e. He
gasped and fought for breath.

Such reason as was left to him told him that this was the end of all.
At any instant something would flash out of that wall of blackness,
and destroy him with a blow. His spirit rose exultantly to meet and
welcome it; he rejoiced in such a death, slain by the elements, on the
roof of the world, alone, unseen; it was a glorious exit, the finish
he had sought for years on years, his heart's desire. Triumphant and
defiant, he tried to roar back at the thunder, to outscream the wind,
to face the lightning with undimmed eyes.

There came a blinding flash, exceeding in brightness anything he had
yet experienced. But with it, to his amazement, there emerged from the
blackness a vision that brought life back to him with a shocking
thrill. For there, not ten paces distant, was Sunnysides. Only for an
instant; and then all was again obscure. He must have been mistaken.
It was only a figment of fancy, a creation of his tortured brain, a
phenomenon associated with his passing from life to death. And yet he
waited, staring into the smothering void.

Another flash of fire across the black--and Sunnysides! But now the
lightning, as if directed by some intelligence, became again
continuous, its flashes joined in one spouting flame. And in the very
midst of it stood the outlaw in his familiar attitude, with one
forefoot slightly raised, his head high, his nostrils distended, his
dark eyes filled with fire. There had never been anything so bright
and beautiful. His golden hide gleamed with planetary splendor, like
the mythical horses of the sun. This was The Horse, the golden
epiphany of the brute, the answer to all of Haig's fears and
resolutions. And in the very hour of his exit--

Rage rose again within him. Instinctively, for he was scarce capable
of thought, he tried to reach his revolver. But his arms were leaden.
His fingers touched the butt of the weapon, and stopped as if
paralyzed. The horse wavered and danced before his eyes; there was a
culminating detonation; he felt a terrific blow on his head. And he
knew no more.

CHAPTER XXII

THE NARROW PASSAGE

Light came with unutterable mystery. Yet Haig lay for a moment
waiting, mistrustful of the peace that encompassed him. Then he
cautiously raised his head, and looked. Trixy stood near him, panting
and wild-eyed. The whole surface of the plateau was glistening wet; a
cold breeze poured over him, without violence; and the sky