"Pullyourselftogether，Jeff!"saidBill，afterapause。"Thar!
Lookyar!"hesaidsuddenly。"DoyouthinkyoucandriveSIX？"
ThewordsrecalledJefftohissenses。Billlaidthesixreinsinhishands。Asenseoflife，ofactivity，ofPOWER，camebacktotheyoungman，ashisfingerscloseddeliciouslyonthefar—
reaching，thrilling，livingleathernsinewsthatcontrolledthesixhorses，andseemedtobeinstinctandmagneticwiththeirboundinglife。Jeff，leaningbackagainstthem，feltthestrongyouthfultiderushbacktohisheart，andwashimselfagain。Bill，meantime，tookthelamp，examinedthepapers，andreadMissMayfield’snote。Agrimsmilestoleoverhisface。Afterapause，hesaidagain，"GiveBlueGrassherhead，Jeff。D——nit，sheain’tMissMayfield!"
Jeffrelaxedthemusclesofhiswrists，soastothrowthethumbandforefingersatrifleforward。ThissimpleactionrelievedBlueGrass，aliasMissMayfield，andmadethecoachsteadierandlessjerky。Wonderfulco—relationofforces。
"Thar!"saidYubaBill，quietlyputtingthecoachlampbackinitsplace；"you’rebetteralready。Thar’snothinglikesixhorsestodrawawomanoutofaman。I’veknowedacasewhereittookeightmustangs，butitwasamulatterfromNewOrleans，andtheyarepizen!YemighthitupalittleonthePintohoss——heain’tharmin’ye。So!Now，Jeff，takeyourtime，andtakeiteasy，andwhat’sallthisyerabout？"
Tocontrolsixfierymustangs，andatthesametimegivepicturesqueandaffectingexpositionofthesubtlestrugglesofLoveandPride，wasaperformancebeyondJeff’spowers。Hehadrecoursetoanangrystaccato，whichsomehowseemedtohimasineffectiveashispreviousdiscoursetoMissMayfield；hewasalittleincoherent，andperhapsmixedhisimpressionswithhisfacts，butheneverthelessmanagedtoconveytoBillsomegeneralideaoftheeventsofthepastthreedays。
"Andshesentyeoffafterthatletter，thatwasn’tthar，whileshefixedthingsupwithDodd？"
"Yes，"saidJefffuriously。
"Yeneedn’tbullythePintocolt，Jeff；heisdoin’hislevelbest。
AndshesnakedthatartendollarsouterDodd？"
"Yes；andsentitbacktoME。ToME，Bill!Atsuchatimeasthis!AsifIwasdeadbroke!——ameretramp。Asif——"
"Incourse!incourse!"saidBillsoothingly，yetturninghisheadasidetobestowadeceitfulsmileuponthetreesthatwhirledbesidethem。"Andyetoldheryedidn’twanthermoney？"
"Yes，Bill——butit——it——itwasAFTERshehaddonethis!"
"Surely!I’lltakethelinesnow，Jeff。"
Hetookthem。Jeffrelapsedintogloomysilence。ThestarlightofthatdewlessSierrannightwasbrightandcoldandpassionless。
Therewasnomoontoleadthefancyastraywithitsfaintmysteriesandsuggestions；nothingbutaclear，grayish—bluetwilight，withsharplysilhouettedshadows，pointedhereandtherewithbrightlarge—spacedconstantstars。Thedeepbreathofthepine—woods，thefaint，coolresinousspicesofbayandlaurel，atlastbroughtsurceasetohiswoundedspirit。Theblessedwearinessofexhaustedyouthstoletenderlyonhim。Hisheadnodded，dropped。YubaBill，withagrimsmile，drewhimtohisside，envelopedhiminhisblanket，andfelthisheadatlastsinkuponhisownbroadshoulder。
Afewminuteslaterthecoachdrewupatthe"SummitHouse。"YubaBilldidnotdismount，anunusualanddisturbingcircumstancethatbroughtthebar—keepertotheveranda。
"What’sup，oldman？"
"Iam。"
"Swornoffyourreg’larpizen？"
"Myphysician，"saidBillgravely，"hezorderedmedrychampagneeverythreehours。"
Nevertheless，thebar—keeperlingered。
"Who’sthatyou’redry—nussin’upthere？"
IregretthatImaynotgiveYubaBill’sliteralreply。Itsuggestedaformofinquiryatoncedistant，indirect，outrageous，andimpossible。
Thebar—keeperflashedalanternuponJeff’scurlsandhisdroopingeyelashesandmustaches。
"It’sthatsono’Briggso’Tuolumne——pootyboy，ain’the？"
Billdisdainedareply。
"Playedhimselfoutdownthere，Ireckon。Lefthisriflehereinpawn。"
"Youngman，"saidBillgravely。
"Oldman。"
"Efyou’relookingforasafeinvestmentezwillpayyebetterthanforty—rodwhiskeyattwobitsaglass，jistyouhangonterthatarrifle。Itmaymakeyourfortinyet，orsaveyefromadrunkard’sgrave。"Withthisungraciouspleasantryhehurriedhisdilatorypassengersbackintothecoach，crackedhiswhip，andwasagainupontheroad。Thelightsofthe"SummitHouse"presentlydroppedhereandthereintothewastingshadowsofthetrees。Anotherstretchthroughtheclose—setranksofpines，anotherdashthroughtheopening，anotherwhirlandrattlebyoverhangingrocks，andthevehiclewasswiftlydescending。Billputhisfootonthebrake，threwhisreinslooselyonthenecksofhiscattle，andlookedleisurelyback。Thegreatmountainwasslowlyandsteadilyrisingbetweenthemandthevalleytheyquitted。
