CONTENTS。
　　THEHERITAGEOFDEDLOWMARSH
　　AKNIGHT—ERRANTOFTHEFOOT—HILLS
　　ASECRETOFTELEGRAPHHILL
　　CAPTAINJIM’SFRIEND
　　THEHERITAGEOFDEDLOWMARSH。
　　I。
　　ThesunwasgoingdownontheDedlowMarshes。Thetidewasfollowingitfastasiftomeetthereddeninglinesofskyandwaterinthewest，leavingtheforegroundtogrowblackerandblackereverymoment，andtobringoutinstartlingcontrastthefewhalf—filledandhalf—litpoolsleftbehindandforgotten。ThestrongbreathofthePacificfanningtheirsurfacesattimeskindledthemintoadullglowlikedyingembers。Acloudofsand—
　　pipersrosewhitefromoneofthenearerlagoons，sweptinalongeddyingringagainstthesunset，andbecameablackanddroppingraintoseaward。Thelongsinuouslineofchannel，fadingwiththelightandebbingwiththetide，begantogiveoffhereandtherelightpuffsofgray—wingedbirdslikesuddenexhalations。Highinthedarkeningskythelongarrow—headedlinesofgeeseand’brant’
　　pointedtowardstheupland。Asthelightgrewmoreuncertaintheairattimeswasfilledwiththerushofviewlessandmelancholywings，orbecameplaintivewithfar—offcriesandlamentations。AstheMarshesgrewblackerthefar—scatteredtussocksandaccretionsonitslevelsurfacebegantoloominexaggeratedoutline，andtwohumanfigures，suddenlyemergingerectonthebankofthehiddenchannel，assumedtheproportionofgiants。
　　Whentheyhadmooredtheirunseenboat，theystillappearedforsomemomentstobemovingvaguelyandaimlesslyroundthespotwheretheyhaddisembarked。Butastheeyebecamefamiliarwiththedarknessitwasseenthattheywerereallyadvancinginland，yetwithaslownessofprogressionanddeviousnessofcoursethatappearedinexplicabletothedistantspectator。Presentlyitwasevidentthatthisseeminglyeven，vast，blackexpansewastraversedandintersectedbyinkycreeksandsmallchannels，whichmadehumanprogressiondifficultanddangerous。Astheyappearednearerandtheirfigurestookmorenaturalproportions，itcouldbeseenthateachcarriedagun;thatonewasayounggirl，althoughdressedsolikehercompanioninshaggypea—jacketandsou’westerastobescarcelydistinguishedfromhimabovetheshortskirtthatcamehalfwaydownherhighindia—rubberfishing—boots。Bythetimetheyhadreachedfirmerground，andturnedtolookbackatthesunset，itcouldbealsoseenthatthelikenessbetweentheirfaceswasremarkable。Both，hadcrisp，black，tightlycurlinghair;bothhaddarkeyesandheavyeyebrows;bothhadquickvividcomplexions，slightlyheightenedbytheseaandwind。Butmorestrikingthantheirsimilarityofcoloringwasthelikenessofexpressionandbearing。Bothworethesameairofpicturesqueenergy;bothborethemselveswithalikegracefuleffronteryandself—possession。
　　Theyoungmancontinuedhisway。Theyounggirllingeredforamomentlookingseaward，withhersmallbrownhandliftedtoshadehereyes，——aprecautionwhichherheavyeyebrowsandlonglashesseemedtorenderutterlygratuitous。
　　"Comealong，Mag。Whatareyewaitin’for？"saidtheyoungmanimpatiently。
　　"Nothin’。Lookin’atthatboatfromtheFort。"Hercleareyeswerewatchingasmallskiff，invisibletolesskeen—sightedobservers，agrounduponaflatnearthemouthofthechannel。
　　"Themchapswillhaveahigholetimegunnin’thar，stuckinthemud，andthetidegoin’outlikesixty！"
　　"Neveryoumindthesodgers，"returnedhercompanion，aggressively，"theykintakecareo’theirownpreciousskins，orUncleSamwilldoitfor’em，Ireckon。Anyhowthepeople——that’syouandme，Mag——isexpectedtopayfortheirfoolishness。That’swhatthey’resentyerfor。Yeoughtertobesatisfiedwiththat，"headdedwithdeepsarcasm。
　　"Ireckontheyain’texpectedtodomuchoffo’dryland，andtheycan’thelpbein’queeronthewater，"returnedtheyounggirlwithareflectingsenseofjustice。
　　"Thentheyain’tnocalltogogunnin’，andwastin’Guv’nmentpowderonducksinsteado’Injins。"
　　"Thet’sso，"saidthegirlthoughtfully。"WonderefGuv’nmentpaysforthemfrockstheKernel’sgirlswentcavortin’roundLogportinlastSunday——theylookedlikeacirkis。"
　　"LikeeznottheoldKernelgetsitoutercontracts——onewayoranother。WEpayforitallthesame，"headdedgloomily。
　　"JestthesameeziftheywereMYclothes，"saidthegirl，withaquick，fiery，littlelaugh，"ain’tit？Wonderhowthey’dlikemysayin’thatto’emwhentheywasprancin’round，eh，Jim？"
　　Buthercompanionwasevidentlyunpreparedforthissweepingfemininededuction，andstoppeditwithmasculinepromptitude。
　　"Lookyer——insteado’botherin’yourheadaboutwhattheFortgirlswear，you’dbettertrotalongalittlemorelively。It’slateenoughnow。"
　　"Butthesedarnedbootshurtlikepizen，"saidthegirl，limping。
　　"Theyswallowedaloto’wateroverthetopswhileIwaswadin’
　　downthere，andmyfeetgoswashin’aroundlikeinachurneverystep。"
　　"Leanonme，baby，"hereturned，passinghisarmaroundherwaist，anddroppingherheadsmartlyonhisshoulder。"Thar！"Theactwasbrotherlyandslightlycontemptuous，butitwassufficienttoatonceestablishtheirkinship。
　　Theycontinuedonthusforsomemomentsinsilence，thegirl，I
　　fear，afterthefashionofhersex，takingthefullestadvantageofthisslightlysentimentalandcaressingattitude。TheyweremovingnowalongtheedgeoftheMarsh，parallelwiththelineofrapidlyfadinghorizon，followingsometrailonlyknowntotheirkeenyouthfuleyes。Itwasgrowingdarkeranddarker。Thecriesofthesea—birdshadceased;eventhecallofabelatedploverhaddiedawayinland;thehushofdeathlayovertheblackfunerealpallofmarshattheirside。Thetidehadrunoutwiththeday。Eventhesea—breezehadlulledinthisdeadslack—waterofallnature，asifwaitingoutsidethebarwiththeocean，thestars，andthenight。
　　Suddenlythegirlstoppedandhaltedhercompanion。Thefaintfarsoundofabuglebrokethesilence，iftheideaofinterruptioncouldhavebeenconveyedbythetwoorthreeexquisitevibrationsthatseemedbornofthatsilenceitself，andtofadeanddieinitwithoutbreakordiscord。Yetitwasonlythe’retreat’callfromtheForttwomilesdistantandinvisible。
　　Theyounggirl’sfacehadbecomeirradiated，andhersmallmouthhalfopenedasshelistened。"Doyouknow，Jim，"shesaidwithaconfidentialsigh，"IallusputwordstothatwhenIhearit——it’ssopow’fulpretty。Itallusgoestomelikethis：’Goestheday，Faraway，Withthelight，AndthenightComesalong——Comesalong——
　　Comesalong——Likea—aso—o—ong。’"Shehereliftedhervoice，asweet，fresh，boyishcontralto，insuchanadmirableimitationofthebuglethatherbrother，afterthefashionofmoreselectauditors，wasforamomentquiteconvincedthatthewordsmeantsomething。Nevertheless，asabrother，itwashisdutytocrushthisweakness。"Yes;anditsays：’shutyourhead，Gotobed，’"hereturnedirascibly;"andYOU’Dbettercomealong，ifwe’regoin’tohevanysupper。There’sYellerBobhezgotaheadofusovertherewiththegamealready。"
