ItwasthevoiceofColonelStarbottle；itwasthefrilledshirtfront，thelightlybuttonedbluecoatwithitsexpandinglapels，likeburstingpetals，andthesmilingmaskofthatgentlemanrisingabovethetableandbowingtoClarenceBrantandhiswifewithinfinitecourtesy。\"The——er——humiliatingsituationinwhichwefindourselves，gentlemen，——thereluctantwitnessesof——er——whatwetrustisonlyatemporarydisagreementbetweenourcharminghostessandthe——er——gentlemanwhomsherecognizedunderthehighesttitletoourconsideration，——isdistressingtousall，andwouldseemtoamplyjustifythatgentleman’sclaimstoapersonalsatisfaction，whichIknowwewouldalldelighttogive。Butthatsituationrestsuponthesuppositionthatourgatheringherewasofapurelysocialorfestivenature！Itmaybe，\"continuedthecolonelwithablandlyreflectiveair，\"thatthespectacleofthesedecantersandglasses，andthenectarfurnishedusbyourHebe-likehostess\"（heliftedaglassofwhiskeyandwatertohislipswhilehebowedtoMrs。Brantgracefully），\"hasledthegentlemantosuchadeduction。
ButwhenIsuggesttohimthatourmeetingwasofabusiness，orprivatenature，itstrikesmethatthequestionofintrusionmaybefairlydividedbetweenhimandourselves。Wemaybeevenjustified，inviewofthatprivacy，inaskinghimifhis——er——entrancetothishousewas——er——coincidentwithhisappearanceamongus。\"
\"Withmyfrontdoorinpossessionofstrangers，\"saidClarence，moreinreplytoasuddencontemptuousglancefromhiswifethanStarbottle’sinsinuation，\"Ienteredthehousethroughthewindow。\"
\"Ofmyboudoir，whereanotherintruderoncebrokehisneck，\"
interruptedhiswifewithamockinglaugh。
\"WhereIoncehelpedthisladytoregainpossessionofherhousewhenitwasheldbyanotherpartyofillegaltrespassers，who，however，werecontenttocallthemselves’jumpers，’anddidnotclaimtheprivacyofgentlemen。\"
\"Doyoumeantoimply，sir，\"beganColonelStarbottlehaughtily，\"that\"——
\"Imeantoimply，sir，\"saidClarencewithquietscorn，\"thatI
haveneitherthewishtoknownortheslightestconcerninanypurposethatbroughtyouhere，andthatwhenyouquitthehouseyoutakeyoursecretsandyourprivacywithyouintact，withoutletorhindrancefromme。\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，Mr。Brant，\"saidJudgeBeeswinger，suppressingtheangryinterruptionofhisfellowswithadominantwaveofhishand，ashefixedhiseyesonClarencekeenly，\"thatyouhavenosympathywithyourwife’spoliticalsentiments？\"
\"Ihavealreadygivenyoutheinformationnecessarytomakeyouquitthishouse，andthatisallyouhavearighttoknow，\"
returnedClarencewithfoldedarms。
\"ButIcananswerforhim，\"saidMrs。Brant，rising，withaquiveringvoiceandcurlinglip。\"ThereISnosympathybetweenus。
Weareasfarapartasthepoles。Wehavenothingincommonbutthishouseandhisname。\"
\"Butyouarehusbandandwife，boundtogetherbyasacredcompact。\"
\"Acompact！\"echoedMrs。Brant，withabitterlaugh。\"Yes，thecompactthatbindsSouthCarolinatothenigger-worshippingMassachusetts。Thecompactthatlinkstogetherwhiteandblack，thegentlemanandthetrader，theplanterandthepoorwhite——thecompactofthoseUNITEDStates。Bah！THAThasbeenbroken，andsocanthis。\"
Clarence’sfacepaled。Butbeforehecouldspeaktherewasarapidclatteringatthegateandadismountedvaqueroenteredexcitedly。
TurningtoMrs。Branthesaidhurriedly，\"MotherofGod！thecasaissurroundedbyarabbleofmountedmen，andthereisoneamongthemevennowwhodemandsadmittanceinthenameoftheLaw。\"
\"Thisisyourwork，\"saidBrooks，facingClarencefuriously。\"Youhavebroughtthemwithyou，but，byGod，theyshallnotsaveyou！\"
HewouldhaveclutchedClarence，butthepowerfularmofJudgeBeeswingerintervened。Nevertheless，hestillstruggledtoreachClarence，appealingtotheothers：\"Areyoufoolstostandthereandlethimtriumph！Don’tyouseethecowardlyYankeetrickhe’splayeduponus？\"
\"Hehasnot，\"saidMrs。Branthaughtily。\"Ihavenoreasontolovehimorhisfriends；butIknowhedoesnotlie。\"
\"Gentlemen！——gentlemen！\"imploredColonelStarbottlewithbeamingandunctuouspersuasion，\"mayI——er——remark——thatallthisisfarfromthequestion？Arewetobealarmedbecauseanunknownrabble，nomatterwhencetheycome，demandentrancehereinthenameoftheLaw？IamnotawareofanylawoftheStateofCaliforniathatweareinfringing。Byallmeansadmitthem。\"
Thegatewasthrownopen。Asinglethick-setman，apparentlyunarmedanddressedlikeanordinarytraveler，followedbyhalfadozenotherequallyunpretentious-lookingmen，entered。Theleaderturnedtothebalcony。
\"IamtheChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco。IhavewarrantsforthearrestofColonelCulpepperStarbottle，JoshuaBrooks，CaptainPinckney，ClarenceBrantandAlicehiswife，andotherschargedwithincitingtoriotandunlawfulpracticecalculatedtodisturbthepeaceoftheStateofCaliforniaanditsrelationswiththeFederalgovernment，\"saidtheleader，inadryofficialvoice。
Clarencestarted。Inspiteofitsmonotonousutteranceitwasthevoiceofthered-beardedcontroversialistofthestage-coach。Butwherewerehischaracteristicbeardandhair？InvoluntarilyClarenceglancedatJudgeBeeswinger；thatgentlemanwasquietlyregardingthestrangerwithanimpassivefacethatbetrayednorecognitionwhatever。
\"ButthecityofSanFranciscohasnojurisdictionhere，\"saidColonelStarbottle，turningablandsmiletowardshisfellow-
members。\"Iam——er——sorrytoinformyouthatyouaresimplytrespassing，sir。\"
\"Iamherealsoasdeputysheriff，\"returnedthestrangercoolly。
\"Wewereunabletolocatethepreciseplaceofthismeeting，althoughweknewofitsexistence。IwassworninthismorningatSantaInezbythejudgeofthisdistrict，andthesegentlemenwithmearemyposse。\"
