Whentheyhadquitegone，shecreptbacktothehouse，alittlereassured，butstilltremulous。Whenherbrotherreturnedatnightfall，hefoundherbroodingoverthefire，inthesameattitudeasonthepreviousnight。
\"Ireckonyemighthevseenmegobywiththesodgers，\"hesaid，seatinghimselfbesideher，alittleawkwardly，andwithanunusualassumptionofcarelessness。
Maggie，withoutlookingup，waslanguidlysurprised。Hehadbeenwiththesoldiers——andwhere？
\"AbouttwohoursagoImetthisyerLeftenantCalvert，\"hewentonwithincreasingawkwardness，\"and——oh，Isay，Mag——hesaidhesawyou，andhopedhehadn’ttroubledye，and——and——yesawhim，didn’tye？\"
Maggie，withalltheredofthefireconcentratedinhercheekasshegazedattheflame，believedcarelessly\"thatshehadseenashrimpinuniformaskingquestions。\"
\"Oh，heain’tabitstuckup，\"saidJimquickly，\"that’swhatI
likeabouthim。He’seznat’ralezyoube，andtuckmyarm，walkin’around，careless—like，laffenatwhathewasdoin’，ezefitwasagame，andhewasn’tsolecommanderoffortymen。He’sonlyayearortwoolderthanme——and——and\"——hestoppedandlookeduneasilyatMaggie。
\"Soye’vebincraw—fishin’agin？\"saidMaggie，inherdeepestandmostscornfulcontralto。
\"Who’scraw—fishin’？\"heretorted，angrily。
\"What’sthisbackenouto’whatyousaidyesterday？What’sallthistrucklin’totheFortnow？\"
\"What？Wellnow，lookyer，\"saidJim，risingsuddenly，withreproachfulindignation，\"darnedifIdon’tjesttellyeeverythin’。
IpromisedHIMIwouldn’t。Healloweditwouldfrightenye。\"
\"FRIGHTENME！\"repeatedMaggiecontemptuously，neverthelesswithhercheekpalingagain。\"Frightenme——withwhat？\"
\"Well，sinceyersocantankerous，lookyer。We’vebeenrobbed！\"
\"Robbed？\"echoedMaggie，facinghim。
\"Yes，robbedbythatsamedeserter。Robbedofasuitofmyclothes，andmywhiskey—flask，andthedarnedskunkhad’emon。
Andifithadn’tbinforthatLeftenantCalvert，andmygivin’himpermissiontohunthimovertheMarsh，wewouldn’thavecaughthim。\"
\"Robbed？\"repeatedMaggieagain，vaguely。
\"Yes，robbed！Lastnight，aforewecamehome。Hemusthevgotinyerwhilewewascomin’fromtheboat。\"
\"Did，didthatLeftenantsayso？\"stammeredMaggie。
\"Sayit，ofcoursehedid！andsodoI，\"continuedJim，impatiently。\"Why，thereweremyveryclothesonhisback，andhedaren’tdenyit。Andifyou’dhearkenedtomejestnow，insteadofflyin’offintantrums，you’dseethatTHAT’Sjesthowwegothim，andhowmeandtheLeftenantjoinedhandsinit。Ididn’tgivehimpermissiontohuntdeserters，butTHIEVES。Ididn’thelphimtoketchthemanthatdesertedfromHIM，buttheskunkthattookMY
clothes。ForwhentheLeftenantfoundtheman’solduniforminthebush，henat’rallykalkilatedhemusthevgotsomeotherdudsnearbyinsomeunderhandway。Don’tyousee？eh？Why，look，Mag。
Darnedifyouain’tskeeredafterall！Who’dhevthoughtit？
Therenow——sitdown，dear。Why，you’rewhiteezagull。\"
Hehadhisarmroundherasshesankbackinthechairagainwithaforcedsmile。
\"Therenow，\"hesaidwithfraternalsuperiority，\"don’tmindit，Mag，anymore。Why，it’sallovernow。Youbethewon’ttroubleusagin，fortheLeftenantsezthatnowhe’sfoundouttobeathief，they’lljestturnhimovertothepolice，andhe’ssureo’
gettensixmonths’stateprisonferstealin’andburglarin’inourhouse。But\"——hestoppedsuddenlyandlookedathissister’scontractedface;\"lookyer，Mag，you’resick，that’swhat’sthematter。Takesuthin’\"——
\"I’mbetternow，\"shesaidwithaneffort;\"it’sonlyakindo’
blindchillImusthevgotontheMarshlastnight。What’sthat？\"
Shehadrisen，andgraspingherbrother’sarmtightlyhadturnedquicklytothewindow。Thecasementhadsuddenlyrattled。
\"It’sonlythewindgettin’up。Itlookedlikeasou’westerwhenI
camein。Loto’scudflyin’。ButYOUtakesomequinine，Mag。
Don’tYOUgonowandgetdownsicklikeMaw。\"
Perhapsitwasthiswell—meantbutinfelicitousreferencethatbroughtamoisturetoherdarkeyes，andcausedherlipstomomentarilyquiver。Butitgavewaytoaquickdeterminedsettingofherwholefaceassheturneditoncemoretothefire，andsaid，slowly：
\"IreckonI’llsleepitoff，ifIgotobednow。Whattimedoesthetidefall。\"
\"Aboutthree，unlessthisyerwindpilesitupontheMarshaforethen。Why？\"
\"Iwasonlywonderin’iftheboatwussafe，\"saidMaggie，rising。
\"You’dbetterhoistyourselfoutsidesomequinine，insteado’
talkenaboutthosethings，\"saidJim，whopreferredtodischargehisfraternalresponsibilitybyactivemedication。\"Youaren’tfittoreadtonight。\"
\"Goodnight，Jim，\"shesaidsuddenly，stoppingbeforehim。
\"Goodnight，Mag。\"Hekissedherwithprotectingandamiabletoleration，generouslyreferringherhothandsandfeverishlipstothatvaguemysteryoffemininecomplaintwhichmanadmitswithoutindorsing。
Theyseparated。Jim，underthestimulusofthelatesupposedrobbery，ostentatiouslyfasteningthedoorsandwindowswithassuringcomments，calculatedtoinspireconfidenceinhissister’sstartledheart。Thenhewenttobed。Helayawakelongenoughtobepleasantlyconsciousthatthewindhadincreasedtoagale，andtobelulledagaintosleepbythecosysecurityoftheheavilytimberedandtightlysealeddwellingthatseemedtoridethestormliketheshipitresembled。Thegalesweptthroughthepilesbeneathhimandalongthegalleryasthroughbaredsparsandoverwave—washeddecks。Thewholestructure，attackedabove，below，andonallsidesbythefuryofthewind，seemedattimestobeliftedintheair。Onceortwicethecreakingtimberssimulatedthesoundofopeningdoorsandpassingfootsteps，andagaindilatedasifthegalehadforcedapassagethrough。ButJimsleptonpeacefully，andwasatlastonlyarousedbythebrilliantsunshinestaringthroughhiswindowfromtheclearwind—sweptbluearchbeyond。
Dressinghimselflazily，hepassedintothesitting—roomandproceededtoknockathissister’sdoor，aswashiscustom;hewasamazedtofinditopenandtheroomempty。Enteringhurriedly，hesawthatherbedwasundisturbed，asifithadnotbeenoccupied，andwasthemorebewilderedtoseeanoteostentatiouslypinneduponthepillow，addressedinpencil，inalargeschool—hand，\"ToJim。\"
Openingitimpatiently，hewasstartledtoreadasfollows：——
\"Don’tbeangry，Jimdear——butitwasallmyfault——andIdidn’ttellyou。Iknewallaboutthedeserter，andIgavehimtheclothesandthingsthattheysayhestole。Itwaswhileyouwasoutthatnight，andhecameandbeggedofme，andwasmournfulandhidjustobehold。IthoughtIwashelpinghim，andgettingourrevengeontheFort，allatthesametime。Don’tbemad，Jimdear，anddonotbefrightedferme。I’mgoingoverthartomakeitallright——tofreeHIMofstealing——tohaveYOUleftoutofitall——andtakeitallonmyself。Don’tyoubeabitfearedforme。Iain’tskeertofthewindorofgoing。I’llclosereefeverything，clearthecreek，stretchacrosstoInjenIsland，huggthePoint，andbearupferLogport。DearJim——don’tgetmad——butIcouldn’tbearthisfoolingofyounorHIM——andthatmanbeingtookforstealinganylonger！——Yourlovingsister，MAGGIE。\"
