rowdy of the cross l-第1章

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Rowdy　of　the　Cross　L

by　B。　M。　Bower　（B。M。　Sinclair）





CONTENTS

1。　Lost　in　a　Blizzard
2。　Miss　Conroy　Refuses　Shelter
3。　Rowdy　Hires　a　New　Boss
4。　Pink　as　〃Chappyrone〃
5。　At　Home　at　Cross　L
6。　A　Shot　From　the　Dark
7。　Rowdy　in　a　Tough　Place
8。　Pink　in　a　Threatening　Mood
9。　Moving　the　Herd
10。　Harry　Conroy　at　Home
11。　Rowdy　Promoted
12。　〃You　Can　Tell　Jessie〃
13。　Rowdy　Finds　Happiness




CHAPTER　1

Lost　in　a　Blizzard。

〃Rowdy〃　Vaughanhe　had　been　christened　Rowland　by　his　mother；　and
rechristened　Rowdy　by　his　cowboy　friends；　who　are　prone　to　treat　with　much
irreverence　the　names　bestowed　by　motherswas　not　happy。　He　stood　in　the
stirrups　and　shook　off　the　thick　layer　of　snow　which　clung；　damp　and
close…packed；　to　his　coat。　The　dull　yellow　folds　were　full　of　it；　his　gray
hat；　pulled　low　over　his　purple　ears；　was　heaped　with　it。　He　reached　up　a
gloved　hand　and　scraped　away　as　much　as　he　could；　wrapped　the　long…skirted；
〃sour…dough〃　coat　around　his　numbed　legs；　then　settled　into　the　saddle　with
a　shiver　of　distaste　at　the　plight　he　was　in；　and　wished　himself　back　at　the
Horseshoe　Bar。

Dixie；　standing　knee…deep　in　a　drift；　shook　himself　much　after　the　manner　of
his　master；　perhaps　he；　also；　wished　himself　back　at　the　Horseshoe　Bar。　He
turned　his　head　to　look　back；　blinking　at　the　snow　which　beat　insistently　in
his　eyes；　he　could　not　hold　them　open　long　enough　to　see　anything；　however；
so　he　twitched　his　ears　pettishly　and　gave　over　the　attempt。

〃It's　up　to　you；　old　boy；〃　Rowdy　told　him　resignedly。　〃I'm　plumb　lost；　I
never　was　in　this　damn　country　before；　anyhowand　I　sure　wish　I　wasn't　here
now。　If　you've　any　idea　where　we're　at；　I'm　dead　willing　to　have　you　pilot
the　layout。　Never　mind　Chub；　locating　his　feed　when　it's　stuck　under　his
nose　is　his　limit。〃

Chub　lifted　an　ear　dispiritedly　when　his　name　was　spoken；　but；　as　was
usually　the　case；　he　heard　no　good　of　himself；　and　dropped　his　head　again。
No　one　took　heed　of　him；　no　one　ever　did。　His　part　was　to　carry　Vaughan's
bed；　and　to　follow　unquestionably　where　Vaughan　and　Dixie　might　lead。　He　was
cold　and　tired　and　hungry；　but　his　faith　in　his　master　was　strong；　the
responsibility　of　finding　shelter　before　the　dark　came　down　rested　not　with
him。

Vaughan　pressed　his　chilled　knees　against　Dixie's　ribs；　but　the　hand　upon
the　reins　was　carefully　non…committal；　so　that　Dixie；　having　no　suggestion
of　his　master's　wish；　ventured　to　indulge　his　own。　He　turned　tail　squarely
to　the　storm　and　went　straight　ahead。　Vaughan　put　his　hands　deep　into　his
pockets；　snuggled　farther　down　into　the　sheepskin　collar　of　his　coat；　and
rode　passive；　enduring。

They　brought　up　against　a　wire　fence；　and　Vaughan；　rousing　from　his　apathy；
tried　to　peer　through　the　white；　shifting　wall　of　the　storm。　〃You're　a　swell
guidenot；〃　he　remarked　to　the　horse。　〃Now　you；　you　hike　down　this　fence
till　you　locate　a　gate　or　a　corner；　or　any　darned　thing；　and　I　don't　give　a
cuss　if　the　snow　does　get　in　your　eyes。　It's　your　own　fault。〃

Dixie；　sneezing　the　snow　from　his　nostrils；　turned　obediently；　Chub；　his
feet　dragging　wearily　in　the　snow；　trailed　patiently　behind。　Half　an　hour　of
this；　and　it　seemed　as　if　it　would　go　on　forever。

Through　the　swirl　Vaughan　could　see　the　posts　standing　forlornly　in　the
snow；　with　sixteen　feet　of　blizzard　between；　at　no　time　could　he　distinguish
more　than　two　or　three　at　once；　and　there　were　long　minutes　when　the　wall
stood；　blank　and　shifting；　just　beyond　the　first　post。

Then　Dixie　lifted　his　head　and　gazed　questioningly　before　him；　his　ears
pointed　forwardsentient；　strainedand　whinnied　shrill　challenge。　He
hurried　his　steps；　dragging　Chub　out　of　the　beginnings　of　a　dream。　Vaughan
straightened　and　took　his　hands　from　his　pockets。

