\"No，\"saidBillsullenly，\"he’sameancuss。\"
\"Iknowhim，\"saidtheHon。Fred，\"letmetryhim。\"Butthestrangerdeclaredthepintosuitedhimdowntothegroundandhewouldn’ttaketwicehismoneyforhim。
\"Why，\"heprotested，\"thatthere’swhatIcallanunusualhoss，anddowninMontanaforaladyhe’dfetchuptoahundredandfiftydollars。\"Invaintheyhaggledandbargained;themanwasimmovable。Eightydollarshewouldn’tlookat，ahundredhardlymadehimhesitate。AtthispointLadyCharlottecamedownintothelightandstoodbyherhusband，whoexplainedthecircumstancestoher。ShehadalreadyheardBill’sdescriptionofGwen’saccidentandofherpartinthechurch-buildingschemes。Therewassilenceforafewmomentsasshestoodlookingatthebeautifulpony。
\"Whatashamethepoorchildshouldhavetopartwiththedearlittlecreature！\"shesaidinalowtonetoherhusband。Then，turningtothestranger，shesaidinclear，sweettones：
\"Whatdoyouaskforhim？\"Hehesitatedandthensaid，liftinghishatawkwardlyinsalute：\"IwasjustremarkinghowthatpintowouldfetchonehundredandfiftydollarsdownintoMontana。Butseein’
asaladyisenquirin’，I’llputhimdowntoonehundredandtwenty-five。\"
\"Toomuch，\"shesaidpromptly，\"fartoomuch，isitnot，Bill？\"
\"Well，\"drawledBill，\"if’twereafellaraswasusedtoladieshe’dofferyouthepinto，buthe’stoopizenmeaneventocomedowntotheevenhundred。\"
TheYankeetookhimupquickly。\"Wall，ifIweresoblanked——
pardon，madam\"——takingoffhishat，\"usedtoladiesassomefolkswouldliketothinkthemselves，I’dbuythattherepintoandmakeapresentofittothishereladyasstandsbeforeme。\"Billtwisteduneasily。
\"ButIain’tgoin’tobemean;I’llputthatpintoinfortheevenmoneyfortheladyifanymancarestoputupthestuff。\"
\"Well，mydear，\"saidtheHon。Fredwithabow，\"wecannotwellletthatgagelie。\"SheturnedandsmiledathimandthepintowastransferredtotheAshleystables，toBill’soutspokendelight，whodeclaredhe\"couldn’thavefacedthemusicifthattherepintohadgoneacrosstheline。\"Iconfess，however，IwassomewhatsurprisedattheeasewithwhichHiescapedhiswrath，andmysurprisewasinnowaylessenedwhenIsaw，laterintheevening，thetwopartnerswiththestrangertakingaquietdrinkoutofthesamebottlewithevidentmutualadmirationanddelight。
\"You’reanA1corker，youare！I’llbeblankedifyouain’tabird——asingin’bird——areg’larcanary，\"IheardHisaytoBill。
ButBill’sonlyreplywasalong，slowwinkwhichpassedintoafrownashecaughtmyeye。Mysuspicionwasarousedthatthesaleofthepintomightbearinvestigation，andthissuspicionwasdeepenedwhenGwennextweekgavemearapturousaccountofhowsplendidlyBillhaddisposedofthepinto，showingmebillsforonehundredandfiftydollars！Tomylookofamazement，Gwenreplied：
\"Yousee，hemusthavegotthembiddingagainsteachother，andbesides，Billsayspintosaregoingup。\"
Lightbegantodawnuponme，butIonlyansweredthatIknewtheyhadrisenveryconsiderablyinvaluewithinamonth。TheextrafiftywasBill’s。
IwasnotpresenttowitnessthefinishingofBill’sbluff，butwastoldthatwhenBillmadehiswaythroughthecrowdedaisleandlaidhisfivehundredandfiftydollarsontheschoolhousedeskthelookofdisgust，surpriseandfinallyofpleasureonRobbie’sface，wasworthahundredmore。ButRobbiewasreadyandputdownhistwohundredwiththesingleremark：
\"Ay！ye’renoasdaftasyelook，\"midroarsoflaughterfromall。
ThenThePilot，witheyesandfaceshining，roseandthankedthemall;butwhenhetoldofhowthelittlegirlinherlonelyshackinthehillsthoughtsomuchofthechurchthatshegaveupforitherbelovedpony，heronepossession，thelightfromhiseyesglowedintheeyesofall。
Butthemenfromtherancheswhocouldunderstandthefullmeaningofhersacrificeandwhoalsocouldrealizethefullmeasureofhercalamity，werestirredtotheirhearts’depths，sothatwhenBillremarkedinaverydistinctundertone，\"IcherishtheopinionthatthishereGospelshopwouldn’tbematerializin’intoitspresentshapebutforthatleetlegel，\"thererosegrowlsofapprovalinavarietyoftonesandexpletivesthatleftnodoubtthathisopinionwasthatofall。
ButthoughThePilotnevercouldquitegetatthetrueinwardnessofBill’smeasuresandmethods，andwasdoubtlessallthemorecomfortableinmindforthat，hehadnodoubtthatwhileGwen’sinfluencewasthemovingspringofaction，Bill’sbluffhadagooddealtodowiththe\"materializin’\"ofthefirstchurchinSwanCreek，andinthisconviction，Ishare。
WhethertheHon。FredeverunderstoodthepeculiarstyleofBill’sfinancing，Idonotquiteknow。Butifheeverdidcometoknow，hewasfartoomuchofamantomakeafuss。Besides，Ifancythesmileonhislady’sfacewasworthsomelargeamounttohim。Atleast，sothelookofproudandfondloveinhiseyesseemedtosayasheturnedawaywithherfromthefirethenightofthepinto’ssale。
CHAPTERXVIII
THELADYCHARLOTTE
Thenightofthepinto’ssalewasanightmomentoustoGwen，forthenitwasthattheLadyCharlotte’sinterestinherbegan。
Momentous，too，totheLadyCharlotte，foritwasthatnightthatbroughtThePilotintoherlife。
Ihadturnedbacktothefirearoundwhichthemenhadfallenintogroupspreparedtohaveanhour’ssoliddelight，forthescenewasfullofwildandpicturesquebeautytome，whenTheDukecameandtouchedmeontheshoulder。
\"LadyCharlottewouldliketoseeyou。\"
\"Andwhy，pray？\"
\"ShewantstohearaboutthisaffairofBill’s。\"
Wewentthroughthekitchenintothelargedining-room，atoneendofwhichwasastonechimneyandfireplace。LadyCharlottehaddeclaredthatshedidnotmuchcarewhatkindofahousetheHon。
Fredwouldbuildforher，butthatshemusthaveafireplace。
Shewasverybeautiful——tall，slightandgracefulineveryline。
Therewasareserveandagrandairinherbearingthatputpeopleinaweofher。ThisaweIshared;butasIenteredtheroomshewelcomedmewithsuchkindlygracethatIfeltquiteateaseinamoment。
\"Comeandsitbyme，\"shesaid，drawinganarmchairintothecircleaboutthefire。\"Iwantyoutotellusallaboutagreatmanythings。\"
\"Youseewhatyou’reinfor，Connor，\"saidherhusband。\"Itisaseriousbusinesswhenmyladytakesoneinhand。\"
\"Asheknowstohiscost，\"shesaid，smilingandshakingherheadatherhusband。
\"SoIcantestify，\"putinTheDuke。
\"Ah！Ican’tdoanythingwithyou，\"shereplied，turningtohim。
\"Yourmostabjectslave，\"herepliedwithaprofoundbow。
\"Ifyouonlywere，\"smilingathim——alittlesadly，Ithought——\"I’dkeepyououtofallsortsofmischief。\"
\"Quitetrue，Duke，\"saidherhusband，\"justlookatme。\"
TheDukegazedathimamomentortwo。\"Wonderful！\"hemurmured，\"whatadeliverance！\"
\"Nonsense！\"brokeinLadyCharlotte。\"Youareturningmymindawayfrommypurpose。\"
\"Isitpossible，doyouthink？\"saidTheDuketoherhusband。
\"Notintheveryleast，\"hereplied，\"ifmyexperiencegoesforanything。\"
ButLadyCharlotteturnedherbackuponthemandsaidtome：
\"Now，tellmefirstaboutBill’sencounterwiththatfunnylittleScotchman。\"
ThenItoldherthestoryofBill’sbluffinmybeststyle，imitating，asIhavesomesmallskillindoing，themannerandspeechofthevariousactorsinthescene。Shewasgreatlyamusedandinterested。
\"AndBillhasreallygothisshareready，\"shecried。\"Itisverycleverofhim。\"
\"Yes，\"Ireplied，\"butBillisonlytheveryhumbleinstrument，themovingspiritisbehind。\"
\"Oh，yes，youmeanthelittlegirlthatownsthepony，\"shesaid。
