ThisthawinhisdivinitysentArmstrong\'sheartgoingfaster。SomightanArcticexplorerthrillathisfirstkenofgreenfieldsandliquescentwaters。Theywereonalowerplaneofearthandlifeandweresuccumbingtoitspeculiar，subtleinfluence。Theausterityofthehillsnolongerthinnedtheairtheybreathed。Aboutthemwasthebreathoffruitandcornandbuildedhomes，thecomfortablesmellofsmokeandwarmearthandtheconsolationsmanhasplacedbetweenhimselfandthedustofhisbrotherearthfromwhichhesprung。Whiletraversingthoseawfulmountains，Mile。Giraudhadseemedtobewrappedintheirspiritofreverentreserve。
Wasthisthatsamewoman——nowpalpitating，warm，eager，throbbingwithconsciouslifeandcharm，femininetoherfinger-tips？Ponderingoverthis，Armstrongfeltcertainmisgivingsintrudeuponhisthoughts。Hewishedhecouldstoptherewiththischangingcreature，descendingnofarther。Herewastheelevationandenvironmenttowhichhernatureseemedtorespondwithitsbest。Hefearedtogodownupontheman-dominatedlevels。Wouldherspirit-notyieldstillfurtherinthatartificialzonetowhichtheyweredescending？
Nowfromalittleplateautheysawtheseaflashattheedgeofthegreenlowlands。Mile。Giraudgavealittle，catchingsigh。
\"Oh!look，Mr。Armstrong，thereisthesea!Isn\'titlovely？I\'msotiredofmountains。\"Sheheavedaprettyshoulderinagestureofrepugnance。\"ThosehorridIndians!JustthinkofwhatIsuffered!AlthoughIsupposeIattainedmyambitionofbecomingastellarattraction，Iwouldn\'tcaretorepeattheengagement。Itwasveryniceofyoutobringmeaway。Tellme，Mr。
Armstrong——honestly，now——doIlooksuchanawful，awfulfright？Ihaven\'tlookedintoamirror，youknow，formonths。\"
Armstrongmadeansweraccordingtohischangedmoods。Alsohelaidhishanduponhersasitresteduponthehornofhersaddle。Luiswasattheheadofthepacktrainandcouldnotsee。Sheallowedittoremainthere，andhereyessmiledfranklyintohis。
Thenatsundowntheydroppeduponthecoastlevelunderthepalmsandlemonsamongthevividgreensandsearletsandochresofthetierracaliente。TheyrodeintoMacuto，andsawthelineofvolatilebathersfrolick-
inginthesurf。Themountainswereveryfaraway。
Mlle。Giraud\'seyeswereshiningwithajoythatcouldnothaveexistedunderthechaperonageofthemountain-
tops。Therewereotherspiritscallingtoher——nymphsoftheorangegroves，pixiesfromthechatteringsurf，imps，bornofthemusic，theperfumes，coloursandtheinsinuatingpresenceofhumanity。Shelaughedaloud，musically，atasuddenthought。
\"Won\'ttherebeasensation？\"shecalledtoArmstrong。
\"Don\'tIwishIhadanengagementjustnow，though!
Whatapicnicthepressagentwouldhave!\'HeldaprisonerbyabandofsavageIndianssubduedbythespellofherwonderfulvoice\'——wouldn\'tthatmakegreatstuff？ButIguessIquitthegamewinner，anyhow——
thereoughttobeacoupleofthousanddollarsinthatsackofgolddustIcollectedasencores，don\'tyouthink？\"
HeleftheratthedoorofthelittleHoteldeBuenDescansar，whereshehadstoppedbefore。Twohourslaterhereturnedtothehotel。Heglancedinattheopendoorofthelittlecombinedreceptionroomandcafe。
HalfadozenofMacuto\'srepresentativesocialandofficialcaballerosweredistributedabouttheroom。
SefiorVillablanca，thewealthyrubberconcessionist，reposedhisfatfigureontwochairs，withanemollientsmilebeaminguponhischocolate-colouredface。Guil-
bert，theFrenchminingengineer，leeredthroughhispolishednose-glasses。ColonelMendez，oftheregulararmy，ingold-laceduniformandfatuousgrin，wasbusilyextractingcorksfromchampagnebottles。Otherpat-
ternsofMacutiangallantryandfashionprancedandposed。Theairwashazywithcigarettesmoke。Winedrippeduponthefloor。
PercheduponatableinthecentreoftheroominanattitudeofeasypreeminencewasMlle。Giraud。A
chiccostumeofwhitelawnandcherryribbonssupplantedhertravellinggarb。Therewasasuggestionoflace，andafrillortwo，withadiscreet，smallimplicationofhand-
embroideredpinkhosiery。Uponherlaprestedaguitar。
Inherfacewasthelightofresurrection，thepeaceofelysiumattainedthroughfireandsuffering。Shewassingingtoalivelyaccompanimentalittlesong:
\"WhenyouseedebigroundmoonComin\'uplikeaballoon，DisniggerskipsfurtokissdelipsObhisstylish，black-facedcoon。\"
ThesingercaughtsightofArmstrong。
\"Hi!there，Johnny，\"shecalled；\"I\'vebeenexpectingyouforanhour。Whatkeptyou？Gee!butthesesmokedguysaretheslowestyoueversaw。Theyain\'ton，atall。Comealongin，andI\'llmakethiscoffee-
colouredoldsportwiththegoldepaulettesopenoneforyourightofftheice。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidArmstrong；\"notjustnow，I
believe。I\'veseveralthingstoattendto。\"
Hewalkedoutanddownthestreet，andmetRuckercomingupfromtheConsulate。
\"Playyouagameofbilliards，\"saidArmstrong。\"I
wantsomethingtotakethetasteofthesealeveloutofmymouth。\"
\"GIRL\"
INGILTlettersonthegroundglassofthedoorofroomNo。962werethewords:\"Robbins&Hartley，Brokers。\"Theclerkshadgone。Itwaspastfive，andwiththesolidtrampofadroveofprizePercherons，scrub-
womenwereinvadingthecloud-cappedtwenty-storyofficebuilding。Apuffofred-hotairflavouredwithlemonpeelings，soft-coalsmokeandtrainoilcameinthroughthehalf-openwindows。
Robbins，fifty，somethingofanoverweightbeau，andaddictedtofirstnightsandhotelpalm-rooms，pretendedtobeenviousofhispartner\'scommuter\'sjoys。
\"Goingtobesomethingdoinginthehumiditylineto-night，\"hesaid。\"Youout-of-townchapswillbethepeople，withyourkatydidsandmoonlightandlongdrinksandthingsoutonthefrontporch。\"
Hartley，twenty-nine，serious，thin，good-looking，ner-
vous，sighedandfrownedalittle。
\"Yes，\"saidhe，\"wealwayshavecoolnightsinFloral-
hurst，especiallyinthewinter。\"
AmanwithanairofmysterycameinthedoorandwentuptoHartley。
