第1章

CHAPTERI

ItmustbeadmittedthatthecivilizingprocessesofRoughandReadywerenotmarkedbyanyoftheamelioratingconditionsofotherimprovedcamps。Afterthediscoveryofthefamous\"Eureka\"

lead，therewastheusualinfluxofgamblersandsaloon—keepers；

butthatwasacceptedasamatterofcourse。Butitwasthoughthardthat，afterachurchwasbuiltandanewschoolerected，itshouldsuddenlybefoundnecessarytohavedoorsthatlocked，insteadofstandingshamelesslyopentothecriticismandtemptationofwayfarers，orthatportablepropertycouldnolongerbeleftoutatnightintheoldfondrelianceonuniversalbrotherhood。Thehabitofborrowingwasstoppedwiththeintroductionofmoremoneyintothecamp，andtheestablishmentofratesofinterest；thepoorerpeopleeithertookwhattheywanted，orasindiscreetlyboughtoncredit。Therewerebetterclothestobeseeninitsonelongstragglingstreet，butthosewhoworethemgenerallylackedthegrimvirtueoftheoldpioneers，andthefairerfacesthatweretobeseenweregenerallyrouged。Therewasayearortwoofthiskindofmutation，inwhichtheyouthfulbarbarismofRoughandReadymighthavebeensaidtostrugglewithadultcivilizedwickedness，andthenthenameitselfdisappeared。

ByanActoftheLegislaturethegrowingtownwascalled\"Atherly，\"

aftertheowneroftheEurekamine，——PeterAtherly，——whohadgivenlargesstothetowninits\"Waterworks\"anda\"GinMill，\"asthenewAtherlyHotelanditsgildedbar—roomswerenowcalled。Evenatthelastmoment，however，thenewtitleof\"Atherly\"hunginthebalance。TheromanticdaughterofthepastorhadsaidthatMr。

Atherlyshouldbecalled\"AtherlyofAtherly，\"anaristocratictitlesostronglysuggestiveofaninnovationupondemocraticprinciplesthatitwasnotuntilitwasdiscreetlysuggestedthateverybodywasstillfreetocallhim\"Atherly，lateofRoughandReady，\"thatoppositionceased。

Possiblythisincidentmayhavefirstawakenedhimtothevalueofhisname，andsomeanxietyastoitsorigin。Roughlyspeaking，Atherly’sfatherwasonlyabucolicemigrantfrom\"Mizzouri，\"andhismotherhaddonethewashingforthecamponherfirstarrival。

TheAtherlyshadsufferedontheiroverlandjourneyfromdroughtandfamine，withtheadditionofbeingcapturedbyIndians，whohadheldthemcaptivefortenmonths。Indeed，Mr。Atherly，senior，neverrecoveredfromtheeffectsofhiscaptivity，anddiedshortlyafterMrs。Atherlyhadgivenbirthtotwins，PeterandJennyAtherly。ThiswasscantknowledgeforPeterintheglorificationofhisnamethroughhisimmediateprogenitors；but\"AtherlyofAtherly\"stillsoundedpleasantly，and，astheyoungladyhadsaid，smackedofoldfeudaldaysandhonors。Itwasbelievedbeyonddoubt，evenintheirsimplefamilyrecords，——theflyleafofaBible，——thatPeterAtherly’sgreat—grandfatherwasanEnglishmanwhobroughtovertohisMajesty’sVirginianpossessionshisonlyson，thenaboy。Itwasnotestablished，however，towhatclassofdeportationhebelonged：whetherhewassufferingexilefromreligiousorjudicialconviction，orifhewereonlyoneofthearticled\"apprentices\"wholargelymadeuptheAmericanimmigrationofthosedays。Howbeit，\"Atherly\"wasundoubtedlyanEnglishname，evensuggestingrespectableandlandedancestry，andPeterAtherlywasproudofit。HelookedsomewhataskanceuponhisIrishandGermanfellowcitizens，andtalkedagooddealabout\"race。\"Twothings，however，concernedhim：hewasnotinlookscertainlylikeanytypeofmodernEnglishmanasseeneitheronthestageinSanFrancisco，orasanactualtouristintheminingregions，andhisaccentwasundoubtedlySouthwestern。Hewastallanddark，withdeep—seteyesinasingularlyimmobilecountenance；hehadanerectbutlitheandsinewyfigureevenforhisthirtyoddyears，andmighteasilyhavebeentakenforanyotherAmericanexceptforthesingleexceptionthathisnosewasdistinctlyRoman，andgavehimadistinguishedair。TherewasasuggestionofAbrahamLincoln（andevenofDonQuixote）inhistall，melancholyfigureandlengthoflimb，butnothingwhateverthatsuggestedanEnglishman。

ItwasshortlyafterthechristeningofAtherlytownthatanincidentoccurredwhichatfirstshook，andthenthemorefirmlyestablished，hismildmonomania。Hiswidowedmotherhadbeenforthelasttwoyearsaninmateofaprivateasylumforinebriates，throughcertainhabitscontractedwhilewashingforthecampinthefirstyearofherwidowhood。ThishadalwaysbeenamatterofopensympathytoRoughandReady；butitwasasecretreproachhintedatinAtherly，althoughitwasknownthattherichPeterAtherlykepthismotherliberallysupplied，andthatbothheandhissister\"Jinny\"orJennyAtherlyvisitedherfrequently。Onedayhewastelegraphedfor，andongoingtotheasylumfoundMrs。Atherlydeliriousandraving。Throughherson’sliberalityshehadbribedanattendant，andwasfastsuccumbingtoaprivatedebauch。IntheintervalsofherdeliriumshecalledPeterbyname，talkedfrenziedlyandmysteriouslyofhis\"highconnections\"——alludedtohimselfandhissisterasbeingofthe\"truebreed\"——andwithacertainvigorofepithet，pickedupinthefamiliarityofthecampduringthedayswhenshewasknownas\"OldMa’amAtherly\"or\"AuntSally，\"declaredthattheywere\"nocorn—crackingHoosiers，\"

\"hayseedpikes，\"nor\"northernYankeescum，\"andthatsheshouldyetlivetoseethem\"holdingtheirownlandsagainandthelandsoftheirforefathers。\"Quietedatlastbyopiates，shefellintoamorelucidbutscarcelylessdistressingattitude。Recognizinghersonagain，aswellasherownfastfailingcondition，shesarcasticallythankedhimforcomingto\"seeheroff，\"congratulatedhimthathewouldsoonbesparedthelieandexpenseofkeepingherhereonaccountofhispride，underthethinpretextoftryingto\"cure\"her。SheknewthatSallyAtherlyofRoughandReadywasn’tconsideredfitcompanyfor\"AtherlyofAtherly\"byhisfinenewfriends。Thisandmuchmoreinavoiceminglingmaudlinsentimentwithbitterresentment，andwithanominousglitterinherbloodshotandglairyeyes。Peterwincedwithaconsciousnessofthehalf—truthofherreproaches，butthecuriosityandexcitementawakenedbytherevelationsofherfrenzyweregreaterthanhisremorse。Hesaidquickly：——

\"Youwerespeakingoffather！——ofhisfamily——hislandsandpossessions。Tellmeagain！\"