\"That’sanotherthingyoumusttellmeabout。\"
\"TheDukeknowsmorethanI，\"Ireplied，shiftingtheburdentohim;\"myacquaintanceisonlyofyesterday;hisislifelong。\"
\"Whyhaveyounevertoldmeofher？\"shedemanded，turningtotheDuke。
\"Haven’tItoldyouofthelittleMeredithgirl？SurelyIhave，\"
saidTheDuke，hesitatingly。
\"Now，youknowquitewellyouhavenot，andthatmeansyouaredeeplyinterested。Oh，Iknowyouwell，\"shesaid，severely。
\"Heisthemostsecretiveman，\"shewentontome，\"shamefullyandungratefullyreserved。\"
TheDukesmiled;thensaid，lazily：\"Why，she’sjustachild。Whyshouldyoubeinterestedinher？Noonewas，\"headdedsadly，\"tillmisfortunedistinguishedher。\"
Hereyesgrewsoft，andhergaymannerchanged，andshesaidtoTheDukegently：\"Tellmeofhernow。\"
Itwasevidentlyaneffort，buthebeganhisstoryofGwenfromthetimehesawherfirst，yearsago，playinginandoutofherfather’sramblingshack，shyandwildasayoungfox。Ashewentonwithhistale，hisvoicedroppedintoalow，musicaltone，andheseemedasifdreamingaloud。Unconsciouslyheputintothetalemuchofhimself，revealinghowgreataninfluencethelittlechildhadhaduponhim，andhowemptyoflovehislifehadbeeninthislonelyland。LadyCharlottelistenedwithfaceintentuponhim，andevenherbluffhusbandwasconsciousthatsomethingmorethanusualwashappening。HehadneverheardTheDukebreakthroughhisproudreservebefore。
ButwhenTheDuketoldthestoryofGwen’sawfulfall，whichhedidwithgreatgraphicpower，alittleredspotburnedupontheLadyCharlotte’spalecheek，and，asTheDukefinishedhistalewiththewords，\"Itwasherlastride，\"shecoveredherfacewithherhandsandcried：
\"Oh，Duke，itishorribletothinkof！Butwhatsplendidcourage！\"
\"Greatstuff！eh，Duke？\"criedtheHon。Fred，kickingaburninglogvigorously。
ButTheDukemadenoreply。
\"Howisshenow，Duke？\"saidLadyCharlotte。TheDukelookedupasfromadream。\"Brightasthemorning，\"hesaid。Then，inreplytoLadyCharlotte’slookofwonder，headded：
\"ThePilotdidit。Connorwilltellyou。Idon’tunderstandit。\"
\"NordoI，either。ButIcantellyouonlywhatIsawandheard，\"
Ianswered。
\"Tellme，\"saidLadyCharlotteverygently。
ThenItoldherhow，onebyone，wehadfailedtohelpher，andhowThePilothadriddenupthatmorningthroughthecanyon，andhowhehadbroughtthefirstlightandpeacetoherbyhismarvellouspicturesoftheflowersandfernsandtreesandallthewonderfulmysteriesofthatwonderfulcanyon。
\"Butthatwasn’tall，\"saidtheDukequickly，asIstopped。
\"No，\"Isaidslowly，\"thatwasNOTallbyalongway;buttherestIdon’tunderstand。That’sThePilot’ssecret。\"
\"Tellmewhathedid，\"saidLadyCharlotte，softly，oncemore。\"I
wanttoknow。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIcan，\"Ireplied。\"HesimplyreadoutoftheScripturestoherandtalked。\"
LadyCharlottelookeddisappointed。
\"Isthatall？\"shesaid。
\"ItisquiteenoughforGwen，\"saidTheDukeconfidently，\"forthereshelies，oftensuffering，alwayslongingforthehillsandthefreeair，butwithherfaceradiantastheflowersofthebelovedcanyon。\"
\"Imustseeher，\"saidLadyCharlotte，\"andthatwonderfulPilot。\"
\"You’llbedisappointedinhim，\"saidTheDuke。
\"Oh，I’veseehimandheardhim，butIdon’tknowhim，\"shereplied。\"Theremustbesomethinginhimthatonedoesnotseeatfirst。\"
\"SoIhavediscovered，\"saidTheDuke，andwiththatthesubjectwasdropped，butnotbeforetheLadyCharlottemademepromisetotakehertoGwen，TheDukebeingstrangelyunwillingtodothisforher。
\"You’llbedisappointed，\"hesaid。\"Sheisonlyasimplelittlechild。\"
ButLadyCharlottethoughtdifferently，and，havingmadeupherminduponthematter，therewasnothingforit，asherhusbandsaid，but\"forallhandstosurrenderandthesoonerthebetter。\"
AndsotheLadyCharlottehadherway，which，asitturnedout，wasmuchthewisestandbest。
CHAPTERXIX
THROUGHGWEN’SWINDOW
WhenItoldThePilotofLadyCharlotte’spurposetovisitGwen，hewasnottoowellpleased。
\"WhatdoesshewantwithGwen？\"hesaidimpatiently。\"Shewilljustputnotionsintoherheadandmakethechilddiscontented。\"
\"Whyshouldshe？\"saidI。
\"Shewon’tmeanto，butshebelongstoanotherworld，andGwencannottalktoherwithoutgettingglimpsesofalifethatwillmakeherlongforwhatshecanneverhave，\"saidThePilot。
\"ButsupposeitisnotidlecuriosityinLadyCharlotte，\"I
suggested。
\"Idon’tsayitisquitethat，\"heanswered，\"butthesepeopleloveasensation。\"
\"Idon’tthinkyouknowLadyCharlotte，\"Ireplied。\"Ihardlythinkfromhertonetheothernightthatsheisasensationhunter。\"
\"Atanyrate，\"heanswered，decidedly，\"sheisnottoworrypoorGwen。\"
Iwasalittlesurprisedathisattitude，andfeltthathewasunfairtoLadyCharlotte，butIforboretoarguewithhimonthematter。HecouldnotbeartothinkofanypersonorthingthreateningthepeaceofhisbelovedGwen。
TheveryfirstSaturdayaftermypromisewasgivenweweresurprisedtoseeLadyCharlotterideuptothedoorofourshackintheearlymorning。
\"Yousee，Iamnotgoingtoletyouoff，\"shesaid，asIgreetedher。\"Andthedayissoveryfineforaride。\"
Ihastenedtoapologizefornotgoingtoher，andthentogetoutofmydifficulty，rathermeanlyturnedtowardThePilot，andsaid：
\"ThePilotdoesn’tapproveofourvisit。\"
\"Andwhynot，mayIask？\"saidLadyCharlotte，liftinghereyebrows。
ThePilot’sfaceburned，partlywithwrathatme，andpartlywithembarrassment;forLadyCharlottehadputonhergrandair。Buthestoodtohisguns。
\"Iwassaying，LadyCharlotte，\"hesaid，lookingstraightintohereyes，\"thatyouandGwenhavelittleincommon——and——and——\"hehesitated。
\"Littleincommon！\"saidLadyCharlottequietly。\"Shehassufferedgreatly。\"
ThePilotwasquicktocatchthenoteofsadnessinhervoice。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，wonderingathertone，\"shehassufferedgreatly。\"
\"And，\"continuedLadyCharlotte，\"sheisbrightasthemorning，TheDukesays。\"Therewasalookofpaininherface。
ThePilot’sfacelitup，andhecamenearerandlaidhishandcaressinglyuponherbeautifulhorse。
\"Yes，thankGod！\"hesaidquickly，\"brightasthemorning。\"
\"Howcanthatbe？\"sheasked，lookingdownintohisface。\"Perhapsshewouldtellme。\"
\"LadyCharlotte，\"saidThePilotwithasuddenflush，\"Imustaskyourpardon。Iwaswrong。Ithoughtyou——\"hepaused;\"butgotoGwen，shewilltellyou，andyouwilldohergood。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidLadyCharlotte，puttingoutherhand，\"andperhapsyouwillcomeandseeme，too。\"
ThePilotpromisedandstoodlookingafterusaswerodeupthetrail。
\"ThereissomethingmoreinyourPilotthanatfirstappears，\"shesaid。\"TheDukewasquiteright。\"
\"Heisagreatman，\"Isaidwithenthusiasm;\"tenderasawomanandwiththeheartofahero。\"
\"YouandBillandTheDukeseemtoagreeabouthim，\"shesaid，smiling。
ThenItoldhertalesofThePilot，andofhiswayswiththemen，tillherblueeyesgrewbrightandherbeautifulfacelostitsproudlook。
\"Itisperfectlyamazing，\"Isaid，finishingmystory，\"howthesedevil-may-careroughfellowsrespecthim，andcometohiminallsortsoftrouble。Ican’tunderstandit，andyetheisjustaboy。\"
\"No，notamazing，\"saidLadyCharlotteslowly。\"IthinkI
understandit。Hehasatrueman’sheart;andholdsagreatpurposeinit。I’veseenmenlikethat。Notclergymen，Imean，butmenwithagreatpurpose。\"
