Aboutnineo’clockJeansignifiedhisintentionofgoingouttoreconnoitre。
　　"Dad，they’vegotthebestofusinthedaytime，"hesaid，"butnotafterdark。"
　　Jeanbuckledonabeltthatcarriedshells，abowieknife，andrevolver，andwithrifleinhandhewentoutthroughthekitchentotheyard。
　　Thenightwasdarkerthanusual，assomeofthestarswerehiddenbyclouds。Heleanedagainstthelogcabin，waitingforhiseyestobecomeperfectlyadjustedtothedarkness。LikeanIndian，Jeancouldseewellatnight。Hekneweverypointaroundcabinsandshedsandcorrals，everypost，log，tree，rock，adjacenttotheranch。Afterperhapsaquarterofanhourwatching，duringwhichtimeseveralshotswerefiredfrombehindtheembankmentandoneeachfromtherustlersattheotherlocations，Jeanslippedoutonhisquest。
　　Hekeptintheshadowofthecabinwalls，thenthelineoforchardtrees，thenarowofcurrantbushes。Here，crouchinglow，hehaltedtolookandlisten。Hewasnowattheedgeoftheopenground，withthegentlyrisingslopebeforehim。Hecouldseethedarkpatchesofcedarandjunipertrees。Onthenorthsideofthecabinastreakoffireflashedintheblackness，andashotrangout。Jeanheardthebulletbitthecabin。Thensilenceenfoldedthelonelyranchandthedarknesslaylikeablackblanket。Alowhumofinsectspervadedtheair。Dullsheetsoflightningilluminedthedarkhorizontothesouth。
　　OnceJeanheardvoices，butcouldnottellfromwhichdirectiontheycame。Tothewestofhimthenflaredoutanotherrifleshot。ThebulletwhistleddownoverJeantothudintothecabin。
　　Jeanmadeacarefulstudyoftheobscure，gray—blackopenbeforehimandthenthebackgroundtohisrear。Solongashekeptthedenseshadowsbehindhimhecouldnotbeseen。Heslippedfrombehindhiscovertand，glidingwithabsolutelynoiselessfootsteps，hegainedthefirstclumpofjunipers。Herehewaitedpatientlyandmotionlesslyforanotherroundofshotsfromtherustlers。AfterthesecondshotfromthewestsideJeansheeredofftotheright。Patchesofbrush，clumpsofjuniper，andisolatedcedarscoveredthisslope，affordingJeanaperfectmeansforhispurpose，whichwastomakeadetourandcomeupbehindtherustlerwhowasfiringfromthatside。Jeanclimbedtothetopoftheridge，descendedtheoppositeslope，madehisturntotheleft，andslowlyworked。upbehindthepointnearwhereheexpectedtolocatetherustler。Longhabitintheopen，bydayandnight，renderedhissenseofdirectionalmostasperfectassightitself。Thefirstflashoffirehesawfromthissideprovedthathehadcomestraightuptowardhisman。Jean’sintentionwastocrawluponthisoneoftheJorthgangandsilentlykillhimwithaknife。Iftheplanworkedsuccessfully，Jeanmeanttoworkroundtothenextrustler。Layingasidehisrifle，hecrawledforwardonhandsandknees，makingnomoresoundthanacat。Hisapproachwasslow。Hehadtopickhisway，becarefulnottobreaktwigsnorrattlestones。Hisbuckskingarmentsmadenosoundagainstthebrush。Jeanlocatedtherustlersittingonthetopoftheridgeinthecenterofanopenspace。
　　Hewasalone。Jeansawthedull—redendofthecigarettehewassmoking。ThegroundontheridgetopwasrockyandnotwelladaptedforJean’spurpose。Hehadtoabandontheideaofcrawlingupontherustler。Whereupon，Jeanturnedback，patientlyandslowly，togethisrifle。
　　Uponsecuringithebegantoretracehiscourse，thistimemoreslowlythanbefore，ashewashamperedbytherifle。Buthedidnotmaketheslightestsound，andatlengthhereachedtheedgeoftheopenridgetop，oncemoretoespythedarkformoftherustlersilhouettedagainstthesky。Thedistancewasnotmorethanfiftyyards。
