Cressy

第7章

CHAPTERXII。

Themasterawokethenextmorning，albeitafterarestlessnight，withthatclarityofconscienceandperceptionwhichitistobefearedismoreoftentheconsequenceofyouthandaperfectcirculationthanofanymoralconvictionorintegrity。Hearguedwithhimselfthatastheonlypartyreallyaggrievedintheincidentofthepreviousnight，therightofremedyremainedwithhimsolely，andunderthebenigninfluenceofanearlybreakfastandthefreshmorningairhewasinclinedtofeellesssternlyeventowardsSethDavis。Inanyevent，hemustfirstcarefullyweightheevidenceagainsthim，andexaminethesceneoftheoutrageclosely。Forthispurpose，hehadstartedfortheschool-housefullyanhourbeforehisusualtime。Hewasevenlight-heartedenoughtorecognizethehumorousaspectofUncleBen’sappealtohim，andhisownludicrouslyparadoxicalattitude，andasheatlastpassedfromthedrearyflatintothefringeofuplandpines，hewassmiling。Wellforhim，perhaps，thathewasnomoreaffectedbyanypremonitionofthedaybeforehimthanthelatelyawakenedbirdsthatlightlycutthestillsleepingwoodsaroundhimintheirlongflashingsabre-curvesofflight。Ayellow-throat，destinedtobecomethebreakfastofalazyhawkstillswingingabovetheriver，wasespeciallymovedtosuchacauselessandidioticrouladeofmirththatthemasterlisteningtothefoolishbirdwasfaintowhistletoo。Hepresentlystopped，however，withaslightembarrassment。ForafewpacesbeforehimCressyhadunexpectedlyappeared。

Shehadevidentlybeenwatchingforhim。Butnotwithherusualindolentconfidence。Therewasastrainedlookofthemusclesofhermouth，asofsomepastrepression，andashadedhollowunderhertemplesbeneaththeblonderingsofhershorterhair。Herhabituallyslow，steadyeyewastroubled，andshecastafurtiveglancearoundherbeforeshesearchedhimwithherglance。Withoutknowingwhy，yetvaguelyfearingthathedid，hebecamestillmoreembarrassed，andintheveryegotismofawkwardness，stammeredwithoutafurthersalutation："Adisgracefulthinghashappenedlastnight，andI’mupearlytofindtheperpetrator。Mydeskwasbrokeninto，and"——

"Iknowit，"sheinterrupted，withahalf-impatient，halfuneasyputtingawayofthesubjectwithherlittlehand——"there——don’tgoalloveritagain。PawandMawhavebeenatmeaboutitallnight——

eversincethoseHarrisonsintheiranxiousnesstomakeuptheirquarrel，rushedoverwiththenews。I’mtiredofit！"

Foraninstanthewasstaggered。Howmuchhadshelearned！Withthesameawkwardindirectness，hesaidvaguely，"ButitmighthavebeenYOURletters，youknow？"

"Butitwasn’t，"shesaid，simply。"ItOUGHTtohavebeen。Iwishithad"——Shestopped，andagainregardedhimwithastrangeexpression。"Well，"shesaidslowly，"whatareyougoingtodo？"

"Tofindoutthescoundrelwhohasdonethis，"hesaidfirmly，"andpunishhimashedeserves。"

Thealmostimperceptibleshrugthathadraisedhershouldersgavewayassheregardedhimwithalookofweariedcompassion。

"No，"shesaid，gravely，"youcannot。They’retoomanyforyou。

Youmustgoaway，atonce。"

"Never，"hesaidindignantly。"Evenifitwerenotacowardice。

Itwouldbemore——aconfession！"

"Notmorethantheyalreadyknow，"shesaidwearily。"But，Itellyou，youMUSTgo。Ihavesneakedoutofthehouseandrunhereallthewaytowarnyou。Ifyou——youcareforme，Jack——youwillgo。"

"IshouldbeatraitortoyouifIdid，"hesaidquickly。"Ishallstay。"

"Butif——if——Jack——if"——shedrewnearerhimwithanew-foundtimidity，andthensuddenlyplacedhertwohandsuponhisshoulders："If——if——Jack——Iweretogowithyou？"

Theoldrapt，eagerlookofpossessionhadcomebacktoherfacenow；herlipsweresoftlyparted。Yeteventhensheseemedtobewaitingsomereplymorepotentthanthatsyllabledonthelipsofthemanbeforeher。

Howbeitthatwastheonlyresponse。"Darling，"hesaidkissingher，"butwouldn’tthatjustifythem"——

"Stop，"shesaidsuddenly。Thenputtingherhandoverhismouth，shecontinuedwiththesamehalf-wearyexpression："Don’tletusgooverallthatagaineither。ItisSOtiresome。Listen，dear。

You’lldooneortwolittlethingsforme——won’tyou，dandyboy？

Don’tlingerlongattheschool-houseafterlessons。Gorighthome！Don’tlookafterthesemenTO-DAY——to-morrow，Saturday，isyourholiday——youknow——andyou’llhavemoretime。Keeptoyourselfto-dayasmuchasyoucan，dear，fortwelvehours——until——

until——youhearfromme，youknow。Itwillbeallrightthen，"sheadded，liftinghereyelidswithasuddenoddresemblancetoherfather’slookofdrowsypain，whichFordhadnevernoticedbefore。

"Promisemethat，dear，won’tyou？"

Withamentalreservationhepromisedhurriedly——preoccupiedinhiswonderwhysheseemedtoavoidhisexplanation，inhisdesiretoknowwhathadhappened，inthepridethathadkepthimfromaskingmoreorvolunteeringadefence，andinhisstillhauntingsenseofhavingbeenwronged。Yethecouldnothelpsayingashecaughtandheldherhand：——

"YOUhavenotdoubtedme，Cressy？YOUhavenotallowedthisinfamousrakingupofthingsthatarepastandgonetoalteryourfeelings？"

Shelookedathimabstractedly。"YouthinkitmightalterANYBODY’S

feelings，then？"

"Nobody’swhoreallylovedanother"——hestammered。

"Don’tletustalkofitanymore，"shesaidsuddenlystretchingoutherarms，liftingthemaboveherheadwithaweariedgesture，andthenlettingthemfallclaspedbeforeherinheroldhabitualfashion。"Itmakesmyheadache；whatwithPawandMawandtherestofthem——I’msickofitall。"

SheturnedawayasForddrewbackcoldlyandletherhandfallfromhisarm。Shetookafewstepsforward，stopped，ranbacktohimagain，crushedhisfaceandheadinacloseembrace，andthenseemedtodiplikeabirdintothetallbracken，andwasgone。