Therewasaquickmovementofresistancebythemembers，whichwas，however，againwaivedblandlyasidebyColonelStarbottle。Leaningforwardinaslightlyforensicattitude，withhisfingersonthetableandashirtfrillthatseemedtohavebecomeofitselferectile，hesaid，withpainedbutpoliteprecision，\"Igrievetohavetostate，sir，thateventhatpositionisutterlyuntenablehere。Iamalawyermyself，asmyfriendhere，JudgeBeeswinger——
eh？Ibegyourpardon！\"
Theofficerofthelawhadmomentarilystarted，withhiseyesfixedonJudgeBeeswinger，who，however，seemedtobequietlywritingatthetable。
\"AsJudgeBeeswinger，\"continuedColonelStarbottle，\"willprobablytellyouandasajuristhimself，hewillalsoprobablyagreewithmewhenIalsoinformyouthat，astheUnitedStatesgovernmentisanaggrievedparty，itisamatterfortheFederalcourtstoprosecute，andthattheonlyofficerwecanrecognizeistheUnitedStatesMarshalforthedistrict。WhenIaddthatthemarshal，ColonelCrackenthorpe，isoneofmyoldestfriends，andanactivesympathizerwiththeSouthinthepresentstruggle，youwillunderstandthatanyactionfromhiminthismatterisexceedinglyimprobable。\"
Thegeneralmurmuroflaughter，relief，andapprovalwasbrokenbythequietvoiceofJudgeBeeswinger。
\"Letmeseeyourwarrant，Mr。DeputySheriff。\"
Theofficerapproachedhimwithaslightlyperplexedandconstrainedair，andexhibitedthepaper。JudgeBeeswingerhandeditbacktohim。\"ColonelStarbottleisquiterightinhiscontention，\"hesaidquietly；\"theonlyofficerthatthisassemblycanrecognizeistheUnitedStatesMarshalorhislegaldeputy。ButColonelStarbottleiswronginhissuppositionthatColonelCrackenthorpestillretainsthefunctionsofthatoffice。HewasremovedbythePresidentoftheUnitedStates，andhissuccessorwasappointedandsworninbytheFederaljudgeearlythismorning。\"Hepaused，andfoldingupthepaperonwhichhehadbeenwriting，placeditinthehandsofthedeputy。\"Andthis，\"hecontinuedinthesameevenvoice，\"constitutesyouhisdeputy，andwillenableyoutocarryoutyourdutyincominghere。\"
\"Whatthedevildoesthismean，sir？Whoareyou？\"gaspedColonelStarbottle，recoilingsuddenlyfromthemanathisside。
\"IamthenewUnitedStatesMarshalfortheSouthernDistrictofCalifornia。\"
CHAPTERIII。
UnsuspectedandastoundingastherevelationwastoClarence，itsstrangereceptionbytheconspiratorsseemedtohimasastounding。
Hehadstartedforward，halfexpectingthatthecomplacentandself-confessedspywouldbeimmolatedbyhisinfuriateddupes。Buttohissurprisetheshockseemedtohavechangedtheirnatures，andgiventhemthedignitytheyhadlacked。Theexcitability，irritation，andrecklessnesswhichhadpreviouslycharacterizedthemhaddisappeared。Thedeputyandhisposse，whohadadvancedtotheassistanceoftheirrevealedchief，metwithnoresistance。
Theyhadevidently，asifwithoneaccord，drawnawayfromJudgeBeeswinger，leavingaclearedspacearoundhim，andregardedtheircaptorswithsullencontemptuoussilence。ItwasonlybrokenbyColonelStarbottle：——
\"Yourdutycommandsyou，sir，touseallpossiblediligenceinbringingusbeforetheFederaljudgeofthisdistrict——unlessyourmasterinWashingtonhasviolatedtheConstitutionsofarastoremovehim，too！\"
\"Iunderstandyouperfectly，\"returnedJudgeBeeswinger，withunchangedcomposure；\"andasyouknowthatJudgeWilsonunfortunatelycannotberemovedexceptthrougharegularcourseofimpeachment，IsupposeyoumaystillcountuponhisSouthernsympathiestobefriendyou。WiththatIhavenothingtodo；mydutyiscompletewhenmydeputyhasbroughtyoubeforehimandI
havestatedthecircumstancesofthearrest。\"
\"Icongratulateyou，sir，\"saidCaptainPinckney，withanironicalsalute，\"onyourpromptrewardforyourtreacherytotheSouth，andyourequallypromptadoptionofthepeculiartacticsofyourfriendsinthewayinwhichyouhaveenteredthishouse。\"
\"IamsorryIcannotcongratulateYOU，sir，\"returnedJudgeBeeswingergravely，onbreakingyouroathtothegovernmentwhichhaseducatedandsupportedyouandgivenyoutheepaulettesyoudisgrace。NorshallIdiscuss’treachery’withthemanwhohasnotonlyviolatedthetrustofhiscountry，buteventheintegrityofhisfriend’shousehold。ItisforthatreasonthatIwithholdtheactionofthiswarrantinsofarasitaffectsthepersonsofthemasterandmistressofthishome。IamsatisfiedthatMr。BranthasbeenasignorantofwhathasbeendonehereasIamthathiswifehasbeenonlythefoolishdupeofadoubletraitor！\"
\"Silence！\"
ThewordsbrokesimultaneouslyfromthelipsofClarenceandCaptainPinckney。Theystoodstaringateachother——theonepale，theothercrimson——asMrs。Brant，apparentlyobliviousofthesignificanceoftheirunitedadjuration，turnedtoJudgeBeeswingerinthefuryofherstillstifledrageandmortification。
\"Keepyourmercyforyourfellow-spy，\"shesaid，withacontemptuousgesturetowardsherhusband；\"Igowiththesegentlemen！\"
\"Youwillnot，\"saidClarencequietly，\"untilIhavesaidawordtoyoualone。\"Helaidhishandfirmlyuponherwrist。
Thedeputyandhisprisonersfiledslowlyoutofthecourtyardtogether，thelattercourteouslysalutingMrs。Brantastheypassed，butturningfromJudgeBeeswingerincontemptuoussilence。
Thejudgefollowedthemtothegate，buttherehepaused。TurningtoMrs。Brant，whowasstillhalfstrugglinginthestronggripofherhusband，hesaid，——
\"AnycompunctionImayhavehadinmisleadingyoubyacceptingyourinvitationhereIdismissedafterIhadenteredthishouse。AndI
trust，\"headded，turningtoClarencesternly，\"Ileaveyouthemasterofit！\"
Asthegateclosedbehindhim，Clarencelockedit。Whenhiswifeturneduponhimangrily，hesaidquietly，——
\"Ihavenointentionofrestrainingyourlibertyamomentafterourinterviewisover，butuntilthenIdonotintendtobedisturbed。\"
