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diff --git a/25728-h/25728-h.htm b/25728-h/25728-h.htm index 8ed08b9..aa1eb68 100644 --- a/25728-h/25728-h.htm +++ b/25728-h/25728-h.htm @@ -1,13 +1,39 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> -<html> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> + <head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> + +<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + +<meta charset="utf-8"> + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Desert Conquest, by A. M. Chisholm</title> -<style type="text/css"> +<style> body {margin-left: 12%; margin-right: 12%;} + +p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center } + +p.t2b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 150%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center } + +p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center } p {text-indent: 0em; text-align: justify; @@ -159,25 +185,10 @@ </style> </head> <body> -<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Desert Conquest, by A. M. Chisholm, -Illustrated by Clarence Rowe</h1> -<pre> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> -<p>Title: Desert Conquest</p> -<p> or, Precious Waters</p> -<p>Author: A. M. Chisholm</p> -<p>Release Date: June 8, 2008 [eBook #25728]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DESERT CONQUEST***</p> -<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by David Garcia<br> - and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br> - (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3></center><br><br> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 25728 ***</div> + <p> </p> -<hr class="full" noshade> <p> </p> <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Front cover" width="331" height="525"></div> @@ -194,82 +205,83 @@ BRUISES</span></div> DESERT CONQUEST </h1> -<h3> +<p class="t3"> OR -</h3> +</p> -<h2> +<p class="t2"> PRECIOUS WATERS -</h2> +</p> <br><br> -<h3> +<p class="t3"> BY -</h3> +</p> -<h2> +<p class="t2"> A. M. CHISHOLM -</h2> +</p> -<h4> +<p class="t4"> AUTHOR OF THE BOSS OF WIND RIVER, ETC. -</h4> +</p> <br><br> -<h4> +<p class="t3"> ILLUSTRATED BY -</h4> +</p> -<h3> +<p class="t3b"> CLARENCE ROWE -</h3> +</p> <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/logo.jpg" alt="Logo" width="88" height="77"></div><br> -<h4> +<p class="t4"> NEW YORK<br> GROSSET & DUNLAP<br> PUBLISHERS -</h4> +</p> -<h5> +<p class="t4"> <i>Copyright, 1913, by</i><br> <span class="sc">Doubleday, Page & Company</span> -</h5> +</p> -<h5> +<p class="t4"> <i>All rights reserved, including that of<br> translation into foreign languages,<br> including the Scandinavian</i> -</h5> +</p> -<h5> +<p class="t4"> COPYRIGHT, 1912, 1913, BY STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS -</h5> +</p> + <br> <hr class="med"> <br> -<h2> +<p class="t2"> DESERT CONQUEST -</h2> +</p> -<h3> +<p class="t3"> or -</h3> +</p> -<h2> +<p class="t2"> PRECIOUS WATERS -</h2> +</p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER I -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -283,22 +295,22 @@ ultra-correct preceptresses of that excellent seat of learning. </p> <p> -"Oh, gee, Clyde," she exclaimed suddenly, "look at the cute little -deer! Oh, see 'em scoot!" +"Oh, gee, Clyde," she exclaimed suddenly, "look at the cute little +deer! Oh, see 'em scoot!" </p> <p> -Her companion glanced from the window, and stifled a yawn. "Antelope," -she commented, without interest. "Yes, I see them, Nita," and leaned +Her companion glanced from the window, and stifled a yawn. "Antelope," +she commented, without interest. "Yes, I see them, Nita," and leaned back again, closing her eyes. </p> <p> -In fact, Miss Clyde Burnaby was bored by the journey, and a little—a -very little—by her fifteen-year-old cousin, daughter of the celebrated +In fact, Miss Clyde Burnaby was bored by the journey, and a little—a +very little—by her fifteen-year-old cousin, daughter of the celebrated James C. Hess, of the equally celebrated Hess Railway System. Nita was -a good little girl, and a nice little girl—in spite of occasional -lingual lapses—but only a sense of duty to dear old Uncle Jim had +a good little girl, and a nice little girl—in spite of occasional +lingual lapses—but only a sense of duty to dear old Uncle Jim had induced Clyde to forego her European trip that she might accompany Nita to the Pacific coast for the benefit of that young lady's health, which Clyde privately considered as sound as the national currency system. @@ -319,7 +331,7 @@ under the able management of his executor, Jim Hess, had expanded wonderfully. So far as money was concerned, no reasonable wish of hers need remain ungratified. She was accomplished, travelled, and very good-looking. She had refused half a dozen offers of hands, hearts, -and fortunes—the latter equal to her own—and also two titles +and fortunes—the latter equal to her own—and also two titles unaccompanied by fortunes, with hearts as doubtful collateral. She kept her own bachelor establishment in Chicago, gave to charity with discretion, took a quiet part in the social life of her set, dabbled @@ -333,18 +345,18 @@ enthusiasms she could not share. The heat of the Pullman seemed stifling, the odour of coal unbearable. The land was dead-brown, flat, dreary, monotonous. Leaning back with closed eyes, she longed for the deck of a liner, the strong, salt breezes, the steady pulse of the -engines—even for cold rain from a gray sky, sullen, shouldering seas, +engines—even for cold rain from a gray sky, sullen, shouldering seas, and the whip of spindrift on her cheeks. Beside her Nita prattled steadily. </p> <p> -"We're going to stop, Clyde. Here's a station. Look at the yard with +"We're going to stop, Clyde. Here's a station. Look at the yard with all the cows in it. I wonder if those men are cowboys. They don't look like the pictures. But isn't it funny how those ponies stand with the reins hanging down and not tied at all? I wish <i>my</i> pony would stand that way. Here come two men on horseback. My, but they're riding -fast! I wonder if they are trying to catch the train?" +fast! I wonder if they are trying to catch the train?" </p> <p> @@ -356,15 +368,15 @@ window, and Clyde overheard their conversation. </p> <p> -"I'm shy my grip," said the first. "The agent doesn't know where she +"I'm shy my grip," said the first. "The agent doesn't know where she is, and I can't wait. Round up Rosebud soon as you can, and find out -what's become of it." +what's become of it." </p> <p> The other swore frankly at Rosebud, who appeared to be an individual. -"I'll bet he's drunk, somewheres. I'll express your war bag when I find -it." +"I'll bet he's drunk, somewheres. I'll express your war bag when I find +it." </p> <p> @@ -373,15 +385,15 @@ cryptically. The two men shook hands. </p> <p> -"So long, Joe," said the younger. "I've had a whale of a time. Come up +"So long, Joe," said the younger. "I've had a whale of a time. Come up to my country and see me next year. Come any old time. We'll bust -things wide open for you." +things wide open for you." </p> <p> -The other grinned widely. "The missus ain't lettin' me range like I +The other grinned widely. "The missus ain't lettin' me range like I used to. So long. Keep sober, old-timer. Don't play none with -strangers. Say, d'you remember the time when we——" +strangers. Say, d'you remember the time when we——" </p> <p> @@ -424,25 +436,25 @@ of anything he might say. Said he: </p> <p> -"Mistuh Washin'ton Jeffe'son Bones, look at me carefully. Do you see -any dust upon my garments?" +"Mistuh Washin'ton Jeffe'son Bones, look at me carefully. Do you see +any dust upon my garments?" </p> <p> -"Yassuh, yassuh," chuckled the porter. "Don't see much else, suh." +"Yassuh, yassuh," chuckled the porter. "Don't see much else, suh." </p> <p> -"And could you—on a bet of about a dollar—undertake to put me in a -condition not to damage the seats?" +"And could you—on a bet of about a dollar—undertake to put me in a +condition not to damage the seats?" </p> <p> -"Yassuh; sho' could, suh!" +"Yassuh; sho' could, suh!" </p> <p> -"Go to it, then," said the stranger. "I'm after you." +"Go to it, then," said the stranger. "I'm after you." </p> <p> @@ -465,24 +477,24 @@ hand was a book. He halted by her side. </p> <p> -"Beg pardon," said he. "Would you care to look at this?" +"Beg pardon," said he. "Would you care to look at this?" </p> <p> -"No, thank you," she replied frigidly. +"No, thank you," she replied frigidly. </p> <p> -"It isn't bad," he persisted. "I'll leave it with you." +"It isn't bad," he persisted. "I'll leave it with you." </p> <p> -"Thank you, I don't want it," said Clyde. But nevertheless he dropped +"Thank you, I don't want it," said Clyde. But nevertheless he dropped the volume in her lap, smiling offensively. </p> <p> -"Look it over," said he. "I'll get it later." +"Look it over," said he. "I'll get it later." </p> <p> @@ -492,19 +504,19 @@ cheek, turned to Nita. </p> <p> -"I think I shall speak to the conductor." +"I think I shall speak to the conductor." </p> <p> -"It's because you're so pretty," said Nita, with an air of vast -experience. "I've had the same thing, almost, happen to me. Back at -college—in the town, I mean—there was a boy——But perhaps I'd better -not say anything about it. He was very bold indeed!" She pursed her +"It's because you're so pretty," said Nita, with an air of vast +experience. "I've had the same thing, almost, happen to me. Back at +college—in the town, I mean—there was a boy——But perhaps I'd better +not say anything about it. He was very bold indeed!" She pursed her lips primly, but her eyes belied their expression. </p> <p> -"I beg your pardon," said the man across the aisle. +"I beg your pardon," said the man across the aisle. </p> <p> @@ -516,8 +528,8 @@ unaffectedly. </p> <p> -"Nothing like that," he disclaimed, as if he had read her thoughts. -"I'll take that book if you don't want it. He can get it back from me." +"Nothing like that," he disclaimed, as if he had read her thoughts. +"I'll take that book if you don't want it. He can get it back from me." </p> <p> @@ -532,34 +544,34 @@ unconscious of his presence. </p> <p> -"Did you—er——" he began. +"Did you—er——" he began. </p> <p> At that moment the man across the aisle twitched his coat sleeve. -"Looking for the book you left with me?" he asked casually. "Here it -is." +"Looking for the book you left with me?" he asked casually. "Here it +is." </p> <p> -The other stared at him in uneasy surprise. "I didn't——" +The other stared at him in uneasy surprise. "I didn't——" </p> <p> -"Oh, yes, you did," the man across the aisle interrupted. "Anyway, you +"Oh, yes, you did," the man across the aisle interrupted. "Anyway, you meant to. You'll remember if you think a minute. You didn't leave it with that young lady, because you don't know her, and you're not the -kind of man to butt in where you're not wanted. Now, are you?" +kind of man to butt in where you're not wanted. Now, are you?" </p> <p> -"Of course not," the other replied, with a show of indignation. "I -don't know——" +"Of course not," the other replied, with a show of indignation. "I +don't know——" </p> <p> -"Then that's all right," said the stranger quietly. "Here's your book. -And there's your seat. And don't make any more mistakes." +"Then that's all right," said the stranger quietly. "Here's your book. +And there's your seat. And don't make any more mistakes." </p> <p> @@ -605,11 +617,11 @@ was another man, similarly masked. </p> <p> -"Everybody sit quiet!" the first commanded crisply. "Gents will hook +"Everybody sit quiet!" the first commanded crisply. "Gents will hook their fingers on top of their heads, and keep them there. No call to be frightened, ladies, 'long's the men show sense. My partner will pass along the contribution bag. No holding out, and no talk. And just -remember I'll get the first man that makes a move." +remember I'll get the first man that makes a move." </p> <p> @@ -618,9 +630,9 @@ Nita was trembling with excitement. </p> <p> -"I wouldn't have missed it for worlds!" the girl whispered. "Oh, Clyde, +"I wouldn't have missed it for worlds!" the girl whispered. "Oh, Clyde, isn't he a duck of a holdup? Will there be shooting? Haven't any of -these men got any nerve?" +these men got any nerve?" </p> <p> @@ -630,11 +642,11 @@ pate. </p> <p> -"If you have anything of special value—rings, watch, that sort of -stuff—get rid of it. Put it on the floor if you can, and kick it under +"If you have anything of special value—rings, watch, that sort of +stuff—get rid of it. Put it on the floor if you can, and kick it under the seat ahead. Don't cache it in your own seat. Give him what money -you have—that's what he wants. Tell the kid next you to do the same. -And don't be nervous. You're as safe as if you were at home." +you have—that's what he wants. Tell the kid next you to do the same. +And don't be nervous. You're as safe as if you were at home." </p> <p> @@ -664,39 +676,39 @@ toys, he explained, with which the darlings could not hurt themselves. </p> <p> -"Thank you, miss," was his acknowledgment of the roll of bills which -Clyde handed him. "You're sure an example to a lot o' these tinhorn +"Thank you, miss," was his acknowledgment of the roll of bills which +Clyde handed him. "You're sure an example to a lot o' these tinhorn sports. I reckon you got some pretty stones cached somewheres too, but I won't force your hand, seein's you've acted like a little lady. Just -get up till I look at the seat. Now, partner"—he turned on the man -across the aisle—"it's you to sweeten!" +get up till I look at the seat. Now, partner"—he turned on the man +across the aisle—"it's you to sweeten!" </p> <p> -That individual produced a very attenuated roll. "Sorry I can't go to +That individual produced a very attenuated roll. "Sorry I can't go to the centre any stronger, old-timer. You've got me at the wrong end -between pay days." +between pay days." </p> <p> -"Huh!" The holdup eyed him suspiciously. "Keep your hands stric'ly away -from your pockets for a minute." He slapped them in quick succession. -"No gun," said he, "and that's lucky for both of us, maybe. Business is +"Huh!" The holdup eyed him suspiciously. "Keep your hands stric'ly away +from your pockets for a minute." He slapped them in quick succession. +"No gun," said he, "and that's lucky for both of us, maybe. Business is business, partner, but I hate to set an old-timer afoot complete. Keep -out about ten for smokes and grub." +out about ten for smokes and grub." </p> <p> -"Yours truly," responded the other. "When you land in the calaboose for -this racket I'll keep you in tobacco. What name shall I ask for?" +"Yours truly," responded the other. "When you land in the calaboose for +this racket I'll keep you in tobacco. What name shall I ask for?" </p> <p> -"If I land there you can ask for a damfool—and I'll answer the first -time," laughed the holdup over his shoulder. "Next gent! Here's the +"If I land there you can ask for a damfool—and I'll answer the first +time," laughed the holdup over his shoulder. "Next gent! Here's the little bag. Lady, keep your weddin' ring. You fat sport, stand up till I see what you're sittin' on. Why, was you tryin' to hatch out that -bunch of money? I'll surely do that incubatin' myself." +bunch of money? I'll surely do that incubatin' myself." </p> <p> @@ -707,53 +719,53 @@ came down the aisle. At the rear door he turned. </p> <p> -"Keep your seats till the train moves," he ordered harshly. "I'm layin' -for the first man that sticks his head out of this car." +"Keep your seats till the train moves," he ordered harshly. "I'm layin' +for the first man that sticks his head out of this car." </p> <p> Behind him the coach buzzed like a disturbed hive. Its occupants bewailed their losses, vowed vengeance on both holdups and railway. Women reproached men with cowardice. Men told each other what they -would have done if—— But not one attempted to leave his seat. +would have done if—— But not one attempted to leave his seat. </p> <p> -Nita turned to Clyde with sparkling eyes. "And now I've been in a -holdup!" she exclaimed. "Won't that be a thing to tell the girls? Were -you frightened, Clyde? <i>I</i> wasn't." +Nita turned to Clyde with sparkling eyes. "And now I've been in a +holdup!" she exclaimed. "Won't that be a thing to tell the girls? Were +you frightened, Clyde? <i>I</i> wasn't." </p> <p> -"I don't think so," Clyde replied. "I'm glad we saved our watches." The +"I don't think so," Clyde replied. "I'm glad we saved our watches." The words recalled the man across the aisle. He was leaning back, listening to odd bits of conversation, a smile of amusement on his face. Clyde leaned across. </p> <p> -"I want to thank you," she said. "We should never have thought of -hiding our watches." +"I want to thank you," she said. "We should never have thought of +hiding our watches." </p> <p> -He nodded pleasantly. "No, not likely. I hope you didn't lose much +He nodded pleasantly. "No, not likely. I hope you didn't lose much money. He left me ten dollars. I don't want to be misunderstood, but -that's very much at your service until you can get more." +that's very much at your service until you can get more." </p> <p> -"And what shall you do—till pay day?" she asked, obeying a sudden +"And what shall you do—till pay day?" she asked, obeying a sudden mischievous impulse. </p> <p> -"Oh, I'll worry along," he replied. His long arm stretched across, and +"Oh, I'll worry along," he replied. His long arm stretched across, and a ten-dollar bill fell in her lap. </p> <p> -"No, no," she said, "I was joking. I have plenty——" +"No, no," she said, "I was joking. I have plenty——" </p> <p> @@ -811,9 +823,9 @@ next pay day. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER II -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -858,48 +870,48 @@ success at the game. </p> <p> -"Speaking about Prairie Southern," said he, "we have about decided to -take it over." +"Speaking about Prairie Southern," said he, "we have about decided to +take it over." </p> <p> -Rapp sighed. "I'm not a perpetual-motion legal machine, York. Won't -that keep till to-morrow?" +Rapp sighed. "I'm not a perpetual-motion legal machine, York. Won't +that keep till to-morrow?" </p> <p> -"We pay you a big enough retainer," said York, with the frankness of -years of intimacy. "What do you suppose we do it for?" +"We pay you a big enough retainer," said York, with the frankness of +years of intimacy. "What do you suppose we do it for?" </p> <p> -"Principally, I imagine, to keep you out of jail," Rapp retorted, with -equal frankness. "I've done it so far, but——" He shook his head -forebodingly. "Well, if you <i>will</i> talk, come and sit down. I'm +"Principally, I imagine, to keep you out of jail," Rapp retorted, with +equal frankness. "I've done it so far, but——" He shook his head +forebodingly. "Well, if you <i>will</i> talk, come and sit down. I'm tired of this. Now, then, about Prairie Southern: have they come to the -end of their rope, or did you pull it in a little for them?" +end of their rope, or did you pull it in a little for them?" </p> <p> -"I didn't need to," said York. "They have tied themselves up in hard +"I didn't need to," said York. "They have tied themselves up in hard knots. We don't particularly want the road; but, as matters stand, we can buy it cheaply. Later we might want it, and it would undoubtedly cost more. Besides, I don't want Hess to get hold of it as a feeder to -his lines." +his lines." </p> <p> -"Jim Hess is a sort of bugbear to you," said Rapp. "You'll keep -prodding him till he horns you one of these days." +"Jim Hess is a sort of bugbear to you," said Rapp. "You'll keep +prodding him till he horns you one of these days." </p> <p> -"Two can play at that," York replied grimly. +"Two can play at that," York replied grimly. </p> <p> -"There's mighty little play about Jim Hess when he goes on the -warpath," Rapp commented. "Well, let's get the worst over. There's +"There's mighty little play about Jim Hess when he goes on the +warpath," Rapp commented. "Well, let's get the worst over. There's short of three hundred miles of this Prairie Southern, as I understand it. It runs somewhere near the foothills. The country doesn't grow anything yet. The only reason for its building was a coal-mine boom @@ -907,101 +919,101 @@ that petered out. Its bonding privilege was one of the most disgraceful bits of jobbery ever lobbied through a corrupt little legislature. It was a political scandal from its birth. It is burdened with a multitude of equities. It never has paid, and likely it never will pay. You know -these things as well as I do. I'm hanged if I see why you want it." +these things as well as I do. I'm hanged if I see why you want it." </p> <p> -"If we don't get it some one else will," said York. "I wish you'd look +"If we don't get it some one else will," said York. "I wish you'd look into their affairs, and see what sort of a legal bill of health they -have. I am putting our accountants on their finances." +have. I am putting our accountants on their finances." </p> <p> -"All right," said Rapp. "I'll give 'em a bill of health like a +"All right," said Rapp. "I'll give 'em a bill of health like a pest-house record. Their bonded indebtedness is shocking, and they have -all sorts of litigation pending against them." +all sorts of litigation pending against them." </p> <p> -"I'll tell you one thing," York said. "They have a large land grant." +"I'll tell you one thing," York said. "They have a large land grant." </p> <p> -"Which they got because the land was worthless." +"Which they got because the land was worthless." </p> <p> -"Supposed to be worthless," York amended. +"Supposed to be worthless," York amended. </p> <p> Rapp cocked his head like a terrier that suddenly discerns a large and -promising rat hole. "Come through," he said. +promising rat hole. "Come through," he said. </p> <p> -"This land," York explained, "is in the dry belt. It was supposed to be +"This land," York explained, "is in the dry belt. It was supposed to be worth nothing when the P.S. charter was granted, and so the government of that day was generous with it. As a matter of fact, the land is good -when irrigated; and it can be irrigated—or most of it can." +when irrigated; and it can be irrigated—or most of it can." </p> <p> -"How do you know it's any good?" +"How do you know it's any good?" </p> <p> -"There are some first-class ranches down there." +"There are some first-class ranches down there." </p> <p> -"If that is so, why don't P.S. put the lands on the market? They need -the money." +"If that is so, why don't P.S. put the lands on the market? They need +the money." </p> <p> -"No advertising or selling machinery, and not enough money to put in an -irrigation system, and no credit. They can't afford to wait." +"No advertising or selling machinery, and not enough money to put in an +irrigation system, and no credit. They can't afford to wait." </p> <p> -Rapp considered. "Plenty of water for these lands?" +Rapp considered. "Plenty of water for these lands?" </p> <p> -"That's a question," York admitted. "The main water down that way is a +"That's a question," York admitted. "The main water down that way is a river called the Coldstream. The ranchers have their water records, which of course take precedence of any we might file. There may be -enough—I don't know. That will have to be ascertained. But if this +enough—I don't know. That will have to be ascertained. But if this stuff can be irrigated it can be sold. Our land department will look -after that." +after that." </p> <p> -"Almost any sort of an irrigated gold brick can be sold nowadays," said -Rapp cynically. "I admit that you have some pretty fair con men in your -land department." +"Almost any sort of an irrigated gold brick can be sold nowadays," said +Rapp cynically. "I admit that you have some pretty fair con men in your +land department." </p> <p> -"We never put anything on the market that wasn't a perfectly legitimate -proposition," said York, with dignity. +"We never put anything on the market that wasn't a perfectly legitimate +proposition," said York, with dignity. </p> <p> -"Depends on what you call 'legitimate,'" said Rapp. "I've read some of +"Depends on what you call 'legitimate,'" said Rapp. "I've read some of your land advertising. If you sold shares by means of a prospectus no more truthful, you'd do time for it. You know blame well you unload your stuff on people who depend on selected photographs and pretty pen pictures of annual yields per acre. Of course, any man who buys land without seeing it deserves exactly the sort of land he gets. I'm not -criticising at all—merely pointing out that I know the rudiments of -the game." +criticising at all—merely pointing out that I know the rudiments of +the game." </p> <p> -"Help us play it, then," said York. "Dig into Prairie Southern, and see -what we get for our money." +"Help us play it, then," said York. "Dig into Prairie Southern, and see +what we get for our money." </p> <p> @@ -1021,8 +1033,8 @@ inconsiderable, but showed signs of improvement. The land hunger was upon the people, frightened by the cry that cheap lands were almost at an end. Many were stampeded into buying worthless acres which they did not want, in the fear that if they delayed there would be nothing left -to buy. Fake real-estate schemes—colonies, ten-acre orchard tracts, -hen farms, orange groves, prune plantations—flourished over the width +to buy. Fake real-estate schemes—colonies, ten-acre orchard tracts, +hen farms, orange groves, prune plantations—flourished over the width and length of a continent, and promoters reaped a harvest. Land with a legitimate basis of value doubled and trebled in price between seasons. </p> @@ -1046,7 +1058,7 @@ it, for the name was strange. </p> <p> -"Who's this Casey Dunne, and what does he want?" +"Who's this Casey Dunne, and what does he want?" </p> <p> @@ -1056,7 +1068,7 @@ vicinity; he also represented certain other ranchers. </p> <p> -"Lawyer?" snapped York. The secretary thought not. "Show him in." +"Lawyer?" snapped York. The secretary thought not. "Show him in." </p> <p> @@ -1078,50 +1090,50 @@ with. </p> <p> -"Take a chair, Mr. Dunne," he said. "I can give you five minutes or -ten. Not more. What can I do for you?" +"Take a chair, Mr. Dunne," he said. "I can give you five minutes or +ten. Not more. What can I do for you?" </p> <p> -"I may have to ask you to stretch that time limit a little," said -Dunne, smiling as if York were an old friend. "Let me start at the +"I may have to ask you to stretch that time limit a little," said +Dunne, smiling as if York were an old friend. "Let me start at the beginning, and then I won't have to go back. I live down on the Coldstream, on the line of the old Prairie Southern, which you acquired a couple of years ago. With it you got their land grant. Your land department, after looking the Coldstream blocks over, decided to irrigate and sell these lands; and they undertook a main ditch and a -system of ditches, and they are selling the lands at the present time." +system of ditches, and they are selling the lands at the present time." </p> <p> -"I know all this," said York impatiently. "Carrol runs our land +"I know all this," said York impatiently. "Carrol runs our land department, and he deals with these matters. He's the man you want to -see." +see." </p> <p> -"He referred me to you," said Dunne. "I know this is ancient history, +"He referred me to you," said Dunne. "I know this is ancient history, but I'm cleaning up as I go along. You will get your water for these lands from the Coldstream. I and others own property there, and we get our water from the river below your intake. Are you aware that your ditch system is capable of carrying, and that the lands you are selling with a guarantee of an adequate water supply will require, <i>almost -the entire normal flow of the Coldstream</i>?" +the entire normal flow of the Coldstream</i>?" </p> <p> -"I have understood from our land department"—York chose his words -carefully—"that the river contains ample water to irrigate our lands." +"I have understood from our land department"—York chose his words +carefully—"that the river contains ample water to irrigate our lands." </p> <p> -"Which, I need scarcely point out, is not an answer to my question," +"Which, I need scarcely point out, is not an answer to my question," Dunne commented quietly. </p> <p> -"But which," York countered, "is all that I am concerned with, Mr. -Dunne." +"But which," York countered, "is all that I am concerned with, Mr. +Dunne." </p> <p> @@ -1137,7 +1149,7 @@ very quietly, but it was the exercised quiet of self-restraint: </p> <p> -"I had hoped that you would not take that ground, Mr. York. Let me show +"I had hoped that you would not take that ground, Mr. York. Let me show you how this concerns myself and others. Take my own case: I have a ranch down there; I have my water record. I have gone on working the ranch, making improvements from year to year, and every dollar I could @@ -1146,28 +1158,28 @@ any man when I have to; but this wasn't gambling. There was the land, and there was the water. The increase of value was merely a question of time. Others bought as I bought. We put our money and our years of work into lands along the Coldstream. Our whole stake is there. I want you -to appreciate that—to get our viewpoint—because with us this isn't a +to appreciate that—to get our viewpoint—because with us this isn't a question of greater or less profit, but a question of existence itself. If you take away our water our lands are worthless, and we go broke. I -can't put it any plainer than that." +can't put it any plainer than that." </p> <p> -"And without water," said York, "the railway's lands are worthless—or +"And without water," said York, "the railway's lands are worthless—or so I am told. The unfortunate feature, according to what you say, seems to be that there is not water enough for you and for us. Therefore each -must stand upon his legal rights." +must stand upon his legal rights." </p> <p> -"You raise the point," said Dunne. "It is a question of legal and moral -right against what I think—and I don't want to be offensive—but what +"You raise the point," said Dunne. "It is a question of legal and moral +right against what I think—and I don't want to be offensive—but what I think is an attempt to read into a clause of an old charter a meaning -which it was never intended to carry." +which it was never intended to carry." </p> <p> -York's eyebrows drew down. "The clause in the Prairie Southern's +York's eyebrows drew down. "The clause in the Prairie Southern's charter to which I presume you refer is perfectly clear. It states that the railway company may take from the Coldstream or any other running stream 'sufficient water for its own purposes.' Those are the exact @@ -1180,26 +1192,26 @@ construct and maintain all necessary works. Could anything be clearer? We acquired every right that Prairie Southern possessed. The rights were in existence when you bought your land. Therefore I do not think you should complain when we exercise them, even though they may affect -you to some extent." +you to some extent." </p> <p> -"I follow your argument," Dunne observed, "but the words 'sufficient +"I follow your argument," Dunne observed, "but the words 'sufficient water for its own purposes' were never intended to mean that the -railway should take the whole river." +railway should take the whole river." </p> <p> -"What do you think they meant?" +"What do you think they meant?" </p> <p> -"What any sensible man would think. You may take sufficient water to +"What any sensible man would think. You may take sufficient water to run your trains, to fill your tanks, to use in any way in connection with your business of transportation, and nobody will object to that; but when you undertake to divert a whole river to irrigate lands in order to sell them, you go too far. That is the business of a -real-estate company, and not of a railway company." +real-estate company, and not of a railway company." </p> <p> @@ -1208,81 +1220,81 @@ corporation counsel upon that very point, smiled tolerantly. </p> <p> -"You are not a lawyer, Mr. Dunne?" +"You are not a lawyer, Mr. Dunne?" </p> <p> -"No." +"No." </p> <p> -"Nor am I. But I have had this clause passed upon, and I tell you that +"Nor am I. But I have had this clause passed upon, and I tell you that we are quite within our rights. The charter covers the case completely, -according to the best legal opinion." +according to the best legal opinion." </p> <p> -"But nobody thought of irrigation when this charter was granted," -objected Dunne. "The land was supposed to be worthless. That was why -Prairie Southern got such a large land grant. You know that." +"But nobody thought of irrigation when this charter was granted," +objected Dunne. "The land was supposed to be worthless. That was why +Prairie Southern got such a large land grant. You know that." </p> <p> -"That has nothing to do with the case. Let us stick to the point. What, -so far, have you to complain of?" +"That has nothing to do with the case. Let us stick to the point. What, +so far, have you to complain of?" </p> <p> -"This," said Dunne shortly. "You have a charter which you say entitles +"This," said Dunne shortly. "You have a charter which you say entitles you to all the water in the river. You are constructing ditches sufficient to carry it all; you are constructing a dam to divert it all; and you are selling land to an acreage which, if cultivated, will require it all. You admit your intentions. When that dam is built and those ditches are filled our ranches must go dry. It spells our ruin. We are living on sufferance. And yet you ask us what we have to -complain of!" +complain of!" </p> <p> -"I need scarcely assure you," said York, "that unless and until we -require the water it will not be taken." +"I need scarcely assure you," said York, "that unless and until we +require the water it will not be taken." </p> <p> -"Not nearly good enough," Dunne returned. "We can't work and improve +"Not nearly good enough," Dunne returned. "We can't work and improve our ranches with that hanging over us. Such an assurance is of no -practical value." +practical value." </p> <p> -"It is all I can give you." +"It is all I can give you." </p> <p> Casey Dunne nodded as one who sees things turning out as he expected. -"Then naturally we shall be forced to fight you." +"Then naturally we shall be forced to fight you." </p> <p> -"As you like," said York indifferently. "You will lose, that's all. I +"As you like," said York indifferently. "You will lose, that's all. I can't do any more for you. It is my duty to my shareholders to increase -the value of those lands if I can do so legally." +the value of those lands if I can do so legally." </p> <p> -"I wish I could get your viewpoint," said Casey Dunne, and for the +"I wish I could get your viewpoint," said Casey Dunne, and for the first time his voice lost a shade of its calm and began to vibrate with -anger. "I'd like to know just how much it differs from a claim jumper's +anger. "I'd like to know just how much it differs from a claim jumper's or a burglar's. You know as well as I do that you have no earthly right to take that water. You know you are taking advantage of the careless wording of an old charter. You know that it means the utter ruin of men who went into a God-forsaken land without a dollar, and took a brown, -parched wilderness by the throat, and fought it to a standstill—men +parched wilderness by the throat, and fought it to a standstill—men who backed their faith in the country with years of toil and privation, who made the trails and dug the ditches, and proved the land. And you have the colossal nerve to set a little additional dividend on watered -stock against the homes of those men—old, some of them, now—and the -rights of their wives and children to the fruits of their work!" +stock against the homes of those men—old, some of them, now—and the +rights of their wives and children to the fruits of their work!" </p> <p> @@ -1292,9 +1304,9 @@ client's wrongs. </p> <p> -"Are you," he asked, with quiet sarcasm, "one of those who made the +"Are you," he asked, with quiet sarcasm, "one of those who made the trails and dug the ditches and endured the privations? If so, they seem -to have agreed with you." +to have agreed with you." </p> <p> @@ -1303,13 +1315,13 @@ leaned forward across the desk with an ugly set to his jaw. </p> <p> -"If you want to know just how strong I'm in on this I'll tell you," he -snapped. "I'm thirty-four years old. I've made my own living since I +"If you want to know just how strong I'm in on this I'll tell you," he +snapped. "I'm thirty-four years old. I've made my own living since I was fifteen. I've roughed it because I had to, and I've gone low enough at times. I've starved and blistered and frozen in places you never heard of; and out of it all I got together a little stake. I put that into Coldstream land. Do you think I'm going to let you take it without -a fight? I'm <i>not</i>." +a fight? I'm <i>not</i>." </p> <p> @@ -1321,74 +1333,74 @@ with him. </p> <p> -"You haven't a chance," he said. "I'll be quite frank with you. We have +"You haven't a chance," he said. "I'll be quite frank with you. We have the best legal advice, and our position is quite unassailable. Even if it were not, we could appeal you into bankruptcy. Still, though I don't admit that you have the least claim on us, we might possibly buy in -your holdings at a fair present price." +your holdings at a fair present price." </p> <p> -"That's freeze-out," Dunne returned bluntly. "You force us to sell, and +"That's freeze-out," Dunne returned bluntly. "You force us to sell, and afterward you include our lands in your ditch system, and clean up a thousand per cent. It won't do. We proved that country, and we want -that profit ourselves." +that profit ourselves." </p> <p> -"I'm making the offer to you alone," said York. "I don't care about the -others. We don't want their land." +"I'm making the offer to you alone," said York. "I don't care about the +others. We don't want their land." </p> <p> -"Then why are you trying to make a deal with me?" rasped Casey Dunne. -"You think I'll go home and tell my neighbours that they have no show +"Then why are you trying to make a deal with me?" rasped Casey Dunne. +"You think I'll go home and tell my neighbours that they have no show at all to buck the railway, and the best thing we all can do is to sell -out for what we can get—and then I keep my mouth shut on the fact that -I'm getting more than the rest of them." +out for what we can get—and then I keep my mouth shut on the fact that +I'm getting more than the rest of them." </p> <p> -"Nothing of the sort," snapped York, who did not like to hear his -thought done into plain English. "My offer was made in good faith, but -I withdraw it. Keep your land." +"Nothing of the sort," snapped York, who did not like to hear his +thought done into plain English. "My offer was made in good faith, but +I withdraw it. Keep your land." </p> <p> -"And the devil do me good with it, I suppose!" said Casey Dunne, -picking up his hat and rising. "Very well, Mr. York. I know now where +"And the devil do me good with it, I suppose!" said Casey Dunne, +picking up his hat and rising. "Very well, Mr. York. I know now where you stand. And here's where we stand: Not one of us will sell an acre or a foot. We are going to keep our land, and we are going to keep our -water—somehow." +water—somehow." </p> <p> -"The best advice I can give you is to see a good lawyer," said York. +"The best advice I can give you is to see a good lawyer," said York. </p> <p> -"I'll take the advice," Dunne replied. "But whether we take the -lawyer's advice or not is another matter entirely." +"I'll take the advice," Dunne replied. "But whether we take the +lawyer's advice or not is another matter entirely." </p> <p> -"What do you mean by that?" York demanded. +"What do you mean by that?" York demanded. </p> <p> -"I mean," said Dunne, who had quite recovered his usual manner, which -contained a spice of mockery that York found irritating, "that we're +"I mean," said Dunne, who had quite recovered his usual manner, which +contained a spice of mockery that York found irritating, "that we're not very strong on law down where I come from. Some of us have got along pretty well with what law we carried around with us. Good -morning, Mr. York." +morning, Mr. York." