CONTENTS
　　FROMSANDHILLTOPINE
　　ANIECEOFSNAPSHOTHARRY’S
　　ATREASUREOFTHEREDWOODS
　　ABELLEOFCANADACITY
　　WHATHAPPENEDATTHEFONDA
　　AJACKANDJILLOFTHESIERRAS
　　MR。BILSON’SHOUSEKEEPER
　　FROMSANDHILLTOPINE
　　ANIECEOFSNAPSHOTHARRY’S
　　I
　　Therewasaslightjarringthoughthewholeframeofthecoach，agrindingandhissingfromthebrakes，andthenasuddenjoltasthevehicleranuponandrecoiledfromthetautpole-strapsofthenowarrestedhorses。Themurmurofavoiceintheroadwasheard，followedbytheimpatientaccentsofYubaBill，thedriver。
　　"Wha-a-t？Speakup，can’tye？"
　　Herethevoiceutteredsomethinginalouderkey，butequallyunintelligibletothenowinterestedandfullyawakenedpassengers。
　　Oneofthemdroppedthewindownearesthimandlookedout。Hecouldseethefaintglisteningofarain-washedlanternnearthewheelers’heads，minglingwiththestrongercoachlights，andtheglowofadistantopencabindoorthroughtheleavesandbranchesoftheroadside。Thesoundoffallingrainontheroof，asoftswayingofwind-tossedtrees，andanimpatientmovementonthebox-
　　seatwerealltheyheard。ThenYubaBill’svoiceroseagain，apparentlyinanswertotheother。
　　"Why，that’shalfamileaway！"
　　"Yes，butyemighthavedroppedontoitinthedark，andit’sallonthedowngrade，"respondedthestrangevoicemoreaudibly。
　　Thepassengerswerenowthoroughlyaroused。
　　"What’sup，Ned？"askedtheoneatthewindowofthenearestoftwofiguresthathaddescendedfromthebox。
　　"Treefallenacrosstheroad，"saidNed，theexpressman，briefly。
　　"Idon’tseenotree，"respondedthepassenger，leaningoutofthewindowtowardstheobscurityahead。
　　"Now，that’sonfortnit！"saidYubaBillgrimly；"butefanygentlemanwillonlylendhimanoperyglass，mebbehecanseeroundthecurveandovertheothersideo’thehillwhereitis。Now，then，"addressingthestrangerwiththelantern，"bringalongyouraxes，can’tye？"
　　"Here’sone，Bill，"saidanofficiousoutsidepassenger，producingtheinstrumenthehadtakenfromitsstrapintheboot。Itwasthe"regulation"axe，beautifullyshaped，highlypolished，andutterlyineffective，asBillwellknew。
　　"Weain’tcuttin’nokindlin’s，"hesaidscornfully；thenheaddedbrusquelytothestranger："Fetchoutyourbiggestwoodaxe——you’vegotone，yeknow——andlooksharp。"
　　"Idon’tthinkBillneedbesod————droughwiththestranger，consideringhe’ssavedthecoachaverybadsmash，"suggestedareflectiveyoungjournalistinthenextseat。"Hetalksasifthemanwasresponsible。"
　　"Heain’tquitesureifthatisn’tthefact，"saidtheexpressmessenger，inaloweredvoice。
　　"Why？Whatdoyoumean？"clamoredtheothersexcitedly。
　　"Well——THISisaboutthespotwheretheupcoachwasrobbedsixmonthsago，"returnedthemessenger。
　　"Dearme！"saidtheladyinthebackseat，risingwithahalfhystericallaugh，"hadn’twebettergetoutbeforetheycome？"
　　"Thereisnottheslightestdanger，madam，"saidaquiet，observantman，whohadscarcelyspokenbefore，"ortheexpressmanwouldnothavetoldus；norwouldhe，Ifancy，havelefthispostbesidethetreasureonthebox。"
　　Theslightsarcasmimpliedinthiswasenoughtoreddentheexpressman’scheekinthelightofthecoachlampwhichYubaBillhadjustunshippedandbroughttothewindow。Hewouldhavemadesometartrejoinder，butwaspreventedbyYubaBilladdressingthepassengers："Ye’llhavetoputupwithONElight，Ireckon，untilwe’vegotthisjobfinished。"
　　"Howlongwillitlast，Bill？"askedthemannearestthewindow。
　　"Well，"saidBill，withacontemptuousglanceattheelegantcoachaxehewascarryinginhishand，"considerin’thesepurtyfirst-
　　classhighlyexpensivehashchoppersthatthekempanyfurnishesus，Ireckonitmaytakeanhour。"
　　"Butistherenoplacewherewecanwait？"askedtheladyanxiously。
　　"Iseealightinthathouseyonder。"
　　"Yemighttryit，thoughthekempany，asarule，ain’tinthehabito’makin’socialcallsthere，"returnedBill，withacertaingrimsignificance。Then，turningtosomeoutsidepassengers，headded，"Now，then！themezisgoin’tohelpmetacklethattree，trotdown！Ireckonthatblitherin’idiot"（thestrangerwiththelantern，whohaddisappeared）"willhavesenseenoughtofetchussomeropeswithhisdarnedaxe。"
　　Thepassengersthusaddressed，apparentlyminersandworkingmen，goodhumoredlydescended，allexceptone，whoseemeddisinclinedtoleavethemuchcovetedseatontheboxbesidethedriver。
　　"I’lllookafteryourplacesandkeepmyown，"hesaid，withalaugh，astheothersfollowedBillthroughthedrippingrain。Whentheyhaddisappeared，theyoungjournalistturnedtothelady。
　　"Ifyouwouldreallyliketogotothathouse，Iwillgladlyaccompanyyou。"ItwaspossiblethatinadditiontohisyouthfulchivalrytherewasalittleyouthfulresentmentofYubaBill’sdomineeringprejudicesinhisattitude。However，thequiet，observantpassengerliftedalookofapprovaltohim，andadded，inhispreviouslevel，halfcontemptuoustone：——
