Onemorningaweekafterward，theforemanenteredthesanctumcautiously，and，closingthedoorofthecomposing-roombehindhim，stoodforamomentbeforetheeditorwithasingularcombinationofirresolution，shamefacedness，andhumorousdiscomfitureinhisface。
Answeringtheeditor’slookofinquiry，hebeganslowly，"Mebbeyerememberwhenwewastalkin’lastweeko’ColonelStarbottle’saccident，IsorterallowedthatheknewallthetimeWHYhewasattackedthatway，onlyhewouldn’ttell。"
"Yes，Irememberyouwereincredulous，"saidtheeditor，smiling。
"Well，Itakeitallback！Ireckonhetoldallheknew。Iwaswrong！Icave！"
"Why？"askedtheeditorwonderingly。
"Well，Ihavebeenthroughthemillmyself！"
Heunbuttonedhisshirtcollar，pointedtohisneck，whichshowedaslightabrasionandasmalllividmarkofstrangulationatthethroat，andadded，withagrimsmile，"AndI’vegotaboutasmuchproofasIwant。"
Theeditorputdownhispenandstaredathim。
"Yousee，Mr。Grey，itwaspartlyyourfault！Whenyoubedeviledmeaboutgettin’thatnews，andallowedImighttrymyhandatreportin’，Iwasfoolenoughtotakeupthechallenge。Soonceortwice，whenIwasoffdutyhere，IhungaroundtheRamierezshanty。
OnceIwentintharwhentheyweregamblin’；tharwaroneortwoAmericanstharthatwarwinnin’asfarasIcouldsee，andwasprettyfullo’thataguardientethattheysellthar——thatkillsatfortyrods。Yousee，Ihadakindo’suspicionthateftharwasanyfoulplaygoin’onitmightbeworkedonthesefellersARTER
theyweredrunk，andwargoin’homewiththarwinnin’s。"
"Soyougaveupyourtheoryofthecolonelbeingattackedfromjealousy？"saidtheeditor，smiling。
"Hol’on！Iain’tthroughyet！Ionlyreckonedthateftharwasagangofroughskepttharonthepremisestheymightbeusedforthatpurpose，andIonlywantedtoketchemattharwork。SoI
jestmeanderedintotheroadwhentheywaraboutcomin’out，andkeptmyeyeskinnedforwhatmighthappen。Tharwasakindo’
corralaboutahundredyardsdowntheroad，halfadobewall，andastockadeo’palm’sontopofit，aboutsixfeethigh。Someofthepalm’swereoff，andIpeepedthrough，buttharwarn’tnobodythar。
Istoodthar，alongsidethebank，leanin’mybackaginoneo’themopenin’s，andjestwatchedandwaited。
"AllofasuddentIfeltmyselfgrabbedbymycoatcollarbehind，andmyneck-handkercherandcollardrawntightaroundmythroattillIcouldn’tbreathe。ThemoreItwistedround，thetightertheclinchseemedtoget。Icouldn’thollernorspeak，buttharI
stoodwithmymouthopen，pinnedbackaginthatcursedstockade，andmyarmsandlegsmovin’upanddown，likeoneo’themdancin’
jacks！Itseemsfunny，Mr。Grey——IreckonIlookedlikeadarnedfool——butIdon’twanterfeelag’inasIdidjestthen。Theclincho’mythroatgottighter；everythinggotblackaboutme；Iwasjestgoin’offandkalkilatin’itwasabouttimeforyoutoadvertiseforanotherforeman，whensuthinbroke——fetchedaway！
"Itwasmycollarbutton，andIdroppedlikeashot。ItwasaminutebeforeIcouldgetmybreathag’in，andwhenIdidandmanagedtoclimbthatdarnedstockade，anddropontheotherside，tharwarn’tasoultobeseen！Afewhossesthatstampededinmygettin’overthefencewarallthatwasthere！Iwasmightyshookup，youbet！——andtomakethehullthingperfectlyridic’lous，whenIgotbacktotheroad，afterallI’dgotthrough，darnmyskin，eftharwarn’tthatpeskyloto’drunkenmenstaggerin’along，jinglin’thescadstheyhadwon，andenjoyin’themselves，andnobodya-followin’’em！Ijined’emjestforkempany’ssake，tillwegotbacktotown，butnothin’happened。"
"But，mydearRichards，"saidtheeditorwarmly，"thisisnolongeramatterofmerereporting，butofbusinessforthepolice。Youmustseethedeputysheriffatonce，andbringyourcomplaint——orshallI？It’snojokingmatter。"
"Hol’on，Mr。Grey，"repliedRichardsslowly。"I’vetoldthistonobodybutyou——noramIgoin’to——sabe？It’sanaffairofmyown——
andIreckonIkintakecareofitwithoutgoin’totheRevisedStatutesoftheStateofCalifornia，orcallin’outthesheriff’sposse。"
Hishumorousblueeyesjustthenhadcertainsteelypointsinthemlikeglitteringfacetsasheturnedthemaway，whichtheeditorhadseenbeforeonmomentousoccasions，andhewasspeakingslowlyandcomposedly，whichtheeditoralsoknewbodednogoodtoanadversary。
"Don’tbeafool，Richards，"hesaidquietly。"Don’ttakeasapersonalaffrontwhatwasacommon，vulgarcrime。Youwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenrobbedbythatrascalhadnottheotherscomealong。"
Richardsshookhishead。"ImighthevbinrobbedadozentimesaforeTHEYcamealong——efthatwasthelittlegame。No，Mr。Grey，——
itwarn’tnorobbery。"
"HadyoubeenpayingcourttotheSenoraRamierez，likeColonelStarbottle？"askedtheeditor，withasmile。
"Notmuch，"returnedRichardsscornfully；"sheain’tmystyle。
But"——hehesitated，andthenadded，"tharwasamightypurtygalthar——andherdarter，Ireckon——areg’larpinkfairy！Shekeminonlyaminute，andtheysorterhustledheroutag’in——fordarnmyskinefshedidn’tlookasmuchouto’placeinthatsmokyoldgarlic-smellin’roomasanangelatabull-fight。Andwhatgotme——
