第4章
"Whar’sthewater？Getsomewater，Greaser，"chimedinBill。
FromthewaytheyworkedoverBuell，Iconcludedhehadbeenprettybadlystunned。Buthecametopresently。
"Whatstruckme？"heasked。
"Oh，nothin’，"repliedBud，derisively。"Theloftupthar’sfullofair，an’itblowedonyou，thet’sall。"
Buellgotup，andbeganwalkingaround。
"Bill，gooutan’fetchinsomelongpoles，"hesaid。
WhenBillreturnedwithanumberofsharp，bayonet—likepikesIknewthegamewasallupforme。Severalofthemenbegantoprodthroughthethincoveringofdrybrush。Oneofthemreachedme，andstrucksohardthatI
lurchedviolently。
Thatwastoomuchforthericketyloftfloor。Itwasonlyabitofbrushlaidonanettingofslenderpoles。Itcreaked，rasped，andwentdownwithacrash。Ialighteduponsomebody，andknockedhimtothefloor。Whoeveritwas，seizedmewithironhands。Iwasburied，almostsmothered，inthedustymass。Mycaptorbegantocursecheerfully，andIknewthenthatHerky—Jerkyhadmademeaprisoner。
XV。THEFIGHT
Herkyhauledmeoutofthebrush，andheldmeinthelight。Theothersscrambledfromundertheremainsoftheloft，andallviewedmecuriously。
"Kid，youain’thurtmuch？"queriedBuell，withconcern。
Iwouldhavesnappedoutareply，butIcaughtsightofDick’spalefaceandanxiouseyes。
"Ken，"hecalled，withbothgladnessanddoubtinhisvoice，"youlookprettygood——butthatblood……Tellme，quick！"
"It’snothing，Dick，onlyalittlecut。Thebulletjusttickedmyarm。"
WhateverDick’sreplywasitgotdrownedinHerky—Jerky’slongexplosionofstrangelanguage。HerkywasplainlygladIhadnotbeenbadlyhurt。Ihadalreadyheardmirth，anger，disgust，andfearinhisoutbreaks，andnowreliefwasadded。Hestrippedoffmycoat，cutoffthebloodysleeveofmyshirt，andwashedthewound。Itwaspainfulandbledfreely，butitwasnotmuchworsethancutsfromspikeswhenplayingball。Herkyboundittightlywithastripofmyshirt—sleeve，andoverthatmyhandkerchief。
"Thar，kid，thet’llstiffenupan’besoreferadayortwo，butitain’tnothin’。You’llsoonbebouncin’clubsoffenourheads。"
ItwasplainthatHerky——andtheothers，forthatmatter，exceptBuell——
thoughtmoreofmebecauseIhadwieldedaclubsovigorously。
"Lookatthetlump，kid，"saidBud，bendinghishead。"Now，ain’tthetanicewaytotreatafeller？Itmademeplumbmad，itdid。"
"I’mlikelytohurtsomebodyyet，"Ideclared。
Theylookedatmecuriously。Buellraisedhisfacewithaqueersmile。Budbrokeintoalaugh。
"Oh，you’regoin’to？Mebbeyouthinkyouneedanaxe，"saidhe。
Theymadenooffertotiemeupthen。Budwenttothedoorandsatinit，andIheardhimhalfwhispertoBuell："What’dItellyou？Thet’sagamekid。Ifheeverwakesuprightwe’llhaveawildcatonourhands。He’lldoferoneofusyet。"ThesemenalltookpleasureinsayingthingslikethistoBuell。ThistimeBuellhadnoanswerready，andsatnursinghishead。
"Wal，Ihevalittleheadachemyself，an’thecrackIgotwasn’tnothin’toyourn，"concludedBud。ThenBillbeganpackingthesuppliesindoors，andHerkystartedafire。Budkeptasharpeyeonme;still，hemadenoobjectionwhenIwalkedoverandlaydownupontheblanketsnearDick。
"Dick，Ishotabearandhelpedtotieupacub，"Isaid。AndthenItoldhimallthathadhappenedfromthetimeIscrambledoutofthespring—holetillIwasdiscoveredupintheloft。Dickshookhishead，asifhedidnotknowwhattomakeofme，andallhesaidwasthathewouldgiveayear’spaytohavemesafebackinPennsylvania。
Herky—Jerkyannouncedsupperinhisusualmanner——achallengetofindasgoodacookashewas，andacheerfulcallto"grub。"Ididnotknowwhattothinkofhiskindnesstome。Rememberinghowhehadnearlydrownedmeinthespring，Iresentedhissuddenchange。Hecouldnotdoenoughforme。I
askedthereasonformysuddenpopularity。
Herkyscratchedhisheadandgrinned。"Yep，kid，yousurehevrizinmyestimashun。"
"Hey，yourummycow—puncher，"brokeinBud，scornfully。"Mebbeyou’dlikethekidmore’nyoudoifyou’dgotoneofthemwollops。"
"Bud，Iain’tsayin’，"repliedHerky，withhismouthfullofmeat。
"Considerin’allpoints，howsoever，I’mthinkin’themwallopswasdistributedveryproper。"
Theybandiedsuchtalkbetweenthem，andoccasionallyBillchimedinwithajoke。Greaserateinmorosesilence。Theremusthavebeensomethingonhismind。Buelltookverylittledinner，andappearedtobeinpain。Itwasdarkwhenthemealended。Budboundmeupforthenight，andhemadeagoodjobofit。Myarmburnedandthrobbed，butnotbadlyenoughtopreventsleep。TwiceIhadnearlydroppedoffwhenloudlaughsorvoicesrousedme。
Myeyesclosedwithapictureofthoserough，darkmensittingbeforethefire。
Anoiselikemuffledthunderburstintomyslumber。Iawakenedwithmybodycrampedandstiff。Itwasdaylight，andsomethinghadhappened。Buellraninandoutofthecabinyellingathismen。AllofthemexceptHerkywerewildlyexcited。BuellwasabusingBudforsomething，andBudwasblamingBuell。
"Thet’snowaytotalktome！"saidBud，angrily。"Hedidn’tbreaklooseinmywatch！’
"Youan’Greaserhadthejob。Bothofyou——wenttosleep——takethetfromme！"
"Wal，he’sgone，an’hetookthekid’sgunwithhim，"saidBill，coolly。
"Nowwe’llbedodgin’bullets。"
DickLesliehadescaped！Icouldhardlykeepdownacryoftriumph。Ididaskifitwastrue，butnoneofthempaidanyattentiontome。BuellthenorderedHerky—JerkytotrailDickandseewherehehadgone。Herkyrefusedpoint—blank。"Nope。Notferme，"hesaid。"Lesliehasarifle。SohasBent，an’wehaven’toneamongus。An’，Buell，ifLesliefallsinwithBent，it’sgoin’togithotferusroundhere。"
ThissilencedBuell，butdidnotstophisrestlesspacings。Hisfacewaslikeathunder—cloud，andhewasplainlyworriedandharassed。OnceBuddeliberatelyaskedwhatbeintendedtodowithme，andBuellsnarledareplywhichnooneunderstood。Hisgloomextendedtotheothers，exceptHerky，whowhistledandsangashebusiedhimselfaboutthecampfire。
Greaserappearedtobeparticularlycastdown。
"Buell，whatareyougoingtodowithme？"Idemanded。Buthemadenoanswer。
"Well，anyway，"Iwenton，"somebodycuttheseropes。I’mmightysoreanduncomfortable。"
Herky—Jerkydidnotwaitforpermission;heuntiedme，andhelpedmetomyfeet。Iwasratherunsteadyonmylegsatfirst，andmyinjuredarmfeltlikeaboard。Itseemeddead;butafterIhadmoveditalittlethepaincameback，andithadapparentlycometostay。Weatebreakfast，andthensettleddowntodonothing，ortowaitforsomethingtoturnup。Buellsatinthedoorway，moodilywatchingthetrail。Oncehespoke，orderingtheMexicantodriveinthehorses。IfanciedfromthisthatBuellmighthavedecidedtobreakcamp，buttherewasnomovetopack。
Themorningquietwassuddenlysplitbythestingingcrackofarifleandayellofagony。
Buellleapedtohisfeet，hisruddyfacewhite。
"Greaser！"heexclaimed。
"ThetwasaboutwhereGreasercashed，"reliedBill，coollyknockingtheashesfromhispipe。
"No，Bill，you’rewrong。HerecomesGreaser，runnin’likeanIndian。"
"Lookattheblood！He’sbeenplugged，allright！"exclaimedHerky—Jerky。
Thesoundofrunningfeetdrewnearer，andsuddenlythegroupatthedoorbroketoadmittheMexican。Onesideofhisterrifiedfacewascoveredwithblood。Hiseyeswerestaring，hishandsraised，hestaggeredasifabouttofall。
"SenyorWilliam！SenyorWilliam！"hecried，andthencalledonSaintSomebody。
"JimWilliams！Isaidso，"mutteredBud。
BillcaughtholdoftheexcitedMexican，andpulledhimnearerthelight。
"Thetain’tabadhurt。jestcuthisearoff！"aidBill。"Hyar，standstill，youwildman！you’renotgoin’todie。Gitsomewater，Herky。
Fellers，GreaserhasbeenoneasyeversinceheknewJimWilliamswaslookin’
ferhim。HethinksJimdidthis。ButJimWilliamsdon’tusearifle，an’，what’smore，whenheshootshedon’tmiss。Youallheerdtherifle—shot。"
"ThenitwasoldBentorLeslie？"questionedBuell。
"Leslieitwere。Bentusesa45—90caliber。Thetshotweheerdwasfromthelittle38——thekid’sgun。"
"Wal，itwasanarrerescapeferGreaser，"saidBud。"Leslie’ssore，an’
he’llshootferkeeps。Buell，you’vestartedsomethin’。"
WhenBillhadwashedthebloodofftheMexicanitwasfoundthattheballhadcarriedawaythelowerpartoftheear，andwithit，ofcourse，thegoldearring。Thewoundmusthavebeenextremelypainful;itcertainlytookallthestarchoutofGreaser。Hekeptmumblinginhisownlanguage，androllinghiswickedblackeyesandtwistinghisthin，yellowhands。
"What’stobedone？"askedBuell，sharply。
"Thet’sferyoutosay，"repliedBill，withhisexasperatingcalmness。