AndatthatsamemomentMissMayfieldhadcreptfromherbed，and，withashawlaroundherprettylittlefigure，waspressinghereyesagainstablankwindowofthe"Half—wayHouse，"andwonderingwhereHEwasnow。
V。
The"opening"suggestedbyBillwasnotafortunateone。Possiblyviewsofbusinessopeningsinthepublic—houselinetakenfromthetopsofstage—coachesarenotasjudiciousasthosetakenfromlessexaltedlevels。Certainitisthatthe"goodwill"ofthe"LoneStarHouse"promisedlittlemorepecuniaryvaluethanaconventionalblessing。Itwasinanolderandmorethicklysettledlocalitythanthe"Half—wayHouse；"indeed，itwasbuthalfamileawayfromCampville，famousin’49——aplacewithahistoryandadisaster。
Butyoungcommunitiesareimpatientofsettlementsthatthroughanyaccidentfailtofulfiltheextravagantpromiseoftheiryouth，andthewoundedhamletofCampvillehadcreptintothewoodsanddied。
The"LoneStarHouse"wasanattempttowoothepassingtravelersfromanotherpoint；butitsroadledtoCampville，andwasalreadytouchedbyitsdry—rot。Bill，whohonestlyconceivedthattheinfusionoffreshyoungbloodlikeJeff’sintothestagnantcurrentwouldquickenit，hadtoconfesshisdisappointment。"Ithoughtyecouldputsomegointotheshanty，Jeff，"saidBill，"andmakeitlivelyandinvitin’!"Butthelackofvitalitywasnotinthelandlord，butintheguests。Theregularcustomersweredisappointed，vacant，hopelessmen，whogatheredlistlesslyontheveranda，andtalkedvaguelyofthepast。Theirhollow—eyed，feebleimpotencyaffectedthestranger，evenasitcheckedallambitionamongthemselves。DowhatJeffmight，thehabitsofthelocalitywerestrongerthanhisindividuality；thedeadghostsofthepastCampvilleheldtheirpropertybyinvisiblemortmain。
Inthemidstofthisstrugglethe"Half—wayHouse"wassold。SpiteofBill’sprediction，theproceedsbarelypaidJeff’sdebts。AuntSallypreventedanytroublesomeconsiderationofHERfuture，byapplyingasmallsurplusofprofittotheexpensesofajourneybacktoherrelativesinKentucky。ShewroteJeffaletterofcheerlessinstruction，remindedhimofthefulfillmentofherworstpropheciesregardinghim，butbeggedhim，inherabsence，torelysolelyuponthe"Word。""Forthesperritkilleth，"sheaddedvaguely。WhetherthisreferredfigurativelytoJeff’sbusiness，hedidnotstoptoconsider。HewasmoreinterestedintheinformationthattheMayfieldshadremovedtothe"SummitHotel"
twodaysafterhehadleft。"Shealloweditwasforherhealth’ssake，"continuedAuntSally，"butIreckonit’sanothernameforoneofthemcityfellerswhoj’inedtheirpartyandiskeepin’
companywithhernow。Theytalko’propertyandstocksandsichworldlytriflesallthetime，andit’seasytoseetheirideesissettogether。It’sallowedattheForksthatMr。MayfieldpaidParker’sbillforyou。Isaiditwasn’tso，furye’dhevtoldme；
butifitisso，Jeff，andyedidn’ttellme，itwasforonlyonepuppos，andthatwosthatMayfieldbribedyetobreakoffwithhisdarter!ThatwasWHYyouwentoffsosuddent，’likeathiefinthenight，’andwhyMissMayfieldneverletonawordaboutyouafteryouleft——notevenyourname!"
Jeffcrushedtheletterbetweenhisfingers，and，goingbehindthebar，pouredouthalfaglassofstimulantanddrankit。Itwasnotthefirsttimesincehecametothe"LoneStarHouse"thathehadfoundthiseasyrelieffromhispresentthought；itwasnotthefirsttimethathehadfoundthisdangerousallyofsureandswiftserviceinbringinghimupordowntothatlevelofhisdreary，soddenguests，sonecessarytohistrade。Jeffhadnottheexcuseoftheinborndrunkard’staste。Hewasimpulsiveandextreme。AttheendofthefourweekshecameoutontheporchonenightasBilldrewup。"Youmusttakemefromthisplaceto—night，"hesaid，inabrokenvoicescarcelikehisown。"Whenwe’reontheroadwecanarrangematters，butImustgoto—night。"
"Butwhere？"askedBill。
"Anywhere!OnlyImustgofromhere。IshallgoifIhavetowalk。"
Billlookedhardattheyoungman。Hisfacewasflushed，hiseyesblood—shot，andhishandstrembled，notwithexcitement，butwithavacant，purposelessimpotence。Billlookedalittlerelieved。
"You’vebeendrinkingtoohard。Jeff，Ithoughtbetterofyethanthat!"
