CHAPTERI
　　ItmustbeadmittedthatthecivilizingprocessesofRoughandReadywerenotmarkedbyanyoftheamelioratingconditionsofotherimprovedcamps。Afterthediscoveryofthefamous"Eureka"
　　lead，therewastheusualinfluxofgamblersandsaloon—keepers；
　　butthatwasacceptedasamatterofcourse。Butitwasthoughthardthat，afterachurchwasbuiltandanewschoolerected，itshouldsuddenlybefoundnecessarytohavedoorsthatlocked，insteadofstandingshamelesslyopentothecriticismandtemptationofwayfarers，orthatportablepropertycouldnolongerbeleftoutatnightintheoldfondrelianceonuniversalbrotherhood。Thehabitofborrowingwasstoppedwiththeintroductionofmoremoneyintothecamp，andtheestablishmentofratesofinterest；thepoorerpeopleeithertookwhattheywanted，orasindiscreetlyboughtoncredit。Therewerebetterclothestobeseeninitsonelongstragglingstreet，butthosewhoworethemgenerallylackedthegrimvirtueoftheoldpioneers，andthefairerfacesthatweretobeseenweregenerallyrouged。Therewasayearortwoofthiskindofmutation，inwhichtheyouthfulbarbarismofRoughandReadymighthavebeensaidtostrugglewithadultcivilizedwickedness，andthenthenameitselfdisappeared。
　　ByanActoftheLegislaturethegrowingtownwascalled"Atherly，"
　　aftertheowneroftheEurekamine，——PeterAtherly，——whohadgivenlargesstothetowninits"Waterworks"anda"GinMill，"asthenewAtherlyHotelanditsgildedbar—roomswerenowcalled。Evenatthelastmoment，however，thenewtitleof"Atherly"hunginthebalance。TheromanticdaughterofthepastorhadsaidthatMr。
　　Atherlyshouldbecalled"AtherlyofAtherly，"anaristocratictitlesostronglysuggestiveofaninnovationupondemocraticprinciplesthatitwasnotuntilitwasdiscreetlysuggestedthateverybodywasstillfreetocallhim"Atherly，lateofRoughandReady，"thatoppositionceased。
　　Possiblythisincidentmayhavefirstawakenedhimtothevalueofhisname，andsomeanxietyastoitsorigin。Roughlyspeaking，Atherly’sfatherwasonlyabucolicemigrantfrom"Mizzouri，"andhismotherhaddonethewashingforthecamponherfirstarrival。
　　TheAtherlyshadsufferedontheiroverlandjourneyfromdroughtandfamine，withtheadditionofbeingcapturedbyIndians，whohadheldthemcaptivefortenmonths。Indeed，Mr。Atherly，senior，neverrecoveredfromtheeffectsofhiscaptivity，anddiedshortlyafterMrs。Atherlyhadgivenbirthtotwins，PeterandJennyAtherly。ThiswasscantknowledgeforPeterintheglorificationofhisnamethroughhisimmediateprogenitors；but"AtherlyofAtherly"stillsoundedpleasantly，and，astheyoungladyhadsaid，smackedofoldfeudaldaysandhonors。Itwasbelievedbeyonddoubt，evenintheirsimplefamilyrecords，——theflyleafofaBible，——thatPeterAtherly’sgreat—grandfatherwasanEnglishmanwhobroughtovertohisMajesty’sVirginianpossessionshisonlyson，thenaboy。Itwasnotestablished，however，towhatclassofdeportationhebelonged：whetherhewassufferingexilefromreligiousorjudicialconviction，orifhewereonlyoneofthearticled"apprentices"wholargelymadeuptheAmericanimmigrationofthosedays。Howbeit，"Atherly"wasundoubtedlyanEnglishname，evensuggestingrespectableandlandedancestry，andPeterAtherlywasproudofit。HelookedsomewhataskanceuponhisIrishandGermanfellowcitizens，andtalkedagooddealabout"race。"Twothings，however，concernedhim：hewasnotinlookscertainlylikeanytypeofmodernEnglishmanasseeneitheronthestageinSanFrancisco，orasanactualtouristintheminingregions，andhisaccentwasundoubtedlySouthwestern。Hewastallanddark，withdeep—seteyesinasingularlyimmobilecountenance；hehadanerectbutlitheandsinewyfigureevenforhisthirtyoddyears，andmighteasilyhavebeentakenforanyotherAmericanexceptforthesingleexceptionthathisnosewasdistinctlyRoman，andgavehimadistinguishedair。TherewasasuggestionofAbrahamLincoln（andevenofDonQuixote）inhistall，melancholyfigureandlengthoflimb，butnothingwhateverthatsuggestedanEnglishman。
　　ItwasshortlyafterthechristeningofAtherlytownthatanincidentoccurredwhichatfirstshook，andthenthemorefirmlyestablished，hismildmonomania。Hiswidowedmotherhadbeenforthelasttwoyearsaninmateofaprivateasylumforinebriates，throughcertainhabitscontractedwhilewashingforthecampinthefirstyearofherwidowhood。ThishadalwaysbeenamatterofopensympathytoRoughandReady；butitwasasecretreproachhintedatinAtherly，althoughitwasknownthattherichPeterAtherlykepthismotherliberallysupplied，andthatbothheandhissister"Jinny"orJennyAtherlyvisitedherfrequently。Onedayhewastelegraphedfor，andongoingtotheasylumfoundMrs。Atherlydeliriousandraving。Throughherson’sliberalityshehadbribedanattendant，andwasfastsuccumbingtoaprivatedebauch。IntheintervalsofherdeliriumshecalledPeterbyname，talkedfrenziedlyandmysteriouslyofhis"highconnections"——alludedtohimselfandhissisterasbeingofthe"truebreed"——andwithacertainvigorofepithet，pickedupinthefamiliarityofthecampduringthedayswhenshewasknownas"OldMa’amAtherly"or"AuntSally，"declaredthattheywere"nocorn—crackingHoosiers，"
　　"hayseedpikes，"nor"northernYankeescum，"andthatsheshouldyetlivetoseethem"holdingtheirownlandsagainandthelandsoftheirforefathers。"Quietedatlastbyopiates，shefellintoamorelucidbutscarcelylessdistressingattitude。Recognizinghersonagain，aswellasherownfastfailingcondition，shesarcasticallythankedhimforcomingto"seeheroff，"congratulatedhimthathewouldsoonbesparedthelieandexpenseofkeepingherhereonaccountofhispride，underthethinpretextoftryingto"cure"her。SheknewthatSallyAtherlyofRoughandReadywasn’tconsideredfitcompanyfor"AtherlyofAtherly"byhisfinenewfriends。Thisandmuchmoreinavoiceminglingmaudlinsentimentwithbitterresentment，andwithanominousglitterinherbloodshotandglairyeyes。Peterwincedwithaconsciousnessofthehalf—truthofherreproaches，butthecuriosityandexcitementawakenedbytherevelationsofherfrenzyweregreaterthanhisremorse。Hesaidquickly：——
　　"Youwerespeakingoffather！——ofhisfamily——hislandsandpossessions。Tellmeagain！"
　　"Wotareyegivin’us？"sheejaculatedinhuskysuspicion，openinguponhimherbeadyeyes，inwhichthefilmofdeathwasalreadygathering。