　　"You’llbequiteaswellthereashere，madam，andthereiscertainlynoreasonforyourstoppinginthecoachwhenthedriverchoosestoleaveit。"
　　Thepassengerslookedateachother。Thestrangerspokewithauthority，andBillhadcertainlybeenalittlearbitrary！
　　"I’llgotoo，"saidthepassengerbythewindow。"Andyou’llcome，won’tyou，Ned？"headdedtotheexpressmessenger。Theyoungmanhesitated；hewasrecentlyappointed，andasyetfreshtothebusiness——buthewasnottobetaughthisdutybyanofficiousstranger！HeresentedtheinterferenceyouthfullybydoingtheverythinghewouldhavepreferredNOTtodo，andwithassumedcarelessness——yetfeelinginhispockettoassurehimselfthatthekeyofthetreasurecompartmentwassafe——turnedtofollowthem。
　　"Won’tYOUcometoo？"saidthejournalist，politelyaddressingthecynicalpassenger。
　　"No，Ithankyou！I’lltakechargeofthecoach，"wasthesmilingrejoinder，ashesettledhimselfmorecomfortablyinhisseat。
　　Thelittleprocessionmovedawayinsilence。Oddlyenough，noone，exceptthelady，reallycaredtogo，andtwo——theexpressmanandjournalist——wouldhavepreferredtoremainonthecoach。Butthenationalinstinctofquestioninganypurelyarbitraryauthorityprobablywasasufficientimpulse。Astheynearedtheopeneddoorofwhatappearedtobeafour-roomed，unpainted，redwoodboardedcabin，thepassengerwhohadoccupiedtheseatnearthewindowsaid，——
　　"I’llgofirstandsampletheshanty。"
　　Hewasnot，however，sofarinadvanceofthembutthattheotherscouldhearquitedistinctlyhisoffhandintroductionoftheirpartyonthethreshold，andthesomewhatlukewarmresponseoftheinmates。"Wethoughtwe’djustdropinandbesociableuntilthecoachwasreadytostartagain，"hecontinued，astheotherpassengersentered。"ThisyergentlemanisNedBrice，Adams&
　　Co。’sexpressman；thisyerisFrankFrenshaw，editorofthe’MountainBanner；’thisyer’salady，soitain’tnecessarytogiveHERname，Ireckon——evenifweknowedit！Mine’sSamHexshill，ofHexshill&Dobbs’sFlourMills，ofStockton，whar，efyouevercomethatway，I’llbehappytoreturnthecomplimentandhospitality。"
　　Theroomtheyhadenteredhadlittleofcomfortandbrightnessinitexceptthefireofpinelogswhichroaredandcrackledintheadobechimney。Theairwouldhavebeentoowarmbutforthestrongwestwindandrainwhichenteredtheopendoorfreely。Therewasnootherlightthanthefire，anditstremulousandever-changingbrilliancygaveaspasmodicmobilitytothefacesofthoseturnedtowardsit，orthrewintostrongershadowthefeaturesthatwereturnedaway。Yet，bythisuncertainlight，theycouldseethefiguresofamanandtwowomen。Themanroseand，withacertainapatheticgesturethatseemedtopartakemoreofwearinessandlongsufferingthanpositivediscourtesy，tenderedseatsonchairs，boxes，andevenlogstotheself-invitedguests。Thestagepartyweresurprisedtoseethatthismanwasthestrangerwhohadheldthelanternintheroad。
　　"Ah！thenyoudidn’tgowithBilltohelpcleartheroad？"saidtheexpressmansurprisedly。
　　Themanslowlydrewuphistall，shamblingfigurebeforethefire，andthenfacingthem，withhishandsbehindhim，asslowlyloweredhimselfagainasiftobringhisspeechtothelevelofhishearersandgivealazierandmoredeliberateeffecttohislong-drawnutterance。
　　"Well——no！"hesaidslowly。"I——didn’t——go——with——no——Bill——to——
　　help——clear——theroad！I——don’t——reckon——TOgo——with——no——Bill——
　　to——clear——ANYroad！I’vejustwhittledthisthingdowntoapint，andit’sthis——Iain’tnostagekempany’snigger！Sofarasturnin’outandwarnin’’emagingoin’tosmashoverafallentree，andslapdownintothecanyonwithapasselofinnercentpassengers，I’mthatmuchawhiteman，butIain’tnoNIGGERtoworkclearingthingsawayfor’em，norIain’tnoscrubtoworkbeside’em。"Heslowlystraightenedhimselfupagain，and，withhisformerapatheticair，lookingdownupononeofthewomenwhowassettingacoffee-potonthecoals，added，"ButIreckonmyoldwomanherekingiveyousomecoffeeandwhiskey——ofyoukeerforit。"
　　UnfortunatelytheyoungexpressmanwasmoreloyaltoBillthandiplomatic。"IfBill’salittlerough，"hesaid，withaheightenedcolor，"perhapshehassomeexcuseforit。Youforgetit’sonlysixmonthsagothatthiscoachwas’heldup’notahundredyardsfromthisspot。"
　　Thewomanwiththecoffee-potherefacedabout，stoodup，and，eitherfromdesignorsomeoddcoincidence，fellintothesamedoggedattitudethatherhusbandhadpreviouslytaken，exceptthatsherestedherhandsonherhips。Shewasprematurelyaged，likemanyofherclass，andherblack，snake-likelocks，twistingloosefromhercombassheliftedherhead，showedthreadsofwhiteagainstthefirelight。Thenwithslowandimplacabledeliberationshesaid：
