in the carquinez woods-第18章

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〃You　needn't　come　up。　　I'll　find　the　way。　　I　don't　want　a　light；
I　reckon　my　eyes　ain't　as　bright　nor　as　young　as　his；　but　they'll
see　almost　as　far　in　the　darkhe！　he！〃　　And；　nodding　to　Brother
Carter；　he　strode　along　the　passage；　and　with　no　other　introduction
than　a　playful　and　preliminary　〃Boo！〃　burst　into　one　of　the　rooms。
Low；　who　by　the　light　of　a　single　candle　was　bending　over　the　plates
of　a　large　quarto；　merely　raised　his　eyes　and　looked　at　the　intruder。
The　young　man's　natural　imperturbability；　always　exasperating　to
Wynn；　seemed　accented　that　morning　by　contrast　with　his　own
over…acted　animation。

〃Ah　ha！wasting　the　midnight　oil　instead　of　imbibing　the　morning
dews；〃　said　Father　Wynn　archly；　illustrating　his　metaphor　with　a
movement　of　his　hand　to　his　lips。　　〃What　have　we　here？〃

〃An　anonymous　gift；〃　replied　Low　simply；　recognizing　the　father
of　Nellie　by　rising　from　his　chair。　　〃It's　a　volume　I've　longed
to　possess；　but　never　could　afford　to　buy。　　I　cannot　imagine　who
sent　it　to　me。〃

Wynn　was　for　a　moment　startled　by　the　thought　that　this　recipient
of　valuable　gifts　might　have　influential　friends。　　But　a　glance
at　the　bare　room；　which　looked　like　a　camp；　and　the　strange；
unconventional　garb　of　its　occupant；　restored　his　former
convictions。　　There　might　be　a　promise　of　intelligence；　but
scarcely　of　prosperity；　in　the　figure　before　him。

〃Ah！　　We　must　not　forget　that　we　are　watched　over　in　the　night
season；〃　he　said；　laying　his　hand　on　Low's　shoulder；　with　an
illustration　of　celestial　guardianship　that　would　have　been
impious　but　for　its　palpable　grotesqueness。　　〃No；　sir；　we　know
not　what　a　day　may　bring　forth。〃

Unfortunately；　Low's　practical　mind　did　not　go　beyond　a　mere
human　interpretation。　　It　was　enough；　however；　to　put　a　new　light
in　his　eye　and　a　faint　color　in　his　cheek。

〃Could　it　have　been　Miss　Nellie？〃　he　asked；　with　half…boyish
hesitation。

Mr。　Wynn　was　too　much　of　a　Christian　not　to　bow　before　what
appeared　to　him　the　purely　providential　interposition　of　this
suggestion。　　Seizing　it　and　Low　at　the　same　moment；　he　playfully
forced　him　down　again　in　his　chair。

〃Ah；　you　rascal！〃　he　said；　with　infinite　archness；　〃that's　your
game；　is　it？　　You　want　to　trap　poor　Father　Wynn。　　You　want　to
make　him　say　'No。'　　You　want　to　tempt　him　to　commit　himself。　　No；
sir！never；　sir！no；　no！〃

Firmly　convinced　that　the　present　was　Nellie's；　and　that　her
father　only　good…humoredly　guessed　it；　the　young　man's　simple；
truthful　nature　was　embarrassed。　　He　longed　to　express　his
gratitude；　but　feared　to　betray　the　young　girl's　trust。　　The
Reverend　Mr。　Wynn　speedily　relieved　his　mind。

〃No〃　he　continued；　bestriding　a　chair；　and　familiarly　confronting
Low　over　its　back。　　〃No；　sirno！　　And　you　want　me　to　say　'No；'
don't　you；　regarding　the　little　walks　of　Nellie　and　a　certain
young　man　in　the　Carquinez　Woods？ha；　ha！　　You'd　like　me　to　say
that　I　knew　nothing　of　the　botanizings；　and　the　herb　collectings；
and　the　picknickings　therehe；　he！you　sly　dog！　　Perhaps　you'd
like　to　tempt　Father　Wynn　further；　and　make　him　swear　he　knows
nothing　of　his　daughter　disguising　herself　in　a　duster　and
meeting　another　young　manisn't　it　another　young　man？all
alone；　eh？　　Perhaps　you　want　poor　old　Father　Wynn　to　say　No。　　No；
sir；　nothing　of　the　kind　ever　occurred。　　Ah；　you　young　rascal！〃

Slightly　troubled；　in　spite　of　Wynn's　hearty　manner；　Low；　with
his　usual　directness；　however；　said；　〃I　do　not　want　anyone　to
deny　that　I　have　seen　Miss　Nellie。〃

