第1章

TOMINERVAANDELIZABETH

ACumberlandVendettaI

THEcavehadbeentheirhiding—placeaschildren；itwasasecretrefugenowagainsthungerordarknesswhentheywerehuntinginthewoods。Theprimitivemealwasfinished；asheswererakedovertheredcoals；thesliceofbaconandthelittlebagofmealwerehunghighagainsttherockwall；andthetwosteppedfromthecavernintoathicketofrhododendrons。

Partingthebushestowardthedimlight，theystoodonamassiveshoulderofthemountain，therivergirdingitfarbelow，andtheafternoonshadowsattheirfeet。Bothcarriedguns—thetallmountaineer，aWinchester；theboy，asquirrelriflelongerthanhimself。Climbingabouttherockyspur，theykeptthesameleveloverlogandbowlderandthroughbushyravinetothenorth。Inhalfanhour，theyranintoapaththatleduphomefromtheriver，andtheystoppedtorestonacliffthatsankinasolidblackwallstraightunderthem。Thesharpedgeofasteepcorn—fieldrannear，and，strippedofbladeandtassel，thestalksandhoodedearslookedinthecomingduskalittlelikemonksatprayer。Inthesunlightacrosstheriverthecornstoodthinandfrail。Overthereadroughtwasonit；andwhendriftingthistle—plumesmarkedthenoontideoftheyear，eachyellowstalkhadwitheredbladesandanemptysheath。Every—wherealookofvaguetroublelayuponthefaceofthemountains，andwhenthewindblew，thesilveroftheleavesshowedashen。Autumnwasathand。

Therewasnophysicalsignofkinshipbetweenthetwo，half—brothersthoughtheywere。Thetallonewasdark；theboy，afoundling，hadflaxenhair，andwasstuntedand~lender。Hewasadreamy~lookinglittlefellow，andonemayeasilyfindhislikethroughouttheCumberland—palerthanhisfellows，fromstayingmuchindoors，withhalf—hauntedface，andeyesthataredeeplypatheticwhennotcunning；ignorantlycreditedwithidiocyanduncannypowers；treatedwithmuchforbearance，someawe，andalittlecontempt；andsufferedtodohispleasure—nothing，ormuchthatisstrange—withoutcomment。

"Itellye，Rome，"hesaid，takingupthethreadoftalkthatwasbrokenatthecave，"whenUncleGabesayshe’safeardthar’stroublecomm’，hit’sa—comm’；’n’IwantyoutogitmeaWinchester。

I’ma—gittin’bigenoughnow。Ikinshootmight’nighasgoodasyou，’n’whutamIfitferwiththishyeholdpawpawpop—gun？"

"Idon’twantyoufightin’，boy，I’vetoldye。Y’uairtoolittle’n’

puny，’n’Iwantyetostayhome’n’takekeero’mam’n’thecattle—effightin’doescome，Ireckontharwon’tbetriuch。"

Don’tye？"criedtheboy，withsharpcontempt—"witholeJasLewallena—devilin’UncleRufe，’n’thatblackheadedyoungJasa—climbin’onstumpsoverthar’crosstheriver，n’crowin’n’sayin’

outopeninHazlanthatyeairafeardohim？Yes；’n’hecalledmeaidgit。"Theboy’svoicebrokeintoawhimperofrage。

"Shetup，Isom!Don’tyougogittin’madnow。You’llbesickag’in。

I’lltendtohimwhenthetimecomes。"Romespokewithroughkindness，butuglylineshadgatheredathismouthandforehead。

Theboy’stearscameandwenteasily。Hedrewhissleeveacrosshiseyes，andlookeduptheriver。Beyondthebend，threehugebirdsroseintothesunlightandfloatedtowardthem。Closeathand，theyswervedside—wise。

"Theyhain’tbuzzards，"hesaid，standingup，hisangergone；"lookatthemstraightwings!

Againtheeaglesswerved，andtwoshotacrosstheriver。Thethirddroppedwithshutwingstothebarecrestofagauntoldpoplarunderthem。

"Hit’sayoungun，RomeY"saidtheboy，excitedly。"He’sgoin’towaitthartelltheoldunscomeback。Gimmethatgun!

CatchinguptheWinchester，heslippedovertheledge；andRomeleanedsuddenlyforward，lookingdownattheriver。

Agroupofhorsemenhadriddenaroundthebend，andwerecomingatawalkdowntheothershore。Everymancarriedsomethingacrosshissaddle—bow。Therewasagrayhorseamongthem—youngJasper’s—andanevilshadowcameintoRome’sface，andquicklypassed。Nearastripofwoodsthegrayturnedupthemountainfromtheparty，andonitsbackhesawtheredglintofawoman’sdress。Withahalf—smilehewatchedthescarletfigureridefromthewoods，andclimbslowlyupthroughthesunnycorn。Onthespuraboveandfullintherichyellowlight，shehalted，halfturninginhersaddle。Herosetohisfeet，tohisfullheight，hisheadbare，andthrownfarbackbetweenhisbigshoulders，and，stillasstatues，themanandthewomanlookedateachotheracrossthegulfofdarkeningair。Afullminutethewomansatmotionless，thenrodeon。Attheedgeofthewoodsshestoppedandturnedagain。

TheeagleunderRomeleapedonestrokeintheair，anddroppedlikeaclodintotheseaofleaves。Thereportofthegunandafaintcryoftriumphrosefrombelow。Itwasgoodmarksmanship，butonthecliffRomedidnotheedit。Somethinghadflutteredintheairabovethegirl’shead，andhelaughedaloud。Shewaswavingherbonnetathim。

II

JUSTwhereyoungStetsonstood，themountainsracingalongeachbankoftheCumberlandhadsentoutagainsteachother，bymutualimpulse，twogreatspurs。Attheriver’sbrinktheystoppedsheer，withcrestsuplifted，asthoughsomehandatthelastmomenthadhurledthemapart，andhadledthewaterthroughthebreachtokeepthematpeace。To—daythecragslookedseamedbythwartedpassion；and，sullenwithfirs，theymadefitsymbolsofthehumanhateaboutthebaseofeach。