　　"Tellmeoffather，——myfatherandhisfamily！hisgreat—
　　grandfather！——theAtherlys，myrelations——whatyouweresaying。
　　Whatdoyouknowaboutthem？"
　　"THAT’Sallyewanterknow——isit？THAT’Swhatye’r’comin’totheoldwasher—womanfor——isit？"sheburstoutwiththedesperationofdisgust。"Well——giveitup！Askmeanother！"
　　"But，mother——theoldrecords，youknow！ThefamilyBible——whatyouoncetoldus——meandJinny！"
　　Somethinggurgledinherthroatlikeachuckle。Withtheenergyofmalevolence，shestammered："Therewasn’tnorecords——therewasn’tnofamilyBible！it’sallalie——youhearme！YourAtherlythatyou’resoproudofwasjustaBritishbummerwhowaskickedouterhisfamilyinEnglandandsenttobuzzroundinAmericky。Hehoney—fogledme——SallyMagregor——outofabetterfamilythanhis’n，inKansas，andskyugledmeaway，butitwasastraightoutmarriage，andIkinproveit。ItwasintheSt。Louispapers，andI’vegotitstoredawaysafeenoughinmytrunk！Youhearme！I’mshoutin’！Buthewasn’tnooldsettlerinMizzouri——hewasn’tdescendedfromanysettler，either！HewasanewmanouterEngland——freshcaught——andtalkeddownhisthroat。AndhefooledME——thedarterofanoldfamilythatwassettledontherightbankoftheMizzouriaforeDan’lBoonecametoKentucky——withhisnewphilanderings。Thenhebrokeup，andwentalltopieceswhenwestruckCaliforny，andleftME——SallyMagregor，whosefatherhadniggersofhisown——towashforRoughandReady！THAT’SyourAtherly！Takehim！Idon’twanthim——I’vedonewithhim！Iwasdonewithhimlongafore——afore"——acoughcheckedherutterance，——
　　"afore"——Shegaspedagain，butthewordsseemedtostrangleinherthroat。Intentonlyonherwordsandscarcelyheedinghersufferings，Peterwasbendingoverhereagerly，whenthedoctorrudelypulledhimawayandliftedhertoasittingposture。Butsheneverspokeagain。Thestrongestrestorativesquicklyadministeredonlyleftherinastateofscarcelybreathingunconsciousness。
　　"Isshedying？Can’tyoubringherto，"saidtheanxiousPeter，"ifonlyforamoment，doctor？"
　　"I’mthinkin’，"saidthevisitingdoctor，anoldScotcharmysurgeon，lookingattherichMr。Atherlywithcool，professionalcontempt，"thatyourmotherwillnadoanymorewashingformeasintheoldtime，norgiveupherlifeagaintosupportherbairns。
　　Anditisnamyeententiontobringherbacktopainforthepurposesofgeeneralconversation！"
　　Nor，indeed，didsheevercomebacktoanypurpose，butpassedawaywithherunfinishedsentence。AndherlimbswerescarcelydecentlycomposedbytheattendantsbeforePeterwasrummagingthetrunkinherroomforthepapershehadspokenof。Itwasinanoldwork—
　　box——anowfadedyellowclippingfromanewspaper，lyingamidstspoilsofcottonthread，buttons，andbeeswax，whichheeventhenrememberedtohaveseenuponhismother’slapwhenshesuperaddedthesewingonofbuttonstoherwashingoftheminers’shirts。Andhisdarkandhollowcheekglowedwithgratifiedsentimentashereadtheclipping。
　　"WehearwithregretofthedeathofPhilipAtherly，Esq。，ofRoughandReady，California。Mr。AtherlywillberememberedbysomeofourreadersastheherooftheromanticelopementofMissSallieMagregor，daughterofColonel’Bob’Magregor，whichcreatedsuchastirinwell—to—docirclessomethirtyyearsago。Itwasknownvaguelythattheyoungcouplehad’goneWest，’——athenunknownregion，——butitseemsthatafterseveretrialsandtribulationsonthefrontierwithsavages，theyemigratedearlytoOregon，andthen，ontheoutbreakofthegoldfever，toCalifornia。ButitwillbeasurprisetomanytoknowthatithasjusttranspiredthatMr。AtherlywasthesecondsonofSirAshleyAtherly，anEnglishbaronet，andbythedeathofhisbrothermighthavesucceededtothepropertyandtitle。"
　　Heremainedforsomemomentslookingfixedlyatthepaper，untilthecommonplaceparagraphimprinteditselfuponhisbrainasnolineofsageorpoethadeverdone，andthenhefoldeditupandputitinhispocket。Inhisexaltationhefeltthateventhemotherhehadneverlovedwaspromotedtoacertainrespectashisfather’swife，althoughhewasequallyconsciousofanewresentmentagainstherforhercontemptuousallusionstoHIS
　　father，andherevidenthopelessinabilitytocomprehendhisposition。Hismother，hefeared，wasindeedlow！——butHEwashisfather’sson！Nevertheless，hegaveherafuneralatAtherly，longrememberedforitsbarbaricopulenceanddisplay。Thirtycarriages，procuredfromSacramentoatgreatexpense，werefreelyofferedtohisfriendstojoinintheastoundingpageant。A
　　wonderfulcasketofironandsilver，broughtfromSanFrancisco，heldtheremainsoftheex—washerwomanofRoughandReady。Butamoreremarkableinnovationwastheadditionofaroyalcrowntotheotherornamentationofthecasket。PeterAtherly’sideasofheraldrywereveryvague，——SacramentoatthattimeofferedhimnoopportunityofknowingwhatwerethearmsoftheAtherlys，——andtheintroductionoftheroyalcrownseemedtosatisfyPeter’smindastowhatacrestMIGHTbe，whiletotheordinarydemocraticminditsimplysuggestedthatthecorpsewasEnglish！Politicalcriticismbeingthushappilyaverted，Mrs。Atherly’sbodywaslaidinthelittlecemetery，notfarawayfromcertainrudewoodencrosseswhichmarkedtheburial—placeofwandererswhoseverynameswereunknown，andinduetimeamarbleshaftwaserectedoverit。Butwhen，thenextday，thecountypapercontained，inadditiontothecolumn—and—a—halfdescriptionofthefuneral，themoreformalannouncementofthedeathof"Mrs。SallieAtherly，wifeofthelatePhilipAtherly，secondsonofSirAshleyAtherly，ofEngland，"
　　criticismandcommentbrokeout。TheoldpioneersofRoughandReadyfeltthattheyhadbeenimposedupon，andthatinsomevaguewaytheunfortunatewomanhadmadethemthevictimsofahugepracticaljokeduringalltheseyears。Thatshehadgrimlyenjoyedtheirignoranceofherpositiontheydidnotdoubt。"Why，I
　　rememberonctwhenIwassorterbullyraggin’heraboutmixin’upmydudswithDocSimmons’s，andsendin’meWhiskeyDick’soldrags，sheturnedroundsuddenwithakindofscreech，andranoutintothebrush。Ireckoned，atthetime，thatitwaseither’drink’orfeelin’s，andcouldhevkickedmyselfforbeingsassytotheoldwoman，butIknownowthatallthistimethataircritter——thatbarrownet’sdaughter—in—law——wasjustlaughin’herselfintofitsinthebrush！No，sir，sheplayedthisyercampforallitwasworth，yearinandout，andwejustgaveourselvesawaylikespeckledidiots！andnowshe’slyin’outtharintheboneyard，andkeepsonp’intin’thejoke，anda—roarin’atusinmarble。"
