\"Oh，bosh，itisn’tcomingtothat;butIwishhewereinbettershape。Heisbrokenupbadlywithoutthisholeinhim。\"
HewouldnotleavetillIhadpromisedtotakehimupthenextday，thoughIwasdoubtfulenoughofhisreception。ButnextdayTheDukecamedown，hisblackbronco，Jingo，wetwithhardriding。
\"Bettercomeup，Connor，\"hesaid，gravely，\"andbringyourbromidesalong。HehashadabadnightandmorningandfellasleeponlybeforeIcameaway。Iexpecthe’llwakeindelirium。It’sthewhiskymorethanthebullet。Snakes，youknow。\"
Intenminuteswethreewereonthetrail，forMoore，thoughnotinvited，quietlyannouncedhisintentiontogowithus。
\"Oh，allright，\"saidTheDuke，indifferently，\"heprobablywon’trecognizeyouanyway。\"
WerodehardforhalfanhourtillwecamewithinsightofBruce’sshack，whichwassetbackintoalittlepoplarbluff。
\"Holdup！\"saidTheDuke。\"Wasthatashot？\"Westoodlistening。
Arifle-shotrangout，andwerodehard。AgainTheDukehaltedus，andtherecamefromtheshackthesoundofsinging。ItwasanoldScotchtune。
\"Thetwenty-thirdPsalm，\"saidMoore，inalowvoice。
Werodeintothebluff，tiedupourhorsesandcrepttothebackoftheshack。Lookingthroughacrackbetweenthelogs，Isawagruesomething。BrucewassittingupinbedwithaWinchesterrifleacrosshiskneesandabeltofcartridgeshangingoverthepost。Hisbandagesweretornoff，thebloodfromhiswoundwassmearedoverhisbarearmsandhispale，ghastlyface;hiseyeswerewildwithmadterror，andhewasshoutingatthetopofhisvoicethewords：
\"TheLord’smyshepherd，I’llnotwant，HemakesmedowntolieInpasturesgreen，HeleadethmeThequietwatersby。\"
Nowandthenhewouldstoptosayinanawesomewhisper，\"Comeouthere，youlittledevils！\"andbangwouldgohisrifleatthestovepipe，whichwasriddledwithholes。ThenoncemoreinaloudvoicehewouldhurrytobeginthePsalm，\"TheLord’smyShepherd。\"
Nothingthatmymemorybringstomemakesmechilllikethatpicture——thelowlogshack，nowincheerlessdisorder;theghastlyobjectuponthebedinthecorner，withblood-smearedfaceandarmsandmadterrorintheeyes;theawfulcursingsandmoreawfulpsalm-singing，punctuatedbythequickreportofthedeadlyrifle。
Forsomemomentswestoodgazingatoneanother;thenTheDukesaid，inalow，fiercetone，moretohimselfthantous：
\"Thisisthelast。There’llbenomoreofthiscursedfollyamongtheboys。\"
AndIthoughtitawisethinginThePilotthatheanswerednotaword。
CHAPTERVIII
THEPILOT’SGRIP
Thesituationwasoneofextremedanger——amadmanwithaWinchesterrifle。Somethingmustbedoneandquickly。Butwhat？Itwouldbedeathtoanyoneappearingatthedoor。
\"I’llspeak;youkeepyoureyesonhim，\"saidTheDuke。
\"Hello，Bruce！What’stherow？\"shoutedTheDuke。
Instantlythesingingstopped。Alookofcunningdelightcameoverhisfaceas，withoutaword，hegothisriflereadypointedatthedoor。
\"Comein！\"heyelled，afterwaitingforsomemoments。\"Comein！
You’rethebiggestofallthedevils。Comeon，I’llsendyoudownwhereyoubelong。Come，what’skeepingyou？\"
Overtherifle-barrelhiseyesgleamedwithfrenzieddelight。Weconsultedastoaplan。
\"Idon’trelishabulletmuch，\"Isaid。
\"Therearepleasanterthings，\"respondedTheDuke，\"andheisafairlygoodshot。\"
Meantimethesinginghadstartedagain，and，lookingthroughthechink，IsawthatBrucehadgothiseyeonthestovepipeagain。
WhileIwaslookingThePilotslippedawayfromustowardthedoor。
\"Comeback！\"saidtheDuke，\"don’tbeafool！Comeback，he’llshootyoudead！\"
Moorepaidnoheedtohim，butstoodwaitingatthedoor。InafewmomentsBruceblazedawayagainatthestovepipe。ImmediatelythePilotburstin，callingouteagerly：
\"Didyougethim？\"
\"No！\"saidBruce，disappointedly，\"hedodgedlikethedevil，asofcourseheought，youknow。\"
\"I’llgethim，\"saidMoore。\"Smokehimout，\"proceedingtoopenthestovedoor。
\"Stop！\"screamedBruce，\"don’topenthatdoor！It’sfull，Itellyou。\"Moorepaused。\"Besides，\"wentonBruce，\"smokewon’ttouch’em。\"
\"Oh，that’sallright，\"saidMoore，coollyandwithadmirablequickness，\"woodsmoke，youknow——theycan’tstandthat。\"
ThiswasapparentlyanewideaindemonologyforBruce，forhesankback，whileMoorelightedthefireandputonthetea-kettle。Helookedroundforthetea-caddy。
\"Upthere，\"saidBruce，forgettingforthemomenthisdevils，andpointingtoaquaint，old-fashionedtea-caddyupontheshelf。
Mooretookitdown，turneditinhishandsandlookedatBruce。
\"Oldcountry，eh？\"
\"Mymother’s，\"saidBruce，soberly。
\"Icouldhaveswornitwasmyaunt’sinBalleymena，\"saidMoore。
\"Myauntlivedinalittlestonecottagewithrosesalloverthefrontofit。\"Andonhewentintoanenthusiasticdescriptionofhisearlyhome。Hisvoicewasfullofmusic，softandsoothing，andpoorBrucesankbackandlistened，theglitterfadingfromhiseyes。
TheDukeandIlookedateachother。
\"Nottoobad，eh？\"saidTheDuke，afterafewmoments’silence。
\"Let’sputupthehorses，\"Isuggested。\"Theywon’twantusforhalfanhour。\"
Whenwecamein，theroomhadbeensetinorder，thetea-kettlewassinging，thebedclothesstraightenedout，andMoorehadjustfinishedwashingthebloodstainsfromBruce’sarmsandneck。
\"Justintime，\"hesaid。\"Ididn’tliketotacklethese，\"pointingtothebandages。
AllnightlongMooresoothedandtendedthesickman，nowsingingsoftlytohim，andagainbeguilinghimwithtalesthatmeantnothing，butthathadastrangepowertoquietthenervousrestlessness，duepartlytothepainofthewoundedarmandpartlytothenerve-wreckingfromhismonthsofdissipation。TheDukeseemeduncomfortableenough。HespoketoBruceonceortwice，buttheonlyanswerwasagroanorcursewithanincreaseofrestlessness。
\"He’llhaveaclosesqueak，\"saidTheDuke。Thecarelessnessofthetonewasalittleoverdone，butThePilotwasstirredupbyit。
\"Hehasnotbeenfortunateinhisfriends，\"hesaid，lookingstraightintohiseyes。
\"Amanoughttoknowhimselfwhenthepaceistooswift，\"saidTheDuke，alittlemorequicklythanwashiswont。
\"Youmighthavedoneanythingwithhim。Whydidn’tyouhelphim？\"
Moore’stonesweresternandverysteady，andhenevermovedhiseyesfromtheotherman’sface，buttheonlyreplyhegotwasashrugoftheshoulders。
WhenthegrayofthemorningwascominginatthewindowTheDukeroseup，gavehimself，alittleshake，andsaid：
\"Iamnotofanyservicehere。Ishallcomebackintheevening。\"
Hewentandstoodforafewmomentslookingdownuponthehot，feveredface;then，turningtome，heasked：
\"Whatdoyouthink？\"
\"Can’tsay！Thebromideisholdinghimdownjustnow。Hisbloodisbadforthatwound。\"
\"CanIgetanything？\"Iknewhimwellenoughtorecognizetheanxietyunderhisindifferentmanner。
\"TheFortdoctoroughttobegot。\"
Henoddedandwentout。
\"Havebreakfast？\"calledoutMoorefromthedoor。
\"IshallgetsomeattheFort，thanks。Theywon’ttakeanyhurtfrommethere，\"hesaid，smilinghiscynicalsmile。