\"I\'vefoundwhereshelives，\"heannouncedintheportentoushalf-whisperthatmakesthedetectiveatworkamarkedbeingtohisfellowmen。
Hartleyscowledhimintoastateofdramaticsilenceandquietude。ButbythattimeRobbinshadgothiscaneandsethistiepintohisliking，andwithadebonairnodwentouttohismetropolitanamusements。
\"Hereistheaddress，\"saidthedetectiveinanaturaltone，beingdeprivedofanaudiencetofoil。
Hartleytooktheleaftornoutofthesleuth\'sdingymemorandumbook。Onitwerepencilledthewords\"VivienneArlington，No。341East——thStreet，careofMrs。McComus。\"
\"Movedthereaweekago，\"saidthedetective。\"Now，ifyouwantanyshadowingdone，Mr。Hartley，Icandoyouasfineajobinthatlineasanybodyinthecity。Itwillbeonly$7adayandexpenses。Cansendinadailytypewrittenreport，covering——\"
\"Youneedn\'tgoon，\"interruptedthebroker。\"Itisn\'tacaseofthatkind。Imerelywantedtheaddress。
HowmuchshallIpayyou？\"
\"Oneday\'swork，\"saidthesleuth。\"Atennerwillcoverit。\"
Hartleypaidthemananddismissedhim。ThenhelefttheofficeandboardedaBroadwaycar。Atthefirstlargecrosstownarteryoftravelhetookaneastboundcarthatdepositedhiminadecayingavenue，whoseancientstructuresonceshelteredtheprideandgloryofthetown。
Walkingafewsquares，hecametothebuildingthathesought。Itwasanewflathouse，bearingcarveduponitscheapstoneportalitssonorousname，\"TheVallambrosa。\"
Fire-escapeszigzaggeddownitsfront——theseladenwithhouseholdgoods，dryingclothes，andsquallingchildrenevictedbythemidsummerheat。Hereandthereapalerubberplantpeepedfromthemiscellaneousmass，asifwonderingtowhatkingdomitbelonged——
vegetable，animalorartificial。
Hartleypressedthe\"McComus\"button。Thedoorlatchclickedspasmodically——nowhospitably，nowdoubt-
fully，asthoughinanxietywhetheritmightbeadmittingfriendsorduns。Hartleyenteredandbegantoclimbthestairsafterthemannerofthosewhoseektheirfriendsincityflat-houses——whichisthemannerofaboywhoclimbsanapple-tree，stoppingwhenhecomesuponwhathewants。
OnthefourthfloorhesawViviennestandinginanopendoor。Sheinvitedhiminside，withanodandabright，genuinesmile。Sheplacedachairforhimnearawindow，andpoisedherselfgracefullyupontheedgeofoneofthoseJekyll-and-Hydepiecesoffurniturethataremaskedandmysteriouslyhooded，unguessablebulksbydayandinquisitorialracksoftorturebynight。
Hartleycastaquick，critical，appreciativeglanceatherbeforespeaking，andtoldhimselfthathistasteinchoosinghadbeenflawless。
Viviennewasabouttwenty-one。ShewasofthepurestSaxontype。Herhairwasaruddygolden，eachfilamentoftheneatlygatheredmassshiningwithitsownlustreanddelicategraduationofcolour。Inperfectharmonywereherivory-clearcomplexionanddeepsea-blueeyesthatlookedupontheworldwiththeingenuouscalmnessofamermaidorthepixieofanundiscoveredmountainstream。Herframewasstrongandyetpossessedthegraceofabsolutenaturalness。AndyetwithallherNorth-
ernclearnessandfranknessoflineandcolouring，thereseemedtobesomethingofthetropicsinher——somethingoflanguorinthedroopofherpose，ofloveofeaseinheringeniouscomplacencyofsatisfactionandcomfortinthemereactofbreathing——somethingthatseemedtoclaimforherarightasaperfectworkofnaturetoexistandbeadmiredequallywitharareflowerorsomebeauti-
ful，milk-whitedoveamongitssober-huedcompanions。
Shewasdressedinawhitewaistanddarkskirt-thatdiscreetmasqueradeofgoose-girlandduchess。
\"Vivienne，\"saidHartley，lookingatherpleadingly，\"youdidnotanswermylastletter。Itwasonlybynearlyaweek\'ssearchthatIfoundwhereyouhadmovedto。
WhyhaveyoukeptmeinsuspensewhenyouknewhowanxiouslyIwaswaitingtoseeyouandhearfromyou？\"
Thegirllookedoutthewindowdreamily。
\"Mr。Hartley，\"shesaidhesitatingly，\"Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou。Irealizealltheadvantagesofyouroffer，andsometimesIfeelsurethatIcouldbecontentedwithyou。But，again，Iamdoubtful。Iwasbornacitygirl，andIamafraidtobindmyselftoaquietsub-
urbanlife。\"
\"Mydeargirl，\"saidHartley，ardently，\"haveInottoldyouthatyoushallhaveeverythingthatyourheartcandesirethatisinmypowertogiveyou？Youshallcometothecityforthetheatres，forshoppingandtovisityourfriendsasoftenasyoucareto。Youcantrustme，canyounot？\"
\"Tothefullest，\"shesaid，turningherfrankeyesuponhimwithasmile。\"Iknowyouarethekindestofmen，andthatthegirlyougetwillbealuckyone。IlearnedallaboutyouwhenIwasattheMontgomerys\'。\"
\"Ah!\"exclaimedHartley，withatender，reminiscentlightinhiseye；\"IrememberwelltheeveningIfirstsawyouattheMontgomerys\'。Mrs。Montgomerywassound-
ingyourpraisestomealltheevening。Andshehardlydidyoujustice。Ishallneverforgetthatsupper。Come，Vivienne，promiseme。Iwantyou。You\'llneverregretcomingwithme。Nooneelsewillevergiveyouaspleasantahome。\"
Thegirlsighedandlookeddownatherfoldedhands。
AsuddenjealoussuspicionseizedHartley。
\"Tellme，Vivienne，\"heasked，regardingherkeenly，\"isthereanother——istheresomeoneelse？\"
Arosyflushcreptslowlyoverherfaircheeksandneck。
\"Youshouldn\'taskthat，Mr。Hartley，\"shesaid，insomeconfusion。\"ButIwilltellyou。Thereisoneother——buthehasnoright——Ihavepromisedhimnothing。\"
\"Hisname？\"demandedHartley，sternly。
\"Townsend。\"
\"RaffordTownsend!\"exclaimedHartley，withagrimtighteningofhisjaw。\"Howdidthatmancometoknowyou？AfterallI\'vedoneforhim——\"
\"Hisautohasjuststoppedbelow，\"saidVivienne，bendingoverthewindow-sill。\"He\'scomingforhisanswer。OhIdon\'tknowwhattodo!\"
Thebellintheflatkitchenwhirred。Viviennehurriedtopressthelatchbutton。
\"Stayhere，\"saidHartley。\"Iwillmeethiminthehall。\"