Themasterstoodforsomemomentschagrinedandbewildered；itwascharacteristicofhistemperamentthathehadpaidlessheedtowhatshetoldhimthanwhatheIMAGINEDhadpassedbetweenhermotherandherself。Shewasnaturallyjealousoftheletters——hecouldforgiveherforthat；shehaddoubtlessbeentwittedaboutthem，buthecouldeasilyexplainthemtoherparents——ashewouldhavedonetoher。Buthewasnotsuchafoolastoelopewithheratsuchamoment，withoutfirstclearinghischaracter——andknowingmoreofhers。Anditwasequallycharacteristicofhimthatinhissenseofinjuryheconfoundedherwiththewriteroftheletters——

assympathizingwithhiscorrespondentinherestimateofhischaracter，andwasquitecarriedawaywiththebeliefthathewasequallywrongedbyboth。

Itwasnotuntilhereachedtheschoolhousethattheevidencesoflastnight’soutrageforatimedistractedhismindfromhissingularinterview。Hewasstruckwiththeworkmanlikemannerinwhichthelockshadbeenrestored，andthecarethathadevidentlybeentakentoremovethemoreobviousandbrutaltracesofburglary。ThissomewhatstaggeredhistheorythatSethDaviswastheperpetrator；mechanicalskillandthoughtfulnesswerenotamongthelout’scharacteristics。Buthewasstillmoredisconcertedonpushingbackhischairtofindasmallindia-rubbertobaccopouchlyingbeneathit。Themasterinstantlyrecognizedit：hehadseenitahundredtimesbefore——itwasUncleBen’s。Itwasnottherewhenhehadclosedtheroomyesterdayafternoon。EitherUncleBenhadbeentherelastnight，orhadanticipatedhimthismorning。

Butinthelattercasehewouldscarcelyhaveoverlookedhisfallenproperty——that，inthedarknessofthenight，mighthavereadilyescapeddetection。HisbrowdarkenedwithasuddenconvictionthatitwasUncleBenwhowastherealandonlyoffender，andthathissimplicityofthepreviousnightwaspartofhisdeception。A

sickeningsensethathehadbeenagainduped——butwhyortowhatpurposehehardlydaredtothink——overcamehim。Whoamongthesestrangepeoplecouldheeveragaintrust？Afterthefashionofmoreelevatedindividuals，hehadacceptedtherespectandkindnessofthosehebelievedhisinferiorsasanaturaltributetohisownsuperiority；anychangeinTHEIRfeelingsmustthereforebehypocrisyordisloyalty；itneveroccurredtohimthatHEmighthavefallenbelowtheirstandard。

Thearrivalofthechildrenandtheresumptionofhisdutiesforatimedivertedhim。Butalthoughthemorning’sexerciserestoredthemaster’sself-confidence，itcannotbesaidtohaveimprovedhisjudgment。DisdainingtoquestionRupertFilgee，asthepossibleconfidantofUncleBen，heansweredthecuriousinquiriesofthechildrenastothebrokendoorlockwiththeremarkthatitwasamatterthatheshouldhavetobringbeforetheTrusteesoftheBoard，andbythetimethatschoolwasoverandthepupilsdismissedhehadquiteresolveduponthisformaldispositionofit。

InspiteofCressy’swarning——ratherbecauseofit——inthenewattitudehehadtakentowardsherandherfriends，helingeredintheschool-houseuntillate。Hehadoccupiedhimselfindrawingupastatementofthefacts，withanintimationthathiscontinuanceintheschoolwoulddependuponarigidinvestigationofthecircumstances，whenhewasarousedbytheclatterofhorses’hoofs。

Thenextmomenttheschool-housewassurroundedbyadozenmen。

Helookedup；halfofthemdismountedandenteredtheroom。Theotherhalfremainedoutsidedarkeningthewindowswiththeirmotionlessfigures。Eachmancarriedagunbeforehimonthesaddle；eachmanworearudemaskofblackclothpartlycoveringhisface。

Althoughthemasterwasinstinctivelyawarethathewasthreatenedbyseriousdanger，hewasfarfrombeingimpressedbythearmsanddisguiseofhismysteriousintruders。Onthecontrary，theobviousandglaringinconsistencyofthischeaplytheatricalinvasionofthepeacefulschool-house；ofthisoppositionofmenacingfigurestothescatteredchildishprimersandtext-booksthatstilllayonthedesksaroundhim，onlyextractedfromhimahalfscornfulsmileashecoollyregardedthem。Thefearlessnessofignoranceisoftenasunassailableasthemostexperiencedvalor，andtheawe-

inspiringinvaderswereatfirstembarrassedandthenhumanlyangry。Alankfiguretotherightmadeaforwardmovementofimpotentrage，butwascheckedbytheevidentleaderoftheparty。

"Efhelikestotakeitthatway，thereain’tnoRegulatorslawaginit，Ireckon，"hesaid，inavoicewhichthemasterinstantlyrecognizedasJimHarrison’s，"thoughezagin’ralthingtheydon’tusuallyfinditFUN。"Thenturningtothemasterheadded，"MisterFord，efthat’sthenameyougobyeverywhere，we’rewantin’amanaboutyoursize。"

Fordknewthathewasinhopelessperil。Heknewthathewasphysicallydefencelessandatthemercyoftwelvearmedandlawlessmen。Butheretainedapreternaturalclearnessofperception，andaudacitybornofunqualifiedscornforhisantagonists，withafemininesharpnessoftongue。Inavoicewhichastonishedevenhimselfbyitscontemptuousdistinctness，hesaid："MynameIS

Ford，butasIonlySUPPOSEyournameisHarrisonperhapsyou’llbefairenoughtotakethatragfromyourfaceandshowittomelikeaman。"

Themanremovedthemaskfromhisfacewithaslightlaugh。

"Thankyou，"saidFord。"Now，perhapsyouwilltellmewhichoneofyougentlemenbrokeintotheschool-house，forcedthelockofmydesk，andstolemypapers。IfheishereIwishtotellhimheisnotonlyathief，butacurandacoward，forthelettersareawoman’s——whomheneitherknowsnorhastherighttoknow。"

Ifhehadhopedtoforceapersonalquarrelandtrusthislifetothechanceofasingleantagonist，hewasdisappointed，foralthoughhisunexpectedattitudehadproducedsomeeffectamongthegroup，andevenattractedtheattentionofthemenatthewindows，Harrisonstrodedeliberatelytowardshim。

"Thatkinwait，"hesaid；"jestnowweproposetotakeyouandyourlettersanddrop’emandyououterthisyertownshipofInjinSprings。Youkintake’embacktothewomanorcritteryougot’emof。Butwekalkilateyou’realittletoohandyandfreeinthemsorterthingstoteachschoolroundyer，andwekinderallowwedon’tkeertohevourgalsandboyseddicateduptoyourhigh-tonedstandard。Soefyouchoosetokemalongeasywe’llmak’youcomf’bleonahosswe’vegotwaitin’outside，an’escortyouacrosstheline。Efyoudon’t——we’lltakeyouanyway。"

