第2章

Thence，untilmorning，seaandshorewereatracklesswaste，boundedonlybythewarningthundersoftheunseensea。Thestationitself，arudelybuiltcabin，withtwowindows，——onefurnishedwithatelescope，——lookedlikeaheapofdriftwood，orastrandedwreckleftbytheretiringsea；thesemaphore——theonlyobjectforleagues——liftedabovetheundulatingdunes，tookuponitselfvariousshapes，moreorlessgloomy，accordingtothehourorweather，——ablastedtree，themastsandclingingsparsofabeachedship，adismantledgallows；or，withthebackgroundofagoldensunsetacrosstheGate，anditsarmsextendedatrightangles，toamorehopefulfancyitmighthaveseemedthemissionaryCross，whichtheenthusiastPortalaliftedonthatheathenshoreahundredyearsbefore。

NotthatDickJarman——thesolitarystationkeeper——everindulgedthisfancy。AnescapedconvictfromoneofherBritannicMajesty\'spenalcolonies，a“stowaway“intheholdofanAustralianship，hehadlandedpennilessinSanFrancisco，fearfulofcontactwithhismorehonestcountrymenalreadythere，andliabletodetectionatanymoment。Luckilyforhim，theEnglishimmigrationconsistedmainlyofgold-seekersenroutetoSacramentoandthesouthernmines。Hewasprudentenoughtoresistthetemptationtofollowthem，andacceptedthepostofsemaphorekeeper，——thefirstworkofferedhim，——whichthemeanestimmigrant，filledwithdreamsofgold，wouldhavescorned。Hisemployersaskedhimnoquestions，anddemandednoreferences；hispostcouldbescarcelydeemedoneoftrust，——therewasnopropertyforhimtoabscondwithbutthetelescope；hewasremovedfromtemptationandevilcompanyinhislonelywaste；hisdutieswereasmechanicalastheinstrumentheworked，andinterruptionofthemwouldbeinstantlyknownatSanFrancisco。Forthishewouldreceivehisboardandlodgingandseventy-fivedollarsamonth，——asumtoberidiculedinthose“flushdays，“butwhichseemedtothebroken-spiritedandhalf-

famishedstowawayaprincelyindependence。

Andthentherewasrestandsecurity！Hewasfreefromthattorturinganxietyandfearofdetectionwhichhadhauntedhimnightanddayforthreemonths。Theceaselessvigilanceandwatchfuldreadhehadknownsincehisescape，hecouldlayasidenow。Therudecabinonthesanddunewastohimasthelong-soughtcavetosomehuntedanimal。Itseemedimpossiblethatanyonewouldseekhimthere。Hewassparedalikethecontactofhisenemiesortheshameofrecognizingevenafriendlyface，untilbyeachhewouldbeforgotten。Fromhiscoignofvantageonthatdesolatewaste，andwiththeaidofhistelescope，nostrangercouldapproachwithintwoorthreemilesofhiscabinwithoutundergoinghisscrutiny。Andattheworst，ifhewaspursuedhere，beforehimwasthetracklessshoreandtheboundlesssea！

Andattimestherewasacertainsatisfactioninwatching，unseenandinperfectsecurity，thedecksofpassingships。Withtheaidofhisglasshecouldmingleagainwiththeworldfromwhichhewasdebarred，andgloomilywonderwhoamongthosepassengersknewtheirsolitarywatcher，orhadheardofhisdeeds；itmighthavemadehimgloomierhadheknownthatinthoseeagerfacesturnedtowardsthegoldenhaventherewaslittlethoughtofanythingbutthemselves。

Hetriedtoreadinfacesonboardthefewoutgoingshipstherecordoftheirsuccesswithastrangeenvy。Theywerereturninghome！HOME！Forsometimes——butseldom——hethoughtofhisownhomeandhispast。Itwasamiserablepastofforgeryandembezzlementthathadculminatedacareerofyouthfuldissipationandself-

indulgence，andshuthimout，forever，fromthestaidoldEnglishcathedraltownwherehewasborn。Heknewthathisrelationsbelievedandwishedhimdead。Hethoughtofthispastwithlittlepleasure，butwithlittleremorse。Likemostofhisstamp，hebelieveditwasill-luck，chance，somebodyelse\'sfault，butneverhisownresponsibleaction。Hewouldnotrepent；hewouldbewiseronly。Andhewouldnotberetaken——alive！

Twoorthreemonthspassedinthismonotonousduty，inwhichhepartlyrecoveredhisstrengthandhisnerves。Helosthisfurtive，restless，watchfullook；thebracingseaairandtheburningsunputintohisfacethehealthytanandtheupliftedfranknessofasailor。Hiseyesgrewkeenerfromlongscanningofthehorizon；heknewwheretolookforsails，fromthecreepingcoastwiseschoonertothefar-roundingmerchantmanfromCapeHorn。Heknewthefaintlineofhazethatindicatedthesteamerlongbeforehermastsandfunnelsbecamevisible。Hesawnosoulexceptthesolitaryboatmanofthelittle“plunger，“wholandedhisweeklyprovisionsatasmallcovehardby。Theboatmanthoughthissecretivenessandreticenceonlythesurlinessofhisnation，andcaredlittleforamanwhoneveraskedforthenews，andtowhomhebroughtnoletters。Thelongnightswhichwrappedthecabininsea-fog，andatfirstseemedtoheightentheexile\'ssenseofsecurity，bydegrees，however，becamemonotonous，andincitedanoddrestlessness，whichhewaswonttoopposebywhiskey，——allowedasapartofhisstores，——which，whileitdulledhissensibilities，he，however，neverpermittedtointerferewithhismechanicalduties。

Hehadbeentherefivemonths，andthehillsontheoppositeshorebetweenTamalpaiswerealreadybeginningtoshowtheirrussetyellowsides。OnebrightmorninghewaswatchingthelittlefleetofItalianfishing-boatshoveringinthebay。Thiswasalwaysapicturesquespectacle，perhapstheonlyonethatrelievedthegeneralmonotonyofhisoutlook。Thequaintlateensailsofdullred，oryellow，showingagainstthesparklingwaters，andtheredcapsorhandkerchiefsofthefishermen，mighthaveattractedevenamoreabstractedman。Suddenlyoneofthelargerboatstacked，andmadedirectlyforthelittlecovewherehisweeklyplungerusedtoland。Inaninstanthewasalertandsuspicious。Butacloseexaminationoftheboatthroughhisglasssatisfiedhimthatitcontained，inadditiontothecrew，onlytwoorthreewomen，apparentlythefamilyofthefishermen。Asitranuponthebeachandtheentirepartydisembarkedhecouldseeitwasmerelyacareless，peaceableinvasion，andhethoughtnomoreaboutit。Thestrangerswanderedaboutthesands，gesticulatingandlaughing；

theybroughtapotashore，builtafire，andcookedahomelymeal。

Hecouldseethatfromtimetotimethesemaphore——evidentlyanoveltytothem——hadattractedtheirattention；andhavingoccasiontosignalthearrivalofabark，theworkingoftheuncoutharmsoftheinstrumentdrewthechildreninhalf-frightenedcuriositytowardsit，althoughtheothersheldaloof，asiffearfuloftrespassinguponsomeworkofthegovernment，nodoubtsecretlyguardedbythepolice。Afewmorningslaterhewassurprisedtoseeuponthebeach，nearthesamelocality，asmallheapoflumberwhichhadevidentlybeenlandedintheearlymorningfog。Thenextdayanoldtentappearedonthespot，andthemen，evidentlyfishermen，begantheerectionofarudecabinbesideit。Jarmanhadbeenlongenoughtheretoknowthatitwasgovernmentland，andthatthesemanifestlyhumble“squatters“uponitwouldnotbeinterferedwithforsometimetocome。Hebegantobeuneasyagain；itwastruetheywerefullyhalfamilefromhim，andtheywereforeigners；butmightnottheirrecklessinvasionofthelawattractothers，inthislawlesscountry，todothesame？Itoughttobestopped。ForonceRichardJarmansidedwithlegalauthority。

Butwhenthecabinwascompleted，itwasevidentfromwhathesawofitsrudestructurethatitwasonlyatemporaryshelterforthefisherman\'sfamilyandthestores，andrefittingofthefishing-

boat，moreconvenienttothemthantheSanFranciscowharves。Thebeachwasutilizedforthemendingofnetsandsails，andthusbecamehalfpicturesque。Inspiteofthekeennorthwesterntrades，thecloudless，sunshinymorningstemptedthesesouthernersbacktotheirnativealfrescoexistence；theynotonlybaskedinthesun，butmanyoftheirhouseholdduties，andeventhemysteriesoftheirtoilet，wereperformedintheopenair。Theydidnotseemtocaretopenetrateintothedesolateregionbehindthem；theirhalf-

amphibioushabitkeptthemnearthewater\'sedge，andRichardJarman，aftertakinghislimitedwalksforthefirstfewmorningsinanotherdirection，founditnolongernecessarytoavoidthelocality，andevenforgottheirpropinquity。