　　EventhelatercitizensinAtherlyfeltanequalresentmentagainsther，butfromdifferentmotives。Thatherdrinkinghabitsandherpowerfulvocabularywerealltheeffectofheraristocraticalliancetheyneverdoubted。And，althoughitbroughtthevirtuesoftheirownsuperiorrepublicansobrietyintogreatercontrast，theyfeltascandalathavingbeentrickedintoattendingthisgildedfuneralofdissipatedrank。PeterAtherlyfoundhimselfunpopularinhisowntown。Thesoberwhodrankfromhisfree"Waterworks，"andthegiddyoneswhoimbibedathis"GinMill，"
　　equallycriticisedhim。Hecouldnotunderstandit；hispeculiarpredilectionshadbeenacceptedbefore，whentheyweremerepresumptions；whyshouldtheynotNOW，whentheywereadmittedfacts？Hewasconsciousofnochangeinhimselfsincethefuneral！
　　Yetthecriticismwenton。Presentlyittookthemilderbutmorecontagiousformofridicule。Inhisownhotel，builtwithhisownmoney，andinhisownpresence，hehadheardarecklessfrequenterofthebar—roomdeclinesomeprofferedrefreshmentonthegroundthat"heonlydrankwithhistitledrelatives。"Alocalhumorist，amidsttheapplauseofanadmiringcrowdatthepost—officewindow，hadopenlyaccusedthepostmasterofwithholdingletterstohimfromhisonlysurvivingbrother，"theDookofDoncherknow。""Theoledookyneveronctmissedthemailtoletmeknowwot’sgoin’oninmechildhood’shome，"remarkedthehumoristplaintively；"andyer’sthisdod—blastedgov’mentmuleofapostmasterkeepin’melettersback！"Letterswithpretentiousandgildedcoatsofarms，takenfromthedecoratedinnerliningofcigar—boxes，werepostedtoprominentcitizens。TheneighboringandunregeneratedsettlementofRedDogwasmoreoutrageousinitscontribution。TheRedDog"Sentinel，"incommentingonthedeathof"HaulbowlineTom，"adrunkenEnglishman—o’—war’sman，said："Itmaynotbegenerallyknownthatourregrettedfellowcitizen，whileservingonH。M。S。Boxer，wassecretlymarriedtoQueenKikaluoftheFriendlyGroup；but，unlikesomeofourprosperousneighbors，heneverboastedofhisroyalalliance，andresistedwithsteadyBritishpluckanyinvitationtosharethethrone。Indeed，anyallusiontothesubjectaffectedhimdeeply。Therearethoseamonguswhowillrememberthebeautifulportraitofhisroyalbridetattooeduponhisleftarmwiththeroyalcrestandthecrossedflagsofthetwonations。"OnlyPeterAtherlyandhissisterunderstoodthestinginflictedeitherbyaccidentordesigninthelattersentence。Bothheandhissisterhadsomesingularhieroglyphicbrandedontheirarms，——probablyareminiscenceoftheirlifeontheplainsintheirinfantIndiancaptivity。Buttherewasnomistakingthegeneralsentiment。Thecriticismsofasmalltownmaybecomeinevasible。AtherlydeterminedtotakethefirstopportunitytoleaveRoughandReady。Hewasrich；hispropertywassecure；therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldstaywherehisfamilypretensionswereadrawback。Andafurthercircumstancedeterminedhisresolution。
　　Hewasawaitinghissisterinhisnewhouseonalittlecrestabovethetown。Shehadbeenatthetimeofhermother’sdeath，andsince，aprivateboarderintheSacredHeartConventatSantaClara，whenceshehadbeensummonedtothefuneral，buthadreturnedthenextday。Fewpeoplehadnoticedinherbrother’scarriagetheveiledfigurewhichmighthavebelongedtooneofthereligiousorders；stilllessdidtheyrememberthedark，lank，heavy—browedgirlwhohadsometimesbeenseenaboutRoughandReady。Forshehadherbrother’smelancholy，andgreaterreticence，andhadcontinuedofherownfreewill，longafterhergirlishpupilageattheconvent，tolivesecludedunderitsmaternalroofwithouttakingorders。Ageneralsuspicionthatshewaseitherareligious"crank，"orconsideredherselftoogoodtoliveinamountainminingtown，hadnotcontributedtoherbrother’spopularity。Inherabstractionfromworldlyambitionsshehad，naturally，takennopartinherbrother’sfamilypretensions。Hehadgivenheranindependentallowance，andshewassupposedtobeequallyasharerinhisgoodfortune。YetshehadsuddenlydeclaredherintentionofreturningtoAtherly，toconsulthimonaffairsofimportance。
　　Peterwasbothsurprisedandeager；therewasbutlittleaffectionbetweenthem，but，preoccupiedwithhisoneidea，hewassatisfiedthatshewantedtotalkaboutthefamily。
　　Buthewasamazed，disappointed，anddisconcerted。ForJennyAtherly，thesoberrecluseofSantaClara，hiddeninhersombredraperiesatthefuneral，wasnolongertoberecognizedinthefashionable，smartlybutsomewhatover—dressedwomanhesawbeforehim。InspiteofherlargefeaturesandthedistinguishingRomannose，likehisown，shelookedevenprettyinherexcitement。Shehadlefttheconvent，shewastiredofthelifethere，shewassatisfiedthatareligiousvocationwouldnotsuither。Inbrief，sheintendedtoenjoyherselflikeotherwomen。Ifhereallyfeltaprideinthefamilyheoughttotakeherout，likeotherbrothers，and"giveherashow。"Hecoulddoitthereifheliked，andshewouldkeephouseforhim。Ifhedidn’twantto，shemusthaveenoughmoneytokeepherfashionablyinSanFrancisco。Butshewantedexcitement，andthatsheWOULDHAVE！Shewantedtogotoballs，theatres，andentertainments，andsheintendedto！Hervoicegrewquitehigh，andherdarkcheekglowedwithsomenew—
　　foundemotion。
　　Astoundedashewas，Petersuccumbed。Itwasbetterthatsheshouldindulgeherastoundingcapriceunderhisroofthanelsewhere。ItwouldnotdoforthesisterofanAtherlytoprovokescandal。Hegaveentertainments，picnics，andparties，and"Jinny"
　　Atherlyplungedintothesemildfestivitieswiththeenthusiasmofaschoolgirl。Shenotonlycoulddancewithfeverishenergyallnight，butnextdaycouldmountahorse——shewasafearlessrider——
　　andleadthemostaccomplishedhorsemen。Shewasagoodshot，shewalkedwiththeuntiringfootofacoyote，shethreadedthewoodswiththeinstinctofapioneer。Peterregardedherwithasingularminglingofastonishmentandfear。Surelyshehadnotlearnedthisatschool！Thesewerenottheteachingsnorthesportsofthegoodsisters！Heoncedaredtointerrogateherregardingthischangeinherhabits。"IalwaysFELTlikeit，"sheansweredquickly，"butI