　　"We’forget’！Well！notmuch，sonny！Weain’tforgotit，andweain’tgoin’toforgetit，neither！Weain’tbinlikelytoforgetitforanytimethelastsixmonths。Whatwithvisitationsfromthecountyconstables，snoopin’sroundfrom’Friscodetectives，droppin’s-infromnewspapermen，andyawpin’sandstarin’sfromtrampsandstrangersontheroad——wehaven’thadachancetodisrememberMUCH！AndwhenatlastHiramtackledtheheadstageagentatMarysville，andallowedthatthisyerpesterin’andpersecutin’hadgotterstop——whatdidthatyerheadagenttellhim？Toldhimto’shethishead，’andbethankfulthathis’thievin’oldshantywasn’tburntdownaroundhisears！’Forgetthatsixmonthsagothecoachwasheldupnearhere？Notmuch，sonny——notmuch！"
　　Thesituationwasembarrassingtotheguests，asordinarypolitenesscalledforsomeexpressionofsympathywiththeirgloomyhostess，andyetaselfishinstinctofhumanitywarnedthemthattheremustbesomefoundationforthisgeneraldistrustofthepublic。Thejournalistwastroubledinhisconscience；theexpressmantookrefugeinanofficialreticence；theladycoughedslightly，anddrewnearertothefirewithavaguebutsafecomplimenttoitsbrightnessandcomfort。ItdevolveduponMr。Heckshill，whofelttheresponsibilityofhislateairyintroductionoftheparty，toboldlykeepuphisrole，withanequallynon-committal，light-heartedphilosophy。
　　"Well，ma’am，"hesaid，addressinghishostess，"it’saqueerworld，andnoman’sgotsabeenoughtosaywhat’stherightsandwrongso’anything。Somefolksbelieveonethingandactuponit，andotherfolksthinkdifferentlyandactuponTHAT！TheonlythingyekinsafelysayisthatTHINGSISEZTHEYBE！MyrulehereandatthemillisjesttotakethingsezIfind’em！"
　　ItoccurredtothejournalistthatMr。Heckshillhadthereputation，inhisearliercareer，of"taking"suchthingsasunoccupiedlandsandtimber"ashefoundthem，"withoutmuchreferencetotheiractualowners。Apparentlyhewasactinguponthesameprinciplenow，ashereachedforthedemijohnofwhiskeywiththeingenuouspleasantry，"Didsomebodysaywhiskey，ordidI
　　dreamit？"
　　ButthisdidnotsatisfyFrenshaw。"Isuppose，"hesaid，ignoringHeckshill’sdiplomaticphilosophy，"thatyoumayhavebeenthevictimofsomemisunderstandingorsomeunfortunatecoincidence。
　　Perhapsthecompanymayhaveconfoundedyouwithyourneighbors，whoarebelievedtobefriendlytothegang；oryoumayhavemadesomeinjudiciousacquaintances。Perhaps"——
　　Hewasstoppedbyasuppressedbutnotunmusicalgiggle，whichappearedtocomefromthewomaninthecornerwhohadnotyetspoken，andwhosefaceandfigureintheshadowhehadpreviouslyoverlooked。Buthecouldnowseethatheroutlinewasslimandgraceful，andthecontourofherheadcharming，——factsthathadevidentlynotescapedtheobservationoftheexpressmanandMr。
　　Heckshill，andthatmighthaveaccountedforthecautiousreticenceoftheoneandthecomfortablemoralizingoftheother。
　　Theoldwomancastanuneasyglanceonthefairgiggler，butrepliedtoFrenshaw：
　　"That’sit！’injerdishusacquaintances！’Butjustbecausewemighthappentohavefriends，orevenbesorterrelatedtofolksinanotherlineo’businessthatain’tnoneo’ours，thekempanyhain’tnocalltopersecuteUSforit！S’posewedohappentoknowsomeonelike"——
　　"Spititout，aunty，nowyou’vestartedin！Idon’tmind，"saidthefairgiggler，nowapparentlycastingoffallrestraintinanoutburstoflaughter。
　　"Well，"saidtheoldwoman，withdoggeddesperation，"suppose，then，thatthatyounggirltharisthenieceofSnapshotHarry，whostoppedthecoachthelasttime"——
　　"Andain’tashamedofit，either！"interruptedtheyounggirl，risinganddisclosinginthefirelightanaudaciousbutwonderfullyprettyface；"andsupposingheISmyuncle，thatain’tanycausefortheirbedevilin’mypooroldcousinsHiramandSophythar！"
　　Foralltheindignationofherwords，herlittlewhiteteethflashedmischievouslyinthedancinglight，asifsheratherenjoyedtheembarrassmentofheraudience，notexcludingherownrelatives。EvidentlycousinSophythoughtsotoo。
　　"It’sallverywellforyoutolaugh，Flo，youlimb！"sheretortedquerulously，yetwithanadmiringglanceatthegirl，"foryeknowtharain’tamandaretouchyeevenwithaword；butit’smightyhardonmeandHiram，allthesame。"
　　"Neveryoumind，Sophydear，"saidthegirl，placingherhandhalfaffectionately，halfhumorouslyontheoldwoman’sshoulder；"mebbeIwon’talwaysbeadiscreditandabothertoyou。Jestyouholdyourhosses，andwaituntiluncleHarry’holdsup’thenextPioneerCoach，"——thedancingdevilinhereyesglancedasifaccidentallyontheyoungexpressman，——"andhe’llmakeabigenoughpiletosendmetoEurope，andyou’llbequito’me。"
　　Theembarrassment，suspiciousness，anduneasinessofthecoachpartyherefoundreliefinahalfhystericexplosionoflaughter，inwhicheventhedoggedHiramandSophyjoined。Itseemedasimpossibletowithstandthegirl’sinvincibleaudacityasherbeauty。Shewasquicktoperceiveheradvantage，and，witharesponsivelaughandapicturesquegestureofinvitation，said：——
　　"Nowthat’sallsettled，ye’dbetterwaltzinandhaveyourwhiskeyandcoffeeaforethestagestarts。Yekincomfortyourselvesthatitain’tstolenorpizoned，evenifitisserveduptoyebySnapshotHarry’sniece！"Withanothereasygesturesheswungthedemijohnoverherarm，and，offeringatincuptoeachofthemen，filledtheminturn。
