CHAPTERI。
　　Itwasverydark，andthewindwasincreasing。Thelastgusthadbeenprecededbyanominousroaringdownthewholemountain-side，whichcontinuedforsometimeafterthetreesinthelittlevalleyhadlapsedintosilence。Theairwasfilledwithafaint，cool，soddenodor，asofstirredforestdepths。Inthoseintervalsofsilencethedarknessseemedtoincreaseinproportionandgrowalmostpalpable。Yetoutofthissightlessandsoundlessvoidnowcamethetinkleofaspur’srowels，thedrycracklingofsaddleleathers，andthemuffledplungeofahoofinthethickcarpetofdustanddesiccatedleaves。Thenavoice，whichinspiteofitsmatter-of-factrealitytheobscuritylentacertainmysteryto，said：——
　　"Ican’tmakeoutanything！Wherethedevilhavewegotto，anyway？It’sasblackasTophet，hereahead！"
　　"Strikealightandmakeaflarewithsomething，"returnedasecondvoice。"Lookwhereyou’reshovingto——now——keepyourhorseoff，willye。"
　　Therewasmoremuffledplunging，asilence，therustleofpaper，thequickspurtofamatch，andthentheupliftingofaflickeringflame。Butitrevealedonlytheheadsandshouldersofthreehorsemen，framedwithinanebulousringoflight，thatstilllefttheirhorsesandeventheirlowerfiguresinimpenetrableshadow。
　　Thentheflameleapedupanddiedoutwithafewzigzaggingsparksthatwerefallingtotheground，whenathirdvoice，thatwaslowbutsomewhatpleasantinitscadence，said：——
　　"Becarefulwhereyouthrowthat。Youwerecarelesslasttime。
　　Withthiswindandtheleavesliketinder，youmightsendafurnaceblastthroughthewoods。"
　　"Thenatleastwe’dseewherewewere。"
　　Nevertheless，hemovedhishorse，whosetramplinghoofsbeatoutthelastfallenspark。Completedarknessandsilenceagainfollowed。Presentlythefirstspeakercontinued：——
　　"Ireckonwe’llhavetowaitheretillthenextsquallclearsawaythescudfromthesky？Hello！What’sthat？"
　　Outoftheobscuritybeforethemappearedafaintlight，——adimbutperfectlydefinedsquareofradiance，——which，however，didnotappeartoilluminateanythingaroundit。Suddenlyitdisappeared。
　　"That’sahouse——it’salightinawindow，"saidthesecondvoice。
　　"Housebed——d！"retortedthefirstspeaker。"AhousewithawindowonGalloper’sRidge，fifteenmilesfromanywhere？You’recrazy！"
　　Nevertheless，fromthemuffledplungingandtinklingthatfollowed，theyseemedtobemovinginthedirectionwherethelighthadappeared。Thentherewasapause。
　　"There’snothingbutarockyoutcrophere，whereahousecouldn’tstand，andwe’reoffthetrailagain，"saidthefirstspeakerimpatiently。
　　"Stop！——thereitisagain！"
　　Thesamesquareoflightappearedoncemore，butthehorsemenhadevidentlydivergedinthedarkness，foritseemedtobeinadifferentdirection。Butitwasmoredistinct，andastheygazedashadowappeareduponitsradiantsurface——theprofileofahumanface。Thenthelightsuddenlywentout，andthefacevanishedwithit。
　　"ItISawindow，andtherewassomeonebehindit，"saidthesecondspeakeremphatically。
　　"Itwasawoman’sface，"saidthepleasantvoice。
　　"Whoeveritis，justhailthem，sothatwecangetourbearings。
　　Singout！Alltogether！"
　　Thethreevoicesroseinaprolongedshout，inwhich，however，thedistinguishingqualityofthepleasantvoicewassustained。Buttherewasnoresponsefromthedarknessbeyond。Theshoutingwasrepeatedafteranintervalwiththesameresult：thesilenceandobscurityremainedunchanged。
　　"Let’sgetoutofthis，"saidthefirstspeakerangrily;"houseornohouse，manorwoman，we’renotwanted，andwe’llmakenothingwaltzingroundhere！"
　　"Hush！"saidthesecondvoice。"Sh-h！Listen。"
　　Theleavesofthenearesttreesweretrillingaudibly。Thencameasuddengustthatsweptthefrondsofthetallerfernsintotheirfaces，andlaidthethin，lithewhipsofalderovertheirhorses’
　　flankssharply。Itwasfollowedbythedistantsea-likeroaringofthemountain-side。
　　"That’salittlemorelikeit！"saidthefirstspeakerjoyfully。
　　"Anotherblowlikethatandwe’reallright。Andlook！there’salightenin’upoverthetrailwecameby。"
　　Therewasindeedafaintglowinthatdirection，likethefirstsuffusionofdawn，permittingthehugeshoulderofthemountainalongwhoseflankstheyhadbeenjourneyingtobedistinctlyseen。
　　Thesoddenbreathofthestirredforestdepthswasslightlytaintedwithanacridfume。
　　"That’sthematchyouthrewawaytwohoursago，"saidthepleasantvoicedeliberately。"It’scaughtthedrybrushinthetrailroundthebend。"
　　"Anyhow，it’sgivenusourbearings，boys，"saidthefirstspeaker，withsatisfiedaccents。"We’reallrightnow;andthewind’sliftingtheskyaheadthere。Forwardnow，alltogether，andlet’sgetoutofthishell-holewhilewecan！"
　　Itwassomuchlighterthatthebulkofeachhorsemancouldbeseenastheymovedforwardtogether。Buttherewasnothinningoftheobscurityoneithersideofthem。Neverthelesstheprofileofthehorsemanwiththepleasantvoiceseemedtobeoccasionallyturnedbackward，andhesuddenlycheckedhishorse。
　　"There’sthewindowagain！"hesaid。"Look！There——it’sgoneagain。"
　　"Letitgoandbed——d！"returnedtheleader。"Comeon。"
　　Theyspurredforwardinsilence。Itwasnotlongbeforethewaysidetreesbegantodimlyshowspacesbetweenthem，andthefernstogivewaytolower，thick-setshrubs，whichinturnyieldedtoavelvetymoss，withlongquietintervalsofnettedandtangledgrasses。Theregularfallofthehorses’feetbecameamererhythmicthrobbing。Thensuddenlyasinglehoofrangoutsharplyonstone，andthefirstspeakerreinedinslightly。
　　"ThanktheLordwe’reontheridgenow！andtherestiseasy。Tellyouwhat，though，boys，nowwe’reallright，Idon’tmindsayingthatIdidn’ttakenostockinthatblamedcorpselightdownthere。
　　Ifthereeverwasawill-o’-the-wisponasquareupmountain，thatwasone。Itwasn’tnowindow！Someofyethoughtyesawafacetoo——eh？"
　　"Yes，andaratherprettyone，"saidthepleasantvoicemeditatively。
　　"That’sthewaythey’dbuildthatsortofthing，ofcourse。It’sluckyyehadtosatisfyyourselfwithlooking。Gosh！Ifeelcreepyyet，thinkingofit！WhatareyelookingbackfornowlikeLot’swife？BlamedifIdon’tthinkthatfacebewitchedye。"
　　"Iwasonlythinkingaboutthatfireyoustarted，"returnedtheotherquietly。"Idon’tseeitnow。"
　　"Well——ifyoudid？"
　　"Iwaswonderingwhetheritcouldreachthathollow。"
　　"Ireckonthathollowcouldtakecareofanycasualnat’relfirethatcameboomin’along，andgotwobettereverytime！Why，I
　　don’tbelievetherewasanyfire;itwasallapieceofthatinfernalignisfatuusphantasmagorianathatwasplayeduponusdownthere！"
