the man of the forest-第46章

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eyebrows　he　bent　cunning　green　eyes　upon　Riggs。

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

〃Yes。　　She's　Nell　Rayner's　sister；〃　replied　Riggs；　doggedly。

〃A…huh！　　Wal；　why　in　the　hell　did　you　drag　her　into　my　camp
an'　off　up　here　to　signal　Beasley？　　He　ain't　wantin'　her。　　He
wants　the　girl　who　owns　the　ranch。　　Did　you　take　one　fer　the
other　　same　as　thet　day　we　was　with　you？〃

〃Guess　I　must　have；〃　replied　Riggs；　sullenly。

〃But　you　knowed　her　from　her　sister　afore　you　come　to　my
camp？〃

Riggs　shook　his　head。　　He　was　paler　now　and　sweating　more
freely。　　The　dank　hair　hung　wet　over　his　forehead。　　His　manner
was　that　of　a　man　suddenly　realizing　he　had　gotten　into　a
tight　place。

〃Oh；　he's　a　liar！〃　exclaimed　Bo；　with　contemptuous　ring　in
her　voice。　　〃He　comes　from　my　country。　　He　has　known　Nell　and
me　for　years。〃

Snake　Anson　turned　to　look　at　Wilson。

〃Jim；　now　hyar's　a　queer　deal　this　feller　has　rung　in　on　us。
I　thought　thet　kid　was　pretty　young。　　Don't　you　remember
Beasley　told　us　Nell　Rayner　was　a　handsome　woman？〃

〃Wal；　pard　Anson；　if　this　heah　gurl　ain't　handsome　my　eyes
have　gone　pore；〃　drawled　Wilson。

〃A…huh！　　So　your　Texas　chilvaree　over　the　ladies　is　some
operatin'；〃　retorted　Anson；　with　fine　sarcasm。　　〃But　thet
ain't　tellin'　me　what　you　think？〃

〃Wal；　I　ain't　tellin'　you　what　I　think　yet。　　But　I　know　thet
kid　ain't　Nell　Rayner。　　For　I've　seen　her。〃

Anson　studied　his　right…hand　man　for　a　moment；　then；　taking
out　his　tobacco…pouch；　he　sat　himself　down　upon　a　stone　and
proceeded　leisurely　to　roll　a　cigarette。　　He　put　it　between
his　thin　lips　and　apparently　forgot　to　light　it。　　For　a　few
moments　he　gazed　at　the　yellow　ground　and　some　scant
sage…brush。　　Riggs　took　to　pacing　up　and　down。　　Wilson　leaned
as　before　against　the　cedar。　　The　girl　slowly　recovered　from
her　excess　of　anger。

〃Kid；　see　hyar；〃　said　Anson；　addressing　the　girl；　〃if　Riggs
knowed　you　wasn't　Nell　an'　fetched　you　along　anyhow　　what
'd　he　do　thet　fur？〃

〃He　chased　me　　caught　me。　　Then　he　saw　some　one　after　us
and　he　hurried　to　your　camp。　　He　was　afraid　　the　cur！〃

Riggs　heard　her　reply；　for　he　turned　a　malignant　glance　upon
her。

〃Anson；　I　fetched　her　because　I　know　Nell　Rayner　will　give
up　anythin'　on　earth　for　her；〃　he　said；　in　loud　voice。

Anson　pondered　this　statement　with　an　air　of　considering　its
apparent　sincerity。

〃Don't　you　believe　him；〃　declared　Bo　Rayner；　bluntly。　　〃He's
a　liar。　　He's　double…crossing　Beasley　and　all　of　you。〃

Riggs　raised　a　shaking　hand　to　clench　it　at　her。　　〃Keep　still
or　it　'll　be　the　worse　for　you。〃

〃Riggs；　shut　up　yourself；〃　put　in　Anson；　as　he　leisurely
rose。　　〃Mebbe　it　'ain't　occurred　to　you　thet　she　might　have
some　talk　interestin'　to　me。　　An'　I'm　runnin'　this　hyar　camp。
。　。　。　　Now；　kid；　talk　up　an'　say　what　you　like。〃

