第4章
"No，"saidBillsullenly，"he’sameancuss。"
"Iknowhim，"saidtheHon。Fred，"letmetryhim。"Butthestrangerdeclaredthepintosuitedhimdowntothegroundandhewouldn’ttaketwicehismoneyforhim。
"Why，"heprotested，"thatthere’swhatIcallanunusualhoss，anddowninMontanaforaladyhe’dfetchuptoahundredandfiftydollars。"Invaintheyhaggledandbargained;themanwasimmovable。Eightydollarshewouldn’tlookat，ahundredhardlymadehimhesitate。AtthispointLadyCharlottecamedownintothelightandstoodbyherhusband，whoexplainedthecircumstancestoher。ShehadalreadyheardBill’sdescriptionofGwen’saccidentandofherpartinthechurch-buildingschemes。Therewassilenceforafewmomentsasshestoodlookingatthebeautifulpony。
"Whatashamethepoorchildshouldhavetopartwiththedearlittlecreature！"shesaidinalowtonetoherhusband。Then，turningtothestranger，shesaidinclear，sweettones：
"Whatdoyouaskforhim？"Hehesitatedandthensaid，liftinghishatawkwardlyinsalute："IwasjustremarkinghowthatpintowouldfetchonehundredandfiftydollarsdownintoMontana。Butseein’
asaladyisenquirin’，I’llputhimdowntoonehundredandtwenty-five。"
"Toomuch，"shesaidpromptly，"fartoomuch，isitnot，Bill？"
"Well，"drawledBill，"if’twereafellaraswasusedtoladieshe’dofferyouthepinto，buthe’stoopizenmeaneventocomedowntotheevenhundred。"
TheYankeetookhimupquickly。"Wall，ifIweresoblanked——
pardon，madam"——takingoffhishat，"usedtoladiesassomefolkswouldliketothinkthemselves，I’dbuythattherepintoandmakeapresentofittothishereladyasstandsbeforeme。"Billtwisteduneasily。
"ButIain’tgoin’tobemean;I’llputthatpintoinfortheevenmoneyfortheladyifanymancarestoputupthestuff。"
"Well，mydear，"saidtheHon。Fredwithabow，"wecannotwellletthatgagelie。"SheturnedandsmiledathimandthepintowastransferredtotheAshleystables，toBill’soutspokendelight，whodeclaredhe"couldn’thavefacedthemusicifthattherepintohadgoneacrosstheline。"Iconfess，however，IwassomewhatsurprisedattheeasewithwhichHiescapedhiswrath，andmysurprisewasinnowaylessenedwhenIsaw，laterintheevening，thetwopartnerswiththestrangertakingaquietdrinkoutofthesamebottlewithevidentmutualadmirationanddelight。
"You’reanA1corker，youare！I’llbeblankedifyouain’tabird——asingin’bird——areg’larcanary，"IheardHisaytoBill。
ButBill’sonlyreplywasalong，slowwinkwhichpassedintoafrownashecaughtmyeye。Mysuspicionwasarousedthatthesaleofthepintomightbearinvestigation，andthissuspicionwasdeepenedwhenGwennextweekgavemearapturousaccountofhowsplendidlyBillhaddisposedofthepinto，showingmebillsforonehundredandfiftydollars！Tomylookofamazement，Gwenreplied：
"Yousee，hemusthavegotthembiddingagainsteachother，andbesides，Billsayspintosaregoingup。"
Lightbegantodawnuponme，butIonlyansweredthatIknewtheyhadrisenveryconsiderablyinvaluewithinamonth。TheextrafiftywasBill’s。
IwasnotpresenttowitnessthefinishingofBill’sbluff，butwastoldthatwhenBillmadehiswaythroughthecrowdedaisleandlaidhisfivehundredandfiftydollarsontheschoolhousedeskthelookofdisgust，surpriseandfinallyofpleasureonRobbie’sface，wasworthahundredmore。ButRobbiewasreadyandputdownhistwohundredwiththesingleremark：
"Ay！ye’renoasdaftasyelook，"midroarsoflaughterfromall。
ThenThePilot，witheyesandfaceshining，roseandthankedthemall;butwhenhetoldofhowthelittlegirlinherlonelyshackinthehillsthoughtsomuchofthechurchthatshegaveupforitherbelovedpony，heronepossession，thelightfromhiseyesglowedintheeyesofall。
Butthemenfromtherancheswhocouldunderstandthefullmeaningofhersacrificeandwhoalsocouldrealizethefullmeasureofhercalamity，werestirredtotheirhearts’depths，sothatwhenBillremarkedinaverydistinctundertone，"IcherishtheopinionthatthishereGospelshopwouldn’tbematerializin’intoitspresentshapebutforthatleetlegel，"thererosegrowlsofapprovalinavarietyoftonesandexpletivesthatleftnodoubtthathisopinionwasthatofall。
ButthoughThePilotnevercouldquitegetatthetrueinwardnessofBill’smeasuresandmethods，andwasdoubtlessallthemorecomfortableinmindforthat，hehadnodoubtthatwhileGwen’sinfluencewasthemovingspringofaction，Bill’sbluffhadagooddealtodowiththe"materializin’"ofthefirstchurchinSwanCreek，andinthisconviction，Ishare。
WhethertheHon。FredeverunderstoodthepeculiarstyleofBill’sfinancing，Idonotquiteknow。Butifheeverdidcometoknow，hewasfartoomuchofamantomakeafuss。Besides，Ifancythesmileonhislady’sfacewasworthsomelargeamounttohim。Atleast，sothelookofproudandfondloveinhiseyesseemedtosayasheturnedawaywithherfromthefirethenightofthepinto’ssale。
CHAPTERXVIII
THELADYCHARLOTTE
Thenightofthepinto’ssalewasanightmomentoustoGwen，forthenitwasthattheLadyCharlotte’sinterestinherbegan。
Momentous，too，totheLadyCharlotte，foritwasthatnightthatbroughtThePilotintoherlife。
Ihadturnedbacktothefirearoundwhichthemenhadfallenintogroupspreparedtohaveanhour’ssoliddelight，forthescenewasfullofwildandpicturesquebeautytome，whenTheDukecameandtouchedmeontheshoulder。
"LadyCharlottewouldliketoseeyou。"
"Andwhy，pray？"
"ShewantstohearaboutthisaffairofBill’s。"
Wewentthroughthekitchenintothelargedining-room，atoneendofwhichwasastonechimneyandfireplace。LadyCharlottehaddeclaredthatshedidnotmuchcarewhatkindofahousetheHon。
Fredwouldbuildforher，butthatshemusthaveafireplace。
Shewasverybeautiful——tall，slightandgracefulineveryline。
Therewasareserveandagrandairinherbearingthatputpeopleinaweofher。ThisaweIshared;butasIenteredtheroomshewelcomedmewithsuchkindlygracethatIfeltquiteateaseinamoment。
"Comeandsitbyme，"shesaid，drawinganarmchairintothecircleaboutthefire。"Iwantyoutotellusallaboutagreatmanythings。"
"Youseewhatyou’reinfor，Connor，"saidherhusband。"Itisaseriousbusinesswhenmyladytakesoneinhand。"
"Asheknowstohiscost，"shesaid，smilingandshakingherheadatherhusband。
"SoIcantestify，"putinTheDuke。
"Ah！Ican’tdoanythingwithyou，"shereplied，turningtohim。
"Yourmostabjectslave，"herepliedwithaprofoundbow。
"Ifyouonlywere，"smilingathim——alittlesadly，Ithought——"I’dkeepyououtofallsortsofmischief。"
"Quitetrue，Duke，"saidherhusband，"justlookatme。"
TheDukegazedathimamomentortwo。"Wonderful！"hemurmured，"whatadeliverance！"
"Nonsense！"brokeinLadyCharlotte。"Youareturningmymindawayfrommypurpose。"
"Isitpossible，doyouthink？"saidTheDuketoherhusband。
"Notintheveryleast，"hereplied，"ifmyexperiencegoesforanything。"
ButLadyCharlotteturnedherbackuponthemandsaidtome：
"Now，tellmefirstaboutBill’sencounterwiththatfunnylittleScotchman。"
ThenItoldherthestoryofBill’sbluffinmybeststyle，imitating，asIhavesomesmallskillindoing，themannerandspeechofthevariousactorsinthescene。Shewasgreatlyamusedandinterested。
"AndBillhasreallygothisshareready，"shecried。"Itisverycleverofhim。"
"Yes，"Ireplied，"butBillisonlytheveryhumbleinstrument，themovingspiritisbehind。"
"Oh，yes，youmeanthelittlegirlthatownsthepony，"shesaid。
