Butaglanceathisgood-humoredfaceandkindlingeyesremovedthatsuspicion。Nevertheless，hefeltsomewhatembarrassedandimpatient，andperhapscouldnotentirelyconcealit。Heforgotthattherudestnaturesaresometimesthemostdelicatelysensitivetoslights，andthestrangerhadnoticedhismannerandbeganapologetically。
\"IallowedI\'djustdropinanywaytotellyethatthesetharpillsyougiv\'medidmeaheapo\'goodsofar——thoughmebbeit\'sonlyfairtogivetheothersashowtoo，whichI\'mreckoningtodo。\"Hepaused，andtheninasubmissiveconfidencewenton：\"ButfirstI
wantedtohevyouexcusemeforhavin\'askedallthemquestionsaboutthathigh-tonedladylastnight，whenitwarn\'tnoneofmybusiness。Iamadarnedfool。\"
Mr。Kaneinstantlysawthatitwasnousetokeepuphisattitudeofsecrecy，orimposeupontheignorant，simpleman，andsaidhurriedly：\"Ohno。Theladyisverywellknown。Sheistheproprietressofarestaurantdownthestreet——ahouseopentoeverybody。HernameisMadameleBlanc；youmayhaveheardofherbefore？\"
Tohissurprisethemanexhibitednodiminutionofinterestnorchangeofsentimentatthisintelligence。\"Then，\"hesaidslowly，\"IreckonImightgettoseeheragain。Yesee，Mr。Kane，Irathertookafancytohergeneralstyleandgait——arterseein\'herinthatfixlastnight。Itwasratherlikethemplaypicturesonthestage。Yedon\'tthinkshe\'dmakeanyfusstoseein\'aroughold\'forty-niner\'likeme？\"
\"Hardly，\"saidKane，\"buttheremightbesomeobjectionfromhergentlemenfriends，\"headded，withasmile，——\"JackLane，agambler，whokeepsafarobankinherrooms，andJimmyO\'Ryan，aprize-
fighter，whoisoneofher\'chuckersout。\'\"
HisfurtherrelationofMadameleBlanc\'sentourageapparentlygavetheminernoconcern。HelookedatKane，nodded，andrepeatedslowlyandappreciatively：\"Yes，keepsagamblin\'andfarobankandaprize-fighter——Ireckonthatmightbeabouthergaitandstyletoo。Andyousayshelives\"——
Hestopped，foratthismomentamanenteredtheshopquickly，shutthedoorbehindhim，andturnedthekeyinthelock。ItwasdonesoquicklythatKaneinstinctivelyfeltthatthemanhadbeenloiteringinthevicinityandhadapproachedfromthesidestreet。
Asingleglanceattheintruder\'sfaceandfigureshowedhimthatitwasthebullyofwhomhehadjustspoken。Hehadseenthatsquare，brutalfaceoncebefore，confrontingthepoliceinariot，andhadnotforgottenit。Buttoday，withtheflushofliquoronit，ithadanimpatientawkwardnessandconfusedembarrassmentthathecouldnotaccountfor。Hedidnotcomprehendthatthegenuinebullyisseldomdeliberateofattack，andisobliged——incommonwithmanyofthecombativeloweranimals——tolashhimselfintoapreviousfuryofprovocation。Thisprobablysavedhim，asperhapssomeinstinctivefeelingthathewasinnoimmediatedangerkepthimcool。Heremainedstandingquietlybehindthecounter。Allenglancedaroundcarelessly，lookingattheshelves。
Thesilenceofthetwomenapparentlyincreasedtheruffian\'srageandembarrassment。Suddenlyheleapedintotheairwithawhoopandclumsilyexecutedanegrodoubleshuffleonthefloor，whichjarredtheglasses——yetwasotherwisesosingularlyineffectiveandvoidofpurposethathestoppedinthemidstofitandhadtocontenthimselfwithglaringatKane。
\"Well，\"saidKanequietly，\"whatdoesallthismean？Whatdoyouwanthere？\"
\"Whatdoesitmean？\"repeatedthebully，findinghisvoiceinahighfalsetto，designedtoimitateKane\'s。\"ItmeansI\'mgoingtoplaymerryh-llwiththisshop！ItmeansI\'mgoin\'tocleanitoutandtheblankhair-cuttin\'blankthatkeepsit。WhatdoIwanthere？Well——whatIwantIintendtohelpmyselfto，andallh-llcan\'tstopme！And\"（workinghimselftothestrikingpoint）\"whotheblankareyoutoaskme？\"Hesprangtowardsthecounter，butatthesamemomentAllenseemedtoslipalmostimperceptiblyandnoiselesslybetweenthem，andKanefoundhimselfconfrontedonlybytheminer\'sbroadback。
\"Hol\'yerhosses，stranger，\"saidAllenslowly，astheruffiansuddenlycollidedwithhisimpassivefigure。\"I\'masickmancomin\'inyerformedicine。I\'vegotsomethin\'wrongwithmyheart，andgoin\'sonlikethisyerkindersetsittothumpin\'。\"
\"Blankyouandyourblankheart！\"screamedthebully，turninginafuryofamazementandcontemptatthisimpotentinterruption。
\"Who\"——buthisvoicestopped。Allen\'spowerfulrightarmhadpassedoverhisheadandshoulderslikeasteelhoop，andpinionedhiselbowsagainsthissides。Heldrigidlyupright，heattemptedtokick，butAllen\'srightleghereadvanced，andfirmlyheldhislowerlimbsagainstthecounterthatshooktohisstrugglesandblasphemousoutcries。AllenturnedquietlytoKane，and，withagestureofhisunemployedarm，saidconfidentially：
\"WouldyemindpassingmedownthatarRomanticSpiritsofAmmonyeryegavemelastnight？\"
Kanecaughttheidea，andhandedhimthebottle。
\"Thar，\"saidAllen，takingoutthestopperandholdingthepungentspiritagainstthebully\'sdilatednostrilsandvociferousmouth，\"thar，smellthat，andtasteit，itwilldoyegood；itwaspowerfulkammin\'toMElastnight。\"
Theruffiangasped，coughed，choked，buthisblasphemingvoicediedawayinasuffocatinghiccough。
\"Thar，\"continuedAllen，ashisnowsubduedcaptiverelaxedhisstruggling，\"ye\'r\'better，andsoamI。It\'squieterherenow，andyeain\'taffectin\'myheartsobad。Alittlefreshairwillmakeusbothallright。\"HeturnedagaintoKaneinhisformersubduedconfidentialmanner。
