the man of the forest-第6章

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St。　　Joseph　she　had　faced　the　West　with　a　beating　heart　and　a
high　resolve　to　be　worthy　of　that　West。　　Homes　had　to　be　made
out　there　in　that　far　country；　so　Uncle　Al　had　written；　and
women　were　needed　to　make　homes。　　She　meant　to　be　one　of
these　women　and　to　make　of　her　sister　another。　　And　with　the
thought　that　she　would　know　definitely　what　to　say　to　Riggs
when　he　approached　her；　sooner　or　later；　Helen　dismissed　him
from　mind。

While　the　train　was　in　motion；　enabling　Helen　to　watch　the
ever…changing　scenery；　and　resting　her　from　the　strenuous
task　of　keeping　Bo　well　in　hand　at　stations；　she　lapsed
again　into　dreamy　gaze　at　the　pine　forests　and　the　red；
rocky　gullies　and　the　dim；　bold　mountains。　　She　saw　the　sun
set　over　distant　ranges　of　New　Mexico　　a　golden　blaze　of
glory；　as　new　to　her　as　the　strange　fancies　born　in　her；
thrilling　and　fleeting　by。　　Bo's　raptures　were　not　silent；
and　the　instant　the　sun　sank　and　the　color　faded　she　just　as
rapturously　importuned　Helen　to　get　out　the　huge　basket　of
food　they　bad　brought　from　home。

They　had　two　seats；　facing　each　other；　at　the　end　of　the
coach；　and　piled　there；　with　the　basket　on　top；　was　luggage
that　constituted　all　the　girls　owned　in　the　world。　　Indeed；
it　was　very　much　more　than　they　had　ever　owned　before；
because　their　mother；　in　her　care　for　them　and　desire　to
have　them　look　well　in　the　eyes　of　this　rich　uncle；　had
spent　money　and　pains　to　give　them　pretty　and　serviceable
clothes。

The　girls　sat　together；　with　the　heavy　basket　on　their
knees；　and　ate　while　they　gazed　out　at　the　cool；　dark
ridges。　　The　train　clattered　slowly　on；　apparently　over　a
road　that　was　all　curves。　　And　it　was　supper…time　for
everybody　in　that　crowded　coach。　　If　Helen　had　not　been　so
absorbed　by　the　great；　wild　mountain…land　she　would　have　had
more　interest　in　the　passengers。　　As　it　was　she　saw　them；　and
was　amused　and　thoughtful　at　the　men　and　women　and　a　few
children　in　the　car；　all　middle…class　people；　poor　and
hopeful；　traveling　out　there　to　the　New　West　to　find　homes。
It　was　splendid　and　beautiful；　this　fact；　yet　it　inspired　a
brief　and　inexplicable　sadness。　　From　the　train　window；　that
world　of　forest　and　crag；　with　its　long　bare　reaches
between；　seemed　so　lonely；　so　wild；　so　unlivable。　　How
endless　the　distance！　　For　hours　and　miles　upon　miles　no
house；　no　hut；　no　Indian　tepee！　　It　was　amazing；　the　length
and　breadth　of　this　beautiful　land。　　And　Helen；　who　loved
brooks　and　running　streams；　saw　no　water　at　all。

Then　darkness　settled　down　over　the　slow…moving　panorama；　a
cool　night　wind　blew　in　at　the　window；　white　stars　began　to
blink　out　of　the　blue。　　The　sisters；　with　hands　clasped　and
heads　nestled　together；　went　to　sleep　under　a　heavy　cloak。


Early　the　next　morning；　while　the　girls　were　again　delving
into　their　apparently　bottomless　basket；　the　train　stopped
at　Las　Vegas。

〃Look！　　Look！〃　cried　Bo；　in　thrilling　voice。　　〃Cowboys！　　Oh；
Nell；　look！〃

Helen；　laughing；　looked　first　at　her　sister；　and　thought　how
most　of　all　she　was　good　to　look　at。　　Bo　was　little；　instinct
with　pulsating　life；　and　she　had　chestnut　hair　and　dark…blue
eyes。　　These　eyes　were　flashing；　roguish；　and　they　drew　like
magnets。

Outside　on　the　rude　station　platform　were　railroad　men；
Mexicans；　and　a　group　of　lounging　cowboys。　　Long；　lean；
bow…legged　fellows　they　were；　with　young；　frank　faces　and
intent　eyes。　　One　of　them　seemed　particularly　attractive　with
his　superb　build；　his　red…bronze　face　and　bright…red　scarf；
his　swinging　gun；　and　the　huge；　long；　curved　spurs。
Evidently　he　caught　Bo's　admiring　gaze；　for；　with　a　word　to
his　companions；　he　sauntered　toward　the　window　where　the
girls　sat。　　His　gait　was　singular；　almost　awkward；　as　if　he
was　not　accustomed　to　walking。　　The　long　spurs　jingled
musically。　　He　removed　his　sombrero　and　stood　at　ease；　frank；
cool；　smiling。　　Helen　liked　him　on　sight；　and；　looking　to　see
what　effect　he　had　upon　Bo；　she　found　that　young　lady
staring；　frightened　stiff。

