第5章

Mrs。Bunkercastahastyglancearoundher，andpressedthelettertoherlips。Itwasasuddenconsummationofhervaguest，half—

formedwishes，therealizationofherwildestdreams！Tobetheconfidanteofthegallantbutmelancholyheroinhislonelyexileandpersecutionwastosatisfyalltheunformulatedromanticfanciesofhergirlishreading;tobelater，perhaps，theFloraMacdonaldofamiddle—agedPrinceCharliedidnot，however，evokeanyludicrousassociationsinhermind。Herfemininefancyexaltedtheescapedduelistandallegedassassinintoasocialmartyr。Hisactualsmallpoliticalintriguesandignobleaimsofofficeseemedtoherlittledifferentfromthoseaspirationsofroyaltywhichshehadreadabout——asperhapstheywere。Indeed，itistobefearedthatinfoolishlittleMrs。Bunker，WynyardMarionhadfoundtheoldfeminineadorationofpretensionandprivilegewhicheveryrascalhastakenadvantageofsincetheflood。

Howbeit，thenextmorningaftershehadreturnedandZephashadsailedaway，sheflewaredbandanahandkerchiefonthelittleflagstaffbeforethehouse。Afewhourslater，aboatappearedmysteriouslyfromaroundthePoint。Itsonlyoccupant——acommonsailor——askedhername，andhandedherasealedpackage。Mrs。

Bunker’sinventionhadalreadybeenatwork。ShehadcreatedanauntinMexico，forwhomshehad，withsomeostentation，madesomesmallpurchaseswhileinSanFrancisco。WhenherhusbandspokeofgoingasfarsouthasTodosSantos，shebeggedhimtodelivertheparceltoheraunt’smessenger，andevenaddresseditboldlytoher。InsidetheouterwrappershewroteanotetoMarion，which，withanewandamazingdiffidence，shecomposedandalteredadozentimes，atlastaddressingthefollowinginalarge，school—girlhand："Sir，Iobeyyourcommandstothelast。Whateveryouroppressorsorenemiesmaydo，youcanalwaysrelyandtrustuponShewhoindeepestsympathysignsherselfever，MollieRosalieMacEwan。"Thesubstitutionofhermaidennameinfullseemedinhersimplicitytobeadelicateexclusionofherhusbandfromtheaffair，andacertaindisguiseofherselftoalieneyes。Thesuperscription，"ToMrs。MarionMacEwanfromMollieBunker，tobecalledforbyhandatTodosSantos，"alsostruckherasamarvelofingenuity。ThepackagewassafelyandpunctuallydeliveredbyZephas，whobroughtbackasmallpacketdirectedtoher，whichonprivateexaminationprovedtocontainaletteraddressedto"J。E。

Kirby，tobecalledfor，"withthehurriedline："Athousandthanks，W。M。"Mrs。Bunkerdrewalong，quickbreath。Hemighthavewrittenmore;hemighthave——butthewishremainedstillunformulated。Thenextdaysheranupasignal;thesameboatandsolitaryrowerappearedaroundthePoint，andtookthepackage。A

weeklater，whenherhusbandwasreadyforsea，sheagainhoistedhersignal。ItbroughtareturnpackageforMexico，whichsheinclosedandreaddressed，andgavetoherhusband。TherecurrenceofthisincidentapparentlystruckabrightideafromthesimpleZephas。

"Lookhere，Mollie，whydon’tyoucomeYOURSELFandseeyouraunt。

Ican’tgointoportwithoutalicense，andthemportchargescostaheapo’redtape，forthey’vegotaFilibusterscareondowntherejustnow，butyoucangoashoreintheboatandI’llgetpermissionfromtheSecretarytostandoffandwaitforyoutherefortwenty—fourhours。"Mrs。Bunkerflushedandpaledatthethought。Shecouldseehim！Theletterwouldbesufficientexcuse，thedistrustsuggestedbyherhusbandwouldgivecolortoherdeliveringitinperson。TherewasperhapsabrieftwingeofconscienceintakingthisadvantageofZephas’kindness，butthenextmoment，withthatpeculiarlogicknownonlytothesex，shemadetheunfortunateman’ssuggestionacondonationofherdeceit。

SHEhadn’taskedtogo;HEhadofferedtotakeher。Hehadonlyhimselftothank。

Meantimethepoliticalexcitementinwhichshehadbecomeapartisanwithoutunderstandingorevenconviction，presentlyculminatedwiththePresidentialcampaignandtheelectionofAbrahamLincoln。TheintriguesofSouthernstatesmenwererevealedinopenexpression，andechoedinCaliforniabythosecitizensofSouthernbirthandextractionwhohadlong，heldplace，power，andopinionthere。Therewererumorsofsecession，ofCaliforniajoiningtheSouth，orofherfoundinganindependentPacificEmpire。Anotefrom"J。E。Kirby"informedMrs。Bunkerthatshewastocarefullyretainanycorrespondencethatmightbeinherhandsuntilfurtherorders，almostatthesametimethatZephasasregretfullytoldherthathisprojectedSoutherntriphadbeensuspended。Mrs。Bunkerwasdisappointed，andyet，insomesingularconditionsofherfeelings，feltrelievedthathermeetingwithMarionwaspostponed。Itistobefearedthatsomedimconviction，unworthyapartisan，thatinthemagnitudeofpoliticaleventsherownpettypersonalitymightbeoverlookedbyherherotendedsomewhattoherresignation。

Meanwhiletheseasonshadchanged。Thewinterrainshadsetin;

thetradewindshadshiftedtothesoutheast，andthecottage，althoughstrengthened，enlarged，andmademorecomfortablethroughthegoodfortunesoftheBunkers，wasnolongershelteredbythecliff，butwasexposedtothefullstrengthofthePacificgales。

Therewerelongnightswhenshecouldheartherainfallmonotonouslyontheshingles，orstartleherwithashort，sharpreveilleenthewindows;therewerebriefdaysofflyingcloudsanddriftingsunshine，andintervalsofdullgrayshadow，whentheheavingwhitebreakersbeyondtheGateslowlyliftedthemselvesandsankbeforeherlikewraithsofwarning。Atsuchtimes，inheracceptedsolitude，Mrs。Bunkergaveherselfuptostrangemoodsandsingularvisions;themoreaudaciousandmorestrikingitseemedtoherfromtheirveryremoteness，andthedifficultyshewasbeginningtohaveinmaterializingthem。TheactualpersonalityofWynyardMarion，assheknewitinheroneinterview，hadbecomeveryshadowyandfaintinthemonthsthatpassed，yetwhenthedayswereheavyshesometimessawherselfstandingbyhissideinsomevaguetropicalsurroundings，andhailedbythemultitudeasthefaithfulwifeandconsortofthegreatLeader，President，Emperor——sheknewnotwhat！