〃Certainly；　certainly；〃　said　Wynn；　abandoning　his　method；
considerably　disconcerted　by　Low's　simplicity；　and　a　certain
natural　reserve　that　shook　off　his　familiarity。　　〃Certainly　it's
a　noble　thing　to　be　able　to　put　your　hand　on　your　heart　and　say
to　the　world；　'Come　on；　all　of　you！　　Observe　me；　I　have　nothing
to　conceal。　　I　walk　with　Miss　Wynn　in　the　woods　as　her
instructorher　teacher；　in　fact。　　We　cull　a　flower　here　and
there；　we　pluck　an　herb　fresh　from　the　hands　of　the　Creator。　　We
look；　so　to　speak；　from　Nature　to　Nature's　God。'　　Yes；　my　young
friend；　we　should　be　the　first　to　repel　the　foul　calumny　that
could　misinterpret　our　most　innocent　actions。〃

〃Calumny？〃　repeated　Low；　starting　to　his　feet。　　〃What　calumny？〃

〃My　friend；　my　noble　young　friend；　I　recognize　your　indignation。
I　know　your　worth。　　When　I　said　to　Nellie；　my　only　child；　my
perhaps　too　simple　offspringa　mere　wildflower　like　yourself
when　I　said　to　her；　'Go；　my　child；　walk　in　the　woods　with　this
young　man；　hand　in　hand。　　Let　him　instruct　you　from　the　humblest
roots；　for　he　has　trodden　in　the　ways　of　the　Almighty。　　Gather
wisdom　from　his　lips；　and　knowledge　from　his　simple　woodman's
craft。　　Make；　in　fact；　a　collection　not　only　of　herbs；　but　of
moral　axioms　and　experience'I　knew　I　could　trust　you；　and；
trusting　you；　my　young　friend；　I　felt　I　could　trust　the　world。
Perhaps　I　was　weak；　foolish。　　But　I　thought　only　of　her　welfare。
I　even　recall　how　that　to　preserve　the　purity　of　her　garments；　I
bade　her　don　a　simple　duster；　that；　to　secure　her　from　the
trifling　companionship　of　others；　I　bade　her　keep　her　own
counsel；　and　seek　you　at　seasons　known　but　to　yourselves。〃

〃But　。　。　。　did　Nellie　。　。　。　understand　you？〃　interrupted　Low
hastily。

〃I　see　you　read　her　simple　nature。　　Understand　me？　　No；　not　at
first！　　Her　maidenly　instinctperhaps　her　duty　to　anothertook
the　alarm。　　I　remember　her　words。　　'But　what　will　Dunn　say？'　she
asked。　　'Will　he　not　be　jealous？'〃

〃Dunn！　jealous！　　I　don't　understand；〃　said　Low；　fixing　his　eyes
on　Wynn。

〃That's　just　what　I　said　to　Nellie。　　'Jealous！'　I　said。　　'What；
Dunn；　your　affianced　husband；　jealous　of　a　mere　frienda
teacher；　a　guide；　a　philosopher。　　It　is　impossible。'　　Well；　sir；
she　was　right。　　He　is　jealous。　　And；　more　than　that；　he　has
imparted　his　jealousy　to　others！　　In　other　words；　he　has　made　a
scandal！〃

Low's　eyes　flashed。　　〃Where　is　your　daughter　now？〃　he　said　sternly。

〃At　present　in　bed；　suffering　from　a　nervous　attack　brought　on　by
these　unjust　suspicions。　　She　appreciates　your　anxiety；　and；
knowing　that　you　could　not　see　her；　told　me　to　give　you　this。〃
He　handed　Low　the　ring　and　the　letter。

The　climax　had　been　forced；　and；　it　must　be　confessed；　was　by　no
means　the　one　Mr。　Wynn　had　fully　arranged　in　his　own　inner
consciousness。　　He　had　intended　to　take　an　ostentatious　leave　of
Low　in　the　bar…room；　deliver　the　letter　with　archness；　and　escape
before　a　possible　explosion。　　He　consequently　backed　towards　the
door　for　an　emergency。　　But　he　was　again　at　fault。　　That
unaffected　stoical　fortitude　in　acute　suffering；　which　was　the
one　remaining　pride　and　glory　of　Low's　race；　was　yet　to　be
revealed　to　Wynn's　civilized　eyes。

The　young　man　took　the　letter；　and　read　it　without　changing　a
muscle；　folded　the　ring　in　it；　and　dropped　it　into　his　haversack。
Then　he　picked　up　his　blanket；　threw　it　over　his　shoulder；　took
his　trusty　rifle　in　his　hand；　and　turned　towards　Wynn　as　if
coldly　surprised　that　he　was　still　standing　there。

〃Are　youare　yougoing？〃　stammered　Wynn。

〃Are　you　NOT？〃　replied　Low　dryly；　leaning　on　his　rifle　for　a
moment　as　if　waiting　for　Wynn　to　precede　him。　　The　preacher
looked　at　him　a　moment；　mumbled　something；　and　then　shambled
feebly　and　ineffectively　down　the　staircase　before　Low；　with　a
painful　suggestion　to　the　ordinary　observer　of　being　occasionally
urged　thereto　by　the　moccasin　of　the　young　man　behind　him。

