Nowitisonethingtobecarriedupahillintemperate，unconsciousbloodandpracticalbusinessfashionbyatall，powerfulmanwithsteadfast，gloweringeyes，butquiteanotherthingtobecarrieddownagainbythesameman，whohasbeencrying，andwhenyouareconsciousthatyouaregoingtocrytoo，andyourtearsmaybeapttomingle。SoMissAmyForestersaid：
\"Oh，wait，please！Sitdownamoment。Oh，Mr。Tenbrook，Iamsovery，verysorry，\"and，clappingherhandtohereyes，burstintotears。
\"Oh，please，pleasedon’t，MissForester，\"saidJack，sittingdownontheendofthebunkwithfrightenedeyes，\"pleasedon’tdothat！
Itain’tworthit。I’monlyabrutetohavesaidanything。\"
\"No，no！YouareSOnoble，SOforgiving！\"sobbedMissForester，\"andIhavemadeyougoandkilltheonlythingyoucaredfor，thatwasallyourown。\"
\"No，Miss，——notallmyown，either，——andthatmakesitsorough。
Foritwasonlyleftintrustwithmebyafriend。Itwasheronlycompanion。\"
\"HERonlycompanion？\"echoedMissForester，sharplyliftingherbowedhead。
\"Except，\"saidJackhurriedly，miscomprehendingtheemphasiswithmasculinefatuity，——\"exceptthedyingmanforwhomshelivedandsacrificedherwholelife。Shegavemethisring，toalwaysremindmeofmytrust。Isuppose，\"headdedruefully，lookingdownuponit，\"it’snousenow。I’dbettertakeitoff。\"
ThenAmyeyedthemonstrousobjectwithangelicsimplicity。\"I
certainlyshould，\"shesaidwithinfinitesweetness；\"itwouldonlyremindyouofyourloss。But，\"sheadded，withasudden，swift，imploringlookofherblueeyes，\"ifyoucouldpartwithittome，itwouldbesuchareminderandtokenof——ofyourforgiveness。\"
Jackinstantlyhandedittoher。\"Andnow，\"hesaid，\"letmecarryyoudown。\"
\"Ithink，\"shesaidhesitatingly，\"that——Ihadbettertrytowalk，\"
andsherosetoherfeet。
\"ThenIshallknowthatyouhavenotforgivenme，\"saidJacksadly。
\"ButIhavenorighttotrouble\"——
Alas！shehadnotimetofinishherpoliteobjection，forthenextmomentshefeltherselfliftedintheair，smelledthebarkthatchwithinaninchofhernose，sawthefirelightvanishbehindher，andsubsidingintohiscurvedarmsasinahammock，thetwopassedforthintothenighttogether。
\"Ican’tfind，yourbraceletanywhere，Amy，\"saidherfather，whentheyreachedthewagon。
\"Itwasonthefloorinthelint，\"saidAmyreproachfully。\"But，ofcourse，youneverthoughtofthat！\"……
Mypenhaltswithsomediffidencebetweentwoconclusionstothisveraciouschronicle。Astheyagreeinresult，thoughnotintheoryorintention，Imayventuretogivethemboth。ToonecomingfromthelipsofthecharmingheroineherselfInaturallyyieldtheprecedence。\"Oh，thebearstory！Idon’treallyrememberwhetherthatwasbeforeIwasengagedtoJohnorafter。ButIhadknownhimforsometime；fatherintroducedhimattheGovernor’sballatSacramento。Letmesee！——Ithinkitwasinthewinterof’56。
Yes！itwasveryamusing；IalwaysusedtochargeJohnwithhavingtrainedthatbeartoattackourcarriagesothathemightcomeinasahero！Oh，ofcourse，thereareahundredabsurdstoriesabouthim，——theyusedtosaythathelivedallaloneinacabinlikeasavage，andallthatsortofthing，andwasafriendofadubiouswomaninthelocality，whomthecommonpeoplemadeaheroineof，——
Miggles，orWiggles，orsomesuchpreposterousname。ButlookatJohnthere；canyouconceiveit？\"Thelistener，glancingataveryhandsome，clean—shavenfellow，faultlesslyattired，couldnotconceivesuchanabsurdity。SoIthereforesimplygivetheopinionofJoshuaBixley，SuperintendentoftheLongDivideTunnelCompany，forwhatitisworth：\"Inevertookmuchstockinthatbearstory，anditscaptivatingoldForester’sdaughter。OldForesterknewathingortwo，andwhenhewasouthereconsolidatingtunnels，hefoundoutthatJackTenbrookwasaboutheadedforthebiglead，andbroughthimoutandintroducedhimtoAmy。Yousee，Jack，cleargritashewas，wasmightyroughstyle，andaboutassimpleastheymake’em，andtheyhadtogetupsomethingtoaccountforthatgirl’stakingashinetohim。Buttheyseemtobehappyenough——
andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
AndItransferthisphilosophicquerytothereader。
THEYOUNGESTPROSPECTORINCALAVERAS
Hewasscarcelyeightwhenitwasbelievedthathecouldhavereasonablylaidclaimtotheabovetitle。Butheneverdid。Hewasasmallboy，intenselyfreckledtotherootsofhistawnyhair，withevenasuspicionofitinhisalmond—shapedbutsomewhatfulleyes，whichwerethegreenishhueofaripegooseberry。Allthiswasveryunlikehisparents，fromwhomhedivergedinresemblanceinthatfashionsooftenseenintheSouthwestofAmerica，asiftheyouthoftheboundlessWesthadstruckanewnoteofindependenceandoriginality，overridingallconservativeandestablishedrulesofheredity。Somethingofthiswasalsoshowninasingularandremarkablereticenceandfirmnessofpurpose，quiteunlikehisfamilyorschoolfellows。Hismotherwasthewifeofateamster，whohadapparentlyonce\"dumped\"hisfamily，consistingofaboyandtwogirls，ontheroadsideatBurntSpring，withthecanvasroofofhiswagontocoverthem，whileheproceededtodeliverotherfreight，notsoexclusivelyhisown，atotherstationsalongtheroad，returningtothemondistantandseparateoccasionswithslightadditionstotheirstock，habitation，andfurniture。Inthiswaythecanvasroofwasfinallyshingledandthehutenlarged，and，underthequickeningofasmilingCaliforniaskyandtheforcingofateemingCaliforniasoil，thechance—sownseedtookrootandbecameknownasMedliker’sRanch，or\"Medliker’s，\"
withitsburstinggardenpatchanditsthreeshedsor\"lean—to’s。\"
Thegirlshelpedtheirmotherinachildish，imitativeway；theboy，JohnBunyan，afteramoredesultoryandoriginalfashion——whenhewasnot\"goingto\"orostensibly\"comingfrom\"school，forhewasseldomactuallythere。SomethingofthisfearwasinthemindofMrs。Medlikeronemorningasshelookedupfromthekettleshewasscrubbing，withpremonitionof\"moreworriting，\"tobeholdtheReverendMr。Staples，thelocalminister，haleJohnBunyanMedlikerintotheshantywithonehand。LettingJohnnygo，heplacedhisbackagainstthedoorandwipedhisfacewitharedhandkerchief。
Johnnydroppedintoachair，furtivelyglancingatthearmbywhichMr。Stapleshaddraggedhim，andfeelingitwiththeotherhandtoseeifitwasreallylonger。
\"I’vebeenrequestedbytheschoolmaster，\"saidtheRev。Mr。
Staples，puttinghishandkerchiefbackintohisbroadfelthatwithagaspingsmile，\"tobringouryoungfriendbeforeyouforamatterofcounselanddiscipline。Ihavedoneso，SisterMedliker，withsomedifficulty，\"——helookeddownatJohnBunyan，whoagainfelthisarmandwassatisfiedthatitWASlonger——\"butwemustdoourdooty，evenwithdifficultytoourselves，and，perhaps，toothers。
Ouryoungfriend，JohnBunyan，standsonagiddyheight——onslipperyplaces，and，\"continuedMr。Staples，withaloftydisregardtoconsecutivemetaphor，\"hisfeetaretakingfastholdofdestruction。\"Herethechilddrewabreathofrelief，possiblyattheprospectofbeingonfirmgroundofanykindatlast；butSisterMedliker，towhomtheStaplesstyleofexordiumhadonlyaSabbathsignificance，turnedtoheroffspringabruptly：——
