the man of the forest-第8章

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〃Mr。　　Riggs；　I'll　carry　my　bag；〃　she　said。

〃Let　me　lug　this。　　You　help　Bo　with　hers；〃　he　replied；
familiarly。

〃But　I　want　it；〃　she　rejoined；　quietly；　with　sharp
determination。　　No　little　force　was　needed　to　pull　the　bag
away　from　Riggs。

〃See　here；　Helen；　you　ain't　goin'　any　farther　with　that
joke；　are　you？〃　he　queried；　deprecatingly；　and　he　still
spoke　quite　loud。

〃It's　no　joke　to　me；〃　replied　Helen。　　〃I　told　you　I　didn't
want　your　attention。〃

〃Sure。　　But　that　was　temper。　　I'm　your　friend　　from　your
home　town。　　An'　I　ain't　goin'　to　let　a　quarrel　keep　me　from
lookin'　after　you　till　you're　safe　at　your　uncle's。〃

Helen　turned　her　back　upon　him。　　The　tall　hunter　had　just
helped　Bo　off　the　car。　　Then　Helen　looked　up　into　a　smooth
bronzed　face　and　piercing　gray　eyes。

〃Are　you　Helen　Rayner？〃　he　asked。

〃Yes。〃

〃My　name's　Dale。　　I've　come　to　meet　you。〃

〃Ah！　　My　uncle　sent　you？〃　added　Helen；　in　quick　relief。

〃No；　I　can't　say　Al　sent　me；〃　began　the　man；　〃but　I　reckon
〃

He　was　interrupted　by　Riggs；　who；　grasping　Helen　by　the　arm；
pulled　her　back　a　step。

〃Say；　mister；　did　Auchincloss　send　you　to　meet　my　young
friends　here？〃　he　demanded；　arrogantly。

Dale's　glance　turned　from　Helen　to　Riggs。　　She　could　not　read
this　quiet　gray　gaze；　but　it　thrilled　her。

〃No。　　I　come　on　my　own　hook；〃　he　answered。

〃You'll　understand；　then　　they're　in　my　charge；〃　added
Riggs。

This　time　the　steady　light…gray　eyes　met　Helen's；　and　if
there　was　not　a　smile　in　them　or　behind　them　she　was　still
further　baffled。

〃Helen；　I　reckon　you　said　you　didn't　want　this　fellow's
attention。〃

〃I　certainly　said　that；〃　replied　Helen；　quickly。　　Just　then
Bo　slipped　close　to　her　and　gave　her　arm　a　little　squeeze。
Probably　Bo's　thought　was　like　hers　　here　was　a　real
Western　man。　　That　was　her　first　impression；　and　following
swiftly　upon　it　was　a　sensation　of　eased　nerves。

Riggs　swaggered　closer　to　Dale。

〃Say；　Buckskin；　I　hail　from　Texas　〃

〃You're　wastin'　our　time　an'　we've　need　to　hurry；〃
interrupted　Dale。　　His　tone　seemed　friendly。　　〃An'　if　you　ever
lived　long　in　Texas　you　wouldn't　pester　a　lady　an'　you　sure
wouldn't　talk　like　you　do。〃

〃What！〃　shouted　Riggs；　hotly。　　He　dropped　his　right　hand
significantly　to　his　hip。

〃Don't　throw　your　gun。　　It　might　go　off；〃　said　Dale。

Whatever　Riggs's　intention　had　been　　and　it　was　probably
just　what　Dale　evidently　had　read　it　　he　now　flushed　an
angry　red　and　jerked　at　his　gun。

Dale's　hand　flashed　too　swiftly　for　Helen's　eye　to　follow
it。　　But　she　heard　the　thud　as　it　struck。　　The　gun　went　flying
to　the　platform　and　scattered　a　group　of　Indians　and
Mexicans。