Mooreopenedhiseyesinsurprise。
\"What’sthatfor？\"heaskedme。
\"Well，heisrathercutup，andyouratherrubbeditintohim，youknow，\"Isaid，forIthoughtMoorealittlehard。
\"DidIsayanythinguntrue？\"
\"Well，notuntrue，perhaps;buttruthislikemedicine——notalwaysgoodtotake。\"AtwhichMoorewassilenttillhispatientneededhimagain。
Itwasawearyday。Theintensepainfromthewound，andthehighfeverfromthepoisoninhisbloodkeptthepoorfellowindeliriumtillevening，whenTheDukerodeupwiththeFortdoctor。Jingoappearedasnearlyplayedoutasahorseofhisspiriteverallowedhimselftobecome。
\"Seventymiles，\"saidTheDuke，swinginghimselfoffthesaddle。
\"Thedoctorwastenmilesout。Howishe？\"
Ishookmyhead，andheledawayhishorsetogivehimarubandafeed。
Meantimethedoctor，whowasofthearmyandhadseenservice，wasexamininghispatient。Hegrewmoreandmorepuzzledashenotedthevarioussymptoms。Finallyhebrokeout：
\"Whathaveyoubeendoingtohim？Whyisheinthiscondition？
Thisfleabitedoesn’taccountforall，\"pointingtothewound。
Westoodlikechildrenreproved。ThenTheDukesaid，hesitatingly：
\"Ifear，doctor，thelifehasbeenalittletoohardforhim。Hehadaseverenervousattack——seeingthings，youknow。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"stormedtheolddoctor。\"Iknowyouwellenough，withyourheadofcast-ironandnonervestospeakof。Iknowthecrowdandhowyouleadthem。Infernalfools！You’llgetyourturnsomeday。I’vewarnedyoubefore。\"
TheDukewasstandingupbeforethedoctorduringthisstorm，smilingslightly。Allatoncethesmilefadedoutandhepointedtothebed。Brucewassittingupquietandsteady。HestretchedouthishandtoTheDuke。
\"Don’tmindtheoldfool，\"hesaid，holdingTheDuke’shandandlookingupathimasfondlyasifhewereagirl。\"It’smyownfuneral——funeral？\"hepaused——\"Perhapsitmaybe——whoknows？——feelqueerenough——butremember，Duke——it’smyownfault——don’tlistentothoseballyfools，\"lookingtowardsMooreandthedoctor。\"Myownfault\"——hisvoicedieddown——\"myownfault。\"
TheDukebentoverhimandlaidhimbackonthepillow，saying，\"Thanks，oldchap，you’regoodstuff。I’llnotforget。Justkeepquietandyou’llbeallright。\"Hepassedhiscool，firmhandoverthehotbrowofthemanlookingupathimwithloveinhiseyes，andinafewmomentsBrucefellasleep。ThenTheDukeliftedhimselfup，andfacingthedoctor，saidinhiscoolesttone：
\"Yourwordsaremoretruethanopportune，doctor。Yourpatientwillneedallyourattention。Asformymorals，Mr。Moorekindlyentrustshimselfwiththecareofthem。\"ThiswithabowtowardThePilot。
\"Iwishhimjoyofhischarge，\"snortedthedoctor，turningagaintothebed，whereBrucehadalreadypassedintodelirium。
Thememoryofthatvigilwaslikeahorriblenightmareformonths。
Moorelayonthefloorandslept。TheDukerodeoffsomewhither。
TheolddoctorandIkeptwatch。AllnightpoorBruceravedinthewildestdelirium，singing，nowpsalms，nowsongs，swearingatthecattleorhispokerpartners，andnowandthen，inquietermoments，hewasbackinhisoldhome，aboy，withaboy’sfriendsandsports。Nothingcouldcheckthefever。Itbaffledthedoctor，whooften，duringthenight，declaredthattherewas\"nosenseinawoundlikethatworkingupsuchafever，\"addingcursesuponthefollyofTheDukeandhisCompany。
\"Youdon’tthinkhewillnotgetbetter，doctor？\"Iasked，inanswertooneofhisoutbreaks。
\"Heoughttogetoverthis，\"heanswered，impatiently，\"butI
believe，\"headded，deliberately，\"he’llhavetogo。\"
Everythingstoodstillforamoment。Itseemedimpossible。Twodaysagofulloflife，nowonthewayout。Therecrowdedinuponmethoughtsofhishome;hismother，whoselettersheusedtoshowmefullofanxiouslove;hiswildlifehere，withallitsgenerousimpulses，itsmistakes，itsfolly。
\"Howlongwillhelast？\"Iasked，andmylipsweredryandnumb。
\"Perhapstwenty-fourhours，perhapslonger。Hecan’tthrowoffthepoison。\"
Theolddoctorprovedatrueprophet。Afteranotherdayofagonizeddeliriumhesankintoastuporwhichlastedthroughthenight。
Thenthechangecame。Asthelightbegantogrowattheeasternrimoftheprairieandupthefarmountainsinthewest，Bruceopenedhiseyesandlookedaboutuponus。Thedoctorhadgone;TheDukehadnotcomeback;MooreandIwerealone。Hegazedatussteadilyforsomemoments;readourfaces;alookofwondercameintohiseyes。
\"Isitcoming？\"heaskedinafaint，awedvoice。\"DoyoureallythinkImustgo？\"
Theeagerappealinhisvoiceandthewistfullonginginthewide-
open，startledeyesweretoomuchforMoore。HebackedbehindmeandIcouldhearhimweepinglikeababy。Bruceheardhim，too。
\"IsthatThePilot？\"heasked。InstantlyMoorepulledhimselfup，wipedhiseyesandcameroundtotheothersideofthebedandlookeddown，smiling。
\"DoYOUsayIamdying？\"Thevoicewasstrainedinitsearnestness。
IfeltathrillofadmirationgothroughmeasthePilotansweredinasweet，clearvoice：\"Theysayso，Bruce。Butyouarenotafraid？\"
Brucekepthiseyesonhisfaceandansweredwithgravehesitation：
\"No——not——afraid——butI’dliketolivealittlelonger。I’vemadesuchamessofit，I’dliketotryagain。\"Thenhepaused，andhislipsquiveredalittle。\"There’smymother，youknow，\"headded，apologetically，\"andJim。\"Jimwashisyoungerbrotherandswornchum。
\"Yes，Iknow，Bruce，butitwon’tbeverylongforthem，too，andit’sagoodplace。\"
\"Yes，Ibelieveitall——alwaysdid——talkedrot——you’llforgivemethat？\"
\"Don’t;don’t，\"saidMoorequickly，withsharppaininhisvoice，andBrucesmiledalittleandclosedhiseyes，saying：\"I’mtired。\"
Butheimmediatelyopenedthemagainandlookedup。
\"Whatisit？\"askedMoore，smilingdownintohiseyes。
\"TheDuke，\"thepoorlipswhispered。
\"Heiscoming，\"saidMoore，confidently，thoughhowheknewIcouldnottell。Butevenashespoke，lookingoutofthewindow，IsawJingocomeswingingroundthebluff。Bruceheardthebeatofhishoofs，smiled，openedhiseyesandwaited。TheleapofjoyinhiseyesasTheDukecamein，clean，coolandfreshasthemorning，wenttomyheart。
Neithermansaidaword，butBrucetookholdofTheDuke’shandinbothofhis。Hewasfastgrowingweaker。Igavehimbrandy，andherecoveredalittlestrength。
\"Iamdying，Duke，\"hesaid，quietly。\"Promiseyouwon’tblameyourself。\"
\"Ican’t，oldman，\"saidTheDuke，withashudder。\"WouldtoheavenIcould。\"
\"Youweretoostrongforme，andyoudidn’tthink，didyou？\"andtheweakvoicehadacaressinit。
\"No，no！Godknows，\"saidTheDuke，hurriedly。
Therewasalongsilence，andagainBruceopenedhiseyesandwhispered：
\"ThePilot。\"
Moorecametohim。
\"Read’TheProdigal，’\"hesaidfaintly，andinMoore’sclear，sweetvoicethemusicofthatmatchlessstoryfelluponourears。
AgainBruce’seyessummonedme。Ibentoverhim。
\"Myletter，\"hesaid，faintly，\"inmycoat——\"
Ibroughttohimthelastletterfromhismother。Heheldtheenvelopebeforehiseyes，thenhandedittome，whispering：
\"Read。\"