Shethrewherselfdisdainfullybackinherchair，herhandsclaspedinherlapinhalf-contemptuousresignation，withhereyesuponherlongslimarchedfeetcrossedbeforeher。Eveninherattitudetherewassomethingofheroldfascinationwhich，however，nowseemedtostingClarencetothequick。
\"Ihavenothingtosaytoyouinregardtowhathasjustpassedinthishouse，exceptthataslongasIremainevennominallyitsmasteritshallnotberepeated。AlthoughIshallnolongerattempttoinfluenceorcontrolyourpoliticalsympathies，Ishallnotallowyoutoindulgethemwhereinanywaytheyseemtoimplymysanction。ButsolittledoIopposeyourliberty，thatyouarefreetorejoinyourpoliticalcompanionswheneveryouchoosetodosoonyourownresponsibility。ButImustfirstknowfromyourownlipswhetheryoursympathiesarepurelypolitical——oranameforsomethingelse？\"
Shehadalternatelyflushedandpaled，althoughstillkeepingherscornfulattitudeashewenton，buttherewasnomistakingthegenuinenessofhervaguewondermentathisconcludingwords。
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"shesaid，liftinghereyestohisinamomentofcoldcuriosity。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"WhatdoImean？WhatdidJudgeBeeswingermeanwhenhecalledCaptainPinckneyadoubletraitor？\"hesaidroughly。
Shesprangtoherfeetwithflashingeyes。\"Andyou——YOU！daretorepeatthecowardlylieofaconfessedspy。This，then，iswhatyouwishedtotellme——thistheinsultforwhichyouhavekeptmehere；becauseyouareincapableofunderstandingunselfishpatriotismordevotion——eventoyourowncause——youdaretojudgemebyyourownbase，Yankee-tradingstandards。Yes，itisworthyofyou！\"Shewalkedrapidlyupanddown，andthensuddenlyfacedhim。\"Iunderstanditall；Iappreciateyourmagnanimitynow。YouarewillingIshouldjointhecompanyofthesechivalrousgentlemeninordertogivecolortoyourcalumnies！Sayatoncethatitwasyouwhoputupthisspytocorrespondwithme——tocomehere——inordertoentrapme。Yesentrapme——I——whoamomentagostoodupforyoubeforethesegentlemen，andsaidyoucouldnotlie。Bah！\"
Struckonlybythewildextravaganceofherspeechandtemper，Clarencedidnotknowthatwhenwomenaremostillogicaltheyareapttobemostsincere，andfromaman’sstandpointherunreasoningdeductionsappearedtohimonlyasanaffectationtogaintimeforthought，oratheatricaldisplay，likeSusy’s。Andhewasturninghalfcontemptuouslyaway，whensheagainfacedhimwithflashingeyes。
\"Well，hearme！Iaccept；Ileavehereatonce，tojoinmyownpeople，myownfriends——thosewhounderstandme——putwhatconstructiononitthatyouchoose。Doyourworst；youcannotdomoretoseparateusthanyouhavedonejustnow。\"
Shelefthim，andranupthestepswithasingularreturnofheroldoccasionalnymph-likenimbleness——themovementofawomanwhohadneverbornechildren——andaswishofherlongskirtsthatherememberedformanyadayafter，asshedisappearedinthecorridor。Heremainedlookingafterher——indignant，outraged，andunconvinced。Therewasarattlingatthegate。
Herememberedhehadlockedit。HeopenedittotheflushedpinkcheeksanddancingeyesofSusy。Therainwasstilldrippingfromherwetcloakassheswungitfromhershoulders。
\"Iknowitall！——allthat’shappened，\"sheburstoutwithhalf-
girlishexuberanceandhalftheactress’sdeclamation。\"Wemetthemallintheroad——posseandprisoners。ChiefThompsonknewmeandtoldmeall。Andsoyou’vedoneit——andyou’remasterinyouroldhouseagain。Clarence，oldboy！Jimsaidyouwouldn’tdoit——
saidyou’dweakenonaccountofher！ButIsaid’No。’Iknewyoubetter，oldClarence，andIsawitinyourface，forallyourstiffness！ha！ButforallthatIwasmightynervousanduneasy，andIjustmadeJimsendanexcusetothetheatreandwerusheditdownhere！Lordy！butitlooksnaturaltoseetheoldhouseagain！
Andshe——youpackedheroffwiththeothers——didn’tyou？Tellme，Clarence，\"inheroldappealingvoice，\"youshookher，too！\"
Dazedandastounded，andyetexperiencingavaguesenseofreliefwithsomethinglikehisoldtendernesstowardsthewillfulwomanbeforehim，hehadsilentlyregardedheruntilherallusiontohiswiferecalledhimtohimself。
\"Hush！\"hesaidquickly，withaglancetowardsthecorridor。
\"Ah！\"saidSusy，withamalicioussmile，\"thenthat’swhyCaptainPinckneywaslingeringintherearwiththedeputy。\"
\"Silence！\"repeatedClarencesternly。\"Gointhere，\"pointingtothegardenroombelowthebalcony，\"andwaittherewithyourhusband。\"
Hehalfled，halfpushedherintotheroomwhichhadbeenhisbusinessoffice，andreturnedtothepatio。Ahesitatingvoicefromthebalconysaid，\"Clarence！\"
Itwashiswife’svoice，butmodifiedandgentler——morelikehervoiceashehadfirstheardit，orasifithadbeenchastenedbysomereminiscenceofthosedays。Itwashiswife’sface，too，thatlookeddownonhis——palerthanhehadseenitsinceheenteredthehouse。Shewasshawledandhooded，carryingatraveling-baginherhand。
\"Iamgoing，Clarence，\"shesaid，pausingbeforehim，withgentlegravity，\"butnotinanger。IevenaskyoutoforgivemeforthefoolishwordsthatIthinkyourstillmorefoolishaccusation\"——shesmiledfaintly——\"draggedfromme。IamgoingbecauseIknowthatI
havebrought——andthatwhileIamhereIshallalwaysbebringing——
uponyoutheimputationandeventheresponsibilityofmyownfaith！WhileIamproudtoownit，——andifneedsbesufferforit，——Ihavenorighttoruinyourprospects，orevenmakeyouthevictimoftheslursthatothersmaycastuponme。Letuspartasfriends——separatedonlybyourdifferentpoliticalfaiths，butkeepingallotherfaithstogether——untilGodshallsettletherightofthisstruggle。Perhapsitmaybesoon——Isometimesthinkitmaybeyearsofagonyforall；butuntilthen，good-by。\"
Shehadslowlydescendedthestepstothepatio，lookinghandsomerthanhehadeverseenher，andasifsustainedandupheldbytheenthusiasmofhercause。Herhandwasoutstretchedtowardshis——
