PROLOGUE。
ThesunwasgoingdownontheBlackSpurRange。Theredlightithadkindledtherewasstilleatingitswayalongtheserriedcrest，showingthroughgapsintheranksofpines，etchingouttheintersticesofbrokenboughs，fadingawayandthenflashingsuddenlyoutagainlikesparksinburnt-uppaper。Thenthenightwindsweptdownthewholemountainside，andbeganitsusualstrugglewiththeshadowsupclimbingfromthevalley，onlytoloseitselfintheendandbeabsorbedintheall-conqueringdarkness。YetforsometimethepinesonthelongslopeofHeavyTreeHillmurmuredandprotestedwithswayingarms；butastheshadowsstoleupwards，andcabinaftercabinandtunnelaftertunnelwereswallowedup，acompletesilencefollowed。Onlytheskyremainedvisible——avastconcavemirrorofdullsteel，inwhichthestarsdidnotseemtobeset，butonlyreflected。
AsinglecabindooronthecrestofHeavyTreeHillhadremainedopentothewindanddarkness。Thenitwasslowlyshutbyaninvisiblefigure，afterwardsrevealedbytheembersofthefireitwasstirring。Atfirstonlythisfigurebroodingoverthehearthwasshown，butastheflamesleapedup，twootherfigurescouldbeseensittingmotionlessbeforeit。Whenthedoorwasshut，theyacknowledgedthatinterruptionbyslightlychangingtheirposition；
theonewhohadrisentoshutthedoorsankbackintoaninvisibleseat，buttheattitudeofeachmanwasoneofprofoundreflectionorreserve，andapparentlyuponsomecommonsubjectwhichmadethemrespecteachother’ssilence。However，thiswasatlastbrokenbyalaugh。Itwasaboyishlaugh，andcamefromtheyoungestoftheparty。Thetwoothersturnedtheirprofilesandglancedinquiringlytowardshim，butdidnotspeak。
\"Iwasthinking，\"hebeganinapologeticexplanation，\"howmightyqueeritwasthatwhilewewereworkinglikeniggersongrubwages，withouttheghostofachanceofmakingastrike，howweusedtosithere，nightafternight，andflapdoodleandspeculateaboutwhatwe’ddoifweeverDIDmakeone；andnow，GreatScott！thatweHAVEmadeit，andarejustwallowingingold，herewearesittingasglumandsilentasifwe’dhadawashout！Why，Lord！Irememberonenight——notsolongago，either——thatyoutwoquarreledovertheswellhotelyouweregoingtostopatin’Frisco，andwhetheryouwouldn’tstrikestraightoutforLondonandRomeandParis，orgoawaytoJapanandChinaandroundbyIndiaandtheRedSea。\"
\"No，wedidn’tQUARRELoverit，\"saidoneofthefiguresgently；
\"therewasonlyalittlediscussion。\"
\"Yes，butyoudid，though，\"returnedtheyoungfellowmischievously，\"andyoutoldStacy，there，thatwe’dbetterlearnsomethingoftheworldbeforewetriedtobuyitorevenhireit，andthatitwasjustaswelltogetthehayseedoutofourhairandtheslumgullionoffourbootsbeforewemixedinpolitesociety。\"
\"Well，Idon’tseewhat’sthematterwiththatsentimentnow，\"
returnedthesecondspeakergood-humoredly；\"only，\"headdedgravely，\"wedidn’tquarrel——Godforbid！\"
Therewassomethinginthespeaker’stonewhichseemedtotouchacommonchordintheirnatures，andthiswasvoicedbyBarkerwithsuddenandalmostpatheticearnestness。\"Itellyouwhat，boys，weoughttoswearhereto-nighttoalwaysstandbyeachother——inluckandoutofit！Weoughttoholdourselvesalwaysateachother’scall。Weoughttohaveakindofpasswordorsignal，youknow，bywhichwecouldsummoneachotheratanytimefromanyquarteroftheglobe！\"
\"Comeofftheroof，Barker，\"murmuredStacy，withoutliftinghiseyesfromthefire。ButDemorestsmiledandglancedtolerantlyattheyoungerman。
\"Yes，butlookhere，Stacy，\"continuedBarker，\"comradeslikeus，intheolddays，usedtodothatintimesoftroubleandadventures。
Whyshouldn’twedoitinourluck？\"
\"There’sagooddealinthat，Barkerboy，\"saidDemorest，\"though，asageneralthing，passwordsbutternoparsnips，andtheordinary，every-day，singleyelpfromawolfbringsthewholepacktogetherforbusinessaboutasquickasapassword。Butyouclingtothatsentiment，andputitawaywithyourgold-dustinyourbelt。\"
\"WhatIlikeaboutBarkerishiscommodiousness，\"saidStacy。
\"Hereheis，theonlymanamongusthathashisfuturefixedandhispreemptionlineslaidoutandregistered。He’salreadygotagirlthathe’sgoingtomarryandsettledownwithonthestrengthofhisluck。AndI’dliketoknowwhatKittyCarter，whenshe’sMrs。Barker，wouldsaytoherhusbandbeingsignaledforfromAsiaorAfrica。Idon’tseemtoseehertumblingtoanypassword。Andwhenheandshegointoanewpartnership，Ireckonshe’lllettheoldoneslide。\"
\"That’sjustwhereyou’rewrong！\"saidBarker，withquicklyrisingcolor。\"She’sthesweetestgirlintheworld，andshe’dbesuretounderstandourfeelings。Why，shethinkseverythingofyoutwo；
shewasjusteagerforyoutogetthisclaim，whichhasputuswhereweare，whenIheldback，andifithadn’tbeenforher，byJove！wewouldn’thavehadit。\"
