\"Foranyhorses。ForanymanorbeastImightsay。Wherewecannotgetout，noonecangetin，\"headded，asifansweringherthoughts。\"Iamafraidthatyouwon’tseeyourbrotherto—morrowmorning。ButI’llreconnoitreassoonasIcandosowithouttorturingHIM，\"hesaid，lookinganxiouslyatthehelplessman；
\"he’sgotabouthisshareofpain，Ireckon，andthefirstthingistogethimeasier。\"Itwasthelongestspeechhehadmadetoher；
itwasthefirsttimehehadfairlylookedherintheface。Hisshyrestlessnesshadsuddenlygivenwaytodoggedresignation，lessabstracted，butscarcelymoreflatteringtohisentertainers。
Liftinghiscompaniongentlyinhisarms，asifhehadbeenachild，hereascendedthestaircase，Mrs。Scottandthehastily—
summonedMollyfollowingwithoverflowingsolicitude。AssoonastheywerealoneintheparlorMrs。Haleturnedtohersister：\"Onlythatourguestsseemedtobeasanxioustogojustnowasyouweretopackthemoff，Ishouldhavebeenshockedatyourinhospitality。
Whathascomeoveryou，Kate？Thesearetheverypeopleyouhavereproachedmesooftenwithnotbeingcivilenoughto。\"
\"ButWHOarethey？\"
\"HowdoIknow？ThereisYOURBROTHER’Sletter。\"
Sheusuallyspokeofherhusbandas\"John。\"Thisslightshiftingofrelationshipandresponsibilitytothefemininemindwassignificant。Katewasalittlefrightenedandremorseful。
\"Ionlymeantyoudon’tevenknowtheirnames。\"
\"Thatwasn’tnecessaryforgivingthemabedandbandages。DoyousupposethegoodSamaritaneveraskedthewoundedJew’sname，andthattheLevitedidnotexcusehimselfbecausethethieveshadtakenthepoorman’scard—case？Dothedirections，’Incaseofaccident，’inyourambulancerules，read，’Firstlaythesuffereronhisbackandinquirehisnameandfamilyconnections’？Besides，youcancallone’Ned’andtheother’George，’ifyoulike。\"
\"Oh，youknowwhatImean，\"saidKate，irrelevantly。\"WhichisGeorge？\"
\"Georgeisthewoundedman，\"saidMrs。Hale；\"NOTtheonewhotalkedtoyoumorethanhedidtoanyoneelse。Isupposethepoormanwasfrightenedandreaddismissalinyoureyes。\"
\"IwishJohnwerehere。\"
\"Idon’tthinkwehaveanythingtofearinhisabsencefrommenwhoseonlywishistogetawayfromus。Ifitisaquestionofpropriety，mydearKate，surelythereisthepresenceofmothertopreventanyscandal——althoughreallyherownconductwiththewoundedoneisnotabovesuspicion，\"sheadded，withthatnovelmischievousnessthatseemedareturnofherlostgirlhood。\"Wemusttrytodothebestwecanwiththemandforthem，\"shesaiddecidedly，\"andmeantimeI’llseeifIcan’tarrangeJohn’sroomforthem。\"
\"John’sroom？\"
\"Oh，motherisperfectlysatisfied；indeed，suggestedit。It’slargerandwillholdtwobeds，for’Ned，’thefriend，mustattendtohimatnight。And，Kate，don’tyouthink，ifyou’renotgoingoutagain，youmightchangeyourcostume？Itdoesverywellwhilewearealone——\"
\"Well，\"saidKateindignantly，\"asIamnotgoingintohisroom——\"
\"I’mnotsosureaboutthat，ifwecan’tgetaregulardoctor。Butheisveryrestless，andwandersalloverthehouselikeatimidandapologeticspaniel。\"
\"Who？\"
\"Why’Ned。’ButImustgoandlookafterthepatient。Isupposethey’vegothimsafeinhisbedagain，\"andwithanodtohersistershetrippedup—stairs。
Uncomfortableandembarrassed，sheknewnotwhy，Katesoughthermother。Butthatgoodladywasalreadyinattendanceonthepatient，andKatehurriedpastthatbalefulcentreofattractionwithafeelingoflonelinessandstrangenessshehadneverexperiencedbefore。Enteringherownroomshewenttothewindow——
thatfirstandlastrefugeofthetroubledmind——andgazedout。
Turninghereyesinthedirectionofhermorning’swalk，shestartedbackwithasenseofbeingdazzled。Sherubbedfirsthereyesandthentherain—dimmedpane。Itwasnoillusion!Thewholelandscape，sofamiliartoher，wasonevastfieldofdead，colorlesswhite!Trees，rocks，evendistanceitself，hadvanishedinthosefewhours。Anevenshadowless，motionlesswhiteseafilledthehorizon。Oneithersideavastwallofsnowseemedtoshutouttheworldlikeashroud。Onlythegreenplateaubeforeher，withitsslopingmeadowsandfringeofpinesandcottonwood，layalonelikeasummerislandinthisfrozensea。
Asuddendesiretoviewthisphenomenonmoreclosely，andtolearnforherselfthelimitsofthisnewtetheredlife，completelypossessedher，and，accustomedtoactuponherindependentimpulses，sheseizedahoodedwaterproofcloak，andslippedoutofthehouseunperceived。Therainwasfallingsteadilyalongthedescendingtrailwhereshewalked，butbeyond，scarcelyamileacrossthechasm，thewintrydistancebegantoconfuseherbrainwiththeinextricableswarmingofsnow。Hurryingdownwithfeverishexcitement，sheatlastcameinsightofthearchinggraniteportalsoftheirdomain。Butherfirstglancethroughthegatewayshoweditclosedasifwithawhiteportcullis。Katerememberedthatthetrailbegantoascendbeyondthearch，andknewthatwhatshesawwasonlythemountainsideshehadpartlyclimbedthismorning。Butthesnowhadalreadycreptdownitsflank，andtheexitbytrailwaspracticallyclosed。Breathlesslymakingherwaybacktothehighestpartoftheplateau——thecliffbehindthehousethatheredescendedabruptlytotherain—dimmedvalley——shegazedatthedizzydepthsinvainforsomeundiscoveredorforgottentrailalongitsface。Butasingleglanceconvincedherofitsinaccessibility。Thegatewaywasindeedtheironlyoutlettotheplainbelow。Shelookedbackatthefallingsnowbeyonduntilshefanciedshecouldseeinthecrossingandrecrossinglinesthemovingmeshesofafatefulwebwovenaroundthembyviewlessbutinexorablefingers。