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER III -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -1398,84 +1410,84 @@ Kitty Wade was an old friend; her husband, Harrison Wade, was a lawyer just coming into prominence. They had an unpretentious home on the North Side, and such entertaining as they did was on a modest scale. Nevertheless, one met there people worth while, coming people, most of -them, seldom those who had "arrived" in the French signification of the -word—young professional and business men, authors, playwrights, and -politicians in embryo—comparatively unknown as yet, but who, in a few +them, seldom those who had "arrived" in the French signification of the +word—young professional and business men, authors, playwrights, and +politicians in embryo—comparatively unknown as yet, but who, in a few months or a few years, might be famous. </p> <p> -"Oh, Clyde," said Kitty Wade, as Clyde, having removed her wraps, was -arranging her hair before the mirror, "I had planned to have Van Cromer +"Oh, Clyde," said Kitty Wade, as Clyde, having removed her wraps, was +arranging her hair before the mirror, "I had planned to have Van Cromer take you in to dinner, but at the last moment he couldn't come, and Stella Blake couldn't come either. I had a Mr. Casey Dunne for her. And -so, if you don't mind——" +so, if you don't mind——" </p> <p> -"Of course not," said Clyde. "But post me a little, Kitty. What has Mr. +"Of course not," said Clyde. "But post me a little, Kitty. What has Mr. Casey Dunne done, or what is he going to do? What does one talk about -to him?" +to him?" </p> <p> -"Crops," replied Mrs. Wade. +"Crops," replied Mrs. Wade. </p> <p> -Clyde sighed resignedly. "My dear, I don't mind for once, but I never +Clyde sighed resignedly. "My dear, I don't mind for once, but I never could understand the market. May wheat, September options, war and rumours of wars, and the effect on prices of the weather sent by divine -Providence, probabilities of a large or short crop—these be sealed -mysteries to me." +Providence, probabilities of a large or short crop—these be sealed +mysteries to me." </p> <p> -"But Mr. Dunne isn't a broker," said Mrs. Wade. "He's a farmer." +"But Mr. Dunne isn't a broker," said Mrs. Wade. "He's a farmer." </p> <p> -"A—a <i>farmer</i>!" Clyde repeated, in much the same tone she would +"A—a <i>farmer</i>!" Clyde repeated, in much the same tone she would have used if her hostess had informed her that she was to be paired with a Zulu. </p> <p> -Mrs. Wade laughed. "Not the 'Old Homestead' kind, dear. It's the fault +Mrs. Wade laughed. "Not the 'Old Homestead' kind, dear. It's the fault of my Eastern bringing up. I should have said a 'rancher.' He comes from somewhere near the Rockies, and I believe he grows wheat and hay -and cattle and—oh, whatever else ranchers grow." +and cattle and—oh, whatever else ranchers grow." </p> <p> -"Oh!" said Clyde doubtfully. "And is he excessively Western? Does he +"Oh!" said Clyde doubtfully. "And is he excessively Western? Does he exude the 'God's-own-country' and 'land-of-opportunity' line of -conversation? Will he try to sell me land? And how old is he?" +conversation? Will he try to sell me land? And how old is he?" </p> <p> -"I have never seen him," Mrs. Wade replied. "He did Harrison a good -turn once—gave him some information about lands or something. Harry +"I have never seen him," Mrs. Wade replied. "He did Harrison a good +turn once—gave him some information about lands or something. Harry assures me that he doesn't wear big revolvers or spurs, or eat with his -knife—in fact, he is quite presentable. But if you like I'll give you -some one else." +knife—in fact, he is quite presentable. But if you like I'll give you +some one else." </p> <p> -"Oh, no," said Clyde. "Mr. Dunne will do very well. I think I shall -prefer him to a broker." +"Oh, no," said Clyde. "Mr. Dunne will do very well. I think I shall +prefer him to a broker." </p> <p> -"So good of you, dear," smiled Kitty Wade. "Shall we go down? I think -the others will be arriving." +"So good of you, dear," smiled Kitty Wade. "Shall we go down? I think +the others will be arriving." </p> <p> Clyde endeavoured to construct an advance portrait of Casey Dunne, but without much success. Unconsciously she was influenced by the characters of alleged Western drama, as flamboyant and nearly as -accurate as the Southerners of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." She was genuinely +accurate as the Southerners of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." She was genuinely surprised when she found him to be a rather good-looking young man in irreproachable evening clothes. </p> @@ -1491,7 +1503,7 @@ outward detail from the other men in the room. </p> <p> -When they were seated came the embarrassing moment—when it became +When they were seated came the embarrassing moment—when it became necessary to find a conversational topic of common acquaintance. But this passed easily. From the table decorations Clyde turned deftly to flowers in general, to trees, to outdoor things. Casey Dunne laughed @@ -1499,18 +1511,18 @@ gently. </p> <p> -"You are trying to talk of things I am expected to know about, aren't -you, Miss Burnaby?" +"You are trying to talk of things I am expected to know about, aren't +you, Miss Burnaby?" </p> <p> -She evaded the charge, laughing also. "What <i>shall</i> we talk about, -Mr. Dunne? You shall choose for both of us." +She evaded the charge, laughing also. "What <i>shall</i> we talk about, +Mr. Dunne? You shall choose for both of us." </p> <p> -"No, I won't do that. Talk of whatever interests you. I'll follow your -lead if I can." +"No, I won't do that. Talk of whatever interests you. I'll follow your +lead if I can." </p> <p> @@ -1529,63 +1541,63 @@ West, but instituted no comparisons. </p> <p> -"You are really an exception," Clyde told him. "The average Westerner +"You are really an exception," Clyde told him. "The average Westerner is such a superior mortal. He looks down on the East, and when he comes -among Easterners he condescends." +among Easterners he condescends." </p> <p> -"It's a relief to have some one admit that Chicago is in the East," he -laughed. "No, I don't brag about the West. It's a good country, and it +"It's a relief to have some one admit that Chicago is in the East," he +laughed. "No, I don't brag about the West. It's a good country, and it will be better when we have approximated more to Eastern conditions. We -are undeveloped as yet. In twenty years——" +are undeveloped as yet. In twenty years——" </p> <p> -"Ah, there it is!" she interrupted. "Scratch a Russian, and find a -Tartar. And I took you for an exception!" +"Ah, there it is!" she interrupted. "Scratch a Russian, and find a +Tartar. And I took you for an exception!" </p> <p> -He laughed. "I plead guilty. The microbe is in the air. We all have it. -Can you blame us? Do you know the West?" +He laughed. "I plead guilty. The microbe is in the air. We all have it. +Can you blame us? Do you know the West?" </p> <p> -"Only what I have seen from the train. I have told you of every one +"Only what I have seen from the train. I have told you of every one here. In return tell me about yourself. Mrs. Wade says that you are a -rancher." +rancher." </p> <p> -"Yes, I have a good little ranch in the dry belt, within sight of the -mountains." +"Yes, I have a good little ranch in the dry belt, within sight of the +mountains." </p> <p> -"The dry belt?" she queried. +"The dry belt?" she queried. </p> <p> -"Yes. We call that part of the country which has little or no rain the +"Yes. We call that part of the country which has little or no rain the 'dry belt.' Formerly, for that reason, it was supposed to be useless. -But since irrigation has been discovered—you see, it's really a recent -discovery with us in America, whatever it is with other peoples—we +But since irrigation has been discovered—you see, it's really a recent +discovery with us in America, whatever it is with other peoples—we dry-belt ranchers are in a better position than any others. For we are able to give the land moisture whenever it needs it. Whereas others have to depend on the uncertainties of rainfall. About once in five years their crops are ruined by drought. But we are able to water our -fields as the city man waters his lawn." +fields as the city man waters his lawn." </p> <p> -"So that you are certain of a good crop every year." +"So that you are certain of a good crop every year." </p> <p> -"No, not certain. We have merely eliminated one cause of failure. We +"No, not certain. We have merely eliminated one cause of failure. We are still at the tender mercies of hot winds, hail, and frosts late and -early." +early." </p> <p> @@ -1611,41 +1623,41 @@ enemies, Drought. </p> <p> -"You like the life?" +"You like the life?" </p> <p> -"Yes, I like it. It's idyllic, compared with some phases of existence -that I have experienced." +"Yes, I like it. It's idyllic, compared with some phases of existence +that I have experienced." </p> <p> -"You have had varied experiences?" +"You have had varied experiences?" </p> <p> -"'Varied!' Yes, I suppose you may call them that." +"'Varied!' Yes, I suppose you may call them that." </p> <p> -"Won't you tell me about them?" +"Won't you tell me about them?" </p> <p> -"There isn't much to tell, and that little not very entertaining. You +"There isn't much to tell, and that little not very entertaining. You see, Miss Burnaby, if my youthful mouth was ever acquainted with a -silver spoon it was snatched away at a tender age." +silver spoon it was snatched away at a tender age." </p> <p> -"I beg your pardon," said Clyde quickly. "I'm afraid my request was -impertinent." +"I beg your pardon," said Clyde quickly. "I'm afraid my request was +impertinent." </p> <p> -"Not at all. I went West when I was a kid, and I've seen quite a bit of +"Not at all. I went West when I was a kid, and I've seen quite a bit of country. Then, when I had money enough, I put it into land, and went to -ranching. That's all there is to it." +ranching. That's all there is to it." </p> <p> @@ -1657,70 +1669,70 @@ and again she was struck by an elusive familiarity. </p> <p> -"You remind me of somebody—of something," she said. "I can't place -it." +"You remind me of somebody—of something," she said. "I can't place +it." </p> <p> -"Indeed!" he responded. "Now, I hope the unplaced recollection is not -unpleasant." +"Indeed!" he responded. "Now, I hope the unplaced recollection is not +unpleasant." </p> <p> -"It's not definite enough. But it is there. It's not so much when you -face me—it's the side view. I've never met you before, of course." +"It's not definite enough. But it is there. It's not so much when you +face me—it's the side view. I've never met you before, of course." </p> <p> -"Of course not," he agreed, but his eyes laughed at her. +"Of course not," he agreed, but his eyes laughed at her. </p> <p> -"Have I?" she exclaimed. "Surely not! I'm not forgetful, as a rule." +"Have I?" she exclaimed. "Surely not! I'm not forgetful, as a rule." </p> <p> -"I was wondering," he said, "if you would remember me. I knew you at +"I was wondering," he said, "if you would remember me. I knew you at once, but I can't claim the honour of having been presented before -to-night. Our acquaintance, if I may call it that, was very informal." +to-night. Our acquaintance, if I may call it that, was very informal." </p> <p> -"But when—where?" she demanded. "I don't recall——" +"But when—where?" she demanded. "I don't recall——" </p> <p> -"Well, it's not surprising," he admitted. "I was dressed differently. -Naturally you wouldn't expect to see me in these." He glanced down at -his evening clothes. "The fact is, I sat across the aisle from you in -the car when——" +"Well, it's not surprising," he admitted. "I was dressed differently. +Naturally you wouldn't expect to see me in these." He glanced down at +his evening clothes. "The fact is, I sat across the aisle from you in +the car when——" </p> <p> -"Oh!" she cried. "Now I know. When the train was held up. Why, of +"Oh!" she cried. "Now I know. When the train was held up. Why, of course it <i>was</i> you. I'm so glad to meet you again. I've always wanted to thank you for relieving me of the attentions of -that—that——" +that—that——" </p> <p> -"That fresh guy," he supplied gravely. +"That fresh guy," he supplied gravely. </p> <p> -"Thank you! That 'fresh guy,'" she smiled. "But for you I should have -lost my watch. And then you lent me ten dollars." +"Thank you! That 'fresh guy,'" she smiled. "But for you I should have +lost my watch. And then you lent me ten dollars." </p> <p> -"Well, you see, they got all your cash." +"Well, you see, they got all your cash." </p> <p> -"I don't know whatever made me take it. I have it still. I didn't need +"I don't know whatever made me take it. I have it still. I didn't need it. I had a book of travellers' checks and credits at the coast. I intended to give it back to you at once. I hope it didn't -inconvenience——" +inconvenience——" </p> <p> @@ -1729,16 +1741,16 @@ the train had probably been mistaken. </p> <p> -"Not a bit," he replied. "I had a small roll stowed away." +"Not a bit," he replied. "I had a small roll stowed away." </p> <p> -"But what became of you?" she asked. "You didn't come back. I asked the -conductor and the porters—everybody. What happened?" +"But what became of you?" she asked. "You didn't come back. I asked the +conductor and the porters—everybody. What happened?" </p> <p> -"Why, the explanation is very simple, though I'm not proud of it. When +"Why, the explanation is very simple, though I'm not proud of it. When I heard the shooting up in front I thought it was up to me to help the train boys, and I went out with the best intentions. The holdups were backing off, burning a lot of powder but doing no harm, and I guessed @@ -1752,7 +1764,7 @@ me out, and when I emerged from dreamland the train was moving, and I couldn't catch it. So I just tramped the ties to the next station. And there I had a job explaining that I wasn't a holdup myself. It didn't strike those boneheads that no sane holdup would come walking along the -track a few hours after a robbery." +track a few hours after a robbery." </p> <p> @@ -1762,12 +1774,12 @@ whatever. He had confined himself to the barest of bare facts. </p> <p> -"You make a poor raconteur, Mr. Dunne." +"You make a poor raconteur, Mr. Dunne." </p> <p> -"Really, that's all there was to it," he replied. "'We fit and they -fit; and they ran and we ran'—or at least I did till I tripped." +"Really, that's all there was to it," he replied. "'We fit and they +fit; and they ran and we ran'—or at least I did till I tripped." </p> <p> @@ -1775,12 +1787,12 @@ Mrs. Wade rose. </p> <p> -"After you have had your cigar we will continue our conversation, if -you care to," said Clyde. +"After you have had your cigar we will continue our conversation, if +you care to," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"Just what I was going to ask. I hope Wade's cigars are small." +"Just what I was going to ask. I hope Wade's cigars are small." </p> <p> @@ -1788,118 +1800,118 @@ When the ladies had gone, Harrison Wade drew his chair beside Dunne's. </p> <p> -"I've been thinking over that matter of yours, Casey, and the more I +"I've been thinking over that matter of yours, Casey, and the more I think it over the less I like it. That charter, backed by Airline money and influence, will be a hard thing to get over. I hate to discourage you, but the best advice I can give to you and your neighbours is to put a fair price on your holdings, and offer them to the railway <i>en -bloc</i>." +bloc</i>." </p> <p> -"But we don't want to sell, Wade. Couldn't you get an injunction or -something, and tie up their operations?" +"But we don't want to sell, Wade. Couldn't you get an injunction or +something, and tie up their operations?" </p> <p> -"No, I'm afraid not. You can't bring an action until you have something -to found it on—that is to say, some wrong to complain of—some actual +"No, I'm afraid not. You can't bring an action until you have something +to found it on—that is to say, some wrong to complain of—some actual interference with your rights to water. And you can't get an injunction unless you can show that your rights are beyond question. It's a toss-up whether that charter takes precedence or not. I'm speaking frankly to you. With an ordinary client I'd throw a professional front of profound knowledge, but as it is I own up that it's a complicated question, depending almost entirely on the court. And courts are just -as uncertain as other human institutions." +as uncertain as other human institutions." </p> <p> -Casey Dunne frowned through the spreading fog of cigar smoke. "I'm +Casey Dunne frowned through the spreading fog of cigar smoke. "I'm quite aware of it, Wade. But here it is: We don't want to sell. Even if they gave us a fair present price, we would be losers, for land out there is going to double in value in the next couple of years. And what they intend to do is simply to freeze us out and force us to sell at dry-land prices. Therefore, we've <i>got</i> to fight. Go ahead and try for an injunction. If that is refused, bring an action as soon as you -can. And meanwhile we'll hang on to our water somehow." +can. And meanwhile we'll hang on to our water somehow." </p> <p> -"Don't do anything to prejudice your case in the courts," Wade warned. +"Don't do anything to prejudice your case in the courts," Wade warned. </p> <p> -"According to you York will do that, anyway," said Dunne. "No, Wade, +"According to you York will do that, anyway," said Dunne. "No, Wade, that's flat, final, whatever. We won't let go till we have to. We won't be skinned out of the profit we are entitled to by foresight and hard work. Speaking for myself, I've put my whole stack on this bet, and with a straight deal it's a sure winner. And if the deal's going to be -crooked I'll break up the game any way that comes handy." +crooked I'll break up the game any way that comes handy." </p> <p> -"Go to it, my friend," said the lawyer. "It's your affair. I've told +"Go to it, my friend," said the lawyer. "It's your affair. I've told you what I think, and I'll not add to it. I hope you have water when I -come out this summer to make you that long-promised visitation." He -changed the subject abruptly. "You and Clyde Burnaby seemed to be -getting on swimmingly." +come out this summer to make you that long-promised visitation." He +changed the subject abruptly. "You and Clyde Burnaby seemed to be +getting on swimmingly." </p> <p> -"Clyde—is that her name?" said Dunne. "Seems like a nice girl." +"Clyde—is that her name?" said Dunne. "Seems like a nice girl." </p> <p> -"She's all of that. You know who she is, of course?" +"She's all of that. You know who she is, of course?" </p> <p> -"Not a bit. Just her name." +"Not a bit. Just her name." </p> <p> -"Niece of old Jim Hess, with a fortune of her own." +"Niece of old Jim Hess, with a fortune of her own." </p> <p> -"Pretty<i> lucky</i>," Dunne commented. +"Pretty<i> lucky</i>," Dunne commented. </p> <p> -"Pretty <i>and</i> lucky," said his host. "Old York hates Hess like +"Pretty <i>and</i> lucky," said his host. "Old York hates Hess like poison, a sentiment which Hess returns, according to rumour. I don't -suppose you've told Clyde Burnaby your troubles?" +suppose you've told Clyde Burnaby your troubles?" </p> <p> -Dunne stared at him. "Of course not! What do you take me for?" +Dunne stared at him. "Of course not! What do you take me for?" </p> <p> -"That's all right, my son; don't swell up so. Why don't you tell her?" +"That's all right, my son; don't swell up so. Why don't you tell her?" </p> <p> -"Why the deuce should I? Do you think I go yawping my business affairs -to every female I meet?" +"Why the deuce should I? Do you think I go yawping my business affairs +to every female I meet?" </p> <p> -"Well, Clyde Burnaby's good stuff," said Wade. "She has a level head. +"Well, Clyde Burnaby's good stuff," said Wade. "She has a level head. If it comes up that way, Casey, tell her all about it. She'll -sympathize with you." +sympathize with you." </p> <p> -"I'm not looking for sympathy." +"I'm not looking for sympathy." </p> <p> -"And she might give you some good advice." +"And she might give you some good advice." </p> <p> -"Rats!" Casey Dunne commented, inelegantly but forcibly, and Wade said +"Rats!" Casey Dunne commented, inelegantly but forcibly, and Wade said no more. </p> @@ -1910,14 +1922,14 @@ her finger's tips. </p> <p> -"Do you sing, Mr. Dunne?" +"Do you sing, Mr. Dunne?" </p> <p> -"Only very confidentially. When I was riding for a cow outfit I used to +"Only very confidentially. When I was riding for a cow outfit I used to sing at night, when the cattle were bedded down. Sort of tradition of the business that it kept 'em quiet. They didn't seem to mind my voice. -And that's really the most encouragement I ever got." +And that's really the most encouragement I ever got." </p> <p> @@ -1927,74 +1939,74 @@ accompaniment. Then she and Dunne drifted together once more. </p> <p> -"I liked your playing," he said, "but not what you played. It had no -tune." +"I liked your playing," he said, "but not what you played. It had no +tune." </p> <p> -"It was Beethoven!" +"It was Beethoven!" </p> <p> -"All the same, it had no tune. I like the old songs—the ones I can -follow in my mind with the words I know." +"All the same, it had no tune. I like the old songs—the ones I can +follow in my mind with the words I know." </p> <p> -"Why, so do I," she admitted; "but, my Philistine friend, I was -expected to play the other kind." +"Why, so do I," she admitted; "but, my Philistine friend, I was +expected to play the other kind." </p> <p> -"I understand that. But I like to hear what is low grade enough for me -to appreciate. I don't get much music at home." +"I understand that. But I like to hear what is low grade enough for me +to appreciate. I don't get much music at home." </p> <p> -"Tell me about your ranch. I'd like to know what you do and how you +"Tell me about your ranch. I'd like to know what you do and how you live. To begin with, beggin' yer honour's pardon in advance, is there a -Mrs. Dunne?" +Mrs. Dunne?" </p> <p> -"No such luck," he replied. He sketched the ranch routine briefly. She +"No such luck," he replied. He sketched the ranch routine briefly. She was interested, asking many questions. The evening wore away. The guests began to depart. But Clyde had arranged to stay the night with the Wades. </p> <p> -"By the way," she said, "I still have your ten-dollar bill. I will send -it to you." +"By the way," she said, "I still have your ten-dollar bill. I will send +it to you." </p> <p> -"Don't do that. Keep it." +"Don't do that. Keep it." </p> <p> -"I couldn't." +"I couldn't." </p> <p> -"Of course you can. You may pay me interest if you like." +"Of course you can. You may pay me interest if you like." </p> <p> -"At what per cent?" +"At what per cent?" </p> <p> -"Current rates in my country—eight." +"Current rates in my country—eight." </p> <p> -"Very well," she laughed. "It's a bargain. But where is your security?" +"Very well," she laughed. "It's a bargain. But where is your security?" </p> <p> -He considered gravely. "Certainly I should have something. I will be -satisfied with that rose you are wearing." +He considered gravely. "Certainly I should have something. I will be +satisfied with that rose you are wearing." </p> <p> @@ -2002,9 +2014,9 @@ Clyde coloured slightly, glancing at him swiftly. </p> <p> -"Kitty," she called to Mrs. Wade, "I want you as a witness. Mr. Dunne -has made me a loan. His security is this rose—and nothing more. Please -witness that I give it to him." +"Kitty," she called to Mrs. Wade, "I want you as a witness. Mr. Dunne +has made me a loan. His security is this rose—and nothing more. Please +witness that I give it to him." </p> <p> @@ -2012,31 +2024,31 @@ And later that night Kitty Wade said to her lord: </p> <p> -"For a rancher, Harry, your Casey Dunne has class. I never knew Clyde -Burnaby to give a flower to any man before." +"For a rancher, Harry, your Casey Dunne has class. I never knew Clyde +Burnaby to give a flower to any man before." </p> <p> -"And you see a case of love at first sight," said Wade, scornfully and -sleepily. "Pshaw, Kitty, you're barking at a knot. Casey's a fine chap, +"And you see a case of love at first sight," said Wade, scornfully and +sleepily. "Pshaw, Kitty, you're barking at a knot. Casey's a fine chap, but Lord! she's got too much money for him. Suppose she did give him a rose! Didn't she call you over to chaperon the transaction? That puts -the sentimental theory out of business." +the sentimental theory out of business." </p> <p> -"And that's all a lawyer knows!" said his wife. "Why, you old silly, +"And that's all a lawyer knows!" said his wife. "Why, you old silly, don't you see that she couldn't have given it to him any other -way—with all those people in the room? Clyde Burnaby can think about -as fast as anybody I know." +way—with all those people in the room? Clyde Burnaby can think about +as fast as anybody I know." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER IV -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -2057,7 +2069,7 @@ Dunne's eye followed the lines of the ditches, marked by margins of green willows. They cut through the fields of wheat, of oats, of alfalfa, timothy, and red clover. They were the main arteries. From them branched veins supplying the fields with the water that gave them -life—the water without which the land was waste and barren; but with +life—the water without which the land was waste and barren; but with which it bore marvellously with the stored fertility of fallow centuries. Away at one end of the ranch, sheltered to north and west by low hills, was the ranch house itself, surrounded by young orchards, @@ -2078,10 +2090,10 @@ fail. </p> <p> -"And that ranch, and others like it," Dunne muttered through his teeth, -"must go dry and back to brown prairie unless the owners sell out to -that old holdup, York, at his own price. Well, Mr. York——You yellow -devil!" +"And that ranch, and others like it," Dunne muttered through his teeth, +"must go dry and back to brown prairie unless the owners sell out to +that old holdup, York, at his own price. Well, Mr. York——You yellow +devil!" </p> <p> @@ -2098,13 +2110,13 @@ ears. </p> <p> -"No work, and a bellyful of oats three times a day!" he gritted. -"Forgotten who's your boss, hey? I'll show you, you hammer-headed, -saffron-hided——" +"No work, and a bellyful of oats three times a day!" he gritted. +"Forgotten who's your boss, hey? I'll show you, you hammer-headed, +saffron-hided——" </p> <p> -"Stay with him, Casey!" +"Stay with him, Casey!" </p> <p> @@ -2117,62 +2129,62 @@ feminine ears. He answered, between pitches, in the vernacular: </p> <p> -"You bet I will, Sheila! Go to it, old son! Bump to glory if you like!" +"You bet I will, Sheila! Go to it, old son! Bump to glory if you like!" </p> <p> But as suddenly as he had begun the buckskin desisted. He heaved a sigh, stood still, and turned a mildly inquiring, backward eye on his -rider. It was as if he had said: "What! Still there? You surprise me!" +rider. It was as if he had said: "What! Still there? You surprise me!" </p> <p> -Sheila McCrae laughed. "He's passing it off as a joke, Casey." +Sheila McCrae laughed. "He's passing it off as a joke, Casey." </p> <p> -"He nearly got me, the old sinner," said Dunne. "Now he'll be good till +"He nearly got me, the old sinner," said Dunne. "Now he'll be good till next time. You miserable, imitation bad horse, some day I'll manhandle -you." +you." </p> <p> -"Shiner knows you won't," the girl commented. +"Shiner knows you won't," the girl commented. </p> <p> -"He knows you're fond of him. You'll quirt him when he pitches, and -then give him an extra feed." +"He knows you're fond of him. You'll quirt him when he pitches, and +then give him an extra feed." </p> <p> -"Well, maybe," Casey admitted shamelessly. "I like the old hyena. I've +"Well, maybe," Casey admitted shamelessly. "I like the old hyena. I've frazzled out leather on his hide that cost more than he did, but I never went after him right. He certainly can drift when he has to. -What's the news, Sheila? All well at the ranch?" +What's the news, Sheila? All well at the ranch?" </p> <p> -She nodded, running a keen eye over his face. "All well. But you're the -news bureau, Casey." +She nodded, running a keen eye over his face. "All well. But you're the +news bureau, Casey." </p> <p> -"Am I?" he said. "Well, then, I haven't a piece of good news in my -saddlebags—not one." +"Am I?" he said. "Well, then, I haven't a piece of good news in my +saddlebags—not one." </p> <p> -"I knew it," she said. "Well, it can't be helped, Casey. There will be +"I knew it," she said. "Well, it can't be helped, Casey. There will be some way out. Let's go on to the ranch. Supper will be ready. Most of the men won't come till afterward. I won't be at your council of war, -but I want you to let me know just what you decide on." +but I want you to let me know just what you decide on." </p> <p> -"Of course," he replied. "You've got a better head than most men, -Sheila. I don't know what we will do—haven't a notion. It looks as -though we were up against a tough proposition." +"Of course," he replied. "You've got a better head than most men, +Sheila. I don't know what we will do—haven't a notion. It looks as +though we were up against a tough proposition." </p> <p> @@ -2189,7 +2201,7 @@ man, and for all his years carried himself as straight as a young pine. All his life had been spent on the frontier. He had seen it move westward, and had moved with it from the Great Lakes across the Great Plains. He had seen it vanish, as the wild pigeon and the buffalo had -gone—mysteriously, in a season, almost. Wheat fields, etched in green +gone—mysteriously, in a season, almost. Wheat fields, etched in green and gold, lay where he had made his lonely camps; orchards nestled by little lakes and in mountain valleys where he had trapped the beaver; strings of brass-bound, vestibuled coaches whirled where he had ridden @@ -2199,92 +2211,92 @@ past his prime, to the quiet life of a rancher. </p> <p> -"Light down, light down, Casey!" he called. "Put your cayuse in the +"Light down, light down, Casey!" he called. "Put your cayuse in the stable. Give me Beaver Boy, Sheila. Go up to the house and fix us some whiskey with a chip of ice in it, like a good girl. Stir up the Chink as you go through, and make him rustle supper in a hurry. We'll be -right in." He took his daughter's horse, and in the stable turned to +right in." He took his daughter's horse, and in the stable turned to Dunne. </p> <p> -"Well?" he demanded tersely. +"Well?" he demanded tersely. </p> <p> -"Nothing," Casey replied. "They stand their hand." +"Nothing," Casey replied. "They stand their hand." </p> <p> -"I was afraid of it," said McCrae. "And they outhold us, Casey." +"I was afraid of it," said McCrae. "And they outhold us, Casey." </p> <p> -"Yes. Too much money." +"Yes. Too much money." </p> <p> -"Will they buy us?" +"Will they buy us?" </p> <p> -"No. York offered to buy me. I was to be a decoy for the rest, I think. -I refused. Now he will freeze us out." +"No. York offered to buy me. I was to be a decoy for the rest, I think. +I refused. Now he will freeze us out." </p> <p> -"Will he?" said McCrae heavily. "Will he? Maybe so. And maybe——" He +"Will he?" said McCrae heavily. "Will he? Maybe so. And maybe——" He did not complete the sentence, but stood at the door, scowling at the -fair fields. "Twenty years back, Casey—yes, ten, even—if a man jumped +fair fields. "Twenty years back, Casey—yes, ten, even—if a man jumped my staking I'd have known what to do. We own this water. What's the -difference? Can't the law help us? Do we have to help ourselves?" +difference? Can't the law help us? Do we have to help ourselves?" </p> <p> -"It may come to that," Casey replied. "Yes, it's pretty nearly come to -that, McCrae. I saw a lawyer—one of the best in the business. He says -the odds are against us. They will appeal and appeal—carry it up to +"It may come to that," Casey replied. "Yes, it's pretty nearly come to +that, McCrae. I saw a lawyer—one of the best in the business. He says +the odds are against us. They will appeal and appeal—carry it up to the highest court. Meanwhile our land will be dry likely. We're out on -a limb. If we hang on they shoot, and if we drop off they skin us." +a limb. If we hang on they shoot, and if we drop off they skin us." </p> <p> -"I guess that's so," said McCrae. "It's a bad fix any way you look at +"I guess that's so," said McCrae. "It's a bad fix any way you look at it. There's the ranch. That ain't so much, far's I'm concerned. I've been broke before, and I can rustle for myself for years yet. But there's my wife and Sheila and Alec. It's theirs. I worked for them. It's all I've got to leave them. You see, Casey, I can't stand to lose -it." +it." </p> <p> -"I know," said Casey sympathetically. "It's a hard position. Look here, +"I know," said Casey sympathetically. "It's a hard position. Look here, Donald, if you wish it I'll vote for breaking our pool, and each man -doing the best he can for himself." +doing the best he can for himself." </p> <p> -"No, I didn't mean that," said McCrae. "The railway wouldn't give us a +"No, I didn't mean that," said McCrae. "The railway wouldn't give us a fair price, and nobody else would buy with this hanging over. I'll stick. But you, now, it's some different with you. You're young, you ain't married. It's your stake, of course, but then you've got time left you to get another. They offered to buy you out. I don't know but you'd best take their offer. That'll give you something to start on. -None of us will think the less of you for it." +None of us will think the less of you for it." </p> <p> -"The agreement was that we were to fight this to a finish. If we sold +"The agreement was that we were to fight this to a finish. If we sold out the railway was to buy all or none. If you can stay with that I -can." +can." </p> <p> -"But then, you see, Casey——" +"But then, you see, Casey——" </p> <p> -"I see, Donald. You know me better than that." +"I see, Donald. You know me better than that." </p> <p> @@ -2295,15 +2307,15 @@ great fur company. </p> <p> -"I do know ye, boy, and it is proud I will be of it. There's Sheila at -the door, callin' us. A toss of liquor and a bite—it will put the -heart in us again. We must cheer up for the women, lad." +"I do know ye, boy, and it is proud I will be of it. There's Sheila at +the door, callin' us. A toss of liquor and a bite—it will put the +heart in us again. We must cheer up for the women, lad." </p> <p> But in spite of this resolution supper was not a merry meal. Talk was -spasmodic, interrupted by long silences. Mrs. McCrae—slight, gentle, -motherly, with wavy silver hair—was plainly worried. Her husband +spasmodic, interrupted by long silences. Mrs. McCrae—slight, gentle, +motherly, with wavy silver hair—was plainly worried. Her husband brooded unconsciously over his plate. Sheila and Casey, conversing on topics which neither was thinking about, blundered ridiculously. And the son of the house, Alec McCrae, a wiry, hawk-faced young man of @@ -2343,49 +2355,49 @@ straining through the blue smoke at the speaker. </p> <p> -"And you couldn't get an injunction?" said Wyndham. +"And you couldn't get an injunction?" said Wyndham. </p> <p> -"No. The judge said that the mere fact of building a dam did not show -an intention to interfere with anybody's rights." +"No. The judge said that the mere fact of building a dam did not show +an intention to interfere with anybody's rights." </p> <p> -"Didn't—eh?" snapped Carter, at high tension. "Then I'd like to know -what would show it!" +"Didn't—eh?" snapped Carter, at high tension. "Then I'd like to know +what would show it!" </p> <p> -"So would I," said Dunne. "Anyway, what the judge said went. The long +"So would I," said Dunne. "Anyway, what the judge said went. The long and short of it is that we can't go to law till they actually take our water. Wade advises us to sell out if we can get a fair price. And -that's all I have to report, gentlemen." +that's all I have to report, gentlemen." </p> <p> -"A fair price!" exclaimed Carter. "That's all right to talk about—but -who'll give us one? The railway won't buy—it's cheaper to freeze us +"A fair price!" exclaimed Carter. "That's all right to talk about—but +who'll give us one? The railway won't buy—it's cheaper to freeze us out. Nobody else will. And, if it comes to that, what is a fair price? Land is boosting everywhere. If we sold now we'd just be robbing -ourselves." +ourselves." </p> <p> -"S'pose they starts to rustle our water and we go to law," said old -James, "does this here lawsuit tangle up things so's't we get plenty of -water till the case is tried?" +"S'pose they starts to rustle our water and we go to law," said old +James, "does this here lawsuit tangle up things so's't we get plenty of +water till the case is tried?" </p> <p> -"I'm afraid not," Casey replied. "That's the worst of it. Wade seemed +"I'm afraid not," Casey replied. "That's the worst of it. Wade seemed to think that once they got the water they could keep it until the case was settled by the last court of appeal. And that would put us out of -business." +business." </p> <p> -"It's sure a mean jack pot," said James. "It looks like they have it on +"It's sure a mean jack pot," said James. "It looks like they have it on us every way. The prospects for our emergin' winners ain't cheerin' none, but, gents, speakin' for myself alone, I wouldn't sell at no price. I'm aimin' to live where I be till you-alls beds me down for @@ -2394,7 +2406,7 @@ ca'tridge left. I may be froze out, but dog-gone my ol' hide if I'll be bluffed out. This here ain't none different from claim jumpin'. I own my water, and I'm goin' to keep on havin' it. And the man that shets it off will be mighty apt to see how they irrigate them green fields 'way -over yander 'cross the River Jordan." +over yander 'cross the River Jordan." </p> <p> @@ -2402,58 +2414,58 @@ His words were like fire in dry straw. </p> <p> -"That's right, Uncle Ike!" cried Carter. +"That's right, Uncle Ike!" cried Carter. </p> <p> -"By George I'm with you myself!" cried Wyndham. +"By George I'm with you myself!" cried Wyndham. </p> <p> -"<i>Moi aussi!</i>" exclaimed Brulé. "By damn, yes!" +"<i>Moi aussi!</i>" exclaimed Brulé. "By damn, yes!" </p> <p> -"Yes, let 'em try it!" cried young Alec McCrae, his eyes gleaming like -those of a fierce young hawk that sights its first quarry. "Let 'em try -it!" he repeated ominously, nodding to himself. +"Yes, let 'em try it!" cried young Alec McCrae, his eyes gleaming like +those of a fierce young hawk that sights its first quarry. "Let 'em try +it!" he repeated ominously, nodding to himself. </p> <p> But on the excitement of the others Donald McCrae's words fell like an -icy douche: "Men, this is plain foolishness. Alec, let me hear no more +icy douche: "Men, this is plain foolishness. Alec, let me hear no more of it from you. James, you should know better. We can't enforce claim -law here. The old days are gone." +law here. The old days are gone." </p> <p> -"I ain't gone yet, nor you ain't," old James replied, his eyes gleaming -balefully through slitted lids. "I give it out now that I don't set -quiet and see my ditches go dry. Long's the law won't help us—and the -law never gave no action in the West nohow—I'm goin' to help myself. I -ain't raisin' the long yell for partners, neither!" +"I ain't gone yet, nor you ain't," old James replied, his eyes gleaming +balefully through slitted lids. "I give it out now that I don't set +quiet and see my ditches go dry. Long's the law won't help us—and the +law never gave no action in the West nohow—I'm goin' to help myself. I +ain't raisin' the long yell for partners, neither!" </p> <p> -"You can't bring back the old days," McCrae repeated. "I stand to lose +"You can't bring back the old days," McCrae repeated. "I stand to lose as much as any man here, but shooting one or two men who are doing what -they are paid to do won't help us. You all know that." +they are paid to do won't help us. You all know that." </p> <p> -"That's so," Casey admitted. "That's the last thing we can afford to -do." +"That's so," Casey admitted. "That's the last thing we can afford to +do." </p> <p> -"Well, maybe you boys are right," said the old man reluctantly. "Maybe -I ain't up to date. But what you goin' to do? You got to do somethin'." +"Well, maybe you boys are right," said the old man reluctantly. "Maybe +I ain't up to date. But what you goin' to do? You got to do somethin'." </p> <p> -"Yes," said Wyndham. "They are getting ahead with their work. It won't +"Yes," said Wyndham. "They are getting ahead with their work. It won't be long till that dam is finished. Then they'll take the water from us, -that's certain." +that's certain." </p> <p> @@ -2461,13 +2473,13 @@ But here Big Oscar received an inspiration. He had been listening carefully, casting mildly inquiring blue eyes on the speakers. He was a good listener, was Oscar, and he seldom spoke. His mental engine, so far as could be judged by its verbal expression, turned over stiffly. -Apparently it had never been run enough to be smoothed down—at least +Apparently it had never been run enough to be smoothed down—at least in English. But his contribution to the debate at this juncture was noteworthy. Said he: </p> <p> -"Say, Ay tenk Ay blow dat dam, easy!" +"Say, Ay tenk Ay blow dat dam, easy!" </p> <p> @@ -2480,17 +2492,17 @@ the logical spot to strike. </p> <p> -"Good boy, Oscar," said Carter. "I believe that's the answer." +"Good boy, Oscar," said Carter. "I believe that's the answer." </p> <p> -"What do you think, McCrae?" asked Wyndham. +"What do you think, McCrae?" asked Wyndham. </p> <p> -"I'm against violence in any form," said McCrae slowly. "But they are +"I'm against violence in any form," said McCrae slowly. "But they are forcing it on us. They want to steal our ranches. It amounts to that. -This is the only thing we can do, and when we do it we'll do it right." +This is the only thing we can do, and when we do it we'll do it right." </p> <p> @@ -2499,25 +2511,25 @@ whispered to his neighbour: </p> <p> -"This here Highland Scotch stock is sure a funny proposition. What they +"This here Highland Scotch stock is sure a funny proposition. What they start with a pra'ar they're mighty apt to end with a gun. Ol' Donald's -a sure-'nough wolf when he gets goin'." +a sure-'nough wolf when he gets goin'." </p> <p> -"And you, Dunne?" asked Wyndham. +"And you, Dunne?" asked Wyndham. </p> <p> -"I'm in. I guess it's a case. Oscar, you have a great head. When shall -we start the fireworks, and who's to start 'em?" +"I'm in. I guess it's a case. Oscar, you have a great head. When shall +we start the fireworks, and who's to start 'em?" </p> <p> Oscar, flattered by the compliment and the unusual attention, picked up -his hat. "Ay ban good powder man. Ay tenk Ay start him now when Ay gat -some powder," said he. He smiled at them serenely. "Mebbe if t'ree, -four you faller come by me you svear Ay ban home all night?" he +his hat. "Ay ban good powder man. Ay tenk Ay start him now when Ay gat +some powder," said he. He smiled at them serenely. "Mebbe if t'ree, +four you faller come by me you svear Ay ban home all night?" he suggested ingenuously. </p> @@ -2543,9 +2555,9 @@ Talapus Ranch one and all in better spirits than they had come. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER V -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -2582,7 +2594,7 @@ work. </p> <p> -"I'll send Farwell down there," said York, speaking to Carrol, who was +"I'll send Farwell down there," said York, speaking to Carrol, who was the head of his land department. </p> @@ -2602,12 +2614,12 @@ importation of an outsider. </p> <p> -"No need to send Farwell," said he. "We can look after it ourselves." +"No need to send Farwell," said he. "We can look after it ourselves." </p> <p> -"Farwell's the best man we can have there if anything goes wrong," said -York positively. "He'll bring these ranchers to time. I'll send him." +"Farwell's the best man we can have there if anything goes wrong," said +York positively. "He'll bring these ranchers to time. I'll send him." </p> <p> @@ -2644,7 +2656,7 @@ Although it was only spring, the road which wound from nowhere between the unsightly shacks was ankle deep in dust. The day was unseasonably warm, the air still. The dust lay on the young leaves of the occasional clumps of cottonwoods, and seemed to impregnate the air so that it was -perceptible to the nostrils—a warm, dry, midsummer smell, elusive, but +perceptible to the nostrils—a warm, dry, midsummer smell, elusive, but pervasive. The whole land swam and shimmered in hot sunshine. The unpainted buildings danced in it, blurring with the heat waves. Save for the occasional green of cottonwoods, the land lay in the brown @@ -2666,7 +2678,7 @@ him the engineer addressed himself. </p> <p> -"I'm Farwell," said he. +"I'm Farwell," said he. </p> <p> @@ -2676,53 +2688,53 @@ strange, pungent odour assailed Farwell's nostrils. </p> <p> -"What did yez say?" he asked. "Onforch'nately me right a-cowstick organ +"What did yez say?" he asked. "Onforch'nately me right a-cowstick organ is temp'rar'ly to the bad from shootin' a po-o-olecat. The gun busted on me, and I massacreed the marauder wid an ax. Did iver ye disthroy a skunk wid an ax? Then don't. Avoid mixin' it wid the od'riferous -animals. Faix, I've buried me clothes—it was a new nightshirt, a -flannel wan that I had on—and scrubbed meself wid kerosene and +animals. Faix, I've buried me clothes—it was a new nightshirt, a +flannel wan that I had on—and scrubbed meself wid kerosene and whale-oil soap that I keep f'r the dog, and I'm no bed of vi'lets yet. I can see ye wrinkle yer nose, and I don't blame yez. I'll move to the down-wind side of yez. Ye see, it was like this: The t'ief iv the -wurruld was in me chicken house——" +wurruld was in me chicken house——" </p> <p> -"I said I was Farwell," that gentleman interrupted. +"I said I was Farwell," that gentleman interrupted. </p> <p> -"Farrel, is ut?" said the station agent. "I knowed a Farrel thirty +"Farrel, is ut?" said the station agent. "I knowed a Farrel thirty years gone. W'u'd he be yer father, now? His people come from Munster, if I mind right. Ye do not favour him, but maybe ye take after yer mother. Still, I'm thinkin' ye can't be his son, on account of yer age; -though he turned Mormon, and I heerd——" +though he turned Mormon, and I heerd——" </p> <p> -"I said Farwell, not Farrel," the engineer interpolated. "Richard K. -Farwell." He thought it all the introduction necessary. +"I said Farwell, not Farrel," the engineer interpolated. "Richard K. +Farwell." He thought it all the introduction necessary. </p> <p> -The station agent extended a welcoming hand. "Me own name is C. P. -Quilty," said he, "the initials indicatin' Cornelius Patrick, and I'm +The station agent extended a welcoming hand. "Me own name is C. P. +Quilty," said he, "the initials indicatin' Cornelius Patrick, and I'm glad to know ye. There's mighty few drummers stops off here now, but -trade's bound to pick up, wid the land boom an' all." A sidelong glance -at the perfecto clenched between Farwell's teeth. "W'u'd seegyars be +trade's bound to pick up, wid the land boom an' all." A sidelong glance +at the perfecto clenched between Farwell's teeth. "W'u'd seegyars be yer line, now? I'm a judge of a seegyar meself, though the bum smokes they do be makin' nowadays has dhruv me to the pipe. No offense to you, Mr. Farrel, for no doubt ye carry a better line nor most. If ye like -I'll introduce ye to Bob Shiller, that keeps the hotel——" +I'll introduce ye to Bob Shiller, that keeps the hotel——" </p> <p> -"Look here," snapped Farwell, at the end of his patience, "I'm Farwell, +"Look here," snapped Farwell, at the end of his patience, "I'm Farwell, the engineer come down to take charge of this irrigation job. I want to know if there are any telegrams for me, and where the devil the camp is, and how I get to it. And that's about all I want to know, except -whether I can get a bath at this hotel of Shiller's." +whether I can get a bath at this hotel of Shiller's." </p> <p> @@ -2730,8 +2742,8 @@ And Cornelius Patrick Quilty shook hands with him again. </p> <p> -"To think iv me takin' ye fur a drummer, now!" he exclaimed in -self-reproach. "Sure, I've often heard of yez. I live over beyant, in +"To think iv me takin' ye fur a drummer, now!" he exclaimed in +self-reproach. "Sure, I've often heard of yez. I live over beyant, in the shack wid the picket fince on wan side iv ut. The other sides blowed down in a dust storm a year gone, and I will erect them some day when I have time. But ye can't miss me place, more be token half the @@ -2741,12 +2753,12 @@ have much to talk over. No doubt ye have been referred to me for details iv the disturbin' rumours. Well, it's this wa-ay: I am in the service iv the comp'ny, and I dhraw me pay wid regularity, praise be, so that I w'u'd not for a moment think of questionin' the wisdom iv the -policy iv me superiors——" +policy iv me superiors——" </p> <p> -"That's right—don't!" snapped Farwell. "Now, get me those telegrams, -if there are any, and tell me what I want to know." +"That's right—don't!" snapped Farwell. "Now, get me those telegrams, +if there are any, and tell me what I want to know." </p> <p> @@ -2754,58 +2766,58 @@ A hurt look crept into Mr. Quilty's eyes of faded blue. </p> <p> -"I regret that I have no messages for ye, <i>sor</i>," said he. "The +"I regret that I have no messages for ye, <i>sor</i>," said he. "The comp'ny's land agent, Mr. Sleeman, will take ye wherever ye want to go in his autymobile. Ye will see his sign as ye go uptown. But, speakin' as man to man, Mr. Farwell, and havin' the interests of thim that pays -me to heart, I w'u'd venture on a little advice." +me to heart, I w'u'd venture on a little advice." </p> <p> -"Well, what is it?" asked Farwell. +"Well, what is it?" asked Farwell. </p> <p> -"It's this," said Quilty. "The men hereabouts—the ranchers—is sore. +"It's this," said Quilty. "The men hereabouts—the ranchers—is sore. Don't make them sorer. Duty is duty, and must be done, iv coorse. But -do ut as aisy as ye can." He broke off, eying two riders who were +do ut as aisy as ye can." He broke off, eying two riders who were approaching the station. </p> <p> -"Who are those people?" asked Farwell. +"Who are those people?" asked Farwell. </p> <p> -"The man is Misther Casey Dunne, and the young leddy is Miss Sheila -McCrae," Quilty informed him. +"The man is Misther Casey Dunne, and the young leddy is Miss Sheila +McCrae," Quilty informed him. </p> <p> -"I've heard of Dunne," said Farwell, who had done so from York. "Who's -the McCrae girl? Is she one of the same bunch?" +"I've heard of Dunne," said Farwell, who had done so from York. "Who's +the McCrae girl? Is she one of the same bunch?" </p> <p> -"<i>Miss</i> McCrae is a <i>leddy</i>," said Quilty, with quiet -dignity. "And Casey Dunne is—is a dom good friend of mine." +"<i>Miss</i> McCrae is a <i>leddy</i>," said Quilty, with quiet +dignity. "And Casey Dunne is—is a dom good friend of mine." </p> <p> The riders drew up at the platform, and Casey Dunne hailed the agent. -"Hallo, Corney! Any freight for Talapus or Chakchak?" The last was the +"Hallo, Corney! Any freight for Talapus or Chakchak?" The last was the name of his own ranch, and in the Chinook jargon signified an eagle. </p> <p> -"Freight for both iv yez," Quilty replied. "But sure ye won't be takin' +"Freight for both iv yez," Quilty replied. "But sure ye won't be takin' it on the cayuses. Howdy, Miss Sheila! Will ye 'light and try the comp'ny's ice wather wid a shot iv a limon, or shall I bring ye a -pitcher?" +pitcher?" </p> <p> -"I'll 'light, Mr. Quilty, thank you," said Sheila. She swung down from +"I'll 'light, Mr. Quilty, thank you," said Sheila. She swung down from Beaver Boy, letting the lines trail, and Dunne dropped off Shiner. </p> @@ -2815,17 +2827,17 @@ and bowed to the girl, but did not offer his hand to Casey Dunne. </p> <p> -"I've heard of you—from York," he said meaningly. +"I've heard of you—from York," he said meaningly. </p> <p> -"I've heard that Mr. York has a wonderful memory for faces and names," -said Casey. "Quite flattering to be remembered by him. I've only met -him once." +"I've heard that Mr. York has a wonderful memory for faces and names," +said Casey. "Quite flattering to be remembered by him. I've only met +him once." </p> <p> -"He remembers you very well," Farwell returned dryly. +"He remembers you very well," Farwell returned dryly. </p> <p> @@ -2858,16 +2870,16 @@ in that confounded desert. </p> <p> -"No," he said, "York doesn't forget much. And he hears quite a lot, +"No," he said, "York doesn't forget much. And he hears quite a lot, too. I've come down to finish this dam, and complete the irrigation -ditches, and I'm going to rush the job." +ditches, and I'm going to rush the job." </p> <p> -"It's pretty well along, I hear," Dunne commented. "You'll be putting +"It's pretty well along, I hear," Dunne commented. "You'll be putting the finishing touches to it pretty soon. Quite a nice piece of work, that. You want to be careful of the sidehill ditches, though. They -wash, sometimes." +wash, sometimes." </p> <p> @@ -2876,25 +2888,25 @@ other's tone. It was impersonal, as if he were not at all concerned. </p> <p> -"I'll be careful enough," he returned. He would have liked to tell +"I'll be careful enough," he returned. He would have liked to tell Dunne that he was also prepared to take care of any trouble that might arise, but on second thought he decided to wait for a better opening. -"I'll be plenty careful of a good many things," he added significantly. +"I'll be plenty careful of a good many things," he added significantly. </p> <p> -"Nothing like it," Dunne rejoined. "Water finds the weak spots every +"Nothing like it," Dunne rejoined. "Water finds the weak spots every time. Well, good morning, Mr. Farwell. Glad to see you at my ranch any -time. Ask anybody where it is." +time. Ask anybody where it is." </p> <p> Farwell stared after him for a moment, a little puzzled and by no means satisfied with himself. He had come openly contemptuous of the ranchers, thinking of them as rough, unlettered farmers who must -necessarily stand in awe of him. But here was a different type. "Pretty -smooth proposition, that Dunne," he growled to himself. "'Water finds -the weak spots,' hey! Now, I wonder what he meant by that?" +necessarily stand in awe of him. But here was a different type. "Pretty +smooth proposition, that Dunne," he growled to himself. "'Water finds +the weak spots,' hey! Now, I wonder what he meant by that?" </p> <p> @@ -2911,131 +2923,131 @@ pipe. </p> <p> -"What's in these yarns, anyhow?" Farwell asked, when they had got down +"What's in these yarns, anyhow?" Farwell asked, when they had got down to business. </p> <p> -"Ask me something easier," Sleeman replied. "I gave headquarters all I -heard. If I were you I'd keep my eyes open." +"Ask me something easier," Sleeman replied. "I gave headquarters all I +heard. If I were you I'd keep my eyes open." </p> <p> -"I'll do that," said Farwell. "These fellows always do a lot of -talking, and let it go at that." +"I'll do that," said Farwell. "These fellows always do a lot of +talking, and let it go at that." </p> <p> -"Not here," said Sleeman. "The men who will be affected aren't doing +"Not here," said Sleeman. "The men who will be affected aren't doing any talking at all. That looks bad to me. They are just standing pat and saying nothing. But you can bet they are doing some thinking. -Mighty bad lot to run up against if they start anything—old-timers, +Mighty bad lot to run up against if they start anything—old-timers, ex-punchers, prospectors, freighters, and fur men, with a sprinkling of straight farmers. The worst of it is that these rumours are hurting us -already, and they'll hurt us worse." +already, and they'll hurt us worse." </p> <p> -"How?" +"How?" </p> <p> -"Landlookers hear them, and shy off. No man wants to buy into a feud -with his neighbours—to buy land with water that somebody else thinks +"Landlookers hear them, and shy off. No man wants to buy into a feud +with his neighbours—to buy land with water that somebody else thinks he ought to have. Before I can make a showing in actual sales this -thing has got to be settled." +thing has got to be settled." </p> <p> -"Huh!" said Farwell. "Well, I'll finish the job, and turn the water +"Huh!" said Farwell. "Well, I'll finish the job, and turn the water down the ditches, and that's all I have to do. I met one of these -fellows at the station—Dunne, his name is." +fellows at the station—Dunne, his name is." </p> <p> -"Oh, you met Casey Dunne. And what do you think of him?" +"Oh, you met Casey Dunne. And what do you think of him?" </p> <p> -"Don't like him; he's too smooth. Looked me square in the eye, and told +"Don't like him; he's too smooth. Looked me square in the eye, and told me to be careful with sidehill ditches, and so on, just as if it didn't affect him at all. Too innocent for me. I had a notion to tell him he -wasn't fooling me a little bit." +wasn't fooling me a little bit." </p> <p> -"H'm!" said Sleeman. "Well, I give Casey credit for being a good man. -He has a big stake here—owns a lot of land besides his ranch. It's -make or break with him." +"H'm!" said Sleeman. "Well, I give Casey credit for being a good man. +He has a big stake here—owns a lot of land besides his ranch. It's +make or break with him." </p> <p> -"Then I'm sorry for him. He had a girl with him—McCrae her name is. -Who's she?" +"Then I'm sorry for him. He had a girl with him—McCrae her name is. +Who's she?" </p> <p> -"Her father owns Talapus Ranch. It's the biggest and best here. Good -people, the McCraes." +"Her father owns Talapus Ranch. It's the biggest and best here. Good +people, the McCraes." </p> <p> -"And I suppose Dunne's going to marry her? Is that it?" +"And I suppose Dunne's going to marry her? Is that it?" </p> <p> -"I never heard so. But if he is I don't blame him; she's all right, -that girl." +"I never heard so. But if he is I don't blame him; she's all right, +that girl." </p> <p> Farwell grunted. He had rather liked Sheila's looks, but, being a man of violent prejudices, and disliking Dunne instinctively, he found it -easy to dislike his friends. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do," he -announced. "I'm going to put it up to these fellows straight the first +easy to dislike his friends. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do," he +announced. "I'm going to put it up to these fellows straight the first chance I get that we don't care a hang for anything they may do. If -they want trouble they can come a-running." +they want trouble they can come a-running." </p> <p> -"Well," Sleeman commented, "of course, I'm here to sell land. The +"Well," Sleeman commented, "of course, I'm here to sell land. The company is my boss, and naturally I back its play. But my personal opinion is that it would have been better to have bought those fellows out, even at fancy prices, than to ride over them roughshod. They're -sore now, and you can't wonder at it. If I were you I'd go easy—just -as easy as I could." +sore now, and you can't wonder at it. If I were you I'd go easy—just +as easy as I could." </p> <p> -"Nonsense!" snorted Farwell. "That's what that old fool of a mick down +"Nonsense!" snorted Farwell. "That's what that old fool of a mick down at the station told me. How the devil does the company happen to have -such an old fossil on the job?" +such an old fossil on the job?" </p> <p> -"Quilty's a left-over from construction days. He's been here ever since +"Quilty's a left-over from construction days. He's been here ever since steel was laid. They say he averted a bad smash once by sheer nerve or pure Irish luck. Anyway, he has a sort of guarantee of his job for -life. Not a bad old boy when you get to know him." +life. Not a bad old boy when you get to know him." </p> <p> -"He ought to be fired, and a younger man put in his place," said -Farwell. "He talks too much. Good Lord! He's like an endless record!" +"He ought to be fired, and a younger man put in his place," said +Farwell. "He talks too much. Good Lord! He's like an endless record!" </p> <p> -"Pshaw! What do you care?" said Sleeman. "He's better than a talking +"Pshaw! What do you care?" said Sleeman. "He's better than a talking machine in this place. Well, come over to the hotel, and afterward I'll -run you out to the camp." +run you out to the camp." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER VI -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -3062,124 +3074,124 @@ decidedly aggressive angle. </p> <p> -"A penny for them, Casey!" +"A penny for them, Casey!" </p> <p> -"Take 'em free," he returned. "I was wondering whether we had any +"Take 'em free," he returned. "I was wondering whether we had any chance to beat this game, and I can't see it. The bank roll against us is too big. It will get our little pile in the end, just as sure as -fate." +fate." </p> <p> -"Well, you can't help that, can you?" she commented sharply. "What do -you want to do—lie down and quit? You wouldn't do that. Brace up!" +"Well, you can't help that, can you?" she commented sharply. "What do +you want to do—lie down and quit? You wouldn't do that. Brace up!" </p> <p> -"That's the talk," he acknowledged. "That's what I need now and then. -Perhaps I get a pessimistic view when I'm trying for an impartial one." +"That's the talk," he acknowledged. "That's what I need now and then. +Perhaps I get a pessimistic view when I'm trying for an impartial one." </p> <p> -"What do you think of this Farwell person?" +"What do you think of this Farwell person?" </p> <p> -"Farwell represents the railway in more ways than one. He takes what he -wants—if he's strong enough. He's some bully—and so is the railway. -But he isn't a bluff—and neither is the railway. He's had -experience—plenty of it—and, on a guess, I should say that he is sent +"Farwell represents the railway in more ways than one. He takes what he +wants—if he's strong enough. He's some bully—and so is the railway. +But he isn't a bluff—and neither is the railway. He's had +experience—plenty of it—and, on a guess, I should say that he is sent down here to take care of any trouble that may start. He is hostile -already. You can see it." +already. You can see it." </p> <p> -"Yes." And after a moment's silence she asked: "What is going to start, -Casey?" +"Yes." And after a moment's silence she asked: "What is going to start, +Casey?" </p> <p> -"I don't know exactly." +"I don't know exactly." </p> <p> -"Of course you know. Dad won't say a word, and Sandy makes wise remarks +"Of course you know. Dad won't say a word, and Sandy makes wise remarks about girls who try to butt into men's affairs. I'm left out, and it's -the first time <i>that</i> has ever happened to me. Nice, isn't it?" +the first time <i>that</i> has ever happened to me. Nice, isn't it?" </p> <p> -"No, it's confoundedly annoying. All the same, Sheila, they're quite -right." +"No, it's confoundedly annoying. All the same, Sheila, they're quite +right." </p> <p> -"But why? I'm no silly kid—no chattering, gossipy young lady. I have +"But why? I'm no silly kid—no chattering, gossipy young lady. I have as much interest in the ranch as Sandy. I know as much about it and the work of it as he does, and I do my share of it. Even Mr. Dunne has occasionally honoured me by asking for my opinion. And now I'm left out -like a child. It isn't fair." +like a child. It isn't fair." </p> <p> -"From that angle it looks rather raw," he acknowledged. "Still, it's +"From that angle it looks rather raw," he acknowledged. "Still, it's better that you shouldn't know. In that case you can't be forced to -give evidence against your own people and your friends." +give evidence against your own people and your friends." </p> <p> -She glanced at him, a little startled. "What rot, Casey!" +She glanced at him, a little startled. "What rot, Casey!" </p> <p> -"Not a bit of it. Anything we can do must be against the law. Suspicion -will be directed at us from the outset. You must see that." +"Not a bit of it. Anything we can do must be against the law. Suspicion +will be directed at us from the outset. You must see that." </p> <p> -"Yes, I see it," she assented thoughtfully. "Very well, I'll be good to +"Yes, I see it," she assented thoughtfully. "Very well, I'll be good to the extent of not asking questions. But you can't expect me to be deaf -and blind." +and blind." </p> <p> -"Of course not," he assented and began to talk of the ranch work. She +"Of course not," he assented and began to talk of the ranch work. She listened, making occasional shrewd comments, offering suggestions which showed that she understood such matters thoroughly. </p> <p> -"Why shouldn't we ride around by Chakchak?" she asked. "I haven't seen +"Why shouldn't we ride around by Chakchak?" she asked. "I haven't seen it for a month, and there's plenty of day left. And then I can go on to -Talapus by myself." +Talapus by myself." </p> <p> -"Trying to shake me?" +"Trying to shake me?" </p> <p> -"No. But why should you trail along with me? I've ridden all over the -country alone. I do it every day." +"No. But why should you trail along with me? I've ridden all over the +country alone. I do it every day." </p> <p> -"Hush, Sheila! Let me tell you a secret. I ride with you because I like -to." +"Hush, Sheila! Let me tell you a secret. I ride with you because I like +to." </p> <p> -"Oh, blarney! That's what it is to have a mick ancestry. I suppose I'll +"Oh, blarney! That's what it is to have a mick ancestry. I suppose I'll have to own up that if I didn't like you to ride with me I wouldn't let -you do it." +you do it." </p> <p> Casey grinned. Their mutual liking was genuine and so far -unsentimental. They were of the same breed—the breed of the -pioneer—and their hearts held the same seldom-voiced but deeply rooted +unsentimental. They were of the same breed—the breed of the +pioneer—and their hearts held the same seldom-voiced but deeply rooted love for the same things; the great, sun-washed spaces winnowed by the clean winds, the rosy dawns, violet dusks and nights when the earth scents hung heavy, almost palpable, clinging to the nostrils, the @@ -3189,17 +3201,17 @@ of space in which to live and breathe and turn freely. </p> <p> -"The present time being inopportune, and Shiner's temper too uncertain -for a further avowal of my sentiments," he said, "I suggest that we +"The present time being inopportune, and Shiner's temper too uncertain +for a further avowal of my sentiments," he said, "I suggest that we turn off here and hit a few high spots for Chakchak. Stir up that slothful cayuse of yours. Maybe there's a lope left in him somewhere. -See if you can comb it out with a quirt." +See if you can comb it out with a quirt." </p> <p> -"I like your nerve!" she exclaimed. "Beaver Boy can run the heart out +"I like your nerve!" she exclaimed. "Beaver Boy can run the heart out of that old buzzard-head of yours and come in dry-haired. Come on, or -take my dust!" +take my dust!" </p> <p> @@ -3237,15 +3249,15 @@ vibrated and began to sing. <p> It invested her momentarily with a new quality, a new personality. She was no longer the Sheila McCrae he had known so well. She was the -Spirit of the Land, a part of it—she was Sheila of the West; and her +Spirit of the Land, a part of it—she was Sheila of the West; and her heritage was plain and mountain, gleaming lake and rushing river, its -miles numbered by thousands, its acres by millions—a land for a new +miles numbered by thousands, its acres by millions—a land for a new nation. </p> <p> -How many Sheilas, he wondered—young, strong, clean of blood, straight -of limb—had ridden since the beginning of time into the new lands, and +How many Sheilas, he wondered—young, strong, clean of blood, straight +of limb—had ridden since the beginning of time into the new lands, and borne their part in peopling them. Fifty years before, her prototypes had ridden beside the line of crawling, creaking prairie schooners across the great plains toward the setting sun; little more than fifty @@ -3255,12 +3267,12 @@ Ground, beside buckskin-clad, deckard-armed frontiersmen. Perhaps, centuries before that, her ancestresses had ridden with burly, skin-clad warriors out of the great forests of northern Europe down to the pleasant weaker south. But surely she was the peer of any of -them—this woman riding knee to knee with him, the sloping sun in her +them—this woman riding knee to knee with him, the sloping sun in her clear, brown eyes, and the warm, sweet winds kissing her cheeks! </p> <p> -And so Casey Dunne dreamed as he rode—dreamed as he had not dreamed +And so Casey Dunne dreamed as he rode—dreamed as he had not dreamed waking since the days when, a little boy, he had lain on warm sands beside a blue inland sea on summer's afternoons and watched the patched sails of the stone hookers, and the wheeling, gray lake gulls, and @@ -3291,29 +3303,29 @@ stretching her limbs frankly after the hard ride. </p> <p> -"That's <i>going</i>," she said. "Beaver Boy was a brute to hold; he +"That's <i>going</i>," she said. "Beaver Boy was a brute to hold; he wanted to race Shiner. He nearly got away from me once. My wrists are -actually lame." She drew off her long buckskin gauntlets, flexing her +actually lame." She drew off her long buckskin gauntlets, flexing her wrists cautiously, straightening her fingers, prolonging the luxury of relaxing the cramped sinews. </p> <p> -"Let us now eat, drink, and be merry," said Casey, "for -to-morrow—well, never mind that. But what would you like? Coffee, tea, -claret lemonade? Tell me what you want." +"Let us now eat, drink, and be merry," said Casey, "for +to-morrow—well, never mind that. But what would you like? Coffee, tea, +claret lemonade? Tell me what you want." </p> <p> -"Too hot for tea. I'd like a dust eraser—a cold drink about a yard -long." +"Too hot for tea. I'd like a dust eraser—a cold drink about a yard +long." </p> <p> -"Hey, you, Feng!" Casey cried, to a white-aproned, grinning Chinaman, -"you catch two ice drink quick—<i>hiyu</i> ice, you savvy! Catch +"Hey, you, Feng!" Casey cried, to a white-aproned, grinning Chinaman, +"you catch two ice drink quick—<i>hiyu</i> ice, you savvy! Catch claret wine, catch cracker, catch cake. Missy <i>hiyu</i> dry, -<i>hiyu</i> hungry. Get a hustle on you, now!" +<i>hiyu</i> hungry. Get a hustle on you, now!" </p> <p> @@ -3323,7 +3335,7 @@ bungalow. </p> <p> -"Stretch out and be comfy while he's rustling it," said Casey, +"Stretch out and be comfy while he's rustling it," said Casey, indicating a couch. He himself fell into a huge wicker chair, flung his hat carelessly at the table, and reached for a cigar box. </p> @@ -3344,13 +3356,13 @@ civilization. <p> But in a moment Sheila was on her feet, arranging, straightening. -"You're awfully untidy, Casey!" she said. +"You're awfully untidy, Casey!" she said. </p> <p> Indeed her comment was justified. The long table in the centre of the room was a litter of newspapers, magazines, old letters, pipes, and -tobacco. Odd tools—a hammer, a file, a wrench, and a brad awl—mingled +tobacco. Odd tools—a hammer, a file, a wrench, and a brad awl—mingled with them. On top of the medley lay a heavy revolver, with the cylinder swung out and empty, a box of cartridges, a dirty rag, and an oil can. In one corner stood half a dozen rifles and shotguns. From a set of @@ -3359,72 +3371,72 @@ of muddy boots. The last roused Sheila's indignation. </p> <p> -"Whatever do you hang up boots in your sitting room for?" she demanded. +"Whatever do you hang up boots in your sitting room for?" she demanded. </p> <p> -"Why, you see," he explained, "they were wet, and I hung 'em up to dry. -I guess I forgot 'em. It's not the right place, that's a fact." He +"Why, you see," he explained, "they were wet, and I hung 'em up to dry. +I guess I forgot 'em. It's not the right place, that's a fact." He rose, took down the offending footgear, and tossed them through the open door into the next room. They thumped on the floor, and Sheila was not placated. </p> <p> -"That's just as bad. Why, they were covered with dried mud, and now +"That's just as bad. Why, they were covered with dried mud, and now it's all over the floor. You're shockingly careless. Don't you know -that that makes work?" +that that makes work?" </p> <p> -"For Feng, you mean. That's what I pay him for—only he doesn't do it." +"For Feng, you mean. That's what I pay him for—only he doesn't do it." </p> <p> But she shook her head, brushing the excuse aside as trifling, -unsatisfactory. "It's a bad habit. I pity your wife, Casey." +unsatisfactory. "It's a bad habit. I pity your wife, Casey." </p> <p> -"Poor thing!" +"Poor thing!" </p> <p> -"When you get one, I mean." +"When you get one, I mean." </p> <p> -"Time enough to sympathize then. Now, Sheila, if it's all the same to +"Time enough to sympathize then. Now, Sheila, if it's all the same to you, don't muss that table up. I know where to find everything the way -it is." +it is." </p> <p> -"Muss it up! I like that!" she responded. "Why, of all the old +"Muss it up! I like that!" she responded. "Why, of all the old <i>junk</i>! Haven't you got a tool house? And it's an inch deep in -dust." She extended her fingers in proof. "That dirty rag! And a gun +dust." She extended her fingers in proof. "That dirty rag! And a gun and cartridges there for any one to pick up! You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Don't you know better than that? Don't you know you shouldn't leave firearms and ammunition together? It's as bad as leaving them -loaded, almost." +loaded, almost." </p> <p> -"That's Tom's gun. Sail into him." +"That's Tom's gun. Sail into him." </p> <p> -"You shouldn't allow it." +"You shouldn't allow it." </p> <p> -"Allow it! I never touch another man's gun. Nobody comes in here but -Feng, and he doesn't matter. What's a Chink more or less?" +"Allow it! I never touch another man's gun. Nobody comes in here but +Feng, and he doesn't matter. What's a Chink more or less?" </p> <p> -"But it's the <i>principle</i>. And what's this—down here? Why, Casey, -it's—it's a <i>hen!</i>" +"But it's the <i>principle</i>. And what's this—down here? Why, Casey, +it's—it's a <i>hen!</i>" </p> <p> @@ -3433,35 +3445,35 @@ cigar box, squatted a white fowl, very intent upon her own affairs. </p> <p> -"Shoo!" said Sheila. But the bird merely cocked a bright eye at her, +"Shoo!" said Sheila. But the bird merely cocked a bright eye at her, and uttered a little warning, throaty sound. Casey laughed. </p> <p> -"That's Fluffy, and she's a lady friend of mine. Poor old Fluff, poor -old girl! Don't scare her, Sheila. Can't you see she's busy?" +"That's Fluffy, and she's a lady friend of mine. Poor old Fluff, poor +old girl! Don't scare her, Sheila. Can't you see she's busy?" </p> <p> -"Casey Dunne, do you mean to tell me that you allow a hen to lay in -your sitting room, on your <i>table?</i>" +"Casey Dunne, do you mean to tell me that you allow a hen to lay in +your sitting room, on your <i>table?</i>" </p> <p> -"Of course—when she's a nice little chicken like Fluffy. Why not? She -doesn't do any harm." +"Of course—when she's a nice little chicken like Fluffy. Why not? She +doesn't do any harm." </p> <p> -"I never heard of such a thing. The place for hens is in the chicken -run. Casey, you're simply <i>awful!</i> Your wife—oh, heavens, what a -life she'll have!" +"I never heard of such a thing. The place for hens is in the chicken +run. Casey, you're simply <i>awful!</i> Your wife—oh, heavens, what a +life she'll have!" </p> <p> -"Nobody could help liking Fluff," he replied. "She's really good +"Nobody could help liking Fluff," he replied. "She's really good company. I wish I could talk her talk. She has a fine line of -conversation if I could only savvy it." +conversation if I could only savvy it." </p> <p> @@ -3473,14 +3485,14 @@ understand. </p> <p> -But Feng entered with the two "ice drink"—a tray containing long +But Feng entered with the two "ice drink"—a tray containing long glasses, tinkling ice, claret, lemons, cake, and biscuits. He set the tray upon the table. As he did so his hand came in contact with Fluffy. With a rasping cry of indignation she pecked him. </p> <p> -"Hyah!" cried Feng, startled, and reached for her impulsively. +"Hyah!" cried Feng, startled, and reached for her impulsively. </p> <p> @@ -3491,15 +3503,15 @@ mingling with her clamour. </p> <p> -"What foh?" yelled Feng, in a fury. "Jim Kli, dam chickum spoiley icey -dlink. <i>Hiyu</i> no good—all same son of a gun! S'pose me catch him, -ling him neck!" And he darted after the hen, on vengeance bent. +"What foh?" yelled Feng, in a fury. "Jim Kli, dam chickum spoiley icey +dlink. <i>Hiyu</i> no good—all same son of a gun! S'pose me catch him, +ling him neck!" And he darted after the hen, on vengeance bent. </p> <p> -But Casey caught him by the collar. "Never mind, Feng. That chicken all +But Casey caught him by the collar. "Never mind, Feng. That chicken all same my <i>tillikum</i>, you savvy. <i>Hiyu</i> good chicken; lay -<i>hiyu</i> egg. You catch more ice drink!" +<i>hiyu</i> egg. You catch more ice drink!" </p> <p> @@ -3511,10 +3523,10 @@ and gasped for breath. </p> <p> -"Oh—oh!" she protested weakly; "my side hurts. I haven't had such a +"Oh—oh!" she protested weakly; "my side hurts. I haven't had such a laugh for ages. Oh, Casey, that chicken all same my friend now, too. -It's coming to her. That Chink—how mad he was! But what a mess! And -claret stains so. Your rug——" +It's coming to her. That Chink—how mad he was! But what a mess! And +claret stains so. Your rug——" </p> <p> @@ -3532,31 +3544,31 @@ nourishment from Virginia leaf. He and Sheila were the best of friends. </p> <p> -"Howdy, Miss Sheila!" he greeted her. "I sure thought there was +"Howdy, Miss Sheila!" he greeted her. "I sure thought there was hostiles in the house. What you doin' to that there Chink? He's cussin' -scand'lous. Casey been up to some of his devilment?" +scand'lous. Casey been up to some of his devilment?" </p> <p> -"Come in and join us, Tom," said Casey. "Feng had a run-in with Fluff. -Result, one bottle of claret and two glasses gone to glory." +"Come in and join us, Tom," said Casey. "Feng had a run-in with Fluff. +Result, one bottle of claret and two glasses gone to glory." </p> <p> -"Also one Chink on the warpath," McHale added. "If I was in the +"Also one Chink on the warpath," McHale added. "If I was in the insurance business I wouldn't write no policy on that there hen. She's surely due to be soup flavourin'. She ain't got no more show than if -the Oriental was a coon. He's talkin' now 'bout goin' back to China." +the Oriental was a coon. He's talkin' now 'bout goin' back to China." </p> <p> -"He always does when he gets a grouch. I wish I could get a white man." +"He always does when he gets a grouch. I wish I could get a white man." </p> <p> -"A white man that <i>can</i> cook hates to stay sober long enough to -build a bannock," said McHale. "Chink grub has one flavour, but it -comes reg'lar, there's that about it." +"A white man that <i>can</i> cook hates to stay sober long enough to +build a bannock," said McHale. "Chink grub has one flavour, but it +comes reg'lar, there's that about it." </p> <p> @@ -3575,19 +3587,19 @@ discussed the coming of Farwell, and its significance. </p> <p> -"I pumped Corney Quilty a little," said Casey. "This Farwell is a +"I pumped Corney Quilty a little," said Casey. "This Farwell is a slap-up man, and they'd never waste him on this little job without some good reason. I'm told he's bad medicine. Unpleasant devil, he seems. I wonder if they've got wise at all? If they have it will be mighty -interesting for us." +interesting for us." </p> <p> -"I'll chance it," said McCrae. "Anyway, we'll all be in it." +"I'll chance it," said McCrae. "Anyway, we'll all be in it." </p> <p> -"That's a comforting thought," said Dunne. As he rode home that night +"That's a comforting thought," said Dunne. As he rode home that night he went over the ranchers one by one; and he was quite sure that each was trustworthy. </p> @@ -3595,9 +3607,9 @@ was trustworthy. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER VII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -3650,13 +3662,13 @@ Sheila was on the veranda, and Farwell raised his hat. </p> <p> -"Miss McCrae, I think. You may remember me—Farwell. I'm sorry to +"Miss McCrae, I think. You may remember me—Farwell. I'm sorry to trouble you, but my horse has picked up a nail. If I could borrow a -pair of pliers or shoeing pincers——" +pair of pliers or shoeing pincers——" </p> <p> -"Of course. Father is at the stable. I'll show you." +"Of course. Father is at the stable. I'll show you." </p> <p> @@ -3665,8 +3677,8 @@ the horse's hoof between his knees with the certainty of a farrier. </p> <p> -"Right bang to the head," he observed, as he tried for a grip. "I'll -have it in a minute. Hold him, now! Steady, boy! There you are!" +"Right bang to the head," he observed, as he tried for a grip. "I'll +have it in a minute. Hold him, now! Steady, boy! There you are!" </p> <p> @@ -3676,18 +3688,18 @@ the ground. </p> <p> -"Sore," said McCrae. "A nasty brute of a piece of wire, too. That's a -mighty lame cayuse. You won't ride him for a week—maybe two." +"Sore," said McCrae. "A nasty brute of a piece of wire, too. That's a +mighty lame cayuse. You won't ride him for a week—maybe two." </p> <p> -"He'll have to take me to camp, or I'll have to take him." +"He'll have to take me to camp, or I'll have to take him." </p> <p> -"And that might lame him for two months. Leave him here. I'll poultice +"And that might lame him for two months. Leave him here. I'll poultice the foot if it needs it. You stay and have supper. Afterward we'll -drive you over." +drive you over." </p> <p> @@ -3698,22 +3710,22 @@ he was hostile to them. </p> <p> -"Thanks! It's very good of you, but, under the circumstances—you -understand what I mean." +"Thanks! It's very good of you, but, under the circumstances—you +understand what I mean." </p> <p> -"You needn't feel that way," McCrae returned. "When this country was +"You needn't feel that way," McCrae returned. "When this country was just country, and no more, a white man was always welcome to my fire, my blankets, and my grub, when I had it. It's no different now, at -Talapus. You're welcome to what we have—while we have it. There's no -quarrel between us that I know of." +Talapus. You're welcome to what we have—while we have it. There's no +quarrel between us that I know of." </p> <p> -"No, of course not," said Farwell, not quite at his ease. If McCrae -chose to put it on that footing he could not reasonably object. "Well, -thanks very much. I'll be glad to accept your offer." +"No, of course not," said Farwell, not quite at his ease. If McCrae +chose to put it on that footing he could not reasonably object. "Well, +thanks very much. I'll be glad to accept your offer." </p> <p> @@ -3731,7 +3743,7 @@ thank Heaven that he was not thus tied down. But the atmosphere of the ranch appealed to him. Its people were not silly folk, babbling of trivial things which he neither understood nor cared to understand. Mrs. McCrae, as he mentally appraised her, was a -sensible woman. In her husband—big, quiet, self-contained—he +sensible woman. In her husband—big, quiet, self-contained—he recognized a man as hard as himself. Young McCrae, silent, too grim of mouth for his years, was the makings of another hard man. But it was at Sheila that he looked the most, and at her if not to her his @@ -3764,39 +3776,39 @@ planning the next day's housework. </p> <p> -"You smoke, Mr. Farwell?" she said. "I'll get you some cigars." +"You smoke, Mr. Farwell?" she said. "I'll get you some cigars." </p> <p> -"I have some in my pocket, thanks." +"I have some in my pocket, thanks." </p> <p> -"No. Talapus cigars at Talapus. That's the rule." +"No. Talapus cigars at Talapus. That's the rule." </p> <p> -"If you insist on it." He lit a cigar, finding to his relief that it -was very good indeed. "Well, Miss McCrae, I must say your hospitality -goes the full limit. I'm rather overwhelmed by it." +"If you insist on it." He lit a cigar, finding to his relief that it +was very good indeed. "Well, Miss McCrae, I must say your hospitality +goes the full limit. I'm rather overwhelmed by it." </p> <p> -"What nonsense! Supper, a cigar—that's not very burdensome surely." +"What nonsense! Supper, a cigar—that's not very burdensome surely." </p> <p> -"It's the way things are, of course," he explained. "I'm not blind. I -know what you were thinking about—what you are thinking now." +"It's the way things are, of course," he explained. "I'm not blind. I +know what you were thinking about—what you are thinking now." </p> <p> -"I doubt it, Mr. Farwell." +"I doubt it, Mr. Farwell." </p> <p> -"Yes, I do. You are wondering how I have the nerve to eat your food and -smoke your tobacco when I'm here on this irrigation job." +"Yes, I do. You are wondering how I have the nerve to eat your food and +smoke your tobacco when I'm here on this irrigation job." </p> <p> @@ -3805,10 +3817,10 @@ deprecatory. Why protest when he had guessed so exactly? </p> <p> -"I'm glad you don't feel called on to lie politely," said Farwell. "I'm +"I'm glad you don't feel called on to lie politely," said Farwell. "I'm pretty outspoken myself. I don't blame you at all. I merely want to point out that if I weren't on this job some one else would be. You see -that. I'm just earning my living." +that. I'm just earning my living." </p> <p> @@ -3816,35 +3828,35 @@ She was silent. He went on: </p> <p> -"I'm not apologizing, you understand, and I'm not saying anything about +"I'm not apologizing, you understand, and I'm not saying anything about the rights of the ranchers or of my employers, one or the other. I -don't care about either. I'm just concerned with my own business." +don't care about either. I'm just concerned with my own business." </p> <p> -"That is to say, the railway's," Sheila commented. +"That is to say, the railway's," Sheila commented. </p> <p> -"I'm trying to point out that I'm a hired man, with no personal -interest. But of course I'll do what I'm paid to do—and more. I never -saw the time I didn't give full value for every dollar of my pay." +"I'm trying to point out that I'm a hired man, with no personal +interest. But of course I'll do what I'm paid to do—and more. I never +saw the time I didn't give full value for every dollar of my pay." </p> <p> -"I don't question it," said Sheila. +"I don't question it," said Sheila. </p> <p> -"You think I'm talking too much about myself," he said quickly. "That's +"You think I'm talking too much about myself," he said quickly. "That's so. I'm sorry. You people have treated me well, no matter what you thought, and I appreciate it. I've enjoyed the evening very much. I -wonder"—he hesitated for a moment—"I wonder if you'd mind my riding -over here once in a while?" +wonder"—he hesitated for a moment—"I wonder if you'd mind my riding +over here once in a while?" </p> <p> -"Of course not—if you care to come," Sheila replied. Intuitively she +"Of course not—if you care to come," Sheila replied. Intuitively she divined that she had interested him, and she guessed by his manner that it was not his custom to be interested in young women. Apart from the ranchers' grievance against the corporation he represented, she had no @@ -3854,22 +3866,22 @@ frankness, while it amused her, seemed genuine. </p> <p> -"Thank you!" he said. "I don't flatter myself that you want me +"Thank you!" he said. "I don't flatter myself that you want me particularly, and I'm quite satisfied with the bare permission. I'm not entertaining or pleasant, and I know it. I've been busy all my life. No -time for—for—well, no time for anything but work. But this little job +time for—for—well, no time for anything but work. But this little job isn't going to keep me more than half busy. I've done all the hard work -of it now." +of it now." </p> <p> -"I didn't know it was so nearly finished." +"I didn't know it was so nearly finished." </p> <p> -"I mean I've been over the ground and over the figures, and I know all +"I mean I've been over the ground and over the figures, and I know all that is to be done. Now it's merely a question of bossing a gang. A -foreman could do that." +foreman could do that." </p> <p> @@ -3879,22 +3891,22 @@ arrogant. She was unreasonably annoyed. </p> <p> -"Naturally you consider yourself above foreman's work," she commented, +"Naturally you consider yourself above foreman's work," she commented, with faint sarcasm. </p> <p> -"I don't consider myself above any work when it's up to me to do it or -see it left undone," he replied. "I've held a riveter and driven spikes +"I don't consider myself above any work when it's up to me to do it or +see it left undone," he replied. "I've held a riveter and driven spikes and shimmed up ties before now. But a concern that pays a first-class man to do third-class work is robbing itself. This is the last time -I'll do it. That's how I feel about it." +I'll do it. That's how I feel about it." </p> <p> Sheila was not accustomed to hear a man blow his own horn so frankly. -The best men of her acquaintance—her father, Casey Dunne, Tom McHale, -and others—seldom talked of themselves, never bragged, never mentioned +The best men of her acquaintance—her father, Casey Dunne, Tom McHale, +and others—seldom talked of themselves, never bragged, never mentioned their proficiency in anything. She had been brought up to regard a boaster and a bluff as synonymous. To her an egotist was also a bluff. His bad taste repelled her. And yet he did not seem to stress the @@ -3902,34 +3914,34 @@ announcement. </p> <p> -"A first-class man should not waste his time," she observed, but to +"A first-class man should not waste his time," she observed, but to save her life she could not keep her tone free from sarcasm. He took up her meaning with extraordinary quickness. </p> <p> -"You think I might have let somebody else say that? Pshaw! I'm not +"You think I might have let somebody else say that? Pshaw! I'm not mock-modest. I <i>am</i> a good man, and I'm paid accordingly. I want you to know it. I don't want you to take me for a poor devil of a line -runner." +runner." </p> <p> -"What on earth does it matter what I take you for?" said Sheila. "I +"What on earth does it matter what I take you for?" said Sheila. "I don't care whether you have a hundred or a thousand a month. What -difference does it make to me?" +difference does it make to me?" </p> <p> -"None—but it makes a whole lot to me," said Farwell. "I'm interested +"None—but it makes a whole lot to me," said Farwell. "I'm interested in my profession. I want to get to the top of it. I'm halfway up, and time counts. And then to be sent down here on this rotten job! Pah! it -makes me sick." +makes me sick." </p> <p> -"I'm glad to hear you admit that it's rotten," said Sheila. "It's -outrageous—a straight steal." +"I'm glad to hear you admit that it's rotten," said Sheila. "It's +outrageous—a straight steal." </p> <p> @@ -3937,32 +3949,32 @@ He stared at her a moment, laughed, and shook his head. </p> <p> -"You don't understand me. It's rotten from my standpoint—too trivial -to waste time on." +"You don't understand me. It's rotten from my standpoint—too trivial +to waste time on." </p> <p> -"It's rotten from our standpoint. Can't you get away from your supreme -self for a moment? Can't you appreciate what it means to us?" +"It's rotten from our standpoint. Can't you get away from your supreme +self for a moment? Can't you appreciate what it means to us?" </p> <p> -"I