Whentheyhadquitegone，shecreptbacktothehouse，alittlereassured，butstilltremulous。Whenherbrotherreturnedatnightfall，hefoundherbroodingoverthefire，inthesameattitudeasonthepreviousnight。
"Ireckonyemighthevseenmegobywiththesodgers，"hesaid，seatinghimselfbesideher，alittleawkwardly，andwithanunusualassumptionofcarelessness。
Maggie，withoutlookingup，waslanguidlysurprised。Hehadbeenwiththesoldiers——andwhere？
"AbouttwohoursagoImetthisyerLeftenantCalvert，"hewentonwithincreasingawkwardness，"and——oh，Isay，Mag——hesaidhesawyou，andhopedhehadn’ttroubledye，and——and——yesawhim，didn’tye？"
Maggie，withalltheredofthefireconcentratedinhercheekasshegazedattheflame，believedcarelessly"thatshehadseenashrimpinuniformaskingquestions。"
"Oh，heain’tabitstuckup，"saidJimquickly，"that’swhatI
likeabouthim。He’seznat’ralezyoube，andtuckmyarm，walkin’around，careless—like，laffenatwhathewasdoin’，ezefitwasagame，andhewasn’tsolecommanderoffortymen。He’sonlyayearortwoolderthanme——and——and"——hestoppedandlookeduneasilyatMaggie。
"Soye’vebincraw—fishin’agin？"saidMaggie，inherdeepestandmostscornfulcontralto。
"Who’scraw—fishin’？"heretorted，angrily。
"What’sthisbackenouto’whatyousaidyesterday？What’sallthistrucklin’totheFortnow？"
"What？Wellnow，lookyer，"saidJim，risingsuddenly，withreproachfulindignation，"darnedifIdon’tjesttellyeeverythin’。
IpromisedHIMIwouldn’t。Healloweditwouldfrightenye。"
"FRIGHTENME！"repeatedMaggiecontemptuously，neverthelesswithhercheekpalingagain。"Frightenme——withwhat？"
"Well，sinceyersocantankerous，lookyer。We’vebeenrobbed！"
"Robbed？"echoedMaggie，facinghim。
"Yes，robbedbythatsamedeserter。Robbedofasuitofmyclothes，andmywhiskey—flask，andthedarnedskunkhad’emon。
Andifithadn’tbinforthatLeftenantCalvert，andmygivin’himpermissiontohunthimovertheMarsh，wewouldn’thavecaughthim。"
"Robbed？"repeatedMaggieagain，vaguely。
"Yes，robbed！Lastnight，aforewecamehome。Hemusthevgotinyerwhilewewascomin’fromtheboat。"
"Did，didthatLeftenantsayso？"stammeredMaggie。
"Sayit，ofcoursehedid！andsodoI，"continuedJim，impatiently。"Why，thereweremyveryclothesonhisback，andhedaren’tdenyit。Andifyou’dhearkenedtomejestnow，insteadofflyin’offintantrums，you’dseethatTHAT’Sjesthowwegothim，andhowmeandtheLeftenantjoinedhandsinit。Ididn’tgivehimpermissiontohuntdeserters，butTHIEVES。Ididn’thelphimtoketchthemanthatdesertedfromHIM，buttheskunkthattookMY
clothes。ForwhentheLeftenantfoundtheman’solduniforminthebush，henat’rallykalkilatedhemusthevgotsomeotherdudsnearbyinsomeunderhandway。Don’tyousee？eh？Why，look，Mag。
Darnedifyouain’tskeeredafterall！Who’dhevthoughtit？
Therenow——sitdown，dear。Why，you’rewhiteezagull。"
Hehadhisarmroundherasshesankbackinthechairagainwithaforcedsmile。
"Therenow，"hesaidwithfraternalsuperiority，"don’tmindit，Mag，anymore。Why，it’sallovernow。Youbethewon’ttroubleusagin，fortheLeftenantsezthatnowhe’sfoundouttobeathief，they’lljestturnhimovertothepolice，andhe’ssureo’
gettensixmonths’stateprisonferstealin’andburglarin’inourhouse。But"——hestoppedsuddenlyandlookedathissister’scontractedface;"lookyer，Mag，you’resick，that’swhat’sthematter。Takesuthin’"——
"I’mbetternow，"shesaidwithaneffort;"it’sonlyakindo’
blindchillImusthevgotontheMarshlastnight。What’sthat？"
Shehadrisen，andgraspingherbrother’sarmtightlyhadturnedquicklytothewindow。Thecasementhadsuddenlyrattled。
"It’sonlythewindgettin’up。Itlookedlikeasou’westerwhenI
camein。Loto’scudflyin’。ButYOUtakesomequinine，Mag。
Don’tYOUgonowandgetdownsicklikeMaw。"
Perhapsitwasthiswell—meantbutinfelicitousreferencethatbroughtamoisturetoherdarkeyes，andcausedherlipstomomentarilyquiver。Butitgavewaytoaquickdeterminedsettingofherwholefaceassheturneditoncemoretothefire，andsaid，slowly：
"IreckonI’llsleepitoff，ifIgotobednow。Whattimedoesthetidefall。"
"Aboutthree，unlessthisyerwindpilesitupontheMarshaforethen。Why？"
"Iwasonlywonderin’iftheboatwussafe，"saidMaggie，rising。
"You’dbetterhoistyourselfoutsidesomequinine，insteado’
talkenaboutthosethings，"saidJim，whopreferredtodischargehisfraternalresponsibilitybyactivemedication。"Youaren’tfittoreadtonight。"
"Goodnight，Jim，"shesaidsuddenly，stoppingbeforehim。
"Goodnight，Mag。"Hekissedherwithprotectingandamiabletoleration，generouslyreferringherhothandsandfeverishlipstothatvaguemysteryoffemininecomplaintwhichmanadmitswithoutindorsing。
Theyseparated。Jim，underthestimulusofthelatesupposedrobbery，ostentatiouslyfasteningthedoorsandwindowswithassuringcomments，calculatedtoinspireconfidenceinhissister’sstartledheart。Thenhewenttobed。Helayawakelongenoughtobepleasantlyconsciousthatthewindhadincreasedtoagale，andtobelulledagaintosleepbythecosysecurityoftheheavilytimberedandtightlysealeddwellingthatseemedtoridethestormliketheshipitresembled。Thegalesweptthroughthepilesbeneathhimandalongthegalleryasthroughbaredsparsandoverwave—washeddecks。Thewholestructure，attackedabove，below，andonallsidesbythefuryofthewind，seemedattimestobeliftedintheair。Onceortwicethecreakingtimberssimulatedthesoundofopeningdoorsandpassingfootsteps，andagaindilatedasifthegalehadforcedapassagethrough。ButJimsleptonpeacefully，andwasatlastonlyarousedbythebrilliantsunshinestaringthroughhiswindowfromtheclearwind—sweptbluearchbeyond。
Dressinghimselflazily，hepassedintothesitting—roomandproceededtoknockathissister’sdoor，aswashiscustom;hewasamazedtofinditopenandtheroomempty。Enteringhurriedly，hesawthatherbedwasundisturbed，asifithadnotbeenoccupied，andwasthemorebewilderedtoseeanoteostentatiouslypinneduponthepillow，addressedinpencil，inalargeschool—hand，"ToJim。"
Openingitimpatiently，hewasstartledtoreadasfollows：——
"Don’tbeangry，Jimdear——butitwasallmyfault——andIdidn’ttellyou。Iknewallaboutthedeserter，andIgavehimtheclothesandthingsthattheysayhestole。Itwaswhileyouwasoutthatnight，andhecameandbeggedofme，andwasmournfulandhidjustobehold。IthoughtIwashelpinghim，andgettingourrevengeontheFort，allatthesametime。Don’tbemad，Jimdear，anddonotbefrightedferme。I’mgoingoverthartomakeitallright——tofreeHIMofstealing——tohaveYOUleftoutofitall——andtakeitallonmyself。Don’tyoubeabitfearedforme。Iain’tskeertofthewindorofgoing。I’llclosereefeverything，clearthecreek，stretchacrosstoInjenIsland，huggthePoint，andbearupferLogport。DearJim——don’tgetmad——butIcouldn’tbearthisfoolingofyounorHIM——andthatmanbeingtookforstealinganylonger！——Yourlovingsister，MAGGIE。"