\"Wouldyemindopenin\'thatdoor？\"
Kaneflewtothedoor，unlockedit，andhelditwideopen。Thebullyagainbegantostruggle，butasecondinhalationofthehartshornquelledhim，andenabledhiscaptortodraghimtothedoor。Astheyemergeduponthesidewalk，thebully，withafinaldesperatestruggle，freedhisarmandgraspedhispistolathiship-pocket，butatthesamemomentAllendeliberatelycaughthishand，andwithapowerfulsidethrowcasthimonthepavement，retainingtheweaponinhisownhand。\"I\'veoneofmyown，\"hesaidtotheprostrateman，\"butIreckonI\'llkeepthisyertoo，untilyou\'rebetter。\"
Thecrowdthathadcollectedquickly，recognizingthenotoriousanddiscomfitedbully，werenotofaclasstoofferhimanysympathy，andheslunkawayfollowedbytheirjeers。Allenreturnedquietlytotheshop。Kanewasprofuseinhisthanks，andyetoppressedwithhissimplefriend\'sfatuousadmirationforawomanwhocouldkeepsuchruffiansinheremploy。\"Youknowwhothatmanwas，I
suppose？\"hesaid。
\"Ireckonitwasthat\'erprize-fighterbelongin\'tothathigh-
tonedlady，\"returnedAllensimply。\"Buthedon\'tknowanythingaboutRASTLIN\'，b\'gosh；onlythatIwasafraido\'bringin\'onthathearttrouble，Imouthevhurthimbad。\"
\"Theythink\"——hesitatedKane，\"that——I——wasroughinmytreatmentofthatwomanandmaliciouslycutoffherhair。Thisattackwasrevenge——or\"——hehesitatedstillmore，asherememberedDr。
Sparlow\'sindicationofthewoman\'sfeeling——\"orthatbully\'sideaofrevenge。\"
\"Isee，\"noddedAllen，openinghissmallsympatheticeyesonKanewithanexasperatingairofsecrecy——\"justjealousy。\"
Kanereddenedinsheerhopelessnessofexplanation。\"No；itwasearninghiswages，ashethought。\"
\"Neveryemind，pard，\"saidAllenconfidentially。\"I\'llset\'embothright。Yesee，thissortergivesmeashowtocallatthattharrestaurantandgiveHIMbackhissix-shooter，andsetherontherighttrailforyou。Why，Lordy！Iwasherewhenyouwasfixin\'her——I\'mtestimonyo\'thewayyoudidit——andshe\'llrememberme。I\'llsorterwaltzroundtharthisafternoon。ButI
reckonIwon\'tbekeepin\'YOUfromyourworkanylonger。Andlookyar！——Isay，pard！——thisisseein\'lifein\'Frisco——ain\'tit？
Gosh！I\'vehadmorehightimesinthisveryshopintwodays，thanI\'vehadintwoyearsofSt。Jo。Solong，Mr。Kane！\"Hewavedhishand，loungedslowlyoutoftheshop，gaveapartingglanceupthestreet，passedthewindow，andwasgone。
Thenextdaybeingahalf-holidayforKane，hedidnotreachtheshopuntilafternoon。\"YourminingfriendAllenhasbeenhere，\"
saidDoctorSparlow。\"Itookthelibertyofintroducingmyself，andinducedhimtoletmecarefullyexaminehim。Hewasalittleshy，andIamsorryforit，asIfearhehassomeseriousorganictroublewithhisheartandoughttohaveamorethoroughexamination。\"SeeingKane\'sunaffectedconcern，headded，\"Youmightinfluencehimtodoso。He\'sagoodfellowandoughttotakesomecareofhimself。Bytheway，hetoldmetotellyouthathe\'dseenMadameleBlancandmadeitallrightaboutyou。Heseemstobequiteinfatuatedwiththewoman。\"
\"I\'msorryheeversawher，\"saidKanebitterly。
\"Well，hisseeingherseemstohavesavedtheshopfrombeingsmashedup，andyoufromgettingapunchedhead，\"returnedtheDoctorwithalaugh。\"He\'snofool——yetit\'safreakofhumannaturethatasimplehayseedlikethat——amanwho\'slivedinthebackwoodsallhislife，islikelytobethefirsttotumblebeforeapotofFrenchrougelikeher。\"
Indeed，inacoupleofweeks，therewasnofurtherdoubtofMr。
ReubenAllen\'sinfatuation。Hedroppedintotheshopfrequentlyonhiswaytoandfromtherestaurant，wherehenowregularlytookhismeals；hespenthiseveningsingamblinginitsprivateroom。YetKanewasbynomeanssurethathewaslosinghismoneythereunfairly，orthathewasusedasapigeonbytheproprietressandherfriends。ThebullyO\'Ryanwasturnedaway；SparlowgrimlysuggestedthatAllenhadsimplytakenhisplace，butKaneingeniouslyretortedthattheDoctorwasonlypiquedbecauseAllenhadevadedhisprofessionaltreatment。Certainlythepatienthadneverconsentedtoanotherexamination，althoughherepeatedlyandgravelyboughtmedicines，andwasagenerouscustomer。OnceortwiceKanethoughtithisdutytocautionAllenagainsthisnewfriendsandenlightenhimastoMadameleBlanc\'sreputation，buthissuggestionswerereceivedwithagood-humoredsubmissionthatwaseithertheeffectofunbelieforofperfectresignationtothefact，andhedesisted。OnemorningDr。Sparlowsaidcheerfully：——
\"WouldyouliketohearthelastthingaboutyourfriendandtheFrenchwoman？Theboyscan\'taccountforhersinglingoutafellowlikethatforherfriend，sotheysaythatthenightthatshecutherselfatthefeteanddroppedinhereforassistance，shefoundnobodyherebutAllen——achancecustomer！ThatitwasHEwhocutoffherhairandboundupherwoundsinthatsincerefashion，andshebelievedhehadsavedherlife。\"TheDoctorgrinnedmaliciouslyasheadded：\"Andasthat\'sthewayhistoryiswrittenyouseeyourreputationissafe。\"
