CHAPTERVIII。
ThereligiousattitudewhichMrs。McKinstryhadassumedtowardsherhusband’sweakcivilizedtendencieswasnotentirelyfreefromhumanrancor。Thatstrongloyalnaturewhichhadunsexeditselfintheoneideaofduty，nowthatdutyseemedtobenolongerappreciatedtookrefugeinherforgottenwomanhoodandintheinfinitesimallysmallarguments，resources，andmanoeuvresatitscommand。Shehadconceivedasingularjealousyofthisdaughterwhohadchangedherhusband’snature，andwhohadsupplantedthetraditionsofthehouseholdlife；shehadacquiredanexaggerateddepreciationofthosefemininecharmswhichhadneverbeenafactorinherowndomestichappiness。Shesawinherhusband’sdesiretomitigatethesavageausteritiesoftheirhabitsonlyaweakconcessiontothepowersofbeautyandadornment——degradingvanitiesshehadneverknownintheirlife-longstruggleforfrontiersupremacy——thathadneverbroughtthemvictoriousoutofthatstruggle。"Frizzles，""furblows，"and"fancyfixin’s"hadneverhelpedthemintheirexodusacrosstheplains；hadnevertakentheplaceofswifteyes，quickears，stronghands，andendurance；hadnevernursedthesickorbandagedthewounded。Whenenvyorjealousyinvadesthefemaleheartafterfortyitisapttobringabitternesswhichknowsnoattenuatingcompensationinthatcoquetry，emulation，passionateappeal，orinnocenttenderness，whichmakestolerablethejealouscapricesoftheyoungerwoman。
Thestruggleforrivalryisfelttobehopeless，thepowerofimitationisgone。OfherforgottenwomanhoodMrs。McKinstryrevivedonlyacapacitytosuffermeanlyandinflictmeansufferinguponothers。Intheruinedcastleofheryouth，andthefallinginofbanquetinghallandbower，thedungeonandtorture-chamberappearedtohavebeenleft，or，touseherownmetaphor，shehadquerulouslycomplainedtotheparsonthat，"Accordin’tosomefolks，shemouthevbinthebarrenfig-treee-lectedtobearpersimmums。"
Hermethodswerenotentirelydifferentfromthoseemployedbyhersufferingsisterhoodinlikeemergencies。TheunluckyHiram，"worritedbystock，"washardlyplacatedorconsoledbylearningfromherthatitwasonlytheresultofhisownweakness，actinguponthe’cussednessofthestock-dispersingHarrisons；theperplexityintowhichhewasthrownbythenewsofthenewlegalclaimtohislandwasnotsoothedbythesuggestionthatitwasatrickofthatYankeecivilizationtowhichhewasmeanlysuccumbing。
Shewhohadalwaysbeenaroughbutdevotednurseinsicknesswasnowherselfovertakenbyvagueirregulardisorderswhichinvolvedthegreatestcareandtheabsenceofallexcitingcauses。TheattendanceofMcKinstryandCressyata"crazyquiltingparty"hadbroughton"blindchills；"theimportationofamelodeonforCressytoplayonhadsuperinducedan"innerdrash，"andathreatenedattackof"palsycreeps"hadonlybeenwardedoffbythetimelypostponementofaneveningpartysuggestedbyherdaughter。Theoldnomadicinstinct，morbidlyexcitedbyherdiscontent，causedhertolayartfulplansforafurtheremigration。Sheknewshehadthegermsof"mashfever"caughtfromtheadjacentriver；sherelatedmysteriousinformation，gatheredin"classmeeting，"ofthesuperiorfacilitiesforstockraisingonthehigherfoot-hills；sheresuscitatedherdeadandgoneMissourirelationsinherdailyspeech，toamanifestinvidiouscomparisonwiththeliving；sherevivedeventheincidentsofherearlymarriedlifewiththesamebalefulintent。Theacquisitionofafew"biledshirts"byHiramforfestiveappearanceswithCressypainfullyremindedherthathehadmarriedherin"hickory；"shefurtheraccentedthechangebyherselfappearinginheroldestclothes，onthehypothesisthatitwasnecessaryforsomeonetokeepupthetraditionsofthepast。
HerattitudetowardsCressywouldhavebeenmoredecidedhadsheeverpossessedtheslightestinfluenceoverher，orhadevenunderstoodherwiththeintuitivesympathiesofthematernalrelations。YetshewentsofarastoevenopenlyregretthebreakingoffofthematchwithSethDavis，whosefamily，atleast，stillretainedthehabitsandtraditionssherevered；butshewaspromptlysilencedbyherhusbandinformingherthatwords"thathadtobetukback"hadalreadypassedbetweenhimandSeth’sfather，andthat，accordingtothosesametraditions，bloodwasmorelikelytobespilledthanmingled。Whethershewasonlywithheldfromattemptingareconciliationherselfthroughlackoftactandopportunityremainstobeseen。ForthepresentsheencouragedMasters’sattentionsunderanewandvagueideathataflirtationwhichdistractedCressyfromherstudieswasdispleasingtoMcKinstryandinimicaltohisplans。BlindlyignorantofMr。
Ford’spossiblerelationstoherdaughter，andsuspectingnothing，shefelttowardshimonlyadullaversionasbeingthesenselesspivotofhertroubles。Seeingnoone，andhabituallyclosingherearstoanyfamilyallusiontoCressy’ssocialtriumphs，shewasunawareofeventhepopularadmirationtheirmemorablewaltzhadexcited。