Whenthefeudbegan，nooneknew。Eventheoriginalcausewasforgotten。BothfamilieshadcomeasfriendsfromVirginialongago，andhadlivedasenemiesnearlyhalfacentury。Therewashostilitybeforethewar，but，untilthen，littlebloodshed。Throughthehatredofchange，characteristicofthemountaineertheworldover，theLewallenswerefortheUnion。TheStetsonsownedafewslaves，andtheyfoughtforthem。Peacefoundbothstillneighborsandworsefoes。Thewararmedthem，andbroughtbackanancestralcontemptforhumanlife；itleftthemaheritageoflawlessnessthatformutualprotectionmadenecessarytheverymeansusedbytheirfeudalforefathers；personalhatredsupplanteditsdeadissues，andwiththemthewarwenton。TheStetsonshadagoodstrainofAnglo—Saxonblood，andownedvalley—lands；theLewallenskeptstoreandmade"moonshine"；sokindredanddebtorsandkindredandtenantswerearrayedwithoneortheotherleader，andgraduallytheretainersofbothsettledononeortheothersideoftheriver。IntimeofhostilitytheCumberlandcametobetheboundarybetweenlifeanddeathforthedwellersoneachshore。Itwasfeudalismbornagain。

Aboveoneofthespurseachfamilyhaditshome；theStetsons，underthesearedfaceofThunderstruckKnob；theLewallens，justbeneaththewoodedrimofWolf’sHead。Theeavesandchimneyofeachcabinwerefaintlyvisiblefromtheporchoftheother。ThefirstlighttouchedthehouseoftheStetsons；thelast，theLewallencabin。Sothereweretimeswhentheonecouldnotturntothesunrisenortheothertothesunsetbutwithacurseinhisheart，forhiseyemustfallonthehomeofhisenemy。

Foryearstherehadbeenpeace。ThedeathofRomeStetson’sfatherfromambush，andthefightinthecourt—housesquare，hadforcedit。Afterthatfightonlyfourwereleft—oldJasperLewallenandyoungJasper，theboyRomeandhisuncle，RufeStetson。

ThenRufefledtotheWest，andtheStetsonswerehelpless。Forthreeyearsnowordwasheardofhim，butthehatredburnedintheheartofRome’smother，andwastraceddeepinhergrimoldfacewhileshepatientlywaitedthedayofretribution。Itsmouldered，too，intheheartsofthewomenofbothclanswhohadlosthusbandsorsonsorlovers；andthefriendsandkinofeachhadlittletodowithoneanother，andmetandpassedwithwatchfuleyes。Indeed，itwouldtakesolittletoturnpeacetowarthatthewonderwasthatpeacehadlivedsolong。Nowtroublewasathand。

RufeStetsonhadcomebackatlast，afewmonthssince，andhadquietlyopenedstoreatthecounty—seat，Hazlan—alittletownfivemilesuptheriver，whereTroubledForkrunsseethingintotheCumberland—apointofneutralityforthefactions，andconsequentlyabattIe—ground。OldJasper’sstorewasattheotherendofthetown，andtheoldmanhadneverbeenknowntobrookcompetition。HehaddriventhreemenfromHazlanduringthelasttermofpeaceforthisoffence，andeverybodyknewthatthefourthmustleaveorfight。AlreadyRufeStetsonhadbeenwarnednottoappearoutsidehisdoorafterdusk。Onceortwicehiswifehadseenskulkingshadowsunderthetreesacrosstheroad，andatremorofanticipationranalongbothbanksoftheCumberland。

III

AFORTNIGHTlater，courtcame。RomewasgoingtoHazlan，andthefeebleoldStetsonmotherlimpedacrosstheporchfromthekitchen，trailingaWinchesterbehindher。Usuallyhewentunarmed，buthetookthegunnow，asshegaveit，insilence。

TheboyIsomwasnotwell，andRomehadtoldhimtoridethehorse。ButtheladhadgoneonafoottohisdutiesatoldGabeBunch’smill，andRomehimselfrodedownThunderstruckKnobthroughthemistanddewoftheearlymorning。ThesunwascomingupoverVirginia，andthroughadipinBlackMountainthefoot—hillsbeyondwashedinbluewavesagainstitswhitedisk。A

littlewaydownthemountain，theraysshotthroughthegapuponhim，and，lancingthemistintotatters，andlightingthedew—drops，setthebirdssinging。Romerode，heedlessofitall，underprimevaloakandpoplar，andalongrain—clearbrooksandhappywaterfalls，shutinbylaurelandrhododendron，andsingingpastmossystonesandlacelikefernsthatbrushedhisstirrup。Onthebrowofeverycliffhewouldstoptolookoverthetreesandtherivertotheothershore，wherethegraylineofapathranaslantWolf’sHead，andwaslostinwoodsaboveandbelow。

Attheriverherodeup—stream，lookingstillacrossit。OldGabeBunchhalloedtohimfromthedoorwayofthemill，ashesplashedthroughthecreek，andIsom’sthinfacepeeredthroughabreachinthelogs。Atthefordbeyond，hecheckedhishorsewithashortoathofpleasedsurprise。Acrossthewater，ascarletdresswasmovingslowlypastabrownfieldofcorn。Thefigurewasbonneted，butheknewthegirl’swalkandthepoiseofherheadthatfaraway。Justwhoshewas，however，hedidnotknow，andhesatirresolute。Hehadseenherfirstamonthsince，paddlingalongtheothershore，erect，andwithbonnetoffandhairdown；shehadtakentheLewallenpathupthemountain。Afterward，hesawhergoingatagalloponyoungJasper’sgrayhorse，bareheadedagain，andwithherhairloosetothewind，andheknewshewasoneofhisenemies。HethoughtherthegirlpeoplesaidyoungJasperwasgoingtomarry，andhehadwatchedherthemoreclosely。Fromthecanoesheseemednevertonoticehim；butheguessed，fromthequickenedsweepofherpaddle，thatsheknewhewaslookingather，andonce，whenhehaltedonhiswayhomeupthemountain，shehalfturnedinhersaddleandlookedacrossathim。