Themastercastarapidglancearoundhim。Inhisquicknessofperceptionhehadalreadynotedthattheledhorseamongthecavalcadewasfastenedbyalariattooneoftheriderssothatescapebyflightwasimpossible，andthathehadnotasingleweapontodefendhimselfwithorevenprovoke，inhisdesperation，thestrugglethatcouldforestallignominybydeath。Nothingwaslefthimbuthisvoice，clearandtrenchantashefacedthem。

"Youaretwelvetoone，"hesaidcalmly，"butifthereisasinglemanamongyouwhodarestepforwardandaccusemeofwhatyouonlyTOGETHERdaredo，Iwilltellhimheisaliarandacoward，andstandherereadytomakeitgoodagainsthim。Youcomehereasjudgeandjurycondemningmewithouttrial，andconfrontingmewithnoaccusers；youcomehereaslawlessavengersofyourhonor，andyoudarenotgiveMEtheprivilegeofaslawlesslydefendingmyown。"

Therewasanotherslightmurmuramongthemen，buttheleadermovedimpatientlyforward。"We’vehadenougho’yourpreachin’：wewantYOU，"hesaidroughly。"Come。"

"Stop，"saidadullvoice。

Itcamefromamutefigurewhichhadremainedmotionlessamongtheothers。Everyeyewasturneduponitasitroseandlazilypushedtheclothfromitsface。

"HiramMcKinstry！"saidtheothersinmingledtonesofastonishmentandsuspicion。

"That’sme！"saidMcKinstry，comingforwardwithheavydeliberation。

"Ijoinedthisyerdelegationatthecrossroadsinsteado’mybrother，whohadthecall。Ireckonet’sallthesame——ormebbebetter。ForIperposetotakethisyergentlemanoffyourhands。"

Heliftedhisslumbrouseyesforthefirsttimetothemaster，andatthesametimeputhimselfbetweenhimandHarrison。"I

perpose，"hecontinued，"totakehimathisword；Iperposetergivehimachancetoanswerwithagun。AndezIreckon，byallaccounts，there’snomanyerezhezabetterrightthanME，I

perposetobethemantoputthatquestiontohiminthesameway。

Etmaynotsuitsomegents，"hecontinuedslowly，facinganangryexclamationfromthelankfigurebehindhim，"ezwouldprefertohevelevenmentotakeupTHEIRprivatequo’lls，buteventhenI

reckonthatthemanwhoisthemostinjuredheztherighttothefirstsayandthatman’sME。"

Withacarefuldeliberationthathadadoublesignificancetothemalcontents，hehandedhisownrifletothemasterandwithoutlookingathimcontinued："Ireckon，sir，you’veseenthatafore，butefitain’tquitetoyourhand，anyofthosegents，I

kalkilate，willbehigh-tonedenufftogivyouthechyceo’theirs。

Andthere’snoneedo’trapsin’beyon’thetownshiplines，tofixthisyeraffair；Iperposetodoitintenminutesinthebrushyonder。"

Whatevermighthavebeenthefeelingsandintentionsofthemenaroundhim，theprecedenceofMcKinstry’srighttotheduellowasaprincipletoodeeplyrootedintheirtraditionstodeny；ifanyresistancetoithadbeencontemplatedbysomeofthem，thefactthatthemasterwasnowarmed，andthatMr。McKinstrywouldquicklydobattleathissidewitharevolverindefenceofhisrights，checkedanyexpression。TheysilentlydrewbackasthemasterandMcKinstryslowlypassedoutoftheschool-housetogether，andthenfollowedintheirrear。InthatintervalthemasterturnedtoMcKinstryandsaidinalowvoice："Iacceptyourchallengeandthankyouforit。Youhaveneverdonemeagreaterkindness——

whateverIhavedonetoYOU——yetIwantyoutobelievethatneithernownorTHEN——Imeantyouanyharm。"

"Efyoumeanbythat，sir，thatyereckonyewon’treturnmyfire，ye’reblindandwrong。Foritwilldoyounogoodwiththem，"hesaidwithasignificantwaveofhiscrippledhandtowardsthefollowingcrowd，"normeneither。"

Firmlyresolved，however，thathewouldnotfireatMcKinstry，andclingingblindlytothiswhichhebelievedwasthelastideaofhisfoolishlife，hecontinuedonwithoutanotherworduntiltheyreachedtheopenstripofchemisalthatflankedtheclearing。

Therudepreliminariesweresoonsettled。Thepartiesarmedwithriflesweretofireatthewordfromadistanceofeightyyards，andthenapproacheachother，continuingthefightwithrevolversuntiloneortheotherfell。TheselectionofsecondswaseffectedbytheelderHarrisonactingforMcKinstry，andafteramoment’sdelaybythevolunteeringofthelong，lankfigurepreviouslynotedtoactforthemaster。Preoccupiedbyotherthoughts，Mr。Fordpaidlittleheedtohisself-electedsupporter，whototheothersseemedtobeonlytakingthatmethodofshowinghiscontemptforMcKinstry’srecentinsult。Themasterreceivedtheriflemechanicallyfromhishandandwalkedtoposition。Henoticed，however，andrememberedafterwardsthathissecondwashalfhiddenbythetrunkofalargepinetohisrightthatmarkedthelimitoftheground。

Inthatsuprememomentitmustberecorded，albeitagainstallpreconceivedtheory，thathedidNOTreviewhispastlife，wasNOT

illuminatedbyaflashofremorsefulorsentimentalmemory，anddidNOTcommendhissoultohisMaker，butthathewassimplyandkeenlyalivetotheveryactualpresentinwhichhestillexistedandtohisoneideaofnotfiringathisadversary。AndifanythingcouldrenderhisconductmoretheoreticallyincorrectitwasacertainexaltedsensethathewasdoingquiterightandwasnotonlyNOTabadsortoffellow，butonewhomhissurvivorsmightpossiblyregret！

"Areyouready，gentlemen？One——two——three——fi……！"

Theexplosionsweresingularlysimultaneous——soremarkableinfactthatitseemedtothemasterthathisrifle，firedintheair，hadgivenaDOUBLEreport。Alightwreathofsmokelaybetweenhimandhisopponent。Hewasunhurt——soevidentlywashisadversary，forthevoiceroseagain。

"Advance！……Hallothere！Stop！"

HelookedupquicklytoseeMcKinstrystaggerandthenfallheavilytotheground。

Withanexclamationofhorror，thefirstandonlyterribleemotionhehadfelt，herantothefallenman，asHarrisonreachedhissideatthesamemoment。

"ForGod’ssake，"hesaidwildly，throwinghimselfonhiskneesbesideMcKinstry，"whathashappened？ForIsweartoyou，Ineveraimedatyou！Ifiredintheair。Speak！Tellhim，you，"heturnedwithadespairingappealtoHarrison，"youmusthaveseenitall——tellhimitwasnotme！"