　　keptitdown。IusedsometimestofeelthatIcouldn’tstanditanylonger，butmustrushoutanddosomething，"shesaidpassionately；"but，"shewentonwithfurtiveeyes，andasuddenwildtimiditylikethatofafawn，"Iwasafraid！IwasafraidIT
　　WASLIKEMOTHER！ItseemedtometobeHERbloodthatwasrisinginme，andIkeptitdown，——Ididn’twanttobelikeher，——andI
　　prayedandstruggledagainstit。Didyou，"shesaid，suddenlygraspinghishand，"everfeellikethat？"
　　ButPeterneverhad。Hismelancholyfaithinhisfather’sracehadleftnothoughtofhismother’sbloodminglingwithit。"But，"hesaidgravely，"believingthis，whydidyouchange？"
　　"BecauseIcouldholdoutnolonger。Ishouldhavegonecrazy。
　　TimesIwantedtotakesomeofthosemeeknuns，someofthosewhite—facedpupilswiththeirblueeyesandwavyflaxenhair，andstranglethem。Icouldn’tstriveandprayandstruggleanylongerTHERE，andsoIcameheretoletmyselfout！IsupposewhenIgetmarried——andIoughtto，withmymoney——itmaychangeme！Youdon’tsuppose，"shesaid，withareturnofherwild—animal—liketimidity，"itisanythingthatwasinFATHER，inthoseATHERLYS，——
　　doyou？"
　　ButPeterhadnoideaofanythingbutvirtueintheAtherlyblood；
　　hehadheardthattheupperclassofEuropeanswerefondoffieldsportsandofhunting；itwasoddthathissistershouldinheritthispropensityandnothe。Heregardedhermorekindlyforthisevidenceofrace。"Youthinkofgettingmarried？"hesaidmoregently，yetwithacertainbrotherlydoubtthatanymancouldlikeherenough，evenwithhermoney。"Isthereanyoneherewould——
　　suityou？"headdeddiplomatically。
　　"No——Ihatethemall！"sheburstout。"Thereisn’toneIdon’tdespiseforhissickening，foppish，womanishairs。"
　　Nevertheless，itwasquiteevidentthatsomeofthemenwereattractedbyhersingularoriginalityandacertaingoodcomradeshipinherways。AnditwasononeoftheirridingexcursionsthatPeternoticedthatshewassingledoutbyagood—
　　looking，blond—hairedyounglawyerofthetownforhisespecialattentions。Asthecavalcadestraggledinclimbingthemountain，theyoungfellowrodeclosetohersaddle—bow，andasthedistancelengthenedbetweentheotherstragglers，theyatlastwerequitealone。Whenthetrailbecamemoredenselywooded，Peterquitelostsightofthem。Butwhen，afewmomentslater，havinglostthetrailhimself，theyagainappearedinthedistancebeforehim，hewassoamazedthatheunconsciouslyhalted。Forthetwohorseswerewalkingsidebyside，andthestranger’sarmwasroundhissister’swaist。
　　HadPeteranysenseofhumorhemighthavesmiledatthisweaknessinhisAmazoniansister，buthesawonlytheserious，practicalsideofthesituation，with，ofcourse，itsinevitablerelationtohisonecontrollingidea。Theyoungmanwasingoodpractice，andwouldhavemadeaneligiblehusbandtoanyoneelse。ButwashefittomatewithanAtherly？Whatwouldthoseasyetunknownandpowerfulrelativessaytoit？Atthesametimehecouldnothelpknowingthat"Jinny，"intheeccentricitiesofhervirginspinsterhood，mightbeequallyobjectionabletothem，asshecertainlywasaseveretrialtohimhere。Ifshewereoffhishandshemightbeabletoprosecutehissearchforhisrelativeswithmorefreedom。Afterall，thereweremesalliancesinallfamilies，andbeingawomanshewasnotinthedirectline。
　　Instead，therefore，ofspurringforwardtojointhem，helingeredalittleuntiltheypassedoutofsight，anduntilhewasjoinedbyacompanionfrombehind。Him，too，hepurposelydelayed。Theywerewalkingslowly，breathingtheirmustangs，whenhiscompanionsuddenlyutteredacryofalarm，andsprangfromhishorse。Foronthetrailbeforethemlaytheyounglawyerquiteunconscious，withhisriderlesssteednippingtheyoungleavesoftheunderbrush。Hewasevidentlystunnedbyafall，althoughacrosshisfacewasalividweltwhichmighthavebeencausedbycollisionwiththesmallelasticlimbofasapling，orablowfromariding—whip；happilythelastideawasonlyinPeter’smind。Astheyliftedhimuphecameslowlytoconsciousness。Hewasbewilderedanddazedatfirst，butashebegantospeakthecolorcamebackfreshlytohisface。Hecouldnotconceive，hestammered，whathadhappened。HewasridingwithMissAtherly，andhesupposedhishorsehadslippeduponsomewitheredpineneedlesandthrownhim！Aspasmofpaincrossedhisfacesuddenly，andheliftedhishandtothetopofhishead。WashehurtTHERE？No，butperhapshishair，whichwasflowingandcurly，hadcaughtinthebranches——likeAbsalom’s！Hetriedtosmile，andevenbeggedthemtoassisthimtohishorsethathemightfollowhisfaircompanion，whowouldbewonderingwherehewas；butPeter，satisfiedthathehadreceivednoseriousinjury，hurriedlyenjoinedhimtostay，whilehehimselfwouldfollowhissister。Puttingspurstohishorse，hesucceeded，inspiteoftheslipperytrail，inovertakinghernearthesummit。Atthesoundofhishorse’shoofsshewheeledquickly，camedashingfuriouslytowardshim，andonlypulledupatthesoundofhisvoice。Butshehadnottimetochangeherfirstattitudeandexpression，whichwassomethingwhichperplexedandalarmedhim。
　　Herlonglithefigurewashalfcrouching，halfclingingtothehorse’sback，herloosenedhairflyingoverhershoulders，herdarkeyesgleamingwithanoddnymph—likemischief。Herwhiteteethflashedassherecognizedhim，butherlaughwasstillmockinganduncanny。Hetookrefugeinindignation。
　　"Whathashappened？"hesaidsharply。
　　"Thefooltriedtokissme！"shesaidsimply。"AndI——I——letoutathim——likemother！"
　　Nevertheless，shegavehimoneofthoseshy，timidglanceshehadnoticedbefore，andbegancoilingsomethingaroundherfingers，withasuggestionofcoyembarrassment，indescribablyinconsistentwithherpreviousmasculineindependence。
　　"Youmighthavekilledhim，"saidPeterangrily。
　　"PerhapsImight！OUGHTIhavekilledhim，Peter？"shesaidanxiously，yetwiththesamewinning，timidsmile。Ifshehadnotbeenhissister，hewouldhavethoughtherquitehandsome。
　　"Asitis，"hesaidimpetuously，"youhavemadeafrightfulscandalhere。"
　　"HEwon’tsayanythingaboutit——willhe？"sheinquiredshyly，stilltwistingthesomethingaroundherfinger。