OnthemorningofthedaythatUncleBenhadconfidedtothemasterhisingeniousplanforsettlingtheboundarydisputes，thebarkingofMcKinstry’syellowdogannouncedtheapproachofastrangertotheranch。ItprovedtobeMr。Stacey——notonlyasdazzlinglyarrayedaswhenhefirstroseaboveJohnnyFilgee’shorizon，butwearing，inadditiontohisjauntybusinessair，alookofcomplacentexpectationoftheprettygirlwhomhehadmetattheball。Hehadnotseenherforamonth。ItwasahappyinspirationofhisownthatenabledhimtopresenthimselfthatmorninginthetwinfunctionsofavictoriousMercuryandApollo。
McKinstryhadtobesummonedfromanadjacentmeadow，whileCressy，inthemeantime，undertooktoentertainthegallantstranger。
Thiswaseasilydone。Itwaspartofherfascinationsthat，disdainingtheordinaryrealorassumedignoranceoftheingenueofherclass，shegenerallyexhibitedtoheradmirers（withperhapsthesingleexceptionofthemaster）alaughingconsciousnessofthestateofmindintowhichhercharmshadthrownthem。Sheunderstoodtheirpassionifshecouldnotacceptit。Thistoabashfulrusticcommunitywashelpful，butinthemainunsatisfactory；withadvancessopromptlyunmasked，themoststrategicretreatwasapttobecomeanutterrout。Leaningagainstthelintelofthedoor，hercurvedhandshadingthesparklingdepthsofhereyes，andthesunlightstrikingdownupontheprettycurvesofherlanguidfigure，sheawaitedtheattack。
"Ihaven’tseenyou，MissCressy，sincewedancedtogether——amonthago。"
"Thatwasmightyroughpapers，"saidCressy，whowaspurposelydialecticaltostrangers，"consideringthatyoutrapsedupanddownthelane，pastthehouse，twiceyesterday。"
"Thenyousawme？"saidtheyoungman，withaslightlydiscomfitedlaugh。
"Idid。Andsodidthehound，andso，Ireckon，didJoeMastersandthehiredman。Andwhenyouprancedbackonthehomestretch，therewasthehound，Masters，thehiredman，andMawallonyourtrail，andPawbringin’uptherearwithashot-gun。Therewasaboutahalfamileofyoualtogether。"Sheremovedherhandfromhereyestoindicatewithalazilygracefulsweepthissomewhatimaginativeprocession，andlaughed。
"Youarecertainlywellguarded，"saidStaceyhesitatingly；"andlookingatyou，MissCressy，"headdedboldly，"Idon’twonderatit。"
"Well，itISreckonedthatnexttoPaw’sboundariesI’mprettywellprotectedfromsquattersandjumpers。"
Forcefulandquaintasherlanguagewas，thelazysweetnessofherintonation，andthedelicaterefinementofherface，morethanatonedforit。Itwasunconventionalandpicturesqueashergestures。SoatleastthoughtMr。Stacey，anditemboldenedhimtofurthergallantry。
"Well，MissCressy，asmybusinesswithyourfatherto-daywastotrytoeffectacompromiseofhisboundaryclaims，perhapsyoumightacceptmyservicesinyourownbehalf。"
"Whichmeans，"respondedtheyoungladypertly，"thesamethingtoMEastoPaw。Notrespassersbutyourself。Thankyou，sir。"Shetwirledlightlyonherheelanddroppedhimthatexaggeratedcurtseyknowntotheschool-childrenasa"cheese。"Itpermittedinitsprogresstheglimpseofaprettylittleslipperwhichcompletedhissubjugation。
"Well，ifit’sonlyafaircompromise，"hebeganlaughingly。
"Compromisemeanssomebodygivingup。Whoisit？"sheasked。
TheinfatuatedStaceyhadreachedthepointofthinkingthisreparteeifpossiblemorekillingthanhisown。
"Ha！That’sforMissCressytosay。"
Buttheyoungladyleaningbackagainstthelintelwiththecomfortableeaseofbeingirresponsiblydiverted，sagelypointedoutthatthatwasthefunctionofthearbitrator。
"Ahwell，supposewebeginbygivingupSethDavis，eh？YouseethatI’mprettywellposted，MissCressy。"
"Youalarmme，"saidCressysweetly。"ButIreckonheHADgivenup。"
"Hewasintherunningthatnightattheball。LookedhalfsavagewhileIwasdancingwithyou。Wantedtoeatme。"
"PoorSeth！AndheusedtobeSOparticularinhisfood，"saidthewittyCressy。
Mr。Staceywasconvulsed。"Andthere’sMr。Dabney——UncleBen，"hecontinued，"eh？Veryquietbutverysly。Adarkhorse，eh？
Pretendstotakelessonsforthesakeofbeingnearsomeone，eh？
Wouldhewereaboyagainbecausesomebodyelseisagirl？"
"Ishouldbefrightenedofyouifyoulivedherealways，"returnedCressywithinvinciblenaivete；"butperhapsthenyouwouldn’tknowsomuch。"
Staceysimplyacceptedthisasacompliment。"Andthere’sMasters，"hesaidinsinuatingly。
"NotJoe？"saidCressywithalowlaugh，turninghereyestothedoor。
"Yes，"saidStaceywithaquick，uneasysmile。"Ah！Iseewemustn’tdropHIM。IsheoutTHERE？"headded，tryingtofollowthedirectionofhereyes。
Buttheyounggirlkeptherfacestudiouslyaverted。"Isthatall？"sheaskedafterapause。
"Well——there’sthatsolemnschool-master，whocutmeoutofthewaltzwithyou——thatMr。Ford。"
HadhebeenaperfectlycoolandimpartialobserverhewouldhaveseentheslighttremorcrossCressy’ssofteyelidseveninprofile，followedbythatmomentaryarrestofherwholeface，mouth，dimples，andeyes，whichhadovertakenitthenightthemasterenteredtheball-room。Buthewasneither，anditpassedquicklyandunnoticed。Herusuallithebutlanguidplayofexpressionandcolorcameback，andsheturnedherheadlazilytowardsthespeaker。"There’sPawcoming。Isupposeyouwouldn’tmindgivingmeasampleofyourstyleofarbitratingwithhim，beforeyoutryitonme？"
