TOJAMESLANEALLEN
I
AsClaytonrosetohisfeetinthestillair，thetree—topsbegantotrembleinthegapbelowhim，andaripplingranthroughtheleavesupthemountain—side。Drawingoffhishathestretchedouthisarmstomeetit，andhiseyesclosedasthecoolwindstruckhisthroatandfaceandliftedthehairfromhisforehead。Abouthimthemountainslaylikeatumultuoussea—theJellicoSpur，stilledgraduallyoneverysideintovague，purpleshapesagainstthebrokenrimofthesky，andPineMountainandtheCumberlandRangeracinginlikebreakersfromthenorth。UnderhimlayJellicoValley，andjustvisibleinawoodedcove，whenceIndianCreekcreptintosight，wasamining—camp—aclusterofwhitecabins—fromwhichhehadclimbedthatafternoon。Atthatdistancethewagon—roadnarrowedtoabridle—path，andthefiguremovingslowlyalongitandenteringtheforestatthebaseofthemountainwasshrunktoatoy。ForamomentClaytonstoodwithhisfacetothewest，drinkingintheair；thentighteninghisbelt，hecaughtthepliantbodyofasaplingandswungloosefromtherock。Asthetreeflewback，hisdogsprangafterhim。Thedescentwassharp。Attimeshewasforcedtoclingtothebirch—topstilltheylayflatonthemountain—side。
Breathless，hereachedatlastabowlderfromwhichthepathwaseasytothevalleybelow，andheleanedquiveringagainstthesoftrugofmossandlichensthatcoveredit。Theshadowshadcreptfromthefootofthemountains，darkeningthevalley，andliftingupthemountain—sidebeneathhimalong，waveringlineinwhichmetthecool，deepgreenoftheshadeandtheshiningbronzewherethesunlightstilllay。Lazilyfollowingthisline，hiseyecaughttwomovingshadowsthatdartedjaggedshapesintothesunlightandasquicklywithdrewthem。Astheroadwounduptowardhim，twofiguresweresoonvisiblethroughtheundergrowth。Presentlyaheadbonnetedinblueroseabovethebushes，andClayton’shalf—shuteyesopenedwideandwerefixedwithalookofamusedexpectancywhereaturnofthepathmustbringriderandbeastintoplainsight。Apparentlysomemountaingirl，weariedbytheclimborinaspiritoffun，hadmountedhercowwhiledrivingithome；
andwithasmileatthethoughtoftheconfusionhewouldcauseher，Claytonsteppedaroundthebowlderandwaited。Withtheslow，easyswingofclimbingcattle，thebeastbroughtitsriderintoview。Abagofmeallayacrossitsshoulders，andbehindthisthegirl—forshewasplainlyyoung—satsidewise，withherbarefeetdanglingagainstitsflank。Herfacewasturnedtowardthevalleybelow，andherloosenedbonnethalfdisclosedaheadofbrightyellowhair。
CatchingsightofClayton，thebeaststoppedandlifteditshead，notthemeek，patientfaceheexpectedtosee，butaheadthatwaswrinkledandvicious—theheadofabull。Onlythesuddenremembranceofadeadmountaincustomsavedhimfromutteramazement。Hehadheardthatwhenbeastsofburdenwerescarce，cows，andespeciallybulls，wereworkedinploughsandriddenbythemountaineers，evenbythewomen。Butthishadbecomeatradition，thehumorofwhichgreaterprosperityandcontactwithanewcivilizationhadtaughteventhemountainpeopletoappreciate。Thenecessitiesofthisgirlwereevidentlyasgreatasherfearofridiculeseemedsmall。Whenthebrutestopped，shebeganstrikinghimintheflankwithherbareheel，withoutlookingaround，andashepaidnoattentiontosuchpainlessgoading，sheturnedwithsuddenimpatienceandliftedaswitchabovehisshoulders。Thestickwasarrestedinmid—airwhenshesawClayton，andthendroppedharmlessly。Thequickfireinhereyesdiedsuddenlyaway，andforamomentthetwolookedateachotherwithmutualcuriosity，butonlyforamoment。TherewassomethinginClayton’sgazethatdispleasedher。Herfaceclouded，andshedroppedhereyes。
\"G’long，\"shesaid，inalowtone。Butthebullhadloweredhishead，andwasstandingwithfeetplantedapartandtailwavinguneasily。Thegirllookedupinalarm。
\"Watchoutthar!\"shecalledout，sharply。\"Callthatdogoff—
quick!\"
Claytonturned，buthisdogsprangpasthimandbegantobark。
Thebull，alean，active，vicious—lookingbrute，answeredwithasnort。
\"Callhimoff，Itellye!\"criedthegirl，angrily，springingtotheground。\"Gitouto’theway。Don’tyouseehe’sa—comm’atye？\"
Thedogleapednimblyintothebushes，andthemaddenedbullwascarriedonbyhisownImpetustowardClayton，who，withaquickspring，landedinsafetyinagullybelowtheroad。Whenhepickedhimselfupfromtheunevengroundwherehehadfallen，thebeasthaddisappearedaroundthebowlder。Thebaghadfallen，andhadbrokenopen，andsomeofthemealwasspilledontheground。Thegirl，flushedandangry，stoodaboveit。
\"Lookthar，now，\"shesaid。\"Seewhutyou’vedone。Why’n’tyecallthatdogoff？\"
\"Icouldn’t，\"saidClayton，politely。\"Hewouldn’tcome。I’msorry，verysorry。\"
\"Can’tyemanageyerowndog？\"sheasked，halfcontemptuously。
\"Notalways。\"
\"Thenyeoughterleavehimtohome，andnotlethimgorounda—skeerin’folks’beastes。\"Withalittlegestureofindignationshestoopedandbeganscoopingupthemealinherhand。
\"Letmehelpyou，\"saidClayton。Thegirllookedupinsurprise。
Yougo’way，\"shesaid。
ButClaytonstayed，watchingherhelplessly。Hewantedtocarrythebagforher，butsheswungittohershoulder，andmovedaway。
Hefollowedheraroundthebowlder，wherehislateenemywasbrowsingpeacefullyonsassafras—bushes。
