in the carquinez woods-第6章

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with　her　eyes；　as　if　she　had　lost　something。　　〃Only　I　must　be
going　back　now。〃

〃You　shall　go　back　at　once；　if　you　wish　it；〃　he　said；　flushing
slightly。　　〃But　you　have　been　crying；　why？〃

Frank　as　Miss　Nellie　wished　to　be；　she　could　not　bring　herself　to
say　that　her　feet　hurt　her；　and　the　dust　and　heat　were　ruining
her　complexion。　　It　was　therefore　with　a　half…confident　belief
that　her　troubles　were　really　of　a　moral　quality　that　she
answered；　〃Nothingnothing；　butbutit's　wrong　to　come　here。〃

〃But　you　did　not　think　it　was　wrong　when　you　agreed　to　come；　at
our　last　meeting；〃　said　the　young　man；　with　that　persistent　logic
which　exasperates　the　inconsequent　feminine　mind。　　〃It　cannot　be
any　more　wrong　to…day。〃

〃But　it　was　not　so　far　off；〃　murmured　the　young　girl；　without
looking　up。

〃Oh；　the　distance　makes　it　more　improper；　then；〃　he　said
abstractedly；　but　after　a　moment's　contemplation　of　her　half…
averted　face；　he　asked　gravely；　〃Has　anyone　talked　to　you　about　me？〃

Ten　minutes　before；　Nellie　had　been　burning　to　unburthen　herself
of　her　father's　warning；　but　now　she　felt　she　would　not。　　〃I　wish
you　wouldn't　call　yourself　Low；〃　she　said　at　last。

〃But　it's　my　name；〃　he　replied　quietly。

〃Nonsense！　　It's　only　a　stupid　translation　of　a　stupid　nickname。
They　might　as　well　call　you　'Water'　at　once。〃

〃But　you　said　you　liked　it。〃

〃Well；　so　I　do。　　But　don't　you　seeIoh　dear！　you　don't
understand。〃

Low　did　not　reply；　but　turned　his　head　with　resigned　gravity
towards　the　deeper　woods。　　Grasping　the　barrel　of　his　rifle　with
his　left　hand；　he　threw　his　right　arm　across　his　left　wrist　and
leaned　slightly　upon　it　with　the　habitual　ease　of　a　Western
hunterdoubly　picturesque　in　his　own　lithe；　youthful　symmetry。
Miss　Nellie　looked　at　him　from　under　her　eyelids；　and　then　half
defiantly　raised　her　head　and　her　dark　lashes。　　Gradually　an
almost　magical　change　came　over　her　features；　her　eyes　grew
larger　and　more　and　more　yearning；　until　they　seemed　to　draw　and
absorb　in　their　liquid　depths　the　figure　of　the　young　man　before
her；　her　cold　face　broke　into　an　ecstasy　of　light　and　color；　her
humid　lips　parted　in　a　bright；　welcoming　smile；　until；　with　an
irresistible　impulse；　she　arose；　and　throwing　back　her　head
stretched　towards　him　two　hands　full　of　vague　and　trembling
passion。

In　another　moment　he　had　seized　them；　kissed　them；　and；　as　he
drew　her　closer　to　his　embrace；　felt　them　tighten　around　his
neck。　　〃But　what　name　do　you　wish　to　call　me？〃　he　asked；　looking
down　into　her　eyes。

Miss　Nellie　murmured　something　confidentially　to　the　third　button
of　his　hunting　shirt。　　〃But　that；〃　he　replied；　with　a　smile；
〃THAT　wouldn't　be　any　more　practical；　and　you　wouldn't　want
others　to　call　me　dar〃　　Her　fingers　loosened　around　his　neck；
she　drew　her　head　back；　and　a　singular　expression　passed　over　her
face；　which　to　any　calmer　observer　than　a　lover　would　have
seemed；　however；　to　indicate　more　curiosity　than　jealousy。

〃Who　else　DOES　call　you　so？〃　she　added　earnestly。　　〃How　many；　for
instance？〃

Low's　reply　was　addressed　not　to　her　ear；　but　her　lips。　　She　did
not　avoid　it；　but　added；　〃And　do　you　kiss　them　all　like　that？〃
Taking　him　by　the　shoulders；　she　held　him　a　little　way　from　her；
and　gazed　at　him　from　head　to　foot。　　Then　drawing　him　again　to
her　embrace；　she　said；　〃I　don't　care；　at　least　no　woman　has
kissed　you　like　that。〃　　Happy；　dazzled；　and　embarrassed；　he　was
beginning　to　stammer　the　truthful　protestation　that　rose　to　his
lips；　but　she　stopped　him：　〃No；　don't　protest！　say　nothing！　　Let
ME　love　YOUthat　is　all。　　It　is　enough。〃　　He　would　have　caught
her　in　his　arms　again；　but　she　drew　back。　　〃We　are　near　the
road；〃　she　said　quietly。　　〃Come！　　You　promised　to　show　me　where
you　camped。　　Let　US　make　the　most　of　our　holiday。　　In　an　hour　I
must　leave　the　woods。〃