\"Wotareyegivin’us？\"sheejaculatedinhuskysuspicion，openinguponhimherbeadyeyes，inwhichthefilmofdeathwasalreadygathering。

\"Tellmeoffather，——myfatherandhisfamily！hisgreat—

grandfather！——theAtherlys，myrelations——whatyouweresaying。

Whatdoyouknowaboutthem？\"

\"THAT’Sallyewanterknow——isit？THAT’Swhatye’r’comin’totheoldwasher—womanfor——isit？\"sheburstoutwiththedesperationofdisgust。\"Well——giveitup！Askmeanother！\"

\"But，mother——theoldrecords，youknow！ThefamilyBible——whatyouoncetoldus——meandJinny！\"

Somethinggurgledinherthroatlikeachuckle。Withtheenergyofmalevolence，shestammered：\"Therewasn’tnorecords——therewasn’tnofamilyBible！it’sallalie——youhearme！YourAtherlythatyou’resoproudofwasjustaBritishbummerwhowaskickedouterhisfamilyinEnglandandsenttobuzzroundinAmericky。Hehoney—fogledme——SallyMagregor——outofabetterfamilythanhis’n，inKansas，andskyugledmeaway，butitwasastraightoutmarriage，andIkinproveit。ItwasintheSt。Louispapers，andI’vegotitstoredawaysafeenoughinmytrunk！Youhearme！I’mshoutin’！Buthewasn’tnooldsettlerinMizzouri——hewasn’tdescendedfromanysettler，either！HewasanewmanouterEngland——freshcaught——andtalkeddownhisthroat。AndhefooledME——thedarterofanoldfamilythatwassettledontherightbankoftheMizzouriaforeDan’lBoonecametoKentucky——withhisnewphilanderings。Thenhebrokeup，andwentalltopieceswhenwestruckCaliforny，andleftME——SallyMagregor，whosefatherhadniggersofhisown——towashforRoughandReady！THAT’SyourAtherly！Takehim！Idon’twanthim——I’vedonewithhim！Iwasdonewithhimlongafore——afore\"——acoughcheckedherutterance，——

\"afore\"——Shegaspedagain，butthewordsseemedtostrangleinherthroat。Intentonlyonherwordsandscarcelyheedinghersufferings，Peterwasbendingoverhereagerly，whenthedoctorrudelypulledhimawayandliftedhertoasittingposture。Butsheneverspokeagain。Thestrongestrestorativesquicklyadministeredonlyleftherinastateofscarcelybreathingunconsciousness。

\"Isshedying？Can’tyoubringherto，\"saidtheanxiousPeter，\"ifonlyforamoment，doctor？\"

\"I’mthinkin’，\"saidthevisitingdoctor，anoldScotcharmysurgeon，lookingattherichMr。Atherlywithcool，professionalcontempt，\"thatyourmotherwillnadoanymorewashingformeasintheoldtime，norgiveupherlifeagaintosupportherbairns。

Anditisnamyeententiontobringherbacktopainforthepurposesofgeeneralconversation！\"

Nor，indeed，didsheevercomebacktoanypurpose，butpassedawaywithherunfinishedsentence。AndherlimbswerescarcelydecentlycomposedbytheattendantsbeforePeterwasrummagingthetrunkinherroomforthepapershehadspokenof。Itwasinanoldwork—

box——anowfadedyellowclippingfromanewspaper，lyingamidstspoilsofcottonthread，buttons，andbeeswax，whichheeventhenrememberedtohaveseenuponhismother’slapwhenshesuperaddedthesewingonofbuttonstoherwashingoftheminers’shirts。Andhisdarkandhollowcheekglowedwithgratifiedsentimentashereadtheclipping。

\"WehearwithregretofthedeathofPhilipAtherly，Esq。，ofRoughandReady，California。Mr。AtherlywillberememberedbysomeofourreadersastheherooftheromanticelopementofMissSallieMagregor，daughterofColonel’Bob’Magregor，whichcreatedsuchastirinwell—to—docirclessomethirtyyearsago。Itwasknownvaguelythattheyoungcouplehad’goneWest，’——athenunknownregion，——butitseemsthatafterseveretrialsandtribulationsonthefrontierwithsavages，theyemigratedearlytoOregon，andthen，ontheoutbreakofthegoldfever，toCalifornia。ButitwillbeasurprisetomanytoknowthatithasjusttranspiredthatMr。AtherlywasthesecondsonofSirAshleyAtherly，anEnglishbaronet，andbythedeathofhisbrothermighthavesucceededtothepropertyandtitle。\"

Heremainedforsomemomentslookingfixedlyatthepaper，untilthecommonplaceparagraphimprinteditselfuponhisbrainasnolineofsageorpoethadeverdone，andthenhefoldeditupandputitinhispocket。Inhisexaltationhefeltthateventhemotherhehadneverlovedwaspromotedtoacertainrespectashisfather’swife，althoughhewasequallyconsciousofanewresentmentagainstherforhercontemptuousallusionstoHIS

father，andherevidenthopelessinabilitytocomprehendhisposition。Hismother，hefeared，wasindeedlow！——butHEwashisfather’sson！Nevertheless，hegaveherafuneralatAtherly，longrememberedforitsbarbaricopulenceanddisplay。Thirtycarriages，procuredfromSacramentoatgreatexpense，werefreelyofferedtohisfriendstojoinintheastoundingpageant。A

wonderfulcasketofironandsilver，broughtfromSanFrancisco，heldtheremainsoftheex—washerwomanofRoughandReady。Butamoreremarkableinnovationwastheadditionofaroyalcrowntotheotherornamentationofthecasket。PeterAtherly’sideasofheraldrywereveryvague，——SacramentoatthattimeofferedhimnoopportunityofknowingwhatwerethearmsoftheAtherlys，——andtheintroductionoftheroyalcrownseemedtosatisfyPeter’smindastowhatacrestMIGHTbe，whiletotheordinarydemocraticminditsimplysuggestedthatthecorpsewasEnglish！Politicalcriticismbeingthushappilyaverted，Mrs。Atherly’sbodywaslaidinthelittlecemetery，notfarawayfromcertainrudewoodencrosseswhichmarkedtheburial—placeofwandererswhoseverynameswereunknown，andinduetimeamarbleshaftwaserectedoverit。Butwhen，thenextday，thecountypapercontained，inadditiontothecolumn—and—a—halfdescriptionofthefuneral，themoreformalannouncementofthedeathof\"Mrs。SallieAtherly，wifeofthelatePhilipAtherly，secondsonofSirAshleyAtherly，ofEngland，\"

criticismandcommentbrokeout。TheoldpioneersofRoughandReadyfeltthattheyhadbeenimposedupon，andthatinsomevaguewaytheunfortunatewomanhadmadethemthevictimsofahugepracticaljokeduringalltheseyears。Thatshehadgrimlyenjoyedtheirignoranceofherpositiontheydidnotdoubt。\"Why，I

rememberonctwhenIwassorterbullyraggin’heraboutmixin’upmydudswithDocSimmons’s，andsendin’meWhiskeyDick’soldrags，sheturnedroundsuddenwithakindofscreech，andranoutintothebrush。Ireckoned，atthetime，thatitwaseither’drink’orfeelin’s，andcouldhevkickedmyselfforbeingsassytotheoldwoman，butIknownowthatallthistimethataircritter——thatbarrownet’sdaughter—in—law——wasjustlaughin’herselfintofitsinthebrush！No，sir，sheplayedthisyercampforallitwasworth，yearinandout，andwejustgaveourselvesawaylikespeckledidiots！andnowshe’slyin’outtharintheboneyard，andkeepsonp’intin’thejoke，anda—roarin’atusinmarble。\"