Withaconfusedminglingofshame，anger，andsuddenfearheranoutonthegallery。Thetidewaswellup，halftheMarshhadalreadyvanished，andthelittlecreekwherehehadmooredhisskiffwasnowanemptyshiningriver。Thewaterwaseverywhere——
fringingthetussocksofsaltgrasswithconcentriccurvesofspumeanddrift，ortumultuouslytossingitswhite—cappedwavesoverthespreadingexpanseofthelowerbay。Thelowthunderofbreakersinthefartherestuarybrokemonotonouslyontheear。Buthiseyewasfascinatedbyadullshiftingstreakonthehorizon，that，evenashegazed，shuddered，whitenedalongitswholeline，andthengrewghastlygrayagain。Itwastheoceanbar。
IV。
"Well，Imustsay，"saidCicelyPreston，emphasizingtheusualfeminineimperativeforperfectlygratuitousstatement，asshepushedbackherchairfromthecommandant’sbreakfasttable，"I
MUSTreallysaythatIdon’tseeanythingparticularlyheroicindoingsomethingwrong，lyingaboutitjusttogetotherfolksintotrouble，andthenrushingofftodopenanceinahighwindandanopenboat。Butshe’spretty，andwearsaman’sshirtandcoat，andofcourseTHATsettlesanything。Butwhyearringsandwetwhitestockingsandslippers？AndwhythatGothicarchoffrontandaboy’shat？That’swhatIsimplyask;"andtheyoungestdaughterofColonelPrestonrosefromthetable，shookouttheskirtofherprettymorningdress，and，placingherlittlethumbsinthebeltofhersmartwaist，pausedwitheringlyforareply。
"Youaremostunfair，mychild，"returnedColonelPrestongravely。
"Hergivingfoodandclothestoadesertermayhavebeenonlyanordinaryinstinctofhumanitytowardsafellow—creaturewhoappearedtobesuffering，tosaynothingofM’Caffrey’splausibletongue。Butherperilingherlifetosavehimfromanunjustaccusation，andherdesiretoshieldherbrother’spridefromridicule，isaltogetherpraiseworthyandextraordinary。Andthemoralinfluenceofherkindnesswasstrongenoughtomakethatscamprefusetotelltheplaintruththatmightimplicateherinanindiscretion，thoughitsavedhimfromstateprison。"
"Heknewyouwouldn’tbelievehimifhehadsaidtheclothesweregiventohim，"retortedMissCicely，"soIdon’tseewherethemoralinfluencecomesin。Astoherperilingherlife，thoseMarshpeopleareamphibiousanyway，orwouldbeinthoseclothes。Andastohermotive，why，papa，Iheardyousayinthisveryroom，andafterwardstoMr。Calvert，whenyougavehiminstructions，thatyoubelievedthoseCulpepperswerecapableofenticingawaydeserters;
andyouforgetthefussyouhadwithhersavagebrother’slawyeraboutthatwaterfront，andhowyousaiditwassuchpeoplewhokeptuptheirritationbetweentheCivilandFederalpower。"
Thecolonelcoughedhurriedly。Itisthefateofallgreatorganizers，militaryaswellascivil，tooccasionallysufferdefeatinthefamilycircle。
"Themorereason，"hesaid，soothingly，"whyweshouldcorrectharshjudgmentsthatspringfrommererumors。Youshouldgiveyourselfatleastthechanceofovercomingyourprejudices，mychild。Remember，too，thatsheisnowtheguestoftheFort。"
"AndshechoosestostaywithMrs。Bromley！I’msureit’squiteenoughforyouandmammatododuty——andEmily，whowantstoknowwhyMr。Calvertravessoabouther——withoutMYgoingovertheretostare。"
ColonelPrestonshookhisheadreproachfully，buteventuallyretired，leavingthefieldtotheenemy。Theenemy，alittlepinkinthecheeks，slightlytossedthedelicateringsofitsblondecrest，settleditsskirtsagainatthepiano，butafterturningovertheleavesofitsmusicbook，rose，andwalkedpettishlytothewindow。
Buthereaspectaclepresenteditselfthatforamomentdismissedallotherthoughtsfromthegirl’srebelliousmind。
Notadozenyardsaway，onthewind—sweptparade，ahandsomeyoungfellow，apparentlyhaltedbythesentry，hadimpetuouslyturneduponhiminanattitudeofindignantandhaughtysurprise。Tothequickfancyofthegirlitseemedasifsomedisguisedrusticgodhadbeenstartledbythechallengeofamortal。Underanoilskinhat，likethepetasusofHermes，pushedbackfromhiswhiteforehead，crispblackcurlswereknottedaroundaheadwhosebeardlessfacewasperfectasacameocutting。Intheclose—
fittingbluewoolenjerseyunderhisopenjackettheclearoutlinesandyouthfulgraceofhisupperfigurewererevealedasclearlyasinastatue。Longfishing—bootsreachingtohisthighsscarcelyconcealedthesymmetryofhislowerlimbs。Cricketandlawn—
tennis，knickerbockersandflannelshadnotatthatperiodfamiliarizedthefemaleeyetounfetteredmasculineoutline，andCicelyPreston，accustomedtotheartificialsmartnessandregularityofuniform，wasperhapsthemoreimpressedbythestranger’slawlessgrace。
Thesentryhadrepeatedhischallenge;anangryflushwasdeepeningontheintruder’scheek。AtthiscriticalmomentCicelythrewopentheFrenchwindowsandsteppedupontheveranda。
Thesentrysalutedthefamiliarlittlefigureofhiscolonel’sdaughterwithanexplanatoryglanceatthestranger。Theyoungfellowlookedup——andthegodbecamehuman。
"I’mlookingformysister，"hesaid，halfawkwardly，halfdefiantly;"she’shere，somewhere。"
"Yes——andperfectlysafe，Mr。Culpepper，Ithink，"saidthearch—
hypocritewithdazzlingsweetness;"andwe’reallsodelighted。
Andsobraveandpluckyandskillfulinhertocomeallthatway——
andforsuchapurpose。"
"Then——youknow——allaboutit"——stammeredJim，morerelievedthanhehadimagined——"andthatI"——
"Thatyouwerequiteignorantofyoursisterhelpingthedeserter。
Ohyes，ofcourse，"saidCicely，withbewilderingpromptitude。
"Yousee，Mr。Culpepper，wegirlsareSOfoolish。IdaresayI
shouldhavedonethesamethinginherplace，onlyIshouldneverhavehadthecouragetodowhatshedidafterwards。Youreallymustforgiveher。Butwon’tyoucomein——DO。"Shesteppedback，holdingthewindowopenwiththehalf—coaxingairofaspoiledchild。"Thiswayisquickest。DOcome。"Ashestillhesitated，glancingfromhertothehouse，sheadded，withademurelittlelaugh，"Oh，Iforget——thisisColonelPreston’squarters，andI’mhisdaughter。"
Andthisdaintylittlefairy，sonaturalinmanner，sotastefulinattire，wasoneoftheartificialover—dressedcreaturesthathissisterhadinveighedagainstsobitterly！WasMaggiereallytobetrusted？Thisnewrevelationcomingsosoonaftertheepisodeofthedeserterstaggeredhim。Neverthelesshehesitated，lookingupwithacertainboyishtimidityintoCicely’sdangerouseyes。
