Thefollowingday，towardevening，hehappeneduponaroadwhichhebelievedmightleadtothevillage。Therewereagoodmanyfreshhorse—tracksinthesand，andthesemadehimthoughtful。Nevertheless，hefollowedtheroad，proceedingcautiously。Hehadnotgoneveryfarwhenthesoundofrapidhoof—beatscaughthisears。Theycamefromhisrear。Inthedarkeningtwilighthecouldnotseeanygreatdistancebackalongtheroad。Voices，however，warnedhimthattheseriders，whoevertheywere，hadapproachedcloserthanheliked。Togofartherdowntheroadwasnottobethoughtof，soheturnedalittlewayinamongthemesquitesandhalted，hopingtoescapebeingseenorheard。Ashewasnowafugitive，itseemedeverymanwashisenemyandpursuer。
　　Thehorsemenwerefastapproaching。PresentlytheywereabreastofDuane’sposition，sonearthathecouldhearthecreakofsaddles，theclinkofspurs。
　　"Shorehecrossedtheriverbelow，"saidoneman。
　　"Ireckonyou’reright，Bill。He’sslippedus，"repliedanother。
　　Rangersoraposseofranchersinpursuitofafugitive！TheknowledgegaveDuaneastrangethrill。Certainlytheycouldnothavebeenhuntinghim。Butthefeelingtheirproximitygavehimwasidenticaltowhatitwouldhavebeenhadhebeenthisparticularhuntedman。Heheldhisbreath;heclenchedhisteeth;hepressedaquietinghanduponhishorse。Suddenlyhebecameawarethatthesehorsemenhadhalted。Theywerewhispering。Hecouldjustmakeoutadarkgroupcloselymassed。
　　Whathadmadethemhaltsosuspiciously？
　　"You’rewrong，Bill，"saidaman，inalowbutdistinctvoice。
　　"Theideeofhearin’ahossheave。You’rewuss’naranger。Andyou’rehell—bentonkillin’thatrustler。NowIsaylet’sgohomeandeat。"
　　"Wal，I’lljusttakealookatthesand，"repliedthemancalledBill。
　　Duaneheardtheclinkofspursonsteelstirrupandthethudofbootsontheground。Therefollowedashortsilencewhichwasbrokenbyasharplybreathedexclamation。
　　Duanewaitedfornomore。Theyhadfoundhistrail。Hespurredhishorsestraightintothebrush。Atthesecondcrashingboundtherecameyellsfromtheroad，andthenshots。Duaneheardthehissofabulletclosebyhisear，andasitstruckabranchitmadeapeculiarsingingsound。TheseshotsandtheproximityofthatleadmissilerousedinDuaneaquick，hotresentmentwhichmountedintoapassionalmostungovernable。Hemustescape，yetitseemedthathedidnotcarewhetherhedidornot。Somethinggrimkepturginghimtohaltandreturnthefireofthesemen。
　　Afterrunningacoupleofhundredyardsheraisedhimselffromoverthepommel，wherehehadbenttoavoidthestingingbranches，andtriedtoguidehishorse。Inthedarkshadowsundermesquitesandcottonwoodshewashardputtoittofindopenpassage;however，hesucceededsowellandmadesuchlittlenoisethatgraduallyhedrewawayfromhispursuers。Thesoundoftheirhorsescrashingthroughthethicketsdiedaway。
　　Duanereinedinandlistened。Hehaddistancedthem。Probablytheywouldgointocamptilldaylight，thenfollowhistracks。
　　Hestartedonagain，walkinghishorse，andpeeredsharplyattheground，sothathemighttakeadvantageofthefirsttrailhecrossed。Itseemedalongwhileuntilhecameuponone。Hefollowedituntilalatehour，when，strikingthewillowbrakesagainandhencetheneighborhoodoftheriver，hepicketedhishorseandlaydowntorest。Buthedidnotsleep。Hismindbitterlyrevolvedthefatethathadcomeuponhim。Hemadeeffortstothinkofotherthings，butinvain。