EventhelatercitizensinAtherlyfeltanequalresentmentagainsther，butfromdifferentmotives。Thatherdrinkinghabitsandherpowerfulvocabularywerealltheeffectofheraristocraticalliancetheyneverdoubted。And，althoughitbroughtthevirtuesoftheirownsuperiorrepublicansobrietyintogreatercontrast，theyfeltascandalathavingbeentrickedintoattendingthisgildedfuneralofdissipatedrank。PeterAtherlyfoundhimselfunpopularinhisowntown。Thesoberwhodrankfromhisfree\"Waterworks，\"andthegiddyoneswhoimbibedathis\"GinMill，\"

equallycriticisedhim。Hecouldnotunderstandit；hispeculiarpredilectionshadbeenacceptedbefore，whentheyweremerepresumptions；whyshouldtheynotNOW，whentheywereadmittedfacts？Hewasconsciousofnochangeinhimselfsincethefuneral！

Yetthecriticismwenton。Presentlyittookthemilderbutmorecontagiousformofridicule。Inhisownhotel，builtwithhisownmoney，andinhisownpresence，hehadheardarecklessfrequenterofthebar—roomdeclinesomeprofferedrefreshmentonthegroundthat\"heonlydrankwithhistitledrelatives。\"Alocalhumorist，amidsttheapplauseofanadmiringcrowdatthepost—officewindow，hadopenlyaccusedthepostmasterofwithholdingletterstohimfromhisonlysurvivingbrother，\"theDookofDoncherknow。\"\"Theoledookyneveronctmissedthemailtoletmeknowwot’sgoin’oninmechildhood’shome，\"remarkedthehumoristplaintively；\"andyer’sthisdod—blastedgov’mentmuleofapostmasterkeepin’melettersback！\"Letterswithpretentiousandgildedcoatsofarms，takenfromthedecoratedinnerliningofcigar—boxes，werepostedtoprominentcitizens。TheneighboringandunregeneratedsettlementofRedDogwasmoreoutrageousinitscontribution。TheRedDog\"Sentinel，\"incommentingonthedeathof\"HaulbowlineTom，\"adrunkenEnglishman—o’—war’sman，said：\"Itmaynotbegenerallyknownthatourregrettedfellowcitizen，whileservingonH。M。S。Boxer，wassecretlymarriedtoQueenKikaluoftheFriendlyGroup；but，unlikesomeofourprosperousneighbors，heneverboastedofhisroyalalliance，andresistedwithsteadyBritishpluckanyinvitationtosharethethrone。Indeed，anyallusiontothesubjectaffectedhimdeeply。Therearethoseamonguswhowillrememberthebeautifulportraitofhisroyalbridetattooeduponhisleftarmwiththeroyalcrestandthecrossedflagsofthetwonations。\"OnlyPeterAtherlyandhissisterunderstoodthestinginflictedeitherbyaccidentordesigninthelattersentence。Bothheandhissisterhadsomesingularhieroglyphicbrandedontheirarms，——probablyareminiscenceoftheirlifeontheplainsintheirinfantIndiancaptivity。Buttherewasnomistakingthegeneralsentiment。Thecriticismsofasmalltownmaybecomeinevasible。AtherlydeterminedtotakethefirstopportunitytoleaveRoughandReady。Hewasrich；hispropertywassecure；therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldstaywherehisfamilypretensionswereadrawback。Andafurthercircumstancedeterminedhisresolution。

Hewasawaitinghissisterinhisnewhouseonalittlecrestabovethetown。Shehadbeenatthetimeofhermother’sdeath，andsince，aprivateboarderintheSacredHeartConventatSantaClara，whenceshehadbeensummonedtothefuneral，buthadreturnedthenextday。Fewpeoplehadnoticedinherbrother’scarriagetheveiledfigurewhichmighthavebelongedtooneofthereligiousorders；stilllessdidtheyrememberthedark，lank，heavy—browedgirlwhohadsometimesbeenseenaboutRoughandReady。Forshehadherbrother’smelancholy，andgreaterreticence，andhadcontinuedofherownfreewill，longafterhergirlishpupilageattheconvent，tolivesecludedunderitsmaternalroofwithouttakingorders。Ageneralsuspicionthatshewaseitherareligious\"crank，\"orconsideredherselftoogoodtoliveinamountainminingtown，hadnotcontributedtoherbrother’spopularity。Inherabstractionfromworldlyambitionsshehad，naturally，takennopartinherbrother’sfamilypretensions。Hehadgivenheranindependentallowance，andshewassupposedtobeequallyasharerinhisgoodfortune。YetshehadsuddenlydeclaredherintentionofreturningtoAtherly，toconsulthimonaffairsofimportance。

Peterwasbothsurprisedandeager；therewasbutlittleaffectionbetweenthem，but，preoccupiedwithhisoneidea，hewassatisfiedthatshewantedtotalkaboutthefamily。

Buthewasamazed，disappointed，anddisconcerted。ForJennyAtherly，thesoberrecluseofSantaClara，hiddeninhersombredraperiesatthefuneral，wasnolongertoberecognizedinthefashionable，smartlybutsomewhatover—dressedwomanhesawbeforehim。InspiteofherlargefeaturesandthedistinguishingRomannose，likehisown，shelookedevenprettyinherexcitement。Shehadlefttheconvent，shewastiredofthelifethere，shewassatisfiedthatareligiousvocationwouldnotsuither。Inbrief，sheintendedtoenjoyherselflikeotherwomen。Ifhereallyfeltaprideinthefamilyheoughttotakeherout，likeotherbrothers，and\"giveherashow。\"Hecoulddoitthereifheliked，andshewouldkeephouseforhim。Ifhedidn’twantto，shemusthaveenoughmoneytokeepherfashionablyinSanFrancisco。Butshewantedexcitement，andthatsheWOULDHAVE！Shewantedtogotoballs，theatres，andentertainments，andsheintendedto！Hervoicegrewquitehigh，andherdarkcheekglowedwithsomenew—

foundemotion。

Astoundedashewas，Petersuccumbed。Itwasbetterthatsheshouldindulgeherastoundingcapriceunderhisroofthanelsewhere。ItwouldnotdoforthesisterofanAtherlytoprovokescandal。Hegaveentertainments，picnics，andparties，and\"Jinny\"

Atherlyplungedintothesemildfestivitieswiththeenthusiasmofaschoolgirl。Shenotonlycoulddancewithfeverishenergyallnight，butnextdaycouldmountahorse——shewasafearlessrider——

andleadthemostaccomplishedhorsemen。Shewasagoodshot，shewalkedwiththeuntiringfootofacoyote，shethreadedthewoodswiththeinstinctofapioneer。Peterregardedherwithasingularminglingofastonishmentandfear。Surelyshehadnotlearnedthisatschool！Thesewerenottheteachingsnorthesportsofthegoodsisters！Heoncedaredtointerrogateherregardingthischangeinherhabits。\"IalwaysFELTlikeit，\"sheansweredquickly，\"butI

keptitdown。IusedsometimestofeelthatIcouldn’tstanditanylonger，butmustrushoutanddosomething，\"shesaidpassionately；\"but，\"shewentonwithfurtiveeyes，andasuddenwildtimiditylikethatofafawn，\"Iwasafraid！IwasafraidIT