　　Withthelaughthatfollowedtheystartedforwardagain，relapsingintothesilenceoftiredmenattheendofalongjourney。Eventheirfewremarkswereinterjectional，orreminiscentoftopicswhosefreshnesshadbeenexhaustedwiththeday。Thegaininglightwhichseemedtocomefromthegroundaboutthemratherthanfromthestill，overcastskyabove，definedtheirindividualitymoredistinctly。Themanwhohadfirstspoken，andwhoseemedtobetheirleader，worethevirginunshavenbeard，mustache，andflowinghairoftheCalifornianpioneer，andmighthavebeentheeldest;
　　thesecondspeakerwascloseshaven，thin，andenergetic;thethird，withthepleasantvoice，inheight，litheness，andsupplenessoffigureappearedtobetheyoungestoftheparty。Thetrailhadnowbecomeagrayishstreakalongtheleveltable-landtheywerefollowing，whichalsohadthesingulareffectofappearinglighterthanthesurroundinglandscape，yetofplungingintoutterdarknessoneithersideofitsprecipitouswalls。
　　Nevertheless，attheendofanhourtheleaderroseinhisstirrupswithasighofsatisfaction。
　　"There’sthelightinCollinson’sMill！There’snothinggaudyandspectacularaboutthat，boys，eh？No，sir！it’sasquare，honestbeaconthatamancansteerby。We’llbethereintwentyminutes。"
　　Hewaspointingintothedarknessbelowthealreadydescendingtrail。Onlyapioneer’seyecouldhavedetectedthefewpin-pricksoflightintheimpenetrabledistance，anditwasasignalproofofhisleadershipthattheothersaccepteditwithoutseeingit。
　　"It’sjustteno’clock，"hecontinued，holdingahugesilverwatchtohiseye;"we’vewastedanhouronthoseblamedspooksyonder！"
　　"Weweren’toffthetrailmorethantenminutes，UncleDick，"
　　protestedthepleasantvoice。
　　"Allright，myson;godownthereifyoulikeandfetchoutyourWitchofEndor，butasforme，I’mgoingtothrowmyselftheothersideofCollinson’slights。They’regoodenoughforme，andablamedsightmorestationary！"
　　Thegradewasverysteep，buttheytookit，Californiafashion，atagallop，beinggenuinelygoodriders，andusingtheirbrainsaswellastheirspursintheunderstandingoftheirhorses，andofcertainnaturallaws，whichthemoreartificialridersofcivilizationareapttooverlook。Hencetherewasnohesitationorindecisioncommunicatedtothenervouscreaturestheybestrode，whosweptovercrumblingstonesandslipperyledgeswithamomentumthattookawayhalftheirweight，andmadeastumbleorfalsestep，orindeedanythingbutanactualcollision，almostimpossible。
　　Closingtogethertheyavoidedthelatter，andholdingeachotherwellup，becameoneirresistiblewedge-shapedmass。Attimestheyyelled，notfromconsciousnessnorbravado，butfromthepurelyanimalinstinctofwarningandtocombatthebreathlessnessoftheirdescent，until，reachingthelevel，theychargedacrossthegravellybedofavanishedriver，andpulledupatCollinson’sMill。Themillitselfhadlongsincevanishedwiththeriver，butthebuildingthathadoncestoodforitwasusedasarudehostelryfortravelers，which，however，borenolegendorinvitatorysign。
　　Thosewhowantedit，knewit;thosewhopasseditby，gaveitnooffense。
　　Collinsonhimselfstoodbythedoor，smokingacontemplativepipe。
　　Astheyrodeup，hedisengagedhimselffromthedoorpostlistlessly，walkedslowlytowardsthem，saidreflectivelytotheleader，"I’vebeenthinkingwithyouthatavoteforThompsonisavotethrownaway，"andpreparedtoleadthehorsestowardsthewatertank。Hehadpartedwiththemovertwelvehoursbefore，buthisairofsimplyrenewingarecentlyinterruptedconversationwastoocommonacircumstancetoattracttheirnotice。Theyknew，andheknew，thatnooneelsehadpassedthatwaysincehehadlastspoken;thatthesamesunhadswungsilentlyabovehimandtheunchangedlandscape，andtherehadbeennointerruptionnordiversiontohismonotonousthought。Thewildernessannihilatestimeandspacewiththegrimpathosofpatience。
　　Neverthelesshesmiled。"Yedon’tseemtohavegotthroughcomingdownyet，"hecontinued，asafewsmallboulders，loosenedintheirrapiddescent，camemoredeliberatelyrollingandplungingafterthetravelersalongthegravellybottom。Thenheturnedawaywiththehorses，and，aftertheywerewatered，hereenteredthehouse。
　　Hisguestshadevidentlynotwaitedforhisministration。Theyhadalreadytakenoneortwobottlesfromtheshelvesbehindawidebarandhelpedthemselves，and，glassesinhand，werenowsatisfyingthemoreimminentcravingsofhungerwithbiscuitsfromabarrelandslicesofsmokedherringfromabox。Theirequallysingularhost，acceptingtheirconductasnotunusual，joinedthecircletheyhadcomfortablydrawnroundthefireplace，andmeditativelykickingabrandbackatthefire，said，withoutlookingatthem：——
　　"Well？"
　　"Well！"returnedtheleader，leaningbackinhischairaftercarefullyunloosingthebuckleofhisbelt，butwithhiseyesalsoonthefire，——"well！we’veprospectedeveryyardofoutcropalongtheDivide，andthereain’ttheghostofasilverindicationanywhere。"
　　"Notasmell，"addedtheclose-shavenguest，withoutraisinghiseyes。
　　Theyallremainedsilent，lookingatthefire，asifitweretheonethingtheyhadtakenintotheirconfidence。Collinsonalsoaddressedhimselftotheblazeashesaidpresently："Itallusseemedtomethattharwassomethingshinyaboutthatledgejustroundtheshoulderofthespur，overthelongcanyon。"
　　Theleaderejaculatedashortlaugh。"Shiny，eh？shiny！YethinkTHATasign？Why，youmightaswellreckonthatbecauseKey’shead，overthar，isgrayandsilverythathe’sgotsabeandexperience。"Ashespokehelookedtowardsthemanwithapleasantvoice。Thefireshiningfulluponhimrevealedthesingularfactthatwhilehisfacewasstillyoung，andhismustachequitedark，hishairwasperfectlygray。Theobjectofthisattention，farfrombeingdisconcertedbythecomparison，addedwithasmile：——
　　"Orthathehadanysilverinhispocket。"
　　Anotherlapseofsilencefollowed。Thewindtoreroundthehouseandrumbledintheshort，adobechimney。
　　"No，gentlemen，"saidtheleaderreflectively，"thissorto’thingisplayedout。Idon’ttakenomorestockinthatcock-and-bullstoryaboutthelostMexicanmine。Idon’tcatchontothatSunday-schoolyarnaboutthepious，scientificsharpwhocollectedleavesandvegetablesallovertheDivide，allthewhilehescientificallyknewthattherangewassolidsilver，onlyhewouldn’tsoilhisfingerswithGod-forsakenlucre。Iain’tsayinganythingaginthatfine-spuntheorythatKeybelievesinaboutvolcanicupheavalsthatsetuponendargentiferousrock，butI
