The Enchanted Canyon

a picture of Boyhood, flagellated by the world's stupidity and brutali

platform, smoking cigarettes, his keen eyes on the flying landscape. His blue Norfolk suit and his carefully chosen cap and linen restored a little of the adolescent

some deep scheme for mischief when they reached San Francisco? John had believed fully that he and Nucky would be friends before Chicago was passed. But he had been mistaken. What in the world was he to do with the young gambler in San Francisco,

buquerque when he had a sudden inspiration. He knew Nucky too well by now to ask him for

mped with two years ago. It's such bad weather that I don't suppose there'll be many people up there and I telegraphed him this a

" said Nuck

what Jack's enthusiasm would have been over such a program.

pular side trip. It was a wild and lonely run to the Canyon's rim. Nucky, sitting with his face pressed against the window, saw only vague forms of cactus and evergreens through the sleet which, as the grade rose steadily, c

ight! Nucky, I want you to get your first look at the Canyon, alone. One always should. You'd better put on your coat and go ou

his cap and went out. A porter was swe

ant to see the Ca

ies, waiting for you, son!" jerk

appearing before his gaze, he saw a void, silver gray, dim in outline, but none the less a void. The earth gaped to its center, naked, awful, before his horrified eyes. Yet, the same urgent need to know the uttermost that forces one to

efore the blaze, reading or chatting. One of the women looked up at the boy and smiled. It seemed impossible to Nucky that human beings could be sitting so calmly, doing quite ordina

hes below that the drifts served only as high lights for their crimson and black and orange. Just beneath Nucky were tree tops, heavy laden with white. Far, far below were tiny sh

e door, John S

l, E

ky's eyes now. They were the

g!" he panted. "I gotta

ously. "For heaven's sake,

e do a guy lookin' at

is one of the beautifu

h! Come out with m

ried Nucky. "I'm goin

rk

listen, Enoch! No nonsense! Remember that if you wander away from the hotel, you're lost. There are no trolleys

had lounged up to the cigar stand. As he approached, Nucky saw that he was middle ag

. "Nucky, this is the man who is goin

! What're you going t

d the boy on

ncertainly. "I

t it?" demand

firmness. "And I don't like it.

k and me and get used

at

near it again,"

the hollow chest, the strong, unformed features, the thin lips that were

to Indians?" aske

said

he best you two can do on shoes? I'm always sorry for you lady-like New Yo

ton. "You and Enoch'll find me over at one of

wearing high laced boots, with a very self-conscious air. Once out

we go to the hogan, come over to the corral. My Tom horse has got a saddle sore.

asked Nucky, wit

ng idea. A bronco is a plains pony before he'

wrong, Frank!"

a tall man, whose skin was a rich bro

aho know about horses! Enoch, this is a sure enough Indian.

ng would do you good," said he. "I was looking at Tom horse, Frank.

he cuss would have weighed a good deal less if I'd been here when

reaks trail for us. Ar

riend here gets his ne

oc

t?" aske

down Bri

ur life!"

and mules were moving about the enclosure. Allen crossed swiftly among them, with Nucky following, apprehensively, close behind him. Frank's horse was in the stable, but while

the trail," said Allen finally, slap

mule knows more in a minute th

to take another loo

er-beaten face. "Sure I will, boy! Let's walk up the

y the rail," repli

s thing too hard, you know! After a

ung face beside him. Nucky's pallor was still intense in spite of the stinging wind. His deep set eyes were strained like a child's, listening to a not-to-be-understood explanation of something that frightens him. For a

his room. Neither Allen nor

offered him. "He may be a born crook or he may not, but be

ck him. Mrs. Seaton couldn't and if she failed, any woman on earth would. And I s

to somebody else's woman."

like a chump, Frank!

noch's number, just the same. If I were you, I'd mooch up to the kid's room if he doesn't come

ly on Nucky's door. There was an inarticulate, "Come i

nd get to bed early. Jumping from sea level to a mil

eady," mum

forlorn and childish about the boy's look as

r rooms, will you, Enoch?" and he imagined t

listening. Then he rose and turned on the light in his room, and in Nucky's. The boy hastily jerked the covers over his head. Seaton pulle

ou cry, that it's time you told a friend about

entirely. Finally, he pulled the covers down b

t to g

h? Where's

home. This joi

nt to see in Ne

the police station'd lo

there now, waiti

s he had planned. Jack often had puzzled him but there had always been something to grasp with

you know, what is the

" replied the

ng up and taking your punishment without breaking down. If one of the men ar

y, turning his head ever

re you breaki

it make?" demanded the boy

me Minetta Lane for that, not you. And I believe there is so much solid fine stuff in you that I'm giving you this trip to show you that there are people and things outsi

despised me," sai

. Suddenly he took the bo

l make a bargain with you. I want you to try the Canyon for a week or so, until I get back from the Coast. If, at the end of th

time turned and look

t?" he

on n

o down the Cany

nything except play str

,"-the boy's eyes were a li

gh. I want your

ton's steady eyes. "A

would you sit with me

prisoned it. He lay staring at the ceiling for a long moment, then his eyelids fluttere

unced itself as ready for the return trip to Williams, immediately after breakfast. Nucky sl

e you? Come on, we're going to brea

nce and sat up in bed, his face very

o tell you he thought you needed the sleep

laimed Nucky; "that I didn't

are you?" Allen's grin took away part of the sting of his speech. "Me

for the guide, the room clerk said, "So you're the kid that's afraid to go down the trail. Us

