Butinthebeginningitwasnotconsciousnessoftheman。Itwasnew，sensoriallife，elemental，primitive，aliberationofamillioninheritedinstincts，quiveringandphysical，overwhichEllenhadnomorecontrolthanshehadoverthegloryofthesun。Ifshethoughtatallitwasofherneedtobehidden，likeananimal，lowdownneartheearth，coveredbygreenthicket，lostinthewildnessofnature。Shewenttonature，unconsciouslyseekingamother。Andlovewasabirthfromthedepthsofher，likearushingspringofpurewater，longunderground，andatlastpropelledtothesurfacebyaconvulsion。
Ellengraduallylosthertenserigidityandrelaxed。Herbodysoftened。
Sherolledoveruntilherfacecaughtthelacy，goldenshadowscastbysunandbough。Scattereddropsofrainpatteredaroundher。Theairwashot，anditsodorwasthatofdrypineandsprucefragrancepenetratedbybrimstonefromthelightning。Thenestwhereshelaywaswarmandsweet。Noeyesavethatofnaturesawherinherabandonment。Anineffableandexquisitesmilewreathedherlips，dreamy，sad，sensuous，thesupremityofunconscioushappiness。Overherdarkandeloquenteyes，asEllengazedupward，spreadaluminousfilm，aveil。Shewaslookingintensely，yetshedidnotsee。Thewildernessenvelopedherwithitssecretive，elementalsheathsofrock，oftree，ofcloud，ofsunlight。
Throughherthrillingskinpouredthemultipleandnamelesssensationsofthelivingorganismstirredtosupremesensitiveness。Shecouldnotliestill，butallhermovementsweregentle，involuntary。Theslowreachingoutofherhand，tograspatnothingvisible，wassimilartothelazystretchingofherlimbs，totheheaveofherbreast，totherippleofmuscle。
Ellenknewnotwhatshefelt。Tolivethatsublimehourwasbeyondthought。Suchhappinesswaslikethefirstdawnoftheworldtothesightofman。Ithadtodowithbygoneages。Herheart，herblood，herflesh，herveryboneswerefilledwithinstinctsandemotionscommontotheracebeforeintellectdeveloped，whenthesavagelivedonlywithhissensorialperceptions。Ofallhappiness，joy，bliss，rapturetowhichmanwasheir，thatofintenseandexquisitepreoccupationofthesenses，unhinderedandunburdenedbythought，wasthegreatest。Ellenfeltthatwhichlifemeantwithitsinscrutabledesign。Lovewasonlytherealizationofhermissionontheearth。
Thedarkstormcloudwithitswhite，raggedropesoflightninganddown—streaminggrayveilsofrain，thepurplegulfrollinglikeacoloredseatothedimmountains，thegloriousgoldenlightofthesun——thesehadenchantedhereyeswithherbeautyoftheuniverse。
Theyhadburstthewindowsofherblindness。Whenshecrawledintothegreen—browncovertitwastoescapetoogreatperception。Sheneededtobeencompassedbyclose，tangiblethings。Andthereherbodypaidthetributetotherealizationoflife。Shock，convulsion，pain，relaxation，andthenunutterableandinsupportablesensingofherenvironmentandtheheart！Inonewayshewasawildanimalaloneinthewoods，forcedintothematingthatmeantreproductionofitskind。Inanothershewasaninfinitelyhigherbeingshotthroughandthroughwiththemostresistlessandmysterioustransportthatlifecouldgivetoflesh。