　　Everymomentheexpectedthechill，thesenseoflonelinessthatyetwasominousofastrangevisitation，thepeculiarlyimaginedlightsandshadesofthenight——thesethingsthatpresagedthecomingofCalBain。DoggedlyDuanefoughtagainsttheinsidiousphantom。Hekepttellinghimselfthatitwasjustimagination，thatitwouldwearoffintime。Stillinhishearthedidnotbelievewhathehoped。Buthewouldnotgiveup;hewouldnotaccepttheghostofhisvictimasareality。
　　Graydawnfoundhiminthesaddleagainheadedfortheriver。
　　Halfanhourofridingbroughthimtothedensechaparralandwillowthickets。Thesehethreadedtocomeatlengthtotheford。Itwasagravelbottom，andthereforeaneasycrossing。
　　Onceupontheoppositeshorehereinedinhishorseandlookeddarklyback。Thisactionmarkedhisacknowledgmentofhissituation:hehadvoluntarilysoughttherefugeoftheoutlaws;
　　hewasbeyondthepale。Abitterandpassionatecursepassedhislipsashespurredhishorseintothebrakesonthatalienshore。
　　Herodeperhapstwentymiles，notsparinghishorsenorcaringwhetherornotheleftaplaintrail。
　　"Letthemhuntme！"hemuttered。
　　Whentheheatofthedaybegantobeoppressive，andhungerandthirstmadethemselvesmanifest，Duanebegantolookabouthimforaplacetohaltforthenoon—hours。Thetrailledintoaroadwhichwashardpackedandsmoothfromthetracksofcattle。Hedoubtednotthathehadcomeacrossoneoftheroadsusedbyborderraiders。Heheadedintoit，andhadscarcelytraveledamilewhen，turningacurve，hecamepoint—blankuponasinglehorsemanridingtowardhim。Bothriderswheeledtheirmountssharplyandwerereadytorunandshootback。Notmorethanahundredpacesseparatedthem。Theystoodthenforamomentwatchingeachother。
　　"Mawnin’，stranger，"calledtheman，droppinghishandfromhiship。
　　"Howdy，"repliedDuane，shortly。
　　Theyrodetowardeachother，closinghalfthegap，thentheyhaltedagain。
　　"Iseenyouain’tnoranger，"calledtherider，"an’shoreI
　　ain’tnone。"
　　Helaughedloudly，asifhehadmadeajoke。
　　"How’dyouknowIwasn’taranger？"askedDuane，curiously。
　　Somehowhehadinstantlydivinedthathishorsemanwasnoofficer，orevenaranchertrailingstolenstock。
　　"Wal，"saidthefellow，startinghishorseforwardatawalk，"aranger’dnevergitreadytoruntheotherwayfromoneman。"
　　Helaughedagain。Hewassmallandwiry，slouchyofattire，andarmedtotheteeth，andhebestrodeafinebayhorse。Hehadquick，dancingbrowneyes，atoncefrankandbold，andacoarse，bronzedface。Evidentlyhewasagood—naturedruffian。
　　Duaneacknowledgedthetruthoftheassertion，andturnedoverinhismindhowshrewdlythefellowhadguessedhimtobeahuntedman。
　　"Myname’sLukeStevens，an’Ihailfromtheriver。Who’reyou？"saidthisstranger。
　　Duanewassilent。
　　"Ireckonyou’reBuckDuane，"wentonStevens。"Iheerdyouwasadamnbadmanwithagun。"
　　ThistimeDuanelaughed，notatthedoubtfulcompliment，butattheideathatthefirstoutlawhemetshouldknowhim。Herewasproofofhowswiftlyfactsaboutgun—playtraveledontheTexasborder。
　　"Wal，Buck，"saidStevens，inafriendlymanner，"Iain’tpresumin’onyourtimeorcompany。Iseeyou’reheadin’fertheriver。Butwillyoustoplongenoughtostakeafellertoabiteofgrub？"
　　"I’moutofgrub，andprettyhungrymyself，"admittedDuane。
　　"Beenpushin’yourhoss，Isee。Wal，Ireckonyou’dbetterstockupbeforeyouhitthetstretchofcountry。"
　　Hemadeawidesweepofhisrightarm，indicatingthesouthwest，andtherewasthatinhisactionwhichseemedsignificantofavastandbarrenregion。
　　"Stockup？"queriedDuane，thoughtfully。