Ahalfwondering，halfincreduloussmilepassedquicklyoverHarrison’sface。"Incourseyoudidn’tMEANit，"hesaiddryly，"butletthatslide。Getupandgetawayfromyer，whileyoukin，"

headdedimpatiently，withasignificantglanceatoneortwomenwholingeredafterthesuddenandgeneraldispersionofthecrowdatMcKinstry’sfall。"Get——willye！"

"Never！"saidtheyoungmanpassionately，"untilheknowsthatitwasnotmyhandthatfiredthatshot。"

McKinstrypainfullystruggledtohiselbow。"Ittookmeyere，"hesaidwithaslowdeliberation，asifansweringsomepreviousquestion，andpointingtohiship，"anditkinderletmedownwhenIstartedforwardatthesecondcall。"

"ButitwasnotIwhodidit，McKinstry，Iswearit。Hearme！ForGod’ssake，sayyoubelieveme。"

McKinstryturnedhisdrowsytroubledeyesuponthemasterasifhewerevaguelyrecallingsomething。"Standbacktharaminit，willye，"hesaidtoHarrison，withalanguidwaveofhiscrippledhand；

"Iwantterspeaktothisyerman。"

Harrisondrewbackafewpacesandthemastersoughttotakethewoundedman’shand，buthewasstoppedbyagesture。"WherehevyouputCressy？"McKinstrysaidslowly。

"Idon’tunderstandyou，"stammeredFord。

"Whereareyouhidin’herfromme？"repeatedMcKinstrywithpainfuldistinctness。"Wharhevyourunherto，thatyou’rereckonin’tojineherarter——arter——THIS？"

"Iamnothidingher！Iamnotgoingtoher！Idonotknowwheresheis。Ihavenotseenhersincewepartedearlythismorningwithoutawordofmeetingagain，"saidthemasterrapidly，yetwithabewilderedastonishmentthatwasobviouseventothedulledfacultiesofhishearer。

"Thatwartrue？"askedMcKinstry，layinghishanduponthemaster’sshoulderandbringinghisdulleyestotheleveloftheyoungman’s。

"Itisthewholetruth，"saidFordfervently，"andtruealsothatI

neverraisedmyhandagainstyou。"

McKinstrybeckonedtoHarrisonandthetwootherswhohadjoinedhim，andthensankpartlybackwithhishanduponhisside，wheretheslowempurplingofhisredshirtshowedtheslightoozeofadeeply-seatedwound。

"Youfellerskintakemeovertotheranch，"hesaidcalmly，"andlethim，"pointingtoFord，"rideyourbesthossferthedoctor。I

don’t，"hecontinuedingraveexplanation，"gin’rallyuseadoctor，butthisyerissuthin’outsidetheoldwoman’sregulargait。"Hepaused，andthendrawingthemaster’sheaddowntowardshim，headdedinhisear，"WhenIgettohevalookatthesizeandshapeo’thisyerballthat’sinmyhip，I’ll——I’ll——I’ll——be——a——littlemorekam！"Agleamofdullsignificancestruggledintohiseye。

Themasterevidentlyunderstoodhim，forherosequickly，rantothehorse，mountedhimanddashedoffformedicalassistance，whileMcKinstry，closinghisheavylids，anticipatedthislooked-forcalmbyfaintinggentlyaway。

CHAPTERXIII。

Ofthevarioussentimentalfallaciesentertainedbyadulthumanityinregardtochildhood，nonearemoreingeniouslyinaccurateandgratuitouslyidioticthanacomfortablebeliefinitsprofoundignoranceoftheeventsinwhichitdailymoves，andthemotivesandcharactersofthepeoplewhosurroundit。Yeteventheoccasionalrevelationsofanenfantterribleareasnothingcomparedtotheperiloussecretswhichadiscreetinfantdailybuttonsup，orsecureswithahook-and-eye，orevenfastenswithasafety-pinacrossitsgentlebosom。Societycanneverceasetobegratefulforthattactandconsideration——qualitiesmoreoftenjoinedwithchildishintuitionandperceptionthanwithmaturedobservation——thattheyowetoit；andthemostaccomplishedmanorwomanofthegreatworldmighttakealessonfromthislittleaudiencewhoreceivefromtheirlipsthelietheyfeeltoopalpable，withround-eyedcomplacency，oroutwardlyacceptasmoralandgenuinethehollowsentimenttheyhaveoverheardrehearsedinprivatefortheirbenefit。

ItwasnotstrangethereforethatthelittlepeopleoftheIndianSpringschoolknewperhapsmoreoftherealrelationsofCressyMcKinstrytoheradmirersthantheadmirersthemselves。Notthatthisknowledgewasoutspoken——forchildrenrarelygossipinthegrown-upsense——orevencommunicablebywordsintelligenttothematuredintellect。Awhisper，alaughthatoftenseemedvagueandunmeaning，conveyedtoeachotheraworldofsecretsignificance，andanapparentlysenselessburstofmerrimentinwhichthewholeclassjoinedandthattheadultcriticsetdownto"animalspirits"——aqualitymuchmorerarewithchildrenthangenerallysupposed——wasonlyasympatheticexpressionofsomediscoveryhappilyoblivioustoolderpreoccupation。ThechildishsimplicityofUncleBenperhapsappealedmorestronglytotheirsympathy，andalthough，forthatveryreason，theyregardedhimwithnomorerespectthantheydideachother，hewasattimescarelesslyadmittedtotheirconfidence。ItwasespeciallyRupertFilgeewhoextendedakindofpatronizingprotectorateoverhim——notunmixedwithdoubtsofhissanity，inspiteofthepromisedconfidentialclerkshiphewastoreceivefromhishands。

Onthedayoftheeventschronicledintheprecedingchapter，RupertonreturningfromschoolwassomewhatsurprisedtofindUncleBenperchedupontherail-fencebeforethehumbledooroftheFilgeemansionandevidentlyawaitinghim。SlowlydismountingasRupertandJohnnyapproached，hebeamedupontheformerforsomemomentswitharchandyetaffablemystery。

"Roopy，oldman，Is’poseye’vegotyerdudsallreadyinyerpack，eh？"

Aflushofpleasurepassedovertheboy’shandsomeface。Hecast，however，ahurriedlookdownontheall-pervadingJohnny。

"’CauseyeseewekalkilatetotakethedownstagetoSacramentoatfouro’clock，"continuedUncleBen，enjoyingRupert’shalfscepticalsurprise。"Yeenterintooffice，sotospeak，withmeatthathour，whenthesellery，seventy-fivedollarsamonthandboard，ezprivateandconfidentialclerk，begins——eh？"

Rupert’sdimplesdeepenedincharming，almostfeminine，embarrassment。"Butdad——？"hestammered。

"Et’sallrightwithHIM。He’sagreeable。"

"But——？"

UncleBenfollowedRupert’sglanceatJohnny，whohoweverappearedtobeabsorbedinthepatternofUncleBen’snewtrousers。