"Mustwehangupheretobeshotat？Leslie’stakin’alongchanceonthetkid’slifeifhecomesslingin’leadroundthiscabin。"
Herky—Jerkyspattobacco—juiceacrosstheroomandgrunted。Then，withhisbeadylittleeyesaskeenandcoldasflint，hesaid："Buell，Leslieknowsyoudaren’tharmthekid;an’asferbullets，he’lltakegoodcarewherehestings’em。Thisdealofoursbeginstolooklikeawild—goosestunt。Itneverwassafe，an’nowit’sworse。"
HerewasevenHerky—JerkyharpingonBuell’ssituation。Tomeitdidnotappearmuchmoreseriousthanbefore。ButevidentlytheythoughtBuellseemedonthevergeoflosingcontrolofhimself。HeglaredatHerky，andrammedhisfistsinhispocketsandpacedthelongroom。Presentlyhesteppedoutofthedoor。
Ariflecrackedclearandsharp，anotherbellowedoutheavyandhollow。A
bulletstruckthedoor—post，asecondhummedthroughthedoorandbuddedintothelogwall。Buelljumpedbackintotheroom。Hisfaceworked，hisbreathhissedbetweenhisteeth，aswithtremblinghandheexaminedthefrontofhiscoat。Abigbullethadtornthroughbothlapels。
Billstuckhispudgyfingerinthehole。"Thesecondbulletmadethet。ItwasfromoldHiram’sgun——a45—90！"
"Bentan’Leslie！MyGod！They’reshootin’tokill！"criedBuell。
"Ishouldsmile，"repliedHerky—Jerky。
Budwaspeepingoutthroughachinkbetweenthelogs。"Igottheirsmoke，"
hesaid;"look，Bill，uptheslope。They’retoofuroff，butwemayaswellsenduprespects。"Withthatheaimedhisrevolverthroughthenarrowcrackanddeliberatelyshotsixtimes。Thereportsclappedlikethunder，thesmokefromburntpowderandthesmellofbrimstonefilledtheroom。BywayofreplyoldHiram’srifleboomedouttwice，andtwoheavyslugscrashedthroughtheroof，sendingdownashowerofdustandbitsofdecayedwood。
"Thet’sjisttoshowwhata45—90cando，"remarkedBill。
BudreloadedhisweaponwhileBillshotseveraltimes。Herky—Jerkyhadhisguninhand，butcontentedhimselfwithpeeringfromdifferentchinksbetweenthelogs。Ihidbehindthewidestonefireplace，andthoughIfeltprettysafefromflyingbullets，Ibegantofeeltheicygripoffear。I
hadseentoomuchofthesemeninexcitement，andknewifcircumstancessobroughtitabouttheremightcomeamomentwhenmylifewouldnotbeworthapin。Theywereallsobernow，anddeadlyquiet。Buellshowedthegreatestalarm，thoughhehadbeguntosettledowntowhatlookedlikefight。Herkywasmorefearlessthananyofthem，andcoolereventhanBill。AllatonceImissedtheMexican。Ifhehadnotslippedoutoftheroomhehadhiddenunderthebrushofthefallenloftorinapileofblankets。Buttheroomwassmoky，anditwashardformetobecertain。
Sometimepassedwithnoshotsandwithnomovementinsidethecabin。
Slowlythebluesmokewaftedoutofthedoor。Thesunlightdancedingleamsthroughtheholesintheraggedroof。Therewasapleasantswishofpinebranchesagainstthecabin。
"Listen，，whisperedBud，hoarsely。"Iheerdaponysnort。"
Thentherapidbeatofhardhoofsonthetrailwasfollowedbyseveralshotsfromthehillside。Soontheclatterofhoofsdiedawayinthedistance。
"Whowasthet？"askedthreeofBuell’smeninunison。
"Takeitfromme，Greaser’ssneaked，"repliedBuell。
"How’dhegitout？"
WiththatBudandBillbegankickinginthepilesofbrush。
"Aha！Hyar’stheplace，"sangoutBud。
Inonecornerofthebackwallarottenloghadcrumbled，andhereitwasplaintoalleyesthatGreaserhadslippedout。Irememberedthatonthissideofthecabintherewasquiteathickgrowthofyoungpine。Greaserhadbeenabletoconcealhimselfashecrawledtowardthehorses，andhadprobablybeenseenatthelastmoment。Herky—Jerkywastheonlyonetomakecomment。
"Iain’twishin’Greaseranyhardluck，buthopehecarriedawayacoupleOf45—90slugssomewheresinhisyallercarcass。"
"It’dbeworthalottothefellerwhocanshowmeawayoutofthismess，"
saidBuell，moppingthebeadsofsweatfromhisface。
Igotup——itseemedtomemymindwasmadeupforme——andwalkedintothelightoftheroom。
"Buell，Icanshowyoutheway，"Isaid，quietly。
"What！"Hismouthopenedinastonishment。"Speakup，then。"
Theothermensteppedforward，andIfelttheireyesuponme。
"Letmegofree。LetmeoutofheretofindDickLeslie！ThenwhenyougotojailinHolstonforstealinglumberI’llsayagoodwordforyouandyourmen。Therewon’tbeanychargeofkidnappingorviolence。"
Afteralongpause，duringwhichBuellboredmewithgimleteyes，hesaid，inaqueervoice："Saythetagain。"
Irepeatedit，andaddedthathecouldnotgainanythingnowbyholdingmeaprisoner。IthinkhesawwhatImeant，buthatedtobelieveit。
"It’stoolate，"Isaid，ashehesitated。
"YoumeanLeslieliedan’youfooledme——youdidgettoHolston？"heshouted。Hewasquiveringwithrage，andtheredflamedinhisneckandface。
"Buell，IdidgettoHolstonandIdidsendwordtoWashington，"Iwenton，hurriedlyforIhadbeguntolosemycalmness。"Iwrotetomyfather。HeknowsafriendoftheChiefForesterwhoisclosetotheDepartmentatWashington。BythistimeHolstonisfullofofficersoftheforestservice。
Perhapsthey’realreadyatyourmill。Anyway，thegame’sup，andyou’dbetterletmego。"
Buell’sfacelostallitsruddycolor，slowlyblanched，andchangedterribly。Theboldnessfled，leavingitcraven，almostghastly。Realizinghehadmoretofearfromthelawthanconvictionofhislatestlumbersteal，hemadeatmeinblindanger。
"Holdon！"Herky—Jerkyyelled，ashejumpedbetweenBuellandme。
Buell’sbreathwasahiss，andthewordshebitbetweenhisclinchedteethwereunintelligible。Inthatmomenthewouldhavekilledme。
Herky—Jerkymethisonslaught，andflunghimback。Then，withhishandonthebuttofhisrevolver，hespoke：
"Buell，hyar’swhereyouan’mesplit。You’vebungledyourbigdeal。Thekidstackedthedeckonyou。ButIain’ta—goin’toseeyoudohimharmferit。"
"Herky’sright，boss，"putinBill，"thar’snosenseinaddin’murdertothismess。Strikesmeyou’reinbadenough。"
"Sothet’syourgame？You’redouble—crossin’menow——allonachanceatkidnappin’forransommoney。Well，I’mthroughwiththekidan’allofyou。
Takethetfromme！"
"Youskunk！"exclaimedHerky—Jerky，withtheutmostcheerfulness。
"Wal，Buell，"saidBill，incooldisdain，"comsiderin’myfondnessferfreshairan’opencountry，Ican’tsayI’msorrytodissolvefuturerelashuns。Iwasonlyinjailonct，an’Icouldn’tbreathefree。"
ItwasthenBuellwentbesidehimselfwithrage。Heraisedhishugefists，andshookhimself，andplungedabouttheroom，cursing。Suddenlyhepickedupanaxe，andbeganchoppingattherottenlogabovetheholewhereGreaserhadslippedout。Budyelledathim，sodidBill;Herky—Jerkysaidunpleasantthings。ButBuelldidnothearthem。Hehackedanddugawaylikeonepossessed。Thedull，soddenblowsfellfast，scatteringpiecesofwoodaboutthefloor。ThemadnessthatwasinBuellwasthemadnesstogetout，toescapetheconsequencesofhisacts。Hisgruntsandpantsasheworkedshowedhisdesperateenergy。Thenheslammedtheaxeagainstthewall，and，goingdownflat，begantocrawlthroughtheopening。Buellwasathickman，andtheholeappearedtoosmall。Hestuckinit，buthesqueezedandflattenedhimself，finallyworkedthrough，anddisappeared。
Asuddenquietfelluponhisdeparture。
"Handsup！"
JimWilliams’svoice！ItwasstrangetoseeHerkyandBudflashuptheirarmswithoutturning。ButIwheeledquickly。Bill，too，hadhishandshighintheair。
InthesunlightofthedoorwaystoodJimWilliams。Lowdown，carelessly，itseemed，heheldtwolongrevolvers。Helookedthesameeasy，slowTexanI
remembered。Butthesmilewasnotnowinhiseyes，andhislipsweresetinathin，hardline。
XVI。THEFOREST’SGREATESTFOE
JimWilliamssentoutasharpcall。Fromthecanyon—slopecameansweringshouts。Thereweresoundsofheavybodiesbreakingthroughbrush，followedbythethuddingoffeet。Thenmencouldbeplainlyheardrunningupthetrail。Jimleanedagainstthedoor—post，andthethreefellowsbeforehimstoodrigidasstone。
SuddenlyaformleapedpastJim。ItwasDickLeslie，bareheaded，hishairstandinglikealion’smane，andhehadacockedrifleinhishands。ClosebehindhimcameoldHiramBent，slower，morecautious，butnolessformidable。Asthesemenglancedaroundwithfieryeyesthequicklookofreliefthatshotacrosstheirfacestoldofungroundedfears。
"Where’sBuell？"sharplyqueriedDick。
JimWilliamsdidnotreply，andamomentarysilenceensued。
"BuelllitoutaftertheGreaser，"saidBill，finally。
"Cutandrun，didhe？That’shisspeed，"grimlysaidDick。"Here，Bent，findsomerope。We’vegottotieupthesejacks。"
