the foreigner-第28章

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this　was　a　choice　spot　for　travellers；the　flowing　river　with　its　soft　gurgling　undertone；　the　upstanding　walls　of　the　poplar　bluffs　in　all　the　fresh　and　ample　beauty　of　the　early　summer　drapery；　the　over…　arching　sky；　deep　and　blue；　through　which　peeped　the　shy　stars；　and　the　air；　so　sweet　and　kindly；　breathing　about　them。　　It　was　all　so　clean；　so　fresh；　so　unspoiled　to　the　boy　that　it　seemed　as　if　he　had　dropped　into　a　new　world；　remote　from　and　unrelated　to　any　other　world　he　had　hitherto　known。

They　picketed　their　horses；　and　with　supper　over；　they　sat　down　before　their　fire；　for　the　evening　air　was　chill；　in　weary；　dreamy　delight。　　They　spoke　few　words。　　Like　all　men　who　have　lived　close　to　Nature；　whether　in　woods　or　in　plains；　French　had　developed　a　habit　of　silence；　and　this　habit；　as　all　others；　Kalman　was　rapidly　taking　on。

As　they　reclined　thus　dreamily　watching　the　leaping　fire；　a　canoe　came　down　the　river；　in　the　stern　of　which　sat　a　man　whose　easy　grace　proclaimed　long　practice　in　the　canoeman's　art。　　As　his　eyes　fell　upon　the　fire；　he　paused　in　his　paddling；　and　with　two　or　three　swift　flips　he　turned　his　canoe　toward　the　bank；　and　landing；　pulled　it　up　on　the　shore。

He　was　a　young　man　of　middle　height；　stoutly　built；　and　with　a　strong；　good…natured　face。

〃Good　evening；〃　he　said　in　a　cheery　voice；　〃camped　for　the　night？〃

〃Yes；　camped　for　the　night；〃　replied　French。

〃I　have　a　tent　up　stream　a　little　way。　　I　should　be　glad　to　have　you　camp　with　me。　　It　is　going　to　be　a　little　chilly。〃

〃Oh；　we're　all　right；　aren't　we；　Kalman？〃　said　French。

The　boy　turned　and　gave　him　a　quick　look　of　perfect　satisfaction。　〃First　rate！　　You　bet！〃

〃The　dew　is　going　to　be　heavy；　though；〃　said　the　stranger；　〃and　it　will　be　cold　before　the　night　is　over。　　I　have　not　much　to　offer　you；　only　shelter；　but　I'd　like　awfully　to　have　you　come。　　A　visitor　is　a　rare　thing　here。〃

〃Well；〃　said　French；　〃since　you　put　it　that　way　we'll　go；　and　I　am　sure　it　is　very　decent　of　you。〃

〃Not　at　all。　　The　favour　will　be　to　me。　　My　name　is　Brown。〃

〃And　mine　is　French；　Jack　French　throughout　this　country；　as　perhaps　you　have　heard。〃

〃I　have　been　here　only　a　few　days；　and　have　heard　very　little；〃　said　Brown。

〃And　this；〃　continued　French；　〃is　Kalman　Kalmar；　a　friend　of　mine　from　Winnipeg；　and　more　remotely　from　Russia；　but　now　a　good　Canadian。〃

Brown　gave　each　a　strong　cordial　grasp　of　his　hand。

〃You　can't　think；〃　he　said；　〃how　glad　I　am　to　see　you。〃

〃Is　there　a　trail？〃　asked　French。

〃Yes；　a　trail　of　a　sort。　　Follow　the　winding　of　the　river　and　you　will　come　to　my　camp　at　the　next　bend。　　You　can't　miss　it。　　I'll　go　up　in　the　canoe　and　come　down　to　meet　you。〃

〃Don't　trouble；〃　said　French；　〃we　know　our　way　about　this　country。〃

Following　a　faint　trail　for　a　quarter　of　a　mile　through　the　bluffs；　they　came　upon　an　open　space　on　the　river　bank　similar　to　the　one　they　had　left；　in　the　midst　of　which　stood　Brown's　tent。　　That　tent　was　a　wonder　to　behold；　not　only　to　Kalman；　but　also　to　French；　who　had　a　large　experience　in　tents　of　various　kinds。　　Ten　by　twelve；　and　with　a　four…foot　wall；　every　inch　was　in　use。　　The　ground　which　made　the　floor　was　covered　with　fresh；　sweet…smelling　swamp　hay；　in　one　corner　was　a　bed；　neat　as　a　soldier's；　in　the　opposite　corner　a　series　of　cupboards　made　out　of　packing　cases；　filled；　one　with　books；　one　with　drugs　and　surgical　instruments；　another　with　provisions。　　Hanging　from　the　ridge…pole　was　a　double　shelf；　and　attached　to　the　back　upright　were　a　series　of　pigeon…hole　receptacles。　　It　was　a　wonder　of　convenience　and　comfort；　and　albeit　it　was　so　packed　with　various　impedimenta；　such　was　the　orderly　neatness　of　it　that　there　seemed　to　be　abundance　of　room。

