\"Whar’sthewater？Getsomewater，Greaser，\"chimedinBill。
FromthewaytheyworkedoverBuell，Iconcludedhehadbeenprettybadlystunned。Buthecametopresently。
\"Whatstruckme？\"heasked。
\"Oh，nothin’，\"repliedBud，derisively。\"Theloftupthar’sfullofair，an’itblowedonyou，thet’sall。\"
Buellgotup，andbeganwalkingaround。
\"Bill，gooutan’fetchinsomelongpoles，\"hesaid。
WhenBillreturnedwithanumberofsharp，bayonet—likepikesIknewthegamewasallupforme。Severalofthemenbegantoprodthroughthethincoveringofdrybrush。Oneofthemreachedme，andstrucksohardthatI
lurchedviolently。
Thatwastoomuchforthericketyloftfloor。Itwasonlyabitofbrushlaidonanettingofslenderpoles。Itcreaked，rasped，andwentdownwithacrash。Ialighteduponsomebody，andknockedhimtothefloor。Whoeveritwas，seizedmewithironhands。Iwasburied，almostsmothered，inthedustymass。Mycaptorbegantocursecheerfully，andIknewthenthatHerky—Jerkyhadmademeaprisoner。
XV。THEFIGHT
Herkyhauledmeoutofthebrush，andheldmeinthelight。Theothersscrambledfromundertheremainsoftheloft，andallviewedmecuriously。
\"Kid，youain’thurtmuch？\"queriedBuell，withconcern。
Iwouldhavesnappedoutareply，butIcaughtsightofDick’spalefaceandanxiouseyes。
\"Ken，\"hecalled，withbothgladnessanddoubtinhisvoice，\"youlookprettygood——butthatblood……Tellme，quick！\"
\"It’snothing，Dick，onlyalittlecut。Thebulletjusttickedmyarm。\"
WhateverDick’sreplywasitgotdrownedinHerky—Jerky’slongexplosionofstrangelanguage。HerkywasplainlygladIhadnotbeenbadlyhurt。Ihadalreadyheardmirth，anger，disgust，andfearinhisoutbreaks，andnowreliefwasadded。Hestrippedoffmycoat，cutoffthebloodysleeveofmyshirt，andwashedthewound。Itwaspainfulandbledfreely，butitwasnotmuchworsethancutsfromspikeswhenplayingball。Herkyboundittightlywithastripofmyshirt—sleeve，andoverthatmyhandkerchief。
\"Thar，kid，thet’llstiffenupan’besoreferadayortwo，butitain’tnothin’。You’llsoonbebouncin’clubsoffenourheads。\"
ItwasplainthatHerky——andtheothers，forthatmatter，exceptBuell——
thoughtmoreofmebecauseIhadwieldedaclubsovigorously。
\"Lookatthetlump，kid，\"saidBud，bendinghishead。\"Now，ain’tthetanicewaytotreatafeller？Itmademeplumbmad，itdid。\"
\"I’mlikelytohurtsomebodyyet，\"Ideclared。
Theylookedatmecuriously。Buellraisedhisfacewithaqueersmile。Budbrokeintoalaugh。
\"Oh，you’regoin’to？Mebbeyouthinkyouneedanaxe，\"saidhe。
Theymadenooffertotiemeupthen。Budwenttothedoorandsatinit，andIheardhimhalfwhispertoBuell：\"What’dItellyou？Thet’sagamekid。Ifheeverwakesuprightwe’llhaveawildcatonourhands。He’lldoferoneofusyet。\"ThesemenalltookpleasureinsayingthingslikethistoBuell。ThistimeBuellhadnoanswerready，andsatnursinghishead。
\"Wal，Ihevalittleheadachemyself，an’thecrackIgotwasn’tnothin’toyourn，\"concludedBud。ThenBillbeganpackingthesuppliesindoors，andHerkystartedafire。Budkeptasharpeyeonme;still，hemadenoobjectionwhenIwalkedoverandlaydownupontheblanketsnearDick。
\"Dick，Ishotabearandhelpedtotieupacub，\"Isaid。AndthenItoldhimallthathadhappenedfromthetimeIscrambledoutofthespring—holetillIwasdiscoveredupintheloft。Dickshookhishead，asifhedidnotknowwhattomakeofme，andallhesaidwasthathewouldgiveayear’spaytohavemesafebackinPennsylvania。
Herky—Jerkyannouncedsupperinhisusualmanner——achallengetofindasgoodacookashewas，andacheerfulcallto\"grub。\"Ididnotknowwhattothinkofhiskindnesstome。Rememberinghowhehadnearlydrownedmeinthespring，Iresentedhissuddenchange。Hecouldnotdoenoughforme。I
askedthereasonformysuddenpopularity。
Herkyscratchedhisheadandgrinned。\"Yep，kid，yousurehevrizinmyestimashun。\"
\"Hey，yourummycow—puncher，\"brokeinBud，scornfully。\"Mebbeyou’dlikethekidmore’nyoudoifyou’dgotoneofthemwollops。\"
\"Bud，Iain’tsayin’，\"repliedHerky，withhismouthfullofmeat。
\"Considerin’allpoints，howsoever，I’mthinkin’themwallopswasdistributedveryproper。\"
Theybandiedsuchtalkbetweenthem，andoccasionallyBillchimedinwithajoke。Greaserateinmorosesilence。Theremusthavebeensomethingonhismind。Buelltookverylittledinner，andappearedtobeinpain。Itwasdarkwhenthemealended。Budboundmeupforthenight，andhemadeagoodjobofit。Myarmburnedandthrobbed，butnotbadlyenoughtopreventsleep。TwiceIhadnearlydroppedoffwhenloudlaughsorvoicesrousedme。
Myeyesclosedwithapictureofthoserough，darkmensittingbeforethefire。
Anoiselikemuffledthunderburstintomyslumber。Iawakenedwithmybodycrampedandstiff。Itwasdaylight，andsomethinghadhappened。Buellraninandoutofthecabinyellingathismen。AllofthemexceptHerkywerewildlyexcited。BuellwasabusingBudforsomething，andBudwasblamingBuell。
\"Thet’snowaytotalktome！\"saidBud，angrily。\"Hedidn’tbreaklooseinmywatch！’
\"Youan’Greaserhadthejob。Bothofyou——wenttosleep——takethetfromme！\"
\"Wal，he’sgone，an’hetookthekid’sgunwithhim，\"saidBill，coolly。
\"Nowwe’llbedodgin’bullets。\"
DickLesliehadescaped！Icouldhardlykeepdownacryoftriumph。Ididaskifitwastrue，butnoneofthempaidanyattentiontome。BuellthenorderedHerky—JerkytotrailDickandseewherehehadgone。Herkyrefusedpoint—blank。\"Nope。Notferme，\"hesaid。\"Lesliehasarifle。SohasBent，an’wehaven’toneamongus。An’，Buell，ifLesliefallsinwithBent，it’sgoin’togithotferusroundhere。\"
ThissilencedBuell，butdidnotstophisrestlesspacings。Hisfacewaslikeathunder—cloud，andhewasplainlyworriedandharassed。OnceBuddeliberatelyaskedwhatbeintendedtodowithme，andBuellsnarledareplywhichnooneunderstood。Hisgloomextendedtotheothers，exceptHerky，whowhistledandsangashebusiedhimselfaboutthecampfire。
Greaserappearedtobeparticularlycastdown。
\"Buell，whatareyougoingtodowithme？\"Idemanded。Buthemadenoanswer。
\"Well，anyway，\"Iwenton，\"somebodycuttheseropes。I’mmightysoreanduncomfortable。\"
Herky—Jerkydidnotwaitforpermission;heuntiedme，andhelpedmetomyfeet。Iwasratherunsteadyonmylegsatfirst，andmyinjuredarmfeltlikeaboard。Itseemeddead;butafterIhadmoveditalittlethepaincameback，andithadapparentlycometostay。Weatebreakfast，andthensettleddowntodonothing，ortowaitforsomethingtoturnup。Buellsatinthedoorway，moodilywatchingthetrail。Oncehespoke，orderingtheMexicantodriveinthehorses。IfanciedfromthisthatBuellmighthavedecidedtobreakcamp，buttherewasnomovetopack。
Themorningquietwassuddenlysplitbythestingingcrackofarifleandayellofagony。
Buellleapedtohisfeet，hisruddyfacewhite。
\"Greaser！\"heexclaimed。
\"ThetwasaboutwhereGreasercashed，\"reliedBill，coollyknockingtheashesfromhispipe。
\"No，Bill，you’rewrong。HerecomesGreaser，runnin’likeanIndian。\"
\"Lookattheblood！He’sbeenplugged，allright！\"exclaimedHerky—Jerky。
Thesoundofrunningfeetdrewnearer，andsuddenlythegroupatthedoorbroketoadmittheMexican。Onesideofhisterrifiedfacewascoveredwithblood。Hiseyeswerestaring，hishandsraised，hestaggeredasifabouttofall。
\"SenyorWilliam！SenyorWilliam！\"hecried，andthencalledonSaintSomebody。
\"JimWilliams！Isaidso，\"mutteredBud。
BillcaughtholdoftheexcitedMexican，andpulledhimnearerthelight。
\"Thetain’tabadhurt。jestcuthisearoff！\"aidBill。\"Hyar，standstill，youwildman！you’renotgoin’todie。Gitsomewater，Herky。
Fellers，GreaserhasbeenoneasyeversinceheknewJimWilliamswaslookin’
ferhim。HethinksJimdidthis。ButJimWilliamsdon’tusearifle，an’，what’smore，whenheshootshedon’tmiss。Youallheerdtherifle—shot。\"
\"ThenitwasoldBentorLeslie？\"questionedBuell。
\"Leslieitwere。Bentusesa45—90caliber。Thetshotweheerdwasfromthelittle38——thekid’sgun。\"
\"Wal，itwasanarrerescapeferGreaser，\"saidBud。\"Leslie’ssore，an’
he’llshootferkeeps。Buell，you’vestartedsomethin’。\"
WhenBillhadwashedthebloodofftheMexicanitwasfoundthattheballhadcarriedawaythelowerpartoftheear，andwithit，ofcourse，thegoldearring。Thewoundmusthavebeenextremelypainful;itcertainlytookallthestarchoutofGreaser。Hekeptmumblinginhisownlanguage，androllinghiswickedblackeyesandtwistinghisthin，yellowhands。
\"What’stobedone？\"askedBuell，sharply。
\"Thet’sferyoutosay，\"repliedBill，withhisexasperatingcalmness。