"That’sanotherthingyoumusttellmeabout。"
"TheDukeknowsmorethanI，"Ireplied，shiftingtheburdentohim;"myacquaintanceisonlyofyesterday;hisislifelong。"
"Whyhaveyounevertoldmeofher？"shedemanded，turningtotheDuke。
"Haven’tItoldyouofthelittleMeredithgirl？SurelyIhave，"
saidTheDuke，hesitatingly。
"Now，youknowquitewellyouhavenot，andthatmeansyouaredeeplyinterested。Oh，Iknowyouwell，"shesaid，severely。
"Heisthemostsecretiveman，"shewentontome，"shamefullyandungratefullyreserved。"
TheDukesmiled;thensaid，lazily："Why，she’sjustachild。Whyshouldyoubeinterestedinher？Noonewas，"headdedsadly，"tillmisfortunedistinguishedher。"
Hereyesgrewsoft，andhergaymannerchanged，andshesaidtoTheDukegently："Tellmeofhernow。"
Itwasevidentlyaneffort，buthebeganhisstoryofGwenfromthetimehesawherfirst，yearsago，playinginandoutofherfather’sramblingshack，shyandwildasayoungfox。Ashewentonwithhistale，hisvoicedroppedintoalow，musicaltone，andheseemedasifdreamingaloud。Unconsciouslyheputintothetalemuchofhimself，revealinghowgreataninfluencethelittlechildhadhaduponhim，andhowemptyoflovehislifehadbeeninthislonelyland。LadyCharlottelistenedwithfaceintentuponhim，andevenherbluffhusbandwasconsciousthatsomethingmorethanusualwashappening。HehadneverheardTheDukebreakthroughhisproudreservebefore。
ButwhenTheDuketoldthestoryofGwen’sawfulfall，whichhedidwithgreatgraphicpower，alittleredspotburnedupontheLadyCharlotte’spalecheek，and，asTheDukefinishedhistalewiththewords，"Itwasherlastride，"shecoveredherfacewithherhandsandcried：
"Oh，Duke，itishorribletothinkof！Butwhatsplendidcourage！"
"Greatstuff！eh，Duke？"criedtheHon。Fred，kickingaburninglogvigorously。
ButTheDukemadenoreply。
"Howisshenow，Duke？"saidLadyCharlotte。TheDukelookedupasfromadream。"Brightasthemorning，"hesaid。Then，inreplytoLadyCharlotte’slookofwonder，headded：
"ThePilotdidit。Connorwilltellyou。Idon’tunderstandit。"
"NordoI，either。ButIcantellyouonlywhatIsawandheard，"
Ianswered。
"Tellme，"saidLadyCharlotteverygently。
ThenItoldherhow，onebyone，wehadfailedtohelpher，andhowThePilothadriddenupthatmorningthroughthecanyon，andhowhehadbroughtthefirstlightandpeacetoherbyhismarvellouspicturesoftheflowersandfernsandtreesandallthewonderfulmysteriesofthatwonderfulcanyon。
"Butthatwasn’tall，"saidtheDukequickly，asIstopped。
"No，"Isaidslowly，"thatwasNOTallbyalongway;buttherestIdon’tunderstand。That’sThePilot’ssecret。"
"Tellmewhathedid，"saidLadyCharlotte，softly，oncemore。"I
wanttoknow。"
"Idon’tthinkIcan，"Ireplied。"HesimplyreadoutoftheScripturestoherandtalked。"
LadyCharlottelookeddisappointed。
"Isthatall？"shesaid。
"ItisquiteenoughforGwen，"saidTheDukeconfidently，"forthereshelies，oftensuffering，alwayslongingforthehillsandthefreeair，butwithherfaceradiantastheflowersofthebelovedcanyon。"
"Imustseeher，"saidLadyCharlotte，"andthatwonderfulPilot。"
"You’llbedisappointedinhim，"saidTheDuke。
"Oh，I’veseehimandheardhim，butIdon’tknowhim，"shereplied。"Theremustbesomethinginhimthatonedoesnotseeatfirst。"
"SoIhavediscovered，"saidTheDuke，andwiththatthesubjectwasdropped，butnotbeforetheLadyCharlottemademepromisetotakehertoGwen，TheDukebeingstrangelyunwillingtodothisforher。
"You’llbedisappointed，"hesaid。"Sheisonlyasimplelittlechild。"
ButLadyCharlottethoughtdifferently，and，havingmadeupherminduponthematter，therewasnothingforit，asherhusbandsaid，but"forallhandstosurrenderandthesoonerthebetter。"
AndsotheLadyCharlottehadherway，which，asitturnedout，wasmuchthewisestandbest。
CHAPTERXIX
THROUGHGWEN’SWINDOW
WhenItoldThePilotofLadyCharlotte’spurposetovisitGwen，hewasnottoowellpleased。
"WhatdoesshewantwithGwen？"hesaidimpatiently。"Shewilljustputnotionsintoherheadandmakethechilddiscontented。"
"Whyshouldshe？"saidI。
"Shewon’tmeanto，butshebelongstoanotherworld，andGwencannottalktoherwithoutgettingglimpsesofalifethatwillmakeherlongforwhatshecanneverhave，"saidThePilot。
"ButsupposeitisnotidlecuriosityinLadyCharlotte，"I
suggested。
"Idon’tsayitisquitethat，"heanswered，"butthesepeopleloveasensation。"
"Idon’tthinkyouknowLadyCharlotte，"Ireplied。"Ihardlythinkfromhertonetheothernightthatsheisasensationhunter。"
"Atanyrate，"heanswered，decidedly，"sheisnottoworrypoorGwen。"
Iwasalittlesurprisedathisattitude，andfeltthathewasunfairtoLadyCharlotte，butIforboretoarguewithhimonthematter。HecouldnotbeartothinkofanypersonorthingthreateningthepeaceofhisbelovedGwen。
TheveryfirstSaturdayaftermypromisewasgivenweweresurprisedtoseeLadyCharlotterideuptothedoorofourshackintheearlymorning。
"Yousee，Iamnotgoingtoletyouoff，"shesaid，asIgreetedher。"Andthedayissoveryfineforaride。"
Ihastenedtoapologizefornotgoingtoher，andthentogetoutofmydifficulty，rathermeanlyturnedtowardThePilot，andsaid：
"ThePilotdoesn’tapproveofourvisit。"
"Andwhynot，mayIask？"saidLadyCharlotte，liftinghereyebrows。
ThePilot’sfaceburned，partlywithwrathatme，andpartlywithembarrassment;forLadyCharlottehadputonhergrandair。Buthestoodtohisguns。
"Iwassaying，LadyCharlotte，"hesaid，lookingstraightintohereyes，"thatyouandGwenhavelittleincommon——and——and——"hehesitated。
"Littleincommon！"saidLadyCharlottequietly。"Shehassufferedgreatly。"
ThePilotwasquicktocatchthenoteofsadnessinhervoice。
"Yes，"hesaid，wonderingathertone，"shehassufferedgreatly。"
"And，"continuedLadyCharlotte，"sheisbrightasthemorning，TheDukesays。"Therewasalookofpaininherface。
ThePilot’sfacelitup，andhecamenearerandlaidhishandcaressinglyuponherbeautifulhorse。
"Yes，thankGod！"hesaidquickly，"brightasthemorning。"
"Howcanthatbe？"sheasked，lookingdownintohisface。"Perhapsshewouldtellme。"
"LadyCharlotte，"saidThePilotwithasuddenflush，"Imustaskyourpardon。Iwaswrong。Ithoughtyou——"hepaused;"butgotoGwen，shewilltellyou，andyouwilldohergood。"
"Thankyou，"saidLadyCharlotte，puttingoutherhand，"andperhapsyouwillcomeandseeme，too。"
ThePilotpromisedandstoodlookingafterusaswerodeupthetrail。
"ThereissomethingmoreinyourPilotthanatfirstappears，"shesaid。"TheDukewasquiteright。"
"Heisagreatman，"Isaidwithenthusiasm;"tenderasawomanandwiththeheartofahero。"
"YouandBillandTheDukeseemtoagreeabouthim，"shesaid，smiling。
ThenItoldhertalesofThePilot，andofhiswayswiththemen，tillherblueeyesgrewbrightandherbeautifulfacelostitsproudlook。
"Itisperfectlyamazing，"Isaid，finishingmystory，"howthesedevil-may-careroughfellowsrespecthim，andcometohiminallsortsoftrouble。Ican’tunderstandit，andyetheisjustaboy。"
"No，notamazing，"saidLadyCharlotteslowly。"IthinkI
understandit。Hehasatrueman’sheart;andholdsagreatpurposeinit。I’veseenmenlikethat。Notclergymen，Imean，butmenwithagreatpurpose。"
Then，afteramoment’sthought，sheadded："Butyououghttocareforhimbetter。Hedoesnotlookstrong。"
"Strong！"Iexclaimedquickly，withaqueerfeelingofresentmentatmyheart。"Hecandoasmuchridingasanyofus。"