ItmayhavebeenamonthlaterthatSanFranciscowasthrownintoaparoxysmofhorrorandindignationovertheassassinationofaprominentcitizenandofficialinthegambling-roomsofMadameleBlanc，atthehandsofanotoriousgambler。Thegamblerhadescaped，butinoneofthoserarespasmsofvengefulmoralitywhichsometimesovertakescommunitieswhohavetoolongwinkedatandsufferedtheexistenceofevil，thefairproprietressandherwholeentouragewerearrestedandhaledbeforethecoroner\'sjuryattheinquest。Thegreatestexcitementprevailed；itwassaidthatifthejuryfailedintheirduty，theVigilanceCommitteehadarrangedforthedestructionoftheestablishmentandthedeportationofitsinmates。ThecrowdthathadcollectedaroundthebuildingwasreinforcedbyKaneandDr。Sparlow，whohadclosedtheirshopinthenextblocktoattend。WhenKanehadfoughthiswayintothebuildingandthetemporarycourt，heldinthesplendidlyfurnishedgamblingsaloon，whosegildedmirrorsreflectedtheeagerfacesofthecrowd，theChiefofPolicewasgivinghistestimonyinaformalofficialmanner，impressiveonlyforitsrelentlessandimpassiverevelationofthecharacterandantecedentsoftheproprietress。
Thehousehadbeenlongundertheespionageofthepolice；MadameleBlanchadadozenaliases；shewas\"wanted\"inNewOrleans，inNewYork，inHavana！ItwasinHERhousethatDyer，thebankclerk，committedsuicide；itwastherethatColonelHooleywassetuponbyherbully，O\'Ryan；itwasshe——Kaneheardwithreddeningcheeks——whodefiedthepolicewithriotousconductatafetetwomonthsago。Ashecoollyrecitedthecountsofthisshamefulindictment，KanelookedeagerlyaroundforAllen，whomheknewhadbeenarrestedasawitness。HowwouldHEtakethisterribledisclosure？Hewassittingwiththeothers，hisarmthrownoverthebackofhischair，andhisgood-humoredfaceturnedtowardsthewoman，inhisoldconfidentialattitude。SHE，gorgeouslydressed，painted，butunblushing，wascool，collected，andcynical。
TheCoronernextcalledtheonlywitnessoftheactualtragedy，\"ReubenAllen。\"Themandidnotmovenorchangehisposition。Thesummonswasrepeated；apolicemantouchedhimontheshoulder。
Therewasapause，andtheofficerannounced：\"Hehasfainted，yourHonor！\"
\"Isthereaphysicianpresent？\"askedtheCoroner。
Sparlowedgedhiswayquicklytothefront。\"I\'mamedicalman，\"
hesaidtotheCoroner，ashepassedquicklytothestill，upright，immovablefigureandkneltbesideitwithhisheaduponhisheart。
Therewasanawedsilenceas，afterapause，heroseslowlytohisfeet。
\"Thewitnessisapatient，yourHonor，whomIexaminedsomeweeksagoandfoundsufferingfromvalvulardiseaseoftheheart。Heisdead。\"
THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD
\"Oh！it\'syou，isit？\"saidtheEditor。
TheChineseboytowhomthecolloquialismwasaddressedansweredliterally，afterhishabit：——
\"AlleesameLiTee；menochangee。MenoolleeChinaboy。\"
\"That\'sso，\"saidtheEditorwithanairofconviction。\"Idon\'tsupposethere\'sanotherimplikeyouinallTrinidadCounty。Well，nexttimedon\'tscratchoutsidetherelikeagopher，butcomein。\"
\"Lasstime，\"suggestedLiTeeblandly，\"metaptappee。Younoliketaptappee。Yousay，allesamedamwoodpeckel。\"
Itwasquitetrue——thehighlysylvansurroundingsoftheTrinidad\"Sentinel\"office——alittleclearinginapineforest——anditsattendantfauna，madethesesignalsconfusing。AnaccurateimitationofawoodpeckerwasalsooneofLiTee\'saccomplishments。
TheEditorwithoutreplyingfinishedthenotehewaswriting；atwhichLiTee，asifstruckbysomecoincidentrecollection，lifteduphislongsleeve，whichservedhimasapocket，andcarelesslyshookoutaletteronthetablelikeaconjuringtrick。TheEditor，withareproachfulglanceathim，openedit。Itwasonlytheordinaryrequestofanagriculturalsubscriber——oneJohnson——
thattheEditorwould\"notice\"agiantradishgrownbythesubscriberandsentbythebearer。
\"Where\'stheradish，LiTee？\"saidtheEditorsuspiciously。
\"Nohabgot。AskMellikanboy。\"
\"What？\"
HereLiTeecondescendedtoexplainthatonpassingtheschoolhousehehadbeensetuponbytheschoolboys，andthatinthestrugglethebigradish——being，likemostsuchmonstrositiesofthequickCaliforniansoil，merelyamassoforganizedwater——was\"mashed\"
overtheheadofsomeofhisassailants。TheEditor，painfullyawareoftheseregularpersecutionsofhiserrandboy，andperhapsrealizingthataradishwhichcouldnotbeusedasabludgeonwasnotofasustainingnature，foreboreanyreproof。\"ButIcannotnoticewhatIhaven\'tseen，LiTee，\"hesaidgood-humoredly。
\"S\'poseyoulie——alleesameasJohnson，\"suggestedLiwithequalcheerfulness。\"Hefooleeyouwithlottenstuff——youfooleeMellikanman，alleesame。\"
TheEditorpreservedadignifiedsilenceuntilhehadaddressedhisletter。\"TakethistoMrs。Martin，\"hesaid，handingittotheboy；\"andmindyoukeepclearoftheschoolhouse。Don\'tgobytheFlateitherifthemenareatwork，anddon\'t，ifyouvalueyourskin，passFlanigan\'sshanty，whereyousetoffthosefirecrackersandnearlyburnthimouttheotherday。LookoutforBarker\'sdogatthecrossing，andkeepoffthemainroadifthetunnelmenarecomingoverthehill。\"ThenrememberingthathehadvirtuallyclosedalltheordinaryapproachestoMrs。Martin\'shouse，headded，\"Bettergoroundbythewoods，whereyouwon\'tmeetANY
ONE。\"
