Whentheyhadquitegone,shecreptbacktothehouse,alittlereassured,butstilltremulous。Whenherbrotherreturnedatnightfall,hefoundherbroodingoverthefire,inthesameattitudeasonthepreviousnight。
\"Ireckonyemighthevseenmegobywiththesodgers,\"hesaid,seatinghimselfbesideher,alittleawkwardly,andwithanunusualassumptionofcarelessness。
Maggie,withoutlookingup,waslanguidlysurprised。Hehadbeenwiththesoldiers——andwhere?
\"AbouttwohoursagoImetthisyerLeftenantCalvert,\"hewentonwithincreasingawkwardness,\"and——oh,Isay,Mag——hesaidhesawyou,andhopedhehadn’ttroubledye,and——and——yesawhim,didn’tye?\"
Maggie,withalltheredofthefireconcentratedinhercheekasshegazedattheflame,believedcarelessly\"thatshehadseenashrimpinuniformaskingquestions。\"
\"Oh,heain’tabitstuckup,\"saidJimquickly,\"that’swhatI
likeabouthim。He’seznat’ralezyoube,andtuckmyarm,walkin’around,careless—like,laffenatwhathewasdoin’,ezefitwasagame,andhewasn’tsolecommanderoffortymen。He’sonlyayearortwoolderthanme——and——and\"——hestoppedandlookeduneasilyatMaggie。
\"Soye’vebincraw—fishin’agin?\"saidMaggie,inherdeepestandmostscornfulcontralto。
\"Who’scraw—fishin’?\"heretorted,angrily。
\"What’sthisbackenouto’whatyousaidyesterday?What’sallthistrucklin’totheFortnow?\"
\"What?Wellnow,lookyer,\"saidJim,risingsuddenly,withreproachfulindignation,\"darnedifIdon’tjesttellyeeverythin’。
IpromisedHIMIwouldn’t。Healloweditwouldfrightenye。\"
\"FRIGHTENME!\"repeatedMaggiecontemptuously,neverthelesswithhercheekpalingagain。\"Frightenme——withwhat?\"
\"Well,sinceyersocantankerous,lookyer。We’vebeenrobbed!\"
\"Robbed?\"echoedMaggie,facinghim。
\"Yes,robbedbythatsamedeserter。Robbedofasuitofmyclothes,andmywhiskey—flask,andthedarnedskunkhad’emon。
Andifithadn’tbinforthatLeftenantCalvert,andmygivin’himpermissiontohunthimovertheMarsh,wewouldn’thavecaughthim。\"
\"Robbed?\"repeatedMaggieagain,vaguely。
\"Yes,robbed!Lastnight,aforewecamehome。Hemusthevgotinyerwhilewewascomin’fromtheboat。\"
\"Did,didthatLeftenantsayso?\"stammeredMaggie。
\"Sayit,ofcoursehedid!andsodoI,\"continuedJim,impatiently。\"Why,thereweremyveryclothesonhisback,andhedaren’tdenyit。Andifyou’dhearkenedtomejestnow,insteadofflyin’offintantrums,you’dseethatTHAT’Sjesthowwegothim,andhowmeandtheLeftenantjoinedhandsinit。Ididn’tgivehimpermissiontohuntdeserters,butTHIEVES。Ididn’thelphimtoketchthemanthatdesertedfromHIM,buttheskunkthattookMY
clothes。ForwhentheLeftenantfoundtheman’solduniforminthebush,henat’rallykalkilatedhemusthevgotsomeotherdudsnearbyinsomeunderhandway。Don’tyousee?eh?Why,look,Mag。
Darnedifyouain’tskeeredafterall!Who’dhevthoughtit?
Therenow——sitdown,dear。Why,you’rewhiteezagull。\"
Hehadhisarmroundherasshesankbackinthechairagainwithaforcedsmile。
\"Therenow,\"hesaidwithfraternalsuperiority,\"don’tmindit,Mag,anymore。Why,it’sallovernow。Youbethewon’ttroubleusagin,fortheLeftenantsezthatnowhe’sfoundouttobeathief,they’lljestturnhimovertothepolice,andhe’ssureo’
gettensixmonths’stateprisonferstealin’andburglarin’inourhouse。But\"——hestoppedsuddenlyandlookedathissister’scontractedface;\"lookyer,Mag,you’resick,that’swhat’sthematter。Takesuthin’\"——
\"I’mbetternow,\"shesaidwithaneffort;\"it’sonlyakindo’
blindchillImusthevgotontheMarshlastnight。What’sthat?\"
Shehadrisen,andgraspingherbrother’sarmtightlyhadturnedquicklytothewindow。Thecasementhadsuddenlyrattled。
\"It’sonlythewindgettin’up。Itlookedlikeasou’westerwhenI
camein。Loto’scudflyin’。ButYOUtakesomequinine,Mag。
Don’tYOUgonowandgetdownsicklikeMaw。\"
Perhapsitwasthiswell—meantbutinfelicitousreferencethatbroughtamoisturetoherdarkeyes,andcausedherlipstomomentarilyquiver。Butitgavewaytoaquickdeterminedsettingofherwholefaceassheturneditoncemoretothefire,andsaid,slowly:
\"IreckonI’llsleepitoff,ifIgotobednow。Whattimedoesthetidefall。\"
\"Aboutthree,unlessthisyerwindpilesitupontheMarshaforethen。Why?\"
\"Iwasonlywonderin’iftheboatwussafe,\"saidMaggie,rising。
\"You’dbetterhoistyourselfoutsidesomequinine,insteado’
talkenaboutthosethings,\"saidJim,whopreferredtodischargehisfraternalresponsibilitybyactivemedication。\"Youaren’tfittoreadtonight。\"
\"Goodnight,Jim,\"shesaidsuddenly,stoppingbeforehim。
\"Goodnight,Mag。\"Hekissedherwithprotectingandamiabletoleration,generouslyreferringherhothandsandfeverishlipstothatvaguemysteryoffemininecomplaintwhichmanadmitswithoutindorsing。
Theyseparated。Jim,underthestimulusofthelatesupposedrobbery,ostentatiouslyfasteningthedoorsandwindowswithassuringcomments,calculatedtoinspireconfidenceinhissister’sstartledheart。Thenhewenttobed。Helayawakelongenoughtobepleasantlyconsciousthatthewindhadincreasedtoagale,andtobelulledagaintosleepbythecosysecurityoftheheavilytimberedandtightlysealeddwellingthatseemedtoridethestormliketheshipitresembled。Thegalesweptthroughthepilesbeneathhimandalongthegalleryasthroughbaredsparsandoverwave—washeddecks。Thewholestructure,attackedabove,below,andonallsidesbythefuryofthewind,seemedattimestobeliftedintheair。Onceortwicethecreakingtimberssimulatedthesoundofopeningdoorsandpassingfootsteps,andagaindilatedasifthegalehadforcedapassagethrough。ButJimsleptonpeacefully,andwasatlastonlyarousedbythebrilliantsunshinestaringthroughhiswindowfromtheclearwind—sweptbluearchbeyond。
Dressinghimselflazily,hepassedintothesitting—roomandproceededtoknockathissister’sdoor,aswashiscustom;hewasamazedtofinditopenandtheroomempty。Enteringhurriedly,hesawthatherbedwasundisturbed,asifithadnotbeenoccupied,andwasthemorebewilderedtoseeanoteostentatiouslypinneduponthepillow,addressedinpencil,inalargeschool—hand,\"ToJim。\"
Openingitimpatiently,hewasstartledtoreadasfollows:——
\"Don’tbeangry,Jimdear——butitwasallmyfault——andIdidn’ttellyou。Iknewallaboutthedeserter,andIgavehimtheclothesandthingsthattheysayhestole。Itwaswhileyouwasoutthatnight,andhecameandbeggedofme,andwasmournfulandhidjustobehold。IthoughtIwashelpinghim,andgettingourrevengeontheFort,allatthesametime。Don’tbemad,Jimdear,anddonotbefrightedferme。I’mgoingoverthartomakeitallright——tofreeHIMofstealing——tohaveYOUleftoutofitall——andtakeitallonmyself。Don’tyoubeabitfearedforme。Iain’tskeertofthewindorofgoing。I’llclosereefeverything,clearthecreek,stretchacrosstoInjenIsland,huggthePoint,andbearupferLogport。DearJim——don’tgetmad——butIcouldn’tbearthisfoolingofyounorHIM——andthatmanbeingtookforstealinganylonger!——Yourlovingsister,MAGGIE。\"
