thillerman.theblessingway-第4章

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　〃How　the　devil　can　you　find　him；　then？〃　McKee　had　asked。　〃It　would　take　the　Marine　Corps　to　search　those　canyons。〃
　And　Leaphorn　had　explained　again…that　the　knife　victim　was　now　off　the　critical　list　and　that　if　the　good　news　was　gotten　to　Horseman　one　of　two　things　would　happen。　He　would　either　turn　himself　in　to　face　an　assault　charge；　or；　being　less　frightened；　would　get　careless　and　show　up　in　Chinle；　or　at　Shoemaker's；　or　some　other　trading　post。　Either　way；　he'd　be　picked　up　and　the　file　closed。
　〃And　so　I　go　to　Shoemaker's　today　and　spread　the　word　to　whatever　Red　Foreheads　e　in；　and　one　of　them　will　be　a　cousin；　or　a　nephew；　or　something；　and　the　news　gets　to　Horseman。　And　if　you　don't　want　a　free　ride　you　can　stay　and　help　Emma　with　the　housework。〃
　And　now　Leaphorn　was　spreading　the　word　again；　talking　to　the　big　bareheaded　Navajo　who　had　been　collecting　canned　goods　off　the　shelves。　〃He's　sort　of　skinny；〃　Leaphorn　was　saying；　〃about　twenty…two　years　old　and　wears　his　hair　the　old　way。〃
　〃I　don't　know　him；〃　the　Big　Navajo　said。　He　inspected　Leaphorn　carefully；　then　moved　to　the　racks　where　the　clothing　was　hung。　He　tried　on　a　black　felt　hat。　It　was　several　sizes　too　small；　but　he　left　it　sitting　ludicrously　atop　his　head　as　he　sorted　through　the　stock。
　〃My　head　got　big　since　the　last　time　I　bought　a　hat；〃　the　Navajo　said。　He　spoke　in　English；　glancing　at　McKee　to　see　if　the　white　man　appreciated　Navajo　clowning。　〃Have　to　have　a　seven…and…a…half　now。〃
　〃Get　that　hair　cut　off　and　you　could　wear　your　old　hat；〃　Shoemaker　said。
　The　Big　Navajo　wore　braids；　in　the　conservative　fashion；　but　very　short　braids。　Maybe；　McKee　thought；　he　had　had　a　white　man's　haircut　and　was　letting　it　grow　out。
　〃Some　son　of　a　bitch　stole　the　old　one；〃　the　Big　Navajo　said。　He　tried　on　another　hat。
　McKee　yawned　and　looked　out　the　open　door　of　the　trading　post。　Heat　waves　were　rising　from　the　bare　earth　in　front。　To　the　northeast　a　thunderhead　was　building　up　in　the　sky　over　Carrizo　Mountain。　It　was　early　in　the　season　for　that。　Tomorrow　was　Wednesday。　McKee　decided　he　would　accept　Leaphorn's　invitation　to　spend　another　day　with　him。　And　then　he　would　take　his　own　pickup　and　try　to　find　the　summer　hogan　of　Old　Lady　Gray　Rocks。　He　would　start　with　her；　since　she　was　supposed　to　be　the　source　of　one　of　the　better　rumors。　And　by　Thursday　when　Canfield　arrived　they　would　move　into　Many　Ruins　Canyon；　set　up　camp；　and　work　out　of　the　canyon。
　The　Big　Navajo　had　found　a　hat　that　fitted　him；　another　black　one　with　a　broad　brim　and　a　high　crown…the　high　fashion　of　old…generation　Navajos。　He　looked　like　a　Tuba　City　Navajo；　McKee　decided；　long…faced　and　raw…boned　with　heavy　eyebrows　and　a　wide　mouth。
　〃O。K。；〃　the　man　said。　〃How　much　do　I　owe　you　now？〃
　The　Big　Navajo　had　taken　a　silver　concho　band　from　his　hip　pocket。　He　let　it　hang　over　his　wrist　while　he　handed　Shoemaker　the　bills　and　waited　for　his　change。　The　metal　glowed　softly…hammered　discs　bigger　than　silver　dollars。　McKee　guessed　the　conchos　would　bring　200　in　pawn。　He　looked　at　the　big　man　with　new　interest。　The　Navajo　was　slipping　the　silver　band　down　over　the　crown　of　his　hat。
　〃This　Horseman；〃　Leaphorn　was　saying；　〃cut　up　a　Mexican　over　in　Gallup。　Got　drunk　and　did　it；　but　the　Nakai　didn't　die。　He's　getting　better　now。　They　want　to　talk　to　Horseman　about　it　over　at　Window　Rock。〃
　〃I　don't　know　anything　about　him；〃　the　big　man　said。
　〃He's　the　son　of　Annie　Horseman；〃　Leaphorn　said。　〃Used　to　live　back　over　there　across　the　Kam　Bimghi；　over　on　the　west　slope　of　the　Lukachukais。〃　He　indicated　the　direction；　Navajo　fashion；　with　a　twitch　of　his　lips。