WASLIKEMOTHER！ItseemedtometobeHERbloodthatwasrisinginme，andIkeptitdown，——Ididn’twanttobelikeher，——andI

prayedandstruggledagainstit。Didyou，\"shesaid，suddenlygraspinghishand，\"everfeellikethat？\"

ButPeterneverhad。Hismelancholyfaithinhisfather’sracehadleftnothoughtofhismother’sbloodminglingwithit。\"But，\"hesaidgravely，\"believingthis，whydidyouchange？\"

\"BecauseIcouldholdoutnolonger。Ishouldhavegonecrazy。

TimesIwantedtotakesomeofthosemeeknuns，someofthosewhite—facedpupilswiththeirblueeyesandwavyflaxenhair，andstranglethem。Icouldn’tstriveandprayandstruggleanylongerTHERE，andsoIcameheretoletmyselfout！IsupposewhenIgetmarried——andIoughtto，withmymoney——itmaychangeme！Youdon’tsuppose，\"shesaid，withareturnofherwild—animal—liketimidity，\"itisanythingthatwasinFATHER，inthoseATHERLYS，——

doyou？\"

ButPeterhadnoideaofanythingbutvirtueintheAtherlyblood；

hehadheardthattheupperclassofEuropeanswerefondoffieldsportsandofhunting；itwasoddthathissistershouldinheritthispropensityandnothe。Heregardedhermorekindlyforthisevidenceofrace。\"Youthinkofgettingmarried？\"hesaidmoregently，yetwithacertainbrotherlydoubtthatanymancouldlikeherenough，evenwithhermoney。\"Isthereanyoneherewould——

suityou？\"headdeddiplomatically。

\"No——Ihatethemall！\"sheburstout。\"Thereisn’toneIdon’tdespiseforhissickening，foppish，womanishairs。\"

Nevertheless，itwasquiteevidentthatsomeofthemenwereattractedbyhersingularoriginalityandacertaingoodcomradeshipinherways。AnditwasononeoftheirridingexcursionsthatPeternoticedthatshewassingledoutbyagood—

looking，blond—hairedyounglawyerofthetownforhisespecialattentions。Asthecavalcadestraggledinclimbingthemountain，theyoungfellowrodeclosetohersaddle—bow，andasthedistancelengthenedbetweentheotherstragglers，theyatlastwerequitealone。Whenthetrailbecamemoredenselywooded，Peterquitelostsightofthem。Butwhen，afewmomentslater，havinglostthetrailhimself，theyagainappearedinthedistancebeforehim，hewassoamazedthatheunconsciouslyhalted。Forthetwohorseswerewalkingsidebyside，andthestranger’sarmwasroundhissister’swaist。

HadPeteranysenseofhumorhemighthavesmiledatthisweaknessinhisAmazoniansister，buthesawonlytheserious，practicalsideofthesituation，with，ofcourse，itsinevitablerelationtohisonecontrollingidea。Theyoungmanwasingoodpractice，andwouldhavemadeaneligiblehusbandtoanyoneelse。ButwashefittomatewithanAtherly？Whatwouldthoseasyetunknownandpowerfulrelativessaytoit？Atthesametimehecouldnothelpknowingthat\"Jinny，\"intheeccentricitiesofhervirginspinsterhood，mightbeequallyobjectionabletothem，asshecertainlywasaseveretrialtohimhere。Ifshewereoffhishandshemightbeabletoprosecutehissearchforhisrelativeswithmorefreedom。Afterall，thereweremesalliancesinallfamilies，andbeingawomanshewasnotinthedirectline。

Instead，therefore，ofspurringforwardtojointhem，helingeredalittleuntiltheypassedoutofsight，anduntilhewasjoinedbyacompanionfrombehind。Him，too，hepurposelydelayed。Theywerewalkingslowly，breathingtheirmustangs，whenhiscompanionsuddenlyutteredacryofalarm，andsprangfromhishorse。Foronthetrailbeforethemlaytheyounglawyerquiteunconscious，withhisriderlesssteednippingtheyoungleavesoftheunderbrush。Hewasevidentlystunnedbyafall，althoughacrosshisfacewasalividweltwhichmighthavebeencausedbycollisionwiththesmallelasticlimbofasapling，orablowfromariding—whip；happilythelastideawasonlyinPeter’smind。Astheyliftedhimuphecameslowlytoconsciousness。Hewasbewilderedanddazedatfirst，butashebegantospeakthecolorcamebackfreshlytohisface。Hecouldnotconceive，hestammered，whathadhappened。HewasridingwithMissAtherly，andhesupposedhishorsehadslippeduponsomewitheredpineneedlesandthrownhim！Aspasmofpaincrossedhisfacesuddenly，andheliftedhishandtothetopofhishead。WashehurtTHERE？No，butperhapshishair，whichwasflowingandcurly，hadcaughtinthebranches——likeAbsalom’s！Hetriedtosmile，andevenbeggedthemtoassisthimtohishorsethathemightfollowhisfaircompanion，whowouldbewonderingwherehewas；butPeter，satisfiedthathehadreceivednoseriousinjury，hurriedlyenjoinedhimtostay，whilehehimselfwouldfollowhissister。Puttingspurstohishorse，hesucceeded，inspiteoftheslipperytrail，inovertakinghernearthesummit。Atthesoundofhishorse’shoofsshewheeledquickly，camedashingfuriouslytowardshim，andonlypulledupatthesoundofhisvoice。Butshehadnottimetochangeherfirstattitudeandexpression，whichwassomethingwhichperplexedandalarmedhim。

Herlonglithefigurewashalfcrouching，halfclingingtothehorse’sback，herloosenedhairflyingoverhershoulders，herdarkeyesgleamingwithanoddnymph—likemischief。Herwhiteteethflashedassherecognizedhim，butherlaughwasstillmockinganduncanny。Hetookrefugeinindignation。

\"Whathashappened？\"hesaidsharply。

\"Thefooltriedtokissme！\"shesaidsimply。\"AndI——I——letoutathim——likemother！\"

Nevertheless，shegavehimoneofthoseshy，timidglanceshehadnoticedbefore，andbegancoilingsomethingaroundherfingers，withasuggestionofcoyembarrassment，indescribablyinconsistentwithherpreviousmasculineindependence。

\"Youmighthavekilledhim，\"saidPeterangrily。

\"PerhapsImight！OUGHTIhavekilledhim，Peter？\"shesaidanxiously，yetwiththesamewinning，timidsmile。Ifshehadnotbeenhissister，hewouldhavethoughtherquitehandsome。

\"Asitis，\"hesaidimpetuously，\"youhavemadeafrightfulscandalhere。\"

\"HEwon’tsayanythingaboutit——willhe？\"sheinquiredshyly，stilltwistingthesomethingaroundherfinger。

