the man of the forest-第38章

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〃You　mean　my　friends　　my　men　would　confront　Beasley　
refuse　his　demands　　and　if　necessary　fight　him　off？〃

〃I　shore　do；〃　replied　Roy。

〃But　suppose　you're　not　all　here？　　Beasley　would　be　smart
enough　to　choose　an　opportune　time。　　Suppose　he　did　put　me
off　and　take　possession？　　What　then？〃

〃Then　it　'd　only　be　a　matter　of　how　soon　Dale　or　Carmichael
　or　I　　got　to　Beasley。〃

〃Roy！　　I　feared　just　that。　　It　haunts　me。　　Carmichael　asked　me
to　let　him　go　pick　a　fight　with　Beasley。　　Asked　me；　just　as
he　would　ask　me　about　his　work！　　I　was　shocked。　　And　now　you
say　Dale　　and　you　〃

Helen　choked　in　her　agitation。

〃Miss　Helen；　what　else　could　you　look　for？　　Las　Vegas　is　in
love　with　Miss　Bo。　　Shore　he　told　me　so。　　An'　Dale's　in　love
with　you！　　。　。　。　　Why；　you　couldn't　stop　them　any　more　'n　you
could　stop　the　wind　from　blowin'　down　a　pine；　when　it　got
ready。　。　。　。　　Now；　it's　some　different　with　me。　　I'm　a　Mormon
an'　I'm　married。　　But　I'm　Dale's　pard；　these　many　years。　　An'
I　care　a　powerful　sight　for　you　an'　Miss　Bo。　　So　I　reckon　I'd
draw　on　Beasley　the　first　chance　I　got。〃

Helen　strove　for　utterance；　but　it　was　denied　her。　　Roy's
simple　statement　of　Dale's　love　had　magnified　her　emotion　by
completely　changing　its　direction。　　She　forgot　what　she　had
felt　wretched　about。　　She　could　not　look　at　Roy。

〃Miss　Helen；　don't　feel　bad；〃　he　said；　kindly。　　〃Shore　you're
not　to　blame。　　Your　comin'　West　hasn't　made　any　difference　in
Beasley's　fate；　except　mebbe　to　hurry　it　a　little。　　My　dad　is
old；　an'　when　he　talks　it's　like　history。　　He　looks　back　on
happenin's。　　Wal；　it's　the　nature　of　happenin's　that　Beasley
passes　away　before　his　prime。　　Them　of　his　breed　don't　live
old　in　the　West。　。　。　。　　So　I　reckon　you　needn't　feel　bad　or
worry。　　you've　got　friends。〃

Helen　incoherently　thanked　him；　and；　forgetting　her　usual
round　of　corrals　and　stables；　she　hurried　back　toward　the
house；　deeply　stirred；　throbbing　and　dim…eyed；　with　a
feeling　she　could　not　control。　　Roy　Beeman　had　made　a
statement　that　had　upset　her　equilibrium。　　It　seemed　simple
and　natural；　yet　momentous　and　staggering。　　To　hear　that　Dale
loved　her　　to　hear　it　spoken　frankly；　earnestly；　by　Dale's
best　friend；　was　strange；　sweet；　terrifying。　　But　was　it
true？　　Her　own　consciousness　had　admitted　it。　　Yet　that　was
vastly　different　from　a　man's　open　statement。　　No　longer　was
it　a　dear　dream；　a　secret　that　seemed　hers　alone。　　How　she
had　lived　on　that　secret　hidden　deep　in　her　breast！

Something　burned　the　dimness　from　her　eyes　as　she　looked
toward　the　mountains　and　her　sight　became　clear；　telescopic
with　its　intensity。　　Magnificently　the　mountains　loomed。
Black　inroads　and　patches　on　the　slopes　showed　where　a　few
days　back　all　bad　been　white。　　The　snow　was　melting　fast。
Dale　would　soon　be　free　to　ride　down　to　Pine。　　And　that　was
an　event　Helen　prayed　for；　yet　feared　as　she　had　never
feared　anything。


