第16章

Butinthebeginningitwasnotconsciousnessoftheman。Itwasnew，sensoriallife，elemental，primitive，aliberationofamillioninheritedinstincts，quiveringandphysical，overwhichEllenhadnomorecontrolthanshehadoverthegloryofthesun。Ifshethoughtatallitwasofherneedtobehidden，likeananimal，lowdownneartheearth，coveredbygreenthicket，lostinthewildnessofnature。Shewenttonature，unconsciouslyseekingamother。Andlovewasabirthfromthedepthsofher，likearushingspringofpurewater，longunderground，andatlastpropelledtothesurfacebyaconvulsion。

Ellengraduallylosthertenserigidityandrelaxed。Herbodysoftened。

Sherolledoveruntilherfacecaughtthelacy，goldenshadowscastbysunandbough。Scattereddropsofrainpatteredaroundher。Theairwashot，anditsodorwasthatofdrypineandsprucefragrancepenetratedbybrimstonefromthelightning。Thenestwhereshelaywaswarmandsweet。Noeyesavethatofnaturesawherinherabandonment。Anineffableandexquisitesmilewreathedherlips，dreamy，sad，sensuous，thesupremityofunconscioushappiness。Overherdarkandeloquenteyes，asEllengazedupward，spreadaluminousfilm，aveil。Shewaslookingintensely，yetshedidnotsee。Thewildernessenvelopedherwithitssecretive，elementalsheathsofrock，oftree，ofcloud，ofsunlight。

Throughherthrillingskinpouredthemultipleandnamelesssensationsofthelivingorganismstirredtosupremesensitiveness。Shecouldnotliestill，butallhermovementsweregentle，involuntary。Theslowreachingoutofherhand，tograspatnothingvisible，wassimilartothelazystretchingofherlimbs，totheheaveofherbreast，totherippleofmuscle。

Ellenknewnotwhatshefelt。Tolivethatsublimehourwasbeyondthought。Suchhappinesswaslikethefirstdawnoftheworldtothesightofman。Ithadtodowithbygoneages。Herheart，herblood，herflesh，herveryboneswerefilledwithinstinctsandemotionscommontotheracebeforeintellectdeveloped，whenthesavagelivedonlywithhissensorialperceptions。Ofallhappiness，joy，bliss，rapturetowhichmanwasheir，thatofintenseandexquisitepreoccupationofthesenses，unhinderedandunburdenedbythought，wasthegreatest。Ellenfeltthatwhichlifemeantwithitsinscrutabledesign。Lovewasonlytherealizationofhermissionontheearth。

Thedarkstormcloudwithitswhite，raggedropesoflightninganddown—streaminggrayveilsofrain，thepurplegulfrollinglikeacoloredseatothedimmountains，thegloriousgoldenlightofthesun——thesehadenchantedhereyeswithherbeautyoftheuniverse。

Theyhadburstthewindowsofherblindness。Whenshecrawledintothegreen—browncovertitwastoescapetoogreatperception。Sheneededtobeencompassedbyclose，tangiblethings。Andthereherbodypaidthetributetotherealizationoflife。Shock，convulsion，pain，relaxation，andthenunutterableandinsupportablesensingofherenvironmentandtheheart！Inonewayshewasawildanimalaloneinthewoods，forcedintothematingthatmeantreproductionofitskind。Inanothershewasaninfinitelyhigherbeingshotthroughandthroughwiththemostresistlessandmysterioustransportthatlifecouldgivetoflesh。

Andwhenthatspellslackeneditsholdtherewedgedintohermindaconsciousnessofthemansheloved——JeanIsbel。Thenemotionandthoughtstroveformasteryoverher。Itwasnotherselforlovethatsheloved，butalivingman。Suddenlyheexistedsoclearlyforherthatshecouldseehim，hearhim，almostfeelhim。Herwholesoul，herverylifecriedouttohimforprotection，forsalvation，forlove，forfulfillment。Nodenial，nodoubtmarredthewhiteblazeofherrealization。FromtheinstantthatshehadlookedupintoJeanIsbel’sdarkfaceshehadlovedhim。Onlyshehadnotknown。Shebowednow，andbent，andhumblyquiveredunderthemasteryofsomethingbeyondherken。Thoughtclungtothebeginningsofherromance——tothethreetimesshehadseenhim。Everylook，everyword，everyactofhisreturnedtohernowinthelightofthetruth。Loveatfirstsight！