　　"Shore。Afellerhasjestgottoeat。Icanrustlealongwithoutwhisky，butnotwithoutgrub。Thet’swhatmakesitsoembarrassin’travelin’thesepartsdodgin’yourshadow。Now，I’monmywaytoMercer。It’salittletwo—bittownuptheriveraways。I’mgoin’topackoutsomegrub。"
　　Stevens’stonewasinviting。EvidentlyhewouldwelcomeDuane’scompanionship，buthedidnotopenlysayso。Duanekeptsilence，however，andthenStevenswenton。
　　"Stranger，inthisherecountrytwo’sacrowd。It’ssafer。1
　　neverwasmuchonthislone—wolfdodgin’，thoughI’vedoneitofnecessity。Ittakesadamngoodmantotravelaloneanylengthoftime。Why，I’vebeenthetsickIwasjestachin’fersomerangertocomealongan’plugme。Givemeapardneranyday。Now，mebbeyou’renotthetkindofafeller，an’I’mshorenotpresumin’toask。ButIjustdeclaresmyselfsufficient。"
　　"Youmeanyou’dlikemetogowithyou？"askedDuane。
　　Stevensgrinned。"Wal，Ishouldsmile。I’dbeparticularproudtobebracedwithamanofyourreputation。"
　　"Seehere，mygoodfellow，that’sallnonsense，"declaredDuane，insomehaste。
　　"ShoreIthinkmodestybecomin’toayoungster，"repliedStevens。"Ihateabrag。An’I’venouseferthesefour—flushcowboysthet’realwayslookin’fertroublean’talkin’
　　gun—play。Buck，Idon’tknowmuchaboutyou。Buteverymanwho’slivedalongtheTexasborderremembersalotaboutyourDad。Itwasexpectedofyou，Ireckon，an’muchofyourrepwasestablishedbeforeyouthrongedyourgun。Ijestheerdthetyouwaslightnin’onthedraw，an’whenyoucutloosewithagun，whythefiggerontheaceofspadeswouldcoveryourclusterofbullet—holes。Thet’sthewordthet’sgonedowntheborder。It’sthekindofreputationmostsuretoflyfaran’swiftaheadofamaninthiscountry。An’thesafest，too;I’llgambleonthet。It’sthelandofthedraw。Iseenowyou’reonlyaboy，thoughyou’reshoreastrappin’huskyone。Now，Buck，I’mnotaspringchicken，an’I’vebeenlongonthedodge。Mebbealittleofmysocietywon’thurtyounone。You’llneedtolearnthecountry。"
　　Therewassomethingsincereandlikableaboutthisoutlaw。
　　"Idaresayyou’reright，"repliedDuane，quietly。"AndI’llgotoMercerwithyou。"
　　NextmomenthewasridingdowntheroadwithStevens。Duanehadneverbeenmuchofatalker，andnowhefoundspeechdifficult。
　　Buthiscompaniondidnotseemtomindthat。Hewasajocose，volublefellow，probablygladnowtohearthesoundofhisownvoice。Duanelistened，andsometimeshethoughtwithapangofthedistinctionofnameandheritageofbloodhisfatherhadlefttohim。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Latethatday，acoupleofhoursbeforesunset，DuaneandStevens，havingrestedtheirhorsesintheshadeofsomemesquitesnearthetownofMercer，saddledupandpreparedtomove。
　　"Buck，aswe’relookin’fergrub，an’nottrouble，Ireckonyou’dbetterhangupouthere，"Stevenswassaying，ashemounted。"Yousee，townsan’sheriffsan’rangersarealwayslookin’fernewfellersgonebad。Theysortofforgetmostoftheoldboys，exceptthoseasareplumbbad。Now，nobodyinMercerwilltakenoticeofme。Reckonthere’sbeenathousandmenrunintotherivercountrytobecomeoutlawssinceyourstruly。Youjestwaitherean’bereadytoridehard。Mebbemybesettin’sinwillgooperatin’inspiteofmygoodintentions。
　　Inwhichcasethere’llbe——"
　　Hispausewassignificant。Hegrinned，andhisbrowneyesdancedwithakindofwildhumor。
　　"Stevens，haveyougotanymoney？"askedDuane。
　　"Money！"exclaimedLuke，blankly。"Say，Ihaven’townedatwo—bitpiecesince——wal，fersometime。"
　　"I’llfurnishmoneyforgrub，"returnedDuane。"Andforwhisky，too，providingyouhurrybackhere——withoutmakingtrouble。"