At　the　edge　of　the　clearing　Brown　met　them。

〃Here　you　are；〃　he　cried。　　〃Come　along　and　make　yourselves　at　home。〃

His　every　movement　was　full　of　brisk　energy；　and　his　voice　carried　with　it　a　note　of　cheery　frankness　that　bespoke　the　simplicity　and　kindliness　of　the　good　and　honest　heart。

In　a　few　moments　Brown　had　a　fire　blazing　in　front　of　the　tent；　for　the　night　air　was　chill；　and　a　heavy　dew　was　falling。

〃Here　you　are；〃　he　cried；　throwing　down　a　couple　of　rugs　before　the　fire。　　〃Make　yourselves　comfortable。　　I　believe　in　comfort　myself。〃

〃Well；〃　said　French；　glancing　into　the　tent；　throwing　himself　down　before　the　fire；　〃you　apparently　do；　and　you　have　attained　an　unqualified　success　in　exemplifying　your　belief。　　You　certainly　do　yourself　well。〃

〃Oh；　I　am　a　lazy　dog；〃　said　Brown　cheerfully；　〃and　can't　do　without　my　comforts。　　But　you　don't　know　how　glad　I　am　to　see　you。　　I　can't　stand　being　alone。　　I　get　most　awfully　blue　and　funky；　naturally　nervous　and　timid；　you　know。〃

〃You　do；　eh？〃　said　French；　pleasantly。　　〃Well；　if　you　ask　me；　I　believe　you're　lying；　or　your　face　is。〃

〃Not　a　bit；　not　a　bit。　　Good　thing　a　fellow　has　a　skin　to　draw　over　his　insides。　　I'd　hate　the　world　to　see　all　the　funk　that　there　is　in　my　heart。〃

French　pulled　out　his　pipe；　stirred　up　its　contents　with　his　knife；　struck　a　match；　and　proceeded　to　draw　what　comfort　he　could　from　the　remnants　of　his　last　smoke。　　The　result　was　evidently　not　entirely　satisfactory。　　He　began　searching　his　pockets　with　elaborate　care；　but　all　in　vain；　and　with　a　sigh　of　disappointment　he　sank　back　on　the　rug。

〃Hello！〃　said　Brown；　whose　eyes　nothing　seemed　to　escape；　〃I　know　what　you're　after。　　You　have　left　your　pouch。　　Well；　let　that　be　a　lesson　to　you。　　You　ought　not　to　indulge　habits　that　are　liable　any　moment　to　involve　you　in　such　distress。　　Now　look　at　you；　a　big；　healthy；　able…bodied　man；　on　a　night　like　this　too；　with　all　the　splendour　and　glory　of　sky　and　woods　and　river　about　you；　with　decent　company　too；　and　a　good　fire；　and　yet　you　are　incapable　of　enjoyment。　　You　are　an　abnormality；　and　you　have　made　yourself　so。　You　need　treatment。　　I　am　going　to　administer　it　forthwith。〃

He　disappeared　into　his　tent；　leaving　Kalman　in　a　fury　of　rage；　and　French　with　an　amused　smile　upon　his　face。　　After　a　few　moments'　rummaging　Brown　appeared　with　a　package　in　his　hand。

〃In　cases　like　yours；〃　he　said　gravely；　〃I　prescribe　vapores　nicotinenses。　　I　hope　you　have　forgotten　your　Latin。　　Here　is　a　brand；　a　very　special　brand；　which　I　keep　for　decoy　purposes。　Having　once　used　this；　you　will　be　sure　to　come　back　again。　　Try　that；〃　he　cried　in　a　threatening　tone；　〃and　look　me　in　the　eye。〃

The　anger　fled　from　Kalman's　face；　and　he　began　to　understand　that　their　new　friend　had　been　simply　jollying　them；　and　he　sincerely　hoped　that　neither　he　nor　French　had　noticed　his　recent　rage。

French　filled　his　pipe　with　the　mixture；　lit　it；　and　took　one　or　two　experimental　draws；　then　with　a　great　sigh　he　threw　himself　back　upon　the　rug；　his　arms　under　his　head；　and　puffed　away　with　every　symptom　of　delight。

〃See　here；　Brown；〃　he　said；　sitting　up　again　after　a　few　moments　of　blissful　silence；　〃this　is　'Old　London；'　isn't　it？〃

〃See　here；　French；　don't　you　get　off　any　of　your　high　British　nonsense。　　'Old　London；'　indeed！　　No；　sir；　that　is　'Young　Canada'；　that　is；　I　have　a　friend　in　Cuba　who　sends　me　the　Prince　of　Wales　brand。〃

French　smoked　on　for　some　moments。

〃Without　being　rude；　how　much　of　this　have　you　in　stock？〃

〃How　much？　　Enough　to　fill　your　pipe　whenever　you　come　round。〃

〃My　word！〃　exclaimed　French。　　〃You　don't　dispense　this　to　the　general　public；　do　you？〃