Peterdidnotreply；perhapstheyounglawyerreallylovedherandwouldkeephersecret！Buthewasvexed，andtherewassomethingmaniacalinhertwistingfingers。\"Whathaveyougotthere？\"hesaidsharply。

Sheshooktheobjectintheairbeforeherwithalaugh。\"Onlyalockofhishair，\"shesaidgayly；\"butIdidn’tCUTitoff！\"

\"Throwitaway，andcomehere！\"hesaidangrily。

Butsheonlytuckedthelittleblondcurlintoherwaistbeltandshookherhead。Heurgedhishorseforward，butsheturnedandfled，laughingashepursuedher。Beingthebetterridershecouldeasilyevadehimwheneverhegottoonear，andinthiswaytheyeventuallyreachedthetownandtheirhouselongbeforetheircompanions。Butshewasfarenoughaheadofherbrothertobeabletodismountandhidehertrophywithchildishgleebeforehearrived。

Shewasrightinbelievingthatherunfortunatecavalierwouldmakenorevelationofherconduct，andhiscatastrophepassedasanaccident。ButPetercouldnotdisguisethefactthatmuchofhisunpopularitywassharedbyhissister。ThematronsofAtherlybelievedthatshewas\"fast，\"andrememberedmoredistinctlythanevertheevilhabitsofhermother。Thatshewould，intheduecourseoftime，\"taketodrink，\"theyneverdoubted。Herdancingwasconsideredoutrageousinitsunfetteredfreedom，andherextraordinarypowersofendurancewerelookeduponas\"masculine\"

bytheweakergirlswhosepartnersshetookfromthem。Shereciprocallylookeddownuponthem，andmadenosecretofhercontemptfortheirsmallrefinementsandfancies。Sheaffectedonlythesocietyofmen，andeventreatedthemwithafamiliaritythatwasbothfearlessandscornful。Petersawthatitwasuselesstofacetheopposition；MissAtherlydidnotseemtoencouragetherenewaloftheyounglawyer’sattentions，althoughitwasevidentthathewasstillattractedbyher，nordidsheseemtoinviteadvancesfromothers。Hemustgoaway——andhewouldhavetotakeherwithhim。Itseemedridiculousthatawomanofthirty，ofmasculinecharacter，shouldrequireachaperoninabrotherofequalage；butPeterknewthesingularblendingofchildlikeignorancewiththisAmazonianquality。HehadmadehisarrangementsforanabsencefromAtherlyofthreeorfouryears，andtheydepartedtogether。Theyoungfair—hairedlawyercametothestage—coachofficetoseethemoff。Petercoulddetectnosentimentinhissister’sfamiliarfarewellofherunfortunatesuitor。AtNewYork，however，itwasarrangedthat\"Jinny\"shouldstaywithsomefriendswhomtheyhadmadeenroute，andthat，ifshewished，shecouldcometoEuropelater，andjoinhiminLondon。

Thusrelievedofone，PeterAtherlyofAtherlystartedonhischerishedquestofhisotherandmoreremoterelations。

CHAPTERII

PeterAtherlyhadbeenfourmonthsinEngland，butknewlittleofthecountryuntilonesummerafternoonwhenhiscarriagerolledalongthewell—orderedroadbetweenNonningsbyStationandAshleyGrange。

Inthatfourmonthshehadconsultedauthorities，examinedrecords，visitedtheHeralds’College，writtenletters，andmadeafewfriends。ArichAmerican，tracinghisgenealogicaltree，wasnotanewthing——eveninthatday——inLondon；buttherewassomethingoriginalandsimpleinhismethods，andsomuchthatwasgrave，reserved，andun—Americaninhispersonality，thatitawakenedinterest。Arecognitionthathewasaforeigner，butapuzzleddoubt，however，ofhisexactnationality，whichhefoundeverywhere，atfirstpainedhim，buthebecamereconciledtoitataboutthesametimethathisEnglishacquaintancesabandonedtheirownreserveandcautionbeforethegreaterreticenceofthismelancholyAmerican，andactuallybecamethequestioners！Inthiswayhisquestbecameknownonlyasadisclosureofhisowncourtesy，andoffersofassistancewerepressedeagerlyuponhim。

ThatwaswhySirEdwardAtherlyfoundhimselfgravelypuzzled，ashesatwithhisfamilysolicitoronemorninginthelibraryofAshleyGrange。

\"Humph！\"saidSirEdward。\"Andyousayhehasabsolutelynootherpurposeinmakingtheseinquiries？\"

\"Positivelynone，\"returnedthesolicitor。\"Heisevenwillingtosignarenunciationofanyclaimwhichmightariseoutofthisinformation。Itisratherasingularcase，butheseemstobearichmanandquiteabletoindulgehisharmlesscaprices。\"

\"AndyouarequitesureheisPhilip’sson？\"

\"Quite，fromthepapershebringsme。OfcourseIinformedhimthatevenifheshouldbeabletoestablishalegalmarriagehecouldexpectnothingasnextofkin，asyouhadchildrenofyourown。Heseemedtoknowthatalready，andavowedthathisonlywishwastosatisfyhisownmind。\"

\"Isupposehewantstoclaimkinshipandallthatsortofthingforsociety’ssake？\"

\"Idonotthinkso，\"saidthesolicitordryly。\"Isuggestedaninterviewwithyou，butheseemedtothinkitquiteunnecessary，ifIcouldgivehimtheinformationherequired。\"

\"Ha！\"saidSirEdwardpromptly，\"we’llinvitehimhere。LadyAtherlycanbringinsomepeopletoseehim。Ishe——ahem——Whatishelike？TheusualAmerican，Isuppose？\"

\"Notatall。Quiteforeign—looking——dark，andratherlikeanItalian。ThereisnoresemblancetoMr。Philip，\"hesaid，glancingatthepaintingofaflaxen—hairedchildfondlingagreyhoundundertheelmsofAshleyPark。

\"Ah！Yes，yes！PerhapsthemotherwasoneofthoseSoutherncreoles，ormulattoes，\"saidSirEdwardwithanEnglishman’stolerantregardforthevagariesofpeoplewhowereclearlynotEnglish；\"they’reratherattractivewomen，Ihear。\"

\"Ithinkyoudoquitewelltobeciviltohim，\"saidthesolicitor。

\"Heseemstotakeaninterestinthefamily，andbeingrich，andapparentlyonlyanxioustoenhancethefamilyprestige，yououghttoknowhim。Now，inreferencetothosemortgagesonApplebyFarm，ifyoucouldget\"——

\"Yes，yes！\"saidSirEdwardquickly；\"we’llhavehimdownhere；

and，Isay！YOU’LLcometoo？\"

Thesolicitorbowed。\"And，bytheway，\"continuedSirEdward，\"therewasagirltoo，——wasn’tthere？Hehasasister，Ibelieve？\"

\"Yes，buthehasleftherinAmerica。\"

\"Ah，yes！——verygood——yes！——ofcourse。We’llhaveLordGreyshottandSirRogerandoldLadyEverton，——sheknowsallaboutSirAshleyandthefamily。And——er——isheyoungorold？\"

\"Aboutthirty，Ishouldsay，SirEdward。\"

\"Ah，well！We’llhaveLadyElfridaoverfromtheTowers。\"

