the man of the forest-第9章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


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　killed　some　of　his　sheep。　　An'　now　I　reckon　that　Tom
might　have　done　it。　　I　tried　to　lead　up　to　this　deal　of
Beasley's　about　you；　but　old　Al　wouldn't　listen。　　He's　cross
　very　cross。　　An'　when　I　tried　to　tell　him；　why；　he　went
right　out　of　his　head。　　Sent　me　off　the　ranch。　　Now　I　reckon
you　begin　to　see　what　a　pickle　I　was　in。　　Finally　I　went　to
four　friends　I　could　trust。　　They're　Mormon　boys　　brothers。
That's　Joe　out　on　top；　with　the　driver。　　I　told　them　all
about　Beasley's　deal　an'　asked　them　to　help　me。　　So　we
planned　to　beat　Anson　an'　his　gang　to　Magdalena。　　It　happens
that　Beasley　is　as　strong　in　Magdalena　as　he　is　in　Pine。　　An'
we　had　to　go　careful。　　But　the　boys　had　a　couple　of　friends
here　　Mormons；　too；　who　agreed　to　help　us。　　They　had　this
old　stage。　。　。　。　　An'　here　you　are。〃　Dale　spread　out　his　big
hands　and　looked　gravely　at　Helen　and　then　at　Bo。

〃You're　perfectly　splendid！〃　cried　Bo；　ringingly。　　She　was
white；　her　fingers　were　clenched；　her　eyes　blazed。

Dale　appeared　startled　out　of　his　gravity；　and　surprised；
then　pleased。　　A　smile　made　his　face　like　a　boy's。　　Helen　felt
her　body　all　rigid；　yet　slightly　trembling。　　Her　hands　were
cold。　　The　horror　of　this　revelation　held　her　speechless。　　But
in　her　heart　she　echoed　Bo's　exclamation　of　admiration　and
gratitude。

〃So　far；　then；〃　resumed　Dale；　with　a　heavy　breath　of　relief。
〃No　wonder　you're　upset。　　I've　a　blunt　way　of　talkin'。　。　。　。
Now　we've　thirty　miles　to　ride　on　this　Snowdrop　road　before
we　can　turn　off。　　To…day　sometime　the　rest　of　the　boys　
Roy；　John；　an'　Hal　　were　to　leave　Show　Down；　which's　a
town　farther　on　from　Snowdrop。　　They　have　my　horses　an'　packs
besides　their　own。　　Somewhere　on　the　road　we'll　meet　them　
to…night；　maybe　　or　tomorrow。　　I　hope　not　to…night；　because
that　'd　mean　Anson's　gang　was　ridin'　in　to　Magdalena。〃

Helen　wrung　her　hands　helplessly。

〃Oh；　have　I　no　courage？〃　she　whispered。

〃Nell；　I'm　as　scared　as　you　are；〃　said　Bo；　consolingly；
embracing　her　sister。

〃I　reckon　that's　natural；〃　said　Dale；　as　if　excusing　them。
〃But；　scared　or　not；　you　both　brace　up。　　It's　a　bad　job。　　But
I've　done　my　best。　　An'　you'll　be　safer　with　me　an'　the
Beeman　boys　than　you'd　be　in　Magdalena；　or　anywhere　else；
except　your　uncle's。〃

〃Mr。　　　Mr。　　Dale；〃　faltered　Helen；　with　her　tears　falling；
〃don't　think　me　a　coward　　or　　or　ungrateful。　　I'm
neither。　　It's　only　I'm　so　　so　shocked。　　After　all　we　hoped
and　expected　　this　　this　　is　such　a　　a　terrible
surprise。〃

〃Never　mind；　Nell　dear。　　Let's　take　what　comes；〃　murmured　Bo。

〃That's　the　talk；〃　said　Dale。　　〃You　see；　I've　come　right　out
with　the　worst。　　Maybe　we'll　get　through　easy。　　When　we　meet
the　boys　we'll　take　to　the　horses　an'　the　trails。　　Can　you
ride？〃

