CHAPTERXII。
　　Themasterawokethenextmorning，albeitafterarestlessnight，withthatclarityofconscienceandperceptionwhichitistobefearedismoreoftentheconsequenceofyouthandaperfectcirculationthanofanymoralconvictionorintegrity。Hearguedwithhimselfthatastheonlypartyreallyaggrievedintheincidentofthepreviousnight，therightofremedyremainedwithhimsolely，andunderthebenigninfluenceofanearlybreakfastandthefreshmorningairhewasinclinedtofeellesssternlyeventowardsSethDavis。Inanyevent，hemustfirstcarefullyweightheevidenceagainsthim，andexaminethesceneoftheoutrageclosely。Forthispurpose，hehadstartedfortheschool-housefullyanhourbeforehisusualtime。Hewasevenlight-heartedenoughtorecognizethehumorousaspectofUncleBen’sappealtohim，andhisownludicrouslyparadoxicalattitude，andasheatlastpassedfromthedrearyflatintothefringeofuplandpines，hewassmiling。Wellforhim，perhaps，thathewasnomoreaffectedbyanypremonitionofthedaybeforehimthanthelatelyawakenedbirdsthatlightlycutthestillsleepingwoodsaroundhimintheirlongflashingsabre-curvesofflight。Ayellow-throat，destinedtobecomethebreakfastofalazyhawkstillswingingabovetheriver，wasespeciallymovedtosuchacauselessandidioticrouladeofmirththatthemasterlisteningtothefoolishbirdwasfaintowhistletoo。Hepresentlystopped，however，withaslightembarrassment。ForafewpacesbeforehimCressyhadunexpectedlyappeared。
　　Shehadevidentlybeenwatchingforhim。Butnotwithherusualindolentconfidence。Therewasastrainedlookofthemusclesofhermouth，asofsomepastrepression，andashadedhollowunderhertemplesbeneaththeblonderingsofhershorterhair。Herhabituallyslow，steadyeyewastroubled，andshecastafurtiveglancearoundherbeforeshesearchedhimwithherglance。Withoutknowingwhy，yetvaguelyfearingthathedid，hebecamestillmoreembarrassed，andintheveryegotismofawkwardness，stammeredwithoutafurthersalutation："Adisgracefulthinghashappenedlastnight，andI’mupearlytofindtheperpetrator。Mydeskwasbrokeninto，and"——
　　"Iknowit，"sheinterrupted，withahalf-impatient，halfuneasyputtingawayofthesubjectwithherlittlehand——"there——don’tgoalloveritagain。PawandMawhavebeenatmeaboutitallnight——
　　eversincethoseHarrisonsintheiranxiousnesstomakeuptheirquarrel，rushedoverwiththenews。I’mtiredofit！"
　　Foraninstanthewasstaggered。Howmuchhadshelearned！Withthesameawkwardindirectness，hesaidvaguely，"ButitmighthavebeenYOURletters，youknow？"
　　"Butitwasn’t，"shesaid，simply。"ItOUGHTtohavebeen。Iwishithad"——Shestopped，andagainregardedhimwithastrangeexpression。"Well，"shesaidslowly，"whatareyougoingtodo？"
　　"Tofindoutthescoundrelwhohasdonethis，"hesaidfirmly，"andpunishhimashedeserves。"
　　Thealmostimperceptibleshrugthathadraisedhershouldersgavewayassheregardedhimwithalookofweariedcompassion。
　　"No，"shesaid，gravely，"youcannot。They’retoomanyforyou。
　　Youmustgoaway，atonce。"
　　"Never，"hesaidindignantly。"Evenifitwerenotacowardice。
　　Itwouldbemore——aconfession！"
　　"Notmorethantheyalreadyknow，"shesaidwearily。"But，Itellyou，youMUSTgo。Ihavesneakedoutofthehouseandrunhereallthewaytowarnyou。Ifyou——youcareforme，Jack——youwillgo。"
　　"IshouldbeatraitortoyouifIdid，"hesaidquickly。"Ishallstay。"
　　"Butif——if——Jack——if"——shedrewnearerhimwithanew-foundtimidity，andthensuddenlyplacedhertwohandsuponhisshoulders："If——if——Jack——Iweretogowithyou？"
　　Theoldrapt，eagerlookofpossessionhadcomebacktoherfacenow；herlipsweresoftlyparted。Yeteventhensheseemedtobewaitingsomereplymorepotentthanthatsyllabledonthelipsofthemanbeforeher。
　　Howbeitthatwastheonlyresponse。"Darling，"hesaidkissingher，"butwouldn’tthatjustifythem"——
　　"Stop，"shesaidsuddenly。Thenputtingherhandoverhismouth，shecontinuedwiththesamehalf-wearyexpression："Don’tletusgooverallthatagaineither。ItisSOtiresome。Listen，dear。
　　You’lldooneortwolittlethingsforme——won’tyou，dandyboy？
　　Don’tlingerlongattheschool-houseafterlessons。Gorighthome！Don’tlookafterthesemenTO-DAY——to-morrow，Saturday，isyourholiday——youknow——andyou’llhavemoretime。Keeptoyourselfto-dayasmuchasyoucan，dear，fortwelvehours——until——
　　until——youhearfromme，youknow。Itwillbeallrightthen，"sheadded，liftinghereyelidswithasuddenoddresemblancetoherfather’slookofdrowsypain，whichFordhadnevernoticedbefore。
　　"Promisemethat，dear，won’tyou？"
　　Withamentalreservationhepromisedhurriedly——preoccupiedinhiswonderwhysheseemedtoavoidhisexplanation，inhisdesiretoknowwhathadhappened，inthepridethathadkepthimfromaskingmoreorvolunteeringadefence，andinhisstillhauntingsenseofhavingbeenwronged。Yethecouldnothelpsayingashecaughtandheldherhand：——
　　"YOUhavenotdoubtedme，Cressy？YOUhavenotallowedthisinfamousrakingupofthingsthatarepastandgonetoalteryourfeelings？"
　　Shelookedathimabstractedly。"YouthinkitmightalterANYBODY’S
　　feelings，then？"
　　"Nobody’swhoreallylovedanother"——hestammered。
　　"Don’tletustalkofitanymore，"shesaidsuddenlystretchingoutherarms，liftingthemaboveherheadwithaweariedgesture，andthenlettingthemfallclaspedbeforeherinheroldhabitualfashion。"Itmakesmyheadache；whatwithPawandMawandtherestofthem——I’msickofitall。"
　　SheturnedawayasForddrewbackcoldlyandletherhandfallfromhisarm。Shetookafewstepsforward，stopped，ranbacktohimagain，crushedhisfaceandheadinacloseembrace，andthenseemedtodiplikeabirdintothetallbracken，andwasgone。