Iopenedtheletterandlookedatthewords，\"MydarlingDavie。\"
MytonguestuckandnotasoundcouldImake。Mooreputouthishandandtookitfromme。TheDukerosetogoout，callingmewithhiseyes，butBrucemotionedhimtostay，andhesatdownandbowedhishead，whileMoorereadtheletter。
Histoneswereclearandsteadytillhecametothelastwords，whenhisvoicebrokeandendedinasob：
\"Andoh，Davie，laddie，ifeveryourheartturnshomeagain，rememberthedoorisayeopen，andit’sjoyyou’llbringwithyoutousall。\"
Brucelayquitestill，and，fromhisclosedeyes，bigtearsrandownhischeeks。Itwashislastfarewelltoherwhoselovehadbeentohimtheanchortoallthingspurehereandtoheavenbeyond。
HetooktheletterfromMoore’shand，putitwithdifficultytohislips，andthen，touchingtheopenBible，hesaid，betweenhisbreaths：
\"It’s——verylike——there’sreally——nofear，isthere？\"
\"No，no！\"saidMoore，withcheerful，confidentvoice，thoughhis，tearswereflowing。\"Nofearofyourwelcome。\"
Hiseyesmetmine。Ibentoverhim。\"Tellher——\"andhisvoicefadedaway。
\"WhatshallItellher？\"Iasked，tryingtorecallhim。Butthemessagewasnevergiven。HemovedonehandslowlytowardTheDuketillittouchedhishead。TheDukeliftedhisfaceandlookeddownathim，andthenhedidabeautifulthingforwhichIforgavehimmuch。Hestoopedoverandkissedthelipsgrownsowhite，andthenthebrow。Thelightcamebackintotheeyesofthedyingman，hesmiledoncemore，andsmilinglyfacedtowardtheGreatBeyond。Andthemorningair，freshfromthesun-tippedmountainsandsweetwiththescentoftheJuneroses，cameblowingsoftandcoolthroughtheopenwindowuponthedead，smilingface。Anditseemedfittingso。
ItcamefromthelandoftheMorning。
AgainTheDukedidabeautifulthing;for，reachingacrosshisdeadfriend，heofferedhishandtoThePilot。\"Mr。Moore，\"hesaid，withfinecourtesy，\"youareabravemanandagoodman;Iaskyourforgivenessformuchrudeness。\"
ButMooreonlyshookhisheadwhilehetooktheoutstretchedhand，andsaid，brokenly：
\"Don’t！Ican’tstandit。\"
\"TheCompanyoftheNobleSevenwillmeetnomore，\"saidTheDuke，withafaintsmile。
Theydidmeet，however;butwhentheydid，ThePilotwasinthechair，anditwasnotforpoker。
ThePilothad\"gothisgrip，\"asBillsaid。
CHAPTERIX
GWEN
ItwasnotmanydaysaftermyarrivalintheFoothillcountrythatIbegantohearofGwen。Theyallhadstoriesofher。Thedetailswerenotmany，buttheimpressionwasvivid。ShelivedremotefromthatcentreofcivilizationknownasSwanCreekinthepostalguide，butlocallyasOldLatour’s，farupamongthehillsneartheDevil’sLake，andfromherfather’sranchsheneverventured。Butsomeofthemenhadhadglimpsesofherandhadcometodefiniteopinionsregardingher。
\"Whatisshelike？\"IaskedBilloneday，tryingtopinhimdowntosomethinglikeadescriptiveaccountofher。
\"Like！She’saterrer，\"hesaid，withslowemphasis，\"aholyterrer。\"
\"Butwhatisshelike？Whatdoesshelooklike？\"Iaskedimpatiently。
\"Looklike？\"Heconsideredamoment，lookedslowlyroundasifsearchingforasimile，thenanswered：\"Idunno。\"
\"Don’tknow？Whatdoyoumean？Haven’tyouseenher？\"
\"Yeh！Butsheain’tlikenothin’。\"
Billwasquitedecideduponthispoint。
Itriedagain。
\"Well，whatsortofhairhasshegot？She’sgothair，Isuppose？\"
\"Hayer！Well，afew！\"saidBill，withsomechoicecombinationsofprofanityinrepudiationofmysuggestion。\"Yardsofit！Red！\"
\"Gitout！\"contradictedHi。\"Red！Tain’tnomoreredthanmine！\"
BillregardedHi’shaircritically。
\"Whatcolordoyouputontoyouroldbrush？\"heaskedcautiously。
\"’Tain’tnodifference。’Tain’tred，anyhow。\"
\"Red！Well，notquiteexactly，\"andBillwentoffintoalow，long，chokingchuckle，ejaculatingnowandthen，\"Red！Jee-mi-nyAnn！Red！\"
\"No，Hi，\"hewenton，recoveringhimselfwiththesameabruptnessasheusedwithhisbronco，andlookingathisfriendwithafaceevenmorethanusuallysolemn，\"yourhayerain’tred，Hi;don’tletanyofyourrelativespersuadeyoutothat。’Tain’tred！\"andhethreatenedtogooffagain，butpulledhimselfupwithdangeroussuddenness。\"Itmaybeblue，cerulyumblueorevenpurple，butred——！\"Hepausedviolently，lookingathisfriendasifhefoundhimanewandinterestingobjectofstudyuponwhichhecouldnottrusthimselftospeak。Norcouldhebeinducedtoproceedwiththedescriptionhehadbegun。
ButHi，payingnoattentiontoBill’soration，tookupthesubjectwithenthusiasm。
\"Shekinride——she’sareg’larbustertoride，ain’tshe，Bill？\"
Billnodded。\"Shekinbunchcattlean’cutoutan’yankasteeruptoanycowboyontherange。\"
\"Why，howbigisshe？\"
\"Big？Why，she’sjustakid！’Tain’tthebignessofher，it’sthenerve。She’sgotthecoldestkindofnerveyoueverseen。Hain’tshe，Bill？\"AndagainBillnodded。
\"’Memberthedayshedroppedthatsteer，Bill？\"wentonHi。
\"Whatwasthat？\"Iasked，eagerforayarn。
\"Oh，nuthin’，\"saidBill。
\"Nuthin’！\"retortedHi。\"Prettybignuthin’！\"
\"Whatwasit？\"Iurged。
\"Oh，BillheredidsomefunnyworkatoldMeredith’sround-up，buthedon’tspeakofit。He’sshy，yousee，\"andHigrinned。
\"Well，thereain’tnooccasionforyourproceedin’ontothattact，\"
saidBilldisgustedly，andHiloyallyrefrained，soIhaveneveryetgottherightsofthestory。ButfromwhatIdidhearI
gatheredthatBill，attheriskofhislife，hadpulledTheDukefromunderthehoofsofamadsteer，andthatlittleGwenhad，inthecoolestpossiblemanner，\"sailedinonherbronco\"and，byputtingtwobulletsintothesteer’shead，hadsavedthembothfromgreatdanger，perhapsfromdeath，fortherestofthecattlewerecrowdingnear。OfcourseBillcouldneverbepersuadedtospeakoftheincident。Atruewesternmanwillneverhesitatetotellyouwhathecando，butofwhathehasdonehedoesnotreadilyspeak。
TheonlyotheritemthatHicontributedtothesketchofGwenwasthathertempercouldblazeiftheoccasiondemanded。
\"’MemberyoungHill，Bill？\"
Bill\"’membered。\"
\"Didn’tshecutintohimsudden？Sarvedhimright，too。\"
\"Whatdidshedo？\"
\"Cuthimacrossthefacewithherquirtingoodstyle。\"
\"Whatfor？\"
\"Knockin’aboutherIndianJoe。\"
Joewas，asIcametolearn，Ponka’ssonandGwen’smostdevotedslave。
\"Oh，sheain’tnorefrigerator。\"
\"Yes，\"assentedBill。\"She’saleetleswift。\"Then，asiffearinghehadbeenapologizingforher，headded，withtheairofonesettlingthequestion：\"Butshe’sgoodstock！Shesuitsme！\"
TheDukehelpedmetoanothersideofhercharacter。
\"Sheisaremarkablechild，\"hesaid，oneday。\"Wildandshyasacoyote，butfearless，quite;andwithaheartfullofpassions。
Meredith，theOldTimer，youknow，haskeptherupthereamongthehills。SheseesnoonebuthimselfandPonka’sBlackfeetrelations，whotreatherlikeagoddessandhelptospoilherutterly。Sheknowstheirlingoandtheirways——goesoffwiththemforaweekatatime。\"
\"What！WiththeBlackfeet？\"
