldruineverything，\"continuedthebreathlessSusy。\"That’swhyIcametofetchyouandwarnyou。Youmustseehimfirst，andwarnhimatanycost。IfIhadn’truneveryrisktocomehereto—day，Heavenknowswhatmighthavehappened！Whatdoyouthinkoftheponies，dear？They’remyown，andthesweetest！Thisone’sSusy，thatoneClarence，——butprivately，youknow。Beforetheworldandinthestableshe’sonlyBirdie。\"
\"ButIthoughtyouwrotetomethatyoucalledthem’PaulandVirginie，’\"saidMarydoubtfully。
\"Ido，sometimes，\"saidSusycalmly。\"Butonehastolearntosuppressone’sfeelings，dear！\"Thenquickly，\"Idosohatedeceit，don’tyou？Tellme，don’tyouthinkdeceitperfectlyhateful？\"
Withoutwaitingforherfriend’sloyalassent，shecontinuedrapidly：\"Andhe’sjustrollinginwealth！andeducated，papasays，tothehighestdegree！\"
\"Then，\"beganMary，\"ifhe’scomingwithyourmother’sconsent，andifyouhaven’tquarreled，anditisnotbrokenoff，Ishouldthinkyou’dbejustdelighted。\"
ButanotherquickflashfromSusy’seyesdispersedthesebeatificvisionsofthefuture。\"Hush！\"shesaid，withsuppresseddramaticintensity。\"Youknownotwhatyousay！There’sanawfulmysteryhangsoverhim。MaryRogers，\"continuedtheyounggirl，approachinghersmallmouthtoherconfidante’searinanappallingwhisper。
\"Hisfatherwas——aPIRATE！Yes——livedapirateandwaskilledapirate！\"
Thestatement，however，seemedtobepartlyineffective。MaryRogerswasstartledbutnotalarmed，andevenprotestedfeebly。
\"But，\"shesaid，\"ifthefather’sdead，what’sthattodowithClarence？Hewasalwayswithyourpapa——soyoutoldme，dear——orotherpeople，andcouldn’tcatchanythingfromhisownfather。AndI’msure，dearest，healwaysseemedniceandquiet。\"
\"Yes，SEEMED，\"returnedSusydarkly，\"butthat’sallyouknow！ItwasinhisBLOOD。Youknowitalwaysis，——youreaditinthebooks，——youcouldseeitinhiseye。Thereweretimes，mydear，whenhewasthwarted，——whentheslightestattentionfromanotherpersontomerevealedit！Ihavekeptittomyself，——butthink，dearest，oftheeffectsofjealousyonthatpassionatenature！
SometimesItrembletolookbackuponit。\"
Nevertheless，sheraisedherhandsandthrewbackherlovelygoldenmanefromherchildishshoulderswithaneasy，untroubledgesture。
ItwassingularthatMaryRogers，leaningbackcomfortablyinthebuggy，alsoacceptedtheseheart—rendingrevelationswithcomfortablyknittedbrowsandluxuriouslycontentedconcern。IfshefounditdifficulttorecognizeinthepicturejustdrawnbySusythequiet，gentle，andsadlyreservedyouthshehadknown，shesaidnothing。Afterasilence，lazilywatchingthedistantwheelingvacquero，shesaid：——
\"Andyourfatheralwayssendsanoutriderlikethatwithyou？Hownice！Sopicturesque——andliketheoldSpanishdays。\"
\"Hush！\"saidSusy，withanotherunutterableglance。
ButthistimeMarywasinfullsympatheticcommunionwithherfriend，andequaltoanyincoherenthiatusofrevelation。
\"No！\"shesaidpromptly，\"youdon’tmeanit！\"
\"Don’taskme，Idaren’tsayanythingtopapa，forhe’dbesimplyfurious。Buttherearetimeswhenwe’realone，andPedrowheelsdownsonearwithSUCHalookinhisblackeyes，thatI’mallinatremble。It’sdreadful！Theysayhe’sarealBriones，——andhesometimessayssomethinginSpanish，endingwith’senorita，’butI
pretendIdon’tunderstand。\"
\"AndIsupposethatifanythingshouldhappentotheponies，he’djustriskhislifetosaveyou。\"
\"Yes，——anditwouldbesoawful，——forIjusthatehim！\"
\"ButifIwaswithyou，dear，hecouldn’texpectyoutobeasgratefulasifyouwerealone。Susy！\"shecontinuedafterapause，\"ifyoujuststirreduptheponiesalittlesoastomake’emgofast，perhapshemightthinkthey’dgotawayfromyou，andcomedashingdownhere。Itwouldbesofunnytoseehim，——wouldn’tit？\"
Thetwogirlslookedateachother;theireyessparkledalreadywithafearfuljoy，——theydrewalongbreathofguiltyanticipation。ForamomentSusyevenbelievedinherimaginarysketchofPedro’sdevotion。
\"PapasaidIwasn’ttousethewhipexceptinacaseofnecessity，\"
shesaid，reachingfortheslendersilver—handledtoy，andsettingherprettylipstogetherwiththeaddeddeterminationofdisobedience。\"G’long！\"——andshelaidthelashsmartlyontheshiningbacksoftheanimals。
