to the last man-第26章

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invisible　blow。　　He　had　been　hit。　　Turning；　he　began　to　run　and　ran　fast
for　a　few　paces。　　There　were　more　quick；　sharp　shots。　　He　let　go　of　his
rifle。　　His　running　broke。　　Walking；　reeling；　staggering；　he　kept　on。
A　hoarse　cry　came　from　him。　　Then　a　single　rifle　shot　pealed　out。　　Jean
heard　the　bullet　strike。　　Jacobs　fell　to　his　knees；　then　forward　on　his
face。

Jean　Isbel　felt　himself　turned　to　marble。　　The　suddenness　of　this
tragedy　paralyzed　him。　　His　gaze　remained　riveted　on　those　prostrate
forms。

A　hand　clutched　his　arma　shaking　woman's　hand；　slim　and　hard
and　tense。

〃Bill'skilled！〃　whispered　a　broken　voice。　　〃I　was　watchin'。
。　。　。　They're　both　dead！〃

The　wives　of　Jacobs　and　Guy　Isbel　had　slipped　up　behind　Jean　and
from　behind　him　they　had　seen　the　tragedy。

〃I　asked　Billnot　togo；〃　faltered　the　Jacobs　woman；　and；　covering
her　face　with　her　hands；　she　groped　back　to　the　comer　of　the　cabin；
where　the　other　women；　shaking　and　white；　received　her　in　their　arms。
Guy　Isbel's　wife　stood　at　the　window；　peering　over　Jean's　shoulder。
She　had　the　nerve　of　a　man。　　She　had　looked　out　upon　death　before。

〃Yes；　they're　dead；〃　she　said；　bitterly。　　〃An'　how　are　we　goin'　to
get　their　bodies？〃

At　this　Gaston　Isbel　seemed　to　rouse　from　the　cold　spell　that　had
transfixed　him。

〃God；　this　is　hell　for　our　women；〃　he　cried　out；　hoarsely。　　My　son
my　son！　。　。　。　Murdered　by　the　Jorths！〃　　Then　he　swore　a　terrible　oath。

Jean　saw　the　remainder　of　the　mounted　rustlers　get　off；　and　then；　all
of　them　leading　their　horses；　they　began　to　move　around　to　the　left。

〃Dad；　they're　movin'　round；〃　said　Jean。

〃Up　to　some　trick；〃　declared　Bill　Isbel。

〃Bill；　you　make　a　hole　through　the　back　wall；　say　aboot　the　fifth
log　up；〃　ordered　the　father。　　〃Shore　we've　got　to　look　out。〃

The　elder　son　grasped　a　tool　and；　scattering　the　children；　who　had
been　playing　near　the　back　corner；　he　began　to　work　at　the　point
designated。　　The　little　children　backed　away　with　fixed；　wondering；
grave　eyes。　　The　women　moved　their　chairs；　and　huddled　together　as
if　waiting　and　listening。

Jean　watched　the　rustlers　until　they　passed　out　of　his　sight。　　They
had　moved　toward　the　sloping；　brushy　ground　to　the　north　and　west　of
the　cabins。

〃Let　me　know　when　you　get　a　hole　in　the　back　wall；〃　said　Jean；　and　he
went　through　the　kitchen　and　cautiously　out　another　door　to　slip　into
a　low…roofed；　shed…like　end　of　the　rambling　cabin。　　This　small　space
was　used　to　store　winter　firewood。　　The　chinks　between　the　walls　had
not　been　filled　with　adobe　clay；　and　he　could　see　out　on　three　sides。
The　rustlers　were　going　into　the　juniper　brush。　　They　moved　out　of
sight；　and　presently　reappeared　without　their　horses。　　It　looked　to
Jean　as　if　they　intended　to　attack　the　cabins。　　Then　they　halted　at　
the　edge　of　the　brush　and　held　a　long　consultation。　　Jean　could　see
them　distinctly；　though　they　were　too　far　distant　for　him　to　recognize
any　particular　man。　　One　of　them；　however；　stood　and　moved　apart　from
the　closely　massed　group。　　Evidently；　from　his　strides　and　gestures；
he　was　exhorting　his　listeners。　　Jean　concluded　this　was　either　Daggs
or　Jorth。　　Whoever　it　was　had　a　loud；　coarse　voice；　and　this　and　his
actions　impressed　Jean　with　a　suspicion　that　the　man　was　under　the
influence　of　the　bottle。

Presently　Bill　Isbel　called　Jean　in　a　low　voice。　　〃Jean；　I　got　the
hole　made；　but　we　can't　see　anyone。〃

〃I　see　them；〃　Jean　replied。　　〃They're　havin'　a　powwow。　　　Looks　to　me
like　either　Jorth　or　Daggs　is　drunk。　　He's　arguin'　to　charge　us；　an'
the　rest　of　the　gang　are　holdin'　back。　。　。　。　Tell　dad；　an'　all　of　you
keep　watchin'。　　I'll　let　you　know　when　they　make　a　move。〃