Butonemorning，asthefogwasclearingawayandthesparkleofthedistantseawasbeginningtoshowfromhiswindow，herosefromhisbelatedbreakfasttofetchwaterfromthe“breaker“outside，whichhadtobereplenishedweeklyfromSancelito，astherewasnospringinhisvicinity。Asheopenedthedoor，hewasinexpressiblystartledbythefigureofayoungwomanstandinginfrontofit，who，however，halffearfully，halflaughinglywithdrewbeforehim。

Buthisownmanifestdisturbanceapparentlygavehercourage。

“Ijesswaslookingatthatthing，“shesaidbashfully，pointingtothesemaphore。

Hewasstillmoreastonished，for，lookingatherdarkeyesandolivecomplexion，hehadexpectedhertospeakItalianorbrokenEnglish。And，possiblybecauseforalongtimehehadseenandknownlittleofwomen，hewasquitestruckwithhergoodlooks。Hehesitated，stammered，andthensaid:——

“Won\'tyoucomein？“

Shedrewbackstillfartherandmadearapidgestureofnegationwithherhead，herhand，andevenherwholelithefigure。Thenshesaid，withadecidedAmericanintonation:——

“No，sir。“

“Whynot？“saidJarmanmechanically。

Thegirlsidledupagainstthecabin，keepinghereyesfixedonJarmanwithacertainyouthfulshrewdness。

“Oh，youknow！“shesaid。

“Ireallydonot。Tellmewhy。“

Shedrewherselfupagainstthewallalittleproudly，thoughstillyouthfully，withherhandsbehindher。

“Iain\'tthatkindofgirl，“shesaidsimply。

ThebloodrushedtoJarman\'schecks。Dissipatedandabandonedashislifehadbeen，smallrespecterofwomenashewas，hewasshockedandshamed。Knowingtoo，ashedid，howabsorbedhewasinotherthings，hewasindignant，becausenotguilty。

“Doasyouplease，then，“hesaidshortly，andreenteredthecabin。

Butthenextmomenthesawhiserrorinbetrayinganirritationthatwasopentomisconstruction。Hecameoutagain，scarcelylookingatthegirl，whowasloungingaway。

“Doyouwantmetoexplaintoyouhowthethingworks？“hesaidindifferently。“Ican\'tshowyouunlessashipcomesin。“

Thegirl\'seyesbrightenedsoftlyassheturnedtohim。

“Dotellme，“shesaid，withananticipatorysmileandflashofwhiteteeth。“Won\'tyou？“

Shecertainlywasveryprettyandsimple，inspiteofherlatespeech。Jarmanbrieflyexplainedtoherthemovementsofthesemaphorearmsandtheirdifferentsignificance。Shelistenedwithhercappedheadalittleononesidelikeanattentivebird，andherarmsunconsciouslyimitatingthesigns。Certainly，forallthatsheSPOKElikeanAmerican，hergesticulationwasItalian。

“Andthen，“shesaidtriumphantlywhenhepaused，“whenthesailorsseethatsignuptheyknowtheyarecomingintheharbor。“

Jarmansmiled，ashehadnotsmiledsincehehadbeenthere。Hecorrectedthismistakeofhereagerhastetoshowherintelligence，and，takingthetelescope，pointedouttheothersemaphore，——athinblackoutlineonadistantinlandhill。HethenexplainedhowHIS

signswererepeatedbythatinstrumenttoSanFrancisco。

“My！Why，IalwaysallowedthatwasonlythecrossstuckupintheLoneMountainCemetery，“shesaid。

“YouareaCatholic？“

“Ireckon。“

“AndyouareanItalian？“

“Fatheris，butmotherwasa\'Merikan，sameasme。Mother\'sdead。“

“Andyourfatheristhefishermanyonder？“

“Yes，——but，“withalookofpride，“he\'sgotthebiggestboatofany。“

“Andonlyyouandyourfamilyareashorehere？“

“Yes，andsometimesMark。“Shelaughedanoddlittlelaugh。

“Mark？Who\'she？“heaskedquickly。

Hehadnotnoticedthesuddencoquettishposeandhalf-affectedbashfulnessofthegirl；hewasthinkingonlyofthepossibilityofdetectionbystrangers。

“Oh，heisMarcoFranti，butIcallhim\'Mark。\'It\'sthesamename，youknow，anditmakeshimmad，“saidthegirl，withthesamesuggestionofarchnessandcoquetry。

ButallthiswaslostonJarman。

“Oh，anotherItalian，“hesaid，relieved。Sheturnedawayalittleawkwardlywhenheadded，“Butyouhaven\'ttoldmeYOURname，youknow。“

“Cara。“

“Cara，——that\'s\'dear\'inItalian，isn\'tit？“hesaid，withareminiscenceoftheoperaandahalfsmile。

“Yes，“shesaidalittlescornfully，“butitmeansCarlotta，——

Charlotte，youknow。SomegirlscallmeCharley，“shesaidhurriedly。

“Isee——Cara——orCarlottaFranti。“

Tohissurprisesheburstintoapealoflaughter。

“IreckonnotYET。FrantiisMark\'sname，notmine。MineisMurano，——CarlottaMurano。Good-by。“Shemovedaway，thenstoppedsuddenlyandsaid，“I\'mcomin\'againsometimewhenthethingisworking，“andwithanodofherhead，ranaway。Helookedafterher；couldseetheoutlinesofheryouthfulfigureinherslimcottongown，——limpandclinginginthedampseaair，andthesuddenrevelationofherbareanklesthruststockinglessintocanvasshoes。

Hewentbackintohiscabin，whenpresentlyhisattentionwasengrossedbyanincomingvessel。Hemadethesignals，halfexpecting，almosthoping，thatthegirlwouldreturntowatchhim。

Butherfigurewasalreadylostinthesanddunes。Yethefanciedhestillheardtheechoesofhervoiceandhisowninthiscabinwhichhadsolongbeendumbandvoiceless，andhenowstartedateverysound。Forthefirsttimehebecameawareofthedreadfuldisorderanduntidinessofitsuninvadedprivacy。Hecouldscarcelybelievehehadbeenlivingwithhisstove，hisbed，andcookingutensilsallinonecornerofthebarnlikeroom，andhebegantoputthem“torights“inarough，hardformality，stronglysuggestiveofhisconvictexperience。Herolleduphisblanketsintoahardcylinderattheheadofhiscot。Hescrapedouthiskettlesandsaucepans，andeven“washeddown“thefloor，afterwardssprinklingcleandrysand，hotwiththenoondaysunshine，onitshalf-driedboards。Inarrangingthesedomesticdetailshehadtochangethepositionofalittlemirror；andglancingatitforthefirsttimeinmanydays，hewasdissatisfiedwithhisstragglingbeard，——grownduringhisvoyagefromAustralia，——andalthoughhehadretaineditasadisguise，heatonceshaveditoff，leavingonlyamustache，andrevealingafacefromwhichahealthierlifeandout-of-doorexistencehadremovedthelasttracesofviceanddissipation。Buthedidnotknowit。

Allthenextdayhethoughtofhisfairvisitor，andfoundhimselfoftenrepeatingheroddremarkthatshewas“notthatkindofgirl，“withasmilethatwasalternatelysignificantorvacant。

Evidentlyshecouldtakecareofherself，hethought，althoughherverygoodlooksnodoubthadexposedhertotherudeattentionsoffishermenorthecommondriftofSanFranciscowharves。Perhapsthiswaswhyherfatherbroughtherhere。Whenthedaypassedandshecamenot，hebeganvaguelytowonderifhehadbeenrudetoher。Perhapshehadtakenhersimpleremarktooseriously；perhapsshehadexpectedhewouldonlylaugh，andhadfoundhimdullandstupid。Perhapshehadthrownawayanopportunity。Anopportunityforwhat？Torenewhisoldlifeandhabits？No，no！Thehorrorsofhisrecentimprisonmentandescapewerestilltoofreshinhismemory；hewasnotsafeyet。Thenhewonderedifhehadnotgrownspiritlessandpigeon-liveredinhissolitudeandloneliness。Thenextdayhesearchedforherwithhisglass，andsawherplayingwithoneofthechildrenonthebeach，——averypictureofchildornymphlikeinnocence。Perhapsitwasbecauseshewasnot“thatkindofgirl“thatshehadattractedhim。Helaughedbitterly。Yes；

thatwasveryfunny；he，anescapedconvict，drawntowardshonest，simpleinnocence！Yetheknew——hewaspositive——hehadnotthoughtofanyillwhenhespoketoher。Hetookasingular，aridiculousprideinandcredittohimselfforthat。Herepeateditincessantlytohimself。Thenwhatmadeherangry？Himself！Thedevil！Didhecarry，then，therecordofhispastlifeforeverinhisface——inhisspeech——inhismanners？Thethoughtmadehimsullen。Thenextdayhewouldnotlooktowardstheshore；itwaswonderfulwhatexcitementandsatisfactionhegotoutofthatstrangeactofself-denial；itmadethedayseemfullthathadbeensovacantbefore；yethecouldnottellwhyorwherefore。Hefeltinjured，butheratherlikedit。YetinthenighthewasstruckwiththeideathatshemighthavegonebacktoSanFrancisco，andhelayawakelongingforthemorninglighttosatisfyhim。Yetwhenthefogcleared，andfromanearerpoint，behindasanddune，hediscovered，bytheaidofhisglass，thatshewasseatedonthesun-warmedsandscombingoutherlonghairlikeamermaid，heimmediatelyreturnedtothecabin，andthatmorninglookednomorethatway。Intheafternoon，therebeingnosailsinsight，heturnedasidefromthebayandwalkedwestwardtowardstheocean，haltingonlyattheleague-longlineoffoamwhichmarkedthebreakingPacificsurges。Herehewassurprisedtoseealittlechild，half-naked，followingbarefootedthecreepinglineofspume，orrunningafterthedetachedandquiveringscrapsoffoamthatchasedeachotheroverthewetsand，andonlyalittlefurtheron，tocomeuponCaraherself，sittingwithherelbowsonherkneesandherroundchininherhands，apparentlygazingoverthewasteofwatersbeforeher。Asuddenandinexplicableshynessovertookhim。