shewasezwhiteezyouorme，withblueeyes，andaloto’darkreddishhairinalongbraiddownherback。Why，onlyforherpurtysing-songvoiceandher’Gracias，senor，’you’dhevreckonedshewasaBlueGrassgirljestfreshfromacrosstheplains。"
Alittleamusedathisforeman’senthusiasm，Mr。Greygaveanostentatiouswhistleandsaid，"Come，now，Richards，lookhere！
Really！"
"Onlyalittlegirl——amerechild，Mr。Grey——notmore’nfourteenifaday，"respondedRichards，inembarrasseddepreciation。
"Yes，butthosepeoplemarryattwelve，"saidtheeditor，withalaugh。"Lookout！Yourappreciationmayhavebeennoticedbysomeotheradmirer。"
Hehalfregrettedthisspeechthenextmomentinthequickflush——
themaleinstinctofrivalry——thatbroughtbacktheglitterofRichards’seyes。"IreckonIkintakecareofthat，sir，"hesaidslowly，"andIkalkilatethatthenexttimeImeetthatchap——
whoeverhemaybe——hewon’tseesomuchofmybackashedid。"
Theeditorknewtherewaslittledoubtofthis，andforaninstantbelievedithisdutytoputthematterinthehandsofthepolice。
Richardswastoogoodandbraveamantoberiskedinabar-roomfight。Butreflectingthatthismightprecipitatethescandalhewishedtoavoid，heconcludedtomakesomepersonalinvestigation。
Astrongercuriositythanhehadfeltbeforewaspossessinghim。
Itwassingular，too，thatRichards’sdescriptionofthegirlwasthatofadifferentandsuperiortype——thehidalgo，orfair-skinnedSpanishsettler。Ifthiswastrue，whatwasshedoingthere——andwhatwereherrelationstotheRamierez？
PARTII
Thenextafternoonhewenttothefonda。Situatedontheoutskirtsofthetownwhichhadlongoutgrownit，itstillboretracesofitsformerimportanceasahacienda，orsmallerfarm，ofoneoftheoldSpanishlandholders。Thepatio，orcentralcourtyard，stillexistedasastable-yardforcarts，andevenoneortwohorsesweretetheredtotherailingsoftheinnercorridor，whichnowservedasanopenverandatothefondaorinn。Theoppositewingwasutilizedasatienda，orgeneralshop，——amagazineforsuchgoodsaswereusedbytheMexicaninhabitants，——andbelongedalsotoRamierez。
Ramierezhimself——round-whiskeredandSanchoPanza-likeinbuild——
welcomedtheeditorwithfat，perfunctoryurbanity。Thefondaandallitcontainedwasathisdisposicion。
Thesenoracoquettishlybewailed，inrisingandfallinginflections，hislongabsence，hisinfidelityandgeneralperfidiousness。Trulyhewasgrowinggreatinwritingoftheaffairsofhisnation——hecouldnolongerseehishumblefriends！Yetnotlongago——trulythatveryweek——therewastheheadimpresorofDonPancho’simprentahimselfwhohadbeenthere！
Agreatman，ofacertainty，andtheymusttakewhattheycouldget！Theywereonlypoorinnkeepers；whenthegovernorcamenottheymustwelcomethealcalde。Towhichtheeditor——otherwiseDonPancho——repliedwithequaleffusion。Hehadindeedrecommendedthefondatohisimpresor，whowasbutacourierbeforehim。Butwhatwasthis？Theimpresorhadbeenravishedatthesightofabeautifulgirl——ameremuchacha——yetofabeautythatdeprivedthesenses——thisangel——clearlythedaughterofhisfriend！Herewastheoldmiracleoftheorangeinfullfruitionandthelovelyfragrantblossomallonthesametree——atthefonda。Andthishadbeenkeptfromhim！
"Yes，itwasbutathingofyesterday，"saidthesenora，obviouslypleased。"Themuchacha——forshewasbutthat——hadjustreturnedfromtheconventatSanJose，whereshehadbeenforfouryears。
Ah！whatwouldyou？Thefondawasnoplaceforthechild，whoshouldknowonlythelitanyoftheVirgin——andtheyhadkeptherthere。Andnow——thatshewashomeagain——shecaredonlyforthehorse。Frommorningtonight！Caballerosmightcomeandgo！
Theremightbeafestival——allthesametoher，itmadenothingifshehadthehorsetoride！Evennowshewaswithoneinthefields。WouldDonPanchoattendandseeCotaandherhorse？"
Theeditorsmilinglyassented，andaccompaniedhishostessalongthecorridortoafewstepswhichbroughtthemtotheleveloftheopenmeadowsoftheoldfarminclosure。Aslightwhitefigureonhorsebackwascareeringinthedistance。AtasignalfromSenoraRamierezitwheeledandcamedownrapidlytowardsthem。Butwhenwithinahundredyardsthehorsewassuddenlypulledupvaquerofashion，andthelittlefigureleapedoffandadvancedtowardthemonfoot，leadingthehorse。
Tohissurprise，Mr。Greysawthatshehadbeenridingbareback，andfromherdiscreethaltatthatdistancehehalfsuspectedASTRIDE！Hiseffusivecomplimentstothemotheronthisexhibitionofskillweresincere，forhewasstruckbythegirl’sfearlessness。
Butwhenbothhorseandrideratlaststoodbeforehim，hewasspeechlessandembarrassed。
ForRichardshadnotexaggeratedthegirl’scharms。Shewasindeeddangerouslypretty，fromhertawnylittleheadtohersmallfeet，andherfigure，althoughcomparativelydiminutive，wasperfectlyproportioned。Grayeyedandblondeasshewasincolor，herracialpeculiaritiesweredistinct，andonlythegood-humoredandenthusiasticRichardscouldhavelikenedhertoanAmericangirl。