Andwhenthatspellslackeneditsholdtherewedgedintohermindaconsciousnessofthemansheloved——JeanIsbel。Thenemotionandthoughtstroveformasteryoverher。Itwasnotherselforlovethatsheloved，butalivingman。Suddenlyheexistedsoclearlyforherthatshecouldseehim，hearhim，almostfeelhim。Herwholesoul，herverylifecriedouttohimforprotection，forsalvation，forlove，forfulfillment。Nodenial，nodoubtmarredthewhiteblazeofherrealization。FromtheinstantthatshehadlookedupintoJeanIsbel’sdarkfaceshehadlovedhim。Onlyshehadnotknown。Shebowednow，andbent，andhumblyquiveredunderthemasteryofsomethingbeyondherken。Thoughtclungtothebeginningsofherromance——tothethreetimesshehadseenhim。Everylook，everyword，everyactofhisreturnedtohernowinthelightofthetruth。Loveatfirstsight！
Hehadswornit，bitterly，eloquently，scornfulofherdoubts。Andnowablind，sweet，shudderingecstasyswayedher。Howweakandfrailseemedherbody——toosmall，tooslightforthismonstrousandterribleengineoffireandlightningandfuryandglory——herheart！Itmustburstorbreak。RelentlesslymemorypursuedEllen，andherthoughtswhirledandemotionconqueredher。Atlastshequivereduptoherkneesasiflashedtoaction。ItseemedthatfirstkissofIsbel’s，coolandgentleandtimid，wasonherlips。Andhereyesclosedandhottearswelledfromunderherlids。Hergropinghandsfoundonlythedeadtwigsandthepineboughsofthetrees。Hadshereachedouttoclasphim？ThenhardandviolentonhermouthandcheekandneckburnedthoseotherkissesofIsbel’s，andwiththeflashing，stingingmemorycamethetruththatnowshewouldhavebarteredhersoulforthem。
Utterlyshesurrenderedtotheresistlessnessofthislove。Herlossofmotherandfriends，herwanderingfromonewildplacetoanother，herlonelylifeamongboldandroughmen，haddevelopedherforviolentlove。Itoverthrewallpride，itengenderedhumility，itkilledhate。
Ellenwipedthetearsfromhereyes，andassheknelttheresheswepttoherbreastafragrantspreadingboughofpineneedles。\"I’llgotohim，\"shewhispered。\"I’lltellhimof——ofmy——mylove。I’lltellhimtotakemeaway——awaytotheendoftheworld——awayfromheah——beforeit’stoolate！\"
Itwasasolemn，beautifulmoment。Butthelastspokenwordslingeredhauntingly。\"Toolate？\"shewhispered。
Andsuddenlyitseemedthatdeathitselfshudderedinhersoul。
Toolate！Itwastoolate。Shehadkilledhislove。ThatJorthbloodinher——thatpoisonoushate——hadchosentheonlywaytostrikethisnobleIsbeltotheheart。Basely，withanabandonmentofwomanhood，shehadmockinglyperjuredhersoulwithavilelie。Shewrithed，sheshookunderthewhipofthisinconceivablefact。Lost！Lost！Shewailedhermisery。ShemightaswellbewhatshehadmadeJeanIsbelthinkshewas。Ifshehadbeenshamedbefore，shewasnowabased，degraded，lostinherownsight。Andifshewouldhavegivenhersoulforhiskisses，shenowwouldhavekilledherselftoearnbackhisrespect。JeanIsbelhadgivenheratsightthedeferencethatshehadunconsciouslycraved，andthelovethatwouldhavebeenhersalvation。Whatahorriblemistakeshehadmadeofherlife！Nothermother’sblood，butherfather’s——theJorthblood——hadbeenherruin。
AgainEllenfelluponthesoftpine—needlemat，facedown，andshegroveledandburrowedthere，inanagonythatcouldnotbearthesenseoflight。Allshehadsufferedwasasnothingtothis。Tohaveawakenedtoasplendidandupliftingloveforamanwhomshehadimaginedshehated，whohadfoughtforhernameandhadkilledinrevengeforthedishonorshehadavowed——tohavelosthisloveandwhatwasinfinitelymoreprecioustohernowinherignominy——hisfaithinherpurity——thisbrokeherheart。
CHAPTERXI
