a cumberland vendetta-第8章

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；　and　before　his　yell　had　died　on　his　lips　horse　and　rider　were　away　like　a　shaft　of　light。　The　crowd　melted　like　magic　from　the　street。　The　Stetsons；　chiefly　on　foot；　did　not　return　the　fire；　but　halted　up　the　street；　as　if　parleying。　Young　Jasper　joined　his　party；　and　they；　too；　stood　still　a　moment；　puzzled　by　the　irresolution　of　the　other　side。

〃Watch　out！　they're　gittin'　round　ye！　　Run　for　the　court…house；　ye　fools　！…ye；　run！　〃　　The　voice　came　in　a　loud　yell　from　somewhere　down　the　street；　and　its　warning　was　just　in　time。

A　wreath　of　smoke　came　about　a　corner　of　the　house　far　down　the　street；　and　young　Jasper　yelled；　and　dashed　up　a　side　alley　with　his　followers。　　A　moment　later　judge；　jury；　witnesses；　and　sheriff　were　flying　down　the　court…house　steps　at　the　point　of　Lewallen　guns；　the　Lewallen　horses；　led　by　the　gray；　were　snorting　through　the　streets；　their　riders；　barricaded　in　the　forsaken　court…house；　were　puffing　a　stream　of　fire　and　smoke　from　every　window　of　court…room　below　and　jury…room　above。

The　streets　were　a　bedlam。　　The　Stetsons　were　yelling　with　triumph。　　The　Lewallens　were　divided；　and　Rufe　placed　three　Stetsons　with　Winchesters　on　each　side　of　the　courthouse；　and　kept　them　firing。　　Rome；　pale　and　stern；　hid　his　force　between　the　square　and　the　Lewallen　store。　　He　was　none　too　quick。　　The　rest　were　coming　on；　led　by　old　Jasper。　　It　was　reckless；　riding　that　way　right　into　death；　but　the　old　man　believed　young　Jasper's　life　at　stake；　and　the　men　behind　asked　no　questions　when　old　Jasper　led　them。　　The　horses'　hoofs　beat　the　dirt　street　like　the　crescendo　of　thunder。　　The　fierce　old　man's　hat　was　gone；　and　his　mane…like　hair　was　shaking　in　the　wind。　　Louder…and　still　the　Stetsons　were　quiet…quiet　too　long。　The　wily　old　man　saw　the　trap；　and；　with　a　yell；　whirled　the　column　up　an　alley；　each　man　flattening　over　his　saddle。　　From　every　window；　from　behind　every　corner　and　tree；　smoke　belched　from　the　mouth　of　a　Winchester。　Two　horses　went　down；　one　screamed；　the　other　struggled　to　his　feet；　and　limped　away　with　an　empty　saddle。　　One　pf　the　fallen　men　sprang　into　safety　behind　a　house；　and　one　lay　still；　with　his　arms　stretched　out　and　his　face　in　the　dust。

From　behind　barn；　house；　and　fence　the　Lewallens　gave　back　a　scattering　fire；　but　the　Stetsons　crept　closer；　and　were　plainly　in　greater　numbers。　　Old　Jasper　was　being　surrounded；　and　he　mounted　again；　and　all；　followed　by　a　chorus　of　bullets　and　triumphant　yells；　fled　for　a　wooded　slope　in　the　rear　of　the　court…house。　A　dozen　Lewallens　were　prisoners；　and　must　give　up　or　starve。　　There　was　savage　joy　in　the　Stetson　crowd；　and　many…footed　rumor　went　all　ways　that　night。

Despite　sickness　and　Rome's　strict　order；　Isom　had　ridden　down　to　the　mill。　　Standing　in　the　doorway；　he　and　old　Gabe　saw　up　the　river；　where　the　water　broke　into　foam　over　the　ford；　a　riderless　gray　horse　plunging　across。　　Later　it　neighed　at　a　gate　under　Wolf's　Head；　and　Martha　Lewallen　ran　out　to　meet　it。　　Across　under　Thunderstruck　Knob　that　night　the　old　Stetson　mother　listened　to　Isom's　story　of　the　fight　with　ghastly　joy　in　her　death…marked　face。

XI

ALL　night　the　court…house　was　guarded　and　on　guard。　　At　one　corner　of　the　square　Rufe　Stetson；　with　a　few　men；　sat　on　watch　in　old　Sam　Day's　cabin…the　fortress　of　the　town；　built　for　such　a　purpose；　and　used　for　it　many　times　before。　The　prisoners；　too；　were　alert；　and　no　Stetson　ventured　into　the　open　square；　for　the　moon　was　high；　an　exposure　anywhere　was　noted　instantly　by　the　whistle　of　a　rifle…ball；　and　the　mountaineer　takes　few　risks　except　under　stress　of　drink　or　passion。　　Rome　Stetson　had　placed　pickets　about　the　town　wherever　surprise　was　possible。　　All　night　he　patrolled　the　streets　to　keep　his　men　in　such　readiness　as　he　could　for　the　attack　that　the　Lewallens　would　surely　make　to　rescue　their　living　friends　and　to　avenge　the　dead　ones。

