第8章

OnlyonemistakewasmadebyMrs。Priceinherarrangementsfortheparty。Shehadnoticedwhatthesimple-mindedSpindlercouldneverhaveconceived，——thefeelingtowardshimheldbyhisoldassociates，andhadtactfullysuggestedthatageneralinvitationshouldbeextendedtothemintheevening。

“Youcanhaverefreshments，youknow，too，afterthedinner，andgamesandmusic。“

“But，“saidtheunsophisticatedhost，“won\'ttheboysthinkI\'mplayingitratherlowdownonthem，sotospeak，givin\'\'emakindo\'secondtable，asefitwasthetailingsafterastrike？“

“Nonsense，“saidMrs。Price，withdecision。“It\'squitefashionableinSanFrancisco，andjustthethingtodo。“

TothisdecisionSpindler，inhisblindfaithinthewidow\'smanagement，weaklyyielded。Anannouncementinthe“WeeklyBanner“

that，“OnChristmaseveningRichardSpindler，Esq。，proposedtoentertainhisfriendsandfellowcitizensatan\'athome，\'inhisownresidence，“notonlywidenedthebreachbetweenhimandthe“boys，“butawakenedanactiveresentmentthatonlywaitedforanoutlet。Itwasunderstoodthattheywereallcoming；butthattheyshouldhave“somefunoutofit“whichmightnotcoincidewithSpindler\'snorhisrelatives\'senseofhumorseemedaforegoneconclusion。

Unfortunately，too，subsequenteventslentthemselvestothisironyofthesituation。

Hewassoobviouslysincereinhisintent，and，aboveall，seemedtoplacesuchapatheticrelianceonherjudgment，thatshehesitatedtolethimknowtheshockhisrevelationhadgivenher。

Andwhatmighthisotherrelationsprovetobe？GoodLord！Yet，oddlyenough，shewassoprepossessedbyhim，andsofascinatedbyhisveryQuixotism，thatitwasperhapsforthesecomplexreasonsthatshesaidalittlestiffly:——

“Oneofthesecousins，Isee，isalady，andthenthereisyourniece。Doyouknowanythingaboutthem，Mr。Spindler？“

Hisfacegrewserious。“NomorethanIknowoftheothers，“hesaidapologetically。Afteramoment\'shesitationhewenton:“Nowyouspeakofit，itseemstomeI\'veheardthatmyniecewasdi-vorced。But，“headded，brighteningup，“I\'veheardthatshewaspopular。“

Mrs。Pricegaveashortlaugh，andwassilentforafewminutes。

Thenthissublimelittlewomanlookedupathim。Whathemighthaveseeninhereyeswasmorethanheexpected，or，Ifear，deserved。“Cheerup，Mr。Spindler，“shesaidmanfully。“I\'llseeyouthroughthisthing，don\'tyoumind！Butdon\'tyousayanythingabout——about——thisVigilanceCommitteebusinesstoanybody。Noraboutyourniece——itwasyourniece，wasn\'tit？——beingdivorced。

Charley(thelateMr。Price)hadaqueersortofsister，who——butthat\'sneitherherenorthere！Andyourniecemayn\'tcome，youknow；orifshedoes，youain\'tboundtobringherouttothegeneralcompany。“

Atparting，Spindler，insheergratefulness，pressedherhand，andlingeredsolongoveritthatalittlecolorsprangintothewidow\'sbrowncheek。Perhapsafreshcouragesprangintoherheart，too，forshewenttoSacramentothenextday，previouslyenjoiningSpindleronnoaccounttoshowanyanswershemightreceive。AtSacramentoherniecesflewtoherwithconfidences。

“Wesowantedtoseeyou，AuntHuldy，forwe\'veheardsomethingsodelightfulaboutyourfunnyChristmasParty！“Mrs。Price\'sheartsank，buthereyessnapped。“Onlythinkofit！OneofMr。

Spindler\'slong-lostrelatives——aMr。Wragg——livesinthishotel，andpapaknowshim。He\'sasortofhalf-uncle，Ibelieve，andhe\'sjustfuriousthatSpindlershouldhaveinvitedhim。Heshowedpapatheletter；saiditwasthegreatestpieceofinsolenceintheworld；thatSpindlerwasanostentatiousfool，whohadmadealittlemoneyandwantedtousehimtogetintosociety；andthefunofthewholethingwasthatthishalf-uncleandwholebruteishimselfaparvenu，——avulgar，ostentatiouscreature，whowasonlya“——

“Nevermindwhathewas，Kate，“interruptedMrs。Pricehastily。“I

callhisconductashame。“

“Sodowe，“saidbothgirlseagerly。AfterapauseKateclaspedherkneeswithherlockedfingers，androckingbackwardsandforwards，said，“MillyandIhavegotanidea，anddon\'tyousay\'No\'toit。We\'vehaditeversincethatbrutetalkedinthatway。

Now，throughhim，weknowmoreaboutthisMr。Spindler\'sfamilyconnectionsthanyoudo；andweknowallthetroubleyouandhe\'llhaveingettingupthisparty。Youunderstand？Now，wefirstwanttoknowwhatSpindler\'slike。Isheasavage，beardedcreature，liketheminerswesawontheboat？“

Mrs。Pricesaidthat，onthecontrary，hewasverygentle，soft-

spoken，andrathergood-looking。

“Youngorold？“

“Young，——infact，amereboy，asyoumayjudgefromhisactions，“

returnedMrs。Price，withasuggestivematronlyair。

Katehereputupalong-handledeyeglasstoherfinegrayeyes，fitteditostentatiouslyoverheraquilinenose，andthensaid，inavoiceofsimulatedhorror，“AuntHuldy，——thisrevelationisshocking！“

Mrs。Pricelaughedherusualfranklaugh，albeitherbrowncheektookuponitafainttintofIndianred。“Ifthat\'sthewonderfulideayougirlshavegot，Idon\'tseehowit\'sgoingtohelpmatters，“shesaiddryly。

“No，that\'snotit？Wereallyhaveanidea。Nowlookhere。“

Mrs。Price“lookedhere。“Thisprocessseemedtothesuperficialobservertobemerelysubmittingherwaistandshoulderstothearmsofhernieces，andherearstotheirconfidentialandcoaxingvoices。

Twiceshesaid“itcouldn\'tbethoughtof，“and“itwasimpossible；“onceaddressedKateas“Youlimb！“andfinallysaidthatshe“wouldn\'tpromise，butmightwrite！“……

ItwastwodaysbeforeChristmas。Therewasnothingintheair，sky，orlandscapeofthatSierranslopetosuggesttheseasontotheEasternstranger。Asoftrainhadbeendroppingforaweekonlaurel，pine，andbuckeye，andthebladesofspringinggrassesandshylyopeningflowers。Sedateandsilenthillsidesthathadgrowndumbandparchedtowardstheendofthedryseasonbecamegentlyarticulateagain；thereweremurmursinhushedandforgottencanyons，theleapandlaughofwateramongthedrybonesofdustycreeks，andthefullsongofthelargerforksandrivers。

Southwestwindsbroughtthewarmodorofthepinesapswellingintheforest，orthefaint，far-offspiceofwildmustardspringinginthelowervalleys。But，asifbysomeironyofNature，thisgentleinvasionofspringinthewildwoodbroughtonlydisturbanceanddiscomforttothehauntsandworksofman。Theditcheswereoverflowed，thefordsoftheForkimpassable，thesluicingadrift，andthetrailsandwagonroadstoRoughandReadyknee-deepinmud。

Thestage-coachfromSacramento，enteringthesettlementbythemountainhighway，itswheelsandpanelscloggedandcrustedwithanunctuouspigmentlikemudandblood，passedoutofitthroughtheoverflowedanddangerousford，andemergedinspotlesspurity，leavingitsstainsbehindwithRoughandReady。Aweekofenforcedidlenessontheriver“Bar“haddriventheminerstothemorecomfortablerecreationofthesaloonbar，itsmirrors，itsfloridpaintings，itsarmchairs，anditsstove。Thesteamoftheirwetbootsandthesmokeoftheirpipeshungoverthelatterlikethesacrificialincensefromanaltar。Buttheattitudeofthemenwasmorecriticalandcensoriousthancontented，andshowedlittleofthegentlenessoftheweatherorseason。

“DidyouhearifthestagebroughtdownanymorerelationsofSpindler\'s？“

Thebarkeeper，towhomthisquestionwasaddressed，shiftedhisloungingpositionagainstthebarandsaid，“Ireckonnot，ezfarezIknow。“

