the golden fleece-第9章

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Freeman　now　produced　his　revolver；　a　handsome；　silver…mounted　weapon；　that　looked　business…like。　　〃What　sort　of　a　machine　is　yours？〃　he　inquired；　pleasantly。　　〃You　can　take　your　choice。　　I'm　not　particular；　but　I　can　recommend　this　as　a　sure　thing；　if　you　would　like　to　try　it。　　It　never　misses　at　twenty　paces。〃

〃Twenty　paces？〃　repeated　Don　Miguel；　with　a　faint　gleam　of　hope。

〃Of　course　we　won't　have　any　twenty　paces　to…night；　〃added　Freeman；　with　a　laugh。　　〃I　thought　it　might　be　a　good　plan　to　start　at；　say；　fifteen；　and　advance　firing。　　In　that　way；　one　or　other　of　us　will　be　certain　to　do　something　sooner　or　later。　　Would　that　arrangement　be　agreeable　to　Senor　de　Mendoza？〃

〃Valga　me　Dios！　　I　am　content；〃　said　the　latter；　fetching　a　deep　breath；　and　setting　his　teeth。　　〃I　will　keep　my　weapon。〃

〃Muy　buen；〃　returned　the　American。　　〃So　now　let　us　take　our　ground：　that　is；　if　you　are　quite　ready？〃

Accordingly　they　selected　their　stations；　facing　respectively　about　north　and　south；　with　the　planet　of　love　between　them；　as　it　were。　　〃Oblige　me　by　giving　the　word；　senor；〃　said　Freeman；　cocking　his　weapon。

But　Don　Miguel　was　staring　with　perturbed　visage　at　something　behind　his　antagonist。　　〃Santa　Maria！〃　he　faltered；　〃what　is　yonder？　　It　is　a　spirit！〃

Freeman　had　his　wits　about　him；　and　perhaps　entertained　a　not　too　high　opinion　of　Mexican　fair　play。　　So；　before　turning　round；　he　advanced　till　he　was　alongside　his　companion。　　Then　he　looked；　and　saw　something　which　was　certainly　enigmatic。

Among　the　wild…mustard　plants　there　appeared　a　moving　luminosity；　having　an　irregular；　dancing　motion；　as　of　a　will…o'…the…　wisp　singularly　agitated。　　Sometimes　it　uplifted　itself　on　high；　then　plunged　downwards；　and　again　jerked　itself　from　side　to　side；　occasionally　it　would　quite　vanish　for　an　instant。　　Accompanying　this　manifestation　there　was　a　clawing　and　reaching　of　shadowy　arms：　altogether；　it　was　as　if　some　titanic　spectral　grasshopper；　with　a　heart　of　fire；　were　writhing　and　kicking　in　convulsions　of　phantom　agony。　　Such　an　apparition；　in　an　hour　and　a　place　so　lonely；　might　stagger　a　less　superstitious　soul　than　that　of　Don　Miguel　de　Mendoza。

Freeman　gazed　at　it　for　a　moment　in　silence。　　It　mystified　him；　and　then　irritated　him。　　When　one　is　bent　heart　and　soul　upon　an　important　enterprise；　any　interruption　is　an　annoyance。　　Perhaps　there　was　in　the　young　American's　nature　just　enough　remains　of　belief　in　witches　and　hobgoblins　to　make　him　feel　warranted　in　resorting　to　extreme　measures。　　At　any　rate；　he　lifted　his　revolver；　and　fired。

It　was　a　long　shot　for　a　revolver：　nevertheless　it　took　effect。　　The　luminous　object　disappeared　with　a　faint　explosive　sound；　followed　by　a　shout　unmistakably　human。　　The　long　stems　of　the　wild　mustard　swayed　and　parted；　and　out　sprang　a　figure；　which　ran　straight　towards　the　two　young　men。

Hereupon；　Don　Miguel；　hissing　out　an　appeal　to　the　Virgin　and　the　saints；　turned　and　fled。

Meanwhile；　the　mysterious　figure　continued　its　onward　career；　and　Freeman　once　more　levelled　his　weapon；when　a　voice；　which　gave　him　such　a　start　of　surprise　as　well…nigh　caused　him　to　pull　the　trigger　for　sheer　lack　of　self…command；　called　out；　〃Why；　you　abominable　young　villain！　　What　the　mischief　do　you　mean？　　Do　you　want　to　be　hanged？〃

〃Professor　Meschines！〃　faltered　Freeman。

It　was　indeed　that　worthy　personage；　and　he　was　on　fire　with　wrath。　　He　held　in　one　hand　a　shattered　lantern　mounted　on　the　end　of　a　pole；　and　in　the　other　a　long…　handled　net　of　gauze；　such　as　entomologists　use　to　catch　moths　withal。　　Under　his　left　arm　was　slung　a　brown　japanned　case；　in　which　he　presumably　deposited　the　spoils　of　his　skill。　　Freeman's　shot　had　not　only　smashed　and　extinguished　the　lantern　which　served　as　bait　for　the　game；　but　had　also　given　the　professor　a　disagreeable　reminder　that　the　tenure　of　human　life　is　as　precarious　as　that　of　the　silly　moth　which　allows　itself　to　be　lured　to　destruction　by　shining　promises　of　bliss。