Halffrightened，shewasturningaway，whensheperceived，afewpacesdistant，thefigureofthestranger，\"Ned，\"alsoapparentlyabsorbedinthegloomyprospect。Hewaswrappedintheclingingfoldsofablackserapebraidedwithsilver；thebroadflapofaslouchhatbeatenbackbythewindexposedthedark，glisteningcurlsonhiswhiteforehead。Hewascertainlyveryhandsomeandpicturesque，andthatapparentlywithouteffortorconsciousness。
Neitherwasthereanythinginhiscostumeorappearanceinconsistentwithhissurroundings，or，evenwithwhatKatecouldjudgewerehishabitsorposition。Nevertheless，sheinstantlydecidedthathewasTOOhandsomeandtoopicturesque，withoutsuspectingthatherideasofthelimitsofmasculinebeautyweremerelypersonalexperience。
Asheturnedawayfromtheclifftheywerebroughtfacetoface。
\"Itdoesn’tlookveryencouragingoverthere，\"hesaidquietly，asiftheinevitablenessofthesituationhadrelievedhimofhispreviousshynessandeffort；\"it’sevenworsethanIexpected。Thesnowmusthavebeguntherelastnight，anditlooksasifitmeanttostay。\"Hestoppedforamoment，andthen，liftinghiseyestoher，said：——
\"Isupposeyouknowwhatthismeans？\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou。\"
\"Ithoughtnot。Well!itmeansthatyouareabsolutelycutoffherefromanycommunicationorintercoursewithanyoneoutsideofthatcanyon。Bythistimethesnowisfivefeetdeepovertheonlytrailbywhichonecanpassinandoutofthatgateway。Iamnotalarmingyou，Ihope，forthereisnorealphysicaldanger；aplacelikethisoughttobewellgarrisoned，andcertainlyisself—
supportingsofarasthemerenecessitiesandevencomfortsareconcerned。Youhavewood，water，cattle，andgameatyourcommand，butfortwoweeksatleastyouarecompletelyisolated。\"
\"Fortwoweeks，\"saidKate，growingpale——\"andmybrother!\"
\"Heknowsallbythistime，andisprobablyasassuredasIamofthesafetyofhisfamily。\"
\"Fortwoweeks，\"continuedKate；\"impossible!Youdon’tknowmybrother!Hewillfindsomewaytogettous。\"
\"Ihopeso，\"returnedthestrangergravely，\"forwhatispossibleforhimispossibleforus。\"
\"Thenyouareanxioustogetaway，\"Katecouldnothelpsaying。
\"Very。\"
Thereplywasnotdiscourteousinmanner，butwassofarfromgallantthatKatefeltanewandinconsistentresentment。Beforeshecouldsayanythingheadded，\"AndIhopeyouwillremember，whatevermayhappen，thatIdidmybesttoavoidstayingherelongerthanwasnecessarytokeepmyfriendfrombleedingtodeathintheroad。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidKate；thenaddedawkwardly，\"Ihopehe’llbebettersoon。\"Shewassilent，andthen，quickeningherpace，saidhurriedly，\"Imusttellmysisterthisdreadfulnews。\"
\"Ithinksheispreparedforit。IfthereisanythingIcandotohelpyouIhopeyouwillletmeknow。PerhapsImaybeofsomeservice。Ishallbeginbyexploringthetrailsto—morrow，forthebestservicewecandoyoupossiblyistotakeourselvesoff；butI
cancarryagun，andthewoodsarefullofgamedrivendownfromthemountains。Letmeshowyousomethingyoumaynothavenoticed。\"Hestopped，andpointedtoasmallknollofshelteredshrubberyandgraniteontheoppositemountain，whichstillremainedblackagainstthesurroundingsnow。Itseemedtobethicklycoveredwithmovingobjects。\"Theyarewildanimalsdrivenoutofthesnow，\"saidthestranger。\"Thatlargeroneisagrizzly；thereisapanther，wolves，wildcats，afox，andsomemountaingoats。\"
\"Anill—assortedparty，\"saidtheyounggirl。
\"Illluckmakesthemcompanions。Theyaretoofrightenedtohurtoneanothernow。\"
\"Buttheywilleateachotherlateron，\"saidKate，stealingaglanceathercompanion。
Heliftedhislonglashesandmethereyes。\"Notonahavenofrefuge。\"
CHAPTERIV
Katefoundhersister，asthestrangerhadintimated，fullyprepared。Ahastyinventoryofprovisionsandmeansofsubsistenceshowedthattheyhadampleresourcesforamuchlongerisolation。
\"Theytellmeitisbynomeansanuncommoncase，Kate；somebodyoveratsomebody’splacewassnowedinforfourweeks，andnowitappearsthateventheSummitHouseisnotalwaysaccessible。Johnoughttohaveknownitwhenheboughttheplace；infact，Iwasashamedtoadmitthathedidnot。ButthatislikeJohntopreferhisowntheoriestotheexperienceofothers。However，Idon’tsupposeweshouldevennoticetheprivationexceptforthemails。
ItwillbealessontoJohn，though。AsMr。Leesays，heisontheoutside，andcanprobablygowhereverhelikesfromtheSummitexcepttocomehere。\"