　　"Shoreyou’readownrightgoodpard，"declaredStevens，inadmiration，ashetookthemoney。"Igivemyword，Buck，an’
　　I’mheretosayIneverbrokeityet。Laylow，an’lookfermebackquick。"
　　Withthathespurredhishorseandrodeoutofthemesquitestowardthetown。Atthatdistance，aboutaquarterofamile，Mercerappearedtobeaclusteroflowadobehousessetinagroveofcottonwoods。Pasturesofalfalfaweredottedbyhorsesandcattle。Duanesawasheep—herderdrivinginameagerflock。
　　PresentlyStevensrodeoutofsightintothetown。Duanewaited，hopingtheoutlawwouldmakegoodhisword。ProbablynotaquarterofanhourhadelapsedwhenDuaneheardtheclearreportsofaWinchesterrifle，theclatterofrapidhoof—beats，andyellsunmistakablythekindtomeandangerforamanlikeStevens。Duanemountedandrodetotheedgeofthemesquites。
　　Hesawacloudofdustdowntheroadandabayhorserunningfast。Stevensapparentlyhadnotbeenwoundedbyanyoftheshots，forhehadasteadyseatinhissaddleandhisriding，evenatthatmoment，struckDuaneasadmirable。Hecarriedalargepackoverthepommel，andhekeptlookingback。Theshotshadceased，buttheyellsincreased。Duanesawseveralmenrunningandwavingtheirarms。Thenhespurredhishorseandgotintoaswiftstride，soStevenswouldnotpasshim。
　　Presentlytheoutlawcaughtupwithhim。Stevenswasgrinning，buttherewasnownofuninthedancingeyes。Itwasadevilthatdancednthem。Hisfaceseemedashadepaler。
　　"Wasjestcomin’outofthestore，"yelledStevens。"Runplumbintoarancher——whoknowedme。Heopenedupwitharifle。Thinkthey’llchaseus。"
　　Theycoveredseveralmilesbeforetherewereanysignsofpursuit，andwhenhorsemendidmoveintosightoutofthecottonwoodsDuaneandhiscompanionsteadilydrewfartheraway。
　　"Nohossesinthetbunchtoworryus，"calledoutStevens。
　　Duanehadthesameconviction，andhedidnotlookbackagain。
　　Herodesomewhattothefore，andwasconstantlyawareoftherapidthuddingofhoofsbehind，asStevenskeptclosetohim。
　　Atsunsettheyreachedthewillowbrakesandtheriver。Duane’shorsewaswindedandlashedwithsweatandlather。ItwasnotuntilthecrossinghadbeenaccomplishedthatDuanehaltedtoresthisanimal。Stevenswasridingupthelow，sandybank。Hereeledinthesaddle。WithanexclamationofsurpriseDuaneleapedoffandrantotheoutlaw’sside。
　　Stevenswaspale，andhisfaceborebeadsofsweat。Thewholefrontofhisshirtwassoakedwithblood。
　　"You’reshot！"criedDuane。
　　"Wal，who’nhellsaidIwasn’t？Wouldyoumindgivin’mealift——onthisherepack？"
　　DuaneliftedtheheavypackdownandthenhelpedStevenstodismount。Theoutlawhadabloodyfoamonhislips，andhewasspittingblood。
　　"Oh，whydidn’tyousayso！"criedDuane。"Ineverthought。Youseemedallright。"
　　"Wal，LukeStevensmaybeasgabbyasanoldwoman，butsometimeshedoesn’tsayanythin’。Itwouldn’thavedonenogood。"
　　Duanebadehimsitdown，removedhisshirt，andwashedthebloodfromhisbreastandback。Stevenshadbeenshotinthebreast，fairlylowdown，andthebullethadgoneclearthroughhim。Hisride，holdinghimselfandthatheavypackinthesaddle，hadbeenafeatlittleshortofmarvelous。Duanedidnotseehowithadbeenpossible，andhefeltnohopefortheoutlaw。Buthepluggedthewoundsandboundthemtightly。
　　"Feller’snamewasBrown，"Stevenssaid。"Mean’himfelloutoverahossIstolefromhimoverinHuntsville。Wehadashootin’—scrapethen。Wal，asIwasstraddlin’myhossbackthereinMercerIseenthisBrown，an’seenhimbeforeheseenme。Couldhavekilledhim，too。ButIwasn’tbreakin’mywordtoyou。Ikindofhopedhewouldn’tspotme。Buthedid——an’
