第8章
CHAPTERFIVE
THEARRIVAL
TheOverlanddrewintoWillets，coatedfromenginetoobservationwithwhitedust。Aporter，instrangecontrastofneatness，flungopenthevestibule，droppedhislittlecarpetedstep，andturnedtoassistsomeone。Afewidlepassengersgazedoutontheuninteresting，flatfrontiertown。
SenorJohnsoncaughthisbreathinamazement。"God！Ain"tshejustlikeherpicture！"heexclaimed。Heseemedtofindthisastonishing。
Foramomenthedidnotstepforwardtoclaimher，soshestoodlookingaboutheruncertainly，herleathersuit-caseatherfeet。
Shewasindeedlikethephotograph。Thesamefull-curved，compactlittlefigure，thesameroundface，thesamecupid"sbowmouth，thesameappealing，largeeyes，thesamehazeofdoll"shair。InamomentshecaughtsightofSenorJohnsonandtooktwostepstowardhim，thenstopped。TheSenoratoncecameforward。
"You"reMr。Johnson，ain"tyou？"sheinquired，thrustingherlittlepointedchinforward，andsoelevatingherbaby-blueeyestohis。
"Yes，ma"am，"heacknowledgedformally。Then，afteramoment"spause："Ihopeyou"rewell。"
"Yes，thankyou。"
Thestationloungers，augmentedbyalltheranchmenandcowboysintown，wereexaminingherclosely。Shelookedattheminaswiftsideglancethatseemedtogatheralltheireyestohers。
Then，satisfiedthatshepossessedtheuniversaladmiration，shereturnedthefullforceofherattentiontothemanbeforeher。
"Nowyougivemeyourtrunkchecks，"hewassaying，"andthenwe"llgorightoverandgetmarried。"
"Oh！"shegasped。
"That"sright，ain"tit？"hedemanded。
"Yes，Isupposeso，"sheagreedfaintly。
Alittlesubdued，shefollowedhimtotheclergyman"shouse，where，inthepresenceofGoodrich，thestorekeeper，andthepreacher"swife，thetwowereunited。Thentheymountedthebuckboardanddrovefromtown。
SenorJohnsonsaidnothing，becauseheknewofnothingtosay。
Hedroveskilfullyandfastthroughthegatheringdusk。Itwasahundredmilestothehomeranch，andthathundredmiles，bymeansoffiverelaysofhorsesalreadyarrangedfor，theywouldcoverbymorning。Thustheywouldavoidthedustandheatandhighwindsoftheday。
Thesweetnightfell。Thelittledesertwindslaidsoftfingersontheirchecks。Overheadburnedthestars，clear，unflickering，likecandles。Dimlycouldbeseenthehorses，theirflanksswingingsteadilyinthesquaretrot。Ghostlybushespassedthem；ghostlyrockelevations。Far，inindeterminatedistance，laytheoutlinesofthemountains。Always，theyseemedtorecede。Theplain，allbutinvisible，thewagontrailquiteso，thedepthsofspace——theseflungheavyonthesoultheirweightofmysticism。Thewoman，untilnowboltuprightinthebuckboardseat，shranknearertotheman。Hefeltagainsthissleevethedelicatecontactofhergarmentandthrilledtothetouch。A
coyotebarkedsharplyfromaneighbouringeminence，thentrailedoffintothelong-drawn，shrillhowlofhisspecies。
"Whatwasthat？"sheaskedquickly，inasubduedvoice。
"Acoyote——oneofthemlittlewolves，"heexplained。
Thehorses"hoofsrangclearonahardenedbitofthealkalicrust，thendullyastheyencounteredagainthedustoftheplain。Vast，vague，mysteriousinthesilenceofnight，filledwithstrangeinfluencesbreathingthroughspacelikedampwinds，thedeserttookthemtotheheartofhergreatspaces。
"Buck，"shewhispered，alittletremblingly。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadspokenhisname。
"Whatisit？"heasked，anewnoteinhisvoice。
Butforatimeshedidnotreply。Onlythecontactagainsthissleeveincreasedbyeversolittle。
"Buck，"sherepeated，thenallinarushandwithasob，"Oh，I"mafraid。"
Tenderlythemandrewhertohim。Herheadfellagainsthisshoulderandshehidhereyes。
"There，littlegirl，"hereassuredher，hisbigvoicerichandmusical。"There"snothingtogetscairtof，I"lltakecareofyou。Whatfrightensyou，honey？"
Shenestledcloseinhisarmwithasighofhalfrelief。
"Idon"tknow，"shelaughed，butstillwithatrembleinhertones。"It"sallsobigandlonesomeandstrange——andI"msolittle。"
"There，littlegirl，"herepeated。
Theydroveonandon。Attheendoftwohourstheystopped。Menwithlanternsdazzledtheireyes。Thehorseswerechanged，andsooutagainintothenightwherethedesertseemedtobreatheindeep，mysteriousexhalationslikeasleepingbeast。
SenorJohnsondrovehishorsesmasterfullywithhisonefreehand。Theroaddidnotexist，excepttohistrainedeves。Theyseemedtobeswimmingout，out，intoavapourofnightwiththewindoftheirgoingsteadyagainsttheirfaces。
"Buck，"shemurmured，"I"msotired。"
Hetightenedhisarmaroundherandshewenttosleep，half-wakingattherancheswheretherelayswaited，dozingagainassoonasthelanternsdroppedbehind。AndSenorJohnson，alonewithhishorsesandthesolemnstars，droveon，everon，intothedesert。
Bygreyoftheearlysummerdawntheyarrived。Thegirlwakened，descended，smilinguncertainlyatSusieO"Toole，blinkingsomnolentlyathersurroundings。SusieputhertobedinthelittlesouthwestroomwherehungtheshinyColt"sforty-fiveinitswornleather"Texas-style"holster。Shemurmuredincoherentthanksandsankagaintosleep，overcomebythefatigueofunaccustomedtravelling，bythepotencyofthedesertair，bytheexcitementofanticipationtowhichhernerveshadlongbeenstrung。
SenorJohnsondidnotsleep。Hewastough，andusedtoit。Helitacigarandrambledabout，nowreadingthenewspapershehadbroughtwithhim，nowprowlingsoftlyaboutthebuilding，nowvisitingthecorralsandoutbuildings，onceeventhethousand-acrepasturewherehissaddle-horseknewhimandcametohimtohaveitsforeheadrubbed。Thedawnbrokeingoodearnest，throwingasideitsgauzydraperiesofmauve。Sang，theChinesecook，builthisfire。SenorJohnsonforbadehimtoclangtherisingbell，andhimselfrousedthecow-punchers。Thegirlslepton。SenorJohnsontip-toedadozentimestothebedroomdoor。
Onceheventuredtopushitopen。Helookedlongwithin，thenshutitsoftlyandtiptoedoutintotheopen，hiseyesshining。
"Jed，"hesaidtohisforeman，"youdon"tknowhowitmademefeel。Toseeherlyingtheresopinkandsoftandpretty，withheryallerhairalltumbledaboutandalittlesmileonher——
thereinmyoldbed，withmyoldgunhangingoverherthatway——ByHeaven，Jed，itmademefeelalmostHOLY！"
CHAPTERSIX
THEWAGONTIRE
Aboutnoonsheemergedfromtheroom，fullyrefreshedandwideawake。SheandSusieO"Toolehadunpackedatleastoneofthetrunks，andnowshestoodarrayedinshirtwaistandblueskirt。
Atonceshesteppedintotheopenairandlookedaboutherwithconsiderablecuriosity。
"Sothisisarealcattleranch，"washercomment。
SenorJohnsonwasathersidepressingonherwithboyisheagernessthesightsoftheplace。Shepattedthestaghoundsandinspectedthegarden。Then，confessingherselfhungry，sheobeyedwithalacritySang"scalltoanearlymeal。Atthetablesheatecoquettishly，throwingherbirdlikesideglancesatthemanopposite。
"Iwanttoseearealcowboy，"sheannounced，asshepushedherchairback。