"Is——is——mysisterthere？"
"I’mexpectingherwithmymothereverymoment，"respondedthisyouthfulbutingeniousdiplomatistsweetly;"shemightbeherenow;
but，"sheaddedwithasuddenheart—brokenflashofsympathy，"I
knowHOWanxiousyoubothmustbe。I’LLtakeyoutohernow。Onlyonemoment，please。"Theopportunityofleadingthishandsomesavageasitwereinchainsacrosstheparade，beforeeverybody，herfather，hermother，hersister，andHIS——wasnottobelost。
Shedartedintothehouse，andreappearedwiththedaintiestimaginablestrawhatonthesideofherhead，anddemurelytookherplaceathisside。"It’sonlyoverthere，atMajorBromley’s，"shesaid，pointingtooneofthevine—cladcottagequarters;butyouareastrangerhere，youknow，andmightgetlost。"
Alas！hewasalreadythat。Forkeepingstepwiththosefairy—likeslippers，brushingawkwardlyagainstthatfreshandprettyskirt，andfeelingthecaressofthesoftfolds;lookingdownuponthebrimofthatberibbonedlittlehat，andmoreoftenmeetingtheupturnedblueeyesbeneathit，Jimwassuddenlystruckwithaterribleconvictionofhisowncontrastingcoarsenessanddeficiencies。Howhideousthoseoiledcanvasfishing—trousersandpilotjacketlookedbesidethisperfectlyfittedanddelicatelygownedgirl！Heloathedhiscollar，hisjersey，histurned—backsou’wester，evenhisheight，whichseemedtohulkbesideher——
everything，inshort，thatthegirlhadrecentlyadmired。BythetimethattheyhadreachedMajorBromley’sdoorhehadsofarsuccumbedtothefairenchantressandrealizedherambitionofatriumphantprocession，thatwhensheusheredhimintothepresenceofhalfadozenladiesandgentlemenhescarcelyrecognizedhissisterasthecentreofattraction，orknewthatMissCicely’seffusivegreetingofMaggiewasherfirstone。"IknewhewasdyingtoseeyouafterallyouhadBOTHpassedthrough，andI
broughthimstraighthere，"saidthediminutiveMachiavelli，meetingtheastonishedgazeofherfatherandthecuriouseyesofhersisterwithperfectcalmness，whileMaggie，fullofgratitudeandadmirationofherhandsomebrother，forgothismomentaryobliviousness，andreturnedhergreetingwarmly。Nevertheless，therewasaslightmovementofreserveamongthegentlemenattheunlooked—forirruptionofthissunburntAdonis，untilCalvert，disengaginghimselffromMaggie’sside，cameforwardwithhisusualfrankimperturbabilityandquiettact，andclaimedJimashisfriendandhonoredguest。
Itthencameoutwiththatunostentatioussimplicitywhichcharacterizedthebrotherandsister，andwastheirsecureclaimtoperfectequalitywiththeirentertainers，thatJim，ondiscoveringhissister’sabsence，andfearingthatshemightbecarriedbythecurrenttowardsthebar，hadactuallySWUMTHEESTUARYtoIndianIsland，andinanordinaryIndiancanoehadbravedthesametempestuouspassageshehadtakenafewhoursbefore。Cicely，listeningtothisrecitalwithraptattention，neverthelessmanagedtoconveytheimpressionofhavingfullyexpecteditfromthefirst。"Ofcoursehe’dhavecomehere;ifshe’donlywaited，"shesaid，sottovoce，tohersisterEmily。
"He’scertainlythehandsomerofthetwo，"respondedthatyounglady。
"Ofcourse，"returnedCicely，withasuperiorair，"don’tyouseesheCOPIEShim。"
NotthatthisprivatecriticismpreventedeitherfromvyingwiththeyoungerofficersintheirattentionstoMaggie，withperhapstheadditionofanopeneulogyofherhandsomebrother，moreorlessinvidiousincomparisontotheofficers。"Isupposeit’sanactiveout—of—doorlifegiveshimthatperfectgraceandfreedom，"
saidEmily，withaslightsneeratthesmartlybeltedCalvert。
"Yes;andhedon’tdrinkorkeeplatehours，"respondedCicelysignificantly。"Hissistersaystheyalwaysretirebeforeteno’clock，andthatalthoughhisfatherlefthimsomevaluablewhiskeyheseldomtakesadropofit。""Therein，"gravelyconcludedCaptainKirby，"liesOURsalvation。If，aftersuchaconfession，Calvertdoesn’tmakethemostofhisacquaintancewithyoungCulpeppertoremovethatwhiskeyfromhispathandbringithere，he’snotthemanItakehimfor。"
Indeed，forthemomentitseemedasifhewasnot。Duringthenextthreeorfourdays，inwhichColonelPrestonhadinsistedupondetaininghisguests，Calverttouchednoliquor，evadedtheeveningpokerpartiesatquarters，andevenprevaileduponsomeofhisbrotherofficerstogivethemupforthemoregeneralentertainmentoftheladies。ColonelPrestonwaspoliticianenoughtoavailhimselfofthepopularityofMaggie’sadventuretoinvitesomeoftheLogportpeopletoassisthiminhonoringtheirneighbor。NotonlywastheoldfeudbetweentheFortandthepeoplethusbridgedover，buttherewasnodoubtthatthedisciplineoftheForthadbeenstrengthenedbyMaggie’sextravagantreputationasamediatoramongthedisaffectedrankandfile。WhatevercharacteristiclicensethegratefulDennisM’Caffrey——letoffwithanominalpunishment——mayhavetakeninhispraiseofthe"QuaneoftheMarshes，"itiscertainthatthemenworshipedher，andthatthebandpatheticallybeggedpermissiontoserenadeherthelastnightofherstay。
Attheendofthattime，withadozeninvitations，adozenappointments，adozenvowsofeternalfriendship，muchhand—
shaking，andaccompaniedbyanumberoftheofficerstotheirboat，MaggieandJimdeparted。Theytalkedbutlittleontheirwayhome;
bysometacitunderstandingtheydidnotdiscussthoseprojects，onlyrecallingcertainscenesandincidentsoftheirvisit。Bythetimetheyhadreachedthelittlecreekthesilenceandnervousapathywhichusuallyfollowexcitementintheyoungseemedtohavefallenuponthem。Itwasnotuntilaftertheirquietfrugalsupperthat，seatedbesidethefire，Jimlookedupsomewhatself—
consciouslyinhissister’sgraveandthoughtfulface。
"Say，Mag，whatwasthatideao’yoursaboutsellingsomeland，andtakingahouseatLogport？"
Maggielookedup，andsaidpassively，"Oh，THATidea？"
"Yes。"
"Why？"
"Well，"saidJimsomewhatawkwardly，"itCOULDbedone，youknow。
I’mwillin’。"
Asshedidnotimmediatelyreply，hecontinueduneasily，"MissPrestonsayswekingetanicelittlehousethatisneartheFort，untilwewanttobuild。"
"Oh，thenyouHAVEtalkedaboutit？"
"Yes——thatis——why，whatareyethinkin’of，Mag？Wasn’titYOUR
ideaallalong？"hesaid，suddenlyfacingherwithquerulousembarrassment。TheyhadbeensittingintheirusualeveningattitudesofAssyrianfriezeprofile，withevenmorethantheusualAssyrianfriezesimilarityoffeature。
"Yes;but，Jimdear，doyouthinkitthebestthingfor——forustodo？"saidMaggie，withhalf—frightenedgravity。
Atthissuddenandstartlingexhibitionoffemaleinconsistencyandinconsequence，Jimwasforamomentspeechless。Thenherecoveredhimself，volubly，aggrievedly，andonhislegs。WhatDIDshemean？