　　simplysaythatIdon’tseeit——withthenakedeye。AndIreckonit’sabouttime，boys，asthegame’sup，thatwehandedinourchecks，andlefttheboard。"
　　Therewasanothersilencearoundthefire，anotherwhirlandturmoilwithout。Therewasnoattempttocombattheopinionsoftheirleader;possiblythesamesenseofdisappointedhopeswasfeltbyall，onlytheypreferredtoletthemanofgreaterexperiencevoiceit。Hewenton：——
　　"We’vehadourlittlegame，boys，eversinceweleftRawlin’saweekago;we’vehadourupsanddowns;we’vebeenstarvedandparched，snowedupandhalfdrowned，shotatbyroad-agentsandhorse-thieves，kickedbymulesandplayedwithbygrizzlies。We’vehadaheapo’fun，boys，forourmoney，butIreckonthepicnicisaboutover。Sowe’llshakehandsto-morrowallroundandcallitsquare，andgoonourwaysseparately。"
　　"Andwhatdoyouthinkyou’lldo，UncleDick？"saidhisclose-
　　shavencompanionlistlessly。
　　"I’llmaketracksforasquaremeal，abedthatamancancomfortablytakeoffhisbootsanddiein，andsomeviolet-scentedsoap。Civilization’sgoodenoughforme！IevenreckonIwouldn’tmind’thesoundofthechurch-goingbell’eftherewasatheatrehandy，astherelikelywouldbe。Butthewildernessisplayedout。"
　　"You’llbebacktoitagaininsixmonths，UncleDick，"retortedtheotherquickly。
　　UncleDickdidnotreply。Itwasapeculiarityofthepartythatintheirisolatedcompanionshiptheyhadalreadyexhausteddiscussionandargument。Asilencefollowed，inwhichtheyalllookedatthefireasifitwasitsturntomakeasuggestion。
　　"Collinson，"saidthepleasantvoiceabruptly，"wholivesinthehollowthissideoftheDivide，abouttwomilesfromthefirstspurabovethebigcanyon？"
　　"Narysoul！"
　　"Areyousure？"
　　"Sartin！Tharain’tnoonebutmebetwixtBaldTopandSkinner’s——
　　twenty-fivemiles。"
　　"Ofcourse，YOU’Dknowifanyonehadcometherelately？"persistedthepleasantvoice。
　　"Ireckon。Itain’taweekagothatItrampedthewholedistancethatyoufellersjustrodeover。"
　　"Thereain’t，"saidtheleaderdeliberately，"anyenchantedcastleorcabinthatgoeswaltzingroundtheroadwithrevolvingwindowsandfairyprincesseslookingoutof’em？"
　　ButCollinson，recognizingthisaspurelyirrelevanthumor，withpossiblyatraporpitfallinit，movedawayfromthefireplacewithoutaword，andretiredtotheadjoiningkitchentopreparesupper。Presentlyhereappeared。
　　"Theporkbar’l’sempty，boys，soI’llhevtofixyeupwithjerkedbeef，potatoes，andflapjacks。Yesee，tharain’tanybodybenoverfromSkinner’sstoreforaweek。"
　　"Allright;onlyhurryup！"saidUncleDickcheerfully，settlinghimselfbackinhischair，"IreckontoturninassoonasI’verastledwithyourhash，forI’vegottoturnoutaginandbeoffatsun-up。"
　　Theywereallveryquietagain，——soquietthattheycouldnothelpnoticingthatthesoundofCollinson’spreparationsfortheirsupperhadceasedtoo。UncleDickarosesoftlyandwalkedtothekitchendoor。Collinsonwassittingbeforeasmallkitchenstove，withaforkinhishand，gazingabstractedlybeforehim。Atthesoundofhisguest’sfootstepshestarted，andthenoiseofpreparationrecommenced。UncleDickreturnedtohischairbythefire。Leaningtowardsthechairoftheclose-shavenman，hesaidinalowervoice：——
　　"Hewasoffagin！"
　　"What？"
　　"Thinkin’ofthatwifeofhis。"
　　"Whatabouthiswife？"askedKey，loweringhisvoicealso。
　　Thethreemen’sheadswereclosetogether。
　　"WhenCollinsonfixedupthismillhesentforhiswifeintheStates，"saidUncleDick，inahalfwhisper，"waitedayearforher，hangingroundandboardingeveryemigrantwagonthatcamethroughthePass。Shedidn’tcome——onlythenewsthatshewasdead。"Hepausedandnudgedhischairstillcloser——theheadswerealmosttouching。"Theysay，overintheBar"——hisvoicehadsunktoacompletewhisper——"thatitwasalie！Thatsheranawaywiththemanthatwasfetchin’herout。Threethousandmilesandthreeweekswithanothermanupsetssomewomen。ButHEknowsnothingaboutit，onlyhesometimeskindergoesofflooney-like，thinkingofher。"Hestopped，theheadsseparated;Collinsonhadappearedatthedoorway，hismelancholypatienceapparentlyunchanged。
　　"Grub’son，gentlemen;sitbyandeat。"
　　Thehumblemealwasdispatchedwithzestandsilence。Afewinterjectionalremarksabouttheuncertaintiesofprospectingonlyaccentedtheotherpauses。Intenminutestheywereoutagainbythefireplacewiththeirlitpipes。Astherewereonlythreechairs，Collinsonstoodbesidethechimney。
　　"Collinson，"saidUncleDick，aftertheusualpause，takinghispipefromhislips，"aswe’vegottogetupandgetatsun-up，wemightaswelltellyounowthatwe’redeadbroke。We’vebeenlivingforthelastfewweeksonPrebleKey’sloosechange——andthat’sgone。You’llhavetoletthislittleaccountanddamagestandover。"
　　Collinson’sbrowslightlycontracted，without，however，alteringhisgeneralexpressionofresignedpatience。
　　"I’msorryforyou，boys，"hesaidslowly，"and"（diffidently）
　　"kindersorryformyself，too。Yousee，Ireckonedongoin’overtoSkinner’sto-morrow，tofilluptheporkbar’landvoteforMesickandthewagon-road。ButSkinnercan’tletmehaveanythingmoreuntilI’vepaidsuthin’onaccount，ashecallsit。"
　　"D’yemeantosaythar’sanymountainmanaslowflungandmeanasthat？"saidUncleDickindignantly。
　　"Butitisn’tHISfault，"saidCollinsongently;"yousee，theywon’tsendhimgoodsfromSacramentoifhedon’tpayup，andheCAN’TifIDON’T。Sabe？"
　　"Ah！that’sanotherthing。TheyAREmean——inSacramento，"saidUncleDick，somewhatmollified。
　　Theotherguestsmurmuredanassenttothisgeneralproposition。
　　SuddenlyUncleDick’sfacebrightened。
　　"Lookhere！IknowSkinner，andI’llstopthere——No，blankitall！Ican’t，forit’soffmyroute！Well，then，we’llfixitthisway。KeywillgothereandtellSkinnerthatIsaythatI’LLsendthemoneytothatSacramentohound。That’llfixit！"
　　Collinson’sbrowcleared;thesolutionofthedifficultyseemedtosatisfyeverybody，andtheclose-shavenmansmiled。
　　"AndI’llsecureit，"hesaid，"andgiveCollinsonasightdraftonmyselfatSanFrancisco。"
　　"What’sthatfor？"saidCollinson，withasuddensuffusiononeachcheek。
　　"Incaseofaccident。"
　　"Wotaccident？"persistedCollinson，withadarklookofsuspiciononhisusuallyplacidface。
　　"Incaseweshouldforgetit，"saidtheclose-shavenman，withalaugh。
　　"AnddoyousupposethatifyouboyswentandforgotitthatI’dhaveanythingtodowithyourd——dpaper？"saidCollinson，amurkycloudcomingintohiseyes。