Hehesitated，andsteppedhalf-hiddeninagullybetweenthesanddunes。

Asyethehadnotbeenobserved；theyounggirlcalledtothechildand，suddenlyrising，threwoffherredcapandshawlandquietlybegantodisrobeherself。Acoupleofcoarsetowelswereatherfeet。Jarmaninstantlycomprehendedthatshewasgoingtobathewiththechild。Sheundoubtedlyknewaswellashedidthatshewassafeinthatsolitude；thatnoonecouldintrudeuponherprivacyfromthebayshore，norfromthedesolateinlandtrailtothesea，withoutherknowledge。Ofhisowncontiguityshehadevidentlytakennothought，believinghimsafelyhousedinhiscabinbesidethesemaphore。Sheliftedherhands，andwithasuddenmovementshookoutherlonghairandletitfalldownherbackatthesamemomentthatherunloosenedblousebegantoslipfromhershoulders。RichardJarmanturnedquicklyandwalkednoiselesslyandrapidlyaway，untilthelittlehillockhadshutoutthebeach。

Hisretreatwasassudden，unreasoning，andunpremeditatedashisintrusion。Itwasnotlikehimself，heknew，andyetitwasasperfectlyinstinctiveandnaturalasifhehadintrudeduponasister。IntheSouthSeashehadseennativegirlsdivingbesidethevesselsforcoins，buttheyhadprovokednosuchinstinctasthatwhichpossessedhimnow。Morethanthat，hesweptaquick，wrathfulglancealongthehorizononeitherside，andthen，mountingaremotehillockwhichstillhidhimfromthebeach，hesatthereandkeptwatchandward。Fromtimetotimethestrongsea-breezebroughthimthesoundofinfantinescreamsandshoutsofgirlishlaughterfromtheunseenshore；heonlylookedthemorekeenlyandsuspiciouslyforanywanderingtrespasser，anddidnotturnhishead。Helaytherenearlyhalfanhour，andwhenthesoundshadceased，roseandmadehiswayslowlybacktothecabin。

Hehadnotgonemanyyardsbeforeheheardthetwitterofvoicesandsmotheredlaughterbehindhim。Heturned；itwasCaraandthechild，——agirlofsixorseven。Cara\'sfacewasrosy，——possiblyfromherbath，andpossiblyfromsomeshame-facedconsciousness。

Heslackenedhispace，andastheyrangedbesidehimsaid，“Good-

morning！“

“Lord！“saidCara，stiflinganotherlaugh，“wedidn\'tknowyouwerearound；wethoughtyouwerealways\'tendingyourtelegraph，didn\'twe，Lucy？“(tothechild，whowasconvulsedwithmirthandsheepishness)。“Why，we\'vebeentakingawashinthesea。“Shetriedtogatherupherlonghair，whichhadbeenlefttostrayoverhershouldersanddryinthesunlight，andevenmadeaslightpretenseoftryingtoconcealthewettowelstheywerecarrying。

Jarmandidnotlaugh。“Ifyouhadtoldme，“hesaidgravely，“I

couldhavekeptwatchforyouwithmyglasswhileyouwerethere。

Icouldseefurtherthanyou。“

“TouldyouseeUS？“askedthelittlegirl，withhopefulvivacity。

“No！“saidJarman，withmasterlyevasion。“Therearelittlesandhillsbetweenthisandthebeach。“

“Thenhowtouldotherpeopleseeus？“persistedthechild。

Jarmancouldseethattheoldergirlwasevidentlyembarrassed，andchangedthesubject。“Isometimesgoout，“hesaid，“whenIcanseetherearenovesselsinsight，andItakerayglasswithme。I

canalwaysgetbackintimetomakesignals。Ithought，infact，“

hesaid，glancingatCara\'sbrighteningface，“thatImightgetasfarasyourhouseontheshoresomeday。“Tohissurprise，herembarrassmentsuddenlyseemedtoincrease，althoughshehadlookedrelievedbefore，andshedidnotreply。Afteramomentshesaidabruptly:——

“Didyoueverseethesea-lions？“

“No，“saidJarman。

“NotthebigonesonSealRock，beyondthecliffs？“continuedthegirl，inrealastonishment。

“No，“repeatedJarman。“Ineverwalkedinthatdirection。“Hevaguelyrememberedthattheywereacuriositywhichsometimesattractedpartiesthither，andforthatreasonhehadavoidedthespot。

“Why，Ihavesailedallaroundtherockinfather\'sboat，“

continuedCara，withimportance。“That\'sthebestwaytosee\'em，andfolksfromFriscosometimestakesasailouttherejustonpurpose，——it\'stoosandytowalkordrivethere。Butit\'sonlyastepfromhere。Lookhere！“shesaidsuddenly，andfranklyopeningherfineeyesuponhim。“I\'mgoingtotakeLucythereto-morrow，andI\'llshowyou。“Jarmanfelthischeeksflushquicklywithapleasurethatembarrassedhim。“Itwon\'ttakelong，“addedCara，mistakinghismomentaryhesitation，“andyoucanleaveyourtelegraphalone。Nobodywillbethere，sonoonewillseeyouandnobodyknowit。“

Hewouldhavegonethen，anyway，heknew，yetinhisabsurdself-

consciousnesshewasgladthatherlastsuggestionhadrelievedhimofasenseofrecklesscompliance。Heassentedeagerly，whenwithawaveofherhand，aflashofherwhiteteeth，andthesameabruptnessshehadshownattheirlastparting，shecaughtLucybythearmanddartedawayinarompingracetoherdwelling。Jarmanstartedafterher。Hehadnotwantedtogotoherfather\'shouseparticularly，butwhywasSHEevidentlyasaversetoit？Withthesubtlepleasurethatthisadmissiongavehimtherewasafaintstirringofsuspicion。

ItwasgonewhenhefoundherandLucythenextmorning，radiantwiththesunshine，beforehisdoor。Therestraintoftheirpreviousmeetingshadbeenremovedinsomemysteriousway，andtheychattedgaylyastheywalkedtowardsthecliffs。Sheaskedhimfranklymanyquestionsabouthimself，whyhehadcomethere，andifhe“wasn\'tlonely；“sheansweredfrankly——Ifearmuchmorefranklythanheansweredher——themanyquestionsheaskedheraboutherselfandherfriends。Whentheyreachedthecliffstheydescendedtothebeach，whichtheyfounddeserted。Beforethem——itseemedscarceapistolshotfromtheshorearoseahigh，broadrock，beatenatitsbasebythelongPacificsurf，onwhichanumberofshapelessanimalswereuncouthlydisporting。ThiswasSealRock，thegoaloftheirjourney。

Yetafterafewmomentstheynolongerlookedatit，butseatedonthesand，withLucygatheringshellsatthewater\'sedge，theycontinuedtheirtalk。Presentlythetalkbecameeagerconfidences，andthen，——therewerelonganddangerouslapsesofsilence，whenbothwerefaintomakeperfunctorytalkwithLucyonthebeach。

AfteroneofthosesilencesJarmansaid:——

“DoyouknowIratherthoughtyesterdayyoudidn\'twantmetocometoyourfather\'shouse。Whywasthat？“

“BecauseMarcowasthere，“saidthegirlfrankly。

“WhathadHEtodowithit？“saidJarmanabruptly。

“Hewantstomarryme。“

“AnddoyouwanttomarryHIM？“saidJarmanquickly。

“No，“saidthegirlpassionately。

“Whydon\'tyougetridofhim，then？“

“Ican\'t，he\'shidinghere，——he\'sfather\'sfriend。“

“Hiding？What\'shebeendoing？“

“Stealing。Stealinggold-dustfromminers。Inevercaredforhimanyway。AndIhateathief！“

Shelookedupquickly。Jarmanhadrisentohisfeet，hisfaceturnedtosea。

“Whatareyoulookingat？“shesaidwonderingly。

“Aship，“saidJarman，inastrange，hoarsevoice。“Imusthurrybackandsignal。I\'mafraidIhaven\'teventimetowalkwithyou，——