\"PonkaandJoe，ofcourse，goalong;butevenwithoutthemsheisassafeasifsurroundedbytheColdstreamGuards，butshehasgiventhemupforsometimenow。\"
\"Andathome？\"Iasked。\"Hassheanyeducation？Canshereadorwrite？\"
\"Notshe。Shecanmakeherowndresses，moccasinsandleggings。
Shecancookandwash——thatis，whenshefeelsinthemood。Andsheknowsallaboutthebirdsandbeastsandflowersandthatsortofthing，but——education！Why，sheishardlycivilized！\"
\"Whatashame！\"Isaid。\"Howoldisshe？\"
\"Oh，amerechild;fourteenorfifteen，Iimagine;butawomaninmanythings。\"
\"Andwhatdoesherfathersaytoallthis？Canhecontrolher？\"
\"Control！\"saidTheDuke，inutterastonishment。\"Why，blessyoursoul，nothinginheavenorearthcouldcontrolHER。Waittillyouseeherstandwithherproudlittleheadthrownback，givingorderstoJoe，andyouwillneveragainconnecttheideaofcontrolwithGwen。Shemightbeaprincessfortheprideofher。I’veseensome，too，inmyday，butnonetotouchherforsheer，imperialpride，littleLuciferthatsheis。\"
\"Andhowdoesherfatherstandhernonsense？\"Iasked，forI
confessIwasnotmuchtakenwiththepictureTheDukehaddrawn。
\"Herfathersimplyfollowsbehindherandadores，asdoallthingsthatcomenearher，down，orup，perhaps，tohertwodogs——WolfandLoo——foreitherofwhichshewouldreadilydieifneedbe。Still，\"
headded，afterapause，\"itISashame，asyousay。Sheoughttoknowsomethingoftherefinementsofcivilization，towhich，afterall，shebelongs，andfromwhichnoneofuscanhopetoescape。\"
TheDukewassilentforafewmoments，andthenadded，withsomehesitation：\"Then，too，sheisquiteapagan;neversawaprayer-
book，youknow。\"
Andsoitcameabout，chieflythroughTheDuke’sinfluence，I
imagine，thatIwasengagedbytheOldTimertogouptohisrancheveryweekandteachhisdaughtersomethingoftheelementariesofalady’seducation。
MyintroductionwasominousofthemanythingsIwastosufferofthatsameyoungmaidenbeforeIhadfinishedmycoursewithher。
TheOldTimerhadgivencarefuldirectionsastothetrailthatwouldleadmetothecanyonwherehewastomeetme。UptheSwanwentthetrail，windingeverdownwardintodeeperandnarrowercouleesanduptohigheropensunlitslopes，tillsuddenlyitsettledintoavalleywhichbeganwithgreatwidthandnarrowedtoacanyonwhoserockysidesweredressedoutwithshrubsandtrailingvinesandwetwithtricklingrivuletsfromthenumerousspringsthatoozedandgushedfromtheblack，glisteningrocks。
ThiscanyonwasaneerieplaceofwhichghostlytalesweretoldfromtheoldBlackfeettimes。AndtothisdaynoBlackfootwilldaretopassthroughthisblack-walled，oozy，glisteningcanyonafterthemoonhaspassedthewesternlip。Butinthewarmlightofbroaddaythecanyonwasagoodenoughplace;coolandsweet，andIlingeredthrough，waitingfortheOldTimer，whofailedtoappeartilltheshadowsbegantodarkenitswesternblacksides。
OutofthemouthofthecanyonthetrailclimbedtoawidestretchofprairiethatsweptupoversofthillstotheleftanddowntothebrightgleamingwatersoftheDevil’sLakeontheright。Inthesunlightthelakelaylikeagemradiantwithmanycolors，thefarsideblackintheshadowofthecrowdingpines，theninthemiddledeep，blueandpurple，andnearer，manyshadesofemeraldthatranquitetothewhite，sandybeach。Rightinfrontstoodtheranchbuildings，uponaslightrisinggroundandsurroundedbyasturdypalisadeofuprightpointedpoles。Thiswasthecastleoftheprincess。Irodeuptotheopengate，thenturnedandstoodtolookdownuponthemarvellouslakeshiningandshimmeringwithitsmanyradiantcolors。Suddenlytherewasanawfulroar，myponyshotrounduponhishindlegsafterhisbeastlycayusemanner，depositedmesittinguponthegroundandfleddownthetrail，pursuedbytwohugedogsthatbrushedpastmeasIfell。Iwasarousedfrommyamazementbyapealoflaughter，shrillbutfullofmusic。Turning，Isawmypupil，asIguessed，standingattheheadofamostbeautifulpinto（spotted）ponywithaheavycattlequirtinherhand。Iscrambledtomyfeetandsaid，somewhatangrily，I
fear：
\"Whatareyoulaughingat？Whydon’tyoucallbackyourdogs？
Theywillchasemyponybeyondallreach。\"
Sheliftedherlittlehead，shookbackhermassesofbrown-redhair，lookedatmeasifIwerequitebeneathcontemptandsaid：
\"No，theywillkillhim。\"
\"Then，\"saidI，forIwasveryangry，\"Iwillkillthem，\"pullingattherevolverinmybelt。
\"Then，\"shesaid，andforthefirsttimeInoticedhereyesblue-
black，withgrayrims，\"Iwillkillyou，\"andshewhippedoutanugly-lookingrevolver。FromherfaceIhadnodoubtthatshewouldnothesitatetodoasshehadsaid。Ichangedmytactics，forI
wasanxiousaboutmypony，andsaid，withmybestsmile：
\"Can’tyoucallthemback？Won’ttheyobeyyou？\"
Herfacechangedinamoment。
\"Isityourpony？Doyoulovehimverymuch？\"
\"Dearly！\"Isaid，persuadingmyselfofasuddenaffectionforthecrankylittlebrute。
Shespranguponherpintoandsetoffdownthetrail。Theponywasnowcoursingupanddowntheslopes，doublinglikeahare，instinctivelyavoidingthecanyonwherehewouldbecornered。Hewasmadwithterroratthehugebrutesthatweresilentlybutwithawfulandsureswiftnessrunninghimdown。
Thegirlonthepintowhistledshrilly，andcalledtoherdogs：
\"Down，Wolf！Back，Loo！\"but，runninglow，withlong，stretchedbodies，theyheedednot，butspedon，evergainingupontheponythatnowcircledtowardthepinto。Astheydrewnearintheircircling，thegirlurgedherpintotomeetthem，looseningherlariatasshewent。Astheponynearedthepintoheslackenedhisspeed;immediatelythenearerdoggatheredherselfintwoshortjumpsandsprangforthepony’sthroat。But，evenasshesprang，thelariatwhirledroundthegirl’sheadandfellswiftandsureaboutthedog’sneck，andnextmomentshelaychokingupontheprairie。Hermatepaused，lookedback，andgaveupthechase。Butdirevengeanceovertookthem，for，likeonepossessed，thegirlfelluponthemwithherquirtandbeatthemoneaftertheothertill，inpityforthebrutes，Iinterposed。
\"TheyshalldoasIsayorIshallkillthem！Ishallkillthem！\"
shecried，ragingandstamping。
\"Bettershootthem，\"Isuggested，pullingoutmypistol。
Immediatelysheflungherselfupontheonethatmoanedandwhinedatherfeet，crying：
\"Ifyoudare！Ifyoudare！\"Thensheburstintopassionatesobbing。\"YoubadLoo！Youbad，dearoldLoo！ButyouWEREbad——
youKNOWyouwerebad！\"andsoshewentonwithherarmsaboutLoo’snecktillLoo，whiningandquiveringwithloveanddelight，threatenedtogoquitemad，andWolf，standingmajesticallynear，brokeintoshorthowlsofimpatienceforhisturnofcaressing。
Theymadeastrangegroup，thosethreewildthings，equallyfierceandpassionateinhateandinlove。
Suddenlythegirlrememberedme，andstandingupshesaid，halfashamed：
\"TheyalwaysobeyME。TheyareMINE，buttheykillanystrangethingthatcomesinthroughthegate。Theyareallowedto。\"
\"Itisapleasantwhim。\"
\"What？\"
\"Imean，isn’tthatdangeroustostrangers？\"
