第2章

VIII。

DAYwaswhiteningontheStetsonshore。Acrosstherivertheairwasstillsharpwiththechillofdawn，andthemistslaylikeflocksofsheepundershelterofrockandcrag。ApeculiarcryradiatedfromtheLewallencabinwithsingularresonanceonthecrispair—themountaincryforstrayingcattle。Asoftlowcamefromadistantpatchoflaurel，andoldJasper’sgirl，Martha，folded。herhandslikeaconchathermouth，andtheshrillcryagainstartledtheair。

Yebettercome，yepiededcow—brute。"Pickingupacedarpiggin，shesteppedfromtheporchtowardthemeekvoicethathadansweredher。Temperandexertionhadbroughtthequickbloodtoherface。Herheadwasbare，herthickhairwaslooselycoiled，andherbrownarmswerenakedalmosttotheshoulder。Atthestableayoungmountaineerwasoverhaulinghisriding—gear。

Airyougoin’toridethehossto—day，Jas？"sheasked，querulously。

"That’sjeswhutIwasaimin’todo。I’ma—goin’totown。"

Well，I’lowedIwasgoin’tomillto—day。Theco’nis’mos’gone。"

"Well，y’u’lowedwrong，"heanswered，imperturbably。

Y’u’remean，JasLewallen，"shecried，hotly；"that’swhutyeair，mean—dog—mean!

Theyoungmountaineerlookedup，whistledsoftly，andlaughed。

Butwhenhebroughthishorsetothedooranhourlatertherewasabagofcornacrossthesaddle。

"Asyeairsopowerfulsotongoin’tomill，whetherorno，I’llleavethishyehsackatthebendO’theroad，’n’yekingititthar。I’llbringthemealbackefyeputsitinthesameplace。Ihatestoseewomen—folksa—ridin’thishorse。Hitspileshim。"

Thehorsewasadapple—grayofunusualbeauty，andasthegirlreachedoutherhandtostrokehisthroat，heturnedtonibbleatherarm。

"Ireckonhe’djesaslievehavemeridehimasyou，Jas，"shesaid。

"Me’n’himhavegottobegreatfriends。Yeortern’ttobesostingy。"

Well，heain’tnohosstobeleftout’nthebreshnow，’n’Ihain’tgoin’

to’lowit。"

OldJasperhadloungedoutofthekitchendoor，andstoodwithhishugebulkagainstashrinkingpillaroftheporch。Thetwomenweremuchalike。Bothhadthesameblack，threateningbrowsmeetingoverthebridgeofthenose。Akindofgrimhumorlurkedabouttheoldman’smouth，whichtimemighttraceaboutyoungJasper’s。Thegirl’sfacehadnohumor；thesamesquarebrows，apartandclearlymarked，gaveitastrong，seriouscast，andwhileshehadtheLewallenfire，shefavoredhermotherenough，sotheneighborssaid，"tohaveamightymild，takin’wayaboutherefshewanted。"

You’reright，Jas，"theoldmountaineersaid；"thehossairasin’n’

temptation。Hitdomegoodever’timeIlookathim。Tharairnosechhoss，Itellye，thissideo’thesettlements。"

Theboystartedaway，andtheoldmanfollowed，andhaltedhimoutofthegirl’shearing。

"TellEliCrump’n’JimStovertowatchtheBreathittroadclosenow，"hesaid，inalowvoice。"SeeallthemcitizensItol’ye，’n’

tell’emtobereadywhenIsaystheword。Thar’snotellin’whut’sgoin’tohappen。"

YoungJaspernoddedhishead，andstruckhishorseintoagallop。

Theoldmanlightedhispipe，andturnedbacktothehouse。Thegirl，bonnetinhand，wasstartingforthevalley。

"Tharain’tnousegoin’toGabeBunch’sferyergrist，"hesaid。"

ThemillonDeadCrick’sa—runnin’ag’in，’n’Idon’twantyeovertharaxinfavors，speciallyjesnow。"

"Ilef’somethin’feryetoeat，dad，"shereplied，"efyegitshungrybeforeIgitback。"

Youheerdme？"hecalledafterher，knittinghisbrows。

Yes，dad；Iheerdye，"sheanswered，addingtoherself，"ButIdon’theedye。"Intruth，thegirlheedednobody。Itwasnotherwaytoaskconsent，evenherown，nortofollowadvice。Atthebendoftheroadshefoundthebag，andforaninstantshestoodwavering。Animpulseturnedhertotheriver，andsheloosedtheboat，andheadeditacrosstheswift，shallowwaterfromthefordandstraighttowardthemill。Ateverystrokeofherpaddlethewaterroseabovetheprowoftheboat，and，blownintospray，flewbackanddrenchedher；thewindloosedherhair，and，tuggingatherskirts，drapedherlikeastatue；andshefoughtthem，windandwater，withmouthsetandasmileinhereyes。Onesharpstrugglestill，wherethecreekleapedintofreedom；themouthgrewalittlefirmer，theeyeslaughedmore，thekeelgratedonpebbles，andtheboatranitsnoseintothewitheredsedgeontheStetsonshore。

Atallgrayfigurewaspouringgrainintothehopperwhenshereachedthedoorofthemill。Shestoppedabruptly，RomeStetsonturned，andagainthetwowerefacetoface。Nogreetingpassed。

Thegirlliftedherheadwithalittletossthatdeepenedthesetlookaboutthemountaineer’smouth；herlaxfiguregrewtenseasthoughstrungsuddenlyagainstsomecomingharm，andhereyessearchedtheshadowswithoutoncerestingonhim。

Whar’sUncleGabe？"Shespokeshortly，andastoastranger。

Gonetotown，"saidRome，composedly。Hehadschooledhimselfforthismeeting。

When’shecomm’back？

Not’forenight，Ireckon。"

Whar’sIsom？

Isom’ssick。"

Well，who’stendin’thismill？

Foranswerhetossedtheemptybagintothecornerand，withoutlookingather，pickedupanotherbag。

"Ireckonyeseeme，don’tye？"heasked，coolly。"Hevacheer，andrestaspell。Hit’sapurtylongclimbwharyoucomefrom。"

Thegirlwasconfused。Shestayedinthedoorway，alittlehelplessandsuspicious。WhatwasRomeStetsondoinghere？Hismasteryofthesituation，hiseasyconfidence，puzzledandirritatedher。

Shouldsheleave？ThemountaineerwasaStetson，awormtotreadonifitcrawledacrossthepath。Itwouldbelikebackingdownbeforeanenemy。Hemightlaughatheraftershewasgone，and，atthatthought，shesatdowninthechairwithcomposedface，lookingthroughthedooratthetumblingwater，whichbrokewithathousandtintsunderthesun，butablestilltoseeRome，sidewise，ashemovedaboutthehopper，whistlingsoftly。

