a waif of the plains-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！


either　the　sympathy　of　an　equal　or　the　zeal　of　a　partisan；　but
ratherif　it　could　be　said　of　a　boy　of　his　yearswith　the
patronage　and　protection　of　a　superior。　　So　he　accepted　without
demur　the　intimation　that　when　the　train　reached　California　he
would　be　forwarded　from　Stockton　with　an　outfit　and　a　letter　of
explanation　to　Sacramento；　it　being　understood　that　in　the　event　of
not　finding　his　relative　he　would　return　to　the　Peytons　in　one　of
the　southern　valleys；　where　they　elected　to　purchase　a　tract　of
land。

With　this　outlook；　and　the　prospect　of　change；　independence；　and
all　the　rich　possibilities　that　to　the　imagination　of　youth　are
included　in　them；　Clarence　had　found　the　days　dragging。　　The　halt
at　Salt　Lake；　the　transit　of　the　dreary　Alkali　desert；　even　the
wild　passage　of　the　Sierras；　were　but　a　blurred　picture　in　his
memory。　　The　sight　of　eternal　snows　and　the　rolling　of　endless
ranks　of　pines；　the　first　glimpse　of　a　hillside　of　wild　oats；　the
spectacle　of　a　rushing　yellow　river　that　to　his　fancy　seemed　tinged
with　gold；　were　momentary　excitements；　quickly　forgotten。　　But
when；　one　morning；　halting　at　the　outskirts　of　a　struggling
settlement；　he　found　the　entire　party　eagerly　gathered　around　a
passing　stranger；　who　had　taken　from　his　saddle…bags　a　small
buckskin　pouch　to　show　them　a　double　handful　of　shining　scales　of
metal；　Clarence　felt　the　first　feverish　and　overmastering　thrill　of
the　gold…seekers。　　Breathlessly　he　followed　the　breathless
questions　and　careless　replies。　　The　gold　had　been　dug　out　of　a
placer　only　thirty　miles　away。　　It　might　be　worth；　say；　a　hundred
and　fifty　dollars；　it　was　only　HIS　share　of　a　week's　work　with　two
partners。　　It　was　not　much；　〃the　country　was　getting　played　out
with　fresh　arrivals　and　greenhorns。〃　　All　this　falling　carelessly
from　the　unshaven　lips　of　a　dusty；　roughly　dressed　man；　with　a
long…handled　shovel　and　pickaxe　strapped　on　his　back；　and　a　frying…
pan　depending　from　his　saddle。　　But　no　panoplied　or　armed　knight
ever　seemed　so　heroic　or　independent　a　figure　to　Clarence。　　What
could　be　finer　than　the　noble　scorn　conveyed　in　his　critical　survey
of　the　train；　with　its　comfortable　covered　wagons　and　appliances　of
civilization？　　〃Ye'll　hev　to　get　rid　of　them　ther　fixin's　if　yer
goin'　in　for　placer　diggin'！〃　　What　a　corroboration　of　Clarence's
real　thoughts！　　What　a　picture　of　independence　was　this！　　The
picturesque　scout；　the　all…powerful　Judge　Peyton；　the　daring　young
officer；　all　crumbled　on　their　clayey　pedestals　before　this　hero　in
a　red　flannel　shirt　and　high…topped　boots。　　To　stroll　around　in　the
open　air　all　day；　and　pick　up　those　shining　bits　of　metal；　without
study；　without　method　or　routinethis　was　really　life；　to　some　day
come　upon　that　large　nugget　〃you　couldn't　lift；〃　that　was　worth　as
much　as　the　train　and　horsessuch　a　one　as　the　stranger　said　was
found　the　other　day　at　Sawyer's　Barthis　was　worth　giving　up
everything　for。　　That　rough　man；　with　his　smile　of　careless
superiority；　was　the　living　link　between　Clarence　and　the　Thousand
and　One　Nights；　in　him　were　Aladdin　and　Sindbad　incarnate。

