第7章

Lanty（musing，withfaroff-eyes）。"Thenthat’swhyshewassoawfulskeerdandfrightened！Justjumpin’outerherskinwithhorror。Ireckoneditwasab’arorpantheroraspook！Yououghttohavewaitedtillshegotaccustomedtoyourlooks。"

Nevertheless，despitethiselegantraillery，Lantywasenoughconcernedinthesafetyofherhorsetovisititthenextdaywithaviewofbringingitnearerhome。Shehadjuststeppedintothealderfringeofadry"run"whenshecamesuddenlyuponthefigureofahorsemaninthe"run，"whohadbeenhiddenbythealdersfromtheplainbeyondandwhoseemedtobeengagedinexaminingthehoofmarksinthedustoftheoldford。Somethingabouthisfigurestruckherrecollection，andashelookedupquicklyshesawitwastheownerofthedagger。Butheappearedtobelighterofhairandcomplexion，andwasdresseddifferently，andmorelikeavaquero。

Yettherewasthesameflashofhisteethasherecognizedher，andsheknewitwasthesameman。

Alasforherpreparation！Withouttheknifeshecouldnotmakethathaughtyreturnofitwhichshehadcontemplated。Andmorethanthat，shewasconsciousshewasblushing！Neverthelessshemanagedtolevelherprettybrowneyebrowsathim，andsaidsharplythatifhefollowedhertoherhomeshewouldreturnhispropertyatonce。

"ButI’minnohurryforit，"hesaidwithalaugh，——thesamelightlaughandpleasantvoicesheremembered，——"andI’drathernotcometothehousejustnow。Theknifeisingoodhands，Iknow，andI’llcallforitwhenIwantit！Anduntilthen——ifit’sallthesametoyou——keepittoyourself，——keepitdark，asdarkasthenightIlostit！"

"Idon’tgoaboutblabbingmyaffairs，"saidLantyindignantly，"andifithadn’tBEENdarkthatnightyou’dhavehadyourearsboxed——youknowwhy！"

Thestrangerlaughedagain，wavedhishandtoLanty，andgallopedaway。

Lantywasalittledisappointed。Thedaylighthadtakenawaysomeofherillusions。Hewascertainlyverygood-looking，butnotquiteaspicturesque，mysterious，andthrillingasinthedark！

Anditwasveryqueer——hecertainlydidlookdarkerthatnight！

Whowashe？Andwhywashelingeringnearher？Hewasdifferentfromherneighbors——heradmirers。Hemightbeoneofthoselocaters，fromthebigtowns，whoprospectthelands，withaviewofsettlinggovernmentwarrantsonthem，——theywerealwayssosecretuntiltheyhadfoundwhattheywanted。Shedidnotdaretoseekinformationofherfriends，forthesamereasonthatshehadconcealedhisexistencefromhermother，——itwouldprovokeawkwardquestions；anditwasevidentthathewastrustingtohersecrecy，too。Thethoughtthrilledherwithanewpride，andwassomecompensationforthelossofhermoreintangibleromance。Itwouldbemightyfine，whenhedidcallopenlyforhisbeautifulknifeanddeclaredhimself，tohavethemallknowthatSHEknewaboutitallalong。

Whenshereachedhome，toguardagainstanothersuchsurpriseshedeterminedtokeeptheweaponwithher，and，distrustingherpocket，confidedittothecheaplittlecountry-madecorsetwhichonlyforthelastyearhadconfinedherbuddingfigure，andwhichnow，perhaps，heavedwithanadditionalpride。Shewasquiteabstractedduringtherestoftheday，andpaidbutlittleattentiontothegossipofthefarmlads，whowerefullofadaringraid，twonightsbefore，bytheMexicangangonthelargestockfarmofaneighbor。TheVigilantCommitteehadbeenbaffled；itwasevenallegedthatsomeofthesmallerranchmenandherderswereinleaguewiththegang。Itwasalsobelievedtobeawidespreadconspiracy；tohaveapoliticalcomplexioninitscombinationofanalienracewithSouthwesternfilibusters。ThelegalauthoritieshadbeenreinforcedbyspecialdetectivesfromSanFrancisco。

Lantyseldomtroubledherselfwiththesematters；sheknewtheexaggeration，shesuspectedtheignoranceofherruralneighbors。

Sheroughlyreferredit，inherownvocabulary，to"jaw，"apeculiarlymasculinequality。Butlaterintheevening，whenthedomesticcircleinthesitting-roomhadbeenaugmentedbyaneighbor，andLantyhadtakenrefugebehindhernovelasanexcuseforsilence，ZobHopper，theenamoredswainofthepreviousevening，burstinwithmoreastoundingnews。Aposseofthesheriffhadjustpassedalongtheridge；theyhad"corraled"partofthegang，andrescuedsomeofthestock。Theleaderoftheganghadescaped，buthiscapturewasinevitable，astheroadswerestopped。"Allthesame，I’mgladtoseeyetookmyadvice，MissAtalanty，andbroughtinyourfilly，"heconcluded，withaninsinuatingglanceattheyounggirl。

But"MissAtalanty，"curlingaquarterofaninchofscarletlipabovetheedgeofhernovel，here"allowed"thatifhisadviceorthefillyhadtobe"took，"shedidn’tknowwhichwasworse。

"Iwonderyekintalktosechpeartness，Mr。Hopper，"saidMrs。

Fosterseverely；"sheain’tgoteyesnorsensesforanythin’butthatbook。"

"Talkin’o’what’stobe’took，’"putinthediplomaticneighbor，"youbetitain’tthatMexicanleader！No，sir！he’sbeen’stopped’beforethis——andthengotcleanawayallthesame！Oneo’themdetectivesgothimonceanddisarmedhim——buthemanagedtogivethemtheslip，afterall。Why，he’sthatfullo’shiftsanddisguisestharain’tnospottin’him。Hewalkedrightundertheconstable’snoseoncet，andtookadrinkwiththesheriffthatwasarterhim——andtheblamedfoolneverknewit。Hekinchangeeventhecolorofhishairquickaswinkin’。"

"IshearealMexican，——aregularGreaser？"askedthepaternalFoster。"CosIneverheardthattheywuzsmart。"

"No！Theysayhecomeso’oldSpanishstock，abadeggtheythrewouterthenest，Ireckon，"putinHoppereagerly，seeingastrangeanimatedinterestdilatingLanty’seyes，andhopingtoshareinit；

