the foreigner-第24章

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〃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　anything　short　of　a　ten…foot　pole；　unless　you're　on　top　of　him。〃

The　boy　said　nothing　in　reply；　but　got　up　and　began　to　walk　about；　still　pale　and　dazed。

〃Good　stuff；　eh；　Jimmy？〃　said　French；　watching　him　carefully。

〃You　bet！〃　said　Jimmy；　〃genuINE　clay。〃

〃It　is　exceptionally　lucky　that　you　were　standing　so　near　the　little　beast；〃　said　French　to　the　boy。　　〃Get　into　the　buckboard　here；　and　sit　down。〃

Kalman　climbed　in；　and　from　that　point　of　vantage　watched　the　rest　of　the　hitching　process。　　By　skillful　manoeuvering　the　two　men　led；　backed；　shoved　the　ponies　into　position；　and　while　one　held　them　by　the　heads；　the　other　hitched　the　traces。　　Carefully　French　looked　over　all　straps　and　buckles；　drew　the　lines　free；　and　then　mounting　the　buckboard　seat；　said　quietly；　〃Stand　clear；　Jimmy。　　Let　them　go。〃　　Which　Jimmy　promptly　did。

For　a　few　moments　they　stood　surprised　at　their　unexpected　freedom；　and　uncertain　what　to　do　with　it；　then　they　moved　off　slowly　a　few　steps　till　the　push　of　the　buckboard　threw　them　into　a　sudden　terror；　and　the　fight　was　on。　　Plunging；　backing；　kicking；　jibing；　they　finally　bolted；　fortunately　choosing　the　trail　that　led　in　the　right　direction。

〃Good…by；　Jimmy。　　See　you　later；〃　sang　out　French　as；　with　cool　head　and　steady　hand；　he　directed　the　running　ponies。

〃Jumpin'　cats！〃　replied　Jimmy　soberly；　〃don't　look　as　if　you　would；〃　as　the　bronchos　tore　up　the　river　bank　at　a　terrific　gallop。

Before　they　reached　the　top　French　had　them　in　hand；　and　going　more　smoothly；　though　still　running　at　top　speed。　　Kalman　sat　clinging　to　the　rocking；　pitching　buckboard；　his　eyes　alight　and　his　face　aglow　with　excitement。　　There　was　stirring　in　the　boy's　brain　a　dim　and　far…away　memory　of　wild　rides　over　the　steppes　of　Southern　Russia；　and　French；　glancing　now　and　then　at　his　glowing　face；　nodded　grim　approval。

〃Afraid；　boy？〃　he　shouted　over　the　roar　and　rattle　of　the　pitching　buckboard。

Kalman　looked　up　and　smiled；　and　then　with　a　great　oath　he　cried；　〃Let　them　go！〃

Jack　French　was　startled。　　He　hauled　up　the　ponies　sharply　and　turned　to　the　boy　at　his　side。

〃Boy；　where　did　you　learn　that？〃

〃What？〃　asked　the　boy　in　surprise。

〃Where　did　you　learn　to　swear　like　that？〃

〃Why；〃　said　Kalman；　〃they　all　do　it。〃

〃Who　all？〃

〃Why；　everybody　in　Winnipeg。〃

〃Does　Mrs。　French？〃　said　Jack　quietly。

The　boy's　face　flushed　hotly。

〃No；　no；〃　he　said　vehemently；　〃never　her。〃　　Then　after　a　pause　and　an　evident　struggle；　〃She　wants　me　to　stop；　but　all　the　men　and　the　boys　do　it。〃

〃Kalman；〃　said　French　solemnly；　〃no　one　swears　on　my　ranch。〃

Kalman　was　perplexed；　remembering　the　scene　of　the　previous　night。

〃But　you〃　he　began；　and　then　paused。

〃Boy；〃　repeated　French　with　added　solemnity；　〃swearing　is　a　foolish　and　unnecessary　evil。　　There　is　no　swearing　on　my　ranch。　　Promise　me　you　will　give　up　this　habit。〃

〃I　will　not；〃　said　the　boy　promptly；　〃for　I　would　break　my　word。　Don't　you　swear？〃

French　hesitated；　and　then　as　if　forming　a　sudden　resolution　he　replied；　〃When　you　hear　me　swear　you　can　begin。　　And　if　you　don't　mean　to　quit；　don't　promise。　　A　gentleman　always　keeps　his　word。〃

The　boy　looked　him　steadily　in　the　eye　and　then　said；　as　if　pondering　this　remark；　〃I　remember。　　I　know。　　My　father　said　so。〃

French　forbore　to　press　the　matter　further；　but　for　both　man　and　boy　an　attempt　at　a　new　habit　of　speech　began　that　day。

