"SupposePogginormemightbedetained？"heasked。
Longstrethbentadarkglanceuponhislieutenant。
"Younevercantellwhat’llcomeoff，"continuedKnell。"I’lldomybest。"
"TheminuteyouseePoggintellhim。Ajobonhandsteadieshim。AndIsayagain——looktoitthatnothinghappens。EitheryouorPoggincarrythejobthrough。ButIwantbothofyouinit。Breakforthehills，andwhenyougetupintherockswhereyoucanhideyourtracksheadforMountOrd。Whenall’squietagainI’lljoinyouhere。That’sall。Callintheboys。"
LikeaswiftshadowandasnoiselessDuanestoleacrosstheleveltowardthedarkwallofrock。Everynervewasastrungwire。Foralittlewhilehismindwasclutteredandcloggedwithwhirlingthoughts，fromwhich，likeaflashingscroll，unrolledthelong，bafflingorderofaction。Thegamewasnowinhishands。HemustcrossMountOrdatnight。Thefeatwasimprobable，butitmightbedone。HemustrideintoBradford，fortymilesfromthefoothillsbeforeeighto’clocknextmorning。HemusttelegraphMacNellytobeinValVerdeonthetwenty—fifth。HemustridebacktoOrd，tointerceptKnell，facehimbedenounced，killhim，andwhiletheironwashotstrikehardtowinPoggin’shalf—woninterestashehadwhollywonFletcher’s。Failingthatlast，hemustlettheoutlawsalonetobidetheirtimeinOrd，tobefreetorideontotheirnewjobinValVerde。InthemeantimehemustplantoarrestLongstreth。Itwasamagnificentoutline，incredible，alluring，unfathomableinitsnamelesscertainty。Hefeltlikefate。Heseemedtobetheironconsequencesfallinguponthesedoomedoutlaws。
Underthewalltheshadowswereblack，onlythetipsoftreesandcragsshowing，yethewentstraighttothetrail。Itwasmerelyagraynessbetweenbordersofblack。Heclimbedandneverstopped。Itdidnotseemsteep。Hisfeetmighthavehadeyes。Hesurmountedthewall，and，lookingdownintotheebonygulfpiercedbyonepointoflight，heliftedamenacingarmandshookit。Thenhestrodeonanddidnotfaltertillhereachedthehugeshelvingcliffs。Herehelostthetrail;therewasnone;butherememberedtheshapes，thepoints，thenotchesofrockabove。Beforehereachedtheruinsofsplinteredrampartsandjumblesofbrokenwallsthemoontoppedtheeasternslopeofthemountain，andthemystifyingblacknesshehaddreadedchangedtomagicsilverlight。Itseemedaslightasday，onlysoft，mellow，andtheairheldatransparentsheen。Heranupthebareridgesanddownthesmoothslopes，and，likeagoat，jumpedfromrocktorock。Inthislightheknewhiswayandlostnotimelookingforatrail。Hecrossedthedivideandthenhadalldownhillbeforehim。Swiftlyhedescended，almostalwayssureofhismemoryofthelandmarks。
Hedidnotrememberhavingstudiedthemintheascent，yetheretheywere，eveninchangedlight，familiartohissight。Whathehadonceseenwaspicturedonhismind。And，trueasadeerstrikingforhome，hereachedthecanonwherehehadlefthishorse。
Bulletwasquicklyandeasilyfound。Duanethrewonthesaddleandpack，cinchedthemtight，andresumedhisdescent。Theworstwasnowtocome。Baredownwardstepsinrock，sliding，weatheredslopes，narrowblackgullies，athousandopeningsinamazeofbrokenstone——theseDuanehadtodescendinfasttime，leadingagiantofahorse。Bulletcrackedtheloosefragments，sentthemrolling，slidonthescalyslopes，plungeddownthesteps，followedlikeafaithfuldogatDuane’sheels。
Hourspassedasmoments。Duanewasequaltohisgreatopportunity。Buthecouldnotquellthatselfinhimwhichreachedbackoverthelapseoflonely，searingyearsandfoundtheboyinhim。Hewhohadbeenworsethandeadwasnowgraspingattheskirtsoflife——whichmeantvictory，honor，happiness。Duaneknewhewasnotjustrightinpartofhismind。Smallwonderthathewasnotinsane，hethought！Hetrampedondownward，hismarvelousfacultyforcoveringroughgroundandholdingtothetruecourseneverbeforeeveninflightsokeenandacute。Yetallthetimeaspiritwaskeepingstepwithhim。ThoughtofRayLongstrethashehadlefthermadehimweak。Butnow，withthegamecleartoitsend，withthetraptospring，withsuccessstrangelyhauntinghim，Duanecouldnotdispelmemoryofher。Hesawherwhiteface，withitssweetsadlipsandthedarkeyessotenderandtragic。Andtimeanddistanceandriskandtoilwerenothing。