\"Mr。Lee？\"echoedKate。
\"Yes，thewoundedone；andtheother’snameisFalkner。Iaskedtheminorderthatyoumightbeproperlyintroduced。TherewereveryrespectableFalknersinCharlestown，youremember；Ithoughtyoumightwarmtothename，andperhapstracetheconnection，nowthatyouaresuchgoodfriends。It’sprovidentialtheyarehere，aswehaven’tgotahorseoramanintheplacesinceManueldisappeared，thoughMr。Falknersayshecan’tbefaraway，ortheywouldhavemethimonthetrailifhehadgonetowardstheSummit。\"
\"DidtheysayanythingmoreofManuel？\"
\"Nothing；thoughIaminclinedtoagreewithyouthatheisn’ttrustworthy。ButthatagainistheresultofJohn’sideaofemployingnativeskillattheexpenseofretainingnativehabits。\"
Theeveningclosedearly，andwithnodiminutioninthefallingrainandrisingwind。Falknerkepthisword，andunostentatiouslyperformedtheout—doorworkinthebarnandstables，assistedbytheonlyChineseservantremaining，andundertheadviceandsupervisionofKate。Althoughheseemedtounderstandhorses，shewassurprisedtofindthathebetrayedacivicignoranceoftheordinarydetailsofthefarmandrustichousehold。Itwasquiteimpossiblethatsheshouldretainherdistrustfulattitude，orhehisreserveintheirenforcedcompanionship。Theytalkedfreelyofsubjectssuggestedbythesituation，Falknerexhibitingageneralknowledgeandintuitionofthingswithoutparadeordogmatism。
DoubtfulofallversatilityasKatewas，shecouldnothelpadmittingtoherselfthathistruthswerenonethelesstruefortheirquantityorthathegotatthemwithoutostentatiousprocesses。Histalkcertainlywasmorepicturesquethanherbrother’s，andlesssubduingtoherfaculties。Johnhadalwayscrushedher。
Whentheyreturnedtothehousehedidnotlingerintheparlororsitting—room，butatoncerejoinedhisfriend。Whendinnerwasreadyinthedining—room，alittlemoredeliberatelyarrangedandornamentedthanusual，thetwowomenweresomewhatsurprisedtoreceiveanexcusefromFalkner，beggingthemtoallowhimforthepresenttotakehismealswiththepatient，andthussavethenecessityofanotherattendant。
\"Itisallshyness，Kate，\"saidMrs。Hale，confidently，\"andmustnotbepermittedforamoment。\"
\"I’msureIshouldbequitewillingtostaywiththepoorboymyself，\"saidMrs。Scott，simply，\"andtakeMr。Falkner’splacewhilehedines。\"
\"Youaretoowilling，mother，\"saidMrs。Hale，pertly，\"andyour’poorboy，’asyoucallhim，willneverseethirty—fiveagain。\"
\"Hewillneverseeanyotherbirthday!\"retortedhermother，\"unlessyoukeephimmorequiet。Heonlytalkswhenyou’reintheroom。\"
\"Hewantssomerelieftohisfriend’slongfaceandmoustachiosthatmakehimlookprematurelyinmourning，\"saidMrs。Hale，withaslightincreaseofanimation。\"Idon’tproposetoleavethemtoomuchtogether。Afterdinnerwe’lladjourntotheirroomandlightenitupalittle。Youmustcome，Kate，tolookatthepatient，andcounteractthebalefuleffectsofmyfrivolity。\"
Mrs。Hale’sinstinctsweretruerthanhermother’sexperience；notonlythatthewoundedman’seyesbecamebrighterundertheprovocationofherpresence，butitwasevidentthathisnaturallyexuberantspiritswereapartofhisvitalstrength，andwereabsolutelyessentialtohisquickrecovery。EncouragedbyFalkner’sgraveandpracticalassistance，whichshecouldnotignore，KateventuredtomakeanexaminationofLee’swound。Eventoherunpractisedeyeitwaslessseriousthanatfirstappeared。
Thegreatlossofbloodhadbeenduetothelacerationofcertainsmallvesselsbelowtheknee，butneitherarterynorbonewasinjured。Arecurrenceofthehaemorrhageorfeverwastheonlythingtobefeared，andthesecouldbeavertedbybandaging，repose，andsimplenursing。
Theunfailinggoodhumorofthepatientunderthismanipulation，thequaintoriginalityofhisspeech，thefreedomofhisfancy，whichwas，however，alwayscontrolledbyacertaininstinctivetact，begantoaffectKatenearlyasithadtheothers。Shefoundherselflaughingovertheworkshehadundertakeninapuresenseofduty；shejoinedinthehilarityproducedbyLee’saffectedterrorofhersurgicalmania，andofferedtoundothebandagesinsearchofthethimblehedeclaredshehadleftinthewoundwithaviewtofurtherexperiments。
\"Yououghttobroadenyourpractice，\"hesuggested。\"AgooddealmightbemadeoutofNedandapieceofsoapleftcarelesslyonthefirststepofthestaircase，whilemountainsofsurgicalopportunitieslieinahumbleorangepeeljudiciouslyexposed。
OnlyIwarnyouthatyouwouldn’tfindhimasdocileasIam。
Decoyedintoasnow—driftandfrozen，youmightgetsomevaluableexperiencesinresuscitationbythawinghim。\"
\"Ifanciedyouhaddonethatalready，Kate，\"whisperedMrs。Hale。
\"Freezingisthenewsuggestionforpainlesssurgery，\"saidLee，comingtoKate’sreliefwithreadytact，\"onlytheknowledgeshouldbemoregenerallyspread。TherewasamanupatStrawberryfellunderasledge—loadofwoodinthesnow。Stunnedbytheshock，hewasslowlyfreezingtodeath，when，withatremendouseffort，hesucceededinfreeinghimselfallbuthisrightleg，pinneddownbyasmalllog。Hisaxehappenedtohavefallenwithinreach，andafewblowsonthelogfreedhim。\"