Exactlyhowthiswastobemanaged，andthemannerofZephas’

effacementfromthescene，nevertroubledherchildishfancy，and，itisbutfairtosay，herwoman’sconscience。Inthelogicbeforealludedto，itseemedtoherthatallethicalresponsibilityforheractionsrestedwiththehusbandwhohadundulymarriedher。Norwerethosevisionsalwaysroseate。Inthewilddeclamationofthatexcitingepochwhichfilledthenewspaperstherewastalkofshortshriftwithtraitors。Sothereweredayswhenthesuddenonsetofasquallofhailagainstherwindowcausedhertostartasifshehadheardthesharpfusilladeofthatfileofmusketsofwhichshehadsometimesreadinhistory。

Onedayshehadasingularfright。Shehadheardthesoundofoarsfallingwithaprecisionandregularityunknowntoher。Shewasstartledtoseetheapproachofalargeeight—oaredbargerowedbymeninuniform，withtwoofficerswrappedincloaksinthesternsheets，andbeforethemtheglitterofmusketbarrels。Thetwoofficersappearedtobeconversingearnestly，andoccasionallypointingtotheshoreandthebluffabove。Foraninstantshetrembled，andthenaninstinctofrevoltandresistancefollowed。

Shehurriedlyremovedthering，whichsheusuallyworewhenalone，fromherfinger，slippeditwiththepacketunderthemattressofherbed，andpreparedwithblazingeyestofacetheintruders。Butwhentheboatwasbeached，thetwoofficers，withscarcelyaglancetowardsthecottage，proceededleisurelyalongtheshore。Relieved，yetitmustbeconfessedalittlepiquedattheirindifference，shesnatchedupherhatandsalliedforthtoconfrontthem。

"Isupposeyoudon’tknowthatthisisprivateproperty？"shesaidsharply。

Thegrouphaltedandturnedtowardsher。Theorderly，whowasfollowing，turnedhisfaceasideandsmiled。Theyoungerofficerdemurelyliftedhiscap。Theelder，gray，handsome，inageneral’suniform，afteramoment’shalf—astounded，half—amusedscrutinyofthelittlefigure，gravelyraisedhisgauntletedfingersinamilitarysalute。

"Ibegyourpardon，madam，butIamafraidwenevereventhoughtofthat。WearemakingapreliminarysurveyfortheGovernmentwithapossibleviewoffortifyingthebluff。Itisverydoubtfulifyouwillbedisturbedinanyrightsyoumayhave，butifyouare，theGovernmentwillnotfailtomakeitgoodtoyou。"Heturnedcarelesslytotheaidebesidehim。"Isupposethebluffisquiteinaccessiblefromhere？"

"Idon’tknowaboutthat，general。TheysaythatMarion，afterhekilledHenderson，escapeddownthisway，"saidtheyoungman。

"Indeed，whatgoodwasthat？Howdidhegetawayfromhere？"

"TheysaythatMrs。Fairfaxwashangingroundinaboat，waitingforhim。Thestoryoftheescapeisalloutnow。"

TheymovedawaywithaslightperfunctorybowtoMrs。Bunker，onlytheyoungerofficernotingthatthepert，prettylittleWesternwomanwasn’tassharpandsnappytohissuperiorasshehadatfirstpromisedtobe。

Sheturnedbacktothecottageastounded，angry，andvaguelyalarmed。WhowasthisMrs。Fairfaxwhohadusurpedherfameandsolitarydevotion？Therewasnowomanintheboatthattookhimoff;itwasequallywellknownthathewentintheshipalone。Iftheyhadheardthatsomewomanwaswithhimhere——whyshouldtheyhavesupposeditwasMrs。Fairfax？Zephasmightknowsomething——

buthewasaway。Thethoughthauntedherthatdayandthenext。

Onthethirdcameamorestartlingincident。

ShehadbeenwanderingalongtheedgeofherdomaininastateofrestlessnesswhichhaddrivenherfromthemonotonyofthehousewhensheheardthebarkingofthebigNewfoundlanddogwhichZephashadlatelyboughtforprotectionandcompany。Shelookedupandsawtheboatanditssolitaryroweratthelanding。Sheranquicklytothehousetobringthepacket。Assheenteredshestartedbackinamazement。Forthesitting—roomwasalreadyinpossessionofawomanwhowasseatedcalmlybythetable。

ThestrangerturnedonMrs。Bunkerthatfranklyinsolentglanceanddeliberateexaminationwhichonlyonewomancangiveanother。InthatglanceMrs。Bunkerfeltherselfinthepresenceofasuperior，evenifherowneyeshadnottoldherthatinbeauty，attire，andbearingtheintruderwasofatypeandconditionfarbeyondherown，oreventhatofanyshehadknown。ItwasthemorecrushingthattherealsoseemedtobeinthishaughtywomanthesameincongruousnessandsharpcontrasttotheplainandhomelysurroundingsofthecottagethatsherememberedinHIM。

"Yo’awMrs。Bunker，Ibelieve，"shesaidinlanguidSouthernaccents。"Howdedoh？"

"IamMrs。Bunker，"saidMrs。Bunkershortly。

"AndsothisiswhereCunnleMarionstoppedwhenhewaitedfo’theboattotakehimoff，"saidthestranger，glancinglazilyaround，anddelayingwithsmilinginsolencetheexplanationsheknewMrs。

Bunkerwasexpecting。"Thecunnlesaiditwasapoohenoughplace，butIdon’tseeit。Ireckon，however，hewastooworriedtojudgeandgladenoughtogetoff。Yo’oughttohavemadehimtalk——hegenerallydon’twantmuchpromptingtotalktowomen，ifthey’repooty。"

"Hedidn’tseeminahurrytogo，"saidMrs。Bunkerindignantly。

Thenextmomentshesawhererror，evenbeforethecruel，handsomesmileofherunbiddenguestrevealedit。

"Ithoughtso，"shesaidlazily;"thisIStheplaceandhere’swherethecunnlestayed。Onlyyo’oughtn’thavegivenhimandyo’selfawaytothefirststrangerquitesoeasy。Thecunnlemighthavetaughtyo’THATthetwoorthreehourshewaswithyo’。"

"Whatdoyouwantwithme？"demandedMrs。Bunkerangrily。

"Iwantaletteryo’haveformefromCunnleMarion。"

"Ihavenothingforyou，"saidMrs。Bunker。"Idon’tknowwhoyouare。"

