OPENINGSINTHEOLDTRAIL
byBretHarteAMERCURYOFTHEFOOT-HILLS
ItwashighhotnoonontheCasketRidge。ItsveryscantshadewasrestrictedtoafewdwarfScotchfirs，andwassoperpendicularlycastthatLeonidasBoone，seekingshelterfromtheheat，wasobligedtodrawhimselfupunderoneofthem，asifitwereanumbrella。Occasionally，withaboy’sperversity，hepermittedonebaredfoottoprotrudebeyondthesharplymarkedshadowuntiltheburningsunforcedhimtodrawitinagainwithathrillofsatisfaction。Therewasnoearthlyreasonwhyhehadnotsoughtthelargershadowsofthepine-treeswhichrearedthemselvesagainsttheRidgeontheslopebelowhim，exceptthathewasaboy，andperhapsevenmoresuperstitiousandopinionatedthanmostboys。
Havinggotunderthistreewithinfinitecare，hehadmadeuphismindthathewouldnotmovefromituntilitslineofshadereachedandtouchedacertainstoneonthetrailnearhim！WHYhedidthishedidnotknow，butheclungtohissublimepurposewiththecourageandtenacityofayouthfulCasabianca。Hewascramped，tickledbydustandfirsprays；hewassupremelyuncomfortable——buthestayed！Awoodpeckerwasmonotonouslytappinginanadjacentpine，withmeasuredintervalsofsilence，whichhealwaysfirmlybelievedwasacertaintelegraphyofthebird’sownmaking；agreen-and-goldlizardflashedbyhisfoottostiffenitselfsuddenlywitharigidityequaltohisown。StillHEstirrednot。
Theshadowgraduallycreptnearerthemysticstone——andtouchedit。
Hesprangup，shookhimself，andpreparedtogoabouthisbusiness。
Thiswassimplyanerrandtothepost-officeatthecross-roads，scarcelyamilefromhisfather’shouse。Hewasalreadyhalfwaythere。Hehadtakenonlythebetterpartofonehourforthisdesultoryjourney！
However，henowproceededonhisway，divergingonlytofollowafreshrabbit-trackafewhundredyards，tonotethattheanimalhaddoubledtwiceagainstthewind，andthen，naturally，hewasobligedtolookcloselyforothertrackstodetermineitspursuers。Hepausedalso，butonlyforamoment，torapthriceonthetrunkofthepinewherethewoodpeckerwasatwork，whichheknewwouldmakeitceaseworkforatime——asitdid。Havingthusrenewedhisrelationswithnature，hediscoveredthatoneofthelettershewastakingtothepost-officehadslippedinsomemysteriouswayfromthebosomofhisshirt，wherehecarriedthem，pasthiswaist-bandintohistrouser-leg，andwasabouttomakeacasualdeliveryofitselfonthetrail。Thiscausedhimtotakeouthislettersandcountthem，whenhefoundonemissing。Hehadbeengivenfourletterstopost——hehadonlythree。Therewasabigoneinhisfather’shandwriting，twoindistinctiveonesofhismother’s，andasmalleroneofhissister’s——THATwasgone！Notatalldisconcerted，hecalmlyretracedhissteps，followinghisowntracksminutely，withagrimfaceandadistinctdelightintheprocess，whilelooking——perfunctorily——fortheletter。Inthemidstofthisslowprogressabrightideastruckhim。Hewalkedbacktothefir-treewherehehadrested，andfoundthelostmissive。Ithadslippedoutofhisshirtwhenheshookhimself。Hewasnotparticularlypleased。
Heknewthatnobodywouldgivehimcreditforhistroubleingoingbackforit，orhisastutenessinguessingwhereitwas。Heheavedthesighofmisunderstoodgenius，andagainstartedforthepost-office。Thistimehecarriedthelettersopenlyandostentatiouslyinhishand。
Presentlyheheardavoicesay，\"Hey！\"Itwasagentle，musicalvoice，——astranger’svoice，foritevidentlydidnotknowhowtocallhim，anddidnotsay，\"Oh，Leonidas！\"or\"You——lookhere！\"Hewasabreastofalittleclearing，guardedbyalowstockadeofbarkpalings，andbeyonditwasasmallwhitedwelling-house。Leonidasknewtheplaceperfectlywell。Itbelongedtothesuperintendentofaminingtunnel，whohadlatelyrentedittosomestrangersfromSanFrancisco。Thusmuchhehadheardfromhisfamily。Hehadamountainboy’scontemptforcityfolks，andwasnothimselfinterestedinthem。Yetasheheardthecall，hewasconsciousofaslightlyguiltyfeeling。Hemighthavebeentrespassinginfollowingtherabbit’strack；hemighthavebeenseenbysomeonewhenhelosttheletterandhadtogobackforit——allgrown-uppeoplehadawayofofferingthemselvesaswitnessesagainsthim！
Hescowledalittleasheglancedaroundhim。Thenhiseyefellonthecallerontheothersideofthestockade。
Tohissurpriseitwasawoman：apretty，gentle，fragilecreature，allsoftmuslinandlaces，withherfingersinterlocked，andleaningbothelbowsonthetopofthestockadeasshestoodunderthecheckeredshadowofabuckeye。
\"Comehere——please——won’tyou？\"shesaidpleasantly。
ItwouldhavebeenimpossibletoresisthervoiceifLeonidashadwantedto，whichhedidn’t。Hewalkedconfidentlyuptothefence。
Shereallywasverypretty，witheyeslikehissetter’s，andascaressing。Andtherewerelittlepuckersandsatinycreasesaroundherdelicatenostrilsandmouthwhenshespoke，whichLeonidasknewwere\"expression。\"