　　Themasterstoodforsomemomentschagrinedandbewildered；itwascharacteristicofhistemperamentthathehadpaidlessheedtowhatshetoldhimthanwhatheIMAGINEDhadpassedbetweenhermotherandherself。Shewasnaturallyjealousoftheletters——hecouldforgiveherforthat；shehaddoubtlessbeentwittedaboutthem，buthecouldeasilyexplainthemtoherparents——ashewouldhavedonetoher。Buthewasnotsuchafoolastoelopewithheratsuchamoment，withoutfirstclearinghischaracter——andknowingmoreofhers。Anditwasequallycharacteristicofhimthatinhissenseofinjuryheconfoundedherwiththewriteroftheletters——
　　assympathizingwithhiscorrespondentinherestimateofhischaracter，andwasquitecarriedawaywiththebeliefthathewasequallywrongedbyboth。
　　Itwasnotuntilhereachedtheschoolhousethattheevidencesoflastnight’soutrageforatimedistractedhismindfromhissingularinterview。Hewasstruckwiththeworkmanlikemannerinwhichthelockshadbeenrestored，andthecarethathadevidentlybeentakentoremovethemoreobviousandbrutaltracesofburglary。ThissomewhatstaggeredhistheorythatSethDaviswastheperpetrator；mechanicalskillandthoughtfulnesswerenotamongthelout’scharacteristics。Buthewasstillmoredisconcertedonpushingbackhischairtofindasmallindia-rubbertobaccopouchlyingbeneathit。Themasterinstantlyrecognizedit：hehadseenitahundredtimesbefore——itwasUncleBen’s。Itwasnottherewhenhehadclosedtheroomyesterdayafternoon。EitherUncleBenhadbeentherelastnight，orhadanticipatedhimthismorning。
　　Butinthelattercasehewouldscarcelyhaveoverlookedhisfallenproperty——that，inthedarknessofthenight，mighthavereadilyescapeddetection。HisbrowdarkenedwithasuddenconvictionthatitwasUncleBenwhowastherealandonlyoffender，andthathissimplicityofthepreviousnightwaspartofhisdeception。A
　　sickeningsensethathehadbeenagainduped——butwhyortowhatpurposehehardlydaredtothink——overcamehim。Whoamongthesestrangepeoplecouldheeveragaintrust？Afterthefashionofmoreelevatedindividuals，hehadacceptedtherespectandkindnessofthosehebelievedhisinferiorsasanaturaltributetohisownsuperiority；anychangeinTHEIRfeelingsmustthereforebehypocrisyordisloyalty；itneveroccurredtohimthatHEmighthavefallenbelowtheirstandard。
　　Thearrivalofthechildrenandtheresumptionofhisdutiesforatimedivertedhim。Butalthoughthemorning’sexerciserestoredthemaster’sself-confidence，itcannotbesaidtohaveimprovedhisjudgment。DisdainingtoquestionRupertFilgee，asthepossibleconfidantofUncleBen，heansweredthecuriousinquiriesofthechildrenastothebrokendoorlockwiththeremarkthatitwasamatterthatheshouldhavetobringbeforetheTrusteesoftheBoard，andbythetimethatschoolwasoverandthepupilsdismissedhehadquiteresolveduponthisformaldispositionofit。
　　InspiteofCressy’swarning——ratherbecauseofit——inthenewattitudehehadtakentowardsherandherfriends，helingeredintheschool-houseuntillate。Hehadoccupiedhimselfindrawingupastatementofthefacts，withanintimationthathiscontinuanceintheschoolwoulddependuponarigidinvestigationofthecircumstances，whenhewasarousedbytheclatterofhorses’hoofs。
　　Thenextmomenttheschool-housewassurroundedbyadozenmen。
　　Helookedup；halfofthemdismountedandenteredtheroom。Theotherhalfremainedoutsidedarkeningthewindowswiththeirmotionlessfigures。Eachmancarriedagunbeforehimonthesaddle；eachmanworearudemaskofblackclothpartlycoveringhisface。
　　Althoughthemasterwasinstinctivelyawarethathewasthreatenedbyseriousdanger，hewasfarfrombeingimpressedbythearmsanddisguiseofhismysteriousintruders。Onthecontrary，theobviousandglaringinconsistencyofthischeaplytheatricalinvasionofthepeacefulschool-house；ofthisoppositionofmenacingfigurestothescatteredchildishprimersandtext-booksthatstilllayonthedesksaroundhim，onlyextractedfromhimahalfscornfulsmileashecoollyregardedthem。Thefearlessnessofignoranceisoftenasunassailableasthemostexperiencedvalor，andtheawe-
　　inspiringinvaderswereatfirstembarrassedandthenhumanlyangry。Alankfiguretotherightmadeaforwardmovementofimpotentrage，butwascheckedbytheevidentleaderoftheparty。
　　"Efhelikestotakeitthatway，thereain’tnoRegulatorslawaginit，Ireckon，"hesaid，inavoicewhichthemasterinstantlyrecognizedasJimHarrison’s，"thoughezagin’ralthingtheydon’tusuallyfinditFUN。"Thenturningtothemasterheadded，"MisterFord，efthat’sthenameyougobyeverywhere，we’rewantin’amanaboutyoursize。"
　　Fordknewthathewasinhopelessperil。Heknewthathewasphysicallydefencelessandatthemercyoftwelvearmedandlawlessmen。Butheretainedapreternaturalclearnessofperception，andaudacitybornofunqualifiedscornforhisantagonists，withafemininesharpnessoftongue。Inavoicewhichastonishedevenhimselfbyitscontemptuousdistinctness，hesaid："MynameIS
　　Ford，butasIonlySUPPOSEyournameisHarrisonperhapsyou’llbefairenoughtotakethatragfromyourfaceandshowittomelikeaman。"
　　Themanremovedthemaskfromhisfacewithaslightlaugh。
　　"Thankyou，"saidFord。"Now，perhapsyouwilltellmewhichoneofyougentlemenbrokeintotheschool-house，forcedthelockofmydesk，andstolemypapers。IfheishereIwishtotellhimheisnotonlyathief，butacurandacoward，forthelettersareawoman’s——whomheneitherknowsnorhastherighttoknow。"
　　Ifhehadhopedtoforceapersonalquarrelandtrusthislifetothechanceofasingleantagonist，hewasdisappointed，foralthoughhisunexpectedattitudehadproducedsomeeffectamongthegroup，andevenattractedtheattentionofthemenatthewindows，Harrisonstrodedeliberatelytowardshim。
　　"Thatkinwait，"hesaid；"jestnowweproposetotakeyouandyourlettersanddrop’emandyououterthisyertownshipofInjinSprings。Youkintake’embacktothewomanorcritteryougot’emof。Butwekalkilateyou’realittletoohandyandfreeinthemsorterthingstoteachschoolroundyer，andwekinderallowwedon’tkeertohevourgalsandboyseddicateduptoyourhigh-tonedstandard。Soefyouchoosetokemalongeasywe’llmak’youcomf’bleonahosswe’vegotwaitin’outside，an’escortyouacrosstheline。Efyoudon’t——we’lltakeyouanyway。"