　　Theicethusbroken，orperhapsthusperilouslyskatedover，thepassengerswereasprofuseintheirthanksandapologiesastheyhadbeenconstrainedandartificialbefore。HeckshillandFrenshawviedwitheachotherforaglancefromtheaudaciousFlo。Iftheircomplimentspartookofanextravagancethatwasattimesironical，thegirlwasevidentlynotdeceivedbyit，butrepliedinkind。
　　Onlytheexpressmanwhoseemedtohavefallenunderthespellofheraudaciousglances，wasuneasyatthelicenseoftheothers，yethimselfdumbtowardsher。Theladydiscreetlydrewnearertothefire，theoldwoman，andhercoffee；Hiramsubsidedintohisapatheticattitudebythefire。
　　AshoutfromtheroadatlastproclaimedthereturnofYubaBillandhishelpers。Ithadthesingulareffectofstartlingthepartyintoavagueanduneasyconsciousnessofindiscretion，asifithadbeenthevoiceoftheouterworldoflawandorder，andtheirmanneragainbecameconstrained。Theleave-takingwashurriedandperfunctory；thediplomaticHeckshillagainlapsedintoglitteringgeneralitiesabout"thebestoffriendsparting。"Onlytheexpressmanlingeredforamomentonthedoorstepinthelightofthefireandthegirl’sdancingeyes。
　　"Ihope，"hestammered，withaveryyouthfulblush，"tocomethenexttime——with——with——abetterintroduction。"
　　"UncleHarry’s，"shesaid，withaquicklaughandamockcurtsey，assheturnedaway。
　　Onceoutofhearing，thepartybrokeintohurriedcommentandcriticismofthescenetheyhadjustwitnessed，andparticularlyofthefairactresswhohadplayedsoimportantapart，averringtheiremphaticintentionofwrestingthefactsfromYubaBillatonce，andcross-examininghimclosely；butoddlyenough，reachingthecoachandthatredoubtedindividual，nooneseemedtocaretotaketheinitiative，andtheyallscrambledhurriedlytotheirseatswithoutaword。HowfarYubaBill’sirritabilityandimperioushastecontributedtothis，orafearthathemightinturncatechisethemkeptthemsilent，nooneknew。Thecynicallyobservantpassengerwasnotthere；heandthesoleoccupantofthebox-seat，theyweretold，hadjoinedtheclearingpartysomemomentsbefore，andwouldbepickedupbyYubaBilllateron。
　　FiveminutesafterBillhadgatheredupthereins，theyreachedthesceneofobstruction。Thegreatpine-treewhichhadfallenfromthesteepbankaboveandstretchedacrosstheroadhadbeenpartlyloppedofitsbranches，dividedintwolengths，whichwerenowrolledtoeithersideofthetrack，leavingbarelyspaceforthecoachtopass。Thehugevehicle"slowedup"asYubaBillskillfullyguidedhissixhorsesthroughthisnarrowalley，whosetasselsofpine，glisteningwithwet，brushedthepanelsandsidesofthecoach，andeffectuallyexcludedanyviewfromitswindows。
　　Seenfromthecoachtop，thehorsesappearedtobecleavingtheirwaythroughadark，shiningolivesea，thatpartedbeforeandclosedbehindthem，astheyslowlypassed。Theleaderswerejustemergingfromit，andBillwasgatheringuphisslackenedreins，whenaperemptoryvoicecalled，"Halt！"Atthesamemomentthecoachlightsflasheduponamaskedandmotionlesshorsemanintheroad。Billmadeanimpulsivereachforhiswhip，butinthesameinstantcheckedhimself，reinedinhishorseswithasuppressedoath，andsatperfectlyrigid。Notsotheexpressman，whocaughtuphisrifle，butitwasarrestedbyBill’sarm，andhisvoiceinhisear！
　　Toolate！——we’recovered！——don’tbead————dfool！"
　　Theinsidepassengers，stillencompassedbyobscurity，knewonlythatthestagehadstopped。The"outsiders"knew，byexperience，thattheywerecoveredbyunseengunsinthewaysidebranches，andscarcelymoved。
　　"Ididn’tthinkitwasthesquarethingtostopyou，Bill，tillyou’dgotthroughyourwork，"saidamasterfulbutnotunpleasantvoice，"andifyou’lljusthanddowntheexpressbox，I’llpassyouandtherestofyourloadthroughfree。Butaswe’rebothinahurry，you’dbetterlooklivelyaboutit。"
　　"Handitdown，"saidBillgrufflytotheexpressman。
　　Theexpressmanturnedwithawhitecheckbutblazingeyestothecompartmentbelowhisseat。Helingered，apparentlyinsomedifficultywiththelockofthecompartment，butfinallybroughtouttheboxandhandedittoanotherarmedandmaskedfigurethatappearedmysteriouslyfromthebranchesbesidethewheels。
　　"Thankyou！"saidthevoice；"youcanslideonnow。"
　　"Andthankyoufornothing，"saidBill，gatheringuphisreins。
　　"It’sthefirsttimeanyofyourkindhadtothrowdownatreetoholdmeup！"
　　"You’relying，Bill！——thoughyoudon’tknowit，"saidthevoicecheerfully。"Farfromthrowingdownatreetostopyou，itwasI
　　sentwordalongtheroadtowarnyoufromcrashingdownuponit，andsendingyouandyourloadtoh-llbeforeyourtime！Driveon！"
