p&c.thunderhead-第20章

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　〃You've　met　Luigi　before？〃　Nora　asked；　sitting　down　beside　Sloane。　
　〃Yes；　last　year；　when　I　was　climbing　the　Cassin　Ridge　on　Denali。　He　was　operating　the　base　camp　kitchen　for　our　group。　While　everybody　else　on　the　mountain　was　eating　gorp　and　logan　bread；　we　dined　on　duck　and　venison。　I　told　my　father　he　had　to　get　Luigi　for　this　expedition。　He's　very；　very　good。〃　
　〃I'm　very；　very　expensive；〃　Bonarotti　replied。　
　Sloane　tucked　into　the　omelette　with　gusto。　The　others　had　instinctively　drawn　round　again；　and　Nora　wasn't　surprised：　the　younger　Goddard　was　not　only　beautiful　but…sitting　there　in　the　wilderness　in　her　leather　jacket　and　faded　jeans…she　radiated　charisma；　ironic　good　humor；　and　the　kind　of　easy　self…confidence　that　came　with　money　and　good　breeding。　Nora　felt　a　mixture　of　relief　and　envy。　She　wondered　what　kind　of　impact　this　new　development　would　have　on　her　position　as　leader。　Best　to　get　things　established　right　away；　she　thought。　
　〃So；〃　she　began。　〃Care　to　explain　the　dramatic　entrance？〃　
　Sloane　looked　at　her　with　her　lazy　smile。　〃Sorry　about　that；〃　she　said；　putting　aside　the　empty　plate　and　leaning　back；　coat　thrown　open　to　expose　a　checked　cotton　shirt。　〃I　was　delayed　back　at　Princeton　by　a　failing　student。　I've　never　failed　anybody；　and　I　didn't　want　to　start　now。　I　worked　with　him　until　it　became　too　late　to　mess　with　mercial　airlines。〃　
　〃You　had　us　worried　back　there　at　the　marina。〃　
　Sloane　sat　up。　〃You　didn't　get　my　message？〃　
　〃No。〃　
　〃I　left　it　with　somebody　named　Briggs。　Said　he'd　pass　it　along。〃　
　〃Must　have　slipped　his　mind；〃　said　Nora。　
　Sloane's　grin　widened。　〃It's　a　busy　place。　Well；　you　did　the　right　thing；　leaving　without　me。〃　
　Swire　brought　the　horses　back　down　the　canyon　from　their　grazing　ground；　and　Nora　went　over　to　help　with　the　saddling。　To　her　surprise；　Sloane　followed　behind　and　joined　in；　deftly　saddling　two　horses　to　Swire's　three。　They　tied　the　horses　to　some　brush　as　Swire　started　on　the　pack　animals；　throwing　on　the　pads　and　sawbuck　packsaddles；　hooking　on　the　panniers；　carefully　balancing　the　more　awkward　equipment；　throwing　a　manty　over　each　load　and　tying　it　down。　As　soon　as　each　horse　was　packed　they　passed　it　to　Sloane；　who　brought　it　upcanyon。　Bonarotti　was　packing　the　last　of　the　cooking　gear；　while　Smithback　was　stretched　out　fortably　nearby；　debating　with　the　cook　whether　béarnaise　or　bordelaise　was　the　more　noble　sauce　for　medallions　of　beef。　
　At　last；　Nora　stood　back　from　the　final　horse；　breathing　hard；　and　looked　at　her　watch。　It　was　just　past　eleven：　still　enough　time　for　a　decent　ride；　but　short　enough　to　help　break　in　the　greenhorns。　She　glanced　at　Swire。　〃Want　to　give　them　their　first　lesson？〃　
　〃Now's　as　good　a　time　as　any；〃　he　said；　hitching　up　his　pants　and　looking　at　the　group。　〃Who　here　knows　anything　about　riding？〃　
　Black　began　to　raise　his　hand。　
　〃I　do；〃　said　Smithback　instantly。　
　Swire　ranged　his　eyes　across　Smithback；　his　mustache　drooping　skeptically。　〃That　right？〃　he　said；　spitting　a　stream　of　tobacco。　
　〃Well；　I　did；　anyway；〃　the　writer　returned。　〃It's　like　riding　a　bike；　it'll　e　back　fast。〃　
　Nora　thought　she　saw　Swire　grin　beneath　his　droopy　mustache。　〃Now　the　first　thing　is　the　introductions。〃　
　There　was　a　puzzled　moment　while　Swire　gazed　around　the　group。　〃These　two　horses　are　mine；　the　buckskin　and　the　sorrel。　Mestizo　and　Sweetgrass。　Since　Mr。　Smithback　here's　an　experienced　rider；　I'm　gonna　give　him　Hurricane　Deck　to　ride　and　Beetlebum　to　pack。〃　
　There　was　a　sudden　guffaw　from　Black；　with　an　unfortable　silence　from　Smithback。　
　〃Any　special　significance　to　the　names？〃　Smithback　asked　with　exaggerated　nonchalance。　