Theywerewiry，slenderbrutesofMojaveIndianblood，onlylatelybrokentoharness，andstillundisciplinedintemper。Thelashsentthemrearingintotheair，where，forgettingthemselvesintheslackenedtracesandloosereins，theycamedownwithasuccessionofboundsthatbroughtthelightbuggyleapingafterthemwithitswheelsscarcelytouchingtheground。Thatunluckylashhadknockedawaythebondsofafewmonths’servitudeandsentthehalf—brokenbrutesinstinctivelycareeringwitharchedbacksandkickingheelsintothefieldtowardsthenearestcover。
MaryRogerscastahurriedglanceoverhershoulder。Alas，theyhadnotcalculatedontheinsidiouslevelsoftheterracedplain，andthefaithfulPedrohadsuddenlydisappeared;theinterventionofsixinchesofrisingwildoatshadwipedhimoutoftheprospectandtheirpossiblesalvationascompletelyasifhehadbeenmilesaway。
Nevertheless，thegirlswerenotfrightened;perhapstheyhadnottime。Therewas，however，thebriefestintervalforthemostdominantoffeminineemotions，anditwastakenadvantageofbySusy。
\"ItwasallYOURfault，dear！\"shegasped，astheforewheelsofthebuggy，droppingintoagopherrut，suddenlytiltedupthebackofthevehicleandshotitsfairoccupantsintotheyieldingpalisadesofdustygrain。Theshockdetachedthewhiffletreefromthesplinter—bar，snappedthelightpole，and，turningthenowthoroughlyfrightenedanimalsagainfromtheircourse，sentthem，goadedbytheclatteringfragments，flyingdowntheturnpike。Halfamilefartherontheyovertookthegleamingwhitecanvashoodofaslowlymovingwagondrawnbytwooxen，and，swervingagain，thenearerponysteppeduponatrailingtraceandingloriouslyendedtheircareerbyrollinghimselfandhiscompanioninthedustattheveryfeetofthepeacefullyploddingteam。
EquallyharmlessandingloriouswasthecatastropheofSusyandherfriend。Thestrong，elasticstalksofthetallgrainbroketheirfallandenabledthemtoscrambletotheirfeet，dusty，disheveled，butunhurt，andevenunstunnedbytheshock。Theirfirstinstinctivecriesoveradamagedhatorrippedskirtwerefollowedbythequickreactionofchildishlaughter。Theywerealone;theverydefectionofPedroconsoledthem，initsabsenceofanywitnesstotheirdisaster;eventheirpreviousslightattitudetoeachotherwasforgotten。Theygropedtheirway，pushingandpanting，totheroadagain，where，beholdingtheoversetbuggywithitswheelsludicrouslyintheair，theysuddenlyseizedandshookeachother，andinanoutburstofhilariousecstasy，fairlylaugheduntilthetearscameintotheireyes。
Thentherewasabreathlesssilence。
\"Thestagewillbecomingbyinamoment，\"composedlysaidSusy。
\"Fixme，dear。\"
MaryRogerscalmlywalkedaroundherfriend，bestowingapracticalshakethere，apluckhere，completelyretyingonebowandrestoringanengagingfullnesstoanother，yetcriticallyexamining，withherheadononeside，thefascinatingresult。ThenSusyperformedthesamefunctionforMarywithequaldeliberationanddeftness。
SuddenlyMarystartedandlookedup。
\"It’scoming，\"shesaidquickly，\"andthey’veSEENUS。\"
Theexpressionofthefacesofthetwogirlsinstantlychanged。A
paineddignityandresignation，apparentlybornofthemostharrowingexperiencesandcontrolledonlybyperfectgoodbreeding，wasdistinctlysuggestedintheirfeaturesandattitudeastheystoodpatientlybythewreckoftheiroverturnedbuggyawaitingtheoncomingcoach。Insharpcontrastwastheevidentexcitementamongthepassengers。Afewrosefromtheirseatsintheireagerness;asthestagepulledupintheroadbesidethebuggyfourorfiveoftheyoungermenleapedtotheground。
\"Areyouhurt，miss？\"theygaspedsympathetically。
Susydidnotimmediatelyreply，butominouslyknittedherprettyeyebrowsasifrepressingaspasmofpain。Thenshesaid，\"Notatall，\"coldly，withthesuggestionofstoicallyconcealingsomelastingorperhapsfatalinjury，andtookthearmofMaryRogers，whohad，inthemeantime，establishedatouchingyetgracefullimp。
Decliningtheprofferedassistanceofthepassengers，theyhelpedeachotherintothecoach，andfreezinglyrequestingthedrivertostopatMr。Peyton’sgate，maintainedastatuesqueandimpressivesilence。Atthegatestheygotdown，followedbythesympatheticglancesoftheothers。