\"Andsavedthepoorfellow’slife，\"saidMrs。Scott，whowaslisteningwithsympathizingintensity。
\"AttheexpenseofhisLEFTLEG，whichhehadunknowinglycutoffunderthepleasingsuppositionthatitwasalog，\"returnedLeedemurely。
Nevertheless，inafewmomentshemanagedtodiverttheslightlyshockedsusceptibilitiesoftheoldladywithsomerailleryofhimself，anddidnotagaininterrupttheevengood—humoredcommunionoftheparty。Therainbeatingagainstthewindowsandthefiresparklingonthehearthseemedtolendacharmtotheirpeculiarisolation，anditwasnotuntilMrs。Scottrosewithawarningthattheyweretrespassingupontherestoftheirpatientthattheydiscoveredthattheeveninghadslippedbyunnoticed。
Whenthedooratlastclosedonthebright，sympatheticeyesofthetwoyoungwomenandthemotherlybenedictionoftheelder，Falknerwalkedtothewindow，andremainedsilent，lookingintothedarkness。Suddenlyheturnedbitterlytohiscompanion。
\"Thisisjusth—ll，George。\"
GeorgeLee，withasmileonhisboyishface，lazilymovedhishead。
\"Idon’tknow!Ifitwasn’tfortheoldwoman，whoistheonesolidchunkofabsolutegoodnesshere，expectingnothing，wantingnothing，itwouldbegoodfunenough!Thesetwowomen，coopedupinthishouse，wantedexcitement。They’vegotit!ThatmanHalewantedtoshowoffbygoingforus；he’shadhischance，andwillhaveitagainbeforeI’vedonewithhim。Thatd——dfoolofamessengerwantedtogooutofhiswaytoexchangeshotswithme；I
reckonhe’sthemostsatisfiedofthelot!Idon’tknowwhyYOU
shouldgrowl。Youdidyourlevelbesttogetawayfromhere，andtheresultis，thatlittlePuritanisreadytoworshipyou。\"
\"Yes——butthisplayingitonthem——George——this——\"
\"Who’splayingit？Notyou；Iseeyou’vegivenawayournamesalready。\"
\"Icouldn’tlie，andtheyknownothingbythat。\"
\"Doyouthinktheywouldbehappierbyknowingit？Doyouthinkthatsoftlittlecreaturewouldbeashappyasshewasto—nightifsheknewthatherhusbandhadbeenindirectlythemeansoflayingmebytheheelshere？Whereistheswindle？Thisholeinmyleg？
Ifyouhadbeenfiveminutesunderthatgirl’sd——dsympatheticfingersyou’dhavethoughtitwasgenuine。Isitinourtryingtogetaway？Doyoucallthatten—feetdriftinthepassaswindle？
IsitinthechanceofHalegettingbackwhilewe’rehere？That’srealenough，isn’tit？Isay，Ned，didyouevergiveyourunfetteredintellecttothecontemplationofTHAT？\"
Falknerdidnotreply。Therewasanintervalofsilence，buthecouldseefromthemovementofGeorge’sshouldersthathewasshakingwithsuppressedlaughter。
\"FancyMrs。Halearchlyintroducingherhusband!Myofferinghimachair，butbeingallthetimeobligedtocoverhimwithaderringerunderthebedclothes。Yourrushinginfromyourpeacefulpastoralpursuitsinthebarn，withapitchforkinonehandandthegirlintheother，anddearoldmammysympathizingallroundandtryingtomakeeverythingcomfortable。\"
\"Ishouldnotbealivetoseeit，George，\"saidFalknergloomily。
\"You’dmanagetopitchforkmeandthosetwowomenonHale’shorseandrideaway；that’swhatyou’ddo，orIdon’tknowyou!Lookhere，Ned，\"headdedmoreseriously，\"theonlyswindlingwasourbringingthatnotehere。ThatwasYOURidea。Youthoughtitwouldremovesuspicion，andasyoubelievedIwasbleedingtodeathyouplayedthatgameforallitwasworthtosaveme。YoumighthavedonewhatIaskedyoutodo——proppedmeupinthebushes，andgotawayyourself。Iwasgoodforacoupleofshotsyet，andafterthat——whatmattered？Thatnight，thenextday，thenexttimeI
taketheroad，orayearhence？Itwillcomewhenitwillcome，allthesame!\"
Hedidnotspeakbitterly，norrelaxhissmile。Falkner，withoutspeaking，slidhishandalongthecoverlet。Leegraspedit，andtheirhandsremainedclaspedtogetherforafewminutesinsilence。
\"Howisthistoend？Wecannotgoonhereinthisway，\"saidFalknersuddenly。
\"Ifwecannotgetawayitmustgoon。Lookhere，Ned。Idon’treckontotakeanythingoutofthishousethatIdidn’tbringinit，orisn’tfreelyofferedtome；yetIdon’totherwise，youunderstand，intendmakingmyselfoutad——dbitbetterthanIam。
That’stheonlyexcuseIhavefornotmakingmyselfoutJUSTWHATI
am。Idon’tknowthefellowwho’sobligedtotelleveryonethelastcompanyhewasin，orthelastthinghedid!DoyousupposeeventheseprettylittlewomentellUStheirwholestory？DoyoufancythatthisSt。Johninthewildernessiscanonizedinhisfamily？Perhaps，whenItakethelibertytointrudeinhisaffairs，ashehasinmine，he’dseeheisn’t。Idon’tblameyouforbeingsensitive，Ned。It’snatural。WhenamanlivesoutsidetherevisedstatutesofhisownStateheisapttobeawfullyfineonpointsofetiquetteinhisownhousehold。Asforme，Ifinditrathercomfortablehere。Thebedsofotherpeople’smakingstrikemeasbeingmoresatisfactorythanmyown。Good—night。\"