　　AsJeanrosetohiskneeandcarefullyliftedhisrifleroundtoavoidthetwigsofajuniperhesuddenlyexperiencedanotheremotionbesidestheoneofgrim，hardwrathattheJorths。Itwasanemotionthatsickenedhim，madehimweakinternally，acold，shaking，ungovernablesensation。SupposethismanwasEllenJorth’sfather！Jeanloweredtherifle。Hefeltitshakeoverhisknee。Hewastremblingallover。
　　TheastoundingdiscoverythathedidnotwanttokillEllen’sfather——
　　thathecouldnotdoit——awakenedJeantothedespairingnatureofhisloveforher。Inthisgrimmomentofindecision，whenheknewhisIndiansubtletyandabilitygavehimagreatadvantageovertheJorths，hefullyrealizedhisstrange，hopeless，andirresistibleloveforthegirl。Hemadenoattempttodenyitanylonger。Likethenightandthelonelywildernessaroundhim，liketheinevitablenessofthisJorth—Isbelfeud，thisloveofhiswasathing，afact，areality。
　　Hebreathedtohisowninwardear，tohissoul——hecouldnotkillEllenJorth’sfather。Feudornofeud，Isbelornot，hecouldnotdeliberatelydoit。Andwhynot？Therewasnoanswer。Washenotfaithlesstohisfather？HehadnohopeofeverwinningEllenJorth。
　　Hedidnotwanttheloveofagirlofhercharacter。Buthelovedher。
　　Andhisstrugglemustbeagainsttheinsidiousandmysteriousgrowthofthatpassion。Itswayedhimalready。Itmadehimacoward。
　　ThroughhismindandheartsweptthememoryofEllenJorth，herbeautyandcharm，herboldnessandpathos，hershameandherdegradation。
　　Andthesweetnessofheroutweighedtheboldness。Andthemysteryofherarrayeditselfinunquenchableprotestagainstheracknowledgedshame。Jeanliftedhisfacetotheheavens，tothepitilesswhitestars，totheinfinitedepthsofthedark—bluesky。Hecouldsensethefactofhisbeinganatomintheuniverseofnature。Whatwashe，whatwashisrevengefulfather，whatwerehateandpassionandstrifeincomparisontothenamelesssomething，immenseandeverlasting，thathesensedinthisdarkmoment？
　　Buttherustlers——Daggs——theJorths——theyhadkilledhisbrotherGuy——
　　murderedhimbrutallyandruthlessly。GuyhadbeenaplaymateofJean’s——afavoritebrother。Billhadbeensecretiveandselfish。JeanhadneverlovedhimashedidGuy。Guylaydeaddownthereonthemeadow。
　　Thisfeudhadbeguntorunitsbloodycourse。Jeansteeledhisnerve。
　　Thehotbloodcreptbackalonghisveins。Thedarkandmasterfultideofrevengewavedoverhim。Thekeenedgeofhismindthencutoutsharpandtrenchantthoughts。Hemustkillwhenandwherehecould。ThismancouldhardlybeEllenJorth’sfather。Jorthwouldbewiththemaincrowd，directinghostilities。Jeancouldshootthisrustlerguardandhisshotwouldbetakenbythegangastheregularonefromtheircomrade。ThenswiftlyJeanleveledhisrifle，coveredthedarkform，grewcoldandset，andpressedthetrigger。Afterthereportheroseandwheeledaway。Hedidnotlooknorlistenfortheresultofhisshot。Aclammysweatwethisface，thehollowofhishands，hisbreast。
　　Ahorrible，leaden，thicksensationoppressedhisheart。NaturehadendowedhimwithIndiangifts，buttheexerciseofthemtothisendcausedarevoltinhissoul。
　　Nevertheless，itwastheIsbelbloodthatdominatedhim。Thewindblewcoolonhisface。Theburdenuponhisshouldersseemedtolift。Theclamoringwhispersgrewfainterinhisears。Andbythetimehehadretracedhiscautiousstepsbacktotheorchardallhisphysicalbeingwasstrungtothetaskathand。Somethinghadcomebetweenhisreflectiveselfandthismanofaction。