Withaconfusedminglingofshame,anger,andsuddenfearheranoutonthegallery。Thetidewaswellup,halftheMarshhadalreadyvanished,andthelittlecreekwherehehadmooredhisskiffwasnowanemptyshiningriver。Thewaterwaseverywhere——
fringingthetussocksofsaltgrasswithconcentriccurvesofspumeanddrift,ortumultuouslytossingitswhite—cappedwavesoverthespreadingexpanseofthelowerbay。Thelowthunderofbreakersinthefartherestuarybrokemonotonouslyontheear。Buthiseyewasfascinatedbyadullshiftingstreakonthehorizon,that,evenashegazed,shuddered,whitenedalongitswholeline,andthengrewghastlygrayagain。Itwastheoceanbar。
IV。
\"Well,Imustsay,\"saidCicelyPreston,emphasizingtheusualfeminineimperativeforperfectlygratuitousstatement,asshepushedbackherchairfromthecommandant’sbreakfasttable,\"I
MUSTreallysaythatIdon’tseeanythingparticularlyheroicindoingsomethingwrong,lyingaboutitjusttogetotherfolksintotrouble,andthenrushingofftodopenanceinahighwindandanopenboat。Butshe’spretty,andwearsaman’sshirtandcoat,andofcourseTHATsettlesanything。Butwhyearringsandwetwhitestockingsandslippers?AndwhythatGothicarchoffrontandaboy’shat?That’swhatIsimplyask;\"andtheyoungestdaughterofColonelPrestonrosefromthetable,shookouttheskirtofherprettymorningdress,and,placingherlittlethumbsinthebeltofhersmartwaist,pausedwitheringlyforareply。
\"Youaremostunfair,mychild,\"returnedColonelPrestongravely。
\"Hergivingfoodandclothestoadesertermayhavebeenonlyanordinaryinstinctofhumanitytowardsafellow—creaturewhoappearedtobesuffering,tosaynothingofM’Caffrey’splausibletongue。Butherperilingherlifetosavehimfromanunjustaccusation,andherdesiretoshieldherbrother’spridefromridicule,isaltogetherpraiseworthyandextraordinary。Andthemoralinfluenceofherkindnesswasstrongenoughtomakethatscamprefusetotelltheplaintruththatmightimplicateherinanindiscretion,thoughitsavedhimfromstateprison。\"
\"Heknewyouwouldn’tbelievehimifhehadsaidtheclothesweregiventohim,\"retortedMissCicely,\"soIdon’tseewherethemoralinfluencecomesin。Astoherperilingherlife,thoseMarshpeopleareamphibiousanyway,orwouldbeinthoseclothes。Andastohermotive,why,papa,Iheardyousayinthisveryroom,andafterwardstoMr。Calvert,whenyougavehiminstructions,thatyoubelievedthoseCulpepperswerecapableofenticingawaydeserters;
andyouforgetthefussyouhadwithhersavagebrother’slawyeraboutthatwaterfront,andhowyousaiditwassuchpeoplewhokeptuptheirritationbetweentheCivilandFederalpower。\"
Thecolonelcoughedhurriedly。Itisthefateofallgreatorganizers,militaryaswellascivil,tooccasionallysufferdefeatinthefamilycircle。
\"Themorereason,\"hesaid,soothingly,\"whyweshouldcorrectharshjudgmentsthatspringfrommererumors。Youshouldgiveyourselfatleastthechanceofovercomingyourprejudices,mychild。Remember,too,thatsheisnowtheguestoftheFort。\"
\"AndshechoosestostaywithMrs。Bromley!I’msureit’squiteenoughforyouandmammatododuty——andEmily,whowantstoknowwhyMr。Calvertravessoabouther——withoutMYgoingovertheretostare。\"
ColonelPrestonshookhisheadreproachfully,buteventuallyretired,leavingthefieldtotheenemy。Theenemy,alittlepinkinthecheeks,slightlytossedthedelicateringsofitsblondecrest,settleditsskirtsagainatthepiano,butafterturningovertheleavesofitsmusicbook,rose,andwalkedpettishlytothewindow。
Buthereaspectaclepresenteditselfthatforamomentdismissedallotherthoughtsfromthegirl’srebelliousmind。
Notadozenyardsaway,onthewind—sweptparade,ahandsomeyoungfellow,apparentlyhaltedbythesentry,hadimpetuouslyturneduponhiminanattitudeofindignantandhaughtysurprise。Tothequickfancyofthegirlitseemedasifsomedisguisedrusticgodhadbeenstartledbythechallengeofamortal。Underanoilskinhat,likethepetasusofHermes,pushedbackfromhiswhiteforehead,crispblackcurlswereknottedaroundaheadwhosebeardlessfacewasperfectasacameocutting。Intheclose—
fittingbluewoolenjerseyunderhisopenjackettheclearoutlinesandyouthfulgraceofhisupperfigurewererevealedasclearlyasinastatue。Longfishing—bootsreachingtohisthighsscarcelyconcealedthesymmetryofhislowerlimbs。Cricketandlawn—
tennis,knickerbockersandflannelshadnotatthatperiodfamiliarizedthefemaleeyetounfetteredmasculineoutline,andCicelyPreston,accustomedtotheartificialsmartnessandregularityofuniform,wasperhapsthemoreimpressedbythestranger’slawlessgrace。
Thesentryhadrepeatedhischallenge;anangryflushwasdeepeningontheintruder’scheek。AtthiscriticalmomentCicelythrewopentheFrenchwindowsandsteppedupontheveranda。
Thesentrysalutedthefamiliarlittlefigureofhiscolonel’sdaughterwithanexplanatoryglanceatthestranger。Theyoungfellowlookedup——andthegodbecamehuman。
\"I’mlookingformysister,\"hesaid,halfawkwardly,halfdefiantly;\"she’shere,somewhere。\"
\"Yes——andperfectlysafe,Mr。Culpepper,Ithink,\"saidthearch—
hypocritewithdazzlingsweetness;\"andwe’reallsodelighted。
Andsobraveandpluckyandskillfulinhertocomeallthatway——
andforsuchapurpose。\"
\"Then——youknow——allaboutit\"——stammeredJim,morerelievedthanhehadimagined——\"andthatI\"——
\"Thatyouwerequiteignorantofyoursisterhelpingthedeserter。
Ohyes,ofcourse,\"saidCicely,withbewilderingpromptitude。
\"Yousee,Mr。Culpepper,wegirlsareSOfoolish。IdaresayI
shouldhavedonethesamethinginherplace,onlyIshouldneverhavehadthecouragetodowhatshedidafterwards。Youreallymustforgiveher。Butwon’tyoucomein——DO。\"Shesteppedback,holdingthewindowopenwiththehalf—coaxingairofaspoiledchild。\"Thiswayisquickest。DOcome。\"Ashestillhesitated,glancingfromhertothehouse,sheadded,withademurelittlelaugh,\"Oh,Iforget——thisisColonelPreston’squarters,andI’mhisdaughter。\"
Andthisdaintylittlefairy,sonaturalinmanner,sotastefulinattire,wasoneoftheartificialover—dressedcreaturesthathissisterhadinveighedagainstsobitterly!WasMaggiereallytobetrusted?Thisnewrevelationcomingsosoonaftertheepisodeofthedeserterstaggeredhim。Neverthelesshehesitated,lookingupwithacertainboyishtimidityintoCicely’sdangerouseyes。
\"Is——is——mysisterthere?\"
