the foreigner-第26章

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〃You　show　me　what　to　do；〃　said　Kalman　confidently；　〃and　I'll　do　it。〃

The　stable　was　a　tumble…down　affair；　and　sorely　needing　attention；　as；　indeed；　was　the　case　with　the　ranch　and　all　its　belongings。　　A　team　of　horses　showing　signs　of　hard　work　and　poor　care；　with　harness　patched　with　rope　and　rawhide　thongs；　were　waiting　in　the　stable。　　Even　to　Kalman's　inexperienced　eyes　it　was　a　deplorable　outfit。

There　was　little　done　in　the　way　of　cultivation　of　the　soil　upon　the　Night　Hawk　Ranch。　　The　market　was　far　away；　and　it　was　almost　impossible　to　secure　farm　labour。　　The　wants　of　French　and　his　household　were　few。　　A　couple　of　fields　of　oats　and　barley　for　his　horses　and　pigs　and　poultry；　another　for　potatoes；　for　which　he　found　ready　market　at　the　Crossing　and　in　the　lumber　camps　up　among　the　hills；　exhausted　the　agricultural　pursuits　of　the　ranch。

Kalman　concentrated　his　attention　upon　the　process　of　hitching　the　team　to　the　harrows；　and　then　followed　Mackenzie　up　and　down　the　field　as　he　harrowed　in　the　oats。　　It　seemed　a　simple　enough　matter　to　guide　the　team　across　the　ploughed　furrows；　and　Kalman；　as　he　observed；　grew　ambitious。

〃Let　me　drive；〃　he　said　at　length。

〃Hoot！　toot！　boy；　you　would　be　letting　them　run　away　with　you。〃

〃Aw；　cut　it　out！〃　said　Kalman　scornfully。

〃What　are　you　saying？　　Cut　what？〃

〃Oh；　give　us　a　rest！〃

〃A　rest；　iss　it？　　You　will　be　getting　tired　early。　　And　who　is　keeping　you　from　a　rest？〃　said　Mackenzie；　whose　knowledge　of　contemporary　slang　was　decidedly　meagre。

〃Let　me　drive　once；〃　pleaded　the　boy。

〃Well；　try　it；　and　I　will　walk　along　side　of　you；〃　said　Mackenzie；　with　apparent　reluctance。

The　attempt　was　eminently　successful；　but　Kalman　was　quick　both　with　hands　and　head。　　After　the　second　round　Mackenzie　allowed　the　boy　to　go　alone；　remaining　in　the　shade　and　calling　out　directions　across　the　field。　　The　result　was　to　both　a　matter　of　unmixed　delight。　　With　Kalman　there　was　the　gratification　of　the　boy's　passion　for　the　handling　of　horses；　and　as　for　Mackenzie；　while　on　the　trail　or　on　the　river；　he　was　indefatigable；　in　the　field　he　had　the　Indian　hatred　of　steady　work。　　To　lie　and　smoke　on　the　grass　in　the　shade　of　a　poplar　bluff　on　this　warm　shiny　spring　day　was　to　him　sheer　bliss。

But　after　a　time　Mackenzie　grew　restless。　　His　cup　of　bliss　still　lacked　a　drop　to　fill　it。

〃Just　keep　them　moving；〃　he　cried　to　Kalman。　　〃I　will　need　to　go　to　the　house　a　meenit。〃

〃All　right。　　Don't　hurry　for　me；〃　said　Kalman；　proud　of　his　new　responsibility　and　delighted　with　his　new　achievement。

〃Keep　them　straight；　mind。　　And　watch　your　turning；〃　warned　Mackenzie。　　〃I　will　be　coming　back　soon。〃

In　less　than　half　an　hour　he　returned　in　a　most　gracious　frame　of　mind。

〃Man；　but　you　are　the　smart　lad；〃　he　said　as　Kalman　swung　his　team　around。　　〃You　will　be　making　a　great　rancher；　Tommy。〃

〃My　name　is　Kalman。〃

〃Well；　well；　Callum。　　It　iss　a　fery　good　name；　whatefer。〃

〃Kalman！〃　shouted　the　boy。

Mackenzie　nodded　grave　rebuke。

〃There　is　no　occasion　for　shouting。　　I　am　not　deef；　Callum；　my　boy。　Go　on。　　Go　on　with　your　harrows；〃　he　continued　as　Kalman　began　to　remonstrate。

Kalman　drew　near　and　regarded　him　narrowly。　　The　truth　was　clear　to　his　experienced　eyes。

〃You're　drunk；〃　he　exclaimed　disgustedly。

〃Hoot；　toot！　　Callum　man；〃　said　Mackenzie　in　tones　of　grieved　remonstrance；　〃how　would　you　be　saying　that　now？　　Come　away；　or　I　will　be　taking　the　team　myself。〃

〃Aw；　go　on！〃　replied　Kalman　contemptuously。　　〃Let　me　alone！〃

〃Good　boy；〃　said　Mackenzie　with　a　paternal　smile；　waving　the　boy　on　his　way　while　he　betook　himself　to　the　bluff　side　and　there　supine；　continued　at　intervals　to　direct　the　operation　of　harrowing。