\"Andwhat’stheseyerdoin’snow，John？andmeaslavin’tosendyetoschool？\"
Thusappealedto，Johnnylookedforareplyathisfeet，athisarm，andatthekettle。Thenhesaid：\"Iain’tdonenothin’，buthe\"——indicatingStaples——\"hezbeennighonterpullin’offmyarm。\"
\"It’snowalmostaweekago，\"continuedMr。Staples，wavingasidetheinterruptionwithasmileofpainfulChristiantolerance，\"orperhapstendays——Iwon’tbetoosure——thattheschoolmasterdiscoveredthatJohnnyhadinhispossessiontwoorthreeflakesoffinerivergold——eachofthevalueofhalfadollar，orperhapssixty—twoandonehalfcents。Onbeingquestionedwherehegotthemherefusedtosay；althoughsubsequentlyheallegedthathehad’found’them。Itbeingasingleinstance，hewasgiventhebenefitofthedoubt，andnothingmorewassaidaboutit。Butafewdaysafterhewasfoundtryingtopassoff，atMr。Smith’sstore，twootherflakesofadifferentsize，andasmallnuggetofthevalueoffourorfivedollars。AtthispointIwascalledin；
herepeatedtome，Igrievetosay，thesameuntruthfulness，andwhenIsuggestedtohimtheobviousfactthathehadtakenitfromoneoftheminer’ssluiceboxesandcommittedthegrievoussinoftheft，hewickedlydeniedit——sothatwearepreventedfromcarryingouttheChristiancommandofrestoringitevenONEfold，insteadoffourorfivefoldastheMosaicLawmighthaverequired。
Wewere，alas！unabletoascertainanythingfromtheminersthemselves，thoughIgrievetosaytheyoneandallagreedthattheir’take’thatweekwasnotatallwhattheyhadexpected。I
evenwentsofarastoadmitthepossibilityofhisownstatement，andbesoughthimatleasttoshowmewherehehadfoundit。Heatfirstrefusedwithgreatstubbornnessoftemper，butlaterconsentedtoaccompanymeprivatelythisafternoontothespot。\"
Mr。Staplespaused，andsinkinghisvoicegloomily，andwithhiseyesfixeduponJohnny，continuedslowly：\"WhenIstatethat，afterseveraltimestryingtoevademeontheway，hefinallyledmetothetopofBaldHill，wherethereisnotascrapofsoil，andnottheslightestindication，andstillpersistedthathefounditTHERE，youwillunderstand，SisterMedliker，theincorrigibilityofhisconduct，andhowhehasaddedthesinof’falsewitness’tohisbreakingtheEighthCommandment。ButIleavehimtoyourChristiandiscipline！Letushopethatif，throughhisstiff—neckedobduracy，hehashaplyescapedthevengeanceofman’slaw，hewillnotescapetherodofthedomestictabernacle。\"
\"Yekinleavehimtome，\"saidMrs。Medliker，inheranxietytogetridoftheparson，assumingaconfidenceshewasfarfromfeeling。
\"Sobeit，SisterMedliker，\"saidStaples，drawingalong，satisfactorybreath；\"andletustrustthatwhenyouhaverastledwithhisfleshandspirit，youwillbringusjoyfultidingstoWednesday’sMother’sMeeting。\"
Heclappedhissofthatonhishead，castanotherglanceatthewickedJohnny，openedthedoorwithhishandbehindhim，andbackedhimselfintotheroad。
\"Now，Johnny，\"saidMrs。Medliker，settingherlipstogetherasthedoorclosed，\"lookmerightintheface，andsaywhereyoustolethatgold。\"
ButJohnnyevidentlydidnotthinkthathismother’sfaceatthatmomentofferedanymoralsupport，forhedidnotlookather；but，aftergazingatthekettle，saidslowly，\"Ididn’tstealnogold。\"
\"Then，\"saidMrs。Medlikertriumphantly，\"ifyedidn’tstealit，you’dsayrightoffHOWyegotit。\"
Childrenareoftenbetterlogiciansthantheirelders。ToJohnBunyanthestealingofgoldandthemererefusaltosaywherehegotitweretwodistinctandseparatethings；thatthenegationofthesecondpropositionmeanttheaffirmationofthefirsthecouldnotaccept。Butthenchildrenarealsoimitative，andfearfuloftheolderintellect。ItstruckJohnnythathismothermightberight，andthattoheritreallymeantthesamething。So，afteramoment’ssilenceherepliedmoreconfidently，\"IsupposeIstoledit。\"
Buthewasutterlyunpreparedforthedarkeningchangeinhismother’sface，andherfuriousaccents。\"Youstoleit？——youSTOLE
it，youlimb！Andyousitthereandbrazenlytellme！Whodidyoustealitfrom？Tellmequick，aforeIwringitoutofyou！\"
Completelyastoundedandbewilderedatthisnewturnofaffairs，Johnnyagainfellbackuponthedreadfultruth，andgasped，\"I
don’tknow。\"
\"Youdon’tknow，youdevil！DidyoutakeitfromFrazer’s？\"
\"No。\"
\"FromtheSimmonsBrothers？\"
\"No。\"
\"FromtheBlazingStarCompany？\"
\"No。\"
\"Fromastore？\"
\"No。\"
\"Then，increatedgoodness！——WHEREdidyougetit？\"
Johnnyraisedhisbrown—gooseberryeyesforasingleinstanttohismother’sandsaid，\"Ifoundit。\"
Mrs。Medlikergaspedagainandstaredhopelesslyattheceiling。
Yetshewasconsciousofacertainrelief。Afterall，itwasPOSSIBLEthathehadfoundit——liarasheundoubtedlywas。
\"Thenwhydon’tyousaywhere，youawfulchild？\"
\"Don’twantto！\"
Johnnywouldhavelikedtoaddthathesawnoreasonwhyheshouldtell。Otherpeoplewhofoundgoldwerenotobligedtotell。TherewasJimBrody，whohadstruckaleadandkeptthelocalitysecret。
Nobodyforcedhimtotell。Nobodycalledhimathief；nobodyhaddraggedhimaboutbythearmuntilheshowedit。Whywasitwrongthatalittleboyshouldfindgold？Itwasn’tagintheCommandments。Mr。Stapleshadnevergotupandsaid，\"Thoushaltnotfindgold！\"Hismotherhadnevermadehimpraynottofindit！
Theschoolmasterhadneverreadhimawfulstoriesofboyswhofoundgoldandneversaidanythingaboutit，andsocametoahorridend。
Allthiscrowdedhissmallboy’smind，and，crowding，chokedhissmallboy’sutterance。
\"Youjestwaittillyourfathercomeshome，\"saidMrs。Medliker，\"andhe’llseewhetheryou’wantto’ornot。Andnowgetyourselfofftobedandstaythere。\"
Johnnyknewthathisfather——whoseteamshadincreasedtofivewagons，andwhoserouteextendedfortymilesfurther——wasnotdueforaweek，andthatthecatastrophewasyetremote。Hispresentpunishmenthehadexpected。Hewentintotheadjoiningbedroom，whichheoccupiedwithhissister，andbegantoundress。Helingeredforsometimeoveronestocking，andfinallycautiouslyremovedfromitasmallpieceofflakegoldwhichhehadkeptconcealedalldayunderhisbigtoe，tothegreatdiscomfortofthatmember。Butthiswasonlyasmall，ordinaryself—martyrdomofboyhood。Hescratchedaboyishhieroglyphiconthemetal，andwhenhismother’sbackwasturnedscrapedasmallholeintheadobewall，insertedthegoldinit，andcovereditupwithaplastermadeofthemoisteneddebris。Itwassafe——sowashissecret——foritneednot，perhaps，bestatedherethatJohnnyHADtoldthetruthandHADhonestlyfoundthegold！Butwhere？——yes，thatwashisownsecret！Andnow，Johnny，withtheinstinctofallyounganimals，dismissedthewholesubjectfromhismind，and，recliningcomfortablyuponhisarm，fellintoaninterestingstudyofthehabitsoftheredantasexemplifiedinacrackoftheadobewall，andwiththeaidofaburntmatchsucceededindivertingfortherestoftheafternoontheattentionofawholelaboriouscolony。
Thenextmorning，however，broughttroubletohiminthecuriosityofhissisters，heightenedbytheirbeliefthathecouldatanymomentbetakenofftoprison——whichwastheirunderstandingoftheirmother’sstory。Igrievetosaythattothemthisinvestedhimwithacertainromanticheroism，fromthegratificationofwhichtheherohimselfwasnotexempt。Nevertheless，hesuccessfullyevadedtheirquestioning，andonbroaderimpersonalgrounds。Asgirls，itwasnoneoftheirbusiness！Hewasn’ta—