Thishappenedagain，andthenshewavedherbonnetathim。Itwasbadenough，anyStetsonseekinganyLewallenforawife，andforhimtocourtyoungJasper’ssweetheart—itwasathoughttolaughat。

Butthemischiefwasdone。Thegesturethrilledhim，whetheritmeantdefianceorgood—will，andthemeredeviltryofsuchacourtshipmadehimlongforitateverysightofherwiththeriverbetweenthem。Atoncehebegantoplanhowheshouldgetnearher，but，throughsomefreak，shehadpaidnofurtherheedtohim。

Hesawherlessoften—foraweek，in—deed，hehadnotseenheratalltillthisday—andtheforcesthathindrancegeneratesinanimperiousnaturehadbeenatworkwithinhim。Thechancenowwasoneofgold，andwithhislifeinhishandheturnedintothestream。Across，hecouldseesomethingwhiteonhershoulder—anemptybag。Itwasgrinding~day，andshewasgoingtothemill—theLewallenmill。Shestoppedashegallopedup，andturned，pushingbackherbonnetwithonehand；andhedrewrein。Butthefriendly，expectantlightinherfacekindledtosuchablazeofangerinhereyesthathestruckhishorseviolently，asthoughthebeasthadstoppedofitsownaccord，and，cursinghimself，kepton。Alittlefarther，hehaltedagain。Threehorsemen，armedwithWinchesters，werejoggingalongtowardtownaheadofhim，andhewheeledaboutsharply。Thegirl，climbingrapidlytowardSteveBray—ton’scabin，wasoutoftheway，buthewastoolatetoreachthefordagain。DowntheroadtwomoreLewallenswithgunswereinsight，andhelashedhishorseintothestreamwherethewaterwasdeep。OldGabe，lookingfromthedoorofhismill，quitlaughingtohimself；andundercoverofthewoods，thegirlwatchedmanandhorsefightingthetide。TwiceyoungStetsonturnedhishead。Buthisenemiesapparentlyhadnotseenhim，andhorseandriderscrambledupthesteepbankandundershelterofthetrees。Thegirlhadevidentlylearnedwhohewas。Hersuddenangerwassignificant，aswasthesightoftheLewallensgoingarmedtocourt，andRomerodeon，uneasy。

WhenhereachedTroubledFork，insightofHazlan，hethrewacartridgeintoplaceandshiftedtheslidetoseethatitwasreadyforuse。PassingoldJasper’sstoreontheedgeofthetown，hesawtheoldman’sbushyheadthroughtheopendoor，andLewallensandBraytonscrowdedoutonthestepsandlookedafterhim。Allwerearmed。TwentypacesfartherhemetyoungJasperonhisgray，andthelookonhisenemy’sfacemadehimgriphisrifle。Withaflashingcross—firefromeyetoeye，thetwopassed，eachwithhisthumbonthehammerofhisWinchester。Thegroupsonthecourt—housestepsstoppedtalkingasherodeby，andturnedtolookathim。Hesawnoneofhisownfriends，andhewentonatagalloptoRufeStetson’sstore。Hisunclewasnotinsight。SteveMarcumandoldSamDaystoodintheporch，andinsideawomanwascrying。SeveralStetsonswerenear，andallwithgravefacesgatheredabouthim。

HeknewwhatthematterwasbeforeStevespoke。Hisunclehadbeendrivenfromtown。Alastwarninghadcometohimonthedaybefore。Thehandofafriendwasinthecaution，andRuferodeawayatdusk。Thatnighthishousewassearchedbymenmaskedandarmed。TheLewallenswereintown，andwerereadytofight。

Thecrisishadcome。

IV

BACKatthemilloldGabewastroubled。Usuallyhesatinacane—bottomedchairnearthehopper，whittling，whiletheladtendedthemill，andtookpayinanoakentoll—dishsmoothwiththeuseofhalfacentury。Buttheincidentacrosstheriverthatmorninghadmadetheoldmanuneasy，andhemovedrestlesslyfromhischairtothedoor，andbackagain，whiletheboywatchedhim，wonderingwhatthematterwas，butaskingnoquestions。Atnoonanoldmountaineerrodeby，andthemillerhailedhim。

"Anynewsintown？"heasked。

"Hain’tbeentotown。Reckonfightin’’sgoin’ontharfromwhutI

heerd。"Thecareless，high—pitchedanswerbroughttheboywithwideeyestothedoor。

Whutd’yehear？"askedGabe。Jesheerdfightin’’sgoin’on!

Theneverymanwhocameforhismealbroughtawildrumorfromtown，andtheoldmillermovedhischairtothedoor，andsattherewhittlingfast，andlookinganxiouslytowardHazlan。Theboywasinafeverofunrest，andoldGabecouldhardlykeephiminthemill。Inthemiddleoftheafternoonthereportofariflecamedowntheriver，breakingintoechoesagainstthecliffsbelow，andIsomranoutthedoor，andstoodlisteningforanother，withanoddcontradictionoffearanddelightonhiseagerface。InafewmomentsRomeStetsongallopedintosight，and，withashrillcryofrelief，theboyrandowntheroadtomeethim，andranback，holdingbyastirrup。YoungStetson’sfacewasblackwithpassion，andhiseyeswereheavywithdrink。Atthedoorofthemillheswungfromhishorse，andforamomentwashardlyabletospeakfromrage。Therehadbeennofight。TheStetsonswerefewandunprepared。Theyhadneitherthegunsnor，withoutRufe，themeanstoopenthewar，andtheybelievedRufehadgoneforarms。

Sotheyhadchafedinthestoreallday，andalldayLewallensonhorsebackandonfootwereinsight；andeachwasataunttoeveryStetson，and，fewastheywere，theyoungandhot—headedwantedtogooutandfight。Intheafternoonatale—bearerhadbroughtsomeofJasper’sboaststoRome，and，maderecklessbymoonshineandmuchbrooding，hespranguptoleadthem。SteveMarcum，too，caughtuphisgun，butoldSam’scounselcheckedhim，andthetwobyforceheldRomeback。AlittlelatertheLewallenslefttown。