The　sun　grew　hot。　　The　cool　morning　breeze　dropped　flat；　and　as　the　hours　passed　the　boy　grew　weary　and　footsore；　travelling　the　soft　furrows。　　Mackenzie　had　long　ceased　issuing　his　directions；　and　had　subsided　into　smiling　silence；　contenting　himself　with　a　friendly　wave　of　the　hand　as　Kalman　made　the　turn。　　The　poor　spiritless　horses　moved　more　and　more　slowly；　and　at　length；　coming　to　the　end　of　the　field；　refused　to　move　farther。

〃Let　them　stand　a　bit；　Callum　boy；〃　said　Mackenzie　kindly。　　〃Come　and　have　a　rest。　　You　are　the　fine　driver。　　Come　and　sit　down。〃

〃Will　the　horses　stand　here？〃　asked　Kalman；　whose　sense　of　responsibility　deepened　as　he　became　aware　of　Mackenzie's　growing　incapacity。

Mackenzie　laughed　pleasantly。　　〃Will　they　stand？　　Yes；　and　that　they　will；　unless　they　will　lie　down。〃

Kalman　approached　and　regarded　him　with　the　eye　of　an　expert。

〃Look　here；　where's　your　stuff？〃　said　the　boy　at　length。

Mackenzie　gazed　at　him　with　the　innocence　of　childhood。

〃What　iss　it？〃

〃Oh；　come　off　your　perch！　you　blamed　old　rooster！　　Where's　your　bottle？〃

〃What　iss　this？〃　said　Mackenzie；　much　affronted。　　〃You　will　be　calling　me　names？〃

As　he　rose　in　his　indignation　a　bottle　fell　from　his　pocket。　Kalman　made　a　dash　toward　it；　but　Mackenzie　was　too　quick　for　him。　With　a　savage　curse　he　snatched　up　the　bottle；　and　at　the　same　time　made　a　fierce　but　unsuccessful　lunge　at　the　boy。

〃You　little　deevil！〃　he　said　fiercely；　〃I　will　be　knocking　your　head　off！〃

Kalman　jibed　at　him。　　〃You　are　a　nice　sort　of　fellow　to　be　on　a　job。　　What　will　your　boss　say？〃

Mackenzie's　face　changed　instantly。

〃The　boss？〃　he　said；　glancing　in　the　direction　of　the　house。　　〃The　boss？　　What　iss　the　harm　of　a　drop　when　you　are　not　well？〃

〃You　not　well！〃　exclaimed　Kalman　scornfully。

Mackenzie　shook　his　head　sadly；　sinking　back　upon　the　grass。　　〃It　iss　many　years　now　since　I　have　suffered　with　an　indisposeetion　of　the　bowels。　　It　iss　a　coalic；　I　am　thinking；　and　it　iss　hard　on　me。　But；　Callum；　man；　it　will　soon　be　denner　time。　　Just　put　your　horses　in　and　I　will　be　following　you。〃

But　Kalman　knew　better　than　that。

〃I　don't　know　how　to　put　in　your　horses。　　Come　and　put　them　in　yourself；　or　show　me　how　to　do　it。〃　　He　was　indignant　with　the　man　on　his　master's　behalf。

Mackenzie　struggled　to　his　feet；　holding　the　bottle　carefully　in　his　outside　coat　pocket。　　Kalman　made　up　his　mind　to　possess　himself　of　that　bottle　at　all　costs。　　The　opportunity　occurred　when　Mackenzie；　stooping　to　unhitch　the　last　trace；　allowed　the　bottle　to　slip　from　his　pocket。　　Like　a　cat　on　a　mouse；　Kalman　pounced　on　the　bottle　and　fled。

The　change　in　Mackenzie　was　immediate　and　appalling。　　His　smiling　face　became　transformed　with　fury；　his　black　eyes　gleamed　with　the　cunning　malignity　of　the　savage；　he　shed　his　soft　Scotch　voice　with　his　genial　manner；　the　very　movements　of　his　body　became　those　of　his　Cree　progenitors。　　Uttering　hoarse　guttural　cries；　with　the　quick　crouching　run　of　the　Indian　on　the　trail　of　his　foe；　he　chased　Kalman　through　the　bluffs。　　There　was　something　so　fiendishly　terrifying　in　the　glimpses　that　Kalman　caught　of　his　face　now　and　then　that　the　boy　was　seized　with　an　overpowering　dread；　and　ceasing　to　tantalize　his　pursuing　enemy；　he　left　the　bluffs　and　fled　toward　the　house；　with　Mackenzie　hard　upon　his　track。　　Through　the　shed　the　boy　flew　and　into　the　outer　room；　banging　the　door　hard　after　him。　But　there　was　no　lock　upon　the　door；　and　he　could　not　hope　to　hold　it　shut　against　his　pursuer。　　He　glanced　wildly　into　the　inner　room。　French　was　nowhere　to　be　seen。　　As　he　stood　in　unspeakable　terror；　the　door　opened　slowly　and　stealthily；　showing　Mackenzie's　face；　distorted　with　rage　and　cunning　hate。　　With　a　silent　swift　movement　he　glided　into　the　room；　and　without　a　sound　rushed　at　the　boy。　Once；　twice　around　the　table　they　circled；　Kalman　having　the　advantage　in　quickness　of　foot。　　Suddenly；　with　a　grunt　of　satisfaction；　Mackenzie's　eye　fell　upon　a　gun　hanging　upon　the　wall。　In　a　moment　he　had　it　in　his　hand。　　As　he　reached　for　it；　however；　Kalman；　with　a　loud　cry；　plunged　headlong　through　the　open　window　and　fled　again　toward　the　bluffs。　　Mackenzie　followed　swiftly　through　the　door；　gun　in　hand。　　He　ran　a　few　short　steps　after　the　flying　boy；　and　was　about　to　throw　his　gun　to　his　shoulder　when　a　voice　arrested　him。