〃Bo　has　been　used　to　horses　all　her　life　and　I　ride　fairly
well；〃　responded　Helen。　　The　idea　of　riding　quickened　her
spirit。

〃Good！　　We　may　have　some　hard　ridin'　before　I　get　you　up　to
Pine。　　Hello！　　What's　that？〃

Above　the　creaking；　rattling；　rolling　roar　of　the　stage
Helen　heard　a　rapid　beat　of　hoofs。　　A　horse　flashed　by；
galloping　hard。

Dale　opened　the　door　and　peered　out。　　The　stage　rolled　to　a
halt。　　He　stepped　down　and　gazed　ahead。

〃Joe；　who　was　that？〃　he　queried。

〃Nary　me。　　An'　Bill　didn't　know　him；　either；〃　replied　Joe。　　〃I
seen　him　'way　back。　　He　was　ridin'　some。　　An'　he　slowed　up
goin'　past　us。　　Now　he's　runnin'　again。〃

Dale　shook　his　head　as　if　he　did　not　like　the　circumstances。

〃Milt；　he'll　never　get　by　Roy　on　this　road；〃　said　Joe。

Maybe　he'll　get　by　before　Roy　strikes　in　on　the　road。〃

〃It　ain't　likely。〃

Helen　could　not　restrain　her　fears。　　〃Mr。　　Dale；　you　think　he
was　a　messenger　　going　ahead　to　post　that　　that　Anson
gang？〃

〃He　might　be；〃　replied　Dale；　simply。

Then　the　young　man　called　Joe　leaned　out　from　the　seat　above
and　called：　〃Miss　Helen；　don't　you　worry。　　Thet　fellar　is
more　liable　to　stop　lead　than　anythin'　else。〃

His　words；　meant　to　be　kind　and　reassuring；　were　almost　as
sinister　to　Helen　as　the　menace　to　her　own　life。　　Long　had
she　known　how　cheap　life　was　held　in　the　West；　but　she　had
only　known　it　abstractly；　and　she　had　never　let　the　fact
remain　before　her　consciousness。　　This　cheerful　young　man
spoke　calmly　of　spilling　blood　in　her　behalf。　　The　thought　it
roused　was　tragic　　for　bloodshed　was　insupportable　to　her
　and　then　the　thrills　which　followed　were　so　new；　strange；
bold；　and　tingling　that　they　were　revolting。　　Helen　grew
conscious　of　unplumbed　depths；　of　instincts　at　which　she　was
amazed　and　ashamed。

〃Joe；　hand　down　that　basket　of　grub　　the　small　one　with
the　canteen；〃　said　Dale；　reaching　out　a　long　arm。　　Presently
he　placed　a　cloth…covered　basket　inside　the　stage。　　〃Girls；
eat　all　you　want　an'　then　some。〃

〃We　have　a　basket　half　full　yet；〃　replied　Helen。

〃You'll　need　it　all　before　we　get　to　Pine。　。　。　。　　Now；　I'll
ride　up　on　top　with　the　boys　an'　eat　my　supper。　　It'll　be
dark；　presently；　an'　we'll　stop　often　to　listen。　　But　don't
be　scared。〃

With　that　he　took　his　rifle　and；　closing　the　door；　clambered
up　to　the　driver's　seat。　　Then　the　stage　lurched　again　and
began　to　roll　along。

Not　the　least　thing　to　wonder　at　of　this　eventful　evening
was　the　way　Bo　reached　for　the　basket　of　food。　　Helen　simply
stared　at　her。