But　the　triumph　was　too　great　and　unexpected。　　Two　Braytons　were　dead；　several　more　were　prisoners　with　young　Jasper　in　the　courthouse；　and　drinking　began。

As　the　night　deepened　without　attack　the　Stetsons　drank　more；　and　grew　reckless。　　A　dance　was　started。　　Music　and　〃moonshine〃　were　given　to　every　man　who　bore　a　Winchester。　The　night　was　broken　with　drunken　yells；　the　random　discharge　of　fire…arms；　and　the　mono…tone　of　heavy　feet。　The　two　leaders　were　helpless；　and　the　inaction　of　the　Lewallens　puzzled　them。　　Chafed　with　anxiety；　they　kept　their　eyes　on　the　court…house　or　on　the　thicket　of　gloom　where　their　enemies　lay。　　But　the　woods　were　as　quiet　as　the　pall　of　shadows　over　them。　Once　Rome；　making　his　rounds；　saw　a　figure　crawling　through　a　field　of　corn。　　It　looked　like　Crump's；　but　before　he　could　fire　the　man　rolled　like　a　ball　down　the　bushy　bank　to　the　river。　An　instant　later　some　object　went　swiftly　past　a　side　street…somebody　on　horseback…and　a　picket　fired　an　alarm。　The　horse　kept　on；　and　Rome　threw　his　rifle　on　a　patch　of　moonlight；　but　when　the　object　flashed　through；　his　finger　was　numbed　at　the　trigger。　　In　the　moonlight　the　horse　looked　gray；　and　the　rider　was　seated　sidewise。　A　bullet　from　the　court…house　clipped　his　hat…brim　as　he　ran　recklessly　across　the　street　to　where　Steve　Marcum　stood　in　the　dark　behind　old　Sam's　cabin。

〃Jim　Hale　'll　　git　him　as　he　goes　up　the　road；〃　said　Steve；　calmly…and　then　with　hot　impatience；　〃Why　the　hell　don't　he　shoot？

Rome　started　forward　in　the　moonlight；　and　Steve　caught　his　arm。　Two　bullets　hissed　from　the　court…house；　and　he　fell　back。

A　shot　sounded　from　the　bushes　far　away　from　the　road。　The　horse　kept　on；　and　splashed　into　Troubled　Fork；　and　Steve　swore　bitterly。

〃Hit　hain't　Jim。　　Hit's　that　mis'able　Bud　Vickers；　he's　been　a…stan　din'　guard　out'n　the　bushes　'stid　o'　the　road。　That　was　a　spy；　I　tell　ye；　'n'　the　coward　let　him　in　and　let　him　out。　They'll　know　now　we're　all　drunk！　Whut's　the　matter？

Rome's　mouth　was　half　open。　　He　looked　white　and　sick；　and　Steve　thought　he　had　been　hit；　but　he　took　off　his　hat。　〃　Purty　close！　〃　he　said；　with　a　laugh；　pointing　at　the　bullet…hole　through　the　brim。

Steve；　unsuspicious；　went　on：　〃Hit　was　a　spy；　I　tell　ye。　　Bud　was　afeard　to　stan'　in　the　road；　'n'　I'm　goin'　out　thar　'n'　twist　his　damned　neck。　We've　got　'em；　Rome！　　I　tell　ye；　we've　got　'em！　Ef　we　kin　git　through　this　night；　and　git　the　boys　sober　in　the　morning；　we've　got　'em　shore！〃

The　night　did　pass　in　safety；　darkness　wore　away　without　attack；　and　morning　broke　on　the　town　in　its　drunken　stupor。　　Then　the　curious　silence　of　the　Lewallens　was　explained。　　The　rumor　came　that　old　Jasper　was　dead；　and　it　went　broadcast。　　Later；　friends　coming　to　the　edge　of　the　town　for　the　bodies　of　the　dead　Lewallens　confirmed　it。　A　random　ball　had　passed　through　old　Lewallen's　body　in　the　wild　　flight　for　the　woods；　and　during　the　night　he　had　spent　his　last　breath　in　a　curse　against　the　man　who　fired　it。

Then　each　Stetson；　waked　from　his　drunken　sleep；　drank　again　when　he　heard　of　the　death。　The　day　bade　fair　to　be　like　the　night；　and　again　the　anxiety　of　the　leaders　was　edged　with　fear。　Old　Jasper　dead　and　young　Jasper　a　prisoner；　the　chance　was　near　to　end　the　feud；　or　there　would　be　no　Lewallen　left　to　lead　their　enemies。　But；　again；　they　were　wellnigh　helpless。　　Already　they　had　barely　enough　men　to　guard　their　prisoners。　　Of　the　Marcums；　Steve　alone　was　able　to　handle　a　Winchester；　and　outside　the　sounds　of　the　carousal　were　in　the　air　and　growing　louder。　　In　a　little　while；　if　the　Lewallens　but　knew　it；　escape　would　be　easy　and　the　Stetsons　could　be　driven　from　the　town。