〃Good　mawnin'；〃　drawled　the　cowboy；　with　slow；　good…humored
smile。　　〃Now　where　might　you…all　be　travelin'？〃

The　sound　of　his　voice；　the　clean…cut　and　droll　geniality；
seemed　new　and　delightful　to　Helen。

〃We　go　to　Magdalena　　then　take　stage　for　the　White
Mountains；〃　replied　Helen。

The　cowboy's　still；　intent　eyes　showed　surprise。

〃Apache　country；　miss；〃　he　said。　　〃I　reckon　I'm　sorry。　　Thet's
shore　no　place　for　you…all　。　。　。　　Beggin'　your　pawdin　　you
ain't　Mormons？〃

〃No。　　We're　nieces　of　Al　Auchincloss；〃　rejoined　Helen。

〃Wal；　you　don't　say！　　I've　been　down　Magdalena　way　an'　heerd
of　Al。　。　。　。　　Reckon　you're　goin'　a…visitin'？〃

〃It's　to　be　home　for　us。〃

〃Shore　thet's　fine。　　The　West　needs　girls。　。　。　。　　Yes；　I've
heerd　of　Al。　　An　old　Arizona　cattle…man　in　a　sheep　country！
Thet's　bad。　。　。　。　　Now　I'm　wonderin'　　if　I'd　drift　down
there　an'　ask　him　for　a　job　ridin'　for　him　　would　I　get
it？〃

His　lazy　smile　was　infectious　and　his　meaning　was　as　clear
as　crystal　water。　　The　gaze　he　bent　upon　Bo　somehow　pleased
Helen。　　The　last　year　or　two；　since　Bo　had　grown　prettier　all
the　time；　she　had　been　a　magnet　for　admiring　glances。　　This
one　of　the　cowboy's　inspired　respect　and　liking；　as　well　as
amusement。　　It　certainly　was　not　lost　upon　Bo。

〃My　uncle　once　said　in　a　letter　that　he　never　had　enough　men
to　run　his　ranch；〃　replied　Helen；　smiling。
〃Shore　I'll　go。　　I　reckon　I'd　jest　naturally　drift　that　way
　now。〃

He　seemed　so　laconic；　so　easy；　so　nice；　that　he　could　not
have　been　taken　seriously；　yet　Helen's　quick　perceptions
registered　a　daring；　a　something　that　was　both　sudden　and
inevitable　in　him。　　His　last　word　was　as　clear　as　the　soft
look　he　fixed　upon　Bo。

Helen　had　a　mischievous　trait；　which；　subdue　it　as　she
would；　occasionally　cropped　out；　and　Bo；　who　once　in　her
wilful　life　had　been　rendered　speechless；　offered　such　a
temptation。

〃Maybe　my　little　sister　will　put　in　a　good　word　for　you　
to　Uncle　Al；〃　said　Helen。　　Just　then　the　train　jerked；　and
started　slowly。　　The　cowboy　took　two　long　strides　beside　the
car；　his　heated　boyish　face　almost　on　a　level　with　the
window；　his　eyes；　now　shy　and　a　little　wistful；　yet　bold；
too；　fixed　upon　Bo。

〃Good…by　　Sweetheart！〃　he　called。

He　halted　　was　lost　to　view。

〃Well！〃　ejaculated　Helen；　contritely；　half　sorry；　half
amused。　　〃What　a　sudden　young　gentleman！〃

Bo　had　blushed　beautifully。

〃Nell；　wasn't　he　glorious！〃　she　burst　out；　with　eyes
shining。

〃I'd　hardly　call　him　that；　but　he　was…nice；〃　replied　Helen；
much　relieved　that　Bo　had　apparently　not　taken　offense　at
her。

It　appeared　plain　that　Bo　resisted　a　frantic　desire　to　look
out　of　the　window　and　to　wave　her　hand。　　But　she　only　peeped
out；　manifestly　to　her　disappointment。

〃Do　you　think　he　　he'll　come　to　Uncle　Al's？〃　asked　Bo。

〃Child；　he　was　only　in　fun。〃

〃Nell；　I'll　bet　you　he　comes。　　Oh；　it'd　be　great！　　I'm　going
to　love　cowboys。　　They　don't　look　like　that　Harve　Riggs　who
ran　after　you　so。〃

Helen　sighed；　partly　because　of　the　reminder　of　her　odious
suitor；　and　partly　because　Bo's　future　already　called
mysteriously　to　the　child。　　Helen　had　to　be　at　once　a　mother
and　a　protector　to　a　girl　of　intense　and　wilful　spirit。