\"Youstaytharnow，\"saidthegirl，\"andkeepthatdogback。\"
\"Won’tyouletmehelpyougetup？\"heasked。
Withoutanswering，thegirlspranglightlytothebull’sback，Onceonlyshelookedaroundathim。Hetookoffhishat，andapuzzledexpressioncameintoherface。Then，withoutawordoranod，sherodeaway。Claytonwatchedtheoddpairtillthebusheshidthem。
\"Europa，byJove!\"heexclaimed，andhesatdowninbewilderment。
Shewassoveryoddacreature，sodifferentfromthetimidmountainwomenwhoshrankwithavertedfacesalmostintothebusheswhenhemetthem。Shehadlookedhimstraightinthefacewithsteadyeyes，andhadspokenasthoughherswayovermountainandroadwereundisputedandhehadbeenawretchedtrespasser。Shepaidnoattentiontohisapologies，andshescornedhisoffersofassistance。Sheseemednomoreangeredbythelossofthemealthanbyhisincapacitytomanagehisdog，whichseemedtotypifytoherhisgeneralworthlessness。Hehadbeenbruisedbyhisfall，andshedidnotevenaskifhewerehurt。
Indeed，sheseemednottocare，andshehadriddenawayfromhimasthoughhewereworthnomoreconsiderationthanthestoneunderhim。
Hewasamused，andatrifleirritated。Howcouldtherebesuchacuriousgrowthinthemountains？hequestioned，asheroseandcontinuedthedescent。Therewasanunusualgraceabouther，inspiteofhermasculineair。Herfeatureswereregular，thenosestraightanddelicate，themouthresolute，thebrowbroad，andtheeyesintenselyblue，perhapstender，whennotflashingwithanger，andaltogetherwithoutthelistlessexpressionhehadmarkedinothermountainwomen，andwhich，hehadnoticed，deadenedintopathetichopelessnesslaterinlife。Herfigurewaserect，andhermanner，despiteitsroughness，savoredofsomethinghigh—born。
Wherecouldshehavegotthatbearing？Shebelongedtoaracewhosedescent，hehadheard，wasunmixedEnglish；uponwhoselipslingeredwordsandformsofspeechthatShakespearehadheardandused。Whocouldtellwhatbloodraninherveins？
Musing，hehadcomealmostunconsciouslytoaspurofthemountainsunderwhichlaythelittlemining—camp。Itwassixo’clock，andtheminers，grimandblack，eachwithapailinhandandalittleoil—lampinhiscap，weregoingdownfromwork。A
showerhadpassedoverthemountainsabovehim，andthelastsunlight，comingthroughagapinthewest，strucktherisingmistandturnedittogold。Onarockwhichthrustfromthemountainitsgray，sombreface，halfembracedbyawhitearmofthemist，Claytonsawthefigureofawoman。Hewavedhishat，butthefigurestoodmotionless，andheturnedintothewoodstowardthecamp。
Itwasthegirl；andwhenClaytondisappearedshetooturnedandwentonherway。Shehadstoppedtherebecausesheknewhemustpassapointwhereshemightseehimagain。Shewaslittlelessindifferentthansheseemed；hermotivewaslittlemorethancuriosity。Shehadneverseenthatmannerofmanbefore。
Evidentlyhewasa\"furriner\"fromthe\"settlemints。\"Nomaninthemountainshadasmooth，roundfacelikehis，orworesuchaqueerhat，suchasoft，whiteshirt，andnogalluses，\"orcarriedsuchashiny，weak—lookingstick，orownedadogthathecouldn’tmakemindhim。Shewasnotwhollycontemptuous，however。Shehadfeltvaguelythemeaningofhispolitenessanddeference。Shewaspuzzledandpleased，shescarcelyknewwhy。
\"Hewasmightyaccomodatin’，\"shethought。Butwhut，\"sheaskedherselfassherodeslowlyhomeward—\"whutdidhetakeoffhishatferII
LIGHTStwinkledfromeverycabinasClaytonpassedthroughthecamp。Outsidethekitchendoors，miners，baretothewaist，werebathingtheirblackenedfacesandbodies，withchildren，tatteredandunclean，buthealthful，playingaboutthem；within，womeninloosegowns，withsleevesunrolledandwithdisorderedhair，movedlikephantomsthroughcloudsofsavorysmoke。Thecommissarywasbrilliantlylighted。Atawindowclosebyimprovidentminersweredrawingthewagesoftheday，whiletheirwiveswaitedinthestorewithbasketsunfilled。Infrontofthecommissaryacrowdofnegroesweretalking，laughing，singing，andplayingprankslikechildren。Heretwo，withgrinningfaces，weresquaredoff，nottospar，buttoknockateachother’statteredhat；theretwomore，withlegsandarmsindistinguishable，werewrestling；closebywasthesoundofamouth—harp，acircleofinterestedspectators，and，within，twodancerspittedagainsteachother，andshufflingwithazestthatlaborseemednevertoaffect。
ImmediatelyaftersupperClaytonwenttohisroom，lightedhislamp，andsatdowntoamaphewastracing。Hisroomwasnexttheground，andapathranneartheopenwindow。Asheworked，everypasser—bywouldlookcuriouslywithin。Onthewallabovehisheadapairoffencing—foilswerecrossedundermasks。Belowthesehungtwopistols，suchascourteousClaudeDuvalusedforside—arms。Oppositeweretwooldrifles，andbeneaththemtwostonebeer—mugs，andaGermanstudent’spipeabsurdlylongandrichlyornamented。Amantelclosebywasfilledwithcuriosities，andnearithungabanjounstrung，atennis—racket，andablazerofstartlingcolors。PlainlytheywererelicsofGermanstudentlife，andtheoddcontrasttheymadewiththeroughwallandceilingsuggestedasharpchangeinthefortunesoftheyoungworkerbeneath。ScarcelysixmonthssincehehadbeensuddenlysummonedhomefromGermany。Thereasonwasvague，buthavingreadofrecentAmericanfailures，notablyinWallStreet，heknewwhathadhappened。ReachingNewYork，hewasstartledbythefearthathismotherwasdead，sogloomywasthehouse，sosubduedhissister’sgreeting，andsowornandsadhisfather’sface。