Themoonslopedtothewest。Shadowsoftreesandcragsnowcrossedtotheothersideofhim。Thestarsdimmed。Thenhewasoutoftherocks，withthedimtrailpaleathisfeet。MountingBullet，hemadeshortworkofthelongslopeandthefoothillsandtherollinglandleadingdowntoOrd。Thelittleoutlawcamp，withitsshacksandcabinsandrowofhouses，laysilentanddarkunderthepalingmoon。Duanepassedbyonthelowertrail，headedintotheroad，andputBullettoagallop。Hewatchedthedyingmoon，thewaningstars，andtheeast。Hehadtimetospare，sohesavedthehorse。KnellwouldbeleavingtherendezvousaboutthetimeDuaneturnedbacktowardOrd。
Betweennoonandsunsettheywouldmeet。
Thenightworeon。Themoonsankbehindlowmountainsinthewest。Thestarsbrightenedforawhile，thenfaded。Graygloomenvelopedtheworld，thickened，laylikesmokeovertheroad。
Thenshadebyshadeitlightened，untilthroughthetransparentobscurityshoneadimlight。
DuanereachedBradfordbeforedawn。Hedismountedsomedistancefromthetracks，tiedhishorse，andthencrossedovertothestation。Heheardtheclickingofthetelegraphinstrument，anditthrilledhim。Anoperatorsatinsidereading。WhenDuanetappedonthewindowhelookedupwithstartledglance，thenwentswiftlytounlockthedoor。
"Hello。Givemepaperandpencil。Quick，"whisperedDuane。
Withtremblinghandstheoperatorcomplied。Duanewroteoutthemessagehehadcarefullycomposed。
"Sendthis——repeatittomakesure——thenkeepmum。I’llseeyouagain。Good—by。"
Theoperatorstared，butdidnotspeakaword。
Duaneleftasstealthilyandswiftlyashehadcome。Hewalkedhishorseacouplemilesbackontheroadandthenrestedhimtillbreakofday。Theeastbegantoredden，DuaneturnedgrimlyinthedirectionofOrd。
WhenDuaneswungintothewide，grassysquareontheoutskirtsofOrdhesawabunchofsaddledhorseshitchedinfrontofthetavern。Heknewwhatthatmeant。Luckstillfavoredhim。Ifitwouldonlyhold！Buthecouldasknomore。Therestwasamatterofhowgreatlyhecouldmakehispowerfelt。Anopenconflictagainstoddslayinthebalance。Thatwouldbefataltohim，andtoavoidithehadtotrusttohisnameandapresencehemustmaketerrible。Heknewoutlaws。Heknewwhatqualitiesheldthem。Heknewwhattoexaggerate。
Therewasnotanoutlawinsight。Thedustyhorseshadcovereddistancethatmorning。AsDuanedismountedheheardloud，angryvoicesinsidethetavern。Heremovedcoatandvest，hungthemoverthepommel。Hepackedtwoguns，onebeltedhighonthelefthip，theotherswinginglowontherightside。Heneitherlookednorlistened，butboldlypushedthedoorandsteppedinside。
Thebigroomwasfullofmen，andeveryfacepivotedtowardhim。Knell’spalefaceflashedintoDuane’sswiftsight;thenBoldt’s，thenBlossomKane’s，thenPanhandleSmith’s，thenFletcher’s，thenothersthatwerefamiliar，andlastthatofPoggin。ThoughDuanehadneverseenPogginorheardhimdescribed，heknewhim。Forhesawafacethatwasarecordofgreatandevildeeds。
Therewasabsolutesilence。Theoutlawswerelinedbackofalongtableuponwhichwerepapers，stacksofsilvercoin，abundleofbills，andahugegold—mountedgun。
"Areyougentslookin’forme？"askedDuane。Hegavehisvoicealltheringingforceandpowerofwhichhewascapable。Andhesteppedback，freeofanything，withtheoutlawsallbeforehim。
Knellstoodquivering，buthisfacemighthavebeenamask。TheotheroutlawslookedfromhimtoDuane。JimFletcherflunguphishands。
