the man of the forest-第44章

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white　dots　set　in　green。

〃Look　there；〃　said　Dale；　pointing。

Some　miles　to　the　right　a　gray　escarpment　of　rock　cropped
out　of　the　slope；　forming　a　promontory；　and　from　it　a　thin；
pale　column　of　smoke　curled　upward　to　be　lost　from　sight　as
soon　as　it　had　no　background　of　green。

〃Thet's　your　smoke；　shore　enough；〃　replied　John；
thoughtfully。　　〃Now；　I　jest　wonder　who's　campin'　there。　　No
water　near　or　grass　for　hosses。〃

〃John；　that　point's　been　used　for　smoke　signals　many　a
time。〃

〃Was　jest　thinkin'　of　thet　same。　　Shall　we　ride　around　there
an'　take　a　peek？〃

〃No。　　But　we'll　remember　that。　　If　Beasley's　got　his　deep
scheme　goin'；　he'll　have　Snake　Anson's　gang　somewhere
close。〃

〃Roy　said　thet　same。　　Wal；　it's　some　three　hours　till
sundown。　　The　hosses　keep　up。　　I　reckon　I'm　fooled；　for　we'll
make　Pine　all　right。　　But　old　Tom　there；　he's　tired　or　lazy。〃

The　big　cougar　was　lying　down；　panting；　and　his　half…shut
eyes　were　on　Dale。

〃Tom's　only　lazy　an'　fat。　　He　could　travel　at　this　gait　for　a
week。　　But　let's　rest　a　half…hour　an'　watch　that　smoke　before
movin'　on。　　We　can　make　Pine　before　sundown。〃


When　travel　had　been　resumed；　half…way　down　the　slope　Dale's
sharp　eyes　caught　a　broad　track　where　shod　horses　had
passed；　climbing　in　a　long　slant　toward　the　promontory。　　He
dismounted　to　examine　it；　and　John；　coming　up；　proceeded
with　alacrity　to　get　off　and　do　likewise。　　Dale　made　his
deductions；　after　which　he　stood　in　a　brown　study　beside　his
horse；　waiting　for　John。

〃Wal；　what　'd　you　make　of　these　here　tracks？〃　asked　that
worthy。

〃Some　horses　an'　a　pony　went　along　here　yesterday；　an'
to…day　a　single　horse　made；　that　fresh　track。〃

〃Wal；　Milt；　for　a　hunter　you　ain't　so　bad　at　hoss　tracks；〃
observed　John；　〃But　how　many　hosses　went　yesterday　？〃

〃I　couldn't　make　out　　several　　maybe　four　or　five。〃

〃Six　hosses　an'　a　colt　or　little　mustang；　unshod；　to　be
strict…correct。　　Wal；　supposin'　they　did。　　What　's　it　mean　to
us？〃

〃I　don't　know　as　I'd　thought　anythin'　unusual；　if　it　hadn't
been　for　that　smoke　we　saw　off　the　rim；　an'　then　this　here
fresh　track　made　along　to…day。　　Looks　queer　to　me。〃

〃Wish　Roy　was　here；〃　replied　John；　scratching　his　head。
〃Milt；　I've　a　hunch；　if　he　was；　he'd　foller　them　tracks。〃

〃Maybe。　　But　we　haven't　time　for　that。　　We　can　backtrail　them；
though；　if　they　keep　clear　as　they　are　here。　　An'　we'll　not
lose　any　time；　either。〃

That　broad　track　led　straight　toward　Pine；　down　to　the　edge
of　the　cedars；　where；　amid　some　jagged　rocks；　evidences
showed　that　men　had　camped　there　for　days。　　Here　it　ended　as
a　broad　trail。　　But　from　the　north　came　the　single　fresh
track　made　that　very　day；　and　from　the　east；　more　in　a　line
with　Pine；　came　two　tracks　made　the　day　before。　　And　these
were　imprints　of　big　and　little　hoofs。　　Manifestly　these
interested　John　more　than　they　did　Dale；　who　had　to　wait　for
his　companion。