WhenEllen，utterlyspentinbodyandmind，reachedhomethatdayamelancholy，sultrytwilightwasfalling。Fitfulflaresofsheetlightningsweptacrossthedarkhorizontotheeast。Thecabinsweredeserted。AntonioandtheMexicanwomanweregone。ThecircumstancesmadeEllenwonder，butshewastootiredandtoosunkeninspirittothinklongaboutitortocare。Shefedandwateredherhorseandlefthiminthecorral。Then，supperlessandwithoutremovingherclothes，shethrewherselfuponthebed，andatoncesankintoheavyslumber。
Sometimeduringthenightsheawoke。Coyoteswereyelping，andfromthatsoundsheconcludeditwasneardawn。Herbodyached;hermindseemeddull。Drowsilyshewassinkingintoslumberagainwhensheheardtherapidclip—clopoftrottinghorses。Startled，sheraisedherheadtolisten。Themenwerecomingback。Reliefanddreadseemedtoclearherstupor。
Thetrottinghorsesstoppedacrossthelanefromhercabin，evidentlyatthecorralwhereshehadleftSpades。Sheheardhimwhistle。
>Fromthesoundofhoofsshejudgedthenumberofhorsestobesixoreight。Lowvoicesofmenmingledwiththudsandcrackingofstrapsandfloppingofsaddlesontheground。Afterthattheheavytreadofbootssoundedontheporchofthecabinopposite。Adoorcreakedonitshinges。Nextaslowfootstep，accompaniedbyclinkingofspurs，approachedEllen’sdoor，andaheavyhandbangeduponit。Sheknewthispersoncouldnotbeherfather。
\"Hullo，Ellen！\"
SherecognizedthevoiceasbelongingtoColter。Somehowitstone，orsomethingaboutit，sentalittleshiverclownherspine。Itactedlikearevivifyingcurrent。Ellenlostherdragginglethargy。
\"Hey，Ellen，arey’uthere？\"addedColter，loudervoice。
\"Yes。OfcourseI’mheah，\"shereplied。Whatdoy’uwant？\"
\"Wal——I’mshoreglady’u’rehome，\"hereplied。\"Antonio’sgonewithhissquaw。An’Iwassomeworriedabooty’u。\"
\"Who’swithy’u，Colter？\"queriedEllen，sittingup。
\"RockWellsan’Springer。TadJorthwaswithus，butwehadtoleavehimoverheahinacabin。\"
\"What’sthematterwithhim？\"
\"Wal，he’shurttolerablebad，\"wastheslowreply。
EllenheardColter’sspursjangle，asifhehaduneasilyshiftedhisfeet。
\"Where’sdadan’UncleJackson？\"askedEllen。
AsilencepregnantenoughtoaugmentEllen’sdreadfinallybroketoColter’svoice，somehowdifferent。\"Shorethey’rebackonthetrail。
An’we’retomeetthemwhereweleftTad。\"
\"Areyugoin’awayagain？\"
\"Ireckon……An’，Ellen，y’u’regoin’withus。\"
\"Iamnot，\"sheretorted。
\"Wal，y’uare，ifIhavetopacky’u，\"hereplied，forcibly。\"It’snotsafeheahanymore。Thatdamnedhalf—breedIsbelwithhisgangareonourtrail。\"
Thatnameseemedlikeared—hotbladeatEllen’sleadenheart。
ShewantedtoflingahundredqueriesonColter，butshecouldnotutterone。
\"Ellen，we’vegottohitthetrailan’hide，\"continuedColter，anxiously。\"Y’umustn’tstayheahalone。SupposethemIsbelswouldtrapy’u！……They’dtearyourclothesoffan’ropey’utoatree。
Ellen，shorey’u’regoin’……Y’uheahme！\"
\"Yes——I’llgo，\"shereplied，asifforced。
\"Wal——that’sgood，\"hesaid，quickly。\"An’rustletolerablelively。
We’vegottopack。\"
TheslowjangleofColter’sspursandhisslowstepsmovedawayoutofEllen’shearing。Throwingofftheblankets，sheputherfeettothefloorandsatthereamomentstaringattheblanknothingnessofthecabininteriorintheobscuregrayofdawn。Cold，gray，dreary，obscure——likeherlife，herfuture！Andshewascompelledtodowhatwashatefultoher。AsaJorthshemusttaketotheunfrequentedtrailsandhidelikearabbitinthethickets。Buttheinterestofthemoment，apremonitionofeventstobe，quickenedherintoaction。
Ellenunbarredthedoortoletinthelight。Daywasbreakingwithanintense，clear，steelylightintheeastthroughwhichthemorningstarstillshonewhite。Aruddyflarebetokenedtheadventofthesun。