〃I　said　he　was　double…crossing　you　all；〃　replied　the　girl；
instantly。　　〃Why；　I'm　surprised　you'd　be　caught　in　his
company！　　My　uncle　Al　and　my　sweetheart　Carmichael　and　my
friend　Dale　　they've　all　told　me　what　Western　men　are；
even　down　to　outlaws；　robbers；　cutthroat　rascals　like　you。
And　I　know　the　West　well　enough　now　to　be　sure　that
four…flush　doesn't　belong　here　and　can't　last　here。　　He　went
to　Dodge　City　once　and　when　he　came　back　he　made　a　bluff　at
being　a　bad　man。　　He　was　a　swaggering；　bragging；　drinking
gun…fighter。　　He　talked　of　the　men　he'd　shot；　of　the　fights
he'd　had。　　He　dressed　like　some　of　those　gun…throwing
gamblers。　。　。　。　　He　was　in　love　with　my　sister　Nell。　　She
hated　him。　　He　followed　us　out　West　and　he　has　hung　on　our
actions　like　a　sneaking　Indian。　　Why；　Nell　and　I　couldn't
even　walk　to　the　store　in　the　village。　　He　rode　after　me　out
on　the　range　　chased　me。　。　。　。　　For　that　Carmichael　called
Riggs's　bluff　down　in　Turner's　saloon。　　Dared　him　to　draw！
Cussed　him　every　name　on　the　range！　　Slapped　and　beat　and
kicked　him！　　Drove　him　out　of　Pine！　　。　。　。　　And　now；　whatever
he　has　said　to　Beasley　or　you；　it's　a　dead　sure　bet　he's
playing　his　own　game。　　That's　to　get　hold　of　Nell；　and　if　not
her　　then　me！　　。　。　。　　Oh；　I'm　out　of　breath　　and　I'm　out
of　names　to　call　him。　　If　I　talked　forever　　I'd　never　be　
able　to　　do　him　justice。　　But　lend　me　　a　gun　　a
minute！〃

Jim　Wilson's　quiet　form　vibrated　with　a　start。　　Anson　with
his　admiring　smile　pulled　his　gun　and；　taking　a　couple　of
steps　forward；　held　it　out　butt　first。　　She　stretched　eagerly
for　it　and　he　jerked　it　away。

〃Hold　on　there！〃　yelled　Riggs；　in　alarm。

〃Damme；　Jim；　if　she　didn't　mean　bizness！〃　exclaimed　the
outlaw。

〃Wal；　now　　see　heah；　Miss。　　Would　you　bore　him　　if　you
hed　a　gun？〃　inquired　Wilson；　with　curious　interest。　　There
was　more　of　respect　in　his　demeanor　than　admiration。

〃No。　　I　don't　want　his　cowardly　blood　on　my　hands；〃　replied
the　girl。　　〃But　I'd　make　him　dance　　I'd　make　him　run。〃

〃Shore　you　can　handle　a　gun？〃

She　nodded　her　answer　while　her　eyes　flashed　hate　and　her
resolute　lips　twitched。

Then　Wilson　made　a　singularly　swift　motion　and　his　gun　was
pitched　butt　first　to　within　a　foot　of　her　hand。　　She
snatched　it　up；　cocked　it；　aimed　it；　all　before　Anson　could
move。　　But　he　yelled：

〃Drop　thet　gun；　you　little　devil！〃

Riggs　turned　ghastly　as　the　big　blue　gun　lined　on　him。　　He
also　yelled；　but　that　yell　was　different　from　Anson's。

〃Run　or　dance！〃　cried　the　girl。

The　big　gun　boomed　and　leaped　almost　out　of　her　hand。　　She
took　both　hands；　and　called　derisively　as　she　fired　again。
The　second　bullet　hit　at　Riggs's　feet；　scattering　the　dust
and　fragments　of　stone　all　over　him。　　He　bounded　here　
there　　then　darted　for　the　rocks。　　A　third　time　the　heavy
gun　spoke　and　this　bullet　must　have　ticked　Riggs；　for　he　let
out　a　hoarse　bawl　and　leaped　sheer　for　the　protection　of　a
rock。