hisheartbeatviolently——inanothermomenthemighthaveforgottenallandclaspedhertohisbreast。Suddenlyshestopped，heroutstretchedarmstiffened，herfingerpointedtothechaironwhichSusy’scloakwashanging。
\"What’sthat？\"shesaidinasharp，high，metallicvoice。\"Whoishere？Speak！\"
\"Susy，\"saidClarence。
Shecastascathingglanceroundthepatio，andthensettledherpiercingeyesonClarencewithabittersmile。
\"Already！\"
Clarencefeltthebloodrushtohisfaceashestammered，\"Sheknewwhatwashappeninghere，andcametogiveyouwarning。\"
\"Liar！\"
\"Stop！\"saidClarence，withawhiteface。\"ShecametotellmethatCaptainPinckneywasstilllingeringforyouintheroad。\"
Hethrewopenthegatetoletherpass。Asshesweptoutsheliftedherhand。Asheclosedthegatetherewerethewhitemarksofherfourfingersonhischeek。
CHAPTERIV。
ForonceSusyhadnotexaggerated。CaptainPinckneyWASlingering，withthedeputywhohadchargeofhim，onthetrailnearthecasa。
Ithadalreadybeenprettywellunderstoodbybothcaptivesandcaptorsthatthearrestwassimplyalegaldemonstration；thatthesympathizingFederaljudgewouldundoubtedlyorderthedischargeoftheprisonersontheirownrecognizances，anditwasprobablethatthedeputysawnoharmingrantingPinckney’srequest——whichwasvirtuallyonlyadelayinhisliberation。ItwasalsopossiblethatPinckneyhadworkeduponthechivalroussympathiesofthemanbyprofessinghisdisinclinationtoleavetheirdevotedcolleague，Mrs。Brant，atthemercyofherantagonisticandcold-bloodedhusbandatsuchacrisis，anditistobefearedalsothatClarence，asareputedlukewarmpartisan，excitednopersonalsympathy，evenfromhisownparty。Howbeit，thedeputyagreedtodelayPinckney’sjourneyforapartinginterviewwithhisfairhostess。
HowfarthisexpressedtherealsentimentsofCaptainPinckneywasneverknown。WhetherhispoliticalassociationwithMrs。Branthaddevelopedintoawarmersolicitude，understoodorignoredbyher，——
whatwerehishopesandaspirationsregardingherfuture，——werebythecourseoffateneverdisclosed。Amanofeasyethics，butrigidartificialitiesofhonor，flatteredandpamperedbyclassprejudice，aso-called\"manoftheworld，\"withnoexperiencebeyondhisownlimitedcircle，yetbraveanddevotedtothat，itwerewellperhapstoleavethislastactofhisinefficientlifeasitwasacceptedbythedeputy。
Dismountingheapproachedthehousefromthegarden。Hewasalreadyfamiliarwiththelowarcheddoorwaywhichledtothebusinessroom，andfromwhichhecouldgainadmittancetothepatio，butitsochancedthatheenteredthedarkpassageatthemomentthatClarencehadthrustSusyintothebusinessroom，andhearditsdoorshutsharply。ForaninstanthebelievedthatMrs。
Branthadtakenrefugethere，butashecautiouslymovedforwardheheardhervoiceinthepatiobeyond。Itsaccentsstruckhimaspleading；anintensecuriositydrewhimfurtheralongthepassage。
Suddenlyhervoiceseemedtochangetoangrydenunciation，andtheword\"Liar\"ranguponhisears。ItwasfollowedbyhisownnameutteredsardonicallybyClarence，theswiftrustleofaskirt，theclashofthegate，andthen——forgettingeverything，heburstintothepatio。
Clarencewasjustturningfromthegatewiththemarksofhiswife’shandstillredonhiswhitecheek。HesawCaptainPinckney’seyesuponit，andthefaint，half-malicious，half-
hystericsmileuponhislips。Butwithoutastartorgestureofsurprisehelockedthegate，andturningtohim，saidwithfrigidsignificance，——
\"Ithankyouforreturningsopromptly，andforrecognizingtheonlythingInowrequireatyourhand。\"
ButCaptainPinckneyhadrecoveredhissuperciliouseasewiththesignificantdemand。
\"Youseemtohavehadsomethingalreadyfromanother’shand，sir，butIamatyourservice，\"hesaidlightly。
\"YouwillconsiderthatIhaveaccepteditfromyou，\"saidClarence，drawingclosertohimwitharigidface。\"Isupposeitwillnotbenecessaryformetoreturnit——tomakeyouunderstandme。\"
\"Goon，\"saidPinckney，flushingslightly。\"Makeyourterms；Iamready。\"
\"ButI’mnot，\"saidtheunexpectedvoiceofthedeputyatthegrilleofthegateway。\"Excusemyinterfering，gentlemen，butthissorto’thingain’tdowninmyschedule。I’veletthisgentleman，\"
pointingtoCaptainPinckney，\"offforaminittosay’good-by’toalady，whoIreckonhasjustriddenoffinherbuggywithherservantwithoutsayingbyyourleave，butIdidn’tcalkelatetolethiminteranotherbusiness，which，likeasnot，maypreventmefromdeliveringhisbodysafeandsoundintocourt。Youhearme！\"AsClarenceopenedthegateheadded，\"Idon’twantterspoilsportbetweengents，butit’sgottocomeinafterI’vedonemyduty。\"
\"I’llmeetyou，sir，anywhere，andwithwhatweaponsyouchoose，\"
saidPinckney，turningangrilyuponClarence，\"assoonasthisfarce——forwhichyouandyourfriendsareresponsible——isover。\"
HewasfuriousattheintimationthatMrs。Branthadescapedhim。
Adifferentthoughtwasinthehusband’smind。\"ButwhatassurancehaveIthatyouaregoingonwiththedeputy？\"hesaidwithpurposelyinsultingdeliberation。
\"Myword，sir，\"saidCaptainPinckneysharply。
\"Andifthatain’tenuff，there’smine！\"saidthedeputy。\"ForifthisgentlemanswervestotherightorleftbetwixtthisandSantaInez，I’llblowaholethroughhimmyself。Andthat，\"headdeddeprecatingly，\"issayingagooddealforamanwhodoesn’twanttospoilsport，andforthematterofthatiswillingtostandbyandseefairplaydoneatSantaInezanytimeto-morrowbeforebreakfast。\"
\"ThenIcancountonyou，\"saidClarence，withasuddenimpulseextendinghishand。
Themanhesitatedamomentandthengraspedit。
\"Well，Iwasn’texpectingthat，\"hesaidslowly；\"butyoulookasifyoumeantbusiness，andifyouain’tgotanybodyelsetoseeyouthrough，I’mthar！Isupposethisgentlemanwillhavehisfriends。\"
\"Ishallbethereatsixwithmyseconds，\"saidPinckneycurtly。
\"Leadon。\"