〃Milt；　it　ain't　a　colt's　　thet　little　track；〃　avowed　John。

〃Why　not　　an'　what　if　it　isn't？〃　queried　Dale。

〃Wal；　it　ain't；　because　a　colt　always　straggles　back；　an'
from　one　side　to　t'other。　　This　little　track　keeps　close　to
the　big　one。　　An'；　by　George！　　it　was　made　by　a　led　mustang。〃

John　resembled　Roy　Beeman　then　with　that　leaping；　intent
fire　in　his　gray　eyes。　　Dale's　reply　was　to　spur　his　horse
into　a　trot　and　call　sharply　to　the　lagging　cougar。

When　they　turned　into　the　broad；　blossom…bordered　road　that
was　the　only　thoroughfare　of　Pine　the　sun　was　setting　red
and　gold　behind　the　mountains。　　The　horses　were　too　tired　for
any　more　than　a　walk。　　Natives　of　the　village；　catching　sight
of　Dale　and　Beeman；　and　the　huge　gray　cat　following　like　a
dog；　called　excitedly　to　one　another。　　A　group　of　men　in
front　of　Turner's　gazed　intently　down　the　road；　and　soon
manifested　signs　of　excitement。　　Dale　and　his　comrade
dismounted　in　front　of　Widow　Cass's　cottage。　　And　Dale　called
as　he　strode　up　the　little　path。　　Mrs。　　Cass　came　out。　　She　was
white　and　shaking；　but　appeared　calm。　　At　sight　of　her　John
Beeman　drew　a　sharp　breath。

〃Wal；　now　〃　he　began；　hoarsely；　and　left　off。

〃How's　Roy？〃　queried　Dale。

〃Lord　knows　I'm　glad　to　see　you；　boys！　　Milt；　you're　thin　an'
strange…lookin'。　　Roy's　had　a　little　setback。　　He　got　a　shock
to…day　an'　it　throwed　him　off。　　Fever　　an'　now　he's　out　of
his　head。　　It　won't　do　no　good　for　you　to　waste　time　seein'
him。　　Take　my　word　for　it　he's　all　right。　　But　there's　others
as　　For　the　land's　sakes；　Milt　Dale；　you　fetched　thet
cougar　back！　　Don't　let　him　near　me！〃

〃Tom　won't　hurt　you；　mother；〃　said　Dale；　as　the　cougar　came
padding　up　the　path。　　〃You　were　sayin'　somethin'　　about
others。　　Is　Miss　Helen　safe？　　Hurry！〃

〃Ride　up　to　see　her　　an'　waste　no　more　time　here。〃

Dale　was　quick　in　the　saddle；　followed　by　John；　but　the
horses　had　to　be　severely　punished　to　force　them　even　to　a
trot。　　And　that　was　a　lagging　trot；　which　now　did　not　leave
Torn　behind。

The　ride　up　to　Auchincloss's　ranch…house　seemed　endless　to
Dale。　　Natives　came　out　in　the　road　to　watch　after　he　had
passed。　　Stern　as　Dale　was　in　dominating　his　feelings；　he
could　not　wholly　subordinate　his　mounting　joy　to　a　waiting
terrible　anticipation　of　catastrophe。　　But　no　matter　what
awaited　　nor　what　fateful　events　might　hinge　upon　this
nameless　circumstance　about　to　be　disclosed；　the　wonderful
and　glorious　fact　of　the　present　was　that　in　a　moment　he
would　see　Helen　Rayner。

