PREFACE
　　Themeasureofaman’spowertohelphisbrotheristhemeasureoftheloveintheheartofhimandofthefaithhehasthatatlastthegoodwillwin。Withthislovethatseeksnotitsownandthisfaiththatgripstheheartofthings，hegoesouttomeetmanyfortunes，butnotthatofdefeat。
　　ThisstoryisofthepeopleoftheFoothillCountry;ofthosemenofadventurousspirit，wholefthomesofcomfort，oftenofluxury，becauseofthestirringinthemtobeandtodosomeworthything;
　　andofthoseotherswho，outcastfromtheirkind，soughttofindinthesevalleys，remoteandlonely，aspotwheretheycouldforgetandbeforgotten。
　　ThewavingskylineoftheFoothillswastheboundaryoftheirlookoutuponlife。Heretheydweltsafefromthescanningoftheworld，freedfromallrestraintsofsociallaw，deniedthegentlerinfluencesofhomeandthesweetupliftofagoodwoman’sface。
　　Whatwonderif，withthenewfreedombeatingintheirheartsandears，somerodefierceandhardthewildtrailtothecut-bankofdestruction！
　　Thestoryis，too，ofhowamanwithvisionbeyondthewavingskylinecametothemwithfirmpurposetoplaythebrother’spart，andbysheerloveofthemandbyfaithinthem，winthemtobelievethatlifeispriceless，andthatitisgoodtobeaman。
　　CONTENTS
　　CHAPTER
　　I。TheFoothillsCountryII。TheCompanyoftheNobleSevenIII。TheComingofthePilotIV。ThePilot’sMeasureV。FirstBloodVI。HisSecondWindVII。TheLastofthePermitSundaysVIII。ThePilot’sGripIX。GwenX。Gwen’sFirstPrayersXI。Gwen’sChallengeXII。Gwen’sCanyonXIII。TheCanyonFlowersXIV。Bill’sBluffXV。Bill’sPartnerXVI。Bill’sFinancingXVII。HowthePintoSoldXVIII。TheLadyCharlotteXIX。ThroughGwen’sWindowXX。HowBillFavored"Home-GrownIndustries"
　　XXI。HowBillHittheTrailXXII。HowtheSwanCreekChurchwasOpenedXXIII。ThePilot’sLastPortTHESKYPILOT
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEFOOTHILLSCOUNTRY
　　BeyondthegreatprairiesandintheshadowoftheRockieslietheFoothills。Forninehundredmilestheprairiesspreadthemselvesoutinvastlevelreaches，andthenbegintoclimboversoftlyroundedmoundsthatevergrowhigherandsharpertill，hereandthere，theybreakintojaggedpointsandatlastrestuponthegreatbasesofthemightymountains。TheseroundedhillsthatjointheprairiestothemountainsformtheFoothillCountry。Theyextendforaboutahundredmilesonly，butnootherhundredmilesofthegreatWestaresofullofinterestandromance。Thenaturalfeaturesofthecountrycombinethebeautiesofprairieandofmountainscenery。Therearevalleyssowidethatthefarthersidemeltsintothehorizon，anduplandssovastastosuggesttheunbrokenprairie。Nearerthemountainsthevalleysdipdeepandeverdeepertilltheynarrowintocanyonsthroughwhichmountaintorrentspourtheirblue-graywatersfromglaciersthatlieglisteningbetweenthewhitepeaksfaraway。Herearethegreatrangesonwhichfeedherdsofcattleandhorses。Herearethehomesoftheranchmen，inwhosewild，free，lonelyexistencethereminglesmuchofthetragedyandcomedy，thehumorandpathos，thatgotomakeuptheromanceoflife。Amongthemaretobefoundthemostenterprising，themostdaring，ofthepeoplesoftheoldlands。Thebroken，theoutcast，thedisappointed，thesetoohavefoundtheirwaytotheranchesamongtheFoothills。Acountryitiswhosesunlithillsandshadedvalleysreflectthemselvesinthelivesofitspeople;fornowherearethecontrastsoflightandshademorevividlyseenthaninthehomesoftheranchmenoftheAlbertas。
　　TheexperiencesofmylifehaveconfirmedinmetheorthodoxconvictionthatProvidencesendshisrainupontheevilasuponthegood;elseIshouldneverhavesetmyeyesupontheFoothillcountry，nortoucheditsstrangelyfascinatinglife，norcometoknowandlovethemoststrikingmanofallthatgroupofstrikingmenoftheFoothillcountry——thedearoldPilot，aswecametocallhimlongafterwards。Myfirstyearincollegeclosedingloom。Myguardianwasindespair。FromthisdistanceofyearsIpityhim。
　　ThenIconsideredhimunnecessarilyconcernedaboutme——"afussyoldhen，"asoneoftheboyssuggested。TheinvitationfromJackDale，adistantcousin，tospendasummerwithhimonhisranchinSouthAlbertacameinthenickoftime。Iwaswildtogo。Myguardianhesitatedlong;butnoothersolutionoftheproblemofmydisposaloffering，hefinallyagreedthatIcouldnotwellgetintomoretroublebygoingthanbystaying。Henceitwasthat，intheearlysummerofoneoftheeighties，IfoundmyselfattachedtoaHudson’sBayCompanyfreighttrain，makingourwayfromalittlerailwaytowninMontanatowardstheCanadianboundary。Ourtrainconsistedofsixwagonsandfourteenyokeofoxen，withthreecayuses，inchargeofaFrenchhalf-breedandhisson，aladofaboutsixteen。Wemadeslowenoughprogress，buteveryhourofthelongday，fromthedim，gray，mistylightofdawntothesoftglowofshadowyevening，wasfullofnewdelightstome。OntheeveningofthethirddaywereachedtheLineStoppingPlace，whereJackDalemetus。Irememberwellhowmyheartbeatwithadmirationoftheeasygracewithwhichhesaileddownuponusintheloose-
　　jointedcowboystyle，swinginghisownbroncoandthelittlecayusehewasleadingformeintothecircleofthewagons，carelessofropesandfreightandotherimpedimenta。Heflunghimselfoffbeforehisbroncohadcometoastop，andgavemeagripthatmademesureofmywelcome。Itwasyearssincehehadseenamanfromhome，andtheeagerjoyinhiseyestoldoflongdaysandnightsoflonelyyearningfortheolddaysandtheoldfaces。Icametounderstandthisbetteraftermytwoyears’stayamongthesehillsthathaveastrangepoweronsomedaystowakeninamanlongingsthatmakehisheartgrowsick。Whensupperwasoverwegatheredaboutthelittlefire，whileJackandthehalf-breedsmokedandtalked。Ilayonmybacklookingupatthepale，steadystarsinthedeepblueofthecloudlesssky，andlistenedinfullnessofcontenteddelighttothechatbetweenJackandthedriver。NowandthenIaskedaquestion，butnottoooften。Itisalisteningsilencethatdrawstalesfromawesternman，notvexingquestions。
　　ThismuchIhadlearnedalreadyfrommythreedays’travel。SoI
　　layandlistened，andthetalesofthatnightaremingledwiththewarmeveninglightsandthepalestarsandthethoughtsofhomethatJack’scomingseemedtobring。
　　Nextmorningbeforesun-upwehadbrokencampandwerereadyforourfifty-mileride。Therewasaslightdrizzleofrainand，thoughrainandshinewerealiketohim，JackinsistedthatI
　　shouldwearmymackintosh。ThisgarmentwasquitenewandhadaloosecapewhichrustledasImovedtowardmycayuse。Hewasanugly-lookinglittleanimal，withmorewhiteinhiseyethanIcaredtosee。Altogether，Ididnotdrawtowardhim。Nordidhetome，apparently。ForasItookhimbythebridlehesnortedandsidledaboutwithgreatswiftness，andstoodfacingmewithhisfeetplantedfirmlyinfrontofhimasifpreparedtorejectoverturesofanykindsoever。Itriedtoapproachhimwithsoothingwords，buthepersistentlybackedawayuntilwestoodlookingateachotherattheutmostdistanceofhisoutstretchedneckandmyoutstretchedarm。AtthispointJackcametomyassistance，gottheponybytheothersideofthebridle，andheldhimfasttillI
　　gotintopositiontomount。TakingafirmgripofthehornoftheMexicansaddle，Ithrewmylegoverhisback。ThenextinstantI
　　wasflyingoverhishead。Myonlyemotionwasoneofsurprise，thethingwassounexpected。Ihadfanciedmyselfafairrider，havinghadexperienceoffarmers’coltsofdiverskinds，butthiswassomethingquitenew。Thehalf-breedstoodlookingon，mildlyinterested;Jackwassmiling，buttheboywasgrinningwithdelight。