TheStetsons，too，disbanded，andonthewayhomealastdropofgallranRome’scupofbitternessover。OppositeSteveBrayton’scabinajetofsmokepuffedfromthebushesacrosstheriver，andabulletfurrowedtheroadinfrontofhim。Thatwastheshottheyhadheardatthemill。Somebodywasdrawingadead—line，"andRomewheeledhishorseatthebrinkofit。Amockingyellcameovertheriver，andagrayhorseflashedpastanopenspaceinthebushes。Romeknewthehorseandknewtheyell；youngJasperwas"bantering"him。Nothingmaddensthemountaineerlikethischildishmethodofinsult；andtellingofit，Romesatinacorner，andloosedatorrentofcursesagainstyoungLewallenandhisclan。

OldGabehadlistenedwithoutaword，andthestraininhisfacewaseased。Alwaystheoldmanhadstoodforpeace。Hebelievedithadcomeafterthecourt—housefight，andhehadhopedagainsthope，evenwhenRufecamebacktotradeagainstoldJasper；forRufewasbigandgood—natured，andunsuspectedofresolutepurpose，andtheLewallens’powerhadweakened。So，nowthatRufewasgoneagain，theoldmillerhalfbelievedhewasgoneforgood。Nobodywashurt；therewasachanceyetforpeace，andwitharebukeonhistongueandreliefinhisface，theoldmansatbackinhischairandwentonwhittling。Theboyturnedeagerlytoacreviceinthelogsand，tremblingwithexcitement，searchedtheotherbankforJasper’sgrayhorse，goinghome。

Hecalledmeaidgit，"hesaidtohimself，withathreateningshakeofhishead。"Jeswouldn’tIliketohevachanceathim!Romeullgithim!Romeullgithim!"

Therewasnomovingpointofwhiteonthebroadfaceofthemountainsnoralongtheriverroad。Jasperwasyettocomeand，withearsalerttoeverywordbehindhim，theladfixedhiseyeswhereheshouldseehimfirst。

"Oh，hedidn’tmeantohitme。Notthatheain’tmeanenoughtoshootfromthebresh，"Romebrokeoutsavagely。"That’sjeswhutI’mafeardhewilldo。Tharwastoomuchdaylightferhim。Efhejesdon’tcomea—sneakin’overhyeh，’n’waitin’inthelorrelatterdarkferme，it’sallIaxe。"

Waitin’inthelorrel!"OldGabecouldholdbacknolonger。"Hit’sashame，aburn—in’shame!Idon’knowwhutthingsaircomm’to!

’Pearslikeallyouyoungfolksthinkaboutiskillin’somebody。

Folksusentotalkabouthowfertheycouldkilladeer；nowit’showfertheykinkillaman。Ihevknowedthetimewhenamanwould’a’beendruvouto’thecountyferdrawin’aknifeurapistol；

’n’efafellerwaseverkilled，itwaskinderaccidental，byaBarlow。

Ireckonfolksgotuse’toweepons’n’killin’’n’bushwhackin’inthewar。Lookslikeit’sbeengittin’wusseversence，’n’nowhit’sdirk’n’

Winchester，’n’shootin’fromthebushesallthetime。Hit’swuss’nstealin’moneytotakeafeller—creetur’slifethatway!

Theoldmiller’sindignationsprangfrommemoriesofabetteryouth。ForthecourtesiesofthecodewentontotheBlueGrass，andbeforethewarthemountaineerfoughtwithEnglishfairnessandhisfists。Itwasadisgracetouseadeadlyweaponinthosedays；itwasadisgracenownottouseit。

Oh，Iknowalltheexcusesfolksmake，"hewenton："hit’sfa’rferoneas’tisfert’other；y’ucan’tfightamanfa’r’n’squar’who’llshootyouintheback；aporemancan’tfightmoneyinthecouhts；’n’tharhain’tnowitnessesinthelorrelbutleaves；’n’deadmendon’thevmuchtosay。Iknowitall。Hit’scur’us，butitact’—allylookslikelotso’decentyoungfolkshevgotusentotheidee—thar’ssomuchofitgoin’on，’n’thar’ssomuchtalk’boutkillin’’n’layin’outinthelorrel。Reckonfolks’llgittopesterm’womenn’strangersbimeby，’n’robbin’’n’thievin’。Hit’sbadenoughthar’ssoleetlelawthetfolkshevtotakeitintheirownhandsoncetinawhile，butthisshootin’fromthebresh—hit’sp’int’lyasin’n’shame!Why，"heconcluded，pointinghisremonstranceashealwaysdid，"IseedyourgrandadandyoungJas’sfightuptharinHazlanfulltwohours’forethewar—fistandskull—’n’yourgrandadwaswhooped。Theygotupandshukhands。Idon’tseewhyfolkscan’tfightthatwaynow。IwishRufe’n’oldJas’n’you’n’youngJascouldhaveitoutfistandskull，’n’stopthiskillin’o’peoplelikehogs。Thar’snobodyleftbutyoufour。Butthar’snochanceo’that，Ireckon。"

"I’llfighthimanyway，’n’Ireckonefhedon’tdietillIlayoutinthelorrelferhim，he’lllivealongtime。EfaStetsoneverdonesechmeannessasthatIneverheerdit。"

NotherhevI，"saidtheoldman，withquickjustice。"Youairaover—bearin’race，allo’ye，butIneverknowedyetobethatmean。