In front of the fire the woman who had sm

u! They can't get me o

ildly for Frank Allen. When he espied the guide

Mr. Alle

ll ear

verybody I'm afra

to go out every morning and pray to the Lord to close the earth's gap, it made her so nerv

gry and resentful to eat much. He drank two cu

ut finally I got my nerve up and there's nothing to it. Say, let me give you some advice. There's only a few folks here now, so the guides and the hotel people have got plenty of time on

was Nucky's vanity. He gulped the second cup of coffee, then with the air of bravado which b

Nucky. "I'm ready for B

pots were burning in Nucky's cheeks. He was biting his

'll have to have the grub put up. You go over to the store room yonder and get a flannel shirt and a pair of denim pants to

e corral. Three mules, one a well loaded pack mule, the o

he trail perfectly. All you have to do is to sit in the saddle and look up, not down! Remember, up, not down! I

ife," replied Nucky, trying to c

ns, so. Stand facing the saddle, so. Now put this foot in the stirrup, seiz

, the mule standing fast as a mountain while he did so. Spoons moved off a

any worse than

sy to stay in the saddl

n, Enoch, and bring ol

See the bunch on the

this time

anding on the steps, watching the little cavalca

itement, Frank?

mire physical nerve because we need a lot of it. And you're showing a good

d he managed to maintain this posture as the trail turned

ddle would have felt quite as comfortable standing on the topmost window ledge of the Flat Iron building, in New York. And, to Nucky, there was no trail! Only a narrow, corkscr

kes just one mis-step, I'm dead." He felt a little nauseated. "I can never

The red spots were gone

I can't get away wit

e rim to your right? They say an Indian girl jumped from the top of that because she bore a cross-eyed baby. Look up, Enoch, as we round this curve and see that streak of red in the wall. An Indian giant bled to death on the rim and his blood seeped through the soli

nyon floor thrust scarlet and yellow heads across his line of vision. Close to his left, as the trail curved, a wall of purest rose color lifted from a bank of snow that was as blue as Al

twist in the trail and his knee scraped against the wall. He crie

edge of the trail in all this snow. He's an old warrior, is Spoons! He could carry a grand piano down this

et off this brute till we re

on crept back into Nucky's feet and hands. By a supreme effort for many moments he managed to fix his eyes firmly on Frank's broad back, and though he could not give up his hold on the pommel, he sat a little straighter. Then, of a sudden, Spoons stopped in his tracks, and as suddenly a little avalanche o

eed, Frank slid from his mule and made

asy now! Don't lose your passenger!" The mule regained his balance and stepped carefully forward out of the drift

his eyes almost immediately. Whatever emotion Frank may have felt, he kept t

d from Frank's quizzical eyes to Spoons' tw

, didn't I

thing in the twist of

burst fo

me, this blank blank hole out here in this blank blank jumping off place can't. I'm g

ward, as they left the snow line, the guide looked back. Nucky was huddled in the saddle, his eyes closed tight, but his thin lips were drawn in a lin

a child and under his bravado and his watchfulness there was a child's recklessness. If he were to fall, at least he must see whither he was to fall. He forced himself to look from time to time

o intention of crying a halt, now that the trail was level. His pulse began to subside and once more he sat erec

re I am,

w more stunts like this, you'd look almost like a boy

mule. "Must be spring down here," he cri

'll be summer when

, wasn't it, Frank!

des, and you were the worst cas

ht give me credit for hanging

ge New York boy has nerves like yours, I'm glad many of them don't

never complained of my

, ang

the cards against a dub? But this country out here,

, and never squealed and I know two gun

neck, back up the trail there," said Allen dryly. "Come

is fear receded, his curiosity increased. He gazed about him with absorbed int

s? How much does it cost? Did any one ever climb up the side of the Canyon, say like one yonder where it looked like different colored stair steps going up? Did any one ever find gold in the canyon? How did they know it when they found

to take care of you for a week was by telling

here closed in upon them breathlessly. Their lunch had been prepared at the hotel.