　　Themastercastarapidglancearoundhim。Inhisquicknessofperceptionhehadalreadynotedthattheledhorseamongthecavalcadewasfastenedbyalariattooneoftheriderssothatescapebyflightwasimpossible，andthathehadnotasingleweapontodefendhimselfwithorevenprovoke，inhisdesperation，thestrugglethatcouldforestallignominybydeath。Nothingwaslefthimbuthisvoice，clearandtrenchantashefacedthem。
　　"Youaretwelvetoone，"hesaidcalmly，"butifthereisasinglemanamongyouwhodarestepforwardandaccusemeofwhatyouonlyTOGETHERdaredo，Iwilltellhimheisaliarandacoward，andstandherereadytomakeitgoodagainsthim。Youcomehereasjudgeandjurycondemningmewithouttrial，andconfrontingmewithnoaccusers；youcomehereaslawlessavengersofyourhonor，andyoudarenotgiveMEtheprivilegeofaslawlesslydefendingmyown。"
　　Therewasanotherslightmurmuramongthemen，buttheleadermovedimpatientlyforward。"We’vehadenougho’yourpreachin’：wewantYOU，"hesaidroughly。"Come。"
　　"Stop，"saidadullvoice。
　　Itcamefromamutefigurewhichhadremainedmotionlessamongtheothers。Everyeyewasturneduponitasitroseandlazilypushedtheclothfromitsface。
　　"HiramMcKinstry！"saidtheothersinmingledtonesofastonishmentandsuspicion。
　　"That’sme！"saidMcKinstry，comingforwardwithheavydeliberation。
　　"Ijoinedthisyerdelegationatthecrossroadsinsteado’mybrother，whohadthecall。Ireckonet’sallthesame——ormebbebetter。ForIperposetotakethisyergentlemanoffyourhands。"
　　Heliftedhisslumbrouseyesforthefirsttimetothemaster，andatthesametimeputhimselfbetweenhimandHarrison。"I
　　perpose，"hecontinued，"totakehimathisword；Iperposetergivehimachancetoanswerwithagun。AndezIreckon，byallaccounts，there’snomanyerezhezabetterrightthanME，I
　　perposetobethemantoputthatquestiontohiminthesameway。
　　Etmaynotsuitsomegents，"hecontinuedslowly，facinganangryexclamationfromthelankfigurebehindhim，"ezwouldprefertohevelevenmentotakeupTHEIRprivatequo’lls，buteventhenI
　　reckonthatthemanwhoisthemostinjuredheztherighttothefirstsayandthatman’sME。"
　　Withacarefuldeliberationthathadadoublesignificancetothemalcontents，hehandedhisownrifletothemasterandwithoutlookingathimcontinued："Ireckon，sir，you’veseenthatafore，butefitain’tquitetoyourhand，anyofthosegents，I
　　kalkilate，willbehigh-tonedenufftogivyouthechyceo’theirs。
　　Andthere’snoneedo’trapsin’beyon’thetownshiplines，tofixthisyeraffair；Iperposetodoitintenminutesinthebrushyonder。"
　　Whatevermighthavebeenthefeelingsandintentionsofthemenaroundhim，theprecedenceofMcKinstry’srighttotheduellowasaprincipletoodeeplyrootedintheirtraditionstodeny；ifanyresistancetoithadbeencontemplatedbysomeofthem，thefactthatthemasterwasnowarmed，andthatMr。McKinstrywouldquicklydobattleathissidewitharevolverindefenceofhisrights，checkedanyexpression。TheysilentlydrewbackasthemasterandMcKinstryslowlypassedoutoftheschool-housetogether，andthenfollowedintheirrear。InthatintervalthemasterturnedtoMcKinstryandsaidinalowvoice："Iacceptyourchallengeandthankyouforit。Youhaveneverdonemeagreaterkindness——
　　whateverIhavedonetoYOU——yetIwantyoutobelievethatneithernownorTHEN——Imeantyouanyharm。"
　　"Efyoumeanbythat，sir，thatyereckonyewon’treturnmyfire，ye’reblindandwrong。Foritwilldoyounogoodwiththem，"hesaidwithasignificantwaveofhiscrippledhandtowardsthefollowingcrowd，"normeneither。"
　　Firmlyresolved，however，thathewouldnotfireatMcKinstry，andclingingblindlytothiswhichhebelievedwasthelastideaofhisfoolishlife，hecontinuedonwithoutanotherworduntiltheyreachedtheopenstripofchemisalthatflankedtheclearing。
　　Therudepreliminariesweresoonsettled。Thepartiesarmedwithriflesweretofireatthewordfromadistanceofeightyyards，andthenapproacheachother，continuingthefightwithrevolversuntiloneortheotherfell。TheselectionofsecondswaseffectedbytheelderHarrisonactingforMcKinstry，andafteramoment’sdelaybythevolunteeringofthelong，lankfigurepreviouslynotedtoactforthemaster。Preoccupiedbyotherthoughts，Mr。Fordpaidlittleheedtohisself-electedsupporter，whototheothersseemedtobeonlytakingthatmethodofshowinghiscontemptforMcKinstry’srecentinsult。Themasterreceivedtheriflemechanicallyfromhishandandwalkedtoposition。Henoticed，however，andrememberedafterwardsthathissecondwashalfhiddenbythetrunkofalargepinetohisrightthatmarkedthelimitoftheground。
　　Inthatsuprememomentitmustberecorded，albeitagainstallpreconceivedtheory，thathedidNOTreviewhispastlife，wasNOT
　　illuminatedbyaflashofremorsefulorsentimentalmemory，anddidNOTcommendhissoultohisMaker，butthathewassimplyandkeenlyalivetotheveryactualpresentinwhichhestillexistedandtohisoneideaofnotfiringathisadversary。AndifanythingcouldrenderhisconductmoretheoreticallyincorrectitwasacertainexaltedsensethathewasdoingquiterightandwasnotonlyNOTabadsortoffellow，butonewhomhissurvivorsmightpossiblyregret！
　　"Areyouready，gentlemen？One——two——three——fi……！"
　　Theexplosionsweresingularlysimultaneous——soremarkableinfactthatitseemedtothemasterthathisrifle，firedintheair，hadgivenaDOUBLEreport。Alightwreathofsmokelaybetweenhimandhisopponent。Hewasunhurt——soevidentlywashisadversary，forthevoiceroseagain。
　　"Advance！……Hallothere！Stop！"
　　HelookedupquicklytoseeMcKinstrystaggerandthenfallheavilytotheground。
　　Withanexclamationofhorror，thefirstandonlyterribleemotionhehadfelt，herantothefallenman，asHarrisonreachedhissideatthesamemoment。
　　"ForGod’ssake，"hesaidwildly，throwinghimselfonhiskneesbesideMcKinstry，"whathashappened？ForIsweartoyou，Ineveraimedatyou！Ifiredintheair。Speak！Tellhim，you，"heturnedwithadespairingappealtoHarrison，"youmusthaveseenitall——tellhimitwasnotme！"
