Lanty（musing，withfaroff-eyes）。\"Thenthat’swhyshewassoawfulskeerdandfrightened！Justjumpin’outerherskinwithhorror。Ireckoneditwasab’arorpantheroraspook！Yououghttohavewaitedtillshegotaccustomedtoyourlooks。\"
Nevertheless，despitethiselegantraillery，Lantywasenoughconcernedinthesafetyofherhorsetovisititthenextdaywithaviewofbringingitnearerhome。Shehadjuststeppedintothealderfringeofadry\"run\"whenshecamesuddenlyuponthefigureofahorsemaninthe\"run，\"whohadbeenhiddenbythealdersfromtheplainbeyondandwhoseemedtobeengagedinexaminingthehoofmarksinthedustoftheoldford。Somethingabouthisfigurestruckherrecollection，andashelookedupquicklyshesawitwastheownerofthedagger。Butheappearedtobelighterofhairandcomplexion，andwasdresseddifferently，andmorelikeavaquero。
Yettherewasthesameflashofhisteethasherecognizedher，andsheknewitwasthesameman。
Alasforherpreparation！Withouttheknifeshecouldnotmakethathaughtyreturnofitwhichshehadcontemplated。Andmorethanthat，shewasconsciousshewasblushing！Neverthelessshemanagedtolevelherprettybrowneyebrowsathim，andsaidsharplythatifhefollowedhertoherhomeshewouldreturnhispropertyatonce。
\"ButI’minnohurryforit，\"hesaidwithalaugh，——thesamelightlaughandpleasantvoicesheremembered，——\"andI’drathernotcometothehousejustnow。Theknifeisingoodhands，Iknow，andI’llcallforitwhenIwantit！Anduntilthen——ifit’sallthesametoyou——keepittoyourself，——keepitdark，asdarkasthenightIlostit！\"
\"Idon’tgoaboutblabbingmyaffairs，\"saidLantyindignantly，\"andifithadn’tBEENdarkthatnightyou’dhavehadyourearsboxed——youknowwhy！\"
Thestrangerlaughedagain，wavedhishandtoLanty，andgallopedaway。
Lantywasalittledisappointed。Thedaylighthadtakenawaysomeofherillusions。Hewascertainlyverygood-looking，butnotquiteaspicturesque，mysterious，andthrillingasinthedark！
Anditwasveryqueer——hecertainlydidlookdarkerthatnight！
Whowashe？Andwhywashelingeringnearher？Hewasdifferentfromherneighbors——heradmirers。Hemightbeoneofthoselocaters，fromthebigtowns，whoprospectthelands，withaviewofsettlinggovernmentwarrantsonthem，——theywerealwayssosecretuntiltheyhadfoundwhattheywanted。Shedidnotdaretoseekinformationofherfriends，forthesamereasonthatshehadconcealedhisexistencefromhermother，——itwouldprovokeawkwardquestions；anditwasevidentthathewastrustingtohersecrecy，too。Thethoughtthrilledherwithanewpride，andwassomecompensationforthelossofhermoreintangibleromance。Itwouldbemightyfine，whenhedidcallopenlyforhisbeautifulknifeanddeclaredhimself，tohavethemallknowthatSHEknewaboutitallalong。
Whenshereachedhome，toguardagainstanothersuchsurpriseshedeterminedtokeeptheweaponwithher，and，distrustingherpocket，confidedittothecheaplittlecountry-madecorsetwhichonlyforthelastyearhadconfinedherbuddingfigure，andwhichnow，perhaps，heavedwithanadditionalpride。Shewasquiteabstractedduringtherestoftheday，andpaidbutlittleattentiontothegossipofthefarmlads，whowerefullofadaringraid，twonightsbefore，bytheMexicangangonthelargestockfarmofaneighbor。TheVigilantCommitteehadbeenbaffled；itwasevenallegedthatsomeofthesmallerranchmenandherderswereinleaguewiththegang。Itwasalsobelievedtobeawidespreadconspiracy；tohaveapoliticalcomplexioninitscombinationofanalienracewithSouthwesternfilibusters。ThelegalauthoritieshadbeenreinforcedbyspecialdetectivesfromSanFrancisco。
Lantyseldomtroubledherselfwiththesematters；sheknewtheexaggeration，shesuspectedtheignoranceofherruralneighbors。
Sheroughlyreferredit，inherownvocabulary，to\"jaw，\"apeculiarlymasculinequality。Butlaterintheevening，whenthedomesticcircleinthesitting-roomhadbeenaugmentedbyaneighbor，andLantyhadtakenrefugebehindhernovelasanexcuseforsilence，ZobHopper，theenamoredswainofthepreviousevening，burstinwithmoreastoundingnews。Aposseofthesheriffhadjustpassedalongtheridge；theyhad\"corraled\"partofthegang，andrescuedsomeofthestock。Theleaderoftheganghadescaped，buthiscapturewasinevitable，astheroadswerestopped。\"Allthesame，I’mgladtoseeyetookmyadvice，MissAtalanty，andbroughtinyourfilly，\"heconcluded，withaninsinuatingglanceattheyounggirl。
But\"MissAtalanty，\"curlingaquarterofaninchofscarletlipabovetheedgeofhernovel，here\"allowed\"thatifhisadviceorthefillyhadtobe\"took，\"shedidn’tknowwhichwasworse。
\"Iwonderyekintalktosechpeartness，Mr。Hopper，\"saidMrs。
Fosterseverely；\"sheain’tgoteyesnorsensesforanythin’butthatbook。\"
\"Talkin’o’what’stobe’took，’\"putinthediplomaticneighbor，\"youbetitain’tthatMexicanleader！No，sir！he’sbeen’stopped’beforethis——andthengotcleanawayallthesame！Oneo’themdetectivesgothimonceanddisarmedhim——buthemanagedtogivethemtheslip，afterall。Why，he’sthatfullo’shiftsanddisguisestharain’tnospottin’him。Hewalkedrightundertheconstable’snoseoncet，andtookadrinkwiththesheriffthatwasarterhim——andtheblamedfoolneverknewit。Hekinchangeeventhecolorofhishairquickaswinkin’。\"
\"IshearealMexican，——aregularGreaser？\"askedthepaternalFoster。\"CosIneverheardthattheywuzsmart。\"
\"No！Theysayhecomeso’oldSpanishstock，abadeggtheythrewouterthenest，Ireckon，\"putinHoppereagerly，seeingastrangeanimatedinterestdilatingLanty’seyes，andhopingtoshareinit；