"Certainlynot，"saidStacey，bynomeansdispleasedattheprospectofhavingsoprettyandintelligentawitnessinthedaughterofwhathebelievedwouldformanattractivedisplayofhisdiplomaticskillandgraciousnesstothefather。"Don’tgoaway。I’vegotnothingtosayMissCressycouldnotunderstandandanswer。"
Thejinglingofspurs，andtheshadowofMcKinstryandhisshot-gunfallingatthismomentbetweenthespeakerandCressy，sparedherthenecessityofareply。McKinstrycastanuneasyglancearoundtheapartment，andnotseeingMrs。McKinstrylookedrelieved，andeventhedeeptracesofthelossofavaluablesteerthatmorningpartlyfadedfromhisIndian-redcomplexion。Heplacedhisshot-
guncarefullyinthecorner，tookhissoftfelthatfromhishead，foldeditandputitinoneofthecapaciouspocketsofhisjacket，turnedtohisdaughter，andlayinghismaimedhandfamiliarlyonhershoulder，saidgravely，withoutlookingatStacey，"Whatmightthestrangerbewantin’，Cress？"
"PerhapsI’dbetteranswerthatmyself，"saidStaceybriskly。"I’mactingforBenhamandCo。，ofSanFrancisco，whohaveboughttheSpanishtitletopartofthisproperty。I"——
"Stopthere！"saidMcKinstry，inavoicedullbutdistinct。Hetookhishatfromhispocket，putiton，walkedtothecornerandtookuphisgun，lookedatStaceyforthefirsttimewithnarcoticeyesthatseemedtodrowsilyabsorbhisslightfigure，thenputthegunbackhalfcontemptuously，andwithawaveofhishandtowardsthedoor，said："We’llsettlethisyeroutside。Cress，youstopinhere。There’sman’stalkgoin’on。"
"But，Paw，"saidCressy，layingherhandlanguidlyonherfather’ssleevewithouttheleastchangeofcolororamusedexpression。
"Thisgentlemanhascomeoverhereonacompromise。"
"Ona——WHICH？"saidMcKinstry，glancingscornfullyoutofthedoorforsomerarespeciesofmustangvaguelysuggestedtohiminthatunfamiliarword。
"Toseeifwecouldn’tcometosomefairsettlement，"saidStacey。
"I’venoobjectiontogoingoutsidewithyou，butIthinkwecandiscussthismatterherejustaswell。"Hisfinefeathershadnotmadehimacoward，althoughhishearthadbeatenalittlefasteratthissuddenrecollectionofthedangerousreputationofhishost。
"Goon，"saidMcKinstry。
"Theplainfactsofthecasearethese，"continuedStacey，withmoreconfidence。"WehavesoldastripofthispropertycoveringthelandindisputebetweenyouandHarrison。Weareboundtoputourpurchaserinpeaceablepossession。Nowtosavetimewearewillingtobuythatpossessionofanymanwhocangiveit。Wearetoldthatyoucan。"
"Well，considerin’thatforthelastfouryearsI’vebeenfightin’
nightanddayaginthemlow-downHarrisonsforit，Ireckonyou’vebeenliedto，"saidMcKinstrydeliberately。"Why——excepttheclearingonthenorthside，wharIputupabarn，tharain’tanacreofitashasn’tbeenshiftedfirstthissideandthenthatasfastezIdruvboundarystakesandfences，andtheHarrisonspulled’emupagin。Tharain’tmorethanfiftyacresezI’vehedaclearholdon，andIwouldn’thevhadthatefithadn’tbinforthebarn，theraisin’aloneo’whichcostmeaman，twohorses，andthisyerlittlefinger。"
"Putusinpossessionofeventhatfiftyacres，andWE’LLundertaketoholdtherestandejectthoseHarrisonsfromit，"returnedStaceycomplacently。"Youunderstandthatthemomentwe’vemadeapeaceableentrancetoevenafootholdonyourside，theHarrisonsareonlytrespassers，andwiththetitletobackuswecancallonthewholesheriff’spossetoputthemoff。That’sthelaw。"
"Thatarthelaw？"repeatedMcKinstrymeditatively。
"Yes，"saidStacey。"So，"hecontinued，withaself-satisfiedsmiletoCressy，"farfrombeinghardonyou，Mr。McKinstry，we’reratherinclinedtoputyouonvelvet。Weofferyouafairpricefortheonlythingyoucangiveus——actualpossession；andwehelpyouwithyouroldgrudgeagainsttheHarrisons。Wenotonlyclearthemout，butwepayYOUforeventheparttheyheldadverselytoyou。"
Mr。McKinstrypassedhisthreewholefingersoverhisforeheadandeyesasiftroubledbyadrowsyaching。"Thenyoudon’treckontohevanythin’tosaytothemHarrisons？"
"Wedon’tproposetorecognizetheminthematteratall，"returnedStacey。
"Norallow’emanythin’？"
"Notacent！Soyousee，Mr。McKinstry，"hecontinuedmagnanimously，yetwithamischievoussmiletoCressy，"thereisnothinginthisamicablediscussionthatrequirestobesettledoutside。"
"Ain’tthere？"saidMcKinstry，inadull，deliberatevoice，raisinghiseyesforthesecondtimetoStacey。Theywerebloodshot，withaheavy，hangingfurtiveness，notunlikeoneofhisownhuntedsteers。"ButIain’tkamenuffinyer。"Hemovedtothedoorwithabeckoningofhisfatefulhand。"Outsideaminit——EFyouplease。"
Staceystarted，shruggedhisshoulders，andhalfdefiantlysteppedbeyondthethreshold。Cressy，unchangedincolororexpression，lazilyfollowedtothedoor。
"Wot，"saidMcKinstry，slowlyfacingStacey；"wotefIrefoose？