Onceshelookedaround，fancyingshesawasmileonhissoberface。Theireyescamenearmeeting，andsheturnedquiteaway。

Everseedabodyout’nhishead？

Thegirl’seyesroundedwithastartofsurprise。

Well，it’splumbcur’us。Isom’sbeenthatwaylately。Isom’ssick，yeknow。UncleGabe’sgottherheumatiz，’n’Isom’smightyfondo’

UncleGabe，’n’theboypesteredmetillIcomedowntohe’phim。

Hitp’int’lyairstrangetohearhimtalkin’。He’sjesa—ravin’’bouthell’n’heaven，’n’thesino’killin’folks。You’dha’thoughthehedbeenconvicted，thoughnoneo’ourfamblyhevbeenmuchatterreligion。Hesaysashowthewrathuvalivin’Godisa—goin’tosweepthesemountins，efsomemightytallrepentin’hain’tdone。

Ofco’sehegotallthemnotionsfromGabe。ButIsomal’ayswasquar，’n’seedthingshisself。Heain’tnofool!"

Thegirlwaslistening。Morbidlysensitivetothesupernatural，shehadturnedtowardhim，andherfacewasrelaxedwithfearandawe。

"He’shavin’dreams’n’sech—likenow，’n’Ireckonthar’snothinghe’sseedorheerdthathedon’talkabout。He’sbeena—goin’onaboutyou，"headded，abruptly。Thegirl’shandsgaveanervoustwitch。"Oh，hedon’tsaynothin’ag’in’ye。Ireckonhetukafancytoye。Mamwasplumbdistracted，notknowin’wharhehadseedye。Shethoughtitwaslikehisothertalk，’n’Ineverleton—a—knowin’howmamwas。"Aflushroselikeaflamefromthegirl’sthroattoherhair。"Buthit’sthis，"Romewentoninanunsteadytone，"thathetalksmostabout，’n’I’msorrymyselfthattrouble’sa—comm’。"Hedroppedallpretencenow。"I’vebeena—watchin’feryeovertharont’othershoreagooddeallately。I

didn’tknowyeatfust，Marthy"—hespokehernameforthefirsttime—’’n’Gabesaysy’udidn’tknowme。Irememberedye，though，’n’IwanttotellyenowwhatItol’yethen：I’vegotnothin’ag’inyou。Iwashopin’yemoughtcomeoverag’in—hitwassortercur’usthaty’uwasthesamegal—thesamegal—"

Hisself—controllefthim；hewashaltinginspeech，andblunderinghedidnotknowwhere。Fumblinganemptybagatthehopper，hehadnotdaredtolookatthegirltillheheardhermove。Shehadrisen，andwaspickingupherbag。Thehardantagonismofherfacecalmedhiminstantly。

Hain’tyegoin’tohaveyergristground？

Nothyeh，"sheanswered，quickly。

"Why，gal"Hegotnofurther。Marthawasgone，andhefollowedhertothebank，bewildered。

Thegirl’ssuspicion，lulledbyhisplausibleexplanation，hadgrownsharpagain。Themountaineerknewthatshehadbeencomingthere。Hewasatthemillforanotherreasonthantotaketheboy’splace；andwithswiftin—tuitionshesawthetruth。

Hegotangryassherodeaway—angrywithhimselfthathehadlethergo；andthesamehalf—tender，half—brutalimpulseseizedhimaswhenhesawherfirst。Thistimeheyielded。Hishorsewasathand，andtherivernotfarbelowwasnarrow。Thebridle—paththatledtotheLewallencabinswervedatoneplacetoacliffoverlookingtheriver，andbyhardridingandaclimbofafewhundredfeetonfoothecouldovertakeherhalf—wayupthemountainsteep。

Theplanwasnomorethanshapedbeforehewasinthesaddleandgallopingdowntheriver。Thesetofhisfacechangedhardlyalinewhileheswamthestream，and，drenchedtothewaist，scaledthecliff。Whenhereachedthespot，hefoundtheprintsofawoman’sshoeinthedustofthepath，goingdown。Therewerenonereturning，andhehadnotlongtowait。Ascarletbitofcolorsoonflashedthroughthegraybushesbelowhim。Thegirlwaswithoutherbagofcorn。Shewasclimbingslowly，andwaslookingatthegroundasthoughindeepthought。Recklessasshewas，shehadcometorealizeatlastjustwhatshehaddone。Shehadbeenpleasedatfirst，aswouldhavebeenanywoman，whenshesawthebigmountaineerwatchingher，forherlifewaslonely。Shehadwavedherbonnetathimfrommeremischief。Shehardlyknewitherself，butshehadgoneacrosstherivertofindoutwhohewas。

Shehadshrunkfromhimasfromasnakethereafter，andhadgonenomoreuntiloldJasperhadsentherbecausetheLewallenmillwasbroken，andbecauseshewasawoman，andwouldbesafefromharm。Shehadmethimthenwhenshecouldnothelpherself。Butnowshehadgoneofherownaccord。ShehadgiventhisStetson，abitterenemy，achancetoseeher，totalkwithher。

Shehadlistenedtohim；shehadbeenonthepointoflettinghimgrindhercorn。Andheknewhowoftenshehadgonetothemill，andhecouldnotknowthatshehadeverbeensent。Perhapshethoughtthatshehadcometomakeoverturesofpeace，friendship，evenmore。Thesuspicionreddenedherfacewithshame，andherangerathimwasturneduponherself。Whyshehadgoneagainthatdayshehardlyknew。Butiftherewasanotherreasonthansimpleperversity，itwasthememoryofRomeStetson’sfacewhenhecaughtherboatandspoketoherinawayshecouldnotanswer。

Theangerofthemomentcamewitheverythoughtoftheincidentafterward，andwithitcametoothismemoryofhislook，whichmadeheratoncedefiantanduneasy。Shesawhimnowonlywhenshewasquiteclose，and，startled，shestoodstill；hissternlookbroughtherthesamedisquiet，butshegavenosignoffear。

Whut’sthematterwithye？

Thequestionwastooabrupt，toosavage，andthegirllookedstraightathim，andherlipstightenedwitharesolutionnottospeak。Themovementputhimbeyondcontrol。