On　reaching　the　lower　hall；　however；　he　endeavored　to　create　a
diversion　in　his　favor　by　dashing　into　the　bar…room　and　clapping
the　occupants　on　the　back　with　indiscriminate　playfulness。　　But
here　again　he　seemed　to　be　disappointed。　　To　his　great
discomfiture；　a　large　man　not　only　returned　his　salutation　with
powerful　levity；　but　with　equal　playfulness　seized　him　in　his
arms；　and　after　an　ingenious　simulation　of　depositing　him　in　the
horse…trough　set　him　down　in　affected　amazement。　　〃Bleth't　if　I
didn't　think　from　the　weight　of　your　hand　it　wath　my　old　friend；
Thacramento　Bill；〃　said　Curson　apologetically；　with　a　wink　at　the
bystanders。　　〃That'th　the　way　Bill　alwayth　uthed　to　tackle　hith
friendth；　till　he　wath　one　day　bounthed　by　a　prithe…fighter　in
Frithco；　whom　he　had　mithtaken　for　a　mithionary。〃　　As　Mr。
Curson's　reputation　was　of　a　quality　that　made　any　form　of
apology　from　him　instantly　acceptable；　the　amused　spectators　made
way　for　him　as；　recognizing　Low；　who　was　just　leaving　the　hotel；
he　turned　coolly　from　them　and　walked　towards　him。

〃Halloo！〃　he　said；　extending　his　hand。　　〃You're　the　man　I'm
waiting　for。　　Did　you　get　a　book　from　the　exthpreth　offithe　latht
night？〃

〃I　did。　　Why？〃

〃It'th　all　right。　　Ath　I'm　rethponthible　for　it；　I　only　wanted　to
know。〃

〃Did　YOU　send　it？〃　asked　Low；　quickly　fixing　his　eyes　on　his
face。

〃Well；　not　exactly　ME。　　But　it'th　not　worth　making　a　mythtery　of
it。　　Teretha　gave　me　a　commithion　to　buy　it　and　thend　it　to　you
anonymouthly。　　That'th　a　woman'th　nonthenth；　for　how　could　thee
get　a　retheipt　for　it？〃

〃Then　it　was　HER　present；〃　said　Low　gloomily。

〃Of　courthe。　　It　wathn't　mine；　my　boy。　　I'd　have　thent　you　a
Tharp'th　rifle　in　plathe　of　that　muthle　loader　you　carry；　or
thomething　thenthible。　　But；　I　thay！　what'th　up？　　You　look　ath　if
you　had　been　running　all　night。〃

Low　grasped　his　hand。　　〃Thank　you；〃　he　said　hurriedly；　〃but　it's
nothing。　　Only　I　must　be　back　to　the　woods　early。　　Good…by。〃

But　Curson　retained　Low's　hand　in　his　own　powerful　grip。

〃I'll　go　with　you　a　bit　further；〃　he　said。　　〃In　fact；　I've　got
thomething　to　thay　to　you；　only　don't　be　in　thuch　a　hurry；　the
woodth　can　wait　till　you　get　there。〃　　Quietly　compelling　Low　to
alter　his　own　characteristic　Indian　stride　to　keep　pace　with　his；
he　went　on：　〃I　don't　mind　thaying　I　rather　cottoned　to　you　from
the　time　you　acted　like　a　white　manno　offentheto　Teretha。
She　thayth　you　were　left　when　a　child　lying　round；　jutht　ath
promithcuouthly　ath　she　wath；　and　if　I　can　do　anything　towardth
putting　you　on　the　trail　of　your　people；　I'll　do　it。　　I　know
thome　of　the　voyageurth　who　traded　with　the　Cherokeeth；　and　your
father　wath　one…wathn't　he？〃　　He　glanced　at　Low's　utterly
abstracted　and　immobile　face。　　〃I　thay；　you　don't　theem　to　take　a
hand　in　thith　game；　pardner。　　What'th　the　row？　　Ith　anything
wrong　over　there？〃　and　he　pointed　to　the　Carquinez　Woods；　which
were　just　looming　out　of　the　morning　horizon　in　the　distance。

Low　stopped。　　The　last　words　of　his　companion　seemed　to　recall
him　to　himself。　　He　raised　his　eyes　automatically　to　the　woods
and　started。

〃There　IS　something　wrong　over　there；〃　he　said　breathlessly。
〃Look！〃

〃I　thee　nothing；〃　said　Curson；　beginning　to　doubt　Low's　sanity；
〃nothing　more　than　I　thaw　an　hour　ago。〃

〃Look　again。　　Don't　you　see　that　smoke　rising　straight　up？　　It
isn't　blown　over　there　from　the　Divide；　it's　new　smoke！　　The　fire
is　in　the　woods！〃

〃I　reckon　that'th　so；〃　muttered　Curson；　shading　his　eyes　with　his
hand。　　〃But；　hullo！　wait　a　minute！　　We'll　get　hortheth。　　I　say！〃
he　shouted；　forgetting　his　lisp　in　his　excitement〃stop！〃　　But
Low　had　already　lowered　his　head　and　darted　forward　like　an　arrow。

In　a　few　moments　he　had　left　not　only　his　companion　but　the　l