"Why，sure！"criedSenorJohnsonjoyously。"Sang！hi，Sang！
TellBrentPalmertostepinhereaminute。"
Afteranintervalthecowboyappeared，mincinginonhishigh-heeledboots，hissilverspursjingling，thefringeofhischapsimpactingsoftlyontheleather。Hestoodatease，hisbroadhatinbothhands，hisdark，levelbrowsfixedonhischief。
"ShakehandswithMrs。Johnson，Brent。Icalledyouinbecauseshesaidshewantedtoseearealcow-puncher。"
"Oh，BUCK！"criedthewoman。
Foraninstantthecow-puncher"slevelbrowsdrewtogether。Thenhecaughtthewoman"sglancefair。Hesmiled。
"Well，Iain"tmuchtolookat，"heproffered。
"That"snotforyoutosay，sir，"saidEstrella，recovering。
"Brent，here，gentledyourponyforyou，"exclaimedSenorJohnson。
"Oh，"criedEstrella，"haveIapony？Hownice。Anditwassogoodofyou，Mr。Brent。Can"tIseehim？Iwanttoseehim。I
wanttogivehimapieceofsugar。"Shefumbledinthebowl。
"Sureyoucanseehim。Idon"tknowashe"lleatsugar。Heain"tthateducated。Thinkyoucouldteachhimtoeatsugar，Brent？"
"Ireckon，"repliedthecowboy。
Theywentouttowardthecorral，thecowboyjoiningthemasamatterofcourse。Estrellademandedexplanationsasshewentalong。Theirprogresswasleisurely。Theblindfoldedpumpmuleinterestedher。
"Andhegoesroundandroundthatwayalldaywithoutstopping，thinkinghe"sreallygettingsomewhere！"shemarvelled。"Ithinkthat"sashame！Pooroldfellow，togetfooledthatway！"
"Itissomefoolish，"saidBrentPalmer，"butheain"tanyworseoffthanacow-ponythathikesouttwentymileandthentwentyback。"
"No，Isupposenot，"admittedEstrella。
"Andwegottohavewater，youknow，"addedSenorJohnson。
Brentrodeupthesorrelbareback。Theprettyanimal，gentleasakitten，neverthelessplantedhisforefeetstronglyandsnortedatEstrella。
"Ireckonheain"tusedtothesightofawoman，"profferedtheSenor，disappointed。"He"llgetusedtoyou。Gouptohimsoft-likeandrubhimbetweentheeyes。""
Estrellaapproached，buttheponyjerkedbackhisheadwitheverysymptomofdistrust。Sheforgotthesugarshehadintendedtoofferhim。
"He"saperfectbeauty，"shesaidatlast，"but，my！I"dneverdareridehim。I"mawfulscairtofhorses。"
"Oh，he"llcomearoundallright，"assuredBrenteasily。"I"llfixhim。"
"Oh，Mr。Brent，"sheexclaimed，"don"tthinkIdon"tappreciatewhatyou"vedone。I"msurehe"sreallyjustasgentleashecanbe。It"sonlythatI"mfoolish。"
"I"llfixhim，"repeatedBrent。
Thetwomenconductedherhereandthere，showingherthevariousinstitutionsoftheplace。Amanbentneartheshednailingashoetoahorse"shoof。
"Soyouevenhaveablacksmith！"saidEstrella。Herguideslaughedamusedly。
"Tommy，comehere！"calledtheSenor。
Thehorseshoerstraightenedupandapproached。Hewasalithe，curly-hairedyoungboy，withareckless，humorouseyeandasmoothface，nowredfrombendingover。
"Tommy，shakehandswithMrs。Johnson，"saidtheSenor。"Mrs。
Johnsonwantstoknowifyou"retheblacksmith。"Heexplodedinlaughter。
"Oh，BUCK！"criedEstrellaagain。
"No，ma"am，"answeredtheboydirectly；"I"mjusttackingashoeonDanger，here。Wealldoesourownblacksmithing。"
Hisrovingeyeexaminedhercountenancerespectfully，butwithadmiration。Shecaughttheadmirationandreturnedit，covertlybutunmistakably，pleasedthathercharmswereappreciated。
Theycontinuedtheirrounds。Thesunwasveryhotandthedustdeep。AwomanwouldhaveknownthatthesethingsdistressedEstrella。Shepickedherwaythroughthedebris；shedroppedherheadfromtheburning；shefeltherdelicategarmentsmoisteningwithperspiration，herhairdampening；thedustsiftedupthroughtheair。Overinthelargecorralabroncobuster，assistedbytwoofthecowboys，wasengagedinropingandthrowingsomewildmustangs。Thesightwaswonderful，butherethedustbillowedinclouds。
"I"mgettingalittlehotandtired，"sheconfessedatlast。"I
thinkI"llgotothehouse。"
Butneartheshedshestoppedagain，interestedinspiteofherselfbyabitofrepairingTommyhadunderway。Thetireofawagonwheelhadbeendestroyed。Tommywasmendingit。Onthegroundlayafreshcowhide。FromthisTommywascuttingawidestrip。Asshewatchedliemeasuredthestriparoundthecircumferenceofthewheel。
"Heisn"tgoingtomakeatireofthat！"sheexclaimed，incredulously。
"Sure，"repliedSenorJohnson。
"Willitwear？"
"It"llwearforamonthorso，tillwecangetanotherfromtown。"
Estrellaadvancedandfeltcuriouslyoftherawhide。Tommywasfasteningittothewheelattheendsonly。
"Buthowcanitstayonthatway？"sheobjected。"It"llcomerightoffassoonasyouuseit。"
"It"llhardenontightenough。"
"Why？"shepersisted。"Doesitshrinkmuchwhenitdries？"
SenorJohnsonstaredtoseeifshemightbejoking。"Doesitshrink？"herepeatedslowly。"Thereain"tnothingshrinksmore，norharder。It"llmightynighbreakthatwood。"
Estrella，incredulous，interested，shecouldnothavetoldwhy，stoopedagaintofeelthesoft，yieldinghide。Sheshookherhead。
"You"rejokingmebecauseI"matenderfoot，"sheaccusedbrightly。"Iknowitdrieshard，andI"llbelieveitshrinksalot，buttobreakwood——that"spilingitonalittlethick。"
"No，that"sright，ma"am，"brokeinBrentPalmer。"It"sawfulstrong。Itpullslikeahorsewhenthedesertsungetsonit。
Youwrapanythingupinapieceofthathideandseewhathappens。Sometimeyoutakeandwrapapiecearoundapotatoandputheroutinthesunandseehowit"llsqueezethewateroutofher。"
"Isthatso？"sheappealedtoTommy。"Ican"ttellwhentheyaremakingfunofme。"
"Yes，ma"am，that"sright，"heassuredher。
Estrellapassedastripoftheflexiblehideplayfullyaboutherwrists。
"AndifIletthatdrythatwayI"dbehandcuffedhardandfast，"
shesaid。
"Itwouldcutyoudowntothebone，"supplementedBrentPalmer。
Sheuntwistedthestrip，andstoodlookingatit，hereyeswide。
"I——Idon"tknowwhy——"shefaltered。"Thethoughtmakesmealittlesick。Why，isn"titqueer？Ugh！it"slikeasnake！"Sheflungitfromherenergeticallyandturnedtowardtheranchhouse。
CHAPTERSEVEN
ESTRELLA
Thehoneymoondevelopedandthenecessaryadjustmentstookplace。
ThelatterSenorJohnsonhadnotforeseen；andyet，whenthenecessityforthemarose，heacknowledgedthemrightandproper。
"Courseshedon"twanttorideovertoCircleIwithus，"heinformedhisconfidant，JedParker。"It"salongride，andsheain"tusedtoridingyet。TroubleisI"vebeenthinkingofdoingthingswithherjustasifshewasaman。Womenaredifferent。
Theylikesdifferentthings。"
ThissecondideagraduallyoverlaidthefirstinSenorJohnson"smind。Estrellashowedlittleaptitudeorinterestintheroughersideoflife。Herhusband"sstatementastoherbeingstillunusedtoridingwasdistinctlyaeuphemism。Estrellaneverarrivedatthepointoffeelingsafeonahorse。Intimeshegaveuptrying，andthesorreldriftedbacktocow-punching。Therangeworksheneverunderstood。
Asaspectacleitimposeditselfonherinterestforaweek；butsinceshecoulddiscovernorealandvitalconcerninthewelfareofcows，soonthemereoutwardshowbecameanoldstory。