〃Plug　him！　　Shoot　off　a　leg！〃　yelled　Snake　Anson；　whooping
and　stamping；　as　Riggs　got　out　of　sight。

Jim　Wilson　watched　the　whole　performance　with　the　same
quietness　that　had　characterized　his　manner　toward　the　girl。
Then；　as　Riggs　disappeared；　Wilson　stepped　forward　and　took
the　gun　from　the　girl's　trembling　hands。　　She　was　whiter　than
ever；　but　still　resolute　and　defiant。　　Wilson　took　a　glance
over　in　the　direction　Riggs　had　hidden　and　then　proceeded　to
reload　the　gun。　　Snake　Anson's　roar　of　laughter　ceased　rather
suddenly。

〃Hyar；　Jim；　she　might　have　held　up　the　whole　gang　with　thet
gun；〃　he　protested。

〃I　reckon　she　'ain't　nothin'　ag'in'　us；〃　replied　Wilson。

〃A…huh！　　You　know　a　lot　about　wimmen　now；　don't　you？　　But　thet
did　my　heart　good。　　Jim；　what　'n　earth　would　you　have　did　if
thet　'd　been　you　instead　of　Riggs？〃

The　query　seemed　important　and　amazing。　　Wilson　pondered。

〃Shore　I'd　stood　there　　stock…still　　an'　never　moved　an
eye…winker。〃

〃An'　let　her　shoot！〃　ejaculated　Anson；　nodding　his　long
head。　　〃Me；　too！〃

So　these　rough　outlaws；　inured　to　all　the　violence　and
baseness　of　their　dishonest　calling；　rose　to　the　challenging
courage　of　a　slip　of　a　girl。　　She　had　the　one　thing　they
respected　　nerve。

Just　then　a　halloo；　from　the　promontory　brought　Anson　up
with　a　start。　　Muttering　to　himself；　he　strode　out　toward　the
jagged　rocks　that　hid　the　outlook。　　Moze　shuffled　his　burly
form　after　Anson。

〃Miss；　it　shore　was　grand　　thet　performance　of　Mister
Gunman　Riggs；〃　remarked　Jim　Wilson；　attentively　studying　the
girl。

〃Much　obliged　to　you　for　lending　me　your　gun；〃　she　replied。
〃I　　I　hope　I　hit　him　　a　little。〃

〃Wal；　if　you　didn't　sting　him；　then　Jim　Wilson　knows　nothin'
about　lead。〃

〃Jim　Wilson？　　Are　you　the　man　　the　outlaw　my　uncle　Al
knew？〃

〃Reckon　I　am；　miss。　　Fer　I　knowed　Al　shore　enough。　　What　'd　he
say　aboot　me？〃

〃I　remember　once　he　was　telling　me　about　Snake　Anson's　gang。
He　mentioned　you。　　Said　you　were　a　real　gun…fighter。　　And　what
a　shame　it　was　you　had　to　be　an　outlaw。〃

〃Wal！　　An'　so　old　Al　spoke　thet　nice　of　me。　。　。　。　　It's
tolerable　likely　I'll　remember。　　An'　now；　miss；　can　I　do
anythin'　for　you？〃

Swift　as　a　flash　she　looked　at　him。

〃What　do　you　mean？〃

〃Wal；　shore　I　don't　mean　much；　I'm　sorry　to　say。　　Nothin'　to
make　you　look　like　thet。　。　。　。　　I　hev　to　be　an　outlaw；　shore
as　you're　born。　　But　　mebbe　there's　a　difference　in
outlaws。〃

She　understood　him　and　paid　him　the　compliment　not　to　voice
her　sudden　upflashing　hope　that　he　might　be　one　to　betray
his　leader。