"That’sfixed，"hesaidwithameaningsmile。"There’sasorto’

bonuswepaysdown，youknow——foraChinymantodotheoddjobs。"

"Andteacher——Mr。Ford——didyetellhim？"saidRupertbrightening。

UncleBencoughedslightly。"He’sagreeable，too，Ireckon。Thatis，"hewipedhismouthmeditatively，"heezgoodezalloweditingin’ralconversationaweekago，Roop。"

Aswiftshadowofsuspiciondarkenedtheboy’sbrowneyes。"Isanybodyelsegoin’withus？"hesaidquickly。

"Notthisyertrip，"repliedUncleBencomplacently。"Yesee，Roop，"hecontinued，drawinghimasidewithanairofcomfortablemystery，"thisyerbiz’nessb’longstotheprivateandconfidentialbranchoftheoffice。Frominformashunwe’vereceived"——

"WE？"interruptedRupert。

"’We，’that’stheOFFICE，youknow，"continuedUncleBenwithaheavyassumptionofbusinessformality，"wotwe’vereceivedperseveralhandsandconsignee——we——that’sYOUandME，Roop——wegoesdowntoSacramentotoinquireintothestandin’ofacertingparty，asperinvoice，andtersee——tersee——ternegotiateyouknow，terfindoutifshe’smarriedordi-vorced，"heconcludedquickly，asifabandoningforthemomenthisbusinessmannerinconsiderationofRupert’sinexperience。"We’retofindoutherstandin’，Roop，"

hebeganagainwithamorejudiciousblendingofeaseandtechnicality，"andhercontracts，ifany，andwhereshelivesandherwayo’life，andexamineherbooksandpaperseztomarriagesandsich，andarbitratewithhergin’rallyinconversation——youinsidethehouseandmeoutonthepavement，readytobecalledinifaninterviewwithbusinessprincipalsisdesired。"

ObservingRupertsomewhatperplexedandconfusedwiththesetechnicalities，hetactfullyabandonedthemforthepresent，andconsultingapocket-booksaid，"I’vemadeamemorandumofsomepintsthatwe’lltalkoveronthejourney，"againchargedRuperttobepunctuallyatthestageofficewithhiscarpetbag，andcheerfullydeparted。

WhenhehaddisappearedJohnnyFilgee，withoutasinglewordofexplanation，felluponhisbrother，andatoncebeganaviolentattackofkicksandblowsuponhislegsandothereasilyaccessiblepartsofhisperson，accompanyinghisassaultwithunintelligiblegaspsandactions，finallyculminatinginafloodoftearsandthecastingofhimselfonhisbackinthedustwiththecopper-fastenedtoesofhissmallbootsturningimaginarywheelsintheair。

Rupertreceivedthesecharacteristicmarksofdespairingandoutragedaffectionwithgreatforbearance，onlysaying，"There，now，Johnny，quitthat，"andeventuallybearinghimstillstrugglingintothehouse。HereJohnny，declaringthathewouldkillany"Chinyman"thatofferedtodresshim，andburndownthehouseafterhisbrother’sinfamousdesertionofit，Rupertwasconstrainedtomingleafewnervous，excitedtearswithhisbrother’soutbreak。WhereatJohnny，admittingthealleviationofanorange，afour-bladedknife，andthereversionaryinterestinmuchofRupert’spersonalproperty，becamemoresubdued。Sittingtherewiththeirarmsentwinedabouteachother，thesunlightsearchingtheshiftlessdesolationoftheirmotherlesshome，thefewcheapplaythingstheyhadknownlyingaroundthem，theybeguiledthemselveswiththosecharmingillusionsoftheirfutureintentionscommontotheiryears——illusionstheyonlyhalfbelievedthemselvesandhalfacceptedofeachother。RupertwasquitecertainthathewouldreturninafewdayswithagoldwatchandapresentforJohnny，andJohnny，withabalefulvisionofneverseeinghimagain，andacatchingbreath，magnificentlyundertooktobringinthewoodandbuildthefireandwashthedishes"allofhimself。"Andthentherewereafewchildishconfidencesregardingtheirabsentfather——theningenuouslyplayingpokerintheMagnoliaSaloon——thatmighthavemadethatpublic-spirited，genialcompanionsomewhatuncomfortable，andmoretearsthatwerehalfsmilingandsomebravesilencesthatwerewhollypathetic，andthenthehourforRupert’sdeparturealltoosuddenlyarrived。Theyseparatedwithostentatiouswhooping，andthenJohnny，suddenlyovercomewiththedreadfulnessofallearthlythings，andthehollownessoflifegenerally，instantlyresolvedtorunaway！

Todothishepreparedhimselfwithapurposelesshatchet，aninconsistentbutlong-treasuredlumpofputtyandallthesugarthatwasleftinthecrackedsugar-bowl。Thusaccoutredhesalliedforth，firsttoremovealltracesofhishatedexistencethatmightbeleftinhisdeskatschool。IfthemasterweretherehewouldsayRuperthadsenthim；ifhewasn’t，hewouldclimbinatthewindow。Thesunwasalreadysinkingwhenhereachedtheclearingandfoundacavalcadeofarmedmenaroundthebuilding。

Johnny’sfirstconvictionwasthatthemasterhadkilledUncleBenorMasters，andthatthemen，takingadvantageoftheabsenceofhis——Johnny’s——bigbrother，wereabouttosummarilyexecutehim。

Observingnostrugglefromwithin，hissecondbeliefwasthatthemasterhadbeensuddenlyelectedGovernorofCaliforniaandwasabouttostartwithastateescortfromtheschool-house，andthathe，Johnny，wasintimetoseetheprocession。ButwhenthemasterappearedwithMcKinstry，followedbypartofthecrowdafoot，thisquick-wittedchildofthefrontier，fromhissecureoutlookinthe"brush，"gatheredenoughfromtheirfragmentaryspeechtoguesstheseriouspurportoftheirerrand，andthrillwithanticipationandslightlycreepyexcitement。

Aduel！Athinghithertowitnessedonlybygrown-upmen，afterwardsswaggeringwithimportanceandstrangetechnicalbloodthirstywords，andnowforthefirsttimereservedforaBOY——

andthatboyhim，Johnny！——tobeholdinallitsfearfulcompleteness！Aduel！ofwhich，he，Johnny，meanlyabandonedbyhisbrother，wasnowexaltedperhapstobetheonlysurvivor！Hecouldscarcelycredithissenses。Itwastoomuch！

Tocreepthroughthebrushwhilethepreliminarieswerebeingsettled，reachacertainsilverfirontheappointedground，andwiththeaidofhisnowluckyhatchet，climbunseentoitsupperboughs，wasanexcitinganddifficulttask，butoneeventuallyovercomebyhisshortbutenergeticlegs。Herehecouldnotonlyseeallthatoccurred，butbyafortunatechancethelargepinenexttohimhadbeenselectedasthelimitoftheground。Thesharpeyesoftheboyhadlongsincepenetratedthedisguisesoftheremainingmaskedmen，andwhenthelong，lankfigureofthemaster’sself-appointedsecondtookupitspositionbeneaththepinesinfullviewofhim，althoughhiddenfromthespectators，JohnnyinstantlyrecognizedittobenoneotherthanSethDavis。