Buthewasthemoreastonishedinnoticingthathermustangwasasdistinctandpeculiarasherself——amongrelmareoftheextraordinarytypeknownasa"pinto，"or"calico"horse，mottledinlavenderandpink，Arabianinproportions，andhalfbroken！Hergreenishgrayeyes，inwhichtoomuchofthewhitewasvisible，had，hefancied，asingularsimilarityofexpressiontoCota’sown！
Utterlyconfounded，andstaringatthegirlinherwhite，manyflouncedfrock，barehead，andtawnybraids，asshestoodbesidethisincarnationofequinebarbarism，Greycouldremembernothinglikeitoutsideofacircus。
Hestammeredafewwordsofadmirationofthemare。MissCotathrewouthertwoarmswithagracefulgestureandaprofoundcurtsey，andsaid——
"AladisposiciondeleUsted，senor。"
Greywasquicktounderstandthemaliciousmischiefwhichunderlaythisformalcurtseyanddancedinthegirl’seyes，andevenfancieditsharedbytheanimalitself。Buthewasasingularlygoodriderofuntrainedstock，andratherproudofhisprowess。Hebowed。
"IacceptthatImayhavethehonoroflayingthesenorita’sgiftagainatherlittlefeet。"
ButheretheburlyRamierezintervened。"Ah，MotherofGod！Maythedevilflyawaywithallthisnonsense！Iwillhavenomoreofit，"hesaidimpatientlytothegirl。"Haveacare，DonPancho，"
heturnedtotheeditor；"itisatrick！"
"OneIthinkIknow，"saidGreysapiently。Thegirllookedathimcuriouslyashemanagedtoedgebetweenherandthemustang，underthepretenseofstrokingitsglossyneck。"IshallkeepMYOWN
spurs，"hesaidtoherinalowervoice，pointingtothesharp，small-roweledAmericanspurshewore，insteadofthelarge，blunt，five-pointedstaroftheMexicanpattern。
Thegirlevidentlydidnotunderstandhimthen——thoughshedidamomentlater！Forwithoutattemptingtocatchholdofthemustang’smane，Greyinasingleleapthrewhimselfacrossitsback。Theanimal，utterlyunprepared，wasatfirststupefied。Butbythistimeherriderhadhisseat。Hefelthersensitivespinearchlikeacat’sbeneathhimasshesprangrocket-wiseintotheair。
Buthereshewasmistaken！Insteadofclingingtightlytoherflankswiththeinnersideofhiscalves，aftertheoldvaquerofashiontowhichshewasaccustomed，hedroppedhisspurredheelsintohersidesandallowedhisbodytorisewithherspring，andthecruelspurtocutitstrackupwardfromherbellyalmosttoherback。
Shedroppedlikeashot，hedexterouslywithdrawinghisspurs，andregaininghisseat，jarredbutnotdiscomfited。Againsheessayedaleap；thespursagainmarkeditsheightinascarifyingtrackalonghersmoothbarrel。Shetriedathirdleap，butthistimedroppedhalfwayasshefeltthesteelscrapingherside，andthenstoodstill，trembling。Greyleapedoff！
Therewasasoundofapplausefromtheinnkeeperandhiswife，assistedbyaloungingvaquerointhecorridor。Ashamedofhisvictory，GreyturnedapologeticallytoCota。Tohissurprisesheglancedindifferentlyatthetricklingsidesofherfavorite，andonlyregardedhimcuriously。
"Ah，"shesaid，drawinginherbreath，"youarestrong——andyoucomprehend！"
"Itwasonlyatrickforatrick，senorita，"hereplied，reddening；
"letmelookafterthosescratchesinthestable，"headded，asshewasturningaway，leadingtheagitatedandexcitedanimaltowardashedintherear。
Hewouldhavetakentheriatawhichshewasstillholding，butshemotionedhimtoprecedeher。Hedidsobyafewfeet，buthehadscarcelyreachedthestabledoorbeforeshesuddenlycaughthimroughlybytheshoulders，and，shovinghimintotheentrance，slammedthedooruponhim。
Amazedandalittleindignant，heturnedintimetohearaslightsoundofscufflingoutside，andtoseeCotare-enterwithaflushedface。
"Pardon，senor，"shesaidquickly，"butIfearedshemighthavekickedyou。Resttranquil，however，fortheservanthehastakenheraway。"
Shepointedtoaslouchingpeonwithamalevolentface，whowasangrilydrivingthemustangtowardthecorral。
"Consideritnomore！Iwasrude！SantaMaria！Ialmostthrewyou，too；but，"sheadded，withadazzlingsmile，"youmustnotpunishmeasyouhaveher！Foryouareverystrong——andyoucomprehend。"
ButGreydidnotcomprehend，andwithafewhurriedapologieshemanagedtoescapehisfairbutuncannytormentor。Besides，thisunlooked-forincidenthaddrivenfromhismindthemoreimportantobjectofhisvisit，——thediscoveryoftheassailantsofRichardsandColonelStarbottle。
HisinquiriesoftheRamierezproducednoresult。SenorRamierezwasnotawareofanysuspiciousloiterersamongthefrequentersofthefonda，andexceptfromsomedrunkenAmericanorIrishrevelershehadbeenfreeofdisturbance。
Ah！thepeon——anoldvaquero——wasnotanangel，truly，buthewasdangerousonlytothebullandthewildhorses——andhewasafraidevenofCota！Mr。Greywasfaintoridehomeemptyofinformation。
Hewasstillmoreconcernedaweeklater，onreturningunexpectedlyoneafternoontohissanctum，tohearamusical，childishvoiceinthecomposing-room。
ItwasCota！Shewasthere，asRichardsexplained，onhisinvitation，toviewthemarvelsandmysteriesofprintingatatimewhentheywouldnotbelikelyto"disturbMr。Greyathiswork。"