Townsend，lookinglikeaSpanishgrandeeinhislighttweeds，Panamahatandcurlingblackmustache，cameupthestairsthreeatatime。HestoppedatsightofHartleyandlookedfoolish。
\"Goback，\"saidHartley，firmly，pointingdownstairswithhisforefinger。
\"Hullo!\"saidTownsend，feigningsurprise。\"What\'sup？Whatareyoudoinghere，oldman？\"
\"Goback，\"repeatedHartley，inflexibly。\"TheLawoftheJungle。DoyouwantthePacktotearyouinpieces？Thekillismine。\"
\"Icameheretoseeaplumberaboutthebathroomconnections，\"saidTownsend，bravely。
\"Allright，\"saidHartley。\"Youshallhavethatlyingplastertostickuponyourtraitoroussoul。But，goback。\"
Townsendwentdownstairs，leavingabitterwordtobewaftedupthedraughtofthestaircase。Hartleywentbacktohiswooing。
\"Vivienne，\"saidhe，masterfully。\"Ihavegottohaveyou。Iwilltakenomorerefusalsordilly-dallying。\"
\"Whendoyouwantme？\"sheasked。
\"Now。Assoonasyoucangetready。\"
Shestoodcalmlybeforehimandlookedhimintheeye。
\"Doyouthinkforonemoment，\"shesaid，\"thatIwouldenteryourhomewhileH閘oiseisthere？\"
Hartleycringedasiffromanunexpectedblow。Hefoldedhisarmsandpacedthecarpetonceortwice。
\"Sheshallgo，\"hedeclaredgrimly。Dropsstooduponhisbrow。\"WhyshouldIletthatwomanmakemylifemiserable？NeverhaveIseenonedayoffreedomfromtroublesinceIhaveknownher。Youareright，Vivienne。H閘oisemustbesentawaybeforeIcantakeyouhome。Butsheshallgo。Ihavedecided。Iwillturnherfrommydoors。\"
\"Whenwillyoudothis？\"askedthegirl。
Hartleyclinchedhisteethandbenthisbrowstogether。
\"To-night，\"hesaid，resolutely。\"Iwillsendherawayto-night。\"
\"Then，\"saidVivienne，\"myansweris\'yes。\'Comeformewhenyouwill。\"
Shelookedintohiseyeswithasweet，sincerelightinherown。Hartleycouldscarcelybelievethathersur-
renderwastrue，itwassoswiftandcomplete。
\"Promiseme，\"hesaidfeelingly，\"onyourwordandhonour。\"
\"Onmywordandhonour，\"repeatedVivienne，softly。
Atthedoorheturnedandgazedatherhappily，butyetasonewhoscarcelytruststhefoundationsofhisjoy。
\"To-morrow，\"hesaid，withaforefingerofreminderuplifted。
\"To-morrow，\"sherepeatedwithasmileoftruthandcandour。
InanhourandfortyminutesHartleysteppedoffthetrainatFloralhurst。Abriskwalkoftenminutesbroughthimtothegateofahandsometwo-storycottagesetuponawideandwell-tendedlawn。Halfwaytothehousehewasmetbyawomanwithjet-blackbraidedhairandflowingwhitesummergown，whohalfstrangledhimwithoutapparentcause。
Whentheysteppedintothehallshesaid:
\"Mamma\'shere。Theautoiscomingforherinhalfanhour。Shecametodinner，butthere\'snodinner。\"
\"I\'vesomethingtotellyou，\"saidHartley。\"Ithoughttobreakittoyougently，butsinceyourmotherisherewemayaswelloutwithit。\"
Hestoopedandwhisperedsomethingatherear。
Hiswifescreamed。Hermothercamerunningintothehall。Thedark-hairedwomanscreamedagain-
thejoyfulscreamofawell-belovedandpettedwoman。
\"Oh，mamma!\"shecriedecstatically，\"whatdoyouthink？Vivienneiscomingtocookforus!SheistheonethatstayedwiththeMontgomerysawholeyear。
Andnow，Billy，dear，\"sheconcluded，\"youmustgorightdownintothekitchenanddischargeH閘oise。Shehasbeendrunkagainthewholedaylong。\"
SOCIOLOGYINSERGEANDSTRAW
Theseasonofirresponsibilityisathand。Come，letustwineroundourbrowswreathsofpoisonivy(thatisforidiocy)，andwanderhandinhandwithsociologyinthesummerfields。
Likelyasnottheworldisflat。Thewisemenhavetriedtoprovethatitisround，withindifferentsuccess。
Theypointedouttousashipgoingtosea，andbadeusobservethat，atlength，theconvexityoftheearthhidfromourviewallbutthevessel\'stopmast。Butwepickedupatelescopeandlooked，andsawthedecksandhullagain。Thenthewisemensaid:\"Oh，pshaw!
anyhow，thevariationoftheintersectionoftheequatorandtheeclipticprovesit。\"Wecouldnotseethisthroughourtelescope，soweremainedsilent。Butitstandstoreasonthat，iftheworldwereround，thequeuesofChina-
Menwouldstandstraightupfromtheirheadsinsteadofhangingdowntheirbacks，astravellersassureustheydo。
Anotherhot-weathercorroborationoftheflattheoryisthefactthatalloflife，asweknowit，movesinlittle，unavailingcircles。Morejustlythantoanythingelse，itcanbelikenedtothegameofbaseball。Crack!wehittheball，andawaywego。Ifweearnarun(inlifewecallitsuccess)wegetbacktothehomeplateandsituponabench。Ifwearethrownout，wewalkbacktothehomeplate——andsituponabench。
Thecircumnavigatorsoftheallegedglobemayhavesailedtherimofawaterycirclebacktothesameportagain。Thetrulygreatreturnatthehightideoftheirattainmentstothesimplicityofachild。Thebillionairesitsdownathismahoganytohisbowlofbreadandmilk。Whenyoureachtheendofyourcareer，justtakedownthesign\"Goal\"andlookattheothersideofit。Youwillfind\"BeginningPoint\"there。Ithasbeenreversedwhileyouweregoingaroundthetrack。
Butthisishumour，andmustbestopped。LetusgetbacktotheseriousquestionsthatarisewheneverSociologyturnssummerboarder。Youareinvitedtoconsiderthesceneofthestory-wild，Atlanticwaves，thunderingagainstawoodedandrock-boundshore——
intheGreaterCityofNewYork。
ThetownofFishampton，onthesouthshoreofLongIsland，isnotedforitsclamfrittersandthesummerresidenceoftheVanPlushvelts。
TheVanPlushveltshaveahundredmilliondollars，andtheirnameisahouseholdwordwithtradesmenandphotographers。
OnthefifteenthofJunetheVanPlushveltsboardedupthefrontdooroftheircityhouse，carefullydepositedtheircatonthesidewalk，instructedthecaretakernottoallowittoeatanyoftheivyonthewalls，andwhizzedawayina40-horse-powertoFishamptontostrayalonetheshade——Amaryllisnotbeingintheirclass。IfasubscribertotheToadies\'Magazine，youhaveoften——Yousayyouarenot？Well，youbuyitatanews-stand，thinkingthatthenewsdealerisnotwisetoyou。Butheknowsaboutitall。HEknows——HE
