章节正文
"'Jennie,' he said, 'my wife said Duane came here to see you. I
believe she's lyin'. I think she's been carryin' on with him,
an' I want to KNOW. If she's been an' you tell me the truth
I'll let you go. I'll send you out to Huntsville, where you can
communicate with your friends. I'll give you money.'
"Thet must hev been a hell of a minnit fer Kate Bland. If evet
I seen death in a man's eye I seen it in Bland's. He loves her.
Thet's the strange part of it.
"'Has Duane been comin' here to see my wife?' Bland asked,
fierce-like.
"'No,' said Jennie.
"'He's been after you?'
"'Yes.'
"'He has fallen in love with you? Kate said thet.'
"'I--I'm not--I don't know--he hasn't told me.'
"'But you're in love with him?'
"'Yes,' she said; an', Buck, if you only could have seen her!
She thronged up her head, an' her eyes were full of fire. Bland
seemed dazed at sight of her. An' Alloway, why, thet little
skunk of an outlaw cried right out. He was hit plumb center.
He's in love with Jen. An' the look of her then was enough to
make any feller quit. He jest slunk out of the room. I told
you, mebbe, thet he'd been tryin' to git Bland to marry Jen to
him. So even a tough like Alloway can love a woman!
"Bland stamped up an' down the room. He sure was dyin' hard.
"'Jennie,' he said, once more turnin' to her. 'You swear in
fear of your life thet you're tellin' truth. Kate's not in love
with Duane? She's let him come to see you? There's been nuthin'
between them?'
"'No. I swear,' answered Jennie; an' Bland sat down like a man
licked.
"'Go to bed, you white-faced--' Bland choked on some word or
other--a bad one, I reckon--an' he positively shook in his
chair.
"Jennie went then, an' Kate began to have hysterics. An' your
Uncle Euchre ducked his nut out of the door an' come home."
Duane did not have a word to say at the end of Euchre's long
harangue. He experiencedrelief. As a matter of fact, he had
expected a good deal worse. He thrilled at the thought of
Jennie perjuring herself to save that abandoned woman. What
mysteries these feminine creatures were!
"Wal, there's where our little deal stands now," resumed
Euchre, meditatively. "You know, Buck, as well as me thet if
you'd been some feller who hadn't shown he was a wonder with a
gun you'd now be full of lead. If you'd happen to kill Bland
an' Alloway, I reckon you'd be as safe on this here border as
you would in Santone. Such is gun fame in this land of the
draw."
CHAPTER IX
Both men were awake early, silent with the premonition of
trouble ahead, thoughtful of the fact that the time for the
long-planned action was at hand. It was remarkable that a man
as loquacious as Euchre could hold his tongue so long; and this
was significant of the deadly nature of the intended deed.
During breakfast he said a few words customary in the service
of food. At the conclusion of the meal he seemed to come to an
end of deliberation.
"Buck, the sooner the better now," he declared, with a glint in
his eye. "The more time we use up now the less surprised
Bland'll be."
"I'm ready when you are," replied Duane, quietly, and he rose
from the table.
"Wal, saddle up, then," went on Euchre, gruffly. "Tie on them
two packs I made, one fer each saddle. You can't tell--mebbe
either hoss will be carryin' double. It's good they're both
big, strong hosses. Guess thet wasn't a wise move of your Uncle
Euchre's--bringin' in your hosses an' havin' them ready?"
"Euchre, I hope you're not going to get in bad here. I'm afraid
you are. Let me do the rest now," said Duane.
The old outlaw eyed him sarcastically.
"Thet 'd be turrible now, wouldn't it? If you want to know,
why, I'm in bad already. I didn't tell you thet Alloway called
me last night. He's gettin' wise pretty quick."
"Euchre, you're going with me?" queried Duane, suddenly
divining the truth. '
"Wal, I reckon. Either to hell or safe over the mountain! I
wisht I was a gun-fighter. I hate to leave here without takin'
a peg at Jackrabbit Benson. Now, Buck, you do some hard
figgerin' while I go nosin' round. It's pretty early, which 's
all the better."
Euchre put on his sombrero, and as he went out Duane saw that
he wore a gun-and-cartridge belt. It was the first time Duane
had ever seen the outlaw armed.