"Handsback，an’begracefullike。Quick！"sangoutJimWilliams。
Itseemedtomehumanbeingscouldnothavemoreeagerlyandswiftlyobeyedanorder。HerkyandBillandBudjerkedtheirarmsdownandextendedtheirhandsoutbehind。Afterthatquickactiontheyagainturnedintostatues。
Therewasabreathlesssuspenseineveryact。AndtherewassomethingaboutJimWilliamsthenthatIdidnotlike。Iwasinacoldperspirationforfearoneofthemenwouldmakesomekindofamove。AstheverymentionoftheTexanhadalwayscausedalittlesilence，sohispresencechangedtheatmosphereofthatcabinroom。Beforehiscomingtherehadbeentheelementofchance——afeelingofdanger，tobesure，butahealthyspiritofgiveandtake。ThathadallchangedwithJimWilliams’swords"Handsup！"Therewasnowsomethingterriblehanginginthebalance。IhadbuttolookatJim’seyes，narrowslitsofbluefire，atthehardjawandtightlips，toseeaglimpseofthemanwhothoughtnothingoflife。Itturnedmesick，andIwasallinatremortillDickandHiramhadthemenboundfast。
ThenJimdroppedthelong，bluegunsintotheholstersonhisbelt。
"Ken，Ishoreamgladtoseeyou，"saidhe。
Thesoft，drawlingvoice，thesleepysmile，thecarelessgood—willallcameback，utterlytransformingtheman。ThiswastheJimWilliamsIhadcometolove。WithawrenchIrecoveredmyself。
"Areyouallright，Ken？"askedDick。AndoldHiramquestionedmewithaworriedlook。ThisanxietymarkedthedifferencebetweenthesemenandWilliams。IhastenedtoassuremyfriendsthatIwasnonetheworseformycaptivity。
"Ken，yourlittlegundoesn’tshootwhereitpoints，"saidJim。"IshorehadabeadontheGreaseran’missedhim。FirstGreaserIevermissed。"
"Youshothisearoff，"Ireplied。"Hecamerunningbackcoveredwithblood。Ineversawamansoscared。"
"Wal，Ishoreamglad，"drawledJim。
"Hemadeoffwithyourmustang，"saidDick。
ThisinformationlessenedmygladnessatGreaser’sescape。Still，IwouldratherhavehadhimgetawayonmyhorsethanstaytobeshotbyJim。
Dickcalledmetogooutsidewithhim。Mypackwaslyingunderoneofthepinesnearthecabin，andexaminationprovedthatnothinghadbeendisturbed。Wefoundthehorsesgrazingupthecanyon。Buellhadtakenthehorseofoneofhismen，andhadlefthisownsuperbbay。Mostlikelyhehadjumpedastridethefirstanimalhesaw。DicksaidIcouldhaveBuell’ssplendidhorse。Ihadsometroubleincatchinghim，ashewasrestiveandspirited，butIsucceededeventually，andwedrovetheotherhorsesandponiesintotheglade。Mycomradesthenfelltoarguingaboutwhattodowiththeprisoners。DickwasforpackingthemofftoHolston。Benttalkedagainstthis，sayingitwasnoeasymattertodriveboundmenoverroughtrails，andJimsidedwithhim。
Once，whiletheyweretalking，IhappenedtocatchHerky—Jerky’seye。Hewaslyingonhisbackinthelightfromthedoor。Herkywinkedatme，screweduphisfaceinthemostastonishingmanner，allofwhichI
presentlymadeouttomeanthathewantedtospeaktome。SoIwentovertohim。
"Kid，youain’ta—goin’tofergitIstalledoffBuell？"whisperedHerky。
"He’dhevdoneferyou，an’thet’snolie。Youwon’tfergitwhenwe’rerustleddowntoHolston？"
"I’llremember，Herky，"Ipromised，andImeanttoputinagoodwordforhim。Because，whetherornothisreasonshadtodowithkidnappingandransom，hehadsavedmefromterribleviolence，perhapsdeath。
Itwasdecidedthatwewouldleavetheprisonersinthecabinandridedowntothesawmill。Hiramwastoreturnatoncewithofficers。IfnonecouldbefoundatthemillhewastoguardtheprisonersandtakecareofthemtillDickcouldsendofficerstorelievehim。Thereuponwecookedameal，andI
wasputtofeedingHerkyandhiscompanions。Dickorderedmeespeciallytomakethemdrinkwater，asitmightbeadayorlongerbeforeHiramcouldgetback。ImadeBilldrink，andeasilyfilledupHerky;butBud，whoneverdrankanythingsavewhiskey，gavemeajob。Herefusedwithagrowl，andI
insistedwithwhatIfeltsurewasChristianpatience。Stillhewouldnotdrink，soIputthecuptohislipsandtippedit。Budpromptlyspatthewateralloverme。AndIaspromptlygotanothercupfulanddasheditalloverhim。
"Bud，you’lldrinkorI’lldrownyou，"Ideclared。
SowhileBillcrackedhoarsejokesandHerkysworehispleasure，ImadeBuddrinkallhecouldhold。Jimgotagooddealoffunoutofit，butDickandHiramnevercrackedasmile。Possiblythelattertwosawsomethingfarfromfunnyintheoutlook;atanyrate，theyweresilent，almostmoody，andinahurrytobeoff。
Dickwassoanxioustobeonthetrailthathehelpedmepackmypony，andsaddledBuell’shorse。Itwasonethingtoadmirethebigbayfromtheground，anditwasanothertobeastridehim。Target——thatwashisname—
—hadaspiritedtemper，anironmouth，andhehadbeenusedtoasternerhandthanmine。Hedancedalloverthegladebeforehedecidedtobehavehimself。Ridinghim，however，wassuchagreatpleasurethatamoretimidboythanIwouldhavetakentherisk。Hewouldnotletanyhorsestaynearhim;hepulledonthebridle，andleapedwheneverabranchbrushedhim。I
hadbeenonsomegoodhorses，butneverononewithaswinglikehis，andI
grewmoreandmorepossessedwiththedesiretolethimrun。
"Likeasnothe’llboltwithyou。Holdhimin，Ken！"calledDick，ashemounted。Thenheshoutedafinalwordtotheprisoners，sayingtheywouldbelookedafter，anddrovethepack—poniesintothetrail。Aswerodeoutwepassedseveralofthehorsesthatwehaddecidedtoleavebehind，andastheywantedtofollowusitwasnecessarytodrivethemback。
Ihadmyhandsfullwiththebig，steel—jawedsteedIwastryingtoholdin。ItwasthehardestworkofthekindthatIhadeverundertaken。Ihadneverwornspurs，butnowIbegantowishforthem。Wetraveledatagoodclip，asfastasthepack—poniescouldgo，andcoveredalongdistancebycamping—time。Iwassurprisedthatwedidnotgetoutofthecanyon。Theplacewherewecampedwasabare，rockyopening，withabigpoolinthecenter。WhileweweremakingcampitsuddenlycameovermethatIwascompletelybewilderedastoourwhereabouts。Icouldnotseethemountainpeaksanddidnotknowonedirectionfromanother。EvenwhenJimstruckoutofourtrailandwentoffalonetowardHolstonIcouldnotformanideaofwhereIwas。Allthis，however，addedtomyfeelingofthebignessofPenetier。
Dickwastaciturn，andoldHiram，whenItriedtoengagehiminconversation，cutmeoffwiththeremarkthatIwouldneedmybreathonthemorrow。Thissomewhatoffendedme。SoImademybedandrolledintoit。NottillIhadlainquietforalittledidIrealizethateveryboneandmusclefeltutterlywornout。Iseemedtodeadenandstiffenmoreeachmoment。
PresentlyDickbreathedheavilyandHiramsnored。Theredglowoffirepaledanddied。IheardtheclinkingofthehobblesonTarget，andastep，nowandthen，oftheotherhorses。Theskygreweverbluerandcolder，thestarsbrighterandlarger，andthenightwindmoanedinthepines。Iheardacoyotebark，atroutsplashinthepool，andthehootofanowl。Thenthesoundsandtheclear，coldnightseemedtofadeaway。
WhenDickrousedmetheforestwasshroudedingray，coldfog。Notimewaslostingettingbreakfast，drivinginthehorses，andpacking。Hardlyanywordswereexchanged。Mycomradesappearedevensobererthanonthedaybefore。Thefogliftedquicklythatmorning，andsoonthesunwasshining。
Wegotunderwayatonce，andtooktothetrailatajog—trot。Iknewmyhorsebetterandhewasmoreusedtome，whichmadeitatleastbearabletobothofus。Beforelongthecanyonwidenedoutintothelevelforestlandthicklystuddedwithmagnificentpines。Ihadagainthefeelingofaweandlittleness。Everythingwassolemnandstill。Themorningairwascool，anddryastoast;thesmellofpitch—pinechokedmynostrils。Werodebrisklydownthebroadbrownaisles，acrossthesunnyglades，underthemurmuringpines。
Theoldhunterwasleadingourtrain，andevidentlyknewperfectlywhathewasabout。Unexpectedlyhehalted，bringingusupshort。Thepack—ponieslinedupbehindus。HiramlookedatDick。
"Ismellsmoke，"hesaid，sniffingatthefragrantair。
Dickstaredattheoldhunterandlikewisesniffed。Ifollowedtheirlead，butallIcouldsmellwasthethick，pineyodoroftheforest。
"Idon’tcatchit，"repliedDick。
Wecontinuedonourjourneyperhapsforaquarterofamile，andthenHiramBentstoppedagain。ThistimehelookedsignificantlyatDickwithoutspeakingaword。
"Ah！"exclaimedDick。Ithoughthistonesoundedqueer，butitdidnotatthemomentstrikemeforcibly。Werodeon。Theforestbecamelighter，glimpsesofskyshowedlowdownthroughthetrees，wewerenearingaslope。