Hit’sallthewusferyethetyeairinsechdoin’s。Itellye，Rome——

Afaintcryroseabovethedroneofthemillstones，andoldGabestoppedwithopenlipstolisten。Theboy’sfacewaspressedclosetothelogs。Awetpaddlehadflashedintothesunlightfromoutthebushesacrosstheriver。Hecouldjustseeacanoeintheshadowsunderthem，andwithquicksuspicionhisbrainpicturedJasper’shorsehitchedinthebushes，andJasperstealingacrosstherivertowaylayRome。Butthecanoemovedslowlyoutofsightdownstreamandtowardthedeepwater，thepaddlerunseen，andtheboylookedaroundwithaweaksmile。Neitherseemedtohaveheardhim。Romewasbrooding，withhissullenfaceinhishands；

theoldmillerwasbusywithhisownthoughts；andtheboyturnedagaintohiswatch。

Jasperdidnotcome。Isom’seyesbegantoachefromthesteadygaze，andnowandthenhewoulddropthemtothewaterswirlingbeneath。Aslowwindswayedtheoverhangingbranchesatthemouthofthestream，andunderthemwasaneddy。Escapingthis，thefrothandbubblesracedouttothegleamsbeatingtheairfromthesunlitriver。Hesawonetinyfleetcaught；amassofyellowscumboredownand，sweepingthroughbubblesandeddy，wasitselfstruckintofragmentsbysomethingafloat。Atremulousshadowshotthroughaspaceofsunlightintothegloomcastbyathicketofrhododendrons，andtheboycaughthisbreathsharply。A

momentmore，andtheshapeofaboatandahumanfigurequiveredonthewaterrunningunderhim。ThesternofaLewallencanoeswungintothebasin，andhesprangtohisfeet。

"Rome!"Thecrycutsharplythroughthedrowsyair。"Tharheis!

Hit’sJas"

Theoldmillerrosetohisfeet。Theboythrewhimselfbehindthesacksofgrain。Romewheeledforhisrifle，andstoodrigidbeforethedoor。Therewasalightstepwithout，theclickofagun—lockwithin；ashadowfellacrossthedoorway，andagirlstoodatthethresholdwithanemptybaginherhand。

V

WITHalittlecrysheshrankbackastep。Herfacepaledandherlipstrembled，andforamomentshecouldnotspeak。Buthereyessweptthegroup，andwerefixedintwopointsoffireonRome。

"Whydon’tyeshoot!"sheasked，scornfully。

"IhevheerdthattheStetsonshavegottomakinwaronwomen—folks，butIneverbelieveditafore。"Thensheturnedtothemiller。

KinIgitsomemoremealhyeh？"sheasked。"Orhaveyestoppedsellin’tofolksont’otherside？"sheadded，inatonethatsoughtnofavor。

"Youkinhaveallyewant，"saidoldGabe，quietly。

"ThemillonDeadCrickisbrokeag’in，"shecontinued，"’n’co’nisskeerceonourside。We’llhavetobeginbuyin’purtysoon，soI

thoughtI’dsavetotin’theco’ndownhyeh。"ShehandedoldGabetheemptybag。

Well，’’saidhe，’’asitairgittin’late，’n’yehavetoclimbthemountainag’in，I’llletyehavethatcomm’outo’thehoppernow。

Takeacheer。"

Thegirlsatdowninthelowchair，and，looseningthestringsofherbonnet，pusheditbackfromherhead。Anold—fashionedhorncombdroppedtothefloor，andwhenshestoopedtopickitupsheletherhairfallinaheadabouthershoulders。Thrustingonehandunderit，shecalmlytossedthewholemassofchestnutandgoldoverthebackofthechair，whereitfellripplinglikewaterthroughabarofsunlight。Withheadthrownbackandthroatbared，sheshookitfromsidetoside，and，slowlycoilingit，pierceditwiththecoarsecomb。Thenpassingherhandsacrossherforeheadandtemples，aswomendo，shefoldedtheminherlap，andsatmotionless。Theboy，crouchednear，helduponherthemesmericlookofaserpent。OldGabewaspeeringcovertlyfromunderthebrimofhishat，withachuckleathislips。Romehadfallenbacktoacornerofthemill，sobered，speechless，hisrifleinanervelesshand。Thepassionthatfiredhimattheboy’swarninghadasswiftlygonedownatsightofthegirl，andhercuttingrebukemadehimhotagainwithshame。Hewasangry，too—morethanangry—becausehefeltsohelpless，asensationthatwasnewandstifling。Thescornofherface，asheremembereditthatmorning，hurthimagainwhilehelookedather。Aspiritofcontemptwasstillinhereyes，andquiveringaboutherthinlipsandnostrils。Shehadputhimbeneathfurthernotice，andyeteverytossofherhead，everymovementofherhands，seemedmeantforhim，toirritatehim。Andonce，whileshecombedherhair，hisbrainwhirledwithanimpulsetocatchtheshiningstuffinonehandandtopinionbothherwristswiththeother，Justtoshowherthathewasmaster，andstillwouldharmhernotatall。Butheshuthisteeth，andwatchedher。Amongmountainwomenthegirlwasmorethanpretty；elsewhereonlyherhair，perhaps，wouldhavecaughtthecasualeye。Sheworeredhomespunandcoarseshoes；herhandswerebrownandhardened。Herarmsandshoulderslookedmuscular，herwaistwasratherlarge—beingasnaturemeantit—andherfaceinreposehadaheavylook。Butthepoiseofherheadsuggestednativeprideanddignity；hereyesweredeep，andfullofchanginglights；thescarletdress，looseasitwas，showedrichcurvesinherfigure，andhermovementshadacertainchildlikegrace。Herbrowwaslow，andhermouthhadcharacter；thechinwasfirm，theupperlipshort，andtheteethwereevenandwhite。

"Ireckonthar’senoughtofillthesack，Isom，"saidtheoldmiller，breakingthestrainedsilenceofthegroup。Thegirlroseandhandedhimafewpiecesofsilver。

IreckonI’dbetterpayferitall，"shesaid。Is’poseIwon’tbeoverhyehag’in。"

OldGabegavesomeofthecoinsback。

"Y’uknowwhutmypriceal’aysis，"hesaid。

I’mobleeged，"answeredthegirl，flushing。

"Co’nhevrizonourside。Ithoughtmebbeyouchargedfolksovertharmore，anyways。"