　　Crossingthelane，hetooktothewestlineofsheds，andpassedbeyondthemintothemeadow。Inthegrasshecrawledsilentlyawaytotheright，usingthesameprecautionthathadactuatedhimontheslope，onlyherehedidnotpausesooften，normovesoslowly。Jeanaimedtogofarenoughtotherighttopasstheendoftheembankmentbehindwhichtherustlershadfoundsuchefficientcover。Thisditchhadbeenmadetokeepwater，duringspringthawsandsummerstorms，frompouringofftheslopetofloodthecorrals。
　　Jeanmiscalculatedandfoundhehadcomeupontheembankmentsomewhattotheleftoftheend，whichfact，however，causedhimnouneasiness。
　　Helaythereawhiletolisten。Againheheardvoices。Afteratimeashotpealedout。Hedidnotseetheflash，buthecalculatedthatithadcomefromthenorthsideofthecabins。
　　ThenextquarterofanhourdiscoveredtoJeanthatthenearestguardwasfiringfromthetopoftheembankment，perhapsahundredyardsdistant，andasecondonewasperformingthesameofficefromapointapparentlyonlyafewyardsfartheron。Tworustlersclosetogether！
　　Jeanhadnotcalculateduponthat。Foralittlewhileheponderedonwhatwasbesttodo，andatlengthdecidedtocrawlroundbehindthem，andascloseasthesituationmadeadvisable。
　　Hefoundtheditchbehindtheembankmentafavorablepathbywhichtostalktheseenemies。Itwasdryandsandy，withbordersofhighweeds。
　　Theonlydrawbackwasthatitwasalmostimpossibleforhimtokeepfrombrushingagainstthedry，invisiblebranchesoftheweeds。Tooffsetthishewormedhiswaylikeasnail，inchbyinch，takingalongtimebeforehecaughtsightofthesittingfigureofaman，blackagainstthedark—bluesky。ThisrustlerhadfiredhisriflethreetimesduringJean’sslowapproach。Jeanwatchedandlistenedafewmoments，thenwormedhimselfcloserandcloser，untilthemanwaswithintwentystepsofhim。
　　Jeansmelledtobaccosmoke，butcouldseenolightofpipeorcigarette，becausethefellow’sbackwasturned。
　　"Say，Ben，"saidthismantohiscompanionsittinghunchedupafewyardsdistant，"shoreitstrikesmequeerthetSomersain’tshootin’
　　anyoverthar。"
　　Jeanrecognizedthedry，drawlingvoiceofGreaves，andtheshockofitseemedtocontractthemusclesofhiswholethrillingbody，likethatofapantherabouttospring。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　Wasshorethinkin’thetsame，"saidtheotherman。"An’，say，didn’tthetlastshotsoundtoosharpferSomers’sforty—five？"
　　"Cometothinkofit，Ireckonitdid，"repliedGreaves。
　　"Wal，I’llgoaroundovertharan’see。"
　　Thedarkformoftherustlerslippedoutofsightovertheembankment。
　　"Bettergoslowan’careful，"warnedGreaves。"An’onlygocloseenoughtocallSomers……Mebbethetdamnhalf—breedIsbeliscomin’someInjunonus。"
　　Jeanheardthesoftswishoffootstepsthroughwetgrass。Thenallwasstill。Helayflat，withhischeekonthesand，andhehadtolookaheadandupwardtomakeoutthedarkfigureofGreavesonthebank。OnewayoranotherhemeanttokillGreaves，andhehadthewillpowertoresistthestrongestgustofpassionthathadeverstormedhisbreast。Ifhearoseandshottherustler，thatactwoulddefeathisplanofslippingonaroundupontheotheroutpostswhowerefiringatthecabins。JeanwantedtocallsoftlytoGreaves，"You’rerightaboutthehalf—breed！"andthen，ashewheeledaghast，tokillhimashemoved。ButitsuitedJeantoriskleapingupontheman。Jeandidnotwastetimeintryingtounderstandthestrange，deadlyinstinctthatgrippedhimatthemoment。ButherealizedthenhehadchosenthemostperilousplantogetridofGreaves。