knows!IsaythatyouhaveoftenseenintheToadies\'
MagazinepicturesoftheVanPlushvelts\'summerhome；
soitwillnotbedescribedhere。OurbusinessiswithyoungHaywoodVanPlushvelt，sixteenyearsold，heirtothecenturyofmillions，darlingofthefinancialgodsandgreatgrandsonofPeterVanPlushvelt，formerownerofaparticularlyfinecabbagepatchthathasbeenruinedbyanintrusivelotofdowntownskyscrapers。
OneafternoonyoungHaywoodVanPlushveltstrolledoutbetweenthegranitegatepostsof\"DolcefarNiente\"——
that\'swhattheycalledtheplace；anditwasanimprove-
mentondolceFarRockaway，Icantellyou。
Haywoodwalkeddownintothevillage。Hewashuman，afterall，andhisprospectivemillionsweigheduponhim。Wealthhadwreakeduponhimitsdirefullest。
Hewastheproductofprivatetutors。Evenunderhisfirsthobby-horsehadtanbarkbeenstrewn。Hehadbeenbornwithagoldspoon，lobsterforkandfish-setinhismouth。ForwhichIhope，later，tosubmitjustification，Imustaskyourconsiderationofhishaberdasheryandtailoring。
YoungFortunatuswasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneat，whitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，ofthewell-known\"immaculate\"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarriedaslender，neat，bamboocane。
DownPersimmonStreet(there\'snevertreenorthofHagerstown，Md。)camefromthevillage\"Smoky\"
Dodson，fifteenandahalf，worstboyinFishampton。
\"Smoky\"wasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe\"serviceable\"brand。Dust，clingingtothemois-
tureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。\"Smoky\"carriedabaseballbat，andaleagueballthatadvertiseditselfintherotundityofhistrouserspocket。Haywoodstoppedandpassedthetimeofday。
\"Goingtoplayball？\"heasked。
\"Smoky\'s\"eyesandcountenanceconfrontedhimwithafrankblue-and-freckledscrutiny。
\"Me？\"hesaid，withdeadlymildness；\"surenot。
Can\'tyouseeI\'vegotadivin\'suiton？I\'mgoin\'upinasubmarineballoontocatchbutterflieswithatwo-inchauger。
\"Excuseme，\"saidHaywood，withtheinsultingpolite——
nessofhiscaste，\"formistakingyouforagentleman。I
mighthaveknownbetter。\"
\"HowmightyouhaveknownbetterifyouthoughtI
wasone？\"said\"Smoky，\"unconsciouslyalogician。
\"Byyourappearances，\"saidHaywood。\"Nogentle-
manisdirty，raggedandaliar。\"
\"Smoky\"hootedoncelikeaferry-boat，spatonhishand，gotafirmgriponhisbaseballbatandthendroppeditagainstthefence。
\"Say，\"saidhe，\"Iknowsyou。You\'rethepupthatbelongsinthatswellprivatesummersanitariumforcity-
guysoverthere。Iseenyoucomeoutofthegate。Youcan\'tbluffnobodybecauseyou\'rerich。Andbecauseyougotonswellclothes。Arabella!Yah!\"
\"Ragamuffin!\"saidHay-wood。
\"Smoky\"pickedupafence-railsplinterandlaiditonhisshoulder。
\"Dareyoutoknockitoff，\"hechallenged。
\"Iwouldn\'tsoilmyhandswithyou，\"saidthearistocrat。
\"\'Fraid，\"said\"Smoky\"concisely。\"Yousecity-
ducksain\'tgottheIsand。Ikinlickyouwithone-
hand。\"
\"Idon\'twishtohaveanytroublewithyou，\"saidHaywood。\"Iaskedyouacivilquestion；andyoureplied，likea——likea——acad。\"
\"Wot\'sacad？\"asked\"Smoky。\"
\"Acadisadisagreeableperson，\"answeredHaywood，\"wholacksmannersanddoesn\'tknowhisplace。They，sometimesplaybaseball。\"
\"Icantellyouwhatamollycoddleis，\"said\"Smoky。\"
\"It\'samonkeydressedupbyitsmotherandsentouttoopickdaisiesonthelawn。\"
\"Whenyouhavethehonourtorefertothemembersofmyfamily，\"saidHaywood，withsomedimideasofacodeinhismind，\"you\'dbetterleavetheladiesoutofyourremarks。\"
\"Ho!ladies!\"mockedtherudeone。\"Isayladies!
Iknowwhatthemrichwomeninthecitydoes。They，drinkcocktailsandswearandgivepartiestogorillas。
Thepaperssaysso。\"
ThenHaywoodknewthatitmustbe。Hetookoffhiscoat，foldeditneatlyandlaiditontheroadsidegrass，placedhishatuponitandbegantounknothisbluesilktie。
\"Hadn\'tyerbetterringferyermaid，Arabella？\"
taunted\"Smoky。\"\"Wotyergoingtodo——gotobed？\"
\"I\'mgoingtogiveyouagoodtrouncing，\"saidthehero。Hedidnothesitate，althoughtheenemywasfarbeneathhimsocially。Herememberedthathisfatheroncethrashedacabman，andthepapersgaveittwocol-
umns，firstpage。AndtheToadies\'MagazinehadaspecialarticleonUpperCutsbytheUpperClasses，andrannewpicturesoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat，atFishampton。
\"Wot\'strouncing？\"asked\"Smoky，\"suspiciously。
\"Idon\'twantyouroldclothes。I\'mno——oh，youmeantoscrap!My，my!Iwon\'tdoathingtomamma\'spet。
Criminy!I\'dhatetobeahand-launderedthinglikeyou。
\"Smoky\"waitedwithsomeawkwardnessforhisadversarytoprepareforbattle。Hisowndeckswerealwaysclearforaction。Whenheshouldspituponthepalmofhisterriblerightitwasequivalentto\"Youmayfirenow，Gridley。\"
Thehatedpatricianadvanced，withhisshirtsleevesneatlyrolledup。\"Smoky\"waited，inanattitudeofease，expectingtheaffairtobeconductedaccordingtoFishampton\'srulesofwar。Theseallowedcombattobeprefacedbystigma，recrimination，epithet，abuseandinsultgraduallyincreasinginemphasisanddegree。
Afteraroundofthese\"you\'reanothers\"wouldcomethechipknockedfromtheshoulder，ortheadvanceacrossthe\"dare\"linedrawnwithatoeontheground。Nextlighttapsgivenandtaken，thesealsoincreasinginforceuntilfinallythebloodwasupandfistsgoingattheirbest。
ButHaywooddidnotknowFishampton\'srules。
Noblesseobligekeptafaintsmileonhisfaceashewalkedslowlyupto\"Smoky\"andsaid:
\"Goingtoplayball？\"
\"Smoky\"quicklyunderstoodthistobeaputtingofthepreviousquestion，givinghimthechancetomakepracticalapologybyansweringitwithcivilityandrelevance。