"buthe’sreg’larhigh-toned，youbet！Why，Iknewamanwhoseedhiminhisowncamp——prinkedoutinavelvetjacketandsilksash，withgoldchainsandbuttonsdownhiswidepantsandadaggerstuckinhissash，withahandlejustblazin’withjew’ls。Yes！MissAtalanty，theysaythatonestoneatthetop——agreenstone，whattheycallan’em’ral’——wasworththepriceo’a’Friscohouse-lot。

Trueezyoulive！Eh——what’supnow？"

Lanty’sbookhadfallenonthefloorasshewasrisingtoherfeetwithawhiteface，stillmorestrangeanddistortedinanaffectedyawnbehindherlittlehand。"Yermakin’methatsickandnervouswithyerfoolyarns，"shesaidhysterically，"thatI’mgoin’togetalittlefreshair。It’sjuststiflingherewithliesandterbacker！"Withanotherhighlaugh，shebrushedpasthimintothekitchen，openedthedoor，andthenpaused，and，turning，ranrapidlyuptoherbedroom。Hereshelockedherselfin，toreopenthebosomofherdress，pluckedoutthedagger，threwitonthebed，wherethegreenstonegleamedforaninstantinthecandlelight，andthendroppedonherkneesbesidethebedwithherwhirlingheadburiedinhercoldredhands。

Ithadallcometoherinaflash，likeablazeoflightning，——theblack，hauntingfigureontheridge，thebrokensaddlegirth，theabandonmentofthedaggerintheexigenciesofflightandconcealment；thesecondmeeting，theskulkinginthedry，alder-

hidden"run，"thechangeddress，thelighter-coloredhair，butalwaysthesamevoiceandlaugh——theleader，thefugitive，theMexicanhorse-thief！Andshe，theGodforsakenfool，thechuckle-

headedniggerbaby，withnothalfthesenseofherownfillyorthatsop-headedHopper——hadneverseenit！She——SHEwhowouldbethelaughing-stockofthemall——shehadthoughthima"locater，"a"towny"from’Frisco！Andshehadconsentedtokeephisknifeuntilhewouldcallforit，——yes，callforit，withfireandflameperhaps，thetramplingofhoofs，pistolshots——and——yet——

Yet！——hehadTRUSTEDher。Yes！trustedherwhenheknewawordfromherlipswouldhavebroughtthewholedistrictdownonhim！

whenthemereexposureofthatdaggerwouldhaveidentifiedanddamnedhim！Trustedherasecondtime，whenshewaswithincryofherhouse！Whenhemighthavetakenherfillywithoutherknowingit？Andnowsherememberedvaguelythattheneighborshadsaidhowstrangeitwasthatherfather’sstockhadnotsufferedastheirshad。HEhadprotectedthem——hewhowasnowafugitive——andtheirmenpursuinghim！Sherosesuddenlywithasinglestampofhernarrowfoot，andassuddenlybecamecoolandsane。Andthen，quiteheroldselfagain，shelazilypickedupthedaggerandrestoredittoitsplaceinherbosom。Thatdone，withhercolorbackandhereyesalittlebrighter，shedeliberatelywentdownstairsagain，stuckherlittlebrownheadintothesitting-room，saidcheerfully，"Stillyawpin’，youfolks，"andquietlypassedoutintothedarkness。

Sheranswiftlyuptotheridge，impelledbytheblindmemoryofhavingmethimthereatnightandtheonevaguethoughttogivehimwarning。Butitwasdarkandempty，withnosoundbuttherushingwind。Andthenanideaseizedher。Ifhewerehauntingthevicinitystill，hemightseetheflutteringoftheclothesuponthelineandbelieveshewasthere。Shestoopedquickly，andinthemercifulandexoneratingdarknessstrippedoffheronlywhitepetticoatandpinneditontheline。Itflapped，fluttered，andstreamedinthemountainwind。Shelingeredandlistened。Buttherecameasoundshehadnotcountedon，——theclatteringhoofsofnotONE，butmany，horsesonthelowerroad！Sheranbacktothehousetofinditsinmatesalreadyhasteningtowardstheroadfornews。Shetookthatchancetoslipinquietly，gotoherroom，whosewindowcommandedaviewoftheridge，andcrouchinglowbehinditshelistened。Shecouldhearthesoundofvoices，andthedulltramplingofheavybootsonthedustypathtowardsthebarnyardontheothersideofthehouse——apause，andthenthereturnofthetramplingboots，andthefinalclatteringofhoofsontheroadagain。Thentherewasataponherdoorandhermother’squerulousvoice。

"Oh！yerthere，areye？Well——it’sthebestplaceferagirl——withalltheseman’sdoin’sgoin’on！They’vegotthatMexicanhorse-

thiefandhavetiedhimupinyourfilly’sstallinthebarn——tillthe’Friscodeputygetsbackfromroundinguptheothers。Soyejeststaywhereyearetillthey’vecomeandgone，andwe’reshuto’allthatcattle。Areyemindin’？"

"Allright，maw；’taintnocallo’mine，anyhow，"returnedLanty，throughthehalf-opendoor。

Atanothertimehermothermighthavebeenstartledatherpassiveobedience。Stillmorewouldshehavebeenstartledhadsheseenherdaughter’sfacenow，behindthecloseddoor——withherlittlemouthsetoverherclenchedteeth。Andyetitwasherownchild，andLantywashermother’srealdaughter；thesamepioneerbloodfilledtheirveins，thebloodthathadnevernourishedcravensordegenerates，buthadgivenitselftosprinkleandfertilizedesertsolitudeswheremanmightfollow。Smallwonder，then，thatthisfrontier-bornLanty，whosefirstinfantcryhadbeenansweredbytheyelpofwolfandscreamofpanther；whosefather’sriflehadbeenleveledacrosshercradletocoverthestealthyIndianwhoprowledoutside，smallwonderthatsheshouldfeelherselfequaltothese"man’sdoin’s，"andprompttotakeapart。Foreveninthefirstshockofthenewsofthecapturesherecalledthefactthatthebarnwasoldandrotten，thatonlythatdaythefillyhadkickedaboardloosefrombehindherstall，whichshe，Lanty，hadlightlyreturnedtoavoid"makingafuss。"Ifhiscaptorshadnotnoticedit，ortrustedonlytotheirguards，shemightmaketheopeningwideenoughtofreehim！