"IthinkbetterofMYSELFthanthat，"saidJeff，withacertainwild，half—hystericallaugh，"andthatiswhyIwanttogo。Don’tbealarmed，Bill，"headded；"Ihavestrengthenoughtosavemyself，andIshall!Butitisn’tworththestruggleHERE。"
Heleftthe"LoneStarHouse"thatnight。Hewould，hesaidtoBill，goontoSacramento，andtrytogetasituationasclerkorporterthere；hewastoooldtolearnatrade。Hesaidlittlemore。When，afterforty—eighthours’inabilitytoeat，drink，orsleep，Bill，lookingathishaggardfaceandstaringeyes，pressedhimtopartake，medicinally，fromacertainblackbottle，Jeffgentlyputitaside，andsaying，withasadsmile，"Icangetalongwithoutit；I’vegonethroughmorethanthis，"lefthismentorinastateofmingledadmirationandperplexity。
AtSacramentohefoundacommercial"opening。"Butcertainhabitsofpersonalindependence，combinedwithadirecttruthfulnessandsimplicity，werenotconducivetobusinessadvancement。Hewasfrank，andinhishabitsimpulsiveandselfishlyoutspoken。Hisemployer，agood—naturedman，successfulinhisway，anxioustoservehisowninterestandJeff’sequally，stroveandlaboredwithhim，butinvain。Hisemployer’swife，astillmoregood—naturedwoman，successfulinherway，andequallyanxioustoserveJeff’sinterestsandherown，alsostrovewithhimasunsuccessfully。Attheendofamonthhedischargedhisemployer，afterasimple，boyish，utterlyunbusiness—likeinterview，andsecretlytoreuphiswife’sletter。"Idon’tknowwhattomakeofthatchap，"saidthehusbandtohiswife；"he’saboutascivilizedasanInjun。""Andasconceited，"addedthelady。
Howbeithetookhisconceit，hissorrows，hiscurls，mustaches，broadshoulders，andfiftydollarsintohumblelodgingsinabackstreet。Thedayssucceedingthiswerethemostrestfulhehadpassedsinceheleftthe"Half—wayHouse。"Towanderthroughthetown，halfconsciousofitsstrangenessandnovelbustlinglife，andtodreamofahigherandnoblerfuturewithMissMayfield——tofeelnoresponsibilitybutthatofwaiting——was，Iregrettosay，apleasuretohim。Hemadenoacquaintancesexceptamongthepoorerpeopleandthechildren。Hewassometimeshungry，hewasalwayspoorlyclad，butthesefactscarriednodegradationwiththemnow。
Hereadmuch，andinhisway——Jeff’sway——triedtoimprovehismind；hisrecentcommercialexperiencehadshownhimvariousinfelicitiesinhisspeechandaccent。Helearnedtocorrectcertainprovincialisms。HewasconsciousthatMissMayfieldmusthavenoticedthem，yethisoddirrationalpridekepthimfromeverregrettingthem，iftheyhadofferedapossibleexcuseforhertreatmentofhim。
Ononeofthesenightshisstepschancedtoleadhimintoagambling—saloon。Theplacehadofferednotemptationtohim；hisdealingswiththegoddessChancehadbeenoflessactivenature。
Neverthelessheplacedhislastfivedollarsontheturnofacard。
Hewon。Hewonrepeatedly；hisgainshadreachedaconsiderablesumwhen，flushed，excited，andabsorbed，hewassuddenlyconsciousthathehadbecomethecentreofobservationatthetable。Lookingup，hesawthatthedealerhadpaused，and，withthecardsinhismotionlessfingers，wasgazingathimwithfixedeyesandawhiteface。
Jeffroseandpassedhurriedlytohisside。"What’sthematter？"
Thegamblershrunkslightlyasheapproached。"What’syourname？"
"Briggs。"
"God!Iknewit!Howmuchhaveyougotthere？"hecontinued，inaquickwhisper，pointingtoJeff’swinnings。
"Fivehundreddollars。"
"I’llgiveyoudoubleifyou’llgetupandquittheboard!"
"Why？"askedJeffhaughtily。
"Why？"repeatedthemanfiercely；"why？Well，yourfathershothimselfthar，whereyou’resittin’，atthistable；"andheadded，withahalf—forced，half—hystericallaugh，"HE’SPLAYIN’ATMEOVER
YOURSHOULDERS!"
Jeffliftedafaceascolorlessasthegambler’sown，wentbacktohisseat，andplacedhisentiregainsonasinglecard。Thegamblerlookedathimnervously，butdealt。Therewasapause，aslightmovementwhereJeffstood，andthenasimultaneouscryfromtheplayersastheyturnedtowardshim。Buthisseatwasvacant。
"Runafterhim!Callhimback!HE’SWONAGAIN!"Buthehadvanishedutterly。
HOWheleft，orwhatindeedfollowed，heneverclearlyremembered。
Hismovementsmusthavebeenautomatic，forwhen，twohourslater，hefoundhimselfatthe"Pioneer"coachoffice，withhiscarpet—bagandblanketsbyhisside，hecouldnotrecallhoworwhyhehadcome!Hehadadumbimpressionthathehadbarelyescapedsomedirecalamity，——ratherthathehadonlytemporarilyavertedit，——
andthathewasstillintheshadowofsomeimpendingcatastropheofdestiny。Hemustgosomewhere，hemustdosomethingtobesaved!Hehadnomoney，hehadnofriends；evenYubaBillhadbeentransferredtoanotherroute，milesaway。Yet，inthemidstofthisstupefaction，itwasapartofhisstrangementalconditionthattrivialdetailsofMissMayfield’sfaceandfigure，andevenapparel，wereconstantlybeforehim，totheexclusionofconsecutivethought。Acollarsheusedtowear，aribbonshehadoncetiedaroundherwaist，ablueveininherdroppedeyelid，acurveinhersoft，full，bird—likethroat，thearchofherin—stepinhersmallboots——allthesewereplainertohimthanthefuture，oreventhepresent。Butavoiceinhisear，afigurebeforehisabstractedeyes，atlastbrokeuponhisreverie。
"JeffBriggs!"
JeffmechanicallytooktheoutstretchedhandofayoungclerkofthePioneerCoachCompany，whohadonceaccompaniedYubaBillandstoppedatthe"Half—wayHouse。"Heendeavoredtocollecthisthoughts；hereseemedtobeanopportunitytogosomewhere!
"Whatareyoudoingnow？"saidtheyoungmanbriskly。
"Nothing，"saidJeffsimply。
"Oh，Isee——goinghome!"