Then，afteramoment’sthought，sheadded：\"Butyououghttocareforhimbetter。Hedoesnotlookstrong。\"
\"Strong！\"Iexclaimedquickly，withaqueerfeelingofresentmentatmyheart。\"Hecandoasmuchridingasanyofus。\"
\"Still，\"shereplied，\"there’ssomethinginhisfacethatwouldmakehismotheranxious。\"Inspiteofmyrepudiationofhersuggestion，Ifoundmyselfforthenextfewminutesthinkingofhowhewouldcomeexhaustedandfaintfromhislongrides，andI
resolvedthathemusthavearestandchange。
ItwasoneofthoseearlySeptemberdays，thebestofallinthewesterncountry，whenthelightfallslessfiercelythroughasofthazethatseemstofilltheairaboutyou，andthatgrowsintopurpleonthefarhilltops。Bythetimewereachedthecanyonthesunwasridinghighandpouringitsraysfullintoallthedeepnookswheretheshadowsmostlylay。
Therewerenoshadowsto-day，exceptsuchasthetreescastuponthegreenmossbedsandtheblackrocks。Thetopsofthetallelmsweresereandrusty，buttheleavesoftheruggedoaksthatfringedthecanyon’slipsshonearichandglossybrown。Alldownthesidesthepoplarsanddelicatebirches，paleyellow，butsometimesflushingintoorangeandred，stoodshimmeringinthegoldenlight，whilehereandtherethebroad-spreading，featherysumachsmadegreatsplashesofbrilliantcrimsonupontheyellowandgold。Downinthebottomstoodthecedarsandthebalsams，stillgreen。Westoodsomemomentssilentlygazingintothistangleofinterlacingboughsandshimmeringleaves，allglowinginyellowlight，thenLadyCharlottebrokethesilenceintonessoftandreverentasifshestoodinagreatcathedral。
\"AndthisisGwen’scanyon！\"
\"Yes，butsheneverseesitnow，\"Isaid，forIcouldneverridethroughwithoutthinkingofthechildtowhoseheartthiswassodear，butwhoseeyesneverresteduponit。LadyCharlottemadenoreply，andwetookthetrailthatwounddownintothismazeofminglingcolorsandlightsandshadows。Everywherelaythefallenleaves，brownandyellowandgold;——everywhereonourtrail，onthegreenmossesandamongthedeadferns。Andaswerode，leavesfluttereddownfromthetreesabovesilentlythroughthetangledboughs，andlaywiththeothersonmossandrockandbeatentrail。
Theflowerswereallgone;buttheLittleSwansangaseveritsmany-voicedsong，asitflowedinpoolsandeddiesandcascades，withhereandthereagoldenleafuponitsblackwaters。Ah！howofteninweary，dustydaysthesesightsandsoundsandsilenceshavecometomeandbroughtmyheartrest！
Aswebegantoclimbupintotheopen，Iglancedatmycompanion’sface。Thecanyonhaddoneitsworkwithheraswithallwholovedit。Thetouchofpridethatwasthehabitofherfacewasgone，andinitsplacerestedtheearnestwonderofalittlechild，whileinhereyeslaythecanyon’stenderglow。AndwiththisfaceshelookedinuponGwen。
AndGwen，whohadbeenwaitingforher，forgotallhernervousfear，andwithhandsoutstretched，criedoutinwelcome：
\"Oh，I’msoglad！You’veseenitandIknowyouloveit！Mycanyon，youknow！\"shewenton，answeringLadyCharlotte’smystifiedlook。
\"Yes，dearchild，\"saidLadyCharlotte，bendingoverthepalefacewithitshaloofgoldenhair，\"Iloveit。\"Butshecouldgetnofurther，forhereyeswerefulloftears。Gwengazedupintothebeautifulface，wonderingathersilence，andthensaidgently：
\"Tellmehowitlooksto-day！ThePilotalwaysshowsittome。Doyouknow，\"sheadded，thoughtfully，\"ThePilotlookslikeithimself。Hemakesmethinkofit，and——and——\"shewentonshyly，\"youdo，too。\"
BythistimeLadyCharlottewaskneelingbythecouch，smoothingthebeautifulhairandgentlytouchingthefacesopaleandlinedwithpain。
\"Thatisagreathonor，truly，\"shesaidbrightlythroughhertears——\"tobelikeyourcanyonandlikeyourPilot，too。\"
Gwennodded，butshewasnottobedenied。
\"Tellmehowitlooksto-day，\"shesaid。\"Iwanttoseeit。Oh，I
wanttoseeit！\"
LadyCharlottewasgreatlymovedbytheyearninginthevoice，but，controllingherself，shesaidgaily：
\"Oh，Ican’tshowittoyouasyourPilotcan，butI’lltellyouwhatIsaw。\"
\"TurnmewhereIcansee，\"saidGwentome，andIwheeledhertowardthewindowandraisedherupsothatshecouldlookdownthetrailtowardthecanyon’smouth。
\"Now，\"shesaid，afterthepainoftheliftinghadpassed，\"tellme，please。\"
ThenLadyCharlottesetthecanyonbeforeherinrichandradiantcoloring，whileGwenlistened，gazingdownuponthetrailtowheretheelmtopscouldbeseen，rustyandsere。
\"Oh，itislovely！\"saidGwen，\"andIseeitsowell。ItisalltherebeforemewhenIlookthroughmywindow。\"
ButLadyCharlottelookedather，wonderingtoseeherbrightsmile，andatlastshecouldnothelpthequestion：
\"Butdon’tyouwearytoseeitwithyourowneyes？\"
\"Yes，\"saidGwengently，\"oftenIwantandwantit，oh，somuch！\"
\"Andthen，Gwen，dear，howcanyoubearit？\"Hervoicewaseagerandearnest。\"Tellme，Gwen。Ihaveheardallaboutyourcanyonflowers，butIcan’tunderstandhowthefrettingandthepainwentaway。\"
Gwenlookedatherfirstinamazement，andthenindawningunderstanding。
\"Haveyouacanyon，too？\"sheasked，gravely。
LadyCharlottepausedamoment，thennodded。Itdidappearstrangetomethatsheshouldbreakdownherproudreserveandopenherhearttothischild。
\"Andtherearenoflowers，Gwen，notone，\"shesaidratherbitterly，\"norsunnorseedsnorsoil，Ifear。\"
\"Oh，ifThePilotwerehere，hewouldtellyou。\"
Atthispoint，feelingthattheywouldratherbealone，Iexcusedmyselfonthepretextoflookingafterthehorses。
WhattheytalkedofduringthenexthourIneverknew，butwhenI
returnedtotheroomLadyCharlottewasreadingslowlyandwithperplexedfacetoGwenoutofhermother’sBiblethewords\"forthesufferingofdeath，crownedwithgloryandhonor。\"
\"YouseeevenforHim，suffering，\"Gwensaideagerly，\"butIcan’texplain。ThePilotwillmakeitclear。\"Thenthetalkended。
WehadlunchwithGwen——bannocksandfreshsweetmilkandblueberries——andafteranhourofgayfunwecameaway。
LadyCharlottekissedhertenderlyasshebadeGwengood-by。
\"Youmustletmecomeagainandsitatyourwindow，\"shesaid，smilingdownuponthewanface。
\"Oh，Ishallwatchforyou。Howgoodthatwillbe！\"criedGwen，delightedly。\"Howmanycometoseeme！Youmakefive。\"Thensheadded，softly：\"Youwillwriteyourletter。\"ButLadyCharlotteshookherhead。
\"Ican’tdothat，Ifear，\"shesaid，\"butIshallthinkofit。\"
Itwasabrightfacethatlookedoutuponusthroughtheopenwindowaswerodedownthetrail。Justbeforewetookthedipintothecanyon，Iturnedtowavemyhand。
\"Gwen’sfriendsalwayswavefromhere，\"Isaid，wheelingmybronco。
AgainandagainLadyCharlottewavedherhandkerchief。
\"Howbeautiful，buthowwonderful！\"shesaidasiftoherself。
\"Truly，HERcanyonisfullofflowers。\"
\"Itisquitebeyondme，\"Ianswered。\"ThePilotmayexplain。\"
\"IsthereanythingyourPilotcan’tdo？\"saidLadyCharlotte。
\"Tryhim，\"Iventured。
\"Imeanto，\"shereplied，\"butIcannotbringanyonetomycanyon，Ifear，\"sheaddedinanuncertainvoice。
AsIleftheratherdoorshethankedmewithcourteousgrace。
\"Youhavedoneagreatdealforme，\"shesaid，givingmeherhand。
\"Ithasbeenabeautiful，awonderfulday。\"
WhenItoldthePilotalltheday’sdoings，heburstout：
\"Whatastupidandself-righteousfoolIhavebeen！Ineverthoughttherecouldbeanycanyoninherlife。Howshortoursightis！\"andallthatnightIcouldgetalmostnowordsfromhim。