"Yououghtto，consideringyou’vebeenactingasmessengerbetweenthecunnleandme，"saidtheladycoolly。

"That’snottrue，"saidMrs。Bunkerhotly，tocombataninwardsinking。

Theladyrosewithalazy，languidgrace，walkedtothedoorandcalledstilllazily，"OPedro！"

Thesolitaryrowerclambereduptherocksandappearedonthecottagethreshold。

"Isthistheladywhogaveyouthelettersformeandtowhomyoutookmine？"

"Si，senora。"

"TheywereaddressedtoaMr。Kirby，"saidMrs。Bunkersullenly。

"HowwasItoknowtheywereforMrs。Kirby？"

"Mr。Kirby，Mrs。Kirby，andmyselfareallthesame。Youdon’tsupposethecunnlewouldgivemyrealnameandaddress？Didyouaddressyo’rpackettoHISrealnameortosomeoneelse。Didyouletyourhusbandknowwhotheywerefor？"

Oddly，asickeningsenseofthemeannessofallthesedeceitsandsubterfugessuddenlycameoverMrs。Bunker。WithoutreplyingshewenttoherbedroomandreturnedwithColonelMarion’slastletter，whichshetossedintohervisitor’slap。

"Thankyo’，Mrs。Bunker。I’llbesuretotellthecunnlehowcarefulyo’werenottogiveuphiscorrespondencetoeverybody。

It’llpleasehimmo’thantohearyo’arewearinghisring——whicheverybodyknows——beforepeople。"

"Hegaveittome——he——heknewIwouldn’ttakemoney，"saidMrs。

Bunkerindignantly。

"Hedidn’thaveanytogive，"saidtheladyslowly，assheremovedtheenvelopefromherletterandlookedupwithadazzlingbutcruelsmile。"ASo’th’ngentlemandon’tfilluphispocketswhenhegoesouttofight。Hedon’ttuckhismaw’sBibleinhisbreast—

pocket，claphisdearauntie’slocketbigasacheeseplateoverhisheart，norlethissoleleathercigyarcasethathisgyrlgavehimlieroundhiminspotswhenhegoesouttotakeanothergentleman’sfire。HeleavesthattoYanks！"

"Didyoucomeheretoinsultmyhusband？"saidMrs。Bunkerintherageofdesperation。

"Toinsultyo’husband！Well——Icameheretogetaletterthathiswifereceivedfromhispoliticalandnaturalenemyand——perhapsI

DID！"WithasideglanceatMrs。Bunker’scrimsoncheeksheaddedcarelessly，"IhavenothingagainstCaptainBunker;he’sastraightforwardmanandmustgowithhiskind。HehelpedthosehoundsofVigilantesbecausehebelievesinthem。Wecouldn’tbribehimifwewantedto。Andwedon’t。"

Ifsheonlyknewsomethingofthiswoman’srelationstoMarion——

whichsheonlyinstinctivelysuspected——andcouldretaliateuponher，Mrs。Bunkerfeltshewouldhavegivenupherlifeatthatmoment。

"ColonelMarionseemstofindplentythathecanbribe，"shesaidroughly，"andI’veyettoknowwhoYOUaretositinjudgmentonthem。You’vegotyourletter，takeitandgo！Whenhewantstosendyouanotherthroughme，somebodyelsemustcomeforit，notyou。That’sall！"

Shedrewbackasiftolettheintruderpass，butthelady，withoutmovingamuscle，finishedthereadingofherletter，thenstoodupquietlyandbegancarefullytodrawherhandsomecloakoverhershoulders。"Yo’wanttoknowwhoIam，Mrs。Bunker，"shesaid，arrangingthevelvetcollarunderherwhiteovalchin。"Well，I’maSo’th’nwomanfromFiginya，andI’mFiginyanfirst，last，andallthetime。"Sheshookouthersleevesandthefoldsofhercloak。

"IbelieveinStaterightsandslavery——ifyouknowwhatthatmeans。IhatetheNorth，IhatetheEast，IhatetheWest。IhatethisniggerGovernment，I’dkillthatmanLincolnquickerthanlightning！"Shebegantodrawdownthefingersofhergloves，holdinghershapelyhandsuprightbeforeher。"I’mhardandfasttotheCause。Igaveuphouseandniggersforit。"Shebegantobuttonherglovesatthewristwithsomedifficulty，tightlysettingtogetherherbeautifullipsasshedidso。"Igaveupmyhusbandforit，andIwenttothemanwholoveditbetterandhadriskedmoreforitthaneverhehad。CunnleMarion’smyfriend。

I’mMrs。Fairfax，JosephineHardeethatwas;HISdiscipleandfollower。Well，maybethosepuritanicalNo’th’nfolksmightgiveitanothername！"

Shemovedslowlytowardsthedoor，butonthethresholdpaused，asColonelMarionhad，andcamebacktoMrs。Bunkerwithanoutstretchedhand。"Idon’tseethatyo’andmeneedquo’ll。I

didn’tcomehereforthat。Icameheretoseeyo’rhusband，andseeingYO’Ithoughtitwasonlyrighttotalksquarelytoyo’，asyo’understandIWOULDN’Ttalktoyo’rhusband。Mrs。Bunker，I

wantyo’rhusbandtotakemeaway——Iwanthimtotakemetothecunnle。IfItriedtogoinanyotherwayI’dbewatched，spieduponandfollowed，andonlyleadthosehoundsonhistrack。I

don’texpectyo’toASKyo’husbandforme，butonlynottointerferewhenIdo。"

TherewasatouchofunexpectedweaknessinhervoiceandalookofpaininhereyeswhichwasnotunlikewhatMrs。BunkerhadseenandpitiedinMarion。Buttheyweretheeyesofawomanwhohadhumbledher，andMrs。Bunkerwouldhavebeenunworthyhersexifshehadnotfeltacruelenjoymentinit。Yetthedominanceofthestrangerwasstillsostrongthatshedidnotdaretorefusetheprofferedhand。She，however，slippedtheringfromherfingerandlaiditinMrs。Fairfax’spalm。

"Youcantakethatwithyou，"shesaid，withadesperateattempttoimitatetheother’spreviousindifference。"Ishouldn’tliketodepriveyouandYOURFRIENDoftheopportunityofmakinguseofitagain。AsforMYhusband，Ishallsaynothingofyoutohimaslongasyousaynothingtohimofme——whichIsupposeiswhatyoumean。"

TheinsolentlookcamebacktoMrs。Fairfax’sface。"Ireckonyo’

’reright，"shesaidquietly，puttingtheringinherpocketasshefixedherdarkeyesonMrs。Bunker，"andtheringmaybeofuseagain。Good—by，Mrs。Bunker。"