\"Mustwehangupheretobeshotat？Leslie’stakin’alongchanceonthetkid’slifeifhecomesslingin’leadroundthiscabin。\"
Herky—Jerkyspattobacco—juiceacrosstheroomandgrunted。Then，withhisbeadylittleeyesaskeenandcoldasflint，hesaid：\"Buell，Leslieknowsyoudaren’tharmthekid;an’asferbullets，he’lltakegoodcarewherehestings’em。Thisdealofoursbeginstolooklikeawild—goosestunt。Itneverwassafe，an’nowit’sworse。\"
HerewasevenHerky—JerkyharpingonBuell’ssituation。Tomeitdidnotappearmuchmoreseriousthanbefore。ButevidentlytheythoughtBuellseemedonthevergeoflosingcontrolofhimself。HeglaredatHerky，andrammedhisfistsinhispocketsandpacedthelongroom。Presentlyhesteppedoutofthedoor。
Ariflecrackedclearandsharp，anotherbellowedoutheavyandhollow。A
bulletstruckthedoor—post，asecondhummedthroughthedoorandbuddedintothelogwall。Buelljumpedbackintotheroom。Hisfaceworked，hisbreathhissedbetweenhisteeth，aswithtremblinghandheexaminedthefrontofhiscoat。Abigbullethadtornthroughbothlapels。
Billstuckhispudgyfingerinthehole。\"Thesecondbulletmadethet。ItwasfromoldHiram’sgun——a45—90！\"
\"Bentan’Leslie！MyGod！They’reshootin’tokill！\"criedBuell。
\"Ishouldsmile，\"repliedHerky—Jerky。
Budwaspeepingoutthroughachinkbetweenthelogs。\"Igottheirsmoke，\"
hesaid;\"look，Bill，uptheslope。They’retoofuroff，butwemayaswellsenduprespects。\"Withthatheaimedhisrevolverthroughthenarrowcrackanddeliberatelyshotsixtimes。Thereportsclappedlikethunder，thesmokefromburntpowderandthesmellofbrimstonefilledtheroom。BywayofreplyoldHiram’srifleboomedouttwice，andtwoheavyslugscrashedthroughtheroof，sendingdownashowerofdustandbitsofdecayedwood。
\"Thet’sjisttoshowwhata45—90cando，\"remarkedBill。
BudreloadedhisweaponwhileBillshotseveraltimes。Herky—Jerkyhadhisguninhand，butcontentedhimselfwithpeeringfromdifferentchinksbetweenthelogs。Ihidbehindthewidestonefireplace，andthoughIfeltprettysafefromflyingbullets，Ibegantofeeltheicygripoffear。I
hadseentoomuchofthesemeninexcitement，andknewifcircumstancessobroughtitabouttheremightcomeamomentwhenmylifewouldnotbeworthapin。Theywereallsobernow，anddeadlyquiet。Buellshowedthegreatestalarm，thoughhehadbeguntosettledowntowhatlookedlikefight。Herkywasmorefearlessthananyofthem，andcoolereventhanBill。AllatonceImissedtheMexican。Ifhehadnotslippedoutoftheroomhehadhiddenunderthebrushofthefallenloftorinapileofblankets。Buttheroomwassmoky，anditwashardformetobecertain。
Sometimepassedwithnoshotsandwithnomovementinsidethecabin。
Slowlythebluesmokewaftedoutofthedoor。Thesunlightdancedingleamsthroughtheholesintheraggedroof。Therewasapleasantswishofpinebranchesagainstthecabin。
\"Listen，，whisperedBud，hoarsely。\"Iheerdaponysnort。\"
Thentherapidbeatofhardhoofsonthetrailwasfollowedbyseveralshotsfromthehillside。Soontheclatterofhoofsdiedawayinthedistance。
\"Whowasthet？\"askedthreeofBuell’smeninunison。
\"Takeitfromme，Greaser’ssneaked，\"repliedBuell。
\"How’dhegitout？\"
WiththatBudandBillbegankickinginthepilesofbrush。
\"Aha！Hyar’stheplace，\"sangoutBud。
Inonecornerofthebackwallarottenloghadcrumbled，andhereitwasplaintoalleyesthatGreaserhadslippedout。Irememberedthatonthissideofthecabintherewasquiteathickgrowthofyoungpine。Greaserhadbeenabletoconcealhimselfashecrawledtowardthehorses，andhadprobablybeenseenatthelastmoment。Herky—Jerkywastheonlyonetomakecomment。
\"Iain’twishin’Greaseranyhardluck，buthopehecarriedawayacoupleOf45—90slugssomewheresinhisyallercarcass。\"
\"It’dbeworthalottothefellerwhocanshowmeawayoutofthismess，\"
saidBuell，moppingthebeadsofsweatfromhisface。
Igotup——itseemedtomemymindwasmadeupforme——andwalkedintothelightoftheroom。
\"Buell，Icanshowyoutheway，\"Isaid，quietly。
\"What！\"Hismouthopenedinastonishment。\"Speakup，then。\"
Theothermensteppedforward，andIfelttheireyesuponme。
\"Letmegofree。LetmeoutofheretofindDickLeslie！ThenwhenyougotojailinHolstonforstealinglumberI’llsayagoodwordforyouandyourmen。Therewon’tbeanychargeofkidnappingorviolence。\"
Afteralongpause，duringwhichBuellboredmewithgimleteyes，hesaid，inaqueervoice：\"Saythetagain。\"
Irepeatedit，andaddedthathecouldnotgainanythingnowbyholdingmeaprisoner。IthinkhesawwhatImeant，buthatedtobelieveit。
\"It’stoolate，\"Isaid，ashehesitated。
\"YoumeanLeslieliedan’youfooledme——youdidgettoHolston？\"heshouted。Hewasquiveringwithrage，andtheredflamedinhisneckandface。
\"Buell，IdidgettoHolstonandIdidsendwordtoWashington，\"Iwenton，hurriedlyforIhadbeguntolosemycalmness。\"Iwrotetomyfather。HeknowsafriendoftheChiefForesterwhoisclosetotheDepartmentatWashington。BythistimeHolstonisfullofofficersoftheforestservice。
Perhapsthey’realreadyatyourmill。Anyway，thegame’sup，andyou’dbetterletmego。\"
Buell’sfacelostallitsruddycolor，slowlyblanched，andchangedterribly。Theboldnessfled，leavingitcraven，almostghastly。Realizinghehadmoretofearfromthelawthanconvictionofhislatestlumbersteal，hemadeatmeinblindanger。
\"Holdon！\"Herky—Jerkyyelled，ashejumpedbetweenBuellandme。
Buell’sbreathwasahiss，andthewordshebitbetweenhisclinchedteethwereunintelligible。Inthatmomenthewouldhavekilledme。
Herky—Jerkymethisonslaught，andflunghimback。Then，withhishandonthebuttofhisrevolver，hespoke：
\"Buell，hyar’swhereyouan’mesplit。You’vebungledyourbigdeal。Thekidstackedthedeckonyou。ButIain’ta—goin’toseeyoudohimharmferit。\"
\"Herky’sright，boss，\"putinBill，\"thar’snosenseinaddin’murdertothismess。Strikesmeyou’reinbadenough。\"
\"Sothet’syourgame？You’redouble—crossin’menow——allonachanceatkidnappin’forransommoney。Well，I’mthroughwiththekidan’allofyou。
Takethetfromme！\"
\"Youskunk！\"exclaimedHerky—Jerky，withtheutmostcheerfulness。
\"Wal，Buell，\"saidBill，incooldisdain，\"comsiderin’myfondnessferfreshairan’opencountry，Ican’tsayI’msorrytodissolvefuturerelashuns。Iwasonlyinjailonct，an’Icouldn’tbreathefree。\"
ItwasthenBuellwentbesidehimselfwithrage。Heraisedhishugefists，andshookhimself，andplungedabouttheroom，cursing。Suddenlyhepickedupanaxe，andbeganchoppingattherottenlogabovetheholewhereGreaserhadslippedout。Budyelledathim，sodidBill;Herky—Jerkysaidunpleasantthings。ButBuelldidnothearthem。Hehackedanddugawaylikeonepossessed。Thedull，soddenblowsfellfast，scatteringpiecesofwoodaboutthefloor。ThemadnessthatwasinBuellwasthemadnesstogetout，toescapetheconsequencesofhisacts。Hisgruntsandpantsasheworkedshowedhisdesperateenergy。Thenheslammedtheaxeagainstthewall，and，goingdownflat，begantocrawlthroughtheopening。Buellwasathickman，andtheholeappearedtoosmall。Hestuckinit，buthesqueezedandflattenedhimself，finallyworkedthrough，anddisappeared。
Asuddenquietfelluponhisdeparture。
\"Handsup！\"
JimWilliams’svoice！ItwasstrangetoseeHerkyandBudflashuptheirarmswithoutturning。ButIwheeledquickly。Bill，too，hadhishandshighintheair。
InthesunlightofthedoorwaystoodJimWilliams。Lowdown，carelessly，itseemed，heheldtwolongrevolvers。Helookedthesameeasy，slowTexanI
remembered。Butthesmilewasnotnowinhiseyes，andhislipsweresetinathin，hardline。
XVI。THEFOREST’SGREATESTFOE
JimWilliamssentoutasharpcall。Fromthecanyon—slopecameansweringshouts。Thereweresoundsofheavybodiesbreakingthroughbrush，followedbythethuddingoffeet。Thenmencouldbeplainlyheardrunningupthetrail。Jimleanedagainstthedoor—post，andthethreefellowsbeforehimstoodrigidasstone。
SuddenlyaformleapedpastJim。ItwasDickLeslie，bareheaded，hishairstandinglikealion’smane，andhehadacockedrifleinhishands。ClosebehindhimcameoldHiramBent，slower，morecautious，butnolessformidable。Asthesemenglancedaroundwithfieryeyesthequicklookofreliefthatshotacrosstheirfacestoldofungroundedfears。
\"Where’sBuell？\"sharplyqueriedDick。
JimWilliamsdidnotreply，andamomentarysilenceensued。
\"BuelllitoutaftertheGreaser，\"saidBill，finally。
\"Cutandrun，didhe？That’shisspeed，\"grimlysaidDick。\"Here，Bent，findsomerope。We’vegottotieupthesejacks。\"