　　"Why，that’sonlybusiness，Colly，"interposedUncleDickquickly;
　　"that’sallJimParkermeans;he’sabusinessman，don’tyousee。
　　Supposewegotkilled！You’vethatdrafttoshow。"
　　"Showwho？"growledCollinson。
　　"Why，——hangit！——ourfriends，ourheirs，ourrelations——togetyourmoney，hesitatedUncleDick。
　　"Anddoyoukalkilate，"saidCollinson，withdeeplylaboringbreath，"thatifyougotkilled，thatI’dbecomingonyourfolksfortheworthofthed——dtruckIgivye？Go’way！Lemmegitouto’this。You’remakin’metired。"Hestalkedtothedoor，lithispipe，andbegantowalkupanddownthegravellyriver-bed。UncleDickfollowedhim。Fromtimetotimethetwootherguestsheardthesoundsofalternateprotestandexplanationastheypassedandrepassedthewindows。PrebleKeysmiled，Parkershruggedhisshoulders。
　　"He’llbethinkin’you’vebegrudgedhimyourgrubifyoudon’t——
　　that’sthewaywiththesebusinessmen，"saidUncleDick’svoiceinoneoftheseintervals。Presentlytheyreenteredthehouse，UncleDicksayingcasuallytoParker，"Youcanleavethatdraftonthebarwhenyou’rereadytogoto-morrow;"andtheincidentwaspresumedtohaveended。ButCollinsondidnotglanceinthedirectionofParkerfortherestoftheevening;and，indeed，standingwithhisbacktothechimney，morethanoncefellintothatstolidabstractionwhichwassupposedtobethecontemplationofhisabsentwife。
　　Fromthissilence，whichbecameinfectious，thethreeguestsweresuddenlyarousedbyafuriousclatteringdownthesteepdescentofthemountain，alongthetrailtheyhadjustridden！Itcamenear，increasinginsound，untilitevenseemedtoscatterthefinegraveloftheriver-bedagainstthesidesofthehouse，andthenpassedinagustofwindthatshooktheroofandroaredinthechimney。Withonecommonimpulsethethreetravelersroseandwenttothedoor。Theyopenedittoablacknessthatseemedtostandasanotherandanirondoorbeforethem，buttonothingelse。
　　"Somebodywentbythen，"saidUncleDick，turningtoCollinson。
　　"Didn’tyouhearit？"
　　"Nary，"saidCollinsonpatiently，withoutmovingfromthechimney。
　　"WhatinGod’snamewasit，then？"
　　"Onlysomeofthembouldersyouloosedcomingdown。It’stouchandgowiththemfordaysafter。WhenIfirstcamehereIusedtostartupandrushoutintotheroad——likeasyouwould——yellin’andscreechin’afterfolksthatneverwasthereandneverwentby。
　　Thenitgotkindermonotonous，andI’dliestillandlet’emslide。
　　Why，onenightI’da’swornthatsomeonepulledupwithayellandshookthedoor。ButIsortofallowedtomyselfthatwhateveritwas，itwasn’twantin’toeat，drink，sleep，oritwouldcomein，andIhadn’tanycalltointerfere。Andinthemornin’Ifoundarockasbigasthatbox，lyingchock-a-blockaginthedoor。ThenI
　　knowedIwasright。"
　　PrebleKeyremainedlookingfromthedoor。
　　"There’saglowintheskyoverBigCanyon，"hesaid，withameaningglanceatUncleDick。
　　"Sawitanhourago，"saidCollinson。"Itmustbethewoodsafirejustroundthebendabovethecanyon。WhoevergoestoSkinner’shadbettergiveitawideberth。"
　　KeyturnedtowardsCollinsonasiftospeak，butapparentlychangedhismind，andpresentlyjoinedhiscompanions，whowerealreadyrollingthemselvesintheirblankets，inaseriesofwoodenbunksorberths，rangedasinaship’scabin，aroundthewallsofaresinous，sawdustyapartmentthathadbeenthemeasuringroomofthemill。Collinsondisappeared，——noonekneworseemedtocarewhere，——and，inlessthantenminutesfromthetimethattheyhadreturnedfromthedoor，thehushofsleepandrestseemedtopossessthewholehouse。Therewasnolightbutthatofthefireinthefrontroom，whichthrewflickeringandgiganticshadowsonthewallsofthethreeemptychairsbeforeit。Anhourlateritseemedasifoneofthechairswereoccupied，andagrotesqueprofileofCollinson’sslumbering——ormeditating——faceandfigurewasprojectedgrimlyontheraftersasthoughitwerethehoveringguardianspiritofthehouse。Buteventhatpassedpresentlyandfadedout，andthebeleagueringdarknessthathadencompassedthehousealltheeveningbegantoslowlycreepinthrougheverychinkandcrannyoftherambling，ill-jointedstructure，untilitatlastobliteratedeventhefaintembersonthehearth。Thecoolfragranceofthewoodlanddepthscreptinwithituntilthesteepofhumanwarmth，thereekofhumanclothing，andthelingeringodorsofstalehumanvictualweresweptawayinthatincorruptibleandomnipotentbreath。Anhourlater——andthewildernesshadrepossesseditselfofall。
　　Key，thelightestsleeper，awokeearly，——soearlythatthedawnannounceditselfonlyintwodimsquaresoflightthatseemedtogrowoutofthedarknessattheendoftheroomwherethewindowslookedoutuponthevalley。Thisremindedhimofhiswoodlandvisionofthenightbefore，andhelayandwatchedthemuntiltheybrightenedandbegantooutlinethefiguresofhisstillsleepingcompanions。Buttherewerefaintstirringselsewhere，——thesoftbrushingofasquirrelacrosstheshingledroof，thetinyflutterofinvisiblewingsintherafters，the"peep"and"squeak"ofbabylifebelowthefloor。Andthenhefellintoadeepersleep，andawokeonlywhenitwasbroadday。
　　Thesunwasshiningupontheemptybunks;hiscompanionswerealreadyupandgone。Theyhadseparatedastheyhadcometogether，——withthelight-heartedirresponsibilityofanimals，——
　　withoutregret，andscarcelyreminiscence;bearing，withcheerfulphilosophyandthehopefulnessofafutureunfetteredbytheirpast，thefinaldisappointmentoftheirquest。Iftheyevermetagain，theywouldlaughandremember;iftheydidnot，theywouldforgetwithoutasigh。Hehurriedlydressedhimself，andwentoutsidetodiphisfaceandhandsinthebucketthatstoodbesidethedoor;buttheclearair，thedazzlingsunshine，andtheunexpectedprospecthalfintoxicatedhim。
　　Theabandonedmillstretchedbesidehiminallthepathosofitsprematuredecay。Theribsofthewater-wheelappearedamidatangleofshrubsanddriftwood，andweretwinedwithlonggrassesandstragglingvines;moundsofsawdustandheapsof"brush"hadtakenuponthemselvesavelvetymosswherethetricklingslimeofthevanishedriverlostitselfinsluggishpools，discoloredwiththedyesofredwood。Butontheothersideoftherockyledgedroppedthewholelengthofthevalley，alternatelybathedinsunshineorhiddenindriftsofwhiteandclingingsmoke。Theupperendofthelongcanyon，andthecrestsoftheridgeabovehim，werelostinthisfleecycloud，whichattimesseemedtooverflowthesummitsandfallinslowleapslikelazycataractsdownthemountain-side。Onlytherangebeforetheledgewasclear;