\"buthe’sreg’larhigh-toned，youbet！Why，Iknewamanwhoseedhiminhisowncamp——prinkedoutinavelvetjacketandsilksash，withgoldchainsandbuttonsdownhiswidepantsandadaggerstuckinhissash，withahandlejustblazin’withjew’ls。Yes！MissAtalanty，theysaythatonestoneatthetop——agreenstone，whattheycallan’em’ral’——wasworththepriceo’a’Friscohouse-lot。
Trueezyoulive！Eh——what’supnow？\"
Lanty’sbookhadfallenonthefloorasshewasrisingtoherfeetwithawhiteface，stillmorestrangeanddistortedinanaffectedyawnbehindherlittlehand。\"Yermakin’methatsickandnervouswithyerfoolyarns，\"shesaidhysterically，\"thatI’mgoin’togetalittlefreshair。It’sjuststiflingherewithliesandterbacker！\"Withanotherhighlaugh，shebrushedpasthimintothekitchen，openedthedoor，andthenpaused，and，turning，ranrapidlyuptoherbedroom。Hereshelockedherselfin，toreopenthebosomofherdress，pluckedoutthedagger，threwitonthebed，wherethegreenstonegleamedforaninstantinthecandlelight，andthendroppedonherkneesbesidethebedwithherwhirlingheadburiedinhercoldredhands。
Ithadallcometoherinaflash，likeablazeoflightning，——theblack，hauntingfigureontheridge，thebrokensaddlegirth，theabandonmentofthedaggerintheexigenciesofflightandconcealment；thesecondmeeting，theskulkinginthedry，alder-
hidden\"run，\"thechangeddress，thelighter-coloredhair，butalwaysthesamevoiceandlaugh——theleader，thefugitive，theMexicanhorse-thief！Andshe，theGodforsakenfool，thechuckle-
headedniggerbaby，withnothalfthesenseofherownfillyorthatsop-headedHopper——hadneverseenit！She——SHEwhowouldbethelaughing-stockofthemall——shehadthoughthima\"locater，\"a\"towny\"from’Frisco！Andshehadconsentedtokeephisknifeuntilhewouldcallforit，——yes，callforit，withfireandflameperhaps，thetramplingofhoofs，pistolshots——and——yet——
Yet！——hehadTRUSTEDher。Yes！trustedherwhenheknewawordfromherlipswouldhavebroughtthewholedistrictdownonhim！
whenthemereexposureofthatdaggerwouldhaveidentifiedanddamnedhim！Trustedherasecondtime，whenshewaswithincryofherhouse！Whenhemighthavetakenherfillywithoutherknowingit？Andnowsherememberedvaguelythattheneighborshadsaidhowstrangeitwasthatherfather’sstockhadnotsufferedastheirshad。HEhadprotectedthem——hewhowasnowafugitive——andtheirmenpursuinghim！Sherosesuddenlywithasinglestampofhernarrowfoot，andassuddenlybecamecoolandsane。Andthen，quiteheroldselfagain，shelazilypickedupthedaggerandrestoredittoitsplaceinherbosom。Thatdone，withhercolorbackandhereyesalittlebrighter，shedeliberatelywentdownstairsagain，stuckherlittlebrownheadintothesitting-room，saidcheerfully，\"Stillyawpin’，youfolks，\"andquietlypassedoutintothedarkness。
Sheranswiftlyuptotheridge，impelledbytheblindmemoryofhavingmethimthereatnightandtheonevaguethoughttogivehimwarning。Butitwasdarkandempty，withnosoundbuttherushingwind。Andthenanideaseizedher。Ifhewerehauntingthevicinitystill，hemightseetheflutteringoftheclothesuponthelineandbelieveshewasthere。Shestoopedquickly，andinthemercifulandexoneratingdarknessstrippedoffheronlywhitepetticoatandpinneditontheline。Itflapped，fluttered，andstreamedinthemountainwind。Shelingeredandlistened。Buttherecameasoundshehadnotcountedon，——theclatteringhoofsofnotONE，butmany，horsesonthelowerroad！Sheranbacktothehousetofinditsinmatesalreadyhasteningtowardstheroadfornews。Shetookthatchancetoslipinquietly，gotoherroom，whosewindowcommandedaviewoftheridge，andcrouchinglowbehinditshelistened。Shecouldhearthesoundofvoices，andthedulltramplingofheavybootsonthedustypathtowardsthebarnyardontheothersideofthehouse——apause，andthenthereturnofthetramplingboots，andthefinalclatteringofhoofsontheroadagain。Thentherewasataponherdoorandhermother’squerulousvoice。
\"Oh！yerthere，areye？Well——it’sthebestplaceferagirl——withalltheseman’sdoin’sgoin’on！They’vegotthatMexicanhorse-
thiefandhavetiedhimupinyourfilly’sstallinthebarn——tillthe’Friscodeputygetsbackfromroundinguptheothers。Soyejeststaywhereyearetillthey’vecomeandgone，andwe’reshuto’allthatcattle。Areyemindin’？\"
\"Allright，maw；’taintnocallo’mine，anyhow，\"returnedLanty，throughthehalf-opendoor。
Atanothertimehermothermighthavebeenstartledatherpassiveobedience。Stillmorewouldshehavebeenstartledhadsheseenherdaughter’sfacenow，behindthecloseddoor——withherlittlemouthsetoverherclenchedteeth。Andyetitwasherownchild，andLantywashermother’srealdaughter；thesamepioneerbloodfilledtheirveins，thebloodthathadnevernourishedcravensordegenerates，buthadgivenitselftosprinkleandfertilizedesertsolitudeswheremanmightfollow。Smallwonder，then，thatthisfrontier-bornLanty，whosefirstinfantcryhadbeenansweredbytheyelpofwolfandscreamofpanther；whosefather’sriflehadbeenleveledacrosshercradletocoverthestealthyIndianwhoprowledoutside，smallwonderthatsheshouldfeelherselfequaltothese\"man’sdoin’s，\"andprompttotakeapart。Foreveninthefirstshockofthenewsofthecapturesherecalledthefactthatthebarnwasoldandrotten，thatonlythatdaythefillyhadkickedaboardloosefrombehindherstall，whichshe，Lanty，hadlightlyreturnedtoavoid\"makingafuss。\"Ifhiscaptorshadnotnoticedit，ortrustedonlytotheirguards，shemightmaketheopeningwideenoughtofreehim！