　　Thegirlglancedtowardsaslouchingburdenedfigurethatnowappearedtobeprecedingthem，straightenedherselfsuddenly，andthenlookedattentivelytowardstheMarsh。
　　"Notthesodgersagain？"saidherbrotherimpatiently。
　　"No，"shesaidquickly;"butifthatdon’tbeatanythin’！I’dhevsworn，Jim，thatYellerBobwassomewherebehindus。Isawhimonlyjestnowwhen’Taps’sounded，somewhereoverthar。"Shepointedwithahalf—uneasyexpressioninquiteanotherdirectionfromthatinwhichtheslouchingYellowBobhadjustloomed。
　　"Tellyewhat，Mag，makin’poetryouterbuglecallshezkindermuddledye。THAT’SYellerBobahead，andyeorterknowInjinswellenuffbythistimetorememberthattheyalluscropupjestwhenyedon’texpectthem。Andthere’sthebreshjestaforeus。Come！"
　　The’bresh，’orlowbushes，wasreallyalineofstuntedwillowsandaldersthatseemedtohavegraduallysunkintotheleveloftheplain，butincreasedinsizefartherinland，untiltheygrewtotheheightanddensityofawood。SeenfromthechannelithadtheappearanceofagreencapeorpromontorythrustupontheMarsh。
　　Passingthroughitstangledrecesses，withtheaidofsomeunerringinstinct，thetwocompanionsemergeduponanotherandmuchlargerlevelthatseemedasillimitableasthebay。Thestrongbreathoftheoceanlyingjustbeyondthebarandestuarytheywerenowfacingcametothemsaltandhumidasanothertide。Thenearerexpanseofopenwaterreflectedtheafter—glow，andlightenedthelandscape。Andbetweenthetwowayfarersandthehorizonrose，bleakandstartling，thestrangeoutlinesoftheirhome。
　　Atfirstitseemedaruinedcolonnadeofmanypillars，whosebaseandpedimentwereburiedintheearth，supportingalongparallelogramofentablatureandcornices。Butasecondglanceshowedittobeaone—storiedbuilding，upheldabovetheMarshbynumberlesspilesplacedatregulardistances;someofthemsunkenorinclinedfromtheperpendicular，increasingthefirstillusion。
　　Betweenthesepillars，whichpermittedafreecirculationofair，and，atextraordinarytides，eventhewatersofthebayitself，thelevelwasteofmarsh，thebay，thesurgesofthebar，andfinallytheredhorizonline，weredistinctlyvisible。Arailedgalleryorplatform，supportedalsoonpiles，andreachedbystepsfromtheMarsh，ranaroundthebuilding，andgaveaccesstotheseveralroomsandoffices。
　　Butiftheappearanceofthislacustrineandamphibiousdwellingwasstriking，andnotwithoutacertainrudeandmassivegrandeur，itsgroundsandpossessions，throughwhichthebrotherandsisterwerestillpickingtheirway，wereevenmoregrotesqueandremarkable。Overaspaceofhalfadozenacrestheflotsamandjetsamofyearsoftidalofferingswerecollected，andevenguardedwithacertaincare。Theblackenedhulksofhugeuprootedtrees，scarcelydistinguishablefromthefragmentsofgenuinewrecksbesidethem，weresecurelyfastenedbychainstostakesandpilesdriveninthemarsh，whileheapsofbrokenanddisjointedbambooorangecrates，heldtogetherbyropesoffibre，glistenedlikeligamentedbonesheapedinthedeadvalley。Masts，spars，fragmentsofshell—encrustedboats，binnacles，round—housesandgalleys，andpartoftheafter—deckofacoastingschooner，hadceasedtheirwanderingsandfoundrestinthisvastcemeteryofthesea。Thelegendonawheel—house，theletteringonasternorbow，servedformortuaryinscription。Wailedoverbythetradewinds，mournedbylamentingsea—birds，onceeveryyearthetidevisiteditslostdeadandleftthemwetwithitstears。
　　Tosuchaspotanditssurroundingstheatmosphereoftraditionandmysterywasnotwanting。SixyearsagoBooneCulpepperhadbuiltthehouse，andbroughttoithiswife——variouslybelievedtobeagypsy，aMexican，abrightmulatto，aDiggerIndian，aSouthSeaprincessfromTahiti，somebodyelse’swife——butinrealityalittleCreolewomanfromNewOrleans，withwhomhehadcontractedamarriage，withothergamblingdebts，duringawinter’svacationfromhishomeinVirginia。Attheendoftwoyearsshehaddied，succumbing，asdifferentlystated，fromperpetualwetfeet，orthemisanthropicidiosyncrasiesofherhusband，andleavingbehindheragirloftwelveandaboyofsixteentoconsolehim。HowfutilewasthisbequestmaybeguessedfromabriefsummaryofMr。
　　Culpepper’speculiarities。Theywerethedevelopmentofasingularformofaggrandizementandmisanthropy。OnhisarrivalatLogporthehadboughtapartoftheapparentlyvaluelessDedlowMarshfromtheGovernmentatlessthanadollaranacre，continuinghissingularinvestmentyearbyyearuntilhewastheownerofthreeleaguesofamphibiousdomain。ItwasthendiscoveredthatthispropertycarriedwithittheWATERFRONTofdiversvaluableandconvenientsitesformanufacturesandthecommercialportsofanoblebay，aswellasthenaturalembarcaderosofsome’lumbering’
　　inlandsettlements。BooneCulpepperwouldnotsell。BooneCulpepperwouldnotrentorlease。BooneCulpepperheldaninvincibleblockadeofhisneighbors，andtheprogressandimprovementhedespised——grantingonly，afteraroyalfashion，occasionallicense，revocableatpleasure，intheshapeoftolls，whichamplysupportedhim，withthegameheshotinhiskingfisher’seyrieontheMarsh。EventheGovernmentthathadmadehimpowerfulwasobligedto’condemn’apartofhispropertyatanequitablepriceforthepurposesofFortRedwood，inwhichtheadjacenttownofLogportshared。AndBooneCulpepper，unabletoresisttheact，refusedtoreceivethecompensationorquit—claimthetown。Inhisscantintercoursewithhisneighborshealwaysalludedtoitashisown，showedittohischildrenaspartoftheirstrangeinheritance，andexhibitedthestarryflagthatfloatedfromtheFortasaflauntinginsulttotheiryouthfuleyes。
　　Hated，feared，andsuperstitiouslyshunnedbysome，regardedasamadmanbyothers，familiarlyknownas’TheKingfisherofDedlow，’
　　BooneCulpepperwasonedayfoundfloatingdeadinhisskiff，withachargeofshotthroughhisheadandshoulders。Theshot—gunlyingathisfeetatthebottomoftheboatindicatedthe’accident’asrecordedintheverdictofthecoroner’sjury——butnotbythepeople。Athousandrumorsofmurderorsuicideprevailed，butalwayswiththeuniversalrider，’Servedhimright。’
　　Soinvinciblewasthisfeelingthatbutfewattendedhislastrites，whichtookplaceathighwater。Thedelayoftheofficiatingclergymanlostthetide;thehomelycatafalque——hisownboat——wasleftagroundontheMarsh，anddesertedbyallmournersexceptthetwochildren。Whateverhehadinstilledintothembypreceptandexample，whatevertookplacethatnightintheirlonelywatchbyhisbierontheblackmarshes，itwascertainthatthosewhoconfidentlylookedforanychangeintheadministrationoftheDedlowMarshwerecruellymistaken。TheoldKingfisherwasdead，buthehadleftinthenesttwoyoungbirds，morebeautifulandgraceful，itwastrue，yetasfierceandtenaciousofbeakandtalon。
　　II。