　　TheangryBillwaitedfornosecondcomment，butlayinghiswhipoverthebacksofhisteam，drovefuriouslyforward。Sorapidlyhadthewholescenepassedthattheinsidepassengersknewnothingofit，andeventhoseonthetopofthecoachrousedfromtheirstuporandingloriousinactiononlytoclingdesperatelytotheterriblyswayingcoachasitthundereddownthegradeandtrytokeeptheirequilibrium。Yet，furiousaswastheirspeed，YubaBillcouldnothelpnoticingthattheexpressmanfromtimetotimecastahurriedglancebehindhim。Billknewthattheyoungmanhadshownreadinessandnerveintheattack，althoughbothwerehopeless；yethewassomuchconcernedathissetwhitefaceandcompressedlipsthatwhen，attheendofthreemiles’unabatedspeed，theygallopeduptothefirststation，heseizedtheyoungmanbythearm，and，astheclamorofthenewstheyhadbroughtrosearoundthem，draggedhimpastthewonderingcrowd，caughtadecanterfromthebar，and，openingthedoorofasideroom，pushedhimintoitandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
　　"Lookyar，Brice！Stopit！Quititrightthar！"hesaidemphatically，layinghislargehandontheyoungfellow’sshoulder。
　　"Beaman！You’veshownyouareone，greenezyouare，foryouhadthesandinye——thecleargritto-night，yetyou’dhavebeenadeadmannow，ifIhadn’tstoppedye！Man！youhadnoshowfromthebeginning！You’vedoneyourlevelbesttosaveyourtreasure，andI’myourwitnesstothekempany，andproudofit，too！Soshetyourheadand——and，"pouringoutaglassofwhiskey，"swallerthat！"
　　ButBricewavedhimasidewithburningeyesanddrylips。
　　"Youdon’tknowitall，Bill！"hesaid，withahalfchokedvoice。
　　"Allwhat？"
　　"Swearthatyou’llkeepitasecret，"hesaidfeverishly，grippingBill’sarminturn，"andI’lltellyou。"
　　"Goon！"
　　"THECOACHWASROBBEDBEFORETHAT！"
　　"Wotyersay？"ejaculatedBill。
　　"Thetreasure——apacketofgreenbacks——hadbeentakenfromtheboxbeforethegangstoppedus！"
　　"Theh-ll，yousay！"
　　"Listen！Whenyoutoldmetohanddownthebox，Ihadanidea——ad————dfoolone，perhaps——oftakingthatpackageoutandjumpingfromthecoachwithit。Iknewtheywouldfireatmeonly；Imightgetaway，butiftheykilledme，I’dhavedoneonlymyduty，andnobodyelsewouldhavegothurt。ButwhenIgottotheboxIfoundthatthelockhadbeenforcedandthemoneywasgone。ImanagedtosnapthelockagainbeforeIhandeditdown。Ithoughttheymightdiscoveritatonceandchaseus，buttheydidn’t。"
　　"Andthentharwarnogreenbacksintheboxthattheytook？"gaspedBill，withstaringeyes。
　　"No！"
　　Billraisedhishandintheairasifinsolemnadjuration，andthenbroughtitdownonhisknee，doublingupinafitofuncontrollablebutperfectlynoiselesslaughter。"Oh，Lord！"hegasped，"hol’meaforeIbustrightopen！Hush，"hewenton，withajerkofhisfingerstowardsthenextroom，"notawordo’thistoanyone！It’stoomuchtokeep，Iknow；it’snearlykillingme！
　　butwemustswalleritourselves！Oh，JerusalemtheGolden！Oh，Brice！Thinko’thatfaceo’SnapshotHarry’sezheopenedthattreasureboxaforehisganginthebrush！Andheallerssokeenandsoeasyandsococksure！Createdsnakes！I’dgothroughthiseverytripforonesightofhimashejustrizupfromthatboxandcussed！"Heagainshookwithinwardconvulsionstillhisfacegrewpurple，andeventheredcamebacktotheyoungerman’scheek。
　　"Butthisdon’tbringthemoneyback，Bill，"saidBricegloomily。
　　YubaBillswallowedtheglassofwhiskeyatagulp，wipedhismouthandeyes，smotheredasecondexplosion，andthengravelyconfrontedBrice。
　　"Whendoyouthinkitwastaken，andhow？"
　　"ItmusthavebeentakenwhenIleftthecoachontheroadandwentovertothatsettler’scabin，"saidBricebitterly。"YetI
　　believedeverythingwassafe，andIlefttwomen——bothpassengers——
　　oneinsideandoneonthebox，thatmanwhosattheothersideofyou。"
　　"Jeewhillikins！"ejaculatedBill，withhishandtohisforehead，"themenIcleanforgottopickupintheroad，andnowIreckontheyneverintendedtobepickedup，either。"
　　"Nodoubtapartofthegang，"saidBrice，withincreasedbitterness；"Iseeitallnow。"
　　"No！"saidBilldecisively，"thatain’tSnapshotHarry’sstyle；
　　he’sacleanfighter，withnounderhandtricks。AndIdon’tbelievehethrewdownthattree，either。Lookyer，sonny！"headded，suddenlylayinghishandonBrice’sshoulder，"ahundredtoonethatthatwastheworkofacoupleo’d————dsneaksortraitorsinthatgangwhokemalongaspassengers。Inevertookanystockinthatcoyotewhopaidextraforhisbox-seat。"
　　BriceknewthatBillneverlookedkindlyonanypassengerwho，bybribingtheticketagent，securedthisfavoriteseat，whichBillfeltwasduetohispersonalfriendsandwasinhisownselection。
　　Heonlyreturnedgloomily：——
　　"Idon’tseewhatdifferenceitmakestouswhichrobbergotthemoney。
　　"Yedon’t，"saidBill，raisinghishead，withasuddentwinkleinhiseyes。"Thenyedon’tknowSnapshotHarry。Doyesupposehe’sgoin’tositdownandtwiddlehisthumbswiththatskingameplayedonhim？No，sir，"hecontinued，withathoughtfuldeliberation，drawinghisfingersslowlythroughhislongbeard，"hespottedit——
　　andsmeltoutthewholetrickezsoonezheopenedthatbox，andthat’swhyhedidn’tfollerus！He’llhuntthosesneakthievesintoh-llbutwhathe’llget’em，and，"hewentonstillmoreslowly，"bythelivin’hokey！Ireckon，sonny，that’sjesthowye’llgetyourchancetochipin！"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"saidBriceimpatiently。