Inafewmomentshewassleepingthepeacefulsleepofthatyouthwhichseemedtobehisowndominantquality。Falknerstoodforalittlespaceandwatchedhim，followingtheboyishlinesofhischeekonthepillow，fromtheshadowofthelightbrownlashesunderhisclosedlidstotheliftingofhisshortupperlipoverhiswhiteteeth，withhisregularrespiration。Onlyasharpaccentingofthelineofnostrilandjawandafaintdepressionofthetemplebetrayedhisalreadytriedmanhood。
ThehousehadlongsunktoreposewhenFalknerreturnedtothewindow，andremainedlookingoutuponthestorm。Suddenlyheextinguishedthelight，andpassingquicklytothebedlaidhishanduponthesleeper。Leeopenedhiseyesinstantly。
\"Areyouawake？\"
\"Perfectly。\"
\"Somebodyistryingtogetintothehouse!\"
\"NotHIM，eh？\"saidLeegayly。
\"No；twomen。Mexicans，Ithink。OnelookslikeManuel。\"
\"Ah，\"saidLee，drawinghimselfuptoasittingposture。
\"Well？\"
\"Don’tyousee？Hebelievesthewomenarealone。\"
\"Thedog——d——dhound!\"
\"Speakrespectfullyofoneofmypeople，ifyouplease，andhandmemyderringer。Lightthecandleagain，andopenthedoor。Letthemgetinquietly。They’llcomeherefirst。It’sHISroom，youunderstand，andifthere’sanymoneyit’shere。Anyway，theymustpassheretogettothewomen’srooms。LeaveManueltome，andyoutakecareoftheother。\"
\"Isee。\"
\"Manuelknowsthehouse，andwillcomefirst。Whenhe’sfairlyintheroomshutthedoorandgofortheother。Butnonoise。ThisisjustoneoftheSW—EETESTthingsout——ifit’sdoneproperly。\"
\"ButYOU，George？\"
\"IfIcouldn’tmanagethatfellowwithoutturningdownthebedclothesI’dkickmyself。Hush。Steadynow。\"
Helaydownandshuthiseyesasifinnaturalrepose。Onlyhisrighthand，carelesslyplacedunderhispillow，closedonthehandleofhispistol。Falknerquietlyslippedintothepassage。
Thelightofthecandlefaintlyilluminatedthefloorandoppositewall，butleftitoneithersideinpitchyobscurity。
Forsomemomentsthesilencewasbrokenonlybythesoundoftherainwithout。Therecumbentfigureinbedseemedtohaveactuallysuccumbedtosleep。Themultitudinoussmallnoisesofahouseinreposemighthavebeenmisinterpretedbyearslesskeenthanthesleeper’s；butwhentheapparentcreakingofafar—offshutterwasfollowedbytheslidingapparitionofadarkheadoftangledhairatthedoor，Leehadnotbeendeceived，andwasaspreparedasifhehadseenit。Anotherstep，andthefigureenteredtheroom。
Thedoorclosedinstantlybehindit。Thesoundofaheavybodystrugglingagainstthepartitionoutsidefollowed，andthensuddenlyceased。
Theintruderturned，andviolentlygraspedthehandleofthedoor，butrecoiledataquietvoicefromthebed。
\"Dropthat，andcomehere。\"
Hestartedbackwithanexclamation。Thesleeper’seyeswerewideopen；thesleeper’sextendedarmandpistolcoveredhim。
\"Silence!orI’llletthatcandleshinethroughyou!\"
\"Yes，captain!\"growledtheastoundedandfrightenedhalf—breed。
\"Ididn’tknowyouwerehere。\"
Leeraisedhimself，andgraspedthelongwhipinhislefthandandwhirleditroundhishead。
\"WILLYOUdryup？\"
Themansankbackagainstthewallinsilentterror。
\"Openthatdoornow——softly。\"
Manuelobeyedwithtremblingfingers。
\"Ned\"saidLeeinalowvoice，\"bringhiminhere——quick。\"
Therewasaslightrustle，andFalknerappeared，backinginanothergaspingfigure，whoseeyeswerestartingunderthestronggraspofthecaptorathisthroat。
\"Silence，\"saidLee，\"allofyou。\"
Therewasabreathlesspause。Thesoundofadoorhesitatinglyopenedinthepassagebrokethestillness，followedbythegentlevoiceofMrs。Scott。
\"Isanythingthematter？\"
LeemadeaslightgestureofwarningtoFalkner，ofmenacetotheothers。\"Everything’sthematter，\"hecalledoutcheerily。\"Ned’smanagedtohalfpulldownthehousetryingtogetatsomethingfrommysaddle—bags。\"
\"Ihopehehasnothurthimself，\"brokeinanothervoicemischievously。
\"Answer，youclumsyvillain，\"whisperedLee，withtwinklingeyes。
\"I’mallright，thankyou，\"respondedFalkner，withunaffectedawkwardness。
Therewasaslightmurmuringofvoices，andthenthedoorwasheardtoclose。LeeturnedtoFalkner。
\"Disarmthathoundandturnhimlooseoutside，andmakenonoise。
Andyou，Manuel!tellhimwhathisandyourchancesareifheshowshisblackfacehereagain。\"
Manuelcastasingle，terrified，supplicatingglance，moresuggestivethanwords，athisconfederate，asFalknershovedhimbeforehimfromtheroom。Thenextmomenttheyweresilentlydescendingthestairs。
\"MayIgotoo，captain？\"entreatedManuel。\"IsweartoGod——\"
\"Shutthedoor!\"Themanobeyed。
\"Now，then，\"saidLee，withabroad，gratifiedsmile，layingdownhiswhipandpistolwithinreach，andcomfortablysettlingthepillowsbehindhisback，\"we’llhaveaquietconfab。Asortofold—fashionedtalk，eh？You’renotlookingwell，Manuel。You’redrinkingtoomuchagain。Itspoilsyourcomplexion。\"
\"Letmego，captain，\"pleadedtheman，emboldenedbythegood—
humoredvoice，butnotnearenoughtonoticeapeculiarlightinthespeaker’seye。
\"You’veonlyjustcome，Manuel；andatconsiderabletrouble，too。