Duane packed his few belongings into his saddlebags, and then
carried the saddles out to the corral. An abundance of alfalfa
in the corral showed that the horses had fared well. They had
gotten almost fat during his stay in the valley. He watered
them, put on the saddles loosely cinched, and then the bridles.
His next move was to fill the two canvas water-bottles. That
done, he returned to the cabin to wait.
At the moment he felt no excitement or agitation of any kind.
There was no more thinking and planning to do. The hour had
arrived, and he was ready. He understood perfectly the
desperate chances he must take. His thoughts became confined to
Euchre and the surprisingloyalty and goodness in the hardened
old outlaw. Time passed slowly. Duane kept glancing at his
watch. He hoped to start the thing and get away before the
outlaws were out of their beds. Finally he heard the shuffle of
Euchre's boots on the hard path. The sound was quicker than
usual.
When Euchre came around the corner of the cabin Duane was not
so astounded as he was concerned to see the outlaw white and
shaking. Sweat dripped from him. He had a wild look.
"Luck ours--so-fur, Buck!" he panted.
"You don't look it," replied Duane.
"I'm turrible sick. Jest killed a man. Fust one I ever killed!"
"Who?" asked Duane, startled.
"Jackrabbit Benson. An' sick as I am, I'm gloryin' in it. I
went nosin' round up the road. Saw Alloway goin' into Deger's.
He's thick with the Degers. Reckon he's askin' questions.
Anyway, I was sure glad to see him away from Bland's. An' he
didn't see me. When I dropped into Benson's there wasn't nobody
there but Jackrabbit an' some greasers he was startin' to work.
Benson never had no use fer me. An' he up an' said he wouldn't
give a two-bit piece fer my life. I asked him why.
"'You're double-crossin' the boss an' Chess,' he said.
"'Jack, what 'd you give fer your own life?' I asked him.
"He straightened up surprised an' mean-lookin'. An' I let him
have it, plumb center! He wilted, an' the greasers run. I
reckon I'll never sleep again. But I had to do it."
Duane asked if the shot had attracted any attention outside.
"I didn't see anybody but the greasers, an' I sure looked
sharp. Comin' back I cut across through the cottonwoods past
Bland's cabin. I meant to keep out of sight, but somehow I had
an idee I might find out if Bland was awake yet. Sure enough I
run plumb into Beppo, the boy who tends Bland's hosses. Beppo
likes me. An' when I inquired of his boss he said Bland had
been up all night fightin' with the Senora. An', Buck, here's
how I figger. Bland couldn't let up last night. He was sore,
an' he went after Kate again, tryin' to wear her down. Jest as
likely he might have went after Jennie, with wuss intentions.
Anyway, he an' Kate must have had it hot an' heavy. We're
pretty lucky."
"It seems so. Well, I'm going," said Duane, tersely.
"Lucky! I should smiler Bland's been up all night after a most
draggin' ride home. He'll be fagged out this mornin', sleepy,
sore, an' he won't be expectin' hell before breakfast. Now, you
walk over to his house. Meet him how you like. Thet's your
game. But I'm suggestin', if he comes out an' you want to
parley, you can jest say you'd thought over his proposition an'
was ready to join his band, or you ain't. You'll have to kill
him, an' it 'd save time to go fer your gun on sight. Might be
wise, too, fer it's likely he'll do thet same."
"How about the horses?"
"I'll fetch them an' come along about two minnits behind you.
'Pears to me you ought to have the job done an' Jennie outside
by the time I git there. Once on them hosses, we can ride out
of camp before Alloway or anybody else gits into action. Jennie
ain't much heavier than a rabbit. Thet big black will carry you
both."
"All right. But once more let me persuade you to stay--not to
mix any more in this," said Duane, earnestly.
"Nope. I'm goin'. You heard what Benson told me. Alloway
wouldn't give me the benefit of any doubts. Buck, a last
word--look out fer thet Bland woman!"
Duane merely nodded, and then, saying that the horses were
ready, he strode away through the grove. Accounting for the
short cut across grove and field, it was about five minutes'
walk up to Bland's house. To Duane it seemed long in time and
distance, and he had difficulty in restraining his pace. As he
walked there came a gradual and subtle change in his feelings.
