第7章

Nowitisonethingtobecarriedupahillintemperate，unconsciousbloodandpracticalbusinessfashionbyatall，powerfulmanwithsteadfast，gloweringeyes，butquiteanotherthingtobecarrieddownagainbythesameman，whohasbeencrying，andwhenyouareconsciousthatyouaregoingtocrytoo，andyourtearsmaybeapttomingle。SoMissAmyForestersaid：

"Oh，wait，please！Sitdownamoment。Oh，Mr。Tenbrook，Iamsovery，verysorry，"and，clappingherhandtohereyes，burstintotears。

"Oh，please，pleasedon’t，MissForester，"saidJack，sittingdownontheendofthebunkwithfrightenedeyes，"pleasedon’tdothat！

Itain’tworthit。I’monlyabrutetohavesaidanything。"

"No，no！YouareSOnoble，SOforgiving！"sobbedMissForester，"andIhavemadeyougoandkilltheonlythingyoucaredfor，thatwasallyourown。"

"No，Miss，——notallmyown，either，——andthatmakesitsorough。

Foritwasonlyleftintrustwithmebyafriend。Itwasheronlycompanion。"

"HERonlycompanion？"echoedMissForester，sharplyliftingherbowedhead。

"Except，"saidJackhurriedly，miscomprehendingtheemphasiswithmasculinefatuity，——"exceptthedyingmanforwhomshelivedandsacrificedherwholelife。Shegavemethisring，toalwaysremindmeofmytrust。Isuppose，"headdedruefully，lookingdownuponit，"it’snousenow。I’dbettertakeitoff。"

ThenAmyeyedthemonstrousobjectwithangelicsimplicity。"I

certainlyshould，"shesaidwithinfinitesweetness；"itwouldonlyremindyouofyourloss。But，"sheadded，withasudden，swift，imploringlookofherblueeyes，"ifyoucouldpartwithittome，itwouldbesuchareminderandtokenof——ofyourforgiveness。"

Jackinstantlyhandedittoher。"Andnow，"hesaid，"letmecarryyoudown。"

"Ithink，"shesaidhesitatingly，"that——Ihadbettertrytowalk，"

andsherosetoherfeet。

"ThenIshallknowthatyouhavenotforgivenme，"saidJacksadly。

"ButIhavenorighttotrouble"——

Alas！shehadnotimetofinishherpoliteobjection，forthenextmomentshefeltherselfliftedintheair，smelledthebarkthatchwithinaninchofhernose，sawthefirelightvanishbehindher，andsubsidingintohiscurvedarmsasinahammock，thetwopassedforthintothenighttogether。

"Ican’tfind，yourbraceletanywhere，Amy，"saidherfather，whentheyreachedthewagon。

"Itwasonthefloorinthelint，"saidAmyreproachfully。"But，ofcourse，youneverthoughtofthat！"……

Mypenhaltswithsomediffidencebetweentwoconclusionstothisveraciouschronicle。Astheyagreeinresult，thoughnotintheoryorintention，Imayventuretogivethemboth。ToonecomingfromthelipsofthecharmingheroineherselfInaturallyyieldtheprecedence。"Oh，thebearstory！Idon’treallyrememberwhetherthatwasbeforeIwasengagedtoJohnorafter。ButIhadknownhimforsometime；fatherintroducedhimattheGovernor’sballatSacramento。Letmesee！——Ithinkitwasinthewinterof’56。

Yes！itwasveryamusing；IalwaysusedtochargeJohnwithhavingtrainedthatbeartoattackourcarriagesothathemightcomeinasahero！Oh，ofcourse，thereareahundredabsurdstoriesabouthim，——theyusedtosaythathelivedallaloneinacabinlikeasavage，andallthatsortofthing，andwasafriendofadubiouswomaninthelocality，whomthecommonpeoplemadeaheroineof，——

Miggles，orWiggles，orsomesuchpreposterousname。ButlookatJohnthere；canyouconceiveit？"Thelistener，glancingataveryhandsome，clean—shavenfellow，faultlesslyattired，couldnotconceivesuchanabsurdity。SoIthereforesimplygivetheopinionofJoshuaBixley，SuperintendentoftheLongDivideTunnelCompany，forwhatitisworth："Inevertookmuchstockinthatbearstory，anditscaptivatingoldForester’sdaughter。OldForesterknewathingortwo，andwhenhewasouthereconsolidatingtunnels，hefoundoutthatJackTenbrookwasaboutheadedforthebiglead，andbroughthimoutandintroducedhimtoAmy。Yousee，Jack，cleargritashewas，wasmightyroughstyle，andaboutassimpleastheymake’em，andtheyhadtogetupsomethingtoaccountforthatgirl’stakingashinetohim。Buttheyseemtobehappyenough——

andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"

AndItransferthisphilosophicquerytothereader。

THEYOUNGESTPROSPECTORINCALAVERAS

Hewasscarcelyeightwhenitwasbelievedthathecouldhavereasonablylaidclaimtotheabovetitle。Butheneverdid。Hewasasmallboy，intenselyfreckledtotherootsofhistawnyhair，withevenasuspicionofitinhisalmond—shapedbutsomewhatfulleyes，whichwerethegreenishhueofaripegooseberry。Allthiswasveryunlikehisparents，fromwhomhedivergedinresemblanceinthatfashionsooftenseenintheSouthwestofAmerica，asiftheyouthoftheboundlessWesthadstruckanewnoteofindependenceandoriginality，overridingallconservativeandestablishedrulesofheredity。Somethingofthiswasalsoshowninasingularandremarkablereticenceandfirmnessofpurpose，quiteunlikehisfamilyorschoolfellows。Hismotherwasthewifeofateamster，whohadapparentlyonce"dumped"hisfamily，consistingofaboyandtwogirls，ontheroadsideatBurntSpring，withthecanvasroofofhiswagontocoverthem，whileheproceededtodeliverotherfreight，notsoexclusivelyhisown，atotherstationsalongtheroad，returningtothemondistantandseparateoccasionswithslightadditionstotheirstock，habitation，andfurniture。Inthiswaythecanvasroofwasfinallyshingledandthehutenlarged，and，underthequickeningofasmilingCaliforniaskyandtheforcingofateemingCaliforniasoil，thechance—sownseedtookrootandbecameknownasMedliker’sRanch，or"Medliker’s，"

withitsburstinggardenpatchanditsthreeshedsor"lean—to’s。"

Thegirlshelpedtheirmotherinachildish，imitativeway；theboy，JohnBunyan，afteramoredesultoryandoriginalfashion——whenhewasnot"goingto"orostensibly"comingfrom"school，forhewasseldomactuallythere。SomethingofthisfearwasinthemindofMrs。Medlikeronemorningasshelookedupfromthekettleshewasscrubbing，withpremonitionof"moreworriting，"tobeholdtheReverendMr。Staples，thelocalminister，haleJohnBunyanMedlikerintotheshantywithonehand。LettingJohnnygo，heplacedhisbackagainstthedoorandwipedhisfacewitharedhandkerchief。

Johnnydroppedintoachair，furtivelyglancingatthearmbywhichMr。Stapleshaddraggedhim，andfeelingitwiththeotherhandtoseeifitwasreallylonger。

"I’vebeenrequestedbytheschoolmaster，"saidtheRev。Mr。

Staples，puttinghishandkerchiefbackintohisbroadfelthatwithagaspingsmile，"tobringouryoungfriendbeforeyouforamatterofcounselanddiscipline。Ihavedoneso，SisterMedliker，withsomedifficulty，"——helookeddownatJohnBunyan，whoagainfelthisarmandwassatisfiedthatitWASlonger——"butwemustdoourdooty，evenwithdifficultytoourselves，and，perhaps，toothers。

Ouryoungfriend，JohnBunyan，standsonagiddyheight——onslipperyplaces，and，"continuedMr。Staples，withaloftydisregardtoconsecutivemetaphor，"hisfeetaretakingfastholdofdestruction。"Herethechilddrewabreathofrelief，possiblyattheprospectofbeingonfirmgroundofanykindatlast；butSisterMedliker，towhomtheStaplesstyleofexordiumhadonlyaSabbathsignificance，turnedtoheroffspringabruptly：——

"Andwhat’stheseyerdoin’snow，John？andmeaslavin’tosendyetoschool？"