goingtotellthemHISsecrets！Andwhatdidtheyknowaboutgold，anyway？Theycouldn’ttellitfrombrass！Theattitudeofhismotherwas，however，stillperplexing。Shewasnolongeractivelyindignant，buttreatedhimwithamysteriousreservethatwasthemoreappalling。Thefactwasthatshenolongerbelievedinhistheft，——indeed，shehadneverseriouslyacceptedit，——buthisstrangereticenceandsecretivenesspiquedhercuriosity，andevenmadeheralittleafraidofhim。Thecapacityforkeepingasecretshebelievedwasmanlike，andremindedher——fornoreasonintheworld——ofJimMedliker，herhusband，whomshefeared。Well，shewouldletthemfightitoutbetweenthem。Morethanthat，shewasfinallyobligedtosinkherreserveinemployinghiminthenecessary\"chores\"forthehouse，andhewassentonanerrandtothecountrystoreatthecross—roads。Buthefirstextractedhisgold—flakefromthewall，andputitinhispocket。
Onarrivingatthestore，itwasplaineventohisboyishperceptionsthattheministerhadcirculatedhismiserablestory。
Twoorthreeofthecustomersspoketoeachotherinawhisper，andlookedathim。Morethanthat，whenhebeganhishomewardjourneyhesawthattwooftheloungerswereevidentlyfollowinghim。Halfintimidityandhalfinboyishmischiefheonceortwicestrayedfromthedirectroad，andsnatchedafearfuljoyinobservingtheirequaldivergence。AshepassedMr。Staples’shousehesawthatreverendgentlemansneakoutofhisbackgate，and，withoutseeingthetwoothers，joinintheinquisitorialprocession。ButtheeventsofthepastdayhadhadtheirquickeningeffectuponJohnny’sintellect。Abrilliantlywickedthoughtstruckhim。Ashewaspassingaperfectlybarespotontheroadhemanaged，withoutbeingnoticed，tocasthisglitteringflakeofgoldonthesterilegroundattheothersideoftheroad，wheretheminister’spathwouldlie。Then，atapointwheretheroadturned，heconcealedhimselfinthebrush。TheReverendMr。Stapleshurriedforwardashelostsightoftheboyinthesweepoftheroad，buthaltedsuddenly。Johnny’sheartleaped。Theministerlookedaroundhim，stooped，pickedupthepieceofgold，thrustithurriedlyinhiswaistcoatpocket，andcontinuedhisway。Whenhereachedtheturnoftheroad，beforepassingit，heavailedhimselfofhissolitudetopauseandagainexaminethetreasure，andagainreturnittohispocket。But，toJohnny’ssurprise，hehereturnedback，walkedquicklytothespotwherehehadfoundit，carefullyexaminedthelocality，kickingtheloosesoilandstonesaroundwithhisfeetuntilhehadapparentlysatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnomore，andnogold—bearingindicationsinthesoil。Atthismoment，however，thetwootherinquisitorscameinsight，andMr。
Staplesturnedquicklyandhurriedon。BeforehehadpassedthebrushwhereJohnnywasconcealed，thetwomenovertookhimandexchangedgreetings。Theybothspokeof\"Johnny\"andhiscrime；ofhavingfollowedhimwithaviewoffindingoutwherehewenttoprocurehisgold，andofhishavingagainevadedthem。Mr。Staplesagreedwiththeirpurpose，but，toJohnny’sintenseastonishment，SAIDNOTHINGABOUTHISOWNFIND！Whentheyhadpassedon，theboyslippedfromhisplaceofconcealmentandfollowedthematadistanceuntilhisownhousecameinview。Herethetwomendiverged，buttheministercontinuedontowardstheother\"store\"
andpost—officeonthemainroad。
Hewouldhavetoldhismotherwhathehadseen，andhissurprisethattheministerhadnotspokenoffindingthegoldtotheothermen，buthewaschecked，firstbyhismother’sattitudetowardshim，whichwasclearlythesameastheminister’s，and，second，bytheknowledgethatshewouldhavecondemnedhisdroppingthegoldintheminister’spath，——thoughheknewnotWHY，——oraskedhisreasonforit，whichhewasequallysurehecouldnotformulate，thoughhealsoknewnotwhy。Butthatevening，ashewasreturningfromthespringwithwater，heheardtheminister’svoiceinthekitchen。IthadbeenadayofsurprisesandrevelationstoJohnny，buttheclimaxseemedtobereachedasheenteredtheroom；andhenowstoodtransfixedandopen—mouthedasheheardMr。Staplessay：——
\"It’sallverywell，SisterMedliker，tocomfortyourheartwithvainhopesanddelusions。Amother’sleanin’sisthesoul’sdeceivin’s，——andyerleanin’onabrokenreed。Iftheboytrulyfoundthatgoldhe’dhavecometoyeandsaid：’Behold，mother，I
havefoundgoldinthehighwaysandbyways；rejoiceandbeexceedin’glad！’andhevpoureditinteryerlap。Yes，\"continuedMr。Staplesaggressivelytotheboy，ashesawhimstaggerbackwithhispailinhand，\"yes，sir，THATwouldhavebeenthecourseofaChristianchild！\"
ForamomentJohnnyfeltthebloodboilinginhisears，andathousandwordsseemedcrowdinginhisthroat。\"Then\"——hegaspedandchoked。\"Then\"——hebeganagain，andstoppedwiththesuffocationofindignation。
ButMr。Staplessawinhisagitationonlyanawakenedconscience，and，nudgingMrs。Medliker，leanedeagerlyforwardforareply。
\"Then，\"herepeated，withsuaveencouragement，\"goon，Johnny！
Speakitout！\"
\"Then，\"saidJohnny，inahigh，shrillfalsettothatstartledthem，\"thenwotfordidYOUpickupthatpieceo’goldintheroadthisarternoon，andsaynothin’ofittothemenwhofollowedye？Yedid；Iseedyer！Andyedidn’tsaynothin’ofittoanybody；andyeain’tsayin’nothin’ofitnowtermaw！andye’vegotitinyervest！Andit’smine，andIdroppedit！Gimmeit。\"
Astonishment，confusion，andrageswelledandempurpledStaples’
face。ItwasHISturntogaspforbreath。Yetinthesamemomenthemadeanangrydashattheboy。ButMrs。Medlikerinterfered。
Thiswasanentirelynewfeatureinthecase。Greatisthepowerofgold。Asingleglanceattheminister’sconfusionhadconvincedherthatJohnny’saccusationwastrue，anditwasJohnny’sMONEY——
constructivelyHERS——thattheministerwasconcealing。Hismerepossessionofthatgoldhadmoreeffectinstraighteningoutherlooselogicthananysenseofhypocrisy。
\"Youleavetheboybe，BrotherStaples，\"saidMrs。Medlikersharply。\"Ireckonwot’shisishisn，spiteofwharhegotit。\"
Mr。Staplessawhismistake，andsmiledpainfullyashefumbledinhiswaistcoatpocket。\"IbelieveIDIDpickupsomething，\"hesaid，\"thatmayormaynothavebeengold，butIhavedroppeditagainorthrownitaway；andreallyitisoflittleconcerninourmorallesson。ForwehaveonlyHISwordthatitwasreallyhis！
HowdoweKNOWit？\"
\"Cosithasmymarksonit，\"saidJohnnyquickly；\"ithadacriss—
crossIscratchedonit。Ikintellitgoodenuf。\"
Mr。Staplesturnedsuddenlypaleandrose。\"Ofcourse，\"hesaidtoMrs。Medlikerwithpainfuldignity，\"ifyousetsomuchvalueuponamereworldlytrifle，Iwillendeavortofindit。Itmaybeinmyotherpocket。\"Hebackedoutofthedoorinhisusualfashion，butinstantlywentovertothepost—office，where，asheafterwardsalleged，hehadchangedtheoreforcoininamomentofinadvertence。
