Hell—Fer—Sartain_第2章_无广告免费看-丁香书院

　　THESENATOR’SLASTTRADE
　　AdroveofleancattlewereswingingeasilyoverBlackMountain，andbehindthemcameabigmanwithwildblackhairandabushybeard。
　　Nowandthenhewouldgnawathismustachewithhislong，yellowteeth，orwouldsitdowntolethisleanhorserest，andwouldflipmeaninglesslyatthebusheswithaswitch。Sometimeshisbushyheadwoulddroopoveronhisbreast，andhewouldsnapitupsharplyandstartpainfullyon。Robber，cattle—thief，outlawhemighthavebeeninanothercentury；forhefilledthefigureofanyrobberheroinlifeorromance，andyethewasonlytheSenatorfromBell，ashewasknowninthelittleKentuckycapital；or，ashewasknowninhismountainhome，justtheSenator，whohadtoiledandschemedandgrownrichandgrownpoor；
　　whohadsufferedlongandwaskind。
　　OnlythatChristmashehadguttedeverystoreintown。``Givemeeverythingyouhave，brother，’’hesaid，acrosseachcounter；andnextdayeveryman，woman，andchildinthemountaintownhadapresentfromtheSenator’shands。Helookedlikeabrigandthatday，ashelookednow，buthecalledeverymanhisbrother，andhiseye，whileblackandlustrelessasnight，wasasbroodingandjustaskind。
　　Whentheboomwentdown，withitandwitheverybodyelsewenttheSenator。
　　Slowlyhegotdusty，ragged，longofhair。Helookedtorturedandever—restless。Youneversawhimstill；
　　alwayshesweptbyyou，flappinghislegsonhisleanhorseorhisarmsinhisricketybuggyhere，there，everywhere——
　　turning，twisting，fightinghiswaybacktofreedom——andnotamurmur。
　　Stillwaseverymanhisbrother，andifsomeforgothisonceopenhand，heforgotitnomorecompletelythandidtheSenator。Hewentveryfartopayhisdebts。Hefelthonorbound，indeed，toaskhissistertogivebackthefarmthathehadgivenher，which，veryproperlypeoplesaid，shedeclinedtodo。NothingcouldkillhopeintheSenator’sbreast；hewouldhandbackthefarminanotheryear，hesaid；butthesisterwasfirm，andwithoutawordstill，theSenatorwentotherwaysandschemedthroughthenights，andworkedandrodeandwalkedandtradedthroughthedays，untilnow，whenthelightwasbeginningtoglimmer，hisendwascome。
　　ThiswastheSenator’slasttrade，andinsight，downinaKentuckyvalley，washome。Strangelyenough，theSenatordidnotcareatall，andhehadjustenoughsanitylefttowonderwhy，andtobeworried。Itwasthe``walkingtyphoid’’thathadcaughtupwithhim，andhewaslistless，andhemadestrangegesturesanddidfoolishthingsashestumbleddownthemountain。
　　Hewasgoingoveralittleknollnow，andhecouldseethecreekthatranaroundhishouse，buthewasnottouched。Hewouldjustassoonhavelaindownrightwherehewas，orhaveturnedaroundandgoneback，exceptthatitwashotandhewantedtogettothewater。HerememberedthatitwasnighChristmas；hesawthesnowabouthimandthecakesoficeinthecreek。Heknewthatheoughtnottobehot，andyethewas——sohotthatherefusedtoreasonwithhimselfevenaminute，andhurriedon。Itwasoddthatitshouldbeso，butjustaboutthattime，overinVirginia，acattledealer，nearinghome，stoppedtotellaneighborhowhehadtrickedsomeblack—whiskeredfoolupinthemountains。
　　Itmayhavebeenjustwhenhewaslaughingaloudoverthere，thattheSenator，overhere，torehiswoollenshirtfromhisgreathairychestandrushedintotheicystream，clappinghisarmstohisburningsidesandshoutinginhisfrenzy。
　　``Ifhehadlivedalittlelonger，’’saidaconstituent，``hewouldhavelostthenextelection。Hehadn’tthemoney，youknow。’’
　　``Ifhehadlivedalittlelonger，’’saidthemountainpreacherhighuponYellowCreek，``I’dhavegotthattradeI
　　hadonhandwithhimthrough。NotthatIwantedhimtodie，butifhehadto——why——’’
　　``Ifhehadlivedalittlelonger，’’
　　saidtheSenator’slawyer，``hewouldhavecleanedoffthescoreagainsthim。’’
　　``Ifhehadlivedalittlelonger，’’saidtheSenator’ssister，notmeaningtobeunkind，``hewouldhavegotallI
　　have。’’
　　ThatwaswhatlifeheldfortheSenator。Deathwasmorekind。