Thetrouble，however，waswhathehadguessed，andhehadaccepteditwithquietresignation。Thefinancialwreckseemedcomplete；butoneresource，however，wasleft。JustafterthewarClayton’sfatherhadpurchasedminerallandsintheSouth，anditwaswiththeideaofdevelopingthesethathehadencouragedthemarkedscientifictastesofhisson，andhadsenthimtoaGermanuniversity。Inviewofhisowndisaster，andthefactthatafinancialtidewasswellingsouthward，hisforethoughtseemedaninspiration。TothisresourceClaytonturnedeagerly；andafterafewweeksathome，whichweremadeintolerablebystraitenedcircumstances，andthefanciedcoldnessoffriendandacquaintance，hewashardatworkintheheartoftheKentuckymountains。
Thetransitionfromthecarelesslifeofastudentwasswiftandbitter；itwaslikebeginninganewlifewithanewidentity，thoughClaytonsufferedlessthanheanticipated。Hehadbecomeinterestedfromthefirst。Therewasnothingintheprettyglen，whenhecame，butamountaineer’scabinandafewgnarledoldapple—trees，therootsofwhichcheckedthemusicalflowofalittlestream。Thentheairwasfilledwiththetenseringofhammerandsaw，themellowechoesofaxes，andtheshoutsofox—driversfromtheforests，indignantgroansfromthemountains，andalittletownsprangupbeforehiseyes，andcarsofshiningcoalwoundslowlyaboutthemountainside。
Activitylikethisstirredhisblood。Busyfromdawntodark，hehadnotimetogrowmiserable。Hisworkwashard，tobesure，butitmaderestandsleepaluxury，andithadthenewzestofindependence；heevenbegantotakeinitnolittlepridewhenhefoundhimselfanessentialpartofthequickgrowthgoingon。
Whenleisurecame，hecouldtaketowoodsfilledwithunknownbirds，newformsofinsectlife，andstrangeplantsandflowers。
Witheveryday，too，hewasmoredeeplystirredbythechangingbeautyofthemountainshiddenatdawnwithwhitemists，faintlyveiledthroughthedaywithanatmospherethatmadehimthinkofItaly，andenrichedbysunsetsofstartlingbeauty。Butstrongestofallwastheinteresthefoundintheoddhumanmixtureabouthim—thesimple，good—natureddarkieswhoslouchedpasthim，magnificentinphysiqueandpicturesquewithrags；occasionalforeignersjustfromCastleGarden，withthehopeoftheNewWorldstillintheirfaces；andnowandthenagauntmountaineerstalkingawkwardlyintherearofthemarchtowardcivilization。
Graduallyithaddawneduponhimthatthislast，silentfigure，tracedthroughVirginia，wascloselylinkedbybloodandspeechwiththecommonpeopleofEngland，and，mouldedperhapsbytheinfluencesoffeudalism，wasstillstrikinglyunchanged；thatnowitwasthemostdistinctivelynationalremnantonAmericansoil，andsymbolizedthedevelopmentofthecontinent，andthatwithitmustgothelastsuggestionsofthepioneers，withtheirhardyphysiques，theirspeech，theirmannersandcustoms，theirsimplearchitectureandsimplemodeoflife。Itwassoonplaintohim，too，thatachangewasbeingwroughtatlast—thechangeofdestruction。Theoldermountaineers，whosebewilderedeyeswatchedthenoisysignsofanunintelligiblecivilization，werepassingaway。Oftherest，some，sullenandrestless，weresellingtheirhomesteadsandfollowingthespiritoftheirforefathersintoanewwilderness；
others，leavingtheirsmallfarmsinadjacentvalleystogotoruin，weregapingidlyaboutthepublicworks，caughtuponlytooeasilybytheviciouscurrentoftheincomingtide。Inacenturythemountaineersmustbesweptaway，andtheirignoranceofthetragicforcesatworkamongthemgavethemanunconsciouspathosthattouchedClaytondeeply。
Ashegrewtoknowthem，theirhistoricalimportanceyieldedtoagenuineinterestinthepeoplethemselves。Theyweredenselyignorant，tobesure；buttheywerenatural，simple，andhospitable。
Theirsenseofpersonalworthwashigh，andtheirdemocracy—oraristocracy，sincetherewasnodistinctionofcaste—absolute。Forgenerations，sonhadlivedlikefatherinanisolationhardlycredible。
Noinfluencesavesuchasshookthenationeverreachedthem。
TheMexicanwar，slavery，andnationalpoliticsofthefirsthalf—centurywerestillpresentissues，andeacholdmanwouldgivehisrigid，individualopinionsometimeswithsurprisinghumorandforce。
Hewentmuchamongthem，andtheruggedoldcoupleswhomhefoundinthecabinporches—somuchalikeatfirst—quicklybecamedistinctwithaquaintindividuality。Amongyoungorold，however，hehadfoundnothinglikethehalf—wildyoungcreaturehehadmetonthemountainthatday。
Inheratypehadcrossedhispath—haddrivenhimfromit，intruth—thatseemeduniqueandinexplicable。Hehadbeenlittlemorethanamusedatfirst，butakeeninteresthadbeengrowinginhimwitheverythoughtofher。
Therewasanindefinablecharmaboutthegirl。Shegaveanewandsuddenzesttohisinterestinmountainlife；andwhileheworked，theincidentsoftheencounteronthemountaincameminutelybacktohimtillhesawheragainassherodeaway，hersupplefigureswayingwitheverymovementofthebeast，anddappledwithquiveringcirclesofsunlightfromthebushes，herfacecalm，butstillflushedwithcolor，andheryellowhairshakingabouthershoulders—notlustrelessandflaxen，ashairwasinthemountains，heremembered，butcatchingthesunlightlikegold。