Estrella"ssleeknatureavoidedinstinctivelyallthatinterferedwithbodilywell-being。Whenshewascoolandwell-fedandnotthirsty，andsurroundedbyaproperdegreeoffemininedaintiness，thenshewasreadytoamuseherself。Butshecouldnotunderstandthedesirabilityofthosepleasuresforwhichacertainpriceindiscomfortmustbepaid。Asforfirearms，sheconfessedherselffranklyafraidofthem。Thatwasthepointatwhichherintimacywiththemstopped。
Thenaturalleveltowhichthesewatersfelliseasilyseen。
Quitesimply，theSenorfoundthatawifedoesnotenterfullyintoherhusband"sworkadaylife。Thedreamshehaddreameddidnotcometrue。
Thiswasatfirstadisappointmenttohim，ofcourse，butthedisappointmentdidnotlast。SenorJohnsonwasamanofsense，andheeasilymodifiedhisfirstschemeofmarriedlife。
"She"dgetsickofit，andI"dgetsickofit，"heformulatedhisnewphilosophy。"NowIgotsomethingtocomebackto，somebodytolookforwardto。Andit"saWOMAN；itain"toneofthesedarngangle-legcowgirls。ThegreatthingistofeelyouBELONGtosomeone；andthatsomeoneniceandcoolandfreshandpurtyiswaitin"foryouwhenyoucomeintired。Itbeatsthatotherlittleoldideeofmineslickasagunbarrel。"
So，duringthis，thebusyseasonoftherangeriding，immediatelybeforethegreatfallround-ups，SenorJohnsonrodeabroadallday，andreturnedtohisownhearthasmanyeveningsoftheweekashecould。Estrellaalwayssawhimcomingandstoodinthedoorwaytogreethim。Hekickedoffhisspurs，washedanddustedhimself，andspenttheeveningwithhiswife。Helikedthesoundofexactlythatphrase，andwasfondofrepeatingittohimselfinavarietyofconnections。
"WhenIgetinI"llspendtheeveningwithmywife。""IfIdon"trideovertoCircleI，I"llspendtheeveningwithmywife，"andsoon。Hehadagooddealtotellheroftheday"sdiscoveries，thestateoftherange，andtheconditionofthecattle。Toallofthisshelistenedatleastwithpatience。SenorJohnson，likemostmenwhohavelongdelayedmarriage，wasself-centredwithoutknowingit。Hisinterestinhismatehadtodowithherpersonalityratherthanwithherdoings。
"Whatyoudowithyourselfalldayto-day？"heoccasionallyinquired。
"Oh，there"slotstodo，"shewouldanswer，atriflelistlessly；
andthisreplyalwaysseemedquitetosatisfyhisinterestinthesubject。
SenorJohnson，withacuriouslyinstanttransformationoftentobeobservedamongtheadventurous，settledluxuriouslyintothestateofbeingamarriedman。Itssmallestdetailsgavehimdistinctandseparatesensationsofpleasure。
"Iplumblikesitall，"hesaid。"Ilikeshavin"interestinsomefoolgeraniumplant，andIlikesworryin"aboutthescreendoorsandalltherestoftheplumbfoolishness。Itdoesmegood。Itfeelslikestretchin"yourlegsinfrontofagoodwarmfire。"
Thecentre，thecompellinginfluenceofthisnewstateofaffairs，wasundoubtedlyEstrella，andyetitisequallytobedoubtedwhethershestoodformorethanthesuggestion。SenorJohnsonconductedhisentirelifewithreferencetohiswife。
Hiswakinghourswereconcernedonlywiththethoughtofher，hiseveryactrevolvedinitsorbitcontrolledbyherinfluence。
Neverthelessshe，asanindividualhumanbeing，hadlittletodowithit。SenorJohnsonreferredhislifetoastateofaffairshehadhimselfinventedandwhichhecalledthemarriedstate，andtoawomanwhoseattitudehehadhimselfdetermineduponandwhombedesignatedashiswife。Theactualstateofaffairs——
whateveritmightbe——hedidnotsee；andtheactualwomansuppliedmerelythematerialmediumnecessarytotherealityofhisidea。WhetherEstrella"seyeswereinterestedorbored，brightordull，alertorabstracted，contentedorafraid，SenorJohnsoncouldnothavetoldyou。Hemighthaverepliedpromptlyenough——thattheywerehappyandloving。ThatisthewaySenorJohnsonconceivedawife"seyes。
Theroutineoflife，then，soonsettled。AfterbreakfasttheSenorinsistedthathiswifeaccompanyhimonashorttourofinspection。"Alittlepasear，"hecalledit，"justtogetsetfortheday。"Thenhishorsewasbrought，andherodeawayonwhateverbusinesscalledhim。Likeatruesonofthealkali，hetooknolunchwithhim，norexpectedhishorsetofeeduntilhisreturn。Thiswasanhourbeforesunset。Theeveningpassedashasbeendescribed。Itwasallverysimple。
Whenthebusinesshungclosetotheranchhousewasinthebroncobusting，therebrandingofboughtcattle，andthelike——hewasabletosharehiswife"sday。Estrellaconductedherselfdreamily，withaslowsmileforhimwhenhisactualpresenceinsistedonherattention。Sheseemedmuchgiventostaringoutoverthedesert。SenorJohnson，appreciatively，thoughthecouldunderstandthis。Again，shegavemuchleisuretorockingbackandforthonthelow，wideveranda，herhandsidle，hereyesvacant，herlipsdumb。SusieO"Toolehadearlyprovedincompatibleandhadgone。
"Anice，contented，homesortofawoman，"saidSenorJohnson。
Onethingalonebesidesthedesertsonwhichsheneverseemedtiredoflooking，fascinatedher。Wheneverabeefwaskilledfortheusesoftheranch，shecommandedstripsofthegreenskin。
Then，likeachild，sheboundthemandsewedthemandnailedthemtosubstancesparticularlysusceptibletotheirconstrictingpower。Shechokedthenecksofgreengourds，sheindentedthetenderbarkofcottonwoodshoots，sheexpendedanapparentlyexhaustlessingenuityonthefabricationofmechanicaldeviceswhoseprincipleansweredtothepullingofthedryingrawhide。
Andalwaysalongtheadobefencecouldbeseenalongrowofpotatoesboundinskin，someofthemfreshandsmoothandround；
somesweatingintheagonyofsqueezing；somewrinkledanddryandlittle，thelastdropsoflifetorturedoutofthem。SenorJohnsonlaughedgood-humouredlyatthesetoys，puzzledtoexplaintheirfascinationforhiswife。
"They"resureanamusingenoughcontraptionhoney，"saidhe，"butwhatmakesyoustandoutthereinthehotsunstaringatthemthatway？It"scoolerontheporch。"
"Idon"tknow，"saidEstrella，helplessly，turningherslow，vacantgazeonhim。Suddenlysheshiveredinastrongphysicalrevulsion。"Idon"tknow！"shecriedwithpassion。
AftertheyhadbeenmarriedaboutamonthSenorJohnsonfounditnecessarytodriveintoWillets。
"Howwouldyouliketogo，too，andbuysomeduds？"heaskedEstrella。
"Oh！"shecriedstrangely。"When？"
"Dayaftertomorrow。"
Thetripdecided，herentireattitudechanged。Thevacancyofhergazelifted；hermovementsquickened；sheleftoffstaringatthedesert，andherrawhidetoyswereneglected。Beforestarting，SenorJohnsongaveheracheckbook。HeexplainedthattherewerenobanksinWillets，butthatGoodrich，thestorekeeper，wouldhonourhersignature。
"Buywhatyouwantto，honey，"saidhe。"Tearherwideopen。I"mgoodforit。"
"HowmuchcanIdraw？"sheasked，smiling。
"Asmuchasyouwantto，"herepliedwithemphasis。
"Takecare"——shepoisedbeforehimwiththecheckbookextended——
"Imaydraw——Imightdrawfiftythousanddollars。"
"NotoutofGoodrich，"hegrinned；"you"dbustthegame。Butholdhimupforthelimit，anyway。"