Washetogiveupunderstandinggirls——orwasittheirsolevocationinlifetoimpedemasculineprocessesandshipwreckmasculineconclusions？Here，afterallshesaidtheothernight，aftertheyhadnearly"quo’lled"overher"setidees，"aftershe’d"goneoverallthatfoolishnessaboutJaelandSisera——andtherewasn’tanyuseforit——aftershe’dlethimrunontothemofficersallhewasgoin’todo——nay，afterSHEherself，forhehadheardher，hadtalkedtoCalvertaboutit，shewantedtoknowNOWifitwasbest。"Helookedatthefloorandtheceiling，asifexpectingthetonguedandgroovedplankstocryoutatthiscrowningenormity。
Thecauseofithadresumedhersadgazeatthefire。Presently，withoutturningherhead，shereachedupherlong，gracefularm，andclaspingherbrother’sneck，broughthisfacedowninprofilewithherown，cheekagainstcheek，untiltheylookedlikethedoubleoutlinesofamedallion。Thenshesaid——tothefire：
"Jim，doyouthinkshe’spretty？"
"Who？"saidJim，albeithiscolorhadalreadyansweredthequestion。
"YouknowWHO。Doyoulikeher？"
Jimherevaguelymurmuredtothefirethathethoughther"kindernice，"andthatshedressedmightypurty。"Yeknow，Mag，"hesaidwithpatronizingeffusion，"yououghtergetsomegowndslikehers。"
"Thatwouldn’tmakemelikeher，"saidMaggiegravely。
"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"saidJimpolitely，butwithanappallinghopelessnessoftone。Afterapauseheaddedslyly，"’PearstomeSOMEBODYELSEthoughtsomebodyelsemightypurty——eh？"
Tohisdiscomfitureshedidnotsolicitfurtherinformation。Afterapausehecontinued，stillmorearchly：
"DoyoulikeHIM，Mag？"
"Ithinkhe’saperfectgentleman，"shesaidcalmly。
Heturnedhiseyesquicklyfromtheglowingfiretoherface。Thecheekthathadbeenrestingagainsthisownwasascoolasthenightwindthatcamethroughtheopendoor，andthewholefacewasasfixedandtranquilastheupperstars。
V。
ForayearthetidehadebbedandflowedontheDedlowMarshunheededbeforethesealedandsightlesswindowsofthe"Kingfisher’sNest。"SincetheyoungbirdshadflowntoLogport，eventheIndiancaretakershadabandonedthepileddwellingfortheiroldnomadichauntsinthe"bresh。"Thehighspringtidehadagainmadeitsannualvisittothelittlecemeteryofdrift—wood，and，asifrecognizinganotherwreckinthedesertedhome，hadhungafewmemorialofferingsontheblackenedpiles，softlylaidagarlandofgrayishdriftbeforeit，andthensobbeditselfoutinthesaltgrass。
FromtimetotimethefaintechoesoftheCulpeppers’lifeatLogportreachedtheupland，andthefewneighborswhohadonlyknownthembyhearsayshooktheirheadsovertheextravagancetheyasyetonlyknewbyreport。ButitwasinthedeadebbofthetideandthewaningdaylightthatthefeatheredtenantsoftheMarshseemedtovoicedismalpropheciesoftheruinoftheiroldmasterandmistress，andtogivethemselvesuptogloomiestlamentationandquerulousforeboding。Whetherthetraditional"birdoftheair"hadentrustedhissecrettoafewornithologicalfriends，orwhetherfromanaturaldispositiontotakegloomyviewsoflife，itwascertainthatatthishourthevocalexpressionoftheMarshwashopelessanddespairing。Itwasthenthatadejectedplover，addressingamockingcrewofsandpipersonafloatinglog，seemedtobewailthefortunethatwasbeingswallowedupbytheriotouslivingandgamblingdebtsofJim。Itwasthenthatthequerulouscranerose，andtestilyprotestedagainstthesellingofhisfavoritehauntinthesandypeninsula，whichonlysixmonthsofJim’sexcesseshadmadeimperative。Itwasthenthatamournfulcurlew，who，withtheprefacethathehadalwaysbeenreallyexpectingit，reiteratedthestorythatJimhadbeenseenmorethanoncestaggeringhomewithnervoushandsandsoddenfeaturesfromadebauchwiththeyoungerofficers;itwasthesamedespondingfowlwhoknewthatMaggie’seyeshadmorethanoncefilledwithtearsatJim’sfailings，andhadalreadygrownmorehollowwithmanywatchings。Itwasaflockofwranglingtealthatscreaminglydiscussedthesmallscandals，jealousheart—burnings，andcuriousbackbitingsthathadattendedMaggie’sadventintosociety。Itwasthehigh—flyingbrentwho，knowinghowthesensitivegirl，madekeenlyconsciousateveryturnofherdefectivetrainingandingenuousignorance，hadoftenwatchedtheireveningflightwithlonginggaze，now"honked"dismallyattherecollection。ItwasatthishourandseasonthattheusualvaguelamentingsofDedlowMarshseemedtofindatlastapreordainedexpression。Anditwasatsuchatime，whenlightandwaterwerebothfading，andtheblacknessoftheMarshwasoncemorereassertingitself，thatasmallboatwascreepingalongoneofthetortuousinlets，attimeshalfhidingbehindthebanklikeawoundedbird。Asitslowlypenetratedinlanditseemedtobeimpelledbyitssolitaryoccupantinahesitatinguncertainway，asiftoescapeobservationratherthanasifdirectedtoanypositivebourn。Stoppingbesideabankofreedsatlast，thefigurerosestoopingly，anddrewagunfrombetweenitsfeetandthebottomoftheboat。Asthelightfelluponitsface，itcouldbeseenthatitwasJamesCulpepper！JamesCulpepper！hardlyrecognizableintheswollenfeatures，bloodshoteyes，andtremuloushandsofthatruinedfigure！JamesCulpepper，onlyretainingasingletraceofhisformerselfinhislookofsetandpassionatepurpose！Andthatpurposewastokillhimself——tobefounddead，ashisfatherhadbeenbeforehim——inanopenboat，adriftupontheMarsh！
Itwasnottheoutcomeofasuddenfancy。Theideahadfirstcometohiminatauntingallusionfromthedrunkenlipsofoneofhisrudercompanions，forwhichhehadstrickentheoffendertotheearth。Ithadsincehauntedhiswakinghoursofremorseandhopelessfatuity;ithadseemedtobetheonereliefandatonementhecouldmakehisdevotedsister;and，morefatuousthanall，itseemedtothemiserableboytheonerevengehewouldtakeuponthefaithlesscoquette，whoforayearhadplayedwithhissimplicity，andhadhelpedtodrivehimtothedistractionofcardsanddrink。
OnlythatmorningColonelPrestonhadforbiddenhimthehouse;andnowitseemedtohimtheendhadcome。Heraisedhisdistortedfaceabovethereedybankforalasttremulousandhalf—frightenedglanceatthelandscapehewasleavingforever。Aglintinthewesternskylitupthefrontofhisdeserteddwellinginthedistance，abreastofwhichthewindingsoftheinlethadunwittinglyledhim。Ashelookedhestarted，andinvoluntarilydroppedintoacrouchingattitude。For，tohissuperstitiousterror，thesealedwindowsofhisoldhomewereopen，thebrightpaneswereglitteringwiththefadinglight，andontheoutergallerythefamiliarfigureofhissisterstood，asofold，awaitinghisreturn！Washereallygoingmad，orhadthislastvisionofhisformeryouthbeenpurposelyvouchsafedhim？