Withaconfusedminglingofshame，anger，andsuddenfearheranoutonthegallery。Thetidewaswellup，halftheMarshhadalreadyvanished，andthelittlecreekwherehehadmooredhisskiffwasnowanemptyshiningriver。Thewaterwaseverywhere——
fringingthetussocksofsaltgrasswithconcentriccurvesofspumeanddrift，ortumultuouslytossingitswhite—cappedwavesoverthespreadingexpanseofthelowerbay。Thelowthunderofbreakersinthefartherestuarybrokemonotonouslyontheear。Buthiseyewasfascinatedbyadullshiftingstreakonthehorizon，that，evenashegazed，shuddered，whitenedalongitswholeline，andthengrewghastlygrayagain。Itwastheoceanbar。
IV。
\"Well，Imustsay，\"saidCicelyPreston，emphasizingtheusualfeminineimperativeforperfectlygratuitousstatement，asshepushedbackherchairfromthecommandant’sbreakfasttable，\"I
MUSTreallysaythatIdon’tseeanythingparticularlyheroicindoingsomethingwrong，lyingaboutitjusttogetotherfolksintotrouble，andthenrushingofftodopenanceinahighwindandanopenboat。Butshe’spretty，andwearsaman’sshirtandcoat，andofcourseTHATsettlesanything。Butwhyearringsandwetwhitestockingsandslippers？AndwhythatGothicarchoffrontandaboy’shat？That’swhatIsimplyask;\"andtheyoungestdaughterofColonelPrestonrosefromthetable，shookouttheskirtofherprettymorningdress，and，placingherlittlethumbsinthebeltofhersmartwaist，pausedwitheringlyforareply。
\"Youaremostunfair，mychild，\"returnedColonelPrestongravely。
\"Hergivingfoodandclothestoadesertermayhavebeenonlyanordinaryinstinctofhumanitytowardsafellow—creaturewhoappearedtobesuffering，tosaynothingofM’Caffrey’splausibletongue。Butherperilingherlifetosavehimfromanunjustaccusation，andherdesiretoshieldherbrother’spridefromridicule，isaltogetherpraiseworthyandextraordinary。Andthemoralinfluenceofherkindnesswasstrongenoughtomakethatscamprefusetotelltheplaintruththatmightimplicateherinanindiscretion，thoughitsavedhimfromstateprison。\"
\"Heknewyouwouldn’tbelievehimifhehadsaidtheclothesweregiventohim，\"retortedMissCicely，\"soIdon’tseewherethemoralinfluencecomesin。Astoherperilingherlife，thoseMarshpeopleareamphibiousanyway，orwouldbeinthoseclothes。Andastohermotive，why，papa，Iheardyousayinthisveryroom，andafterwardstoMr。Calvert，whenyougavehiminstructions，thatyoubelievedthoseCulpepperswerecapableofenticingawaydeserters;
andyouforgetthefussyouhadwithhersavagebrother’slawyeraboutthatwaterfront，andhowyousaiditwassuchpeoplewhokeptuptheirritationbetweentheCivilandFederalpower。\"
Thecolonelcoughedhurriedly。Itisthefateofallgreatorganizers，militaryaswellascivil，tooccasionallysufferdefeatinthefamilycircle。
\"Themorereason，\"hesaid，soothingly，\"whyweshouldcorrectharshjudgmentsthatspringfrommererumors。Youshouldgiveyourselfatleastthechanceofovercomingyourprejudices，mychild。Remember，too，thatsheisnowtheguestoftheFort。\"
\"AndshechoosestostaywithMrs。Bromley！I’msureit’squiteenoughforyouandmammatododuty——andEmily，whowantstoknowwhyMr。Calvertravessoabouther——withoutMYgoingovertheretostare。\"
ColonelPrestonshookhisheadreproachfully，buteventuallyretired，leavingthefieldtotheenemy。Theenemy，alittlepinkinthecheeks，slightlytossedthedelicateringsofitsblondecrest，settleditsskirtsagainatthepiano，butafterturningovertheleavesofitsmusicbook，rose，andwalkedpettishlytothewindow。
Buthereaspectaclepresenteditselfthatforamomentdismissedallotherthoughtsfromthegirl’srebelliousmind。
Notadozenyardsaway，onthewind—sweptparade，ahandsomeyoungfellow，apparentlyhaltedbythesentry，hadimpetuouslyturneduponhiminanattitudeofindignantandhaughtysurprise。Tothequickfancyofthegirlitseemedasifsomedisguisedrusticgodhadbeenstartledbythechallengeofamortal。Underanoilskinhat，likethepetasusofHermes，pushedbackfromhiswhiteforehead，crispblackcurlswereknottedaroundaheadwhosebeardlessfacewasperfectasacameocutting。Intheclose—
fittingbluewoolenjerseyunderhisopenjackettheclearoutlinesandyouthfulgraceofhisupperfigurewererevealedasclearlyasinastatue。Longfishing—bootsreachingtohisthighsscarcelyconcealedthesymmetryofhislowerlimbs。Cricketandlawn—
tennis，knickerbockersandflannelshadnotatthatperiodfamiliarizedthefemaleeyetounfetteredmasculineoutline，andCicelyPreston，accustomedtotheartificialsmartnessandregularityofuniform，wasperhapsthemoreimpressedbythestranger’slawlessgrace。
Thesentryhadrepeatedhischallenge;anangryflushwasdeepeningontheintruder’scheek。AtthiscriticalmomentCicelythrewopentheFrenchwindowsandsteppedupontheveranda。
Thesentrysalutedthefamiliarlittlefigureofhiscolonel’sdaughterwithanexplanatoryglanceatthestranger。Theyoungfellowlookedup——andthegodbecamehuman。
\"I’mlookingformysister，\"hesaid，halfawkwardly，halfdefiantly;\"she’shere，somewhere。\"
\"Yes——andperfectlysafe，Mr。Culpepper，Ithink，\"saidthearch—
hypocritewithdazzlingsweetness;\"andwe’reallsodelighted。
Andsobraveandpluckyandskillfulinhertocomeallthatway——
andforsuchapurpose。\"
\"Then——youknow——allaboutit\"——stammeredJim，morerelievedthanhehadimagined——\"andthatI\"——
\"Thatyouwerequiteignorantofyoursisterhelpingthedeserter。
Ohyes，ofcourse，\"saidCicely，withbewilderingpromptitude。
\"Yousee，Mr。Culpepper，wegirlsareSOfoolish。IdaresayI
shouldhavedonethesamethinginherplace，onlyIshouldneverhavehadthecouragetodowhatshedidafterwards。Youreallymustforgiveher。Butwon’tyoucomein——DO。\"Shesteppedback，holdingthewindowopenwiththehalf—coaxingairofaspoiledchild。\"Thiswayisquickest。DOcome。\"Ashestillhesitated，glancingfromhertothehouse，sheadded，withademurelittlelaugh，\"Oh，Iforget——thisisColonelPreston’squarters，andI’mhisdaughter。\"
Andthisdaintylittlefairy，sonaturalinmanner，sotastefulinattire，wasoneoftheartificialover—dressedcreaturesthathissisterhadinveighedagainstsobitterly！WasMaggiereallytobetrusted？Thisnewrevelationcomingsosoonaftertheepisodeofthedeserterstaggeredhim。Neverthelesshehesitated，lookingupwithacertainboyishtimidityintoCicely’sdangerouseyes。