“Andthatoldbloatofasecondcousin——thatcrimsonbeak——whatkemdownyesterday，——heain\'tbinhangin\'roundheretodayforhisreg\'larpizon？“

“No，“saidthebarkeeperthoughtfully，“IreckonSpindler\'sgothimlockedup，andissettin\'onhimtokeephimsobertillafterChristmas，andpreventyouboysgettin\'athim。“

“He\'llhavethejimjamsbeforethat，“returnedthefirstspeaker；

“andhowaboutthatdeadbeatofahalf-nephewwhoborrowedtwentydollarsofYubaBillonthewaydown，andthenwantedtogetoffatShootersvilie，butBillwouldn\'tlethim，andscootedhimdowntoSpindler\'sandcollectedthemoneyfromSpindlerhimselfaforehe\'dgivehimup？“

“He\'suptharwiththerestofthemenagerie，“saidthebarkeeper，“butIreckonthatMrs。Pricehezbinfeedin\'himup。Andyeknowtheoldwoman——thatfifty-fifthcousinbymarriage——whomJoeChandlerswearsheremembersezanoldcookforaChineserestaurantinStockton，——darnmyskinefthatMrs。Pricehasn\'triggedheroutinsomefancydudsofherown，andmadeherlookquitedecent。“

AdeepgroanherebrokefromUncleJimStarbuck。

“Didn\'tItellye？“hesaid，turningappealinglytotheothers。

“It\'sthatdarnedwidowthat\'satthebottomofitall！ShefirstputSpindleruptogivin\'theparty，andnow，darnmyskin，efsheain\'tgointofixuptheseragamuffinsanddrill\'emsowecan\'tgetanyfunouter\'emafterall！Andit\'sbein\'awomanthat\'sbossin\'thejob，andnotSpindler，we\'vegottodrawthingsmightyfineandnotcutuptoorough，orsomeoftheboyswillkick。“

“Youbet，“saidasurlybutdecidedvoiceinthecrowd。

“And，“saidanothervoice，“Mrs。Pricedidn\'tlivein\'BleedingKansas\'fornothing。“

“Wot\'stheprogrammeyou\'vesettledon，UncleJim？“saidthebarkeeperlightly，tocheckwhatseemedtopromiseadangerousdiscussion。

“Well，“saidStarbuck，“wekalkilatetogatherearlyChristmasnightinHooper\'sHollowandrigourselvesupInjunfashion，andthenstartforSpindler\'swithpitch-pinetorches，andhavea\'torchlightdance\'aroundthehouse；themwhodoesthedancin\'andyellin\'outsidetakin\'theirturnatgoin\'inandhevin\'refreshment。

JakeCooledge，ofBoston，sezifanybodyobjectstoit，we\'veonlygottosaywe\'re\'MummersoftheOldenTimes，\'sabe？Then，later，we\'llhave\'ThemSabbathEveningBells\'performedonprospectin\'

pansbytheband。Then，atthefinish，JakeCooledgeisgoin\'togiveoneofhissurkasticspeeches，——kinderwelcomin\'Spindler\'sfamilytotheFreeOpenin\'o\'Spindler\'sAlmshouseandReformatory。“

Hepaused，possiblyforthatapprobationwhich，however，didnotseemtocomespontaneously。“Itain\'tmuch，“headdedapologetically，“forwe\'rehamperedbywomen；butwe\'lladdtotheprogrammeezweseehowthingspanout。Yesee，fromwhatwecanhear，allofSpindler\'srelationsain\'tonhandyet！We\'vegottowait，likeinelckshuntimes，for\'returnsfromthebackcounties。\'Hello！What\'sthat？“

Itwastheswishandsplutterofhoofsontheroadbeforethedoor。

TheSacramentocoach！Inaninstanteverymanwasexpectant，andStarbuckdartedoutsideontheplatform。Thentherewastheusualgreetingandbustle，thehurriedingressofthirstypassengersintothesaloon，andapause。UncleJimreturned，excitedlyandpantingly。“Lookyer，boys！Efthisain\'ttherichestthingout！

Theysaythere\'stwomorerelationso\'Spindler\'sonthecoach，comedownasexpressfreight，consigned，——d\'yehear？——consignedtoSpindler！“

“Stiffs，incoffins？“suggestedaneagervoice。

“Ididn\'tgettohearmore。Butheretheyare。“

Therewasthesuddenirruptionofalaughing，curiouscrowdintothebar-room，ledbyYubaBill，thedriver。Thenthecrowdparted，andoutoftheirmidststeppedtwochildren，aboyandagirl，theoldestapparentlyofnotmorethansixyears，holdingeachother\'shands。Theywerecoarselyyetcleanlydressed，andwithacertainuniformprecisionthatsuggestedformalcharity。Butmoreremarkablethanall，aroundtheneckofeachwasalittlesteelchain，fromwhichdependedtheregularcheckandlabelofthepowerfulExpressCompany，Wells；Fargo&Co。，andthewords:“ToRichardSpindler。““Fragile。““Withgreatcare。““Collectondelivery。“Occasionallytheirlittlehandswentupautomaticallyandtouchedtheirlabels，asiftoshowthem。Theysurveyedthecrowd，thefloor，thegildedbar，andYubaBillwithoutfearandwithoutwonder。Therewasapatheticsuggestionthattheywereaccustomedtothisobservation。

“Now，Bobby，“saidYubaBill，leaningbackagainstthebar，withanairhalf-paternal，half-managerial，“tellthesegentshowyoucamehere。“

“ByWellth，FargothExpreth，“lispedBobby。

“Wharfrom？“

“WedHill，Owegon。“

“RedHill，Oregon？Why，it\'sathousandmilesfromhere，“saidabystander。

“Ireckon，“saidYubaBillcoolly，“theykembystagetoPortland，bysteamerto\'Frisco，steameragaintoStockton，andthenbystageoverthewholeline。AllersbyWells，Fargo&Co。\'sExpress，fromagenttoagent，andfrommessengertomessenger。Fact！Theyain\'tbintetchedorhandledbyanyonebuttheKempany\'sagents；theyain\'thadalineordirectionexceptthemchecksaroundtheirnecks！

Andthey\'vewantedfornothin\'else。Why，I\'vecarriedheapso\'

treasurebefore，gentlemen，andonceahundredthousanddollarsingreenbacks，butInevercarriedanythin\'thatwaswatchedandguardedasthemkids！Why，thedivisioninspectoratStocktonwantedtogowith\'emovertheline；butJimBracy，themessenger，saidhe\'dcallitareflectiononhimselfandresign，eftheydidn\'tgive\'emtohimwiththeotherpackages！Yehadaprettygoodtime，Bobby，didn\'tye？Plentytoeatanddrink，eh？“

Thetwochildrenlaughedalittleweaklaugh，turnedeachotherbashfullyaround，andthenlookedupshylyatYubaBillandsaid，“Yeth。“

“Doyouknowwhereyouaregoin\'？“askedStarbuck，inaconstrainedvoice。

Itwasthelittlegirlwhoansweredquicklyandeagerly:——

“Yes，toKrissmassandSandyClaus。“

“Towhat？“askedStarbuck。

Heretheboyinterposedwithasuperiorair:——

“TheemeanthCouthinDick。He\'thgotKrithmath。“

“Where\'syourmother？“

“Dead。“

“Andyourfather？“

“Inorthpittal。“

Therewasalaughsomewhereontheoutskirtsofthecrowd。Everyonefacedangrilyinthatdirection，butthelaugherhaddisappeared。

YubaBill，however，senthisvoiceafterhim。“Yes，inhospital！

Funny，ain\'tit？——amoosin\'place！Tryit。Stepoverhere，andinfiveminutes，bythelivingHoky，I\'llqualifyyouforadmission，andnotchargeyouacent！“Hestopped，gaveasweepingglanceofdissatisfactionaroundhim，andthen，leaningbackagainstthebar，beckonedtosomeonenearthedoor，andsaidinadisgustedtone，“Youtellthesegalootshowithappened，Bracy。Theymakemesick！“