　　"I’lltakethelittlebeast，"saidJack。ButthegrinningboybracedmeupandIrepliedascarelesslyasmyshakingvoicewouldallow：
　　"Oh，IguessI’llmanagehim，"andoncemoregotintoposition。
　　ButnosoonerhadIgotintothesaddlethantheponysprangstraightupintotheairandlitwithhisbackcurvedintoabow，hisfourlegsgatheredtogetherandsoabsolutelyrigidthattheshockmademyteethrattle。Itwasmyfirstexperienceof"bucking。"Thenthelittlebrutewentseriouslytoworktogetridoftherustling，flappingthingonhisback。Hewouldbacksteadilyforsomeseconds，then，withtwoorthreeforwardplunges，hewouldstopasifshotandspringstraightintotheupperair，lightingwithbackcurvedandlegsrigidasiron。Thenhewouldwalkonhishindlegsforafewsteps，thenthrowhimselfwithamazingrapiditytoonesideandagainproceedtobuckwithviciousdiligence。
　　"Sticktohim！"yelledJack，throughhisshoutsoflaughter。
　　"You’llmakehimsickbeforelong。"
　　Irememberthinkingthatunlesshisinsidesweresomewhatmoredelicatelyorganizedthanhisexternalappearancewouldleadonetosupposethechanceswerethatthelittlebrutewouldbethelasttosuccumbtosickness。Tomakemattersworse，awilderjumpthanordinarythrewmycapeupovermyhead，sothatIwasincompletedarkness。Andnowhehadmeathismercy，andheknewnopity。Hekickedandplungedandrearedandbucked，nowonhisfrontlegs，nowonhishindlegs，oftenonhisknees，whileI，inthedarkness，couldonlyclingtothehornofthesaddle。Atlast，inoneofthegleamsoflightthatpenetratedthefoldsofmyenvelopingcape，I
　　foundthatthehornhadslippedtohisside，sothenexttimehecametohiskneesIthrewmyselfoff。Iamanxioustomakethispointclear，for，fromtheexpressionoftriumphonthefaceofthegrinningboy，andhisencomiumsofthepony，Igatheredthathescoredawinforthecayuse。Withoutpausethatlittlebrutecontinuedforsomesecondstobuckandplungeevenaftermydismounting，asifheweresomepieceofmechanismthatmustrundownbeforeitcouldstop。
　　BythistimeIwassickenoughandbadlyshakeninmynerve，butthetriumphantshoutsandlaughteroftheboyandthecomplacentsmilesonthefacesofJackandthehalf-breedstirredmywrath。I
　　toreoffthecapeand，havinggotthesaddleputright，seizedJack’sridingwhipand，disregardinghisremonstrances，sprangonmysteedoncemore，andbeforehecouldmakeuphismindastohislineofactionpliedhimsovigorouslywiththerawhidethathesetoffovertheprairieatfullgallop，andinafewminutescameroundtothecampquitesubdued，totheboy’sgreatdisappointmentandtomyowngreatsurprise。Jackwashighlypleased，andeventhestolidfaceofthehalf-breedshowedsatisfaction。
　　"Don’tthinkIputthisuponyou，"Jacksaid。"Itwasthatcape。
　　Heain’tusedtosuchfrills。Butitwasacircus，"headded，goingoffintoafitoflaughter，"worthfivedollarsanyday。"
　　"Youbet！"saidthehalf-breed。"Dat’smakeprettybeegfun，eh？"
　　Itseemedtomethatitdependedsomewhatuponthepointofview，butImerelyagreedwithhim，onlytoogladtobesowelloutofthefight。
　　Alldaywefollowedthetrailthatwoundalongtheshouldersoftheround-toppedhillsordowntheirlongslopesintothewide，grassyvalleys。Hereandtherethevalleyswerecutthroughbycouleesthroughwhichranswift，blue-grayrivers，clearandicycold，whilefromthehilltopswecaughtglimpsesoflittlelakescoveredwithwild-fowlthatshriekedandsquawkedandsplashed，carelessofdanger。Nowandthenwesawwhatmadeablackspotagainstthegreenoftheprairie，andJacktoldmeitwasarancher’sshack。
　　Howremotefromthegreatworld，andhowlonelyitseemed！——thislittleblackshackamongthesemultitudinoushills。
　　IshallneverforgetthesummereveningwhenJackandIrodeintoSwanCreek。Isayinto——butthevillagewasalmostentirelyoneofimagination，inthatitconsistedoftheStoppingPlace，alonglogbuilding，astoryandahalfhigh，withstablesbehind，andthestoreinwhichthepost-officewaskeptandoverwhichtheownerdwelt。Butthesituationwasoneofgreatbeauty。Ononesidetheprairierambleddownfromthehillsandthenstretchedawayintawnylevelsintothemistypurpleatthehorizon;ontheotheritclamberedovertheround，sunnytopstothedimblueofthemountainsbeyond。
　　Inthisworld，whereitisimpossibletoreachabsolutevalues，weareforcedtoholdthingsrelatively，andincontrastwiththelong，lonelymilesofourrideduringthedaythesetwohouses，withtheiroutbuildings，seemedacenteroflife。SomehorsesweretiedtotherailthatranalonginfrontoftheStoppingPlace。
　　"Hello！"saidJack，"IguesstheNobleSevenareintown。"
　　"Andwhoarethey？"Iasked。
　　"Oh，"hereplied，withashrug，"theyaretheeliteOfSwanCreek;
　　andbyJove，"headded，"thismustbeaPermitNight。"
　　"Whatdoesthatmean？"Iasked，aswerodeuptowardsthetierail。
　　"Well，"saidJack，inalowtone，forsomemenwerestandingaboutthedoor，"yousee，thisisaprohibitioncountry，butwhenoneoftheboysfeelsasifheweregoingtohaveaspellofsicknesshegetsapermittobringinafewgallonsformedicinalpurposes;andofcourse，theotherboysbeingsimilarlyexposed，heinvitesthemtoassisthimintakingpreventivemeasures。And，"addedJack，withasolemnwink，"itisremarkable，inahealthycountrylikethis，howmanyepidemicscomenearketchingus。"
　　AndwiththismystifyingexplanationwejoinedthemysteriouscompanyoftheNobleSeven。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THECOMPANYOFTHENOBLESEVEN
　　Asweweredismounting，thecries，"Hello，Jack！""Howdo，Dale？"
　　"Hello，oldSmoke！"intheheartiestoftones，mademeseethatmycousinwasafavoritewiththemengroupedaboutthedoor。Jacksimplynoddedinreplyandthenpresentedmeindueform。"Mytenderfootcousinfromtheeffete，"hesaid，withaflourish。I
　　wassurprisedatthegraceofthebowsmademebytheseroughly-
　　dressed，wild-lookingfellows。ImighthavebeeninaLondondrawing-room。Iwasputatmyeaseatoncebythekindlinessoftheirgreeting，for，uponJack’sintroduction，Iwasadmittedatonceintotheircircle，which，toatenderfoot，wasusuallyclosed。
　　Whatahardy-lookinglottheywere！Brown，spare，sinewyandhardasnails，theyappearedlikesoldiersbackfromahardcampaign。
　　Theymovedandspokewithaneasy，carelessairofalmostlazyindifference，buttheireyeshadatrickoflookingstraightoutatyou，coolandfearless，andyoufelttheywerefitandready。
　　ThatnightIwasinitiatedintotheCompanyoftheNobleSeven——butoftheceremonyIregrettosayIretainbutanindistinctmemory;
　　fortheydrankastheyrode，hardandlong，anditwasonlyJack’scarethatgotmesafelyhomethatnight。
　　TheCompanyoftheNobleSevenwasthedominantsocialforceintheSwanCreekcountry。Indeed，itwastheonlysocialforceSwanCreekknew。OriginallyconsistingofsevenyoungfellowsofthebestbloodofBritain，"bandedtogetherforpurposesofmutualimprovementandsocialenjoyment，"ithadchangeditscharacterduringtheyears，butnotitsname。First，itsmembershipwasextendedtoinclude"approvedcolonials，"suchasJackDaleand"othersofkindredspirit，"underwhichhead，Isuppose，thetwocowboysfromtheAshleyRanch，HiKeadaland"Bronco"Bill——nooneknewandnooneaskedhisothername——wereadmitted。Thenitspurposesgraduallylimitedthemselvestothoseofasocialnature，chieflyinthelineofpoker-playingandwhisky-drinking。WellbornanddelicatelybredinthatatmosphereofculturemingledwithasturdycommonsenseandacertainhighchivalrywhichsurroundsthestatelyhomesofBritain，theseyounglads，freedfromtherestraintsofcustomandsurrounding，soonshedallthatwassuperficialintheirmake-upandstoodforthinthenakedsimplicityoftheirnativemanhood。TheWestdiscoveredandrevealedthemaninthem，sometimestotheirhonor，oftentotheirshame。TheChiefoftheCompanywastheHon。FredAshley，oftheAshleyRanch，sometimeofAshleyCourt，England——abig，good-