Thusappealedto，Johnnylookedforareplyathisfeet，athisarm，andatthekettle。Thenhesaid："Iain’tdonenothin’，buthe"——indicatingStaples——"hezbeennighonterpullin’offmyarm。"

"It’snowalmostaweekago，"continuedMr。Staples，wavingasidetheinterruptionwithasmileofpainfulChristiantolerance，"orperhapstendays——Iwon’tbetoosure——thattheschoolmasterdiscoveredthatJohnnyhadinhispossessiontwoorthreeflakesoffinerivergold——eachofthevalueofhalfadollar，orperhapssixty—twoandonehalfcents。Onbeingquestionedwherehegotthemherefusedtosay；althoughsubsequentlyheallegedthathehad’found’them。Itbeingasingleinstance，hewasgiventhebenefitofthedoubt，andnothingmorewassaidaboutit。Butafewdaysafterhewasfoundtryingtopassoff，atMr。Smith’sstore，twootherflakesofadifferentsize，andasmallnuggetofthevalueoffourorfivedollars。AtthispointIwascalledin；

herepeatedtome，Igrievetosay，thesameuntruthfulness，andwhenIsuggestedtohimtheobviousfactthathehadtakenitfromoneoftheminer’ssluiceboxesandcommittedthegrievoussinoftheft，hewickedlydeniedit——sothatwearepreventedfromcarryingouttheChristiancommandofrestoringitevenONEfold，insteadoffourorfivefoldastheMosaicLawmighthaverequired。

Wewere，alas！unabletoascertainanythingfromtheminersthemselves，thoughIgrievetosaytheyoneandallagreedthattheir’take’thatweekwasnotatallwhattheyhadexpected。I

evenwentsofarastoadmitthepossibilityofhisownstatement，andbesoughthimatleasttoshowmewherehehadfoundit。Heatfirstrefusedwithgreatstubbornnessoftemper，butlaterconsentedtoaccompanymeprivatelythisafternoontothespot。"

Mr。Staplespaused，andsinkinghisvoicegloomily，andwithhiseyesfixeduponJohnny，continuedslowly："WhenIstatethat，afterseveraltimestryingtoevademeontheway，hefinallyledmetothetopofBaldHill，wherethereisnotascrapofsoil，andnottheslightestindication，andstillpersistedthathefounditTHERE，youwillunderstand，SisterMedliker，theincorrigibilityofhisconduct，andhowhehasaddedthesinof’falsewitness’tohisbreakingtheEighthCommandment。ButIleavehimtoyourChristiandiscipline！Letushopethatif，throughhisstiff—neckedobduracy，hehashaplyescapedthevengeanceofman’slaw，hewillnotescapetherodofthedomestictabernacle。"

"Yekinleavehimtome，"saidMrs。Medliker，inheranxietytogetridoftheparson，assumingaconfidenceshewasfarfromfeeling。

"Sobeit，SisterMedliker，"saidStaples，drawingalong，satisfactorybreath；"andletustrustthatwhenyouhaverastledwithhisfleshandspirit，youwillbringusjoyfultidingstoWednesday’sMother’sMeeting。"

Heclappedhissofthatonhishead，castanotherglanceatthewickedJohnny，openedthedoorwithhishandbehindhim，andbackedhimselfintotheroad。

"Now，Johnny，"saidMrs。Medliker，settingherlipstogetherasthedoorclosed，"lookmerightintheface，andsaywhereyoustolethatgold。"

ButJohnnyevidentlydidnotthinkthathismother’sfaceatthatmomentofferedanymoralsupport，forhedidnotlookather；but，aftergazingatthekettle，saidslowly，"Ididn’tstealnogold。"

"Then，"saidMrs。Medlikertriumphantly，"ifyedidn’tstealit，you’dsayrightoffHOWyegotit。"

Childrenareoftenbetterlogiciansthantheirelders。ToJohnBunyanthestealingofgoldandthemererefusaltosaywherehegotitweretwodistinctandseparatethings；thatthenegationofthesecondpropositionmeanttheaffirmationofthefirsthecouldnotaccept。Butthenchildrenarealsoimitative，andfearfuloftheolderintellect。ItstruckJohnnythathismothermightberight，andthattoheritreallymeantthesamething。So，afteramoment’ssilenceherepliedmoreconfidently，"IsupposeIstoledit。"

Buthewasutterlyunpreparedforthedarkeningchangeinhismother’sface，andherfuriousaccents。"Youstoleit？——youSTOLE

it，youlimb！Andyousitthereandbrazenlytellme！Whodidyoustealitfrom？Tellmequick，aforeIwringitoutofyou！"

Completelyastoundedandbewilderedatthisnewturnofaffairs，Johnnyagainfellbackuponthedreadfultruth，andgasped，"I

don’tknow。"

"Youdon’tknow，youdevil！DidyoutakeitfromFrazer’s？"

"No。"

"FromtheSimmonsBrothers？"

"No。"

"FromtheBlazingStarCompany？"

"No。"

"Fromastore？"

"No。"

"Then，increatedgoodness！——WHEREdidyougetit？"

Johnnyraisedhisbrown—gooseberryeyesforasingleinstanttohismother’sandsaid，"Ifoundit。"

Mrs。Medlikergaspedagainandstaredhopelesslyattheceiling。

Yetshewasconsciousofacertainrelief。Afterall，itwasPOSSIBLEthathehadfoundit——liarasheundoubtedlywas。

"Thenwhydon’tyousaywhere，youawfulchild？"

"Don’twantto！"

Johnnywouldhavelikedtoaddthathesawnoreasonwhyheshouldtell。Otherpeoplewhofoundgoldwerenotobligedtotell。TherewasJimBrody，whohadstruckaleadandkeptthelocalitysecret。

Nobodyforcedhimtotell。Nobodycalledhimathief；nobodyhaddraggedhimaboutbythearmuntilheshowedit。Whywasitwrongthatalittleboyshouldfindgold？Itwasn’tagintheCommandments。Mr。Stapleshadnevergotupandsaid，"Thoushaltnotfindgold！"Hismotherhadnevermadehimpraynottofindit！

Theschoolmasterhadneverreadhimawfulstoriesofboyswhofoundgoldandneversaidanythingaboutit，andsocametoahorridend。

Allthiscrowdedhissmallboy’smind，and，crowding，chokedhissmallboy’sutterance。

"Youjestwaittillyourfathercomeshome，"saidMrs。Medliker，"andhe’llseewhetheryou’wantto’ornot。Andnowgetyourselfofftobedandstaythere。"

Johnnyknewthathisfather——whoseteamshadincreasedtofivewagons，andwhoserouteextendedfortymilesfurther——wasnotdueforaweek，andthatthecatastrophewasyetremote。Hispresentpunishmenthehadexpected。Hewentintotheadjoiningbedroom，whichheoccupiedwithhissister，andbegantoundress。Helingeredforsometimeoveronestocking，andfinallycautiouslyremovedfromitasmallpieceofflakegoldwhichhehadkeptconcealedalldayunderhisbigtoe，tothegreatdiscomfortofthatmember。Butthiswasonlyasmall，ordinaryself—martyrdomofboyhood。Hescratchedaboyishhieroglyphiconthemetal，andwhenhismother’sbackwasturnedscrapedasmallholeintheadobewall，insertedthegoldinit，andcovereditupwithaplastermadeofthemoisteneddebris。Itwassafe——sowashissecret——foritneednot，perhaps，bestatedherethatJohnnyHADtoldthetruthandHADhonestlyfoundthegold！Butwhere？——yes，thatwashisownsecret！Andnow，Johnny，withtheinstinctofallyounganimals，dismissedthewholesubjectfromhismind，and，recliningcomfortablyuponhisarm，fellintoaninterestingstudyofthehabitsoftheredantasexemplifiedinacrackoftheadobewall，andwiththeaidofaburntmatchsucceededindivertingfortherestoftheafternoontheattentionofawholelaboriouscolony。

