°Ëϲµç×ÓÊé > ¾­¹ÜÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > in the carquinez woods(ÔÚ¿¨¹çÄá×ÈÉ­ÁÖ) >

µÚ1²¿·Ö

in the carquinez woods(ÔÚ¿¨¹çÄá×ÈÉ­ÁÖ)-µÚ1²¿·Ö

С˵£º in the carquinez woods(ÔÚ¿¨¹çÄá×ÈÉ­ÁÖ) ×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£¡




¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡



IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡WOODS¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡Bret¡¡Harte¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡1¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡2¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡I¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡sun¡¡was¡¡going¡¡down¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Carquinez¡¡Woods¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡few¡¡shafts¡¡

of¡¡sunlight¡¡that¡¡had¡¡pierced¡¡their¡¡pillared¡¡gloom¡¡were¡¡lost¡¡in¡¡unfathomable¡¡

depths£»¡¡or¡¡splintered¡¡their¡¡ineffectual¡¡lances¡¡on¡¡the¡¡enormous¡¡trunks¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

redwoods¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡a¡¡time¡¡the¡¡dull¡¡red¡¡of¡¡their¡¡vast¡¡columns£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡dull¡¡red¡¡

of¡¡their¡¡cast¡­off¡¡bark¡¡which¡¡matted¡¡the¡¡echoless¡¡aisles£»¡¡still¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡faint¡¡¡¡¡¡glow¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dying¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡£¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡soon¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Light¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

color¡¡fled¡¡upwards¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡dark¡¡interlaced¡¡treetops£»¡¡that¡¡had¡¡all¡¡day¡¡made¡¡

an¡¡¡¡¡¡impenetrable¡¡¡¡¡¡shade£»¡¡¡¡¡¡broke¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡fire¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡there£»¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡lost¡¡¡¡¡¡spires¡¡

glittered£»¡¡faded£»¡¡and¡¡went¡¡utterly¡¡out¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡weird¡¡twilight¡¡that¡¡did¡¡not¡¡come¡¡

from¡¡the¡¡outer¡¡world£»¡¡but¡¡seemed¡¡born¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wood¡¡itself£»¡¡slowly¡¡filled¡¡and¡¡

possessed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡aisles¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡straight£»¡¡¡¡¡¡tall£»¡¡¡¡¡¡colossal¡¡¡¡¡¡trunks¡¡¡¡¡¡rose¡¡¡¡¡¡dimly¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡

columns¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡upward¡¡¡¡¡¡smoke¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡fallen¡¡¡¡¡¡trees¡¡¡¡¡¡stretched¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡huge¡¡

length¡¡into¡¡obscurity£»¡¡and¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡lie¡¡on¡¡shadowy¡¡trestles¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡strange¡¡

breath¡¡that¡¡filled¡¡these¡¡mysterious¡¡vaults¡¡had¡¡neither¡¡coldness¡¡nor¡¡moisture£»¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡dry£»¡¡¡¡¡¡fragrant¡¡¡¡¡¡dust¡¡¡¡¡¡arose¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡noiseless¡¡¡¡¡¡foot¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡trod¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡bark¡­¡¡

strewn¡¡floor£»¡¡the¡¡aisles¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡tombs£»¡¡the¡¡fallen¡¡trees¡¡enormous¡¡

mummies£»¡¡the¡¡silence¡¡the¡¡solitude¡¡of¡¡a¡¡forgotten¡¡past¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡silence¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡presently¡¡¡¡¡¡broken¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡recurring¡¡¡¡¡¡sound¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡

breathing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡interrupted¡¡¡¡¡¡occasionally¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡inarticulate¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡stertorous¡¡¡¡¡¡gasps¡£¡¡