Again he was going out to meet a man in conflict. He could have
avoided this meeting. But despite the fact of his courting the
encounter he had not as yet felt that hot, inexplicable rush of
blood. The motive of this deadly action was not personal, and
somehow that made a difference.
No outlaws were in sight. He saw several Mexican herders with
cattle. Blue columns of smoke curled up over some of the
cabins. The fragrant smell of it reminded Duane of his home and
cutting wood for the stove. He noted a cloud of creamy mist
rising above the river, dissolving in the sunlight.
Then he entered Bland's lane.
While yet some distance from the cabin he heard loud, angry
voices of man and woman. Bland and Kate still quarreling! He
took a quick survey of the surroundings. There was now not even
a Mexican in sight. Then he hurried a little. Halfway down the
lane he turned his head to peer through the cottonwoods. This
time he saw Euchre coming with the horses. There was no
indication that the old outlaw might lose his nerve at the end.
Duane had feared this.
Duane now changed his walk to a leisurelysaunter. He reached
the porch and then distinguished what was said inside the
cabin.
"If you do, Bland, by Heaven I'll fix you and her!" That was
panted out in Kate Bland's full voice.
"Let me looser I'm going in there, I tell you!" replied Bland,
hoarsely.
"What for?"
"I want to make a little love to her. Ha! ha! It'll be fun to
have the laugh on her new lover."
"You lie!" cried Kate Bland.
"I'm not saying what I'll do to her AFTERWARD!" His voice grew
hoarser with passion. "Let me go now!"
"No! no! I won't let you go. You'll choke the--the truth out of
her--you'll kill her."
"The TRUTH!" hissed Bland.
"Yes. I lied. Jen lied. But she lied to save me. You
needn't--murder her--for that."
Bland cursed horribly. Then followed a wrestling sound of
bodies in violent straining contact--the scrape of feet--the
jangle of spurs--a crash of sliding table or chair, and then
believe she's lyin'. I think she's been carryin' on with him,
an' I want to KNOW. If she's been an' you tell me the truth
I'll let you go. I'll send you out to Huntsville, where you can
communicate with your friends. I'll give you money.'
"Thet must hev been a hell of a minnit fer Kate Bland. If evet
I seen death in a man's eye I seen it in Bland's. He loves her.
Thet's the strange part of it.
"'Has Duane been comin' here to see my wife?' Bland asked,
fierce-like.
"'No,' said Jennie.
"'He's been after you?'
"'Yes.'
"'He has fallen in love with you? Kate said thet.'
"'I--I'm not--I don't know--he hasn't told me.'
"'But you're in love with him?'
"'Yes,' she said; an', Buck, if you only could have seen her!
She thronged up her head, an' her eyes were full of fire. Bland
seemed dazed at sight of her. An' Alloway, why, thet little
skunk of an outlaw cried right out. He was hit plumb center.
He's in love with Jen. An' the look of her then was enough to
make any feller quit. He jest slunk out of the room. I told
you, mebbe, thet he'd been tryin' to git Bland to marry Jen to
him. So even a tough like Alloway can love a woman!
"Bland stamped up an' down the room. He sure was dyin' hard.
"'Jennie,' he said, once more turnin' to her. 'You swear in
fear of your life thet you're tellin' truth. Kate's not in love
with Duane? She's let him come to see you? There's been nuthin'
between them?'
"'No. I swear,' answered Jennie; an' Bland sat down like a man
licked.
"'Go to bed, you white-faced--' Bland choked on some word or
other--a bad one, I reckon--an' he positively shook in his
chair.
"Jennie went then, an' Kate began to have hysterics. An' your
Uncle Euchre ducked his nut out of the door an' come home."
Duane did not have a word to say at the end of Euchre's long
harangue. He experiencedrelief. As a matter of fact, he had
expected a good deal worse. He thrilled at the thought of
Jennie perjuring herself to save that abandoned woman. What
mysteries these feminine creatures were!
