options-第21章

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t　do　you　　do　it　for？　　Is　it　ambition；　business；　or　some　freckle…faced　Pheebe　at　　home　that　you　are　heroing　for　？'

〃'Well；　Ben；'　says　Sam；　kind　of　hefting　his　sword　out　from　between　his　　knees；　'as　your　superior　officer　I　could　court…martial　you　for　　attempted　cowardice　and　desertion。　　But　I　won't。　　And　I'll　tell　you　　why　I'm　trying　for　promotion　and　the　usual　honors　of　war　and　conquest。　　　A　major　gets　more　pay　than　a　captain；　and　I　need　the　money。'

〃'Correct　for　you！'　says　I。　　'I　can　understand　that。　　Your　system　of　　fame…seeking　is　rooted　in　the　deepest　soil　of　patriotism。　　But　I　can't　　comprehend；'　says　I；　'why　Willie　Robbins；　whose　folks　at　home　are　well　　off；　and　who　used　to　be　as　meek　and　undesirous　of　notice　as　a　cat　with　　cream　on　his　whiskers；　should　all　at　once　develop　into　a　warrior　bold　　with　the　most　fire…eating　kind　of　proclivities。　　And　the　girl　in　his　　case　seems　to　have　been　eliminated　by　marriage　to　another　fellow。　　I　　reckon；'　says　I；　'it's　a　plain　case　of　just　common　ambition。　　He　wants　　his　name；　maybe；　to　go　thundering　down　the　coroners　of　time。　　It　must　　be　that。'

〃Well；　without　itemizing　his　deeds；　Willie　sure　made　good　as　a　hero。　　　He　simply　spent　most　of　his　time　on　his　knees　begging　our　captain　to　　send　him　on　forlorn　hopes　and　dangerous　scouting　expeditions。　　In　　every　fight　he　was　the　first　man　to　mix　it　at　close　quarters　with　the　　Don　Alfonsos。　　He　got　three　or　four　bullets　planted　in　various　parts　　of　his　autonomy。　　Once　he　went　off　with　a　detail　of　eight　men　and　　captured　a　whole　company　of　Spanish。　　He　kept　Captain　Floyd　busy　　writing　out　recommendations　of　his　bravery　to　send　in　to　head…　quarters；　and　he　began　to　accumulate　medals　for　all　kinds　of　things…　heroism　and　target…shooting　and　valor　and　tactics　and　　uninsubordination；　and　all　the　little　accomplishments　that　look　good　　to　the　third　assistant　secretaries　of　the　War　Department。

〃Finally；　Cap　Floyd　got　promoted　to　be　a　major…general；　or　a　knight　　commander　of　the　main　herd；　or　something　like　that。　　He　pounded　around　　on　a　white　horse；　all　desecrated　up　with　gold…leaf　and　hen…feathers　　and　a　Good　Templar's　hat；　and　wasn't　allowed　by　the　regulations　to　　speak　to　us。　　And　Willie　Robbins　was　made　captain　of　our　company。

〃And　maybe　he　didn't　go　after　the　wreath　of　fame　then！　　As　far　as　I　　could　see　it　was　him　that　ended　the　war。　　He　got　eighteen　of　us　boys　friends　of　his；　tookilled　in　battles　that　he　stirred　up　himself；　and　　that　didn't　seem　to　me　necessary　at　all。　　One　night　he　took　twelve　of　　us　and　waded　through　a　little　nil　about　a　hundred　and　ninety　yards　　wide；　and　climbed　a　couple　of　mountains；　and　sneaked　through　a　mile　of　　neglected　shrubbery　and　a　couple　of　rock…quarries　and　into　a　rye…straw　　village；　and　captured　a　Spanish　general　named；　as　they　said；　Benny　　Veedus。　　Benny　seemed　to　me　hardly　worth　the　trouble；　being　a　blackish　　man　without　shoes　or　cuffs；　and　anxious　to　surrender　and　throw　himself　　on　the　commissary　of　his　foe。

〃But　that　job　gave　Willie　the　big　boost　he　wanted。　　The　San　Augustine　　News　and　the　Galveston；　St。　　Louis；　New　York；　and　Kansas　City　papers　　printed　his　picture　and　columns　of　stuff　about　him。　　Old　San　Augustine　　simply　went　crazy　over　its　'gallant　son。'　　The　News　had　an　editorial　　tearfully　begging　the　Government　to　call　off　the　regular　army　and　the　　national　guard；　and　let　Willie　carry　on　the　rest　of　the　war　single…　handed。　　It　said　that　a　refusal　to　do　so　would　be　regarded　as　a　proof　　that　the　Northern　jealousy　of　the　South　was　still　as　rampant　as　ever。

〃If　the　war　hadn't　ended　pretty　soon；　I　don't　know　to　what　heights　of　　gold　braid　and　encomiums　Willie　would　have　climbed；　but　it　did。　　There　　was　a　secession　of　hostilities　just　three　days　after　he　was　appointed　　a　colonel；　and　got　in　three　more　medals　by　registered　mail；　and　shot　　two　Spaniards　while　they　were　drinking　lemonade　in　an　ambuscade。