Hechuckledaloud，pleasedattherare，bird-likecoquetryofthewoman。TheydrovetoWillets。Ittookthemtwodaystogoandtwodaystoreturn。Estrellawentthroughthetowninacycloneburstofenthusiasm，saweverything，boughteverything，exhaustedeverythingintwohours。Willetswasnotalargeplace。Onherreturntotheranchshesatdownatonceintherocking-chairontheveranda。Herhandsfellintoherlap。Shestaredoutoverthedesert。
SenorJohnsonstoleupbehindher，clumsyasaplayfulbear。Hiseyesfollowedthedirectionofherstowhereacloudshadowlayacrosstheslope，heavy，palpable，untransparent，likeablotchofink。
"Pretty，isn"tit，honey？"saidhe。"Gladtogetback？"
Shesmiledathimhervacant，slowsmile。
"Here"smycheckbook，"shesaid；"putitawayforme。I"mthroughwithit。"
"I"llputitinmydesk，"saidhe。"It"sintheleft-handcubbyhole，"hecalledfrominside。
"Verywell，"shereplied。
Hestoodinthedoorway，lookingfondlyatherunconsciousshouldersandtheposeofherblondeheadthrownbackagainstthehighrocking-chair。
"That"sthesortofawoman，afterall，"saidSenorJohnson。"Noblamefussabouther。"
CHAPTEREIGHT
THEROUND-UP
This，asyouwellmaygather，wasinthesummerroutine。Nowthetimeofthegreatfallround-updrewnear。Thehomeranchbegantobustleinpreparation。
AllthroughCochiseCountywereshortmountainrangessetdown，apparentlyatrandom，likeachild"sblocks。Inandoutbetweenthemflowedthebroad，plain-likevalleys。Onthevalleyswerethevariousranges，greatorsmall，controlledbythedifferentindividualsoftheCattlemen"sAssociation。Duringtheyearanunimportant，butcertain，shiftingofstocktookplace。AfewcattleofSenorJohnson"sLazyYeludedthevigilanceofhisriderstodriftoverthroughtheGrantPassandintotherangesofhisneighbour；equally，manyoftheneighbour"ssteerswatereddailyatSenorJohnson"stroughs。Itwasamatterofcourtesytopermitthis，butoneofthereasonsforthefallround-upwasaredistributiontotheproperranges。Eachcattle-ownersentanoutfittothesceneoflabour。Thecombinedoutfitsmovedslowlyfromonevalleytoanother，cuttingoutthestrays，brandingthelatecalves，collectingfortheownerofthatparticularrangeallhisstock，thathemightselecthismarketablebeef。Inturneachcattlemanwashosttohisneighboursandtheirmen。
Thisyearithadbeendecidedtobeginthecircleoftheround-upattheC0Bar，nearthebanksoftheSanPedro。Thenceitwouldworkeastward，wanderingslowlyinnorthandsouthdeviation，toincludeallthecountry，untilthefinalbreak-upwouldoccurattheLazyY。
TheLazyYcrewwastoconsistoffourmen，thirtyridinghorses，a"chuckwagon，"andcook。These，helpingothers，andreceivinghelpinturn，wouldsuffice，forintheround-uplabourwaspooledtoacommonend。WiththemwouldrideJedParker，tosafeguardhismaster"sinterests。
Foraweekthepunchers，intheirdailyrides，gatheredintherangeponies。SenorJohnsonownedfiftyhorseswhichhemaintainedatthehomeranchforevery-dayriding，twohundredbrokensaddleanimals，allowedthefreedomoftherange，exceptwhenspecialoccasiondemandedtheiruse，andperhapshalfathousandquiteunbroken——broodmares，stallions，younghorses，broncos，andthelike。Atthistimeofyearitwashishabittocorralallthosesaddlewiseinordertoselecthorsesfortheround-upsandtoreplacetheranchanimals。Thelatterheturnedloosefortheirturnatthefreedomoftherange。
Thehorseschosen，nextthementurnedtheirattentiontooutfit。
Eachhad，ofcourse，hissaddle，spurs，and"rope。"Ofthelatterthechuckwagoncarriedmanyextra。Thatvehicle，furthermore，transportedsucharticlesastheblankets，thetarpaulinsunderwhichtosleep，therunningironsforbranding，thecookinglayout，andthemen"spersonaleffects。Allwasinreadinesstomoveforthesixweeks"circle，whenacomplicationarose。JedParker，whilenimblyescapinganirritatedsteer，twistedthehighheelofhisbootonthecorralfence。Heinsistedtheinjuryamountedtonothing。SenorJohnsonhowever，disagreed。
"Itdon"tamounttonothing，Jed，"hepronounced，aftermanipulation，"butshemightmakeagoodable-bodiedinjurywithalittlecoaxing。Restheraweekandthenyou"llbeallright。"
"Resther，thedevil！"growledJed；"who"sgoingtoSanPedro？"
"Iwill，ofcourse，"repliedtheSenorpromptly。"Didjethinkwe"dsendtheChink？"
"IwasfirstcousintoaYaquijackassforsendin"youngBillyEllisout。He"llbebackinaweek。He"ddo。"
"So"dthePresident，"theSenorpointedout；"Ihearhe"shadsomeexperience。"
"Ihatetohaveyoutogo，"objectedJed。"There"sthemissis。"
Heshotaglancesidewaysathischief。
"IguesssheandIcanstanditforaweek，"scoffedthelatter。
"Why，weareoldmarriedfolksbynow。Besides，youcantakecareofher。"
"I"lltry，"saidJedParker，alittlegrimly。
CHAPTERNINE
THELONGTRAIL
Theround-upcrewstartedearlythenextmorning，justaboutsun-up。SenorJohnsonrodefirst，merelytokeepoutofthedust。ThenfollowedTornRich，joggingalongeasilyinthecow-puncher"s"Spanishtrot"whistlingsoothinglytoquietthehorses，givingaleadtothebandofsaddleanimalsstrungoutlooselybehindhim。Thesemovedongracefullyandlightlyinthemanneroftheunburdenedplainshorse，halfdecidedtofollowTom"sguidance，halfinclinedtobreaktorightorleft。HomerandJimLesterflankedthem，alsoridinginaslouchofapparentlaziness，buteveryonceinawhiledartingforwardlikebulletstoturnbackintothemainherdcertainindividualswhomtheearlymorningoftheunwearieddayhadinspiredtomakeadashforliberty。TherearwasbroughtupbyJerkyJones，thefourthcow-puncher，andthefour-mulechuckwagon，lostinitsowndust。
Thesunmounted；thedesertwentsilentlythroughitschanges。
Winddevilsraisedstraight，truecolumnsofdustsix，eighthundred，evenathousandfeetintotheair。Thebillowsofdustfromthehorsesandmencreptandcrawledwiththemlikealivingcreature。Gloriouscolour，magnificentdistance，astonishingillusion，filledtheworld。
SenorJohnsonrodeahead，lookingatthesethings。Theseparationfromhiswife，briefasitwouldbe，leftroominhissoulfortheheart-hungerwhichbeautyarousesinmen。Helovedthecharmofthedesert，yetithurthim。
Behindhimthepunchersrelievedthetediumofthemarch，eachafterhisownmanner。Inanhourthebunchofloosehorseslostitsearly-morninggoodspiritsandsettleddowntoasteadyplodding，thatneedednosupervision。TomRichledthem，now，insilence，histimefullyoccupiedinrollingMexicancigaretteswithonehand。Theotherthreedroppedbacktogetherandexchangeddesultoryremarks。OccasionallyJimLestersang。Itwasalwaysthesamesongofuncountedverses，butJimhadastrangefashionofsingingasingleverseatatime。Afteralongintervalhewouldsinganother。
"MyLoveisariderAndbroncoshebreaks，Buthe"sgivenupridingAndallformysake，ForhefoundhimahorseAnditsuitedhimsoThathevowedhe"dne"errideAnyotherbronco！"
hewarbled，andtheninthesamebreath：