Home!thewordstungsharplythroughJeff’sbenumbedconsciousness。
"No，"hestammered，"thatis——"
"Lookhere，Jeff，"brokeintheyoungman，"I’vegotachanceforyouthatdon’tfallinaman’swayeveryday。Wells，Fargo&Co。’streasuremessengerfromRobinson’sFerrytoMempheyshasslippedout。Theplaceisvacant。IreckonIcangetitforyou。"
"When？"
"Now——to—night。"
"I’mready。"
"Come，then。"
Intenminutestheywereinthecompany’soffice，whereitsmanager，amanfamousinthosedaysforhisboldnessandshrewdness，stilllingeredinthedispatchofbusiness。
Theyoungclerkbrieflybutdeferentiallystatedcertainfacts。
Afewquestionsandanswersfollowed，ofwhichJeffheardonlythewords"Tuolumne"and"YubaBill。"
"Sitdown，Mr。Briggs。Good—night，Roberts。"
Theyoungclerk，withanencouragingsmileatJeff，bowedhimselfoutasthemanagerseatedhimselfathisdeskandbegantowrite。
"YouknowthecountryprettywellbetweentheForkandtheSummit，Mr。Briggs？"hesaid，withoutlookingup。
"Ilivedthere，"saidJeff。
"Thatwassomemonthsago，wasn’tit？"
"Sixmonths，"saidJeff，withasigh。
"It’schangedfortheworsesinceyourhousewasshutup。There’salongstretchofunsettledcountryinfestedbybadcharacters。"
Jeffsatsilent。"Briggs。"
"Sir？"
"Thelastmanbutonewhoprecededyouwasshotbyroadagents。"*
*Highwayrobbers。
"Yes，sir。"
"Welostsixtythousanddollarsupthere。"
"Yes？"
"YourfatherwasBriggsofTuolumne？"
"Yes，sir。"Jeff’sheaddropped，but，glancingshylyup，hesawapleasantsmileonhisquestioner’sface。Hewasstillwritingrapidly，butwasapparentlyenjoyingatthesametimesomepleasantrecollection。
"YourfatherandIlostnearlysixtythousanddollarstogetheronenight，tenyearsago，whenwewerebothyounger。"
"Yes，sir，"saidJeffdubiously。
"ButitwasOUROWNMONEY，Jeff。"
"Yes，sir。"
"Here’syourappointment，"hesaidbriefly，throwingawayhispen，foldingwhathehadwritten，andhandingittoJeff。Itwasthefirsttimethathehadlookedathimsinceheentered。Henowheldouthishand，graspedJeff’s，andsaid，"Good—night!"
VI。
ItwaslatethenexteveningwhenJeffdrewupatthecoachofficeatRobinson’sFerry，wherehewastoawaitthecomingoftheSummitcoach。Hismind，liftedonlytemporarilyoutofitsdenumbedconditionduringhisinterviewwiththemanager，againfellbackintoitsdullabstraction。Fullyembarkeduponhisdangerousjourney，acceptingallthemeaningofthetrustimposeduponhim，hewasyetvaguelyconsciousthathedidnotrealizeitsfullimportance。Hehadneitherthedreadnorthestimulationofcomingdanger。Hehadfaceddeathbeforeintheboyishconfidenceofanimalspirits；hispulsenowwasscarcelystirredwithanticipation。
Onceortwicebefore，intheextravaganceofhispassion，hehadimaginedhimselfrescuingMissMayfieldfromdanger，orevendyingforher。Duringhisjourneyhismindhaddweltfullyandminutelyoneverydetailoftheirbriefacquaintance；shewascontinuallybeforehim，thetonesofhervoicewereinhisears，thesuggestivetouchofherfingers，thethrillthathislipshadfeltwhenhekissedthem——allwerewithhimnow，butonlyasamemory。Inhiscomingfate，inhisfuturelife，hesawhernot。Hebelieveditwasapremonitionofcomingdeath。
Hemadeafewpreparations。Thecompany’sagenthadtoldhimthatthetreasure，letters，anddispatches，whichhadaccumulatedtoaconsiderableamount，wouldbehandedtohimonthebox；andthatthearmsandammunitionwereintheboot。Alesscourageousanddeterminedmanmighthavebeenaffectedbythecold，practicalbrutalityofcertainadviceandinstructionsofferedhimbytheagent，butJeffrecognizedthiscomplimenttohisdetermination，evenbeforetheagentconcludedhisspeechbysaying，"ButIreckontheyknewwhattheywereaboutinthelowerofficewhentheysentYOUup。Idaresayyoukingivemep’ints，efyecaredto，forallye’resoftspoken。Thereareonlyfourpassengersbookedthrough；
wehevtobealittlepartikler，suspectin’spies!Twoofthefouryekindependupontogetthetopo’theird————dheadsblowedoffthefirstfire，"headdedgrimly。
Atteno’clocktheSummitcoachflashed，rattled，glittered，andsnapped，likeadisorganizedfirework，uptothedoorofthecompany’soffice。Afamiliarfigure，butmorethanusuallytruculentandaggressive，slowlydescendedwithviolentoathsfromthebox。WithoutseeingJeff，itstrodeintotheoffice。
"Nowthen，"saidYubaBill，addressingtheagent，"whar’sthatGod—
forsakenfoolthatWells，Fargo&Co。hevsentupyartotakechargeo’theirtreasure？BecauseI’dliketointroducehimtothechampionidgitofCalaverasCounty，that’sbeenselectedtogotoh—llwithhim；andthat’sme，YubaBill!P’inthimout。Don’tkeepmewaitin’!"
TheagentgrinnedandpointedtoJeff。
Bothmenrecoiledinastonishment。YubaBillwasthefirsttorecoverhisspeech。
"It’salie!"heroared；"orsomebodyhasbeenputtingupajobonye，Jeff!BecauseI’vebeentwentyyearsintheservice，andamsuchanat’ralbornmulethatwhenthecompanystrokesmybackandsez，’You’retheon’ymulewekintrust，Bill，’Istartsupandgoesoutasablastedwoodenfiggerheadforroadagentstolayfurandpracticeon，itdon’tfollowthatYOU’VEanycalltogo。"
"Itwasmyownseeking，Bill，"saidJeff，withoneofhisold，sweet，boyishsmiles。"Ididn’tknowYOUweretodrive。Butyou’renotgoingbackonmenow，Bill，areyou？you’renotgoingtosendmeoffwithanothervolunteer？"
"Thatbed————d!"growledBill。Nevertheless，fortenminuteshereviledthePioneerCoachCompanywithpicturesqueimprecation，tenderedhisresignationrepeatedlytotheagent，andattheendofthattime，aseverybodyexpected，mountedthebox，andwithafinalmalediction，involvingthewholesettlement，wasoff。
Ontheroad，Jeff，inafewhurriedsentences，toldhisstory。
Billscarcelyseemedtolisten。"Lookyar，Jeff，"hesaidsuddenly。
"Yes，Bill。"
"Iftheworsthappens，andyegounder，you’lltellyourfather，IF
IDON’THAPPENTOSEEHIMFIRST，itwasn’tnojobofmine，andI
didmybesttogetyeoutofit。"
"Yes，"saidJeff，inafaintvoice。
"Itmayn’tbesobad，"saidBill，softening；"theyKNOW，d——n’em，we’vegotapileaboard，ezwellasiftheyseedthatagentginitye，buttheyalsoknowwe’vepre—pared!"