Thenextmorning，however，broughttroubletohiminthecuriosityofhissisters，heightenedbytheirbeliefthathecouldatanymomentbetakenofftoprison——whichwastheirunderstandingoftheirmother’sstory。Igrievetosaythattothemthisinvestedhimwithacertainromanticheroism，fromthegratificationofwhichtheherohimselfwasnotexempt。Nevertheless，hesuccessfullyevadedtheirquestioning，andonbroaderimpersonalgrounds。Asgirls，itwasnoneoftheirbusiness！Hewasn’ta—

goingtotellthemHISsecrets！Andwhatdidtheyknowaboutgold，anyway？Theycouldn’ttellitfrombrass！Theattitudeofhismotherwas，however，stillperplexing。Shewasnolongeractivelyindignant，buttreatedhimwithamysteriousreservethatwasthemoreappalling。Thefactwasthatshenolongerbelievedinhistheft，——indeed，shehadneverseriouslyacceptedit，——buthisstrangereticenceandsecretivenesspiquedhercuriosity，andevenmadeheralittleafraidofhim。Thecapacityforkeepingasecretshebelievedwasmanlike，andremindedher——fornoreasonintheworld——ofJimMedliker，herhusband，whomshefeared。Well，shewouldletthemfightitoutbetweenthem。Morethanthat，shewasfinallyobligedtosinkherreserveinemployinghiminthenecessary"chores"forthehouse，andhewassentonanerrandtothecountrystoreatthecross—roads。Buthefirstextractedhisgold—flakefromthewall，andputitinhispocket。

Onarrivingatthestore，itwasplaineventohisboyishperceptionsthattheministerhadcirculatedhismiserablestory。

Twoorthreeofthecustomersspoketoeachotherinawhisper，andlookedathim。Morethanthat，whenhebeganhishomewardjourneyhesawthattwooftheloungerswereevidentlyfollowinghim。Halfintimidityandhalfinboyishmischiefheonceortwicestrayedfromthedirectroad，andsnatchedafearfuljoyinobservingtheirequaldivergence。AshepassedMr。Staples’shousehesawthatreverendgentlemansneakoutofhisbackgate，and，withoutseeingthetwoothers，joinintheinquisitorialprocession。ButtheeventsofthepastdayhadhadtheirquickeningeffectuponJohnny’sintellect。Abrilliantlywickedthoughtstruckhim。Ashewaspassingaperfectlybarespotontheroadhemanaged，withoutbeingnoticed，tocasthisglitteringflakeofgoldonthesterilegroundattheothersideoftheroad，wheretheminister’spathwouldlie。Then，atapointwheretheroadturned，heconcealedhimselfinthebrush。TheReverendMr。Stapleshurriedforwardashelostsightoftheboyinthesweepoftheroad，buthaltedsuddenly。Johnny’sheartleaped。Theministerlookedaroundhim，stooped，pickedupthepieceofgold，thrustithurriedlyinhiswaistcoatpocket，andcontinuedhisway。Whenhereachedtheturnoftheroad，beforepassingit，heavailedhimselfofhissolitudetopauseandagainexaminethetreasure，andagainreturnittohispocket。But，toJohnny’ssurprise，hehereturnedback，walkedquicklytothespotwherehehadfoundit，carefullyexaminedthelocality，kickingtheloosesoilandstonesaroundwithhisfeetuntilhehadapparentlysatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnomore，andnogold—bearingindicationsinthesoil。Atthismoment，however，thetwootherinquisitorscameinsight，andMr。

Staplesturnedquicklyandhurriedon。BeforehehadpassedthebrushwhereJohnnywasconcealed，thetwomenovertookhimandexchangedgreetings。Theybothspokeof"Johnny"andhiscrime；ofhavingfollowedhimwithaviewoffindingoutwherehewenttoprocurehisgold，andofhishavingagainevadedthem。Mr。Staplesagreedwiththeirpurpose，but，toJohnny’sintenseastonishment，SAIDNOTHINGABOUTHISOWNFIND！Whentheyhadpassedon，theboyslippedfromhisplaceofconcealmentandfollowedthematadistanceuntilhisownhousecameinview。Herethetwomendiverged，buttheministercontinuedontowardstheother"store"

andpost—officeonthemainroad。

Hewouldhavetoldhismotherwhathehadseen，andhissurprisethattheministerhadnotspokenoffindingthegoldtotheothermen，buthewaschecked，firstbyhismother’sattitudetowardshim，whichwasclearlythesameastheminister’s，and，second，bytheknowledgethatshewouldhavecondemnedhisdroppingthegoldintheminister’spath，——thoughheknewnotWHY，——oraskedhisreasonforit，whichhewasequallysurehecouldnotformulate，thoughhealsoknewnotwhy。Butthatevening，ashewasreturningfromthespringwithwater，heheardtheminister’svoiceinthekitchen。IthadbeenadayofsurprisesandrevelationstoJohnny，buttheclimaxseemedtobereachedasheenteredtheroom；andhenowstoodtransfixedandopen—mouthedasheheardMr。Staplessay：——

"It’sallverywell，SisterMedliker，tocomfortyourheartwithvainhopesanddelusions。Amother’sleanin’sisthesoul’sdeceivin’s，——andyerleanin’onabrokenreed。Iftheboytrulyfoundthatgoldhe’dhavecometoyeandsaid：’Behold，mother，I

havefoundgoldinthehighwaysandbyways；rejoiceandbeexceedin’glad！’andhevpoureditinteryerlap。Yes，"continuedMr。Staplesaggressivelytotheboy，ashesawhimstaggerbackwithhispailinhand，"yes，sir，THATwouldhavebeenthecourseofaChristianchild！"

ForamomentJohnnyfeltthebloodboilinginhisears，andathousandwordsseemedcrowdinginhisthroat。"Then"——hegaspedandchoked。"Then"——hebeganagain，andstoppedwiththesuffocationofindignation。

ButMr。Staplessawinhisagitationonlyanawakenedconscience，and，nudgingMrs。Medliker，leanedeagerlyforwardforareply。

"Then，"herepeated，withsuaveencouragement，"goon，Johnny！

Speakitout！"

"Then，"saidJohnny，inahigh，shrillfalsettothatstartledthem，"thenwotfordidYOUpickupthatpieceo’goldintheroadthisarternoon，andsaynothin’ofittothemenwhofollowedye？Yedid；Iseedyer！Andyedidn’tsaynothin’ofittoanybody；andyeain’tsayin’nothin’ofitnowtermaw！andye’vegotitinyervest！Andit’smine，andIdroppedit！Gimmeit。"

Astonishment，confusion，andrageswelledandempurpledStaples’

face。ItwasHISturntogaspforbreath。Yetinthesamemomenthemadeanangrydashattheboy。ButMrs。Medlikerinterfered。

Thiswasanentirelynewfeatureinthecase。Greatisthepowerofgold。Asingleglanceattheminister’sconfusionhadconvincedherthatJohnny’saccusationwastrue，anditwasJohnny’sMONEY——

constructivelyHERS——thattheministerwasconcealing。Hismerepossessionofthatgoldhadmoreeffectinstraighteningoutherlooselogicthananysenseofhypocrisy。

"Youleavetheboybe，BrotherStaples，"saidMrs。Medlikersharply。"Ireckonwot’shisishisn，spiteofwharhegotit。"

Mr。Staplessawhismistake，andsmiledpainfullyashefumbledinhiswaistcoatpocket。"IbelieveIDIDpickupsomething，"hesaid，"thatmayormaynothavebeengold，butIhavedroppeditagainorthrownitaway；andreallyitisoflittleconcerninourmorallesson。ForwehaveonlyHISwordthatitwasreallyhis！

HowdoweKNOWit？"

"Cosithasmymarksonit，"saidJohnnyquickly；"ithadacriss—

crossIscratchedonit。Ikintellitgoodenuf。"

Mr。Staplesturnedsuddenlypaleandrose。"Ofcourse，"hesaidtoMrs。Medlikerwithpainfuldignity，"ifyousetsomuchvalueuponamereworldlytrifle，Iwillendeavortofindit。Itmaybeinmyotherpocket。"Hebackedoutofthedoorinhisusualfashion，butinstantlywentovertothepost—office，where，asheafterwardsalleged，hehadchangedtheoreforcoininamomentofinadvertence。