Hehadswornit，bitterly，eloquently，scornfulofherdoubts。Andnowablind，sweet，shudderingecstasyswayedher。Howweakandfrailseemedherbody——toosmall，tooslightforthismonstrousandterribleengineoffireandlightningandfuryandglory——herheart！Itmustburstorbreak。RelentlesslymemorypursuedEllen，andherthoughtswhirledandemotionconqueredher。Atlastshequivereduptoherkneesasiflashedtoaction。ItseemedthatfirstkissofIsbel’s，coolandgentleandtimid，wasonherlips。Andhereyesclosedandhottearswelledfromunderherlids。Hergropinghandsfoundonlythedeadtwigsandthepineboughsofthetrees。Hadshereachedouttoclasphim？ThenhardandviolentonhermouthandcheekandneckburnedthoseotherkissesofIsbel’s，andwiththeflashing，stingingmemorycamethetruththatnowshewouldhavebarteredhersoulforthem。

Utterlyshesurrenderedtotheresistlessnessofthislove。Herlossofmotherandfriends，herwanderingfromonewildplacetoanother，herlonelylifeamongboldandroughmen，haddevelopedherforviolentlove。Itoverthrewallpride，itengenderedhumility，itkilledhate。

Ellenwipedthetearsfromhereyes，andassheknelttheresheswepttoherbreastafragrantspreadingboughofpineneedles。"I’llgotohim，"shewhispered。"I’lltellhimof——ofmy——mylove。I’lltellhimtotakemeaway——awaytotheendoftheworld——awayfromheah——beforeit’stoolate！"

Itwasasolemn，beautifulmoment。Butthelastspokenwordslingeredhauntingly。"Toolate？"shewhispered。

Andsuddenlyitseemedthatdeathitselfshudderedinhersoul。

Toolate！Itwastoolate。Shehadkilledhislove。ThatJorthbloodinher——thatpoisonoushate——hadchosentheonlywaytostrikethisnobleIsbeltotheheart。Basely，withanabandonmentofwomanhood，shehadmockinglyperjuredhersoulwithavilelie。Shewrithed，sheshookunderthewhipofthisinconceivablefact。Lost！Lost！Shewailedhermisery。ShemightaswellbewhatshehadmadeJeanIsbelthinkshewas。Ifshehadbeenshamedbefore，shewasnowabased，degraded，lostinherownsight。Andifshewouldhavegivenhersoulforhiskisses，shenowwouldhavekilledherselftoearnbackhisrespect。JeanIsbelhadgivenheratsightthedeferencethatshehadunconsciouslycraved，andthelovethatwouldhavebeenhersalvation。Whatahorriblemistakeshehadmadeofherlife！Nothermother’sblood，butherfather’s——theJorthblood——hadbeenherruin。

AgainEllenfelluponthesoftpine—needlemat，facedown，andshegroveledandburrowedthere，inanagonythatcouldnotbearthesenseoflight。Allshehadsufferedwasasnothingtothis。Tohaveawakenedtoasplendidandupliftingloveforamanwhomshehadimaginedshehated，whohadfoughtforhernameandhadkilledinrevengeforthedishonorshehadavowed——tohavelosthisloveandwhatwasinfinitelymoreprecioustohernowinherignominy——hisfaithinherpurity——thisbrokeherheart。

CHAPTERXI

WhenEllen，utterlyspentinbodyandmind，reachedhomethatdayamelancholy，sultrytwilightwasfalling。Fitfulflaresofsheetlightningsweptacrossthedarkhorizontotheeast。Thecabinsweredeserted。AntonioandtheMexicanwomanweregone。ThecircumstancesmadeEllenwonder，butshewastootiredandtoosunkeninspirittothinklongaboutitortocare。Shefedandwateredherhorseandlefthiminthecorral。Then，supperlessandwithoutremovingherclothes，shethrewherselfuponthebed，andatoncesankintoheavyslumber。