〃But　I　shall　accompany　you；　dearest。〃

〃No；　I　must　go　as　I　camealone。〃

〃But　Nellie〃

〃I　tell　you　no；〃　she　said；　with　an　almost　harsh　practical
decision；　incompatible　with　her　previous　abandonment。　　〃We　might
be　seen　together。〃

〃Well；　suppose　we　are；　we　must　be　seen　together　eventually；〃　he
remonstrated。

The　young　girl　made　an　involuntary　gesture　of　impatient　negation；
but　checked　herself。　　〃Don't　let　us　talk　of　that　now。　　Come；
while　I　am　here　under　your　own　roof〃　she　pointed　to　the　high
interlaced　boughs　above　them〃you　must　be　hospitable。　　Show　me
your　home；　tell　me；　isn't　it　a　little　gloomy　sometimes？〃

〃It　never　has　been；　I　never　thought　it　WOULD　be　until　the　moment
you　leave　it　to…day。〃

She　pressed　his　hand　briefly　and　in　a　half…perfunctory　way；　as　if
her　vanity　had　accepted　and　dismissed　the　compliment。　　〃Take　me
somewhere；〃　she　said　inquisitively；　〃where　you　stay　most；　I　do
not　seem　to　see　you　HERE；〃　she　added；　looking　around　her　with　a
slight　shiver。　　〃It　is　so　big　and　so　high。　　Have　you　no　place
where　you　eat　and　rest　and　sleep？〃

〃Except　in　the　rainy　season；　I　camp　all　over　the　placeat　any
spot　where　I　may　have　been　shooting　or　collecting。〃

〃Collecting？〃　queried　Nellie。

〃Yes；　with　the　herbarium；　you　know。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Nellie　dubiously。　　〃But　you　told　me　oncethe　first
time　we　ever　talked　together；〃　she　added；　looking　in　his　eyes
〃something　about　your　keeping　your　things　like　a　squirrel　in　a
tree。　　Could　we　not　go　there？　　Is　there　not　room　for　us　to　sit
and　talk　without　being　brow…beaten　and　looked　down　upon　by　these
supercilious　trees？〃

〃It's　too　far　away；〃　said　Low　truthfully；　but　with　a　somewhat
pronounced　emphasis；　〃much　too　far　for　you　just　now；　and　it　lies
on　another　trail　that　enters　the　wood　beyond。　　But　come；　I　will
show　you　a　spring　known　only　to　myself；　the　wood　ducks；　and　the
squirrels。　　I　discovered　it　the　first　day　I　saw　you；　and　gave　it
your　name。　　But　you　shall　christen　it　yourself。　　It　will　be　all
yours；　and　yours　alone；　for　it　is　so　hidden　and　secluded　that　I
defy　any　feet　but　my　own　or　whoso　shall　keep　step　with　mine　to
find　it。　　Shall　that　foot　be　yours；　Nellie？〃

Her　face　beamed　with　a　bright　assent。　　〃It　may　be　difficult　to
track　it　from　here；〃　he　said；　〃but　stand　where　you　are　a　moment；
and　don't　move；　rustle；　nor　agitate　the　air　in　any　way。　　The
woods　are　still　now。〃　　He　turned　at　right　angles　with　the　trail；
moved　a　few　paces　into　the　ferns　and　underbrush；　and　then　stopped
with　his　finger　on　his　lips。　　For　an　instant　both　remained
motionless；　then　with　his　intent　face　bent　forward　and　both　arms
extended；　he　began　to　sink　slowly　upon　one　knee　and　one　side；
inclining　his　body　with　a　gentle；　perfectly…graduated　movement
until　his　ear　almost　touched　the　ground。　　Nellie　watched　his
graceful　figure　breathlessly；　until；　like　a　bow　unbent；　he　stood
suddenly　erect　again；　and　beckoned　to　her　without　changing　the
direction　of　his　face。

〃What　is　it？〃　she　asked　eagerly。

〃All　right；　I　have　found　it；〃　he　continued；　moving　forward
without　turning　his　head。

〃But　how？　　What　did　you　kneel　for？〃　　He　did　not　reply；　but　taking
her　hand　in　his　continued　to　move　slowly　on　through　the
underbrush；　as　if　obeying　some　magnetic　attraction。　　〃How　did　you
find　it？〃　again　asked　the　half…awed　girl；　her　voice　unconsciously
falling　to　a　whisper。　　Still　silent；　Low　kept　his　rigid　face　and
forward　tread　for　twenty　yards　further；　then　he　stopped　and
released　the　girl's　half…impatient　hand。　　〃How　did　you　find　it？〃
she　repeated　sharply。