ThatwasthefirstofmanyvisitstoGwen。NotaweekpassedbutLadyCharlottetookthetrailtotheMeredithranchandspentanhouratGwen’swindow。OftenThePilotfoundherthere。Butthoughtheywerealwayspleasanthourstohim，hewouldcomehomeingreattroubleaboutLadyCharlotte。
\"SheisperfectlycharminganddoingGwennoendofgood，butsheisproudasanarchangel。Hashadanawfulbreakwithherfamilyathome，anditisspoilingherlife。Shetoldmesomuch，butshewillallownoonetotouchtheaffair。\"
Butonedaywemetherridingtowardthevillage。Aswedrewnear，shedrewupherhorseandheldupaletter。
\"Home！\"shesaid。\"Iwroteitto-day，andImustgetitoffimmediately。\"
ThePilotunderstoodheratonce，butheonlysaid：
\"Good！\"butwithsuchemphasisthatwebothlaughed。
\"Yes，Ihopeso，\"shesaidwiththeredbeginningtoshowinhercheek。\"Ihavedroppedsomeseedintomycanyon。\"
\"IthinkIseetheflowersbeginningtospring，\"saidThePilot。
Sheshookherheaddoubtfullyandreplied：
\"IshallrideupandsitwithGwenatherwindow。\"
\"Do，\"repliedThePilot，\"thelightisgoodthere。WonderfulthingsaretobeseenthroughGwen’swindow。\"
\"Yes，\"saidLadyCharlottesoftly。\"DearGwen！——butIfearitisoftenmadebrightwithtears。\"
Asshespokeshewheeledherhorseandcanteredoff，forherowntearswerenotfaraway。Ifollowedherinthoughtupthetrailwindingthroughtheround-toppedhillsanddownthroughthegoldenlightsofthecanyonandintoGwen’sroom。Icouldseethepaleface，withitsgoldenaureole，lightupandglow，astheysatbeforethewindowwhileLadyCharlottewouldtellherhowGwen’sCanyonlookedto-dayandhowinherownbleakcanyontherewasthesignofflowers。
CHAPTERXX
HOWBILLFAVORED\"HOME-GROWNINDUSTRIES\"
ThebuildingoftheSwanCreekChurchmadeasensationinthecountry，andallthemorethatBroncoBillwasincommand。
\"WhenIputupmoneyIstaywiththegame，\"heannounced;andstayhedid，tothegreatbenefitoftheworkandtothedelightofThePilot，whowaswearinghislifeoutintryingtodoseveralmen’swork。ItwasBillthatorganizedthegangsforhaulingstoneforthefoundationandlogsforthewalls。ItwasBillthatassignedthevariousjobstothosevolunteeringservice。ToRobbieMuirandtwostalwartGlengarrymenfromtheOttawalumberregion，whoknewallaboutthebroadaxe，hegavethehewingdownofthelogsthatformedthewalls。Andwhentheyhaddone，Billdeclaredtheywere\"better’anasawmill。\"ItwasBill，too，thatdidthefinancing，andhispassagewithWilliams，thestorekeeperfrom\"theotherside\"whodealtinlumberandbuildingmaterial，wassuchasestablishedforeverBill’sreputationinfinance。
WithThePilot’splansinhishandshewenttoWilliams，seizingatimewhenthestorewasfullofmenaftertheirmailmatter。
\"Whatdoyouthinkovthemplans？\"heaskedinnocently。
Williamswasvolublewithopinionsandcriticismandsuggestions，allofwhichweregratefully，evenhumblyreceived。
\"Kindovhardtofiggeroutjesthowmuchlumber’llgointotheshack，\"saidBill;\"yeseethelogsmakesadifference。\"
ToWilliamsthethingwassimplicityitself，and，aftersomefiguring，hehandedBillacompletestatementoftheamountoflumberofallkindsthatwouldberequired。
\"Now，whatwouldthattherecometo？\"
Williamsnamedhisfigure，andthenBillentereduponnegotiations。
\"Iaintnomantobeatdownprices。No，sir，Isaygiveamanhisfigger。Ofcourse，thishereaintmyfuneral;besides，bein’aGospelshop，thepricenaterallywouldbedifferent。\"TothistheboysallassentedandWilliamslookeduncomfortable。
\"Infact，\"andBilladoptedhispublictonetoHi’sadmirationandjoy，\"thishere’sapublicinstitooshun\"（thiswasWilliams’ownthunder），\"condoocin’tothegoodofthecommunity\"（Hislappedhisthighandsquirtedhalfwayacrossthestoretosignifyhisentireapproval，\"andIcherishtheopinion\"——（delightedchucklefromHi）——
\"thatpublicmenareinterestedinthisconcern。\"
\"That’sso！Rightyouare！\"chorusedtheboysgravely。
Williamsagreed，butdeclaredhehadthoughtofallthisinmakinghiscalculation。Butseeingitwasachurch，andthefirstchurchandtheirownchurch，hewouldmakeacut，whichhedidaftermorefiguring。Billgravelytooktheslipofpaperandputitintohispocketwithoutaword。Bytheendoftheweek，havinginthemeantimeriddenintotownandinterviewedthedealersthere，BillsaunteredintothestoreandtookuphispositionremotefromWilliams。
\"You’llbewantingthatsheeting，won’tyou，nextweek，Bill？\"saidWilliams。
\"Whatsheetin’’sthat？\"
\"Why，forthechurch。Aintthelogsup？\"
\"Yes，that’sso。Iwasjustgoin’toseetheboyshereaboutgettin’ithauled，\"saidBill。
\"Hauled！\"saidWilliams，inamazedindignation。\"Aintyougoin’tosticktoyourdeal？\"
\"Igenerallymakeitmycustomtosticktomydeals，\"saidBill，lookingstraightatWilliams。
\"Well，whataboutyourdealwithmelastMondaynight？\"saidWilliams，angrily。
\"Let’ssee。LastMondaynight，\"saidBill，apparentlythinkingback;\"can’tsayasIrememberanyperticklerdeal。Anyovyoufellersremember？\"
Noonecouldrecallanydeal。
\"Youdon’tremembergettinganypaperfromme，Isuppose？\"saidWilliams，sarcastically。
\"Paper！Why，IbelieveI’vegotthattherepaperontomypersonatthispresentmoment，\"saidBill，divingintohispocketanddrawingoutWilliams’estimate。Hespentafewmomentsincarefulscrutiny。
\"Thereain’tnodealontothisasIcansee，\"saidBill，gravelypassingthepapertotheboys，whoeachscrutinizeditandpasseditonwithashakeoftheheadoraremarkastotheabsenceofanysignofadeal。Williamschangedhistone。Forhispart，hewasindifferentinthematter。
ThenBillmadehimanoffer。
\"Ovcourse，Ibelieveinsupportin’home-grownindustries，andifyoucantouchmyfiggerI’dbeuncommonlygladtogiveyouthecontract。\"
ButBill’sfigure，whichwasquitefiftypercent。lowerthanWilliams’bestoffer，wasrejectedasquiteimpossible。
\"ThoughtI’dmakeyoutheoffer，\"saidBill，carelessly，\"seein’asyou’reinstitootin’thetradeandtheboyshere’llallbebuildin’
moreorless，andIbelieveinstandin’upforlocaltradesandmanufactures。\"Therewerenodsofapprovalonallsides，andWilliamswasforcedtoaccept，forBillbeganarrangingwiththeHillbrothersandHitomakeanearlystartonMonday。Itwasagreattriumph，butBilldisplayednosignofelation;hewasratherfullofsympathyforWilliams，andeagertohelponthelumberbusinessasalocal\"institooshun。\"
SecondincommandinthechurchbuildingenterprisestoodLadyCharlotte，andunderherlaboredtheHon。Fred，TheDuke，and，indeed，allthecompanyoftheNobleSeven。Herhomebecamethecentreofanewtypeofsociallife。Withexquisitetact，andmuchwasneededforthiskindofwork，shedrewthebachelorsfromtheirlonelyshacksandfromtheirwildcarousals，andgavethematasteofthejoysofapurehome-life，thefirsttheyhadhadsinceleavingtheoldhomesyearsago。AndthenshemadethemworkforthechurchwithsuchzealanddiligencethatherhusbandandTheDukedeclaredthatranchinghadbecomequiteanincidentalinterestsincethechurch-buildinghadbegun。ButThePilotwentaboutwitharadiantlookonhispaleface，whileBillgaveitforthashisopinion，\"thoughshewasaleetlehighintheaction，shecouldhitanuncommongait。\"
WithsuchenergydidBillpushtheworkofconstructionthatbythefirstofDecemberthechurchstoodroofed，sheeted，flooredandreadyforwindows，doorsandceiling，sothatThePilotbegantohopethatheshouldseethedesireofhisheartfulfilled——thechurchofSwanCreekopenfordivineserviceonChristmasDay。