ButJohnny’shieroglyphicswerefoundonit，andinsomemysteriouswaythestorygotabout。IthadtwoeffectsthatJohnnydidnotdreamof。Ithadforcedhismotherintoanattitudeofcomplicitywithhim；ithadraisedupforhimasinglefriend。JakeStielitzer，quartzminer，haddeclaredthatBurntSpringwas\"playingitlowdown\"onJohnny！Thatiftheyreallybelievedthattheboytookgoldfromtheirsluiceboxes，itwastheirdutytowatchtheirCLAIMSandnottheboy。Thatitwasonlytheirexcusefor\"snooping\"afterhim，andtheyonlywantedtofindhis\"strike，\"
whichwasasmuchhisastheirclaimsweretheirown！Allthiswithgreatproficiencyofepithet，butalsoastillmorerecognizedproficiencywiththerevolver，whichmadetheformerrespected。
\"That’stherealniggerinthefence，Johnny，\"saidJake，twirlinghishugemustache，\"andtheyonlywanttoknowwhereyourleadis，——
anddon’tyertell’em！Let’embileoverwithwaitin’first，andthat’llputthefireout。Doesyerpopknow？\"
\"No，\"saidJohnny。
\"Noryermar？\"
\"No。\"
Jakewhistled。\"Thenit’sonlyYOU，yourself？\"
Johnnynoddedviolently，andhisbrowneyesglistened。
\"It’saheapofinformationtobepackedawayinachapofyoursize，Johnny。Makesyoufeelkindercrowdedinside，eh？MUSTkeepittoyourself，eh？\"
\"Haveto，\"saidJohnnywithagaspthatwasalittlelikeasigh。
ItcausedJaketolookathimattentively。\"Seehere，Johnny，\"hesaid，\"nowefyewantedtotellsomebodyaboutit，——somebodyaswasafriendofyours，——ME，f’rinstance？\"
Johnnyslowlywithdrewthefreckled，wartylittlehandthathadbeenrestingconfidinglyinJake’sandgentlysidledawayfromhim。
Jakeburstintoaloudlaugh。
\"Allright，Johnnyboy，\"hesaidwithaheartyslapupontheboy’sback，\"keepyerheadshutefyerwanter！Onlyefanybodyelsecomesbummin’roundye，likethis，jestturnhimoverTOME，andI’lllifthimouterhisboots！\"
Jakekepthisword，andhisdistancethereafter。Indeed，itwasafterthisfirstandlastconversationwithhimthattheinfluenceofhispowerfulprotectionwassostrongthatallactivecriticismsofJohnnyceased，andonlyarespectfulsurveillanceofhismovementslingeredinthesettlement。Idonotknowthatthiswasaltogetherdistastefultothechild；itwouldhavebeenstrange，indeed，ifhehadnotfeltattimesexaltedbythismysteriousinfluencethatheseemedtohaveacquiredoverhisfellowcreatures。Ifheweremerelyhuntingblackberriesinthebrush，hewasalwayssure，soonerorlater，tofindareadyhandofferedtohelpandaccompanyhim；ifhetrappedasquirrelortrackeddownawildbees’hoard，hegenerallyfoundasmilingfacewatchinghim。
Prospectorssometimesstoppedhimwith：\"Well，Johnny，asachipperandfar—mindedboy，nowWHARwouldYOUadviseustodig？\"IgrievetosaythatJohnnywasnotabovegivinghisadvice，——andthatitwasinvariablyofnotthesmallestusetotherecipient。
Andsothedayspassed。Mr。Medliker’sabsencewasprotracted，andthehourofretributionandpunishmentstillseemedfaraway。Theblackberriesripenedanddrieduponthehillside，andthesquirrelshadgatheredtheirhoards；thebeesnolongercameandwentthroughthethicket，butJohnnywasstillindailymysteriouspossessionofhisgrainsofgold！Andthenoneday——afterthefateofallheroichumanity——hissecretwasimperilledbytheblandishmentsandmachinationsoftheall—powerfulsex。
FlorryFraserwasalittleplaymateofJohnny’s。Why，withhisdoubtsofhiseldersister’sintelligenceandintegrity，heshouldhaveselectedachildtwoyearsyounger，andofsingularsimplicity，was，likehisothersecret，hisown。WhatSHEsawinhimtoattractherwasequallystrange；possiblyitmayhavebeenhisbrown—gooseberryeyesorhiswarts；butshewasquitecontenttotrotafterhim，likeayoungsquaw，carryinghis\"bow—arrow，\"orhis\"trap，\"supremelysatisfiedtosharehiswoodlandknowledgeorhisscanterconfidences。FornobodywhoknewJohnnysuspectedthatshewasprivytohisgreatsecret。Howbeit，whereverhisraggedstrawhat，thatchedwithhistawnyhair，wasdetectedinthebrush，thelittlenankeensunbonnetofFlorrywassuretobediscernednotfarbehind。Fortwoweekstheyhadnotseeneachother。Afelldisease，nurturedinignorance，dirt，andcarelessness，wasstrikingrightandleftthroughthevalleysofthefoothills，andFlorry，whosesisterhadjustrecoveredfromanattack，hadbeensequesteredwithher。Butonemorning，asJohnnywasbringinghiswoodfromthestackbehindthehouse，hesaw，tohisintensedelight，apicketoftheroadfenceslippedasidebyasmallredhand，andamomentafterFlorrysqueezedherselfthroughthenarrowopening。Herroundcheekswereslightlyflushed，andtherewasascrapofredflannelaroundherplumpthroatthatheightenedthewhitenessofherskin。
\"My！\"saidJohnny，withhalf—real，half—affectedadmiration，\"howsplendiferous！\"
\"Sorefroat，\"saidFlorry，inawhisper，tryingtoinserthertwochubbyfingersbetweenthebandageandherchin。\"Imussentgoouterthegardenpatch！Imussentplayinthewoods，forI’llbeseed！Imussentstaylong，forthey’llketchmeouterbed！\"
\"Outerbed？\"repeatedJohnny，withintenseadmiration，asheperceivedforthefirsttimethatFlorrywasinaflannelnightgown，withbarelegsandfeet。
\"Ess。\"
Whereuponthesetwodelightfulimpschuckledandwaggedtheirheadswithasincereenjoymentthatthismereworldcouldnotgive！
JohnnyslippedoffhisshoesandstockingsandhurriedlyputthemontheinfantFlorry，securingthemfromfallingoffwithathickcord。Thisaddedtotheirenjoyment。
\"Wecanplaycubbyhouseinthestoneheap，\"whisperedFlorry。
\"Hol’ontillItoteinthiswood，\"saidJohnny。\"YouhidetillI
comeback。\"
Johnnyswiftlydeliveredhisloadwithanalacrityhehadnevershownbefore。Thentheyplayed\"cubbyhouse\"——notfiftyfeetfromthecabin，withahushedbutguiltysatisfaction。Butpresentlyitpalled。Theirdomainwastoocircumscribedforvariety。\"RobinsonCrusoeupthetree\"wasimpossible，asbeingvisiblefromthehousewindows。Johnnywasathiswits’end。Florrywasfretfulandfastidious。Thenagreatthoughtstruckhimandlefthimcold。
\"IfIshowyouashow，youwon’ttell？\"hesaidsuddenly。
\"No。\"
\"Wishyer—ma—die？\"
\"Ess。\"
\"Gotanypenny？\"
\"No。\"
\"Gotanyslatepencil？\"
\"No。\"
\"Ain’tgotanypinsnornuthin’？Youkingoinforapin。\"
ButFlorryhadnoneofchildhood’sfluctuatingcurrencywithher，having，sotospeak，nopockets。
\"Well，\"saidJohnny，brighteningup，\"yekingoinforluv。\"
Thechildclippedhimwithhersmallarmsandsmiled，and，Johnnyleadingtheway，theycreptonallfoursthroughthethickfernsuntiltheypausedbeforeadeepfissureinthesoilhalfovergrownwithbramble。Initsdepthstheycouldhearthemonotonoustrickleofwater。Itwasreallythesourceofthespringthatafterwardsreappearedfiftyyardsnearertheroad，andtrickledintoanunfailingpoolknownastheBurntSpring，fromthebrowncolorofthesurroundingbracken。Itwasthewatersupplyoftheranch，andthereasonforMr。Medliker’soriginalselectionofthatsite。
Johnnylingeredforaninstant，lookedcarefullyaround，andthenloweredhimselfintothefissure。AmomentlaterhereacheduphisarmstoFlorry，loweredheralso，andbothdisappearedfromview。
Yetfromtimetotimetheirvoicescamefaintlyfrombelow——withthegurgleofwater——asoffestivegnomesatplay。