\"ThatwasonlybecauseshecaredforYOU，\"returnedStacy，withahalf-yawn；\"andnowthatyou’vegotYOURsharesheisn’tgoingtotakeabreathlessinterestinUS。And，bytheway，I’dratherYOU’DremindusthatweoweourlucktoherthanthatSHEshouldeverremindYOUofit。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidBarkerquickly。ButDemoresthereroselazily，and，throwingagiganticshadowonthewall，stoodbetweenthetwowithhisbacktothefire。\"Hemeans，\"hesaidslowly，\"thatyou’retalkingrot，andsoishe。However，asyourscomesfromtheheartandhisfromthehead，Ipreferyours。Butyou’rebothmakingmetired。Let’shaveafreshdeal。\"
NobodyeverdreamedofcontradictingDemorest。Nevertheless，Barkerpersistedeagerly：\"Butisn’titbetterforustolookatthischeerfullyandhappilyallround？There’snothingcriminalinourhavingmadeastrike！Itseemstome，boys，thatofallwaysofmakingmoneyit’sthesquarestandmostlevel；nobodyisthepoorerforit；ourluckbringsnomisfortunetoothers。Thegoldwasputthereagesagoforanybodytofind；wefoundit。Ithasn’tbeentarnishedbyman’stouchbefore。Idon’tknowhowitstrikesyou，boys，butitseemstomethatofallgiftsthataregoingitisthestraightest。Forwhetherwedeserveitornot，itcomestousfirst-hand——fromGod！\"
Thetwomenglancedquicklyatthespeaker，whosefaceflushedandthensmiledembarrassedlyasifashamedoftheenthusiasmintowhichhehadbeenbetrayed。ButDemorestdidnotsmile，andStacy’seyesshoneinthefirelightashesaidlanguidly，\"Ineverheardthatprospectingwasareligiousoccupationbefore。ButI
shouldn’twonderifyou’reright，Barkerboy。Solet’sliquorup。\"
Neverthelesshedidnotmove，nordidtheothers。Thefireleapedhigher，bringingouttheruderaftersandsternlyeconomicdetailsoftheroughcabin，andmakingtheoccupantsintheirseatsbeforethefirelookgiganticbycontrast。
\"Whoshutthedoor？\"saidDemorestafterapause。
\"Idid，\"saidBarker。\"Ireckoneditwasgettingcold。\"
\"Betteropenitagain，nowthatthefire’sblazing。Itwilllightthewayifanyofthemenfrombelowwanttodropinthisevening。\"
Stacystaredathiscompanion。\"IthoughtthatitwasunderstoodthatweweregivingthemthatdinneratBoomvilletomorrownight，sothatwemighthavethelasteveningherebyourselvesinpeaceandquietness？\"
\"Yes，butifanyoneDIDwanttocomeitwouldseemchurlishtoshuthimout，\"saidDemorest。
\"Ireckonyou’refeelingverymuchasIam，\"saidStacy，\"thatthisgoodfortuneisrathercrowdingtousthreealone。Formyself，I
know，\"hecontinued，withabackwardglancetowardsablanketed，coveredpileinthecornerofthecabin，\"thatIfeelratheroppressedby——byitsspecificgravity，Icalculate——andsortofcrampyandtwitchyinthelegs，asifIoughtto’lite’outanddosomething，andyetitholdsmehere。Allthesame，Idoubtifanybodywillcomeup——exceptfromcuriosity。Ourluckhasmadethemrathersoredownthehill，forallthey’recomingtothedinnerto-morrow。\"
\"That’sonlyhumannature，\"saidDemorest。
\"But，\"saidBarkereagerly，\"whatdoesitmean？Why，onlythisafternoon，whenIwaspassingthe’OldKentuck’tunnel，wherethoseMarshallshavebeengrubbingalongforfouryearswithoutmakingasinglestrike，Ifeltashamedtolookatthem，andastheybarelynoddedtomeIslinkedbyasifIhaddonethemaninjury。Idon’tunderstandit。\"
\"Itsomehowdoesnotseemtosquarewiththis’giftofGod’ideaofyours，doesit？\"saidStacy。\"Butwe’llopenthedoorandgivethemashow。\"
Ashedidsoitseemedasifthenightweretheironlyguest，andhadbeenwaitingonthethresholdtonowenterbodilyandpervadeallthingswithitspresence。Withthatcool，fragrantinflowofairtheybreathedfreely。TherededgehadgonefromBlackSpur，butitwasevenmoreclearlydefinedagainsttheskyinitstoweringblackness。Theskyitselfhadgrownlighter，althoughthestarsstillseemedmerereflectionsofthesolitarypin-pointsoflightscatteredalongtheconcavevalleybelow。Minglingwiththecooler，restfulairofthesummit，yetpenetratinglydistinctfromit，arosethestimulatingbreathofthepinesbelow，stillhotandpantingfromtheday-longsun。Thesilencewasintense。Thefar-
offbarkingofadogontheinvisibleriver-barnearlyamilebeneaththemcametothemlikeasoundinadream。Theyhadrisen，and，standinginthedoorway，bycommonconsentturnedtheirfacestotheeast。Itwasthefrequentattitudeofthehome-rememberingminer，anditgavehimthecrowninggloryoftheview。For，beyondthepine-hearsedsummits，rarelyseenexceptagainsttheeveningsky，layathin，whitecloudlikeadroppedportionoftheMilkyWay。Faintwithanindescribablepallor，remoteyetdistinctenoughtoassertitselfaboveandbeyondallsurroundingobjects，itwasalwaysthere。Itwasthesnow-lineoftheSierras。
Theyturnedawayandsilentlyreseatedthemselves，thesamethoughtinthemindsofeach。Herewassomethingtheycouldnottakeaway，somethingtobeleftforeverandirretrievablybehind，——leftwiththehealthylifetheyhadbeenleading，thecheerfulendeavor，theundyinghopefulnesswhichithadfosteredandblessed。WaswhattheyWEREtakingawayworthit？Andoddlyenough，frankandoutspokenastheyhadalwaysbeentoeachother，thatcommonthoughtremainedunuttered。EvenBarkerwassilent；perhapshewasalsothinkingofKitty。