〃Bo；　you　CAN'T　EAT！〃　she　exclaimed。

〃I　should　smile　I　can；〃　replied　that　practical　young　lady。
〃And　you're　going　to　if　I　have　to　stuff　things　in　your
mouth。　　Where's　your　wits；　Nell？　　He　said　we　must　eat。　　That
means　our　strength　is　going　to　have　some　pretty　severe
trials。　。　。　。　　Gee！　　it's　all　great　　just　like　a　story！　　The
unexpected　　why；　he　looks　like　a　prince　turned　hunter！　　
long；　dark；　stage　journey　　held　up　　fight　　escape　
wild　ride　on　horses　　woods　and　camps　and　wild　places　
pursued　　hidden　in　the　forest　　more　hard　rides　　then
safe　at　the　ranch。　　And　of　course　he　falls　madly　in　love　with
me　　no；　you；　for　I'll　be　true　to　my　Las　Vegas　lover　〃

〃Hush；　silly！　　Bo；　tell　me；　aren't　you　SCARED？〃

〃Scared！　　I'm　scared　stiff。　　But　if　Western　girls　stand　such
things；　we　can。　　No　Western　girl　is　going　to　beat　ME！〃

That　brought　Helen　to　a　realization　of　the　brave　place　she
had　given　herself　in　dreams；　and　she　was　at　once　ashamed　of
herself　and　wildly　proud　of　this　little　sister。

〃Bo；　thank　Heaven　I　brought　you　with　me！〃　exclaimed　Helen；
fervently。　　〃I'll　eat　if　it　chokes　me。〃

Whereupon　she　found　herself　actually　hungry；　and　while　she
ate　she　glanced　out　of　the　stage；　first　from　one　side　and
then　from　the　other。　　These　windows　had　no　glass　and　they　let
the　cool　night　air　blow　in。　　The　sun　had　long　since　sunk。　　Out
to　the　west；　where　a　bold；　black　horizon…line　swept　away
endlessly；　the　sky　was　clear　gold；　shading　to　yellow　and
blue　above。　　Stars　were　out；　pale　and　wan；　but　growing
brighter。　　The　earth　appeared　bare　and　heaving；　like　a　calm
sea。　　The　wind　bore　a　fragrance　new　to　Helen；　acridly　sweet
and　clean；　and　it　was　so　cold　it　made　her　fingers　numb。

〃I　heard　some　animal　yelp；〃　said　Bo；　suddenly；　and　she
listened　with　head　poised。

But　Helen　heard　nothing　save　the　steady　clip…clop　of　hoofs；
the　clink　of　chains；　the　creak　and　rattle　of　the　old　stage；
and　occasionally　the　low　voices　of　the　men　above。

When　the　girls　had　satisfied　hunger　and　thirst；　night　had
settled　down　black。　　They　pulled　the　cloaks　up　over　them；　and
close　together　leaned　back　in　a　corner　of　the　seat　and
talked　in　whispers。　　Helen　did　not　have　much　to　say；　but　Bo
was　talkative。

〃This　beats　me！〃　she　said　once；　after　an　interval。　　〃Where
are　we；　Nell？　　Those　men　up　there　are　Mormons。　　Maybe　they　are
abducting　us！〃

〃Mr。　　Dale　isn't　a　Mormon；〃　replied　Helen。

〃How　do　you　know？〃

〃I　could　tell　by　the　way　he　spoke　of　his　friends。〃

〃Well；　I　wish　it　wasn't　so　dark。　　I'm　not　afraid　of　men　in
daylight。　。　。　。　　Nell；　did　you　ever　see　such　a　wonderful
looking　fellow？　　What'd　they　call　him？　　Milt　　Milt　Dale。　　He
said　he　lived　in　the　woods。　　If　I　hadn't　fallen　in　love　with
that　cowboy　who　called　me　　well；　I'd　be　a　goner　now。〃

After　an　interval　of　silence　Bo　whispered；　startlingly；
〃Wonder　if　Harve　Riggs　is　following　us　now？〃

