eben holden-第10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！


and　to　tell　of　our　plight。　The　front　team　had　wallowed　to　their　ears；　and　the　men　were　digging　them　out　with　shovels　when　we　got　to　the　scraper。　A　score　of　men　and　boys　clung　to　the　sides　of　that　big；　hollow　wedge；　and　put　their　weight　on　it　as　the　oxen　pulled。　We　got　on　with　the　others；　I　remember；　and　I　was　swept　off　as　soon　as　the　scraper　started　by　a　roaring　avalanche　of　snow　that　came　down　upon　our　heads　and　buried　me　completely。　I　was　up　again　and　had　a　fresh　hold　in　a　jiffy；　and　clung　to　my　place　until　I　was　nearly　smothered　by　the　flying　snow。　It　was　great　fun　for　me；　and　they　were　all　shouting　and　hallooing　as　if　it　were　a　fine　holiday。　They　made　slow　progress；　however；　and　we　left　them　shortly　on　their　promise　to　try　to　reach　us　before　night。　If　they　failed　to　get　through；　one　of　them　said　he　would　drive　over　to　Paradise　Valley；　if　possible；　and　tell　the　Browers　we　were　all　right

On　our　return；　Uncle　Eb　began　shoveling　a　tunnel　in　the　cut。　When　we　got　through　to　the　open　late　in　the　afternoon　we　saw　the　scraper　party　going　back　with　their　teams。

'Guess　they've　gi'n　up　fer　t'day；'　said　he。　'Snow's　powerful　deep　down　there　below　the　bridge。　Mebbe　we　can　get　'round　to　where　the　road's　clear　by　goin'　'cross　lots。　I've　a　good　mind　t'　try　it。'

Then　he　went　over　in　the　field　and　picked　a　winding　way　down　the　hill　toward　the　river；　while　we　children　stood　watching　him。　He　came　back　soon　and　took　down　a　bit　of　the　fence　and　harnessed　Old　Doctor　and　hitched　him　to　the　sledgehouse。　The　tunnel　was　just　wide　enough　to　let　us　through　with　a　tight　pinch　here　and　there。　The　footing　was　rather　soft'　and　the　horse　had　hard　pulling。　We　went　in　the　field；　struggling　on　afoot　…　we　little　people　…　while　Uncle　Eb　led　the　horse。　He　had　to　stop　frequently　to　tunnel　through　a　snowdrift；　and　at　dusk　we　had　only　got　half…way　to　the　bridge　from　our　cave　in　the　cat。　Of　a　sudden　Old　Doctor　went　up　to　his　neck　in　a　wall　of　deep　snow　that　seemed　to　cut　us　off　completely。　He　struggled　a　moment；　falling　on　his　side　and　wrenching　the　shafts　from　the　runners。　Uncle　Eb　went　to　work　vigorously　with　his　shovel　and　had　soon　cut　a　narrow　box　stall　in　the　deep　snow　around　Old　Doctor。　Just　beyond　the　hill　dipped　sharply　and　down　the　slope　we　could　see　the　stubble　sticking　through　the　shallow　snow。　'We'll　hev　t'　stop　right　where　we　are　until　mornin'；'　he　said。　'It's　mos'　dark　now。

Our　little　house　stood　tilting　forward　about　half…way　down　the　hill；　its　runners　buried　in　the　snow。　A　few　hundred　yards　below　was　a　cliff　where　the　shore　fell　to　the　river　some　thirty　feet　It　had　stopped　snowing；　and　the　air　had　grown　warmer；　but　the　sky　was　dark　We　put　nearly　all　the　hay　in　the　sledgehouse　under　Old　Doctor　and　gave　him　the　last　of　the　oats　and　a　warm　cover　of　blankets。　Then　Uncle　Eb　went　away　to　the　fence　for　more　wood；　while　we　spread　the　supper。　He　was　very　tired；　I　remember；　and　we　all　turned　in　for　the　night　a　short　time　after　we　had　eaten。　The　little　stove　was　roaring　like　a　furnace　when　we　spread　our　blankets　on　the　sloping　floor　and　lay　down；　our　feet　to　the　front；　and　drew　the　warm　robes　over　us。　Uncle　Eb；　who　had　had　no　sleep　the　night　before；　began　to　snore　heavily　before　we　children　had　stopped　whispering。　He　was　still　snoring；　and　Hope　sound　asleep；　when　I　woke　in　the　night　and　heard　the　rain　falling　on　our　little　roof　and　felt　the　warm　breath　of　the　south　wind。　The　water　dripping　from　the　eaves　and　falling　far　and　near　upon　the　yielding　snow　had　many　voices。　I　was　half…asleep　when　I　heard　a　new　noise　under　the　sledge。　Something　struck　the　front　corner　of　the　sledgehouse　…　a　heavy；　muffled　blow　…　and　brushed　the　noisy　boards。　Then　I　heard　the　timbers　creak　and　felt　the　runners　leaping　over　the　soft　snow。　I　remember　it　was　like　a　dream　of　falling。　I　raised　myself　and　stared　about　me。　We　were　slipping　down　the　steep　floor。　The　lantern；　burning　dimly　under　the　roof；　swung　and　rattled。　Uncle　Eb　was　up　on　his　elbow　staring　wildly。　I　could　feel　the　jar　and　rush　of　the　runners　and　the　rain　that　seemed　to　roar　as　it　dashed　into　my　face。　Then；　suddenly；　the　sledgehouse　gave　a　great　leap　into　the　air　and　the　grating　of　the　runners　ceased。　The　lantern　went　hard　against　the　roof；　there　was　a　mighty　roar　in　my　ears；　then　we　heard　a　noise　like　thunder　and　felt　the　shock　of　a　blow　that　set　my　back　aching；　and　cracked　the　roof　above　our　heads。　It　was　all　still　for　a　second；　then　we　children　began　to　cry；　and　Uncle　Eb　staggered　to　his　feet　and　lit　the　lantern　that　had　gone　out　and　that　had　no　globe；　I　remember；　as　he　held　it　down　to　our　faces。