　　fustshothegotmehere。Whatdoyouthinkofthishole？"
　　"It’sprettybad，"repliedDuane;andhecouldnotlookthecheerfuloutlawintheeyes。
　　"Ireckonitis。Wal，I’vehadsomebadwoundsIlivedover。
　　GuessmebbeIcanstandthisone。Now，Buck，getmesomeplaceinthebrakes，leavemesomegruban’wateratmyhand，an’
　　thenyouclearout。"
　　"Leaveyouherealone？"askedDuane，sharply。
　　"Shore。Yousee，Ican’tkeepupwithyou。Brownan’hisfriendswillfollerusacrosstheriveraways。You’vegottothinkofnumberoneinthisgame。"
　　"Whatwouldyoudoinmycase？"askedDuane，curiously。
　　"Wal，IreckonI’dclearoutan’savemyhide，"repliedStevens。
　　Duanefeltinclinedtodoubttheoutlaw’sassertion。Forhisownparthedecidedhisconductwithoutfurtherspeech。Firsthewateredthehorses，filledcanteensandwaterbag，andthentiedthepackuponhisownhorse。Thatdone，heliftedStevensuponhishorse，and，holdinghiminthesaddle，turnedintothebrakes，beingcarefultopickouthardorgrassygroundthatleftlittlesignsoftracks。JustaboutdarkheranacrossatrailthatStevenssaidwasagoodonetotakeintothewildcountry。
　　"Reckonwe’dbetterkeeprightoninthedark——tillIdrop，"
　　concludedStevens，withalaugh。
　　AllthatnightDuane，gloomyandthoughtful，attentivetothewoundedoutlaw，walkedthetrailandneverhaltedtilldaybreak。Hewastiredthenandveryhungry。Stevensseemedinbadshape，althoughhewasstillspiritedandcheerful。Duanemadecamp。Theoutlawrefusedfood，butaskedforbothwhiskyandwater。Thenhestretchedout。
　　"Buck，willyoutakeoffmyboots？"heasked，withafaintsmileonhispallidface。
　　Duaneremovedthem，wonderingiftheoutlawhadthethoughtthathedidnotwanttodiewithhisbootson。Stevensseemedtoreadhismind。
　　"Buck，myolddaddyusedtosaythetIwasborntobehanged。
　　ButIwasn’t——an’dyin’withyourbootsonisthenextwustwaytocroak。"
　　"You’veachanceto—togetoverthis，"saidDuane。
　　"Shore。ButIwanttobecorrectabouttheboots——an’say，pard，ifIdogoover，jestyourememberthetIwasappreciatin’ofyourkindness。"
　　Thenheclosedhiseyesandseemedtosleep。
　　Duanecouldnotfindwaterforthehorses，buttherewasanabundanceofdew—wetgrassuponwhichhehobbledthem。Afterthatwasdonehepreparedhimselfamuch—neededmeal。Thesunwasgettingwarmwhenhelaydowntosleep，andwhenheawokeitwassinkinginthewest。Stevenswasstillalive，forhebreathedheavily。Thehorseswereinsight。Allwasquietexceptthehumofinsectsinthebrush。Duanelistenedawhile，thenroseandwentforthehorses。
　　WhenhereturnedwiththemhefoundStevensawake，bright—eyed，cheerfulasusual，andapparentlystronger。
　　"Wal，Buck，I’mstillwithyouan’goodferanothernight’sride，"hesaid。"GuessaboutallIneednowisabigpullonthetbottle。Helpme，willyou？There！thetwasbully。Iain’tswallowin’mybloodthisevenin’。MebbeI’vebledalltherewasinme。"
　　WhileDuanegotahurriedmealforhimself，packedupthelittleoutfit，andsaddledthehorsesStevenskeptontalking。
　　HeseemedtobeinahurrytotellDuaneallaboutthecountry。
　　Anothernightridewouldputthembeyondfearofpursuit，withinstrikingdistanceoftheRioGrandeandthehiding—placesoftheoutlaws。
　　WhenitcametimeformountingthehorsesStevenssaid，"Reckonyoucanpullonmybootsoncemore。"InspiteofthelaughaccompanyingthewordsDuanedetectedasubtlechangeintheoutlaw’sspirit。
　　Onthisnighttravelwasfacilitatedbythefactthatthetrailwasbroadenoughfortwohorsesabreast，enablingDuanetoridewhileupholdingStevensinthesaddle。