"Say，boys，didyougetontothepisano-lookingshorthornatWilletslastweek？
"Nope。"
"Hesiftedinwearin"oneofthesehardboiledhats，andcarryin"
abroguethickenoughtoskateon。Sayshewantsajobdrivin"
team——thathedrivesatruckplentybacktoSt。Louis，wherehecomesfrom。Goodrichsetshimbehindthemlittlepintocavalloshehas。Say！thatsonofagunadriver！Hecouldn"tdrivenailsinasnowbank。"Anexpressivefree-handgesturetoldalltherewastotelloftherunaway。"Th"shorthornlandedheadfirstinGoldfishCharlie"shorsetrough。Charliefisheshimout。"Howthedevil，stranger，"saysCharlie，"didyoucometofallinhere？""Youblamedfool，"saystheshorthorn，justcryin"
mad，"Ididn"tcometofallinhere，Icometodrivehorses。""
Andthen，withoutatransitorypause：
"Oh，mylovehasagunAndthatgunhecanuse，Buthe"squithisgunfightingAswellashisbooze。
Andhe"ssoldhimhissaddle，Hisspurs，andhisrope，Andthere"snomorecow-punchingAndthat"swhatIhope。"
Thealkalidust，swirledbackbyalittlebreeze，billowedupandchokedhim。Behind，themulescoughed，theircoatswhiteningwiththepowder。Faraheadinthedistancelaythewesterlymountains。Theylookedanhouraway，andyeteverymanandbeastintheoutfitknewthathourafterhourtheyweredoomed，bytheenchantmentoftheland，toplodaheadwithoutapparentlygettinganinchnearer。Theonlysalvationwastoforgetthemountainsandtofillthepresentmomentfulloflittlethings。
ButSenorJohnson，to-day，foundhimselfunabletodothis。Inspiteofhisbesteffortshecaughthimselfstrainingtowardthedistantgoal，becomingimpatient，tryingtomeasureprogressbylandmarks——inshortactinglikeatenderfootonthedesert，whowearshimselfdownanddies，notfromthehardship，butfromthenervousstrainwhichhedoesnotknowhowtoavoid。SenorJohnsonknewthisaswellasyouandI。Hecursedhimselfvigorously，andbeganwithgreatresolutiontothinkofsomethingelse。
HewasarousedfromthisbyTomRich，ridingalongside。"Somebodycoming，Senor，"saidhe。
SenorJohnsonraisedhiseyestotheapproachingcloudofdust。
Silentlythetwowatchedituntilitresolvedintoariderlopingeasilyalong。Infifteenminuteshedrewrein，hisponydroppedimmediatelyfromagalloptoimmobility，heswungintoagracefulat-easeattitudeacrosshissaddle，grinnedamiably，andbegantorollacigarette。
"BillyEllis，"criedRich。
"That"sme，"repliedthenewcomer。
"ThoughtyouweredowntoTucson？"
"Iwas。"
"Thoughtyouwasn"tcomin"backforaweekyet？"
"Tommy，"profferedBillyEllisdreamily，"whenyougotoTucsonnextyouwatchoutuntilyouseesalittle，squint-eyedBritisher。Takealookathim。Thencomeaway。Hesayshedon"tknownothin"aboutpoker。Mebbehedon"t，buthe"lloutholdawarehouse。"
ButhereSenorJohnsonbrokein："Billy，you"rejustintime。
Jedhashurthisfootandcan"tgetonforaweekyet。Iwantyoutotakecharge。I"vegotalottodoattheranch。"
"Ain"tgotmywar-bag，"objectedBilly。
"Takemystuff。I"llsendyoursonwhenParkergoes。"
"Allright。"
"Well，solong。"
"Solong，Senor。"Theymoved。TheerraticArizonabreezestwistedthedustoftheirgoing。SenorJohnsonwatchedthemdwindle。Withthemseemedtogothejoyintheoldlife。Nolongerdidthelongtrailpossessforhimitsancientfascination。Hehadbecomeadomesticman。
"AndI"mgladofit，"commentedSenorJohnson。
Thedusteddiedaside。Plainlycouldbeseentheswayingwagon，theloose-ridingcowboys，thegleaming，nakedbacksoftheherd。
Thentheveilclosedoverthemagain。Butdownthewind，faintly，insnatches，camethewordsofJimLester"ssong：
"Oh，SamhasagunThathasgonetothebad，WhichmakespooroldSammyFeelpretty，damnsad，Forthatgainitshootshigh，Andthatgunitshootslow，AnditwabblesaboutLikeabuckingbronco！"
SenorJohnsonturnedandstruckspurstohiswillingpony。
CHAPTERTEN
THEDISCOVERY
SenorBuckJohnsonlopedquicklybacktowardthehomeranch，hisheartgladatthisfortunatesolutionofhisannoyance。Thehomeranchlayinplainsightnottenmilesaway。AsSenorJohnsonidlywatcheditshimmeringintheheat，atinyfiguredetacheditselffromthemassandlauncheditselfinhisdirection。
"Wonderwhat"seatingHIM！"marvelledSenorJohnson，"——andwhoisit？"
Thefiguredrewsteadilynearer。Inhalfanhourithadapproachednearenoughtoberecognised。
"Why，it"sJed！"criedtheSenor，andspurredhishorse。"Whatdoyoumean，ridingoutwiththatfoot？"hedemandedsternly，whenwithinhailingdistance。
"Foot，hell！"gaspedParker，whirlinghishorsealongside。
"Yourwife"srunawaywithBrentPalmer。"
Forfullytensecondsnotthefaintestindicationprovedthatthehusbandhadheard，exceptthatheliftedhisbridle-hand，andthewell-trainedponystopped。
"Whatdidyousay？"heaskedfinally。
"Yourwife"srunawaywithBrentPalmer，"repeatedJed，almostwithimpatience。
Againthelongpause。
"Howdoyouknow？"askedSenorJohnson，then。
"Know，hell！It"sbeengoingonforamonth。Sangsawthemdriveoff。Theytookthebuckboard。Heheard"emplanningit。
Hewastooscairttotelltillthey"dgone。Ijustfounditout。
They"vebeengonetwohours。MustbegoingtomaketheLimited。"
Parkerfidgeted，impatienttobeoff。"You"rewastingtime，"hesnappedatthemotionlessfigure。
SuddenlyJohnson"sfaceflamed。HereachedfromhissaddletoclutchJed"sshoulder，nearlypullingtheforemanfromhispony。
"Youlie！"hecried。"You"relyingtome！Itain"tSO！"
Parkermadenoefforttoextricatehimselffromthepainfulgrasp。Hiscooleyesmettheblazingeyesofhischief。
"IwishtIdidlie，Buck，"hesaidsadly。"Iwishtitwasn"tso。
Butitis。"
Johnson"sheadsnappedbacktothefrontwithagroan。Theponysnortedasthesteelbithisflanks，leapedforward，andwithheadoutstretched，nostrilswide，thewickedwhiteofthebroncoflickeringinthecornerofhiseye，struckthebeelineforthehomeranch。Jedfollowedasfastashewasable。
Onhisarrivalhefoundhischiefragingaboutthehouselikeawildbeast。Sangtrembledfromaquickandstormyinterrogatoryinthekitchen。Chairshadbeenupsetandletlie。Estrella"sbelongingshadbeentumbledover。SenorJohnsontherefoundonlytoosureproof，inthevariouslacks，ofapremeditatedandpermanentflight。Stillhehoped；andaslongashehoped，hedoubted，andthedemonsofdoubttorehimtoafrenzy。Jedstoodnearthedoor，hisarmsfolded，hisweightshiftedtohissoundfoot，waitingandwonderingwhatthenextmovewastobe。
Finally，SenorJohnson，struckwithanewidea，rantohisdesktorummageinapigeon-hole。Buthefoundnoneedtodoso，forlyingonthedeskwaswhathesought——thecheckbookfromwhichEstrellawastodrawonGoodrichforthemoneyshemightneed。
Hefairlysnatcheditopen。Twoofthecheckshadbeentornout，stubandall。Andthenhiseyecaughtacrumpledbitofbluepaperundertheedgeofthedesk。
Hesmootheditout。ThecheckwasmadeouttobearerandsignedEstrellaJohnson。Itcalledforfifteenthousanddollars。
Acrossthemiddlewasagreatinkblot，reasonforitsrejection。
AtonceSenorJohnsonbecamesingularlyanddangerouslycool。