〃You'll　hurt　yourself　some　day；〃　said　Dale。

Helen　had　never　heard　a　slow；　cool　voice　like　this　hunter's。
Without　excitement　or　emotion　or　hurry；　it　yet　seemed　full
and　significant　of　things　the　words　did　not　mean。　　Bo　uttered
a　strange　little　exultant　cry。

Riggs's　arm　had　dropped　limp。　　No　doubt　it　was　numb。　　He
stared；　and　his　predominating　expression　was　surprise。　　As
the　shuffling　crowd　began　to　snicker　and　whisper；　Riggs　gave
Dale　a　malignant　glance；　shifted　it　to　Helen；　and　then
lurched　away　in　the　direction　of　his　gun。

Dale　did　not　pay　any　more　attention　to　him。　　Gathering　up
Helen's　baggage；　he　said；　〃Come　on；〃　and　shouldered　a　lane
through　the　gaping　crowd。　　The　girls　followed　close　at　his
heels。

〃Nell！　　what　'd　I　tell　you？〃　whispered　Bo。　　〃Oh；　you're　all
atremble！〃

Helen　was　aware　of　her　unsteadiness；　anger　and　fear　and
relief　in　quick　succession　had　left　her　rather　weak。　　Once
through　the　motley　crowd　of　loungers；　she　saw　an　old　gray
stage…coach　and　four　lean　horses。　　A　grizzled；　sunburned　man
sat　on　the　driver's　seat；　whip　and　reins　in　hand。　　Beside　him
was　a　younger　man　with　rifle　across　his　knees。　　Another　man；
young；　tall；　lean；　dark；　stood　holding　the　coach　door　open。
He　touched　his　sombrero　to　the　girls。　　His　eyes　were　sharp　as
he　addressed　Dale。

〃Milt；　wasn't　you　held　up？〃

〃No。　　But　some　long…haired　galoot　was　tryin'　to　hold　up　the
girls。　　Wanted　to　throw　his　gun　on　me。　　I　was　sure　scared；〃
replied　Dale；　as　he　deposited　the　luggage。

Bo　laughed。　　Her　eyes；　resting　upon　Dale；　were　warm　and
bright。　　The　young　man　at　the　coach　door　took　a　second　look
at　her；　and　then　a　smile　changed　the　dark　hardness　of　his
face。

Dale　helped　the　girls　up　the　high　step　into　the　stage；　and
then；　placing　the　lighter　luggage；　in　with　them；　he　threw
the　heavier　pieces　on　top

〃Joe；　climb　up；〃　he　said。

〃Wal；　Milt；〃　drawled　the　driver；〃　let's　ooze　along。〃

Dale　hesitated；　with　his　hand　on　the　door。　　He　glanced　at　the
crowd；　now　edging　close　again；　and　then　at　Helen。

〃I　reckon　I　ought　to　tell　you；〃　he　said；　and　indecision
appeared　to　concern　him。

〃What？〃　exclaimed　Helen。

〃Bad　news。　　But　talkin'　takes　time。　　An'　we　mustn't　lose　any。〃

〃There's　need　of　hurry？〃　queried　Helen；　sitting　up　sharply。

〃I　reckon。〃

〃Is　this　the　stage　to　Snowdrop？

〃No。　　That　leaves　in　the　mornin'。　　We　rustled　this　old　trap　to
get　a　start　to…night。〃

〃The　sooner　the　better。　　But　I　　I　don't　understand；〃　said
Helen；　bewildered。

〃It'll　not　be　safe　for　you　to　ride　on　the　mornin'　stage；〃
returned　Dale。

〃Safe！　　Oh；　what　do　you　mean？〃　exclaimed　Helen。
Apprehensively　she　gazed　at　him　and　then　back　at　Bo。

〃Explainin'　will　take　time。　　An'　facts　may　change　your　mind。
But　if　you　can't　trust　me　〃

