the foreigner-第23章

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the　Old　Land。　　〃I　do　assure　you　that　they　won't　pull　a　pound　without　it。〃

But　the　Bishop　could　not　be　persuaded　of　this；　and　urged　upon　Macmillan　the　necessity　of　eliminating　this　part　of　his　persuasion。

〃Just　as　you　say；　Your　Riverence。　　I　ain't　hurried　this　trip　and　we'll　do　our　best。〃

The　next　bad　sleugh　brought　opportunity　to　make　experiment　of　the　new　system。　　The　team　stuck　fast　in　the　black　muck；　and　every　effort　to　extricate　them　served　only　to　imbed　them　more　hopelessly　in　the　sticky　gumbo。　　Time　passed　on。　　A　dark　and　lowering　night　was　imminent。　　The　Bishop　grew　anxious。　　Macmillan；　with　whip　and　voice；　encouraged　his　team；　but　all　in　vain。　　The　Bishop's　anxiety　increased　with　the　approach　of　a　threatening　storm。

〃It　is　growing　late；　Mr。　Macmillan；　and　it　looks　like　rain。　Something　must　be　done。〃

〃It　does　that；　Your　Lordship；　but　the　brutes　won't　pull　half　their　own　weight　without　I　speak　to　them　in　the　way　they　are　used　to。〃

The　good　man　was　in　a　sore　strait。　　Another　half　hour　passed；　and　still　with　no　result。　　It　was　imperative　that　his　goods　should　be　brought　under　cover　before　the　storm　should　break。　　Again　the　good　Bishop　urged　Macmillan　to　more　strenuous　effort。

〃We　can't　stay　here　all　night；　sir；〃　he　said。　　〃Surely　something　can　be　done。〃

〃Well；　I'll　tell　Your　Lordship；　it's　one　of　two　things；　stick　or　swear；　and　there's　nothing　else　for　it。〃

〃Well；　well；　Mr。　Macmillan；〃　said　the　Bishop　resignedly；　〃we　must　get　on。　　Do　as　you　think　best；　but　I　take　no　responsibility　in　the　matter。〃　　At　which　Pilate's　counsel　he　retired　from　the　scene；　leaving　Macmillan　an　untrammelled　course。

Macmillan　seized　the　reins　from　the　ground；　and　walking　up　and　down　the　length　of　his　six…horse　team；　began　to　address　them　singly　and　in　the　mass　in　terms　so　sulphurously　descriptive　of　their　ancestry；　their　habits；　and　their　physical　and　psychological　characteristics；　that　when　he　gave　the　word　in　a　mighty　culminating　roar　of　blasphemous　excitation；　each　of　the　bemired　beasts　seemed　to　be　inspired　with　a　special　demon；　and　so　exerted　itself　to　the　utmost　limit　of　its　powers　that　in　a　single　minute　the　load　stood　high　and　dry　on　solid　ground。

One　other　characteristic　made　Macmillan　one　of　the　most　trusted　of　the　freighters　upon　the　trail。　　While　in　charge　of　his　caravan　he　was　an　absolute　teetotaler；　making　up；　however；　for　this　abstinence　at　the　end　of　the　trip　by　a　spree　whose　duration　was　limited　only　by　the　extent　of　his　credit。

It　was　to　Mr。　Macmillan's　care　that　Mrs。　French　had　committed　Kalman　with　many　and　anxious　injunctions；　and　it　is　Macmillan's　due　to　say　that　every　moment　of　that　four　weeks'　journey　was　one　of　undiluted　delight　to　the　boy；　although　it　is　to　be　feared　that　not　the　least　enjoyable　moments　in　that　eventful　journey　were　those　when　he　stood　lost　in　admiration　while　his　host；　with　the　free　use　of　his　sulphurously　psychological　lever；　pried　his　team　out　of　the　frequent　sleughs　that　harassed　the　trail。　　And　before　Macmillan　had　delivered　up　his　charge；　his　pork　and　hard　tack；　aided　by　the　ardent　suns　and　sweeping　winds　of　the　prairie；　had　done　their　work；　so　that　it　was　a　brown　and　thoroughly　hardy　looking　lad　that　was　handed　over　to　Jimmy　Green　at　the　Crossing。

〃Here　is　Jack　French's　boy；〃　said　Macmillan。　　〃And　it's　him　that's　got　the　ear　for　music。　　In　another　trip　he'll　dust　them　horses　out　of　a　hole　with　any　of　us。　　Swear！　　Well；　I　should　smile！　　By　the　powers！　he　makes　me　feel　queer。〃

〃Swear；〃　echoed　a　thick　voice　from　behind　the　speaker；　〃who's　swearing？〃

〃Hello！　Jack；〃　said　Macmillan　quietly。　　〃Got　a　jag　on；　eh？〃

〃Attend　to　your　own　business；　sir；〃　said　Jack　French；　whose　dignity　grew　and　whose　temper　shortened　with　every　bottle。　　〃Answer　my　question；　sir。　　Who　is　swearing？〃

