°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
slow¡¡¡¡maddening¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡miles¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡hour¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pack¡¡¡¡¡¡¡train¡¡¡¡¡¡drove¡¡¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡frantic¡£¡¡
There¡¡were¡¡times¡¡when¡¡it¡¡seemed¡¡that¡¡unless¡¡we¡¡shifted¡¡our¡¡gait£»¡¡unless¡¡
we¡¡stepped¡¡outside¡¡the¡¡slow¡¡strain¡¡of¡¡patience¡¡to¡¡which¡¡the¡¡Inferno¡¡held¡¡us¡¡
relentlessly£»¡¡we¡¡should¡¡lose¡¡our¡¡minds¡¡and¡¡run¡¡round¡¡and¡¡round¡¡in¡¡circles¡¡
as¡¡people¡¡often¡¡do£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡desert¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡formidable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hundred¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡yards¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡slunk¡¡
sullenly¡¡behind¡¡us¡¡to¡¡insignificance£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡had¡¡dared¡¡let¡¡our¡¡minds¡¡relax¡¡
from¡¡the¡¡insistent¡¡need¡¡of¡¡self¡controlthen£»¡¡beyond¡¡the¡¡cotton¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡woods£»¡¡
or¡¡creek¡bed£»¡¡or¡¡group¡¡of¡¡buildings£»¡¡whichever¡¡it¡¡might¡¡be£»¡¡we¡¡made¡¡out¡¡
another£»¡¡remote¡¡as¡¡paradise£»¡¡to¡¡which¡¡we¡¡must¡¡gain¡¡by¡¡sunset¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡again¡¡
the¡¡wagon¡trail£»¡¡with¡¡its¡¡white¡¡choking¡¡dust£»¡¡its¡¡staggering¡¡sun£»¡¡its¡¡miles¡¡
made¡¡up¡¡of¡¡monotonous¡¡inches£»¡¡each¡¡clutching¡¡for¡¡a¡¡man's¡¡sanity¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡sang¡¡everything¡¡we¡¡knew£»¡¡we¡¡told¡¡stories£»¡¡we¡¡rode¡¡cross¡saddle£»¡¡
sidewise£»¡¡¡¡¡¡erect£»¡¡¡¡¡¡slouching£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡walked¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡led¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡horses£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡shook¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
powder¡¡of¡¡years¡¡from¡¡old¡¡worn¡¡jokes£»¡¡conundrums£»¡¡and¡¡puzzles£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡
the¡¡end£»¡¡in¡¡spite¡¡of¡¡our¡¡best¡¡efforts£»¡¡we¡¡fell¡¡to¡¡morose¡¡silence¡¡and¡¡the¡¡red¡¡¡
eyed¡¡vindictive¡¡contemplation¡¡of¡¡the¡¡objective¡¡point¡¡that¡¡would¡¡not¡¡seem¡¡
to¡¡come¡¡nearer¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡now¡¡we¡¡lost¡¡accurate¡¡sense¡¡of¡¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡first¡¡it¡¡had¡¡been¡¡merely¡¡a¡¡
question¡¡of¡¡going¡¡in¡¡at¡¡one¡¡side¡¡of¡¡eight¡¡days£»¡¡pressing¡¡through¡¡them£»¡¡and¡¡
coming¡¡out¡¡on¡¡the¡¡other¡¡side¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡the¡¡eight¡¡days¡¡would¡¡be¡¡behind¡¡us¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡39¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡40¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MOUNTAINS¡¡
But¡¡once¡¡we¡¡had¡¡entered¡¡that¡¡enchanted¡¡period£»¡¡we¡¡found¡¡ourselves¡¡more¡¡
deeply¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡involved¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seemingly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡limited¡¡¡¡¡¡area¡¡¡¡¡¡spread¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡startling¡¡
swiftness¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡very¡¡¡¡horizon¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Abruptly¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡borne¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡
was¡¡never¡¡going¡¡to¡¡end£»¡¡just¡¡as¡¡now¡¡for¡¡the¡¡first¡¡time¡¡we¡¡realized¡¡that¡¡it¡¡
had¡¡begun¡¡infinite¡¡ages¡¡ago¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡were¡¡caught¡¡in¡¡the¡¡entanglement¡¡of¡¡days¡£¡¡
The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Coast¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ranges¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡experiences¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡past¡¡¡¡¡¡incarnation£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
Mountains¡¡were¡¡a¡¡myth¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡real¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡this£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡endure¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡forever¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡
plodded¡¡on¡¡because¡¡somehow¡¡it¡¡was¡¡part¡¡of¡¡the¡¡great¡¡plan¡¡that¡¡we¡¡should¡¡
do¡¡so¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Not¡¡that¡¡it¡¡did¡¡any¡¡good£ºwe¡¡had¡¡long¡¡since¡¡given¡¡up¡¡such¡¡ideas¡£¡¡
