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proprietor of Collinson's Mill calm and untroubled in his usual seclusion。
The news that had thrilled the length and breadth of Galloper's Ridge had
not touched the leafy banks of the dried…up river； the hue and cry had
followed the stage…road； and no courier had deemed it worth his while to
diverge as far as the rocky ridge which formed the only pathway to the
mill。 That day Collinson's solitude had been unbroken even by the
haggard emigrant from the valley； with his old monotonous story of
hardship and privation。 The birds had flown nearer to the old mill； as if
emboldened by the unwonted quiet。 That morning there had been the
half human imprint of a bear's foot in the ooze beside the mill…wheel； and
coming home with his scant stock from the woodland pasture； he had
found a golden squirrela beautiful； airy embodiment of the brown woods
itselfcalmly seated on his bar…counter； with a biscuit between its baby
hands。 He was full of his characteristic reveries and abstractions that
afternoon； falling into them even at his wood… pile； leaning on his axeso
still that an emerald…throated lizard； who had slid upon the log； went to
sleep under the forgotten stroke。
But at nightfall the wind arose；at first as a distant murmur along the
hillside； that died away before it reached the rocky ledge； then it rocked
the tops of the tall redwoods behind the mill； but left the mill and the dried
leaves that lay in the river… bed undisturbed。 Then the murmur was
prolonged； until it became the continuous trouble of some far…off sea； and
at last the wind possessed the ledge itself； driving the smoke down the
stumpy chimney of the mill； rattling the sun…warped shingles on the roof；
stirring the inside rafters with cool breaths； and singing over the rough
projections of the outside eaves。 At nine o'clock he rolled himself up in
his blankets before the fire； as was his wont； and fell asleep。
It was past midnight when he was awakened by the familiar clatter of
boulders down the grade； the usual simulation of a wild rush from without
that encompassed the whole mill； even to that heavy impact against the
door； which he had heard once before。 In this he recognized merely the
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IN A HOLLOW OF THE HILLS
ordinary phenomena of his experience； and only turned over to sleep again。
But this time the door rudely fell in upon him； and a figure strode over his
prostrate body； with a gun leveled at his head。
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；
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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：
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：
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