Almostunconsciouslyhelaidasidehispencilandleanedfromhiswindowtolifthiseyestothedarkmountainhehadclimbedthatday。Therudemelodyofanold—fashionedhymnwascominguptheglen，andherecognizedthethin，quaveringvoiceofanoldmountaineer，UncleTommyBrooks，ashewasfamiliarlyknown，whosecabinstoodinthemidstofthecamp，apatheticcontrasttothesmartnewhousesthathadsprungaroundit。Theoldmanhadlivedintheglenfornearlythree—quartersofacentury，andhe，ifanyone，mustknowthegirl。Withthethought，Claytonsprangthroughthewindow，andafewminuteslaterwasatthecabin。Theoldmansatwhittlingintheporch，joininginthesongwithwhichhiswifewascrooningachildtosleepwithin。ClaytoneasilyidentifiedEuropa，ashehadchristenedher；thesimplementionofhermeansoftransportwassufficient。
Ridin’abull，wasshe？\"repeatedtheoldman，laughing。\"Well，thatwasEasterHicks，oldBillHicks’gal。She’sasorto’
connectiono’mine。MeandBillmarriedcousins。
She’sacur’uscritteraseverIseed。Shedon’seemtotakeatterherdadnurhermammynother，thoughBillallushadaquarstreakin’im，andwasthewustmanIeverseedwhenhewasdisguisedbylicker。Whardoesshelive？Oh，upthar，rightontopo’WolfMountain，withhermammy。\"
Alone？
\"Yes；ferherdadain’tthar。No；’n’heain’tdead。I’lltellye\"—theoldmanloweredhistone—\"tharusedtobeabigloto’moonshinin’
doneintheseparts，’n’araidercomehyehtosee’boutit。Well，onemornin’hewasfoundlayin’intheroadwithabulletthroughhim。
Billwass’picioned。Now，Iain’ta—sayin’asBilldoneit，butwhenawholelotmorerodeuptharonhossesonenight，theydidn’tfindBill。Theyhain’tfoundhimyit，ferhe’soutinthemountainssomewhara—hidin’。\"
\"Howdotheygetalongwithouthim？\"askedClayton。
\"Why，thegaldoesthework。Sheploughswiththatbull，anddoestheplantin’herself。Shekinchopwoodlikeaman。An’asfershootin’，well，whenhuntin’sgood’n’thar’sshootin’—matchesround—about，shedon’thavetobuymuchmeat。\"
\"It’sawondersomeyoungfellowhasn’tmarriedher。Isuppose，though，she’stooyoung。\"
Theoldmanlaughed。\"Thar’sbeenmanyalivelyyoungfellowthat’striedit，butshe’shardtoketchasawildcat。Shewon’thavenothin’todowithotherfolks，’n’shenuvercomesdownhyehintothevalley，’cepttogithercorngroun’ertoshootaturkey。SherdRainesgoesuptoseeher，andfolkssayheairtryin’togitherintothechurch。Butthegalwon’tgonighameetin’—house。Sheairacur’uscritter，\"heconcludedemphatically，\"shyasadeertillsheairstirredup，andthensheairacaution；mightygentlesometimes，andag’instubbornasamule。\"
Ashrill，infantilescreamcamefromwithin，andtheoldmanpausedamomenttolisten。
\"Yedidn’tknowIhadagreat—grandchild，didye？That’sita—hollerin’。TalkaboutEasterbein’tooyoungtomerry!Whyhit’smotherairtwoyearyounger’nEaster。Jescomeinhyehaminit。\"
Theoldmountaineerroseandledthewayintothecabin。Claytonwasembarrassedatfirst。Ononebedlayarathercomelyyoungwomanwithachildbyherside；onachestclosebysatanotherwithherlover，courtinginthemostopenandprimitivemanner。Inthecorneranoldgrandamdozedwithherpipe，herwitheredfacejusttouchedbytherimofthefirelight。Neararectangularholeinthewallwhichservedthepurposeofawindow，stoodagirlwhoseface，silhouettedagainstthedarkness，hadinitacuriousmixtureofchildishnessandmaturity。
\"Whar’sthebaby？\"askedUncleTommy。
Somebodyoutsidewasadmiringit，andtheyounggirlleanedthroughthewindowandliftedtheinfantwithin。
Thar’sababyferye!\"exclaimedtheoldmountaineer，proudly，liftingitintheairandturningitsfacetothelight。Butthechildwaspeevishandfretful，andhehandeditbackgently。Claytonwaswonderingwhichwasthemother，when，tohisamazement，almosttohisconfusion，thegirlliftedthechildcalmlytoherownbreast。Thechildwasthemotherofthechild。Shewasbarelyfifteen，withthefaceofagirloftwelve，andhermotherlymannerhadstruckhimasanoddcontrast。Hefeltathrillofpityfortheyoungmotherashecalledtomindtheagedyoungwiveshehadseenwhowerehaggardandcare—wornatthirty，andwhostillmanagedtolivetoanoldage。HewasindefinablygladthatEasterhadescapedsuchafate。Whenheleftthecabin，theoldmancalledafterhimfromthedoor：
\"Thar’sgoin’tobeashootin’—matchamongtheboysto—morrer，’n’I
jedgethatEaster’11beonhand。Sheal’aysis。\"
\"Isthatso？\"saidClayton。\"Well，I’lllookoutforit。\"
Theoldmountaineerloweredhisvoice。
\"Yehain’tthinkin’abouttakin’awife，airye？\"
\"No，no!\"
\"Well，efyeair，\"saidtheoldman，slowly，\"I’ma—thinkin’yu’llhavetobuckupag’inSherdRaines，ferefIhain’tlikeagoosea—pickin’o’grassbymoonshine，Sherdairatterthegalferhisself，notfertheLord。Yes，\"hecontinued，afterashort，drylaugh；\"’n’
mebbeye’llhavtokeepaneyeopenferoldBill。Theysaythatheairmightylowdown，’n’kindo’sorry’n’skeery，forIreckonSherdRaineshevtoldhimhehavgottopaythepenaltyfertakin’ahumanlife；butIwouldn’tsotmuchonhisbein’sorryefhewasmadatmeandhadlickerinhim。Hehatesfurriners，andhehasacrazyideethattheyisallraiders’n’lookin’ferhim。\"