　　Jeandrewalong，deepbreathandheldit。Heletgoofhisrifle。
　　Herose，silentlyasaliftingshadow。Hedrewthebowieknife。
　　Thenwithlight，swiftboundsheglidedupthebank。Greavesmusthaveheardarustling——asoft，quickpadofmoccasin，forheturnedwithastart。AndthatinstantJean’sleftarmdartedlikeastrikingsnakeroundGreaves’sneckandclosedtightandhard。Withhisrighthandfree，holdingtheknife，Jeanmighthaveendedthedeadlybusinessinjustonemove。Butwhenhisbaredarmfeltthehot，bulgingnecksomethingterribleburstoutofthedepthsofhim。Tokillthisenemyofhisfather’swasnotenough！PhysicalcontacthadunleashedthesavagesouloftheIndian。Yettherewasmore，andasJeangavethestrainingbodyatremendousjerkbackward，hefeltthesamestrangethrill，thedarkjoythathehadknownwhenhisfisthadsmashedthefaceofSimmBruce。Greaveshadleered——hehadcorroboratedBruce’svileinsinuationaboutEllenJorth。SoitwasmorethanhatethatactuatedJeanIsbel。
　　Greaveswasheavyandpowerful。Hewhirledhimself，feetfirst，overbackward，inalungelikethatofalassoedsteer。ButJean’sholdheld。Theyrolleddownthebankintothesandyditch，andJeanlandeduppermost，withhisbodyatrightangleswiththatofhisadversary。
　　"Greaves，yourhunchwasright，"hissedJean。"It’sthehalf—breed……An’I’mgoin’tocutyou——firstforEllenJorth——an’thenforGastonIsbel！"
　　Jeangazeddownintothegleamingeyes。Thenhisrightarmwhippedthebigblade。Itflashed。Itfell。Lowdown，asfarasJeancouldreach，itenteredGreaves’sbody。
　　Alltheheavy，muscularframeofGreavesseemedtocontractandburst。
　　Hisspringwasthatofananimalinterrorandagony。ItwassotremendousthatitbrokeJean’shold。Greavesletoutastrangledyellthatcleared，swellingwildly，withahideousmortalnote。Hewrestledfree。Thebigknifecameout。Suppleandswift，hegottohis，knees。HehadhisgunoutwhenJeanreachedhimagain。LikeabearJeanenvelopedhim。Greavesshot，buthecouldnotraisethegun，nortwistitfarenough。ThenJean，lettinggowithhisrightarm，swungthebowie。Greaves’sstrengthwentoutinanawful，hoarsecry。
　　Hisgunboomedagain，thendroppedfromhishand。Heswayed。Jeanletgo。AndthatenemyoftheIsbelssanklimplyintheditch。
　　Jean’seyesrovedforhisrifleandcaughtthestarlitgleamofit。
　　Snatchingitup，heleapedovertheembankmentandranstraightforthecabins。FromallaroundyellsoftheJorthfactionattestedtotheirexcitementandfury。
　　Afenceloomedupgrayintheobscurity。Jeanvaultedit，dartedacrossthelaneintotheshadowofthecorral，andsoongainedthefirstcabin。Hereheleanedtoregainhisbreath。Hisheartpoundedhighandseemedtoolargeforhisbreast。Thehotbloodbeatandsurgedalloverhisbody。Sweatpouredoffhim。Histeethwereclenchedtightasavise，andittookeffortonhisparttoopenhismouthsohecouldbreathemorefreelyanddeeply。Butthesephysicalsensationswereasnothingcomparedtothetumultofhismind。
　　Thentheinstinct，thespell，letgoitsgripandhecouldthink。
　　HehadavengedGuy，hebaddepletedtheranksoftheJorths，hehadmadegoodthebragofhisfather，allofwhichaffordedhimsatisfaction。
　　Butthesethoughtswerenotaccountableforallthatbefelt，especiallyforthebittersweetstingofthefactthatdeathtothedefilerofEllenJorthcouldnoteffacethedoubt，theregretwhichseemedtogrowwiththehours。
