a cumberland vendetta-第9章

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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　with　a　yell。　The　bonnet　was　a　signal　to　the　beleaguered　Lewallens。　　The　rear　door　of　the　courthouse　had　been　quietly　opened；　and　the　prisoners　were　out　in　a　body　and　scrambling　over　the　fence　before　the　pickets　could　give　an　alarm。　The　sudden　yells；　the　crack　of　Winchesters；　startled　even　the　revellers　and　all　who　could；　headed　by　Rome　and　Steve　Marcum；　sprang　into　the　square；　and　started　in　pursuit。　　But　the　Lewallens　had　got　far　ahead；　and　were　running　in　zigzag　lines　to　dodge　the　balls　flying　after　them。　Half…way　to　the　woods　was　a　gully　of　red　clay；　and　into　this　the　fleetest　leaped；　and　turned　instantly　to　cover　their　comrades。　The　Winchesters　began　to　rattle　from　the　woods；　and　the　bullets　came　like　rain　from　everywhere。

〃T…h…up！　　T…h…up！　　T…h…up！　〃　there　were　three　of　them…the　peculiar　soft；　dull　messages　of　hot　lead　to　living　flesh。　A　Stetson　went　down；　another　stumbled；　Rufe　Stetson；　climbing　the　fence；　caught　at　his　breast　with　an　oath；　and　fell　back。　Rome　and　Steve　dropped　for　safety　to　the　ground。　Every　other　Stetson　turned　in　a　panic；　and　every　Lewallen　in　the　gully　leaped　from　it；　and　ran　under　the　Lewallen　fire　for　shelter　in　the　woods。　The　escape　was　over。

〃That　was　a　purty　neat　trick；〃　said　Steve；　wiping　a　red　streak　from　his　cheek。　　〃　Nex'　time　she　tries　that；　she'll　git　herself　into　trouble。〃

At　nightfall　the　wounded　leader　and　the　dead　one　were　carried　up　the　mountain；　each　to　his　home；　and　there　was　mourning　far　into　the　night　on　one　bank　of　the　Cumberland；　and；　serious　though　Rufe　Stetson's　wound　was；　exultation　on　the　other。　But　in　it　Rome　could　take　but　little　part。　There　had　been　no　fault　to　find　with　him　in　the　fight。　But　a　reaction　had　set　in　when　he　saw　the　girl　flash　in　the　moonlight　past　the　sights　of　his　Winchester；　and　her　face　that　day　had　again　loosed　within　him　a　flood　of　feeling　that　drove　the　lust　for　revenge　from　his　veins。　Even　now；　while　he　sat　in　his　own　cabin；　his　thoughts　were　across　the　river　where　Martha；　broken　at　last；　sat　at　her　death　vigils。　He　knew　what　her　daring　ride　that　day　had　cost　her；　with　old　Jasper　dead　out　there　in　the　woods；　and　as　she　passed　him　he　had　grown　suddenly　humbled；　shamed。　He　grew　heart…sick　now　as　he　thought　of　it　all；　and　the　sight　of　his　mother　on　her　bed　in　the　corner；　close　to　death　as　she　was；　filled　him　with　bitterness。　There　was　no　help　for　him。　He　was　alone　now；　pitted　against　young　Jasper　alone。　On　one　bed　lay　his　uncle…nigh　to　death。　There　was　the　grim　figure　in　the　corner；　the　implacable　spirit　of　hate　and　revenge。　　His　rifle　was　against　the　wall。　　If　there　was　any　joy　for　him　in　old　Jasper's　death；　it　was　that　his　hand　had　not　caused　it；　and　yet…God　help　him！…there　was　the　other　cross；　the　other　oath。　

XII

THE　star　and　the　crescent　were　swinging　above　Wolf's　Head；　and　in　the　dark　hour　that　breaks　into　dawn　a　cavalcade　of　Lewallens　forded　the　Cumberland；　and　galloped　along　the　Stetson　shore。　At　the　head　rode　young　Jasper；　and　Crump　the　spy。

Swift　changes　had　followed　the　court…house　fight。　In　spite　of　the　death　of　Rufe　Stetson　from　his　wound；　and　several　other　Stetsons　from　ambush；　the　Lewallens　had　lost　ground。　Old　Jasper's　store　had　fallen　into　the　hands　of　creditors　…〃　furriners　〃…for　debts；　and　it　was　said　his　homestead　must　follow。　　In　a　private　war　a　leader　must　be　more　than　leader。　He　must　feed　and　often　clothe　his　followers；　and　young　Jasper　had　not　the　means　to　carry　on　the　feud。　The　famine　had　made　corn　dear。　　He　could　feed　neither　man　nor　horse；　and　the　hired　feudsmen　fell　away；　leaving　the　Lewallens　and　the　Braytons　and　their　close　kin　to　battle　alone。　So　Jasper　avoided　open　combat　and　resorted　to　ambush　and　surprise；　and；　knowing　in　some　way　every　move　made　by　the　Stetsons；　with　great　daring　and　success。　　It　was　whispered；　too；　that　he　no　longer　cared　who　owned　what　he　might　want　for　himself。　Several　dark　deeds　were　traced　to　him。　In　a　little　while　he　was　a　terror　to　good　citizens；　and　finally　old　Gabe　asked　aid　of　the　Governor。　Soldiers　from　the　settlements　were　looked　for　any　day；　and　both　factions　knew　it。　At　the　least　this　would　delay　the　war；　and　young　Jasper　had　got　ready　for　a　last　fight；　which　was　close　at　hand。