\"Listenthistime，\'saidhe。\"I\'mgoin\'skatin\'ontheriver。Don\'tyouseemeautomobilewithChineselanternsonitstandin\'andwaitin\'forme？\"
Haywoodknockedhimdown。
\"Smoky\"feltwronged。Tothusdeprivehimofpreliminarywrangleandobjurgationwastosendanarmouredknightfulltiltagainstacrashinglancewithoutpermittinghimfirsttocaracolearoundthelisttotheflourishoftrumpets。Buthescrambledupandfelluponhisfoe，head，feetandfists。
Thefightlastedoneroundofanhourandtenminutes。
Itwaslengtheneduntilitwasmorelikeawarorafamilyfeudthanafight。Haywoodhadlearnedsomeofthescienceofboxingandwrestlingfromhistutors，butthesehediscardedforthemoreinstinctivemethodsofbattlehandeddownbythecave-dwellingVanPlushvelts。
So，whenhefoundhimself，duringthem阬閑，seateduponthekickingandroaring\"Smoky\'s\"chest，heimprovedtheopportunitybyvigorouslykneadinghand-
fulsofsandandsoilintohisadversary\'sears，eyesandmouth，andwhen\"Smoky\"gottheproperlegholdand\"turned\"him，hefastenedbothhandsinthePlushvelthairandpoundedthePlushveltheadagainstthelapofmotherearth。Ofcourse，thestrifewasnotincessantlyactive。Therewereseasonswhenonesatupontheother，holdinghimdown，whileeachblewlikeagrampus，spatoutthemoreinconvenientlylargesectionsofgravelandandstrovetosubduethespiritofhisopponentwithafrightfulandsoul-paralyzingglare。
Atlast，itseemedthatinthelanguageofthering，theireffortslackedsteam。Theybrokeaway，andeachdisappearedinacloudashebrushedawaythedustoftheconflict。Assoonashisbreathpermitted，Haywoodwalkedcloseto\"Smoky\"andsaid:
\"Goingtoplayball？\"
\"Smoky\"lookedpensivelyatthesky，athisbatlyingontheground，andatthe\"leaguer\"roundinghispocket。
\"Sure，\"hesaid，offhandedly。\"The\'Yellowjackets\'\"
playsthe\'LongIslands。\'I\'mcap\'nofthe\'LongIslands。\'
\"IguessIdidn\'tmeantosayyouwereragged，\"saidHaywood。\"Butyouaredirty，youknow。\"
\"Sure，\"said\"Smoky。\"\"Yergetthatwayknockin\'
around。Say，Idon\'tbelievethemNewYorkpapersaboutladiesdrinkin\'andhavin\'monkeysdinin\'atthetablewith\'em。Iguessthey\'relies，liketheyprintaboutpeopleeatin\'outofsilverplates，andownin\'dogsthatcost$100。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidHaywood。\"Whatdoyouplayonyourteam？\"
\"Ketcher。Everplayany？\"
\"Neverinmylife，\"saidHaywood。\"I\'veneverknownanyfellowsexceptoneortwoofmycousins。\"
\"Jerliketolearn？We\'regoin\'tohaveapractice-
gamebeforethematch。Wantercomealong？I\'llputyerinleft-field，andyerwon\'tbelongketchin\'on。\"
\"I\'dlikeitbully，\"saidHaywood。\"I\'vealway-
wantedtoplaybaseball。\"
Theladies\'maidsofNewYorkandthefamiliesofWesternmineownerswithsocialambitionswillrememberwellthesensationthatwascreatedbythereportthattheyoungmulti-millionaire，HaywoodVanPlushvelt，wasplayingballwiththevillageyouthsofFishampton。Itwasconcededthatthemillenniumofdemocracyhadcome。Reportersandphotographersswarmedtotheisland。Thepapersprintedhalf-pagepicturesofhimasshort-stopstoppingahotgrounder。TheToadies\'
MagazinegotoutaBatandBallnumberthatcoveredthesubjecthistorically，beginningwiththevampirebatandendingwiththePatriarchs\'ball——illustratedwithinteriorviewsoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat。
Ministers，educatorsandsociologistseverywherehailedtheeventasthetocsincallthatproclaimedtheuniversalbrotherhoodofman。
OneafternoonIwasrecliningunderthetreesneartheshoreatFishamptonintheesteemedcompanyofaneminent，bald-headedyoungsociologist。Bywayofnoteitmaybeinsertedthatallsociologistsaremoreorlessbald，andexactlythirty-two。Look\'emover。
ThesociologistwascitingtheVanPlushveltcaseasthemostimportant\"uplift\"symptomofageneration，andasanexcuseforhisownexistence。
Immediatelybeforeuswerethevillagebaseballgrounds。
AndnowcamethesportiveyouthofFishamptonanddistributedthemselves，shouting，aboutthediamond。
\"There，\"saidthesociologist，pointing，\"thereisyoungVanPlushvelt。\"
Iraisedmyself(sofaracosycophantwithMaryAnn)
andgazed。
YoungVanPlushveltsatupontheground。Hewasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-
worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe\"ser-
viceable\"brand。Dustclingingtothemoistureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。
\"Thatishe，\"repeatedthesociologist。Ifhehadsaid\"him\"Icouldhavebeenlessvindictive。
Onabench，withanair，sattheyoungmillionaire\'schum。
Hewasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneatwhitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，linenofthewell-known\"immaculate\"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarrieda-slender，neatbamboocane。
Ilaughedloudlyandvulgarly。
\"Whatyouwanttodo，\"saidItothesociologist，\"istoestablishareformatoryfortheLogicalViciousCircle。
OrelseI\'vegotwheels。Itlookstomeasifthingsarerunningroundandroundincirclesinsteadofgettinganywhere。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedthemanofprogress。
\"Why，lookwhathehasdoneto\"Smoky，\"Ireplied。
\"Youwillalwaysbeafool，\"saidmyfriend，thesociolo-
gist，gettingupandwalkingaway。
THERANSOMOFREDCHIEF
ITLOOKEDlikeagoodthing:butwaittillItellyou。
WeweredownSouth，inAlabama——BillDriscollandmyself——whenthiskidnappingideastruckus。Itwas，asBillafterwardexpressedit，\"duringamomentoftemporarymentalapparition\"；butwedidn\'tfindthatouttilllater。
Therewasatowndownthere，asflatasaflannel-cake，andcalledSummit，ofcourse。ItcontainedinhabitantsOfasundeleteriousandself-satisfiedaclassofpeasantryaseverclusteredaroundaMaypole。