　　Ahalfwondering，halfincreduloussmilepassedquicklyoverHarrison’sface。"Incourseyoudidn’tMEANit，"hesaiddryly，"butletthatslide。Getupandgetawayfromyer，whileyoukin，"
　　headdedimpatiently，withasignificantglanceatoneortwomenwholingeredafterthesuddenandgeneraldispersionofthecrowdatMcKinstry’sfall。"Get——willye！"
　　"Never！"saidtheyoungmanpassionately，"untilheknowsthatitwasnotmyhandthatfiredthatshot。"
　　McKinstrypainfullystruggledtohiselbow。"Ittookmeyere，"hesaidwithaslowdeliberation，asifansweringsomepreviousquestion，andpointingtohiship，"anditkinderletmedownwhenIstartedforwardatthesecondcall。"
　　"ButitwasnotIwhodidit，McKinstry，Iswearit。Hearme！ForGod’ssake，sayyoubelieveme。"
　　McKinstryturnedhisdrowsytroubledeyesuponthemasterasifhewerevaguelyrecallingsomething。"Standbacktharaminit，willye，"hesaidtoHarrison，withalanguidwaveofhiscrippledhand；
　　"Iwantterspeaktothisyerman。"
　　Harrisondrewbackafewpacesandthemastersoughttotakethewoundedman’shand，buthewasstoppedbyagesture。"WherehevyouputCressy？"McKinstrysaidslowly。
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou，"stammeredFord。
　　"Whereareyouhidin’herfromme？"repeatedMcKinstrywithpainfuldistinctness。"Wharhevyourunherto，thatyou’rereckonin’tojineherarter——arter——THIS？"
　　"Iamnothidingher！Iamnotgoingtoher！Idonotknowwheresheis。Ihavenotseenhersincewepartedearlythismorningwithoutawordofmeetingagain，"saidthemasterrapidly，yetwithabewilderedastonishmentthatwasobviouseventothedulledfacultiesofhishearer。
　　"Thatwartrue？"askedMcKinstry，layinghishanduponthemaster’sshoulderandbringinghisdulleyestotheleveloftheyoungman’s。
　　"Itisthewholetruth，"saidFordfervently，"andtruealsothatI
　　neverraisedmyhandagainstyou。"
　　McKinstrybeckonedtoHarrisonandthetwootherswhohadjoinedhim，andthensankpartlybackwithhishanduponhisside，wheretheslowempurplingofhisredshirtshowedtheslightoozeofadeeply-seatedwound。
　　"Youfellerskintakemeovertotheranch，"hesaidcalmly，"andlethim，"pointingtoFord，"rideyourbesthossferthedoctor。I
　　don’t，"hecontinuedingraveexplanation，"gin’rallyuseadoctor，butthisyerissuthin’outsidetheoldwoman’sregulargait。"Hepaused，andthendrawingthemaster’sheaddowntowardshim，headdedinhisear，"WhenIgettohevalookatthesizeandshapeo’thisyerballthat’sinmyhip，I’ll——I’ll——I’ll——be——a——littlemorekam！"Agleamofdullsignificancestruggledintohiseye。
　　Themasterevidentlyunderstoodhim，forherosequickly，rantothehorse，mountedhimanddashedoffformedicalassistance，whileMcKinstry，closinghisheavylids，anticipatedthislooked-forcalmbyfaintinggentlyaway。
　　CHAPTERXIII。
　　Ofthevarioussentimentalfallaciesentertainedbyadulthumanityinregardtochildhood，nonearemoreingeniouslyinaccurateandgratuitouslyidioticthanacomfortablebeliefinitsprofoundignoranceoftheeventsinwhichitdailymoves，andthemotivesandcharactersofthepeoplewhosurroundit。Yeteventheoccasionalrevelationsofanenfantterribleareasnothingcomparedtotheperiloussecretswhichadiscreetinfantdailybuttonsup，orsecureswithahook-and-eye，orevenfastenswithasafety-pinacrossitsgentlebosom。Societycanneverceasetobegratefulforthattactandconsideration——qualitiesmoreoftenjoinedwithchildishintuitionandperceptionthanwithmaturedobservation——thattheyowetoit；andthemostaccomplishedmanorwomanofthegreatworldmighttakealessonfromthislittleaudiencewhoreceivefromtheirlipsthelietheyfeeltoopalpable，withround-eyedcomplacency，oroutwardlyacceptasmoralandgenuinethehollowsentimenttheyhaveoverheardrehearsedinprivatefortheirbenefit。
　　ItwasnotstrangethereforethatthelittlepeopleoftheIndianSpringschoolknewperhapsmoreoftherealrelationsofCressyMcKinstrytoheradmirersthantheadmirersthemselves。Notthatthisknowledgewasoutspoken——forchildrenrarelygossipinthegrown-upsense——orevencommunicablebywordsintelligenttothematuredintellect。Awhisper，alaughthatoftenseemedvagueandunmeaning，conveyedtoeachotheraworldofsecretsignificance，andanapparentlysenselessburstofmerrimentinwhichthewholeclassjoinedandthattheadultcriticsetdownto"animalspirits"——aqualitymuchmorerarewithchildrenthangenerallysupposed——wasonlyasympatheticexpressionofsomediscoveryhappilyoblivioustoolderpreoccupation。ThechildishsimplicityofUncleBenperhapsappealedmorestronglytotheirsympathy，andalthough，forthatveryreason，theyregardedhimwithnomorerespectthantheydideachother，hewasattimescarelesslyadmittedtotheirconfidence。ItwasespeciallyRupertFilgeewhoextendedakindofpatronizingprotectorateoverhim——notunmixedwithdoubtsofhissanity，inspiteofthepromisedconfidentialclerkshiphewastoreceivefromhishands。
　　Onthedayoftheeventschronicledintheprecedingchapter，RupertonreturningfromschoolwassomewhatsurprisedtofindUncleBenperchedupontherail-fencebeforethehumbledooroftheFilgeemansionandevidentlyawaitinghim。SlowlydismountingasRupertandJohnnyapproached，hebeamedupontheformerforsomemomentswitharchandyetaffablemystery。
　　"Roopy，oldman，Is’poseye’vegotyerdudsallreadyinyerpack，eh？"
　　Aflushofpleasurepassedovertheboy’shandsomeface。Hecast，however，ahurriedlookdownontheall-pervadingJohnny。
　　"’CauseyeseewekalkilatetotakethedownstagetoSacramentoatfouro’clock，"continuedUncleBen，enjoyingRupert’shalfscepticalsurprise。"Yeenterintooffice，sotospeak，withmeatthathour，whenthesellery，seventy-fivedollarsamonthandboard，ezprivateandconfidentialclerk，begins——eh？"
　　Rupert’sdimplesdeepenedincharming，almostfeminine，embarrassment。"Butdad——？"hestammered。
　　"Et’sallrightwithHIM。He’sagreeable。"
　　"But——？"