know exactly what it means, but I can't help it. You know—but you -can't help it. What are you going to do, anyway?" +"I know exactly what it means, but I can't help it. You know—but you +can't help it. What are you going to do, anyway?" </p> <p> -"I don't know," she admitted, thinking of her conversation with Casey +"I don't know," she admitted, thinking of her conversation with Casey Dunne. </p> <p> -"You're sure you don't? We heard rumours—I may as well tell you—that -the ranchers were prepared to make trouble for us." +"You're sure you don't? We heard rumours—I may as well tell you—that +the ranchers were prepared to make trouble for us." </p> <p> -"Then you've heard more than I have." +"Then you've heard more than I have." </p> <p> @@ -3970,18 +3982,18 @@ He eyed her a moment in silence. She returned his glance unwaveringly. </p> <p> -"I'm glad to know it," he said at length. "I don't want a row. Now, you -people here—on this ranch—why don't you sell and get out?" +"I'm glad to know it," he said at length. "I don't want a row. Now, you +people here—on this ranch—why don't you sell and get out?" </p> <p> -She thought it brutally put. "In the first place, we don't want to sell -out. And in the next place who would buy?" +She thought it brutally put. "In the first place, we don't want to sell +out. And in the next place who would buy?" </p> <p> -"That's so," he said. "I guess you wouldn't find many buyers. Still, if -you got the chance——" +"That's so," he said. "I guess you wouldn't find many buyers. Still, if +you got the chance——" </p> <p> @@ -3991,9 +4003,9 @@ was holding with difficulty. He pulled them to a momentary halt. </p> <p> -"Now, if you're ready, Mr. Farwell. Jump in quick. These little devils +"Now, if you're ready, Mr. Farwell. Jump in quick. These little devils won't stand. They haven't had any work for a week. All set? G'lang, -boys!" +boys!" </p> <p> @@ -4025,17 +4037,17 @@ without preliminary: </p> <p> -"McCrae, what do you want for that ranch of yours?" +"McCrae, what do you want for that ranch of yours?" </p> <p> -"It's not for sale now," McCrae replied. +"It's not for sale now," McCrae replied. </p> <p> -"Everything's for sale at some price," Farwell commented. "What's a -fair figure for it? I don't mean what you'll take—but what's it -worth?" +"Everything's for sale at some price," Farwell commented. "What's a +fair figure for it? I don't mean what you'll take—but what's it +worth?" </p> <p> @@ -4043,50 +4055,50 @@ McCrae considered. </p> <p> -"There's a thousand acres, and all good. There's no better land in the +"There's a thousand acres, and all good. There's no better land in the world. Then there's the buildings and fencing and stock and implements. Hard to say, nowadays. Why, raw land in little patches is selling at -fancy figures. I should say as it stands—stocked and all—it's worth a -hundred and fifty thousand of any man's money." +fancy figures. I should say as it stands—stocked and all—it's worth a +hundred and fifty thousand of any man's money." </p> <p> -"If I can find a buyer at that figure will you take it?" +"If I can find a buyer at that figure will you take it?" </p> <p> -"No I'm not selling." +"No I'm not selling." </p> <p> -"Now, look here," said Farwell, "you say your place is worth one +"Now, look here," said Farwell, "you say your place is worth one hundred and fifty thousand. That's with plenty of water for irrigation. -Say it is. But what's it worth without water?" +Say it is. But what's it worth without water?" </p> <p> -"Without water," said McCrae slowly, "the land itself is worth about +"Without water," said McCrae slowly, "the land itself is worth about one dollar an acre. Twenty-five thousand would be an outside price for -a crazy man to pay for Talapus." +a crazy man to pay for Talapus." </p> <p> -"Exactly," said Farwell. "McCrae, you'd better let me try to find you a +"Exactly," said Farwell. "McCrae, you'd better let me try to find you a purchaser. For, if you hang on, just as sure as God made little red -apples you'll be praying to Him to send you a crazy man." +apples you'll be praying to Him to send you a crazy man." </p> <p> McCrae was silent for a long minute, his eyes fixed on his horses' -ears. "This is the first time," he said, "that it's been put up to me -straight. I knew, of course—we all knew—but nobody had the nerve to -come here and tell us so." +ears. "This is the first time," he said, "that it's been put up to me +straight. I knew, of course—we all knew—but nobody had the nerve to +come here and tell us so." </p> <p> -"Well, I have the nerve," said Farwell. "But I'm not saying it the way +"Well, I have the nerve," said Farwell. "But I'm not saying it the way you think I am. I'm not talking as an official; I'm talking as a -friend—as I'd like a man to talk to me if I were in your fix. I'm +friend—as I'd like a man to talk to me if I were in your fix. I'm trying to get you to stand from under. Here's the situation, as plainly as I can put it: If you can't get water you will be forced to sell, and the best you can get is grazing-land prices. You know that. On the @@ -4094,8 +4106,8 @@ other hand, if you will sell now I think I can get you the price you named. Understand, I'm not doing this for a commission. I don't want one, and I wouldn't take one. I think the railway would buy on my recommendation if I put it strongly enough; and I'd do that for you -people because—oh, well, just because I would. Now, there it is, -McCrae, and it's up to you." +people because—oh, well, just because I would. Now, there it is, +McCrae, and it's up to you." </p> <p> @@ -4105,38 +4117,38 @@ darkness. </p> <p> -"No," he said at last, "I won't sell. But I'm obliged to you all the -same. If the railway would buy us all out——" +"No," he said at last, "I won't sell. But I'm obliged to you all the +same. If the railway would buy us all out——" </p> <p> -"No!" snapped Farwell. "So that's why you won't sell. You think your +"No!" snapped Farwell. "So that's why you won't sell. You think your friends will hold out, too. You've got a sort of a pool. It won't do you any good. The rest of them haven't the sand. I'll bet there isn't another man who would turn down such an offer as I've made to you. It -will be each man for himself pretty soon." +will be each man for himself pretty soon." </p> <p> -"You're wrong," said McCrae. "We'll stay with each other. Casey Dunne -had an offer from York. He didn't take it." +"You're wrong," said McCrae. "We'll stay with each other. Casey Dunne +had an offer from York. He didn't take it." </p> <p> -"Dunne is a fool!" rasped Farwell. Never guarded in speech, his -instinctive hostility flared into hot words. "He won't get the chance -again. He's one man we <i>won't</i> buy." +"Dunne is a fool!" rasped Farwell. Never guarded in speech, his +instinctive hostility flared into hot words. "He won't get the chance +again. He's one man we <i>won't</i> buy." </p> <p> -"I'm another," McCrae retorted swiftly. "Look here, Mr. Farwell, I was +"I'm another," McCrae retorted swiftly. "Look here, Mr. Farwell, I was in this country when its only crop was buffalo hides and bad Indians. -Land!—you couldn't give it away. I can show you a town with hotels and -banks and paved streets and electric lights—a fine little town. +Land!—you couldn't give it away. I can show you a town with hotels and +banks and paved streets and electric lights—a fine little town. Twenty-odd years ago I was offered the section that town now stands on, for a team and a two weeks' grubstake for a man and his wife. They wanted to get out, and they couldn't. I gave 'em the grub, and told 'em -it was worth the price of it to me not to own the land. Yes, sir—and I +it was worth the price of it to me not to own the land. Yes, sir—and I meant it. I was that shortsighted. So were others. We thought the country would never fill up, just as we thought the buffalo would never be killed out, and we kept on drifting. When I woke up, the cheap lands @@ -4146,9 +4158,9 @@ everybody, and I picked out the best bunch of stuff there was in it, and I sat down to wait for the rush to catch up to me. Now it's caught me and the rest of us who came in early. And now you people tell me I've got to move off my reservation, and go away somewhere and begin -again. I won't do it—I tell you I won't! And, what's more, don't you -crowd me too hard—me and the rest of the boys—or there'll be hell -a-popping right here. Now, you mind what I'm telling you." +again. I won't do it—I tell you I won't! And, what's more, don't you +crowd me too hard—me and the rest of the boys—or there'll be hell +a-popping right here. Now, you mind what I'm telling you." </p> <p> @@ -4159,37 +4171,37 @@ was turning out badly, and he repressed an inclination to retort. </p> <p> -"Well, I'm sorry," he said. "I hoped we could fix this up. Think it -over, anyway." +"Well, I'm sorry," he said. "I hoped we could fix this up. Think it +over, anyway." </p> <p> -"I've done my thinking." +"I've done my thinking." </p> <p> -"But, man, you're on the wrong side of the fence, and you know it. The -railway is too strong for you. What's the sense of bucking it?" +"But, man, you're on the wrong side of the fence, and you know it. The +railway is too strong for you. What's the sense of bucking it?" </p> <p> -"Not much, maybe. I guess you mean well, and I take it friendly, but -this ain't a question of sense." +"Not much, maybe. I guess you mean well, and I take it friendly, but +this ain't a question of sense." </p> <p> -"Of what, then?" +"Of what, then?" </p> <p> -"Of a man's right to keep what he's worked for, and to live on the land -he owns." McCrae replied. "That's the way I look at it." +"Of a man's right to keep what he's worked for, and to live on the land +he owns." McCrae replied. "That's the way I look at it." </p> <p> -It was the old question once more—older than the country, older than +It was the old question once more—older than the country, older than the <i>Mayflower</i>, older than the Great Charter wrested from John -the King——the eternal battle between the common man and class or +the King——the eternal battle between the common man and class or privilege. Here, in the new country, in place of the divine right of kings and the hereditary power of nobles, was substituted the might of money, the power of the corporate body, itself a creation of law, @@ -4197,12 +4209,12 @@ overriding the power which created it. </p> <p> -"Well, it's your funeral," said Farwell. "I can't help my job, just -remember that. And of course I've got to earn my pay." +"Well, it's your funeral," said Farwell. "I can't help my job, just +remember that. And of course I've got to earn my pay." </p> <p> -"Sure," said McCrae; "sure, I understand." +"Sure," said McCrae; "sure, I understand." </p> <p> @@ -4212,13 +4224,13 @@ be getting back. </p> <p> -"Just as you say," said Farwell. "I'm coming over to your ranch now and -then, if you don't mind." +"Just as you say," said Farwell. "I'm coming over to your ranch now and +then, if you don't mind." </p> <p> -"Come along," said McCrae. "Latchstring's always out. You, Jeff; you, -Dinny! G'lang, boys!" +"Come along," said McCrae. "Latchstring's always out. You, Jeff; you, +Dinny! G'lang, boys!" </p> <p> @@ -4228,27 +4240,27 @@ hoofs, whir of spokes, and clank of axles in their boxes. </p> <p> -"The blamed fool!" he thought. "Well, I gave him his chance. But it's -going to be hard on his folks." He shook his head. "Yes, it will be -pretty hard on his wife and the girl—what do they call her? Sheila. -Nice name that—odd! Sheila!" He repeated the name aloud. +"The blamed fool!" he thought. "Well, I gave him his chance. But it's +going to be hard on his folks." He shook his head. "Yes, it will be +pretty hard on his wife and the girl—what do they call her? Sheila. +Nice name that—odd! Sheila!" He repeated the name aloud. </p> <p> -"Hello, did you speak to me?" said the voice of his assistant, Keeler, +"Hello, did you speak to me?" said the voice of his assistant, Keeler, in the darkness. </p> <p> -"No!" snapped Farwell, with unnecessary curtness; "I didn't." +"No!" snapped Farwell, with unnecessary curtness; "I didn't." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER VIII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -4305,10 +4317,10 @@ his proper place was the exact centre of a family circle. </p> <p> -Although he had never seen a home that he cared beans about—including -the one of his childhood—the singing of "Home, Sweet Home" invariably -left him pensive for half an hour. Theoretically—heretofore always -strictly theoretically—he possessed a strong <i>dulce domum</i> +Although he had never seen a home that he cared beans about—including +the one of his childhood—the singing of "Home, Sweet Home" invariably +left him pensive for half an hour. Theoretically—heretofore always +strictly theoretically—he possessed a strong <i>dulce domum</i> impulse. And so the spectacle of Sheila mending her brother's shirts was one of which he thoroughly approved. It gave him a feeling of intimacy, as though he had been admitted to the performance of a @@ -4317,60 +4329,60 @@ domestic rite. <p> Sheila picked up a second shirt, inspected it critically, and frowned. -"Now, isn't that a wreck?" she observed. "Sandy's awfully hard on his -shirts." She nipped a thread recklessly between her teeth, shot the end -deftly through the needle's eye, and sighed. "Oh, well, I suppose I -must just do the best I can with the thing." +"Now, isn't that a wreck?" she observed. "Sandy's awfully hard on his +shirts." She nipped a thread recklessly between her teeth, shot the end +deftly through the needle's eye, and sighed. "Oh, well, I suppose I +must just do the best I can with the thing." </p> <p> -"Your brother is lucky," said Farwell. "My things get thrown away. No -one to look after them when they begin to go." +"Your brother is lucky," said Farwell. "My things get thrown away. No +one to look after them when they begin to go." </p> <p> -"That's very wasteful," she reproved him. "Why don't you send them -somewhere?" +"That's very wasteful," she reproved him. "Why don't you send them +somewhere?" </p> <p> -"Where, for instance?" +"Where, for instance?" </p> <p> -"Oh, anywhere. I don't know. There must be women in every town who -would like to earn a little money." +"Oh, anywhere. I don't know. There must be women in every town who +would like to earn a little money." </p> <p> -"Well, I haven't time to hunt for them. If you know any one around here +"Well, I haven't time to hunt for them. If you know any one around here who would undertake the job, I could give her quite a bit of work. So -could the others." +could the others." </p> <p> -"You don't mean me, do you?" laughed Sheila. "Sandy gives me all I can -handle." +"You don't mean me, do you?" laughed Sheila. "Sandy gives me all I can +handle." </p> <p> -"Of course I never thought of such a thing," said Farwell seriously. -"Did it sound like that?" +"Of course I never thought of such a thing," said Farwell seriously. +"Did it sound like that?" </p> <p> -"No, I am joking. I think you take things seriously, Mr. Farwell." +"No, I am joking. I think you take things seriously, Mr. Farwell." </p> <p> -"I suppose so," he admitted. "Yes, I guess I do. I can't help it. I'm +"I suppose so," he admitted. "Yes, I guess I do. I can't help it. I'm no joker; no time for that. Jokers don't get anywhere. Never saw one that did. It's the fellow who keeps thinking about his job and banging -away at it who gets there." +away at it who gets there." </p> <p> -"The inference being that I won't get anywhere." +"The inference being that I won't get anywhere." </p> <p> @@ -4378,31 +4390,31 @@ Farwell, puzzled momentarily, endeavoured to remember what he had said. </p> <p> -"I guess I made another break. I wasn't thinking of you. Women don't -have to get anywhere. Men do—that is, men who count. I've seen a lot -of fellows in my own profession—smart, clever chaps—but, instead of +"I guess I made another break. I wasn't thinking of you. Women don't +have to get anywhere. Men do—that is, men who count. I've seen a lot +of fellows in my own profession—smart, clever chaps—but, instead of buckling down to work, they were eternally running about having a good -time. And what did any of them ever amount to? Not that!" He snapped +time. And what did any of them ever amount to? Not that!" He snapped his fingers contemptuously. </p> <p> -"But wasn't that the fault of the men themselves? I mean that, apart +"But wasn't that the fault of the men themselves? I mean that, apart from their liking for a good time, perhaps they hadn't the other -qualities to make them successful." +qualities to make them successful." </p> <p> -"Yes, they had," said Farwell positively. "Didn't I say they were -clever? It wasn't lack of that—it was their confounded fooling around. +"Yes, they had," said Farwell positively. "Didn't I say they were +clever? It wasn't lack of that—it was their confounded fooling around. Almost every man gets one chance to make good. If he's ready for it -when it comes, he's made. If he isn't—well, he isn't. That was the way +when it comes, he's made. If he isn't—well, he isn't. That was the way with these fellows. When they should have been digging into the ground-work of their profession they weren't. And so, when good things were given them, they fell down hard. They lost money for other people, -and that doesn't do. Now they're down and out—lucky to get a job with +and that doesn't do. Now they're down and out—lucky to get a job with a level and one rodman to boss. There's no sympathy coming to them. It -was their own fault." +was their own fault." </p> <p> @@ -4424,26 +4436,26 @@ tide, accentuated. </p> <p> -"Every man should have a good chance, and be ready for it," she -replied; "but some men never get it." +"Every man should have a good chance, and be ready for it," she +replied; "but some men never get it." </p> <p> -"Yes, they do; yes, they do," he asseverated. "They get it, all right. +"Yes, they do; yes, they do," he asseverated. "They get it, all right. Only some of them don't know it when it comes; and others are ashamed to own up that they've missed it. We all get it, I tell you, sooner or -later." +later." </p> <p> -"It may come too late to some." +"It may come too late to some." </p> <p> -"No, no, it comes in time if a man is wide awake. It's about the only +"No, no, it comes in time if a man is wide awake. It's about the only square deal creation gives him. And it's about all creation owes him. It's right up to them then. If he's asleep, it's his own fault. I don't -say it doesn't happen more than once; but it does happen once." +say it doesn't happen more than once; but it does happen once." </p> <p> @@ -4453,14 +4465,14 @@ master of his fate. </p> <p> -"Have you had your chance?" she asked. +"Have you had your chance?" she asked. </p> <p> -"Not the big chance that I want. I've done some good work, here and +"Not the big chance that I want. I've done some good work, here and there. But the big thing is coming to me. I feel it. And I'm in shape to handle it, too. When I do that, I'll quit working for other people. -I'll work for myself. Yes, by George! they can come to me." +I'll work for myself. Yes, by George! they can come to me." </p> <p> @@ -4472,149 +4484,149 @@ let others know it. </p> <p> -"I probably make you tired," said Farwell. "You asked me, and I told +"I probably make you tired," said Farwell. "You asked me, and I told you. I'm not worrying about <i>my</i> future. Now, let's talk about -yours. You were away when I was here last week." +yours. You were away when I was here last week." </p> <p> -"Yes, I was over at Chakchak." +"Yes, I was over at Chakchak." </p> <p> -"That's Dunne's ranch. Your mother said you were helping him choose -some things from a mail-order catalogue." +"That's Dunne's ranch. Your mother said you were helping him choose +some things from a mail-order catalogue." </p> <p> -"Furniture, linen, dishes, and a lot of other things." There was no +"Furniture, linen, dishes, and a lot of other things." There was no embarrassment in her tone. </p> <p> -"Oh!" said Farwell; and as he uttered the word it resembled a growl. -"Well, when is it to be?" +"Oh!" said Farwell; and as he uttered the word it resembled a growl. +"Well, when is it to be?" </p> <p> -"When is what to be?" +"When is what to be?" </p> <p> -"Why, the wedding, of course." +"Why, the wedding, of course." </p> <p> -"What wedding?" She laid down her work and stared at him. Then she -laughed, though the colour surged to her cheeks. "Oh, I see. You think -I was choosing these things for Mr. Dunne's prospective bride?" +"What wedding?" She laid down her work and stared at him. Then she +laughed, though the colour surged to her cheeks. "Oh, I see. You think +I was choosing these things for Mr. Dunne's prospective bride?" </p> <p> -"Of course." +"Of course." </p> <p> -"Not a bit of course—unless Casey has deceived me shamefully. Can't a -man furnish his house better without having a wedding in view?" +"Not a bit of course—unless Casey has deceived me shamefully. Can't a +man furnish his house better without having a wedding in view?" </p> <p> -"He can, but usually he doesn't. That's my experience." +"He can, but usually he doesn't. That's my experience." </p> <p> -"I wasn't aware that you were married." +"I wasn't aware that you were married." </p> <p> -"Married?" cried Farwell. "Me? I'm not. I'm glad of it. I have enough -to worry me now. I——" He came to an abrupt stop. "Oh, well, laugh -away," he added. "I'll tell you what I thought. I thought you were -going to marry Dunne." +"Married?" cried Farwell. "Me? I'm not. I'm glad of it. I have enough +to worry me now. I——" He came to an abrupt stop. "Oh, well, laugh +away," he added. "I'll tell you what I thought. I thought you were +going to marry Dunne." </p> <p> -Sheila's laughter closed suddenly. "You haven't the least right to -think that or say it," she said coldly. "It's strange if I can't help a -friend choose a few house furnishings without impertinent comment." +Sheila's laughter closed suddenly. "You haven't the least right to +think that or say it," she said coldly. "It's strange if I can't help a +friend choose a few house furnishings without impertinent comment." </p> <p> -"Oh, come!" said Farwell. "I didn't mean to be impertinent, Miss -McCrae. I know I'm too outspoken. I'm always putting my foot in it." +"Oh, come!" said Farwell. "I didn't mean to be impertinent, Miss +McCrae. I know I'm too outspoken. I'm always putting my foot in it." </p> <p> -"Very well," said Sheila. "I think you said you wanted to speak to me -of my future?" +"Very well," said Sheila. "I think you said you wanted to speak to me +of my future?" </p> <p> -"Yes. I spoke to your father about selling the ranch. He refused -point-blank. What can we do about it?" +"Yes. I spoke to your father about selling the ranch. He refused +point-blank. What can we do about it?" </p> <p> -She shrugged her shoulders. "'We?' If he told you he won't sell, he -won't. I didn't know you had spoken to him." +She shrugged her shoulders. "'We?' If he told you he won't sell, he +won't. I didn't know you had spoken to him." </p> <p> -"Couldn't you persuade him?" +"Couldn't you persuade him?" </p> <p> -"I wouldn't try. I don't want Talapus sold. What right have you to hold -us up? That's what it amounts to." +"I wouldn't try. I don't want Talapus sold. What right have you to hold +us up? That's what it amounts to." </p> <p> -"There's a woman for you!" cried Farwell to the world at large. "Hold +"There's a woman for you!" cried Farwell to the world at large. "Hold you up? Great Scott, that's just what I'm not doing! I offered him the value he put on the ranch himself, not a holdup price. I mean I offered to get it for him. I want you to put it up to him, and get your mother to help you. You ought to have some say in this. He ought to think of -you a little." +you a little." </p> <p> -"It's his ranch," Sheila returned loyally. "He knows what he's doing. +"It's his ranch," Sheila returned loyally. "He knows what he's doing. When a man has made up his mind, women shouldn't make things harder for -him by whining." +him by whining." </p> <p> -"That's right enough, too," said Farwell, whose masculinity was in -thorough accord with the last sentiment. "But he is just the same as +"That's right enough, too," said Farwell, whose masculinity was in +thorough accord with the last sentiment. "But he is just the same as throwing away a hundred thousand dollars. I don't want to see it. I know what he's up against. I want him to get out while he can break -even." +even." </p> <p> -"What about the rest of the ranchers?" +"What about the rest of the ranchers?" </p> <p> -"I don't care a hang for the rest of the ranchers." +"I don't care a hang for the rest of the ranchers." </p> <p> -"And why do you make a distinction in our favour?" +"And why do you make a distinction in our favour?" </p> <p> Farwell was not prepared with an answer, even to himself. Her bluntness -was disconcerting. "I don't know," he replied. "It doesn't matter. The +was disconcerting. "I don't know," he replied. "It doesn't matter. The main thing is to make your father get out of the way of the tree, for it's going to fall right where he's standing. He can't dodge once it -starts. And what hits him hits you." +starts. And what hits him hits you." </p> <p> -"Then I won't dodge, either," she declared bravely. "He's right not to -sell. I wouldn't if I were in his place." +"Then I won't dodge, either," she declared bravely. "He's right not to +sell. I wouldn't if I were in his place." </p> <p> @@ -4622,26 +4634,26 @@ Farwell slid back in his chair and bit his cigar savagely. </p> <p> -"I never saw such a family!" he exclaimed. "You've got nerve a-plenty, +"I never saw such a family!" he exclaimed. "You've got nerve a-plenty, but mighty poor judgment. Get it clear now, what's going to happen. You'll have enough water for domestic purposes and stock, but none for the ranch. Then it won't be worth a dollar an acre. Same way with the rest. And now let me tell you another thing: Just as soon as the water is turned off, every rancher will fall all over himself to sell. That's what your father doesn't believe. He'll see when it's too late. It's -rank folly." +rank folly." </p> <p> -"It's our own folly, Mr. Farwell!" +"It's our own folly, Mr. Farwell!" </p> <p> -"You mean it's none of my business. Well, I make it my business. I butt +"You mean it's none of my business. Well, I make it my business. I butt in on this. I'll put it right up to him. I'll shove the money right under his nose. If he turns it down I'm done. I'll quit. And if you don't do your best to make him take it, you won't be dealing fairly -with him, your mother, or yourself." +with him, your mother, or yourself." </p> <p> @@ -4654,19 +4666,19 @@ disinterested. At the same time, inconsistently, she was angry. </p> <p> -"Well," she said. "I must say you <i>are</i> 'butting in.' -You—you—oh, you don't lack nerve, Mr. Farwell!" +"Well," she said. "I must say you <i>are</i> 'butting in.' +You—you—oh, you don't lack nerve, Mr. Farwell!" </p> <p> -"Don't worry about my nerve," he retorted grimly. "You'll have other +"Don't worry about my nerve," he retorted grimly. "You'll have other troubles. For Heaven's sake have some sense. Will you do as I tell you, -or won't you?" He leaned forward, tapping the arm of her chair with +or won't you?" He leaned forward, tapping the arm of her chair with tense fingers. </p> <p> -"No," she answered positively, "I won't." +"No," she answered positively, "I won't." </p> <p> @@ -4681,14 +4693,14 @@ resembled a young tiger about to spring. </p> <p> -"Oh, Sandy," cried his sister, "what a mess! For goodness sake don't -come up here with those muddy moccasins." +"Oh, Sandy," cried his sister, "what a mess! For goodness sake don't +come up here with those muddy moccasins." </p> <p> -"Just as you say," drawled young McCrae. "I thought you might want me. -Anything I can do for you, sis? Want anything carried in—or <i>thrown -out?</i>" He accented the last words. +"Just as you say," drawled young McCrae. "I thought you might want me. +Anything I can do for you, sis? Want anything carried in—or <i>thrown +out?</i>" He accented the last words. </p> <p> @@ -4698,8 +4710,8 @@ shrug. He smiled to himself in amusement. </p> <p> -"No, there's nothing, thanks," said Sheila, quite unconscious of the -hidden meaning of his words. "Better get cleaned up for supper." +"No, there's nothing, thanks," said Sheila, quite unconscious of the +hidden meaning of his words. "Better get cleaned up for supper." </p> <p> @@ -4708,15 +4720,15 @@ turned to Sheila. </p> <p> -"Do this for me, Miss McCrae," he pleaded. "Give me a fair chance with +"Do this for me, Miss McCrae," he pleaded. "Give me a fair chance with your father if you won't help me with him. Don't tell your brother of what I'm trying to do. If you do that, his influence will be the other -way." +way." </p> <p> -"If my father has made up his mind, none of us can change it," said -Sheila. "But I'll give you a fair field. I won't tell Sandy." +"If my father has made up his mind, none of us can change it," said +Sheila. "But I'll give you a fair field. I won't tell Sandy." </p> <p> @@ -4730,11 +4742,11 @@ the young man saddling a rangy, speedy-looking black. </p> <p> -"Guess I'll ride with you a piece," he announced. +"Guess I'll ride with you a piece," he announced. </p> <p> -"All right," Farwell replied carelessly. He did not desire company; but +"All right," Farwell replied carelessly. He did not desire company; but if it was forced on him he could not help it. </p> @@ -4753,62 +4765,62 @@ against the dark velvet background of the heavens, lay the first star. <p> But Farwell paid no attention to these things. Instead, he was thinking -of Sheila McCrae—reconstructing her pose as she bade him good-bye, the +of Sheila McCrae—reconstructing her pose as she bade him good-bye, the direct, level gaze of her dark eyes, the contour of her face, the cloudy masses of her brown hair. He was unconsciously engaged in the perilous, artistic work of drawing for his sole and exclusive use a -mental "portrait of a lady"; and, after the manner of man attracted by +mental "portrait of a lady"; and, after the manner of man attracted by woman, he idealized the picture of his creation. By virtue of this absorbing occupation, he quite forgot the presence of the brother of the woman. But a mile beyond the ranch young McCrae pulled up. </p> <p> -"I turn off here," he said. +"I turn off here," he said. </p> <p> -"That so? Good night," said Farwell. +"That so? Good night," said Farwell. </p> <p> -"There's something I came to tell you," McCrae pursued. "I'm not making +"There's something I came to tell you," McCrae pursued. "I'm not making any grand-stand play about it; but you'd better be a lot more careful -when you're talking to my sister. Understand?" +when you're talking to my sister. Understand?" </p> <p> -"No, I don't," said Farwell. "I never said anything to Miss McCrae that -her father and mother mightn't hear." +"No, I don't," said Farwell. "I never said anything to Miss McCrae that +her father and mother mightn't hear." </p> <p> -"Oh, <i>that!</i>" said young Sandy, and spat in disgust. "No, I guess -you didn't—and you hadn't better. But you told her to do -something—fairly ordered her. I heard you, and I heard her tell you -she wouldn't. Perhaps you'll tell me what it was?" +"Oh, <i>that!</i>" said young Sandy, and spat in disgust. "No, I guess +you didn't—and you hadn't better. But you told her to do +something—fairly ordered her. I heard you, and I heard her tell you +she wouldn't. Perhaps you'll tell me what it was?" </p> <p> -"Perhaps I won't." +"Perhaps I won't." </p> <p> -"Why not?" +"Why not?" </p> <p> -"Because I don't want to, mostly," said Farwell impatiently. "Also +"Because I don't want to, mostly," said Farwell impatiently. "Also because it's none of your business. Your sister and I understand each -other. Our conversation didn't concern you—directly, anyway." +other. Our conversation didn't concern you—directly, anyway." </p> <p> -"I'll let it go at that on your say-so," Sandy returned, with -surprising calmness. "I'm not crowding trouble with you, but get this +"I'll let it go at that on your say-so," Sandy returned, with +surprising calmness. "I'm not crowding trouble with you, but get this clear: You know why you're hanging around the ranch, and I don't. All the same, if you are up to any monkey business, you'll settle it with -me." +me." </p> <p> @@ -4816,15 +4828,15 @@ Farwell's temper, never reliable, rose at once. </p> <p> -"Quite a Wild West kid, aren't you?" he observed, with sarcasm. "You -make me tired. It's a good thing for you your people are decent." He -crowded his horse close to the other. "Now, look here, young fellow, I +"Quite a Wild West kid, aren't you?" he observed, with sarcasm. "You +make me tired. It's a good thing for you your people are decent." He +crowded his horse close to the other. "Now, look here, young fellow, I won't stand for any fool boy's talk. You're old enough to know better. -Cut it out with me after this, do you hear?" +Cut it out with me after this, do you hear?" </p> <p> -"Where are you coming with that cayuse?" demanded young McCrae, and +"Where are you coming with that cayuse?" demanded young McCrae, and suddenly raked a rowelled heel behind the animal's shoulder. </p> @@ -4840,19 +4852,19 @@ for it but to resume his homeward way. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER IX -</p> +</h2> <p> -The astute Mr. Sleeman's prediction to Farwell—namely, that the -attitude of the ranchers would affect land sales—proved correct. +The astute Mr. Sleeman's prediction to Farwell—namely, that the +attitude of the ranchers would affect land sales—proved correct. Naturally, owing to a perfect advertising machinery, a number of sales were made to people at distant points, who bought for speculation merely. But these, though well enough in their way, were not entirely -satisfactory. The company needed actual settlers—men who would go upon -the lands and improve them—to furnish object lessons from the ground +satisfactory. The company needed actual settlers—men who would go upon +the lands and improve them—to furnish object lessons from the ground itself to personally conducted, prospective buyers, who in turn should do the same, and ultimately provide the Prairie Southern branch of Western Airline with a paying traffic in freight and humanity. @@ -4866,7 +4878,7 @@ visit the established ranches. </p> <p> -Sleeman could not prevent it—nor appear to wish to prevent it. In +Sleeman could not prevent it—nor appear to wish to prevent it. In fact, he had to acquiesce cheerfully and take them himself. That was better than letting them go alone. But the very air seemed to carry rumours. In vain he assured them that there was no fear of trouble, @@ -4878,12 +4890,12 @@ miner's inches or cubic feet of water every day in the year. </p> <p> -"It's like this," said one prospective buyer: "They ain't enough water +"It's like this," said one prospective buyer: "They ain't enough water for the whole country, and you're certainly aimin' to cinch some of the men that's here already so tight they can't breathe. If I buy water they're gettin' now, they're mighty apt to be sore on me. Dunno's I blame them, either. I like to stand well with my neighbours. Your -land's all right, but I can't see where we deal." +land's all right, but I can't see where we deal." </p> <p> @@ -4902,7 +4914,7 @@ unsatisfactory ones. </p> <p> -He foresaw that sooner or later—and very probably sooner—he would be +He foresaw that sooner or later—and very probably sooner—he would be asked to explain why he was not making sales. And he came to the conclusion that, as something was sure to start, he might as well start it himself. @@ -4931,64 +4943,64 @@ Carrol, however, suffered from a species of myopia not uncommon among gentlemen who have for a long time represented large interests. He had so come to look upon Western Airline as an irresistible force, that the concept of an immovable body was quite beyond him. He had nothing but -contempt for any person or set of persons—corporations with equal -capital always excepted—rash enough to oppose any of its plans. +contempt for any person or set of persons—corporations with equal +capital always excepted—rash enough to oppose any of its plans. </p> <p> -"Now, see here," he said at a conference with Sleeman and Farwell. "We +"Now, see here," he said at a conference with Sleeman and Farwell. "We can't afford to have our sales blocked this way. Our ditches will carry water now, and the dam itself is nearly completed. Open up the ditches and take all the water you can. Then we'll see whether there is -anything in these yarns." +anything in these yarns." </p> <p> -"But if we take water before we need it, we simply stiffen their hand," -Sleeman objected. "We give them legitimate grounds to kick." +"But if we take water before we need it, we simply stiffen their hand," +Sleeman objected. "We give them legitimate grounds to kick." </p> <p> -"They'll kick, anyway," said Carrol. "We need water to grow grass—if +"They'll kick, anyway," said Carrol. "We need water to grow grass—if anybody should ask you. The sooner we take it the sooner we shall be able to acquire these ranches. Once the men see what they're up against they'll ask us to buy, which we'll do on our own terms. That's the -programme. What do you think, Farwell?" +programme. What do you think, Farwell?" </p> <p> -"You're the doctor," Farwell replied. +"You're the doctor," Farwell replied. </p> <p> -"You don't anticipate any trouble?" +"You don't anticipate any trouble?" </p> <p> -"Not a bit," said Farwell contemptuously. "They'll howl, of course. Let -'em. In a month they'll eat out of your hand." +"Not a bit," said Farwell contemptuously. "They'll howl, of course. Let +'em. In a month they'll eat out of your hand." </p> <p> -"Quite so," said Carrol; "that's how I look at it." +"Quite so," said Carrol; "that's how I look at it." </p> <p> -"There's one man, though," said Farwell, "whom I'd like to see get a +"There's one man, though," said Farwell, "whom I'd like to see get a fair price. That's McCrae, who owns Talapus Ranch. It's the biggest and -best in the country." +best in the country." </p> <p> -"Will he sell now?" +"Will he sell now?" </p> <p> -"He might." +"He might." </p> <p> -"What has he got, and what does he want for it?" +"What has he got, and what does he want for it?" </p> <p> @@ -4996,25 +5008,25 @@ Farwell told him. </p> <p> -"What is it worth, Sleeman?" And at his agent's appraisal, Carrol -looked shocked and grieved. "Why, good Lord! Farwell," he said, "he -wants almost what his ranch is worth." +"What is it worth, Sleeman?" And at his agent's appraisal, Carrol +looked shocked and grieved. "Why, good Lord! Farwell," he said, "he +wants almost what his ranch is worth." </p> <p> -"Funny that he should, isn't it?" sneered Farwell, who stood in no awe -of Carrol. "Well, and that's what I want him to get." +"Funny that he should, isn't it?" sneered Farwell, who stood in no awe +of Carrol. "Well, and that's what I want him to get." </p> <p> -"Can't do it," said Carrol decisively. "No money in it. Show me how I -could make a profit." +"Can't do it," said Carrol decisively. "No money in it. Show me how I +could make a profit." </p> <p> -"Cut it up into little chunks and sell it to those marks back East," -Farwell replied. "I don't have to tell you your business. Make another -Sentinel of it if you like." +"Cut it up into little chunks and sell it to those marks back East," +Farwell replied. "I don't have to tell you your business. Make another +Sentinel of it if you like." </p> <p> @@ -5027,14 +5039,14 @@ forgotten how. As it was, he smiled sourly. </p> <p> -"I wish I could. Is this McCrae a friend of yours?" +"I wish I could. Is this McCrae a friend of yours?" </p> <p> -"Put it that way," Farwell replied, frowning at the quizzical -expression of Sleeman's eye. "He doesn't want to sell, but I want him +"Put it that way," Farwell replied, frowning at the quizzical +expression of Sleeman's eye. "He doesn't want to sell, but I want him to have the chance of refusing real money. He may take it, or he may -not. Anyway, I make it as a personal request." +not. Anyway, I make it as a personal request." </p> <p> @@ -5046,10 +5058,10 @@ eye on possibilities of that nature. So he said: </p> <p> -"It isn't business, but to oblige <i>you</i>, Farwell—all right, I'll +"It isn't business, but to oblige <i>you</i>, Farwell—all right, I'll take the chance that he won't accept. But it's sudden death, mind. No dickering. He accepts, or he doesn't. If not, he'll get just dry-belt -prices with the rest when they surrender." +prices with the rest when they surrender." </p> <p> @@ -5068,60 +5080,60 @@ symptoms of vacillation. The issue was never in doubt. </p> <p> -"I told you before," he said, "I don't want to sell, and I won't sell." +"I told you before," he said, "I don't want to sell, and I won't sell." </p> <p> -"It's a hundred and fifty thousand cold cash—your own value," urged -Farwell. "At 6 per cent. it's nine thousand a year from now to eternity +"It's a hundred and fifty thousand cold cash—your own value," urged +Farwell. "At 6 per cent. it's nine thousand a year from now to eternity for you and your wife and children. If you refuse, the best you can -hope for is dry-land prices. It's your only salvation, I tell you." +hope for is dry-land prices. It's your only salvation, I tell you." </p> <p> -"My word is passed," said McCrae. "Even if it wasn't, I wouldn't be +"My word is passed," said McCrae. "Even if it wasn't, I wouldn't be harried off the little bit of earth that's mine. It's good of you to -take this trouble—I judge you had trouble—but it's not a bit of use." +take this trouble—I judge you had trouble—but it's not a bit of use." </p> <p> -"Look here," said Farwell. "Will you talk it over with your -family—your wife and daughter particularly? It's due to them." +"Look here," said Farwell. "Will you talk it over with your +family—your wife and daughter particularly? It's due to them." </p> <p> -"I will not," McCrae refused, with patriarchal scorn. "<i>I</i> am the -family. I speak for all." +"I will not," McCrae refused, with patriarchal scorn. "<i>I</i> am the +family. I speak for all." </p> <p> -"The old mule!" thought Farwell. Aloud he said: "I want to tell you +"The old mule!" thought Farwell. Aloud he said: "I want to tell you that in a few days you'll lose half your water. The rest will go when -the dam is finished. This is final—the last offer, your last chance. +the dam is finished. This is final—the last offer, your last chance. I've done every blessed thing I could for you. Right now is when you -make or break yourself and your wife and children." +make or break yourself and your wife and children." </p> <p> -"That's my affair," said McCrae. "I tell you no, and no." He plucked -the oblong paper from Farwell's unresisting fingers. "A lot of money, -aren't you?" he apostrophized it. "More than I've ever seen before, or -will see again, like enough." Suddenly he tore the check in half, and +"That's my affair," said McCrae. "I tell you no, and no." He plucked +the oblong paper from Farwell's unresisting fingers. "A lot of money, +aren't you?" he apostrophized it. "More than I've ever seen before, or +will see again, like enough." Suddenly he tore the check in half, and again and again, cast the fragments in the air, and blew through them. -"And there goes your check, Mr. Farwell!" +"And there goes your check, Mr. Farwell!" </p> <p> -"And there goes your ranch with it," Farwell commented bitterly. "One -is worth just about as much as the other now." +"And there goes your ranch with it," Farwell commented bitterly. "One +is worth just about as much as the other now." </p> <p> -"I'm not so sure about that," said McCrae. +"I'm not so sure about that," said McCrae. </p> <p> -"I'm sure enough for both of us," Farwell responded. +"I'm sure enough for both of us," Farwell responded. </p> <p> @@ -5139,37 +5151,37 @@ must be Sheila McCrae. For the first time he realized that his concern was for her alone, that he