the foreigner-第35章

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f　his　eyes　there　came　a　deeper　blue；　and　that　under　the　tan　of　his　cheek　a　pallor　crept。　　But　when　on　their　going　the　girl　suddenly　turned　in　her　saddle　and；　waving　her　hand；　cried；　〃Good…by；　Kalman；〃　the　pallor　fled；　chased　from　his　cheek　by　a　hot　rush　of　Slavic　blood　as　he　turned　to　answer；　〃Good…by。〃　　He　held　his　hat　high　in　a　farewell　salutation；　as　he　had　seen　Jack　do；　and　then　in　another　moment　she　was　gone；　and　with　her　all　the　glory　of　that　golden　autumn　day。

To　Kalman　it　seemed　as　if　months　or　years　must　have　passed　since　he　first　saw　her　by　her　Aunt's　tent　on　that　eventful　morning。　　To　take　up　the　ordinary　routine　was　impossible　to　him。　　That　very　night；　rolling　up　his　blankets　and　grub　for　three　days；　and　strapping　on　to　his　saddle　an　axe　and　a　shovel；　Kalman　rode　off　down　the　Night　Hawk　Creek；　telling　Mackenzie　gruffly；　as　he　called　his　dogs　to　follow；　that　he　purposed　digging　out　a　coyote's　den　that　he　knew　lay　somewhere　between　the　lake　and　the　Creek　mouth。

The　afternoon　of　the　second　day　found　him　far　down　the　Creek；　where　it　plunged　headlong　into　the　black　ravine　below；　not　having　discovered　his　wolf　den　and　not　much　caring　whether　he　should　or　not；　for　as　he　rode　through　the　thick　scrub　he　seemed　to　see　dancing　before　him　in　the　glancing　beams　that　rained　down　through　the　yellow　poplar　leaves　a　maiden's　face　with　saucy　brown　eyes　that　laughed　at　him　and　lured　him　and　flouted　him　all　at　once。

At　the　edge　of　the　steep　descent　he　held　up　his　broncho。　　He　had　never　been　down　this　way　before。　　The　sides　of　the　ravine　pitched　sharply　into　a　narrow　gorge　through　which　the　Night　Hawk　brawled　its　way　to　the　Saskatchewan　two　miles　farther　down。

〃We'll　scramble　down　here；　Jacob；〃　he　said　to　his　broncho；so　named　by　Brown；　for　that　he　had　〃supplanted〃　in　Kalman's　affection　his　first　pony；　the　pinto。

He　dismounted；　drew　the　reins　over　the　broncho's　head；　and　began　the　descent；　followed　by　his　horse；　slipping；　sliding；　hanging　on　now　by　trees　and　now　by　jutting　rocks。　　By　the　edge　of　what　had　once　been　a　small　landslip；　he　clutched　a　poplar　tree　to　save　himself　from　going　over；　but　the　tree　came　away　with　him；　and　horse　and　man　slid　and　rolled　down　the　slope；　bringing　with　them　a　great　mass　of　earth　and　stone。　　Unhappily；　Jacob　in　his　descent　rolled　over　upon　the　boy's　leg。　　There　was　a　snap；　a　twinge　of　sharp　pain；　and　boy　and　horse　lay　half　imbedded　in　the　loose　earth。　　Kalman　seized　a　stick　that　lay　near　at　hand。

〃Get　up；　Jacob；　you　brute！〃　he　cried；　giving　him　a　sharp　blow。

Jacob　responded　with　a　mighty　plunge　and　struggled　free；　making　it　possible　for　Kalman　to　extricate　himself。　　He　was　relieved　to　discover　that　he　could　stand　on　his　feet　and　could　walk；　but　only　with　extreme　pain。　　Upon　examination　he　could　find　no　sign　of　broken　bones。　　He　took　a　large　handkerchief　from　his　neck；　bound　it　tightly　about　his　foot　and　ankle。

〃I　say；　Jacob；　we're　well　out　of　that；〃　he　said；　looking　up　at　the　great　cave　that　had　been　excavated　by　the　landslip。　　〃Quite　a　hole；　eh？　　A　great　place　to　sleep　in。　　Lots　of　spruce　about；　too。　　We'll　just　camp　here　for　the　night。　　I　guess　I'll　have　to　let　those　coyotes　go　this　trip。　　This　beastly　foot　of　mine　won't　let　me　dig　much。　　Hello！〃　he　continued；　〃that's　a　mighty　queer　rock。　　I'll　just　take　a　look　at　that　hole。〃

He　struggled　up　over　the　debris　and　entered　the　cave。　　Through　the　earth　there　showed　a　glistening　seam　slanting　across　one　side　and　ending　in　a　broken　ledge。

〃By　Jove！〃　he　cried；　copying　Jack　French　in　his　habit　of　speech　as　in　other　habits；　〃that　looks　like　the　coal　we　used　to　find　along　the　Winnipeg　tracks。〃