ButJohnny’shieroglyphicswerefoundonit，andinsomemysteriouswaythestorygotabout。IthadtwoeffectsthatJohnnydidnotdreamof。Ithadforcedhismotherintoanattitudeofcomplicitywithhim；ithadraisedupforhimasinglefriend。JakeStielitzer，quartzminer，haddeclaredthatBurntSpringwas"playingitlowdown"onJohnny！Thatiftheyreallybelievedthattheboytookgoldfromtheirsluiceboxes，itwastheirdutytowatchtheirCLAIMSandnottheboy。Thatitwasonlytheirexcusefor"snooping"afterhim，andtheyonlywantedtofindhis"strike，"

whichwasasmuchhisastheirclaimsweretheirown！Allthiswithgreatproficiencyofepithet，butalsoastillmorerecognizedproficiencywiththerevolver，whichmadetheformerrespected。

"That’stherealniggerinthefence，Johnny，"saidJake，twirlinghishugemustache，"andtheyonlywanttoknowwhereyourleadis，——

anddon’tyertell’em！Let’embileoverwithwaitin’first，andthat’llputthefireout。Doesyerpopknow？"

"No，"saidJohnny。

"Noryermar？"

"No。"

Jakewhistled。"Thenit’sonlyYOU，yourself？"

Johnnynoddedviolently，andhisbrowneyesglistened。

"It’saheapofinformationtobepackedawayinachapofyoursize，Johnny。Makesyoufeelkindercrowdedinside，eh？MUSTkeepittoyourself，eh？"

"Haveto，"saidJohnnywithagaspthatwasalittlelikeasigh。

ItcausedJaketolookathimattentively。"Seehere，Johnny，"hesaid，"nowefyewantedtotellsomebodyaboutit，——somebodyaswasafriendofyours，——ME，f’rinstance？"

Johnnyslowlywithdrewthefreckled，wartylittlehandthathadbeenrestingconfidinglyinJake’sandgentlysidledawayfromhim。

Jakeburstintoaloudlaugh。

"Allright，Johnnyboy，"hesaidwithaheartyslapupontheboy’sback，"keepyerheadshutefyerwanter！Onlyefanybodyelsecomesbummin’roundye，likethis，jestturnhimoverTOME，andI’lllifthimouterhisboots！"

Jakekepthisword，andhisdistancethereafter。Indeed，itwasafterthisfirstandlastconversationwithhimthattheinfluenceofhispowerfulprotectionwassostrongthatallactivecriticismsofJohnnyceased，andonlyarespectfulsurveillanceofhismovementslingeredinthesettlement。Idonotknowthatthiswasaltogetherdistastefultothechild；itwouldhavebeenstrange，indeed，ifhehadnotfeltattimesexaltedbythismysteriousinfluencethatheseemedtohaveacquiredoverhisfellowcreatures。Ifheweremerelyhuntingblackberriesinthebrush，hewasalwayssure，soonerorlater，tofindareadyhandofferedtohelpandaccompanyhim；ifhetrappedasquirrelortrackeddownawildbees’hoard，hegenerallyfoundasmilingfacewatchinghim。

Prospectorssometimesstoppedhimwith："Well，Johnny，asachipperandfar—mindedboy，nowWHARwouldYOUadviseustodig？"IgrievetosaythatJohnnywasnotabovegivinghisadvice，——andthatitwasinvariablyofnotthesmallestusetotherecipient。

Andsothedayspassed。Mr。Medliker’sabsencewasprotracted，andthehourofretributionandpunishmentstillseemedfaraway。Theblackberriesripenedanddrieduponthehillside，andthesquirrelshadgatheredtheirhoards；thebeesnolongercameandwentthroughthethicket，butJohnnywasstillindailymysteriouspossessionofhisgrainsofgold！Andthenoneday——afterthefateofallheroichumanity——hissecretwasimperilledbytheblandishmentsandmachinationsoftheall—powerfulsex。

FlorryFraserwasalittleplaymateofJohnny’s。Why，withhisdoubtsofhiseldersister’sintelligenceandintegrity，heshouldhaveselectedachildtwoyearsyounger，andofsingularsimplicity，was，likehisothersecret，hisown。WhatSHEsawinhimtoattractherwasequallystrange；possiblyitmayhavebeenhisbrown—gooseberryeyesorhiswarts；butshewasquitecontenttotrotafterhim，likeayoungsquaw，carryinghis"bow—arrow，"orhis"trap，"supremelysatisfiedtosharehiswoodlandknowledgeorhisscanterconfidences。FornobodywhoknewJohnnysuspectedthatshewasprivytohisgreatsecret。Howbeit，whereverhisraggedstrawhat，thatchedwithhistawnyhair，wasdetectedinthebrush，thelittlenankeensunbonnetofFlorrywassuretobediscernednotfarbehind。Fortwoweekstheyhadnotseeneachother。Afelldisease，nurturedinignorance，dirt，andcarelessness，wasstrikingrightandleftthroughthevalleysofthefoothills，andFlorry，whosesisterhadjustrecoveredfromanattack，hadbeensequesteredwithher。Butonemorning，asJohnnywasbringinghiswoodfromthestackbehindthehouse，hesaw，tohisintensedelight，apicketoftheroadfenceslippedasidebyasmallredhand，andamomentafterFlorrysqueezedherselfthroughthenarrowopening。Herroundcheekswereslightlyflushed，andtherewasascrapofredflannelaroundherplumpthroatthatheightenedthewhitenessofherskin。

"My！"saidJohnny，withhalf—real，half—affectedadmiration，"howsplendiferous！"

"Sorefroat，"saidFlorry，inawhisper，tryingtoinserthertwochubbyfingersbetweenthebandageandherchin。"Imussentgoouterthegardenpatch！Imussentplayinthewoods，forI’llbeseed！Imussentstaylong，forthey’llketchmeouterbed！"

"Outerbed？"repeatedJohnny，withintenseadmiration，asheperceivedforthefirsttimethatFlorrywasinaflannelnightgown，withbarelegsandfeet。

"Ess。"

Whereuponthesetwodelightfulimpschuckledandwaggedtheirheadswithasincereenjoymentthatthismereworldcouldnotgive！

JohnnyslippedoffhisshoesandstockingsandhurriedlyputthemontheinfantFlorry，securingthemfromfallingoffwithathickcord。Thisaddedtotheirenjoyment。

"Wecanplaycubbyhouseinthestoneheap，"whisperedFlorry。

"Hol’ontillItoteinthiswood，"saidJohnny。"YouhidetillI

comeback。"

Johnnyswiftlydeliveredhisloadwithanalacrityhehadnevershownbefore。Thentheyplayed"cubbyhouse"——notfiftyfeetfromthecabin，withahushedbutguiltysatisfaction。Butpresentlyitpalled。Theirdomainwastoocircumscribedforvariety。"RobinsonCrusoeupthetree"wasimpossible，asbeingvisiblefromthehousewindows。Johnnywasathiswits’end。Florrywasfretfulandfastidious。Thenagreatthoughtstruckhimandlefthimcold。

"IfIshowyouashow，youwon’ttell？"hesaidsuddenly。

"No。"

"Wishyer—ma—die？"

"Ess。"

"Gotanypenny？"

"No。"

"Gotanyslatepencil？"

"No。"

"Ain’tgotanypinsnornuthin’？Youkingoinforapin。"

ButFlorryhadnoneofchildhood’sfluctuatingcurrencywithher，having，sotospeak，nopockets。

"Well，"saidJohnny，brighteningup，"yekingoinforluv。"

Thechildclippedhimwithhersmallarmsandsmiled，and，Johnnyleadingtheway，theycreptonallfoursthroughthethickfernsuntiltheypausedbeforeadeepfissureinthesoilhalfovergrownwithbramble。Initsdepthstheycouldhearthemonotonoustrickleofwater。Itwasreallythesourceofthespringthatafterwardsreappearedfiftyyardsnearertheroad，andtrickledintoanunfailingpoolknownastheBurntSpring，fromthebrowncolorofthesurroundingbracken。Itwasthewatersupplyoftheranch，andthereasonforMr。Medliker’soriginalselectionofthatsite。

Johnnylingeredforaninstant，lookedcarefullyaround，andthenloweredhimselfintothefissure。AmomentlaterhereacheduphisarmstoFlorry，loweredheralso，andbothdisappearedfromview。

Yetfromtimetotimetheirvoicescamefaintlyfrombelow——withthegurgleofwater——asoffestivegnomesatplay。