Toallappearancetheirescapade，albeitfraughtwithdangerouspossibilities，hadhappilyended。Butintheeconomyofhumanaffairs，asinnature，forcesarenotsuddenlyletloosewithoutmoreorlesssympatheticdisturbancewhichisapttolingeraftertheimpellingcauseisharmlesslyspent。Thefrightwhichthegirlshadunsuccessfullyattemptedtoproduceintheheartoftheirescorthadpassedhimtobecomeapanicelsewhere。JudgePeyton，ridingnearthegatewayofhisrancho，wassuddenlyconfrontedbythespectacleofoneofhisvacquerosdrivingonbeforehimthetwolassoedanddustyponies，withafacethatbrokeintoviolentgesticulatingathismaster’squickinterrogation。
\"Ah！MotherofGod！Itwasanevilday！Forthebronchoshadrunaway，upsetthebuggy，andhadonlybeenstoppedbyabraveAmericanoofanox—team，whoselassowasevennowaroundtheirnecks，toproveit，andwhohadbeendraggedamatterofahundredvaras，likeacalf，attheirheels。Thesenoritas，——ah！hadhenotalreadysaidtheyweresafe，bythemercyofJesus！——pickedupbythecoach，andwouldbehereatthismoment。\"
\"ButwherewasPedroallthetime？Whatwashedoing？\"demandedPeyton，withadarkenedfaceandgatheringanger。
Thevacquerolookedathismaster，andshruggedhisshoulderssignificantly。AtanyothertimePeytonwouldhaverememberedthatPedro，asthereputedscionofadecayedSpanishfamily，andclaimingsuperiority，wasnotafavoritewithhisfellow—retainers。
Butthegesture，halfofsuggestion，halfofdepreciation，irritatedPeytonstillmore。
\"Well，whereisthisAmericanwhoDIDsomethingwhentherewasn’tamanamongyouallabletostopachild’srunawayponies？\"hesaidsarcastically。\"Letmeseehim。\"
Thevacquerobecamestillmoredeprecatory。
\"Ah！HehaddrivenonwithhisteamtowardsSanAntonio。Hewouldnotstoptobethanked。Butthatwasthewholetruth。He，Incarnacion，couldsweartoitastotheCreed。Therewasnothingmore。\"
\"Takethosebeastsaroundthebackwaytothecorral，\"saidPeyton，thoroughlyenraged，\"andnotawordofthistoanyoneatthecasa，doyouhear？NotawordtoMrs。Peytonortheservants，or，byHeaven，I’llcleartheranchoofthewholelazycrewofyouatonce。
Outofthewaythere，andbeoff！\"
Hespurredhishorsepastthefrightenedmenial，anddasheddownthenarrowlanethatledtothegate。But，asIncarnacionhadtrulysaid，\"Itwasanevilday，\"foratthebottomofthelane，amblingslowlyalongashelazilypuffedayellowcigarette，appearedthefigureoftheerringPedro。Utterlyunconsciousoftheaccident，attributingthedisappearanceofhischargestotheinequalitiesoftheplain，and，intruth，littleinterestedinwhathefirmlybelievedwashispurelyartificialfunction，hehadevenmadealargercircuittostopatawaysidefondaforrefreshments。
Unfortunately，thereisnomoreillogicalsequenceofhumanemotionthantheexasperationproducedbytheblandmanneroftheunfortunateobjectwhohasexcitedit，althoughthatveryunconcernmaybetheconvincingproofofinnocenceofintention。JudgePeyton，alreadyinfluenced，wasfuriousatthecomfortableobliviousnessofhiscarelesshenchman，androdeangrilytowardshim。OnlyaquickturnofPedro’swristkeptthetwomenfromcomingintocollision。
\"Isthisthewayyouattendtoyourduty？\"demandedPeyton，inathick，suppressedvoice，\"Whereisthebuggy？Whereismydaughter？\"
TherewasnomistakingJudgePeyton’smanner，evenifthereasonofitwasnotsocleartoPedro’smind，andhishotLatinbloodflewinstinctivelytohisface。Butforthat，hemighthaveshownsomeconcernoraskedanexplanation。Asitwas，heatonceretortedwiththenationalshrugandthenationalhalf—scornful，half—lazy\"Quiensabe？\"
\"Whoknows？\"repeatedPeyton，hotly。\"Ido！Shewasthrownoutofherbuggythroughyournegligenceandinfernallaziness！Theponiesranaway，andwerestoppedbyastrangerwhowasn’tafraidofriskinghisbones，whileyouwerelimpingaroundsomewherelikeaslouching，cowardlycoyote。\"
Thevacquerostruggledamomentbetweenblankastonishmentandinarticulaterage。Atlastheburstout：——
\"Iamnocoyote！Iwasthere！Isawnorunaway！\"