〃Trust　you！〃　interposed　Helen；　blankly。　　〃You　mean　to　take　us
to　Snowdrop？　　〃

〃I　reckon　we'd　better　go　roundabout　an'　not　hit　Snowdrop；〃
he　replied；　shortly。

〃Then　to　Pine　　to　my　uncle　　Al　Auchincloss？

〃Yes；　I'm　goin'　to　try　hard。〃

Helen　caught　her　breath。　　She　divined　that　some　peril　menaced
her。　　She　looked　steadily；　with　all　a　woman's　keenness；　into
this　man's　face。　　The　moment　was　one　of　the　fateful　decisions
she　knew　the　West　had　in　store　for　her。　　Her　future　and　that
of　Bo's　were　now　to　be　dependent　upon　her　judgments。　　It　was
a　hard　moment　and；　though　she　shivered　inwardly；　she
welcomed　the　initial　and　inevitable　step。　　This　man　Dale；　by
his　dress　of　buckskin；　must　be　either　scout　or　hunter。　　His
size；　his　action；　the　tone　of　his　voice　had　been　reassuring。
But　Helen　must　decide　from　what　she　saw　in　his　face　whether
or　not　to　trust　him。　　And　that　face　was　clear　bronze；
unlined；　unshadowed；　like　a　tranquil　mask；　clean…cut；
strong…jawed；　with　eyes　of　wonderful　transparent　gray。

〃Yes；　I'll　trust　you；〃　she　said。　　〃Get　in；　and　let　us　hurry。
Then　you　can　explain。〃

〃All　ready；　Bill。　　Send　'em　along；〃　called　Dale。

He　had　to　stoop　to　enter　the　stage；　and；　once　in；　he
appeared　to　fill　that　side　upon　which　he　sat。　　Then　the
driver　cracked　his　whip；　the　stage　lurched　and　began　to
roll；　the　motley　crowd　was　left　behind。　　Helen　awakened　to
the　reality；　as　she　saw　Bo　staring　with　big　eyes　at　the
hunter；　that　a　stranger　adventure　than　she　had　ever　dreamed
of　had　began　with　the　rattling　roll　of　that　old　stage…coach。

Dale　laid　off　his　sombrero　and　leaned　forward；　holding　his
rifle　between　his　knees。　　The　light　shone　better　upon　his
features　now　that　he　was　bareheaded。　　Helen　had　never　seen　a
face　like　that；　which　at　first　glance　appeared　darkly
bronzed　and　hard；　and　then　became　clear；　cold；　aloof；　still；
intense。　　She　wished　she　might　see　a　smile　upon　it。　　And　now
that　the　die　was　cast　she　could　not　tell　why　she　had　trusted
it。　　There　was　singular　force　in　it；　but　she　did　not
recognize　what　kind　of　force。　　One　instant　she　thought　it　was
stern；　and　the　next　that　it　was　sweet；　and　again　that　it　was
neither。

〃I'm　glad　you've　got　your　sister；〃　he　said；　presently。

〃How　did　you　know　she's　my　sister？〃

〃I　reckon　she　looks　like　you。〃

〃No　one　else　ever　thought　so；〃　replied　Helen；　trying　to
smile。

Bo　had　no　difficulty　in　smiling；　as　she　said；　〃Wish　I　was
half　as　pretty　as　Nell。〃

〃Nell。　　Isn't　your　name　Helen？〃　queried　Dale。

〃Yes。　　But　my　　some　few　call　me　Nell。〃

〃I　like　Nell　better　than　Helen。　　An'　what's　yours？〃　went　on
Dale；　looking　at　Bo。

〃Mine's　Bo。　　just　plain　B…o。　　Isn't　it　silly？　　But　I　wasn't
asked　when　they　gave　it　to　me；〃　she　replied。

〃Bo。　　It's　nice　an'　short。　　Never　heard　it　before。　　But　I
haven't　met　many　people　for　years。〃

〃Oh！　　we've　left　the　town！〃　cried　Bo。　　〃Look；　Nell！　　How　bare！
It's　just　like　desert。〃