"Ireckonyou"reright，Jed，"hecriedinhisnaturalvoice。
"she"sgonewithhim。She"sgotallhertrapswithher，andshe"sdrawnonGoodrichforfifteenthousand。AndSHEneverthoughtofgoingjustthistimeofmonthwhentheminersareinwiththeirdust，andGoodrichwouldbesuretohavethatmuch。
That"sfriendPalmer。Beengoingonamonth，yousay？"
"Icouldn"tsayanything，Buck，"saidParkeranxiously。"Aman"sneversureenoughaboutthemthingstillafterwards。"
"Iknow，"agreedBuckJohnson；"givemealightformycigarette。"
Hepuffedforamoment，thenrose，stretchinghislegs。Inamomenthereturnedfromtheotherroom，theoldshinyColt"sforty-fivestrappedlooselyonhiship。Jedlookedhiminthefacewithsomeanxiety。Theforemanwasnotdeceivedbytheman"seasymanner；infact，heknewittobesymptomaticofoneofthedangerousphasesofSenorJohnson"scharacter。
"What"sup，Buck？"heinquired。
"Justgoingoutforapasearwiththelittlehorse，Jed。"
"IsupposeIbettercomealong？"
"Notwithyourlamefoot，Jed。"
Thetoneofvoicewasconclusive。Jedclearedhisthroat。
"Sheleftthisforyou，"saidhe，profferinganenvelope。"Themkindalwayswrites。"
"Sure，"agreedSenorJohnson，stuffingthelettercarelesslyintohissidepocket。HehalfdrewtheColt"sfromitsholsterandslippeditbackagain。"Makesyoufeelplumblikeamantohaveoneofthesethingsrubbin"againstyouagain，"heobservedirrelevantly。Thenhewentout，leavingtheforemanleaning，chairtilted，againstthewall。
CHAPTERELEVEN
THECAPTURE
Althoughhehadlefttheroomsosuddenly，SenorJohnsondidnotatonceopenthegateoftheadobewall。Hisdemeanourwasgay，forhewasaWesterner，buthisheartwasblack。Hardlydidheseebeyondtheconvexityofhiseyeballs。
Thepony，warmedupbyitslittlerun，pawedtheground，impatienttobeoff。Itwasafineanimal，clean-built，deep-chested，oneofthemustangstockdescendedfromtheArabsbroughtoverbyPizarro。Sangwatchedfearfullyfromtheslantofthekitchenwindow。JedParker，even，listenedforthebeatofthehorse"shoofs。
ButSenorJohnsonstoodstock-still，hisbrainabsolutelynumbandempty。Hishandbrushedagainstsomethingwhichfell，totheground。Hebroughthisdullgazetobearonit。Theobjectprovedtobeablack，wrinkledspheroid，bakedhardasironinthesunshineofEstrella"stoys，apotatosqueezedtodrynessbytheconstrictingpoweroftherawhide。Inarowalongthefencewereothers。ToSenorJohnsonitseemedthatthushisheartwasbeingsqueezedinthefireofsuffering。
Buttheslightmovementofthefallingobjectrousedhim。Heswungopenthegate。Theponybowedhisheaddelightedly。Hewasnottired，buthisreinsdependedstraighttotheground，anditwasapointofhonourwithhimtostand。Atthesaddleborn，initssling，hungtheriata，the"rope"withoutwhichnocowmaneverstirsabroad，butwhichSenorJohnsonhadrarelyusedoflate。SenorJohnsonthrewthereinsover，seizedthepony"smaneinhislefthand，heldthepommelwithhisright，andsoswungeasilyaboard，thepony"sjumphelpinghimtothesaddle。Wheeltracksleddownthetrail。Hefollowedthem。
Truthtotell，SenorJohnsonhadverylittleideaofwhathewasgoingtodo。Hisactionwasentirelyinstinctive。Thewheeltracksheldtothesouthwestsoheheldtothesouthwest，too。
Theponyhithisstride。Themilesslippedby。Aftersevenofthemtheanimalslowedtoawalk。SenorJohnsonallowedhimtogethiswind，thenspurredhimonagain。Hedidnoteventaketheordinaryprecautionsofapursuer。Hedidnotevenglancetothehorizoninsearch。
Aboutsupper-timehecametothefirstranchhouse。Therehetookabitetoeatandexchangedhishorseforanother，afavouriteofhis，namedButton。Thetwomenaskednoquestions。
"SeeMrs。Johnsongothrough？"askedtheSenorfromthesaddle。
"Yes，aboutthreeo"clock。BrentPalmerdrivingher。BoundforWilletstovisitthepreacher"swife，shesaid。OughttocatchupattheCircleI。That"swherethey"dallspendthenight，ofcourse。Solong。"
SenorJohnsonknewnowthecouplewouldfollowthestraightroad。
Theywouldfearnopursuit。Hehimselfwassupposednottoreturnforaweek，andthestoryofvisitingtheminister"swifewasnotonlyplausible，itwasnatural。Jedhadupsetcalculations，becauseJedwasshrewd，andhadeyesinhishead。
BuckJohnson"sfirstmentalnumbnesswaswearingaway；hewasbeginningtothink。
Thenightwasverystillandverydark，thestarsverybrightintheircandle-likeglow。Theman，lopingsteadilyonthroughthedarkness，recalledthatothernight，equallystill，equallydark，equallystarry，whenhehaddrivenoutfromhisaccustomedlifeintotheunknownwithawomanbyhisside，thesightofwhomasleephadmadehimfeel"almostholy。"Heutteredashortlaugh。
Theponywasagoodone，wellequaltotwicethedistancehewouldbecalledupontocoverthisnight。SenorJohnsonmanagedhimwell。Bylongexperienceandanaturalinstinctheknewjusthowhardtopushhismount，justhowtokeepinsidethepointwheretoorapidexhaustionofvitalitybegins。
Towardthehourofsunrisehedrewreintolookabouthim。Thedesert，tillnowwrappedinthethousandlittlenoisesthatmakenightsilence，drewbreathinpreparationfortheaweofthedailywonder。Itlayacrosstheworldheavyasaseaoflead，andaslifeless；deeplyunconscious，likeanexhaustedsleeper。
Theskybentabove，thestarspaling。Farawaythemountainsseemedtowait。Andthen，imperceptibly，thoseintheeastbecameblackerandsharper，whilethoseinthewestbecamefaintlylucentandlostthedistinctnessoftheiroutline。Thechangewasnothing，yeteverything。Andsuddenlyadesertbirdsprangintotheairandbegantosing。
SenorJohnsoncaughtthewonderofit。Thewonderofitseemedtohimwasted，useless，cruelinitseffect。Hesighedimpatiently，anddrewhishandacrosshiseyes。
Thedesertbecamegreywiththefirstlightbeforetheglory。IntheillusoryrevealmentofitSenorJohnson"ssharpfrontiersman"seyesmadeoutanobjectmovingawayfromhiminthemiddledistance。Inamomenttheobjectroseforasecondagainsttheskyline，thendisappeared。Heknewittobethebuckboard，andthatthevehiclehadjustplungedintothedrybedofanarroyo。
Immediatelylifesurgedthroughhimlikeanelectricshock。Heunfastenedtheriatafromitssling，shookloosethenoose，andmovedforwardinthedirectioninwhichhehadlastseenthebuckboard。
Atthetopofthesteeplittlebankhestoppedbehindthemesquite，straininghiseyes；luckhadbeengoodtohim。Thebuckboardhadpulledup，andBrentPalmerwasatthemomentbeginningalittlefire，evidentlytomakethemorningcoffee。
SenorJohnsonstruckspurstohishorseandhalfslid，halffell，clattering，downthesteepclaybankalmostontopofthecouplebelow。
Estrellascreamed。BrentPalmerjerkedoutanoath，andreachedforhisgun。Theloopoftheriatafellwideoverhim，immediatelytobejerkedtight，bindinghisarmstighttohisside。
Thebronco-buster，sweptfromhisfeetbythepony"srapidturn，neverthelessstruggleddesperatelytowrenchhimselfloose。