\"I——I\"——shebegan，withcharminghesitation；thensuddenly，\"What’syourname？\"
\"Leonidas。\"
\"Leonidas！That’saprettyname！\"HethoughtitDIDsoundpretty。
\"Well，Leonidas，Iwantyoutobeagoodboyanddoagreatfavorforme，——averygreatfavor。\"
Leonidas’sfacefell。Thiskindofpreludeandformulawasfamiliartohim。Itwasusuallyfollowedby，\"Promisemethatyouwillneverswearagain，\"or，\"thatyouwillgostraighthomeandwashyourface，\"orsomeotherirrelevantpersonality。Butnobodywiththatsortofeyeshadeversaidit。Sohesaid，alittleshylybutsincerely，\"Yes，ma’am。\"
\"Youaregoingtothepost-office？\"
Thisseemedaveryfoolish，womanishquestion，seeingthathewasholdinglettersinhishand；buthesaid，\"Yes。\"
\"Iwantyoutoputaletterofmineamongyoursandpostthemalltogether，\"shesaid，puttingonelittlehandtoherbosomanddrawingoutaletter。Henoticedthatshepurposelyheldtheaddressedsidesothathecouldnotseeit，buthealsonoticedthatherhandwassmall，thin，andwhite，eventoafainttintofblueinit，unlikehissister’s，thebaby’s，oranyotherhandhehadeverseen。\"Canyouread？\"shesaidsuddenly，withdrawingtheletter。
Theboyflushedslightlyatthequestion。\"OfcourseIcan，\"hesaidproudly。
\"Ofcourse，certainly，\"sherepeatedquickly；\"but，\"sheadded，withamischievoussmile，\"youmustn’tNOW！Promiseme！Promisemethatyouwon’treadthisaddress，butjustposttheletter，likeoneofyourown，intheletter-boxwiththeothers。\"
Leonidaspromisedreadily；itseemedtohimagreatfussaboutnothing；perhapsitwassomekindofgameorabet。Heopenedhissunburnthand，holdinghisownletters，andsheslippedhers，facedownward，betweenthem。Hersoftfingerstouchedhisintheoperation，andseemedtoleaveapleasantwarmthbehindthem。
\"Promisemeanotherthing，\"sheadded；\"promisemeyouwon’tsayawordofthistoanyone。\"
\"Ofcourse！\"saidLeonidas。
\"That’sagoodboy，andIknowyouwillkeepyourword。\"Shehesitatedamoment，smilinglyandtentatively，andthenheldoutabrighthalf-dollar。Leonidasbackedfromthefence。\"I’drathernot，\"hesaidshyly。
\"ButasapresentfromME？\"
Leonidascolored——hewasreallyproud；andhewasalsobrightenoughtounderstandthatthepossessionofsuchunboundedwealthwouldprovokedangerousinquiryathome。Buthedidn’tliketosayit，andonlyreplied，\"Ican’t。\"
Shelookedathimcuriously。\"Then——thankyou，\"shesaid，offeringherwhitehand，whichfeltlikeabirdinhis。\"Nowrunon，anddon’tletmekeepyouanylonger。\"Shedrewbackfromthefenceasshespoke，andwavedhimaprettyfarewell。Leonidas，halfsorry，halfrelieved，dartedaway。
Herantothepost-office，whichheneverhaddonebefore。Loyallyheneverlookedatherletter，nor，indeed，athisownagain，swingingthehandthatheldthemfarfromhisside。Heenteredthepost-officedirectly，goingatoncetotheletter-boxanddepositingthepreciousmissivewiththeothers。Thepost-officewasalsothe\"countrystore，\"andLeonidaswasinthehabitofstillfurtherprotractinghiserrandstherebylingeringinthatstimulatingatmosphereofsugar，cheese，andcoffee。Butto-dayhisstaywasbrief，sotransitorythatthepostmasterhimselfinferredaudiblythat\"oldmanBoonemusthavebeentanningLeewithahickoryswitch。\"ButthesimplereasonwasthatLeonidaswishedtogobacktothestockadefenceandthefairstranger，ifhaplyshewasstillthere。Hisheartsankas，breathlesswithunwontedhaste，hereachedtheclearingandtheemptybuckeyeshade。Hewalkedslowlyandwithsaddiffidencebythedesertedstockadefence。Butpresentlyhisquickeyediscernedaglintofwhiteamongthelaurelsnearthehouse。ItwasSHE，walkingwithapparentindifferenceawayfromhimtowardsthecorneroftheclearingandtheroad。Butthisheknewwouldbringhertotheendofthestockadefence，wherehemustpass——anditdid。Sheturnedtohimwithabrightsmileofaffectedsurprise。\"Why，you’reasswift-footedasMercury！\"
Leonidasunderstoodherperfectly。Mercurywastheothernameforquicksilver——andthatwaslively，youbet！Hehadoftenspiltsomeonthefloortoseeitmove。Shemustbeawfullycutetohavenoticedittoo——cuterthanhissisters。Hewasquitebreathlesswithpleasure。
\"Iputyourletterintheboxallright，\"heburstoutatlast。
\"Withoutanyoneseeingit？\"sheasked。
\"Surepop！naryone！Thepostmasterstuckouthishandtograbit，butIjustletonthatIdidn’tseehim，andshoveditinmyself。\"
\"You’reassharpasyou’regood，\"shesaidsmilingly。\"Now，there’sjustONEthingmoreIwantyoutodo。Forgetallaboutthis——won’tyou？\"
Hervoicewasverycaressing。Perhapsthatwaswhyhesaidboldly：
\"Yes，ma’am，allexceptYOU。\"
\"Dearme，whatacompliment！Howoldareyou？\"
\"Goin’onfifteen，\"saidLeonidasconfidently。