ThemanifestinconsistencyofhisappearanceasMr。Ford’ssecondwithwhatJohnnyknewofhisrelationstothemasterwastheonethingthatfirmlyfixedtheincidentintheboy’smemory。

Themenwerealreadyinposition。Harrisonsteppedforwardtogivetheword。Johnny’sdown-hanginglegstingledwithcrampandexcitement。Whydidn’ttheybegin？Whatweretheywaitingfor？

Whatifitwereinterrupted，or——terriblethought——madeupatthelastmoment？Wouldthey"holler"outwhentheywerehit，orstaggerroundconvulsivelyastheydidatthe"cirkiss"？WouldtheyallrunawayafterwardsandleaveJohnnyalonetotellthetale？And——horriblethought！——wouldanybodybelievehim？WouldRupert？Rupert，hadhe"on’yknowedthis，"hewouldn’thavegoneaway。

"One"——

Withachild’sperfectfaithintheinvulnerablesuperiorityofhisfriends，hehadnotevenlookedatthemaster，butonlyathisdestinedvictim。Yetastheword"two"rangoutJohnny’sattentionwassuddenlyattractedtothesurprisingfactthatthemaster’ssecond，SethDavis，hadalsodrawnapistol，andfrombehindhistreewasdeliberatelyandstealthilyaimingatMcKinstry！Heunderstooditallnow——hewasafriendofthemaster’s。BullyforSeth！

"Three！"

Crack！Z-i-i-p！Crackle！Whatafunnynoise！Andyethewasobligedtothrowhimselfflatupontheboughtokeepfromfalling。

Itseemedtohavesnappedbeneathhimandbenumbedhisrightleg。

Hedidnotknowthatthemaster’sbullet，firedintheair，hadrangedalongthebough，strippingthebarkthroughoutitslength，andglancingwithhalf-spentforcetoinflictaslightfleshwoundonhisleg！

Hewasgiddyandalittlefrightened。Andhehadseennobodyhit，nornothin’。Itwasallahumbug！Sethhaddisappeared。Sohadtheothers。Therewasafaintsoundofvoicesandsomethinglikeagroupinthedistance——thatwasall。Itwasgettingdark，too，andhislegwasstillasleep，butwarmandwet。Hewouldgetdown。

Thiswasverydifficult，forhislegwouldnotwakeup，andbutfortheoccasionalsupporthegotbystrikinghishatchetinthetreehewouldhavefallenindescending。Whenhereachedthegroundhislegbegantopain，andlookingdownhesawthathisstockingandshoeweresoakedwithblood。

Hissmallanddirtyhandkerchief，ahardwadinhispocket，wasinsufficienttostaunchtheflow。Withavaguerecollectionofacertainpoulticeappliedtoaboilonhisfather’sneck，hecollectedaquantityofsoftmossanddriedyerbabuenaleaves，andwiththeaidofhischeckapronandofoneofhistornsuspenderstightlywoundroundthewholemass，achievedabandageofsuchelephantineproportionsthathecouldscarcelymovewithit。Infact，likemostimaginativechildren，hebecameslightlyterrifiedathisownalarmingprecautions。Nevertheless，althoughawordoranoutcryfromhimwouldhaveatthatmomentbroughtthedistantgrouptohisassistance，acertainrespecttohimselfandhisbrotherkepthimfromutteringevenawhimperofweakness。

Yethefoundrefuge，oddlyenough，inasuppressedbutbitterdenunciationoftheotherboysofhisacquaintance。WhatwasCal。

Harrisondoing，whilehe，Johnny，wasaloneinthewoods，woundedinagrown-upduel——fornothingwouldconvincethisdoughtyinfantthathehadnotbeenanactiveparticipant？WherewasJimmySnyderthathedidn’tcometohisassistancewiththeotherfellers？

Cowardsall；theywereafraid。Ho，ho！Andhe，Johnny，wasn’tafraid！ho——hedidn’tmindit！Neverthelesshehadtorepeatthephrasetwoorthreetimesuntil，afterrepeatedstrugglestomoveforwardthroughthebrush，heatlastsankdownexhausted。Bythistimethedistantgrouphadslowlymovedaway，carryingsomethingbetweenthem，andleavingJohnnyaloneinthefastcomingdarkness。

Yeteventhisdesertiondidnotaffecthimasstronglyashisimplicitbeliefinthecowardlytreacheryofhisoldassociates。

Itgrewdarkeranddarker，untiltheopentheatreofthelateconflictappearedenclosedinfunerealwalls；acoolsearchingbreathofairthatseemedtohavecreptthroughthebrackenandundergrowthlikeastealthyanimal，liftedthecurlsonhishotforehead。Hegraspedhishatchetfirmlyasagainstpossiblewildbeasts，andasamedicinalandremedialprecaution，tookanotherturnwithhissuspenderaroundhisbandage。Itoccurredtohimthenthathewouldprobablydie。Theywouldallfeelexceedinglysorryandalarmed，andregrethavingmadehimwashhimselfonSaturdaynight。Theywouldattendhisfuneralinlargenumbersinthelittlegraveyard，whereawhitetombstoneinscribedto"JohnFilgee，fellinaduelattheageofseven，"wouldbeawaitinghim。

Hewouldforgivehisbrother，hisfather，andMr。Ford。Yeteventhenhevaguelyresentedafewleavesandtwigsdroppedbyawoodpeckerinthetreeabovehim，withashakeofhisweakfistandanincoherentdeclarationthattheycouldn’t"playnobabesinthewoodonHIM。"Andthenhavingcomposedhimselfheoncemoreturnedonhissidetodie，asbecamethescionofaheroicrace！Thefreewoods，touchedbyanupspringingwind，wavedtheirdarkarmsabovehim，andhigheryetafewpatientstarssilentlyrangedthemselvesaroundhispillow。

Butwiththerisingwindandstarscametheswifttramplingofhorses’hoofsandtheflashingoflanterns，andDoctorDuchesneandthemastersweptdownintotheopening。

"Itwashere，"saidthemasterquickly，"buttheymusthavetakenhimontohisownhome。Letusfollow。"

"Holdonamoment，"saidthedoctor，whohadhaltedbeforethetree。"What’sallthis？Why，it’sbabyFilgee——bythunder！"

Inanothermomenttheyhadbothdismountedandwereleaningoverthehalfconsciouschild。Johnnyturnedhisfeverishlybrighteyesfromthelanterntothemasterandbackagain。

"Whatisit，Johnnyboy？"askedthemastertenderly。"Wereyoulost？"