\"Idon’tthinkI’llbotherhim，\"saidClayton，turningawaywithalaugh。\"Good—nightt\"Withalittlecackleofincredulity，theoldmanclosedthedoor。Thecamphadsunknowtoperfectquiet；butforthefaintnotesofabanjofaruptheglen，notasoundtrembledonthenightair。
TherimofthemoonwasjustvisibleabovethemountainonwhichEaster—whataprettynamethatwas!—hadflasheduponhisvisionwithsuchtheatriceffect。Asitsbrilliantlightcameslowlydownthedarkmountain—side，themistsseemedtoloosentheirwhitearms，andtocreepawaylikeghostsmistakingthelightfordawn。
Withthebaseofthemountainindenseshadow，itscrest，upliftedthroughthevapors，seemedpoisedintheairatastartlingheight。
Yetitwasnearthecrestthathehadmether。Claytonpausedamoment，whenhereachedhisdoor，tolookagain。Whereinthatcloud—landcouldshelive？
III
WHENthegreatbellstruckthehourofthenextnoon，mountaineerswithlongriflesacrosstheirshouldersweremovingthroughthecamp。Theglenopenedintoavalley，which，blockedontheeastbyPineMountain，wasthusshutinoneverysidebywoodedheights。Herethemarksmengathered。Allweremountaineers，lank，bearded，men，coatlessforthemostpart，anddressedinbrownhome—madejeans，slouched，formlesshats，andhigh，coarseboots。Sunandwindhadtannedtheirfacestosympathy，incolor，withtheirclothes，whichhadthedunlookofthesoil。Theyseemedpeculiarlyaraceofthesoil，tohavesprungastheywerefromtheearth，whichhadleftindeliblestainsuponthem。Allcarriedlongrifles，old—fashionedandhome—made，someevenwithflint—locks。ItwasSaturday，andmanyoftheirwiveshadcomewiththemtothecamp。Thesestoodnear，huddledintoalistlessgroup，withtheirfaceshalfhiddenincheckbonnetsofvariouscolors。Abarbaricloveofcolorwasapparentinbonnet，shawl，andgown，andsurprisinglyincontrastwithsuchcrudenessoftastewasafacewhenfullyseen，somodestwasit。Thefeatureswerealwaysdelicatelywrought，andsoftenedsometimesbyalookofpatientsufferingalmostintorefinement。
Ontheothersideofthecontestantswerethepeopleofthecamp，afewminerswithpipesloungingontheground，andwomenandgirls，whoreturnedthefurtiveglancesofthemountainwomenwithstaresofcuriosityandlowlaughter。
Claytonhadbeendelayedbyhiswork，andthematchwasalreadygoingonwhenhereachedthegrounds。
\"You’vemissedmightyfineshootin’，\"saidUncleTommyBrooks，whowassquattedonthegroundnearthegroupofmarksmen。
Sherd’sbeena—beatin’ever’body。I’mafeardEasterhain’ta—comm’。
Thematchis’mostovernow。Efshe’dbeenhere，Idon’tthinkSherdwould’a’gotthech’icepartso’thatbeefsoeasy。\"
\"Whichishe？\"askedClayton。
Thattallfellertharloadin’hisgun。\"
\"Whatdidyousayhisnamewas？
\"SherdRaines，thefellerthat’sgoin’tobeourcircuit—rider。\"
Herememberedthepeculiarname。SothiswasEaster’slover。
Claytonlookedattheyoungmountaineer，curiouslyatfirst，andthenwithgrowinginterest。Hisquietairofauthorityamonghisfellowswaslikeabirthright；itseemedassumedandacceptedunconsciously。Hisfacewassmooth，andhewasfullerinfigurethantherest，butstillsinewyandlank，thoughnotawkward；hismovementsweretooquickanddecisiveforthat。WithacasualglanceClaytonhadwonderedwhatsecretinfluencecouldhaveturnedtospiritualthingsamansomerelyanimal—likeinfaceandphysique；butwhenthemountaineerthrustbackhishat，elementalstrengthandseriousnesswereapparentinthesquarebrow，thesteadyeye，thepoiseofthehead，andinlinesaroundthestrongmouthandchininwhichthestruggleforself—masteryhadbeentraced。
Asthemountaineerthrusthisramrodbackintoitscasing，heglancedatthewoodsbehindClayton，andsaidsomethingtohiscompanions。They，too，raisedtheireyes，andatthesamemomenttheoldmountaineerpluckedClaytonbythesleeve。
\"TharcomesEasternow。\"
Thegirlhadjustemergedfromtheedgeoftheforest，andwitharifleononeshoulderandabullet—pouchandpowder—hornswungfromtheother，wasslowlycomingdownthepath。
\"Why，howairye，Easter？\"criedtheoldman，heartily。\"Goin’toshoot，airye？I’lowedyewouldn’tmissthis。Yeairmightylate，though。\"
Oh，Ionlywantedaturkey，\"saidthegirl。\"Well，I’ma—comm’uptoeatdinnerwithyeto—morrer，\"heanswered，withalaugh，\"ferIknowye’llgitone。Y’u’reonhandfermosto’thematchesnow。
Wildturkeysmustbea—gittin’skeerce。\"
Thegirlsmiled，showingarowofbrilliantteethbetweenherthin，redlips，and，withoutanswering，movedtowardthegroupofmountainwomen。Claytonhadraisedhishandtohishatwhentheoldmanaddressedher，buthedroppeditquicklytohissideinnolittleembarrassmentwhenthegirlcarelesslyglancedoverhimwithnosignofrecognition。Herriflewasanoldflint—lockoflightbuild，butnearlysixfeetinlength，withashadeofrustytintwofeetlongfastenedtothebarreltopreventthesunlightfromaffectingthemarksman’saim。Sheworeaman’shat，which，withunintentionalcoquetry，wasperchedononesideofherhead。Herhairwasshort，andfellasitpleasedaboutherneck。Shewasbare—footed，andapparentlycladinasinglegarment，abluehomespungown，gatheredlooselyatheruncorsetedwaist，andshowingtheoutlineofthebustandeverymovementofthetall，suppleformbeneath。Herappearancehadquickenedtheinterestofthespectators，andapparentlywasadisturbinginfluenceamongthecontestants，whoweregatheredtogether，evidentlyindispute。