　　Arrivingatthehouse，theyoungpeopleascendedtheouterflightofwoodensteps，whichboreanoddlikenesstothecompanion—wayofavessel，andthegallery，or’deck，’asitwascalled——whereanumberofnets，floats，andbuoysthrownovertherailingcompletedthenauticalresemblance。Thispartofthebuildingwasevidentlydevotedtokitchen，dining—room，anddomesticoffices;theprincipalroominthecentreservingashallorliving—room，andcommunicatingontheothersidewithtwosleepingapartments。Itwasofconsiderablesize，withheavylateralbeamsacrosstheceiling——built，liketherestofthehouse，withacertainmaritimestrength——andlookednotunlikeasalooncabin。AnenormousopenFranklinstovebetweenthewindows，aslargeasachimney，blazingwithdrift—wood，gavelightandheattotheapartment，andbroughtintoflickeringrelieftheboardedwallshungwiththespoilsofseaandshore，andglitteringwithgun—barrels。Fowling—piecesofallsizes，fromthelongducking—gunmountedonaswivelforboatusetothelightsingle—barrelorcarbine，stoodinracksagainstthewalls;game—bags，revolversintheirholsters，huntingandfishingknivesintheirsheaths，dependedfromhooksabovethem。
　　Inonecornerstoodaharpoon;inanother，twoorthreeIndianspearsforsalmon。Thecarpetlessfloorandrudechairsandsettleswerecoveredwithotter，mink，beaver，andaquantityofvaluableseal—skins，withafewlargerpeltsofthebearandelk。
　　Theonlyattemptatdecorationwasthedisplayedwingsandbreastsofthewoodandharlequinduck，themuir，thecormorant，thegull，thegannet，andthefemininelydelicatehalf—mourningofpetrelandplover，nailedagainstthewall。Theinfluenceoftheseawasdominantaboveall，andasserteditssalineodorseventhroughthespiceofthecurlingdrift—woodsmokethathalfveiledtheceiling。
　　Aberry—eyedoldIndianwomanwiththecomplexionofdriedsalmon;
　　herdaughter，alsowithberryeyes，andwithafacethatseemedwhollymadeofamoistlaugh;’YellowBob，’aDigger’buck，’socalledfromtheprevailingochremarkingsofhischeek，and’Washooh，’anex—chief;anondescriptinablanket，lookinglikeacheapanddirtydollwhosefibroushairwasbadlynailedonhiscarvedwoodenhead，composedtheCulpepperhousehold。Whilethetwoformerwerepreparingsupperintheadjacentdining—room，YellowBob，relievedofhisburdenofgame，appearedonthegalleryandbeckonedmysteriouslytohismasterthroughthewindow。JamesCulpepperwentout，returnedquickly，andafteraminute’shesitationandanuneasyglancetowardshissister，whohadmeantimepushedbackhersou’westerfromherforehead，andwithouttakingoffherjackethaddroppedintoachairbeforethefirewithherbacktowardshim，tookhisgunnoiselesslyfromtherack，andsayingcarelesslythathewouldbebackinamoment，disappeared。
　　Lefttoherself，Maggiecoollypulledoffherlongbootsandstockings，andcomfortablyopposedtothefiretwoveryprettyfeetandankles，whosedelicatepuritywasslightlyblue—bleachedbyconfinementinthetepidsea—water。Thecontrastoftheirwaxenwhitenesswithherbluewoolenskirt，andwitheventheskinofhersunburnthandsandwrists，apparentlyamusedher，andshesatforsomemomentswithherelbowsonherknees，herskirtsslightlyraised，contemplatingthem，andcurlinghertoeswithevidentsatisfaction。Thefirelightplayingupontherichcoloringofherface，thefringeofjet—blackcurlsthatalmostmetthethicksweepofeyebrows，andleftheronlyawhitestripofforehead，hershortupperlipandsmallchin，roundedbutresolute，completedapiquantandstrikingfigure。Therichbrownshadowsonthesmoke—stainedwallsandceiling，theoccasionalstartingintoreliefofthescutcheonsofbrilliantplumage，andthemomentaryglitterofthesteelbarrels，madeaquaintbackgroundtothischarmingpicture。
　　Sittingthere，andfollowingsomelingeringmemoryofhertrampontheMarsh，shehummedtoherselfafewnotesofthebuglecallthathadimpressedher——atfirstsoftly，andfinallywiththefullpitchofhervoice。
　　Suddenlyshestopped。
　　Therewasafaintandunmistakablerappingonthefloorbeneathher。Itwasdistinct，butcautiouslygiven，asifintendedtobeaudibletoheralone。Foramomentshestoodupright，herfeetstillbareandglistening，ontheotterskinthatservedasarug。
　　Thereweretwodoorstotheroom，onefromwhichherbrotherhaddisappeared，whichledtothesteps，theothergivingonthebackgallery，lookinginland。Withaquickinstinctshecaughtuphergunandrantothatone，butnotbeforearapidscrambleneartherailingwasfollowedbyacautiousopeningofthedoor。Shewasjustintimetoshutitontheextendedarmandlightbluesleeveofanarmyovercoatthatprotrudedthroughtheopening，andforamomentthrewherwholeweightagainstit。
　　"Adhropofwhiskey，Miss，fortheloveofGod。"
　　Sheretainedherhold，cockedherweapon，andsteppedbackapacefromthedoor。Thebluesleevewasfollowedbytherestoftheovercoat，andabluecapwiththeinfantryblazoning，andtheletterHonitspeak。Theywereforthemomentmoredistinguishablethanthemanbeneaththem——grimedandblackenedwiththeslimeoftheMarsh。Butwhatcouldbeseenofhismud—
　　stainedfacewasmoregrotesquethanterrifying。Acombinationofweaknessandaudacity，insinuationandtimiditystruggledthroughthedirtforexpression。Hissmallblueeyeswerenotill—natured，andeventheintrudingarmtrembledmorefromexhaustionthanpassion。
　　"On’yadhrop，Miss，"herepeatedpiteously，"andavyepleeze，quick！aforeI’mstharvedwiththecoldentoirely。"
　　Shelookedathimintently——withoutloweringhergun。
　　"Whoareyou？"
　　"Thin，it’sthetruthI’lltellye，Miss——whisththen！"hesaidinahalf—whisper;"I’madesarter！"
　　"ThenitwasYOUthatwasdoggin’usontheMarsh？"
　　"ItwasthesarjintIwaslavin’，Miss。"
　　Shelookedathimhesitatingly。
　　"Stayoutsidethere;ifyoumoveastepintotheroom，I’llblowyououtofit。"
　　Hesteppedbackonthegallery。Sheclosedthedoor，boltedit，andstillholdingthegun，openedacupboard，pouredoutaglassofwhiskey，andreturningtothedoor，openeditandhandedhimtheliquor。
　　Shewatchedhimdrainiteagerly，sawthefierystimulantputlifeintohisshiveringframe，tremblinghands，andkindlehisdulleye——
　　and——quietlyraisedhergunagain。
　　"Ah，putitdown，Miss，putitdown！Fwhot’stheuse？Surethebulletsyeecarryinthemoiyesofyoursismoredeadly！It’southereoi’llsthand，glorybetoGod，allnight，withoutmovin’afuttillthesarjintcomestotakeme，avyewon’tlevilthemoiyesatmelikethat。Ah，whirra！lookatthatnow！butit’sagooddesssheis——thelivin’Jaynusofwarr，standin’therelikeastatoo，widheralybasterfutputforward。"
　　Inherprideandconscioussuperiority，anysuggestionofshameatthusappearingbeforeacommonmanandamendicantwasasimpossibletohernatureasitwouldhavebeentoaqueenorthegoddessofhissimile。Hispresenceandhiscomplimentalikepassedhercalmmodestyunchallenged。Thewretchedscamprecognizedthefactandfeltitspower，anditwaswithasuperstitiousreverenceassertingitselfthroughhisnativeextravagancethatheraisedhisgrimyhandtohiscapinmilitarysaluteandbecamerespectfullyrigid。