Attheendoftenminutestheyreappeared，alittlemuddy，alittlebedraggled，butflushedandhappy。ThereweretwopinkspotsonFlorry’scheeks，andsheclaspedsomethingtightlyinherlittleredfist。
\"There，\"saidJohnny，whentheywereseatedinthestrawagain，\"nowmindyoudon’ttell。\"
ButheresuddenlyFlorry’slipsbegantoquiver，andshegaveventtoasmallhowlofanguish。
\"Youain’tbitbyatrant’lernornuthin’？’saidJohnnyanxiously。
\"Hushup！\"
\"N——o——o！But\"——
\"Butwhat？\"saidJohnny。
\"MarsaidIMUSTtell！MarsaidIwastofin’outwhereyougetthetrulygold！MarsaidIwastogetyoutotakeme，\"howledFlorry，inanagonyofremorse。
Johnnygasped。\"YouInjin！\"hebegan。
\"ButIwon’t——Johnny！\"saidFlorry，clutchinghislegfrantically。
\"Iwon’tandIsha’n’t！Iain’tnoInjin！\"
Then，betweenhersobs，shetoldhimhowhermotherandMr。StapleshadsaidthatshewastoaskJohnnythenexttimetheymettotakeherwheretheyfoundthe\"trulygold，\"andshewastorememberwhereitwasandtotellthem。Andtheyweregoingtogiveheranewdollyandahunkofgingerbread。\"ButIwon’t——andIsha’n’t！\"
shesaidpassionately。Shewasquitepaleagain。
Johnnywasconvinced，butthoughtful。\"Tell’em，\"hesaidhoarsely，\"tell’emabigwhopper！Theywon’tknownobetter。
They’llneverguesswhere。\"Andhebrieflyrecountedthewild—
goosechasehehadgiventheminister。
\"Andgetthedollyandthecake，\"saidFlorry，hereyesshiningthroughhertears。
\"Incourse，\"saidJohnny。\"They’llgetthedollyback，butyoukinhaveeatedthecakefirst。\"Theylookedateachother，andtheireyesdancedtogetheroverthisheaven—sentinspiration。ThenJohnnytookoffhershoesandstockings，rubbedhercoldfeetwithhisdirtyhandkerchief，andsaid：\"Nowyoutrotovertoyourmar！\"
Hehelpedherthroughtheloosepicketofthefenceandwasturningawaywhenherfaintvoiceagaincalledhim。
\"Johnny！\"
Heturnedback；shewasstandingontheothersideofthefenceholdingoutherarmstohim。Hewenttoherwithshiningeyes，liftedherup，andfromherhotbutlovinglittlelipstookafatalkiss。
ForonlyanhourlaterMrs。FraserfoundFlorryinherbed，tossingwithahighfeverandalighthead。Shewastalkingof\"Johnny\"
and\"gold，\"andhadaflakeofthemetalinhertinyfist。WhenMr。Stapleswassentfor，andwiththemotherandfather，hunganxiouslyaboveherbed，totheireagerquestioningtheycouldonlyfindoutthatFlorryhadbeentoahighmountain，eversofaraway，andonthetopofittherewasgoldlyingaround，andashiningfigurewasgivingitawaytothepeople。
\"Andwhowerethepeople，Florrydear，\"saidMr。Staplespersuasively；\"anybodyyeknowhere？\"
\"Theywozangels，\"saidFlorry，withafrightenedglanceoverhershoulder。
IgrievetosaythatMr。Staplesdidnotlookaspleasedatthecelestialvisionashemighthave，andpoorMrs。Fraserprobablysawthatinherchild’sfacewhichdroveotherthingsfromhermind。YetMr。Staplespersisted：——
\"Andwholedyoutothisbeautifulmountain？WasitJohnny？\"
\"No。\"
\"Whothen？\"
Florryopenedhereyesonthespeaker。\"IfinkitwasDod，\"shesaid，andclosedthemagain。
ButhereDr。Duchesnehurriedin，andafterasingleglanceatthechildhustledMr。Staplesfromtheroom。Forthereweregravecomplicationsthatpuzzledhim，Florryseemedeasierandquieterunderhiskindlyvoiceandtouch，butdidnotspeakagain，——andso，slowlysinking，passedawaythatnightinadreamlesssleep。ThiswasfollowedbyamadpanicatBurntSpringthenextday，andMrs。
MedlikerfledwithhertwogirlstoSacramento，leavingJohnny，ostensiblystrongandactive，tokeephouseuntilhisfather’sreturn。ButMr。Medliker’sreturnwasagaindelayed，andintheepidemic，whichhadnowtakenafastholdofthesettlement，Johnny’ssecret——andindeedtheboyhimself——wasquiteforgotten。
ItwasonlyonMr。Medliker’sarrivalitwasknownthathehadbeenlyingdangerouslyill，alone，intheabandonedhouse。Inhisstrangereticenceandfirmnessofpurposehehadkepthissufferingstohimself，——ashehadhisothersecret，——andtheywererevealedonlyinthewasted，hollowfigurethatfeeblyopenedthedoortohisfather。
OnwhichintelligenceMr。Stapleswas，asusual，promptlyonthespotwithhisstoryofJohnny’ssecrettothefather，andhisusualeagerquestioningtothefast—sinkingboy。\"Andnow，Johnny，\"hesaid，leaningoverthebed，\"tellusALL。ThereisOnefromwhomnosecretsarehid。Remember，too，thatdearFlorry，whoisnowwiththeangels，hasalreadyconfessed。\"
PerhapsitwasbecauseJohnny，evenatthatmoment，hatedtheman；
perhapsitwasbecauseatthatmomenthelovedandbelievedinFlorry，orperhapsitwasonlythatbecauseatthatmomenthewasnearerthegreaterTruththanhisquestioner，buthesaid，inahuskyvoice，\"Youlie！\"
Staplesdrewbackwithaflushedface，butlipsthatwrithedinapainedandstillpersistenteagerness。\"But，Johnny，atleasttelluswhere——wh——wow——wow。\"
IamobligedtoadmitthattheseundignifiedaccentscamefromMr。
Staples’ownlips，andwereduetothesuddenpressureofMr。
Medliker’sarmaroundhisthroat。Theteamsterwasirascibleandpromptthroughmuchmule—driving，andhisarmwas，fromthesamereason，strongandsinewy。Mr。Staplesfelthimselfgarrotedanddraggedfromtheroom，andonlycametounderthestarsoutside，withthehoarsevoiceofMr。Medlikerinhisears：——
\"You’reaministerofthegospel，Iknow，butefyesayanotherwordtomyJohnny，I’llknockthegospelstuffin’outofye。Yehearme！I’VEDRIVENMULESAFORE！\"
Hethenstrodebackintotheroom。\"Yeneedn’tanswer，Johnny，he’sgone。\"
Butso，too，hadJohnny，forheneveransweredthequestioninthisworld，nor，pleaseGod，washerequiredtointhenext。Helaystillanddead。ThecommunitywasscandalizedthenextdaywhenMr。MedlikersentforaministerfromSacramentotoofficiateathischild’sfuneral，inplaceofMr。Staples，andthenthesubjectwasdropped……
ButtheinfluenceofJohnny’shiddentreasurestillremainedasasuperstitioninthelocality。Prospectingpartieswerecontinuallymadeuptodiscovertheunknownclaim，butalwaysfromevidenceanddataaltogetherapocryphal。ItwasevenallegedthataminerhadonenightseenthelittlefiguresofJohnnyandFlorrywalkingoverthehilltop，handinhand，butthattheyhadvanishedamongthestarsattheverymomenthethoughthehaddiscoveredtheirsecret。
Andthenitwasforgotten；theprosperousMr。Medliker，nowtheproprietorofastage—coachroute，movedawaytoSacramento；
Medliker’sRanchbecameastationforchanginghorses，and，asthenewrailwayintimesupersededeventhat，sankintoablacksmith’sshopontheoutskirtsofthenewtownofBurntSpring。Andthenoneday，sixyearsafter，newsfellasaboltfromtheblue！
Itwasthusrecordedinthecountypaper：\"Apieceofraregoodfortune，involving，itissaid，thedevelopmentofaleadofextraordinaryvalue，haslatelyfallentothelotofMr。JohnSilsbee，thepopularblacksmith，onthesiteoftheoldMedlikerRanch。Inclearingoutthefailingwater—courseknownasBurntSpring，Mr。Silsbeecameuponarichledgeorpocketattheactualsourceofthespring，——afissureinthegroundafewrodsfromtheroad。Thepresentyieldhasbeenestimatedtobefromeighttotenthousanddollars。Buttheeventisconsideredasoneofthemostremarkableinstancesofthevagariesof’prospecting’everknown，asthisvaluable’pot—hole’existedundisturbedforEIGHTYEARSnotFIFTYYARDSfromtheoldcabinthatwasinformertimestheresidenceofJ。Medliker，Esq。，andthestationofthePioneerStageCompany，andwasutterlyunknownandunsuspectedbythepreviousinhabitants！Verilytruthisstrangerthanfiction！\"