\"I’mexpectingherwithmymothereverymoment,\"respondedthisyouthfulbutingeniousdiplomatistsweetly;\"shemightbeherenow;
but,\"sheaddedwithasuddenheart—brokenflashofsympathy,\"I
knowHOWanxiousyoubothmustbe。I’LLtakeyoutohernow。Onlyonemoment,please。\"Theopportunityofleadingthishandsomesavageasitwereinchainsacrosstheparade,beforeeverybody,herfather,hermother,hersister,andHIS——wasnottobelost。
Shedartedintothehouse,andreappearedwiththedaintiestimaginablestrawhatonthesideofherhead,anddemurelytookherplaceathisside。\"It’sonlyoverthere,atMajorBromley’s,\"shesaid,pointingtooneofthevine—cladcottagequarters;butyouareastrangerhere,youknow,andmightgetlost。\"
Alas!hewasalreadythat。Forkeepingstepwiththosefairy—likeslippers,brushingawkwardlyagainstthatfreshandprettyskirt,andfeelingthecaressofthesoftfolds;lookingdownuponthebrimofthatberibbonedlittlehat,andmoreoftenmeetingtheupturnedblueeyesbeneathit,Jimwassuddenlystruckwithaterribleconvictionofhisowncontrastingcoarsenessanddeficiencies。Howhideousthoseoiledcanvasfishing—trousersandpilotjacketlookedbesidethisperfectlyfittedanddelicatelygownedgirl!Heloathedhiscollar,hisjersey,histurned—backsou’wester,evenhisheight,whichseemedtohulkbesideher——
everything,inshort,thatthegirlhadrecentlyadmired。BythetimethattheyhadreachedMajorBromley’sdoorhehadsofarsuccumbedtothefairenchantressandrealizedherambitionofatriumphantprocession,thatwhensheusheredhimintothepresenceofhalfadozenladiesandgentlemenhescarcelyrecognizedhissisterasthecentreofattraction,orknewthatMissCicely’seffusivegreetingofMaggiewasherfirstone。\"IknewhewasdyingtoseeyouafterallyouhadBOTHpassedthrough,andI
broughthimstraighthere,\"saidthediminutiveMachiavelli,meetingtheastonishedgazeofherfatherandthecuriouseyesofhersisterwithperfectcalmness,whileMaggie,fullofgratitudeandadmirationofherhandsomebrother,forgothismomentaryobliviousness,andreturnedhergreetingwarmly。Nevertheless,therewasaslightmovementofreserveamongthegentlemenattheunlooked—forirruptionofthissunburntAdonis,untilCalvert,disengaginghimselffromMaggie’sside,cameforwardwithhisusualfrankimperturbabilityandquiettact,andclaimedJimashisfriendandhonoredguest。
Itthencameoutwiththatunostentatioussimplicitywhichcharacterizedthebrotherandsister,andwastheirsecureclaimtoperfectequalitywiththeirentertainers,thatJim,ondiscoveringhissister’sabsence,andfearingthatshemightbecarriedbythecurrenttowardsthebar,hadactuallySWUMTHEESTUARYtoIndianIsland,andinanordinaryIndiancanoehadbravedthesametempestuouspassageshehadtakenafewhoursbefore。Cicely,listeningtothisrecitalwithraptattention,neverthelessmanagedtoconveytheimpressionofhavingfullyexpecteditfromthefirst。\"Ofcoursehe’dhavecomehere;ifshe’donlywaited,\"shesaid,sottovoce,tohersisterEmily。
\"He’scertainlythehandsomerofthetwo,\"respondedthatyounglady。
\"Ofcourse,\"returnedCicely,withasuperiorair,\"don’tyouseesheCOPIEShim。\"
NotthatthisprivatecriticismpreventedeitherfromvyingwiththeyoungerofficersintheirattentionstoMaggie,withperhapstheadditionofanopeneulogyofherhandsomebrother,moreorlessinvidiousincomparisontotheofficers。\"Isupposeit’sanactiveout—of—doorlifegiveshimthatperfectgraceandfreedom,\"
saidEmily,withaslightsneeratthesmartlybeltedCalvert。
\"Yes;andhedon’tdrinkorkeeplatehours,\"respondedCicelysignificantly。\"Hissistersaystheyalwaysretirebeforeteno’clock,andthatalthoughhisfatherlefthimsomevaluablewhiskeyheseldomtakesadropofit。\"\"Therein,\"gravelyconcludedCaptainKirby,\"liesOURsalvation。If,aftersuchaconfession,Calvertdoesn’tmakethemostofhisacquaintancewithyoungCulpeppertoremovethatwhiskeyfromhispathandbringithere,he’snotthemanItakehimfor。\"
Indeed,forthemomentitseemedasifhewasnot。Duringthenextthreeorfourdays,inwhichColonelPrestonhadinsistedupondetaininghisguests,Calverttouchednoliquor,evadedtheeveningpokerpartiesatquarters,andevenprevaileduponsomeofhisbrotherofficerstogivethemupforthemoregeneralentertainmentoftheladies。ColonelPrestonwaspoliticianenoughtoavailhimselfofthepopularityofMaggie’sadventuretoinvitesomeoftheLogportpeopletoassisthiminhonoringtheirneighbor。NotonlywastheoldfeudbetweentheFortandthepeoplethusbridgedover,buttherewasnodoubtthatthedisciplineoftheForthadbeenstrengthenedbyMaggie’sextravagantreputationasamediatoramongthedisaffectedrankandfile。WhatevercharacteristiclicensethegratefulDennisM’Caffrey——letoffwithanominalpunishment——mayhavetakeninhispraiseofthe\"QuaneoftheMarshes,\"itiscertainthatthemenworshipedher,andthatthebandpatheticallybeggedpermissiontoserenadeherthelastnightofherstay。
Attheendofthattime,withadozeninvitations,adozenappointments,adozenvowsofeternalfriendship,muchhand—
shaking,andaccompaniedbyanumberoftheofficerstotheirboat,MaggieandJimdeparted。Theytalkedbutlittleontheirwayhome;
bysometacitunderstandingtheydidnotdiscussthoseprojects,onlyrecallingcertainscenesandincidentsoftheirvisit。Bythetimetheyhadreachedthelittlecreekthesilenceandnervousapathywhichusuallyfollowexcitementintheyoungseemedtohavefallenuponthem。Itwasnotuntilaftertheirquietfrugalsupperthat,seatedbesidethefire,Jimlookedupsomewhatself—
consciouslyinhissister’sgraveandthoughtfulface。
\"Say,Mag,whatwasthatideao’yoursaboutsellingsomeland,andtakingahouseatLogport?\"
Maggielookedup,andsaidpassively,\"Oh,THATidea?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Why?\"
\"Well,\"saidJimsomewhatawkwardly,\"itCOULDbedone,youknow。
I’mwillin’。\"
Asshedidnotimmediatelyreply,hecontinueduneasily,\"MissPrestonsayswekingetanicelittlehousethatisneartheFort,untilwewanttobuild。\"
\"Oh,thenyouHAVEtalkedaboutit?\"
\"Yes——thatis——why,whatareyethinkin’of,Mag?Wasn’titYOUR
ideaallalong?\"hesaid,suddenlyfacingherwithquerulousembarrassment。TheyhadbeensittingintheirusualeveningattitudesofAssyrianfriezeprofile,withevenmorethantheusualAssyrianfriezesimilarityoffeature。
\"Yes;but,Jimdear,doyouthinkitthebestthingfor——forustodo?\"saidMaggie,withhalf—frightenedgravity。
Atthissuddenandstartlingexhibitionoffemaleinconsistencyandinconsequence,Jimwasforamomentspeechless。Thenherecoveredhimself,volubly,aggrievedly,andonhislegs。WhatDIDshemean?
