the man of the forest-第45章

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　a　long　time　　through　any　ordeal。　。　。　。　　So　I　beg　you；　my
friend；　don't　lose　an　hour　　don't　ever　give　up！〃

Dale　trembled　under　the　clasp　of　her　hands。　　Loosing　his　own
from　her　clinging　hold；　he　stepped　out　on　the　porch　At　that
moment　John　appeared　on　Ranger；　coming　at　a　gallop。

〃Nell；　I'll　never　come　back　without　her；〃　said　Dale。　　〃I
reckon　you　can　hope　　only　be　prepared。　　That's　all。　　It's
hard。　　But　these　damned　deals　are　common　out　here　in　the
West。〃

〃Suppose　Beasley　comes　　here！〃　exclaimed　Helen；　and　again
her　hand　went　out　toward　him。

〃If　he　does；　you　refuse　to　get　off　；〃　replied　Dale。　　〃But
don't　let　him　or　his　greasers　put　a　dirty　hand　on　you。
Should　he　threaten　force　　why；　pack　some　clothes　　an'
your　valuables　　an'　go　down　to　Mrs。　　Cass's。　　An'　wait　till
I　come　back！〃

〃Wait　　till　you　　come　back！〃　she　faltered；　slowly
turning　white　again。　　Her　dark　eyes　dilated。　　〃Milt　　you're
like　Las　Vegas。　　You'll　kill　Beasley！〃

Dale　heard　his　own　laugh；　very　cold　and　strange；　foreign　to
his　ears。　　A　grim；　deadly　hate　of　Beasley　vied　with　the
tenderness　and　pity　he　felt　for　this　distressed　girl。　　It　was
a　sore　trial　to　see　her　leaning　there　against　the　door　　to
be　compelled　to　leave　her　alone。　　Abruptly　be　stalked　off　the
porch。　　Tom　followed　him。　　The　black　horse　whinnied　his
recognition　of　Dale　and　snorted　at　sight　of　the　cougar。　　Just
then　the　Mexican　boy　returned　with　a　bag。　　Dale　tied　this；
with　the　small　pack；　behind　the　saddle。

〃John；　you　stay　here　with　Miss　Helen；〃　said　Dale。　　〃An'　if
Carmichael　comes　back；　keep　him；　too！　　An'　to…night；　if　any
one　rides　into　Pine　from　the　way　we　come；　you　be　sure　to
spot　him。〃

〃I'll　do　thet；　Milt；〃　responded　John。

Dale　mounted；　and；　turning　for　a　last　word　to　Helen；　he　felt
the　words　of　cheer　halted　on　his　lips　as　he　saw　her　standing
white　and　broken…hearted；　with　her　hands　to　her　bosom。　　He
could　not　look　twice。

〃Come　on　there；　you　Tom；〃　he　called　to　the　cougar。　　Reckon　on
this　track　you'll　pay　me　for　all　my　trainin'　of　you〃

〃Oh；　my　friend！〃　came　Helen's　sad　voice；　almost　a　whisper　to
his　throbbing　ears。　　〃Heaven　help　you　　to　save　her！　　I　〃

Then　Ranger　started　and　Dale　heard　no　more。　　He　could　not
look　back。　　His　eyes　were　full　of　tears　and　his　breast　ached。
By　a　tremendous　effort　he　shifted　that　emotion　　called　on
all　the　spiritual　energy　of　his　being　to　the　duty　of　this
grim　task　before　him。

He　did　not　ride　down　through　the　village；　but　skirted　the
northern　border；　and　worked　round　to　the　south；　where；
coming　to　the　trail　he　had　made　an　hour　past；　he　headed　on
it；　straight　for　the　slope　now　darkening　in　the　twilight。
The　big　cougar　showed　more　willingness　to　return　on　this
trail　than　he　had　shown　in　the　coming。　　Ranger　was　fresh　and
wanted　to　go；　but　Dale　held　him　in。

A　cool　wind　blew　down　from　the　mountain　with　the　coming　of
night。　　Against　the　brightening　stars　Dale　saw　the　promontory
lift　its　bold　outline。　　It　was　miles　away。　　It　haunted　him；
strangely　calling。　　A　night；　and　perhaps　a　day；　separated　him
from　the　gang　that　held　Bo　Rayner　prisoner。　　Dale　had　no　plan
as　yet。　　He　had　only　a　motive　as　great　as　the　love　he　bore
Helen　Rayner。

Beasley's　evil　genius　had　planned　this　abduction。　　Riggs　was
a　tool；　a　cowardly　knave　dominated　by　a　stronger　will。　　Snake
Anson　and　his　gang　had　lain　in　wait　at　that　cedar　camp；　had
made　that　broad　hoof　track　leading　up　the　mountain。　　Beasley
had　been　there　with　them　that　very　day。　　All　this　was　as
assured　to　Dale　as　if　he　had　seen　the　men。