　〃Nothing　in　particular；〃　said　Swire。　〃Just　a　few　habits　they　have；　is　all。　You　got　a　problem　with　those　two　fine　horses？〃　
　〃Oh；　no；　no　way；〃　said　Smithback　a　little　weakly；　eyeing　the　big　shaggy　gray　horse　and　its　strawberry　roan　panion。　
　〃They've　only　killed　a　few　greenhorns；　and　they　were　all　New　Yorkers。　We　don't　have　any　New　Yorkers　here；　do　we？〃　
　〃Certainly　not；〃　Smithback　said；　pulling　on　the　brim　of　his　hat。　
　〃Now　for　Dr。　Black　here；　I've　got　Locoweed　and　Hoosegow。　For　Nora；　I've　got　my　best　mare；　Fiddlehead。　Crow　Bait　will　be　your　pack　horse。　Don't　let　the　name　fool　you：　he　may　be　an　ugly；　coon…footed；　ewe…necked；　mule…hipped　cayuse；　but　he'll　pack　two　hundred　pounds　from　here　to　the　gates　of　hell；　no　problem。〃　
　〃Let's　hope　he　doesn't　have　to　go　that　far；〃　Nora　replied。　
　Swire　parceled　out　the　horses　according　to　ability　and　temperament；　and　soon　everyone　was　holding　a　pair　of　horses　by　the　halters　and　reins。　Nora　lofted　herself　into　the　saddle；　Goddard　and　Aragon　following　her　example。　Nora　could　see　from　Sloane's　lightly　balanced　seat　that　she　was　an　expert　horsewoman。　The　rest　stood　around；　looking　nervous。　
　Swire　turned　to　the　group。　〃Well；〃　he　said；　〃what's　taking　you？　Git　on　up！〃　
　There　was　some　grunting　and　nervous　hopping；　but　soon　everyone　was　sitting　in　the　saddle；　some　slouched；　some　ramrod　straight。　Aragon　was　moving　his　horse　around；　backing　him　up；　turning　him　on　the　forehand；　another　clearly　experienced　rider。　
　〃Just　don't　make　me　unlearn　any　bad　habits；〃　Smithback　said；　sitting　on　Hurricane　Deck。　〃I　like　to　steer　with　the　saddlehorn。〃　
　Swire　ignored　this。　〃Lesson　number　one。　Hold　the　reins　in　your　left　hand；　and　the　pack…horse　lead　rope　in　your　right。　It's　simple。〃　
　〃Yeah；〃　said　Smithback；　〃like　driving　two　cars　at　once。〃　
　Holroyd；　sitting　awkwardly　on　his　horse；　let　out　a　nervous　bray　of　laughter；　then　fell　silent　abruptly；　glancing　at　Nora。　
　〃How　are　you　doing；　Peter？〃　Nora　asked　him。　
　〃I　prefer　motorcycles；〃　he　said；　shifting　unfortably。　
　Swire　walked　over　first　to　Holroyd；　then　Black；　correcting　their　postures　and　grips。　〃Don't　let　the　lead　rope　get　wedged　under　your　horse's　tail；〃　he　said　to　Black；　who　was　letting　his　rope　droop　dangerously。　〃Or　you　might　find　your　horse　with　a　sudden　bellyful　of　bedsprings。〃　
　〃Yes；　yes；　of　course；〃　Black　said；　hastily　drawing　in　the　slack。　
　〃Nora　plans　to　ride　point；〃　Swire　said。　〃That's　up　front；　for　you　dudes。　I'll　ride　drag。　And　Dr。　Goddard　over　there；　she'll　ride　swing。〃　He　leaned　over　and　looked　at　Sloane。　〃Where'd　you　learn　to　ride？〃　
　〃Here　and　there；〃　Sloane　smiled。　
　〃Well；　I　guess　you've　done　a　bit　of　here…ing　and　thereing。〃　
　〃Remind　me　how　to　steer；〃　Black　said；　clutching　the　reins。　
　〃First；　give　your　horse　some　slack。　Now　move　your　reins　back　and　forth；　like　this。　The　horse　gets　his　cue　when　he　feels　one　rein　or　the　other　touch　his　neck。〃　He　looked　around。　〃Any　questions？〃　
　There　were　none。　The　air　had　grown　sullen　in　the　late　morning　heat；　smelling　of　sego　lilies　and　cedar。　
　〃Well；　then；　let's　jingle　our　spurs。〃　
　Nora　put　heels　to　her　horse　and　rode　forward；　Holroyd　and　the　rest　falling　into　place　behind　her。　
　〃You've　taken　a　reading？〃　she　asked　Holroyd。　
　He　nodded　and　smiled　at　her；　patting　the　laptop　puter　that　peeped；　wildly　out　of　place；　from　one　of　his　weathered　saddlebags。　Nora　took　a　final　look　at　her　map。　Then　she　nudged　her　horse　forward　and　they　headed　into　the　sandstone　wilderness。　
　
　
17
　