　　Gropinghiswayintothewoodshed，heenteredthekitchenand，callinglow，hewentonintothemaincabin。
　　"Jean！Jean！"camehisfather’sshakingvoice。
　　"Yes，I’mback，"repliedJean。
　　"Are——you——allright？"
　　"Yes。IthinkI’vegotabulletcreaseonmyleg。Ididn’tknowI
　　hadittillnow……It’sbleedin’alittle。Butit’snothin’。"
　　Jeanheardsoftstepsandsomeonereachedshakinghandsforhim。
　　TheybelongedtohissisterAnn。Sheembracedhim。Jeanfelttheheaveandthrobofherbreast。
　　"Why，Ann，I’mnothurt，"hesaid，andheldherclose。"Nowyouliedownan’trytosleep。"
　　IntheblackdarknessofthecabinJeanledherbacktothecornerandhisheartwasfull。Speechwasdifficult，becausetheverytouchofAnn’shandshadmadehimdivinethatthesuccessofhisventureinnowisechangedtheplightofthewomen。
　　"Wal，whathappenedoutthere？"demandedBlaisdell。
　　"Igottwoofthem，"repliedJean。"Thatfellowwhowasshootin’
　　fromtheridgewest。An’theotherwasGreaves。"
　　"Hah！"exclaimedhisfather。
　　"ShorethenitwasGreavesyellin’，"declaredBlaisdell。"ByGod，Ineverheardsuchyells！Whad’dyoudo，Jean？"
　　"Iknifedhim。Yousee，I’dplannedtoslipupononeafteranother。
　　An’Ididn’twanttomakenoise。ButIdidn’tgetanyfartherthanGreaves。"
　　"Wal，Ireckonthat’llendtheirshootin’inthedark，"mutteredGastonIsbel。"We’vegottobeonthelookoutforsomethin’else——
　　fire，mostlikely。"
　　Theoldrancher’ssurmiseprovedtobepartiallycorrect。Jorth’sfactionceasedtheshooting。Nothingfurtherwasseenorheardfromthem。Butthissilenceandapparentbreakinthesiegewerehardertobearthandeliberatehostility。Thelong，darkhoursdraggedby。
　　Thementookturnswatchingandresting，butnoneofthemslept。
　　Atlasttheblacknesspaledandgraydawnstoleoutoftheeast。
　　Theskyturnedroseoverthedistantrangeanddaylightcame。
　　Thechildrenawokehungryandnoisy，havingsleptawaytheirfears。
　　Thewomentookadvantageofthequietmorninghourtogetahotbreakfast。
　　"Maybethey’vegoneaway，"suggestedGuyIsbel’swife，peeringoutofthewindow。Shehaddonethatseveraltimessincedaybreak。Jeansawhersombergazesearchthepastureuntilitresteduponthedark，proneshapeofherdeadhusband，lyingfacedowninthegrass。HerlookworriedJean。
　　"No，Esther，they’venotgoneyet，"repliedJean。"I’veseensomeofthemoutthereattheedgeofthebrush。"
　　Blaisdellwasoptimistic。HesaidJean’snightworkwouldhaveitseffectandthattheJorthcontingentwouldnotrenewthesiegeverydeterminedly。Itturnedout，however，thatBlaisdellwaswrong。
　　Directlyaftersunrisetheybegantopourvolleysfromfoursidesandfromcloserrange。DuringthenightJorth’sganghadthrownearthbanksandconstructedlogbreastworks，frombehindwhichtheywerenowfiring。Jeanandhiscomradescouldseetheflashesoffireandstreaksofsmoketosuchgoodadvantagethattheybegantoreturnthevolleys。
　　InhalfanhourthecabinwassofullofsmokethatJeancouldnotseethewomenfolkintheircorner。Thefierceattackthenabatedsomewhat，andthefiringbecamemoreintermittent，andthereforemorecarefullyaimed。AglancingbulletcutafurrowinBlaisdell’shoaryhead，makingapainful，thoughnotseriouswound。ItwasEstherIsbelwhostoppedtheflowofbloodandboundBlaisdell’shead，ataskwhichsheperformedskillfullyandwithoutatremor。TheoldTexancouldnotsitstillduringthisoperation。Sightofthebloodonhishands，whichhetriedtoruboff，appearedtoinflamehimtoagreatdegree。