\"Handsback，an’begracefullike。Quick！\"sangoutJimWilliams。
Itseemedtomehumanbeingscouldnothavemoreeagerlyandswiftlyobeyedanorder。HerkyandBillandBudjerkedtheirarmsdownandextendedtheirhandsoutbehind。Afterthatquickactiontheyagainturnedintostatues。
Therewasabreathlesssuspenseineveryact。AndtherewassomethingaboutJimWilliamsthenthatIdidnotlike。Iwasinacoldperspirationforfearoneofthemenwouldmakesomekindofamove。AstheverymentionoftheTexanhadalwayscausedalittlesilence，sohispresencechangedtheatmosphereofthatcabinroom。Beforehiscomingtherehadbeentheelementofchance——afeelingofdanger，tobesure，butahealthyspiritofgiveandtake。ThathadallchangedwithJimWilliams’swords\"Handsup！\"Therewasnowsomethingterriblehanginginthebalance。IhadbuttolookatJim’seyes，narrowslitsofbluefire，atthehardjawandtightlips，toseeaglimpseofthemanwhothoughtnothingoflife。Itturnedmesick，andIwasallinatremortillDickandHiramhadthemenboundfast。
ThenJimdroppedthelong，bluegunsintotheholstersonhisbelt。
\"Ken，Ishoreamgladtoseeyou，\"saidhe。
Thesoft，drawlingvoice，thesleepysmile，thecarelessgood—willallcameback，utterlytransformingtheman。ThiswastheJimWilliamsIhadcometolove。WithawrenchIrecoveredmyself。
\"Areyouallright，Ken？\"askedDick。AndoldHiramquestionedmewithaworriedlook。ThisanxietymarkedthedifferencebetweenthesemenandWilliams。IhastenedtoassuremyfriendsthatIwasnonetheworseformycaptivity。
\"Ken，yourlittlegundoesn’tshootwhereitpoints，\"saidJim。\"IshorehadabeadontheGreaseran’missedhim。FirstGreaserIevermissed。\"
\"Youshothisearoff，\"Ireplied。\"Hecamerunningbackcoveredwithblood。Ineversawamansoscared。\"
\"Wal，Ishoreamglad，\"drawledJim。
\"Hemadeoffwithyourmustang，\"saidDick。
ThisinformationlessenedmygladnessatGreaser’sescape。Still，IwouldratherhavehadhimgetawayonmyhorsethanstaytobeshotbyJim。
Dickcalledmetogooutsidewithhim。Mypackwaslyingunderoneofthepinesnearthecabin，andexaminationprovedthatnothinghadbeendisturbed。Wefoundthehorsesgrazingupthecanyon。Buellhadtakenthehorseofoneofhismen，andhadlefthisownsuperbbay。Mostlikelyhehadjumpedastridethefirstanimalhesaw。DicksaidIcouldhaveBuell’ssplendidhorse。Ihadsometroubleincatchinghim，ashewasrestiveandspirited，butIsucceededeventually，andwedrovetheotherhorsesandponiesintotheglade。Mycomradesthenfelltoarguingaboutwhattodowiththeprisoners。DickwasforpackingthemofftoHolston。Benttalkedagainstthis，sayingitwasnoeasymattertodriveboundmenoverroughtrails，andJimsidedwithhim。
Once，whiletheyweretalking，IhappenedtocatchHerky—Jerky’seye。Hewaslyingonhisbackinthelightfromthedoor。Herkywinkedatme，screweduphisfaceinthemostastonishingmanner，allofwhichI
presentlymadeouttomeanthathewantedtospeaktome。SoIwentovertohim。
\"Kid，youain’ta—goin’tofergitIstalledoffBuell？\"whisperedHerky。
\"He’dhevdoneferyou，an’thet’snolie。Youwon’tfergitwhenwe’rerustleddowntoHolston？\"
\"I’llremember，Herky，\"Ipromised，andImeanttoputinagoodwordforhim。Because，whetherornothisreasonshadtodowithkidnappingandransom，hehadsavedmefromterribleviolence，perhapsdeath。
Itwasdecidedthatwewouldleavetheprisonersinthecabinandridedowntothesawmill。Hiramwastoreturnatoncewithofficers。IfnonecouldbefoundatthemillhewastoguardtheprisonersandtakecareofthemtillDickcouldsendofficerstorelievehim。Thereuponwecookedameal，andI
wasputtofeedingHerkyandhiscompanions。Dickorderedmeespeciallytomakethemdrinkwater，asitmightbeadayorlongerbeforeHiramcouldgetback。ImadeBilldrink，andeasilyfilledupHerky;butBud，whoneverdrankanythingsavewhiskey，gavemeajob。Herefusedwithagrowl，andI
insistedwithwhatIfeltsurewasChristianpatience。Stillhewouldnotdrink，soIputthecuptohislipsandtippedit。Budpromptlyspatthewateralloverme。AndIaspromptlygotanothercupfulanddasheditalloverhim。
\"Bud，you’lldrinkorI’lldrownyou，\"Ideclared。
SowhileBillcrackedhoarsejokesandHerkysworehispleasure，ImadeBuddrinkallhecouldhold。Jimgotagooddealoffunoutofit，butDickandHiramnevercrackedasmile。Possiblythelattertwosawsomethingfarfromfunnyintheoutlook;atanyrate，theyweresilent，almostmoody，andinahurrytobeoff。
Dickwassoanxioustobeonthetrailthathehelpedmepackmypony，andsaddledBuell’shorse。Itwasonethingtoadmirethebigbayfromtheground，anditwasanothertobeastridehim。Target——thatwashisname—
—hadaspiritedtemper，anironmouth，andhehadbeenusedtoasternerhandthanmine。Hedancedalloverthegladebeforehedecidedtobehavehimself。Ridinghim，however，wassuchagreatpleasurethatamoretimidboythanIwouldhavetakentherisk。Hewouldnotletanyhorsestaynearhim;hepulledonthebridle，andleapedwheneverabranchbrushedhim。I
hadbeenonsomegoodhorses，butneverononewithaswinglikehis，andI
grewmoreandmorepossessedwiththedesiretolethimrun。
\"Likeasnothe’llboltwithyou。Holdhimin，Ken！\"calledDick，ashemounted。Thenheshoutedafinalwordtotheprisoners，sayingtheywouldbelookedafter，anddrovethepack—poniesintothetrail。Aswerodeoutwepassedseveralofthehorsesthatwehaddecidedtoleavebehind，andastheywantedtofollowusitwasnecessarytodrivethemback。
Ihadmyhandsfullwiththebig，steel—jawedsteedIwastryingtoholdin。ItwasthehardestworkofthekindthatIhadeverundertaken。Ihadneverwornspurs，butnowIbegantowishforthem。Wetraveledatagoodclip，asfastasthepack—poniescouldgo，andcoveredalongdistancebycamping—time。Iwassurprisedthatwedidnotgetoutofthecanyon。Theplacewherewecampedwasabare，rockyopening，withabigpoolinthecenter。WhileweweremakingcampitsuddenlycameovermethatIwascompletelybewilderedastoourwhereabouts。Icouldnotseethemountainpeaksanddidnotknowonedirectionfromanother。EvenwhenJimstruckoutofourtrailandwentoffalonetowardHolstonIcouldnotformanideaofwhereIwas。Allthis，however，addedtomyfeelingofthebignessofPenetier。
Dickwastaciturn，andoldHiram，whenItriedtoengagehiminconversation，cutmeoffwiththeremarkthatIwouldneedmybreathonthemorrow。Thissomewhatoffendedme。SoImademybedandrolledintoit。NottillIhadlainquietforalittledidIrealizethateveryboneandmusclefeltutterlywornout。Iseemedtodeadenandstiffenmoreeachmoment。
PresentlyDickbreathedheavilyandHiramsnored。Theredglowoffirepaledanddied。IheardtheclinkingofthehobblesonTarget，andastep，nowandthen，oftheotherhorses。Theskygreweverbluerandcolder，thestarsbrighterandlarger，andthenightwindmoanedinthepines。Iheardacoyotebark，atroutsplashinthepool，andthehootofanowl。Thenthesoundsandtheclear，coldnightseemedtofadeaway。
WhenDickrousedmetheforestwasshroudedingray，coldfog。Notimewaslostingettingbreakfast，drivinginthehorses，andpacking。Hardlyanywordswereexchanged。Mycomradesappearedevensobererthanonthedaybefore。Thefogliftedquicklythatmorning，andsoonthesunwasshining。
Wegotunderwayatonce，andtooktothetrailatajog—trot。Iknewmyhorsebetterandhewasmoreusedtome，whichmadeitatleastbearabletobothofus。Beforelongthecanyonwidenedoutintothelevelforestlandthicklystuddedwithmagnificentpines。Ihadagainthefeelingofaweandlittleness。Everythingwassolemnandstill。Themorningairwascool，anddryastoast;thesmellofpitch—pinechokedmynostrils。Werodebrisklydownthebroadbrownaisles，acrossthesunnyglades，underthemurmuringpines。
Theoldhunterwasleadingourtrain，andevidentlyknewperfectlywhathewasabout。Unexpectedlyhehalted，bringingusupshort。Thepack—ponieslinedupbehindus。HiramlookedatDick。
\"Ismellsmoke，\"hesaid，sniffingatthefragrantair。
Dickstaredattheoldhunterandlikewisesniffed。Ifollowedtheirlead，butallIcouldsmellwasthethick，pineyodoroftheforest。
\"Idon’tcatchit，\"repliedDick。
Wecontinuedonourjourneyperhapsforaquarterofamile，andthenHiramBentstoppedagain。ThistimehelookedsignificantlyatDickwithoutspeakingaword。
\"Ah！\"exclaimedDick。Ithoughthistonesoundedqueer，butitdidnotatthemomentstrikemeforcibly。Werodeon。Theforestbecamelighter，glimpsesofskyshowedlowdownthroughthetrees，wewerenearingaslope。