WotefIsayIdon’tallowanyman，oranybank，oranycompromise，totakeupmyquo’r’lls？WotefIsaythatlow-downandmeanasthemHarrisonsis，theydon’tbegintobeezmean，ezlow-down，ezunderhanded，ezsneakin’ezthatyercompromise？WotefIsaythatefthat’sthekindo’hogwashthatlawandsnivelizationoffersmeforpeaceandquietness，I’lltakethefightin’，andthelaw-
breakin’，andthesheriff，andallh-llforhisposseinstead？WotefIsaythat？"
"Itwillonlybemydutytorepeatit，"saidStacey，withanaffectedcarelessnesswhich，however，didnotconcealhissurpriseandhisdiscomfiture。"It’snoaffairofmine。"
"Unless，"saidCressy，assumingheroldpositionagainstthelintelofthedoor，andsmoothingthewornbear-skinthatservedasamatwiththetoeofherslipper，"unlessyou’vemixeditupwithyourotherarbitration，youknow。"
"Wototherarbitration？"askedMcKinstrysuddenly，withmurkyeyes。
Staceycastarapid，halfindignantglanceattheyounggirl，whoreceiveditwithherhandstuckedbehindherback，herlovelyheadbentsubmissivelyforward，andaprolongedlittlelaugh。
"Ohnothing，Paw，"shesaid，"onlyalittleprivatefoolishnessbetwixtmeandthegentleman。You’dadmiretohearhimtalk，Paw——
aboutotherthingsthanbusiness。He’sjustthatchipperandgay。"
Nevertheless，aswithamuttered"Good-morning"theyoungfellowturnedaway，shequietlybrushedpastherfather，andfollowedhim——
withherhandsstillpenitentlybehindher，andtherosypalmsturnedupward——asfarasthegate。HersinglelongMargueritebraidofhairtrailingdownherbacknearlytothehemofherskirt，appearedtoaccentherdemurereserve。Atthegatesheshadedhereyeswithherhand，andglancedupward。
"Itdon’tseemtobeagooddayforarbitrating。Atrifleearlyintheseason，ain’tit？"
"Good-morning，MissMcKinstry。"
Sheheldoutherhand。Hetookitwithanaffectedeasebutcautiously，asifithadbeenthevelvetpawofayoungpantherwhohadscratchedhim。Afterall，whatwasshebutthecuboftheuntamedbeast，McKinstry？Hewaswelloutofit！Hewasnotrevengeful——butbusinesswasbusiness，andhehadgiventhemthefirstchance。
Ashisfiguredisappearedbehindthebuckeyesofthelane，Cressycastaglanceatthedecliningsun。Shere-enteredthehouse，andwentdirectlytoherroom。Asshepassedthewindow，shecouldseeherfatheralreadyremountedgallopingtowardsthetules，asifinsearchofthatriparian"kam"hislateinterviewhaddisturbed。A
fewstragglingbitsofcolorintheslopingmeadowswerethechildrencominghomefromschool。Shehastilytiedagirlishsun-
bonnetunderherchin，andslippingoutofthebackdoor，sweptlikealissomshadowalongthelineoffenceuntilsheseemedtomeltintotheumbrageofthewoodsthatfringedthedistantnorthboundary。
CHAPTERIX。
Meanwhile，unawareofherhusband’ssuddenrelapsetoheroldborderprinciplesandofthevisitthathadinducedit，Mrs。
McKinstrywasslowlyreturningfromalugubriousrecitalofhermoodsandfeelingsattheparson’s。Asshecrossedthebarrenflatandreachedthewoodeduplandmidwaybetweentheschool-houseandtheranch，shesawbeforehertheoldfamiliarfigureofSethDavisloungingonthetrail。Inherhabitualloyaltytoherhusband’sfeudsshewouldprobablyhavestalkeddefiantlypasthim，notwithstandingherlateregretsofthebrokenengagement，butSethbegantoadvanceawkwardlytowardsher。Infact，hehadnoticedthetall，gaunt，plaid-shawledandholland-bonnetedfigureapproaching，andhadwaitedforit。
Asheseemedintentupongettinginherwayshestoppedandraisedherrighthandwarninglybeforeher。Inspiteoftheshawlandthesun-bonnet，sufferinghadimplantedarudeRunicdignitytoherattitude。"Wordsthathevtobetookback，SethDavis，"shesaidhastily，"hevpassedbetweenyouandmyman。Outofmyway，then，thatImaypass，too。"
"Notmuchbetwixtyouandme，AuntRachel，"hesaidwithslouchingdeprecation，usingtheoldhouseholdtitlebywhichhehadfamiliarlyknownher。"I’venothinaginyou——andIkinproveitbywotI’myertosay。AndIain’ttrucklin’toyerformyself，forezfarezmeandyour’nezconcerned，"hecontinued，withamalevolentglance，"tharain’tgoldenoughinCalefornytomaktheweddin’ringthatcouldhitchmeandCresstogether。Iwanttotellyouthatyou’rebein’played；thatyou’rebein’befooledandbamboozledandhoney-fogled。Thetwhileyou’regroanin’atclass-
meetin’andHiram’squo’llin’withDad，andJoeMasterswaitin’
roundtopickupanybonethat’sthrowedhim，thatsneakin’，hypocriticalYankeeschool-masterisdraggin’yourdaughtertoh-llwithhimonthesly。"
"Quitthat，SethDavis，"saidMrs。McKinstrysternly，"orbemanenoughtotellittoaman。That’sHiram’sbusinesstoknow。"
"Andwhatifheknowsitwellenoughandwinksatit？Whatifhe’swillin’enoughtotruckletoit，tocurryfavorwiththemsneakin’
Yanks？"saidSethmalignantly。
AspasmofsavageconvictionseizedMrs。McKinstry。Butitwasmorefromherjealousfearsofherhusband’sdisloyaltythanconcernforherdaughter’stransgression。Nevertheless，shesaiddesperately，"It’salie。Whereareyourproofs？"
"Proofs？"returnedSeth。"Whoisitsneaksaroundtheschool-housetohaveprivatetalkswiththeschool-master，andedgeshimonwithCressyaforefolks？Yourhusband。Whogoessneakin’offeveryarternoonwiththatsamecantin’houndofaschool-master？Yourdaughter。Who’sbeencarryin’ontogether，andhidin’thickenoughtoberiddenoutonarailtogether？Yourdaughterandtheschool-