Twohourslatertheguardnearestthenowsleepinghouse，afarmhandoftheFosters’，sawhisemployer’sdaughterslipoutandcautiouslyapproachhim。AdevotedslaveofLanty’s，andfamiliarwithherimpulses，heguessedhercuriosity，andwasnotaversetosatisfyitandthesenseofhisownimportance。Toherwhispersofaffected，half-terrifiedinterest，herespondedinwhispersthatthecaptivewasreallyinthefilly’sstall，securelyboundbyhiswristsbehindhisback，andhisfeet"hobbled"toapost。ThatLantycouldn’tseehim，foritwasdarkinside，andhewassittingwithhisbacktothewall，ashecouldn’tsleepcomf’blelyin’

down。Lanty’seyesglowed，butherfacewasturnedaside。

"Andyeain’treckonin’hisfriendswillcomeandrescuehim？"saidLanty，gazingwithaffectedfearfulnessinthedarkness。

"Notmuch！There’stwootherguardsdowninthecorral，andI’dfiremygunandbring’emup。"

ButLantywasgazingopen-mouthedtowardstheridge。"What’sthatwavin’ontheridge？"shesaidinawe-strickentones。

Shewaspointingtothepetticoat，——avague，distant，movingobjectagainstthehorizon。

"Why，that’ssomeo’thewashontheline，ain’tit？"

"Wash——TWODAYSINTHEWEEK！"saidLantysharply。"Wot’sgoneofyou？"

"Thet’sso，"mutteredtheman，"anditwan’tthereatsundown，I’llswear！P’r’apsI’dbettercalltheguard，"andheraisedhisrifle。

"Don’t，"saidLanty，catchinghisarm。"Supposeit’snothin’，they’lllaughatye。Creepupsoftlyandsee；yeain’tafraid，areye？Ifyeare，givemeyergun，andI’LLgo。"

Thissettledthequestion，asLantyexpected。Themancockedhispiece，andbendinglowbegancautiouslytomounttheacclivity。

Lantywaiteduntilhisfigurebegantofade，andthenranlikefiretothebarn。

Shehadarrangedeverydetailofherplanbeforehand。Crouchingbesidethewallofthestallshehissedthroughacrackinthrillingwhispers，"Don’tmove。Don’tspeakforyourlife’ssake。

WaittillIhandyoubackyourknife，thendothebestyoucan。"

Thenslippingasidetheloosenedboardshesawdimlytheblackoutlineofcurlinghair，back，shoulders，andtiedwristsofthecaptive。Drawingtheknifefromherpocket，withtwostrokesofitskeencuttingedgesheseveredthecords，threwtheknifeintotheopening，anddartedaway。Yetinthatmomentsheknewthatthemanwasinstinctivelyturningtowardsher。Butitwasonethingtofreeahorse-thief，andanothertostopand"philander"withhim。

Sheranhalfwayuptheridge，andmetthefarmhandreturning。Itwasonlyabitofwashingafterall，andhewasgladhehadn’tfiredhisgun。Ontheotherhand，Lantyconfessedshehadgot"soskeert"beingalone，thatshecametoseekhim。Shehadtheshivers；wasn’therhandcold？Itwas，butthrillingeveninitscoldnesstothebashfullyadmiringman。Andshewasthatweakanddizzy，hemustletherleanonhisarmgoingdown；andtheymustgoSLOW。Shewassurehewascold，too，andifhewouldwaitatthebackdoorshewouldgivehimadrinkofwhiskey。ThusLanty，withherbrainafire，hereyesandearsstrainingintothedarkness，andthevagueoutlineofthebarnbeyond。Anothermomentwasprotractedoverthedrinkofwhiskey，andthenLanty，withafaintarchness，madehimpromisenottotellhermotherofherescapade，andshepromisedonherpartnottosayanythingabouthis"stalkingapetticoatontheclothesline，"andthenshylyclosedthedoorandregainedherroom。HEmusthavegotawaybythistime，orhavebeendiscovered；shebelievedtheywouldnotopenthebarndooruntilthereturnoftheposse。

Shewasright。Itwasneardaybreakwhentheyreturned，and，againcrouchinglowbesideherwindow，sheheard，withafiercejoy，thesuddenoutcry，theoaths，thewranglingvoices，thesummoningofherfathertothefrontdoor，andthenthetumultuoussweepingawayagainofthewholeposse，andablessedsilencefallingovertherancho。AndthenLantywentquietlytobed，andsleptlikeathree-yearchild！

Perhapsthatwasthereasonwhyshewasableatbreakfasttolistenwithlazyandevenrosyindifferencetothestartlingeventsofthenight；tothesneersofthefarmhandsatthepossewhohadoverlookedtheknifewhentheysearchedtheirprisoner，aswellasthestupidityofthecorralguardwhohadneverheardhimmakeahole"thesizeofahouse"inthebarnside！OncesheglanceddemurelyatSilasBriggs——thefarmhandandthepoorfellowfeltconsoledinhisshameattheremembranceoftheirconfidences。

ButLanty’stranquillitywasnotdestinedtolastlong。Therewasagaintheirruptionofexcitingnewsfromthehighroad；theMexicanleaderhadbeenrecaptured，andwasnowsafelylodgedinBrownsvillejail！Thosewhowerepreviouslyloudintheirpraisesofthesuccessfulhorse-thiefwhohadbaffledthevigilanceofhispursuerswerenowequallykeenintheiradmirationofthenewSanFranciscodeputywho，inturn，hadoutwittedthewholegang。ItwasHEwhowasfertileinexpedients；HEwhohadstudiedthewholecountry，andevenriskedhislifeamongthegang，andHEwhohadagainclosedthemeshesofthenetaroundtheescapedoutlaw。Hewasalreadyreturningbywayoftherancho，andmightstopthereamoment，——sothattheycouldallseethehero。Suchwasthepowerofsuccessonthecountry-side！Outwardlyindifferent，inwardlybitter，Lantyturnedaway。Sheshouldnotgracehistriumph，ifshekeptinherroomallday！Andwhentherewasaclatterofhoofsontheroadagain，Lantyslippedupstairs。

Butinafewmomentsshewassummoned。CaptainLanceWetherby，AssistantChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco，DeputySheriffandex-

U。S。scout，hadrequestedtoseeMissFosterafewmomentsalone。

Lantyknewwhatitmeant，——hersecrethadbeendiscovered；butshewasnotthegirltoshirktheresponsibility！Sheliftedherlittlebrownheadproudly，andwiththesameresolutestepwithwhichshehadleftthehousethenightbefore，descendedthestairsandenteredthesitting-room。Atfirstshesawnothing。Thenarememberedvoicestruckherear；shestarted，lookedup，andgasping，fellbackagainstthedoor。Itwasthestrangerwhohadgivenherthedagger，thestrangershehadmetintherun！——thehorse-thiefhimself！No！no！shesawitallnow——shehadcutloosethewrongman！