〃Please　take　this　rope　off　my　feet。　　Let　me　walk　a　little。
Let　me　have　a　　a　little　privacy。　　That　fool　watched　every
move　I　made。　　I　promise　not　to　run　away。　　And；　oh！　　I'm
thirsty。〃

〃Shore　you've　got　sense。〃　He　freed　her　feet　and　helped　her
get　up。　　〃There'll　be　some　fresh　water　any　minit　now；　if
you'll　wait。〃

Then　he　turned　his　back　and　walked　over　to　where　Riggs　sat
nursing　a　bullet…burn　on　his　leg。

〃Say；　Riggs；　I'm　takin'　the　responsibility　of　loosin'　the
girl　for　a　little　spell。　　She　can't　get　away。　　An'　there　ain't
any　sense　in　bein'　mean。〃

Riggs　made　no　reply；　and　went　on　rolling　down　his　trousers
leg；　lapped　a　fold　over　at　the　bottom　and　pulled　on　his
boot。　　Then　he　strode　out　toward　the　promontory。　　Half…way
there　he　encountered　Anson　tramping　back。

〃Beasley's　comin'　one　way　an'　Shady's　comin'　another。　　We'll
be　off　this　hot　point　of　rock　by　noon；〃　said　the　outlaw
leader。

Riggs　went　on　to　the　promontory　to　look　for　himself。

〃Where's　the　girl？〃　demanded　Anson；　in　surprise；　when　he　got
back　to　the　camp。

〃Wal；　she's　walkin'　'round　between　heah　an'　Pine；〃　drawled
Wilson。

〃Jim；　you　let　her　loose？〃

〃Shore　I　did。　　She's　been　hawg…tied　all　the　time。　　An'　she
said　she'd　not　run　off。　　I'd　take　thet　girl's　word　even　to　a
sheep…thief。〃

〃A…huh。　　So　would　I；　for　all　of　thet。　　But；　Jim；　somethin's
workin'　in　you。　　Ain't　you　sort　of　rememberin'　a　time　when
you　was　young　　an'　mebbe　knowed　pretty　kids　like　this
one？〃

〃Wal；　if　I　am　it　'll　shore　turn　out　bad　fer　somebody。〃

Anson　gave　him　a　surprised　stare　and　suddenly　lost　the
bantering　tone。

〃A…huh！　　So　thet's　how　it's　workin'；〃　he　replied；　and　flung
himself　down　in　the　shade。

Young　Burt　made　his　appearance　then；　wiping　his　sallow　face。
His　deep…set；　hungry　eyes；　upon　which　his　comrades　set　such
store；　roved　around　the　camp。

〃Whar's　the　gurl？〃　he　queried。

〃Jim　let　her　go　out　fer　a　stroll；〃　replied　Anson。

〃I　seen　Jim　was　gittin'　softy　over　her。　　Haw！　　Haw！　　Haw！〃

But　Snake　Anson　did　not　crack　a　smile。　　The　atmosphere
appeared　not　to　be　congenial　for　jokes；　a　fact　Burt　rather
suddenly　divined。　　Riggs　and　Moze　returned　from　the
promontory；　the　latter　reporting　that　Shady　Jones　was　riding
up　close。　　Then　the　girl　walked　slowly　into　sight　and
approached　to　find　a　seat　within　ten　yards　of　the　group。
They　waited　in　silence　until　the　expected　horseman　rode　up
with　water…bottles　slung　on　both　sides　of　his　saddle。　　His
advent　was　welcome。　　All　the　men　were　thirsty。　　Wilson　took
water　to　the　girl　before　drinking　himself。

〃Thet's　an　all…fired　hot　ride　fer　water；〃　declared　the
outlaw　Shady；　who　somehow　fitted　his　name　in　color　and
impression。　　〃An'；　boss；　if　it's　the　same　to　you　I　won't　take
it　ag'in。〃

〃Cheer　up；　Shady。　　We'll　be　rustlin'　back　in　the　mountains
before　sundown；〃　said　Anson。

〃Hang　me　if　that　ain't　the　cheerfulest　news　I've　hed　in　som