Forthethirdtimetheoldhunterbroughtustoastop，thistimeontheedgeofaslopethatleddowntotherollingfoot—hills。Icouldonlystandandgaze。Thoseopenstretches，slopingdown，allgreenandbrownandbeautiful，robbedmeofthought。
\"Lookthar！\"criedHiramBent。
Histonestartledme。Ifacedabout，toseehispowerfularmoutstretchedandhisfingerpointing。Hissternfaceaddedtomysuddenconcern。
Somethingwaswrongwithmyfriends。Iglancedinthedirectionheindicated。Thereweretworollingslopesorstepsbelowus，andtheywerelikegiganticswellsofagreenocean。Beyondthesecondonerosealong，billowy，bluishcloud。Itwassmoke。AllatonceIsmelledsmoke，too。Itcameonthefresh，strongwind。
\"Forestfire！\"exclaimedDick。
\"Wal，Ireckon，\"repliedHiram，tersely。\"An’lookthar，an’thar！\"
Fartotherightandfartotheleft，overthegreen，swellingfoot—hills，rosethatrounded，changinglineofbluecloud。
\"Theslash！theslash！Buell’sfiredtheslash！\"criedDick，asonesuddenlyawakened。\"Penetierwillgo！\"
\"Wal，Ireckon。Butthet’snottheworst。\"
\"Youmean——\"
\"Mebbewecan’tgetout。Theforest’sdryaspowder，an’thet’stheworstwindwecouldhave。Thesecanyon—drawssuckinthewind，an’firewillraceupthemfastasahosscanrun。\"
\"GoodGod，man！What’llwedo？\"
\"Wait。Mebbeitain’tsobad——yet。Nowlet’salllisten。\"
Thefacesofmyfriends，morethanwords，terrifiedme。Ilistenedwithallmyearswhilewatchingwithallmyeyes。Thelineofrollingcloudexpanded，seemedtoburstandrollupward，tobulgeandmushroom。Inafewshortmomentsitcoveredthesecondslopeasfartotherightandleftaswecouldsee。Theundersurfacewasabluishwhite。Itshotupswiftly，tospreadoutintoimmense，slow—movingcloudsofcreamyyellow。
\"Hearthet？\"HiramBentshookhisgrayheadasonewholistenedtodiretidings。
Thewind，sweepinguptheslopeofPenetier，carriedastrong，pungentodorofburningpitch。Itbroughtalsoalowroar，notlikethewindinthetreesorrapid—rushingwater。Itmighthavebeenmyimagination，butI
fancieditwaslikethesoundofflamesblowingthroughthewoodofacampfire。
\"Fire！Fire！\"exclaimedHiram，withanotherominousshakeofhishead。\"Wemustbeupan’doin’。\"
\"Theforest’sgreatestfoe！OldPenetierisdoomed！\"criedDickLeslie。
\"Thatlineoffireismileslong，andisspreadingfast。It’llshootupthecanyonsandcrisscrosstheforestinnotime。Bent，what’llwedo？\"
\"Mebbewecangetaroundtheline。Wemust，orwe’llhavetomaketracksforthemountain，an’thet’salongchance。Youtaketotheleftan’I’llgototheright，an’we’llseehowthefire’srunnin’。\"
\"WhatwillKendo？\"
\"Wal，lethimstayhere——no，thetwon’tdo！Wemightgetdrivenbackalittlean’havetocircle。Thesafestplaceinthisforestiswherewecamped。Thet’snotfar。Lethimdrivetheponiesbacktharan’wait。\"
\"Allright。Ken，youhustlethepack—teambacktoourlastnight’scamp。
Waitthereforus。Wewon’tbelong。\"
Dickgallopedoffthroughtheforest，andHiramwentdowntheslopeinalmosttheoppositedirection。Leftalone，Iturnedmyhorseanddrovethepack—poniesalongourback—trail。Thusengaged，Ibegantorecoversomewhatfromtheterrorthathadstupefiedme。Still，Ikeptlookingback。Ifoundthemouthofthecanyonandthetrail，andinwhatIthoughtaveryshorttimeIreachedthebare，rockyspotwherewehadlastcamped。Thehorsesalldrankthirstily，andIdiscoveredthatIwashotanddry。
ThenIwaited。AteveryglanceIexpectedtoseeDickandHiramridingupthecanyon。Butmomentsdraggedby，andtheydidnotcome。Heretherewasnosignofsmoke，noreventhefaintesthintoftheroarofthefire。Thewindblewstronglyupthecanyon，andIkeptturningmyeartoit。InspiteofthefactthatmyfriendsdidnotcomequicklyIhadbeguntocalmmyfears。Theywouldreturnpresentlywithknowledgeofthecourseofthefireandthewaytoavoidit。MythoughtsweremostlyoccupiedwithsorrowforbeautifulPenetier。WhatafiendBuellwas！Ihadheardhimsayhewouldfiretheslash，andhehadkepthisword。
Halfanhourpassed。Isawaflashofgraydownthecanyon，andshoutedinjoy。ButwhatIthoughtDickandHiramwasaherdofdeer。Theywererunningwildly。Theyclickedonthestones，andscarcelyswervedforthepack—ponies。Ittooknosecondglancetoseethattheywerefleeingfromthefire。Thisbroughtbackallmyalarms，andeverymomentthatIwaitedthereafteraddedtothem。Iwatchedthetrailandunderthetreesformyfriends，andIscannedtheskyforsignsoftheblue—whitecloudsofsmoke。
ButIsawneither。
\"Dicktoldmetowaithere;buthowlongshallIwait？\"Imuttered。
\"Something’shappenedtohim。IfonlyIcouldseewhatthatfireisdoing！\"
Thecamping—placewaslowdownbetweentwoslopes，oneofwhichwashighandhadarockycliffstandingbareinthesunlight。Iconceivedtheideaofclimbingtoit。Icouldnotsitquietlywaitinganylonger。So，mountingTarget，Iputhimuptheslope。Itwasnotasteepclimb，stillitwaslongandtookconsiderabletime。BeforeIreachedthegraycliffIlookeddownovertheforesttoseetherolling，smokyclouds。Weclimbedhigherandstillhigher，tillTargetreachedthecliffandcouldgonofarther。
Leapingoff，Itiedhimsecurelyandbentmyeffortstogettingaroundontopofthecliff。IfIhadknownwhataclimbitwasIshouldnothaveattemptedit，butIcouldnotbackoutwiththesummitloomingoverme。Itranuptoaraggedcrag。Hot，exhausted，andoutofbreath，Iatlastgotthere。
AsIlookedIshoutedinsurprise。ItseemedthatthewholeofPenetierwasundermyfeet。Thegreenslopedisappearedinmurkycloudsofsmoke。Thereweregreatpillarsandhugebanksofyellowandlongstreaksofblack，andhereandthere，underneath，movingsplashesofred。Thethingdidnotstaystilloneinstant。ItchangedsothatIcouldnottellwhatitdidlooklike。Themwerelifeandmovementinit，andsomethingterriblysinister。I
triedtocalculatehowfardistantthefirewasandhowfastitwascoming，butthat，inmystateofmind，Icouldnotdo。Thewholesweepofforestbelowmewasburning。Ifeltthestrongbreezeandsmelledtheburntwood。
Puffsofwhitesmokeranoutaheadofthemainclouds，andIsawthreeofthemwidelyseparated。Whattheymeantpuzzledme。ButallofasuddenI
sawinfrontofthenearestaflickeringgleamofred。ThenIknewthosewhitestreamsofsmokerosewherethefirewasbeingsuckedupthecanyons。
Theyleapedalongwithamazingspeed。ItwasthenthatIrealizedthatDickandHiramhadbeencaughtbyoneoftheseoffshootsofthefire，andhadbeencompelledtoturnawaytosavetheirlives。Perhapstheywouldbothbelost。ForamomentIfeltfaint，butIfoughtitoff。Ihadtothinkofmyself。Itwaseveryoneforhimself，andperhapstherewasmanyamancaughtonPenetierwithonlyaslenderchanceforlife。
\"Oh！oh！\"Icried，suddenly。\"Herky，Bud，andBilltiedhelplessinthatcabin！Dickforgotthem。They’llbeburnedtodeath！\"
AsIstoodthere，tremblingatthethoughtofHerkyandhiscomradesboundhandandfoot，thefirstroaroftheforestfirereachedmyears。Itthreatened，butitrousedmycourage。IjumpedasifIhadbeenshot，andclattereddownthatcragwithwingsguidingmylongleaps。Nocreviceorjumbleofloosestonesorsteepdescentdauntedme。Ireachedthehorse，and，graspingthebridle，Istartedtoleadhim。Wehadzigzaggedup，wewentstraightdown。Targetwastoospiritedtobalk，buthedideverythingelse。Morethanonceherearedwithhishoofshighintheair，and，snorting，crasheddown。Hepulledmeoffmyfeet，hepawedatmewithhisgreatironshoes。WhenwegotclearoftheroughestandmostthicklyovergrownpartofthedescentImountedhim。ThenIneedednolongertourgehim。Thefirehadenteredthecanyon，thehollowroarsweptupandfilledTargetwiththesamefrightthatpossessedme。Heplungeddown，slidonhishaunches，jumpedthelogs，crashedthroughbrush。Ihadcontinuallytoreinhimtowardthecamp。Hewantedtoturnfromthathotwindandstrangeroar。
Wereachedalevel，theopen，stonyground，thenthepool。Thepack—ponieswerestandingpatientlywithdroopingheads。Thesunwasobscuredinthinbluehaze。Smokeanddustandashesblewbywiththewind。IputTarget’snosedowntothewater，sothathewoulddrink。ThenIcutpacksofftheponies，spilledthecontents，andfilledmypocketswithwhateverIcouldlaymyhandsoninthewayofeatables。Ihungacanteenonthepommel，andthrewabagofbiscuitsoverthesaddleandtieditfast。Myfingersworkedswiftly。Therewasaflutteringinmythroat，andmysightwasdim。Allthetimetheroaroftheforestfiregrewlouderandmoreominous。
Theponieswouldbesafe。Iwouldbesafeintheleeofthebigrocksnearthepool。ButIdidnotmeantostay。Icouldnotstaywiththosemenlyingtiedupinthecabin。Herkyhadsavedme。Stillitwasnotthatwhichspurredmeon。