Well，whathaveyougottosay？What’sallthisabout？Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
Thecapturedmanshuffledhisfeetnervously，andonlyutteredanuneasylaughofcoarsediscomfiture。
\"Isee。You’rebashful。Well，I’llhelpyoualong。Come!YouknewthatHalewasawayandthesewomenwereherewithoutamantohelpthem。Youthoughtyou’dfindsomemoneyhere，andhaveyourownwaygenerally，eh？\"
ThetoneofLee’svoiceinspiredhimtoconfidence；unfortunately，itinspiredhimwithfamiliarityalso。
\"IreckonedIhadtherighttoalittlefunonmyownaccount，cap。
Ireckonedezonegentlemanintheprofessionwouldn’tinterferewithanothergentleman’slittlegame，\"hecontinuedcoarsely。
\"Standup。\"
\"Wotfor？\"
\"Up，Isay!\"
Manuelstoodupandglancedathim。
\"Utteracrythatmightfrightenthesewomen，andbythelivingGodthey’llrushinhereonlytofindyoulyingdeadonthefloorofthehouseyou’dhavepolluted。\"
Hegraspedthewhipandlaidthelashofitheavilytwiceovertheruffian’sshoulders。Writhinginsuppressedagony，themanfellimploringlyonhisknees。
\"Now，listen!\"saidLee，softlytwirlingthewhipintheair。\"I
wanttorefreshyourmemory。Didyoueverlearn，whenyouwerewithme——beforeIwasobligedtokickyououtofgentlemen’scompany——tobreakintoaprivatehouse？Answer!\"
\"No，\"stammeredthewretch。
\"Didyoueverlearntorobawoman，achild，oranybutaman，andthatfacetoface？\"
\"No，\"repeatedManuel。
\"Didyoueverlearnfrommetolayafingeruponawoman，oldoryoung，inangerorkindness？\"
\"No。\"
\"Then，mypoorManuel，it’sasIfeared；civilizationhasruinedyou。Farmingandasimple，bucoliclifehavepervertedyourmorals。Soyouwererunningoffwiththestockandthatmustang，whenyougotstuckinthesnow；andtheluminousideaofthislittlegamestruckyou？Eh？Thatwasanothermistake，Manuel；I
neverallowedyoutothinkwhenyouwerewithme。\"
\"No，captain。\"
\"Who’syourfriend？\"
\"Ad——dcowardlyniggerfromtheSummit。\"
\"Iagreewithyouforonce；buthehasn’thadaverybrilliantexample。Where’shegonenow？\"
\"Toh—ll，forallIcare!\"
\"ThenIwantyoutogowithhim。Listen。Ifthere’sawayoutoftheplace，youknowitorcanfindit。Igiveyoutwodaystodoit——youandhe。Attheendofthattimetheorderwillbetoshootyouonsight。Nowtakeoffyourboots。\"
Theman’sdarkfacevisiblywhitened，histeethchatteredinsuperstitiousterror。
\"I’mnotgoingtoshootyounow，\"saidLee，smiling，\"soyouwillhaveachancetodiewithyourbootson，*ifyouaresuperstitious。
IonlywantyoutoexchangethemforthatpairofHale’sinthecorner。ThefactisIhavetakenafancytoyours。Thatfashionofwearingthestockingsoutsidestrikesmeasoneoftheneatestthingsout。\"
*\"Todiewithone’sbootson。\"Asynonymfordeathbyviolence，popularamongSouthwesterndesperadoes，andthesubjectofsuperstitiousdread。
Manuelsuddenlydrewoffhisbootswiththeirmuffledcovering，andputontheonesdesignated。
\"Nowopenthedoor。\"
Hedidso。Falknerwasalreadywaitingatthethreshold，\"TurnManuelloosewiththeother，Ned，butdisarmhimfirst。Theymightquarrel。Thehabitofcarryingarms，Manuel，\"addedLee，asFalknertookapistolandbowie—knifefromthehalf—breed，\"isofitselfprovocativeofviolence，andinconsistentwithabucolicandpastorallife。\"
WhenFalknerreturnedhesaidhurriedlytohiscompanion，\"Doyouthinkitwise，George，toletthosehell—houndsloose？GoodGod!
Icouldscarcelyletmygripofhisthroatgo，whenIthoughtofwhattheywerehunting。\"
\"MydearNed，\"saidLee，luxuriouslyensconcinghimselfunderthebedclothesagainwithaslightshiverofdeliciouswarmth，\"Imustwarnyouagainstallowingthenaturalprideofahigherwalktoprejudiceyouagainstthegenerallevelofourprofession。Indeed，IwasquitestruckwiththejusticeofManuel’sprotestthatIwasinterferingwithcertainrudeprocessesofhisowntowardsresultsaimedatbyothers。\"
\"George!\"interruptedFalkner，almostsavagely。
\"Well。Iadmitit’sgettingratherlateintheeveningforpurephilosophicalinquiry，andyouaretired。Practically，then，itWASwisetoletthemgetawaybeforetheydiscoveredtwothings。
One，ourexactrelationsherewiththesewomen；andtheother，HOW
MANYofuswerehere。Atpresenttheythinkwearethreeorfourinpossessionandwiththeconsentofthewomen。\"
\"Thedogs!\"
\"Theyarepayingusthehighestcomplimenttheycanconceiveofbysupposingusclevererscoundrelsthanthemselves。Youareveryunjust，Ned。\"
\"Iftheyescapeandtelltheirstory？\"
\"Weshallhavetherarepleasureofknowingwearebetterthanpeoplebelieveus。Andnowputthosebootsawaysomewherewherewecanproducethemifnecessary，asevidenceofManuel’seveningcall。Atpresentwe’llkeepthethingquiet，andintheearlymorningyoucanfindoutwheretheygotinandremoveanytracestheyhaveleft。Itisnousetofrightenthewomen。There’snofearoftheirreturning。\"
\"Andiftheygetaway？\"
\"Wecanfollowintheirtracks。\"
\"IfManuelgivesthealarm？\"
\"Withhisburglariousbootsleftbehindinthehouse？Notmuch!