Duringtheseweekstherewasmorethanchurch-buildinggoingon，forwhilethedaysweregiventotheshapingoflogs，andthedrivingofnailsandtheplaningofboards，thelongwintereveningswerespentintalkaroundthefireinmyshack，whereThePilotforsomemonthspasthadmadehishomeandwhereBill，sincethebeginningofthechurchbuilding，hadcome\"tocamp。\"ThoseweregreatnightsforThePilotandBill，and，indeed，forme，too，andtheotherboys，who，afteraday’sworkonthechurch，werealwaysbroughtinbyBillorThePilot。
Greatnightsforusalltheywere。Afterbaconandbeansandbannocks，andoccasionallypotatoes，andrarelyapudding，withcoffee，richandsteaming，towashalldown，pipeswouldfollow，andthenyarnsofadventures，possibleandimpossible，allexcitingandwonderful，andallreceivedwiththegreatestcredulity。
If，however，thepowersofbeliefwereputtotoogreatastrainbyataleofmorethanordinarymarvel，Billwouldfollowwithoneofsuchutterimpossibilitythatthecompanywouldfeelthatthelimithadbeenreached，andtheyarnswouldcease。ButafterthefirstweekmostofthetimewasgiventoThePilot，whowouldreadtousofthedeedsofthemightymenofold，whohadmadeandwreckedempires。
Whathappynightstheyweretothosecowboys，whohadbeencastuplikedriftwooduponthisstrangeandlonelyshore！Someofthemhadneverknownwhatitwastohaveathoughtbeyondtheworkandsportoftheday。AndtheworldintowhichThePilotwasusheringthemwasallnewandwonderfultothem。Happynights，withoutacare，butthatThePilotwouldnotgettheghastlylookoutofhisface，andlaughedattheideaofgoingawaytillthechurchwasbuilt。And，indeed，wewouldallhavesorelymissedhim，andsohestayed。
CHAPTERXXI。
HOWBILLHITTHETRAIL
When\"thecrowd\"waswithusThePilotreadusallsortsoftalesofadventuresinalllandsbyheroesofallages，butwhenwethreesattogetherbyourfireThePilotwouldalwaysreadustalesoftheheroesofsacredstory，andthesedelightedBillmorethanthoseofanyoftheancientempiresofthepast。Hehadhisfavorites。Abraham，Moses，Joshua，Gideon，neverfailedtoarousehisadmiration。ButJacobwastohimalways\"ameancuss，\"andDavidhecouldnotappreciate。MostofallheadmiredMosesandtheApostlePaul，whomhecalled\"thatlittlechap。\"But，whenthereadingwasabouttheOneGreatManthatmovedmajesticamidthegospelstories，Billmadenocomments;Hewastoohighforapproval。
ByandbyBillbegantotellthesetalestotheboys，andonenight，whenaquietmoodhadfallenuponthecompany，Billbrokethesilence。
\"Say，Pilot，wherewasitthatthelittlechapgotmixedupintothatriot？\"
\"Riot！\"saidThePilot。
\"Yes;yourememberwhenhestoodoffthewholegangfromthestairs？\"
\"Oh，yes，atJerusalem！\"
\"Yes，that’sthespot。Perhapsyouwouldreadthattotheboys。
Goodyarn！Littlechap，youknow，stoodupandtold’emtheywereallsortsofblankedthievesandcut-throats，andstood’emoff。
Playeditalone，too。\"
Mostoftheboysfailedtorecognizethestoryinitsnewdress。
Therewasmuchinterest。
\"Whowastheduck？Whowasthegang？Whatwastherowabout？\"
\"ThePilothere’lltellyou。Ifyou’dkindo’give’emaleadbeforeyoubegin，they’dcatchontotheyarnbetter。\"ThislasttoThePilot，whowaspreparingtoread。
\"Well，itwasatJerusalem，\"beganThePilot，whenBillinterrupted：
\"IfImightremark，perhapsitmighthelptheboysontothetrailmebbe，ifyou’dtell’emhowthelittlechapstruckhisnewgait。\"
SohedesignatedtheApostle’sconversion。
ThenThePilotintroducedtheApostlewithsomeformalitytothecompany，describingwithsuchvividtoucheshislifeandearlytraining，hissuddenwrenchfromallhehelddear，underthestressofanewconviction，hismagnificententhusiasmandcourage，histendernessandpatience，thatIwassurprisedtofindmyselfregardinghimasasortofhero，andtheboyswereallreadytobackhimagainstanyodds。AsThePilotreadthestoryoftheArrestatJerusalem，stoppingnowandthentopicturethescene，wesawitallandwereinthethickofit。Theragingcrowdhustlingandbeatingthelifeoutofthebravelittleman，thesuddenthrustofthedisciplinedRomanguardthroughthemass，therescue，thepauseonthestairway，thecalmfaceofthelittleherobeckoningforahearing，thequietingofthefrantic，frothingmob，thefearlessspeech——allpassedbeforeus。Theboyswerethrilled。
\"Goodstuff，eh？\"
\"Ain’theadaisy？\"
\"Daisy！He’sawholesunflowerpatch！\"
\"Yes，\"drawledBill，highlyappreciatingtheirmarksofapproval。
\"That’swhatIcallaparticklerfinecharacterofaman。Thereain’tnomannerofinsecksontohim。\"
\"Youbet！\"saidHi。
\"Isay，\"brokeinoneoftheboys，whowasjustemergingfromthetenderfootstage，\"o’coursethat’sintheBible，ain’tit？\"
ThePilotassented。
\"Well，howdoyouknowit’strue？\"
ThePilotwasproceedingtoelaboratehisargumentwhenBillcutinsomewhatmoreabruptlythanwashiswont。
\"Lookhere，youngfeller！\"Bill’svoicewasinthetoneofcommand。Themanlookedashewasbid。\"Howdoyouknowanything’strue？HowdoyouknowThePilothere’struewhenhespeaks？Can’tyoutellbythefeel？Youknowbythesoundofhisvoice，don’tyou？\"Billpausedandtheyoungfellowagreedreadily。
\"Wellhowdoyouknowablankedsonofashejackasswhenyouseehim？\"AgainBillpaused。Therewasnoreply。
\"Well，\"saidBill，resuminghisdeliberatedrawl。\"I’llgiveyoutheinformationwithoutextracharge。It’sbythesoundhemakeswhenheopenshisblankedjaw。\"
\"But，\"wentontheyoungskeptic，nettledatthelaughthatwentround，\"thatdon’tproveanything。Youknow，\"turningtoThePilot，\"thatthereareheapsofpeoplewhodon’tbelievetheBible。\"
ThePilotnodded。
\"Someofthesmartest，best-educatedmenareagnostics，\"proceededtheyoungman，warmingtohistheme，andfailingtonoticethestiffeningofBill’slankfigure。\"Idon’tknowbutwhatIamonemyself。\"
\"Thatso？\"saidBill，withsuddeninterest。
\"Iguessso，\"wasthemodestreply。
\"Gotitbad？\"wentonBill，withanoteofanxietyinhistone。
ButtheyoungmanturnedtoThePilotandtriedtoopenafreshargument。
\"Whateverhe’sgot，\"saidBilltotheothers，inamildvoice，\"it’sspoilin’hismanners。\"
\"Yes，\"wentonBill，meditatively，aftertheslightlaughhaddied，\"it’sruinin’tothejudgment。Hedon’tseemtoknowwhenheinterfereswiththegame。Pity，too。\"
Stilltheargumentwenton。
\"Seemsasifheoughttotakesomethin’，\"saidBill，inavoicesuspiciouslymild。\"Whatwouldyousuggest？\"
\"Awalk，mebbe！\"saidHi，indelightedexpectation。
\"Iholdtheopinionthatyouhavementionedanuncommonlyvallableremedy，better’nPainKilleralmost。\"
Billroselanguidly。
\"Isay，\"hedrawled，tappingtheyoungfellow，\"itappearstomealittlewalkwouldperhapsbegood，mebbe。\"
\"Allright，waittillIgetmycap，\"wastheunsuspectingreply。
\"Idon’tthinkperhapsyouwon’tneedit，mebbe。Icherishtheopinionyou’ll，perhaps，bewarmenough。\"Bill’svoicehadunconsciouslypassedintoasternertone。Hiwasonhisfeetandatthedoor。
\"ThishereinterviewisprivateANDconfidential，\"saidBilltohispartner。
\"Exactly，\"saidHi，openingthedoor。Atthistheyoungfellow，whowasastrappingsix-footer，butsoftandflabby，drewbackandrefusedtogo。Hewastoolate。Bill’sgripwasonhiscollarandouttheywentintothesnow，andbehindthemHiclosedthedoor。
Invaintheyoungfellowstruggledtowrenchhimselffreefromthehandsthathadhimbytheshoulderandthebackoftheneck。I