Forthethirdtimetheoldhunterbroughtustoastop，thistimeontheedgeofaslopethatleddowntotherollingfoot—hills。Icouldonlystandandgaze。Thoseopenstretches，slopingdown，allgreenandbrownandbeautiful，robbedmeofthought。
"Lookthar！"criedHiramBent。
Histonestartledme。Ifacedabout，toseehispowerfularmoutstretchedandhisfingerpointing。Hissternfaceaddedtomysuddenconcern。
Somethingwaswrongwithmyfriends。Iglancedinthedirectionheindicated。Thereweretworollingslopesorstepsbelowus，andtheywerelikegiganticswellsofagreenocean。Beyondthesecondonerosealong，billowy，bluishcloud。Itwassmoke。AllatonceIsmelledsmoke，too。Itcameonthefresh，strongwind。
"Forestfire！"exclaimedDick。
"Wal，Ireckon，"repliedHiram，tersely。"An’lookthar，an’thar！"
Fartotherightandfartotheleft，overthegreen，swellingfoot—hills，rosethatrounded，changinglineofbluecloud。
"Theslash！theslash！Buell’sfiredtheslash！"criedDick，asonesuddenlyawakened。"Penetierwillgo！"
"Wal，Ireckon。Butthet’snottheworst。"
"Youmean——"
"Mebbewecan’tgetout。Theforest’sdryaspowder，an’thet’stheworstwindwecouldhave。Thesecanyon—drawssuckinthewind，an’firewillraceupthemfastasahosscanrun。"
"GoodGod，man！What’llwedo？"
"Wait。Mebbeitain’tsobad——yet。Nowlet’salllisten。"
Thefacesofmyfriends，morethanwords，terrifiedme。Ilistenedwithallmyearswhilewatchingwithallmyeyes。Thelineofrollingcloudexpanded，seemedtoburstandrollupward，tobulgeandmushroom。Inafewshortmomentsitcoveredthesecondslopeasfartotherightandleftaswecouldsee。Theundersurfacewasabluishwhite。Itshotupswiftly，tospreadoutintoimmense，slow—movingcloudsofcreamyyellow。
"Hearthet？"HiramBentshookhisgrayheadasonewholistenedtodiretidings。
Thewind，sweepinguptheslopeofPenetier，carriedastrong，pungentodorofburningpitch。Itbroughtalsoalowroar，notlikethewindinthetreesorrapid—rushingwater。Itmighthavebeenmyimagination，butI
fancieditwaslikethesoundofflamesblowingthroughthewoodofacampfire。
"Fire！Fire！"exclaimedHiram，withanotherominousshakeofhishead。"Wemustbeupan’doin’。"
"Theforest’sgreatestfoe！OldPenetierisdoomed！"criedDickLeslie。
"Thatlineoffireismileslong，andisspreadingfast。It’llshootupthecanyonsandcrisscrosstheforestinnotime。Bent，what’llwedo？"
"Mebbewecangetaroundtheline。Wemust，orwe’llhavetomaketracksforthemountain，an’thet’salongchance。Youtaketotheleftan’I’llgototheright，an’we’llseehowthefire’srunnin’。"
"WhatwillKendo？"
"Wal，lethimstayhere——no，thetwon’tdo！Wemightgetdrivenbackalittlean’havetocircle。Thesafestplaceinthisforestiswherewecamped。Thet’snotfar。Lethimdrivetheponiesbacktharan’wait。"
"Allright。Ken，youhustlethepack—teambacktoourlastnight’scamp。
Waitthereforus。Wewon’tbelong。"
Dickgallopedoffthroughtheforest，andHiramwentdowntheslopeinalmosttheoppositedirection。Leftalone，Iturnedmyhorseanddrovethepack—poniesalongourback—trail。Thusengaged，Ibegantorecoversomewhatfromtheterrorthathadstupefiedme。Still，Ikeptlookingback。Ifoundthemouthofthecanyonandthetrail，andinwhatIthoughtaveryshorttimeIreachedthebare，rockyspotwherewehadlastcamped。Thehorsesalldrankthirstily，andIdiscoveredthatIwashotanddry。
ThenIwaited。AteveryglanceIexpectedtoseeDickandHiramridingupthecanyon。Butmomentsdraggedby，andtheydidnotcome。Heretherewasnosignofsmoke，noreventhefaintesthintoftheroarofthefire。Thewindblewstronglyupthecanyon，andIkeptturningmyeartoit。InspiteofthefactthatmyfriendsdidnotcomequicklyIhadbeguntocalmmyfears。Theywouldreturnpresentlywithknowledgeofthecourseofthefireandthewaytoavoidit。MythoughtsweremostlyoccupiedwithsorrowforbeautifulPenetier。WhatafiendBuellwas！Ihadheardhimsayhewouldfiretheslash，andhehadkepthisword。
Halfanhourpassed。Isawaflashofgraydownthecanyon，andshoutedinjoy。ButwhatIthoughtDickandHiramwasaherdofdeer。Theywererunningwildly。Theyclickedonthestones，andscarcelyswervedforthepack—ponies。Ittooknosecondglancetoseethattheywerefleeingfromthefire。Thisbroughtbackallmyalarms，andeverymomentthatIwaitedthereafteraddedtothem。Iwatchedthetrailandunderthetreesformyfriends，andIscannedtheskyforsignsoftheblue—whitecloudsofsmoke。
ButIsawneither。
"Dicktoldmetowaithere;buthowlongshallIwait？"Imuttered。
"Something’shappenedtohim。IfonlyIcouldseewhatthatfireisdoing！"
Thecamping—placewaslowdownbetweentwoslopes，oneofwhichwashighandhadarockycliffstandingbareinthesunlight。Iconceivedtheideaofclimbingtoit。Icouldnotsitquietlywaitinganylonger。So，mountingTarget，Iputhimuptheslope。Itwasnotasteepclimb，stillitwaslongandtookconsiderabletime。BeforeIreachedthegraycliffIlookeddownovertheforesttoseetherolling，smokyclouds。Weclimbedhigherandstillhigher，tillTargetreachedthecliffandcouldgonofarther。
Leapingoff，Itiedhimsecurelyandbentmyeffortstogettingaroundontopofthecliff。IfIhadknownwhataclimbitwasIshouldnothaveattemptedit，butIcouldnotbackoutwiththesummitloomingoverme。Itranuptoaraggedcrag。Hot，exhausted，andoutofbreath，Iatlastgotthere。
AsIlookedIshoutedinsurprise。ItseemedthatthewholeofPenetierwasundermyfeet。Thegreenslopedisappearedinmurkycloudsofsmoke。Thereweregreatpillarsandhugebanksofyellowandlongstreaksofblack，andhereandthere，underneath，movingsplashesofred。Thethingdidnotstaystilloneinstant。ItchangedsothatIcouldnottellwhatitdidlooklike。Themwerelifeandmovementinit，andsomethingterriblysinister。I
triedtocalculatehowfardistantthefirewasandhowfastitwascoming，butthat，inmystateofmind，Icouldnotdo。Thewholesweepofforestbelowmewasburning。Ifeltthestrongbreezeandsmelledtheburntwood。
Puffsofwhitesmokeranoutaheadofthemainclouds，andIsawthreeofthemwidelyseparated。Whattheymeantpuzzledme。ButallofasuddenI
sawinfrontofthenearestaflickeringgleamofred。ThenIknewthosewhitestreamsofsmokerosewherethefirewasbeingsuckedupthecanyons。
Theyleapedalongwithamazingspeed。ItwasthenthatIrealizedthatDickandHiramhadbeencaughtbyoneoftheseoffshootsofthefire，andhadbeencompelledtoturnawaytosavetheirlives。Perhapstheywouldbothbelost。ForamomentIfeltfaint，butIfoughtitoff。Ihadtothinkofmyself。Itwaseveryoneforhimself，andperhapstherewasmanyamancaughtonPenetierwithonlyaslenderchanceforlife。
"Oh！oh！"Icried，suddenly。"Herky，Bud，andBilltiedhelplessinthatcabin！Dickforgotthem。They’llbeburnedtodeath！"
AsIstoodthere，tremblingatthethoughtofHerkyandhiscomradesboundhandandfoot，thefirstroaroftheforestfirereachedmyears。Itthreatened，butitrousedmycourage。IjumpedasifIhadbeenshot，andclattereddownthatcragwithwingsguidingmylongleaps。Nocreviceorjumbleofloosestonesorsteepdescentdauntedme。Ireachedthehorse，and，graspingthebridle，Istartedtoleadhim。Wehadzigzaggedup，wewentstraightdown。Targetwastoospiritedtobalk，buthedideverythingelse。Morethanonceherearedwithhishoofshighintheair，and，snorting，crasheddown。Hepulledmeoffmyfeet，hepawedatmewithhisgreatironshoes。WhenwegotclearoftheroughestandmostthicklyovergrownpartofthedescentImountedhim。ThenIneedednolongertourgehim。Thefirehadenteredthecanyon，thehollowroarsweptupandfilledTargetwiththesamefrightthatpossessedme。Heplungeddown，slidonhishaunches，jumpedthelogs，crashedthroughbrush。Ihadcontinuallytoreinhimtowardthecamp。Hewantedtoturnfromthathotwindandstrangeroar。
Wereachedalevel，theopen，stonyground，thenthepool。Thepack—ponieswerestandingpatientlywithdroopingheads。Thesunwasobscuredinthinbluehaze。Smokeanddustandashesblewbywiththewind。IputTarget’snosedowntothewater，sothathewoulddrink。ThenIcutpacksofftheponies，spilledthecontents，andfilledmypocketswithwhateverIcouldlaymyhandsoninthewayofeatables。Ihungacanteenonthepommel，andthrewabagofbiscuitsoverthesaddleandtieditfast。Myfingersworkedswiftly。Therewasaflutteringinmythroat，andmysightwasdim。Allthetimetheroaroftheforestfiregrewlouderandmoreominous。
Theponieswouldbesafe。Iwouldbesafeintheleeofthebigrocksnearthepool。ButIdidnotmeantostay。Icouldnotstaywiththosemenlyingtiedupinthecabin。Herkyhadsavedme。Stillitwasnotthatwhichspurredmeon。
