hr.thecarpetbaggers-第21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！


　Sudden　prehension　came　to　Max。　〃You　can't　do　it；　Mike。　You　ain't　even　officially　a　prisoner　no　more。〃
　The　big　man's　head　nodded。　〃You'　right；　boy。　I　ain't　a　prisoner。　That　means　I　kin　go　where　I　wants　an'　if　I　don't　want　to　go　back；　they　can't　say　nothin'　about　it。〃
　〃But　it's　different　if　they　catch　you　helpin'　me。〃
　〃If　they　catch　us；　they　catch　us；〃　Mike　said　simply。　〃Anyway；　I　don't　wanta　be　the　one　who　lays　the　snake　on　you。　I　can't　do　it。　You　see；　we's　really　frien's。〃
　
　Eight　days　later；　they　came　out　of　the　swamp。　They　stretched　out　on　the　hard；　dry　ground；　gasping　for　breath。　Max　raised　his　head。　Far　in　the　distance；　he　could　see　smoke　rising　on　the　horizon。
　〃There's　a　town　there；〃　he　said　excitedly；　scrambling　to　his　feet。　〃We'll　be　able　to　git　some　decent　grub。〃
　〃Not　so　fast；〃　Reeves　said；　pulling　him　down。　Reeves　was　still　yellow　from　the　fever　but　it　had　passed。　〃If　it's　a　town；　there's　a　general　store。　We'll　hit　it　tonight。　No　use　takin'　any　chances。　They　might　be　expectin'　us。〃
　Max　looked　over　at　Mike。　The　big　Negro　nodded。
　They　hit　the　store　at　two　in　the　morning。　When　they　came　out；　they　all　wore　fresh　clothing；　had　guns　tucked　in　their　belt　and　almost　eighteen　dollars　they　had　found　in　the　till。
　Max　wanted　to　steal　three　horses　from　the　livery　stable　and　ride　out。　〃Ain't　that　just　like　an　Injun？〃　Reeves　said　sarcastically。　〃They'll　trace　horses　faster'n　us。　We'll　keep　off　the　road　two　or　three　days；　then　we'll　worry　about　horses。〃
　Two　days　later；　they　had　their　horses。　Four　days　later；　they　knocked　off　a　bank　in　a　small　town　and　came　out　with　eighteen　hundred　dollars。　Ten　minutes　later；　they　were　on　their　way　to　Texas。
　
　13
　
　MAX　CAME　INTO　FORT　WORTH　TO　MEET　THE　TRAIN　that　was　to　bring　Jim　Reeves's　daughter　from　New　Orleans。　He　sat　in　the　barber　chair　and　stared　at　himself　in　the　mirror。　The　face　that　looked　back　was　no　longer　the　face　of　a　boy。　The　trim　black　beard　served　to　disguise　the　high　cheekbones。　He　no　longer　looked　like　an　Indian。
　Max　got　out　of　the　chair。　〃How　much　do　I　owe　you？〃
　〃Fifty　cents　for　the　haircut；　two　bits　for　the　beard　trim。〃
　Max　threw　him　a　silver　dollar。
　Mike　came　off　the　side　of　the　building　against　which　he　had　been　leaning　and　fell　into　step。　〃It's　about　time　fer　the　train　to　be　in'　in；〃　Max　said。　〃I　reckon　we　might　as　well　walk　down　to　the　station。〃
　Three　and　a　half　years　before；　they　had　e　into　Fort　Worth　one　night　with　seven　thousand　dollars　in　their　saddlebags。　Behind　them　they　had　left　two　empty　banks　and　two　dead　men。　But　they　had　been　lucky。　Not　one　of　them　had　been　identified　as　other　than　an　unknown　person。
　〃This　looks　like　a　good　town；〃　Max　had　said　enthusiastically。　〃I　counted　two　banks　in'　in。〃