"Iwasn’tthinkingofthat，Bill；Iwasthinkingofmyfather。"
AndhetoldBillofthegamblingepisodeatSacramento。
"D’yemeantosayyeleftthemhoundswithathousanddollarsofyerhard—earned——"
"Gamblinggains，Bill，"interruptedJeffquietly。
"Exactly!Well!"Billsubsidedintoanincoherentgrowl。Afterafewmoments’pause，hebeganagain。"Yerreadyasyeusedtobewithasix—shooter，Jeff，time’swhenyewasaboy，andIusterchuckhalf—dollarsintheairfuryetomakewartson？"
"Ireckon，"saidJeff，withafaintsmile。
"Thar’stwop’intsontheroadtobelookedto：thewoodsbeyondtheblacksmith’sshopthatusterbe；thefringeofalderandbuckeyebythecrossingbelowyourhouse——p’intswheretheykinfetchyouwithoutashow。Thar’stwowayso’meetin’themthar。
Onewayeztopullupandtrusttoluckandbrag。Theotherwayistowhipupandyell，andsendthewholesixkitingbylikeh—ll!"
"Yes，"saidJeff。
"Theonlydrawbacktothatplanisthis：theroadliesalongtheedgeofaprecipice，straightdownathousandfeetintotheriver。
Efthesedevilsgetashotintoanyoneo’thesixanditDROPS，thecoachturnssharpoff，anddownwego，thewholekerboodleofus，plumpintotheStanislaus!"
"ANDTHEYDON’TGETTHEMONEY，"saidJeffquietly。
"Well，no!"repliedYubaBill，staringatJeff，whosefacewassetasaflintagainstthedarkness。"Ishouldreckonnot。"Hethendrewalongbreath，glancedatJeffagain，andsaidbetweenhisteeth，"Well，I’md————d!"
Atthenextstationtheychangedhorses，Billpersonallysupervising，especiallyasregardedthewelfareandproperconditionofBlueGrass，whoherewasbroughtoutasaleader。Formerlytherewasnochangeofhorsesatthisstation，andthisnoveltyexcitedJeff’sremark。"Theseyarchapssaythar’snostationattheSummitnow，"
growledBill，inexplanation；"thehotelisclosed，andit’sallprivateproperty，boughtbysomechapfrom’Frisco。Tharoughttobealawaginsuchdoin’s!"
ThissuggestedobliterationofthelasttracesofMissMayfieldseemedtoJeffasonlyacorroborationofhispremonition。Heshouldneverhearfromheragain!Yettohavestoodundertheroofthatlastshelteredher；to，perchance，havemetsomeonewhohadseenherlater——thiswasafancythathadhauntedhimonhisjourney。Itwasallovernow。Perhapsitwasforthebest。
Withthesinkingbehindofthelightsofthestation，theoccupantsofthecoachknewthatthedangerouspartofthejourneyhadbegun。
Thetwoguardsinthecoachhadalreadymadeobtrusiveandwarlikepreparations，totheill—concealeddisgustofYubaBill。"I’dhevbeenwillin’togetthroughthisyarjobwithouttheburnin’ofpowder，butefanyofthemdevilseziswaitin’foruswouldbecontentwithashotatthemfancypolicemeninside，I’dpullupandgive’emashow!"Havingrelievedhismind，Billsaidnomore，andthetwomenrelapsedintosilence。Themoonshonebrightlyandpeacefully，afactpointedoutbyBillasunfavorablydeepeningtheshadowsofthewoods，andbringingthecoachandtheroadintogreaterrelief。
Anhourpassed。WhatwereYubaBill’sthoughtsarenotapartofthishistory；thattheywereturbulentandaggressivemightbeinferredfromtheoccasionalgrowlsandinterjectedoathsthatbrokefromhislips。ButJeff，strangeanomaly，dueperhapstoyouthandmoonlight，waswrappedinasensuousdreamofMissMayfield，ofthescentofherdarkhairashehaddrawnhertohisside，oftheoutlinesofhersweetform，thathadforamomentlightlytouchedhisown——ofanything，Ifear，butthedeathhebelievedhewashasteningto。But——
"Jeff，"saidBill，inanunmistakabletone。
"Yes，"saidJeff。
"THATARCLUMPO’BUCKEYEONTHERIDGE!Readythere!"（Leaningoverthebox，totheguardswithin。）Aresponsiverustleinthecoach，whichnowboundedforwardasifinstinctwithlifeandintelligence。
"Jeff，"saidBill，inanodd，alteredvoice，"takethelinesaminit。"Jefftookthem。Billstoopedtowardstheboot。A
peacefulmoment!Apeacefuloutlookfromthecoach；thewhitemoonlitroadstretchingtotheridge，nonoisebutthesteadygallopofthehorses!
Thenayellowflash，breakingfromthedarknessofthebuckeye；acracklikethesnapofawhip；YubaBillsteadyinghimselfforamoment，andthendroppingatJeff’sfeet!
"Theygotme，Jeff!But——IDRAWEDTHEIRFIRE!Don’tdropthelines!Don’tspeak!For——they——thinkI’mYOUandyouME!"