"Wal, there's where our little deal stands now," resumed
Euchre, meditatively. "You know, Buck, as well as me thet if
you'd been some feller who hadn't shown he was a wonder with a
gun you'd now be full of lead. If you'd happen to kill Bland
an' Alloway, I reckon you'd be as safe on this here border as
you would in Santone. Such is gun fame in this land of the
draw."
CHAPTER IX
Both men were awake early, silent with the premonition of
trouble ahead, thoughtful of the fact that the time for the
long-planned action was at hand. It was remarkable that a man
as loquacious as Euchre could hold his tongue so long; and this
was significant of the deadly nature of the intended deed.
During breakfast he said a few words customary in the service
of food. At the conclusion of the meal he seemed to come to an
end of deliberation.
"Buck, the sooner the better now," he declared, with a glint in
his eye. "The more time we use up now the less surprised
Bland'll be."
"I'm ready when you are," replied Duane, quietly, and he rose
from the table.
"Wal, saddle up, then," went on Euchre, gruffly. "Tie on them
two packs I made, one fer each saddle. You can't tell--mebbe
either hoss will be carryin' double. It's good they're both
big, strong hosses. Guess thet wasn't a wise move of your Uncle
Euchre's--bringin' in your hosses an' havin' them ready?"
"Euchre, I hope you're not going to get in bad here. I'm afraid
you are. Let me do the rest now," said Duane.
The old outlaw eyed him sarcastically.
"Thet 'd be turrible now, wouldn't it? If you want to know,
why, I'm in bad already. I didn't tell you thet Alloway called
me last night. He's gettin' wise pretty quick."
"Euchre, you're going with me?" queried Duane, suddenly
divining the truth. '
"Wal, I reckon. Either to hell or safe over the mountain! I
wisht I was a gun-fighter. I hate to leave here without takin'
a peg at Jackrabbit Benson. Now, Buck, you do some hard
figgerin' while I go nosin' round. It's pretty early, which 's
all the better."
Euchre put on his sombrero, and as he went out Duane saw that
he wore a gun-and-cartridge belt. It was the first time Duane
had ever seen the outlaw armed.
Duane packed his few belongings into his saddlebags, and then
carried the saddles out to the corral. An abundance of alfalfa
in the corral showed that the horses had fared well. They had
gotten almost fat during his stay in the valley. He watered
them, put on the saddles loosely cinched, and then the bridles.
His next move was to fill the two canvas water-bottles. That
done, he returned to the cabin to wait.
At the moment he felt no excitement or agitation of any kind.
There was no more thinking and planning to do. The hour had
arrived, and he was ready. He understood perfectly the
desperate chances he must take. His thoughts became confined to
Euchre and the surprisingloyalty and goodness in the hardened
old outlaw. Time passed slowly. Duane kept glancing at his
watch. He hoped to start the thing and get away before the
outlaws were out of their beds. Finally he heard the shuffle of
Euchre's boots on the hard path. The sound was quicker than
usual.
When Euchre came around the corner of the cabin Duane was not
so astounded as he was concerned to see the outlaw white and
shaking. Sweat dripped from him. He had a wild look.
"Luck ours--so-fur, Buck!" he panted.
"You don't look it," replied Duane.
"I'm turrible sick. Jest killed a man. Fust one I ever killed!"
"Who?" asked Duane, startled.
"Jackrabbit Benson. An' sick as I am, I'm gloryin' in it. I
went nosin' round up the road. Saw Alloway goin' into Deger's.
He's thick with the Degers. Reckon he's askin' questions.
Anyway, I was sure glad to see him away from Bland's. An' he
didn't see me. When I dropped into Benson's there wasn't nobody
there but Jackrabbit an' some greasers he was startin' to work.
Benson never had no use fer me. An' he up an' said he wouldn't
give a two-bit piece fer my life. I asked him why.
"'You're double-crossin' the boss an' Chess,' he said.
"'Jack, what 'd you give fer your own life?' I asked him.
"He straightened up surprised an' mean-lookin'. An' I let him
have it, plumb center! He wilted, an' the greasers run. I
reckon I'll never sleep again. But I had to do it."
Duane asked if the shot had attracted any attention outside.