Thegateclosedbehindthem。Clarencestoodlookingaroundtheemptypatioandthesilenthouse，fromwhichitwasnowplainthattheservantshadbeenwithdrawntoinsurethesecrecyoftheconspiracy。Coolandcollectedasheknewhewas，heremainedforamomentinhesitation。Thenthesoundofvoicescametohisearfromthegardenroom，thelightfrivolityofSusy’slaughandHooker’shuskieraccents。Hehadforgottentheywerethere——hehadforgottentheirexistence！
Trustingstilltohiscalmness，hecalledtoHookerinhisusualvoice。Thatgentlemanappearedwithafacewhichhisattemptstomakeunconcernedandimpassivehad，however，onlydeepenedintofunerealgravity。
\"Ihavesomethingtoattendto，\"saidClarence，withafaintsmile，\"andImustaskyouandSusytoexcusemeforalittlewhile。Sheknowsthehouseperfectly，andwillcalltheservantsfromtheannextoprovideyoubothwithrefreshmentuntilIjoinyoualittlelater。\"SatisfiedfromHooker’smannerthattheyknewnothingofhislaterinterviewwithPinckney，heturnedawayandascendedtohisownroom。
Therehethrewhimselfintoanarmchairbythedimlightofasinglecandleasiftoreflect。Buthewasconscious，eventhen，ofhisowncalmnessandwantofexcitement，andthatnoreflectionwasnecessary。Whathehaddoneandwhatheintendedtodowasquiteclear，therewasnoalternativesuggestedortobeevensoughtafter。Hehadthatsenseofreliefwhichcomeswiththeclimaxofallgreatstruggles，evenofdefeat。
Hehadneverknownbeforehowhopelessandcontinuoushadbeenthatstruggleuntilnowitwasover。Hehadnofearoftomorrow，hewouldmeetitashehadto-day，withthesamesingularconsciousnessofbeingequaltotheoccasion。Therewasevennonecessityofpreparationforit；hiswill，leavinghisfortunetohiswife，——
whichseemedaslightthingnowinthisgreaterseparation，——wasalreadyinhissafeinSanFrancisco，hispistolswereinthenextroom。Hewasevenslightlydisturbedbyhisowninsensibility，andpassedintohiswife’sbedroompartlyinthehopeofdisturbinghisserenitybysomemementooftheirpast。Therewasnodisorderofflight——everythingwasinitsplace，exceptthedrawerofherdesk，whichwasstillopen，asifshehadtakensomethingfromitasanafterthought。Therewerelettersandpapersthere，someofhisownandsomeinCaptainPinckney’shandwriting。Itdidnotoccurtohimtolookatthem——eventojustifyhimself，orexcuseher。HeknewthathishatredofCaptainPinckneywasnotsomuchthathebelievedhimherlover，ashissuddenconvictionthatshewaslikehim！Hewasthemaleofherspecies——abeingantagonistictohimself，whomhecouldfight，andcrush，andrevengehimselfupon。Butmostofallheloathedhispast，notonaccountofher，butofhisownweaknessthathadmadehimherdupeandamisunderstoodmantohisfriends。Hehadbeenderelictofdutyinhisunselfishdevotiontoher；hehadstifledhisambition，andunderratedhisownpossibilities。Nowonderthatothershadacceptedhimathisownvaluation。ClarenceBrantwasamodestman，buttheegotismofmodestyismorefatalthanthatofpretension，forithasthehauntingconsciousnessofsuperiorvirtue。
Here-enteredhisownroomandagainthrewhimselfintohischair。
Hiscalmwasbeingsucceededbyaphysicalweariness；herememberedhehadnotsleptthenightbefore，andheoughttotakesomeresttobefreshintheearlymorning。Yethemustalsoshowhimselfbeforehisself-invitedguests，——Susyandherhusband，——ortheirsuspicionswouldbearoused。Hewouldtrytosleepforalittlewhileinthechairbeforehewentdownstairsagain。HeclosedhiseyesoddlyenoughonadimdreamyrecollectionofSusyintheolddays，inthelittlemadronohollowwhereshehadoncegivenhimarendezvous。Heforgotthematurerandcriticaluneasinesswithwhichhehadthenreceivedhercoquettishandwillfuladvances，whichhenowknewwastheeffectofthegrowingdominanceofMrs。
Peytonoverhim，andrememberedonlyherbright，youthfuleyes，andthekisseshehadpresseduponhersoftfragrantcheek。Thefaintnesshehadfeltwhenwaitingintheoldrosegarden，afewhoursago，seemedtostealonhimoncemore，andtolapseintoapleasantdrowsiness。Heevenseemedagaintoinhaletheperfumeoftheroses。
\"Clarence！\"
Hestarted。Hehadbeensleeping，butthevoicesoundedstrangelyreal。
Alight，girlishlaughfollowed。Hesprangtohisfeet。ItwasSusystandingbesidehim——andSusyevenasshelookedintheolddays！
Forwithaflashofheroldaudacity，aidedbyherfamiliarknowledgeofthehouseandthebunchofhouseholdkeysshehadfound，whichdangledfromhergirdle，asintheoldfashion，shehaddisinterredoneofheroldfrocksfromacloset，slippediton，andunlooseningherbrownhairhadletitfallinripplingwavesdownherback。ItwasSusyinheroldgirlishness，withtheinstinctofthegrownactressinthearrangementofhershortskirtoverherprettyanklesandthehalf-consciousposeshehadtaken。
\"PoordearoldClarence，\"shesaid，withdancingeyes；\"Imighthavewonadozenpairsofglovesfromyouwhileyousleptthere。
Butyou’retired，dearoldboy，andyou’vehadahardtimeofit。
Nomatter；you’veshownyourselfamanatlast，andI’mproudofyou。\"
Halfashamedofthepleasurehefelteveninhisembarrassment，Clarencestammered，\"Butthischange——thisdress。\"
Susyclappedherhandslikeachild。\"Iknewitwouldsurpriseyou！It’sanoldfrockIworetheyearIwentawaywithauntie。I
knewwhereitwashidden，andfisheditoutagainwiththesekeys，Clarence；itseemedsolikeoldtimes。Lord！whenIwaswiththeoldservantsagain，andyoudidn’tcomedown，IjustfeltasifI’dneverbeenaway，andIjustrampagedfree。Itseemedtome，don’tyouknow，notasifI’djustcome，butasifI’dalwaysbeenrighthere，anditwasyouwho’djustcome。Don’tyouunderstand！JustasyoucamewhenmeandMaryRogerswerehere；don’tyourememberher，Clarence，andhowsheusedtodo’gooseberry’forus？Well，justlikethat。SoIsaidtoJim，’Idon’tknowyouanymore——