"Y’uputshellintome，MarthyLewallen；y’uputsdownrighthellintome。"Thewordscamebetweengrittedteeth。"Iwanttotakeyeup’n’throwyeoffthiscliffcleanintotheriver，’n’IreckonthenextminuteI’djumpoffatterye。Y’u’ve’witchedme，gal!Iforgitswhoyeair’n’whoIbe，’n’sometimesIwanttocomeoverhyeh’n’

kerryyeout’nthesemountins，n’nuvercomeback。YouknowwhutI’vebeenwatchin’theriverfersencethefusttimeIseedye。

YouknowwhutI’vebeena—stayin’atthemillfer，’n’Stevemad’n’

mama—jowerin’—’n’a—lookin’overhyehferyenight’n’day!Y’uknowwhutI’vejesswumoverhyehfer!Whut’sthematterwithye？"

Marthawasnotlookingforaconfessionlikethis。Ittookawayhershameatonce，andthepassionofitthrilledher，andlefthertrembling。Whilehespokeherlashesdroopedquickly，herfacesoftened，andthecolorcamebacktoit。Shebeganintertwiningherfingers，andwouldnotlookupathim。

Efy’uhatesmeliketherestuvye，whydon’tyesayitrightout？

’N’efyedohateme，whuthevyoubeenlookin’’crosstheriverfer，’n’a—shakin’yerbonnetatme，’n’paddlin’toGabe’sferyergrist，whenthemillonDeadCrick’sbeena—runnin’，’n’Iknowit？You’vebeenbanterin’me，hevye？"—thebloodrosetohiseyesagain。"Yemustn’tfoolwithme，gal，by，yemustn’t。Whuthevyoubeengoin’overtharfer？"Heeventookathreateningsteptowardher，and，withahelplessgesture，stopped。Thegirlwasalittlefrightened。Indeed，shesmiled，seeingherpoweroverhim；sheseemedevenabouttolaughoutright；butthesmileturnedtoaquicklookofalarm，andshebentherheadsuddenlytolistentosomethingbelow。Atlastshedidspeak。"Somebody’scomm’!"

shesaid。"You’dbettergitoutO’theway，"shewenton，hurriedly。"Somebody’scomm’，Itellye!Don’tyehear？

Itwasnorusetogetridofhim。Thegirl’seyesweredilating。

Somethingwascomingfarbelow。Romecouldcatchthefaintbeatsofahorse’shoofs。Hewasunarmed，andheknewitwasdeathforhimtobeseenonthatforbiddenmountain；buthewasbeyondcaution，andreadytowelcomeanyventtohispassion，andhemerelyshookhishead。

Efit’sSatanhisself，Ihain’tgoin’torun。"Thehoof—beatscamenearer。Theridermustsoonseethemfromthecoilbelow。

Rome，hit’sJas!He’sgothisrifle，andhe’llkillye，’n’metoo!"

Thegirlwaswhitewithdistress。Shehadcalledhimbyhisname，andthetonewasofappeal，notanger。Theblacklookpassedfromhisface，andhecaughtherbytheshoulderswithroughtenderness；

butshepushedhimaway，andwithoutawordhesprangfromtheroadandlethimselfnoiselesslydownthecliff。Thehoof—beatsthunderedabovehishead，andYoungJasper’svoicehailedMartha。

Thishyeh’sthebigges’mealIeverstraddled。Whyd’n’tyegitthegristground？"

Foramomentthegirldidnotanswer，andRomewaited，breathless。"Wasn’tthemillrunnin’？Whyn’tyegoon’crosstheriver？

That’swhutIdid，"saidthegirl，quietly。UncleGabewasn’tthar，’n’

RomeStetsonwas。Iwouldn’t’lowhimtogrin’theco’n，’n’soI

totedhitback。"

RomeStetson!"Thevoicewaslostinavolleyofoaths。

Thetwopassedoutofhearing，andRomewentplungingdownthemountain，swingingrecklesslyfromonelittletreetoanother，andwrenchinglimbsfromtheirsocketsoutofpurephysicalecstasy。

Whenhereachedhishorsehesatdown，breathingheavily，onabedofmoss，withastrangenewyearninginhisheart。Ifpeaceshouldcome!Whynotpeace，ifRufeshouldnotcomeback？Hewouldbetheleaderthen，andwithouthimtherecouldbenowar。

OldJasperhadkilledhisfather。Hewastooyoungatthetimetofeelpoignantsorrownow，andsomehowhecouldlookevenatthatdeathinafairerway。HisfatherhadkilledoldJasper’sbrother。

Soitwentback：aLewallenkilledaStetson；thatStetsonhadkilledaLewallen，untiloneendofthechainofdeathswaslost，andthefirstfaultcouldnotbeplaced，thougheachclanputitontheother。Ineverygenerationtherehadbeencompromises—

periodsofpeace；whynotnow？OldGabewouldgladlyhelphim。

HemightmakefriendswithyoungJasper；hemightevenendthefeud。Andthen—heandMartha—whynot？Heclosedhiseyes，andforoneradiantmomenttallseemedpossible。Andthenagauntimageroseinthedream，andonlytheimagewasleft。Itwasthefigureofhismother，sternandsilentthroughtheyears，openinghergrimlipsrarelywithoutsomecurseagainsttheLewallenrace。

Herememberedshehadsmiledforthefirsttimewhensheheardofthenewtrouble—theflightofhisuncleandthehopeofconflict。

Shehadturnedtohimwithhereyesonfireandheroldhandsclinched。Shehadsaidnothing，butheunderstoodherlook。Andnow—GoodGod!whatwouldshethinkandsayifshecouldknowwhathehaddone？Hiswholeframetwitchedatthethought，and，withanervousspringtoescapeit，hewasonhisfeet，andstartingdownthemountain。

Closetotheriverheheardvoicesbelowhim，andheturnedhishorsequicklyasideintothebushes。Twowomenwhohadbeenwashingclothespassed，carryingwhitebundleshome。Theyweretalkingofthecomingfeud。

"ThataryoungStetsonain’tmuchlikehisdad，"saidone。"YoungJashasbeena—darin’’n’a—banterin’him，’n’hewon’ttakeitup。Theysayheairturnin’outaplumbcoward。"

WhenhereachedtheStetsoncabinthreehorseswithdroopingheadswerehitchedtothefence。Allhadtravelledalongway。

Oneworeaman’ssaddle；ontheotherswerethickblanketstiedtogetherwithleathernthongs。

Inthedarkporchsatseveralmen。Throughthekitchendoorhecouldseehismothergettingsupper。Insideadozenriflesleanedagainstthewallinthefirelight，andabouttheirbuttswasapileofammunition。InthedoorwaystoodRufeStetson。