"MyGawd，Dodge，what’dyoubustinherefer？"hesaid，plaintively，andslowlysteppedforward。Hisactionwasthatofamantruetohimself。HemeanthehadbeensponsorforDuaneandnowhewouldstandbyhim。
"Back，Fletcher！"calledDuane，andhisvoicemadetheoutlawjump。
"Holdon，Dodge，an’you—all，everybody，"saidFletcher。"Letmetalk，seein’I’minwronghere。"
Hispersuasionsdidnoteasethestrain。
"Goahead。Talk，"saidPoggin。
FletcherturnedtoDuane。"Pard，I’mtakin’itonmyselfthetyoumeetenemiesherewhenIsworeyou’dmeetfriends。It’smyfault。I’llstandbyyouifyouletme。"
"No，Jim，"repliedDuane。
"Butwhat’dyoucomeferwithoutthesignal？"burstoutFletcher，indistress。Hesawnothingbutcatastropheinthismeeting。
"Jim，Iain’tpressin’mycompanynone。ButwhenI’mwantedbad——"
Fletcherstoppedhimwitharaisedhand。ThenheturnedtoPogginwitharudedignity。
"Poggy，he’smypard，an’he’sriled。Inevertoldhimawordthet’dmakehimsore。IonlysaidKnellhadn’tnomoreuseferhimthanferme。Now，whatyousaygoesinthisgang。Ineverfailedyouinmylife。Here’smypard。Ivouchferhim。Willyoustandferme？There’sgoin’tobehellifyoudon’t。An’uswithabigjobonhand！"
WhileFletchertoiledoverhisslow，earnestpersuasionDuanehadhisgazeriveteduponPoggin。TherewassomethingleonineaboutPoggin。Hewastawny。Heblazed。Heseemedbeautifulasfirewasbeautiful。Butlookedatcloser，withglanceseeingthephysicalman，insteadofthatthingwhichshonefromhim，hewasofperfectbuild，withmusclesthatswelledandrippled，bulginghisclothes，withthemagnificentheadandfaceofthecruel，fierce，tawny—eyedjaguar。
LookingatthisstrangePoggin，instinctivelydivininghisabnormalandhideouspower，Duanehadforthefirsttimeinhislifetheinwardquakingfearofaman。Itwaslikeacold—tonguedbellringingwithinhimandnumbinghisheart。Theoldinstinctivefiringofbloodfollowed，butdidnotdriveawaythatfear。Heknew。Hefeltsomethingheredeeperthanthoughtcouldgo。AndhehatedPoggin。
ThatindividualhadbeenconsideringFletcher’sappeal。
"Jim，Ianteup，"hesaid，"an’ifPhildoesn’traiseusoutwithabighand——why，he’llgetcalled，an’yourpardcansetinthegame。"
EveryeyeshiftedtoKnell。Hewasdeadwhite。Helaughed，andanyonehearingthatlaughwouldhaverealizedhisintenseangerequallywithanassurancewhichmadehimmasterofthesituation。
"Poggin，you’reagambler，youare——theace—high，straight—flushhandoftheBigBend，"hesaid，withstingingscorn。"I’llbetyoumyrolltoagreaserpesothatIcandealyouahandyou’llbeafraidtoplay。"
"Phil，you’retalkin’wild，"growledPoggin，withbothadviceandmenaceinhistone。
"Ifthere’sanythin’youhateit’samanwhopretendstobesomebodyelsewhenhe’snot。Thetso？"
Pogginnoddedinslow—gatheringwrath。
"Well，Jim’snewpard——thismanDodge——he’snotwhoheseems。
Oh—ho！He’sahellofalotdifferent。But_I__knowhim。An’
whenIspringhisnameonyou，Poggin，you’llfreezetoyourgizzard。Doyougetme？You’llfreeze，an’yourhand’llbestiffwhenitoughttobelightnin’——Allbecauseyou’llrealizeyou’vebeenstandin’therefiveminutes——fiveminutesALIVE
beforehim！"
Ifnothate，thenassuredlygreatpassiontowardPogginmanifesteditselfinKnell’sscornful，fieryaddress，intheshakinghandhethrustbeforePoggin’sface。IntheensuingsilentpauseKnell’spantingcouldbeplainlyheard。Theothermenwerepale，watchful，cautiouslyedgingeitherwaytothewall，leavingtheprincipalsandDuaneinthecenteroftheroom。
"Springhisname，then，you——"saidPoggin，violently，withacurse。
StrangelyKnelldidnotevenlookatthemanhewasabouttodenounce。HeleanedtowardPoggin，hishands，hisbody，hislongheadallsomewhatexpressiveofwhathisfacedisguised。
"BUCKDUANE！"heyelled，suddenly。