But，evenashegazed，theappearanceofanotherfigureinthelandscapebeyondthehouseprovedtherealityofhisvision，andassuddenlydistractedhimfromallelse。Foritwastheapparitionofamanonhorsebackapproachingthehousefromtheupland;andevenatthatdistanceherecognizeditswell—knownoutlines。ItwasCalvert！Calvertthetraitor！Calvert，themanwhomhehadlongsuspectedasbeingthesecretloveranddestinedhusbandofCicelyPreston！Calvert，whohaddeceivedhimwithhiscalmequanimityandhisaffectedpreferenceforMaggie，toconcealhisdeliberateunderstandingwithCicely。Whatwashedoinghere？Washeadoubletraitor，andnowtryingtodeceiveHER——ashehadhim？
AndMaggiehere！Thissuddenreturn——thispreconcertedmeeting。
Itwasinfamy！
Foramomentheremainedstupefied，andthen，withamechanicalinstinct，plungedhisheadandfaceinthelazy—flowingwater，andthenonceagainrosecoolandcollected。Thehalf—maddistractionofhispreviousresolvehadgivenwaytoanother，moredeliberate，butnotlessdesperatedetermination。HeknewnowWHYhecamethere——WHYhehadbroughthisgun——whyhisboathadstoppedwhenitdid！
Lyingflatinthebottom，hetoreawayfragmentsofthecrumblingbanktofillhisfrailcraft，untilhehadsunkittothegunwale，andbelowthelowleveloftheMarsh。Then，usinghishandsasnoiselesspaddles，hepropelledthisrudeimitationofafloatinglogslowlypastthelineofvision，untilthetongueofbusheshadhiddenhimfromview。Witharapidglanceatthedarkeningflat，hethenseizedhisgun，andspringingtothespongybank，halfcrouchinghalfcrawlingthroughreedsandtussocks，hemadehiswaytothebrush。Afootandeyelessexperiencedwouldhaveplungeditsownerhelplessintheblackquagmire。Atoneedgeofthethicketheheardhoofstramplingthedriedtwigs。Calvert’shorsewasalreadythere，tiedtoaskirtingalder。
Herantothehouse，but，insteadofattractingattentionbyascendingthecreakingsteps，madehiswaytothepilesbelowthereargalleryandclimbedtoitnoiselessly。Itwasthespotwherethedeserterhadascendedayearago，and，likehim，hecouldseeandhearallthatpasseddistinctly。Calvertstoodneartheopendoorasifdeparting。Maggiestoodbetweenhimandthewindow，herfaceinshadow，herhandsclaspedtightlybehindher。Aprofoundsadness，partlyofthedyingdayandwaninglight，andpartlyofsomevagueexpirationoftheirownsorrow，seemedtoencompassthem。Withoutknowingwhy，astrangetremblingtooktheplaceofJamesCulpepper’sfiercedetermination，andafilmofmoisturestoleacrosshisstaringeyes。
"WhenItellyouthatIbelieveallthiswillpass，andthatyouwillstillwinyourbrotherbacktoyou，"saidCalvert’ssadbutclearvoice，"Iwilltellyouwhy——although，perhaps，itisonlyapartofthatconfidenceyoucommandmetowithhold。WhenIfirstsawyou，Imyselfhadfallenintolikedissolutehabits;lessexcusablethanhe，forIhadsomeexperienceoftheworldanditsfollies。WhenImetYOU，andfellundertheinfluenceofyourpure，simple，andhealthylife;whenIsawthatisolation，monotony，misunderstanding，eventhesenseofsuperioritytoone’ssurroundingscouldbeliveddownandtriumphedover，withoutvulgardistractionsorpitifulambitions;whenIlearnedtoloveyou——hearmeout，MissCulpepper，Ibegyou——yousavedME——I，whowasnothingtoyou，evenasIhonestlybelieveyouwillstillsaveyourbrother，whomyoulove。"
"HowdoyouknowIdidn’tRUINhim？"shesaid，turninguponhimbitterly。"Howdoyouknowthatitwasn’ttogetridofOUR
monotony，OURsolitudethatIdrovehimtothisvulgardistraction，thispitiful——yes，youwereright——pitifulambition？"
"Becauseitisn’tyourrealnature，"hesaidquietly。
"Myrealnature，"sherepeatedwithahalfsavagevehemencethatseemedtobegoadedfromherbyhisverygentleness，"myrealnature！WhatdidHE——whatdoYOUknowofit？——Myrealnature！——
I’lltellyouwhatitwas，"shewentonpassionately。"Itwastoberevengedonyouallforyourcruelty，yourheartlessness，yourwickednesstomeandmineinthepast。Itwastopayyouoffforyourslandersofmydeadfather——fortheselfishnessthatleftmeandJimalonewithhisdeadbodyontheMarsh。ThatwaswhatsentmetoLogport——togetevenwithyou——to——tofoolandflauntyou！
There，youhaveitnow！AndnowthatGodhaspunishedmeforitbycrushingmybrother——you——youexpectmetoletyoucrushMEtoo。"
"But，"hesaideagerly，advancingtowardher，"youarewrongingme——
youarewrongingyourself，cruelly。"
"Stop，"shesaid，steppingback，withherhandsstilllockedbehindher。"Staywhereyouare。There！That’senough！"Shedrewherselfupandletherhandsfallatherside。"Now，letusspeakofJim，"shesaidcoldly。
Withoutseemingtohearher，heregardedherforthefirsttimewithhopelesssadness。
"WhydidyouletmybrotherbelieveyouwerehisrivalwithCicelyPreston？"sheaskedimpatiently。
"BecauseIcouldnotundeceivehimwithouttellinghimIhopelesslylovedhissister。Youareproud，MissCulpepper，"hesaid，withthefirsttingeofbitternessinhisevenvoice。"Canyounotunderstandthatothersmaybeproudtoo？"
"No，"shesaidbluntly;"itisnotpridebutweakness。Youcouldhavetoldhimwhatyouknewtobetrue：thattherecouldbenothingincommonbetweenherfolkandsuchsavagesaswe;thattherewasagulfaswideasthatMarshandasblackbetweenournatures，ourtrainingandtheirs，andeveniftheycametousacrossit，nowandthen，tosuittheirpleasure，lightandeasyasthattide——itwasstilltheretosomedaygroundandswampthem！Andifhedoubtedit，youhadonlytotellhimyourownstory。Youhadonlytotellhimwhatyouhavejusttoldme——thatyouyourself，anofficerandagentleman，thoughtyoulovedme，avulgar，uneducated，savagegirl，andthatI，kindertoyouthanyoutomeorhim，madeyoutakeitbackacrossthattide，becauseIcouldn’tletyoulinkyourlifewithme，anddragyouinthemire。"
"Youneednothavesaidthat，MissCulpepper，returnedCalvertwiththesamegentlesmile，"toprovethatIamyourinferiorinallbutonething。"
"Andthat？"shesaidquickly。
"Ismylove。"
Hisgentlefacewasassetnowasherownashemovedbackslowlytowardsthedoor。Therehepaused。
"YoutellmetospeakofJim，andJimonly。Thenhearme。I
believethatMissPrestoncaresforhimasfarasliesinheryoungandgiddynature。Icouldnot，therefore，havecrushedHIShopewithoutdeceivinghim，forthereareascrueldeceitspromptedbywhatwecallreasonasbyourlove。Ifyouthinkthataknowledgeofthisplaintruthwouldhelptosavehim，Ibegyoutobekindertohimthanyouhavebeentome，——oreven，letmedaretohope，toYOURSELF。"
Heslowlycrossedthethreshold，stillholdinghiscaplightlyinhishand。