Button，intelligentatallropework，walkedsteadilybackward，stepbystep，takinguptheslack，keepingtheropetightashehaddonehundredsoftimesbeforewhenasteerhadstruggledasthismanwasstrugglingnow。Hismasterleapedfromthesaddleandranforward。Buttoncontinuedtowalkslowlyback。Theriataremainedtaut。Thenooseheld。
BrentPalmerfoughtsavagely，eventhen。Hekicked，herolledoverandover，hewrenchedviolentlyathispinionedarms，hetwistedhispowerfulyoungbodyfromSenorJohnson"sgraspagainandagain。Butitwasnouse。Inlessthanaminutehewasboundhardandfast。Buttonpromptlyslackenedtherope。Thedustsettled。Thenoiseofthecombatdied。Againcouldbeheardthesingledesertbirdsingingagainstthedawn。
CHAPTERTWELVE
INTHEARROYO
SenorJohnsonquietlyapproachedEstrella。Thegirlhad，duringthestruggle，gonethroughanaimlessbutfranticexhibitionofterror。Nowsheshrankback，hereyesstaringwildly，herhandsbehindher，readytoflopagainoverthebrinkofhysteria。
"Whatareyougoingtodo？"shedemanded，hervoiceunnatural。
Shereceivednoreply。Themanreachedoutandtookherbythearm。
Andthenatonce，asthoughthepersonalcontactofthetouchhadbrokenthroughthelastcrumbofnumbnesswithwhichshockhadoverlaidBuckJohnson"spassions，theinsanityofhisragebrokeout。Hetwistedherviolentlyonherface，kneltonherback，and，withtheshortpieceofhardropethecowboyalwayscarriesto"hog-tie"cattle，helashedherwriststogether。Thenhearosepanting，hissquareblackbeardrisingandfallingwiththeriseandfallofhisgreatchest。
Estrellahadscreamedagainandagainuntilherfacehadbeenfairlygroundintothealkali。Thereshehadchokedandstrangledandgaspedandsobbed，hermindnearlyunhingedwithterror。Shekeptappealingtohiminahoarsevoice，butcouldgetnoreply，noindicationthathehadevenheard。Thisterrifiedherstillmore。BrentPalmercursedsteadilyandaccurately，butthemandidnotseemtohearhimeither。
ThetempestbadbrokeninBuckJohnson"ssoul。WhenhehadtouchedEstrellahehad，forthefirsttime，realisedwhathehadlost。Itwasnotthewoman——herhedespised。Butthedreams！
Allatonceheknewwhattheyhadbeentohim——heunderstoodhowcompletelytheverysubstanceofhislifehadchangedinresponsetotheirslowsoul-action。Thenewworldhadbeenblasted——theoldnolongerexistedtowhichtoreturn。
BuckJohnsonstaredatthiscatastropheuntilhissightblurred。
Why，itwasatrocious！Hehaddonenothingtodeserveit！Whyhadtheynotlefthimpeacefulinhisownlifeofcattleandthetrail？Hehadbeenhappy。Hisdulleyesfellonthecausesoftheruin。
Andthen，finally，intheunderstandingofhowhehadbeentrickedofhislife，hishappiness，hisrighttowell-being，thewholeforceoftheman"sangerflared。BrentPalmerlaytherecursinghimartistically。Thatmanhaddoneit；thatmanwasinhispower。Hewouldgeteven。How？
Estrella，too，layhuddled，helplessanddefenseless，athisfeet。Shehaddoneit。Hewouldgeteven。How？
Hehadspokennoword。Hespokenonenow，eitherinanswertoEstrella"sappeals，becomingpiteousintheircravingforrelieffromsuspense，orinresponsetoBrentPalmer"ssteadystreamofinsultsandvituperations。Suchthingswerefarbelow。Thebitternessandangeranddesolationweresqueezinghisheart。
Herememberedthesillylittlerowofpotatoessewninthegreenhidelyingalongthetopoftheadobefence，somefreshandround，somedrippingastherawhidecontracted，someblackandwitheredandverysmall。Afierceandsavagelightsprangintohiseyes。
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
THERAWHIDE
Firstofallheunhitchedthehorsesfromthebuckboardandturnedthemloose。Then，sincehewasearlytrainedinIndianwarfare，hedraggedPalmertothewagonwheel，andtiedhimsocloselytoitthathecouldnotrollover。For，thoughthebronco-busterwasalreadysofetteredthathisonlypossiblemovementwasofthejack-knifevariety，neverthelesshemightbeabletohitchhimselfalongthegroundtoasharpstone，theretosawthroughtheropeabouthiswrists。Estrella，herhusbandheldincontempt。Hemerelysupplementedherwristbandsbyoneabouttheankles。
LeisurelyhemountedButtonandturnedupthewagontrail，leavingthetwo。Estrellahadexhaustedherself。Shewascapableofnothingmoreinthewayofemotion。Hereyestightclosed，sheinhaledindeep，trembling，long-drawnbreaths，andexhaledwiththenameofherMaker。
BrentPalmer，onthecontrary，wasbynomeanssubdued。Hehadexpectedtobeshotincoldblood。Nowhedidnotknowwhattoanticipate。Hisblack，levelbrowsdrawnstraightindefiance，hethrewhiscursesafterJohnson"sretreatingfigure。
Thelatter，however，paidnoattention。Hehadhispurposes。
Onceatthetopofthearroyohetookacarefulsurveyofthelandscape，nowrichwithdawn。Eachexcrescenceontheplainhishalf-squintedeyesnoticed，andwithinstantskillrelegatedtoitspropercategoryofsoap-weed，mesquite，cactus。AtlengthheswungButtoninaneasylopetowardwhatlookedtobeabunchofsoap-weedinthemiddledistance。
Butinamomentthecattlecouldbeseenplainly。Buttonprickeduphisears。Heknewcattle。Nowheproceededtentatively，liftinghighhislittlehoofstoavoidthehalf-seeninequalitiesofthegroundandtheground"sgrowths，wonderingwhetherheweretobecalledontoropeortodrive。Whentheriderhadapproachedtowithinahundredfeet，thecattlestarted。
ImmediatelyButtonunderstoodthathewastopursue。Noropeswungabovehishead，sohesheeredoffandranasfastashecouldtocutaheadofthebunch。Buthisriderwithkneeandreinforcedhimin。Afteramoment，tohisastonishment，hefoundhimselfrunningalongsideabigsteer。Buttonhadneverhuntedbuffalo——BuckJohnsonhad。
TheColt"sforty-fivebarkedonce，andthenagain。Thesteerstaggered，felltohisknees，recovered，andfinallystopped，thebloodstreamingfromhisnostrils。Inamomenthefellheavilyonhisside——dead。
SenorJohnsonatoncedismountedandbeganmethodicallytoskintheanimal。Thiswasnoteasyforhehadnowayofsuspendingthecarcassnorofrollingitfromsidetoside。However，hewaspractisedatitanddidaneatjob。Twoorthreetimesheevencaughthimselftakingextrapainsthatthethinfleshstripsshouldnotadheretotheinsideofthepelt。Thenhesmiledgrimly，andrippeditloose。
Afterthehidehadbeenremovedhecutfromtheedge，aroundandaround，along，narrowstrip。Withthisheboundthewholeintoacompactbundle，strappeditonbehindhissaddle，andremounted。Hereturnedtothearroyo。
Estrellastilllaywithhereyesclosed。BrentPalmerlookedupkeenly。Thebronco-bustersawthegreenhide。Apuzzledexpressioncreptacrosshisface。
RoughlyJohnsonloosedhisenemyfromthewheelanddraggedhimtothewoman。Hepassedthefreeendoftheriataaboutthemboth，tyingthemclosetogether。Thegirlcontinuedtomoan，outofherwitswithterror。
"Whatareyougoingtodonow，youdevil？"demandedPalmer，butreceivednoreply。
BuckJohnsonspreadouttherawhide。Puttingforthhishugestrength，hecarriedtoitthepair，boundtogetherlikeabaleofgoods，andlaidthemonitscoolsurface。Hethrewacrossthemtheedges，andthendeliberatelybegantowindaroundandaroundthehugeandunwieldyrawhidepackagethestriphehadcutfromtheedgeofthepelt。