tookitallinfromthewindow。Hemighthavebeenaboyforalltheeffecthisplungingshaduponthelong，sinewyarmsthatgrippedhimsofiercely。Afteraminute’sfuriousstruggletheyoungfellowstoodquiet，whenBillsuddenlyshiftedhisgripfromtheshouldertotheseatofhisbuckskintrousers。Thenbeganaseriesofevolutionsbeforethehouse——upanddown，forwardandback，whichtheunfortunatevictim，withhandswildlyclutchingatemptyair，wasquitepowerlesstoresisttillhewasbroughtuppantingandgasping，subdued，toastandstill。
\"I’lllarnyouagnosticsandseveralotherkindsofticks，\"saidBill，inaterriblevoice，hisdrawllengtheningperceptibly。
\"Comeroundhere，willyou，andshoveyourblankedsecond-handedtrashdownourthroats？\"Billpausedtogetwords;then，burstingoutinrisingwrath：
\"Thereain’tnosootablewordsforsichconduct。Bythelivin’
Jeminy——\"Hesuddenlyswunghisprisoneroffhisfeet，liftedhimbodily，andheldhimoverhisheadatarm’slength。\"I’veanotionto——\"
\"Don’t！don’t！forHeaven’ssake！\"criedthestrugglingwretch，\"I’llstopit！Iwill！\"
Billatonceloweredhimandsethimonhisfeet。
\"Allright！Shake！\"hesaid，holdingouthishand，whichtheothertookwithcaution。
Itwasaremarkablysuddenconversionandlastinginitseffects。
TherewasnomoreagnosticisminthelittlegroupthatgatheredaroundThePilotforthenightlyreading。
Theinterestinthereadingkeptgrowingnightbynight。
\"SeemsasifThePilotwasgittin’inhiswork，\"saidBilltome;
andlookingatthegrave，eagerfaces，Iagreed。HewasgettinginhisworkwithBill，too;thoughperhapsBilldidnotknowit。I
rememberonenight，whentheothershadgone，ThePilotwasreadingtoustheParableoftheTalents，Billwasparticularlyinterestedintheservantwhofailedinhisduty。
\"Ornerycuss，eh？\"heremarked;\"andgall，too，eh？Servedhimblamedwellright，inmyopinion！\"
Butwhenthepracticalbearingoftheparablebecamecleartohim，afterlongsilence，hesaid，slowly：
\"Well，thatthereseemstoindicatethatit’sabouttimeformetogetarustleon。\"Then，afteranothersilence，hesaid，hesitatingly，\"Thisherechurch-buildin’businessnow，doyouthinkthat’llperhapscount，mebbe？Iguessnot，eh？’Tain’tmuch，o’
course，anyway。\"PoorBill，hewaslikeachild，andThePilothandledhimwithamother’stouch。
\"Whatareyoubestat，Bill？\"
\"Bronco-bustin’andcattle，\"saidBill，wonderingly;\"that’smyline。\"
\"Well，Bill，mylineispreachingjustnow，andpiloting，youknow。\"ThePilot’ssmilewaslikeasunbeamonarainyday，forthereweretearsinhiseyesandvoice。\"Andwehavejustgottobefaithful。Youseewhathesays：’Welldone，goodandFAITHFUL
servant。ThouhastbeenFAITHFUL。’\"
Billwaspuzzled。
\"Faithful！\"herepeated。\"Doesthatmeanwiththecattle，perhaps？\"
\"Yes，that’sjustit，Bill，andwitheverythingelsethatcomesyourway。\"
AndBillneverforgotthatlesson，forIheardhim，withakindofquietenthusiasm，givingittoHiasagreatfind。\"Now，Icallthatafairdeal，\"hesaidtohisfriend;\"giveseverymanashow。
Nocardsupthesleeve。\"
\"That’sso，\"wasHi’sthoughtfulreply;\"distributesthetrumps。\"
SomehowBillcametoberegardedasanauthorityuponquestionsofreligionandmorals。Nooneeveraccusedhimof\"gettin’
religion。\"Hewentabouthisworkinhisslow，quietway，buthewasalwayssharinghisdiscoverieswith\"theboys。\"AndifanyonepuzzledhimwithsubtletiesheneverrestedtillhehadhimfacetofacewithThePilot。Andsoitcamethatthesetwodrewtoeachotherwithmorethanbrotherlyaffection。WhenBillgotintodifficultywithproblemsthathavevexedthesoulsofmenfarwiserthanhe，ThePilotwouldeitherdisentangletheknotsorwouldturnhismindtotheveritiesthatstoodoutsureandclear，andBillwouldbecontent。
\"That’sgoodenoughforme，\"hewouldsay，andhisheartwouldbeatrest。
CHAPTERXXII
HOWTHESWANCREEKCHURCHWASOPENED
When，neartheendoftheyear，ThePilotfellsick，BillnursedhimlikeamotherandsenthimoffforarestandchangetoGwen，forbiddinghimtoreturntillthechurchwasfinishedandvisitinghimtwiceaweek。Thelovebetweenthetwowasmostbeautiful，and，whenIfindmyheartgrowhardandunbelievinginmenandthings，IletmymindwanderbacktoascenethatIcameuponinfrontofGwen’shouse。Thesetwowerestandingaloneintheclearmoonlight，BillwithhishanduponThePilot’sshoulder，andThePilotwithhisarmaroundBill’sneck。
\"DearoldBill，\"ThePilotwassaying，\"dearoldBill，\"andthevoicewasbreakingintoasob。AndBill，standingstiffandstraight，lookedupatthestars，coughedandswallowedhardforsomemoments，andsaid，inaqueer，croakyvoice：
\"Shouldn’twonderifaChinookwouldblowup。\"
\"Chinook？\"laughedThePilot，withacatchinhisvoice。\"Youdearoldhumbug，\"andhestoodwatchingtillthelankformswayeddownintothecanyon。
Thedayofthechurchopeningcame，asalldays，howeverlongwaitedfor，willcome——abright，beautifulChristmasDay。Theairwasstillandfulloffrostylight，asifarrestedbyavoiceofcommand，waitingthewordtomove。Thehillslayundertheirdazzlingcoverlets，asleep。Backofall，thegreatpeaksliftedmajesticheadsoutofthedarkforestsandgazedwithcalm，steadfastfacesuponthewhite，sunlitworld。To-day，asthelightfilledupthecracksthatwrinkledtheirhardfaces，theyseemedtosmile，asiftheChristmasjoyhadsomehowmovedsomethingintheirold，stonyhearts。
Thepeoplewereallthere——farmers，ranchers，cowboys，wivesandchildren——allhappy，allproudoftheirnewchurch，andnowallexpectant，waitingforThePilotandtheOldTimer，whoweretodrivedownifThePilotwasfitandweretobringGwenifthedaywasfine。Asthetimepassedon，Bill，asmasterofceremonies，begantogrowuneasy。ThenIndianJoeappearedandhandedanotetoBill。Hereadit，grewgrayinthefaceandpassedittome。
Looking，Isawinpoor，waveringlinesthewords，\"DearBill。Goonwiththeopening。SingthePsalm，youknowtheone，andsayaprayer，andoh，cometomequick，Bill。YourPilot。\"
Billgraduallypulledhimselftogether，announcedinastrangevoice，\"ThePilotcan’tcome，\"handedmethePsalm，andsaid：
\"Makethemsing。\"
ItwasthatgrandPsalmforallhillpeoples，\"Itothehillswillliftmineeyes，\"andwithwonderingfacestheysangthestrong，steadyingwords。AfterthePsalmwasoverthepeoplesatandwaited，BilllookedattheHon。FredAshley，thenatRobbieMuir，thensaidtomeinalowvoice：
\"Kinyoumakeaprayer？\"
Ishookmyhead，ashamedasIdidsoofmycowardice。
AgainBillpaused，thensaid：
\"ThePilotsaysthere’sgottobeaprayer。Kinanyonemakeone？\"
Againdead，solemnsilence。
ThenHi，whowasneartheback，said，comingtohispartner’shelp：
\"What’sthematterwithyoutrying，yourself，Bill？\"
TheredbegantocomeupinBill’swhiteface。
\"’Taintinmyline。ButThePilotsaysthere’sgottobeaprayer，andI’mgoingtostaywiththegame。\"Then，leaningonthepulpit，hesaid：
\"Let’spray，\"andbegan：
\"GodAlmighty，Iain’tnogoodatthis，andperhapsyou’llunderstandifIdon’tputthingsright。\"Thenapausefollowed，duringwhichIheardsomeofthewomenbeginningtosob。
\"WhatIwanttosay，\"Billwenton，\"is，we’remightygladaboutthischurch，whichweknowit’syouandThePilotthat’sworkedit。
Andwe’reallgladtochipin。\"
Thenagainhepaused，and，lookingup，Isawhishard，grayfaceworkingandtwotearsstealingdownhischeeks。Thenhestartedagain：
\"ButaboutThePilot——Idon’twanttopersoom——butifyoudon’tmind，we’dliketohavehimstay——infact，don’tseehowwekindowithouthim——lookatalltheboyshere;he’sjustgettinghisworkinandisbringin’’emrightalong，and，GodAlmighty，ifyoutakehimawayitmightbeagoodthingforhimself，butforus——oh，God，\"thevoicequiveredandwassilent\"Amen。\"