"WhenItellyouthatIamgoingawayto—morrowonaleaveofabsence，andthatinallprobabilitywemaynotmeetagain，youwillnotmisunderstandwhyIaddmyprayertothemessageyourfriendsinLogportchargedmewith。Theybegthatyouwillgiveupyourideaofreturninghere，andcomebacktothem。Believeme，youhavemadeyourselflovedandrespectedthere，inspite——Ibegpardon——perhapsIshouldsayBECAUSEofyourpride。Good—nightandgood—bye。"
Forasingleinstantsheturnedhersetfacetothewindowwithasuddenconvulsivemovement，asifshewouldhavecalledhimback，butatthesamemomenttheoppositedoorcreakedandherbrotherslippedintotheroom。Whetheraquickmemoryofthedeserter’sentranceatthatdoorayearagohadcrossedhermind，whethertherewassomestrangesuggestioninhismud—stainedgarmentsandweakdeprecatingsmile，orwhetheritwastheoutcomeofsomedesperatestrugglewithinher，therewasthatinherfacethatchangedhissmileintoafrightenedcryforpardon，asheranandfellonhiskneesatherfeet。Butevenashedidsohersternlookvanished，andwithherarmaroundhimshebentoverhimandmingledhertearswithhis。
"Ihearditall，Magdearest！All！Forgiveme！Ihavebeencrazy！——wild！——Iwillreform！——Iwillbebetter！Iwillneverdisgraceyouagain，Mag！Never，never！Iswearit！"
Shereacheddownandkissedhim。Afterapause，aweakboyishsmilestruggledintohisface。
"YouheardwhathesaidofHER，Mag。Doyouthinkitmightbetrue？"
Sheliftedthedampcurlsfromhisforeheadwithasadhalf—
maternalsmile，butdidnotreply。
"AndMag，dear，don’tyouthinkYOUwerealittle——justalittle——
hardonHIM？No！Don’tlookatmethatway，forGod’ssake！
There，Ididn’tmeananything。Ofcourseyouknewbest。There，Maggiedear，lookup。Harkthere！Listen，Mag，do！"
Theyliftedtheireyestothedimdistanceseenthroughtheopendoor。Borneonthefadinglight，andseemingtofallanddiewithitovermarshandriver，camethelastnotesofthebuglefromtheFort。
"There！Don’tyourememberwhatyouusedtosay，Mag？"
Thelookthathadfrightenedhimhadquiteleftherfacenow。
"Yes，"shesmiled，layinghercoldcheekbesidehissoftly。"Ohyes！Itwassomethingthatcameandwent，’Likeasong’——’Likeasong。’"
AKNIGHT—ERRANTOFTHEFOOTHILLS。
I。
AsFatherFelipeslowlytoiledupthedustyroadtowardstheRanchooftheBlessedInnocents，hemorethanoncestoppedundertheshadowofasycamoretoresthissomewhatlazymuleandtocomposehisownperplexedthoughtsbyafewsnatchesfromhisbreviary。
Forthegoodpadrehadsomereasontobetroubled。TheinvasionofGentileAmericansthatfollowedthegolddiscoveryofthreeyearsbeforehadnotconfineditselftotheplainsoftheSacramento，butstragglershadalreadyfoundtheirwaytotheSantaCruzValley，andtheseclusionofeventhemissionitselfwasthreatened。Itwastruethattheyhadnotbroughttheirheathenenginestodisemboweltheearthinsearchofgold，butitwasrumoredthattheyhadalreadyspeculatedupontheagriculturalproductivenessoftheland，andhadespied"thefatnessthereof。"Ashereachedthehigherplateauhecouldseetheafternoonsea—fog——presentlytoobliteratethefairprospect——alreadypullingthroughthegapsintheCoastRange，andonanearerslope——nolessominously——thesmokeofarecentbutmorepermanentlydestructiveYankeesaw—millwasslowlydriftingtowardsthevalley。
"Getup，beast！"saidthefather，digginghisheelsintothecomfortableflanksofhismulewithsomehumanimpatience，"orartTHOU，too，alazyrenegade？Thinkestthou，besottedone，thatthehereticwillsparetheemoreworkthantheHolyChurch。"
Themule，thusapostrophizedinearandflesh，shookitsheadobstinatelyasifthequestionwasbynomeanscleartoitsmind，butneverthelessstartedintoalittletrot，whichpresentlybroughtittothelowadobewallofthecourtyardof"TheInnocents，"andenteredthegate。Afewloungingpeonsintheshadowofanarchwaytookofftheirbroad—brimmedhatsandmadewayforthepadre，andahalfdozenequallylistlessvaqueroshelpedhimtoalight。Accustomedashewastotheindolenceandsuperfluityofhishost’sretainers，to—dayitneverthelessseemedtostrikesomenoteofirritationinhisbreast。
Astout，middle—agedwomanofungirtwaistandbeshawledheadandshouldersappearedatthegatewayasifawaitinghim。Afteraformalsalutationshedrewhimasideintoaninnerpassage。
"Heisawayagain，yourReverence，"shesaid。
"Ah——alwaysthesame？"
"Yes，yourReverence——andthistimeto’ameeting’ofthehereticsattheirpueblo，atJonesville——wheretheywillaskhimofhislandforaroad。"
"AtaMEETING？"echoedthepriestuneasily。
"Ahyes！ameeting——whereTiburciosaystheyshoutandspitontheground，yourReverence，andonlyonehasachairandhimtheycalla’chairman’becauseofit，andyethesitsnotbutshoutsandspitsevenastheothersandkeepsupatappingwithahammerlikeaverypico。Andthereitistheyareever’resolving’thatwhichisnot，andconsideritevenasdone。"
"Thenheisstillthesame，"saidthepriestgloomily，asthewomanpausedforbreath。
"Onlymoreso，yourReverence，forhereadsnoughtbutthenewspaperoftheAmericanosthatisbroughtintheship，the’NewYork’errald’——andrecitestohimselftheorationsoftheirlegislators。Ah！itwasanevildaywhentheshipwreckedAmericansailortaughthimhisuncouthtongue，which，asyourReverenceknows，isonlyfitforbeastsandheathenincantation。"
"PrayHeavenTHATwereallhelearnedofhim，"saidthepriesthastily，"forIhavegreatfearthatthissailorwaslittlebetterthananatheistandanemissaryfromSatan。Butwherearethesenewspapersandthefantasiesofpublicitathatfillhismind？I
wouldseethem，mydaughter。"
"Youshall，yourReverence，andmoretoo，"sherepliedeagerly，leadingthewayalongthepassagetoagrateddoorwhichopeneduponasmallcell—likeapartment，whosescantlightandlessaircamethroughthedeeplyembayedwindowsintheouterwall。"Hereishisestudio。"
Inspiteofthisopeninvitation，thepadreenteredwiththatairoffurtiveandminuteinspectioncommontohisorder。Hisglancefelluponarudesurveyor’splanoftheadjacentembryotownofJonesvillehangingonthewall，whichhecontemplatedwithacolddisfavorthatevenincludedthehighlycoloredvignetteoftheprojectedJonesvilleHotelintheleft—handcorner。Hethenpassedtoasupervisor’snoticehangingnearit，whichheexaminedwithasuspicionheightenedbythatuneasinesscommontomereworldlyhumanitywhenopposedtoanunknownandunfamiliarlanguage。Butanexclamationbrokefromhislipswhenheconfrontedanelectionplacardimmediatelybelowit。ItwasprintedinSpanishandEnglish，andFatherFelipehadnodifficultyinreadingtheannouncementthat"DonJoseSepulvidawouldpresideatameetingoftheBoardofEducationinJonesvilleasoneofthetrustees。"