\"Is——is——mysisterthere？\"
\"I’mexpectingherwithmymothereverymoment，\"respondedthisyouthfulbutingeniousdiplomatistsweetly;\"shemightbeherenow;
but，\"sheaddedwithasuddenheart—brokenflashofsympathy，\"I
knowHOWanxiousyoubothmustbe。I’LLtakeyoutohernow。Onlyonemoment，please。\"Theopportunityofleadingthishandsomesavageasitwereinchainsacrosstheparade，beforeeverybody，herfather，hermother，hersister，andHIS——wasnottobelost。
Shedartedintothehouse，andreappearedwiththedaintiestimaginablestrawhatonthesideofherhead，anddemurelytookherplaceathisside。\"It’sonlyoverthere，atMajorBromley’s，\"shesaid，pointingtooneofthevine—cladcottagequarters;butyouareastrangerhere，youknow，andmightgetlost。\"
Alas！hewasalreadythat。Forkeepingstepwiththosefairy—likeslippers，brushingawkwardlyagainstthatfreshandprettyskirt，andfeelingthecaressofthesoftfolds;lookingdownuponthebrimofthatberibbonedlittlehat，andmoreoftenmeetingtheupturnedblueeyesbeneathit，Jimwassuddenlystruckwithaterribleconvictionofhisowncontrastingcoarsenessanddeficiencies。Howhideousthoseoiledcanvasfishing—trousersandpilotjacketlookedbesidethisperfectlyfittedanddelicatelygownedgirl！Heloathedhiscollar，hisjersey，histurned—backsou’wester，evenhisheight，whichseemedtohulkbesideher——
everything，inshort，thatthegirlhadrecentlyadmired。BythetimethattheyhadreachedMajorBromley’sdoorhehadsofarsuccumbedtothefairenchantressandrealizedherambitionofatriumphantprocession，thatwhensheusheredhimintothepresenceofhalfadozenladiesandgentlemenhescarcelyrecognizedhissisterasthecentreofattraction，orknewthatMissCicely’seffusivegreetingofMaggiewasherfirstone。\"IknewhewasdyingtoseeyouafterallyouhadBOTHpassedthrough，andI
broughthimstraighthere，\"saidthediminutiveMachiavelli，meetingtheastonishedgazeofherfatherandthecuriouseyesofhersisterwithperfectcalmness，whileMaggie，fullofgratitudeandadmirationofherhandsomebrother，forgothismomentaryobliviousness，andreturnedhergreetingwarmly。Nevertheless，therewasaslightmovementofreserveamongthegentlemenattheunlooked—forirruptionofthissunburntAdonis，untilCalvert，disengaginghimselffromMaggie’sside，cameforwardwithhisusualfrankimperturbabilityandquiettact，andclaimedJimashisfriendandhonoredguest。
Itthencameoutwiththatunostentatioussimplicitywhichcharacterizedthebrotherandsister，andwastheirsecureclaimtoperfectequalitywiththeirentertainers，thatJim，ondiscoveringhissister’sabsence，andfearingthatshemightbecarriedbythecurrenttowardsthebar，hadactuallySWUMTHEESTUARYtoIndianIsland，andinanordinaryIndiancanoehadbravedthesametempestuouspassageshehadtakenafewhoursbefore。Cicely，listeningtothisrecitalwithraptattention，neverthelessmanagedtoconveytheimpressionofhavingfullyexpecteditfromthefirst。\"Ofcoursehe’dhavecomehere;ifshe’donlywaited，\"shesaid，sottovoce，tohersisterEmily。
\"He’scertainlythehandsomerofthetwo，\"respondedthatyounglady。
\"Ofcourse，\"returnedCicely，withasuperiorair，\"don’tyouseesheCOPIEShim。\"
NotthatthisprivatecriticismpreventedeitherfromvyingwiththeyoungerofficersintheirattentionstoMaggie，withperhapstheadditionofanopeneulogyofherhandsomebrother，moreorlessinvidiousincomparisontotheofficers。\"Isupposeit’sanactiveout—of—doorlifegiveshimthatperfectgraceandfreedom，\"
saidEmily，withaslightsneeratthesmartlybeltedCalvert。
\"Yes;andhedon’tdrinkorkeeplatehours，\"respondedCicelysignificantly。\"Hissistersaystheyalwaysretirebeforeteno’clock，andthatalthoughhisfatherlefthimsomevaluablewhiskeyheseldomtakesadropofit。\"\"Therein，\"gravelyconcludedCaptainKirby，\"liesOURsalvation。If，aftersuchaconfession，Calvertdoesn’tmakethemostofhisacquaintancewithyoungCulpeppertoremovethatwhiskeyfromhispathandbringithere，he’snotthemanItakehimfor。\"
Indeed，forthemomentitseemedasifhewasnot。Duringthenextthreeorfourdays，inwhichColonelPrestonhadinsistedupondetaininghisguests，Calverttouchednoliquor，evadedtheeveningpokerpartiesatquarters，andevenprevaileduponsomeofhisbrotherofficerstogivethemupforthemoregeneralentertainmentoftheladies。ColonelPrestonwaspoliticianenoughtoavailhimselfofthepopularityofMaggie’sadventuretoinvitesomeoftheLogportpeopletoassisthiminhonoringtheirneighbor。NotonlywastheoldfeudbetweentheFortandthepeoplethusbridgedover，buttherewasnodoubtthatthedisciplineoftheForthadbeenstrengthenedbyMaggie’sextravagantreputationasamediatoramongthedisaffectedrankandfile。WhatevercharacteristiclicensethegratefulDennisM’Caffrey——letoffwithanominalpunishment——mayhavetakeninhispraiseofthe\"QuaneoftheMarshes，\"itiscertainthatthemenworshipedher，andthatthebandpatheticallybeggedpermissiontoserenadeherthelastnightofherstay。
Attheendofthattime，withadozeninvitations，adozenappointments，adozenvowsofeternalfriendship，muchhand—
shaking，andaccompaniedbyanumberoftheofficerstotheirboat，MaggieandJimdeparted。Theytalkedbutlittleontheirwayhome;
bysometacitunderstandingtheydidnotdiscussthoseprojects，onlyrecallingcertainscenesandincidentsoftheirvisit。Bythetimetheyhadreachedthelittlecreekthesilenceandnervousapathywhichusuallyfollowexcitementintheyoungseemedtohavefallenuponthem。Itwasnotuntilaftertheirquietfrugalsupperthat，seatedbesidethefire，Jimlookedupsomewhatself—
consciouslyinhissister’sgraveandthoughtfulface。
\"Say，Mag，whatwasthatideao’yoursaboutsellingsomeland，andtakingahouseatLogport？\"
Maggielookedup，andsaidpassively，\"Oh，THATidea？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Well，\"saidJimsomewhatawkwardly，\"itCOULDbedone，youknow。
I’mwillin’。\"
Asshedidnotimmediatelyreply，hecontinueduneasily，\"MissPrestonsayswekingetanicelittlehousethatisneartheFort，untilwewanttobuild。\"
\"Oh，thenyouHAVEtalkedaboutit？\"
\"Yes——thatis——why，whatareyethinkin’of，Mag？Wasn’titYOUR
ideaallalong？\"hesaid，suddenlyfacingherwithquerulousembarrassment。TheyhadbeensittingintheirusualeveningattitudesofAssyrianfriezeprofile，withevenmorethantheusualAssyrianfriezesimilarityoffeature。
\"Yes;but，Jimdear，doyouthinkitthebestthingfor——forustodo？\"saidMaggie，withhalf—frightenedgravity。
Atthissuddenandstartlingexhibitionoffemaleinconsistencyandinconsequence，Jimwasforamomentspeechless。Thenherecoveredhimself，volubly，aggrievedly，andonhislegs。WhatDIDshemean？