Theboydartedoffthroughtheopendoor，andtheEditorstoodforamomentlookingregretfullyafterhim。Helikedhislittleprotegeeversincethatunfortunatechild——awaiffromaChinesewash-house——wasimpoundedbysomeindignantminersforbringinghomeahighlyimperfectandinsufficientwashing，andkeptashostageforamoreproperreturnofthegarments。Unfortunately，anothergangofminers，equallyaggrieved，hadatthesametimelootedthewash-houseanddrivenofftheoccupants，sothatLiTeeremainedunclaimed。Forafewweekshebecameasportingappendageoftheminers\'camp；thestolidbuttofgood-humoredpracticaljokes，thevictimalternatelyofcarelessindifferenceorofextravagantgenerosity。Hereceivedkicksandhalf-dollarsintermittently，andpocketedbothwithstoicalfortitude。Butunderthistreatmenthepresentlylostthedocilityandfrugalitywhichwaspartofhisinheritance，andbegantoputhissmallwitsagainsthistormentors，untiltheygrewtiredoftheirownmischiefandhis。Buttheyknewnotwhattodowithhim。Hisprettynankeen-yellowskindebarredhimfromthewhite\"publicschool，\"
while，althoughasaheathenhemighthavereasonablyclaimedattentionfromtheSabbath-school，theparentswhocheerfullygavetheircontributionstotheheathenABROAD，objectedtohimasacompanionoftheirchildreninthechurchathome。AtthisjuncturetheEditorofferedtotakehimintohisprintingofficeasa\"devil。\"Forawhileheseemedtobeendeavoring，inhisoldliteralway，toactuptothattitle。Heinkedeverythingbutthepress。HescratchedChinesecharactersofanabusiveimporton\"leads，\"printedthem，andstuckthemabouttheoffice；heput\"punk\"intheforeman\'spipe，andhadbeenseentoswallowsmalltypemerelyasadiabolicalrecreation。Asamessengerhewasfleetoffoot，butuncertainofdelivery。SometimepreviouslytheEditorhadenlistedthesympathiesofMrs。Martin，thegood-naturedwifeofafarmer，totakehiminherhouseholdontrial，butonthethirddayLiTeehadrunaway。YettheEditorhadnotdespaired，anditwastourgehertoasecondattemptthathedispatchedthatletter。
Hewasstillgazingabstractedlyintothedepthsofthewoodwhenhewasconsciousofaslightmovement——butnosound——inaclumpofhazelnearhim，andastealthyfigureglidedfromit。Heatoncerecognizeditas\"Jim，\"awell-knowndrunkenIndianvagrantofthesettlement——tiedtoitscivilizationbythesinglelinkof\"firewater，\"forwhichheforsookequallytheReservationwhereitwasforbiddenandhisowncampswhereitwasunknown。Unconsciousofhissilentobserver，hedroppeduponallfours，withhisearandnosealternatelytothegroundlikesometrackinganimal。Thenhavingsatisfiedhimself，herose，andbendingforwardinadoggedtrot，madeastraightlineforthewoods。Hewasfollowedafewsecondslaterbyhisdog——aslinking，rough，wolf-likebrute，whosesuperiorinstinct，however，madehimdetectthesilentpresenceofsomealienhumanityinthepersonoftheEditor，andtorecognizeitwithayelpofhabit，anticipatoryofthestonethatheknewwasalwaysthrownathim。
\"That\'scute，\"saidavoice，\"butit\'sjustwhatIexpectedallalong。\"
TheEditorturnedquickly。Hisforemanwasstandingbehindhim，andhadevidentlynoticedthewholeincident。
\"It\'swhatIallussaid，\"continuedtheman。\"ThatboyandthatInjinarethickasthieves。Yecan\'tseeonewithouttheother——
andthey\'vegottheirlittletricksandsignalsbywhichtheyfolloweachother。T\'otherdaywhenyouwaskalkilatin\'LiTeewasdoin\'yourerrandsItrackedhimoutonthemarsh，justbyfollowin\'thatornery，pizenousdogo\'Jim\'s。Therewasthewholecaboodleof\'em——includingJim——campin\'out，andeatin\'rawfishthatJimhadketched，andgreenstufftheyhadbothsneakedouterJohnson\'sgarden。Mrs。MartinmayTAKEhim，butshewon\'tkeephimlongwhileJim\'sround。WhatmakesLifollerthatblamedoldInjinsoaker，andwhatmakesJim，who，atleast，isa\'Merican，takeupwithafurrin\'heathen，justgetsme。\"
TheEditordidnotreply。Hehadheardsomethingofthisbefore。
Yet，afterall，whyshouldnottheseequaloutcastsofcivilizationclingtogether！……
LiTee\'sstaywithMrs。Martinwasbrief。Hisdeparturewashastenedbyanuntowardevent——apparentlyusheredin，asinthecaseofothergreatcalamities，byamysteriousportentinthesky。
Onemorninganextraordinarybirdofenormousdimensionswasseenapproachingfromthehorizon，andeventuallybegantohoveroverthedevotedtown。Carefulscrutinyofthisominousfowl，however，revealedthefactthatitwasamonstrousChinesekite，intheshapeofaflyingdragon。Thespectacleimpartedconsiderablelivelinesstothecommunity，which，however，presentlychangedtosomeconcernandindignation。ItappearedthatthekitewassecretlyconstructedbyLiTeeinasecludedpartofMrs。Martin\'sclearing，butwhenitwasfirsttriedbyhimhefoundthatthroughsomeerrorofdesignitrequiredatailofunusualproportions。
Thishehurriedlysuppliedbythefirstmeanshefound——Mrs。
Martin\'sclothes-line，withpartoftheweeklywashdependingfromit。Thisfactwasnotatfirstnoticedbytheordinarysightseer，althoughthetailseemedpeculiar——yet，perhaps，notmorepeculiarthanadragon\'stailoughttobe。Butwhentheactualtheftwasdiscoveredandreportedthroughthetown，avivaciousinterestwascreated，andspy-glasseswereusedtoidentifythevariousarticlesofapparelstillhangingonthatravishedclothes-line。Thesegarments，inthecourseoftheirslowdisengagementfromtheclothes-pinsthroughthegyrationsofthekite，impartiallydistributedthemselvesoverthetown——oneofMrs。Martin\'sstockingsfallingupontheverandaofthePolkaSaloon，andtheotherbeingafterwardsdiscoveredonthebelfryoftheFirstMethodistChurch——tothescandalofthecongregation。ItwouldhavebeenwelliftheresultofLiTee\'sinventionhadendedhere。