Twohourslatertheguardnearestthenowsleepinghouse，afarmhandoftheFosters’，sawhisemployer’sdaughterslipoutandcautiouslyapproachhim。AdevotedslaveofLanty’s，andfamiliarwithherimpulses，heguessedhercuriosity，andwasnotaversetosatisfyitandthesenseofhisownimportance。Toherwhispersofaffected，half-terrifiedinterest，herespondedinwhispersthatthecaptivewasreallyinthefilly’sstall，securelyboundbyhiswristsbehindhisback，andhisfeet\"hobbled\"toapost。ThatLantycouldn’tseehim，foritwasdarkinside，andhewassittingwithhisbacktothewall，ashecouldn’tsleepcomf’blelyin’
down。Lanty’seyesglowed，butherfacewasturnedaside。
\"Andyeain’treckonin’hisfriendswillcomeandrescuehim？\"saidLanty，gazingwithaffectedfearfulnessinthedarkness。
\"Notmuch！There’stwootherguardsdowninthecorral，andI’dfiremygunandbring’emup。\"
ButLantywasgazingopen-mouthedtowardstheridge。\"What’sthatwavin’ontheridge？\"shesaidinawe-strickentones。
Shewaspointingtothepetticoat，——avague，distant，movingobjectagainstthehorizon。
\"Why，that’ssomeo’thewashontheline，ain’tit？\"
\"Wash——TWODAYSINTHEWEEK！\"saidLantysharply。\"Wot’sgoneofyou？\"
\"Thet’sso，\"mutteredtheman，\"anditwan’tthereatsundown，I’llswear！P’r’apsI’dbettercalltheguard，\"andheraisedhisrifle。
\"Don’t，\"saidLanty，catchinghisarm。\"Supposeit’snothin’，they’lllaughatye。Creepupsoftlyandsee；yeain’tafraid，areye？Ifyeare，givemeyergun，andI’LLgo。\"
Thissettledthequestion，asLantyexpected。Themancockedhispiece，andbendinglowbegancautiouslytomounttheacclivity。
Lantywaiteduntilhisfigurebegantofade，andthenranlikefiretothebarn。
Shehadarrangedeverydetailofherplanbeforehand。Crouchingbesidethewallofthestallshehissedthroughacrackinthrillingwhispers，\"Don’tmove。Don’tspeakforyourlife’ssake。
WaittillIhandyoubackyourknife，thendothebestyoucan。\"
Thenslippingasidetheloosenedboardshesawdimlytheblackoutlineofcurlinghair，back，shoulders，andtiedwristsofthecaptive。Drawingtheknifefromherpocket，withtwostrokesofitskeencuttingedgesheseveredthecords，threwtheknifeintotheopening，anddartedaway。Yetinthatmomentsheknewthatthemanwasinstinctivelyturningtowardsher。Butitwasonethingtofreeahorse-thief，andanothertostopand\"philander\"withhim。
Sheranhalfwayuptheridge，andmetthefarmhandreturning。Itwasonlyabitofwashingafterall，andhewasgladhehadn’tfiredhisgun。Ontheotherhand，Lantyconfessedshehadgot\"soskeert\"beingalone，thatshecametoseekhim。Shehadtheshivers；wasn’therhandcold？Itwas，butthrillingeveninitscoldnesstothebashfullyadmiringman。Andshewasthatweakanddizzy，hemustletherleanonhisarmgoingdown；andtheymustgoSLOW。Shewassurehewascold，too，andifhewouldwaitatthebackdoorshewouldgivehimadrinkofwhiskey。ThusLanty，withherbrainafire，hereyesandearsstrainingintothedarkness，andthevagueoutlineofthebarnbeyond。Anothermomentwasprotractedoverthedrinkofwhiskey，andthenLanty，withafaintarchness，madehimpromisenottotellhermotherofherescapade，andshepromisedonherpartnottosayanythingabouthis\"stalkingapetticoatontheclothesline，\"andthenshylyclosedthedoorandregainedherroom。HEmusthavegotawaybythistime，orhavebeendiscovered；shebelievedtheywouldnotopenthebarndooruntilthereturnoftheposse。
Shewasright。Itwasneardaybreakwhentheyreturned，and，againcrouchinglowbesideherwindow，sheheard，withafiercejoy，thesuddenoutcry，theoaths，thewranglingvoices，thesummoningofherfathertothefrontdoor，andthenthetumultuoussweepingawayagainofthewholeposse，andablessedsilencefallingovertherancho。AndthenLantywentquietlytobed，andsleptlikeathree-yearchild！
Perhapsthatwasthereasonwhyshewasableatbreakfasttolistenwithlazyandevenrosyindifferencetothestartlingeventsofthenight；tothesneersofthefarmhandsatthepossewhohadoverlookedtheknifewhentheysearchedtheirprisoner，aswellasthestupidityofthecorralguardwhohadneverheardhimmakeahole\"thesizeofahouse\"inthebarnside！OncesheglanceddemurelyatSilasBriggs——thefarmhandandthepoorfellowfeltconsoledinhisshameattheremembranceoftheirconfidences。
ButLanty’stranquillitywasnotdestinedtolastlong。Therewasagaintheirruptionofexcitingnewsfromthehighroad；theMexicanleaderhadbeenrecaptured，andwasnowsafelylodgedinBrownsvillejail！Thosewhowerepreviouslyloudintheirpraisesofthesuccessfulhorse-thiefwhohadbaffledthevigilanceofhispursuerswerenowequallykeenintheiradmirationofthenewSanFranciscodeputywho，inturn，hadoutwittedthewholegang。ItwasHEwhowasfertileinexpedients；HEwhohadstudiedthewholecountry，andevenriskedhislifeamongthegang，andHEwhohadagainclosedthemeshesofthenetaroundtheescapedoutlaw。Hewasalreadyreturningbywayoftherancho，andmightstopthereamoment，——sothattheycouldallseethehero。Suchwasthepowerofsuccessonthecountry-side！Outwardlyindifferent，inwardlybitter，Lantyturnedaway。Sheshouldnotgracehistriumph，ifshekeptinherroomallday！Andwhentherewasaclatterofhoofsontheroadagain，Lantyslippedupstairs。
Butinafewmomentsshewassummoned。CaptainLanceWetherby，AssistantChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco，DeputySheriffandex-
U。S。scout，hadrequestedtoseeMissFosterafewmomentsalone。
Lantyknewwhatitmeant，——hersecrethadbeendiscovered；butshewasnotthegirltoshirktheresponsibility！Sheliftedherlittlebrownheadproudly，andwiththesameresolutestepwithwhichshehadleftthehousethenightbefore，descendedthestairsandenteredthesitting-room。Atfirstshesawnothing。Thenarememberedvoicestruckherear；shestarted，lookedup，andgasping，fellbackagainstthedoor。Itwasthestrangerwhohadgivenherthedagger，thestrangershehadmetintherun！——thehorse-thiefhimself！No！no！shesawitallnow——shehadcutloosethewrongman！