\"Andgoingveryfast，\"saidtheladymischievously。\"Well，then，youneedn’tforgetME。Onthecontrary，\"sheadded，afterlookingathimcuriously，\"Iwouldratheryou’drememberme。Good-by——or，rather，good-afternoon——ifI’mtoberemembered，Leon。\"
\"Good-afternoon，ma’am。\"
Shemovedaway，andpresentlydisappearedamongthelaurels。Butherlastwordswereringinginhisears。\"Leon\"——everybodyelsecalledhim\"Lee\"forbrevity；\"Leon\"——itwasprettyasshesaidit。
Heturnedaway。Butitsochancedthattheirpartingwasnottopassunnoticed，for，lookingupthehill，Leonidasperceivedhiseldersisterandlittlebrothercomingdowntheroad，andknewthattheymusthaveseenhimfromthehilltop。Itwasliketheir\"snoopin’\"！
Theyrantohimeagerly。
\"Youweretalkingtothestranger，\"saidhissisterbreathlessly。
\"Shespoketomefirst，\"saidLeonidas，onthedefensive。
\"Whatdidshesay？\"
\"Wantedtoknowtheeleckshunnews，\"saidLeonidaswithcoolmendacity，\"andItoldher。\"
Thisimprobablefictionneverthelesssatisfiedthem。\"Whatwasshelike？Oh，dotellus，Lee！\"continuedhissister。
Nothingwouldhavedelightedhimmorethantoexpatiateuponherloveliness，thesoftwhitebeautyofherhands，the\"cunning\"
littlepuckersaroundherlips，herbrighttendereyes，theangelictextureofherrobes，andthemusicaltinkleofhervoice。ButLeonidashadnoconfidant，andwhathealthyboyevertrustedhissisterinsuchmatter！\"YOUsawwhatshewaslike，\"hesaid，withevasivebluntness。
\"But，Lee\"——
ButLeewasadamant。\"Goandaskher，\"hesaid。
\"Likeasnotyouweresassytoher，andsheshutyouup，\"saidhissisterartfully。Buteventhiscruelsuggestion，whichhecouldhavesoeasilyflouted，didnotdrawhim，andhisingeniousrelationsflounceddisgustedlyaway。
ButLeonidaswasnotsparedanyfurtherallusiontothefairstranger；forthefactofherhavingspokentohimwasdulyreportedathome，andatdinnerhisreticencewasagainsorelyattacked。\"Justlikeher，inspiteofallherairsandgraces，tohangoutalongthefencelikeanyordinaryhiredgirl，jabberin’
withanybodythatwentalongtheroad，\"saidhismotherincisively。
Heknewthatshedidn’tlikehernewneighbors，sothisdidnotsurprisenorgreatlypainhim。Neitherdidtheprosaicfactsthatwerenowfirstmadeplaintohim。HisdivinitywasaMrs。
Burroughs，whosehusbandwasconductingaseriesofminingoperations，andprospectingwithagangofmenontheCasketRidge。
Ashisdutyrequiredhiscontinualpresencethere，Mrs。BurroughswasforcedtoforegothecivilizedpleasuresofSanFranciscoforafrontierlife，forwhichshewasillfitted，andinwhichshehadnointerest。AllthiswasavagueirrelevancetoLeonidas，whoknewheronlyasagoddessinwhitewhohadbeenfamiliartohim，andkind，andtowhomhewastiedbythedeliciousjoyofhavingasecretincommon，andhavingdoneheraspecialfavor。Healthyyouthclingstoitsownimpressions，letreason，experience，andevenfactsargueevertothecontrary。
Sohekepthersecretandhisintact，andwasrewardedafewdaysafterwardsbyadistantviewofherwalkinginthegarden，withamanwhomherecognizedasherhusband。Itisneedlesstosaythat，withoutanyextraneousthought，themansufferedinLeonidas’sestimationbyhispropinquitytothegoddess，andthathedeemedhimvastlyinferior。
Itwasastillgreaterrewardtohisfidelitythatsheseizedanopportunitywhenherhusband’sheadwasturnedtowaveherhandtohim。Leonidasdidnotapproachthefence，partlythroughshynessandpartlythroughamoresubtleinstinctthatthismanwasnotinthesecret。Hewasright，foronlythenextday，ashepassedtothepost-office，shecalledhimtothefence。
\"Didyouseemewavemyhandtoyouyesterday？\"sheaskedpleasantly。
\"Yes，ma’am；but\"——hehesitated——\"Ididn’tcomeup，forIdidn’tthinkyouwantedmewhenanyoneelsewasthere。\"
Shelaughedmerrily，andliftinghisstrawhatfromhishead，ranthefingersoftheotherhandthroughhisdampcurls。\"You’rethebrightest，dearestboyIeverknew，Leon，\"shesaid，droppingherprettyfacetothelevelofhisown，\"andIoughttohaverememberedit。ButIdon’tmindtellingyouIwasdreadfullyfrightenedlestyoumightmisunderstandmeandcomeandaskforanotherletter——beforeHIM。\"Assheemphasizedthepersonalpronoun，herwholefaceseemedtochange：thelightofherblueeyesbecamemereglitteringpoints，hernostrilsgrewwhiteandcontracted，andherprettylittlemouthseemedtonarrowintoastraightcruelline，likeacat’s。\"NotawordevertoHIM，ofallmen！Doyouhear？\"shesaidalmostbrusquely。Then，seeingtheconcernintheboy’sface，shelaughed，andaddedexplanatorily：
\"He’sabad，badman，Leon，rememberthat。\"