get！’andIjustslippedonthisfrockandorderedManuelaaroundasIusedtodo——andsheinfitsoflaughter；Ireckon，Clarence，shehasn’tlaughedasmuchsinceIleft。AndthenIthoughtofyou——perhapsworriedandflusteredasyetoverthings，andthechange，andIjustslippedintothekitchenandItoldoldfatConchitatomakesomeofthesetortillasyouknow，——withsugarandcinnamonsprinkledontop，——andItiedonanapronandbrought’emuptoyouonatraywithaglassofthatoldCatalanwineyouusedtolike。ThenIsorterfeltfrightenedwhenIgothere，andI
didn’thearanynoise，andIputthetraydowninthehallandpeepedinandfoundyouasleep。Sitstill，I’llfetchem。\"
Shetrippedoutintothepassage，returningwiththetray，whichsheputonthetablebesideClarence，andthenstandingbackalittleandwithherhandstuckedsoubrettefashioninthetinypocketsofherapron，gazedathimwithamischievoussmile。
ItwasimpossiblenottosmilebackashenibbledthecrispMexicancakeanddranktheoldmissionwine。AndSusy’stonguetrilledanaccompanimenttohisthanks。
\"Lord！itseemssonicetobehere——justyouandme，Clarence——likeintheolddays——withnobodynaggin’andswoopin’roundafteryou。
Don’tbegreedy，Clarence，butgivemeacake。\"Shetookoneandfinishedthedregsofhisglass。
Thensittingonthearmofhischair，shedartedavioletrayofhalfreproachandhalfmischievousnessintohisamusedandretrospectiveeyes。\"Thereusedtoberoomfortwointhatchair，Klarns。\"
Theuseoftheoldchildishdiminutiveforhisnameseemedtohimnaturalasherfamiliarity，andhemovedalittlesidewaystomakeroomforherwithaninstinctofpleasure，butthesamesenseofirresponsibilitythathadcharacterizedhisreflections。
Nevertheless，helookedcriticallyintothemischievouseyes，andsaidquietly，——
\"Whereisyourhusband？\"
Therewasnotraceofembarrassment，apology，orevenofconsciousnessinherprettyfaceasshereplied，passingherhandlightlythroughhishair，——
\"Oh，Jim？I’vepackedhimoff！\"
\"Packedhimoff！\"echoedClarence，slightlyastonished。
\"Yes，toFairPlains，fulltiltafteryourwife’sbuggy。Yousee，Clarence，aftertheoldcat——that’syourwife，please——left，I
wantedtomakesureshehadgone，andwasn’thangin’roundtoleadyouoffagainwithyourlegtiedtoherapronstringlikeachicken’s！No！IsaidtoJim，’Justyourideafterheruntilyouseeshe’ssafeandsoundinthedowncoachfromFairPlainswithoutherknowin’it，andifshe’sinclinedtohangbackorwobbleany，youpostbackhereandletmeknow！’ItoldhimIwouldstayandlookafteryoutoseeyoudidn’tbolttoo！\"Shelaughed，andthenadded，\"ButIdidn’tthinkIshouldfallintotheoldwayssosoon，andhavesuchanicetime。Didyou，Clarence？\"
Shelookedsoirresponsible，sittingtherewithherfacenearhis，andsochildishly，orperhapsthoughtlessly，happy，thathecouldonlyadmireherlevity，andeventheslightshockthatherflippantallusiontohiswifehadgivenhimseemedtohimonlyaweaknessofhisown。Afterall，wasnothersthetruephilosophy？Whyshouldnotthesebrighteyesseethingsmoreclearlythanhisown？
Nevertheless，withhiseyesstillfixeduponthem，hecontinued，——
\"AndJimwaswillingtogo？\"
Shestopped，withherfingersstillliftingalockofhishair。
\"Why，yes，yousilly——whyshouldn’the？I’dliketoseehimrefuse。Why，Lord！JimwilldoanythingIaskhim。\"Sheputdownthelockofhair，andsuddenlylookingfullintohiseyes，said，\"That’sjustthedifferencebetweenhimandme，andyouand——thatwoman！\"
\"Thenyoulovehim！\"
\"Aboutasmuchasyouloveher，\"shesaid，withanunaffectedlaugh；\"onlyhedon’twindmearoundhisfinger。\"
Nodoubtshewasrightforallherthoughtlessness，andyethewasgoingtofightaboutthatwomanto-morrow！No——heforgot；hewasgoingtofightCaptainPinckneybecausehewaslikeher！
Susyhadputherfingeronthecreasebetweenhisbrowswhichthissuppositionhadmade，andtriedtorubitout。
\"YouknowitaswellasIdo，Clarence，\"shesaid，withaprettywrinklingofherownbrows，whichwashernearestapproachtothoughtfulness。\"Youknowyouneverreallylikedher，onlyyouthoughtherwaysweregranderandmoreproperthanmine，andyouknowyouwerealwaysalittlebitofasnobandaprigtoo——dearboy。AndMrs。Peytonwas——blessmysoul！——aBenhamandaplanter’sdaughter，andI——Iwasonlyapicked-uporphan！That’swhereJimisbetterthanyou——nowsitstill，goosey！——evenifIdon’tlikehimasmuch。Oh，Iknowwhatyou’realwaysthinking，you’rethinkingwe’rebothexaggeratedandtheatrical，ain’tyou？Butdon’tyouthinkit’saheapbettertobeexaggeratedandtheatricalaboutthingsthatarejustsentimentalandromanticthantobesoawfullypossessedandovercomeaboutthingsthatareonlyreal？
There，youneedn’tstareatmeso！It’strue。You’vehadyourfillofgrandeurandpropriety，and——hereyouare。And，\"sheaddedwithalittlechuckle，asshetuckedupherfeetandleanedalittleclosertohim，\"here’sME。\"
Hedidnotspeak，buthisarmquiteunconsciouslypassedroundhersmallwaist。
\"Yousee，Clarence，\"shewentonwithequalunconsciousnessoftheact，\"yououghtnevertohaveletmego——never！Yououghttohavekeptmehere——orrunawaywithme。Andyououghtn’ttohavetriedtomakemeproper。Andyououghtn’ttohavedrivenmetoflirtwiththathorridSpaniard，andyououghtn’ttohavebeensohorriblycoldandseverewhenIdid。Andyououghtn’ttohavemademetakeupwithJim，whowastheonlyonewhothoughtmehisequal。
Imighthavebeenverysillyandcapricious；Imighthavebeenveryvain，butmyvanityisn’tabitworsethanyourpride；myloveofpraiseandapplauseinthetheatreisn’tabitmorehorridthanyourfearsofwhatpeoplemightthinkofyouorme。That’sgospeltruth，isn’tit，Clarence？Tellme！Don’tlookthatwayandthis——
lookatME！Iain’tpoisonous，Clarence。Why，oneofyourcheeksisredderthantheother，Clarence；that’stheonethat’sturnedfromme。Come，\"shewenton，takingthelapelsofhiscoatbetweenherhandsandhalfshakinghim，halfdrawinghimnearerherbrightface。\"Tellme——isn’tittrue？\"
\"IwasthinkingofyoujustnowwhenIfellasleep，Susy，\"hesaid。
