°´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£¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡standing¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡law¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡stopped¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡pang¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
thought¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Alice¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡blood¡¡¡¡¡¡rushed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡cheeks¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡foreman¡¡
quietly¡¡continued£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡the¡¡claim¡¡ain't¡¡in¡¡any¡¡o'¡¡their¡¡names¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡allowed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡the¡¡gift¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡leader¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡sister£»¡¡¡¡¡¡afore¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡outlawry£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡it's¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡HER¡¡
nameAlice¡¡Riggs¡¡or¡¡something¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Of¡¡the¡¡half¡dozen¡¡tumultuous¡¡thoughts¡¡that¡¡passed¡¡through¡¡Key's¡¡mind£»¡¡
only¡¡one¡¡remained¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡purely¡¡an¡¡act¡¡of¡¡the¡¡brother's¡¡to¡¡secure¡¡some¡¡
possible¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡future¡¡¡¡¡¡benefit¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡sister¡£¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡perfectly¡¡
ignorant£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡recovered¡¡himself¡¡quickly£»¡¡and¡¡said¡¡with¡¡a¡¡smile£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡I¡¡discovered¡¡the¡¡ledge¡¡and¡¡its¡¡auriferous¡¡character¡¡myself¡£¡¡There¡¡
was¡¡no¡¡trace¡¡or¡¡sign¡¡of¡¡previous¡¡discovery¡¡or¡¡mining¡¡occupation¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨So¡¡I¡¡jedged£»¡¡and¡¡so¡¡I¡¡said£»¡¡and¡¡thet¡¡puts¡¡ye¡¡all¡¡right¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡I¡¡thought¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡97¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡98¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡A¡¡HOLLOW¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡HILLS¡¡
I'd¡¡tell¡¡ye£»¡¡for¡¡mining¡¡laws¡¡is¡¡mining¡¡laws£»¡¡and¡¡it's¡¡the¡¡one¡¡thing¡¡ye¡¡can't¡¡
get¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡over£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡added£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡peculiar¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡superstitious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡reverence¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡
Californian¡¡miner¡¡for¡¡that¡¡vested¡¡authority¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡Key¡¡scarcely¡¡listened¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡heard¡¡seemed¡¡only¡¡to¡¡link¡¡
him¡¡more¡¡fatefully¡¡and¡¡indissolubly¡¡with¡¡the¡¡young¡¡girl¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡already¡¡
impatient¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡slight¡¡¡¡¡¡delay¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡quest¡£¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡perplexity¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
thoughts¡¡had¡¡reverted¡¡to¡¡Collinson's£º¡¡the¡¡mill¡¡was¡¡a¡¡good¡¡point¡¡to¡¡begin¡¡his¡¡
search¡¡¡¡¡¡from£»¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡natured£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stupid¡¡¡¡¡¡proprietor¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡guide£»¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
ally£»¡¡and¡¡even¡¡his¡¡confidant¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡his¡¡horse¡¡was¡¡baited£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡again¡¡in¡¡the¡¡saddle¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡yer¡¡going¡¡
Collinson's¡¡way£»¡¡yer¡¡might¡¡ask¡¡him¡¡if¡¡he's¡¡lost¡¡a¡¡horse£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡foreman¡£¡¡
¡¨The¡¡morning¡¡after¡¡the¡¡shake£»¡¡some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡boys¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡a¡¡mustang£»¡¡with¡¡
a¡¡make¡up¡¡lady's¡¡saddle¡¡on¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Key¡¡started£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡While¡¡it¡¡was¡¡impossible¡¡that¡¡
it¡¡could¡¡have¡¡been¡¡ridden¡¡by¡¡Alice£»¡¡it¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡by¡¡the¡¡woman¡¡who¡¡