"Still，"shereplied，"there’ssomethinginhisfacethatwouldmakehismotheranxious。"Inspiteofmyrepudiationofhersuggestion，Ifoundmyselfforthenextfewminutesthinkingofhowhewouldcomeexhaustedandfaintfromhislongrides，andI
resolvedthathemusthavearestandchange。
ItwasoneofthoseearlySeptemberdays，thebestofallinthewesterncountry，whenthelightfallslessfiercelythroughasofthazethatseemstofilltheairaboutyou，andthatgrowsintopurpleonthefarhilltops。Bythetimewereachedthecanyonthesunwasridinghighandpouringitsraysfullintoallthedeepnookswheretheshadowsmostlylay。
Therewerenoshadowsto-day，exceptsuchasthetreescastuponthegreenmossbedsandtheblackrocks。Thetopsofthetallelmsweresereandrusty，buttheleavesoftheruggedoaksthatfringedthecanyon’slipsshonearichandglossybrown。Alldownthesidesthepoplarsanddelicatebirches，paleyellow，butsometimesflushingintoorangeandred，stoodshimmeringinthegoldenlight，whilehereandtherethebroad-spreading，featherysumachsmadegreatsplashesofbrilliantcrimsonupontheyellowandgold。Downinthebottomstoodthecedarsandthebalsams，stillgreen。Westoodsomemomentssilentlygazingintothistangleofinterlacingboughsandshimmeringleaves，allglowinginyellowlight，thenLadyCharlottebrokethesilenceintonessoftandreverentasifshestoodinagreatcathedral。
"AndthisisGwen’scanyon！"
"Yes，butsheneverseesitnow，"Isaid，forIcouldneverridethroughwithoutthinkingofthechildtowhoseheartthiswassodear，butwhoseeyesneverresteduponit。LadyCharlottemadenoreply，andwetookthetrailthatwounddownintothismazeofminglingcolorsandlightsandshadows。Everywherelaythefallenleaves，brownandyellowandgold;——everywhereonourtrail，onthegreenmossesandamongthedeadferns。Andaswerode，leavesfluttereddownfromthetreesabovesilentlythroughthetangledboughs，andlaywiththeothersonmossandrockandbeatentrail。
Theflowerswereallgone;buttheLittleSwansangaseveritsmany-voicedsong，asitflowedinpoolsandeddiesandcascades，withhereandthereagoldenleafuponitsblackwaters。Ah！howofteninweary，dustydaysthesesightsandsoundsandsilenceshavecometomeandbroughtmyheartrest！
Aswebegantoclimbupintotheopen，Iglancedatmycompanion’sface。Thecanyonhaddoneitsworkwithheraswithallwholovedit。Thetouchofpridethatwasthehabitofherfacewasgone，andinitsplacerestedtheearnestwonderofalittlechild，whileinhereyeslaythecanyon’stenderglow。AndwiththisfaceshelookedinuponGwen。
AndGwen，whohadbeenwaitingforher，forgotallhernervousfear，andwithhandsoutstretched，criedoutinwelcome：
"Oh，I’msoglad！You’veseenitandIknowyouloveit！Mycanyon，youknow！"shewenton，answeringLadyCharlotte’smystifiedlook。
"Yes，dearchild，"saidLadyCharlotte，bendingoverthepalefacewithitshaloofgoldenhair，"Iloveit。"Butshecouldgetnofurther，forhereyeswerefulloftears。Gwengazedupintothebeautifulface，wonderingathersilence，andthensaidgently：
"Tellmehowitlooksto-day！ThePilotalwaysshowsittome。Doyouknow，"sheadded，thoughtfully，"ThePilotlookslikeithimself。Hemakesmethinkofit，and——and——"shewentonshyly，"youdo，too。"
BythistimeLadyCharlottewaskneelingbythecouch，smoothingthebeautifulhairandgentlytouchingthefacesopaleandlinedwithpain。
"Thatisagreathonor，truly，"shesaidbrightlythroughhertears——"tobelikeyourcanyonandlikeyourPilot，too。"
Gwennodded，butshewasnottobedenied。
"Tellmehowitlooksto-day，"shesaid。"Iwanttoseeit。Oh，I
wanttoseeit！"
LadyCharlottewasgreatlymovedbytheyearninginthevoice，but，controllingherself，shesaidgaily：
"Oh，Ican’tshowittoyouasyourPilotcan，butI’lltellyouwhatIsaw。"
"TurnmewhereIcansee，"saidGwentome，andIwheeledhertowardthewindowandraisedherupsothatshecouldlookdownthetrailtowardthecanyon’smouth。
"Now，"shesaid，afterthepainoftheliftinghadpassed，"tellme，please。"
ThenLadyCharlottesetthecanyonbeforeherinrichandradiantcoloring，whileGwenlistened，gazingdownuponthetrailtowheretheelmtopscouldbeseen，rustyandsere。
"Oh，itislovely！"saidGwen，"andIseeitsowell。ItisalltherebeforemewhenIlookthroughmywindow。"
ButLadyCharlottelookedather，wonderingtoseeherbrightsmile，andatlastshecouldnothelpthequestion：
"Butdon’tyouwearytoseeitwithyourowneyes？"
"Yes，"saidGwengently，"oftenIwantandwantit，oh，somuch！"
"Andthen，Gwen，dear，howcanyoubearit？"Hervoicewaseagerandearnest。"Tellme，Gwen。Ihaveheardallaboutyourcanyonflowers，butIcan’tunderstandhowthefrettingandthepainwentaway。"
Gwenlookedatherfirstinamazement，andthenindawningunderstanding。
"Haveyouacanyon，too？"sheasked，gravely。
LadyCharlottepausedamoment，thennodded。Itdidappearstrangetomethatsheshouldbreakdownherproudreserveandopenherhearttothischild。
"Andtherearenoflowers，Gwen，notone，"shesaidratherbitterly，"norsunnorseedsnorsoil，Ifear。"
"Oh，ifThePilotwerehere，hewouldtellyou。"
Atthispoint，feelingthattheywouldratherbealone，Iexcusedmyselfonthepretextoflookingafterthehorses。
WhattheytalkedofduringthenexthourIneverknew，butwhenI
returnedtotheroomLadyCharlottewasreadingslowlyandwithperplexedfacetoGwenoutofhermother’sBiblethewords"forthesufferingofdeath，crownedwithgloryandhonor。"
"YouseeevenforHim，suffering，"Gwensaideagerly，"butIcan’texplain。ThePilotwillmakeitclear。"Thenthetalkended。
WehadlunchwithGwen——bannocksandfreshsweetmilkandblueberries——andafteranhourofgayfunwecameaway。
LadyCharlottekissedhertenderlyasshebadeGwengood-by。
"Youmustletmecomeagainandsitatyourwindow，"shesaid，smilingdownuponthewanface。
"Oh，Ishallwatchforyou。Howgoodthatwillbe！"criedGwen，delightedly。"Howmanycometoseeme！Youmakefive。"Thensheadded，softly："Youwillwriteyourletter。"ButLadyCharlotteshookherhead。
"Ican’tdothat，Ifear，"shesaid，"butIshallthinkofit。"
Itwasabrightfacethatlookedoutuponusthroughtheopenwindowaswerodedownthetrail。Justbeforewetookthedipintothecanyon，Iturnedtowavemyhand。
"Gwen’sfriendsalwayswavefromhere，"Isaid，wheelingmybronco。
AgainandagainLadyCharlottewavedherhandkerchief。
"Howbeautiful，buthowwonderful！"shesaidasiftoherself。
"Truly，HERcanyonisfullofflowers。"
"Itisquitebeyondme，"Ianswered。"ThePilotmayexplain。"
"IsthereanythingyourPilotcan’tdo？"saidLadyCharlotte。
"Tryhim，"Iventured。
"Imeanto，"shereplied，"butIcannotbringanyonetomycanyon，Ifear，"sheaddedinanuncertainvoice。
AsIleftheratherdoorshethankedmewithcourteousgrace。
"Youhavedoneagreatdealforme，"shesaid，givingmeherhand。
"Ithasbeenabeautiful，awonderfulday。"
WhenItoldthePilotalltheday’sdoings，heburstout：
"Whatastupidandself-righteousfoolIhavebeen！Ineverthoughttherecouldbeanycanyoninherlife。Howshortoursightis！"andallthatnightIcouldgetalmostnowordsfromhim。
ThatwasthefirstofmanyvisitstoGwen。NotaweekpassedbutLadyCharlottetookthetrailtotheMeredithranchandspentanhouratGwen’swindow。OftenThePilotfoundherthere。Butthoughtheywerealwayspleasanthourstohim，hewouldcomehomeingreattroubleaboutLadyCharlotte。