Hedidnotknowwhyhesaidit；hehadnotintendedtotellher，hehadonlymeanttoavoidadirectanswertoherquestion；yetevennowhewenton。\"AndIthoughtofyouwhenIwasoutthereintherosegardenwaitingtocomeinhere。\"
\"Youdid？\"shesaid，drawinginherbreath。Awaveofdelicatepinkcolorcameuptoherveryeyes，itseemedtohimasquicklyandasinnocentlyaswhenshewasagirl。\"AndwhatDIDyouthink，Klarns，\"shehalfwhispered——\"tellme。\"
Hedidnotspeak，butansweredherblueeyesandthenherlips，asherarmsslippedquitenaturallyaroundhisneck……
ThedawnwasbreakingasClarenceandJimHookeremergedtogetherfromthegateofthecasa。Mr。Hookerlookedsleepy。Hehadfound，afterhisreturnfromFairPlains，thathishosthadanearlyengagementatSantaInez，andhehadinsisteduponrisingtoseehimoff。Itwaswithdifficulty，indeed，thatClarencecouldpreventhisaccompanyinghim。ClarencehadnotrevealedtoSusythenightbeforetherealobjectofhisjourney，nordidHookerevidentlysuspectit，yetwhentheformerhadmountedhishorse，hehesitatedforaninstant，extendinghishand。
\"IfIshouldhappentobedetained，\"hebeganwithahalfsmile。
ButJimwasstrugglingwithayawn。\"That’sallright——don’tmindus，\"hesaid，stretchinghisarms。Clarence’shesitatinghanddroppedtohisside，andwithalightrecklesslaughandahalfsenseofprovidentialreliefhegallopedaway。
WhathappenedimmediatelythereafterduringhissolitaryridetoSantaInez，lookingbackuponitinafteryears，seemedbutaconfusedrecollection，morelikeadream。Thelongstretchesofvaguedistance，graduallyopeningclearerwiththerisingsuninanuncloudedsky；themeetingwithafewearlyorbelatedtravelersandhisunconsciousavoidanceofthem，asiftheymightknowofhisobject；theblackshadowsofforeshortenedcattlerisingbeforehimontheplainandarousingthesameuneasysensationoftheirbeingwaylayingmen；thewonderingrecognitionofhousesandlandmarkshehadlongbeenfamiliarwith；hispurposelessattemptstorecallthecircumstancesinwhichhehadknownthem——allthesewerelikeadream。So，too，weretherecollectionsofthenightbefore，theepisodewithSusy，alreadymingledandblendedwiththememoryoftheirpreviouspast；hisfutileattemptstolookforwardtothefuture，always，however，abandonedwithreliefatthethoughtthatthenextfewhoursmightmakethemunnecessary。SoalsowasthesuddenrealizationthatSantaInezwasbeforehim，whenhehadthoughthewasnotyethalfwaythere，andashedismountedbeforetheCourtHousehissingularfeeling——followed，however，bynofearordistress——wasthathehadcomesoearlytotherendezvousthathewasnotyetquitepreparedforit。
Thissamesenseofunrealitypervadedhismeetingwiththedeputysheriff，atthenewsthattheFederaljudgehad，aswasexpected，dismissedtheprisonersontheirownrecognizances，andthatCaptainPinckneywasatthehotelatbreakfast。Inthelikeabstractedmannerherepliedtotheoneortwoquestionsofthedeputy，exhibitedthepistolshehadbroughtwithhim，andfinallyaccompaniedhimtoalittlemeadowhiddenbytrees，belowthehotel，wheretheotherprincipalandhissecondswereawaitingthem。Andhereheawoke——clear-eyed，keen，forceful，andintense！
Sostimulatedwerehisfacultiesthathissenseofhearinginitsacutenesstookineverywordoftheconversationbetweentheseconds，afewpacesdistant。Heheardhisadversary’ssecondssaycarelesslytothedeputysheriff，\"Ipresumethisisacasewheretherewillbenoapologyormediation，\"andthedeputy’sreply，\"I
reckonmymanmeansbusiness，butheseemsalittlequeer。\"Heheardtheothersecondlaugh，andsaylightly，\"They’reapttobesowhenit’stheirfirsttimeout，\"followedbythemoreanxiousasideoftheothersecondasthedeputyturnedaway，——\"Yes，butbyG-dIdon’tlikehislooks！\"Hissenseofsightwasalsosoacutethathavinglostthechoiceofposition，whenthecoinwastossed，andbeingturnedwithhisfacetothesun，eventhroughtheglarehesaw，withunerringdistinctnessofoutline，theblack-coatedfigureofhisopponentmovedintorange——sawtheperfectoutlineofhisfeatures，andhowtheeasy，supercilioussmile，ashethrewawayhiscigar，appearedtodropoutofhisfacewithakindofvacantaweashefacedhim。Hefelthisnervesbecomeassteelasthecountingbegan，andattheword\"three，\"knewhehadfiredbytherecoilofthepistolinhisleveledhand，simultaneouslywithitsutterance。Andatthesamemoment，stillstandinglikearock，hesawhisadversarymiserablycollapse，hislegsgrotesquelycurvinginwardsunderhim，——withouteventhedignityofdeathinhisfall，——andsosinkhelplesslylikeafelledbulltotheground。
Stillerect，andloweringonlythemuzzleofhispistol，asathinfeatherofsmokecurledupitsshiningside，hesawthedoctorandsecondsrunquicklytotheheap，trytoliftitslimpimpotenceintoshape，andletitdropagainwiththewords，\"Rightthroughtheforehead，byG-d！\"
\"You’vedoneforhim，\"saidthedeputy，turningtoClarencewithasingularlookofcuriosity，\"andIreckonyouhadbettergetoutofthismightyquick。Theydidn’texpectit；they’rejustragin’；
theymayroundonyou——and\"——headded，moreslowly，\"theyseemtohavejustfoundoutwhoyouare。\"
Evenwhilehewasspeaking，Clarence，withhisquickenedear，heardthewords，\"OneofHamiltonBrant’spups\"\"Justlikehisfather，\"
fromthegrouparoundthedeadman。Hedidnothesitate，butwalkedcoollytowardsthem。Yetacertainfiercepride——whichhehadneverknownbefore——stirredinhisveinsastheirvoiceshushedandtheyhalfrecoiledbeforehim。
\"AmItounderstandfrommysecond，gentlemen，\"hesaid，lookingroundthegroup，\"thatyouarenotsatisfied？\"
\"Thefightwassquareenough，\"saidPinckney’ssecondinsomeembarrassment，\"butIreckonthathe，\"pointingtothedeadman，\"didnotknowwhoyouwere。\"
\"DoyoumeanthathedidnotknowthatIwasthesonofamanproficientintheuseofarms？\"