　　"Well，"saidBill，withmoreprovokingslowness，asifhewerecommuningwithhimselfratherthanBrice，"Harry’smightyproudandhightoned，andtobegivenawaylikethishascutdownintohisheart，youbet。Itain’tthemoneyhe’sthinkin’of；it’sthissplitinthegang——thelossofhispowerezboss，yesee——andefhecouldgetholdo’themchapshe’dletthemoneyslideezlongeztheydidn’tgetit。Soyou’vegotadetectiveonyoursidethat’sworththewholepoliceforceofCaliforny！YeneverheardanythingaboutSnapshotHarry，didye？"askedBillcarelessly，raisinghiseyestoBrice’seagerface。
　　Theyoungmanflushedslightly。"Verylittle，"hesaid。Atthesametimeavisionoftheprettygirlinthesettler’scabinflasheduponhimwithanewsignificance。
　　"He’smorethanhalfwhite，insomeways，"saidBillthoughtfully，"andtheysayhelivessomewhereabouthereinacabininthebush，withacrippledsisterandherdarter，whobothswearbyhim。Itmightn’tbehardtofindhim——efamanwasdeadsetonit。"
　　Bricefacedaboutwithdeterminedeyes。"I’LLDOIT，"hesaidquietly。
　　"Yemight，"saidBill，stillmoredeliberatelystrokinghisbeard，"mentionmyname，efyeevergettoseehim。"
　　"Yourname，"ejaculatedtheastonishedBrice。
　　"Myname，"repeatedBillcalmly。"Heknowsit’smyboundendutytokillhimefIgetthechance，andIknowthathe’dplugmefullo’
　　holesinaminiteftharwaranecessityforit。Butintheseyeraffairs，sonny，itseemstobetheunderstoodthingbythekempanythatI’mtokeepfieryyoungsquirtslikeyou，andchuckle-headedpassengerslikethem"——jerkinghisthumbtowardstheotherroom——
　　"fromgettin’themselveskilledbytheirrashness。Soontilthekempanyfillthetopo’thatcoachwithmenwhoain’tgotanybusinesstodoBUTfightin’othermenwhoain’tgotanyotherbusinesstodoBUTtofightthem——theoddsareaginus！Harryhasalwaysactedsquaretome——that’showIknowheain’tinthissneak-thiefbusiness，andwhyhedidn’tfollerus，suspectin’
　　suthin’，andI’vealwaysactedsquaretohim。Allthesame，I’dliketerhevseenhisfacewhenthatboxwasopened！Lordy！"HereBillagaincollapsedinhissilentparoxysmofmirth。"YemighttellhimhowIlaughed！"
　　"Iwouldhardlydothat，Bill，"saidtheyoungman，smilinginspiteofhimself。"Butyou’vegivenmeanidea，andI’llworkitout。"
　　Billglancedattheyoungfellow’skindlingeyesandflushingcheek，andnodded。"Well，rastlewiththatidealateron，sonny。
　　I’llfixyouallrightinmyreporttothekempany，buttherestyoumustworkalone。I’vestartedouttheusualposse，circus-
　　ridin’downtheroadafterHarry。He’dbearoughcustomertomeetjustnow，"continuedBill，withachuckle，"eftharwastheghostofachanceo’themcomin’upwithhim，forhimandhisgangisscatteredmilesawaybythis。"Hepaused，tossedoffanotherglassofwhiskey，wipedhismouth，andsayingtoBrice，withawink，"It’sabouttimetogoandcomfortthemtharpassengers，"ledthewaythroughthecrowdedbarroomintothestageoffice。
　　ThespectacleofBill’shumorouslysatisfiedfaceandBrice’sbrighteyesandheightenedcolorwassingularlyeffective。The"inside"passengers，whohadexperiencedneithertheexcitementnorthedangeroftherobbery，yethadbeenobligedtolistentothehairbreadthescapesoftheothers，pooh-poohedthewholeaffair，andeventhe"outsides"themselveswereatlastconvincedthattherobberywasaslightone，withlittleornolosstothecompany。
　　Theclamorsubsidedalmostassuddenlyasithadarisen；thewiserpassengersfashionedtheirattitudeonthesang-froidofYubaBill，andthewholecoachloadpresentlyrolledawayascomplacentlyasifnothinghadhappened。
　　II
　　Therobberyfurnishedtheusualamountofcopyforthelocalpress。
　　TherewastheinevitablecomplimenttoYubaBillforhiswell-knowncoolness；theconductoftheyoungexpressman，"who，thoughnewtotheservice，displayedanintrepiditythatonlysuccumbedtonumbers，"washighlycommended，andeventhepassengersreceivedtheirmeedofpraise，notforgettingthelady，"whoacceptedtheincidentwiththelight-heartedpleasantrycharacteristicoftheCalifornianwoman。"TherewastheusualallusiontothenecessityofaVigilanceCommitteetocopewiththis"organizedlawlessness"
　　butitistobefearedthatthereadersof"TheRedDogClarion，"
　　howeverreadytolynchahorsethief，wereoftheopinionthatrichstageexpresscompanieswerequiteabletotakecareoftheirownproperty。
　　ItwaswithfullcognizanceofthesefactsandtheiruselessnesstohimthatthenextmorningMr。NedBriceturnedfromtheroadwherethecoachhadjusthaltedonthepreviousnightandapproachedthesettler’scabin。IfalittlelesssanguinethanhewasinYubaBill’spresence，hewasstilldoggedlyinflexibleinhisdesign，whateveritmighthavebeen，forhehadnotrevealediteventoYubaBill。Itwashisown；itwasprobablycrudeandyouthfulinitsdirectness，butforthatreasonitwasprobablymoreconvincingthanthevacillationsofoldercounsel。
