riders of the purple sage-第17章

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ere　no　rocks。　Soon；　out　of　the　pale　gloom　shone　a　still　paler　thing；　and　that　was　the　low　swell　of　slope。　Venters　mounted　it　and　his　dogs　walked　beside　him。　Once　upon　the　stone　he　slowed　to　snail　pace；　straining　his　sight　to　avoid　the　pockets　and　holes。　Foot　by　foot　he　went　up。　The　weird　cedars；　like　great　demons　and　witches　chained　to　the　rock　and　writhing　in　silent　anguish；　loomed　up　with　wide　and　twisting　naked　arms。　Venters　crossed　this　belt　of　cedars；　skirted　the　upper　border；　and　recognized　the　tree　he　had　marked；　even　before　he　saw　his　waving　scarf。

Here　he　knelt　and　deposited　the　girl　gently；　feet　first　and　slowly　laid　her　out　full　length。　What　he　feared　was　to　reopen　one　of　her　wounds。　If　he　gave　her　a　violent　jar；　or　slipped　and　fell！　But　the　supreme　confidence　so　strangely　felt　that　night　admitted　no　such　blunders。

The　slope　before　him　seemed　to　swell　into　obscurity　to　lose　its　definite　outline　in　a　misty；　opaque　cloud　that　shaded　into　the　over…shadowing　wall。　He　scanned　the　rim　where　the　serrated　points　speared　the　sky；　and　he　found　the　zigzag　crack。　It　was　dim；　only　a　shade　lighter　than　the　dark　ramparts；　but　he　distinguished　it；　and　that　served。

Lifting　the　girl；　he　stepped　upward；　closely　attending　to　the　nature　of　the　path　under　his　feet。　After　a　few　steps　he　stopped　to　mark　his　line　with　the　crack　in　the　rim。　The　dogs　clung　closer　to　him。　While　chasing　the　rabbit　this　slope　had　appeared　interminable　to　him；　now；　burdened　as　he　was；　he　did　not　think　of　length　or　height　or　toil。　He　remembered　only　to　avoid　a　misstep　and　to　keep　his　direction。　He　climbed　on；　with　frequent　stops　to　watch　the　rim；　and　before　he　dreamed　of　gaining　the　bench　he　bumped　his　knees　into　it；　and　saw；　in　the　dim　gray　light；　his　rifle　and　the　rabbit。　He　had　come　straight　up　without　mishap　or　swerving　off　his　course；　and　his　shut　teeth　unlocked。

As　he　laid　the　girl　down　in　the　shallow　hollow　of　the　little　ridge　with　her　white　face　upturned；　she　opened　her　eyes。　Wide；　staring　black；　at　once　like　both　the　night　and　the　stars；　they　made　her　face　seem　still　whiter。

〃Isityou？〃　she　asked；　faintly。

〃Yes；〃　replied　Venters。

〃Oh！　Whereare　we？〃

〃I'm　taking　you　to　a　safe　place　where　no　one　will　ever　find　you。　I　must　climb　a　little　here　and　call　the　dogs。　Don't　be　afraid。　I'll　soon　come　for　you。〃

She　said　no　more。　Her　eyes　watched　him　steadily　for　a　moment　and　then　closed。　Venters　pulled　off　his　boots　and　then　felt　for　the　little　steps　in　the　rock。　The　shade　of　the　cliff　above　obscured　the　point　he　wanted　to　gain；　but　he　could　see　dimly　a　few　feet　before　him。　What　he　had　attempted　with　care　he　now　went　at　with　surpassing　lightness。　Buoyant；　rapid；　sure；　he　attained　the　corner　of　wall　and　slipped　around　it。　Here　he　could　not　see　a　hand　before　his　face；　so　he　groped　along；　found　a　little　flat　space；　and　there　removed　the　saddle…bags。　The　lasso　he　took　back　with　him　to　the　corner　and　looped　the　noose　over　the　spur　of　rock。

〃RingWhitiecome；〃　he　called；　softly。

Low　whines　came　up　from　below。

〃Here！　Come；　WhitieRing；〃　he　repeated；　this　time　sharply。

Then　followed　scraping　of　claws　and　pattering　of　feet；　and　out　of　the　gray　gloom　below　him　swiftly　climbed　the　dogs　to　reach　his　side　and　pass　beyond。