〃Upon　my　soul；　professor；　I　am　very　sorry；〃　said　Freeman。　　〃You　have　no　idea　how　formidable　you　looked；　and　you　could　hardly　expect　me　to　imagine　that　you　would　be　abroad　at　such　an　hour〃

〃And　why　not；　I　should　like　to　know？〃　shouted　the　professor；　towering　with　indignation。　　〃Was　I　doing　anything　to　be　ashamed　of？　　And　what　are　you　doing　here；　pray；　with　loaded　revolvers　in　your　hands？　　Hallo！　who's　this？〃　he　exclaimed；　as　Don　Miguel　advanced　doubtfully　out　of　the　gloom。　　〃Senor　de　Mendoza；　as　I'm　a　sinner！　and　armed；　too！　　Well；　really！　　Are　you　two　out　on　a　murdering　expedition？　　Oho！〃　he　went　on；　in　a　changed　tone；　glancing　keenly　from　one　to　another：　　〃methinks　I　see　the　bottom　of　this　mystery。　You　have　ridden　forth；　like　the　champions　of　romance；　to　do　doughty　deeds　upon　each　other！Is　it　not　so；　Don　Miguel？〃　he　demanded；　turning　his　fierce　spectacles　suddenly　on　that　young　man。

Don　Miguel；　ignoring　a　secret　gesture　from　Freeman；　admitted　that　he　had　been　on　the　point　of　expunging　the　latter　from　this　mortal　sphere。

The　professor　chuckled　sarcastically。　　〃I　see！　　Blood！　　Wounded　honor！　　The　code！　But；　by　the　way；　I　don't　see　your　seconds！　　Where　are　your　seconds？〃

〃My　dear　sir；〃　said　Freeman；　〃I　assure　you　it's　all　a　mistake。　　We　just　happened　to　meet　at　the　generhappened　to　meet；　and　were　riding　home　together〃

〃Now；　listen　to　me；　Harvey；〃　the　professor　interrupted；　holding　up　an　expository　finger。　　〃You　have　known　me　since　some　ten　years；　I　think；　and　I　have　known　you。　　You　were　a　clever　boy　in　your　studies；　but　it　was　your　foible　to　fancy　yourself　cleverer　than　you　were。　　Acting　under　that　delusion；　you　pitted　yourself　against　me　on　one　or　two　occasions；　and　I　leave　it　to　your　candid　recollection　whether　you　or　I　had　the　best　of　the　encounter。　　You　call　yourself　a　man；　now；　but　I　make　bold　to　say　that　the　discrepancy；　let　us　call　itbetween　you　and　me　remains　as　conspicuous　as　ever　it　was。　　I　see　through　you；　sir；　much　more　clearly　than；　by　this　light；　I　can　see　you。　　I　am　fond　of　you；　Harvey；　but　I　feel　nothing　but　contempt　for　your　present　attitude。　　In　the　first　place；　conscious　as　you　are　of　your　skill　with　that　weapon；　you　know　that　this　affaireven　had　seconds　been　presentwould　have　been；　not　a　duel；　but　an　assassination。　　You　acted　like　a　coward！I　say　it；　sir；　like　a　coward！　and　I　hope　you　may　live　to　be　as　much　ashamed　of　yourself　as　I　am　now　ashamed　for　you。　　Secondly；　your　conduct；　considered　in　its　relations　toto　certain　persons　whom　I　will　not　name；　is　that　of　a　boor　and　a　blackguard。　　Suppose　you　had　accomplished　the　cowardly　murderthe　cowardly　murder；　I　said；　sirthat　you　were　bent　upon　to…night。　　Do　you　think　that　would　be　a　grateful　and　acceptable　return　for　the　courtesy　and　confidence　that　have　been　shown　you　in　that　house？a　house；　sir；　to　which　I　myself　introduced　you；　under　the　mistaken　belief　that　you　were　a　gentleman；　or；　at　least；　could　feign　gentlemanly　behavior！　　But　I　won'tmy　feelings　won't　allow　me　to　enlarge　further　upon　this　point。　　But　allow　me　to　add；　in　the　third　place；　that　you　have　shown　yourself　a　purblind　donkey。　　Actually；　you　haven't　sense　enough　to　know　the　difference　between　those　who　pull　with　you　and　those　who　pull　against　you。　　Now；　I　happen　to　knowto　know；　do　you　hear？that　had　you　succeeded　in　what　you　were　just　about　to　attempt；　you　would　have　removed　your　surest　ally；the　surest；　because　his　interests　prompt　him　to　favor　yours。　　You　pick　out　the　one　man　who　was　doing　his　best　to　clear　the　obstacle　out　of　your　path；　and　what　do　you　do？Thank　him？Not　you！　　You　plot　to　kill　him！　　But　even　had　he　been；　as　you　in　your　stupidity　imagined；　your　rival；　do　you　think　the　course　you　adopted　would　have　promoted　your　advantage？　　Let　me　tell　you；　sir；　that　you　don't　know　the　kind　of　people　you　are　dealing　with。　　You　would　never　have　been　permitted　to　cross　their　threshold　again。　　And　you　may　take　my　word　for　it；　if　ever　you　venture　to　recur　to　any　such　folly；　I　will　see　to　it　that　you　receive　your　deserts。Well；　I　think　we　understand　each　other；　now？〃