master。Proofs？——askanybody。Askthechildren。Lookyar——you，Johnny——comehere。"
Hehadsuddenlydirectedhisvoicetoablackberrybushnearthetrail，fromwhichthecurlyheadofJohnnyFilgeehadjustappeared。Thathome-returninginfantpainfullydisengagedhimself，hisslate，hisbooks，andhissmalldinner-pailhalffilledwithfruitasimmatureashimself，andcametowardsthemsideways。
"Yer’sadime，Johnny，togitsomecandy，"saidSeth，endeavoringtodistorthispassion-setfaceintoasmile。
JohnnyFilgee’ssmall，berry-stainedpalmpromptlyclosedoverthecoin。
"Now，don’tlie。Where’sCressy？"
"Kithin’herbo。"
"Goodboy。Whatbo？"
Johnnyhesitated。Hehadonceseentheschool-masterandCressytogether；hehadhearditwhisperedbytheotherchildrenthattheylovedeachother。ButlookingatSethandMrs。McKinstryhefeltthatsomethingmoretremendousthanthisstupidfactwasrequiredofhimforgrown-uppeople，andbeinghonestandimaginative，hedeterminedthatitshouldbeworththemoney。
"Speakup，Johnny，don’tbeafeardtotell。"
Johnnywasnot"afeard"——hewasonlythinking。Hehadit！Herememberedthathehadjustseenhisparagon，thebrilliantStacey，comingfromtheboundarywoods。WhatmorepoeticalandstartlinglyeffectivethantoconnecthimwithCressy？Herepliedpromptly：——
"MithterThtathy。Hegivedherawatchandringoftrulygold。
Goin’tobemarriedatThacramento。"
"Youlyin’limb，"saidSeth，seizinghimroughly。ButMrs。
McKinstryinterposed。
"Letthatbratgo，"shesaidwithgleamingeyes。"Iwanttotalktoyou。"SethreleasedJohnny。"It’satrick，’hesaid，"he’sbinputuptoitbythatFord。"
ButJohnny，aftersecuringasafevantagebehindtheblackberrybush，determinedtogivethemanothertrial——withfacts。
"Iknowmor’nthat，"hecalledout。
"Git——youmeaslypup，"saidSethsavagely。
"IknowTheriffBriggth，heridovertheboundarywithaloto’menandhorthes，"saidJohnny，withthathurrieddeliverywithwhichhewasabletoestopinterruption。"Theed’emgoby。MaurHarrithonthethhisdad’sgoin’tochuckoutoleMcKinthtry。Hooray！"
Mrs。McKinstryturnedherdarkfacesharplyonSeth。"What’sthathesez？"
"Nothin’butchildren’sgassin’，"heanswered，meetinghereyeswithanevilconsciousnesshalfloutish，halfdefiant，"andefitwartrue，itwouldonlysarveHiramMcKinstryright。"
Shelaidherhanduponhisshoulderwithswiftsuspicion。"Outo’
myway，SethDavis，"shesaidsuddenly，pushinghimaside。"Efthisezanyunderhandedworkofyours，you’llpayforit。"
ShestrodepasthiminthedirectionofJohnny，butattheapproachofthetallwomanwiththeangryeyes，theboyflew。Shehesitatedamoment，turnedagainwithathreateningwaveofthehandtoSeth，andstartedoffrapidlyinthedirectionoftheboundary。
Shehadnotplacedsomuchfaithintheboy’sstoryasinthevaguerevelationofevilinDavis’smanner。Iftherewasany"cussedness"
afoot，Seth，convincedofCressy’sunfaithfulness，andwithnofurtherhopeofanymediationfromtheparents，wouldknowit。
UnlessHiramhadbeenwarned，hewasstilllulledinhisfatuousdreamofcivilization。Atthattimeheandhismenwereinthetuleswiththestock；tobesatisfied，sheherselfmustgototheboundary。
Shereachedtheridgeofthecottonwoodsandsycamores，andafewhundredyardsfurtherbroughthertotheedgeofthatgentlesouthernslopewhichatlastsankintothebroadmeadowofthedebatableground。InspiteofStacey’sinvidiouscriticismofitsintrinsicvalue，thistheatreofsavagedissension，violence，andbloodshedwasbysomeironyofnatureapastorallandscapeofsingularandpeacefulrepose。Thesoftglacisstretchingbeforeherwasinspringceruleanwithlupins，andlaterstarredwithmariposas。Themeadowwastransverselycrossedbyacurvinglineofaldersthatindicatedararewater-course，ofwhichinthedryseasononlyasinglepoolremainedtoflashbacktheunvaryingsky。
Therehadbeennoattemptatcultivationofthisbroadexpanse；
wildoats，mustard，andrankgrassesleftitatossingseaofturbulentandvariegatedcolorwhosewavesrodehighenoughtoengulfhorseandriderintheirchokingdepths。Eventhetracesofhumanstruggle，theuprootedstakes，scatteredfence-rails，andemptypost-holeswereforeverhiddenunderthesebillowsofverdure。Midwayofthefieldandnearthewater-coursearoseMcKinstry’sbarn——thesolitaryhumanstructurewhoserude，misshapen，bulgingsidesandswallow-hauntedeavesburstingwithhayfromtheneighboringpasture，seemedhoweveronlyanextravagantgrowthoftheprolificsoil。Mrs。McKinstrygazedatitanxiously。Therewasnosignoflifeormovementnearoraroundit；itstoodasithadalwaysstood，desertedandsolitary。Butturninghereyestotheright，beyondthewater-course，shecouldseeaslightregularundulationofthegrassyseaandwhatappearedtobethedriftingonitssurfaceofhalfadozenslouchedhatsinthedirectionofthealders。Therewasnolongeranydoubt；apartyfromtheothersidewasapproachingtheborder。