　　UncleBenfollowedRupert’sglanceatJohnny，whohoweverappearedtobeabsorbedinthepatternofUncleBen’snewtrousers。
　　"That’sfixed，"hesaidwithameaningsmile。"There’sasorto’
　　bonuswepaysdown，youknow——foraChinymantodotheoddjobs。"
　　"Andteacher——Mr。Ford——didyetellhim？"saidRupertbrightening。
　　UncleBencoughedslightly。"He’sagreeable，too，Ireckon。Thatis，"hewipedhismouthmeditatively，"heezgoodezalloweditingin’ralconversationaweekago，Roop。"
　　Aswiftshadowofsuspiciondarkenedtheboy’sbrowneyes。"Isanybodyelsegoin’withus？"hesaidquickly。
　　"Notthisyertrip，"repliedUncleBencomplacently。"Yesee，Roop，"hecontinued，drawinghimasidewithanairofcomfortablemystery，"thisyerbiz’nessb’longstotheprivateandconfidentialbranchoftheoffice。Frominformashunwe’vereceived"——
　　"WE？"interruptedRupert。
　　"’We，’that’stheOFFICE，youknow，"continuedUncleBenwithaheavyassumptionofbusinessformality，"wotwe’vereceivedperseveralhandsandconsignee——we——that’sYOUandME，Roop——wegoesdowntoSacramentotoinquireintothestandin’ofacertingparty，asperinvoice，andtersee——tersee——ternegotiateyouknow，terfindoutifshe’smarriedordi-vorced，"heconcludedquickly，asifabandoningforthemomenthisbusinessmannerinconsiderationofRupert’sinexperience。"We’retofindoutherstandin’，Roop，"
　　hebeganagainwithamorejudiciousblendingofeaseandtechnicality，"andhercontracts，ifany，andwhereshelivesandherwayo’life，andexamineherbooksandpaperseztomarriagesandsich，andarbitratewithhergin’rallyinconversation——youinsidethehouseandmeoutonthepavement，readytobecalledinifaninterviewwithbusinessprincipalsisdesired。"
　　ObservingRupertsomewhatperplexedandconfusedwiththesetechnicalities，hetactfullyabandonedthemforthepresent，andconsultingapocket-booksaid，"I’vemadeamemorandumofsomepintsthatwe’lltalkoveronthejourney，"againchargedRuperttobepunctuallyatthestageofficewithhiscarpetbag，andcheerfullydeparted。
　　WhenhehaddisappearedJohnnyFilgee，withoutasinglewordofexplanation，felluponhisbrother，andatoncebeganaviolentattackofkicksandblowsuponhislegsandothereasilyaccessiblepartsofhisperson，accompanyinghisassaultwithunintelligiblegaspsandactions，finallyculminatinginafloodoftearsandthecastingofhimselfonhisbackinthedustwiththecopper-fastenedtoesofhissmallbootsturningimaginarywheelsintheair。
　　Rupertreceivedthesecharacteristicmarksofdespairingandoutragedaffectionwithgreatforbearance，onlysaying，"There，now，Johnny，quitthat，"andeventuallybearinghimstillstrugglingintothehouse。HereJohnny，declaringthathewouldkillany"Chinyman"thatofferedtodresshim，andburndownthehouseafterhisbrother’sinfamousdesertionofit，Rupertwasconstrainedtomingleafewnervous，excitedtearswithhisbrother’soutbreak。WhereatJohnny，admittingthealleviationofanorange，afour-bladedknife，andthereversionaryinterestinmuchofRupert’spersonalproperty，becamemoresubdued。Sittingtherewiththeirarmsentwinedabouteachother，thesunlightsearchingtheshiftlessdesolationoftheirmotherlesshome，thefewcheapplaythingstheyhadknownlyingaroundthem，theybeguiledthemselveswiththosecharmingillusionsoftheirfutureintentionscommontotheiryears——illusionstheyonlyhalfbelievedthemselvesandhalfacceptedofeachother。RupertwasquitecertainthathewouldreturninafewdayswithagoldwatchandapresentforJohnny，andJohnny，withabalefulvisionofneverseeinghimagain，andacatchingbreath，magnificentlyundertooktobringinthewoodandbuildthefireandwashthedishes"allofhimself。"Andthentherewereafewchildishconfidencesregardingtheirabsentfather——theningenuouslyplayingpokerintheMagnoliaSaloon——thatmighthavemadethatpublic-spirited，genialcompanionsomewhatuncomfortable，andmoretearsthatwerehalfsmilingandsomebravesilencesthatwerewhollypathetic，andthenthehourforRupert’sdeparturealltoosuddenlyarrived。Theyseparatedwithostentatiouswhooping，andthenJohnny，suddenlyovercomewiththedreadfulnessofallearthlythings，andthehollownessoflifegenerally，instantlyresolvedtorunaway！
　　Todothishepreparedhimselfwithapurposelesshatchet，aninconsistentbutlong-treasuredlumpofputtyandallthesugarthatwasleftinthecrackedsugar-bowl。Thusaccoutredhesalliedforth，firsttoremovealltracesofhishatedexistencethatmightbeleftinhisdeskatschool。IfthemasterweretherehewouldsayRuperthadsenthim；ifhewasn’t，hewouldclimbinatthewindow。Thesunwasalreadysinkingwhenhereachedtheclearingandfoundacavalcadeofarmedmenaroundthebuilding。
　　Johnny’sfirstconvictionwasthatthemasterhadkilledUncleBenorMasters，andthatthemen，takingadvantageoftheabsenceofhis——Johnny’s——bigbrother，wereabouttosummarilyexecutehim。
　　Observingnostrugglefromwithin，hissecondbeliefwasthatthemasterhadbeensuddenlyelectedGovernorofCaliforniaandwasabouttostartwithastateescortfromtheschool-house，andthathe，Johnny，wasintimetoseetheprocession。ButwhenthemasterappearedwithMcKinstry，followedbypartofthecrowdafoot，thisquick-wittedchildofthefrontier，fromhissecureoutlookinthe"brush，"gatheredenoughfromtheirfragmentaryspeechtoguesstheseriouspurportoftheirerrand，andthrillwithanticipationandslightlycreepyexcitement。
　　Aduel！Athinghithertowitnessedonlybygrown-upmen，afterwardsswaggeringwithimportanceandstrangetechnicalbloodthirstywords，andnowforthefirsttimereservedforaBOY——
　　andthatboyhim，Johnny！——tobeholdinallitsfearfulcompleteness！Aduel！ofwhich，he，Johnny，meanlyabandonedbyhisbrother，wasnowexaltedperhapstobetheonlysurvivor！Hecouldscarcelycredithissenses。Itwastoomuch！