ThenamedidnotmakeanygreatdifferenceinPoggin。ButKnell’spassionate，swiftutterancecarriedthesuggestionthatthenameoughttobringPoggintoquickaction。Itwaspossible，too，thatKnell’smanner，theimportofhisdenunciationthemeaningbackofallhispassionheldPogginboundmorethanthesurprise。Fortheoutlawcertainlywassurprised，perhapsstaggeredattheideathathe，Poggin，hadbeenabouttostandsponsorwithFletcherforafamousoutlawhatedandfearedbyalloutlaws。
Knellwaitedalongmoment，andthenhisfacebrokeitscoldimmobilityinanextraordinaryexpressionofdevilishglee。HehadhoundedthegreatPogginintosomethingthatgavehimvicious，monstrousjoy。
"BUCKDUANE！Yes，"hebrokeout，hotly。"TheNuecesgunman！
Thattwo—shot，ace—of—spadeslonewolf！Youan’I——we’veheardathousandtimesofhim——talkedabouthimoften。An’hereheIN
FRONTofyou！Poggin，youwerebackin’Fletcher’snewpard，BuckDuane。An’he’dfooledyoubothbutforme。But_I_knowhim。An’Iknowwhyhedriftedinhere。ToflashagunonCheseldine——onyou——onme！Bah！Don’ttellmehewantedtojointhegang。Youknowagunman，foryou’reoneyourself。Don’tyoualwayswanttokillanotherman？An’don’tyoualwayswanttomeetarealman，notafour—flush？It’sthemadnessofthegunman，an’Iknowit。Well，Duanefacedyou——calledyou！An’
whenIsprunghisname，whatoughtyouhavedone？Whatwouldtheboss——anybody——haveexpectedofPoggin？Didyouthrowyourgun，swift，likeyouhavesooften？Naw;youfroze。An’why？
Becausehere’samanwiththekindofnerveyou’dlovetohave。
Becausehe’sgreat——meetin’usherealone。Becauseyouknowhe’sawonderwithagunan’youlovelife。Becauseyouan’I
an’everydamnedmanherehadtotakehisfront，eachtohimself。Ifwealldrewwe’dkillhim。Sure！Butwho’sgoin’tolead？Whowasgoin’tobefirst？Whowasgoin’tomakehimdraw？Notyou，Poggin！Youleavethatforalesserman——me——who’velivedtoseeyouacoward。Itcomesoncetoeverygunman。You’vemetyourmatchinBuckDuane。An’，byGod，I’mglad！Here’sonceIshowyouup！"
Thehoarse，tauntingvoicefailed。Knellsteppedbackfromthecomradehehated。Hewaswet，shaking，haggard，butmagnificent。
"BuckDuane，doyourememberHardin？"heasked，inscarcelyaudiblevoice。
"Yes，"repliedDuane，andaflashofinsightmadeclearKnell’sattitude。
"Youmethim——forcedhimtodraw——killedhim？"
"Yes。"
"HardinwasthebestpardIeverhad。"
Histeethclickedtogethertight，andhislipssetinathinline。
Theroomgrewstill。Evenbreathingceased。Thetimeforwordshadpassed。InthatlongmomentofsuspenseKnell’sbodygraduallystiffened，andatlastthequiveringceased。Hecrouched。Hiseyeshadasoul—piercingfire。
Duanewatchedthem。Hewaited。Hecaughtthethought——thebreakingofKnell’smuscle—boundrigidity。Thenhedrew。
Throughthesmokeofhisgunhesawtworedspurtsofflame。
Knell’sbulletsthuddedintotheceiling。Hefellwithascreamlikeawildthinginagony。
DuanedidnotseeKnelldie。HewatchedPoggin。AndPoggin，likeastrickenandastoundedman，lookeddownuponhisprostratecomrade。
FletcherranatDuanewithhandsaloft。
"Hitthetrail，youliar，oryou’llhevtokillme！"heyelled。
Withhandsstillup，heshoulderedandbodiedDuaneoutoftheroom。
Duaneleapedonhishorse，spurred，andplungedaway。
CHAPTERXXIII
DuanereturnedtoFairdaleandcampedinthemesquitetillthetwenty—thirdofthemonth。Thefewdaysseemedendless。AllhecouldthinkofwasthatthehourinwhichhemustdisgraceRayLongstrethwasslowlybutinexorablycoming。Inthatwaitingtimehelearnedwhatlovewasandalsoduty。Whenthedayatlastdawnedherodelikeonepossesseddowntheroughslope，hurdlingthestonesandcrashingthroughthebrush，withasoundinhisearsthatwasnotalltherushofthewind。
Somethingdraggedathim。
