a waif of the plains-第7章

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the　three　or　four　heaps　of　ragged　clothes　on　the　ground　and　a　half
regret　that　he　had　not　examined　them　more　closely；　a　recollection
of　the　awful　loneliness　and　desolation　of　the　broken　and　abandoned
wagon　left　behind　on　its　knees　as　if　praying　mutely　when　the　train
went　on　and　left　it；　the　trundling　behind　of　the　fateful　wagon　in
which　Mrs。　Silsbee's　body　had　been　found；　superstitiously　shunned
by　every　one；　and　when　at　last　turned　over　to　the　authorities　at　an
outpost　garrison；　seeming　to　drop　the　last　link　from　the　dragging
chain　of　the　past。　　The　revelation　to　the　children　of　a　new
experience　in　that　brief　glimpse　of　the　frontier　garrison；　the
handsome　officer　in　uniform　and　belted　sword；　an　heroic；　vengeful
figure　to　be　admired　and　imitated　hereafter；　the　sudden　importance
and　respect　given　to　Susy　and　himself　as　〃survivors〃；　the
sympathetic　questioning　and　kindly　exaggerations　of　their
experiences；　quickly　accepted　by　Susyall　these；　looking　back　upon
them　afterwards；　seemed　to　have　passed　in　a　dream。

No　less　strange　and　visionary　to　them　seemed　the　real　transitions
they　noted　from　the　moving　train。　　How　one　morning　they　missed　the
changeless；　motionless；　low；　dark　line　along　the　horizon；　and
before　noon　found　themselves　among　the　rocks　and　trees　and　a
swiftly　rushing　river。　　How　there　suddenly　appeared　beside　them　a
few　days　later　a　great　gray　cloud…covered　ridge　of　mountains　that
they　were　convinced　was　that　same　dark　line　that　they　had　seen　so
often。　　How　the　men　laughed　at　them；　and　said　that　for　the　last
three　days　they　had　been　CROSSING　that　dark　line；　and　that　it　was
HIGHER　than　the　great　gray…clouded　range　before　them；　which　it　had
always　hidden　from　their　view！　　How　Susy　firmly　believed　that　these
changes　took　place　in　her　sleep；　when　she　always　〃kinder　felt　they
were　crawlin'　up；〃　and　how　Clarence；　in　the　happy　depreciation　of
extreme　youth；　expressed　his　conviction　that　they　〃weren't　a　bit
high；　after　all。〃　　How　the　weather　became　cold；　though　it　was
already　summer；　and　at　night　the　camp　fire　was　a　necessity；　and
there　was　a　stove　in　the　tent　with　Susy；　and　yet　how　all　this　faded
away；　and　they　were　again　upon　a　dazzling；　burnt；　and　sun…dried
plain！　　But　always　as　in　a　dream！

More　real　were　the　persons　who　composed　the　partywhom　they　seemed
to　have　always　knownand　who；　in　the　innocent　caprice　of　children；
had　become　to　them　more　actual　than　the　dead　had　even　been。　　There
was　Mr。　Peyton；　who　they　now　knew　owned　the　train；　and　who　was　so
rich　that　he　〃needn't　go　to　California　if　he　didn't　want　to；　and
was　going　to　buy　a　great　deal　of　it　if　he　liked　it；〃　and　who　was
also　a　lawyer　and　〃policeman〃which　was　Susy's　rendering　of
〃politician〃and　was　called　〃Squire〃　and　〃Judge〃　at　the　frontier
outpost；　and　could　order　anybody　to　be　〃took　up　if　he　wanted　to；〃
and　who　knew　everybody　by　their　Christian　names；　and　Mrs。　Peyton；
who　had　been　delicate　and　was　ordered　by　the　doctor　to　live　in　the
open　air　for　six　months；　and　〃never　go　into　a　house　or　a　town
agin；〃　and　who　was　going　to　adopt　Susy　as　soon　as　her　husband　could
arrange　with　Susy's　relatives；　and　draw　up　the　papers！　　How　〃Harry〃
was　Henry　Benham；　Mrs。　Peyton's　brother；　and　a　kind　of　partner　of
Mr。　Peyton。　　And　how　the　scout's　name　was　Gus　Gildersleeve；　or　the
〃White　Crow；〃　and　how；　through　his　recognized　intrepidity；　an
attack　upon　their　train　was　no　doubt　averted。　　Then　there　was
〃Bill；〃　the　stock　herder；　and　〃Texas　Jim；〃　the　vaquerothe　latter
marvelous　and　unprecedented　in　horsemanship。　　Such　were　their
companions；　as　appeared　through　the　gossip　of　the　train　and　their
own　inexperienced　consciousness。　　To　them；　they　were　all　astounding
and　important　personages。　　But；　either　from　boyish　curiosity　or
some　sense　of　being　misunderstood；　Clarence　was　more　attracted　by
the　two　individuals　of　the　party　who　were　least　kind　to　him
namely；　Mrs。　Peyton　and　her　brother　Harry。　　I　fear　that；　after　the
fashion　of　most　children；　and　some　grown…up　people；　he　thought　less
of　the　steady　kindness　of　Mr。　Peyton　and　the　others　than　of　the
rare　tolerance　of　Harry　or　the　polite　concessions　of　his　sister。
Miserably　conscious　of　this　at　times；　he　quite　convinced　himself
that　if　he　could　only　win　a　word　of　approbation　from　Harry；　or　a
smile　from　Mrs。　Peyton；　he　would　afterwards　revenge　himself　by
〃running　away。〃　　Whether　he　would　or　not；　I　cannot　say。　　I　am
writing　of　a　foolish；　growing；　impressionable　boy　of　eleven；　of
whose　sentiments　nothing　could　be　safely　predicted　but　uncertainty。