Targetsnortedshrillyandstartedbackfromthewater，readytostampede。
Slippingthebridleintoplace，Isnappedthebitbetweenhisteeth。Ihadtoswingoffmyfeettopullhisheaddown。
EvenasIdidthisIfelttheforceofthewind。Itwashardtobreathe。A
whitetumblingcolumnofsmokehidskyandsun。Allaboutmeitwaslikeabluetwilight。
Theappallingroarheldmespellboundwithmyfootinthestirrup。Itdrewmyglanceeveninthatmomentofflight。
Undertheshiftingcloudflashesofredfollowedbywavesoffireracedthroughthetree—tops。Thattheforestfiretraveledthroughthetree—topswasasnewtomeasitwasterrible。Thefireseemedtomakeanddrivethewind。Lowerdownalongthegroundwasadullfurnace—glow，nowdark，nowbright。ItallbroughtintomymindapictureIhadseenoftheendoftheworld。
Targetbrokethespellbyswingingmeupintothesaddleasheleapedforwardwithafurioussnort。Istruckhimwiththebridle，andyelled：
\"Youiron—jawedbrute！You’vebeencrazytorun——nowrun！\"
XVII。THEBACK—FIRE
Targetpoundedoverthescalygroundandthunderedintothehardtrail。
Thenhestretchedout。AsweclearedthelastobstructingpileofrocksI
lookedback。Therewasavastwaveoffirerollingupthecanyonandspreadinguptheslopes。ItwassoclosethatInearlyfainted。WithbothhandsknottedandstiffIclungtothepommelinacoldhorror，andI
lookedbacknomoretoseetheflamesreachingoutforme。ButIcouldnotkeepthedreadfulroarfromfillingmyears，anditweakenedmesothatIallbutdroppedfromthesaddle。Onlyanunconsciousinstincttofightforlifemademeholdon。
Blueandwhitepuffsofsmokesweptbyme。Thetrailwasadim，twistingline。Theslopesandpines，mergedinamass，flewbackwardinbrownsheets。AbovetheroarofthepursuingfireIheardthethunderofTarget’shoofs。Iscarcelyfelthimorthesaddle，onlyamotionandthesplittingofthewind。
Thefearofdeathbyfire，whichhadalmostrobbedmeofstrength，passedfromme。Mybraincleared。StillIhadnokindofhope，onlyadesperateresolvenottogiveup。
Thegreatbayhorsewasrunningtosavehislifeandtosavemine。Itwasaracewithfire。WhenIthoughtofthehorse，andsawhowfasthewasgoing，andrealizedthatImustdomypart，Iwasmyselfagain。
Thetrailwasawinding，hard—packedthreadofwhiteground。Ithadbeenmadeforleisurelytravel。Manyturnsweresuddenandsharp。Iloosenedthereins，andcriedouttoTarget。EvidentlyIhadunknowinglyheldhimin，forhelengthenedout，andwentoninquicker，longerleaps。Inthatmomentridingseemedeasy。Ilistenedtotheroarbehindme，nowalittlelessdeafening，andbegantothrill。Wewererunningawayfromthefire。
Hopemadetheraceseemdifferent。Somethingstirredandbeatwarmwithinme，drivingoutthechillinmymarrow。Ileanedovertheneckofthegreatbayhorse，andcalledtohimandcheeredhimon。ThenIsawhewasdeafandblindtome，forhewaswild。Hehadthebitbetweenhisteeth，andwasrunningaway。
Theroarbehindusrelentlesslypursuing，onlyalittlelessappalling，wasnownotmyonlysourceofperil。Targetcouldnomorebeguidednorstoppedthancouldtheforestfire。Thetrailgrewmorewindingandoverhungmorethicklybypinebranches。Thehorsedidnotswerveaninchfortreeorthicket，butranasiffree，andthesavingofmylifebegantobeamatterofdodging。Onceacrashingblowfromabranchalmostknockedmefromthesaddle。Thewindinmyearshalfdrownedtheroarbehindme。WithhandstwistedinTarget’smaneIbentlow，watchingwithkeeneyesforthetreesandbranchesahead。Idrewupmykneesandbentmybody，anddodgedandwentdownflatoverthepommellikeawild—ridingIndian。TargetkeptthatstrainingrunforalongerdistancethanIcouldjudge。Withthesamebreakneckspeedhethunderedonoverlogsandlittlewashes，throughthethick，borderingbushes，andaroundthesuddenturns。Hisfoammoistenedmyfaceandfleckedmysleeves。Thewindcamestingingintomyface，theheavyroarfollowedatmybackwithitsmenace。
Swiftandterribleastheforestfirewas，Targetwaswinningtherace。I
knewit。Steadilytheroarsoftened，butitdidnotdieaway。Pound！pound！
pound！Thebigbaychargedupthetrail。Howlongcouldhestandthatkillingpace？Ibegantotalksoothinglytohim，topullonthebridle;buthemighthavebeenanavalancheforallheheeded。StillIkeptathim，fightinghimeverymomentthatIwasfreefromlowbranches。Graduallythestrainbegantotell。
Thesightofacabinbroughtbacktomymindthemeaningofthewildracewithfire。Ihadforgottentheprisoners。Ihadreachedtheforestgladeandthecabin，butTargetwasstillgoinghard。WhatifIcouldnotstophim！Summoningallmystrength，Iquicklythrewweightandmusclebackonthereinsandsnappedthebitoutofhisteeth。Thencoaxing，commanding，I
pulledhimback。Inthegladewerefourhorses，standingbunchedwithheadsandearsup，uneasy，andbeginningtobefrightened。PerhapsthesightofthemhelpedmetostopTarget;atanyrate，heslackenedhispaceandhalted。Hewasspottedwithfoam，drippingwet，andhisbroadsidesheaved。
Ijumpedoff，stiffandcramped。Icouldscarcelywalk。Theairwasclear，thoughthefogofsmokeoverspreadthesun。Thewindblewstrongwithascentofpitch。NowthatIwasnotriding，theroarofthefiresoundedclose。Icaughtthesamestrangegrowl，thenoteofon—sweepingfury。Againthecreepycoldwentoverme。Ifeltmyfaceblanch，andtheskintightenovermycheeks。Idashedintothecabin，crying：\"Fire！Fire！Fire！\"
\"Whoop！It’sthekid！\"yelledHerky—Jerky。
Hewaslyingnearthedoor，redasabrickintheface，andpantinghard。
InonecutIseveredtheropeonhisfeet;inanother，thatroundhisrawandbloodywrists。Herkyhadtornhisfleshtryingtoreleasehishands。
\"Kid，how’dyougitbackhyar？\"hequestioned，withhissharplittleeyesglintingonme。\"Didthefirechaseyou？Whar’sLeslie？\"
\"Buellfiredtheslash。Penetierisburning。DickandHiramsentmebacktothepoolbelow，andthendidn’tcome。Theygotcaught——oh！……I’mafraid——lost！……ThenIrememberedyoufellows。Thefire’scoming——it’sawful——wemustfly！\"
\"Youthoughtofus？\"Herky’svoicesoundedqueerandstrangled。\"Bud！
Bill！Didyouhearthet？Wal，wal！\"
WhilehemutteredonIcutBill’sbonds。Herosewithoutaword。Budwasalmostunconscious。Hehadstruggledterribly。Hisheelshaddugaholeinthehardclayfloor;hiswristswereskinned;hismouthandchincoveredwithearth，probablyfromhishavingbittenthegroundinhisagony。Herkyhelpedhimupandgavehimadrinkfromalittlepocket—flask。
\"Herky，ifyouthinkyou’veridsomeinyourday，lookatthethoss，\"saidBill，coolly，fromthedoor。Heeyedmecoolly;infact，hewasascoolasiftherewerenofireonPenetier。ButBudwaswhiteandsick，andHerkyflamingwithexcitement。
\"Wehain’tgotachance。Listen！Thetroar！She’shummin’。\"
\"It’srunnin’upthedraw。Wedon’tstandnoshowdowninhyar。Grabahossnow，an’we’lltrytoheadacrosttheridge。\"
IremountedTarget，andthethreemencaughthorsesandclimbedupbareback。Billledthewayacrosstheglade，uptheslope，intothelevelforest。Therewebrokeintoagallop。Theairuponthishighergroundwasdarkandthick，butnotsohardtobreatheasthatlowerdown。Wepressedon。Forawhiletheroarreceded，andalmostdeadened。Thenitgrewcleareragain’filledout，andswelled。Budwantedtosheerofftotheleft。Herkysworewewerebeingsurrounded。Billturnedadeafeartothem。FrommyownsenseofdirectionIfanciedweweregoingwrong，butBillwassocoolhegavemecourage。Soonablue，windyhaze，shroudingthegiantpinesahead，causedBilltochangehiscourse。
\"Doyouknowwharyou’reheadin’？\"yelledHerky，highabovetheroar。
\"Ihain’tgottheleastidee，Herky，\"shoutedBill，ascoolascouldbe，\"butIguesssomewharwharit’llbehot！\"
Wewerelostintheforestandalmostsurroundedbyfire，iftheroarwasanythingtotellby。Wegallopedon，alwaysgovernedbytheroar，alwaysavoidingtheslopeupthemountain。Ifweoncestartedupthatwiththefireinourrearweweredoomed。Perhapsthereweretimeswhenthewinddeceivedus。Itwashardtotell。Anyway，wekepton，growingmorebewildered。Budlookedlikeadeadmanalreadyandreeledinhissaddle。
Thehorsesweregettinghardtomanage，andthewindwasstrengtheningandpuffedatusfromallquarters。Billstilllookedcool，butthelastvestigeofcolorhadfadedfromhisface。Thesethingsbodedill。Herkyhadgrownstrangelysilent，whichfactwastheworstofallforme。Forthattough，scarred，recklesslittlewretchtoholdhistonguewasthelaststraw。