　　therethegreenpinesseemedtoswellonwardandupwardinlongmountingbillows，untilatlasttheybrokeagainstthesky。
　　InthekeenstimulusofthehourandtheairKeyfeltthemountaineer’slongingforaction，andscarcelynoticedthatCollinsonhadpatheticallybroughtouthisporkbarreltoscrapetogetherafewremnantsforhislastmeal。Itwasnotuntilhehadfinishedhiscoffee，andCollinsonhadbroughtuphishorse，thataslightsenseofshameathisownandhiscomrades’selfishnessembarrassedhispartingwithhispatienthost。HehimselfwasgoingtoSkinner’stopleadforhim;heknewthatParkerhadleftthedraft，——hehadseenitlyinginthebar，——butanewsenseofdelicacykepthimfromalludingtoitnow。ItwasbettertoleaveCollinsonwithhisownpeculiarideasoftheresponsibilitiesofhospitalityunchanged。Keyshookhishandwarmly，andgallopeduptherockyslope。Butwhenhehadfinallyreachedthehigherlevel，andfanciedhecouldevennowseethedustraisedbyhisdepartingcomradesontheirtwodivergingpaths，althoughheknewthattheyhadalreadygonetheirdifferentways，——perhapsnevertomeetagain，——histhoughtsandhiseyesrevertedonlytotheruinedmillbelowhimanditslonelyoccupant。
　　Hecouldseehimquitedistinctlyinthatclearair，stillstandingbeforehisdoor。Andthenheappearedtomakeapartinggesturewithhishand，andsomethinglikesnowflutteredintheairabovehishead。ItwasonlythetornfragmentsofParker’sdraft，whichthishomelygentlemanoftheSierras，standingbesidehisemptyporkbarrel，hadscatteredtothefourwinds。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　Key’sattentionwaspresentlydirectedtosomethingmoreimportanttohispresentpurpose。Thekeenwindwhichhehadfacedinmountingthegradehadchanged，andwasnowblowingathisback。
　　Hisexperienceofforestfireshadalreadytaughthimthatthiswastoooftenonlythecoldairrushingintofillthevacuummadebytheconflagration，anditneedednothissensationofanacridsmartinginhiseyes，andanunaccountabledrynessintheairwhichhewasnowfacing，toconvincehimthatthefirewasapproachinghim。Ithadevidentlytraveledfasterthanhehadexpected，orhaddivergedfromitscourse。Hewasdisappointed，notbecauseitwouldobligehimtotakeanotherroutetoSkinner’s，asCollinsonhadsuggested，butforaverydifferentreason。Eversincehisvisionoftheprecedingnight，hehadresolvedtorevisitthehollowanddiscoverthemystery。Hehadkepthispurposeasecret，——partlybecausehewishedtoavoidthejestingremarksofhiscompanions，butparticularlybecausehewishedtogoalone，fromaverysingularimpressionthatalthoughtheyhadwitnessedtheincidenthehadreallyseenmorethantheydid。Tothiswasalsoaddedthehauntingfearhehadfeltduringthenightthatthismysterioushabitationanditsoccupantswereinthetrackoftheconflagration。HehadnotdaredtodwelluponitopenlyonaccountofUncleDick’sevidentresponsibilityfortheoriginofthefire;
　　heappeasedhisconsciencewiththereflectionthattheinmatesofthedwellingnodoubthadamplewarningintimetoescape。Butstill，heandhiscompanionsoughttohavestoppedtohelpthem，andthen——butherehepaused，consciousofanotherreasonhecouldscarcelyvoicethen，orevennow。PrebleKeyhadnotpassedtheageofromance，butlikeotherromancistshethoughthehadevadeditbytreatingitpractically。
　　Meantimehehadreachedtheforkwherethetraildivergedtotheright，andhemusttakethatdirectionifhewishedtomakeadetouroftheburningwoodstoreachSkinner’s。Hismomentaryindecisioncommunicateditselftohishorse，whohalted。Recalledtohimself，helookeddownmechanically，whenhisattentionwasattractedbyanunfamiliarobjectlyinginthedustofthetrail。
　　Itwasasmallslipper——sosmallthatatfirsthethoughtitmusthavebelongedtosomechild。Hedismountedandpickeditup。Itwaswornandshapedtothefoot。Itcouldnothavelaintherelong，foritwasnotfillednordiscoloredbythewind-blowndustofthetrail，asallotheradjacentobjectswere。Ifithadbeendroppedbyapassingtraveler，thattravelermusthavepassedCollinson’s，goingorcoming，withinthelasttwelvehours。Itwasscarcelypossiblethattheshoecouldhavedroppedfromthefootwithoutthewearer’sknowingit，anditmusthavebeendroppedinanurgentflight，oritwouldhavebeenrecovered。ThuspracticallyKeytreatedhisromance。Andhavingdoneso，heinstantlywheeledhishorseandplungedintotheroadinthedirectionofthefire。
　　Buthewassurprisedaftertwentyminutes’ridingtofindthatthecourseofthefirehadevidentlychanged。Itwasgrowingclearerbeforehim;thedryheatseemedtocomemorefromtheright，inthedirectionofthedetourheshouldhavetakentoSkinner’s。Thisseemedalmostprovidential，andinkeepingwithhispracticaltreatmentofhisromance，aswasalsothefactthatinallprobabilitythefirehadnotyetvisitedthelittlehollowwhichheintendedtoexplore。Heknewhewasnearingitnow;thelocalityhadbeenstronglyimpresseduponhimeveninthedarknessofthepreviousevening。Hehadpassedtherockyledge;hishorse’shoofsnolongerrangoutclearly;slowlyandperceptiblytheygrewdeadenedinthespringymosses，andwerefinallylostinthenettedgrassesandtangledvinesthatindicatedthevicinityofthedenselywoodedhollow。Herewerealreadysomeofthewiderspacedvanguardsofthatwood;buthere，too，apeculiarcircumstancestruckhim。Hewasalreadydescendingtheslightdeclivity;butthedistance，insteadofdeepeninginleafyshadow，wasactuallygrowinglighter。Hereweretheoutskirtingsentinelsofthewood——
　　butthewooditselfwasgone！Hespurredhishorsethroughthetallarchbetweentheopenedcolumns，andpulledupinamazement。
　　Thewood，indeed，wasgone，andthewholehollowfilledwiththealreadyblackanddeadstumpsoftheutterlyconsumedforest！Morethanthat，fromtheindicationsbeforehim，thecatastrophemusthavealmostimmediatelyfollowedhisretreatfromthehollowontheprecedingnight。Itwasevidentthatthefirehadleapedtheinterveningshoulderofthespurinoneoftheunaccountable，butbynomeansrare，phenomenaofthiskindofdisaster。Thecirclingheightsaroundwereyetuntouched;onlythehollow，andtheledgeofrockagainstwhichtheyhadblunderedwiththeirhorseswhentheywereseekingthemysteriouswindowinlastevening’sdarkness，werecalcinedanddestroyed。Hedismountedandclimbedtheledge，stillwarmfromthespentfire。Alargemassofgrayishoutcrophadevidentlybeenthefocusofthefurnaceblastofheatwhichmusthaveragedforhoursinthisspot。Hewasskirtingitscrumblingdebriswhenhestartedsuddenlyatadiscoverywhichmadeeverythingelsefadeintoutterinsignificance。Beforehim，inaslightdepressionformedbyafaultorlapseintheupheavedstrata，laythecharredandincineratedremainsofadwelling-houseleveledtotheearth！Originallyhalfhiddenbyanaturalabattisofgrowingmyrtleandceanothuswhichcoveredthiscounter-scarpofrocktowardsthetrail，itmusthavestoodwithinahundredfeetofthemduringtheirhalt！