had¡¡preceded¡¡her¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡search£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡inquired¡¡¡¡¡¡eagerly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨there¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
been¡¡an¡¡accident¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡reckon¡¡it¡¡wasn't¡¡no¡¡accident£»¡¨¡¡returned¡¡the¡¡foreman¡¡coolly£»¡¡¡¨for¡¡the¡¡
riata¡¡was¡¡loose¡¡and¡¡trailing£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡it¡¡had¡¡been¡¡staked¡¡out£»¡¡and¡¡broken¡¡away¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Without¡¡another¡¡word£»¡¡Key¡¡put¡¡spurs¡¡to¡¡his¡¡horse¡¡and¡¡galloped¡¡away£»¡¡
leaving¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡companion¡¡¡¡¡¡staring¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Here¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡clue£º¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡horse¡¡
could¡¡not¡¡have¡¡strayed¡¡far£»¡¡the¡¡broken¡¡tether¡¡indicated¡¡a¡¡camp£»¡¡the¡¡gang¡¡
had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡gathered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡somewhere¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡vicinity¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Barker¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡
warned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡them£»perhaps¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wood¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡beyond¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Collinson's¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡
penetrate¡¡it¡¡alone¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡his¡¡danger£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡a¡¡SINGLE¡¡unarmed¡¡man¡¡
he¡¡might¡¡be¡¡admitted¡¡to¡¡the¡¡presence¡¡of¡¡the¡¡leader£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡alleged¡¡claim¡¡
was¡¡a¡¡sufficient¡¡excuse¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡he¡¡would¡¡say¡¡or¡¡do¡¡afterwards¡¡depended¡¡
upon¡¡chance¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡wild¡¡schemebut¡¡he¡¡was¡¡reckless¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡he¡¡would¡¡
go¡¡to¡¡Collinson's¡¡first¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡two¡¡hours¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡thick¡set¡¡wood¡¡that¡¡gave¡¡upon¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡shelf¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡top¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡grade¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡descended¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mill¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
emerged¡¡from¡¡the¡¡wood¡¡into¡¡the¡¡bursting¡¡sunlight¡¡of¡¡the¡¡valley¡¡below£»¡¡he¡¡
sharply¡¡reined¡¡in¡¡his¡¡horse¡¡and¡¡stopped¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Another¡¡bound¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡
his¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡£¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡shelf£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rocky¡¡¡¡¡¡grade¡¡¡¡¡¡itself£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ledge¡¡¡¡¡¡below£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡98¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡99¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡A¡¡HOLLOW¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡HILLS¡¡
mill¡¡upon¡¡it£»¡¡were¡¡all¡¡gone£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡crumbling¡¡outer¡¡wall¡¡of¡¡the¡¡rocky¡¡grade¡¡
had¡¡slipped¡¡away¡¡into¡¡immeasurable¡¡depths¡¡below£»¡¡leaving¡¡only¡¡the¡¡sharp¡¡
edge¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡cliff£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡incurved¡¡¡¡¡¡towards¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡woods¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡
behind¡¡the¡¡mill£»¡¡but¡¡which¡¡now¡¡bristled¡¡on¡¡the¡¡very¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡a¡¡precipice¡£¡¡
A¡¡mist¡¡was¡¡hanging¡¡over¡¡its¡¡brink¡¡and¡¡rising¡¡from¡¡the¡¡valley£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡a¡¡full¡¡¡
fed¡¡stream¡¡that¡¡was¡¡coursing¡¡through¡¡the¡¡former¡¡dry¡¡bed¡¡of¡¡the¡¡river¡¡and¡¡
falling¡¡down¡¡the¡¡face¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bluff¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡rubbed¡¡his¡¡eyes£»¡¡dismounted£»¡¡crept¡¡
along¡¡the¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡precipice£»¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡below£º¡¡whatever¡¡had¡¡subsided¡¡
and¡¡melted¡¡down¡¡into¡¡its¡¡thousand¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡¡of¡¡depth£»¡¡there¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡trace¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡
upon¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡smooth¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Scarcely¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡angle¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡drift¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡debris¡¡¡¡¡¡marred¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
perpendicular£»¡¡the¡¡burial¡¡of¡¡all¡¡ruin¡¡was¡¡deep¡¡and¡¡compact£»¡¡the¡¡erasure¡¡had¡¡
been¡¡swift¡¡and¡¡sure¡¡the¡¡obliteration¡¡complete¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡the¡¡
precipitation¡¡of¡¡ages£»¡¡and¡¡not¡¡of¡¡a¡¡single¡¡night¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡that¡¡remote¡¡distance¡¡it¡¡
even¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡grass¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡already¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡growing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡enormous¡¡
sepulchre£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tops¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡buried¡¡¡¡¡¡pines¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡absolute¡¡
silence£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡utter¡¡¡¡¡¡absence¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡mark¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡convulsive¡¡¡¡¡¡struggle£»¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
lulling¡¡whimper¡¡of¡¡falling¡¡waters£»¡¡gave¡¡the¡¡scene¡¡a¡¡pastoral¡¡repose¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡profound¡¡was¡¡the¡¡impression¡¡upon¡¡Key¡¡and¡¡his¡¡human¡¡passion¡¡that¡¡
it¡¡at¡¡first¡¡seemed¡¡an¡¡ironical¡¡and¡¡eternal¡¡ending¡¡of¡¡his¡¡quest¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡with¡¡
difficulty¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡reasoned¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡catastrophe¡¡¡¡¡¡occurred¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡Alice's¡¡
flight£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡even¡¡Collinson¡¡might¡¡have¡¡had¡¡time¡¡to¡¡escape¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡slowly¡¡
skirted¡¡the¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡chasm£»¡¡and¡¡made¡¡his¡¡way¡¡back¡¡through¡¡the¡¡empty¡¡
woods¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡old¡¡mill¡site¡¡towards¡¡the¡¡place¡¡where¡¡he¡¡had¡¡dismounted¡£¡¡
His¡¡horse¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡strayed¡¡into¡¡the¡¡shadows¡¡of¡¡this¡¡covert£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡he¡¡
approached¡¡him£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡amazed¡¡to¡¡see¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡his¡¡own£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡a¡¡
woman's¡¡¡¡¡¡scarf¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡lying¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡side¡¡¡¡¡¡saddle¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡wild¡¡¡¡¡¡idea¡¡¡¡¡¡seized¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡
and¡¡found¡¡expression¡¡in¡¡an¡¡impulsive¡¡cry£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Alice£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡woods¡¡echoed¡¡it£»¡¡there¡¡was¡¡an¡¡interval¡¡of¡¡silence£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡a¡¡faint¡¡
response¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡HER¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ran¡¡¡¡eagerly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡that¡¡
direction£»¡¡and¡¡called¡¡again£»¡¡the¡¡response¡¡was¡¡nearer¡¡this¡¡time£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡the¡¡
tall¡¡¡¡¡¡ferns¡¡¡¡¡¡parted£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡lithe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡graceful¡¡¡¡¡¡figure¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡running£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stumbling£»¡¡
and¡¡limping¡¡towards¡¡him¡¡like¡¡a¡¡wounded¡¡fawn¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡face¡¡was¡¡pale¡¡and¡¡
agitated£»¡¡the¡¡tendrils¡¡of¡¡her¡¡light¡¡hair¡¡were¡¡straying¡¡over¡¡her¡¡shoulder£»¡¡and¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡99¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡100¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡A¡¡HOLLOW¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡HILLS¡¡
one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sleeves¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡school¡gown¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡stained¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡blood¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡dust¡£¡¡