Theairfreshenedsomewhat，andtheforestlightened。Almostabruptlywerodeouttotheedgeofagreat，widecanyon。Itmusthavecrossedtheforestatrightanglestothecanyonwehadleft。ItwastwiceaswideanddeepasanyIhadyetseen。Inthebottomwoundabroadbrook。
\"Whichwaynow？\"askedHerky。
Billshookhishead。Fartoourrightapallofsmokemovedoverthetree—tops，toourleftwasfoggygloom，behindrolledtheunceasingroar。
Wealllookedstraightacross。Probablyeachofusharboredthesamethought。Beforethatwindthefirewouldleapthecanyoninflamingbounds，andontheoppositelevelwasthethickpitch—pineforestofPenetierproper。Sofarwehadbeenamongthefoot—hills。Wedarednotentertherealforestwiththatwild—firebackofus。Momentarilywestoodirresolute。Itwasapausefullofhopelessness，suchasmighthavecometotireddeer，closeharriedbyhounds。
Thewindingbrookandthebrownslope，comparativelybareoftrees，broughtmeasuddeninspiration。
\"Back—fire！Back—fire！\"Icriedtomycompanions，inwildappeal。\"Wemustback—fire。It’sourchance！Here’stheplace！\"
BudscowledandHerkygrumbled，butBillgraspedattheidea。
\"I’veheerdofback—firin’。Therangersdoit。Buthow？How？\"
Theycaughthishope，andtheirhaggardfaceslightened。
\"Kid，weain’tforestrangers，\"saidHerky。\"Doyouknowwhatyou’retalkin’
about？\"
\"Yes，yes！Comeon！We’llback—fire！\"
Iledthewaydowntheslope，andtheycamecloseatmyheels。Irodeintotheshallowbrook，anddismountedaboutthemiddlebetweenthebanks。I
hungmycoatonthepommelofmysaddle。
\"Bud，youandBillholdthehorseshere！\"Ishouted，intenselyexcited。
\"Herky，haveyoumatches？\"
\"Naryamatch。\"
\"Hyar’sabox，\"saidBill，tossingit。
\"Comeon，Herky！Yourunupthebrook。Lightamatch，anddropiteveryhundredfeet。Besureitcatches。Luckythere’slittlewinddownhere。Goasfarasyoucan。I’llrundown！\"
Wesplashedoutofthebrookandleapedupthebank。Thegrasswaslonganddry。Therewasbrushnearby，andthepine—needlematsalmostborderedthebank。Istruckamatchanddroppedit。
Sis—s—s！Flare！Itwasalmostlikedroppingasparkintogunpowder。Theflameranquickly，reachedthepine—needles，thensputteredandfizzedintoabigblaze。Thefirstpine—treeexplodedandwentofflikearocket。Wewerestartledbythesoundandthered，up—leapingpillaroffire。Suddenheatshotbackatusasiffromafurnace。Greatsparksbegantofall。
\"It’sgoin’！\"yelledHerky—Jerky，hisvoiceringingstrong。Heclappedhishatdownonmybarehead。Thenhestartedrunningup—stream。
Idartedintheoppositedirection。IheardBudandBillyelling，andtheangrycrackandhissofthefire。AfewrodsdownIstopped，struckanothermatch，andlitthegrass。Therewasasputterandflash。Thentheflameflaredup，spreadlikerunningquicksilver，and，meetingthepine—needles，changedtored。Iranon。Therewasaloudflutterbehindme，thenacrackalmostlikeashot，thenaseethingroar。Anotherpinehadgoneoff。AsI
stoppedtostrikethethirdmatchtherecamethreedistinctreports，andthenothersthatseemeddulledinawindyroar。Iracedonward，daringonlyoncetolookback。Afearfulsightmetmygaze。Theslopewasaredwave。
Thepinesweretuftsofflame。Theairwasfilledwithsteamingcloudsofwhirlingsmoke。ThenIfledonwardagain。
MatchaftermatchIstruck，andwhentheboxwasemptyImusthavebeenamile，twomiles，maybemore，fromthestarting—point。Iwaswringing—wet，andtherewasapiercingpaininmyside。Iplungedacrossthebrook，andinasdeepwaterasIcouldfindkneltdowntocoverallbutmyface。Then，withlaboringbreathsthatbubbledthewaternearmymouth，Ikeptstillandwatched。
Theback—firewhichIhadstartedsweptupovertheslopeanddownthebrooklikeachargeofredlancers。Spearsofflameledtheadvance。Theflamelickedupthedrysurface—grassandbrush，and，meetingthepines，circledtheminawhirlwindoffire，likelightningflashingupward。Thencameprolongedreports，andafterthatalong，blisteringroarinthetree—tops。EvenasIgazed，appalledinthecertaintyofahorriblefate，I
thrilledatthegrandspectacle。Firehadalwaysfascinatedme。Theclangoftheenginesandthecallof\"Fire！\"wouldtearmefromanytaskorplay。
ButIhadneverknownwhatfirewas。Iknewnow。Stormsofairandseawerenothingcomparedtothis。Itwasthegreatestforceinnature。Itwasfire。
Ononehand，Iseemedcoolandcalculatedthechances;ontheother，Ihadflashesinmybrain，andkeptcryingoutcrazily，inavoicelikeawhisper：\"Fire！Fire！Fire！\"
Butpresentlythewalloffirerolledbyandtooktheroarwithit。Densebillowsofsmokefollowed，andhideverythinginopaquedarkness。Iheardthehissoffailingsparksandthecrackleofburningwood，andoccasionallythecrashofafailingbranch。Itwasintolerablyhot，butI
couldstandtheheatbetterthantheair。Icoughedandstrangled。Icouldnotgetmybreath。Myeyessmartedandburned。Crawlingcloseunderthebank，Ileanedagainstitandwaited。
Somehoursmusthavepassed。Isuffered，notexactlypain，butadiscomfortthatwasalmostworse。By—and—bytheairclearedalittle。Riftsinthesmokedriftedoverme，alwaystowardthefarsideofthecanyon。TwiceI
crawledoutuponthebank，buttheheatdrovemebackintothewater。Thesnow—waterfromthemountain—peakshadchangedfromcoldtowarm;still，itgavearelieffromthehotblastofair。Moretimedraggedby。Wearytothepointofcollapse，Igrewnottocareaboutanything。
Thentheyellowfoglightened，andblewacrossthebrookandliftedandsplit。Thepartsofthecanyon—slopethatIcouldseeweresearedandblackened。Thepineswerecolumnsoflivingcoals。Thefirewaseatingintotheirhearts。Presentlytheywouldsnapatthetrunk，crashdown，andburntoashes。Wreathesofmurkysmokecircledthem，anddriftedalofttojointheoverhangingclouds。
Iflounderedoutonthebank，andbegantowalkup—stream。Afterall，itwasnotsoveryhot，butIfeltqueer。IdidnotseemtobeabletostepwhereIlookedorseewhereIstepped。Still，thatcausedmenoworry。Themainthingwasthatthefirehadnotyetcrossedthebrook。Iwantedtofeeloverjoyedatthat，butIwastootired。AnywayIwassurethefirehadcrossedbeloworabove。Itwouldbetearingdownonthissidepresently，andthenIwouldhavetocrawlintothebrookorburnup。ItdidnotmattermuchwhichIhadtodo。ThenIgrewdizzy，mylegstrembled，myfeetlostallsenseoftouchingtheground。Icouldnotgomuchfarther。JustthenI
heardashout。Itwascloseby。Ianswered，andheardheavysteps。Ipeeredthroughthesmokyhaze。Somethingdarkmovedupinthegloom。
\"Ho，kid！Tharyouare！\"Ifeltastrongarmgoroundmywaist。\"Wal，wal！\"
ThatwasHerky。Hisvoicesoundedglad。Itrousedastrangeeagernessinme;hisroughgreetingseemedtobringmebackfromadistance。
\"Allwet，butnotburnednone，I，see。Wekinderwasafeared……Say，kid，thetback—fire，now。Itwasadandy。Itdidthebiz。Ourwhiskerswassinged，butwe’resafe。An，kid，itwasyourgame，playedlikeamanAfterthathisvoicegrewfaint，andIfeltasifIwerewalkinginadream。
XVIII。CONCLUSION
Thatdreadfulfeelingofmotionwentaway，andIbecameunconsciousofeverything。WhenIawokethesunwasgleamingdimlythroughthinfilmsofsmoke。Iwaslyinginapleasantlittleravinewithstuntedpinesfringingitsslopes。Thebrookbowledmerrilyoverstones。
Budsnoredintheshadeofabigboulder。Herkywhistledashebrokedeadbranchesintofagotsforacampfire。Billwasnowhereinsight。Isawseveralofthehorsesbrowsingalongtheedgeofthewater。
Mydrowsyeyelidsfellbackagain。WhenIawokealongtimeseemedtohavepassed。Theairwasclearer，theskydarker，andthesunhadgonebehindthepeaks。IsawBillandHerkyskinningadeer。
\"Wherearewe？\"Iasked，sittingup。
\"Hello，kid！\"repliedHerky，cheerily。\"Wecomeuptotheheadofthecanyon，thet’sall。How’reyoufeelin’？\"
\"I’mallright，onlytired。Where’stheforestfire？\"
\"It’smostburnedoutbynow。Itdidn’tjumpthecanyonintothebigforest。Thetback—firedidthebiz。Say，kid，wasn’tsettin’offthempinesan’runnin’feryourlifejestlikebein’inabattle？\"
\"Itcertainlywas。Herky，howlongwillwebepenneduphere？\"
\"Onlyadayortwo。Ireckonwe’dbetternotrisktakin’youbacktoHolstontillwe’resureaboutthefire。Anyways，kid，youneedrest。You’reallplayedout。\"
Indeed，Iwassowearythatittookanefforttoliftmyhand。Astrangelassitudemademeindifferent。ButHerky’scalmmentionoftakingmebacktoHolstonchangedthecolorofmymood。Ibegantofeelmorecheerful。Themealweatewasscantenough——biscuitsandsteaksofbroiledvenisonwithapinchofsalt;but，starvedaswewere，itwasmorethansatisfactory。