Washetogiveupunderstandinggirls——orwasittheirsolevocationinlifetoimpedemasculineprocessesandshipwreckmasculineconclusions?Here,afterallshesaidtheothernight,aftertheyhadnearly\"quo’lled\"overher\"setidees,\"aftershe’d\"goneoverallthatfoolishnessaboutJaelandSisera——andtherewasn’tanyuseforit——aftershe’dlethimrunontothemofficersallhewasgoin’todo——nay,afterSHEherself,forhehadheardher,hadtalkedtoCalvertaboutit,shewantedtoknowNOWifitwasbest。\"Helookedatthefloorandtheceiling,asifexpectingthetonguedandgroovedplankstocryoutatthiscrowningenormity。
Thecauseofithadresumedhersadgazeatthefire。Presently,withoutturningherhead,shereachedupherlong,gracefularm,andclaspingherbrother’sneck,broughthisfacedowninprofilewithherown,cheekagainstcheek,untiltheylookedlikethedoubleoutlinesofamedallion。Thenshesaid——tothefire:
\"Jim,doyouthinkshe’spretty?\"
\"Who?\"saidJim,albeithiscolorhadalreadyansweredthequestion。
\"YouknowWHO。Doyoulikeher?\"
Jimherevaguelymurmuredtothefirethathethoughther\"kindernice,\"andthatshedressedmightypurty。\"Yeknow,Mag,\"hesaidwithpatronizingeffusion,\"yououghtergetsomegowndslikehers。\"
\"Thatwouldn’tmakemelikeher,\"saidMaggiegravely。
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat,\"saidJimpolitely,butwithanappallinghopelessnessoftone。Afterapauseheaddedslyly,\"’PearstomeSOMEBODYELSEthoughtsomebodyelsemightypurty——eh?\"
Tohisdiscomfitureshedidnotsolicitfurtherinformation。Afterapausehecontinued,stillmorearchly:
\"DoyoulikeHIM,Mag?\"
\"Ithinkhe’saperfectgentleman,\"shesaidcalmly。
Heturnedhiseyesquicklyfromtheglowingfiretoherface。Thecheekthathadbeenrestingagainsthisownwasascoolasthenightwindthatcamethroughtheopendoor,andthewholefacewasasfixedandtranquilastheupperstars。
V。
ForayearthetidehadebbedandflowedontheDedlowMarshunheededbeforethesealedandsightlesswindowsofthe\"Kingfisher’sNest。\"SincetheyoungbirdshadflowntoLogport,eventheIndiancaretakershadabandonedthepileddwellingfortheiroldnomadichauntsinthe\"bresh。\"Thehighspringtidehadagainmadeitsannualvisittothelittlecemeteryofdrift—wood,and,asifrecognizinganotherwreckinthedesertedhome,hadhungafewmemorialofferingsontheblackenedpiles,softlylaidagarlandofgrayishdriftbeforeit,andthensobbeditselfoutinthesaltgrass。
FromtimetotimethefaintechoesoftheCulpeppers’lifeatLogportreachedtheupland,andthefewneighborswhohadonlyknownthembyhearsayshooktheirheadsovertheextravagancetheyasyetonlyknewbyreport。ButitwasinthedeadebbofthetideandthewaningdaylightthatthefeatheredtenantsoftheMarshseemedtovoicedismalpropheciesoftheruinoftheiroldmasterandmistress,andtogivethemselvesuptogloomiestlamentationandquerulousforeboding。Whetherthetraditional\"birdoftheair\"hadentrustedhissecrettoafewornithologicalfriends,orwhetherfromanaturaldispositiontotakegloomyviewsoflife,itwascertainthatatthishourthevocalexpressionoftheMarshwashopelessanddespairing。Itwasthenthatadejectedplover,addressingamockingcrewofsandpipersonafloatinglog,seemedtobewailthefortunethatwasbeingswallowedupbytheriotouslivingandgamblingdebtsofJim。Itwasthenthatthequerulouscranerose,andtestilyprotestedagainstthesellingofhisfavoritehauntinthesandypeninsula,whichonlysixmonthsofJim’sexcesseshadmadeimperative。Itwasthenthatamournfulcurlew,who,withtheprefacethathehadalwaysbeenreallyexpectingit,reiteratedthestorythatJimhadbeenseenmorethanoncestaggeringhomewithnervoushandsandsoddenfeaturesfromadebauchwiththeyoungerofficers;itwasthesamedespondingfowlwhoknewthatMaggie’seyeshadmorethanoncefilledwithtearsatJim’sfailings,andhadalreadygrownmorehollowwithmanywatchings。Itwasaflockofwranglingtealthatscreaminglydiscussedthesmallscandals,jealousheart—burnings,andcuriousbackbitingsthathadattendedMaggie’sadventintosociety。Itwasthehigh—flyingbrentwho,knowinghowthesensitivegirl,madekeenlyconsciousateveryturnofherdefectivetrainingandingenuousignorance,hadoftenwatchedtheireveningflightwithlonginggaze,now\"honked\"dismallyattherecollection。ItwasatthishourandseasonthattheusualvaguelamentingsofDedlowMarshseemedtofindatlastapreordainedexpression。Anditwasatsuchatime,whenlightandwaterwerebothfading,andtheblacknessoftheMarshwasoncemorereassertingitself,thatasmallboatwascreepingalongoneofthetortuousinlets,attimeshalfhidingbehindthebanklikeawoundedbird。Asitslowlypenetratedinlanditseemedtobeimpelledbyitssolitaryoccupantinahesitatinguncertainway,asiftoescapeobservationratherthanasifdirectedtoanypositivebourn。Stoppingbesideabankofreedsatlast,thefigurerosestoopingly,anddrewagunfrombetweenitsfeetandthebottomoftheboat。Asthelightfelluponitsface,itcouldbeseenthatitwasJamesCulpepper!JamesCulpepper!hardlyrecognizableintheswollenfeatures,bloodshoteyes,andtremuloushandsofthatruinedfigure!JamesCulpepper,onlyretainingasingletraceofhisformerselfinhislookofsetandpassionatepurpose!Andthatpurposewastokillhimself——tobefounddead,ashisfatherhadbeenbeforehim——inanopenboat,adriftupontheMarsh!
Itwasnottheoutcomeofasuddenfancy。Theideahadfirstcometohiminatauntingallusionfromthedrunkenlipsofoneofhisrudercompanions,forwhichhehadstrickentheoffendertotheearth。Ithadsincehauntedhiswakinghoursofremorseandhopelessfatuity;ithadseemedtobetheonereliefandatonementhecouldmakehisdevotedsister;and,morefatuousthanall,itseemedtothemiserableboytheonerevengehewouldtakeuponthefaithlesscoquette,whoforayearhadplayedwithhissimplicity,andhadhelpedtodrivehimtothedistractionofcardsanddrink。
OnlythatmorningColonelPrestonhadforbiddenhimthehouse;andnowitseemedtohimtheendhadcome。Heraisedhisdistortedfaceabovethereedybankforalasttremulousandhalf—frightenedglanceatthelandscapehewasleavingforever。Aglintinthewesternskylitupthefrontofhisdeserteddwellinginthedistance,abreastofwhichthewindingsoftheinlethadunwittinglyledhim。Ashelookedhestarted,andinvoluntarilydroppedintoacrouchingattitude。For,tohissuperstitiousterror,thesealedwindowsofhisoldhomewereopen,thebrightpaneswereglitteringwiththefadinglight,andontheoutergallerythefamiliarfigureofhissisterstood,asofold,awaitinghisreturn!Washereallygoingmad,orhadthislastvisionofhisformeryouthbeenpurposelyvouchsafedhim?
