the man of the forest-第14章

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that　it　made　her　flesh　creep　and　the　most　indescribable
sensations　of　loneliness　come　over　her　　she　kept　her
glance　upon　Dale。

〃You　love　him？〃　she　murmured　involuntarily；　quite　without
understanding　the　motive　of　her　query。

Assuredly　Dale　had　never　had　that　question　asked　of　him
before；　and　it　seemed　to　Helen；　as　he　pondered；　that　he　had
never　even　asked　it　of　himself。

〃I　reckon　so；〃　he　replied；　presently。

〃But　wolves　kill　deer；　and　little　fawns；　and　everything
helpless　in　the　forest；〃　expostulated　Bo。

The　hunter　nodded　his　head。

〃Why；　then；　can　you　love　him？〃　repeated　Helen。

〃Come　to　think　of　it；　I　reckon　it's　because　of　lots　of
reasons；〃　returned　Dale。　　〃He　kills　clean。　　He　eats　no
carrion。　　He's　no　coward。　　He　fights。　　He　dies　game。　。　。　。　　An'
he　likes　to　be　alone。〃

〃Kills　clean。　　What　do　you　mean　by　that？〃

〃A　cougar；　now；　he　mangles　a　deer。　　An'　a　silvertip；　when
killin'　a　cow　or　colt；　he　makes　a　mess　of　it。　　But　a　wolf
kills　clean；　with　sharp　snaps。〃

〃What　are　a　cougar　and　a　silvertip？〃

〃Cougar　means　mountain…lion　or　panther；　an'　a　silvertip　is　a
grizzly　bear。〃

〃Oh；　they're　all　cruel！〃　exclaimed　Helen；　shrinking。

〃I　reckon。　　Often　I've　shot　wolves　for　relayin'　a　deer。〃

〃What's　that？〃

〃Sometimes　two　or　more　wolves　will　run　a　deer；　an'　while　one
of　them　rests　the　other　will　drive　the　deer　around　to　his
pardner；　who'll；　take　up　the　chase。　　That　way　they　run　the
deer　down。　　Cruel　it　is；　but　nature；　an'　no　worse　than　snow
an'　ice　that　starve　deer；　or　a　fox　that　kills　turkey…chicks
breakin'　out　of　the　egg；　or　ravens　that　pick　the　eyes　out　of
new…born　lambs　an'　wait　till　they　die。　　An'　for　that　matter；
men　are　crueler　than　beasts　of　prey；　for　men　add　to　nature；
an'　have　more　than　instincts。〃

Helen　was　silenced；　as　well　as　shocked。　　She　had　not　only
learned　a　new　and　striking　viewpoint　in　natural　history；　but
a　clear　intimation　to　the　reason　why　she　had　vaguely
imagined　or　divined　a　remarkable　character　in　this　man。　　A
hunter　was　one　who　killed　animals　for　their　fur；　for　their
meat　or　horns；　or　for　some　lust　for　blood　　that　was
Helen's　definition　of　a　hunter；　and　she　believed　it　was　held
by　the　majority　of　people　living　in　settled　states。　　But　the
majority　might　be　wrong。　　A　hunter　might　be　vastly　different；
and　vastly　more　than　a　tracker　and　slayer　of　game。　　The
mountain　world　of　forest　was　a　mystery　to　almost　all　men。
Perhaps　Dale　knew　its　secrets；　its　life；　its　terror；　its
beauty；　its　sadness；　and　its　joy；　and　if　so；　how　full；　how
wonderful　must　be　his　mind！　　He　spoke　of　men　as　no　better
than　wolves。　　Could　a　lonely　life　in　the　wilderness　teach　a
man　that？　　Bitterness；　envy；　jealousy；　spite；　greed；　and　hate
　these　had　no　place　in　this　hunter's　heart。　　It　was　not
Helen's　shrewdness；　but　a　woman's　intuition；　which　divined
that。

Dale　rose　to　his　feet　and；　turning　his　ear　to　the　north；
listened　once　more。

〃Are　you　expecting　Roy　still？〃　inquired　Helen。

〃No；　it　ain't　likely　he'll　turn　up　to…night；〃　replied　Dale；
and　then　he　strode　over　to　put　a　hand　on　the　pine…tree　that
soared　above　where　the　girls　lay。　　His　action；　and　the　way　he
looked　up　at　the　tree…top　and　then　at　adjacent　trees；　held
more　of　that　significance　which　so　interested　Helen。

〃I　reckon　he's　stood　there　some　five　hundred　years　an'　will
stand　through　to…night；〃　muttered　Dale。

This　pine　was　the　monarch　of　that　wide…spread　group。

〃Listen　again；〃　said　Dale。

Bo　was　asleep。　　And　Helen；　listening；　at　once　caught　low；
distant　roar。

〃Wind。　　It's　goin'　to　storm；〃　explained　Dale。　　〃You'll　hear
somethin'　worth　while。　　But　don't　be　scared。　　Reckon　we'll　be
safe。　　Pines　blow　down　often。　　But　this　fellow　will　stand　any
fall　wind　that　ever　was。　。　。　。　　Better　slip　under　the
blankets　so　I　can　pull　the　tarp　up。〃