IX

ALLweresmokingandsilent。SeveralspokefromtheshadowsasRomesteppedontheporch，andRufeStetsonfacedhimamomentinthedoorway，andlaughed。

Seemkinders’prised？"hesaid，withasearchinglook。"Wasn’tlookin’forme？IreckonI’lls’prisesev’ralefIhevgood—luck。"

Thesubtletyofthissentachuckleofappreciationthroughtheporch，butRomepassedinwithoutanswer。

Isomlayonhisbedwithinthecircleoflight，andhisfaceinthebrilliantglowwaswhite，andhiseyesshonefeverishly。"Rome，"

hesaid，excitedly，"UncleRufe’shyeh，’n’theylaywayedhim，’n’____"Hepausedabruptly。Hismothercamein，andathercallthemountaineerstroopedthroughthecoveredporch，andsatdowntosupperinthekitchen。Theyatehastilyandinsilence，themotherattendingtheirwants，andRomehelpingher。Themealfinished，theydrewtheirchairsaboutthefire。Pipeswerelighted，andRufeStetsonroseandclosedthedoor。

Thar’snouseharryin’theboy，"hesaid；"Ireckonhe’llbetoopunytotakeahand。"

Themotherstoppedclearingthetable，andsatontherockhearthclosetothefire，herwitheredlipsshuttightaboutalightedpipe，andhersunkeneyesglowinglikethecoaloffireinitsblackbowl。

Nowandthenshewouldstretchherknottedhandsnervouslyintotheflames，orknitthemaboutherknees，lookingcloselyattheheavyfacesabouther，whichhadlightenedalittlewithexpectancy。RufeStetsonstoodbeforetheblaze，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，andhishugefigurebentinreflection。Atintervalshewouldlookwithhalf—shuteyesatRome，whoSatwithtroubledfaceoutsidethefirelight。AcrossthekneesofSteveMarcum，thebestmarksmaninthemountains，laythebarrelofanewWinchester。OldSamDay，Rufe’sfather—in—lawandcounsellortotheStetsonsforascoreofyears，satasifasleepontheoppositesideofthefireplacefromtheoldmother，withhisbigsquareheadpresseddownbetweenhismisshapenshoulders。

"Thetimehevcome，Rome。"Rufespokebetweenthepuffsofhispipe，andRome’sheartquickened，foreveryeyewasuponhim。

Thar’sgoin’tobetroublenow。IhearashowyoungJasperhevbeentalkin’purtytallaboutye—’lowin’ashowyeairafeardO’him。"

Romefelthismother’sburninglook。HedidnotturntowardhernorRufe，buthisfacegrewsullen，andhisvoicewaslowandharsh。"Ireckonhe’llfindoutaboutthatwhenthetimecomes，"hesaid，quietly—tooquietly，fortheoldmotherstirreduneasily，andsignificantglanceswentfromeyetoeye。Rufedidnotlookupfromthefloor。HehadbeentoldaboutRome’speculiarconduct，and，whilethereasonforitwasbeyondguessing，heknewthetemperoftheboyandhowtokindleit。Hehadthrustathorninatenderspot，andheletitrankle。Howsorelyitdidranklehelittleknew。ThevoiceofthewomanacrosstheriverwasstillinRome5

ears。Nothingcutsthemountaineertothequicklikethenameofcoward。Itstunghimlikethelashofanox—whipthen；itsmartedallthewayacrosstheriverandupthemountain。YoungJasperhadbeencharginghimbroadcastwithcowardice，andJasper’speoplenodoubtbelievedit。Perhapshisowndid—hisuncle，hismother。Thebarechanceofsuchahumiliationsetupaninwardrage。Hewonderedhowhecouldeverhavebeensuchafoolastothinkofpeace。Thewoman’sgossiphadsweptkindlyimpulsesfromhisheartwithafreshtideofbitterness，and，helplessnowagainstitscurrent，hesullenlygaveway，andlethispassionsloosetodriftwithit。

"Whard’yegittheguns，Rufe？"StevewastestingtheactionoftheWinchesterwithakindlinglook，astheclickofthelocksstrucksoftlythroughthesilence。

"Jackson；’wayupinBreathitt，attheeendofthenewroad。"

"Nowondery’u’vebeengonesolong。"

"Ihadtowaittharfertheguns，’n’Ihadtotravelatterdarkcomm’

back，’n’layout’nthebreshbyday。Hit’sfulleightymileupthar。"

"Airyeshorenobodyseedye？"

ThequestionwasfromaMarcum，whohadcomeinlate，andseverallaughed。Rufethrewbackhisdustycoat，whichwasrippedthroughthelapelbyabullet。

Theyseedmewell’noughferthat，"hesaid，grimly，andthenhelookedtowardRome，whothoughtofoldJasper，andgavebackagleamoffiercesympathy。Therewereseveralnodsofapprovalalongwiththelaughthatfollowed。Itwasasurprise—solittleconsiderationofanescapesonarrow—fromRufe；for，asoldGabesaid，Rufewasbigandgood—natured，andwasnotthoughtfitforleadership。ButtherewasachangeinhimwhenhecamebackfromtheWest。Hewasquieter；helaughedlessNoonespokeofthedifference；itwastoovague；buteveryonefeltit，andithadaneffect。Hisflighthadmademanyuneasy，buthisreturn，forthatreason，broughtastancherfealtyfromthese；andthiswasevidentnow。Alleyeswereuponhim，andalltongues，evenoldSam’s，waitednowforhistospeak。

"Whutwe’vegottodo，we’vegottodomightyquick，"hebegan，atlast。"Thingsairchangin’。IseeditovertharinBreathitt。Thesoldiers’n’thatscar—facedJellicopreacherhevbrokeupthefightin’

overthar，’n’efwedon’twatchout，they’llbea—doin’ithyeh，whenwestartourleetlefrolic。Wehain’tgotnotimetofool。OldJasknowsthisaswellasme，’n’thar’sgoin’tobemightyleetlechancefer’emtolayway’n’pickusofffromthebresh。Thar’sgoin’tobefa’rfightin’feronce，thanktheLord。Theybushwhackedusdunn’

thewar，’n’they’velaywayedus’n’shotustopieceseversence；butnow，efGodA’mighty’swillin’，thething’sa—goin’tobesettledonewayort’otheratlast，Ireckon。"

Hestoppedamomenttothink。Themen’sbreathingcouldbeheard，soquietwastheroom，andRufewentontellingindetail，slowly，asiftohimself，thewrongstheLewallenshaddonehispeople。WhenhecametooldJasperhisvoicewaslow，andhismannerwasquieterthanever。