　　Thedifficultymostpersistentwasinkeepingthehorsesinawalk。Theywereusedtoatrot，andthatkindofgaitwouldnotdoforStevens。Thereddiedoutofthewest;apaleafterglowprevailedforawhile;darknesssetin;thenthebroadexpanseofbluedarkenedandthestarsbrightened。AfterawhileStevensceasedtalkinganddroopedinhissaddle。Duanekeptthehorsesgoing，however，andtheslowhoursworeaway。Duanethoughtthequietnightwouldneverbreaktodawn，thattherewasnoendtothemelancholy，broodingplain。Butatlengthagraynessblottedoutthestarsandmantledthelevelofmesquiteandcactus。
　　Dawncaughtthefugitivesatagreencamping—siteonthebankofarockylittlestream。StevensfelladeadweightintoDuane’sarms，andonelookatthehaggardfaceshowedDuanethattheoutlawhadtakenhislastride。Heknewit，too。Yetthatcheerfulnessprevailed。
　　"Buck，myfeetareorfultiredpackin’themheavyboots，"hesaid，andseemedimmenselyrelievedwhenDuanehadremovedthem。
　　Thismatteroftheoutlaw’sbootswasstrange，Duanethought。
　　HemadeStevensascomfortableaspossible，thenattendedtohisownneeds。Andtheoutlawtookupthethreadofhisconversationwherehehadleftoffthenightbefore。
　　"Thistrailsplitsupawaysfromhere，an’everybranchofitleadstoaholewhereyou’llfindmen——afew，mebbe，likeyourself——somelikeme——an’gangsofno—goodhoss—thieves，rustlers，an’such。It’seasylivin’，Buck。Ireckon，though，thatyou’llnotfinditeasy。You’llnevermixin。You’llbealonewolf。Iseenthatrightoff。Wal，ifamancanstandtheloneliness，an’ifhe’squickonthedraw，mebbelone—wolfin’
　　itisthebest。ShoreIdon’tknow。Butthesefellersinherewillbesuspiciousofamanwhogoesitalone。Iftheygetachancethey’llkillyou。"
　　Stevensaskedforwaterseveraltimes。Hehadforgottenorhedidnotwantthewhisky。Hisvoicegrewperceptiblyweaker。
　　"Bequiet，"saidDuane。"Talkingusesupyourstrength。"
　　"Aw，I’lltalktill——I’mdone，"hereplied，doggedly。"Seehere，pard，youcangambleonwhatI’mtellin’you。An’it’llbeuseful。Fromthiscampwe’ll——you’llmeetmenrightalong。
　　An’noneofthemwillbehonestmen。Allthesame，somearebetter’nothers。I’velivedalongtheriverfertwelveyears。
　　There’sthreebiggangsofoutlaws。KingFisher——youknowhim，Ireckon，ferhe’shalfthetimelivin’amongrespectablefolks。Kingisaprettygoodfeller。It’lldototieupwithhimanthisgang。Now，there’sCheseldine，whohangsoutintheRimRockwayuptheriver。He’sanoutlawchief。Ineverseenhim，thoughIstayedoncerightinhiscamp。Lateyearshe’sgotrichan’keepsbackprettywellhid。ButBland——IknowedBlandferyears。An’Ihaven’tanyuseferhim。Blandhasthebiggestgang。Youain’tlikelytomissstrikin’hisplacesometimeorother。He’sgotaregulartown，Imightsay。Shorethere’ssomegamblin’an’gun—fightin’goin’onatBland’scampallthetime。Blandhaskilledsometwentymen，an’thet’snotcountin’greasers。"
　　HereStevenstookanotherdrinkandthenrestedforawhile。
　　"Youain’tlikelytogetonwithBland，"heresumed，presently。
　　"You’retoostrappin’bigan’good—lookin’topleasethechief。
　　Ferhe’sgotwomeninhiscamp。Thenhe’dbejealousofyourpossibilitieswithagun。ShoreIreckonhe’dbecareful，though。Bland’snofool，an’heloveshishide。Ireckonanyoftheothergangswouldbebetterferyouwhenyouain’tgoin’italone。"