ATALEOFTHREETRUANTS
TheschoolmasteratHemlockHillwastroubledthatmorning。Threeofhisboysweremissing。Thiswasnotonlyanotabledeficitinaroll—calloftwenty，buttheabsenteeswerehisthreemostoriginalanddistinctivescholars。Hehadreceivednopreliminarywarningorexcuse。Norcouldheattributetheirabsencetoanycommonlocaldetentionordifficultyoftravel。Theylivedwidelyapartandindifferentdirections。Neitherweretheygenerallyknownas\"chums，\"orcomrades，whomighthaveenteredintoanunhallowedcombinationto\"playhookey。\"
Helookedatthevacantplacesbeforehimwithaconcernwhichhisotherscholarslittleshared，having，aftertheirfirstlivelycuriosity，notunmixedwithsomeenvyofthederelicts，apparentlyforgottenthem。HemissedthecroppedheadandinquisitiveglancesofJacksonTribbsonthethirdbench，theredhairandbrowneyesofProvidenceSmithinthecorner，andtherewasablankspaceinthefirstbenchwhereJulianFleming，alankygiantofseventeen，hadsat。Still，itwouldnotdotoshowhisconcernopenly，and，asbecameamanwhowasatleastthreeyearsthesenioroftheeldest，JulianFleming，hereflectedthattheywere\"onlyboys，\"
andthattheirfriendswereprobablyignorantofthegoodhewasdoingthem，andsodismissedthesubject。Nevertheless，itstruckhimaswonderfulhowthelittleworldbeneathhimgotonwithoutthem。HankyRogers，bully，whohadbeenkeptinwholesomecheckbyJulianFleming，waslivelyandexuberant，andhisconductwasquietlyacceptedbythewholeschool；JohnnyStebbins，Tribbs’sbosomfriend，consortedopenlywithTribbs’sparticularenemy；someofthegirlsweresingularlygayandconceited。Itwasevidentthatsomesuperiormasculineoppressionhadbeenremoved。
Hewasparticularlystruckbythislastfact，when，thenextmorning，nonewscomingoftheabsentees，hewasimpelledtoquestionhisflocksomewhatpreciselyconcerningthem。Therewastheusualshysilencewhichfollowsageneralinquiryfromtheteacher’sdesk；thechildrenlookedatoneanother，gigglednervously，andsaidnothing。
\"Canyougivemeanyideaastowhatmighthavekeptthemaway？\"
saidthemaster。
HankyRogerslookedquicklyaround，began，\"Playin’hook——\"inaloudvoice，butstoppedsuddenlywithoutfinishingtheword，andbecameinaudible。Themastersawfittoignorehim。
\"Bee—huntin’，\"saidAnnieRokervivaciously。
\"Whois？\"askedthemaster。
\"ProvySmith，ofcourse。Allersbee—huntin’。Getslotso’honey。
Gottwofullcombsinhisdesklastweek。He’sawfulonbeesandhoney。Ain’the，Jinny？\"Thisinahighvoicetohersister。
TheyoungerMissRoker，thusappealedto，washeardtomurmurthatofallthesneakin’bee—huntersshehadeverseed，ProvySmithwastheworst。\"Andsquirrels——fornuts，\"sheadded。
Themasterbecameattentive，——aclueseemedprobablehere。\"WouldTribbsandFlemingbelikelytogowithhim？\"heasked。
Asignificantsilencefollowed。Themasterfeltthatthechildrenrecognizedadoubtofthis，knowingtheboyswerenot\"chums；\"
possiblytheyalsorecognizedsomethingincriminatingtothem，andwithcharacteristicfreemasonrylookedatoneanotherandweredumb。
Heaskednofurtherquestions，but，whenschoolwasdismissed，mountedhishorseandstartedforthedwellingofthenearestculprit，JacksonTribbs，fourmilesdistant。Hehadoftenadmiredtheenduranceoftheboy，whohadaccomplishedthedistance，includingtheusualmeanderingsofacountryyouth，twiceaday，onfoot，inallweathers，withnodiminutionofspiritsorenergy。Hewasstillmoresurprisedwhenhefounditamountainroad，andthatthehouselaywellupontheascentofthepass。Autumnwasvisibleonlyinafewflamingsumacssetamongtheclimbingpines，andhere，inalittleclearingtotheright，appearedthedwellinghewasseeking。
\"Tribbses，\"or\"Tribbs’sRun，\"wasdevotedtotheworkofcuttingdownthepinesmidwayonalongregularlyslopingmountain—side，whichallowedthetrunks，aftertheyweretrimmedandcutintosuitablelengths，tobesliddownthroughruderuns，orartificialchannels，intothevalleybelow，wheretheywerecollectedbyteamsandconveyedtothenearestmills。Thebusinesswassimpleintheextreme，andwascarriedonbyTribbssenior，twomenwithsawsandaxes，andthenaturallawsofgravitation。Thehousewasalonglogcabin；severalshedsroofedwithbarkorcanvasseemedconsistentwiththestilllingeringsummerandtheheatedodorsofthepines，butwerestrangelyincongruoustothosewhitepatchesonthetable—landandthewhitetonguestretchingfromtheridgetothevalley。ButthemasterwasfamiliarwiththoseSierrancontrasts，andashehadneverascendedthetrailbefore，itmightbeonlytheusualprospectofthedwellersthere。AtthismomentMr。Tribbsappearedfromthecabin，withhisaxeonhisshoulder。
Noddingcarelesslytothemaster，hewasmovingaway，whenthelatterstoppedhim。
\"IsJacksonhere？\"heasked。
\"No，\"saidthefather，halfimpatiently，stillmovingon。\"Hain’tseenhimsinceyesterday。\"
\"Norhashebeenatschool，\"saidthemaster，\"eitheryesterdayorto—day。\"
Mr。Tribbslookedpuzzledandgrieved。\"NowIreckonedyouhadkep’himinforsomedevilmentofhis’n，orlessons。\"
\"NotALLNIGHT！\"saidthemaster，somewhatindignantatthispresumptionofhisarbitraryfunctions。
\"Humph！\"saidMr。Tribbs。\"Mariar！\"Mrs。Tribbsmadeherappearanceinthedoorway。\"TheschoolmasterallowsthatJacksonain’tbintoschoolatall。\"Then，turningtothemaster，headded，\"Thar！yousettleitbetweenye，\"andquietlywalkedaway。
Mrs。Tribbslookedbynomeanssatisfiedwithorinterestedintheproposedtete—a—tete。\"Hevyelookedinthebresh\"（i。e。，brushorunderwood）\"forhim？\"shesaidquerulously。
\"No，\"saidthemaster，\"Icameherefirst。Therearetwootherboysmissing，——ProvidenceSmithandJulianFleming。Dideitherofthem\"——
ButMrs。Tribbshadinterruptedhimwithagestureofimpatientrelief。\"Oh，that’sall，isit？Playin’hookeytogether，incourse。’Scuseme，Imustgobacktomybakin’。\"Sheturnedaway，butstoppedsuddenly，touched，asthemasterfondlybelieved，bysometardymaternalsolicitude。Butsheonlysaid：\"WhenheDOES
comeback，youjustgivehimawhalin’，willye？\"andvanishedintoherkitchen。
Themasterrodeaway，halfashamedofhisfoolishconcernforthederelicts。ButhedeterminedtotrySmith’sfather，whoownedasmallrancholowerdownonaspurofthesameridge。ButthespurwasreallynearerHemlockHill，andcouldhavebeenreachedmoredirectlybyaroadfromthere。He，however，keptalongtheridge，andafterhalfanhour’sridewasconvincedthatJacksonTribbscouldhavecommunicatedwithProvySmithwithoutcomingnearerHemlockHill，andthisrevivedhisformerbeliefthattheyweretogether。HefoundthepaternalSmithengagedinhoeingpotatoesinastonyfield。Thelookoflanguidcuriositywithwhichhehadregardedtheapproachofthemasterchangedtooneofequallylanguidaggressionashelearnedtheobjectofhisvisit。