Washetogiveupunderstandinggirls——orwasittheirsolevocationinlifetoimpedemasculineprocessesandshipwreckmasculineconclusions？Here，afterallshesaidtheothernight，aftertheyhadnearly\"quo’lled\"overher\"setidees，\"aftershe’d\"goneoverallthatfoolishnessaboutJaelandSisera——andtherewasn’tanyuseforit——aftershe’dlethimrunontothemofficersallhewasgoin’todo——nay，afterSHEherself，forhehadheardher，hadtalkedtoCalvertaboutit，shewantedtoknowNOWifitwasbest。\"Helookedatthefloorandtheceiling，asifexpectingthetonguedandgroovedplankstocryoutatthiscrowningenormity。
Thecauseofithadresumedhersadgazeatthefire。Presently，withoutturningherhead，shereachedupherlong，gracefularm，andclaspingherbrother’sneck，broughthisfacedowninprofilewithherown，cheekagainstcheek，untiltheylookedlikethedoubleoutlinesofamedallion。Thenshesaid——tothefire：
\"Jim，doyouthinkshe’spretty？\"
\"Who？\"saidJim，albeithiscolorhadalreadyansweredthequestion。
\"YouknowWHO。Doyoulikeher？\"
Jimherevaguelymurmuredtothefirethathethoughther\"kindernice，\"andthatshedressedmightypurty。\"Yeknow，Mag，\"hesaidwithpatronizingeffusion，\"yououghtergetsomegowndslikehers。\"
\"Thatwouldn’tmakemelikeher，\"saidMaggiegravely。
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"saidJimpolitely，butwithanappallinghopelessnessoftone。Afterapauseheaddedslyly，\"’PearstomeSOMEBODYELSEthoughtsomebodyelsemightypurty——eh？\"
Tohisdiscomfitureshedidnotsolicitfurtherinformation。Afterapausehecontinued，stillmorearchly：
\"DoyoulikeHIM，Mag？\"
\"Ithinkhe’saperfectgentleman，\"shesaidcalmly。
Heturnedhiseyesquicklyfromtheglowingfiretoherface。Thecheekthathadbeenrestingagainsthisownwasascoolasthenightwindthatcamethroughtheopendoor，andthewholefacewasasfixedandtranquilastheupperstars。
V。
ForayearthetidehadebbedandflowedontheDedlowMarshunheededbeforethesealedandsightlesswindowsofthe\"Kingfisher’sNest。\"SincetheyoungbirdshadflowntoLogport，eventheIndiancaretakershadabandonedthepileddwellingfortheiroldnomadichauntsinthe\"bresh。\"Thehighspringtidehadagainmadeitsannualvisittothelittlecemeteryofdrift—wood，and，asifrecognizinganotherwreckinthedesertedhome，hadhungafewmemorialofferingsontheblackenedpiles，softlylaidagarlandofgrayishdriftbeforeit，andthensobbeditselfoutinthesaltgrass。
FromtimetotimethefaintechoesoftheCulpeppers’lifeatLogportreachedtheupland，andthefewneighborswhohadonlyknownthembyhearsayshooktheirheadsovertheextravagancetheyasyetonlyknewbyreport。ButitwasinthedeadebbofthetideandthewaningdaylightthatthefeatheredtenantsoftheMarshseemedtovoicedismalpropheciesoftheruinoftheiroldmasterandmistress，andtogivethemselvesuptogloomiestlamentationandquerulousforeboding。Whetherthetraditional\"birdoftheair\"hadentrustedhissecrettoafewornithologicalfriends，orwhetherfromanaturaldispositiontotakegloomyviewsoflife，itwascertainthatatthishourthevocalexpressionoftheMarshwashopelessanddespairing。Itwasthenthatadejectedplover，addressingamockingcrewofsandpipersonafloatinglog，seemedtobewailthefortunethatwasbeingswallowedupbytheriotouslivingandgamblingdebtsofJim。Itwasthenthatthequerulouscranerose，andtestilyprotestedagainstthesellingofhisfavoritehauntinthesandypeninsula，whichonlysixmonthsofJim’sexcesseshadmadeimperative。Itwasthenthatamournfulcurlew，who，withtheprefacethathehadalwaysbeenreallyexpectingit，reiteratedthestorythatJimhadbeenseenmorethanoncestaggeringhomewithnervoushandsandsoddenfeaturesfromadebauchwiththeyoungerofficers;itwasthesamedespondingfowlwhoknewthatMaggie’seyeshadmorethanoncefilledwithtearsatJim’sfailings，andhadalreadygrownmorehollowwithmanywatchings。Itwasaflockofwranglingtealthatscreaminglydiscussedthesmallscandals，jealousheart—burnings，andcuriousbackbitingsthathadattendedMaggie’sadventintosociety。Itwasthehigh—flyingbrentwho，knowinghowthesensitivegirl，madekeenlyconsciousateveryturnofherdefectivetrainingandingenuousignorance，hadoftenwatchedtheireveningflightwithlonginggaze，now\"honked\"dismallyattherecollection。ItwasatthishourandseasonthattheusualvaguelamentingsofDedlowMarshseemedtofindatlastapreordainedexpression。Anditwasatsuchatime，whenlightandwaterwerebothfading，andtheblacknessoftheMarshwasoncemorereassertingitself，thatasmallboatwascreepingalongoneofthetortuousinlets，attimeshalfhidingbehindthebanklikeawoundedbird。Asitslowlypenetratedinlanditseemedtobeimpelledbyitssolitaryoccupantinahesitatinguncertainway，asiftoescapeobservationratherthanasifdirectedtoanypositivebourn。Stoppingbesideabankofreedsatlast，thefigurerosestoopingly，anddrewagunfrombetweenitsfeetandthebottomoftheboat。Asthelightfelluponitsface，itcouldbeseenthatitwasJamesCulpepper！JamesCulpepper！hardlyrecognizableintheswollenfeatures，bloodshoteyes，andtremuloushandsofthatruinedfigure！JamesCulpepper，onlyretainingasingletraceofhisformerselfinhislookofsetandpassionatepurpose！Andthatpurposewastokillhimself——tobefounddead，ashisfatherhadbeenbeforehim——inanopenboat，adriftupontheMarsh！
Itwasnottheoutcomeofasuddenfancy。Theideahadfirstcometohiminatauntingallusionfromthedrunkenlipsofoneofhisrudercompanions，forwhichhehadstrickentheoffendertotheearth。Ithadsincehauntedhiswakinghoursofremorseandhopelessfatuity;ithadseemedtobetheonereliefandatonementhecouldmakehisdevotedsister;and，morefatuousthanall，itseemedtothemiserableboytheonerevengehewouldtakeuponthefaithlesscoquette，whoforayearhadplayedwithhissimplicity，andhadhelpedtodrivehimtothedistractionofcardsanddrink。
OnlythatmorningColonelPrestonhadforbiddenhimthehouse;andnowitseemedtohimtheendhadcome。Heraisedhisdistortedfaceabovethereedybankforalasttremulousandhalf—frightenedglanceatthelandscapehewasleavingforever。Aglintinthewesternskylitupthefrontofhisdeserteddwellinginthedistance，abreastofwhichthewindingsoftheinlethadunwittinglyledhim。Ashelookedhestarted，andinvoluntarilydroppedintoacrouchingattitude。For，tohissuperstitiousterror，thesealedwindowsofhisoldhomewereopen，thebrightpaneswereglitteringwiththefadinglight，andontheoutergallerythefamiliarfigureofhissisterstood，asofold，awaitinghisreturn！Washereallygoingmad，orhadthislastvisionofhisformeryouthbeenpurposelyvouchsafedhim？
