the man of the forest-第15章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


with　some　greaser　sheep…herders　drivin'　a　big　flock。　　They've
come　up　from　the　south　an'　are　goin'　to　fatten　up　at　Turkey
Senacas。　　Then　they'll　drive　back　south　an'　go　on　to　Phenix。
Wal；　it's　muddy　weather。　　Now　you　break　camp　quick　an'　make　a
plain　trail　out　to　thet　sheep　trail；　as　if　you　was　travelin'
south。　　But；　instead；　you　ride　round　ahead　of　thet　flock　of
sheep。　　They'll　keep　to　the　open　parks　an'　the　trails　through
them　necks　of　woods　out　here。　　An'；　passin'　over　your　tracks；
they'll　hide　'em。〃

〃But　supposin'　Anson　circles　an'　hits　this　camp？　　He'll　track
me　easy　out　to　that　sheep　trail。　　What　then？〃

〃Jest　what　you　want。　　Goin'　south　thet　sheep　trail　is
downhill　an'　muddy。　　It's　goin'　to　rain　hard。　　Your　tracks
would　get　washed　out　even　if　you　did　go　south。　　An'　Anson
would　keep　on　thet　way　till　he　was　clear　off　the　scent。
Leave　it　to　me；　Milt。　　You're　a　hunter。　　But　I'm　a
hoss…tracker。〃

〃All　right。　　We'll　rustle。〃

Then　he　called　the　girls　to　hurry。



CHAPTER　VIII

Once　astride　the　horse　again；　Helen　had　to　congratulate
herself　upon　not　being　so　crippled　as　she　had　imagined。
Indeed；　Bo　made　all　the　audible　complaints。

Both　girls　had　long　water…proof　coats；　brand…new；　and　of
which　they　were　considerably　proud。　　New　clothes　had　not　been
a　common　event　in　their　lives。

〃Reckon　I'll　have　to　slit　these；〃　Dale　had　said；　whipping
out　a　huge　knife。

〃What　for？〃　had　been　Bo's　feeble　protest。

〃They　wasn't　made　for　ridin'。　　An'　you'll　get　wet　enough　even
if　I　do　cut　them。　　An'　if　I　don't；　you'll　get　soaked。〃

〃Go　ahead；〃　had　been　Helen's　reluctant　permission。

So　their　long　new　coats　were　slit　half…way　up　the　back。　　The
exigency　of　the　case　was　manifest　to　Helen；　when　she　saw　how
they　came　down　over　the　cantles　of　the　saddles　and　to　their
boot…tops。

The　morning　was　gray　and　cold。　　A　fine；　misty　rain　fell　and
the　trees　dripped　steadily。　　Helen　was　surprised　to　see　the
open　country　again　and　that　apparently　they　were　to　leave
the　forest　behind　for　a　while。　　The　country　was　wide　and　flat
on　the　right；　and　to　the　left　it　rolled　and　heaved　along　a
black；　scalloped　timber…line。　　Above　this　bordering　of　the
forest　low；　drifting　clouds　obscured　the　mountains。　　The　wind
was　at　Helen's　back　and　seemed　to　be　growing　stronger。　　Dale
and　Roy　were　ahead；　traveling　at　a　good　trot；　with　the
pack…animals　bunched　before　them。　　Helen　and　Bo　had　enough　to
do　to　keep　up。

The　first　hour's　ride　brought　little　change　in　weather　or
scenery；　but　it　gave　Helen　an　inkling　of　what　she　must
endure　if　they　kept　that　up　all　day。　　She　began　to　welcome
the　places　where　the　horses　walked；　but　she　disliked　the
levels。　　As　for　the　descents；　she　hated　those。　　Ranger　would
not　go　down　slowly　and　the　shake…up　she　received　was
unpleasant。　　Moreover；　the　spirited　black　horse　insisted　on
jumping　the　ditches　and　washes。　　He　sailed　over　them　like　a
bird。　　Helen　could　not　acquire　the　knack　of　sitting　the
saddle　properly；　and　so；　not　only　was　her　person　bruised　on
these　occasions；　but　her　feelings　were　hurt。　　Helen　had　never
before　been　conscious　of　vanity。　　Still；　she　had　never
rejoiced　in　looking　at　a　disadvantage；　and　her　exhibitions
here　must　have　been　frightful。　　Bo　always　would　forge　to　the
front；　and　she　seldom　looked　back；　for　which　Helen　was
grateful。