　　naturedmanwithamagnificentphysique，agoodincomefromhome，andabeautifulwife，theLadyCharlotte，daughterofanobleEnglishfamily。AttheAshleyRanchthetraditionsofAshleyCourtwerepreservedasfaraspossible。TheHon。Fredappearedatthewolf-huntsinriding-breechesandtopboots，withhuntingcropandEnglishsaddle，whileinalltheappointmentsofthehousethecustomsoftheEnglishhomewereobserved。Itwascharacteristic，however，ofwesternlifethathistwocowboys，HiKendalandBroncoBill，feltthemselvesquitehissocialequals，thoughinthepresenceofhisbeautiful，statelywifetheyconfessedthatthey"ratherweakened。"Ashleywasathoroughlygoodfellow，welluptohisworkasacattle-man，andtoomuchofagentlemantofeel，muchlessassert，anysuperiorityofstation。Hehadthelargestranchinthecountryandwasoneofthefewmenmakingmoney。
　　Ashley’schieffriend，or，atleast，mostfrequentcompanion，wasamanwhomtheycalled"TheDuke。"Nooneknewhisname，buteveryonesaidhewas"thesonofalord，"andcertainlyfromhisstyleandbearinghemightbethesonofalmostanythingthatwashighenoughinrank。Hedrew"aremittance，"but，asthatwaspaidthroughAshley，nooneknewwhenceitcamenorhowmuchitwas。Hewasaperfectpictureofaman，andinallwesternvirtueswaseasilyfirst。Hecouldropeasteer，bunchcattle，playpokerordrinkwhiskytotheadmirationofhisfriendsandtheconfusionofhisfoes，ofwhomhehadafew;whileasto"broncobusting，"thevirtueparexcellenceofwesterncattle-men，evenBroncoBillwasheardtoacknowledgethat"hewasn’tinitwiththeDook，foritwashisopinionthathecouldrideanythin’thathadlegsinunderit，evenifitwasablankedcentipede。"Andthis，comingfromonewhomadeaprofessionof"broncobusting，"wasunquestionablyhighpraise。TheDukelivedalone，exceptwhenhedeignedtopayavisittosomelonelyrancherwho，forthemarvellouscharmofhistalk，wasdelightedtohavehimasguest，evenattheexpenseofthelossofafewgamesatpoker。Hemadeafriendofnoone，thoughsomemencouldtelloftimeswhenhestoodbetweenthemandtheirlastdollar，exactingonlythepromisethatnomentionshouldbemadeofhisdeed。Hehadaneasy，lazymannerandaslowcynicalsmilethatrarelylefthisface，andtheonlysignofdeepeningpassioninhimwasalittlebroadeningofhissmile。OldLatour，whokepttheStoppingPlace，toldmehowonceTheDukehadbrokenintoagentlelaugh。AFrenchhalf-breedfreighteronhiswaynorthhadenteredintoagameofpokerwithTheDuke，withtheresultthathissixmonths’paystoodinalittleheapathisenemy’slefthand。Theenragedfreighteraccusedhissmilingopponentofbeingacheat，andwasproceedingtodemolishhimwithonemightyblow。ButTheDuke，stillsmiling，andwithoutmovingfromhischair，caughtthedescendingfist，slowlycrushedthefingersopen，andsteadilydrewtheFrenchmantohisknees，grippinghimsocruellyinthemeantimethathewasforcedtocryaloudinagonyformercy。ThenitwasthatTheDukebrokeintoalightlaughand，touchingthekneelingFrenchmanonhischeekwithhisfinger-tips，said："Lookhere，myman，youshouldn’tplaythegametillyouknowhowtodoitandwithwhomyouplay。"Then，handinghimbackthemoney，headded："Iwantmoney，butnotyours。"Then，ashesatlookingattheunfortunatewretchdividinghisattentionbetweenhismoneyandhisbleedingfingers，heoncemorebrokeintoagentlelaughthatwasnotgoodtohear。
　　TheDukewasbyalloddsthemoststrikingfigureintheCompanyoftheNobleSeven，andhiswordwentfartherthanthatofanyother。
　　HisshadowwasBruce，anEdinburghUniversityman，metaphysical，argumentative，persistent，devotedtoTheDuke。Indeed，hischiefambitionwastoattaintoTheDuke’shighandlordlymanner;but，inasmuchashewasrathersquatinfigureandhadanopen，good-
　　naturedfaceandaScotchvoiceofthehardandraspingkind，hisattemptsatimitationwerenotconspicuouslysuccessful。EverymailthatreachedSwanCreekbroughthimaletterfromhome。Atfirst，afterIhadgottoknowhim，hewouldgivemenowandthenalettertoread，butasthetonebecamemoreandmoreanxiousheceasedtoletmereadthem，andIwasgladenoughofthis。HowhecouldreadthoselettersandgothepaceoftheNobleSevenIcouldnotsee。PoorBruce！Hehadgoodimpulses，agenerousheart，butthe"Permit"nightsandthehuntsandthe"roundups"andthepokerandallthewildexcessesoftheCompanyweremorethanhecouldstand。
　　ThentherewerethetwoHillbrothers，theyounger，Bertie，afair-
　　haired，bright-facedyoungster，nonetooabletolookafterhimself，butmuchinclinedtofolliesofalldegreesandsorts。
　　Buthewaswarm-heartedanddevotedtohisbigbrother，Humphrey，called"Hump，"whohadtakentoranchingmainlywiththeideaoflookingafterhisyoungerbrother。Andnoeasymatterthatwas，foreveryonelikedtheladandinconsequencehelpedhimdown。
　　Inadditiontothesethereweretwoothersoftheoriginalseven，butbyforceofcircumstancestheywerepreventedfromanymorethananominalconnectionwiththeCompany。Blake，atypicalwildIrishman，hadjoinedthepoliceattheFort，andGiffordhadgotmarriedand，asBillsaid，"wasropedtighter’nasteer。"
　　TheNobleCompany，withthecowboysthathelpedontherangeandtwoorthreefarmersthatlivednearertheFort，composedthesettlersoftheSwanCreekcountry。Astrangemedleyofpeopleofallranksandnations，butwhileamongthemthereweretheevil-
　　heartedandevil-living，still，fortheNobleCompanyIwillsaythatneverhaveIfalleninwithmenbraver，truer，orofwarmerheart。Vicestheyhad，alltooapparentanddeadly，buttheywereduerathertothecircumstancesoftheirlivesthantothenativetendenciesoftheirhearts。ThroughoutthatsummerandthewinterfollowingIlivedamongthem，campingontherangewiththemandsleepingintheirshacks，bunchingcattleinsummerandhuntingwolvesinwinter，nordidI，forIwasnowiserthanthey，refusemyparton"Permit"nights;butthroughallnotamanofthemeverfailedtobetruetohisstandardofhonorinthedutiesofcomradeshipandbrotherhood。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THECOMINGOFTHEPILOT
　　Hewasthefirstmissionaryeverseeninthecountry，anditwastheOldTimerwhonamedhim。TheOldTimer’sadventtotheFoothillcountrywasprehistoric，andhisinfluencewas，inconsequence，immense。Nooneventuredtodisagreewithhim，fortodisagreewiththeOldTimerwastowriteyourselfdownatenderfoot，whichnoone，ofcourse，caredtodo。Itwasamisfortunewhichonlytimecouldrepairtobeanew-comer，anditwaseverynew-comer’saimtoassumewithallpossiblespeedthestyleandcustomsofthearistocraticOldTimers，andtoforgetassoonaspossiblethedateofhisownarrival。Soitwasas"TheSkyPilot，"familiarly"ThePilot，"thatthemissionarywentformanyadayintheSwanCreekcountry。
　　IhadbecomeschoolmasterofSwanCreek。ForinthespringakindProvidencesentintheMuirsandtheBremanswithhousefulsofchildren，totheranchers’disgust，fortheyforesawploughedfieldsandbarbed-wirefencescrampingtheirunlimitedranges。A
　　schoolbecamenecessary。AlittlelogbuildingwaserectedandI
　　wasappointedschoolmaster。ItwasasschoolmasterthatIfirstcametotouchThePilot，fortheletterwhichtheHudsonBayfreightersbroughtmeearlyonesummereveningboretheinscription：