Helen　slid　down；　just　as　she　was；　fully　dressed　except　for
boots；　which　she　and　Bo　had　removed；　and　she　laid　her　head
close　to　Bo's。　　Dale　pulled　the　tarpaulin　up　and　folded　it
back　just　below　their　heads。

〃When　it　rains　you'll　wake；　an'　then　just　pull　the　tarp　up
over　you；〃　he　said。

〃Will　it　rain？〃　Helen　asked。　　But　she　was　thinking　that　this
moment　was　the　strangest　that　had　ever　happened　to　her。　　By
the　light　of　the　camp…fire　she　saw　Dale's　face；　just　as
usual；　still；　darkly　serene；　expressing　no　thought。　　He　was
kind；　but　he　was　not　thinking　of　these　sisters　as　girls；
alone　with　him　in　a　pitch…black　forest；　helpless　and
defenseless。　　He　did　not　seem　to　be　thinking　at　all。　　But
Helen　had　never　before　in　her　life　been　so　keenly
susceptible　to　experience。

〃I'll　be　close　by　an'　keep　the　fire　goin'　all　night；〃　he
said。

She　heard　him　stride　off　into　the　darkness。　　Presently　there
came　a　dragging；　bumping　sound；　then　a　crash　of　a　log
dropped　upon　the　fire。　　A　cloud　of　sparks　shot　up；　and　many
pattered　down　to　hiss　upon　the　damp　ground。　　Smoke　again
curled　upward　along　the　great；　seamed　tree…trunk；　and　flames
sputtered　and　crackled。

Helen　listened　again　for　the　roar　of　wind。　　It　seemed　to　come
on　a　breath　of　air　that　fanned　her　cheek　and　softly　blew
Bo's　curls；　and　it　was　stronger。　　But　it　died　out　presently；
only　to　come　again；　and　still　stronger。　　Helen　realized　then
that　the　sound　was　that　of　an　approaching　storm。　　Her　heavy
eyelids　almost　refused　to　stay　open；　and　she　knew　if　she　let
them　close　she　would　instantly　drop　to　sleep。　　And　she　wanted
to　hear　the　storm…wind　in　the　pines。

A　few　drops　of　cold　rain　fell　upon　her　face；　thrilling　her
with　the　proof　that　no　roof　stood　between　her　and　the
elements。　　Then　a　breeze　bore　the　smell　of　burnt　wood　into
her　face；　and　somehow　her　quick　mind　flew　to　girlhood　days
when　she　burned　brush　and　leaves　with　her　little　brothers。
The　memory　faded。　　The　roar　that　had　seemed　distant　was　now
back　in　the　forest；　coming　swiftly；　increasing　in　volume。
Like　a　stream　in　flood　it　bore　down。　　Helen　grew　amazed；
startled。　　How　rushing；　oncoming；　and　heavy　this　storm…wind！
She　likened　its　approach　to　the　tread　of　an　army。　　Then　the
roar　filled　the　forest；　yet　it　was　back　there　behind　her。
Not　a　pine…needle　quivered　in　the　light　of　the　camp…fire。
But　the　air　seemed　to　be　oppressed　with　a　terrible　charge。
The　roar　augmented　till　it　was　no　longer　a　roar；　but　an
on…sweeping　crash；　like　an　ocean　torrent　engulfing　the
earth。　　Bo　awoke　to　cling　to　Helen　with　fright。　　The　deafening
storm…blast　was　upon　them。　　Helen　felt　the　saddle…pillow　move
under　her　head。　　The　giant　pine　had　trembled　to　its　very
roots。　　That　mighty　fury　of　wind　was　all　aloft；　in　the
tree…tops。　　And　for　a　long　moment　it　bowed　the　forest　under
its　tremendous　power。　　Then　the　deafening　crash　passed　to
roar；　and　that　swept　on　and　on；　lessening　in　volume；
deepening　in　low　detonation；　at　last　to　die　in　the　distance。

No　sooner　had　it　died　than　back　to　the　north　another　low
roar　rose　and　ceased　and　rose　again。　　Helen　lay　there；
whispering　to　Bo；　and　heard　again　the　great　wave　of　wind
come　and　crash　and　cease。　　That　was　the　way　of　this
storm…wind　of　the　mountain　forest。

A　soft　patter　of　rain　on　the　tarpaulin　warned　Helen　to
remember　Dale's　directions；　and；　pulling　up　the　heavy
covering；　she　arranged　it　hoodlike　over　the　saddle。　　Then；
with　Bo　close　and　warm　beside　her；　she　closed　her　eyes；　and
the　sense　of　the　black　forest　and　the　wind　and　rain　faded。
Last　of　all　sensations　was　the　smell　of　smoke　that　blew
under　the　tarpaulin。