　　Peterdidnotreply；perhapstheyounglawyerreallylovedherandwouldkeephersecret！Buthewasvexed，andtherewassomethingmaniacalinhertwistingfingers。"Whathaveyougotthere？"hesaidsharply。
　　Sheshooktheobjectintheairbeforeherwithalaugh。"Onlyalockofhishair，"shesaidgayly；"butIdidn’tCUTitoff！"
　　"Throwitaway，andcomehere！"hesaidangrily。
　　Butsheonlytuckedthelittleblondcurlintoherwaistbeltandshookherhead。Heurgedhishorseforward，butsheturnedandfled，laughingashepursuedher。Beingthebetterridershecouldeasilyevadehimwheneverhegottoonear，andinthiswaytheyeventuallyreachedthetownandtheirhouselongbeforetheircompanions。Butshewasfarenoughaheadofherbrothertobeabletodismountandhidehertrophywithchildishgleebeforehearrived。
　　Shewasrightinbelievingthatherunfortunatecavalierwouldmakenorevelationofherconduct，andhiscatastrophepassedasanaccident。ButPetercouldnotdisguisethefactthatmuchofhisunpopularitywassharedbyhissister。ThematronsofAtherlybelievedthatshewas"fast，"andrememberedmoredistinctlythanevertheevilhabitsofhermother。Thatshewould，intheduecourseoftime，"taketodrink，"theyneverdoubted。Herdancingwasconsideredoutrageousinitsunfetteredfreedom，andherextraordinarypowersofendurancewerelookeduponas"masculine"
　　bytheweakergirlswhosepartnersshetookfromthem。Shereciprocallylookeddownuponthem，andmadenosecretofhercontemptfortheirsmallrefinementsandfancies。Sheaffectedonlythesocietyofmen，andeventreatedthemwithafamiliaritythatwasbothfearlessandscornful。Petersawthatitwasuselesstofacetheopposition；MissAtherlydidnotseemtoencouragetherenewaloftheyounglawyer’sattentions，althoughitwasevidentthathewasstillattractedbyher，nordidsheseemtoinviteadvancesfromothers。Hemustgoaway——andhewouldhavetotakeherwithhim。Itseemedridiculousthatawomanofthirty，ofmasculinecharacter，shouldrequireachaperoninabrotherofequalage；butPeterknewthesingularblendingofchildlikeignorancewiththisAmazonianquality。HehadmadehisarrangementsforanabsencefromAtherlyofthreeorfouryears，andtheydepartedtogether。Theyoungfair—hairedlawyercametothestage—coachofficetoseethemoff。Petercoulddetectnosentimentinhissister’sfamiliarfarewellofherunfortunatesuitor。AtNewYork，however，itwasarrangedthat"Jinny"shouldstaywithsomefriendswhomtheyhadmadeenroute，andthat，ifshewished，shecouldcometoEuropelater，andjoinhiminLondon。
　　Thusrelievedofone，PeterAtherlyofAtherlystartedonhischerishedquestofhisotherandmoreremoterelations。
　　CHAPTERII
　　PeterAtherlyhadbeenfourmonthsinEngland，butknewlittleofthecountryuntilonesummerafternoonwhenhiscarriagerolledalongthewell—orderedroadbetweenNonningsbyStationandAshleyGrange。
　　Inthatfourmonthshehadconsultedauthorities，examinedrecords，visitedtheHeralds’College，writtenletters，andmadeafewfriends。ArichAmerican，tracinghisgenealogicaltree，wasnotanewthing——eveninthatday——inLondon；buttherewassomethingoriginalandsimpleinhismethods，andsomuchthatwasgrave，reserved，andun—Americaninhispersonality，thatitawakenedinterest。Arecognitionthathewasaforeigner，butapuzzleddoubt，however，ofhisexactnationality，whichhefoundeverywhere，atfirstpainedhim，buthebecamereconciledtoitataboutthesametimethathisEnglishacquaintancesabandonedtheirownreserveandcautionbeforethegreaterreticenceofthismelancholyAmerican，andactuallybecamethequestioners！Inthiswayhisquestbecameknownonlyasadisclosureofhisowncourtesy，andoffersofassistancewerepressedeagerlyuponhim。
　　ThatwaswhySirEdwardAtherlyfoundhimselfgravelypuzzled，ashesatwithhisfamilysolicitoronemorninginthelibraryofAshleyGrange。
　　"Humph！"saidSirEdward。"Andyousayhehasabsolutelynootherpurposeinmakingtheseinquiries？"
　　"Positivelynone，"returnedthesolicitor。"Heisevenwillingtosignarenunciationofanyclaimwhichmightariseoutofthisinformation。Itisratherasingularcase，butheseemstobearichmanandquiteabletoindulgehisharmlesscaprices。"
　　"AndyouarequitesureheisPhilip’sson？"
　　"Quite，fromthepapershebringsme。OfcourseIinformedhimthatevenifheshouldbeabletoestablishalegalmarriagehecouldexpectnothingasnextofkin，asyouhadchildrenofyourown。Heseemedtoknowthatalready，andavowedthathisonlywishwastosatisfyhisownmind。"
　　"Isupposehewantstoclaimkinshipandallthatsortofthingforsociety’ssake？"
　　"Idonotthinkso，"saidthesolicitordryly。"Isuggestedaninterviewwithyou，butheseemedtothinkitquiteunnecessary，ifIcouldgivehimtheinformationherequired。"
　　"Ha！"saidSirEdwardpromptly，"we’llinvitehimhere。LadyAtherlycanbringinsomepeopletoseehim。Ishe——ahem——Whatishelike？TheusualAmerican，Isuppose？"
　　"Notatall。Quiteforeign—looking——dark，andratherlikeanItalian。ThereisnoresemblancetoMr。Philip，"hesaid，glancingatthepaintingofaflaxen—hairedchildfondlingagreyhoundundertheelmsofAshleyPark。
　　"Ah！Yes，yes！PerhapsthemotherwasoneofthoseSoutherncreoles，ormulattoes，"saidSirEdwardwithanEnglishman’stolerantregardforthevagariesofpeoplewhowereclearlynotEnglish；"they’reratherattractivewomen，Ihear。"
　　"Ithinkyoudoquitewelltobeciviltohim，"saidthesolicitor。
　　"Heseemstotakeaninterestinthefamily，andbeingrich，andapparentlyonlyanxioustoenhancethefamilyprestige，yououghttoknowhim。Now，inreferencetothosemortgagesonApplebyFarm，ifyoucouldget"——
　　"Yes，yes！"saidSirEdwardquickly；"we’llhavehimdownhere；
　　and，Isay！YOU’LLcometoo？"
　　Thesolicitorbowed。"And，bytheway，"continuedSirEdward，"therewasagirltoo，——wasn’tthere？Hehasasister，Ibelieve？"
　　"Yes，buthehasleftherinAmerica。"
　　"Ah，yes！——verygood——yes！——ofcourse。We’llhaveLordGreyshottandSirRogerandoldLadyEverton，——sheknowsallaboutSirAshleyandthefamily。And——er——isheyoungorold？"
　　"Aboutthirty，Ishouldsay，SirEdward。"
　　"Ah，well！We’llhaveLadyElfridaoverfromtheTowers。"