Thusappealedto，Bracy，theexpressmessenger，steppedforwardinYubaBill\'splace。

“It\'snothingparticular，gentlemen，“hesaid，withalaugh，“onlyitseemsthatsomemancalledSpindler，wholivesabouthere，sentaninvitationtothefatherofthesechildrentobringhisfamilytoaChristmasparty。Itwasn\'tabadsortofthingforSpindlertodo，consideringthattheywerehispoorrelations，thoughtheydidn\'tknowhimfromAdam，——wasit？“Hepaused；severalofthebystandersclearedtheirthroats，butsaidnothing。“Atleast，“

resumedBracy，“that\'swhattheboysupatRedHill，Oregon，thought，whentheyheardofit。Well，asthefatherwasinhospitalwithabrokenleg，andthemotheronlyafewweeksdead，theboysthoughtitmightyroughonthesepoorkidsiftheyweredoneoutoftheirfunbecausetheyhadnoonetobringthem。Theboyscouldn\'taffordtogothemselves，buttheygotalittlemoneytogether，andthengottheideaofsendin\'\'embyexpress。OuragentatRedHilltumbledtotheideaatonce；buthewouldn\'ttakeanymoneyinadvance，andsaidhewouldsend\'em\'C。O。D。\'likeanyotherpackage。Andhedid，andheretheyare！That\'sall！

Andnow，gentlemen，asI\'vegottodeliverthempersonallytothisSpindler，andgethisreceiptandtakeofftheirchecks，Ireckonwemusttoddle。Come，Bill，helptake\'emup！“

“Holdon！“saidadozenvoices。Adozenhandswerethrustintoadozenpockets；Igrievetosaysomewereregretfullywithdrawnempty，foritwasahardseasoninRoughandReady。Buttheexpressmansteppedbeforethem，withwarning，upliftedhand。

“Notacent，boys，——notacent！Wells，Fargo\'sExpressCompanydon\'tundertaketocarrybullionwiththosekids，atleastonthesamecontract！“Helaughed，andthenlookingaroundhim，saidconfidentiallyinalowervoice，which，however，wasquiteaudibletothechildren，“There\'sasmuchasthreebagsofsilverinquarterandhalfdollarsinmytreasureboxinthecoachthathasbeenpoured，yes，justshowereduponthem，eversincetheystarted，andhavebeenpassedoverfromagenttoagentandmessengertomessenger，——enoughtopaytheirpassagefromheretoChina！It\'stimetosayquitsnow。Butbetyourlife，theyarenotgoingtothatChristmaspartypoor！“

Hecaughtuptheboy，asYubaBillliftedthelittlegirltohisshoulder，andbothpassedout。Thenonebyonetheloungersinthebar-roomsilentlyandawkwardlyfollowed，andwhenthebarkeeperturnedbackfromputtingawayhisdecantersandglasses，tohisastonishmenttheroomwasempty……

Spindler\'shouse，or“Spindler\'sSplurge，“asRoughandReadychosetocallit，stoodabovethesettlement，onadeforestedhillside，which，however，revengeditselfbyproducingnotenoughvegetationtocovereventhefewstumpsthatwereineradicable。Alargewoodenstructureinthepseudo-classicstyleaffectedbyWesterners，withanincongruouscupola，itwasoddlyenoughrelievedbyastillmoreincongruousverandaextendingarounditsfoursides，upheldbywoodenDoriccolumns，whichwerealreadypicturesquelycoveredwithfloweringvinesandsun-lovingroses。Mr。Spindlerhadtrustedthefurnishingofitsinteriortothesamecontractorwhohadupholsteredthegildedbar-roomoftheEurekaSaloon，andwhohadapparentlybestowedthesamedesignandmaterial，impartially，oneach。Thereweregildedmirrorsalloverthehouseandchillymarble-toppedtables，giltplasterCupidsinthecorners，andstuccoedlions“intheway“everywhere。ThetactfulhandsofMrs。

Pricehadscreenedsomeofthesewithseasonablelaurels，firboughs，andberries，andhadimpartedaslightChristmasflavortothehouse。ButthegreaterpartofhertimehadbeenemployedintryingtosubduetheeccentricitiesofSpindler\'samazingrelations；

intranquilizingMrs。“Aunt“MarthaSpindler，——theelderlycookbeforealludedto，——whowasinclinedtoregardthegildedsplendorsofthehouseasindicativeofdangerousimmorality；inrestraining“Cousin“MorleyHewlettfromconsideringthedining-roombuffetasabarfor“intermittentrefreshment；“andinkeepingtheweak-mindednephew，PhinneySpindler，fromshootingatbottlesfromtheveranda，wearinghisuncle\'sclothes，orrunningupanaccountinhisuncle\'snameforvariousarticlesatthegeneralstores。Yettheunlooked-forarrivalofthetwochildrenhadbeentheonegreatcompensationanddiversionforher。Shewroteatoncetoherniecesabriefaccountofhermiraculousdeliverance。“IthinkthesepoorchildrendroppedfromtheskiesheretomakeourChristmaspartypossible，tosaynothingofthesympathytheyhavecreatedinRoughandReadyforSpindler。Heisgoingtokeepthemaslongashecan，andiswritingtothefather。Thinkofthepoorlittletotstravelingathousandmilesto\'Krissmass，\'astheycallit！——thoughtheyweresowellcaredforbythemessengersthattheirlittlebodieswerepositivelystuffedlikequails。So，yousee，dear，wewillbeabletogetalongwithoutairingyourfamousidea。I\'msorry，forIknowyou\'rejustdyingtoseeitall。“

WhateverKate\'s“idea“mighthavebeen，therecertainlyseemednownoneedofanyextraneousaidtoMrs。Price\'smanagement。

Christmascameatlast，andthedinnerpassedoffwithoutseriousdisaster。ButtheordealofthereceptionofRoughandReadywasstilltocome。ForMrs。Pricewellknewthatalthough“theboys“

weremoresubdued，and，indeed，inclinedtosympathizewiththeirhost\'suncouthendeavor，therewasstillmuchintheaspectofSpindler\'srelationstoexcitetheirsenseoftheludicrous。

ButhereFortuneagainfavoredthehouseofSpindlerwithadramaticsurprise，evengreaterthantheadventofthechildrenhadbeen。InthechangethathadcomeoverRoughandReady，“theboys“

haddecided，outofdeferencetothewomenandchildren，toomitthefirstpartoftheirprogramme，andhadapproachedandenteredthehouseassoberlyandquietlyasordinaryguests。Butbeforetheyhadshakenhandswiththehostandhostess，andseentherelations，theclatterofwheelswasheardbeforetheopendoor，anditslightsflasheduponacarriageandpair，——anactualprivatecarriage，——thelikeofwhichhadnotbeenseensincethegovernoroftheStatehadcomedowntoopenthenewditch！Thentherewasapause，theflashofthecarriagelampsuponwhitesilk，thelighttreadofasatinfootontheverandaandinthehall，andtheentranceofavisionofloveliness！Middle-agedmenandolddwellersofcitiesrememberedtheiryouth；youngermenbethoughtthemselvesofCinderellaandthePrince！Therewasathrillandahushasthislastguest——abeautifulgirl，radiantwithyouthandadornment——putadaintyglasstohersparklingeyeandadvancedfamiliarly，withoutstretchedhand，toDickSpindler。Mrs。Pricegaveasinglegasp，anddrewbackspeechless。

“UncleDick，“saidalaughingcontraltovoice，which，indeed，somewhatrecalledMrs。Price\'sown，initscourageousfrankness，“I

amsodelightedtocome，evenifalittlelate，andsosorrythatMr。M\'Kennacouldnotcomeonaccountofbusiness。“

Everybodylistenedeagerly，butnonemoreeagerlyandsurprisinglythanthehosthimself。M\'Kenna！Therichcousinwhohadneveransweredtheinvitation！AndUncleDick！This，then，washisdivorcedniece！YeteveninhisastonishmentherememberedthatofcoursenoonebuthimselfandMrs。Priceknewit，——andthatladyhadglanceddiscreetlyaway。

“Yes，“continuedthehalf-niecebrightly。“IcamefromSacramentowithsomefriendstoShootersville，andfromthenceIdrovehere；

andthoughImustreturnto-night，Icouldnotforegothepleasureofcoming，ifitwasonlyforanhourortwo，toanswertheinvitationoftheuncleIhavenotseenforyears。“Shepaused，and，raisingherglasses，turnedapolitelyquestioningeyetowardsMrs。Price。“Oneofourrelations？“shesaidsmilinglytoSpindler。