The　noonday　dinner…bell　startled　Helen　from　a　reverie　that
was　a　pleasant　aftermath　of　her　unrestraint。　　How　the　hours
had　flown！　　This　morning　at　least　must　be　credited　to
indolence。

Bo　was　not　in　the　dining…room；　nor　in　her　own　room；　nor　was
she　in　sight　from　window　or　door。　　This　absence　had　occurred
before；　but　not　particularly　to　disturb　Helen。　　In　this
instance；　however；　she　grew　worried。　　Her　nerves　presaged
strain。　　There　was　an　overcharge　of　sensibility　in　her
feelings　or　a　strange　pressure　in　the　very　atmosphere。　　She
ate　dinner　alone；　looking　her　apprehension；　which　was　not
mitigated　by　the　expressive　fears　of　old　Maria；　the　Mexican
woman　who　served　her。

After　dinner　she　sent　word　to　Roy　and　Carmichael　that　they
had　better　ride　out　to　look　for　Bo。　　Then　Helen　applied
herself　resolutely　to　her　books　until　a　rapid　clatter　of
hoofs　out　in　the　court　caused　her　to　jump　up　and　hurry　to
the　porch。　　Roy　was　riding　in。

〃Did　you　find　her？〃　queried　Helen；　hurriedly。

〃Wasn't　no　track　or　sign　of　her　up　the　north　range；〃　replied
Roy；　as　he　dismounted　and　threw　his　bridle。　　〃An'　I　was
ridin'　back　to　take　up　her　tracks　from　the　corral　an'　trail
her。　　But　I　seen　Las　Vegas　comin'　an'　he　waved　his　sombrero。
He　was　comin'　up　from　the　south。　　There　he　is　now。〃

Carmichael　appeared　swinging　into　the　lane。　　He　was　mounted
on　Helen's　big　black　Ranger；　and　he　made　the　dust　fly。

〃Wal；　he's　seen　her；　thet's　shore；〃　vouchsafed　Roy；　with
relief；　as　Carmichael　rode　up。

〃Miss　Neil；　she's　comin'；〃　said　the　cowboy；　as　he　reined　in
and　slid　down　with　his　graceful　single　motion。　　Then　in　a
violent　action；　characteristic　of　him；　he　slammed　his
sombrero　down　on　the　porch　and　threw　up　both　arms。　　〃I've　a
hunch　it's　come　off！〃

〃Oh；　what？〃　exclaimed　Helen。

〃Now；　Las　Vegas；　talk　sense；〃　expostulated　Roy。　　〃Miss　Helen
is　shore　nervous　to…day。　　Has　anythin'　happened？〃

〃I　reckon；　but　I　don't　know　what；〃　replied　Carmichael；
drawing　a；　long　breath。　　〃Folks；　I　must　be　gettin'　old。　　For　I
shore　felt　orful　queer　till　I　seen　Bo。　　She　was　ridin'　down
the　ridge　across　the　valley。　　Ridin'　some　fast；　too；　an'
she'll　be　here　right　off；　if　she　doesn't　stop　in　the
village。〃

〃Wal；　I　hear　her　comin'　now；〃　said　Roy。　　〃An'　　if　you　asked
me　I'd　say　she　WAS　ridin'　some　fast。〃

Helen　heard　the　light；　swift；　rhythmic　beat　of　hoofs；　and
then　out　on　the　curve　of　the　road　that　led　down　to　Pine　she
saw　Bo's　mustang；　white　with　lather；　coming　on　a　dead　run。

〃Las　Vegas；　do　you　see　any　Apaches？〃　asked　Roy；　quizzingly。

The　cowboy　made　no　reply；　but　he　strode　out　from　the　porch；
directly　in　front　of　the　mustang。　　Bo　was　pulling　hard　on　the
bridle；　and　had　him　slowing　down；　but　not　controlled。　　When
he　reached　the　house　it　could　easily　be　seen　that　Bo　had
pulled　him　to　the　limit　of　her　strength；　which　was　not
enough　to　halt　him。　　Carmichael　lunged　for　the　bridle　and；
seizing　it；　hauled　him　to　a　standstill。