Half　a　mile　on　the　riders　swerved　into　a　wooded　slope。　　There　they　hid　their　horses　in　the　brush；　and　climbed　the　spur　stealthily。　The　naked　woods　showed　the　cup…like　shape　of　the　mountains　there…a　basin　from　which　radiated　upward　wooded　ravines；　edged　with　ribs　of　rock。　In　this　basin　the　Stetsons　were　encamped。　The　smoke　of　a　fire　was　visible　in　the　dim　morning　light；　and　the　Lewallens　scattered　to　surround　the　camp；　but　the　effort　was　vain。　A　picket　saw　the　creeping　figures；　his　gun　echoed　a　warning　from　rock　to　rock；　and　with　yells　the　Lewallens　ran　forward。　Rome　sprang　from　his　sleep　near　the　fire；　bareheaded；　rifle　in　hand；　his　body　plain　against　a　huge　rock；　and　the　bullets　hissed　and　spat　about　him　as　he　leaped　this　way　and　that；　firing　as　he　sprang；　and　shouting　for　his　men。　Steve　Marcum　alone　answered。　Some；　startled　from　sleep；　had　fled　in　a　panic；　some　had　run　deeper　into　the　woods　for　shelter。　And　bidding　Steve　save　himself；　Rome　turned　up　the　mountain；　running　from　tree　to　tree；　and　dropped　unhurt　behind　a　fallen　chestnut。　Other　Stetsons；　too；　had　turned；　and　answering　bullets　began　to　whistle　to　the　enemy；　but　they　were　widely　separated　and　ignorant　of　one　another's　position；　and　the　Lewallens　drove　them　one　by　one　to　new　hiding…places；　scattering　them　more。　　To　his　right　Rome　saw　Steve　Marcum　speed　like　a　shadow　up　through　a　little　open　space；　but　he　feared　to　move；　for　several　Lewallens　had　recognized　him；　and　were　watching　him　alone。　He　could　not　even　fire；　at　the　least　exposure　there　was　a　chorus　of　bullets　about　his　ears。　In　a　moment　they　began　to　come　obliquely　from　each　side…the　Lewallens　were　getting　around　him。　In　a　moment　more　death　was　sure　there；　and　once　again　he　darted　up　the　mountain。　The　bullets　sang　after　him　like　maddened　bees。　He　felt　one　cut　his　hat　and　another　sting　his　left　arm；　but　he　raced　up；　up；　till　the　firing　grew　fainter　as　he　climbed；　and　ceased　an　instant　altogether。　Then；　still　farther　below；　came　a　sudden　crash　of　reports。　Stetsons　were　pursuing　the　men　who　were　after　him；　but　he　could　not　join　them。　The　Lewallens　were　scattered　everywhere　between　him　and　his　own　man；　and　a　desccnt　might　lead　him　to　the　muzzle　of　an　enemy's　Winchester。　So　he　climbed　over　a　ledge　of　rock　and　lay　there；　peeping　through　a　crevice　between　two　bowlders；　gaining　his　breath。　The　firing　was　far　below　him　now；　and　was　sharp。　　Evidently　his　pursuers　were　too　busy　defending　themselves　to　think　further　of　him；　and　he　began　to　plan　how　he　should　get　back　to　his　friends。　But　he　kept　hidden；　and；　searching　the　cliffs　below　him　for　a　sheltered　descent；　he　saw　something　like　a　slouched　hat　just　over　a　log；　scarcely　fifty　feet　below　him。　　Presently　the　hat　was　lifted　a　few　inches；　a　figure　rose　cautiously　and　climbed　toward　the　ledge；　shielding　itself　behind　rock　and　tree。　　Very　quietly　Rome　crawled　back　to　the　face　of　the　cliff　behind　him；　and　crouched　behind　a　rock　with　his　cocked　rifle　across　his　knees。　The　man　must　climb　over　the　ledge；　there　would　be　a　bare；　level　floor　of　rock　between　them…the　Lewallen　would　be　at　his　mercy…and　Rome；　with　straining　eyes；　waited。　There　was　a　footfall　on　the　other　side　of　the　ledge；　a　soft　clink　of　metal　against　stone。　The　Lewallen　was　climbing　slowly…slowly。　Rome　could　hear　his　heavy　breathing。　A　grimy　hand　slipped　over　the　sharp　comb　of　the　ledge；　another　appeared；　clinched　about　a　Winchester…then　the　slouched　hat；　and　under　it　the　dark；　crafty　face　of　young　Jasper。　Rome　sat　like　the　stone　before　him；　with　a　half…smile　on　his　lips。　Jasper　peered　about　with　the　sly　caution　of　a　fox；　and　his　face　grew　puzzled　and　chagrined　as　he　looked　at　the　cliffs　above　him。