The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡illusion¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡real£»¡¡¡¡perhaps¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡anodyne¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mercifully¡¡
administered¡¡to¡¡those¡¡who¡¡pass¡¡through¡¡the¡¡Inferno¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Most¡¡of¡¡the¡¡time¡¡we¡¡got¡¡on¡¡well¡¡enough¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡day£»¡¡only£»¡¡the¡¡Desert¡¡
showed¡¡her¡¡power¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡day£»¡¡at¡¡five¡¡of¡¡the¡¡afternoon£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡one¡¡hundred¡¡
and¡¡twenty¡¡degrees¡¡in¡¡the¡¡shade¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡we£»¡¡through¡¡necessity¡¡of¡¡reaching¡¡
the¡¡next¡¡water£»¡¡journeyed¡¡over¡¡the¡¡alkali¡¡at¡¡noon¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡the¡¡Desert¡¡came¡¡
close¡¡on¡¡us¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡us¡¡fair¡¡in¡¡the¡¡eyes£»¡¡concealing¡¡nothing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡killed¡¡
poor¡¡¡¡¡¡Deuce£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡beautiful¡¡¡¡¡¡setter¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡traveled¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wild¡¡¡¡¡¡countries¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡
long£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡struck¡¡¡¡¡¡Wes¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Tenderfoot¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡horses¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡finally¡¡
they¡¡had¡¡reached¡¡a¡¡long¡legged¡¡water¡¡tank£»¡¡she¡¡even¡¡staggered¡¡the¡¡horses¡¡
themselves¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡I£»¡¡lying¡¡under¡¡a¡¡bush¡¡where¡¡I¡¡had¡¡stayed¡¡after¡¡the¡¡others¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡hope¡¡of¡¡succoring¡¡Deuce£»¡¡began¡¡idly¡¡shooting¡¡at¡¡ghostly¡¡jack¡rabbits¡¡
that¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡real£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡revolver¡¡¡¡¡¡bullets¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡
resistance¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡this¡¡day¡¡the¡¡Tenderfoot¡¡went¡¡water¡crazy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Watering¡¡the¡¡horses¡¡
became¡¡almost¡¡a¡¡mania¡¡with¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡could¡¡not¡¡bear¡¡to¡¡pass¡¡even¡¡a¡¡mud¡¡¡
hole¡¡without¡¡offering¡¡the¡¡astonished¡¡Tunemah¡¡a¡¡chance¡¡to¡¡fill¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up£»¡¡even¡¡
though¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡animal¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡drunk¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡freely¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡twenty¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡rods¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡
himself£»¡¡he¡¡embraced¡¡every¡¡opportunity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡journeyed¡¡draped¡¡in¡¡many¡¡
canteens¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡so¡¡bad¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡thermometer¡¡stood¡¡from¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡
to¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡five¡¡or¡¡six£»¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡sure£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡getting¡¡used¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡
Discomfort£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ordinary¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡physical¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡discomfort£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡accept¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
normal¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡environment¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡man¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡astonishing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡soon¡¡¡¡¡¡uniformly¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡40¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡41¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MOUNTAINS¡¡
uncomfortable¡¡conditions£»¡¡by¡¡very¡¡lack¡¡of¡¡contrast£»¡¡do¡¡lose¡¡their¡¡power¡¡to¡¡
color¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡habit¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡imagine¡¡¡¡¡¡merely¡¡¡¡¡¡physical¡¡¡¡¡¡unhappiness¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