　　HadPeterknownofthesepreparationshemighthaveturnedbacktoNonningsbywithoutevenvisitingtheoldchurchinAshleyPark，whichhehadbeentoldheldtheashesofhisancestors。Forduringthesefourmonthstheconvictionthathewasaforeignerandthathehadlittleornothingincommonwiththingsherehadbeenclearlyforceduponhim。HecouldrecognizesomekinshipinthemannersandcustomsofthepeopletothosehehadknownintheWestandontheAtlanticcoast，butnottohisownindividuality，andheseemedevenmoreastrangerhere——wherehehadexpectedtofeelthethrillofconsanguinity——thanintheWest。HehadacceptedtheinvitationofthelivingAtherlyforthesakeoftheAtherlyslongdeadandforgotten。Asthegreatquadrangleofstoneandivylifteditselfoutofthepark，helookedlonginglytowardsthelittlesquaretowerwhichpeepedfrombetweentheyewsnearertheroad。AsthecarriagedroveuptothecarvedarchwaywhencesomanyAtherlyshadissuedintotheworld，hecouldnotbelievethatanyofhisbloodhadgoneforthfromit，or，excepthimself，hadeverentereditbefore。Onceinthegreathousehefeltlikeaprisonerashewanderedthroughthelongcorridorstohisroom；
　　eventhenobletreesbeyondhismullionedwindowsseemedofanothergrowththanthosehehadknown。
　　TherewasnodoubtthathecreatedasensationatAshleyGrange，notonlyfromhissingularkinship，butfromhisstrikingindividuality。TheAtherlysandtheirguestswerefascinatedandfreelyadmiring。Hisveryoriginality，whichpreventedthemfromcomparinghimwithanyEnglishorAmericanstandardofexcellence，gavethemacomfortableassuranceofsafetyintheiradmiration。
　　Hisreserve，hisseriousness，hissimplicity，veryunliketheirown，andyetnearenoughtosuggestadelicateflattery，wasinhisfavor。Sowashisnaivefranknessinregardtohisstatusinthefamily，showninthefewwordsofgreetingwithSirAshley，andinhislatersimpleyetfreeadmissionsregardinghisobscureyouth，hisformerpoverty，andhispresentwealth。Heboastedofneither；
　　hewasdisturbedbyneither。Standingalone，astranger，forthefirsttimeinanassemblageofdistinguishedandtitledmenandwomen，hebetrayednoconsciousness；surroundedforthefirsttimebyobjectswhichheknewhiswealthcouldnotbuy，heshowedthemostunmistakableindifference，——theindifferenceoftemperament。
　　Theladiesviedwitheachothertoattackthisunimpressiblenature，——thisprofoundisolationfromexternalattraction。Theyfollowedhimabout，theylookedintohisdark，melancholyeyes；itwasimpossible，theythought，thathecouldcontinuethissuperbactingforever。Aglance，asmile，aburstofingenuousconfidence，acovertappealtohischivalrywouldyetcatchhimtripping。ButthemelancholyeyesthathadgazedatthetreasuresofAshleyGrangeandtheopulenteaseofitsguestswithoutkindling，openedtotheirfirstemotion，——wonder！AtwhichLadyElfrida，whohadingenuouslyadmiredhim，hatedhimalittle，asthefirststeptowardsakindlierfeeling。
　　Thenextday，havingdeclaredhisintentionofvisitingAshleyChurch，and，asfrankly，hisintentionofgoingtherealone，heslippedoutintheafternoonandmadehiswayquietlythroughtheparktothesquareiviedtowerhehadfirstseen。Inthistranquillevellengthofthewoodtherewastheonespot，thechurchyard，where，oddlyenough，thegreenearthheavedintolittlebillowsasiftoshowtheturbulenceofthatlifewhichthosewholaybelowthemhadlatelyquitted。Itwasarelieftothesomewhatstudiedandformalmonotonyofthewell—orderedwoodland，——everyrood，ofwhichhadbeenpacedbyvisitors，keepers，orpoachers，——tofindthosedecrepitandbendingtombstones，lurchingateveryangle，ordeeplysinkingintothegreenseaofforgetfulnessaroundthem。
　　Allthis，andthetroddenpathsofthevillagerstowardsthatcommonplaceofmeeting，struckhimasbeingmorehumanthananythinghehadleftbehindhimattheGrange。
　　Heenteredtheivy—grownporchandstaredforamomentatthehalf—
　　legalofficialparochialnoticespostedontheoakendoor，——hisfirstobtrusiveintimationofthecombinationofchurchandstate，——
　　andhesitated。Hewasnotpreparedtofindthatthislastresting—placeofhispeoplehadsomethingtodowithtaxesandtithes，andthatacertainmaterialrespectabilityandsecurityattendedhisvotivesigh。Godandthereigningsovereignoftherealmpreservedadecorousallianceintheroyalarmsthatappearedabovetheofficialnotices。Presentlyhepushedopenthedoorgentlyandenteredthenave。Foramomentitseemedtohimasifthearchedgloomofthewoodshehadleftbehindwasrepeatedinthedimaisleandvaultedroof；therewasanearthyodor，asifthechurchitself，springingfromthefertilizingdustbelow，hadtakenrootinthesoil；thechequersoflightfromthefadedstained—
　　glasswindowsfellliketheflickerofleavesonthepavement。Hepausedbeforethecoldaltar，andstarted，forbesidehimlaytherecumbentfigureofawarriorpillowedonhishelmetwiththeparaphernaliaofhistradearoundhim。AsuddenchildishmemoryofthegreatWesternplains，andthebiersoftheIndian"braves"
　　raisedonuprightpolesagainstthestaringskyandabovethesunbakedprairie，rusheduponhim。There，too，hadlaintheweaponsofthedepartedchieftain；there，too，laytheIndian’s"faithfulhound，"heresimulatedbythecross—leggedcrusader’scanineeffigy。Andnow，strangestofall，hefoundthatthisunlooked—forrecollectionandremembrancethrilledhimmoreatthatmomentthanthedeadbeforehim。Heretheyrested，——theAtherlysofcenturies；recumbentinarmororpriestlyrobes，uprightinbuststhatwereperiwiggedorhiddeninlongcurls，abovethemarblerecordoftheirdeedsandvirtues。SomeoftheserecordswereinLatin，——anunknowntonguetoPeter，——someinaquaintEnglishalmostasunintelligible；butnoneasforeigntohimasthedeadthemselves。Theirbannerswavedabovehishead；theirvoicesfilledthesilentchurch，butfelluponhisvacanteyeanddullerear。Hewasnoneofthem。
　　Presentlyhewasconsciousofafootstep，sofaint，sosubtle，thatitmighthavecomefromaperegrinatingghost。HeturnedquicklyandsawLadyElfrida，halfbold，yethalffrightened，haltingbesideapillarofthechancel。Buttherewasnothingofthedeadabouther：shewasradiatingandpulsatingwiththeuncompromisingandmaterialfreshnessofEnglishgirlhood。Thewildroseinthehedgerowwasnotmoretangiblethanhercheek，northesummerskymoreclearlycoolandbluethanhereyes。Thevigorofhealthandunfetteredfreedomoflimbwasinherfigurefromherbuckledwalking—shoetoherbrownhairtoppedbyasailorhat。Theassuranceandcontentmentofawell—orderedlife，ofsecuredpositionandfreedomfromvainanxietiesorexpectations，werevisibleineverylineofherrefined，delicate，andevenlyquiescentfeatures。AndyetLadyElfrida，forthefirsttimeinhergirlhood，feltalittlenervous。