TheflashhadilluminatedJeffastothedanger，astoBill’ssacrifice，butaboveall，andoverwhelmingall，toathrillingsenseofhisownpowerandability。
Yethesatlikeastatue。Sixmaskedfigureshadappearedfromtheveryground，clingingtothebitsofthehorses。Thecoachstopped。Twowildpurposelessshots——thefirstandlastfiredbytheguards——wereansweredbythemuzzleofsixriflespointedintothewindows，andthepassengersfoolishlyandimpotentlyfiledoutintotheroad。
"Now，Bill，"saidavoice，whichJeffinstantlyrecognizedastheblacksmith’s，"wewon’tkeepyelong。Sohanddownthetreasure。"
Theman’sfootwasonthewheel；inanotherinstanthewouldbebesideJeff，anddiscoverywascertain。Jeffleanedoverandunhookedthecoachlamp，asiftoassisthimwithitslight。Asifinturning，heSTUMBLED，brokethelamp，ignitedthekerosene，andscatteredthewickandblazingfluidoverthehaunchesofthewheelers!Themaddenedanimalsgaveonewildplungeforwards，thecoachfollowedtwiceitslength，throwingtheblacksmithunderitswheels，anddrivingtheotherhorsestowardsthebank。ButasthelampbrokeinJeff’srighthand，hispracticedlefthanddischargeditshiddenDerringerattheheadoftherobberwhohadheldthebitofBlueGrass，and，throwingtheuselessweaponaway，helaidthewhipsmartlyonherback。Sheleapedforwardmadly，draggingtheotherleaderswithher，andinthenextmomenttheywerefreeandwildlycareeringdownthegrade。
Adozenshotsfollowedthem。Themenwereprotectedbythecoach，butYubaBillgroaned。
"Areyouhitagain？"askedJeffhastily。Hehadforgottenhissaviour。
"No；butthehorsesare!Ifelt’em!Lookat’em，Jeff。"
Jeffhadgatheredupthealmostuselessreins。Thehorseswererunningaway；butBlueGrasswaslimping。
"ForGod’ssake，"saidBill，desperatelydragginghiswoundedfigureabovethedash—board，"keepherup!LIFTHERUP，Jeff，tillwepassthecurve。Don’tletherdrop，orwe’re——"
"Canyouholdthereins？"saidJeffquickly。
"Give’emhere!"
Jeffpassedthemtothewoundedman。Then，withhisbowie—knifebetweenhisteeth，heleapedoverthedash—boardonthebacksofthewheelers。Heextinguishedtheblazingdropsthatthewindhadnotblownoutoftheirsmartinghaunches，andwiththeskillandinstinctofaMexicanvaquero，madehiswayovertheirturbulenttossingbackstoBlueGrass，cuthertracesandreins，andasthevehiclenearedthecurve，withasharplash，drovehertothebank，whereshesankevenasthecoachdartedby。Billutteredafeeble"Hurrah!"butatthesamemomentthereinsdroppedfromhisfingers，andhesankatthebottomoftheboot。
Ridingpostilion—wise，Jeffcouldcontrolthehorses。Thedangerouscurvewaspassed，butnotthepossibilityofpursuit。
Thesingleleaderhewasbestridingwaspanting——morethanthat，hewasSWEATING，andfromtheevidenceofJeff’shands，sweatingBLOOD!Backofhisshoulderwasajaggedhole，fromwhichhislife—bloodwaswelling。Theoff—wheelhorsewaslimpingtoo。Thatlastvolleywasnofoolishoutburstofuselessrage，butwasdeliberateandpremeditatedskill。Jeffdrewthereins，andasthecoachstopped，thehorsehewasridingfelldead。Intothesilencethatfollowedbrokethemeasuredbeatofhorses’hoofsontheroadabove。Hewaspursued!
Toselectthebesthorseoftheremainingunscathedthree，tobreakopenthebootandplacethetreasureonhisback，andtoabandonandleavethesenselessBilllyingthere，wastheunhesitatingworkofamoment。Greatheroesandgreatloversareinvariablyone—
ideaedmen，andJeffwasatthatmomentboth。
Eightythousanddollarsingold—dustandJeff’sweightwasahandicap。Neverthelessheflewforwardlikethewind。Presentlyhefelltolistening。Acertainhoof—beatintherearwasgrowingmoredistinct。Abitterthoughtflashedthroughhismind。Helookedback。Overthehillappearedtheforemostofhispursuers。
Itwastheblacksmith，mountedonthefleetesthorseinthecounty——
Jeff’sOWNhorse——Rabbit!
Buttherearecompensationsinallnewtrials。AsJefffacedroundagain，hesawhehadreachedtheopentable—land，andthebleakwallsandghastly，untenantedwindowsofthe"Half—wayHouse"rosebeforehiminthedistance。Jeffwasmasterofthegroundhere!