"Isellsferthesame，efco’nishighurlow，"wastheanswer。"Thissideort’othermakesnodiff’uncetome。Ihevfrien’sonbothsides，’n’Itakenopartinsechdoin’sasairashametothemountains。"

Therewasaquicklightofprotestinthegirl’sdarkeyes；buttheoldmillerwashonoredbybothfactions，andwithoutawordsheturnedtotheboy，whowastyingthesack。

Theboat’sloose!"hecalledout，with。thestringbetweenhisteeth；

andsheturnedagainandranout。Romestoodstill。

Kerrythesackout，boy，’n’holpthegal。"OldGabe’svoicewasstern，andtheyoungmountaineerdoggedlyswungthebagtohisshoulders。Thegirlhadcaughttherope，anddrawntherudedugoutalongtheshore。

"Whoaxedyetodothat？"sheasked，angrily。

Romedroppedthebagintotheboat，andmerelylookedherintheface。

"Lookhyeh，RomeStetson"—thesoundofhisnamefromherlipsalmoststartledhim—"I’llhevyeunderstan’thatIdon’twanttobeboundentoyou，nornoneo’yerkin。"

Turning，shegaveanimpatientsweepwithherpaddle。Theprowofthecanoedippedandwasmotionless。Romehadcaughtthestern，andthegirlwheeledinhotanger。Herimpulsetostrikemayhavebeenforthemomentandnolonger，orshemayhavereadswiftlynounkindnessinthemountaineer’ssteadylook；fortheupliftedoarwasstayedintheair，asthoughatleastshewouldhearhim。

"I’vegotnothin’ag’in’you，"hesaid，slowly，JasLewallenhevbeenthreatenin’me，’n’Ithoughtitwashim，’n’Iwasreadyferhim，whenyoucomeintothemill。Iwouldn’thurtyounurnootherwoman。Y’uoughttoknowit，’n’yedoknowit。"

Thewordsweremasterful，butsaidinawaythatvaguelysoothedthegirl’spride，andtheoarwasletslowlyintothewater。

"Ireckony’uairafriendo’his，"headded，stillquietly。"I’veseedyegoin’upthar，butI’vegotnothin’ag’in’ye，whoeveryebe。"

Sheturnedonhimasharplookofsuspicion。"IreckonIdobeafriendo’hisn，"shesaid，deliberately；andthenshesawthathewasinearnest。Aqueerlittlesmilewentlikearayoflightfromhereyestoherlips，andshegaveaquickstrokewithherpaddle。Theboatshotintothecurrent，andwascarriedswiftlytowardtheCumberland。Thegirlstooderect，swayingthroughlightandshadowlikeagreatscarletflowerblowinginthewind；andRomewatchedhertillshetouchedtheotherbank。Swingingthesackout，shesteppedlightlyafterit，and，withoutlookingbehindher，disappearedinthebushes。

TheboyIsomwasridingawaywhenRome，turned，andoldGabewaswatchingfromthedoorofthemill。

Whoisthatgal？"heasked，slowly。Itseemedsomehowthathehadknownheralongwhileago。Apuzzledfrownoverlayhisface，andtheoldmillerlaughed。

"Youa—axin’whoshebe，’n’shea—axinwhoyoube，’n’botho’yea—knowin’one’nothersenceyewasknee—high。Why，boy，hit’soldJasper’sgal—Marthy!

VI

INaflashofmemoryRomesawthegirlasvividlyaswhenhelastsawheryearsago。

Theyhadmetatthemill，hewithhisfather，shewithhers。Therewasaquarrel，andthetwomenwereheldapart。Buttheoldsoreasusualwasopened，andaweeklaterRome’sfatherwaskilledfromthebrush。Herememberedhismother’srageandgrief，hercallsforvcngeance，theuprising，thefights，plots，andambushes。

Herememberedthelookthegirlhadgivenhimthatlongago，andherlookthatdaywaslittlechanged。

Whenfightingbegan，shehadbeensentforsafetytothesisterofherdeadmotherinanothercounty。Whenpeacecame，oldJaspermarriedagainandthegirlrefusedtocomehome。Latelythestep—mother，too，hadpassedaway，andthenshecamebacktolive。

AllthistheoldmillertoldinanswertoRome’squestionsasthetwowalkedawayinthetwilight。Thiswaswhyhehadnotrecognizedher，andwhyherfaceyetseemedfamiliarevenwhenhecrossedtheriverthatmorning。

"UncleGabe，howdoyoureckonthegalknowedwhoIwas？"

"Sheaxedme。"

"Sheaxedyou!Whar？"

Overtharinthemill。"Themillerwaswatchingtheyoungmountaineerclosely。ThemannerofthegirlwassignificantwhensheaskedwhoRomewas，andthemillerknewbutonereasonpossibleforhisfoolhardinessthatmorning。

"Doyoumeantosayshehavebeenoverhyehafore？"

"Why，yes，cometothinkaboutit，threeorfourtimeswhileIsomwassick，andwhutshecomeferIcan’tmakeout。Themillovertharwasn’tbrokelong，’n’whyshedidn’tgotharorbringmoreco’natatime，tosaveherthetroubleo’somanytrips，Ican’tseetosaveme。

YoungStetsonwaslisteningeagerly。Againthemillercasthisbait。

Mebbeshe’sspyin’。"

Romefacedhim，alertwithsuspicion；butoldGabewaslaughingsilently。

"Don’tyoubeafool，Rome。Thegalcomesandgoesinthatboat，’n’shecouldn’tseeasoulwithoutmyknowin’it。Sheseedyeridin’

byoneday，’n’shelookedmightycur’uswhenItoleherwhoyewas。"

OldGabestoppedhisteasing，Rome’sfacewassotroubled，andhimselfgrewserious。

"Rome，"hesaid，earnestly，"IwishtothegoodLordyewasn’tinsechdoin’s。EfthathadbeenyoungJas’stido’Marthy，Ireckonyewould’a’killedhimrightthar。"