He　broke　off　a　piece　of　the　black　seam。　　It　crumbled　in　his　hands。

〃I　guess　not；〃　he　said；　〃but　we'll　get　the　shovel　at　it。〃

Forgetting　for　the　time　the　pain　of　his　foot；　he　scrambled　down　over　the　soft　earth；　got　his　shovel；　and　was　soon　hard　at　work　excavating　the　seam。　　Soon　he　had　a　very　considerable　pile　lying　at　the　front　of　the　cave。

〃Now　we'll　soon　see；〃　he　cried。

He　hurriedly　gathered　some　dry　wood；　heaped　the　black　stuff　upon　it；　lighted　it；　and　sat　down　to　wait　the　issue。　　Wild　hopes　were　throbbing　at　his　heart。　　He　knew　enough　of　the　value　of　coal　to　realize　the　importance　of　the　discovery。　　If　it　should　prove　to　be　coal；　what　a　splendid　thing　it　would　be　for　Jack　and　for　him！　　How　much　they　would　be　able　to　do　for　Mrs。　French　and　for　his　sister　Irma！　　Amid　his　dreams　a　new　face　mingled；　a　face　with　saucy　brown　eyes；　but　on　that　face　he　refused　to　allow　himself　the　rapture　of　looking。　　He　dared　not；　at　least　not　yet。　　Keenly　he　watched　the　fire。　　Was　it　taking　hold　of　the　black　lumps？　　The　flames　were　dying　down。　　The　wood　had　nearly　burned　itself　out。　　The　black　lumps　were　charred　and　dead；　and　with　their　dying　died　his　hopes。

He　glanced　out　upon　the　ravine。　　Large　soft　flakes　of　snow　were　falling　lazily　through　the　trees。

〃I'll　get　my　blankets　and　grub　under　cover；　and　get　some　more　wood　for　the　night。　　It's　going　to　be　cold。〃

He　heaped　the　remains　of　the　wood　he　had　gathered　upon　the　fire；　and　with　great　difficulty；　for　his　foot　was　growing　more　and　more　painful　with　every　move；　he　set　about　gathering　wood；　of　which　there　was　abundance　near　at　hand；　and　making　himself　snug　for　the　night。　　He　brought　up　a　pail　of　water　from　the　Creek；　and　tethered　his　broncho　where　there　was　a　bunch　of　grass　at　the　bottom　of　the　ravine。　　Before　he　had　finished　these　operations　the　ground　was　white　with　snow；　and　the　wind　was　beginning　to　sigh　ominously　through　the　trees。

〃Going　to　be　a　blizzard；　sure；〃　he　said。　　〃But　let　her　blow。　　We're　all　right　in　here。　　Hello！　where　are　those　dogs？　　After　the　wolves；　I'll　be　bound。　　They'll　come　back　when　they're　ready。〃

With　every　moment　the　snow　came　down　more　thickly；　and　the　wind　grew　toward　a　gale。

〃If　it's　going　to　be　a　storm；　I'd　better　lay　in　some　more　wood。〃

At　the　cost　of　great　pain　and　labour；　he　dragged　within　reach　of　the　cave　a　number　of　dead　trees。　　He　was　disgusted　to　find　his　stock　of　provisions　rather　low。

〃I　wish　I'd　eaten　less；〃　he　grumbled。　　〃If　I'm　in　for　a　three　days'　storm；　and　it　looks　like　that；　my　grub　will　run　out。　　I'll　have　a　cup　of　tea　to…night　and　save　the　grub　for　to…morrow。〃

As　he　was　busy　with　these　preparations；　a　sudden　darkness　fell　on　the　valley。　　A　strange　sound　like　a　muffled　roaring　came　up　the　ravine。　　In　a　single　minute　everything　was　blotted　out　before　him。　There　hung　down　before　his　eyes　a　white；　whirling；　blinding；　choking　mass　of　driving　snow。

〃By　Jove！　that's　a　corker　of　a　blizzard；　sure　enough！　　I'll　draw　my　fire　further　in。〃

He　seized　his　shovel　and　began　to　scrape　the　embers　of　his　fire　together。　　With　a　shout　he　dropped　his　shovel；　fell　on　his　knees；　and　gazed　into　the　fire。　　Under　the　heap　of　burning　wood　there　was　a　mass　of　glowing　coal。

〃Coal！〃　he　shouted；　rushing　to　the　front　of　the　cave。　　〃Coal！　Coal！　　Oh；　Jack！　　Dear　old　Jack！　　It's　coal！〃

Trembling　between　fear　and　hope；　he　broke　in　pieces　the　glowing　lumps；　rushed　back　to　the　seam；　gathered　more　of　the　black　stuff；　and　heaped　it　around　the　fire。　　Soon　his　doubts　were　all　at　rest。　The　black　lumps　were　soon　on　fire　and　blazed　up　with　a　blue　flame。　But　for　his　foot；　he　would　have　mounted　Jacob　and　ridden　straight　off　for　the　ranch　through　all　the　storm。

〃Let　her　snow！〃　he　cried；　gazing　into　the　whirling　mist　before　his　eyes。　　〃I've　got　the　stuff　that　beats　blizzards！〃

