°Ëϲµç×ÓÊé > ¾­¹ÜÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > in a hollow of the hills(ɽ½§) >

µÚ16²¿·Ö

in a hollow of the hills(ɽ½§)-µÚ16²¿·Ö

С˵£º in a hollow of the hills(ɽ½§) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ4000×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡sprang¡¡sideways¡¡for¡¡his¡¡own¡¡weapon£»¡¡which¡¡stood¡¡by¡¡the¡¡hearth¡£¡¡In¡¡

another¡¡second¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡action¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡been¡¡his¡¡last£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡solitude¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

Seth¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Collinson¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡remained¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡henceforward¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡unbroken¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡

mortal¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡the¡¡gun¡¡of¡¡the¡¡first¡¡figure¡¡was¡¡knocked¡¡sharply¡¡upward¡¡by¡¡a¡¡

second¡¡man£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡one¡¡and¡¡only¡¡shot¡¡fired¡¡that¡¡night¡¡sped¡¡harmlessly¡¡to¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡roof¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡report¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡arms¡¡¡¡¡¡gripped¡¡¡¡¡¡tightly¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡

through¡¡the¡¡smoke¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡dimly¡¡that¡¡the¡¡room¡¡was¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡masked¡¡and¡¡

armed¡¡¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡moment¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡pinioned¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡thrust¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

empty¡¡armchair¡£¡¡At¡¡a¡¡signal¡¡three¡¡of¡¡the¡¡men¡¡left¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡could¡¡

hear¡¡them¡¡exploring¡¡the¡¡other¡¡rooms¡¡and¡¡outhouses¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡the¡¡two¡¡men¡¡

who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡standing¡¡¡¡¡¡beside¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡fell¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡certain¡¡¡¡¡¡disciplined¡¡

precision£»¡¡as¡¡a¡¡smooth¡­chinned¡¡man¡¡advanced¡¡from¡¡the¡¡open¡¡door¡£¡¡Going¡¡

to¡¡the¡¡bar£»¡¡he¡¡poured¡¡out¡¡a¡¡glass¡¡of¡¡whiskey£»¡¡tossed¡¡it¡¡off¡¡deliberately£»¡¡and£»¡¡

standing¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡Collinson£»¡¡with¡¡his¡¡shoulder¡¡against¡¡the¡¡chimney¡¡and¡¡

his¡¡hand¡¡resting¡¡lightly¡¡on¡¡his¡¡hip£»¡¡cleared¡¡his¡¡throat¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Had¡¡Collinson¡¡been¡¡

an¡¡observant¡¡man£»¡¡he¡¡would¡¡have¡¡noticed¡¡that¡¡the¡¡two¡¡men¡¡dropped¡¡their¡¡

eyes¡¡and¡¡moved¡¡their¡¡feet¡¡with¡¡a¡¡half¡¡impatient£»¡¡perfunctory¡¡air¡¡of¡¡waiting¡£¡¡

Had¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡witnessed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stage¡­robbery£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡recognized¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

smooth¡­faced¡¡man¡¡the¡¡presence¡¡of¡¡¡¨the¡¡orator¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡he¡¡only¡¡gazed¡¡at¡¡him¡¡

with¡¡his¡¡dull£»¡¡imperturbable¡¡patience¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡regret¡¡exceedingly¡¡to¡¡have¡¡to¡¡use¡¡force¡¡to¡¡a¡¡gentleman¡¡in¡¡his¡¡own¡¡

house£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡orator¡¡¡¡¡¡blandly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨but¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡feel¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡duty¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡prevent¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

repetition¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡unhappy¡¡¡¡¡¡incident¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡occurred¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡entered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡

desire¡¡that¡¡you¡¡should¡¡answer¡¡a¡¡few¡¡questions£»¡¡and¡¡are¡¡deeply¡¡grateful¡¡that¡¡

you¡¡are¡¡still¡¡able¡¡to¡¡do¡¡so£»which¡¡seemed¡¡extremely¡¡improbable¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡

or¡¡two¡¡ago¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡paused£»¡¡coughed£»¡¡and¡¡leaned¡¡back¡¡against¡¡the¡¡chimney¡£¡¡