Norwasthisaltogethereasy。AtlastBrentPalmerunderstood。
Hewrithedinthestruggleofdesperation，foamingblasphemies。
Theuncouthbundlerolledhereandthere。Butinexorablytheother，fromtheadvantageofhisposition，drewthethongstighter。
Andthen，allatonce，fromvituperationthebronco-busterfelltopleading，notforlife，butfordeath。
"ForGod"ssake，shootme！"hecriedfromwithinthesmotheringfoldsoftherawhide。"Ifyoueverhadaheartinyou，shootme！
Don"tleavemeheretobecrushedinthisvise。Youwouldn"tdothattoayellowdog。AnInjinwouldn"tdothat，Buck。It"sajoke，isn"tit？Don"tgoawayandleaveme，Buck。I"vedoneyoudirt。Cutmyheartout，ifyouwantto；Iwon"tsayaword，butdon"tleavemehereforthesun——"
Hisvoicewasdrownedinapiercingscream，asEstrellacametoherselfandunderstood。Alwaystherawhidehadpossessedforheranoccultfascinationandrepulsion。Shehadneverbeenabletotouchitwithoutashudder，andyetshehadalwaysbeendrawntoexperimentwithit。Theterrorofherdoomhadnowaddedtoitforherallthevagueandpremonitoryterrorswhichheretoforeshehadnotunderstood。
Therichnessofthedawnhadflowedtothewest。Daywasathand。Breezeshadbeguntoplayacrossthedesert；thewinddevilstoraisetheirstraightcolumns。AfirstlongshaftofsunlightshotthroughapassintheChiricahuas，trembledinthedust-motedair，andlaiditswarmthontherawhide。SenorJohnsonrousedhimselffromhisgloomtospeakhisfirstwordsoftheepisode。
"There，damnyou！"saidhe。"Iguessyou"llbecloseenoughtogethernow！"
Heturnedawaytolookforhishorse。
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
THEDESERT
ButtonwasatrustyofSenorJohnson"sprivateanimals。Hewasneverknowntoleavehismasterinthelurch，andsowashabituallyallowedcertainprivileges。Now，insteadofremainingexactlyonthespotwherehewas"tiedtotheground，"hehadwanderedoutofthedryarroyobedtotheupperleveloftheplains，whereheknewcertainbunchgrassesmightbefound。BuckJohnsonclimbedthesteepwoodedbankinsearchofhim。
Theponystoodnottenfeetdistant。Athismaster"sabruptappearancehemerelyraisedhishead，awispofgrassinthecornerofhismouth，withoutattemptingtomoveaway。BuckJohnsonwalkedconfidentlytohim，fumblinginhissidepocketforthepieceofsugarwithwhichhehabituallysoothedButton"ssophisticatedpalate。HishandencounteredEstrella"sletter。
Hedrewitoutandopenedit。
"DearBuck，"itread，"Iamgoingaway。Itriedtobegood，butIcan"t。It"stoolonesomeforme。I"mafraidofthehorsesandthecattleandthemenandthedesert。Ihateitall。ItriedtomakeyouseehowIfeltaboutit，butyoucouldn"tseemtosee。Iknowyou"llneverforgiveme，butI"dgocrazyhere。I"malmostcrazynow。IsupposeyouthinkI"mabadwoman，butIamnot。Youwon"tbelievethat。Its"truethough。Thedesertwouldmakeanyonebad。Idon"tseehowyoustandit。You"vebeengoodtome，andI"vereallytried，butit"snouse。Thecountryisawful。Ineveroughttohavecome。I"msorryyouaregoingtothinkmeabadwoman，forIlikeyouandadmireyou，butnothing，NOTHINGcouldmakemestayhereanylonger。"ShesignedherselfsimplyEstrellaSands，hermaidenname。
BuckJohnsonstoodstaringatthepaperforamuchlongertimethanwasnecessarymerelytoabsorbthemeaningofthewords。
Hissenses，sharpenedbythestressofthelastsixteenhours，weretryingmightilytocuttothemysteryofachangegoingonwithinhimself。Thephrasesoftheletterwerebaldenough，yettheyconveyedsomethingvitaltohisinnerbeing。Hecouldnotunderstandwhatitwas。
Thenabruptlyheraisedhiseyes。
Beforehimlaythedesert，butadesertsuddenlyandmiraculouslychanged，adeserthehadneverseenbefore。Mileaftermileitsweptawaybeforehim，hot，dry，suffocating，lifeless。Thesparsevegetationwasgreywiththealkalidust。Theheathungchokingintheairlikeacurtain。Lizardssprawledinthesun，repulsive。Arattlesnakedraggeditsloathsomelengthfromunderamesquite。Thedriedcarcassofasteer，whoseparchmentskindrewtightacrossitsbones，rattledinthebreeze。Hereandthererockridgesshowedwiththeobscenityofsomanyskeletons，exposingtothehard，cruelskytheearth"snakedness。Thirst，delirium，death，hoveredpalpableinthewind；dreadful，unconquerable，ghastly。
Thedesertshowedherteethandlayinwaitlikeafiercebeast。
Thelittlesoulofmanshrankinterrorbeforeit。
BuckJohnsonstared，recallingthephrasesoftheletter，recallingthewordsofhisforeman，JedParker。"It"stoolonesomeforme，""I"mafraid，""Ihateitall，""I"dgocrazyhere，""Thedesertwouldmakeanyonebad，""Thecountryisawful。"Andthemusingvoiceoftheoldcattleman，"Iwonderifshe"lllikethecountry！"Theyreiteratedthemselvesoverandover；andalwaysasrefrainhisownconfidentreply，"Likethecountry？Sure！WhySHOULDN"Tshe？"
Andthenherecalledthesummerjustpassing，andthewomanwhohadmadenofuss。Chanceremarksofherscamebacktohim，remarkswhosemeaninghehadnotatthetimegrasped，butwhichnowhesawweredesperateappealstohisunderstanding。Hehadknownhisdesert。Hehadneverknownhers。
WithanexclamationBuckJohnsonturnedabruptlybacktothearroyo。Buttonfollowedhim，mildlycurious，certainthathismaster"sreappearancemeantasummonsforhimself。
Downtheminiaturecliffthemanslid，confidently，withouthesitation，sureofhimself。Hisshouldersheldsquarely，hisstepelastic，hiseyebright，hewalkedtothefearful，shapelessbundlenowlyingmotionlessontheflatsurfaceofthealkali。
BrentPalmerhadfallenintoagrimsilence，butEstrellastillmoaned。Thecattlemandrewhisknifeandrippedloosethebonds。
Immediatelytheflapsofthewetrawhidefellapart，exposingtothenewdaylightthetwoboundtogether。BuckJohnsonleanedovertotouchthewoman"sshoulder。
"Estrella，"saidhegently。
Hereyescameopenwithasnap，andstaredintohis，wildwiththesurpriseofhisreturn。
"Estrella，"herepeated，"howoldareyou？"
Shegulpeddownasob，unabletocomprehendthepurportofhisquestion。
"Howoldareyou，Estrella？"herepeatedagain。
"Twenty-one，"shegaspedfinally。
"Ah！"saidhe。
Hestoodforamomentindeepthought，thenbeganmethodically，withouthaste，tocutloosethethongsthatboundthetwotogether。
Whenthemanandthewomanwerequitefreed，hestoodforamoment，theknifeinhishand，lookingdownonthem。Thenheswunghimselfintothesaddleandrodeaway，straightdownthenarrowarroyo，outbeyonditslowerwidening，intothevastplainsthehithersideoftheChiricahuas。Thealkalidustwassnatchedbythewindfrombeneathhishorse"sfeet。Smallerandsmallerhedwindled，risingandfalling，risingandfallinginthemonotonouscow-pony"slope。Theheatshimmerveiledhimforamoment，buthereappeared。Amirageconcealedhim，butheemergedontheothersideofit。Thensuddenlyhewasgone。Thedeserthadswallowedhimup。