Sometimeduringthenightsheawoke。Coyoteswereyelping，andfromthatsoundsheconcludeditwasneardawn。Herbodyached;hermindseemeddull。Drowsilyshewassinkingintoslumberagainwhensheheardtherapidclip—clopoftrottinghorses。Startled，sheraisedherheadtolisten。Themenwerecomingback。Reliefanddreadseemedtoclearherstupor。

Thetrottinghorsesstoppedacrossthelanefromhercabin，evidentlyatthecorralwhereshehadleftSpades。Sheheardhimwhistle。

>Fromthesoundofhoofsshejudgedthenumberofhorsestobesixoreight。Lowvoicesofmenmingledwiththudsandcrackingofstrapsandfloppingofsaddlesontheground。Afterthattheheavytreadofbootssoundedontheporchofthecabinopposite。Adoorcreakedonitshinges。Nextaslowfootstep，accompaniedbyclinkingofspurs，approachedEllen’sdoor，andaheavyhandbangeduponit。Sheknewthispersoncouldnotbeherfather。

"Hullo，Ellen！"

SherecognizedthevoiceasbelongingtoColter。Somehowitstone，orsomethingaboutit，sentalittleshiverclownherspine。Itactedlikearevivifyingcurrent。Ellenlostherdragginglethargy。

"Hey，Ellen，arey’uthere？"addedColter，loudervoice。

"Yes。OfcourseI’mheah，"shereplied。Whatdoy’uwant？"

"Wal——I’mshoreglady’u’rehome，"hereplied。"Antonio’sgonewithhissquaw。An’Iwassomeworriedabooty’u。"

"Who’swithy’u，Colter？"queriedEllen，sittingup。

"RockWellsan’Springer。TadJorthwaswithus，butwehadtoleavehimoverheahinacabin。"

"What’sthematterwithhim？"

"Wal，he’shurttolerablebad，"wastheslowreply。

EllenheardColter’sspursjangle，asifhehaduneasilyshiftedhisfeet。

"Where’sdadan’UncleJackson？"askedEllen。

AsilencepregnantenoughtoaugmentEllen’sdreadfinallybroketoColter’svoice，somehowdifferent。"Shorethey’rebackonthetrail。

An’we’retomeetthemwhereweleftTad。"

"Areyugoin’awayagain？"

"Ireckon……An’，Ellen，y’u’regoin’withus。"

"Iamnot，"sheretorted。

"Wal，y’uare，ifIhavetopacky’u，"hereplied，forcibly。"It’snotsafeheahanymore。Thatdamnedhalf—breedIsbelwithhisgangareonourtrail。"

Thatnameseemedlikeared—hotbladeatEllen’sleadenheart。

ShewantedtoflingahundredqueriesonColter，butshecouldnotutterone。

"Ellen，we’vegottohitthetrailan’hide，"continuedColter，anxiously。"Y’umustn’tstayheahalone。SupposethemIsbelswouldtrapy’u！……They’dtearyourclothesoffan’ropey’utoatree。

Ellen，shorey’u’regoin’……Y’uheahme！"

"Yes——I’llgo，"shereplied，asifforced。

"Wal——that’sgood，"hesaid，quickly。"An’rustletolerablelively。

We’vegottopack。"

TheslowjangleofColter’sspursandhisslowstepsmovedawayoutofEllen’shearing。Throwingofftheblankets，sheputherfeettothefloorandsatthereamomentstaringattheblanknothingnessofthecabininteriorintheobscuregrayofdawn。Cold，gray，dreary，obscure——likeherlife，herfuture！Andshewascompelledtodowhatwashatefultoher。AsaJorthshemusttaketotheunfrequentedtrailsandhidelikearabbitinthethickets。Buttheinterestofthemoment，apremonitionofeventstobe，quickenedherintoaction。

Ellenunbarredthedoortoletinthelight。Daywasbreakingwithanintense，clear，steelylightintheeastthroughwhichthemorningstarstillshonewhite。Aruddyflarebetokenedtheadventofthesun。