　　Eveninitsutterandcompleteobliterationbythefuriousfurnaceblastthathadsweptacrossit，therewasstilltobeseenanunmistakablegroundplanandoutlineofafour-roomedhouse。Whileeverythingthatwascombustiblehadsuccumbedtothatintenseheat，therewasstillenoughhalf-fusedandwarpedmetal，fracturedironplate，andtwistedandbrokenbarstoindicatethekitchenandtoolshed。Verylittlehad，evidently，beentakenaway;thehouseanditscontentswereconsumedwheretheystood。WithafeelingofhorroranddesperationKeyatlastventuredtodisturbtwoorthreeoftheblackenedheapsthatlaybeforehim。Buttheywereonlyvestigesofclothing，bedding，andcrockery——therewasnohumantracethathecoulddetect。Norwasthereanysuggestionoftheoriginalconditionandqualityofthehouse，exceptitssize：
　　whethertheordinaryunsightlycabinoffrontier"partners，"orsomesylvancottage——therewasnothingleftbuttheusualignobleandunsavoryruinsofburnt-outhumanhabitation。
　　Andyetitsveryexistencewasamystery。IthadbeenunknownatCollinson’s，itsnearestneighbor，anditwaspresumablethatitwasequallyunknownatSkinner’s。Neitherhenorhiscompanionshaddetecteditintheirfirstjourneybydaythroughthehollow，andonlythetell-talewindowatnighthadbeenahintofwhatwaseventhensosuccessfullyconcealedthattheycouldnotdiscoveritwhentheyhadblunderedagainstitsrockfoundation。Forconcealeditcertainlywas，andintentionallyso。Butforwhatpurpose？
　　Hegavehisromancefullplayforafewminuteswiththisquestion。
　　Somerecluse，preferringtheabsolutesimplicityofnature，orperhapsweariedwiththeartificialitiesofsociety，hadsecludedhimselfherewiththecompanyofhisonlydaughter。Proficientasapathfinder，hehadeasilydiscoveredsomeotherwayofprovisioninghishousefromthesettlementsthanbytheordinarytrailspastCollinson’sorSkinner’s，whichwouldhavebetrayedhisvicinity。Butreclusesarenotusuallyaccompaniedbyyoungdaughters，whoserelationswiththeworld，notbeingasantagonistic，wouldmakethemuncertaincompanions。Whynotawife？Hispresumptionoftheextremeyouthofthefacehehadseenatthewindowwasafterallonlybasedupontheslipperhehadfound。Andifawife，whoseabsoluteacceptanceofsuchconfinedseclusionmightbeequallyuncertain，whynotsomebodyelse’swife？
　　Herewasareasonforconcealment，andtheendofanepisode，notunknowneveninthewilderness。AndherewastheworkoftheNemesiswhohadovertakenthemintheirguiltycontentment！Thestory，eventoitsmoral，wascomplete。Andyetitdidnotentirelysatisfyhim，sosuperioristheabsolutelyunknowntothemostelaboratetheory。
　　Hisattentionhadbeenonceortwicedrawntowardsthecrumblingwallofoutcrop，whichduringtheconflagrationmusthavefeltthefullforceofthefieryblastthathadsweptthroughthehollowandspentitsfuryuponit。Itboreevidenceoftheintenseheatincrackedfissuresandthecrumblingdebristhatlayatitsfeet。
　　Keypickedupsomeofthestillwarmfragments，andwasnotsurprisedthattheyeasilybrokeinagritty，grayishpowderinhishands。Inspiteofhispreoccupationwiththehumaninterest，theinstinctoftheprospectorwasstillstronguponhim，andhealmostmechanicallyputsomeofthepiecesinhispockets。Thenafteranothercarefulsurveyofthelocalityforanyfurtherrecordofitsvanishedtenants，hereturnedtohishorse。Herehetookfromhissaddle-bags，halflistlessly，apreciousphialencasedinwood，and，openingit，pouredintoanotherthickglassvesselpartofasmokingfluid;hethencrumbledsomeofthecalcinedfragmentsintotheglass，andwatchedtheebullitionthatfollowedwithmechanicalgravity。Whenithadalmostceasedhedrainedoffthecontentsintoanotherglass，whichhesetdown，andthenproceededtopoursomewaterfromhisdrinking-flaskintotheordinarytincupwhichformedpartofhisculinarytraveling-kit。Intothisheputthreeorfourpinchesofsaltfromhisprovisionstore。Thendippinghisfingersintothesaltandwater，heallowedadroptofallintotheglass。Awhitecloudinstantlygatheredinthecolorlessfluid，andthenfellinafinefilmtothebottomoftheglass。Key’seyesconcentratedsuddenly，thelistlesslooklefthisface。Hisfingerstrembledlightlyasheagainletthesaltwaterfallintothesolution，withexactlythesameresult！Againandagainherepeatedit，untilthebottomoftheglasswasquitegraywiththefallenprecipitate。Andhisownfacegrewasgray。
　　Hishandtremblednolongerashecarefullypouredoffthesolutionsoasnottodisturbtheprecipitateatthebottom。Thenhedrewouthisknife，scoopedalittleofthegraysedimentuponitspoint，andemptyinghistincup，turneditupsidedownuponhisknee，placedthesedimentuponit，andbegantospreaditoverthedullsurfaceofitsbottomwithhisknife。Hehadintendedtorubitbrisklywithhisknifeblade。Butintheveryactionofspreadingit，thefirststrokeofhisknifeleftuponthesedimentandthecuptheluminousstreakofburnishedsilver！
　　Hestoodupanddrewalongbreathtostillthebeatingsofhisheart。Thenherapidlyre-climbedtherock，andpassedovertheruinsagain，thistimeplunginghurriedlythrough，andkickingasidethecharredheapswithoutathoughtofwhattheyhadcontained。Keywasnotanunfeelingman，hewasnotanunrefinedone：hewasagentlemanbyinstinct，andhadanintuitivesympathyforothers;butinthatinstanthiswholemindwasconcentrateduponthecalcinedoutcrop！Andhisfirstimpulsewastoseeifitboreanyevidenceofpreviousexamination，prospecting，orworkingbyitssuddenlyevictedneighborsandowners。Therewasnone：theyhadevidentlynotknownit。Norwasthereanyreasontosupposethattheywouldeverreturntotheirhiddenhome，nowdevastatedandlaidbaretotheopensunlightandopentrail。Theywerealreadyfaraway;theirguiltypersonalsecretwouldkeepthemfromrevisitingit。Animmensefeelingofreliefcameoverthesoulofthismoralromancer;amomentaryrecognitionoftheMostHighinthisperfectpoeticalretribution。Heranbackquicklytohissaddle-bags，drewoutoneortwocarefullywritten，formalnoticesofpreemptionandclaim，whichheandhisformercompanionshadcarriedintheirbriefpartnership，erasedtheirsignaturesandleftonlyhisownname，withanothergratefulsenseofDivineinterference，ashethoughtofthemspeedingfarawayinthedistance，andreturnedtotheruins。Withunconsciousirony，heselectedacharredpostfromtheembers，stuckitinthegroundafewfeetfromthedebrisofoutcrop，andfinallyaffixedhis"Notice。"Then，withaconscientiousnessbornpossiblyofhisnewreligiousconvictions，hedislodgedwithhispickaxeenoughofthebrittleoutcroptoconstitutethatpresumptionof"actualwork"