Suddenlytwofiguresappearedintheverydoorwayofthecabin。
Theeffectwasstartlinguponthepartners，whohadonlyjustreseatedthemselves，andforamomenttheyhadforgottenthatthenarrowbandoflightwhichshotforthfromtheopendoorrenderedthedarknessoneithersideofitmoreimpenetrable，andthatoutofthisdarkness，althoughthemselvesguidedbythelight，thefigureshadjustemerged。Yetonewasfamiliarenough。ItwastheHilldrunkard，DickHall，or，ashewascalled，\"WhiskeyDick，\"or，indicatedstillmoresuccinctlybytheHillhumorists，\"AlkyHall。\"
Everybodyhadseenthatsodden，puffy，butgood-humoredface；
everybodyhadfeltthefieryexhalationsofthatenormousredbeard，whichalwaysseemedtobekeptinastateofmoist，unkemptluxuriancebyliquor；everybodyknewtheabsurddignityofmannerandattemptedprecisionofstatementwithwhichhewaswonttodisguisehisfrequentexcesses。Veryfew，however，knew，orcaredtoknow，thepatheticwearinessandchillinghorrorthatsometimeslookedoutofthosebloodshoteyes。
Hewasevidentlyequallyunpreparedforthethreesilentseatedfiguresbeforethedoor，andforamomentlookedatthemblanklywiththedoubtsofafrequentlydeceivedperception。Washesurethattheywerequitereal？Hehadnotdaredtolookathiscompanionforverification，butsmiledvaguely。
\"Good-evening，\"saidDemorestpleasantly。
WhiskeyDick’sfacebrightened。\"Good-evenin’，good-evenin’
yourselves，boys——andseehowyoulikeit！Lemmeinterdrushmyolefrien’WilliamJ。Steptoe，ofRedGulch。Stepsho——Steptoe——isshtay——ishstay——\"Hestopped，hiccupped，wavedhishandgravely，andwithanairofreproachfuldignityconcluded，\"sojourningforthepresentontheBar。Wewishtoofferourcongrashulashenandfelish——felish——\"Hepausedagain，and，leaningagainstthedoor-
post，addedseverely，\"——itations。\"
Hiscompanion，however，laughedcoarsely，and，pushingpastDick，enteredthecabin。Hewasashort，powerfulman，withacloselycroppedcrustofbeardandhairthatseemedtoadheretohisroundheadlikemossorlichen。Hecastaglance——furtiveratherthancuriousaroundthecabin，andsaid，withafamiliaritythathadnotevengoodhumortoexcuseit，\"Soyou’rethegaygalootswho’vemadethebigstrike？ThoughtI’dmeanderuptheHillwiththisoldbloatAlky，anddropintoseetheshow。Andhereyouare，feelingyouroats，eh？andnotcaringanyparticularG-dd——nifschoolkeepsornot。\"
\"ShowMr。Steptoe——thewhiskey，\"saidDemoresttoStacy。ThenquietlyaddressingDick，butignoringSteptoeascompletelyasSteptoehadignoredhisunfortunatecompanion，hesaid，\"Youquitestartledusatfirst。Wedidnotseeyoucomeupthetrail。\"
\"No。WecameupthebacktrailtopleaseSteptoe，whowantedtoseeroundthecabin，\"saidDick，glancingnervouslyyetwithaforcedindifferencetowardsthewhiskeywhichStacywasofferingtothestranger。
\"Whatyergettin’offthere？\"saidSteptoe，facingDickalmostbrutally。\"YOUknowyourtangledlegswouldn’ttakeyoustraightupthetrail，andyouhadtomakeacircumbendibus。Gosh！ifyouhadn’tscentedthislickeratthetopyou’dhaveneverfoundit。\"
\"Nomatter！I’mgladyouDIDfindit，Dick，\"saidDemorest，\"andI
hopeyou’llfindtheliquorgoodenoughtopayyouforthetrouble。\"
BarkerstaredatDemorest。Thisextraordinarytoleranceofthedrunkardwassomethingnewinhispartner。ButataglancefromDemorestheledDicktothedemijohnandtincupwhichstoodonatableinthecorner。AndinanothermomentDickhadforgottenhiscompanion’srudeness。
Demorestremainedbythedoor，lookingoutintothedarkness。
\"Well，\"saidSteptoe，puttingdownhisemptiedcup，\"trotoutyourstrike。Ireckonoureyesarestrongenoughtobearitnow。\"
Stacydrewtheblanketfromthevaguepilethatstoodinthecorner，anddiscoveredadeeptinprospecting-pan。Itwasheapedwithseverallargefragmentsofquartz。Atfirstthemarblewhitenessofthequartzandtheglitteringcrystalsofmicainitsveinswerethemostnoticeable，butastheydrewclosertheycouldseethedullyellowofgoldfillingthedecomposedandhoneycombedportionoftherockasifstillliquidandmolten。Theeyesofthepartysparkledlikethemica——eventhoseofBarkerandStacy，whowerealreadyfamiliarwiththetreasure。
\"Whichistherichestchunk？\"askedSteptoeinathickeningvoice。
Stacypointeditout。
\"Why，it’ssmallerthantheothers。\"
\"Heftitinyourhand，\"saidBarker，withboyishenthusiasm。
Theshort，thickfingersofSteptoegraspeditwithacertainaquilinesuggestion；hiswholearmstrainedoverituntilhisfacegrewpurple，buthecouldnotliftit。
\"Tharuseterbealittlegameinthe’FriscoMint，\"saidDick，restoredtofluencybyhisliquor，\"whentharwarladiesvisitingit，andthatwastooffertogive’emanyofthoselittleboxesofgoldcoin，thatcontainedfivethousanddollars，eftheywouldkindlyliftitfromthecounterandtakeitaway！Itwasn’tnobiggerthanoneofthesechunks；butJiminy！yououghterhaveseedthemgalsgripandheaveonit，andthenhevtogiveitup！Youseetheydidn’tknowanythingaboutthepaci——（hic）thespeshif——\"