Hewasenteringtheshadowofthewoods——MissMayfield’swoods!andtherewasacutofffromtheroad，andabridle—path，knownonlytohimself，hardby。Tofindit，leaptheroadsideditch，dashthroughthethicket，andreinupbytheroadagain，wasswiftlydone。
Takeagentlewoman，betrayhertrust，outrageherbestfeelings，driveherintoacorner，andyouhaveafury!Takeagentle，trustfulman，abusehim，showhimthefollyofthisgentlenessandkindness，provetohimthatitisweakness，drivehimintoacorner，andyouhaveasavage!Anditwasthissavage，withanIndian’smemory，andanIndian’seyeandear，thatsuddenlyconfrontedtheblacksmith。
Whatmore!Asingleshotfromatrainedhandandone—ideaedintellectsettledtheblacksmith’sbusiness，andtemporarilyendedthisIliad!Isaytemporarily，forMr。Dodd，formerlydeputy—
sheriff，prudentlypulledupatthetopofthehill，andobservinghisprincipalbendhisheadforwardsandactlikeadrunkenman，untilhereeled，limpandsideways，fromthesaddle，andnoticingfurtherthatJefftookhisplacewithawell—filledsaddle—bag，concludedtofollowcautiouslyandunobtrusivelyintherear。
VII。
ButJeffsawhimnot。Withmindandwillbentononeobject——toreachthefirsthabitation，the"Summit，"andsendbackhelpandassistancetohiswoundedcomrade——heurgedRabbitforward。Themareknewherrider，buthehadnotimeforcaresses。Throughthesmartingofhishandshehadonlyjustnoticedthattheywerebadlyburned，andtheskinwaspeelingfromthem；hehadconfoundedthebloodthatwasflowingfromacutonhisscalp，withthatfromthewoundedhorse。Itwasonehouryettothe"Summit，"buttheroadwasgood，themoonwasbright，heknewwhatRabbitcoulddo，anditwasnotyetteno’clock。
Asthewhiteoutbuildingsandirregularoutlinesofthe"SummitHouse"begantobevisible，Jefffeltasingularreturnofhisformerdreamyabstraction。Thehourofperil，anger，andexcitementhehadjustpassedthroughseemedsomethingofyearsago，orrathertobeobliteratedwithallelsethathadpassedsincehehadlookeduponthatscene。Yetitwasallchanged——
strangelychanged!WhatJeffhadtakenforthewhite，woodenbarnsandouthousesweregreenhousesandconservatories。The"SummitHotel"wasapicturesquevilla，nestlingintheself—sametrees，butapproachedthroughcultivatedfields，dwellingsoflaborers，parklikegatesandwalls，andallthebountifulappointmentsofwealthandsecurity。JeffthoughtofYubaBill’smalediction，andunderstooditashegazed。
Thebarkingofdogsannouncedhisnearapproachtotheprincipalentrance。Lightswerestillburningintheupperwindowsofthehouseanditsoffices。HewasatoncesurroundedbythestrangemedleyofaCalifornianranchero’sservice，peons，Chinese，andvaqueros。Jeffbrieflystatedhisbusiness。"Ah，Carrajo!"Thiswasamatterforthemajor—domo，or，better，thepadrone——Wilson!
Butthepadrone，Wilson，calledoutbythetumult，appearedinperson——ahandsome，resolute，middle—agedman，who，inatwinkling，dispersedthegrouptobarnandstablewithadozenordersofpreparation，andthenturnedtoJeff。
"Youarehurt；comein。"
Jefffollowedhimdazedlyintothehouse。Thesamesenseofremoteabstraction，ofvaguedreaminess，wasovercominghim。Heresentedit，andfoughtagainstit，butinvain；hewasonlyhalfconsciousthathishosthadbathedhisheadandgivenhimsomeslightrestorative，hadsaidsomethingtohimsoothingly，andhadlefthim。Jeffwonderedifhehadfainted，orwasabouttofaint，——hehadanervousdreadofthatwomanishweakness，——orifhewerereallyhurtworsethanhebelieved。Hetriedtomasterhimselfandgraspthesituationbyminutelyexaminingtheroom。Itwasluxuriouslyfurnished；Jeffhadbutoncebeforesatinsuchanarm—
chairastheonethathalfembracedhim，andasaboyhehaddimrecollectionsofalifelikethis，ofwhichhisfatherwaspart。
TopoorJeff，withhisthrobbinghead，hissmartinghands，andhislapsingmomentsofhalfforgetfulness，thisseemedtobeareturnofhisoldpremonition。Therewasavagueperfumeintheroom，likethatwhichherememberedwhenhewasinthewoodswithMissMayfield。Hebelievedhewasgrowingfaintagain，andwasabouttorise，whenthedooropenedbehindhim。
"Isthereanythingwecandoforyou？Mr。Wilsonhasgonetoseekyourfriend，andhassentManuelforadoctor。"
HERvoice!Herosehurriedly，turned；SHEwasstandinginthedoorway!
Sheutteredaslightcry，turnedverypale，advancedtowardshim，stoppedandleanedagainstthechimney—piece。
"Ididn’tknowitwasYOU。"
WithheractualpresenceJeff’sdreamandweaknessfled。Heroseupbeforeher，hisoldbashful，stammering，awkwardself。
"Ididn’tknowYOUlivedhere，MissMayfield。"
"Ifyouhadsentwordyouwerecoming，"saidMissMayfield，recoveringhercolorbrightlyinonecheek。
ThepossibilityofhavingsentamessengerinadvancetoadviseMissMayfieldofhisprojectedvisitdidnotstrikeJeffasridiculous。Yourtrueloverisfarbeyondsuchtrivialities。
Heacceptedtherebukemeekly。Hesaidhewassorry。
"Youmighthaveknownit。"
"What，MissMayfield？"
"ThatIwashere，ifyouWISHEDtoknow。"
Jeffdidnotreply。Hebowedhisheadandclaspedhisburnedhandstogether。MissMayfieldsawtheirrawsurfaces，sawtheuglycutonhishead，pitiedhim，butwentonhastily，withbothcheeksburning，tosay，womanlike，whatwasthendeepestinherheart：
"Mybrother—in—lawtoldmeyouradventure；butIdidnotknowuntilIenteredthisroomthatthegentlemanIwishedtohelpwasonewhohadoncerejectedmyassistance，whohadmisunderstoodme，andcruellyinsultedme!Oh，forgiveme，Mr。Briggs"（Jeffhadrisen）。"IdidnotmeanTHAT。But，Mr。Jeff——Jeff——oh!"（Shehadcaughthistorturedhandandhadwrungamovementofpainfromhim。）"Oh，dear!whatdidIdonow？ButMr。Jeff，afterwhathaspassed，afterwhatyousaidtomewhenyouwentaway，whenyouwereatthatdreadfulplace，Campville，whenyouweretwomonthsinSacramento，youmight——YOUOUGHTTOHAVELETMEKNOWIT!"