　　upontheclaimwhichwaslegallyrequiredforitsmaintenance，andreturnedtohishorse。Inreplacinghisthingsinhissaddle-bagshecameupontheslipper，andforaninstantsocompletewashispreoccupationinhislaterdiscovery，thathewasabouttothrowitawayasuselessimpedimenta，untilitoccurredtohim，albeitvaguely，thatitmightbeofservicetohiminitsconnectionwiththatdiscovery，inthewayofrefutingpossiblefalseclaimants。
　　Hewasnotawareofanyfaithlessnesstohismomentaryromance，anymorethanhewasconsciousofanydisloyaltytohisoldcompanions，inhisgratificationthathisgoodfortunehadcometohimalone。
　　Thissingularselectionwasacommonexperienceofprospecting。
　　Andtherewassomethingaboutthemagnitudeofhisdiscoverythatseemedtopointtoanindividualachievement。Hehadmadearoughcalculationoftherichnessofthelodefromthequantityofprecipitateinhisrudeexperiment;hehadestimateditslength，breadth，andthicknessfromhisslightknowledgeofgeologyandthetheoriesthenripe;andtheyieldwouldbecolossal！Ofcourse，hewouldrequirecapitaltoworkit，hewouldhaveto"letin"otherstohisschemeandhisprosperity;butthecontrolofitwouldalwaysbeHISOWN。
　　Thenhesuddenlystartedashehadneverinhislifebeforestartedatthefootofman！Fortherewasafootfallinthecharredbrush;
　　andnottwentyyardsfromhimstoodCollinson，whohadjustdismountedfromamule。ThebloodrushedtoKey’spaleface。
　　"Prospectin’agin？"saidtheproprietorofthemill，withhiswearysmile。
　　"No，"saidKeyquickly，"onlystraighteningmypack。"Theblooddeepenedinhischeekathisinstinctivelie。Hadhecarefullythoughtitoutbefore，hewouldhavewelcomedCollinson，andtoldhimall。Butnowaquick，uneasysuspicionflasheduponhim。
　　Perhapshislatehosthadlied，andknewoftheexistenceofthehiddenhouse。Perhaps——hehadspokenofsome"silveryrock"thenightbefore——heevenknewsomethingofthelodeitself。Heturneduponhimwithanaggressiveface。ButCollinson’snextwordsdissipatedthethought。
　　"I’mgladIfoundye，anyhow，"hesaid。"Yesee，arteryouleft，I
　　sawyeturnoffthetrailandmakefortheburningwoodsinsteado’
　　goin’round。Iseztomyself，’ThatfellowismakingstraightforSkinner’s。He’ssorterworriedaboutmeandthatemptyporkbar’l，’——Ihadn’toughterspokethatawayaforeyouboys，anyhow，——
　　’andhe’stakin’riskstohelpme。’SoIreckonedI’dthrowmylegoverJennyhere，andlookarterye——andgoovertoSkinner’smyself——andvote。"
　　"Certainly，"saidKeywithcheerfulalacrity，andtheonethoughtofgettingCollinsonaway;"we’llgotogether，andwe’llseethatthatporkbarrelisfilled！"HeglowedquitehonestlywiththissuddenideaofrememberingCollinsonthroughhisgoodfortune。
　　"Let’sgetonquickly，forwemayfindthefirebetweenusontheoutertrail。"Hehastilymountedhishorse。
　　"Thenyoudidn’ttakethisasashortcut，"saidCollinson，withdullperseveranceinhisidea。"Whynot？Itlooksallclearahead。"
　　"Yes，"saidKeyhurriedly，"butit’sbeenonlyaleapofthefire，it’sstillragingroundthebend。Wemustgobacktothecross-
　　trail。"Hisfacewasstillflushingwithhisveryequivocating，andhisanxietytogethiscompanionaway。OnlyafewstepsfurthermightbringCollinsonbeforetheruinsandthe"Notice，"
　　andthatdiscoverymustnotbemadebyhimuntilKey’splanswereperfected。Asuddenaversiontothemanhehadamomentbeforewishedtorewardbegantotakepossessionofhim。"Comeon，"headdedalmostroughly。
　　Buttohissurprise，Collinsonyieldedwithhisusualgrimpatience，andevenaslightlookofsympathywithhisfriend’sannoyance。"Ireckonyou’reright，andmebbeeyou’reinahurrytogettoSkinner’sallalongo’MYbusiness，Ioughtn’thevtoldyouboyswhatIdid。"Astheyroderapidlyawayhetookoccasiontoadd，whenKeyhadreinedinslightly，withafeelingofreliefatbeingoutofthehollow，"Iwasthinkin’，too，ofwhatyou’daskedaboutanyonelivin’hereunbeknownsttome。"
　　"Well，"saidKey，withanewnervousness。
　　"Well;Ionlyhadanideao’proposin’thatyouandmejusttookalookaroundthathollerwharyouthoughtyousawsuthin’！"saidCollinsontentatively。
　　"Nonsense，"saidKeyhurriedly。"Wereallysawnothing——itwasallafancy;andUncleDickwasjokingmebecauseIsaidIthoughtI
　　sawawoman’sface，"headdedwithaforcedlaugh。
　　Collinsonglancedathim，halfsadly。"Oh！Youwereonlyfunnin’，then。Ioughterguessedthat。IoughterhaveknoweditfromUncleDick’stalk！"Theyrodeforsomemomentsinsilence;Keypreoccupiedandfeverish，andeageronlytoreachSkinner’s。
　　Skinnerwasnotonlypostmasterbut"registrar"ofthedistrict，andthenewdiscovererdidnotfeelentirelysafeuntilhehadputhisformalnotificationandclaims"onrecord。"Thiswasnopublicationofhisactualsecret，noranyindicationofsuccess，butwasonlyarecordthatwouldinallprobabilityremainunnoticedandunchallengedamidstthemanyotherhopefuldreamsofsanguineprospectors。Buthewassuddenlystartledfromhispreoccupation。
　　"Yesaidyewarstraightenin’upyerpackjustnow，"saidCollinsonslowly。
　　"Yes！"saidKeyalmostangrily，"andIwas。"
　　"Yedidn’tstoptostraightenitupdownattheforksofthetrail，didye？"
　　"Imayhave，"saidKeynervously。"Butwhy？"
　　"Yewon’tmindmyaxin’yeanotherquestion，willye？Yeain’tcarryin’roundwithyenowoman’sshoe？"
　　Keyfelttheblooddropfromhischeeks。"Whatdoyoumean？"hestammered，scarcelydaringtolifthisconsciouseyelidstohiscompanion’sglance。ButwhenhedidsohewasamazedtofindthatCollinson’sfacewasalmostasmuchdisturbedashisown。
　　"Iknowitain’tthesquarethingtoaskye，butthisishowitis，"saidCollinsonhesitatingly。"YeseejustdownbytheforkofthetrailwhereyoucameIpickedupawoman’sshoe。Itsortergotme！ForIseztomyself，’Tharain’tnoonebinbymyshanty，comin’orgoin’，forweeksbutyouboys，andthatshoe，fromthelooksofit，ain’tbinthereasmanyhours。’Iknewtherewasn’tanywiminhereabouts。Ireckoneditcouldn’thevbindroppedbyUncleDickorthatotherman，foryouwouldhaveseenitontheroad。SoIalloweditmighthavebinYOU。Andyeritis。"Heslowlydrewfromhispocket——whatKeywasfullypreparedtosee——