Ashoutandthequickgallopingofhoofsbehindhersentathrillofrelieftoherheart。Shehadbarelytimetodrawasideasherhusbandandhisfollowerssweptpastherdowntheslope。Butitneedednothisfuriouscry，"TheHarrisonshevsoldusout，"totellherthatthecrisishadcome。
Sheheldherbreathasthecavalcadediverged，andinopenorderfuriouslyapproachedthewater-course，andshecouldseeasuddencheckandhesitationinthemovementinthemeadowatthatunlooked-foronset。Thenshethoughtofthebarn。Itwouldbearallying-pointforthemifdrivenback——atowerofdefenceifbesieged。Therewerearmssecretedbeneaththehayforsuchanemergency。Shewouldrunthere，swing-toitsopendoors，andgetreadytobarricadethem。
Sherancrouchingly，seekingthehighergrassesandbramblesoftheridgetoescapeobservationfromthemeadowuntilshecoulddescenduponthebarnfromtherear。Shethrewasideherimpedingshawl；
herbrownhollandsun-bonnet，tornoffherheadandhangingbyitsstringsfromhershoulders，lethercoarsesilver-threadedhairstreamlikeamaneoverherback；herfaceandhandswerebleedingfromthornsandwhitenedbydust。Butshestruggledonfiercelylikesomehuntedanimaluntilshereachedthedescendingtrail，when，lettingherselfgoblindly，onlywithheldbythelonggrassessheclutchedatwildlyoneitherside，shehalffell，halfstumbleddowntheslopeandemergedbesidethebarn，breathlessandexhausted。
Butwhatacontrastwasthere！Foraninstantshecouldscarcelybelievethatshehadlefttheridgewithherhusband’ssavageoutcryinherears，andinhereyestheswiftvisionofhisfuriouscavalcade。Theboundarymeadowwashiddenbythesoftlinesofgracefulwillowsinwhosedimrecessesthefiguresofthepassionatehorsemenseemedtohavemeltedforever。Therewasnothingnowtointerruptthelongvistaofpeacefulbeautythatstretchedbeforeherthroughthislonelyhollowtothedistantsleepinghills。Theburstingbarnintheforeground，heapedwithgrainthatfringeditseavesandbristledfromitswindowsanddoorsuntilitsunlovelybulkwashiddenintrailingfeatheryoutlines；thegentleflutterofwingsandsoothingtwitterofswallowsandjaysarounditsopenrafters，andthedriftingshadowsofafewcirclingcrowsaboveit；thedrowsysongofbeesonthewildmustardthathalfhiditswallswithyellowbloom；thesoundoffaintly-tricklingwaterinoneofthoseoldIndian-hauntedspringsthathadgivenitsnametothelocality；alltheseforaninstanttouchedthesensesofthishard，fiercewomanasshehadnotbeentouchedsinceshewasagirl。Foronebriefmomentthejoysofpeaceandthatmaturedreposethatneverhadbeenhersflasheduponher；butwithitcamethesavageconsciousnessthatevennowitwasbeingwrestedaway，andthethoughtfiredherbloodagain。Shelistenedeagerlyforasecondinthedirectionofthemeadow；therewasnoreportoffire-arms——therewasyettimetopreparethebarnfordefence。Sherantothefrontofthebuildingandseizedthelatchofthehalf-closeddoor。Alittlefemininecrythatwashalfalaughcamefromwithin，withtherapidrustleofaskirtandasthedoorswungopenalightfigurevanishedthroughtherearwindow。Theslantingsunlightfallingintheshadowedinteriordisclosedonlythesingleerectfigureoftheschool-masterJohnFord。
ThefirstconfusionandembarrassmentofaninterruptedrendezvousthathadcoloredFord’scheeks，gavewaytoalookofalarmashecaughtsightofthebleedingfaceanddishevelledfigureofMrs。
McKinstry。Shesawit。Toherdistortedfancyitseemedonlyaproofofdeeperguilt。Withoutawordsheclosedtheheavydoorbehindherandswungthehugecross-barunaidedtoitsplace。Shethenturnedandconfrontedhim，wipingthedustfromherfaceandarmswithhertornanddanglingsun-bonnetinawaythatrecalledherattitudeonthefirstdayhehadmether。
"ThatwasCresswithye？"shesaid。
Hehesitated，stillgazingatherinwonder。
"Don’tlie。"
Hestarted。"Idon’tproposeto，"heretortedindignantly。"Itwas"——
"Idon’taskyehowlongthisyer’sbingoin’on，"shesaid，pointingtoCressy’ssun-bonnet，afewbooks，andascatterednosegayofwildflowerslyingonthehay；"andIdon’twanttoknow。Infiveminuteseitherherfatherwillbehere，orthemhell-houndsofHarrison’swho’vesoldhimoutwillswarmroundthisbarntogitpossesshun。Efthisyer"——sheagainpointedcontemptuouslytotheobjectsjustindicated——"meansthatyou’vecastyourlotwithUSandkalkilatetotakeourbitterwithoursweet，ye’llliftupthatstackofhayandbringoutaguntohelpdefendit。Efyou’remeanin’anythin’else，Ford，you’llhideyourselfinthathaytillHiramcomesandhastimeenoughtoattendtoye。"
"AndifIchoosetodoneither？"hesaidhaughtily。
Shelookedathiminunutterablescorn。"There’sthewinder——takeitwhilethere’stime，aforeIbarit。EfyouseeHiram，tellhimyeleftanoldwomanbehindyetodefendtheplacewharyouusterhidewithherdarter。"
Beforehecouldreplytherewasadistantreport，followedalmostdirectlybyanother。Withamovementofirritationhewalkedtothewindow，turnedandlookedather——boltedit，andcameback。
"Where’sthatgun？"hesaidalmostrudely。