“No，“saidSpindler，withsomeembarrassment，“a——afriend！“

Thehalf-nieceextendedherhand。Mrs。Pricetookit。

Butthefairstranger，——whatshedidandsaidweretheonlythingsrememberedinRoughandReadyonthatfestiveoccasion；noonethoughtoftheotherrelations；noonerecalledthemnortheireccentricities；Spindlerhimselfwasforgotten。PeopleonlyrecollectedhowSpindler\'slovelyniecelavishedhersmilesandcourtesiesoneveryone，andbroughttoherfeetparticularlythemisogynistStarbuckandthesarcasticCooledge，obliviousofhispreviousspeech；howshesatatthepianoandsanglikeanangel，hushingthemosthilariousandexcitedintosentimentalandevenmaudlinsilence；how，gracefulasanymph，sheledwith“UncleDick“aVirginiareeluntilthewholeassemblyjoined，eagerforapassingtouchofherdaintyhandinitschanges；how，whentwohourshadpassed，——alltooswiftlyfortheguests，——theystoodwithbaredheadsandglisteningeyesontheverandatoseethefairycoachwhirlthefairyprincessaway！How——butthisincidentwasneverknowntoRoughandReady。

Ithappenedinthesacreddressing-room，whereMrs。Pricewascloakingwithherownhandsthedepartinghalf-nieceofMr。

Spindler。Takingthatopportunitytoseizethelovelyrelativebytheshouldersandshakeherviolently，shesaid:“Oh，yes，andit\'sallverywellforyou，Kate，youlimb！Foryou\'regoingaway，andwillneverseeRoughandReadyandpoorSpindleragain。ButwhatamItodo，miss？HowamItofaceitout？ForyouknowI\'vegottotellhimatleastthatyou\'renohalf-nieceofhis！“

“Haveyou？“saidtheyounglady。

“HaveI？“repeatedthewidowimpatiently。“HaveI？OfcourseI

have！Whatareyouthinkingof？“

“Iwasthinking，aunty，“saidthegirlaudaciously，“thatfromwhatI\'veseenandheardto-night，ifI\'mnothishalf-niecenow，it\'sonlyaquestionoftime！Soyou\'dbetterwait。Good-night，dear。“

And，really，——itturnedoutthatshewasright！

WHENTHEWATERSWEREUPAT“JULES\'“

Whenthewaterswereupat“Jules\'“therewaslittleelseuponthatmonotonouslevel。Forthefewinhabitantswhocalmlyandmethodicallymovedtohigherground，campingoutintentsuntilthefloodhadsubsided，leftnodistractingwreckagebehindthem。A

dozenhalf-submergedlogcabinsdottedthetranquilsurfaceofthewaters，withoutrippleordisturbance，lookinginthemoonlightmoreliketheruinsofcenturiesthanofafewdays。Therewasnocurrenttosaptheirslightfoundationsorsweepthemaway；nothingstirredthatsilentlakebuttheoccasionalshot-likeindentationsofapassingraindrop，or，stillmorerarely，araft，madeofasinglelog，propelledbysomecitizenonatourofinspectionofhiscabinroof-tree，wheresomeofhisgoodswerestillstored。

Therewasnosenseofterrorinthisblandobliterationofthelittlesettlement；theruinsofasingleburnt-upcabinwouldhavebeenmoreimpressivethanthisstupidandevengrotesquelyplacideffectoftherivaldestroyingelement。Peopletookitnaturally；

thewaterwentasithadcome，——slowly，impassively，noiselessly；afewdaysoffervidCaliforniansunshinedriedthecabins，andinaweekortwothereddustlayagainasthicklybeforetheirdoorsasthewintermudhadlain。ThewatersofRattlesnakeCreekdroppedbelowitsbanks，thestage-coachfromMarysvillenolongermadeadetourofthesettlement。Therewasevenasingularcompensationtothisamicableinvasion；theinhabitantssometimesfoundgoldinthosebreachesinthebanksmadebytheoverflow。Towaitforthe“oldRattlesnakesluicing“wasavernalhopeofthetrustingminer。

Thehistoryof“Jules\'，“however，wasoncedestinedtoofferasingularinterruptionofthispeacefulandmethodicalprocess。Thewinterof1859-60wasanexceptionalone。Butlittlerainhadfalleninthevalleys，althoughthesnowlaydeepinthehighSierras。Passeswerechoked，ravinesfilled，andglaciersfoundontheirslopes。Andwhenthetardyrainscamewiththewithheldsouthwesterly“trades，“theregularphenomenonrecurred；Jules\'

Flatsilently，noiselessly，andpeacefullywentunderwater；theinhabitantsmovedtothehigherground，perhapsalittlemoreexpeditiouslyfromanimpatiencebornofthedelay。ThestagecoachfromMarysvillemadeitsusualdetourandstoppedbeforethetemporaryhotel，expressoffices，andgeneralstoreof“Jules\'，“

undercanvas，bark，andthelimpleavesofaspreadingalder。Itdepositedasinglepassenger，——MilesHemmingway，ofSanFrancisco，butoriginallyofBoston，——theyoungsecretaryofaminingcompany，dispatchedtoreportupontheallegedauriferousvalueof“Jules\'。“

Ofthishehadbeenbynomeansimpressedashelookeddownuponthesubmergedcabinsfromthebox-seatofthecoachandlistenedtothedriver\'slazyrecitaloftheflood，andofthesingularlypatientacceptanceofitbytheinhabitants。

Itwastheoldstoryofthesouthwesternminer\'sindolenceandincompetency，——utterlydistastefultohisnorthernhabitsofthoughtandeducation。HerewastheiroldfatuousenduranceofNature\'swildcaprices，withoutthatstruggleagainstthemwhichbroughtothersstrengthandsuccess；herewastheoldphilosophywhichacceptedtheprairiefireandcyclone，andsurvivedthemwithoutadvancement，yetwithoutrepining。Perhapsindifferentplacesandsurroundingsasubmissionsostoicmighthaveimpressedhim；ingentlemenwhotuckedtheirdirtytrousersintheirmuddybootsandlivedonlyforthegoldtheydug，itdidnotseemtohimheroic。Norwashemollifiedashestoodbesidetheruderefreshmentbar——afewplankslaidontrestles——anddrankhiscoffeebeneaththedrippingcanvasroof，withanoddrecollectionofhisboyhoodandaninclementSunday-schoolpicnic。Yetthesemenhadbeenlivinginthisshiftlessfashionforthreeweeks！Itexasperatedhimstillmoretothinkthathemighthavetowaitthereafewdayslongerforthewatertosubsidesufficientlyforhimtomakehisexaminationandreport。Ashetookaprofferedseatonacandle-box，whichtiltedunderhim，andanothersurveyofthefeeblemakeshiftsaroundhim，hisirascibilityfoundvent。

“Why，inthenameofGod，didn\'tyou，afteryouhadbeenfloodedoutONCE，buildyourcabinsPERMANENTLYonhigherground？“

Althoughthetoneofhisvoicewasmoredisturbingthanhisquestion，itpleasedoneoftheloungerstoaffecttotakeitliterally。

“Well，ezyou\'veputitthatway，——\'inthenameofGod！\'“——returnedthemanlazily，“itmouthevstruckusthatezHEwasbossin\'thejob，sotospeak，andhandlin\'thingsroundheregenerally，wemightleaveittoHim。Itwasn\'tOURfloodtomonkeywith。“

“AndasHedidn\'tcoven-ant，sotospeak，tolookarterthishigherground\'speshally，andmakeanAraratofitforus，ezfarezwecouldsee，wedidn\'tseeanyreasonforSETTLIN\'yer，“putinasecondspeaker，withequallaziness。

Thesecretarysawhismistakeinstantly，andhadexperienceenoughofWesternhumornottoprolongthedisadvantageofhisunfortunateadjuration。Hecoloredslightlyandsaid，withasmile，“YouknowwhatImean；youcouldhaveprotectedyourselvesbetter。Aleveeonthebankwouldhavekeptyouclearofthehighestwatermark。“

“HeyyoueverheardWHATthehighestwatermarkwas？“saidthefirstspeaker，turningtoanotheroftheloungerswithoutlookingatthesecretary。

“Neverheardit，——didn\'tknowtherewasalimitbefore，“respondedtheman。

Thefirstspeakerturnedbacktothesecretary。“Didyoueverknowwhathappenedat\'Bulger\'s，\'ontheNorthFork？Theyhadoneo\'

themlevees。“

“No。Whathappened？“askedthesecretaryimpatiently。

“Theywasfixedsuthin\'likeus，“returnedthefirstspeaker。

“THEYallowedthey\'dbuildaleveeaboveTHEIRhighestwatermark，anddid。Itworkedlikeacharmatfirst；butthewaterhedtogosomewhere，anditkindercollectedatthefirstbend。Thenitsorterraiseditselfonitselbowsoneday，andlookedovertheleveedownuponwharsomeoftheboyswaswashin\'quitecomf\'ble。

