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Once inside the tent, Kimoto tended to Robinson's superficial shoulder wound. After the wound was treated, Robinson changed into regular clothing and washed himself. Finally able to think again, Kimoto spoke up, "In the future, people will remember what happened here today.

Robinson was silent.

"They will speak of it with respect."

"They will not," Robinson said.  He shook his head. Faces seemed to be peering through the tent flap but he looked away.  "The taking of life does no one any honor."

"You are most welcome to stay here," Kimoto said.

"I cannot stay here; I would bring danger upon all of you.  I am going to leave at once."

"What will you do?"

"Work....wander....rest when I have the chance."

Kimoto went to the basin to wash himself and said with his back toward Robinson, "He will never let you rest, you know.  Your king sent this man after you; he will send others."

"Yes."

"They know who you are in America.  They will search you out.  All will seek you."

"Yes."

"What will happen then?"

Robinson looked at the young Japanese for a long moment, moving beyond his face and the tent to other spaces.  He saw the temple, he saw the grand masters.  He saw the dying Kim on the road to Haeundae-ma-eul and then he saw a pebble in an old man's hand.  He saw the sky once again upon the vanished courtyard and the cubicle in which he had paced out years of his life.

Robinson said, "If they want me, they will have to find me."

Carrying his pouch, he stepped out of the tent and saw the two attendants of the little monk arranging his body on his horse.  He, at least, would be taken back to Korea for burial.  Sadly Robinson thought of the men who had died in the tunnel blast, and the wild land to which their bodies had been committed.

He turned.  At the door of the custody tent stood Bronco, staring at him wi th the confidence of a man who expects the ultimate victory.  Their eyes met and held for a moment.  The laborers watched both men.....

Near the wooden uprights of the tracks, a bonfire blazed.  Robinson picked up a lantern, stopped, and looked at Bronco once again.  Fear flickered across the man's face as the realization of Robinson's intention dawned on him.  Slowly, deliberately, Robinson broke the lamp and splashed kerosene over the railroad's supporting timbers.  Bronco lunged forward but was stopped instantly by his guards.  With a terrible finality, Robinson picked up a burning stick from the fire and held it to the kerosene-soaked wood.  As the flames shot up Bronco slumped in defeat.

Robinson searched the faces of the laborers.  Watching the railroad blaze, the railroad that had cost them so much, they smiled grimly.  He understood.  His bow towards them was a gesture of respect as well as of parting.

Then, his pouch slung over his shoulder, Robinson strode off into the wilderness.

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233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQIdMgnF1L
​​​​​​​ THE END