There　were　saddled　horses　in　the　courtyard；　but　no　riders。　　A
Mexican　boy　sat　on　the　porch　bench；　in　the　seat　where　Dale
remembered　he　had　encountered　Al　Auchincloss。　　The　door　of
the　big　sitting…room　was　open。　　The　scent　of　flowers；　the
murmur　of　bees；　the　pounding　of　hoofs　came　vaguely　to　Dale。
His　eyes　dimmed；　so　that　the　ground；　when　he　slid　out　of　his
saddle；　seemed　far　below　him。　　He　stepped　upon　the　porch。　　His
sight　suddenly　cleared。　　A　tight　fullness　at　his　throat　made
incoherent　the　words　he　said　to　the　Mexican　boy。　　But　they
were　understood；　as　the　boy　ran　back　around　the　house。　　Dale
knocked　sharply　and　stepped　over　the　threshold。

Outside；　John；　true　to　his　habits；　was　thinking；　even　in
that　moment　of　suspense；　about　the　faithful；　exhausted
horses。　　As　he　unsaddled　them　he　talked：　〃Fer　soft　an'　fat
hosses；　winterin'　high　up；　wal；　you've　done　somethin'！〃

Then　Dale　heard　a　voice　in　another　room；　a　step；　a　creak　of
the　door。　　It　opened。　　A　woman　in　white　appeared。　　He
recognized　Helen。　　But　instead　of　the　rich　brown　bloom　and
dark…eyed　beauty　so　hauntingly　limned　on　his　memory；　he　saw
a　white；　beautiful　face；　strained　and　quivering　in　anguish；
and　eyes　that　pierced　his　heart。　　He　could　not　speak。

〃Oh！　　my　friend　　you've　come！〃　she　whispered。

Dale　put　out　a　shaking　hand。　　But　she　did　not　see　it。　　She
clutched　his　shoulders；　as　if　to　feel　whether　or　not　he　was
real；　and　then　her　arms　went　up　round　his　neck。

〃Oh；　thank　God！　　I　knew　you　would　come！〃　she　said；　and　her
head　sank　to　his　shoulder。

Dale　divined　what　he　had　suspected。　　Helen's　sister　had　been
carried　off。　　Yet；　while　his　quick　mind　grasped　Helen's
broken　spirit　　the　unbalance　that　was　reason　for　this
marvelous　and　glorious　act　　he　did　not　take　other　meaning
of　the　embrace　to　himself。　　He　just　stood　there；　transported；
charged　like　a　tree　struck　by　lightning；　making　sure　with
all　his　keen　senses；　so　that　he　could　feel　forever；　how　she
was　clinging　round　his　neck；　her　face　over　his　bursting
heart；　her　quivering　form　close　pressed　to　his。

〃It's　　Bo；〃　he　said；　unsteadily。

〃She　went　riding　yesterday　　and　　never　　came　　back！〃
replied　Helen；　brokenly。

〃I've　seen　her　trail。　　She's　been　taken　into　the　woods。　　I'll
find　her。　　I'll　fetch　her　back；〃　he　replied；　rapidly。

With　a　shock　she　seemed　to　absorb　his　meaning。　　With　another
shock　she　raised　her　face　　leaned　back　a　little　to　look　at
him。

〃You'll　find　her　　fetch　her　back？〃

〃Yes；〃　he　answered；　instantly。

With　that　ringing　word　it　seemed　to　Dale　she　realized　how
she　was　standing。　　He　felt　her　shake　as　she　dropped　her　arms
and　stepped　back；　while　the　white　anguish　of　her　face　was
flooded　out　by　a　wave　of　scarlet。　　But　she　was　brave　in　her
confusion。　　Her　eyes　never　fell；　though　they　changed　swiftly；
darkening　with　shame；　amaze；　and　with　feelings　he　could　not
read。

〃I'm　almost　　out　of　my　head；〃　she　faltered。

〃No　wonder。　　I　saw　that。　。　。　。　　But　now　you　must　get
clear…headed。　　I've　no　time　to　lose。〃