\"Ireckonthat’saboutit，\"returnedthesecond，glancingattheothers。
\"Iamgladtosay，sir，thatIhaveabetteropinionofhiscourage，\"saidClarence，liftinghishattothedeadbodyasheturnedaway。
Yethewasconsciousofnoremorse，concern，orevenpityinhisact。Perhapsthiswasvisibleinhisface，forthegroupappearedawedbythisperfectionoftheduelist’scoolness，andevenreturnedhisformalpartingsalutationwithavagueandtimidrespect。Hethankedthedeputy，regainedthehotel，saddledhishorseandgallopedaway。
ButnottowardstheRancho。Nowthathecouldthinkofhisfuture，thathadnoplaceinhisreflections；eventheepisodeofSusywasforgotteninthenewandstrangeconceptionofhimselfandhisirresponsibilitywhichhadcomeuponhimwiththekillingofPinckneyandthewordsofhissecond。Itwashisdeadfatherwhohadstiffenedhisarmanddirectedthefatalshot！Itwashereditaryinfluences——whichothershadbeensoquicktorecognize——
thathadbroughtaboutthiscompletingclimaxofhistrouble。Howelsecouldheaccountforitthathe——aconscientious，peaceful，sensitiveman，tenderandforgivingashehadbelievedhimselftobe——couldnowfeelsolittlesorroworcompunctionforhisculminatingact？Hehadreadofsuccessfulduelistswhowerehauntedbyremorsefortheirfirstvictim；whoretainedaterribleconsciousnessoftheappearanceofthedeadman；hehadnosuchfeeling；hehadonlyagrimcontentmentinthewiped-outinefficientlife，andcontemptforthelimpandhelplessbody。HesuddenlyrecalledhiscallousnessasaboywhenfacetofacewiththevictimsoftheIndianmassacre，hissenseoffastidioussuperciliousnessinthediscoveryofthebodyofSusy’smother！——
surelyitwasthecoldbloodofhisfatherinfluencinghimeverthus。Whathadhetodowithaffection，withdomestichappiness，withtheordinaryambitionsofman’slife——whosebloodwasfrozenatitssource！Yetevenwiththisverythoughtcameoncemoretheoldinconsistenttendernesshehadasaboylavisheduponthealmostunknownandfugitivefatherwhohadforsakenhischildishcompanionship，andrememberedhimonlybysecretgifts。HerememberedhowhehadworshipedhimevenwhilethepiouspadresatSanJosewereendeavoringtoeliminatethisterriblepoisonfromhisbloodandcombathishereditaryinstinctinhisconflictswithhisschool-fellows。Anditwasapartofthisinconsistencythat，ridingawayfromthesceneofhisfirstbloodshed，hiseyesweredimmedwithmoisture，notforhisvictim，butfortheonebeingwhohebelievedhadimpelledhimtotheact。
ThisandmorewasinhismindduringhislongridetoFairPlains，hisjourneybycoachtotheEmbarcadero，hismidnightpassageacrossthedarkwatersofthebay，andhisre-entrancetoSanFrancisco，butwhatshouldbehisfuturewasstillunsettled。
AshewoundroundthecrestofRussianHillandlookeddownagainupontheawakenedcity，hewasstartledtoseethatitwasflutteringandstreamingwithbunting。Fromeverypublicbuildingandhotel，fromtheroofsofprivatehouses，andeventhewindowsoflonelydwellings，flappedandwavedthestripedandstarrybanner。Thesteadybreathoftheseacarrieditoutfrommastsandyardsofshipsattheirwharves，fromthebattlementsofthefortsAlcatrazandYerbaBueno。HerememberedthattheferrymanhadtoldhimthatthenewsfromFortSumterhadsweptthecitywitharevulsionofpatrioticsentiment，andthattherewasnodoubtthattheStatewassavedtotheUnion。Helookeddownuponitwithhaggard，bewilderedeyes，andthenastrangegaspandfullnessofthethroat！Forafarasolitarybuglehadblownthe\"reveille\"atFortAlcatraz。
PARTII。
CHAPTERI。
Nightatlast，andthestirandtumultofagreatfightover。Eventheexcitementthathadsweptthisportionofthebattlefield——onlyasmallsectionofavasterareaofstruggle——intowhichabrigadehadmarched，helditsown，beenbeatenback，recovereditsground，andpursuing，hadpassedoutofitforever，leavingonlyitsdeadbehind，andknowingnothingmoreofthatstrugglethanitsownimpactandmomentum——eventhiswildexcitementhadlongsinceevaporatedwiththestingingsmokeofgunpowder，theacridsmellofburningragsfromtheclothingofadeadsoldierfiredbyaburstingshell，ortheheatedreekofsweatandleather。Acoolbreaththatseemedtobringbackoncemoretheodoroftheupturnedearthworksalongthenowdumblineofbattlebegantomovefromthesuggestivedarknessbeyond。
Butintothatawfulpenetraliaofdeathandsilencetherewasnoinvasion——therehadbeennoretreat。Afewofthewoundedhadbeenbroughtout，underfire，buttheothershadbeenleftwiththedeadforthemorninglightandsuccor。Foritwasknownthatinthathorribleobscurity，riderlesshorses，franticwiththesmellofblood，gallopedwildlyhereandthere，or，maddenedbywounds，plungedfuriouslyattheintruder；thatthewoundedsoldier，stillarmed，couldnotalwaysdistinguishfriendfromfoeorfromtheghoulsofcampfollowerswhostrippedthedeadinthedarknessandstruggledwiththedying。Ashotortwoheardsomewhereinthatobscuritycountedasnothingwiththelongfusilladethathadsweptitinthedaytime；thepassingofasinglelife，moreorless，amountedtolittleinthelongroll-calloftheday’sslaughter。
Butwiththefirstbeamsofthemorningsun——andtheslowlymoving\"reliefdetail\"fromthecamp——cameaweirdhalf-resurrectionofthatghastlyfield。Thenitwasthatthelongraysofsunlight，streamingawayamilebeyondthebattleline，pointedoutthefirstharvestofthedeadwherethereserveshadbeenposted。Theretheylayinheapsandpiles，killedbysolidshotorburstingshellsthathadleapedthebattlelinetoplungeintothewaitingranksbeyond。Asthesunliftedhigheritsbeamsfellwithintherangeofmusketryfire，wherethedeadlaythicker，——evenastheyhadfallenwhenkilledoutright，——witharmsextendedandfeetatallanglestothefield。Asittouchedthesedeadupturnedfaces，strangelyenoughitbroughtoutnoexpressionofpainoranguish——
butratherasifdeathhadarrestedthemonlyinsurpriseandawe。
