llow a chance to do the same. They don't all
learn that in college. So when they get out they have to go and work
for somebody who has learned it, like you have. Then there's the
things you do, just like you were born to it, that they couldn't do to
save their lives. Why, I've seen you smash six bottles at a stretch,
you going full gallop, and whooping and shooting so we could hardly
tell which was which. And ride--you could make more money riding for
city people to look at than most of those learned fellows, with letters
after their names like the tail of a kite, will ever see. But I
wouldn't like you to make it that way. There's more useful things to
do."

He was comforted by this speech, but he referred to his accomplishments
modestly. "Ridin' an' shootin' ain't nothin'," he said.

"I'm not so sure," she answered. "Father says the day is coming when
our country will want men who can shoot and ride more than it will want
lawyers or professors."

"Well, when it does, it can call on me," he said, and there was the
pride in his voice which comes to a boy who feels that in some way he
can take a man's place in the world. "Them is two things I sure can
do."

Years later she was to think of her remark and his answer, consecrated
then in clean red blood.

They talked of many things that afternoon, and when at last the
lengthening shadows warned them it was time to be on the way they rode
long distances in silence. Both felt a sense which neither ventured to
express, that they had travelled very close in the world of their hopes
and sorrows and desires. Perhaps, as they rode along the foothill
trail, they were still journeying together down the long, strange
trails of the future; dim, visionary, exquisite trails; rough, hard,
cruel trails hidden in the merciful mirage of their young hopefulness.

The shadows had deepened into darkness, and the infinite silence of the
hills hung about them as they dropped from their saddles at the Elden
door. A light shone from within, and Dr. Hardy, who was now able to
move about with the aid of a home-made crutch, could be seen setting
the table, while Mr. Elden stirred a composition on the stove. They
chatted as they worked, and there was something of the joy of little
children in their companionship. The young folks watched for a moment
through the window, and in Dave's heart some long-forgotten emotion
moved momentarily at the sight of the good fellowship prevailing