roughing it-第31章

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for　the　waves　had　now　come　ashore　and　were　creeping　about　the　foundations
and　invading　the　great　hay…corral　adjoining。　　We　ran　down　and　joined　the
crowd　of　excited　men　and　frightened　animals。　　We　waded　knee…deep　into　the
log　stable；　unfastened　the　horses　and　waded　out　almost　waist…deep；　so
fast　the　waters　increased。　　Then　the　crowd　rushed　in　a　body　to　the　hay…
corral　and　began　to　tumble　down　the　huge　stacks　of　baled　hay　and　roll　the
bales　up　on　the　high　ground　by　the　house。　　Meantime　it　was　discovered
that　Owens；　an　overland　driver；　was　missing；　and　a　man　ran　to　the　large
stable；　and　wading　in；　boot…top　deep；　discovered　him　asleep　in　his　bed；
awoke　him；　and　waded　out　again。　　But　Owens　was　drowsy　and　resumed　his
nap；　but　only　for　a　minute　or　two；　for　presently　he　turned　in　his　bed；
his　hand　dropped　over　the　side　and　came　in　contact　with　the　cold　water！
It　was　up　level　with　the　mattress！　　He　waded　out；　breast…deep；　almost；
and　the　next　moment　the　sun…burned　bricks　melted　down　like　sugar　and　the
big　building　crumbled　to　a　ruin　and　was　washed　away　in　a　twinkling。

At　eleven　o'clock　only　the　roof　of　the　little　log　stable　was　out　of
water；　and　our　inn　was　on　an　island　in　mid…ocean。　　As　far　as　the　eye
could　reach；　in　the　moonlight；　there　was　no　desert　visible；　but　only　a
level　waste　of　shining　water。　　The　Indians　were　true　prophets；　but　how
did　they　get　their　information？　　I　am　not　able　to　answer　the　question。
We　remained　cooped　up　eight　days　and　nights　with　that　curious　crew。
Swearing；　drinking　and　card　playing　were　the　order　of　the　day；　and
occasionally　a　fight　was　thrown　in　for　variety。　　Dirt　and　verminbut　let
us　forget　those　features；　their　profusion　is　simply　inconceivableit　is
better　that　they　remain　so。

There　were　two　menhowever；　this　chapter　is　long　enough。




CHAPTER　XXXI。

There　were　two　men　in　the　company　who　caused　me　particular　discomfort。
One　was　a　little　Swede；　about　twenty…five　years　old；　who　knew　only　one
song；　and　he　was　forever　singing　it。　　By　day　we　were　all　crowded　into　one
small；　stifling　bar…room；　and　so　there　was　no　escaping　this　person's
music。　　Through　all　the　profanity；　whisky…guzzling；　〃old　sledge〃　and
quarreling；　his　monotonous　song　meandered　with　never　a　variation　in　its
tiresome　sameness；　and　it　seemed　to　me；　at　last；　that　I　would　be　content
to　die；　in　order　to　be　rid　of　the　torture。　　The　other　man　was　a　stalwart
ruffian　called　〃Arkansas；〃　who　carried　two　revolvers　in　his　belt　and　a
bowie　knife　projecting　from　his　boot；　and　who　was　always　drunk　and　always
suffering　for　a　fight。　　But　he　was　so　feared；　that　nobody　would
accommodate　him。　　He　would　try　all　manner　of　little　wary　ruses　to　entrap
somebody　into　an　offensive　remark；　and　his　face　would　light　up　now　and
then　when　he　fancied　he　was　fairly　on　the　scent　of　a　fight；　but
invariably　his　victim　would　elude　his　toils　and　then　he　would　show　a
disappointment　that　was　almost　pathetic。　　The　landlord；　Johnson；　was　a
meek；　well…meaning　fellow；　and　Arkansas　fastened　on　him　early；　as　a
promising　subject；　and　gave　him　no　rest　day　or　night；　for　awhile。　　On　the
fourth　morning；　Arkansas　got　drunk　and　sat　himself　down　to　wait　for　an
opportunity。　　Presently　Johnson　came　in；　just　comfortably　sociable　with
whisky；　and　said：

〃I　reckon　the　Pennsylvania　'lection〃

Arkansas　raised　his　finger　impressively　and　Johnson　stopped。　　Arkansas
rose　unsteadily　and　confronted　him。　　Said　he：

〃Wha…what　do　you　know　aabout　Pennsylvania？　　Answer　me　that。　　Whawhat
do　you　know　'bout　Pennsylvania？〃

〃I　was　only　goin'　to　say〃

〃You　was　only　goin'　to　say。　　You　was！　　You　was　only　goin'　to　saywhat
was　you　goin'　to　say？　　That's　it！　　That's　what　I　want　to　know。　　I　want　to
know　whawhat　you　（'ic）　what　you　know　about　Pennsylvania；　since　you're
makin'　yourself　so　d…d　free。　　Answer　me　that！〃