Thensomeone，IthinkitmusthavebeentheLadyCharlotte，began：
\"OurFather，\"andalljoinedthatcouldjoin，totheend。ForafewmomentsBillstoodup，lookingatthemsilently。Then，asifrememberinghisduty，hesaid：
\"Thisherechurchisopen。Excuseme。\"
Hestoodatthedoor，gaveawordofdirectiontoHi，whohadfollowedhimout，andleapingonhisbroncoshookhimoutintoahardgallop。
TheSwanCreekChurchwasopened。Theformofservicemaynothavebeencorrect，but，ifgreatlovecountsforanythingandappealingfaith，thenallthatwasnecessarywasdone。
CHAPTERXXIII
THEPILOT’SLASTPORT
IntheoldtimesafuneralwasregardedintheSwanCreekcountryasakindofsolemnfestivity。Inthosedays，forthemostpart，mendiedintheirbootsandwereplantedwithmuchhonorandloyallibation。Therewasoftenneithershroudnorcoffin，andintheFarWestmanyapoorfellowliesashefell，wrappedinhisownorhiscomrade’sblanket。
ItwasthemanageroftheXLCompany’sranchthatintroducedcrape。Theoccasionwasthefuneralofoneoftheranchcowboys，killedbyhisbronco，butwhenthepall-bearersandmournersappearedwithbandsandstreamersofcrape，thiswasvotedbythemajorityas\"toogay。\"Thatcircumstancealonewassufficienttorenderthatfuneralfamous，butitwasremembered，too，ashavingshockedtheproprietiesinanotherandmoreseriousmanner。Noonewouldbesonarrow-mindedastoobjecttothecustomofthereturnprocessionfallingintoaseriesofhorse-racesofthewildestdescription，andendingupatLatour’sinageneralriot。Buttoracewiththecorpsewasconsideredbadform。The\"corpse-driver，\"
ashewascalled，couldhardlybeblamedonthisoccasion。Hisacknowledgedplacewasattheheadoftheprocession，anditwasapointofhonorthatthatplaceshouldberetained。ThefaultclearlylaywiththedriveroftheXLranchsleigh，containingthemourners（aninnovation，bytheway），whofeltaggrievedthatHiKendal，drivingtheAshleyteamwiththepall-bearers（anotherinnovation），shouldbegiventheplaceofhonornextthecorpse。
TheXLdriverwantedtoknowwhat，inthenameofallthatwasblackandblue，theAshleyRanchhadtodowiththefuneral？Whosewasthatcorpse，anyway？Didn’titbelongtotheXLranch？Hi，ontheotherhand，contendedthatthecorpsewasinchargeofthepall-bearers。\"Itwastheirdutytoseeitrighttothegrave，andiftheywerenotonhand，howwasitgoin’togetthere？Theydidn’texpectitwouldgitupandgettherebyitself，didthey？
Hididn’twantnoblankedmournersfoolin’roundthatcorptillitwasproperlyplanted;afterthattheymightgitintheirwork。\"
ButtheXLdrivercouldnotacceptthisview，andatthefirstopportunityslippedpastHiandhispall-bearersandtooktheplacenextthesleighthatcarriedthecoffin。ItispossiblethatHimighthavebornewiththisaffrontandlossofpositionwithevenmind，butthejeeringremarksofthemournersastheyslidpasttriumphantlycouldnotbeendured，andthenextmomentthethreeteamswereabreastinaraceasfordearlife。Thecorpse-driver，havingtheadvantageofthebeatentrack，soonlefttheothertwobehindrunningneckandneckforsecondplace，whichwascapturedfinallybyHiandmaintainedtothegraveside，inspiteofmanyattemptsonthepartoftheXL’s。Thewholeproceeding，however，wasconsideredquiteimproper，andatLatour’s，thatnight，afterfullandbibulousdiscussion，itwasagreedthatthecorpse-driverfairlydistributedtheblame。\"Forhispart，\"hesaid，\"heknewhehadn’toughttomakenocorpgitanysuchmoveon，buthewasn’tgoin’toseethattherecorptakesecondplaceathisownfuneral。
Notifhecouldhelpit。Andasfortheothers，hethoughtthatthepall-bearershadablankedsightmoretodowiththeplantin’
thanthemgiddymourners。\"
ButwhentheygatheredattheMeredithranchtocarryoutThePilottohisgraveitwasfeltthattheFoothillCountrywascalledtoanewexperience。Theywereallthere。ThemenfromthePorcupineandfrombeyondtheFort，thePolicewiththeInspectorincommand，allthefarmersfortwentymilesaround，andofcoursealltheranchersandcowboysoftheSwanCreekcountry。Therewasnoeffortatrepression。Therewasnoneed，forinthecowboys，forthefirsttimeintheirexperience，therewasnoheartforfun。
Andastheyrodeupandhitchedtheirhorsestothefence，ordrovetheirsleighsintotheyardandtookoffthebells，therewasnoloud-voicedsalutation，noguyingnorchaffing，butwithsilentnodtheytooktheirplacesinthecrowdaboutthedoororpassedintothekitchen。
ThemenfromthePorcupinecouldnotquiteunderstandthegloomysilence。Itwassomethingunprecedentedinacountrywheremenlaughedallcaretoscornandsaluteddeathwithanod。Buttheywerequicktoreadsigns，andwithcharacteristiccourtesytheyfellinwiththemoodtheycouldnotunderstand。Thereisnomanlivingsoquicktofeelyourmood，andsoreadytoadapthimselftoit，asisthetrueWesterner。
Thiswasthedayofthecowboy’sgrief。TotherestofthecommunityThePilotwaspreacher;tothemhewascomradeandfriend。Theyhadbeenslowtoadmithimtotheirconfidence，butsteadilyhehadwonhisplacewiththem，tillwithinthelastfewmonthstheyhadcometocounthimasofthemselves。Hehadriddentherangewiththem;hehadsleptintheirshacksandcookedhismealsontheirtinstoves;and，besides，hewasBill’schum。Thatalonewasenoughtogivehimarighttoalltheyowned。Hewastheirs，andtheywereonlybeginningtotakefullprideinhimwhenhepassedoutfromthem，leavinganemptinessintheirlifenewandunexplained。Nomaninthatcountryhadevershownconcernforthem，norhaditoccurredtothemthatanymancould，tillThePilotcame。Ittookthemlongtobelievethattheinterestheshowedinthemwasgenuineandnotsimplyprofessional。Then，too，fromapreachertheyhadexpectedchieflypity，warning，rebuke。
ThePilotastonishedthembygivingthemrespect，admiration，andopen-heartedaffection。Itwasmonthsbeforetheycouldgetovertheirsuspicionthathewashumbuggingthem。Whenoncetheydid，theygavehimbackwithoutknowingitallthetrustandloveoftheirbig，generoushearts。Hehadmadethisworldnewtosomeofthem，andtoallhadgivenglimpsesofthenext。Itwasnowonderthattheystoodindumbgroupsaboutthehousewheretheman，whohaddoneallthisforthemandhadbeenallthistothemlaydead。
Therewasnodemonstrationofgrief。TheDukewasincommand，andhisquiet，firmvoice，givingdirections，helpedalltoself-
control。Thewomenwhoweregatheredinthemiddleroomwereweepingquietly。Billwasnowheretobeseen，butneartheinnerdoorsatGweninherchair，withLadyCharlottebesideher，holdingherhand。Herface，wornwithlongsuffering，waspale，butsereneasthemorningsky，andwithnotatraceoftears。Asmyeyecaughthers，shebeckonedmetoher。
\"Where’sBill？\"shesaid。\"Bringhimin。\"
Ifoundhimatthebackofthehouse。
\"Aren’tyoucomingin，Bill？\"Isaid。
\"No;Iguessthere’splentywithoutme，\"hesaid，inhisslowway。
\"You’dbettercomein;theserviceisgoingtobegin，\"Iurged。
\"Don’tseemasifIcaredfortohearanythin’much。Iain’tmuchusedtopreachin’，anyway，\"saidBill，withcarefulindifference，butheaddedtohimself，\"excepthis，ofcourse。\"
\"Comein，Bill，\"Iurged。\"Itwilllookqueer，youknow，\"butBillreplied：
\"IguessI’llnotbother，\"adding，afterapause：\"Yousee，there’sthemwimminturnin’onthewaterworks，andlikeasnotthey’dswampmesure。\"
