PAGE

PROLOGUE 1
I THE PITCHER THAT WENT TO THE WELL 27
II FIRST AID 35
III MAXWELTON BRAES 47
IV THE ROAD TO ROME 61
V THE MASKERS 71
VI THE ISLE OF ARCADY 86
VII STATES-GENERAL 95
VIII ARCADES AMBO 106
IX TAKEN 113
X THE ALIBI 125
XI THE NETTLE, DANGER 136
XII THE SIEGE OF DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 150
XIII THE SIEGE OF DOUBLE MOUNTAIN (_continued_) 169
XIV FLIGHT 181
XV GOOD-BY 194
XVI THE LAND OF AFTERNOON 205
XVII TWENTIETH CENTURY 215
XVIII AT THE RAINBOW'S END 226

BRANSFORD OF
RAINBOW RANGE

BRANSFORD IN ARCADIA

PROLOGUE

I

The long fall round-up was over. The wagon, homeward bound, made camp
for the last night out at the Sinks of Lost River. Most of the men, worn
with threescore night-guards, were buried under their tarps in the deep
sleep of the weary; sound as that of the just, and much more common.

By the low campfire a few yet lingered: old-timers, iron men, whose wiry
and seasoned strength was toil-proof--and Leo Ballinger, for whom youth,
excitement and unsated novelty served in lieu of fitness.

The "firelighters," working the wide range again from Ancho to Hueco,
from the Mal Pais to Glencoe, fell silent now, to mark an unstaled
miracle.

The clustered lights of Rainbow's End shone redly, near and low. Beyond,
above, dominant, the black, unbroken bulk of Rainbow Range shut out the
east. The clear-cut crest mellowed to luminous curves, feathery with
far-off pines; the long skyline thrilled with frosty fire, glowed,
sparkled--the cricket's chirp was stilled; the slow, late moon rose to a
hushed and waiting world.

On the sharp crest she paused, irresolute, tiptoe, quivering, rosily
aflush. Above floated a web of gossamer. She leaped up, spurning the
black rim; glowed, palpitant, th