"Ireckon’sthatwouldfetchye，"shesaid，draggingawaythehayanddisclosingalongtrough-likeboxcoveredwithtarpaulin。Itprovedtocontainpowder，shot，andtwoguns。Hetookone。
"IsupposeImayknowwhatIamfightingfor？"hesaiddryly。
"Yemightsay’Cress’efthey"——indicatingthedirectionofthereports——"happentoaskye，"shereturnedwithequalsobriety。
"Jessnowyekintakeyourstanduptharintheloftandseewhat’scomin’。"
Hedidnotlinger，butclimbedtotheplaceassignedhim，gladtoescapethecompanyofthewomanwhoatthatmomenthealmosthated。
InhisunreflectingpassionforCressyhehadalwaysevadedthethoughtofthisrelationshiporpropinquity；themotherhadrecalledittohiminawaythatimperilledevenhispassionforthedaughter；hismindwaswhollypreoccupiedwiththeidiotic，exasperating，andutterlyhopelesspositionthathadbeenforceduponhim。Inthebitternessofhisspirithissenseofpersonaldangerwassofarabsorbedthathespeculatedonthechancebulletinthemeleethatmightendhisfollyandrelievehimofresponsibility。Shutupinabarnwithafuriouswoman，inalawlessdefenceofquestionablerights——withtheaddedconsciousnessthatanequallyquestionablepassionhaddrawnhimintoit，andthatSHEknewit——deathseemedtooffertheonlyescapefromtheexplanationhecouldnevergive。IfanotherstingcouldhavebeenaddeditwastheabsurdconvictionthatCressywouldnotappreciatehissacrifice，butwasperhapsevenatthatmomentcalmlycongratulatingherselfonthefelicitousnessofthecomplicationinwhichshehadlefthim。
Suddenlyheheardashoutandthetrampingofhorse。Thesidesoftheloftwerescantilyboardedtoallowtheextensionofthepent-
upgrain，andbetweentheintersticesFord，withoutbeinghimselfseen，hadanuninterruptedviewoftheplainbetweenhimandthelineofwillows。Ashegazed，fivemenhurriedlyissuedfromtheextremeleftandrantowardsthebarn。McKinstryandhisfollowerssimultaneouslybrokefromthesamecovertfurthertotherightandgallopedforwardtointerceptthem。Butalthoughmounted，thegreaterdistancetheyhadtotraversebroughtthemtotherearofthebuildingonlyastheHarrisonpartycametoasuddenhaltbeforetheclosedandbarricadeddoorsoftheusuallydefencelessbarn。ThediscomfitureofthelatterwasgreetedbyaderisiveshoutfromtheMcKinstryparty——albeit，equallyastonished。ButinthatbriefmomentFordrecognizedintheleaderoftheHarrisonsthewell-knownfigureoftheSheriffofTuolumne。Itneededonlythistocaptheclimaxofthefatalitythatseemedtopursuehim。
Hewasnolongeralawlessopposerofequallylawlessforces，buthewasactuallyresistingthelawitself。Heunderstoodthesituationnow。ItwassomeidioticblunderofUncleBen’sthathadprecipitatedthisattack。
Thebelligerentshadalreadycockedtheirweapons，althoughthebarnwasstillarampartbetweentheparties。ButanadroitflankerofMcKinstry’s，creepingthroughthetallmustard，managedtotakeupanenfiladingpositionastheHarrisonsadvancedtobreakinthedoor。Athreateningshoutfromtheambuscadedpartisanscausedthemtohurriedlyfallbacktowardstherearofthebarn。Therewasapause，andthenbegantheusualHomericchaff，——withthisWesterndifferencethatitwascunninglyintendedtodrawtheother’sfire。
"Whydon’tyoublazeawayatthedoor，you————————！Itwon’thurtye！"
"He’safraidtheboltwillshootback！"LaughterfromtheMcKinstrys。
"Comeouterthetallgrassandshowyourself，youblack，mud-eatinggopher。"
"Hecan’t。He’sdroppedhisgritandissarchin’forit。"GoadinglaughterfromtheHarrisons。
Eachmanwaitedforthatsingleshotwhichwouldprecipitatethefight。Evenintheirlawlessnesstherudeinstinctoftheduelloswayedthem。Theofficerofthelawrecognizedtheprincipleaswellasitspracticaladvantageinacollision，buthehesitatedtosacrificeoneofhismeninanattackonthebarn，whichwoulddrawthefireofMcKinstryatthatnecessarilyfatalrange。Asabravemanhewouldhavetakentheriskhimself，butasaprudentone，hereflectedthathishurriedlycollectedpossewereallpartisans，andifhefelltheconflictwouldresolveitselfintoapurelypartisanstrugglewithoutasingleunprejudicedwitnesstojustifyhisconductinthepopulareye。Themasteralsoknewthis；ithadcheckedhisfirstimpulsetocomeforwardasamediator；hisonlyreliancenowwasonMrs。McKinstry’srestraintandthesheriff’sforbearance。Thenextinstantbothseemedtobeimperilled。
"Well，whydon’tyouwadein？"sneeredDickMcKinstry；"whodoyoureckon’shiddeninthebarn？"
"I’lltellye，"saidaharsh，passionatevoicefromthehill-side。
"It’sCressyMcKinstryandtheschool-masterhidin’inthehay。"
Bothpartiesturnedquicklytowardstheintruderwhohadapproachedthemunperceived。ButthespeechwasfollowedbyamorestartlingrevulsionofsentimentasMrs。McKinstry’svoicerangoutfromthebarn，"Youlie，SethDavis！"
ThebriefadvantageofferedtothesheriffinDavis’sadventasaneutralwitness，wasutterlylostbythisunlooked-forrevelationofMrs。McKinstry’spresenceinthebarn！Thefateswereclearlyagainsthim！Awomaninthefight，andanoldoneatthat！A