Once　clear　of　the　Saskatchewan　River；　the　trail　led　over　rolling　prairie；　set　out　with　numerous　〃bluffs〃　of　western　maple　and　poplar；　and　diversified　with　sleughs　and　lakes　of　varying　size；　a　country　as　richly　fertile　and　as　fair　to　look　upon　as　is　given　the　eyes　of　man　to　behold　anywhere　in　God's　good　world。　　In　the　dullest　weather　this　rolling；　tree…decked；　sleugh…gemmed　prairie　presents　a　succession　of　scenes　surpassingly　beautiful；　but　with　a　westering　sun　upon　it；　and　on　a　May　day；　it　offers　such　a　picture　as　at　once　entrances　the　soul　and　lives　forever　in　the　memory。　　The　waving　lines；　the　rounded　hills；　the　changing　colour；　the　chasing　shadows　on　grass　and　bluff　and　shimmering　water；　all　combine　to　make　in　the　soul　high　music　unto　God。

For　an　hour　and　more　the　buckboard　hummed　along　the　trail　smooth　and　winding；　the　bronchos　pulling　hard　on　the　lines　without　a　sign　of　weariness；　till　the　bluffs　began　to　grow　thicker　and　gradually　to　close　into　a　solid　belt　of　timber。　　Beyond　this　belt　of　timber　lay　the　Ruthenian　Colony　but　newly　placed。　　The　first　intimation　of　the　proximity　of　this　colony　came　in　quite　an　unexpected　way。　Swinging　down　a　sharp　hill　through　a　bluff；　the　bronchos　came　upon　a　man　with　a　yoke　of　oxen　hauling　a　load　of　hay。　　Before　their　course　could　be　checked　the　ponies　had　pitched　heavily　into　the　slow　moving　and　terrified　oxen；　and　so　disconcerted　them　that　they　swerved　from　the　trail　and　upset　the　load。　　Immediately　there　rose　a　volley　of　shrill　execrations　in　the　Galician　tongue。

〃Whoa；　buck！　　Steady　there！〃　cried　Jack　French　cheerily　as　he　steered　his　team　past　the　wreck。　　〃Too　bad　that；　we　must　go　back　and　help　to　repair　damages。〃

He　tied　the　bronchos　securely　to　a　tree　and　went　back　to　offer　aid。　The　Galician；　a　heavily…built　man；　was　standing　on　the　trail　with　a　stout　stake　in　his　hand；　viewing　the　ruins　of　his　load　and　expressing　his　emotions　in　voluble　Galician　profanity　with　a　bad　mixture　of　halting　and　broken　English。　　Kalman　stood　beside　French　with　wrath　growing　in　his　face。

〃He　is　calling　you　very　bad　names！〃　he　burst　out　at　length。

French　glanced　down　at　the　boy's　angry　face　and　smiled。

〃Oh；　well；　it　will　do　him　good。　　He　will　feel　better　when　he　gets　it　all　out。　　And　besides；　he　has　rather　good　reason　to　be　angry。〃

〃He　says　he　is　going　to　kill　you；〃　said　Kalman　in　a　low　voice；　keeping　close　to　French's　side。

〃Oh！　indeed；〃　said　French　cheerfully；　walking　straight　upon　the　man。　　〃That　is　awkward。　　But　perhaps　he　will　change　his　mind。〃

This　calm　and　cheerful　front　produced　its　impression　upon　the　excited　Galician。

〃Too　bad；　neighbour；〃　said　French　in　a　loud；　cheerful　tone　as　he　drew　near。

The　Galician；　who　had　recovered　something　of　his　fury；　damped　to　a　certain　extent　by　French's　calm　and　cheerful　demeanour；　began　to　gesticulate　with　his　stake。　　French　turned　his　back　upon　him　and　proceeded　to　ascertain　the　extent　of　the　wreck；　and　to　advise　a　plan　for　its　repair。　　As　he　stooped　to　examine　the　wagon　for　breakages；　the　wrathful　Galician　suddenly　swung　his　club　in　the　air；　but　before　the　blow　fell；　Kalman　shrieked　out　in　the　Galician　tongue；　〃You　villain！　　Stop！〃

This　unexpected　cry　in　his　own　speech　served　at　once　to　disconcert　the　Galician's　aim；　and　to　warn　his　intended　victim。　　French；　springing　quickly　aside；　avoided　the　blow　and　with　one　stride　he　was　upon　the　Galician；　wrenched　the　stake　from　his　grasp；　and；　taking　him　by　the　back　of　the　neck；　faced　him　toward　the　front　wheels　of　the　wagon；　saying；　as　he　did　so；　〃Here；　you　idiot！　take　hold　and　pull。〃

The　strength　of　that　grip　on　his　neck　produced　a　salutary　effect　upon　the　excited　Galician。　　He　stood　a　few　moments　dazed；　looking　this　way　and　that　way；　as　if　uncertain　how　to　act。

〃Tell　the　fool；〃　said　French　to　Kalman　quietly；　〃to　get　hold　of　those　front　wheels　and　pull。〃