\"Oh，nooneevercomesalone，exceptTheDuke。Andtheykeepoffthewolves。\"
\"TheDukecomes，doeshe？\"
\"Yes！\"andhereyeslitup。\"Heismyfriend。Hecallsmehis’princess，’andheteachesmetotalkandtellsmestories——oh，wonderfulstories！\"
Ilookedinwonderatherface，sogentle，sogirlish，andtriedtothinkbacktothepictureofthegirlwhoafewmomentsbeforehadsocoollythreatenedtoshootmeandhadsofuriouslybeatenherdogs。
IkepthertalkingofTheDukeaswewalkedbacktothegate，watchingherfacethewhile。Itwasnotbeautiful;itwastoothin，andthemouthwastoolarge。Buttheteethweregood，andtheeyes，blue-blackwithgrayrims，lookedstraightatyou;trueeyesandbrave，whetherinloveorinwar。Herhairwasherglory。
Reditwas，inspiteofHi’sdenial，butofsuchmarvellous，indescribableshadethatincertainlights，assherodeovertheprairie，itstreamedbehindherlikeapurplebanner。Amostconfusingandbewilderingcolor，butquiteinkeepingwiththenatureoftheowner。
ShegaveherpintotoJoeand，standingatthedoor，welcomedmewithadignityandgraciousnessthatmademethinkthatTheDukewasnotfarwrongwhenhenamedher\"Princess。\"
Thedooropeneduponthemainorlivingroom。Itwasalong，apartment，withlowceilingandwallsofhewnlogschinkedandplasteredandallbeautifullywhitewashedandclean。Thetables，chairsandbencheswereallhome-made。Onthefloorweremagnificentskinsofwolf，bear，muskoxandmountaingoat。Thewallsweredecoratedwithheadsandhornsofdeerandmountainsheep，eagles’wingsandabeautifulbreastofaloon，whichGwenhadshotandofwhichshewasveryproud。Atoneendoftheroomahugestonefireplacestoodradiantinitssummerdecorationsoffernsandgrassesandwild-flowers。Attheotherendadooropenedintoanotherroom，smallerandrichlyfurnishedwithrelicsofformergrandeur。
Everythingwascleanandwellkept。Everynook，shelfandcornerwasdeckedwithflowersandfernsfromthecanyon。
Astrangehouseitwas，fullofcuriouscontrasts，butitfittedthisquaintchildthatwelcomedmewithsuchgraciouscourtesy。
CHAPTERX
GWEN’SFIRSTPRAYERS
Itwaswithhesitation，almostwithfear，thatIbeganwithGwen;
butevenhadIbeenabletoforeseetheendlessseriesofexasperationsthroughwhichshewasdestinedtoconductme，stillwouldIhaveundertakenmytask。Forthechild，withallherwilfulness，hertempersandherpride，mademe，asshedidallothers，herwillingslave。
Herlessonswenton，brilliantlyornotatall，accordingtohersweetwill。Shelearnedtoreadwithextraordinaryrapidity，forshewaseagertoknowmoreofthatgreatworldofwhichTheDukehadtoldhersuchthrillingtales。Writingsheabhorred。Shehadnoonetowriteto。Whyshouldshecrampherfingersoverthesecrookedlittlemarks？Butshemasteredwithhardlyastrugglethemysteriesoffigures，forshewouldhavetosellhercattle，and\"daddoesn’tknowwhentheyarecheating。\"Herideasofeducationwerepurelyutilitarian，andwhatdidnotappearimmediatelyusefulsherefusedtotriflewith。Andsoallthroughthefollowinglongwintershevexedmyrighteoussoulwithherwilfulnessandpride。
Anappealtoherfatherwasidle。Shewouldwindherlong，thinarmsabouthisneckandletherwavingredhairfloatoverhimuntiltheoldmanwasquitehelplesstoexertauthority。TheDukecoulddomostwithher。Topleasehimshewouldstrugglewithhercrookedlettersforanhouratatime，butevenhisinfluenceandauthorityhaditslimits。
\"MustI？\"shesaidoneday，inanswertoademandofhisformorefaithfulstudy;\"mustI？\"Andthrowingupherproudlittlehead，andshakingbackwithatrickshehadherstreamingredhair，shelookedstraightathimfromherblue-grayeyesandaskedthemonosyllabicquestion，\"Why？\"AndTheDukelookedbackatherwithhisslightsmileforafewmomentsandthensaidincold，eventones：
\"Ireallydon’tknowwhy，\"andturnedhisbackonher。Immediatelyshesprangathim，shookhimbythearm，and，quiveringwithpassion，cried：
\"Youarenottospeaktomelikethat，andyouarenottoturnyourbackthatway！\"
\"Whatalittleprincessitis，\"hesaidadmiringly，\"andwhatatimeshewillgiveherselfsomeday！\"Thenheadded，smilingsadly：\"WasIrude，Gwen？ThenIamsorry。\"Herragewasgone，andshelookedasifshecouldhaveheldhimbythefeet。Asitwas，tooproudtoshowherfeelings，shejustlookedathimwithsofteningeyes，andthensatdowntotheworkshehadrefused。
ThiswasaftertheadventofThePilotatSwanCreek，and，asTheDukerodehomewithmethatnight，afterlongmusinghesaidwithhesitation：\"Sheoughttohavesomereligion，poorchild;shewillgrowupaperfectlittledevil。ThePilotmightbeofserviceifyoucouldbringhimup。Womenneedthatsortofthing;itrefines，youknow。\"
\"Wouldshehavehim？\"Iasked。
\"Question，\"hereplied，doubtfully。\"Youmightsuggestit。\"
WhichIdid，introducingsomewhatclumsily，Ifear，TheDuke’sname。
\"TheDukesaysheistomakemegood！\"shecried。\"Iwon’thavehim，Ihatehimandyoutoo！\"Andforthatdayshedisdainedalllessons，andwhenTheDukenextappearedshegreetedhimwiththeexclamation，\"Iwon’thaveyouroldPilot，andIdon’twanttobegood，and——and——youthinkhe’snogoodyourself，\"atwhichtheDukeopenedhiseyes。
\"Howdoyouknow？Ineversaidso！\"
\"Youlaughedathimtodadoneday。\"
\"DidI？\"saidTheDuke，gravely。\"ThenIhastentoassure，youthatIhavechangedmymind。Heisagood，braveman。\"
\"Hefallsoffhishorse，\"shesaid，withcontempt。
\"Iratherthinkhesticksonnow，\"repliedTheDuke，repressingasmile。
\"Besides，\"shewenton，\"he’sjustakid;Billsaidso。\"
\"Well，hemightbemoreancient，\"acknowledgedTheDuke，\"butinthatheissteadilyimproving。\"
\"Anyway，\"withanairoffinality，\"heisnottocomehere。\"
Buthedidcome，andunderherownescort，onethreateningAugustevening。
\"Ifoundhiminthecreek，\"sheannounced，withdefiantshamefacedness，marchinginThePilothalfdrowned。
\"IthinkIcouldhavecrossed，\"hesaid，apologetically，\"forLouiswasgettingonhisfeetagain。\"
\"No，youwouldn’t，\"sheprotested。\"Youwouldhavebeendownintothecanyonbynow，andyououghttobethankful。\"
\"SoIam，\"hehastenedtosay，\"very！But，\"headded，unwillingtogiveuphiscontention，\"IhavecrossedtheSwanbefore。\"
\"Notwhenitwasinflood。\"
\"Yes，whenitwasinflood，higherthannow。\"
\"Notwherethebanksarerocky。\"
\"No-o！\"hehesitated。
\"There，then，youWOULDhavebeendrownedbutformylariat！\"shecried，triumphantly。
Tothishedoubtfullyassented。
Theyweremuchalike，inhightemper，inenthusiasm，invividimagination，andinsensitivefeeling。WhentheOldTimercameinGwentriumphantlyintroducedThePilotashavingbeenrescuedfromawaterygravebyherlariat，andagaintheyfoughtoutthepossibilitiesofdrowningandofescapetillGwenalmostlosthertemper，andwasappeasedonlybythemostprofuseexpressionsofgratitudeonthepartofThePilotforhertimelyassistance。TheOldTimerwasperplexed。HewasafraidtooffendGwenandyetunwillingtobecordialtoherguest。ThePilotwasquicktofeelthis，and，soonaftertea，rosetogo。Gwen’sdisappointmentshowedinherface。