It¡¡was¡¡not¡¡the¡¡quick£»¡¡panting£»¡¡listening¡¡breath¡¡of¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡stealthy¡¡feline¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡

canine¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡animal£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡indicated¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡larger£»¡¡¡¡¡¡slower£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡powerful¡¡

organization£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whose¡¡¡¡¡¡progress¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡less¡¡¡¡¡¡watchful¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡guarded£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

fragment¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fallen¡¡¡¡¡¡monsters¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡become¡¡¡¡¡¡animate¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡times¡¡

this¡¡life¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡take¡¡visible¡¡form£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡vaguely£»¡¡as¡¡misshapenly£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡

phantom¡¡of¡¡a¡¡nightmare¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡it¡¡was¡¡a¡¡square¡¡object¡¡moving¡¡sideways£»¡¡

endways£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡neither¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡nor¡¡¡¡¡¡tail¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡scarcely¡¡¡¡¡¡visible¡¡¡¡¡¡feet£»¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡

arched¡¡bulk¡¡rolling¡¡against¡¡the¡¡trunks¡¡of¡¡the¡¡trees¡¡and¡¡recoiling¡¡again£»¡¡or¡¡

an¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡upright¡¡¡¡¡¡cylindrical¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mass£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡oscillating¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡unsteady£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

striking¡¡the¡¡trees¡¡on¡¡either¡¡hand¡£¡¡The¡¡frequent¡¡occurrence¡¡of¡¡the¡¡movement¡¡

suggested¡¡the¡¡figures¡¡of¡¡some¡¡weird¡¡rhythmic¡¡dance¡¡to¡¡music¡¡heard¡¡by¡¡the¡¡

shape¡¡alone¡£¡¡Suddenly¡¡it¡¡either¡¡became¡¡motionless¡¡or¡¡faded¡¡away¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡the¡¡frightened¡¡neighing¡¡of¡¡a¡¡horse£»¡¡the¡¡sudden¡¡jingling¡¡of¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡2¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡3¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡



spurs£»¡¡a¡¡shout¡¡and¡¡outcry£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡swift¡¡apparition¡¡of¡¡three¡¡dancing¡¡torches¡¡

in¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡aisles£»¡¡but¡¡so¡¡intense¡¡was¡¡the¡¡obscurity¡¡that¡¡they¡¡shed¡¡no¡¡

light¡¡on¡¡surrounding¡¡objects£»¡¡and¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡advance¡¡of¡¡their¡¡own¡¡volition¡¡

without¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡human¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡guidance£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡disappeared¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡suddenly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

interposing¡¡¡¡¡¡bulk¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡largest¡¡¡¡¡¡trees¡£¡¡¡¡Beyond¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡eighty¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

circumference¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡reach£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡gloom¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡remained¡¡

inscrutable¡£¡¡But¡¡the¡¡voices¡¡and¡¡jingling¡¡spurs¡¡were¡¡heard¡¡distinctly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Blast¡¡the¡¡mare£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She's¡¡shied¡¡off¡¡that¡¡cursed¡¡trail¡¡again¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ye¡¡ain't¡¡lost¡¡it¡¡again£»¡¡hev¡¡ye£¿¡¨¡¡growled¡¡a¡¡second¡¡voice¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡jist¡¡what¡¡I¡¡hev¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡these¡¡blasted¡¡pine¡­knots¡¡don't¡¡give¡¡light¡¡

an¡¡¡¡¡¡inch¡¡¡¡¡¡beyond¡¡¡¡¡¡'em¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Dd¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡cursed¡¡¡¡¡¡hole¡¡

blacker¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡laugha¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡woman's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡laughhysterical£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡bitter£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sarcastic£»¡¡

exasperating¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡second¡¡speaker£»¡¡without¡¡heeding¡¡it£»¡¡went¡¡on£º¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡in¡¡thunder¡¡skeert¡¡the¡¡hosses£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Did¡¡you¡¡see¡¡or¡¡hear¡¡anything£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Nothin'¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡wood¡¡is¡¡like¡¡a¡¡graveyard¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡woman's¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡¡¡again¡¡¡¡¡¡broke¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡hoarse£»¡¡¡¡¡¡contemptuous¡¡¡¡¡¡laugh¡£¡¡

The¡¡man¡¡resumed¡¡angrily£º¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡anything£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡h¡­ll¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡so£»¡¡¡¡instead¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

cackling¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡dd¡¡¡¡¡¡squaw¡¡¡¡¡¡there£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡P'raps¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡reckon¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡ken¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

trail¡¡too¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Take¡¡this¡¡rope¡¡off¡¡my¡¡wrist£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡woman's¡¡voice£»¡¡¡¨untie¡¡my¡¡hands£»¡¡

let¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡down£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡spoke¡¡¡¡¡¡quickly¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡Spanish¡¡

accent¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡men's¡¡turn¡¡to¡¡laugh¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡give¡¡you¡¡a¡¡show¡¡to¡¡snatch¡¡that¡¡

six¡­shooter¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡blow¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡hole¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Sheriff¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