Hestoppedwithgreatdignity，andaddedwithpainfulprecision，\"thespecificgravityofgold。\"
\"Dryup！\"saidSteptoeroughly。ThenturningtoStacyhesaidabruptly，\"Butwhere’stherestofit？You’vegotmorethanthat。\"
\"WesentittoBoomvillethismorning。Youseewe’vesoldoutourclaimtoacompanywhotakeitupto-morrow，andputupamillandstamps。Infact，it’sundertheirchargenow。They’vegotagangofmenontheclaimalready。\"
\"Andwhatmoutyehevgotforit，ifit’safairquestion？\"saidSteptoe，withaforcedsmile。
Stacysmiledalso。\"Idon’tknowthatit’sabusinessquestion，\"
hesaid。
\"Fivehundredthousanddollars，\"saidDemorestabruptlyfromthedoorway，\"andatrebleinterest。\"
Theeyesofthetwomenmet。TherewasnomistakingthedullfireofenvyinSteptoe’sglance，butDemorestreceiveditwithacertaincoldcuriosity，andturnedawayasthesoundofarrivingvoicescamefromwithout。
\"Fivehundredthousand’sabigfigger，\"saidSteptoe，withacoarselaugh，\"andIdon’twonderitmakesyoufeelsod————dsassy。ButitWASafairquestion。\"
Unfortunatelyithereoccurredtothewhiskey-stimulatedbrainofDickthatthefriendhehadintroducedwasbeingtreatedwithscantcourtesy，andheforgothisowntreatmentbySteptoe。Leaningagainstthewallhewavedadignifiedrebuke。\"I’msashifiedmyolefrien’isakshuatedbyonlybusineshprinciples。\"Hepaused，recollectedhimself，andaddedwithgreatprecision：\"WhenIsayhehimselfhasavaluableclaiminRedGulch，andtomyshertainknowledgehasreceivedoffers——Ihavesaidenough。\"
ThelaughthatbrokefromStacyandBarker，towhomtheinfelicitousreputationofRedGulchwasnotorious，didnotallaySteptoe’sirritation。HedartedavindictiveglanceattheunfortunateDick，butjoinedinthelaugh。\"Andwhatwasyegoin’todowiththat？\"
hesaid，pointingtothetreasure。
\"Oh，we’retakingthatwithus。There’sachunkforeachofusasamemento。Wecastlotsforthechoice，andDemorestwon，——thatonewhichyoucouldn’tliftwithonehand，youknow，\"saidStacy。
\"Oh，couldn’tI？Ireckonyouain’tgoin’togivemethesamechancethattheydidattheMint，eh？\"
Althoughtheremarkwasaccompaniedwithhisusualcoarse，familiarlaugh，therewasalookinhiseyesoinconsequentinitssignificancethatStacywouldhavemadesomereply，butatthismomentDemorestre-enteredthecabin，usheringinahalfdozenminersfromtheBarbelow。Theywere，althoughyoungishmen，someoftheolderlocatorsinthevicinity，yet，throughyearsofseclusionanduneventfullabors，theyhadacquiredacertainchildishsimplicityofthoughtandmannerthatwasalternatelyamusingandpathetic。TheyhadneverintrudeduponthereserveofthethreepartnersofHeavyTreeHillbefore；nothingbutaninfantinecuriosity，ashyrecognitionofthepartners’courtesyininvitingthemwiththewholepopulationofHeavyTreetothedinnerthenextday，andthenever-to-be-resistedtemptationofaneveningof\"freeliquor\"andforgetfulnessofthepasthadbroughtthemtherenow。Amongthem，andyetnotofthem，wasayoungmanwho，althoughspeakingEnglishwithoutaccent，wasdistinctlyofadifferentnationalityandrace。This，withacertainneatnessofdressandartificialsuavityofaddress，hadgainedhimthenicknameof\"theCount\"and\"Frenchy，\"althoughhewasreallyofFlemishextraction。HewastheUnionDitchCompany’sagentontheBar，byvirtueofhisknowledgeoflanguages。
Barkerutteredanexclamationofpleasurewhenhesawhim。Himselftheincarnationofnaturalness，hehadalwayssecretlyadmiredthisyoungforeigner，withhislacqueredsmoothness，althoughavagueconsciousnessthatneitherStacynorDemorestsharedhisfeelingshadrestrictedtheiracquaintance。Nevertheless，hewasproudnowtoseethebowwithwhichPaulVanLooenteredthecabinasifitwereadrawing-room，andperhapsdidnotreflectuponthatwantofrealfeelinginanactwhichmadetheothersuncomfortable。
Theslightawkwardnesstheirentranceproduced，however，wasquicklyforgottenwhentheblanketwasagainliftedfromthepanoftreasure。Singularlyenough，too，thesamefeverishlightcameintotheeyesofeachastheyallgatheredaroundthisyellowshrine。EventhepolitePaulrudelyelbowedhiswaybetweentheothers，thoughhisartificial\"Pardon\"seemedtoBarkertocondonethisactofbrutalinstinct。ButitwasmoreinstructivetoobservethemannerinwhichtheolderlocatorsreceivedthisconfirmationofthefickleFortunethathadoverlookedtheirwearylaborsandyearsofwaitingtolavishherfavorsonthenewandinexperiencedamateurs。Yetastheyturnedtheirdazzledeyesuponthethreepartnerstherewasnoenvyormaliceintheirdepths，noreproachontheirlips，noinsincerityintheirwonderingsatisfaction。Rathertherewasatouching，almostchildlikeresumptionofhopeastheygazedatthisconclusiveevidenceofNature’sbounty。Thegoldhadbeenthere——THEYhadonlymissedit！