Helookedatherwithasmileofsadness——ashedrewfromhisbreast-pocketthatdreadfuldagger，theverysightofwhichLantynowloathed！\"ThisistheSECONDtime，MissFoster，\"hesaidgently，\"thatIhavetakenthisknifefromMurietta，theMexicanbandit：oncewhenIdisarmedhimthreeweeksago，andheescaped，andlastnight，whenhehadagainescapedandIrecapturedhim。
AfterIlostitthatnightIunderstoodfromyouthatyouhadfounditandwerekeepingitforme。\"Hepausedamomentandwenton：\"I
don’taskyouwhathappenedlastnight。Idon’tcondemnyouforit；Icanbelievewhatagirlofyourcourageandsympathymightrightlydoifherpitywereexcited；Ionlyask——whydidyougiveHIMbackthatknifeItrustedyouwith？\"
\"Why？WhydidI？\"burstoutLantyinadaringgushoftruth，scorn，andtemper。\"BECAUSEITHOUGHTYOUWERETHATHORSE-THIEF。
There！\"
Hedrewbackastonished，andthensuddenlycamethatlaughthatLantyrememberedandnowhailedwithjoy。\"Ibelieveyou，byJove！\"hegasped。\"ThatfirstnightIworethedisguiseinwhichI
havetrackedhimandmingledwithhisgang。Yes！Iseeitallnow——
andmore。IseethattoYOUIowehisrecapture！\"
\"Tome！\"echoedthebewilderedgirl；\"how？\"
\"Why，insteadofmakingforhiscavehelingeredhereintheconfinesoftheranch！Hethoughtyouwereinlovewithhim，becauseyoufreedhimandgavehimhisknife，andstayedtoseeyou！\"
ButLantyhadheraprontohereyes，whosefirsttearswerefillingtheirvelvetdepths。Andhervoicewasbrokenasshesaid，——
\"Thenhe——cared——a——gooddealmoreforme——thansomepeople！\"
ButthereiseveryreasontobelievethatLantywaswrong！AtleastlatereventsthatarepartofthehistoryofFoster’sRanchoandtheFosterfamilypointeddistinctlytothecontrary。
ANALIBABAOFTHESIERRAS
JohnnyStarleighfoundhimselfagainlateforschool。Itwasalwayshappening。Itseemedtobeinevitablewiththeprocessofgoingtoschoolatall。Anditwasnofault\"o’his。\"Somethingwasalwaysoccurring，——someeccentricityofNatureorcircumstancewasinvariablystartingupinhisdailypathtotheschoolroom。Hemaynothavebeen\"thinkin’ofsquirrels，\"andyettherarestandmostevasiveofthatspecieswerealwayscrossinghistrail；hemaynothavebeen\"huntin’honey，\"andyetawildbees’nestinthehollowofanoakabsolutelyobtrudeditselfbeforehim；hewasn’t\"bird-catchin’，\"andyettherewasayellow-hammeralwayswithinstone’sthrow。Hehadheardhowgrownmenhuntersalwayssawthemostwonderfulanimalswhenthey\"hadn’tgotagunwith’em，\"anditseemedtobehislottomeettheminhisrestrictedpossibilitiesonthewaytoschool。IfNaturewasthuscapriciouswithhiselders，whyshouldfolkthinkitstrangeifshewasasmischievouswithasmallboy？
OnthisparticularmorningJohnnyhadbeenbeguiledbytheunmistakablefootprints——solikehisown！——ofabear’scub。Whatchanceshehadofevercomingupwiththem，orwhathewouldhavedoneifhehad，hedidnotknow。Heonlyknewthatattheendofanhourandahalfhefoundhimselftwomilesfromtheschoolhouse，and，fromthepositionofthesun，atleastanhourtoolateforschool。Heknewthatnobodywouldbelievehim。Thepunishmentforcompletetruancywaslittleworsethanforbeinglate。Heresolvedtoacceptit，andbywayofirrevocabilityatonceburnthisshipsbehindhim——indevouringpartofhisdinner。
Thusfortifiedinhisoutlawry，hebegantolookabouthim。Hewasonathicklywoodedterracewithablankwallof\"outcrop\"ononesidenearlyashighasthepineswhichpressedcloseagainstit。
Hehadneverseenitbefore；itwastwoorthreemilesfromthehighroadandseemedtobeavirginwilderness。Butoncloseexaminationhecouldsee，withtheeyeofaboybredinaminingdistrict，thatthewallofoutcrophadnotescapedtheattentionoftheminingprospector。Thereweremarksofhispickinsomeattractivequartzseamsofthewall，andfartheron，amoreambitiousattempt，evidentlybyapartyofminers，tobeginatunnel，showninanabandonedexcavationandtheheapofdebrisbeforeit。Ithadevidentlybeenabandonedforsometime，asfernsalreadyforcedtheirgreenfrondsthroughthestonesandgravel，andtheyerbabuenavinewasbeginningtomatthesurfaceoftheheap。Buttheboy’sfancywasquicklytakenbythetracesofasingularaccident，andonewhichhadperhapsarrestedtheprogressoftheexcavators。Therootsofalargepine-treegrowingclosetothewallhadbeenevidentlyloosenedbytheexcavators，andthetreehadfallen，withoneofitslargestrootsstillintheopeningtheminershadmade，andapparentlyblockingtheentrance。Thelargetreelay，asitfell——midwayacrossanotherbutmuchsmalleroutcropofrockwhichstoodsharplyaboutfifteenfeetabovetheleveloftheterrace——withitsgaunt，deadlimbsintheairatalowangle。ToJohnny’sboyishfancyitseemedsoeasilybalancedontherockthatbutforitsimprisonedrootitwouldhavemadeacapitalsee-saw。Thishefeltmustbelookedtohereafter。Butherehisattentionwasarrestedbysomethingmorealarming。Hisquickear，attunedlikeananimal’stoallwoodlandsounds，detectedthecracklingofunderwoodinthedistance。Hisequallysharpeyesawthefiguresoftwomenapproaching。Butasherecognizedthefeaturesofoneofthemhedrewbackwithabeatingheart，ahushedbreath，andhurriedlyhidhimselfintheshadow。
Forhehadseenthatfigureoncebefore——flyingbeforethesheriffandanarmedposse——andhadneverforgottenit！ItwasthefigureofSpanishPete，anotoriousdesperadoandsluicerobber！