Apparentlyonesideofhismindwasunalterablyfixed，whiletheotherwasahurryingconglomerationofflashesofthought，receptionofsensations。Hecouldnotgetcalmness。Byandby，almostinvoluntarily，hehurriedfasteron。Actionseemedtomakehisstatelessoppressive;iteasedtheweight。Butthefartherhewentontheharderitwastocontinue。Hadheturnedhisbackuponlove，happiness，perhapsonlifeitself？
Thereseemednousetogoonfartheruntilhewasabsolutelysureofhimself。Duanereceivedaclearwarningthoughtthatsuchworkasseemedhauntinganddrivinghimcouldneverbecarriedoutinthemoodunderwhichhelabored。Hehungontothatthought。Severaltimesheslowedup，thenstopped，onlytogoonagain。Atlength，ashemountedalowridge，Fairdalelaybrightandgreenbeforehimnotfaraway，andthesightwasaconclusivecheck。Thereweremesquitesontheridge，andDuanesoughttheshadebeneaththem。Itwasthenoon—hour，withhot，glarysunandnowind。HereDuanehadtohaveouthisfight。
Duanewasutterlyunlikehimself;hecouldnotbringtheoldselfback;hewasnotthesamemanheoncehadbeen。Buthecouldunderstandwhy。ItwasbecauseofRayLongstreth。
Temptationassailedhim。Tohaveherhiswife！Itwasimpossible。Thethoughtwasinsidiouslyalluring。Duanepicturedahome。Hesawhimselfridingthroughthecottonandriceandcane，hometoastatelyoldmansion，wherelong—earedhoundsbayedhimwelcome，andawomanlookedforhimandmethimwithhappyandbeautifulsmile。Theremight——therewouldbechildren。Andsomethingnew，strange，confoundingwithitsemotion，cametolifedeepinDuane’sheart。Therewouldbechildren！Raytheirmother！Thekindoflifealonelyoutcastalwaysyearnedforandneverhad！Hesawitall，feltitall。
ButbeyondandaboveallotherclaimscameCaptainMacNelly’s。
Itwasthentherewassomethingcoldanddeath—likeinDuane’ssoul。Forheknew，whateverhappened，ofonethinghewassure——hewouldhavetokilleitherLongstrethorLawson。
Longstrethmightbetrappedintoarrest;butLawsonhadnosense，nocontrol，nofear。Hewouldsnarllikeapantherandgoforhisgun，andhewouldhavetobekilled。This，ofallconsummations，wastheonetobecalculatedupon。
Duanecameoutofitallbitterandcallousandsore——inthemostfittingofmoodstoundertakeadifficultanddeadlyenterprise。Hehadfallenuponhisoldstrange，futiledreams，nowrenderedpoignantbyreasonoflove。Hedroveawaythosedreams。Intheirplacescametheimagesoftheolive—skinnedLongstrethwithhissharpeyes，andthedark，evil—facedLawson，andthenreturnedtenfoldmorethrillingandsinistertheoldstrangepassiontomeetPoggin。
Itwasaboutoneo’clockwhenDuanerodeintoFairdale。Thestreetsforthemostpartweredeserted。HewentdirectlytofindMortonandZimmer。Hefoundthematlength，restless，somber，anxious，butunawareoftheparthehadplayedatOrd。
TheysaidLongstrethwashome，too。ItwaspossiblethatLongstrethhadarrivedhomeinignorance。
Duanetoldthemtobeonhandintownwiththeirmenincasehemightneedthem，andthenwithteethlockedhesetoffforLongstreth’sranch。
Duanestolethroughthebushesandtrees，andwhennearingtheporchheheardloud，angry，familiarvoices。LongstrethandLawsonwerequarrelingagain。HowDuane’sluckystarguidedhim！Hehadnoplanofaction，buthisbrainwasequaltoahundredlightning—swiftevolutions。HemeanttotakeanyriskratherthankillLongstreth。Bothofthemenwereoutontheporch。Duanewormedhiswaytotheedgeoftheshrubberyandcrouchedlowtowatchforhisopportunity。
Longstrethlookedhaggardandthin。Hewasinhisshirt—
sleeves，andhehadcomeoutwithaguninhishand。Thishelaidonatablenearthewall。Heworenobelt。
Lawsonwasred，bloated，thick—lipped，allfieryandsweatyfromdrink，thoughsoberonthemoment，andhehadtheexpressionofadesperatemaninhislaststand。Itwashislaststand，thoughhewasignorantofthat。