Jeffturned。Herface，morebeautifulthanhehadeverseenit，aliveandeloquentwitheverythoughtthatherwoman’sspeechbuthalfexpressed，wasverynearhis——sonear，thatunderherhonesteyesthewretchedscalesfellfromhisown，hisself—wroughtshacklescrumbledaway，andhedroppeduponhiskneesatherfeetasshesankintothechairhehadquitted。Bothhishandsweregraspedinherown。
"YOUwentaway，andISTAYED，"shesaidreflectively。
"Ihadnohome，MissMayfield。"
"NorhadI。Ihadtobuythis，"shesaid，withadelicioussimplicity；"andbringafamilyheretoo，"sheadded，"incaseYOU"——shestopped，withaslightcolor。
"Forgiveme，"saidJeff，buryinghisfaceinherhands。
"Jeff。"
"Jessie。"
"Don’tyouthinkyouwereaLITTLE——justalittle——mean？"
"Yes。"
MissMayfieldutteredafaintsigh。Helookedintoheranxiouscheeksandeyes，hisarmstoleroundher；theirlipsmetforthefirsttimeinonelonglingeringkiss。Then，Ifear，forthesecondtime。
"Jeff，"saidMissMayfield，suddenlybecomingpracticalandsweetlypossessory，"youmusthaveyourhandsboundupincotton。"
"Yes，"saidJeffcheerfully。
"Andyoumustgoinstantlytobed。"
Jeffstared。
"Becausemysisterwillthinkitverylateformetobesittingupwithagentleman。"
TheideathatMissMayfieldwasresponsibletoanybodywassomethingnewtoJeff。Buthesaidhastily，"ImuststayandwaitforBill。
Heriskedhislifeforme。"
"Oh，yes!Youmusttellmeallaboutit。ImaywaitforTHAT!"
Jeffpossessedhimselfofthechair；insomewayhealsopossessedhimselfofMissMayfieldwithoutentirelydispossessingher。Thenhetoldhisstory。Hehesitatedovertheepisodeoftheblacksmith。
"I’mafraidIkilledhim，Jessie。"
MissMayfieldbetrayedlittleconcernatthispossibleextrememeasurewithadangerousneighbor。"Hecutyourhead，Jeff，"shesaid，passingherlittlehandthroughhiscurls。
"No，"saidJeffhastily，"thatmusthavebeendoneBEFORE。"
"Well，"saidMissMayfieldconclusively，"hewouldifhe’ddared。
Andyoubroughtoffthatwretchedmoneyinspiteofhim。PoordearJeff。"
"Yes，"saidJeff，kissingher。
"Whereisit？"askedJessie，lookingroundtheroom。
"Oh，justoutthere!"
"Outwhere？"
"Onmyhorse，youknow，outsidethedoor，"continuedJeff，alittleuneasily，asherose。"I’llgoand——"
"Youcarelessboy，"saidMissMayfield，jumpingup，"I’llgowithyou。"
Theypassedoutontheporchtogether，holdingeachother’shands，likechildren。TheforgottenRabbitwasnotthere。MissMayfieldcalledavaquero。
"Ah，yes!——thecaballero’shorse。Ofacertaintytheothercaballerohadtakenit!"
"Theothercaballero!"gaspedJeff。
"Si，senor。Theonewhoarrivedwithyou，oramoment，theverynextmoment，afteryou。’Yourfriend，’hesaid。"
Jeffstaggeredagainsttheporch，andcastonedespairingreproachfullookatMissMayfield。
"Oh，Jeff!Jeff!don’tlookso。IknowIoughtnottohavekeptyou!It’samistake，Jeff，believeme。"
"It’snomistake，"saidJeffhoarsely。"Go!"hesaid，turningtothevaquero，"go!——bring——"Buthisspeechfailed。Heattemptedtogesticulatewithhishands，ranforwardafewsteps，staggered，andfellfaintingontheground。
"Helpmewiththecaballerointotheblueroom，"saidMissMayfield，whiteasJeff。"Andharkye，Manuel!Youknoweveryruffian，manorwoman，onthisroad。Thathorseandthosesaddle—
bagsmustbehereto—morrow，ifyouhavetopayDOUBLEWHATTHEY’RE
WORTH!"
"Si，senora。"
Jeffwentoffintofever，intodelirium，intohelplessstupor。
Fromtimetotimehemoaned"Bill"and"thetreasure。"Onthethirdday，inalucidinterval，ashelaystaringatthewall，MissMayfieldputinhishandaletterfromthecompany，acknowledgingthereceiptofthetreasure，thankinghimforhiszeal，andinclosingahandsomecheck。
Jeffsatup，andputhishandstohishead。
"Itoldyouitwastakenbymistake，andwaseasilyfound，"saidMissMayfield，"didn’tI？"
"Yes，——andBill？"
"Youknowheissomuchbetterthatheexpectstoleaveusnextweek。"
"And——Jessie!"
"There——gotosleep!"
AttheendofaweeksheintroducedJefftohersister—in—law，havingpreviouslyrunherfingersthroughhishairtoinsurethatbecomingnesstohiscurlswhichwouldbetterindicatehismoralcharacter；andspokeofhimasoneofheroldestCalifornianfriends。
Attheendoftwoweekssheagainpresentedhimasheraffiancedhusband——alongengagementofayearbeingjustpassed。Mr。
Wilson，whowasboredbythemountainlife，undertakentopleasehisrichwifeandrichersister，sawachanceofescapehere，andborewillingtestimonytothedistantMr。andMrs。MayfieldoftheexcellenceofMissJessie’schoice。AndYubaBillwasJeff’sbestman。
ThenameofBriggsremainedapowerinTuolumneandCalaverasCounty。Mr。andMrs。Briggsneverhadbutonewordofdisagreementordiscussion。Oneday，Jeff，lookingoversomeoldaccountsofhiswife’s，foundanunreceipted，unvouchedforexpenditureoftwentythousanddollars。"Whatisthisfor，Jessie？"heasked。
"Oh，it’sallright，Jeff!"
Butherethenowbusiness—likeandpracticalMr。Briggs，fatherofafamily，feltcalledupontomakesomegeneralremarksregardingthenecessityofexactitudeinaccounts，etc。
"ButI’drathernottellyou，Jeff。"
"Butyououghtto，Jessie。"
"Wellthen，dear，itwastogetthosesaddle—bagsofyoursfromthatrascal，Dodd，"saidlittleMrs。Briggsmeekly。