　　PREACHIN’ONKINGDOM—COME
　　I’vetoldye，stranger，thatHellferSartainempties，asitoughter，ofco’se，intoKingdom—Come。Youcanketchthedevil’mostanydayintheweekonHellferSartain，an’sometimesyoucangitGloryeverlastin’onKingdom—Come。
　　Hit’stheonlymeetin’—housetharintwentymilesaroun’。
　　Well，thereg’larrider，oleJimSkaggs，wasdead，an’thebretherinwasa—lookin’
　　aroun’fersomebodytostepintooleJim’sshoes。Thar’dbeenoneyoungfelleruptharfromthesettlemints，a—
　　cavortin’aroun’，an’theywasstudyin’
　　’boutgittin’him。
　　``Bretherin’an’sisteren，’’Isays，attertheleetlechapwasgone，``he’sgotthefortitoodtospeakan’heshorelyiswellfavored。He’sgotamightygoodhawkeyeferspyin’outevil——an’thegals；hecanoutholleroleJim；an’IF，’’Isays，``anyIDEESevercomestohim，he’llbeahell—rousershore——buttheyain’tcomin’！’’
　　An’，sosayin’，Itakesmyfootinmyhandan’stepsferhome。
　　Stranger，themfellersovertharhain’tseedmucho’thisworld。Lotsof’emnuverseedthecyars；someof’emnuverseedawagon。An’atterjowerin’an’
　　noratin’fer’bouttwohours，whatyoureckontheysaidtheyaimedtodo？
　　Theybelievedthey’dtakethatarmanBeecher，eftheycouldgithimtocome。
　　They’dheerdo’Henryendurin’thewar，an’theyknowedhewasagintherebs，an’theywantedHenryiftheycouldjesgithimtocome。
　　Well，Isnorted，an’thefeudbrokeoutonHellferSartainbetwixttheDaysan’theDillons。MaceDayshotDawsDillon’sbrother，asIrickollect——somep’n’sal’aysa—startin’upthatplagueywaran’a—makin’thingsfrolicsomeoverthar——an’efithadn’ta—beenferatallyoungfellerwithblackhairan’ascaracrosshisforehead，whowasa—goin’
　　throughthemountainsa—settlin’thesewars，blamemeefIbelievethareverwould’a’beenanymo’preachin’onKingdom—Come。ThisfellercomesoverfromHazlanan’saysheaimstoholdameetin’onKingdom—Come。``Brother，’’
　　Isays，``that’swhatnopreacherhaveeverdidwhilstthiswarisa—goin’on。’’
　　An’hesays，sorto’quiet，``Well，then，I
　　reckonI’llhavetodowhatnopreacherhaveeverdid。’’An’Iupsan’says：
　　``Brother，anolejedgecomeuphereoncefromthesettlemintstoholdcouht。
　　`Jedge，’Isays，`that’swhatnojedgehaveeverdidwithoutsoldierssincethiswar’sbeena—goin’on。’An’，brother，thejedge’swordswasyours，p’int—blank。
　　`Allright，’hesays，`thenI’llhavetodowhatnootherjedgehaveeverdid。’
　　An’，brother，’’saysItothepreacher，``thejedgedoneitshore。Hejeslaidunderthecouht—housefertwodayswhilsttheboysfitoverhim。An’whenIseesthejedgea—makin’tracksferthesettlemints，Isays，`Jedge，’Isays，`youspokeaparableshore。’’’
　　Well，sir，thelongpreacherlookedjesasthoughhewasa—sayin’tohisself，``Yes，Ihearye，butIdon’theedye，’’
　　an’whenhesays，``Jesthesame，I’ma—goin’toholdameetin’onKingdom—
　　Come，’’why，Ijestakesmyfootinmyhandan’ag’inIstepsferhome。
　　Thatnight，stranger，IseedanotherfellerfromHazlan，whowasa—tellin’howthisherepreacherhadstoppedthewaroverthar，an’hadgottheMarcumsan’
　　Braytonstoshakin’hands；an’nextdayoleTomPerkinsstopsinan’saysthatWHARAStheremought’a’beenpreachin’
　　somewharan’sometime，tharnuverhadbeenPREACHIN’aforeonKingdom—Come。
　　SoIgoesovertothemeetin’house，an’
　　theywasallthar——DawsDillonan’
　　MaceDay，theleadersinthewar，an’
　　AbeShivers（you’veheerdtello’Abe）
　　whowasa—carryin’talesfromonesidetot’otheran’a—stirrin’uphellginerally，asAbemostal’aysis；an’tharwasDawsononesideo’themeetin’—housean’
　　Maceont’other，an’bothjesa—watchin’
　　fert’othertomakeamove，an’thar’d’a’beenbilly—helltopayrightthar！
　　Stranger，thatlongpreachertalkedjesaseasyasI’ma—talkin’now，an’hitwasp’int—blankasthefellerfromHazlansaid。Youjesought’a’heerdhimtellin’
　　abouttheLawda—bein’asporeasanyfellerthar，an’a—makin’barnsan’fencesan’ox—yokesan’sechlike；an’nota—bein’abletowritehisownname——