"What’syournews？Youneedn’tbeafraidofmyfeelings，"saidLawson。
"Rayconfessedtoaninterestinthisranger，"repliedLongstreth。
DuanethoughtLawsonwouldchoke。Hewasthick—neckedanyway，andtherushofbloodmadehimtearatthesoftcollarofhisshirt。Duaneawaitedhischance，patient，cold，allhisfeelingsshutinavise。
"Butwhyshouldyourdaughtermeetthisranger？"demandedLawson，harshly。
"She’sinlovewithhim，andhe’sinlovewithher。"
DuanereveledinLawson’scondition。Thestatementmighthavehadtheforceofajuggernaut。WasLongstrethsincere？Whatwashisgame？
Lawson，findinghisvoice，cursedRay，cursedtheranger，thenLongstreth。
"Youdamnedselfishfool！"criedLongstreth，indeepbitterscorn。"Allyouthinkofisyourself——yourlossofthegirl。
ThinkonceofME——myhome——mylife！"
ThentheconnectionsubtlyputoutbyLongstrethapparentlydawnedupontheother。Somehowthroughthisgirlherfatherandcousinweretobebetrayed。Duanegotthatimpression，thoughhecouldnottellhowtrueitwas。CertainlyLawson’sjealousywashisparamountemotion。
"Tohellwithyou！"burstoutLawson，incoherently。Hewasfrenzied。"I’llhaveher，ornobodyelsewill！"
"Youneverwill，"returnedLongstreth，stridently。"SohelpmeGodI’dratherseehertheranger’swifethanyours！"
WhileLawsonabsorbedthatshockLongstrethleanedtowardhim，allofhateandmenaceinhismien。
"Lawson，youmademewhatIam，"continuedLongstreth。"I
backedyou——shieldedyou。YOU’RECheseldine——ifthetruthistold！Nowit’sended。Iquityou。I’mdone！"
Theirgraypassion—cordedfaceswerestillasstones。
"GENTLEMEN！"Duanecalledinfar—reachingvoiceashesteppedout。"YOU’REBOTHDONE！"
TheywheeledtoconfrontDuane。
"Don’tmove！Notamuscle！Notafinger！"hewarned。
LongstrethreadwhatLawsonhadnotthemindtoread。Hisfaceturnedfromgraytoashen。
"Whatd’yemean？"yelledLawson，fiercely，shrilly。Itwasnotinhimtoobeyacommand，toseeimpendingdeath。
Allquiveringandstrung，yetwithperfectcontrol，Duaneraisedhislefthandtoturnbackalapelofhisopenvest。Thesilverstarflashedbrightly。
Lawsonhowledlikeadog。Withbarbarousandinsanefury，withsheerimpotentfolly，hesweptaclawinghandforhisgun。
Duane’sshotbrokehisaction。
BeforeLawsonevertottered，beforeheloosedthegun，Longstrethleapedbehindhim，claspedhimwithleftarm，quickaslightningjerkedthegunfrombothclutchingfingersandsheath。Longstrethprotectedhimselfwiththebodyofthedeadman。Duanesawredflashes，puffsofsmoke;heheardquickreports。Somethingstunghisleftarm。Thenablowlikewind，lightofsoundyetshockinginimpact，struckhim，staggeredhim。Thehotrendofleadfollowedtheblow。Duane’sheartseemedtoexplode，yethismindkeptextraordinarilyclearandrapid。
DuaneheardLongstrethworktheactionofLawson’sgun。Heheardthehammerclick，falluponemptyshells。LongstrethhadusedupalltheloadsinLawson’sgun。Hecursedasamancursedatdefeat。Duanewaited，coolandsurenow。Longstrethtriedtoliftthedeadman，toedgehimclosertowardthetablewherehisowngunlay。But，consideringtheperilofexposinghimself，hefoundthetaskbeyondhim。HebentpeeringatDuaneunderLawson’sarm，whichfloppedoutfromhisside。
Longstreth’seyesweretheeyesofamanwhomeanttokill。
Therewasneveranymistakingthestrangeandterriblelightofeyeslikethose。MorethanonceDuanehadachancetoaimatthem，atthetopofLongstreth’shead，atastripofhisside。
LongstrethflungLawson’sbodyoff。Butevenasitdropped，beforeLongstrethcouldleap，ashesurelyintended，forthegun，Duanecoveredhim，calledpiercinglytohim:
"Don’tjumpforthegun！Don’t！I’llkillyou！SureasGodI’llkillyou！"