Ellenunbraidedhertangledhairandbrushedandcombedit。Aqueer，stillpangcametoheratsightofpineneedlestangledinherbrownlocks。Thenshewashedherhandsandface。Breakfastwasamatterofconsiderableworkandshewashungry。
Thesunroseandchangedthegrayworldofforest。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeEllenhatedthegoldenbrightness，thewonderfulblueofsky，thescreamoftheeagleandthescreechofthejay;andthesquirrelsshehadalwayslovedtofeedwereneglectedthatmorning。
Coltercamein。EitherEllenhadneverbeforelookedattentivelyathimorelsehehadchanged。Herscrutinyofhislean，hardfeaturesaccordedhimmoreTexanattributesthanformerly。Hisgrayeyeswereaslight，asclear，asfierceasthoseofaneagle。Andthesandgrayofhisface，thelong，drooping，fairmustachehidthesecretsofhismind，butnotitsstrength。TheinstantEllenmethisgazeshesensedapowerinhimthatsheinstinctivelyopposed。ColterhadnotbeensoboldnorsorudeasDaggs，buthewasthesamekindofman，perhapsthemoredangerousforhissecretiveness，hiscool，waitinginscrutableness。
\"’Mawnin’，Ellen！\"hedrawled。\"Y’ushorelookgoodforsoreeyes。\"
\"Don’tpaymecompliments，Colter，\"repliedEllen。\"An’youreyesarenotsore。\"
\"Wal，I’mshoresorefromfightin’an’ridin’an’layin’out，\"
hesaid，bluntly。
\"Tellme——what’shappened，\"returnedEllen。
\"Girl，it’satolerablelongstory，\"repliedColter。\"An’we’venotimenow。Waittillwegettocamp。\"
\"AmItopackmybelongin’sorleavethemheah？\"askedEllen。
\"Reckony’u’dbetterleave——themheah。\"
\"Butifwedidnotcomeback——\"
\"Wal，Ireckonit’snotlikelywe’llcome——soon，\"hesaid，ratherevasively。
\"Colter，I’llnotgooffintothewoodswithjusttheclothesIhaveonmyback。\"
\"Ellen，weshoregottopackallthegrabwecan。Thisshoreain’tgoin’tobeavisittoneighbors。We’reshypackhosses。Buty’umakeupabundleofbelongin’sy’ucarefor，an’thethingsy’u’llneedbad。We’llthrowitonsomewhere。\"
Colterstalkedawayacrossthelane，andEllenfoundherselfdubiouslystaringathistallfigure。Wasitthesituationthatstruckherwithaforebodingperplexityorwasherintuitionsteelingheragainstthisman？Ellencouldnotdecide。Butshehadtogowithhim。Herprejudicewasunreasonableatthisportentousmoment。Andshecouldnotyetfeelthatshewassolelyresponsibletoherself。
Whenitcametomakingasmallbundleofherbelongingsshewasinaquandary。Shediscardedthisandputinthat，andthenreversedtheorder。Nextinpreciousnesstohermother’sthingswerethelong—hiddengiftsofJeanIsbel。Shecouldpartwithneither。
WhileshewasselectingandpackingthisbundleColteragainenteredand，withoutspeaking，begantorummageinthecornerwhereherfatherkepthispossessions。ThisirritatedEllen。
\"Whatdoy’uwantthere？\"shedemanded。
\"Wal，Ireckonyourdadwantshispapers——an’thegoldheleftheah——
an’achangeofclothes。Nowdoesn’the？\"returnedColter，coolly。
\"Ofcourse。ButIsupposedy’uwouldhavemepackthem。\"
Coltervouchsafednoreplytothis，butdeliberatelywentonrummaging，withlittleregardforhowhescatteredthings。Ellenturnedherbackonhim。Atlength，whenheleft，shewenttoherfather’scornerandfoundthat，asfarasshewasabletosee，Colterhadtakenneitherpapersnorclothes，butonlythegold。Perhaps，however，shehadbeenmistaken，forshehadnotobservedColter’sdeparturecloselyenoughtoknowwhetherornothecarriedapackage。Shemissedonlythegold。