Out　beyond　the　dim；　wavering　outline　of　the　farthest　post　came　answer　to　the
challenge。　A　mysterious；　vague　shape　grew　impalpably　upon　the　strained
vision；　a　horse　sneezed；　then　nickered　eagerly。　Vaughan　drew　up　and　waited。

〃Hello！〃　he　called　cheerfully。　〃Pleasant　day；　this。　Out　for　your　health？〃

The　shape　hesitated；　as　though　taken　aback　by　the　greeting；　and　there　was　no
answer。　Vaughan；　puzzled；　rode　closer。

〃Say；　don't　talk　so　fast！〃　he　yelled。　〃I　can't　follow　yuh。〃

〃Whowho　is　it？〃　The　voice　sounded　perturbed；　and　it　was；　moreover；　the
voice　of　a　woman。

Vaughan　pulled　up　short　and　swore　into　his　collar。　Women　are　not；　as　a　rule；
to　be　met　out　on　the　blank　prairie　in　a　blizzard。　His　voice；　when　he　spoke
again；　was　not　ironical；　as　it　had　been；　it　was　placating。

〃I　beg　your　pardon；〃　he　said。　〃I　thought　it　was　a　man。　I'm　looking　for　the
Cross　L；　you　don't　happen　to　know　where　it　is；　do　yuh？〃

〃NoI　don't；〃　she　declared　dismally。　〃I　don't　know　where　any　place　is。　I'm
teaching　school　in　this　neighborhoodor　in　some　other。　I　was　going　to　spend
Sunday　with　a　friend；　but　this　storm　came　up；　and　I'mlost。〃

〃Same　here；〃　said　Rowdy　pleasantly；　as　though　being　lost　was　a　matter　for
congratulation。

〃Oh！　I　was　in　hopes〃

〃So　was　I；　so　we're　even　there。　We'll　have　to　pool　our　chances；　I　guess。　Any
gate　down　that　wayor　haven't　you　followed　the　fence？〃

〃I　followed　it　for　miles　and　milesit　seemed。　It　must　be　some　big　field　of
the　Cross　L；　but　they　have　so　very　many　big　fields！〃

〃And　you　couldn't　give　a　rough　guess　at　how　far　it　is　to　the　Cross
L？〃insinuatingly。

He　could　vaguely　see　her　shake　of　head。　〃Ordinarily　it　should　be　about　six
miles　beyond　Rodway's；　where　I　board。　But　I　haven't　the　haziest　idea　of
where　Rodway's　place　is；　you　see；　so　that　won't　help　you　much。　I'm　all　at
sea　in　this　snow。〃　Her　voice　was　rueful。

〃Well；　if　you　came　up　the　fence；　there's　no　use　going　back　that　way；　and
there's　sure　nothing　made　by　going　away　from　it。that's　the　way　I　came。　Why
not　go　on　the　way　you're　headed？〃

〃We　might　as　well；　I　suppose；〃　she　assented；　and　Rowdy　turned　and　rode　by
her　side；　grateful　for　the　plurality　of　the　pronoun　which　tacitly　included
him　in　her　wanderings；　and　meditating　many　things。　For　one；　he　wondered　if
she　were　as　nice　a　girl　as　her　voice　sounded。　He　could　not　see　much　of　her
face；　because　it　was　muffled　in　a　white　silk　scarf。　Only　her　eyes　showed；
and　they　were　dark　and　bright。

When　he　awoke　to　the　fact　that　the　wind；　grown　colder；　beat　upon　her
cruelly；　he　dropped　behind　a　pace　and　took　the　windy　side；　that　he　might
shield　her　with　his　body。　But　if　she　observed　the　action　she　gave　no　sign；
her　face　was　turned　from　him　and　the　wind；　and　she　rode　without　speaking。
After　long　plodding；　the　line　of　posts　turned　unexpectedly　a　right　angle；
and　Vaughan　took　a　long；　relieved　breath。

〃We'll　have　the　wind　on　our　backs　now；〃　he　remarked。　〃I　guess　we　may　as　well
keep　on　and　see　where　this　fence　goes　to。〃

His　tone　was　too　elaborately　cheerful　to　be　very　cheering。He　was　wondering
if　the　girl　was　dressed　warmly。　It　had　been　so　warm　and　sunny　before　the
blizzard　struck；　but　now　the　wind　searched　out　the　thin　places　in　one's
clothing　and　ran　lead　in　one's　bones；　where　should　be　simply　marrow。　He
fancied　that　her　voice；　when　she　spoke；　gave　evidence　of　actual
sufferingand　the　heart　of　Rowdy　Vaughan　was　ever　soft　toward　a　woman。

〃If　you're　cold；〃　he　began；　〃I'll　open　up　my　bed　and　get　out　a　blanket。〃　He
held　Dixie　in　tentatively。

〃Oh；　don't　trouble　to　do　that；〃　she　protested；　but　there　was　that　in　her
voice　which　hardened　his　impulse　into　fixed　resolution。

