the man of the forest-第19章

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think。〃

〃It's　so　pretty　　here；〃　yawned　Bo。　　〃I'd　just　as　lief　Uncle
Al　didn't　find　us　very　soon。〃

〃Bo！　　He's　a　sick　man。　　Think　what　the　worry　will　be　to　him。〃

〃I'll　bet　if　he　knows　Dale　he　won't　be　so　worried。〃

〃Dale　told　us　Uncle　Al　disliked　him。〃

〃Pooh！　　What　difference　does　that　make？　　。　。　。　　Oh；　I　don't
know　which　I　am　　hungrier　or　tireder！〃

〃I　couldn't　eat　to…night；〃　said　Helen；　wearily。

When　she　stretched　out　she　had　a　vague；　delicious　sensation
that　that　was　the　end　of　Helen　Rayner；　and　she　was　glad。
Above　her；　through　the　lacy；　fernlike　pine…needles；　she　saw
blue　sky　and　a　pale　star　just　showing。　　Twilight　was　stealing
down　swiftly。　　The　silence　was　beautiful；　seemingly
undisturbed　by　the　soft；　silky；　dreamy　fall　of　water。　　Helen
closed　her　eyes；　ready　for　sleep；　with　the　physical
commotion　within　her　body　gradually　yielding。　　In　some　places
her　bones　felt　as　if　they　had　come　out　through　her　flesh；　in
others　throbbed　deep…seated　aches；　her　muscles　appeared
slowly　to　subside；　to　relax；　with　the　quivering　twinges
ceasing　one　by　one；　through　muscle　and　bone；　through　all　her
body；　pulsed　a　burning　current。

Bo's　head　dropped　on　Helen's　shoulder。　　Sense　became　vague　to
Helen。　　She　lost　the　low　murmur　of　the　waterfall；　and　then
the　sound　or　feeling　of　some　one　at　the　campfire。　　And　her
last　conscious　thought　was　that　she　tried　to　open　her　eyes
and　could　not。

When　she　awoke　all　was　bright。　　The　sun　shone　almost　directly
overhead。　　Helen　was　astounded。　　Bo　lay　wrapped　in　deep　sleep；
her　face　flushed；　with　beads　of　perspiration　on　her　brow　and
the　chestnut　curls　damp。　　Helen　threw　down　the　blankets；　and
then；　gathering　courage　　for　she　felt　as　if　her　back　was
broken　　she　endeavored　to　sit　up。　　In　vain！　　Her　spirit　was
willing；　but　her　muscles　refused　to　act。　　It　must　take　a
violent　spasmodic　effort。　　She　tried　it　with　shut　eyes；　and；
succeeding；　sat　there　trembling。　　The　commotion　she　had　made
in　the　blankets　awoke　Bo；　and　she　blinked　her　surprised　blue
eyes　in　the　sunlight。

〃Hello　　Nell！　　do　I　have　to　　get　up？〃　she　asked；
sleepily。

〃Can　you？〃　queried　Helen。

〃Can　I　what？〃　Bo　was　now　thoroughly　awake　and　lay　there
staring　at　her　sister。

〃Why　　get　up。〃

〃I'd　like　to　know　why　not；〃　retorted　Bo；　as　she　made　the
effort。　　She　got　one　arm　and　shoulder　up；　only　to　flop　back
like　a　crippled　thing。　　And　she　uttered　the　most　piteous
little　moan。　　〃I'm　dead！　　I　know　　I　am！〃

〃Well；　if　you're　going　to　be　a　Western　girl　you'd　better
have　spunk　enough　to　move。〃

〃A…huh！〃　ejaculated　Bo。　　Then　she　rolled　over；　not　without
groans；　and；　once　upon　her　face；　she　raised　herself　on　her
hands　and　turned　to　a　sitting　posture。　　〃Where's　everybody？　　。
。　。　　Oh；　Nell；　it's　perfectly　lovely　here。　　Paradise！〃