　　"Isbel，wegottogooutthar，"hekeptrepeating，"an’killthemall。"
　　"No，we’regoin’tostayheah，"repliedGastonIsbel。"ShoreI’mlookin’forBluean’Fredericksan’Gordontoopenupoutthere。
　　Theyoughttobeheah，an’iftheyarey’ushorecanbetthey’vegotthefightsizedup。"
　　Isbel’shopesdidnotmaterialize。Theshootingcontinuedwithoutanylulluntilaboutmidday。ThentheJorthfactionstopped。
　　"Wal，nowwhat’sup？"queriedIsbel。"Boys，holdyourfirean’
　　let’swait。"
　　Graduallythesmokewaftedoutofthewindowsanddoors，untiltheroomwasoncemoreclear。AndatthisjunctureEstherIsbelcameovertotakeanothergazeoutuponthemeadows。Jeansawhersuddenlystartviolently，thenstiffen，withatremblinghandoutstretched。
　　"Look！"shecried。
　　"Esther，getback，"orderedtheoldrancher。"Keepawayfromthatwindow。"
　　"Whatthehell！"mutteredBlaisdell。"Sheseessomethin’，orshe’sgonedotty。"
　　Estherseemedturnedtostone。"Look！Thehogshavebrokenintothepasture！……They’lleatGuy’sbody！"
　　EveryonewasfrozenwithhorroratEsther’sstatement。Jeantookaswiftsurveyofthepasture。AbunchofbigblackhogshadindeedappearedonthesceneandwererootingaroundinthegrassnotfarfromwherelaythebodiesofGuyIsbelandJacobs。Thisherdofhogsbelongedtotherancherandwasallowedtorunwild。
　　"Jane，thosehogs——"stammeredEstherIsbel，tothewifeofJacobs。
　　"Come！Look！……Doy’uknowanythin’abouthogs？"
　　Thewomanrantothewindowandlookedout。ShestiffenedashadEsther。
　　"Dad，willthosehogs——eathumanflesh？"queriedJean，breathlessly。
　　Theoldmanstaredoutofthewindow。Surpriseseemedtoholdhim。
　　Acompletelyunexpectedsituationhadstaggeredhim。
　　"Jean——canyou——canyoushootthatfar？"heasked，huskily。
　　"Tothosehogs？No，it’soutofrange。"
　　Then，byGod，we’vegottostaytrappedinheahan’watchanawfulsight，"ejaculatedtheoldman，completelyunnerved。"Seethatbreakinthefence！……Jorth’sdonethat……Toletinthehogs！"
　　"Aw，Isbel，it’snotsobadasallthat，"remonstratedBlaisdell，wagginghisbloodyhead。"Jorthwouldn’tdosuchahell—benttrick。"
　　"It’sshoredone。"
　　"Wal，mebbethehogswon’tfindGuyan’Jacobs，"returnedBlaisdell，weakly。Plainitwasthatheonlyhopedforsuchacontingencyandcertainlydoubtedit。
　　"Look！"criedEstherIsbel，piercingly。They’reworkin’straightupthepasture！"
　　Indeed，toJeanitappearedtobethefataltruth。Helookedblankly，feelingalittlesick。AnnIsbelcametopeeroutofthewindowandsheutteredacry。Jacobs’swifestoodmute，asifdazed。
　　Blaisdellsworeamightyoath。"——————！Isbel，wecain’tstandheahan’watchthemhogseatourpeople！"
　　"Wal，we’llhaveto。Whatelseonearthcanwedo？"
　　Estherturnedtothemen。Shewaswhiteandcold，excepthereyes，whichresembledgrayflames。
　　"Somebodycanrunouttherean’buryourdeadmen，"shesaid。
　　"Why，child，it’dbeshoredeath。Y’usawwhathappenedtoGuyan’
　　Jacobs……We’vejestgottobearit。Shorenobodyneedn’tlookout——an’see。"
　　Jeanwonderedifitwouldbepossibletokeepfromwatching。Thethinghadahorriblefascination。Thebighogswererootingandtearinginthegrass，someofthemlazy，othersnimble，andallweregraduallyworkingcloserandclosertothebodies。Theleader，ahuge，gauntboar，thathadfaredillallhislifeinthisbarrencountry，wasscarcelyfiftyfeetawayfromwhereGuyIsbellay。