Two　days　later　they　reached　Stockton。　　Here　Clarence；　whose　single
suit　of　clothes　had　been　reinforced　by　patching；　odds　and　ends　from
Peyton's　stores；　and　an　extraordinary　costume　of　army　cloth；　got　up
by　the　regimental　tailor　at　Fort　Ridge；　was　taken　to　be　refitted　at
a　general　furnishing　〃emporium。〃　　But　alas！　in　the　selection　of　the
clothing　for　that　adult　locality　scant　provision　seemed　to　have
been　made　for　a　boy　of　Clarence's　years；　and　he　was　with　difficulty
fitted　from　an　old　condemned　Government　stores　with　〃a　boy's〃
seaman　suit　and　a　brass…buttoned　pea…jacket。　　To　this　outfit　Mr。
Peyton　added　a　small　sum　of　money　for　his　expenses；　and　a　letter　of
explanation　to　his　cousin。　　The　stage…coach　was　to　start　at　noon。
It　only　remained　for　Clarence　to　take　leave　of　the　party。　　The
final　parting　with　Susy　had　been　discounted　on　the　two　previous
days　with　some　tears；　small　frights　and　clingings；　and　the
expressed　determination　on　the　child's　part　〃to　go　with　him；〃　but
in　the　excitement　of　the　arrival　at　Stockton　it　was　still　further
mitigated；　and　under　the　influence　of　a　little　present　from
Clarencehis　first　disbursement　of　his　small　capitalhad　at　last
taken　the　form　and　promise　of　merely　temporary　separation。
Nevertheless；　when　the　boy's　scanty　pack　was　deposited　under　the
stage…coach　seat；　and　he　had　been　left　alone；　he　ran　rapidly　back
to　the　train　for　one　moment　more　with　Susy。　　Panting　and　a　little
frightened；　he　reached　Mrs。　Peyton's　car。

〃Goodness！　　You're　not　gone　yet；〃　said　Mrs。　Peyton　sharply。　　〃Do
you　want　to　lose　the　stage？〃

An　instant　before；　in　his　loneliness；　he　might　have　answered；
〃Yes。〃　　But　under　the　cruel　sting　of　Mrs。　Peyton's　evident
annoyance　at　his　reappearance　he　felt　his　legs　suddenly　tremble；
and　his　voice　left　him。　　He　did　not　dare　to　look　at　Susy。　　But　her
voice　rose　comfortably　from　the　depths　of　the　wagon　where　she　was
sitting。

〃The　stage　will　be　gone　away；　Kla'uns。〃

She　too！　　Shame　at　his　foolish　weakness　sent　the　yearning　blood
that　had　settled　round　his　heart　flying　back　into　his　face。

〃I　was　looking　forforfor　Jim；　ma'am；〃　he　said　at　last；　boldly。

He　saw　a　look　of　disgust　pass　over　Mrs。　Peyton's　face；　and　felt　a
malicious　satisfaction　as　he　turned　and　ran　back　to　the　stage。　　But
here；　to　his　surprise；　he　actually　found　Jim；　whom　he　really　hadn't
thought　of；　darkly　watching　the　last　strapping　of　luggage。　　With　a
manner　calculated　to　convey　the　impression　to　the　other　passengers
that　he　was　parting　from　a　brother　criminal；　probably　on　his　way　to
a　state　prison；　Jim　shook　hands　gloomily　with　Clarence；　and　eyed
the　other　passengers　furtively　between　his　mated　locks。

〃Ef　ye　hear　o'　anythin'　happenin'；　ye'll　know　what's　up；〃　he　said；
in　a　low；　hoarse；　but　perfectly　audible　whisper。　　〃Me　and　them's
bound　to　part　company　afore　long。　　Tell　the　fellows　at　Deadman's
Gulch　to　look　out　for　me　at　any　time。〃

Although　Clarence　was　not　going　to　Deadman's　Gulch；　knew　nothing　of
it；　and　had　a　faint　suspicion　that　Jim　was　equally　ignorant；　yet　as
one　or　two　of　the　passengers　glanced　anxiously　at　the　demure；　gray…
eyed　boy　who　seemed　booked　for　such　a　baleful　destination；　he
really　felt　the　half…delighted；　half…frightened　consciousness　that
he　was　starting　in　life　under　fascinating　immoral　pretenses。　　But
the　forward　spring　of　the　fine…spirited　horses；　the　quickened
motion；　the　glittering　sunlight；　and　the　thought　that　he　really　was
leaving　behind　him　all　the　shackles　of　dependence　and　custom；　and
plunging　into　a　life　of　freedom；　drove　all　else　from　his　mind。　　He
turned　at　last　from　this　hopeful；　blissful　future；　and　began　to
examine　his　fellow　passengers　with　boyish　curiosity。　　Wedged　in
between　two　silent　men　on　the　front　seat；　one　of　whom　seemed　a
farmer；　and　the　other；　by　his　black　attire；　a　professional　man；
Clarence　was　finally　attracted　by　a　black…mantled；　dark…haired；
bonnetless　woman　on　the　back　seat；　whose　attention　seemed　to　be
monopolized　by　the　jocular　gallantries　of　her　companions　and　the
two　men　before　her　in　the　middle　seat。　　From　her　position　he　could
see　little　more　than　her　dark　eyes；　which　occasionally　seemed　to
meet　his　frank　curiosity　in　an　amused　sort　of　way；　but　he　was
chiefly　struck　by　the　pretty　foreign　sound　of　her　musical　voice；
which　was　unlike　anything　he　had　ever　heard　before；　andalas　for
the　inconstancy　of　youthmuch　finer　than　Mrs。　Peyton's。　　Presently
his　farmer　companion；　casting　a　patronizing　glance　on　Clarence's
pea…jacket　and　brass　buttons；　said　cheerily