Helen　looked　around。　　A　fire　was　smoldering。　　No　one　was　in
sight。　　Wonderful　distant　colors　seemed　to　strike　her　glance
as　she　tried　to　fix　it　upon　near…by　objects。　　A　beautiful
little　green　tent　or　shack　had　been　erected　out　of　spruce
boughs。　　It　had　a　slanting　roof　that　sloped　all　the　way　from
a　ridge…pole　to　the　ground；　half　of　the　opening　in　front　was
closed；　as　were　the　sides。　　The　spruce　boughs　appeared　all　to
be　laid　in　the　same　direction；　giving　it　a　smooth；　compact
appearance；　actually　as　if　it　had　grown　there。

〃That　lean…to　wasn't　there　last　night？〃　inquired　Bo。

〃I　didn't　see　it。　　Lean…to？　　Where'd　you　get　that　name？〃

〃It's　Western；　my　dear。　　I'll　bet　they　put　it　up　for　us。　。　。
。　　Sure；　I　see　our　bags　inside。　　Let's　get　up。　　It　must　be
late。〃

The　girls　had　considerable　fun　as　well　as　pain　in　getting　up
and　keeping　each　other　erect　until　their　limbs　would　hold
them　firmly。　　They　were　delighted　with　the　spruce　lean…to。　　It
faced　the　open　and　stood　just　under　the　wide…spreading　shelf
of　rock。　　The　tiny　outlet　from　the　spring　flowed　beside　it
and　spilled　its　clear　water　over　a　stone；　to　fall　into　a
little　pool。　　The　floor　of　this　woodland　habitation　consisted
of　tips　of　spruce　boughs　to　about　a　foot　in　depth；　all　laid
one　way；　smooth　and　springy；　and　so　sweetly　odorous　that　the
air　seemed　intoxicating。　　Helen　and　Bo　opened　their　baggage；
and　what　with　use　of　the　cold　water；　brush　and　comb；　and
clean　blouses；　they　made　themselves　feel　as　comfortable　as
possible；　considering　the　excruciating　aches。　　Then　they　went
out　to　the　campfire。

Helen's　eye　was　attracted　by　moving　objects　near　at　hand。
Then　simultaneously　with　Bo's　cry　of　delight　Helen　saw　a
beautiful　doe　approaching　under　the　trees。　　Dale　walked
beside　it。

〃You　sure　had　a　long　sleep；〃　was　the　hunter's　greeting。　　〃I
reckon　you　both　look　better。〃

〃Good　morning。　　Or　is　it　afternoon？　　We're　just　able　to　move
about；〃　said　Helen。

〃I　could　ride；〃　declared　Bo；　stoutly。　　〃Oh；　Nell；　look　at　the
deer！　　It's　coming　to　me。〃

The　doe　had　hung　back　a　little　as　Dale　reached　the
camp…fire。　　It　was　a　gray；　slender　creature；　smooth　as　silk；
with　great　dark　eyes。　　It　stood　a　moment；　long　ears　erect；
and　then　with　a　graceful　little　trot　came　up　to　Bo　and
reached　a　slim　nose　for　her　outstretched　hand。　　All　about　it；
except　the　beautiful　soft　eyes；　seemed　wild；　and　yet　it　was
as　tame　as　a　kitten。　　Then；　suddenly；　as　Bo　fondled　the　long
ears；　it　gave　a　start　and；　breaking　away；　ran　back　out　of
sight　under　the　pines。

〃What　frightened　it？〃　asked　Bo。

Dale　pointed　up　at　the　wall　under　the　shelving　roof　of　rock。
There；　twenty　feet　from　the　ground；　curled　up　on　a　ledge；
lay　a　huge　tawny　animal　with　a　face　like　that　of　a　cat。

〃She's　afraid　of　Tom；〃　replied　Dale。　　〃Recognizes　him　as　a
hereditary　foe；　I　guess。　　I　can't　make　friends　of　them。〃