　　"Thenthesodgerswerehuntin’YOU？"shesaidthoughtfully，loweringherweapon。
　　"Thrueforyou，Miss——theyworr，andit’smeselfthatwaslyin’
　　flatintheditchwidmefayturesmakin’anilligantcastinthemud——morebetoken，asyeseeevennow——andthesarjintandhisdaytailthrampin’roundme。Itwasthinthatthemortialcoldsthruckthro’memouth，andmademewakeforthewhiskeythatwouldresthoreme。"
　　"Whatdidyoudesertfer？"
　　"Ah，listtothatnow！FwhatdidIdesartfer？Shureevtherewastheghostofaninemyround，it’smeselfthatwouldbeinthefrontnow！Butitwastheletthersfrommeouldmother，Miss，thatissthruckwidamortialillness——longlifetoher！——inCountyClare，andmesisthersinNinthAvenueinNewYork，fornintthedaypo，thatisbrekkentheirharrutsovermelistin’intheFourthInfanthrytododutyinahaythenwilderness。Avitwasthecavalry——andit’smeownfatherthatwasintheInnishkillenDthragoons，Miss——oiwouldn’tmoind。Widahorsebetunemelegs，it’sonparadeoi’dbenow，Miss，andnotwandheringoverthebareflureoftheMarsh，stharvedwidthecold，thethirst，andhunger，widthemudandthemoirethickonme;facin’anilligantyoungleddyasistheekalovaFayldMarshal’sdarter——nottosphakeovKernalPreston’s——ezcouldn’tholdacandletoher。"
　　BroughtupontheSpanishfrontier，MaggieCulpepperwasoneofthefewAmericangirlswhowasnotfamiliarwiththeIrishrace。Theraresmilethatmomentarilylitupherpetulantmouthseemedtojustifytheintruder’spraise。Butitpassedquickly，andshereturneddryly：
　　"Thatmeansyouwantmoredrink，suthin’toeat，andclothes。
　　Supposemybrothercomesbackandketchesyouhere？"
　　"Shure，Miss，he’sjustnowhuntenme，alongwidhistwohaythenDiggers，beyondthelaygoonthere。Itworrtheyellaronethatsphottedmelyin’thereintheditch;itworronlyyourownoiyes，Miss——morepowertotheirbeautyforthat！——thatsawmefollyhimunbeknownsthere;andthatdesavedthem，yesee！"
　　Theyounggirlremainedforaninstantsilentandthoughtful。
　　"We’renofriendsoftheFort，"shesaidfinally，"butIdon’treckonforthatreasonmybrotherwillcottontoYOU。Stayouttharwhereyeare，tillIcometoye。Ifyouhearmesingin’
　　again，you’llknowhe’scomeback，andye’dbetterscootwithwhatyou’vealreadygot，andbethankful。"
　　Sheshutthedooragainandlockedit，wentintothedining—room，returnedwithsomeprovisionswrappedinpaper，tookacommonwickerflaskfromthewall，passedintoherbrother’sbedroom，andcameoutwithaflannelshirt，overalls，andacoarseIndianblanket，and，reopeningthedoor，placedthembeforetheastonishedanddelightedvagabond。Hiseyeglistened;hebegan，"GlorybetoGod，"butforoncehishabitualextravagancefailedhim。Naturetriumphedwithamoreeloquentsilenceoverhiswell—wornart。Hehurriedlywipedhisbegrimedfaceandeyeswiththeshirtshehadgivenhim，andcatchingthesleeveofherroughpea—jacketinhisdirtyhand，raisedittohislips。
　　"Go！"shesaidimperiously。"Getawaywhileyoucan。"
　　"Avitvasmelastwords——it’sspeechlessoiam，"hestammered，anddisappearedovertherailing。
　　Sheremainedforamomentholdingthedoorhalfopen，andgazingintothedarknessthatseemedtoflowinlikeatide。Thensheshutit，andgoingintoherbedroomresumedherinterruptedtoilette。Whensheemergedagainshewassmartlystockingedandslippered，andeventhebluesergeskirtwasexchangedforabrightprint，withawhitefichutiedaroundherthroat。AnattempttosubdueherrebelliouscurlshadresultedintheconstructionfromtheirruinsofalowNormanarchacrossherforeheadwithpillaredabutmentsofringlets。Whenherbrotherreturnedafewmomentslatershedidnotlookup，butremained，perhapsalittleostentatiously，bendingoverthefire。
　　"BoballowedthattheFortboatwashuntin’MEN——deserters，I
　　reckon，"saidJimaggrievedly。"WantedmetobelievethatheSAW
　　oneontheMarshhidin’。On’yanInjinlie，Ireckon，togitalittleextrafire—water，fortotingmeouttothebreshonafool’serrand。"
　　"Oh，THAT’Swhereyouwent！"saidMaggie，addressingthefire。
　　"SincewhenhevyoutukpartnershipwiththeGuv’nmentandKernelPrestontohuntupandtakekeeroftheirproperty？"
　　"Well，Iain’tgoin’tohevsuchwreckageastheypickupandenlistsetadriftonourmarshes，Mag，"saidJimdecidedly。
　　"Whatwouldyouhevdonehadyouketchedhim？"saidMaggie，lookingsuddenlyintoherbrother’sface。
　　"Givenhimadoseofsnipe—shotthathe’dremember，andbethankfulitwasn’tslugs，"saidJimpromptly。Observingadeeperseriousnessinherattitude，headded，"Why，ifitwasinwar—timehe’dgetaBALLfromthemsodgersonsight。"
　　"Yes;butYOUain’tgotnocalltointerfere，"saidMaggie。
　　"Ain’tI？Why，he’snobetterthananoutlaw。Iain’tsurethathehasn’tbeenstealin’orkillin’somebodyovertheer。"
　　"Notthatman！"saidMaggieimpulsively。
　　"Notwhatman？"saidherbrother，facingherquickly。
　　"Why，"returnedMaggie，repairingherindiscretionwithfemininedexterity，"notANYmanwhomighthaveknockedyouandmeoveronthemarshesinthedusk，andgrabbedourguns。"
　　"Wishhe’dhevtriedit，"saidthebrother，withasuperiorsmile，butaquicklyrisingcolor。"Whered’yesupposeI’Dhevbeenallthewhile？"
　　Maggiesawhermistake，andforthefirsttimeinherliferesolvedtokeepasecretfromherbrother——overnight。"Supper’sgettin’
　　cold，"shesaid，rising。
　　Theywentintothedining—room——anapartmentasplainlyfurnishedastheonetheyhadquitted，butinitsshelves，cupboards，andcloselyfittingboardingbearingoutthegeneralnauticalsuggestionofthehouse——andseatedthemselvesbeforeasmalltableonwhichtheirfrugalmealwasspread。Inthistete—a—tetepositionJimsuddenlylaiddownhisknifeandforkandstaredathissister。
　　"Hello！"
　　"What’sthematter？"saidMaggie，startingslightly。"Howyoudoskeerone。"
　　"Who’sbeenprinkin’，eh？"
　　"Myha’rwasinkinksallalongo’thathat，"saidMaggie，withareturnofhighercolor，"andIhadtostraightenit。It’saboy’shat，notagirl’s。"
　　Butthatnecktieandthatgown——andallthosefrillsandtuckers？"
　　continuedJimgeneralizing，witharapidtwirlingofhisfingersoverher。"Areyouexpectin’JudgeMartin，ortheExpressmanthisevening？"
　　JudgeMartinwasthelawyerofLogport，whohadprovenherfather’swill，andhadsinceravedabouthissingleinterviewwiththeKingfisher’sbeautifuldaughter;theExpressmanwasayoungfellowwhowaspopularlysupposedtohavelefthisheartwhiledeliveringanothervaluablepackageonMaggieinperson，andhad"neverbeenthesamemansince。"Itwasawell—wornfraternalpleasantrythathaddonedutymanyawinter’sevening，asahappycombinationofmoraladmonitionandcheerfulness。Maggieusuallypaiditthetributeofaquicklittlelaughandasisterlypinch，butthateveningthosemarksofapprobationwerewithheld。
　　"Jimdear，"saidshe，whentheirSpartanrepastwasconcludedandtheywerereestablishedbeforetheliving—roomfire。"WhatwasittheRedwoodMillKempanyofferedyouforthatpiecenearDeadMan’sSlough？"