Thefactthatshewasspeakingofherhusbanddidnotshocktheboy’smoralsenseintheleast。Thesacrednessofthoserelations，andevenofbloodkinship，is，Ifear，notalwayssocleartotheyouthfulmindaswefondlyimagine。ThatMr。BurroughswasabadmantohaveexcitedthischangeinthislovelywomanwasLeonidas’sonlyconclusion。Herememberedhowhissister’ssoft，prettylittlekitten，purringonherlap，usedtogetitsbackupandspitatthepostmaster’syellowhound。
\"Ineverwishedtocomeunlessyoucalledmefirst，\"hesaidfrankly。
\"What？\"shesaid，inherhalfplayful，halfreproachful，butwhollycaressingway。\"YoumeantosayyouwouldnevercometoseemeunlessIsentforyou？Oh，Leon！andyou’dabandonmeinthatway？\"
ButLeonidaswassetinhisownboyishsuperstition。\"I’djustdelightinbeingsentforbyyouanytime，Mrs。Burroughs，andyoukinalwaysfindme，\"hesaidshyly，butdoggedly；\"but\"——Hestopped。
\"Whatanopinionatedyounggentleman！Well，IseeImustdoallthecourting。SoconsiderthatIsentforyouthismorning。I’vegotanotherletterforyoutomail。\"Sheputherhandtoherbreast，andoutoftheprettyfrillingsofherfrockproduced，asbefore，withthesamefaintperfumeofviolets，aletterlikethefirst。Butitwasunsealed。\"Now，listen，Leon；wearegoingtobegreatfriends——youandI。\"Leonidasfelthischeeksglowing。
\"Youaregoingtodomeanothergreatfavor，andwearegoingtohavealittlefunandagreatsecretallbyourownselves。Now，first，haveyouanycorrespondent——youknow——anyonewhowritestoyou——anyboyorgirl——fromSanFrancisco？\"
Leonidas’scheeksgrewredder——alas！fromalesshappyconsciousness。
Heneverreceivedanyletters；nobodyeverwrotetohim。Hewasobligedtomakethisshamefuladmission。
Mrs。Burroughslookedthoughtful。\"ButyouhavesomefriendinSanFrancisco——someonewhoMIGHTwritetoyou？\"shesuggestedpleasantly。
\"IknewaboyoncewhowenttoSanFrancisco，\"saidLeonidasdoubtfully。\"Atleast，heallowedhewasgoin’there。\"
\"Thatwilldo，\"saidMrs。Burroughs。\"Isupposeyourparentsknowhimorofhim？\"
\"Why，\"saidLeonidas，\"heusedtolivehere。\"
\"Betterstill。For，yousee，itwouldn’tbestrangeifheDID
write。Whatwasthegentleman’sname？\"
\"JimBelcher，\"returnedLeonidashesitatingly，bynomeanssurethattheabsentBelcherknewhowtowrite。Mrs。Burroughstookatinypencilfromherbelt，openedthelettershewasholdinginherhand，andapparentlywrotethenameinit。Thenshefoldeditandsealedit，smilingcharminglyatLeonidas’spuzzledface。
\"Now，Leon，listen；forhereisthefavorIamasking。Mr。JimBelcher\"——shepronouncedthenamewithgreatgravity——\"willwritetoyouinafewdays。ButinsideofYOURletterwillbealittlenotetome，whichyouwillbringme。Youcanshowyourlettertoyourfamily，iftheywanttoknowwhoitisfrom；butnoonemustseeMINE。Canyoumanagethat？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLeonidas。Then，asthewholeideaflasheduponhisquickintelligence，hesmileduntilheshowedhisdimples。Mrs。
Burroughsleanedforwardoverthefence，liftedhistornstrawhat，anddroppedaflutteringlittlekissonhisforehead。Itseemedtotheboy，flushedandrosyasamaid，asifshehadleftashiningstarthereforeveryonetosee。
\"Don’tsmilelikethat，Leon，you’repositivelyirresistible！Itwillbeanicelittlegame，won’tit？Nobodyinitbutyouandme——
andBelcher！We’lloutwitthemyet。And，yousee，you’llbeobligedtocometome，afterall，withoutmyasking。\"
Theybothlaughed；indeed，quiteadimpled，bright-eyed，rosy，innocentpair，thoughIthinkLeonidaswasthemoremaidenly。
\"And，\"addedLeonidas，withbreathlesseagerness，\"Icansometimeswriteto——to——Jim，andincloseyourletter。\"
\"Angelofwisdom！certainly。Well，now，let’ssee——haveyougotanylettersforthepostto-day？\"Hecoloredagain，forinanticipationofmeetingherhehadhurriedupthefamilypostthatmorning。Heheldouthisletters：shethrustherownamongthem。
\"Now，\"shesaid，layinghercool，softhandagainsthishotcheek，\"runalong，dear；youmustnotbeseenloiteringhere。\"
Leonidasranoff，buoyeduponambientair。Itseemedjustlikeafairy-book。Herehewas，theconfidantofthemostbeautifulcreaturehehadseen，andtherewasamysteriouslettercomingtohim——Leonidas——andnoonetoknowwhy。Andnowhehada\"call\"toseeheroften；shewouldnotforgethim——heneedn’tloiterbythefenceposttoseeifshewantedhim——andhisboyishprideandshynesswereappeased。TherewasnoquestionofmoralethicsraisedinLeonidas’smind；heknewthatitwouldnotbetherealJimBelcherwhowouldwritetohim，butthatmadetheprospectthemoreattractive。Nordidanothercircumstancetroublehisconscience。Whenhereachedthepost-office，hewassurprisedtoseethemanwhomheknewtobeMr。Burroughstalkingwiththepostmaster。Leonidasbrushedbyhimanddepositedhislettersintheboxindiscreettriumph。Thepostmasterwasevidentlyofficiallyresentingsomeimputationonhiscarelessness，and，concludinghisdefense，\"No，sir，\"hesaid，\"youkinbetyourbootsthatefanyletterhezgoneastrayforyouoryourwife——Yesaidyourwife，didn’tye？\"