One　of　the　trainmen　directed　the　girls'　attention　to　a
green；　sloping　mountain　rising　to　a　bold；　blunt　bluff　of
bare　rock；　and；　calling　it　Starvation　Peak；　be　told　a　story
of　how　Indians　had　once　driven　Spaniards　up　there　and
starved　them。　　Bo　was　intensely　interested；　and　thereafter
she　watched　more　keenly　than　ever；　and　always　had　a　question
for　a　passing　trainman。　　The　adobe　houses　of　the　Mexicans
pleased　her；　and；　then　the　train　got　out　into　Indian
country；　where　pueblos　appeared　near　the　track　and　Indians
with　their　bright　colors　and　shaggy　wild　mustangs　　then
she　was　enraptured。

〃But　these　Indians　are　peaceful！〃　she　exclaimed　once；
regretfully。

〃Gracious；　child！　　You　don't　want　to　see　hostile　Indians；　do
you？〃　queried　Helen。

〃I　do；　you　bet；〃　was　the　frank　rejoinder。

〃Well；　I'LL　bet　that　I'll　be　sorry　I　didn't　leave　you　with
mother。〃

〃Nell　　you　never　will！〃


They　reached　Albuquerque　about　noon；　and　this　important
station；　where　they　had　to　change　trains；　had　been　the　first
dreaded　anticipation　of　the　journey。　　It　certainly　was　a　busy
place　　full　of　jabbering　Mexicans；　stalking；　red…faced；
wicked…looking　cowboys；　lolling　Indians。　　In　the　confusion
Helen　would　have　been　hard　put　to　it　to　preserve　calmness；
with　Bo　to　watch；　and　all　that　baggage　to　carry；　and　the
other　train　to　find；　but　the　kindly　brakeman　who　had　been
attentive　to　them　now　helped　them　off　the　train　into　the
other　　a　service　for　which　Helen　was　very　grateful。

〃Albuquerque's　a　hard　place；〃　confided　the　trainman。　　〃Better
stay　in　the　car　　and　don't　hang　out　the　windows。　。　。　。
Good　luck　to　you！〃

Only　a　few　passengers　were　in　the　car　and　they　were　Mexicans
at　the　forward　end。　　This　branch　train　consisted　of　one
passenger…coach；　with　a　baggage…car；　attached　to　a　string　of
freight…cars。　　Helen　told　herself；　somewhat　grimly；　that　soon
she　would　know　surely　whether　or　not　her　suspicions　of　Harve
Riggs　had　warrant。　　If　he　was　going　on　to　Magdalena　on　that
day　he　must　go　in　this　coach。　　Presently　Bo；　who　was　not
obeying　admonitions；　drew　her　head　out　of　the　window。　　Her
eyes　were　wide　in　amaze；　her　mouth　open。

〃Nell！　　I　saw　that　man　Riggs！〃　she　whispered。　　〃He's　going　to
get　on　this　train。〃

〃Bo；　I　saw　him　yesterday；〃　replied　Helen；　soberly。　　〃He's
followed　you　　the　　the　　〃

〃Now；　Bo；　don't　get　excited；〃　remonstrated　Helen。　　〃We've
left　home　now。　　We've　got　to　take　things　as　they　come。　　Never
mind　if　Riggs　has　followed　me。　　I'll　settle　him。〃

〃Oh！　　Then　you　won't　speak　　have　anything　to　do　with　him？〃

〃I　won't　if　I　can　help　it。〃

Other　passengers　boarded　the　train；　dusty；　uncouth；　ragged
men；　and　some　hard…featured；　poorly　clad　women；　marked　by
toil；　and　several　more　Mexicans。　　With　bustle　and　loud　talk
they　found　their　several　seats。

Then　Helen　saw　Harve　Riggs　enter；　burdened　with　much
luggage。　　He　was　a　man　of　about　medium　height；　of　dark；
flashy　appearance；　cultivating　long　black　mustache　and　hair。
His　apparel　was　striking；　as　it　consisted　of　black
frock…coat；　black　trousers　stuffed　in　high；　fancy…topped
boots；　an　embroidered　vest；　and　flowing　tie；　and　a　black
sombrero。　　His　belt　and　gun　were　prominent。　　It　was
significant　that　he　excited　comment　among　the　other
passengers。

When　he　had　deposited　his　pieces　of　baggage　he　seemed　to
square　himself；　and；　turning　abruptly；　approached　the　seat
occupied　by　the　girls。　　When　he　reached　it　he　sat　down　upon
the　arm　of　the　one　opposite；　took　off　his　sombrero；　and
deliberately　looked　at　Helen。　　His　eyes　were　light；　glinting；
with　hard；　restless　quiver；　and　his　mouth　was　coarse　and
arrogant。　　Helen　had　never　seen　him　detached　from　her　home
surroundings；　and　now　the　difference　struck　cold　upon　her
heart。

〃Hello；　Nell！〃　he　said。　　〃Surprised　to　see　me？〃

〃No；〃　she　replied；　coldly。

〃I'll　gamble　you　are。〃

〃Harve　Riggs；　I　told　you　the　day　before　I　left　home　that
nothing　you　could　do　or　say　mattered　to　me。〃

〃Reckon　that　ain't　so；　Nell。　　Any　woman　I　keep　track　of