"Thisismadness，"saidthepadre。
ObservingthatDonaMariawasatthemomentpreoccupiedinexaminingthepictorialpagesofanillustratedAmericanweeklywhichhadhithertoescapedhiseyes，hetookitgentlyfromherhand。
"Pardon，yourReverence，"shesaidwithslightlyacidulousdeprecation，"butthankstotheBlessedVirginandyourReverence’steaching，thetextisbutgibberishtomeandIdidbutglanceatthepictures。"
"Muchevilmaycomeinwiththeeye，"saidthepriestsententiously，"asIwillpresentlyshowthee。Wehavehere，"hecontinued，pointingtoanillustrationofcertaincollegeathleticsports，"anumberofyouthfulcavaliersposturingandcaperinginapartlynudeconditionbeforeanumberofshamelesswomen，whoemulatethesaturnaliaofheathenRomebywavingtheirhandkerchiefs。Wehavehereacompanionpicture，"hesaid，indicatinganillustrationofgymnasticexercisesbythestudentsofafemaleacademyat"Commencement，""inwhich，asthouseest，eventheagedofbothsexesunblushinglyassistasspectatorswitheveryexpressionofimmodestsatisfaction。"
"Havetheynobull—fightsorotherseemlyrecreationthattheymustindulgeinsuchwantonness？"askedDonaMariaindignantly，gazing，however，somewhatcuriouslyatthebalefulrepresentations。
"Ofallthat，mydaughter，hastheirpamperedcivilizationlongsincewearied，"returnedthegoodpadre，"forsee，thisiswhattheyconsideramoralandevenareligiousceremony。"Heturnedtoanillustrationofawoman’srightsconvention;"observewithwhatraptattentiontheaudienceofthatheathentemplewatchtheinspiredravingsofthatelderlypriestessonthedais。ItiseventhiskindofsacrilegiousperformancethatIamtoldthynephewDonJoseexpoundsanddefends。"
"Maytheblessedsaintspreserveus;wherewillitleadto？"
murmuredthehorrifiedDonaMaria。
"Iwillshowthee，"saidFatherFelipe，brisklyturningthepageswiththesameloftyignoringofthetextuntilhecametoarepresentationofalaborprocession。"ThereisoneoftheirperiodicrevolutionsunhappilynotunknowneveninMexico。Thouperceivestthosecomplacentartisansmarchingwithimplementsoftheircraft，accompaniedbythemilitary，inthepresenceoftheirownstrickenmasters。HereweseeonlyanotherinstanceoftheinstabilityofallcommunitiesthatarenotfoundedontheprinciplesoftheHolyChurch。"
"Andwhatistobedonewithmynephew？"
Thegoodfather’sbrowdarkenedwiththegloomyreligiouszealoftwocenturiesago。"Wemusthaveacouncilofthefamily，thealcalde，andthearchbishop，atONCE，"hesaidominously。Tothemerehereticalobservertheconclusionmighthaveseemedlameandimpotent，butitwasasneartheHolyinquisitionastheyearofgrace1852couldoffer。
Afewdaysafterthiscolloquytheunsuspectingsubjectofit，DonJoseSepulvida，wassittingaloneinthesameapartment。Thefadingglowofthewesternsky，throughthedeepembrasuredwindows，lituphisraptandmeditativeface。Hewasayoungmanofapparentlytwenty—five，withacolorlesssatincomplexion，darkeyesalternatingbetweenmelancholyandrestlessenergy，anarrowhighforehead，longstraighthair，andalightlypenciledmoustache。Hewassaidtoresemblethewell—knownportraitoftheMarquisofMontereyinthemissionchurch，afacethatwasallegedtoleaveadeepandlastingimpressionupontheobservers。ItwasundoubtedlyowingtothisqualityduringabriefvisitofthefamousviceroytoaremoteandmarriedancestressofDonJoseatLeonthatthesingularresemblancemaybeattributed。
Aheavyandhesitatingstepalongthepassagestoppedbeforethegrating。Lookingup，DonJosebeheldtohisastonishmenttheslightlyinflamedfaceofRoberto，avagabondAmericanwhomhehadlatelytakenintohisemployment。
Roberto，apolitetranslationof"BobtheBucker，"cleanedoutatamonte—bankinSantaCruz，pennilessandprofligate，hadsoldhismustangtoDonJoseandrecklesslythrownhimselfinwiththebargain。Touchedbytherascal’sextravagance，thequalityofthemare，andobservingthatBob’shabitshadnotyetaffectedhisseatinthesaddle，butratherlentademoniacvigortohischaseofwildcattle，DonJosehadretainedriderandhorseinhisserviceasvaquero。
BuckingBob，observingthathisemployerwasalone，coollyopenedthedoorwithoutceremony，shutitsoftlybehindhim，andthenclosedthewoodenshutterofthegrating。DonJosesurveyedhimwithmildsurpriseanddignifiedcomposure。Themanappearedperfectlysober，——itwasapeculiarityofhisdissipatedhabitsthat，whennotactuallyravingwithdrink，hewassingularlyshrewdandpractical。
"Lookyer，DonKosay，"hebeganinabrusquebutguardedvoice，"youandmeispards。Whenyepickedmeandthemareupandsetusonourlegsagaininthisyerranch，IallowedI’dtietoyewheneveryouwasintrouble——andwantedme。AndIreckonthat’swhat’sthematternow。ForfromwhatIseeandhearoneveryside，althoughyou’rethebossofthisconsarn，you’resurroundedbyagangofspiesandtraitors。Yourcomingsandgoings，yourinsandouts，isdoggedandfollowedandblownupon。Thefolksyoutrustisplayingitonye。Itain’tformetosaywhyorwherefore——
what’stheirrightsandwhat’syourn——butI’vecometotellyethatifyoudon’tgetupandgetouterthisranchthemd——dpriestsandyourownfleshandblood——yourauntsandyourunclesandyourcousins，willhaveyouchuckedouteryourproperty，andrunintoalunaticasylum。"
"Me——DonJoseSepulvida——alunatico！Youareyourselfcrazyofdrink，friendRoberto。"
"Yes，"saidRobertogrimly，"butthatkindain’tILLEGAL，whileyourmakin’ducksanddrakesofyourpropertyandgoinginto’Merikinideasand’Merikinspeculationstheyreckonis。Andspeakin’onthesquare，itain’tNAT’RAL。"
DonJosesprangtohisfeetandbegantopaceupanddownhiscell—
likestudy。"Ah，Iremembernow，"hemuttered，"Ibegintocomprehend：FatherFelipe’shomiliesanddiscourses！Myaunt’stooaffectionatecare！Mycousin’sdiscreetconsideration！Thepromptattentionofmyservants！Iseeitall！Andyou，"hesaid，suddenlyfacingRoberto，"whycomeyoutotellmethis？"
"Well，boss，"saidtheAmericandryly，"Ireckonedtostandbyyou。"
"Ah，"saidDonJose，visiblyaffected。"GoodRoberto，comehither，child，youmaykissmyhand。"
"If！it’sallthesametoyou，DonKosay，——THATkinslide。"
"Ah，if——yes，"saidDonJose，meditativelyputtinghishandtohisforehead，"miserablethatIam！——IrememberednotyouwereAmericano。Pardon，myfriend——embraceme——ConpaneroyAmigo。"
WithcharacteristicgravityhereclinedforamomentuponRobert’sastonishedbreast。Thenrecoveringhimselfwithequalgravityhepaused，liftedhishandwithgentlewarning，marchedtoarecessinthecorner，unhookedarapierhangingfromthewall，andturnedtohiscompanion。