Thenitpaidnosorterattentiontothelimito\'thathighwatermark，butwentsixinchesbetter！Notslowandquietlikeezituseterto，ezitdoesHERE，kinderfillin\'upfrombelow，butwentoverwitharushandacurrent，hevin\'ofcoursethewholeheightoftheleveetofallont\'othersidewheretheboysweresluicing。“Hepaused，andamidstaprofoundsilenceadded，“Theysaythat\'Bulger\'s\'wasscatteredpromiscuous-likeallalongthefortforfivemiles。IonlyknowthatoneofhismulesandasectionofsluicingwaspickedupatRedFlat，eightmilesaway！“

Mr。HemmingwayfeltthatthereWASananswertothis，but，beingwise，alsofeltthatitwouldbeunavailing。Hesmiledpolitelyandsaidnothing，atwhichthefirstspeakerturnedtohim:——

“Tharain\'tanythingtoseeto-day，butto-morrow，ezthingsgo，thewateroughterbedroppin\'。Mebbeyou\'dliketowashupnowandcleanyourself，“headded，withaglanceatHemmingway\'ssmallportmanteau。“Ezwethoughtyou\'dlikelybecrowdedhere，we\'veriggedupacornerforyouatStanton\'sshantywiththewomen。“

Theyoungman\'scheekflushedslightlyatsomepossibleironyinthis，andheprotestedwithconsiderablestressthathewasquiteready“toroughit“wherehewas。

“Ireckonit\'salreadyfixed，“returnedthemandecisively，“soyou\'dbettercomeandI\'llshowyoutheway。“

“Onemoment，“saidHemmingway，withasmile；“mycredentialsareaddressedtothemanageroftheBooneDitchCompanyat\'Jules\'。\'

PerhapsIoughttoseehimfirst。“

“Allright；he\'sStanton。“

“And“——hesitatedthesecretary，“YOU，whoappeartounderstandthelocalitysowell，——ItrustImayhavethepleasure“——

“Oh，I\'mJules。“

Thesecretarywasalittlestartledandamused。So“Jules“wasaperson，andnotaplace！

“Thenyou\'reapioneer？“askedHemmingway，alittlelessdictatorially，astheypassedoutunderthedrippingtrees。

“Istruckthiscreekinthefallof\'49，comin\'overLivermore\'sPasswithStanton，“returnedJules，withgreatbrevityofspeechanddeliberatetardinessofdelivery。“Sentformywifeandtwochildrenthenextyear；wifediedsamewinter，changebein\'toosuddenforher，andcontractin\'chillsandfeveratSweetwater。

WhenIkemherefirsttharwasn\'tsixincheso\'waterinthecreek；

outtherewasaheapofitovertherewhereyouseethemyallowish-

greenpatchesandstripso\'brushandgrass；allthatwarwaterthen，andallthatgrowthhezsprungupsince。“

Hemmingwaylookedaroundhim。The“higherground“wheretheystoodwasinrealityonlyamound-likeelevationabovethedeadleveloftheflat，andthefewtreesweremerelyrecentyoungwillowsandalders。Theareaofactualdepressionwasmuchgreaterthanhehadimagined，anditsresemblancetothebedofsomeprehistoricinlandseastruckhimforcibly。ApreviouslargerinundationthanJules\'

briefexperiencehadeverknownhadbeenbynomeansimprobable。

Hischeekreddenedathisprevioushastyindictmentofthesettlers\'ignoranceandshiftlessness，andthethoughtthathehadprobablycommittedhisemployerstohisownrashconfidenceandsuperiorityofjudgment。However，therewasnoevidencethatthisdiluvialrecordwasnotoftheremotepast。Hesmiledagainwithgreatersecurityashethoughtofthegeologicalchangesthathadsincetemperedthesecataclysms，andtheameliorationbroughtbysettlementandcultivation。Nevertheless，hewouldmakeathoroughexaminationto-morrow。

Stanton\'scabinwasthefurthestofthesetemporaryhabitations，andwaspartlyonthedeclivitywhichbegantoslopetotheriver\'sbank。Itwas，liketheothers，aroughshantyofunplanedboards，but，unliketheothers，ithadabaseoflogslaidlengthwiseonthegroundandparallelwitheachother，onwhichtheflooringandstructureweresecurelyfastened。Thisgaveittheappearanceofaboxslidonrunners，oraNoah\'sArkwhosebulkhadbeenreduced。

Julesexplainedthatthelogs，laidinthatmanner，kepttheshantywarmerandfreefromdamp。InreplytoHemmingway\'ssuggestionthatitwasagreatwasteofmaterial，Julessimplyrepliedthatthelogswerethe“flotsamandjetsam“ofthecreekfromtheoverflowedmillsbelow。

Hemmingwayagainsmiled。ItwasagaintheoldstoryofWesternwasteandprodigality。AccompaniedbyJules，however，heclimbedupthehuge，slipperylogswhichmadeaplatformbeforethedoor，andentered。

Thesingleroomwasunequallydivided；thelargerpartcontainingthreebeds，bydayrolledinasinglepileinonecornertomakeroomforatableandchairs。Afewdresseshangingfromnailsonthewallshowedthatitwasthewomen\'sroom。Thesmallercompartmentwasagainsubdividedbyahangingblanket，behindwhichwasarudebunkorberthagainstthewall，atablemadeofapacking-box，containingatinbasinandacanofwater。Thiswashisapartment。

“Thewomen-folksaredownthecreek，bakin\'，to-day，“saidJulesexplanatorily；“butIreckonthatoneof\'emwillbeuphereinajiffytomakesupper，soyoujusttakeiteasytilltheycome。

I\'vegottomeanderovertotheclaimaforeIturnin，butyoujustliebyto-nightandtakearest。“

Heturnedaway，leavingHemmingwaystandinginthedoorwaystilldistraughtandhesitating。NordidtheyoungmanrecognizethedelicacyofJules\'leave-takinguntilhehadunstrappedhisportmanteauandfoundhimselfalone，freetomakehistoilet，unembarrassedbycompany。Buteventhenhewouldhavepreferredtheroughcompanionshipoftheminersinthecommondormitoryofthegeneralstoretothisintrusionuponthehalf-civilizationofthewomen，theirpitiablelittlecomfortsandsecretmakeshifts。

Hisdisgustofhisownindecisionwhichbroughthimtherenaturallyrecoiledinthedirectionofhishostandhostesses，andafterahurriedablution，achangeoflinen，andanattempttoremovethestainsoftravelfromhisclothes，hestrodeoutimpatientlyintotheopenairagain。

Itwassingularlymildevenfortheseason。Thesouthwesttradesblewsoftly，andwhisperedtohimofSanFranciscoandthedistantPacific，withitslong，steadyswell。HeturnedagaintotheoverflowedFlatbeneathhim，andthesluggishyellowwaterthatscarcelybrokearippleagainstthewallsofthehalf-submergedcabins。Andthiswasthewaterforwhosegoingdowntheywerewaitingwithanimmobilityastranquilasthewatersthemselves！

Whatmarvelousincompetency，——orwhatinfinitepatience！Heknew，ofcourse，theirexpectedcompensationinthis“groundsluicing“atNature\'sownhand；thelongriftsinthebanksofthecreekwhichsooftenshowed“thecolor“inthesparklingscalesofrivergolddisclosedbytheactionofthewater；theheapsofreddishmudleftafteritssubsidencearoundthewallsofthecabins，——adepositthatoftencontainedatreasureadozentimesmorevaluablethanthecabinitself！Andthenheheardbehindhimalaugh，ashortandpantingbreath，andturning，beheldayoungwomanrunningtowardshim。

Inhisfirstastoundedsightofher，inherlimpnankeensunbonnet，thrownbackfromherheadbytheimpetusofherflight，hesawonlytoomuchhair，twomuchwhiteteeth，toomucheye-flash，and，aboveall，——asitappearedtohim，——toomuchconfidenceinthepowerofthesequalities。Evenassheran，itseemedtohimthatshewaspullingdownostentatiouslytherolled-upsleevesofherpinkcalicogownoverhershapelyarms。Iaminclinedtothinkthattheyounggentleman\'stemperwasatfault，andhisconclusionhasty；acalmerobserverwouldhavedetectednothingofthisinherfranklycheerfulvoice。Nevertheless，herevidentpleasureinthemeetingseemedtohimonlyobtrusivecoquetry。

“Lordy！Ireckonedtogithereaforeyou\'dgetthroughfixin\'up，andintimetodoalittleprinkin\'myself，andhereyou\'reoutalready。“Shelaughed，glancingathiscleanshirtanddamphair。

