in the carquinez woods(ÔÚ¿¨¹çÄá×ÈÉÁÖ)-µÚ4ÕÂ
°´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£¡
noiselessly¡¡with¡¡a¡¡tin¡¡bucket¡¡of¡¡water¡£¡¡This¡¡done£»¡¡he¡¡replenished¡¡the¡¡little¡¡
pile¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡fuel¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡armful¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡bark¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡pine¡¡¡¡¡¡cones£»¡¡¡¡¡¡cast¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡approving¡¡
glance¡¡about¡¡him£»¡¡which¡¡included¡¡the¡¡sleeper£»¡¡and¡¡silently¡¡departed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡awoke¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡surrounded¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡profound¡¡
darkness£»¡¡except¡¡where¡¡the¡¡shaft¡like¡¡opening¡¡made¡¡a¡¡nebulous¡¡mist¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
corner¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡wooden¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cavern¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Providentially¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡struggled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
consciousness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡slowly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡solitude¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡silence¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
gradually£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡growing¡¡realization¡¡of¡¡the¡¡events¡¡of¡¡the¡¡past¡¡twenty¡four¡¡
hours£»¡¡but¡¡without¡¡a¡¡shock¡£¡¡She¡¡was¡¡alone¡¡here£»¡¡but¡¡safe¡¡still£»¡¡and¡¡every¡¡
hour¡¡added¡¡to¡¡her¡¡chances¡¡of¡¡ultimate¡¡escape¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡remembered¡¡to¡¡have¡¡
seen¡¡a¡¡candle¡¡among¡¡the¡¡articles¡¡on¡¡the¡¡shelf£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡began¡¡to¡¡grope¡¡her¡¡
way¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡towards¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡matches¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡stopped¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
panting£¿¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Was¡¡it¡¡her¡¡own¡¡breathing£»¡¡quickened¡¡with¡¡a¡¡sudden¡¡nameless¡¡terror£¿¡¡or¡¡
was¡¡there¡¡something¡¡outside£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡heart¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡stop¡¡beating¡¡while¡¡she¡¡
listened¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yes£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡panting¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡outsidea¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡panting¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡increased£»¡¡
multiplied£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡redoubled£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mixed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sounds¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡rustling£»¡¡¡¡¡¡tearing£»¡¡
craunching£»¡¡and¡¡occasionally¡¡a¡¡quick£»¡¡impatient¡¡snarl¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡crept¡¡on¡¡her¡¡
hands¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡knees¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡opening¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ground¡¡
seemed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡undulating¡¡between¡¡her¡¡and¡¡the¡¡opposite¡¡tree¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡a¡¡second¡¡
glance¡¡showed¡¡her¡¡the¡¡black¡¡and¡¡gray£»¡¡bristling£»¡¡tossing¡¡backs¡¡of¡¡tumbling¡¡
beasts¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡prey£»¡¡¡¡¡¡charging¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡carcass¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bear¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡lay¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡roots£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡
contesting¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡prize¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡gluttonous£»¡¡¡¡¡¡choked¡¡¡¡¡¡breath£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sidelong¡¡¡¡¡¡snarls£»¡¡
arched¡¡spines£»¡¡and¡¡recurved¡¡tails¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡of¡¡the¡¡boldest¡¡had¡¡leaped¡¡upon¡¡a¡¡
buttressing¡¡root¡¡of¡¡her¡¡tree¡¡within¡¡a¡¡foot¡¡of¡¡the¡¡opening¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡excitement£»¡¡
awe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡terror¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡undergone¡¡¡¡¡¡culminated¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡wild£»¡¡¡¡¡¡maddened¡¡
scream£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡pierce¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cold¡¡¡¡¡¡depths¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡forest£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡
dropped¡¡on¡¡her¡¡face£»¡¡with¡¡her¡¡hands¡¡clasped¡¡over¡¡her¡¡eyes¡¡in¡¡an¡¡agony¡¡of¡¡
fear¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡14¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡15¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡scream¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡answered£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡pause£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡sudden¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡volley¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
firebrands¡¡and¡¡sparks¡¡into¡¡the¡¡midst¡¡of¡¡the¡¡panting£»¡¡crowding¡¡pack£»¡¡a¡¡few¡¡