\"Yes，\"saidBurroughshastily，withaglancearoundtheshop。
\"Well，foryouoranybodyatyourhouse——itain’therethat’sthefault。Youhearme！Iknoweveryletterthatcomesinandgoesouterthisoffice，Ireckon，andhandle’emall，\"——Leonidasprickeduphisears，——\"andifanybodyoughterknow，it’sme。Yekinpastethatinyourhat，Mr。Burroughs。\"Burroughs，apparentlydisconcertedbytheintrusionofathirdparty——Leonidas——uponwhatwasevidentlyaprivateinquiry，murmuredsomethingsurlily，andpassedout。
Leonidaswaspuzzled。Thatbigmanseemedtobe\"snoopin’\"aroundforsomething！Heknewthathedarednottouchtheletter-bag，——
LeonidashadheardsomewherethatitwasadeadlycrimetotouchanylettersaftertheGovernmenthadgotholdofthemonce，andhehadnofearsforthesafetyofhers。Butoughthenotgobackatonceandtellheraboutherhusband’svisit，andthealarmingfactthatthepostmasterwaspersonallyacquaintedwithalltheletters？
Heinstantlysaw，too，thewisdomofherinclosingherletterhereafterinanotheraddress。Yethefinallyresolvednottotellherto-day，——itwouldlooklike\"hanginground\"again；and——anothersecretreason——hewasafraidthatanyallusiontoherhusband’sinterferencewouldbringbackthatchangeinherbeautifulfacewhichhedidnotlike。Thebettertoresisttemptation，hewentbackanotherway。
Itmustnotbesupposedthat，whileLeonidasindulgedinthissecretpassionforthebeautifulstranger，itwastotheexclusionofhisboyishhabits。Itmerelytooktheplaceofhisintellectualvisionsandhisromanticreading。Henolongercarriedbooksinhispocketonhislazyrambles。Whatweremediaevallegendsofhigh-bornladiesandtheirpagestothisrealromanceofhimselfandMrs。Burroughs？WhatweretheexploitsofboycaptainsandjuveniletrappersandtheIndianmaidensandSpanishsenoritastowhatwasnowpossibletohimselfandhisdivinityhere——uponCasketRidge！Theverygroundaroundherwasnowconsecratedtoromanceandadventure。Consequently，hevisitedafewtrapsonhiswaybackwhichhehadsetfor\"jackass-rabbits\"andwildcats，——thelatteravindictivereprisalforaggressionuponanorphanbroodofmountainquailwhichhehadtakenunderhisprotection。For，whilehenourishedakeenloveofsport，itwascontrolledbyaboy’slargerunderstandingofnature：apantheisticsympathywithmanandbeastandplant，whichmadehimkeenlyalivetothestrangecrueltiesofcreation，revealedtohimsomequeeranimalfeuds，andmadehimachivalrouspartisanoftheweaker。Hehadevengoneoutofhiswaytodefend，byingeniouscontrivancesofhisown，thehoardofagoldensquirrelandthetreasuresofsomewildbeesfromapredatorybear，althoughitdidnotpreventhimlaterfromcapturingthesquirrelbyanequallyingeniouscontrivance，andfromeventuallyeatingsomeofthehoney。
Hewaslatehomethatevening。Butthiswas\"vacation，\"——thedistrictschoolwasclosed，andbutforthehousehold\"chores，\"
whichoccupiedhisearlymornings，eachlongsummerdaywasaholiday。Sotwoorthreepassed；andthenonemorning，onhisgoingtothepost-office，thepostmasterthrewdownuponthecounterarealandratherbulkyletter，dulystamped，andaddressedtoMr。LeonidasBoone！Leonidaswastoodiscreettoopenitbeforewitnesses，butinthesolitudeofthetrailhomebroketheseal。
Itcontainedanotherletterwithnoaddress——clearlytheoneSHE
expected——and，moremarvelousstill，asheafoftrout-hooks，withdelicategut-snellssuchasLeonidashadonlydaredtodreamof。
Thelettertohimselfwaswritteninaclear，distincthand，andranasfollows：——
DEARLEE，——HowareyougettingononoldCasketRidge？Itseemsacoon’sagesinceyouandmewastogether，andtimesIgettothinkImustjustrunupandseeyou！We’rehavingbullytimesin’Frisco，youbet！thoughthereain’tanythingwildworthshuckstogotosee——’ceptthesealionsattheCliffHouse。They’rejuststunning——bigasagrizzly，andbigger——climbingoverabigrockorswimminginthesealikeanotterormuskrat。I’msendingyousomesnellsandhooks，suchasyoucan’tgetatCasket。Usethefineonesforpot-holesandthebiggeronesforrunningwaterorfalls。
Letmeknowwhenyou’vegot’em。WritetoLockBoxNo。1290。
That’swheredad’sletterscome。Sonomoreatpresent。
Fromyourstruly，JIMBELCHER。
NotonlydidLeonidasknowthatthiswasnotfromtherealJim，buthefeltthevaguecontactofanew，charming，andoriginalpersonalitythatfascinatedhim。Ofcourse，itwasonlynaturalthatoneofHERfriends——ashemustbe——shouldbeequallydelightful。TherewasnojealousyinLeonidas’sdevotion；heknewonlyajoyinthisfellowshipofadmirationforherwhichhewassatisfiedthattheotherboymustfeel。Andonlytherightkindofboycouldknowtheimportanceofhisravishinggift，andthisJimwasevidently\"noslouch\"！Yet，inLeonidas’snewjoyhedidnotforgetHER！Heranbacktothestockadefenceandloungedupontheroadinviewofthehouse，butshedidnotappear。
