a mountain europa-第3章

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　'n'　skeery；　for　I　reckon　Sherd　Raines　hev　told　him　he　hav　got　to　pay　the　penalty　fer　takin'　a　human　life；　but　I　wouldn't　sot　much　on　his　bein'　sorry　ef　he　was　mad　at　me　and　had　licker　in　him。　　He　hates　furriners；　and　he　has　a　crazy　idee　that　they　is　all　raiders　'n'　lookin'　fer　him。〃

〃I　don't　think　I'll　bother　him；〃　said　Clayton；　turning　away　with　a　laugh。　　〃Good…night　t〃　With　a　little　cackle　of　incredulity；　the　old　man　closed　the　door。　　The　camp　had　sunk　now　to　perfect　quiet；　but　for　the　faint　notes　of　a　banjo　far　up　the　glen；　not　a　sound　trembled　on　the　night　air。

The　rim　of　the　moon　was　just　visible　above　the　mountain　on　which　Easter…what　a　pretty　name　that　was　！…had　flashed　upon　his　vision　with　such　theatric　effect。　　As　its　brilliant　light　came　slowly　down　the　dark　mountain…side；　the　mists　seemed　to　loosen　their　white　arms；　and　to　creep　away　like　ghosts　mistaking　the　light　for　dawn。　　With　the　base　of　the　mountain　in　dense　shadow；　its　crest；　uplifted　through　the　vapors；　seemed　poised　in　the　air　at　a　startling　height。　Yet　it　was　near　the　crest　that　he　had　met　her。　Clayton　paused　a　moment；　when　he　reached　his　door；　to　look　again。　　Where　in　that　cloud…land　could　she　live？

III

WHEN　the　great　bell　struck　the　hour　of　the　next　noon；　mountaineers　with　long　rifles　across　their　shoulders　were　moving　through　the　camp。　　The　glen　opened　into　a　valley；　which；　blocked　on　the　east　by　Pine　Mountain；　was　thus　shut　in　on　every　side　by　wooded　heights。　　Here　the　marksmen　gathered。　　All　were　mountaineers；　lank；　bearded；　men；　coatless　for　the　most　part；　and　dressed　in　brown　home…made　jeans；　slouched；　formless　hats；　and　high；　coarse　boots。　Sun　and　wind　had　tanned　their　faces　to　sympathy；　in　color；　with　their　clothes；　which　had　the　dun　look　of　the　soil。　They　seemed　peculiarly　a　race　of　the　soil；　to　have　sprung　as　they　were　from　the　earth；　which　had　left　indelible　stains　upon　them。　　All　carried　long　rifles；　old…fashioned　and　home…made；　some　even　with　flint…locks。　　It　was　Saturday；　and　many　of　their　wives　had　come　with　them　to　the　camp。　These　stood　near；　huddled　into　a　listless　group；　with　their　faces　half　hidden　in　check　bonnets　of　various　colors。　　A　barbaric　love　of　color　was　apparent　in　bonnet；　shawl；　and　gown；　and　surprisingly　in　contrast　with　such　crudeness　of　taste　was　a　face　when　fully　seen；　so　modest　was　it。　　The　features　were　always　delicately　wrought；　and　softened　sometimes　by　a　look　of　patient　suffering　almost　into　refinement。

On　the　other　side　of　the　contestants　were　the　people　of　the　camp；　a　few　miners　with　pipes　lounging　on　the　ground；　and　women　and　girls；　who　returned　the　furtive　glances　of　the　mountain　women　with　stares　of　curiosity　and　low　laughter。

Clayton　had　been　delayed　by　his　work；　and　the　match　was　already　going　on　when　he　reached　the　grounds。

〃You've　missed　mighty　fine　shootin'；〃　said　Uncle　Tommy　Brooks；　who　was　squatted　on　the　ground　near　the　group　of　marksmen。

Sherd's　been　a…beatin'　ever'body。　I'm　afeard　Easter　hain't　a…comm'。　The　match　is　'most　over　now。　Ef　she'd　been　here；　I　don't　think　Sherd　would　'a'　got　the　ch'ice　parts　o'　that　beef　so　easy。〃

〃Which　is　he？　〃　asked　Clayton。

That　tall　feller　thar　loadin'　his　gun。〃

〃What　did　you　say　his　name　was？

〃　Sherd　Raines；　the　feller　that's　goin'　to　be　our　circuit…rider。〃

He　remembered　the　peculiar　name。　So　this　was　Easter's　lover。　　Clayton　looked　at　the　young　mountaineer；　curiously　at　first；　and　then　with　growing　interest。　His　quiet　air　of　authority　among　his　fellows　was　like　a　birthright；　it　seemed　assumed　and　accepted　unconsciously。　His　face　was　smooth；　and　he　was　fuller　in　figure　than　the　rest；　but　still　sinewy　and　lank；　though　not　awkward；　his　movements　were　too　quick　and　decisive　for　that。　With　a　casual　glance　Clayton　had　wondered　what　secret　influence　could　have　turned　to　spiritual　things　a　man　so　merely　animal…like　in　face　and　physique；　but　when　the　mountaineer　thrust　back　his　hat；　elemental　strength　and　seriousness　were　apparent　in　the　square　brow；　the　steady　eye；　the　poise　of　the　head；　and　in　lines　around　the　strong　mouth　and　chin　in　which　the　struggle　for　self…mastery　had　been　traced。