\"Don’tlietome，sir！\"roaredPeyton。\"Itellyouthebuggywassmashed，thegirlswerethrownoutandnearlykilled\"——Hestoppedsuddenly。Thesoundofyouthfullaughterhadcomefromthebottomofthelane，whereSusyPeytonandMaryRogers，justalightedfromthecoach，inthereactionoftheirpreviousconstrainedattitude，wereflyinghilariouslyintoview。AslightembarrassmentcrossedPeyton’sface;astilldeeperflushofangeroverspreadPedro’ssullencheek。
ThenPedrofoundtongueagain，hisnativeone，rapidly，violently，halfincoherently。\"Ah，yes！Ithadcometothis。Itseemshewasnotavacquero，acompanionofthepadroneonlandsthathadbeenhisownbeforetheAmericanosrobbedhimofit，butaservant，alackeyofmuchachas，anattendantonchildrentoamusethem，or——whynot？——anappendagetohisdaughter’sstate！Ah，JesusMaria！suchastate！suchamuchacha！Apicked—upfoundling——aswineherd’sdaughter——tobeennobledbyhis，Pedro’s，attendance，andforwhosevulgar，clownishtricks，——tricksofaswineherd’sdaughter，——he，Pedro，wastobebroughttobookandinsultedasifshewereofHidalgoblood！Ah，Caramba！DonJuanPeytonwouldfindhecouldnomoremakeaservantofhimthanhecouldmakealadyofher！\"
Thetwoyounggirlswererapidlyapproaching。JudgePeytonspurredhishorsebesidethevacquero’s，and，swingingthelongthongofhisbridleominouslyinhisclenchedfingers，said，withawhiteface：——
\"Vamos！\"
Pedro’shandslidtowardshissash。Peytononlylookedathimwitharigidsmileofscorn。
\"OrI’lllashyouherebeforethemboth，\"headdedinalowervoice。
ThevacquerometPeyton’srelentlesseyeswithayellowflashofhate，drewhisreinssharply，untilhismustang，galledbythecruelbit，rearedsuddenlyasiftostrikeattheimmovableAmerican，then，apparentlywiththesameaction，heswungitaroundonitshindlegs，asonapivot，anddashedtowardsthecorralatafuriousgallop。
CHAPTERIII。
Meantimetheheroicproprietorofthepeacefulox—team，whosevalorIncarnacionhadsoinfelicitouslycelebrated，waswalkinglistlesslyinthedustbesidehiswagon。Atafirstglancehisslouchingfigure，takeninconnectionwithhisbucolicconveyance，didnotimmediatelysuggestahero。Asheemergedfromthedustyclouditcouldbeseenthathewaswearingabeltfromwhichalargedragoonrevolverandhuntingknifewereslung，andplacedsomewhatostentatiouslyacrossthewagonseatwasarifle。Yettheothercontentsofthewagonwereofasingularlyinoffensivecharacter，andevensuggestedarticlesofhomelybarter。Culinaryutensilsofallsizes，tubs，scullerybrushes，andclocks，withseveralrollsofcheapcarpetingandcalico，mighthavebeenthewaresofsometravelingvender。Yet，astheywereonlyvisiblethroughaflapofthedrawncurtainsofthecanvashood，theydidnotmitigatethegeneralaggressiveeffectoftheirowner’sappearance。Aredbandannahandkerchiefknottedandthrownlooselyoverhisshoulders，aslouchedhatpulleddarklyoveraheadoflongtangledhair，which，however，shadowedaround，comfortableface，scantilyandyouthfullybearded，werepartoftheseconfusinginconsistencies。
Theshadowsoftheteamwagonwerealreadylengtheninggrotesquelyovertheflat，cultivatedfields，whichforsometimehadtakentheplaceoftheplainsofwildoatsinthebranchroadintowhichtheyhadturned。Thegiganticshadowoftheproprietor，occasionallyprojectedbeforeit，wasincharacteristicexaggeration，andwasoftenobliteratedbyapuffofdust，stirredbytheploddinghoofsofthepeacefuloxen，andsweptacrossthefieldbythestrongafternoontrades。Thesunsanklower，althoughastillpotentpresenceabovethehorizonline;thecreakingwagonlumberedstillheavilyalong。Yetatintervalsitsbelligerentproprietorwouldstartupfromhisslouching，silentmarch，breakoutintoviolent，disproportionate，bututterlyineffectiveobjurgationofhiscattle，jumpintotheairandkickhisheelstogetherinsomeparoxysmofindignationagainstthem，——anact，however，whichwasreceivedalwayswithheavybovineindifference，thedoggedscornofswaying，repudiatingheads，orthedullcontemptoflazilyflickingtails。
Towardssunsetoneortwostragglingbarnsandcottagesindicatedtheirapproachtotheoutskirtsofacountrytownorsettlement。