\"Wotareyecomin’toMEfor？Iain’trunnin’yourschool，\"hesaidslowlyandaggressively。\"IstartedProvidenceallrightforitmornin’aforelast，sincewhenIneverseteyesonhim。ThatletsMEout。Mybusiness，youngfeller，islookin’artertheranch。Yours，Ireckon，islookin’arteryourscholars。\"
\"Ithoughtitmybusinesstotellyouyoursonwasabsentfromschool，\"saidthemastercoldly，turningaway。\"Ifyouaresatisfied，Ihavenothingmoretosay。\"Nevertheless，forthemomenthewassostartledbythisremarkabletheoryofhisownresponsibilityinthecasethathequiteacceptedthefather’scallousness，——orratheritseemedtohimthathisunfortunatechargesmorethaneverneededhisprotection。TherewasstillthechanceofhishearingsomenewsfromJulianFleming’sfather；helivedatsomedistance，inthevalleyontheoppositesideofHemlockHill；andthitherthemastermadehisway。LuckilyhehadnotgonefarbeforehemetMr。Fleming，whowasateamster，enroute。Likethefathersoftheothertruants，hewasalsoengagedinhisvocation。But，unliketheothers，Flemingseniorwasjovialandtalkative。Hepulleduphislongteampromptly，receivedthemaster’snewswithamusedinterest，andaninvitationtospirituousrefreshmentfromademijohninhiswagon。
\"Meandtheolewomankindo’spekilatedthatJulemighthevbeenoverwithAuntMarthy；butdon’tyouworry，Mr。Schoolmaster。
They’relimbs，everyoneo’them，butthey’llfetchupsomewhere，allsquare！Justyouputtwofingerso’thatcornjuiceinsideye，andlet’emslide。Yedidn’thearwhatthe’lekshunnewswaswhenyewasatSmith’s，didye？\"
Themasterhadnotinquired。Heconfessedhehadbeenworriedabouttheboys。HehadeventhoughtthatJulianmighthavemetwithanaccident。
Mr。Flemingwipedhismouth，withahumorousaffectationofconcern。\"MetwithanACCIDENT？Yes，IreckonnotONEaccident，butTWOof’em。TheseyeraccidentsJule’smetwithhadtwolegs，andweremightylivelyaccidents，youbet，andtookhimoffwith’em；ormebbetheyhadfourlegs，andhe’shuntin’’emyet。
Accidents！NowIneverthoughto’that！Well，whenyoucomeacrosshimandTHEMACCIDENTS，youjustwhale’em，allthree！Andyewon’ttakeanotherdrink？Well，solong，then！Geeup！\"Herolledaway，withalaugh，intheheavydustkickedupbyhisplungingmules，andthemastermadehiswaybacktotheschoolhouse。
Hisquestforthatdaywasended。
Butthenextmorninghewasbothastoundedandrelieved，attheassemblingofschool，tofindthethreetruantsbackintheirplaces。Hisurgentquestioningofthembroughtonlytheoneandsameresponsefromeach：\"Gotlostontheridge。\"Hefurthergatheredthattheyhadsleptoutfortwonights，andweretogetherallthetime，butnothingfurther，andnodetailsweregiven。Themasterwaspuzzled。Theyevidentlyexpectedpunishment；thatwasnodoubtalsothewishoftheirparents；butiftheirstorywastrue，itwasaseriousquestionifheoughttoinflictit。Therewasnomeansoftestingtheirstatement；therewasequallynonebywhichhecouldcontrovertit。Itwasevidentthatthewholeschoolaccepteditwithoutdoubt；whethertheywereinpossessionofdetailsgainedfromthetruantsthemselveswhichtheyhadwithheldfromhim，orwhetherfromsomelargercomplicitywiththeculprits，hecouldnotsay。Hetoldthemgravelythatheshouldwithholdequallytheirpunishmentandtheirpardonuntilhecouldsatisfyhimselfoftheirveracity，andthattherehadbeennopremeditationintheiract。Theyseemedrelieved，buthere，again，hecouldnottellwhetheritsprangfromconfidenceintheirownintegrityormerelyfromyouthfulhopefulnessthatdelayedretributionneverarrived！
Itwasamonthbeforetheirsecretwasfullydisclosed。Itwasslowlyevolvedfromcorroboratingcircumstances，butalwayswithashyreluctancefromtheboysthemselves，andasurprisethatanyoneshouldthinkitofimportance。Itwasgatheredpartlyfromdetailspickedupatrecessorontheplayground，fromthevoluntarytestimonyofteamstersandpackers，fromarecordinthecountynewspaper，butalwaysshapingitselfintoaconsecutiveandharmoniousnarrative。
Itwasastorysorepletewithmarvelousescapeandadventurethatthemasterhesitatedtoacceptitinitsentiretyuntilafterithadlongbecomeafamiliarhistory，andwasevenforgottenbytheactorsthemselves。Andevennowhetranscribesitmorefromthecircumstancesthatsurroundeditthanfromahopethatthestorywillbebelieved。
WHATHAPPENED
MasterProvySmithhadstartedoutthateventfulmorningwiththeintentionoffightingMasterJacksonTribbsforthe\"Kingship\"ofTableRidge——atriflingterritoryoftenleaguessquare——Tribbshavinginfringedonhisboundariesandclaimedabsolutesovereigntyoverthewholemountainrange。JulianFlemingwaspresentasrefereeandbottle—holder。Thebattlegroundselectedwasthehighestpartoftheridge。Thehourwassixo’clock，whichwouldallowthemtimetoreachschoolbeforeitsopening，withalltracesoftheirconflictremoved。Theairwascrispandcold，——atriflecolderthanusual，——andtherewasasingularthickeningofthesun’sraysontheridge，whichmadethedistantpeaksindistinctandghostlike。However，thetwocombatantsstripped\"tothebuff，\"
andFlemingpatronizinglytookpositionatthe\"corner，\"leaninguponarifle，which，byreasonofhissuperioryears，andthewildernesshewasobligedtotraverseingoingtoschool，hisfatherhadlenthimtocarry。Itwasthatdayaprovidentialweapon。
Suddenly，Flemingutteredtheword，\"Sho！\"Thetwocombatantspausedintheirfirst\"squaringoff\"tosee，totheirsurprise，thattheirrefereehadfacedround，withhisguninhishand，andwasstaringinanotherdirection。
\"B’ar！\"shoutedthethreevoicestogether。Ahugebear，followedbyitscubs，wasseenstumblingawkwardlyawaytotheright，makingforthetimberbelow。Inaninstanttheboyshadhurriedintotheirjacketsagain，andthegloryoffightwasforgotteninthefeverofthechase。WhyshouldtheypoundeachotherwhentherewassomethingtoreallyKILL？Theystartedininstantpursuit，Julianleading。
Butthewindwasnowkeenandbitterintheirfaces，andthatpeculiarthickeningoftheairwhichtheyhadnoticedhadbecomefirstadarkblueandthenawhiteningpall，inwhichthebearwaslost。Theystillkepton。SuddenlyJulianfelthimselfstruckbetweentheeyesbywhatseemedasnowball，andhiscompanionswereasquicklyspatteredbygoutsofmonstrousclingingsnowflakes。
Othersasquicklyfollowed——itwasnotsnowing，itwassnowballing。
Theyatfirstlaughed，affectingtoretaliatewiththesewhirling，flyingmassesshakenlikeclingingfeathersfromapillow；butinafewsecondstheywerecoveredfromheadtofootbysnow，theirlimbsimpededorpinionedagainstthembyitsweight，theirbreathgone。Theystoppedblindly，breathlessly。Then，withacommoninstinct，theyturnedback。ButthenextmomenttheyheardJuliancry，\"Lookout！\"Comingtowardsthemoutofthestormwasthebear，whohadevidentlyturnedbackbythesameinstinct。Anungovernableinstinctseizedtheyoungerboys，andtheyfled。ButJulianstoppedwithleveledrifle。Thebearstoppedtoo，withsullen，staringeyes。Buttheeyesthatglancedalongtheriflewereyoung，true，andsteady。Julianfired。Thehotsmokewassweptbackbythegaleintohisface，butthebearturnedanddisappearedinthestormagain。Julianranontowherehiscompanionshadhaltedatthereport，alittleashamedoftheircowardice。\"Keeponthatway！\"heshoutedhoarsely。\"Nousetryin’togowheretheb’arcouldn’t。Keepon！\"