ButthebeamingfaceofRichardsandthesimpletendernessofhisblueeyesplainlyrevealedthesuddengrowthofanevidentlysincerepassion，andtheunwontedsplendorsofhisbestclothesshowedhowcarefullyhehadpreparedfortheoccasion。
Greywasworriedandperplexed，believingthegirlamaliciousflirt。Yetnothingcouldbemorecaptivatingthanhersimpleandchildishcuriosity，asshewatchedRichardsswingtheleverofthepress，orstoodbyhissideashemarshaledthetypeintofilesonhis"composing-stick。"Hehadevenprintedacardwithhername，"SenoritaCotaRamierez，"thetypeofwhichhadbeensetup，totheaccompanimentofripplesofmusicallaughter，byherlittlebrownfingers。
Theeditormighthavebecomequitesentimentalandpoeticalhadhenotnoticedthatthegrayeyeswhichoftenrestedtentativelyandmeaninglyonhimself，evenwhileapparentlylisteningtoRichards，weremorethaneverliketheeyesofthemustangonwhosescarredflanksherglancehadwanderedsocoldly。
Hewithdrewpresentlysoasnottointerrupthisforeman’sinnocenttete-a-tete，butitwasnotverylongafterthatCotapassedhimonthehighroadwiththepintohorseinagallop，andblewhimanaudaciouskissfromthetipsofherfingers。
ForseveraldaysafterwardsRichards’smannerwastingedwithacertainreserveonthesubjectofCotawhichtheeditorattributedtothedelicacyofaseriousaffection，buthewassurprisedalsotofindthathisforeman’seagernesstodiscusshisunknownassailanthadsomewhatabated。Furtherdiscussionregardingitnaturallydropped，andtheeditorwasbeginningtolosehiscuriositywhenitwassuddenlyawakenedbyachanceincident。
Anintimatefriendandoldcompanionofhis——oneEnriquezSaltillo——
haddivergedfromamountaintripespeciallytocalluponhim。
EnriquezwasascionofoneoftheoldestSpanish-Californiafamilies，andinadditiontohisfriendshipfortheeditoritpleasedhimalsotoaffectanintenseadmirationofAmericanwaysandhabits，andeventocombinethecurrentCaliforniaslangwithhisnativeprecisionofspeech——andacertainironicallevitystillmorehisown。
Itseemed，therefore，quitenaturaltoMr。Greytofindhimseatedwithhisfeetontheeditorialdesk，hishatcockedonthebackofhishead，readingthe"Clarion"exchanges。Buthewasupinamoment，andhadembracedGreywithcharacteristiceffusion。
"Ifindmyself，myleetlebrother，butanhouragotwoleaguesfromthisspot！Isaytomyself，’Hola！ItisthehomeofDonPancho——
myfriend！Ishallfindhimcomposingthemagnificenteditorialleader，collectingthesubscriptionofthebigpumpkinandthegreatgooseberry，orgougingouttheeyeoftherivaleditor，atwhichIshallassist！’Ihesitatenolonger；Iflyontheinstant，andIamhere。"
Greywasdelighted。SaltilloknewtheSpanishpopulationthoroughly——hisownsuperiorraceandtheirMexicanandIndianallies。IfanyonecouldsolvethemysteryoftheRamierezfonda，anddiscoverRichards’sunknownassailant，itwasHE！ButGreycontentedhimself，atfirst，withafewbriefinquiriesconcerningthebeautifulCotaandheranonymousassociationwiththeRamierez。
Enriquezwasasbrieflycommunicative。
"Ofyoursuspicions，myleetlebrother，youareright——onthehalf！
ThatleetleangelofaCotais，withoutdoubt，thedaughteroftheadorableSenoraRamierez，butnotoftheadmirablesenor——herhusband。Ah！whatwouldyou？Weareasimple，patriarchalrace；
theesRamierez，hewastheMexicantenantoftheoldSpanishlandlord——suchasmyfather——andweareeverthefathersofthepoor，andsometimesoftheirchildren。Itispossible，therefore，thattheexquisiteCotaresembletheSpanishlandlord。Ah！stop——
remaintranquil！Iremember，"hewenton，suddenlystrikinghisforeheadwithadramaticgesture，"theoldowneroftheesranchwasmycousinTiburcio。Ofaconsequence，myfriend，theesangelismysecondcousin！Behold！Ishallcallthereontheinstant。I
shallembracemylong-lostrelation。Ishallintroducemybestfriend，DonPancho，wholofeher。Ishallsay，’Blessyou，mychildren，’anditisfeenish！Igo！Iamgoneevennow！"
Hestartedupandclappedonhishat，butGreycaughthimbythearm。
"ForHeaven’ssake，Enriquez，beseriousforonce，"hesaid，forcinghimbackintothechair。"Anddon’tspeaksoloud。Theforemanintheotherroomisanenthusiasticadmirerofthegirl。
Infact，itisonhisaccountthatIammakingtheseinquiries。"
"Ah，thegentlemanofthepantuflos，whosetrouserswillnotremain！Ihaveseenhim，friend。Trulyhehastheambitionexcessiftoarrivefromthebedtogototheworkwithoutthedressorthewash。But，"inrecognitionofGrey’shalfseriousimpatience，"remaintranquil。OnhimIshallnotgoback！Ihavesaid！Thefriendofmyfriendiseverthesameasmyfriend！Heistrulynotseducingtotheeye，butwithoutdoubthewillarriveagovernororasenatoringoodtime。Ishallgiftohimmysecondcousin。Itisfeenish！Iwilltellhimnow！"
Heattemptedtorise，butwashelddownandvigorouslyshakenbyGrey。
"I’vehalfamindtoletyoudoit，andgetchuckedthroughthewindowforyourpains，"saidtheeditor，withahalflaugh。
"Listentome。Thisisamoreseriousmatterthanyousuppose。"