¡¨How¡¡many¡¡men¡¡have¡¡you¡¡here¡¡besides¡¡yourself£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Nary¡¡one£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Collinson¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡interrogator¡¡glanced¡¡at¡¡the¡¡other¡¡men£»¡¡who¡¡had¡¡reentered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡

nodded¡¡significantly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Good£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡resumed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡told¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡truthan¡¡¡¡¡¡excellent¡¡¡¡¡¡habit£»¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡57¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡58¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡A¡¡HOLLOW¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡HILLS¡¡



and¡¡one¡¡that¡¡expedites¡¡business¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now£»¡¡is¡¡there¡¡a¡¡room¡¡in¡¡this¡¡house¡¡with¡¡

a¡¡door¡¡that¡¡locks£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Your¡¡front¡¡door¡¡DOESN'T¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡¡cellar¡¡nor¡¡outhouse£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡regret¡¡that£»¡¡for¡¡it¡¡will¡¡compel¡¡us£»¡¡much¡¡against¡¡our¡¡wishes£»¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡

you¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡bound¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡present¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡matter¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡simply¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡this£º¡¡

circumstances¡¡of¡¡a¡¡very¡¡pressing¡¡nature¡¡oblige¡¡us¡¡to¡¡occupy¡¡this¡¡house¡¡for¡¡

a¡¡few¡¡days£»possibly¡¡for¡¡an¡¡indefinite¡¡period¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡respect¡¡the¡¡sacred¡¡rites¡¡

of¡¡¡¡¡¡hospitality¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡turn¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡indeed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡

more¡¡¡¡¡¡distasteful¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡feelings¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡person£»¡¡

spread¡¡such¡¡a¡¡disgraceful¡¡report¡¡through¡¡the¡¡chivalrous¡¡Sierras¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡must¡¡

therefore¡¡keep¡¡you¡¡a¡¡close¡¡prisoner£»open£»¡¡however£»¡¡to¡¡an¡¡offer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡this£º¡¡

we¡¡propose¡¡to¡¡give¡¡you¡¡five¡¡hundred¡¡dollars¡¡for¡¡this¡¡property¡¡as¡¡it¡¡stands£»¡¡

provided¡¡that¡¡you¡¡leave¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡accompany¡¡a¡¡pack¡­train¡¡which¡¡will¡¡start¡¡to¡­¡¡

morrow¡¡morning¡¡for¡¡the¡¡lower¡¡valley¡¡as¡¡far¡¡as¡¡Thompson's¡¡Pass£»¡¡binding¡¡

yourself¡¡to¡¡quit¡¡the¡¡State¡¡for¡¡three¡¡months¡¡and¡¡keep¡¡this¡¡matter¡¡a¡¡secret¡£¡¡

Three¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡gentlemen¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡point¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡

your¡¡¡¡¡¡duty£»¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡shotguns¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡apprise¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡dereliction¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡

What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡say£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Who¡¡yer¡¡talking¡¡to£¿¡¨¡¡said¡¡Collinson¡¡in¡¡a¡¡dull¡¡voice¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡remind¡¡¡¡¡¡us£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡orator¡¡¡¡¡¡suavely£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨that¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

pleasure¡¡of¡¡knowing¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨My¡¡name's¡¡Seth¡¡Collinson¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡a¡¡dead¡¡silence¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡and¡¡every¡¡eye¡¡was¡¡fixed¡¡upon¡¡

the¡¡two¡¡men¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡orator's¡¡smile¡¡slightly¡¡stiffened¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Where¡¡from£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡continued¡¡blandly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mizzouri¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡to£»through¡¡¡¡¡¡Thompson's¡¡¡¡¡¡Pass¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡

you¡¡haven't¡¡answered¡¡our¡¡proposal¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡reckon¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡intend¡¡to¡¡sell¡¡this¡¡house£»¡¡or¡¡leave¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Collinson¡¡

simply¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡trust¡¡you¡¡will¡¡not¡¡make¡¡us¡¡regret¡¡the¡¡fortunate¡¡termination¡¡of¡¡your¡¡

little¡¡¡¡accident£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Collinson£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡orator¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡singular¡¡¡¡¡¡smile¡£¡¡