matter¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡contrasts¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡actual¡¡¡¡¡¡circumstances¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡swallowed¡¡
dust£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡humped¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡shoulders¡¡¡¡¡¡philosophically¡¡¡¡under¡¡the¡¡¡¡beating¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
sun£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡breathed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡debris¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡high¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡winds£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡cooked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡anyhow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ate¡¡
anything£»¡¡spent¡¡long¡¡idle¡¡fly¡¡¡infested¡¡hours¡¡waiting¡¡for¡¡the¡¡noon¡¡to¡¡pass£»¡¡
we¡¡slept¡¡in¡¡horse¡corrals£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡trail£»¡¡¡¡in¡¡the¡¡dust£»¡¡behind¡¡stables£»¡¡in¡¡¡¡hay£»¡¡
anywhere¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡little¡¡water£»¡¡less¡¡wood¡¡for¡¡the¡¡cooking¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡now¡¡¡¡all¡¡confused£»¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡impression¡¡of¡¡events¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡out¡¡sequence£»¡¡¡¡a¡¡
mass¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡prominent¡¡¡¡¡¡purposeless¡¡¡¡¡¡things¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡rock¡¡¡¡¡¡conglomerate¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
remember¡¡¡¡¡¡leaning¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡elbows¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡low¡¡¡¡¡¡window¡ledge¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡watching¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
poker¡¡game¡¡going¡¡on¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room¡¡of¡¡a¡¡dive¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡light¡¡came¡¡from¡¡a¡¡sickly¡¡
suspended¡¡lamp¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡fell¡¡on¡¡five¡¡players£»two¡¡miners¡¡in¡¡their¡¡shirt¡sleeves£»¡¡
a¡¡Mexican£»¡¡a¡¡tough¡¡youth¡¡with¡¡side¡tilted¡¡derby¡¡hat£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡fat¡¡gorgeously¡¡
dressed¡¡Chinaman¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡held¡¡their¡¡cards¡¡close¡¡to¡¡their¡¡bodies£»¡¡and¡¡
wagered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡silence¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Slowly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡regularly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡drops¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡sweat¡¡
gathered¡¡on¡¡their¡¡faces¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡regularly¡¡they¡¡raised¡¡the¡¡backs¡¡of¡¡their¡¡hands¡¡
to¡¡wipe¡¡them¡¡away¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Only¡¡the¡¡Chinaman£»¡¡broad¡faced£»¡¡calm£»¡¡impassive¡¡as¡¡
Buddha£»¡¡¡¡¡¡save¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡crafty¡¡¡¡¡¡smile¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡corner¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡eye£»¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡
utterly¡¡unaffected¡¡by¡¡the¡¡heat£»¡¡cool¡¡as¡¡autumn¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡loose¡¡sleeve¡¡fell¡¡back¡¡
from¡¡his¡¡forearm¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡moved¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡forward£»¡¡laying¡¡his¡¡bets¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡
jade¡¡bracelet¡¡slipped¡¡back¡¡and¡¡forth¡¡as¡¡smoothly¡¡as¡¡on¡¡yellow¡¡ivory¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Or¡¡again£»¡¡one¡¡night¡¡when¡¡the¡¡plain¡¡was¡¡like¡¡a¡¡sea¡¡of¡¡liquid¡¡black£»¡¡and¡¡
the¡¡sky¡¡blazed¡¡with¡¡stars£»¡¡we¡¡rode¡¡by¡¡a¡¡sheep¡herder's¡¡camp¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡flicker¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡fire¡¡¡¡¡¡threw¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡glow¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dark¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡tall¡¡¡¡wagon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡group¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
silhouetted¡¡¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡four¡¡¡¡¡¡squatting¡¡¡¡¡¡dogs£»¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡squarely¡¡¡¡¡¡within¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
circle¡¡of¡¡illumination¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡outside£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡penumbra¡¡of¡¡shifting¡¡half¡¡light£»¡¡