　　havin’tomakehismarkmebbe——whenhestartedouttosavetheworld。An’
　　howtheytukhiman’nailedhimontoacrosswhenhe’dcomedownfernothin’
　　buttosave’em；an’stuckaspearbigasacorn—knifeintohisside，an’givehimvinegar；an’hisownmammya—standin’
　　downtharonthegrounda—cryin’an’
　　a—watchin’himan’hea—fergivin’allof’emthenan’thar！
　　Tharnuverhadbeennothin’likethataforeonKingdom—Come，an’allalongI
　　heerdfellersa—layin’thargunsdown；
　　anwhenthepreachercalledoutfersinners，blamemeefthefustfellerthatrizwasn’tMaceDay。An’Macesays，``Stranger，’fwhatyousayistrue，I
　　reckontheLawd’llfergivemetoo，butIdon’tbelieveDawsDilloneverwill，’’
　　an’Macestoodtharlookin’aroundferDaws。An’allofasuddenthepreachergotupstraightan’calledout，``Istharahumaninthishousemeanan’sorryenoughtostandbetwixtamanan’hisMaker’’？An’rightthar，stranger，Dawsriz。``Naw，byGod，tharhain’t！’’Dawssays，an’hewalksuptoMacea—holdin’
　　outhishand，an’theyallbustsoutcryin’an’shakin’hands——Daysan’Dillons——
　　jesasthepreacherhadmade’emdooverinHazlan。An’atterthethingwasover，Istepsuptothepreacheran’
　　Isays：
　　``Brother，’’Isays，``YOUspokeaparable，shore。’’
　　THEPASSINGOFABRAHAMSHIVERS
　　``Itellye，boys，hithaintoftenafellerhasthechanceo’doin’somuchgoodjesbyDYIN’。Fer’fAbeShiversairgone，shorelygone，therestofus——
　　everydurnoneofus——aira—goin’tobesaved。FerAbeShivers——youhain’theerdtello’ABE？Well，youmustbeastrangerinthesemountainso’Kaintuck，shore。
　　``Idon’tknow，stranger，asAbeeverwasborned；nobodyinthesemountainsknowsit’fhewas。ThefusttimeIeverheerdtello’Abehewasa—hollerin’ferhisrightsonemawnin’atdaylight，endurin’
　　thewar，jesoutsideo’oleTomPerkins’
　　dooronFryin’Pan。Abewaslefttharbysomehome—gyard，Ireckon。Well，nobodyaireverturnedout’ndoorsinthesemountains，asyouknow，an’Abegothisrightsthatmawin’，an’he’sbeena—gittin’’emeversence。Tomalreadyhadahouseful，but’fanyfellergotthebigges’hunko’corn—bread，thatfellerwasAbe；an’efanyfellergota—whalin’，hitwasn’tAbe。
　　``Abetuktolyin’rightnaturely——
　　lookedlike——aforehecouldtalk。Factis，Abenuvercoulddonothin’butjeswhisper。Still，Abecouldmanagetosendaliefurderwiththatrattlin’
　　whisperthanoleTomcouldwiththatbighorno’hisnwhattellstheboystherevenoosaircomin’upFryin’
　　Pan。’
　　``Didn’ttakeAbelongtogittobraggin’
　　an’drinkin’an’naggin’an’hectorin’
　　——everything，’mos’，’ceptfightin’。NobodyeverdrawedAbeShiversintoafight。Idon’tknowashewasafeerd；
　　lookedlikeAbewasa—havin’sechatarnationgoodtimewithhisdevilminthejesdidn’twanttorunnorisko’havin’
　　hitstopped。An’sechdevilmint！Hitudtakeacoon’sage，Ireckon，totellye。
　　``Theboyswasa—goin’uptheriveronenighttogitoleDaveHallfertrickin’
　　RosieBranhamintoevil。Somefellergoesaheadan’tellsoleDavethey’sa—comin。’HitwasAbe。Somefellerfindsastreako’oreonoleTomPerkins’
　　land，an’rackshisjinnydowntotown，an’tellsafurrinerthar，an’Tomcomesmight’nighsellin’thelandfernothin’。
　　NowTomraisedAbe，but，jesthesame，thefellerwasAbe。
　　``OnenightsomebodyguidestherevenoosinonHellferSartain，an’theycutsupfourstills。HitwasAbe。Thesamenight，mindye，afellerslipsinamongtherevenooswhilethey’sasleep，andcutsofftheirhosses’manesan’
　　tails——muledeverydurnedcritteruv’em。Stranger，hitwasAbe。An’asferwomen—folks——well，AbewastheillfavoredestfellerIeversee，an’hecouldn’ttalk；still，Abewassassy，an’
　　youknowhowsasscountswiththegals；
　　an’Abe’swhisperin’comeinjesashandyasanyfeller’ssettin’up；so’feveryouseedamanwithaWinchestera—lookin’ferthefellerwhohadcuthimout，stranger，hewasa—lookin’ferAbe。
　　``SomebodytellsHarveHall，uptharatadanceonHell—fer—SartainoneChristmasnight，thatRichHarphadsaidsomep’n’aginhiman’NanceOsborn。