"SheisperfectlycharminganddoingGwennoendofgood，butsheisproudasanarchangel。Hashadanawfulbreakwithherfamilyathome，anditisspoilingherlife。Shetoldmesomuch，butshewillallownoonetotouchtheaffair。"
Butonedaywemetherridingtowardthevillage。Aswedrewnear，shedrewupherhorseandheldupaletter。
"Home！"shesaid。"Iwroteitto-day，andImustgetitoffimmediately。"
ThePilotunderstoodheratonce，butheonlysaid：
"Good！"butwithsuchemphasisthatwebothlaughed。
"Yes，Ihopeso，"shesaidwiththeredbeginningtoshowinhercheek。"Ihavedroppedsomeseedintomycanyon。"
"IthinkIseetheflowersbeginningtospring，"saidThePilot。
Sheshookherheaddoubtfullyandreplied：
"IshallrideupandsitwithGwenatherwindow。"
"Do，"repliedThePilot，"thelightisgoodthere。WonderfulthingsaretobeseenthroughGwen’swindow。"
"Yes，"saidLadyCharlottesoftly。"DearGwen！——butIfearitisoftenmadebrightwithtears。"
Asshespokeshewheeledherhorseandcanteredoff，forherowntearswerenotfaraway。Ifollowedherinthoughtupthetrailwindingthroughtheround-toppedhillsanddownthroughthegoldenlightsofthecanyonandintoGwen’sroom。Icouldseethepaleface，withitsgoldenaureole，lightupandglow，astheysatbeforethewindowwhileLadyCharlottewouldtellherhowGwen’sCanyonlookedto-dayandhowinherownbleakcanyontherewasthesignofflowers。
CHAPTERXX
HOWBILLFAVORED"HOME-GROWNINDUSTRIES"
ThebuildingoftheSwanCreekChurchmadeasensationinthecountry，andallthemorethatBroncoBillwasincommand。
"WhenIputupmoneyIstaywiththegame，"heannounced;andstayhedid，tothegreatbenefitoftheworkandtothedelightofThePilot，whowaswearinghislifeoutintryingtodoseveralmen’swork。ItwasBillthatorganizedthegangsforhaulingstoneforthefoundationandlogsforthewalls。ItwasBillthatassignedthevariousjobstothosevolunteeringservice。ToRobbieMuirandtwostalwartGlengarrymenfromtheOttawalumberregion，whoknewallaboutthebroadaxe，hegavethehewingdownofthelogsthatformedthewalls。Andwhentheyhaddone，Billdeclaredtheywere"better’anasawmill。"ItwasBill，too，thatdidthefinancing，andhispassagewithWilliams，thestorekeeperfrom"theotherside"whodealtinlumberandbuildingmaterial，wassuchasestablishedforeverBill’sreputationinfinance。
WithThePilot’splansinhishandshewenttoWilliams，seizingatimewhenthestorewasfullofmenaftertheirmailmatter。
"Whatdoyouthinkovthemplans？"heaskedinnocently。
Williamswasvolublewithopinionsandcriticismandsuggestions，allofwhichweregratefully，evenhumblyreceived。
"Kindovhardtofiggeroutjesthowmuchlumber’llgointotheshack，"saidBill;"yeseethelogsmakesadifference。"
ToWilliamsthethingwassimplicityitself，and，aftersomefiguring，hehandedBillacompletestatementoftheamountoflumberofallkindsthatwouldberequired。
"Now，whatwouldthattherecometo？"
Williamsnamedhisfigure，andthenBillentereduponnegotiations。
"Iaintnomantobeatdownprices。No，sir，Isaygiveamanhisfigger。Ofcourse，thishereaintmyfuneral;besides，bein’aGospelshop，thepricenaterallywouldbedifferent。"TothistheboysallassentedandWilliamslookeduncomfortable。
"Infact，"andBilladoptedhispublictonetoHi’sadmirationandjoy，"thishere’sapublicinstitooshun"（thiswasWilliams’ownthunder），"condoocin’tothegoodofthecommunity"（Hislappedhisthighandsquirtedhalfwayacrossthestoretosignifyhisentireapproval，"andIcherishtheopinion"——（delightedchucklefromHi）——
"thatpublicmenareinterestedinthisconcern。"
"That’sso！Rightyouare！"chorusedtheboysgravely。
Williamsagreed，butdeclaredhehadthoughtofallthisinmakinghiscalculation。Butseeingitwasachurch，andthefirstchurchandtheirownchurch，hewouldmakeacut，whichhedidaftermorefiguring。Billgravelytooktheslipofpaperandputitintohispocketwithoutaword。Bytheendoftheweek，havinginthemeantimeriddenintotownandinterviewedthedealersthere，BillsaunteredintothestoreandtookuphispositionremotefromWilliams。
"You’llbewantingthatsheeting，won’tyou，nextweek，Bill？"saidWilliams。
"Whatsheetin’’sthat？"
"Why，forthechurch。Aintthelogsup？"
"Yes，that’sso。Iwasjustgoin’toseetheboyshereaboutgettin’ithauled，"saidBill。
"Hauled！"saidWilliams，inamazedindignation。"Aintyougoin’tosticktoyourdeal？"
"Igenerallymakeitmycustomtosticktomydeals，"saidBill，lookingstraightatWilliams。
"Well，whataboutyourdealwithmelastMondaynight？"saidWilliams，angrily。
"Let’ssee。LastMondaynight，"saidBill，apparentlythinkingback;"can’tsayasIrememberanyperticklerdeal。Anyovyoufellersremember？"
Noonecouldrecallanydeal。
"Youdon’tremembergettinganypaperfromme，Isuppose？"saidWilliams，sarcastically。
"Paper！Why，IbelieveI’vegotthattherepaperontomypersonatthispresentmoment，"saidBill，divingintohispocketanddrawingoutWilliams’estimate。Hespentafewmomentsincarefulscrutiny。
"Thereain’tnodealontothisasIcansee，"saidBill，gravelypassingthepapertotheboys，whoeachscrutinizeditandpasseditonwithashakeoftheheadoraremarkastotheabsenceofanysignofadeal。Williamschangedhistone。Forhispart，hewasindifferentinthematter。
ThenBillmadehimanoffer。
"Ovcourse，Ibelieveinsupportin’home-grownindustries，andifyoucantouchmyfiggerI’dbeuncommonlygladtogiveyouthecontract。"
ButBill’sfigure，whichwasquitefiftypercent。lowerthanWilliams’bestoffer，wasrejectedasquiteimpossible。
"ThoughtI’dmakeyoutheoffer，"saidBill，carelessly，"seein’asyou’reinstitootin’thetradeandtheboyshere’llallbebuildin’
moreorless，andIbelieveinstandin’upforlocaltradesandmanufactures。"Therewerenodsofapprovalonallsides，andWilliamswasforcedtoaccept，forBillbeganarrangingwiththeHillbrothersandHitomakeanearlystartonMonday。Itwasagreattriumph，butBilldisplayednosignofelation;hewasratherfullofsympathyforWilliams，andeagertohelponthelumberbusinessasalocal"institooshun。"
SecondincommandinthechurchbuildingenterprisestoodLadyCharlotte，andunderherlaboredtheHon。Fred，TheDuke，and，indeed，allthecompanyoftheNobleSeven。Herhomebecamethecentreofanewtypeofsociallife。Withexquisitetact，andmuchwasneededforthiskindofwork，shedrewthebachelorsfromtheirlonelyshacksandfromtheirwildcarousals，andgavethematasteofthejoysofapurehome-life，thefirsttheyhadhadsinceleavingtheoldhomesyearsago。AndthenshemadethemworkforthechurchwithsuchzealanddiligencethatherhusbandandTheDukedeclaredthatranchinghadbecomequiteanincidentalinterestsincethechurch-buildinghadbegun。ButThePilotwentaboutwitharadiantlookonhispaleface，whileBillgaveitforthashisopinion，"thoughshewasaleetlehighintheaction，shecouldhitanuncommongait。"
WithsuchenergydidBillpushtheworkofconstructionthatbythefirstofDecemberthechurchstoodroofed，sheeted，flooredandreadyforwindows，doorsandceiling，sothatThePilotbegantohopethatheshouldseethedesireofhisheartfulfilled——thechurchofSwanCreekopenfordivineserviceonChristmasDay。