now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡showing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡clearly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fading¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡darkness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sheep£»¡¡
indeterminate¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡bulk£»¡¡¡¡¡¡melting¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡mysterious¡¡¡¡¡¡thousands¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
mass¡¡of¡¡night¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡passed¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡looked¡¡up£»¡¡squinting¡¡their¡¡eyes¡¡
against¡¡the¡¡dazzle¡¡of¡¡their¡¡fire¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡night¡¡closed¡¡about¡¡us¡¡again¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Or¡¡still¡¡another£º¡¡in¡¡the¡¡glare¡¡of¡¡broad¡¡noon£»¡¡after¡¡a¡¡hot¡¡and¡¡trying¡¡day£»¡¡a¡¡
little¡¡inn¡¡kept¡¡by¡¡a¡¡French¡¡couple¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡there£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡very¡¡middle¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
Inferno£»¡¡was¡¡served¡¡to¡¡us¡¡on¡¡clean¡¡scrubbed¡¡tables£»¡¡a¡¡meal¡¡such¡¡as¡¡one¡¡gets¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡41¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡42¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MOUNTAINS¡¡
in¡¡¡¡¡¡rural¡¡¡¡¡¡France£»¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡complete£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡potage£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fish¡¡¡¡¡¡fried¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡oil£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
wonderful¡¡ragout£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡chicken¡¡and¡¡salad£»¡¡the¡¡cheese¡¡and¡¡the¡¡black¡¡coffee£»¡¡
even¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡vin¡¡¡¡¡¡ordinaire¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡forgotten¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡place£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡
location¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡map£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡people£»one¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
detail¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Inferno£»but¡¡that¡¡dinner¡¡never¡¡will¡¡I¡¡forget£»¡¡any¡¡more¡¡than¡¡the¡¡
Tenderfoot¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡forget¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Desert¡¡
¡¨held¡¡us¡¡up¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Once¡¡the¡¡brown¡¡veil¡¡lifted¡¡to¡¡the¡¡eastward¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We£»¡¡souls¡¡struggling£»¡¡saw¡¡
great¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mountains¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡whiteness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡eternal¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡snow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡noon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡
crossed¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡river£»¡¡¡¡¡¡hurrying¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡flat¡¡¡¡¡¡plain£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡current¡¡
came¡¡the¡¡body¡¡of¡¡a¡¡drowned¡¡bear¡cub£»¡¡an¡¡alien¡¡from¡¡the¡¡high¡¡country¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡These¡¡¡¡¡¡things¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡signs¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡jaded¡¡¡¡¡¡spirits¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡
were¡¡nearly¡¡at¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡our¡¡penance£»¡¡but¡¡discipline¡¡had¡¡seared¡¡over¡¡our¡¡
souls£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡rode¡¡on¡¡unknowing¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡real¡¡¡¡¡¡indication¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡amount¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡£¡¡
Merely¡¡a¡¡dry¡¡river¡bed£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡farther¡¡bank£»¡¡instead¡¡of¡¡being¡¡flat£»¡¡cut¡¡into¡¡
a¡¡low¡¡swell¡¡of¡¡land¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡skirted¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Another¡¡swell¡¡of¡¡land£»¡¡like¡¡the¡¡sullen¡¡
after¡heave¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡storm£»¡¡¡¡¡¡lay¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡£¡¡