It　was　at　this　time　that　he　became　fascinated　by　another　member　of
the　party　whose　position　had　been　too　humble　and　unimportant　to　be
included　in　the　group　already　noted。　　Of　the　same　appearance　as　the
other　teamsters　in　size；　habits；　and　apparel；　he　had　not　at　first
exhibited　to　Clarence　any　claim　to　sympathy。　　But　it　appeared　that
he　was　actually　a　youth　of　only　sixteena　hopeless　incorrigible　of
St。　Joseph；　whose　parents　had　prevailed　on　Peyton　to　allow　him　to
join　the　party；　by　way　of　removing　him　from　evil　associations　and
as　a　method　of　reform。　　Of　this　Clarence　was　at　first　ignorant；　not
from　any　want　of　frankness　on　the　part　of　the　youth；　for　that
ingenious　young　gentleman　later　informed　him　that　he　had　killed
three　men　in　St。　Louis；　two　in　St。　Jo；　and　that　the　officers　of
justice　were　after　him。　　But　it　was　evident　that　to　precocious
habits　of　drinking；　smoking；　chewing；　and　card…playing　this
overgrown　youth　added　a　strong　tendency　to　exaggeration　of
statement。　　Indeed；　he　was　known　as　〃Lying　Jim　Hooker；〃　and　his
various　qualities　presented　a　problem　to　Clarence　that　was
attractive　and　inspiring；　doubtful；　but　always　fascinating。　　With
the　hoarse　voice　of　early　wickedness　and　a　contempt　for　ordinary
courtesy；　he　had　a　round；　perfectly　good…humored　face；　and　a
disposition　that　when　not　called　upon　to　act　up　to　his　self…imposed
role　of　reckless　wickedness；　was　not　unkindly。

It　was　only　a　few　days　after　the　massacre；　and　while　the　children
were　still　wrapped　in　the　gloomy　interest　and　frightened　reticence
which　followed　it；　that　〃Jim　Hooker〃　first　characteristically
flashed　upon　Clarence's　perceptions。　　Hanging　half　on　and　half　off
the　saddle　of　an　Indian　pony；　the　lank　Jim　suddenly　made　his
appearance；　dashing　violently　up　and　down　the　track；　and　around　the
wagon　in　which　Clarence　was　sitting；　tugging　desperately　at　the
reins；　with　every　indication　of　being　furiously　run　away　with；　and
retaining　his　seat　only　with　the　most　dauntless　courage　and　skill。
Round　and　round　they　went；　the　helpless　rider　at　times　hanging　by　a
single　stirrup　near　the　ground；　and　again　recovering　himself　byas
it　seemed　to　Clarencealmost　superhuman　effort。　　Clarence　sat
open…mouthed　with　anxiety　and　excitement；　and　yet　a　few　of　the
other　teamsters　laughed。　　Then　the　voice　of　Mr。　Peyton；　from　the
window　of　his　car；　said　quietly；

〃There；　that　will　do；　Jim。　　Quit　it！〃

The　furious　horse　and　rider　instantly　disappeared。　　A　few　moments
after；　the　bewildered　Clarence　saw　the　redoubted　horseman　trotting
along　quietly　in　the　dust　of　the　rear；　on　the　same　fiery　steed；　who
in　that　prosaic　light　bore　an　astounding　resemblance　to　an　ordinary
team　horse。　　Later　in　the　day　he　sought　an　explanation　from　the
rider。

〃You　see；〃　answered　Jim　gloomily；　〃thar　ain't　a　galoot　in　this　yer
crowd　ez　knows　jist　WHAT'S　in　that　hoss！　　And　them　ez　suspecks
daren't　say！　　It　wouldn't　do　for　to　hev　it　let　out　that　the　Judge
hez　a　Morgan…Mexican　plug　that's　killed　two　men　afore　he　got　him；
and　is　bound　to　kill　another　afore　he　gets　through！　　Why；　on'y　the
week　afore　we　kem　up　to　you；　that　thar　hoss　bolted　with　me　at
camping！　　Bucked　and　throwed　me；　but　I　kept　my　holt　o'　the　stirrups
with　my　footso！　　Dragged　me　a　matter　of　two　miles；　head　down；　and
me　keepin'　away　rocks　with　my　handso！〃