Ellenunbraidedhertangledhairandbrushedandcombedit。Aqueer，stillpangcametoheratsightofpineneedlestangledinherbrownlocks。Thenshewashedherhandsandface。Breakfastwasamatterofconsiderableworkandshewashungry。

Thesunroseandchangedthegrayworldofforest。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeEllenhatedthegoldenbrightness，thewonderfulblueofsky，thescreamoftheeagleandthescreechofthejay;andthesquirrelsshehadalwayslovedtofeedwereneglectedthatmorning。

Coltercamein。EitherEllenhadneverbeforelookedattentivelyathimorelsehehadchanged。Herscrutinyofhislean，hardfeaturesaccordedhimmoreTexanattributesthanformerly。Hisgrayeyeswereaslight，asclear，asfierceasthoseofaneagle。Andthesandgrayofhisface，thelong，drooping，fairmustachehidthesecretsofhismind，butnotitsstrength。TheinstantEllenmethisgazeshesensedapowerinhimthatsheinstinctivelyopposed。ColterhadnotbeensoboldnorsorudeasDaggs，buthewasthesamekindofman，perhapsthemoredangerousforhissecretiveness，hiscool，waitinginscrutableness。

"’Mawnin’，Ellen！"hedrawled。"Y’ushorelookgoodforsoreeyes。"

"Don’tpaymecompliments，Colter，"repliedEllen。"An’youreyesarenotsore。"

"Wal，I’mshoresorefromfightin’an’ridin’an’layin’out，"

hesaid，bluntly。

"Tellme——what’shappened，"returnedEllen。

"Girl，it’satolerablelongstory，"repliedColter。"An’we’venotimenow。Waittillwegettocamp。"

"AmItopackmybelongin’sorleavethemheah？"askedEllen。

"Reckony’u’dbetterleave——themheah。"

"Butifwedidnotcomeback——"

"Wal，Ireckonit’snotlikelywe’llcome——soon，"hesaid，ratherevasively。

"Colter，I’llnotgooffintothewoodswithjusttheclothesIhaveonmyback。"

"Ellen，weshoregottopackallthegrabwecan。Thisshoreain’tgoin’tobeavisittoneighbors。We’reshypackhosses。Buty’umakeupabundleofbelongin’sy’ucarefor，an’thethingsy’u’llneedbad。We’llthrowitonsomewhere。"

Colterstalkedawayacrossthelane，andEllenfoundherselfdubiouslystaringathistallfigure。Wasitthesituationthatstruckherwithaforebodingperplexityorwasherintuitionsteelingheragainstthisman？Ellencouldnotdecide。Butshehadtogowithhim。Herprejudicewasunreasonableatthisportentousmoment。Andshecouldnotyetfeelthatshewassolelyresponsibletoherself。

Whenitcametomakingasmallbundleofherbelongingsshewasinaquandary。Shediscardedthisandputinthat，andthenreversedtheorder。Nextinpreciousnesstohermother’sthingswerethelong—hiddengiftsofJeanIsbel。Shecouldpartwithneither。

WhileshewasselectingandpackingthisbundleColteragainenteredand，withoutspeaking，begantorummageinthecornerwhereherfatherkepthispossessions。ThisirritatedEllen。

"Whatdoy’uwantthere？"shedemanded。

"Wal，Ireckonyourdadwantshispapers——an’thegoldheleftheah——

an’achangeofclothes。Nowdoesn’the？"returnedColter，coolly。

"Ofcourse。ButIsupposedy’uwouldhavemepackthem。"

Coltervouchsafednoreplytothis，butdeliberatelywentonrummaging，withlittleregardforhowhescatteredthings。Ellenturnedherbackonhim。Atlength，whenheleft，shewenttoherfather’scornerandfoundthat，asfarasshewasabletosee，Colterhadtakenneitherpapersnorclothes，butonlythegold。Perhaps，however，shehadbeenmistaken，forshehadnotobservedColter’sdeparturecloselyenoughtoknowwhetherornothecarriedapackage。Shemissedonlythegold。