〃Oh；　there's　nothing　to　it；　Jack；〃　said　Macmillan。　　〃I　was　telling　Jimmy　here　that　that's　a　mighty　smart　boy　of　yours；　and　with　a　great　tongue　for　language。〃

〃I'll　break　his　back；〃　growled　Jack　French；　his　face　distorted　with　a　scowl。　　〃Look　here；　boy；〃　he　continued；　whirling　fiercely　upon　the　lad；　〃you　are　sent　to　me　by　the　best　woman　on　earth　to　make　a　man　of　you；　and　I'll　have　no　swearing　on　my　ranch；〃　delivering　himself　of　which　sentiment　punctuated　by　a　feu　de　joie　of　muddled　oaths；　he　lurched　away　into　the　back　shop　and　fell　into　a　drunken　sleep；　leaving　the　boy　astonished　and　for　some　minutes　speechless。

〃Is　that　her　brother？〃　he　asked　at　length；　when　he　had　found　voice。

〃Whose　brother？〃　said　Jimmy　Green。

〃Yes；　boy；　that's　her　brother；〃　said　Macmillan。　　〃But　that　is　not　himself　any　more　than　a　mad　dog。　　Jimmy　here　has　been　filling　him　up；〃　shaking　his　finger　at　the　culprit；　〃which　he　had　no　right　to　do；　knowing　Jack　French　as　he　does；　by　the　same　token。〃

〃Oh；　come　on；　Mac；〃　said　Jimmy　apologetically。　　〃You　know　Jack　French；　and　when　he　gets　a…goin'　could　I　stop　him？　　No；　nor　you。〃

Next　morning　when　Kalman　came　forth　from　the　loft　which　served　Jimmy　Green　as　store　room　for　his　marvellously　varied　merchandise；　he　found　that　Macmillan　had　long　since　taken　the　trail　and　was　by　this　time　miles　on　his　journey　toward　Edmonton。　　The　boy　was　lonely　and　sick　at　heart。　　Macmillan　had　been　a　friend　to　him；　and　had　constituted　the　last　link　that　held　him　to　the　life　he　had　left　behind　in　the　city。　　It　was　to　Macmillan　that　the　little　white…　faced　lady　who　was　to　the　boy　the　symbol　of　all　that　was　high　and　holy　in　character；　had　entrusted　him　for　safe　deliverance　to　her　brother　Jack　French。　　Kalman　had　spent　an　unhappy　night；　his　sleep　being　broken　by　the　recurring　vision　of　the　fierce　and　bloated　face　of　the　man　who　had　cursed　him　and　threatened　him　on　the　previous　evening。　　The　boy　had　not　yet　recovered　from　the　horror　and　surprise　of　his　discovery　that　this　drunken　and　brutalized　creature　was　the　noble…hearted　brother　into　whose　keeping　his　friend　and　benefactress　had　given　him。　　That　a　man　should　drink　himself　drunk　was　nothing　to　his　discredit　in　Kalman's　eyes；　but　that　Mrs。　French's　brother；　the　loved　and　honoured　gentleman　whom　she　had　taught　him　to　regard　as　the　ideal　of　all　manly　excellence；　should　turn　out　to　be　this　bloated　and　foul…mouthed　bully；　shocked　him　inexpressibly。　　From　these　depressing　thoughts　he　was　aroused　by　a　cheery　voice。

〃Hello！　my　boy；　had　breakfast？〃

He　turned　quickly　and　beheld　a　tall；　strongly　made　and　handsome　man　of　middle　age；　clean　shaven；　neatly　groomed；　and　with　a　fine　open　cheery　face。

〃No；　sir；〃　he　stammered；　with　unusual　politeness　in　his　tone；　and　staring　with　all　his　eyes。

It　was　Jack　French　who　addressed　him；　but　this　handsome；　kindly；　well　groomed　man　was　so　different　from　the　man　who　had　reeled　over　him　and　poured　forth　upon　him　his　abusive　profanity　the　night　before；　that　his　mind　refused　to　associate　the　one　with　the　other。

〃Well；　boy；〃　said　Jack　French；　〃you　must　be　hungry。　　Jimmy；　anything　left　for　the　boy？〃

〃Lots；　Jack；〃　said　Jimmy　eagerly；　as　if　relieved　to　see　him　clothed　again　and　in　his　right　mind。　　〃The　very　best。　　Here；　boy；　set　in　here。〃　　He　opened　a　door　which　led　into　a　side　room　where　the　remains　of　breakfast　were　disclosed　upon　the　table。　　〃Bacon　and　eggs；　my　boy；　eggs！　mind　you；　and　Hudson's　Bay　biscuit　and　black　strap。　　How's　that？〃

The　boy；　still　lost　in　wonder；　fell　to　with　a　great　access　of　good　cheer；　and　made　a　hearty　meal；　while　outside　he　could　hear　Jack　French's　clear；　cheery；　commanding　voice　directing　the　packing　of　his　buckboard。