Shewavedherhandcarelessly，andturningawaypassedoutofthehouse。Amomentlatertheboatanditstwooccupantspushedfromtheshore，anddisappearedroundthePoint。

ThenMrs。Bunkerlookedroundtheroom，anddownuponheremptyfinger，andknewthatitwastheendofherdream。Itwasallovernow——indeed，withthepictureofthatproud，insolentwomanbeforehershewonderedifithadeverbegun。ThiswasthewomanshehadallowedherselftothinkSHEmightbe。ThiswasthewomanHEwasthinkingofwhenhesatthere;thiswastheMrs。Fairfaxtheofficershadspokenof，andwhohadmadeher——Mrs。Bunker——thego—

betweenfortheirlove—making！Alltheworkthatshehaddoneforhim，thedeceitshehadpracticedonherhusband，wastobringhimandthiswomantogether！Andtheybothknewit，andhadnodoubtlaughedatherandherpretensions！

ItwaswithaburningcheekthatshethoughthowshehadintendedtogotoMarion，andimaginedherselfarrivingperhapstofindthatshamelesswomanalreadythere。Inhervagueunformulatedlongingsshehadneverbeforerealizedthedegradationintowhichherfoolishromancemightleadher。Shesawitnow;thathumiliatingmorallessonweareallapttoexperienceintheaccidentaldisplayofourownparticularvicesinthepersonwehate，shehadjustfeltinMrs。Fairfax’spresence。Withitcametheparalyzingfearofherhusband’sdiscoveryofhersecret。Secureasshehadbeeninherdullbeliefthathehadinsomewaywrongedherbymarryingher，sheforthefirsttimebegantodoubtifthiscondonedthedeceitshehadpracticedonhim。ThetributeMrs。Fairfaxhadpaidhim——thisappreciationofhisintegrityandhonestybyanenemyandawomanlikeherself——troubledher，frightenedher，andfilledherwithherfirstjealousy！Whatifthiswomanshouldtellhimall;

whatifsheshouldmakeuseofhimasMarionhadofher！ZephaswasastrongNorthernpartisan，butwasheproofagainsttheguilefulcharmsofsuchadevil？Shehadneverthoughtbeforeofquestioninghisfidelitytoher;shesuddenlyrememberednowsomeroughpleasantriesofCaptainSimmonsinregardtotheinconstancyofhiscalling。No！therewasbutonethingforhertodo：shewouldmakeacleanbreasttohim;shewouldtellhimeverythingshehaddoneexceptthefatalfancythatcompelledhertoit！Shebegantolookforhiscomingnowwithalternatehopeandfear——withunabatedimpatience！Thenightthatheshouldhavearrivedpassedslowly;morningcame，butnotZephas。Whenthemisthadliftedsheranimpatientlytotherocksandgazedanxiouslytowardsthelowerbay。Therewereafewgraysailsscarcedistinguishableabovethegrayerwater——buttheywerenothis。Sheglancedhalfmechanicallyseaward，andhereyesbecamesuddenlyfixed。Therewasnomistake！

Sheknewtherig！——shecouldseethefamiliarwhitelap—streakasthevesselcareenedonthestarboardtack——itwasherhusband’sschoonerslowlycreepingoutoftheGoldenGate！

PARTIII。

Herfirstwildimpulsewastoruntothecove，forthelittledingeyalwaysmooredthere，andtodesperatelyattempttoovertakehim。Buttheswiftconsciousnessofitsimpossibilitywasfollowedbyadull，bewilderingtorpor，thatkepthermotionless，helplesslyfollowingthevesselwithstrainingeyes，asiftheycouldevokesomeresponsefromitsdecks。Shewassolostinthisoccupationthatshedidnotseethatapilot—boatnearlyabreastofthecovehadputoutatwo—oaredgig，whichwaspullingquicklyfortherocks。Whenshesawit，shetrembledwiththeinstinctthatitbroughtherintelligence。Shewasright;itwasabriefnotefromherhusband，informingherthathehadbeenhurriedlydispatchedonashortseacruise;thatinordertocatchthetidehehadnottimetogoashoreatthebluff，buthewouldexplaineverythingonhisreturn。Herreliefwasonlypartial;shewasalreadyexperiencedenoughinhisvocationtoknowthattheexcusewasafeebleone。

Hecouldeasilyhave"fetched"thebluffintackingoutoftheGateandhavesignaledtohertoboardhiminherownboat。Thenextdayshelockedupherhouse，rowedroundthePointtotheEmbarcadero，wheretheBaysteamboatsoccasionallytouchedandtookuppassengerstoSanFrancisco。CaptainSimmonshadnotseenherhusbandthislasttrip;indeed，didnotknowthathehadgoneoutoftheBay。Mrs。Bunkerwasseizedwithadesperateidea。ShecalledupontheSecretaryoftheFishingTrust。Thatgentlemanwasbusiness—like，butneitherexpansivenorcommunicative。HerhusbandhadNOTbeenorderedouttoseabythem;sheoughttoknowthatCaptainBunkerwasnowhisownmaster，choosinghisownfishinggrounds，andhisowntimesandseasons。HewasnotawareofanysecretservicefortheCompanyinwhichCaptainBunkerwasengaged。HehopedMrs。Bunkerwoulddistinctlyrememberthatthelittlematterofthedueltowhichshereferredwasanoldbygoneaffair，andneveranythingbutapersonalmatter，inwhichtheFisheryhadnoconcernwhatever，andinwhichHEcertainlyshouldnotagainengage。HewouldadviseMrs。Bunker，ifshevaluedherowngood，andespeciallyherhusband’s，tospeedilyforgetallaboutit。Thesewereuglytimes，asitwas。IfMrs。Bunker’sserviceshadnotbeenproperlyrewardedorconsidereditwascertainlyagreatshame，butreallyHEcouldnotbeexpectedtomakeitgood。Certainpartieshadcosthimtroubleenoughalready。

Besides，really，shemustseethathispositionbetweenherhusband，whomherespected，andacertainotherpartywasadelicateone。ButMrs。Bunkerheardnomore。Sheturnedandrandownthestaircase，carryingwithheraburningcheekandblazingeyethatsomewhatstartledthecomplacentofficial。