HadPeterknownofthesepreparationshemighthaveturnedbacktoNonningsbywithoutevenvisitingtheoldchurchinAshleyPark，whichhehadbeentoldheldtheashesofhisancestors。Forduringthesefourmonthstheconvictionthathewasaforeignerandthathehadlittleornothingincommonwiththingsherehadbeenclearlyforceduponhim。HecouldrecognizesomekinshipinthemannersandcustomsofthepeopletothosehehadknownintheWestandontheAtlanticcoast，butnottohisownindividuality，andheseemedevenmoreastrangerhere——wherehehadexpectedtofeelthethrillofconsanguinity——thanintheWest。HehadacceptedtheinvitationofthelivingAtherlyforthesakeoftheAtherlyslongdeadandforgotten。Asthegreatquadrangleofstoneandivylifteditselfoutofthepark，helookedlonginglytowardsthelittlesquaretowerwhichpeepedfrombetweentheyewsnearertheroad。AsthecarriagedroveuptothecarvedarchwaywhencesomanyAtherlyshadissuedintotheworld，hecouldnotbelievethatanyofhisbloodhadgoneforthfromit，or，excepthimself，hadeverentereditbefore。Onceinthegreathousehefeltlikeaprisonerashewanderedthroughthelongcorridorstohisroom；

eventhenobletreesbeyondhismullionedwindowsseemedofanothergrowththanthosehehadknown。

TherewasnodoubtthathecreatedasensationatAshleyGrange，notonlyfromhissingularkinship，butfromhisstrikingindividuality。TheAtherlysandtheirguestswerefascinatedandfreelyadmiring。Hisveryoriginality，whichpreventedthemfromcomparinghimwithanyEnglishorAmericanstandardofexcellence，gavethemacomfortableassuranceofsafetyintheiradmiration。

Hisreserve，hisseriousness，hissimplicity，veryunliketheirown，andyetnearenoughtosuggestadelicateflattery，wasinhisfavor。Sowashisnaivefranknessinregardtohisstatusinthefamily，showninthefewwordsofgreetingwithSirAshley，andinhislatersimpleyetfreeadmissionsregardinghisobscureyouth，hisformerpoverty，andhispresentwealth。Heboastedofneither；

hewasdisturbedbyneither。Standingalone，astranger，forthefirsttimeinanassemblageofdistinguishedandtitledmenandwomen，hebetrayednoconsciousness；surroundedforthefirsttimebyobjectswhichheknewhiswealthcouldnotbuy，heshowedthemostunmistakableindifference，——theindifferenceoftemperament。

Theladiesviedwitheachothertoattackthisunimpressiblenature，——thisprofoundisolationfromexternalattraction。Theyfollowedhimabout，theylookedintohisdark，melancholyeyes；itwasimpossible，theythought，thathecouldcontinuethissuperbactingforever。Aglance，asmile，aburstofingenuousconfidence，acovertappealtohischivalrywouldyetcatchhimtripping。ButthemelancholyeyesthathadgazedatthetreasuresofAshleyGrangeandtheopulenteaseofitsguestswithoutkindling，openedtotheirfirstemotion，——wonder！AtwhichLadyElfrida，whohadingenuouslyadmiredhim，hatedhimalittle，asthefirststeptowardsakindlierfeeling。

Thenextday，havingdeclaredhisintentionofvisitingAshleyChurch，and，asfrankly，hisintentionofgoingtherealone，heslippedoutintheafternoonandmadehiswayquietlythroughtheparktothesquareiviedtowerhehadfirstseen。Inthistranquillevellengthofthewoodtherewastheonespot，thechurchyard，where，oddlyenough，thegreenearthheavedintolittlebillowsasiftoshowtheturbulenceofthatlifewhichthosewholaybelowthemhadlatelyquitted。Itwasarelieftothesomewhatstudiedandformalmonotonyofthewell—orderedwoodland，——everyrood，ofwhichhadbeenpacedbyvisitors，keepers，orpoachers，——tofindthosedecrepitandbendingtombstones，lurchingateveryangle，ordeeplysinkingintothegreenseaofforgetfulnessaroundthem。

Allthis，andthetroddenpathsofthevillagerstowardsthatcommonplaceofmeeting，struckhimasbeingmorehumanthananythinghehadleftbehindhimattheGrange。

Heenteredtheivy—grownporchandstaredforamomentatthehalf—

legalofficialparochialnoticespostedontheoakendoor，——hisfirstobtrusiveintimationofthecombinationofchurchandstate，——

andhesitated。Hewasnotpreparedtofindthatthislastresting—placeofhispeoplehadsomethingtodowithtaxesandtithes，andthatacertainmaterialrespectabilityandsecurityattendedhisvotivesigh。Godandthereigningsovereignoftherealmpreservedadecorousallianceintheroyalarmsthatappearedabovetheofficialnotices。Presentlyhepushedopenthedoorgentlyandenteredthenave。Foramomentitseemedtohimasifthearchedgloomofthewoodshehadleftbehindwasrepeatedinthedimaisleandvaultedroof；therewasanearthyodor，asifthechurchitself，springingfromthefertilizingdustbelow，hadtakenrootinthesoil；thechequersoflightfromthefadedstained—

glasswindowsfellliketheflickerofleavesonthepavement。Hepausedbeforethecoldaltar，andstarted，forbesidehimlaytherecumbentfigureofawarriorpillowedonhishelmetwiththeparaphernaliaofhistradearoundhim。AsuddenchildishmemoryofthegreatWesternplains，andthebiersoftheIndian\"braves\"

raisedonuprightpolesagainstthestaringskyandabovethesunbakedprairie，rusheduponhim。There，too，hadlaintheweaponsofthedepartedchieftain；there，too，laytheIndian’s\"faithfulhound，\"heresimulatedbythecross—leggedcrusader’scanineeffigy。Andnow，strangestofall，hefoundthatthisunlooked—forrecollectionandremembrancethrilledhimmoreatthatmomentthanthedeadbeforehim。Heretheyrested，——theAtherlysofcenturies；recumbentinarmororpriestlyrobes，uprightinbuststhatwereperiwiggedorhiddeninlongcurls，abovethemarblerecordoftheirdeedsandvirtues。SomeoftheserecordswereinLatin，——anunknowntonguetoPeter，——someinaquaintEnglishalmostasunintelligible；butnoneasforeigntohimasthedeadthemselves。Theirbannerswavedabovehishead；theirvoicesfilledthesilentchurch，butfelluponhisvacanteyeanddullerear。Hewasnoneofthem。

Presentlyhewasconsciousofafootstep，sofaint，sosubtle，thatitmighthavecomefromaperegrinatingghost。HeturnedquicklyandsawLadyElfrida，halfbold，yethalffrightened，haltingbesideapillarofthechancel。Buttherewasnothingofthedeadabouther：shewasradiatingandpulsatingwiththeuncompromisingandmaterialfreshnessofEnglishgirlhood。Thewildroseinthehedgerowwasnotmoretangiblethanhercheek，northesummerskymoreclearlycoolandbluethanhereyes。Thevigorofhealthandunfetteredfreedomoflimbwasinherfigurefromherbuckledwalking—shoetoherbrownhairtoppedbyasailorhat。Theassuranceandcontentmentofawell—orderedlife，ofsecuredpositionandfreedomfromvainanxietiesorexpectations，werevisibleineverylineofherrefined，delicate，andevenlyquiescentfeatures。AndyetLadyElfrida，forthefirsttimeinhergirlhood，feltalittlenervous。