Venters　descended；　holding　to　the　lasso。　He　tested　its　strength　by　throwing　all　his　weight　upon　it。　Then　he　gathered　the　girl　up；　and；　holding　her　securely　in　his　left　arm；　he　began　to　climb；　at　every　few　steps　jerking　his　right　hand　upward　along　the　lasso。　It　sagged　at　each　forward　movement　he　made；　but　he　balanced　himself　lightly　during　the　interval　when　he　lacked　the　support　of　a　taut　rope。　He　climbed　as　if　he　had　wings；　the　strength　of　a　giant；　and　knew　not　the　sense　of　fear。　The　sharp　corner　of　cliff　seemed　to　cut　out　of　the　darkness。　He　reached　it　and　the　protruding　shelf；　and　then；　entering　the　black　shade　of　the　notch；　he　moved　blindly　but　surely　to　the　place　where　he　had　left　the　saddle…bags。　He　heard　the　dogs；　though　he　could　not　see　them。　Once　more　he　carefully　placed　the　girl　at　his　feet。　Then；　on　hands　and　knees；　he　went　over　the　little　flat　space；　feeling　for　stones。　He　removed　a　number；　and；　scraping　the　deep　dust　into　a　heap；　he　unfolded　the　outer　blanket　from　around　the　girl　and　laid　her　upon　this　bed。　Then　he　went　down　the　slope　again　for　his　boots；　rifle；　and　the　rabbit；　and；　bringing　also　his　lasso　with　him；　he　made　short　work　of　that　trip。

〃Areyouthere？〃　The　girl's　voice　came　low　from　the　blackness。

〃Yes；〃　he　replied；　and　was　conscious　that　his　laboring　breast　made　speech　difficult。

〃Are　wein　a　cave？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃Oh；　listen！。。。The　waterfall！。。。I　hear　it！　You've　brought　me　back！〃

Venters　heard　a　murmuring　moan　that　one　moment　swelled　to　a　pitch　almost　softly　shrill　and　the　next　lulled　to　a　low；　almost　inaudible　sigh。

〃That'swind　blowingin　thecliffs；〃　he　panted。　〃You're　far　from　Oldring'scanyon。〃

The　effort　it　cost　him　to　speak　made　him　conscious　of　extreme　lassitude　following　upon　great　exertion。　It　seemed　that　when　he　lay　down　and　drew　his　blanket　over　him　the　action　was　the　last　before　utter　prostration。　He　stretched　inert；　wet；　hot；　his　body　one　great　strife　of　throbbing；　stinging　nerves　and　bursting　veins。　And　there　he　lay　for　a　long　while　before　he　felt　that　he　had　begun　to　rest。

Rest　came　to　him　that　night；　but　no　sleep。　Sleep　he　did　not　want。　The　hours　of　strained　effort　were　now　as　if　they　had　never　been；　and　he　wanted　to　think。　Earlier　in　the　day　he　had　dismissed　an　inexplicable　feeling　of　change；　but　now；　when　there　was　no　longer　demand　on　his　cunning　and　strength　and　he　had　time　to　think；　he　could　not　catch　the　illusive　thing　that　had　sadly　perplexed　as　well　as　elevated　his　spirit。

Above　him；　through　a　V…shaped　cleft　in　the　dark　rim　of　the　cliff；　shone　the　lustrous　stars　that　had　been　his　lonely　accusers　for　a　long；　long　year。　To…night　they　were　different。　He　studied　them。　Larger；　whiter；　more　radiant　they　seemed；　but　that　was　not　the　difference　he　meant。　Gradually　it　came　to　him　that　the　distinction　was　not　one　he　saw；　but　one　he　felt。　In　this　he　divined　as　much　of　the　baffling　change　as　he　thought　would　be　revealed　to　him　then。　And　as　he　lay　there；　with　the　singing　of　the　cliff…winds　in　his　ears；　the　white　stars　above　the　dark；　bold　vent；　the　difference　which　he　felt　was　that　he　was　no　longer　alone。



CHAPTER　IX。　SILVER　SPRUCE　AND　ASPENS

The　rest　of　that　night　seemed　to　Venters　only　a　few　moments　of　starlight；　a　dark　overcasting　of　sky；　an　hour　or　so　of　gray　gloom；　and　then　the　lighting　of　dawn。

When　he　had　bestirred　himself；　feeding　the　hungry　dogs　and　breaking　his　long　fast；　and　had　repacked　his　saddle…bags；　it　was　clear　daylight；　though　the　sun　had　not　tipped　the　yellow　wall　in　the　east。　He　concluded　to　make　the　climb　and　descent　into　Surprise　Valley　in　one　trip。　To　that　end　he　tied　his　blanket　upon　Ring　and　gave　Whitie　the　extra　lasso　and　the　rabbit　to　carry。　Then；　with　the　rifle　and　saddle…bags　slung　upon　his　back；　he　took　up　the　girl。　She　did　not　awaken　from　heavy　slumber。

That　climb　up　under　the　rugged；　menacing　brows　of　the　broken　cliffs；　in　the　face　of　a　grim；　leaning　boulder　that　seemed　to　be　weary　of　its　age…long　wavering；　was　a　tax　on　strength　and　nerve　that　Venters　felt　equally　with　something　sweet　and　strangely　exulting　in　its　accomplishment。　He　did　not　pause　until　he　gained　the　narrow　divide　and　there　he　rested。　Balancing　Rock　loomed　huge；　cold　in　the　gray　light　of　dawn；　a　thing　without　life；　yet　it　spoke　silently　to　Venters：　〃I　am　waiting　to　plunge　down；　to　shatter　and　crash；　roar　and　boom；　to　bury　your　trail；　and　close　forever　the　outlet　to　Deception　Pass！〃

