a cumberland vendetta-第3章

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as　brooding；　with　his　sullen　face　in　his　hands；　the　old　miller　was　busy　with　his　own　thoughts；　and　the　boy　turned　again　to　his　watch。

Jasper　did　not　come。　　Isom's　eyes　began　to　ache　from　the　steady　gaze；　and　now　and　then　he　would　drop　them　to　the　water　swirling　beneath。　　A　slow　wind　swayed　the　overhanging　branches　at　the　mouth　of　the　stream；　and　under　them　was　an　eddy。　　Escaping　this；　the　froth　and　bubbles　raced　out　to　the　gleams　beating　the　air　from　the　sunlit　river。　　He　saw　one　tiny　fleet　caught；　a　mass　of　yellow　scum　bore　down　and；　sweeping　through　bubbles　and　eddy；　was　itself　struck　into　fragments　by　something　afloat。　　A　tremulous　shadow　shot　through　a　space　of　sunlight　into　the　gloom　cast　by　a　thicket　of　rhododendrons；　and　the　boy　caught　his　breath　sharply。　A　moment　more；　and　the　shape　of　a　boat　and　a　human　figure　quivered　on　the　water　running　under　him。　　The　stern　of　a　Lewallen　canoe　swung　into　the　basin；　and　he　sprang　to　his　feet。

〃Rome！〃　　The　cry　cut　sharply　through　the　drowsy　air。　　〃　Thar　he　is！　　Hit's　Jas〃

The　old　miller　rose　to　his　feet。　　The　boy　threw　himself　behind　the　sacks　of　grain。　　Rome　wheeled　for　his　rifle；　and　stood　rigid　before　the　door。　　There　was　a　light　step　without；　the　click　of　a　gun…lock　within；　a　shadow　fell　across　the　doorway；　and　a　girl　stood　at　the　threshold　with　an　empty　bag　in　her　hand。

V

WITH　a　little　cry　she　shrank　back　a　step。　Her　face　paled　and　her　lips　trembled；　and　for　a　moment　she　could　not　speak。　　But　her　eyes　swept　the　group；　and　were　fixed　in　two　points　of　fire　on　Rome。

〃Why　don't　ye　shoot！　〃she　asked；　scornfully。

〃I　hev　heerd　that　the　Stetsons　have　got　to　makin　war　on　women…folks；　but　I　never　believed　it　afore。〃　　Then　she　turned　to　the　miller。

Kin　I　git　some　more　meal　hyeh？　〃　she　asked。　　〃　Or　have　ye　stopped　sellin'　to　folks　on　t'other　side？　〃　she　added；　in　a　tone　that　sought　no　favor。

〃You　kin　have　all　ye　want；〃　said　old　Gabe；　quietly。

〃The　mill　on　Dead　Crick　is　broke　ag'in；〃　she　continued；　〃　'n'　co'n　is　skeerce　on　our　side。　We'll　have　to　begin　buyin'　purty　soon；　so　I　thought　I'd　save　totin'　the　co'n　down　hyeh。〃　She　handed　old　Gabe　the　empty　bag。

Well；''　said　he；　''　as　it　air　gittin'　late；　'n'　ye　have　to　climb　the　mountain　ag'in；　I'll　let　ye　have　that　comm'　out　o'　the　hopper　now。　　Take　a　cheer。〃