He　turned　to　his　tea　making；　now　pausing　to　examine　the　great　black　seam；　and　again　going　to　the　cave　entrance　to　whistle　for　his　dogs。　As　he　stood　listening　to　the　soft　whishing　roar　of　the　storm；　he　thought　he　heard　the　deep　bay　of　Queen's　voice。　　Holding　his　breath；　he　listened　again。　　In　the　pause　of　the　storm　he　heard；　and　distinctly　this　time；　that　deep　musical　note。

〃They're　digging　out　a　wolf；〃　he　said。　　〃They'll　get　tired　and　come　back　soon。〃

He　drank　his　tea；　struggled　down　the　steep　slope；　the　descent　made　more　difficult　by　the　covering　of　soft　snow　upon　it；　and　drew　another　pail　of　water　for　evening　use。　　Still　the　dogs　did　not　appear。　　He　went　to　the　cave's　mouth　again；　and　whistled　loud　and　long。　　This　time　quite　distinctly　he　caught　Queen's　long；　deep　bay；　and　following　that；　a　call　as　of　a　human　voice。

〃What？〃　he　said；　〃some　one　out　in　that　storm？〃

He　dropped　upon　his　knees；　put　his　hands　up　to　his　ears；　and　listened　intently　again。　　Once　more；　in　a　lull　of　the　gale；　he　heard　a　long；　clear　call。

〃Heavens　above！〃　he　cried；　〃a　woman's　voice！　　And　I　can't　make　a　hundred　yards　with　this　foot　of　mine。〃

He　knew　enough　of　blizzards　to　realize　the　extreme　danger　to　any　one　caught　in　those　blinding；　whirling　snow　clouds。

〃I　can't　stay　here；　and　I　can't　make　it　with　this　foot；　butyes　By　Jove！　Jacob　can；　though。〃

He　seized　his　saddle　and　struggled　out　into　the　storm。　　Three　paces　from　the　door　he　fell　headlong　into　a　soft　drift；　wrenching　his　foot　anew。　　Choking；　blinded；　and　almost　fainting　with　the　pain；　he　got　to　his　feet　once　more　and　fought　his　way　down　the　slope　to　where　he　knew　his　horse　must　be。

〃Jacob！〃　he　called；　〃where　are　you？〃

The　faithful　broncho　answered　with　a　glad　whinny。

〃All　right；　old　boy；　I'll　get　you。〃

In　a　few　minutes　he　was　on　the　broncho's　back　and　off　down　the　valley；　feeling　his　way　carefully　among　the　trees　and　over　stones　and　logs。　　As　he　went　on；　he　caught　now　and　then　Queen's　ringing　bugle…note；　and　as　often　as　he　caught　it　he　answered　with　a　loud　〃Halloo！〃　　It　was　with　the　utmost　difficulty　that　he　could　keep　Jacob's　head　toward　the　storm。　　Yard　by　yard　he　pressed　his　way　against　the　gale；　holding　his　direction　by　means　of　the　flowing　stream。　　Nearer　and　nearer　sounded　the　cry　of　the　hound；　till　in　answer　to　his　shouting　he　heard　a　voice　call　loud　and　clear。　　The　valley　grew　wider；　the　timber　more　open；　and　his　progress　became　more　rapid。　　Soon；　through　the　drifting　mass；　he　caught　sight　of　two　white　moving　figures。　　The　dogs　bounded　toward　him。

〃Hello　there！〃　he　called。　　〃Here　you　are；　come　this　way。〃

He　urged　forward　his　horse　till　he　was　nearly　upon　them。

〃Oh；　Kalman！　　Kalman！　　I　knew　it　was　you！〃

In　an　instant　he　was　off　his　horse　and　at　her　side。

〃You！　　You！〃　he　shouted　aloud　above　the　howling　gale。　　〃Marjorie！　Marjorie！〃　　He　had　her　in　his　arms；　kissing　her　face　madly；　while　sobbing；　panting；　laughing；　she　sank　upon　his　breast。

〃Oh；　Kalman！　Kalman！〃　she　gasped。　　〃You　must　stop！　　You　must　stop！　Oh！　I　am　so　glad！　　You　must　stop！〃

〃God　in　Heaven！〃　shouted　the　man；　boy　no　longer。　　〃Who　can　stop　me？　How　can　I　stop？　　You　might　have　died　here　in　the　snow！〃

At　a　little　distance　the　other　figure　was　hanging　to　a　tree；　evidently　near　to　exhaustion。

〃Oh；　Kalman；　we　were　fair　done　when　the　dogs　came；　and　then　I　wouldn't　stop；　for　I　knew　you　were　near。　　But　my！　my！　you　were　so　long！〃

The　boy　still　held　her　in　his　arms。

〃I　say；　young　man；　what　the　deuce　are　we　going　to　do？　　I'm　played　out。　　I　cawn't　move　a　blawsted　foot。〃

The　voice　recalled　Kalman　from　heaven　to　earth。　　He　turned　to　the　speaker　and　made　out　Mr。　Edgar　Penny。

〃Do！〃　cried　Kalman。　　〃Why；　make　for　my　camp。　　Come　along。　　It's　up　stream　a　little　distance；　and　we　can　feel　our　way。　　Climb　up；　Marjorie。〃

〃Can　I？〃

〃Yes；　at　once；〃　said　Ka