　The　Big　Navajo　had　been　picking　up　his　box　of　groceries。　He　put　it　down　and　looked　at　Leaphorn　a　moment　and　then　ran　his　tongue　over　his　teeth；　thoughtfully。
　〃Whereabouts　on　the　west　slope？〃　he　asked。　〃Law　and　Order　know　where　he　is？〃
　〃General　idea；〃　Leaphorn　said。　〃But　it　would　be　better　if　he　came　on　in　himself。　You　know。　Otherwise　we'll　go　in　there　and　get　him。　Make　it　worse　for　everybody。〃
　〃Horseman；〃　the　Big　Navajo　said。　〃Is　he。。。〃
　Leaphorn　was　waiting　for　the　rest　of　the　question。
　〃What'd　you　say　this　kid　looks　like？〃
　〃Slender　fellow。　Had　on　denims　and　a　red　shirt。　Wears　his　hair　the　old　way　and　ties　it　back　in　a　red　sweatband。〃
　〃I　don't　know　him；〃　the　big　man　said。　〃But　it　would　be　good　if　he　came　in。〃　He　hoisted　the　box　under　his　arm　and　walked　toward　the　door。
　〃This　man's　a　college　professor；〃　Leaphorn　said；　pointing　to　McKee。　〃He's　looking　for　some　information　out　here　about　witches。〃
　The　Navajo　shook　hands。　He　looked　amused。
　〃They　say　there's　a　Wolf　over　toward　the　Lukachukais；〃　McKee　said。　〃Maybe　it's　just　gossip。〃
　〃I　heard　some　of　that　talk。〃　He　looked　at　McKee　and　smiled。　〃It's　old…woman　talk。　A　man　out　there's　supposed　to　had　a　dream　about　the　Gum…Tooth　Woman　and　about　a　three…legged　dog　ing　into　his　hogan　and　he　woke　up　and　he　saw　this　dog　in　his　brush　arbor；　and　when　he　yelled　at　it；　it　turned　into　a　man　and　threw　corpse　powder　on　him。〃
　The　Navajo　laughed　and　slapped　McKee　on　the　shoulder。
　〃Horse　manure；〃　he　said。　〃Maybe　the　Wolf　is　this　boy　the　policeman　is　hunting　for。〃　He　looked　at　Leaphorn。　〃I　guess　you'll　be　after　that　boy　if　he　don't　e　in。　Are　you　hunting　for　him　now？〃
　〃I　don't　think　we're　looking　very　hard　yet；〃　Leaphorn　said。　〃I　think　he'll　e　in　to　see　us。〃
　The　Big　Navajo　went　through　the　door。
　〃Be　better　if　he　came　in；〃　he　said。
　It　was　almost　sundown　when　Leaphorn　pulled　the　Law　and　Order　carryall　onto　the　pavement　of　Navajo　Route　8　at　Round　Rock。　Two　hours'　drive　back　to　Window　Rock。
　〃Pretty　fair　day's　work　for　me；〃　McKee　said。　〃But　I　think　you　wasted　your　time。〃
　〃No。　I　got　done　about　what　I　wanted。〃
　McKee　was　surprised。
　〃You　still　think　Horseman's　back　in　there？　Nobody　had　seen　him。〃
　Leaphorn　smiled。　〃Nobody　admitted　they'd　seen　him。　There　wasn't　any　reason　for　them　to　admit　it。　They　know　how　the　system　works。　But　that　old　man　who　came　in　the　wagon。。。〃　Leaphorn　picked　his　clipboard　of　notes　off　the　dashboard　and　inspected　it。　〃Nagani　Lum；　it　was。　He　damned　sure　knew　something　about　it。　Did　you　notice　how　interested　he　was？〃
　〃Lum　was　one　who　was　telling　me　about　a　witching　case；〃　McKee　recalled。　〃Pretty　standard　stuff。〃　A　two…headed　colt　had　been　born。　Lum　hadn't　seen　it　but　a　relative　had。　The　brother…in…law　of　an　uncle；　as　McKee　remembered　it。　And　then　the　boy　who　herded　sheep　for　his　uncle's　brother…in…law　had　actually　seen　the　Navajo　Wolf。　Thought　it　was　a　dog　bothering　the　sheep；　but　when　he　shot　at　it　with　his　。22；　he　saw　it　had　turned　into　a　man。　But　it　was　getting　dark　and　he　didn't　think　he'd　hit　it。　As　usual；　McKee　thought；　it　was　a　little　too　dark　to　really　see　and；　as　usual；　the　source　was　a　boy。
　〃I　think　that　joker　who　was　buying　himself　the　new　hat　knew　something　about　Horseman；　too；〃　Leaphorn　was　saying。　〃The　one　who　was　kidding　you　about　your　witch　stories。〃
　〃He　said　he　didn't。〃
　〃He　also　said　somebody　stole　his　hat。〃
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　McKee　asked。
　〃Did　you　see　that　concho　hatband？　Why　would　anybody　steal　an　old　felt　hat　and　leave　behind　all　that　fancy　silver？〃
　They　had　passed　Chinle　now；　Leaphorn　driving　the　white　carryall　at　a　steady　seventy。　The　highway　skirted　the　immense；　lifeless　depression　which　falls　away　into　the　Biz…E…Ahi　and　Nazlini　washes。　It　was　lit　now　by　the　sunset；　a　fantastic　jumble　of　eroded　geological　formations。　The　white　man　sees　the　desolation　and　calls　it　a　desert；　McKee　thought；　but　the　Navajo　name　for　it　means　〃Beautiful　Valley。〃