　　An’somebodytellsRichthatHarvehadsaidsompe’n’aginNancean’HIM。Hitwasonean’thesamefeller，stranger，an’
　　thefellerwasAbe。Well，whileRichan’Harvewasa—gittin’well，somebodyrunsoffwithNance。HitwasAbe。
　　ThenRichan’Harvejesdrawsstrawsferafeller。Stranger，theydrawedferAbe。Hit’spurtyhardtobelievethatAbeairgone，’ceptthatRichHarpan’
　　HarveHalldon’tneverdrawnostrawsfernothin’；but’fbythegraceo’Goddle—
　　mightyAbeairgone，why，asIwasa—sayin’，therestofus——everydurnedoneofusaira—goin’tobesaved，shore。
　　FerAbe’sgonefust，an’efthar’sonlyoneJedgmentDay，theLawd’llnuvergittous。’’
　　APURPLERHODODENDRON
　　Thepurplerhododendronisrare。
　　UpintheGaphere，BeeRock，hungoutoverRoaringRock，blossomswithit——asagraycloudpurpleswiththesunrise。Thisrockwastossedlightlyonedgewhentheearthwasyoung，andstandsvertical。Togettheflowersyouclimbthemountaintooneside，and，balancingontherock’sthinedge，slipdownbyrootsandpastrattlesnakedenstillyouhangoutoverthewaterandreachforthem。Toavoidsnakesitisbesttogowhenitiscool，atdaybreak。
　　IknowbutoneotherplaceinthissouthwestcornerofVirginiawherethereisanotherbushofpurplerhododendron，andonebushonlyisthere。
　　Thishangsatthethroatofapeaknotfaraway，whoseagelessgrayheadisbentoveraravinethatsinkslikeaspearthrustintothesideofthemountain。Sweptonlybyhighwindandeaglewingsasthisis，Iyetknewonemanfoolhardyenoughtoclimbtoitforaflower。Hebroughtoneblossomdown：andtothisdayIdonotknowthatitwasnottheactofacoward；
　　yes，thoughGraysondidit，actuallysmilingallthewayfrompeaktoravine，andthoughhewasmybestfriend——bestlovedthenandsince。IbelievehewasthestrangestmanIhaveeverknown，andIsaythiswiththought；
　　forhiseccentricitiesweresincere。InallhedidIcannotrememberhavingevensuspectedanythingtheatricalbutonce。
　　WewereallVirginiansorKentuckiansattheGap，andGraysonwasaVirginian。YoumighthaveguessedthathewasaSouthernerfromhisvoiceandfromthewayhespokeofwomen——butnomore。Otherwise，hemighthavebeenaMoor，exceptforhiscolor，whichwasabouttheonlyracialcharacteristichehad。Hehadbeeneducatedabroadand，aftertheEnglishhabit，hadtravelledeverywhere。AndyetIcanimaginenomorelonelywaybetweentheeternitiesthanthepathGraysontrodalone。
　　HecametotheGapintheearlydays，andjustwhyhecameIneverknew。Hehadstudiedtheironquestionalongtime，hetoldme，andwhatIthoughtrecklessspeculationwas，itseems，deliberatejudgmenttohim。Hismoney``inthedirt，’’asthephrasewas，Graysongothimahorseandrodethehillsandwaited。Hewasintimatewithnobody。Occasionallyhewouldplaypokerwithusandsometimeshedrankagooddeal，butliquorneverloosedhistongue。Atpokerhisfacetoldaslittleasthebackofhiscards，andhewonmorethanadmiration——evenfromtheKentuckians，whoareartistsatthegame；
　　butthemoneywentfromafreehand，and，afteradiversionlikethis，hewasapttobemoodyandtokeepmoretohimselfthanever。Everyfortnightortwohewoulddisappear，alwaysoverSunday。Inthreeorfourdayshewouldturnupagain，blackwithbrooding，andthenhewasthelastmantoleavethecard—tableorhekeptawayfromitaltogether。Wherehewentnobodyknew；andhewasnotthemananybodywouldquestion。
　　OnenighttwoofusKentuckiansweresittingintheclub，andfromahomepaperIreadaloudtherumoredengagementofagirlwebothknew——
　　whowasfamousforbeautyintheBluegrass，aswashermotherbeforeherandthemotherbeforeher——toanunnamedVirginian。Graysonsatnear，smokingapipe；andwhenIreadthegirl’snameIsawhimtakethemeerschaumfromhislips，andIfelthiseyesonme。Itwasamysteryhow，butIknewatoncethatGraysonwastheman。Hesoughtmeoutafterthatandseemedtowanttomakefriends。Iwaswilling，or，ratherhemadememorethanwilling；forhewasirresistibletome，asIimaginehewouldhavebeentoanybody。Wegottowalkingtogetherandridingtogetheratnight，andweweresoonratherintimate；butforalongtimeheneversomuchasspokethegirl’sname。Indeed，hekeptawayfromtheBluegrassfornearlytwomonths；butwhenhedidgohestayedafortnight。