whitewomantobeforciblyejected！InthewholeunwrittencodeofSouthwesternchivalrytherewasnosuchprecedent。
"Standback，"hesaiddisgustedlytohisfollowers，"standbackandletthed————dbarnslide。Butyou，HiramMcKinstry，I’llgiveYOU
fiveminutestoshakeyourselfclearofyourwife’spetticoatsandgit！"Hisbloodwasupnow——thequickerfromhismomentaryweaknessandthetrickofwhichhethoughthimselfadupe。
Againthefatalsignalseemedimminent，againitwasdelayed。ForHiramMcKinstry，withclankingspursandrifleinhandsteppedfrombehindthebarn，fullinthepresenceofhisantagonists。
"Eztomygitteninfiveminits，"hebeganinhislaziest，drowsiestmanner，"we’llseewhenthetime’sup。ButjestnowwordshevpassedbetwixtmywifeandSethDavis。Aforeanythin’
elsegoesonyer，he’sgottotakeHISback。Mywifeallowshelies；Iallowheliestoo，andIstan’heretosayit。"
Therightofpersonalinsulttoprecedenceofredresswastoooldafrontierprincipletobegainsaidnow。BothpartiesheldbackandeveryeyewasturnedtowhereSethDavishadbeenstanding。Buthehaddisappeared。
Where？
WhenMrs。McKinstryhurledherdenialfromthebarn，hehadtakenadvantageofthegreatersurprisetoleaptooneofthetrussesofhaythatprojectedbeyondtheloft，andsecureafootingfromwhichhequicklyscrambledthroughtheopenscantlingtotheinterior。
Themasterwho，startledbyhisvoice，hadmadehiswaythroughtheloosegraintotherear，reacheditasSethhalfcrawled，halftumbledthrough。Theireyesmetinasingleflashofrage，butbeforeSethcouldutteranoutcry，themasterhaddroppedhisgun，seizedhimaroundtheneckandcrammedathickhandfulofthesofthayhehadhurriedlysnatchedupintohisfaceandgaspingmouth。
Afuriousbutsilentstruggleensued；theyieldinghayonwhichtheybothfelldeadenedallsoundofascuffleandconcealedthemfromview；massesofit，alreadyloosenedbytheintruder’sentrance，anddislodgedintheircontortionsbegantoslipthroughtheopeningtotheground。Themaster，stilluppermostandholdingSethfirmlydown，allowedhimselftoslipwiththem，shovinghisadversarybeforehim；themaddenedMissouriandetectinghispurpose，madeadesperateattempttochangehisposition，andsucceededinraisinghiskneeagainstthemaster’schest。Ford，guardingagainstwhatseemedtobeonlyawrestler’sstrategy，contentedhimselfbylockingthebentkneefirmlyinthatposition，andthusunwittinglygaveSeththelooked-foropportunityofdrawingthebowie-knifeconcealedinhisbootleg。HeknewhismistakeonlyasSethviolentlyfreedhisarm，andthrewitupwardfortheblow。Heheardthesteelslitherlikeascythethroughthehay，andunlockinghisholddesperatelythrewhimselfontheupliftedarm。Themovementsavedhim。ForthereleasedbodyofSethslippedrapidlythroughtheopening，upheldforasingleinstantonthevergebythegraspofthemaster’stwohandsonthearmthatstillheldtheknife，andthendroppedheavilydownward。
Eventhen，thehaythathadslippedbeforehimwouldhavebrokenhisfall，buthisheadcameinviolentcontactwithsomefarmingimplementsstandingagainstthewall，andwithoutacryhewasstretchedsenselessontheground。ThewholeoccurrencepassedsorapidlyandsonoiselesslythatnotonlydidMcKinstry’schallengefalluponhisalreadyunconsciousears，buttheloosenedhaywhichinthemaster’sstrugglestorecoverhimselfstillcontinuedtoslidegentlyfromtheloft，actuallyhidhimfromtheeyesofthespectatorswhosoughthimamomentafterwards。Amassofhayandwildoats，dislodgedapparentlybyMrs。McKinstryinsecuringherdefences，wasallthatmettheireyes；eventhewomanherselfwasunconsciousofthedeadlystrugglethathadtakenplaceaboveher。
Themasterstaggeredtoanuprightpositionhalfchokedandhalfblindedwithdust，turgidandburstingwiththerushofbloodtohishead，butclearandcollectedinmind，andunremorsefullytriumphant。UnconsciousoftherealextentofSeth’scatastrophehegropedforandseizedhisgun，examinedthecapandeagerlywaitedforarenewedattack。"Hetriedtokillme；hewouldhavekilledme；ifhecomesagainImustkillhim，"hekeptrepeatingtohimself。Itneveroccurredtohimthatthiswasinconsistentwithhispreviousthought——indeedwiththewholetenorofhisbelief。
Perhapsthemostpeacefulmanwhohasbeenonceputinperiloflifebyanadversary，whohasrecognizeddeaththreateninghimintheeyeofhisantagonist，isbysomestrangeparadoxnotlikelytoholdhisownlifeorthelifeofhisadversaryasdearlyasbefore。
Everythingwassilentnow。Thesuspenseirritatedhim，henolongerdreadedbutevenlongedfortheshotthatwouldprecipitatehostilities。Whatweretheydoing？GuidedbySeth，weretheyconcertingafreshattack？
Listeningmoreintentlyhebecameawareofadistantshouting，andevenmoredistinctly，ofthedull，heavytramplingofhoofs。A
suddenangryfearthattheMcKinstryshadbeenbeatenoffandwereflying——afearandangerthatnowforthefirsttimeidentifiedhimwiththeircause——cameoverhim，andhescrambledquicklytowardstheopeningbelow。Butthesoundwasapproachingandwithitcameavoice。
"Holdonthere，sheriff！"
ItwasthevoiceoftheagentStacey。