"I didn't see anybody but the greasers, an' I sure looked
sharp. Comin' back I cut across through the cottonwoods past
Bland's cabin. I meant to keep out of sight, but somehow I had
an idee I might find out if Bland was awake yet. Sure enough I
run plumb into Beppo, the boy who tends Bland's hosses. Beppo
likes me. An' when I inquired of his boss he said Bland had
been up all night fightin' with the Senora. An', Buck, here's
how I figger. Bland couldn't let up last night. He was sore,
an' he went after Kate again, tryin' to wear her down. Jest as
likely he might have went after Jennie, with wuss intentions.
Anyway, he an' Kate must have had it hot an' heavy. We're
pretty lucky."
"It seems so. Well, I'm going," said Duane, tersely.
"Lucky! I should smiler Bland's been up all night after a most
draggin' ride home. He'll be fagged out this mornin', sleepy,
sore, an' he won't be expectin' hell before breakfast. Now, you
walk over to his house. Meet him how you like. Thet's your
game. But I'm suggestin', if he comes out an' you want to
parley, you can jest say you'd thought over his proposition an'
was ready to join his band, or you ain't. You'll have to kill
him, an' it 'd save time to go fer your gun on sight. Might be
wise, too, fer it's likely he'll do thet same."
"How about the horses?"
"I'll fetch them an' come along about two minnits behind you.
'Pears to me you ought to have the job done an' Jennie outside
by the time I git there. Once on them hosses, we can ride out
of camp before Alloway or anybody else gits into action. Jennie
ain't much heavier than a rabbit. Thet big black will carry you
both."
"All right. But once more let me persuade you to stay--not to
mix any more in this," said Duane, earnestly.
"Nope. I'm goin'. You heard what Benson told me. Alloway
wouldn't give me the benefit of any doubts. Buck, a last
word--look out fer thet Bland woman!"
Duane merely nodded, and then, saying that the horses were
ready, he strode away through the grove. Accounting for the
short cut across grove and field, it was about five minutes'
walk up to Bland's house. To Duane it seemed long in time and
distance, and he had difficulty in restraining his pace. As he
walked there came a gradual and subtle change in his feelings.
Again he was going out to meet a man in conflict. He could have
avoided this meeting. But despite the fact of his courting the
encounter he had not as yet felt that hot, inexplicable rush of
blood. The motive of this deadly action was not personal, and
somehow that made a difference.
No outlaws were in sight. He saw several Mexican herders with
cattle. Blue columns of smoke curled up over some of the
cabins. The fragrant smell of it reminded Duane of his home and
cutting wood for the stove. He noted a cloud of creamy mist
rising above the river, dissolving in the sunlight.
Then he entered Bland's lane.
While yet some distance from the cabin he heard loud, angry
voices of man and woman. Bland and Kate still quarreling! He
took a quick survey of the surroundings. There was now not even
a Mexican in sight. Then he hurried a little. Halfway down the
lane he turned his head to peer through the cottonwoods. This
time he saw Euchre coming with the horses. There was no
indication that the old outlaw might lose his nerve at the end.
Duane had feared this.
Duane now changed his walk to a leisurelysaunter. He reached
the porch and then distinguished what was said inside the
cabin.
"If you do, Bland, by Heaven I'll fix you and her!" That was
panted out in Kate Bland's full voice.
"Let me looser I'm going in there, I tell you!" replied Bland,
hoarsely.
"What for?"
"I want to make a little love to her. Ha! ha! It'll be fun to
have the laugh on her new lover."
"You lie!" cried Kate Bland.
"I'm not saying what I'll do to her AFTERWARD!" His voice grew
hoarser with passion. "Let me go now!"
"No! no! I won't let you go. You'll choke the--the truth out of
her--you'll kill her."
"The TRUTH!" hissed Bland.
"Yes. I lied. Jen lied. But she lied to save me. You
needn't--murder her--for that."