　　ThistimehecameformeassoonashegotbacktotheGap。Itwasjustbeforemidnight，andwewentasusualbackofImbodenHill，throughmoon—
　　dappledbeeches，andGraysonturnedoffintothewoodswheretherewasnopath，bothofussilent。Werodethroughtremulous，shiningleaves——
　　Grayson’shorsechoosingawayforhimself——and，threshingthroughapatchofhigh，strongweeds，wecircledpastanamphitheatreofdeadenedtreeswhosecrookedarmsweretossedoutintothemoonlight，andhaltedonthespur。ThemoonwaspoisedoverMorris’sfarm；
　　SouthForkwasshiningunderuslikealoopofgold，themountainslayaboutintranquilheaps，andthemoon—mistroseluminousbetweenthem。ThereGraysonturnedtomewithaneagerlightinhiseyesthatIhadneverseenbefore。
　　``Thishasanewbeautyto—night！’’
　　hesaid；andthen``Itoldheraboutyou，andshesaidthatsheusedtoknowyou——well。’’Iwasgladmyfacewasinshadow——Icouldhardlykeepbackabrutallaugh——andGrayson，unseeing，wentontospeakofherasIhadneverheardanymanspeakofanywoman。Intheend，hesaidthatshehadjustpromisedtobehiswife。Ianswerednothing。
　　Othermen，Iknew，hadsaidthatwiththesameright，perhaps，andhadgonefromhertogobacknomore。
　　AndIwasoneofthem。GraysonhadmetheratWhiteSulphurfiveyearsbefore，andhadlovedhereversince。
　　Shehadknownitfromthefirst，hesaid，andIguessedthenwhatwasgoingtohappentohim。Imarvelled，listeningtotheman，foritwasthestarofconstancyinherwhitesoulthatwasmostlustroustohim——andwhileI
　　wonderedthemarvelbecameacommonplace。
　　Didnoteveryloverthinkhislovedoneexemptfromthefrailtythatnamesotherwomen？Thereisnoidealoffaithorofpuritythatdoesnotliveincountlesswomento—day。Ibelievethat；butcouldInotrecallonefriendwhowalkedwithDivinitythroughpinewoodsforoneimmortalspring，andwho，beingsicktodeath，wasquitefinished——learningheratlast？DidInotknowloverswhobelievedsacredtothemselves，inthenameoflove，lipsthathadbeengiventomanyanotherwithoutit？AndnowdidInotknow——butIknewtoomuch，andtoGraysonIsaidnothing。
　　Thatspringthe``boom’’came。Grayson’spropertyquadrupledinvalueandquadrupledagain。Iwashislawyer，andIpleadwithhimtosell；butGraysonlaughed。Hewasnotspeculating；hehadinvestedonjudgment；hewouldsellonlyatacertainfigure。Thefigurewasactuallyreached，andGraysonlethalfgo。Theboomfell，andGraysontookthetumblewithajest。Itwouldcomeagainintheautumn，hesaid，andhewentofftomeetthegirlatWhiteSulphur。
　　Iworkedrighthardthatsummer，butImissedhim，andIsurelywasgladwhenhecameback。Somethingwaswrong；Isawitatonce。Hedidnotmentionhername，andforawhileheavoidedevenme。Isoughthimthen，andgraduallyIgothimintoouroldhabitofwalkingupintotheGapandofsittingoutaftersupperonabigrockinthevalley，listeningtotherunoftheriverandwatchingtheafterglowovertheCumberland，themoonriseoverWallen’sRidgeandthestarscomeout。
　　Waitingforhimtospeak，Ilearnedforthefirsttimethenanothersecretofhiswretchedmelancholy。Itwasthehopelessnessofthattime，perhaps，thatdisclosedit。Graysonhadlostthefaithofhischildhood。Mostmendothatatsometimeorother，butGraysonhadnobusiness，noprofession，noartinwhichtofindrelief。Indeed，therewasbutonesubstitutepossible，andthatcamelikeagiftstraightfromtheGodwhomhedenied。Lovecame，andGrayson’sidealsoflove，asofeverythingelse，weremorbidandquixotic。Hebelievedthatheowedittothewomanheshouldmarrynevertohavelovedanother。Hehadlovedbutonewoman，hesaid，andheshouldlovebutone。
　　IbelievedhimthenliterallywhenhesaidthathislovefortheKentuckygirlwashisreligionnow——theonlyanchorlefthiminhisseaoftroubles，theonlystarthatgavehimguidinglight。Withoutthislove，whatthen？