〃Mr。　Arkansas；　if　you'd　only　let　me〃

〃Who's　a　henderin'　you？　　Don't　you　insinuate　nothing　agin　me！don't　you
do　it。　　Don't　you　come　in　here　bullyin'　around；　and　cussin'　and　goin'　on
like　a　lunaticdon't　you　do　it。　　'Coz　I　won't　stand　it。　　If　fight's　what
you　want；　out　with　it！　　I'm　your　man！　　Out　with　it！〃

Said　Johnson；　backing　into　a　corner；　Arkansas　following；　menacingly：

〃Why；　I　never　said　nothing；　Mr。　Arkansas。　　You　don't　give　a　man　no
chance。　　I　was　only　goin'　to　say　that　Pennsylvania　was　goin'　to　have　an
election　next　weekthat　was　allthat　was　everything　I　was　goin'　to　say
I　wish　I　may　never　stir　if　it　wasn't。〃

〃Well　then　why　d'n't　you　say　it？　　What　did　you　come　swellin'　around　that
way　for；　and　tryin'　to　raise　trouble？〃

〃Why　I　didn't　come　swellin'　around；　Mr。　ArkansasI　just〃

〃I'm　a　liar　am　I！　　Ger…reat　Caesar's　ghost〃

〃Oh；　please；　Mr。　Arkansas；　I　never　meant　such　a　thing　as　that；　I　wish　I
may　die　if　I　did。　　All　the　boys　will　tell　you　that　I've　always　spoke　well
of　you；　and　respected　you　more'n　any　man　in　the　house。　　Ask　Smith。　　Ain't
it　so；　Smith？　　Didn't　I　say；　no　longer　ago　than　last　night；　that　for　a
man　that　was　a　gentleman　all　the　time　and　every　way　you　took　him；　give　me
Arkansas？　　I'll　leave　it　to　any　gentleman　here　if　them　warn't　the　very
words　I　used。　　Come；　now；　Mr。　Arkansas；　le's　take　a　drinkle's　shake
hands　and　take　a　drink。　　Come　upeverybody！　　It's　my　treat。　　Come　up；
Bill；　Tom；　Bob；　Scottycome　up。　　I　want　you　all　to　take　a　drink　with　me
and　Arkansasold　Arkansas；　I　call　himbully　old　Arkansas。　　Gimme　your
hand　agin。　　Look　at　him；　boysjust　take　a　look　at　him。　　Thar　stands　the
whitest　man　in　America！and　the　man　that　denies　it　has　got　to　fight　me；
that's　all。　　Gimme　that　old　flipper　agin！〃

They　embraced；　with　drunken　affection　on　the　landlord's　part　and
unresponsive　toleration　on　the　part　of　Arkansas；　who；　bribed　by　a　drink；
was　disappointed　of　his　prey　once　more。　　But　the　foolish　landlord　was　so
happy　to　have　escaped　butchery；　that　he　went　on　talking　when　he　ought　to
have　marched　himself　out　of　danger。　　The　consequence　was　that　Arkansas
shortly　began　to　glower　upon　him　dangerously；　and　presently　said：

〃Lan'lord；　will　you　p…please　make　that　remark　over　agin　if　you　please？〃

〃I　was　a…sayin'　to　Scotty　that　my　father　was　up'ards　of　eighty　year　old
when　he　died。〃

〃Was　that　all　that　you　said？〃

〃Yes；　that　was　all。〃

〃Didn't　say　nothing　but　that？〃

〃Nonothing。〃

Then　an　uncomfortable　silence。

Arkansas　played　with　his　glass　a　moment；　lolling　on　his　elbows　on　the
counter。　　Then　he　meditatively　scratched　his　left　shin　with　his　right
boot；　while　the　awkward　silence　continued。　　But　presently　he　loafed　away
toward　the　stove；　looking　dissatisfied；　roughly　shouldered　two　or　three
men　out　of　a　comfortable　position；　occupied　it　himself；　gave　a　sleeping
dog　a　kick　that　sent　him　howling　under　a　bench；　then　spread　his　long　legs
and　his　blanket…coat　tails　apart　and　proceeded　to　warm　his　back。　　In　a
little　while　he　fell　to　grumbling　to　himself；　and　soon　he　slouched　back
to　the　bar　and　said：

〃Lan'lord；　what's　your　idea　for　rakin'　up　old　personalities　and　blowin'
about　your　father？　　Ain't　this　company　agreeable　to　you？　　Ain't　it？　　If
this　company　ain't　agreeable　to　you；　p'r'aps　we'd　better　leave。　　Is　that
your　idea？　　Is　that　what　you're　coming　at？〃

〃Why　bless　your　soul；　Arkansas；　I　warn't　thinking　of　such　a　thing。　　My
father　and　my　mother〃

〃Lan'lord；　don't　crowd　a　man！　　Don't　do　it。　　If　nothing'll　do　you　but　a
disturbance；　out　with　it　like　a　man　（'ic）but　don't　rake　up　old　bygones
and　fling'em　in　the　teeth　of　a　passel　of　people　that　wants　to　be
peaceable　if　they　could　git　a　chance。　　What's　the　matter　with　you　this
mornin'；　anyway？　　I　never　see　a　man　carry　on　so。〃