Billandmehadajointcapitalofaboutsixhundreddollars，andweneededjusttwothousanddollarsmoretopulloffafraudulenttown-lotschemeinWesternIllinoiswith。Wetalkeditoveronthefrontstepsofthehotel。Philoprogenitiveness，sayswe，isstronginsemi-
ruralcommunities；thereforeandforotherreasons，akidnappingprojectoughttodobettertherethanintheradiusofnewspapersthatsendreportersoutinplainclothestostiruptalkaboutsuchthings。WeknewthatSummitcouldn\'tgetafteruswithanythingstrongerthanconstablesandmaybesomelackadaisicalblood-
houndsandadiatribeortwointheWeeklyFarmers\'
Budget。So，itlookedgood。
WeselectedforourvictimtheonlychildofaprominentcitizennamedEbenezerDorset。Thefatherwasrespect-
ableandtight，amortgagefancierandastern，uprightcollection-platepasserandforecloser。Thekidwasaboyoften，withbas-relieffreckles，andhairthecolourofthecoverofthemagazineyoubuyatthenews-standwhenyouwanttocatchatrain。BillandmefiguredthatEbenezerwouldmeltdownforaransomoftwothousanddollarstoacent。ButwaittillItellyou。
AbouttwomilesfromSummitwasalittlemountain，coveredwithadensecedarbrake。Ontherearelevationofthismountainwasacave。Therewestoredprovisions。
Oneeveningaftersundown，wedroveinabuggypastoldDorset\'shouse。Thekidwasinthestreet，throw-
ingrocksatakittenontheoppositefence。
\"Hey，littleboy!\"saysBill，\"wouldyouliketohaveabagofcandyandaniceride？\"
TheboycatchesBillneatlyintheeyewithapieceofbrick。
\"Thatwillcosttheoldmananextrafivehundreddollars，\"saysBill，climbingoverthewheel。
Thatboyputupafightlikeawelter-weightcinnamonbear；but，atlast，wegothimdowninthebottomofthebuggyanddroveaway。WetookhimuptothecaveandIhitchedthehorseinthecedarbrake。AfterdarkI
drovethebuggytothelittlevillage，threemilesaway，wherewehadhiredit，andwalkedbacktothemoun-
tain。
Billwaspastingcourt-plasteroverthescratchesandbruisesonhisfeatures。Therewasaburningbehindthebigrockattheentranceofthecave，andtheboywaswatchingapotofboilingcoffee，withtwobuzzardtail-
feathersstuckinhisredhair。HepointsastickatmewhenIcomeup，andsays:
\"Ha!cursedpaleface，doyoudaretoenterthecampofRedChief，theterroroftheplains？
\"He\'sallrightnow，\"saysBill，rollinguphistrousersandexaminingsomebruisesonhisshins。\"We\'replayingIndian。We\'remakingBuffaloBill\'sshowlooklikemagic-lanternviewsofPalestineinthetownhall。
I\'mOldHank，theTrapper，RedChief\'scaptive，andI\'mtobescalpedatdaybreak。ByGeronimo!thatkidcankickhard。\"
Yes，sir，thatboyseemedtobehavingthetimeofhislife。Thefunofcampingoutinacavehadmadehimforgetthathewasacaptive，himself。HeimmediatelychristenedmeSnake-eye，theSpy，andannouncedthat，whenhisbravesreturnedfromthewarpath，Iwastobebroiledatthestakeattherisingofthesun。
Thenwehadsupper；andhefilledhismouthfullofbaconandbreadandgravy，andbegantotalk。Hemadeaduring-dinnerspeechsomethinglikethis:
\"Ilikethisfine。Inevercampedoutbefore；butI
hadapet\'possumonce，andIwasninelastbirthday。
Ihatetogotoschool。RatsateupsixteenofJimmyTalbot\'saunt\'sspeckledhen\'seggs。ArethereanyrealIndiansinthesewoods？Iwantsomemoregravy。
Doesthetreesmovingmakethewindblow？Wehadfivepuppies。Whatmakesyournosesored，Hank？
Myfatherhaslotsofmoney。Arethestarshot？I
whippedEdWalkertwice，Saturday。Idon\'tlikegirls。
Youdassentcatchtoadsunlesswithastring。Dooxenmakeanynoise？Whyareorangesround？Haveyougotbedstosleeponinthiscave？AmosMurrayhasgotSixtoes。Aparrotcantalk，butamonkeyorafishcan\'t。
Howmanydoesittaketomaketwelve？\"
Everyfewminuteshewouldrememberthathewasapeskyredskin，andpickuphisstickrifleandtiptoetothemouthofthecavetorubberforthescoutsofthehatedpaleface。Nowandthenhewouldletoutawar-
whoopthatmadeOldHanktheTrappershiver。ThatboyhadBillterrorizedfromthestart。
\"RedChief，\"saysItothekid，\"wouldyouliketogohome？\"
\"Aw，whatfor？\"sayshe。\"Idon\'thaveanyfunathome。Ihatetogotoschool。Iliketocampout。Youwon\'ttakemebackhomeagain，Snake-eye，willyou？\"
\"Notrightaway，\"saysI。\"We\'llstayhereinthecaveawhile。\"
\"Allright!\"sayshe。\"That\'llbefine。Ineverhadsuchfuninallmylife。\"
Wewenttobedabouteleveno\'clock。WespreaddownsomewideblanketsandquiltsandputRedChiefbetweenus。Weweren\'tafraidhe\'drunaway。Hekeptusawakeforthreehours，jumpingupandreachingforhisrifleandscreeching:\"Hist!pard，\"inmineandBill\'sears，asthefanciedcrackleofatwigortherustleofaleafrevealedtohisyoungimaginationthestealthyapproachoftheoutlawband。Atlast，Ifellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamedthatIhadbeenkidnappedandchainedtoatreebyaferociouspiratewithredhair。
Justatdaybreak，IwasawakenedbyaseriesofawfulscreamsfromBill。Theyweren\'tyells，orhowls，orshouts，orwhoops，oryalps，suchasyou\'dexpectfromamanlysetofvocalorgans——theyweresimplyindecent，terrifying，humiliatingscreams，suchaswomenemitwhentheyseeghostsorcaterpillars。It\'sanawfulthingtohearastrong，desperate，fatmanscreamincontinentlyinacaveatdaybreak。
Ijumpeduptoseewhatthematterwas。RedChiefwassittingonBill\'schest，withonehandtwinedinBill\'shair。Intheotherhehadthesharpcase-knifeweusedforslicing，bacon；andhewasindustriouslyandrealisticallytryingtotakeBill\'sscalp，accordingtothesentencethathadbeenpronounceduponhimtheeveningbefore。
Igottheknifeawayfromthekidandmadehimliedownagain。But，fromthatmoment，Bill\'sspiritwasbroken。Helaiddownonhissideofthebed，butheneverclosedaneyeagaininsleepaslongasthatboywaswithus。
Idozedoffforawhile，butalongtowardsun-upIremem-
beredthatRedChiefhadsaidIwastobeburnedatthestakeattherisingofthesun。Iwasn\'tnervousorafraid；
butIsatupandlitmypipeandleanedagainstarock。