〃Oh！　　So　that's　Tom　　the　pet　lion！〃　exclaimed　Bo。　　〃Ugh！　　No
wonder　that　deer　ran　off！〃

〃How　long　has　he　been　up　there？〃　queried　Helen；　gazing
fascinated　at　Dale's　famous　pet。

〃I　couldn't　say。　　Tom　comes　an'　goes；〃　replied　Dale。　　〃But　I
sent　him　up　there　last　night。〃

〃And　he　was　there　　perfectly　free　　right　over　us　
while　we　slept！〃　burst　out　Bo。

〃Yes。　　An'　I　reckon　you　slept　the　safer　for　that。〃

〃Of　all　things！　　Nell；　isn't　he　a　monster？　　But　he　doesn't
look　like　a　lion　　an　African　lion。　　He's　a　panther。　　I　saw
his　like　at　the　circus　once。〃

〃He's　a　cougar；〃　said　Dale。　　〃The　panther　is　long　and　slim。
Tom　is　not　only　long；　but　thick　an'　round。　　I've　had　him　four
years。　　An'　he　was　a　kitten　no　bigger　'n　my　fist　when　I　got
him。〃

〃Is　he　perfectly　tame　　safe？〃　asked　Helen；　anxiously。

〃I've　never　told　anybody　that　Tom　was　safe；　but　he　is；〃
replied　Dale。　　〃You　can　absolutely　believe　it。　　A　wild　cougar
wouldn't　attack　a　man　unless　cornered　or　starved。　　An'　Tom　is
like　a　big　kitten。〃

The　beast　raised　his　great　catlike　face；　with　its　sleepy；
half…shut　eyes；　and　looked　down　upon　them。

〃Shall　I　call　him　down？〃　inquired　Dale。

For　once　Bo　did　not　find　her　voice。

〃Let　us　　get　a　little　more　used　to　him　　at　a　distance；〃
replied　Helen；　with　a　little　laugh。

〃If　he　comes　to　you；　just　rub　his　head　an'　you'll　see　how
tame　he　is；〃　said　Dale。　　〃Reckon　you're　both　hungry？〃

〃Not　so　very；〃　returned　Helen；　aware　of　his　penetrating　gray
gaze　upon　her。

〃Well；　I　am；〃　vouchsafed　Bo。

〃Soon　as　the　turkey's　done　we'll　eat。　　My　camp　is　round
between　the　rocks。　　I'll　call　you。〃

Not　until　his　broad　back　was　turned　did　Helen　notice　that
the　hunter　looked　different。　　Then　she　saw　he　wore　a　lighter；
cleaner　suit　of　buckskin；　with　no　coat；　and　instead　of　the
high…heeled　horseman's　boots　he　wore　moccasins　and　leggings。
The　change　made　him　appear　more　lithe。

〃Nell；　I　don't　know　what　you　think；　but　_I_　call　him
handsome；〃　declared　Bo。

Helen　had　no　idea　what　she　thought。

〃Let's　try　to　walk　some；〃　she　suggested。

So　they　essayed　that　painful　task　and　got　as　far　as　a　pine
log　some　few　rods　from　their　camp。　　This　point　was　close　to
the　edge　of　the　park；　from　which　there　was　an　unobstructed
view。