\"Askhimtostay，dad，\"shesaid，inawhisper。Butthehalf-
heartedinvitationactedlikeaspur，andThePilotwasdeterminedtosetoff。
\"There’sabadstormcoming，\"shesaid;\"andbesides，\"sheadded，triumphantly\"youcan’tcrosstheSwan。\"
Thissettledit，andthemostearnestprayersoftheOldTimercouldnothaveheldhimback。
Weallwentdowntoseehimcross，Gwenleadingherpinto。TheSwanwasfaroveritsbanks，andinthemiddlerunningswiftandstrong。Louissnorted，refusedandfinallyplunged。Bravelyheswam，tilltheswift-runningwaterstruckhim，andoverhewentonhisside，throwinghisriderintothewater。ButThePilotkepthishead，and，holdingbythestirrups，paddledalongbyLouis’
side。Whentheywerehalf-wayacrossLouissawthathehadnochanceofmakingthelanding;so，likeasensiblehorse，heturnedandmadefortheshore。Here，too，thebankswerehigh，andtheponybegantogrowdiscouraged。
\"Lethimfloatdownfurther！\"shriekedGwen，inanxiousexcitement;
and，urgingherpintodownthebank，shecoaxedthestrugglingponydownthestreamtilloppositeashelfofrocklevelwiththehighwater。Thenshethrewherlariat，and，catchingLouisabouttheneckandthehornofhissaddle，sheheldtaut，till，halfdrowned，hescrambledupthebank，draggingThePilotwithhim。
\"Oh，I’msoglad！\"shesaid，almosttearfully。\"Yousee，youcouldn’tgetacross。\"
ThePilotstaggeredtohisfeet，tookasteptowardher，gaspedout：
\"Ican！\"andpitchedheadlong。Withalittlecrysheflewtohim，andturnedhimoveronhisback。Inafewmomentsherevived，satup，andlookedaboutstupidly。
\"Where’sLouis？\"hesaid，withhisfacetowardtheswollenstream。
\"Safeenough，\"sheanswered;\"butyoumustcomein，therainisjustgoingtopour。\"
ButThePilotseemedpossessed。
\"No，I’mgoingacross，\"hesaid，rising。
Gwenwasgreatlydistressed。
\"Butyourpoorhorse，\"shesaid，cleverlychangingherground;\"heisquitetiredout。\"
TheOldTimernowjoinedearnestlyinurginghimtostaytillthestormwaspast。So，withafinallookatthestream，ThePilotturnedtowardthehouse。
OfcourseIknewwhatwouldhappen。Beforetheeveningwasoverhehadcapturedthehousehold。Themomentheappearedwithdrythingsonherantotheorgan，thathadstoodfortenyearsclosedandsilent，openeditandbegantoplay。Asheplayedandsangsongaftersong，theOldTimer’seyesbegantoglistenunderhisshaggybrows。ButwhenhedroppedintotheexquisiteIrishmelody，\"OftintheStillyNight，\"theoldmandrewahardbreathandgroanedouttome：
\"Itwashermother’ssong，\"andfromthattimeThePilothadhimfast。Itwaseasytopasstotheoldhymn，\"Nearer，MyGod，toThee，\"andthenThePilotsaidsimply，\"Maywehaveprayers？\"HelookedatGwen，butshegazedblanklyathimandthenatherfather。
\"Whatdoeshesay，dad？\"
Itwaspitifultoseetheoldman’sfacegrowslowlyredunderthedeeptan，ashesaid：
\"Youmay，sir。There’sbeennonehereformanyyears，andtheworseforus。\"Heroseslowly，wentintotheinnerroomandreturnedwithaBible。
\"It’shermother’s，\"hesaid，inavoicedeepwithemotion。\"IputitinhertrunkthedayIlaidheroutyonderunderthepines。\"
ThePilot，withoutlookingathim，roseandreverentlytookthebookinbothhishandsandsaidgently：
\"Itwasasaddayforyou，butforher——\"Hepaused。\"Youdidnotgrudgeittoher？\"
\"Notnow，butthen，yes！Iwantedher，weneededher。\"TheOldTimer’stearswereflowing。
ThePilotputhishandcaressinglyupontheoldman’sshoulderasifhehadbeenhisfather，andsaidinhisclear，sweetvoice，\"Somedayyouwillgotoher。\"
UponthisscenepoorGwengazedwitheyeswideopenwithamazementandakindoffear。Shehadneverseenherfatherweepsincetheawfuldaythatshecouldneverforget，whenhehadkneltindumbagonybesidethebedonwhichhermotherlaywhiteandstill;norwouldheheedhertill，climbingup，shetriedtomakehermotherwakenandhearhercries。Thenhehadcaughtherupinhisarms，pressingherwithtearsandgreatsobstohisheart。To-nightsheseemedtofeelthatsomethingwaswrong。Shewentandstoodbyherfather，and，strokinghisgrayhairkindly，shesaid：
\"Whatishesaying，daddy？Ishemakingyoucry？\"ShelookedatThePilotdefiantly。
\"No，no，child，\"saidtheoldman，hastily，\"sithereandlisten。\"
Andwhilethestormravedoutsidewethreesatlisteningtothatancientstoryofloveineffable。And，asthewordsfelllikesweetmusicuponourears，theoldmansatwitheyesthatlookedfaraway，whilethechildlistenedwithdevouringeagerness。
\"Isitafairytale，daddy？\"sheasked，asThePilotpaused。\"Itisn’ttrue，isit？\"andhervoicehadapleadingnotehardfortheoldmantobear。
\"Yes，yes，mychild，\"saidhe，brokenly。\"Godforgiveme！\"
\"Ofcourseit’strue，\"saidThePilot，quickly。\"I’llreaditalltoyouto-morrow。It’sabeautifulstory！\"
\"No，\"shesaid，imperiously，\"to-night。Readitnow！Goon！\"shesaid，stampingherfoot，\"don’tyouhearme？\"
ThePilotgazedinsurpriseather，andthenturningtotheoldman，said：
\"ShallI？\"
TheOldTimersimplynoddedandthereadingwenton。Thosewerenotmybestdays，andthefaithofmychildhoodwasnotasithadbeen;but，asThePilotcarriedusthroughthosematchlessscenesofself-forgettingloveandservicetheraptwonderinthechild’sfaceasshelistened，theappealinhervoiceas，nowtoherfather，andnowtome，shecried：\"IsTHATtrue，too？IsitALL
true？\"madeitimpossibleformetohesitateinmyanswer。AndI
wasgladtofinditeasytogivemyfirmadherencetothetruthofallthattaleofwonder。And，asmoreandmoreitgrewuponThePilotthatthestoryhewasreading，sooldtohimandtoallhehadevermet，wasnewtooneinthatlisteninggroup，hisfacebegantoglowandhiseyestoblaze，andhesawandshowedmethingsthatnightIhadneverseenbefore，norhaveIseenthemsince。ThegreatfigureoftheGospelslived，movedbeforeoureyes。WesawHimbendtotouchtheblind，weheardHimspeakHismarvellousteaching，wefeltthethrobbingexcitementofthecrowdsthatpressedagainstHim。
SuddenlyThePilotstopped，turnedovertheleavesandbeganagain：
\"AndHeledthemoutasfarastoBethany。AndHeliftedupHishandsandblessedthem。AnditcametopassasHeblessedthemHewaspartedfromthemandacloudreceivedHimoutoftheirsight。\"
Therewassilenceforsomeminutes，thenGwensaid：
\"WheredidHego？\"
\"UpintoHeaven，\"answeredThePilot，simply。
\"That’swheremotheris，\"shesaidtoherfather，whonoddedinreply。
\"DoesHeknow？\"sheasked。Theoldmanlookeddistressed。
\"OfcourseHedoes，\"saidThePilot，\"andsheseesHimallthetime。\"
\"Oh，daddy！\"shecried，\"isn’tthatgood？\"
Buttheoldmanonlyhidhisfaceinhishandsandgroaned。
\"Yes，\"wentonThePilot，\"andHeseesus，too，andhearsusspeak，andknowsourthoughts。\"