“Butallthesame，wekinhaveatalk，andyoukintellmeallthenewsaforetheotherwimmengetuphere。It\'sacoon\'sagesinceI

wasatSacramentoandsawanybodyoranything。“Shestoppedand，instinctivelydetectingsomevaguereticenceinthemanbeforeher，said，stilllaughing，“You\'reMr。Hemmingway，ain\'tyou？“

Hemmingwaytookoffhishatquickly，withaslightstartathisforgetfulness。“Ibegyourpardon；yes，certainly。“

“AuntyStantonthoughtitwas\'Hummingbird，\'“saidthegirl，withalaugh，“butIreckonednot。I\'mJinneyJules，youknow；folkscallme\'J。J。\'Itwouldn\'tdoforaHummingbirdandaJayJaytobeinthesamecamp，wouldit？ItwouldbejustTOOfunny！“

Hemmingwaydidnotfindthehumorofthissosingularlyexhaustive，buthewasalreadybeginningtobeashamedofhisattitudetowardsher。“I\'mverysorrytobegivingyouallthistroublebymyintrusion，forIwasquitewillingtostayatthestoreyonder。

Indeed，“headded，withaburstoffranknessquiteassincereasherown，“ifyouthinkyourfatherwillnotbeoffended，Iwouldgladlygotherenow。“

Ifhestillbelievedinhercoquetryandvanity，hewouldhavebeenundeceivedandcrushedbytheequalandsincerefranknesswithwhichshemetthisungallantspeech。

“No！Ireckonhewouldn\'tcare，ifyou\'dbeascomf\'bleandfitforto-morrow。ButyeWOULDN\'T，“shesaidreflectively。“Theboystharsituplateovereuchre，andswearaheap，andSimpson，who\'dsleepalongsideofye，snorespow\'ful，I\'veheard。AuntyStantonkindoherlevelatthat，too，andtheysay“——withalaugh——“thatI

kin，too，butyou\'reawayoffinthatcorner，anditwon\'treachyou。So，takin\'itall，bythelarge，you\'dbetterstaywharyeare。Wewimmen，thatis，themostofus，willbeoffandawaydowntoRattlesnakeBarshoppin\'aforesunup，soye\'llsleepezlongezyewantto，andfindyerbreakfastreadywhenyewake。SoI\'lljestsettoandgetyesomesupper，andyekintellmeallthedoin\'sinSacramentoand\'FriscowhileI\'mworkin\'。“

Inspiteofherunconsciousrebufftohisownvanity，Hemmingwayfeltasenseofreliefandlessconstraintinhisrelationstothisdecidedlyprovincialhostess。

“CanIhelpyouinanyway？“heaskedeagerly。

“Well，yeMIGHTbringmeanarmfulo\'woodfromthepileunderthealders，efyeain\'tafraido\'dirtyin\'yourcoat，“shesaidtentatively。

Mr。Hemmingwaywasnotafraid；hedeclaredhimselfdelighted。Hebroughtagenerousarmfulofsmallcutwillowboughs，anddepositedthembeforeasmallstove，whichseemedatemporarysubstitutefortheusuallargeadobechimneythatgenerallyoccupiedtheentiregableofaminer\'scabin。Anelbowandshortlengthofstovepipecarriedthesmokethroughthecabinside。Buthealsonoticedthathisfaircompanionhadusedtheintervaltoputonapairofwhitecuffsandacollar。However，shebrushedthegreenmossfromhissleevewithsometoweling，andalthoughthisoperationbroughthersoneartohimthatherbreath——assoftandwarmasthesouthwesttrades——stirredhishair，itwasevidentthatthiscontiguitywasonlyfrontierfamiliarity，asfarremovedfromconsciouscoquetryasitwas，perhaps，fromeducateddelicacy。

“Theboysgin\'rallykemtotakeupenoughwoodformetobeginwith，“shesaid，“butIreckontheydidn\'tknowIwascomin\'upsosoon。“

Hemmingway\'sdistrustreturnedalittleatthisobvioussuggestionthathewasonlyasubstitutefortheirgeneralgallantry，buthesmiledandsaidsomewhatbluntly，“Idon\'tsupposeyoulackforadmirershere。“

Thegirl，however，tookhimliterally。“Lordy，no！MeandMamieRobinsonaretheonlygirlsforfifteenmilesalongthecreek。

ADMIRIN\'！IcallitjestPESTERIN\'sometimes！IreckonI\'llhevtokeepadog！“

Hemmingwayshivered。Yes，shewasnotonlyconscious，butspoiltalready。Hepicturedtohimselftheuncouthgallantriesofthesettlement，theprovincialbadinage，thefeeblerivalriesoftheyoungmenwhomhehadseenatthegeneralstore。UndoubtedlythiswaswhatshewasexpectinginHIM！

“Well，“shesaid，turningfromthefireshehadkindled，“whileI\'msettin\'thetable，tellmewhat\'sa-doin\'inSacramento！Ireckonyou\'vegotheapsofladyfriendsthar，——I\'mtoldthere\'slotsoffashionsjustfromtheStates。“

“I\'mafraidIdon\'tknowenoughofthemtointerestyou，“hesaiddryly。

“Goonandtalk，“shereplied。“Why，whenTomFlynnkembackfromSacramento，andhewarn\'ttharmorenoraweek，hejestslungyarnsabouthisdoin\'sthartolastthehullrainyseason。“

Halfamusedandhalfannoyed，Hemmingwayseatedhimselfonthelittleplatformbesidetheopendoor，andbeganaconscientiousdescriptionoftheprogressofSacramento，itsnewbuildings，hotels，andtheatres，asithadstruckhimonhislastvisit。Forawhilehewassomewhatentertainedbythegirl\'svivacityandeagerquestioning，butpresentlyitbegantopall。Hecontinued，however，withagrimsenseofduty，andpartlyasareasonforwatchingherinherhouseholdduties。Certainlyshewasgraceful！

Hertall，lithe，butbeautifullymouldedfigure，eveninitscharacteristicsouthwesternindolence，fellintoposesaspicturesqueastheywereunconscious。Sheliftedthebigmolasses-

canfromitsshelfontherafterswiththeattitudeofaGreekwater-bearer。Sheupheavedtheheavyflour-sacktothesamesecureshelfwiththeupraisedpalmsofanEgyptiancaryatid。SuddenlysheinterruptedHemmingway\'sperfunctorytalkwithaheartylaugh。

Hestarted，lookedupfromhisseatontheplatform，andsawthatshewasstandingoverhimandregardinghimwithakindofmischievouspity。

“Lookhere，“shesaid，“Ireckonthat\'lldo！Youkinpullupshort！Ikinseewhat\'sthematterwithyou；you\'rejestplumbtired，tuckeredout，andwanttoturnin！SojestyousitthatquietuntilIgetsupperreadyandnevermindme。“InvainHemmingwayprotested，witharisingcolor。Thegirlonlyshookherhead。“Don\'ttellme！Youain\'tkeeringtotalk，andyou\'reonlyplayin\'Sacramentostatisticsonme，“sheretorted，withunfeignedcheerfulness。“Anyhow，here\'sthewimmencomin\'，andsupperisready。“

Therewasasoundofweary，resignedejaculationsandpantings，andthreegauntwomeninlustrelessalpacagownsappearedbeforethecabin。Theyseemedprematurelyagedandwornwithlabor，anxiety，andillnourishment。DoubtlesssomewhereintheseruinsaflowerlikeJayJuleshadonceflourished；doubtlesssomewhereinthatgracefulnymphherselfthegermofthisdrearymaturitywashidden。

Hemmingwaywelcomedthemwithaseriousnessequaltotheirown。

Thesupperwaspartakenwiththekindofjoylessformalitywhichinthesouthwestissupposedtoindicatedeeprespect，eventhecheerfulJayfallingundertheinfluence，anditwaswithafeelingofreliefthatatlasttheyoungmanretiredtohisfenced-offcornerforsolitudeandrepose。Hegathered，however，thatbefore“sunup“thenextmorningtheelderwomenweregoingtoRattlesnakeBarfortheweeklyshopping，leavingJayasbeforetopreparehisbreakfastandthenjointhemlater。Itwasalreadyachangeinhissentimentstofindhimselflookingforwardtothattete-a-tetewiththeyounggirl，asachanceofredeeminghischaracterinhereyes。