But，evenashegazed，theappearanceofanotherfigureinthelandscapebeyondthehouseprovedtherealityofhisvision，andassuddenlydistractedhimfromallelse。Foritwastheapparitionofamanonhorsebackapproachingthehousefromtheupland;andevenatthatdistanceherecognizeditswell—knownoutlines。ItwasCalvert！Calvertthetraitor！Calvert，themanwhomhehadlongsuspectedasbeingthesecretloveranddestinedhusbandofCicelyPreston！Calvert，whohaddeceivedhimwithhiscalmequanimityandhisaffectedpreferenceforMaggie，toconcealhisdeliberateunderstandingwithCicely。Whatwashedoinghere？Washeadoubletraitor，andnowtryingtodeceiveHER——ashehadhim？
AndMaggiehere！Thissuddenreturn——thispreconcertedmeeting。
Itwasinfamy！
Foramomentheremainedstupefied，andthen，withamechanicalinstinct，plungedhisheadandfaceinthelazy—flowingwater，andthenonceagainrosecoolandcollected。Thehalf—maddistractionofhispreviousresolvehadgivenwaytoanother，moredeliberate，butnotlessdesperatedetermination。HeknewnowWHYhecamethere——WHYhehadbroughthisgun——whyhisboathadstoppedwhenitdid！
Lyingflatinthebottom，hetoreawayfragmentsofthecrumblingbanktofillhisfrailcraft，untilhehadsunkittothegunwale，andbelowthelowleveloftheMarsh。Then，usinghishandsasnoiselesspaddles，hepropelledthisrudeimitationofafloatinglogslowlypastthelineofvision，untilthetongueofbusheshadhiddenhimfromview。Witharapidglanceatthedarkeningflat，hethenseizedhisgun，andspringingtothespongybank，halfcrouchinghalfcrawlingthroughreedsandtussocks，hemadehiswaytothebrush。Afootandeyelessexperiencedwouldhaveplungeditsownerhelplessintheblackquagmire。Atoneedgeofthethicketheheardhoofstramplingthedriedtwigs。Calvert’shorsewasalreadythere，tiedtoaskirtingalder。
Herantothehouse，but，insteadofattractingattentionbyascendingthecreakingsteps，madehiswaytothepilesbelowthereargalleryandclimbedtoitnoiselessly。Itwasthespotwherethedeserterhadascendedayearago，and，likehim，hecouldseeandhearallthatpasseddistinctly。Calvertstoodneartheopendoorasifdeparting。Maggiestoodbetweenhimandthewindow，herfaceinshadow，herhandsclaspedtightlybehindher。Aprofoundsadness，partlyofthedyingdayandwaninglight，andpartlyofsomevagueexpirationoftheirownsorrow，seemedtoencompassthem。Withoutknowingwhy，astrangetremblingtooktheplaceofJamesCulpepper’sfiercedetermination，andafilmofmoisturestoleacrosshisstaringeyes。
\"WhenItellyouthatIbelieveallthiswillpass，andthatyouwillstillwinyourbrotherbacktoyou，\"saidCalvert’ssadbutclearvoice，\"Iwilltellyouwhy——although，perhaps，itisonlyapartofthatconfidenceyoucommandmetowithhold。WhenIfirstsawyou，Imyselfhadfallenintolikedissolutehabits;lessexcusablethanhe，forIhadsomeexperienceoftheworldanditsfollies。WhenImetYOU，andfellundertheinfluenceofyourpure，simple，andhealthylife;whenIsawthatisolation，monotony，misunderstanding，eventhesenseofsuperioritytoone’ssurroundingscouldbeliveddownandtriumphedover，withoutvulgardistractionsorpitifulambitions;whenIlearnedtoloveyou——hearmeout，MissCulpepper，Ibegyou——yousavedME——I，whowasnothingtoyou，evenasIhonestlybelieveyouwillstillsaveyourbrother，whomyoulove。\"
\"HowdoyouknowIdidn’tRUINhim？\"shesaid，turninguponhimbitterly。\"Howdoyouknowthatitwasn’ttogetridofOUR
monotony，OURsolitudethatIdrovehimtothisvulgardistraction，thispitiful——yes，youwereright——pitifulambition？\"
\"Becauseitisn’tyourrealnature，\"hesaidquietly。
\"Myrealnature，\"sherepeatedwithahalfsavagevehemencethatseemedtobegoadedfromherbyhisverygentleness，\"myrealnature！WhatdidHE——whatdoYOUknowofit？——Myrealnature！——
I’lltellyouwhatitwas，\"shewentonpassionately。\"Itwastoberevengedonyouallforyourcruelty，yourheartlessness，yourwickednesstomeandmineinthepast。Itwastopayyouoffforyourslandersofmydeadfather——fortheselfishnessthatleftmeandJimalonewithhisdeadbodyontheMarsh。ThatwaswhatsentmetoLogport——togetevenwithyou——to——tofoolandflauntyou！
There，youhaveitnow！AndnowthatGodhaspunishedmeforitbycrushingmybrother——you——youexpectmetoletyoucrushMEtoo。\"
\"But，\"hesaideagerly，advancingtowardher，\"youarewrongingme——
youarewrongingyourself，cruelly。\"
\"Stop，\"shesaid，steppingback，withherhandsstilllockedbehindher。\"Staywhereyouare。There！That’senough！\"Shedrewherselfupandletherhandsfallatherside。\"Now，letusspeakofJim，\"shesaidcoldly。
Withoutseemingtohearher，heregardedherforthefirsttimewithhopelesssadness。
\"WhydidyouletmybrotherbelieveyouwerehisrivalwithCicelyPreston？\"sheaskedimpatiently。
\"BecauseIcouldnotundeceivehimwithouttellinghimIhopelesslylovedhissister。Youareproud，MissCulpepper，\"hesaid，withthefirsttingeofbitternessinhisevenvoice。\"Canyounotunderstandthatothersmaybeproudtoo？\"
\"No，\"shesaidbluntly;\"itisnotpridebutweakness。Youcouldhavetoldhimwhatyouknewtobetrue：thattherecouldbenothingincommonbetweenherfolkandsuchsavagesaswe;thattherewasagulfaswideasthatMarshandasblackbetweenournatures，ourtrainingandtheirs，andeveniftheycametousacrossit，nowandthen，tosuittheirpleasure，lightandeasyasthattide——itwasstilltheretosomedaygroundandswampthem！Andifhedoubtedit，youhadonlytotellhimyourownstory。Youhadonlytotellhimwhatyouhavejusttoldme——thatyouyourself，anofficerandagentleman，thoughtyoulovedme，avulgar，uneducated，savagegirl，andthatI，kindertoyouthanyoutomeorhim，madeyoutakeitbackacrossthattide，becauseIcouldn’tletyoulinkyourlifewithme，anddragyouinthemire。\"
\"Youneednothavesaidthat，MissCulpepper，returnedCalvertwiththesamegentlesmile，\"toprovethatIamyourinferiorinallbutonething。\"
\"Andthat？\"shesaidquickly。
\"Ismylove。\"
Hisgentlefacewasassetnowasherownashemovedbackslowlytowardsthedoor。Therehepaused。
\"YoutellmetospeakofJim，andJimonly。Thenhearme。I
believethatMissPrestoncaresforhimasfarasliesinheryoungandgiddynature。Icouldnot，therefore，havecrushedHIShopewithoutdeceivinghim，forthereareascrueldeceitspromptedbywhatwecallreasonasbyourlove。Ifyouthinkthataknowledgeofthisplaintruthwouldhelptosavehim，Ibegyoutobekindertohimthanyouhavebeentome，——oreven，letmedaretohope，toYOURSELF。\"
Heslowlycrossedthethreshold，stillholdinghiscaplightlyinhishand。