Jorth's　gang　appeared　to　be　in　no　hurry　to　expose　their　plan　of　battle。
Gradually　the　group　disintegrated　a　little；　some　of　them　sat　down；
others　walked　to　and　fro。　　Presently　two　of　them　went　into　the　brush；
probably　back　to　the　horses。　　In　a　few　moments　they　reappeared；　carrying
a　pack。　　And　when　this　was　deposited　on　the　ground　all　the　rustlers　sat
down　around　it。　　They　had　brought　food　and　drink。　　Jean　had　to　utter　a
grim　laugh　at　their　coolness；　and　he　was　reminded　of　many　dare…devil
deeds　known　to　have　been　perpetrated　by　the　Hash　Knife　Gang。　　Jean　was
glad　of　a　reprieve。　　The　longer　the　rustlers　put　off　an　attack　the　more
time　the　allies　of　the　Isbels　would　have　to　get　here。　　Rather　hazardous；
however；　would　it　be　now　for　anyone　to　attempt　to　get　to　the　Isbel　cabins
in　the　daytime。　　Night　would　be　more　favorable。

Twice　Bill　Isbel　came　through　the　kitchen　to　whisper　to　Jean。　　The　strain
in　the　large　room；　from　which　the　rustlers　could　not　be　seen；　must　have
been　great。　　Jean　told　him　all　he　had　seen　and　what　he　thought　about　it。
〃Eatin'　an'　drinkin'！〃　ejaculated　Bill。　　〃Well；　I'll　be！　　That　'll　jar
the　old　man。　　He　wants　to　get　the　fight　over。

〃Tell　him　I　said　it'll　be　over　too　quickfor　usunless　are　mighty
careful；〃　replied　Jean；　sharply。

Bill　went　back　muttering　to　himself。　　Then　followed　a　long　wait；　fraught
with　suspense；　during　which　Jean　watched　the　rustlers　regale　themselves。
The　day　was　hot　and　still。　　And　the　unnatural　silence　of　the　cabin　was
broken　now　and　then　by　the　gay　laughter　of　the　children。　　The　sound
shocked　and　haunted　Jean。　　Playing　children！　　Then　another　sound；　so
faint　he　had　to　strain　to　hear　it；　disturbed　and　saddened　himhis
father's　slow　tread　up　and　down　the　cabin　floor；　to　and　fro；　to　and　fro。
What　must　be　in　his　father's　heart　this　day！

At　length　the　rustlers　rose　and；　with　rifles　in　hand；　they　moved　as
one　man　down　the　slope。　　They　came　several　hundred　yards　closer；　until
Jean；　grimly　cocking　his　rifle；　muttered　to　himself　that　a　few　more　rods
closer　would　mean　the　end　of　several　of　that　gang。　　They　knew　the　range
of　a　rifle　well　enough；　and　once　more　sheered　off　at　right　angles　with
the　cabin。　　When　they　got　even　with　the　line　of　corrals　they　stooped
down　and　were　lost　to　Jean's　sight。　　This　fact　caused　him　alarm。
They　were；　of　course；　crawling　up　on　the　cabins。　　At　the　end　of　that
line　of　corrals　ran　a　ditch；　the　bank　of　which　was　high　enough　to
afford　cover。　　Moreover；　it　ran　along　in　front　of　the　cabins；　scarcely
a　hundred　yards；　and　it　was　covered　with　grass　and　little　clumps　of
brush；　from　behind　which　the　rustlers　could　fire　into　the　windows　and
through　the　clay　chinks　without　any　considerable　risk　to　themselves。
As　they　did　not　come　into　sight　again；　Jean　concluded　he　had　discovered　
their　plan。　　Still；　he　waited　awhile　longer；　until　he　saw　faint；　little
clouds　of　dust　rising　from　behind　the　far　end　of　the　embankment。　　That
discovery　made　him　rush　out；　and　through　the　kitchen　to　the　large　cabin；
where　his　sudden　appearance　startled　the　men。

〃Get　back　out　of　sight！〃　he　ordered；　sharply；　and　with　swift　steps　he
reached　the　door　and　closed　it。　　〃They're　behind　the　bank　out　there　by
the　corrals。　　An'　they're　goin'　to　crawl　down　the　ditch　closer　to　us。
。　。　。　It　looks　bad。　　They'll　have　grass　an'　brush　to　shoot　from。
　We've　got　to　be　mighty　careful　how　we　peep　out。〃

〃Ahuh！　　All　right；〃　replied　his　father。　　〃You　women　keep　the　kids　with
you　in　that　corner。　　An'　you　all　better　lay　down　flat。〃

Blaisdell；　Bill　Isbel；　and　the　old　man　crouched　at　the　large　window；
peeping　through　cracks　in　the　rough　edges　of　the　logs。　　Jean　took　his
post　beside　the　small　window；　with　his　keen　eyes　vibrating　like　a
compass　needle。　　The　movement　of　a　blade　of　grass；　the　flight　of　a
grasshopper　could　not　escape　his　trained　sight。