AndGreybrieflyrecountedtheincidentofthemysteriousattacksonStarbottleandRichards。Asheproceededhenoticed，however，thattheironicallightdiedoutofEnriquez’seyes，andasingularthoughtfulness，yetunlikehisusualprecisegravity，cameoverhisface。Hetwirledtheendsofhispenciledmustache——anunfailingsignofEnriquez’semotion。
"ThesameaccidentthatarrivetotwomenthatshallbeasoppositeasthegallantStarbottleandtheexcellentRichardsshallnotprovethatitcomefromRamierez，thoughtheybothwereatthefonda，"hesaidgravely。"Thecauseofithavenotcometo-day，noryesterday，norlastweek。ThecauseofithavearrivebeforetherewasanygallantStarbottleorexcellentRichards；beforetherewasanyAmericaninCalifornia——beforeyouandI，myleetlebrother，havelif！Thecausehappenfirst——TWOHUNDREDYEARSAGO！"
Theeditor’sstartofimpatientincredulitywascheckedbytheunmistakablesincerityofEnriquez’sface。"Itisso，"hewentongravely；"itisanoldstory——itisalongstory。Ishallmakehimshort——andnew。"
Hestoppedandlitacigarettewithoutchanginghisoddexpression。
"Itwaswhenthepadresfirsthavethemission，andtaketheheathenandconverthim——andsavehissoul。Itwastheirbusiness，youcomprehend，myPancho？Themoreheathentheyconvert，themoresoultheysave，thebetterbusinessfortheirmissionshop。Buttheheathendonotalwayswishtobe’convert；’theheathenfly，theheathenskidaddle，theheathenwillnotremain，orwillbackslide。Whatwillyoudo？Sotheholyfathersmakealittlegame。Youdonotofapossibilitycomprehendhowtheholyfathersmakeaconvert，myleetlebrother？"headdedgravely。
"No，"saidtheeditor。
"Ishalltelltoyou。Theytakefromthepresidiofiveorsixdragons——youcomprehend——thecavalrysoldiers，andtheypursuetheheathenfromhislittlehut。Whentheycannotsurroundhimandhefly，theycatchhimwiththelasso，likethewildhoss。Thelassocatchhimaroundtheneck；heisobligedtoremain。Sometimeheisstrangle。Sometimeheisdead，butthesoulissave！Youbelievenot，Pancho？Iseeyouwrinklethebrow——youflashtheeye；youlikeitnot？Believeme，Ilikeitnot，neither，butitisso！"
Heshruggedhisshoulders，threwawayhishalfsmokedcigarette，andwenton。
"Onetimeapadrewhohavethezealexcessifforthesavingofsoul，whenhefindtheheathen，whoisayounggirl，haveescapethesoldiers，heofhimselfhaveseizethelassoandflungit！Heislucky；hecatchher——butlookyou！Shestopnot——shestillfly！
Shenotonlyfly，butofasuretyshedragthegoodpadrewithher！
Hecannotloosehimself，forhisriataisfasttothesaddle；thedragonscannothelp，forheisdragsofast。Ontheinstantshehavegone——andsohavethepadre。Forwhy？Itisnotayounggirlhehavelasso，butthedevil！Youcomprehend——itisapunishment——
aretribution——heisfeenish！Andforever！
"Foreveryyearhemustcomebackaspirit——onaspirithoss——andswingthelasso，andmakeasiftocatchtheheathen。Heiscondemnevertoplayhislittlegame；nowthereisnoheathenmoretoconvert，hecatchwhathecan。Mygrandfatherhaveonceseenhim——itisnightandastorm，andhepassbylikeaflash！Mygrandfatherlikeitnot——heismuchdissatisfied！Myunclehaveseenhim，too，buthemakethesignofthecross，andthelassohavefalltotheside，andmyunclehavemuchgratification。A
vaqueroofmyfatherandapeonofmycousinhavebothbeenpickedup，lassoed，anddraggeddead。
"Manypeopleshavediedofhiminthestrangling。Sometimeheisseen，sometimeitisthewomanonlythatonesees——sometimeitisbutthehoss。Buteversomebodyisdead——strangle！Ofatruth，myfriend，thegallantStarbottleandtheambitiousRichardshavejustescaped！"
Theeditorlookedcuriouslyathisfriend。Therewasnottheslightestsuggestionofmischieforironyinhistoneormanner；
nothing，indeed，butasincerityandanxietyusuallyrarewithhistemperament。ItstruckhimalsothathisspeechhadbutlittleoftheoddCaliforniaslangwhichwasalwaysapartofhisimitativelevity。Hewaspuzzled。
"Doyoumeantosaythatthissuperstitioniswellknown？"heasked，afterapause。
"Amongmypeople——yes。"
"AnddoYOUbelieveinit？"
Enriquezwassilent。Thenhearose，andshruggedhisshoulders。
"Quiensabe？Itisnotmoredifficulttocomprehendthanyourstory。"
Hegravelyputonhishat。Withitheseemedtohaveputonhisoldlevity。"Come，behold，itisalongtimebetweendrinks！Letustothehotelandthebarkeep，whoshallgiveupthesmashofbrandyandthejulepofmintsbeforethelassoofFriarPedroshallpreventustheswallow！Letusskiddadle！"
Mr。Greyreturnedtothe"Clarion"officeinamuchmoresatisfiedconditionofmind。WhateverfaithheheldinEnriquez’ssincerity，forthefirsttimesincetheattackonColonelStarbottlehebelievedhehadfoundareallylegitimatejournalisticopportunityintheincident。Thelegendanditssingularcoincidencewiththeoutrageswouldmakecapital"copy。"