Findinghehadbeenunobserved，theboytookcourage，andhissmallfacultiesbecameactivelyalive。Thetwomencameontogethercautiously，andatalittledistancethesecondman，whomJohnnydidnotknow，partedfromhiscompanionandbegantoloiterupanddown，lookingaroundasifactingasasentinelforthedesperado，whoadvanceddirectlytothefallentree。Suddenlythesentinelutteredanexclamation，andSpanishPetepaused。Thesentinelwasexaminingthegroundneartheheapofdebris。
\"What’sup？\"growledthedesperado。
\"Foottracks！Weren’therebefore。Andfreshones，too。\"
Johnny’sheartsank。Itwaswherehehadjustpassed。
SpanishPetehurriedlyjoinedhiscompanion。
\"Foottracksbe————！\"hesaidscornfully。\"Whatfoolwouldbecrawlin’roundherebarefooted？It’sayoungb’ar！\"
Johnnyknewthefootprintswerehisown。Yetherecognizedthetruthoftheresemblance；itwasuncomplimentary，buthefeltrelieved。Thedesperadocameforward，andtotheboy’ssurprisebegantoclimbthesmallridgeofoutcropuntilhereachedthefallentree。Johnnysawthathewascarryingaheavystone。
\"What’stheblamedfoolgoin’todo？\"hesaidtohimself；theman’sevidentignoranceregardingfootprintshadlessenedtheboy’saweofhim。Butthestranger’snextessaytookJohnny’sbreathaway。
Standingonthefallentreetrunkatitsaxisontheoutcrop，hebegantorockitgently。ToJohnny’ssurpriseitbegantomove。
Theupperenddescendedslowly，liftingtherootintheexcavationatthelowerend，andwithitamassofrock，andrevealingacavernbehindlargeenoughtoadmitaman。Johnnygasped。Thedesperadocoollydepositedtheheavystoneonthetreebeyonditsaxisontherock，sothatitwouldkeepthetreeinposition，leapedfromthetreetotherock，andquicklydescended，atwhichhewasjoinedbytheotherman，whowascarryingtwoheavychamois-
leatherbags。Theybothproceededtotheopeningthusmiraculouslydisclosed，anddisappearedinit。
Johnnysatbreathless，wondering，expectant，butnotdaringtomove。Themenmightcomeoutatanymoment；hehadseenenoughtoknowthattheirenterpriseaswellastheircavewasasecret，andthatthedesperadowouldsubjectanywitnesstoit，howeverinnocentorunwilling，tohorriblepenalties。Thetimecreptslowlyby，——heheardeveryrapofawoodpeckerinadistanttree；abluejaydippedandlightedonabranchwithinhisreach，buthedarednotextendhishand；hislegswereinfestedbyants；heevenfanciedheheardthedry，hollowrattleofarattlesnakenotayardfromhim。Andthentheentranceofthecavewasdarkened，andthetwomenreappeared。Johnnystared。Hewouldhaverubbedhiseyesifhehaddared。Theywerenotthesamemen！Didthecavecontainotherswhohadbeenallthewhileshutupinitsdarkrecesses？
Wasthereaband？Wouldtheyallswarmoutuponhim？Shouldherunforhislife？
Buttheillusionwasonlymomentary。Alongerlookatthemconvincedhimthattheywerethesamemeninnewclothesanddisguised，andasoneremountedtheoutcropJohnny’skeeneyesrecognizedhimasSpanishPete。Hemerelykickedawaythestone；
therootagaindescendedgentlyovertheopening，andthetreerecovereditsformerangle。Thetwohurriedaway，butJohnnynoticedthattheywereempty-handed。Thebagshadbeenleftbehind。
Theboywaitedpatiently，listeningwithhiseartotheground，likeanIndian，forthelastrustleoffernandcrackleofunderbrush，andthenemerged，stiffandcrampedfromhisconcealment。Buthenolongerthoughtofflight；curiosityandambitionburnedinhissmallveins。Hequicklyclimbeduptheoutcrop，pickedupthefallenstone，andinspiteofitsweightliftedittotheprostratetree。Herehepaused，andfromhiscoignofvantagelookedandlistened。Thesolitudewasprofound。
Thenmountingthetreeandstandingoveritsaxishetriedtorockitastheothershad。Alas！Johnny’sheartwasstout，hiscourageunlimited，hisperceptionall-embracing，hisambitionboundless；
buthisactualavoirdupoiswasonlythatofaboyoften。Thetreedidnotmove。ButJohnnyhadplayedsee-sawbefore，andquietlymovedtowardsitshighestpart。Itslowlydescendedunderthechangedcentreofgravity，andtherootarose，disclosingtheopeningasbefore。Yetherethelittleheropaused。Hewaitedwithhiseyesfixedontheopening，readytoflyonthesallyingoutofanyonewhohadremainedconcealed。Hethenplacedthestonewherehehadstood，leapeddown，andrantotheopening。
Thechangefromthedazzlingsunlighttothedarknessconfusedhimatfirst，andhecouldseenothing。Onenteringhestumbledoversomethingwhichprovedtobeabottleinwhichacandlewasfitted，andaboxofmatchesevidentlyusedbythetwomen。Lightingthecandlehecouldnowdiscernthatthecavernwasonlyafewyardslong，thebeginningofatunnelwhichtheaccidenttothetreehadstopped。Inonecornerlaytheclothesthatthemenhadleft，andwhichforamomentseemedallthatthecaverncontained，butonremovingthemJohnnysawthattheywerethrownoverarifle，arevolver，andthetwochamois-leatherbagsthatthemenhadbroughtthere。Theyweresoheavythattheboycouldscarcelyliftthem。
Hisfaceflushed；hishandstrembledwithexcitement。Toaboywhosetruantwanderingshadgivenhimafairknowledgeofmining，heknewthatweightcouldhavebutonemeaning！Gold！Hehurriedlyuntiedthenearestbag。Butitwasnotthegoldofthelocality，ofthetunnel，ofthe\"bedrock\"！Itwas\"flakegold，\"
thegoldoftheriver！Ithadbeentakenfromtheminers’sluicesinthedistantstreams。Thebagsbeforehimwerethespoilsofthesluicerobber，——spoilsthatcouldnotbesoldorevenshowninthedistrictwithoutdanger，spoilskeptuntiltheycouldbetakentoMarysvilleorSacramentofordisposal。Allthismighthaveoccurredtothemindofanyboyofthelocalitywhohadheardthecommongossipofhiselders，buttoJohnny’sfancyanideawaskindledpeculiarlyhisown！Herewasacavernlikethatofthe\"FortyThieves\"inthestorybook，andhewasthe\"AliBaba\"whoknewitssecret！Hewasnotobligedtosay\"OpenSesame，\"buthecouldsayitifheliked，ifhewasshowingitofftoanybody！