As　the　mountaineer　thrust　his　ramrod　back　into　its　casing；　he　glanced　at　the　woods　behind　Clayton；　and　said　something　to　his　companions。　They；　too；　raised　their　eyes；　and　at　the　same　moment　the　old　mountaineer　plucked　Clayton　by　the　sleeve。

〃Thar　comes　Easter　now。〃

The　girl　had　just　emerged　from　the　edge　of　the　forest；　and　with　a　rifle　on　one　shoulder　and　a　bullet…pouch　and　powder…horn　swung　from　the　other；　was　slowly　coming　down　the　path。

〃　Why；　how　air　ye；　Easter？　〃　cried　the　old　man；　heartily。　　〃　Goin'　to　shoot；　air　ye？　　I　'lowed　ye　wouldn't　miss　this。　　Ye　air　mighty　late；　though。〃


Oh；　I　only　wanted　a　turkey；〃　said　the　girl。　〃Well；　I'm　a…comm'　up　to　eat　dinner　with　ye　to…morrer；〃　he　answered；　with　a　laugh；　〃　fer　I　know　ye'll　git　one。　Y'u're　on　hand　fer　most　o'　the　matches　now。　Wild　turkeys　must　be　a…gittin'　skeerce。〃

The　girl　smiled；　showing　a　row　of　brilliant　teeth　between　her　thin；　red　lips；　and；　without　answering；　moved　toward　the　group　of　mountain　women。　　Clayton　had　raised　his　hand　to　his　hat　when　the　old　man　addressed　her；　but　he　dropped　it　quickly　to　his　side　in　no　little　embarrassment　when　the　girl　carelessly　glanced　over　him　with　no　sign　of　recognition。　Her　rifle　was　an　old　flint…lock　of　light　build；　but　nearly　six　feet　in　length；　with　a　shade　of　rusty　tin　two　feet　long　fastened　to　the　barrel　to　prevent　the　sunlight　from　affecting　the　marksman's　aim。　She　wore　a　man's　hat；　which；　with　unintentional　coquetry；　was　perched　on　one　side　of　her　head。　Her　hair　was　short；　and　fell　as　it　pleased　about　her　neck。　She　was　bare…footed；　and　apparently　clad　in　a　single　garment；　a　blue　homespun　gown；　gathered　loosely　at　her　uncorseted　waist；　and　showing　the　outline　of　the　bust　and　every　movement　of　the　tall；　supple　form　beneath。　Her　appearance　had　quickened　the　interest　of　the　spectators；　and　apparently　was　a　disturbing　influence　among　the　contestants；　who　were　gathered　together；　evidently　in　dispute。　　From　their　glances　Clayton　saw　that　Easter　was　the　subject　of　it。

〃I　guess　they　don't　want　her　to　shoot…them　that　hain't　won　nothin'；〃　said　Uncle　Tommy。

She　hev　come　in　late；〃　Clayton　heard　one　say；　〃　'n'　she　oughtn'　to　shoot。　Thar　hain't　no　chance　shootin'　ag'in　her　noways；　'n'　I'm　in　favor　o'　barrin'　her　out。〃

Oh　no；　let　her　shoot　〃…the　voice　was　Raines's。　　〃Thar　hain't　nothin'　but　a　few　turkeys　left；　'n'　ye'd　better　bar　out　the　gun　'stid　o'　the　gal；　anyway；　fer　that　gun　kin　outshoot　any…thing　in　the　mountains。〃

The　girl　had　been　silently　watching　the　group　as　if　puzzled；　and　when　Raines　spoke　her　face　tightened　with　sudden　decision；　and　she　strode　swiftly　toward　them　in　time　to　overhear　the　young　mountaineer's　last　words。

So　hit's　the　gun；　is　hit；　Sherd　Raines？

The　crowd　turned；　and　Raines　shrank　a　little　as　the　girl　faced　him　with　flashing　eyes。　　〃So　hit's　the　gun；　is　hit？　Hit　is　a　good　gun；　but　ye　ought　to　be　ashamed　to　take　all　the　credit　'way　from　me。　　But　ef　you　air　so　sartain　hit's　the　gun；〃　she　continued；　〃I'll　shoot　yourn；　'n'　y'u　kin　hev　mine　ef　I　don't　beat　ye　with　yer　own　gun。〃

〃Good　fer　you；　Easter！〃　shouted　the　old　mountaineer。

Raines　had　recovered　himself；　and　was　looking　at　the　girl　seriously。　　Several　of　his　companions　urged　him　aloud　to　accept　the　challenge；　but　he　paid　no　heed　to　them。　He　seemed　to　be　debating　the　question　with　himself；　and　a　moment　later　he　said；　quietly：