Herfather’spapers，oldandmusty，werescatteredabout，andtheseshegathereduptoslipinherownbundle。

Colter，oroneofthemen，hadsaddledSpades，andhewasnowtiedtothecorralfence，champinghisbitandpoundingthesand。Ellenwrappedbreadandmeatinsidehercoat，andaftertyingthisbehindhersaddleshewasreadytogo。Butevidentlyshewouldhavetowait，and，preferringtoremainoutdoors，shestayedbyherhorse。Presently，whilewatchingthemenpack，shenoticedthatSpringerworeabandageroundhisheadunderthebrimofhissombrero。Hismotionswereslowandlackedenergy。Shudderingatthesight，Ellenrefusedtoconjecture。

Alltoosoonshewouldlearnwhathadhappened，andalltoosoon，perhaps，sheherselfwouldbeinthemidstofanotherfight。Shewatchedthemen。Theyweremakingahurriedslipshodjobofpackingfoodsuppliesfrombothcabins。MorethanonceshecaughtColter’sgraygleamofgazeonher，andshedidnotlikeit。

"I’llrideupan’saygood—bytoSprague，"shecalledtoColter。

"Shorey’uwon’tdonothin’ofthekind，"hecalledback。

TherewasauthorityinhistonethatangeredEllen，andsomethingelsewhichinhibitedheranger。WhatwasthereaboutColterwithwhichshemustreckon？TheothertwoTexanslaughedaloud，tobesuddenlysilencedbyColter’sharshandloweredcurses。Ellenwalkedoutofhearingandsatuponalog，wheresheremaineduntilColterhailedher。

"Getupan’ride，"hecalled。

Ellencompliedwiththisorderand，ridingupbehindthethreemountedmen，shesoonfoundherselfleavingwhatforyearshadbeenherhome。

Notoncedidshelookback。Shehopedshewouldneverseethesqualid，barepretensionofaranchagain。

Colterandtheotherridersdrovethepackhorsesacrossthemeadow，offofthetrails，anduptheslopeintotheforest。NotverylongdidittakeEllentoseethatColter’sobjectwastohidetheirtracks。

Hezigzaggedthroughtheforest，avoidingthebarespotsofdust，thedry，sun—bakedflatsofclaywherewaterlayinspring，andhechosethegrassy，openglades，thelong，pine—needlemattedaisles。Ellenrodeattheirheelsanditpleasedhertowatchfortheirtracks。Coltermanifestlyhadbeenlongpracticedinthisgameofhidinghistrail，andheshowedtheskillofarustler。ButEllenwasnotconvincedthathecouldevereludearealwoodsman。Notimprobably，however，Colterwasonlyaimingtoleaveatraildifficulttofollowandwhichwouldallowhimandhisconfederatesampletimetoforgeaheadofpursuers。

Ellencouldnotacceptacertaintyofpursuit。YetColtermusthaveexpectedit，andSpringerandWellsalso，fortheyhadadark，sinister，furtivedemeanorthatstrangelycontrastedwiththecool，easymannerhabitualtothem。

Theywerenotseekingthelevelroutesoftheforestland，thatwassure。

Theyrodestraightacrossthethick—timberedridgedownintoanothercanyon，upoutofthat，andacrossrough，rockybluffs，anddownagain。

Theseridersheadedalittletothenorthwestandeverymilebroughtthemintowilder，moreruggedcountry，untilEllen，losingcountofcanyonsandridges，hadnoideawhereshewas。Nostopwasmadeatnoontorestthelaboring，sweatingpackanimals。

UndercircumstanceswherepleasuremighthavebeenpossibleEllenwouldhavereveledinthishardrideintoawonderfulforesteverthickeninganddarkening。Butthewildbeautyofgladeandthespruceslopesandthedeep，bronze—walledcanyonslefthercold。Shesawandfelt，buthadnothrill，exceptnowandthenathrillofalarmwhenSpadesslidtohishaunchesdownsomesteep，damp，pinydeclivity。

Allthewoodland，upanddown，appearedtoberichergreenerastheytraveledfartherwest。Grassgrewthickandheavy。Waterraninallravines。Therockswerebronzeandcopperandrusset，andsomehadgreenpatchesoflichen。