Andifthere，morecouldbefound！WasitnotaproofoftherichnessofHeavyTreeHill？Sostronglywasthisreflectedontheirfacesthatacasualobserver，contrastingthemwiththethoughtfulcountenancesoftherealowners，wouldhavethoughtthemtheluckyones。IttouchedBarker’squicksympathies，itpuzzledStacy，itmadeDemorestmoreserious，itarousedSteptoe’sactivecontempt。WhiskeyDickaloneremainedstolidandimpassiveinadesperateattempttopullhimselfoncemoretogether。Eventuallyhesucceeded，eventotheambitiousachievementofmountingachairandliftinghistincupwithadangerouslyunsteadyhand，whichdidnot，however，affecthisprecisionofutterance，andsaid：——
\"Order，gentlemen！We’lldrinksuccessto——to\"——
\"Thenextstrike！\"saidBarker，leapingimpetuouslyonanotherchairandbeamingupontheoldlocators——\"andmayitcometothosewhohavesolongdeservedit！\"
Hissincereandgenerousenthusiasmseemedtobreakthespellofsilencethathadfallenuponthem。Othertoastsquicklyfollowed。
InthegeneralgoodfeelingBarkerattachedhimselftoVanLoowithhisusualboyisheffusion，andinaburstofconfidenceimpartedthesecretofhisengagementtoKittyCarter。VanLoolistenedwithpoliteattention，formalcongratulations，butinscrutableeyes，thatoccasionallywanderedtoStacyandagaintothetreasure。AslightchillofdisappointmentcameoverBarker’squicksensitiveness。Perhapshisenthusiasmhadboredthissuperiormanoftheworld。Perhapshisconfidenceswereinbadtaste！Withanewsenseofhisinexperienceheturnedsadlyaway。
VanLootookthatopportunitytoapproachStacy。
\"What’sallthisIhearofBarkerbeingengagedtoMissCarter？\"hesaid，withafaintlysuperiorsmile。\"Isitreallytrue？\"
\"Yes。Whyshouldn’titbe？\"returnedStacybluntly。
VanLoowasinstantlydeprecatingandsmiling。\"Whynot，ofcourse？Butisn’titsudden？\"
\"Theyhaveknowneachothereversincehe’sbeenonHeavyTreeHill，\"respondedStacy。
\"Ah，yes！True，\"saidVanLoo。\"Butnow\"——
\"Well——he’sgotmoneyenoughtomarry，andhe’sgoingtomarry。\"
\"Ratheryoung，isn’the？\"saidVanLoo，stilldeprecatingly。\"Andshe’sgotnothing。Usedtowaitonthetableatherfather’shotelinBoomville，didn’tshe？\"
\"Yes。Whatofthat？Weallknowit。\"
\"Ofcourse。It’sanexcellentthingforher——andherfather。
He’llhavearichson-in-law。Abouttwohundredthousandishisshare，isn’tit？IsupposeoldCarterisdelighted？\"
Stacyhadthoughtthisbefore，butdidnotcaretohaveitcorroboratedbythissuperfineyoungforeigner。\"AndIdon’treckonthatBarkerisoffendedifheis，\"hesaidcurtlyasheturnedaway。Nevertheless，hefeltirritatedthatoneofthethreesuperiorpartnersofHeavyTreeHillshouldbethoughtadupe。
Suddenlytheconversationdropped，thelaughterceased。Everyoneturnedround，and，byacommoninstinct，lookedtowardsthedoor。
Fromtheobscurityofthehillslopebelowcameawonderfultenorvoice，modulatedbydistanceandspiritualizedbythedarkness：——
\"WhenatsomefuturedayIshallbefaraway，Thouwiltbeweeping，Thylonewatchkeeping。\"
Themenlookedatoneanother。\"That’sJackHamlin，\"theysaid。
\"What’shedoinghere？\"
\"Thewolvesaregatheringaroundfreshmeat，\"saidSteptoe，withhiscoarselaughandaglanceatthetreasure。\"Didn’tyeknowhecameoverfromRedDogyesterday？\"
\"Well，giveJackafairshowandhisowngame，\"saidoneoftheoldlocators，\"andhe’dcleanoutthatpileaforesunrise。\"
\"Andloseitnextday，\"addedanother。
\"Butneverturnahairorchangeamuscleineithercase，\"saidathird。\"Lord！I’veheardhimsingawayjustlikethatwhenhe’sbeenleavingtheboardwithfivethousanddollarsinhispocket，orgoingawaystrippedofhislastredcent。\"
VanLoo，whohadbeenlisteningwithapeculiarsmile，heresaidinhismostdeprecatingmanner，\"Yes，butdidyouneverconsidertheinfluencethatsuchamanhasonthehard-workingtunnelmen，whoarereadytogambletheirwholeweek’searningstohim？Perhapsnot。ButIknowthedifficultiesofgettingtheDitchratesfromthesemenwhenhehasbeenincamp。\"
Heglancedaroundhimwithsomeimportance，butonlyalaughfollowedhisspeech。\"Come，Frenchy，\"saidanoldlocator，\"youonlysaythatbecauseyourlittlebrotherwantedtoplaywithJacklikeagrownman，andwhenJackorderedhimofftheboardandhebecamesassy，Jackscootedhimouterthesaloon。\"
VanLoo’sfacereddenedwithanangerthathadtheapparenteffectofremovingeverytraceofhisformerpolishedrepose，andleavingonlyahardoutlinebeneath。AtwhichDemorestinterfered：——
\"Ican’tsaythatIseemuchdifferenceingamblingbyputtingmoneyintoaholeinthegroundandexpectingtotakemorefromitthanbyputtingitonacardforthesamepurpose。\"
Heretheravishingtenorvoice，whichhadbeenapproaching，ceased，andwassucceededbyaheart-breakingandequallymelodiouswhistlingtofinishthebarofthesinger’ssong。AndthenextmomentJackHamlinappearedinthedoorway。
Whateverwashispresentfinancialcondition，inperfectself-
possessionandcharmingsang-froidhefullyboreouthispreviousdescription。Hewasascleanandrefreshinglookingasamadrono-