Againthelookofwonderandfearcameintohereyes，butshesaidnoword。Theexperiencesoftheeveninghadmadetheworldnewtoher。Itcouldneverbethesametoheragain。Itgavemeaqueerfeelingtoseeher，whenwethreekneeledtopray，standhelplesslylookingon，notknowingwhattodo，thensinkbesideherfather，and，windingherarmsabouthisneck，clingtohimasthewordsofprayerwerespokenintotheearofHimwhomnomancansee，butwhowebelieveisneartoallthatcalluponHim。
ThosewereGwen’sfirst\"prayers，\"andinthemGwen’spartwassmall，forfearandwonderfilledherheart;butthedaywastocome，andalltoosoon，whensheshouldhavetopourouthersoulwithstrongcryingandtears。Thatdaycameandpassed，butthestoryofitisnottobetoldhere。
CHAPTERXI
GWEN’SCHALLENGE
Gwenwasundoubtedlywildand，asTheSkyPilotsaid，wilfulandwicked。EvenBroncoBillandHiKendalwouldsayso，without，ofcourse，abatingonejotoftheiradmirationforher。Forfourteenyearsshehadlivedchieflywithwildthings。Thecattleontherange，wildasdeer，thecoyotes，thejack-rabbitsandthetimberwolveswerehermatesandherinstructors。Fromtheseshelearnedherwildways。TherollingprairieoftheFoothillcountrywasherhome。Sheloveditandallthingsthatmoveduponitwithpassionatelove，theonlykindshewascapableof。Andallsummerlongshespentherdaysridingupanddowntherangealone，orwithherfather，orwithJoe，or，bestofall，withTheDuke，herheroandherfriend。Soshegrewupstrong，wholesomeandself-reliant，fearingnothingaliveandasuntamedasayearlingrangecolt。
Shewasnotbeautiful。Thewindsandsunhadlefthernocomplexiontospeakof，butthegloryofherredhair，gold-red，withpurplesheen，nothingcouldtarnish。Hereyes，too，deepbluewithrimsofgray，thatflashedwiththeglintofsteelorshonewithmeltinglightasofthestars，accordingtohermood——thoseIrish，warm，deepeyesofherswereworthaman’slookingat。
Ofcourse，allspoiledher。PonkaandhersonJoegrovelledinabjectestadoration，whileherfatherandallwhocamewithintouchofhersimplydidherwill。EvenTheDuke，wholovedherbetterthananythingelse，yieldedlazy，admiringhomagetohisLittlePrincess，andcertainly，whenshestoodstraightupwithherproudlittlegold-crownedheadthrownback，flashingforthwrathorissuingimperiouscommands，shelookedaprincess，allofher。
ItwasagreatdayandagooddayforherwhenshefishedTheSkyPilotoutoftheSwanandbroughthimhome，andthenightofGwen’sfirst\"prayers，\"whensheheardforthefirsttimethestoryoftheManofNazareth，wasthebestofallhernightsuptothattime。
Allthroughthewinter，underThePilot’sguidance，she，withherfather，theOldTimer，listeningnear，wentoverandoverthatstorysooldnowtomany，buteverbecomingnew，tillawholenewworldofmysteriousPowersandPresenceslayopentoherimaginationandbecamethehomeofgreatrealities。Shewasrichinimaginationand，whenThePilotreadBunyan’simmortalpoem，hermother’sold\"Pilgrim’sProgress，\"shemovedandlivedbesidetheheroofthattale，backinghimupinhisfightsandconsumedwithanxietyoverhismanyimpendingperils，tillshehadhimsafelyacrosstheriveranddeliveredintothechargeoftheshiningones。
ThePilothimself，too，wasanewandwholesomeexperience。Hewasthefirstthingshehadyetencounteredthatrefusedsubmission，andthefirsthumanbeingthathadfailedtofalldownandworship。
TherewassomethinginhimthatwouldnotALWAYSyield，and，indeed，herprideandherimperioustempershemetwithsurpriseandsometimeswithapitythatvergedtowardcontempt。Withthisshewasnotwellpleasedandnotinfrequentlyshebrokeforthuponhim。Oneoftheseoutburstsisstampeduponmymind，notonlybecauseofitsunusualviolence，butchieflybecauseoftheeventswhichfollowed。TheoriginalcauseofherragewassometriflingmisdeedoftheunfortunateJoe;butwhenIcameuponthesceneitwasThePilotwhowasoccupyingherattention。Theexpressionofsurpriseandpityonhisfaceappearedtostirherup。
\"Howdareyoulookatmelikethat？\"shecried。
\"Howveryextraordinarythatyoucan’tkeepholdofyourselfbetter！\"heanswered。
\"Ican！\"shestamped，\"andIshalldoasIlike！\"
\"Itisagreatpity，\"hesaid，withprovokingcalm，\"andbesides，itisweakandsilly。\"Hiswordswereunfortunate。
\"Weak！\"shegasped，whenherbreathcamebacktoher。\"Weak！\"
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"veryweakandchildish。\"
Thenshecouldhavecheerfullyputhimtoaslowandcrueldeath。
Whenshehadrecoveredalittleshecriedvehemently：
\"I’mnotweak！I’mstrong！I’mstrongerthanyouare！I’mstrongas——as——aman！\"
Idonotsupposeshemeanttheinsinuation;atanyrateThePilotignoreditandwenton。
\"You’renotstrongenoughtokeepyourtemperdown。\"Andthen，asshehadnoreplyready，hewenton，\"Andreally，Gwen，itisnotright。Youmustnotgooninthisway。\"
Againhiswordswereunfortunate。
\"MUSTNOT！\"shecried，addinganinchtoherheight。\"Whosaysso？\"
\"God！\"wasthesimple，shortanswer。
Shewasgreatlytakenback，andgaveaquickglanceoverhershoulderasiftoseeHim，whowoulddaretosayMUSTNOTtoher;
but，recovering，sheansweredsullenly：
\"Idon’tcare！\"
\"Don’tcareforGod？\"ThePilot’svoicewasquietandsolemn，butsomethinginhismannerangeredher，andsheblazedforthagain。
\"Idon’tcareforanyone，andISHALLdoasIlike。\"
ThePilotlookedathersadlyforamoment，andthensaidslowly：
\"Someday，Gwen，youwillnotbeabletodoasyoulike。\"
Irememberwellthesettleddefianceinhertoneandmannerasshetookastepnearerhimandansweredinavoicetremblingwithpassion：
\"Listen！IhavealwaysdoneasIlike，andIshalldoasIliketillIdie！\"Andsherushedforthfromthehouseanddowntowardthecanyon，herrefugefromalldisturbingthings，andchieflyfromherself。
Icouldnotshakeofftheimpressionherwordsmadeuponme。
\"Prettydirect，that，\"IsaidtoThePilot，aswerodeaway。\"Thedeclarationmaybephilosophicallycorrect，butitringsuncommonlylikeachallengetotheAlmighty。Throwsdownthegauntlet，sotospeak。\"
ButThePilotonlysaid，\"Don’t！Howcanyou？\"
Withinaweekherchallengewasaccepted，andhowfiercelyandhowgallantlydidshestruggletomakeitgood！
ItwasTheDukethatbroughtmethenews，andashetoldmethestoryhisgay，carelessself-commandforoncewasgone。ForinthegloomofthecanyonwhereheovertookmeIcouldseehisfacegleamingoutghastlywhite，andevenhisironnervecouldnotkeepthetremorfromhisvoice。
\"I’vejustsentupthedoctor，\"washisanswertomygreeting。\"I
lookedforyoulastnight，couldn’tfindyou，andsorodeofftotheFort。\"
\"What’sup？\"Isaid，withfearinmyheart，fornolightthingmovedTheDuke。
\"Haven’tyouheard？It’sGwen，\"hesaid，andthenextminuteortwohegavetoJingo，whowasindulginginaseriesofunexpectedplunges。WhenJingowasbroughtdown，TheDukewasmasterofhimselfandtoldhistalewithcarefulself-control。
Gwen，onherfather’sbuckskinbronco，hadgonewithTheDuketothebigplainabovethecut-bankwhereJoewasherdingthecattle。