〃Here；　Mackenzie；　what　are　you　doing　with　that　gun？〃

It　was　French；　standing　between　the　stable　and　the　house；　dishevelled；　bloated；　but　master　of　himself。　　Mackenzie　stopped　as　if　gripped　by　an　unseen　arm。

〃What　are　you　doing　with　that　gun？〃　repeated　French　sternly。　〃Bring　it　to　me。〃

Mackenzie　stood　in　sullen；　defiant　silence；　his　gun　thrown　into　the　hollow　of　his　arm。　　French　walked　deliberately　toward　him。

〃Give　me　that　gun；　you　dog！〃　he　said　with　an　oath；　〃or　I'll　kill　you　where　you　stand。〃

Mackenzie　hesitated　but　only　for　a　moment；　and　without　a　word　surrendered　the　gun；　the　fiendish　rage　fading　out　of　his　face；　the　aboriginal　blood　lust　dying　in　his　eyes　like　the　snuffing　out　of　a　candle。　　In　a　few　brief　moments　he　became　once　more　a　civilized　man；　subject　to　the　restraint　of　a　thousand　years　of　life　ordered　by　law。

〃Kalman；　come　here；〃　French　called　to　the　boy；　who　stood　far　off。

〃Mackenzie；〃　said　French　with　great　dignity　as　Kalman　drew　near；　〃I　want　you　to　know　that　this　boy　is　a　ward　of　a　dear　friend；　and　is　to　me　like　my　own　son。　　Remember　that。　　Kalman；　Mackenzie　is　my　friend；　and　you　are　to　treat　him　as　such。　　Where　did　you　get　that？〃　he　continued；　pointing　to　the　bottle　which　Kalman　had　kept　clutched　in　his　hand　through　all　the　exciting　pursuit。

The　boy　stood　silent；　looking　at　Mackenzie。

〃Speak；　boy；〃　said　French　sharply。

Kalman　remained　still　silent；　his　eyes　on　Mackenzie。

〃It　iss　a　bottle　myself　had；〃　said　Mackenzie。

〃Ah；　I　understand。　　All　right；　Kalman；　it's　none　of　your　business　what　Mackenzie　drinks。　　Now；　Mackenzie；　get　dinner；　and　no　more　of　this　nonsense。〃

Without　a　word　of　parley　or　remonstrance　Mackenzie　shuffled　off　toward　the　field　to　bring　in　the　team。　　French　turned　to　the　boy　and；　taking　the　bottle　in　his　hand；　said；　〃This　is　dangerous　stuff；　my　boy。　　A　man　like　Mackenzie　is　not　to　be　trusted　with　it；　and　of　course　it　is　not　for　boys。〃

Kalman　made　no　reply。　　His　mind　was　in　a　whirl　of　perplexed　remembrances　of　the　sickening　scenes　of　the　past　three　days。

〃Go　now；〃　said　French；　〃and　help　Mackenzie。　　He　won't　hurt　you　any　more。　　He　never　keeps　a　grudge。　　That　is　the　Christian　in　him。〃

During　the　early　part　of　the　afternoon　Mackenzie　drove　the　harrows　while　French　moved　about　the　ranch　doing　up　odds　and　ends。　　But　neither　of　the　men　was　quite　at　ease。　　At　length　French　disappeared　into　the　house；　and　almost　immediately　afterwards　Mackenzie　left　his　team　in　Kalman's　hands　and　followed　his　boss。　　Hour　after　hour　passed。　　The　sun　sank　in　the　western　sky；　but　neither　master　nor　man　appeared；　while　Kalman　kept　the　team　steadily　on　the　move；　till　at　length　the　field　was　finished。　　Weary　and　filled　with　foreboding；　the　boy　drove　the　horses　to　the　stable；　pulled　off　the　harness　as　best　he　could；　gave　the　horses　food　and　drink　and　went　into　the　house。　　There　a　ghastly　scene　met　his　eye。　　On　the　floor　hard　by　the　table　lay　Mackenzie　on　his　face；　snoring　heavily　in　a　drunken　sleep；　and　at　the　table；　with　three　empty　bottles　beside　him　and　a　fourth　in　his　hand；　sat　French；　staring　hard　before　him　with　eyes　bloodshot　and　sunken；　and　face　of　a　livid　hue。　　He　n