Imustrunforit。Good-by！“

Heturnedwithoutofferinghishandandranhurriedlyinthedirectionofthesemaphore。

Cara，discomfited，turnedherblackeyestothesea。Butitseemedemptyasbefore，nosail，noshiponthehorizonline，onlyalittleschoonerslowlybeatingoutoftheGate。Ah，well！Itnodoubtwasthere，——thatsail，——thoughshecouldnotseeit；howkeenandfar-seeinghishandsome，honesteyeswere！Sheheavedalittlesigh，and，callingLucytoherside，begantomakeherwayhomeward。

Butshekepthereyesonthesemaphore；itseemedtoherthenextthingtoseeinghim，——thismanshewasbeginningtolove。Shewaitedforthegauntarmstomovewiththesignalofthevesselhehadseen。But，strangetosay，itwasmotionless。Hemusthavebeenmistaken。

Allthis，however，wasdrivenfromhermindintheexcitementthatshefoundonherreturnthrillingherownfamily。TheyhadbeenwarnedthatapoliceboatwithdetectivesonboardhadbeendispatchedfromSanFranciscotothecove。Luckily，theyhadmanagedtoconveythefugitiveFrantionboardacoastwiseschooner，——CarastartedassherememberedtheoneshehadseenbeatingoutoftheGate，——andhewasnowsafefrompursuit。Carafeltrelieved；atthesametimeshefeltastrangejoyatherheart，whichsenttheconsciousbloodtohercheek。ShewasnotthinkingoftheescapedMarco，butofJarman。Later，whenthepoliceboatarrived，——whetherthedetectiveshadbeenforewarnedofMarco\'sescapeornot，——theycontentedthemselveswithaformalsearchofthelittlefishing-hutanddeparted。Buttheirboatremainedlyingofftheshore。

ThatnightCaratossedsleeplesslyonherbed；shewassorryshehadeverspokenofMarcotoJarman。Itwasunnecessarynow；

perhapshedisbelievedherandthoughtshelovedMarco；perhapsthatwasthereasonofhisstrangeandabruptleave-takingthatafternoon。Shelongedforthenextday，shecouldtellhimeverythingnow。

Towardsmorningshesleptfitfully，butwasawakenedbythesoundofvoicesonthesandsoutsidethehut。Itsflimsystructure，alreadywarpedbythefierceday-longsun，allowedherthroughchinksandcrevicesnotonlytorecognizethevoicesofthedetectives，buttoheardistinctlywhattheysaid。SuddenlythenameofJarmanstruckuponherear。Shesatuprightinbed，breathless。

“Areyousureit\'sthesameman？“askedasecondvoice。

“Perfectly，“answeredthefirst。“Hewastrackedto\'Frisco，butdisappearedthedayhelanded。Weknewfromouragentsthatheneverleftthebay。Andwhenwefoundthatsomebodyansweringhisdescriptiongotthepostoftelegraphoperatorouthere，weknewthatwehadspottedourmanandtheL250sterlingofferedforhiscapture。“

“Butthatwasfivemonthsago。Whydidn\'tyoutakehimthen？“

“Couldn\'t！Forwecouldn\'tholdhimwithouttheextraditionpapersfromAustralia。Wesentfor\'em；they\'redueto-dayorto-morrowonthemailsteamer。“

“Buthemighthavegotawayatanytime？“

“Hecouldn\'twithoutourknowingit。Don\'tyousee？Everytimethesignalswentup，weinSanFranciscoknewhewasathispost。

Wehadhimsafe，outhereonthesesandhills，asifhe\'dbeenunderlockandkeyin\'Frisco。Hewashisownkeeper，andreportedtous。“

“Butsinceyou\'rehereandexpectthepapersto-morrow，whydon\'tyou\'cop\'himnow？“

“Becausethereisn\'tajudgeinSanFranciscothatwouldholdhimamomentunlesshehadthoseextraditionpapersbeforehim。He\'dbedischarged，andescape。“

“Thenwhatareyougoingtodo？“

“Assoonasthesteamerissignaledin\'Frisco，we\'llboardherinthebay，getthepapers，anddropdownuponhim。“

“Isee；andasHE\'Sthesignalman，thedarnedfool“——

“Willgivethesignalhimself。“

Thelaughthatfollowedwassocruelthattheyounggirlshuddered。

Butthenextmomentsheslippedfromthebed，erect，pale，anddetermined。

Thevoicesseemedgraduallytoretreat。Shedressedherselfhurriedly，andpassednoiselesslythroughtheroomofherstillsleepingparent，andpassedout。Agrayfogwasliftingslowlyoverthesandsandsea，andthepoliceboatwasgone。Shenolongerhesitated，butranquicklyinthedirectionofJarman\'scabin。Assheran，hermindseemedtobesweptclearofallillusionandfancy；shesawplainlyeverythingthathadhappened；

sheknewthemysteryofJarman\'spresencehere，——thesecretofhislife，——thedreadfulcrueltyofherremarktohim，——themanthatsheknewnowsheloved。Thesunwaspaintingtheblackarmsofthesemaphoreasshetoiledoverthelaststretchofsandandknockedloudlyatthedoor。Therewasnoreply。Sheknockedagain；thecabinwassilent。Hadhealreadyfled？——andwithoutseeingherandknowingall！Shetriedthehandleofthedoor；ityielded；shesteppedboldlyintotheroom，withhisnameuponherlips。Hewaslyingfullydresseduponhiscouch。Sheraneagerlytohissideandstopped。Itneededonlyasingleglanceathiscongestedface，hislipspartedwithhisheavybreath，toseethatthemanwashopelessly，helplesslydrunk！

Yeteventhen，withoutknowingthatitwasherthoughtlessspeechwhichhaddrivenhimtoseekthisfoolishoblivionofremorseandsorrow，shesawonlyhisHELPLESSNESS。Shetriedinvaintorousehim；heonlymutteredafewincoherentwordsandsankbackagain。

Shelookeddespairinglyaround。Somethingmustbedone；thesteamermightbevisibleatanymoment。Ah，yes，——thetelescope！

Sheseizeditandsweptthehorizon。Therewasafaintstreakofhazeagainstthelineofseaandsky，abreasttheGoldenGate。Hehadoncetoldherwhatitmeant。ItWASthesteamer！Asuddenthoughtleapedintoherclearandactivebrain。Ifthepoliceboatshouldchancetoseethathazetoo，andsawnowarningsignalfromthesemaphore，theywouldsuspectsomething。Thatsignalmustbemade，BUTNOTTHERIGHTONE！Sherememberedquicklyhowhehadexplainedtoherthedifferencebetweenthesignalsforacoastingsteamerandtheonethatbroughtthemails。Atthatdistancethepoliceboatcouldnotdetectwhetherthesemaphore\'sarmswereextendedtoperfectrightanglesforthemailsteamer，oriftheleftarmslightlydeflectedforacoastingsteamer。Sheranouttothewindlassandseizedthecrank。Foramomentitdefiedherstrength；sheredoubledherefforts:itbegantocreakandgroan，thegreatarmswereslowlyuplifted，andthesignalmade。

ButthefamiliarsoundsofthemovingmachineryhadpiercedthroughJarman\'ssluggishconsciousnessasnoothersoundinheavenorearthcouldhavedone，andawakenedhimtotheonedominantsensehehadleft，——thehabitofduty。Sheheardhimrollfromthebedwithanoath，stumbletothedoor，andsawhimdashforwardwithanaffrightedface，andplungehisheadintoabucketofwater。Heemergedfromitpaleanddripping，butwiththefulllightofreasonandconsciousnessinhiseyes。Hestartedwhenhesawher；

eventhenshewouldhavefled，buthecaughtherfirmlybythewrist。

Thenwithahurried，tremblingvoiceshetoldhimallandeverything。Helistenedinsilence，andonlyattheendraisedherhandgravelytohislips。

“Andnow，“sheaddedtremulously，“youmustfly——quick——atonce；oritwillbetoolate！“

ButRichardJarmanwalkedslowlytothedoorofhiscabin，stillholdingherhand，andsaidquietly，pointingtohisonlychair:——

“Sitdown；wemusttalkfirst。“

Whattheysaidwasneverknown，butafewmomentslatertheyleftthecabin，Jarmancarryinginasmallbagallhispossessions，andCaraleaningonhisarm。AnhourlaterthepriestoftheMissionDoloreswascalledupontouniteinmatrimonyafrank，honest-

lookingsailorandanItaliangypsy-lookinggirl。Thereweremanyhastyunionsinthosedays，andtheHolyChurchwasonlytoogladtobeabletogivethemitslegalindorsement。ButthegoodPadrewasalittlesorryforthehonestsailor，andgavethegirlsomeseriousadvice。

TheSanFranciscopapersthenextmorningthrewsomedubiouslightuponthematterinaparagraphheaded，“AnotherPoliceFiasco。“

