The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-04
THREE
Or,
The Big Strike on Heavy Tree Hill,
BY BRET HARTE
Copyright, 1897. BY Bret Ha,te.


oNls - h'S hNh'N5 WI f'-iSa
etching ont the intersticos of broken boughs, fad
ing away and then flashing suddenly out agar
like sparks in burnt-up paper. Then tho nigh
wind swept down the whole mountain side, and
began It's usual struggle with the shadows up
climbing from the valley, only to lose itself in
tho end and be absorbed In the all-conquering
darkness. Yet for somo time tho pines on the
long slope of Heavy Tree Hill murmurcd and
protested with swaying arms; but rs the
shadows stole upward. and cabin after cabin and
tunnel after tunnel were swallowed up, a com
ploto silence followed. Only the sky remained
visiblo-a vast concave mirror of dull steel. In
which the stars did not seem to be set, but only
reflected.
A single cabin door on tho crest of Heavy
Tree Hill had remained open to tho wind and
darkness. Then it was slowly shut by an invisi.
BILE ACKNOWLEDGMENT revealed by the cmbcrs of
the FIRE 1t was stirring. At first only this figure
brooding over the hearth was shown. but as the
flames leaped up two other figures could be seen
sitting motionless before 1t. When tho door was
shut they acknowledged that interruption by
plightly changing their position. The ono who
had risen to shut the door sank back into an in
visible seat, but tho attitude of each man was
one of profound reflection or reserve, and APP
parontly upon some common subject, which
made them respect each others silence. How
ever, this was at last broke II by q laugh. 1t was
q boylsh laugh, and came from the youngest of
the party. The two others turned and glanced
tnquiringly toward him, but did not speak.
II was thinking" lie began in apologetio ex-
PLANTATION, how mighty queer 1t was that
while we werc working like niggcrs on grub
wagcs, without the ghost of n chance of making
o strike, how we used to sit here, night after
night, and fiapdoodlc and speculate about what
we'd do IL we ever did make one; and now,
Great Scott! that we hare made it. and are just
wallowing in gold, hero we are sitting as glum
and silent as IL we'd had n wash Quit Why,
Lord! l remember one n~ight-not so long ago,
e~ither-that you two clarrclled over the swell
hotel you wcro going to stop at In Frisco, and
whether you wouldn't strike straight out for
London and Rome and Paris, or go away to
Japan and China and round by India and the
Red Sea-"
"No. We didn't quarrel over It," said one of
the figures, gently; there was only q little
discussion"
Yes, but you did, though returned the
young fellow. mischieyoutly, land you told
Stacy, there, that we'd better learn something
of the world before we tried to buy It or even
hire 1t, and that it was just as well TO get the
hayseed out OF our hair and the slumgullion Off
our boots before we mixed in polite society,"
"Well. / don't see what's the matter with
that sentiment now" returned the second
speaker, good humored)y; only" he added,
gravcly, VIC didn't q~uarrel-Cod forbid!"
There WAS something in the speakers tone
which seemed to touch n common chord In their
natures, and this was voiced by Barker with
sudden and almost pathetic earncstness. II
tell you what, Boys, we ought 20 swear here to-
night to always stand by each other-in luck
and out Of it! We ought to hold ourselves
always at each others cali. wo ought to have
q kind Of password or signal. you know. by
vhfrb xra roull v,p,p oacb p,har ~ anv tsr,o
from any quarter of the Globe:"
"Come off the roof, Barker murmured Stacy,
without lifting his eyes from the fire. But
Demorest smiled and glanced tolerantly at the
younger man.
"Yes, but look here, Stacy" continued Barker,
comrades like us. in the old days, used 10 do
that in times of trouble and adventures. Why
shouldn't We do 1t in our luck 7"
"Thcre's a Rood deal in that, Barker boy"
said Demorcst. though as a general thing
passwords butter no parsnips. and the ordinary.
everyday. single yclp from n wolf brings the
whole pack together for business about as quick
as a password. But you cling to that sentiment
and put it away with your gold dust in your
belt"
"What I like about Barker Is his commodious-
ness" said Stacy. Here he is, tho only man
among MS that has his future fixed and his pre-
emption lines laid out and registered. He's
already got n girl that he's going to marry and
settle down with on the strength OF his luck.
And I'd like to know what Kitty Carter, when
she's Mrs. Barker, would say to her husband
icing signallcd fo- from Asia or Africa. don't
seem to see her tumblinG to any password. And
when he and she go into a now partnership
reckon she'll let the old one slide"
That's Just where you're wronR!" said Barker,
with quickly rising color. shes the sweetest
girl in tho world, and she'd be sure to under
otsnd our feelings. Why. she thinks everything
of you two; she was Just eager for you to get
this claim, which has put us where We arc. when
] held back. and II it hadn't been for her. by
Jove! we wouldn't have had It,"
"That WAS only because she cared for you."
returned Stacy, with n half yswn. land now
that you've got your share she isn't going to
take a breathless interest in us. And, by the
way, I'd rather you'd remind us that we owe
our luck TO her than that she should ever remind
you of it."
"what do you mean 7" said Barker quickly.
But Dcmorest here rose laZily. and. throwing a
gigantic shadow on the wall. stood between the
two with his back to the fire. "Hc means" he
said slowly. that you're talking rot, and so 10
he. However. as yours comes from the heart
and his from the head. / prefer yours. But
you're both making me tired. Let's have a
fresh deal"
Nobody ever dreamed OF contradicting Demon
est. Nevertheless, Barker persisted eagerly:
But isn't 1t better for us to look at this cheer.
fully and happily AL aroupdl There's nothing
criminal In orr having made IL strike! II seems
to me, boys, that OF all ways OF making money
its the squarcst and most level: nobody Is the
poorer for 1t; our luck brings no misfortune 10
others. The gold WINS put there ngcs ago, for any
body to find; we found II, 1t hasn't been tar
nished by man. touch before. Idon't know how
II strikes YOU. boys. but i seems to me that Of all
whether we deserved it or not. it comes to us
first-hand-from God!'
Tho fxyn mon ulnncNb nnirlIy at thn cnaobnr
whose face flushed and then smiled cmbarras.
sedly as II ashamed of the enthusiasm into
which no had been betrayed. Blu; Demorcst did
not smile; and Stacy's eyes shone in Tho freight
as no said languidly: " never hoard that pros
pecting was u religious occupation before. But
shouldn't wonder II you're right, Barker boy.
30 let's liquor up"
Nevertheless he did not move, nor did the
others. The lire ieapGd higher, bringing out tho
rude raftCrs and sternly economic details OF tho
rough cabin, and, making the occupants in their
seats before the frc look gigantic BY contrast.
"Who shut the door I" said Demorcst, after n
pause.
81 did" said Barker. IT rcckonod IL was got
ting cold"