the man of the forest-第26章

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Instinct　may　not　be　greater　than　reason；　but　it's　a　million
years　older。　　Don't　fight　your　instincts　so　hard。　　If　they
were　not　good　the　God　of　Creation　would　not　have　given　them
to　you。　　To…day　your　mind　was　full　of　self…restraint　that　did
not　altogether　restrain。　　You　couldn't　forget　yourself。　　You
couldn't　FEEL　only；　as　Bo　did。　　You　couldn't　be　true　to　your
real　nature。〃

〃I　don't　agree　with　you；〃　replied　Helen；　quickly。　　〃I　don't
have　to　be　an　Indian　to　be　true　to　myself。〃

〃Why；　yes　you　do；〃　said　Dale。

〃But　I　couldn't　be　an　Indian；〃　declared　Helen；　spiritedly。
〃I　couldn't　FEEL　only；　as　you　say　Bo　did。　　I　couldn't　go　back
in　the　scale；　as　you　hint。　　What　would　all　my　education
amount　to　　though　goodness　knows　it's　little　enough　　if
I　had　no　control　over　primitive　feelings　that　happened　to　be
born　in　me？〃

〃You'll　have　little　or　no　control　over　them　when　the　right
time　comes；〃　replied　Dale。　　〃Your　sheltered　life　an'
education　have　led　you　away　from　natural　instincts。　　But
they're　in　you　an'　you'll　learn　the　proof　of　that　out　here。〃

〃No。　　Not　if　I　lived　a　hundred　years　in　the　West；〃　asserted
Helen。

〃But；　child；　do　you　know　what　you're　talkin'　about？〃

Here　Bo　let　out　a　blissful　peal　of　laughter。

〃Mr。　　Dale！〃　exclaimed　Helen；　almost　affronted。　　She　was
stirred。　　〃I　know　MYSELF；　at　least。〃

〃But　you　do　not。　　You've　no　idea　of　yourself。　　You've
education；　yes；　but　not　in　nature　an'　life。　　An'　after　all；
they　are　the　real　things。　　Answer　me；　now　　honestly；　will
you？〃

〃Certainly；　if　I　can。　　Some　of　your　questions　are　hard　to
answer。〃

〃Have　you　ever　been　starved？〃　he　asked。

〃No；〃　replied　Helen。

〃Have　you　ever　been　lost　away　from　home　？〃

〃No。〃

〃Have　you　ever　faced　death　　real　stark　an'　naked　death；
close　an'　terrible？〃

〃No；　indeed。〃

〃Have　you　ever　wanted　to　kill　any　one　with　your　bare　hands？〃

〃Oh；　Mr。　　Dale；　you　　you　amaze　me。　　No！　　。　。　。　　No！〃

〃I　reckon　I　know　your　answer　to　my　last　question；　but　I'll
ask　it；　anyhow。　。　。　。　　Have　you　ever　been　so　madly　in　love
with　a　man　that　you　could　not　live　without　him？〃

Bo　fell　off　her　seat　with　a　high；　trilling　laugh。　　〃Oh；　you
two　are　great！〃

〃Thank　Heaven；　I　haven't　been；〃　replied　Helen；　shortly。

〃Then　you　don't　know　anythin'　about　life；〃　declared　Dale；
with　finality。

Helen　was　not　to　be　put　down　by　that；　dubious　and　troubled
as　it　made　her。

〃Have　you　experienced　all　those　things？〃　she　queried；
stubbornly。

〃All　but　the　last　one。　　Love　never　came　my　way。　　How　could　it？
I　live　alone。　　I　seldom　go　to　the　villages　where　there　are
girls。　　No　girl　would　ever　care　for　me。　　I　have　nothin'。　。　。　。
But；　all　the　same；　I　understand　love　a　little；　just　by
comparison　with　strong　feelin's　I've　lived。〃

Helen　watched　the　hunter　and　marveled　at　his　simplicity。　　His
sad　and　penetrating　gaze　was　on　the　fire；　as　if　in　its　white
heart　to　read　the　secret　denied　him。　　He　had　said　that　no
girl　would　ever　love　him。　　She　imagined　he　might　know
considerably　less　about　the　nature　of　girls　than　of　the
forest。

〃To　come　back　to　myself；〃　said　Helen；　wanting　to　continue
the　argument。　　〃You　declared　I　didn't　know　myself。　　That　I
would　have　no　self…control。　　I　will！〃

〃I　meant　the　big　things　of　life；〃　he　said；　patiently。

〃What　things？〃

〃I　told　you。　　By　askin'　what　had　never　happened　to　you　I
learned　what　will　happen。〃

〃Those　experiences　to　come　to　ME！〃　breathed　Helen；
incredulously。　　〃Never！〃

〃Sister　Nell；　they　sure　will　　particularly　the　last…named
one　　the　mad　love；〃　chimed　in　Bo；　mischievously；　yet
believingly。