"NowoldJashavegottothep’intwharhesaysashownobodyinthiscountykinundersellhim’n’stayhyeh。OldJasdruvBondVickersout’nthemount’insfertryin’hit。HedruvJessHaleaway；

’n’themtwoairourkin。"

Thebigmountaineerturnedthen，andknockedtheashesfromhispipe。Hiseyesgrewalittlebrighter，andhisnostrilsspread，butwithasweepofhisarmheadded，stillquietly：

"Y’allknowwhuthe’sdone。"

Thegesturelightedmemoriesofpersonalwrongsineverybreast；

hehadtossedafire—brandamongfagots，andanangrylightbegantoburnfromtheeyesthatwatchedhim。

"Yeknow，too，thathethinkshehasplayedthesamegamewithme；butyedon’tknow，Ireckon，thathehadoleJimStover’n’thatmis’—ableEliCrumpa—hidin’inthebushestoshootme"—againhegraspedthetornlapel；"thatabodywarnedmetogitawayfromHazlan；n’thenightIlefthometheycomethartokillme，’n’

s’archedthehouse，’n’skeeredMollien’theleetlegal’mosttodeath。"

Themountaineer’sself—controlwaslostsuddenlyinafuriousoath。

Themendidknow，butinfreshangertheyleanedforwardintheirchairs，andtwistedaboutwithsmotheredcurses。Theoldwomanhadstoppedsmoking，andwasrockingherbodytoandfro。Herlipsweredrawninuponhertoothlessgums，andherpipewasclinchedagainsthersunkenbreast。Theheadoftheoldmountaineerwaslifted，andhiseyeswereopenandshiningfiercely。

"IhearashowhesaysI’mgonefergood。Well，Ihavebeenkindereasy—goin’，hatin’tofight，butsencethedayIseedRome’sdadthardeadinhisblood，IhevhadjesonethingIwantedtodo。Tharwasn’tnousestayin’hyeh；Iseedthat。Rometharwastooleetle，andtheywastoomanyferme。IknoweditwaseasiertogitanewstartoutWest，’n’whenIcomebacktothemount’in，hitwastodojes—whutI’m—going—to—do—now。"HewheeledsuddenlyuponRome，withonehugehandlifted。Underittheoldwoman’svoiceroseinasuddenwail：

Yes；’n’IwanttoseeitdonebefohIdie。Ihain’thyehferlong，butI

hain’tgoin’toleaveaslongasoleJasishyeh，’n’Iwantyealltoknowit。OleJashevgottogofust。Youhearme，Rome？I’ma—talkin’toyou；I’ma—talkin’toyou。Hit’syo’timenow!

ThefrenziedchantraisedRomefromhischair。Rufehimselftookupthespiritofit，andhisvoicewasaboveallcaution。

"Yes，Rome!Theykilledhim，boy。Theysneakedonhim，’n’shothimtopiecesfromthebushes。Yes；hit’syo’timenow!Lookhyeh，boys!"Hereachedabovethefireplaceandtookdownanoldrifle—hisbrother’s—whichtheoldmotherhadsufferednoonetotouch。Hehelditbeforethefire，pointingtotwocrossesmadeneartheflash—pan。"Thar’soneferoleJimLewallen!Thar’soneferoleJas!HegotJim，butoleJashasgothim，’n’thar’shiscrosstharyit!Whar’syo’gun，Rome？Shameonye，boy!"

Thewild—eyedoldwomanwasbeforehim。ShehaddivinedRufe’spurpose，andwasalreadyathisside，withRome’sWinchesterinonehandandaclasp—knifeintheother。Everymanwasonhisfeet；thedoorwasopen，andtheboyIsomwasatthethreshold，hiseyesblazingfromhiswhitcface。Romehadstrodeforward。

Yes，boy；now’sthetime，righthyehbeforeusall!

Themotherhadtheknifeoutstretched。Rometookit，andthescratchofthepointonthehardsteelwenttwicethroughthestillness—onemorefertheyoungun"；thevoicewastheoldmother’s—thentwiceagain。

ThemoonwassinkingwhenRomestoodinthedooralone。Thetrampofhorseswasgrowingfainterdownthemountain。Thetreeswereswayinginthewindbelowhim，andhecouldjustseethegraycliffsontheothershore。Themorningseemedfaraway；itmadehimdizzylookingbacktoitthroughthetumultoftheday。

Somewhereinthehazewasthevisionofagirl’swhiteface—whitewithdistressforhim。Herfatherandherbrotherhehadsworntokill。Hehadmadeacrossforeach，andeachcrosswasanoath。

Heclosedthedoor；andthenhegaveway，andsatdownwithhisheadinbothhands。Thenoisesinthekitchenceased。Thefirediedaway，andthechillairgatheredabouthim。Whenherose，therestlesseyesoftheboywereuponhimfromtheshadows。

X

ITwascourt—dayinHazlan，butsoearlyinthemorningnothingwasastirinthetownthathintedofitslifeonsuchaday。Butfortheringofablacksmith’sanvilonthequietair，andthefactthatnowherewasachurch—spirevisible，astrangerwouldhavethoughtthatthepeaceofSabbathoverlayavillageofGod—fearingpeople。

Aburlyfigureloungedintheporchofaricketyhouse，andyawnedunderaswingingsign，therudelettersofwhichpromised"privateentertainment"forthetravellerunluckyenoughtopassthatway。

Intheonelong，narrowmainstreet，closelyflankedbylogandframedhouses，nothingelsehumanwasinsight。Outfromthisstreet，andinanemptysquare，stoodtheonebrickbuildingintheplace，thecourt—house，brickwithout，brickwithin；unfinished，unpencilled，unpainted；panesoutofthewindows，ashutteroffhereandthere，orswingingdrunkenlyononehinge；thedoorwideopen，asthoughtherewasnoprivacywithin—apoorstructure，withthelookofagoodmangoneshiftlessandfastgoingwrong。

Soontwoorthreelankbrownfiguresappearedfromeachdirectiononfoot；thenahorsemanortwo，andbyandbymountaineerscameingroups，onhorseandonfoot。Intimethesidealleysandthecourt—housesquarewerefilledwithhorsesandmules，andevensteers。Themountaineerscrowdedthenarrowstreet：idlingfromsidetoside；squattingforabargainonthewoodensidewalks；

groupingontheporchofthericketyhotel，andonthecourt—housestepsloiteringinandoutoftheonestoreinsight。Outinthestreetseveralstoodaboutahorse，lookingathisteeth，holdinghiseyestothesun，punchinghisribs，twistinghistail；whilethephlegmaticownersatastridethesubmissivebeast，andspokeshortanswerstorarequestions。Everybodytalkedpolitics，thecropfailure，orthelastfightattheseatofsomeprivatewar；butnobodyspokeofaLewallenoraStetsonunlessheknewhislistener’sheart，andsaiditinawhisper。Fornobodyknewwhenthepowderwouldflash，orwhohadtakensides，orthatacarelesswordmightnotarrayhimwithoneortheotherfaction。