〃Of　course　he　is；〃　replied　Helen；　hopelessly。

〃He'd　better　look　out。　　Why；　Nell；　he　never　saw　　he　never
　what　did　Uncle　Al　used　to　call　it？　　　sav　　savvied　
that's　it。　　Riggs　never　savvied　that　hunter。　　But　I　did；　you
bet。〃

〃Savvied！　　What　do　you　mean；　Bo？〃

〃I　mean　that　long…haired　galoot　never　saw　his　real　danger。
But　I　felt　it。　　Something　went　light　inside　me。　　Dale　never
took　him　seriously　at　all。〃

〃Riggs　will　turn　up　at　Uncle　Al's；　sure　as　I'm　born；〃　said
Helen。

〃Let　him　turn；〃　replied　Bo；　contemptuously。　　〃Nell；　don't　you
ever　bother　your　head　again　about　him。　　I'll　bet　they're　all
men　out　here。　　And　I　wouldn't　be　in　Harve　Riggs's　boots　for　a
lot。〃

After　that　Bo　talked　of　her　uncle　and　his　fatal　illness；　and
from　that　she　drifted　back　to　the　loved　ones　at　home；　now
seemingly　at　the　other　side　of　the　world；　and　then　she　broke
down　and　cried；　after　which　she　fell　asleep　on　Helen's
shoulder。

But　Helen　could　not　have　fallen　asleep　if　she　had　wanted　to。

She　had　always；　since　she　could　remember；　longed　for　a
moving；　active　life；　and　'or　want　of　a　better　idea　she　had
chosen　to　dream　of　gipsies。　　And　now　it　struck　her　grimly
that；　if　these　first　few　hours　of　her　advent　in　the　West
were　forecasts　of　the　future；　she　was　destined　to　have　her
longings　more　than　fulfilled。

Presently　the　stage　rolled　slower　and　slower；　until　it　came
to　a　halt。　　Then　the　horses　heaved；　the　harnesses　clinked；
the　men　whispered。　　Otherwise　there　was　an　intense　quiet。　　She
looked　out；　expecting　to　find　it　pitch…dark。　　It　was　black；
yet　a　transparent　blackness。　　To　her　surprise　she　could　see　a
long　way。　　A　shooting…star　electrified　her。　　The　men　were
listening。　　She　listened；　too；　but　beyond　the　slight　sounds
about　the　stage　she　heard　nothing。　　Presently　the　driver
clucked　to　his　horses；　and　travel　was　resumed。

For　a　while　the　stage　rolled　on　rapidly；　evidently　downhill；
swaying　from　side　to　side；　and　rattling　as　if　about　to　fall
to　pieces。　　Then　it　slowed　on　a　level；　and　again　it　halted
for　a　few　moments；　and　once　more　in　motion　it　began　a
laborsome　climb。　　Helen　imagined　miles　had　been　covered。　　The
desert　appeared　to　heave　into　billows；　growing　rougher；　and
dark；　round　bushes　dimly　stood　out。　　The　road　grew　uneven　and
rocky；　and　when　the　stage　began　another　descent　its　violent
rocking　jolted　Bo　out　of　her　sleep　and　in　fact　almost　out　of
Helen's　arms。

〃Where　am　I？〃　asked　Bo；　dazedly。

〃Bo；　you're　having　your　heart's　desire；　but　I　can't　tell　you
where　you　are；〃　replied　Helen。

Bo　awakened　thoroughly；　which　fact　was　now　no　wonder；
considering　the　jostling　of　the　old　stage。

〃Hold　on　to　me；　Nell！　　。　。　。　　Is　it　a　runaway？〃

〃We've　come　about　a　thousand　miles　like　this；　I　think；〃
replied　Helen。　　〃I've　not　a　whole　bone　in　my　body。〃

Bo　peered　out　of　the　window。

〃Oh；　how　dark　and　lonesome！　　But　it'd　be　nice　if　it　wasn't　so
cold。　　I'm　freezing。〃

〃I　thought　you　loved　cold　air；