did not care a hoot for the rest of the family. All this bother he had been to, all his efforts with old McCrae, his practical holdup of -Carrol, even—he owned it to himself frankly—his failure to push the +Carrol, even—he owned it to himself frankly—his failure to push the construction work as fast as he might had been for her and because of her. And what was the answer? </p> <p> -"Surely," said Farwell, straightening himself in the saddle, "surely to -blazes I'm not getting fond of the girl!" +"Surely," said Farwell, straightening himself in the saddle, "surely to +blazes I'm not getting fond of the girl!" </p> <p> As became a decent, respectable, contented bachelor, he shied from the idea. It was absolutely ridiculous, unheard-of. The girl was all right, sensible, good-looking. She suited him as well as any woman he had ever -met; but that, after all, was not saying much. He liked her—he made -that concession candidly—but as for anything more—nothing to it! +met; but that, after all, was not saying much. He liked her—he made +that concession candidly—but as for anything more—nothing to it! </p> <p> But the idea, once born, refused to be disposed of thus summarily; it persisted. He found himself recalling trivial things, all pertaining to -Sheila—tricks of manner, of speech, intonations, movements of the -hands, body, and lips—these avalanched themselves upon him, swamping +Sheila—tricks of manner, of speech, intonations, movements of the +hands, body, and lips—these avalanched themselves upon him, swamping connected, reasonable thought. </p> <p> -"What cursed nonsense!" said Farwell angrily to himself. "I don't care +"What cursed nonsense!" said Farwell angrily to himself. "I don't care a hang about her, of course. I'm dead sure she doesn't care for me. -Anyway, I don't want to get married—yet. I'm not in shape to marry. -Why, what the devil would <i>I</i> do with a wife? Where'd I put her?" +Anyway, I don't want to get married—yet. I'm not in shape to marry. +Why, what the devil would <i>I</i> do with a wife? Where'd I put her?" </p> <p> @@ -5189,7 +5201,7 @@ gentlemen a thousand or so miles away, whom they did not know and who did not know them. Continually, as their temporary habitations began to take on the semblance of homes, they were transferred, from mountains to plains, from the far north to the tropics. Their few household goods -bore the scars of many movings—by rail, by steamer, by freight wagon, +bore the scars of many movings—by rail, by steamer, by freight wagon, and even by pack train. </p> @@ -5201,7 +5213,7 @@ intervals, the husbands took journeys ranging from hundreds of miles to thousands. True, there were those who had attained eminence. These lived properly in well-appointed houses in eligible localities; and their subordinates kept the work in hand during their frequent -home-goings. But the ruck—the rank and file—had to take such marital +home-goings. But the ruck—the rank and file—had to take such marital happiness as came their way on the quick-lunch system. </p> @@ -5224,7 +5236,7 @@ doctrine of eternal life. <p> Now, into the familiar sum of existence, which he knew from divisor to -quotient, was suddenly shot a new factor—a woman. He experienced a new +quotient, was suddenly shot a new factor—a woman. He experienced a new sensation, vague, unaccountable, restless, like the first uneasy throbs that precede a toothache. He lit a cigar; but, though he drew in the smoke hungrily, it did not satisfy. He felt a vacancy, a want, a @@ -5238,46 +5250,46 @@ recognized Casey Dunne. Dunne pulled up and nodded. </p> <p> -"Fine day, Mr. Farwell." +"Fine day, Mr. Farwell." </p> <p> -"Yes," said Farwell briefly. +"Yes," said Farwell briefly. </p> <p> -"Work coming on all right?" +"Work coming on all right?" </p> <p> -"Yes." +"Yes." </p> <p> -"That's good," Dunne commented, with every appearance of lively -satisfaction. "Been to Talapus? See anything of Miss McCrae there?" +"That's good," Dunne commented, with every appearance of lively +satisfaction. "Been to Talapus? See anything of Miss McCrae there?" </p> <p> -"She's at home, I believe," said Farwell stiffly. +"She's at home, I believe," said Farwell stiffly. </p> <p> -"Thanks. Come around and see me some time. Morning." He lifted the +"Thanks. Come around and see me some time. Morning." He lifted the buckskin into a lope again. </p> <p> Farwell looking after him, experienced a second new -sensation—jealousy. +sensation—jealousy. </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER X -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -5303,21 +5315,21 @@ with anything he possessed. </p> <p> -"Say," said McHale, "there's something wrong. Our ditches ain't runnin' -more'n half full." +"Say," said McHale, "there's something wrong. Our ditches ain't runnin' +more'n half full." </p> <p> -Casey put down the hammer. "Maybe the ditch is plugged somewhere." +Casey put down the hammer. "Maybe the ditch is plugged somewhere." </p> <p> -"She may be, but it ain't likely. I've followed her quite a piece. So I -come to get me a cayuse to go the rest of the way." +"She may be, but it ain't likely. I've followed her quite a piece. So I +come to get me a cayuse to go the rest of the way." </p> <p> -"I'll go with you," said Casey, throwing the harness on a peg. +"I'll go with you," said Casey, throwing the harness on a peg. </p> <p> @@ -5337,8 +5349,8 @@ excellently heretofore. </p> <p> -"I'm an Injun," McHale, ejaculated, "if the whole durn creek ain't -lowered!" Because he came from a land of real rivers, he invariably +"I'm an Injun," McHale, ejaculated, "if the whole durn creek ain't +lowered!" Because he came from a land of real rivers, he invariably referred to the Coldstream thus slightingly. </p> @@ -5362,43 +5374,43 @@ inadequate dam. </p> <p> -"I reckon they've started in on us," he observed. +"I reckon they've started in on us," he observed. </p> <p> -"Looks like it," Casey agreed. +"Looks like it," Casey agreed. </p> <p> -"We need water now the worst way. I was figurin' on shootin' a big head +"We need water now the worst way. I was figurin' on shootin' a big head on to the clover, and after that on to the oats. They sure need it. -What's runnin' now ain't no use to us. We got to have more." +What's runnin' now ain't no use to us. We got to have more." </p> <p> -"No doubt about that, Tom," said Casey. "We'll ride up to their -infernal dam and see just what's doing." +"No doubt about that, Tom," said Casey. "We'll ride up to their +infernal dam and see just what's doing." </p> <p> -"Good enough!" cried McHale, his eyes lighting up. "But say, Casey, +"Good enough!" cried McHale, his eyes lighting up. "But say, Casey, them ditch-and-dam boys ain't no meek-and-lowly outfit. Some of 'em is plumb hard-faced. How'd it be if I scattered back to the ranch first. I -ain't packed a gun steady since I got to be a hayseed, but——" +ain't packed a gun steady since I got to be a hayseed, but——" </p> <p> -"What do you want of a gun? We're just going to look at things and have -a talk with Farwell." +"What do you want of a gun? We're just going to look at things and have +a talk with Farwell." </p> <p> -"You never know when you'll need a gun," McHale asserted, as an +"You never know when you'll need a gun," McHale asserted, as an incontrovertible general proposition. </p> <p> -"You won't need it this time. Come along." +"You won't need it this time. Come along." </p> <p> @@ -5412,7 +5424,7 @@ into the trail between the gate-posts. </p> <p> -"Hey you, hold on there!" he said. +"Hey you, hold on there!" he said. </p> <p> @@ -5420,23 +5432,23 @@ Dunne and McHale pulled up. </p> <p> -"Look a-here, friend," said the latter, "do you think you're one of +"Look a-here, friend," said the latter, "do you think you're one of them never-sag gates, or a mountain, or what? You want to see a doctor -about them delusions. They'll sure get you into trouble some day." +about them delusions. They'll sure get you into trouble some day." </p> <p> -"That'll be all right about me," the big guardian of the gate returned. -"Just read that notice. This is private property." +"That'll be all right about me," the big guardian of the gate returned. +"Just read that notice. This is private property." </p> <p> -They read it. It was of the "no-admittance" variety, and forbade +They read it. It was of the "no-admittance" variety, and forbade entrance to all individuals not in the company's employ. </p> <p> -"We've got business here, and we're going in," said Casey, and began to +"We've got business here, and we're going in," said Casey, and began to walk his horse forward. </p> @@ -5446,7 +5458,7 @@ pocket. </p> <p> -"You get back now," he ordered, "or you'll walk home." +"You get back now," he ordered, "or you'll walk home." </p> <p> @@ -5455,55 +5467,55 @@ motion, and perforce came up empty. </p> <p> -"And this," said Mr. McHale mournfully—"this was the time I didn't -need a gun!" +"And this," said Mr. McHale mournfully—"this was the time I didn't +need a gun!" </p> <p> -"Well, you don't need it, do you?" said Casey. "Observe, the gentleman +"Well, you don't need it, do you?" said Casey. "Observe, the gentleman still keeps his sawed-off yeggman's delight in his pocket. Pull it, friend, pull it! Don't scorch the cloth by pressing the trigger where -it is. Steady, Shiner, while the gentleman shoots you!" +it is. Steady, Shiner, while the gentleman shoots you!" </p> <p> -The guardian smiled sardonically. "Amuse yourselves, boys, but don't -crowd in on me." +The guardian smiled sardonically. "Amuse yourselves, boys, but don't +crowd in on me." </p> <p> -"Just as you say," replied Casey. "By the way, you needn't tire your -arm holding my horse. He'll stand. Besides, I don't like it." +"Just as you say," replied Casey. "By the way, you needn't tire your +arm holding my horse. He'll stand. Besides, I don't like it." </p> <p> -The man released the bridle and stepped back. "Make this easy for me, -boys, I don't want trouble, but I got my instructions." +The man released the bridle and stepped back. "Make this easy for me, +boys, I don't want trouble, but I got my instructions." </p> <p> -"Now, you listen here," said McHale. "Lemme tell you something: It's +"Now, you listen here," said McHale. "Lemme tell you something: It's just hell's tender mercy on you I ain't got a gun. If I'd 'a' had it, -you'd been beef by the trail right now." +you'd been beef by the trail right now." </p> <p> -"There's always two chances to be the beef," the other returned, -unmoved. "Go fill your hand before you talk to me." +"There's always two chances to be the beef," the other returned, +unmoved. "Go fill your hand before you talk to me." </p> <p> -McHale grinned at him. "I like you better than I did, partner. Next -time you won't have no kick on what I hold." +McHale grinned at him. "I like you better than I did, partner. Next +time you won't have no kick on what I hold." </p> <p> -"We want to see Farwell," said Casey. +"We want to see Farwell," said Casey. </p> <p> -"Why couldn't you say that before?" the guardian returned. "I'll take a -chance on you. Go in." +"Why couldn't you say that before?" the guardian returned. "I'll take a +chance on you. Go in." </p> <p> @@ -5512,49 +5524,49 @@ and tracings. </p> <p> -"What can I do for you?" he asked curtly. +"What can I do for you?" he asked curtly. </p> <p> -"My ditch has gone half dry," Casey replied. "I observe, too, that the +"My ditch has gone half dry," Casey replied. "I observe, too, that the river is lower than usual; which, of course, accounts for the ditch. It -occurred to me that perhaps you might account for the river." +occurred to me that perhaps you might account for the river." </p> <p> -"We have begun to take water for our lands," Farwell told him. -"Possibly that has something to do with it." +"We have begun to take water for our lands," Farwell told him. +"Possibly that has something to do with it." </p> <p> -"I shouldn't wonder," Casey agreed dryly. "Why are you taking water -now?" +"I shouldn't wonder," Casey agreed dryly. "Why are you taking water +now?" </p> <p> -"That," said Farwell deliberately, "is entirely our own affair." +"That," said Farwell deliberately, "is entirely our own affair." </p> <p> -"It affects us. You can't possibly use the water, because your lands -are not cultivated." +"It affects us. You can't possibly use the water, because your lands +are not cultivated." </p> <p> -"The water benefits the land," Farwell rejoined coldly. "It shows +"The water benefits the land," Farwell rejoined coldly. "It shows intending purchasers that we are actually delivering a sufficient -quantity of water. Our use of it is legitimate." +quantity of water. Our use of it is legitimate." </p> <p> -"It's a low-down, <i>cultus</i> trick, if you ask me!" McHale +"It's a low-down, <i>cultus</i> trick, if you ask me!" McHale interjected forcefully. </p> <p> -"I didn't ask you," snapped Farwell; "but I'll tell you what I'll do. +"I didn't ask you," snapped Farwell; "but I'll tell you what I'll do. You make another remark like that, and I'll fire you out through that -door." +door." </p> <p> @@ -5562,35 +5574,35 @@ McHale ignored Casey's significant glance. </p> <p> -"That door there?" he asked innocently. "That big, wide door leadin' -right outside into all that fresh air? You don't mean that one?" +"That door there?" he asked innocently. "That big, wide door leadin' +right outside into all that fresh air? You don't mean that one?" </p> <p> -"That's the one," Farwell returned angrily. +"That's the one," Farwell returned angrily. </p> <p> -"Well, well, well!" said McHale, in mock wonder. "You don't say? And it +"Well, well, well!" said McHale, in mock wonder. "You don't say? And it looks just like a common, ordinary door, too. Do you reckon you got -time right now to show me how it works?" +time right now to show me how it works?" </p> <p> -"Quit it, Tom," said Casey. "Farwell, I want to get right down to case +"Quit it, Tom," said Casey. "Farwell, I want to get right down to case cards. This is a raw deal. I ask you not to take water that you can't -use." +use." </p> <p> -"Not to mince matters with you, Dunne," Farwell returned, "I may as +"Not to mince matters with you, Dunne," Farwell returned, "I may as well say that we intend to take as much as we like and when we like. There's plenty of water left in the river. It's merely a question of -building your dams to catch it." +building your dams to catch it." </p> <p> -"Will you say that there will be plenty when your big dam is finished?" +"Will you say that there will be plenty when your big dam is finished?" </p> <p> @@ -5600,28 +5612,28 @@ Providence. </p> <p> -"Good Lord, Dunne, there's no use talking about that!" said he. "We -will take what water we want. You get what is left. Is that plain?" +"Good Lord, Dunne, there's no use talking about that!" said he. "We +will take what water we want. You get what is left. Is that plain?" </p> <p> -"Yes," said Casey quietly. "I won't bother you any more." +"Yes," said Casey quietly. "I won't bother you any more." </p> <p> -"But I will," said McHale. "I'll just bother you to make good that +"But I will," said McHale. "I'll just bother you to make good that bluff of yours about firin' me out of here. Why, you durn, -low-flung——" +low-flung——" </p> <p> -"Quit it!" Casey interrupted. "Stay where you are, Farwell, I'm not -going to have a scrap. Tom, you come with me." +"Quit it!" Casey interrupted. "Stay where you are, Farwell, I'm not +going to have a scrap. Tom, you come with me." </p> <p> -"Oh, well, just as you say, Casey," grumbled McHale. "I ain't hostile, -special. Only I don't want him to run no blazers on me. He——" +"Oh, well, just as you say, Casey," grumbled McHale. "I ain't hostile, +special. Only I don't want him to run no blazers on me. He——" </p> <p> @@ -5630,28 +5642,28 @@ some effect. </p> <p> -"I'm sorry, Casey," McHale acknowledged, contritely. "I s'pose I ought +"I'm sorry, Casey," McHale acknowledged, contritely. "I s'pose I ought to known better. But that gent with the gun and Farwell between them got me goin'. Honest, I never hunted trouble in my life. It just naturally tracks up on me when I'm lyin' all quiet in camp. Course, it -has to be took care of when it comes." +has to be took care of when it comes." </p> <p> -"There'll be enough to keep you busy," said Casey grimly. And +"There'll be enough to keep you busy," said Casey grimly. And apparently in instant fulfilment of the prophecy came the short, decisive bark of a six-shooter. By the sound, the shot had been fired outside the camp, in the direction of the gate. </p> <p> -"It's that cuss that held us up!" snarled McHale, and swore viciously. +"It's that cuss that held us up!" snarled McHale, and swore viciously. </p> <p> Both men went up into their saddles as if catapulted from the earth. -McHale yelled as he hit the leather—a wild, ear-splitting screech, the -old trouble cry of his kind in days gone by—and both horses leaped +McHale yelled as he hit the leather—a wild, ear-splitting screech, the +old trouble cry of his kind in days gone by—and both horses leaped frantically into motion, accomplishing the feat peculiar to cow and polo ponies of attaining their maximum speed in three jumps. They surged around the medley of tents and shacks, and came into the open @@ -5682,10 +5694,10 @@ him, and both went down together. FIGHTING MALE, CRAZED WITH PAIN OR ANGER</span></div> <p> -"It's big Oscar!" cried McHale. "That feller downed his horse. Holy +"It's big Oscar!" cried McHale. "That feller downed his horse. Holy catamounts! Look at them mix it! And here's the whole camp a-boilin' after us! Casey, did I hear you say this was the day I didn't need a -gun?" +gun?" </p> <p> @@ -5712,19 +5724,19 @@ breastbone. </p> <p> -"Get in here and pull Oscar off!" cried Casey as he leaped from his +"Get in here and pull Oscar off!" cried Casey as he leaped from his horse. </p> <p> -"Not in a thousand years," McHale responded. "He can kill him. Let him -do it. Serve the cuss right." +"Not in a thousand years," McHale responded. "He can kill him. Let him +do it. Serve the cuss right." </p> <p> -"You cursed fool!" snarled Casey. "That gang will be here in half a +"You cursed fool!" snarled Casey. "That gang will be here in half a holy minute. They'll pound Oscar to death if he's fighting then. Here, -you crazy Swede, let go! Let go, I say! It's me—Casey Dunne!" +you crazy Swede, let go! Let go, I say! It's me—Casey Dunne!" </p> <p> @@ -5736,8 +5748,8 @@ epithets. </p> <p> -"Catch hold of him," Casey ordered. "Jam your arm into his windpipe -while I break his grip." As he spoke, he kicked the big Swede sharply +"Catch hold of him," Casey ordered. "Jam your arm into his windpipe +while I break his grip." As he spoke, he kicked the big Swede sharply on the left biceps. For an instant that mighty arm was paralyzed. Casey grasped his wrists and dragged them loose, while McHale, his forearm across the huge, bull-like throat, heaved back. @@ -5749,19 +5761,19 @@ rooted stump yields to the pull of a purchase. </p> <p> -"He kel my Olga! He kel my Olga!" he vociferated. "He shoot her yust -like she ban von vulf! By the yumpin' Yudas, you let me go!" +"He kel my Olga! He kel my Olga!" he vociferated. "He shoot her yust +like she ban von vulf! By the yumpin' Yudas, you let me go!" </p> <p> -"Keep quiet, keep quiet, I tell you!" cried Casey. "You can get him +"Keep quiet, keep quiet, I tell you!" cried Casey. "You can get him later. See this bunch coming? They'll kill you with their shovels in -half a minute." +half a minute." </p> <p> The rush of men was almost upon them. They carried the tools which were -in their hands the moment the shots were fired—mixing shovels, hoes, +in their hands the moment the shots were fired—mixing shovels, hoes, axes, pinch bars, and odd bits of wood and iron caught up on the impulse of the instant. Behind, straining every muscle to reach the front, ran Farwell. @@ -5780,8 +5792,8 @@ hip. </p> <p> -"Don't crowd in on us with them shovels and things," he advised grimly. -"There's lots of room right where you are." +"Don't crowd in on us with them shovels and things," he advised grimly. +"There's lots of room right where you are." </p> <p> @@ -5798,77 +5810,77 @@ paid no attention whatever to McHale's weapon. </p> <p> -"What's the matter here?" he demanded. "You, Lewis, speak up!" +"What's the matter here?" he demanded. "You, Lewis, speak up!" </p> <p> -"This batty Swede tried to ride over me," Lewis replied. "I give him +"This batty Swede tried to ride over me," Lewis replied. "I give him fair warnin', and then I downed his horse. When he hits the dirt he goes on the prod. These fellers pulled him off of me. That one's got my -gun." +gun." </p> <p> -"You bet I have!" McHale interjected. "You tried to plug Oscar. I seen -you cut down on him at about ten feet—and miss. Looks like you ain't +"You bet I have!" McHale interjected. "You tried to plug Oscar. I seen +you cut down on him at about ten feet—and miss. Looks like you ain't got the nerve to hit anything that's <i>comin'</i> for you. You sorter -confines your slaughter to harmless cayuses and such." +confines your slaughter to harmless cayuses and such." </p> <p> -"Guess again," said Lewis, unmoved. "I thought I could stand the Swede -off, that's why. I shot two foot high on purpose." +"Guess again," said Lewis, unmoved. "I thought I could stand the Swede +off, that's why. I shot two foot high on purpose." </p> <p> -"You kel my Olga!" shouted Oscar. "Yust wait, you faller. Ay gat my -goose gun, and Ay blow you all to hal! By Yudas, Ay gat skvare kvick!" +"You kel my Olga!" shouted Oscar. "Yust wait, you faller. Ay gat my +goose gun, and Ay blow you all to hal! By Yudas, Ay gat skvare kvick!" </p> <p> -"This is crowding things," said Casey. "Mr. Farwell, you really must -not plant gunmen by the trails with instructions to shoot our horses." +"This is crowding things," said Casey. "Mr. Farwell, you really must +not plant gunmen by the trails with instructions to shoot our horses." </p> <p> -"Nobody has any such instructions," said Farwell. "This man tried to +"Nobody has any such instructions," said Farwell. "This man tried to ride Lewis down, and he protected himself. I'm sorry it occurred, but -we are not to blame." +we are not to blame." </p> <p> -"Without arguing that point," said Casey, "I warn you that we won't -stand this sort of thing." +"Without arguing that point," said Casey, "I warn you that we won't +stand this sort of thing." </p> <p> -"If you fellows will keep off our lands there will be no trouble," -Farwell responded. "We don't want you, and we won't have you. If you +"If you fellows will keep off our lands there will be no trouble," +Farwell responded. "We don't want you, and we won't have you. If you come on business, of course, that's different. Otherwise keep away. -Also we don't want your stock grazing on our property." +Also we don't want your stock grazing on our property." </p> <p> -"We may as well have an understanding while we're about it," said -Casey. "The next man who pulls a gun on me—this Lewis, or anybody -else—will have to beat me to the shooting. If you don't want your +"We may as well have an understanding while we're about it," said +Casey. "The next man who pulls a gun on me—this Lewis, or anybody +else—will have to beat me to the shooting. If you don't want your lands used as part of the range, fence them off. Don't interfere with a single head of my stock, either. And, if I were in your place, I'd offer this man about two hundred dollars for his mare, and throw in an -apology." +apology." </p> <p> -"But you're not in my place," snapped Farwell. "Nobody is going to pull +"But you're not in my place," snapped Farwell. "Nobody is going to pull a gun on you if you behave yourself. If this man puts in a claim for -his horse, I'll consider it, but I won't promise anything." He turned -to his men. "You get back to work, the lot of you." Without further +his horse, I'll consider it, but I won't promise anything." He turned +to his men. "You get back to work, the lot of you." Without further words, he strode off to the camp. </p> <p> -Lewis stepped up to McHale. "I'll take my gun if you're through with -it." +Lewis stepped up to McHale. "I'll take my gun if you're through with +it." </p> <p> @@ -5876,16 +5888,16 @@ McHale handed him the weapon. </p> <p> -"I don't reckon she's accurate at much over ten yards," he observed. -"If I was you, I'd fix myself with a good belt gun. It ain't unlikely I -packs one myself after this, and we might meet up." +"I don't reckon she's accurate at much over ten yards," he observed. +"If I was you, I'd fix myself with a good belt gun. It ain't unlikely I +packs one myself after this, and we might meet up." </p> <p> -"Organize yourself the way you want to," said Lewis carelessly, -slipping the weapon in his pocket. "And if you're a friend of that big +"Organize yourself the way you want to," said Lewis carelessly, +slipping the weapon in his pocket. "And if you're a friend of that big Swede, tell him not to look for me too hard. I don't want to hurt him; -but I ain't taking chances on no goose guns." He nodded and marched off +but I ain't taking chances on no goose guns." He nodded and marched off after the others. </p> @@ -5896,19 +5908,19 @@ pet mare, the tears running down his cheeks. </p> <p> -"And now what?" asked McHale. +"And now what?" asked McHale. </p> <p> -"Now," Casey replied, "I guess we've got to make good." +"Now," Casey replied, "I guess we've got to make good." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XI -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -5965,47 +5977,47 @@ suspicious sound. </p> <p> -"This here is like old times," said McHale. "Durn me if I hadn't about +"This here is like old times," said McHale. "Durn me if I hadn't about forgotten the feel of a gun under my leg. I wish we could have our -photos took now. We sure look plenty warlike." +photos took now. We sure look plenty warlike." </p> <p> -"I don't want any photo," said Casey. "If I can get home without +"I don't want any photo," said Casey. "If I can get home without meeting any one, it will suit me down to the ground. I wish we hadn't -brought these guns. It's safer every way." +brought these guns. It's safer every way." </p> <p> -"It's safer for some people," McHale commented. "S'pose we struck hard +"It's safer for some people," McHale commented. "S'pose we struck hard luck to-night and got backed into a corner or followed up too -close—how'd we look without guns? 'Course, I'd take awful long chances +close—how'd we look without guns? 'Course, I'd take awful long chances before I shot <i>at</i> anybody; but all the same a Winchester helps -out a retirin' disposition a whole lot." +out a retirin' disposition a whole lot." </p> <p> -"No doubt about that. But the devil of packing a gun is the temptation +"No doubt about that. But the devil of packing a gun is the temptation to use it before you really have to. That accounts for a lot of trouble. Why, even in the old days, a man who didn't pack a gun was safe, unless he tracked up with some mighty mean specimen of a killer. -And those dirty killers usually didn't last long." +And those dirty killers usually didn't last long." </p> <p> -"That's so in one way," McHale admitted, "but I look at it different. +"That's so in one way," McHale admitted, "but I look at it different. If nobody but the killers had packed guns they'd have run the whole show. Some of them gents killed for the fun of it, like a mink in a chicken coop. The mean sort'd pick out some harmless, helpless party, and stomp up and down, r'arin' and cussin' till they got up a big mad. The chances was about even they'd shoot. Usual they didn't try them -plays on men that wore their artillery in plain sight." +plays on men that wore their artillery in plain sight." </p> <p> -"Well, we haven't any killers now, anyway," said Dunne. "This is about +"Well, we haven't any killers now, anyway," said Dunne. "This is about as far as it's safe to go with the horses. We'll wait till the others -come up." +come up." </p> <p> @@ -6015,13 +6027,13 @@ darkness, and halted suddenly. </p> <p> -"That you, boys?" McCrae's voice asked. +"That you, boys?" McCrae's voice asked. </p> <p> -"Yes. We won't take the horses any farther. If that watchman is on the +"Yes. We won't take the horses any farther. If that watchman is on the dam to-night he might hear something. We can pack the powder the rest -of the way ourselves." +of the way ourselves." </p> <p> @@ -6031,17 +6043,17 @@ settled it. </p> <p> -"There's only one man going to plant powder and cut fuses, and that's -Oscar," said he. "If we all go messing around with it in the dark, half +"There's only one man going to plant powder and cut fuses, and that's +Oscar," said he. "If we all go messing around with it in the dark, half the shots won't fire, and we may have an accident. Outside of that there's nothing to do except take care of the watchman if he's there; and he's sure to be. Wyndham, you're not cut out for that sort of work. You will stay with the ponies. Now, McCrae, you'd better turn around -and drive home." +and drive home." </p> <p> -McCrae pulled the team around. "Good luck, boys," said he quietly, and +McCrae pulled the team around. "Good luck, boys," said he quietly, and was gone. The spare horse which had been tied to the buckboard remained for Oscar. </p> @@ -6054,17 +6066,17 @@ carried the rest. He resembled a perambulating mine. </p> <p> -"Ay ban ready now," he announced. +"Ay ban ready now," he announced. </p> <p> -"I say, Oscar, don't trip," said Wyndham facetiously. +"I say, Oscar, don't trip," said Wyndham facetiously. </p> <p> -"Nor interfere," McHale added. "Plant them number twelves of yours +"Nor interfere," McHale added. "Plant them number twelves of yours plumb wide apart, Oscar, and don't try to scratch your ankle with your -boot." +boot." </p> <p> @@ -6073,16 +6085,16 @@ attempted the repartee of his adopted country. </p> <p> -"You faller tenk you mek big yoke—vat!" said he. "You go to hal, -please." +"You faller tenk you mek big yoke—vat!" said he. "You go to hal, +please." </p> <p> -"Sure—if you bump anything hard," McHale retorted. +"Sure—if you bump anything hard," McHale retorted. </p> <p> -"Come on, come on!" said Casey impatiently. +"Come on, come on!" said Casey impatiently. </p> <p> @@ -6103,7 +6115,7 @@ below the dam. McCrae halted. </p> <p> -"There she is," he announced. +"There she is," he announced. </p> <p> @@ -6115,24 +6127,24 @@ dam reared itself, a solitary light gleamed. </p> <p> -"That's the watchman," McCrae whispered. "We're in luck, boys. He's on -this side." +"That's the watchman," McCrae whispered. "We're in luck, boys. He's on +this side." </p> <p> -"Say, Ay sneak up on dat faller," Oscar proposed. "Ay mek von -yump—so!—and Ay gat him in de neck." He uttered a horrible sound, +"Say, Ay sneak up on dat faller," Oscar proposed. "Ay mek von +yump—so!—and Ay gat him in de neck." He uttered a horrible sound, suggestive of death by strangulation. </p> <p> -"Shut up!" hissed young McCrae fiercely. "<i>Keep</i> him quiet, Tom!" +"Shut up!" hissed young McCrae fiercely. "<i>Keep</i> him quiet, Tom!" </p> <p> -"Shut up, Oscar!" growled McHale. "Don't you savvy nothing? You and me +"Shut up, Oscar!" growled McHale. "Don't you savvy nothing? You and me ain't in on this. Stand right still now, and don't breathe no harder -than you have to. Go to it, boys!" +than you have to. Go to it, boys!" </p> <p> @@ -6158,14 +6170,14 @@ dropped as if hit by lightning. </p> <p> -"That was an awful crack, Sandy," said Casey reprovingly. He flashed +"That was an awful crack, Sandy," said Casey reprovingly. He flashed the lantern at the face, and slipped his fingers to the wrist. To his relief, the pulse was strong. </p> <p> -"I had to get through his hat, hadn't I?" said McCrae. "I wasn't taking -any chances. He's got a head like a bull. Come on, let's fix him up." +"I had to get through his hat, hadn't I?" said McCrae. "I wasn't taking +any chances. He's got a head like a bull. Come on, let's fix him up." </p> <p> @@ -6176,10 +6188,10 @@ the dam to what they considered a safe distance. </p> <p> -"'Watchman, tell us of the night,'" chuckled Casey. "He's all right, by +"'Watchman, tell us of the night,'" chuckled Casey. "He's all right, by the way he kicks, and nothing can hit him away out there. They'll see him first thing in the morning. Hustle up Oscar, now. This is where he -gets action." +gets action." </p> <p> @@ -6191,10 +6203,10 @@ structure. </p> <p> -"Oscar's some powder man, you bet," McHale observed. "He don't look +"Oscar's some powder man, you bet," McHale observed. "He don't look like he had the savvy, but he'll cut them fuses so's the shots'll come mighty near together. Blamed if I know why a Swede takes to powder. -Seems to come natural to 'em, like pawin' snow to a cayuse." +Seems to come natural to 'em, like pawin' snow to a cayuse." </p> <p> @@ -6213,14 +6225,14 @@ first sleepily. </p> <p> -"Hey, Kelly," he called, "hit that dog with a rock!" A pause. "Hey, -Kelly, wake up, there!" +"Hey, Kelly," he called, "hit that dog with a rock!" A pause. "Hey, +Kelly, wake up, there!" </p> <p> -"I guess we've got Kelly," Casey whispered to Sandy. He called out -hoarsely: "He'll quit in a minute! G'wan to sleep. You don't know your -own luck." +"I guess we've got Kelly," Casey whispered to Sandy. He called out +hoarsely: "He'll quit in a minute! G'wan to sleep. You don't know your +own luck." </p> <p> @@ -6229,7 +6241,7 @@ appeared in a window of one of the shacks. </p> <p> -"Blazes!" muttered McHale, "somebody's getting up." +"Blazes!" muttered McHale, "somebody's getting up." </p> <p> @@ -6238,7 +6250,7 @@ of the moment that both McHale and McCrae jumped. But Dunne was cooler. </p> <p> -"That's only Wyndham with the horses," he said. +"That's only Wyndham with the horses," he said. </p> <p> @@ -6249,9 +6261,9 @@ remained. </p> <p> -"Somebody's come out," said McHale. "That's about where Farwell's shack +"Somebody's come out," said McHale. "That's about where Farwell's shack is. What's keepin' Oscar? He's had time enough. Maybe I'd better go -across and hold up this feller? We don't want——" +across and hold up this feller? We don't want——" </p> <p> @@ -6260,39 +6272,39 @@ he was taking his time about it. Had he placed the powder? Had he fired the fuses? Or had something gone wrong at the last moment? They asked themselves these questions impatiently. It would be just like him to have forgotten his matches. It might not occur to him to use the -lantern flame. In that case—— +lantern flame. In that case—— </p> <p> -"Come on, hurry up there!" McCrae called softly. +"Come on, hurry up there!" McCrae called softly. </p> <p> -Oscar clambered up beside them. "Ay tal you somet'ing——" he began. +Oscar clambered up beside them. "Ay tal you somet'ing——" he began. But the dog yelped suddenly. A sharp voice cut across to them: </p> <p> -"Kelly! What the devil's going on here? What are you about? Who's that -with you?" +"Kelly! What the devil's going on here? What are you about? Who's that +with you?" </p> <p> -"Farwell!" Dunne whispered. "Did you light the fuses, Oscar?" +"Farwell!" Dunne whispered. "Did you light the fuses, Oscar?" </p> <p> -"Sure t'ing," Oscar replied. Proud of the phrase, he repeated it. "She -ban light, all right." +"Sure t'ing," Oscar replied. Proud of the phrase, he repeated it. "She +ban light, all right." </p> <p> -"When'll she fire? Quick, now?" +"When'll she fire? Quick, now?" </p> <p> -"Mebbe fema minute. We ban haf lots of time to gat out of har. Say, -Kessy, what faller——" +"Mebbe fema minute. We ban haf lots of time to gat out of har. Say, +Kessy, what faller——" </p> <p> @@ -6300,8 +6312,8 @@ An oath cracked in the darkness like a rifle shot. </p> <p> -"You, Kelly, answer me! Come across here at once!" He paused for a -moment. "By thunder! Kelly, I'll come over there and——" +"You, Kelly, answer me! Come across here at once!" He paused for a +moment. "By thunder! Kelly, I'll come over there and——" </p> <p> @@ -6316,35 +6328,35 @@ the question. </p> <p> -"Come along, Casey," McHale urged. "We ain't got too much time." +"Come along, Casey," McHale urged. "We ain't got too much time." </p> <p> -"Time or not, we can't have Farwell hurt. You go. I'll be after you in -a minute." +"Time or not, we can't have Farwell hurt. You go. I'll be after you in +a minute." </p> <p> -"If you stay we all stay," said McHale. "Let him take his chance. Come -on!" +"If you stay we all stay," said McHale. "Let him take his chance. Come +on!" </p> <p> -"Git, I tell you," Casey insisted. "I've got to keep him where he is -till the first shot goes." He called out: "All right, Mr. Farwell. You -don't need to come. I'll be there." +"Git, I tell you," Casey insisted. "I've got to keep him where he is +till the first shot goes." He called out: "All right, Mr. Farwell. You +don't need to come. I'll be there." </p> <p> -"That's not Kelly's voice," snapped Farwell. "What deviltry's going on -here?" +"That's not Kelly's voice," snapped Farwell. "What deviltry's going on +here?" </p> <p> By his voice, Casey guessed that he was advancing. He dropped the -pretence as useless. "Get back, there!" he ordered sharply, but -endeavouring to disguise his natural voice. "Get back to your shack, -you, or I'll drill you!" +pretence as useless. "Get back, there!" he ordered sharply, but +endeavouring to disguise his natural voice. "Get back to your shack, +you, or I'll drill you!" </p> <p> @@ -6356,16 +6368,16 @@ forward, legs wide apart, tense and watchful. <p> As Casey's hand dropped to his automatic, McHale clutched his wrist. -"Don't shoot!" he whispered. +"Don't shoot!" he whispered. </p> <p> -"I'm not going to hit him," Casey replied. "I'm just going to make him -stay where he is." +"I'm not going to hit him," Casey replied. "I'm just going to make him +stay where he is." </p> <p> -"Let me," said McHale, and fired as he spoke. Farwell's revolver +"Let me," said McHale, and fired as he spoke. Farwell's revolver answered. They emptied the guns in the darkness; but as one shot high by accident and the other low by design, no damage ensued. </p> @@ -6377,7 +6389,7 @@ tent flaps; and, once outside, stood in helpless uncertainty. </p> <p> -"Coom, coom!" cried Oscar. "Ve gat out of har!" They rose and ran in +"Coom, coom!" cried Oscar. "Ve gat out of har!" They rose and ran in the dark. </p> @@ -6385,7 +6397,7 @@ the dark. A mighty roar drowned the echoes of the pistol shots, as the bass bellow of his sire might dominate the feeble bleatings of a new-born calf. A vivid flash split the night. In the momentary illumination -details were limned sharply—the buildings, the groups of men on one +details were limned sharply—the buildings, the groups of men on one side, the running figures on the other. And poised, stationary, as it seemed, in mid-air, above the instant eruption, hung a mushroom cloud of smoke and dust, specked with fragments of riven wood and shattered @@ -6409,15 +6421,15 @@ his horse sidled and backed. </p> <p> -"Stand still, Ay tal you!" he gritted. "By Yudas, Ay club hal from you -purty kvick!" +"Stand still, Ay tal you!" he gritted. "By Yudas, Ay club hal from you +purty kvick!" </p> <p> Young McCrae wheeled his horse on the off side and gripped the -headstall by the bit. "Up you go!" he cried, and Oscar fell into the +headstall by the bit. "Up you go!" he cried, and Oscar fell into the saddle, the horn striking him amidships and momentarily checking a -torrent of oaths. "Hang on, now!" McCrae ordered and let go. +torrent of oaths. "Hang on, now!" McCrae ordered and let go. </p> <p> @@ -6427,46 +6439,46 @@ emerging on the higher bench land by the trail. </p> <p> -"Look here, Tom," said Dunne, "what did you want to do the shooting for -back there? Afraid I'd get rattled and hit somebody?" +"Look here, Tom," said Dunne, "what did you want to do the shooting for +back there? Afraid I'd get rattled and hit somebody?" </p> <p> -McHale grinned in the darkness. "Not hardly. Mostly, Casey, you -<i>mamook tumtum</i> a heap—you look ahead and savvy plenty. You're -foolish—the way an old dog fox is. But onct in a while you overlook a -bet. You're too plumb modern and up to date." +McHale grinned in the darkness. "Not hardly. Mostly, Casey, you +<i>mamook tumtum</i> a heap—you look ahead and savvy plenty. You're +foolish—the way an old dog fox is. But onct in a while you overlook a +bet. You're too plumb modern and up to date." </p> <p> -"What's that got to do with it?" +"What's that got to do with it?" </p> <p> -"A lot. I don't know no other man hereabouts that packs a forty-four -automatic. See, now?" +"A lot. I don't know no other man hereabouts that packs a forty-four +automatic. See, now?" </p> <p> -"No." +"No." </p> <p> -"Why, Casey," said McHale, "I'm surprised at you! It's clear as gin. +"Why, Casey," said McHale, "I'm surprised at you! It's clear as gin. Them guns spits out the empty shells right where you stand. Farwell finds 'em, and he goes lookin' for a gun to fit 'em. You've got it. There ain't no other gun hereabouts that takes forty-four automatic ammunition. Now, my old gun don't leave no trail of ca'tridges to follow unless I breaks her open. So I just naturally horned in and -played the hand myself." +played the hand myself." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -6475,7 +6487,7 @@ lying helpless out of harm's way, Farwell was in a savage temper. Never before, in all his career, had anything like that been put over on him. And the knowledge that he had been sent there for the express purpose of preventing anything of the kind did not improve matters. He hated to -put the news on the wire—to admit to headquarters that the ranchers +put the news on the wire—to admit to headquarters that the ranchers apparently had caught him napping. But, having dispatched his telegram, he set his energies to finding some clew to the perpetrators of the outrage. @@ -6505,13 +6517,13 @@ accurate impression. </p> <p> -"Maybe an Australian nigger or a Mohave trailer could work this out," -he said in disgust to his assistant, Keeler. "I can't." +"Maybe an Australian nigger or a Mohave trailer could work this out," +he said in disgust to his assistant, Keeler. "I can't." </p> <p> -"Well, say," said young Keeler, "talking about Indians—how about old -Simon over there? Might try him." +"Well, say," said young Keeler, "talking about Indians—how about old +Simon over there? Might try him." </p> <p> @@ -6527,47 +6539,47 @@ gravity seemed primeval. </p> <p> -"Huh! That old beat!" said Farwell contemptuously. "Every Indian can't +"Huh! That old beat!" said Farwell contemptuously. "Every Indian can't trail. However, <i>we</i> can't, that's sure. Maybe he can make a bluff -at it. Go and get him." +at it. Go and get him." </p> <p> Keeler brought up old Simon, and Farwell endeavoured to explain what was wanted in language which he considered suited to the comprehension of a representative of the original North American race. He had a -smattering of Chinook,<a href="#note1" name="noteref1"><sup>1</sup></a> and for the rest he depended on gestures and +smattering of Chinook,<a href="#note1" id="noteref1"><sup>1</sup></a> and for the rest he depended on gestures and a loud voice, having the idea that every man can understand English if it be spoken loudly enough. </p> <p> -"Simon," said he, "last night bad man come and <i>mamook</i> raise heap -hell. Him blow up dam. You savvy 'dam,' hey?" +"Simon," said he, "last night bad man come and <i>mamook</i> raise heap +hell. Him blow up dam. You savvy 'dam,' hey?" </p> <p> -"Ah-ha!" Simon grunted proudly. "Me <i>kumtuks</i>. Me <i>kumtuks</i> -hell. Me <i>kumtuks</i> dam. Dam good, dam bad; godam——" +"Ah-ha!" Simon grunted proudly. "Me <i>kumtuks</i>. Me <i>kumtuks</i> +hell. Me <i>kumtuks</i> dam. Dam good, dam bad; godam——" </p> <p> -"No, no!" rasped Farwell. "<i>Halo</i> cuss word—no bad word—no. +"No, no!" rasped Farwell. "<i>Halo</i> cuss word—no bad word—no. D-a-m, 'dam.' Oh, Lord, the alphabet's wasted on him, of course. What's -Siwash for dam, Keeler?" +Siwash for dam, Keeler?" </p> <p> -"Search me," said Keeler; "but 'pence' is Chinook for fence, and -'chuck' means water. Try him with that." And Farwell tried again. +"Search me," said Keeler; "but 'pence' is Chinook for fence, and +'chuck' means water. Try him with that." And Farwell tried again. </p> <p> -"Now, see, Simon! Last night <i>hiyu cultus</i> man come. Bring -dynamite—<i>hiyu skookum</i> powder. Put um in dam—in <i>chuck -pence</i>. Set um off. <i>Mamook poo!