But　the　matter　of　Dale's　recovering　the　girl　and　doing　it
speedily　strung　his　mental　strength　to　its　highest　pitch。
Many　outlines　of　action　flashed　through　his　mind　as　he　rode
on；　peering　keenly　through　the　night；　listening　with
practised　ears。　　All　were　rejected。　　And　at　the　outset　of
every　new　branching　of　thought　he　would　gaze　down　at　the
gray　form　of　the　cougar；　long；　graceful；　heavy；　as　he　padded
beside　the　horse。　　From　the　first　thought　of　returning　to
help　Helen　Rayner　he　had　conceived　an　undefined　idea　of
possible　value　in　the　qualities　of　his　pet。　　Tom　had
performed　wonderful　feats　of　trailing；　but　he　had　never　been
tried　on　men。　　Dale　believed　he　could　make　him　trail
anything；　yet　he　had　no　proof　of　this。　　One　fact　stood　out　of
all　Dale's　conjectures；　and　it　was　that　he　had　known　men；
and　brave　men；　to　fear　cougars。

Far　up　on　the　slope；　in　a　little　hollow　where　water　ran　and
there　was　a　little　grass　for　Ranger　to　pick；　Dale　haltered
him　and　made　ready　to　spend　the　night。　　He　was　sparing　with
his　food；　giving　Tom　more　than　he　took　himself。　　Curled　close
up　to　Dale；　the　big　cat　went　to　sleep。

But　Dale　lay　awake　for　long。

The　night　was　still；　with　only　a　faint　moan　of　wind　on　this
sheltered　slope。　　Dale　saw　hope　in　the　stars。　　He　did　not　seem
to　have　promised　himself　or　Helen　that　he　could　save　her
sister；　and　then　her　property。　　He　seemed　to　have　stated
something　unconsciously　settled；　outside　of　his　thinking。
Strange　how　this　certainty　was　not　vague；　yet　irreconcilable
with　any　plans　he　created！　　Behind　it；　somehow　nameless　with
inconceivable　power；　surged　all　his　wonderful　knowledge　of
forest；　of　trails；　of　scents；　of　night；　of　the　nature　of　men
lying　down　to　sleep　in　the　dark；　lonely　woods；　of　the　nature
of　this　great　cat　that　lived　its　every　action　in　accordance
with　his　will。

He　grew　sleepy；　and　gradually　his　mind　stilled；　with　his
last　conscious　thought　a　portent　that　he　would　awaken　to
accomplish　his　desperate　task。



CHAPTER　XX

Young　Burt　possessed　the　keenest　eyes　of　any　man　in　Snake
Anson's　gang；　for　which　reason　he　was　given　the　post　as
lookout　from　the　lofty　promontory。　　His　instructions　were　to
keep　sharp　watch　over　the　open　slopes　below　and　to　report
any　sight　of　a　horse。

A　cedar　fire　with　green　boughs　on　top　of　dead　wood　sent　up　a
long；　pale　column　of　smoke。　　This　signal…fire　had　been　kept
burning　since　sunrise。

The　preceding　night　camp　had　been　made　on　a　level　spot　in
the　cedars　back　of　the　promontory。　　But　manifestly　Anson　did
not　expect　to　remain　there　long。　　For；　after　breakfast；　the
packs　had　been　made　up　and　the　horses　stood　saddled　and
bridled。　　They　were　restless　and　uneasy；　tossing　bits　and
fighting　flies。　　The　sun；　now　half…way　to　meridian；　was　hot
and　no　breeze　blew　in　that　sheltered　spot。

Shady　Jones　had　ridden　off　early　to　fill　the　water…bags；　and
had　not　yet　returned。　　Anson；　thinner　and　scalier　and　more
snakelike　than　ever；　was　dealing　a　greasy；　dirty　deck　of
cards；　his　opponent　being　the　square…shaped；　black…visaged
Moze。　　In　lieu　of　money　the　gamblers　wagered　with
cedar…berries；　each　of　which　berries　represented　a　pipeful
of　tobacco。　　Jim　Wilson　brooded　under　a　cedar…tree；　his
unshaven　face　a　dirty　dust…hue；　a　smoldering　fire　in　his
light　eyes；　a　sullen　set　to　his　jaw。　　Every　little　while　he
would　raise　his　eyes　to　glance　at　Riggs；　and　it　seemed　that
a　quick　glance　was　enough。　　Riggs　paced　to　and　fro　in　the
open；　coatless　and　hatless；　his　black…broadcloth　trousers
and　embroidered　vest　dusty　and　torn。　　An　enormous　gun　bumped
awkwardly　in　its　sheath　swinging　below　his　hip。　　Riggs　looked
perturbed。　　His　face　was　sweating　freely；　yet　it　was　far　from
red　in　color。　　He　did　not　appear　to　mind　the　sun　or　the
flies。　　His　eyes　were　staring；　dark；　wild；　shifting　in　gaze
from　everything　they　encountered。　　But　often　that　gaze　shot
back　to　the　captive　girl　sitting　under　a　cedar　some　yards
from　the　man。

Bo　Rayner's　little；　booted　feet　were　tied　together　with　one
end　of　a　lasso　and　the　other　end　trailed　off　over　the
ground。　　Her　hands　were　free。　　Her　riding…habit　was　dusty　and
disordered。　　Her　eyes　blazed　defiantly　out　of　a　small；　pale
face。