"Iwasn’tgoingtolethimkillme，"wasthesullenanswer。

Thetwohadstoppedataricketygateswingingopenontheroad。

Theyoungmountaineerwaspushingastoneaboutwiththetoeofhisboot。Hehadneverbeforelistenedtoremonstrancewithsuchpatience，andoldGabegrewbold。

"You’vebeendrinkin’ag’in，Rome，"hesaid，sharply，"’n’Iknowit。

Hit’sbeenmoonshinethat’swhoopedyouStetsons，nottheLewallens，longasIkinrickollect，’n’itullbemoonshineag’inefyedon’tletitalone。"

Romemadenodenial，nodefence。"UncleGabe，"hesaidslowly，stillbusiedwiththestone，"hevthatgalbeenoverhyehsencey’utol’herwhoIwas？"

Theoldmanwaswaitingforthepledgethatseemedonhislips，buthedidnotlosehistemper。

Nottillto—day，"hesaid，quietly。

Rometurnedabruptly，andthetwoseparatedwithnowordofparting。Foramomentthemillerwatchedtheyoungfellowstridingawayunderhisrifle。

"Ihavebeenatterpeaceagoodwhile，"hesaidtohimself，"butI

reckonthar’sabiggerhanda—workin’nowthanmine。"Thenheliftedhisvoice。"EfIsom’stoosicktocomedowntothemillto—morrer，Iwishyou’dcome’n’holpme。"

Romenoddedbackoverhisshoulder，andwenton，withheadbent，alongtheriverroad。Passingaclumpofpinesatthenextcurve，hepulledabottlefromhispocket。

"UncleGabe’saboutright，Ireckon，"hesaid，halfaloud；andheraiseditabovehisheadtohurlitaway，butcheckeditinmid—air。

Foramomenthelookedatthecolorlessliquid，then，withquicknervousness，pulledthecorkofsassafrasleaves，gulpeddownthepalemoonshine，anddashedthebottleagainstthetrunkofabeech。

Thefierystuffdoesitsworkinahurry。Hewasthirstywhenhereachedthemouthofabrookthattumbleddownthemountainalongthepathwaythatwouldleadhimhome，andhestoopedtodrinkwherethewatersparkledinariftofdimlightfromoverhead。Thenhesatuprightonastone，withhiswidehat—brimcurvedinacrescentoverhisforehead，hishandscaughtabouthisknees，andhiseyesontheemptyair。

HewasscarcelyoverhissurprisethatthegirlwasyoungLewallen’ssister，andthediscoveryhadwroughtacuriouschange。

Thepiquantimpulseofrivalrywasgone，andsomethingdeeperwastakingitsplace。Hewasconfusedandagooddealtroubled，thinkingitallover。Hetriedtomakeoutwhatthegirlmeantbylookingathimfromthemountain—side，bywavingherbonnetathim，andbycomingtooldGabe’smillwhenshecouldhavegonetoherown。Tobesure，shedidnotknowthenwhohewas，andshehadstoppedcomingwhenshelearned；butwhyhadshecrossedagainthatday？Perhapsshetoowasbanteringhim，andhewasatonceangryanddrawntoher；forhermettlesomespirittouchedhisownloveofdaring，evenwhenhishumiliationwasmostbitter—whenshetoldhimhewarredonwomen；whenheheldouttoherthebranchofpeaceandshesweptitasidewithastrokeofheroar。ButRomewaslittleconsciousoftheweightofsubtlefactslikethese。Hisunseeingeyeswentbacktoherasshecombedherhair。Hesawthecolorinhercheeks，thequicklightinhereyes，thenaked，fullthroatoncemore，andthewaveringforcesofhisunsteadybraincentredinastubbornresolution—toseeitallagain。HewouldmakeIsomstayathome，ifneedbe，andhewouldtaketheboy’splaceatthemill。Ifshecametherenomore，hewouldcrosstheriveragain。Comepeaceorwar，beshefriendorenemy，hewouldseeher。Histhirstwasfierceagain，and，withthishalf—drunkendeterminationinhisheart，hestoopedoncemoretodrinkfromthecheerfullittlestream。Asherose，aloudcursesmotetheair。Theriver，pressedbetweentwoprojectingcliffs，wasnarrowatthatpoint，andtheoathcameacrossthewater。Aninstantlateramanledalamedhorsefrombehindabowlder，andstoopedtoexamineitsleg。Theduskwasthickening，butRomeknewthehugeframeandgraybeardofoldJasperLewallen。Thebloodbeatinasuddentideathistemples，and，halfbyinstinct，hekneltbehindarock，and，thrustinghisriflethroughacrevice，cockeditsoftly。

Againthecurseofimpatiencecameoverthestillwater，andoldJasperroseandturnedtowardhim。Theglisteningsightcaughtinthecentreofhisbeard。Thatwouldtakehiminthethroat；itmightmiss，andheletthesightfalltillthebulletwouldcutthefringeofgrayhairintotheheart。OldJasper，sopeoplesaid，hadkilledhisfatherinjustthisway；hehaddrivenhisunclefromthemountains；

hewastryingnowtorevivethefeud。HewasthefatherofyoungJasper，whohadthreatenedhislife，andthefatherofthegirlwhosecontempthadcuthimtothequicktwicethatday。Againhertauntleapedthroughhisheatedbrain，andhisboasttotheoldmillerfollowedit。Hisfingertrembledatthetrigger。

"No；by——，no!"hebreathedbetweenhisteeth；andoldJasperpassedon，unharmed。

VII

NEXTdaythenewsofRufeStetson’sflightwentdowntheriveronthewind，andbeforenightfallthespiritofmurderwasloosedonbothshoresoftheCumberland。ThemorecautiouswarnedoldJasper。TheStetsonsweregainingstrengthagain，theysaid；soweretheirfeudsmen，theMarcums，enemiesoftheBraytons，oldJasper’skinspeople。Keepingstore，RufehadmademoneyintheWest，andmoneyandfriendsrightandleftthroughthemountains。