〃Arkansas；　I　reely　didn't　mean　no　harm；　and　I　won't　go　on　with　it　if　it's
onpleasant　to　you。　　I　reckon　my　licker's　got　into　my　head；　and　what　with
the　flood；　and　havin'　so　many　to　feed　and　look　out　for〃

〃So　that's　what's　a…ranklin'　in　your　heart；　is　it？　　You　want　us　to　leave
do　you？　　There's　too　many　on　us。　　You　want　us　to　pack　up　and　swim。　　Is
that　it？　　Come！〃

〃Please　be　reasonable；　Arkansas。　　Now　you　know　that　I　ain't　the　man　to〃

〃Are　you　a　threatenin'　me？　　Are　you？　　By　George；　the　man　don't　live　that
can　skeer　me！　　Don't　you　try　to　come　that　game；　my　chicken'cuz　I　can
stand　a　good　deal；　but　I　won't　stand　that。　　Come　out　from　behind　that　bar
till　I　clean　you！　　You　want　to　drive　us　out；　do　you；　you　sneakin'
underhanded　hound！　　Come　out　from　behind　that　bar！　　I'll　learn　you　to
bully　and　badger　and　browbeat　a　gentleman　that's　forever　trying　to
befriend　you　and　keep　you　out　of　trouble！〃

〃Please；　Arkansas；　please　don't　shoot！　　If　there's　got　to　be　bloodshed〃

〃Do　you　hear　that；　gentlemen？　　Do　you　hear　him　talk　about　bloodshed？　　So
it's　blood　you　want；　is　it；　you　ravin'　desperado！　　You'd　made　up　your
mind　to　murder　somebody　this　mornin'I　knowed　it　perfectly　well。　　I'm
the　man；　am　I？　　It's　me　you're　goin'　to　murder；　is　it？　　But　you　can't　do
it　'thout　I　get　one　chance　first；　you　thievin'　black…hearted；　white…
livered　son　of　a　nigger！　　Draw　your　weepon！〃

With　that；　Arkansas　began　to　shoot；　and　the　landlord　to　clamber　over
benches；　men　and　every　sort　of　obstacle　in　a　frantic　desire　to　escape。
In　the　midst　of　the　wild　hubbub　the　landlord　crashed　through　a　glass
door；　and　as　Arkansas　charged　after　him　the　landlord's　wife　suddenly
appeared　in　the　doorway　and　confronted　the　desperado　with　a　pair　of
scissors！　　Her　fury　was　magnificent。　　With　head　erect　and　flashing　eye
she　stood　a　moment　and　then　advanced；　with　her　weapon　raised。　　The
astonished　ruffian　hesitated；　and　then　fell　back　a　step。　　She　followed。
She　backed　him　step　by　step　into　the　middle　of　the　bar…room；　and　then；
while　the　wondering　crowd　closed　up　and　gazed；　she　gave　him　such　another
tongue…lashing　as　never　a　cowed　and　shamefaced　braggart　got　before；
perhaps！　　As　she　finished　and　retired　victorious；　a　roar　of　applause
shook　the　house；　and　every　man　ordered　〃drinks　for　the　crowd〃　in　one　and
the　same　breath。

The　lesson　was　entirely　sufficient。　　The　reign　of　terror　was　over；　and
the　Arkansas　domination　broken　for　good。　　During　the　rest　of　the　season
of　island　captivity；　there　was　one　man　who　sat　apart　in　a　state　of
permanent　humiliation；　never　mixing　in　any　quarrel　or　uttering　a　boast；
and　never　resenting　the　insults　the　once　cringing　crew　now　constantly
leveled　at　him；　and　that　man　was　〃Arkansas。〃

By　the　fifth　or　sixth　morning　the　waters　had　subsided　from　the　land；　but
the　stream　in　the　old　river　bed　was　still　high　and　swift　and　there　was　no
possibility　of　crossing　it。　　On　the　eighth　it　was　still　too　high　for　an
entirely　safe　passage；　but　life　in　the　inn　had　become　next　to
insupportable　by　reason　of　the　dirt；　drunkenness；　fighting；　etc。；　and　so
we　made　an　effort　to　get　away。　　In　the　midst　of　a　heavy　snow…storm　we
embarked　in　a　canoe；　taking　our　saddles　aboard　and　towing　our　horses
after　us　by　their　halters。　　The　Prussian；　Ollendorff；　was　in　the　bow；
with　a　paddle；　Ballou　paddled　in　the　middle；　and　I　sat　in　the　stern
holding　the　halters。　　When　the　horses　lost　their　footing　and　began　to
swim；　Ollendorff　got　frightened；　for　there　was　great　danger　that　the
horses　would　make　our　aim　uncertain；　and　it　was　plain　that　if　we　failed
to　land　at　a　certain　spot　the　current　would　throw　us　off　and　almost
surely　cast　us