Leonidaslingeredonthetopofthehill，ostentatiouslyexaminingayounghickoryforagreenswitch，buttonoeffect。Thenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatshemightbestayinginpurposely，and，perhapsalittlepiquedbyherindifference，heranoff。
Therewasamountainstreamhardby，nowdwindledinthesummerdrouthtoameretricklingthreadamongtheboulders，andtherewasacertain\"pot-hole\"thathehadlongknown。Itwasthelurking-
placeofaphenomenaltrout，——analmosthistoricfishinthedistrict，whichhadlongresistedtheattemptofsuchrudesportsmenasminers，orevenexpertslikehimself。Fewhadseenit，exceptasavague，shadowybulkinthefourfeetofdepthandgloominwhichithid；onlyoncehadLeonidas’squickeyefeastedonitsfairproportions。OnthatmemorableoccasionLeonidas，havingexhaustedeverykindoflureofpaintedflyandlivingbait，wasrisingfromhiskneesbehindthebank，whenapinkfive-centstampdislodgedfromhispocketflutteredintheair，anddescendedslowlyuponthestillpool。Horrifiedathisloss，Leonidasleanedovertorecoverit，whentherewasaflashlikelightningintheblackdepths，adozenchangesoflightandshadowonthesurface，alittlewhirlingwavesplashingagainstthesideoftherock，andthepostagestampwasgone。Morethanthat——foroneinstantthetroutremainedvisible，stationaryandexpectant！Whetheritwastheinstinctofsport，orwhetherthefishhaddetectedanew，subtle，andoriginalflavorinthegumandpaper，Leonidasneverknew。Alas！hehadnotanotherstamp；hewasobligedtoleavethefish，butcarriedabrilliantideaawaywithhim。Eversincethenhehadcherishedit——andanotherextrastampinhispocket。Andnow，withthisstrongbutgossamer-likesnell，thisnewhook，andthisfreshlycuthickoryrod，hewouldmakethetrial！
Butfatewasagainsthim！Hehadscarcelydescendedthenarrowtrailtothepine-fringedmarginofthestreambeforehisquickeardetectedanunusualrustlingthroughtheadjacentunderbrush，andthenavoicethatstartledhim！ItwasHERS！Inaninstantallthoughtofsporthadfled。Withabeatingheart，halfopenedlips，andupliftedlashes，Leonidasawaitedthecomingofhisdivinitylikeatimorousvirginatherfirsttryst。
ButMrs。Burroughswasclearlynotinanequallyresponsivemood。
Withherfairfacereddenedbythesun，thedamptendrilsofherunwoundhairclingingtoherforehead，andhersmartlittleslippersredwithdust，therewasalsoaquerulouslightinhereyes，andastillmorequerulouspinchinhernostrils，asshestoodpantingbeforehim。
\"Youtiresomeboy！\"shegasped，holdingonelittlehandtohersideasshegrippedherbrambledskirtaroundherankleswiththeother。
\"Whydidn’tyouwait？Whydidyoumakemerunallthisdistanceafteryou？\"
Leonidastimidlyandpoignantlyprotested。Hehadwaitedbeforethehouseandonthehill；hethoughtshedidn’twanthim。
\"Couldn’tyouseethatTHATMANkeptmein？\"shewentonpeevishiy。
\"Haven’tyousenseenoughtoknowthathesuspectssomething，andfollowsmeeverywhere，doggingmyfootstepseverytimethepostcomesin，andevengoingtothepost-officehimself，tomakesurethatheseesallmyletters？Well，\"sheaddedimpatiently，\"haveyouanythingforme？Whydon’tyouspeak？\"
Crushedandremorseful，Leonidasproducedherletter。Shealmostsnatcheditfromhishand，openedit，readafewlines，andherfacechanged。Asmilestrayedfromhereyestoherlips，andbackagain。Leonidas’sheartwaslifted；shewassoforgivingandsobeautiful！
\"Isheaboy，Mrs。Burroughs？\"askedLeonidasshyly。
\"Well——notexactly，\"shesaid，hercharmingfaceallradiantagain。
\"He’solderthanyou。Whathashewrittentoyou？\"
Leonidasputhisletterinherhandforreply。
\"IwishIcouldseehim，youknow，\"hesaidshyly。\"Thatletter’sbully——it’sjustrats！Ilikehimpow’ful。\"
Mrs。Burroughshadskimmedthroughtheletter，butnotinterestedly。
\"Youmustn’tlikehimmorethanyoulikeme，\"shesaidlaughingly，caressinghimwithhervoiceandeyes，andevenherstrayinghand。
\"Icouldn’tdothat！InevercouldlikeanybodyasIlikeyou，\"
said。Leonidasgravely。Therewassuchappallingtruthfulnessintheboy’svoiceandfranklyopenedeyesthatthewomancouldnotevadeit，andwasslightlydisconcerted。Butshepresentlystartedupwithavexatiouscry。\"There’sthatwretchfollowingmeagain，Idobelieve，\"shesaid，staringatthehilltop。\"Yes！Look，Leon，he’sturningtocomedownthistrail。What’stobedone？Hemustn’tseemehere！\"
Leonidaslooked。ItwasindeedMr。Burroughs；buthewasevidentlyonlytakingashortcuttowardstheRidge，wherehismenwereworking。Leonidashadseenhimtakeitbefore。Butitwastheprincipaltrailonthesteephillside，andtheymusteventuallymeet。Amanmightevadeitbyscramblingthroughthebrushtoalowerandroughertrail；butawoman，never！ButanideahadseizedLeonidas。\"Icanstophim，\"hesaidconfidentlytoher。