Herfather’spapers，oldandmusty，werescatteredabout，andtheseshegathereduptoslipinherownbundle。
Colter，oroneofthemen，hadsaddledSpades，andhewasnowtiedtothecorralfence，champinghisbitandpoundingthesand。Ellenwrappedbreadandmeatinsidehercoat，andaftertyingthisbehindhersaddleshewasreadytogo。Butevidentlyshewouldhavetowait，and，preferringtoremainoutdoors，shestayedbyherhorse。Presently，whilewatchingthemenpack，shenoticedthatSpringerworeabandageroundhisheadunderthebrimofhissombrero。Hismotionswereslowandlackedenergy。Shudderingatthesight，Ellenrefusedtoconjecture。
Alltoosoonshewouldlearnwhathadhappened，andalltoosoon，perhaps，sheherselfwouldbeinthemidstofanotherfight。Shewatchedthemen。Theyweremakingahurriedslipshodjobofpackingfoodsuppliesfrombothcabins。MorethanonceshecaughtColter’sgraygleamofgazeonher，andshedidnotlikeit。
\"I’llrideupan’saygood—bytoSprague，\"shecalledtoColter。
\"Shorey’uwon’tdonothin’ofthekind，\"hecalledback。
TherewasauthorityinhistonethatangeredEllen，andsomethingelsewhichinhibitedheranger。WhatwasthereaboutColterwithwhichshemustreckon？TheothertwoTexanslaughedaloud，tobesuddenlysilencedbyColter’sharshandloweredcurses。Ellenwalkedoutofhearingandsatuponalog，wheresheremaineduntilColterhailedher。
\"Getupan’ride，\"hecalled。
Ellencompliedwiththisorderand，ridingupbehindthethreemountedmen，shesoonfoundherselfleavingwhatforyearshadbeenherhome。
Notoncedidshelookback。Shehopedshewouldneverseethesqualid，barepretensionofaranchagain。
Colterandtheotherridersdrovethepackhorsesacrossthemeadow，offofthetrails，anduptheslopeintotheforest。NotverylongdidittakeEllentoseethatColter’sobjectwastohidetheirtracks。
Hezigzaggedthroughtheforest，avoidingthebarespotsofdust，thedry，sun—bakedflatsofclaywherewaterlayinspring，andhechosethegrassy，openglades，thelong，pine—needlemattedaisles。Ellenrodeattheirheelsanditpleasedhertowatchfortheirtracks。Coltermanifestlyhadbeenlongpracticedinthisgameofhidinghistrail，andheshowedtheskillofarustler。ButEllenwasnotconvincedthathecouldevereludearealwoodsman。Notimprobably，however，Colterwasonlyaimingtoleaveatraildifficulttofollowandwhichwouldallowhimandhisconfederatesampletimetoforgeaheadofpursuers。
Ellencouldnotacceptacertaintyofpursuit。YetColtermusthaveexpectedit，andSpringerandWellsalso，fortheyhadadark，sinister，furtivedemeanorthatstrangelycontrastedwiththecool，easymannerhabitualtothem。
Theywerenotseekingthelevelroutesoftheforestland，thatwassure。
Theyrodestraightacrossthethick—timberedridgedownintoanothercanyon，upoutofthat，andacrossrough，rockybluffs，anddownagain。
Theseridersheadedalittletothenorthwestandeverymilebroughtthemintowilder，moreruggedcountry，untilEllen，losingcountofcanyonsandridges，hadnoideawhereshewas。Nostopwasmadeatnoontorestthelaboring，sweatingpackanimals。
UndercircumstanceswherepleasuremighthavebeenpossibleEllenwouldhavereveledinthishardrideintoawonderfulforesteverthickeninganddarkening。Butthewildbeautyofgladeandthespruceslopesandthedeep，bronze—walledcanyonslefthercold。Shesawandfelt，buthadnothrill，exceptnowandthenathrillofalarmwhenSpadesslidtohishaunchesdownsomesteep，damp，pinydeclivity。