smothered¡¡howls¡¡and¡¡snaps£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡sudden¡¡dispersion¡¡of¡¡the¡¡concourse¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡
another¡¡¡¡¡¡moment¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡blazing¡¡¡¡¡¡brand¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡either¡¡¡¡¡¡hand£»¡¡
leaped¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡body¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bear¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Teresa¡¡raised¡¡her¡¡head£»¡¡uttered¡¡a¡¡hysterical¡¡cry£»¡¡slid¡¡down¡¡the¡¡tree£»¡¡flew¡¡
wildly¡¡to¡¡his¡¡side£»¡¡caught¡¡convulsively¡¡at¡¡his¡¡sleeve£»¡¡and¡¡fell¡¡on¡¡her¡¡knees¡¡
beside¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Save¡¡me£¡¡¡save¡¡me£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡gasped£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡voice¡¡broken¡¡by¡¡terror¡£¡¡¡¨Save¡¡me¡¡
from¡¡those¡¡hideous¡¡creatures¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No£»¡¡no£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡implored£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡endeavored¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡lift¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡£¡¡¡¨Nolet¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡stay¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡¡¡¡¡beside¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡£¡¡So£»¡¨¡¡
clutching¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡fringe¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡leather¡¡¡¡hunting¡shirt£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡dragging¡¡herself¡¡¡¡on¡¡
her¡¡knees¡¡nearer¡¡him¡¡¡¨sodon't¡¡leave¡¡me£»¡¡for¡¡God's¡¡sake£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡gone£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡replied£»¡¡¡¡¡¡gazing¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡curiously¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡
wound¡¡the¡¡fringe¡¡around¡¡her¡¡hand¡¡to¡¡strengthen¡¡her¡¡hold£»¡¡¡¨they're¡¡only¡¡a¡¡
lot¡¡of¡¡cowardly¡¡coyotes¡¡and¡¡wolves£»¡¡that¡¡dare¡¡not¡¡attack¡¡anything¡¡that¡¡lives¡¡
and¡¡can¡¡move¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡responded¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡nervous¡¡¡¡¡¡shudder¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that's¡¡
it£»¡¨¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡whispered£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡broken¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡voice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨it's¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡dead¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡£¡¡
Promise¡¡meswear¡¡to¡¡me£»¡¡if¡¡I'm¡¡caught£»¡¡or¡¡hung£»¡¡or¡¡shot£»¡¡you¡¡won't¡¡let¡¡me¡¡
be¡¡left¡¡here¡¡to¡¡be¡¡torn¡¡andah£¡¡¡my¡¡God£¡¡¡what's¡¡that£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡had¡¡thrown¡¡her¡¡arms¡¡around¡¡his¡¡knees£»¡¡completely¡¡pinioning¡¡him¡¡
to¡¡her¡¡frantic¡¡breast¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Something¡¡like¡¡a¡¡smile¡¡of¡¡disdain¡¡passed¡¡across¡¡his¡¡
face¡¡as¡¡he¡¡answered£»¡¡¡¨It's¡¡nothing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡will¡¡not¡¡return¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Get¡¡up£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Even¡¡in¡¡her¡¡terror¡¡she¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡change¡¡in¡¡his¡¡face¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡know£»¡¡I¡¡know£¡¡¨¡¡
she¡¡¡¡¡¡cried¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡¡¡¡¡frightenedbut¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡cannot¡¡¡¡¡¡bear¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡longer¡£¡¡¡¡Hear¡¡¡¡¡¡me£¡¡¡
Listen£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Listenbut¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡move£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡didn't¡¡¡¡mean¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡kill¡¡¡¡Cursonno£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
swear¡¡to¡¡God£»¡¡no£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡didn't¡¡mean¡¡to¡¡kill¡¡the¡¡sheriffand¡¡I¡¡didn't¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡
only¡¡braggingdo¡¡you¡¡hear£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡lied£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡lieddon't¡¡move£»¡¡I¡¡swear¡¡to¡¡God¡¡
I¡¡¡¡¡¡lied¡£¡¡¡¡I've¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡myself¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡worse¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Only¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡
leave¡¡me¡¡nowand¡¡if¡¡I¡¡dieand¡¡it's¡¡not¡¡far¡¡off£»¡¡may¡¡beget¡¡me¡¡away¡¡from¡¡
hereand¡¡from¡¡THEM¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Swear¡¡it£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡scarcely¡¡concealed¡¡movement¡¡
of¡¡irritation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡get¡¡up¡¡now£»¡¡and¡¡go¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡cabin¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡15¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡16¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡not¡¡THERE¡¡alone¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevertheless£»¡¡he¡¡quietly¡¡but¡¡firmly¡¡released¡¡
himself¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡will¡¡stay¡¡here£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡replied¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡nearer¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡
thought¡¡it¡¡better¡¡for¡¡your¡¡safety¡¡that¡¡my¡¡camp¡fire¡¡should¡¡be¡¡further¡¡off¡£¡¡
But¡¡I¡¡can¡¡build¡¡it¡¡here£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡will¡¡keep¡¡the¡¡coyotes¡¡off¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Let¡¡me¡¡stay¡¡with¡¡youbeside¡¡you£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡¡imploringly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡looked¡¡so¡¡broken£»¡¡crushed£»¡¡and¡¡spiritless£»¡¡so¡¡unlike¡¡the¡¡woman¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡morning¡¡that£»¡¡albeit¡¡with¡¡an¡¡ill¡¡grace£»¡¡he¡¡tacitly¡¡consented£»¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡
away¡¡to¡¡bring¡¡his¡¡blankets¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡in¡¡the¡¡next¡¡moment¡¡she¡¡was¡¡at¡¡his¡¡side£»¡¡
following¡¡him¡¡like¡¡a¡¡dog£»¡¡silent¡¡and¡¡wistful£»¡¡and¡¡even¡¡offering¡¡to¡¡carry¡¡his¡¡
burden¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡had¡¡built¡¡the¡¡fire£»¡¡for¡¡which¡¡she¡¡had¡¡collected¡¡the¡¡pine¡¡¡
cones¡¡and¡¡broken¡¡branches¡¡near¡¡them£»¡¡he¡¡sat¡¡down£»¡¡folded¡¡his¡¡arms£»¡¡and¡¡
leaned¡¡back¡¡against¡¡the¡¡tree¡¡in¡¡reserved¡¡and¡¡deliberate¡¡silence¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Humble¡¡and¡¡submissive£»¡¡she¡¡did¡¡not¡¡attempt¡¡to¡¡break¡¡in¡¡upon¡¡a¡¡reverie¡¡
she¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡help¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡feel¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡kindliness¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡herself¡£¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fire¡¡
snapped¡¡and¡¡sparkled£»¡¡she¡¡pillowed¡¡her¡¡head¡¡upon¡¡a¡¡root£»¡¡and¡¡lay¡¡still¡¡to¡¡
watch¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡rose¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡fell£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dying¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡times¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡mere¡¡¡¡¡¡lurid¡¡¡¡¡¡glow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
again£»¡¡¡¡¡¡agitated¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡breath¡¡¡¡¡¡scarcely¡¡¡¡¡¡perceptible¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡¡¡quickening¡¡
into¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡roaring¡¡¡¡¡¡flame¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡embers¡¡¡¡¡¡remained£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡dead¡¡¡¡¡¡silence¡¡
filled¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wood¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡breath¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡morning¡¡¡¡¡¡moved¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tangled¡¡
canopy¡¡¡¡¡¡above£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡dozen¡¡¡¡¡¡tiny¡¡¡¡¡¡sprays¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡needles¡¡¡¡¡¡detached¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
interlocked¡¡boughs¡¡winged¡¡their¡¡soft¡¡way¡¡noiselessly¡¡to¡¡the¡¡earth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡few¡¡
fell¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡prostrate¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡gentle¡¡¡¡¡¡benediction£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡slept¡£¡¡
But¡¡even¡¡then£»¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man£»¡¡looking¡¡down£»¡¡saw¡¡that¡¡the¡¡slender¡¡fingers¡¡
were¡¡still¡¡aimlessly¡¡but¡¡rigidly¡¡twisted¡¡in¡¡the¡¡leather¡¡fringe¡¡of¡¡his¡¡hunting¡¡¡
shirt¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡16¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡17¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡II¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡peculiarity¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Carquinez¡¡¡¡¡¡Wood¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡apart¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
distinct¡¡in¡¡its¡¡gigantic¡¡individuality¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Even¡¡where¡¡the¡¡integrity¡¡of¡¡its¡¡own¡¡
singular¡¡species¡¡was¡¡not¡¡entirely¡¡preserved£»¡¡it¡¡admitted¡¡no¡¡inferior¡¡trees¡£¡¡
Nor¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡diminishing¡¡¡¡¡¡fringe¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡outskirts£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sentinels¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
guarded¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡gateways¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dim¡¡¡¡¡¡trails¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡monstrous¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
serried¡¡ranks¡¡drawn¡¡up¡¡in¡¡the¡¡heart¡¡of¡¡the¡¡forest¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Consequently£»¡¡the¡¡red¡¡
highway¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡skirted¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡eastern¡¡¡¡¡¡angle¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡bare¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡shadeless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡
slipped¡¡a¡¡league¡¡off¡¡into¡¡a¡¡watered¡¡valley¡¡and¡¡refreshed¡¡itself¡¡under¡¡lesser¡¡
sycamores¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡willows¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡newly¡¡¡¡¡¡born¡¡¡¡¡¡city¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Excelsior£»¡¡
still¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡cradle£»¡¡¡¡¡¡had£»¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡infant¡¡¡¡¡¡Hercules£»¡¡¡¡¡¡strangled¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡serpentine¡¡
North¡¡¡¡¡¡Fork¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡American¡¡¡¡¡¡river£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡¡¡¡¡¡current¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
ditches¡¡and¡¡flumes¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Excelsior¡¡mines¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Newest¡¡of¡¡the¡¡new¡¡houses¡¡that¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡accidentally¡¡formed¡¡its¡¡
single£»¡¡straggling¡¡street¡¡was¡¡the¡¡residence¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Rev¡£¡¡Winslow¡¡Wynn£»¡¡not¡¡
unfrequently¡¡known¡¡as¡¡¡¨Father¡¡Wynn£»¡¨¡¡pastor¡¡of¡¡the¡¡First¡¡Baptist¡¡church¡£¡¡
The¡¡¡¨pastorage£»¡¨¡¡as¡¡it¡¡was¡¡cheerfully¡¡called£»¡¡had¡¡the¡¡glaring¡¡distinction¡¡of¡¡
being¡¡¡¡¡¡built¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡brick£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡was£»¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡wickedly¡¡¡¡pointed¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡idle¡¡
scoffers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¨fireproof¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡structure¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡sarcasm¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not£»¡¡
however£»¡¡¡¡¡¡supposed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡particularly¡¡¡¡¡¡distasteful¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Father¡¡¡¡¡¡Wynn£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡
enjoyed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡reputation¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨hail¡¡¡¡¡¡fellow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡¡¡¡¡¡met¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rough¡¡
mining¡¡¡¡¡¡element£»¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡called¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡Christian¡¡¡¡¡¡names£»¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡
known¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡drink¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bar¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Polka¡¡¡¡¡¡Saloon¡¡¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡¡¡engaged¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
conversion¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡prominent¡¡¡¡¡¡citizen£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡popularly¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡
¡¨gospel¡¡starch¡¨¡¡about¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Certain¡¡conscious¡¡outcasts¡¡and¡¡transgressors¡¡
were¡¡touched¡¡at¡¡this¡¡apparent¡¡unbending¡¡of¡¡the¡¡spiritual¡¡authority¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡
rigid¡¡tenets¡¡of¡¡Father¡¡Wynn's¡¡faith¡¡were¡¡lost¡¡in¡¡the¡¡supposed¡¡catholicity¡¡of¡¡
his¡¡¡¡¡¡humanity¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡¡¡preacher¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡jine¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he's¡¡¡¡¡¡histin'¡¡¡¡¡¡liquor¡¡
into¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡jawin'¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡ought¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡allowed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡wrestle¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
sinners¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡splash¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡cold¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡likes£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
criticism¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡converts¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevertheless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡true¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡Father¡¡
Wynn¡¡was¡¡somewhat¡¡loud¡¡and¡¡intolerant¡¡in¡¡his¡¡tolerance¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡true¡¡that¡¡
he¡¡was¡¡a¡¡little¡¡more¡¡rough£»¡¡a¡¡little¡¡more¡¡frank£»¡¡a¡¡little¡¡more¡¡hearty£»¡¡a¡¡little¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡17¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡18¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡
more¡¡impulsive¡¡than¡¡his¡¡disciples¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡true¡¡that¡¡often¡¡the¡¡proclamation¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡extreme¡¡¡¡¡¡liberality¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡brotherly¡¡¡¡equality¡¡¡¡¡¡partook¡¡¡¡¡¡somewhat¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡
apology¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡true¡¡that¡¡a¡¡few¡¡who¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡most¡¡benefited¡¡by¡¡this¡¡
kind¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡gospel¡¡¡¡¡¡regarded¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡singular¡¡¡¡¡¡disdain¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡true¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
liberality¡¡was¡¡of¡¡an¡¡ornamental£»¡¡insinuating¡¡quality£»¡¡accompanied¡¡with¡¡but¡¡
little¡¡¡¡¡¡sacrifice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡acceptance¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡collection¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡gambling¡¡
saloon¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rebuilding¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡church£»¡¡¡¡¡¡destroyed¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡fire£»¡¡¡¡¡¡gave¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
pop