But,evenashegazed,theappearanceofanotherfigureinthelandscapebeyondthehouseprovedtherealityofhisvision,andassuddenlydistractedhimfromallelse。Foritwastheapparitionofamanonhorsebackapproachingthehousefromtheupland;andevenatthatdistanceherecognizeditswell—knownoutlines。ItwasCalvert!Calvertthetraitor!Calvert,themanwhomhehadlongsuspectedasbeingthesecretloveranddestinedhusbandofCicelyPreston!Calvert,whohaddeceivedhimwithhiscalmequanimityandhisaffectedpreferenceforMaggie,toconcealhisdeliberateunderstandingwithCicely。Whatwashedoinghere?Washeadoubletraitor,andnowtryingtodeceiveHER——ashehadhim?
AndMaggiehere!Thissuddenreturn——thispreconcertedmeeting。
Itwasinfamy!
Foramomentheremainedstupefied,andthen,withamechanicalinstinct,plungedhisheadandfaceinthelazy—flowingwater,andthenonceagainrosecoolandcollected。Thehalf—maddistractionofhispreviousresolvehadgivenwaytoanother,moredeliberate,butnotlessdesperatedetermination。HeknewnowWHYhecamethere——WHYhehadbroughthisgun——whyhisboathadstoppedwhenitdid!
Lyingflatinthebottom,hetoreawayfragmentsofthecrumblingbanktofillhisfrailcraft,untilhehadsunkittothegunwale,andbelowthelowleveloftheMarsh。Then,usinghishandsasnoiselesspaddles,hepropelledthisrudeimitationofafloatinglogslowlypastthelineofvision,untilthetongueofbusheshadhiddenhimfromview。Witharapidglanceatthedarkeningflat,hethenseizedhisgun,andspringingtothespongybank,halfcrouchinghalfcrawlingthroughreedsandtussocks,hemadehiswaytothebrush。Afootandeyelessexperiencedwouldhaveplungeditsownerhelplessintheblackquagmire。Atoneedgeofthethicketheheardhoofstramplingthedriedtwigs。Calvert’shorsewasalreadythere,tiedtoaskirtingalder。
Herantothehouse,but,insteadofattractingattentionbyascendingthecreakingsteps,madehiswaytothepilesbelowthereargalleryandclimbedtoitnoiselessly。Itwasthespotwherethedeserterhadascendedayearago,and,likehim,hecouldseeandhearallthatpasseddistinctly。Calvertstoodneartheopendoorasifdeparting。Maggiestoodbetweenhimandthewindow,herfaceinshadow,herhandsclaspedtightlybehindher。Aprofoundsadness,partlyofthedyingdayandwaninglight,andpartlyofsomevagueexpirationoftheirownsorrow,seemedtoencompassthem。Withoutknowingwhy,astrangetremblingtooktheplaceofJamesCulpepper’sfiercedetermination,andafilmofmoisturestoleacrosshisstaringeyes。
\"WhenItellyouthatIbelieveallthiswillpass,andthatyouwillstillwinyourbrotherbacktoyou,\"saidCalvert’ssadbutclearvoice,\"Iwilltellyouwhy——although,perhaps,itisonlyapartofthatconfidenceyoucommandmetowithhold。WhenIfirstsawyou,Imyselfhadfallenintolikedissolutehabits;lessexcusablethanhe,forIhadsomeexperienceoftheworldanditsfollies。WhenImetYOU,andfellundertheinfluenceofyourpure,simple,andhealthylife;whenIsawthatisolation,monotony,misunderstanding,eventhesenseofsuperioritytoone’ssurroundingscouldbeliveddownandtriumphedover,withoutvulgardistractionsorpitifulambitions;whenIlearnedtoloveyou——hearmeout,MissCulpepper,Ibegyou——yousavedME——I,whowasnothingtoyou,evenasIhonestlybelieveyouwillstillsaveyourbrother,whomyoulove。\"
\"HowdoyouknowIdidn’tRUINhim?\"shesaid,turninguponhimbitterly。\"Howdoyouknowthatitwasn’ttogetridofOUR
monotony,OURsolitudethatIdrovehimtothisvulgardistraction,thispitiful——yes,youwereright——pitifulambition?\"
\"Becauseitisn’tyourrealnature,\"hesaidquietly。
\"Myrealnature,\"sherepeatedwithahalfsavagevehemencethatseemedtobegoadedfromherbyhisverygentleness,\"myrealnature!WhatdidHE——whatdoYOUknowofit?——Myrealnature!——
I’lltellyouwhatitwas,\"shewentonpassionately。\"Itwastoberevengedonyouallforyourcruelty,yourheartlessness,yourwickednesstomeandmineinthepast。Itwastopayyouoffforyourslandersofmydeadfather——fortheselfishnessthatleftmeandJimalonewithhisdeadbodyontheMarsh。ThatwaswhatsentmetoLogport——togetevenwithyou——to——tofoolandflauntyou!
There,youhaveitnow!AndnowthatGodhaspunishedmeforitbycrushingmybrother——you——youexpectmetoletyoucrushMEtoo。\"
\"But,\"hesaideagerly,advancingtowardher,\"youarewrongingme——
youarewrongingyourself,cruelly。\"
\"Stop,\"shesaid,steppingback,withherhandsstilllockedbehindher。\"Staywhereyouare。There!That’senough!\"Shedrewherselfupandletherhandsfallatherside。\"Now,letusspeakofJim,\"shesaidcoldly。
Withoutseemingtohearher,heregardedherforthefirsttimewithhopelesssadness。
\"WhydidyouletmybrotherbelieveyouwerehisrivalwithCicelyPreston?\"sheaskedimpatiently。
\"BecauseIcouldnotundeceivehimwithouttellinghimIhopelesslylovedhissister。Youareproud,MissCulpepper,\"hesaid,withthefirsttingeofbitternessinhisevenvoice。\"Canyounotunderstandthatothersmaybeproudtoo?\"
\"No,\"shesaidbluntly;\"itisnotpridebutweakness。Youcouldhavetoldhimwhatyouknewtobetrue:thattherecouldbenothingincommonbetweenherfolkandsuchsavagesaswe;thattherewasagulfaswideasthatMarshandasblackbetweenournatures,ourtrainingandtheirs,andeveniftheycametousacrossit,nowandthen,tosuittheirpleasure,lightandeasyasthattide——itwasstilltheretosomedaygroundandswampthem!Andifhedoubtedit,youhadonlytotellhimyourownstory。Youhadonlytotellhimwhatyouhavejusttoldme——thatyouyourself,anofficerandagentleman,thoughtyoulovedme,avulgar,uneducated,savagegirl,andthatI,kindertoyouthanyoutomeorhim,madeyoutakeitbackacrossthattide,becauseIcouldn’tletyoulinkyourlifewithme,anddragyouinthemire。\"
\"Youneednothavesaidthat,MissCulpepper,returnedCalvertwiththesamegentlesmile,\"toprovethatIamyourinferiorinallbutonething。\"
\"Andthat?\"shesaidquickly。
\"Ismylove。\"
Hisgentlefacewasassetnowasherownashemovedbackslowlytowardsthedoor。Therehepaused。
\"YoutellmetospeakofJim,andJimonly。Thenhearme。I
believethatMissPrestoncaresforhimasfarasliesinheryoungandgiddynature。Icouldnot,therefore,havecrushedHIShopewithoutdeceivinghim,forthereareascrueldeceitspromptedbywhatwecallreasonasbyourlove。Ifyouthinkthataknowledgeofthisplaintruthwouldhelptosavehim,Ibegyoutobekindertohimthanyouhavebeentome,——oreven,letmedaretohope,toYOURSELF。\"
Heslowlycrossedthethreshold,stillholdinghiscaplightlyinhishand。
\"WhenItellyouthatIamgoingawayto—morrowonaleaveofabsence,andthatinallprobabilitywemaynotmeetagain,youwillnotmisunderstandwhyIaddmyprayertothemessageyourfriendsinLogportchargedmewith。Theybegthatyouwillgiveupyourideaofreturninghere,andcomebacktothem。Believeme,youhavemadeyourselflovedandrespectedthere,inspite——Ibegpardon——perhapsIshouldsayBECAUSEofyourpride。Good—nightandgood—bye。\"
Forasingleinstantsheturnedhersetfacetothewindowwithasuddenconvulsivemovement,asifshewouldhavecalledhimback,butatthesamemomenttheoppositedoorcreakedandherbrotherslippedintotheroom。Whetheraquickmemoryofthedeserter’sentranceatthatdoorayearagohadcrossedhermind,whethertherewassomestrangesuggestioninhismud—stainedgarmentsandweakdeprecatingsmile,orwhetheritwastheoutcomeofsomedesperatestrugglewithinher,therewasthatinherfacethatchangedhissmileintoafrightenedcryforpardon,asheranandfellonhiskneesatherfeet。Butevenashedidsohersternlookvanished,andwithherarmaroundhimshebentoverhimandmingledhertearswithhis。
\"Ihearditall,Magdearest!All!Forgiveme!Ihavebeencrazy!——wild!——Iwillreform!——Iwillbebetter!Iwillneverdisgraceyouagain,Mag!Never,never!Iswearit!\"
Shereacheddownandkissedhim。Afterapause,aweakboyishsmilestruggledintohisface。
\"YouheardwhathesaidofHER,Mag。Doyouthinkitmightbetrue?\"
Sheliftedthedampcurlsfromhisforeheadwithasadhalf—
maternalsmile,butdidnotreply。
\"AndMag,dear,don’tyouthinkYOUwerealittle——justalittle——
hardonHIM?No!Don’tlookatmethatway,forGod’ssake!