HerkyandBillwereabsurdlyeagertoserveme。EvenBudwaskindtome，thoughhestillworeconspicuouslyoverhisforeheadthebigbruiseIhadgivenhim。AfterIhadeatenIbegantogainstrength。Butmyfacewaspuffedfromtheheat，myinjuredarmwasstiffandsore，andmylegsseemednevertohavebeenusedbefore。
Darknesscameonquickly。Thedewfellheavily，andtheairgrewchilly。
Ourblazingcampfirewasacomfort。BudandBillcarriedinlogsforfirewood，whileHerkymademeabedofdrypineneedles。
\"It’llbesomecoldtonight，\"hesaid，\"an’we’llhevtohugthefire。Nowifwewasdowninthefoot—hillswe’dbewarmer，hey？Lookthar！\"
Hepointeddowntheravine，andIsawagreatwhitearcoflightextendingupintothesteelysky。
\"Theforestfire？\"
\"Yep，she’sburnin’some。Butyououghterseenitlastnight。Notthetitain’tworthseein’jestnow。Comealongwithme。\"
Heledmewheretheravineopenedwide。Ifelt，ratherthansaw，asteepslopebeneath。Fardownwasagreatpatchoffire。Itwaslikeacrazyquilt，heredark，therelight，withstreaksandstarsandstreamsoffireshiningoutoftheblackness。Massesofslow—movingsmokeoverhungthebrighterareas。Thenightrobbedtheforestfireofitsfiercenessandlentitakindofglory。Thefirehadceasedtomove;ithadspentitsforce，runitsrace，andwasnowdying。ButIcouldnotforgetwhatithadbeen，whatithaddone。Thousandsofacresofmagnificentpineshadperished。Theshadeandcolorandbeautyofthatpartoftheforesthadgone。Theheartofthegreattreeswasnowslowlyrollingawayinthosedark，weirdcloudsofsmoke。IwassadforthelossandsickwithfearforDickandHiram。
Herkymusthaveknownmymind。
\"Youneedn’tfeelbad，kid。Thet’sonlyafoothillorsoofPenetiergoneupinsmoke。An’Buell’ssawmillwent，too。It’salmostasurethingthetLesliean’oldBentgotoutsafe，thoughtheymustbedoin’sometallworryin’aboutyou。Iwonderhowtheyfeelaboutmean’Budan’Bill？A
littleprematooreroastin’forus，eh？Wal，wal！\"
Wewentbacktothecamp。Ilaydownnearthefireandfellasleep。SometimeinthenightIawoke。Thefirewasstillburningbrightly。BudandBillwerelyingwiththeirbackstoitalmostcloseenoughtoscorch。Herkysatinhisshirtsleeves。Thesmokeofhispipeandthesmokeofthecampfirewafteduptogether。ThenIsawandfeltthathehadcoveredmewithhiscoatandvest。
Isleptfarintothenextday。Herkywasincampalone。Theothershadgone，Herkysaid，andhewouldnottellmewhere。Hedidnotappearascheerfulasusual。Isuspectedhehadquarreledwithhiscompanions，verylikelyaboutwhatwastobedonewithme。Thedaypassed，andagainI
slept。Herkyawakenedmebeforeitwaslight。
\"Come，kid，we’llrustleintoHolstontoday。\"
Wecookedourbreakfastofvenison，andthenHerkywentinsearchofthehorses。Theyhadbrowsedfaruptheravine，andthedawnhadbrokenbythetimehereturned。Targetstoodwelltobesaddled，nordidheboltwhenI
climbedup。PerhapsthatrideIgavehimhadchastenedandsubduedhisspirit。Well，ithadnearlykilledme。Herkymountedtheonehorseleft，asorry—lookingpack—pony，andwestarteddowntheravine。
Anhourofsteadydescentpassedbybeforewecaughtsightofanyburnedforestland。Thenaswedescendedintothebigcanyonweturnedacurveandsaw，faraheadtotheleft，ablack，smoky，hideousslope。Wekepttotherightsideofthebrookandsheeredoffjustaswereachedapointopposite，wheretheburnedlinebegan。Firehadrunupthatsidetillcheckedbybareweatheredslopesandcliffs。Asfardownthebrookaseyecouldseethroughthesmokyhazetherestretchedthatblacklineofcharred，spear—pointedpines，someglowing，someblazing，allsmoking。
Fromtimetotime，asweclimbeduptheslope，Ilookedback。ThehigherI
gotthemorehideousbecametheoutlookovertheburneddistrict。IwasgladwhenHerkyledthewayintothedeepshadeoflevelforest，shuttingouttheview。Itwouldtakeahundredyearstoreforestthoseacresdenudedoftheirtimberbythefireofafewdays。Butashourafterhourwentby，withourtrailleadingthroughmilesandmilesofthesameoldforestthathadbewitchedme，Ibegantofeelalittlelessgriefatthethoughtofwhatthefirehaddestroyed。Itwasaloss，yetonlyasmallpartofvastPenetier。Ifonlymyfriendshadgottenoutalive！
HerkywasasrelentlessinhistravellingasIhadfoundhiminsomeotherways。Hekepthisponyatatrot。Thetrailwasopen，wemadefasttime，andwhenthesunhadbeguntocastashadowbeforeusweweregoingdown—hill。Busywiththethoughtofmyfriends，Iscarcelynotedthepassingoftime。Itwasasurprisetomewhenwerodedownthelastlittlefoot—hill，outintothescatteredpines，andsawHolstononlyafewmilesacrossthesage—flat。
\"Wal，kid，we’vecometothepartin’oftheways，\"saidHerky，withastrangesmileonhissmugface。
\"Herky，won’tyourideinwithme？\"
\"Naw，Ireckonit’dnotbehealthyferme。\"
\"Butyouhaven’tevenasaddleorblanketoranygrub。\"
\"I’veafriendacrosshyaraways，arancher，an’he’llfixmeup。But，kid，I’dliketohevthethoss。HewasBuell’s，an’Buellowedmemoney。
NowIcalkilateyoucan’ttakeTargetbackEastwithyou，an’youmightaswellletmehavehim。\"
\"Sure，Herky。\"Ijumpedoffatonce，ledthehorseover，andheldoutthebridle。Herkydismounted，andbeganfumblingwiththestirrupstraps。
\"Yourlegsarelonger’nmine，\"heexplained。
\"Ohyes，Herky，Ialmostforgottoreturnyourhat，\"Isaid，removingthewidesombrero。Ithadawonderfulbandmadeofhorsehairandabuckleofsilverwithastrangedevice。
\"Wal，youkeepthehat，\"hereplied，withhisbackturned。\"Greaserstoleyourhossan’youroutfit’slost，an’youmightwantsomethin’torememberyour——yourfriendsinArizony……Thethatain’tmuch，but，say，thebucklewasanInjun’sIshot，an’ImadethebandwhenIwasinjailinYuma。\"
\"Thankyou，Herky。I’llkeepit，thoughI’dneverneedanythingtomakemerememberArizona——oryou。\"
Herkyswunghisbow—legsoverTargetandIgotastridethelean—backedpony。Theredidnotseemtobeanymoretosay，yetwebothlingered。
\"Good—bye，Herky，I’mgladImetyou，\"Isaid，offeringmyhand。
Hegaveitasqueezethatnearlycrushedmyfingers。Hiskeenlittleeyesgleamed，butheturnedawaywithoutanotherword，and，slappingTargetontheflank，rodeoffunderthetrees。
IputthehatbackonmyheadandwatchedHerkyforamoment。Hissilenceandabruptmannerwereunlikehim，butwhatstruckmemostwasthefactthatinourlasttalkeverywordhadbeencleanandsincere。Somehowitpleasedme。ThenIstartedtheponytowardHolston。
HewastiredandIwasreadytodrop，andthoselastfewmileswerelong。
Wereachedtheoutskirtsofthetownperhapsacoupleofhoursbeforesundown。Abankofcloudshadspreadoutofthewestandthreatenedrain。
ThefirstpersonImetwasCless，andheputtheponyinhiscorralandhurriedmeroundtothehotel。OnthewayhetalkedsofastandsaidsomuchthatIwasbewilderedbeforewegotthere。Theofficewasfullofmen，andClessshoutedtothem。Therewasthesoundofachairscrapinghardonthefloor，thenIfeltmyselfclaspedbybrawnyarms。Afterthatallwasratherhazyinmymind。IsawDickandJimandoldHiram，though，Icouldnotseethemdistinctly，andIheardthemalltalking，allquestioningatonce。ThenIwastalkinginasomewhatsillyway，Ithought，andafterthatsomeonegavemeahot，nastydrink，andIfeltthecoolsheetsofabed。
Thenextmorningallwasclear。Dickcametomyroomandtriedtokeepmeinbed，butIrefusedtostay。Wewentdowntobreakfast，andsatatatablewithJimandHiram。ItseemedtomethatIcouldnotansweranyquestionstillIhadaskedathousand。
Whatnewshadtheyforme？Buellhadescaped，afterfiringtheslash。Hissawmillandlumber—campandfiftythousandacresoftimberhadbeenburned。
Thefirehadinsomewaybeenconfinedtothefoot—hills。Ithadrainedallnight，sothedangerofspreadingwasnowover。Myletterhadbroughttheofficersoftheforestservice;eventheChief，whohadbeentravellingwestovertheSantaFe，hadstoppedoffandwasinHolstonthen。Therehadbeennoarrests，norwouldtherebe，unlessBuellorStocktoncouldbefound。Anewsawmillwastobebuiltbytheservice。Buell’slumbermenwouldhaveemploymentinthemillandasrangersintheforest。
ButIwasmoreinterestedinmatterswhichDickseemedtowishtoavoid。
\"Howdidyougetoutoftheburningforest？\"Iasked，forthesecondtime。
\"Wedidn’tgetout。Wewentbacktothepoolwherewesentyou。Thepack—ponieswerethere，butyouweregone。ByGeorge！Iwasmad，andthenI
wasjustbrokenup。Iwas……afraidyou’dbeenburned。Weweatheredthefireallright，andthenrodeintoHolston。Nowthemysteryiswherewereyou？\"
\"Thenyousavedalltheponies？\"