　　Jimtookhispipefromhislipslongenoughtosay，"Tenthousanddollars，"andputitbackagain。
　　"Andwhatdoyekalkilateallourproperty，lettingalonethisyerhouse，andthedriftwoodfront，isworthalltogether？"
　　"Includin’wottheGov’nmentowesus？——forthat’sallours，yeknow？"saidJimquickly。
　　"No——leavin’thatout——jestforgreens，youknow，"suggestedMaggie。
　　"Wellnighonterahundredandseventy—fivethousanddollars，I
　　reckon，byandlarge。"
　　"That’saheapo’money，Jim！IreckonoldKernelPrestonwouldn’traisethatinahundredyears，"continuedMaggie，warmingherkneesbythefire。
　　"Infivemillionyears，"saidJim，promptlysweepingawayfurtherdiscussion。Afterapauseheadded，"Youandme，Mag，kinseeanybody’spile，andgo’emfiftythousandbetter。"
　　Therewereafewmomentsofcompletesilence，inwhichMaggiesmoothedherknees，andJim’spipe，whichseemedtohavebecomegorgedandapoplecticwithitsowner’swealth，snoredunctuously。
　　"Jimdear，whatif——it’son’yanideaofmine，youknow——whatifyousoldthatpiecetotheRedwoodMill，andwejesttukthatmoneyand——and——andjestliftedtheha’rofferthemfolksatLogport？
　　Jestastonished’em！Jesttukthebestroomsinthatnewhotel，gotahossandbuggy，dressedourselves，youandme，fittokill，andmadethemFortpeopletakeabackseatintheLord’sTabernacle，oncetforall。YouseewhatImean，Jim，"shesaidhastily，asherbrotherseemedtobesuccumbing，likehispipe，inapoplecticastonishment，"jeston’ytoSHOW’emwhatweCOULDdoifwekeerd。Lord！whenwedoneitandspentthemoneywe’djestsnapourfingersandskipbackyereznat’ralezlife！Yedon’tthink，Jim，"shesaid，suddenlyturninghalffiercelyuponhim，"thatI’dallowtoLIVEamong’em——tostayamenetafterthat！"
　　Jimlaiddownhispipeandgazedathissisterwithstonydeliberation。"And——what——do——you——kalkilate——tomakebyallthat？"hesaidwithscornfuldistinctness。
　　"Why，jesttoshow’emweHAVEgotmoney，andcouldbuy’emallupifwewantedto，"returnedMaggie，stickingboldlytoherguns，albeitwithavagueconvictionthatherfirewasweakenedthroughelevation，andsomewhatalarmedatthedeliberationoftheenemy。
　　"Andyoumeantosaytheydon’tknowitnow，"hecontinuedwithslowderision。
　　"No，"saidMaggie。"Why，theer’sthatnewschool—marmoveratLogport，youknow，Jim，theonethatwantedtotakeyourpicterinyourboatforayoungsmugglerorfancypirateorEyetalianfisherman，andallowedthatyou’rhandsomedsome，andofferedtopayyouforsittin’——doyoureckonSHE’Dbelieveyouownedthelandherschoolhousewasbuilton。No！Lotsof’emdon’t。Lotsof’emthinkswe’repoorandlowdown——andthemezdoesn’t，thinks"——
　　"What？"askedherbrothersharply。
　　"Thatwe’reMEAN。"
　　ThequickcolorcametoJim’scheek。"So，"hesaid，facingherquickly，"forthesakeofalotofriff—raffandscumthat’sdriftedherearoundus——jestforthesakeofcuttin’aswellbeforethem——you’llgooutamongthehoundsezallowedyourmotherwasaSpanishniggerorakanaka，ezcalledyourfatherapirateandlandgrabber，ezmuchasallowedhewasshotbysomeoneorkilledhimselfapurpose，ezsaidyouwasaheathenandalooneybecauseyoudidn’tgotoschoolorchurchalongwiththeirtrash，ezkeptawayfromMaw’ssicknessezifitwassmallpox，andDad’sfun’ralezifhewasahoss—thief，andleftyouandmetowatchhiscoffinonthemarshesallnighttillthetidekemback。Andnowyou——YOU
　　thatjinedhandswithmethatnightoverourfatherlyin’therecoldanddespised——ezifhewasadeaddogthrownupbythetide——
　　andsworethatezlongezthattideebbedandfloweditcouldn’tbringyoutothem，orthemtoyouagin！Younowwant——what？What？
　　Why，togoandcastyourlotamong’em，andliveamong’em，andjoinintheirGod—forsakenhollerfoolishness，and——and——and"——
　　"Stop！It’salie！IDIDN’Tsaythat。Don’tyoudaretosayit！"
　　saidthegirl，springingtoherfeet，andfacingherbrotherinturn，withflashingeyes。
　　Foramomentthetwostaredateachother——itmighthavebeenasinamirror，soperfectlyweretheirpassionsreflectedineachline，shade，andcoloroftheother’sface。Itwasasiftheyhadeachconfrontedtheirownpassionateandwillfulsouls，andwerefrightened。Ithadoftenoccurredbefore，alwayswiththesameinvariableending。Theyoungman’seyesloweredfirst;thegirl’sfilledwithtears。
　　"Well，efyedidn’tmeanthat，whatdidyemean？"saidJim，sinking，withsullenapology，backintohischair。
　　"I——only——meantit——for——for——revenge！"sobbedMaggie。
　　"Oh！"saidJim，asifallowinghishighernaturetobetouchedbythisnobleinstinct。"ButIdidn’tjestseewheretherevengekemin。"
　　"No？But，nevermindnow，Jim，"saidMaggie，ostentatiouslyignoring，afterthefashionofhersex，thetroubleshehadprovoked;"buttothink——that——that——youthought"——（sobbing）。
　　"ButIdidn’t，Mag"——（caressingly）。
　　Withthisveryvagueandimpotentconclusion，Maggiepermittedherselftobedrawnbesideherbrother，andforafewmomentstheyplumedeachother’sruffledfeathers，andsmoothedeachother’sliftedcrests，liketwobeautifulyoungspecimensofthathalcyongenustowhichtheywerepopularlysupposedtobelong。AttheendofhalfanhourJimrose，and，yawningslightly，saidinaperfunctoryway：
　　"Where’sthebook？"
　　ThebookinquestionwastheBible。Ithadbeentheself—imposedcustomofthesetwoyoungpeopletoreadaloudachaptereverynightastheironevagueformulaofliteraryandreligiousdiscipline。Whenitwasproduced，Maggie，presumingonhisaffectionateandpenitentialcondition，suggestedthatto—nightheshouldpickout"suthin’interestin’。"ButthisunorthodoxfrivolitywassternlyputasidebyJim——albeit，bywayofcompromise，heagreedto"chanceit，"i。e。，openitspagesatrandom。
　　Hedidso。Generallyheallowedhimselfamoment’sjudiciouspauseforacertainchastepreliminaryinspectionnecessarybeforereadingaloudtoagirl。To—nightheomittedthatmodestprecaution，andinapleasantvoice，whichinreadingwassingularlyfreefromcolloquialinfelicitiesofpronunciation，beganatonce：
　　"’CurseyeMeroz，saidtheangeloftheLord，curseyebitterlytheinhabitantsthereof;becausetheycamenottothehelpoftheLord，tothehelpoftheLordagainstthemighty。’"
　　"Oh，youlookedfirst，"saidMaggie。
　　"Ididn’tnow——honestInjin！Ijustopened。"
　　"Goon，"saidMaggie，eagerlyshovinghimandinterposingherneckoverhisshoulder。
　　AndJimcontinuedDeborah’swonderfulsongofJaelandSiseratothebitterendofitsstrongmonosyllabicclimax。
　　"There，"hesaid，closingthevolume，"that’swhatIcallrevenge。
　　That’stherealScripturething——nofancyfrillstheer。"
　　"Yes;but，Jimdear，don’tyouseethatshetreatedhimfirst——
　　sortergotroundhimwithfreemilkandbutter，andreg’larlyblandishedhim，"arguedMaggieearnestly。
　　ButJimdeclinedtoacceptthisfemininesuggestion，ortopursuethesubjectfurther，andafterafraternalembracetheyseparatedforthenight。Jimlingeredlongenoughtolookafterthefasteningofthedoorandwindows，andMaggieremainedforsomemomentsathercasement，lookingacrossthegallerytotheMarshbeyond。