Alas！thekite-flyerandhisaccomplice，\"InjinJim，\"weretrackedbymeansofthekite\'stell-talecordtoalonelypartofthemarshandrudelydispossessedoftheirchargebyDeaconHornblowerandaconstable。Unfortunately，thecaptorsoverlookedthefactthatthekite-flyershadtakentheprecautionofmakinga\"half-turn\"ofthestoutcordaroundalogtoeasethetremendouspullofthekite——
whosepowerthecaptorshadnotreckonedupon——andtheDeaconincautiouslysubstitutedhisownbodyforthelog。Asingularspectacleissaidtohavethenpresenteditselftotheon-lookers。
TheDeaconwasseentoberunningwildlybyleapsandboundsoverthemarshafterthekite，closelyfollowedbytheconstableinequallywildeffortstorestrainhimbytuggingattheendoftheline。Theextraordinaryracecontinuedtothetownuntiltheconstablefell，losinghisholdoftheline。ThisseemedtoimpartasingularspecificlevitytotheDeacon，who，totheastonishmentofeverybody，incontinentlysailedupintoatree！Whenhewassuccoredandcutdownfromthedemoniackite，hewasfoundtohavesustainedadislocationoftheshoulder，andtheconstablewasseverelyshaken。BythatoneinfelicitousstrokethetwooutcastsmadeanenemyoftheLawandtheGospelasrepresentedinTrinidadCounty。Itistobefearedalsothattheordinaryemotionalinstinctofafrontiercommunity，towhichtheywerenowsimplyabandoned，wasaslittletobetrusted。Inthisdilemmatheydisappearedfromthetownthenextday——nooneknewwhere。Apalebluesmokerisingfromalonelyislandinthebayforsomedaysafterwardssuggestedtheirpossiblerefuge。Butnobodygreatlycared。ThesympatheticmediationoftheEditorwascharacteristicallyopposedbyMr。ParkinSkinner，aprominentcitizen：——
\"It\'sallverywellforyoutotalksentimentaboutniggers，Chinamen，andInjins，andyoufellerscanlaughabouttheDeaconbeingsnatcheduptoheavenlikeElijahinthatblamedChinesechariotofakite——butIkintellyou，gentlemen，thatthisisawhiteman\'scountry！Yes，sir，youcan\'tgetoverit！Theniggerofeverydescription——yeller，brown，orblack，callhim\'Chinese，\'
\'Injin，\'or\'Kanaka，\'orwhatyoulike——heztoclaroffofGod\'sfootstoolwhentheAnglo-Saxongetsstarted！Itstandstoreasonthattheycan\'tlivealongsideo\'printin\'presses，M\'Cormick\'sreapers，andtheBible！Yes，sir！theBible；andDeaconHornblowerkinproveittoyou。It\'sourmanifestdestinytoclarthemout——
that\'swhatwewasputherefor——andit\'sjusttheworkwe\'vegottodo！\"
IhaveventuredtoquoteMr。Skinner\'sstirringremarkstoshowthatprobablyJimandLiTeeranawayonlyinanticipationofapossiblelynching，andtoprovethatadvancedsentimentsofthishighandennoblingnaturereallyobtainedfortyyearsagoinanordinaryAmericanfrontiertownwhichdidnotthendreamofExpansionandEmpire！
Howbeit，Mr。Skinnerdidnotmakeallowanceformerehumannature。
OnemorningMasterBobSkinner，hisson，agedtwelve，evadedtheschoolhouse，andstartedinanoldIndian\"dug-out\"toinvadetheislandofthemiserablerefugees。Hispurposewasnotclearlydefinedtohimself，butwastobemodifiedbycircumstances。HewouldeithercaptureLiTeeandJim，orjointhemintheirlawlessexistence。Hehadpreparedhimselfforeithereventbysurreptitiouslyborrowinghisfather\'sgun。Healsocarriedvictuals，havingheardthatJimategrasshoppersandLiTeerats，andmisdoubtinghisowncapacityforeitherdiet。Hepaddledslowly，wellinshore，tobesecurefromobservationathome，andthenstruckoutboldlyinhisleakycanoefortheisland——atufted，tussockyshredofthemarshypromontorytornoffinsometidalstorm。Itwasalovelyday，thebaybeingbarelyruffledbytheafternoon\"trades；\"butashenearedtheislandhecameupontheswellfromthebarandthethundersofthedistantPacific，andgrewalittlefrightened。Thecanoe，losingway，fellintothetroughoftheswell，shippingsaltwater，stillmorealarmingtotheprairie-bredboy。Forgettinghisplanofastealthyinvasion，heshoutedlustilyasthehelplessandwater-loggedboatbegantodriftpasttheisland；atwhichalithefigureemergedfromthereeds，threwoffatatteredblanket，andslippednoiselessly，likesomeanimal，intothewater。ItwasJim，who，halfwading，halfswimming，broughtthecanoeandboyashore。MasterSkinneratoncegaveuptheideaofinvasion，andconcludedtojointherefugees。
Thiswaseasyinhisdefencelessstate，andhismanifestdelightintheirrudeencampmentandgypsylife，althoughhehadbeenoneofLiTee\'soppressorsinthepast。ButthatstolidpaganhadaphilosophicalindifferencewhichmighthavepassedforChristianforgiveness，andJim\'snativereticenceseemedlikeassent。And，possibly，inthemindsofthesetwovagabondstheremighthavebeenanaturalsympathyforthisothertruantfromcivilization，andsomedelicateflatteryinthefactthatMasterSkinnerwasnotdrivenout，butcameofhisownaccord。Howbeit，theyfishedtogether，gatheredcranberriesonthemarsh，shotawildduckandtwoplovers，andwhenMasterSkinnerassistedinthecookingoftheirfishinaconicalbasketsunkintheground，filledwithwater，heatedbyrollingred-hotstonesfromtheirdrift-woodfireintotheburiedbasket，theboy\'sfelicitywassupreme。Andwhatanafternoon！Tolie，afterthisfeast，ontheirbelliesinthegrass，repletelikeanimals，hiddenfromeverythingbutthesunshineabovethem；soquietthatgraycloudsofsandpiperssettledfearlesslyaroundthem，andashiningbrownmuskratslippedfromtheoozewithinafewfeetoftheirfaces——wastofeelthemselvesapartofthewildlifeinearthandsky。Notthattheirownpredatoryinstinctswerehushedbythisdivinepeace；