　　TheSchoolmaster，PublicSchool，SwanCreek，Alberta。
　　Therewasaltogetherafineairabouttheletter;thewritingwasinfine，smallhand，thetonewasfine，andtherewassomethingfineinthesignature——"ArthurWellingtonMoore。"HewasgladtoknowthattherewasaschoolandateacherinSwanCreek，foraschoolmeantchildren，inwhomhissouldelighted;andintheteacherhewouldfindafriend，andwithoutafriendhecouldnotlive。Hetookmeintohisconfidence，tellingmethatthoughhehadvolunteeredforthisfar-awaymissionfieldhewasnotmuchofapreacherandhewasnotatallsurethathewouldsucceed。Buthemeanttotry，andhewascharmedattheprospectofhavingonesympathizeratleast。WouldIbekindenoughtoputupinsomeconspicuousplacetheenclosednotice，fillingintheblanksasI
　　thoughtbest？
　　"DivineservicewillbeheldatSwancreekin————————-at————o’clock。
　　Allarecordiallyinvited。
　　ArthurWellingtonMoore。"
　　OnthewholeIlikedhisletter。Ilikeditsmodestself-
　　depreciationandIlikeditscoolassumptionofmysympathyandco-
　　operation。ButIwasperplexed。IrememberedthatSundaywasthedayfixedforthegreatbaseballmatch，whenthosefrom"Home，"astheyfondlycalledthelandacrosstheseafromwhichtheyhadcome，wereto"wipetheearth"withallcomers。Besides，"Divineservice"wasaninnovationinSwanCreekandIfeltsurethat，likeallinnovationsthatsuggestedtheapproachoftheEast，itwouldbebynomeanswelcome。
　　However，immediatelyunderthenoticeofthe"GrandBaseballMatchfor’ThePainKiller’aweekfromSunday，at2：30，Homevs。theWorld，"IpinnedonthedooroftheStoppingPlacetheannouncement：
　　"DivineservicewillbeheldatSwanCreek，intheStoppingPlaceParlor，aweekfromSunday，immediatelyupontheconclusionofthebaseballmatch。
　　"ArthurWellingtonMoore。"
　　Therewasastrangeincongruityinthetwo，andanunconsciouschallengeaswell。
　　Allnextday，whichwasSaturday，and，indeed，duringthefollowingweek，Istoodguardovermynotice，enjoyingtheexcitementitproducedandthecommentsitcalledforth。Itwastheadvancewaveofthegreatoceanofcivilizationwhichmanyofthemhadbeengladtoleavebehind——somecouldhavewishedforever。
　　ToRobertMuir，oneofthefarmersnewlyarrived，thenoticewasaharbingerofgood。Itstoodforprogress，marketsandahigherpriceforland;albeithewondered"hoohewadbekeepitup。"Buthishard-wrought，quick-spokenlittlewifeathiselbow"hooted"
　　hisscruplesand，thinkingofhergrowinglads，welcomedwithunmixedsatisfactionthecomingof"themeenister。"Hersatisfactionwassharedbyallthemothersandmostofthefathersinthesettlement;butbytheothers，andespeciallybythatrollicking，roisteringcrew，theCompanyoftheNobleSeven，themissionary’scomingwasviewedwithvaryingdegreesofanimosity。
　　Itmeantalimitationoffreedomintheirwildlyrecklessliving。
　　The"Permit"nightswouldnow，tosaytheleast，besubjecttocriticism;theSundaywolf-huntsandhorse-races，withtheirattendantdelights，wouldnowbepursuedundertheeyeoftheChurch，andthiswouldnotaddtotheenjoymentofthem。Onegreatcharmofthecountry，whichBruce，himselfthesonofanEdinburghminister，andnowSecretaryoftheNobleSeven，describedas"lettingafellowdoasheblankedpleased，"wouldbegone。Noneresentedmorebitterlythanhethemissionary’sintrusion，whichhedeclaredtobeanattempt"toreimposeupontheirfreedomthetrammelsofanantiquatedandbigotedconventionality。"ButtherestoftheCompany，whilenottakingsodecidedastand，wereagreedthattheestablishmentofachurchinstitutionwasanobjectionableandimpertinentaswellasunnecessaryproceeding。
　　Ofcourse，HiKendalandhisfriendBroncoBillhadnoopiniononewayortheother。TheChurchcouldhardlyaffectthemevenremotely。Adozenyears’stayinMontanahadprovedwithsufficientclearnesstothemthatachurchwasaluxuryofcivilizationtheWestmightwelldowithout。
　　OutsidetheCompanyoftheNobleSeventherewasonlyonewhoseopinionhadvalueinSwanCreek，andthatwastheOldTimer。TheCompanyhadsoughttobringhiminbymakinghimanhonorarymember，butherefusedtobedrawnfromhishomefarupamongthehills，wherehelivedwithhislittlegirlGwenandheroldhalf-
　　breednurse，Ponka。Theapproachofthechurchheseemedtoresentasapersonalinjury。Itrepresentedtohimthatcivilizationfromwhichhehadfledfifteenyearsagowithhiswifeandbabygirl，andwhenfiveyearslaterhelaidhiswifeinthelonelygravethatcouldbeseenontheshadedknolljustfrontinghiscabindoor，thelastlinktohispastwasbroken。FromallthatsuggestedthegreatworldbeyondtherunofthePrairieheshrankasoneshrinksfromasuddentouchuponanoldwound。
　　"IguessI’llhavetomoveback，"hesaidtomegloomily。
　　"Why？"Isaidinsurprise，thinkingofhisgrazingrange，whichwasampleforhisherd。
　　"ThisblankSkyPilot。"Heneversworeexceptwhenunusuallymoved。
　　"SkyPilot？"Iinquired。
　　Henoddedandsilentlypointedtothenotice。
　　"Oh，well，hewon’thurtyou，willhe？"
　　"Can’tstandit，"heansweredsavagely，"mustgetaway。"
　　"WhataboutGwen？"Iventured，forshewasthelightofhiseyes。
　　"Pitytostopherstudies。"Iwasgivingherweeklylessonsattheoldman’sranch。
　　"Dunno。Ain’tfiggeredoutyetaboutthatbaby。"Shewasstillhisbaby。"Guessshe’sallshewantsfortheFoothills，anyway。
　　What’stheuse？"headded，bitterly，talkingtohimselfafterthemannerofmenwholivemuchalone。
　　Iwaitedforamoment，thensaid："Well，Iwouldn’thurryaboutdoinganything，"knowingwellthattheonethinganold-timerhatestodoistomakeanychangeinhismodeoflife。"Maybehewon’tstay。"
　　Hecaughtatthiseagerly。"That’sso！Thereain’tmuchtokeephim，anyway，"andherodeofftohislonelyranchfarupinthehills。
　　Ilookedaftertheswayingfigureandtriedtopicturehispastwithitstragedy;thenIfoundmyselfwonderinghowhewouldendandwhatwouldcometohislittlegirl。AndImadeupmymindthatifthemissionaryweretherightsorthiscomingmightnotbeabadthingfortheOldTimerandperhapsformorethanhim。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEPILOT’SMEASURE
　　ItwasHiKendalthatannouncedthearrivalofthemissionary。I
　　wasstandingatthedoorofmyschool，watchingthechildrenrideoffhomeontheirponies，whenHicamelopingalongonhisbroncointheloose-jointedcowboystyle。
　　"Well，"hedrawledout，bringinghisbroncotoadeadstopinasinglebound，"he’slit。"
　　"Lit？Where？What？"saidI，lookingroundforaneagleorsomeotherflyingthing。
　　"YourblankedSkyPilot，andhe’sabeauty，aprettykid——lookstootenderforthisclimate。Betternotlethimoutontherange。"Hiwasquitedisgusted，evidently。
　　"What’sthematterwithhim，Hi？"
　　"Why，HEain’tnoparson！Idon’tgomuchonparsons，butwhenI
　　callsforoneIdon’twantnobantamchicken。No，sirree，horse！
　　Idon’twantnoblankety-blank，pink-and-whitecomplectednurserykidfoolin’roundmygraveyard。Ifyou’regoin’tobringalongaparson，whybringhimwithhiseye-teethcutandhistailfeatherson。"
　　ThatHiwasdeeplydisappointedwasquiteclearfromtheselectionoftheprofanitywithwhichheadornedthislengthyaddress。Itwasnevertheextentofhisprofanity，butthechoice，thatindicatedHi’sinterestinanysubject。
　　Altogether，theoutlookforthemissionarywasnotencouraging。
　　WiththesingleexceptionoftheMuirs，whoreallycountedforlittle，nobodywantedhim。TomostoftherecklessyoungbloodsoftheCompanyoftheNobleSevenhispresencewasanoffence;tootherssimplyanuisance，whiletheOldTimerregardedhisadventwithsomethinglikedismay;andnowHi’simpressionofhispersonalappearancewasnotcheering。