FromtheirglancesClaytonsawthatEasterwasthesubjectofit。
\"Iguesstheydon’twanthertoshoot—themthathain’twonnothin’，\"
saidUncleTommy。
Shehevcomeinlate，\"Claytonheardonesay，\"’n’sheoughtn’toshoot。Tharhain’tnochanceshootin’ag’inhernoways，’n’I’minfavoro’barrin’herout。\"
Ohno；lethershoot\"—thevoicewasRaines’s。\"Tharhain’tnothin’
butafewturkeysleft，’n’ye’dbetterbaroutthegun’stido’thegal，anyway，ferthatgunkinoutshootany—thinginthemountains。\"
Thegirlhadbeensilentlywatchingthegroupasifpuzzled；andwhenRainesspokeherfacetightenedwithsuddendecision，andshestrodeswiftlytowardthemintimetooverheartheyoungmountaineer’slastwords。
Sohit’sthegun，ishit，SherdRaines？
Thecrowdturned，andRainesshrankalittleasthegirlfacedhimwithflashingeyes。\"Sohit’sthegun，ishit？Hitisagoodgun，butyeoughttobeashamedtotakeallthecredit’wayfromme。Butefyouairsosartainhit’sthegun，\"shecontinued，\"I’llshootyourn，’n’
y’ukinhevmineefIdon’tbeatyewithyerowngun。\"
\"Goodferyou，Easter!\"shoutedtheoldmountaineer。
Raineshadrecoveredhimself，andwaslookingatthegirlseriously。Severalofhiscompanionsurgedhimaloudtoacceptthechallenge，buthepaidnoheedtothem。Heseemedtobedebatingthequestionwithhimself，andamomentlaterhesaid，quietly：
\"’N’youkinhevmineefIdon’tbeatyou。\"
Thiswasallhesaid，buthekepthiseyesfixedonthegirl’sface；
andwhen，withadefiantglance，sheturnedtowardthemountainwomen，hefollowedandstoppedher。
\"Easter，\"Claytonheardhimsay，inalow，slowvoice，\"Iwastryin’
togityeachancetoshoot，feryehevbeenwinnin’somuchthatit’shardtogitupamatchwhenyeairinit。\"Thehardlookonthegirl’sfaceremainedunchanged，andthemountaineercontinued，firmly：
\"’N’Itoldthetruth；ferefyepinmedown，Idothinkhitisthegun。\"
\"Jesyouwait’n’see，\"answeredthegirl，shortly，andRaines，afteraquestioninglook，rejoinedthegroup。
\"Iwon’ttakethegunefIwinit，\"hesaidtothem；\"butsheairgittin’toosetupan’proud，’n’I’mgoin’todomybesttotakeherdownabit。\"
Therewasnothingboastfulormaliciousinhismannerorspeech，andnobodydoubtedthathewouldwin，fortherewerefewmarksmeninthemountainshisequals，andhewouldhavetheadvantageofusinghisowngun。
\"Lookhyeh，\"saidalong，thinmountaineer，cominguptothegroup，\"tharain’tbutoneturkeyleft，’n’I’dliketoknowwhatweairgoin’toshootatefSherd’n’Eastergitsacrackathim。\"
Intheinterestofthematchnoonehadthoughtofthat，andamomentofdebatefollowed，whichClaytonendedbysteppingforward。
\"I’llfurnishaturkeyfortherestofyou，\"hesaid。
Thegirlturnedwhenhespokeandgavehimaquickglance，butavertedhereyesinstantly。
Clayton’sofferwasaccepted，andthepreliminarytrialtodecidewhoshouldshootfirstattheturkeywasbegun。Everydetailwaswatchedwithincreasinginterest。Apieceofwhitepapermarkedwithtwoconcentriccircleswasplacedsixtyyardsaway，andRaineswonwithabulletintheinnercircle。Thegirlhadmissedboth，andthemountaineerofferedhertwomoreshotstoaccustomherselftothegun。Sheaccepted，andsmiledalittletriumphantlyasshetouchedtheoutercirclewithonebulletandplacedtheotheralmostinthecentre。Itwasplainthatthetwowereevenlymatched，andseveralshoutsofapprovalcamefromthecrowd。
Theturkeywashobbledtoastakeatthesamedistance，andbothweretofireatitshead，withtheprivilegeofshootingatfiftyyardsifnorestweretaken。
Rainesshotfirstwithoutrest，and，ashemissed，thegirlfollowedhisexample。Theturkeydozedoninthesunlight，undisturbedbyeither。Themountaineerwasvexed。Withhispowerfulfacesetdeterminedly，helaydownflatontheground，and，restinghisrifleoverasmalllog，tookaninordinatelylongandcarefulaim。Theriflecracked，theturkeybobbeditsheadunhurt，andthemarksmansprangtohisfeetwithanexclamationofsurpriseandchagrin。Asheloadedthegunandgravelyhandedittothegirl，theexcitementgrewintense。Thecrowdpressedclose。Thestolidfacesofthemountaineerwomen，thrustfromtheirbonnets，becamealmosteagerwithinterest。Raines，quietandcomposedashewas，lookedanxious。Alleyesfollowedeverymovementofthegirlasshecoollystretchedherlong，activefigureontheground，drewherdresscloseaboutit，and，throwingheryellowhairoverherfacetoshadehereyesfromtheslantingsunlight，placedhercheekagainstthestockofthegun。Alongsuspensefollowed。Ahushalmostofsolemnityfelluponthecrowd。
\"Whydon’tthegalshoot？\"askedavoice，impatiently。
Claytonsawwhatthematterwas，and，steppingtowardher，saidquietly，\"Youforgottosetthetrigger。\"
Thegirl’sfacecolored。Againhereyeglancedalongthebarrel，apuffofsmokeflewfromthegun，andashoutcamefromeverypairoflipsastheturkeyleapedintotheairandfell，beatingthegroundwithitswings。Inaninstantayoungmountaineerhadrushedforwardandseizedit，and，afteraglance，droppeditwithayelloftriumph。
\"Shotplum’throughtheeyes!\"heshouted。\"Shotplum’throughtheeyes!