〃'N'　you　kin　hev　mine　ef　I　don't　beat　you。〃

This　was　all　he　said；　but　he　kept　his　eyes　fixed　on　the　girl's　face；　and　when；　with　a　defiant　glance；　she　turned　toward　the　mountain　women；　he　followed　and　stopped　her。

〃Easter；〃　Clayton　heard　him　say；　in　a　low；　slow　voice；　〃I　was　tryin'　to　git　ye　a　chance　to　shoot；　fer　ye　hev　been　winnin'　so　much　that　it's　hard　to　git　up　a　match　when　ye　air　in　it。〃　The　hard　look　on　the　girl's　face　remained　unchanged；　and　the　mountaineer　continued；　firmly：

〃'N'　I　told　the　truth；　fer　ef　ye　pin　me　down；　I　do　think　hit　is　the　gun。〃

〃　Jes　you　wait　'n'　see；〃　answered　the　girl；　shortly；　and　Raines；　after　a　questioning　look；　rejoined　the　group。

〃I　won't　take　the　gun　ef　I　win　it；〃　he　said　to　them；　〃but　she　air　gittin'　too　set　up　an'　proud；　'n'　I'm　goin'　to　do　my　best　to　take　her　down　a　bit。〃

There　was　nothing　boastful　or　malicious　in　his　manner　or　speech；　and　nobody　doubted　that　he　would　win；　for　there　were　few　marksmen　in　the　mountains　his　equals；　and　he　would　have　the　advantage　of　using　his　own　gun。

〃Look　hyeh；〃　said　a　long；　thin　mountaineer；　coming　up　to　the　group；　〃thar　ain't　but　one　turkey　left；　'n'　I'd　like　to　know　what　we　air　goin'　to　shoot　at　ef　Sherd　'n'　Easter　gits　a　crack　at　him。〃

In　the　interest　of　the　match　no　one　had　thought　of　that；　and　a　moment　of　debate　followed；　which　Clayton　ended　by　stepping　forward。

〃I'll　furnish　a　turkey　for　the　rest　of　you；〃　he　said。

The　girl　turned　when　he　spoke　and　gave　him　a　quick　glance；　but　averted　her　eyes　instantly。

Clayton's　offer　was　accepted；　and　the　preliminary　trial　to　decide　who　should　shoot　first　at　the　turkey　was　begun。　Every　detail　was　watched　with　increasing　interest。　A　piece　of　white　paper　marked　with　two　concentric　circles　was　placed　sixty　yards　away；　and　Raines　won　with　a　bullet　in　the　inner　circle。　The　girl　had　missed　both；　and　the　mountaineer　offered　her　two　more　shots　to　accustom　herself　to　the　gun。　　She　accepted；　and　smiled　a　little　triumphantly　as　she　touched　the　outer　circle　with　one　bullet　and　placed　the　other　almost　in　the　centre。　It　was　plain　that　the　two　were　evenly　matched；　and　several　shouts　of　approval　came　from　the　crowd。　　The　turkey　was　hobbled　to　a　stake　at　the　same　distance；　and　both　were　to　fire　at　its　head；　with　the　privilege　of　shooting　at　fifty　yards　if　no　rest　were　taken。

Raines　shot　first　without　rest；　and；　as　he　missed；　the　girl　followed　his　example。　The　turkey　dozed　on　in　the　sunlight；　undisturbed　by　either。　The　mountaineer　was　vexed。　With　his　powerful　face　set　determinedly；　he　lay　down　flat　on　the　ground；　and；　resting　his　rifle　over　a　small　log；　took　an　inordinately　long　and　careful　aim。　　The　rifle　cracked；　the　turkey　bobbed　its　head　unhurt；　and　the　marksman　sprang　to　his　feet　with　an　exclamation　of　surprise　and　chagrin。　　As　he　loaded　the　gun　and　gravely　handed　it　to　the　girl；　the　excitement　grew　intense。　The　crowd　pressed　close。　　The　stolid　faces　of　the　mountaineer　women；　thrust　from　their　bonnets；　became　almost　eager　with　interest。　　Raines；　quiet　and　composed　as　he　was；　looked　anxious。　All　eyes　followed　every　movement　of　the　girl　as　she　coolly　stretched　her　long；　active　figure　on　the　ground；　drew　her　dress　close　about　it；　and；　throwing　her　yellow　hair　over　her　face　to　shade　her　eyes　from　the　slanting　sunlight；　placed　her　cheek　against　the　stock　of　the　gun。　A　long　suspense　followed。　　A　hush　almost　of　solemnity　fell　upon　the　crowd。

〃Why　don't　the　gal　shoot？〃　asked　a　voice；　impatiently。

Clayton　saw　what　the　matter　was；　and；　stepping　toward　her；　said　quietly；　〃You　forgot　to　set　the　trigger。〃

The　girl's　face　colored。　　Again　her　eye　glanced　along　the　barrel；　a　puff　of　smoke　flew　from　the　gun；　and　a　shout　came　from　every　pair　of　lips　as　the　turkey　leaped　into　the　air　and　fell；　beating　the　ground　with　it