Amotleythrongitwas—inbrownorgrayhomespun，withtrousersincowhideboots，andslouchedhatswithbrimscurvedaccordingtotemperament，butwithstrikingfiguresinit；thepatriarchwithlong，whitehair，shornevenwiththebaseoftheneck，andbeardedonlyatthethroat—ajusticeofthepeace，andthesageofhisdistrict；

alittlemountaineerwithcurlingblackhairandbeard，anddark，finefeatures；agrizzledgiantwithaheadruggedenoughtohavebeencarelesslychippedfromstone；abraggingcandidateclaimingeverybody’snotice；asquare—shoulderedfellowsurgingthroughthecrowdlikeastranger；anopen—faced，devil—may—careyounggallantonfirewithmoonshine；askulkingfigurewithbrutishmouthandshiftingeyes。Indeed，everyfigureseemeddistinct；for，livingapartfromhisneighbor，andtroublingthelawbutlittleinsmallmattersofdispute，themountaineerpreservesindependence，andkeepstheedgesofhisindividualityunworn。Apparentlytherewasnotawomanintown。Thosethatlivedtherekepthoused，andthefactwassignificant。Still，itwasclosetonoon，andyetnotaStetsonoraLewallenhadbeenseen。ThestoresofRufeandoldJasperwereattheextremitiesofthetown，andthecrowddidnotmovethoseways。Itwaitedinthecentre，andwhettedimpatiencebyslytripsintwosandthreetostablesorsidealleysfor"mountaindew。"Nowandthenthesheriff，alittlemanwithamightyvoice，wouldappearonthecourthousesteps，andsummonawitnesstocourt，whereafrightenedjudgegaveinstructionstoafrightenedjury。Butfewwent，unlesscalled；fortheinterestwasoutside；

everymaninthestreetsknewthatastormwasnigh，andwaswaitingtoseeitburst。

Noonpassed。Ahoarsebellandawhininghoundhadannounceddinnerinthehotel。Theguestswerecomingagainintothestreets。

Eyeswerebrighter，facesalittlemoreflushed，andthe"moonshine"waspassedmoreopenly。Bothwaysthecrowdwatchedclosely。Thequietateachendofthestreetwasominous，andthedelaycouldlastbutlittlelonger。Thelookers—onthemselvesweregettingquarrelsome。Theventmustcomesoon，oramongthemtherewouldbetrouble。

TharcomesJasLewallen!"Atlast。Adozenvoicesspokeatonce。AhorsemanhadappearedfardownthestreetfromtheLewallenend。Thecloudsbrokefromaboutthesun，andadozenmenknewthehorsethatborehim；forthegraywasprancingthestreetsidewise，andthrowingthesunlightfromhisflanks。Nobodyfollowed，andthecrowdwaspuzzled。YoungJaspercarriedaWinchesteracrosshissaddle—bow，and，swayingwiththeactionofhishorse，cameon。

"Whatairheabout？"

"He’saplumbidgit。"

Hemus’becrazy。"

He’sdrunk!

Thewonderceased。YoungJasperwasreeling。TwoorthreeStetsonsslippedfromthecrowd，andtherewasagallopingofhoofstheotherway。AnotherhorsemanappearedfromtheLewallenend，ridinghastily。Thenew—comer’serrandwastocallJasperback。Buttheyoungdare—devilwasclosetothecrowd，andwasswingingabottleoverhishead。

Comebackhyeh，Jas!Comehyeh!"Thenew—comerwasshoutingafaroffwhilehegalloped。Horseswerebeinguntetheredfromthesidealleys。SeveralmoreLewallenriderscameinsight。Theycouldseethegrayshininginthesunlightamidthecrowd，andthemansentafterhimhaltedatasafedistance，gesticulating；andthey，too，spurredforward。

Hello，boys!"youngJasperwascallingout，asheswayedfromsidetoside，thepeopleeverywheregivinghimway。

"Funto—day，by—!funto—day!Who’llhevadrink？Hyeh’shelltotheStetsons，wharsomeof’em’11beaforenight!

Withaswaggerheliftedthebottletohislips，and，stoppingshort，letitfalluntouchedtotheground。Hehadstraightenedinhissaddle，andwaslookingupthestreet。WithadeepcursehethrewtheWinchestertohisshoulder，fired，andbeforehisyellhaddiedonhislipshorseandriderwereawaylikeashaftoflight。Thecrowdmeltedlikemagicfromthestreet。TheStetsons，chieflyonfoot，didnotreturnthefire，buthaltedupthestreet，asifparleying。

YoungJasperjoinedhisparty，andthey，too，stoodstillamoment，puzzledbytheirresolutionoftheotherside。

"Watchout!they’regittin’roundye!Runforthecourt—house，yefools!—ye，run!"Thevoicecameinaloudyellfromsomewheredownthestreet，anditswarningwasjustintime。

Awreathofsmokecameaboutacornerofthehousefardownthestreet，andyoungJasperyelled，anddashedupasidealleywithhisfollowers。Amomentlaterjudge，jury，witnesses，andsheriffwereflyingdownthecourt—housestepsatthepointofLewallenguns；

theLewallenhorses，ledbythegray，weresnortingthroughthestreets；theirriders，barricadedintheforsakencourt—house，werepuffingastreamoffireandsmokefromeverywindowofcourt—roombelowandjury—roomabove。

Thestreetswereabedlam。TheStetsonswereyellingwithtriumph。TheLewallensweredivided，andRufeplacedthreeStetsonswithWinchestersoneachsideofthecourthouse，andkeptthemfiring。Rome，paleandstern，hidhisforcebetweenthesquareandtheLewallenstore。Hewasnonetooquick。Therestwerecomingon，ledbyoldJasper。Itwasreckless，ridingthatwayrightintodeath；buttheoldmanbelievedyoungJasper’slifeatstake，andthemenbehindaskednoquestionswhenoldJasperledthem。Thehorses’hoofsbeatthedirtstreetlikethecrescendoofthunder。Thefierceoldman’shatwasgone，andhismane—likehairwasshakinginthewind。Louder—andstilltheStetsonswerequiet—quiettoolong。Thewilyoldmansawthetrap，and，withayell，whirledthecolumnupanalley，eachmanflatteningoverhissaddle。Fromeverywindow，frombehindeverycornerandtree，smokebelchedfromthemouthofaWinchester。Twohorseswentdown；onescreamed；theotherstruggledtohisfeet，andlimpedawaywithanemptysaddle。Onepfthefallenmensprangintosafetybehindahouse，andonelaystill，withhisarmsstretchedoutandhisfaceinthedust。