Withagleamoffeverishexaltation，Johnnyrose，albeitwanderingly，totheoccasion！

"Hit！"helispedfeebly，"Hitinadoell！attheageoftheven。"

"What！"askedthebewilderedmaster。

ButDoctorDuchesne，afterasingleswiftscrutinyoftheboy’sface，hadunearthedhimfromhisnestofleaves，laidhiminhislap，anddeftlyrippedawaythepreposterousbandage。"Holdthelighthere。ByJove！hetellsthetruth。Whodidit，Johnny？"

ButJohnnywassilent。Inanintervaloffeverishconsciousnessandpain，hisperceptionandmemoryhadbeenquickened；asuspicionoftherealcauseofhisdisasterhaddawneduponhim——buthischildishlipswereheroicallysealed。ThemasterglancedappealinglyattheDoctor。

"TakehimbeforeyouinthesaddletoMcKinstry’s，"saidthelatterpromptly。"Icanattendtoboth。"

Themasterliftedtheboytenderlyinhisarms。Johnny，stimulatedbytheprospectofafreeride，becamefeeblyinterestedinhisfellowsufferer。

"DidThethhithimbad？"heasked。

"Seth？"echoedthemaster，wildly。

"Yeth。Itheedhimwhenhetookaim。"

Themasterdidnotreply，butthenextmomentJohnnyfelthimselfclaspedinhisarmsinthesaddlebeforehim，bornelikeawhirlwindinthedirectionoftheMcKinstryranch。

CHAPTERXIV。

Theyfoundthewoundedmanlyinginthefrontroomuponarudelyextemporizedcouchofbear-skins，hehavingsternlydeclinedtheeffeminacyofhiswife’sbedroom。Inthepossibilityofafatalterminationtohiswound，andinobediencetoagrimfrontiertradition，hehadalsorefusedtohavehisbootsremovedinorderthathemight"diewiththemon，"asbecamehisancestralcustom。

JohnnywasthereforespeedilymadecomfortableintheMcKinstrybed，whileDr。Duchesnegavehiswholeattentiontohismoreseriouspatient。ThemasterglancedhurriedlyaroundforMrs。

McKinstry。Shewasnotonlyabsentfromtheroom，butthereseemedtobenosuggestionofherpresenceinthehouse。Tohisgreatersurprisethehurriedinquirythatrosetohislipswascheckedbyasignificantwarningfromtheattendant。Hesatdownbesidethenowsleepingboy，andawaitedthedoctor’sreturnwithhismindwanderingbetweentheconditionofthelittlesuffererandthesingularrevelationthathadmomentarilyescapedhischildishlips。

IfJohnnyhadactuallyseenSethfireatMcKinstry，thelatter’smysteriouswoundwasaccountedfor——butnotSeth’smotive。TheactwassoutterlyincomprehensibleandinconsistentwithSeth’savowedhatredofthemasterthattheboymusthavebeendelirious。

Hewasrousedbytheentranceofthesurgeon。"It’snotsobadasIthought，"hesaid，withareassuringnod。"Itwasamightycloseshavebetweenashatteredboneandaseveredartery，butwe’vegottheball，andhe’llpullthroughinaweek。ByJove！though——theoldfire-eaterwasmoreconcernedaboutfindingtheballthanlivingordying！Gointhere——hewantstoseeyou。Don’tlethimtalktoomuch。He’scalledinalotofhisfriendsforsomereasonorother——andthere’saregularmass-meetinginthere。Goin，andgetridof’em。I’lllookafterbabyFilgee——thoughthelittlechapwillbeallrightagainafteranotherdressing。"

Themastercastahurriedlookofreliefatthesurgeon，andre-

enteredthefrontroom。Itwasfilledwithmenwhomthemasterinstinctivelyrecognizedashisformeradversaries。ButtheygavewaybeforehimwithacertainruderespectandhalfabashedsympathyasMcKinstrycalledhimtohisside。Thewoundedmangraspedhishand。"Liftmeupabit，"hewhispered。Themasterassistedhimwithdifficultytohiselbow。

"Gentlemen！"saidMcKinstry，withacharacteristicwaveofhiscrippledhandtowardsthecrowdashelaidtheotheronthemaster’sshoulder。"Yeheerdmetalkin’aminitago；yeheermenow。Thisyeryoungmanaswe’veslippeduponandmeskalkilatedhastoldthetruth——everytime！Yekentietohimwheneverandwhereveryewantto。Yeain’texpectedtofeelezIfeel，incourse，butthemanezgoesbackonHIM——quo’llswithme。That’sall——andthanksforinquiringfriends。Ye’llgitnow，boys，andleavehimaminitwithme。"

Themenfiledslowlyout，afewlingeringlongenoughtoshakethemaster’shandwithgraveearnestness，orhalfsmiling，halfabashedembarrassment。Themasterreceivedtheprofferedreconciliationofthesemen，whobutafewhoursbeforewouldhavelynchedhimwithequalsincerity，withcoldbewilderment。AsthedoorclosedonthelastofthepartyheturnedtoMcKinstry。Thewoundedmanhadsunkdownagain，butwasregardingwithdrowsysatisfactionaleadenbullethewasholdingbetweenhisfingerandthumb。

"Thisyershot，Mr。Ford，"hesaidinaslowvoice，whoseweaknesswasonlyindicatedbyitsextremedeliberation，"neverkemfromthegunIgaveye——andwasneverfiredbyyou。"Hepausedandthenaddedwithhisolddullabstraction，"It’salongtimesinceI’verunaginanythin’thatmakesmefeelmore——kam。"

InMr。McKinstry’sweakconditionthemasterdidnotdaretomakeJohnny’srevelationknowntohim，andcontentedhimselfbysimplypressinghishand，butthenextmomentthewoundedmanresumed，——

"ThatballjestfitsSeth’snavyrevolver——andthehoundhesmadetracksouterthecountry。"

"ButwhatmotivecouldhehaveinattackingYOUatsuchatime？"

askedthemaster。

"HereckonedthateitherI’dkillyouandsohe’dgotshutofusbothinthatway，withoutitbeingnoticed；orifImissedyou，theotherswouldhangYOU——eztheykalkilatedto——forkillingME！Theideakemtohimwhenheoverheardyouhintin’youwouldn’treturnmyfire。"

AshudderingconvictionthatMcKinstryhaddivinedtherealtruthpassedoverthemaster。IntheimpulseofthemomentheagainwouldhavecorroborateditbyrevealingJohnny’sstory，butaglanceatthegrowingfeverishnessofthewoundedmancheckedhisutterance。"Don’ttalkofitnow，"hesaidhurriedly。"EnoughformetoknowthatyouacquitME。Iamherenowonlytobegyoutocomposeyourselfuntilthedoctorcomesback——asyouseemedtobealone，andMrs。McKinstry"——hestoppedinawkwardembarrassment。