Thedaywashotandastormwasintheair。TheyfoundJoeridingupanddown，singingtokeepthecattlequiet，buthavingahardtimetoholdthebunchfrombreaking。WhileTheDukewasridingaroundthefarsideofthebunch，acryfromGwenarrestedhisattention。Joewasintrouble。Hishorse，ahalf-brokencayuse，hadstumbledintoabadger-holeandhadbolted，leavingJoetothemercyofthecattle。Atoncetheybegantosniffsuspiciouslyatthisphenomenon，amanonfoot，andtofollowcautiouslyonhistrack。Joekepthisheadandwalkedslowlyout，tillallatonceayoungcowbegantobawlandtopawtheground。Inanotherminuteone，andthenanotherofthecattlebegantotosstheirheadsandbunchandbellowtillthewholeherdoftwohundredwereafterJoe。
ThenJoelosthisheadandran。Immediatelythewholeherdbrokeintoathunderinggallopwithheadsandtailsaloftandhornsrattlingliketheloadingofaregimentofrifles。
\"Twomoreminutes，\"saidTheDuke，\"wouldhavedoneforJoe，forI
couldneverhavereachedhim;but，inspiteofmymostfranticwarningsandsignalings，rightintothefaceofthatmad，bellowing，thunderingmassofsteersrodethatlittlegirl。Nerve！
Ihavesomemyself，butIcouldn’thavedoneit。SheswungherhorseroundJoeandsailedoutwithhim，withtheherdbellowingatthetailofherbronco。I’veseensomecavalrythingsinmyday，butforsheercoolbraverynothingtouchesthat。\"
\"Howdiditend？Didtheyrunthemdown？\"Iasked，withterroratsucharesult。
\"No，theycrowdedhertowardthecut-bank，andshewasedgingthemoffandwasalmostpast，whentheycametoaplacewherethebankbitin，andheriron-mouthedbrutewouldn’tswerve，butwentpoundingon，brokethrough，plunged;shecouldn’tspringfreebecauseofJoe，andpitchedheadlongoverthebank，whilethecattlewentthunderingpast。IflungmyselfoffJingoandsliddownsomehowintothesand，thirtyfeetbelow。HerewasJoesafeenough，butthebroncolaywithabrokenleg，andhalfunderhimwasGwen。Shehardlyknewshewashurt，butwavedherhandtomeandcriedout，’Wasn’tthatarace？Icouldn’tswingthishard-
headedbrute。Getmeout。’Butevenasshespokethelightfadedfromhereyes，shestretchedoutherhandstome，sayingfaintly，’Oh，Duke，’andlaybackwhiteandstill。Weputabulletintothebuckskin’shead，andcarriedherhomeinourjackets，andthereshelieswithoutasoundfromherpoor，whitelips。\"
TheDukewasbadlycutup。Ihadneverseenhimshowanysignofgriefbefore，butashefinishedthestoryhestoodghastlyandshaking。Hereadmysurpriseinmyfaceandsaid：
\"Lookhere，oldchap，don’tthinkmequiteafool。Youcan’tknowwhatthatlittlegirlhasdoneformetheseyears。Hertrustinme——itisextraordinaryhowutterlyshetrustsme——somehowheldmeuptomybestandbackfromperdition。Itistheonebrightspotinmylifeinthisblessedcountry。Everyoneelsethinksmeapleasantorunpleasantkindoffiend。\"
Iprotestedratherfaintly。
\"Oh，don’tworryyourconscience，\"heanswered，withaslightreturnofhisoldsmile，\"afullerknowledgewouldonlyjustifytheopinion。\"Then，afterapause，headded：\"ButifGwengoes，Imustpullout，Icouldnotstandit。\"
Aswerodeup，thedoctorcameout。
\"Well，whatdoyouthink？\"askedTheDuke。
\"Can’tsayyet，\"repliedtheolddoctor，gruffwithlongarmypractice，\"badenough。Goodnight。\"
ButTheDuke’shandfelluponhisshoulderwithagripthatmusthavegottothebone，andinahuskyvoiceheasked：
\"Willshelive？\"
Thedoctorsquirmed，butcouldnotshakeoffthatcrushinggrip。
\"Here，youyoungtiger，letgo！WhatdoyouthinkIammadeof？\"
hecried，angrily。\"Ididn’tsupposeIwascomingtoabear’sden，orIshouldhavebroughtagun。\"
ItwasonlybythemostcompleteapologythatTheDukecouldmollifytheolddoctorsufficientlytogethisopinion。
\"No，shewillnotdie！Greatbitofstuff！Bettersheshoulddie，perhaps！Butcan’tsayyetfortwoweeks。Nowremember，\"headdedsharply，lookingintoTheDuke’swoe-strickenface，\"herspiritsmustbekeptup。Ihaveliedmostfullyandcheerfullytotheminside;youmustdothesame，\"andthedoctorstrodeaway，callingout：
\"Joe！Here，Joe！Whereishegone？Joe，Isay！ExtraordinaryselectionProvidencemakesattimes;wecouldhavesparedthatlazyhalf-breedwithpleasure！Joe！Oh，hereyouare！Whereinthunder——\"Butherethedoctorstoppedabruptly。Theagonyinthedarkfacebeforehimwastoomuchevenforthebluffdoctor。
StraightandstiffJoestoodbythehorse’sheadtillthedoctorhadmounted，thenwithagreatefforthesaid：
\"Littlemiss，shegodead？\"
\"Dead！\"calledoutthedoctor，glancingattheopenwindow。\"Why，blessyouroldcoppercarcass，no！Gwenwillshowyouyethowtoropeasteer。\"
Joetookastepnearer，andloweringhistonesaid：
\"Youspeakmetrue？Meman，Menopapoose。\"Thepiercingblackeyessearchedthedoctor’sface。Thedoctorhesitatedamoment，andthen，withanairofgreatcandor，saidcheerily：
\"That’sallright，Joe。MissGwenwillcutcirclesroundyouroldcayuseyet。Butremember，\"andthedoctorwasveryimpressive，\"youmustmakeherlaugheveryday。\"
Joefoldedhisarmsacrosshisbreastandstoodlikeastatuetillthedoctorrodeaway;thenturningtoushegruntedout：
\"Himgoodman，eh？\"
\"Goodman，\"answeredTheDuke，adding，\"butremember，Joe，whathetoldyoutodo。Mustmakeherlaugheveryday。\"
PoorJoe！Humorwasnothisforte，andhisattemptinthisdirectionintheweeksthatfollowedwouldhavebeenhumorousweretheynotsopathetic。HowIdidmypartIcannottell。Thoseweeksaretomenowlikethememoryofanuglynightmare。Theghostlyoldmanmovingoutandinofhislittledaughter’sroominuseless，dumbagony;Ponka’swoe-strickenIndianface;Joe’sextraordinaryandunusualbutloyalattemptsatfun-makinggrotesquelysad，andTheDuke’sunvaryingandinvinciblecheeriness;thesefurnishlightandshadeforthepicturemymemorybringsmeofGweninthosedays。
Forthefirsttwoweeksshewassimplyheroic。Sheboreherpainwithoutagroan，submittedtotheimprisonmentwhichwasharderthanpainwithangelicpatience。Joe，TheDukeandIcarriedoutourinstructionswithcarefulexactnesstotheletter。Sheneverdoubted，andweneverletherdoubtbutthatinafewweeksshewouldbeonthepinto’sbackagainandafterthecattle。Shemadeuspassourwordforthistillitseemedasifshemusthavereadthefalsehoodsonourbrows。
\"Toliecheerfullywithhereyesuponone’sfacecallsformorethanIpossess，\"saidTheDukeoneday。\"Thedoctorshouldsupplyustonics。Itisanarduoustask。\"
Andshebelievedusabsolutely，andmadeplansforthefall\"round-
up，\"andforhuntsandridestillone’sheartgrewsick。Astotheethicalprobleminvolved，Ideclinetoexpressanopinion，butwehadnoneedtowaitforourpunishment。Hertrustinus，hereagerandconfidentexpectationofthereturnofherhappy，free，outdoorlife;thesebroughttous，whoknewhowvaintheywere，theirownadequatepunishmentforeveryfalseassurancewegave。Andhowbrightandbraveshewasthosefirstdays！Howresolutetogetbacktotheworldofairandlightoutside！
Butshehadneedofallherbrightnessandcourageandresolutionbeforeshewasdonewithherlongfight。