Nonameswouldbementioned，yetevenifColonelStarbottlerecognizedhisownadventure，hecouldnotpossiblyobjecttothisinterpretationofit。Theeditorhadfoundthatfewpeopleobjectedtobetheheroofaghoststory，orthefavoredwitnessofaspiritualmanifestation。NorcouldRichardsfindfaultwiththisviewofhisownexperience，hithertokeptasecret，solongasitdidnotrefertohisrelationswiththefairCota。Summoninghimatoncetohissanctum，hebrieflyrepeatedthestoryhehadjustheard，andhispurposeofusingit。Tohissurprise，Richards’sfaceassumedaseriousnessandanxietyequaltoEnriquez’sown。
"It’sagoodstory，Mr。Grey，"hesaidawkwardly，"andIain’tsayin’itain’tmightygoodnewspaperstuff，butitwon’tdoNOW，forthewholemystery’supandtheassailantfound。"
"Found！When？Whydidn’tyoutellmebefore？"exclaimedGrey，inastonishment。
"Ididn’treckonyeweresokeenonit，"saidRichardsembarrassedly，"and——and——itwasn’tmyownsecretaltogether。"
"Goon，"saidtheeditorimpatiently。
"Well，"saidRichardsslowlyanddoggedly，"yeseetherewasafoolthatwassweetonCota，andheallowedhimselftobebedeviledbyhertoridehercursedpinkandyallermustang。Naturallythebeastboltedatonce，buthemanagedtohangonbythemaneforhalfamileorso，whenittooktobuck-jumpin’。Thefirst’buck’
threwhimcleanintotheroad，butdidn’tstunhim，yetwhenhetriedtorise，thefirstthingheknowedhewasgrabbedfrombehindandhalfchokedbysomebody。Hewasheldsotightthathecouldn’tturn，buthemanagedtogetouthisrevolverandfiretwoshotsunderhisarm。Thegripheldonforaminute，andthenloosened，andthesomethin’slumpeddownontopo’him，buthemanagedtoworkhimselfaround。Andthen——whatdoyouthinkhesaw？——why，thattharhoss！withtwobulletholesinhisneck，lyin’besidehim，butstillgrippin’hiscoatcollarandneck-handkercherinhisteeth！Yes，sir！theroughthatattackedColonelStarbottle，thevillainthattookmebehindwhenIwasleanin’aginthatcursedfence，wasthatsameGod-forsaken，hell-inventedpintohoss！"
Inaflashofrecollectiontheeditorrememberedhisownexperience，andthesingularscuffleoutsidethestabledoorofthefonda。UndoubtedlyCotahadsavedhimfromasimilarattack。
"Butwhynottellthisstorywiththeother？"saidtheeditor，returningtohisfirstidea。"It’stremendouslyinteresting。"
"Itwon’tdo，"saidRichards，withdoggedresolution。
"Why？"
"Because，Mr。Grey——thatfoolwasmyself！"
"You！Againattacked！"
"Yes，"saidRichards，withadarkeningface。"Againattacked，andbythesamehoss！Cota’shoss！WhetherCotawasorwasnotknowin’itstricks，shewasactuallyfuriousatmeforkillin’it——
andit’sallover’twixtmeandher。"
"Nonsense，"saidtheeditorimpulsively；"shewillforgiveyou！
Youdidn’tknowyourassailantwasahorseWHENYOUFIRED。Lookattheattackonyouintheroad！"
Richardsshookhisheadwithdoggedhopelessness。"It’snouse，Mr。Grey。Ioughterguesseditwasahossthen——tharwasnothin’
elseinthatcorral。No！Cota’salreadygoneawaybacktoSanJose，andIreckontheRamierezhasgotscaredofherandpackedheroff。So，onaccountofitsbein’HERhoss，andwhathappenedbetwixtmeandher，youseemymouthisshut。"
"Andthecolumnsofthe’Clarion’too，"saidtheeditor，withasigh。
"Iknowit’shard，sir，butit’sbetterso。I’vereckonedmebbeshewasalittlecrazy，andsinceyou’vetoldmethatSpanishyarn，itmoutbethatshewassorto’playin’shewasthatpriest，andtrainedthatmustangezshedid。"
Afterapause，somethingofhisoldselfcamebackintohisblueeyesashesadlyhitcheduphisbracesandpassedthemoverhisbroadshoulders。"Yes，sir，Iwasafool，forwe’velosttheonlybitofrealsensationnewsthatevercameinthewayofthe’Clarion。’"
AJACKANDJILLOFTHESIERRAS
Itwasfouro’clockintheafternoon，andthehottesthourofthedayonthatSierranfoothill。Thewesternsun，streamingdownthemile-longslopeofclose-setpinecrests，hadbeencaughtonanoutlyingledgeofglaringwhitequartz，coveredwithminingtoolsanddebris，andseemedtohavebeenthrownintoanincandescentrage。Theairaboveitshimmeredandbecamevisible。Awhitecanvastentonitwasanobjectnottobeborne；thesteel-tippedpicksandshovels，intolerabletotouchandeyesight，andatiltedtinprospectingpan，fallingover，flashedoutasanothersunofinsufferableeffulgence。Atsuchmomentsthefivemembersofthe"EurekaMiningCompany"prudentlywithdrewtothenearestpine-
tree，whichcastashadowsosharplydefinedontheglisteningsandthattheimpingementofahandorfingerbeyondthatlinecutlikeaknife。Themenlay，orsquatted，inthisshadow，feverishlypuffingtheirpipesandwaitingforthesuntoslipbeyondtheburningledge。Yetsoirritatingwasthedryair，fragrantwiththearomaoftheheatedpines，thatoccasionallyonewouldstartupandwalkaboutuntilhehadbroughtonthatprofuseperspirationwhichgaveamomentaryrelief，and，ashebelieved，savedhimfromsunstroke。Suddenlyavoiceexclaimedquerulously：——
"Dernediftheblastedbucketain’temptyag’in！Notadropleft，byJimminy！"
Astareofhelplessdisgustwasexchangedbythemomentarilyupliftedheads；theneverymanlaydownagain，asiftryingtoerasehimself。
"Whobroughtthelast？"demandedtheforeman。