Thegirlarose，andhandedthegunbacktoRaines。
Keephit，\"hesaid，steadily。\"Hit’syourn。\"
\"Idon’twantthegun，\"shesaid，\"butIdidwantthatturkey—’n’\"—alittletauntingly—\"Ididwanttobeatyou，SherdRaines。\"
Themountaineer’sfaceflushedanddarkened，buthesaidnothing。
Hetooknopartintheshootingthatfollowed，andwhen，afterthematchwasover，thegirl，withherrifleononeshoulderandtheturkeyovertheother，turnedupthemountainpath，Claytonsawhimfollowher。
IV
AFORTNIGHTlaterClayton，rifleinhand，tookthesamepath。ItwaslateinMay。The’leafagewasluxuriant，andthemountains，woodedtothetops，seemedoverspreadwithgreat，shaggyrugsofgreen。Thewoodswereresonantwithsong—birds，andthedewdrippedandsparkledwhereverashaftofsunlightpiercedthethickleaves。
LatevioletshidshylyundercanopiesofMay—apple；bunchesofblueandofwhiteanemonenoddedfromunderfallentrees，andwaterranlikehiddenmusiceverywhere。Slowlythevalleyandthesoundofitslife—thelowingofcattle，theclatteratthemines，thesongsofthenegroesatwork—sankbeneathhim。Thechorusofbirdsdwindleduntilonlythecool，flute—likenotesofawood—
thrushrosefaintlyfrombelow。Uphewent，windingaroundgreatoaks，fallentrunks，loosebowlders，andthreateningcliffsuntillightglimmeredwhitelybetweenthebolesofthetrees。Fromagapwherehepausedtorest，afire—scald\"wasvisibleclosetothe’
crestoftheadjoiningmountain。Itwasfilledwiththecharred，ghost—liketrunksoftreesthathadbeenburnedstanding。Easter’shomemustbenearthat，Claytonthought，andheturnedtowarditbyapaththatranalongthetopofthemountain。Afterafewhundredyardsthepathswervedsharplythroughadensethicket，andClaytonstoppedinwonder。
Somenaturalagenthadhollowedthemountain，leavingalevelplateauofseveralacres。Theearthhadfallenawayfromagreatsombrecliffofsolidrock，andclinginglikeaswallow’snestinacleftofthiswastheusualrudecabinofamountaineer。Thefaceoftherockwasdarkwithvines，andthecabinwasprotectedasbyafortress。Butonewayofapproachwaspossible，andthatstraighttotheporch。Fromthecliffthevineshadcrepttoroofandchimney，andwerewavingtheirtendrilsaboutathinbluespiralofsmoke。
Thecabinwasgrayandtotteringwithage。Abovetheporchonthebranchesofanapple—treehungleavesthatmatchedinrichnessoftintthethickmossontheroughshingles。Underitanoldwomansatspinning，andahoundlayasleepatherfeet。Easterwasnowheretobeseen，buthervoicecamefrombelowhiminaloudtoneofcommand；andpresentlysheappearedfrombehindaknoll，abovewhichthethatchedroofofastablewasvisible，andslowlyascendedthepathtothehouse。Shehadevidentlyjustfinishedwork，foraploughstoodinthelastfurrowofthefield，andthefragranceoffreshlyturnedearthwasintheair。Ontheporchshesankwearilyintoalowchair，and，foldingherhands，lookedawaytothemountains。
Claytonclimbedthecrumblingfence。Adeadtwigsnapped，and，startledbythesound，thegirlbegantorise；but，givinghimonequick，sharplook，droppedhereyestoherhands，andremainedmotionless。
\"Goodmorning，\"saidClayton，liftinghishat。Thegirldidnotraiseherface。Thewheelstopped，andthespinnerturnedherhead。
Howairye？\"shesaid，withreadyhospitality。\"Comeinan’hevacheer。\"
\"No，thankyou，\"heanswered，alittleembarrassedbyEaster’soddbehavior。\"MayIgetsomewater？
\"Sartinly，\"saidtheoldwoman，lookinghimovercuriously。\"
Easter，gogitsomefresh。\"
Thegirlstartedtorise，butClayton，pickingupthebucket，said，quickly：
\"Ohno；Iwon’ttroubleyou。Iseethespring，\"headded，noticingatinystreamthattrickledfromafissureatthebaseofthecliff。
Whoairthatfeller，Easter？\"themotherasked，inalowvoice，whenClaytonwasoutofhearing。
\"Oneo’themfurrinerswhohevcomeintoInjunCreek，\"wastheindifferentreply。
That’ssplendidwater，\"saidClayton，returning。\"MayIgiveyousome？\"Theoldwomanshookherhead。Easter’seyeswerestillonthemountains，andapparentlyshehadnotheardhim。
\"Hitairgoodwater，\"saidthemother。
\"Thatspringneverdoesgodry。Youbettercomeinandrestaspell。Isupposeyeairfromthemines？\"sheadded，assheturnedtoresumespinning。
Yes，\"answeredClayton。\"Thereisgoodhuntingaroundhere，isn’tthere？\"hewenton，feelingthatsomeexplanationwasdueforhissuddenarrivalawayupinthatlonespot。
Therewasnoanswer。Easterdidnotlooktowardhim，andthespinningstopped。
\"Whutd’yousay？\"askedtheoldwoman。
Claytonrepeatedhisquestion。