Frombehindbarn，house，andfencetheLewallensgavebackascatteringfire；buttheStetsonscreptcloser，andwereplainlyingreaternumbers。OldJasperwasbeingsurrounded，andhemountedagain，andall，followedbyachorusofbulletsandtriumphantyells，fledforawoodedslopeintherearofthecourt—house。AdozenLewallenswereprisoners，andmustgiveuporstarve。TherewassavagejoyintheStetsoncrowd，andmany—footedrumorwentallwaysthatnight。

DespitesicknessandRome’sstrictorder，Isomhadriddendowntothemill。Standinginthedoorway，heandoldGabesawuptheriver，wherethewaterbrokeintofoamovertheford，ariderlessgrayhorseplungingacross。LateritneighedatagateunderWolf’sHead，andMarthaLewallenranouttomeetit。AcrossunderThunderstruckKnobthatnighttheoldStetsonmotherlistenedtoIsom’sstoryofthefightwithghastlyjoyinherdeath—markedface。

XI

ALLnightthecourt—housewasguardedandonguard。AtonecornerofthesquareRufeStetson，withafewmen，satonwatchinoldSamDay’scabin—thefortressofthetown，builtforsuchapurpose，andusedforitmanytimesbefore。Theprisoners，too，werealert，andnoStetsonventuredintotheopensquare，forthemoonwashigh；anexposureanywherewasnotedinstantlybythewhistleofarifle—ball，andthemountaineertakesfewrisksexceptunderstressofdrinkorpassion。RomeStetsonhadplacedpicketsaboutthetownwhereversurprisewaspossible。AllnighthepatrolledthestreetstokeephismeninsuchreadinessashecouldfortheattackthattheLewallenswouldsurelymaketorescuetheirlivingfriendsandtoavengethedeadones。

Butthetriumphwastoogreatandunexpected。TwoBraytonsweredead；severalmorewereprisonerswithyoungJasperinthecourthouse；anddrinkingbegan。

AsthenightdeepenedwithoutattacktheStetsonsdrankmore，andgrewreckless。Adancewasstarted。Musicand"moonshine"weregiventoeverymanwhoboreaWinchester。Thenightwasbrokenwithdrunkenyells，therandomdischargeoffire—arms，andthemono—toneofheavyfeet。Thetwoleaderswerehelpless，andtheinactionoftheLewallenspuzzledthem。Chafedwithanxiety，theykepttheireyesonthecourt—houseoronthethicketofgloomwheretheirenemieslay。Butthewoodswereasquietasthepallofshadowsoverthem。OnceRome，makinghisrounds，sawafigurecrawlingthroughafieldofcorn。ItlookedlikeCrump’s，butbeforehecouldfirethemanrolledlikeaballdownthebushybanktotheriver。Aninstantlatersomeobjectwentswiftlypastasidestreet—somebodyonhorseback—andapicketfiredanalarm。Thehorsekepton，andRomethrewhisrifleonapatchofmoonlight，butwhentheobjectflashedthrough，hisfingerwasnumbedatthetrigger。Inthemoonlightthehorselookedgray，andtheriderwasseatedsidewise。Abulletfromthecourt—houseclippedhishat—brimasheranrecklesslyacrossthestreettowhereSteveMarcumstoodinthedarkbehindoldSam’scabin。

"JimHale’llgithimashegoesuptheroad，"saidSteve，calmly—andthenwithhotimpatience，"Whythehelldon’theshoot？

Romestartedforwardinthemoonlight，andStevecaughthisarm。

Twobulletshissedfromthecourt—house，andhefellback。

Ashotsoundedfromthebushesfarawayfromtheroad。Thehorsekepton，andsplashedintoTroubledFork，andStevesworebitterly。

"Hithain’tJim。Hit’sthatmis’ableBudVickers；he’sbeena—standin’guardout’nthebushes’stido’theroad。Thatwasaspy，Itellye，’n’thecowardlethiminandlethimout。They’llknownowwe’realldrunk!Whut’sthematter？

Rome’smouthwashalfopen。Helookedwhiteandsick，andStevethoughthehadbeenhit，buthetookoffhishat。"Purtyclose!"hesaid，withalaugh，pointingatthebullet—holethroughthebrim。

Steve，unsuspicious，wenton："Hitwasaspy，Itellye。Budwasafeardtostan’intheroad，’n’I’mgoin’outthar’n’twisthisdamnedneck。We’vegot’em，Rome!Itellye，we’vegot’em!Efwekingitthroughthisnight，andgittheboyssoberinthemorning，we’vegot’emshore!"

Thenightdidpassinsafety，darknessworeawaywithoutattack，andmorningbrokeonthetowninitsdrunkenstupor。ThenthecurioussilenceoftheLewallenswasexplained。TherumorcamethatoldJasperwasdead，anditwentbroadcast。Later，friendscomingtotheedgeofthetownforthebodiesofthedeadLewallensconfirmedit。ArandomballhadpassedthrougholdLewallen’sbodyinthewildflightforthewoods，andduringthenighthehadspenthislastbreathinacurseagainstthemanwhofiredit。

TheneachStetson，wakedfromhisdrunkensleep，drankagainwhenheheardofthedeath。Thedaybadefairtobelikethenight，andagaintheanxietyoftheleaderswasedgedwithfear。OldJasperdeadandyoungJasperaprisoner，thechancewasneartoendthefeud，ortherewouldbenoLewallenlefttoleadtheirenemies。But，again，theywerewellnighhelpless。Alreadytheyhadbarelyenoughmentoguardtheirprisoners。OftheMarcums，StevealonewasabletohandleaWinchester，andoutsidethesoundsofthecarousalwereintheairandgrowinglouder。Inalittlewhile，iftheLewallensbutknewit，escapewouldbeeasyandtheStetsonscouldbedrivenfromthetown。

Oh，theyknowit，"saidSteve。"They’llbea—whoopin’downoutO’

themwoodspurtysoon，’n’weregointoketchhell。I’dliketoknowmightywellwhothatspywaslastnight。ThatcussedBudVickerssaysitwasaha’nt，onawhitehoss，withlonghairflyin’inthewind，’n’thatheshotplumbthroughit。Ijus’wishI’dahadachanceatit。"

Still，nooncameagainwithouttrouble，andtheimprisonedLewallenshadbeentwenty—fourhourswithoutfood。Theirammunitionwasgettingscarce。Thefiringwaslessfrequent，thoughthewatchwasascloseasever，andtwiceaWinchesterhadsoundedasignalofdistress。Allknewthataresponsemustcomesoon；andcomeitdid。Apicket，watchingtheriverroad，sawyoungJasper’shorsecomingalongthedarkbushesfaruptheriver，andbroughtthenewstothegroupstandingbehindoldSam’scabin。Thegraygallopedintosight，and，skirtingthewoods，camestraightforthetown—withawomanonhisback。Thestirrupofaman’ssaddledangledononeside，andthewoman’sbonnethadfallenfromherhead。Someonechallengedher。

Stop，Itellye!Don’tyegonearthatcourthouse!Stop，Itellye!I’llshoot!Stop!"