\"WhenItellyouthatIamgoingawayto—morrowonaleaveofabsence，andthatinallprobabilitywemaynotmeetagain，youwillnotmisunderstandwhyIaddmyprayertothemessageyourfriendsinLogportchargedmewith。Theybegthatyouwillgiveupyourideaofreturninghere，andcomebacktothem。Believeme，youhavemadeyourselflovedandrespectedthere，inspite——Ibegpardon——perhapsIshouldsayBECAUSEofyourpride。Good—nightandgood—bye。\"
Forasingleinstantsheturnedhersetfacetothewindowwithasuddenconvulsivemovement，asifshewouldhavecalledhimback，butatthesamemomenttheoppositedoorcreakedandherbrotherslippedintotheroom。Whetheraquickmemoryofthedeserter’sentranceatthatdoorayearagohadcrossedhermind，whethertherewassomestrangesuggestioninhismud—stainedgarmentsandweakdeprecatingsmile，orwhetheritwastheoutcomeofsomedesperatestrugglewithinher，therewasthatinherfacethatchangedhissmileintoafrightenedcryforpardon，asheranandfellonhiskneesatherfeet。Butevenashedidsohersternlookvanished，andwithherarmaroundhimshebentoverhimandmingledhertearswithhis。
\"Ihearditall，Magdearest！All！Forgiveme！Ihavebeencrazy！——wild！——Iwillreform！——Iwillbebetter！Iwillneverdisgraceyouagain，Mag！Never，never！Iswearit！\"
Shereacheddownandkissedhim。Afterapause，aweakboyishsmilestruggledintohisface。
\"YouheardwhathesaidofHER，Mag。Doyouthinkitmightbetrue？\"
Sheliftedthedampcurlsfromhisforeheadwithasadhalf—
maternalsmile，butdidnotreply。
\"AndMag，dear，don’tyouthinkYOUwerealittle——justalittle——
hardonHIM？No！Don’tlookatmethatway，forGod’ssake！
There，Ididn’tmeananything。Ofcourseyouknewbest。There，Maggiedear，lookup。Harkthere！Listen，Mag，do！\"
Theyliftedtheireyestothedimdistanceseenthroughtheopendoor。Borneonthefadinglight，andseemingtofallanddiewithitovermarshandriver，camethelastnotesofthebuglefromtheFort。
\"There！Don’tyourememberwhatyouusedtosay，Mag？\"
Thelookthathadfrightenedhimhadquiteleftherfacenow。
\"Yes，\"shesmiled，layinghercoldcheekbesidehissoftly。\"Ohyes！Itwassomethingthatcameandwent，’Likeasong’——’Likeasong。’\"
AKNIGHT—ERRANTOFTHEFOOTHILLS。
I。
AsFatherFelipeslowlytoiledupthedustyroadtowardstheRanchooftheBlessedInnocents，hemorethanoncestoppedundertheshadowofasycamoretoresthissomewhatlazymuleandtocomposehisownperplexedthoughtsbyafewsnatchesfromhisbreviary。
Forthegoodpadrehadsomereasontobetroubled。TheinvasionofGentileAmericansthatfollowedthegolddiscoveryofthreeyearsbeforehadnotconfineditselftotheplainsoftheSacramento，butstragglershadalreadyfoundtheirwaytotheSantaCruzValley，andtheseclusionofeventhemissionitselfwasthreatened。Itwastruethattheyhadnotbroughttheirheathenenginestodisemboweltheearthinsearchofgold，butitwasrumoredthattheyhadalreadyspeculatedupontheagriculturalproductivenessoftheland，andhadespied\"thefatnessthereof。\"Ashereachedthehigherplateauhecouldseetheafternoonsea—fog——presentlytoobliteratethefairprospect——alreadypullingthroughthegapsintheCoastRange，andonanearerslope——nolessominously——thesmokeofarecentbutmorepermanentlydestructiveYankeesaw—millwasslowlydriftingtowardsthevalley。
\"Getup，beast！\"saidthefather，digginghisheelsintothecomfortableflanksofhismulewithsomehumanimpatience，\"orartTHOU，too，alazyrenegade？Thinkestthou，besottedone，thatthehereticwillsparetheemoreworkthantheHolyChurch。\"
Themule，thusapostrophizedinearandflesh，shookitsheadobstinatelyasifthequestionwasbynomeanscleartoitsmind，butneverthelessstartedintoalittletrot，whichpresentlybroughtittothelowadobewallofthecourtyardof\"TheInnocents，\"andenteredthegate。Afewloungingpeonsintheshadowofanarchwaytookofftheirbroad—brimmedhatsandmadewayforthepadre，andahalfdozenequallylistlessvaqueroshelpedhimtoalight。Accustomedashewastotheindolenceandsuperfluityofhishost’sretainers，to—dayitneverthelessseemedtostrikesomenoteofirritationinhisbreast。
Astout，middle—agedwomanofungirtwaistandbeshawledheadandshouldersappearedatthegatewayasifawaitinghim。Afteraformalsalutationshedrewhimasideintoaninnerpassage。
\"Heisawayagain，yourReverence，\"shesaid。
\"Ah——alwaysthesame？\"
\"Yes，yourReverence——andthistimeto’ameeting’ofthehereticsattheirpueblo，atJonesville——wheretheywillaskhimofhislandforaroad。\"
\"AtaMEETING？\"echoedthepriestuneasily。
\"Ahyes！ameeting——whereTiburciosaystheyshoutandspitontheground，yourReverence，andonlyonehasachairandhimtheycalla’chairman’becauseofit，andyethesitsnotbutshoutsandspitsevenastheothersandkeepsupatappingwithahammerlikeaverypico。Andthereitistheyareever’resolving’thatwhichisnot，andconsideritevenasdone。\"
\"Thenheisstillthesame，\"saidthepriestgloomily，asthewomanpausedforbreath。
\"Onlymoreso，yourReverence，forhereadsnoughtbutthenewspaperoftheAmericanosthatisbroughtintheship，the’NewYork’errald’——andrecitestohimselftheorationsoftheirlegislators。Ah！itwasanevildaywhentheshipwreckedAmericansailortaughthimhisuncouthtongue，which，asyourReverenceknows，isonlyfitforbeastsandheathenincantation。\"
\"PrayHeavenTHATwereallhelearnedofhim，\"saidthepriesthastily，\"forIhavegreatfearthatthissailorwaslittlebetterthananatheistandanemissaryfromSatan。Butwherearethesenewspapersandthefantasiesofpublicitathatfillhismind？I
wouldseethem，mydaughter。\"
\"Youshall，yourReverence，andmoretoo，\"sherepliedeagerly，leadingthewayalongthepassagetoagrateddoorwhichopeneduponasmallcell—likeapartment，whosescantlightandlessaircamethroughthedeeplyembayedwindowsintheouterwall。\"Hereishisestudio。\"
Inspiteofthisopeninvitation，thepadreenteredwiththatairoffurtiveandminuteinspectioncommontohisorder。Hisglancefelluponarudesurveyor’splanoftheadjacentembryotownofJonesvillehangingonthewall，whichhecontemplatedwithacolddisfavorthatevenincludedthehighlycoloredvignetteoftheprojectedJonesvilleHotelintheleft—handcorner。Hethenpassedtoasupervisor’snoticehangingnearit，whichheexaminedwithasuspicionheightenedbythatuneasinesscommontomereworldlyhumanitywhenopposedtoanunknownandunfamiliarlanguage。Butanexclamationbrokefromhislipswhenheconfrontedanelectionplacardimmediatelybelowit。ItwasprintedinSpanishandEnglish，andFatherFelipehadnodifficultyinreadingtheannouncementthat\"DonJoseSepulvidawouldpresideatameetingoftheBoardofEducationinJonesvilleasoneofthetrustees。\"