The　boy　stood　amazed。

〃Ain't　you　going　to　lick　him？〃　he　said。

〃Haven't　time　just　now；〃　said　French　cheerfully。

〃But　he　might　have　killed　you。〃

〃Would　have　if　you　hadn't　yelled。　　I'll　remember　that　too；　my　boy。　But　he　didn't；　and　he　won't　get　another　chance。　　Tell　him　to　take　hold　and　pull。〃

Kalman　turned　to　the　subdued　and　uncertain　Galician；　and　poured　forth　a　volume　of　angry　abuse　while　he　directed　him　as　to　his　present　duty。　　Humbly　enough　the　Galician　took　hold；　and　soon　the　wagon　was　put　to　rights；　and　after　half　an　hour's　work；　was　loaded　again　and　ready　for　its　further　journey。

By　this　time　the　man　had　quite　recovered　his　temper　and　stood　for　some　time　after　all　was　ready；　silent　and　embarrassed。　　Then　he　began　to　earnestly　address　French；　with　eager　gesticulations。

〃What　is　it？〃　said　French。

〃He　says　he　is　very　sorry；　and　feels　very　bad　here；〃　said　Kalman；　pointing　to　his　heart；　〃and　he　wants　to　do　something　for　you。〃

〃Tell　him；〃　said　French　cheerfully；　〃only　a　fool　loses　his　temper；　and　only　a　cad　uses　a　club　or　a　knife　when　he　fights。〃

Kalman　looked　puzzled。

〃A　cat？〃

〃No；　a　cad。　　Don't　you　know　what　a　cad　is？　　Well；　a　cad　ishanged　if　I　know　how　to　put　ityou　know　what　a　gentleman　is？〃

Kalman　nodded。

〃Well；　the　other　thing　is　a　cad。〃

The　Galician　listened　attentively　while　Kalman　explained；　and　made　humble　and　deprecating　reply。

〃He　says；〃　interpreted　Kalman；　〃that　he　is　very　sorry；　but　he　wants　to　know　what　you　fight　with。　　You　can't　hurt　a　man　with　your　hands。〃

〃Can't；　eh？〃　said　French。　　〃Tell　him　to　stand　up　here　to　me。〃

The　Galician　came　up　smiling；　and　French　proceeded　to　give　him　his　first　lesson　in　the　manly　art；　Kalman　interpreting　his　directions。

〃Put　up　your　hands　so。　　Now　I　am　going　to　tap　your　forehead。〃

Tap；　tap；　went　French's　open　knuckles　upon　the　Galician's　forehead。

〃Look　out；　man。〃

Tap；　tap；　tap；　the　knuckles　went　rapping　on　the　man's　forehead；　despite　his　flying　arms。

〃Now；〃　said　French；　〃hit　me。〃

The　Galician　made　a　feeble　attempt。

〃Oh；　don't　be　afraid。　　Hit　me　hard。〃

The　Galician　lunged　forward；　but　met　rigid　arms。

〃Come；　come；〃　said　French；　reaching　him　sharply　on　the　cheek　with　his　open　hand；　〃try　better　than　that。〃

Again　the　Galician　struck　heavily　with　his　huge　fists；　and　again　French；　easily　parrying；　tapped　him　once；　twice；　thrice；　where　he　would；　drawing　tears　to　the　man's　eyes。　　The　Galician　paused　with　a　scornful　exclamation。

〃He　says　that's　nothing；〃　interpreted　Kalman。　　〃You　can't　hurt　a　man　that　way。〃

〃Can't；　eh？　　Tell　him　to　come　on；　but　to　look　out。〃

Again　the　Galician　came　forward；　evidently　determined　to　land　one　blow　at　least。　　But　French；　taking　the　blow　on　his　guard；　replied　with　a　heavy　lefthander　fair　on　the　Galician's　chest；　lifted　him　clear　off　his　feet　and　hurled　him　breathless　against　his　load　of　hay。　　The　man　recovered　himself；　grinning　sheepishly；　nodding　his　head　vigorously　and　talking　rapidly。

〃That　is　enough。　　He　says　he　would　like　to　learn　how　to　do　that。　That　is　better　than　a　club；〃　interpreted　Kalman。

〃Tell　him　that　his　people　must　learn　to　fight　without　club　or　knife。　　We　won't　stand　that　in　this　country。　　It　lands　them　in　prison　or　on　the　gallows。〃

Kalman　translated；　his　own　face　fiery　red　meanwhile；　and　his　own　appearance　one　of　humiliation。　　He　was　wondering　how　much　of　his　own　history　this　man　knew。

〃Good…by；〃　said　French；　holding　out　his　hand　to　the　Galician。

The　man　took　it　and　raised　it　to　his　lips。

〃He　says　he　thanks　you　very　much；　and　he　wishes　you　to　forget　his　badness。〃

〃All　right；　old　man；〃　said　French　cheerfully。　　〃See　you　again　some　day。〃

And　so　they　parted；　Kalman　carrying　with　him　an　uncomfortable　sense　of　having　been　at　various　times　in　his　life　something　of　a　cad；　and　a　fear　lest　this　painful　fact　should　be　k