〃It　is　desert。　　We've　forty　miles　of　that　before　we　come　to　a
hill　or　a　tree。〃

Helen　glanced　out。　　A　flat；　dull…green　expanse　waved　away
from　the　road　on　and　on　to　a　bright；　dark　horizon…line；
where　the　sun　was　setting　rayless　in　a　clear　sky。　　Open；
desolate；　and　lonely；　the　scene　gave　her　a　cold　thrill。

〃Did　your　uncle　Al　ever　write　anythin'　about　a　man　named
Beasley？〃　asked　Dale。

〃Indeed　he　did；〃　replied　Helen；　with　a　start　of　surprise。

〃Beasley！　　That　name　is　familiar　to　us　　and　detestable。　　My
uncle　complained　of　this　man　for　years。　　Then　he　grew　bitter
　accused　Beasley。　　But　the　last　year　or　so　not　a　word！〃

〃Well；　now；〃　began　the　hunter；　earnestly；　〃let's　get　the　bad
news　over。　　I'm　sorry　you　must　be　worried。　　But　you　must　learn
to　take　the　West　as　it　is。　　There's　good　an'　bad；　maybe　more
bad。　　That's　because　the　country's　young。　。　。　。　　So　to　come
right　out　with　it　　this　Beasley　hired　a　gang　of　outlaws　to
meet　the　stage　you　was　goin'　in　to　Snowdrop　　to…morrow　
an'　to　make　off　with　you。〃

〃Make　off　with　me？〃　ejaculated　Helen；　bewildered。

〃Kidnap　you！　　Which；　in　that　gang；　would　be　worse　than
killing　you！〃　declared　Dale；　grimly；　and　he　closed　a　huge
fist　on　his　knee。

Helen　was　utterly　astounded。

〃How　hor…rible！〃　she　gasped　out。　　〃Make　off　with　me！　　。　。　。
What　in　Heaven's　name　for？〃

Bo　gave　vent　to　a　fierce　little　utterance。

〃For　reasons　you　ought　to　guess；〃　replied　Dale；　and　he
leaned　forward　again。　　Neither　his　voice　nor　face　changed　in
the　least；　but　yet　there　was　a　something　about　him　that
fascinated　Helen。　　〃I'm　a　hunter。　　I　live　in　the　woods。　　A　few
nights　ago　I　happened　to　be　caught　out　in　a　storm　an'　I　took
to　an　old　log　cabin。　　Soon　as　I　got　there　I　heard　horses。　　I
hid　up　in　the　loft。　　Some　men　rode　up　an'　come　in。　　It　was
dark。　　They　couldn't　see　me。　　An'　they　talked。　　It　turned　out
they　were　Snake　Anson　an'　his　gang　of　sheep…thieves。　　They
expected　to　meet　Beasley　there。　　Pretty　soon　he　came。　　He　told
Anson　how　old　Al；　your　uncle；　was　on　his　last　legs　　how　he
had　sent　for　you　to　have　his　property　when　he　died。　　Beasley
swore　he　had　claims　on　Al。　　An'　he　made　a　deal　with　Anson　to
get　you　out　of　the　way。　　He　named　the　day　you　were　to　reach
Magdalena。　　With　Al　dead　an'　you　not　there；　Beasley　could　get
the　property。　　An'　then　he　wouldn't　care　if　you　did　come　to
claim　it。　　It　'd　be　too　late。　。　。　。　　Well；　they　rode　away　that
night。　　An'　next　day　I　rustled　down　to　Pine。　　They're　all　my
friends　at　Pine；　except　old　Al。　　But　they　think　I'm　queer。　　I
didn't　want　to　confide。　　in　many　people。　　Beasley　is　strong　in
Pine；　an'　for　that　matter　I　suspect　Snake　Anson　has　other
friends　there　besides　Beasley。　　So　I　went　to　see　your　uncle。
He　never　had　any　use　for　me　because　he　thought　I　was　lazy
like　an　Indian。　　Old　Al　hates　lazy　men。　　Then　we　fell　out　
or　he　fell　out　　because　he　believed　a　tame　lion　of　mine
had