Before　long　they　struck　into　a　broad；　muddy　belt；　full　of
innumerable　small　hoof　tracks。　　This；　then；　was　the　sheep
trail　Roy　had　advised　following。　　They　rode　on　it　for　three
or　four　miles；　and　at　length；　coming　to　a　gray…green　valley；
they　saw　a　huge　flock　of　sheep。　　Soon　the　air　was　full　of
bleats　and　baas　as　well　as　the　odor　of　sheep；　and　a　low；
soft　roar　of　pattering　hoofs。　　The　flock　held　a　compact
formation；　covering　several　acres；　and　grazed　along　rapidly。
There　were　three　herders　on　horses　and。　　several　pack…burros。
Dale　engaged　one　of　the　Mexicans　in　conversation；　and　passed
something　to　him；　then　pointed　northward　and　down　along　the
trail。　　The　Mexican　grinned　from　ear　to　ear；　and　Helen　caught
the　quick　〃SI；　SENYOR！　　GRACIAS；　SENYOR！〃　It　was　a　pretty
sight；　that　flock　of　sheep；　as　it　rolled　along　like　a
rounded　woolly　stream　of　grays　and　browns　and　here　and　there
a　black。　　They　were　keeping　to　a　trail　over　the　flats。　　Dale
headed　into　this　trail　and；　if　anything；　trotted　a　little
faster。

Presently　the　clouds　lifted　and　broke；　showing　blue　sky　and
one　streak　of　sunshine。　　But　the　augury　was　without　warrant。
The　wind　increased。　　A　huge　black　pall　bore　down　from　the
mountains　and　it　brought　rain　that　could　be　seen　falling　in
sheets　from　above　and　approaching　like　a　swiftly　moving
wall。　　Soon　it　enveloped　the　fugitives。

With　head　bowed；　Helen　rode　along　for　what　seemed　ages　in　a
cold；　gray　rain　that　blew　almost　on　a　level。　　Finally　the
heavy　downpour　passed；　leaving　a　fine　mist。　　The　clouds
scurried　low　and　dark；　hiding　the　mountains　altogether　and
making　the　gray；　wet　plain　a　dreary　sight。　　Helen's　feet　and
knees　were　as　wet　as　if　she　had　waded　in　water。　　And　they
were　cold。　　Her　gloves；　too；　had　not　been　intended　for　rain；
and　they　were　wet　through。　　The　cold　bit　at　her　fingers　so
that　she　had　to　beat　her　hands　together。　　Ranger
misunderstood　this　to　mean　that　he　was　to　trot　faster；　which
event　was　worse　for　Helen　than　freezing。

She　saw　another　black；　scudding　mass　of　clouds　bearing　down
with　its　trailing　sheets　of　rain；　and　this　one　appeared
streaked　with　white。　　Snow！　　The　wind　was　now　piercingly　cold。
Helen's　body　kept　warm；　but　her　extremities　and　ears　began
to　suffer　exceedingly。　　She　gazed　ahead　grimly。　　There　was　no
help；　she　had　to　go　on。　　Dale　and　Roy　were　hunched　down　in
their　saddles；　probably　wet　through；　for　they　wore　no
rain…proof　coats。　　Bo　kept　close　behind　them；　and　plain　it
was　that　she　felt　the　cold。

This　second　storm　was　not　so　bad　as　the　first；　because　there
was　less　rain。　　Still；　the　icy　keenness　of　the　wind　bit　into
the　marrow。　　It　lasted　for　an　hour；　during　which　the　horses
trotted　on；　trotted　on。　　Again　the　gray　torrent　roared　away；
the　fine　mist　blew；　the　clouds　lifted　and　separated；　and；
closing　again；　darkened　for　another　onslaught。　　This　one
brought　sleet。　　The　driving　pellets　stung　Helen's　neck　and
cheeks；　and　for　a　while　they　fell　so　thick　and　so　hard　upon
her　back　that　she　was　afraid　she　could　not　hold　up　under
them。　　The　bare　places　on　the　ground　showed　a　sparkling
coverlet　of　marbles　of　ice。

Thus；　storm　after　storm　rolled　over　Helen's　head。　　Her　feet
grew　numb　and　ceased　to　hurt。　　But　her　fingers；　because　of
her　ceaseless　efforts　to　keep　up　the　circulation；　retained
the　stinging　pain。　　And　now　the　wind　pierced　right　through
her。　　She　marveled　at　her　endurance；　and　there　were　many
times　that　she　believed　she　could　not　ride　farther。　　Yet　she
kept　on。　　All　the　winters　she　had　ever　lived　had　not　brought
such　a　day　as　this。　　Hard　and　cold；　wet　and　windy；　at　an
increasing　elevation　　that　was　the　explanation。　　The　air
did　not　have　sufficient　oxygen　for　her　blood。

Still；　during　all　those　interminable　hours；　Helen　watched
where　she　was　traveling；　and　if　she　ever　returned　over　that
trail　she　would　recognize　it。　　The　afternoon　appeared　far
advanced　when　Dale　and　Roy　led　down　into　an　immense　basin
where　a　reedy　lake　spread　over　the　flats。　　They　rode　along
its　margin；　splashing　up　to　the　knees　of　the　horses。　　Cranes
and　herons　flew　on　with　lumbering　motion；　flocks　of　ducks
winged　swift　flight　from　one　side　to　the　other。　　Beyond　this
depression　the　land　sloped　rather　abruptly；　outcroppings　of
rock　circled　along　the　edge　of　the　highest　ground；　and　again
a　dark　fringe　of　trees　appeared。