thatintermittingblackspotuponthewater，declaredbytheIndiantobeaseal，thestealthyglideofayellowfoxintheambushofacallowbroodofmallards，themomentarystrayingofanelkfromtheuplanduponthebordersofthemarsh，awoketheirtinglingnervestothehappybutfruitlesschase。Andwhennightcame，toosoon，andtheypiggedtogetheraroundthewarmashesoftheircamp-fire，underthelowlodgepolesoftheirwigwamofdriedmud，reeds，anddriftwood，withthecombinedodorsoffish，wood-smoke，andthewarmsaltbreathofthemarshintheirnostrils，theysleptcontentedly。Thedistantlightsofthesettlementwentoutonebyone，thestarscameout，verylargeandverysilent，totaketheirplaces。Thebarkingofadogonthenearestpointwasfollowedbyanotherfartherinland。ButJim\'sdog，curledatthefeetofhismaster，didnotreply。WhathadHEtodowithcivilization？
ThemorningbroughtsomefearofconsequencestoMasterSkinner，butnoabatementofhisresolvenottoreturn。ButherehewasoddlycombatedbyLiTee。\"S\'poseyougobackalleesame。Youtelleefam\'leecanoegotopsidedown——youplenteeswimeetobush。
Alleenightinbush。Houseebigwayoff——howcanget？Sabe？\"
\"AndI\'llleavethegun，andtellDadthatwhenthecanoeupsetthegungotdrowned，\"saidtheboyeagerly。
LiTeenodded。
\"AndcomeagainSaturday，andbringmorepowderandshotandabottleforJim，\"saidMasterSkinnerexcitedly。
\"Good！\"gruntedtheIndian。
Thentheyferriedtheboyovertothepeninsula，andsethimonatrailacrossthemarshes，knownonlytothemselves，whichwouldbringhimhome。AndwhentheEditorthenextmorningchronicledamonghisnews，\"AdriftontheBay——ASchoolboy\'sMiraculousEscape，\"heknewaslittlewhatparthismissingChineseerrandboyhadtakeninitastherestofhisreaders。
Meantimethetwooutcastsreturnedtotheirislandcamp。ItmayhaveoccurredtothemthatalittleofthesunlighthadgonefromitwithBob；fortheywereinadull，stupidwayfascinatedbythelittlewhitetyrantwhohadbrokenbreadwiththem。Hehadbeendelightfullyselfishandfranklybrutaltothem，asonlyaschoolboycouldbe，withtheadditionoftheconsciousnessofhissuperiorrace。Yettheyeachlongedforhisreturn，althoughhewasseldommentionedintheirscantyconversation——carriedoninmonosyllables，eachinhisownlanguage，orwithsomecommonEnglishword，ormoreoftenrestrictedsolelytosigns。Byadelicateflattery，whentheydidspeakofhimitwasinwhattheyconsideredtobehisownlanguage。
\"Bostonboy，plentylikecatcheeHIM，\"Jimwouldsay，pointingtoadistantswan。OrLiTee，huntingastripedwatersnakefromthereeds，wouldutterstolidly，\"Melikanboynolikeesnake。\"Yetthenexttwodaysbroughtsometroubleandphysicaldiscomforttothem。
Bobhadconsumed，orwasted，alltheirprovisions——and，stillmoreunfortunately，hisrighteousvisit，hisgun，andhissuperabundantanimalspiritshadfrightenedawaythegame，whichtheirhabitualquietandtaciturnityhadbeguiledintotrustfulness。Theywerehalfstarved，buttheydidnotblamehim。Itwouldcomeallrightwhenhereturned。Theycountedthedays，Jimwithsecretnotchesonthelongpole，LiTeewithastringofcopper\"cash\"healwayskeptwithhim。Theeventfuldaycameatlast，——awarmautumnday，patchedwithinlandfoglikebluesmokeandsmooth，tranquil，opensurfacesofwoodandsea；buttotheirwaiting，confidenteyestheboycamenotoutofeither。Theykeptastolidsilenceallthatdayuntilnightfell，whenJimsaid，\"MebbeBostonboygodead。\"
LiTeenodded。ItdidnotseempossibletothesetwoheathensthatanythingelsecouldpreventtheChristianchildfromkeepinghisword。
Afterthat，bytheaidofthecanoe，theywentmuchonthemarsh，huntingapart，butoftenmeetingonthetrailwhichBobhadtaken，withgruntsofmutualsurprise。Thesesuppressedfeelings，nevermadeknownbywordorgesture，atlastmusthavefoundvicariousoutletinthetaciturndog，whosofarforgothisusualdiscretionastoonceortwiceseathimselfonthewater\'sedgeandindulgeinafitofhowling。IthadbeenacustomofJim\'soncertaindaystoretiretosomesecludedplace，where，foldedinhisblanket，withhisbackagainstatree，heremainedmotionlessforhours。Inthesettlementthishadbeenusuallyreferredtotheaftereffectsofdrink，knownasthe\"horrors，\"butJimhadexplaineditbysayingitwas\"whenhisheartwasbad。\"Andnowitseemed，bythesegloomyabstractions，that\"hisheartwasbad\"veryoften。Andthenthelongwithheldrainscameonenightonthewingsofafiercesouthwester，beatingdowntheirfraillodgeandscatteringitabroad，quenchingtheircamp-fire，androllingupthebayuntilitinvadedtheirreedyislandandhissedintheirears。ItdrovethegamefromJim\'sgun；ittorethenetandscatteredthebaitofLiTee，thefisherman。Coldandhalfstarvedinheartandbody，butmoredoggedandsilentthanever，theycreptoutintheircanoeintothestorm-tossedbay，barelyescapingwiththeirmiserablelivestothemarshypeninsula。Here，ontheirenemy\'sground，skulkingintherushes，orlyingclosebehindtussocks，theyatlastreachedthefringeofforestbelowthesettlement。Here，too，sorelypressedbyhunger，anddoggedlyrecklessofconsequences，theyforgottheircaution，andaflightoftealfelltoJim\'sgunontheveryoutskirtsofthesettlement。