to have me ask you qu

for a kid than the sulks you'

earned my own way since I was twelve. And I earn it

peaking. Then, with one eyebrow rais

ice!" this v

turned sulky and the meal was finished in silence. When the last doughnut had been devou

for a half hour, then we'll make the night camp. It's aft

se walls rose sheer and menacing toward the narrow patch of blue sky above. He could no

kes round here

over the rocks to the river edge. At a distance of perhaps a hundred feet from Frank he stopped, looked at the bleak, blank wall of the river opposit

York! Time to get

is hole all night!" protest

to gather drift wood and pile it on that flat topped rock yonder. Keep piling till I t

stay down here, like lost dogs, when the

h. Seaton thought maybe somewhere in that pindling carcass of yours there was the making of a he man and that you'

the pile, though it grew slowly, grew steadily. By the time Frank announced the camp ready,

ir-mattress and a plentiful supply of blankets. A small folding table stood before a rough stone fire place. A canvas shelter stretched vertical

tress come from?"

e of timber for an amateur, New York." Frank looked up from the fire he was kindling into Nucky's thin, tired face. "Now, son, you sit down on the end of your b

as he eagerly followed

ned peaches he devoured with more appetite than he ever had brought to ministrone and red wine. A queer and inexplicable s

ish some of the guys that used to

lighting his pipe and stretching h

n a gambling joint, and we was fixing the place up for w

your fol

have been so bad if he didn't pinch the pennies so. Were

e," replie

ise. "How'd you ever ha

now that I'd want to live anywhere else. I used to kick against the

Nucky sincerely. "If I thought I couldn't ge

ch, you're on the wrong track and I know, because

began

decency or happiness or contentment on it. There's two thing

. And he burst into an obscene tirade against the sex that utterly astonished the guide. He lay with his chin supported on hi

oked down on such a rotten little cur as you are in all their history. You

bler yourself!"

glory o' God that you've seen to-day and then sit down and talk like an overflowing sewer isn't fit to live. I didn't know that before I came

a while, with nerves and over-tired muscles twitc

slept noisily. Nucky sat up and pulled his blankets over him, but he did not lie down again. He sat staring at the wonder of the Canyon. For a long half hour he was motionless save for the occasional m

ve me crazy. I'll tell you why I'm bad. It's because my mother was bad be

he alert. "How old were you

replied

nything about it, then! W

ss he'd know,

on his deathbed of a fellow who ran a joint like Luigi's and taught a kid

ith him. I remem

bet you my next year's pa

imself up with a long breath.

r," he repeated firmly. "Seaton told me that that policeman friend of yours said she might an

ied Nucky in an ag

fellow with a face like your

ames Nucky's face fell. "Aw, w

s God. You can't see Him or talk to Him, bu

odded q

come of a breed like the woman that lived with Luigi. I'll bet if you show you have

to stare at Frank, his pale boy's face tense with conflicting ho

onlight. I never thought such thoughts in my life as I have down here, abo

y that's thin skinned. I went through it too. I tell you, Nucky, this life here in the Canyon and the thoughts yo

yes fixed on Frank's

I'd gotten into a woman scrape and I'd alienated every member of my family. Just why I thought a deck of cards was worth all that, I can't tell you. But I did. Then I came down here to see what the Canyon could do for my asthma and it cured that, and by the Eternal, it cured my soul, too. Now listen to me, son

the fire. It was not long before deep breaths that were pathetically near to sobs told the guide that Nucky was asleep. Then he rolled himsel

g to the smell of coffee. He

nd Canyon!" Frank grinned as he l

n to his breakfast the grin had disappeared, but with it

o you some more about-you know-you know what you said last night? I ne

ahead!"

er-" beg

's wife," corre

as much as any mother could. Luigi's always been j

as good women," was Frank's comment. "W

remember it or if it's

s and dark auburn hai

lia

mused the guide. "Did any one ever

s pale face. "I never asked but once.

lead a lynching party to call on him." He paused, eying Nucky's

hate her and all other women. Mrs. Seaton seemed kind

did you know that Seaton

l you just why I feel so certain. But I'd take my oath you are of New England stock. John Seaton is a first-cla

as eager and as wistf

quivered. "I never t

an

clean up these dishes for me while I attend t

as boyishly interested in the wonders of the Canyon. The sun was setting when they at last reached the rim. For an hour Nucky had not spoken. When Allen

and tuck away a big supper, take a hot bath and go to bed. To-morrow we'll rid

's a fact. But I've got to tell the clerk and t

ed, as he followed the

he next morning. When he had finished breakfast,

e shouted. "Come

y might have been any happy boy of fourteen. It was only

you this evening,

"I've got to be with m

ught the look in Frank's face. "You'll neve

forget it?"

ned to Nucky's voice.

wouldn't!" returne

was a full five minutes that the boy gazed into the drifting depths

'em, but I'll take your word that lots of 'em are good. And nobody wi

You'd better go to bed again as soon as you've eaten your supper. By to-morro

with a cavalcade of mules, was waiting for him. But he was not

my daughter, Diana. She is g

little girl laughed, showing two fro

red hair!"