Hewasbeginningtofeelhehadbeenstupid，unready，andwithalprejudiced。Heundressedhimselfinhisseclusion，brokenonlybythemonotonousvoicesintheadjoiningapartment。Fromtimetotimeheheardfragmentsandscrapsoftheirconversation，alwaysinreferencetoaffairsofthehouseholdandsettlement，butneverofhimself，——noteventhesuggestionofaprudentloweringoftheirvoices，——andfellasleep。Hewokeuptwiceinthenightwithasensationofcoldsomarkedanddistinctfromhisexperienceoftheearlyevening，thathewasfaintopilehisclothesoverhisblanketstokeepwarm。Hefellasleepagain，comingoncemoretoconsciousnesswithasenseofaslightjar，butrelapsingagainintoslumberforheknewnothowlong。Thenhewasfullyawakenedbyavoicecallinghim，and，openinghiseyes，beheldtheblanketpartitionputaside，andthefaceofJaythrustforward。Tohissurpriseitworealookofexcitedastonishmentdominatedbyirrepressiblelaughter。

“Getupquickasyoukin，“shesaidgaspingly；“thisisaboutthekillingestthingthateverhappened！“

Shedisappeared，buthecouldstillhearherlaughing，andtohisutterastonishmentwithherdisappearancethefloorseemedtochangeitslevel。Agiddyfeelingseizedhim；heputhisfeettothefloor；itwasunmistakablywetandoozing。Hehurriedlyclothedhimself，stillaccompaniedbythestrangefeelingofoscillationandgiddiness，andpassedthoughtheopeningintothenextroom。Againhisstepproducedthesameeffectuponthefloor，andheactuallystumbledagainsthershakingfigure，asshewipedthetearsofuncontrollablemirthfromhereyeswithherapron。

Thecontactseemedtoupsetherremaininggravity。Shedroppedintoachair，and，pointingtotheopendoor，gasped，“Lookthar！

Lordy！How\'sthatforhigh？“threwherapronoverherhead，andgavewaytoanuproariousfitoflaughter。

Hemmingwayturnedtotheopendoor。Alakewasbeforehimonthelevelofthecabin。Hesteppedforwardontheplatform；thewaterwasrightandleft，allaroundhim。Theplatformdippedslightlytohisstep。Thecabinwasafloat，——afloatuponitsbaseoflogslikearaft，thewholestructureupheldbytheflooronwhichthelogsweresecurelyfastened。Thehighgroundhaddisappeared——theriver——itsbanksthegreenareabeyond。They，andTHEYalone，wereafloatuponaninlandsea。

Heturnedanastoundedandseriousfaceuponhermirth。“Whendidithappen？“hedemanded。Shecheckedherlaugh，morefromasenseofpolitedeferencetohismoodthananyfear，andsaidquietly，“Thatgetsme。Everythingwasallrighttwohoursagowhenthewimmenleft。Itwastooearlytogetyourbreakfastandrouseyeout，andIfeltasleep，Ireckon，untilIfeltakindo\'slumpandajar。“Hemmingwayrememberedhisownhalf-conscioussensation。

“ThenIgotupandsawwewasadrift。Ididn\'twakenye，forI

thoughtitwasonlyasortofwavethatwouldpass。Itwasn\'tuntilIsawweweremovin\'andthehullrisinggroundgettin\'away，thatIthoughto\'callin\'ye。“

Hethoughtofthevanishedgeneralstore，ofherfather，theworkersonthebank，thehelplesswomenontheirwaytotheBar，andturnedalmostsavagelyonher。

“Buttheothers，——wherearethey？“hesaidindignantly。“Doyoucallthatalaughingmatter？“

Shestoppedatthesoundofhisvoiceasatablow。Herfacehardenedintoimmobility，yetwhenshereplieditwaswiththedeliberateindolenceofherfather。“Thewimmenareuponthehillsbythistime。Theboyshevbindrownedoutmanytimesaforethisandgotclearoff，onsluiceboxesandtimber，withoutsquealing。TomFlynnwentdowntenmilestoSayer\'sonceontwobar\'ls，andIneverheardthatHEwascryin\'whentheypickedhimup。“

AflushcametoHemmingway\'scheek，butwithitagleamofintelligence。OfcoursetheinundationwasknowntothemFIRST，andtherewasthewreckagetosupportthem。Theyhadclearlysavedthemselves。Iftheyhadabandonedthecabin，itwasbecausetheyknewitssecurity，perhapshadevenseenitsafelyadrift。

“Hasthiseverhappenedtothecabinbefore？“heasked，ashethoughtofitspeculiarbase。

“No。“

Helookedatthewateragain。Therewasadecidedcurrent。Theoverflowwasevidentlynopartoftheoriginalinundation。Heputhishandinthewater。Itwasicycold。Yes，heunderstooditnow。ItwasthesuddenmeltingofsnowintheSierraswhichhadbroughtthisvolumedownthecanyon。Butwastheremorestilltocome？

“Haveyouanythinglikealongpoleorstickinthecabin？“

“Nary，“saidthegirl，openingherbigeyesandshakingherheadwithasimulationofdespair，whichwas，however，flatlycontradictedbyherlaughingmouth。

“Noranycordortwine？“hecontinued。

Shehandedhimaballofcoarsetwine。

“MayItakeacoupleofthesehooks？“heasked，pointingtosomeroughironhooksintherafters，onwhichbaconandjerkedbeefwerehanging。

Shenodded。Hedislodgedthehooks，greasedthemwiththebaconrind，andaffixedthemtothetwine。

“Fishin\'？“sheaskeddemurely。

“Exactly，“herepliedgravely。

Hethrewthelineinthewater。Itslackenedataboutsixfeet，straightened，andbecametautatanangle，andthendragged。Afteroneortwosharpjerkshepulleditup。Afewleavesandgrasseswerecaughtinthehooks。Heexaminedthemattentively。

“We\'renotinthecreek，“hesaid，“norintheoldoverflow。

There\'snomudorgravelonthehooks，andthesegrassesdon\'tgrownearwater。“

“Now，that\'smightycuteofyou，“shesaidadmiringly，asshekneltbesidehimontheplatform。“Let\'sseewhatyou\'vecaught。Lookyer！“sheadded，suddenlyliftingalimpstalk，“that\'s\'oldman，\'

andtharain\'tascrapofitgrowsnearerthanSpringer\'sRise，——

fourmilesfromhome。“

“Areyousure？“heaskedquickly。

“Sureaspop！Iusedtogohuntin\'itforsmellidge。“

“Forwhat？“hesaid，withabewilderedsmile。

“Forthis，“——shethrusttheleavestohisnoseandthentoherownpinknostrils；“for——for“——shehesitated，andthenwithamischievoussimulationofcorrectnessadded，“fortheperfume。“

Helookedatheradmiringly。Forallherfivefeetteninches，whatamerechildshewas，afterall！Whatafoolhewastohavetakenaresentfulattitudetowardsher！Howcharmingandgracefulshelooked，kneelingtherebesidehim！

“Tellme，“hesaidsuddenly，inagentlervoice，“whatwereyoulaughingatjustnow？“

Herbrowneyeswaveredforamoment，andthenbrimmedwithmerriment。Shethrewherselfsideways，inaleaningposture，supportingherselfononearm，whilewithherotherhandsheslowlydrewoutherapronstring，asshesaid，inademurevoice:——

“Well，Ireckoneditwasjesttookillin\'tothinkofyou，whodidn\'twanttotalktome，andwouldhevgivenyourhullpiletohevskippedouto\'this，jeststuckherealongsideo\'me，whetheryouwouldorno，forLordknowshowlong！“

“Butthatwaslastnight，“hesaid，inatoneofraillery。“Iwastired，andyousaidsoyourself，youknow。ButI\'mreadytotalknow。WhatshallItellyou？“

“Anything，“saidthegirl，withalaugh。

“WhatIamthinkingof？“hesaid，withfranklyadmiringeyes。

“Yes。“

“Everything？“

“Yes，everything。“Shestopped，andleaningforward，suddenlycaughtthebrimofhissoftfelthat，anddrawingitdownsmartlyoverhisaudaciouseyes，said，“EverythingBUTTHAT。“

Itwaswithsomedifficultyandsomegreaterembarrassmentthathesucceededingettinghiseyesfreeagain。Whenhedidso，shehadrisenandenteredthecabin。Disconcertedashewas，hewasrelievedtoseethatherexpressionofamusementwasunchanged。

Washeractapieceofrusticcoquetry，orhadsheresentedhisadvances？Nordidhernextwordssettlethequestion。

“Yekindoyernicetalkandphilanderin\'afterwe\'vesettledwharweare，whatwe\'regoin\'，andwhat\'sgoin\'tohappen。Jestnowit\'pearstomethateztheseyerelogsaretheonlythingbetwixtusand\'kingdomcome，\'ye\'dbetterbehustlin\'roundwithafewspikestoclinch\'emtothefloor。“