treeinthedust-blownforest。Anodorofscentedsoapandfreshlyironedlinenwaswaftedfromhim；therewasscarcelyacreaseinhiswhitewaistcoat，noraspeckuponhisvarnishedshoes。Hemighthavebeenanauditorofthepreviousconversation，soquicklyandcompletelydidheseemtotakeinthewholesituationataglance。Perhapstherewasanextratilttohisblack-ribbonedPanamahat，andacertaindancingdevilryinhisbrowneyes——whichmightalsohavebeenananswertoadversecriticism。
\"WhenI，histruthtoprove，wouldtriflewithmylove，\"hewarbledingeneralcontinuancefromthedoorway。Thendroppingcheerfullyintospeech，headded，\"Well，boys，Iamheretowelcomethelittlestranger，andtotrustthatthefamilyaredoingaswellascanbeexpected。Ah！thereitis！Blessit！\"hewenton，walkingleisurelytothetreasure。\"Triplets，too！——andplumpatthat。
Haveyouhad’emweighed？\"
FranknesswasanessentialqualityofHeavyTreeHill。\"Wewerejustsaying，Jack，\"saidanoldlocator，\"that，givingyouafairshowandyourowngame，youcouldmanagetogetawaywiththatpilebeforedaybreak。\"
\"AndI’mjustthinking，\"saidJackcheerfully，\"thatthereweresomeofyouherethatcoulddothatwithoutanysuchuselesspreliminary。\"HisbrowneyesrestedforamomentonSteptoe，butturningquiteabruptlytoVanLoo，heheldouthishand。Startledandembarrassedbeforetheothers，theyoungmanatlastadvancedhis，whenJackcoollyputhisown，asifforgetfully，inhispocket。\"Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowwhatthatlittlebrotherofyoursisdoing，\"hesaidtoVanLoo，yetlookingatSteptoe。\"I
foundhimwanderingabouttheHillherequitedrunk。\"
\"Ihaverepeatedlywarnedhim\"——beganVanLoo，reddening。
\"Againstbadcompany——Iknow，\"suggestedJackgayly；\"yetinspiteofallthat，IthinkheowessomeofhisliquortoSteptoeyonder。\"
\"Ineversupposedthefoolwouldgetdrunkoveraglassofwhiskeyofferedinfun，\"saidSteptoeharshly，yetevidentlyquiteasmuchdisconcertedasangry。
\"ThetroublewithSteptoe，\"saidHamlin，thoughtfullyspanninghisslimwaistwithbothhandsashelookeddownathispolishedshoes，\"isthathehassuchasoft-heartedlikingforallweaknesses。
Alwayswantingtoprotectchapsthatcan’tlookafterthemselves，whetherit’sWhiskeyDicktherewhenhehasapullon，orsomeniggerwhenhe’smadealittlestrike，orthatstrayinglambofVanLoo’swhenhe’spuppydrunk。Butyou’rewrongaboutme，boys。Youcan’tdrawmeinanygameto-night。Thisisoneofmynightsoff，whichIdevoteexclusivelytocontemplationandsong。But，\"headded，suddenlyturningtohisthreehostswithabewilderingandfascinatingchangeofexpression，\"Icouldn’tresistcomingupheretoseeyouandyourpile，evenifIneversawtheoneortheotherbefore，andamnotlikelytoseeeitheragain。Ibelieveinluck！
Anditcomesamightysightoftenerthanafellowthinksitdoes。
Butitdoesn’tcometostay。SoI’dadviseyoutokeepyoureyesskinned，andhangontoitwhileit’swithyou，likegrimdeath。
Solong！\"
Resistingallattemptsofhishosts——whohadapparentlyfallenassuddenlyandunaccountablyunderthemagicofhismanner——todetainhimlonger，hesteppedlightlyaway，hisvoicepresentlyrisingagaininmelodyashedescendedthehill。Norwasitatallremarkablethattheothers，apparentlydrawnbythesameinevitablemagnetism，wereimpelledtofollowhim，naturallyjoiningtheirvoiceswithhis，leavingSteptoeandVanLoosomarkedlybehindthemalonethattheywerecompelledatlastinsheerembarrassmenttocloseuptherearoftheprocession。Inanothermomentthecabinandthethreepartnersagainrelapsedintothepeaceandquietofthenight。Withthedyingawayofthelastvoicesonthehillsidetheoldsolitudereasserteditself。
Butsincetheirruptionofthestrangerstheyhadlosttheirformersluggishcontemplation，andnowbusiedthemselvesinpreparationfortheirearlydeparturefromthecabinthenextmorning。TheyhadarrangedtospendthefollowingdayandnightatBoomvilleandCarter’sHotel，wheretheyweretogivetheirfarewelldinnertoHeavyTreeHill。Theytalkedbutlittletogether：sincetherebuffhisenthusiasticconfidenceshadreceivedfromVanLoo，Barkerhadbeengraveandthoughtful，andStacy，withtheirritatingrecollectionofVanLoo’scriticismsinhismind，hadrefrainedfromhisusualrallyingofBarker。Oddlyenough，theyspokechieflyofJackHamlin，——tillthenpersonallyastrangertothem，onaccountofhisinfelixreputation，——andeventhecriticalDemorestexpressedawishtheyhadknownhimbefore。\"Butyouneverknowtherealvalueofanythinguntilyou’requittingitorit’squittingyou，\"headdedsententiously。
BarkerandStacybothstaredattheircompanion。ItwasunlikeDemoresttoregretanything——particularlyameresocialdiversion。
\"Theysay，\"remarkedStacy，\"thatifyouhadknownJackHamlinearlierandprofessionally，agreatdealofrealvaluewouldhavequittedyoubeforehedid。\"
\"Don’trepeatthatrotflungoutbymenwhohaveplayedJack’sgameandlost，\"returnedDemorestderisively。\"I’drathertrusthimthan\"——Hestopped，glancedatthemeditativeBarker，andthenconcludedabruptly，\"thewholecaboodleofhiscritics。\"