When　she　opened　her　eyes　she　remembered　everything；　as　if
only　a　moment　had　elapsed。　　But　it　was　daylight；　though　gray
and　cloudy。　　The　pines　were　dripping　mist。　　A　fire　crackled
cheerily　and　blue　smoke　curled　upward　and　a　savory　odor　of
hot　coffee　hung　in　the　air。　　Horses　were　standing　near　by；
biting　and　kicking　at　one　another。　　Bo　was　sound　asleep。　　Dale
appeared　busy　around　the　camp…fire。　　As　Helen　watched　the
hunter　she　saw　him　pause　in　his　task；　turn　his　ear　to
listen；　and　then　look　expectantly。　　And　at　that　juncture　a
shout　pealed　from　the　forest。　　Helen　recognized　Roy's　voice。
Then　she　heard　a　splashing　of　water；　and　hoof…beats　coming
closer。　　With　that　the　buckskin　mustang　trotted　into　camp；
carrying　Roy。

〃Bad　mornin'　for　ducks；　but　good　for　us；〃　he　called。

〃Howdy；　Roy！〃　greeted　Dale；　and　his　gladness　was
unmistakable。　　〃I　was　lookin'　for　you。〃

Roy　appeared　to　slide　off　the　mustang　without　effort；　and
his　swift　hands　slapped　the　straps　as　he　unsaddled。　　Buckskin
was　wet　with　sweat　and　foam　mixed　with　rain。　　He　heaved。　　And
steam　rose　from　him。

〃Must　have　rode　hard；〃　observed　Dale。

〃I　shore　did；〃　replied　Roy。　　Then　he　espied　Helen；　who　had
sat　up；　with　hands　to　her　hair；　and　eyes　staring　at　him。

〃Mornin'；　miss。　　It's　good　news。〃

〃Thank　Heaven！〃　murmured　Helen；　and　then　she　shook　Bo。　　That
young　lady　awoke；　but　was　loath　to　give　up　slumber。　　〃Bo！　　Bo！
Wake　up！　　Mr。　　Roy　is　back。〃

Whereupon　Bo　sat　up；　disheveled　and　sleepy…eyed。

〃Oh…h；　but　I　ache！〃　she　moaned。　　But　her　eyes　took　in　the
camp　scene　to　the　effect　that　she　added；　〃Is　breakfast
ready？〃

〃Almost。　　An'　flapjacks　this　mornin'；〃　replied　Dale。

Bo　manifested　active　symptoms　of　health　in　the　manner　with
which　she　laced　her　boots。　　Helen　got　their　traveling…bag；
and　with　this　they　repaired　to　a　flat　stone　beside　the
spring；　not；　however；　out　of　earshot　of　the　men。

〃How　long　are　you　goin'　to　hang　around　camp　before　tellin'
me？〃　inquired　Dale。

〃Jest　as　I　figgered；　Milt；〃　replied　Roy。　　〃Thet　rider　who
passed　you　was　a　messenger　to　Anson。　　He　an'　his　gang　got　on
our　trail　quick。　　About　ten　o'clock　I　seen　them　comin'。　　Then
I　lit　out　for　the　woods。　　I　stayed　off　in　the　woods　close
enough　to　see　where　they　come　in。　　An'　shore　they　lost　your
trail。　　Then　they　spread　through　the　woods；　workin'　off　to
the　south；　thinkin'；　of　course；　thet　you　would　circle　round
to　Pine　on　the　south　side　of　Old　Baldy。　　There　ain't　a
hoss…tracker　in　Snake　Anson's　gang；　thet's　shore。　　Wal；　I
follered　them　for　an　hour　till　they'd　rustled　some　miles　off
our　trail。　　Then　I　went　back　to　where　you　struck　into　the
woods。　　An'　I　waited　there　all　afternoon　till　dark；　expectin'
mebbe　they'd　back…trail。　　But　they　didn't。　　I　rode　on　a　ways
an'　camped　in　the　woods　till　jest　before　daylight。〃

〃So　far　so　good；〃　declared　Dale。

〃Shore。　　There's　rough　country　south　of　Baldy　an'　along　the
two　or　three　trails　Anson　an'　his　outfit　will　camp；　you
bet。〃

〃It　ain't　to　be　thought　of；〃　muttered　Dale；　at　some　idea
that　had　struck　him。

〃What　ain't？〃

〃Goin'　round　the　north　side　of　Baldy。〃

〃It　shore　ain't；〃　rejoined　Roy；　bluntly。

〃Then　I've　got　to　hide　tracks　certain　　rustle　to　my　camp
an'　stay　there　till　you　say　it's　safe　to　risk　takin'　the
girls　to　Pine。〃

〃Milt；　you're　talkin'　the　wisdom　of　the　prophets。〃

〃I　ain't　so　sure　we　can　hide　tracks　altogether。　　If　Anson　had
any　eyes　for　the　woods　he'd　not　have　lost　me　so　soon。

〃No。　　But；　you　see；　he's　figgerin'　to　cross　your　trail。〃

〃If　I　could　get　fifteen　or　twenty　mile　farther　on　an'　hide
tracks　certain；　I'd　feel　safe　from　pursuit；　anyway；〃　said
the　hunter；　reflectively。

〃Shore　an'　easy；〃　responded　Roy；　quickly。　　〃I　jest　met　up
with　some　greaser　sheep…herders　drivin'　a　big　flock。　　They've
come　up　from　the　south　an'　are　goin'　t