The　girl　sat　down　in　the　low　chair；　and；　loos　ening　the　strings　of　her　bonnet；　pushed　it　back　from　her　head。　　An　old…fashioned　horn　comb　dropped　to　the　floor；　and　when　she　stooped　to　pick　it　up　she　let　her　hair　fall　in　a　head　about　her　shoulders。　　Thrusting　one　hand　under　it；　she　calmly　tossed　the　whole　mass　of　chestnut　and　gold　over　the　back　of　the　chair；　where　it　fell　rippling　like　water　through　a　bar　of　sunlight。　With　head　thrown　back　and　throat　bared；　she　shook　it　from　side　to　side；　and；　slowly　coiling　it；　pierced　it　with　the　coarse　comb。　　Then　passing　her　hands　across　her　forehead　and　temples；　as　women　do；　she　folded　them　in　her　lap；　and　sat　motionless。　　The　boy；　crouched　near；　held　upon　her　the　mesmeric　look　of　a　serpent。　　Old　Gabe　was　peering　covertly　from　under　the　brim　of　his　hat；　with　a　chuckle　at　his　lips。　　Rome　had　fallen　back　to　a　corner　of　the　mill；　sobered；　speechless；　his　rifle　in　a　nerveless　hand。　　The　passion　that　fired　him　at　the　boy's　warning　had　as　swiftly　gone　down　at　sight　of　the　girl；　and　her　cutting　rebuke　made　him　hot　again　with　shame。　He　was　angry；　too…more　than　angry…because　he　felt　so　helpless；　a　sensation　that　was　new　and　stifling。　　The　scorn　of　her　face；　as　he　remembered　it　that　morning；　hurt　him　again　while　he　looked　at　her。　　A　spirit　of　contempt　was　still　in　her　eyes；　and　quivering　about　her　thin　lips　and　nostrils。　　She　had　put　him　beneath　further　notice；　and　yet　every　toss　of　her　head；　every　movement　of　her　hands；　seemed　meant　for　him；　to　irritate　him。　　And　once；　while　she　combed　her　hair；　his　brain　whirled　with　an　impulse　to　catch　the　shining　stuff　in　one　hand　and　to　pinion　both　her　wrists　with　the　other；　Just　to　show　her　that　he　was　master；　and　still　would　harm　her　not　at　all。　　But　he　shut　his　teeth；　and　watched　her。　　Among　mountain　women　the　girl　was　more　than　pretty；　elsewhere　only　her　hair；　perhaps；　would　have　caught　the　casual　eye。　　She　wore　red　homespun　and　coarse　shoes；　her　hands　were　brown　and　hardened。　　Her　arms　and　shoulders　looked　muscular；　her　waist　was　rather　large…being　as　nature　meant　it…and　her　face　in　repose　had　a　heavy　look。　　But　the　poise　of　her　head　suggested　native　pride　and　dignity；　her　eyes　were　deep；　and　full　of　changing　lights；　the　scarlet　dress；　loose　as　it　was；　showed　rich　curves　in　her　figure；　and　her　movements　had　a　certain　childlike　grace。　　Her　brow　was　low；　and　her　mouth　had　character；　the　chin　was　firm；　the　upper　lip　short；　and　the　teeth　were　even　and　white。

〃I　reckon　thar's　enough　to　fill　the　sack；　Isom；〃　said　the　old　miller；　breaking　the　strained　silence　of　the　group。　　The　girl　rose　and　handed　him　a　few　pieces　of　silver。

I　reckon　I'd　better　pay　fer　it　all；〃　she　said。　I　s'pose　I　won't　be　over　hyeh　ag'in。〃

Old　Gabe　gave　some　of　the　coins　back。

〃Y'u　know　whut　my　price　al'ays　is；〃　he　said。

I'm　obleeged；〃　answered　the　girl；　flushing。

〃Co'n　hev　riz　on　our　side。　　I　thought　mebbe　you　charged　folks　over　thar　more；　anyways。〃

〃I　sells　fer　the　same；　ef　co'n　is　high　ur　low；〃　was　the　answer。　　〃This　side　or　t'other　makes　no　diff'unce　to　me。　　I　hev　frien's　on　both　sides；　'n'　I　take　no　part　in　sech　doin's　as　air　a　shame　to　the　mountains。〃

There　was　a　quick　light　of　protest　in　the　girl's　dark　eyes；　but　the　old　miller　was　honored　by　both　factions；　and　without　a　word　she　turned　to　the　boy；　who　was　tying　the　sack。

The　boat's　loose！　〃　he　called　out；　with。　the　string　between　his　teeth；　and　she　turned　again　and　ran　out。　　Rome　stood　still。