At　close　sight　of　Bo　Helen　uttered　a　startled　cry。　　Bo　was
white；　her　sombrero　was　gone　and　her　hair　undone；　there　were
blood　and　dirt　on　her　face；　and　her　riding…suit　was　torn　and
muddy。　　She　had　evidently　sustained　a　fall。　　Roy　gazed　at　her
in　admiring　consternation；　but　Carmichael　never　looked　at
her　at　all。　　Apparently　he　was　examining　the　horse。　　〃Well；
help　me　off　　somebody；〃　cried　Bo；　peremptorily。　　Her　voice
was　weak；　but　not　her　spirit。

Roy　sprang　to　help　her　off；　and　when　she　was　down　it
developed　that　she　was　lame。

〃Oh；　Bo！　　You've　had　a　tumble；〃　exclaimed　Helen；　anxiously；
and　she　ran　to　assist　Roy。　　They　led　her　up　the　porch　and　to
the　door。　　There　she　turned　to　look　at　Carmichael；　who　was
still　examining　the　spent　mustang。

〃Tell　him　　to　come　in；〃　she　whispered。

〃Hey；　there；　Las　Vegas！〃　called　Roy。　　〃Rustle　hyar；　will
you？〃

When　Bo　had　been　led　into　the　sitting…room　and　seated　in　a
chair　Carmichael　entered。　　His　face　was　a　study；　as　slowly　he
walked　up　to　Bo。

〃Girl；　you　　ain't　hurt？〃　he　asked；　huskily。

〃It's　no　fault　of　yours　that　I'm　not　crippled　　or　dead　or
worse；〃　retorted　Bo。　　〃You　said　the　south　range　was　the　only
safe　ride　for　me。　　And　there　　I　　it　happened。〃

She　panted　a　little　and　her　bosom　heaved。　　One　of　her
gauntlets　was　gone；　and　the　bare　band；　that　was　bruised　and
bloody；　trembled　as　she　held　it　out。

〃Dear；　tell　us　　are　you　badly　hurt？〃　queried　Helen；　with
hurried　gentleness。

〃Not　much。　　I've　had　a　spill；〃　replied　Bo。　　〃But　oh！　　I'm　mad
　I'm　boiling！〃

She　looked　as　if　she　might　have　exaggerated　her　doubt　of
injuries；　but　certainly　she　had　not　overestimated　her　state
of　mind。　　Any　blaze　Helen　had　heretofore　seen　in　those　quick
eyes　was　tame　compared　to　this　one。　　It　actually　leaped。　　Bo
was　more　than　pretty　then。　　Manifestly　Roy　was　admiring　her
looks；　but　Carmichael　saw　beyond　her　charm。　　And　slowly　he
was　growing　pale。

〃I　rode　out　the　south　range　　as　I　was　told；〃　began　Bo；
breathing　hard　and　trying　to　control　her　feelings。　　〃That's
the　ride　you　usually　take；　Nell；　and　you　bet　　if　you'd
taken　it　to…day　　you'd　not　be　here　now。　。　。　。　　About　three
miles　out　I　climbed　off　the　range　up　that　cedar　slope。　　I
always　keep　to　high　ground。　　When　I　got　up　I　saw　two　horsemen
ride　out　of　some　broken　rocks　off　to　the　east。　　They　rode　as
if　to　come　between　me　and　home。　　I　didn't　like　that。　　I
circled　south。　　About　a　mile　farther　on　I　spied　another
horseman　and　he　showed　up　directly　in　front　of　me　and　came
along　slow。　　That　I　liked　still　less。　　It　might　have　been
accident；　but　it　looked　to　me　as　if　those　riders　had　some
intent。　　All　I　could　do　was　head　off　to　the　southeast　and
ride。　　You　bet　I　did　ride。　　But　I　got　into　rough　ground　where
I'd　never　been　before。　　It　was　slow　going。　　At　last　I　made　the
cedars　and　here　I　cut　loose；　believing　I　could　circle　ahead
of　those　strange　riders　and　come　round　through　Pine。　　I　had
it　wrong。〃