Theyweresilentforafewmoments，andthenseemedtohavefallenintotheirformerdreamymoodastheyrelapsedintotheiroldseatsagain。AtlastStacydrewalongbreath。\"Iwishwehadsentthosenuggetsoffwiththeothersthismorning。\"
\"Why？\"saidDemorestsuddenly。
\"Why？Well，d——nitall！theykindofoppressme，don’tyousee。
Iseemtofeel’emhere，onmychest——allthethree，\"returnedStacyonlyhalfjocularly。\"It’stheird————dspecificgravity，I
suppose。Idon’tliketheideaofsleepinginthesameroomwith’em。They’realtogethertoomuchforusthreementobeleftalonewith。\"
\"Youdon’tmeanthatyouthinkthatanybodywouldattempt\"——saidDemorest。
Stacycurledafightingliprathersuperciliously。\"No；Idon’tthinkTHAT——IratherwishIdid。It’stheblessedchunksofsolidgoldthatseemtohavegotUSfast，don’tyouknow，andaregoingtosticktousforgoodorill。AsortofFrankensteinmonsterthatwe’vepickedoutofaholefrombelow。\"
\"IknowjustwhatStacymeans，\"saidBarkerbreathlessly，roundinghisgrayeyes。\"I’vefeltit，too。Couldn’twemakeasortofcacheofit——buryitjustoutsidethecabinforto-night？Itwouldbesortofputtingitbackintoitsoldplace，youknow，forthetimebeing。ITmightlikeit。\"
Theothertwolaughed。\"RatherroughonProvidence，Barkerboy，\"
saidStacy，\"handingbacktheHeaven-sentgiftsosoon！Besides，what’stokeepanyprospectorfromcomingalongandmakingastrikeofit？Youknowthat’smininglaw——ifyouhaven’tpreemptedthespotasaclaim。\"
ButBarkerwastoostaggeredbythismaterialstatementtomakeanyreply，andDemorestarose。\"AndIfeelthatyou’dbothbetterbeturningin，aswe’vegottogetupearly。\"Hewenttothecornerofthecabin，andthrewtheblanketbackoverthepananditstreasure。\"Therethat’llkeepthechunksfromgettinguptorideastrideofyoulikeanightmare。\"Heshutthedoorandgaveamomentaryglanceatitscheaphingesandtheabsenceofboltorbar。Stacycaughthiseye。\"We’llmissthissecurityinSanFrancisco——perhapseveninBoomville，\"hesighed。
Itwasscarcelyteno’clock，butStacyandBarkerhadbeguntoundressthemselveswithintervalsofyawninganddesultorytalk，Barkercontinuinganamusingstory，withonestockingoffandhistrousershangingonhisarm，untilatlastbothmenweresnuglycurledupintheirrespectivebunks。PresentlyStacy’svoicecamefromundertheblankets：——
\"Hallo！aren’tyougoingtoturnintoo？\"
\"Notyet，\"saidDemorestfromhischairbeforethefire。\"Youseeit’sthelastnightintheoldshanty，andIreckonI’llseetherestofitout。\"
\"That’sso，\"saidtheimpulsiveBarker，strugglingviolentlywithhisblankets。\"Itellyouwhat，boys：wejustoughttomakeawatch-nightofit——aregularvigil，youknow——untiltwelveatleast。Holdon！I’llgetup，too！\"ButhereDemorestarose，caughthisyouthfulpartner’sbarefootwhichwentsearchingpainfullyforthegroundinonehand，tuckeditbackundertheblankets，andheapingthemonthetopofhim，pattedthebulkwithanauthoritative，paternalair。
\"You’lljustsayyourprayersandgotosleep，sonny。You’llwanttobefreshasadaisytoappearbeforeMissKittyto-morrowearly，andyoucankeepyourvigilsforto-morrownight，afterdinner，inthebackdrawing-room。Isaid’Good-night，’andImeanit！\"
Protestingfeebly，Barkerfinallyyieldedinanestlingshiverandasuddensilence。Demorestwalkedbacktohischair。AprolongedsnorecamefromStacy’sbunk；theneverythingwasquiet。Demoreststirredupthefire，castahugerootuponit，and，leaningbackinhischair，satwithhalf-closedeyesanddreamed。
Itwasanolddreamthatforthepastthreeyearshadcometohimdaily，sometimesevenovertakinghimundertheshadeofabuckeyeinhisnoontiderestonhisclaim，——adreamthathadneveryetfailedtowaitforhimatnightbythefiresidewhenhispartnerswereatrest；adreamofthepast，butsorealthatitalwaysmadethepresentseemthedreamthroughwhichhewasmovingtowardssomesureawakening。
Itwasnotstrangethatitshouldcometohimto-night，asithadoftencomebefore，slowlyshapingitselfoutoftheobscurityasthevisionofafairyounggirlseatedinoneoftheemptychairsbeforehim。Alwaysthesamepretty，childlikeface，fraughtwithahalf-frightened，half-wonderingtrouble；alwaysthesameslender，gracefulfigure，butalwaysglimmeringindiamondsandsatin，orspiritualinlaceandpearls，againsthisownrudeandsordidsurroundings；alwayssilentwithpartedlips，untilthenightwindsmotesomechordofrecollection，andthenmingledarememberedvoicewithhisown。Foratthosetimesheseemedtospeakalso，albeitwithclosedlips，andanutteranceinaudibletoallbuther。
\"Well？\"hesaidsadly。
\"Well？\"thevoicerepeated，likeagentleechoblendingwithhisown。
\"Youknowitallnow，\"hewenton。\"Youknowthatithascomeatlast，——allthatIhadworkedfor，prayedfor；allthatwouldhavemadeushappyhere；allthatwouldhavesavedyoutomehascomeatlast，andalltoolate！\"
\"Toolate！\"echoedthevoicewithhis。