EllenfeltthesunnowonherleftcheekandknewthatthedaywaswaningandthatColterwasswingingfarthertothenorthwest。Shehadneverbeforeriddenthroughsuchheavyforestanddownandupsuchwildcanyons。Towardsunsetthedeepestandruggedestcanyonhaltedtheiradvance。Colterrodetotheright，searchingforaplacetogetdownthroughasprucethicketthatstoodonend。Presentlyhedismountedandtheothersfollowedsuit。EllenfoundshecouldnotleadSpadesbecausehesliddownuponherheels，sosheloopedtheendofherreinsoverthepommelandlefthimfree。Sheherselfmanagedtodescendbyholdingtobranchesandslidingallthewaydownthatslope。

Sheheardthehorsescrackingthebrush，snortingandheaving。Onepackslippedandhadtoberemovedfromthehorse，androlleddown。Atthebottomofthisdeep，green—wallednotchroaredastreamofwater。

Shadowed，cool，mossy，damp，thisnarrowgulchseemedthewildestplaceEllenhadeverseen。Shecouldjustseethesunset—flushed，gold—tippedsprucesfaraboveher。Themenrepackedthehorsethathadslippedhisburden，andoncemoreresumedtheirprogressahead，nowturningupthiscanyon。Therewasnohorsetrail，butdeerandbeartrailswerenumerous。Thesunsankandtheskydarkened，butstillthemenrodeon;andthefarthertheytraveledthewildergrewtheaspectofthecanyon。

AtlengthColterbrokeawaythroughaheavythicketofwillowsandenteredasidecanyon，themouthofwhichEllenhadnotevendescried。

Itturnedandwidened，andatlengthopenedoutintoaroundpocket，apparentlyinclosed，andaslonelyandisolatedaplaceasevenpursuedrustlerscoulddesire。Hiddenbyjuttingwallandthicketofspruceweretwooldlogcabinsjoinedtogetherbyroofandatticfloor，thesameasthedoublecabinattheJorthranch。

Ellensmelledwoodsmoke，andpresently，ongoingroundthecabins，sawabrightfire。OnemanstoodbesideitgazingatColter’sparty，whichevidentlyhehadheardapproaching。

"Hullo，Queen！"saidColter。How’sTad？"

"He’sholdin’onfine，"repliedQueen，bendingoverthefire，whereheturnedpiecesofmeat。

"Where’sfather？"suddenlyaskedEllen，addressingColter。

Asifhehadnotheardher，hewentonwearilylooseningapack。

Queenlookedather。Thelightofthefireonlypartiallyshoneonhisface。Ellencouldnotseeitsexpression。ButfromthefactthatQueendidnotanswerherquestionshegotfurtherintimationofanimpendingcatastrophe。Thelong，wildridehadhelpedprepareherforthesecrecyandtaciturnityofmenwhohadresortedtoflight。Perhapsherfatherhadbeendelayedorwasstilloffonthedeadlymissionthathadobsessedhim;ortheremight，andprobablywas，darkerreasonforhisabsence。Ellenshutherteethandturnedtotheneedsofherhorse。

Andpresently。returningtothefire，shethoughtofheruncle。

"Queen，ismyuncleTadheah？"sheasked。

"Shore。He’sinthere，"repliedQueen，pointingatthenearercabin。

Ellenhurriedtowardthedarkdoorway。Shecouldseehowthelogsofthecabinhadmovedawryandwhatabig，dilapidatedhovelitwas。

Asshelookedin，Colterloomedoverher——placedafamiliarandsomehowmasterfulhanduponher。Ellenletitrestonhershoulderamoment。

Mustsheforeverberepulsingtheserudemenamongwhomherlotwascast？

DidColtermeanwhatDaggshadalwaysmeant？Ellenfeltherselfweary，weakinbody，andherspentspirithadnotrallied。Yet，whateverColtermeantbyhisfamiliarity，shecouldnotbearit。Sosheslippedoutfromunderhishand。

"UncleTad，arey’uheah？"shecalledintotheblackness。Sheheardthemicescamperandrustleandshesmelledthemusty，old，woodyodorofalong—unusedcabin。