〃Not　much；　I　don't；〃　said　Brown。　　〃I　select　my　patients。〃

〃Thank　you；〃　said　French。　　〃I　take　this　as　a　mark　of　extreme　hospitality。　　By　the　way；　where　is　your　own　pipe？〃

〃I　have　abjured。〃

〃What。〃

〃Abjured。〃

〃And　yet　you　have　many　of　the　marks　of　sanity。〃

〃Sanity！　　You　just　note　it；　and　the　most　striking　is　that　I　don't　have　a　pipe。〃

〃Expound　me　the　riddle；　please。〃

〃The　exposition　is　simple　enough。　　I　am　constitutionally　lazy　and　self…indulgent；　and　almost　destitute　of　self…control〃

〃And　permit　me　to　interject　without　offence；　an　awful　liar；〃　said　French　pleasantly。　　〃Go　on。〃

〃I　came　out　here　to　work。　　With　a　pipe　and　a　few　pounds　of　that　mixture〃

〃Pounds！　　Ah！〃　ejaculated　French。

〃I　would　find　myself　immersed　in　dreamy　seas　of　vaporous　and　idle　blissdo　you　catch　that　combination？and　fancy　myself；　mark　you；　busy　all　the　time。　　It　is　the　smoker's　dementia　accentuated　by　such　a　mixture　as　this；　that　while　he　is　blowing　rings　he　imagines　he　is　doing　something〃

〃The　deuce　he　does！　　And　he　is　jolly　well　right。〃

〃So；　having　something　other　to　do　than　blow　rings；　I　have　abjured　the　pipe。　　There　are　other　reasons；　but　that　will　suffice。〃

〃Abundantly；〃　said　French　with　emphasis；　〃and　permit　me　to　remark　that　you　have　been　talking　rot。〃

Brown　shook　his　head　with　a　smile。

〃Now　tell　me；〃　continued　French；　〃what　is　your　idea？　　What　have　you　in　view　in　planting　yourself　down　here？　　In　short；　to　put　it　bluntly；　what　are　you　doing？〃

〃Doing　nothing；　as　yet；〃　said　Brown　cheerfully；　〃but　I　want　to　do　a　lot。　　I　have　got　this　Galician　colony　in　my　eye。〃

〃I　beg　your　pardon；〃　said　French；　〃are　you　by　any　chance　a　preacher？〃

〃Well；　I　may　be；　though　I　can't　preach　much。　　But　my　main　line　is　the　kiddies。　　I　can　teach　them　English；　and　then　I　am　going　to　doctor　them；　and；　if　they'll　let　me；　teach　them　some　of　the　elements　of　domestic　science；　in　short；　do　anything　to　make　them　good　Christians　and　good　Canadians；　which　is　the　same　thing。〃

〃That　is　a　pretty　large　order。　　Look　here；　now；〃　said　French；　sitting　up；　〃you　look　like　a　sensible　fellow；　and　open　to　advice。　Don't　be　an　ass　and　throw　yourself　away。　　I　know　these　people　well。　In　a　generation　or　two　something　may　be　done　with　them。　　You　can't　make　a　silk　purse　out　of　a　sow's　ear；　you　know。　　Give　it　up。　　Take　up　a　ranch　and　go　cattle　raising。　　That　is　my　advice。　　I　know　them。　You　can't　undo　in　your　lifetime　the　results　of　three　centuries。　It's　a　hopeless　business。　　I　tried　myself　to　give　them　some　pointers　when　they　came　in　first；　and　worried　a　good　deal　about　it。　I　got　myself　disliked　for　my　pains　and　suffered　considerable　annoyance。　　Now　I　leave　them　beautifully　alone。　　Their　suspicions　have　vanished　and　they　no　longer　look　at　me　as　if　I　were　a　thief。〃

Brown's　face　grew　serious。　　〃It's　a　fact；　they　are　suspicious；　frightfully。　　I　have　been　talking　school　to　them；　but　they　won't　have　a　school　as　a　gift。　　My　Church；　the　Presbyterian；　you　know；　offers　to　put　up　a　school　for　them；　since　the　Government　won't　do　anything；　but　they　are　mightily　afraid　that　this　is　some　subtle　scheme　for　extracting　money　from　them。　　But　what　can　you　expect？　The　only　church　they　know　has　bled　them　dry；　and　they　fear　and　hate　the　very　name　of　church。〃

〃By　Jove！　　I　don't　wonder；〃　said　French。

〃Nor　do　I。〃

〃But　look　here；　Brown；〃　said　French；　〃you　don't　mean　to　tell　me；I　assure　you　I　don't　wish　to　be　rude；but　you　don't　mean　to　tell　me　that　you　have　come　here；　a　man　of　your　education　and　snap〃

〃Thank　you；〃　said　Brown。

〃To　teach　a　lot　of　Galician　children。〃

〃Well；〃　said　Brown；　〃I　admit　I　have　come　partially　for　my　health。　You　see；　I　am　constitutionally　inclined〃

〃Oh；　come　now；〃　said　French；　〃as　my　friend　Kalman　would　remark；　cut　it　out。〃

〃Partially　for　my　health；　and　partially　for　the　good　of　the　country。