\"Youremember，\"hewenton，\"thelastdayweweretogether。Yourememberyourfriendsandfamilywouldhaveyougivemeup——apennilessman。Yourememberwhentheyreproachedyouwithmypoverty，andtoldyouthatitwasonlyyourwealththatIwasseeking，thatIthendeterminedtogoawayandnevertoreturntoclaimyouuntilthatreproachcouldberemoved。Youremember，dearest，howyouclungtomeandbademestaywithyou，evenflywithyou，butnottoleaveyoualonewiththem。Youworethesamedressthatday，darling；youreyeshadthesamewonderingchildlikefearandtroubleinthem；yourjewelsglitteredonyouasyoutrembled，andIrefused。Inmypride，orratherinmyweaknessandcowardice，Irefused。Icameawayandbrokemyheartamongtheserocksandledges，yetgrewstrong；andyou，mylove，YOU，shelteredandguardedbythoseyouloved，YOU\"——Hestoppedandburiedhisfaceinhishands。Thenightwindbreatheddownthechimney，andfromthestirredashesonthehearthcamethesoftwhisper，\"I
died。\"
\"Andthen，\"hewenton，\"Icaredfornothing。Sometimesmyheartawokeforthisyoungpartnerofmineinhisinnocent，trustfulloveforagirlthateveninherhumblestationwasfarbeyondhishopes，andIpitiedmyselfinhim。Home，fortune，friends，Inolongercaredfor——allwereforgotten。Andnowtheyarereturningtome——onlythatImayseethehollownessandvanityofthem，andtastethebitternessforwhichIhavesacrificedyou。Andhere，onthislastnightofmyexile，Iamconfrontedwithonlythejealousy，thedoubt，themeannessandselfishnessthatistocome。
Toolate！Toolate！\"
Thewondering，troubledeyesthathadlookedintohishereappearedtoclearandbrightenwithasweetprescience。Wasitthewindmoaninginthechimneythatseemedtowhispertohim：\"Toolate，beloved，forME，butnotforyou。Idied，butLovestilllives。
Behappy，Philip。AndinyourhappinessItoomayliveagain\"？
Hestarted。Intheflickeringfirelightthechairwasempty。Thewindthathadsweptdownthechimneyhadstirredtheasheswithasoundlikethepassageofarustlingskirt。Therewasachillintheairandasmelllikethatofopenedearth。Anervousshiverpassedoverhim。Thenhesatupright。Therewasnomistake；itwasnosuperstitiousfancy，butafaint，dampcurrentofairwasactuallyflowingacrosshisfeettowardsthefireplace。Hewasabouttorisewhenhestoppedsuddenlyandbecamemotionless。
Hewasactivelyconsciousnowofastrangesoundwhichhadaffectedhimeveninthepreoccupationofhisvision。Itwasagentlebrushingofsomeyieldingsubstancelikethatmadebyasoftbroomonsand，orthesweepofagown。Buttohismountainears，attunedtoeverywoodlandsound，itwasnotlikethegnawingofgopherorsquirrel，thescratchingofwildcat，northehairyrubbingofbear。
Norwasithuman；thelong，deeprespirationsofhissleepingcompanionsweredistinctfromthatmonotonoussound。HecouldnoteventellifitwereINthecabinorwithout。Suddenlyhiseyefelluponthepileinthecorner。Theblanketthatcoveredthetreasurewasactuallymoving！
Herosequickly，butsilently，alert，self-contained，andmenacing。
Forthisdreamer，thisbereavedman，thisscornfulphilosopherofricheshaddisappearedwiththatmidnighttrespassuponthesacredtreasure。Themovementoftheblanketceased；thesoft，swishingsoundrecommenced。Hedrewaglitteringbowie-knifefromhisboot-
leg，andinthreenoiselessstrideswasbesidethepile。Therehesawwhathefullyexpectedtosee，——anarrow，horizontalgapbetweenthelogwallsofthecabinandtheadobefloor，slowlywideninganddeepeningbytheburrowingofunseenhandsfromwithout。Thecoldouterairwhichhehadfeltbeforewasnowplainlyflowingintotheheatedcabinthroughtheopening。Theswishingsoundrecommenced，andstopped。Thenthefourfingersofahand，palmdownwards，werecautiouslyintroducedbetweenthebottomlogandthedenudedfloor。Uponthatintrudinghandthebowie-knifeofDemorestdescendedlikeaflashoflightning。Therewasnooutcry。EveninthatsuprememomentDemorestfeltapangofadmirationforthestoicismoftheunseentrespasser。Butthemaimedhandwasquicklywithdrawn，andasquicklyDemorestrushedtothedooranddashedintotheouterdarkness。
Foraninstanthewasdazedandbewilderedbythesuddenchange。
Butthenextmomenthesawadodging，doublingfigurerunningbeforehim，andthrewhimselfuponit。Intheshockbothmenfell，buteveninthatcontactDemorestfeltthetangledbeardandalcoholicfumesofWhiskeyDick，andfeltalsothatthehandswhichwerethrownupagainsthisbreast，thepalmsturnedoutwardwiththeinstinctivemovementofatimid，defenselessman，wereunstainedwithsoilorblood。Withanoathhethrewthedrunkardfromhimanddashedtotherearofthecabin。Buttoolate！
There，indeed，wasthescatteredearth，therethewidenedburrowasithadbeenexcavatedapparentlybythatmutilatedhand——butnothingelse！
HeturnedbacktoWhiskeyDick。Butthemiserableman，althoughstillretainingalookofdazedterrorinhiseyes，hadrecoveredhisfeetinakindofangryconfidenceandaforcedsenseofinjury。WhatdidDemorestmeanbyattacking\"innoshent\"gentlemenonthetrailoutsidehiscabin？Yes！OUTSIDEhiscabin，hewouldswearit！
\"Whatwereyoudoinghereatmidnight？\"demandedDemorest。