Heretheteamhalted，asifthebelligerent—lookingteamsterhadfelthisappearancewasinconsistentwithaneffeminatecivilization，andtheoxenwereturnedintoanopenwasteoppositeanondescriptwoodentenement，halffarmhouseandhalfcabin，evidentlyoftherudestWesternorigin。Hemayhaverecognizedthefactthatthese\"shanties\"werenot，astheordinarytravelermightinfer，thefirstrudeshelteroftheoriginalpioneersorsettlers，butthelatermakeshiftsofsomerecentWesternimmigrantswho，likehimself，probablyfoundthemselvesunequaltothesettledhabitsofthevillage，andwhostillretainedtheirnomadicinstincts。Itchanced，however，thatthecabinatpresentwasoccupiedbyaNewEnglandmechanicandhisfamily，whohademigratedbyshiparoundCapeHorn，andwhohadnoexperienceoftheWest，theplains，oritspeople。Itwasthereforewithsomecuriosityandacertainamountoffascinatedawethatthemechanic’sonlydaughterregardedfromtheopendoorofherdwellingthearrivalofthiswildandlawless—
lookingstranger。
Meantimehehadopenedthecurtainsofthewagonandtakenfromitsinterioranumberofpots，pans，andculinaryutensils，whichheproceededtohanguponcertainhooksthatwereplacedontheouterribsoftheboardandthesidesofthevehicle。Tothisheaddedarollofragcarpet，theendofwhichhungfromthetailboard，andarollofpinkcalicotemptinglydisplayedontheseat。Themystificationandcuriosityoftheyounggirlgrewmoreintenseattheseproceedings。Itlookedliketheordinaryexhibitionofatravelingpeddler，butthegloomyandembattledappearanceofthemanhimselfscoutedsopeacefulandcommonplaceasuggestion。Underthepretenseofchasingawayamaraudinghen，shesalliedoutuponthewastenearthewagon。Itthenbecameevidentthatthetravelerhadseenher，andwasnotaversetoherinterestinhismovements，althoughhehadnotchangedhisattitudeofsavageretrospection。
Anoccasionalejaculationofsuppressedpassion，asifthememoryofsomepastconflictwastoomuchforhim，escapedhimeveninthispeacefuloccupation。Asthispossiblycausedtheyounggirltostillhovertimidlyinthedistance，hesuddenlyenteredthewagonandreappearedcarryingatinbucket，withwhichhesomewhatostentatiouslycrossedherpath，hiseyesdarklywanderingasifseekingsomething。
\"Ifyou’relookin’forthespring，it’saspellfurderon——bythewillows。\"
Itwasapleasantvoice，theteamsterthought，albeitwithadry，crisp，NewEnglandaccentunfamiliartohisears。Helookedintothedepthsofanunlovelyblue—checksunbonnet，andsawcertainsmall，irregularfeaturesandasallowcheck，litupbyapairofperfectlyinnocent，trustful，andwonderingbrowneyes。Theirtimidpossessorseemedtobeagirlofseventeen，whosefigure，althoughapparentlycladinoneofhermother’sgowns，wasstillundevelopedandrepressedbyrustichardshipandinnutrition。Ashereyesmethisshesawthatthefaceofthisgloomystrangerwasstillyouthful，bynomeansimplacable，and，evenatthatmoment，wasactuallysuffusedbyabrick—coloredblush！Inmattersofmereintuition，thesex，eveninitsmostrusticphase，isstilloursuperior;andthisunsophisticatedgirl，asthetrespasserstammered，\"Thankye，miss，\"wasinstinctivelyemboldenedtogreaterfreedom。
\"Dadain’ttuhum，butyekinhaveadrinko’milkifyekeerforit。\"
Shemotionedshylytowardsthecabin，andthenledtheway。Thestranger，withaninarticulatemurmur，afterwardsdisguisedasacough，followedhermeekly。Nevertheless，bythetimetheyhadreachedthecabinhehadshakenhislonghairoverhiseyesagain，andadarkabstractiongatheredchieflyinhiseyebrows。Butitdidnoteffacefromthegirl’smindthepreviousconcessionofablush，and，althoughitaddedtohercuriosity，didnotalarmher。Hedrankthemilkawkwardly。Butbythelawsofcourtesy，evenamongthemostsavagetribes，shefelthewas，atthatmomentatleast，harmless。Atimidsmileflutteredaroundhermouthasshesaid：——
\"WhenyehungupthemthingsIthoughtyemightbehavin’suthingtoswaporsell。Thatis，\"——withtactfulpoliteness，——\"motherwaswantin’anewskillet，anditwouldhavebeenhandyifyou’dhadone。But\"——withanapologeticglanceathisequipments——\"ifitain’tyourbusiness，it’sallright，andnooffense。\"
\"I’vegotaloto’skillets，\"saidthestrangeteamster，withmarkedcondescension，\"andshecanhaveone。They’reallthat’sleftouteraheapo’trader’sstuffcapturedbyInjunst’othersideofLaramie。
Wehadabigfighttoget’emback。Losttwoofourbestmen，——