'Hush！　Are　you　hurt？'　he　said；　as　he　knelt　before　us。　'Git　up　now；　see　if　ye　can　stand。'

We　got　to　our　feet；　neither　of　us　much　the　worse　for　what　had　happened…　My　knuckles　were　cut　a　bit　by　a　splinter；　and　Hope　had　been　hit　on　the　shins　by　the　lantern　globe　as　it　fell。

'By　the　Lord　Harry！'　said　Uncle　Eb；　when　he　saw　we　were　not　hurt。　'Wonder　what　hit　us。'

We　followed　him　outside　while　he　was　speaking。

'We've　slid　downhill；'　he　said。　'Went　over　the　cliff　Went　kerplunk　in　the　deep　snow；　er　there'd　have　been　nuthin'　left　uv　us。　Snow's　meltin'　jest　as　if　it　was　July。'

Uncle　Eb　helped　us　into　our　heavy　coats；　and　then　with　a　blanket　over　his　arm　led　us　into　the　wet　snow。　We　came　out　upon　clear　ice　in　a　moment　and　picked　our　way　along　the　lowering　shore。　At　length　Uncle　Eb　clambered　up；　pulling　us　up　after　him；　one　by　one。　Then　he　whistled　to　Old　Doctor；　who　whinnied　a　quick　reply。　He　left　us　standing　together；　the　blanket　over　our　heads；　and　went　away　in　the　dark　whistling　as　he　had　done　before。　We　could　hear　Old　Doctor　answer　as　he　came　near；　and　presently　Uncle　Eb　returned　leading　the　horse　by　the　halter。　Then　he　put　us　both　on　Old　Doctor's　back；　threw　the　blanket　over　our　heads；　and　started　slowly　for　the　road。　We　clung　to　each　other　as　the　horse　staggered　in　the　soft　snow；　and　kept　our　places　with　some　aid　from　Uncle　Eb。　We　crossed　the　fence　presently；　and　then　for　a　way　it　was　hard　going。　We　found　fair　footing　after　we　had　passed　the　big　scraper；　and；　coming　to　a　house　a　mile　or　so　down　the　road　called　them　out　of　bed。　It　was　growing　light　and　they　made　us　comfortable　around　a　big　stove；　and　gave　us　breakfast。　The　good　man　of　the　house　took　us　home　in　a　big　sleigh　after　the　chores　were　done。　We　met　David　Brower　coming　after　us；　and　if　we'd　been　gone　a　year　we　couldn't　have　received　a　warmer　welcome。

Chapter　8

Of　all　that　long　season　of　snow；　I　remember　most　pleasantly　the　days　that　were　sweetened　with　the　sugar…making。　When　the　sun　was　lifting　his　course　in　the　clearing　sky；　and　March　had　got　the　temper　of　the　lamb；　and　the　frozen　pulses　of　the　forest　had　begun　to　stir；　the　great　kettle　was　mounted　in　the　yard　and　all　gave　a　hand　to　the　washing　of　spouts　and　buckets。　Then　came　tapping　time；　in　which　I　helped　carry　the　buckets　and　tasted　the　sweet　flow　that　followed　the　auger's　wound。　The　woods　were　merry　with　our　shouts；　and；　shortly；　one　could　hear　the　heart…beat　of　the　maples　in　the　sounding　bucket。　It　was　the　reveille　of　spring。　Towering　trees　shook　down　the　gathered　storms　of　snow　and　felt　for　the　sunlight。　The　arch　and　shanty　were　repaired；　the　great　iron　kettle　was　scoured　and　lifted　to　its　place；　and　then　came　the　boiling。　It　was　a　great；　an　inestimable　privilege　to　sit　on　the　robes　of　faded　fur；　in　the　shanty；　and　hear　the　fire　roaring　under　the　kettle　and　smell　the　sweet　odour　of　the　boiling　sap。　Uncle　Eb　minded　the　shanty　and　the　fire　and　the　woods　rang　with　his　merry　songs。　When　I　think　of　that　phase　of　the　sugaring；　lam　face　to　face　with　one　of　the　greatest　perils　of　my　life。　My　foster　father　had　consented　to　let　me　spend　a　night　with　Uncle　Eb　in　the　shanty；　and　I　was　to　sleep　on　the　robes；　where　he　would　be　beside　me　when　he　was　not　tending　the　fire。　It　had　been　a　mild；　bright　day；　and　David　came　up　with　our　supper　at　sunset。　He　sat　talking　with　Uncle　Eb　for　an　hour　or　so；　and　the　woods　were　darkling　when　he　went　away。