〃Look　sharp　now！〃　he　called　to　the　other　men。　　〃I　see　dust。　。　。　。
They're　workin'　along　almost　to　that　bare　spot　on　the　bank。　。　。　。　
I　saw　the　tip　of　a　rifle　。　。　。　a　black　hat　。　。　。　more　dust。　　They're
spreadin'　along　behind　the　bank。〃

Loud　voices；　and　then　thick　clouds　of　yellow　dust；　coming　from　behind
the　highest　and　brushiest　line　of　the　embankment；　attested　to　the　truth
of　Jean's　observation；　and　also　to　a　reckless　disregard　of　danger。

Suddenly　Jean　caught　a　glint　of　moving　color　through　the　fringe　of
brush。　　Instantly　he　was　strung　like　a　whipcord。

Then　a　tall；　hatless　and　coatless　man　stepped　up　in　plain　sight。
The　sun　shone　on　his　fair；　ruffled　hair。　　Daggs！

Hey；　you　　Isbels！〃　he　bawled；　in　magnificent　derisive　boldness。
〃Come　out　an'　fight！〃

Quick　as　lightning　Jean　threw　up　his　rifle　and　fired。　　He　saw　tufts
of　fair　hair　fly　from　Daggs's　head。　　He　saw　the　squirt　of　red　blood。
Then　quick　shots　from　his；　comrades　rang　out。　　They　all　hit　the　swaying
body　of　the　rustler。　　But　Jean　knew　with　a　terrible　thrill　that　his
bullet　had　killed　Daggs　before　the　other　three　struck。　　Daggs　fell　
forward；　his　arms　and　half　his　body　resting　over；　the　embankment。
Then　the　rustlers　dragged　him　back　out　of　sight。　　Hoarse　shouts　rose。
A　cloud　of　yellow　dust　drifted　away　from　the　spot。

〃Daggs！〃　burst　out　Gaston　Isbel。　　〃Jean；　you　knocked　off　the　top　of
his　haid。　　I　seen　that　when　I　was　pullin'　trigger。　　Shore　we　over
heah　wasted　our　shots。〃

〃God！　he　must　have　been　crazy　or　drunkto　pop　up　therean'　brace　us
that　way；〃　said　Blaisdell；　breathing　hard。

〃Arizona　is　bad　for　Texans；〃　replied　Isbel；　sardonically。　　〃Shore　it's
been　too　peaceful　heah。　　Rustlers　have　no　practice　at　fightin'。　　An'　I
reckon　Daggs　forgot。〃

〃Daggs　made　as　crazy　a　move　as　that　of　Guy　an'　Jacobs；〃　spoke　up　Jean。
〃They　were　overbold；　an'　he　was　drunk。　　Let　them　be　a　lesson　to　us。〃

Jean　had　smelled　whisky　upon　his　entrance　to　this　cabin。　　Bill　was　a
hard　drinker；　and　his　father　was　not　immune。　　Blaisdell；　too；　drank
heavily　upon　occasions。　　Jean　made　a　mental　note　that　he　would　not
permit　their　chances　to　become　impaired　by　liquor。

Rifles　began　to　crack；　and　puffs　of　smoke　rose　all　along　the　embankment
for　the　space　of　a　hundred　feet。　　Bullets　whistled　through　the　rude
window　casing　and　spattered　on　the　heavy　door；　and　one　split　the　clay
between　the　logs　before　Jean；　narrowly　missing　him。　　Another　volley
followed；　then　another。　　The　rustlers　had　repeating　rifles　and　they
were　emptying　their　magazines。　　Jean　changed　his　position。　　The　other
men　profited　by　his　wise　move。　　The　volleys　had　merged　into　one
continuous　rattling　roar　of　rifle　shots。　　Then　came　a　sudden　cessation
of　reports；　with　silence　of　relief。　　The　cabin　was　full　of　dust；　mingled
with　the　smoke　from　the　shots　of　Jean　and　his　companions。　　Jean　heard
the　stifled　breaths　of　the　children。　　Evidently　they　were　terror…stricken；
but　they　did　not　cry　out。　　The　women　uttered　no　sound。

A　loud　voice　pealed　from　behind　the　embankment。

〃Come　out　an'　fight！　　Do　you　Isbels　want　to　be　killed　like　sheep？〃

This　sally　gained　no　reply。　Jean　returned　to　his　post　by　the　window　
and　his　comrades　followed　his　example。　And　they　exercised　
extreme　caution　when　they　peeped　out。

〃Boys；　don't　shoot　till　you　see　one；〃　said　Gaston　Isbel。　　〃Maybe　after
a　while　they'll　get　careless。　　But　Jorth　will　never　show　himself。〃

The　rustlers　did　not　again　resort　to　volleys。　　One　by　one；　from
different　angles；　they　began　to　shoot；　and　they　were　not　firing　at
random。　　A　few　bullets　came　straight　in　at　the　windows　to　pat　into
the　walls；　a　few　others　ticked　and　splintered　the　edges　of　the　windows；
and　most　of　them　broke