scalpedatBloodyCreek，——andhadtodropadozenredskinsintheirtracks，——meandanotherman，——lyin’flatinerwagonandfirin’
undertheflapso’thecanvas。Idon’tknoweztheywazwuthit，\"
headdedingloomyretrospect;\"butI’vegottogetridof’em，I
reckon，somehow，aforeIworkovertoDeadman’sGulchagain。\"
Theyounggirl’seyesbrightenedtimidlywithafeminineminglingofimaginativeaweandpersonal，pityinginterest。Hewas，afterall，soyoungandamiablelookingforsuchhardshipsandadventures。Andwithallthis，he——thisIndianfighter——wasalittleafraidofHER！
\"Thenthat’swhyyoucarrythatknifeandsix—shooter？\"shesaid。
\"Butyouwon’twant’emnow，hereinthesettlement。\"
\"That’sezmebbe，\"saidthestrangerdarkly。Hepaused，andthensuddenly，asifrecklesslyacceptingadangerousrisk，unbuckledhisrevolverandhandeditabstractedlytotheyounggirl。Butthesheathofthebowie—knifewasafixtureinhisbody—belt，andhewasobligedtowithdrawtheglitteringbladebyitself，andtohandittoherinallitsnakedterrors。Theyounggirlreceivedtheweaponswithasmilingcomplacency。UponsuchaltarsasthesetheskepticalreaderwillrememberthatMarshadoncehunghis\"batteredshield，\"hislance，and\"uncontrolledcrest。\"
Nevertheless，thewarliketeamsterwasnotwithoutembarrassment。
Mutteringsomethingaboutthenecessityof\"lookingafterhisstock，\"heachievedahesitatingbow，backedawkwardlyoutofthedoor，andreceivingfromtheconqueringhandsoftheyounggirlhisweaponsagain，wasobligedtocarrythemsomewhatingloriouslyinhishandsacrosstheroad，andputthemonthewagonseat，where，incompanywiththeculinaryarticles，theyseemedtolosetheirdistinctivelyaggressivecharacter。Here，althoughhischeekwasstillflushedfromhispeacefulencounter，hisvoiceregainedsomeofitshoarseseverityashedrovetheoxenfromthemuddypoolintowhichtheyhadluxuriantlywandered，andbroughttheirfodderfromthewagon。Later，asthesunwassetting，helitacorn—cobpipe，andsomewhatostentatiouslystrolleddowntheroad，withafurtiveeyelingeringuponthestillopendoorofthefarmhouse。Presentlytwoangularfiguresappearedfromit，thefarmerandhiswife，intentonbarter。
Thesehereceivedwithhispreviousgloomypreoccupation，andaslightvariationofthestoryhehadtoldtheirdaughter。Itispossiblethathissuggestiveindifferencepiquedandheightenedthebargaininginstinctsofthewoman，forshenotonlyboughttheskillet，butpurchasedaclockandarollofcarpeting。Stillmore，insomeeffusionofrusticcourtesy，sheextendedaninvitationtohimtosupwiththem，whichhedeclinedandacceptedinthesameembarrassedbreath，returningtheprofferedhospitalitybyconfidentiallyshowingthemacoupleofdriedscalps，presumablyofIndianorigin。Itwasinthesamemomentofhumanweaknessthatheansweredtheirpolitequeryasto\"whattheymightcallhim，\"byintimatingthathisnamewas\"RedJim，\"——atitleofachievementbywhichhewasgenerallyknown，whichforthepresentmustsufficethem。Butduringtherepastthatfollowedthiswasshortenedto\"MisterJim，\"andevenfamiliarlybytheelderstoplain\"Jim。\"
Onlytheyounggirlhabituallyusedtheformalprefixinreturnforthe\"MissPhoebe\"thathecalledher。
WiththreesuchsympatheticandunexperiencedauditorsthegloomyembarrassmentofRedJimwassoondissipated，althoughitcouldhardlybesaidthathewasgenerallycommunicative。DarktalesofIndianwarfare，ofnightattacksandwildstampedes，inwhichhehadalwaystakenaprominentpart，flowedfreelyfromhislips，butlittleelseofhispasthistoryorpresentprospects。Andevenhisnarrativesofadventureweremoreorlessfragmentaryandimperfectindetail。
\"Youwozsaying，\"saidthefarmer，withslow，matteroffact，NewEnglanddeliberation，\"ezhowyouguessedyouwozbeguiledamongsttheInjinsbyyourMexicanpartner，apow’fulinfluentialman，andyetyouwoztheonlyoneescapedthegen’ralslarterin’。HowcametheInjinstokillHIM，——theirfriend？\"
\"Theydidn’t，\"returnedJim，withominouslyavertedeyes。
\"Whatbecameofhim？\"continuedthefarmer。
RedJimshadowedhiseyeswithhishand，andcastadarkglanceofscrutinyoutofthedoorsandwindows。Theyounggirlperceiveditwithtimid，fascinatedconcern，andsaidhurriedly：——