\"Thisismadness，\"saidthepadre。
ObservingthatDonaMariawasatthemomentpreoccupiedinexaminingthepictorialpagesofanillustratedAmericanweeklywhichhadhithertoescapedhiseyes，hetookitgentlyfromherhand。
\"Pardon，yourReverence，\"shesaidwithslightlyacidulousdeprecation，\"butthankstotheBlessedVirginandyourReverence’steaching，thetextisbutgibberishtomeandIdidbutglanceatthepictures。\"
\"Muchevilmaycomeinwiththeeye，\"saidthepriestsententiously，\"asIwillpresentlyshowthee。Wehavehere，\"hecontinued，pointingtoanillustrationofcertaincollegeathleticsports，\"anumberofyouthfulcavaliersposturingandcaperinginapartlynudeconditionbeforeanumberofshamelesswomen，whoemulatethesaturnaliaofheathenRomebywavingtheirhandkerchiefs。Wehavehereacompanionpicture，\"hesaid，indicatinganillustrationofgymnasticexercisesbythestudentsofafemaleacademyat\"Commencement，\"\"inwhich，asthouseest，eventheagedofbothsexesunblushinglyassistasspectatorswitheveryexpressionofimmodestsatisfaction。\"
\"Havetheynobull—fightsorotherseemlyrecreationthattheymustindulgeinsuchwantonness？\"askedDonaMariaindignantly，gazing，however，somewhatcuriouslyatthebalefulrepresentations。
\"Ofallthat，mydaughter，hastheirpamperedcivilizationlongsincewearied，\"returnedthegoodpadre，\"forsee，thisiswhattheyconsideramoralandevenareligiousceremony。\"Heturnedtoanillustrationofawoman’srightsconvention;\"observewithwhatraptattentiontheaudienceofthatheathentemplewatchtheinspiredravingsofthatelderlypriestessonthedais。ItiseventhiskindofsacrilegiousperformancethatIamtoldthynephewDonJoseexpoundsanddefends。\"
\"Maytheblessedsaintspreserveus;wherewillitleadto？\"
murmuredthehorrifiedDonaMaria。
\"Iwillshowthee，\"saidFatherFelipe，brisklyturningthepageswiththesameloftyignoringofthetextuntilhecametoarepresentationofalaborprocession。\"ThereisoneoftheirperiodicrevolutionsunhappilynotunknowneveninMexico。Thouperceivestthosecomplacentartisansmarchingwithimplementsoftheircraft，accompaniedbythemilitary，inthepresenceoftheirownstrickenmasters。HereweseeonlyanotherinstanceoftheinstabilityofallcommunitiesthatarenotfoundedontheprinciplesoftheHolyChurch。\"
\"Andwhatistobedonewithmynephew？\"
Thegoodfather’sbrowdarkenedwiththegloomyreligiouszealoftwocenturiesago。\"Wemusthaveacouncilofthefamily，thealcalde，andthearchbishop，atONCE，\"hesaidominously。Tothemerehereticalobservertheconclusionmighthaveseemedlameandimpotent，butitwasasneartheHolyinquisitionastheyearofgrace1852couldoffer。
Afewdaysafterthiscolloquytheunsuspectingsubjectofit，DonJoseSepulvida，wassittingaloneinthesameapartment。Thefadingglowofthewesternsky，throughthedeepembrasuredwindows，lituphisraptandmeditativeface。Hewasayoungmanofapparentlytwenty—five，withacolorlesssatincomplexion，darkeyesalternatingbetweenmelancholyandrestlessenergy，anarrowhighforehead，longstraighthair，andalightlypenciledmoustache。Hewassaidtoresemblethewell—knownportraitoftheMarquisofMontereyinthemissionchurch，afacethatwasallegedtoleaveadeepandlastingimpressionupontheobservers。ItwasundoubtedlyowingtothisqualityduringabriefvisitofthefamousviceroytoaremoteandmarriedancestressofDonJoseatLeonthatthesingularresemblancemaybeattributed。
Aheavyandhesitatingstepalongthepassagestoppedbeforethegrating。Lookingup，DonJosebeheldtohisastonishmenttheslightlyinflamedfaceofRoberto，avagabondAmericanwhomhehadlatelytakenintohisemployment。
Roberto，apolitetranslationof\"BobtheBucker，\"cleanedoutatamonte—bankinSantaCruz，pennilessandprofligate，hadsoldhismustangtoDonJoseandrecklesslythrownhimselfinwiththebargain。Touchedbytherascal’sextravagance，thequalityofthemare，andobservingthatBob’shabitshadnotyetaffectedhisseatinthesaddle，butratherlentademoniacvigortohischaseofwildcattle，DonJosehadretainedriderandhorseinhisserviceasvaquero。
BuckingBob，observingthathisemployerwasalone，coollyopenedthedoorwithoutceremony，shutitsoftlybehindhim，andthenclosedthewoodenshutterofthegrating。DonJosesurveyedhimwithmildsurpriseanddignifiedcomposure。Themanappearedperfectlysober，——itwasapeculiarityofhisdissipatedhabitsthat，whennotactuallyravingwithdrink，hewassingularlyshrewdandpractical。
\"Lookyer，DonKosay，\"hebeganinabrusquebutguardedvoice，\"youandmeispards。Whenyepickedmeandthemareupandsetusonourlegsagaininthisyerranch，IallowedI’dtietoyewheneveryouwasintrouble——andwantedme。AndIreckonthat’swhat’sthematternow。ForfromwhatIseeandhearoneveryside，althoughyou’rethebossofthisconsarn，you’resurroundedbyagangofspiesandtraitors。Yourcomingsandgoings，yourinsandouts，isdoggedandfollowedandblownupon。Thefolksyoutrustisplayingitonye。Itain’tformetosaywhyorwherefore——
what’stheirrightsandwhat’syourn——butI’vecometotellyethatifyoudon’tgetupandgetouterthisranchthemd——dpriestsandyourownfleshandblood——yourauntsandyourunclesandyourcousins，willhaveyouchuckedouteryourproperty，andrunintoalunaticasylum。\"
\"Me——DonJoseSepulvida——alunatico！Youareyourselfcrazyofdrink，friendRoberto。\"
\"Yes，\"saidRobertogrimly，\"butthatkindain’tILLEGAL，whileyourmakin’ducksanddrakesofyourpropertyandgoinginto’Merikinideasand’Merikinspeculationstheyreckonis。Andspeakin’onthesquare，itain’tNAT’RAL。\"
DonJosesprangtohisfeetandbegantopaceupanddownhiscell—
likestudy。\"Ah，Iremembernow，\"hemuttered，\"Ibegintocomprehend：FatherFelipe’shomiliesanddiscourses！Myaunt’stooaffectionatecare！Mycousin’sdiscreetconsideration！Thepromptattentionofmyservants！Iseeitall！Andyou，\"hesaid，suddenlyfacingRoberto，\"whycomeyoutotellmethis？\"
\"Well，boss，\"saidtheAmericandryly，\"Ireckonedtostandbyyou。\"
\"Ah，\"saidDonJose，visiblyaffected。\"GoodRoberto，comehither，child，youmaykissmyhand。\"
\"If！it’sallthesametoyou，DonKosay，——THATkinslide。\"
\"Ah，if——yes，\"saidDonJose，meditativelyputtinghishandtohisforehead，\"miserablethatIam！——IrememberednotyouwereAmericano。Pardon，myfriend——embraceme——ConpaneroyAmigo。\"
WithcharacteristicgravityhereclinedforamomentuponRobert’sastonishedbreast。Thenrecoveringhimselfwithequalgravityhepaused，liftedhishandwithgentlewarning，marchedtoarecessinthecorner，unhookedarapierhangingfromthewall，andturnedtohiscompanion。