There,Ididn’tmeananything。Ofcourseyouknewbest。There,Maggiedear,lookup。Harkthere!Listen,Mag,do!\"
Theyliftedtheireyestothedimdistanceseenthroughtheopendoor。Borneonthefadinglight,andseemingtofallanddiewithitovermarshandriver,camethelastnotesofthebuglefromtheFort。
\"There!Don’tyourememberwhatyouusedtosay,Mag?\"
Thelookthathadfrightenedhimhadquiteleftherfacenow。
\"Yes,\"shesmiled,layinghercoldcheekbesidehissoftly。\"Ohyes!Itwassomethingthatcameandwent,’Likeasong’——’Likeasong。’\"
AKNIGHT—ERRANTOFTHEFOOTHILLS。
I。
AsFatherFelipeslowlytoiledupthedustyroadtowardstheRanchooftheBlessedInnocents,hemorethanoncestoppedundertheshadowofasycamoretoresthissomewhatlazymuleandtocomposehisownperplexedthoughtsbyafewsnatchesfromhisbreviary。
Forthegoodpadrehadsomereasontobetroubled。TheinvasionofGentileAmericansthatfollowedthegolddiscoveryofthreeyearsbeforehadnotconfineditselftotheplainsoftheSacramento,butstragglershadalreadyfoundtheirwaytotheSantaCruzValley,andtheseclusionofeventhemissionitselfwasthreatened。Itwastruethattheyhadnotbroughttheirheathenenginestodisemboweltheearthinsearchofgold,butitwasrumoredthattheyhadalreadyspeculatedupontheagriculturalproductivenessoftheland,andhadespied\"thefatnessthereof。\"Ashereachedthehigherplateauhecouldseetheafternoonsea—fog——presentlytoobliteratethefairprospect——alreadypullingthroughthegapsintheCoastRange,andonanearerslope——nolessominously——thesmokeofarecentbutmorepermanentlydestructiveYankeesaw—millwasslowlydriftingtowardsthevalley。
\"Getup,beast!\"saidthefather,digginghisheelsintothecomfortableflanksofhismulewithsomehumanimpatience,\"orartTHOU,too,alazyrenegade?Thinkestthou,besottedone,thatthehereticwillsparetheemoreworkthantheHolyChurch。\"
Themule,thusapostrophizedinearandflesh,shookitsheadobstinatelyasifthequestionwasbynomeanscleartoitsmind,butneverthelessstartedintoalittletrot,whichpresentlybroughtittothelowadobewallofthecourtyardof\"TheInnocents,\"andenteredthegate。Afewloungingpeonsintheshadowofanarchwaytookofftheirbroad—brimmedhatsandmadewayforthepadre,andahalfdozenequallylistlessvaqueroshelpedhimtoalight。Accustomedashewastotheindolenceandsuperfluityofhishost’sretainers,to—dayitneverthelessseemedtostrikesomenoteofirritationinhisbreast。
Astout,middle—agedwomanofungirtwaistandbeshawledheadandshouldersappearedatthegatewayasifawaitinghim。Afteraformalsalutationshedrewhimasideintoaninnerpassage。
\"Heisawayagain,yourReverence,\"shesaid。
\"Ah——alwaysthesame?\"
\"Yes,yourReverence——andthistimeto’ameeting’ofthehereticsattheirpueblo,atJonesville——wheretheywillaskhimofhislandforaroad。\"
\"AtaMEETING?\"echoedthepriestuneasily。
\"Ahyes!ameeting——whereTiburciosaystheyshoutandspitontheground,yourReverence,andonlyonehasachairandhimtheycalla’chairman’becauseofit,andyethesitsnotbutshoutsandspitsevenastheothersandkeepsupatappingwithahammerlikeaverypico。Andthereitistheyareever’resolving’thatwhichisnot,andconsideritevenasdone。\"
\"Thenheisstillthesame,\"saidthepriestgloomily,asthewomanpausedforbreath。
\"Onlymoreso,yourReverence,forhereadsnoughtbutthenewspaperoftheAmericanosthatisbroughtintheship,the’NewYork’errald’——andrecitestohimselftheorationsoftheirlegislators。Ah!itwasanevildaywhentheshipwreckedAmericansailortaughthimhisuncouthtongue,which,asyourReverenceknows,isonlyfitforbeastsandheathenincantation。\"
\"PrayHeavenTHATwereallhelearnedofhim,\"saidthepriesthastily,\"forIhavegreatfearthatthissailorwaslittlebetterthananatheistandanemissaryfromSatan。Butwherearethesenewspapersandthefantasiesofpublicitathatfillhismind?I
wouldseethem,mydaughter。\"
\"Youshall,yourReverence,andmoretoo,\"sherepliedeagerly,leadingthewayalongthepassagetoagrateddoorwhichopeneduponasmallcell—likeapartment,whosescantlightandlessaircamethroughthedeeplyembayedwindowsintheouterwall。\"Hereishisestudio。\"
Inspiteofthisopeninvitation,thepadreenteredwiththatairoffurtiveandminuteinspectioncommontohisorder。Hisglancefelluponarudesurveyor’splanoftheadjacentembryotownofJonesvillehangingonthewall,whichhecontemplatedwithacolddisfavorthatevenincludedthehighlycoloredvignetteoftheprojectedJonesvilleHotelintheleft—handcorner。Hethenpassedtoasupervisor’snoticehangingnearit,whichheexaminedwithasuspicionheightenedbythatuneasinesscommontomereworldlyhumanitywhenopposedtoanunknownandunfamiliarlanguage。Butanexclamationbrokefromhislipswhenheconfrontedanelectionplacardimmediatelybelowit。ItwasprintedinSpanishandEnglish,andFatherFelipehadnodifficultyinreadingtheannouncementthat\"DonJoseSepulvidawouldpresideatameetingoftheBoardofEducationinJonesvilleasoneofthetrustees。\"
\"Thisismadness,\"saidthepadre。
ObservingthatDonaMariawasatthemomentpreoccupiedinexaminingthepictorialpagesofanillustratedAmericanweeklywhichhadhithertoescapedhiseyes,hetookitgentlyfromherhand。
\"Pardon,yourReverence,\"shesaidwithslightlyacidulousdeprecation,\"butthankstotheBlessedVirginandyourReverence’steaching,thetextisbutgibberishtomeandIdidbutglanceatthepictures。\"
\"Muchevilmaycomeinwiththeeye,\"saidthepriestsententiously,\"asIwillpresentlyshowthee。Wehavehere,\"hecontinued,pointingtoanillustrationofcertaincollegeathleticsports,\"anumberofyouthfulcavaliersposturingandcaperinginapartlynudeconditionbeforeanumberofshamelesswomen,whoemulatethesaturnaliaofheathenRomebywavingtheirhandkerchiefs。Wehavehereacompanionpicture,\"hesaid,indicatinganillustrationofgymnasticexercisesbythestudentsofafemaleacademyat\"Commencement,\"\"inwhich,asthouseest,eventheagedofbothsexesunblushinglyassistasspectatorswitheveryexpressionofimmodestsatisfaction。\"