He　led　her　to　the　door。

〃John；　it's　Bo　that's　gone；〃　he　called。　　〃Since　yesterday。　。
。　。　　Send　the　boy　to　get　me　a　bag　of　meat　an'　bread。　　You　run
to　the　corral　an'　get　me　a　fresh　horse。　　My　old　horse　Ranger
if　you　can　find　him　quick。　　An'　rustle。〃

Without　a　word　John　leaped　bareback　on　one　of　the　horses　he
had　just　unsaddled　and　spurred　him　across　the　courtyard。

Then　the　big　cougar；　seeing　Helen；　got　up　from　where　he　lay
on　the　porch　and　came　to　her。

〃Oh；　it's　Tom！〃　cried　Helen；　and　as　he　rubbed　against　her
knees　she　patted　his　head　with　trembling　hand。　　〃You　big；
beautiful　pet！　　Oh；　how　I　remember！　　Oh；　how　Bo　would　love　to
〃

〃Where's　Carmichael？〃　interrupted　Dale。　　〃Out　huntin'　Bo？〃

〃Yes。　　It　was　he　who　missed　her　first。　　He　rode　everywhere
yesterday。　　Last　night　when　he　came　back　he　was　wild。　　I've
not　seen　him　to…day。　　He　made　all　the　other　men　but　Hal　and
Joe　stay　home　on　the　ranch。〃

〃Right。　　An'　John　must　stay；　too；　declared　Dale。　　〃But　it's
strange。　　Carmichael　ought　to　have　found　the　girl's　tracks。
She　was　ridin'　a　pony？〃

〃Bo　rode　Sam。　　He's　a　little　bronc；　very　strong　and　fast。〃

〃I　come　across　his　tracks。　　How'd　Carmichael　miss　them？〃

〃He　didn't。　　He　found　them　　trailed　them　all　along　the
north　range。　　That's　where　he　forbade　Bo　to　go。　　You　see；
they're　in　love　with　each　other。　　They've　been　at　odds。
Neither　will　give　in。　　Bo　disobeyed　him。　　There's　hard　ground
off　the　north　range；　so　he　said。　　He　was　able　to　follow　her
tracks　only　so　far。〃

〃Were　there　any　other　tracks　along　with　hers？〃

〃No。〃

〃Miss　Helen；　I　found　them　'way　southeast　of　Pine　up　on　the
slope　of　the　mountain。　　There　were　seven　other　horses　makin'
that　trail　　when　we　run　across　it。　　On　the　way　down　we
found　a　camp　where　men　had　waited。　　An'　Bo's　pony；　led　by　a
rider　on　a　big　horse；　come　into　that　camp　from　the　east　
maybe　north　a　little。　　An'　that　tells　the　story。〃

〃Riggs　ran　her　down　　made　off　with　her！〃　cried　Helen；
passionately。　　〃Oh；　the　villain！　　He　had　men　in　waiting。
That's　Beasley's　work。　　They　were　after　me。〃

〃It　may　not　be　just　what　you　said；　but　that's　close　enough。
An'　Bo's　in　a　bad　fix。　　You　must　face　that　an'　try　to　bear　up
under　　fears　of　the　worst。〃

〃My　friend！　　You　will　save　her！〃

〃I'll　fetch　her　back；　alive　or　dead。〃

〃Dead！　　Oh；　my　God！〃　Helen　cried；　and　closed　her　eyes　an
instant；　to　open　them　burning　black。　　〃But　Bo　isn't　dead。　　I
know　that　　I　feel　it。　　She'll　not　die　very　easy。　　She's　a
little　savage。　　She　has　no　fear。　　She'd　fight　like　a　tigress
for　her　life。　　She's　strong。　　You　remember　how　strong。　　She　can
stand　anything。　　Unless　they　murder　her　outright　she'll　live
　a　long　time　　through　any　ordeal。　。　。　。　　So　I　beg　you；　my
friend；　don't　lose　an　hour　　don't　ever　give　up！〃

Dale