Targetsnortedshrillyandstartedbackfromthewater，readytostampede。
Slippingthebridleintoplace，Isnappedthebitbetweenhisteeth。Ihadtoswingoffmyfeettopullhisheaddown。
EvenasIdidthisIfelttheforceofthewind。Itwashardtobreathe。A
whitetumblingcolumnofsmokehidskyandsun。Allaboutmeitwaslikeabluetwilight。
Theappallingroarheldmespellboundwithmyfootinthestirrup。Itdrewmyglanceeveninthatmomentofflight。
Undertheshiftingcloudflashesofredfollowedbywavesoffireracedthroughthetree—tops。Thattheforestfiretraveledthroughthetree—topswasasnewtomeasitwasterrible。Thefireseemedtomakeanddrivethewind。Lowerdownalongthegroundwasadullfurnace—glow，nowdark，nowbright。ItallbroughtintomymindapictureIhadseenoftheendoftheworld。
Targetbrokethespellbyswingingmeupintothesaddleasheleapedforwardwithafurioussnort。Istruckhimwiththebridle，andyelled：
"Youiron—jawedbrute！You’vebeencrazytorun——nowrun！"
XVII。THEBACK—FIRE
Targetpoundedoverthescalygroundandthunderedintothehardtrail。
Thenhestretchedout。AsweclearedthelastobstructingpileofrocksI
lookedback。Therewasavastwaveoffirerollingupthecanyonandspreadinguptheslopes。ItwassoclosethatInearlyfainted。WithbothhandsknottedandstiffIclungtothepommelinacoldhorror，andI
lookedbacknomoretoseetheflamesreachingoutforme。ButIcouldnotkeepthedreadfulroarfromfillingmyears，anditweakenedmesothatIallbutdroppedfromthesaddle。Onlyanunconsciousinstincttofightforlifemademeholdon。
Blueandwhitepuffsofsmokesweptbyme。Thetrailwasadim，twistingline。Theslopesandpines，mergedinamass，flewbackwardinbrownsheets。AbovetheroarofthepursuingfireIheardthethunderofTarget’shoofs。Iscarcelyfelthimorthesaddle，onlyamotionandthesplittingofthewind。
Thefearofdeathbyfire，whichhadalmostrobbedmeofstrength，passedfromme。Mybraincleared。StillIhadnokindofhope，onlyadesperateresolvenottogiveup。
Thegreatbayhorsewasrunningtosavehislifeandtosavemine。Itwasaracewithfire。WhenIthoughtofthehorse，andsawhowfasthewasgoing，andrealizedthatImustdomypart，Iwasmyselfagain。
Thetrailwasawinding，hard—packedthreadofwhiteground。Ithadbeenmadeforleisurelytravel。Manyturnsweresuddenandsharp。Iloosenedthereins，andcriedouttoTarget。EvidentlyIhadunknowinglyheldhimin，forhelengthenedout，andwentoninquicker，longerleaps。Inthatmomentridingseemedeasy。Ilistenedtotheroarbehindme，nowalittlelessdeafening，andbegantothrill。Wewererunningawayfromthefire。
Hopemadetheraceseemdifferent。Somethingstirredandbeatwarmwithinme，drivingoutthechillinmymarrow。Ileanedovertheneckofthegreatbayhorse，andcalledtohimandcheeredhimon。ThenIsawhewasdeafandblindtome，forhewaswild。Hehadthebitbetweenhisteeth，andwasrunningaway。
Theroarbehindusrelentlesslypursuing，onlyalittlelessappalling，wasnownotmyonlysourceofperil。Targetcouldnomorebeguidednorstoppedthancouldtheforestfire。Thetrailgrewmorewindingandoverhungmorethicklybypinebranches。Thehorsedidnotswerveaninchfortreeorthicket，butranasiffree，andthesavingofmylifebegantobeamatterofdodging。Onceacrashingblowfromabranchalmostknockedmefromthesaddle。Thewindinmyearshalfdrownedtheroarbehindme。WithhandstwistedinTarget’smaneIbentlow，watchingwithkeeneyesforthetreesandbranchesahead。Idrewupmykneesandbentmybody，anddodgedandwentdownflatoverthepommellikeawild—ridingIndian。TargetkeptthatstrainingrunforalongerdistancethanIcouldjudge。Withthesamebreakneckspeedhethunderedonoverlogsandlittlewashes，throughthethick，borderingbushes，andaroundthesuddenturns。Hisfoammoistenedmyfaceandfleckedmysleeves。Thewindcamestingingintomyface，theheavyroarfollowedatmybackwithitsmenace。
Swiftandterribleastheforestfirewas，Targetwaswinningtherace。I
knewit。Steadilytheroarsoftened，butitdidnotdieaway。Pound！pound！
pound！Thebigbaychargedupthetrail。Howlongcouldhestandthatkillingpace？Ibegantotalksoothinglytohim，topullonthebridle;buthemighthavebeenanavalancheforallheheeded。StillIkeptathim，fightinghimeverymomentthatIwasfreefromlowbranches。Graduallythestrainbegantotell。
Thesightofacabinbroughtbacktomymindthemeaningofthewildracewithfire。Ihadforgottentheprisoners。Ihadreachedtheforestgladeandthecabin，butTargetwasstillgoinghard。WhatifIcouldnotstophim！Summoningallmystrength，Iquicklythrewweightandmusclebackonthereinsandsnappedthebitoutofhisteeth。Thencoaxing，commanding，I
pulledhimback。Inthegladewerefourhorses，standingbunchedwithheadsandearsup，uneasy，andbeginningtobefrightened。PerhapsthesightofthemhelpedmetostopTarget;atanyrate，heslackenedhispaceandhalted。Hewasspottedwithfoam，drippingwet，andhisbroadsidesheaved。
Ijumpedoff，stiffandcramped。Icouldscarcelywalk。Theairwasclear，thoughthefogofsmokeoverspreadthesun。Thewindblewstrongwithascentofpitch。NowthatIwasnotriding，theroarofthefiresoundedclose。Icaughtthesamestrangegrowl，thenoteofon—sweepingfury。Againthecreepycoldwentoverme。Ifeltmyfaceblanch，andtheskintightenovermycheeks。Idashedintothecabin，crying："Fire！Fire！Fire！"
"Whoop！It’sthekid！"yelledHerky—Jerky。
Hewaslyingnearthedoor，redasabrickintheface，andpantinghard。
InonecutIseveredtheropeonhisfeet;inanother，thatroundhisrawandbloodywrists。Herkyhadtornhisfleshtryingtoreleasehishands。
"Kid，how’dyougitbackhyar？"hequestioned，withhissharplittleeyesglintingonme。"Didthefirechaseyou？Whar’sLeslie？"
"Buellfiredtheslash。Penetierisburning。DickandHiramsentmebacktothepoolbelow，andthendidn’tcome。Theygotcaught——oh！……I’mafraid——lost！……ThenIrememberedyoufellows。Thefire’scoming——it’sawful——wemustfly！"
"Youthoughtofus？"Herky’svoicesoundedqueerandstrangled。"Bud！
Bill！Didyouhearthet？Wal，wal！"
WhilehemutteredonIcutBill’sbonds。Herosewithoutaword。Budwasalmostunconscious。Hehadstruggledterribly。Hisheelshaddugaholeinthehardclayfloor;hiswristswereskinned;hismouthandchincoveredwithearth，probablyfromhishavingbittenthegroundinhisagony。Herkyhelpedhimupandgavehimadrinkfromalittlepocket—flask。
"Herky，ifyouthinkyou’veridsomeinyourday，lookatthethoss，"saidBill，coolly，fromthedoor。Heeyedmecoolly;infact，hewasascoolasiftherewerenofireonPenetier。ButBudwaswhiteandsick，andHerkyflamingwithexcitement。
"Wehain’tgotachance。Listen！Thetroar！She’shummin’。"
"It’srunnin’upthedraw。Wedon’tstandnoshowdowninhyar。Grabahossnow，an’we’lltrytoheadacrosttheridge。"
IremountedTarget，andthethreemencaughthorsesandclimbedupbareback。Billledthewayacrosstheglade，uptheslope，intothelevelforest。Therewebrokeintoagallop。Theairuponthishighergroundwasdarkandthick，butnotsohardtobreatheasthatlowerdown。Wepressedon。Forawhiletheroarreceded，andalmostdeadened。Thenitgrewcleareragain’filledout，andswelled。Budwantedtosheerofftotheleft。Herkysworewewerebeingsurrounded。Billturnedadeafeartothem。FrommyownsenseofdirectionIfanciedweweregoingwrong，butBillwassocoolhegavemecourage。Soonablue，windyhaze，shroudingthegiantpinesahead，causedBilltochangehiscourse。
"Doyouknowwharyou’reheadin’？"yelledHerky，highabovetheroar。
"Ihain’tgottheleastidee，Herky，"shoutedBill，ascoolascouldbe，"butIguesssomewharwharit’llbehot！"
Wewerelostintheforestandalmostsurroundedbyfire，iftheroarwasanythingtotellby。Wegallopedon，alwaysgovernedbytheroar，alwaysavoidingtheslopeupthemountain。Ifweoncestartedupthatwiththefireinourrearweweredoomed。Perhapsthereweretimeswhenthewinddeceivedus。Itwashardtotell。Anyway，wekepton，growingmorebewildered。Budlookedlikeadeadmanalreadyandreeledinhissaddle。
Thehorsesweregettinghardtomanage，andthewindwasstrengtheningandpuffedatusfromallquarters。Billstilllookedcool，butthelastvestigeofcolorhadfadedfromhisface。Thesethingsbodedill。Herkyhadgrownstrangelysilent，whichfactwastheworstofallforme。Forthattough，scarred，recklesslittlewretchtoholdhistonguewasthelaststraw。