　　Ihadastrongimpulsetoaskhim，butGraysonshivered，asthoughhedivinedmythought，and，insomerelentlessway，ourtalkdriftedtothequestionofsuicide。Iwasnotsurprisedthatheratherdefendedit。Neitherofussaidanythingnew，onlyIdidnotlikethewayhetalked。Hewastoodeliberate，tooserious，asthoughhewerereallyfacingapossiblefact。Hehadnoreligiousscruples，hesaid，nofamilyties；hehadnothingtodowithbringinghimselfintolife；why——ifitwasnotworthliving，notbearable——
　　whyshouldhenotendit？Hegavetheusualauthority，andIgavetheusualanswer。Religionaside，ifwedidnotknowthatwewerehereforsomepurpose，wedidnotknowthatwewerenot；andherewewereanyway，andourdutywasplain。Desertionwastheactofacoward，andthatGraysoncouldnotdeny。
　　Thatautumnthecrashof’91cameacrossthewaterfromEngland，andGraysongaveup。HewenttoRichmond，andcamebackwithmoneyenoughtopayoffhisnotes，andI
　　thinkittooknearlyallhehad。Still，heplayedpokersteadilynow——forpokerhadbeenresumedwhenitwasnolongerpossibletogambleinlots——hedrankagooddeal，andhebeganjustatthistimetotakeasingularinterestinourvolunteerpoliceguard。Hehadalwaysbeenonhandwhentherewastrouble，andIsha’n’tsoonforgethimthedaySenatorMahonespoke，whenwewerepunchingacrowdofmountaineersbackwithcockedWinchesters。Hehadlosthishatinastrugglewithonegiant；helookedhalfcrazywithanger，andyethewaswhiteandperfectlycool，andI
　　noticedthatheneverhadtotellamanbutoncetostandback。Nowhewasthefirstmantoanswerapolicewhistle。
　　WhenwewereguardingTaltHall，healwaysvolunteeredwhentherewasanyunusualrisktorun。WhenweraidedthePoundtocaptureagangofdesperadoes，heinsistedongoingaheadasspy；andwhenwegotrestlesslyingoutinthewoodswaitingfordaybreak，andthecaptainsuggestedachargeonthecabin，Graysonwasbyhissidewhenitwasmade。Graysonsprangthroughthedoorfirst，andhewasthemanwhothrusthisrecklessheadupintotheloftandlightedamatchtoseeifthemurdererswerethere。Mostofusdidfoolishthingsinthosedaysunderstressofexcitement，butGrayson，Isaw，wasweakenoughtobereckless。Histroublewiththegirl，whateveritwas，wasseriousenoughtomakehimapparentlycarelittlewhetherhewerealiveordead。
　　AndstillIsawthatnotyetevenhadhelosthope。Hewashavingasorefightwithhispride，andhegotbody—
　　wornandheart—sickoverit。Ofcoursehewasworsted，andintheend，fromsheerweakness，hewentbacktoheroncemore。
　　IshallneverseeanotherfacelikehiswhenGraysoncamebackthatlasttime。
　　Inevernoticedbeforethatthereweresilverhairsabouthistemples。Hestayedinhisroom，andhadhismealssenttohim。Hecameoutonlytoride，andthenatnight。Wakingthethirdmorningatdaybreak，Isawhimthroughthewindowgallopingpast，andIknewhehadspentthenightonBlackMountain。IwenttohisroomassoonasIgotup，andGraysonwaslyingacrosshisbedwithhisfacedown，hisclotheson，andinhisrighthandwasarevolver。IreeledintoachairbeforeIhadstrengthenoughtobendoverhim，andwhenIdidI
　　foundhimasleep。Ilefthimashewas，andIneverlethimknowthatIhadbeentohisroom；butIgothimoutontherockagainthatnight，andIturnedourtalkagaintosuicide。Isaiditwassmall，mean，cowardly，criminal，contemptible！Iwassavagelyinearnest，andGraysonshiveredandsaidnotaword。Ithoughthewasinbettermindafterthat。Wegottotakingnightridesagain，andIstayedascloselytohimasIcould，fortimesgotworseandtroublewasuponeverybody。Notesfellthickerthansnowflakes，and，throughthefoolishpolicyofthecompany，foreclosureshadtobemade。Graysonwenttothewallliketherestofus。Iaskedhimwhathehaddonewiththemoneyhehadmade。Hehadgivenawayagreatdealtopoorerkindred；hehadpaidhisdeadfather’sdebts；hehadplayedawayagooddeal，andhehadlosttherest。Hisfaithwasstillimperturbable。Hehadadozenrectanglesof``dirt，’’andfromthese，hesaid，itwouldallcomebacksomeday。Still，hefeltthesuddenpovertykeenly，buthefaceditashedidanyotherphysicalfactinlife——dauntless。Heusedtobefondofsayingthatnoonethingcouldmakehimmiserable。Buthewouldtalkwithmockingearnestnessaboutsomemuch—