Withallhisgood—nature，hewasapersistenthater，andhewasshrewd。Hehadwaitedthechancetoputhimselfonthesideofthelaw，andnowthelawwaswithhim。ButoldJasperlaughedcontemptuously。RufeStetsonwasgoneagain，hesaid，ashehadgonebefore，andthistimeforgood。Rufehadtriedtodowhatnobodyhaddone，orcoulddo，whilehewasalive。Anyway，hewasreckless，andhecaredlittleifwardidcomeagain。Still，theoldmanpreparedforafight，andSteveMarcumontheothershoremadereadyforRufe’sreturn。

Itwaslikethebreakingofpeaceinfeudaldays。Theclosekinofeachleaderwerealreadyabouthim，andnowtheclosefriendsofeachtooksides。EachleadertradinginHazlanhaddebtorsscatteredthroughthemountains，andtheseralliedtoaidthemanwhohadbefriendedthem。Therewasnogrudgebutservedapretextforpartisanshipinthecomingwar。Politicalrivalryhadwedgedaparttwostrongfamilies，theMarcumsandBraytons；aboundarylineindisputewasachainofbitterness；asuitinacountrycourthadsownseedsofhatred。

Sometimesitwasahorse—trade，afenceleftdown，oragateleftopen，andthetrespassingofcattle；inoneinstance，throughspite，aneighborhaddockedthetailofaneighbor’shorse—had"muledhiscritter，"astheownerphrasedtheoutrage。Therewasnooldsorethatwasnotopenedbythecraftyleaders，noslumberingbitternessthattheydidnotwaketolife。"Helpustorevenge，andwewillhe!pyou，"wasthewhisperedpromise。So，hadonemanagrudgeagainstanother，hecouldsethisfootononeortheothershore，surethathisenemywouldbefightingfortheother。

Otherstherewere，friendsofneitherleader，who，understressofpovertyorhatredofwork，wouldfightwitheitherforfoodandclothes；andothersstill，thene’er—do—wellsandoutlaws，whofoughtbythedayormonthforhire。Eventheseweresecuredbyoneortheotherfaction，forSteveandoldJasperleftnoresourceuntried，knowingwellthatthefight，iftherewasone，wouldbefoughttoaquickanddecisiveend。Thedayfortheleisurelyfeud，forpatientplanning，andtheslowpickingoffofmenfromonesideortheother，wasgone。ThepeopleintheBlueGrass，whohadnofeudsintheirowncountry，weretryingtostoptheminthemountain。OverinBreathitt，aseverybodyknew，soldiershadcomefromthe"settlemints，"hadarrestedtheleaders，andhadtakenthemtotheBlueGrassforthefearedandhatedordealoftrialbyajuryof"bigotedfurriners。"OntheheelsofthesoldierscameayoungpreacherupfromtheJellicohills，half"citizen，"

halffurriner，"withlongblackhairandascaracrosshisforehead，whowasstirringupthepeople，itwassaid，"asthoughSatanwasatterthem。"Overtherethespiritofthefeudwasbroken，andagoodeffectwasalreadyperceptiblearoundHazlan。Inpastdayseverypairoflipswassealedwithfear，andthenon—combatantsleftcropsandhomes，andmoveddowntheriver，whentroublebegan。

Nowonlythetimidconsideredthiswayofescape。SteveandoldJasperfoundafewmenwhorefusedtoenterthefight。Several，indeed，talkedopenlyagainsttherenewalofthefeud，andsomebody，itwassaid，haddaredtohintthathewouldsendtotheGovernorforaidifitshouldbreakoutagain。Butthesewererumorstouchingfewpeople。

Foronceagain，astimeandtimeagainbefore，onebankoftheCumberlandwasarrayedwithmortalenmityagainsttheother，andoldGabesat，withshakenfaith，inthedoorofhismill。Foryearshehadworkedandprayedforpeace，andforalittlewhiletheAlmightyseemedlendingaid。Nowthefriendlygraspwasloosening，andyetthemillerdidallhecould。HebeggedSteveMarcumtourgeRufetoseekaidfromthelawwhenthelattercameback；andStevelaughed，andaskedwhatjusticewaspossibleforaStetson，withaLewallenforajudgeandBraytonsforajury。ThemillerpleadedwitholdJasper，andoldJasperpointedtothesuccessesofhisownlife。

"Ihevtriumphedag’in’myenemiestime’n’ag’in，"hesaid。"TheLordaironmyside，’n’IgitsabetterChristianever’year。"Theoldmanspokewiththesincerityofabarbarismthathassurvivedthedarkages，and，holdingthesamefaith，themillerhadnoanswer。

ItwasoldGabeindeedwhohadthreatenedtosendtotheGovernorforsoldiers，andthishewouldhavedone，perhaps，hadtherenotbeenonehopeleft，andonlyone。Aweekhadgone，andtherewasnowordfromRufeStetson。UponThunderstruckKnobtheoldStetsonmotherwasgrowingpitiablyeagerandrestless。

Everydaysheslippedlikeaghostthroughtheleaflesswoodsandinandoutthecabin，kindlinghatred。AteverydawnorduskshewasonherporchpeeringthroughthedimlightforRufeStetson。

SteveMarcumwasillatease。RomeStetsonaloneseemedunconcerned，andhisnamewasoneverygossipingtongue。

Hetooklittleinterestandnohandingettingreadyforthewar。HeforbadethefiringofaguntillRufecameback，elseSteveshouldfighthisfightalone。Hegrewsullenandmorose。Hisoldmother’slookwasathorninhissoul，andhestayedlittleathome。Hehungaboutthemill，andwhenIsombecamebedfast，thebigmountaineer，whohadneverhandledanythingbutahorse，aplough，orarifle，settledhim—self，tothebewildermentoftheStetsons，intotheboy’sduties，andnobodydaredquestionhim。

EvenoldGabejestednolonger。Thematterwastooserious。

Meanwhilethewinterthrewoffthelastslumbrousmoodofautumn，asasleeperstartsfromadream。Afortnightwasgone，andstillnomessagecamefromtheabsentleader。Oneshorewasrestive，uneasy；theotherconfident，mocking。Betweenthetwo，RomeStetsonwaitedhischanceatthemill。