\"Havetheynobull—fightsorotherseemlyrecreationthattheymustindulgeinsuchwantonness?\"askedDonaMariaindignantly,gazing,however,somewhatcuriouslyatthebalefulrepresentations。
\"Ofallthat,mydaughter,hastheirpamperedcivilizationlongsincewearied,\"returnedthegoodpadre,\"forsee,thisiswhattheyconsideramoralandevenareligiousceremony。\"Heturnedtoanillustrationofawoman’srightsconvention;\"observewithwhatraptattentiontheaudienceofthatheathentemplewatchtheinspiredravingsofthatelderlypriestessonthedais。ItiseventhiskindofsacrilegiousperformancethatIamtoldthynephewDonJoseexpoundsanddefends。\"
\"Maytheblessedsaintspreserveus;wherewillitleadto?\"
murmuredthehorrifiedDonaMaria。
\"Iwillshowthee,\"saidFatherFelipe,brisklyturningthepageswiththesameloftyignoringofthetextuntilhecametoarepresentationofalaborprocession。\"ThereisoneoftheirperiodicrevolutionsunhappilynotunknowneveninMexico。Thouperceivestthosecomplacentartisansmarchingwithimplementsoftheircraft,accompaniedbythemilitary,inthepresenceoftheirownstrickenmasters。HereweseeonlyanotherinstanceoftheinstabilityofallcommunitiesthatarenotfoundedontheprinciplesoftheHolyChurch。\"
\"Andwhatistobedonewithmynephew?\"
Thegoodfather’sbrowdarkenedwiththegloomyreligiouszealoftwocenturiesago。\"Wemusthaveacouncilofthefamily,thealcalde,andthearchbishop,atONCE,\"hesaidominously。Tothemerehereticalobservertheconclusionmighthaveseemedlameandimpotent,butitwasasneartheHolyinquisitionastheyearofgrace1852couldoffer。
Afewdaysafterthiscolloquytheunsuspectingsubjectofit,DonJoseSepulvida,wassittingaloneinthesameapartment。Thefadingglowofthewesternsky,throughthedeepembrasuredwindows,lituphisraptandmeditativeface。Hewasayoungmanofapparentlytwenty—five,withacolorlesssatincomplexion,darkeyesalternatingbetweenmelancholyandrestlessenergy,anarrowhighforehead,longstraighthair,andalightlypenciledmoustache。Hewassaidtoresemblethewell—knownportraitoftheMarquisofMontereyinthemissionchurch,afacethatwasallegedtoleaveadeepandlastingimpressionupontheobservers。ItwasundoubtedlyowingtothisqualityduringabriefvisitofthefamousviceroytoaremoteandmarriedancestressofDonJoseatLeonthatthesingularresemblancemaybeattributed。
Aheavyandhesitatingstepalongthepassagestoppedbeforethegrating。Lookingup,DonJosebeheldtohisastonishmenttheslightlyinflamedfaceofRoberto,avagabondAmericanwhomhehadlatelytakenintohisemployment。
Roberto,apolitetranslationof\"BobtheBucker,\"cleanedoutatamonte—bankinSantaCruz,pennilessandprofligate,hadsoldhismustangtoDonJoseandrecklesslythrownhimselfinwiththebargain。Touchedbytherascal’sextravagance,thequalityofthemare,andobservingthatBob’shabitshadnotyetaffectedhisseatinthesaddle,butratherlentademoniacvigortohischaseofwildcattle,DonJosehadretainedriderandhorseinhisserviceasvaquero。
BuckingBob,observingthathisemployerwasalone,coollyopenedthedoorwithoutceremony,shutitsoftlybehindhim,andthenclosedthewoodenshutterofthegrating。DonJosesurveyedhimwithmildsurpriseanddignifiedcomposure。Themanappearedperfectlysober,——itwasapeculiarityofhisdissipatedhabitsthat,whennotactuallyravingwithdrink,hewassingularlyshrewdandpractical。
\"Lookyer,DonKosay,\"hebeganinabrusquebutguardedvoice,\"youandmeispards。Whenyepickedmeandthemareupandsetusonourlegsagaininthisyerranch,IallowedI’dtietoyewheneveryouwasintrouble——andwantedme。AndIreckonthat’swhat’sthematternow。ForfromwhatIseeandhearoneveryside,althoughyou’rethebossofthisconsarn,you’resurroundedbyagangofspiesandtraitors。Yourcomingsandgoings,yourinsandouts,isdoggedandfollowedandblownupon。Thefolksyoutrustisplayingitonye。Itain’tformetosaywhyorwherefore——
what’stheirrightsandwhat’syourn——butI’vecometotellyethatifyoudon’tgetupandgetouterthisranchthemd——dpriestsandyourownfleshandblood——yourauntsandyourunclesandyourcousins,willhaveyouchuckedouteryourproperty,andrunintoalunaticasylum。\"
\"Me——DonJoseSepulvida——alunatico!Youareyourselfcrazyofdrink,friendRoberto。\"
\"Yes,\"saidRobertogrimly,\"butthatkindain’tILLEGAL,whileyourmakin’ducksanddrakesofyourpropertyandgoinginto’Merikinideasand’Merikinspeculationstheyreckonis。Andspeakin’onthesquare,itain’tNAT’RAL。\"
DonJosesprangtohisfeetandbegantopaceupanddownhiscell—
likestudy。\"Ah,Iremembernow,\"hemuttered,\"Ibegintocomprehend:FatherFelipe’shomiliesanddiscourses!Myaunt’stooaffectionatecare!Mycousin’sdiscreetconsideration!Thepromptattentionofmyservants!Iseeitall!Andyou,\"hesaid,suddenlyfacingRoberto,\"whycomeyoutotellmethis?\"
\"Well,boss,\"saidtheAmericandryly,\"Ireckonedtostandbyyou。\"
\"Ah,\"saidDonJose,visiblyaffected。\"GoodRoberto,comehither,child,youmaykissmyhand。\"
\"If!it’sallthesametoyou,DonKosay,——THATkinslide。\"
\"Ah,if——yes,\"saidDonJose,meditativelyputtinghishandtohisforehead,\"miserablethatIam!——IrememberednotyouwereAmericano。Pardon,myfriend——embraceme——ConpaneroyAmigo。\"
WithcharacteristicgravityhereclinedforamomentuponRobert’sastonishedbreast。Thenrecoveringhimselfwithequalgravityhepaused,liftedhishandwithgentlewarning,marchedtoarecessinthecorner,unhookedarapierhangingfromthewall,andturnedtohiscompanion。
\"Wewilldefendourselves,friendRoberto。ItistheswordoftheComandante——myancestor。ThebladeisofToledo。\"
\"Anordinarysix—shooterofColt’swouldlayoverthat,\"saidRobertogrimly——\"butthatain’tyourgamejustnow,DonKosay。Youmustgetupandget,andatonce。Youmustvamosetheranchaforetheylayholdofyouandhaveyouupbeforethealcalde。Onceawayfromhere,theydaren’tfollowyouwherethere’s’Merikinlaw,andwhenyoukinfight’eminthesquare。\"
\"Good,\"saidDonJosewithmelancholypreciseness。\"Youarewise,friendRoberto。Wemayfightthemlater,asyousay——onthesquare,orintheopenPlaza。Andyou,camarado,YOUshallgowithme——youandyourmare。\"