　　dreadedcombination；andafavoritephraseofhis——whichgottohavepeculiarsignificance——was``thecohortsofhell，’’
　　whoclosedinonhimwhenhewassickandweak，andwhofellbackwhenhegotwell。Hehadonestrangehabit，too，fromwhichIgotcomfort。Hewoulddeliberatelywalkintoanddefyanytemptationthatbesethim。Thatwasthewayhestrengthenedhimself，hesaid。Iknewwhathistemptationwasnow，andIthoughtofthishabitwhenIfoundhimasleepwithhisrevolver，andIgothopefromitnow，whenthedreadedcombination（whateverthatwas）seemedactuallytohavecome。
　　Icouldseenowthathegotworsedaily。Hestoppedhismockeries，hisoccasionalfitsofrecklessgayety。Hestoppedpoker——resolutely——hecouldn’taffordtolosenow；and，whatpuzzledme，hestoppeddrinking。Themansimplylookedtired，alwayshopelesslytired；
　　andIcouldbelievehimsincereinallhisfoolishtalkabouthisblessedNirvana：
　　whichwasthepeacehecraved，whichwasendenoughforhim。
　　Winterbroke。Maydrewnear；andoneafternoon，whenGraysonandItookourwalkupthroughtheGap，hecarriedalongahugespy—glassofmine，whichhadbelongedtoafamousolddesperado，whowatchedhisenemieswithitfromthemountain—tops。Webothhelpedcapturehim，andIdefendedhim。Hewassentencedtohang——theglasswasmyfee。
　　WesatdownoppositeBeeRock，andforthefirsttimeGraysontoldmeofthatlastscenewithher。Hespokewithoutbitterness，andhetoldmewhatshesaid，wordforword，withoutabreathofblameforher。Idonotbelievethathejudgedheratall；shedidnotknow——
　　healwayssaid；shedidnotKNOW；andthen，whenIopenedmylips，Graysonreachedsilentlyformywrist，andIcanfeelagainthewarningcrushofhisfingers，andIsaynothingagainsthernow。
　　IaskedGraysonwhathisanswerwas。
　　``Iaskedher，’’hesaid，solemnly，``ifshehadeverseenapurplerhododendron。’’
　　Ialmostlaughed，picturingthescene——thegirlbewilderedbyhisabsurdquestion——
　　Graysoncalm，superblycourteous。
　　Itwasamentalpeculiarityofhis——thisirrelevancy——anditwaslikehimtoendamatteroflifeanddeathinjustthatway。
　　``ItoldherIshouldsendherone。
　　Iamwaitingforthemtocomeout，’’headded；andhelaybackwithhisheadagainstastoneandsightedthetelescopeonadizzypoint，aboutwhichbuzzardswerecircling。
　　``Thereisjustonebushofrhododendronupthere，’’hewenton。``IsawitlookingdownfromthePointlastspring。
　　IimagineitmustblossomearlierthanthatacrossthereonBeeRock，beingalwaysinthesun。No，it’snotbuddingyet，’’headded，withhiseyetotheglass。
　　``Youseethatledgejusttotheleft？I
　　droppedabigrockfromthePointsquareonarattlerwhowassunninghimselftherelastspring。Icanseeafootholdallthewayupthecliff。Itcanbedone，’’
　　heconcluded，inatonethatmademeturnsharplyuponhim。
　　``Doyoureallymeantoclimbupthere？’’Iasked，harshly。
　　``Ifitblossomsfirstupthere——I’llgetitwhereitbloomsfirst。’’InamomentIwasangryandhalfsickwithsuspicion，forIknewhisobstinacy；andthenbeganwhatIamhalfashamedtotell。
　　EverydaythereafterGraysontookthatglasswithhim，andIwentalongtohumorhim。IwatchedBeeRock，andhethatonebushatthethroatofthepeak——neitherofustalkingoverthematteragain。Itwasuncanny，thatrivalry——sunandwindinonespot，sunandwindinanother——Natureherselfcastingthefateofahalf—crazedfoolwithaflower。Itwasutterlyabsurd，butIgotnervousoverit——apprehensive，dismal。
　　Aweeklateritrainedfortwodays，andthewaterwashigh。Thenextdaythesunshone，andthatafternoonGraysonsmiled，lookingthroughtheglass，andhandedittome。IknewwhatIshouldsee。Onepurplecluster，fullblown，wasshakinginthewind。