\"YoujustlielowherebehindthatrocktillIcomeback。Hehasn’tseenyouyet。\"
ShehadbarelytimetodrawbackbeforeLeonidasdarteddownthetrailtowardsherhusband。Yet，inherintensecuriosity，sheleanedoutthenextmomenttowatchhim。Hepausedatlast，notfarfromtheapproachingfigure，andseemedtokneeldownonthetrail。Whatwashedoing？Herhusbandwasstillslowlyadvancing。
Suddenlyhestopped。Atthesamemomentsheheardtheirtwovoicesinexcitedparley，andthen，toheramazement，shesawherhusbandscramblehurriedlydownthetrailtothelowerlevel，andwithanoccasionalbackwardglance，hastenawayuntilhehadpassedbeyondherview。
ShecouldscarcelyrealizehernarrowescapewhenLeonidasstoodbyherside。\"Howdidyoudoit？\"shesaideagerly。
\"Witharattler！\"saidtheboygravely。
\"Withawhat？\"
\"Arattlesnake——pizensnake，youknow。\"
\"Arattlesnake？\"shesaid，staringatLeonidaswithaquicksnatchingawayofherskirts。
Theboy，whoseemedtohaveforgottenherinhisotherabstractionofadventure，nowturnedquickly，withdevotedeyesandareassuringsmile。
\"Yes；butIwouldn’tlethimhurtyou，\"hesaidgently。
\"ButwhatdidyouDO？\"
Helookedathercuriously。\"Youwon’tbefrightenedifIshowyou？\"hesaiddoubtfully。\"There’snothin’tobeafeerdofs’longasyou’rewithme，\"headdedproudly。
\"Yes——thatis\"——shestammered，andthen，hercuriositygettingthebetterofherfear，sheaddedinawhisper：\"Showmequick！\"
Heledthewayupthenarrowtrailuntilhestoppedwherehehadkneltbefore。Itwasanarrow，sunnyledgeofrock，scarcelywideenoughforasinglepersontopass。Hesilentlypointedtoacleftintherock，andkneelingdownagain，begantowhistleinasoft，flutteringway。Therewasamomentofsuspense，andthenshewasconsciousofanawfulglidingsomething，——amovementsomeasuredyetsoexquisitelygracefulthatshestoodenthralled。Anarrow，flattened，expressionlessheadwasfollowedbyafootlongstripofyellow-barredscales；thentherewasapause，andtheheadturned，inabeautifullysymmetricalhalf-circle，towardsthewhistler。
Thewhistlingceased；thesnake，withhalfitsbodyoutofthecleft，remainedpoisedinairasifstiffenedtostone。
\"There，\"saidLeonidasquietly，\"that’swhatMr。Burroughssaw，andthat’sWHYhescootedoffthetrail。IjustcalledoutWilliamHenry，——IcallhimWilliamHenry，andheknowshisname，——andthenIsangouttoMr。Burroughswhatwasup；anditwasluckyIdid，forthenextmomenthe’dhavebeenontopofhimandhavebeenstruck，forrattlersdon’tgivewaytoanyone。\"
\"Oh，whydidn’tyoulet\"——Shestoppedherselfquickly，butcouldnotstopthefierceglintinhereyenorthesharpcurveinhernostril。Luckily，Leonidasdidnotseethis，beingpreoccupiedwithhisothergracefulcharmer，WilliamHenry。
\"Buthowdidyouknowitwashere？\"saidMrs。Burroughs，recoveringherself。
\"Fetchedhimhere，\"saidLeonidasbriefly。
\"Whatinyourhands？\"shesaid，drawingback。
\"No！madehimfollow！IHAVEhandledhim，butitwasafterI’dfirstmadehimstrikehispizenoutuponastick。Yeknow，afterhestrikesfourtimesheain’tgotanypizenleft。Thenyekindoanythin’withhim，andheknowsit。Heknowsme，youbet！I’vebinthreemonthstrainin’him。Look！Don’tbefrightened，\"hesaid，asMrs。Burroughsdrewhurriedlyback；\"seehimmindme。Nowscoothome，WilliamHenry。\"
Heaccompaniedthecommandwithaslow，dominantmovementofthehickoryrodhewascarrying。Thesnakedroppeditshead，andslidnoiselesslyoutofthecleftacrossthetrailanddownthehill。
\"Thinksmyrodiswitch-hazel，whichrattlerscan’tabide，\"
continuedLeonidas，droppingintoaboy’sbreathlessabbreviatedspeech。\"Livesdownyourway——justbackofyourfarm。Showyesomeday。Sunshimselfonaflatstoneeveryday——alwayscold——
nevercangetwarm。Eh？\"
Shehadnotspoken，butwasgazingintospacewithabreathlessrigidityofattitudeandafixedlookinhereye，notunlikethemotionlessorbsofthereptilethathadglidedaway。
\"Doesanybodyelseknowyoukeephim？\"sheasked。
\"Naryone。Inevershowedhimtoanybodybutyou，\"repliedtheboy。
\"Don’t！Youmustshowmewherehehidesto-morrow，\"shesaid，inheroldlaughingway。\"Andnow，Leon，Imustgobacktothehouse。\"
\"MayIwritetohim——toJimBelcher，Mrs。Burroughs？\"saidtheboytimidly。
\"Certainly。Andcometometo-morrowwithyourletter——Iwillhavemineready。Good-by。\"Shestoppedandglancedatthetrail。\"Andyousaythatifthatmanhadkepton，thesnakewouldhavebittenhim？\"
\"Surepop！——ifhe’dtrodonhim——ashewassureto。Thesnakewouldn’thaveknownhedidn’tmeanit。It’sonlynatural，\"