Shehandedhimahammerandafewspikes。Heobedientlysettowork，withlittleconfidence，however，inthesecurityofthefastening。Therewasneitherropenorchainforlashingthelogstogether；astrongercurrentandacollisionwithsomesubmergedstumporwreckagewouldloosenthemandwreckthecabin。Buthesaidnothing。Itwasthegirlwhobrokethesilence。

“What\'syourfrontname？“

“Miles。“

“MILES，——that\'safunnyname。Ireckonthat\'swhyyouwarsoFAR

OFFandDISTANTatfirst。“

Mr。Hemmingwaythoughtthisverywitty，andsaidso。“But，“headded，“whenIwasalittleneareramomentago，youstoppedme。“

“Butyouwasmovingfasterthantheshantywas。Ireckonyoudon\'ttakethatgaitwithyourladyfriendsatSacramento！However，youkintalknow。“

“ButyouforgetIdon\'tknow\'whereweare，\'nor\'what\'sgoingtohappen。\'“

“ButIdo，“shesaidquietly。“Inacoupleofhourswe\'llbepickedup，soyou\'llbefreeagain。“

Somethingintheconfidenceofhermannermadehimgotothedooragainandlookout。Therewasscarcelyanycurrentnow，andthecabinseemedmotionless。Eventhewind，whichmighthaveacteduponit，waswanting。Theywereapparentlyinthesamepositionasbefore，buthissounding-lineshowedthatthewaterwasslightlyfalling。Hecamebackandimpartedthefactwithacertainconfidencebornofherpreviouspraiseofhisknowledge。Tohissurprisesheonlylaughedandsaidlazily，“We\'llbeallright，andyou\'llbefree，inabouttwohours。“

“Iseenosignofit，“hesaid，lookingthroughthedooragain。

“That\'sbecauseyou\'relookinginthewaterandtheskyandthemudforit，“shesaid，withalaugh。“Ireckonyou\'vebeentrainedtowatchthemthingsaheapbetterthantostudythefolksabouthere。“

“Idaresayyou\'reright，“saidHemmingwaycheerfully，“butIdon\'tclearlyseewhatthefolksaboutherehavetodowithoursituationjustnow。“

“You\'llsee，“shesaid，withasmileofmischievousmystery。“Allthesame，“sheadded，withasuddenanddangeroussoftnessinhereyes，“Iain\'tsayin\'thatYOUain\'tkinderrightneither。“

Anhouragohewouldhavelaughedatthethoughtthatamerelookandsentencelikethisfromthegirlcouldhavemadehisheartbeat。“ThenImaygoonandtalk？“

Shesmiled，buthereyessaid，“Yes，“plainly。

Heturnedtotakeachairnearher。Suddenlythecabintrembled，therewasasoundofscraping，abump，andthenthewholestructuretiltedtoonesideandtheywereboththrownviolentlytowardsthecorner，withaswiftinrushofwater。Hemmingwayquicklycaughtthegirlbythewaist；sheclungtohiminstinctively，yetstilllaughing，aswithadesperateefforthesucceededindragginghertotheuppersideoftheslantingcabin，andmomentarilyrestoringitsequilibrium。Theyremainedforaninstantbreathless。Butinthatinstanthehaddrawnherfacetohisandkissedher。

Shedisengagedherselfgentlywithneitherexcitementnoremotion，andpointingtotheopendoorsaid，“Lookthere！“

Twoofthelogswhichformedthefoundationoftheirfloorwerequietlyfloatinginthewaterbeforethecabin！Thesubmergedobstacleorsnagwhichhadtornthemfromtheirfasteningwasstillholdingthecabinfast。Hemmingwaysawthedanger。Heranalongthenarrowledgetothepointofcontactandunhesitatinglyleapedintotheicycoldwater。Itreachedhisarmpitsbeforehisfeetstrucktheobstacle，——evidentlyastumpwithaprojectingbranch。

Bracinghimselfagainstit，heshovedoffthecabin。Butwhenhestruckouttofollowit，hefoundthatthelognearesthimwaslooseandhisgraspmighttearitaway。Atthesamemoment，however，apinkcalicoarmflutteredabovehishead，andastronggraspseizedhiscoatcollar。Thecabinhalfrevolvedasthegirldraggedhimintotheopendoor。

“Youbantam！“shesaid，withalaugh，“whydidn\'tyouletMEdothat？I\'mtallerthanyou！But，“sheadded，lookingathisdrippingclothesanddraggingoutablanketfromthecorner，“I

couldn\'tdrymyselfasquickasyoukin！“Tohersurprise，however，Hemmingwaytossedtheblanketaside，andpointingtothefloor，whichwasalreadyfilmedwithwater，rantothestillwarmstove，detacheditfromitspipe，andthrewitoverboard。Thesackofflour，bacon，molasses，andsugar，andalltheheavierarticlesfolloweditintothestream。Relievedoftheirweightthecabinbaseroseaninchortwohigher。Thenhesatdownandsaid，“There！thatmaykeepusafloatforthat\'coupleofhours\'youspeakof。SoIsupposeImaytalknow！“

“Yehaven\'tnotime，“shesaid，inagravervoice。“Itwon\'tbeaslongasacoupleofhoursnow。Lookoverthar！“

Helookedwhereshepointedacrossthegrayexpanseofwater。Atfirsthecouldseenothing。Presentlyhesawameredotonitsfacewhichattimeschangedtoasingleblackline。

“It\'salog，likethese，“hesaid。

“It\'snolog。It\'sanInjundug-out*——comin\'forme。“

*Acanoemadefromahollowedlog。

“Yourfather？“hesaidjoyfully。

Shesmiledpityingly。“It\'sTomFlynn。Father\'sgotsuthin\'elsetolookarter。TomFlynnhasn\'t。“

“Andwho\'sTomFlynn？“heasked，withanoddsensation。

“ThemanI\'mengagedto，“shesaidgravely，withaslightcolor。

Therosethatblossomedonhercheekfadedinhis。Therewasamomentofsilence。Thenhesaidfrankly，“Ioweyousomeapology。

Forgivemyfollyandimpertinenceamomentago。HowcouldIhaveknownthis？“

“Youtooknomorethanyoudeserved，orthatTomwouldhaveobjectedto，“shesaid，withalittlelaugh。“You\'vebeenmightykindandhandy。“

Sheheldoutherhand；theirfingersclosedtogetherinafrankpressure。Thenhismindwentbacktohiswork，whichhehadforgotten，——tohisfirstimpressionsofthecampandofher。Theybothstoodsilent，watchingthecanoe，nowquitevisible，andthemanthatwaspaddlingit，withanintensitythatbothfeltwasinsincere。

“I\'mafraid，“hesaid，withaforcedlaugh，“thatIwasalittletoohastyindisposingofyourgoodsandpossessions。Wecouldhavekeptafloatalittlelonger。“

“It\'sallthesame，“shesaid，withaslightlaugh；“it\'sjestaswellwedidn\'tlooktoocomf\'ble——toHIM。“

Hedidnotreply；hedidnotdaretolookather。Yes！Itwasthesamecoquettehehadseenlastnight。Hisfirstimpressionswerecorrect。

Thecanoecameonrapidlynow，propelledbyapowerfularm。Inafewmomentsitwasalongside，anditsownerleapedontheplatform。

Itwasthegentlemanwithhistrouserstuckedinhisboots，thesecondvoiceinthegloomydiscussioninthegeneralstorelastevening。Henoddedsimplytothegirl，andshookHemmingway\'shandwarmly。

Thenhemadeahurriedapologyforhisdelay:itwassodifficulttofind“thelay“ofthedriftedcabin。Hehadstruckoutfirstforthemostdangerousspot，——the“oldclearing，“ontherightbank，withitsstumpsandnewgrowths，——anditseemedhewasright。

Andalltherestweresafe，and“nobodywashurt。“

“Allthesame，Tom，“shesaid，whentheywereseatedandpaddlingoffagain，“youdon\'tknowHOWNEARYOUCAMETOLOSINGME。“Thensheraisedherbeautifuleyesandlookedsignificantly，notatHIM，butatHemmingway。

Whenthewaterwasdownat“Jules\'“thenextday，theyfoundcertaincuriouschangesandsomegold，andthesecretarywasabletomakeafavorablereport。Buthemadenonewhateverofhisimpressions“whenthewaterwasupat\'Jules\'，\'“thoughheoftenwonderediftheywerestrictlytrustworthy。

THEBOOMINTHE“CALAVERASCLARION“