“WeunderstandthattheindefatigablepoliceofSanFrancisco，afterascertainingthatMarcoFranti，thenotedgold-dustthief，washidingontheshorenearthePresidio，proceededtherewithgreatsolemnity，andarrived，asusual，afewhoursaftertheirmanhadescaped。Buttheclimaxofincapacitywasreachedwhen，asitisalleged，thesweetheartoftheabscondingFranti，anddaughterofabrotherfisherman，elopedstilllater，andjoinedherloverundertheverynosesofthepolice。TheattemptofthedetectivestoexcusethemselvesatheadquartersbyreportingthattheywerealsoonthetrackofanallegedescapedSydneyDuckwasreceivedwiththederisionandskepticismitdeserved，asitseemedthattheseworthiesmistookthemailsteamer，whichtheyshouldhaveboardedtogetcertainextraditionpapers，foracoastingsteamer。“……

ItwasnotuntilfouryearslaterthatMuranowasdelightedtorecognizeinthehusbandofhislong-lostdaughteraveryrichcattle-ownerinSouthernCalifornia，calledJarman；butheneverknewthathehadbeenanescapedconvictfromSydney，whohadlatelyreceivedafullpardonthroughtheinstrumentalityofdiversdistinguishedpeopleinAustralia。

ANESMERALDAOFROCKYCANYON

Itistobefearedthattheheroofthischroniclebeganlifeasanimpostor。HewasofferedtothecredulousandsympatheticfamilyofaSanFranciscocitizenasalamb，who，unlessboughtasaplaymateforthechildren，wouldinevitablypassintothebutcher\'shands。Acombinationofrefinedsensibilityandurbanignoranceofnaturepreventedthemfromdiscerningcertainglaringfactsthatbetrayedhiscapridorigin。Soaribbonwasdulytiedroundhisneck，andinpleasingemulationofthelegendary“Mary，“hewastakentoschoolbytheconfidingchildren。Here，alasthefraudwasdiscovered，andhistorywasreversedbyhisbeingturnedoutbytheteacher，becausehewasNOT“alambatschool。“Nevertheless，thekind-heartedmotherofthefamilypersistedinretaininghim，onthepleathathemightyetbecome“useful。“Toherhusband\'sfeeblesuggestionof“gloves，“shereturnedascornfulnegative，andspokeoftheweaklyinfantofaneighbor，whomightlaterreceivenourishmentfromthisprovidentialanimal。Buteventhishopewasdestroyedbytheeventualdiscoveryofhissex。Nothingremainednowbuttoaccepthimasanordinarykid，andtofindamusementinhisaccomplishments，——eating，climbing，andbutting。

Itmustbeconfessedthatthesewereofasuperiorquality；acapacitytoeateverythingfromacambrichandkerchieftoanelectionposter，anagilitywhichbroughthimeventotheroofsofhouses，andapowerofoverturningbyasinglepushthechubbiestchildwhoopposedhim，madehimafearfuljoytothenursery。Thislastqualitywasincautiouslydevelopedinhimbyanegroboy-

servant，who，later，washurriedlypropelleddownaflightofstairsbyhistooproficientscholar。Havingoncetastedvictory，“Billy“needednofurtherincitementtohisperformances。Thesmallwagonwhichhesometimesconsentedtodrawforthebenefitofthechildrenneverhinderedhisattemptstobuttthepasser-by。Onthecontrary，onwell-knownscientificprinciplesheaddedtheimpactofthebodiesofthechildrenprojectedoverhisheadinhischarge，andtheinfelicitouspedestrianfoundhimselfnotonlyknockedoffhislegsbyBilly，butbombardedbythewholenursery。

Delightfulaswasthisrecreationtojuvenilelimbs，itwasfelttobedangeroustotheadultpublic。Indignantprotestationsweremade，andasBillycouldnotbekeptinthehouse，hemaybesaidtohaveatlastbuttedhimselfoutofthatsympatheticfamilyandintoahardandunfeelingworld。Onemorninghebrokehistetherinthesmallbackyard。Forseveraldaysthereafterhedisplayedhimselfinguiltyfreedomonthetopsofadjacentwallsandouthouses。TheSanFranciscosuburbwherehiscredulousprotectorslivedwasstillinavolcanicstateofdisruption，causedbythegradingofnewstreetsthroughrocksandsandhills。Inconsequencetheroofsofsomehouseswereonthelevelofthedoorstepsofothers，andwereespeciallyadaptedtoBilly\'sperformances。Oneafternoon，totheadmiringandperplexedeyesofthenursery，hewasdiscoveredstandingontheapexofaneighbor\'snewElizabethanchimney，onaspacescarcelylargerthanthecrownofahat，calmlysurveyingtheworldbeneathhim。Highinfantilevoicesappealedtohiminvain；babyarmswereoutstretchedtohiminhopelessinvitation；heremainedexaltedandobdurate，likeMilton\'shero，probablybyhisownmerit“raisedtothatbademinence。“Indeed，therewasalreadysomethingSatanicinhisbuddinghornsandpointedmaskasthesmokecurledsoftlyaroundhim。Thenheappropriatelyvanished，andSanFranciscoknewhimnomore。Atthesametime，however，oneOwenM\'Ginnis，aneighboringsandhillsquatter，alsodisappeared，leavingSanFranciscoforthesouthernmines，andhewassaidtohavetakenBillywithhim，——fornoconceivablereasonexceptforcompanionship。Howbeit，itwastheturning-pointofBilly\'scareer；suchrestraintaskindness，civilization，orevenpolicemenhadexerciseduponhisnaturewasgone。Heretained，Ifear，acertainwickedintelligence，pickedupinSanFranciscowiththenewspapersandtheatricalandelectionpostershehadconsumed。HereappearedatRockyCanyonamongtheminersasanexceedinglyagilechamois，withthelowcunningofasatyr。Thatwasallthatcivilizationhaddoneforhim！

IfMr。M\'GinnishadfondlyconceivedthathewouldmakeBilly“useful，“aswellascompanionable，hewassingularlymistaken。

HorsesandmuleswerescarceinRockyCanyon，andheattemptedtoutilizeBillybymakinghimdrawasmallcart，ladenwithauriferousearth，fromhisclaimtotheriver。Billy，rapidlygainingstrength，wasquiteequaltothetask，butalas！nothisinbornpropensity。AnincautiousgesturefromthefirstpassingminerBillychosetoconstrueintotheusualchallenge。Loweringhishead，fromwhichhisbuddinghornshadbeenalreadyprunedbyhismaster，heinstantlywentforhischallenger，cartandall。

Againthescientificlawalreadypointedoutprevailed。Withtheshockoftheonsettheentirecontentsofthecartaroseandpouredovertheastonishedminer，buryinghimfromsight。InanyotherbutaCalifornianmining-campsuchapropensityinadraughtanimalwouldhavebeencondemned，onaccountofthedamageandsufferingitentailed，butinRockyCanyonitprovedunprofitabletotheownerfromtheveryamusementandinterestitexcited。MinerslayinwaitforBillywitha“greenhorn，“ornew-comer，whomtheywouldputuptochallengetheanimalbysomeindiscreetgesture。Inthiswayhardlyacartloadof“pay-gravel“everarrivedsafelyatitsdestination，andtheunfortunateM\'GinniswascompelledtowithdrawBillyasabeastofburden。Itwaswhisperedthatsogreathadhispropensitybecome，underrepeatedprovocation，thatM\'Ginnishimselfwasnolongersafe。Goingaheadofhiscartonedaytoremoveafallenboughfromthetrail，Billyconstruedtheactofstoopingintoaplayfulchallengefromhismaster，——withtheinevitableresult。

ThenextdayM\'Ginnisappearedwithawheelbarrow，butwithoutBilly。Fromthatdayhewasrelegatedtotherockycragsabovethecamp，fromwhencehewasonlyluredoccasionallybythemischievousminers，whowishedtoexhibithispeculiarperformances。ForalthoughBillyhadamplefoodandsustenanceamongthecrags，hehadstillacivilizedlongingforposters；andwheneveracircus，aconcert，orapoliticalmeetingwas“billed“inthesettlement，hewasonhandwhilethepastewasyetfreshandsucculent。Inthiswayitwasaverredthatheonceremovedagigantictheatrebillsettingforththecharmsofthe“SacramentoPet，“andbeingcaughtintheactbytheadvanceagent，waspursuedthroughthemainstreet，carryingthedampbillonhishorns，eventuallyaffixingit，afterhisownpeculiarfashion，onthebackofJudgeBoompointer，whowasstandinginfrontofhisowncourt-house。