When　he　started　on　the　dark　trail　that　led　to　the　clearing；　I　wondered　at　his　courage　…　it　was　so　black　beyond　the　firelight。　While　we　sat　alone　I　plead　for　a　story；　but　the　thoughts　of　Uncle　Eb　had　gone　to　roost　early　in　a　sort　of　gloomy　meditation。

'Be　still；　my　boy；'　said　he；　'an'　go　t'　sleep。　I　ain't　agoin'　t'　tell　no　yams　an；　git　ye　all　stirred　up。　Ye　go　t'　sleep。　Come　mornin'　we'll　go　down　t'　the　brook　an'　see　if　we　can't　find　a　mink　or　tew　'n　the　traps。'

I　remember　hearing　a　great　crackling　of　twigs　in　the　dark　wood　before　I　slept。　As　I　lifted　my　head；　Uncle　Eb　whispered；　'Hark！'　and　we　both　listened。　A　bent　and　aged　figure　came　stalking　into　the　firelight　His　long　white　hair　mingled　with　his　beard　and　covered　his　coat　collar　behind。

'Don't　be　scairt；'　said　Uncle　Eb。　''Tain'　no　bear。　It's　nuthin'　but　a　poet。；

I　knew　him　for　a　man　who　wandered　much　and　had　a　rhyme　for　everyone　…　a　kindly　man　with　a　reputation　for　laziness　and　without　any　home。

'Bilin'；　eh？'　said　the　poet

'Bilin'；'　said　Uncle　Eb。

'I'm　bilin'　over　'n　the　next　bush；'　said　the　poet；　sitting　down。

'How's　everything　in　Jingleville？'　Uncle　Eb　enquired。

Then　the　newcomer　answered：

'Well；　neighbour　dear；　in　Jingleville　We　live　by　faith　but　we　eat　our　fill；　An'　what　w'u'd　we　do　if　it　wa'n't　fer　prayer？　Fer　we　can't　raise　a　thing　but　whiskers　an'　hair。'

'Cur'us　how　you　can'talk　po'try；'　said　Uncle　Eb。　'The　only　thing　I've　got　agin　you　is　them　whiskers　an'　thet　hair。　'Tain't　Christian。'

''Tain't　what's　on　the　head；　but　what's　in　it　…　thet's　the　important　thing；'　said　the　poet。　'Did　I　ever　tell　ye　what　I　wrote　about　the　birds？'

'Don'　know's　ye　ever　did；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　stirring　his　fire。

'The　boy'll　like　it；　mebbe；'　said　he；　taking　a　dirty　piece　of　paper　out　of　his　pocket　and　holding　it　to　the　light。

The　poem　interested　me；　young　as　I　was；　not　less　than　the　strange　figure　of　the　old　poet　who　lived　unknown　in　the　backwoods；　and　who　died；　I　dare　say；　with　many　a　finer　song　in　his　heart。　I　remember　how　he　stood　in　the　firelight　and　chanted　the　words　in　a　sing…song　tone。　He　gave　us　that　rude　copy　of　the　poem；　and　here　it　is：

THE　ROBIN'S　WEDDING

Young　robin　red　breast　hed　a　beautiful　nest　an'　he　says　to　his　love　says　he：　It's　ready　now　on　a　rocking　bough　　In　the　top　of　a　maple　tree。　I've　lined　it　with　down　an'　the　velvet　brown　on　the　waist　of　a　bumble…bee。

They　were　married　next　day；　in　the　land　o'　the　hay；　the　lady　bird　an'　he。　The　bobolink　came　an'　the　wife　o'　the　same　　An'　the　lark　an'　the　fiddle　de　dee。　An'　the　crow　came　down　in　a　minister　gown　…　there　was　nothing　that　he　didn't　see。

He　fluttered　his　wing　as　they　ast　him　to　sing　an'　he　tried　fer　t'　clear　out　his　throat；　He　hemmed　an'　he　hawed　an'　be　hawked　an'　he　cawed　　But　he　couldn't　deliver　a　note。　The　swallow　was　there　an'　he　ushered　each　pair　with　his　linsey　an'　claw　hammer　coat。

The　bobolink　tried　fer　t'　flirt　with　the　bride　in　a　way　thet　was　sassy　an'　bold。　An'　the　notes　that　he　took　as　he　shivered　an'　shook　　Hed　a　sound　like　the　jingle　of　gold。　He　sat　on　a　briar　an'　laughed　at　the　choir　an'　said　thet　the　music　was　old。

The　sexton　he　came　…　Mr　Spider　by　name　…　a　citizen　hairy　and　grey。　His　rope　in　a　steeple；　he　called　the　good　people　　That　live　in　the　land　o'　the　hay。　The　ants　an'　the　squgs　an'　the　crickets