Duringtheseweekstherewasmorethanchurch-buildinggoingon，forwhilethedaysweregiventotheshapingoflogs，andthedrivingofnailsandtheplaningofboards，thelongwintereveningswerespentintalkaroundthefireinmyshack，whereThePilotforsomemonthspasthadmadehishomeandwhereBill，sincethebeginningofthechurchbuilding，hadcome"tocamp。"ThoseweregreatnightsforThePilotandBill，and，indeed，forme，too，andtheotherboys，who，afteraday’sworkonthechurch，werealwaysbroughtinbyBillorThePilot。
Greatnightsforusalltheywere。Afterbaconandbeansandbannocks，andoccasionallypotatoes，andrarelyapudding，withcoffee，richandsteaming，towashalldown，pipeswouldfollow，andthenyarnsofadventures，possibleandimpossible，allexcitingandwonderful，andallreceivedwiththegreatestcredulity。
If，however，thepowersofbeliefwereputtotoogreatastrainbyataleofmorethanordinarymarvel，Billwouldfollowwithoneofsuchutterimpossibilitythatthecompanywouldfeelthatthelimithadbeenreached，andtheyarnswouldcease。ButafterthefirstweekmostofthetimewasgiventoThePilot，whowouldreadtousofthedeedsofthemightymenofold，whohadmadeandwreckedempires。
Whathappynightstheyweretothosecowboys，whohadbeencastuplikedriftwooduponthisstrangeandlonelyshore！Someofthemhadneverknownwhatitwastohaveathoughtbeyondtheworkandsportoftheday。AndtheworldintowhichThePilotwasusheringthemwasallnewandwonderfultothem。Happynights，withoutacare，butthatThePilotwouldnotgettheghastlylookoutofhisface，andlaughedattheideaofgoingawaytillthechurchwasbuilt。And，indeed，wewouldallhavesorelymissedhim，andsohestayed。
CHAPTERXXI。
HOWBILLHITTHETRAIL
When"thecrowd"waswithusThePilotreadusallsortsoftalesofadventuresinalllandsbyheroesofallages，butwhenwethreesattogetherbyourfireThePilotwouldalwaysreadustalesoftheheroesofsacredstory，andthesedelightedBillmorethanthoseofanyoftheancientempiresofthepast。Hehadhisfavorites。Abraham，Moses，Joshua，Gideon，neverfailedtoarousehisadmiration。ButJacobwastohimalways"ameancuss，"andDavidhecouldnotappreciate。MostofallheadmiredMosesandtheApostlePaul，whomhecalled"thatlittlechap。"But，whenthereadingwasabouttheOneGreatManthatmovedmajesticamidthegospelstories，Billmadenocomments;Hewastoohighforapproval。
ByandbyBillbegantotellthesetalestotheboys，andonenight，whenaquietmoodhadfallenuponthecompany，Billbrokethesilence。
"Say，Pilot，wherewasitthatthelittlechapgotmixedupintothatriot？"
"Riot！"saidThePilot。
"Yes;yourememberwhenhestoodoffthewholegangfromthestairs？"
"Oh，yes，atJerusalem！"
"Yes，that’sthespot。Perhapsyouwouldreadthattotheboys。
Goodyarn！Littlechap，youknow，stoodupandtold’emtheywereallsortsofblankedthievesandcut-throats，andstood’emoff。
Playeditalone，too。"
Mostoftheboysfailedtorecognizethestoryinitsnewdress。
Therewasmuchinterest。
"Whowastheduck？Whowasthegang？Whatwastherowabout？"
"ThePilothere’lltellyou。Ifyou’dkindo’give’emaleadbeforeyoubegin，they’dcatchontotheyarnbetter。"ThislasttoThePilot，whowaspreparingtoread。
"Well，itwasatJerusalem，"beganThePilot，whenBillinterrupted：
"IfImightremark，perhapsitmighthelptheboysontothetrailmebbe，ifyou’dtell’emhowthelittlechapstruckhisnewgait。"
SohedesignatedtheApostle’sconversion。
ThenThePilotintroducedtheApostlewithsomeformalitytothecompany，describingwithsuchvividtoucheshislifeandearlytraining，hissuddenwrenchfromallhehelddear，underthestressofanewconviction，hismagnificententhusiasmandcourage，histendernessandpatience，thatIwassurprisedtofindmyselfregardinghimasasortofhero，andtheboyswereallreadytobackhimagainstanyodds。AsThePilotreadthestoryoftheArrestatJerusalem，stoppingnowandthentopicturethescene，wesawitallandwereinthethickofit。Theragingcrowdhustlingandbeatingthelifeoutofthebravelittleman，thesuddenthrustofthedisciplinedRomanguardthroughthemass，therescue，thepauseonthestairway，thecalmfaceofthelittleherobeckoningforahearing，thequietingofthefrantic，frothingmob，thefearlessspeech——allpassedbeforeus。Theboyswerethrilled。
"Goodstuff，eh？"
"Ain’theadaisy？"
"Daisy！He’sawholesunflowerpatch！"
"Yes，"drawledBill，highlyappreciatingtheirmarksofapproval。
"That’swhatIcallaparticklerfinecharacterofaman。Thereain’tnomannerofinsecksontohim。"
"Youbet！"saidHi。
"Isay，"brokeinoneoftheboys，whowasjustemergingfromthetenderfootstage，"o’coursethat’sintheBible，ain’tit？"
ThePilotassented。
"Well，howdoyouknowit’strue？"
ThePilotwasproceedingtoelaboratehisargumentwhenBillcutinsomewhatmoreabruptlythanwashiswont。
"Lookhere，youngfeller！"Bill’svoicewasinthetoneofcommand。Themanlookedashewasbid。"Howdoyouknowanything’strue？HowdoyouknowThePilothere’struewhenhespeaks？Can’tyoutellbythefeel？Youknowbythesoundofhisvoice，don’tyou？"Billpausedandtheyoungfellowagreedreadily。
"Wellhowdoyouknowablankedsonofashejackasswhenyouseehim？"AgainBillpaused。Therewasnoreply。
"Well，"saidBill，resuminghisdeliberatedrawl。"I’llgiveyoutheinformationwithoutextracharge。It’sbythesoundhemakeswhenheopenshisblankedjaw。"
"But，"wentontheyoungskeptic，nettledatthelaughthatwentround，"thatdon’tproveanything。Youknow，"turningtoThePilot，"thatthereareheapsofpeoplewhodon’tbelievetheBible。"
ThePilotnodded。
"Someofthesmartest，best-educatedmenareagnostics，"proceededtheyoungman，warmingtohistheme，andfailingtonoticethestiffeningofBill’slankfigure。"Idon’tknowbutwhatIamonemyself。"
"Thatso？"saidBill，withsuddeninterest。
"Iguessso，"wasthemodestreply。
"Gotitbad？"wentonBill，withanoteofanxietyinhistone。
ButtheyoungmanturnedtoThePilotandtriedtoopenafreshargument。
"Whateverhe’sgot，"saidBilltotheothers，inamildvoice，"it’sspoilin’hismanners。"
"Yes，"wentonBill，meditatively，aftertheslightlaughhaddied，"it’sruinin’tothejudgment。Hedon’tseemtoknowwhenheinterfereswiththegame。Pity，too。"
Stilltheargumentwenton。
"Seemsasifheoughttotakesomethin’，"saidBill，inavoicesuspiciouslymild。"Whatwouldyousuggest？"
"Awalk，mebbe！"saidHi，indelightedexpectation。
"Iholdtheopinionthatyouhavementionedanuncommonlyvallableremedy，better’nPainKilleralmost。"
Billroselanguidly。
"Isay，"hedrawled，tappingtheyoungfellow，"itappearstomealittlewalkwouldperhapsbegood，mebbe。"
"Allright，waittillIgetmycap，"wastheunsuspectingreply。
"Idon’tthinkperhapsyouwon’tneedit，mebbe。Icherishtheopinionyou’ll，perhaps，bewarmenough。"Bill’svoicehadunconsciouslypassedintoasternertone。Hiwasonhisfeetandatthedoor。
"ThishereinterviewisprivateANDconfidential，"saidBilltohispartner。
"Exactly，"saidHi，openingthedoor。Atthistheyoungfellow，whowasastrappingsix-footer，butsoftandflabby，drewbackandrefusedtogo。Hewastoolate。Bill’sgripwasonhiscollarandouttheywentintothesnow，andbehindthemHiclosedthedoor。
Invaintheyoungfellowstruggledtowrenchhimselffreefromthehandsthathadhimbytheshoulderandthebackoftheneck。I