\"Whatyougettingupsosoonfor，Sam？\"askedBill。
\"Me？\"saysI。\"Oh，Igotakindofapaininmyshoulder。Ithoughtsittingupwouldrestit。\"
\"You\'realiar!\"saysBill。\"You\'reafraid。Youwastobeburnedatsunrise，andyouwasafraidhe\'ddoit。Andhewould，too，ifhecouldfindamatch。
Ain\'titawful，Sam？Doyouthinkanybodywillpayoutmoneytogetalittleimplikethatbackhome？\"
\"Sure，\"saidI。\"Arowdykidlikethatisjustthekindthatparentsdoteon。Now，youandtheChiefgetupandcookbreakfast，whileIgouponthetopofthismountainandreconnoitre。\"
Iwentuponthepeakofthelittlemountainandranmyeyeoverthecontiguousvicinity。OvertowardSummitI
expectedtoseethesturdyyeomanryofthevillagearmedwithscythesandpitchforksbeatingthecountrysideforthedastardlykidnappers。ButwhatIsawwasapeacefullandscapedottedwithonemanploughingwithadunmule。Nobodywasdraggingthecreek；nocouriersdashedhitherandyon，bringingtidingsofnonewstothedistractedparents。TherewasasylvanattitudeofsomnolentsleepinesspervadingthatsectionoftheexternaloutwardsurfaceofAlabamathatlayexposedtomyview。
\"Perhaps，\"saysItomyself，\"ithasnotyetbeendiscov-
eredthatthewolveshavehomeawaythetenderlambkinfromthefold。Heavenhelpthewolves!\"saysI，andI
wentdownthemountaintobreakfast。
WhenIgottothecaveIfoundBillbackedupagainstthesideofit，breathinghard，andtheboythreateningtosmashhimwitharockhalfasbigasacocoanut。
\"Heputared-hotboiledpotatodownmyback，\"
explainedBill，\"andthemasheditwithhisfoot；andIboxedhisears。Haveyougotagunaboutyou，Sam？
Itooktherockawayfromtheboyandkindofpatcheduptheargument。\"I\'llfixyou，\"saysthekidtoBill。
\"NomaneveryetstrucktheRedChiefbutwhathegotpaidforit。Youbetterbeware!\"
Afterbreakfastthekidtakesapieceofleatherwithstringswrappedarounditoutofhispocketandgoesout-
sidethecaveunwindingit。
\"What\'sheuptonow？\"saysBill，anxiously。\"Youdon\'tthinkhe\'llrunaway，doyou，Sam？\"
\"Nofearofit，\"saysI。\"Hedon\'tseemtobemuchofahomebody。Butwe\'vegottofixupsomeplanabouttheransom。Theredon\'tseemtobemuchexcitementaroundSummitonaccountofhisdisappearance；butmaybetheyhaven\'trealizedyetthathe\'sgone。Hisfolksmaythinkhe\'sspendingthenightwithAuntJaneoroneoftheneighbours。Anyhow，he\'llbemissedto-day。
To-nightwemustgetamessagetohisfatherdemandingthetwothousanddollarsforhisreturn。\"
JustthenweheardakindOfwar-whoop，suchasDavidmighthaveemittedwhenheknockedoutthechampionGoliath。ItwasaslingthatRedChiefhadpulledoutofhispocket，andhewaswhirlingitaroundhishead。
Idodged，andheardaheavythudandakindofasighfromBill，likeahorsegivesoutwhenyoutakehissaddleoff。AniggerheadrockthesizeofanegghadcaughtBilljustbehindhisleftear。Heloosenedhimselfalloverandfellinthefireacrossthefryingpanofhotwaterforwashingthedishes。Idraggedhimoutandpouredcoldwateronhisheadforhalfanhour。
Byandby，Billsitsupandfeelsbehindhisearandsays:\"Sam，doyouknowwhomyfavouriteBiblicalcharacteris？\"
\"Takeiteasy，\"saysI。\"You\'llcometoyoursensespresently。\"
\"KingHerod，\"sayshe。\"Youwon\'tgoawayandleavemeherealone，willyou，Sam？\"
Iwentoutandcaughtthatboyandshookhimuntilhisfrecklesrattled。
\"Ifyoudon\'tbehave，\"saysI，\"I\'lltakeyoustraighthome。Now，areyougoingtobegood，ornot？\"
\"Iwasonlyfunning，\"sayshesullenly。\"Ididn\'tmeantohurtOldHank。Butwhatdidhehitmefor？
\"I\'llbehave，Snake-eye，ifyouwon\'tsendmehome，andifyou\'llletmeplaytheBlackScoutto-day。\"
\"Idon\'tknowthegame，\"saysI。\"That\'sforyouandMr。Billtodecide。He\'syourplaymatefortheday。
I\'mgoingawayforawhile，onbusiness。Now，youcomeinandmakefriendswithhimandsayyouaresorryforhurtinghim，orhomeyougo，atonce。\"
ImadehimandBillshakehands，andthenItookBillasideandtoldhimIwasgoingtoPoplarCove，alittlevillagethreemilesfromthecave，andfindoutwhatI
couldabouthowthekidnappinghadbeenregardedinSummit。Also，IthoughtitbesttosendaperemptorylettertooldmanDorsetthatday，demandingtheransomanddictatinghowitshouldbepaid。
\"Youknow，Sam，\"saysBill，\"I\'vestoodbyyouwith-
outbattinganeyeinearthquakes，fireandflood——inpokergames，dynamiteoutrages，policeraids，trainrobberiesandcyclones。Ineverlostmynerveyettillwekidnappedthattwo-leggedskyrocketofakid。He\'sgotmegoing。Youwon\'tleavemelongwithhim，willyou，Sam？\"
\"I\'llbebacksometimethisafternoon，\"saysI。\"YoumustkeeptheboyamusedandquiettillIreturn。Andnowwe\'llwritethelettertooldDorset。\"
BillandIgotpaperandpencilandworkedontheletterwhileRedChief，withablanketwrappedaroundhim，struttedupanddown，guardingthemouthofthecave。Billbeggedmetearfullytomaketheransomfifteenhundreddollarsinsteadoftwothousand。\"I
ain\'tattempting，\"sayshe，\"todecrythecelebratedmoralaspectofparentalaffection，butwe\'redealingwithhumans，anditain\'thumanforanybodytogiveuptwothousanddollarsforthatforty-poundchunkoffreckledwildcat。I\'mwillingtotakeachanceatfifteenhundreddollars。Youcanchargethedifferenceuptome。\"
So，torelieveBill，Iacceded，andwecollaboratedaletterthatranthisway:
EbenezerDorset，Esq。:
WehaveyourboyconcealedinaplacefarfromSummit。
Itisuselessforyouorthemostskilfuldetectivestoattempttofindhim。Absolutely，theonlytermsonwhichyoucanhavehimrestoredtoyouarethese:Wedemandfifteenhundreddollarsinlargebillsforhisreturn；
themoneytobeleftatmidnightto-nightatthesamespotandinthesameboxasyourreply——ashereinafterdescribed。Ifyouagreetotheseterms，sendyouranswerinwritingbyasolitarymessengerto-nightathalf-pasteighto\'clock。AftercrossingOwlCreek，ontheroadtoPoplarCove，therearethreelargetreesaboutahundredyardsapart，closetothefenceofthewheatfieldontheright-handside。Atthebottomofthefence-post，oppositethethirdtree，willbefoundasmallpasteboardbox。