　　Yetshewasfrank，too，withthefranknessofthosewhohavenothoughtofbeingmisunderstood。Shesaidshehadcomethereoutofcuriositytoseehowhewould"geton"withhisancestors。Shehadbeenwatchinghimfromthechanceleversincehecame，——andshewasdisappointed。Asfarasemotionwentshethoughthehadtheadvantageofthestoniestandlongestdeadofthemall。Perhapshedidnotlikethem？ButhemustbecarefulwhatheSAID，forsomeofherownpeoplewerethere，——manifestlythisone。（SheputthetoeofherbuckledshoeonthecrusaderPeterhadjustlookedat。）
　　Andthentherewasanotherinthecorner。Soshehadarighttocomethereaswellashe，——andshecouldactascicerone！ThisonewasaDeBrecy，oneofKingJohn’sknights，whomarriedanAtherly。
　　（Sheswungherselfintoahalf—sittingpostureontheeffigyofthedeadknight，composedherstraightshortskirtoverhertrimankles，andlookedupinPeter’sdarkface。）Thatwouldmakethemsomekindofrelations，——wouldn’tit？HemustcomeovertoBentleyTowersandseetherestoftheDeBrecysinthechapelthereto—
　　morrow。Perhapstheremightbesomehelikedbetter，andwholookedmorelikehim。FortherewasnoonehereorattheGrangewhoresembledhimintheleast。
　　Heassentedtothetruthofthiswithsuchgrave，disarmingcourtesy，andyetwithsuchundisguisedwonder，——assheappearedtotalkwithgreaterfreedomtoastrangerthananAmericangirlwould，——thatsheatoncepoppedoffthecrusader，andaccompaniedhimsomewhatmoredemurelyaroundthechurch。Suddenlyshestoppedwithaslightexclamation。
　　TheyhadhaltedbeforeatablettothememoryofalaterAtherly，anofficerofhisMajesty’s100thFoot，whowaskilledatBraddock’sdefeat。ThetabletwassupportedontheonesidebyaweepingFame，andontheotherbyamanacledNorthAmericanIndian。
　　Shestammeredandsaid："YouseethereareotherAtherlyswhowenttoAmericaevenbeforeyourfather，"andthenstoppedwithasenseofhavingmadeaslip。
　　AwildandinexplicableresentmentagainstthiscomplacenthistoricaloutragesuddenlytookpossessionofPeter。Heknewthathisragewasinconsistentwithhisusualcalm，buthecouldnothelpit！Hisswarthycheekglowed，hisdarkeyesflashed，healmosttrembledwithexcitementashehurriedlypointedouttoLadyElfridathattheIndianswereVICTORIOUSinthatill—fatedexpeditionoftheBritishforces，andthatthecaptivesavagewasanallegoricallie。Soswiftandconvincingwashisemotionthattheyounggirl，knowingnothingofthesubjectandcaringless，sharedhisindignation，followedhimwithanxiouseyes，andtheirhandsforaninstanttouchedininnocentandgeneroussympathy。
　　Andthen——heknewnothoworwhy——astillmorewildandterribleideasprangupinhisfancy。Heknewitwasmadness，yetforamomenthecouldonlystandandgrapplewithitsilentlyandbreathlessly。Itwastoseizethisyoungandinnocentgirl，thiswitnessofhisdisappointment，thiscomplacentandbeautifultypeofalltheyvaluedhere，andbearheraway——aprisoner，ahostage——
　　heknewnotwhy——onagallopinghorseinthedustoftheprairie——
　　farbeyondtheseas！Itwasonlywhenhesawhercheekflushandpale，whenhesawherstaringathimwithhelpless，frightened，butfascinatedeyes，——theeyesoftheflutteringbirdunderthespelloftherattlesnake，——thathedrewhisbreathandturnedbewilderedaway。"Anddoyouknow，dear，"shesaidwithnaivesimplicitytohersisterthatevening，"thatalthoughhewasanAmerican，andeverybodysaysthattheydon’tcareatallforthosepoorIndians，hewassomagnanimousinhisindignationthatIfanciedhelookedlikeoneofCooper’sheroeshimselfratherthananAtherly。ItwassuchastupidthingformetoshowhimthattombofMajorAtherly，youknow，whofoughttheAmericans，——didn’the？——orwasitlater？——
　　butIquiteforgothewasanAmerican。"Andwiththisbeliefinhermind，andinthehighexpiationofanoblenature，sheforborehercharacteristicraillery，andfollowedhimmeekly，manacledinspiritliketheallegoricalfigure，tothechurchporch，wheretheyseparated，tomeetonthemorrow。Butthatmorrownevercame。
　　ForlateintheafternoonacablemessagereachedhimfromCaliforniaaskinghimtoreturntoacceptanominationtoCongressfromhisowndistrict。Itdeterminedhisresolution，whichforamomentatthechurchporchhadwaveredunderthebrighteyesofLadyElfrida。Hetelegraphedhisacceptance，hurriedlytookleaveofhishonestlylamentingkinsman，followedhisdispatchtoLondon，andinafewdayswasontheAtlantic。
　　HowhewasreceivedinCalifornia，howhefoundhissistermarriedtotheblondlawyer，howherecoveredhispopularityandwonhiselection，aredetailsthatdonotbelongtothischronicleofhisquest。AndthatquestseemstohaveterminatedforeverwithhisappearanceatWashingtontotakehisseatasCongressman。
　　ItwasthenightofaleveeattheWhiteHouse。TheEastRoomwascrowdedwithsmartlydressedmenandwomenofthecapital，quaintlysimplelegislatorsfromremoteStatesinbygonefashions，officersinuniform，andthediplomaticcircleblazingwithorders。Theinvokerofthisbrilliantassemblystoodinsimpleeveningdressnearthedoor，——unattendedandhedgedbynoformality。HeshookthehandofthenewCongressmanheartily，congratulatedhimbyname，andturnedsmilinglytothenextcomer。Presentlytherewasaslightstiratoneoftheoppositedoors，thecrowdfellback，andfivefiguresstalkedmajesticallyintothecentreoftheroom。
　　TheyweretheleadingchiefsofanIndianreservationcomingtopaytheirrespectstotheir"GreatFather，"thePresident。Theircostumeswereaminglingofthepicturesquewiththegrotesque；oftawdrinesswithmagnificence；ofartificialtinselandglitterwiththeregalspoilsofthechase；ofchildlikevanitywithbarbaricpride。Yetbeforethesetheglitteringordersandribbonsofthediplomatsbecamedullandmeaningless，theuniformsoftheofficersmereservilelivery。Theirpainted，immobilefacesandplumedheadstoweredwithgravedignityabovethemeanercrowd；theirinscrutableeyesreturnednoresponsetothetimidglancesdirectedtowardsthem。Theystoodbythemselves，aloneandimpassive，——yettheirpresencefilledtheroomwiththesenseofkings。Theunostentatious，simplerepublicancourtsuddenlyseemedtohavebecomeroyal。Eventheinterpreterwhostoodbetweentheirremotedignityandthenearercivilizedworldacquiredthestatusofacourtchamberlain。