On　the　descent　of　the　other　side　Venters　had　easy　going；　but　was　somewhat　concerned　because　Whitie　appeared　to　have　succumbed　to　temptation；　and　while　carrying　the　rabbit　was　also　chewing　on　it。　And　Ring　evidently　regarded　this　as　an　injury　to　himself；　especially　as　he　had　carried　the　heavier　load。　Presently　he　snapped　at　one　end　of　the　rabbit　and　refused　to　let　go。　But　his　action　prevented　Whitie　from　further　misdoing；　and　then　the　two　dogs　pattered　down；　carrying　the　rabbit　between　them。

Venters　turned　out　of　the　gorge；　and　suddenly　paused　stock…still；　astounded　at　the　scene　before　him。　The　curve　of　the　great　stone　bridge　had　caught　the　sunrise；　and　through　the　magnificent　arch　burst　a　glorious　stream　of　gold　that　shone　with　a　long　slant　down　into　the　center　of　Surprise　Valley。　Only　through　the　arch　did　any　sunlight　pass；　so　that　all　the　rest　of　the　valley　lay　still　asleep；　dark　green；　mysterious；　shadowy；　merging　its　level　into　walls　as　misty　and　soft　as　morning　clouds。

Venters　then　descended；　passing　through　the　arch；　looking　up　at　its　tremendous　height　and　sweep。　It　spanned　the　opening　to　Surprise　Valley；　stretching　in　almost　perfect　curve　from　rim　to　rim。　Even　in　his　hurry　and　concern　Venters　could　not　but　feel　its　majesty；　and　the　thought　came　to　him　that　the　cliff…dwellers　must　have　regarded　it　as　an　object　of　worship。

Down；　down；　down　Venters　strode；　more　and　more　feeling　the　weight　of　his　burden　as　he　descended；　and　still　the　valley　lay　below　him。　As　all　other　canyons　and　coves　and　valleys　had　deceived　him；　so　had　this　deep；　nestling　oval。　At　length　he　passed　beyond　the　slope　of　weathered　stone　that　spread　fan…shape　from　the　arch；　and　encountered　a　grassy　terrace　running　to　the　right　and　about　on　a　level　with　the　tips　of　the　oaks　and　cottonwoods　below。　Scattered　here　and　there　upon　this　shelf　were　clumps　of　aspens；　and　he　walked　through　them　into　a　glade　that　surpassed　in　beauty　and　adaptability　for　a　wild　home；　any　place　he　had　ever　seen。　Silver　spruces　bordered　the　base　of　a　precipitous　wall　that　rose　loftily。　Caves　indented　its　surface；　and　there　were　no　detached　ledges　or　weathered　sections　that　might　dislodge　a　stone。　The　level　ground；　beyond　the　spruces；　dropped　down　into　a　little　ravine。　This　was　one　dense　line　of　slender　aspens　from　which　came　the　low　splashing　of　water。　And　the　terrace；　lying　open　to　the　west；　afforded　unobstructed　view　of　the　valley　of　green　treetops。

For　his　camp　Venters　chose　a　shady；　grassy　plot　between　the　silver　spruces　and　the　cliff。　Here；　in　the　stone　wall；　had　been　wonderfully　carved　by　wind　or　washed　by　water　several　deep　caves　above　the　level　of　the　terrace。　They　were　clean；　dry；　roomy。

He　cut　spruce　boughs　and　made　a　bed　in　the　largest　cave　and　laid　the　girl　there。　The　first　intimation　that　he　had　of　her　being　aroused　from　sleep　or　lethargy　was　a　low　call　for　water。

He　hurried　down　into　the　ravine　with　his　canteen。　It　was　a　shallow；　grass…green　place　with　aspens　growing　up　everywhere。　To　his　delight　he　found　a　tiny　brook　of　swift…running　water。　Its　faint　tinge　of　amber　reminded　him　of　the　spring　at　Cottonwoods；　and　the　thought　gave　him　a　little　shock。　The　water　was　so　cold　it　made　his　fingers　tingle　as　he　dipped　the　canteen。　Having　returned　to　the　cave；　he　was　glad　to　see　the　girl　drink　thirstily。　This　time　he　noted　that　she　could　raise　her　head　slightly　without　his　help。

〃You　were　thirsty；〃　he　said。　〃It's　good　water。　I've　found　a　fine　place。　Tell　mehow　do　you　feel？〃

〃There's　painhere；〃　she　replied；　and　moved　her　hand　to　her　left　side。

〃Why；　that's　strange！　Your　wounds　are　on　your　right　side。　I　believe　you're　hungry。　Is　the　pai