　　Tocreepthroughthebrushwhilethepreliminarieswerebeingsettled，reachacertainsilverfirontheappointedground，andwiththeaidofhisnowluckyhatchet，climbunseentoitsupperboughs，wasanexcitinganddifficulttask，butoneeventuallyovercomebyhisshortbutenergeticlegs。Herehecouldnotonlyseeallthatoccurred，butbyafortunatechancethelargepinenexttohimhadbeenselectedasthelimitoftheground。Thesharpeyesoftheboyhadlongsincepenetratedthedisguisesoftheremainingmaskedmen，andwhenthelong，lankfigureofthemaster’sself-appointedsecondtookupitspositionbeneaththepinesinfullviewofhim，althoughhiddenfromthespectators，JohnnyinstantlyrecognizedittobenoneotherthanSethDavis。
　　ThemanifestinconsistencyofhisappearanceasMr。Ford’ssecondwithwhatJohnnyknewofhisrelationstothemasterwastheonethingthatfirmlyfixedtheincidentintheboy’smemory。
　　Themenwerealreadyinposition。Harrisonsteppedforwardtogivetheword。Johnny’sdown-hanginglegstingledwithcrampandexcitement。Whydidn’ttheybegin？Whatweretheywaitingfor？
　　Whatifitwereinterrupted，or——terriblethought——madeupatthelastmoment？Wouldthey"holler"outwhentheywerehit，orstaggerroundconvulsivelyastheydidatthe"cirkiss"？WouldtheyallrunawayafterwardsandleaveJohnnyalonetotellthetale？And——horriblethought！——wouldanybodybelievehim？WouldRupert？Rupert，hadhe"on’yknowedthis，"hewouldn’thavegoneaway。
　　"One"——
　　Withachild’sperfectfaithintheinvulnerablesuperiorityofhisfriends，hehadnotevenlookedatthemaster，butonlyathisdestinedvictim。Yetastheword"two"rangoutJohnny’sattentionwassuddenlyattractedtothesurprisingfactthatthemaster’ssecond，SethDavis，hadalsodrawnapistol，andfrombehindhistreewasdeliberatelyandstealthilyaimingatMcKinstry！Heunderstooditallnow——hewasafriendofthemaster’s。BullyforSeth！
　　"Three！"
　　Crack！Z-i-i-p！Crackle！Whatafunnynoise！Andyethewasobligedtothrowhimselfflatupontheboughtokeepfromfalling。
　　Itseemedtohavesnappedbeneathhimandbenumbedhisrightleg。
　　Hedidnotknowthatthemaster’sbullet，firedintheair，hadrangedalongthebough，strippingthebarkthroughoutitslength，andglancingwithhalf-spentforcetoinflictaslightfleshwoundonhisleg！
　　Hewasgiddyandalittlefrightened。Andhehadseennobodyhit，nornothin’。Itwasallahumbug！Sethhaddisappeared。Sohadtheothers。Therewasafaintsoundofvoicesandsomethinglikeagroupinthedistance——thatwasall。Itwasgettingdark，too，andhislegwasstillasleep，butwarmandwet。Hewouldgetdown。
　　Thiswasverydifficult，forhislegwouldnotwakeup，andbutfortheoccasionalsupporthegotbystrikinghishatchetinthetreehewouldhavefallenindescending。Whenhereachedthegroundhislegbegantopain，andlookingdownhesawthathisstockingandshoeweresoakedwithblood。
　　Hissmallanddirtyhandkerchief，ahardwadinhispocket，wasinsufficienttostaunchtheflow。Withavaguerecollectionofacertainpoulticeappliedtoaboilonhisfather’sneck，hecollectedaquantityofsoftmossanddriedyerbabuenaleaves，andwiththeaidofhischeckapronandofoneofhistornsuspenderstightlywoundroundthewholemass，achievedabandageofsuchelephantineproportionsthathecouldscarcelymovewithit。Infact，likemostimaginativechildren，hebecameslightlyterrifiedathisownalarmingprecautions。Nevertheless，althoughawordoranoutcryfromhimwouldhaveatthatmomentbroughtthedistantgrouptohisassistance，acertainrespecttohimselfandhisbrotherkepthimfromutteringevenawhimperofweakness。
　　Yethefoundrefuge，oddlyenough，inasuppressedbutbitterdenunciationoftheotherboysofhisacquaintance。WhatwasCal。
　　Harrisondoing，whilehe，Johnny，wasaloneinthewoods，woundedinagrown-upduel——fornothingwouldconvincethisdoughtyinfantthathehadnotbeenanactiveparticipant？WherewasJimmySnyderthathedidn’tcometohisassistancewiththeotherfellers？
　　Cowardsall；theywereafraid。Ho，ho！Andhe，Johnny，wasn’tafraid！ho——hedidn’tmindit！Neverthelesshehadtorepeatthephrasetwoorthreetimesuntil，afterrepeatedstrugglestomoveforwardthroughthebrush，heatlastsankdownexhausted。Bythistimethedistantgrouphadslowlymovedaway，carryingsomethingbetweenthem，andleavingJohnnyaloneinthefastcomingdarkness。
　　Yeteventhisdesertiondidnotaffecthimasstronglyashisimplicitbeliefinthecowardlytreacheryofhisoldassociates。
　　Itgrewdarkeranddarker，untiltheopentheatreofthelateconflictappearedenclosedinfunerealwalls；acoolsearchingbreathofairthatseemedtohavecreptthroughthebrackenandundergrowthlikeastealthyanimal，liftedthecurlsonhishotforehead。Hegraspedhishatchetfirmlyasagainstpossiblewildbeasts，andasamedicinalandremedialprecaution，tookanotherturnwithhissuspenderaroundhisbandage。Itoccurredtohimthenthathewouldprobablydie。Theywouldallfeelexceedinglysorryandalarmed，andregrethavingmadehimwashhimselfonSaturdaynight。Theywouldattendhisfuneralinlargenumbersinthelittlegraveyard，whereawhitetombstoneinscribedto"JohnFilgee，fellinaduelattheageofseven，"wouldbeawaitinghim。
　　Hewouldforgivehisbrother，hisfather，andMr。Ford。Yeteventhenhevaguelyresentedafewleavesandtwigsdroppedbyawoodpeckerinthetreeabovehim，withashakeofhisweakfistandanincoherentdeclarationthattheycouldn’t"playnobabesinthewoodonHIM。"Andthenhavingcomposedhimselfheoncemoreturnedonhissidetodie，asbecamethescionofaheroicrace！Thefreewoods，touchedbyanupspringingwind，wavedtheirdarkarmsabovehim，andhigheryetafewpatientstarssilentlyrangedthemselvesaroundhispillow。
　　Butwiththerisingwindandstarscametheswifttramplingofhorses’hoofsandtheflashingoflanterns，andDoctorDuchesneandthemastersweptdownintotheopening。
　　"Itwashere，"saidthemasterquickly，"buttheymusthavetakenhimontohisownhome。Letusfollow。"
　　"Holdonamoment，"saidthedoctor，whohadhaltedbeforethetree。"What’sallthis？Why，it’sbabyFilgee——bythunder！"
　　Inanothermomenttheyhadbothdismountedandwereleaningoverthehalfconsciouschild。Johnnyturnedhisfeverishlybrighteyesfromthelanterntothemasterandbackagain。