　THEY　MOVED　UP　SERPENTINE　CANYON　SINGLE　file；　crossing　and　recrossing　the　little　creek　that　flowed　in　its　bottom。　On　both　sides　of　the　canyon；　windblown　sand　had　piled　up　against　the　stone　cliffs　in　drifts；　covered　with　a　scattering　of　grass　and　desert　flowers。　Here　and　there　they　passed　juniper　trees；　stunted　and　coiled　into　fantastic　shapes。　Elsewhere；　blocks　of　sandstone　had　e　loose　from　the　canyon　walls　and　spilled　across　its　bottom；　creating　piles　of　rubble　the　horses　had　to　pick　through　with　care。　Canyon　wrens　flitted　about　in　the　shadows；　and　swallows　darted　out　from　beneath　overhanging　lips　of　sandstone；　their　mud　nests　like　warts　on　the　underside　of　the　rock。　A　few　white　clouds　drifted　past　the　canyon　rims；　a　quarter　mile　above　their　heads。　The　group　followed　silently　behind　Nora；　lost　in　this　strange　new　world。　
　Nora　inhaled　deeply。　The　gentle　rocking　motion　of　Fiddlehead　felt　familiar　and　forting。　She　glanced　at　the　animal。　She　was　a　twelve…year…old　sorrel；　clearly　an　experienced　dude　horse；　wise　and　melancholy。　As　they　proceeded；　she　proved　herself　sure…footed　in　the　rocks；　putting　her　nose　down　and　picking　her　way　with　the　utmost　attention　to　self…preservation。　While　she　was　far　from　handsome；　she　was　strong　and　sensible。　Except　for　Hurricane　Deck；　Sloane's　horse　pa？ero；　and　Swire's　own　two　mounts；　the　horses　were　similar　to　Nora's：　not　very　pretty；　but　solid　ranch　stock。　She　approved　of　Swire's　judgment；　her　experience　growing　up　had　given　her　a　low　opinion　of　expensive；　overbred　horses　who　looked　great　in　the　show　ring　but　couldn't　wait　to　kill　themselves　in　the　mountains。　She　remembered　her　father　buying　and　selling　horses　with　his　usual　flair　and　bluster；　turning　away　pampered　animals；　saying　We　don't　want　any　of　those　country…club　horses　around　here；　do　we；　Nora？　
　She　twisted　in　the　saddle　to　look　back　at　the　other　riders　trailing　behind　her；　pack　horses　in　tow。　While　some　of　the　riders；　notably　Black　and　Holroyd；　looked　lumpy　and　unbalanced；　the　rest　looked　petent；　particularly　Sloane　Goddard；　who　moved　up　and　down　the　line　with　ease；　checking　cinches　and　giving　suggestions。　
　And　Smithback　was　a　surprise。　Hurricane　Deck　was　clearly　a　spirited　horse；　and　there　were　a　few　tense　moments　at　first　while　Smithback's　oaths　and　imprecations　filled　the　air。　But　Smithback　knew　enough　to　show　the　horse　who　was　boss；　and　he　was　now　riding　confidently。　He　may　be　full　of　himself；　she　thought；　but　he　looks　pretty　good　on　a　horse。　
　〃Where'd　you　learn　to　ride？〃　she　called　back。　
　〃I　spent　a　couple　of　years　at　a　prep　school　in　Arizona；〃　the　writer　answered。　〃I　was　a　sickly；　whining　brat　of　a　kid；　and　my　parents　thought　it　would　make　a　man　of　me。　I　arrived　late　the　first　term；　and　all　the　horses　were　taken　except　this　one　big　old　guy　named　Turpin。　He'd　chewed　on　barbed　wire　at　some　point　and　torn　his　tongue；　and　it　was　always　hanging　out；　this　long　pink　disgusting　thing。　So　nobody　wanted　him。　But　Turpin　was　the　fastest　horse　at　the　school。　We'd　race　down　the　dry　creekbeds　or　bush…bend　through　the　desert；　and　Turpin　always　won。〃　He　shook　his　head　at　the　memory；　chuckling。　
　Suddenly；　the　smile　on　his　face　was　replaced　with　a　look　of　shock。　〃What　the　hell？〃　He　spun　around。　Following　his　gaze；　Nora　saw　Smithback's　pack　horse；　Beetlebum；　dart　back。　A　rope　of　saliva　was　dripping　off　Smithback's　leg。　
　〃That　damn　horse　just　tried　to　bite　me！〃　Smithback　roared；　full　of　indignation。　The　pack　horse　looked　back；　his　face　a　picture　of　surprised　innocence。　
　〃That　old　Beetlebum；〃　said　Swire；　shaking　his　head　affectionately。　〃He's　sure　got　a　sense　of　humor。〃　
　Smithback　wiped　his　leg。　〃So　I　see。〃　
　After　another　half　hour　of　uneventful　riding　Nora　brought　the　group　to　a　halt。　From　an　aluminum　tube　tied　to　her　saddle；　she　removed　the　U。S。G。S。　topo　onto　which　Holroyd　had　superimposed　the　radar　data。　She　examined　it　for　a　moment；　then　motioned　him　over。　
　〃Time　for　a　GPS　reading；〃　she　said。　She　knew　that　six　miles　up　Serpentine　Canyon　they　had　to　branch　off　into　a　smaller　canyon；　marked　HARD　TWIST　on　the　map。　The　trick　would　b