Theairfreshenedsomewhat，andtheforestlightened。Almostabruptlywerodeouttotheedgeofagreat，widecanyon。Itmusthavecrossedtheforestatrightanglestothecanyonwehadleft。ItwastwiceaswideanddeepasanyIhadyetseen。Inthebottomwoundabroadbrook。
"Whichwaynow？"askedHerky。
Billshookhishead。Fartoourrightapallofsmokemovedoverthetree—tops，toourleftwasfoggygloom，behindrolledtheunceasingroar。
Wealllookedstraightacross。Probablyeachofusharboredthesamethought。Beforethatwindthefirewouldleapthecanyoninflamingbounds，andontheoppositelevelwasthethickpitch—pineforestofPenetierproper。Sofarwehadbeenamongthefoot—hills。Wedarednotentertherealforestwiththatwild—firebackofus。Momentarilywestoodirresolute。Itwasapausefullofhopelessness，suchasmighthavecometotireddeer，closeharriedbyhounds。
Thewindingbrookandthebrownslope，comparativelybareoftrees，broughtmeasuddeninspiration。
"Back—fire！Back—fire！"Icriedtomycompanions，inwildappeal。"Wemustback—fire。It’sourchance！Here’stheplace！"
BudscowledandHerkygrumbled，butBillgraspedattheidea。
"I’veheerdofback—firin’。Therangersdoit。Buthow？How？"
Theycaughthishope，andtheirhaggardfaceslightened。
"Kid，weain’tforestrangers，"saidHerky。"Doyouknowwhatyou’retalkin’
about？"
"Yes，yes！Comeon！We’llback—fire！"
Iledthewaydowntheslope，andtheycamecloseatmyheels。Irodeintotheshallowbrook，anddismountedaboutthemiddlebetweenthebanks。I
hungmycoatonthepommelofmysaddle。
"Bud，youandBillholdthehorseshere！"Ishouted，intenselyexcited。
"Herky，haveyoumatches？"
"Naryamatch。"
"Hyar’sabox，"saidBill，tossingit。
"Comeon，Herky！Yourunupthebrook。Lightamatch，anddropiteveryhundredfeet。Besureitcatches。Luckythere’slittlewinddownhere。Goasfarasyoucan。I’llrundown！"
Wesplashedoutofthebrookandleapedupthebank。Thegrasswaslonganddry。Therewasbrushnearby，andthepine—needlematsalmostborderedthebank。Istruckamatchanddroppedit。
Sis—s—s！Flare！Itwasalmostlikedroppingasparkintogunpowder。Theflameranquickly，reachedthepine—needles，thensputteredandfizzedintoabigblaze。Thefirstpine—treeexplodedandwentofflikearocket。Wewerestartledbythesoundandthered，up—leapingpillaroffire。Suddenheatshotbackatusasiffromafurnace。Greatsparksbegantofall。
"It’sgoin’！"yelledHerky—Jerky，hisvoiceringingstrong。Heclappedhishatdownonmybarehead。Thenhestartedrunningup—stream。
Idartedintheoppositedirection。IheardBudandBillyelling，andtheangrycrackandhissofthefire。AfewrodsdownIstopped，struckanothermatch，andlitthegrass。Therewasasputterandflash。Thentheflameflaredup，spreadlikerunningquicksilver，and，meetingthepine—needles，changedtored。Iranon。Therewasaloudflutterbehindme，thenacrackalmostlikeashot，thenaseethingroar。Anotherpinehadgoneoff。AsI
stoppedtostrikethethirdmatchtherecamethreedistinctreports，andthenothersthatseemeddulledinawindyroar。Iracedonward，daringonlyoncetolookback。Afearfulsightmetmygaze。Theslopewasaredwave。
Thepinesweretuftsofflame。Theairwasfilledwithsteamingcloudsofwhirlingsmoke。ThenIfledonwardagain。
MatchaftermatchIstruck，andwhentheboxwasemptyImusthavebeenamile，twomiles，maybemore，fromthestarting—point。Iwaswringing—wet，andtherewasapiercingpaininmyside。Iplungedacrossthebrook，andinasdeepwaterasIcouldfindkneltdowntocoverallbutmyface。Then，withlaboringbreathsthatbubbledthewaternearmymouth，Ikeptstillandwatched。
Theback—firewhichIhadstartedsweptupovertheslopeanddownthebrooklikeachargeofredlancers。Spearsofflameledtheadvance。Theflamelickedupthedrysurface—grassandbrush，and，meetingthepines，circledtheminawhirlwindoffire，likelightningflashingupward。Thencameprolongedreports，andafterthatalong，blisteringroarinthetree—tops。EvenasIgazed，appalledinthecertaintyofahorriblefate，I
thrilledatthegrandspectacle。Firehadalwaysfascinatedme。Theclangoftheenginesandthecallof"Fire！"wouldtearmefromanytaskorplay。
ButIhadneverknownwhatfirewas。Iknewnow。Stormsofairandseawerenothingcomparedtothis。Itwasthegreatestforceinnature。Itwasfire。
Ononehand，Iseemedcoolandcalculatedthechances;ontheother，Ihadflashesinmybrain，andkeptcryingoutcrazily，inavoicelikeawhisper："Fire！Fire！Fire！"
Butpresentlythewalloffirerolledbyandtooktheroarwithit。Densebillowsofsmokefollowed，andhideverythinginopaquedarkness。Iheardthehissoffailingsparksandthecrackleofburningwood，andoccasionallythecrashofafailingbranch。Itwasintolerablyhot，butI
couldstandtheheatbetterthantheair。Icoughedandstrangled。Icouldnotgetmybreath。Myeyessmartedandburned。Crawlingcloseunderthebank，Ileanedagainstitandwaited。
Somehoursmusthavepassed。Isuffered，notexactlypain，butadiscomfortthatwasalmostworse。By—and—bytheairclearedalittle。Riftsinthesmokedriftedoverme，alwaystowardthefarsideofthecanyon。TwiceI
crawledoutuponthebank，buttheheatdrovemebackintothewater。Thesnow—waterfromthemountain—peakshadchangedfromcoldtowarm;still，itgavearelieffromthehotblastofair。Moretimedraggedby。Wearytothepointofcollapse，Igrewnottocareaboutanything。
Thentheyellowfoglightened，andblewacrossthebrookandliftedandsplit。Thepartsofthecanyon—slopethatIcouldseeweresearedandblackened。Thepineswerecolumnsoflivingcoals。Thefirewaseatingintotheirhearts。Presentlytheywouldsnapatthetrunk，crashdown，andburntoashes。Wreathesofmurkysmokecircledthem，anddriftedalofttojointheoverhangingclouds。
Iflounderedoutonthebank，andbegantowalkup—stream。Afterall，itwasnotsoveryhot，butIfeltqueer。IdidnotseemtobeabletostepwhereIlookedorseewhereIstepped。Still，thatcausedmenoworry。Themainthingwasthatthefirehadnotyetcrossedthebrook。Iwantedtofeeloverjoyedatthat，butIwastootired。AnywayIwassurethefirehadcrossedbeloworabove。Itwouldbetearingdownonthissidepresently，andthenIwouldhavetocrawlintothebrookorburnup。ItdidnotmattermuchwhichIhadtodo。ThenIgrewdizzy，mylegstrembled，myfeetlostallsenseoftouchingtheground。Icouldnotgomuchfarther。JustthenI
heardashout。Itwascloseby。Ianswered，andheardheavysteps。Ipeeredthroughthesmokyhaze。Somethingdarkmovedupinthegloom。
"Ho，kid！Tharyouare！"Ifeltastrongarmgoroundmywaist。"Wal，wal！"
ThatwasHerky。Hisvoicesoundedglad。Itrousedastrangeeagernessinme;hisroughgreetingseemedtobringmebackfromadistance。
"Allwet，butnotburnednone，I，see。Wekinderwasafeared……Say，kid，thetback—fire，now。Itwasadandy。Itdidthebiz。Ourwhiskerswassinged，butwe’resafe。An，kid，itwasyourgame，playedlikeamanAfterthathisvoicegrewfaint，andIfeltasifIwerewalkinginadream。
XVIII。CONCLUSION
Thatdreadfulfeelingofmotionwentaway，andIbecameunconsciousofeverything。WhenIawokethesunwasgleamingdimlythroughthinfilmsofsmoke。Iwaslyinginapleasantlittleravinewithstuntedpinesfringingitsslopes。Thebrookbowledmerrilyoverstones。
Budsnoredintheshadeofabigboulder。Herkywhistledashebrokedeadbranchesintofagotsforacampfire。Billwasnowhereinsight。Isawseveralofthehorsesbrowsingalongtheedgeofthewater。
Mydrowsyeyelidsfellbackagain。WhenIawokealongtimeseemedtohavepassed。Theairwasclearer，theskydarker，andthesunhadgonebehindthepeaks。IsawBillandHerkyskinningadeer。
"Wherearewe？"Iasked，sittingup。
"Hello，kid！"repliedHerky，cheerily。"Wecomeuptotheheadofthecanyon，thet’sall。How’reyoufeelin’？"
"I’mallright，onlytired。Where’stheforestfire？"
"It’smostburnedoutbynow。Itdidn’tjumpthecanyonintothebigforest。Thetback—firedidthebiz。Say，kid，wasn’tsettin’offthempinesan’runnin’feryourlifejestlikebein’inabattle？"
"Itcertainlywas。Herky，howlongwillwebepenneduphere？"
"Onlyadayortwo。Ireckonwe’dbetternotrisktakin’youbacktoHolstontillwe’resureaboutthefire。Anyways，kid，youneedrest。You’reallplayedout。"
Indeed，Iwassowearythatittookanefforttoliftmyhand。Astrangelassitudemademeindifferent。ButHerky’scalmmentionoftakingmebacktoHolstonchangedthecolorofmymood。Ibegantofeelmorecheerful。Themealweatewasscantenough——biscuitsandsteaksofbroiledvenisonwithapinchofsalt;but，starvedaswewere，itwasmorethansatisfactory。