Allthewoodland，upanddown，appearedtoberichergreenerastheytraveledfartherwest。Grassgrewthickandheavy。Waterraninallravines。Therockswerebronzeandcopperandrusset，andsomehadgreenpatchesoflichen。
EllenfeltthesunnowonherleftcheekandknewthatthedaywaswaningandthatColterwasswingingfarthertothenorthwest。Shehadneverbeforeriddenthroughsuchheavyforestanddownandupsuchwildcanyons。Towardsunsetthedeepestandruggedestcanyonhaltedtheiradvance。Colterrodetotheright，searchingforaplacetogetdownthroughasprucethicketthatstoodonend。Presentlyhedismountedandtheothersfollowedsuit。EllenfoundshecouldnotleadSpadesbecausehesliddownuponherheels，sosheloopedtheendofherreinsoverthepommelandlefthimfree。Sheherselfmanagedtodescendbyholdingtobranchesandslidingallthewaydownthatslope。
Sheheardthehorsescrackingthebrush，snortingandheaving。Onepackslippedandhadtoberemovedfromthehorse，androlleddown。Atthebottomofthisdeep，green—wallednotchroaredastreamofwater。
Shadowed，cool，mossy，damp，thisnarrowgulchseemedthewildestplaceEllenhadeverseen。Shecouldjustseethesunset—flushed，gold—tippedsprucesfaraboveher。Themenrepackedthehorsethathadslippedhisburden，andoncemoreresumedtheirprogressahead，nowturningupthiscanyon。Therewasnohorsetrail，butdeerandbeartrailswerenumerous。Thesunsankandtheskydarkened，butstillthemenrodeon;andthefarthertheytraveledthewildergrewtheaspectofthecanyon。
AtlengthColterbrokeawaythroughaheavythicketofwillowsandenteredasidecanyon，themouthofwhichEllenhadnotevendescried。
Itturnedandwidened，andatlengthopenedoutintoaroundpocket，apparentlyinclosed，andaslonelyandisolatedaplaceasevenpursuedrustlerscoulddesire。Hiddenbyjuttingwallandthicketofspruceweretwooldlogcabinsjoinedtogetherbyroofandatticfloor，thesameasthedoublecabinattheJorthranch。
Ellensmelledwoodsmoke，andpresently，ongoingroundthecabins，sawabrightfire。OnemanstoodbesideitgazingatColter’sparty，whichevidentlyhehadheardapproaching。
\"Hullo，Queen！\"saidColter。How’sTad？\"
\"He’sholdin’onfine，\"repliedQueen，bendingoverthefire，whereheturnedpiecesofmeat。
\"Where’sfather？\"suddenlyaskedEllen，addressingColter。
Asifhehadnotheardher，hewentonwearilylooseningapack。
Queenlookedather。Thelightofthefireonlypartiallyshoneonhisface。Ellencouldnotseeitsexpression。ButfromthefactthatQueendidnotanswerherquestionshegotfurtherintimationofanimpendingcatastrophe。Thelong，wildridehadhelpedprepareherforthesecrecyandtaciturnityofmenwhohadresortedtoflight。Perhapsherfatherhadbeendelayedorwasstilloffonthedeadlymissionthathadobsessedhim;ortheremight，andprobablywas，darkerreasonforhisabsence。Ellenshutherteethandturnedtotheneedsofherhorse。
Andpresently。returningtothefire，shethoughtofheruncle。
\"Queen，ismyuncleTadheah？\"sheasked。
\"Shore。He’sinthere，\"repliedQueen，pointingatthenearercabin。
Ellenhurriedtowardthedarkdoorway。Shecouldseehowthelogsofthecabinhadmovedawryandwhatabig，dilapidatedhovelitwas。
Asshelookedin，Colterloomedoverher——placedafamiliarandsomehowmasterfulhanduponher。Ellenletitrestonhershoulderamoment。
Mustsheforeverberepulsingtheserudemenamongwhomherlotwascast？
DidColtermeanwhatDaggshadalwaysmeant？Ellenfeltherselfweary，weakinbody，andherspentspirithadnotrallied。Yet，whateverColtermeantbyhisfamiliarity，shecouldnotbearit。Sosheslippedoutfromunderhishand。