Oh；　they　know　it；〃　said　Steve。　　〃They'll　be　a…whoopin'　down　out　O'　them　woods　purty　soon；　'n'　we　re　goin　to　ketch　hell。　　I'd　like　to　know　mighty　well　who　that　spy　was　last　night。　That　cussed　Bud　Vickers　says　it　was　a　ha'nt；　on　a　white　hoss；　with　long　hair　flyin'　in　the　wind；　'n'　that　he　shot　plumb　through　it。　　I　jus'　wish　I'd　a　had　a　chance　at　it。〃

Still；　noon　came　again　without　trouble；　and　the　imprisoned　Lewallens　had　been　twenty…four　hours　without　food。　Their　ammunition　was　getting　scarce。　　The　firing　was　less　frequent；　though　the　watch　was　as　close　as　ever；　and　twice　a　Winchester　had　sounded　a　signal　of　distress。　All　knew　that　a　response　must　come　soon；　and　come　it　did。　A　picket；　watching　the　river　road；　saw　young　Jasper's　horse　coming　along　the　dark　bushes　far　up　the　river；　and　brought　the　news　to　the　group　standing　behind　old　Sam's　cabin。　The　gray　galloped　into　sight；　and；　skirting　the　woods；　came　straight　for　the　town…with　a　woman　on　his　back。　　The　stirrup　of　a　man's　saddle　dangled　on　one　side；　and　the　woman's　bonnet　had　fallen　from　her　head。　　Some　one　challenged　her。

Stop；　I　tell　ye！　Don't　ye　go　near　that　courthouse！　Stop；　I　tell　ye！　I'll　shoot！　Stop！〃

Rome　ran　from　the　cabin　with　a　revolver　in　each　hand。　A　drunken　mountaineer　was　raising　a　Winchester　to　his　shoulder；　and；　springing　from　the　back　of　the　gray　at　the　court…house　steps；　was　Martha　Lewallen。

〃I'll　kill　the　fust　man　that　lifts　his　finger　to　hurt　the　gal；〃　Rome　said；　knocking　the　drunken　man's　gun　in　the　air。　　〃We　hain't　fightin'　women！〃

It　was　too　late　to　oppose　her；　and　the　crowd　stood　helplessly　watching。　　No　one　dared　approach；　so；　shielding　with　her　body　the　space　of　the　opening　door；　she　threw　the　sack　of　food　within。　Then　she　stood　a　moment　talking　and；　turning；　climbed　to　her　saddle。　The　gray　was　spotted　with　foam；　and　showed　the　red　of　his　nostrils　with　every　breath　as；　with　face　flushed　and　eyes　straight　before　her；　she　rode　slowly　toward　the　crowd。　　What　was　she　about？　Rome　stood　rigid；　his　forgotten　pistols　hanging　at　each　side；　the　mouth　of　the　drunken　mountaineer　was　open　with　stupid　wonder；　the　rest　fell　apart　as　she　came　around　the　corner　of　the　cabin　and；　through　the　space　given；　rode　slowly；　her　skirt　almost　brushing　Rome；　looking　neither　to　the　right　nor　to　the　left；　and　when　she　had　gone　quite　through　them　all；　she　wheeled　and　rode；　still　slowly；　through　the　open　fields　toward　the　woods　which　sheltered　the　Lewallens；　while　the　crowd　stood　in　bewildered　silence　looking　after　her。　Yells　of　laughter　came　from　the　old　court…house。　　Some　of　the　Stetsons　laughed；　too；　some　swore；　a　few　grumbled；　but　there　was　not　one　who　was　not　stirred　by　the　superb　daring　of　the　girl；　though　she　had　used　it　only　to　show　her　contempt。

〃　Rome；　you're　a　fool；　though；　fer　a　fac'；　we　can't　shoot　a　woman；　'n'　anyways　I　ruther　shoot　her　than　the　hoss。　But　lemme　tell　ye；　thar　was　more'n　sump'n　to　eat　in　that　bag！　They　air　up　to　some　dodge。〃

Rufe　Stetson　had　watched　the　incident　through　a　port…hole　of　the　cabin；　and　his　tone　was　at　once　jesting　and　anxious。

〃That　grub　won't　last　more'n　one　day；　I　reckon；〃　said　the　drunken　mountaineer。　　We'll　watch　out　fer　the　gal　nex'　time。　　We're　boun'　to　git　'em　one　time　or　t'other。〃

〃She　rid　through　us　to　find　out　how　many　of　us　wasn't　dead　drunk；〃　said　Steve　Marcum；　still　watching　the　girl　as　she　rode　on；　toward　the　woods；　〃'n'　I'm　a…thinkin'　they'll　be　down　on　us　purty　soon　now；　'n'　I　reckon　we'll　have　to　run　fer　it。　Look　thar　boys！〃

The　girl　had　stopped　at　the　edge　of　the　woods；　facing　the　town；　she　waved　her　bonnet　high　above　her　head。

〃Well；　whut　in　the！　〃he　said；　with　slow　emphasis；　and　then　he　leaped　from　the　door