　　Myfirstsightofhimdidnotreassureme。Hewasveryslight，veryyoung，veryinnocent，withafacethatmightdoforanangel，exceptforthetouchofhumorinit，butwhichseemedstrangelyoutofplaceamongtherough，hardfacesthatweretobeseenintheSwanCreekCountry。Itwasnotaweakface，however。Theforeheadwashighandsquare，themouthfirm，andtheeyeswereluminous，ofsomedarkcolor——violet，ifthereissuchacolorineyes——dreamyorsparkling，accordingtohismood;eyesforwhichawomanmightfinduse，butwhich，inamissionary’shead，appearedtomeoneofthoseextraordinarywastesofwhichNatureissometimesguilty。
　　HewasgazingfarawayintospaceinfinitelybeyondtheFoothillsandthebluelineofthemountainsbehindthem。HeturnedtomeasIdrewnear，witheyesalightandfaceglowing。
　　"Itisglorious，"healmostpanted。"Youseethiseveryday！"
　　Then，recallinghimself，hecameeagerlytowardme，stretchingouthishand。"Youaretheschoolmaster，Iknow。Doyouknow，it’sagreatthing？Iwantedtobeone，butInevercouldgettheboyson。Theyalwaysgotmetellingthemtales。Iwasawfullydisappointed。Iamtryingthenextbestthing。Yousee，Iwon’thavetokeeporder，butIdon’tthinkIcanpreachverywell。Iamgoingtovisityourschool。Haveyoumanyscholars？Doyouknow，Ithinkit’ssplendid？IwishIcoulddoit。"
　　Ihadintendedtobesomewhatstiffwithhim，buthisevidentadmirationofmemademequiteforgetthislaudableintention，and，ashetalkedonwithoutwaitingforananswer，hisenthusiasm，hisdeferencetomyopinion，hischarmofmanner，hisbeautifulface，hisluminouseyes，madehimperfectlyirresistible;andbeforeI
　　wasawareIwaslisteningtohisplansforworkinghismissionwitheagerinterest。Soeagerwasmyinterest，indeed，thatbeforeI
　　wasawareIfoundmyselfaskinghimtoteawithmeinmyshack。
　　Buthedeclined，saying：
　　"I’dliketo，awfully;butdoyouknow，IthinkLatourexpectsme。"
　　ThisconsiderationofLatour’sfeelingsalmostupsetme。
　　"Youcomewithme，"headded，andIwent。
　　Latourwelcomeduswithhisgrimoldfacewreathedinunusualsmiles。Thepilothadbeentalkingtohim，too。
　　"I’vegotit，Latour！"hecriedoutasheentered;"hereyouare，"
　　andhebrokeintothebeautifulFrench-Canadianchanson，"AlaClaireFontaine，"totheoldhalf-breed’salmosttearfuldelight。
　　"Doyouknow，"hewenton，"IheardthatfirstdowntheMattawa，"
　　andawayhewentintoastoryofanexperiencewithFrench-Canadianraftsmen，mixinguphisFrenchandEnglishinsocharmingamannerthatLatour;whoinhisyoungerdayslongagohadbeenashantymanhimself，hardlyknewwhetherhewasstandingonhisheadoronhisheels。
　　AfterteaIproposedarideouttoseethesunsetfromthenearestrisingground。Latour，withunexampledgenerosity，offeredhisowncayuse，"Louis。"
　　"Ican’tridewell，"protestedThePilot。
　　"Ah！dat’sgoodponee，Louis，"urgedLatour。"He’squietlakwanleetlemouse;he’sridelak——whatyoucall？——wanhorse-on-de-rock。"
　　Underwhichpersuasiontheponywasaccepted。
　　ThateveningIsawtheSwanCreekcountrywithneweyes——throughtheluminouseyesofThePilot。WerodeupthetrailbythesideoftheSwantillwecametothecouleemouth，darkandfullofmystery。
　　"Comeon，"Isaid，"wemustgettothetopforthesunset。"
　　Helookedlingeringlyintothedeepshadowsandasked："Anythinglivedownthere？"
　　"Coyotesandwolvesandghosts。"
　　"Ghosts？"heasked，delightedly。"Doyouknow，Iwassuretherewere，andI’mquitesureIshallseethem。"
　　ThenwetookthePorcupinetrailandclimbedforabouttwomilesthegentleslopetothetopofthefirstrisingground。Therewestayedandwatchedthesuntakehisnightlyplungeintotheseaofmountains，nowdimlyvisible。Behindusstretchedtheprairie，sweepingoutleveltotheskyandcutbythewindingcouleeoftheSwan。Greatlongshadowsfromthehillswerelyinguponitsyellowface，andfaratthedistantedgethegrayhazewasdeepeningintopurple。Beforeuslaythehills，softlycurvingliketheshouldersofgreatsleepingmonsters，theirtopsstillbright，buttheseparatingvalleysfullofshadow。Andthere，farbeyondthem，upagainstthesky，wasthelineofthemountains——blue，purple，andgold，accordingasthelightfelluponthem。Thesunhadtakenhisplunge，buthehadleftbehindhimhisrobesofsaffronandgold。
　　Westoodlongwithoutawordormovement，fillingourheartswiththesilenceandthebeauty，tillthegoldinthewestbegantogrowdim。Highaboveallthenightwasstretchingherstar-pierced，bluecanopy，anddrawingslowlyupfromtheeastovertheprairieandoverthesleepinghillsthesoftfoldsofapurplehaze。Thegreatsilenceofthedyingdayhadfallenupontheworldandheldusfast。
　　"Listen，"hesaid，inalowtone，pointingtothehills。"Can’tyouhearthembreathe？"And，lookingattheircurvingshoulders，I
　　fanciedIcouldseethemslowlyheavingasifinheavysleep，andI
　　wasquitesureIcouldhearthembreathe。Iwasunderthespellofhisvoiceandhiseyes，andnaturewasalllivingtomethen。
　　WerodebacktotheStoppingPlaceinsilence，exceptforawordofminenowandthenwhichheheedednot;and，withhardlyagoodnight，heleftmeatthedoor。IturnedawayfeelingasifIhadbeeninastrangecountryandamongstrangepeople。
　　HowwouldhedowiththeSwanCreekfolk？Couldhemakethemseethehillsbreathe？WouldtheyfeelasIfeltunderhisvoiceandeyes？Whatacuriousmixturehewas！IwasdoubtfulabouthisfirstSunday，andwassurprisedtofindallmyindifferenceastohissuccessorfailuregone。Itwasapityaboutthebaseballmatch。Iwouldspeaktosomeofthemenaboutitto-morrow。
　　Himightbedisappointedinhisappearance，but，asIturnedintomyshackandthoughtovermylasttwohourswithThePilotandhowhehad"got"oldLatourandmyself，IbegantothinkthatHimightbemistakeninhismeasureofThePilot。
　　CHAPTERV
　　FIRSTBLOOD
　　Oneisneversoenthusiasticintheearlymorning，whentheemotionsarecalmestandthenervesattheirsteadiest。ButIwasdeterminedtotrytohavethebaseballmatchpostponed。Therecouldbenodifficulty。Onedaywasasmuchofaholidayasanothertotheseeasy-goingfellows。ButTheDuke，whenIsuggestedachangeintheday，simplyraisedhiseyebrowsaneighthofaninchandsaid：
　　"Can’tseewhythedayshouldbechanged。"Brucestormedandsworeallsortsofdestructionuponhimselfifhewasgoingtochangehisstyleoflifeforanyman。TheothersfollowedTheDuke’slead。
　　ThatSundaywasadayofincongruities。TheOldandtheNew，theEastandtheWest，thereverentialPastandiconoclasticPresentwerejumblingthemselvestogetherinbewilderingconfusion。Thebaseballmatchwasplayedwithmuchvigorandprofanity。TheexpressiononThePilot’sface，ashestoodwatchingforawhile，wasacuriousmixtureofinterest，surprise，doubtandpain。Hewasreadjustinghimself。Hewassomadeastobeextremelysensitivetohissurroundings。Hetookoncolorquickly。Theutterindifferencetotheaudaciousdisregardofallhehadhithertoconsideredsacredandessentialwasdisconcerting。Theywereallsodeadsure。Howdidheknowtheywerewrong？Itwashisfirstnearviewofpractical，livingskepticism。Skepticisminabookdidnotdisturbhim;hecouldputdownwordsagainstit。
　　Buthereitwasalive，cheerful，attractive，indeedfascinating;
　　forthesemenintheirwesterngarbandwiththeirwesternswinghadcapturedhisimagination。Hewasinafiercestruggle，andinafewminutesIsawhimdisappearintothecoulee。
　　Meantimethematchwentuproariouslyontoafinish，withtheresultthatthechampionsof"Home"had"tostandThePainkiller，"