</i>—all same shoot. Bang! -Whoosh! Up she go!" He waved his hand at the wreck. "You <i>kumtuks</i> -that?" +"Now, see, Simon! Last night <i>hiyu cultus</i> man come. Bring +dynamite—<i>hiyu skookum</i> powder. Put um in dam—in <i>chuck +pence</i>. Set um off. <i>Mamook poo!</i>—all same shoot. Bang! +Whoosh! Up she go!" He waved his hand at the wreck. "You <i>kumtuks</i> +that?" </p> <p> @@ -6575,16 +6587,16 @@ Simon nodded, understanding. </p> <p> -"<i>Mamook</i> bang," said he; "<i>mamook</i> bust!" +"<i>Mamook</i> bang," said he; "<i>mamook</i> bust!" </p> <p> -"Right," Farwell agreed. "<i>Cultus</i> man come at night. Dark. Black. -No see um." He made a footprint in the earth, pointed at it, and then -to Simon, and waved a hand at the horizon generally. "You find trail, -follow, catch um. Hey, can you do that, Simon? And I'll bet," he added -to Keeler, "the infernal old blockhead doesn't understand a word I've -said." +"Right," Farwell agreed. "<i>Cultus</i> man come at night. Dark. Black. +No see um." He made a footprint in the earth, pointed at it, and then +to Simon, and waved a hand at the horizon generally. "You find trail, +follow, catch um. Hey, can you do that, Simon? And I'll bet," he added +to Keeler, "the infernal old blockhead doesn't understand a word I've +said." </p> <p> @@ -6593,24 +6605,24 @@ acquaintance with modern business methods. Said he: </p> <p> -"How moch you give?" +"How moch you give?" </p> <p> -Keeler grinned. "I think he gets you," he commented. +Keeler grinned. "I think he gets you," he commented. </p> <p> -"I guess he does," Farwell admitted. "How much you want?" +"I guess he does," Farwell admitted. "How much you want?" </p> <p> -"Hundred dolla'!" Simon answered promptly. +"Hundred dolla'!" Simon answered promptly. </p> <p> -"Like blazes!" snapped Farwell. "You blasted, copper-hided old Shylock, -I'll give you five!" +"Like blazes!" snapped Farwell. "You blasted, copper-hided old Shylock, +I'll give you five!" </p> <p> @@ -6618,8 +6630,8 @@ Simon held out his hand. The gesture was unmistakable. </p> <p> -"And they say an Indian doesn't know enough to vote!" said Farwell. He -laid a five-dollar bill in the smoky palm. "Now get busy and earn it." +"And they say an Indian doesn't know enough to vote!" said Farwell. He +laid a five-dollar bill in the smoky palm. "Now get busy and earn it." </p> <p> @@ -6628,8 +6640,8 @@ away from the dam. </p> <p> -"That's about where those fellows ran," said Farwell. "Maybe the old -rascal can trail, after all." +"That's about where those fellows ran," said Farwell. "Maybe the old +rascal can trail, after all." </p> <p> @@ -6641,60 +6653,60 @@ of a sewn-in patch. </p> <p> -"Here, look here!" he cried. "One of 'em was wearing moccasins, and -patched moccasins at that." +"Here, look here!" he cried. "One of 'em was wearing moccasins, and +patched moccasins at that." </p> <p> -"Sure enough," said Keeler. +"Sure enough," said Keeler. </p> <p> -"Here, Simon, look at this," said the engineer. "You see um? One -<i>cultus</i> man wear moccasin. Was he white man or Indian?" +"Here, Simon, look at this," said the engineer. "You see um? One +<i>cultus</i> man wear moccasin. Was he white man or Indian?" </p> <p> Simon surveyed the track gravely, knelt, and examined it minutely. -"Mebbyso Injun," he said. +"Mebbyso Injun," he said. </p> <p> -"Mebbyso white man," Farwell objected. "What makes you think it's an -Indian?" +"Mebbyso white man," Farwell objected. "What makes you think it's an +Indian?" </p> <p> -"Oleman moccasin, him," Simon replied oracularly. "White man throw him -away; Injun keep him, mend him—<i>mamook tipshin klaska</i>." +"Oleman moccasin, him," Simon replied oracularly. "White man throw him +away; Injun keep him, mend him—<i>mamook tipshin klaska</i>." </p> <p> -"Something in that, too," Farwell agreed. "It's a straight foot—no +"Something in that, too," Farwell agreed. "It's a straight foot—no swing-in to the toe. Still, I don't know. I've seen white men like -that. I wonder——" He broke off abruptly, shaking his head. +that. I wonder——" He broke off abruptly, shaking his head. </p> <p> -Simon gave a correct imitation of mounting a horse. "Him -<i>klatawa</i>," he announced. "Him Injun." +Simon gave a correct imitation of mounting a horse. "Him +<i>klatawa</i>," he announced. "Him Injun." </p> <p> -"Got on his horse and pulled out, hey?" said Farwell. "Yes, of course, +"Got on his horse and pulled out, hey?" said Farwell. "Yes, of course, that's what he did. That's why the track is pressed in so deep. That's -all right. Simon, how many men stop last night?" +all right. Simon, how many men stop last night?" </p> <p> -"Four, five cayuse stop," Simon answered. "Mebbyso four, five, man -stop." +"Four, five cayuse stop," Simon answered. "Mebbyso four, five, man +stop." </p> <p> -"Well, four or five cayuses must have left a trail of some kind. You -find it. Follow—catchum. Find where they live—their <i>illahee</i>, -where they hang out. You get that?" +"Well, four or five cayuses must have left a trail of some kind. You +find it. Follow—catchum. Find where they live—their <i>illahee</i>, +where they hang out. You get that?" </p> <p> @@ -6705,45 +6717,45 @@ from the off side. Farwell swore suddenly. </p> <p> -"What?" Keeler asked. +"What?" Keeler asked. </p> <p> -"Hey, Simon!" said Farwell. "This man with oleman moccasin—him make +"Hey, Simon!" said Farwell. "This man with oleman moccasin—him make track getting on cayuse? Him stand so to get on cayuse. You sure of -that?" +that?" </p> <p> -Simon nodded. "Ah-ha!" he agreed. +Simon nodded. "Ah-ha!" he agreed. </p> <p> -"Then he's a white man," Farwell exclaimed. "This is the track of a +"Then he's a white man," Farwell exclaimed. "This is the track of a right foot, made while he was standing reaching for the stirrup with the left. An Indian always gets on his horse from the wrong side, and -puts his right foot in the stirrup first." +puts his right foot in the stirrup first." </p> <p> -"So he does," said Keeler. +"So he does," said Keeler. </p> <p> -"So this fellow is a white man," Farwell concluded triumphantly. "We +"So this fellow is a white man," Farwell concluded triumphantly. "We want a white man with a patched moccasin. You <i>kumtuks</i>, Simon? -Injun mount so. White man so—left foot up, right foot down. White -man's moccasin, Simon." +Injun mount so. White man so—left foot up, right foot down. White +man's moccasin, Simon." </p> <p> -"Huh!" Simon grunted gravely. "Mebbyso white man; mebbyso <i>sitkum -Siwash</i>." +"Huh!" Simon grunted gravely. "Mebbyso white man; mebbyso <i>sitkum +Siwash</i>." </p> <p> -"Half-breed nothing!" Farwell declared. "Straight white, I tell you. -Now get ahead on the trail." +"Half-breed nothing!" Farwell declared. "Straight white, I tell you. +Now get ahead on the trail." </p> <p> @@ -6753,15 +6765,15 @@ were lost. Simon halted. </p> <p> -"<i>Halo mamook!</i>" said he, signifying that he had done his +"<i>Halo mamook!</i>" said he, signifying that he had done his possible. The fact was so self-evident that Farwell could not gainsay it. </p> <p> -"That's an easy five for you," he grumbled. "We might as well get back, +"That's an easy five for you," he grumbled. "We might as well get back, Keeler. I never took any stock in that old buck, anyway. He's a gold -brick, like all the rest of them." +brick, like all the rest of them." </p> <p> @@ -6792,38 +6804,38 @@ McCrae was working. </p> <p> -"Hello, Simon!" said the latter carelessly. "How you makin' it this -morning? You keeping <i>skookum?</i>" +"Hello, Simon!" said the latter carelessly. "How you makin' it this +morning? You keeping <i>skookum?</i>" </p> <p> -"Ah-ha!" Simon responded gutturally. "<i>Skookum</i>, you?" +"Ah-ha!" Simon responded gutturally. "<i>Skookum</i>, you?" </p> <p> -"You bet," Sandy replied. "<i>Hiyu skookum</i> me." He leaned on his +"You bet," Sandy replied. "<i>Hiyu skookum</i> me." He leaned on his shovel for a moment, stretching his young, sinewy body, grinning at the Indian. The latter dismounted, and, stooping down, touched the young man's worn footgear. </p> <p> -"<i>Mamook huyhuy</i> moccasin," said he. +"<i>Mamook huyhuy</i> moccasin," said he. </p> <p> -"Swap moccasins?" Sandy repeated. "What for? Yours are new. <i>Chee</i> +"Swap moccasins?" Sandy repeated. "What for? Yours are new. <i>Chee</i> moccasin, you; oleman moccasin, me. What are you getting at? That's -fool talk." +fool talk." </p> <p> -But Simon insisted. "<i>Mamook huyhuy</i>," said he. "<i>Halo mitlite -oleman</i> moccasin." +But Simon insisted. "<i>Mamook huyhuy</i>," said he. "<i>Halo mitlite +oleman</i> moccasin." </p> <p> -"Why shouldn't I wear my old moccasins?" asked Sandy. +"Why shouldn't I wear my old moccasins?" asked Sandy. </p> <p> @@ -6834,8 +6846,8 @@ voice, when he spoke, was hard and metallic. </p> <p> -"Quit this sign business and spit it out of you," he ordered. -"<i>Mamook kumtuks!</i> Tell me what you mean!" +"Quit this sign business and spit it out of you," he ordered. +"<i>Mamook kumtuks!</i> Tell me what you mean!" </p> <p> @@ -6845,14 +6857,14 @@ whence he had come. </p> <p> -"<i>Tenas</i> sun (early morning) me stop along camp. Boss <i>tyee</i> +"<i>Tenas</i> sun (early morning) me stop along camp. Boss <i>tyee</i> man goodandam mad. Him say <i>cultus</i> man <i>mamook</i> raise -<i>hiyu</i> hell. Catch <i>hiyu skookum</i> powder—bang! Whoosh! -Upshego!" He mimicked Farwell's words and gestures to a nicety. "Him -say, s'pose me catch <i>cultus</i> man me catch <i>kwimnum</i> dolla'." -He exhibited the five-dollar bill, grinning once more. "Good! Me +<i>hiyu</i> hell. Catch <i>hiyu skookum</i> powder—bang! Whoosh! +Upshego!" He mimicked Farwell's words and gestures to a nicety. "Him +say, s'pose me catch <i>cultus</i> man me catch <i>kwimnum</i> dolla'." +He exhibited the five-dollar bill, grinning once more. "Good! Me <i>nanitch</i> 'round me find trail. Boss <i>tyee</i> man see track of -oleman moccasin." He pointed to Sandy's right foot. +oleman moccasin." He pointed to Sandy's right foot. </p> <p> @@ -6861,12 +6873,12 @@ nothing; but his eyes glinted dangerously. The Indian continued: </p> <p> -"Me <i>klatawa kimta</i> on trail. <i>Tyee</i> man him come, too. +"Me <i>klatawa kimta</i> on trail. <i>Tyee</i> man him come, too. Bimeby come to <i>hiyu</i> trail, all same road. Me lose trail. Me tell -<i>tyee</i> man '<i>halo mamook</i>.'" He grinned broadly. "Him +<i>tyee</i> man '<i>halo mamook</i>.'" He grinned broadly. "Him <i>klatawa</i> back <i>yaka illahee</i>. Me come along alone. See where <i>chik-chik</i> wagon turn around. All right. Me come tell you -<i>mamook huyhuy</i> moccasin." +<i>mamook huyhuy</i> moccasin." </p> <p> @@ -6878,7 +6890,7 @@ The suggestion of exchange was merely polite diplomacy. </p> <p> -"Simon," he said slowly, "blamed if you ain't a white Injun!" +"Simon," he said slowly, "blamed if you ain't a white Injun!" </p> <p> @@ -6887,7 +6899,7 @@ pipe and examined the empty bowl with interest. </p> <p> -"<i>Halo</i> smokin', me!" he observed gravely. +"<i>Halo</i> smokin', me!" he observed gravely. </p> <p> @@ -6896,15 +6908,15 @@ and put the tobacco in his pocket. </p> <p> -"You my <i>tillikum,</i>" he announced. "When you <i>tenas</i> boy I +"You my <i>tillikum,</i>" he announced. "When you <i>tenas</i> boy I like you, you like me. Good, <i>Konaway</i> McCrae (every McCrae) my -<i>tillikum</i>." He made a large gesture of generous inclusion, paused -for an instant, and shot a keen glance at his friend. "Cas-ee Dunne my -<i>tillikum,</i> too." +<i>tillikum</i>." He made a large gesture of generous inclusion, paused +for an instant, and shot a keen glance at his friend. "Cas-ee Dunne my +<i>tillikum,</i> too." </p> <p> -"Sure," said Sandy gravely. "We're all friends of yours, Simon." +"Sure," said Sandy gravely. "We're all friends of yours, Simon." </p> <p> @@ -6912,11 +6924,11 @@ Simon nodded and considered. </p> <p> -"All rancher my <i>tillikum</i>," he continued after an interval. -"Ah-ha! Good! S'pose some time me <i>mamook</i> sick, me feel all same -oleman—no more grub stop, no more smokin' stop—mebbyso all rancher +"All rancher my <i>tillikum</i>," he continued after an interval. +"Ah-ha! Good! S'pose some time me <i>mamook</i> sick, me feel all same +oleman—no more grub stop, no more smokin' stop—mebbyso all rancher <i>potlatch</i> grub, <i>potlatch</i> smokin', send doctin', send -med'cin'? You <i>kumtuks?</i>" +med'cin'? You <i>kumtuks?</i>" </p> <p> @@ -6927,11 +6939,11 @@ at the mission with a good heart. </p> <p> -"You don't want much," Sandy commented. "I guess we'd chip in, though, +"You don't want much," Sandy commented. "I guess we'd chip in, though, if you got up against the iron any time. Sure. S'pose you <i>mamook</i> sick, all rancher <i>mamook</i> help, give you <i>muckamuck</i> and smokin', stake you to doctor and dope; s'pose you go <i>mimoluse</i>, -bury you in style." +bury you in style." </p> <p> @@ -6942,16 +6954,16 @@ surveyed the five-dollar bill and chuckled. </p> <p> -"<i>Tyee</i> man <i>hyas</i> damfool!" said he. He cast a shrewd eye at -the sun, which stood near the meridian. "<i>Sitkum sun!</i>" he +"<i>Tyee</i> man <i>hyas</i> damfool!" said he. He cast a shrewd eye at +the sun, which stood near the meridian. "<i>Sitkum sun!</i>" he announced. </p> <p> -"Noon—and that means you're hungry," said Sandy. "I never saw you when +"Noon—and that means you're hungry," said Sandy. "I never saw you when you weren't. Go on up to the house, and say I sent you. <i>Muckamuck mika sick yakwahtin.</i> Eat till your belly goes back on you, if you -want to." +want to." </p> <p> @@ -6959,15 +6971,15 @@ Simon grinned again; but he pointed to Sandy's feet. </p> <p> -"You <i>mamook hyuhuy</i> moccasin dam quick!" he warned once more. +"You <i>mamook hyuhuy</i> moccasin dam quick!" he warned once more. </p> <br> -<hr align="left" noshade size="2" width="40%"> -<a name="note1"> </a> +<hr> +<a id="note1"> </a> <p class="foot"> <a href="#noteref1"><sup>1</sup></a> - AUTHOR'S NOTE.—Chinook, the trade jargon of the Pacific + AUTHOR'S NOTE.—Chinook, the trade jargon of the Pacific coast, is similar in origin to the pidgin English of China. It is composite, its root words being taken from various tribal vocabularies and from the French and English languages. The spelling conforms to the @@ -6977,25 +6989,25 @@ Volapuk, used extensively by the tribes of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. The number of words is comparatively small, probably not exceeding nine hundred. Therefore each has various meanings, rendered by shades of pronunciation or by combination with -other words. Thus the word "<i>mamook</i>," signifying to do, +other words. Thus the word "<i>mamook</i>," signifying to do, to make, to perform, or anything denoting action, begins some two hundred phrases, for each of which there is one equivalent English -word. Its nearest parallel is the French verb "<i>faire</i>," +word. Its nearest parallel is the French verb "<i>faire</i>," and its use is much the same. It is impossible in this space to attempt -a vocabulary. "<i>Halo</i>" is the general negative. Throughout +a vocabulary. "<i>Halo</i>" is the general negative. Throughout I have endeavoured to supply the meaning by the context. </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XIII -</p> +</h2> <p> -Casey Dunne crossed from the Coldstream Supply Company's store—which -was also the post office—to Bob Shiller's hotel. His pockets bulged +Casey Dunne crossed from the Coldstream Supply Company's store—which +was also the post office—to Bob Shiller's hotel. His pockets bulged with mail, for it was his first visit to town since the destruction of the dam a week before, and there was an accumulation of letters, newspapers, and periodicals. Ever since then he had been irrigating, @@ -7008,14 +7020,14 @@ stranger. </p> <p> -"Oh, Casey," said Shiller, "I want you to shake hands with Mr. Glass. -Mr. Glass—Mr. Dunne. Mr. Glass," the genial Bob went on, "has some +"Oh, Casey," said Shiller, "I want you to shake hands with Mr. Glass. +Mr. Glass—Mr. Dunne. Mr. Glass," the genial Bob went on, "has some notion of locating here if he can get a place to suit him. He likes the -land, and he likes the climate; but the recent—the events—er—the way +land, and he likes the climate; but the recent—the events—er—the way things shape at present has a <i>leetle</i> undecided him. Anything Mr. Dunne tells you, Mr. Glass, will be straight. He has land to burn, and one of our best ranches. Yes. I'll just leave you to talk it over -together." And so saying, he executed a masterly retreat. +together." And so saying, he executed a masterly retreat. </p> <p> @@ -7030,25 +7042,25 @@ constrained and ill at ease. </p> <p> -"You see, Mr. Dunne, it's this way with me," he began. And, appearing -to remember something suddenly, he asked: "Hadn't we better have a -drink?" +"You see, Mr. Dunne, it's this way with me," he began. And, appearing +to remember something suddenly, he asked: "Hadn't we better have a +drink?" </p> <p> -"Not unless you need it in your business," said Casey. "Sit down and -smoke a cigar with me and tell me your trouble." +"Not unless you need it in your business," said Casey. "Sit down and +smoke a cigar with me and tell me your trouble." </p> <p> -"Well, I'd just as soon," said Glass, plainly relieved. "I don't drink +"Well, I'd just as soon," said Glass, plainly relieved. "I don't drink much myself. My wife don't like it. It's a bad example for the -children. But I thought that out here, maybe from what I'd heard——" +children. But I thought that out here, maybe from what I'd heard——" </p> <p> -"Current Western fiction!" Casey laughed. "No, we don't drink every -time we shake hands. Couldn't stand it. Well, what can I do for you?" +"Current Western fiction!" Casey laughed. "No, we don't drink every +time we shake hands. Couldn't stand it. Well, what can I do for you?" </p> <p> @@ -7059,20 +7071,20 @@ Shiller had unloaded a bore on him. <p> Glass, it appeared, hailed from Maine, from the vicinity of one of the -"obscots" or "coggins." He had followed various callings—carpenter, -market gardener, and grocer—with indifferent success; but he had +"obscots" or "coggins." He had followed various callings—carpenter, +market gardener, and grocer—with indifferent success; but he had succeeded in accumulating a few thousand dollars. His eldest girl was not well. Consumption ran in her mother's family. The doctor had ordered a dryer climate, a higher altitude. For some years Glass had been thinking of migrating westward; but he had stuck in the narrow groove, lacking the initiative to pull up stakes and see for himself the land in which others had prospered. This sickness had decided -him—and here he was. +him—and here he was. </p> <p> He liked the climate, which he was sure would be just the thing for his -daughter; and he liked the land. But here was the point—and it was the +daughter; and he liked the land. But here was the point—and it was the point which was worrying Sleeman grayheaded. There was trouble between the ranchers and the land company. Not that it was for him to say who was right or wrong. But there <i>was</i> trouble. Now, he was a man of @@ -7083,92 +7095,92 @@ were unfriendly to those who bought land from the company. </p> <p> -"And I'm a man that has kept out of trouble all my life, Mr. Dunne," he -concluded plaintively. "I'm on good terms with everybody at home, and I +"And I'm a man that has kept out of trouble all my life, Mr. Dunne," he +concluded plaintively. "I'm on good terms with everybody at home, and I wouldn't want, right at the start-off, as you might say, to have anybody think I was trying to take water away from him. And yet I like the country. I thought maybe you could advise me what to do. It seems like a lot of gall asking you, too; you having land for sale and me thinking of buying the company's. But, then, I saw their advertising. -It was only right I should go to them, wasn't it?" +It was only right I should go to them, wasn't it?" </p> <p> -"Of course," said Casey. "I haven't any land for sale now. I'm holding +"Of course," said Casey. "I haven't any land for sale now. I'm holding what I have. But as to advising you, it's a difficult thing. Here's the situation: The amount of the total water supply is limited. The railway claims the right to take it all, if it likes. We claim enough to irrigate our properties. Right there we lock horns. There is a lawsuit just starting; but the Lord only knows which way it will be settled, or -when. And now you know as much about it as I do." +when. And now you know as much about it as I do." </p> <p> -"It don't look good," said Glass, shaking his head. "No, sir, it don't +"It don't look good," said Glass, shaking his head. "No, sir, it don't look good to me. And here's another thing. They tell me that there was trouble out here a ways the other night. I mean with the company's dam. Of course, I don't know anything about it myself; it's just what I've -heard. I hope you don't mind me speakin' of it." +heard. I hope you don't mind me speakin' of it." </p> <p> -"Not in the least. Well, what about it, Mr. Glass?" +"Not in the least. Well, what about it, Mr. Glass?" </p> <p> -"It was a turrible risky thing to do—to blow up a dam," said Glass. -"It'd be against the law, wouldn't it? Of course, I don't say it was. +"It was a turrible risky thing to do—to blow up a dam," said Glass. +"It'd be against the law, wouldn't it? Of course, I don't say it was. It might not be. I don't claim to know, and likely whoever done it had reasons. All the same, I wouldn't choose to be mixed up in doin's like -that." +that." </p> <p> -"Good thing to keep out of," Casey agreed. +"Good thing to keep out of," Casey agreed. </p> <p> -"I wouldn't want anything of mine to be blown up." +"I wouldn't want anything of mine to be blown up." </p> <p> -"But who would blow up anything of yours?" +"But who would blow up anything of yours?" </p> <p> -"I don't say anybody'd do it, of course," Glass protested hastily. -"Only, you see, men that'd blow up a dam are—I mean, if I bought land +"I don't say anybody'd do it, of course," Glass protested hastily. +"Only, you see, men that'd blow up a dam are—I mean, if I bought land off of the company and started in to use water and farm, they might -blame me. I wouldn't want to get my neighbours down on me, Mr. Dunne." +blame me. I wouldn't want to get my neighbours down on me, Mr. Dunne." </p> <p> -"Does that mean you think that some of your prospective neighbours blew -up the dam?" +"Does that mean you think that some of your prospective neighbours blew +up the dam?" </p> <p> -"No, no," Glass disclaimed, in a flurry. "I don't know who did it, of +"No, no," Glass disclaimed, in a flurry. "I don't know who did it, of course. I'm not saying anybody did. Only somebody must of. That's just -common sense. You'll admit that yourself." +common sense. You'll admit that yourself." </p> <p> -"Why, yes, that's a pretty safe conclusion," Casey agreed. "I don't +"Why, yes, that's a pretty safe conclusion," Casey agreed. "I don't think you need worry about that, though. The only point is whether the company will be able to keep an agreement to supply you with water. I can't tell you whether they will or not. If you buy you take a chance. -If you bought from me, you'd take almost the same chance." +If you bought from me, you'd take almost the same chance." </p> <p> -"I don't know what to do," said Glass, picking nervously at his -white-metal watch chain. "It's hard to tell—there's so many things to +"I don't know what to do," said Glass, picking nervously at his +white-metal watch chain. "It's hard to tell—there's so many things to be considered. I can't afford to lose money. This irrigation's new to me. I never saw it working. Would you mind if I came out to your farm and sort of looked around? I could learn a lot that way. Maybe if you had time, you could explain what I didn't understand? But, then, I -wouldn't want to trouble you." +wouldn't want to trouble you." </p> <p> @@ -7178,15 +7190,15 @@ existence. </p> <p> -"Come any time," he said. "Glad to see you. Sorry I can't do any more -for you; but you'll have to decide for yourself." +"Come any time," he said. "Glad to see you. Sorry I can't do any more +for you; but you'll have to decide for yourself." </p> <p> -"Yes, I know," Glass agreed dismally. "I'll look around first. I'm -obliged to you. You—you're sure you won't have a drink? No. Well, I +"Yes, I know," Glass agreed dismally. "I'll look around first. I'm +obliged to you. You—you're sure you won't have a drink? No. Well, I guess I'll go in and write a letter to my wife. I write to her twice a -week. I'll see you later, maybe." +week. I'll see you later, maybe." </p> <p> @@ -7196,11 +7208,11 @@ not especially important. </p> <p> -"The mails would be a whole lot lighter if it wasn't for fake oil and -cement propositions and special offers of the world's best authors," he -grumbled. "Promoters and publishers seem to consider the small post +"The mails would be a whole lot lighter if it wasn't for fake oil and +cement propositions and special offers of the world's best authors," he +grumbled. "Promoters and publishers seem to consider the small post office the natural breeding ground for suckers. Maybe they're right, -too. Hello! Here's something different." +too. Hello! Here's something different." </p> <p> @@ -7209,21 +7221,21 @@ aristocratic finish and thickness. </p> <p> -"Wedding—for the drinks!" growled Casey. "Not so different, after -all." He ripped it open ruthlessly with his thumb. "Here's where I get +"Wedding—for the drinks!" growled Casey. "Not so different, after +all." He ripped it open ruthlessly with his thumb. "Here's where I get set back a few dollars starting another domestic plant. Blamed if it's -any better than—hello!" +any better than—hello!" </p> <p> It was not a wedding announcement. Instead, it was a check. The amount thereof was the surprising sum of eighty cents, exchange added; and the -signature, firm, square, clear-cut as lettering, was "<i>Clyde -Burnaby</i>." +signature, firm, square, clear-cut as lettering, was "<i>Clyde +Burnaby</i>." </p> <p> -"Now what the devil?" Casey exclaimed, and jerked out the accompanying +"Now what the devil?" Casey exclaimed, and jerked out the accompanying letter. </p> @@ -7271,7 +7283,7 @@ ground, she had endeavoured to put him at his ease. Funny that, but he appreciated it, nevertheless. And she could talk. She didn't giggle and ask inane questions. Nor did she treat him as some sort of a natural curiosity, who might be expected to do something shocking but -entertaining at any moment. She was sensible as—well—as sensible as +entertaining at any moment. She was sensible as—well—as sensible as Sheila McCrae herself. </p> @@ -7279,7 +7291,7 @@ Sheila McCrae herself. And that, Casey reflected, was by way of being a high compliment; for Sheila had more sense than most men. He would take her opinion on any subject as well worth consideration. She and Clyde Burnaby were two -young women very much above the ordinary run—in his opinion, at least. +young women very much above the ordinary run—in his opinion, at least. </p> <p> @@ -7288,10 +7300,10 @@ Because he had nothing else to do at the moment, he amused himself by a process of transposition, of transmigration. He imagined Clyde Burnaby in Sheila's place, riding Beaver Boy over the brown swells, along the narrow trails and abrupt rises of the foothills, raising several -hundred chickens, helping with the housework, the mending—all the +hundred chickens, helping with the housework, the mending—all the daily feminine chores that fell to the lot of a rancher's womenkind. Would she be as good a friend to him as Sheila had been? And he fancied -Sheila in her place—tailor-mades and evening gowns instead of riding +Sheila in her place—tailor-mades and evening gowns instead of riding skirts, Paris instead of pony hats, with nothing in particular to do but have a good time and spend money. Make good? Of course she would. She was clean-cut, thoroughbred, smart as a whip. Perhaps she wasn't @@ -7302,8 +7314,8 @@ a matter of taste. She was a different style. <p> He looked at the check lying on his knee, and laughed at the idea of interest on ten dollars. He had forgotten all about that conceit, but -she had not. He would frame the check—yes, that was what he would do. -In time there would be quite a bunch of them—that is, if she +she had not. He would frame the check—yes, that was what he would do. +In time there would be quite a bunch of them—that is, if she remembered to send them. Well, anyway, he would have to acknowledge it, and he might as well do it at once. </p> @@ -7317,13 +7329,13 @@ describing the water situation, forecasting the probabilities. As these were not too cheering, he frowned and added an optimistic sentence or two for general effect. He concluded with a hope that she would some time honour his country with a visit, when his ranch and all it -contained—including its owner—would be entirely at her service. +contained—including its owner—would be entirely at her service. </p> <p> On his way to post the letter he passed Glass, still struggling with his own composition. That poor devil! A perfect type of incompetent. He -was too slow and timid for the West—too old to learn the lessons of +was too slow and timid for the West—too old to learn the lessons of self-reliance and adaptability of a new land. However, that was his own affair. If he would work he could make a living, and that was all that he or those like him could make anywhere. @@ -7337,124 +7349,124 @@ agent. </p> <p> -"Tell them to start a tracer from the other end after those car -numbers," Farwell was commanding; "and you start one from here. I've +"Tell them to start a tracer from the other end after those car +numbers," Farwell was commanding; "and you start one from here. I've got to have them right away; work's at a standstill. Those cursed fatheads in the freight department don't know enough to shovel ballast. -Get after them with a sharp stick." +Get after them with a sharp stick." </p> <p> -"I'll do me best for ye," Quilty promised; "but freight on this line -comes whin ut comes." +"I'll do me best for ye," Quilty promised; "but freight on this line +comes whin ut comes." </p> <p> -"It will come when I want it, or somebody will lose a job," said -Farwell. "I'm not the ordinary consignee, and you can tell them that, -too." +"It will come when I want it, or somebody will lose a job," said +Farwell. "I'm not the ordinary consignee, and you can tell them that, +too." </p> <p> -"I'll do that same," said Quilty; "but I misdoubt if a cyar wheel turns -the faster for ut. I mind back in eighty-five—or maybe 'twas -eighty-three ut was—whin O'Brien—'Flapjack' O'Brien they called him -then, though he's climbed high enough since—well, whin O'Brien was a +"I'll do that same," said Quilty; "but I misdoubt if a cyar wheel turns +the faster for ut. I mind back in eighty-five—or maybe 'twas +eighty-three ut was—whin O'Brien—'Flapjack' O'Brien they called him +then, though he's climbed high enough since—well, whin O'Brien was a plain, iveryday, thievin' conthractor, and a dom bad wan at that, he -had a nephew named Burke that married a Finnegan—or maybe ut was -Finucane—whose father pulled ould Sivinty-six, a wood-burnin' +had a nephew named Burke that married a Finnegan—or maybe ut was +Finucane—whose father pulled ould Sivinty-six, a wood-burnin' monsthrosity iv an ingin' that be th' grace iv God an' a full sand box might be good for a 3-per-cent grade anny dry day in summer but a Friday. Annyways, as I started to tell ye, Danny Powers fired for -Finnegan or Finucane, whichever ut was, and him and this Burke——" +Finnegan or Finucane, whichever ut was, and him and this Burke——" </p> <p> -But Farwell cursed Powers and Burke. "You burn the wires getting those -cars for me!" he ordered. "What the devil do I care for all those -construction-days micks? You talk too much. Get busy!" With which he +But Farwell cursed Powers and Burke. "You burn the wires getting those +cars for me!" he ordered. "What the devil do I care for all those +construction-days micks? You talk too much. Get busy!" With which he turned and walked away with his companion. </p> <p> -"Pleasant gentleman, Corney!" Casey ventured. +"Pleasant gentleman, Corney!" Casey ventured. </p> <p> -The little station agent winked. "Th' black dog is on him sure enough," -he observed. "Since his dam was blowed up, he has th' civil word for -nobody. Listen, now, Casey. Somebody will pay for that night's work." +The little station agent winked. "Th' black dog is on him sure enough," +he observed. "Since his dam was blowed up, he has th' civil word for +nobody. Listen, now, Casey. Somebody will pay for that night's work." </p> <p> -"I don't quite get you, Corney." +"I don't quite get you, Corney." </p> <p> -"Oh, divil th' fear iv yez not gettin' me. I'm not speakin' now in me +"Oh, divil th' fear iv yez not gettin' me. I'm not speakin' now in me official capacity; for praise God this dam is outside th' duties iv me -jurisdiction. I'm tellin' ye as a friend." +jurisdiction. I'm tellin' ye as a friend." </p> <p> -"I know, Corney; but tell me a little plainer." +"I know, Corney; but tell me a little plainer." </p> <p> -"Plainer is ut? Yez are a man grown. Do yez think yez can crim'nally +"Plainer is ut? Yez are a man grown. Do yez think yez can crim'nally an' wid conthributory vi'lence aforethought dynymite me employers' -property, an' no comeback at all? Have sinse!" +property, an' no comeback at all? Have sinse!" </p> <p> -"Hold on," said Casey. "Go slow, Corney." But Mr. Quilty dismissed this +"Hold on," said Casey. "Go slow, Corney." But Mr. Quilty dismissed this preliminary objection with a wave of his hand. </p> <p> -"Thim's figgers iv speech. I assume yez are innocent until yez are +"Thim's figgers iv speech. I assume yez are innocent until yez are caught. Faix, it's not me'd give th' hot tip iv a warnin' to a crim'nal. But whisper now! Th' comp'ny is for siftin' this outrageous outrage to th' bottom, an' then liftin' th' bottom to look under it. Havin' put its hand to th' plow, it will l'ave no stone unturned to probe th' mysthry. Ye seen that felly wid Farwell. He's th' railway -detective!" +detective!" </p> <p> -"Meaning that they're out to round up somebody, eh?" said Casey. "All -right, Corney; let 'em go to it." +"Meaning that they're out to round up somebody, eh?" said Casey. "All +right, Corney; let 'em go to it." </p> <p> -"In me official capacity," said Mr. Quilty, looking him sternly in the -eye, "I hope th' dirty blagyards is caught red-handed and soaked hard +"In me official capacity," said Mr. Quilty, looking him sternly in the +eye, "I hope th' dirty blagyards is caught red-handed and soaked hard for th' shameless and di'bolical atrocity they have perpetuated. For such abandoned miscreants hangin' is too dom ladylike a punishment. I want yez to understand me official sintimints in me official capacity -clearly. Yez may quote me exact words if ye feel so disposed." +clearly. Yez may quote me exact words if ye feel so disposed." </p> <p> -"In your official capacity," said Casey, "your official sentiments do -you great credit." +"In your official capacity," said Casey, "your official sentiments do +you great credit." </p> <p> -"I'm glad ye think so," said Mr. Quilty; "for in me private capacity, +"I'm glad ye think so," said Mr. Quilty; "for in me private capacity, speakin' widout prejudice to me salary and as a true son iv dear, ould, dirty Dublin to a friend, me private sintimints is these: Th' man that invinted dynymite should have a set iv goold medals th' size iv a compound's dhrivers. But if iver ye mintion me private sintimints to a -soul, I'll have yer life!" +soul, I'll have yer life!" </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XIV -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -7502,7 +7514,7 @@ as a logger has of cabinet-making. Still, he was drawn to her by a desire which he was unable to resist. He had a profound belief in himself and in his capacity for material success; he considered himself an eligible match for any girl, and he relied on Sheila's good sense to -realize what he had taken pains to make plain—that while his loyalty +realize what he had taken pains to make plain—that while his loyalty to his employers forced him to carry out their instructions, his sympathies were with her and her family. Of this he had given indubitable proof. He had no intention of dropping out of sight, of @@ -7530,11 +7542,11 @@ faint, ironic smile which irritated Farwell. </p> <p> -"You don't think so?" asked the engineer pointedly. +"You don't think so?" asked the engineer pointedly. </p> <p> -"You're doing the talking—I'm not," said Sandy. +"You're doing the talking—I'm not," said Sandy. </p> <p> @@ -7575,53 +7587,53 @@ withdrew, leaving him with Sheila. </p> <p> -"This is a nasty business," said Farwell, after a long pause, reverting -to the former topic. "I wouldn't like it—no matter what turns up—to -make any difference between us." +"This is a nasty business," said Farwell, after a long pause, reverting +to the former topic. "I wouldn't like it—no matter what turns up—to +make any difference between us." </p> <p> -"There isn't much difference to make," she reminded him. +"There isn't much difference to make," she reminded him. </p> <p> -"No, I suppose not," he admitted, slightly disconcerted. "We're merely -acquaintances. Only"—he hesitated—"only I thought—perhaps—we might -be friends." +"No, I suppose not," he admitted, slightly disconcerted. "We're merely +acquaintances. Only"—he hesitated—"only I thought—perhaps—we might +be friends." </p> <p> -Which was going very strong—for Farwell. He said it awkwardly, +Which was going very strong—for Farwell. He said it awkwardly, stiffly, because he was quite unaccustomed to such phrase. Sheila smiled to herself in the growing darkness. </p> <p> -"Well, friends if you like. But then we are of different camps—hostile -camps." +"Well, friends if you like. But then we are of different camps—hostile +camps." </p> <p> -"But I'm not hostile," said Farwell. "That's nonsense. Business is -business, but outside of that it cuts no ice with me." +"But I'm not hostile," said Farwell. "That's nonsense. Business is +business, but outside of that it cuts no ice with me." </p> <p> -"Doesn't it?" +"Doesn't it?" </p> <p> -"Not with me," he declared stoutly. "Not a bit. You didn't blow up the -dam. Even if you had——" +"Not with me," he declared stoutly. "Not a bit. You didn't blow up the +dam. Even if you had——" </p> <p> -"Even if I had——" +"Even if I had——" </p> <p> -"I wouldn't care," Farwell blurted. "Thank the Lord I'm not -narrow-minded." +"I wouldn't care," Farwell blurted. "Thank the Lord I'm not +narrow-minded." </p> <p> @@ -7632,22 +7644,22 @@ dark. </p> <p> -"Hello, Sheila!" the rider called. +"Hello, Sheila!" the rider called. </p> <p> -"Why, Casey, this is luck!" she exclaimed. Farwell scowled at the -evident pleasure in her voice. "Light down. Better put your horse in -the stable." +"Why, Casey, this is luck!" she exclaimed. Farwell scowled at the +evident pleasure in her voice. "Light down. Better put your horse in +the stable." </p> <p> -"That you, McCrae?" said Dunne, peering at the glow of Farwell's cigar. -"I want to see you about——" +"That you, McCrae?" said Dunne, peering at the glow of Farwell's cigar. +"I want to see you about——" </p> <p> -"It's Mr. Farwell," Sheila interjected quickly. +"It's Mr. Farwell," Sheila interjected quickly. </p> <p> @@ -7655,14 +7667,14 @@ A pause. Casey's voice, smooth, polite, broke it. </p> <p> -"I didn't recognize you, Mr. Farwell. How are you?" He dismounted, -dropped his reins, and came upon the veranda. "Lovely night, isn't it? -Well, and how is everything going with you?" +"I didn't recognize you, Mr. Farwell. How are you?" He dismounted, +dropped his reins, and came upon the veranda. "Lovely night, isn't it? +Well, and how is everything going with you?" </p> <p> -"I'm fairly busy," Farwell replied grimly, "thanks to the actions of -some persons who imagine themselves unknown." +"I'm fairly busy," Farwell replied grimly, "thanks to the actions of +some persons who imagine themselves unknown." </p> <p> @@ -7671,57 +7683,57 @@ touched his fingers. He spoke through the ensuing greater darkness: </p> <p> -"I heard that your dam wasn't holding very well." +"I heard that your dam wasn't holding very well." </p> <p> -"Not very well," Farwell agreed, struggling with his temper. "Perhaps -you <i>heard</i> that it was dynamited?" +"Not very well," Farwell agreed, struggling with his temper. "Perhaps +you <i>heard</i> that it was dynamited?" </p> <p> -"I think I've heard most of the rumours," Dunne responded calmly. +"I think I've heard most of the rumours," Dunne responded calmly. </p> <p> -"I have no doubt of that," Farwell observed with meaning. +"I have no doubt of that," Farwell observed with meaning. </p> <p> -"Great country for rumours," Casey went on. "Somebody always knows your +"Great country for rumours," Casey went on. "Somebody always knows your inmost thoughts. Your intentions are known by others before you know them yourself. You are no exception, Mr. Farwell. The mind readers are busy with you. No action you might take would surprise them. They are -quite ready for anything." +quite ready for anything." </p> <p> -"I may surprise these wise people yet," said Farwell. "I suppose they -counted on depriving our lands of water by destroying our dam?" +"I may surprise these wise people yet," said Farwell. "I suppose they +counted on depriving our lands of water by destroying our dam?" </p> <p> -"That's certainly an original way of putting it," said Casey. "Well?" +"That's certainly an original way of putting it," said Casey. "Well?" </p> <p> -"Well, they didn't foresee that, though our permanent work is wrecked, +"Well, they didn't foresee that, though our permanent work is wrecked, and will take time to rebuild, we would put in a temporary wing of -logs, brush, and sand which would give us a partial supply." +logs, brush, and sand which would give us a partial supply." </p> <p> -"No, they didn't foresee that, likely," Casey admitted. "This wing dam +"No, they didn't foresee that, likely," Casey admitted. "This wing dam of yours is quite an idea. By the way, I'm not getting enough water -now, myself. Couldn't you get along with less than you are taking?" +now, myself. Couldn't you get along with less than you are taking?" </p> <p> -"No," Farwell returned shortly. +"No," Farwell returned shortly. </p> <p> -"These wise people thought you could or would," said Casey, and, +"These wise people thought you could or would," said Casey, and, turning to Sheila, asked for her father. A few minutes afterward he strode off in search of him. </p> @@ -7868,200 +7880,200 @@ his mind. The main thing was to crush these ranchers, to bring them to their knees. After that all would be easy, there would be an end of difficulties. The engineering problems were the least. He had a free hand; he was backed by an enormous corporation which would go the -limit. He resolved to fight fire with fire—to give the ranchers a dose +limit. He resolved to fight fire with fire—to give the ranchers a dose of their own medicine. </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XV -</p> +</h2> <p> When Clyde Burnaby entered Wade's office, that busy lawyer was much -surprised. "I thought you had gone away," he said as they shook hands. -"It beats me how any young woman with the price of an elsewhere can -stay in this town in summer." +surprised. "I thought you had gone away," he said as they shook hands. +"It beats me how any young woman with the price of an elsewhere can +stay in this town in summer." </p> <p> Clyde laughed as she sat down. She looked deliciously cool, though the mercury was in the nineties, and the dusty cañonlike streets were like -ovens. "I was on the