InconnectionwiththevisitsofthisyoungladyanotherstoryconcerningBillysurvivesinthelegendsofRockyCanyon。ColonelStarbottlewasatthattimepassingthroughthesettlementonelectionbusiness，anditwaspartofhischivalrousadmirationforthesextopayavisittotheprettyactress。Thesinglewaiting-

roomofthelittlehotelgaveupontheveranda，whichwasalsolevelwiththestreet。Afterabriefyetgallantinterview，inwhichheoratoricallyexpressedthegratitudeofthesettlementwithold-fashionedSoutherncourtesy，ColonelStarbottleliftedthechubbylittlehandofthe“Pet“tohislips，and，withalowbow，backedoutupontheveranda。ButthePetwasastoundedbyhisinstantreappearance，andbyhisapparentlycastinghimselfpassionatelyandhurriedlyatherfeet！ItisneedlesstosaythathewasfollowedcloselybyBilly，whofromthestreethadcasuallynoticedhim，andconstruedhisnovelexitintoanungentlemanlychallenge。

Billy\'svisits，however，becamelessfrequent，andasRockyCanyonunderwentthechangesincidentaltominingsettlements，hewaspresentlyforgottenintheinvasionofafewSouthwesternfamilies，andtheadoptionofamusementslesspracticalandturbulentthanhehadafforded。Itwasallegedthathewasstillseeninthemoresecludedfastnessesofthemountains，havingrevertedtoawildstate，anditwassuggestedbyoneortwoofthemoreadventurousthathemightyetbecomeedible，andafairobjectofchase。A

travelerthroughtheUpperPassofthecanyonrelatedhowhehadseenasavage-looking，hairyanimallikeasmallelkpercheduponinaccessiblerocks，butalwaysoutofgunshot。Buttheseandotherlegendsweresetatnaughtandoverthrownbyanunexpectedincident。

ThePioneerCoachwastoilingupthelonggradetowardsSkinnersPasswhenYubaBillsuddenlypulledup，withhisfeetonthebrake。

“Jimminy！“heejaculated，drawingadeepbreath。

Thestartledpassengerbesidehimontheboxfollowedthedirectionofhiseyes。Throughanopeninginthewaysidepineshecouldsee，afewhundredyardsaway，acuplikehollowinthehillsideofthevividestgreen。Inthecentreayounggirloffifteenorsixteenwasdancingandkeepingsteptothecastanet“click“ofapairof“bones，“suchasnegrominstrelsuse，heldinherhandsaboveherhead。But，moresingularstill，afewpacesbeforeheralargegoat，withitsneckroughlywreathedwithflowersandvines，wastakingungainlyboundsandleapsinimitationofitscompanion。

ThewildbackgroundoftheSierras，thepastoralhollow，theincongruousnessofthefigures，andthevividcolorofthegirl\'sredflannelpetticoatshowingbeneathhercalicoskirt，thathadbeenpinnedaroundherwaist，madeastrikingpicture，whichbythistimehadattractedalleyes。Perhapsthedancingofthegirlsuggestedanegro“break-down“ratherthananyknownsylvanmeasure；butallthis，andeventheclatterofthebones，wasmadegraciousbythedistance。

“Esmeralda！bythelivingHarry！“shoutedtheexcitedpassengeronthebox。

YubaBilltookhisfeetoffthebrake，andturnedalookofdeepscornuponhiscompanionashegatheredthereinsagain。

“It\'sthatblankedgoat，outerRockyCanyonbeyond，andPollyHarkness！HowdidsheevercometotakeupwithHIM？“

Nevertheless，assoonasthecoachreachedRockyCanyon，thestorywasquicklytoldbythepassengers，corroboratedbyYubaBill，andhighlycoloredbytheobserveronthebox-seat。Harknesswasknowntobeanew-comerwholivedwithhiswifeandonlydaughterontheothersideofSkinnersPass。Hewasa“logger“andcharcoal-

burner，whohadeatenhiswayintotheserriedranksofpinesbelowthepass，andestablishedintheseeffortsanalmostinsurmountablecordonoffallentrees，strippedbark，andcharcoalpitsaroundtheclearingwherehisrudeloghutstood，——whichkepthisseclusionunbroken。Hewassaidtobeahalf-savagemountaineerfromGeorgia，inwhoserudefastnesseshehaddistilledunlawfulwhiskey，andthathistastesandhabitsunfittedhimforcivilization。Hiswifechewedandsmoked；hewasbelievedtomakeafierybrewofhisownfromacornsandpinenuts；heseldomcametoRockyCanyonexceptforprovisions；hislogswereslippeddowna“shoot“orslidetotheriver，wheretheyvoyagedonceamonthtoadistantmill，butHEdidnotaccompanythem。Thedaughter，seldomseenatRockyCanyon，wasahalf-growngirl，brownasautumnfern，wild-eyed，disheveled，inahomespunskirt，sunbonnet，andboy\'sbrogans。SuchweretheplainfactswhichskepticalRockyCanyonopposedtothepassengers\'

legends。Nevertheless，someoftheyoungerminersfounditnotoutoftheirwaytogooverSkinnersPassonthejourneytotheriver，butwithwhatsuccesswasnottold。Itwassaid，however，thatacelebratedNewYorkartist，makingatourofCalifornia，wasonthecoachonedaygoingthroughthepass，andpreservedthememoryofwhathesawthereinawell-knownpictureentitled“DancingNymphandSatyr，“saidbycompetentcriticstobe“repletewiththestudyofGreeklife。“ThisdidnotaffectRockyCanyon，wherethestudyofmythologywaspresumablydisplacedbyanexperienceofmorewonderfulflesh-and-bloodpeople，butlateritwasrememberedwithsomesignificance。

Amongtheimprovementsalreadynoted，azincandwoodenchapelhadbeenerectedinthemainstreet，whereacertainpopularrevivalistpreacherofapeculiarSouthwesternsectregularlyheldexhortatoryservices。Hisrudeemotionalpoweroverhisignorantfellow-

sectarianswaswellknown，whilecuriositydrewothers。Hiseffectuponthefemalesofhisflockwashystericalandsensational。

Womenprematurelyagedbyfrontierdrudgeryandchild-bearing，girlswhohadknownonlytherigorsandpainsofahalf-equipped，ill-nourishedyouthintheirbattlingwiththehardrealitiesofnaturearoundthem，allfoundastrangefascinationintheextravagantgloriesandprivilegesoftheunseenworldhepicturedtothem，whichtheymighthavefoundinthefairytalesandnurserylegendsofcivilizedchildren，hadtheyknownthem。Personallyhewasnotattractive；histhinpointedface，andbushyhairrisingoneithersideofhissquareforeheadintworoundedknots，andhislong，straggling，wirybearddroppingfromastrongneckandshoulders，wereindeedofacommonSouthwesterntype；yetinhimtheysuggestedsomethingmore。Thiswasvoicedbyaminerwhoattendedhisfirstservice，andastheReverendMr。Withholderroseinthepulpit，theformerwasheardtoaudiblyejaculate，“Dodblasted！——ifitain\'tBilly！“ButwhenonthefollowingSunday，toeverybody\'sastonishment，PollyHarkness，inanewwhitemuslinfrockandbroad-brimmedLeghornhat，appearedbeforethechurchdoorwiththerealBilly，andexchangedconversationwiththepreacher，thelikenesswasappalling。

IgrievetosaythatthegoatwasatoncechristenedbyRockyCanyonas“TheReverendBilly，“andtheministerhimselfwasBilly\'s“brother。“Morethanthat，whenanattemptwasmadebyoutsiders，duringtheservice，toinveiglethetetheredgoatintohisoldbuttingperformances，andhetooknottheleastnoticeoftheirinsultsandchallenges，theepithet“blankedhypocrite“wasaddedtohistitle。

Hadhereallyreformed？Hadhispastorallifewithhisnymph-likemistresscompletelycuredhimofhispugnaciouspropensity，orhadhesimplyfounditwasinconsistentwithhisdancing，andseriouslyinterferedwithhis“fancysteps“？Hadhefoundtractsandhymn-

bookswereasedibleastheatreposters？ThesewerequestionsthatRockycanyondiscussedlightly，althoughtherewasalwaysthemoreseriousmysteryoftherelationsoftheReverendMr。Withholder，PollyHarkness，andthegoattowardseachother。TheappearanceofPollyatchurchwasnodoubtduetotheminister\'sactivecanvassofthedistricts。ButhadheeverheardofPolly\'sdancingwiththegoat？Andwhereinthisplain，angular，badlydressedPollywashiddenthatbeautifulvisionofthedancingnymphwhichhadenthralledsomany？AndwhenhadBillyevergivenanysuggestionofhisTerpsichoreanabilities——beforeorsince？Werethereany“points“ofthekindtobediscernedinhimnow？None！WasitnotmoreprobablethattheReverendMr。WithholderhadhimselfbeendancingwithPolly，andbeenmistakenforthegoat？PassengerswhocouldhavebeensodeceivedwithregardtoPolly\'sbeautymighthaveaseasilymistakentheministerforBilly。Aboutthistimeanotherincidentoccurredwhichincreasedthemystery。

TheonlymaleinthesettlementwhoapparentlydissentedfromthepopularopinionregardingPollywasanew-comer，JackFilgee。