"Idid，"saidareflectivevoicecomingfromapartnerlyingcomfortablyonhisback，"andifanybodyreckonsI’mgoingtofaceTophetag’indownthatslope，he’smistaken！"Thespeakerwasthirsty——buthehadprinciples。
"Wemustthrowroundforit，"saidtheforeman，takingthedicefromhispocket。
Hecast；thelowestnumberfelltoParkhurst，aflorid，full-
bloodedTexan。"Allright，gentlemen，"hesaid，wipinghisforehead，andliftingthetinpailwitharesignedair，"onlyEF
anythingcomestomeonthatbarestretcho’stageroad，——andI’mkinderseein’thingsspottyandblacknow，rememberyouain’tanywharNEARERthewaterthanyouwere！Iain’tsayin’itformyself——butitmoutberoughonYOU——and"——
"GiveMEthepail，"interruptedatallyoungfellow，rising。"I’llriskit。"
Criesof"GoodoldNed，"and"Hunkyboy！"greetedhimashetookthepailfromtheperspiringParkhurst，whoatoncelaydownagain。
"Youmayn’tbeaprofessin’Christian，ingoodstandin’，NedBray，"
continuedParkhurstfromtheground，"butyou’reaboutaswhiteastheymake’em，andyou’regoin’todoaHeavenlyAct！Irepeatit，gents——aHeavenlyAct！"
WithoutareplyBraywalkedoffwiththepail，stoppingonlyintheunderbrushtopluckafewsoftfrondsoffern，partofwhichheputwithinthecrownofhishat，andstucktherestinitsbandaroundtheouterbrim，makingaparasol-likeshadeabovehisshoulders。
Thusequippedhepassedthroughtheouterfringeofpinestoarockytrailwhichbegantodescendtowardsthestageroad。Herehewasinthefullglareofthesunanditsreflectionfromtheheatedrocks，whichscorchedhisfeetandprickedhisbentfaceintoarash。Thedescentwassteepandnecessarilyslowfromtheslipperinessofthedesiccatedpineneedlesthathadfallenfromabove。Norwerehistroublesoverwhen，afewrodsfurther，hecameuponthestageroad，whichheresweptinasharpcurveroundtheflankofthemountain，itsreddust，groundbyheavywagonsandpack-trainsintoafinepowder，wasneverthelesssoheavywithsomemetallicsubstancethatitscarcelyliftedwiththefoot，andhewasobligedtoliterallywadethroughit。Yetthereweretwohundredyardsofthisroadtobepassedbeforehecouldreachthatpointofitsbankwhereanarrowandprecipitoustraildroppeddiagonallyfromit，tocreepalongthemountainsidetothespringhewasseeking。
Whenhereachedthetrail，hepausedtotakebreathandwipetheblindingbeadsofsweatfromhiseyesbeforehecautiouslyswunghimselfoverthebankintoit。Asinglemisstepherewouldhavesenthimheadlongtothetopsofpine-treesathousandfeetbelow。
Holdinghispailinonehand，withtheotherhesteadiedhimselfbyclutchingthefernsandbramblesathisside，andatlastreachedthespring——anicheinthemountainsidewithaledgescarcelyfourfeetwide。HehadmerelyaccomplishedtheordinarygymnasticfeatperformedbythemembersoftheEurekaCompanyfourorfivetimesaday！Butthedaywasexceptionallyhot。Heheldhiswriststocooltheirthrobbingpulsesintheclear，coldstreamthatgurgledintoitsrockybasin；hethrewthewateroverhisheadandshoulders；heswunghislegsovertheledgeandlettheoverflowfallonhisdustyshoesandankles。Gentleanddeliciousrigorscameoverhim。Hesatwithhalfclosedeyeslookingacrossthedarkolivedepthsofthecanyonbetweenhimandtheoppositemountain。Ahawkwasswinginglazilyaboveit，apparentlywithinastone’sthrowofhim；heknewitwasatleastamileaway。Thirtyfeetabovehimranthestageroad；hecouldhearquitedistinctlytheslowthudofhoofs，thedulljarofharness，andthelaboredcreakingofthePioneerCoachasitcrawledupthelongascent，partofwhichhehadjustpassed。Hethoughtofit，——aslowdriftingcloudofdustandheat，ashehadoftenseenit，abandonedbyevenitspassengers，whosoughtshelterinthewaysidepinesastheytoiledbehindittothesummit，——andhuggedhimselfinthegratefulshadowsofthespring。Ithadpassedoutofhearingandthought，hehadturnedtofillhispail，whenhewasstartledbyashowerofdustandgravelfromtheroadabove，andthenextmomenthewasthrownviolentlydown，blindedandpinnedagainsttheledgebythefallofsomeheavybodyonhisbackandshoulders。Hislastflashofconsciousnesswasthathehadbeenstruckbyasackofflourslippedfromthepackofsomepassingmule。
Howlongheremainedunconsciousheneverknew。Itwasprobablynotlong，forhischilledhandsandarms，thrustbytheblowonhisshouldersintothepoolofwater，assistedinrestoringhim。Hecametowithasenseofsuffocatingpressureonhisback，buthisheadandshoulderswereswathedinutterdarknessbythefoldsofsomesoftfabricsanddraperies，which，tohisconnectingconsciousness，seemedasifthecontentsofabrokenbaleortrunkhadalsofallenfromthepack。Withatremendousefforthesucceededingettinghisarmoutofthepool，andattemptedtofreehisheadfromitsblindingenwrappings。Indoingsohishandsuddenlytouchedhumanflesh——asoft，baredarm！Withthesameastoundingdiscoverycameonemoreterrible：thatarmbelongedtotheweightthatwaspressinghimdown；andnow，assistedbyhisstruggles，itwasslowlyslippingtowardthebrinkoftheledgeandtheabyssbelow！Withadesperateeffortheturnedonhisside，caughtthebody，——assuchitwas，——draggeditbackontheledge，atthesamemomentthat，freeinghisheadfromitscovering，——afeminineskirt，——hediscovereditwasawoman！