\"Don’taskhim，father！Don’tyouseehemustn’ttell？\"
\"Notwhenspiesmaybehangin’round，anddoggin’meateverystep，\"
saidRedJim，asifreflecting，withanotherfurtiveglancetowardsthealreadyfadingprospectwithout。\"They’vesworntorevengehim，\"headdedmoodily。
Amomentarysilencefollowed。Thefarmercoughedslightly，andlookeddubiouslyathiswife。Butthetwowomenhadalreadyexchangedfeminineglancesofsympathyforthisevidentslayeroftraitors，andwereapparentlyinclinedtostopanyadversecriticism。
Inthemidstofwhichashoutwasheardfromtheroad。Thefarmerandhisfamilyinstinctivelystarted。RedJimaloneremainedunmoved，——afactwhichdidnotlessentheadmirationofhisfeminineaudience。Thehostrosequickly，andwentout。Thefigureofahorsemanhadhaltedintheroad，butafterafewmoments’
conversationwiththefarmertheybothmovedtowardsthehouseanddisappeared。Whenthefarmerreturned，itwastosaythat\"oneofthem’Friscodandies，whodidn’tkeeraboutstoppin’atthehotelinthesettlement，\"hadhaltedtogivehis\"critter\"afeedanddrinkthathemightcontinuehisjourney。Hehadaskedhimtocomeinwhilethehorsewasfeeding，butthestrangerhad\"guessedhe’dstretchhislegsoutsideandsmokehiscigar;\"hemighthavethoughtthecompany\"notfineenoughforhim，\"buthewas\"civilspokenenough，andhadanall—firedsmarthoss，andseemedtoknowhowtorunhim。\"Totheanxiousinquiriesofhiswifeanddaughterheaddedthatthestrangerdidn’tseemlikeaspyoraMexican;was\"asyoungasHIM，\"pointingtothemoodyRedJim，\"andadarnedsightmorepeaceful—likeinstyle。\"
Perhapsowingtothecriticismofthefarmer，perhapsfromsomestilllurkingsuspicionofbeingoverheardbyeavesdroppers，orpossiblyfromahumanedesiretorelievethestrainedapprehensionofthewomen，RedJim，asthefarmerdisappearedtorejointhestranger，againdroppedintoalighterandgentlerveinofreminiscence。Hetoldthemhow，whenamereboy，hehadbeenlostfromanemigranttrainincompanywithalittlegirlsomeyearshisjunior。How，whentheyfoundthemselvesaloneonthedesolateplain，withthevanishedtrainbeyondtheirreach，heendeavoredtokeepthechildfromaknowledgeoftherealdangeroftheirposition，andtosootheandcomforther。Howhecarriedheronhisback，until，exhausted，hesankinaheapofsage—brush。HowhewassurroundedbyIndians，who，however，neversuspectedhishiding—
place;andhowheremainedmotionlessandbreathlesswiththesleepingchildforthreehours，untiltheydeparted。How，atthelastmoment，hehadperceivedatraininthedistance，andhadstaggeredwithherthither，althoughshotatandwoundedbythetrainmeninthebeliefthathewasanIndian。Howitwasafterwardsdiscoveredthatthechildwasthelong—lostdaughterofamillionaire;howhehadresolutelyrefusedanygratuityforsavingher，andshewasnowapeerlessyoungheiress，famousinCalifornia。
Whetherthislightertoneofnarrativesuitedhimbetter，orwhethertheactivefemininesympathyofhisauditorshelpedhimalong，certainitwasthathisstorywasmorecoherentandintelligibleandhisvoicelesshoarseandconstrainedthaninhispreviousbelligerentreminiscences;hisexpressionchanged，andevenhisfeaturesworkedintosomethinglikegentleremotion。ThebrighteyesofPhoebe，fasteneduponhim，turneddimwithafaintmoisture，andherpalecheektookuponitselfalittlecolor。Themother，afterinterjecting\"Dutell，\"and\"Iwanterknow，\"remainedopen—
mouthed，staringathervisitor。Andinthesilencethatfollowed，apleasant，butsomewhatmelancholyvoicecamefromtheopendoor。
\"Ibegyourpardon，butIthoughtIcouldn’tbemistaken。ItISmyoldfriend，JimHooker！\"
Everybodystarted。RedJimstumbledtohisfeetwithaninarticulateandhystericexclamation。Yettheapparitionthatnowstoodinthedoorwaywasfarfrombeingterrifyingordiscomposing。
Itwasevidentlythestranger，——aslender，elegantly—knitfigure，whoseupperlipwasfaintlyshadowedbyasoft，darkmustacheindicatingearlymanhood，andwhoseunstudiedeaseinhiswell—
fittinggarmentsbespokethedwellerofcities。Good—lookingandwell—dressed，withouttheconsciousnessofbeingeither;self—
possessedthrougheasycircumstances，yetwithoutself—assertion;