　Reeves　had　looked　up　at　him　from　a　chair　in　the　cheap　hotel　room。　〃We're　through　with　that；〃　he　said。
　Max　stared　at　him。　〃Why？　They　look　like　setups。〃
　Reeves　shook　his　head。　〃That's　where　I　made　my　mistake　last　time。　I　didn't　know　when　to　quit。〃　He　stuck　a　cigarette　in　his　mouth。
　〃What　we　goin'　to　do；　then？〃　Max　asked。
　Reeves　lit　the　cigarette。　〃Look　aroun'　for　a　good　legitimate　business。　There's　lots　of　opportunity　out　here。　Land　is　cheap　and　Texas　is　growin'。〃
　Reeves　found　the　business　he　was　looking　for　in　a　little　town　sixty…five　miles　south　of　Fort　Worth。　A　saloon　and　gambling　hall。　In　less　than　two　years；　he　had　bee　the　most　important　man　in　town。　Then　he　started　a　bank　in　a　corner　of　the　gambling　house　and；　a　little　time　later；　began　to　acquire　land。　There　was　even　talk　of　electing　him　mayor。
　He　bought　a　small　ranch　outside　of　town；　fixed　up　the　house　and　moved　out　of　the　rooms　over　the　saloon。　A　little　while　after　that；　he　moved　the　bank　out　of　the　saloon；　which　Max　then　operated；　and　ensconced　it　in　a　small　building　on　the　main　street。　In　less　than　a　year；　people　began　to　forget　that　he　had　ever　owned　the　saloon　and　began　to　think　of　him　as　the　town　banker。　He　began　to　grow　quietly　rich。
　He　needed　but　one　thing　more　to　plete　his　guise　of　respectability。　A　family。　He　sent　discreet　inquiries　back　to　New　Orleans。　He　learned　that　his　wife　was　dead　and　his　daughter　was　living　with　her　mother's　relatives。　He　sent　her　a　telegram　and　received　one　in　return；　saying　that　she　would　arrive　at　Fort　Worth　on　the　fifth　of　March。
　Max　stood　looking　down　the　platform　at　the　disembarking　passengers。　〃You　know　what　she　looks　like？〃　Mike　asked。
　〃Just　what　Jim　tol'　me　and　it's　been　ten　years　since　he　saw　her。〃
　Little　by　little；　the　passengers　walked　away　until　the　only　one　left　was　a　young　woman；　surrounded　by　several　valises　and　a　small　trunk。　She　kept　looking　up　and　down　the　platform。　Mike　looked　at　Max　questioningly。　〃You　reckon　that　might　be　her？〃
　Max　shrugged　his　shoulders。
　They　walked　down　to　the　young　woman。　Max　took　off　his　Stetson。　〃Miss　Reeves？〃
　A　smile　of　relief　appeared　on　the　young　woman's　face。　〃I　declare；　I'm　glad　to　see　you；〃　she　said　warmly。　〃I　was　beginnin'　to　think　Daddy　never　received　my　telegram。〃
　Max　returned　her　smile。　〃I'm　Max　Sand；〃　he　said。　〃Your　father　sent　me　to　meet　you。〃
　A　fleeting　shadow　crossed　the　girl's　face。　〃I　half　expected　that；〃　she　said。　〃Daddy's　been　too　busy　to　e　home　for　ten　years。〃
　Max　guessed　that　she　didn't　know　her　father　had　been　in　prison。　〃e；〃　he　said　gently。　〃I've　got　a　room　for　you　over　at　the　Palace　Hotel。　You　can　clean　up　and　sleep　there　tonight。　We　got　a　two…day　trip　home；　so　we　won't　start　till　morning。〃
　By　the　time　they　reached　the　hotel；　twenty　minutes　later；　Max　was　in　love　for　the　first　time　in　his　life。
　