　　theirdefeatbeingduechieflytotheworkofHiandBroncoBillaspitcherandcatcher。
　　Thecelebrationwasinfullswing;orasHiputit，"theboysweretakin’theirpizengoodan’calm，"wheninwalkedThePilot。Hisfacewasstilltroubledandhislipsweredrawnandblue，asifhewereinpain。Asilencefellonthemenashewalkedinthroughthecrowdanduptothebar。Hestoodamomenthesitating，lookingrounduponthefacesflushedandhotthatwerenowturnedtowardhimincuriousdefiance。Henoticedthelook，anditpulledhimtogether。HefacedabouttowardoldLatourandaskedinahigh，clearvoice：
　　"Isthistheroomyousaidwemighthave？"
　　TheFrenchmanshruggedhisshouldersandsaid：
　　"Thereisnotanymore。"
　　Theladpausedforaninstant，butonlyforaninstant。Then，liftingapileofhymnbookshehadnearhimonthecounter，hesaidinagrave，sweetvoice，andwiththequiverofasmileabouthislips：
　　"Gentlemen，Mr。Latourhasallowedmethisroomforareligiousservice。Itwillgivemegreatpleasureifyouwillalljoin，"andimmediatelyhehandedabooktoBroncoBill，who，surprised，tookitasifhedidnotknowwhattodowithit。TheothersfollowedBronco’sleadtillhecametoBruce，whorefused，sayingroughly：
　　"No！Idon’twantit;I’venouseforit。"
　　Themissionaryflushedanddrewbackasifhehadbeenstruck，butimmediately，asifunconsciously，TheDuke，whowasstandingnear，stretchedouthishandandsaid，withacourteousbow，"Ithankyou;Ishouldbegladofone。"
　　"Thankyou，"repliedThePilot，simply，ashehandedhimabook。
　　Themenseatedthemselvesuponthebenchthatranroundtheroom，orleanedupagainstthecounter，andmostofthemtookofftheirhats。JustthenincameMuir，andbehindhimhislittlewife。
　　InaninstantTheDukewasonhisfeet，andeveryhatcameoff。
　　Themissionarystoodupatthebar，andannouncedthehymn，"Jesus，LoverofMySoul。"Thesilencethatfollowedwasbrokenbythesoundofahorsegalloping。Abuckskinbroncoshotpastthewindow，andinafewmomentsthereappearedatthedoortheOldTimer。Hewasabouttostrideinwhentheunusualsightofarowofmensittingsolemnlywithhymnbooksintheirhandsheldhimfastatthedoor。Hegazedinanamazed，helplesswayuponthemen，thenatthemissionary，thenbackatthemen，andstoodspeechless。Suddenlytherewasahigh，shrill，boyishlaugh，andthementurnedtoseethemissionaryinafitoflaughter。Itcertainlywasashocktoanylingeringideasofreligiousproprietytheymighthaveaboutthem;butthecontrastbetweenhisfrank，laughingfaceandtheamazedanddisgustedfaceoftheshaggyoldmaninthedoorwaywastoomuchforthem，andonebyonetheygavewaytoroarsoflaughter。TheOldTimer，however，kepthisfaceunmoved，strodeuptothebarandnoddedtooldLatour，whoservedhimhisdrink，whichhetookatagulp。
　　"Here，oldman！"calledoutBill，"getintothegame;here’syourdeck，"offeringhimhisbook。Butthemissionarywasbeforehim，and，withverybeautifulgrace，hehandedtheOldTimerabookandpointedhimtoaseat。
　　Ishallneverforgetthatservice。Asareligiousaffairitwasadeadfailure，butsomehowIthinkThePilot，asHiapprovinglysaid，"gotinhisfunnywork，"anditwasnotwhollyadefeat。ThefirsthymnwassungchieflybythemissionaryandMrs。Muir，whosevoicewasveryhigh，withoneortwoofthemensoftlywhistlinganaccompaniment。Thesecondhymnwasbetter，andthencametheLesson，thestoryofthefeedingofthefivethousand。Asthemissionaryfinishedthestory，Bill，whohadbeenlisteningwithgreatinterest，said：
　　"Isay，pard，IthinkI’llcallyoujustnow。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon！"saidthestartledmissionary。
　　"You’regivin’usquiteasonganddancenow，ain’tyou？"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"wasthepuzzledreply。
　　"Howmanymenwasthereinthecrowd？"askedBill，withajudicialair。
　　"Fivethousand。"
　　"Andhowmuchgrub？"
　　"Fiveloavesandtwofishes，"answeredBruceforthemissionary。
　　"Well，"drawledBill，withtheairofamanwhohasreachedaconclusion，"that’salittletoounusualforme。Why，"lookingpityinglyatthemissionary，"itain’tnatarel。"
　　"Rightyouare，myboy，"saidBruce，withalaugh。"It’sdeucedlyunnatural。"
　　"NotforHim，"saidthemissionary，quietly。ThenBrucejoyfullytookhimupandledhimonintoadiscussionofevidences，andfromevidencesintometaphysics，theoriginofevilandthefreedomofthewill，tillthemissionary，asBillsaid，"wasrattledworsenoraroosterinthedark。"PoorlittleMrs。Muirwasmuchscandalizedandlookedanxiouslyatherhusband，wishinghimtotakeherout。
　　Buthelpcamefromanunexpectedquarter，andHisuddenlycalledout：
　　"Hereyou，Bill，shutyourblankedjaw，andyou，Bruce，givethemanachancetoworkoffhismusic。"
　　"That’sso！Fairplay！Goon！"werethecriesthatcameinresponsetoHi’sappeal。
　　Themissionary，whowasalltremblingandmuchtroubled，gaveHiagratefullook，andsaid：
　　"I’mafraidthereareagreatmanythingsIdon’tunderstand，andI
　　amnotgoodatargument。"Therewereshoutsof"Goon！fireahead，playthegame！"buthesaid，"Ithinkwewillclosetheservicewithahymn。"Hisfranknessandmodesty，andhisrespectful，courteousmannergainedthesympathyofthemen，sothatalljoinedheartilyinsinging，"SunofMySoul。"Intheprayerthatfollowedhisvoicegrewsteadyandhisnervecamebacktohim。Thewordswereverysimple，andthepetitionsweremostlyforlightandforstrength。Withafewwordsofremembranceof"thoseinourhomesfarawaywhothinkofusandprayforusandneverforget，"thisstrangeservicewasbroughttoaclose。
　　Afterthemissionaryhadsteppedout，thewholeaffairwasdiscussedwithgreatwarmth。HiKendalthought"ThePilotdidn’thavenofairshow，"maintainingthatwhenhewas"ropin’asteerhedidn’twantnoblankedtenderfoottobeshovin’inhisropelikeBillthere。"ButBillsteadilymaintainedhispositionthat"thestoryofthattherepicnicwasalittletoounusual"forhim。
　　BrucewastryingmeanwhiletobeguileTheDukeintoadiscussionofthephysicsandmetaphysicsofthecase。ButTheDukerefusedwithquietcontempttobedrawnintoaregionwherehefelthimselfastranger。Hepreferredpokerhimself，ifBrucecaredtotakeahand;andsotheeveningwenton，withthetheologicaldiscussionbyHiandBillinajudicial，friendlyspiritinonecorner，whiletheothersforthemostpartplayedpoker。
　　Whenthemissionaryreturnedlatetherewereonlyafewleftintheroom，amongthemTheDukeandBruce，whowasdrinkingsteadilyandlosingmoney。Themissionary’spresenceseemedtoirritatehim，andheplayedevenmorerecklesslythanusual，swearingdeeplyateveryloss。Atthedoorthemissionarystoodlookingupintothenightskyandhummingsoftly"SunofMySoul，"andafterafewminutesTheDukejoinedinhummingabasstotheairtillBrucecouldcontainhimselfnolonger。
　　"Isay，"hecalledout，"thisisn’tanyblankedprayer-meeting，isit？"
　　TheDukeceasedhumming，and，lookingatBruce，saidquietly：
　　"Well，whatisit？What’sthetrouble？"
　　"Trouble！"shoutedBruce。"Idon’tseewhathymn-singinghastodowithapokergame。"
　　"Oh，Isee！Ibegpardon！WasIsinging？"saidTheDuke。Thenafterapauseheadded，"You’requiteright。Isay，Bruce，let’squit。Somethinghasgotontoyournerves。"Andcoollysweepinghispileintohispocket，hegaveupthegame。WithanoathBruceleftthetable，tookanotherdrink，andwentunsteadilyouttohishorse，andsoonweheardhimrideawayintothedarkness，singingsnatchesofthehymnandswearingthemostawfuloaths。
　　Themissionary’sfacewaswhitewithhorror。Itwasallnewandhorribletohim。