ThemessengerwillplacetheanswerinthisboxandreturnimmediatelytoSummit。
Ifyouattemptanytreacheryorfailtocomplywithourdemandasstated，youwillneverseeyourboyagain。
Ifyoupaythemoneyasdemanded，hewillbereturnedtoyousafeandwellwithinthreehours。Thesetermsarefinal，andifyoudonotaccedetothemnofurthercoin-
municationwillbeattempted。
TWODESPERATEMEN。
IaddressedthislettertoDorset，andputitinmypocket。
AsIwasabouttostart，thekidcomesuptomeandsays:
\"Aw，Snake-eye，yousaidIcouldplaytheBlackScoutwhileyouwasgone。\"
\"Playit，ofcourse，\"saysI。\"Mr。Billwillplaywithyou。Whatkindofagameisit？\"
\"I\'mtheBlackScout，\"saysRedChief，\"andI
havetoridetothestockadetowarnthesettlersthattheIndiansarecoming。I\'mtiredofplayingIndianmyself。
IwanttobetheBlackScout。\"
\"Allright，\"saysI。\"Itsoundsharmlesstome。
IguessMr。Billwillhelpyoufoilthepeskysavages。\"
\"WhatamItodo？\"asksBill，lookingatthekidsuspiciously。
\"Youarethehoss，\"saysBlackScout。\"Getdownonyourhandsandknees。HowcanIridetothestockadewithoutahoss？\"
\"You\'dbetterkeephiminterested，\"saidI，\"tillwegettheschemegoing。Loosenup。\"
Billgetsdownonhisallfours，andalookcomesinhiseyelikearabbit\'swhenyoucatchitinatrap。
\"Howfarisittothestockade，kid？\"heasks，inahuskymannerofvoice。
\"Ninetymiles，\"saystheBlackScout。\"Andyouhavetohumpyourselftogetthereontime。Whoa，now!\"
TheBlackScoutjumpsonBill\'sbackanddigshisheelsinhisside。
\"ForHeaven\'ssake，\"saysBill，\"hurryback，Sam，assoonasyoucan。Iwishwehadn\'tmadetheransommorethanathousand。Say，youquitkickingmeorI\'llgetupandwarmyougood。\"
IwalkedovertoPoplarCoveandsataroundthepost-
officeandstore，talkingwiththechawbaconsthatcameintotrade。OnewhiskerandosaysthathehearsSummitisallupsetonaccountofElderEbenezerDorset\'sboyhavingbeenlostorstolen。ThatwasallIwantedtoknow。
Iboughtsomesmokingtobacco，referredcasuallytothepriceofblack-eyedpeas，postedmylettersurreptitiouslyandcameaway。Thepostmastersaidthemail-carrierwouldcomebyinanhourtotakethemailontoSummit。
WhenIgotbacktothecaveBillandtheboywerenottobefound。Iexploredthevicinityofthecave，andriskedayodelortwo，buttherewasnoresponse。
SoIlightedmypipeandsatdownonamossybanktoawaitdevelopments。
InabouthalfanhourIheardthebushesrustle，andBillwabbledoutintothelittlegladeinfrontofthecave。
Behindhimwasthekid，steppingsoftlylikeascout，withabroadgrinonhisface。Billstopped，tookoffhishatandwipedhisfacewitharedhandkerchief。Thekidstoppedabouteightfeetbehindhim。
\"Sam，\"saysBill，\"Isupposeyou\'llthinkI\'marene-
gade，butIcouldn\'thelpit。I\'magrownpersonwithmasculineproclivitiesandhabitsofself-defense，butthereisatimewhenallsystemsofegotismandpredominancefail。Theboyisgone。Ihavesenthimhome。Allisoff。Therewasmartyrsinoldtimes，\"goesonBill，\"thatsuffereddeathratherthangiveuptheparticulargrafttheyenjoyed。Noneof\'emeverwassubjugatedtosuchsupernaturaltorturesasIhavebeen。Itriedtobefaithfultoourarticlesofdepredation；buttherecamealimit。\"
\"What\'sthetrouble，Bill？\"Iaskshim。
\"Iwasrode，\"saysBill，\"theninetymilestothestockade，notbarringaninch。Then，whenthesettlerswasrescued，Iwasgivenoats。Sandain\'tapalatablesubstitute。
Andthen，foranhourIhadtotrytoexplaintohimwhytherewasnothin\'inholes，howaroadcanrunbothwaysandwhatmakesthegrassgreen。Itellyou，Sam，ahumancanonlystandsomuch。Itakeshimbytheneckofhisclothesanddragshimdownthemountain。
Onthewayhekicksmylegsblack-and-bluefromthekneesdown；andI\'vegottohavetwoorthreebitesonmythumbandhandcauterized。
\"Buthe\'sgone\"——continuesBill——\"gonehome。
IshowedhimtheroadtoSummitandkickedhimabouteightfeetnearerthereatonekick。I\'msorrywelosetheransom；butitwaseitherthatorBillDriscolltothemadhouse。\"
Billispuffingandblowing，butthereisalookofineffablepeaceandgrowingcontentonhisrose-pinkfeatures。
\"Bill，\"saysI，\"thereisn\'tanyheartdiseaseinyourfamily，isthere？
\"No，\"saysBill，\"nothingchronicexceptmalariaandaccidents。Why？\"
\"Thenyoumightturnaround，\"saysI，\"andhaveatookbehindyou。\"
Billturnsandseestheboy，andloseshiscomplexionandsitsdownplumpontheroundandbeginstopluckaimlesslyatgrassandlittlesticks。ForanhourIwasafraidforhismind。AndthenItoldhimthatmyschemewastoputthewholejobthroughimmediatelyandthatwewouldgettheransomandbeoffwithitbymidnightifoldDorsetfellinwithourproposition。SoBillbracedupenoughtogivethekidaweaksortofasmileandapromisetoplaytheRussianinaJapanesewarwithhimissoonashefeltalittlebetter。
Ihadaschemeforcollectingthatransomwithoutdangerofbeingcaughtbycounterplotsthatoughttocommenditselftoprofessionalkidnappers。Thetreeunderwhichtheanswerwastobeleft——andthemoneylateron——wasclosetotheroadfencewithbig，barefieldsonallsides。Ifagangofconstablesshouldbewatchingforanyonetocomeforthenotetheycouldseehimalongwayoffcrossingthefieldsorintheroad。Butno，sirree!Athalf-pasteightIwasupinthattreeaswellhiddenasatreetoad，waitingforthemessengertoarrive。
Exactlyontime，ahalf-grownboyridesuptheroadonabicycle，locatesthepasteboardboxatthefootofthefence-post，slipsafoldedpieceofpaperintoitandpedalsawayagainbacktowardSummit。
Iwaitedanhourandthenconcludedthethingwassquare。Isliddownthetree，gotthenote，slippedalongthefencetillIstruckthewoods，andwasbackatthecaveinanotherhalfanhour。Iopenedthenote，gotnearthelanternandreadittoBill。Itwaswrittenwithapeninacrabbedhand，andthesumandsubstanceofitwasthis:
TwoDesperateMen。