Attheendoftenminutestheyreappeared，alittlemuddy，alittlebedraggled，butflushedandhappy。ThereweretwopinkspotsonFlorry’scheeks，andsheclaspedsomethingtightlyinherlittleredfist。

"There，"saidJohnny，whentheywereseatedinthestrawagain，"nowmindyoudon’ttell。"

ButheresuddenlyFlorry’slipsbegantoquiver，andshegaveventtoasmallhowlofanguish。

"Youain’tbitbyatrant’lernornuthin’？’saidJohnnyanxiously。

"Hushup！"

"N——o——o！But"——

"Butwhat？"saidJohnny。

"MarsaidIMUSTtell！MarsaidIwastofin’outwhereyougetthetrulygold！MarsaidIwastogetyoutotakeme，"howledFlorry，inanagonyofremorse。

Johnnygasped。"YouInjin！"hebegan。

"ButIwon’t——Johnny！"saidFlorry，clutchinghislegfrantically。

"Iwon’tandIsha’n’t！Iain’tnoInjin！"

Then，betweenhersobs，shetoldhimhowhermotherandMr。StapleshadsaidthatshewastoaskJohnnythenexttimetheymettotakeherwheretheyfoundthe"trulygold，"andshewastorememberwhereitwasandtotellthem。Andtheyweregoingtogiveheranewdollyandahunkofgingerbread。"ButIwon’t——andIsha’n’t！"

shesaidpassionately。Shewasquitepaleagain。

Johnnywasconvinced，butthoughtful。"Tell’em，"hesaidhoarsely，"tell’emabigwhopper！Theywon’tknownobetter。

They’llneverguesswhere。"Andhebrieflyrecountedthewild—

goosechasehehadgiventheminister。

"Andgetthedollyandthecake，"saidFlorry，hereyesshiningthroughhertears。

"Incourse，"saidJohnny。"They’llgetthedollyback，butyoukinhaveeatedthecakefirst。"Theylookedateachother，andtheireyesdancedtogetheroverthisheaven—sentinspiration。ThenJohnnytookoffhershoesandstockings，rubbedhercoldfeetwithhisdirtyhandkerchief，andsaid："Nowyoutrotovertoyourmar！"

Hehelpedherthroughtheloosepicketofthefenceandwasturningawaywhenherfaintvoiceagaincalledhim。

"Johnny！"

Heturnedback；shewasstandingontheothersideofthefenceholdingoutherarmstohim。Hewenttoherwithshiningeyes，liftedherup，andfromherhotbutlovinglittlelipstookafatalkiss。

ForonlyanhourlaterMrs。FraserfoundFlorryinherbed，tossingwithahighfeverandalighthead。Shewastalkingof"Johnny"

and"gold，"andhadaflakeofthemetalinhertinyfist。WhenMr。Stapleswassentfor，andwiththemotherandfather，hunganxiouslyaboveherbed，totheireagerquestioningtheycouldonlyfindoutthatFlorryhadbeentoahighmountain，eversofaraway，andonthetopofittherewasgoldlyingaround，andashiningfigurewasgivingitawaytothepeople。

"Andwhowerethepeople，Florrydear，"saidMr。Staplespersuasively；"anybodyyeknowhere？"

"Theywozangels，"saidFlorry，withafrightenedglanceoverhershoulder。

IgrievetosaythatMr。Staplesdidnotlookaspleasedatthecelestialvisionashemighthave，andpoorMrs。Fraserprobablysawthatinherchild’sfacewhichdroveotherthingsfromhermind。YetMr。Staplespersisted：——

"Andwholedyoutothisbeautifulmountain？WasitJohnny？"

"No。"

"Whothen？"

Florryopenedhereyesonthespeaker。"IfinkitwasDod，"shesaid，andclosedthemagain。

ButhereDr。Duchesnehurriedin，andafterasingleglanceatthechildhustledMr。Staplesfromtheroom。Forthereweregravecomplicationsthatpuzzledhim，Florryseemedeasierandquieterunderhiskindlyvoiceandtouch，butdidnotspeakagain，——andso，slowlysinking，passedawaythatnightinadreamlesssleep。ThiswasfollowedbyamadpanicatBurntSpringthenextday，andMrs。

MedlikerfledwithhertwogirlstoSacramento，leavingJohnny，ostensiblystrongandactive，tokeephouseuntilhisfather’sreturn。ButMr。Medliker’sreturnwasagaindelayed，andintheepidemic，whichhadnowtakenafastholdofthesettlement，Johnny’ssecret——andindeedtheboyhimself——wasquiteforgotten。

ItwasonlyonMr。Medliker’sarrivalitwasknownthathehadbeenlyingdangerouslyill，alone，intheabandonedhouse。Inhisstrangereticenceandfirmnessofpurposehehadkepthissufferingstohimself，——ashehadhisothersecret，——andtheywererevealedonlyinthewasted，hollowfigurethatfeeblyopenedthedoortohisfather。

OnwhichintelligenceMr。Stapleswas，asusual，promptlyonthespotwithhisstoryofJohnny’ssecrettothefather，andhisusualeagerquestioningtothefast—sinkingboy。"Andnow，Johnny，"hesaid，leaningoverthebed，"tellusALL。ThereisOnefromwhomnosecretsarehid。Remember，too，thatdearFlorry，whoisnowwiththeangels，hasalreadyconfessed。"

PerhapsitwasbecauseJohnny，evenatthatmoment，hatedtheman；

perhapsitwasbecauseatthatmomenthelovedandbelievedinFlorry，orperhapsitwasonlythatbecauseatthatmomenthewasnearerthegreaterTruththanhisquestioner，buthesaid，inahuskyvoice，"Youlie！"

Staplesdrewbackwithaflushedface，butlipsthatwrithedinapainedandstillpersistenteagerness。"But，Johnny，atleasttelluswhere——wh——wow——wow。"

IamobligedtoadmitthattheseundignifiedaccentscamefromMr。

Staples’ownlips，andwereduetothesuddenpressureofMr。

Medliker’sarmaroundhisthroat。Theteamsterwasirascibleandpromptthroughmuchmule—driving，andhisarmwas，fromthesamereason，strongandsinewy。Mr。Staplesfelthimselfgarrotedanddraggedfromtheroom，andonlycametounderthestarsoutside，withthehoarsevoiceofMr。Medlikerinhisears：——

"You’reaministerofthegospel，Iknow，butefyesayanotherwordtomyJohnny，I’llknockthegospelstuffin’outofye。Yehearme！I’VEDRIVENMULESAFORE！"

Hethenstrodebackintotheroom。"Yeneedn’tanswer，Johnny，he’sgone。"

Butso，too，hadJohnny，forheneveransweredthequestioninthisworld，nor，pleaseGod，washerequiredtointhenext。Helaystillanddead。ThecommunitywasscandalizedthenextdaywhenMr。MedlikersentforaministerfromSacramentotoofficiateathischild’sfuneral，inplaceofMr。Staples，andthenthesubjectwasdropped……

ButtheinfluenceofJohnny’shiddentreasurestillremainedasasuperstitioninthelocality。Prospectingpartieswerecontinuallymadeuptodiscovertheunknownclaim，butalwaysfromevidenceanddataaltogetherapocryphal。ItwasevenallegedthataminerhadonenightseenthelittlefiguresofJohnnyandFlorrywalkingoverthehilltop，handinhand，butthattheyhadvanishedamongthestarsattheverymomenthethoughthehaddiscoveredtheirsecret。

Andthenitwasforgotten；theprosperousMr。Medliker，nowtheproprietorofastage—coachroute，movedawaytoSacramento；

Medliker’sRanchbecameastationforchanginghorses，and，asthenewrailwayintimesupersededeventhat，sankintoablacksmith’sshopontheoutskirtsofthenewtownofBurntSpring。Andthenoneday，sixyearsafter，newsfellasaboltfromtheblue！