〃Our　company　went　back　to　San　Augustine　when　the　war　was　over。　　There　　wasn't　anywhere　else　for　it　to　go。　　And　what　do　you　think？　　The　old　　town　notified　us　in　print；　by　wire　cable；　special　delivery；　and　a　　nigger　named　Saul　sent　on　a　gray　mule　to　San　Antone；　that　they　was　　going　to　give　us　the　biggest　blow…out；　complimentary；　alimentary；　and　　elementary；　that　ever　disturbed　the　kildees　on　the　sand…flats　outside　　of　the　immediate　contiguity　of　the　city。

〃I　say　'we；'　but　it　was　all　meant　for　ex…Private；　Captain　de　facto；　　and　Colonel…elect　Willie　Robbins。　　The　town　was　crazy　about　him。　　They　　notified　us　that　the　reception　they　were　going　to　put　up　would　make　　the　Mardi　Gras　in　New　Orleans　look　like　an　afternoon　tea　in　Bury　St。　　　Edmunds　with　a　curate's　aunt。

〃Well；　the　San　Augustine　Rifles　got　back　home　on　schedule　time。　　　Everybody　was　at　the　depot　giving　forth　Roosevelt…Democratthey　used　　to　be　called　Rebelyells。　　There　was　two　brass…bands；　and　the　mayor；　　and　schoolgirls　in　white　frightening　the　street…car　horses　by　throwing　　Cherokee　roses　in　the　streets；　and…well；　maybe　you've　seen　a　　celebration　by　a　town　that　was　inland　and　out　of　water。

〃They　wanted　Brevet…Colonel　Willie　to　get　into　a　carriage　and　be　drawn　　by　prominent　citizens　and　some　of　the　city　aldermen　to　the　armory；　but　　he　stuck　to　his　company　and　marched　at　the　head　of　it　up　Sam　Houston　　Avenue。　　The　buildings　on　both　sides　was　covered　with　flags　and　　audiences；　and　everybody　hollered　'Robbins！'　or　'Hello；　Willie！'　as　we　　marched　up　in　files　of　fours。　　I　never　saw　a　illustriouser…looking　　human　in　my　life　than　Willie　was。　　He　had　at　least　seven　or　eight　　medals　and　diplomas　and　decorations　on　the　breast　of　his　khaki　coat；　　he　was　sunburnt　the　color　of　a　saddle；　and　he　certainly　done　himself　　proud。

〃They　told　us　at　the　depot　that　the　courthouse　was　to　be　illuminated　　at　half…past　seven；　and　there　would　be　speeches　and　chili…con…came　at　　the　Palace　Hotel。　　Miss　Delphine　Thompson　was　to　read　an　original　poem　　by　James　Whitcomb　Ryan；　and　Constable　Hooker　had　promised　us　a　salute　　of　nine　guns　from　Chicago　that　he　had　arrested　that　day。

〃After　we　had　disbanded　in　the　armory；　Willie　says　to　me：

〃'Want　to　walk　out　a　piece　with　me？'

〃'Why；　yes；'　says　I；　'if　it　ain't　so　far　that　we　can't　hear　the　tumult　　and　the　shouting　die　away。　　I'm　hungry　myself；'　says　I；　'and　I'm　　pining　for　some　home　grub；　but　I'll　go　with　you。'

〃Willie　steered　me　down　some　side　streets　till　we　came　to　a　little　　white　cottage　in　a　new　lot　with　a　twenty…by…thirty…foot　lawn　decorated　　with　brickbats　and　old　barrel…staves。

〃'Halt　and　give　the　countersign；'　says　I　to　Willie。　　'Don't　you　know　　this　dugout？　　It's　the　bird's…nest　that　Joe　Granberry　built　before　he　　married　Myra　Allison。　　What　you　going　there　for？'

〃But　Willie　already　had　the　gate　open。　　He　walked　up　the　brick　walk　to　　the　steps；　and　I　went　with　him。　　Myra　was　sitting　in　a　rocking…chair　　on　the　porch；　sewing。　　Her　hair　was　smoothed　back　kind　of　hasty　and　　tied　in　a　knot。　　I　never　noticed　till　then　that　she　had　freckles。　　Joe　　was　at　one　side　of　the　porch；　in　his　shirtsleeves；　with　no　collar　on；　　and　no　signs　of　a　shave；　trying　to　scrape　out　a　hole　among　the　　brickbats　and　tin　cans　to　plant　a　little　fruit…tree　in。　　He　looked　up　　but　never　said　a　word；　and　neither　did　Myra。

〃Willie　was　sure　dandy…looking　in　his　uniform；　with　medals　strung　on　　his　breast　and　his　new　gold…handled　sword。　　You'd　never　have　taken　him　　for　the　little　white…headed　snipe　that　the　girls　used　to　order　about　　and　make　fun　of。　　He　just　stood　there　for　a　minute；　looking　at　Myra　　with　a　peculiar　little　smile　on　his　face；　and　then　he　says　to　her；　　slow；　and　kind　of　holding　on　to　his　words　with　his　teeth：