Helookedatherwithasmileofsadness——ashedrewfromhisbreast-pocketthatdreadfuldagger，theverysightofwhichLantynowloathed！"ThisistheSECONDtime，MissFoster，"hesaidgently，"thatIhavetakenthisknifefromMurietta，theMexicanbandit：oncewhenIdisarmedhimthreeweeksago，andheescaped，andlastnight，whenhehadagainescapedandIrecapturedhim。

AfterIlostitthatnightIunderstoodfromyouthatyouhadfounditandwerekeepingitforme。"Hepausedamomentandwenton："I

don’taskyouwhathappenedlastnight。Idon’tcondemnyouforit；Icanbelievewhatagirlofyourcourageandsympathymightrightlydoifherpitywereexcited；Ionlyask——whydidyougiveHIMbackthatknifeItrustedyouwith？"

"Why？WhydidI？"burstoutLantyinadaringgushoftruth，scorn，andtemper。"BECAUSEITHOUGHTYOUWERETHATHORSE-THIEF。

There！"

Hedrewbackastonished，andthensuddenlycamethatlaughthatLantyrememberedandnowhailedwithjoy。"Ibelieveyou，byJove！"hegasped。"ThatfirstnightIworethedisguiseinwhichI

havetrackedhimandmingledwithhisgang。Yes！Iseeitallnow——

andmore。IseethattoYOUIowehisrecapture！"

"Tome！"echoedthebewilderedgirl；"how？"

"Why，insteadofmakingforhiscavehelingeredhereintheconfinesoftheranch！Hethoughtyouwereinlovewithhim，becauseyoufreedhimandgavehimhisknife，andstayedtoseeyou！"

ButLantyhadheraprontohereyes，whosefirsttearswerefillingtheirvelvetdepths。Andhervoicewasbrokenasshesaid，——

"Thenhe——cared——a——gooddealmoreforme——thansomepeople！"

ButthereiseveryreasontobelievethatLantywaswrong！AtleastlatereventsthatarepartofthehistoryofFoster’sRanchoandtheFosterfamilypointeddistinctlytothecontrary。

ANALIBABAOFTHESIERRAS

JohnnyStarleighfoundhimselfagainlateforschool。Itwasalwayshappening。Itseemedtobeinevitablewiththeprocessofgoingtoschoolatall。Anditwasnofault"o’his。"Somethingwasalwaysoccurring，——someeccentricityofNatureorcircumstancewasinvariablystartingupinhisdailypathtotheschoolroom。Hemaynothavebeen"thinkin’ofsquirrels，"andyettherarestandmostevasiveofthatspecieswerealwayscrossinghistrail；hemaynothavebeen"huntin’honey，"andyetawildbees’nestinthehollowofanoakabsolutelyobtrudeditselfbeforehim；hewasn’t"bird-catchin’，"andyettherewasayellow-hammeralwayswithinstone’sthrow。Hehadheardhowgrownmenhuntersalwayssawthemostwonderfulanimalswhenthey"hadn’tgotagunwith’em，"anditseemedtobehislottomeettheminhisrestrictedpossibilitiesonthewaytoschool。IfNaturewasthuscapriciouswithhiselders，whyshouldfolkthinkitstrangeifshewasasmischievouswithasmallboy？

OnthisparticularmorningJohnnyhadbeenbeguiledbytheunmistakablefootprints——solikehisown！——ofabear’scub。Whatchanceshehadofevercomingupwiththem，orwhathewouldhavedoneifhehad，hedidnotknow。Heonlyknewthatattheendofanhourandahalfhefoundhimselftwomilesfromtheschoolhouse，and，fromthepositionofthesun，atleastanhourtoolateforschool。Heknewthatnobodywouldbelievehim。Thepunishmentforcompletetruancywaslittleworsethanforbeinglate。Heresolvedtoacceptit，andbywayofirrevocabilityatonceburnthisshipsbehindhim——indevouringpartofhisdinner。

Thusfortifiedinhisoutlawry，hebegantolookabouthim。Hewasonathicklywoodedterracewithablankwallof"outcrop"ononesidenearlyashighasthepineswhichpressedcloseagainstit。

Hehadneverseenitbefore；itwastwoorthreemilesfromthehighroadandseemedtobeavirginwilderness。Butoncloseexaminationhecouldsee，withtheeyeofaboybredinaminingdistrict，thatthewallofoutcrophadnotescapedtheattentionoftheminingprospector。Thereweremarksofhispickinsomeattractivequartzseamsofthewall，andfartheron，amoreambitiousattempt，evidentlybyapartyofminers，tobeginatunnel，showninanabandonedexcavationandtheheapofdebrisbeforeit。Ithadevidentlybeenabandonedforsometime，asfernsalreadyforcedtheirgreenfrondsthroughthestonesandgravel，andtheyerbabuenavinewasbeginningtomatthesurfaceoftheheap。Buttheboy’sfancywasquicklytakenbythetracesofasingularaccident，andonewhichhadperhapsarrestedtheprogressoftheexcavators。Therootsofalargepine-treegrowingclosetothewallhadbeenevidentlyloosenedbytheexcavators，andthetreehadfallen，withoneofitslargestrootsstillintheopeningtheminershadmade，andapparentlyblockingtheentrance。Thelargetreelay，asitfell——midwayacrossanotherbutmuchsmalleroutcropofrockwhichstoodsharplyaboutfifteenfeetabovetheleveloftheterrace——withitsgaunt，deadlimbsintheairatalowangle。ToJohnny’sboyishfancyitseemedsoeasilybalancedontherockthatbutforitsimprisonedrootitwouldhavemadeacapitalsee-saw。Thishefeltmustbelookedtohereafter。Butherehisattentionwasarrestedbysomethingmorealarming。Hisquickear，attunedlikeananimal’stoallwoodlandsounds，detectedthecracklingofunderwoodinthedistance。Hisequallysharpeyesawthefiguresoftwomenapproaching。Butasherecognizedthefeaturesofoneofthemhedrewbackwithabeatingheart，ahushedbreath，andhurriedlyhidhimselfintheshadow。