The　packing　of　the　buckboard　was　a　business　calling　for　some　skill。　In　the　box　seat　were　stowed　away　groceries　and　small　parcels　for　the　ranch　and　for　settlers　along　the　trail。　　Upon　the　boards　behind　the　seat　were　loaded　and　roped　securely；　sides　of　pork；　a　sack　of　flour；　and　various　articles　for　domestic　use。　　Last　of　all；　and　with　great　care；　French　disposed　a　mysterious　case　packed　with　straw；　the　contents　of　which　were　perfectly　well　known　to　the　boy。

The　buckboard　packed；　there　followed　the　process　of　hitching　up；a　process　at　once　spectacular　and　full　of　exciting　incident；　for　the　trip　to　the　Crossing　was　to　the　bronchos；　unbroken　even　to　the　halter；　their　first　experience　in　the　ways　of　civilized　man。　　Wild；　timid　and　fiercely　vicious；　they　were　brought　in　from　their　night　pickets　on　a　rope；　holding　back　hard；　plunging；　snorting；　in　terror；　and　were　tied　up　securely　in　an　out　shed。　　There　was　no　time　spent　in　gentle　persuasion。　　French　took　a　collar　and　without　hesitation；　but　without　haste；　walked　quietly　to　the　side　of　one　of　the　shuddering　ponies；　a　buckskin；　and　paying　no　heed　to　its　frantic　plunging；　slipped　it　over　his　neck；　keeping　close　to　the　pony's　side　and　crowding　it　hard　against　the　wall。　　The　rest　of　the　harness　offered　more　difficulty。　　The　pony　went　wild　at　every　approach　of　the　trailing　straps　and　buckles。　　Kalman　looked　on　in　admiration　while　French；　without　loss　of　temper；　without　oath　or　objurgation；　went　on　quietly　with　his　work。

〃Have　to　put　a　hitch　on　him；　Jimmy；　I　guess；〃　said　French　after　he　had　failed　in　repeated　attempts。

Jimmy　took　a　thin　strong　line　of　rope；　put　a　running　noose　around　the　pony's　jaw；　threw　the　end　over　its　neck　and　back　through　the　noose　again；　thus　making　a　most　cruel　bridle；　and　gave　the　rope　a　single　sharp　jerk。　　The　broncho　fell　back　upon　its　haunches；　and　before　it　had　recovered　from　its　pain　and　surprise；　French　had　the　harness　on　its　back　and　buckled　into　place。

The　second　pony；　a　piebald　or　pinto；　needed　no　〃Commache　hitch；〃　but　submitted　to　the　harnessing　process　without　any　great　protest。

〃Bring　him　along；　Jimmy；〃　said　French；　leading　out　the　pinto。

But　this　was　easier　said　than　done；　for　the　buckskin　after　being　faced　toward　the　door；　set　his　feet　firmly　in　front　of　him　and　refused　to　budge　an　inch。

〃Touch　him　up　behind；　boy；〃　said　Green　to　Kalman；　who　stood　by　eager　to　assist。

Kalman　sprang　forward　with　a　stick　in　his　hand；　dodged　under　the　poles　which　formed　the　sides　of　the　stall；　and　laid　a　resounding　whack　upon　the　pony's　flank。　　There　was　a　flash　of　heels；　a　bang　on　the　shed　wall；　a　plunge　forward；　and　the　pony　was　found　clear　of　the　shed　and　Kalman　senseless　on　the　ground。

〃Jimmy；　you　eternal　fool！〃　cried　French；　〃hold　this　rope！〃　　He　ran　to　the　boy　and　picked　him　up　in　his　arms。　　〃The　boy　is　killed；　and　there'll　be　the　very　deuce　to　pay。〃

He　laid　the　insensible　lad　on　the　grass；　ran　for　a　pail　of　water　and　dashed　a　portion　of　it　in　his　face。　　In　a　few　moments　the　boy　opened　his　eyes　with　a　long　deep　sigh；　and　closed　them　again　as　if　in　contented　slumber。　　French　took　a　flask　from　his　pocket；　opened　the　boy's　mouth；　and　poured　some　of　its　contents　between　his　lips。　At　once　Kalman　began　to　cough；　sat　up；　gazed　around　in　a　stupid　manner　upon　the　ponies　and　the　men。

〃He's　out；〃　he　said　at　length；　with　his　eyes　upon　the　pinto。

〃Out？　　Who's　out？〃　cried　French。

〃Judas　priest！〃　exclaimed　Jimmy；　using　his　favourite　oath。　　〃He　means　the　broncho。〃

〃By　Jove！　he　IS　out；　boy；〃　said　French；　〃and　you　are　as　near　out　as　you　are　likely　to　be　for　some　time　to　come。　　What　in　great　Caesar's　name　were　you　trying　to　do？〃

〃He　wouldn't　move；〃　said　the　boy　simply；　〃and　I　hit　him。〃

〃Listen　here；　boy；〃　said　Jimmy　Green　solemnly；　〃when　you　go　to　hit　a　broncho　again；　don't　take　anyth