Calaveras£»¡¡eh£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Not¡¡if¡¡this¡¡court¡¡understands¡¡itself£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡first¡¡speaker¡¡

dryly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Go¡¡to¡¡the¡¡devil£»¡¡then£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡¡curtly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡lady£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡responded¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡laugh¡¡

from¡¡the¡¡men£»¡¡the¡¡spurs¡¡jingled¡¡again£»¡¡the¡¡three¡¡torches¡¡reappeared¡¡from¡¡

behind¡¡the¡¡tree£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡passed¡¡away¡¡in¡¡the¡¡darkness¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡silence¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡immutability¡¡¡¡¡¡possessed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡woods£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡

trunks¡¡¡¡¡¡loomed¡¡¡¡¡¡upwards£»¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡fallen¡¡¡¡¡¡brothers¡¡¡¡¡¡stretched¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡slow¡¡¡¡¡¡length¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡3¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡4¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡



into¡¡obscurity¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡breathing¡¡again¡¡became¡¡audible£»¡¡the¡¡shape¡¡

reappeared¡¡in¡¡the¡¡aisle£»¡¡and¡¡recommenced¡¡its¡¡mystic¡¡dance¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Presently¡¡it¡¡

was¡¡lost¡¡in¡¡the¡¡shadow¡¡of¡¡the¡¡largest¡¡tree£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡breathing¡¡

succeeded¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡grating¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡scratching¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡bark¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡riven¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡

lightning£»¡¡a¡¡flash¡¡broke¡¡from¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tree¡­¡¡trunk£»¡¡lit¡¡up¡¡the¡¡woods£»¡¡

and¡¡a¡¡sharp¡¡report¡¡rang¡¡through¡¡it¡£¡¡After¡¡a¡¡pause¡¡the¡¡jingling¡¡of¡¡spurs¡¡and¡¡

the¡¡dancing¡¡of¡¡torches¡¡were¡¡revived¡¡from¡¡the¡¡distance¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hallo£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡answer¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Who¡¡fired¡¡that¡¡shot£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡reply¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡slight¡¡veil¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡smoke¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

right£»¡¡there¡¡was¡¡the¡¡spice¡¡of¡¡gunpowder¡¡in¡¡the¡¡air£»¡¡but¡¡nothing¡¡more¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡torches¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡¡¡¡¡¡again£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡

were¡¡held¡¡in¡¡the¡¡hands¡¡of¡¡two¡¡men¡¡and¡¡a¡¡woman¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡woman's¡¡hands¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡tied¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wrist¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡horse¡­hair¡¡¡¡¡¡reins¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡mule£»¡¡¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡riata£»¡¡

passed¡¡around¡¡her¡¡waist¡¡and¡¡under¡¡the¡¡mule's¡¡girth£»¡¡was¡¡held¡¡by¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

men£»¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡both¡¡¡¡¡¡armed¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡rifles¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡revolvers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Their¡¡¡¡¡¡frightened¡¡

horses¡¡curveted£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡was¡¡with¡¡difficulty¡¡they¡¡could¡¡be¡¡made¡¡to¡¡advance¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ho£¡¡¡stranger£»¡¡what¡¡are¡¡you¡¡shooting¡¡at£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡laughed¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡shrugged¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡shoulders¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Look¡¡¡¡¡¡yonder¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡

the¡¡roots¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tree¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You're¡¡a¡¡dd¡¡smart¡¡man¡¡for¡¡a¡¡sheriff£»¡¡ain't¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡man¡¡uttered¡¡an¡¡exclamation¡¡and¡¡spurred¡¡his¡¡horse¡¡forward£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡

animal¡¡reared¡¡in¡¡terror¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡then¡¡sprang¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡and¡¡approached¡¡the¡¡

tree¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡shape¡¡lay¡¡there£»¡¡a¡¡scarcely¡¡distinguishable¡¡bulk¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡grizzly£»¡¡by¡¡the¡¡living¡¡Jingo£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Shot¡¡through¡¡the¡¡heart¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡true¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡strange¡¡shape¡¡lit¡¡up¡¡by¡¡the¡¡flaring¡¡torches¡¡seemed¡¡