\"Keepon——whar？Thereain’tnotrail——nonuthin’！\"saidJacksonquerulously，toholddownarisingfear。Itwastrue。Thetrailhadlongsincedisappeared；eventheirfootprintsofamomentbeforewerefilledupbythepilingsnow；theywereisolatedinthisstonyupland，highinair，withoutarockortreetoguidethemacrossitsvastwhitelevel。Theywerebitterlycoldandbenumbed。Thestimulusofthestormandchasehadpassed，butJuliankeptdrivingthembeforehim，himselfdrivenalongbythefuriousblast，yettryingtokeepsomevaguecoursealongthewaste。Soanhourpassed。Thenthewindseemedtohavechanged，orelsetheyhadtraveledinacircle——theyknewnotwhich，butthesnowwasintheirfacesnow。But，worstofall，thesnowhadchangedtoo；itnolongerfellinhugeblueflakes，butinmillionsofstinginggraygranules。Julian’sfacegrewhardandhiseyesbright。Heknewitwasnolongerasnow—squall，butalastingstorm。Hestopped；theboystumbledagainsthim。Helookedatthemwithastrangesmile。
\"Hevyoutwomadeup？\"hesaid。
\"No——o！\"
\"Makeup，then。\"
\"What？\"
\"Shakehands。\"
Theyclaspedeachother’sred，benumbedfingersandlaughed，albeitalittlefrightenedatJulian。\"Goon！\"hesaid，curtly。
Theywentondazedly，stupidly，foranotherhour。
SuddenlyProvySmith’skeeneyessparkled。Hepointedtoasingularirregularmoundofsnowbeforethem，plainlyseenabovethedrearylevel。Julianrantoitwithacry，andbeganwildlydigging。\"IknewIhithim，\"hecried，ashebrushedthesnowfromahugeandhairyleg。Itwasthebear——dead，butnotyetcold。Hehadsuccumbedwithhishugebacktotheblast，thesnowpilingabulwarkbehindhim，whereithadslowlyroofedhimin。Thehalf—
frozenladsthrewthemselvesfearlesslyagainsthisfurrycoatandcreptbetweenhislegs，nestlingthemselvesbeneathhisstillwarmbodywithscreamsofjoy。Thesnowtheyhadthrownbackincreasedthebulwark，anddriftingoverit，inafewmomentsinclosedtheminathinshellofsnow。Thoroughlyexhausted，afterafewgruntsofsatisfaction，adeepsleepfelluponthem，fromwhichtheywereawakenedonlybythepangsofhunger。Alas！theirdinners——theschooldinners——hadbeenleftontheingloriousbattlefield。
Nevertheless，theytalkedofeatingthebearifitcametotheworst。Theywouldhavetriediteventhen，buttheywerefarabovethebeltoftimber；theyhadmatches——whatboyhasnot？——butnoWOOD。Still，theywerereassured，andevendelighted，withthisprospect，andsofellasleepagain，stewingwiththedeadbearinthehalf—impervioussnow，andwokeupinthemorningravenous，yettoseethesunshiningintheirfacesthroughthemeltedsnow，andforJacksonTribbstoquicklydiscover，fourmilesawayasthecrowflies，thecabinofhisfatheramongtheflamingsumacs。
Theystartedupintheglareofthesun，whichatfirstalmostblindedthem。Theythendiscoveredthattheywereinadepressionofthetable—landthatslopedbeforethemtoadeepgullyinthemountainside，whichagaindroppedintothecanyonbelow。Thetrailtheyhadlost，theynowremembered，mustbenearthisedge。Butitwasstillhidden，andinseekingittherewasdangerofsomefatalmisstepinthetreacheroussnow。Nevertheless，theysalliedoutbravely，althoughtheywouldfainhavestoppedtoskinthebear，butJulian’smandatewasperemptory。Theyspreadthemselvesalongtheridge，attimesscrapingtheloosesnowawayintheirsearchforthelosttrail。
Suddenlytheyallslippedandfell，butroseagainquickly，laughing。Thentheyslippedandfellagain，butthistimewiththestartlingconsciousnessthatitwasnotTHEYwhohadslipped，butTHESNOW！Astheyregainedtheirfeettheycouldplainlyseenowthatalargecrackonthewhitefield，sometwentyfeetinwidth，extendedbetweenthemandthecarcassofthebear，showingtheglisteningrockbelow。Againtheywerethrowndownwithasharpshock。JacksonTribbs，whohadbeenshowingastrangeexcitement，suddenlygaveacryofwarning。\"Lieflat，fellers！butkeepa—
crawlin’andjumpin’。We’regoin’downaslide！\"Andthenextmomenttheywereslidingandtossing，apparentlywiththewholesnow—field，downtowardsthegulliedprecipice。
Whathappenedafterthis，andhowlongitlasted，theyneverknew。
For，hurriedalongwithincreasingmomentum，butalwaysmechanicallyclutchingatthesnow，andboundingfromitastheyswepton，theysometimeslostbreath，andevenconsciousness。Attimestheywerehalfsuffocatedinrollingmassesofdrift，andagainfreeandskimmingoveritsarrestedsurface，butalwaysfalling，asitseemedtothem，almostperpendicularly。Inoneoftheseshockstheyseemedtobegoingthroughathicketofunderbrush；butProvySmithknewthattheywerethetopsofpine—
trees。Atlasttherewasoneshocklongerandlasting，followedbyadeepeningthunderbelowthem。Theavalanchehadstruckaledgeinthemountainside，andprecipitateditslowerpartintothevalley。
Theneverythingwasstill，untilProvyheardJulian’svoicecalling。Heanswered，buttherewasnoresponsefromTribbs。Hadhegoneoverintothevalley？Theysetupadespairingshout！A
voice——asmotheredone——thatmightbehis，cameapparentlyfromthesnowbeneaththem。Theyshoutedagain；thevoice，vagueandhollow，responded，butitwasnowsurelyhis。
\"Whereareyou？\"screamedProvy。
\"Downthechimbley。\"
Therewasablacksquareofadobestickingoutofthesnownearthem。Theyrantoit。Therewasahole。Theypeereddown，butcouldseenothingatfirstbutafaintglimmer。
\"Comedown，fellows！Itain’tfar！\"saidTribbs’svoice。
\"Wotyergotthere？\"askedJuliancautiously。
\"Suthin’toeat。\"
Thatwasenough。InanotherinstantJulianandProvywentdownthechimney。Whatwasamatteroffifteenfeetafterathousand？
Tribbshadalreadylitacandlebywhichtheycouldseethattheywereinthecabinofsometunnel—manatworkontheridge。Hehadprobablybeeninthetunnelwhentheavalanchefell，andescaped，thoughhiscabinwasburied。Thethreediscoverershelpedthemselvestohislarder。Theylaughedandateasatapicnic，playedcards，pretendeditwasarobber’scave，andfinally，wrappingthemselvesintheminer’sblankets，sleptsoundly，knowingwheretheywere，andconfidentalsothattheycouldfindthetrailearlythenextmorning。Theydidso，andwithoutgoingtotheirhomescamedirectlytoschool——havingbeenabsentaboutfiftyhours。Theywereinhighspirits，exceptforthethoughtofapproachingpunishment，neverdreamingtoevadeitbyanythingmiraculousintheiradventures。
Suchwasbrieflytheirstory。Itstruthwascorroboratedbythediscoveryofthebear’scarcass，bythetestimonyofthetunnel—
man，whofoundhislardermysteriouslyransackedinhisburiedcabin，and，aboveall，bythelongwhitetonguethatformanymonthshungfromtheledgeintothevalley。NobodythoughtthelankyJulianahero，——leastofallhimself。NobodysuspectedthatJacksonTribbs’streatmentofa\"slide\"hadbeengatheredfromexperimentsinhisfather’s\"runs\"——andhewasgladtheydidnot。
Themaster’spardonobtained，thethreetruantscaredlittlefortheopinionofHemlockHill。TheyknewTHEMSELVES，thatwasenough。