　　Hepausedamomentatthecloseddoor，conscious，however，ofsomehurriedmovementwithinwhichsignifiedthathisapproachhadbeenobserved。Thedoorwasopened，anddisclosedonlytheoldwoman。
　　Thesamedoggedexpressionwasonherfaceaswhenhehadlastseenit，withtheadditionofquerulousexpectancy。Inreplytohispolite"Good-morning，"sheabruptlyfacedhimwithherhandsstillonthedoor。
　　"Yekinstoprightthere！Efyerwanttermakeanytalkaboutthisyarrobbery，yemightezwellskedaddletooncet，forweain’t’takin’any’to-day！"
　　"Ihavenowishtotalkabouttherobbery，"saidBricequietly，"andasfarasIcanpreventit，youwillnotbetroubledbyanyquestions。Ifyoudoubtmywordortheintentionsofthecompany，perhapsyouwillkindlyreadthat。"
　　Hedrewfromhispocketastilldampcopyof"TheRedDogClarion"
　　andpointedtoaparagraph。
　　"Wot’sthat？"shesaidquerulously，feelingforherspectacles。
　　"ShallIreadit？"
　　"Goon。"
　　Hereaditslowlyaloud。Igrievetosayithadbeenjointlyconcoctedthenightbeforeattheofficeofthe"Clarion"byhimselfandtheyoungjournalist——thelatter’sassistancebeinghisownpersonaltributetothegracesofMissFlo。Itreadasfollows：——
　　"ThegreatestassistancewasrenderedbyHiramTarbox，Esq。，aresidentofthevicinity，inremovingtheobstruction，whichwas，nodoubt，thepreliminaryworkofsomeoftherobbergang，andinprovidinghospitalityforthedelayedpassengers。Infact，butforthetimelywarningofYubaBillbyMr。Tarbox，thecoachmighthavecrashedintothetreeatthatdangerouspoint，andanaccidentensuedmoredisastroustolifeandlimbthantherobberyitself。"
　　Thesuddenandunmistakabledelightthatexpandedtheoldwoman’smouthwassoconvincingthatitmighthavegivenBriceatingeofremorseoverthesuccessofhisstratagem，hadhenotbeenutterlyabsorbedinhispurpose。"Hiram！"sheshoutedsuddenly。
　　Theoldmanappearedfromsomebackdoorwithapromptnessthatprovedhisnearproximity，andglancedangrilyatBriceuntilhecaughtsightofhiswife’sface。Thenhisangerchangedtowonder。
　　"Readthatagain，youngfeller，"shesaidexultingly。
　　Bricere-readtheparagraphaloudforMr。Tarbox’sbenefit。
　　"That’ar’HiramTarbox，Esquire，’meansYOU，Hiram，"shegasped，indelightedexplanation。
　　Hiramseizedthepaper，readtheparagraphhimself，spreadoutthewholepage，examineditcarefully，andthenafatuousgrinbeganslowlytoextenditselfoverhiswholeface，invadinghiseyesandears，untiltheheavy，harsh，doggedlinesofhisnostrilsandjawshadutterlydisappeared。
　　"B’gosh！"hesaid，"that’ssquare！KinIkeepit？"
　　"Certainly，"saidBrice。"Ibroughtitforyou。"
　　"Isthatallyecamefor？"saidHiram，withsuddensuspicion。
　　"No，"saidtheyoungmanfrankly。Yethehesitatedamomentasheadded，"IwouldliketoseeMissFlora。"
　　Hishesitationandheightenedcolorweremoredisarmingtosuspicionthanthemostelaborateandcarefullypreparedindifference。Withtheirknowledgeandprideintheirrelative’sfascinationstheyfeltitcouldhavebutonemeaning！Hiramwipedhismouthwithhishand，assumedademureexpression，glancedathiswife，andanswered：——
　　"Sheain’therenow。"
　　Mr。Brice’sfacedisplayedhisdisappointment。Butthetrueloverholdsatalismanpotentwitholdandyoung。Mrs。TarboxfeltasneakingmaternalpityforthissuddenlystrickenStrephon。
　　"She’sgonehome，"sheaddedmoregently——"wentatsun-upthismornin’。"
　　"Home，"repeatedBrice。"Where’sthat？"
　　Mrs。Tarboxlookedatherhusbandandhesitated。Thenshesaid——alittleinheroldmanner——"Heruncle’s。"
　　"Canyoudirectmethewaythere？"askedBricesimply。
　　Theastonishmentintheirfacespresentlydarkenedintosuspicionagain。"Efthat’syourlittlegame，"beganHiram，withaloweringbrow——
　　"Ihavenolittlegamebuttoseeherandspeakwithher，"saidBriceboldly。"Iamaloneandunarmed，asyousee，"hecontinued，pointingtohisemptybeltandsmalldispatchbagslungonhisshoulder，"andcertainlyunabletodoanyoneanyharm。Iamwillingtotakewhatrisksthereare。Andasnooneknowsofmyintention，norofmycominghere，whatevermighthappentome，nooneneedknowit。Youwouldbesafefromquestioning。"
　　Therewasthathopefuldeterminationinhismannerthatoverrodetheirresigneddoggedness。"Efweknewhowtodirectyouthar，"
　　saidtheoldwomancautiously，"ye’dbekilledouterhandaforeyeevenseteyesonthegirl。Thehouseisinahollerwithhillskeptbyspies；ye’dbeadeadmanassoonasyecrosseditsboundary。"
　　"WotdoYOUknowaboutit？"interruptedherhusbandquickly，inquerulouswarning。"Wotareyetalkin’about？"
　　"Youleavemealone，Hiram！Iain’tgoin’toletthatyoungfellergetpoppedoffwithoutashow，orwithoutknowin’jestwothe’sgottotackle，nohowyekinfixit！Andcan’tyeseehe’sboundtogo，whateveryesays？"
　　Mr。TarboxsawthisfactplainlyinBrice’seyes，andhesitated。