　　GraysonwasleaningbackinadreamwhenIlettheglassdown。Acoolbreathfromthewoodsbehindusbroughttheodorofrootsandofblackearth；upintheleavesandsunlightsomewhereawood—thrushwassinging，andIsawinGrayson’sfacewhatIhadnotseenforalongtime，andthatwaspeace——thepeaceofstubbornpurpose。Hedidnotcomeformethenextday，northenext；
　　butthenexthedid，earlierthanusual。
　　``Iamgoingtogetthatrhododendron，’’
　　hesaid。``Ihavebeenhalf—wayup——itcanbereached。’’SohadIbeenhalf—wayup。Withnerveandagilitytheflowercouldbegot，andboththeseGraysonhad。Ifhehadwantedtoclimbupthereanddrop，hecouldhavedoneitalone，andhewouldhaveknownthatIshouldhavefoundhim。Graysonwastestinghimselfagain，and，angrywithhimfortheabsurdityofthethingandwithmyselfforhumoringit，butstillnotsureofhim，Ipickedupmyhatandwent。IsworetomyselfsilentlythatitwasthelasttimeIshouldpayanyheedtohiswhims。Ibelievedthiswouldbethelast。Theaffairwiththegirlwasover。Theflowersent，IknewGraysonwouldnevermentionhernameagain。
　　Naturewasradiantthatafternoon。
　　ThemountainshadtheleafyluxurianceofJune，andarich，sunlithazedrowsedonthembetweentheshadowsstartingoutoverthevalleyandthecloudssowhitethattheblueoftheskylookeddark。TwoeaglesshotacrossthemouthoftheGapaswenearedit，andhighbeyondbuzzardsweresailingoverGrayson’srhododendron。
　　IwentuptheravinewithhimandIclimbedupbehindhim——Graysongoingverydeliberatelyandwhistlingsoftly。Hecalleddowntomewhenhereachedtheshelfthatlookedhalf—way。
　　``Youmustn’tcomeanyfartherthanthis，’’hesaid。``GetoutonthatrockandI’lldropthemdowntoyou。’’
　　Thenhejumpedfromtheledgeandcaughtthebodyofasmalltreeclosetotheroots，andmyheartsankatsuchrecklessnessandallmyfearsroseagain。
　　Iscrambledhastilytotheledge，butI
　　couldgetnofarther。Imightpossiblymakethejumphehadmade——buthowshouldIevergetback？Howwouldhe？Icalledangrilyafterhimnow，andhewouldn’tanswerme。Icalledhimafool，acoward；Istampedtheledgelikeachild——butGraysonkepton，footafterhand，withstealthycaution，andthepurpleclusternoddingdownathimmademyheadwhirl。I
　　hadtoliedowntokeepfromtumblingfromtheledge；andthereonmyside，grippingapinebush，Ilaylookingupathim。Hewasclosetotheflowersnow，andjustbeforehetookthelastupwardstepheturnedandlookeddownthatawfulheightwithascalmafaceasthoughhecouldhavedroppedandfloatedunhurttotheravinebeneath。
　　Thenwithhislefthandhecaughttheledgetotheleft，strainedup，and，holdingthus，reachedoutwithhisright。
　　Thehandclosedaboutthecluster，andthetwigwasbroken。Graysongaveagreatshoutthen。Heturnedhisheadasthoughtodropthem，and，thatfaraway，Iheardthesibilantwhirofrattles。Isawasnake’screstwithinayardofhisface，and，myGod！IsawGraysonloosehislefthandtoguardit！
　　Thesnakestruckathisarm，andGraysonreeledandcaughtbackonceattheledgewithhislefthand。Hecaughtonce，Isay，todohimfulljustice；then，withoutaword，hedropped——andI
　　sweartherewasasmileonhisfacewhenheshotdownpastmeintothetrees。
　　Ifoundhimdownthereintheravinewithnearlyeveryboneinhisbodycrushed。Hisleftarmwasunderhim，andoutstretchedinhisrighthandwastheshatteredcluster，witheveryblossomgonebutone。Onewhitehalfofhisfacewasunmarked，andonitwasstilltheshadowofasmile。IthinkitmeantmorethanthatGraysonbelievedthathewasnearpeaceatlast。ItmeantthatFatehaddonethedeedforhimandthathewasglad。Whetherhewouldhavedoneithimself，Idonotknow；andthatiswhyIsaythatthoughGraysonbroughttheflowerdown——smilingfrompeaktoravine——
　　Idonotknowthathewasnot，afterall，acoward。
　　ThatnightIwrotetothewomaninKentucky。ItoldherthatGraysonhadfallenfromacliffwhileclimbingforflowers；andthathewasdead。
　　Alongwiththesewords，Isentapurplerhododendron。

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