tookitallinfromthewindow。Hemighthavebeenaboyforalltheeffecthisplungingshaduponthelong，sinewyarmsthatgrippedhimsofiercely。Afteraminute’sfuriousstruggletheyoungfellowstoodquiet，whenBillsuddenlyshiftedhisgripfromtheshouldertotheseatofhisbuckskintrousers。Thenbeganaseriesofevolutionsbeforethehouse——upanddown，forwardandback，whichtheunfortunatevictim，withhandswildlyclutchingatemptyair，wasquitepowerlesstoresisttillhewasbroughtuppantingandgasping，subdued，toastandstill。
"I’lllarnyouagnosticsandseveralotherkindsofticks，"saidBill，inaterriblevoice，hisdrawllengtheningperceptibly。
"Comeroundhere，willyou，andshoveyourblankedsecond-handedtrashdownourthroats？"Billpausedtogetwords;then，burstingoutinrisingwrath：
"Thereain’tnosootablewordsforsichconduct。Bythelivin’
Jeminy——"Hesuddenlyswunghisprisoneroffhisfeet，liftedhimbodily，andheldhimoverhisheadatarm’slength。"I’veanotionto——"
"Don’t！don’t！forHeaven’ssake！"criedthestrugglingwretch，"I’llstopit！Iwill！"
Billatonceloweredhimandsethimonhisfeet。
"Allright！Shake！"hesaid，holdingouthishand，whichtheothertookwithcaution。
Itwasaremarkablysuddenconversionandlastinginitseffects。
TherewasnomoreagnosticisminthelittlegroupthatgatheredaroundThePilotforthenightlyreading。
Theinterestinthereadingkeptgrowingnightbynight。
"SeemsasifThePilotwasgittin’inhiswork，"saidBilltome;
andlookingatthegrave，eagerfaces，Iagreed。HewasgettinginhisworkwithBill，too;thoughperhapsBilldidnotknowit。I
rememberonenight，whentheothershadgone，ThePilotwasreadingtoustheParableoftheTalents，Billwasparticularlyinterestedintheservantwhofailedinhisduty。
"Ornerycuss，eh？"heremarked;"andgall，too，eh？Servedhimblamedwellright，inmyopinion！"
Butwhenthepracticalbearingoftheparablebecamecleartohim，afterlongsilence，hesaid，slowly：
"Well，thatthereseemstoindicatethatit’sabouttimeformetogetarustleon。"Then，afteranothersilence，hesaid，hesitatingly，"Thisherechurch-buildin’businessnow，doyouthinkthat’llperhapscount，mebbe？Iguessnot，eh？’Tain’tmuch，o’
course，anyway。"PoorBill，hewaslikeachild，andThePilothandledhimwithamother’stouch。
"Whatareyoubestat，Bill？"
"Bronco-bustin’andcattle，"saidBill，wonderingly;"that’smyline。"
"Well，Bill，mylineispreachingjustnow，andpiloting，youknow。"ThePilot’ssmilewaslikeasunbeamonarainyday，forthereweretearsinhiseyesandvoice。"Andwehavejustgottobefaithful。Youseewhathesays：’Welldone，goodandFAITHFUL
servant。ThouhastbeenFAITHFUL。’"
Billwaspuzzled。
"Faithful！"herepeated。"Doesthatmeanwiththecattle，perhaps？"
"Yes，that’sjustit，Bill，andwitheverythingelsethatcomesyourway。"
AndBillneverforgotthatlesson，forIheardhim，withakindofquietenthusiasm，givingittoHiasagreatfind。"Now，Icallthatafairdeal，"hesaidtohisfriend;"giveseverymanashow。
Nocardsupthesleeve。"
"That’sso，"wasHi’sthoughtfulreply;"distributesthetrumps。"
SomehowBillcametoberegardedasanauthorityuponquestionsofreligionandmorals。Nooneeveraccusedhimof"gettin’
religion。"Hewentabouthisworkinhisslow，quietway，buthewasalwayssharinghisdiscoverieswith"theboys。"AndifanyonepuzzledhimwithsubtletiesheneverrestedtillhehadhimfacetofacewithThePilot。Andsoitcamethatthesetwodrewtoeachotherwithmorethanbrotherlyaffection。WhenBillgotintodifficultywithproblemsthathavevexedthesoulsofmenfarwiserthanhe，ThePilotwouldeitherdisentangletheknotsorwouldturnhismindtotheveritiesthatstoodoutsureandclear，andBillwouldbecontent。
"That’sgoodenoughforme，"hewouldsay，andhisheartwouldbeatrest。
CHAPTERXXII
HOWTHESWANCREEKCHURCHWASOPENED
When，neartheendoftheyear，ThePilotfellsick，BillnursedhimlikeamotherandsenthimoffforarestandchangetoGwen，forbiddinghimtoreturntillthechurchwasfinishedandvisitinghimtwiceaweek。Thelovebetweenthetwowasmostbeautiful，and，whenIfindmyheartgrowhardandunbelievinginmenandthings，IletmymindwanderbacktoascenethatIcameuponinfrontofGwen’shouse。Thesetwowerestandingaloneintheclearmoonlight，BillwithhishanduponThePilot’sshoulder，andThePilotwithhisarmaroundBill’sneck。
"DearoldBill，"ThePilotwassaying，"dearoldBill，"andthevoicewasbreakingintoasob。AndBill，standingstiffandstraight，lookedupatthestars，coughedandswallowedhardforsomemoments，andsaid，inaqueer，croakyvoice：
"Shouldn’twonderifaChinookwouldblowup。"
"Chinook？"laughedThePilot，withacatchinhisvoice。"Youdearoldhumbug，"andhestoodwatchingtillthelankformswayeddownintothecanyon。
Thedayofthechurchopeningcame，asalldays，howeverlongwaitedfor，willcome——abright，beautifulChristmasDay。Theairwasstillandfulloffrostylight，asifarrestedbyavoiceofcommand，waitingthewordtomove。Thehillslayundertheirdazzlingcoverlets，asleep。Backofall，thegreatpeaksliftedmajesticheadsoutofthedarkforestsandgazedwithcalm，steadfastfacesuponthewhite，sunlitworld。To-day，asthelightfilledupthecracksthatwrinkledtheirhardfaces，theyseemedtosmile，asiftheChristmasjoyhadsomehowmovedsomethingintheirold，stonyhearts。
Thepeoplewereallthere——farmers，ranchers，cowboys，wivesandchildren——allhappy，allproudoftheirnewchurch，andnowallexpectant，waitingforThePilotandtheOldTimer，whoweretodrivedownifThePilotwasfitandweretobringGwenifthedaywasfine。Asthetimepassedon，Bill，asmasterofceremonies，begantogrowuneasy。ThenIndianJoeappearedandhandedanotetoBill。Hereadit，grewgrayinthefaceandpassedittome。
Looking，Isawinpoor，waveringlinesthewords，"DearBill。Goonwiththeopening。SingthePsalm，youknowtheone，andsayaprayer，andoh，cometomequick，Bill。YourPilot。"
Billgraduallypulledhimselftogether，announcedinastrangevoice，"ThePilotcan’tcome，"handedmethePsalm，andsaid：
"Makethemsing。"
ItwasthatgrandPsalmforallhillpeoples，"Itothehillswillliftmineeyes，"andwithwonderingfacestheysangthestrong，steadyingwords。AfterthePsalmwasoverthepeoplesatandwaited，BilllookedattheHon。FredAshley，thenatRobbieMuir，thensaidtomeinalowvoice：
"Kinyoumakeaprayer？"
Ishookmyhead，ashamedasIdidsoofmycowardice。
AgainBillpaused，thensaid：
"ThePilotsaysthere’sgottobeaprayer。Kinanyonemakeone？"
Againdead，solemnsilence。
ThenHi，whowasneartheback，said，comingtohispartner’shelp：
"What’sthematterwithyoutrying，yourself，Bill？"
TheredbegantocomeupinBill’swhiteface。
"’Taintinmyline。ButThePilotsaysthere’sgottobeaprayer，andI’mgoingtostaywiththegame。"Then，leaningonthepulpit，hesaid：
"Let’spray，"andbegan：
"GodAlmighty，Iain’tnogoodatthis，andperhapsyou’llunderstandifIdon’tputthingsright。"Thenapausefollowed，duringwhichIheardsomeofthewomenbeginningtosob。
"WhatIwanttosay，"Billwenton，"is，we’remightygladaboutthischurch，whichweknowit’syouandThePilotthat’sworkedit。
Andwe’reallgladtochipin。"
Thenagainhepaused，and，lookingup，Isawhishard，grayfaceworkingandtwotearsstealingdownhischeeks。Thenhestartedagain：
"ButaboutThePilot——Idon’twanttopersoom——butifyoudon’tmind，we’dliketohavehimstay——infact，don’tseehowwekindowithouthim——lookatalltheboyshere;he’sjustgettinghisworkinandisbringin’’emrightalong，and，GodAlmighty，ifyoutakehimawayitmightbeagoodthingforhimself，butforus——oh，God，"thevoicequiveredandwassilent"Amen。"