Kerry　the　sack　out；　boy；　'n'　holp　the　gal。〃　Old　Gabe's　voice　was　stern；　and　the　young　mountaineer　doggedly　swung　the　bag　to　his　shoulders。　　The　girl　had　caught　the　rope；　and　drawn　the　rude　dugout　along　the　shore。

〃Who　axed　ye　to　do　that？〃　she　asked；　angrily。

Rome　dropped　the　bag　into　the　boat；　and　merely　looked　her　in　the　face。

〃Look　hyeh；　Rome　Stetson〃…the　sound　of　his　name　from　her　lips　almost　startled　him…〃I'll　hev　ye　understan'　that　I　don't　want　to　be　bounden　to　you；　nor　none　o'　yer　kin。〃

Turning；　she　gave　an　impatient　sweep　with　her　paddle。　　The　prow　of　the　canoe　dipped　and　was　motionless。　　Rome　had　caught　the　stern；　and　the　girl　wheeled　in　hot　anger。　　Her　impulse　to　strike　may　have　been　for　the　moment　and　no　longer；　or　she　may　have　read　swiftly　no　unkindness　in　the　mountaineer's　steady　look；　for　the　uplifted　oar　was　stayed　in　the　air；　as　though　at　least　she　would　hear　him。

〃I've　got　nothin'　ag'in'　you；〃　he　said；　slowly；　Jas　Lewallen　hev　been　threatenin'　me；　'n'　I　thought　it　was　him；　'n'　I　was　ready　fer　him；　when　you　come　into　the　mill。　　I　wouldn't　hurt　you　nur　no　other　woman。　　Y'u　ought　to　know　it；　'n'　ye　do　know　it。〃

The　words　were　masterful；　but　said　in　a　way　that　vaguely　soothed　the　girl's　pride；　and　the　oar　was　let　slowly　into　the　water。

〃I　reckon　y'u　air　a　friend　o'　his；〃　he　added；　still　quietly。　　〃I've　seed　ye　goin'　up　thar；　but　I've　got　nothin'　ag'in'　ye；　whoever　ye　be。〃

She　turned　on　him　a　sharp　look　of　suspicion。　〃I　reckon　I　do　be　a　friend　o'　hisn；〃　she　said；　deliberately；　and　then　she　saw　that　he　was　in　earnest。　　A　queer　little　smile　went　like　a　ray　of　light　from　her　eyes　to　her　lips；　and　she　gave　a　quick　stroke　with　her　paddle。　　The　boat　shot　into　the　current；　and　was　carried　swiftly　toward　the　Cumberland。　　The　girl　stood　erect；　swaying　through　light　and　shadow　like　a　great　scarlet　flower　blowing　in　the　wind；　and　Rome　watched　her　till　she　touched　the　other　bank。　Swinging　the　sack　out；　she　stepped　lightly　after　it；　and；　without　looking　behind　her；　disappeared　in　the　bushes。

The　boy　Isom　was　riding　away　when　Rome；　turned；　and　old　Gabe　was　watching　from　the　door　of　the　mill。

Who　is　that　gal？　〃　he　asked；　slowly。　　It　seemed　somehow　that　he　had　known　her　a　long　while　ago。　　A　puzzled　frown　overlay　his　face；　and　the　old　miller　laughed。

〃You　a…axin'　who　she　be；　'n'　she　a…axin　who　you　be；　'n'　both　o'　ye　a…knowin'　one　'nother　sence　ye　was　knee…high。　　Why；　boy；　hit's　old　Jasper's　gal…Marthy！