"Wewilldefendourselves，friendRoberto。ItistheswordoftheComandante——myancestor。ThebladeisofToledo。"
"Anordinarysix—shooterofColt’swouldlayoverthat，"saidRobertogrimly——"butthatain’tyourgamejustnow，DonKosay。Youmustgetupandget，andatonce。Youmustvamosetheranchaforetheylayholdofyouandhaveyouupbeforethealcalde。Onceawayfromhere，theydaren’tfollowyouwherethere’s’Merikinlaw，andwhenyoukinfight’eminthesquare。"
"Good，"saidDonJosewithmelancholypreciseness。"Youarewise，friendRoberto。Wemayfightthemlater，asyousay——onthesquare，orintheopenPlaza。Andyou，camarado，YOUshallgowithme——youandyourmare。"
SincereastheAmericanhadbeeninhisofferofservice，hewassomewhatstaggeredatthisimperativecommand。Butonlyforamoment。"Well，"hesaidlazily，"Idon’tcareifIdo。"
"But，"saidDonJosewithincreasedgravity，"youSHALLcare，friendRoberto。Weshallmakeanalliance，anunion。Itistrue，mybrother，youdrinkofwhiskey，andatsuchtimesareevenasamadman。Ithasbeenrecountedtomethatitwasnecessarytoyourexistencethatyouarealunaticthreedaysoftheweek。Whoknows？Imyself，thoughIdrinknotofaguardiente，amaccusedoffantasiesforalltime。NecessaryitbecomesthereforethatweshouldgoTOGETHER。Myfantasiesandspeculationscannotinjureyou，mybrother;yourwhiskeyshallnotempoisonme。WeshallgotogetherinthegreatworldofyourAmericanideasofwhichIammuchinflamed。WeshalltogetherbreatheasonethespiritofProgressandLiberty。WeshallbeevenasneophytesmakingofourselvesApostlesofTruth。Iabsolveandrenouncemyselfhenceforthofmyfamily。Ishalltaketomyselfthesisterandthebrother，theauntandtheuncle，asweproceed。Idevotemyselftohumanityalone。IdevoteYOU，myfriend，andthemare——thoughhappilyshehasnotaChristiansoul——tothisgloriousmission。"
ThefewlevellastraysoflightlitupafaintenthusiasminthefaceofDonJose，butwithoutalteringhisimperturbablegravity。
Thevaqueroeyedhimcuriouslyandhalfdoubtfully。
"Wewillgoto—morrow，"resumedDonJosewithsolemndecision，"foritisWednesday。ItwasaSundaythatthoudidstridethemareupthestepsoftheFondaanddemandedthatthyliquorshouldbeservedtotheeinapail。Irememberit，forthelandlordoftheFondaclaimedtwentypesosfordamageandthekissingofhiswife。
Therefore，bycomputation，goodRoberto，thoushouldstbesoberuntilFriday，andweshallhavetwocleardaystoflybeforethymadnessagainseizesthee。"
"Theykinsaywhattheylike，DonKosay，butYOURheadislevel，"
returnedtheunabashedAmerican，graspingDonJose’shand。"Allright，then。Hastamanana，asyourfolkssay。"
"Hastamanana，"repeatedDonJosegravely。
Atdaybreaknextmorning，whileslumberstillweightedthelazyeyelidsof"theBlessedInnocents，"DonJoseSepulvidaandhistrustysquireRoberto，otherwiseknownas"BuckingBob，"rodeforthunnoticedfromthecorral。
II。
Threedayshadpassed。Atthecloseofthethird，DonJosewasseatedinacosyprivateapartmentoftheSanMateoHotel，wheretheyhadhaltedforanarrangedinterviewwithhislawyerbeforereachingSanFrancisco。Fromhiswindowhecouldseethesurroundingpark—likeavenuesofoaksandthelevelwhitehighroad，nowandthencloudedwiththedustofpassingteams。ButhiseyeswerepersistentlyfixeduponasmallcopyoftheAmericanConstitutionbeforehim。Suddenlytherewasaquickraponhisdoor，andbeforehecouldreplytoitamanbrusquelyentered。
DonJoseraisedhisheadslowly，andrecognizedthelandlord。Buttheintruder，apparentlyawedbythegentle，grave，andstudiousfigurebeforehim，fellbackforaninstantinanattitudeofsurlyapology。
"Enterfreely，mygoodJenkinson，"saidDonJose，withaquietcourtesythathadalltheeffectofirony。"Theapartment，suchasitis，isatyourdisposition。Itisevenyours，asisthehouse。"
"Well，I’mdarnedifIknowasitis，"saidthelandlord，recoveringhimselfroughly，"andthat’sjestwhat’sthematter。
Yer’sthatmanofyourssmashingthingsrightandleftinthebar—
roomandchuckin’mywaitersthroughthewindow。"
"Softly，softly，goodJenkinson，"saidDonJose，puttingamarkinthepagesofthevolumebeforehim。"ItisnecessaryfirstthatI
shouldcorrectyourspeech。Heisnotmy’MAN，’whichIcomprehendtomeanaslave，ahireling，athingobnoxioustothegreatAmericannationwhichIadmireandtowhichHEbelongs。Therefore，goodJenkinson，say’friend，’’companion，’’guide，’philosopher，’
ifyouwill。Astotherest，itisofnodoubtasyourelate。I
myselfhaveheardthebreakingsofglassandsmalldishesasIsithere;threetimesIhaveseenyourwaitersprojectedintotheroadwithmuchviolenceandconfusion。TomyselfIhavethensaid，evenasIsaytoyou，goodJenkinson，’Patience，patience，theendisnotfar。’Infourhours，"continuedDonJose，holdingupfourfingers，"heshallmakeafinish。Untilthen，not。"
"Well，I’md——d，"ejaculatedJenkinson，gaspingforbreathinhisindignation。
"Nay，excellentJenkinson，notdam—nedbutofapossibilitydam—
AGED。ThatIshallrepaywhenhehavemakeafinish。"
"But，darnitall，"brokeinthelandlordangrily。
"Ah，"saidDonJosegravely，"youwouldbepaidbefore！Good;forhowmuchshallyouvalueALLyouhaveinyourbar？"
DonJose’simperturbabilityevidentlyshookthelandlord’sfaithinthesoundnessofhisownposition。Helookedathisguestcriticallyandaudaciously。
"Itcostmetwohundreddollarstofititup，"hesaidcurtly。
DonJoserose，and，takingabuckskinpursefromhissaddle—bag，countedoutfourslugs*andhandedthemtothestupefiedJenkinson。
Thenextmoment，however，hishostrecoveredhimself，andcastingtheslugsbackonthelittletable，broughthisfistdownwithanemphasisthatmadethemdance。
*Hexagonalgoldpiecesvaluedat$50each，issuedbyaprivatefirmascoinintheearlydays。
"But，lookyer——supposeIwantthisthingstopped——youhearme——
STOPPED——now。"
"Thatwouldbeinterferingwiththelibertyofthesubject，mygoodJenkinson——whichGodforbid！"saidDonJosecalmly。"Moreover，itisthecustomoftheAmericanos——ahabitofmyfriendRoberto——anecessityofhisexistence——andsorecognizedofhisfriends。
Patienceandcourage，SenorJenkinson。Stay——ah，Icomprehend！youhave——ofapossibility——awife？"
"No，I’mawidower，"saidJenkinsonsharply。
"ThenIcongratulateyou。MyfriendRobertowouldhavekissedher。
Itisalsoofhishabit。Trulyyouhaveescapedmuch。Iembraceyou，Jenkinson。"
HethrewhisarmsgravelyaroundJenkinson，inwhoseastoundedfaceatlastanexpressionofdryhumorfaintlydawned。Afteramoment’ssurveyofDonJose’simpenetrablegravity，hecoollygatheredupthegoldcoins，andsayingthathewouldassessthedamagesandreturnthedifference，helefttheroomasabruptlyashehadenteredit。