Yetshewasfrank，too，withthefranknessofthosewhohavenothoughtofbeingmisunderstood。Shesaidshehadcomethereoutofcuriositytoseehowhewould\"geton\"withhisancestors。Shehadbeenwatchinghimfromthechanceleversincehecame，——andshewasdisappointed。Asfarasemotionwentshethoughthehadtheadvantageofthestoniestandlongestdeadofthemall。Perhapshedidnotlikethem？ButhemustbecarefulwhatheSAID，forsomeofherownpeoplewerethere，——manifestlythisone。（SheputthetoeofherbuckledshoeonthecrusaderPeterhadjustlookedat。）

Andthentherewasanotherinthecorner。Soshehadarighttocomethereaswellashe，——andshecouldactascicerone！ThisonewasaDeBrecy，oneofKingJohn’sknights，whomarriedanAtherly。

（Sheswungherselfintoahalf—sittingpostureontheeffigyofthedeadknight，composedherstraightshortskirtoverhertrimankles，andlookedupinPeter’sdarkface。）Thatwouldmakethemsomekindofrelations，——wouldn’tit？HemustcomeovertoBentleyTowersandseetherestoftheDeBrecysinthechapelthereto—

morrow。Perhapstheremightbesomehelikedbetter，andwholookedmorelikehim。FortherewasnoonehereorattheGrangewhoresembledhimintheleast。

Heassentedtothetruthofthiswithsuchgrave，disarmingcourtesy，andyetwithsuchundisguisedwonder，——assheappearedtotalkwithgreaterfreedomtoastrangerthananAmericangirlwould，——thatsheatoncepoppedoffthecrusader，andaccompaniedhimsomewhatmoredemurelyaroundthechurch。Suddenlyshestoppedwithaslightexclamation。

TheyhadhaltedbeforeatablettothememoryofalaterAtherly，anofficerofhisMajesty’s100thFoot，whowaskilledatBraddock’sdefeat。ThetabletwassupportedontheonesidebyaweepingFame，andontheotherbyamanacledNorthAmericanIndian。

Shestammeredandsaid：\"YouseethereareotherAtherlyswhowenttoAmericaevenbeforeyourfather，\"andthenstoppedwithasenseofhavingmadeaslip。

AwildandinexplicableresentmentagainstthiscomplacenthistoricaloutragesuddenlytookpossessionofPeter。Heknewthathisragewasinconsistentwithhisusualcalm，buthecouldnothelpit！Hisswarthycheekglowed，hisdarkeyesflashed，healmosttrembledwithexcitementashehurriedlypointedouttoLadyElfridathattheIndianswereVICTORIOUSinthatill—fatedexpeditionoftheBritishforces，andthatthecaptivesavagewasanallegoricallie。Soswiftandconvincingwashisemotionthattheyounggirl，knowingnothingofthesubjectandcaringless，sharedhisindignation，followedhimwithanxiouseyes，andtheirhandsforaninstanttouchedininnocentandgeneroussympathy。

Andthen——heknewnothoworwhy——astillmorewildandterribleideasprangupinhisfancy。Heknewitwasmadness，yetforamomenthecouldonlystandandgrapplewithitsilentlyandbreathlessly。Itwastoseizethisyoungandinnocentgirl，thiswitnessofhisdisappointment，thiscomplacentandbeautifultypeofalltheyvaluedhere，andbearheraway——aprisoner，ahostage——

heknewnotwhy——onagallopinghorseinthedustoftheprairie——

farbeyondtheseas！Itwasonlywhenhesawhercheekflushandpale，whenhesawherstaringathimwithhelpless，frightened，butfascinatedeyes，——theeyesoftheflutteringbirdunderthespelloftherattlesnake，——thathedrewhisbreathandturnedbewilderedaway。\"Anddoyouknow，dear，\"shesaidwithnaivesimplicitytohersisterthatevening，\"thatalthoughhewasanAmerican，andeverybodysaysthattheydon’tcareatallforthosepoorIndians，hewassomagnanimousinhisindignationthatIfanciedhelookedlikeoneofCooper’sheroeshimselfratherthananAtherly。ItwassuchastupidthingformetoshowhimthattombofMajorAtherly，youknow，whofoughttheAmericans，——didn’the？——orwasitlater？——

butIquiteforgothewasanAmerican。\"Andwiththisbeliefinhermind，andinthehighexpiationofanoblenature，sheforborehercharacteristicraillery，andfollowedhimmeekly，manacledinspiritliketheallegoricalfigure，tothechurchporch，wheretheyseparated，tomeetonthemorrow。Butthatmorrownevercame。

ForlateintheafternoonacablemessagereachedhimfromCaliforniaaskinghimtoreturntoacceptanominationtoCongressfromhisowndistrict。Itdeterminedhisresolution，whichforamomentatthechurchporchhadwaveredunderthebrighteyesofLadyElfrida。Hetelegraphedhisacceptance，hurriedlytookleaveofhishonestlylamentingkinsman，followedhisdispatchtoLondon，andinafewdayswasontheAtlantic。

HowhewasreceivedinCalifornia，howhefoundhissistermarriedtotheblondlawyer，howherecoveredhispopularityandwonhiselection，aredetailsthatdonotbelongtothischronicleofhisquest。AndthatquestseemstohaveterminatedforeverwithhisappearanceatWashingtontotakehisseatasCongressman。

ItwasthenightofaleveeattheWhiteHouse。TheEastRoomwascrowdedwithsmartlydressedmenandwomenofthecapital，quaintlysimplelegislatorsfromremoteStatesinbygonefashions，officersinuniform，andthediplomaticcircleblazingwithorders。Theinvokerofthisbrilliantassemblystoodinsimpleeveningdressnearthedoor，——unattendedandhedgedbynoformality。HeshookthehandofthenewCongressmanheartily，congratulatedhimbyname，andturnedsmilinglytothenextcomer。Presentlytherewasaslightstiratoneoftheoppositedoors，thecrowdfellback，andfivefiguresstalkedmajesticallyintothecentreoftheroom。

TheyweretheleadingchiefsofanIndianreservationcomingtopaytheirrespectstotheir\"GreatFather，\"thePresident。Theircostumeswereaminglingofthepicturesquewiththegrotesque；oftawdrinesswithmagnificence；ofartificialtinselandglitterwiththeregalspoilsofthechase；ofchildlikevanitywithbarbaricpride。Yetbeforethesetheglitteringordersandribbonsofthediplomatsbecamedullandmeaningless，theuniformsoftheofficersmereservilelivery。Theirpainted，immobilefacesandplumedheadstoweredwithgravedignityabovethemeanercrowd；theirinscrutableeyesreturnednoresponsetothetimidglancesdirectedtowardsthem。Theystoodbythemselves，aloneandimpassive，——yettheirpresencefilledtheroomwiththesenseofkings。Theunostentatious，simplerepublicancourtsuddenlyseemedtohavebecomeroyal。Eventheinterpreterwhostoodbetweentheirremotedignityandthenearercivilizedworldacquiredthestatusofacourtchamberlain。