point of going," she admitted, "but I don't know -where to go. I came for some information on another point, Mr. Wade." +ovens. "I was on the point of going," she admitted, "but I don't know +where to go. I came for some information on another point, Mr. Wade." </p> <p> -"Yes?" said Wade interrogatively. "We carry a very complete stock of -information here." He waved a hand at the formidable rows of half-calf -and circuit bindings in his bookcase. "What particular shade, model, or +"Yes?" said Wade interrogatively. "We carry a very complete stock of +information here." He waved a hand at the formidable rows of half-calf +and circuit bindings in his bookcase. "What particular shade, model, or style may I show you? Something seasonable and yet durable? Here is a very attractive and well-bound ten-pound creation covering most of the common or garden varieties of contract, including breach of promise to -marry. Nice summer reading. Or, perhaps——" +marry. Nice summer reading. Or, perhaps——" </p> <p> -"Now <i>do</i> you think any sensible man would break such a promise to -me?" she laughed. +"Now <i>do</i> you think any sensible man would break such a promise to +me?" she laughed. </p> <p> -"You know the answer already," Wade replied. "You are a very -good-looking young woman—almost as good-looking as Kitty." +"You know the answer already," Wade replied. "You are a very +good-looking young woman—almost as good-looking as Kitty." </p> <p> -"Model husband," Clyde commented approvingly. "Kitty is a darling. But +"Model husband," Clyde commented approvingly. "Kitty is a darling. But to come to the point, Mr. Wade, I want some information about Mr. -Dunne." +Dunne." </p> <p> -"Casey Dunne?" inquired Wade, with a slight lift of his brows. "What -has he been doing? What do you want to know about him?" +"Casey Dunne?" inquired Wade, with a slight lift of his brows. "What +has he been doing? What do you want to know about him?" </p> <p> -"I want to know about his business affairs—or perhaps I should say his -business troubles." +"I want to know about his business affairs—or perhaps I should say his +business troubles." </p> <p> -"Why?" Wade asked bluntly, eying her with curiosity. +"Why?" Wade asked bluntly, eying her with curiosity. </p> <p> -Clyde's colour heightened a little but she met his gaze directly. "I -had a letter from him," she replied, "in which, among other things, he +Clyde's colour heightened a little but she met his gaze directly. "I +had a letter from him," she replied, "in which, among other things, he referred to his troubles with the railway company that owns land in his -district—troubles about water. It seems to be a serious matter." +district—troubles about water. It seems to be a serious matter." </p> <p> -"How did he happen to write you about it?" asked Wade. "Do you +"How did he happen to write you about it?" asked Wade. "Do you correspond? I beg your pardon. It's none of my business, but Casey -isn't given to telling his troubles." +isn't given to telling his troubles." </p> <p> -"I think," said Clyde, "I had better tell you how I first met Mr. -Dunne." She did so, considerably to Wade's surprise. +"I think," said Clyde, "I had better tell you how I first met Mr. +Dunne." She did so, considerably to Wade's surprise. </p> <p> -"That's just like Casey all through," he commented. "Close as a clam. +"That's just like Casey all through," he commented. "Close as a clam. Never told me about meeting you before. And so he lent you ten dollars! -You!" He chuckled at the idea. "Well, later he may have a use for that -same ten." +You!" He chuckled at the idea. "Well, later he may have a use for that +same ten." </p> <p> -"You really mean that? If money would help him now——" +"You really mean that? If money would help him now——" </p> <p> -"It isn't necessary just yet. I'll tell you how matters stand." He did -so with brevity and lucidity. "The situation now is that the government +"It isn't necessary just yet. I'll tell you how matters stand." He did +so with brevity and lucidity. "The situation now is that the government leaves the right to water to be determined by the courts. The court won't sit till some time in September. So there you are. Meanwhile the company is trying to take the water and the ranchers are trying to prevent them. So far nobody has been hurt, but I'm afraid, with the bitterness which is sure to develop, there may be serious trouble at -any time." +any time." </p> <p> -"Mr. Dunne and his friends have not funds for a long legal fight?" +"Mr. Dunne and his friends have not funds for a long legal fight?" </p> <p> -"No. Casey himself is land poor—that is, he has put every dollar he +"No. Casey himself is land poor—that is, he has put every dollar he could rake together into land. He will either go broke or make a killing. The others have good ranches, but no money. And they can't raise any on their land, for nobody would lend under these conditions. -Their very existence is involved." +Their very existence is involved." </p> <p> -"I have plenty of money," said Clyde. "More than I know what to do +"I have plenty of money," said Clyde. "More than I know what to do with; more than I can ever spend, living as I do. I will give you a check now for whatever sum you require to take this case to the very -highest court." +highest court." </p> <p> -"That's a very generous offer," said Wade, "but I can't accept it. It's +"That's a very generous offer," said Wade, "but I can't accept it. It's not merely a case of lack of the sinews of war. It's a case of a huge corporation against a few individuals with as little influence as they have money. You might put up law costs to an enormous extent uselessly. You see, you would be bucking Western Airline. Your respected uncle -might do that, but you can't." +might do that, but you can't." </p> <p> -Clyde's smooth forehead wrinkled thoughtfully. But she merely said: "If -I can do anything—with money or in any other way—for Mr. Dunne and -his friends, I'm ready to do it." +Clyde's smooth forehead wrinkled thoughtfully. But she merely said: "If +I can do anything—with money or in any other way—for Mr. Dunne and +his friends, I'm ready to do it." </p> <p> -"I don't know what you can do just now," said Wade. "I'm going on a +"I don't know what you can do just now," said Wade. "I'm going on a vacation for a few weeks. Most of it I intend to spend out in that part -of the country. When I return I'll know more about it." +of the country. When I return I'll know more about it." </p> <p> -"Is Kitty going, too?" Clyde asked. +"Is Kitty going, too?" Clyde asked. </p> <p> -"She wants to, but I don't like the idea. It's a little rough there. -I'd prefer her to go where she'd be more comfortable." +"She wants to, but I don't like the idea. It's a little rough there. +I'd prefer her to go where she'd be more comfortable." </p> <p> -"She wouldn't enjoy it alone." +"She wouldn't enjoy it alone." </p> <p> -"Suppose you keep her company," Wade suggested. "She'd be delighted." +"Suppose you keep her company," Wade suggested. "She'd be delighted." </p> <p> -"Suppose," said Clyde, "we both keep you company?" +"Suppose," said Clyde, "we both keep you company?" </p> <p> -"Eh!" said Wade. +"Eh!" said Wade. </p> <p> -"Well, why not? We're both sick of dressed-up summer resorts. I want to +"Well, why not? We're both sick of dressed-up summer resorts. I want to see this country of Mr. Dunne's. We can rough it if we have to. We'll -have a camp or take a house—we'll get along somehow." +have a camp or take a house—we'll get along somehow." </p> <p> -"Oh, nonsense!" Wade objected. "You wouldn't like it. It's as hot as -perdition in the daytime. You'd be sick of it." +"Oh, nonsense!" Wade objected. "You wouldn't like it. It's as hot as +perdition in the daytime. You'd be sick of it." </p> <p> -"If we don't like it we can leave. If Kitty will go and doesn't object -to me, will you take us both?" +"If we don't like it we can leave. If Kitty will go and doesn't object +to me, will you take us both?" </p> <p> -"You'll both go if you want to, whether I say 'no' or not," said Wade. -"Is this a put-up job? Have you fixed it with Kitty?" +"You'll both go if you want to, whether I say 'no' or not," said Wade. +"Is this a put-up job? Have you fixed it with Kitty?" </p> <p> -"Not yet," said Clyde, her eyes twinkling, "but I'm going to." +"Not yet," said Clyde, her eyes twinkling, "but I'm going to." </p> <p> @@ -8076,16 +8088,16 @@ his niece to a seat, his hand mechanically searching for a cigar. </p> <p> -"Well, young lady, what's the trouble?" he asked. +"Well, young lady, what's the trouble?" he asked. </p> <p> -"I want about fifteen minutes of your time, Uncle Jim." +"I want about fifteen minutes of your time, Uncle Jim." </p> <p> -"Easy," Hess commented. As a rule he was sparing of words. "I was -afraid you wanted to borrow money." Nevertheless he eyed her shrewdly. +"Easy," Hess commented. As a rule he was sparing of words. "I was +afraid you wanted to borrow money." Nevertheless he eyed her shrewdly. She was a great favourite of his, and he devoted much more time to her affairs than she suspected. </p> @@ -8098,76 +8110,76 @@ able to state the case clearly. </p> <p> -"This Dunne and his friends," Hess commented, "seem to me to be up -against it." +"This Dunne and his friends," Hess commented, "seem to me to be up +against it." </p> <p> -"I thought that you might be able to do something to help them." +"I thought that you might be able to do something to help them." </p> <p> -"What?" +"What?" </p> <p> -"I didn't know. But you are a railway man. You may have some influence +"I didn't know. But you are a railway man. You may have some influence with Mr. York or his directors. Perhaps you might bring influence to -bear." +bear." </p> <p> -Hess smiled grimly. "Old Nick has more influence with York than I have. +Hess smiled grimly. "Old Nick has more influence with York than I have. He crosses the street when he sees me. I like him about as much as he -likes me. He's boss of his own show—his directors cut no ice. Anyway, -it's none of my business. I've no excuse for butting in." Her face -showed her disappointment. "I'm sorry," said Hess. "I'd do anything I +likes me. He's boss of his own show—his directors cut no ice. Anyway, +it's none of my business. I've no excuse for butting in." Her face +showed her disappointment. "I'm sorry," said Hess. "I'd do anything I could for you, little girl, or for any one who ever did you a good turn. But you see how it is. I can't ask favours of York and his crowd. -If I did they'd only refuse." +If I did they'd only refuse." </p> <p> -"Of course not—if it's that way," Clyde acknowledged. "I didn't know. -I thought you might be able to do something or suggest something." +"Of course not—if it's that way," Clyde acknowledged. "I didn't know. +I thought you might be able to do something or suggest something." </p> <p> Hess was silent, smoking meditatively, drawing aimless lines on a -blotter. "Got much money loose?" he asked suddenly. +blotter. "Got much money loose?" he asked suddenly. </p> <p> -"Plenty," Clyde replied. "Why?" +"Plenty," Clyde replied. "Why?" </p> <p> -"Well," said Hess slowly, "just at present Western Air looks to me like -good buying." +"Well," said Hess slowly, "just at present Western Air looks to me like +good buying." </p> <p> -"Does it? I'll buy a little, if you say so." +"Does it? I'll buy a little, if you say so." </p> <p> -"Don't say I said so; don't mention my name. Tell your brokers to buy +"Don't say I said so; don't mention my name. Tell your brokers to buy quietly at the market just as much as you can stand. Tell 'em to buy till you countermand their instructions. I'll let you know when to do that. Tell 'em to buy at the present market. If the price breaks keep on buying. And if you go away anywhere let me know where a wire will -get you." +get you." </p> <p> -"Thanks, Uncle Jim," said Clyde. "You think Western Air is a good -investment, then?" +"Thanks, Uncle Jim," said Clyde. "You think Western Air is a good +investment, then?" </p> <p> -"I didn't say that—I said it was good buying," said Hess. "It's not -high now. Some day"—he hesitated—"some day it ought to be worth as -much as Hess System—as much as one of our own stocks." +"I didn't say that—I said it was good buying," said Hess. "It's not +high now. Some day"—he hesitated—"some day it ought to be worth as +much as Hess System—as much as one of our own stocks." </p> <p> @@ -8178,26 +8190,26 @@ troubles, and departed to keep his engagement. <p> Clyde immediately rang up Mrs. Wade, and, finding her at home, -proceeded there at once, to "fix" matters; a thing by no means hard to +proceeded there at once, to "fix" matters; a thing by no means hard to accomplish, for Kitty Wade found the prospect of a lonesome vacation very unattractive, and was a willing conspirator. </p> <p> -"We'll just <i>make</i> Harrison take us," she declared. "We'll have +"We'll just <i>make</i> Harrison take us," she declared. "We'll have all sorts of a good time, too, riding and driving and fishing and whatever else they do. Won't it be a relief not to have to dress up? -And I'll be an ideal chaperon, dear, upon my word." +And I'll be an ideal chaperon, dear, upon my word." </p> <p> -"Oh, my liking for Mr. Dunne hasn't reached that stage," laughed Clyde, +"Oh, my liking for Mr. Dunne hasn't reached that stage," laughed Clyde, flushing a little, but too wise to pretend density. She had ever found -that the best defence against such badinage lay in frankness. "But +that the best defence against such badinage lay in frankness. "But don't leave me alone with him, Kitty. It might end with his endowing me with his name and worldly goods. 'Mrs. Casey Dunne!' Euphonious, don't you think? I wonder if I should like to hear myself announced in that -way?" +way?" </p> <p> @@ -8206,20 +8218,20 @@ laughing amusement. </p> <p> -"Harrison has a high opinion of him," she said. "I believe his father +"Harrison has a high opinion of him," she said. "I believe his father was supposed to be wealthy until after his death, when Mr. Dunne was a boy. And he is very presentable. I think he deserves a great deal of -credit." +credit." </p> <p> -"So do I," Clyde agreed heartily. "I told Mr. Wade that I was prepared -to furnish whatever money was needed for this lawsuit of Mr. Dunne's." +"So do I," Clyde agreed heartily. "I told Mr. Wade that I was prepared +to furnish whatever money was needed for this lawsuit of Mr. Dunne's." </p> <p> -"You did!" exclaimed Mrs. Wade. "Why, Clyde whatever for? How does it -concern you?" +"You did!" exclaimed Mrs. Wade. "Why, Clyde whatever for? How does it +concern you?" </p> <p> @@ -8228,33 +8240,33 @@ Dunne. </p> <p> -"And you never told me!" Kitty Wade commented, as her husband had done. -"It's a real romance in real life. But I think you are the most +"And you never told me!" Kitty Wade commented, as her husband had done. +"It's a real romance in real life. But I think you are the most generous girl I ever heard of. If you were in love with him, of course -that would explain it. Aren't you, now—a little?" +that would explain it. Aren't you, now—a little?" </p> <p> -"I'm not in love with him, Kitty—honestly I'm not," Clyde responded. -"I don't know whether I shall ever be or not. He did me a service which +"I'm not in love with him, Kitty—honestly I'm not," Clyde responded. +"I don't know whether I shall ever be or not. He did me a service which I would like to repay. I have more money than I know what to do with. If money would help him over a rough place it was up to me. At least, -that's how I looked at it. And as for going out to his country—why, I +that's how I looked at it. And as for going out to his country—why, I want to, that's all. I want to see the country which produces that sort of man. He's different from the others, somehow. I don't think he cares whether I have money or not. He wasn't going to recall himself to me till I practically recognized him. I know I'm good-looking and I know he knows it, but I don't think he cares. And he'd never have written me in this world or told me a thing about it himself if I hadn't written -him first and asked him to." +him first and asked him to." </p> <p> -"Why, Clyde!" Kitty Wade exclaimed in amazement. +"Why, Clyde!" Kitty Wade exclaimed in amazement. </p> <p> -"That's exactly what I did," Clyde asseverated. "If I were in love with +"That's exactly what I did," Clyde asseverated. "If I were in love with him that would be the last thing I'd own up to, wouldn't it? Heavens above! Kitty, I know it's unmaidenly by all the old standards. You're married; you have your husband and your home and your interests. I have @@ -8264,30 +8276,30 @@ few years ago, and I enjoyed it. But now I'm as old as you are. I want something different from the daily and yearly round of sameness. If I were a man I'd work sixteen hours a day. If I had any special talent I'd cultivate it. But I haven't. I'm just an ordinary rich girl, in -danger of physical and mental stagnation—in danger of marrying some +danger of physical and mental stagnation—in danger of marrying some equally rich man whom I don't love, in order to provide myself with new -interests." +interests." </p> <p> -"Casey Dunne is a new interest, I suppose," said Kitty Wade dryly. +"Casey Dunne is a new interest, I suppose," said Kitty Wade dryly. </p> <p> -"I wish you wouldn't, Kitty," said Clyde. +"I wish you wouldn't, Kitty," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"Then I won't," said Kitty Wade, "for I think you believe what you say. -Which," she added to herself, "is more than I do, young lady." +"Then I won't," said Kitty Wade, "for I think you believe what you say. +Which," she added to herself, "is more than I do, young lady." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XVI -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -8337,13 +8349,13 @@ visit, handed him over to Tom McHale, who listened pityingly. </p> <p> -"This here Glass sure needs a guardian or a nursemaid or something," he -told Casey afterward. "He don't seem to know which way to string his +"This here Glass sure needs a guardian or a nursemaid or something," he +told Casey afterward. "He don't seem to know which way to string his chips. He makes me that tired I sorter suggests maybe he'd better pray about it; and he says he's done that, too, but don't seem to git no straight answer. So I tells him if the Lord don't know I surely don't. And then he says he'll ask his wife. His wife! Whatever do you think of -that? I quit him right there!" +that? I quit him right there!" </p> <p> @@ -8361,16 +8373,16 @@ hotel. Immediately Casey went into committee with Tom McHale. </p> <p> -"Wade was coming here," he said. "The ladies complicate matters, but +"Wade was coming here," he said. "The ladies complicate matters, but we'll have to do the best we can. It's the house that worries me. It's not furnished the way I'd like to have it. And then it's small. I guess -we'll have to move out, Tom." +we'll have to move out, Tom." </p> <p> -"Sure," McHale agreed at once. "We can bed down anywheres. I'll rig up +"Sure," McHale agreed at once. "We can bed down anywheres. I'll rig up a couple of bunks in the new tool house. We're pretty well along with -the water. I can 'tend to that while you show 'em the country." +the water. I can 'tend to that while you show 'em the country." </p> <p> @@ -8379,42 +8391,42 @@ much to that Celestial's disgust. </p> <p> -"What foh?" he demanded. "Housee plenty clean. Las spling me +"What foh?" he demanded. "Housee plenty clean. Las spling me <i>hiyu</i> sclub, <i>hiyu</i> wash, <i>hiyu</i> sweep undeh bed. All -light now." +light now." </p> <p> -"All right for man; no good for woman," Casey explained. "Two lady come -stop, Feng." +"All right for man; no good for woman," Casey explained. "Two lady come +stop, Feng." </p> <p> -"Ho!" said Feng, adjusting his mind to a new situation. "You and Tom -mally him?" +"Ho!" said Feng, adjusting his mind to a new situation. "You and Tom +mally him?" </p> <p> -"No," Casey responded. "One married already. Ladies all same my -friends, Feng." +"No," Casey responded. "One married already. Ladies all same my +friends, Feng." </p> <p> -"No good." Feng announced with certainty. "Woman fliend no good. All +"No good." Feng announced with certainty. "Woman fliend no good. All time makee too much wo'k. All time kick at glub. Mebbyso want blekfust in bed. Mebbyso bling baby. Neveh give Chinaboy a dolla'. No good. -S'pose you bling woman fliend me quit. Me go back to China." +S'pose you bling woman fliend me quit. Me go back to China." </p> <p> -"If you quit me now, one dead China boy stop," Casey threatened. He -added craftily: "This lady <i>tyee</i> lady. All same mandarin's -daughter. <i>Hiyu</i> rich!" +"If you quit me now, one dead China boy stop," Casey threatened. He +added craftily: "This lady <i>tyee</i> lady. All same mandarin's +daughter. <i>Hiyu</i> rich!" </p> <p> -"Ho!" said Feng thoughtfully. "<i>Hiyu</i> lich, eh? All light. Me -clean housee." +"Ho!" said Feng thoughtfully. "<i>Hiyu</i> lich, eh? All light. Me +clean housee." </p> <p> @@ -8424,7 +8436,7 @@ aid in problems of decoration and the like. </p> <p> -"Where does this Miss Burnaby come in?" she asked. "Who is she?" +"Where does this Miss Burnaby come in?" she asked. "Who is she?" </p> <p> @@ -8432,37 +8444,37 @@ Casey told her, and she frowned dubiously. </p> <p> -"Seems to me you butted into real society when you went outside, Casey. +"Seems to me you butted into real society when you went outside, Casey. If she has all that money she's apt to be pernickity. I hate fussy -women. Is she pretty?" +women. Is she pretty?" </p> <p> -"Why—yes, I think so," he admitted. "Oh, yes, she's pretty—no doubt +"Why—yes, I think so," he admitted. "Oh, yes, she's pretty—no doubt about that. But I don't think she's fussy. You'll like her, Sheila. She -doesn't scare or rattle easily. In some ways she reminds me of you." +doesn't scare or rattle easily. In some ways she reminds me of you." </p> <p> -"Thank you. And how do you know she doesn't scare or rattle?" +"Thank you. And how do you know she doesn't scare or rattle?" </p> <p> -He evaded the question. "I don't think she would." +He evaded the question. "I don't think she would." </p> <p> -"Why didn't you ever mention her before?" +"Why didn't you ever mention her before?" </p> <p> -"Never thought of it. I hadn't the least notion that Mrs. Wade was +"Never thought of it. I hadn't the least notion that Mrs. Wade was coming, let alone Miss Burnaby. You see, it puts me up against it. I'll -be ever so much obliged if you'll help me out." +be ever so much obliged if you'll help me out." </p> <p> -"I'll come over and arrange things in the rooms, of course," Sheila +"I'll come over and arrange things in the rooms, of course," Sheila acquiesced. </p> @@ -8478,16 +8490,16 @@ with bags, and in a moment Casey was shaking hands. </p> <p> -"And so this is your country!" said Mrs. Wade eying her surroundings +"And so this is your country!" said Mrs. Wade eying her surroundings rather dubiously. In her heart she was appalled at the prospect of passing several weeks in such a place. </p> <p> -"Well, some of it isn't mine," he laughed. "I wish it were. This is +"Well, some of it isn't mine," he laughed. "I wish it were. This is only the makings, Mrs. Wade. Wait a few years. Now, here's what we do. We have dinner at the hotel. Afterward we drive out to the ranch where -you are all to stay." +you are all to stay." </p> <p> @@ -8496,66 +8508,66 @@ nothing. Casey appealed to her. </p> <p> -"What do you say Miss Burnaby? Will you brave the discomforts of a -shack in the dry belt?" +"What do you say Miss Burnaby? Will you brave the discomforts of a +shack in the dry belt?" </p> <p> -"I'm in the hands of my friends," she laughed. +"I'm in the hands of my friends," she laughed. </p> <p> -"That includes me," said Casey. "Everything's fixed for you. This is my -stamping ground, and I'm boss. What I say goes." He introduced Mr. +"That includes me," said Casey. "Everything's fixed for you. This is my +stamping ground, and I'm boss. What I say goes." He introduced Mr. Quilty, who was hovering in the background, and chuckled as that garrulous gentleman proceeded to unwind an apparently endless welcome. </p> <p> -"I like him," Clyde whispered. +"I like him," Clyde whispered. </p> <p> -"Pure gold," said Casey, and created a diversion. He helped Quilty +"Pure gold," said Casey, and created a diversion. He helped Quilty deposit the bags in the station. </p> <p> -"Thon's a fine gyurrl," said the latter, with a jerk of his thumb -toward the platform." +"Thon's a fine gyurrl," said the latter, with a jerk of his thumb +toward the platform." </p> <p> -"Right," Casey replied. +"Right," Casey replied. </p> <p> -"Oh, trust a quiet devil like yourself to pick wan out," said the -little station agent. "I was the same meself, whin I was more younger +"Oh, trust a quiet devil like yourself to pick wan out," said the +little station agent. "I was the same meself, whin I was more younger nor what I am now. I fell dead in love with a fine, big gyurrl be th' -name iv—iv—dom'd if I don't forget the name iv her, onless it was -Mary or Josephine—no, thim came afther. What th' divil are ye laughin' +name iv—iv—dom'd if I don't forget the name iv her, onless it was +Mary or Josephine—no, thim came afther. What th' divil are ye laughin' at? Annyways, me an' this gyurrl that I loved that I forget the name iv, was strollin' wan night be moonlight, d'ye see me, now? And we come to where there was a stump risin' maybe two fut clear iv th' -ground—ye'll wonder what th' stump had to do wid ut, but listen—and I -stopped and put me arrm around her waist—or tried to; for a fine +ground—ye'll wonder what th' stump had to do wid ut, but listen—and I +stopped and put me arrm around her waist—or tried to; for a fine circumferenshus waist she had. Faix, a wan-arrmed man'd've been up -against it intirely wid her—and I sez to her, 'Lena'—that was her -name, Lena, I remimber now, and she was a Swede—'Lena,' I sez, 'luk at +against it intirely wid her—and I sez to her, 'Lena'—that was her +name, Lena, I remimber now, and she was a Swede—'Lena,' I sez, 'luk at the moon!' 'Ay see him,' she sez. 'Turn yer sweet face a little more to the southeast,' I sez, that bein' to'rd the stump I mintioned before; an' when I had her at the right angle I made a lep up on the stump and kissed her. Faix, and the same was a forced play, me bein' the height I -am, and her over six fut. 'I love yez,' I sez; 'say yez love me!'" +am, and her over six fut. 'I love yez,' I sez; 'say yez love me!'" </p> <p> -"Well, what did she say?" asked Casey, as Mr. Quilty paused for breath. +"Well, what did she say?" asked Casey, as Mr. Quilty paused for breath. </p> <p> -"She concealed her feelin's," Mr. Quilty replied sadly. "She said, 'Ay +"She concealed her feelin's," Mr. Quilty replied sadly. "She said, 'Ay tenk ve go home now. Ay don't vant no feller vat have to mek love med a step-ladder!' And afther that, mind ye, what does she do but take up wid another little divil wid no legs at all, havin' lost them under a @@ -8565,17 +8577,17 @@ looks like a cross bechune a sparrow and a crane and has to carry an oil can when he walks or else creak like a stable door in Janooary, she marries him and keeps him in luxury be takin' in washin' for the camps. And so, ye see, though I had stood on wan stump to kiss her, ivery time -he done the likes he had to stand on <i>two</i>!" +he done the likes he had to stand on <i>two</i>!" </p> <p> -"Corney," said Casey gravely, "you are an awful liar." +"Corney," said Casey gravely, "you are an awful liar." </p> <p> -"I will not be insulted by yez," Mr. Quilty retorted with equal -gravity. "I will consider the soorce from which ut comes. G'wan out of -here, before I do yez injury." +"I will not be insulted by yez," Mr. Quilty retorted with equal +gravity. "I will consider the soorce from which ut comes. G'wan out of +here, before I do yez injury." </p> <p> @@ -8586,24 +8598,24 @@ Wade. Clyde involuntarily caught the seat rail. </p> <p> -"It's all right," Casey assured them. "A little fresh, that's all. They +"It's all right," Casey assured them. "A little fresh, that's all. They know they're going home. It's their way of saying they're glad. You, -Dick—you, Doc! Behave, behave!" He had them in hand, checking their -impatience to an easy jog, holding them fretting against the bit. "I'll -let them out in a mile or two. Do you know horses, Miss Burnaby?" +Dick—you, Doc! Behave, behave!" He had them in hand, checking their +impatience to an easy jog, holding them fretting against the bit. "I'll +let them out in a mile or two. Do you know horses, Miss Burnaby?" </p> <p> -"A very little. I ride and drive; but I like quiet animals." +"A very little. I ride and drive; but I like quiet animals." </p> <p> -"Oh, these are quiet." He smiled back at Mrs. Wade. +"Oh, these are quiet." He smiled back at Mrs. Wade. </p> <p> -"Are they?" that lady commented. "Then I don't want to drive behind -wild ones." +"Are they?" that lady commented. "Then I don't want to drive behind +wild ones." </p> <p> @@ -8621,7 +8633,7 @@ places where pleasure was a business. This was to be different. She would not look for amusement; she would let it come to her. She felt that she was entering a world of which she knew little, peopled by those whose outlook was strange. It seemed, somehow, that this journey -was to be fateful—that she had placed herself in the grip of +was to be fateful—that she had placed herself in the grip of circumstances which moved her without volition. Where and how, she wondered vaguely, would it end? </p> @@ -8637,53 +8649,53 @@ content. </p> <p> -"You're going to like it," said Dunne suddenly. +"You're going to like it," said Dunne suddenly. </p> <p> -"Am I?" she smiled. "How do you know? How did you know?" +"Am I?" she smiled. "How do you know? How did you know?" </p> <p> -"It's largely a guess. I was nervous at first." +"It's largely a guess. I was nervous at first." </p> <p> -"And now?" +"And now?" </p> <p> -"No. This is a plain, dusty trail, the grass is so dry it's almost +"No. This is a plain, dusty trail, the grass is so dry it's almost dead, the scenery is conspicuously absent, the smell of leather and -horseflesh isn't especially pleasant—and yet you are not noticing +horseflesh isn't especially pleasant—and yet you are not noticing these things. The bigness and the newness of the land have got you, -Miss Burnaby. You don't know it and you can't put it into words—I -can't myself—but the feeling is there. You are one of us at heart." +Miss Burnaby. You don't know it and you can't put it into words—I +can't myself—but the feeling is there. You are one of us at heart." </p> <p> -"Of 'us'?" +"Of 'us'?" </p> <p> -"The people of the new lands—the pioneers, if you choose, the modern -colonists, the trail blazers." +"The people of the new lands—the pioneers, if you choose, the modern +colonists, the trail blazers." </p> <p> -"I wonder." The idea was new. She considered it gravely. "My parents +"I wonder." The idea was new. She considered it gravely. "My parents were city folks; I have lived in the city all my life. And yet I think I have the feeling you speak of. Only I can't put it into words -either." +either." </p> <p> -"If you could you would be the most famous person in the world. The +"If you could you would be the most famous person in the world. The song is there, waiting the singer. It has always been there, waiting, and the singer has never come. We who hear it in our hearts have no voices. Now and then some genius strikes the chord by accident, almost, and loses it. I don't think any one will ever find it completely. But -if some one should! Heavens! What a grand harmony it would be." +if some one should! Heavens! What a grand harmony it would be." </p> <p> @@ -8696,14 +8708,14 @@ light cut of the whip. </p> <p> -"He didn't mean to stumble," said Clyde. +"He didn't mean to stumble," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"He should have meant not to. A horse that isn't tired and is paying +"He should have meant not to. A horse that isn't tired and is paying attention to business should never stumble on a road. It's the slouchy horse that breaks his kind owner's neck some day. Now I'm going to let -them out." +them out." </p> <p> @@ -8725,25 +8737,25 @@ plucking at vagrant strands of her coppery golden hair. </p> <p> -"Fifteen miles an hour," said Casey. "Like it?" +"Fifteen miles an hour," said Casey. "Like it?" </p> <p> -"It's better than fifty in a car," she replied. +"It's better than fifty in a car," she replied. </p> <p> -"The difference between God-made and man-made horsepower. Some people -can't appreciate it." +"The difference between God-made and man-made horsepower. Some people +can't appreciate it." </p> <p> -"I can. It isn't the end—the pace alone. It's the means to the end." +"I can. It isn't the end—the pace alone. It's the means to the end." </p> <p> -"Plus the love of human flesh and blood for other flesh and blood. -You've got it. I won't keep them at this. Too warm." +"Plus the love of human flesh and blood for other flesh and blood. +You've got it. I won't keep them at this. Too warm." </p> <p> @@ -8753,12 +8765,12 @@ the emerald of its fields drenched with the gold of the sloping sun. </p> <p> -"My kingdom!" said Casey. "Welcome to it!" +"My kingdom!" said Casey. "Welcome to it!" </p> <p> Clyde was surprised, in a measure disappointed. She had pictured it -differently. With her the word "ranch" had connoted large prairie +differently. With her the word "ranch" had connoted large prairie areas, bald landscapes, herds of cattle, lonely horsemen, buildings more or less ugly, unrelieved by any special surroundings. Here were green fields, trees, water, painted barns, and a neat little house of @@ -8766,54 +8778,54 @@ the bungalow type. </p> <p> -"Why," she exclaimed, "it's a farm!" +"Why," she exclaimed, "it's a farm!" </p> <p> -"Thank you," he responded; "that's what we're trying to make it. Only +"Thank you," he responded; "that's what we're trying to make it. Only out here we call them 'ranches.' Slightly more picturesque term, glorified by fiction, calculated to appeal to the imagination. Gives the impression of a free, breezy life in which the horse does all the work. Invaluable in selling land. But in strict confidence I may say that work on a farm in the East and on a ranch in the West are -twins—you can't tell t'other from which." +twins—you can't tell t'other from which." </p> <p> McHale appeared as they drove up, to relieve Casey of the horses. He was freshly shaven, and dressed with unusual care. Feng, in white jacket and apron, grinned from his quarters, appraising the -"<i>hiyu</i> lich gal," with an eye to possible dollars. +"<i>hiyu</i> lich gal," with an eye to possible dollars. </p> <p> -"Now, this house," Casey explained, as they entered, "belongs to you +"Now, this house," Casey explained, as they entered, "belongs to you three. It's yours to have, hold, and occupy for your sole use and benefit while you are here. Is that sufficiently legal, Wade? The Chinaman is yours, too. He takes his orders from you. Mrs. Wade, your room is there. Miss Burnaby, that one is intended for you. But if you -like to change about, do so, by all means." +like to change about, do so, by all means." </p> <p> -"And which is your room?" Wade asked. +"And which is your room?" Wade asked. </p> <p> -"I'm bunking in one of the other buildings." +"I'm bunking in one of the other buildings." </p> <p> -"What? We're putting you out of your own house!" Wade exclaimed. "That -won't do, Casey, really it won't. We won't let you." +"What? We're putting you out of your own house!" Wade exclaimed. "That +won't do, Casey, really it won't. We won't let you." </p> <p> -"Of course not," his wife concurred. +"Of course not," his wife concurred. </p> <p> -"Indeed we won't," said Clyde. +"Indeed we won't," said Clyde. </p> <p> @@ -8835,12 +8847,12 @@ A moment afterward Kitty Wade entered, looking around. </p> <p> -"Yours, too," she said. "No mere bachelor ever did these things, Clyde. -The Chinaman is out of the question. It is to find the woman." +"Yours, too," she said. "No mere bachelor ever did these things, Clyde. +The Chinaman is out of the question. It is to find the woman." </p> <p> -"We'll ask Mr. Dunne," said Clyde. +"We'll ask Mr. Dunne," said Clyde. </p> <p> @@ -8848,12 +8860,12 @@ But it was not till after dinner that Kitty Wade did so. </p> <p> -"Miss McCrae was kind enough to fix up the rooms for you," Casey +"Miss McCrae was kind enough to fix up the rooms for you," Casey replied. </p> <p> -"Who is Miss McCrae?" +"Who is Miss McCrae?" </p> <p> @@ -8862,8 +8874,8 @@ He handed one to Mrs. Wade. </p> <p> -"That's Sheila McCrae. I'll drive you over to Talapus, her father's -place, one of these days." +"That's Sheila McCrae. I'll drive you over to Talapus, her father's +place, one of these days." </p> <p> @@ -8876,8 +8888,8 @@ wistfulness looked full at them. </p> <p> -"What a nice-looking girl!" Kitty Wade exclaimed. "Don't you think so, -Clyde?" +"What a nice-looking girl!" Kitty Wade exclaimed. "Don't you think so, +Clyde?" </p> <p> @@ -8891,9 +8903,9 @@ altogether too observant. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XVII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -8912,23 +8924,23 @@ nostrils of a child. She felt a child's joy in merely being. </p> <p> -"How well you are looking, Clyde," said Kitty Wade, as she entered the +"How well you are looking, Clyde," said Kitty Wade, as she entered the breakfast room. </p> <p> -"Positively blooming," said Wade. +"Positively blooming," said Wade. </p> <p> -"Positively bloomin' hungry," laughed Clyde. "I haven't had such an -appetite since I left boarding school." +"Positively bloomin' hungry," laughed Clyde. "I haven't had such an +appetite since I left boarding school." </p> <p> -"God save all here!" said Casey, from the door. "How did you sleep? No +"God save all here!" said Casey, from the door. "How did you sleep? No need to ask you ladies, and it doesn't matter about Wade. Hey, you, -Feng! You catch breakfast quick!" +Feng! You catch breakfast quick!" </p> <p> @@ -8940,65 +8952,65 @@ where and do what they liked. </p> <p> -"I'll help you," Wade offered. +"I'll help you," Wade offered. </p> <p> -"We'll all help you," said Clyde. +"We'll all help you," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"I can rig Wade out for irrigating," Casey replied, "but not you -ladies. It's too muddy a job for you." +"I can rig Wade out for irrigating," Casey replied, "but not you +ladies. It's too muddy a job for you." </p> <p> -"But I should like to see how it is done," said Clyde. +"But I should like to see how it is done," said Clyde. </p> <p> She had her way, and accompanied them to the field, watching the turning of the water down the rows, the careful adjustment of its flow, and the progress of the streams. In spite of her care she became wet -and muddy—and enjoyed herself the more. +and muddy—and enjoyed herself the more. </p> <p> -"I told you so," said Casey. "No sympathy, Miss Burnaby." +"I told you so," said Casey. "No sympathy, Miss Burnaby." </p> <p> -"I don't want it. I'm enjoying myself. I'd like to play in the water, -to sail sticks down the ditch, and pretend that they were boats." +"I don't want it. I'm enjoying myself. I'd like to play in the water, +to sail sticks down the ditch, and pretend that they were boats." </p> <p> -"Shocking!" he laughed. "But I'd like to play with you." +"Shocking!" he laughed. "But I'd like to play with you." </p> <p> -"Nice pair of kids you are," Wade commented. He was perspiring from -unaccustomed exertion. "'Pon my soul, though, I feel the same. To think +"Nice pair of kids you are," Wade commented. He was perspiring from +unaccustomed exertion. "'Pon my soul, though, I feel the same. To think of me messing away my life in a tenth-story office worrying about other people's business and quarrels! What do you keep in this air, Casey? -Old Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth?" +Old Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth?" </p> <p> -"I keep some very fair Scotch in a cupboard at the house," Casey -responded. "The water is all right now. Suppose we adjourn." +"I keep some very fair Scotch in a cupboard at the house," Casey +responded. "The water is all right now. Suppose we adjourn." </p> <p> -"I'll go you once," said Wade. +"I'll go you once," said Wade. </p> <p> -"Where do I come in?" Clyde asked. "I'm thirsty, too." +"Where do I come in?" Clyde asked. "I'm thirsty, too." </p> <p> -"Feng shall produce Chakchak fizzes for both of us." +"Feng shall produce Chakchak fizzes for both of us." </p> <p> @@ -9007,32 +9019,32 @@ Wade exclaimed at Clyde's dress. </p> <p> -"Thank Heaven I didn't go!" she cried. "Mr. Dunne, you should get a -commission from her dressmaker." +"Thank Heaven I didn't go!" she cried. "Mr. Dunne, you should get a +commission from her dressmaker." </p> <p> -"Oh, this will wash. And I'm so beautifully hungry and thirsty." +"Oh, this will wash. And I'm so beautifully hungry and thirsty." </p> <p> -"Thirsty! With all that water?" said Kitty Wade. +"Thirsty! With all that water?" said Kitty Wade. </p> <p> -"What's water got to do with real thirst?" her husband demanded. "Come +"What's water got to do with real thirst?" her husband demanded. "Come on, Casey; don't muzzle the ox, you know. Produce that Wonderful Remedy from the Land o' Cakes. It was oats we were irrigating, wasn't it? Very -appropriate. Here's to Oats—oatmeal, rolled oats, wild oats, and Titus -Oates. 'Tak' a wee bit drappie——'" +appropriate. Here's to Oats—oatmeal, rolled oats, wild oats, and Titus +Oates. 