　　ApparentlythatexhaustedthefundofinformationandadviceStevenshadbeeneagertoimpart。Helapsedintosilenceandlaywithclosedeyes。Meanwhilethesunrosewarm;thebreezewavedthemesquites;thebirdscamedowntosplashintheshallowstream;Duanedozedinacomfortableseat。Byandbysomethingrousedhim。Stevenswasoncemoretalking，butwithachangedtone。
　　"Feller’sname——wasBrown，"herambled。"Wefellout——overahossIstolefromhim——inHuntsville。Hestoleitfuss。Brown’soneofthemsneaks——afraidoftheopen——hestealsan’pretendstobehonest。Say，Buck，mebbeyou’llmeetBrownsomeday——Youan’mearepardsnow。"
　　"I’llremember，ifIevermeethim，"saidDuane。
　　Thatseemedtosatisfytheoutlaw。Presentlyhetriedtolifthishead，buthadnotthestrength。Astrangeshadewascreepingacrossthebronzedroughface。
　　"Myfeetareprettyheavy。Shoreyougotmybootsoff？"
　　Duaneheldthemup，butwasnotcertainthatStevenscouldseethem。Theoutlawclosedhiseyesagainandmutteredincoherently。Thenhefellasleep。Duanebelievedthatsleepwasfinal。Thedaypassed，withDuanewatchingandwaiting。
　　TowardsundownStevensawoke，andhiseyesseemedclearer。
　　Duanewenttogetsomefreshwater，thinkinghiscomradewouldsurelywantsome。WhenhereturnedStevensmadenosignthathewantedanything。Therewassomethingbrightabouthim，andsuddenlyDuanerealizedwhatitmeant。
　　"Pard，you——stuck——tome！"theoutlawwhispered。
　　Duanecaughtahintofgladnessinthevoice;hetracedafaintsurpriseinthehaggardface。Stevensseemedlikealittlechild。
　　ToDuanethemomentwassad，elemental，big，withaburdenofmysteryhecouldnotunderstand。
　　Duaneburiedhiminashallowarroyoandheapedupapileofstonestomarkthegrave。Thatdone，hesaddledhiscomrade’shorse，hungtheweaponsoverthepommel;and，mountinghisownsteed，herodedownthetrailinthegatheringtwilight。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Twodayslater，aboutthemiddleoftheforenoon，DuanedraggedthetwohorsesupthelastascentofanexceedinglyroughtrailandfoundhimselfontopoftheRimRock，withabeautifulgreenvalleyathisfeet，theyellow，sluggishRioGrandeshininginthesun，andthegreat，wild，mountainousbarrenofMexicostretchingtothesouth。
　　Duanehadnotfalleninwithanytravelers。Hehadtakenthelikeliest—lookingtrailhehadcomeacross。Whereithadledhimhehadnottheslightestidea，exceptthatherewastheriver，andprobablytheinclosedvalleywastheretreatofsomefamousoutlaw。
　　Nowonderoutlawsweresafeinthatwildrefuge！Duanehadspentthelasttwodaysclimbingtheroughestandmostdifficulttrailhehadeverseen。Fromthelooksofthedescentheimaginedtheworstpartofhistravelwasyettocome。Notimprobablyitwastwothousandfeetdowntotheriver。Thewedge—shapedvalley，greenwithalfalfaandcottonwood，andnestlingdownamidthebarewallsofyellowrock，wasadelightandarelieftohistiredeyes。Eagertogetdowntoalevelandtofindaplacetorest，Duanebeganthedescent。
　　Thetrailprovedtobethekindthatcouldnotbedescendedslowly。Hekeptdodgingrockswhichhishorsesloosedbehindhim。Andinashorttimehereachedthevalley，enteringattheapexofthewedge。Astreamofclearwatertumbledoutoftherockshere，andmostofitranintoirrigation—ditches。Hishorsesdrankthirstily。Andhedrankwiththatfullnessandgratefulnesscommontothedeserttravelerfindingsweetwater。
　　Thenhemountedandrodedownthevalleywonderingwhatwouldbehisreception。
　　Thevalleywasmuchlargerthanithadappearedfromthehighelevation。Wellwatered，greenwithgrassandtree，andfarmedevidentlybygoodhands，itgaveDuaneaconsiderablesurprise。