　　"Willhegetsafelyhome？"heaskedofTheDuke。
　　"Don’tyouworry，youngster，"saidTheDuke，inhisloftiestmanner，"he’llgetalong。"
　　Theluminous，dreamyeyesgrewhardandbrightastheylookedTheDukeintheface。
　　"Yes，Ishallworry;butyououghttoworrymore。"
　　"Ah！"saidTheDuke，raisinghisbrowsandsmilinggentlyuponthebright，sternyoungfacelifteduptohis。"Ididn’tnoticethatI
　　hadaskedyouropinion。"
　　"Ifanythingshouldhappentohim，"repliedthemissionary，quickly，"Ishouldconsideryoulargelyresponsible。"
　　"Thatwouldbekind，"saidTheDuke，stillsmilingwithhislips。
　　Butafteramoment’ssteadylookintothemissionary’seyeshenoddedhisheadtwiceorthrice，and，withoutfurtherword，turnedaway。
　　Themissionaryturnedeagerlytome：
　　"Theybeatmethisafternoon，"hecried，"butthankGod，IknownowtheyarewrongandIamright！Idon’tunderstand！Ican’tseemywaythrough！ButIamright！It’strue！Ifeelit’strue！Mencan’tlivewithoutHim，andbemen！"
　　AndlongafterIwenttomyshackthatnightIsawbeforemetheeagerfacewiththeluminouseyesandheardthetriumphantcry："I
　　feelit’strue！Mencan’tlivewithoutHim，andbemen！"andI
　　knewthatthoughhisfirstSundayendedindefeattherewasvictoryyetawaitinghim。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　HISSECONDWIND
　　ThefirstweekswerenotpleasantforThePilot。Hehadbeenbeaten，andthesenseoffailuredampedhisfineenthusiasm，whichwasoneofhischiefcharms。TheNobleSevendespised，ignored，orlaughedathim，accordingtotheirmoodanddisposition。Brucepatronizedhim;and，worstofall，theMuirspitiedhim。Thislastitwasthatbroughthimlow，andIwasgladofit。Ifindithardtoputupwithamanthatenjoyspity。
　　ItwasHiKendalthatrestoredhim，thoughHihadnothoughtofdoingsogoodadeed。Itwasinthisway：AbaseballmatchwasonwithThePorcupinesfromneartheFort。ToHi’sdisgustandtheteam’sdismayBillfailedtoappear。ItwasHi’sdelighttostandupforBill’spitching，andtheirbatterywasthegloryoftheHometeam。
　　"TryThePilot，Hi，"saidsomeone，chaffinghim。
　　HilookedglumlyacrossatThePilotstandingsomedistance，away;
　　thencalledout，holdinguptheball：
　　"Canyouplaythegame？"
　　ForanswerMoorehelduphishandsforacatch。Hitossedhimtheballeasily。TheballcamebacksoquicklythatHiwashardlyready，andthejarseemedtoamazehimexceedingly。
　　"I’lltakehim，"hesaid，doubtfully，andthegamebegan。Hifittedonhismask，anewimportationandhispeculiarpride，andwaited。
　　"Howdoyoulikethem？"askedThePilot。
　　"Hot！"saidHi。"Ihain’tgotnoglovestoburn。"
　　ThePilotturnedhisback，swungoffonefootontotheotheranddischargedhisball。
　　"Strike！"calledtheumpire。
　　"Youbet！"saidHi，withemphasis，buthisfacewasapictureofamazementanddawningdelight。
　　AgainThePilotwentthroughthemanoeuvreinhisboxandagaintheumpirecalled：
　　"Strike！"
　　Histoppedtheballwithoutholdingitandsethimselfforthethird。Oncemorethatdisconcertingswingandthewhip-likeactionofthearm，andforthethirdtimetheumpirecalled：
　　"Strike！Strikerout！"
　　"That’sthehole，"yelledHi。
　　ThePorcupineswereamazed。Hilookedattheballinhishand，thenattheslightfigureofThePilot。
　　"Isay！wheredoyougetit？"
　　"What？"askedMooreinnocently。
　　"Thegait！"
　　"Thewhat？"
　　"Thegait！thespeed，youknow！"
　　"Oh！IusedtoplayinPrincetonalittle。"
　　"Did，eh？Whattheblankblankdidyouquitfor？"
　　Heevidentlyregardedtheexchangeoftheprofessionofbaseballforthestudyoftheologyasaseriouserrorinjudgment，andinthisopinioneveryinningofthegameconfirmedhim。AtthebatThePilotdidnotshine，buthemadeupforlighthittingbyhisbase-running。Hewasfleetasadeer，andheknewthegamethoroughly。Hewaskeen，eager，intenseinplay，andbeforetheinningswerehalfoverhewasrecognizedasthebestall-roundmanonthefield。Inthepitcher’sboxhepuzzledthePorcupinestilltheygrewdesperateandhitwildlyandblindly，amidthejeersofthespectators。ThebewildermentofthePorcupineswasequaledonlybytheenthusiasmofHiandhisnine，andwhenthegamewasoverthescorestood37to7infavoroftheHometeam。TheycarriedThePilotoffthefield。
　　FromthatdayMoorewasanotherman。HehadwontheunqualifiedrespectofHiKendalandmostoftheothers，forhecouldbeatthemattheirowngameandstillbemodestaboutit。Oncemorehisenthusiasmcamebackandhisbrightnessandhiscourage。TheDukewasnotpresenttowitnesshistriumph，and，besides，heratherdespisedthegame。Brucewasthere，however，buttooknopartinthegeneralacclaim;indeed，heseemedratherdisgustedwithMoore’ssuddenleapintofavor。CertainlyhishostilitytoThePilotandtoallthathestoodforwasnonethelessopenandbitter。
　　ThehostilitywasmorethanusuallymarkedattheserviceheldontheSundayfollowing。Itwas，perhaps，thrownintostrongerreliefbytheopenanddelightedapprovalofHi，whowaspreparedtobackupanythingThePilotwouldventuretosay。Bill，whohadnotwitnessedThePilot’sperformanceinthepitcher’sbox，buthadonlyHi’senthusiasticreporttogoupon，stillpreservedhisjudicialair。Itisfairtosay，however，thattherewasnomean-
　　spiritedjealousyinBill’shearteventhoughHihadfranklyassuredhimthatThePilotwas"ademon，"andcould"givehimpoints。"BillhadgreatconfidenceinHi’sopinionuponbaseball，buthewasnotpreparedtosurrenderhisrightofprivatejudgmentinmatterstheological，sohewaitedforthesermonbeforecommittinghimselftoanyenthusiasticapproval。Thisservicewasanundoubtedsuccess。Thesingingwashearty，andinsensiblythemenfellintoareverentattitudeduringprayer。Thetheme，too，wasonethatgavelittleroomforskepticism。ItwasthestoryofZaccheus，andstory-tellingwasMoore’sstrongpoint。Thethingwaswelldone。Vividportraituresoftheoutcast，shrewd，convertedpublicanandthesupercilious，self-complacent，criticalPhariseeweredrawnwithafewdefttouches。AsinglesentencetransferredthemtotheFoothillsandarrayedthemincowboygarb。
　　Billwasnonetoosureofhimself，butHi，withdelightfulwinks，wasindicatingBruceasthePharisee，tothelatter’sscornfuldisgust。Thepreachermusthavenoticed，forwithaverycleverturnthePhariseewasshowntobethekindofmanwholikestofitfaultsuponothers。ThenBill，digginghiselbowsintoHi’sribs，saidinanaudiblewhisper：
　　"Say，pardner，howdoesitfitnow？"
　　"Yougitout！"answeredHi，indignantly，buthisconfidenceinhisinterpretationoftheapplicationwasshaken。WhenMoorecametodescribetheMasterandHisplaceinthatancientgroup，weintheStoppingPlaceparlorfellunderthespellofhiseyesandvoice，andourheartsweremovedwithinus。ThatgreatPersonalitywasmadeveryrealandverywinning。Hiwasquitesubduedbythestoryandthepicture。Billwasperplexed;itwasallnewtohim;butBrucewasmainlyirritated。Tohimitwasalloldandfilledwithmemorieshehatedtoface。Atanyratehewasunusuallysavagethatevening，drankheavilyandwenthomelate，ragingandcursingatthingsingeneralandThePilotinparticular——forMoore，inatimidsortofway，hadtriedtoquiethimandhelphimtohishorse。
　　"Ornerysorto’beastnow，ain’the？"saidHi，withtheideaofcomfortingThePilot，whostoodsadlylookingafterBrucedisappearinginthegloom。
　　"No！no！"heanswered，quickly，"notabeast，butabrother。"
　　"Brother！Notmuch，ifIknowmyrelations！"answeredHi，disgustedly。
　　"TheMasterthinksagooddealofhim，"wastheearnestreply。