more¡¡vague£»¡¡unearthly£»¡¡and¡¡awkward¡¡in¡¡its¡¡dying¡¡throes£»¡¡yet¡¡the¡¡small¡¡shut¡¡

eyes£»¡¡the¡¡feeble¡¡nose£»¡¡the¡¡ponderous¡¡shoulders£»¡¡and¡¡half¡­human¡¡foot¡¡armed¡¡

with¡¡powerful¡¡claws¡¡were¡¡unmistakable¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡turned¡¡by¡¡a¡¡common¡¡

impulse¡¡and¡¡peered¡¡into¡¡the¡¡remote¡¡recesses¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wood¡¡again¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hi£»¡¡Mister£¡¡¡come¡¡and¡¡pick¡¡up¡¡your¡¡game¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hallo¡¡there£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡challenge¡¡fell¡¡unheeded¡¡on¡¡the¡¡empty¡¡woods¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡yet£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡he¡¡whom¡¡the¡¡woman¡¡had¡¡called¡¡the¡¡sheriff£»¡¡¡¨he¡¡can't¡¡

be¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡off¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡shot£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡bear¡¡¡¡¡¡hez¡¡dropped¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡tracks¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡4¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡5¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡CARQUINEZ¡¡WOODS¡¡



Why£»¡¡wot's¡¡this¡¡sticking¡¡in¡¡his¡¡claws£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡two¡¡men¡¡bent¡¡over¡¡the¡¡animal¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¡it's¡¡sugar£»¡¡brown¡¡sugar¡¡

look£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡no¡¡mistake¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡huge¡¡beast's¡¡fore¡¡paws¡¡and¡¡muzzle¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡streaked¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡unromantic¡¡¡¡¡¡household¡¡¡¡¡¡provision£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡heightened¡¡

the¡¡absurd¡¡contrast¡¡of¡¡its¡¡incongruous¡¡members¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡woman£»¡¡apparently¡¡

indifferent£»¡¡had¡¡taken¡¡that¡¡opportunity¡¡to¡¡partly¡¡free¡¡one¡¡of¡¡her¡¡wrists¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡we¡¡hadn't¡¡been¡¡cavorting¡¡round¡¡this¡¡yer¡¡spot¡¡for¡¡the¡¡last¡¡half¡¡hour£»¡¡

I'd¡¡swear¡¡there¡¡was¡¡a¡¡shanty¡¡not¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡yards¡¡away£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡sheriff¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡other¡¡man£»¡¡without¡¡replying£»¡¡remounted¡¡his¡¡horse¡¡instantly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡is£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡it's¡¡¡¡¡¡inhabited¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡gentleman¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡kin¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡centre¡¡

shots¡¡like¡¡that¡¡in¡¡the¡¡dark£»¡¡and¡¡don't¡¡care¡¡to¡¡explain¡¡how£»¡¡I¡¡reckon¡¡I¡¡won't¡¡

disturb¡¡him¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡sheriff¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡apparently¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡opinion£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡followed¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

companion's¡¡example£»¡¡and¡¡once¡¡more¡¡led¡¡the¡¡way¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡spurs¡¡tinkled£»¡¡the¡¡

torches¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡danced£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡cavalcade¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡slowly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡reentered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡gloom¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡

another¡¡moment¡¡it¡¡had¡¡disappeared¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡wood¡¡sank¡¡again¡¡into¡¡repose£»¡¡this¡¡time¡¡disturbed¡¡by¡¡neither¡¡shape¡¡

nor¡¡sound¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡lower¡¡forms¡¡of¡¡life¡¡might¡¡have¡¡crept¡¡close¡¡to¡¡its¡¡roots¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡hidden¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ferns£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡deadened¡¡¡¡¡¡tread¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bark¡­¡¡

strewn¡¡floor¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Towards¡¡morning¡¡a¡¡coolness¡¡like¡¡dew¡¡fell¡¡from¡¡above£»¡¡with¡¡

here¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡dropping¡¡¡¡¡¡twig¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡nut£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡crepitant¡¡¡¡¡¡awakening¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

stretching¡­out¡¡of¡¡

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

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