\"UncleTad，arey’uheah？\"shecalledintotheblackness。Sheheardthemicescamperandrustleandshesmelledthemusty，old，woodyodorofalong—unusedcabin。
\"Hello，Ellen！\"cameavoicesherecognizedasheruncle’s，yetitwasstrange。\"Yes。I’mheah——badlucktome！……How’rey’ubuckin’up，girl？\"
\"I’mallright，UncleTad——onlytiredan’worried。I——\"
\"Tad，how’syourhurt？\"interruptedColter。
\"ReckonI’measier，\"repliedJorth，wearily，\"butshoreI’minbadshape。
I’mstillspittin’blood。Ikeeptellin’Queenthatbulletlodgedinmylungs—buthesaysitwentthrough。\"
\"Wal，hangon，Tad！\"repliedColter，withacheerfulnessEllensensedwasreallyindifferent。
\"Oh，whatthehell’stheuse！\"exclaimedJorth。\"It’sall——upwithus——Colter！\"
\"Wal，shutup，then，\"terselyreturnedColter。\"Itain’tdoin’
y’uorusanygoodtoholler。\"
TadJorthdidnotreplytothis。Ellenheardhisbreathinganditdidnotseemnatural。Itraspedalittle——camehurriedly——thencaughtinhisthroat。Thenhespat。Ellenshrunkbackagainstthedoor。
Hewasbreathingthroughblood。
\"Uncle，arey’uinpain？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，Ellen——itburnslikehell，\"hesaid。
\"Oh！I’msorry……Isn’ttheresomethingIcando？\"
\"Ireckonnot。Queendidallanybodycoulddoforme——now——
unlessit’spray。\"
Colterlaughedatthis——theslow，easy，drawlinglaughofaTexan。
ButEllenfeltpityforthiswoundeduncle。Shehadalwayshatedhim。
Hehadbeenadrunkard，agambler，awasterofherfather’sproperty;
andnowhewasarustlerandafugitive，lyinginpain，perhapsmortallyhurt。
\"Yes，uncle——Iwillprayfory’u，\"shesaid，softly。
Thechangeinhisvoiceheldanoteofsadnessthatshehadbeenquicktocatch。
\"Ellen，y’u’retheonlygoodJorth——inthewholedamnedlot，\"hesaid。
\"God！Iseeitallnow……We’vedraggedy’utohell！\"
\"Yes，UncleTad，I’veshorebeendraggedsome——butnotyet——tohell，\"
sheresponded，withabreakinhervoice。
\"Y’uwillbe——Ellen——unless——\"
\"Aw，shutupthatkindofgab，willy’u？\"brokeinColter，harshly。
ItamazedEllenthatColtershoulddominateheruncle，eventhoughhewaswounded。TadJorthhadbeenthelastmantotakeordersfromanyone，muchlessarustleroftheHashKnifeGang。ThisColterbegantoloomupinEllen’sestimateasheloomedphysicallyoverher，aloftyfigure，darkmotionless，somehowmenacing。
\"Ellen，hasColtertoldy’uyet——aboot——abootLeean’Jackson？\"
inquiredthewoundedman。
Thepitch—blackdarknessofthecabinseemedtohelpfortifyEllentobearfurthertrouble。
\"Coltertoldmedadan’UncleJacksonwouldmeetusheah，\"sherejoined，hurriedly。
Jorthcouldbeheardbreathingindifficulty，andhecoughedandspatagain，andseemedtohiss。
\"Ellen，heliedtoy’u。They’llnevermeetus——heah！\"
\"Whynot？\"whisperedEllen。
\"Because——Ellen——\"hereplied，inhuskypants，\"yourdadan’——uncleJackson——aredaid——an’buried！\"
IfEllensufferedaterribleshockitwasablankness，adeadness，andaslow，creepingfailureofsenseinherknees。Theygavewayunderherandshesankonthegrassagainstthecabinwall。Shedidnotfaintnorgrowdizzynorlosehersight，butforawhiletherewasnoprocessofthoughtinhermind。Suddenlythenitwasthere——thequick，spiritualrendingofherheart——followedbyaprofoundemotionofintimateandirretrievableloss——andafterthatgriefandbitterrealization。
AnhourlaterEllenfoundstrengthtogotothefireandpartakeofthefoodanddrinkherbodysorelyneeded。