Itwasafatalshot，whoseechoesawoketheforcesofcivilizationagainstthem。Foritwasheardbyaloggerinhishutnearthemarsh，who，lookingout，hadseenJimpass。Acareless，good-
naturedfrontiersman，hemighthavekepttheoutcasts\'merepresencetohimself；buttherewasthatdamningshot！AnIndianwithagun！Thatweapon，contrabandoflaw，withdirefinesandpenaltiestowhososoldorgaveittohim！Athingtobelookedinto——someonetobepunished！AnIndianwithaweaponthatmadehimtheequalofthewhite！Whowassafe？Hehurriedtotowntolayhisinformationbeforetheconstable，but，meetingMr。Skinner，impartedthenewstohim。Thelatterpooh-poohedtheconstable，whoheallegedhadnotyetdiscoveredthewhereaboutsofJim，andsuggestedthatafewarmedcitizensshouldmakethechasethemselves。ThefactwasthatMr。Skinner，neverquitesatisfiedinhismindwithhisson\'saccountofthelossofthegun，hadputtwoandtwotogether，andwasbynomeansinclinedtohavehisowngunpossiblyidentifiedbythelegalauthority。Moreover，hewenthomeandatonceattackedMasterBobwithsuchvigorandsohighlycoloredadescriptionofthecrimehehadcommitted，andthepenaltiesattachedtoit，thatBobconfessed。Morethanthat，I
grievetosaythatBoblied。TheIndianhad\"stoledhisgun，\"andthreatenedhislifeifhedivulgedthetheft。Hetoldhowhewasruthlesslyputashore，andcompelledtotakeatrailonlyknowntothemtoreachhishome。IntwohoursitwasreportedthroughoutthesettlementthattheinfamousJimhadaddedrobberywithviolencetohisillegalpossessionoftheweapon。Thesecretoftheislandandthetrailoverthemarshwastoldonlytoafew。
Meantimeithadfaredhardwiththefugitives。Theirnearnesstothesettlementpreventedthemfromlightingafire，whichmighthaverevealedtheirhiding-place，andtheycrepttogether，shiveringallnightinaclumpofhazel。Scaredthencebypassingbutunsuspectingwayfarerswanderingoffthetrail，theylaypartofthenextdayandnightamidsometussocksofsaltgrass，blownonbythecoldsea-breeze；chilled，butsecurelyhiddenfromsight。
Indeed，thankstosomemysteriouspowertheyhadofutterimmobility，itwaswonderfulhowtheycouldeffacethemselves，throughquietandthesimplestenvironment。Theleesideofastragglingvineinthemeadow，oreventhethinridgeofcast-updriftontheshore，behindwhichtheywouldlieforhoursmotionless，wasasufficientbarrieragainstpryingeyes。Inthisoccupationtheynolongertalkedtogether，butfollowedeachotherwiththeblindinstinctofanimals——yetalwaysunerringly，asifconsciousofeachother\'splans。Strangelyenough，itwastheREAL
animalalone——theirnamelessdog——whonowbetrayedimpatienceandacertainhumaninfirmityoftemper。Theconcealmenttheywereresignedto，thesufferingstheymutelyaccepted，healoneresented！Whencertainscentsorsounds，imperceptibletotheirsenses，wereblownacrosstheirpath，hewould，withbristlingback，snarlhimselfintogutturalandstrangulatedfury。Yet，intheirapathy，eventhiswouldhavepassedthemunnoticed，butthatonthesecondnighthedisappearedsuddenly，returningaftertwohours\'absencewithbloodyjaws——replete，butstillslinkingandsnappish。Itwasonlyinthemorningthat，creepingontheirhandsandkneesthroughthestubble，theycameuponthetornandmangledcarcassofasheep。Thetwomenlookedateachotherwithoutspeaking——theyknewwhatthisactofrapinemeanttothemselves。
Itmeantafreshhueandcryafterthem——itmeantthattheirstarvingcompanionhadhelpedtodrawthenetcloserroundthem。
TheIndiangrunted，LiTeesmiledvacantly；butwiththeirknivesandfingerstheyfinishedwhatthedoghadbegun，andbecameequallyculpable。Butthattheywereheathens，theycouldnothaveachievedadelicateethicalresponsibilityinamoreChristian-likeway。
Yettherice-fedLiTeesufferedmostintheirprivations。HishabitualapathyincreasedwithacertainphysicallethargywhichJimcouldnotunderstand。WhentheywereaparthesometimesfoundLiTeestretchedonhisbackwithanoddstareinhiseyes，andonce，atadistance，hethoughthesawavaguethinvapordriftfromwheretheChineseboywaslyingandvanishasheapproached。
Whenhetriedtoarousehimtherewasaweakdrawlinhisvoiceandadrug-likeodorinhisbreath。Jimdraggedhimtoamoresubstantialshelter，athicketofalder。Itwasdangerouslynearthefrequentedroad，butavagueideahadsprungupinJim\'snowtroubledmindthat，equalvagabondsthoughtheywere，LiTeehadmoreclaimsuponcivilization，throughthoseofhisownracewhowerepermittedtoliveamongthewhitemen，andwerenothuntedto\"reservations\"andconfinedtherelikeJim\'speople。IfLiTeewas\"heapsick，\"otherChinamenmightfindandnursehim。AsforLiTee，hehadlatelysaid，inamorelucidinterval：\"Megodead——
alleesameeMellikanboy。Yougodeadtoo——alleesamee，\"andthenlaydownagainwithaglassystareinhiseyes。Farfrombeingfrightenedatthis，JimattributedhisconditiontosomeenchantmentthatLiTeehadevokedfromoneofhisgods——justashehimselfhadseen\"medicine-men\"ofhisowntribefallintostrangetrances，andwasgladthattheboynolongersuffered。Thedayadvanced，andLiTeestillslept。Jimcouldhearthechurchbellsringing；heknewitwasSunday——thedayonwhichhewashustledfromthemainstreetbytheconstable；thedayonwhichtheshopswereclosed，andthedrinkingsaloonsopenonlyatthebackdoor。