He¡¡¡¡¡¡caught¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡white¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡trembling¡¡¡¡¡¡hands¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡thrust¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡
eagerly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡is¡¡YOU£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡gasped¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡prayed¡¡for¡¡some¡¡one¡¡to¡¡come£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡did¡¡
not¡¡¡¡¡¡dream¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡YOU¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡¡¡YOUR¡¡¡¡¡¡voiceand¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
thought¡¡it¡¡could¡¡be¡¡only¡¡a¡¡dream¡¡until¡¡you¡¡called¡¡a¡¡second¡¡time¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡you¡¡are¡¡hurt£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡exclaimed¡¡passionately¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡have¡¡met¡¡with¡¡
some¡¡accident£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡¡¡¡¡no£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡eagerly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡¡¡¡¡Ibut¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡poor£»¡¡¡¡¡¡poor¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡
lying¡¡on¡¡the¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cliff¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡could¡¡not¡¡help¡¡him¡¡much£»¡¡I¡¡did¡¡not¡¡care¡¡
to¡¡leave¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡one¡¡WOULD¡¡come£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡been¡¡with¡¡him¡¡alone£»¡¡all¡¡
the¡¡morning£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Come¡¡quick£»¡¡he¡¡may¡¡be¡¡dying¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡passed¡¡his¡¡arm¡¡around¡¡her¡¡waist¡¡unconsciously£»¡¡she¡¡permitted¡¡it¡¡as¡¡
unconsciously£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡half¡¡supported¡¡her¡¡figure¡¡while¡¡they¡¡hurried¡¡forward¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡crushed¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡something£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡hanging¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
ledge£»¡¡and¡¡could¡¡not¡¡move¡¡nor¡¡speak£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡went¡¡on¡¡quickly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡dragged¡¡
him¡¡away¡¡to¡¡a¡¡tree£»¡¡it¡¡took¡¡me¡¡hours¡¡to¡¡move¡¡him£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡so¡¡heavy£»and¡¡I¡¡
got¡¡him¡¡some¡¡water¡¡from¡¡the¡¡stream¡¡and¡¡bathed¡¡his¡¡face£»¡¡and¡¡blooded¡¡all¡¡
my¡¡sleeve¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡what¡¡were¡¡you¡¡doing¡¡here£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡¡quickly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡faint¡¡¡¡¡¡blush¡¡¡¡¡¡crossed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pallor¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡delicate¡¡¡¡¡¡cheek¡£¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡
away¡¡quickly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Iwas¡¡going¡¡to¡¡find¡¡my¡¡brother¡¡at¡¡Bald¡¡Top£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡replied¡¡
at¡¡last¡¡hurriedly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡don't¡¡ask¡¡me¡¡nowonly¡¡come¡¡quick£»¡¡do¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Is¡¡the¡¡wounded¡¡man¡¡conscious£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Did¡¡you¡¡speak¡¡with¡¡him£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Does¡¡he¡¡
know¡¡who¡¡you¡¡are£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Key¡¡uneasily¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£¡¡¡he¡¡only¡¡moaned¡¡a¡¡little¡¡and¡¡opened¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡when¡¡I¡¡dragged¡¡him¡£¡¡
I¡¡don't¡¡think¡¡he¡¡even¡¡knew¡¡what¡¡had¡¡happened¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡hurried¡¡on¡¡again¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡wood¡¡lightened¡¡suddenly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Here£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡
said¡¡in¡¡a¡¡half¡¡whisper£»¡¡and¡¡stepped¡¡timidly¡¡into¡¡the¡¡open¡¡light¡£¡¡Only¡¡a¡¡few¡¡
feet¡¡from¡¡the¡¡fatal¡¡ledge£»¡¡against¡¡the¡¡roots¡¡of¡¡a¡¡buckeye£»¡¡with¡¡HER¡¡shawl¡¡
thrown¡¡over¡¡him£»¡¡lay¡¡the¡¡wounded¡¡man¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Key¡¡started¡¡back¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡Collinson£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡head¡¡and¡¡shoulders¡¡seemed¡¡
uninjured£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡Key¡¡lifted¡¡the¡¡shawl£»¡¡¡¡he¡¡