How　many　miles！　　wondered　Helen。　　They　seemed　as　many　and　as
long　as　the　hours。　　But　at　last；　just　as　another　hard　rain
came；　the　pines　were　reached。　　They　proved　to　be　widely
scattered　and　afforded　little　protection　from　the　storm。

Helen　sat　her　saddle；　a　dead　weight。　　Whenever　Ranger
quickened　his　gait　or　crossed　a　ditch　she　held　on　to　the
pommel　to　keep　from　falling　off。　　Her　mind　harbored　only
sensations　of　misery；　and　a　persistent　thought　　why　did
she　ever　leave　home　for　the　West？　　Her　solicitude　for　Bo　had
been　forgotten。　　Nevertheless；　any　marked　change　in　the
topography　of　the　country　was　registered；　perhaps
photographed　on　her　memory　by　the　torturing　vividness　of　her
experience。

The　forest　grew　more　level　and　denser。　　Shadows　of　twilight
or　gloom　lay　under　the　trees。　　Presently　Dale　and　Roy；
disappeared；　going　downhill；　and　likewise　Bo。　　Then　Helen's
ears　suddenly　filled　with　a　roar　of　rapid　water。　　Ranger
trotted　faster。　　Soon　Helen　came　to　the　edge　of　a　great
valley；　black　and　gray；　so　full　of　obscurity　that　she　could
not　see　across　or　down　into　it。　　But　she　knew　there　was　a
rushing　river　at　the　bottom。　　The　sound　was　deep；　continuous；
a　heavy；　murmuring　roar；　singularly　musical。　　The　trail　was
steep。　　Helen　had　not　lost　all　feeling；　as　she　had　believed
and　hoped。　　Her　poor；　mistreated　body　still　responded
excruciatingly　to　concussions；　jars；　wrenches；　and　all　the
other　horrible　movements　making　up　a　horse…trot。

For　long　Helen　did　not　look　up。　　When　she　did　so　there　lay　a
green；　willow…bordered；　treeless　space　at　the　bottom　of　the
valley；　through　which　a　brown…white　stream　rushed　with
steady；　ear…filling　roar。

Dale　and　Roy　drove　the　pack…animals　across　the　stream；　and
followed；　going　deep　to　the　flanks　of　their　horses。　　Bo　rode
into　the　foaming　water　as　if　she　had　been　used　to　it　all　her
days。　　A　slip；　a　fall；　would　have　meant　that　Bo　must　drown　in
that　mountain　torrent。

Ranger　trotted　straight　to　the　edge；　and　there；　obedient　to
Helen's　clutch　on　the　bridle；　he　halted。　　The　stream　was
fifty　feet　wide；　shallow　on　the　near　side；　deep　on　the
opposite；　with　fast　current　and　big　waves。　　Helen　was　simply
too　frightened　to　follow。

〃Let　him　come！〃　yelled　Dale。　　〃Stick　on　now！　　。　。　。　　Ranger！〃

The　big　black　plunged　in；　making　the　water　fly。　　That　stream
was　nothing　for　him；　though　it　seemed　impassable　to　Helen。
She　had　not　the　strength　left　to　lift　her　stirrups　and　the
water　surged　over　them。　　Ranger；　in　two　more　plunges；
surmounted　the　bank；　and　then；　trotting　across　the　green　to
where　the　other　horses　stood　steaming　under　some　pines；　he
gave　a　great　heave　and　halted。

Roy　reached　up　to　help　her　off。

〃Thirty　miles；　Miss　Helen；〃　he　said；　and　the　way　he　spoke
was　a　compliment。

He　had　to　lift　her　off　and　help　her　to　the　tree　where　Bo
leaned。　　Dale　had　ripped　off　a　saddle　and　was　spreading
saddle…blankets　on　the　ground　under　the　pine。

〃Nell　　you　swore　　you　loved　me！〃　was　Bo's　mournful
greeting。　　The　girl　was　pale；　drawn；　blue…lipped；　and　she
could　not　stand　up。

〃Bo；　I　never　did　　or　I'd　never　have　brought　you　to　this　
wretch　that　I　am！〃　cried　Helen。　　〃Oh；　what　a　horrible　ride！〃

Rain　was　falling；　the　trees　were　dripping；　the　sky　was
lowering。　　All　the　ground　was　soaking　wet；　with　pools　and
puddles　everywhere。　　Helen　could　imagine　nothing　but　a
heartless；　dreary；　cold　prospect。　　Just　then　home　was　vivid
and　poignant　in　her　thoughts。　　Indeed；　so　utterly　miserable
was　she　that　the　exquisite　relief　of　sitting　down；　of　a
cessation　of　movement；　of　a　release　from　that　infer