〃Stop　thar！〃

He　was　drawing　himself　over　the　ledge；　and　the　low；　stern　voice　startled　him；　as　a　knife　might　have　done；　thrust　suddenly　from　the　empty　air　at　his　breast。　Rome　rose　upright　against　the　cliff；　with　his　resolute　face　against　the　stock　of　a　Winchester。

〃Drap　that　gun！〃

The　order　was　given　along　Stetson's　barrel；　and　the　weapon　was　dropped；　the　steel　ringing　on　the　stone　floor。　Rome　lowered　his　gun　to　the　hollow　of　his　arm；　and　the　two　young　leaders　faced　each　other　for　the　first　time　in　the　life　of　either。

Seem　kinder　s'prised　to　see　me；〃　said　the　Stetson；　grimly。　　〃　Hev　ye　got　a　pistol？

Young　Jasper　glared　at　him　in　helpless　ferocity。

〃Naw！〃

〃Knife？〃

He　drew　a　long…bladed　penknife　from　his　pocket；　and　tossed　it　at　Rome's　feet。

〃Jes'　move　over　thar；　will　ye？〃

The　Lewallen　took　his　stand　against　the　cliff。　Rome　picked　up　the　fallen　rifle　and　leaned　it　against　the　ledge。

〃Now；　Jas　Lewallen；　thar's　nobody　left　in　this　leetle　trouble　'cept　you　'n'　me；　'n'　ef　one　of　us　was　dead；　I　reckon　t'other　could　live　hyeh；　'n'　thar'd　be　peace　in　these　mount'ins。　I　thought　o'　that　when　I　had　ye　at　the　eend　o'　this　Winchester。　　I　reckon　you　would　'a'　shot　me　dead　ef　I　had　poked　my　head　over　a　rock　as　keerless　as　you。〃　　That　is　just　what　he　would　have　done；　and　Jasper　did　not　answer。　　〃I've　swore　to　kill　ye；　too；〃　added　Rome；　tapping　his　gun；　〃I've　got　a　cross　fer　ye　hyeh。〃

The　Lewallen　was　no　coward。　Outcry　or　resistance　was　useless。　　The　Stetson　meant　to　taunt　him；　to　make　death　more　bitter；　for　Jasper　expected　death；　and　he　sullenly　waited　for　it　against　the　cliff。

〃You've　been　banterin　me　a　long　time　now；　'lowin'　as　how　ye　air　the　better　man　o'　the　two；　n'　I've　got　a　notion　o'　givin'　ye　a　chance　to　prove　yer　tall　talk。　　Hit's　not　our　way　to　kill　a　man　in　cold　blood；　'n'　I　don't　want　to　kill　ye　anyways　ef　I　kin　he'p　it。　　Seem　s'prised　ag'in。　　Reckon　ye　don't　believe　me？　　I　don't　wonder　when　I　think　o'　my　own　dad；　'n'　all　the　meanness　yo　folks　have　done　mine；　but　I've　got　a　good　reason　fer　not　killin'　ye…ef　I　kin　he'p　it。　　Y'u　don't　know　what　it　is；　'n'　y'u'll　never　know；　but　I'll　give　yer　a　chance　now　fer　yer　life　ef　y'u'll　sw'ar　on　a　stack　o'　Bibles　as　high　as　that　tree　thar　that　y'u'll　leave　these　mount'ins　ef　I　whoops　ye；　'n'　nuver　come　back　ag'in　as　long　as　you　live。　　I'll　leave；　ef　ye　whoops　me。　Now　whut　do　ye　say？　　Will　ye　sw'ar？

〃I　reckon　I　will；　seem'　as　I've　got　to；〃　was　the　surly　answer。　　But　Jasper's　face　was　dark　with　suspicion；　and　Rome　studied　it　keenly。　The　Lewallens　once　had　been　men　whose　word　was　good；　but　he　did　not　like　Jasper's　look。

〃I　reckon　I'll　trust　ye；〃　he　said；　at　last；　more　through　confidence　in　his　own　strength　than　faith　in　his　enemy；　foi　Jasper　whipped　would　be　as　much　at　his　mercy　as　he　was　now。　　So　Rome　threw　off　his　coat；　and　began　winding　his　homespun　suspenders　about　his　waist。　Watching　him　closely；　Jasper　did　the　same。

The　firing　below　had　ceased。　　A　flock　of　mountain　vultures　were　sailing　in　great　circles　over　the　thick　woods。　Two　eagles　swept　straight　from　the　rim　of　the　sun　above　Wolf's　Head；　beating　over　a　turbulent　sea　of　mist　for　the　cliffs；　scarcely　fifty　yards　above　the　ledge；　where　a　pine…tree　grew　between　two　rocks。　At　the　ins