　　Themoonhadrisen，thetidewashalfup。Whateversignortraceofalienfootprintoroccupationhadbeentherewasalreadysmoothlyobliterated;eventheconfigurationofthelandhadchanged。Ablackcapehaddisappeared，alevellineofshorehadbeeneatenintobyteethofglisteningsilver。ThewholedarksurfaceoftheMarshwasbeginningtobestreakedwithshiningveinsasifanewlifewascoursingthroughit。PartoftheopenbaybeforetheFort，encroachingupontheshore，seemedinthemoonlighttobereachingawhiteandoutstretchedarmtowardsthenestoftheKingfisher。
　　III。
　　ThereveilleatFortRedwoodhadbeensupplementedfullfiveminutesbythevoiceofLieutenantGeorgeCalvert’sservant，beforethatyoungofficerstruggledfromhisbed。Hisheadwassplitting，histongueandlipsweredryandfeverish，hisbloodshoteyeswereshrinkingfromtheinsufferablelightoftheday，hismindaconfusedmedleyofthepastnightandthepresentmorning，ofcardsandwildrevelry，andthevisionofareproachfullytrimorderlystandingathisdoorwithreportsandorderswhichhenowheldcomposedlyinhishand。ForLieutenantCalverthadbeenenjoyingasymposiumvariouslyknownas"StagFeed"and"AWildStormyNight"
　　withseveralofhisbrotherofficers，andasickeningconvictionthatitwasnotthefirstorthelasttimehehadindulgedinthesefestivities。Atthatmomentheloathedhimself，andthenaftertheusualderelictfashioncursedthefatethathadsenthim，aftergraduating，toafrontiergarrison——thedullmonotonyofwhosedutiesmadetheBorderhorse—playofdissipationarelief。Alreadyhehadreachedthemiserablepointofenvyingtheveterancapacitiesofhissuperiorsandequals。"IfIcoulddrinklikeKirbyorCrowninshield，oriftherewasanyothercursedthingamancoulddointhishole，"hehadwretchedlyrepeatedtohimself，aftereachmisspentoccasion，andyetalreadyhewaslookingforwardtothemaspartofa’sub’s’dutyandworthyhisemulation。
　　AlreadythedreamofsocialrecreationfosteredbyWestPointhadbeenrudelydispelled。BeyondthegarrisoncircleofColonelPreston’sfamilyandtwoofficers’wives，therewasnosociety。
　　ThevaguedistrustandciviljealousywithwhichsomefrontiercommunitiesregardtheFederalpower，heightenedinthisinstancebytheuncompromisingattitudetheGovernmenthadtakentowardsthesettlers’severeIndianpolicy，hadkeptthepeopleofLogportalooffromtheFort。TheregimentalbandmightpipetothemonSaturdays，buttheywouldnotdance。
　　Howbeit，LieutenantCalvertdressedhimselfwithuncertainhandsbutmechanicalregularityandneatness，and，undertheautomatictrainingofdisciplineandduty，managedtobuttonhistunictightlyoverhisfeelings，topullhimselftogetherwithhissword—
　　belt，compressingastillcadet—likewaist，andtopresentthatindescribablecombinationofprecisionandjauntinesswhichhisbrotherofficerstoooftenallowedtolapseintofrontiercarelessness。Hiscloselyclippedlighthair，yetdrippingfromaplungeinthecoldwater，hadbeenbrushedandpartedwithmilitaryexactitude，andwhensurmountedbyhiscap，withthepeakinanartfulsuggestionofextrasmartnesstippedforwardoverhiseyes，onlyhispaleface——ashadelighterthanhislittleblondemoustache——showedhislastnight’sexcesses。Hewasmechanicallyreachingforhisswordandstaringconfusedlyatthepapersonhistablewhenhisservantinterrupted：
　　"MajorBromleyarrangedthatLieutenantKirbytakesyoursashthismorning，asyou’renotwell，sir;andyou’retoreportforspecialtothecolonel，"headded，pointingdiscreetlytotheenvelope。
　　Touchedbythisconsiderationofhissuperior，MajorBromley，whohadbeenoneoftheveteransoflastnight’sengagement，Calvertmasteredthecontentsoftheenvelopewithoutthecustomaryanathemaofspecials，said，"Thankyou，Parks，"andpassedoutontheveranda。
　　Theglareofthequietsunlitquadrangle，cleanasawell—sweptfloor，thewhitewashedwallsandgalleriesofthebarrackbuildingsbeyond，thewhiteandgreenpalisadeofofficers’cottagesoneitherside，andtheglitterofasentry’sbayonet，wereforamomentintolerabletohim。Yet，byakindofsubtleirony，neverbeforehadthegeniusandspiritofthevocationhehadchosenseemedtobeasincarnateasinthescenebeforehim。Seclusion，self—restraint，cleanliness，regularity，sobriety，theatmosphereofawholesomelife，theausterereserveofamonasterywithoutitsmysteriousorpensivemeditation，wereallthere。Toescapewhich，hehadofhisownfreewillsuccessivelyacceptedafool’sdistraction，theinevitableresultofwhichwas，theviewingofthemthenextmorningwithtremulousnervesandachingeyeballs。
　　Anhourlater，LieutenantGeorgeCalverthadreceivedhisfinalinstructionsfromColonelPrestontotakechargeofasmalldetachmenttorecoverandbringbackcertaindeserters，butnotablyone，DennisM’CaffreyofCompanyH，chargedadditionallywithmutinoussolicitationandexample。AsCalvertstoodbeforehissuperior，thatdistinguishedofficer，whoseoratoricalpowershadbeenconsiderablystimulatedthroughalongcourseof"returningthanksfortheArmy，"slightlyexpandedhischestandsaidpaternally：
　　"Iamaware，Mr。Calvert，thatdutiesofthiskindaresomewhatdistastefultoyoungofficers，andareapttobeconsideredinthelightofpolicedetail;butImustremindyouthatnoonepartofasoldier’sdutycanbeheldmoreimportantorhonorablethananother，andthatthefulfilmentofanyone，howevertrifling，must，withhonortohimselfandsecuritytohiscomrades，receivehisfullestdevotion。Asergeantandafileofmenmightperformyourduty，butIrequire，inaddition，thediscretion，courtesy，andconsiderationofagentlemanwhowillcommandanequalrespectfromthosewithwhomhisdutybringshimincontact。Theunhappyprejudiceswhichthesettlersshowtothemilitaryauthorityhererenderthis，asyouareaware，adifficultservice，butIbelievethatyouwill，withoutforgettingtherespectduetoyourselfandtheGovernmentyourepresent，avoidarousingtheseprejudicesbyanyharshness，orinvitinganyconflictwiththecivilauthority。
　　Thelimitsoftheirauthorityyouwillfindinyourwritteninstructions;butyoumightgaintheirconfidence，andimpressthem，Mr。Calvert，withtheideaofyourbeingtheirAUXILIARYintheinterestsofjustice——youunderstand。Evenifyouareunsuccessfulinbringingbackthemen，youwilldoyourbesttoascertainiftheirescapehasbeenduetothesympathyofthesettlers，orevenwiththeirpreliminaryconnivance。Theymaynotbeawarethatincitingenlistedmentodesertisacriminaloffence;youwilluseyourowndiscretionininformingthemofthefactornot，asoccasionmayserveyou。Ihaveonlytoadd，thatwhileyouareonthewatersofthisbayandthelandcoveredbyitstides，youhavenooppositionofauthority，andareresponsibletonoonebutyourmilitarysuperiors。Good—bye，Mr。Calvert。Letmehearagoodaccountofyou。"