Bland cursed horribly. Then followed a wrestling sound of
bodies in violent straining contact--the scrape of feet--the
jangle of spurs--a crash of sliding table or chair, and then
- relief [ri´li:f]
n.救济；援救；减轻 (初中英语单词) - reckon [´rekən] v.计算；认为；估计 (初中英语单词)
- remarkable [ri´mɑ:kəbl] a.值得注意的；显著的 (初中英语单词)
- deadly [´dedli] a.致命的 ad.死一般地 (初中英语单词)
- conclusion [kən´klu:ʒən] n.结束；结论；推论 (初中英语单词)
- saddle [´sædl] n.鞍子 v.装鞍(于) (初中英语单词)
- abundance [ə´bʌndəns] n.丰富，充裕 (初中英语单词)
- valley [´væli] n.谷；河谷；流域 (初中英语单词)
- canvas [´kænvəs] n.帆布；油画(布) (初中英语单词)
- excitement [ik´saitmənt] n.兴奋；骚动；煽动 (初中英语单词)
- surprising [sə´praiziŋ] a.惊人的；意外的 (初中英语单词)
- goodness [´gudnis] n.优良；美德；精华 (初中英语单词)
- rabbit [´ræbit] n.兔子，野兔 (初中英语单词)
- persuade [pə´sweid] v.(被)说服；使相信 (初中英语单词)
- conflict [´kɔnflikt, kən´flikt] n.&vi.战斗；抵触 (初中英语单词)
- despite [di´spait] prep.尽管 (初中英语单词)
- motive [´məutiv] n.动机；主题 a.运动的 (初中英语单词)
- mexican [´meksikən] n.&a.墨西哥人(语)的 (初中英语单词)
- survey [´sə:vei] vt.&n.俯瞰；审视；测量 (初中英语单词)
- passion [´pæʃən] n.激情；激怒；恋爱 (初中英语单词)
- violent [´vaiələnt] a.强暴的；猛烈的 (初中英语单词)
- positively [´pɔzətivli] ad.确实；断然；绝对 (高中英语单词)
- thoughtful [´θɔ:tfəl] a.深思的；体贴的 (高中英语单词)
- significant [sig´nifikənt] a.重要的；意义重大的 (高中英语单词)
- customary [´kʌstəməri] a.通常的；惯例的 (高中英语单词)
- agitation [,ædʒi´teiʃən] n.鼓动；摇动；焦虑 (高中英语单词)
- perfectly [´pə:fiktli] ad.理想地；完美地 (高中英语单词)
- loyalty [´lɔiəlti] n.忠诚；忠心；忠实 (高中英语单词)
- concerned [kən´sə:nd] a.有关的；担心的 (高中英语单词)
- proposition [,prɔpə´ziʃən] n.提议；主张；陈述 (高中英语单词)
- saying [´seiŋ, ´sei-iŋ] n.言语；言论；格言 (高中英语单词)
- strode [strəud] stride的过去式 (高中英语单词)
- gradual [´grædʒuəl] a.逐渐的 (高中英语单词)
- fragrant [´freigrənt] a.芳香的，芬芳的 (高中英语单词)
- hurried [´hʌrid] a.仓促的，慌忙的 (高中英语单词)
- distinguished [di´stiŋgwiʃt] a.卓越的，著名的 (高中英语单词)
- outlaw [´autlɔ:] n.歹徒 vt.将...放逐 (英语四级单词)
- experienced [ik´spiəriənst] a.有经验的；熟练的 (英语四级单词)
- feminine [´feminin] a.女性的 (英语四级单词)
- belongings [bi´lɔŋiŋz] n.所有物；行李 (英语四级单词)
- loosely [´lu:sli] ad.松散地 (英语四级单词)
- shuffle [´ʃʌf(ə)l] v.洗(牌) n.搅乱 (英语四级单词)
- leisurely [´leʒəli] a.从容地，慢慢地 (英语四级单词)
- scrape [skreip] v.&n.刮，削，擦；搔 (英语四级单词)
- abandoned [ə´bændənd] a.被抛弃的；无约束的 (英语六级单词)
- gruffly [´grʌmfli] ad.粗暴地 (英语六级单词)
- inexplicable [,inik´splikəbəl] a.难以理解的 (英语六级单词)
- creamy [´kri:mi] a.含奶油的；米色的 (英语六级单词)
- saunter [´sɔ:ntə] n.&vi.闲逛；漫步 (英语六级单词)
- horribly [´hɔrəbli] ad.恐怖地 (英语六级单词)
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