Shedidnotrememberhowshegothomeagain。Shehadavaguerecollectionofpassingthroughthecrowdedstreets，wonderingifthepeopleknewthatshewasanoutcast，desertedbyherhusband，deceivedbyheridealhero，repudiatedbyherfriends！Menhadgatheredinknotsbeforethenewspaperoffices，excitedandgesticulatingoverthebulletinboardsthathadsuchstrangelegendsas"TheCrisis，""DetailsofanAllegedConspiracytoOverthrowtheGovernment，""TheAssassinofHendersontotheForeAgain，""RumoredArrestsontheMexicanFrontier。"Sometimesshethoughtsheunderstoodthedriftofthem;evenfanciedtheyweretheoutcomeofhervisit——asifherverypresencecarriedtreacheryandsuspicionwithit——butgenerallytheyonlystruckherbenumbedsenseasadull，meaninglessechoofsomethingthathadhappenedlongago。Whenshereachedherhouse，latethatnight，thefamiliarsolitudeofshoreandseagaveheramomentaryrelief，butwithitcametheterribleconvictionthatshehadforfeitedherrighttoit，thatwhenherhusbandcamebackitwouldbehersnolonger，andthatwiththeirmeetingshewouldknowitnomore。Forthroughallherchildishvacillationandimaginingsshemanagedtoclingtoonesteadfastresolution。ShewouldtellhimEVERYTHING，andknowtheworst。Perhapshewouldnevercome;perhapssheshouldnotbealivetomeethim。

Andsothedaysandnightsslowlypassed。Thesolitudewhichherpreviousemptydeceithadenabledhertofillwithsuchcharmingvisionsnowinherawakenedremorseseemedonlytoprotracthermisery。Hadshebeenamoreexperienced，thoughevenamoreguilty，womanshewouldhavesufferedless。Withoutsympathyorcounsel，withouteventhefaintestknowledgeoftheworldoritsstandardsofmoralitytoguideher，sheacceptedherisolationandfriendlessnessasanecessarypartofherwrongdoing。Heronlycriterionwasherenemy——Mrs。Fairfax——andSHEcouldseekherreliefbyjoiningherlover;butMrs。Bunkerknewnowthatsheherselfhadneverhadone——andwasalone！Mrs。Fairfaxhadbrokenopenlywithherhusband;butSHEhadDECEIVEDhers，andtheexperienceandreckoningwerestilltocome。Inhermiserableconfessionitwasnotstrangethatthishalfchild，halfwoman，sometimeslookedtowardsthatgraysea，eternallywaitingforher，——

thatseawhichhadtakeneverythingfromherandgivenhernothinginreturn，——foranobliteratingandperhapsexoneratingdeath！

Thethirddayofherwaitingisolationwasbrokenuponbyanotherintrusion。Themorninghadbeenthreatening，withanopaque，motionless，lividarchabove，whichhadtakentheplaceoftheusualflyingscudandshadedcloudmassesoftherainyseason。Thewholeoutlyingocean，too，beyondthebar，appearednearer，andevenseemedtobeliftedhigherthantheBayitself，andwasliteverynowandthenwithwonderfulclearnessbylongflashesofbreakingfoamlikesummerlightning。Sheknewthatthismeantasouthwester，andbegan，withacertainmechanicaldeliberation，tosetherlittledomaininorderagainstthecominggale。Shedrovethecowstotherudeshedamongthescruboaks，shecollectedthegoatsandyoungkidsinthecorral，andreplenishedthestockoffuelfromthewoodpile。Shewasquitehiddenintheshrubberywhenshesawaboatmakingslowheadwayagainstthewindtowardsthelittlecovewherebutamomentbeforeshehaddrawnupthedingeybeyondthereachofbreakingseas。ItwasawhaleboatfromSaucelitocontainingafewmen。AstheynearedthelandingsherecognizedinthemanwhoseemedtobedirectingtheboatthesecondfriendofColonelMarion——themanwhohadcomewiththeSecretarytotakehimoff，butwhomshehadneverseenagain。Inherpresenthorrorofthatmemorysheremainedhidden，determinedatallhazardstoavoidameeting。Whentheyhadlanded，oneofthemenhaltedaccidentallybeforetheshrubberywhereshewasconcealedashecaughthisfirstviewofthecottage，whichhadbeeninvisiblefromthepointtheyhadrounded。

"Lookhere，Bragg，"hesaid，turningtoMarion’sfriend，inavoicewhichwasdistinctlyaudibletoMrs。Bunker。"Whatarewetosaytothesepeople？"

"There’sonlyone，"returnedtheother。"Theman’satsea。Hiswife’shere。She’sallright。"

"Yousaidshewasoneofus？"

"Afterafashion。She’sthewomanwhohelpedMarionwhenhewashere。Ireckonhemadeitsquarewithherfromthebeginning，forsheforwardedlettersfromhimsince。Butyoucantellherasmuchoraslittleasyoufindnecessarywhenyouseeher。"

"Yes，butwemustsettlethatNOW，"saidBraggsharply，"andI

proposetotellherNOTHING。I’magainsthavinganymorepetticoatsmixedupwithouraffairs。Iproposetomakeanexaminationoftheplacewithoutbotheringourheadsabouther。"

"Butwemustgivesomereasonforcominghere，andwemustaskhertokeepdark，orwe’llhaveherblabbingtothefirstpersonshemeets，"urgedtheother。

"She’snotlikelytoseeanybodybeforenight，whenthebrigwillbeinandthemenandgunslanded。Moveon，andletJimtakesoundingsoffthecove，whileIlookalongtheshore。It’sjustaswellthatthere’sahousehere，andalittlecoverlikethis"——

pointingtotheshrubbery——"tokeepthemenfrommakingtoomuchofashowuntilaftertheearthworksareup。TherearesharpeyesoverattheFort。"

"Theredon’tseemtobeanyoneinthehousenow，"returnedtheotherafteramoment’sscrutinyofthecottage，"orthewomanwouldsurelycomeoutatthebarkingofthedog，evenifshehadn’tseenus。Likelyshe’sgonetoSaucelito。"

"Somuchthebetter。Justaswellthatsheshouldknownothinguntilithappens。Afterwardswe’llsettlewiththehusbandforthepriceofpossession;hehasonlyasquatter’srights。Comealong;

we’llhavebadweatherbeforewegetbackroundthePointagain，butsomuchthebetter，foritwillkeepoffanyinquisitivelongshorecruisers。"

Theymovedaway。ButMrs。Bunker，stungthroughherbenumbedandbroodingconsciousness，andmadedesperatebythisrepeatedrevelationofherformerweakness，hadheardenoughtomakeherfeverishtohearmore。Sheknewtheintricaciesoftheshrubberythoroughly。Shekneweveryfootofshadeandcoveroftheclearing，andcreepinglikeacatfrombushtobushshemanaged，withoutbeingdiscovered，tokeepthepartyinsightandhearingallthetime。Itrequirednogreatdiscernment，evenforaninexperiencedwomanlikeherself，attheendofanhour，togathertheirrealpurpose。Itwastoprepareforthesecretlandingofanarmedforce，disguisedaslaborers，who，undertheoutwardshowofquarryinginthebluff，weretothrowupbreastworks，andfortifythecraggyshelf。Thelandingwasfixedforthatnight，andwastobeeffectedbyavesselnowcruisingoutsidetheHeads。