〃Harve　Riggs；　I　wouldn't　be　standing　in　those　cheap　boots　of
yours　for　a　million　dollars；〃　she　said；　sarcastically。　　Riggs
took　no　notice　of　her　words。

〃You　pack　that　gun…sheath　wrong　end　out。　　What　have　you　got
the　gun　for；　anyhow？〃　she　added；　tauntingly。

Snake　Anson　let　out　a　hoarse　laugh　and　Moze's　black　visage
opened　in　a　huge　grin。　　Jim　Wilson　seemed　to　drink　in　the
girl's　words。　　Sullen　and　somber；　he　bent　his　lean　head；　very
still；　as　if　listening。

〃You'd　better　shut　up；〃　said　Riggs；　darkly。

〃I　will　not　shut　up；〃　declared　Bo。

〃Then　I'll　gag　you；〃　he　threatened。

〃Gag　me！　　Why；　you　dirty；　low…down；　two…bit　of　a　bluff！〃　she
exclaimed；　hotly；　〃I'd　like　to　see　you　try　it。　　I'll　tear
that　long　hair　of　yours　right　off　your　head。〃

Riggs　advanced　toward　her　with　his　hands　clutching；　as　if
eager　to　throttle　her。　　The　girl　leaned　forward；　her　face
reddening；　her　eyes　fierce。

〃You　damned　little　cat！〃　muttered　Riggs；　thickly。　　〃I'll　gag
you　　if　you　don't　stop　squallin'。〃

〃Come　on。　　I　dare　you　to　lay　a　hand　on　me。　。　。　。　　Harve　Riggs；
I'm　not　the　least　afraid　of　you。　　Can't　you　savvy　that？
You're　a　liar；　a　four…flush；　a　sneak！　　Why；　you're　not　fit　to
wipe　the　feet　of　any　of　these　outlaws。〃

Riggs　took　two　long　strides　and　bent　over　her；　his　teeth
protruding　in　a　snarl；　and　he　cuffed　her　hard　on　the　side　of
the　head。

Bo's　head　jerked　back　with　the　force　of　the　blow；　but　she
uttered　no　cry。

〃Are　you　goin'　to　keep　your　jaw　shut？〃　he　demanded；
stridently；　and　a　dark　tide　of　blood　surged　up　into　his
neck。

〃I　should　smile　I'm　not；〃　retorted　Bo；　in　cool；　deliberate
anger　of　opposition。　　〃You've　roped　me　　and　you've　struck
me！　　Now　get　a　club　　stand　off　there　　out　of　my　reach　
and　beat　me！　　Oh；　if　I　only　knew　cuss　words　fit　for　you　
I'd　call　you　them！〃

Snake　Anson　had　stopped　playing　cards；　and　was　watching；
listening；　with　half…disgusted；　half…amused　expression　on
his　serpent…like　face。　　Jim　Wilson　slowly　rose　to　his　feet。
If　any　one　had　observed　him　it　would　have　been　to　note　that
he　now　seemed　singularly　fascinated　by　this　scene；　yet　all
the　while　absorbed　in　himself。　　Once　he　loosened　the
neck…band　of　his　blouse。

Riggs　swung　his　arm　more　violently　at　the　girl。　　But　she
dodged。

〃You　dog！〃　she　hissed。　　〃Oh；　if　I　only　had　a　gun！〃

Her　face　then；　with　its　dead　whiteness　and　the　eyes　of
flame；　held　a　tragic；　impelling　beauty　that　stung　Anson　into
remonstrance。

〃Aw；　Riggs；　don't　beat　up　the　kid；〃　he　protested。　　〃Thet
won't　do　any　good。　　Let　her　alone。〃

〃But　she's　got　to　shut　up；〃　replied　Riggs。

〃How　'n　hell　air　you　goin'　to　shet　her　up？　　Mebbe　if　you　get
out　of　her　sight　she'll　be　quiet。　。　。　。　　How　about　thet；
girl？〃

Anson　gnawed　his　drooping　mustache　as　he　eyed　Bo。

〃Have　I　made　any　kick　to　you　or　your　men　yet？〃　she　queried。

〃It　strikes　me　you　'ain't；〃　replied　Anson。

〃You　won't　hear　me　make　any　so　long　as　I'm　treated　decent；〃
said　Bo。　　〃I　don't　know　what　you've　got　to　do　with　Riggs。　　He
ran　me　down　　roped　me　　dragged　me　to　your　camp。　　Now　I've
a　hunch　you're　waiting　for　Beasley。〃

〃Girl；　your　hunch　's　correct；〃　said　Anson。

〃Well；　do　you　know　I'm　the　wrong　girl？〃

〃What's　thet？　　I　reckon　you're　Nell　Rayner；　who　got　left　all
old　Auchincloss's　property。〃

〃No。　　I'm　Bo　Rayner。　　Nell　is　my　sister。　　She　owns　the　ranch。
Beasley　wanted　her。〃

Anson　cursed　deep　and　low。　　Under　his　sharp；　bristling
eyebrows　he　bent　cunning　green　eyes　upon　Riggs。

〃Say；　you！　　Is　what　this　kid　says　so？〃