Yetalashealsoknewitwasasecrethemustkeeptohimself。Hehadnobodytotrustitto。Hisfatherwasacharcoal-burnerofsmallmeans；awidowerwithtwochildren，JohnnyandhiselderbrotherSam。Thelatter，aflagrantincorrigibleoftwenty-two，withatendencytodissipationandlowcompany，hadlatelyabandonedhisfather’sroof，onlytoreappearatintervalsofhilariousormaudlinintoxication。HehadalwaysbeenhelduptoJohnnyasawarning，orwiththegloomyprognosisthathe，Johnny，wasalreadyfollowinginhistortuousfootsteps。Evenifhewereherehewasnottobethoughtofasaconfidant。Stilllesscouldhetrusthisfather，whowouldbesuretobunglethesecretwithsheriffsandconstables，andendbybringingdownthevengeanceoftheganguponthefamily。Asforhimself，hecouldnotdisposeofthegoldifheweretotakeit。Theexhibitionofasingleflakeofittotheadultpublicwouldarousesuspicion，andasitwasJohnny’shardfatetobealwaysdoubted，hemightbeconnectedwiththegang。Asatruantheknewhehadnomoralstanding，buthealsohadthesuperstition——quitecharacteristicofchildhood——thatbeinginpossessionofasecrethewasaparticipantinitscriminality——andbound，asitwere，byterribleoaths！Andthenanewideaseizedhim。Hecarefullyputbackeverythingashehadfoundit，extinguishedthecandle，leftthecave，remountedthetree，andclosedtheopeningagainashehadseentheothersdoit，withtheadditionofmurmuring\"ShutSesame\"tohimself，andthenranawayasfastashisshortlegscouldcarryhim。
Wellclearofthedangerousvicinity，heproceededmoreleisurelyforaboutamile，untilhecametoalowwhitewashedfence，inclosingasmallcultivatedpatchandaneatfarmhousebeyond。
Herehepaused，and，coweringbehindthefence，withextraordinaryfacialcontortionsproducedacrynotunlikethescreamofabluejay。Repeatingitatintervals，hewaspresentlyrelievedbyobservingtheapproachofanankeensunbonnetwithintheinclosureabovethelineoffence。Stoppingbeforehim，thesun-bonnetrevealedarosylittleface，morethanusuallyplumpononeside，andaneckenormouslywrappedinascarf。Itwas\"Meely\"（Amelia）
Stryker，aschoolmate，detainedathomeby\"mumps，\"asJohnnywaspreviouslyaware。For，withthefamousindiscretionofsomeothergreatheroes，hewasabouttointrusthissecretandhisdestinytooneoftheweakersex。Andwhatweretheminorpossibilitiesofcontagiontothis？
\"Playin’hookeyag’in？\"saidtheyounglady，withacordialandevenexpansivesmile，exclusivelyconfinedtoonesideofherface。
\"Um！So’dyoubeefyou’dbinwharIhev，\"hesaidwithharrowingmystery。
\"No！——say！\"saidMeelyeagerly。
AtwhichJohnny，clutchingatthetopofthefence，withhurriedbreathtoldhisstory。Butnotall。Withtheinstinctofatrueartisthewithheldthemannerinwhichtheopeningofthecavewasrevealed，saidnothingaboutthetree，and，Igrievetosay，addedthewords\"OpenSesame\"astheimportantfactortotheoperation。
NeitherdidhementionthenameofSpanishPete。Forallofwhichhewasafterwardsdulygrateful。
\"Meetmeattheburntpinedownthecrossroadsatfouro’clock，\"hesaidinconclusion，\"andI’llshowye。\"
\"Whynotnow？\"saidMeelyimpatiently。
\"Couldn’t。Muchasmylifeisworth！Mustkeepwatchingout！Youcomeatfour。\"
Andwithanassuringnodhereleasedthefenceandtrottedoff。Hereturnedcautiouslyinthedirectionofthecave；hewasbynomeanssurethattherobbersmightnotreturnthatday，andhismysteriousrendezvouswithMeelyveiledacertainprudence。Anditwaswell！Forashestealthilycreptaroundthefaceoftheoutcrop，hiddenintheferns，hesawfromthealteredangleofthetreethatthecavernwasopened。Heremainedmotionless，withbatedbreath。Thenheheardthesoundofsubduedvoicesfromthecavern，andafigureemergedfromtheopening。Johnnygraspedthefernsrigidlytocheckthedreadfulcrythatrosetohislipsatitssight。Forthatfigurewashisownbrother！
Therewasnomistakingthatweak，wickedface，eventhenflushedwithliquor！Johnnyhadseenittoooftenthus。Butneverbeforeasathief’sface！Hegavealittlegasp，andfellbackuponthatstrangereserveofapathyandreticenceinwhichchildrenareapttohidetheiremotionsfromusatsuchamoment。Hewatchedimpassivelythetwoothermenwhofollowedhisbrotherouttogivehimasmallbagandsomeinstructions，andthenreturnedwithintheircave，whilehisbrotherwalkedquicklyaway。Hewatchedhimdisappear；hedidnotmove，forevenifhehadfollowedhimhecouldnotbeartofacehiminhisshame。Andthenoutofhissullendespaircameaboyishideaofrevenge。Itwasthosetwomenwhohadmadehisbrotherathief！
Hewasverynearthetree。Hecreptstealthilyonhishandsandkneesthroughthebracken，andasstealthilyclimbedthewedgeofoutcrop，andthenleapedlikeawildcatonthetree。Withincredibleactivityheliftedthebalancingstone，andasthetreebegantomove，inaflashofperceptiontransferredittotheothersideofitsaxis，andfelttherootsanddebris，underthatadditionalweight，descendquicklywithsomethinglikeacrashovertheopening。Thenhetooktohisheels。Heransoswiftlythatallunknowinglyheovertookafigure，who，turning，glancedathim，andthendisappearedinthewood。Itwashissecondandlastviewofhisbrother，asheneversawhimagain！