Sheunderstooditallnow。SherememberedMarion’sspeechabouttheimportanceofthebluffformilitarypurposes;sherememberedthevisitoftheofficersfromtheFortopposite。ThestrangerswerestealingamarchupontheGovernment，andbynightwouldbeinpossession。Itwasperhapsanevidenceofhernewlyawakenedandlargercomprehensionthatshetooknothoughtofherlossofhomeandproperty，——perhapstherewaslittletodrawhertoitnow，——butwasconsciousonlyofamoreterriblecatastrophe——acatastrophetowhichshewaspartlyaccessory，ofwhichanyotherwomanwouldhavewarnedherhusband——oratleastthoseofficersoftheFortwhosebusinessitwasto——Ah，yes！theofficersoftheFort——onlyjustoppositetoher！Shetrembled，andyetflushedwithaninspiration。Itwasnottoolateyet——whynotwarnthemNOW？

Buthow？AmessagesentbySaucelitoandthesteamboattoSanFrancisco——theusualway——wouldnotreachthemtonight。Togoherself，rowingdirectlyacrossinthedingey，wouldbetheonlysecurityofsuccess。Ifshecoulddoit？Itwasalongpull——theseawasgettingup——butshewouldtry。

Shewaiteduntilthelastmanhadsteppedintotheboat，innervousdreadofsomeoneremaining。Then，whentheboathadvanishedroundthePointagain，sheranbacktothecottage，arrayedherselfinherhusband’spilotcoat，hat，andboots，andlaunchedthedingey。Itwasaheavy，slow，butluckilyastanchandseaworthyboat。Itwasnotuntilshewaswelloffshorethatshebegantofeelthefullfuryofthewindandwaves，andknewthedifficultyanddangerofherundertaking。Shehaddecidedthathershortestandmostdirectcoursewaswithinafewpointsofthewind，butthequarteringofthewavesonthebroadbluffbowsoftheboattendedtothrowittoleeward，amovementthat，whileitretardedherforwardprogress，nodoubtsavedthelittlecraftfromswamping。

Again，thefeeblenessandshortnessofherstroke，whichneverimpelledherthrougharisingwave，butratherliftedherhalfwayupitsface，preventedtheboatfromtakingmuchwater，whilehersteadfastgaze，fixedonlyontheslowlyretreatingshore，kepthersteeringfreefromanyfatalnervousvacillation，whichthesightofthethreateningseasonherbowmighthaveproduced。Preservedthroughherveryweakness，ignorance，andsimplicityofpurpose，thedingeyhadallthesecurityofadriftingboat，yetretainedacertaingentlebutpersistentguidance。InthisfemininefashionshemadeenoughheadwaytocarryherabreastofthePoint，whereshemettherefluxcurrentsweepingrounditthatcarriedherwellalongintothechannel，nowsluggishwiththeturnofthetide。

Afterhalfanhour’spulling，shewasdelightedtofindherselfagaininareversecurrent，abreastofhercottage，butsteadilyincreasingherdistancefromit。Shewas，infact，ontheextremeouteredgeofavastwhirlpoolformedbytheforceofthegaleonacurvingleeshore，andwasbeingcarriedtoherdestinationinasemicirclearoundthatbaywhichshenevercouldhavecrossed。ShewasmovingnowinalinewiththeshoreandtheFort，whoseflagstaff，aboveitsgreen，square，andwhitequarters，shecouldseedistinctly，andwhoselowerwaterbatteryandlandingseemedtostretchoutfromtherocksscarcelyamileahead。Protectedbytheshorefromthefuryofthewind，andevenofthesea，herprogresswasalsosteadilyacceleratedbythevelocityofthecurrent，minglingwiththeebbingtide。Asuddenfearseizedher。Sheturnedtheboat’sheadtowardstheshore，butitwassweptquicklyroundagain;sheredoubledherexertions，tuggingfranticallyatherhelplessoars。Sheonlysucceededingettingtheboatintothetroughofthesea，where，afteralurchthatthreatenedtocapsizeit，itprovidentiallyswungaroundonitsshortkeelandbegantodriftsternon。Shewasalmostabreastofthebatterynow;shecouldhearthefitfulnotesofabuglethatseemedblownandscatteredaboveherhead;sheeventhoughtshecouldseesomemeninblueuniformsmovingalongthelittlepier。Shewaspassingit;

anotherfruitlessefforttoregainherground，butshewassweptalongsteadilytowardstheGate，thewhiteningbar，andtheopensea。

Sheknewnowwhatitallmeant。Thiswaswhatshehadcomefor;

thiswastheend！Beyond，onlyalittlebeyond，justafewmomentslongertowait，andthen，outthereamongthebreakerswastherestthatshehadlongedforbuthadnotdaredtoseek。Itwasnotherfault;theycouldnotblameHER。Hewouldcomebackandneverknowwhathadhappened——norevenknowhowshehadtriedtoatoneforherdeceit。Andhewouldfindhishouseinpossessionof——of——thosedevils！No！No！shemustnotdieyet，atleastnotuntilshehadwarnedtheFort。Sheseizedtheoarsagainwithfrenziedstrength;

theboathadstoppedundertheunwontedstrain，staggered，triedtoriseinanupliftedsea，tookpartofitoverherbow，struckdownMrs。Bunkerunderhalfatonofbluewaterthatwrestedtheoarsfromherparalyzedhandslikeplaythings，sweptthemoverthegunwale，andleftherlyingsenselessinthebottomoftheboat……

"Holdhar—rd——oryou’llrunherdown。"

"Nowthen，Riley，——lookalive，——isitslapin’yeare！"

"Holdyerjaw，Flanigan，andstandreadywiththeboat—hook。Nowthen，holdhar—rd！"

Thesuddenjarringandtiltingofthewater—loggedboat，asoundofraspingtimbers，theswarmingofmeninshirtsleevesandbluetrousersaroundher，seemedtorousehermomentarily，butsheagainfaintedaway。

Whenshestruggledbacktoconsciousnessoncemoreshewaswrappedinasoldier’sjacket，herheadpillowedontheshirt—sleeveofanartillerycorporalinthesternsheetsofthateight—oaredgovernmentbargeshehadremembered。Buttheonlyofficerwasabareheaded，boyishlieutenant，andtherowerswereanathleticbutunseamanlikecrewofmingledartillerymenandinfantry。