Here　she　hesitated；　perhaps　for　breath；　for　she　had　spoken
rapidly；　or　perhaps　to　get　better　hold　on　her　subject。　　Not
improbably　the　effect　she　was　creating　on　her　listeners
began　to　be　significant。　　Roy　sat　absorbed；　perfectly
motionless；　eyes　keen　as　steel；　his　mouth　open。　　Carmichael
was　gazing　over　Bo's　head；　out　of　the　window；　and　it　seemed
that　he　must　know　the　rest　of　her　narrative。　　Helen　knew　that
her　own　wide…eyed　attention　alone　would　have　been
all…compelling　inspiration　to　Bo　Rayner。

〃Sure　I　had　it　wrong；〃　resumed　Bo。　　〃Pretty　soon　heard　a
horse　behind。　　I　looked　back。　　I　saw　a　big　bay　riding　down　on
me。　　Oh；　but　he　was　running！　　He　just　tore　through　the　cedars。
。　。　。　　I　was　scared　half　out　of　my　senses。　　But　I　spurred　and
beat　my　mustang。　　Then　began　a　race！　　Rough　going　　thick
cedars　　washes　and　gullies　I　had　to　make　him　run　　to
keep　my　saddle　　to　pick　my　way。　　Oh…h…h！　　but　it　was
glorious！　　To　race　for　fun　　that's　one　thing；　to　race　for
your　life　is　another！　　My　heart　was　in　my　mouth　　choking
me。　　I　couldn't　have　yelled。　　I　was　as　cold　as　ice　　dizzy
sometimes　　blind　others　　then　my　stomach　turned　　and　I
couldn't　get　my　breath。　　Yet　the　wild　thrills　I　had！　　。　。　。
But　I　stuck　on　and　held　my　own　for　several　miles　　to　the
edge　of　the　cedars。　　There　the　big　horse　gained　on　me。　　He
came　pounding　closer　　perhaps　as　close　as　a　hundred　yards
　I　could　hear　him　plain　enough。　　Then　I　had　my　spill。　　Oh；
my　mustang　tripped　　threw　me　'way　over　his　head。　　I　hit
light；　but　slid　far　　and　that's　what　scraped　me　so。　　I　know
my　knee　is　raw。　。　。　。　　When　I　got　to　my　feet　the　big　horse
dashed　up；　throwing　gravel　all　over　me　　and　his　rider
jumped　off。　。　。　。　　Now　who　do　you　think　he　was？〃

Helen　knew；　but　she　did　not　voice　her　conviction。　　Carmichael
knew　positively；　yet　he　kept　silent。　　Roy　was　smiling；　as　if
the　narrative　told　did　not　seem　so　alarming　to　him。

〃Wal；　the　fact　of　you　bein'　here；　safe　an'　sound；　sorta
makes　no　difference　who　thet　son…of…a…gun　was；〃　he　said。

〃Riggs！　　Harve　Riggs！〃　blazed　Bo。　　〃The　instant　I　recognized
him　I　got　over　my　scare。　　And　so　mad　I　burned　all　through
like　fire。　　I　don't　know　what　I　said；　but　it　was　wild　　and
it　was　a　whole　lot；　you　bet。

〃You　sure　can　ride；'　he　said。

〃I　demanded　why　he　had　dared　to　chase　me；　and　he　said　he　had
an　important　message　for　Nell。　　This　was　it：　'Tell　your
sister　that　Beasley　means　to　put　her　off　an'　take　the　r