〃My！　　What　a　place！〃　exclaimed　Bo；　with　eyes　wide　and　round。

〃Oh；　beautiful！〃　breathed　Helen。

An　unexpected　blaze　of　color　drew　her　gaze　first。　　Out　of　the
black　spruce　slopes　shone　patches　of　aspens；　gloriously　red
and　gold；　and　low　down　along　the　edge　of　timber　troops　of
aspens　ran　out　into　the　park；　not　yet　so　blazing　as　those
above；　but　purple　and　yellow　and　white　in　the　sunshine。
Masses　of　silver　spruce；　like　trees　in　moonlight；　bordered
the　park；　sending　out　here　and　there　an　isolated　tree；　sharp
as　a　spear；　with　under…branches　close　to　the　ground。　　Long
golden…green　grass；　resembling　half…ripe　wheat；　covered　the
entire　floor　of　the　park；　gently　waving　to　the　wind。　　Above
sheered　the　black；　gold…patched　slopes；　steep　and
unscalable；　rising　to　buttresses　of　dark；　iron…hued　rock。
And　to　the　east　circled　the　rows　of　cliff…bench；　gray　and
old　and　fringed；　splitting　at　the　top　in　the　notch　where　the
lacy；　slumberous　waterfall；　like　white　smoke；　fell　and
vanished；　to　reappear　in　wider　sheet　of　lace；　only　to　fall
and　vanish　again　in　the　green　depths。

It　was　a　verdant　valley；　deep…set　in　the　mountain　walls；
wild　and　sad　and　lonesome。　　The　waterfall　dominated　the
spirit　of　the　place；　dreamy　and　sleepy　and　tranquil；　it
murmured　sweetly　on　one　breath　of　wind；　and　lulled　with
another；　and　sometimes　died　out　altogether；　only　to　come
again　in　soft；　strange　roar。

〃Paradise　Park！〃　whispered　Bo　to　herself。

A　call　from　Dale　disturbed　their　raptures。　　Turning；　they
hobbled　with　eager　but　painful　steps　in　the　direction　of　a
larger　camp…fire；　situated　to　the　right　of　the　great　rock
that　sheltered　their　lean…to。　　No　hut　or　house　showed　there
and　none　was　needed。　　Hiding…places　and　homes　for　a　hundred
hunters　were　there　in　the　sections　of　caverned　cliffs；　split
off　in　bygone　ages　from　the　mountain　wall　above。　　A　few
stately　pines　stood　out　from　the　rocks；　and　a　clump　of
silver　spruce　ran　down　to　a　brown　brook。　　This　camp　was　only
a　step　from　the　lean…to；　round　the　corner　of　a　huge　rock；
yet　it　had　been　out　of　sight。　　Here　indeed　was　evidence　of　a
hunter's　home　　pelts　and　skins　and　antlers；　a　neat　pile　of
split　fire…wood；　a　long　ledge　of　rock；　well　sheltered；　and
loaded　with　bags　like　a　huge　pantry…shelf；　packs　and　ropes
and　saddles；　tools　and　weapons；　and　a　platform　of　dry　brush
as　shelter　for　a　fire　around　which　hung　on　poles　a　various
assortment　of　utensils　for　camp。

〃Hyar　　you　git！〃　shouted　Dale；　and　he　threw　a　stick　at
something。　　A　bear　cub　scampered　away　in　haste。　　He　was　small
and　woolly　and　brown；　and　he　grunted　as　he　ran。　　Soon　he
halted。

〃That's　Bud；〃　said　Dale；　as　the　girls　came　up。　　〃Guess　he
near　starved　in　my　absence。　　An'　now　he　wants　everythin'；
especially　the　sugar。　　We　don't　have　sugar　often　up　here。〃

〃Isn't　he　dear？　　Oh；　I　love　him！〃　cried　Bo。　　〃Come　back；　Bud。
Come；　Buddie。〃

The　cub；　however；　kept　his　distance；　watching　Dale　with
bright　little　eyes。

〃Where's　Mr。　　Roy？〃　asked　Helen。

〃Roy's　gone。　　He　was　sorry　not　to　say　good…by。　　But　it's
important　he　gets　down　in　the　pines　on　Anson's　trail。　　He'll
hang　to　Anson；　an'　in　case　they　get　near　Pine　he'll　ride　in
to　see　where　your　uncle　is。〃

〃What　do　you　expect？〃　questioned　Helen；　gravely。

〃'Most　anythin'；〃　he　replied。　　〃Al；　I　reckon；　knows　now。
Maybe　he's　rustlin'　into　the　mountains