Butnow，strangetosay，thecrucialandmostdespairingmomentofhisday’sexperiencehadcome。HehadtofaceMeelyStrykerundertheburntpine，andthepromisehecouldnotkeep，andtotellherthathehadliedtoher。Itwastheonlywaytosavehisbrothernow！Hissmallwits，andalas！hissmallermethods，wereequaltothedespairingtask。Assoonashesawherwaitingunderthetreehefelltocaperinganddancingwithanextravaganceinwhichhysteriahadnosmallpart。\"Sold！sold！soldagain，andgotthemoney！\"helaughedshrilly。
Thegirllookedathimwithastonishment，whichchangedgraduallytoscorn，andthentoanger。Johnny’sheartsank，butheredoubledhisantics。
\"Who’ssold？\"shesaiddisdainfully。
\"Yoube。YouswalleredallthatstuffaboutAliBaba！YouwantedtobeMorgyAnna！Ho！ho！AndI’vemadeyouplayhookey——fromhome！\"
\"Youhateful，horrid，littleliar！\"
Johnnyacceptedhispunishmentmeekly——inhisheartgratefully。\"I
reckonedyou’dlaughandnotgetmad，\"hesaidsubmissively。Thegirlturned，withtearsofrageandvexationinhereyes，andwalkedaway。Johnnyfollowedatahumbledistance。Perhapstherewassomethinginstinctivelytouchingintheboy’sremorse，fortheymadeitupbeforetheyreachedherfence。
NeverthelessJohnnywenthomemiserable。Luckilyforhim，hisfatherwasabsentataVigilanceCommitteecalledtotakecognizanceofthelatesluicerobberies，andalthoughthistemporarilyconcealedhisoffenseoftruancy，thenewsofthevigilancemeetingdeterminedhimtokeephislipssealed。Helayallnightwonderinghowlongitwouldtaketherobberstodigthemselvesoutofthecave，andwhethertheysuspectedtheirimprisonmentwastheworkofanenemyoronlyanaccident。Forseveraldaysheavoidedthelocality，andevenfearedthevengefulappearanceofSpanishPetesomenightathisfather’shouse。Itwasnotuntiltheendofafortnightthathehadthecouragetorevisitthespot。Thetreewasinitsnormalposition，butimmovable，andagreatquantityoffreshdebrisatthemouthofthecaveconvincedhimthattherobbers，afterescaping，hadabandoneditasunsafe。Hisbrotherdidnotreturn，andeithertheactivityoftheVigilanceCommitteeorthelackofanewplaceofrendezvousseemedtohavedispersedtherobbersfromthelocality，fortheywerenotheardofagain。
ThenexttenyearsbroughtanimprovementtoMr。Starleigh’sfortunes。JohnnyStarleigh，thenastudentatSanJose，onemorningfoundanewspaperclippinginaletterfromMissAmeliaStryker。Itreadasfollows：\"TheexcavatorsinthenewtunnelinHeavystoneRidgelatelydiscoveredtheskeletonsoftwounknownmen，whohadevidentlybeencrushedandentombedsomeyearspreviously，bythefallingofalargetreeoverthemouthoftheirtemporaryrefuge。Fromsomerivergoldfoundwiththem，theyweresupposedtobepartofthegangofsluicerobberswhoinfestedthelocalitysomeyearsago，andwerehidingfromtheVigilants。\"
ForafewdaysthereafterJohnnyStarleighwasthoughtfulandreserved，buthedidnotrefertotheparagraphinansweringtheletter。Hedecidedtokeepitforlaterconfidences，whenMissStrykershouldbecomeMrs。Starleigh。
MISSPEGGY’SPROTEGES
ThestringofPeggy’ssunbonnethadbecomeuntied——sohadherrightshoe。Thesewerenotunusualaccidentstoacountrygirloften，butasbothofherhandswerefullshefeltobligedtoputdownwhatshewascarrying。Thiswasfurthercomplicatedbythenatureofherburden——ahalf-fledgedshrikeandababygopher——pickedupinherwalk。Itwasimpossibletowrapthembothinherapronwithoutseriousperiltooneortheother；shecouldnotputeitherdownwithoutthechanceofitsescaping。\"It’slikethatdreadfulriddleoftheferrymanwhohadtotakethewolfandthesheepinhisboat，\"saidPeggytoherself，\"thoughIdon’tbelieveanybodywaseversosillyastowanttotakeawolfacrosstheriver。\"
But，lookingup，shebeheldtheapproachofSamBedell，asix-foottunnelmanofthe\"BlueCementLead，\"and，hailinghim，beggedhimtoholdoneofhercaptives。Thegiant，loathingthelittlemouse-
likeballoffur，chosetheshrike。\"Holdhimbythefeet，forhebitesAWFUL，\"saidPeggy，asthebirdregardedSamwiththediabolicallyintensefrownofhisspecies。Then，droppingthegopherunconcernedlyinherpocket，sheproceededtorearrangehertoilet。ThetunnelmanwaitedpatientlyuntilPeggyhadsecuredthenankeensunbonnetaroundherfreshbutfreckledcheeks，and，witharecklessdisplayofyellowflannelpetticoatandstockingslikepeppermintsticks，haddouble-knottedhershoestringsviciouslywhenheventuredtospeak。
\"Sameoldgame，Peggy？Thoughtyou’dgotratherdiscouragedwithyour’happyfamily，’arterthatnewowlo’yourshadgathered’emin。\"
Peggy’scheekflushedslightlyatthisungraciousallusiontoaformercollectionofhers，whichhadtotallydisappearedoneeveningaftertheintroductionofanewmemberintheshapeofasingularlyvenerableandpeaceful-lookinghornedowl。
\"IcouldhavetamedHIM，too，\"saidPeggyindignantly，\"ifNedMyers，whogavehimtome，hadn’tbeentraininghimtoketchthings，andneverletonanythingaboutittome。Hewasareg’largameowl！\"
\"Andwotareyegoin’todowiththeColonelhere？\"saidSam，indicatingunderthatgallanttitletheinfantshrike，who，withhisclawsdeeplyimbeddedinSam’sfinger，wassquattinglikeamalignanthunchback，andresistinghistransfertoPeggy。\"Won’tHEmakeitratherlivelyfortheothers？Helookspow’fuldiscontentedforonesoyoung。\"
\"That’shisnater，\"saidPeggypromptly。\"JesswaittillItamehim。Efhe’dbeenleftalongo’hisfolks，he’dgrowuplike’em。
He’sa’butcherbird’——wottheycalla’nine-killer’——killsninebirdsaday！Yes！Trueezyoulive！Sticks’emuponthornsoutsidehisnest，jestlikeabutcher’sshop，tillhegetshungry。
I’veseen’em！\"
\"Andhowdoyoukalkilatetotamehim？\"askedSam。