HerkyandBillwereabsurdlyeagertoserveme。EvenBudwaskindtome，thoughhestillworeconspicuouslyoverhisforeheadthebigbruiseIhadgivenhim。AfterIhadeatenIbegantogainstrength。Butmyfacewaspuffedfromtheheat，myinjuredarmwasstiffandsore，andmylegsseemednevertohavebeenusedbefore。
Darknesscameonquickly。Thedewfellheavily，andtheairgrewchilly。
Ourblazingcampfirewasacomfort。BudandBillcarriedinlogsforfirewood，whileHerkymademeabedofdrypineneedles。
"It’llbesomecoldtonight，"hesaid，"an’we’llhevtohugthefire。Nowifwewasdowninthefoot—hillswe’dbewarmer，hey？Lookthar！"
Hepointeddowntheravine，andIsawagreatwhitearcoflightextendingupintothesteelysky。
"Theforestfire？"
"Yep，she’sburnin’some。Butyououghterseenitlastnight。Notthetitain’tworthseein’jestnow。Comealongwithme。"
Heledmewheretheravineopenedwide。Ifelt，ratherthansaw，asteepslopebeneath。Fardownwasagreatpatchoffire。Itwaslikeacrazyquilt，heredark，therelight，withstreaksandstarsandstreamsoffireshiningoutoftheblackness。Massesofslow—movingsmokeoverhungthebrighterareas。Thenightrobbedtheforestfireofitsfiercenessandlentitakindofglory。Thefirehadceasedtomove;ithadspentitsforce，runitsrace，andwasnowdying。ButIcouldnotforgetwhatithadbeen，whatithaddone。Thousandsofacresofmagnificentpineshadperished。Theshadeandcolorandbeautyofthatpartoftheforesthadgone。Theheartofthegreattreeswasnowslowlyrollingawayinthosedark，weirdcloudsofsmoke。IwassadforthelossandsickwithfearforDickandHiram。
Herkymusthaveknownmymind。
"Youneedn’tfeelbad，kid。Thet’sonlyafoothillorsoofPenetiergoneupinsmoke。An’Buell’ssawmillwent，too。It’salmostasurethingthetLesliean’oldBentgotoutsafe，thoughtheymustbedoin’sometallworryin’aboutyou。Iwonderhowtheyfeelaboutmean’Budan’Bill？A
littleprematooreroastin’forus，eh？Wal，wal！"
Wewentbacktothecamp。Ilaydownnearthefireandfellasleep。SometimeinthenightIawoke。Thefirewasstillburningbrightly。BudandBillwerelyingwiththeirbackstoitalmostcloseenoughtoscorch。Herkysatinhisshirtsleeves。Thesmokeofhispipeandthesmokeofthecampfirewafteduptogether。ThenIsawandfeltthathehadcoveredmewithhiscoatandvest。
Isleptfarintothenextday。Herkywasincampalone。Theothershadgone，Herkysaid，andhewouldnottellmewhere。Hedidnotappearascheerfulasusual。Isuspectedhehadquarreledwithhiscompanions，verylikelyaboutwhatwastobedonewithme。Thedaypassed，andagainI
slept。Herkyawakenedmebeforeitwaslight。
"Come，kid，we’llrustleintoHolstontoday。"
Wecookedourbreakfastofvenison，andthenHerkywentinsearchofthehorses。Theyhadbrowsedfaruptheravine，andthedawnhadbrokenbythetimehereturned。Targetstoodwelltobesaddled，nordidheboltwhenI
climbedup。PerhapsthatrideIgavehimhadchastenedandsubduedhisspirit。Well，ithadnearlykilledme。Herkymountedtheonehorseleft，asorry—lookingpack—pony，andwestarteddowntheravine。
Anhourofsteadydescentpassedbybeforewecaughtsightofanyburnedforestland。Thenaswedescendedintothebigcanyonweturnedacurveandsaw，faraheadtotheleft，ablack，smoky，hideousslope。Wekepttotherightsideofthebrookandsheeredoffjustaswereachedapointopposite，wheretheburnedlinebegan。Firehadrunupthatsidetillcheckedbybareweatheredslopesandcliffs。Asfardownthebrookaseyecouldseethroughthesmokyhazetherestretchedthatblacklineofcharred，spear—pointedpines，someglowing，someblazing，allsmoking。
Fromtimetotime，asweclimbeduptheslope，Ilookedback。ThehigherI
gotthemorehideousbecametheoutlookovertheburneddistrict。IwasgladwhenHerkyledthewayintothedeepshadeoflevelforest，shuttingouttheview。Itwouldtakeahundredyearstoreforestthoseacresdenudedoftheirtimberbythefireofafewdays。Butashourafterhourwentby，withourtrailleadingthroughmilesandmilesofthesameoldforestthathadbewitchedme，Ibegantofeelalittlelessgriefatthethoughtofwhatthefirehaddestroyed。Itwasaloss，yetonlyasmallpartofvastPenetier。Ifonlymyfriendshadgottenoutalive！
HerkywasasrelentlessinhistravellingasIhadfoundhiminsomeotherways。Hekepthisponyatatrot。Thetrailwasopen，wemadefasttime，andwhenthesunhadbeguntocastashadowbeforeusweweregoingdown—hill。Busywiththethoughtofmyfriends，Iscarcelynotedthepassingoftime。Itwasasurprisetomewhenwerodedownthelastlittlefoot—hill，outintothescatteredpines，andsawHolstononlyafewmilesacrossthesage—flat。
"Wal，kid，we’vecometothepartin’oftheways，"saidHerky，withastrangesmileonhissmugface。
"Herky，won’tyourideinwithme？"
"Naw，Ireckonit’dnotbehealthyferme。"
"Butyouhaven’tevenasaddleorblanketoranygrub。"
"I’veafriendacrosshyaraways，arancher，an’he’llfixmeup。But，kid，I’dliketohevthethoss。HewasBuell’s，an’Buellowedmemoney。
NowIcalkilateyoucan’ttakeTargetbackEastwithyou，an’youmightaswellletmehavehim。"
"Sure，Herky。"Ijumpedoffatonce，ledthehorseover，andheldoutthebridle。Herkydismounted，andbeganfumblingwiththestirrupstraps。
"Yourlegsarelonger’nmine，"heexplained。
"Ohyes，Herky，Ialmostforgottoreturnyourhat，"Isaid，removingthewidesombrero。Ithadawonderfulbandmadeofhorsehairandabuckleofsilverwithastrangedevice。
"Wal，youkeepthehat，"hereplied，withhisbackturned。"Greaserstoleyourhossan’youroutfit’slost，an’youmightwantsomethin’torememberyour——yourfriendsinArizony……Thethatain’tmuch，but，say，thebucklewasanInjun’sIshot，an’ImadethebandwhenIwasinjailinYuma。"
"Thankyou，Herky。I’llkeepit，thoughI’dneverneedanythingtomakemerememberArizona——oryou。"
Herkyswunghisbow—legsoverTargetandIgotastridethelean—backedpony。Theredidnotseemtobeanymoretosay，yetwebothlingered。
"Good—bye，Herky，I’mgladImetyou，"Isaid，offeringmyhand。
Hegaveitasqueezethatnearlycrushedmyfingers。Hiskeenlittleeyesgleamed，butheturnedawaywithoutanotherword，and，slappingTargetontheflank，rodeoffunderthetrees。
IputthehatbackonmyheadandwatchedHerkyforamoment。Hissilenceandabruptmannerwereunlikehim，butwhatstruckmemostwasthefactthatinourlasttalkeverywordhadbeencleanandsincere。Somehowitpleasedme。ThenIstartedtheponytowardHolston。
HewastiredandIwasreadytodrop，andthoselastfewmileswerelong。
Wereachedtheoutskirtsofthetownperhapsacoupleofhoursbeforesundown。Abankofcloudshadspreadoutofthewestandthreatenedrain。
ThefirstpersonImetwasCless，andheputtheponyinhiscorralandhurriedmeroundtothehotel。OnthewayhetalkedsofastandsaidsomuchthatIwasbewilderedbeforewegotthere。Theofficewasfullofmen，andClessshoutedtothem。Therewasthesoundofachairscrapinghardonthefloor，thenIfeltmyselfclaspedbybrawnyarms。Afterthatallwasratherhazyinmymind。IsawDickandJimandoldHiram，though，Icouldnotseethemdistinctly，andIheardthemalltalking，allquestioningatonce。ThenIwastalkinginasomewhatsillyway，Ithought，andafterthatsomeonegavemeahot，nastydrink，andIfeltthecoolsheetsofabed。
Thenextmorningallwasclear。Dickcametomyroomandtriedtokeepmeinbed，butIrefusedtostay。Wewentdowntobreakfast，andsatatatablewithJimandHiram。ItseemedtomethatIcouldnotansweranyquestionstillIhadaskedathousand。
Whatnewshadtheyforme？Buellhadescaped，afterfiringtheslash。Hissawmillandlumber—campandfiftythousandacresoftimberhadbeenburned。
Thefirehadinsomewaybeenconfinedtothefoot—hills。Ithadrainedallnight，sothedangerofspreadingwasnowover。Myletterhadbroughttheofficersoftheforestservice;eventheChief，whohadbeentravellingwestovertheSantaFe，hadstoppedoffandwasinHolstonthen。Therehadbeennoarrests，norwouldtherebe，unlessBuellorStocktoncouldbefound。Anewsawmillwastobebuiltbytheservice。Buell’slumbermenwouldhaveemploymentinthemillandasrangersintheforest。
ButIwasmoreinterestedinmatterswhichDickseemedtowishtoavoid。
"Howdidyougetoutoftheburningforest？"Iasked，forthesecondtime。
"Wedidn’tgetout。Wewentbacktothepoolwherewesentyou。Thepack—ponieswerethere，butyouweregone。ByGeorge！Iwasmad，andthenI
wasjustbrokenup。Iwas……afraidyou’dbeenburned。Weweatheredthefireallright，andthenrodeintoHolston。Nowthemysteryiswherewereyou？"