　　ConsiderablymovedbyColonelPreston’smanner，whichwasaspaternalandrealashisrhetoricwassomewhatperfunctory，Calverthalfforgothiswoesashesteppedfromthecommandant’spiazza。
　　Buthehadtofaceagroupofhisbrotherofficers，whowereawaitinghim。
　　"Good—bye，Calvert，"saidMajorBromley;"adayortwooutongrasswon’thurtyou——andachangefromcommissarywhiskeywillputyouallright。Bytheway，ifyouhearofanybetterstuffatWestportthanthey’regivingushere，sampleitandletusknow。Takecareofyourself。Giveyourmenachancetotalktoyounowandthen，andyoumaygetsomethingfromthem，especiallyDonovan。KeepyoureyeonRamon。Youcantrustyoursergeantstraightalong。"
　　"Good—bye，George，"saidKirby。"Isupposetheoldmantoldyouthat，althoughnopartofasoldier’sdutywasbetterthananother，yourservicewasaverydelicateone，justfittedforyou，eh？Healwaysdoeswhenhe’scutoutsomehellishscrub—workforachap。
　　Andtoldyou，too，thataslongasyoudidn’tgoashore，andkepttoadispatch—boat，oraneight—oaredgig，whereyoucouldn’tdeployyourmen，ordressaline，you’dbeinvincible。"
　　"Hedidsaysomethinglikethat，"smiledCalvert，withanuneasyrecollection，however，thatitwasTHEpartofhissuperior’sspeechthatparticularlyimpressedhim。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidKirbygravely，"THAT，asaninfantryofficer，isclearlyyourduty。"
　　"Anddon’tforget，George，"saidRollinsstillmoregravely，"that，whatevermaybefallyou，youbelongtoasectionofthatnumericallysmallbutpowerfullydiversifiedorganization——theAmericanArmy。Rememberthatinthehourofperilyoucanaddressyourmeninanylanguage，andbeperfectlyunderstood。Andrememberthatwhenyouproudlystandbeforethem，theeyesnotonlyofyourowncountry，butofnearlyalltheothers，areuponyou！
　　Good—bye，Georgey。Iheardthemajorhintsomethingaboutwhiskey。
　　Theysaythatoldpirate，KingfisherCulpepper，hadastockoftherealthingfromRobertsonCountylaidinhisshebangontheMarshjustbeforehedied。Pitywearen’tontermswiththem，forthecubscannotdrinkit，andmightbeinducedtosell。Shouldn’twonder，bytheway，ifyourfriendM’Caffreywashangingroundsomewherethere;healwayshadakeenscent。Youmightconfiscateitasan"incitementtodesertion，"youknow。Thegirl’spretty，andoughttobegrowingupnow。"
　　Buthaplyatthispointthesergeantstoppedfurtherraillerybyreportingthedetachmentready;anddrawinghissword，Calvert，withaconfusedhead，aremorsefulheart，butanunfalteringstep，marchedoffhismenonhisdelicatemission。
　　Itwasfouro’clockwhenheenteredJonesville。Followingamatter—of—factideaofhisown，hehadbroughthismenthegreaterdistancebyacircuitousroutethroughthewoods，thusavoidingtheostentatiousexposureofhispartyontheopenbayinawell—mannedboattoanextendedviewfromthethreeleaguesofshoreandmarshopposite。Crossingthestream，whichhereseparatedhimfromtheDedlowMarshbythecommonferry，hehadthusbeenenabledtohaltunperceivedbelowthesettlementandoccupythetworoadsbywhichthefugitivescouldescapeinland。Hehaddeemeditnotimpossiblethat，afterthepreviousvisitofthesergeant，thedesertershiddeninthevicinitymightreturntoJonesvilleinthebeliefthatthevisitwouldnotberepeatedsosoon。Leavingapartofhissmallforcetopatroltheroadandanothertodeployovertheuplandmeadows，heenteredthevillage。Bytheexerciseofsomeboyishdiplomacyandacertainprepossessinggrace，whichheknewwhenandhowtoemploy，hebecamesatisfiedthattheobjectsofhisquestwerenotTHERE——however，theirwhereaboutsmighthavebeenknowntothepeople。Dividinghispartyagain，heconcludedtotakeacorporalandafewmenandexplorethelowermarsheshimself。
　　Thepreoccupationofduty，exercise，andperhaps，aboveall，thekeenstimulusoftheiodine—ladensaltairseemedtoclearhismindandinvigoratehisbody。HehadneverbeenintheMarshbefore，andenjoyeditsnoveltywiththezestofyouth。Itwasthehourwhenthetideofitsfeatheredlifewasatitsflood。Cloudsofduckandtealpassingfromthefreshwateroftherivertothesaltpoolsofthemarshesperpetuallyswepthispathwithflyingshadows;attimesitseemedasifeventheuncertaingroundaroundhimitselfaroseandspedawayonduskywings。Thevicinityofhiddenpoolsandsloughswasbetrayedbystartledsplashings;afewpacesfromtheirmarchingfeetarosethesunlitpinionsofaswan。
　　Theairwasfilledwithmultitudinoussmallcriesandpipings。Inthisvocalconfusionitwassomeminutesbeforeherecognizedthevoiceofoneofhisout—flankerscallingtotheother。
　　Animportantdiscoveryhadbeenmade。InalongtongueofbushesthatrandowntotheMarshtheyhadfoundamud—staineduniform，completeeventothecap，bearingtheinitialofthedeserter’scompany。
　　"Isthereanyhutorcabinhereabouts，Schmidt？"askedCalvert。
　　"Dotvosschoostit，Lefdennun，"repliedhiscorporal。"DotvosdeshantyfromderKingvisher——oldGulbebber。Ipetadollar，pyshimminy，dotdermenhafdergekommt。"
　　Hepointedthroughthebraketoalong，lowbuildingthatnowraiseditself，whiteinthesunlight，abovethemanyblackenedpiles。Calvertsawinasinglereconnoitringglancethatithadbutoneapproach——theflightofstepsfromtheMarsh。Instructinghismentofallinontheouteredgeofthebrakeandawaithisorders，hequicklymadehiswayacrossthespaceandascendedthesteps。Passingalongthegalleryheknockedatthefrontdoor。
　　Therewasnoresponse。Herepeatedhisknock。Thenthewindowbesideitopenedsuddenly，andhewasconfrontedwiththedouble—
　　muzzleofalongducking—gun。Glancinginstinctivelyalongthebarrels，hesawattheirotherextremitythebrighteyes，brilliantcolor，andsmallsetmouthofaremarkablyhandsomegirl。Itwasthefact，andtothecreditofhistraining，thathepaidmoreattentiontotheeyesthantothechallengeoftheshiningtubesbeforehim。
　　"Jeststopwhereyouare——willyou！"saidthegirldeterminedly。
　　Calvert’sfacebetrayednottheslightestterrororsurprise。
　　Immovableasonparade，hecarriedhiswhiteglovedhandtohiscap，andsaidgently，"Withpleasure。"
　　"Ohyes，"saidthegirlquickly;"butifyoumoveastepI’lljestblowyouandyourglovesofferthatrailin’intertheMarsh。"
　　"Itrustnot，"returnedCalvert，smiling。
　　"Andwhy？"
　　"Becauseitwoulddeprivemeofthepleasureofafewmoments’
　　conversationwithyou——andI’veonlyonepairofgloveswithme。"
　　Hewasstillwatchingherbeautifuleyes——respectfully，admiringly，andstrategically。ForhewasquiteconvincedthatifheDIDmoveshewouldcertainlydischargeoneorbothbarrelsathim。
　　"Where’stherestofyou？"shecontinuedsharply。
　　"Aboutthreehundredyardsaway，inthecovert，notnearenoughtotroubleyou。"
　　"Willtheycomehere？"
　　"Itrustnot。"
　　"Youtrustnot？"sherepeatedscornfully。"Why？
　　"Becausetheywouldbedisobeyingorders。"