VI

IN　a　flash　of　memory　Rome　saw　the　girl　as　vividly　as　when　he　last　saw　her　years　ago。　They　had　met　at　the　mill；　he　with　his　father；　she　with　hers。　　There　was　a　quarrel；　and　the　two　men　were　held　apart。　　But　the　old　sore　as　usual　was　opened；　and　a　week　later　Rome's　father　was　killed　from　the　brush。　　He　remembered　his　mother's　rage　and　grief；　her　calls　for　vcngeance；　the　uprising；　the　fights；　plots；　and　ambushes。　　He　remembered　the　look　the　girl　had　given　him　that　long　ago；　and　her　look　that　day　was　little　changed。

When　fighting　began；　she　had　been　sent　for　safety　to　the　sister　of　her　dead　mother　in　another　county。　　When　peace　came；　old　Jasper　married　again　and　the　girl　refused　to　come　home。　　Lately　the　step…mother；　too；　had　passed　away；　and　then　she　came　back　to　live。　　All　this　the　old　miller　told　in　answer　to　Rome's　questions　as　the　two　walked　away　in　the　twilight。　This　was　why　he　had　not　recognized　her；　and　why　her　face　yet　seemed　familiar　even　when　he　crossed　the　river　that　morning。　

〃Uncle　Gabe；　how　do　you　reckon　the　gal　knowed　who　I　was？〃

〃She　axed　me。〃

〃She　axed　you！　　Whar？〃

Over　thar　in　the　mill。〃　　The　miller　was　watching　the　young　mountaineer　closely。　　The　manner　of　the　girl　was　significant　when　she　asked　who　Rome　was；　and　the　miller　knew　but　one　reason　possible　for　his　foolhardiness　that　morning。

〃Do　you　mean　to　say　she　have　been　over　hyeh　afore？〃

〃Why；　yes；　come　to　think　about　it；　three　or　four　times　while　Isom　was　sick；　and　whut　she　come　fer　I　can't　make　out。　　The　mill　over　thar　wasn't　broke　long；　'n'　why　she　didn't　go　thar　or　bring　more　co'n　at　a　time；　to　save　her　the　trouble　o'　so　many　trips；　I　can't　see　to　save　me。

Young　Stetson　was　listening　eagerly。　　Again　the　miller　cast　his　bait。

Mebbe　she's　spyin'。〃

Rome　faced　him；　alert　with　suspicion；　but　old　Gabe　was　laughing　silently。

〃Don't　you　be　a　fool；　Rome。　　The　gal　comes　and　goes　in　that　boat；　'n'　she　couldn't　see　a　soul　without　my　knowin'　it。　　She　seed　ye　ridin'　by　one　day；　'n'　she　looked　mighty　cur'us　when　I　tole　her　who　ye　was。〃

Old　Gabe　stopped　his　teasing；　Rome's　face　was　so　troubled；　and　himself　grew　serious。

〃Rome；〃　he　said；　earnestly；　〃I　wish　to　the　good　Lord　ye　wasn't　in　sech　doin's。　　Ef　that　had　been　young　Jas　'stid　o'　Marthy；　I　reckon　ye　would　'a'　killed　him　right　thar。〃

〃I　wasn't　going　to　let　him　kill　me；〃　was　the　sullen　answer。

The　two　had　stopped　at　a　rickety　gate　swinging　open　on　the　road。　　The　young　mountaineer　was　pushing　a　stone　about　with　the　toe　of　his　boot。　　He　had　never　before　listened　to　remonstrance　with　such　patience；　and　old　Gabe　grew　bold。

〃You've　been　drinkin'　ag'in；　Rome；〃　he　said；　sharply；　〃　'n'　I　know　it。　　Hit's　been　moonshine　that's　whooped　you　Stetsons；　not　the　Lewallens；　long　as　I　kin　rickollect；　'n'　it　ull　be　moonshine　ag'in　ef　ye　don't　let　it　alone。〃

Rome　made　no　denial；　no　defence。　　〃Uncle　Gabe；〃　he　said　slowly；　still　busied　with　the　stone；　〃　hev　that　gal　been　over　hyeh　sence　y'u　tol'　her　who　I　was？〃

The　old　man　was　waiting　for　the　pledge　that　seemed　on　his　lips；　but　he　did　not　lose　hi