"Thenyousavedalltheponies？"
"Yes，andbroughtyouroutfitin。But，Ken，we——thatwasawfulofustoforgetthosepoorfellowstiedfastinthecabin。"Dicklookedhaggard，therewasadarkgloominhiseyes，andhegulped。ThenIknewwhyheavoidedcertainreferencestothefire。"Tobeburnedalive……horrible！
I’llnevergetoverit。It’llhauntmealways。Ofcoursewehadtosaveourownlives;wehadnotimetogotothem。Yet——"
"Don’tletitworryyou，Dick，"Iinterrupted。
"Whatdoyoumean？"heasked，slowly。
"Why，Ibeatthefireuptothecabin，that’sall。Buell’shorsecanrunsome。Icutthemenloose，andwemadeupacrosstheridge，gotlost，surroundedbyfire，andthenIgotHerkytohelpmestartaback—fireinthatbigcanyon。"
"Back—fire！"exclaimedDick，slammingthetablewithhisbigfist。Thenhesettleddownandlookedatme。Hiramlookedatme。Jimlookedatme，andnotoneofthemsaidawordforwhatseemedalongtime。Itbroughtthebloodtomyface。Butforallmyembarrassmentitwassweetpraise。AtlastDickbrokethesilence。
"KenWard，thisstumpsmeI……Tellusaboutit。"
SoIrelatedmyadventuresfromthemomenttheyhadleftmetillwemetagain。
"Itwasawildboy’strick，Ken——thatrideintheveryfaceoffireinadryforest。But，thankGod，yousavedthelivesofthosefellows。""Amen！"
exclaimedoldHiram，fervently。"Mylad，yousavedPenetier，too;thar’snodoubtonit。Thefirewassweepin’upthecanyon，an’itwouldhavecrossedthebrooksomewharsinthetstretchyouback—fired。"
"Ken，youshorewasborninTexas，"drawlJimWilliams。
Hisremarkwasunrelatedtoourtalk，Ididnotknowwhathemeantbyit;
neverthelessitpleasedmemorethananythingthathadeverbeensaidmeinmylife。
Thencamethereadingoflettersthathadarivedforme。InHal’sletter，firstandlastharpedonhavingbeenleftbehind。Fathersentmeacheck，andwrotethatintheeventofatroubleinthelumberdistricthetrustedmetotakethefirsttrainforHarrisburg。That，Iknew，meantthatImustgetoutofmyraggedclothes。ThatIdid，andpackedthemup——allexceptHerkysombrero，whichIwore。ThenIwenttotherailroadstationtoseetheschedule，andIcompromisedwithfatherbydecidingtotakethelimited。
Thefasteast—boundtrainhadgonealittlebefore，andthenextonedidnotleaveuntilsixo’clock。Thwouldgivemehalfadaywithmyfriends。
WhenIreturnedtothehotelDickwaslookingforme。Hecarriedmeoffup—stairstoahallfullofmen。Atoneendweretableslitteredwithpapers，andheremenweresigningtheirnameDickexplainedthatforestrangerswerebeingpaidandnewoneshired。ThenheintroducedmeofficersoftheserviceandtheChief。IknewbythewaytheylookedatmethatDickhadbeentalking。Itmademesotongue—tiedthatIcouldnotfindmyvoicewhentheChiefspoketomeandshookmyhandwarmly。Hewasatallman，withafinefaceandkindeyesandhairjusttouchedwithgray。
"KennethWard，"hewenton，pleasantly，"IhopethatletterofintroductionIdictatedforyousometimeagohasbeenofsomeservice。"
"Ihaven’thadachancetouseityet，"Iblurtedout，andIdivedintomypockettobringforththeletter。Itwaswrinkled，soiled，andhadbeensoakedwithwater。Ibegantoapologizeforitsdisreputableappearancewhenheinterruptedme。
"I’veheardabouttheduckingyougotandalltherestofit，"hesaid，smiling。Thenhismannerchangedtooneofbusinessandhurry。
"Youarestudyingforestry？"
"Yes，sir。I’mgoingtocollegethisfall。"
"MyfriendinHarrisburgwrotemeofyourambitionand，Imaysay，aptnessfortheforestservice。I’mverymuchpleased。Weneedahostofbrightyoungfellows。Here，lookatthismap。"
Hedrewmyattentiontoamaplyingonthetable，andmadecrossesandtracingswithapencilwhilehetalked。
"ThisisPenetier。HerearetheArizonaPeaks。Theheavyshadingrepresentstimberedland。Allthesearecanyons。Here’sOakCreekCanyon，theonethefirebordered。NowIwantyoutotellmehowyouworkedthatback—fire，and，ifyoucan，markthelineyoufired。"
Thisappearedtomeaneasytask，andcertainlyoneIwasenthusiasticover。ItoldhimjusthowIhadcometothecanyon，andhowIsawthatthefirewouldsurelycrossthere，andthataback—firewastheonlychance。
Then，carefullystudyingthemap，ImarkedoffthethreemilesHerkyandI
hadfired。
"Verygood。Youhadhelpinthis？"
"Yes。AfellowcalledHerky—Jerky。HewasoneofBuell’smenwhokeptmeaprisoner。"
"Butheturnedoutaprettygoodsort，didn’the？"
"Indeed，yes，sir。"
"Well，I’lltrytolocatehim，andofferhimajobintheservice。Now，Mr。
Ward，you’vehadspecialopportunities;youhaveaneyeinyourhead，andyouareinterestedinforestry。Perhapsyoucanhelpus。PersonallyIshallbemostpleasedtohearwhatyouthinkmightbedoneinPenetier。"
Igaspedandstared，andcouldscarcelybelievemyears。Buthewasnotjoking;hewasasseriousasifhehadaddressedhimselftooneofhisofficers。Ilookedatthemall，standinginterestedandexpectant。Dickwasasgraveanderectasadeacon。Jimseemedmuchimpressed。ButoldHiramBent，standingsomewhatbackoftheothers，deliberatelywinkedatme。
ButforthatwinkInevercouldhaveseizedmyopportunity。ItmademeremembermytalkswithHiram。SoIboileddownallthatIhadlearnedandlauncheditontheChief。WhetherIwasbriefornot，IwasoutofbreathwhenIstopped。Heappearedmuchsurprised。
"Thankyou，"hesaid，finally。"Youcertainlyhavebeenobservant。"Thenheturnedtohisofficers。"Gentlemen，here’sanewpointofviewfromfirst—handobservation。Icallitsplendidconservation。It’sinthelineofmypolicy。Itconsidersthesettlerandlumbermaninsteadofcombatinghim。"
Heshookhandswithmeagain。"YoumaybesureI’llnotlosesightofyou。
OfcourseyouwillbecomingWestnextsummer，afteryourtermatcollege？"
"Yes，sir，Iwantto——ifDick——"
HesmiledasIhesitated。Thatmanreadmymindlikeanopenbook。
"Mr。LesliegoestotheCoconinaForestasheadforestranger。Mr。Williamsgoesashisassistant。AndIhaveappointedMr。Bentgamewardeninthesameforest。Youmayspendnextsummerwiththem。"
Istammeredsomekindofthanks，andfoundmyselfgoingoutanddown—stairswithmyfriends。
"Oh，Dick！Wasn’thefine？……Say，where’sCoconinaForest？"
"It’soveracrossthedesertandbeyondtheGrandCanyonofArizona。
PenetieristamecomparedtoCoconina。I’mafraidtoletyoucomeoutthere。"
"Idon’thavetoaskyou，Mr。Dick，"Ireplied。
"Lad，I’llneedayoungfellarbadnextsummer，"saidoldHiram，withtwinklingeyes。"Oneascanhandlearope，an’helptieuplionsan’sich。"
"Oh！mybearcub！I’dforgottenhim。Iwantedtotakehimhome。"
"Wal，tharweren’tnosenseinthet，youngster，feryoucouldn’tdoit。Hewasahuskycub。"
"Ihatetogiveupmymustang，too。Dick，haveyouheardoftheGreaser？"
"Notyet，buthe’llbetrailingintoHolstonbeforelong。"
JimWilliamsremovedhispipe，andpuffedacloudofwhitesmoke。
"Ken，Ishoreain’tfergotGreaser，"hedrawledwithhisslowsmile。"Hevyouanyperticklerthingyouwantdidtohim？"
"Jim，don’tkillhim！"Iburstout，impetuously，andthenpaused，frightenedoutofspeech。WhyIwasafraidofhimIdidnotknow，heseemedsoeasy—going，socareless——almostsweet，likeawoman;butthenIhadseenhisfaceoncewithalookthatIcouldneverforget。
"Wal，Ken，I’lldodgeGreaserifheevercrossesmytrailagain。"
Thatpromisewasarelief。IknewGreaserwouldcometoabadend，andcertainlywouldgethisjustdeserts;butIdidnotwanthimpunishedanymoreforwhathehaddonetome。
Thoselastfewhoursspedlikewingedmoments。Wetalkedandplannedalittle，Idividedmyoutfitamongmyfriends，andthenitwastimeforthetrain。Thatlimitedtrainhadbeenlate，sotheysaid，everydayforaweek，andthisdayitwasontimetotheminute。Ihadnoluck。
Myfriendsbademegood—byeasiftheyexpectedtoseemenextday，andI
saidgood—byecalmly。Ihadmyparttoplay。Myshortstaywiththemhadmademesomehowdifferent。Butmycoolnesswasdeceitful。Dickhelpedmeonthetrainandwrungmyhandagain。
"Good—bye，Ken。It’sbeengreattohaveyouout……Nextyearyou’llbebackintheforests！"
Hehadtohurrytogetoff。ThetrainstartedasIlookedoutofmywindow。
Therestoodthepowerfulhunter，hiswhiteheadbare，andhewaswavinghishat。Jimleanedagainstarailingwithhissleepy，carelesssmile。Icaughtagleamofthebluegunswingingathiship。Dick’seyesshonewarmandblue;hewasshoutingsomething。Thentheyallpassedbackoutofsight。SomygazewanderedtotheindistinctblacklineofPenetier，tothepurpleslopes，anduptothecold，whitemountain—peaks，andDick’svoiceranginmyearslikeaprophecy："You’llbebackintheforests。"