\"Yes，andbroughtyouroutfitin。But，Ken，we——thatwasawfulofustoforgetthosepoorfellowstiedfastinthecabin。\"Dicklookedhaggard，therewasadarkgloominhiseyes，andhegulped。ThenIknewwhyheavoidedcertainreferencestothefire。\"Tobeburnedalive……horrible！
I’llnevergetoverit。It’llhauntmealways。Ofcoursewehadtosaveourownlives;wehadnotimetogotothem。Yet——\"
\"Don’tletitworryyou，Dick，\"Iinterrupted。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"heasked，slowly。
\"Why，Ibeatthefireuptothecabin，that’sall。Buell’shorsecanrunsome。Icutthemenloose，andwemadeupacrosstheridge，gotlost，surroundedbyfire，andthenIgotHerkytohelpmestartaback—fireinthatbigcanyon。\"
\"Back—fire！\"exclaimedDick，slammingthetablewithhisbigfist。Thenhesettleddownandlookedatme。Hiramlookedatme。Jimlookedatme，andnotoneofthemsaidawordforwhatseemedalongtime。Itbroughtthebloodtomyface。Butforallmyembarrassmentitwassweetpraise。AtlastDickbrokethesilence。
\"KenWard，thisstumpsmeI……Tellusaboutit。\"
SoIrelatedmyadventuresfromthemomenttheyhadleftmetillwemetagain。
\"Itwasawildboy’strick，Ken——thatrideintheveryfaceoffireinadryforest。But，thankGod，yousavedthelivesofthosefellows。\"\"Amen！\"
exclaimedoldHiram，fervently。\"Mylad，yousavedPenetier，too;thar’snodoubtonit。Thefirewassweepin’upthecanyon，an’itwouldhavecrossedthebrooksomewharsinthetstretchyouback—fired。\"
\"Ken，youshorewasborninTexas，\"drawlJimWilliams。
Hisremarkwasunrelatedtoourtalk，Ididnotknowwhathemeantbyit;
neverthelessitpleasedmemorethananythingthathadeverbeensaidmeinmylife。
Thencamethereadingoflettersthathadarivedforme。InHal’sletter，firstandlastharpedonhavingbeenleftbehind。Fathersentmeacheck，andwrotethatintheeventofatroubleinthelumberdistricthetrustedmetotakethefirsttrainforHarrisburg。That，Iknew，meantthatImustgetoutofmyraggedclothes。ThatIdid，andpackedthemup——allexceptHerkysombrero，whichIwore。ThenIwenttotherailroadstationtoseetheschedule，andIcompromisedwithfatherbydecidingtotakethelimited。
Thefasteast—boundtrainhadgonealittlebefore，andthenextonedidnotleaveuntilsixo’clock。Thwouldgivemehalfadaywithmyfriends。
WhenIreturnedtothehotelDickwaslookingforme。Hecarriedmeoffup—stairstoahallfullofmen。Atoneendweretableslitteredwithpapers，andheremenweresigningtheirnameDickexplainedthatforestrangerswerebeingpaidandnewoneshired。ThenheintroducedmeofficersoftheserviceandtheChief。IknewbythewaytheylookedatmethatDickhadbeentalking。Itmademesotongue—tiedthatIcouldnotfindmyvoicewhentheChiefspoketomeandshookmyhandwarmly。Hewasatallman，withafinefaceandkindeyesandhairjusttouchedwithgray。
\"KennethWard，\"hewenton，pleasantly，\"IhopethatletterofintroductionIdictatedforyousometimeagohasbeenofsomeservice。\"
\"Ihaven’thadachancetouseityet，\"Iblurtedout，andIdivedintomypockettobringforththeletter。Itwaswrinkled，soiled，andhadbeensoakedwithwater。Ibegantoapologizeforitsdisreputableappearancewhenheinterruptedme。
\"I’veheardabouttheduckingyougotandalltherestofit，\"hesaid，smiling。Thenhismannerchangedtooneofbusinessandhurry。
\"Youarestudyingforestry？\"
\"Yes，sir。I’mgoingtocollegethisfall。\"
\"MyfriendinHarrisburgwrotemeofyourambitionand，Imaysay，aptnessfortheforestservice。I’mverymuchpleased。Weneedahostofbrightyoungfellows。Here，lookatthismap。\"
Hedrewmyattentiontoamaplyingonthetable，andmadecrossesandtracingswithapencilwhilehetalked。
\"ThisisPenetier。HerearetheArizonaPeaks。Theheavyshadingrepresentstimberedland。Allthesearecanyons。Here’sOakCreekCanyon，theonethefirebordered。NowIwantyoutotellmehowyouworkedthatback—fire，and，ifyoucan，markthelineyoufired。\"
Thisappearedtomeaneasytask，andcertainlyoneIwasenthusiasticover。ItoldhimjusthowIhadcometothecanyon，andhowIsawthatthefirewouldsurelycrossthere，andthataback—firewastheonlychance。
Then，carefullystudyingthemap，ImarkedoffthethreemilesHerkyandI
hadfired。
\"Verygood。Youhadhelpinthis？\"
\"Yes。AfellowcalledHerky—Jerky。HewasoneofBuell’smenwhokeptmeaprisoner。\"
\"Butheturnedoutaprettygoodsort，didn’the？\"
\"Indeed，yes，sir。\"
\"Well，I’lltrytolocatehim，andofferhimajobintheservice。Now，Mr。
Ward，you’vehadspecialopportunities;youhaveaneyeinyourhead，andyouareinterestedinforestry。Perhapsyoucanhelpus。PersonallyIshallbemostpleasedtohearwhatyouthinkmightbedoneinPenetier。\"
Igaspedandstared，andcouldscarcelybelievemyears。Buthewasnotjoking;hewasasseriousasifhehadaddressedhimselftooneofhisofficers。Ilookedatthemall，standinginterestedandexpectant。Dickwasasgraveanderectasadeacon。Jimseemedmuchimpressed。ButoldHiramBent，standingsomewhatbackoftheothers，deliberatelywinkedatme。
ButforthatwinkInevercouldhaveseizedmyopportunity。ItmademeremembermytalkswithHiram。SoIboileddownallthatIhadlearnedandlauncheditontheChief。WhetherIwasbriefornot，IwasoutofbreathwhenIstopped。Heappearedmuchsurprised。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaid，finally。\"Youcertainlyhavebeenobservant。\"Thenheturnedtohisofficers。\"Gentlemen，here’sanewpointofviewfromfirst—handobservation。Icallitsplendidconservation。It’sinthelineofmypolicy。Itconsidersthesettlerandlumbermaninsteadofcombatinghim。\"
Heshookhandswithmeagain。\"YoumaybesureI’llnotlosesightofyou。
OfcourseyouwillbecomingWestnextsummer，afteryourtermatcollege？\"
\"Yes，sir，Iwantto——ifDick——\"
HesmiledasIhesitated。Thatmanreadmymindlikeanopenbook。
\"Mr。LesliegoestotheCoconinaForestasheadforestranger。Mr。Williamsgoesashisassistant。AndIhaveappointedMr。Bentgamewardeninthesameforest。Youmayspendnextsummerwiththem。\"
Istammeredsomekindofthanks，andfoundmyselfgoingoutanddown—stairswithmyfriends。
\"Oh，Dick！Wasn’thefine？……Say，where’sCoconinaForest？\"
\"It’soveracrossthedesertandbeyondtheGrandCanyonofArizona。
PenetieristamecomparedtoCoconina。I’mafraidtoletyoucomeoutthere。\"
\"Idon’thavetoaskyou，Mr。Dick，\"Ireplied。
\"Lad，I’llneedayoungfellarbadnextsummer，\"saidoldHiram，withtwinklingeyes。\"Oneascanhandlearope，an’helptieuplionsan’sich。\"
\"Oh！mybearcub！I’dforgottenhim。Iwantedtotakehimhome。\"
\"Wal，tharweren’tnosenseinthet，youngster，feryoucouldn’tdoit。Hewasahuskycub。\"
\"Ihatetogiveupmymustang，too。Dick，haveyouheardoftheGreaser？\"
\"Notyet，buthe’llbetrailingintoHolstonbeforelong。\"
JimWilliamsremovedhispipe，andpuffedacloudofwhitesmoke。
\"Ken，Ishoreain’tfergotGreaser，\"hedrawledwithhisslowsmile。\"Hevyouanyperticklerthingyouwantdidtohim？\"
\"Jim，don’tkillhim！\"Iburstout，impetuously，andthenpaused，frightenedoutofspeech。WhyIwasafraidofhimIdidnotknow，heseemedsoeasy—going，socareless——almostsweet，likeawoman;butthenIhadseenhisfaceoncewithalookthatIcouldneverforget。
\"Wal，Ken，I’lldodgeGreaserifheevercrossesmytrailagain。\"
Thatpromisewasarelief。IknewGreaserwouldcometoabadend，andcertainlywouldgethisjustdeserts;butIdidnotwanthimpunishedanymoreforwhathehaddonetome。
Thoselastfewhoursspedlikewingedmoments。Wetalkedandplannedalittle，Idividedmyoutfitamongmyfriends，andthenitwastimeforthetrain。Thatlimitedtrainhadbeenlate，sotheysaid，everydayforaweek，andthisdayitwasontimetotheminute。Ihadnoluck。
Myfriendsbademegood—byeasiftheyexpectedtoseemenextday，andI
saidgood—byecalmly。Ihadmyparttoplay。Myshortstaywiththemhadmademesomehowdifferent。Butmycoolnesswasdeceitful。Dickhelpedmeonthetrainandwrungmyhandagain。
\"Good—bye，Ken。It’sbeengreattohaveyouout……Nextyearyou’llbebackintheforests！\"
Hehadtohurrytogetoff。ThetrainstartedasIlookedoutofmywindow。
Therestoodthepowerfulhunter，hiswhiteheadbare，andhewaswavinghishat。Jimleanedagainstarailingwithhissleepy，carelesssmile。Icaughtagleamofthebluegunswingingathiship。Dick’seyesshonewarmandblue;hewasshoutingsomething。Thentheyallpassedbackoutofsight。SomygazewanderedtotheindistinctblacklineofPenetier，tothepurpleslopes，anduptothecold，whitemountain—peaks，andDick’svoiceranginmyearslikeaprophecy：\"You’llbebackintheforests。\"