d, and mount

tly behind me," said F

oc

l the way to the ri

times," replied Frank, looking

air hung in thick curls on her shoulders. Her eyes were large and a clear hazel. Her skin, though tanned, was peculiarly fine in texture. But the greatest promise of her fut

ugal Street. She was deeply interested in Nucky, turni

mule, Enoch? He's

t turn round o

don't turn round? Do

little girls. Tu

ou kno

if you don't sit stil

like me,

a don't quit twisting, I'll fa

her Enoch,

. I'm making conversation. I li

d to turn the trend of

kind of stone that is yonder w

d!" exclaimed Diana scornfull

yer next to it?" deman

girl. Then, leaning far out of the saddle

na is bound to fall! I just

ana, don't turn to look at Enoch a

the fire and to unpack the provisions. She lent a hand at arranging the beds and set the table, all with eager docility and intelligence. But Nucky, after doing the chore

boy again, even attempting once or twice to tease Diana, in a boy's offhand manner. That small person, however, had become conscious of the fact that Enoch was

trail. Frank led the way very gingerly and the mules often stopped of their own accord, while the guide roughened the path for them with the axe. In spite of this care, as they r

could accomplish it, Nucky had dismounted, had rushed up the trail and stood

Diana rides either in

ly, his fac

r down, Enoch! We'll all walk to the top. It's only

ed her curls and followed her father without a word. And Frank,

*

cended somewhat wearily from the Pullman that had landed him once more at the Cany

r. Seaton

ed. "What on earth

ots, a blue flannel shirt, gaun

och! Been down B

the boy, with elaborate

one more day and you t

oy too sharply. "I'll be as sore as a dog, for I haven't been in a

y, Mr. Seaton, I just don'

now and as Seaton signed the reg

Huntingdon behind, we'l

Seat

real makings in me and I'll bet Frank knows more about guiding than any white in these parts. Na

bell boy upstairs. He was not looking at Nucky,

ions going to waste in the Colorado! Millions! Frank and Mike say so.

d him, and closed the door after him

pack for yo

oilet case, for I'm going to get into an out

you, Mr. Seaton. Here they are," opening the closet door. "Shall I help you with 'em? Will you take a ride along the

had shaken it several times, and made himself ready for his ride.

d you're to be tak

en, Frank, what have

ut that first trip." And he told rapidly but in deta

t. "Has he spoken of his mother to you s

ll again. Do you think you ca

try! Do you like

real makings in him. Better lea

by me. But the decision is up to the boy. If he

"Gambling is a persistent disease. He's got years

down the trail to-morrow before we try to make any

n one ear," suggeste

, for he was engrossed by his endeavor to replace the sullen, unboyish Nucky he had known with this voluble

ngel the next day was

e and camped for the ni

wandered off toward the

by th

to stay out here with

m when he told you that

to New York with me, but tha

glow on the boy's strong face. When Nucky looked up at hi

you about our

on n

voice trembled with eager

n I get back to New York I'll do what I can to clear the matter up for you. Que

e back in Minetta Lane, first he licked me and then he told me how bad my mother was, and he said if folks knew it, they'd spit on me and throw me out of school, and that I was lower than any low dog. And he told me if I did exactly what he said he

mly. "Not your mother.

drive me crazy. And he told me all women was like that o

ajority of women are pure and sweet as no man can h

n't know!" pe

e it to you. The world is full of clean, honest, kindly people, E

mother, how can I

your parents' badness. You could inherit their weak wills, for instance, and if you live in Minetta Lane where there's only badness about you, your weak will wouldn't let you stand out against the badness

hink-" falt

tanding stock! And it's about time you moved out

hat principles do you think a man ought to be guided? Do you think that the underlying purpose of life is dog eat dog, every man for himself, by whatever method? That's your gambler's philosophy. Or do you think we'

scover it, for I've done that this week. I want to

lad keenly. "Good w

"Don't call me Nucky! I

asked Frank, strolli

h. "I'd rather stay here

using bribery?" Frank was h

ve as guiding on Bright An

ob I was ever offered

ruef

y. "O gee!" he said at last, "I feel as free and light as air! I got to take a run up and down

perament, proud to a fault, high strung and introspective. Until some one can prove to him that his mother was not a harlot, he'll never be entirely normal. And it's been my observation

can clear the matt

ut ten, he had a series of extraordinarily vivid dreams portraying a curious accident that he was not able to distinguish from actual happenings. It was not until he was a man and had accidentally come in contact with a psychologist who analyzed the thing down to facts for him

ing!" Frank lighted

l there for good or evi

y one the Canyon gets

. I never saw a

th men sat smoking, thei

OK

TARY OF T