Itwasthusrecordedinthecountypaper："Apieceofraregoodfortune，involving，itissaid，thedevelopmentofaleadofextraordinaryvalue，haslatelyfallentothelotofMr。JohnSilsbee，thepopularblacksmith，onthesiteoftheoldMedlikerRanch。Inclearingoutthefailingwater—courseknownasBurntSpring，Mr。Silsbeecameuponarichledgeorpocketattheactualsourceofthespring，——afissureinthegroundafewrodsfromtheroad。Thepresentyieldhasbeenestimatedtobefromeighttotenthousanddollars。Buttheeventisconsideredasoneofthemostremarkableinstancesofthevagariesof’prospecting’everknown，asthisvaluable’pot—hole’existedundisturbedforEIGHTYEARSnotFIFTYYARDSfromtheoldcabinthatwasinformertimestheresidenceofJ。Medliker，Esq。，andthestationofthePioneerStageCompany，andwasutterlyunknownandunsuspectedbythepreviousinhabitants！Verilytruthisstrangerthanfiction！"

ATALEOFTHREETRUANTS

TheschoolmasteratHemlockHillwastroubledthatmorning。Threeofhisboysweremissing。Thiswasnotonlyanotabledeficitinaroll—calloftwenty，buttheabsenteeswerehisthreemostoriginalanddistinctivescholars。Hehadreceivednopreliminarywarningorexcuse。Norcouldheattributetheirabsencetoanycommonlocaldetentionordifficultyoftravel。Theylivedwidelyapartandindifferentdirections。Neitherweretheygenerallyknownas"chums，"orcomrades，whomighthaveenteredintoanunhallowedcombinationto"playhookey。"

Helookedatthevacantplacesbeforehimwithaconcernwhichhisotherscholarslittleshared，having，aftertheirfirstlivelycuriosity，notunmixedwithsomeenvyofthederelicts，apparentlyforgottenthem。HemissedthecroppedheadandinquisitiveglancesofJacksonTribbsonthethirdbench，theredhairandbrowneyesofProvidenceSmithinthecorner，andtherewasablankspaceinthefirstbenchwhereJulianFleming，alankygiantofseventeen，hadsat。Still，itwouldnotdotoshowhisconcernopenly，and，asbecameamanwhowasatleastthreeyearsthesenioroftheeldest，JulianFleming，hereflectedthattheywere"onlyboys，"

andthattheirfriendswereprobablyignorantofthegoodhewasdoingthem，andsodismissedthesubject。Nevertheless，itstruckhimaswonderfulhowthelittleworldbeneathhimgotonwithoutthem。HankyRogers，bully，whohadbeenkeptinwholesomecheckbyJulianFleming，waslivelyandexuberant，andhisconductwasquietlyacceptedbythewholeschool；JohnnyStebbins，Tribbs’sbosomfriend，consortedopenlywithTribbs’sparticularenemy；someofthegirlsweresingularlygayandconceited。Itwasevidentthatsomesuperiormasculineoppressionhadbeenremoved。

Hewasparticularlystruckbythislastfact，when，thenextmorning，nonewscomingoftheabsentees，hewasimpelledtoquestionhisflocksomewhatpreciselyconcerningthem。Therewastheusualshysilencewhichfollowsageneralinquiryfromtheteacher’sdesk；thechildrenlookedatoneanother，gigglednervously，andsaidnothing。

"Canyougivemeanyideaastowhatmighthavekeptthemaway？"

saidthemaster。

HankyRogerslookedquicklyaround，began，"Playin’hook——"inaloudvoice，butstoppedsuddenlywithoutfinishingtheword，andbecameinaudible。Themastersawfittoignorehim。

"Bee—huntin’，"saidAnnieRokervivaciously。

"Whois？"askedthemaster。

"ProvySmith，ofcourse。Allersbee—huntin’。Getslotso’honey。

Gottwofullcombsinhisdesklastweek。He’sawfulonbeesandhoney。Ain’the，Jinny？"Thisinahighvoicetohersister。

TheyoungerMissRoker，thusappealedto，washeardtomurmurthatofallthesneakin’bee—huntersshehadeverseed，ProvySmithwastheworst。"Andsquirrels——fornuts，"sheadded。

Themasterbecameattentive，——aclueseemedprobablehere。"WouldTribbsandFlemingbelikelytogowithhim？"heasked。

Asignificantsilencefollowed。Themasterfeltthatthechildrenrecognizedadoubtofthis，knowingtheboyswerenot"chums；"

possiblytheyalsorecognizedsomethingincriminatingtothem，andwithcharacteristicfreemasonrylookedatoneanotherandweredumb。

Heaskednofurtherquestions，but，whenschoolwasdismissed，mountedhishorseandstartedforthedwellingofthenearestculprit，JacksonTribbs，fourmilesdistant。Hehadoftenadmiredtheenduranceoftheboy，whohadaccomplishedthedistance，includingtheusualmeanderingsofacountryyouth，twiceaday，onfoot，inallweathers，withnodiminutionofspiritsorenergy。Hewasstillmoresurprisedwhenhefounditamountainroad，andthatthehouselaywellupontheascentofthepass。Autumnwasvisibleonlyinafewflamingsumacssetamongtheclimbingpines，andhere，inalittleclearingtotheright，appearedthedwellinghewasseeking。

"Tribbses，"or"Tribbs’sRun，"wasdevotedtotheworkofcuttingdownthepinesmidwayonalongregularlyslopingmountain—side，whichallowedthetrunks，aftertheyweretrimmedandcutintosuitablelengths，tobesliddownthroughruderuns，orartificialchannels，intothevalleybelow，wheretheywerecollectedbyteamsandconveyedtothenearestmills。Thebusinesswassimpleintheextreme，andwascarriedonbyTribbssenior，twomenwithsawsandaxes，andthenaturallawsofgravitation。Thehousewasalonglogcabin；severalshedsroofedwithbarkorcanvasseemedconsistentwiththestilllingeringsummerandtheheatedodorsofthepines，butwerestrangelyincongruoustothosewhitepatchesonthetable—landandthewhitetonguestretchingfromtheridgetothevalley。ButthemasterwasfamiliarwiththoseSierrancontrasts，andashehadneverascendedthetrailbefore，itmightbeonlytheusualprospectofthedwellersthere。AtthismomentMr。Tribbsappearedfromthecabin，withhisaxeonhisshoulder。

Noddingcarelesslytothemaster，hewasmovingaway，whenthelatterstoppedhim。

"IsJacksonhere？"heasked。

"No，"saidthefather，halfimpatiently，stillmovingon。"Hain’tseenhimsinceyesterday。"

"Norhashebeenatschool，"saidthemaster，"eitheryesterdayorto—day。"

Mr。Tribbslookedpuzzledandgrieved。"NowIreckonedyouhadkep’himinforsomedevilmentofhis’n，orlessons。"

"NotALLNIGHT！"saidthemaster，somewhatindignantatthispresumptionofhisarbitraryfunctions。

"Humph！"saidMr。Tribbs。"Mariar！"Mrs。Tribbsmadeherappearanceinthedoorway。"TheschoolmasterallowsthatJacksonain’tbintoschoolatall。"Then，turningtothemaster，headded，"Thar！yousettleitbetweenye，"andquietlywalkedaway。

Mrs。Tribbslookedbynomeanssatisfiedwithorinterestedintheproposedtete—a—tete。"Hevyelookedinthebresh"（i。e。，brushorunderwood）"forhim？"shesaidquerulously。

"No，"saidthemaster，"Icameherefirst。Therearetwootherboysmissing，——ProvidenceSmithandJulianFleming。Dideitherofthem"——

ButMrs。Tribbshadinterruptedhimwithagestureofimpatientrelief。"Oh，that’sall，isit？Playin’hookeytogether，incourse。’Scuseme，Imustgobacktomybakin’。"Sheturnedaway，butstoppedsuddenly，touched，asthemasterfondlybelieved，bysometardymaternalsolicitude。Butsheonlysaid："WhenheDOES

comeback，youjustgivehimawhalin’，willye？"andvanishedintoherkitchen。

Themasterrodeaway，halfashamedofhisfoolishconcernforthederelicts。ButhedeterminedtotrySmith’sfather，whoownedasmallrancholowerdownonaspurofthesameridge。ButthespurwasreallynearerHemlockHill，andcouldhavebeenreachedmoredirectlybyaroadfromthere。He，however，keptalongtheridge，andafterhalfanhour’sridewasconvincedthatJacksonTribbscouldhavecommunicatedwithProvySmithwithoutcomingnearerHemlockHill，andthisrevivedhisformerbeliefthattheyweretogether。HefoundthepaternalSmithengagedinhoeingpotatoesinastonyfield。Thelookoflanguidcuriositywithwhichhehadregardedtheapproachofthemasterchangedtooneofequallylanguidaggressionashelearnedtheobjectofhisvisit。