LongstrethstoodperhapstenfeetfromthetablewherehisgunlayDuanesawhimcalculatingchances。Hewasgame。HehadthecouragethatforcedDuanetorespecthim。Duanejustsawhimmeasurethedistancetothatgun。Hewasmagnificent。Hemeanttodoit。Duanewouldhavetokillhim。
"Longstreth，listen，"criedDuane，swiftly。"Thegame’sup。
You’redone。Butthinkofyourdaughter！I’llspareyourlife——I’lltrytogetyoufreedomononecondition。Forhersake！I’vegotyounailed——alltheproofs。ThereliesLawson。
You’realone。I’veMortonandmentomyaid。Giveup。
Surrender。Consenttodemands，andI’llspareyou。MaybeIcanpersuadeMacNellytoletyougofreebacktoyouroldcountry。
It’sforRay’ssake！Herlife，perhapsherhappiness，canbesaved！Hurry，man！Youranswer！"
"SupposeIrefuse？"hequeried，withadarkandterribleearnestness。
"ThenI’llkillyouinyourtracks！Youcan’tmoveahand！Yourwordordeath！Hurry，Longstreth！Beaman！Forhersake！
Quick！Anothersecondnow——I’llkillyou！"
"Allright，BuckDuane，Igivemyword，"hesaid，anddeliberatelywalkedtothechairandfellintoit。
LongstrethlookedstrangelyatthebloodyblotonDuane’sshoulder。
"Therecomethegirls！"hesuddenlyexclaimed。"CanyouhelpmedragLawsoninside？Theymustn’tseehim。"
Duanewasfacingdowntheporchtowardthecourtandcorrals。
MissLongstrethandRuthhadcomeinsight，wereswiftlyapproaching，evidentlyalarmed。ThetwomensucceededindrawingLawsonintothehousebeforethegirlssawhim。
"Duane，you’renothardhit？"saidLongstreth。
"Reckonnot，"repliedDuane。
"I’msorry。Ifonlyyoucouldhavetoldmesooner！Lawson，damnhim！AlwaysI’vesplitoverhim！"
"Butthelasttime，Longstreth。"
"Yes，andIcameneardrivingyoutokillme，too。Duane，youtalkedmeoutofit。ForRay’ssake！She’llbeinhereinaminute。This’llbeharderthanfacingagun。"
"Hardnow。ButIhopeit’llturnoutallright。"
"Duane，willyoudomeafavor？"heasked，andheseemedshamefaced。
"Sure。"
"LetRayandRuththinkLawsonshotyou。He’sdead。Itcan’tmatter。Duane，theoldsideofmylifeiscomingback。It’sbeencoming。It’llbeherejustaboutwhensheentersthisroom。And，byGod，I’dchangeplaceswithLawsonifIcould！"
"Gladyou——saidthat，Longstreth，"repliedDuane。"Andsure——Lawsonpluggedme。It’soursecret。"
JustthenRayandRuthenteredtheroom。Duaneheardtwolowcries，sodifferentintone，andhesawtwowhitefaces。Raycametohisside，Sheliftedashakinghandtopointattheblooduponhisbreast。Whiteandmute，shegazedfromthattoherfather。
"Papa！"criedRay，wringingherhands。
"Don’tgiveway，"hereplied，huskily。"Bothyougirlswillneedyournerve。Duaneisn’tbadlyhurt。ButFloydis——isdead。
Listen。Letmetellitquick。There’sbeenafight。It——itwasLawson——itwasLawson’sgunthatshotDuane。Duaneletmeoff。
Infact，Ray，hesavedme。I’mtodividemyproperty——returnsofaraspossiblewhatI’vestolen——leaveTexasatoncewithDuane，underarrest。HesaysmaybehecangetMacNelly，therangercaptain，toletmego。Foryoursake！"
Shestoodthere，realizingherdeliverance，withthedarkandtragicgloryofhereyespassingfromherfathertoDuane。
"Youmustriseabovethis，"saidDuanetoher。"Iexpectedthistoruinyou。Butyourfatherisalive。Hewillliveitdown。
I’msureIcanpromiseyouhe’llbefree。PerhapsbackthereinLouisianathedishonorwillneverbeknown。Thiscountryisfarfromyouroldhome。AndeveninSanAntonioand。Austinaman’sevilreputemeanslittle。Thenthelinebetweenarustlerandarancherishardtodrawinthesewildborderdays。Rustlingisstealingcattle，andIonceheardawell—knownranchersaythatallrichcattlemenhaddonealittlestealingYourfatherdriftedouthere，and，likeagoodmanyothers，hesucceeded。
