ifferent. The feller that gets chasin' trouble don't
need to run. He only needs to set around and shout. Guess it'll come
along if he's yearnin' for it. But it don't come on its own. That's
sure as sure. Keep brain an' body busy doin' the things that lie
handy, an' when you got to make good among the rocks of life, why, I
sure guess you won't find a rock half big enough to stop you."

Watching the deep glowing eyes of the man Joan felt that his
confidence was not merely the confidence of brave words. A single
glance into his purposeful face left the definite impression that his
was a strength that is given to few. It was the strength of a simple,
honest mind as yet unfouled by the grosser evils of an effete
civilization. His was the force and courage of the wild--the impulse
which governs all creatures who live in the midst of Nature's
battle-grounds.

"That's--that's because you're so strong you feel that way," she said,
making no attempt to disguise the admiration she felt. "The burden of
life does not always fall so easily. There are things, too, in spite
of what you say, that we cannot control--evils, I mean evils which
afflict us."

Buck glanced away down the creek. Then his eyes came back to her, and
a new resolve lay behind them.

"I'm no stronger than others," he said. "Guess I haven't ha'f the
strength of some. I'd say----" he paused. Then he went on, his eyes
gazing fearlessly into hers: "I'd say I haven't ha'f the strength of a
gal who gives up the city--a young gal jest beginning a woman's life
with 'most everything in her favor--an' comes right out here to farm
without a livin' soul to pass her a hand. I ain't got ha'f the courage
of a gal who does that jest because she's chased by thoughts that
worry her an' make her days no better than to set her--hatin' them.
Strength? Say, when you ken laff an' all the time feel that life ain't
ha'f so pleasant as death, why, I'd sure say ther' ain't no greater
strength this side of the check-taker's box."

Joan could hardly believe her ears as she listened. Astonishment,
resentment, helplessness, incredulity, all struggled for place. How
had this man discovered her secret? How? How? What did he know
besides? For a moment her feelings robbed her of speech and betrayed
themselves in her expressive face.

But the man's smile, so easy, so disarming, held her. He saw and
understood, and he hastened to reassure her.

"Guess I ain't pryin'," he said bluntly. "These t