\"Wewilldefendourselves，friendRoberto。ItistheswordoftheComandante——myancestor。ThebladeisofToledo。\"
\"Anordinarysix—shooterofColt’swouldlayoverthat，\"saidRobertogrimly——\"butthatain’tyourgamejustnow，DonKosay。Youmustgetupandget，andatonce。Youmustvamosetheranchaforetheylayholdofyouandhaveyouupbeforethealcalde。Onceawayfromhere，theydaren’tfollowyouwherethere’s’Merikinlaw，andwhenyoukinfight’eminthesquare。\"
\"Good，\"saidDonJosewithmelancholypreciseness。\"Youarewise，friendRoberto。Wemayfightthemlater，asyousay——onthesquare，orintheopenPlaza。Andyou，camarado，YOUshallgowithme——youandyourmare。\"
SincereastheAmericanhadbeeninhisofferofservice，hewassomewhatstaggeredatthisimperativecommand。Butonlyforamoment。\"Well，\"hesaidlazily，\"Idon’tcareifIdo。\"
\"But，\"saidDonJosewithincreasedgravity，\"youSHALLcare，friendRoberto。Weshallmakeanalliance，anunion。Itistrue，mybrother，youdrinkofwhiskey，andatsuchtimesareevenasamadman。Ithasbeenrecountedtomethatitwasnecessarytoyourexistencethatyouarealunaticthreedaysoftheweek。Whoknows？Imyself，thoughIdrinknotofaguardiente，amaccusedoffantasiesforalltime。NecessaryitbecomesthereforethatweshouldgoTOGETHER。Myfantasiesandspeculationscannotinjureyou，mybrother;yourwhiskeyshallnotempoisonme。WeshallgotogetherinthegreatworldofyourAmericanideasofwhichIammuchinflamed。WeshalltogetherbreatheasonethespiritofProgressandLiberty。WeshallbeevenasneophytesmakingofourselvesApostlesofTruth。Iabsolveandrenouncemyselfhenceforthofmyfamily。Ishalltaketomyselfthesisterandthebrother，theauntandtheuncle，asweproceed。Idevotemyselftohumanityalone。IdevoteYOU，myfriend，andthemare——thoughhappilyshehasnotaChristiansoul——tothisgloriousmission。\"
ThefewlevellastraysoflightlitupafaintenthusiasminthefaceofDonJose，butwithoutalteringhisimperturbablegravity。
Thevaqueroeyedhimcuriouslyandhalfdoubtfully。
\"Wewillgoto—morrow，\"resumedDonJosewithsolemndecision，\"foritisWednesday。ItwasaSundaythatthoudidstridethemareupthestepsoftheFondaanddemandedthatthyliquorshouldbeservedtotheeinapail。Irememberit，forthelandlordoftheFondaclaimedtwentypesosfordamageandthekissingofhiswife。
Therefore，bycomputation，goodRoberto，thoushouldstbesoberuntilFriday，andweshallhavetwocleardaystoflybeforethymadnessagainseizesthee。\"
\"Theykinsaywhattheylike，DonKosay，butYOURheadislevel，\"
returnedtheunabashedAmerican，graspingDonJose’shand。\"Allright，then。Hastamanana，asyourfolkssay。\"
\"Hastamanana，\"repeatedDonJosegravely。
Atdaybreaknextmorning，whileslumberstillweightedthelazyeyelidsof\"theBlessedInnocents，\"DonJoseSepulvidaandhistrustysquireRoberto，otherwiseknownas\"BuckingBob，\"rodeforthunnoticedfromthecorral。
II。
Threedayshadpassed。Atthecloseofthethird，DonJosewasseatedinacosyprivateapartmentoftheSanMateoHotel，wheretheyhadhaltedforanarrangedinterviewwithhislawyerbeforereachingSanFrancisco。Fromhiswindowhecouldseethesurroundingpark—likeavenuesofoaksandthelevelwhitehighroad，nowandthencloudedwiththedustofpassingteams。ButhiseyeswerepersistentlyfixeduponasmallcopyoftheAmericanConstitutionbeforehim。Suddenlytherewasaquickraponhisdoor，andbeforehecouldreplytoitamanbrusquelyentered。
DonJoseraisedhisheadslowly，andrecognizedthelandlord。Buttheintruder，apparentlyawedbythegentle，grave，andstudiousfigurebeforehim，fellbackforaninstantinanattitudeofsurlyapology。
\"Enterfreely，mygoodJenkinson，\"saidDonJose，withaquietcourtesythathadalltheeffectofirony。\"Theapartment，suchasitis，isatyourdisposition。Itisevenyours，asisthehouse。\"
\"Well，I’mdarnedifIknowasitis，\"saidthelandlord，recoveringhimselfroughly，\"andthat’sjestwhat’sthematter。
Yer’sthatmanofyourssmashingthingsrightandleftinthebar—
roomandchuckin’mywaitersthroughthewindow。\"
\"Softly，softly，goodJenkinson，\"saidDonJose，puttingamarkinthepagesofthevolumebeforehim。\"ItisnecessaryfirstthatI
shouldcorrectyourspeech。Heisnotmy’MAN，’whichIcomprehendtomeanaslave，ahireling，athingobnoxioustothegreatAmericannationwhichIadmireandtowhichHEbelongs。Therefore，goodJenkinson，say’friend，’’companion，’’guide，’philosopher，’
ifyouwill。Astotherest，itisofnodoubtasyourelate。I
myselfhaveheardthebreakingsofglassandsmalldishesasIsithere;threetimesIhaveseenyourwaitersprojectedintotheroadwithmuchviolenceandconfusion。TomyselfIhavethensaid，evenasIsaytoyou，goodJenkinson，’Patience，patience，theendisnotfar。’Infourhours，\"continuedDonJose，holdingupfourfingers，\"heshallmakeafinish。Untilthen，not。\"
\"Well，I’md——d，\"ejaculatedJenkinson，gaspingforbreathinhisindignation。
\"Nay，excellentJenkinson，notdam—nedbutofapossibilitydam—
AGED。ThatIshallrepaywhenhehavemakeafinish。\"
\"But，darnitall，\"brokeinthelandlordangrily。
\"Ah，\"saidDonJosegravely，\"youwouldbepaidbefore！Good;forhowmuchshallyouvalueALLyouhaveinyourbar？\"
DonJose’simperturbabilityevidentlyshookthelandlord’sfaithinthesoundnessofhisownposition。Helookedathisguestcriticallyandaudaciously。
\"Itcostmetwohundreddollarstofititup，\"hesaidcurtly。
DonJoserose，and，takingabuckskinpursefromhissaddle—bag，countedoutfourslugs*andhandedthemtothestupefiedJenkinson。
Thenextmoment，however，hishostrecoveredhimself，andcastingtheslugsbackonthelittletable，broughthisfistdownwithanemphasisthatmadethemdance。
*Hexagonalgoldpiecesvaluedat$50each，issuedbyaprivatefirmascoinintheearlydays。
\"But，lookyer——supposeIwantthisthingstopped——youhearme——
STOPPED——now。\"
\"Thatwouldbeinterferingwiththelibertyofthesubject，mygoodJenkinson——whichGodforbid！\"saidDonJosecalmly。\"Moreover，itisthecustomoftheAmericanos——ahabitofmyfriendRoberto——anecessityofhisexistence——andsorecognizedofhisfriends。
Patienceandcourage，SenorJenkinson。Stay——ah，Icomprehend！youhave——ofapossibility——awife？\"
\"No，I’mawidower，\"saidJenkinsonsharply。
\"ThenIcongratulateyou。MyfriendRobertowouldhavekissedher。
Itisalsoofhishabit。Trulyyouhaveescapedmuch。Iembraceyou，Jenkinson。\"
HethrewhisarmsgravelyaroundJenkinson，inwhoseastoundedfaceatlastanexpressionofdryhumorfaintlydawned。Afteramoment’ssurveyofDonJose’simpenetrablegravity，hecoollygatheredupthegoldcoins，andsayingthathewouldassessthedamagesandreturnthedifference，helefttheroomasabruptlyashehadenteredit。