　　"Whatisit，Johnnyboy？"askedthemastertenderly。"Wereyoulost？"
　　Withagleamoffeverishexaltation，Johnnyrose，albeitwanderingly，totheoccasion！
　　"Hit！"helispedfeebly，"Hitinadoell！attheageoftheven。"
　　"What！"askedthebewilderedmaster。
　　ButDoctorDuchesne，afterasingleswiftscrutinyoftheboy’sface，hadunearthedhimfromhisnestofleaves，laidhiminhislap，anddeftlyrippedawaythepreposterousbandage。"Holdthelighthere。ByJove！hetellsthetruth。Whodidit，Johnny？"
　　ButJohnnywassilent。Inanintervaloffeverishconsciousnessandpain，hisperceptionandmemoryhadbeenquickened；asuspicionoftherealcauseofhisdisasterhaddawneduponhim——buthischildishlipswereheroicallysealed。ThemasterglancedappealinglyattheDoctor。
　　"TakehimbeforeyouinthesaddletoMcKinstry’s，"saidthelatterpromptly。"Icanattendtoboth。"
　　Themasterliftedtheboytenderlyinhisarms。Johnny，stimulatedbytheprospectofafreeride，becamefeeblyinterestedinhisfellowsufferer。
　　"DidThethhithimbad？"heasked。
　　"Seth？"echoedthemaster，wildly。
　　"Yeth。Itheedhimwhenhetookaim。"
　　Themasterdidnotreply，butthenextmomentJohnnyfelthimselfclaspedinhisarmsinthesaddlebeforehim，bornelikeawhirlwindinthedirectionoftheMcKinstryranch。
　　CHAPTERXIV。
　　Theyfoundthewoundedmanlyinginthefrontroomuponarudelyextemporizedcouchofbear-skins，hehavingsternlydeclinedtheeffeminacyofhiswife’sbedroom。Inthepossibilityofafatalterminationtohiswound，andinobediencetoagrimfrontiertradition，hehadalsorefusedtohavehisbootsremovedinorderthathemight"diewiththemon，"asbecamehisancestralcustom。
　　JohnnywasthereforespeedilymadecomfortableintheMcKinstrybed，whileDr。Duchesnegavehiswholeattentiontohismoreseriouspatient。ThemasterglancedhurriedlyaroundforMrs。
　　McKinstry。Shewasnotonlyabsentfromtheroom，butthereseemedtobenosuggestionofherpresenceinthehouse。Tohisgreatersurprisethehurriedinquirythatrosetohislipswascheckedbyasignificantwarningfromtheattendant。Hesatdownbesidethenowsleepingboy，andawaitedthedoctor’sreturnwithhismindwanderingbetweentheconditionofthelittlesuffererandthesingularrevelationthathadmomentarilyescapedhischildishlips。
　　IfJohnnyhadactuallyseenSethfireatMcKinstry，thelatter’smysteriouswoundwasaccountedfor——butnotSeth’smotive。TheactwassoutterlyincomprehensibleandinconsistentwithSeth’savowedhatredofthemasterthattheboymusthavebeendelirious。
　　Hewasrousedbytheentranceofthesurgeon。"It’snotsobadasIthought，"hesaid，withareassuringnod。"Itwasamightycloseshavebetweenashatteredboneandaseveredartery，butwe’vegottheball，andhe’llpullthroughinaweek。ByJove！though——theoldfire-eaterwasmoreconcernedaboutfindingtheballthanlivingordying！Gointhere——hewantstoseeyou。Don’tlethimtalktoomuch。He’scalledinalotofhisfriendsforsomereasonorother——andthere’saregularmass-meetinginthere。Goin，andgetridof’em。I’lllookafterbabyFilgee——thoughthelittlechapwillbeallrightagainafteranotherdressing。"
　　Themastercastahurriedlookofreliefatthesurgeon，andre-
　　enteredthefrontroom。Itwasfilledwithmenwhomthemasterinstinctivelyrecognizedashisformeradversaries。ButtheygavewaybeforehimwithacertainruderespectandhalfabashedsympathyasMcKinstrycalledhimtohisside。Thewoundedmangraspedhishand。"Liftmeupabit，"hewhispered。Themasterassistedhimwithdifficultytohiselbow。
　　"Gentlemen！"saidMcKinstry，withacharacteristicwaveofhiscrippledhandtowardsthecrowdashelaidtheotheronthemaster’sshoulder。"Yeheerdmetalkin’aminitago；yeheermenow。Thisyeryoungmanaswe’veslippeduponandmeskalkilatedhastoldthetruth——everytime！Yekentietohimwheneverandwhereveryewantto。Yeain’texpectedtofeelezIfeel，incourse，butthemanezgoesbackonHIM——quo’llswithme。That’sall——andthanksforinquiringfriends。Ye’llgitnow，boys，andleavehimaminitwithme。"
　　Themenfiledslowlyout，afewlingeringlongenoughtoshakethemaster’shandwithgraveearnestness，orhalfsmiling，halfabashedembarrassment。Themasterreceivedtheprofferedreconciliationofthesemen，whobutafewhoursbeforewouldhavelynchedhimwithequalsincerity，withcoldbewilderment。AsthedoorclosedonthelastofthepartyheturnedtoMcKinstry。Thewoundedmanhadsunkdownagain，butwasregardingwithdrowsysatisfactionaleadenbullethewasholdingbetweenhisfingerandthumb。
　　"Thisyershot，Mr。Ford，"hesaidinaslowvoice，whoseweaknesswasonlyindicatedbyitsextremedeliberation，"neverkemfromthegunIgaveye——andwasneverfiredbyyou。"Hepausedandthenaddedwithhisolddullabstraction，"It’salongtimesinceI’verunaginanythin’thatmakesmefeelmore——kam。"
　　InMr。McKinstry’sweakconditionthemasterdidnotdaretomakeJohnny’srevelationknowntohim，andcontentedhimselfbysimplypressinghishand，butthenextmomentthewoundedmanresumed，——
　　"ThatballjestfitsSeth’snavyrevolver——andthehoundhesmadetracksouterthecountry。"
　　"ButwhatmotivecouldhehaveinattackingYOUatsuchatime？"
　　askedthemaster。
　　"HereckonedthateitherI’dkillyouandsohe’dgotshutofusbothinthatway，withoutitbeingnoticed；orifImissedyou，theotherswouldhangYOU——eztheykalkilatedto——forkillingME！Theideakemtohimwhenheoverheardyouhintin’youwouldn’treturnmyfire。"
　　AshudderingconvictionthatMcKinstryhaddivinedtherealtruthpassedoverthemaster。IntheimpulseofthemomentheagainwouldhavecorroborateditbyrevealingJohnny’sstory，butaglanceatthegrowingfeverishnessofthewoundedmancheckedhisutterance。"Don’ttalkofitnow，"hesaidhurriedly。"EnoughformetoknowthatyouacquitME。Iamherenowonlytobegyoutocomposeyourselfuntilthedoctorcomesback——asyouseemedtobealone，andMrs。McKinstry"——hestoppedinawkwardembarrassment。