〃I　ought　to　have　thought　of　it　before；〃　he　lamented；　and　swung　down　stiffly
into　the　snow。

Her　eyes　followed　his　movement　with　a　very　evident　interest　while　he
unbuckled　the　pack　Chub　had　carried　since　sunrise　and　drew　out　a　blanket。

〃Stand　in　your　stirrup；〃　he　commanded　briskly　〃and　I'll　wrap　you　up。　It's　a
Navajo；　and　the　wind　will　have　a　time　trying　to　find　a　thin　spot。〃

〃You're　thoughtful。〃　She　snuggled　into　it　thankfully。　〃I　was　cold。〃

Vaughan　tucked　it　around　her　with　more　care　than　haste。　He　was　pretty
uncomfortable　himself；　and　for　that　reason　he　was　the　more　anxious　that　the
girl　should　be　warm。　It　came　to　him　that　she　was　a　cute　little　schoolma'am；
all　right；　he　was　glad　she　belonged　close　around　the　Cross　L。　He　also　wished
he　knew　her　nameand　so　he　set　about　finding　it　out；　with　much　guile。

〃How's　that？〃　he　wanted　to　know；　when　he　had　made　sure　that　her　feetsuch
tiny　feetwere　well　covered。　He　thought　it　lucky　that　she　did　not　ride
astride；　after　the　manner　of　the　latter…day　young　woman；　because　then　he
could　not　have　covered　her　so　completely。　〃Hold　on！　That　windy　side's　going
to　make　trouble。〃　He　unbuckled　the　strap　he　wore　to　hold　his　own　coat　snug
about　him；　and　put　it　around　the　girl's　slim　waist；　feeling　idiotically
happy　and　guilty　the　while。　〃It　don't　come　within　a　mile　of　you；〃　he
complained；　〃but　it'll　help　some。〃

Sheltered　in　the　thick　folds　of　the　Navajo；　she　laughed；　and　the　sound　of　it
sent　the　blood　galloping　through　Rowdy　Vaughan's　body　so　that　he　was　almost
warm。　He　went　and　scraped　the　snow　out　of　his　saddle；　and　swung　up；　feeling
that；　after　all；　there　are　worse　things　in　the　world　than　being　lost　and
hungry　in　a　blizzard；　with　a　sweet…voiced；　bright…eyed　little　schoolma'am
who　can　laugh　like　that。

〃I　don't　want　to　have　you　think　I　may　be　a　bold；　bad　robber…man；〃　he　said；
when　they　got　going　again。　〃My　name's　Rowdy　Vaughanfor　which　I　beg　your
pardon。　Mother　named　me　Rowland；　never　knowing　I'd　get　out　here　and　have　her
nice；　pretty　name　mutilated　that　way。　I　won't　say　that　my　behavior　never
suggested　the　change；　though。　I'm　from　the　Horseshoe　Bar；　over　the　line；　and
if　I　have　my　way；　I'll　be　a　Cross　L　man　before　another　day。〃　Then　he　waited
expectantly。

〃For　fear　you　may　think　I'm　aa　robber…woman；〃　she　answered　him
solemnlyhe　felt　sure　her　eyes　twinkled；　if　only　he　could　have　seen　them
〃I'm　Jessie　Conroy。　And　if　you're　from　over　the　line；　maybe　you　know　my
brother　Harry。　He　was　over　there　a　year　or　two。〃

Rowdy　hunched　his　shoulderspresumably　at　the　wind。　Harry　Conroy's　sister；
was　she？　And　he　swore。　〃I　may　have　met　him；〃　he　parried；　in　a　tone　you'd
never　notice　as　being　painstakingly　careless。　〃I　think　I　did；　come　to　think
of　it。〃

Miss　Conroy　seemed　displeased；　and　presently　the　cause　was　forthcoming。　〃If
you'd　ever　met　him；〃　she　said；　〃you'd　hardly　forget　him。〃　（Rowdy　mentally
agreed　profanely。）　〃He's　the　best　rider　in　the　whole　countryand　the
handsomest。　Hehe's　splendid！　And　he's　the　only　brother　I've　got。　It's　a
pity　you　never　got　acquainted　with　him。〃

〃Yes；〃　lied　Rowdy；　and　thought　a　good　deal　in　a　very　short　time。　Harry
Conroy's　sister！　Well；　she　wasn't　to　blame　for　that；　of　course；　nor　for
thinking　her　brother　a　white　man。　〃I　remember　I　did　see　him　ride　once；〃　he
observed。　〃He　was　a　whirlwind；　all　rightand　he　sure　was　handsome；　too。〃

Miss　Conroy　turned　her　face　toward　him　and　smiled　her　pleasure；　and　Rowdy
hovered　between　heaven　andanother　place。　He　was　glad　she　smiled；　and　he
was　afraid　of　what　that　subject　might　discover　for　his　straightforward
tongue　in　the　way　of　pitfalls。　It　would　not　be　nice　to　let　her　know　what　he
really　thought　of　her　brother。

〃This　looks　to　me　like　a　lane；〃　he　said　diplomatically。　〃We　must　be　getting
somewhere；　don't　you　re