　Max　tied　his　horse　to　the　hitching　post　in　front　of　the　Reeves　ranch　house。　He　climbed　up　the　steps　and　knocked　at　the　door。　When　Reeves's　daughter　opened　it；　her　face　looked　tired　and　strained；　as　if　she'd　been　weeping；　〃Oh；　it's　you；'　she　said　in　a　low　voice。　〃e　in。〃
　He　followed　her　into　the　parlor。　He　reached　for　her；　suddenly　concerned。　〃Betty；　what's　wrong？〃
　She　slipped　away　from　his　hands。　〃Why　didn't　you　tell　me　you　were　an　escaped　convict？〃　she　asked；　not　looking　at　him。
　His　face　settled　into　cold　lines。　〃Would　it　have　made　any　diff'rence？〃
　She　met　his　look　honestly。　〃Yes；〃　she　said。　〃I'd　never　have　let　myself　get　this　involved　if　I'd　known。〃　
　〃Now　that　you　do　know；〃　he　persisted。　〃Does　it　matter？〃　
　〃Yes；〃　she　said　again。　〃Oh；　don't　ask　me。　I'm　so　confused！〃　
　〃What　else　did　your　father　tell　you？〃　
　She　looked　down　at　her　hands。　〃He　said　I　couldn't　marry　you。　Not　only　because　of　that　but　because　you're　…　you're　half　Indian！〃
　〃An'　just　because　of　that；　you　stopped　lovin'　me？〃　
　She　stared　down　at　her　twisting　hands　without　answering。　〃I　don't　know　how　I　feel；〃　she　said　finally。
　He　reached　out　and　pulled　her　toward　him。　〃Betty；　Betty；〃　he　said　huskily。　〃Las'　night　at　the　dance；　you　kissed　me。　You　said　you　loved　me。　I　haven't　changed　since　then。〃
　For　a　moment；　she　stood　quietly；　then　pulled　herself　away　from　him。　〃Don't　touch　me！〃　she　said　quickly。
　Max　stared　at　her　curiously。　〃You　don'　have　to　be　afraid　of　me。〃
　She　shrank　from　his　hand。　〃Don't　touch　me；〃　she　said；　and　this　time　the　fear　in　her　voice　was　much　too　familiar　for　Max　not　to　recognize　it。　Without　another　word；　he　turned　and　left　the　room。
　He　rode　straight　into　town　to　the　bank　and　walked　into　the　back　room　that　served　Reeves　as　an　office。
　Reeves　looked　up　from　the　big　roll…top　desk。　〃What　the　hell　do　you　mean　bustin'　in　here　like　this？〃　he　demanded。
　Max　stared　at　him。　〃Don't　try　to　bull…shit　me；　Reeves。　You　already　done　a　good　job　on　your　daughter。〃
　Reeves　leaned　back　in　his　chair　and　laughed。　〃Is　that　all？〃　he　asked。
　〃It's　enough；〃　Max　said。　〃Las'　night　she　promised　to　marry　me。〃
　Reeves　leaned　forward。　〃I　gave　you　credit　for　more　brains'n　that；　Max。〃
　〃It　don't　matter　now；　Reeves。　I'm　movin'　on。〃
　Reeves　stared　at　him　for　a　moment。　〃You　mean　that？〃　
　Max　nodded。　〃I　mean　it。〃　
　〃You　takin'　the　nigger　with　you？〃　
　〃Yeah；〃　Max　said。　〃When　I　get　our　share　of　the　money。〃　
　Reeves　swung　his　chair　around　and　took　some　bills　from　the　safe　behind　him。　He　threw　them　down　on　the　desk　in　front　of　Max。　〃There　it　is。〃
　Max　looked　down　at　it；　then　at　Reeves。　He　picked　up　the　money　and　counted　it。　〃There's　only　five　hundred　dollars　here；〃　he　said。
　〃What　did　you　expect？〃　Reeves　asked。　