SincereastheAmericanhadbeeninhisofferofservice,hewassomewhatstaggeredatthisimperativecommand。Butonlyforamoment。\"Well,\"hesaidlazily,\"Idon’tcareifIdo。\"
\"But,\"saidDonJosewithincreasedgravity,\"youSHALLcare,friendRoberto。Weshallmakeanalliance,anunion。Itistrue,mybrother,youdrinkofwhiskey,andatsuchtimesareevenasamadman。Ithasbeenrecountedtomethatitwasnecessarytoyourexistencethatyouarealunaticthreedaysoftheweek。Whoknows?Imyself,thoughIdrinknotofaguardiente,amaccusedoffantasiesforalltime。NecessaryitbecomesthereforethatweshouldgoTOGETHER。Myfantasiesandspeculationscannotinjureyou,mybrother;yourwhiskeyshallnotempoisonme。WeshallgotogetherinthegreatworldofyourAmericanideasofwhichIammuchinflamed。WeshalltogetherbreatheasonethespiritofProgressandLiberty。WeshallbeevenasneophytesmakingofourselvesApostlesofTruth。Iabsolveandrenouncemyselfhenceforthofmyfamily。Ishalltaketomyselfthesisterandthebrother,theauntandtheuncle,asweproceed。Idevotemyselftohumanityalone。IdevoteYOU,myfriend,andthemare——thoughhappilyshehasnotaChristiansoul——tothisgloriousmission。\"
ThefewlevellastraysoflightlitupafaintenthusiasminthefaceofDonJose,butwithoutalteringhisimperturbablegravity。
Thevaqueroeyedhimcuriouslyandhalfdoubtfully。
\"Wewillgoto—morrow,\"resumedDonJosewithsolemndecision,\"foritisWednesday。ItwasaSundaythatthoudidstridethemareupthestepsoftheFondaanddemandedthatthyliquorshouldbeservedtotheeinapail。Irememberit,forthelandlordoftheFondaclaimedtwentypesosfordamageandthekissingofhiswife。
Therefore,bycomputation,goodRoberto,thoushouldstbesoberuntilFriday,andweshallhavetwocleardaystoflybeforethymadnessagainseizesthee。\"
\"Theykinsaywhattheylike,DonKosay,butYOURheadislevel,\"
returnedtheunabashedAmerican,graspingDonJose’shand。\"Allright,then。Hastamanana,asyourfolkssay。\"
\"Hastamanana,\"repeatedDonJosegravely。
Atdaybreaknextmorning,whileslumberstillweightedthelazyeyelidsof\"theBlessedInnocents,\"DonJoseSepulvidaandhistrustysquireRoberto,otherwiseknownas\"BuckingBob,\"rodeforthunnoticedfromthecorral。
II。
Threedayshadpassed。Atthecloseofthethird,DonJosewasseatedinacosyprivateapartmentoftheSanMateoHotel,wheretheyhadhaltedforanarrangedinterviewwithhislawyerbeforereachingSanFrancisco。Fromhiswindowhecouldseethesurroundingpark—likeavenuesofoaksandthelevelwhitehighroad,nowandthencloudedwiththedustofpassingteams。ButhiseyeswerepersistentlyfixeduponasmallcopyoftheAmericanConstitutionbeforehim。Suddenlytherewasaquickraponhisdoor,andbeforehecouldreplytoitamanbrusquelyentered。
DonJoseraisedhisheadslowly,andrecognizedthelandlord。Buttheintruder,apparentlyawedbythegentle,grave,andstudiousfigurebeforehim,fellbackforaninstantinanattitudeofsurlyapology。
\"Enterfreely,mygoodJenkinson,\"saidDonJose,withaquietcourtesythathadalltheeffectofirony。\"Theapartment,suchasitis,isatyourdisposition。Itisevenyours,asisthehouse。\"
\"Well,I’mdarnedifIknowasitis,\"saidthelandlord,recoveringhimselfroughly,\"andthat’sjestwhat’sthematter。
Yer’sthatmanofyourssmashingthingsrightandleftinthebar—
roomandchuckin’mywaitersthroughthewindow。\"
\"Softly,softly,goodJenkinson,\"saidDonJose,puttingamarkinthepagesofthevolumebeforehim。\"ItisnecessaryfirstthatI
shouldcorrectyourspeech。Heisnotmy’MAN,’whichIcomprehendtomeanaslave,ahireling,athingobnoxioustothegreatAmericannationwhichIadmireandtowhichHEbelongs。Therefore,goodJenkinson,say’friend,’’companion,’’guide,’philosopher,’
ifyouwill。Astotherest,itisofnodoubtasyourelate。I
myselfhaveheardthebreakingsofglassandsmalldishesasIsithere;threetimesIhaveseenyourwaitersprojectedintotheroadwithmuchviolenceandconfusion。TomyselfIhavethensaid,evenasIsaytoyou,goodJenkinson,’Patience,patience,theendisnotfar。’Infourhours,\"continuedDonJose,holdingupfourfingers,\"heshallmakeafinish。Untilthen,not。\"
\"Well,I’md——d,\"ejaculatedJenkinson,gaspingforbreathinhisindignation。
\"Nay,excellentJenkinson,notdam—nedbutofapossibilitydam—
AGED。ThatIshallrepaywhenhehavemakeafinish。\"
\"But,darnitall,\"brokeinthelandlordangrily。
\"Ah,\"saidDonJosegravely,\"youwouldbepaidbefore!Good;forhowmuchshallyouvalueALLyouhaveinyourbar?\"
DonJose’simperturbabilityevidentlyshookthelandlord’sfaithinthesoundnessofhisownposition。Helookedathisguestcriticallyandaudaciously。
\"Itcostmetwohundreddollarstofititup,\"hesaidcurtly。
DonJoserose,and,takingabuckskinpursefromhissaddle—bag,countedoutfourslugs*andhandedthemtothestupefiedJenkinson。
Thenextmoment,however,hishostrecoveredhimself,andcastingtheslugsbackonthelittletable,broughthisfistdownwithanemphasisthatmadethemdance。
*Hexagonalgoldpiecesvaluedat$50each,issuedbyaprivatefirmascoinintheearlydays。
\"But,lookyer——supposeIwantthisthingstopped——youhearme——
STOPPED——now。\"
\"Thatwouldbeinterferingwiththelibertyofthesubject,mygoodJenkinson——whichGodforbid!\"saidDonJosecalmly。\"Moreover,itisthecustomoftheAmericanos——ahabitofmyfriendRoberto——anecessityofhisexistence——andsorecognizedofhisfriends。
Patienceandcourage,SenorJenkinson。Stay——ah,Icomprehend!youhave——ofapossibility——awife?\"
\"No,I’mawidower,\"saidJenkinsonsharply。
\"ThenIcongratulateyou。MyfriendRobertowouldhavekissedher。
Itisalsoofhishabit。Trulyyouhaveescapedmuch。Iembraceyou,Jenkinson。\"
HethrewhisarmsgravelyaroundJenkinson,inwhoseastoundedfaceatlastanexpressionofdryhumorfaintlydawned。Afteramoment’ssurveyofDonJose’simpenetrablegravity,hecoollygatheredupthegoldcoins,andsayingthathewouldassessthedamagesandreturnthedifference,helefttheroomasabruptlyashehadenteredit。