"Andwheredidyedriftfrom，darlint？"

Mrs。Bunkerbridledfeeblyattheepithet。

"Ididn’tdrift。IwasgoingtotheFort。"

"TheFort，isit？"

"Yes。Iwanttoseethegeneral。"

"Wadn’ttheliftenantdoye？Orshurethere’stheadjutant;he’safoineman。"

"Silence，Flanigan，"saidtheyoungofficersharply。ThenturningtoMrs。Bunkerhesaid，"Don’tmindHIM，butlethiswifetakeyoutothecanteen，whenwegetin，andgetyousomedryclothes。"

ButMrs。Bunker，spurredtoconvalescenceattheindignity，protestedstiffly，anddemandedonherarrivaltobeledatoncetothegeneral’squarters。Afewofficers，whohadbeenattractedtothepierbytherescue，accededtoherdemand。

Sherecognizedthegray—haired，handsomemanwhohadcomeashoreatherhouse。Withatouchofindignationathertreatment，shebrieflytoldherstory。Butthegenerallistenedcoldlyandgravelywithhiseyesfixeduponherface。

"Yousayyourecognizedintheleaderofthepartyamanyouhadseenbefore。Underwhatcircumstances？"

Mrs。Bunkerhesitatedwithburningcheeks。"HecametotakeColonelMarionfromourplace。"

"Whenyouwerehidinghim，——yes，we’veheardthestory。Now，Mrs。

Bunker，mayIaskyouwhatyou，asaSouthernsympathizer，expecttogainbytellingmethisstory？"

ButhereMrs。Bunkerburstout。"IamnotaSouthernsympathizer！

Never！Never！Never！I’maUnionwoman，——wifeofaNorthernman。

IhelpedthatmanbeforeIknewwhohewas。AnyChristian，NorthernerorSoutherner，wouldhavedonethesame！"

Hersincerityandpassionwereequallyunmistakable。Thegeneralrose，openedthedooroftheadjoiningroom，saidafewwordstoanorderlyonduty，andreturned。"Whatyouareaskingofme，Mrs。

Bunker，isalmostasextravagantandunprecedentedasyourstory。

Youmustunderstand，aswellasyourhusband，thatifIlandaforceonyourpropertyitwillbetoTAKEPOSSESSIONofitinthenameoftheGovernment，forGovernmentpurposes。"

"Yes，yes，"saidMrs。Bunkereagerly;"Iknowthat。Iamwilling;

Zephaswillbewilling。"

"And，"continuedthegeneral，fixinghiseyesonherface，"youwillalsounderstandthatImaybecompelledtodetainyouhereasahostageforthesafetyofmymen。"

"Ohno！no！please！"saidMrs。Bunker，springingupwithanimploringfemininegesture;"Iamexpectingmyhusband。Hemaybecomingbackatanymoment;ImustbetheretoseehimFIRST！

Pleaseletmegoback，sir，withyourmen;putmeanywhereashorebetweenthemandthosementhatarecoming。Lockmeup;keepmeaprisonerinmyownhome;doanythingelseifyouthinkIamdeceivingyou;butdon’tkeepmeheretomisshimwhenhecomes！"

"Butyoucanseehimlater，"saidthegeneral。

"ButImustseehimFIRST，"saidMrs。Bunkerdesperately。"Imustseehimfirst，for——for——HEKNOWSNOTHINGOFTHIS。HeknowsnothingofmyhelpingColonelMarion;heknowsnothingof——howfoolishIhavebeen，and——hemustnotknowitfromothers！There！"

Itwasoutatlast。Shewassobbingnow，butherpridewasgone。

Shefeltrelieved，anddidnotevennoticethepresenceoftwoorthreeotherofficers，whohadenteredtheroom，exchangedafewhurriedwordswiththeirsuperior，andweregazingatherinastonishment。

Thegeneral’sbrowrelaxed，andhesmiled。"Verywell，Mrs。

Bunker;itshallbeasyoulike，then。YoushallgoandmeetyourhusbandwithCaptainJenningshere，"——indicatingoneoftheofficers，——"whowilltakechargeofyouandtheparty。"

"And，"saidMrs。Bunker，lookingimploringlythroughherwetbutprettylashesattheofficer，"hewon’tsayanythingtoZephas，either？"

"Notasyllable，"saidCaptainJenningsgravely。"Butwhilethetugisgettingready，general，hadn’tMrs。BunkerbettergotoMrs。

Flanigan？"

"Ithinknot，"saidthegeneral，withasignificantlookattheofficerashegallantlyofferedhisarmtotheastonishedMrs。

Bunker，"ifshewillallowmethepleasureoftakinghertomywife。"

TherewasanequallymarkedrespectinthemannerofthemenandofficersasMrs。Bunkerfinallysteppedonboardthesteamtugthatwastoconveythepartyacrosstheturbulentbay。Butsheheededitnot，neitherdidshetakeanyconcernofthestillfuriousgale，thedifficultlanding，thepreternaturalactivityofthebandofsappers，whoseemedtoworkmagicwiththeirpicksandshovels，thesheltertentsthataroseswiftlyaroundher，theshedsandbushinclosuresthatwereevokedfromtheverygroundbeneathherfeet;

thewonderfulskill，order，anddisciplinethatinafewhoursconvertedherstragglingdominionintoaformalcamp，eventothesentinel，whowasalreadycalmlypacingtherocksbythelandingasifhehadbeingdoingitforyears！Onlyonethingthrilledher——

thesuddenoutburst，flutteringandsnappingofthenationalflagfromherlittleflagstaff。Hewouldseeit——andperhapsbepleased！

Andindeeditseemedasifthemenhadcaughttheinfectionofheranxiety，forwhenherstrainedeyescouldnolongerpiercethemurkytwilightsettlingovertheGate，onecamerunningtohertosaythatthelookouthadjustdiscoveredthroughhisglassaclose—

reefedschoonerrunninginbeforethewind。Itwasherhusband，andscarcelyanhourafternighthadshutintheschoonerhadroundedtooffthePoint，droppedherboat，andspedawaytoanchorage。AndthenMrs。Bunker，runningbareheadeddowntherocks，breakinginuponthehurriedexplanationoftheofficeroftheguard，threwherselfuponherhusband’sbreast，andsobbedandlaughedasifherheartwouldbreak！