〃Jest　off　a　voyage；　sonny？〃

〃No；　sir；〃　stammered　Clarence；　〃I　came　across　the　plains。〃

〃Then　I　reckon　that's　the　rig…out　for　the　crew　of　a　prairie
schooner；　eh？〃　　There　was　a　laugh　at　this　which　perplexed　Clarence。
Observing　it；　the　humorist　kindly　condescended　to　explain　that
〃prairie　schooner〃　was　the　current　slang　for　an　emigrant　wagon。

〃I　couldn't；〃　explained　Clarence；　naively　looking　at　the　dark　eyes
on　the　back　seat；　〃get　any　clothes　at　Stockton　but　these；　I　suppose
the　folks　didn't　think　there'd　ever　be　boys　in　California。〃

The　simplicity　of　this　speech　evidently　impressed　the　others；　for
the　two　men　in　the　middle　seats　turned　at　a　whisper　from　the　lady
and　regarded　him　curiously。　　Clarence　blushed　slightly　and　became
silent。　　Presently　the　vehicle　began　to　slacken　its　speed。　　They
were　ascending　a　hill；　on　either　bank　grew　huge　cottonwoods；　from
which　occasionally　depended　a　beautiful　scarlet　vine。

〃Ah！　eet　ees　pretty；〃　said　the　lady；　nodding　her　black…veiled　head
towards　it。　　〃Eet　is　good　in　ze　hair。〃

One　of　the　men　made　an　awkward　attempt　to　clutch　a　spray　from　the
window。　　A　brilliant　inspiration　flashed　upon　Clarence。　　When　the
stage　began　the　ascent　of　the　next　hill；　following　the　example　of
an　outside　passenger；　he　jumped　down　to　walk。　　At　the　top　of　the
hill　he　rejoined　the　stage；　flushed　and　panting；　but　carrying　a
small　branch　of　the　vine　in　his　scratched　hands。　　Handing　it　to　the
man　on　the　middle　seat；　he　said；　with　grave；　boyish　politeness
〃Pleasefor　the　lady。〃

A　slight　smile　passed　over　the　face　of　Clarence's　neighbors。　　The
bonnetless　woman　nodded　a　pleasant　acknowledgment；　and　coquettishly
wound　the　vine　in　her　glossy　hair。　　The　dark　man　at　his　side；　who
hadn't　spoken　yet；　turned　to　Clarence　dryly。

〃If　you're　goin'　to　keep　up　this　gait；　sonny；　I　reckon　ye　won't
find　much　trouble　gettin'　a　man's　suit　to　fit　you　by　the　time　you
reach　Sacramento。〃

Clarence　didn't　quite　understand　him；　but　noticed　that　a　singular
gravity　seemed　to　overtake　the　two　jocular　men　on　the　middle　seat；
and　the　lady　looked　out　of　the　window。　　He　came　to　the　conclusion
that　he　had　made　a　mistake　about　alluding　to　his　clothes　and　his
size。　　He　must　try　and　behave　more　manly。　　That　opportunity　seemed
to　be　offered　two　hours　later；　when　the　stage　stopped　at　a　wayside
hotel　or　restaurant。

Two　or　three　passengers　had　got　down　to　refresh　themselves　at　the
bar。　　His　right　and　left　hand　neighbors　were；　however；　engaged　in　a
drawling　conversation　on　the　comparative　merits　of　San　Francisco
sandhill　and　water　lots；　the　jocular　occupants　of　the　middle　seat
were　still　engrossed　with　the　lady。　　Clarence　slipped　out　of　the
stage　and　entered　the　bar…room　with　some　ostentation。　　The　complete
ignoring　of　his　person　by　the　barkeeper　and　his　customers；　however；
somewhat　disconcerted　him。　　He　hesitated　a　moment；　and　then
returned　gravely　to　the　stage　door　and　opened　it。

〃Would　you　mind　taking　a　drink　with　me；　sir？〃　said　Clarence
politely；　addressing　the　farmer…looking　passenger　who　had　been　most
civil　to　him。　　A　dead　silence　followed。　　The　two　men　on　the　middle
seat　faced　entirely　around　to　gaze　at　him。

〃The　Commodore　asks　if　you'll　take　a　drink　with　him；〃　explained　one
of　the　men　to　Clarence's　friend　with　the　greatest　seriousness。

〃Eh？　　Oh；　yes；　certainly；〃　returned　that　gentleman；　changing　his
astonished　expression　to　one　of　the　deepest　gravity；　〃seeing　it's
the　Commodore。〃

〃And　perhaps　you　and　your　friend　will　join；　too？〃　said　Clarence
timidly　to　the　passenger　who　had　explained；　〃and　you　too；　sir？〃　he