\"Bybeinggoodtohimandlovin’him，\"saidPeggy，strokingtheheadofthebirdwithinfinitegentleness。
\"ThatmeansYOU’VEgottodoallthebutcheringforhim？\"saidthecynicalSam。
Peggyshookherhead，disdainingaverbalreply。
\"Yecan’tbringhimuponsugarandcrackers，likeaPolly，\"
persistedSam。
\"Yekendoanythin’withcritters，ifyouain’tafeerdof’emandlove’em，\"saidPeggyshyly。
Thetalltunnelman，lookingdownintothedepthsofPeggy’ssunbonnet，sawsomethingintheroundblueeyesandgravelittlemouththatmadehimthinksotoo。ButherePeggy’sseriouslittlefacetookashadeofdarkerconcernasherarmwentdowndeeperintoherpocket，andhereyesgotrounder。
\"It’s——it’s——BURREREDOUT！\"shesaidbreathlessly。
Thegiantleapedbrisklytooneside。\"Hol’on，\"saidPeggyabstractedly。Withinfinitegravityshefollowed，withherfingers，aseamofherskirtdowntothehem，poppedthemquicklyunderit，andproduced，withasighofrelief，themissinggopher。
\"You’lldo，\"saidSam，infearfuladmiration。\"Mebbeyou’llmakesuthin’outo’theColoneltoo。ButInevertookstockinthatthereowl。Hewastoodurnedself-righteousforadecentbird。
Now，runalongaforeanythin’elsefetcheslooseag’in。Solong！\"
Hepattedthetopofhersunbonnet，gavealittlepulltotheshortbrownbraidthathungbehindhertemptingly，——whichnominerwaseverknowntoresist，——andwatchedherflutteroffwithherspoils。
Hehaddonesomanytimesbefore，forthegreat，foolishheartoftheBlueCementRidgehadgoneouttoPeggyBaker，thelittledaughteroftheblacksmith，quiteearly。Therewereothersofthefamily，notablytwoeldersisters，invincibleatpicnicsanddances，butPeggywasasnecessarytothesemenasthebluejaythatswungbeforetheminthedimwoods，thesquirrelthatwhiskedacrosstheirmorningpath，orthewoodpeckerwhobeathistattooattheirmiddaymealfromthehollowpineabovethem。Shewaspartofthenaturethatkeptthemyoung。Hertruanciesandvagranciesconcernedthemnot：shewasalawtoherself，likethebirdsandsquirrels。Therewerebeardedlipstohailherwherevershewent，andablueorred-shirtedarmalwaysstretchedoutinanyperilouspassordangerouscrossing。
Herpeculiartasteswereanoutcomeofhernature，assistedbyhersurroundings。Leftagooddealtoherselfinherinfancy，shemadeplayfellowsofanimatednaturearoundher，withoutmuchreferencetoselectionorfitness，butalwayswithafearlessnessthatwastheresultofherownobservation，andunhamperedbytraditionorotherchildren’stimidity。Shehadnosuperstitionregardingthevenomoftoads，thepoisonofspiders，ortheear-penetratingcapacityofearwigs。Shehadexperiencesandrevelationsofherown，——whichshekeptsacredlytoherself，aschildrendo，——andonewasinregardtoarattlesnake，partlyinduced，however，bytheindiscreetwarningofherelders。ShewascautionedNOTtotakeherbreadandmilkintothewoods，andwastoldtheaffectingstoryofthelittlegirlwhowasonceregularlyvisitedbyasnakethatpartookofHERbreadandmilk，andwhowasultimatelyfoundrappingtheheadofthesnakeforgorgingmorethanhisshare，andnot\"takinga’poonasmedo。\"ItisneedlesstosaythatthisincautiouscautionfiredPeggy’sadventurousspirit。SHEtookabowlfulofmilktothehauntofa\"rattler\"nearherhome，but，withoutmakingthepretenseofsharingit，generouslyleftthewholetothereptile。Afterrepeatingthishospitalityforthreeorfourdays，shewasamazedonemorningonreturningtothehousetofindthesnake——anelderlyonewithadozenrattles——devotedlyfollowingher。Alarmed，notforherownsafetynorthatofherfamily，butfortheexistenceofhergratefulfriendindangeroftheblacksmith’shammer，shetookacircuitousrouteleadingitaway。Thenrecallingabitofwoodlandloreoncecommunicatedtoherbyacharcoal-burner，shebrokeasprayofthewhiteash，andlaiditbeforeherinthetrackoftherattlesnake。Hestoppedinstantly，andremainedmotionlesswithoutcrossingtheslightbarrier。Sherepeatedthisexperimentonlateroccasions，untilthereptileunderstoodher。Shekepttheexperiencetoherself，butonedayitwaswitnessedbyatunnelman。OnthatdayPeggy’sreputationwasmade！
FromthistimehenceforththemajorpartofBlueCementRidgebecameseriouscollectorsforwhatwasknownas\"Peggy’smenagerie，\"andtwoofthetunnelmenconstructedastockadedinclosure——nothalfamilefromtheblacksmith’scabin，butunknowntohim——forthereceptionofspecimens。ForalongtimeitsexistencewaskeptasecretbetweenPeggyandherloyalfriends。
Herparents，awareofhereccentrictastesonlythroughtheintroductionofsuchsmallercreaturesaslizards，toads，andtarantulasintotheirhouse，——whichusuallyescapedfromtheirtincansandboxesandsoughtrefugeinthefamilyslippers，——hadfrowneduponherzoologicalstudies。Hermotherfoundthatherwoodlandramblesentailedanextraordinarywearandtearofherclothing。Apinaforereducedtoribbonsbyayoungfox，andastrawhathalfswallowedbyamountainkid，didnotseemtobeanaturalincidenttoanordinarywalktotheschoolhouse。Hersistersthoughthertastes\"low，\"andherfamiliarassociationwiththeminersinconsistentwiththeirowndignity。ButPeggywentregularlytoschool，wasafairscholarinelementarystudies（whatsheknewofnaturalhistory，infact，quitestartledherteachers），andbeingalsoateachablechild，wasallowedsomelatitude。AsforPeggyherself，shekeptherownfaithunshaken；herlittlecreed，whoseshibbolethwasnot\"tobeafraid\"ofGod’screatures，butto\"love’em，\"sustainedherthroughreprimand，tornclothing，and，itistobefeared，occasionalbitesandscratchesfromthelovedonesthemselves。