　　"Gitout！"saidHi，"youdon’tmeanit！Why，"headded，decidedly，"he’smorestuckonhimselfthanthatmeanoldcussyouwastellin’
　　aboutthisafternoon，andwithouthalfthereason。"
　　ButMooreonlysaid，kindly，"Don’tbehardonhim，Hi，"andturnedaway，leavingHiandBillgravelydiscussingthequestion，withtheaidofseveraldrinksofwhisky。Theywerestilldiscussingwhen，anhourlater，they，too，disappearedintothedarknessthatswallowedupthetrailtoAshleyRanch。Thatwasthefirstofmanysuchservices。Thepreachingwasalwaysofthesimplestkind，abstractquestionsbeingavoidedandtheconcreteinthosewonderfulBibletales，dressedinmodernandinwesterngarb，setforth。BillandHiweremorethaneverhisfriendsandchampions，andthelatterwasheardexultantlytoexclaimtoBruce：
　　"Heain’tmuchtolookatasaparson，buthe’sa-ketchin’hissecondwind，and’forelongyouwon’tseehimfordust。"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THELASTOFTHEPERMITSUNDAYS
　　Thespring"round-ups"werealloverandBrucehadnothingtodobuttoloafabouttheStoppingPlace，drinkingoldLatour’sbadwhiskyandmakinghimselfanuisance。InvainThePilottriedtowinhimwithloansofbooksandmagazinesandotherkindlycourtesies。Hewouldbedecentforadayandthenwouldbreakforthinviolentargumentationagainstreligionandallwhoheldtoit。HesorelymissedTheDuke，whowasawaysouthononeofhisperiodicjourneys，ofwhichnooneknewanythingorcaredtoask。
　　TheDuke’spresencealwayssteadiedBruceandtooktheraspoutofhismanners。Itwasratherarelieftoallthathewasabsentfromthenextfortnightlyservice，thoughMooredeclaredhewasashamedtoconfessthisrelief。
　　"Ican’ttouchhim，"hesaidtome，aftertheservice;"heisfartooclever，but，"andhisvoicewasfullofpain，"I’dgivesomethingtohelphim。"
　　"Ifhedoesn’tquithisnonsense，"Ireplied，"he’llsoonbepasthelping。Hedoesn’tgooutonhisrange，hisfewcattlewandereverywhere，hisshackisinabeastlystate，andhehimselfisgoingtopieces，miserablefoolthatheis。"Foritdidseemashamethatafellowshouldsothrowhimselfawayfornothing。
　　"Youarehard，"saidMoore，withhiseyesuponme。
　　"Hard？Isn’tittrue？"Ianswered，hotly。"Then，there’shismotherathome。"
　　"Yes，butcanhehelpit？Isitallhisfault？"hereplied，withhissteadyeyesstilllookingintome。
　　"Hisfault？Whosefault，then？"
　　"WhatoftheNobleSeven？Havetheyanythingtodowiththis？"
　　Hisvoicewasquiet，buttherewasanarrestingintensityinit。
　　"Well，"Isaid，ratherweakly，"amanoughttolookafterhimself。"
　　"Yes！——andhisbrotheralittle。"Then，headded："Whathaveanyofyoudonetohelphim？TheDukecouldhavepulledhimupayearagoifhehadbeenwillingtodenyhimselfalittle，andsowithallofyou。Youalldojustwhatpleasesyouregardlessofanyother，andsoyouhelponeanotherdown。"
　　Icouldnotfindanythingjustthentosay，thoughafterwardsmanythingscametome;for，thoughhisvoicewasquietandlow，hiseyeswereglowingandhisfacewasalightwiththefirethatburnedwithin，andIfeltlikeoneconvictedofacrime。ThiswascertainlyanewdoctrinefortheWest;anuncomfortabledoctrinetopractice，interferingseriouslywithpersonalliberty，butinThePilot’swayofviewingthingsdifficulttoescape。Therewouldbenoendtoone’sresponsibility。Irefusedtothinkitout。
　　Withinafortnightwewerethinkingitoutwithsomeintentness。
　　TheNobleSevenweretohaveagreat"blow-out"attheHillbrothers’ranch。TheDukehadgothomefromhissoutherntripalittlemoreweary-lookingandalittlemorecynicalinhissmile。
　　The"blow-out"wastobeheldonPermitSunday，thealternatetothePreachingSunday，whichwasaconcessiontoThePilot，securedchieflythroughtheinfluenceofHiandhisbaseballnine。ItwassomethingtohavecreatedthesituationinvolvedinthedistinctionbetweenPreachingandPermitSundays。Hiputitrathergraphically。
　　"Thedeviltakeshisinnin’soneSundayandThePilotthenext，"
　　addingemphatically，"Hehain’tdonemuchscorin’yit，butmymoney’sonThePilot，youbet！"Billwasmorecautiousandpreferredtowaitdevelopments。Anddevelopmentswererapid。
　　TheHillbrothers’meetwasunusuallysuccessfulfromasocialpointofview。SeveralPermitshadbeenrequisitioned，andwhiskyandbeerabounded。Racesalldayandpokerallnightanddrinksofvariousbrewsbothdayandnight，withvaryingimpromptudiversions——suchasshootingthehornsoffwanderingsteers——werethesocialamenitiesindulgedinbythenoblecompany。OnMondayeveningIrodeouttotheranch，urgedbyMoore，whowasanxiousthatsomeoneshouldlookafterBruce。
　　"Idon’tbelongtothem，"hesaid，"youdo。Theywon’tresentyourcoming。"
　　Nordidthey。Theyweresittingattea，andwelcomedmewithashout。
　　"Hello，olddomine！"yelledBruce，"where’syourpreacherfriend？"
　　"Whereyououghttobe，ifyoucouldgetthere——athome，"I
　　replied，nettledathisinsolenttone。
　　"Strikeone！"calledoutHi，enthusiastically，notapprovingBruce’sattitudetowardhisfriend，ThePilot。
　　"Don’tbesoacute，"saidBruce，afterthelaughhadpassed，"buthaveadrink。"
　　Hewasflushedandveryshakyandverynoisy。TheDuke，attheheadofthetable，lookedalittleharderthanusual，but，thoughpale，wasquitesteady。Theotherswereallmoreorlessnerve-
　　broken，andabouttheroomwerethesignsofawildnight。Abenchwasupset，whilebrokenbottlesandcrockerylaystrewnaboutoverafloorreekingwithfilth。ThedisgustonmyfacecalledforthanapologyfromtheyoungerHill，whowasservinguphamandeggsasbesthecouldtothemenloungingaboutthetable。
　　"It’smyhousemaid’safternoonout，"heexplainedgravely。
　　"Goneforawalkinthepark，"addedanother。
　　"HopeMISTERConnorwillpardontheabsence，"sneeredBruce，inhismostoffensivemanner。
　　"Don’tmindhim，"saidHi，underhisbreath，"thebluedevilsarerunnin’himdown。"
　　Thisbecamemoreevidentastheeveningwenton。FromhilarityBrucepassedtosullenferocity，withspasmsofnervousterror。
　　Hi’sattemptstosoothehimfinallydrovehimmad，andhedrewhisrevolver，declaringhecouldlookafterhimself，inproofofwhichhebegantoshootoutthelights。
　　Themenscrambledintosafecorners，allbutTheDuke，whostoodquietlybywatchingBruceshoot。Thensaying：
　　"Letmehaveatry，Bruce，"hereachedacrossandcaughthishand。
　　"No！youdon’t，"saidBruce，struggling。"Nomangetsmygun。"
　　Hetoremadlyatthegrippinghandwithbothofhis，butinvain，callingoutwithfrightfuloaths：
　　"Letgo！letgo！I’llkillyou！I’llkillyou！"
　　Withafuriousefforthehurledhimselfbackfromthetable，draggingTheDukepartlyacross。TherewasaflashandareportandBrucecollapsed，TheDukestillgrippinghim。Whentheyliftedhimuphewasfoundtohaveanuglywoundinhisarm，thebullethavingpassedthroughthefleshypart。IbounditupasbestI
　　couldandtriedtopersuadehimtogotobed。Buthewouldgohome。Nothingcouldstophim。FinallyTheDukeagreedtogowithhim，andofftheyset，Bruceloudlyprotestingthathecouldgethomealoneanddidnotwantanyone。
　　Itwasadismalbreak-uptothemeet，andweallwenthomefeelingrathersick，sothatitgavemenopleasuretofindMoorewaitinginmyshackformyreportofBruce。Itwasquitevainformetomakelightoftheaccidenttohim。HiseyeswerewideopenwithanxiousfearwhenIhaddone。
　　"Youneedn’ttellmenottobeanxious，"hesaid，"youareanxiousyourself。Iseeit，Ifeelit。"
　　"Well，there’snousetryingtokeepthingsfromyou，"Ireplied，"butIamonlyalittleanxious。Don’tyougobeyondmeandworkyourselfupintoafeveroverit。"
　　"No，"heansweredquietly，"butIwishhismotherwerenearer。"