　〃Can　you　tell　me　why　that　man　would　lie　about　somebody　stealing　his　hat？〃　Leaphorn　asked。　His　face　was　intent　with　the　puzzle。　〃Or；　if　he　wasn't　lying；　who　would　steal　an　old　felt　hat　and　leave　that　silver　band　behind？〃
　
　Chapter　5
　
　Joseph　Begay　awakened　earlier　than　usual。　He　lay　still　a　moment；　allowing　consciousness　to　seep　through　him；　noticing　first　the　pre…dawn　chill　and　that　his　wife　had　captured　most　of　the　blankets　they　shared。　Then　he　registered　the　rain　smells；　dampened　dust；　wet　sage；　pi？on　resin　and　buffalo　grass。　Now　fully　awake；　he　remembered　the　sudden　midnight　shower　which　had　awakened　them　in　the　brush　arbor　and　driven　the　family　to　shelter　in　the　hogan。　Through　the　open　hogan　door；　he　saw　the　eastern　horizon　was　not　yet　brightening　behind　the　familiar　upthrusting　shape　of　Mount　Taylor；　seventy　miles　away　in　New　Mexico。　Reaches　for　the　Sky　was　one　of　the　four　sacred　mountains　which　marked　the　four　corners　of　the　Land　of　the　People；　and　Joseph　Begay　thought；　as　he　had　thought　many　mornings；　that　he　had　chosen　this　site　well。　The　old　hogan　which　he　and　his　brothers…in…law　had　built　near　his　mother…in…law's　place　had　been　located　on　low　ground；　near　water　but　closed　in　with　the　hills。　He　had　never　liked　the　site。　When　the　son　they　had　called　Long　Fingers　had　died　of　the　choking　sickness　in　the　night…died　so　suddenly　that　they　had　not　had　time　to　move　him　out　of　the　hogan　so　that　the　ghost　could　go　free…he　had　not　been　sorry　that　they　had　to　leave　the　site。　He　had　boarded　up　the　door　himself　and　covered　the　smoke　hole　so　the　ghost　of　Long　Fingers　would　not　bother　his　in…law　people　and　had　decided　right　away　that　this　place　on　the　mesa　would　be　the　place　for　the　new　hogan。
　And；　when　he　had　built　it；　he　had　not　faced　the　door　exactly　east　as　the　Old　People　had　said　it　must　be　faced；　but　very　slightly　north　of　east　so　that　when　he　awoke　in　the　morning　he　would　see　Reaches　for　the　Sky　outlined　by　the　dawn；　and　remember　that　it　was　a　place　of　beauty　where　Changing　Woman　had　borne　the　Hero　Twins。　It　would　be　a　good　thought　to　awaken　with；　and　because　he　had　not　made　the　door　exactly　east　he　had　been　very　careful　to　follow　the　Navajo　Way　with　the　remainder　of　the　construction。　He　had　driven　a　peg　and　used　a　rope　to　mark　off　the　circle　to　assure　that　the　hogan　wall　would　be　round　and　of　the　prescribed　circumference。　He　had　put　the　smoke　hole　in　exactly　the　proper　place　and；　when　he　had　plastered　the　stones　with　adobe；　he　had　sprinkled　a　pinch　of　corn　pollen　on　the　mud　and　sung　the　song　from　the　Blessing　Way。
　Joseph　Begay　slipped　off　the　pallet　and　pulled　on　his　pants　and　shirt；　moving　silently　in　the　darkness　to　avoid　awakening　his　wife　and　two　sons；　who　slept　across　the　hogan。　He　moved　around　their　feet；　with　the　Navajo's　unconscious　care　not　to　step　over　another　human　being；　and　ducked　through　the　door。　His　boots；　forgotten　in　the　brush　arbor；　were　only　slightly　damp。　He　put　them　on　as　he　heated　water　for　a　cup　of　coffee。
　He　was　a　short；　round…faced　man　with　the　barrel　chest　characteristic　of　a　Navajo…Pueblo　blood　mixture；　from　a　clan　which　had　captured　Pueblo　brides　and　with　them　the　heavier；　shorter　bone　structure　of　the　Keresan　Indians。　He　poured　the　coffee　into　a　mug　and　sipped　it　while　he　ate　a　strip　of　dried　mutton。　The　rain　had　been　light；　a　brief　shower；　but　it　was　a　good　omen。
　He　knew　the　Callers　of　the　Clouds　had　been　at　work　on　the　Hopi　and　Zu？i　reservations　and　that　along　the　Rio　Grande；　far　to　the　east；　the　Pueblo　Indians　were　holding　their　rain　dances。　The　magic　of　these　pueblo　dwellers　had　always　been　strong；　older　than　the　medicine　of　the　Navajos　and　more　potent。　It　was　a　little　early　for　this　first　shower