Whilediscreditingherperformancewiththegoat，——whichhehadneverseen，——hewasevidentlygreatlyprepossessedwiththegirlherself。Unfortunately，hewasequallyaddictedtodrinking，andashewasexceedinglyshyandtimidwhensober，andquiteunpresentableatothertimes，hiswooing，ifitcouldbesocalled，progressedbutslowly。YetwhenhefoundthatPollywenttochurch，helistenedsofartotheexhortationsoftheReverendMr。

Withholderastopromisetocometo“Bibleclass“immediatelyaftertheSundayservice。Itwasahotafternoon，andJack，whohadkeptsoberfortwodays，incautiouslyfortifiedhimselffortheordealbytakingadrinkbeforearriving。Hewasnervouslyearly，andimmediatelytookaseatintheemptychurchneartheopendoor。

Thequietofthebuilding，thedrowsybuzzingofflies，andperhapsthesoporificeffectoftheliquorcausedhiseyestocloseandhisheadtofallforwardonhisbreastrepeatedly。Hewasrecoveringhimselfforthefourthtimewhenhesuddenlyreceivedaviolentcuffontheear，andwasknockedbackwardoffthebenchonwhichhewassitting。Thatwasallheknew。

Hepickedhimselfupwithacertaindignity，partlynewtohim，andpartlytheresultofhiscondition，andstaggered，somewhatbruisedanddisheveled，tothenearestsaloon。Hereafewfrequenterswhohadseenhimpass，whoknewhiserrandandthedevotiontoPollywhichhadinducedit，exhibitedanaturalconcern。

“How\'sthingsdownatthegospelshop？“saidone。“Lookasefyou\'dbeenwrastlin\'withtheSperit，Jack！“

“Oldmanmusthevexhortedpow\'ful，“saidanother，glancingathisdisorderedSundayattire。

“Ain\'tbe\'nhevin\'arowwithPolly？I\'mtoldsheslingsanawfulleft。“

Jack，insteadofreplying，pouredoutadramofwhiskey，drankit，andputtingdownhisglass，leanedheavilyagainstthecounterashesurveyedhisquestionerswithasorrowchastenedbyreproachfuldignity。

“I\'mastrangerhere，gentlemen，“hesaidslowly“ye\'veknownmeonlyalittle；butezye\'veseenmebothblinddrunkandsober，I

reckonye\'vecaughtontomygin\'ralgait！NowIwanterputittoyou，ezfair-mindedmen，efyoueversawmestrikeaparson？“

“No，“saidachorusofsympatheticvoices。Thebarkeeper，however，withaswiftrecollectionofPollyandtheReverendWithholder，andsomepossiblecontingentjealousyinJack，addedprudently，“Notyet。“

Thechorusinstantlyaddedreflectively，“Well，nonotyet。“

“Didyeever，“continuedJacksolemnly，“knowmetocuss，sass，bully-rag，orsayanythingaginparsons，orthechurch？“

“No，“saidthecrowd，overthrowingprudenceincuriosity，“yeneverdid，——weswearit！Andnow，what\'sup？“

“Iain\'twhatyoucall\'amemberingoodstandin\'，\'“hewenton，artisticallyprotractinghisclimax。“Iain\'tbe\'nconvictedo\'

sin；Iain\'t\'ameekan\'lowlyfollower；\'Iain\'tbe\'nexactlywhatIorterbe\'n；Ihevn\'tlivedanywhereuptomylights；butisthetareasonwhyaparsonshouldstrikeme？“

“Why？What？Whendidhe？Whodid？“askedtheeagercrowd，withonevoice。

JackthenpainfullyrelatedhowhehadbeeninvitedbytheReverendMr。WithholdertoattendtheBibleclass。Howhehadarrivedearly，andfoundthechurchempty。Howhehadtakenaseatnearthedoortobehandywhentheparsoncame。Howhejustfelt“kinderkamandgood，“listenin\'tothefliesbuzzing，andmusthavefallenasleep，——onlyhepulledhimselfupeverytime，——though，afterall，itwarn\'tnocrimetofallasleepinanemptychurch！

How“allofasuddent“theparsoncamein，“givehimaclipsideo\'

thehead，“andknockedhimoffthebench，andlefthimthere！

“ButwhatdidheSAY？“queriedthecrowd。

“Nuthin\'。AforeIcouldgetup，hegotaway。“

“Areyousureitwashim？“theyasked。“YouknowyouSAYyouwasasleep。“

“AmIsure？“repeatedJackscornfully。“Don\'tIknowthetfaceandbeard？Didn\'tIfeelithangin\'overme？“

“Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？“continuedthecrowdeagerly。

“Waittillhecomesout——andyou\'llsee，“saidJack，withdignity。

Thiswasenoughforthecrowd；theygatheredexcitedlyatthedoor，whereJackwasalreadystanding，lookingtowardsthechurch。Themomentsdraggedslowly；itmightbealongmeeting。Suddenlythechurchdooropenedandafigureappeared，lookingupanddownthestreet。Jackcolored——herecognizedPolly——andsteppedoutintotheroad。Thecrowddelicately，butsomewhatdisappointedly，drewbackinthesaloon。TheydidnotcaretointerfereinTHATsortofthing。

Pollysawhim，andcamehurriedlytowardshim。Shewasholdingsomethinginherhand。

“Ipickedthisuponthechurchfloor，“shesaidshyly，“soI

reckonedyouHADbe\'nthere，——thoughtheparsonsaidyouhadn\'t，——

andIjustexcusedmyselfandranouttogiveitye。It\'syourn，ain\'tit？“Sheheldupagoldspecimenpin，whichhehadputoninhonoroftheoccasion。“Ihadahardertime，though，togitthisyer，——it\'syourntoo，——forBillywaslayingdownintheyard，backo\'thechurch，andjustcomf\'blyswallerin\'it。“

“Who？“saidJackquickly。

“Billy，——mygoat。“

Jackdrewalongbreath，andglancedbackatthesaloon。“Yeain\'tgoin\'backtoclassnow，areye？“hesaidhurriedly。“Efyouain\'t，I\'ll——I\'llseeyehome。

“Idon\'tmind，“saidPollydemurely，“ifitain\'ttakin\'yeoutery\'urway。“

Jackofferedhisarm，andhurryingpastthesaloon，thehappypairweresoonontheroadtoSkinnersPass。

Jackdidnot，Iregrettosay，confesshisblunder，butlefttheReverendMr。Withholdertoremainundersuspicionofhavingcommittedanunprovokedassaultandbattery。ItwascharacteristicofRockyCanyon，however，thatthissuspicion，farfrominjuringhisclericalreputation，incitedarespectthathadbeenhithertodeniedhim。Amanwhocouldhitoutstraightfromtheshoulderhad，inthelanguageofthecritics，“suthin\'inhim。“Oddlyenough，thecrowdthathadatfirstsympathizedwithJacknowbegantoadmitprovocations。Hissubsequentsilence，adispositionwhenquestionedonthesubjecttosmileinanely，and，later，wheninsidiouslyaskedifhehadeverseenPollydancingwiththegoat，hisburstingintouproariouslaughtercompletelyturnedthecurrentofopinionagainsthim。Thepublicmind，however，soonbecameengrossedbyamoreinterestingincident。

TheReverendMr。WithholderhadorganizedaseriesofBiblicaltableauxatSkinnerstownforthebenefitofhischurch。

Illustrationsweretobegivenof“RebeccaattheWell，““TheFindingofMoses，““JosephandhisBrethren；“butRockyCanyonwasmoreparticularlyexcitedbytheannouncementthatPollyHarknesswouldpersonate“Jephthah\'sDaughter。“Ontheeveningoftheperformance，however，itwasfoundthatthistableauhadbeenwithdrawnandanothersubstituted，forreasonsnotgiven。RockyCanyon，naturallyindignantatthisomissiontorepresentnativetalent，indulgedinahundredwildsurmises。ButitwasgenerallybelievedthatJackFilgee\'srevengefulanimositytotheReverendMr。Withholderwasatthebottomofit。Jack，asusual，smiledinanely，butnothingwastobegotfromhim。Itwasnotuntilafewdayslater，whenanotherincidentcrownedtheclimaxofthesemysteries，thatafulldisclosurecamefromhislips。

OnemorningaflamingposterwasdisplayedatRockyCanyon，withacharmingpictureofthe“SacramentoPet“inthebriefestofskirts，disportingwithatambourinebeforeagoatgarlandedwithflowers，whobore，however，anundoubtedlikenesstoBilly。Thetextinenormousletters，andbristlingwithpointsofadmiration，statedthatthe“Pet“wouldappearas“Esmeralda，“assistedbyaperforminggoat，especiallytrainedbythegiftedactress。Thegoatwoulddance，playcards，andperformthosetricksofmagicfamiliartothereadersofVictorHugo\'sbeautifulstoryofthe“HunchbackofNotreDame，“andfinallyknockdownandoverthrowthedesigningseducer，CaptainPhoebus。ThemarvelousspectaclewouldbeproducedunderthepatronageoftheHon。ColonelStarbottleandtheMayorofSkinnerstown。