"Wotareyecomin’toMEfor？Iain’trunnin’yourschool，"hesaidslowlyandaggressively。"IstartedProvidenceallrightforitmornin’aforelast，sincewhenIneverseteyesonhim。ThatletsMEout。Mybusiness，youngfeller，islookin’artertheranch。Yours，Ireckon，islookin’arteryourscholars。"

"Ithoughtitmybusinesstotellyouyoursonwasabsentfromschool，"saidthemastercoldly，turningaway。"Ifyouaresatisfied，Ihavenothingmoretosay。"Nevertheless，forthemomenthewassostartledbythisremarkabletheoryofhisownresponsibilityinthecasethathequiteacceptedthefather’scallousness，——orratheritseemedtohimthathisunfortunatechargesmorethaneverneededhisprotection。TherewasstillthechanceofhishearingsomenewsfromJulianFleming’sfather；helivedatsomedistance，inthevalleyontheoppositesideofHemlockHill；andthitherthemastermadehisway。LuckilyhehadnotgonefarbeforehemetMr。Fleming，whowasateamster，enroute。Likethefathersoftheothertruants，hewasalsoengagedinhisvocation。But，unliketheothers，Flemingseniorwasjovialandtalkative。Hepulleduphislongteampromptly，receivedthemaster’snewswithamusedinterest，andaninvitationtospirituousrefreshmentfromademijohninhiswagon。

"Meandtheolewomankindo’spekilatedthatJulemighthevbeenoverwithAuntMarthy；butdon’tyouworry，Mr。Schoolmaster。

They’relimbs，everyoneo’them，butthey’llfetchupsomewhere，allsquare！Justyouputtwofingerso’thatcornjuiceinsideye，andlet’emslide。Yedidn’thearwhatthe’lekshunnewswaswhenyewasatSmith’s，didye？"

Themasterhadnotinquired。Heconfessedhehadbeenworriedabouttheboys。HehadeventhoughtthatJulianmighthavemetwithanaccident。

Mr。Flemingwipedhismouth，withahumorousaffectationofconcern。"MetwithanACCIDENT？Yes，IreckonnotONEaccident，butTWOof’em。TheseyeraccidentsJule’smetwithhadtwolegs，andweremightylivelyaccidents，youbet，andtookhimoffwith’em；ormebbetheyhadfourlegs，andhe’shuntin’’emyet。

Accidents！NowIneverthoughto’that！Well，whenyoucomeacrosshimandTHEMACCIDENTS，youjustwhale’em，allthree！Andyewon’ttakeanotherdrink？Well，solong，then！Geeup！"Herolledaway，withalaugh，intheheavydustkickedupbyhisplungingmules，andthemastermadehiswaybacktotheschoolhouse。

Hisquestforthatdaywasended。

Butthenextmorninghewasbothastoundedandrelieved，attheassemblingofschool，tofindthethreetruantsbackintheirplaces。Hisurgentquestioningofthembroughtonlytheoneandsameresponsefromeach："Gotlostontheridge。"Hefurthergatheredthattheyhadsleptoutfortwonights，andweretogetherallthetime，butnothingfurther，andnodetailsweregiven。Themasterwaspuzzled。Theyevidentlyexpectedpunishment；thatwasnodoubtalsothewishoftheirparents；butiftheirstorywastrue，itwasaseriousquestionifheoughttoinflictit。Therewasnomeansoftestingtheirstatement；therewasequallynonebywhichhecouldcontrovertit。Itwasevidentthatthewholeschoolaccepteditwithoutdoubt；whethertheywereinpossessionofdetailsgainedfromthetruantsthemselveswhichtheyhadwithheldfromhim，orwhetherfromsomelargercomplicitywiththeculprits，hecouldnotsay。Hetoldthemgravelythatheshouldwithholdequallytheirpunishmentandtheirpardonuntilhecouldsatisfyhimselfoftheirveracity，andthattherehadbeennopremeditationintheiract。Theyseemedrelieved，buthere，again，hecouldnottellwhetheritsprangfromconfidenceintheirownintegrityormerelyfromyouthfulhopefulnessthatdelayedretributionneverarrived！

Itwasamonthbeforetheirsecretwasfullydisclosed。Itwasslowlyevolvedfromcorroboratingcircumstances，butalwayswithashyreluctancefromtheboysthemselves，andasurprisethatanyoneshouldthinkitofimportance。Itwasgatheredpartlyfromdetailspickedupatrecessorontheplayground，fromthevoluntarytestimonyofteamstersandpackers，fromarecordinthecountynewspaper，butalwaysshapingitselfintoaconsecutiveandharmoniousnarrative。

Itwasastorysorepletewithmarvelousescapeandadventurethatthemasterhesitatedtoacceptitinitsentiretyuntilafterithadlongbecomeafamiliarhistory，andwasevenforgottenbytheactorsthemselves。Andevennowhetranscribesitmorefromthecircumstancesthatsurroundeditthanfromahopethatthestorywillbebelieved。

WHATHAPPENED

MasterProvySmithhadstartedoutthateventfulmorningwiththeintentionoffightingMasterJacksonTribbsforthe"Kingship"ofTableRidge——atriflingterritoryoftenleaguessquare——Tribbshavinginfringedonhisboundariesandclaimedabsolutesovereigntyoverthewholemountainrange。JulianFlemingwaspresentasrefereeandbottle—holder。Thebattlegroundselectedwasthehighestpartoftheridge。Thehourwassixo’clock，whichwouldallowthemtimetoreachschoolbeforeitsopening，withalltracesoftheirconflictremoved。Theairwascrispandcold，——atriflecolderthanusual，——andtherewasasingularthickeningofthesun’sraysontheridge，whichmadethedistantpeaksindistinctandghostlike。However，thetwocombatantsstripped"tothebuff，"

andFlemingpatronizinglytookpositionatthe"corner，"leaninguponarifle，which，byreasonofhissuperioryears，andthewildernesshewasobligedtotraverseingoingtoschool，hisfatherhadlenthimtocarry。Itwasthatdayaprovidentialweapon。

Suddenly，Flemingutteredtheword，"Sho！"Thetwocombatantspausedintheirfirst"squaringoff"tosee，totheirsurprise，thattheirrefereehadfacedround，withhisguninhishand，andwasstaringinanotherdirection。

"B’ar！"shoutedthethreevoicestogether。Ahugebear，followedbyitscubs，wasseenstumblingawkwardlyawaytotheright，makingforthetimberbelow。Inaninstanttheboyshadhurriedintotheirjacketsagain，andthegloryoffightwasforgotteninthefeverofthechase。WhyshouldtheypoundeachotherwhentherewassomethingtoreallyKILL？Theystartedininstantpursuit，Julianleading。

Butthewindwasnowkeenandbitterintheirfaces，andthatpeculiarthickeningoftheairwhichtheyhadnoticedhadbecomefirstadarkblueandthenawhiteningpall，inwhichthebearwaslost。Theystillkepton。SuddenlyJulianfelthimselfstruckbetweentheeyesbywhatseemedasnowball，andhiscompanionswereasquicklyspatteredbygoutsofmonstrousclingingsnowflakes。

Othersasquicklyfollowed——itwasnotsnowing，itwassnowballing。

Theyatfirstlaughed，affectingtoretaliatewiththesewhirling，flyingmassesshakenlikeclingingfeathersfromapillow；butinafewsecondstheywerecoveredfromheadtofootbysnow，theirlimbsimpededorpinionedagainstthembyitsweight，theirbreathgone。Theystoppedblindly，breathlessly。Then，withacommoninstinct，theyturnedback。ButthenextmomenttheyheardJuliancry，"Lookout！"Comingtowardsthemoutofthestormwasthebear，whohadevidentlyturnedbackbythesameinstinct。Anungovernableinstinctseizedtheyoungerboys，andtheyfled。ButJulianstoppedwithleveledrifle。Thebearstoppedtoo，withsullen，staringeyes。Buttheeyesthatglancedalongtheriflewereyoung，true，andsteady。Julianfired。Thehotsmokewassweptbackbythegaleintohisface，butthebearturnedanddisappearedinthestormagain。Julianranontowherehiscompanionshadhaltedatthereport，alittleashamedoftheircowardice。"Keeponthatway！"heshoutedhoarsely。"Nousetryin’togowheretheb’arcouldn’t。Keepon！"