Whentheir\"GreatFather，\"apparentlythelessimportantpersonage，hadsmilinglyreceivedthem，apoliticalcolleagueapproachedPeterandtookhisarm。\"GrayEaglewouldliketospeakwithyou。Comeon！Here’syourchance！YoumaybeputontheCommitteeonIndianRelations，andpickupafewfacts。Rememberwewantafirmpolicy；nomorepalaveraboutthe’GreatFather’andnomoreblanketsandguns！YouknowwhatweusedtosayoutWest，’Theonly\"GoodIndian\"isadeadone。’Sowadein，andhearwhattheoldplughathastosay。\"

Peterpermittedhimselftobeledtothegroup。EvenatthatmomentherememberedthefigureoftheIndianonthetombatAshleyGrange，andfeltaslightflashofsatisfactionoverthesuperiorheightandbearingofGrayEagle。

\"How！\"saidGrayEagle。\"How！\"saidtheotherfourchiefs。\"How！\"

repeatedPeterinstinctively。AtagesturefromGrayEagletheinterpretersaid：\"Letyourfriendstandback；GrayEaglehasnothingtosaytohim。Hewishestospeakonlywithyou。\"

Peter’sfriendreluctantlywithdrew，butthrewacautioningglancetowardshim。\"Ugh！\"saidGrayEagle。\"Ugh！\"saidtheotherchiefs。Afewgutturalwordsfollowedtotheinterpreter，whoturned，andfacingPeterwiththemonotonousimpassivenesswhichhehadcaughtfromthechiefs，said：\"Hesaysheknewyourfather。Hewasagreatchief，——withmanyhorsesandmanysquaws。Heisdead。\"

\"MyfatherwasanEnglishman，——PhilipAtherly！\"saidPeter，withanoddnervousnesscreepingoverhim。

TheinterpreterrepeatedthewordstoGreyEagle，who，afteraguttural\"Ugh！\"answeredinhisowntongue。

\"Hesays，\"continuedtheinterpreterwithaslightshrug，yetrelapsingintohisformerimpassiveness，\"thatyourfatherwasagreatchief，andyourmotherapaleface，orwhitewoman。ShewascapturedwithanEnglishman，butshebecamethewifeofthechiefwhileincaptivity。Shewasonlyreleasedbeforethebirthofherchildren，butayearortwoafterwardsshebroughtthemasinfantstoseetheirfather，——theGreatChief，——andtogetthemarkoftheirtribe。Hesaysyouandyoursisterareeachmarkedontheleftarm。\"

ThenGrayEagleopenedhismouthandutteredhisfirstEnglishsentence。\"Hisfather，bigInjin，takecommonwhitesquaw！

Papoosenogood，——toomuchwhitesquawmother，notenoughbigInjinfather！Look！Hebigman，butnocanbearpain！Ugh！\"

TheinterpreterturnedintimetocatchPeter。Hehadfainted。

CHAPTERIII

Ahotafternoonontheplains。AdustycavalcadeofUnitedStatescavalryandcommissarywagons，whichfromadistancepreservedacertainmilitaryprecisionofmovement，butonnearerviewresolveditselfintostragglingtroopersintwosandfoursinterspersedbetweenthewagons，twononcommissionedofficersandaguideridingahead，whohadalreadyfallenintothecavalryslouch，butofftotheright，smartlyerectandcadet—like，theyounglieutenantincommand。Awideroadthathadtheappearanceofbeingatoncewelltraveledandyetdeserted，andthat，althoughwelldefinedunderfoot，stillseemedtodisappearandloseitselfahundredfeetaheadinthemonotonouslevel。Ahorizonthatinthatclear，dry，hazelessatmospherenevermockedyou，yetneverchanged，butkeptitseternalrimofmountainsatthesameheightanddistancefromhourtohouranddaytoday。Dust——aparchingalkalinepowderthatcrackedtheskin——everywhere，clingingtothehubsandspokesofthewheels，withoutbeingdisturbedbymovement，incrustingthecavalrymanfromhishighbootstothecrossedsabresofhiscap；

goingoffinsmallpuffslikeexplosionsundertheplunginghoofsofthehorses，buttooheavytoriseandfollowthem。Areekingsmellofhorsesweatandbootleatherthatlingeredintheroadlongafterthetrainhadpassed。Anexternalsilencebrokenonlybythecoughofajadedhorseinthesuffocatingdust，orthecrackingofharnessleather。Withinoneofthewagonsthatseemedamiracleofmilitaryneatnessandmethodicalstowage，alazyconversationcarriedonbyagrizzleddriverandsunbrownedfarrier。

\"’Whobeyou？’sezee。’I’mPhilipAtherly，amemberofCongress，’

sezthelong，dark—complectedman，sezee，’andI’monacommissionforlookingintothisyerInjingrievance，’sezee。’YoumaybeGodAlmighty，’sezNebraskaBill，sezee，’butyoulookad——dsightmorelikeahoss—stealin’Apache，andwedon’twantanyofyourpsalm—singing，big—talkin’peacemakersinterferin’withourwaysoftreatin’pizen，——youhearme？I’mshoutin’，’sezee。Withthatthedark—complectedman’seyesbegantoglisten，andhesortersquirmedallovertogetatBill，andBilloutswithhisbattery。——Whoa，willye；what’supwithYOUnow？\"Thelatterremarkwasdirectedtotheyoungspiritednearhorsehewasdriving，whowasbeginningtobestrangelyexcited。

\"Whathappenedthen？\"saidthefarrierlazily。

\"Well，\"continuedthedriver，havingmomentarilyquietedhishorse，\"Ireckoneditwasabouttimeformetowheelintoline，forfellersoftheBillstripe，outontheplains，wouldezleaveplugamanincitizen’sclothes，evenifhewasthePresidenthimself，astheywoulddroponanInjinoranigger。’Lookhere，Bill，’sezI，’I’mescortin’thisstrangerundergov’mentorders，andI’mresponsibleforhim。Iain’tallowedtowastegov’mentpowderandshotonYOURkindonlessI’veorders，butifyou’llwaittillI

stripoffthisshell*I’lllamthestuffin’outerye，aforethestranger。’WiththatBilljustdancedwithrage，butdassentfire，forHEknew，andIknew，thatifhe’dpluggedmehe’dbeenadeadfrontiersmanaforethenextmornin’。\"

*Cavalryjacket。

\"Butyou’dhavehadtogivehimuptotheauthorities，andajuryofhisownkindwouldhavesethimfree。\"

\"Notmuch！Ifyouhadn’tjustjoined，you’dknowthatain’tthewayo’30thCavalry，\"returnedthedriver。\"ThekernelwouldhaveissuedhisorderstobringinBilldeadoralive，andthe30thwouldhavemanagedtobringhiminDEAD！Thenyourjurymighthavesatonhim！Tellyouwhat，chapsoftheBillstripedon’tcareovermuchtotackletheyallerbraid。\"*

*Characteristictrimmingofcavalryjacket。

\"Butwhat’sthisyerCongressmaninterferin’for，anyway？\"

\"He’sarichCalifornian。Thinkshe’sgota’call，’Ireckon，tolookarterInjins，justasthemAbolitionistslookedarterslaves。