　　Whentheir"GreatFather，"apparentlythelessimportantpersonage，hadsmilinglyreceivedthem，apoliticalcolleagueapproachedPeterandtookhisarm。"GrayEaglewouldliketospeakwithyou。Comeon！Here’syourchance！YoumaybeputontheCommitteeonIndianRelations，andpickupafewfacts。Rememberwewantafirmpolicy；nomorepalaveraboutthe’GreatFather’andnomoreblanketsandguns！YouknowwhatweusedtosayoutWest，’Theonly"GoodIndian"isadeadone。’Sowadein，andhearwhattheoldplughathastosay。"
　　Peterpermittedhimselftobeledtothegroup。EvenatthatmomentherememberedthefigureoftheIndianonthetombatAshleyGrange，andfeltaslightflashofsatisfactionoverthesuperiorheightandbearingofGrayEagle。
　　"How！"saidGrayEagle。"How！"saidtheotherfourchiefs。"How！"
　　repeatedPeterinstinctively。AtagesturefromGrayEagletheinterpretersaid："Letyourfriendstandback；GrayEaglehasnothingtosaytohim。Hewishestospeakonlywithyou。"
　　Peter’sfriendreluctantlywithdrew，butthrewacautioningglancetowardshim。"Ugh！"saidGrayEagle。"Ugh！"saidtheotherchiefs。Afewgutturalwordsfollowedtotheinterpreter，whoturned，andfacingPeterwiththemonotonousimpassivenesswhichhehadcaughtfromthechiefs，said："Hesaysheknewyourfather。Hewasagreatchief，——withmanyhorsesandmanysquaws。Heisdead。"
　　"MyfatherwasanEnglishman，——PhilipAtherly！"saidPeter，withanoddnervousnesscreepingoverhim。
　　TheinterpreterrepeatedthewordstoGreyEagle，who，afteraguttural"Ugh！"answeredinhisowntongue。
　　"Hesays，"continuedtheinterpreterwithaslightshrug，yetrelapsingintohisformerimpassiveness，"thatyourfatherwasagreatchief，andyourmotherapaleface，orwhitewoman。ShewascapturedwithanEnglishman，butshebecamethewifeofthechiefwhileincaptivity。Shewasonlyreleasedbeforethebirthofherchildren，butayearortwoafterwardsshebroughtthemasinfantstoseetheirfather，——theGreatChief，——andtogetthemarkoftheirtribe。Hesaysyouandyoursisterareeachmarkedontheleftarm。"
　　ThenGrayEagleopenedhismouthandutteredhisfirstEnglishsentence。"Hisfather，bigInjin，takecommonwhitesquaw！
　　Papoosenogood，——toomuchwhitesquawmother，notenoughbigInjinfather！Look！Hebigman，butnocanbearpain！Ugh！"
　　TheinterpreterturnedintimetocatchPeter。Hehadfainted。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Ahotafternoonontheplains。AdustycavalcadeofUnitedStatescavalryandcommissarywagons，whichfromadistancepreservedacertainmilitaryprecisionofmovement，butonnearerviewresolveditselfintostragglingtroopersintwosandfoursinterspersedbetweenthewagons，twononcommissionedofficersandaguideridingahead，whohadalreadyfallenintothecavalryslouch，butofftotheright，smartlyerectandcadet—like，theyounglieutenantincommand。Awideroadthathadtheappearanceofbeingatoncewelltraveledandyetdeserted，andthat，althoughwelldefinedunderfoot，stillseemedtodisappearandloseitselfahundredfeetaheadinthemonotonouslevel。Ahorizonthatinthatclear，dry，hazelessatmospherenevermockedyou，yetneverchanged，butkeptitseternalrimofmountainsatthesameheightanddistancefromhourtohouranddaytoday。Dust——aparchingalkalinepowderthatcrackedtheskin——everywhere，clingingtothehubsandspokesofthewheels，withoutbeingdisturbedbymovement，incrustingthecavalrymanfromhishighbootstothecrossedsabresofhiscap；
　　goingoffinsmallpuffslikeexplosionsundertheplunginghoofsofthehorses，buttooheavytoriseandfollowthem。Areekingsmellofhorsesweatandbootleatherthatlingeredintheroadlongafterthetrainhadpassed。Anexternalsilencebrokenonlybythecoughofajadedhorseinthesuffocatingdust，orthecrackingofharnessleather。Withinoneofthewagonsthatseemedamiracleofmilitaryneatnessandmethodicalstowage，alazyconversationcarriedonbyagrizzleddriverandsunbrownedfarrier。
　　"’Whobeyou？’sezee。’I’mPhilipAtherly，amemberofCongress，’
　　sezthelong，dark—complectedman，sezee，’andI’monacommissionforlookingintothisyerInjingrievance，’sezee。’YoumaybeGodAlmighty，’sezNebraskaBill，sezee，’butyoulookad——dsightmorelikeahoss—stealin’Apache，andwedon’twantanyofyourpsalm—singing，big—talkin’peacemakersinterferin’withourwaysoftreatin’pizen，——youhearme？I’mshoutin’，’sezee。Withthatthedark—complectedman’seyesbegantoglisten，andhesortersquirmedallovertogetatBill，andBilloutswithhisbattery。——Whoa，willye；what’supwithYOUnow？"Thelatterremarkwasdirectedtotheyoungspiritednearhorsehewasdriving，whowasbeginningtobestrangelyexcited。
　　"Whathappenedthen？"saidthefarrierlazily。
　　"Well，"continuedthedriver，havingmomentarilyquietedhishorse，"Ireckoneditwasabouttimeformetowheelintoline，forfellersoftheBillstripe，outontheplains，wouldezleaveplugamanincitizen’sclothes，evenifhewasthePresidenthimself，astheywoulddroponanInjinoranigger。’Lookhere，Bill，’sezI，’I’mescortin’thisstrangerundergov’mentorders，andI’mresponsibleforhim。Iain’tallowedtowastegov’mentpowderandshotonYOURkindonlessI’veorders，butifyou’llwaittillI
　　stripoffthisshell*I’lllamthestuffin’outerye，aforethestranger。’WiththatBilljustdancedwithrage，butdassentfire，forHEknew，andIknew，thatifhe’dpluggedmehe’dbeenadeadfrontiersmanaforethenextmornin’。"
　　*Cavalryjacket。
　　"Butyou’dhavehadtogivehimuptotheauthorities，andajuryofhisownkindwouldhavesethimfree。"
　　"Notmuch！Ifyouhadn’tjustjoined，you’dknowthatain’tthewayo’30thCavalry，"returnedthedriver。"ThekernelwouldhaveissuedhisorderstobringinBilldeadoralive，andthe30thwouldhavemanagedtobringhiminDEAD！Thenyourjurymighthavesatonhim！Tellyouwhat，chapsoftheBillstripedon’tcareovermuchtotackletheyallerbraid。"*
　　*Characteristictrimmingofcavalryjacket。
　　"Butwhat’sthisyerCongressmaninterferin’for，anyway？"
　　"He’sarichCalifornian。Thinkshe’sgota’call，’Ireckon，tolookarterInjins，justasthemAbolitionistslookedarterslaves。