Good—night，Ned。Gotobed。\"
WiththesewordsLeeturnedonhissideandquietlyresumedhisinterruptedslumber。Falknerdidnot，however，followthissensibleadvice。Whenhewassatisfiedthathisfriendwassleepingheopenedthedoorsoftlyandlookedout。Hedidnotappeartobelistening，forhiseyeswerefixeduponasmallpenciloflightthatstoleacrossthepassagefromthefootofKate’sdoor。Hewatchedituntilitsuddenlydisappeared，when，leavingthedoorpartlyopen，hethrewhimselfonhiscouchwithoutremovinghisclothes。Theslightmovementawakenedthesleeper，whowasbeginningtofeeltheaccessionoffever。Hemovedrestlessly。
\"George，\"saidFalkner，softly。
\"Yes。\"
\"WherewasitwepassedthatoldMissionChurchontheroadonedarknight，andsawthelightburningbeforethefigureoftheVirginthroughthewindow？\"
Therewasamomentofcrushingsilence。\"Doesthatmeanyou’rewantingtolightthecandleagain？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thendon’tliethereinventingsacrilegiousconundrums，butgotosleep。\"
Nevertheless，inthemorninghisfeverwasslightlyworse。Mrs。
Hale，offeringhercondolence，said，\"Iknowthatyouhavenotbeenrestingwell，forevenafteryourfriendmetwiththatmishapinthehall，Iheardyourvoices，andKatesaysyourdoorwasopenallnight。Youhavealittlefevertoo，Mr。Falkner。\"
GeorgelookedcuriouslyatFalkner’spaleface——itwasburning。
CHAPTERV
ThespeedandfurywithwhichClinch’scavalcadesweptoninthedirectionofthemysteriousshotleftHalenochanceforreflection。Hewasconsciousofshoutingincoherentlywiththeothers，ofurginghishorseirresistiblyforward，ofmomentarilyexpectingtomeetorovertakesomething，butwithoutanyfurtherthought。ThefiguresofClinchandRawlinsimmediatelybeforehimshutouttheprospectofthenarrowingtrail。Onceonly，takingadvantageofasuddenhaltthatthrewthemconfusedlytogether，hemanagedtoaskaquestion。
\"Losttheirtrack——founditagain!\"shoutedtheostler，asClinch，withacrylikethebayingofahound，againdartedforward。Theirhorseswerepantingandtremblingunderthem，theascentseemedtobegrowingsteeper，asingulardarkness，whicheventhedensityofthewooddidnotsufficientlyaccountfor，surroundedthem，butstilltheirleadermadlyurgedthemon。ToHale’sreturningsensestheydidnotseeminaconditiontoengageasingleresoluteman，whomighthaveambushedinthewoodsorbeatenthemindetailinthenarrowgorge，butinanotherinstantthereasonoftheirfurioushastewasmanifest。Spurringhishorseahead，Clinchdashedoutintotheopenwithacheeringshout——ashoutthatasquicklychangedtoayellofimprecation。TheywereontheRidgeinablindingsnow—storm!Theroadhadalreadyvanishedundertheirfeet，andwithitthefreshtrailtheyhadsocloselyfollowed!Theystoodhelplesslyontheshoreofatracklesswhitesea，blankandspotlessofanytraceorsignofthefugitives。
\"’Pearstome，boys，\"saidtheostler，suddenlyrangingbeforethem，\"efyou’renotkalkilatin’ongittin’anotherpartytodigyeout，ye’dbetterbehuntin’fodderandcoverinsteadofroadagents。’Skuseme，gentlemen，butI’mresponsibleforthehosses，andthisain’tnotimeforcircus—ridin’。We’reamattero’sixmilesfromthestationinabeeline。\"
\"Backtothetrail，then，\"saidClinch，wheelinghishorsetowardstheroadtheyhadjustquitted。
\"’Skuseme，Kernel，\"saidtheostler，layinghishandonClinch’srein，\"butthatwayonlybringsusbacktheroadwekem——thestageroad——threemilesfurtherfromhome。Thatthreemilesisonthedivide，andbythetimewegetthereitwillbesnowedupworsenorthis。TheshortestcutisalongtheRidge。Ifwehumpourselveswekencrossthedivideaforetheroadisblocked。Andthat，’skuseme，gentlemen，isMYroad。\"
Therewasnotimefordiscussion。Theroadwasalreadypalpablythickeningundertheirfeet。Hale’sarmwasstiffenedtohissidebyawet，clingingsnow—wreath。Thefiguresoftheotherswerealmostobliteratedandshapeless。Itwasnotsnowing——itwassnowballing!Thehugeflakes，shakenlikeenormousfeathersoutofavastblue—blackcloud，commingledandfellinspraysandpatches。
Allideaoftheirformerpursuitwasforgotten；theblindrageandenthusiasmthathadpossessedthemwasgone。Theydashedaftertheirnewleaderwithonlyaninstinctforshelterandsuccor。
Theyhadnotriddenlongwhenfortunately，asitseemedtoHale，thecharacterofthestormchanged。Thesnownolongerfellinsuchlargeflakes，norasheavily。Abitterwindsucceeded；thesoftsnowbegantostiffenandcrackleunderthehorses’hoofs；
theywerenolongerweightedandencumberedbythedriftsupontheirbodies；thesmallerflakesnowrustledandraspedagainstthemlikesand，orboundedfromthemlikehail。Theyseemedtobemovingmoreeasilyandrapidly，theirspiritswererisingwiththestimulusofcoldandmotion，whensuddenlytheirleaderhalted。
\"It’snouse，boys。Itcan’tbedone!Thisisnoblizzard，butaregulartwodays’snifter!It’snolongermeltin’，butpackin’anddriftin’now。Evenifwegetoverthedivide，we’resuretobeblockedupinthepass。\"
Itwastrue!Totheirbitterdisappointmenttheycouldnowseethatthesnowhadnotreallydiminishedinquantity，butthatthenowfinely—powderedparticleswererapidlyfillingallinequalitiesofthesurface，packingcloselyagainstprojections，andswirlinginlongfurrowsacrossthelevels。Theylookedwithanxietyattheirself—constitutedleader。