Asingularconfusionoverspreadtheinvalid’sface。"Shehedstepptoutaforethishappened，owin’tocontrairyopinionsbetwixtmeandher。Yemouthevnoticed，Mr。Ford，thatgin’rallyshedidn’t’peartocottontoye！Tharain’tawomanagoin’ezistheekalofBlairRawlins’darterinnussin’amanandkeepinghiminfightin’order，butinmatterslikethingsthatconsarnherselfandCress，Ibegintothink，Mr。Ford，thatsomehow，sheain’texakly——

kam！Bein’kamyourself，ye’llputanyunpleasantnessdowntothat。WoteveryouhearfromHER，and，forthemattero’that，fromherowndartertoo——forI’mtakin’backthefoolishnessIsaidtoyeoveryonaboutyourrunnin’offwithCress——you’llremember，Mr。

Ford，itwarn’tfromnoillfeelingtoYOU，inherorCress——buton’yawantofkam！ImouthevhadMYideesaboutCress，youmouthevhadYOURS，andthatfoolDabneymouthevhadHIS；butitwarn’ttheoldwoman’s——norCressy’s——itwarn’tBlairRawlins’darter’sidea——noryetHERdarter’s！Andwhy？Forwanto’kam！TimesI

reckonitwasleftouto’woman’snater。Andbein’kamyourself，youunderstandit，andtakeitallin。"

Theoldlookofdrowsypainhadsettledsostronglyinhisredeyesagainthatthemasterwasfaintoputhishandgentlyoverthem，andwithafaintsmilebeghimtocomposehimselftosleep。Thishefinallydidafterawhisperedsuggestionthathehimselfwasfeeling"morekam。"Themastersatforsomemomentswithhishanduponthesleepingman’seyes，andavagueandundefinablesenseoflonelinessseemedtofalluponhimfromtheemptyraftersofthesilentanddesertedhouse。Therisingwindmoanedfitfullyarounditsbleakshellwiththedespairingsoundoffarandforeverrecedingvoices。SostrongwastheimpressionthatwhenthedoctorandMcKinstry’sattendingbrotherre-enteredtheroom，themasterstilllingeredbesidethebedwithadazedsensationofabandonmentthatthedoctor’spracticalreassuringsmilecouldhardlydispel。

"He’sdoingsplendidlynow，"hesaid，listeningtothesleeper’smoreregularrespiration："andI’dadviseyoutogonow，Mr。Ford，beforehewakes，lesthemightbetemptedtoexcitehimselfbytalkingtoyouagain。He’sreallyquiteoutofdangernow。Good-

night！I’lldropinonyouatthehotelwhenIreturn。"

Themaster，albeitstillconfusedandbewildered，felthiswaytothedoorandoutintotheopennight。Thewindwasstilldespairinglywrestlingwiththetree-tops，butthefarrecedingvoicesseemedtobegrowingfainterinthedistance，until，ashepassedon，theytooseemedtopassawayforever……

Mondaymorninghadcomeagain，andthemasterwasathisdeskintheschoolhouseearly，withastilldampandinkycopyoftheStarfreshfromthepressbeforehim。Thefreebreathofthepineswasblowinginthewindow，andbringingtohisearsthedistantvoicesofhisslowlygatheringflock，ashereadasfollows：——

"TheperpetratorofthedastardlyoutrageattheIndianSpringAcademyonThursdaylast——which，throughunfortunatemisrepresentationofthefacts，ledtoaprematurecallingoutofseveralofourmostpublic-spiritedcitizens，andculminatedinamostregrettableencounterbetweenMr。McKinstryandtheaccomplishedandestimableprincipaloftheschool——has，weregrettosay，escapedcondignpunishmentbyleavingthecountrywithhisrelations。If，asisseriouslywhispered，hewasalsoguiltyofanunparalleledoffenceagainstachivalrouscodewhichwillexcludehiminthefuturefromeverseekingredressattheCourtofHonor，ourcitizenswillbeonlytoogladtogetridofthecontaminationofbeingobligedtoarresthim。Thoseofourreaderswhoknowthehighcharacterofthetwogentlemenwhowerethusforcedintoahostilemeeting，willnotbesurprisedtoknowthatthemostampleapologiesweretenderedonbothsides，andthattheententecordialehasbeenthoroughlyrestored。Thebullet——whichitissaidplayedahighlyimportantpartinthesubsequentexplanation，provingtohavecomefromaREVOLVERfiredbysomeoutsider——hasbeenextractedfromMr。McKinstry’sthigh，andheisdoingwell，witheveryprospectofaspeedyrecovery。"

Smiling，albeitnotuncomplacently，atthisvaluablecontributiontohistoryfromanunfetteredpress，hiseyefelluponthenextparagraph，perhapsnotsocomplacently：——

"BenjaminDaubigny，Esq。，wholefttownforSacramentoonimportantbusiness，notentirelyunconnectedwithhisnewinterestsinIndianSprings，will，itisrumored，beshortlyjoinedbyhiswife，whohasbeenenabledbyhisrecentgoodfortunetoleaveheroldhomeintheStates，andtakeherproperproudpositionathisside。

AlthoughpersonallyunknowntoIndianSprings，Mrs。Daubignyisspokenofasabeautifulandsingularlyaccomplishedwoman，anditistoberegrettedthatherhusband’sinterestswillcompelthemtoabandonIndianSpringsforSacramentoasafutureresidence。Mr。

DaubignywasaccompaniedbyhisprivatesecretaryRupert，theeldestsonofH。G。Filgee，Esq。，whohasbeenapromisinggraduateoftheIndianSpringAcademy，andoffersabrightexampletotheyouthofthisdistrict。Wearehappytolearnthathisyoungerbrotherisrecoveringrapidlyfromaslightaccidentreceivedlastweekthroughtheincautioushandlingoffirearms。"

Themaster，withhiseyesuponthepaper，remainedsolongplungedinareveriethattheschool-roomwasquitefilledandhislittleflockwaswonderinglyregardinghimbeforeherecalledhimself。HewashurriedlyreachinghishandtowardsthebellwhenhewasattractedbytherisingfigureofOctaviaDean。

"Please，sir，youdidn’taskifwehadanynews！"

"True——Iforgot，"saidthemastersmiling。"Well，haveyouanythingtotellus？"

"Yes，sir。CressyMcKinstryhasleftschool。"

"Indeed！"

"Yes，sir；she’smarried。"

"Married，"repeatedthemasterwithaneffort，yetconsciousoftheeyesconcentrateduponhiscolorlessface。"Married——andtowhom？"

"ToJoeMasters，sir，attheBaptistChapelatBigBluff，Sunday，an’MarmMcKinstrywastharwithher。"

Therewasamomentaryandbreathlesspause。Thenthevoicesofhislittlepupils——thosesageandsweettruantsfromtradition，thosegentlebutrelentlesshistoriansofthefuture——rosearoundhiminshrillchorus——"WHY，WEKNOWEDITALLALONG，SIR！"