\"Tharusedtobeprimehuntin’inthesepartswhenmydadclearedoffthisspotmore’nfiftyyearago，butthevarmintshevmostlybeenkilledout。ButEasterkintellyoubetter’nIkin，forshedoesallourhuntin’，’n’shekinoutshoot’mos’anymaninthemountains。\"
Yes；Isawhershootatthematchtheotherdaydownatthemines。\"
Didye？\"—asmileofpleasurebrokeovertheoldwoman’sface—\"
wharshebeatSherdRaines？Sherdwantedtomortifyher，butshemortifiedhim，Ireckon。\"
Thegirldidnotjoininhermother’slaugh，thoughthecornersofhermouthtwitchedfaintly。
Ilikeshooting，myself，\"saidClayton。\"Iwouldgointoamatch，butI’mafraidIwouldn’thavemuchchance。\"
\"Ireckonnot，withthatshortthing？\"saidtheoldwoman，pointingathisrepeating—rifle。\"Wouldyeshootwiththat？\"
Oh，yes，\"answeredClayton，smiling；\"itshootsverywell。\"
\"Howfer？\"
\"Oh，alongway。\"
Ahugeshadowsweptoverthehouse，thrownbyabuzzardsailingwithmagnificenteasehighabovethem。Thinkingthathemightdisturbitsflight，Claytonroseandcockedhisrifle。
\"Ye’renotgoingtoshootatthat？\"saidtheoldwoman，grinning。
Thegirlhadlookedtowardhimatlast，withasmileoffaintdension。
Claytontookaimquicklyandfired。Thehugebirdsankasthoughhit，curveddownward，andwithoneflapofhisgreatwingssailedon。
\"Well，efIdidn’tthinkyehadhithim!\"saidtheoldwoman，inamazement。\"Youkinshoot，ferafac’。\"
Easter’sattentionwasgainedatlast。Forthefirsttimeshelookedstraightathim，andherlittlesmileofderisionhadgivenwaytoalookofmingledcuriosityandrespect。
\"Iexpectedonlytoscarehim，\"saidClayton。
Thegunwillcarrytwicethatfar。\"
Hit’sjestaswellyedidn’thithim，\"saidtheoldwoman。’Hitairfivedollarsfinetokillabuzzardaroundhyeh。I’dneverthoughtthatlittlethingcouldshoot。\"
\"Itshootsseveraltimes，\"saidClayton。\"Hitdoeswhut？\"
Likeapistol，\"heexplained，and，rising，hedirectedseveralshotsinquicksuccessionatadeadtreeintheploughedfield。Ateachshotapuffofdustcamealmostfromthesamespot。
Whenheturned，Easterhadrisentoherfeetinastonishment，andthemotherwaslaughinglongandloudly。
\"Don’tyewishyehadagunlikethat，Easter？\"shecried。
Claytonturnedquicklytothegirl，andbeganexplainingthemechanismoftheguntoher，withoutappearingtonoticeherembarrassment，forsheshrankperceptiblywhenhespoketoher。
\"Won’tyouletmeseeyourgun？\"heasked。
Shebroughtouttheoldflint—lock，andhandedittohimalmosttimidly。
Thisisveryinteresting，\"hesaid。\"Ineversawonelikeitbefore。\"
\"Tharhain’tbutonemorejestlikethatinthemountains，\"saidtheoldwoman，\"’n’Easter’sgotthat。Mydadmade’emboth。\"
\"Howwouldyouliketotradeoneformine，ifyouhavetwo？\"saidClaytontothegirl。\"I’llgiveyouallmycartridgestoboot。\"
Thegirllookedathermotherwithhesitation。Claytonsawthatbothwonderedwhathecouldwantwiththegun，andheadded：
\"I’dliketohaveittotakehomewithme。Itwouldbeagreatcuriosity。\"
\"Well，\"saidthemother，\"youkinhevoneefyewanthit，andthinkthetrade’sfa’r。\"
Claytoninsisted，andthetradewasmade。Theoldwomanresumedspinning。Thegirltookherseatinthelowchair，holdinghernewtreasureinherlap，withhereyesfixedonit，andoccasionallyrunningonebrownhanddownitsshiningbarrel。Claytonwatchedher。Shehadgivennosignwhateverthatshehadeverseenhimbefore，andyetacuriouschangehadcomeoverher。Herimperiousmannerhadyieldedtoasingularreserveandtimidity。Thepeculiarbeautyofthegirlstruckhimnowwithunusualforce。Herprofilewasremarkablyregularanddelicate；hermouthsmall，resolute，andsensitive；heavy，darklashesshadedherdowncasteyes；andherbrowsuggestedamentalitythathefeltastrongdesiretotest。Herfeetweresmall，andsowereherquick，nervoushands，whichwerestillfinelyshaped，inspiteofthehardusagethathadleftthembrownandcallous。Hewonderedifshewasreallyaslovelyassheseemed；ifhisstandardmightnothavebeenaffectedbyhislongstayinthemountains；ifherpicturesqueenvironmentmightnothaveinfluencedhisjudgment。Hetriedtoimagineherdaintilyslippered，cladinwhite，withherloosehairgatheredinaPsycheknot；orineveningdress，witharmsandthroatbare；butthepicturesweredifficulttomake。Helikedherbestasshewas，inperfectphysicalsympathywiththenaturalphasesabouther；asmuchapartofthemastree，plant，orflower，embodyingthefreedom，grace，andbeautyofnatureaswellandasunconsciouslyasthey。Hequestionedwhethershehardlyfeltherselftobeapartfromthem；and，ofcourse，sheaslittleknewherkinshiptothem。