continuedLeonidas，withglowingpartisanshipforthegentleandabsentWilliamHenry。\"YOUwouldn’tliketobetroddenupon，Mrs。
Burroughs！\"
\"No！I’dstrikeout！\"shesaidquickly。Shemadearapidmotionforwardwithherlowforeheadandlevelhead，leavingitrigidthenextmoment，sothatitremindedhimofthesnake，andhelaughed。
Atwhichshelaughedtoo，andtrippedaway。
Leonidaswentbackandcaughthistrout。Buteventhistriumphdidnotremoveavaguesenseofdisappointmentwhichhadcomeoverhim。
HehadoftenpicturedtohimselfaHeaven-sentmeetingwithherinthewoods，awalkwithher，alone，wherehecouldpickhertherarestflowersandherbsandshowherhiswoodlandfriends；andithadonlyendedinthis，andanexhibitionofWilliamHenry！HeoughttohavesavedHERfromsomething，andnotherhusband。Yethehadnoill-feelingforBurroughs，onlyadesiretocircumventhim，onbehalfoftheunprotected，ashewouldhavebaffledahawkorawildcat。Hewenthomeindismalspirits，butlaterthateveningconstructedaboyishletterofthankstotheapocryphalBelcherandtoldhimallabout——thetrout！
Hebroughtherhisletterthenextday，andreceivedherstoinclose。Shewaspleasant，herowncharmingselfagain，butsheseemedmoreinterestedinotherthingsthanhimself，as，forinstance，thedocileWilliamHenry，whosehiding-placeheshowed，andwhosefewtricksshemadehimexhibittoher，andwhichthegratifiedLeonidasacceptedasadelicateformofflatterytohimself。Buthisyearning，innocentspiritdetectedasomethinglacking，whichhewastooproudtoadmiteventohimself。Itwashisownfault；heoughttohavewaitedforher，andnotgoneforthetrout！
Soafortnightpassedwithaninterchangeofthevicariousletters，andbrief，hopeful，anddisappointingmeetingstoLeonidas。Toaddtohisunhappiness，hewasobligedtolistentosneeringdisparagementofhisgoddessfromhisfamily，andcriticismswhich，happily，hisinnocencedidnotcomprehend。Itwashisownmotherwhoaccusedherofshamefully\"makingup\"tothegood-lookingexpressmanatchurchlastSunday，anddeclaredthatBurroughsoughtto\"lookafterthatwifeofhis，\"——twostatementswhichthesimpleLeonidascouldnotreconcile。Hehadseentheincident，andonlythoughthermorelovelythanever。Whyshouldnottheexpressmanthinksotoo？Andyettheboywasnothappy；somethingintrudeduponhissports，uponhisbooks，makingthemdullandvapid，andyetthatsomethingwasshe！Hegrewpaleandpreoccupied。Ifhehadonlysomeoneinwhomtoconfide——someonewhocouldexplainhishopesandfears。Thatonewasnearerthanhethought！
Itwasquitethreeweekssincetherattlesnakeincident，andhewaswanderingmoodilyoverCasketRidge。HewasneartheCasket，thatabruptupheavalofquartzandgneiss，shapedlikeacoffer，fromwhichthemountaintookitsname。ItwasafavoritehauntofLeonidas，oneofwhoseboyishsuperstitionswasthatitcontainedatreasureofgold，andoneofwhosebrightestdreamshadbeenthatheshouldyetdiscoverit。Thishedidnotdoto-day，butlookingupfromtherocksthathewaslistlesslyexamining，hemadethealmostasthrillingdiscoverythatnearhimonthetrailwasadistinguished-lookingstranger。
Hewasbestridingashapelymustang，whichwellbecamehishandsomefaceandslight，elegantfigure，andhewaslookingatLeonidaswithanamusedcuriosityandacertaineasyassurancethatweredifficulttowithstand。Itwaswiththesamefascinatingself-
confidenceofsmile，voice，andmannerthatherodeuptotheboy，andleaninglightlyoverhissaddle，saidwithexaggeratedpoliteness：\"IbelieveIhavethepleasureofaddressingMr。
LeonidasBoone？\"
TherisingcolorinLeonidas’sfacewasapparentlyasufficientanswertothestranger，forhecontinuedsmilingly，\"ThenpermitmetointroducemyselfasMr。JamesBelcher。Asyouperceive，Ihavegrownconsiderablysinceyoulastsawme。Infact，I’vedonenothingelse。It’ssurprisingwhatafellowcandowhenhesetshismindononething。Andthen，youknow，they’realwaystellingyouthatSanFranciscoisa’growingplace。’Thataccountsforit！\"
Leonidas，dazed，dazzled，butdelighted，showedallhiswhiteteethinashylaugh。Atwhichtheenchantingstrangerleapedfromhishorselikeaveryboy，drewhisarmthroughtherein，andgoinguptoLeonidas，liftedtheboy’sstrawhatfromhisheadandranhisfingersthroughhiscurls。Therewasnothingoriginalinthat——
everybodydidthattohimasapreliminarytoconversation。ButwhenthisingenuousfinegentlemanputhisownPanamahatonLeonidas’shead，andclappedLeonidas’stornstrawonhisown，and，passinghisarmthroughtheboy’s，begantowalkonwithhim，Leonidas’ssimpleheartwentouttohimatonce。
\"Andnow，Leon，\"saidthedelightfulstranger，\"let’syouandmehaveatalk。There’sanicecoolspotundertheselaurels；I’llstakeoutPepita，andwe’lljustlieoffthereandgab，andnotcareifschoolkeepsornot。\"
\"Butyouknowyouain’treallyJimBelcher，\"saidtheboyshyly。