Nordidshescarcelyhearhishurriedcommenttotheofficerandunconsciouscorroborationofherstory：howabrighadracedthemfromtheGate，washeadingforthebar，butsuddenlysheeredoffandputawaytoseaagain，asiffromsomesignalfromtheheadland。"Yes——thebluff，"interruptedCaptainJenningsbitterly，"Ithoughtofthat，buttheoldmansaiditwasmorediplomaticjustnowtoPREVENTanattemptthaneventosuccessfullyresistit。"

Butwhentheywerealoneagainintheirlittlecottage，andZephas’

honesteyes——withnotraceofevilknowledgeorsuspicionintheirhomely，neutrallightness——werelookingintoherswithhisusualsimpletrustfulness，Mrs。Bunkertrembled，whimpered，and——Igrievetosay——baselyfunkedherboastedconfession。ButheretheDeitywhichprotectsfeminineweaknessintervenedwiththeusualmiracle。

Ashegazedathiswife’stroubledface，anapologeticcloudcameoverhisruggedbutopenbrow，andasmileofawkwarddeprecatingembarrassmentsuffusedhiseyes。"Ideclaretogoodness，Mollie，butImusttellyousuthin，althoughIguessIdidn’tkalkilatetosayawordaboutit。But，darnitall，Ican’tkeepitin。No！

Lookin’interthatinnercentfaceo’yourn"——pressingherflushingcheeksbetweenhiscoolbrownhands——"andgazinginterthemtwotruthfuleyes"——theyblinkedatthismomentwithadivinemodesty——

"andthinkin’ofwhatyou’vejustdidforyourkentry——likethemrevolutionarywomeno’’76——Ifeellikeadarnedswabofatraitormyself。Well！whatIwanttertellyouisthis：Yeknow，orye’veheardmetello’thatMrs。Fairfax，asleftherhusbandforthatfire—eatin’Marion，andstucktohimthroughthickandthin，andstoodwatchandwatchwithhiminthishowlin’Southernrumpusthey’rekickin’upallalongthecoast，asifshewasamanherself。Well，jesasIhauledupatthewharfat’Frisco，shecomesaboard。

"’You’reCapBunker？’shesays。

"’That’sme，ma’am，’Isays。

"’You’reaNorthernmanandyougowithyourkind，’sezshe;’butyou’reawhiteman，andthar’snocurbloodinyou。’Butyouain’tlistenin’，Mollie;you’redeadtired，lass，"——withacommiseratinglookathernowwhiteningface，——"andI’llhaulinlineandwait。

Well，tocutitshort，shewantedmetotakeherdownthecoastabittowhereshecouldjoinMarion。Shesaidshe’dbeenshookbyhisfriends，followedbyspies——and，blamemyskin，Mollie，efthatproudwomandidn’tbreakdownandCRYlikeababy。Now，Mollie，whatgotMEinallthis，wasthatthemChivalryfolks——ezwasalwaysjawin’abouttheir’Southerndames’andtheir’Ladyefairs，’

andalwaysrunnin’thatkindofbilgewateroutertheirscupperswhenevertheycareenedoveronafairwind——wasjesthekindtothrowoffonawomanwhentheydidn’twanther，andIkinderthoughtI’dlikeHERtoseethedifferencebetwixtthelatitudeo’

CharlestonandCapeCod。SoItoldherIdidn’twantthejewelryanddimonssheofferedme，butifshewouldcomedowntothewharf，afterdark，I’dsmuggleheraboard，andI’dallowtothementhatshewasYOURAUNTIEezIwasgivin’afreepassageto！Lord！dear！

thinko’metakin’thenameo’MollieBunker’sauntinvainforthatsorto’woman！Thinko’me，"continuedCaptainBunkerwithatentativechuckle，"sorto’pretendin’tohandyo’rauntietoKernelMarionfor——forhisladylove！Idon’twonderye’shalffrightedandhalflaffin’，"headded，ashiswifeutteredahystericalcry;"itWASawful！Butitworked，andIgotheroff，andwot’smoreIgothershippedtoMazatlan，whereshe’lljoinMarion，andthetwoaregoin’backtoVirginy，whereIguesstheywon’ttroubleCalifornyagain。Yeknownow，deary，"hewenton，speakingwithdifficultythroughMrs。Bunker’sclingingarmsandfastdrippingtears，"whyIdidn’theavetotosay’good—by。’Butit’sallovernow——I’vemadeacleanbreastofit，Mollie——anddon’tyoucry！"

ButitwasNOTallover。ForamomentlaterCaptainBunkerbegantofumbleinhiswaistcoatpocketwiththeonehandthatwasnotclaspinghiswife’swaist。"Onethingmore，Mollie;whenIleftherandrefusedtotakeanyofherdimons，sheputaqueersorto’

ringintomyhand，andtoldmewithakindo’mischievious，bedevilin’smile，thatImustkeepittorememberherby。Hereitis——why，Mollielass！areyoucrazy？"

Shehadsnatcheditfromhisfingersandwasrunningswiftlyfromthecottageoutintothetempestuousnight。Hefollowedclosely，untilshereachedtheedgeoftherocks。Andonlythen，inthestruggling，fast—flyingmoonlight，sheraisedapassionatehand，andthrewitfarintothesea！

Asheledherbacktothecottageshesaidshewasjealous，andhonestCaptainBunker，withhisarmaroundher，felthimselfthehappiestmanintheworld！……

Fromthatdaytheflagflewregularlyovertherockyshelf，and，intime，buglesandmorningdrumbeatswerewaftedfromittothedecksofpassingships。FortheFederalGovernmenthadadjudgedthelandforitsownuse，paidCaptainBunkerahandsomesumforitspossession，andhaddiscreetlyhiddenthelittlecottageofMrs。

Bunkeranditshistoryforeverbehindbastionandcasemate。

THETRANSFORMATIONOFBUCKEYECAMP

PARTI。

Thetinylightsthathadbeenfarscatteredandintermittentasfirefliesallalongthedarkstreamatlastdroppedoutonebyone，leavingonlythethreewindowsof"Parks’Emporium"topiercetheprofoundlywoodedbanksoftheSouthFork。Soall—pervadingwasthedarknessthatthemereopeningofthe"Emporium"frontdoorshotoutanilluminatingshaftwhichrevealedthewholelengthofthelittlemainstreetof"Buckeye，"whilethesimplepassingofasinglefigurebeforeoneofthewindowsmomentarilyeclipsedathirdofthesettlement。Thisunduepre—eminencegiventotheonlythreecitizensofBuckeyewhowerestillupatteno’clockseemedtobehardlyjustifiedbytheiroutwardappearance，whichwasthatofordinarylong—beardedandlong—bootedriverbarminers。Twosatuponthecounterwiththeirhandsupontheirknees，thethirdleanedbesidetheopenwindow。