Romeranfromthecabinwitharevolverineachhand。AdrunkenmountaineerwasraisingaWinchestertohisshoulder，and，springingfromthebackofthegrayatthecourt—housesteps，wasMarthaLewallen。

"I’llkillthefustmanthatliftshisfingertohurtthegal，"Romesaid，knockingthedrunkenman’sgunintheair。"Wehain’tfightin’

women!"

Itwastoolatetoopposeher，andthecrowdstoodhelplesslywatching。Noonedaredapproach，so，shieldingwithherbodythespaceoftheopeningdoor，shethrewthesackoffoodwithin。Thenshestoodamomenttalkingand，turning，climbedtohersaddle。

Thegraywasspottedwithfoam，andshowedtheredofhisnostrilswitheverybreathas，withfaceflushedandeyesstraightbeforeher，sherodeslowlytowardthecrowd。Whatwassheabout？

Romestoodrigid，hisforgottenpistolshangingateachside；themouthofthedrunkenmountaineerwasopenwithstupidwonder；

therestfellapartasshecamearoundthecornerofthecabinand，throughthespacegiven，rodeslowly，herskirtalmostbrushingRome，lookingneithertotherightnortotheleft；andwhenshehadgonequitethroughthemall，shewheeledandrode，stillslowly，throughtheopenfieldstowardthewoodswhichshelteredtheLewallens，whilethecrowdstoodinbewilderedsilencelookingafterher。Yellsoflaughtercamefromtheoldcourt—house。

SomeoftheStetsonslaughed，too；someswore，afewgrumbled；

buttherewasnotonewhowasnotstirredbythesuperbdaringofthegirl，thoughshehaduseditonlytoshowhercontempt。

"Rome，you’reafool；though，ferafac’，wecan’tshootawoman；

’n’anywaysIruthershootherthanthehoss。Butlemmetellye，tharwasmore’nsump’ntoeatinthatbag!Theyairuptosomedodge。"

RufeStetsonhadwatchedtheincidentthroughaport—holeofthecabin，andhistonewasatoncejestingandanxious。

"Thatgrubwon’tlastmore’noneday，Ireckon，"saidthedrunkenmountaineer。We’llwatchoutferthegalnex’time。We’reboun’togit’emonetimeort’other。"

"Sheridthroughustofindouthowmanyofuswasn’tdeaddrunk，"

saidSteveMarcum，stillwatchingthegirlassherodeon，towardthewoods；"’n’I’ma—thinkin’they’llbedownonuspurtysoonnow，’n’Ireckonwe’llhavetorunferit。Looktharboys!"

Thegirlhadstoppedattheedgeofthewoods；facingthetown，shewavedherbonnethighaboveherhead。

"Well，whutinthe——!"hesaid，withslowemphasis，andthenheleapedfromthedoorwithayell。ThebonnetwasasignaltothebeleagueredLewallens。Thereardoorofthecourthousehadbeenquietlyopened，andtheprisonerswereoutinabodyandscramblingoverthefencebeforethepicketscouldgiveanalarm。

Thesuddenyells，thecrackofWinchesters，startledeventherevellersandallwhocould，headedbyRomeandSteveMarcum，sprangintothesquare，andstartedinpursuit。ButtheLewallenshadgotfarahead，andwererunninginzigzaglinestododgetheballsflyingafterthem。Half—waytothewoodswasagullyofredclay，andintothisthefleetestleaped，andturnedinstantlytocovertheircomrades。TheWinchestersbegantorattlefromthewoods，andthebulletscamelikerainfromeverywhere。

"T—h—up!T—h—up!T—h—up!"therewerethreeofthem—thepeculiarsoft，dullmessagesofhotleadtolivingflesh。AStetsonwentdown；anotherstumbled；RufeStetson，climbingthefence，caughtathisbreastwithanoath，andfellback。RomeandStevedroppedforsafetytotheground。EveryotherStetsonturnedinapanic，andeveryLewalleninthegullyleapedfromit，andranundertheLewallenfireforshelterinthewoods。Theescapewasover。

"Thatwasapurtyneattrick，"saidSteve，wipingaredstreakfromhischeek。"Nex’timeshetriesthat，she’llgitherselfintotrouble。"

Atnightfallthewoundedleaderandthedeadonewerecarriedupthemountain，eachtohishome；andtherewasmourningfarintothenightononebankoftheCumberland，and，seriousthoughRufeStetson’swoundwas，exultationontheother。ButinitRomecouldtakebutlittlepart。Therehadbeennofaulttofindwithhiminthefight。ButareactionhadsetinwhenhesawthegirlflashinthemoonlightpastthesightsofhisWinchester，andherfacethatdayhadagainloosedwithinhimafloodoffeelingthatdrovethelustforrevengefromhisveins。Evennow，whilehesatinhisowncabin，histhoughtswereacrosstheriverwhereMartha，brokenatlast，satatherdeathvigils。Heknewwhatherdaringridethatdayhadcosther，witholdJasperdeadoutthereinthewoods；andasshepassedhimhehadgrownsuddenlyhumbled，shamed。Hegrewheart—sicknowashethoughtofitall；andthesightofhismotheronherbedinthecorner，closetodeathasshewas，filledhimwithbitterness。Therewasnohelpforhim。Hewasalonenow，pittedagainstyoungJasperalone。Ononebedlayhisuncle—nightodeath。

Therewasthegrimfigureinthecorner，theimplacablespiritofhateandrevenge。Hisriflewasagainstthewall。IftherewasanyjoyforhiminoldJasper’sdeath，itwasthathishandhadnotcausedit，andyet—Godhelphim!—therewastheothercross，theotheroath。