Neither　Dale　nor　Helen　appeared　to　hear　her　interruption。

〃Let　me　put　it　simpler；〃　began　Dale；　evidently　racking　his
brain　for　analogy。　　His　perplexity　appeared　painful　to　him；
because　he　had　a　great　faith；　a　great　conviction　that　he
could　not　make　clear。　　〃Here　I　am；　the　natural　physical　man；
livin'　in　the　wilds。　　An'　here　you　come；　the　complex；
intellectual　woman。　　Remember；　for　my　argument's　sake；　that
you're　here。　　An'　suppose　circumstances　forced　you　to　stay
here。　　You'd　fight　the　elements　with　me　an'　work　with　me　to
sustain　life。　　There　must　be　a　great　change　in　either　you　or
me；　accordin'　to　the　other's　influence。　　An'　can't　you　see
that　change　must　come　in　you；　not　because　of　anythin'
superior　in　me　　I'm　really　inferior　to　you　　but　because
of　our　environment？　　You'd　lose　your　complexity。　　An'　in　years
to　come　you'd　be　a　natural　physical　woman；　because　you'd
live　through　an'　by　the　physical。〃

〃Oh　dear；　will　not　education　be　of　help　to　the　Western
woman？〃　queried　Helen；　almost　in　despair。

〃Sure　it　will；〃　answered　Dale；　promptly。　　〃What　the　West
needs　is　women　who　can　raise　an'　teach　children。　　But　you
don't　understand　me。　　You　don't　get　under　your　skin。　　I　reckon
I　can't　make　you　see　my　argument　as　I　feel　it。　　You　take　my
word　for　this；　though。　　Sooner　or　later　you　WILL　wake　up　an'
forget　yourself。　　Remember。〃

〃Nell；　I'll　bet　you　do；　too；〃　said　Bo；　seriously　for　her。
〃It　may　seem　strange　to　you；　but　I　understand　Dale。　　I　feel
what　he　means。　　It's　a　sort　of　shock。　　Nell；　we're　not　what　we
seem。　　We're　not　what　we　fondly　imagine　we　are。　　We've　lived
too　long　with　people　　too　far　away　from　the　earth。　　You
know　the　Bible　says　something　like　this：　'Dust　thou　art　and
to　dust　thou　shalt　return。'　Where　DO　we　come　from？〃



CHAPTER　XII

Days　passed。

Every　morning　Helen　awoke　with　a　wondering　question　as　to
what　this　day　would　bring　forth；　especially　with　regard　to
possible　news　from　her　uncle。　　It　must　come　sometime　and　she
was　anxious　for　it。　　Something　about　this　simple；　wild　camp
life　had　begun　to　grip　her。　　She　found　herself　shirking　daily
attention　to　the　clothes　she　had　brought　West。　　They　needed
it；　but　she　had　begun　to　see　how　superficial　they　really
were。　　On　the　other　hand；　camp…fire　tasks　had　come　to　be　a
pleasure。　　She　had　learned　a　great　deal　more　about　them　than
had　Bo。　　Worry　and　dread　were　always　impinging　upon　the
fringe　of　her　thoughts　　always　vaguely　present；　though
seldom　annoying。　　They　were　like　shadows　in　dreams。　　She
wanted　to　get　to　her　uncle's　ranch；　to　take　up　the　duties　of
her　new　life。　　But　she　was　not　prepared　to　believe　she　would
not　regret　this　wild　experience。　　She　must　get　away　from　that
in　order　to　see　it　clearly；　and　she　began　to　have　doubts　of
herself。

Meanwhile　the　active　and　restful　outdoor　life　went　on。　　Bo
leaned　more　and　more　toward　utter　reconciliation　to　it。　　Her
eyes　had　a　wonderful　flash；　like　blue　lightning；　her　cheeks
were　gold　and　brown；　her　hands　tanned　dark　as　an　Indian's。

She　could　vault　upon　the　gray　mustang；　or；　for　that　matter；
clear　over　his　back。　　She　learned　to　shoot　a　rifle　accurately
enough　to　win　Dale's　praise；　and　vowed　she　would　like　to
draw　a　bead　upon　a　grizzly　bear　or　upon　Snake　Anson。

〃Bo；　if　you　met　that　grizzly　Dale　said　has　been　prowling
round　camp　lately　you'd　run　right　up　a　tree；〃　declared
Helen；　one　morning；　when　Bo　seemed　particularly　boastful。

〃Don't　fool　yourself；〃　retorted　Bo。

〃But　I've　seen　you　run　from　a　mouse！〃

〃Sister；　couldn't　I　be　afraid　of　a　mouse　and　not　a　bear？〃

〃I　don't　see　how。〃

〃Well；　bears；　lions；　outlaws；　and　other　wild　beasts　are　to
be　met　with　here　in　the　West；　and　my　mind's　made　up；〃　said
Bo；　in　slow…nodding　deliberation。

They　argued　as　they　had　always　argued；　Helen　for　reason　and
common　sense　and　restraint；　Bo　on　the　principle　that　if　she
must　fight　it　was　better　to　get　in　the　first　blow。