〃Why　didn't　you　loose　your　foot　and　let　go？〃　asked　Clarence
breathlessly。

〃YOU　might；〃　said　Jim；　with　deep　scorn；　〃that　ain't　MY　style。　　I
just　laid　low　till　we　kem　to　a　steep　pitched　hill；　and　goin'　down
when　the　hoss　was；　so　to　speak；　kinder　BELOW　me；　I　just　turned　a
hand　spring；　so；　and　that　landed　me　onter　his　back　again。〃

This　action；　though　vividly　illustrated　by　Jim's　throwing　his　hands
down　like　feet　beneath　him；　and　indicating　the　parabola　of　a　spring
in　the　air；　proving　altogether　too　much　for　Clarence's　mind　to
grasp；　he　timidly　turned　to　a　less　difficult　detail。

〃What　made　the　horse　bolt　first；　Mr。　Hooker？〃

〃Smelt　Injins！〃　said　Jim；　carelessly　expectorating　tobacco　juice　in
a　curving　jet　from　the　side　of　his　moutha　singularly　fascinating
accomplishment；　peculiarly　his　own；　〃'n'　likely　YOUR　Injins。〃

〃But；〃　argued　Clarence　hesitatingly；　〃you　said　it　was　a　week
beforeand〃

〃Er　Mexican　plug　kin　smell　Injins　fifty；　yes；　a　hundred　miles
away；〃　said　Jim；　with　scornful　deliberation；　〃'n'　if　Judge　Peyton
had　took　my　advice；　and　hadn't　been　so　mighty　feared　about　the
character　of　his　hoss　gettin'　out　he'd　hev　played　roots　on　them
Injins　afore　they　tetched　ye。　　But；〃　he　added；　with　gloomy
dejection；　〃there　ain't　no　sand　in　this　yer　crowd；　thar　ain't　no
vim；　thar　ain't　nothin'；　and　thar　kan't　be　ez　long　ez　thar's　women
and　babies；　and　women　and　baby　fixin's；　mixed　up　with　it。　　I'd　hev
cut　the　whole　blamed　gang　ef　it　weren't　for　one　or　two　things；〃　he
added　darkly。

Clarence；　impressed　by　Jim's　mysterious　manner；　for　the　moment
forgot　his　contemptuous　allusion　to　Mr。　Peyton；　and　the　evident
implication　of　Susy　and　himself；　and　asked　hurriedly；　〃What
things？〃

Jim；　as　if　forgetful　of　the　boy's　presence　in　his　fitful　mood；
abstractedly　half　drew　a　glittering　bowie　knife　from　his　bootleg；
and　then　slowly　put　it　back　again。　　〃Thar's　one　or　two　old　scores；〃
he　continued；　in　a　low　voice；　although　no　one　was　in　hearing
distance　of　them；　〃one　or　two　private　accounts；〃　he　went　on
tragically；　averting　his　eyes　as　if　watched　by　some　one；　〃thet　hev
to　be　wiped　out　with　blood　afore　I　leave。　　Thar's　one　or　two　men
TOO　MANY　alive　and　breathin'　in　this　yer　crowd。　　Mebbee　it's　Gus
Gildersleeve；　mebbee　it's　Harry　Benham；　mebbee；〃　he　added；　with　a
dark　yet　noble　disinterestedness；　〃it's　ME。〃

〃Oh；　no；〃　said　Clarence；　with　polite　deprecation。

Far　from　placating　the　gloomy　Jim；　this　seemed　only　to　awake　his
suspicions。　　〃Mebbee；〃　he　said；　dancing　suddenly　away　from
Clarence；　〃mebbee　you　think　I'm　lyin'。　　Mebbee　you　think；　because
you're　Colonel　Brant's　son；　yer　kin　run　ME　with　this　yer　train。
Mebbee；〃　he　continued；　dancing　violently　back　again；　〃ye　kalkilate；
because　ye　run　off'n'　stampeded　a　baby；　ye　kin　tote　me　round　too；
sonny。　　Mebbee；〃　he　went　on；　executing　a　double　shuffle　in　the　dust
and　alternately　striking　his　hands　on　the　sides　of　his　boots；
〃mebbee　you're　spyin'　round　and　reportin'　to　the　Judge。〃

Firmly　convinced　that　Jim　was　working　himself　up　by　an　Indian　war…
dance　to　some　desperate　assault　on　himself；　but　resenting　the　last
unjust　accusation；　Clarence　had　recourse　to　one　of　his　old　dogged
silences。　　Happily　at　this　moment　an　authoritative　voice　called
out；　〃Now；　then；　you　Jim　Hooker！〃　and　the　desperate　Hooker；　as
usual；　vanished　instantly。　　Nevertheless；　he　appeared　an　hour　or
two　later　beside　the　wago