　　"Ann，getmesomeofyourclothes，an’asunbonnet——quick，"saidJean，forcedoutofhislethargy。"I’llrunouttheredisguised。MaybeI
　　cangothroughwithit。"
　　"No！"orderedhisfather，positively，andwithdarkfaceflaming。
　　"Guyan’Jacobsaredead。Wecain’thelpthemnow。"
　　"But，dad——"pleadedJean。HehadbeenwroughttoapitchbyEsther’sblazeofpassion，bytheagonyinthefaceoftheotherwoman。
　　"Itelly’uno！"thunderedGastonIsbel，flinginghisarmswide。
　　"IWILLGO！"criedEsther，hervoiceringing。
　　"Youwon’tgoalone！"instantlyansweredthewifeofJacobs，repeatingunconsciouslythewordsherhusbandhadspoken。
　　"Youstayrightheah，"shoutedGastonIsbel，hoarsely。
　　"I’mgoin’，"repliedEsther。"You’venoholdoverme。Myhusbandisdead。Noonecanstopme。I’mgoin’outtheretodrivethosehogsawayan’buryhim。"
　　"Esther，forHeaven’ssake，listen，"repliedIsbel。"Ify’ushowyourselfoutside，Jorthan’hisgangwillkiny’u。"
　　"Theymaybemean，butnowhitemencouldbesolowasthat。"
　　Thentheypleadedwithhertogiveupherpurpose。Butinvain！
　　ShepushedthembackandranoutthroughthekitchenwithJacobs’swifefollowingher。Jeanturnedtothewindowintimetoseebothwomenrunoutintothelane。Jeanlookedfearfully，andlistenedforshots。Butonlyaloud，"Haw！Haw！"camefromthewatchersoutside。ThatcoarselaughrelievedthetensioninJean’sbreast。
　　PossiblytheJorthswerenotasblackashisfatherpaintedthem。
　　Thetwowomenenteredanopenshedandcameforthwithashovelandspade。
　　"Shorethey’vegottohurry，"burstoutGastonIsbel。
　　Shiftinghisgaze，Jeanunderstoodtheimportofhisfather’sspeech。
　　Theleaderofthehogshadnodoubtscentedthebodies。Suddenlyheespiedthemandbrokeintoatrot。
　　"Run，Esther，run！"yelledJean，withallhismight。
　　Thaturgedthewomentoflight。Jeanbegantoshoot。ThehogreachedthebodyofGuy。Jean’sshotsdidnotreachnorfrightenthebeast。
　　Allthehogsnowhadcaughtascentandwentamblingtowardtheirleader。Estherandhercompanionpassedswiftlyoutofsightbehindacorral。Loudandpiercingly，withsomeawfulnote，rangouttheirscreams。Thehogsappearedfrightened。Theleaderliftedhislongsnout，looked，andturnedaway。Theothershadhalted。Thenthey，too，wheeledandranoff。
　　AllwassilenttheninthecabinandalsooutsidewherevertheJorthfactionlayconcealed。Alleyesmanifestlywerefixeduponthebravewives。TheyspadedupthesodanddugagraveforGuyIsbel。ForashroudEstherwrappedhiminhershawl。Thentheyburiedhim。NexttheyhurriedtothesideofJacobs，wholaysomeyardsaway。Theydugagraveforhim。Mrs。Jacobstookoffherouterskirttowraproundhim。Thenthetwowomenlaboredhardtolifthimandlowerhim。
　　Jacobswasaheavyman。Whenhehadbeencoveredhiswidowkneltbesidehisgrave。Estherwentbacktotheother。Butsheremainedstandinganddidnotlookasifsheprayed。Heraspectwastragic——
　　thatofawomanwhohadlostfather，mother，sisters，brother，andnowherhusband，inthisbloodyArizonaland。
　　ThedeedandthedemeanorofthesewivesofthemurderedmensurelymusthaveshamedJorthandhisfollowers。Theydidnotfireashotduringtheordealnorgiveanysignoftheirpresence。
　　Insidethecabinallweresilent，too。Jean’seyesblurredsothathecontinuallyhadtowipethem。OldIsbelmadenoefforttohidehistears。Blaisdellnoddedhisshaggyheadandswallowedhard。Thewomensatstaringintospace。Thechildren，inround—eyeddismay，gazedfromonetotheotheroftheirelders。
　　"Wal，they’recomin’back，"declaredIsbel，inimmenserelief。