AsallRockyCanyongatheredopen-mouthedaroundtheposter，Jackdemurelyjoinedthegroup。Everyeyewasturneduponhim。

“Itdon\'tlookasifyerPollywasinTHISshow，anymorethanshewasinthetablows，“saidone，tryingtoconcealhiscuriosityunderaslightsneer。“Shedon\'tseemtobedoin\'anydancin\'！“

“SheneverDIDanydancin\'，“saidJack，withasmile。

“NeverDID！Thenwhatwasalltheseyarnsaboutherdancin\'upatthepass？“

“ItwastheSacramentoPetwhodidallthedancin\'；PollyonlyLENT

thegoat。Yesee，thePetkindertookashinetoBillyarterhebowledStarbottleoverthetdayatthehotel，andshethoughtshemightteachhimtricks。SosheDID，doingallherteachin\'andstage-rehearsin\'upthereatthepass，so\'stobeoutersight，andkeepthisthingdark。ShebribedPollytolendherthegoatandkeephersecret，andPollyneverletonawordtoanybodybutme。“

“ThenitwasthePetthatYubaBillsawdancin\'fromthecoach？“

“Yes。“

“AndthatyerartistfromNewYorkpaintedasan\'ImpandSatire\'？“

“Yes。“

“Thenthat\'showPollydidn\'tshowupinthemtablowsatSkinnerstown？ItwasWithholderwhokindersmeltarat，eh？andfoundoutitwasonlyatheaytergalallalongthatdidthedancin\'？“

“Well，yousee，“saidJack，withaffectedhesitation，“thet\'sanotheryarn。Idon\'tknowmebbeezIoughtertellit。Etain\'tgotanythingtodowiththisadvertisemento\'thePet，andmightberoughonoldmanWithholder！Yemustn\'taskme，boys。“

Buttherewasthatinhiseye，andaboveallinthislazyprocrastinationofthetruehumoristwhenheisapproachinghisclimax，whichrenderedthecrowdclamorousandunappeasable。TheyWOULDhavethestory！

Seeingwhich，Jackleanedbackagainstarockwithgreatgravity，puthishandsinhispockets，lookeddiscontentedlyattheground，andbegan:“Yousee，boys，oldParsonWithholderhadheardalltheseyarnsaboutPollyandthettrick-goat，andhekinderreckonedthatshemightdoforsomeoneofhistablows。Soheaxedherifshe\'dmindstandin\'withthegoatandatambourineforJephthah\'sDaughter，ataboutthetimewhenoldJephcomeshome，sailin\'inandvowin\'he\'llkillthefirstthinghesees，——jestasitisintheBiblestory。Well，Pollydidn\'tliketosayitwasn\'tHERthatperformedwiththegoat，butthePet，forthetwouldgivethePetdeadaway；soPollyagreestocometharwiththegoatandrehearsethetablow。Well，Polly\'sthar，alittleshy；andBilly，——youbetHE\'Sallthere，andreadyforthefun；butthedarnedfoolwhoplaysJephthahain\'tworthshucks，andwhenHEcomesinhedoesnothin\'butgrinatPollyandseemskeertatthegoat。ThismakesoldWithholderjestwild，andatlasthegoesontheplatformhisselftoshowthemhowthethingoughterbedone。Sohecomesbustlin\'andprancin\'in，andketchessighto\'Pollydancin\'inwiththegoattowelcomehim；andthenheclaspshishands——so——anddropsonhisknees，andhangsdownhishead——so——andsez，\'Mechyld！mevow！Oh，heavens！\'ButjestthenBilly——who\'sgettin\'

rathertiredo\'allthisfoolishness——kindersluesroundonhishindlegs，andketchessighto\'theparson！“Jackpausedamoment，andthrustinghishandsstilldeeperinhispockets，saidlazily，“Idon\'tknowifyoufellershavenoticedhowmucholdWithholderlookslikeBilly？“

Therewasarapidandimpatientchorusof“Yes！yes！“and“Goon！“

“Well，“continuedJack，“whenBillyseesWithholderkneelin\'tharwithhisheaddown，hegivesakindo\'joyousleapandclapshishoofstogether，ezmucheztosay，\'I\'moninthisscene，\'dropshisownhead，andjestlightsoutfortheparson！“

“Andbuttshimcleanthroughthesidescenesintothestreet，“

interruptedadelightedauditor。

ButJack\'sfaceneverchanged。“Yethinkso？“hesaidgravely。

“Butthet\'sjestwharyeslipup；andthet\'sjestwharBillyslippedup！“headdedslowly。“Mebbeye\'venoticed，too，thettheparson\'sbuiltkindersolidabouttheheadandshoulders。Itmoughthevbe\'nthet，orthetBillydidn\'tgetafairstart，butthetgoatwentdownonhisforelegslikeashot，andtheparsongaveoneheave，andjestscootedhimofftheplatform！Thentheparsonreckonedthetthisyer\'tablow\'hadbetterbeleftout，asthardidn\'tseemtobeanyothermanwhocouldplayJephthah，anditwasn\'tdignifiedforHIMtotakethepart。ButtheparsonallowedthetitmightbeagreatmorallessontoBilly！“

AnditWAS，forfromthatmomentBillyneverattemptedtobuttagain。HeperformedwithgreatdocilitylateroninthePet\'sengagementatSkinnerstown；heplayedadistinguishedrolethroughouttheprovinces；hehadhadtheadvantagesofArtfrom“thePet，“andofSimplicityfromPolly，butonlyRockyCanyonknewthathisrealeducationhadcomewithhisfirstrehearsalwiththeReverendMr。Withholder。

DICKSPINDLER\'SFAMILYCHRISTMAS

TherewassurpriseandsometimesdisappointmentinRoughandReady，whenitwasknownthatDickSpindlerintendedtogivea“family“

Christmaspartyathisownhouse。Thatheshouldtakeanearlyopportunitytocelebratehisgoodfortuneandshowhospitalitywasonlyexpectedfromthemanwhohadjustmadeahandsome“strike“onhisclaim；butthatitshouldassumesoconservative，old-

fashioned，andrespectableaformwasquiteunlooked-forbyRoughandReady，andwasthoughtbysomeatriflepretentious。Therewerenothalf-a-dozenfamiliesinRoughandReady；nobodyeverknewbeforethatSpindlerhadanyrelations，andthis“ringingin“ofstrangerstothesettlementseemedtoindicateatleastalackofpublicspirit。“Hemight，“urgedoneofhiscritics，“hevgiventheboys，——thathadworkedalongsideo\'himintheditchesbyday，andslunglieswithhimaroundthecamp-firebynight，——hemighthevgiventhemasquare\'blowout，\'andkep\'theleavin\'sforhisoldSpindlercrew，justasotherfamiliesdo。Why，whenoldmanScudderhadhishouse-raisin\'lastyear，hisfamilylivedforaweekonwhatwasleftover，artertheboyshadwaltzedthroughthehousethatnight，——andtheScudderswarn\'tstrangers，either。“ItwasalsoevidentthattherewasanuneasyfeelingthatSpindler\'sactionindicatedanunhallowedleaningtowardstheminorityofrespectabilityandexclusiveness，andadesertion——withouttheexcuseofmatrimony——oftheconvivialandindependentbachelormajorityofRoughandReady。

“Efhewasstuckaftersomegalandwaskinderlookingahead，I\'dhevunderstoodit，“arguedanothercritic。

“Don\'tyebetoosureheain\'t，“saidUncleJimStarbuckgloomily。

“Ye\'llfindthatsomeblamedwomanisatthebottomofthisyer\'family\'gathering。Thatandtroubleezalmostallthey\'remadefor！“

Therehappenedtobesometruthinthisdarkprophecy，butnoneofthekindthatthemisogynistsupposed。Infact，SpindlerhadcalledafeweveningsbeforeatthehouseoftheRev。Mr。Saltover，andMrs。Saltover，havingoneofher“Saleratusheadaches，“hadturnedhimovertoherwidowsister，Mrs。HuldyPrice，whoobedientlybestoweduponhimthatpracticalandcriticalattentionwhichshedividedwiththestockingshewasdarning。Shewasawomanofthirty-five，ofsingularnerveandpracticalwisdom，whohadoncesmuggledherwoundedhusbandhomefromaborderaffray，calmlymadecoffeeforhisdeceivedpursuerswhilehelayhiddenintheloft，walkedfourmilesforthatmedicalassistancewhicharrivedtoolatetosavehim，buriedhimsecretlyinhisown“quartersection，“withonlyoneotherwitnessandmourner，andsosavedherpositionandpropertyinthatwildcommunity，whobelievedhehadfled。Therewasverylittleofthisexperiencetobetracedinherround，fresh-coloredbrunettecheek，hercalmblackeyes，setinapricklyhedgeofstifflashes，herplumpfigure，orherfrank，courageouslaugh。ThelatterappearedasasmilewhenshewelcomedMr。Spindler。“Shehadn\'tseenhimforacoon\'sage，“but“reckonedhewasbusyfixin\'uphisnewhouse。“