¡¨May¡¡I¡¡ask¡¡why¡¡you¡¡object¡¡to¡¡selling¡¡out£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Is¡¡it¡¡the¡¡figure£¿¡¨¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡58¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡59¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡A¡¡HOLLOW¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡HILLS¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡house¡¡isn't¡¡mine£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Collinson¡¡deliberately¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡built¡¡this¡¡yer¡¡

house¡¡for¡¡my¡¡wife¡¡wot¡¡I¡¡left¡¡in¡¡Mizzouri¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡hers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡kalkilate¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡it£»¡¡

and¡¡live¡¡in¡¡it¡¡ontil¡¡she¡¡comes¡¡fur¡¡it£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡when¡¡I¡¡tell¡¡ye¡¡that¡¡she¡¡is¡¡dead£»¡¡

ye¡¡kin¡¡reckon¡¡just¡¡what¡¡chance¡¡ye¡¡have¡¡of¡¡ever¡¡gettin'¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡an¡¡unmistakable¡¡start¡¡of¡¡sensation¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡followed¡¡by¡¡

a¡¡silence¡¡so¡¡profound¡¡that¡¡the¡¡moaning¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wind¡¡on¡¡the¡¡mountain¡­side¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡distinctly¡¡¡¡¡¡heard¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡­built¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡mask¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡scarcely¡¡

concealed¡¡his¡¡heavy¡¡mustachios£»¡¡who¡¡had¡¡been¡¡standing¡¡with¡¡his¡¡back¡¡to¡¡

the¡¡orator¡¡in¡¡half¡¡contemptuous¡¡patience£»¡¡faced¡¡around¡¡suddenly¡¡and¡¡made¡¡

a¡¡step¡¡forward¡¡as¡¡if¡¡to¡¡come¡¡between¡¡the¡¡questioner¡¡and¡¡questioned¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡

voice¡¡from¡¡the¡¡corner¡¡ejaculated£»¡¡¡¨By¡¡Gd£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Silence£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡orator¡¡sharply¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡still¡¡more¡¡harshly¡¡he¡¡turned¡¡

to¡¡the¡¡others¡¡¡¨Pick¡¡him¡¡up£»¡¡and¡¡stand¡¡him¡¡outside¡¡with¡¡a¡¡guard£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡

clear¡¡out£»¡¡all¡¡of¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡prisoner¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡lifted¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡carried¡¡¡¡¡¡out£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡instantly¡¡

cleared£»¡¡only¡¡the¡¡orator¡¡and¡¡the¡¡man¡¡who¡¡had¡¡stepped¡¡forward¡¡remained¡£¡¡

Simultaneously¡¡they¡¡drew¡¡the¡¡masks¡¡from¡¡their¡¡faces£»¡¡and¡¡stood¡¡looking¡¡at¡¡

each¡¡other¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡orator's¡¡face¡¡was¡¡smooth¡¡and¡¡corrupt£»¡¡the¡¡full£»¡¡sensual¡¡

lips¡¡¡¡¡¡wrinkled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡corners¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡sardonic¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡humor£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡

confronted¡¡him¡¡appeared¡¡to¡¡be¡¡physically¡¡and¡¡even¡¡morally¡¡his¡¡superior£»¡¡

albeit¡¡¡¡¡¡gloomy¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡discontented¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡expression¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡cast¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡rapid¡¡¡¡¡¡glance¡¡

around¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡assure¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡alone£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then£»¡¡

straightening¡¡his¡¡eyebrows¡¡as¡¡he¡¡backed¡¡against¡¡the¡¡chimney£»¡¡said£º¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Dd¡¡if¡¡I¡¡like¡¡this£»¡¡Chivers£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡your¡¡affair£»¡¡but¡¡it's¡¡mighty¡¡low¡­down¡¡

work¡¡for¡¡a¡¡man£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡might¡¡have¡¡made¡¡it¡¡easier¡¡if¡¡you¡¡hadn't¡¡knocked¡¡up¡¡Bryce's¡¡gun¡£¡¡

That¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡settled¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡guessed¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cur¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡

husband£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Chivers¡¡hotly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡settled¡¡¡¡¡¡THAT¡¡¡¡¡¡WAY£»¡¡¡¡¡¡there's¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡time£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡returned¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

other¡¡with¡¡a¡¡slight¡¡sneer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You've¡¡only¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡him¡¡that¡¡you're¡¡the¡¡man¡¡that¡¡

ran¡¡away¡¡with¡¡his¡¡wife£»¡¡and¡¡you'll¡¡have¡¡it¡¡out¡¡together£»¡¡right¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ledge¡¡at¡¡

twelve¡¡¡¡¡¡paces¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡boys¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡fact£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡added£»¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

sneer¡¡deepening£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡rather¡¡think¡¡it's¡¡what¡¡they're¡¡expecting¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Thank¡¡you£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Jack¡¡Riggs£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Chivers¡¡sardonically¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡dare¡¡say¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡59¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡60¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡A¡¡HOLLOW¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡HILLS¡¡



it¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡convenient¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡people£»¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡booty¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡

divided£»¡¡if¡¡I¡¡were¡¡drilled¡¡through¡¡by¡¡a¡¡blundering¡¡shot¡¡from¡¡that¡¡hayseed£»¡¡

or¡¡it¡¡would¡¡seem¡¡right¡¡to¡¡your¡¡high¡­toned¡¡chivalry¡¡if¡¡a¡¡dead¡­shot¡¡as¡¡I¡¡am¡¡

knocked¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡fired¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡revolver¡¡¡¡¡¡before£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡

don't¡¡exactly¡¡see¡¡it¡¡in¡¡that¡¡light£»¡¡either¡¡as¡¡a¡¡man¡¡or¡¡as¡¡your¡¡equal¡¡partner¡£¡¡

I¡¡don't¡¡think¡¡you¡¡quite¡¡understand¡¡me£»¡¡my¡¡dear¡¡Jack¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡you¡¡don't¡¡value¡¡

the¡¡only¡¡man¡¡who¡¡is¡¡identified¡¡in¡¡all¡¡California¡¡as¡¡the¡¡leader¡¡of¡¡this¡¡gang¡¡

£¨the¡¡man¡¡whose¡¡style¡¡and¡¡address¡¡has¡¡made¡¡it¡¡popularyes£»¡¡POPULAR£»¡¡

by¡¡Gd£¡to¡¡every¡¡man£»¡¡woman£»¡¡and¡¡child¡¡who¡¡has¡¡heard¡¡of¡¡him£»¡¡whose¡¡

sayings¡¡and¡¡doings¡¡are¡¡quoted¡¡by¡¡the¡¡newspapers£»¡¡whom¡¡people¡¡run¡¡risks¡¡

to¡¡see£»¡¡who¡¡has¡¡got¡¡the¡¡sympathy¡¡of¡¡the¡¡crowd£»¡¡so¡¡that¡¡judges¡¡hesitate¡¡to¡¡

issue¡¡warrants¡¡and¡¡constables¡¡to¡¡serve¡¡them£©£»if¡¡YOU¡¡don't¡¡see¡¡the¡¡use¡¡of¡¡

such¡¡a¡¡man£»¡¡I¡¡do¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Why£»¡¡there's¡¡a¡¡column¡¡and¡¡a¡¡half¡¡in¡¡the¡¡'Sacramento¡¡

Union'¡¡about¡¡our¡¡last¡¡job£»¡¡calling¡¡me¡¡the¡¡'Claude¡¡Duval'¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Sierras£»¡¡and¡¡

speaking¡¡of¡¡my¡¡courtesy¡¡to¡¡a¡¡lady£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡LADY£¡HIS¡¡wife£»¡¡by¡¡Gd£¡¡¡our¡¡

confederate£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡My¡¡dear¡¡Jack£»¡¡you¡¡not¡¡only¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡business¡¡values£»¡¡but£»¡¡

'pon¡¡my¡¡soul£»¡¡you¡¡don't¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡understand¡¡humor£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ha£»¡¡ha£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡all¡¡his¡¡cynical¡¡levity£»¡¡for¡¡all¡¡his¡¡affected¡¡exaggeration£»¡¡there¡¡was¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡ring¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡unmistakable¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡pitiable¡¡¡¡¡¡vanity¡¡¡¡in¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡voice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

self¡­consciousness¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡suffused¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡broad¡¡¡¡¡¡cheeks¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡writhed¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡full¡¡

mouth£»¡¡but¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡deepen¡¡the¡¡frown¡¡on¡¡Riggs's¡¡face¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡hates¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡bolt¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡could£»even¡¡

from¡¡you£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Riggs¡¡gloomily¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Think¡¡what¡¡she¡¡might¡¡do¡¡if¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡

her¡¡husband¡¡were¡¡here¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡tell¡¡you¡¡she¡¡holds¡¡our¡¡lives¡¡in¡¡the¡¡hollow¡¡of¡¡her¡¡

hand¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡your¡¡fault£»¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Jack¡¡Riggs£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡would¡¡bring¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡sister¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

her¡¡infernal¡¡convent¡¡innocence¡¡and¡¡simplicity¡¡into¡¡our¡¡hut¡¡in¡¡the¡¡hollow¡£¡¡

She¡¡was¡¡meek¡¡enough¡¡before¡¡¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡this¡¡is¡¡sheer¡¡nonsense¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡have¡¡

no¡¡¡¡¡¡fear¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡live¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡Godfrey¡¡

Chiversfor¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