　　themateoftheslipperKeyhadinhissaddle-bags！Thefairfugitivehadevidentlylostthemboth。
　　ButKeywasbetterpreparednow（perhapsthiskindofdissimulationisprogressive），andquicklyalivetothenecessityofthrowingCollinsonoffthisunexpectedscent。Andhiscompanion’sownsuggestionwasrighttohishand，and，asitseemed，againquiteprovidential！Helaughed，withaquickcolor，which，however，appearedtohelphislie，asherepliedhalfhysterically，"You’reright，oldman，Iownup，it’smine！It’sd——dsilly，Iknow——butthen，we’reallfoolswherewomenareconcerned——andIwouldn’thavelostthatslipperforamintofmoney。"
　　Heheldouthishandgayly，butCollinsonretainedtheslipperwhilehegravelyexaminedit。
　　"Youwouldn’tmindtellingmewhereyoumoughthevgotthat？"hesaidmeditatively。
　　"OfcourseIshouldmind，"saidKeywithawell-affectedminglingofmirthandindignation。"Whatareyouthinkingof，youoldrascal？Whatdoyoutakemefor？"
　　ButCollinsondidnotlaugh。"Youwouldn’tmindgivin’methesizeandshapeandgeneralheftofherasworethatshoe？"
　　"MostdecidedlyIshoulddonothingofthekind！"saidKeyhalfimpatiently。"Enough，thatitwasgiventomebyaveryprettygirl。There！that’sallyouwillknow。"
　　"GIVENtoyou？"saidCollinson，liftinghiseyes。
　　"Yes，"returnedKeysharply。
　　Collinsonhandedhimtheslippergravely。"Ionlyaskedyou，"hesaidslowly，butwithacertainquietdignitywhichKeyhadneverbeforeseeninhisface，"becausetharwassuthin’aboutthesize，andshape，andfillin’outo’thatshoethatkinderremindedmeofsome’un;butthatsome’un——herasmoughthevstoodupinthatshoe——ain’to’thatkindaswouldeverstandintheshoesofherasYOUknowatall。"Therebuke，ifsuchwereintended，layquiteasmuchintheutterignoringofKey’sairygallantryandlevityasinanyconscioussluruponthefairfameofhisinventedDulcinea。
　　YetKeyoddlyfeltastronginclinationtoresenttheaspersionaswellasCollinson’sgratuitousmorality;andwithameanrecollectionofUncleDick’slastevening’sscandalousgossip，hesaidsarcastically，"And，ofcourse，thatsomeoneYOUwerethinkingofwasyourlawfulwife。"
　　"Itwar！"saidCollinsongravely。
　　PerhapsitwassomethinginCollinson’smanner，orhisownpreoccupation，buthedidnotpursuethesubject，andtheconversationlagged。Theywerenearing，too，theouteredgeofthepresentconflagration，andthesmoke，lyinglowintheunburntwoods，orcreepinglikeanactualexhalationofthesoil，blindedthemsothatattimestheylostthetrailcompletely。Atothertimes，fromtheintenseheat，itseemedasiftheyweremomentarilyimpingingupontheburningarea，orwerebeingcaughtinaclosingcircle。ItwasremarkablethatwithhissuddenaccessionoffortuneKeyseemedtolosehisusualfrankandcarelessfearlessness，andimpatientlyquestionedhiscompanion’swoodcraft。
　　TherewereintervalswhenheregrettedhishastetoreachSkinner’sbythisshortercut，andbegantobitterlyattributeittohisdesiretoserveCollinson。Ah，yes！itwouldbefineindeed，ifjustashewereabouttoclutchtheprizeheshouldbesacrificedthroughtheignoranceandstupidityofthisheavy-handedmoralistathisside！Butitwasnotuntil，throughthatmoralist’sguidance，theyclimbedasteepacclivitytoasecondridge，andwerecomparativelysafe，thathebegantofeelashamedofhissurlysilenceorsurlierinterruptions。AndCollinson，eitherthroughhisunconquerablepatience，orpossiblyinafitofhisusualuxoriousabstraction，appearedtotakenonoticeofit。
　　Aslopingtable-landofweather-beatenbouldersnoweffectuallyseparatedthemfromthefireonthelowerridge。Theypresentlybegantodescendonthefurthersideofthecrest，andatlastdroppeduponawagon-road，andthefirsttrackofwheelsthatKeyhadseenforafortnight。Rudeasitwas，itseemedtohimthehighwaytofortune，forheknewthatitpassedSkinner’sandthenjoinedthegreatstage-roadtoMarysville，——nowhisultimatedestination。AfewrodsfurtherontheycameinviewofSkinner’s，lyinglikeadingyforgottenwintersnowdriftonthemountainshelf。
　　Itcontainedapost-office，tavern，blacksmith’sshop，"generalstore，"andexpress-office，scarcelyadozenbuildingsinall，butalldifferingfromCollinson’sMillinsomevaguesuggestionofvitality，asifthedailyregularpulseofcivilizationstillbeat，albeitlanguidly，inthatremoteextremity。Therewasanticipationandaccomplishmenttwiceaday;andasKeyandCollinsonrodeuptotheexpress-office，theexpress-wagonwasstandingbeforethedoorreadytostarttomeetthestagecoachatthecross-roadsthreemilesaway。ThisagainseemedaspecialprovidencetoKey。HehadabriefofficialcommunicationwithSkinnerasregistrar，anddulyrecordedhisclaim;hehadahastyandconfidentialasidewithSkinnerasgeneralstorekeeper，andsuchwastheunconsciousmagnetismdevelopedbythisembryomillionairethatSkinnerextendedthenecessarycredittoCollinsononKey’swordalone。
　　Thatdone，herejoinedCollinsoninhighspiritswiththenews，addingcheerfully，"AndIdaresay，ifyouwantanyfurtheradvancesSkinnerwillgivethemtoyouonParker’sdraft。"
　　"Youmeanthatbito’paperthatchapleft，"saidCollinsongravely。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Itoreitup。"
　　"Youtoreitup？"ejaculatedKey。
　　"Youhearme？Yes！"saidCollinson。
　　Keystaredathim。Surelyitwasagainprovidentialthathehadnotintrustedhissecrettothisutterlyignorantandprejudicedman！Theslighttwingesofconsciencethathislieabouttheslippershadcausedhimdisappearedatonce。Hecouldnothavetrustedhimeveninthat;itwouldhavebeenlikethisstupidfanatictohavepreventedKey’spreemptionofthatclaim，untilhe，Collinson，hadsatisfiedhimselfofthewhereaboutsofthemissingproprietor。WashequitesurethatCollinsonwouldnotrevisitthespotwhenhehadgone？Buthewasreadyfortheemergency。
　　HehadintendedtoleavehishorsewithSkinnerassecurityforCollinson’sprovisions，butSkinner’sliberalityhadmadethisunnecessary，andhenowofferedittoCollinsontouseandkeepforhimuntilcalledfor。Thiswouldenablehiscompanionto"pack"
　　hisgoodsonthemule，andobligehimtoreturntothemillbythewagon-roadand"outsidetrail，"asmorecommodiousforthetwoanimals。