〃'Oh；　I　don't　know！　　Maybe　I　could　if　I　tried！'

〃That　was　all　that　was　said。　　Willie　raised　his　hat；　and　we　walked　　away。

〃And；　somehow；　when　he　said　that；　I　remembered；　all　of　a　sudden；　the　　night　of　that　dance　and　Willie　brushing　his　hair　before　the　looking…　glass；　and　Myra　sticking　her　head　in　the　door　to　guy　him。

〃When　we　got　back　to　Sam　Houston　Avenue；　Willie　says：

〃'Well；　so　long；　Ben。　　I'm　going　down　home　and　get　off　my　shoes　and　　take　a　rest。'

〃'You？'　says　I。　　'What's　the　matter　with　you？　　Ain't　the　court…house　　jammed　with　everybody　in　town　waiting　to　honor　the　hero？　　And　two　　brass…bands；　and　recitations　and　flags　and　jags　and　grub　to　follow　　waiting　for　you？'

〃Willie　sighs。

〃'All　right；　Ben；'　says　he。　　'Darned　if　I　didn't　forget　all　about　　that。'

〃And　that's　why　I　say；〃　concluded　Ben　Granger；　〃that　you　can't　tell　　where　ambition　begins　any　more　than　you　can　where　it　is　going　to　wind　　up。〃




THE　HEAD…HUNTER



When　the　war　between　Spain　and　George　Dewey　was　over；　I　went　to　the　　Philippine　Islands。　　There　I　remained　as　bushwhacker　correspondent　for　　my　paper　until　its　managing　editor　notified　me　that　an　eight…hundred…　word　cablegram　describing　the　grief　of　a　pet　carabao　over　the　death　of　　an　infant　Moro　was　not　considered　by　the　office　to　be　war　news。　　So　I　　resigned；　and　came　home。

On　board　the　trading…vessel　that　brought　me　back　I　pondered　much　upon　　the　strange　things　I　had　sensed　in　the　weird　archipelago　of　the　　yellow…brown　people。　　The　manoeuvres　and　skirmishings　of　the　petty　war　　interested　me　not：　I　was　spellbound　by　the　outlandish　and　unreadable　　countenance　of　that　race　that　had　turned　its　expressionless　gaze　upon　　us　out　of　an　unguessable　past。

Particularly　during　my　stay　in　Mindanao　had　I　been　fascinated　and　　attracted　by　that　delightfully　original　tribe　of　heathen　known　as　the　　head…hunters。　　Those　grim；　flinty；　relentless　little　men；　never　seen；　　but　chilling　the　warmest　noonday　by　the　subtle　terror　of　their　　concealed　presence；　paralleling　the　trail　of　their　prey　through　　unmapped　forests；　across　perilous　mountain…tops；　adown　bottomless　　chasms；　into　uninhabitable　jungles；　always　near　with　the　invisible　　hand　of　death　uplifted；　betraying　their　pursuit　only　by　such　signs　as　　a　beast　or　a　bird　or　a　gliding　serpent　might　make…a　twig　crackling　in　　the　awful；　sweat…soaked　night；　a　drench　of　dew　showering　from　the　　screening　foliage　of　a　giant　tree；　a　whisper　at　even　from　the　rushes　　of　a　water…level…a　hint　of　death　for　every　mile　and　every　hour…they　　amused　me　greatly；　those　little　fellows　of　one　idea。

When　you　think　of　it；　their　method　is　beautifully　and　almost　　hilariously　effective　and　simple。

You　have　your　hut　in　which　you　live　and　carry　out　the　destiny　that　was　　decreed　for　you。　　Spiked　to　the　jamb　of　your　bamboo　doorway　is　a　　basket　made　of　green　withes；　plaited。　　From　time　to　time；　as　vanity　or　　ennui　or　love　or　jealousy　or　ambition　may　move　you；　you　creep　forth　　with　your　snickersnee　and　take　up　the　silent　trail。　　Back　from　it　you　　come；　triumphant；　bearing　the　severed；　gory　head　of　your　victim；　which　　you　deposit　with　pardonable　pride　in　the　basket　at　the　side　of　your　　door。　　It　may　be　the　head　of　your　enemy；　your　friend；　or　a　stranger；　　according　as　competition；　jealousy；　or　simple　sportiveness　has　been　　your　incentive　to　labor。

In　any　case；　your　reward　is　certain。　　The　village　men；　in　passing；　　stop　to　congratulate　you；　as　your　neighbor　on　weaker　planes　of　life　　stops　to　admire　and　praise　the　begonias　in　your　front　yard。　　Your　　particular　brown　maid　lingers；　with　fluttering　bosom；　casting　soft　　tiger's　eyes　at　the　evidence　of　your　love　for