The　morning　on　which　this　argument　took　place　Dale　was　a
long　time　in　catching　the　horses。　　When　he　did　come　in　he
shook　his　head　seriously。

〃Some　varmint's　been　chasin'　the　horses；〃　he　said；　as　he
reached　for　his　saddle。　　〃Did　you　hear　them　snortin'　an'
runnin'　last　night？〃

Neither　of　the　girls　had　been　awakened。

〃I　missed　one　of　the　colts；〃　went　on　Dale；　〃an'　I'm　goin'　to
ride　across　the　park。〃

Dale's　movements　were　quick　and　stern。　　It　was　significant
that　he　chose　his　heavier　rifle；　and；　mounting；　with　a　sharp
call　to　Pedro；　he　rode　off　without　another　word　to　the
girls。

Bo　watched　him　for　a　moment　and　then　began　to　saddle　the
mustang。

〃You　won't　follow　him？〃　asked　Helen；　quickly。

〃I　sure　will；〃　replied　Bo。　　〃He　didn't　forbid　it。〃

〃But　he　certainly　did　not　want　us。〃

〃He　might　not　want　you；　but　I'll　bet　he　wouldn't　object　to
me；　whatever's　up；〃　said　Bo；　shortly。

〃Oh！　　So　you　think　〃　exclaimed　Helen；　keenly　hurt。　　She　bit
her　tongue　to　keep　back　a　hot　reply。　　And　it　was　certain　that
a　bursting　gush　of　anger　flooded　over　her。　　Was　she；　then；
such　a　coward？　　Did　Dale　think　this　slip　of　a　sister；　so　wild
and　wilful；　was　a　stronger　woman　than　she？　　A　moment's　silent
strife　convinced　her　that　no　doubt　he　thought　so　and　no
doubt　he　was　right。　　Then　the　anger　centered　upon　herself；
and　Helen　neither　understood　nor　trusted　herself。

The　outcome　proved　an　uncontrollable　impulse。　　Helen　began　to
saddle　her　horse。　　She　had　the　task　half　accomplished　when
Bo's　call　made　her　look　up。

〃Listen！〃

Helen　heard　a　ringing；　wild　bay　of　the　hound。

〃That's　Pedro；〃　she　said；　with　a　thrill。

〃Sure。　　He's　running。　　We　never　heard　him　bay　like　that
before。〃

〃Where's　Dale？〃

〃He　rode　out　of　sight　across　there；〃　replied　Bo；　pointing。
〃And　Pedro's　running　toward　us　along　that　slope。　　He　must　be
a　mile　　two　miles　from　Dale。〃

〃But　Dale　will　follow。〃

〃Sure。　　But　he'd　need　wings　to　get　near　that　hound　now。　　Pedro
couldn't　have　gone　across　there　with　him。　。　。　。　　just
listen。〃

The　wild　note　of　the　hound　manifestly　stirred　Bo　to
irrepressible　action。　　Snatching　up　Dale's　lighter　rifle；　she
shoved　it　into　her　saddle…sheath；　and；　leaping　on　the
mustang；　she　ran　him　over　brush　and　brook；　straight　down　the
park　toward　the　place　Pedro　was　climbing。　　For　an　instant
Helen　stood　amazed　beyond　speech。　　When　Bo　sailed　over　a　big
log；　like　a　steeple…chaser；　then　Helen　answered　to　further
unconsidered　impulse　by　frantically　getting　her　saddle
fastened。　　Without　coat　or　hat　she　mounted。　　The　nervous　horse
bolted　almost　before　she　got　into　the　saddle。　　A　strange；
trenchant　trembling　coursed　through　all　her　veins。　　She
wanted　to　scream　for　Bo　to　wait。　　Bo　was　out　of　sight；　but
the　deep；　muddy　tracks　in　wet　places　and　the　path　through
the　long　grass　afforded　Helen　an　easy　trail　to　follow。　　In
fact；　her　horse　needed　no　guiding。　　He　ran　in　and　out　of　the
straggling　spruces　along　the　edge　of　the　park；　and　suddenly
wheeled　around　a　corner　of　trees　to　come　upon　the　gray
mustang　standing　still。　　Bo　was　looking　up　and　listening。

〃There　he　is！〃　cried　Bo；　as　the　hound　bayed　ringingly；
closer　to　them　this　time；　and　she　spurred　away。

Helen's　horse　followed　without　urging。　　He　was　excited。　　His
ears　were　up。　　Something　was　in　the　wind。　　Helen　had　never
ridden　along　this　broken　end　of　the　park；　and　Bo　was　not
easy　to　keep　up　with。　　She　led　across　bogs；　brooks；　swales；
rocky　little　ridges；　through　stretches　of　timber　and　groves
of　aspen　so　thick　Helen　could　scarcely　squeeze　through。　　Then
Bo　came　out　into　a　large　open　offshoot　of　the　park；　right
under　the　mountain　slope；　and　here　she　sat；　her　horse
watching　and　listening。　　Helen　rode　up　to　her；　imagining　once
that　she　had　heard