　　Asingularconfusionoverspreadtheinvalid’sface。"Shehedstepptoutaforethishappened，owin’tocontrairyopinionsbetwixtmeandher。Yemouthevnoticed，Mr。Ford，thatgin’rallyshedidn’t’peartocottontoye！Tharain’tawomanagoin’ezistheekalofBlairRawlins’darterinnussin’amanandkeepinghiminfightin’order，butinmatterslikethingsthatconsarnherselfandCress，Ibegintothink，Mr。Ford，thatsomehow，sheain’texakly——
　　kam！Bein’kamyourself，ye’llputanyunpleasantnessdowntothat。WoteveryouhearfromHER，and，forthemattero’that，fromherowndartertoo——forI’mtakin’backthefoolishnessIsaidtoyeoveryonaboutyourrunnin’offwithCress——you’llremember，Mr。
　　Ford，itwarn’tfromnoillfeelingtoYOU，inherorCress——buton’yawantofkam！ImouthevhadMYideesaboutCress，youmouthevhadYOURS，andthatfoolDabneymouthevhadHIS；butitwarn’ttheoldwoman’s——norCressy’s——itwarn’tBlairRawlins’darter’sidea——noryetHERdarter’s！Andwhy？Forwanto’kam！TimesI
　　reckonitwasleftouto’woman’snater。Andbein’kamyourself，youunderstandit，andtakeitallin。"
　　Theoldlookofdrowsypainhadsettledsostronglyinhisredeyesagainthatthemasterwasfaintoputhishandgentlyoverthem，andwithafaintsmilebeghimtocomposehimselftosleep。Thishefinallydidafterawhisperedsuggestionthathehimselfwasfeeling"morekam。"Themastersatforsomemomentswithhishanduponthesleepingman’seyes，andavagueandundefinablesenseoflonelinessseemedtofalluponhimfromtheemptyraftersofthesilentanddesertedhouse。Therisingwindmoanedfitfullyarounditsbleakshellwiththedespairingsoundoffarandforeverrecedingvoices。SostrongwastheimpressionthatwhenthedoctorandMcKinstry’sattendingbrotherre-enteredtheroom，themasterstilllingeredbesidethebedwithadazedsensationofabandonmentthatthedoctor’spracticalreassuringsmilecouldhardlydispel。
　　"He’sdoingsplendidlynow，"hesaid，listeningtothesleeper’smoreregularrespiration："andI’dadviseyoutogonow，Mr。Ford，beforehewakes，lesthemightbetemptedtoexcitehimselfbytalkingtoyouagain。He’sreallyquiteoutofdangernow。Good-
　　night！I’lldropinonyouatthehotelwhenIreturn。"
　　Themaster，albeitstillconfusedandbewildered，felthiswaytothedoorandoutintotheopennight。Thewindwasstilldespairinglywrestlingwiththetree-tops，butthefarrecedingvoicesseemedtobegrowingfainterinthedistance，until，ashepassedon，theytooseemedtopassawayforever……
　　Mondaymorninghadcomeagain，andthemasterwasathisdeskintheschoolhouseearly，withastilldampandinkycopyoftheStarfreshfromthepressbeforehim。Thefreebreathofthepineswasblowinginthewindow，andbringingtohisearsthedistantvoicesofhisslowlygatheringflock，ashereadasfollows：——
　　"TheperpetratorofthedastardlyoutrageattheIndianSpringAcademyonThursdaylast——which，throughunfortunatemisrepresentationofthefacts，ledtoaprematurecallingoutofseveralofourmostpublic-spiritedcitizens，andculminatedinamostregrettableencounterbetweenMr。McKinstryandtheaccomplishedandestimableprincipaloftheschool——has，weregrettosay，escapedcondignpunishmentbyleavingthecountrywithhisrelations。If，asisseriouslywhispered，hewasalsoguiltyofanunparalleledoffenceagainstachivalrouscodewhichwillexcludehiminthefuturefromeverseekingredressattheCourtofHonor，ourcitizenswillbeonlytoogladtogetridofthecontaminationofbeingobligedtoarresthim。Thoseofourreaderswhoknowthehighcharacterofthetwogentlemenwhowerethusforcedintoahostilemeeting，willnotbesurprisedtoknowthatthemostampleapologiesweretenderedonbothsides，andthattheententecordialehasbeenthoroughlyrestored。Thebullet——whichitissaidplayedahighlyimportantpartinthesubsequentexplanation，provingtohavecomefromaREVOLVERfiredbysomeoutsider——hasbeenextractedfromMr。McKinstry’sthigh，andheisdoingwell，witheveryprospectofaspeedyrecovery。"
　　Smiling，albeitnotuncomplacently，atthisvaluablecontributiontohistoryfromanunfetteredpress，hiseyefelluponthenextparagraph，perhapsnotsocomplacently：——
　　"BenjaminDaubigny，Esq。，wholefttownforSacramentoonimportantbusiness，notentirelyunconnectedwithhisnewinterestsinIndianSprings，will，itisrumored，beshortlyjoinedbyhiswife，whohasbeenenabledbyhisrecentgoodfortunetoleaveheroldhomeintheStates，andtakeherproperproudpositionathisside。
　　AlthoughpersonallyunknowntoIndianSprings，Mrs。Daubignyisspokenofasabeautifulandsingularlyaccomplishedwoman，anditistoberegrettedthatherhusband’sinterestswillcompelthemtoabandonIndianSpringsforSacramentoasafutureresidence。Mr。
　　DaubignywasaccompaniedbyhisprivatesecretaryRupert，theeldestsonofH。G。Filgee，Esq。，whohasbeenapromisinggraduateoftheIndianSpringAcademy，andoffersabrightexampletotheyouthofthisdistrict。Wearehappytolearnthathisyoungerbrotherisrecoveringrapidlyfromaslightaccidentreceivedlastweekthroughtheincautioushandlingoffirearms。"
　　Themaster，withhiseyesuponthepaper，remainedsolongplungedinareveriethattheschool-roomwasquitefilledandhislittleflockwaswonderinglyregardinghimbeforeherecalledhimself。HewashurriedlyreachinghishandtowardsthebellwhenhewasattractedbytherisingfigureofOctaviaDean。
　　"Please，sir，youdidn’taskifwehadanynews！"
　　"True——Iforgot，"saidthemastersmiling。"Well，haveyouanythingtotellus？"
　　"Yes，sir。CressyMcKinstryhasleftschool。"
　　"Indeed！"
　　"Yes，sir；she’smarried。"
　　"Married，"repeatedthemasterwithaneffort，yetconsciousoftheeyesconcentrateduponhiscolorlessface。"Married——andtowhom？"
　　"ToJoeMasters，sir，attheBaptistChapelatBigBluff，Sunday，an’MarmMcKinstrywastharwithher。"
　　Therewasamomentaryandbreathlesspause。Thenthevoicesofhislittlepupils——thosesageandsweettruantsfromtradition，thosegentlebutrelentlesshistoriansofthefuture——rosearoundhiminshrillchorus——"WHY，WEKNOWEDITALLALONG，SIR！"