\"That’sso，\"saidHi，whowasstandingnear，insilentsympathywithhisfriend’sgrief。
IreportedtoGwen，whoansweredinheroldimperiousway，\"TellhimIwanthim。\"ItookBillthemessage。
\"Whydidn’tyousaysobefore？\"hesaid，and，startingup，hepassedintothehouseandtookuphispositionbehindGwen’schair。
Opposite，andleaningagainstthedoor，stoodTheDuke，withalookofquietearnestnessonhishandsomeface。AthissidestoodtheHon。FredAshley，andbehindhimtheOldTimer，lookingbewilderedandwoe-stricken。ThePilothadfilledalargeplaceintheoldman’slife。Therestofthemenstoodabouttheroomandfilledthekitchenbeyond，allquiet，solemn，sad。
InGwen’sroom，theonefarthestin，layThePilot，statelyandbeautifulunderthemagictouchofdeath。AndasIstoodandlookeddownuponthequietfaceIsawwhyGwenshednotear，butcarriedalookofserenetriumph。Shehadreadthefacearight。
Thelinesofwearinessthathadbeengrowingsopainfullyclearthelastfewmonthsweresmoothedout，thelookofcarewasgone，andinplaceofwearinessandcare，wastheproudsmileofvictoryandpeace。Hehadmethisfoeandwassurprisedtofindhisterrorgone。
Theservicewasbeautifulinitssimplicity。Theminister，ThePilot’schief，hadcomeoutfromtowntotakecharge。Hewasratheralittleman，butsturdyandwellset。Hisfacewasburntandsearedwiththesunsandfrostshehadbravedforyears。Stillintheprimeofhismanhood，hishairandbeardweregrizzledandhisfacedeep-lined，forthetoilsandcaresofapioneermissionary’slifeareneitherfewnorlight。Butoutofhiskindlyblueeyelookedtheheartofahero，andashespoketouswefelttheprophet’stouchandcaughtagleamoftheprophet’sfire。
\"Ihavefoughtthefight，\"heread。Theringinhisvoiceliftedupallourheads，and，ashepicturedtousthelifeofthatbatteredherowhohadwrittenthesewords，IsawBill’seyesbegintogleamandhislankfigurestraightenoutitslazyangles。Thenheturnedtheleavesquicklyandreadagain，\"Letnotyourheartbetroubled……inmyfather’shousearemanymansions。\"Hisvoicetookalower，sweetertone;helookedoverourheads，andforafewmomentsspokeoftheeternalhope。Thenhecamebacktous，and，lookingroundintothefacesturnedsoeagerlytohim，talkedtousofThePilot——howatthefirsthehadsenthimtouswithfearandtrembling——hewassoyoung——buthowhehadcometotrustinhimandtorejoiceinhiswork，andtohopemuchfromhislife。Nowitwasallover;buthefeltsurehisyoungfriendhadnotgivenhislifeinvain。Hepausedashelookedfromonetotheother，tillhiseyesrestedonGwen’sface。Iwasstartled，asIbelievehewas，too，atthesmilethatpartedherlips，soevidentlysaying：\"Yes，buthowmuchbetterIknowthanyou。\"
\"Yes，\"hewenton，afterapause，answeringhersmile，\"youallknowbetterthanIthathisworkamongyouwillnotpassawaywithhisremoval，butendurewhileyoulive，\"andthesmileonGwen’sfacegrewbrighter。\"Andnowyoumustnotgrudgehimhisrewardandhisrest……andhishome。\"AndBill，noddinghisheadslowly，saidunderhisbreath，\"That’sso。\"
ThentheysangthathymnofthedawninggloryofImmanuel’sland，——
LadyCharlotteplayingtheorganandTheDukeleadingwithclear，steadyvoiceverseafterverse。Whentheycametothelastversetheministermadeasignand，whiletheywaited，hereadthewords：
\"I’vewrestledontowardsheaven’Gainststorm，andwind，andtide。\"
Andsoontothatlastvictoriouscry，——
\"IhailtheglorydawningInImmanuel’sLand。\"
Foramomentitlookedasifthesingingcouldnotgoon，fortearswereontheminister’sfaceandthewomenwerebeginningtosob，butTheDuke’sclear，quietvoicecaughtupthesongandsteadiedthemalltotheend。
AftertheprayertheyallwentinandlookedatThePilot’sfaceandpassedout，leavingbehindonlythosethatknewhimbest。TheDukeandtheHon。Fredstoodlookingdownuponthequietface。
\"Thecountryhaslostagoodman，Duke，\"saidtheHon。Fred。TheDukebowedsilently。ThenLadyCharlottecameandgazedamoment。
\"DearPilot，\"shewhispered，hertearsfallingfast。\"Dear，dearPilot！ThankGodforyou！Youhavedonemuchforme。\"Thenshestoopedandkissedhimonhiscoldlipsandonhisforehead。
ThenGwenseemedtosuddenlywakenasfromadream。Sheturnedand，lookingupinafrightenedway，saidtoBillhurriedly：
\"Iwanttoseehimagain。Carryme！\"
AndBillgatheredherupinhisarmsandtookherin。Astheylookeddownuponthedeadfacewithitslookofproudpeaceandtouchedwiththestatelinessofdeath，Gwen’sfearpassedaway。
ButwhenTheDukemadetocovertheface，Gwendrewasharpbreathand，clingingtoBill，said，withasuddengasp：
\"Oh，Bill，Ican’tbearitalone。I’mafraidalone。\"
Shewasthinkingofthelong，wearydaysofpainbeforeherthatshemustfacenowwithoutThePilot’stouchandsmileandvoice。
\"Me，too，\"saidBill，thinkingofthedaysbeforehim。Hecouldhavesaidnothingbetter。Gwenlookedinhisfaceamoment，thensaid：
\"We’llhelpeachother，\"andBill，swallowinghard，couldonlynodhisheadinreply。OncemoretheylookeduponThePilot，leaningdownandlingeringoverhim，andthenGwensaidquietly：
\"Takemeaway，Bill，\"andBillcarriedherintotheouterroom。
TurningbackIcaughtalookonTheDuke’sfacesofullofgriefthatIcouldnothelpshowingmyamazement。Henoticedandsaid：
\"ThebestmanIeverknew，Connor。Hehasdonesomethingformetoo……I’dgivetheworldtodielikethat。\"
Thenhecoveredtheface。
WesatGwen’swindow，Bill，withGweninhisarms，andIwatching。
Downthesloping，snow-coveredhillwoundtheprocessionofsleighsandhorsemen，withoutsoundofvoiceorjingleofbelltill，onebyone，theypassedoutofoursightanddippeddownintothecanyon。
Butwekneweverystepofthewindingtrailandfollowedtheminfancythroughthatfairysceneofmysticwonderland。Weknewhowthegreatelmsandthepoplarsandthebirchesclingingtothesnowysidesinterlacedtheirbareboughsintoanetworkofbewilderingcomplexity，andhowthecedarsandbalsamsandsprucesstoodinthebottom，theirdarkboughsweighteddownwithheavywhitemantlesofsnow，andhoweverystumpandfallenlogandrottingstickwasmadeathingofbeautybythesnowthathadfallensogentlyontheminthatquietspot。Andwecouldseetherocksofthecanyonsidesgleamoutblackfromunderoverhangingsnow-banks，andwecouldhearthesongoftheSwaninitsmanytones，nowunderanicysheet，cooingcomfortably，andthenburstingoutintosunlitlaughterandleapingintoafoamingpool，toglideawaysmoothlymurmuringitsdelighttothewhitebanksthatcurvedtokissthedarkwaterasitfled。Andwheretheflowershadbeen，thevioletsandthewind-flowersandtheclematisandthecolumbineandallthefernsandfloweringshrubs，therelaythesnow。Everywherethesnow，pure，white，andmyriad-gemmed，buteveryflakeaflower’sshroud。
Outwherethecanyonopenedtothesunny，slopingprairie，theretheywouldlayThePilottosleep，withintouchofthecanyonheloved，withallitssleepingthings。Andthereheliestothistime。ButSpringhascomemanytimestothecanyonsincethatwinterday，andhascalledtothesleepingflowers，summoningthemforthinmerrytroops，andevermoreandmoretillthecanyonrippleswiththem。Andlivesarelikeflowers。Indyingtheyabidenotalone，butsowthemselvesandbloomagainwitheachreturningspring，andevermoreandmore。
Foroftenduringthefollowingyears，ashereandthereIcameupononeofthosethatcompaniedwithusinthoseFoothilldays，Iwouldcatchaglimpseinwordanddeedandlookofhimwecalled，firstinjest，butafterwardswithtrueandtenderfeelingwewerenotashamedtoown，ourSkyPilot。