〃With　my　ears　and　nose；〃　replied　Low　gravely。

〃With　your　nose？〃

〃Yes；　I　smelt　it。〃

Still　fresh　with　the　memory　of　his　picturesque　attitude；　the
young　man's　reply　seemed　to　involve　something　more　irritating　to
her　feelings　than　even　that　absurd　anticlimax。　　She　looked　at　him
coldly　and　critically；　and　appeared　to　hesitate　whether　to
proceed。　　〃Is　it　far？〃　she　asked。

〃Not　more　than　ten　minutes　now；　as　I　shall　go。〃

〃And　you　won't　have　to　smell　your　way　again？〃

〃No；　it　is　quite　plain　now；〃　he　answered　seriously；　the　young
girl's　sarcasm　slipping　harmlessly　from　his　Indian　stolidity。
〃Don't　you　smell　it　yourself？〃

But　Miss　Nellie's　thin；　cold　nostrils　refused　to　take　that　vulgar
interest。

〃Nor　hear　it？　　Listen！〃

〃You　forget　I　suffer　the　misfortune　of　having　been　brought　up
under　a　roof；〃　she　replied　coldly。

〃That's　true；〃　repeated　Low；　in　all　seriousness；　〃it's　not　your
fault。　　But　do　you　know；　I　sometimes　think　I　am　peculiarly
sensitive　to　water；　I　feel　it　miles　away。　　At　night；　though　I　may
not　see　it　or　even　know　where　it　is；　I　am　conscious　of　it。　　It　is
company　to　me　when　I　am　alone；　and　I　seem　to　hear　it　in　my
dreams。　　There　is　no　music　as　sweet　to　me　as　its　song。　　When　you
sang　with　me　that　day　in　church；　I　seemed　to　hear　it　ripple　in
your　voice。　　It　says　to　me　more　than　the　birds　do；　more　than　the
rarest　plants　I　find。　　It　seems　to　live　with　me　and　for　me。　　It
is　my　earliest　recollection；　I　know　it　will　be　my　last；　for　I
shall　die　in　its　embrace。　　Do　you　think；　Nellie；〃　he　continued；
stopping　short　and　gazing　earnestly　in　her　face〃do　you　think
that　the　chiefs　knew　this　when　they　called　me　'Sleeping　Water'？〃

To　Miss　Nellie's　several　gifts　I　fear　the　gods　had　not　added
poetry。　　A　slight　knowledge　of　English　verse　of　a　select
character；　unfortunately；　did　not　assist　her　in　the
interpretation　of　the　young　man's　speech；　nor　relieve　her　from
the　momentary　feeling　that　he　was　at　times　deficient　in
intellect。　　She　preferred；　however；　to　take　a　personal　view　of
the　question；　and　expressed　her　sarcastic　regret　that　she　had　not
known　before　that　she　had　been　indebted　to　the　great　flume　and
ditch　at　Excelsior　for　the　pleasure　of　his　acquaintance。　　This
pert　remark　occasioned　some　explanation；　which　ended　in　the
girl's　accepting　a　kiss　in　lieu　of　more　logical　argument。
Nevertheless；　she　was　still　conscious　of　an　inward　irritation
always　distinct　from　her　singular　and　perfectly　material　passion
which　found　vent　as　the　difficulties　of　their　undeviating
progress　through　the　underbrush　increased。　　At　last　she　lost　her
shoe　again；　and　stopped　short。　　〃It's　a　pity　your　Indian　friends
did　not　christen　you　'Wild　Mustard'　or　'Clover；'〃　she　said
satirically；　〃that　you　might　have　had　some　sympathies　and
longings　for　the　open　fields　instead　of　these　horrid　jungles！　　I
know　we　will　not　get　back　in　time。〃

Unfortunately；　Low　accepted　this　speech　literally　and　with　his
remorseless　gravity。　　〃If　my　name　annoys　you；　I　can　get　it
changed　by　the　legislature；　you　know；　and　I　can　find　out　what　my
father's　name　was；　and　take　that。　　My　mother；　who　died　in　giving
me　birth；　was　the　daughter　of　a　chief。〃

〃Then　your　mother　was　really　an　Indian？〃　said　Nellie；　〃and　you
are〃　　She　stopped　short。

〃But　I　told　you　all　this　the　day　we　first　met；〃　said　Low；　with
grave　astonishment。　　〃Don't　you　remember　our　long　talk　coming
from　church？〃

〃No；〃　said　Nellie　coldly；　〃you　didn't　tell　me。〃　　But　she　was
obliged　to　drop　her　eyes　before　the　unwavering；　undeniable
truthfulness　of　his。

〃You　have　forgotten；〃　he　said　calmly；　〃but　it　is　only　right　you
should　have　your　own　way　in　disposing　of　a　name　that　I　have　cared
little　for；　and　as　you're　to　have　a　share　of　it〃

〃Yes；　but　it's　getting　late；　and　if　we　are　not　going　forward〃
interrupted　the　girl　impatiently。

〃We　ARE　going　for