It’sperhapsjustaswellnottosplithairs，tojudgehimbythelawandmoralityofacivilizedcountry。Somewayorotherhedriftedinwithbadmen。Maybeadealthatwashonestsomehowtiedhishands。Thismatterofland，water，afewstrayheadofstockhadtobedecidedoutofcourt。I’msureinhiscaseheneverrealizedwherehewasdrifting。Thenonethingledtoanother，untilhewasfacetofacewithdealingthattookoncrookedform。Toprotecthimselfheboundmentohim。
Andsothegangdeveloped。Manypowerfulgangshavedevelopedthatwayouthere。Hecouldnotcontrolthem。Hebecameinvolvedwiththem。Andeventuallytheirdealingsbecamedeliberatelyandboldlydishonest。Thatmeanttheinevitablespillingofbloodsoonerorlater，andsohegrewintotheleaderbecausehewasthestrongest。Whateverheistobejudgedfor，Ithinkhecouldhavebeeninfinitelyworse。"
CHAPTERXXIV
Onthemorningofthetwenty—sixthDuanerodeintoBradfordintimetocatchtheearlytrain。Hiswoundsdidnotseriouslyincapacitatehim。Longstrethwaswithhim。AndMissLongstrethandRuthHerbertwouldnotbeleftbehind。TheywereallleavingFairdaleforever。LongstrethhadturnedoverthewholeofhispropertytoMorton，whowastodivideitasheandhiscomradesbelievedjust。DuanehadleftFairdalewithhispartybynight，passedthroughSandersonintheearlyhoursofdawn，andreachedBradfordashehadplanned。
ThatfatefulmorningfoundDuaneoutwardlycalm，butinwardlyhewasinatumult。HewantedtorushtoValVerde。WouldCaptainMacNellybetherewithhisrangers，asDuanehadplannedforthemtobe？MemoryofthattawnyPogginreturnedwithstrangepassion。Duanehadbornehoursandweeksandmonthsofwaiting，hadenduredthelonghoursoftheoutlaw，butnowhehadnopatience。Thewhistleofthetrainmadehimleap。
Itwasafasttrain，yettherideseemedslow。
Duane，dislikingtofaceLongstrethandthepassengersinthecar，changedhisseattoonebehindhisprisoner。Theyhadseldomspoken。Longstrethsatwithbowedhead，deepinthought。
Thegirlssatinaseatnearbyandwerepalebutcomposed。
Occasionallythetrainhaltedbrieflyatastation。ThelatterhalfofthatrideDuanehadobservedawagon—roadrunningparallelwiththerailroad，sometimesrightalongside，atothersnearorfaraway。WhenthetrainwasabouttwentymilesfromValVerdeDuaneespiedadarkgroupofhorsementrottingeastward。Hisbloodbeatlikeahammerathistemples。
Thegang！HethoughtherecognizedthetawnyPogginandfeltastrangeinwardcontraction。Hethoughtherecognizedtheclean—cutBlossomKane，theblack—beardedgiantBoldt，thered—facedPanhandleSmith，andFletcher。Therewasanothermanstrangetohim。WasthatKnell？No！itcouldnothavebeenKnell。
DuaneleanedovertheseatandtouchedLongstrethontheshoulder。
"Look！"hewhispered。Cheseldinewasstiff。Hehadalreadyseen。
Thetrainflashedby;theoutlawgangrecededoutofrangeofsight。
"DidyounoticeKnellwasn’twiththem？"whisperedDuane。
DuanedidnotspeaktoLongstrethagaintillthetrainstoppedatValVerde。
Theygotoffthecar，andthegirlsfollowedasnaturallyasordinarytravelers。ThestationwasagooddeallargerthanthatatBradford，andtherewasconsiderableactionandbustleincidenttothearrivalofthetrain。
Duane’ssweepinggazesearchedfaces，resteduponamanwhoseemedfamiliar。Thisfellow’slook，too，wasthatofonewhoknewDuane，butwaswaitingforasign，acue。ThenDuanerecognizedhim——MacNelly，clean—shaven。Withoutmustacheheappeareddifferent，younger。
WhenMacNellysawthatDuaneintendedtogreethim，tomeethim，hehurriedforward。Akeenlightflashedfromhiseyes。Hewasglad，eager，yetsuppressinghimself，andtheglanceshesentbackandforthfromDuanetoLongstrethwerequestioning，doubtful。CertainlyLongstrethdidnotlookthepartofanoutlaw。
"Duane！Lord，I’mgladtoseeyou，"wastheCaptain’sgreeting。
ThenatcloserlookintoDuane’sfacehiswarmthfled——somethinghesawtherecheckedhisenthusiasm，oratleastitsutterance。
"MacNelly，shakehandwithCheseldine，"saidDuane，low—voiced。