Forhehadseenthatfigureoncebefore——flyingbeforethesheriffandanarmedposse——andhadneverforgottenit！ItwasthefigureofSpanishPete，anotoriousdesperadoandsluicerobber！

Findinghehadbeenunobserved，theboytookcourage，andhissmallfacultiesbecameactivelyalive。Thetwomencameontogethercautiously，andatalittledistancethesecondman，whomJohnnydidnotknow，partedfromhiscompanionandbegantoloiterupanddown，lookingaroundasifactingasasentinelforthedesperado，whoadvanceddirectlytothefallentree。Suddenlythesentinelutteredanexclamation，andSpanishPetepaused。Thesentinelwasexaminingthegroundneartheheapofdebris。

"What’sup？"growledthedesperado。

"Foottracks！Weren’therebefore。Andfreshones，too。"

Johnny’sheartsank。Itwaswherehehadjustpassed。

SpanishPetehurriedlyjoinedhiscompanion。

"Foottracksbe————！"hesaidscornfully。"Whatfoolwouldbecrawlin’roundherebarefooted？It’sayoungb’ar！"

Johnnyknewthefootprintswerehisown。Yetherecognizedthetruthoftheresemblance；itwasuncomplimentary，buthefeltrelieved。Thedesperadocameforward，andtotheboy’ssurprisebegantoclimbthesmallridgeofoutcropuntilhereachedthefallentree。Johnnysawthathewascarryingaheavystone。

"What’stheblamedfoolgoin’todo？"hesaidtohimself；theman’sevidentignoranceregardingfootprintshadlessenedtheboy’saweofhim。Butthestranger’snextessaytookJohnny’sbreathaway。

Standingonthefallentreetrunkatitsaxisontheoutcrop，hebegantorockitgently。ToJohnny’ssurpriseitbegantomove。

Theupperenddescendedslowly，liftingtherootintheexcavationatthelowerend，andwithitamassofrock，andrevealingacavernbehindlargeenoughtoadmitaman。Johnnygasped。Thedesperadocoollydepositedtheheavystoneonthetreebeyonditsaxisontherock，sothatitwouldkeepthetreeinposition，leapedfromthetreetotherock，andquicklydescended，atwhichhewasjoinedbytheotherman，whowascarryingtwoheavychamois-

leatherbags。Theybothproceededtotheopeningthusmiraculouslydisclosed，anddisappearedinit。

Johnnysatbreathless，wondering，expectant，butnotdaringtomove。Themenmightcomeoutatanymoment；hehadseenenoughtoknowthattheirenterpriseaswellastheircavewasasecret，andthatthedesperadowouldsubjectanywitnesstoit，howeverinnocentorunwilling，tohorriblepenalties。Thetimecreptslowlyby，——heheardeveryrapofawoodpeckerinadistanttree；abluejaydippedandlightedonabranchwithinhisreach，buthedarednotextendhishand；hislegswereinfestedbyants；heevenfanciedheheardthedry，hollowrattleofarattlesnakenotayardfromhim。Andthentheentranceofthecavewasdarkened，andthetwomenreappeared。Johnnystared。Hewouldhaverubbedhiseyesifhehaddared。Theywerenotthesamemen！Didthecavecontainotherswhohadbeenallthewhileshutupinitsdarkrecesses？

Wasthereaband？Wouldtheyallswarmoutuponhim？Shouldherunforhislife？

Buttheillusionwasonlymomentary。Alongerlookatthemconvincedhimthattheywerethesamemeninnewclothesanddisguised，andasoneremountedtheoutcropJohnny’skeeneyesrecognizedhimasSpanishPete。Hemerelykickedawaythestone；

therootagaindescendedgentlyovertheopening，andthetreerecovereditsformerangle。Thetwohurriedaway，butJohnnynoticedthattheywereempty-handed。Thebagshadbeenleftbehind。

Theboywaitedpatiently，listeningwithhiseartotheground，likeanIndian，forthelastrustleoffernandcrackleofunderbrush，andthenemerged，stiffandcrampedfromhisconcealment。Buthenolongerthoughtofflight；curiosityandambitionburnedinhissmallveins。Hequicklyclimbeduptheoutcrop，pickedupthefallenstone，andinspiteofitsweightliftedittotheprostratetree。Herehepaused，andfromhiscoignofvantagelookedandlistened。Thesolitudewasprofound。

Thenmountingthetreeandstandingoveritsaxishetriedtorockitastheothershad。Alas！Johnny’sheartwasstout，hiscourageunlimited，hisperceptionall-embracing，hisambitionboundless；

buthisactualavoirdupoiswasonlythatofaboyoften。Thetreedidnotmove。ButJohnnyhadplayedsee-sawbefore，andquietlymovedtowardsitshighestpart。Itslowlydescendedunderthechangedcentreofgravity，andtherootarose，disclosingtheopeningasbefore。Yetherethelittleheropaused。Hewaitedwithhiseyesfixedontheopening，readytoflyonthesallyingoutofanyonewhohadremainedconcealed。Hethenplacedthestonewherehehadstood，leapeddown，andrantotheopening。

Thechangefromthedazzlingsunlighttothedarknessconfusedhimatfirst，andhecouldseenothing。Onenteringhestumbledoversomethingwhichprovedtobeabottleinwhichacandlewasfitted，andaboxofmatchesevidentlyusedbythetwomen。Lightingthecandlehecouldnowdiscernthatthecavernwasonlyafewyardslong，thebeginningofatunnelwhichtheaccidenttothetreehadstopped。Inonecornerlaytheclothesthatthemenhadleft，andwhichforamomentseemedallthatthecaverncontained，butonremovingthemJohnnysawthattheywerethrownoverarifle，arevolver，andthetwochamois-leatherbagsthatthemenhadbroughtthere。Theyweresoheavythattheboycouldscarcelyliftthem。

Hisfaceflushed；hishandstrembledwithexcitement。Toaboywhosetruantwanderingshadgivenhimafairknowledgeofmining，heknewthatweightcouldhavebutonemeaning！Gold！Hehurriedlyuntiedthenearestbag。Butitwasnotthegoldofthelocality，ofthetunnel，ofthe"bedrock"！Itwas"flakegold，"

thegoldoftheriver！Ithadbeentakenfromtheminers’sluicesinthedistantstreams。Thebagsbeforehimwerethespoilsofthesluicerobber，——spoilsthatcouldnotbesoldorevenshowninthedistrictwithoutdanger，spoilskeptuntiltheycouldbetakentoMarysvilleorSacramentofordisposal。Allthismighthaveoccurredtothemindofanyboyofthelocalitywhohadheardthecommongossipofhiselders，buttoJohnny’sfancyanideawaskindledpeculiarlyhisown！Herewasacavernlikethatofthe"FortyThieves"inthestorybook，andhewasthe"AliBaba"whoknewitssecret！Hewasnotobligedtosay"OpenSesame，"buthecouldsayitifheliked，ifhewasshowingitofftoanybody！