Shehadbeenalsounconscious，althoughthetouchofhiscold，wethandonherskinhadprobablygivenherashockthatwasnowshowingitselfinaconvulsiveshudderofhershouldersandahalfopeningofhereyes。Suddenlyshebegantostareathim，todrawinherkneesandfeettowardher，sideways，withafemininemovement，asshesmoothedoutherskirt，andkeptitdownwithahandonwhichsheleaned。Shewasatall，handsomegirl，fromwhathecouldjudgeofherhalf-sittingfigureinhertornsilkdust-
cloak，which，althoughitscapeandonesleeveweresplitintoribbons，hadstillprotectedherdelicate，well-fittinggownbeneath。Shewasevidentlyalady。
"What——isit？——whathashappened？"shesaidfaintly，yetwithaslighttouchofformalityinhermanner。
"Youmusthavefallen——fromtheroadabove，"saidBrayhesitatingly。"
"Fromtheroadabove？"sherepeated，withaslightfrown，asiftoconcentrateherthought。Sheglancedupward，thenattheledgebeforeher，andthen，forthefirsttime，atthedarkeningabyssbelow。Thecolor，whichhadbeguntoreturn，suddenlyleftherfacehere，andshedrewinstinctivelybackagainstthemountainside。"Yes，"shehalfmurmuredtoherself，ratherthantohim，"itmustbeso。Iwaswalkingtoonearthebank——and——Ifell！"Thenturningtohim，shesaid，"Andyoufoundmelyingherewhenyoucame。"
"Ithink，"stammeredBray，"thatIwasherewhenyoufell，andI——I
brokethefall。"Hewassorryforitamomentafterward。
Sheliftedherhandsomegrayeyestohim，sawthedust，dirt，andleavesonhisbackandshoulders，thecollarofhisshirttornopen，andafewspotsofbloodfromabruiseonhisforehead。Herblackeyebrowsstraightenedagainasshesaidcoldly，"Dearme！I
amverysorry；Icouldn’thelpit，youknow。Ihopeyouarenototherwisehurt。"
"No，"herepliedquickly。"Butyou，areyousureyouarenotinjured？Itmusthavebeenaterribleshock。"
"I’mnothurt，"shesaid，helpingherselftoherfeetbytheaidofthemountain-sidebushes，andignoringhisprofferedhand。"But，"
sheaddedquicklyandimpressively，glancingupwardtowardthestageroadoverhead，"whydon’ttheycome？Theymusthavemissedme！Imusthavebeenherealongtime；it’stoobad！"
"THEYmissedyou？"herepeateddiffidently。
"Yes，"shesaidimpatiently，"ofcourse！Iwasn’talone。Don’tyouunderstand？Igotoutofthecoachtowalkuphillonthebankunderthetrees。Itwassohotandstuffy。Myfootmusthaveslippedupthere——and——I——slid——down。Haveyouheardanyonecallingme？Haveyoucalledoutyourself？"
Mr。Braydidnotliketosayhehadonlyjustrecoveredconsciousness。Hesmiledvaguelyandfoolishly。Butonturningaroundinherimpatience，shecaughtsightofthechasmagain，andlapsedquitewhiteagainstthemountainside。
"Letmegiveyousomewaterfromthespring，"hesaideagerly，asshesankagaintoasittingposture；"itwillrefreshyou。"
Helookedhesitatinglyaroundhim；hehadneithercupnorflask，buthefilledthepailandhelditwithgreatdexteritytoherlips。Shedrankalittle，extractedalacehandkerchieffromsomehiddenpocket，dippeditspointinthewater，andwipedherfacedelicately，afteracertainfelinefashion。Then，catchingsightofsomesmallobjectintheforkofabushaboveher，shequicklypounceduponit，andwithaswiftsweepofherhandunderherskirt，putonHERFALLENSLIPPER，andstoodonherfeetagain。
"Howdoesonegetoutofsuchaplace？"sheaskedfretfully，andthen，glancingathimhalfindignantly，"whydon’tyoushout？"
"Iwasgoingtotellyou，"hesaidgently，"thatwhenyouarealittlestronger，wecangetoutbythewayIcamein，——alongthetrail。"
Hepointedtothenarrowpathwayalongtheperilousincline。
Somehow，withthistall，beautifulcreaturebesidehim，itlookedmoreperilousthanbefore。Shemayhavethoughtsotoo，forshedrewinherbreathsharplyandsankdownagain。
"Istherenootherway？"
"None！"
"HowdidYOUhappentobehere？"sheaskedsuddenly，openinghergrayeyesuponhim。"Whatdidyoucomeherefor？"shewenton，almostimpertinently。
"Tofetchapailofwater。"Hestopped，andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatafteralltherewasnoreasonforhisbeingbulliedbythistall，good-lookinggirl，evenifheHADsavedher。
Hegavealittlelaugh，andaddedmischievously，"JustlikeJackandJill，youknow。"
"What？"shesaidsharply，bendingherblackbrowsathim。
"JackandJill，"hereturnedcarelessly；"Ibrokemycrown，youknow，andYOU，"——hedidnotfinish。
Shestaredathim，tryingtokeepherfaceandhercomposure；butasmile，thatonherimperiouslipshethoughtperfectlyadorable，hereliftedthecornersofhermouth，andsheturnedherfaceaside。Butthesmile，andthelineofdazzlinglittleteethitrevealed，wereunfortunatelyonthesidetowardhim。Emboldenedbythis，hewenton，"Icouldn’tthinkwhathadhappened。AtfirstI
hadasortofideathatpartofamule’spackhadfallenontopofme，——blankets，flour，andallthatsortofthing，youknow，until"——
Hersmilehadvanished。"Well，"shesaidimpatiently，"until？"