\"Wemustmakeabreaktogetdowninthewoodsagainbeforeit’stoolate，\"hesaidbriefly。
ButtheyhadalreadydriftedawayfromthefringeoflarchesanddwarfpinesthatmarkedthesidesoftheRidge，andlowerdownmergedintothedenseforestthatclothedtheflankofthemountaintheyhadlatelyclimbed，anditwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheyagainreachedit，onlytofindthatatthatpointitwastooprecipitousforthedescentoftheirhorses。Benumbedandspeechless，theycontinuedtotoilon，opposedtothefullfuryofthestingingsnow，andattimesobligedtoturntheirhorsestotheblasttokeepfrombeingblownovertheRidge。Attheendofhalfanhourtheostlerdismounted，and，beckoningtotheothers，tookhishorsebythebridle，andbeganthedescent。WhenitcametoHale’sturntodismounthecouldnothelpatfirstrecoilingfromtheprospectbeforehim。Thetrail——ifitcouldbesocalled——wasmerelythetrackorfurrowofsomefallentreedragged，byaccidentordesign，diagonallyacrossthesidesofthemountain。Attimesitappearedscarcelyafootinwidth；atothertimesamerecrumblinggully，oranarrowshelfmadebytheprojectionsofdeadboughsandcollecteddebris。Itseemedperilousforafootpassenger，itappearedimpossibleforahorse。Nevertheless，hehadtakenastepforwardwhenClinchlaidhishandonhisarm。
\"You’llbringuptherear，\"hesaidnotunkindly，\"ezyou’reastrangerhere。Waituntilwesingouttoyou。\"
\"ButifIprefertotakethesamerisksasyouall？\"saidHalestiffly。
\"Youkin，\"saidClinchgrimly。\"ButIreckoned，asyouwern’tfamiliarwiththissorto’thing，youwouldn’tkeer，byanyfoolishnesso’yours，tostampedetherocksaheadofus，andbreakdownthetrail，orsenddownanavalancheontopofus。Butjustezyoulike。\"
\"Iwillwait，then，\"saidHalehastily。
Therebuke，however，didhimgoodservice。Itpreoccupiedhismind，sothatitremainedunaffectedbythedizzydepths，andenabledhimtoabandonhimselfmechanicallytothesagacityofhishorse，whowascontentedsimplytofollowthehoofprintsoftheprecedinganimal，andinafewmomentstheyreachedthebroadertrailwithoutamishap。Adiscussionregardingtheirfuturemovementswasalreadytakingplace。TheimpossibilityofregainingthestationattheSummitwasadmitted；thewaydownthemountaintothenextsettlementwasstilllefttothem，ortheadjacentwoods，iftheywishedforanencampment。Theostleroncemoreassumedauthority。
\"’Skuseme，gentlemen，butthemhorsesdon’ttakenopaseardownthemountainto—night。Thestage—roadain’tamileoff，andI
kalkilatetowaitheretilltheupstagecomes。She’sboundtostoponaccountofthesnow；andI’vedonemydootywhenIhandthehorsesovertothedriver。\"
\"Butifshehearsoftheblockupyer，andwaitsatthelowerstation？\"saidRawlins。
\"ThenI’vedonemydootyallthesame。’Skuseme，gentlemen，butthemezheztheirownhorseskindoeztheylike。\"
AsthisclearlypointedtoHale，hebrieflyassuredhiscompanionsthathehadnointentionofdesertingthem。\"IfIcannotreachEagle’sCourt，Ishallatleastkeepasnearitaspossible。I
supposeanymessengerfrommyhousetotheSummitwilllearnwhereIamandwhyIamdelayed？\"
\"Messengerfromyourhouse!\"gaspedRawlins。\"Areyoucrazy，stranger？OnlyabirdwouldgetouterEagle’snow；anditwouldhevtobeaneagleatthat!BetweenyourhouseandtheSummitthesnowmustbetenfeetbythistime，tosaynothingofthedriftinthepass。\"
Halefeltitwasthetruth。Atanyothertimehewouldhaveworriedoverthisunexpectedsituation，andutterviolationofallhistraditions。Hewaspastthatnow，andevenfeltacertainrelief。Heknewhisfamilyweresafe；itwasenough。Thattheywerelockedupsecurely，andincapableofinterferingwithHIM，seemedtoenhancehisnew，half—conscious，half—shyenjoymentofanadventurousexistence。
Theostler，whohadbeenapparentlylostincontemplationofthesteeptrailhehadjustdescended，suddenlyclappedhishandtohislegwithanejaculationofgratifiedastonishment。
\"Waal，darnmyskinefthatain’tHennicker’s’slide’allthetime!
Ihearditwassomewhatabouthere。\"
RawlinsbrieflyexplainedtoHalethataslidewasarudeinclineforthetransitofheavygoodsthatcouldnotbecarrieddownatrail。
\"AndHennicker’s，\"continuedtheman，\"ain’tmorenoramileaway。
YemighttryHennicker’satapush，eh？\"
ByacommoninstinctthewholepartylookeddubiouslyatHale。
\"Who’sHennicker？\"hefeltcompelledtoask。
Theostlerhesitated，andglancedattheotherstoreply。\"ThereAREfolks，\"hesaidlazily，atlast，\"ezbeleevesthatHennickerain’tmuchbetternorthecrowdwe’rehunting；buttheydon’tsayitTOHennicker。Weneedn’tletonwhatwe’reafter。\"
\"Iforone，\"saidHalestoutly，\"decidedlyobjecttoanyconcealmentofourpurpose。\"
\"Itdon’tfollow，\"saidRawlinscarelessly，\"thatHennickerevenknowsofthisyerrobbery。It’shisgineralgaitwereferto。Efyerthinkitmorepolite，anditmakesitmoresociabletodiscussthismatteraforehim，I’magreed。\"
\"Halemeans，\"saidClinch，\"thatitwouldn’tbeonthesquaretotakeandmakeuseofanypointswemightpickupthereagintheroadagents。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidHale。Itwasnotatallwhathehadmeant，buthefeltsingularlyrelievedatthecompromise。
\"AndezIreckonHennickerain’tsuchafooleznottoknowwhoweareandwhatwe’reoutfor，\"continuedClinch，\"Ireckonthereain’tanyconcealment。\"
\"Thenit’sHennicker’s？\"saidtheostler，withswiftdeduction。