Freeman's　emotions　had　undergone　several　variations　during　the　course　of　the　mighty　professor's　harangue。　　But　he　had　ended　by　admitting　the　force　of　the　argument；　and　the　reminiscences　of　college　lecturings　aroused　by　the　incident　had　tickled　his　sense　of　humor　and　quenched　his　anger。　　He　looked　at　the　professor　with　a　sparkle　of　laughter　in　his　eyes。

〃I　have　done　very　wrong；　sir；〃　he　said；　〃and　I'm　very　sorry　for　it。　　If　you　won't　give　me　any　bad　marks　this　time；　I'll　promise　to　be　good　in　future。〃

〃Ah！　very　smooth！　　To　begin　with；　suppose　you　ask　pardon　of　Senor　Don　Miguel　de　Mendoza　for　the　affront　you　have　put　upon　him。〃

To　a　soul　really　fearless；　even　an　apology　has　no　terrors。　　Moreover；　Freeman's　night　ride　with　Don　Miguel；　though　brief　in　time；　had　sufficed　to　give　him　the　measure　of　the　Mexican's　character；　and　he　respected　it　so　little　that　he　could　no　longer　take　the　man　seriously；　or　be　sincerely　angry　with　him。　　The　professor's　assurance　as　to　Don　Miguel's　inoffensiveness　had　also　its　weight；　and　it　was　therefore　with　a　quite　royal　gesture　of　amicable　condescension　that　Freeman　turned　upon　his　late　antagonist　and　held　out　his　hand。

〃Senor　Don　Miguel　de　Mendoza；〃　said　he；　〃I　humbly　tender　you　my　apologies　and　crave　your　pardon。　　My　conduct　has　been　inexcusable；　I　beg　you　to　excuse　it。　　I　deserve　your　reprobation；　I　entreat　the　favor　of　your　friendship。　　Senor；　between　men　of　honor；　a　misunderstanding　is　a　misunderstanding；　and　an　apology　is　an　apology。　　I　lament　the　existence　of　the　first；　the　professor；　here；　is　witness　that　I　lay　the　second　at　your　feet。　　May　I　hope　to　receive　your　hand　as　a　pledge　that　you　restore　me　to　the　privilege　of　your　good　will？〃

Now；　Don　Miguel's　soul　had　been　grievously　exercised　that　night：　he　had　been　insulted；　he　had　shivered　beneath　the　shadow　of　death；　he　had　been　a　prey　to　superstitious　terrors；　and　he　had　been　utterly　perplexed　by　the　professor's　eloquent　address；　whereof　（as　it　was　delivered　in　good　American；　and　with　a　rapidity　of　utterance　born　of　strong　feeling）　he　had　comprehended　not　a　word；　and　the　unexpected　effect　of　which　upon　his　late　adversary　he　was　at　a　loss　to　understand。　　Although；　therefore；　he　had　no　stomach　for　battle；　he　was　oppressed　by　a　misgiving　lest　the　whole　transaction　had　been　in　some　way　planned　to　expose　him　to　ridicule；　and　for　this　reason　he　was　disposed　to　treat　Freeman's　peaceful　overtures　with　suspicion。　　His　heart　did　not　respond　to　those　overtures；　but　neither　was　it　stout　enough　to　enable　him　to　reject　them　explicitly。　　Accordingly；　he　adopted　that　middle　course　which；　in　spite　of　the　proverb；　is　not　seldom　the　least　expedient。　　He　disregarded　the　proffered　hand；　bowed　very　stiffly；　and；　saying；　〃Senor；　I　am　satisfied；〃　stalked　off　with　all　the　rigidity　of　one　in　whose　veins　flows　the　sangre　azul　of　Old　Castile。　　Freeman　smiled　superior　upon　his　retreat；　and　then；　producing　a　cigar…case；　proceeded　to　light　up　with　the　professor。　　In　this　fragrant　and　friendly　cloud　we　will　leave　them；　and　return　for　a　few　minutes　to　the　house　of　General　Trednoke。

It　will　be　remembered　that　something　was　said　of　Grace　being　privy　to　the　nocturnal　advances　of　Senor　de　Mendoza。　　We　are　not　to　suppose　th