Thensomeone，IthinkitmusthavebeentheLadyCharlotte，began：
"OurFather，"andalljoinedthatcouldjoin，totheend。ForafewmomentsBillstoodup，lookingatthemsilently。Then，asifrememberinghisduty，hesaid：
"Thisherechurchisopen。Excuseme。"
Hestoodatthedoor，gaveawordofdirectiontoHi，whohadfollowedhimout，andleapingonhisbroncoshookhimoutintoahardgallop。
TheSwanCreekChurchwasopened。Theformofservicemaynothavebeencorrect，but，ifgreatlovecountsforanythingandappealingfaith，thenallthatwasnecessarywasdone。
CHAPTERXXIII
THEPILOT’SLASTPORT
IntheoldtimesafuneralwasregardedintheSwanCreekcountryasakindofsolemnfestivity。Inthosedays，forthemostpart，mendiedintheirbootsandwereplantedwithmuchhonorandloyallibation。Therewasoftenneithershroudnorcoffin，andintheFarWestmanyapoorfellowliesashefell，wrappedinhisownorhiscomrade’sblanket。
ItwasthemanageroftheXLCompany’sranchthatintroducedcrape。Theoccasionwasthefuneralofoneoftheranchcowboys，killedbyhisbronco，butwhenthepall-bearersandmournersappearedwithbandsandstreamersofcrape，thiswasvotedbythemajorityas"toogay。"Thatcircumstancealonewassufficienttorenderthatfuneralfamous，butitwasremembered，too，ashavingshockedtheproprietiesinanotherandmoreseriousmanner。Noonewouldbesonarrow-mindedastoobjecttothecustomofthereturnprocessionfallingintoaseriesofhorse-racesofthewildestdescription，andendingupatLatour’sinageneralriot。Buttoracewiththecorpsewasconsideredbadform。The"corpse-driver，"
ashewascalled，couldhardlybeblamedonthisoccasion。Hisacknowledgedplacewasattheheadoftheprocession，anditwasapointofhonorthatthatplaceshouldberetained。ThefaultclearlylaywiththedriveroftheXLranchsleigh，containingthemourners（aninnovation，bytheway），whofeltaggrievedthatHiKendal，drivingtheAshleyteamwiththepall-bearers（anotherinnovation），shouldbegiventheplaceofhonornextthecorpse。
TheXLdriverwantedtoknowwhat，inthenameofallthatwasblackandblue，theAshleyRanchhadtodowiththefuneral？Whosewasthatcorpse，anyway？Didn’titbelongtotheXLranch？Hi，ontheotherhand，contendedthatthecorpsewasinchargeofthepall-bearers。"Itwastheirdutytoseeitrighttothegrave，andiftheywerenotonhand，howwasitgoin’togetthere？Theydidn’texpectitwouldgitupandgettherebyitself，didthey？
Hididn’twantnoblankedmournersfoolin’roundthatcorptillitwasproperlyplanted;afterthattheymightgitintheirwork。"
ButtheXLdrivercouldnotacceptthisview，andatthefirstopportunityslippedpastHiandhispall-bearersandtooktheplacenextthesleighthatcarriedthecoffin。ItispossiblethatHimighthavebornewiththisaffrontandlossofpositionwithevenmind，butthejeeringremarksofthemournersastheyslidpasttriumphantlycouldnotbeendured，andthenextmomentthethreeteamswereabreastinaraceasfordearlife。Thecorpse-driver，havingtheadvantageofthebeatentrack，soonlefttheothertwobehindrunningneckandneckforsecondplace，whichwascapturedfinallybyHiandmaintainedtothegraveside，inspiteofmanyattemptsonthepartoftheXL’s。Thewholeproceeding，however，wasconsideredquiteimproper，andatLatour’s，thatnight，afterfullandbibulousdiscussion，itwasagreedthatthecorpse-driverfairlydistributedtheblame。"Forhispart，"hesaid，"heknewhehadn’toughttomakenocorpgitanysuchmoveon，buthewasn’tgoin’toseethattherecorptakesecondplaceathisownfuneral。
Notifhecouldhelpit。Andasfortheothers，hethoughtthatthepall-bearershadablankedsightmoretodowiththeplantin’
thanthemgiddymourners。"
ButwhentheygatheredattheMeredithranchtocarryoutThePilottohisgraveitwasfeltthattheFoothillCountrywascalledtoanewexperience。Theywereallthere。ThemenfromthePorcupineandfrombeyondtheFort，thePolicewiththeInspectorincommand，allthefarmersfortwentymilesaround，andofcoursealltheranchersandcowboysoftheSwanCreekcountry。Therewasnoeffortatrepression。Therewasnoneed，forinthecowboys，forthefirsttimeintheirexperience，therewasnoheartforfun。
Andastheyrodeupandhitchedtheirhorsestothefence，ordrovetheirsleighsintotheyardandtookoffthebells，therewasnoloud-voicedsalutation，noguyingnorchaffing，butwithsilentnodtheytooktheirplacesinthecrowdaboutthedoororpassedintothekitchen。
ThemenfromthePorcupinecouldnotquiteunderstandthegloomysilence。Itwassomethingunprecedentedinacountrywheremenlaughedallcaretoscornandsaluteddeathwithanod。Buttheywerequicktoreadsigns，andwithcharacteristiccourtesytheyfellinwiththemoodtheycouldnotunderstand。Thereisnomanlivingsoquicktofeelyourmood，andsoreadytoadapthimselftoit，asisthetrueWesterner。
Thiswasthedayofthecowboy’sgrief。TotherestofthecommunityThePilotwaspreacher;tothemhewascomradeandfriend。Theyhadbeenslowtoadmithimtotheirconfidence，butsteadilyhehadwonhisplacewiththem，tillwithinthelastfewmonthstheyhadcometocounthimasofthemselves。Hehadriddentherangewiththem;hehadsleptintheirshacksandcookedhismealsontheirtinstoves;and，besides，hewasBill’schum。Thatalonewasenoughtogivehimarighttoalltheyowned。Hewastheirs，andtheywereonlybeginningtotakefullprideinhimwhenhepassedoutfromthem，leavinganemptinessintheirlifenewandunexplained。Nomaninthatcountryhadevershownconcernforthem，norhaditoccurredtothemthatanymancould，tillThePilotcame。Ittookthemlongtobelievethattheinterestheshowedinthemwasgenuineandnotsimplyprofessional。Then，too，fromapreachertheyhadexpectedchieflypity，warning，rebuke。
ThePilotastonishedthembygivingthemrespect，admiration，andopen-heartedaffection。Itwasmonthsbeforetheycouldgetovertheirsuspicionthathewashumbuggingthem。Whenoncetheydid，theygavehimbackwithoutknowingitallthetrustandloveoftheirbig，generoushearts。Hehadmadethisworldnewtosomeofthem，andtoallhadgivenglimpsesofthenext。Itwasnowonderthattheystoodindumbgroupsaboutthehousewheretheman，whohaddoneallthisforthemandhadbeenallthistothemlaydead。
Therewasnodemonstrationofgrief。TheDukewasincommand，andhisquiet，firmvoice，givingdirections，helpedalltoself-
control。Thewomenwhoweregatheredinthemiddleroomwereweepingquietly。Billwasnowheretobeseen，butneartheinnerdoorsatGweninherchair，withLadyCharlottebesideher，holdingherhand。Herface，wornwithlongsuffering，waspale，butsereneasthemorningsky，andwithnotatraceoftears。Asmyeyecaughthers，shebeckonedmetoher。
"Where’sBill？"shesaid。"Bringhimin。"
Ifoundhimatthebackofthehouse。
"Aren’tyoucomingin，Bill？"Isaid。
"No;Iguessthere’splentywithoutme，"hesaid，inhisslowway。
"You’dbettercomein;theserviceisgoingtobegin，"Iurged。
"Don’tseemasifIcaredfortohearanythin’much。Iain’tmuchusedtopreachin’，anyway，"saidBill，withcarefulindifference，butheaddedtohimself，"excepthis，ofcourse。"
"Comein，Bill，"Iurged。"Itwilllookqueer，youknow，"butBillreplied：
"IguessI’llnotbother，"adding，afterapause："Yousee，there’sthemwimminturnin’onthewaterworks，andlikeasnotthey’dswampmesure。"
"That’sso，"saidHi，whowasstandingnear，insilentsympathywithhisfriend’sgrief。