Thedaywhereonnomanworked——andforthatreason，thoughheknewitnot，thedayselectedbytheingeniousMr。Skinnerandafewfriendsasespeciallyfittingandconvenientforachaseofthefugitives。Thebellbroughtnosuggestionofthis——thoughthedogsnappedunderhisbreathandstiffenedhisspine。Andthenheheardanothersound，faroffandvague，yetonethatbroughtaflashintohismurkyeye，thatlituptheheavinessofhisHebraicface，andevenshowedaslightcolorinhishighcheek-bones。Helaydownontheground，andlistenedwithsuspendedbreath。Hehearditnowdistinctly。ItwastheBostonboycalling，andthewordhewascallingwas\"Jim。\"
ThenthefiredroppedoutofhiseyesasheturnedwithhisusualstoliditytowhereLiTeewaslying。Himheshook，sayingbriefly：
\"Bostonboycomeback！\"Buttherewasnoreply，thedeadbodyrolledoverinertlyunderhishand；theheadfellback，andthejawdroppedunderthepinchedyellowface。TheIndiangazedathimslowly，andthengravelyturnedagaininthedirectionofthevoice。Yethisdullmindwasperplexed，for，blendedwiththatvoicewereothersoundslikethetreadofclumsilystealthyfeet。
Butagainthevoicecalled\"Jim！\"andraisinghishandstohislipshegavealowwhoopinreply。Thiswasfollowedbysilence，whensuddenlyheheardthevoice——theboy\'svoice——onceagain，thistimeverynearhim，sayingeagerly：——
\"Thereheis！\"
ThentheIndianknewall。Hisface，however，didnotchangeashetookuphisgun，andamansteppedoutofthethicketintothetrail：——
\"Dropthatgun，youd————dInjin。\"
TheIndiandidnotmove。
\"Dropit，Isay！\"
TheIndianremainederectandmotionless。
Arifleshotbrokefromthethicket。AtfirstitseemedtohavemissedtheIndian，andthemanwhohadspokencockedhisownrifle。
ButthenextmomentthetallfigureofJimcollapsedwherehestoodintoamereblanketedheap。
Themanwhohadfiredtheshotwalkedtowardstheheapwiththeeasyairofaconqueror。Butsuddenlytherearosebeforehimanawfulphantom，theincarnationofsavagery——acreatureofblazingeyeballs，flashingtusks，andhotcarnivorousbreath。Hehadbarelytimetocryout\"Awolf！\"beforeitsjawsmetinhisthroat，andtheyrolledtogetherontheground。
Butitwasnowolf——asasecondshotproved——onlyJim\'sslinkingdog；theonlyoneoftheoutcastswhoatthatsuprememomenthadgonebacktohisoriginalnature。
AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN
Mr。JacksonPotterhaltedbeforethelittlecottage，halfshop，halfhostelry，oppositethegreatgatesofDomesdayPark，whereticketsofadmissiontothatvenerabledomainweresold。HereMr。
PotterrevealedhisnationalityasaWesternAmerican，notonlyinhisaccent，butinacertainhalf-humorous，half-practicalquestioningoftheticket-seller——asthatquasi-officialstampedhisticket——whichwasneverthelessdeliveredwithsuchunfailinggood-humor，andsuchfranksuggestivenessoftheperfectequalityoftheticket-sellerandthewell-dressedstrangerthat，farfromproducinganyirritation，itattractedthepleasedattentionnotonlyoftheofficial，buthiswifeanddaughterandacustomer。
Possiblythegoodlooksofthestrangerhadsomethingtodowithit。JacksonPotterwasasingularlyhandsomeyoungfellow，withoneofthoseidealfacesandfiguressometimesseeninWesternfrontiervillages，attributabletonoancestor，butevolvedpossiblyfromnovelsandbooksdevouredbyancestressesinthelongsolitarywintereveningsoftheirlonelycabinsonthefrontier。A
beardless，classicalhead，coveredbyshortflocculentblondecurls，poisedonashapelyneckandshoulders，wasmoreGreekinoutlinethansuggestiveofanyordinaryAmericantype。Finally，afterhavingthoroughlyamusedhissmallaudience，heliftedhisstrawhattothe\"ladies，\"andloungedoutacrosstheroadtothegateway。Herehepaused，consultinghisguide-book，andreadaloud：\"St。John\'sgateway。Thismassivestructure，accordingtoLeland，wasbuiltin\"——murmured——\"nevermindwhen；we\'llpassSt。
John，\"markedthepagewithhispencil，andtenderinghistickettothegate-keeper，heard，withsomesatisfaction，that，astherewerenoothervisitorsjustthen，andastheciceroneonlyaccompaniedPARTIES，hewouldbelefttohimself，andatonceplungedintoaby-path。
Itwasthatloveliestofrarecreations——ahotsummerdayinEngland，withallthedampnessofthatsea-blownislewrungoutofit，exhaledinthequiveringbluevaultoverhead，orpassingasdimwraithsinthedistantwood，andallthelong-maturedgrowthofthatgreatoldgardenvivifiedandmaderesplendentbythefervidsun。Theashesofdeadandgoneharvests，eventhedustofthosewhohadforageswroughtinit，turnedagainandagainthroughincessantcultivation，seemedtomoveandliveoncemoreinthatpresentsunshine。Allcolorappearedtobedeepenedandmellowed，untileventheveryshadowsofthetreeswereasvelvetyastheswardtheyfellupon。Theprairie-bredPotter，accustomedtotheyouthfulcapricesandextravagancesofhisownvirginsoil，couldnothelpfeelingtheinfluenceoftheriperestraintsofthis。
Asheglancedthroughtheleavesacrossgreensunlitspacestotheivy-cladruinsofDomesdayAbbey，whichseemeditselfagrowthoftheverysoil，hemurmuredtohimself：\"Thingshadbeenmademightycomfortableforfolkshere，youbet！\"Forgottenbookshehadreadasaboy，scrapsofschoolhistories，orrarernovels，camebacktohimashewalkedalong，andpeopledthesolitudeabouthimwiththeirheroes。