　　Sheloweredhergunslightly，butkeptherblackbrowslevelledathim。"IreckonI’mamatchforYOU，"shesaid，withaslightlycontemptuousglanceathisslightfigure，andopenedthedoor。Foramomenttheystoodlookingateachother。Hesaw，besidesthehandsomefaceandeyesthathadcharmedhim，atallslimfigure，madebroaderacrosstheshouldersbyanopenpea—jacketthatshowedaman’sredflannelshirtbeltedatthewaistoverablueskirt，withthecollarknottedbyasailor’sblackhandkerchief，andturnedbackoveraprettythoughsunburntthroat。Shesawaratherundersizedyoungfellowinajauntyundressuniform，scantofgoldbraid，andbearingonlythesinglegoldshoulder—barsofhisrank，butscrupulouslyneatandwellfitting。Light—coloredhaircroppedclose，thesmallestoflightmoustaches，clearandpenetratingblueeyes，andafewfrecklescompletedapicturethatdidnotprepossessher。Shewasthereforethemoreinclinedtoresenttheperfecteaseandself—possessionwithwhichthestrangercarriedoffthesemanifestdefectsbeforeher。
　　Shelaidasidethegun，putherhandsdeepinthepocketsofherpea—jacket，and，slightlysquaringhershoulders，saidcurtly，"Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Averylittleinformation，whichItrustitwillnottroubleyoutogiveme。MymenhavejustdiscoveredtheuniformbelongingtoadeserterfromtheFortlyinginthebushesyonder。Canyougivemetheslightestideahowitcamethere？"
　　"Whatrighthaveyoutrapseingoverourproperty？"shesaid，turninguponhimsharply，withaslightpalingofcolor。
　　"Nonewhatever。"
　　"Thenwhatdidyoucomefor？"
　　"Toaskthatpermission，incaseyouwouldgivemenoinformation。"
　　"Whydon’tyouaskmybrother，andnotawoman？Wereyouafraid？"
　　"Hecouldhardlyhavedonemethehonorofplacingmeinmoreperilthanyouhave，"returnedCalvert，smiling。"ThenIhavethepleasureofaddressingMissCulpepper？"
　　"I’mJimCulpepper’ssister。"
　　"And，Ibelieve，equallyabletogiveorrefusethepermissionI
　　ask。"
　　"AndwhatifIrefuse？"
　　"ThenIhaveonlytoaskpardonforhavingtroubledyou，goback，andreturnherewiththetide。Youdon’tresistTHATwithashot—
　　gun，doyou？"heaskedpleasantly。
　　MaggieCulpepperwasalreadyfamiliarwiththeacceptedtheoryofthesupremejurisdictionoftheFederalSea。Shehalfturnedherbackuponhim，partlytoshowhercontempt，butpartlytoevadethedominationofhisclear，good—humored，andself—sustainedlittleeyes。
　　"Idon’tknowanythin’aboutyourdeserters，norwhatragso’
　　theirshappentobefloateduphere，"shesaid，angrily，"anddon’tcareto。Youkindowhatyoulike。"
　　"ThenI’mafraidIshouldremainherealittlelonger，MissCulpepper;butmyduty"——
　　"Yourwot？"sheinterrupted，disdainfully。
　　"IsupposeIAMtalkingshop，"hesaidsmilingly。"Thenmybusiness"——
　　"Yourbusiness——pickin’uphalf—starvedrunaways！"
　　"And，Itrust，sometimesakindfriend，"hesuggested，withagravebow。
　　"YouTRUST？Lookyer，youngman，shesaid，withherquick，fierce，littlelaugh，"IreckonyouTRUSTaheaptoomuch！"Shewouldliketohaveadded，"withyourfreckledface，redhair，andlittleeyes"——butthiswouldhaveobligedhertofacethemagain，whichshedidnotcaretodo。
　　Calvertsteppedback，liftedhishandtohiscap，stillpleasantly，andthenwalkedgravelyalongthegallery，downthesteps，andtowardsthecover。Fromherwindow，unseen，shefollowedhisneatlittlefiguremovingundeviatinglyon，withoutlookingtotheleftorright，andstilllesstowardsthehousehehadjustquitted。
　　Thenshesawthesunlightflashoncross—beltplatesandsteelbarrels，andalightbluelineissuedfromoutthedarkgreenbushes，roundthepoint，anddisappeared。Andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtoherwhatshehadbeendoing！This，then，washerfirststeptowardsthatfancyshehadsolatelyconceived，quarrelledoverwithherbrother，andlayawakelastnighttoplaceanew，inspiteofallopposition！ThiswasherbrilliantideaofdazzlingandsubduingLogportandtheFort！Hadshegrownsilly，orwhathadhappened？Couldshehavedreamedofthecomingofthiswhipper—snapper，withhisinsufferableairs，afterthatbeggarlydeserter？IamafraidthatforafewmomentsthemiserablefugitivehadassmallaplaceinMaggie’ssympathyastheredoubtablewhipper—snapperhimself。Andnowthecherisheddreamoftriumphandconquestwasover！Whata"looney"shehadbeen！
　　Insteadofinvitinghimin，andoutdoinghimin"companymanners，"
　　and"fooling"himaboutthedeserter，andthenblazinguponhimafterwardsatLogportinthegloryofherfirstspentwealthandfinery，shehaddrivenhimaway！
　　Andnow"he’llgoandtell——telltheFortgirlsofhishairbreadthescapefromtheclawsoftheKingfisher’sdaughter！"
　　Thethoughtbroughtafewbittertearstohereyes，butshewipedthemaway。ThethoughtbroughtalsotheterribleconvictionthatJimwasright，thattherecouldbenothingbutopenantagonismbetweenthemandthetraducersoftheirparents，assheherselfhadinstinctivelyshown！Butshepresentlywipedthatconvictionawayalso，asshehadhertears。
　　HalfanhourlatershewasattractedbytheappearancefromthewindowsofcertainstragglingbluespotsontheuplandthatseemedmovingdiagonallytowardstheMarsh。ShedidnotknowthatitwasCalvert’ssecond"detail"joininghim，butbelievedforamomentthathehadnotyetdeparted，andwasstrangelyrelieved。Stilllaterthefrequentdisturbedcriesofcoot，heron，andmarsh—hen，recognizingthepresenceofunusualinvadersoftheirsolitude，distractedheryetmore，andforcedheratlastwithincreasingcolorandanuneasysenseofshynesstostealouttothegalleryforaswiftfurtivesurveyoftheMarsh。Butanutterlyunexpectedsightmethereyes，andkepthermotionless。
　　Thebirdswererisingeverywhereanddriftingawaywithquerulousperturbationbeforeasmallbutaugmentedbluedetachmentthatwasmovingwithmonotonousregularitytowardsthepointofbusheswhereshehadseentheyoungofficerpreviouslydisappear。Intheirmidst，betweentwosoldierswithfixedbayonets，marchedthemanwhomevenatthatdistancesheinstantlyrecognizedasthedeserteroftheprecedingnight，intheveryclothesshehadgivenhim。Tocompleteherconsternation，alittletotherightmarchedtheyoungofficeralso，butaccompaniedby，andapparentlyonthemostamicabletermswith，Jim——herownbrother！
　　Toforgetallelseanddartdownthesteps，flyingtowardsthepointofbushes，scarcelyknowingwhyorwhatshewasdoing，wastoMaggietheimpulseandworkofamoment。Whenshehadreacheditthepartywerenottwentypacesaway。Buthereashynessandhesitationagainseizedher，andsheshrankbackinthebusheswithaninstinctivecrytoherbrotherinarticulateuponherlips。Theycamenearer，theywereoppositetoher;herbrotherJimkeepingstepwiththeinvader，andevenconversingwithhimwithananimationshehadseldomseenuponhisface——theypassed！Shehadbeenunnoticedexceptbyone。Therovingeyeofthedeserterhaddetectedherhandsomefaceamongtheleaves，slightlyturnedtowardsit，andpouredouthiswholesoulinasingleswiftwinkofeloquentbutindescribableconfidence。