IreportedtoGwen，whoansweredinheroldimperiousway，"TellhimIwanthim。"ItookBillthemessage。
"Whydidn’tyousaysobefore？"hesaid，and，startingup，hepassedintothehouseandtookuphispositionbehindGwen’schair。
Opposite，andleaningagainstthedoor，stoodTheDuke，withalookofquietearnestnessonhishandsomeface。AthissidestoodtheHon。FredAshley，andbehindhimtheOldTimer，lookingbewilderedandwoe-stricken。ThePilothadfilledalargeplaceintheoldman’slife。Therestofthemenstoodabouttheroomandfilledthekitchenbeyond，allquiet，solemn，sad。
InGwen’sroom，theonefarthestin，layThePilot，statelyandbeautifulunderthemagictouchofdeath。AndasIstoodandlookeddownuponthequietfaceIsawwhyGwenshednotear，butcarriedalookofserenetriumph。Shehadreadthefacearight。
Thelinesofwearinessthathadbeengrowingsopainfullyclearthelastfewmonthsweresmoothedout，thelookofcarewasgone，andinplaceofwearinessandcare，wastheproudsmileofvictoryandpeace。Hehadmethisfoeandwassurprisedtofindhisterrorgone。
Theservicewasbeautifulinitssimplicity。Theminister，ThePilot’schief，hadcomeoutfromtowntotakecharge。Hewasratheralittleman，butsturdyandwellset。Hisfacewasburntandsearedwiththesunsandfrostshehadbravedforyears。Stillintheprimeofhismanhood，hishairandbeardweregrizzledandhisfacedeep-lined，forthetoilsandcaresofapioneermissionary’slifeareneitherfewnorlight。Butoutofhiskindlyblueeyelookedtheheartofahero，andashespoketouswefelttheprophet’stouchandcaughtagleamoftheprophet’sfire。
"Ihavefoughtthefight，"heread。Theringinhisvoiceliftedupallourheads，and，ashepicturedtousthelifeofthatbatteredherowhohadwrittenthesewords，IsawBill’seyesbegintogleamandhislankfigurestraightenoutitslazyangles。Thenheturnedtheleavesquicklyandreadagain，"Letnotyourheartbetroubled……inmyfather’shousearemanymansions。"Hisvoicetookalower，sweetertone;helookedoverourheads，andforafewmomentsspokeoftheeternalhope。Thenhecamebacktous，and，lookingroundintothefacesturnedsoeagerlytohim，talkedtousofThePilot——howatthefirsthehadsenthimtouswithfearandtrembling——hewassoyoung——buthowhehadcometotrustinhimandtorejoiceinhiswork，andtohopemuchfromhislife。Nowitwasallover;buthefeltsurehisyoungfriendhadnotgivenhislifeinvain。Hepausedashelookedfromonetotheother，tillhiseyesrestedonGwen’sface。Iwasstartled，asIbelievehewas，too，atthesmilethatpartedherlips，soevidentlysaying："Yes，buthowmuchbetterIknowthanyou。"
"Yes，"hewenton，afterapause，answeringhersmile，"youallknowbetterthanIthathisworkamongyouwillnotpassawaywithhisremoval，butendurewhileyoulive，"andthesmileonGwen’sfacegrewbrighter。"Andnowyoumustnotgrudgehimhisrewardandhisrest……andhishome。"AndBill，noddinghisheadslowly，saidunderhisbreath，"That’sso。"
ThentheysangthathymnofthedawninggloryofImmanuel’sland，——
LadyCharlotteplayingtheorganandTheDukeleadingwithclear，steadyvoiceverseafterverse。Whentheycametothelastversetheministermadeasignand，whiletheywaited，hereadthewords：
"I’vewrestledontowardsheaven’Gainststorm，andwind，andtide。"
Andsoontothatlastvictoriouscry，——
"IhailtheglorydawningInImmanuel’sLand。"
Foramomentitlookedasifthesingingcouldnotgoon，fortearswereontheminister’sfaceandthewomenwerebeginningtosob，butTheDuke’sclear，quietvoicecaughtupthesongandsteadiedthemalltotheend。
AftertheprayertheyallwentinandlookedatThePilot’sfaceandpassedout，leavingbehindonlythosethatknewhimbest。TheDukeandtheHon。Fredstoodlookingdownuponthequietface。
"Thecountryhaslostagoodman，Duke，"saidtheHon。Fred。TheDukebowedsilently。ThenLadyCharlottecameandgazedamoment。
"DearPilot，"shewhispered，hertearsfallingfast。"Dear，dearPilot！ThankGodforyou！Youhavedonemuchforme。"Thenshestoopedandkissedhimonhiscoldlipsandonhisforehead。
ThenGwenseemedtosuddenlywakenasfromadream。Sheturnedand，lookingupinafrightenedway，saidtoBillhurriedly：
"Iwanttoseehimagain。Carryme！"
AndBillgatheredherupinhisarmsandtookherin。Astheylookeddownuponthedeadfacewithitslookofproudpeaceandtouchedwiththestatelinessofdeath，Gwen’sfearpassedaway。
ButwhenTheDukemadetocovertheface，Gwendrewasharpbreathand，clingingtoBill，said，withasuddengasp：
"Oh，Bill，Ican’tbearitalone。I’mafraidalone。"
Shewasthinkingofthelong，wearydaysofpainbeforeherthatshemustfacenowwithoutThePilot’stouchandsmileandvoice。
"Me，too，"saidBill，thinkingofthedaysbeforehim。Hecouldhavesaidnothingbetter。Gwenlookedinhisfaceamoment，thensaid：
"We’llhelpeachother，"andBill，swallowinghard，couldonlynodhisheadinreply。OncemoretheylookeduponThePilot，leaningdownandlingeringoverhim，andthenGwensaidquietly：
"Takemeaway，Bill，"andBillcarriedherintotheouterroom。
TurningbackIcaughtalookonTheDuke’sfacesofullofgriefthatIcouldnothelpshowingmyamazement。Henoticedandsaid：
"ThebestmanIeverknew，Connor。Hehasdonesomethingformetoo……I’dgivetheworldtodielikethat。"
Thenhecoveredtheface。
WesatGwen’swindow，Bill，withGweninhisarms，andIwatching。
Downthesloping，snow-coveredhillwoundtheprocessionofsleighsandhorsemen，withoutsoundofvoiceorjingleofbelltill，onebyone，theypassedoutofoursightanddippeddownintothecanyon。
Butwekneweverystepofthewindingtrailandfollowedtheminfancythroughthatfairysceneofmysticwonderland。Weknewhowthegreatelmsandthepoplarsandthebirchesclingingtothesnowysidesinterlacedtheirbareboughsintoanetworkofbewilderingcomplexity，andhowthecedarsandbalsamsandsprucesstoodinthebottom，theirdarkboughsweighteddownwithheavywhitemantlesofsnow，andhoweverystumpandfallenlogandrottingstickwasmadeathingofbeautybythesnowthathadfallensogentlyontheminthatquietspot。Andwecouldseetherocksofthecanyonsidesgleamoutblackfromunderoverhangingsnow-banks，andwecouldhearthesongoftheSwaninitsmanytones，nowunderanicysheet，cooingcomfortably，andthenburstingoutintosunlitlaughterandleapingintoafoamingpool，toglideawaysmoothlymurmuringitsdelighttothewhitebanksthatcurvedtokissthedarkwaterasitfled。Andwheretheflowershadbeen，thevioletsandthewind-flowersandtheclematisandthecolumbineandallthefernsandfloweringshrubs，therelaythesnow。Everywherethesnow，pure，white，andmyriad-gemmed，buteveryflakeaflower’sshroud。
Outwherethecanyonopenedtothesunny，slopingprairie，theretheywouldlayThePilottosleep，withintouchofthecanyonheloved，withallitssleepingthings。Andthereheliestothistime。ButSpringhascomemanytimestothecanyonsincethatwinterday，andhascalledtothesleepingflowers，summoningthemforthinmerrytroops，andevermoreandmoretillthecanyonrippleswiththem。Andlivesarelikeflowers。Indyingtheyabidenotalone，butsowthemselvesandbloomagainwitheachreturningspring，andevermoreandmore。
Foroftenduringthefollowingyears，ashereandthereIcameupononeofthosethatcompaniedwithusinthoseFoothilldays，Iwouldcatchaglimpseinwordanddeedandlookofhimwecalled，firstinjest，butafterwardswithtrueandtenderfeelingwewerenotashamedtoown，ourSkyPilot。