Yetalashealsoknewitwasasecrethemustkeeptohimself。Hehadnobodytotrustitto。Hisfatherwasacharcoal-burnerofsmallmeans；awidowerwithtwochildren，JohnnyandhiselderbrotherSam。Thelatter，aflagrantincorrigibleoftwenty-two，withatendencytodissipationandlowcompany，hadlatelyabandonedhisfather’sroof，onlytoreappearatintervalsofhilariousormaudlinintoxication。HehadalwaysbeenhelduptoJohnnyasawarning，orwiththegloomyprognosisthathe，Johnny，wasalreadyfollowinginhistortuousfootsteps。Evenifhewereherehewasnottobethoughtofasaconfidant。Stilllesscouldhetrusthisfather，whowouldbesuretobunglethesecretwithsheriffsandconstables，andendbybringingdownthevengeanceoftheganguponthefamily。Asforhimself，hecouldnotdisposeofthegoldifheweretotakeit。Theexhibitionofasingleflakeofittotheadultpublicwouldarousesuspicion，andasitwasJohnny’shardfatetobealwaysdoubted，hemightbeconnectedwiththegang。Asatruantheknewhehadnomoralstanding，buthealsohadthesuperstition——quitecharacteristicofchildhood——thatbeinginpossessionofasecrethewasaparticipantinitscriminality——andbound，asitwere，byterribleoaths！Andthenanewideaseizedhim。Hecarefullyputbackeverythingashehadfoundit，extinguishedthecandle，leftthecave，remountedthetree，andclosedtheopeningagainashehadseentheothersdoit，withtheadditionofmurmuring"ShutSesame"tohimself，andthenranawayasfastashisshortlegscouldcarryhim。

Wellclearofthedangerousvicinity，heproceededmoreleisurelyforaboutamile，untilhecametoalowwhitewashedfence，inclosingasmallcultivatedpatchandaneatfarmhousebeyond。

Herehepaused，and，coweringbehindthefence，withextraordinaryfacialcontortionsproducedacrynotunlikethescreamofabluejay。Repeatingitatintervals，hewaspresentlyrelievedbyobservingtheapproachofanankeensunbonnetwithintheinclosureabovethelineoffence。Stoppingbeforehim，thesun-bonnetrevealedarosylittleface，morethanusuallyplumpononeside，andaneckenormouslywrappedinascarf。Itwas"Meely"（Amelia）

Stryker，aschoolmate，detainedathomeby"mumps，"asJohnnywaspreviouslyaware。For，withthefamousindiscretionofsomeothergreatheroes，hewasabouttointrusthissecretandhisdestinytooneoftheweakersex。Andwhatweretheminorpossibilitiesofcontagiontothis？

"Playin’hookeyag’in？"saidtheyounglady，withacordialandevenexpansivesmile，exclusivelyconfinedtoonesideofherface。

"Um！So’dyoubeefyou’dbinwharIhev，"hesaidwithharrowingmystery。

"No！——say！"saidMeelyeagerly。

AtwhichJohnny，clutchingatthetopofthefence，withhurriedbreathtoldhisstory。Butnotall。Withtheinstinctofatrueartisthewithheldthemannerinwhichtheopeningofthecavewasrevealed，saidnothingaboutthetree，and，Igrievetosay，addedthewords"OpenSesame"astheimportantfactortotheoperation。

NeitherdidhementionthenameofSpanishPete。Forallofwhichhewasafterwardsdulygrateful。

"Meetmeattheburntpinedownthecrossroadsatfouro’clock，"hesaidinconclusion，"andI’llshowye。"

"Whynotnow？"saidMeelyimpatiently。

"Couldn’t。Muchasmylifeisworth！Mustkeepwatchingout！Youcomeatfour。"

Andwithanassuringnodhereleasedthefenceandtrottedoff。Hereturnedcautiouslyinthedirectionofthecave；hewasbynomeanssurethattherobbersmightnotreturnthatday，andhismysteriousrendezvouswithMeelyveiledacertainprudence。Anditwaswell！Forashestealthilycreptaroundthefaceoftheoutcrop，hiddenintheferns，hesawfromthealteredangleofthetreethatthecavernwasopened。Heremainedmotionless，withbatedbreath。Thenheheardthesoundofsubduedvoicesfromthecavern，andafigureemergedfromtheopening。Johnnygraspedthefernsrigidlytocheckthedreadfulcrythatrosetohislipsatitssight。Forthatfigurewashisownbrother！

Therewasnomistakingthatweak，wickedface，eventhenflushedwithliquor！Johnnyhadseenittoooftenthus。Butneverbeforeasathief’sface！Hegavealittlegasp，andfellbackuponthatstrangereserveofapathyandreticenceinwhichchildrenareapttohidetheiremotionsfromusatsuchamoment。Hewatchedimpassivelythetwoothermenwhofollowedhisbrotherouttogivehimasmallbagandsomeinstructions，andthenreturnedwithintheircave，whilehisbrotherwalkedquicklyaway。Hewatchedhimdisappear；hedidnotmove，forevenifhehadfollowedhimhecouldnotbeartofacehiminhisshame。Andthenoutofhissullendespaircameaboyishideaofrevenge。Itwasthosetwomenwhohadmadehisbrotherathief！

Hewasverynearthetree。Hecreptstealthilyonhishandsandkneesthroughthebracken，andasstealthilyclimbedthewedgeofoutcrop，andthenleapedlikeawildcatonthetree。Withincredibleactivityheliftedthebalancingstone，andasthetreebegantomove，inaflashofperceptiontransferredittotheothersideofitsaxis，andfelttherootsanddebris，underthatadditionalweight，descendquicklywithsomethinglikeacrashovertheopening。Thenhetooktohisheels。Heransoswiftlythatallunknowinglyheovertookafigure，who，turning，glancedathim，andthendisappearedinthewood。Itwashissecondandlastviewofhisbrother，asheneversawhimagain！