"Hello，Ellen！"cameavoicesherecognizedasheruncle’s，yetitwasstrange。"Yes。I’mheah——badlucktome！……How’rey’ubuckin’up，girl？"

"I’mallright，UncleTad——onlytiredan’worried。I——"

"Tad，how’syourhurt？"interruptedColter。

"ReckonI’measier，"repliedJorth，wearily，"butshoreI’minbadshape。

I’mstillspittin’blood。Ikeeptellin’Queenthatbulletlodgedinmylungs—buthesaysitwentthrough。"

"Wal，hangon，Tad！"repliedColter，withacheerfulnessEllensensedwasreallyindifferent。

"Oh，whatthehell’stheuse！"exclaimedJorth。"It’sall——upwithus——Colter！"

"Wal，shutup，then，"terselyreturnedColter。"Itain’tdoin’

y’uorusanygoodtoholler。"

TadJorthdidnotreplytothis。Ellenheardhisbreathinganditdidnotseemnatural。Itraspedalittle——camehurriedly——thencaughtinhisthroat。Thenhespat。Ellenshrunkbackagainstthedoor。

Hewasbreathingthroughblood。

"Uncle，arey’uinpain？"sheasked。

"Yes，Ellen——itburnslikehell，"hesaid。

"Oh！I’msorry……Isn’ttheresomethingIcando？"

"Ireckonnot。Queendidallanybodycoulddoforme——now——

unlessit’spray。"

Colterlaughedatthis——theslow，easy，drawlinglaughofaTexan。

ButEllenfeltpityforthiswoundeduncle。Shehadalwayshatedhim。

Hehadbeenadrunkard，agambler，awasterofherfather’sproperty;

andnowhewasarustlerandafugitive，lyinginpain，perhapsmortallyhurt。

"Yes，uncle——Iwillprayfory’u，"shesaid，softly。

Thechangeinhisvoiceheldanoteofsadnessthatshehadbeenquicktocatch。

"Ellen，y’u’retheonlygoodJorth——inthewholedamnedlot，"hesaid。

"God！Iseeitallnow……We’vedraggedy’utohell！"

"Yes，UncleTad，I’veshorebeendraggedsome——butnotyet——tohell，"

sheresponded，withabreakinhervoice。

"Y’uwillbe——Ellen——unless——"

"Aw，shutupthatkindofgab，willy’u？"brokeinColter，harshly。

ItamazedEllenthatColtershoulddominateheruncle，eventhoughhewaswounded。TadJorthhadbeenthelastmantotakeordersfromanyone，muchlessarustleroftheHashKnifeGang。ThisColterbegantoloomupinEllen’sestimateasheloomedphysicallyoverher，aloftyfigure，darkmotionless，somehowmenacing。

"Ellen，hasColtertoldy’uyet——aboot——abootLeean’Jackson？"

inquiredthewoundedman。

Thepitch—blackdarknessofthecabinseemedtohelpfortifyEllentobearfurthertrouble。

"Coltertoldmedadan’UncleJacksonwouldmeetusheah，"sherejoined，hurriedly。

Jorthcouldbeheardbreathingindifficulty，andhecoughedandspatagain，andseemedtohiss。

"Ellen，heliedtoy’u。They’llnevermeetus——heah！"

"Whynot？"whisperedEllen。

"Because——Ellen——"hereplied，inhuskypants，"yourdadan’——uncleJackson——aredaid——an’buried！"

IfEllensufferedaterribleshockitwasablankness，adeadness，andaslow，creepingfailureofsenseinherknees。Theygavewayunderherandshesankonthegrassagainstthecabinwall。Shedidnotfaintnorgrowdizzynorlosehersight，butforawhiletherewasnoprocessofthoughtinhermind。Suddenlythenitwasthere——thequick，spiritualrendingofherheart——followedbyaprofoundemotionofintimateandirretrievableloss——andafterthatgriefandbitterrealization。

AnhourlaterEllenfoundstrengthtogotothefireandpartakeofthefoodanddrinkherbodysorelyneeded。