"Keepon——whar？Thereain’tnotrail——nonuthin’！"saidJacksonquerulously，toholddownarisingfear。Itwastrue。Thetrailhadlongsincedisappeared；eventheirfootprintsofamomentbeforewerefilledupbythepilingsnow；theywereisolatedinthisstonyupland，highinair，withoutarockortreetoguidethemacrossitsvastwhitelevel。Theywerebitterlycoldandbenumbed。Thestimulusofthestormandchasehadpassed，butJuliankeptdrivingthembeforehim，himselfdrivenalongbythefuriousblast，yettryingtokeepsomevaguecoursealongthewaste。Soanhourpassed。Thenthewindseemedtohavechanged，orelsetheyhadtraveledinacircle——theyknewnotwhich，butthesnowwasintheirfacesnow。But，worstofall，thesnowhadchangedtoo；itnolongerfellinhugeblueflakes，butinmillionsofstinginggraygranules。Julian’sfacegrewhardandhiseyesbright。Heknewitwasnolongerasnow—squall，butalastingstorm。Hestopped；theboystumbledagainsthim。Helookedatthemwithastrangesmile。

"Hevyoutwomadeup？"hesaid。

"No——o！"

"Makeup，then。"

"What？"

"Shakehands。"

Theyclaspedeachother’sred，benumbedfingersandlaughed，albeitalittlefrightenedatJulian。"Goon！"hesaid，curtly。

Theywentondazedly，stupidly，foranotherhour。

SuddenlyProvySmith’skeeneyessparkled。Hepointedtoasingularirregularmoundofsnowbeforethem，plainlyseenabovethedrearylevel。Julianrantoitwithacry，andbeganwildlydigging。"IknewIhithim，"hecried，ashebrushedthesnowfromahugeandhairyleg。Itwasthebear——dead，butnotyetcold。Hehadsuccumbedwithhishugebacktotheblast，thesnowpilingabulwarkbehindhim，whereithadslowlyroofedhimin。Thehalf—

frozenladsthrewthemselvesfearlesslyagainsthisfurrycoatandcreptbetweenhislegs，nestlingthemselvesbeneathhisstillwarmbodywithscreamsofjoy。Thesnowtheyhadthrownbackincreasedthebulwark，anddriftingoverit，inafewmomentsinclosedtheminathinshellofsnow。Thoroughlyexhausted，afterafewgruntsofsatisfaction，adeepsleepfelluponthem，fromwhichtheywereawakenedonlybythepangsofhunger。Alas！theirdinners——theschooldinners——hadbeenleftontheingloriousbattlefield。

Nevertheless，theytalkedofeatingthebearifitcametotheworst。Theywouldhavetriediteventhen，buttheywerefarabovethebeltoftimber；theyhadmatches——whatboyhasnot？——butnoWOOD。Still，theywerereassured，andevendelighted，withthisprospect，andsofellasleepagain，stewingwiththedeadbearinthehalf—impervioussnow，andwokeupinthemorningravenous，yettoseethesunshiningintheirfacesthroughthemeltedsnow，andforJacksonTribbstoquicklydiscover，fourmilesawayasthecrowflies，thecabinofhisfatheramongtheflamingsumacs。

Theystartedupintheglareofthesun，whichatfirstalmostblindedthem。Theythendiscoveredthattheywereinadepressionofthetable—landthatslopedbeforethemtoadeepgullyinthemountainside，whichagaindroppedintothecanyonbelow。Thetrailtheyhadlost，theynowremembered，mustbenearthisedge。Butitwasstillhidden，andinseekingittherewasdangerofsomefatalmisstepinthetreacheroussnow。Nevertheless，theysalliedoutbravely，althoughtheywouldfainhavestoppedtoskinthebear，butJulian’smandatewasperemptory。Theyspreadthemselvesalongtheridge，attimesscrapingtheloosesnowawayintheirsearchforthelosttrail。

Suddenlytheyallslippedandfell，butroseagainquickly，laughing。Thentheyslippedandfellagain，butthistimewiththestartlingconsciousnessthatitwasnotTHEYwhohadslipped，butTHESNOW！Astheyregainedtheirfeettheycouldplainlyseenowthatalargecrackonthewhitefield，sometwentyfeetinwidth，extendedbetweenthemandthecarcassofthebear，showingtheglisteningrockbelow。Againtheywerethrowndownwithasharpshock。JacksonTribbs，whohadbeenshowingastrangeexcitement，suddenlygaveacryofwarning。"Lieflat，fellers！butkeepa—

crawlin’andjumpin’。We’regoin’downaslide！"Andthenextmomenttheywereslidingandtossing，apparentlywiththewholesnow—field，downtowardsthegulliedprecipice。

Whathappenedafterthis，andhowlongitlasted，theyneverknew。

For，hurriedalongwithincreasingmomentum，butalwaysmechanicallyclutchingatthesnow，andboundingfromitastheyswepton，theysometimeslostbreath，andevenconsciousness。Attimestheywerehalfsuffocatedinrollingmassesofdrift，andagainfreeandskimmingoveritsarrestedsurface，butalwaysfalling，asitseemedtothem，almostperpendicularly。Inoneoftheseshockstheyseemedtobegoingthroughathicketofunderbrush；butProvySmithknewthattheywerethetopsofpine—

trees。Atlasttherewasoneshocklongerandlasting，followedbyadeepeningthunderbelowthem。Theavalanchehadstruckaledgeinthemountainside，andprecipitateditslowerpartintothevalley。

Theneverythingwasstill，untilProvyheardJulian’svoicecalling。Heanswered，buttherewasnoresponsefromTribbs。Hadhegoneoverintothevalley？Theysetupadespairingshout！A

voice——asmotheredone——thatmightbehis，cameapparentlyfromthesnowbeneaththem。Theyshoutedagain；thevoice，vagueandhollow，responded，butitwasnowsurelyhis。

"Whereareyou？"screamedProvy。

"Downthechimbley。"

Therewasablacksquareofadobestickingoutofthesnownearthem。Theyrantoit。Therewasahole。Theypeereddown，butcouldseenothingatfirstbutafaintglimmer。

"Comedown，fellows！Itain’tfar！"saidTribbs’svoice。

"Wotyergotthere？"askedJuliancautiously。

"Suthin’toeat。"

Thatwasenough。InanotherinstantJulianandProvywentdownthechimney。Whatwasamatteroffifteenfeetafterathousand？

Tribbshadalreadylitacandlebywhichtheycouldseethattheywereinthecabinofsometunnel—manatworkontheridge。Hehadprobablybeeninthetunnelwhentheavalanchefell，andescaped，thoughhiscabinwasburied。Thethreediscoverershelpedthemselvestohislarder。Theylaughedandateasatapicnic，playedcards，pretendeditwasarobber’scave，andfinally，wrappingthemselvesintheminer’sblankets，sleptsoundly，knowingwheretheywere，andconfidentalsothattheycouldfindthetrailearlythenextmorning。Theydidso，andwithoutgoingtotheirhomescamedirectlytoschool——havingbeenabsentaboutfiftyhours。Theywereinhighspirits，exceptforthethoughtofapproachingpunishment，neverdreamingtoevadeitbyanythingmiraculousintheiradventures。

Suchwasbrieflytheirstory。Itstruthwascorroboratedbythediscoveryofthebear’scarcass，bythetestimonyofthetunnel—

man，whofoundhislardermysteriouslyransackedinhisburiedcabin，and，aboveall，bythelongwhitetonguethatformanymonthshungfromtheledgeintothevalley。NobodythoughtthelankyJulianahero，——leastofallhimself。NobodysuspectedthatJacksonTribbs’streatmentofa"slide"hadbeengatheredfromexperimentsinhisfather’s"runs"——andhewasgladtheydidnot。

Themaster’spardonobtained，thethreetruantscaredlittlefortheopinionofHemlockHill。TheyknewTHEMSELVES，thatwasenough。