Butnow，strangetosay，thecrucialandmostdespairingmomentofhisday’sexperiencehadcome。HehadtofaceMeelyStrykerundertheburntpine，andthepromisehecouldnotkeep，andtotellherthathehadliedtoher。Itwastheonlywaytosavehisbrothernow！Hissmallwits，andalas！hissmallermethods，wereequaltothedespairingtask。Assoonashesawherwaitingunderthetreehefelltocaperinganddancingwithanextravaganceinwhichhysteriahadnosmallpart。"Sold！sold！soldagain，andgotthemoney！"helaughedshrilly。

Thegirllookedathimwithastonishment，whichchangedgraduallytoscorn，andthentoanger。Johnny’sheartsank，butheredoubledhisantics。

"Who’ssold？"shesaiddisdainfully。

"Yoube。YouswalleredallthatstuffaboutAliBaba！YouwantedtobeMorgyAnna！Ho！ho！AndI’vemadeyouplayhookey——fromhome！"

"Youhateful，horrid，littleliar！"

Johnnyacceptedhispunishmentmeekly——inhisheartgratefully。"I

reckonedyou’dlaughandnotgetmad，"hesaidsubmissively。Thegirlturned，withtearsofrageandvexationinhereyes，andwalkedaway。Johnnyfollowedatahumbledistance。Perhapstherewassomethinginstinctivelytouchingintheboy’sremorse，fortheymadeitupbeforetheyreachedherfence。

NeverthelessJohnnywenthomemiserable。Luckilyforhim，hisfatherwasabsentataVigilanceCommitteecalledtotakecognizanceofthelatesluicerobberies，andalthoughthistemporarilyconcealedhisoffenseoftruancy，thenewsofthevigilancemeetingdeterminedhimtokeephislipssealed。Helayallnightwonderinghowlongitwouldtaketherobberstodigthemselvesoutofthecave，andwhethertheysuspectedtheirimprisonmentwastheworkofanenemyoronlyanaccident。Forseveraldaysheavoidedthelocality，andevenfearedthevengefulappearanceofSpanishPetesomenightathisfather’shouse。Itwasnotuntiltheendofafortnightthathehadthecouragetorevisitthespot。Thetreewasinitsnormalposition，butimmovable，andagreatquantityoffreshdebrisatthemouthofthecaveconvincedhimthattherobbers，afterescaping，hadabandoneditasunsafe。Hisbrotherdidnotreturn，andeithertheactivityoftheVigilanceCommitteeorthelackofanewplaceofrendezvousseemedtohavedispersedtherobbersfromthelocality，fortheywerenotheardofagain。

ThenexttenyearsbroughtanimprovementtoMr。Starleigh’sfortunes。JohnnyStarleigh，thenastudentatSanJose，onemorningfoundanewspaperclippinginaletterfromMissAmeliaStryker。Itreadasfollows："TheexcavatorsinthenewtunnelinHeavystoneRidgelatelydiscoveredtheskeletonsoftwounknownmen，whohadevidentlybeencrushedandentombedsomeyearspreviously，bythefallingofalargetreeoverthemouthoftheirtemporaryrefuge。Fromsomerivergoldfoundwiththem，theyweresupposedtobepartofthegangofsluicerobberswhoinfestedthelocalitysomeyearsago，andwerehidingfromtheVigilants。"

ForafewdaysthereafterJohnnyStarleighwasthoughtfulandreserved，buthedidnotrefertotheparagraphinansweringtheletter。Hedecidedtokeepitforlaterconfidences，whenMissStrykershouldbecomeMrs。Starleigh。

MISSPEGGY’SPROTEGES

ThestringofPeggy’ssunbonnethadbecomeuntied——sohadherrightshoe。Thesewerenotunusualaccidentstoacountrygirloften，butasbothofherhandswerefullshefeltobligedtoputdownwhatshewascarrying。Thiswasfurthercomplicatedbythenatureofherburden——ahalf-fledgedshrikeandababygopher——pickedupinherwalk。Itwasimpossibletowrapthembothinherapronwithoutseriousperiltooneortheother；shecouldnotputeitherdownwithoutthechanceofitsescaping。"It’slikethatdreadfulriddleoftheferrymanwhohadtotakethewolfandthesheepinhisboat，"saidPeggytoherself，"thoughIdon’tbelieveanybodywaseversosillyastowanttotakeawolfacrosstheriver。"

But，lookingup，shebeheldtheapproachofSamBedell，asix-foottunnelmanofthe"BlueCementLead，"and，hailinghim，beggedhimtoholdoneofhercaptives。Thegiant，loathingthelittlemouse-

likeballoffur，chosetheshrike。"Holdhimbythefeet，forhebitesAWFUL，"saidPeggy，asthebirdregardedSamwiththediabolicallyintensefrownofhisspecies。Then，droppingthegopherunconcernedlyinherpocket，sheproceededtorearrangehertoilet。ThetunnelmanwaitedpatientlyuntilPeggyhadsecuredthenankeensunbonnetaroundherfreshbutfreckledcheeks，and，witharecklessdisplayofyellowflannelpetticoatandstockingslikepeppermintsticks，haddouble-knottedhershoestringsviciouslywhenheventuredtospeak。

"Sameoldgame，Peggy？Thoughtyou’dgotratherdiscouragedwithyour’happyfamily，’arterthatnewowlo’yourshadgathered’emin。"

Peggy’scheekflushedslightlyatthisungraciousallusiontoaformercollectionofhers，whichhadtotallydisappearedoneeveningaftertheintroductionofanewmemberintheshapeofasingularlyvenerableandpeaceful-lookinghornedowl。

"IcouldhavetamedHIM，too，"saidPeggyindignantly，"ifNedMyers，whogavehimtome，hadn’tbeentraininghimtoketchthings，andneverletonanythingaboutittome。Hewasareg’largameowl！"

"Andwotareyegoin’todowiththeColonelhere？"saidSam，indicatingunderthatgallanttitletheinfantshrike，who，withhisclawsdeeplyimbeddedinSam’sfinger，wassquattinglikeamalignanthunchback，andresistinghistransfertoPeggy。"Won’tHEmakeitratherlivelyfortheothers？Helookspow’fuldiscontentedforonesoyoung。"

"That’shisnater，"saidPeggypromptly。"JesswaittillItamehim。Efhe’dbeenleftalongo’hisfolks，he’dgrowuplike’em。

He’sa’butcherbird’——wottheycalla’nine-killer’——killsninebirdsaday！Yes！Trueezyoulive！Sticks’emuponthornsoutsidehisnest，jestlikeabutcher’sshop，tillhegetshungry。