　〃We　came　into　Fort　Worth　with　seven　thousand。　My　share　of　that　alone　was　twenty…three　hundred　an'　we　ain't　been　exactly　losin'　money　in　the　saloon。〃　Max　took　a　ready…made　from　Reeves's　desk　and　lit　it。　〃I　figger　Mike　an'　me's　due　at　least　five　thousand。〃
　Reeves　shrugged。　〃I　won't　argue；〃　he　said。　〃After　all；　we　been　through　a　lot　together；　you　an'　me。　If　that's　what　you　figure；　that's　what　you　get。〃
　He　counted　the　money　out　on　the　desk。　Max　picked　it　up　and　put　it　in　his　pocket。　〃I　didn't　think　you'd　part　with　it　so　easy；〃　he　said。
　He　was　halfway　to　the　saloon　when　someone　hailed　him　from　the　rear。　He　turned　around　slowly。
　The　sheriff　and　two　deputies　advanced　on　him；　their　guns　drawn。　Reeves　was　with　them。　
　〃What's　up；　Sheriff？〃　Max　asked。
　〃Search　him；〃　Reeves　said　excitedly。　〃You'll　find　the　money　he　stole　right　on　him。〃
　〃Stole？〃　Max　said。　〃He's　crazy！　That　money's　mine。　He　owed　it　to　me。〃　
　〃Keep　your　hand　away　from　your　gun；〃　the　sheriff　said；　moving　forward　cautiously。　He　stuck　his　hand　in　Max's　pocket。　It　came　out　with　a　sheaf　of　bills。
　〃See！〃　Reeves　yelled。　〃What　did　I　tell　you？〃
　〃You　son　of　a　bitch！〃　Max　exploded。　He　flung　himself　toward　Reeves。　Before　he　could　reach　him；　the　sheriff　brought　his　gun　butt　down　along　the　side　of　Max's　head。　It　was　just　at　that　moment　that　Mike　looked　out　the　window　of　the　room　over　the　saloon。
　Reeves　walked　over　to　Max　and　looked　down　at　him。　〃I　shoulda　known　better　than　to　trust　a　half…breed。〃
　〃Pick　him　up；　boys；　an'　tote　him　over　to　the　jail；〃　the　sheriff　said。
　〃Better　get　over　to　the　saloon　and　get　his　nigger　friend；　too；〃　Reeves　said。　〃He　was　probably　in　on　it。〃
　Mike　saw　the　sheriff　look　over　at　the　saloon；　then　begin　to　walk　toward　it。　He　didn't　wait　any　longer。　He　went　down　the　back　stairs　and　got　the　hell　out　of　town。
　
　Reeves　rode　along　the　road　to　his　ranch；　half　humming　to　himself。　He　was　feeling　good。　For　the　first　time；　he　was　secure。　Max　wouldn't　dare　talk；　it　would　only　make　it　worse　for　him。　And　the　nigger　was　gone。　Leave　it　to　a　nigger　to　run　when　things　got　rough。　He　was　so　wrapped　up　in　his　thoughts　that　he　never　heard　the　crack　of　the　snake　as　it　whipped　out　from　behind　the　trees　and　dragged　him　down　off　his　horse。
　He　scrambled　to　his　feet　and　reached　for　his　gun　but　the　next　crack　of　the　snake　tore　it　from　his　fingers。　Mike　walked　slowly　toward　him；　the　big　whip　coiling　slowly　back　up　his　arm。
　Reeves　screamed　in　terror。
　The　big　snake　cracked　again　and　Reeves　spun　around　and　tumbled　over　backward　into　the　dust。　He　got　to　his　hands　and　knees　and　began　to　crawl；　then　scrambled　to　his　feet　and　tried　to　run。　The　snake　ran　down　the　road　after　him　and　crept　between　his　legs；　throwing　him　to　the　ground。　He　turned　his　head　and　saw　Mike's　arm　go　up　into　the　air；　the　long　black　whip　rising　with　it。
　He　screamed　as　the　snake　tore　into　him　again。
　
　Sometime　early　the　next　morning；　the　sheriff　and　his　deputies　came　acros