courteousbynatureandinstinctaswellasfromanexperienceofgrantingfavors，hemighthavebeenawelcomeadditiontoevenamorecriticalcompany。ButRedJim，hurriedlyseizinghisoutstretchedhand，instantlydraggedhimawayfromthedoorwayintotheroadandoutofhearingofhisaudience。
\"DidyouhearwhatIwassaying？\"heaskedhoarsely。
\"Well，yes，——Ithinkso，\"returnedthestranger，withaquietsmile。
\"Yeain’tgoin’backonme，Clarence，areye，——ain’tgoin’togimmeawayaforethem，oldpard，areye？\"saidJim，withasuddenchangetoalmostpatheticpleading。
\"No，\"returnedthestranger，smiling。\"Andcertainlynotbeforethatinterestedyounglady，Jim。Butstop。Letmelookatyou。\"
Heheldoutbothhands，tookJim’s，spreadthemapartforamomentwithaboyishgesture，and，lookinginhisface，saidhalfmischievously，halfsadly，\"Yes，it’sthesameoldJimHooker，——
unchanged。\"
\"ButYOU’REchanged，——reg’larwarpaint，BigInjinstyle！\"saidHooker，lookingupathimwithanawkwardminglingofadmirationandenvy。\"Heardyoustruckitrichwiththeoldman，andwasMisterBrantnow！\"
\"Yes，\"saidClarencegently，yetwithasmilethathadnotonlyatingeofwearinessbutevenofsadnessinit。
Unfortunately，theact，whichwasquitenaturaltoClarence’ssensitiveness，andindeedpartlysprangfromsomeconcerninhisoldcompanion’sfortunes，translateditselfbyaveryhumanprocesstoHooker’sconsciousnessasapieceofrankaffectation。HEwouldhavebeenexaltedandexultantinClarence’splace，consequentlyanyotherexhibitionwasonly\"airs。\"Nevertheless，atthepresentmomentClarencewastobeplacated。
\"Youdidn’tmindmytellingthatstoryaboutyoursavin’Susyasmyown，didye？\"hesaid，withahastyglanceoverhisshoulder。\"I
onlydidittofooltheoldmanandwomen—folks，andmaketalk。Youwon’tblowonme？Yeain’tmadaboutit？\"
IthadcrossedClarence’smemorythatwhentheywerebothyoungerJimHookerhadoncenotonlyborrowedhisstory，buthisnameandpersonalityaswell。Yetinhisloyaltytooldmemoriestherewasminglednoresentmentforpastinjury。\"Ofcoursenot，\"hesaid，withasmilethatwas，however，stillthoughtful。\"WhyshouldI？
OnlyIoughttotellyouthatSusyPeytonislivingwithheradoptedparentsnottenmilesfromhere，anditmightreachtheirears。
She’squiteayoungladynow，andifIwouldn’ttellherstorytostrangers，Idon’tthinkYOUoughtto，Jim。\"
HesaidthissopleasantlythateventheskepticalJimforgotwhathebelievedwerethe\"airsandgraces\"ofself—abnegation，andsaid，\"Let’sgoinside，andI’llintroduceyou，\"andturnedtothehouse。
ButClarenceBrantdrewback。\"I’mgoingonassoonasmyhorseisfed，forI’monavisittoPeyton，andIintendtopushasfarasSantaInezstillto—night。Iwanttotalkwithyouaboutyourself，Jim，\"headdedgently;\"yourprospectsandyourfuture。Iheard，\"
hewentonhesitatingly，\"thatyouwere——atwork——inarestaurantinSanFrancisco。I’mgladtoseethatyouareatleastyourownmasterhere，\"——heglancedatthewagon。\"Youaresellingthings，I
suppose？Foryourself，oranother？Isthatteamyours？Come，\"headded，stillpleasantly，butinanolderandgravervoice，withperhapstheleasttouchofexperiencedauthority，\"befrank，Jim。
Whichisit？Nevermindwhatthingsyou’vetoldINTHERE，tellME
thetruthaboutyourself。CanIhelpyouinanyway？Believeme，I
shouldliketo。Wehavebeenoldfriends，whateverdifferenceinourluck，Iamyoursstill。\"
Thusadjured，theredoubtableJim，inahoarsewhisper，withafurtiveeyeonthehouse，admittedthathewastravelingforanitinerantpeddler，whomheexpectedtojoinlaterinthesettlement;
thathehadhisownmethodsofdisposingofhiswares，and（darkly）
thathisproprietorandtheworldgenerallyhadbetternotinterferewithhim;that（withareturntomoreconfidentiallightness）hehadalready\"workedtheWildWestInjin\"businesssosuccessfullyastodisposeofhiswares，particularlyinyonderhouse，andmightdoevenmoreifnotprematurelyandwantonly\"blownupon，\"\"gonebackon，\"or\"givenaway。\"
\"Butwouldn’tyouliketosettledownonsomebitoflandlikethis，andimproveitforyourself？\"saidClarence。\"Allthesevalleyterracesareboundtoriseinvalue，andmeantimeyouwouldbeindependent。Itcouldbemanaged，Jim。IthinkIcouldarrangeitforyou，\"hewenton，withaslightglowofyouthfulenthusiasm。