I’veseen’em！"

"Andhowdoyoukalkilatetotamehim？"askedSam。

"Bybeinggoodtohimandlovin’him，"saidPeggy，strokingtheheadofthebirdwithinfinitegentleness。

"ThatmeansYOU’VEgottodoallthebutcheringforhim？"saidthecynicalSam。

Peggyshookherhead，disdainingaverbalreply。

"Yecan’tbringhimuponsugarandcrackers，likeaPolly，"

persistedSam。

"Yekendoanythin’withcritters，ifyouain’tafeerdof’emandlove’em，"saidPeggyshyly。

Thetalltunnelman，lookingdownintothedepthsofPeggy’ssunbonnet，sawsomethingintheroundblueeyesandgravelittlemouththatmadehimthinksotoo。ButherePeggy’sseriouslittlefacetookashadeofdarkerconcernasherarmwentdowndeeperintoherpocket，andhereyesgotrounder。

"It’s——it’s——BURREREDOUT！"shesaidbreathlessly。

Thegiantleapedbrisklytooneside。"Hol’on，"saidPeggyabstractedly。Withinfinitegravityshefollowed，withherfingers，aseamofherskirtdowntothehem，poppedthemquicklyunderit，andproduced，withasighofrelief，themissinggopher。

"You’lldo，"saidSam，infearfuladmiration。"Mebbeyou’llmakesuthin’outo’theColoneltoo。ButInevertookstockinthatthereowl。Hewastoodurnedself-righteousforadecentbird。

Now，runalongaforeanythin’elsefetcheslooseag’in。Solong！"

Hepattedthetopofhersunbonnet，gavealittlepulltotheshortbrownbraidthathungbehindhertemptingly，——whichnominerwaseverknowntoresist，——andwatchedherflutteroffwithherspoils。

Hehaddonesomanytimesbefore，forthegreat，foolishheartoftheBlueCementRidgehadgoneouttoPeggyBaker，thelittledaughteroftheblacksmith，quiteearly。Therewereothersofthefamily，notablytwoeldersisters，invincibleatpicnicsanddances，butPeggywasasnecessarytothesemenasthebluejaythatswungbeforetheminthedimwoods，thesquirrelthatwhiskedacrosstheirmorningpath，orthewoodpeckerwhobeathistattooattheirmiddaymealfromthehollowpineabovethem。Shewaspartofthenaturethatkeptthemyoung。Hertruanciesandvagranciesconcernedthemnot：shewasalawtoherself，likethebirdsandsquirrels。Therewerebeardedlipstohailherwherevershewent，andablueorred-shirtedarmalwaysstretchedoutinanyperilouspassordangerouscrossing。

Herpeculiartasteswereanoutcomeofhernature，assistedbyhersurroundings。Leftagooddealtoherselfinherinfancy，shemadeplayfellowsofanimatednaturearoundher，withoutmuchreferencetoselectionorfitness，butalwayswithafearlessnessthatwastheresultofherownobservation，andunhamperedbytraditionorotherchildren’stimidity。Shehadnosuperstitionregardingthevenomoftoads，thepoisonofspiders，ortheear-penetratingcapacityofearwigs。Shehadexperiencesandrevelationsofherown，——whichshekeptsacredlytoherself，aschildrendo，——andonewasinregardtoarattlesnake，partlyinduced，however，bytheindiscreetwarningofherelders。ShewascautionedNOTtotakeherbreadandmilkintothewoods，andwastoldtheaffectingstoryofthelittlegirlwhowasonceregularlyvisitedbyasnakethatpartookofHERbreadandmilk，andwhowasultimatelyfoundrappingtheheadofthesnakeforgorgingmorethanhisshare，andnot"takinga’poonasmedo。"ItisneedlesstosaythatthisincautiouscautionfiredPeggy’sadventurousspirit。SHEtookabowlfulofmilktothehauntofa"rattler"nearherhome，but，withoutmakingthepretenseofsharingit，generouslyleftthewholetothereptile。Afterrepeatingthishospitalityforthreeorfourdays，shewasamazedonemorningonreturningtothehousetofindthesnake——anelderlyonewithadozenrattles——devotedlyfollowingher。Alarmed，notforherownsafetynorthatofherfamily，butfortheexistenceofhergratefulfriendindangeroftheblacksmith’shammer，shetookacircuitousrouteleadingitaway。Thenrecallingabitofwoodlandloreoncecommunicatedtoherbyacharcoal-burner，shebrokeasprayofthewhiteash，andlaiditbeforeherinthetrackoftherattlesnake。Hestoppedinstantly，andremainedmotionlesswithoutcrossingtheslightbarrier。Sherepeatedthisexperimentonlateroccasions，untilthereptileunderstoodher。Shekepttheexperiencetoherself，butonedayitwaswitnessedbyatunnelman。OnthatdayPeggy’sreputationwasmade！

FromthistimehenceforththemajorpartofBlueCementRidgebecameseriouscollectorsforwhatwasknownas"Peggy’smenagerie，"andtwoofthetunnelmenconstructedastockadedinclosure——nothalfamilefromtheblacksmith’scabin，butunknowntohim——forthereceptionofspecimens。ForalongtimeitsexistencewaskeptasecretbetweenPeggyandherloyalfriends。

Herparents，awareofhereccentrictastesonlythroughtheintroductionofsuchsmallercreaturesaslizards，toads，andtarantulasintotheirhouse，——whichusuallyescapedfromtheirtincansandboxesandsoughtrefugeinthefamilyslippers，——hadfrowneduponherzoologicalstudies。Hermotherfoundthatherwoodlandramblesentailedanextraordinarywearandtearofherclothing。Apinaforereducedtoribbonsbyayoungfox，andastrawhathalfswallowedbyamountainkid，didnotseemtobeanaturalincidenttoanordinarywalktotheschoolhouse。Hersistersthoughthertastes"low，"andherfamiliarassociationwiththeminersinconsistentwiththeirowndignity。ButPeggywentregularlytoschool，wasafairscholarinelementarystudies（whatsheknewofnaturalhistory，infact，quitestartledherteachers），andbeingalsoateachablechild，wasallowedsomelatitude。AsforPeggyherself，shekeptherownfaithunshaken；herlittlecreed，whoseshibbolethwasnot"tobeafraid"ofGod’screatures，butto"love’em，"sustainedherthroughreprimand，tornclothing，and，itistobefeared，occasionalbitesandscratchesfromthelovedonesthemselves。