　　"ThemostthatIkintellye，"hesaidgloomily，"isthewaythegaltakeswhenshegoesfromhere，buthowfaritis，orifitain’tablind，Ican’tswar，forIhevn’tbintharmyself，andHarrynevercomesherebutonanoffnight，whenthecoachain’trunnin’andthar’snotravel。"Hestoppedsuddenlyanduneasily，asifhehadsaidtoomuch。
　　"Tharyego，Hiram，andyetalkofothersgabblin’！Soyemightaswelltelltheyoungfellerhowthattharain’tbutoneway，andthat’sthewayHarrytakes，too，whenhecomesyeroncetinanagetotalktohisownfleshandblood，andseeaChristianfacethatain’taginhim！"
　　Mr。Tarboxwassilent。"Yeknowwharthetreewasthrowndownontheroad，"hesaidatlast。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Themountainrisesstraightupontherightsideoftheroad，allhazelbrushandthorn——wharagoatcouldn’tclimb。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Butthat’salie！forthar’salittletrail，notafootwide，runsupfromtheroadforamile，keepin’itinviewallthewhile，butbein’hiddenbythebrush。Yekinseeeverythingfromthar，andhearateamsterspitontheroad。"
　　"Goon，"saidBriceimpatiently。
　　"Thenitgoesupandovertheridge，anddowntheothersideintoalittlegulchuntilitcomestothecanyonoftheNorthFork，wherethestageroadcrossesoverthebridgehighup。ThetrailwindsroundthebankoftheForkandcomesoutontheLEFTsideofthestageroadaboutathousandfeetbelowit。That’sthevalleyandhollowwharHarrylives，andthat’stheonlywayitcanbefound。
　　ForallalongtheLEFTofthestageroadisasheerpitchdownthatthousandfeet，wharnoonekingitupordown。"
　　"Iunderstand，"saidBrice，withsparklingeyes。"I’llfindmywayallright。"
　　"Andwhenyegitthar，lookoutforyourself！"putinthewomanearnestly。"Yemayhaveregulargreenhorn’sluckandpickupFloaforeyecrosstheboundary，forshe’sthatboldthatwhenshegetslonesomeo’stayin’tharshegoeswanderin’outo’bounds。"
　　"Hevyeanyweppin，——anyshootin’-ironaboutye？"askedTarbox，withalatentsuspicion。
　　Theyoungmansmiled，andagainshowedhisemptybelt。"None！"hesaidtruthfully。
　　"Iain’tsureefthatain’tthesafestthingarterallwithashotlikeHarry，"remarkedtheoldmangrimly。"Well，solong！"headded，andturnedaway。
　　Itwasclearlyaleave-taking，andBrice，warmlythankingthemboth，returnedtotheroad。
　　Itwasnotfartothesceneoftheobstruction，yetbutforTarbox’stimelyhint，thelittletrailupthemountainsidewouldhaveescapedhisobservation。Ascending，hesoonfoundhimselfcreepingalonganarrowledgeofrock，hiddenfromtheroadthatranfiftyyardsbelowbyathicknetworkgrowthofthornandbramble，whichstillenabledhimtoseeitswholeparallellength。
　　Perilousintheextremetoanyhesitatingfoot，atonepoint，directlyabovetheobstruction，theledgeitselfwasmissing——
　　brokenawaybythefallofthetreefromtheforestcresthigherup。ForaninstantBricestooddizzyandirresolutebeforethegap。Lookingdownforafoothold，hiseyecaughtthefaintimprintofawoman’sshoeonaclayeyrockprojectingmidwayofthechasm。
　　Itmusthavebeentheyounggirl’sfootprintmadethatmorning，forthenarrowtoewaspointedinthedirectionshewouldgo！WhereSHEcouldpassshouldheshrinkfromgoing？Withoutfurtherhesitationhetwinedhisfingersaroundtherootsabovehim，andhalfswung，halfpulledhimselfalonguntilheoncemorefelttheledgebelowhim。
　　Fromtimetotime，ashewentonalongthedifficulttrack，thenarrowlittletoe-printpointedthewaytohim，likeanarrowthroughthewilds。Itwasapleasantthought，andyetaperplexingone。Wouldhehaveundertakenthisquestjusttoseeher？Wouldhebecontentwiththatifhisothermotivefailed？Forashemadehiswayuptotheridgehewasmorethanonceassailedbydoubtsofthepracticalsuccessofhisenterprise。Intheexcitementoflastnight，andeventhehopefulnessoftheearlymorning，itseemedaneasythingtopersuadethevainandeccentrichighwaymanthattheirinterestsmightbeidentical，andtoconvincehimthathis，Brice’s，assistancetorecoverthestolengreenbacksandinsurethepunishmentoftherobber，withthepossibleadditionofarewardfromtheexpresscompany，wouldbeaninducementforthemtoworktogether。Therisksthathewasrunningseemedtohisyouthfulfancytoatoneforanydefectsinhislogicorhisplans。Yetashecrossedtheridge，leavingthecivilizedhighwaybehindhim，anddescendedthenarrowtrail，whichgrewwilderateachstep，hisargumentsseemednolongersoconvincing。Henowhurriedforward，however，withafeverishhastetoanticipatetheworstthatmightbefallhim。
　　Thetrailgrewmoreintricateinthedeepferns；thefriendlylittlefootprinthadvanishedinthisprimevalwilderness。Ashepushedthroughthegorge，hecouldhearatlasttheroaroftheNorthForkforcingitswaythroughthecanyonthatcrossedthegorgeatrightangles。Atlasthereacheditscurrent，shutinbytwonarrowprecipitouswallsthatwerespannedfivehundredfeetabovebythestageroadoveraperilousbridge。Asheapproachedthegloomycanyon，herememberedthattheriver，seenfromabove，seemedtohavenobanks，buttohavecutitswaythroughthesolidrock。