'Tak' a wee bit drappie——'" </p> <p> -"Whatever has got into you?" his wife demanded. +"Whatever has got into you?" his wife demanded. </p> <p> -"I feel like a pup off a chain," Wade admitted. +"I feel like a pup off a chain," Wade admitted. </p> <p> @@ -9045,14 +9057,14 @@ rather more elaborately costumed, eyed her critically. </p> <p> -"Oh, bother!" she said. "This isn't fair. You make me feel all dressed -up, but it's too much trouble to change." +"Oh, bother!" she said. "This isn't fair. You make me feel all dressed +up, but it's too much trouble to change." </p> <p> -"I looked at it the other way—it was too much trouble to dress up," -Clyde replied. "I don't suppose one needs to, out here. I'm going to -be comfy, anyway." +"I looked at it the other way—it was too much trouble to dress up," +Clyde replied. "I don't suppose one needs to, out here. I'm going to +be comfy, anyway." </p> <p> @@ -9066,7 +9078,7 @@ fortunate owner of these things a perfect knowledge of this fact. <p> Mrs. Wade had the front seat, beside Casey, while Clyde sat with Wade. Clyde experienced a distinct feeling of disappointment. Wade was a good -companion and a good friend, <i>but</i>—and the "but" was a big one. +companion and a good friend, <i>but</i>—and the "but" was a big one. </p> <p> @@ -9077,15 +9089,15 @@ of interest to Wade. But nevertheless she did not enjoy the drive. </p> <p> -"I sent word that we were coming," said Casey, as they sighted the -ranch. "That was in the interests of the ladies mostly." +"I sent word that we were coming," said Casey, as they sighted the +ranch. "That was in the interests of the ladies mostly." </p> <p> -"Of course," Wade agreed. "Women always like people to find them all +"Of course," Wade agreed. "Women always like people to find them all togged up, as if they never did a day's work in their lives. I catch it from Kitty if I bring any one home with me without due notice. If women -only knew how much better they look in ordinary clothes!" +only knew how much better they look in ordinary clothes!" </p> <p> @@ -9097,16 +9109,16 @@ last words had given her a clew. </p> <p> -"Oh, Clyde Burnaby, Clyde Burnaby!" she said to herself with a little -shake of the head. "Now I know. What a deep finesse! You think that -this McCrae girl will put on her best country-maid—or -country-made—finery; and you, in your studied simplicity, will show -the better by contrast—to the masculine eye, at least. I give you full +"Oh, Clyde Burnaby, Clyde Burnaby!" she said to herself with a little +shake of the head. "Now I know. What a deep finesse! You think that +this McCrae girl will put on her best country-maid—or +country-made—finery; and you, in your studied simplicity, will show +the better by contrast—to the masculine eye, at least. I give you full credit, my dear. Not one woman in a thousand would have thought of it. <i>I</i> shouldn't, and I know men better than you do. But why did you do it? Are you <i>jealous</i> of a girl you've never seen? And does -that mean you care—seriously care—for our pleasant but likely -impecunious Mr. Dunne?" +that mean you care—seriously care—for our pleasant but likely +impecunious Mr. Dunne?" </p> <p> @@ -9132,51 +9144,51 @@ very good of her to take such trouble for strangers. </p> <p> -"Oh, but I'm afraid I did that for Casey, and not for the strangers," -laughed Sheila. "I hope old Feng didn't undo my work. He thought I was +"Oh, but I'm afraid I did that for Casey, and not for the strangers," +laughed Sheila. "I hope old Feng didn't undo my work. He thought I was butting in. Anyway, Casey would have seen that you were comfortable, though some of his ideas of domestic arrangements are masculine, to say -the least of them." She told the story of the hen, and set them +the least of them." She told the story of the hen, and set them laughing. </p> <p> -Later Casey, having stabled the horses, came up with McCrae. "Well, -Sheila, what's the good word?" he asked. "What yarns have you been -telling Miss Burnaby?" +Later Casey, having stabled the horses, came up with McCrae. "Well, +Sheila, what's the good word?" he asked. "What yarns have you been +telling Miss Burnaby?" </p> <p> -"I was telling her of your poultry system." +"I was telling her of your poultry system." </p> <p> -"Miss McCrae has been suggesting all sorts of things for our -amusement," said Clyde; "from a dance to riding lessons." +"Miss McCrae has been suggesting all sorts of things for our +amusement," said Clyde; "from a dance to riding lessons." </p> <p> -"I didn't say a word about lessons," Sheila protested. +"I didn't say a word about lessons," Sheila protested. </p> <p> -"But I need them," Clyde admitted. "I never pretend to know what I -don't know." +"But I need them," Clyde admitted. "I never pretend to know what I +don't know." </p> <p> -"Sheila can give most men lessons," said Casey. "The only objection I -have is that I intended to instruct you myself." +"Sheila can give most men lessons," said Casey. "The only objection I +have is that I intended to instruct you myself." </p> <p> -Clyde laughed. "Which offer shall I accept?" +Clyde laughed. "Which offer shall I accept?" </p> <p> -"Casey's," said Sheila promptly. "I won't be selfish. Besides, +"Casey's," said Sheila promptly. "I won't be selfish. Besides, educational statistics prove that we women imbibe knowledge faster from -men than from each other." +men than from each other." </p> <p> @@ -9185,16 +9197,16 @@ the words were intended to bear an added meaning she did not show it. </p> <p> -"Statistics are good for something, at last," said Casey. +"Statistics are good for something, at last," said Casey. </p> <p> -"Give her Dolly," said Sheila. "Don't let her coax you into letting her -try that old brute, Shiner. He's almost an outlaw." +"Give her Dolly," said Sheila. "Don't let her coax you into letting her +try that old brute, Shiner. He's almost an outlaw." </p> <p> -"Love me, love my horse!" +"Love me, love my horse!" </p> <p> @@ -9202,11 +9214,11 @@ The quotation seemed careless. Sheila's face told Clyde nothing. </p> <p> -"'Like master, like horse' is more appropriate," said Sheila. +"'Like master, like horse' is more appropriate," said Sheila. </p> <p> -"Oh, I'm not an outlaw—yet," he said, with just the slightest pause +"Oh, I'm not an outlaw—yet," he said, with just the slightest pause before the word. </p> @@ -9225,42 +9237,42 @@ collie. </p> <p> -"My heavens, Casey, did you see the kid?" she asked. "I never knew him -to look twice at a girl before." +"My heavens, Casey, did you see the kid?" she asked. "I never knew him +to look twice at a girl before." </p> <p> -"Every boy has to start some time," he laughed. "She's well worth -looking at." +"Every boy has to start some time," he laughed. "She's well worth +looking at." </p> <p> -"That's so. Yes, she's very pretty, Casey." +"That's so. Yes, she's very pretty, Casey." </p> <p> -"I'm glad you like her." +"I'm glad you like her." </p> <p> It was on the tip of her tongue to disclaim, but she checked herself. -"She's different from what I expected. No airs. And she <i>looks</i> -sensible. Is she?" +"She's different from what I expected. No airs. And she <i>looks</i> +sensible. Is she?" </p> <p> -"I think so." +"I think so." </p> <p> -"Yes, I think so, too. She dresses very simply. I was prepared to be +"Yes, I think so, too. She dresses very simply. I was prepared to be reduced to a condition of helpless feminine envy by her clothes. As it -is, I feel quite of the same clay." +is, I feel quite of the same clay." </p> <p> -"You don't need to envy anybody's clothes. That white dress looks good -to me. I never saw you looking better." +"You don't need to envy anybody's clothes. That white dress looks good +to me. I never saw you looking better." </p> <p> @@ -9271,51 +9283,51 @@ coin of courtesy. </p> <p> -"Really, Casey?" +"Really, Casey?" </p> <p> -"Of course," he assured her. "You know how to wear clothes. And you -know you look particularly well in white. I've told you so before." +"Of course," he assured her. "You know how to wear clothes. And you +know you look particularly well in white. I've told you so before." </p> <p> -"Once." +"Once." </p> <p> -"Half a dozen times." +"Half a dozen times." </p> <p> -"No—once. I remember it very well, because you don't often notice what -I have on. Perhaps that's lucky, too." +"No—once. I remember it very well, because you don't often notice what +I have on. Perhaps that's lucky, too." </p> <p> -"If it's you in the clothes, that's good enough." +"If it's you in the clothes, that's good enough." </p> <p> -"That's just the trouble. You accept me as part of the everyday -scenery. I might wear a blanket, for all you'd care." +"That's just the trouble. You accept me as part of the everyday +scenery. I might wear a blanket, for all you'd care." </p> <p> -"I've seen some mighty becoming blanket costumes." +"I've seen some mighty becoming blanket costumes." </p> <p> -"I'm not a <i>klootch</i>," she flashed. "I'm a white woman, and when I -wear a becoming dress I like somebody to tell me so." +"I'm not a <i>klootch</i>," she flashed. "I'm a white woman, and when I +wear a becoming dress I like somebody to tell me so." </p> <p> -"And didn't I just tell you?" +"And didn't I just tell you?" </p> <p> -"So you did—and I'll put a ring around the date. It's the first time +"So you did—and I'll put a ring around the date. It's the first time you've condescended to pay me a compliment in a year. You men are the limit. You take it as a matter of course that a girl should be neat and spick and span. If she wasn't you'd notice it soon enough. It's easy @@ -9325,19 +9337,19 @@ best places, and gets them fitted and sent home, and that's all there is to it. But how about me? I've got a hundred things to attend to every day. I've got to make my own clothes, or take a long chance on a mail-order house. That's why, when I do get anything that looks -passable, I like it to be noticed." +passable, I like it to be noticed." </p> <p> -"That's so," he admitted. "That's natural. I never thought of it, -Sheila, and that's the truth. Why didn't you tell me before?" +"That's so," he admitted. "That's natural. I never thought of it, +Sheila, and that's the truth. Why didn't you tell me before?" </p> <p> -"Oh, heavens! Casey, I'm sorry I did now. Why do men have to be +"Oh, heavens! Casey, I'm sorry I did now. Why do men have to be <i>told</i>? I don't get taken this way often. Women and dogs have to be thankful for small mercies. Only a dog can shove a cold, wet nose -into his master's hand and get a pat and a kind word; but a woman——" +into his master's hand and get a pat and a kind word; but a woman——" </p> <p> @@ -9355,10 +9367,10 @@ the vagaries of women. </p> <p> -"Well, well, now, never mind," he said, in blundering consolation. "You +"Well, well, now, never mind," he said, in blundering consolation. "You look well in anything. I've often noticed, but I didn't think you cared -for compliments. Anyway"—he grasped eagerly at something safe—"anyway, -you can't beat that white dress." +for compliments. Anyway"—he grasped eagerly at something safe—"anyway, +you can't beat that white dress." </p> <p> @@ -9366,11 +9378,11 @@ She turned to him again, once more the everyday Sheila. </p> <p> -"All right, old boy, we'll let it go at that. Forget it. And now I'll -tell you something: I wore this white dress—absolutely the plainest -thing I have—because I didn't want to come into a finery contest with +"All right, old boy, we'll let it go at that. Forget it. And now I'll +tell you something: I wore this white dress—absolutely the plainest +thing I have—because I didn't want to come into a finery contest with Miss Burnaby. And now let's look at the old dog. I'm afraid he'll have -to be shot." +to be shot." </p> <p> @@ -9383,127 +9395,127 @@ exasperated the engineer. </p> <p> -"You and Mr. Farwell are not friends," Clyde ventured on the way home. +"You and Mr. Farwell are not friends," Clyde ventured on the way home. </p> <p> -"He doesn't think much of me," Casey admitted. "I rub him the wrong -way." +"He doesn't think much of me," Casey admitted. "I rub him the wrong +way." </p> <p> -"As you were doing to-night." +"As you were doing to-night." </p> <p> -"Was I?" +"Was I?" </p> <p> -"You know you were. Is there a private quarrel between you, apart from -the water matter?" +"You know you were. Is there a private quarrel between you, apart from +the water matter?" </p> <p> -"Not exactly. But it would come to that if we saw much of each other." +"Not exactly. But it would come to that if we saw much of each other." </p> <p> -"Then I hope you won't. It's embarrassing to others." +"Then I hope you won't. It's embarrassing to others." </p> <p> -"I'm awfully sorry. It was very bad form, of course. But somehow I -couldn't help it." +"I'm awfully sorry. It was very bad form, of course. But somehow I +couldn't help it." </p> <p> -"Never mind. The McCraes are affected by this water trouble, aren't -they?" +"Never mind. The McCraes are affected by this water trouble, aren't +they?" </p> <p> -"As much as I am. You are surprised that Farwell goes there. I have -never mentioned it to them, nor they to me. It's none of my business." +"As much as I am. You are surprised that Farwell goes there. I have +never mentioned it to them, nor they to me. It's none of my business." </p> <p> -"Nor of mine." +"Nor of mine." </p> <p> -"I didn't mean that." +"I didn't mean that." </p> <p> -"I know you didn't. Still, I think I could guess why Mr. Farwell goes -to Talapus." +"I know you didn't. Still, I think I could guess why Mr. Farwell goes +to Talapus." </p> <p> -"So could I," said Casey dryly, and the subject dropped. +"So could I," said Casey dryly, and the subject dropped. </p> <p> -But Kitty Wade came to Clyde's room for a chat before retiring. "Those -McCraes," she said, "are very nice. Mr. McCrae is one of the real +But Kitty Wade came to Clyde's room for a chat before retiring. "Those +McCraes," she said, "are very nice. Mr. McCrae is one of the real pioneers. He told us some of the most interesting things. How did you -like Miss McCrae?" +like Miss McCrae?" </p> <p> -"I think she's a very nice, sensible girl. Good-looking, too." +"I think she's a very nice, sensible girl. Good-looking, too." </p> <p> -"H'm!" said Kitty Wade. "Yes, I think she is. Dresses nicely and +"H'm!" said Kitty Wade. "Yes, I think she is. Dresses nicely and simply. No imitation fine things. Shows the correct instinct. You and -she might have been having a plain-clothes competition." +she might have been having a plain-clothes competition." </p> <p> -Clyde did not respond. Kitty Wade resumed, after a brief pause: "I'll -tell you one thing, Clyde; this man Farwell is in love with her." +Clyde did not respond. Kitty Wade resumed, after a brief pause: "I'll +tell you one thing, Clyde; this man Farwell is in love with her." </p> <p> -"I could see that, Kitty." +"I could see that, Kitty." </p> <p> -"And she doesn't care for him." +"And she doesn't care for him." </p> <p> -"I thought that, too." +"I thought that, too." </p> <p> -"I wonder," Kitty Wade went on, "if there is anything between her and +"I wonder," Kitty Wade went on, "if there is anything between her and Mr. Dunne? Do you suppose he and Mr. Farwell are jealous of each other? -They were like two dogs with one bone." +They were like two dogs with one bone." </p> <p> -Clyde yawned. "Oh, mercy, Kitty," she said wearily, "ask me something +Clyde yawned. "Oh, mercy, Kitty," she said wearily, "ask me something easier. I wouldn't blame either of them. She seems to be a thoroughly -nice girl." +nice girl." </p> <p> -Kitty Wade on her way to her room nodded wisely. "You don't fool me a -little bit, Clyde," she said to herself. "This Sheila McCrae is +Kitty Wade on her way to her room nodded wisely. "You don't fool me a +little bit, Clyde," she said to herself. "This Sheila McCrae is probably just as nice as you are, and you own up to it like a little lady. But all the same you hate each other; and, what's more, you both -know it." +know it." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XVIII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -9521,16 +9533,16 @@ and dreamed daydreams. And then she went to sleep. She was aroused by the sound of hammering. Peeping over the edge of the stack, she recognized Tom McHale. McHale was putting a strand of wire around the stack, and as she looked he began to sing a ballad of the -old frontier. Clyde had never heard "Sam Bass," and she listened to +old frontier. Clyde had never heard "Sam Bass," and she listened to McHale's damaged tenor. </p> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> -<p>"Sam was born in Indianner, it was his native home,</p> +<p>"Sam was born in Indianner, it was his native home,</p> <p>And at the age of seventeen young Sam began to roam;</p> -<p>And first he went to Texas, a cowboy for to be—</p> -<p>He robs the stage at——"</p></div></div> +<p>And first he went to Texas, a cowboy for to be—</p> +<p>He robs the stage at——"</p></div></div> <p> He stopped abruptly, and Clyde saw two mounted men approaching. They @@ -9549,46 +9561,46 @@ black eyes. </p> <p> -"Is your name Dunne?" asked the first roughly. +"Is your name Dunne?" asked the first roughly. </p> <p> -"Dunne?" queried McHale, as if the name were strange to him. "Did you -say Dunne, or Doane?" +"Dunne?" queried McHale, as if the name were strange to him. "Did you +say Dunne, or Doane?" </p> <p> -"I said Dunne." +"I said Dunne." </p> <p> -"Oh," McHale responded. "Lemme think. No, I guess not. I never used -that name that I remember of. No, partner, my name ain't Dunne." +"Oh," McHale responded. "Lemme think. No, I guess not. I never used +that name that I remember of. No, partner, my name ain't Dunne." </p> <p> -"We want Dunne. Where'll we find him?" +"We want Dunne. Where'll we find him?" </p> <p> -"Why, now," said McHale, "that's a right hard question. You might find +"Why, now," said McHale, "that's a right hard question. You might find him one place, and then again you mightn't. I reckon I wouldn't be misleading you none if I was to tell you you'd find him wherever he's -at." +at." </p> <p> -"You workin' for him?" the dark man put in quickly. +"You workin' for him?" the dark man put in quickly. </p> <p> -"I was, a minute ago. Now I got a job with an inquiry office. Anything -else I can tell you?" +"I was, a minute ago. Now I got a job with an inquiry office. Anything +else I can tell you?" </p> <p> -"No," said the dark man. "But you can tell Dunne that up to a minute -ago he had a —— —— fool workin' for him!" +"No," said the dark man. "But you can tell Dunne that up to a minute +ago he had a —— —— fool workin' for him!" </p> <p> @@ -9610,7 +9622,7 @@ stream of smoke from his lungs, and spoke: </p> <p> -"I reckon you can tell him yourself. Here he come now." +"I reckon you can tell him yourself. Here he come now." </p> <p> @@ -9619,11 +9631,11 @@ over his shoulder. McHale laughed. </p> <p> -"You're an old-timer," he said to the gray-eyed man; "but him"—he -jerked a contemptuous thumb at the second—"it's a wonder to me he ever +"You're an old-timer," he said to the gray-eyed man; "but him"—he +jerked a contemptuous thumb at the second—"it's a wonder to me he ever growed up. Don't you do it no more, friend. Don't you never take your -eyes off a man you've called a —— —— fool, or maybe the next thing -they beholds is the Promised Land!" +eyes off a man you've called a —— —— fool, or maybe the next thing +they beholds is the Promised Land!" </p> <p> @@ -9633,83 +9645,83 @@ wanted. </p> <p> -"This man tells me you're Dunne," said the gray-eyed man. +"This man tells me you're Dunne," said the gray-eyed man. </p> <p> -"That's correct," Casey admitted. +"That's correct," Casey admitted. </p> <p> -"My name is Dade; his name is Cross." He indicated his companion by a -sidewise nod. "We've bought land from this here irrigation outfit. So -have half a dozen other men, friends of ours. Now we can't get water." +"My name is Dade; his name is Cross." He indicated his companion by a +sidewise nod. "We've bought land from this here irrigation outfit. So +have half a dozen other men, friends of ours. Now we can't get water." </p> <p> -"Well?" +"Well?" </p> <p> -"Well, the company puts it up that some of you fellows is to blame. +"Well, the company puts it up that some of you fellows is to blame. You've cut the ditches so they won't carry. We've come to tell you that -this has got to stop." +this has got to stop." </p> <p> -"That's kind of you, anyway," Casey observed quietly. He and Dade eyed +"That's kind of you, anyway," Casey observed quietly. He and Dade eyed each other appraisingly. </p> <p> -"What I want to make plumb clear," said the latter, "is that this don't -go no more. It's no good. You'll leave the ditches alone, or else——" +"What I want to make plumb clear," said the latter, "is that this don't +go no more. It's no good. You'll leave the ditches alone, or else——" </p> <p> -"Or else?" Casey suggested. +"Or else?" Casey suggested. </p> <p> -"Or else we'll make you," said Dade grimly. "We want water, and we'll -have it." +"Or else we'll make you," said Dade grimly. "We want water, and we'll +have it." </p> <p> -"I wonder," said Casey, "if you are trying to hang a nice little bluff +"I wonder," said Casey, "if you are trying to hang a nice little bluff on me, Mr. Dade? Suppose, for instance, you have no land, and don't -need any water." +need any water." </p> <p> -"I can show you my deed." +"I can show you my deed." </p> <p> -"That's quite possible. All right, Mr. Dade. Is there anything more you -want to say?" +"That's quite possible. All right, Mr. Dade. Is there anything more you +want to say?" </p> <p> -"I reckon that's all," said Dade. "If you'll say that the ditches will -be let alone there'll be no trouble; if not, there will be." +"I reckon that's all," said Dade. "If you'll say that the ditches will +be let alone there'll be no trouble; if not, there will be." </p> <p> -"What kind of trouble, Mr. Dade?" +"What kind of trouble, Mr. Dade?" </p> <p> -"You'll see when it comes." +"You'll see when it comes." </p> <p> -"Very well," said Casey. "Now, listen to me, Mr. Dade. You and your +"Very well," said Casey. "Now, listen to me, Mr. Dade. You and your friend there and your whole outfit can go plumb. Get that? Every ranch here has water, and we're going to keep it. How we keep it is our own business. If you've bought land you may look to the company for water, -and not to us. If you haven't bought land—if you're hired to come here -to start something—why, let it start!" +and not to us. If you haven't bought land—if you're hired to come here +to start something—why, let it start!" </p> <p> @@ -9718,7 +9730,7 @@ followed. Cross made a sudden movement. </p> <p> -"Be careful, partner!" McHale warned him in hard tones. +"Be careful, partner!" McHale warned him in hard tones. </p> <p> @@ -9727,8 +9739,8 @@ crisis, the chill of fate impending. But, as before, it passed. </p> <p> -"You're barking up the wrong tree," said Dade. "Nothing starts—now. -Better remember what I told you. Come on, Sam, we'll get going." +"You're barking up the wrong tree," said Dade. "Nothing starts—now. +Better remember what I told you. Come on, Sam, we'll get going." </p> <p> @@ -9737,25 +9749,25 @@ McHale's voice: </p> <p> -"You run the bluff, but you took an awful chance. That there Cross come -mighty close to making a break." +"You run the bluff, but you took an awful chance. That there Cross come +mighty close to making a break." </p> <p> -"Nervous kind?" +"Nervous kind?" </p> <p> -"Yep. He's apt to be too blamed soon. T'other one, Dade, is cold-drawn. -I judge he's bad. Ever hear of him?" +"Yep. He's apt to be too blamed soon. T'other one, Dade, is cold-drawn. +I judge he's bad. Ever hear of him?" </p> <p> -"No." +"No." </p> <p> -"Nor me," said McHale; "but he has the earmarks." +"Nor me," said McHale; "but he has the earmarks." </p> <p> @@ -9793,54 +9805,54 @@ her glorious hair to living, coppery gold. </p> <p> -"Did you ever have your picture painted?" he asked suddenly. +"Did you ever have your picture painted?" he asked suddenly. </p> <p> -"Why, no," she replied. "Whatever made you think of that?" +"Why, no," she replied. "Whatever made you think of that?" </p> <p> -"Your hair and the sunlight on it. If I were a painter I should like to -paint you now—and keep the picture." +"Your hair and the sunlight on it. If I were a painter I should like to +paint you now—and keep the picture." </p> <p> -"The first compliment you have ever paid me," she laughed, pleased -nevertheless. "I shall remember it." +"The first compliment you have ever paid me," she laughed, pleased +nevertheless. "I shall remember it." </p> <p> -"And that's a compliment to me," he responded. "Funny what we recollect +"And that's a compliment to me," he responded. "Funny what we recollect and what we don't. There doesn't seem to be any rule for it. But I -think I shall always remember just how you look at this moment." +think I shall always remember just how you look at this moment." </p> <p> -"That's very nice." +"That's very nice." </p> <p> -"I wonder if I may ask you something without offending you?" +"I wonder if I may ask you something without offending you?" </p> <p> -"I don't think you would ask anything that should offend me." +"I don't think you would ask anything that should offend me." </p> <p> -"Thanks! It's this: I want to make things pleasant for you all. I've +"Thanks! It's this: I want to make things pleasant for you all. I've been wondering in my own mind why you came here. You won't -misunderstand me. But why?" +misunderstand me. But why?" </p> <p> -"Have you forgotten your invitation?" +"Have you forgotten your invitation?" </p> <p> -"No. But its acceptance was an unexpected piece of luck. There isn't -much here to amuse you. What's the real reason?" +"No. But its acceptance was an unexpected piece of luck. There isn't +much here to amuse you. What's the real reason?" </p> <p> @@ -9849,79 +9861,79 @@ blades of grass and cast them aside. </p> <p> -"I don't think I know the answer," she replied at last. "For one thing, -I thought I might help you—if you'd let me." +"I don't think I know the answer," she replied at last. "For one thing, +I thought I might help you—if you'd let me." </p> <p> -"Help me! How?" +"Help me! How?" </p> <p> -"With money. You and the others." +"With money. You and the others." </p> <p> -"Good Lord!" he ejaculated. "Whatever put that in your head?" +"Good Lord!" he ejaculated. "Whatever put that in your head?" </p> <p> -"The only letter you ever wrote me. I could read between the lines. -Afterward Mr. Wade told me more. But he wouldn't take what I offered." +"The only letter you ever wrote me. I could read between the lines. +Afterward Mr. Wade told me more. But he wouldn't take what I offered." </p> <p> -"I should say not—if you offered money. He was right." +"I should say not—if you offered money. He was right." </p> <p> -"Do you mean that you wouldn't let me help you if you needed money?" +"Do you mean that you wouldn't let me help you if you needed money?" </p> <p> -"Certainly I wouldn't." +"Certainly I wouldn't." </p> <p> -"Because I'm a woman, I suppose." +"Because I'm a woman, I suppose." </p> <p> -"Partly. But I wouldn't let any one throw money away on what is apt to -be a losing game." +"Partly. But I wouldn't let any one throw money away on what is apt to +be a losing game." </p> <p> -"You think it that?" +"You think it that?" </p> <p> -"Size it up for yourself. You talked with Wade. Didn't he tell you so?" +"Size it up for yourself. You talked with Wade. Didn't he tell you so?" </p> <p> -"Practically, yes." +"Practically, yes." </p> <p> -"Then you see! It wouldn't do at all." +"Then you see! It wouldn't do at all." </p> <p> -"But it's my money. I can afford to lose it. I'll not have a pleasure +"But it's my money. I can afford to lose it. I'll not have a pleasure or a luxury the less. And this is my pleasure. Would you refuse me this -one thing? You lent <i>me</i> money!" +one thing? You lent <i>me</i> money!" </p> <p> -"Ten dollars—pshaw! This is different. I'm more grateful than I can -tell you. But there's no necessity—just yet, anyway." +"Ten dollars—pshaw! This is different. I'm more grateful than I can +tell you. But there's no necessity—just yet, anyway." </p> <p> -"Then I won't consider it a definite refusal. That was one reason why I +"Then I won't consider it a definite refusal. That was one reason why I came. And then I wanted to see your country. I wanted something new. I -can't explain it very well. I had to come; something made me." +can't explain it very well. I had to come; something made me." </p> <p> @@ -9930,41 +9942,41 @@ steady. </p> <p> -"Something made me. If the Wades had not been coming I should have come -alone. I'm frank with you, you see." +"Something made me. If the Wades had not been coming I should have come +alone. I'm frank with you, you see." </p> <p> -"Yes, I understand the feeling," Casey said. "I have had it myself. +"Yes, I understand the feeling," Casey said. "I have had it myself. I've had to get out of old surroundings sometimes. And I've always -gone. Sometimes it has turned out well; sometimes not." +gone. Sometimes it has turned out well; sometimes not." </p> <p> -"We shall see how this turns out," she said, with a nod and a little -laugh. "I've a feeling that I shall bring you luck." +"We shall see how this turns out," she said, with a nod and a little +laugh. "I've a feeling that I shall bring you luck." </p> <p> -"I believe you will," he agreed. "We'll say so, anyway. Just now I -wouldn't trade places with any man on earth." +"I believe you will," he agreed. "We'll say so, anyway. Just now I +wouldn't trade places with any man on earth." </p> <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/002.jpg" alt=""JUST NOW I WOULDN'T TRADE PLACES WITH ANY MAN ON -EARTH"<" width="335" height="500"> +EARTH"" width="335" height="500"> <br> -<span class="caption">"JUST NOW I WOULDN'T TRADE PLACES WITH ANY MAN ON -EARTH"</span></div> +<span class="caption">"JUST NOW I WOULDN'T TRADE PLACES WITH ANY MAN ON +EARTH"</span></div> <p> -She laughed in pure pleasure, bending toward him. "I appropriate that -to myself. Don't dare to explain it. Do you come here often?" +She laughed in pure pleasure, bending toward him. "I appropriate that +to myself. Don't dare to explain it. Do you come here often?" </p> <p> -"Not very often. That maze of coulée and butte you see is a good cattle +"Not very often. That maze of coulée and butte you see is a good cattle range. I come this way looking for strays. The last time I was here -Sheila McCrae was with me." +Sheila McCrae was with me." </p> <p> @@ -9973,13 +9985,13 @@ tone she said: </p> <p> -"Indeed!" And she added deliberately: "I don't think I ever met a nicer -girl than Miss McCrae." +"Indeed!" And she added deliberately: "I don't think I ever met a nicer +girl than Miss McCrae." </p> <p> -"No nicer anywhere," he agreed heartily. "Well, perhaps we'd better be -moving. We have a long ride yet." +"No nicer anywhere," he agreed heartily. "Well, perhaps we'd better be +moving. We have a long ride yet." </p> <p> @@ -9991,46 +10003,46 @@ of her presence that morning at the interview with Dade and Cross. </p> <p> -"Well, they're quite a pair," said Casey. "They came to run some sort +"Well, they're quite a pair," said Casey. "They came to run some sort of a bluff, but concluded not to push it to a show-down. They'll make trouble for us, I suppose. They're simply hired men, and that's their -job." +job." </p> <p> -"What kind of trouble?" +"What kind of trouble?" </p> <p> -"I wish I knew," he replied, shaking his head. +"I wish I knew," he replied, shaking his head. </p> <p> -"Is it all worth while?" she asked. "I haven't asked a question about +"Is it all worth while?" she asked. "I haven't asked a question about the blown-up dam and the cut ditches. I'm not going to. But where will -it end? You admit that there may be violence—even bloodshed. Why not -avoid it?" +it end? You admit that there may be violence—even bloodshed. Why not +avoid it?" </p> <p> -"How?" +"How?" </p> <p> -"By letting the courts settle it." +"By letting the courts settle it." </p> <p> -"If we could have our water till then, that's what we'd do. As it -is—well, I'm afraid we can't afford to." +"If we could have our water till then, that's what we'd do. As it +is—well, I'm afraid we can't afford to." </p> <p> -"I've already offered——" +"I've already offered——" </p> <p> -"I know, I know," he interrupted; "but that's out of the question." +"I know, I know," he interrupted; "but that's out of the question." </p> <p> @@ -10040,49 +10052,49 @@ relaxing fingers. He grumbled when his wife woke him. </p> <p> -"I'm dead sleepy. I'm going to bed. I'm too sleepy to care whether it's -polite or not; I'm all in." +"I'm dead sleepy. I'm going to bed. I'm too sleepy to care whether it's +polite or not; I'm all in." </p> <p> -"So am I," said Kitty, yawning frankly. "I shall follow my lord and -master." +"So am I," said Kitty, yawning frankly. "I shall follow my lord and +master." </p> <p> -"And I my amiable chaperon," said Clyde. +"And I my amiable chaperon," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"I'm afraid all I have to follow is an example," said Casey. He came -close to her in the moonlight. "Perhaps I seemed ungrateful this +"I'm afraid all I have to follow is an example," said Casey. He came +close to her in the moonlight. "Perhaps I seemed ungrateful this afternoon. I didn't mean to be. I can't tell you how much I appreciated your offer, your generosity; none the less because I can't possibly -accept it." +accept it." </p> <p> -"It is nothing," she said. "It is not even generosity. Real generosity -must cost something in renunciation." +"It is nothing," she said. "It is not even generosity. Real generosity +must cost something in renunciation." </p> <p> -"No," he replied; "the cost has little to do with it. It is the spirit -of the offer that counts. Don't belittle it." +"No," he replied; "the cost has little to do with it. It is the spirit +of the offer that counts. Don't belittle it." </p> <p> -"It cost me something to make the offer," she said impulsively. "The -money would have been the least part of it." +"It cost me something to make the offer," she said impulsively. "The +money would have been the least part of it." </p> <p> -"I don't think I understand." +"I don't think I understand." </p> <p> -"I'm glad you don't; and I can't explain now. Some day, perhaps. And -now—good night." +"I'm glad you don't; and I can't explain now. Some day, perhaps. And +now—good night." </p> <p> @@ -10102,11 +10114,11 @@ She released her hand. </p> <p> -"Good night," she said softly. +"Good night," she said softly. </p> <p> -"Good night," he responded, hesitated, and turned away to his own +"Good night," he responded, hesitated, and turned away to his own quarters. </p> @@ -10137,9 +10149,9 @@ Clyde slept no more that night. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XIX -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -10149,9 +10161,9 @@ stood listening. There they heard another and another. </p> <p> -"Dynamite!" cried McHale, reaching for his clothes. "I'll bet it's our +"Dynamite!" cried McHale, reaching for his clothes. "I'll bet it's our dam. Jump into some pants, Casey. There's just a chance to get a sight -of somebody." +of somebody." </p> <p> @@ -10175,13 +10187,13 @@ complete. McHale swore into the night. </p> <p> -"Our own medicine! Well, watch us take it. We ain't like boys that +"Our own medicine! Well, watch us take it. We ain't like boys that can't build a little thing like a dam. Which way do you reckon them -fellers went?" +fellers went?" </p> <p> -"Try the old ford," said Casey. "It's all chance, anyway." +"Try the old ford," said Casey. "It's all chance, anyway." </p> <p> @@ -10192,17 +10204,17 @@ were still filled with muddy water. </p> <p> -"That's the cuss that blowed the flume," said McHale. "He's met up with +"That's the cuss that blowed the flume," said McHale. "He's met up with another one or two here. They've gone on downstream, but we sure can't -trail them in this light. What do we do?" +trail them in this light. What do we do?" </p> <p> -"Ride ahead and trust to luck," said Casey. "It's all we can do." +"Ride ahead and trust to luck," said Casey. "It's all we can do." </p> <p> -"I guess that's so," McHale agreed. "But if we run up on 'em——" +"I guess that's so," McHale agreed. "But if we run up on 'em——" </p> <p> @@ -10211,15 +10223,15 @@ a blast, closely followed by a second. </p> <p> -"Another dam!" Casey exclaimed. "That's Oscar's, or Wyndham's. Our own -medicine, sure enough!" +"Another dam!" Casey exclaimed. "That's Oscar's, or Wyndham's. Our own +medicine, sure enough!" </p> <p> -"If I can put a gunsight on to one of them fellers I'll fix him so's he -won't hold medicine nohow," said McHale savagely. "No use followin' the +"If I can put a gunsight on to one of them fellers I'll fix him so's he +won't hold medicine nohow," said McHale savagely. "No use followin' the river. They'll quit it now, and strike for somewheres. Let's take a -chance and hike out sorter southeast. It's as good as any other way." +chance and hike out sorter southeast. It's as good as any other way." </p> <p> @@ -10239,28 +10251,28 @@ then they drew up to listen. But their watchfulness availed nothing. </p> <p> -"Looks like we're out o'luck," McHale observed finally. +"Looks like we're out o'luck," McHale observed finally. </p> <p> -"Looks that way," Casey admitted. "All the same, we'll keep going." +"Looks that way," Casey admitted. "All the same, we'll keep going." </p> <p> -"If we happen across 'em," McHale continued, "I s'pose we round 'em -up?" +"If we happen across 'em," McHale continued, "I s'pose we round 'em +up?" </p> <p> -"Of course. But they may take some rounding." +"Of course. But they may take some rounding." </p> <p> -"Sure! Only I'll tell you, Casey, I'm awful tired of having it put all +"Sure! Only I'll tell you, Casey, I'm awful tired of having it put all over me by fellers that ain't got no license to. Some of these gents that allow they're hard citizens ain't so dog-goned much. I s'pose they figure on us peaceable farmers bein' bluffed out by a hard face and a -hostile talk. That's an awful bad bet for 'em to make." +hostile talk. That's an awful bad bet for 'em to make." </p> <p> @@ -10272,7 +10284,7 @@ McHale checked his horse. </p> <p> -"Listen!" he said sharply. +"Listen!" he said sharply. </p> <p> @@ -10291,18 +10303,18 @@ perceived the waiting horsemen, and halted abruptly. </p> <p> -"You there!" Casey hailed. "We want to talk to you!" +"You there!" Casey hailed. "We want to talk to you!" </p> <p> -A vicious oath came as answer, distinct in the stillness. Then: "You -get back and mind your own business!" +A vicious oath came as answer, distinct in the stillness. Then: "You +get back and mind your own business!" </p> <p> McHale's rifle action clicked and clashed as he levered a cartridge -from magazine to chamber. "Up with your hands, the bunch of you," he -ordered, "or——" +from magazine to chamber. "Up with your hands, the bunch of you," he +ordered, "or——" </p> <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/003.jpg" alt="SO QUICK WAS HIS PIVOTING MOTION THAT CASEY WAS ALMOST @@ -10352,19 +10364,19 @@ had secured a good lead. The windings of the coulée hid them from view. </p> <p> -Suddenly Casey became aware that there was no one ahead—that he and +Suddenly Casey became aware that there was no one ahead—that he and McHale were riding madly, to no purpose. At the same moment the latter made the like discovery. Their horses' hoofs slid and cut grooves in the earth as the riders dragged them to a halt. Usually considerate, in the excitement of the moment they used the brutal methods of the -"buster." +"buster." </p> <p> -"They've doubled back on us!" cried McHale. "Cut through them +"They've doubled back on us!" cried McHale. "Cut through them cottonwoods somewheres and let us go by a-hellin'. Fooled us, by glory, -like we was a pair of hide-an'-go-seek kids. Yes—there they go now! -Look up by the top past that cut bank!" He lifted his rifle as he +like we was a pair of hide-an'-go-seek kids. Yes—there they go now! +Look up by the top past that cut bank!" He lifted his rifle as he spoke. </p> @@ -10391,45 +10403,45 @@ spat in disgust. </p> <p> -"I reckon it's a get-away," he said. "I ain't fool enough to go up that +"I reckon it's a get-away," he said. "I ain't fool enough to go up that bank while they're there. And by the time we'd get around they'd be a -couple of miles 'most anywheres." +couple of miles 'most anywheres." </p> <p> -"We've got ourselves to blame," said Casey. +"We've got ourselves to blame," said Casey. </p> <p> -"Well, that first shot burned up this cayuse of mine," McHale grumbled. -"How could I shoot, with him jumpin' around? And that blasted, +"Well, that first shot burned up this cayuse of mine," McHale grumbled. +"How could I shoot, with him jumpin' around? And that blasted, yeller-hided buzzard head of yours, he don't know no better'n to whale into him with both heels. It wouldn't happen again, not in a million -years." +years." </p> <p> -"It doesn't need to," said Casey sourly. "We found our meat, and we -couldn't stop it." +"It doesn't need to," said Casey sourly. "We found our meat, and we +couldn't stop it." </p> <p> -"The laugh is on us," McHale admitted. "For the powder we burned we +"The laugh is on us," McHale admitted. "For the powder we burned we sure ought to have a scalp or two to show. Still, moonlight shootin' is chance shootin', and when a cussed mean cayuse is sashayin' round if a -man hits anything but scenery he's lucky!" +man hits anything but scenery he's lucky!" </p> <p> -"I thought that old-timer, Dade, was doing the talking." +"I thought that old-timer, Dade, was doing the talking." </p> <p> -"Sure he was. And I'll bet it was his <i>tillikum</i>, Cross, that took +"Sure he was. And I'll bet it was his <i>tillikum</i>, Cross, that took the first crack at us. Didn't waste no time. He's some soon, that feller. I s'pose they got a camp, somewheres. No use tryin' to find it. We can't prove that they used the powder on our dams. Well, what say if -we point out for home? Daylight's breakin' now." +we point out for home? Daylight's breakin' now." </p> <p> @@ -10450,9 +10462,9 @@ world. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XX -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -10486,8 +10498,8 @@ Sheila, she told him, had gone for a walk somewhere along the ditch. </p> <p> -"Oh," said Farwell, with elaborate carelessness, "then I think I'll -just stroll along and meet her." +"Oh," said Farwell, with elaborate carelessness, "then I think I'll +just stroll along and meet her." </p> <p> @@ -10499,7 +10511,7 @@ him till he was at her side. </p> <p> -"Good evening," he said. +"Good evening," he said. </p> <p> @@ -10507,102 +10519,102 @@ She turned her head slowly, without start or exclamation. </p> <p> -"I did not expect to see you, Mr. Farwell." +"I did not expect to see you, Mr. Farwell." </p> <p> -"I thought I'd run over," he said awkwardly. "I intended to come -before." +"I thought I'd run over," he said awkwardly. "I intended to come +before." </p> <p> -She allowed a long minute of silence to lie between them. "And why have -you come now?" she asked. +She allowed a long minute of silence to lie between them. "And why have +you come now?" she asked. </p> <p> -"Why?" Farwell repeated the word. "Why? I wanted to see you. Why -shouldn't I come?" +"Why?" Farwell repeated the word. "Why? I wanted to see you. Why +shouldn't I come?" </p> <p> -"You ought to know why. It's one thing to do your work; but it's quite -another to blow up our dams!" +"You ought to know why. It's one thing to do your work; but it's quite +another to blow up our dams!" </p> <p> -"Why do you think I did that?" +"Why do you think I did that?" </p> <p> -"Because I have ordinary common sense. I don't suppose you did it with +"Because I have ordinary common sense. I don't suppose you did it with your own hand. But you've brought in a bunch of toughs and gunmen to -overawe us and do your dirty work. It will lead to serious trouble." +overawe us and do your dirty work. It will lead to serious trouble." </p> <p> -"I can handle trouble," said Farwell grimly. "Has anybody meddled with -your dam?" +"I can handle trouble," said Farwell grimly. "Has anybody meddled with +your dam?" </p> <p> -"No." +"No." </p> <p> -"Then I don't see what you have to complain of. I don't admit anything. +"Then I don't see what you have to complain of. I don't admit anything. But when you get indignant at blowing up dams you ought to remember -what happened to ours." +what happened to ours." </p> <p> -"Oh, as for that"—she shrugged her shoulders. "We had to have water. -Nobody blamed you before. But these dams that did you no harm—that's -different." +"Oh, as for that"—she shrugged her shoulders. "We had to have water. +Nobody blamed you before. But these dams that did you no harm—that's +different." </p> <p> -"But you <i>have</i> water. Your own dam is all right," he insisted. +"But you <i>have</i> water. Your own dam is all right," he insisted. </p> <p> -"Yes. And do you know what people are saying? They say that the reason +"Yes. And do you know what people are saying? They say that the reason is because we have some sort of an understanding with you. They -say——" She stopped abruptly. +say——" She stopped abruptly. </p> <p> -"What else do they say?" +"What else do they say?" </p> <p> -"Other things. I've told you enough." +"Other things. I've told you enough." </p> <p> -"What do you care?" +"What do you care?" </p> <p> -"Well, I do care. This is the only house you come to. Your visits must -end now." +"Well, I do care. This is the only house you come to. Your visits must +end now." </p> <p> -"End?" Farwell echoed. "I guess not. Not unless you absolutely forbid -me to come. And then I don't know. I'd find it pretty hard." +"End?" Farwell echoed. "I guess not. Not unless you absolutely forbid +me to come. And then I don't know. I'd find it pretty hard." </p> <p> -"Nonsense!" +"Nonsense!" </p> <p> -"I tell you I would," he protested. "You don't know." +"I tell you I would," he protested. "You don't know." </p> <p> -"Bosh! We're not so fascinating as that." +"Bosh! We're not so fascinating as that." </p> <p> @@ -10614,13 +10626,13 @@ he would have gone in to quell a riot in a camp. </p> <p> -"'We,'" he said. "Who's talking of 'we'? I'm not. I come to see +"'We,'" he said. "Who's talking of 'we'? I'm not. I come to see <i>you</i>. You ought to know that. Of course you know it. I didn't think I'd ever fall in love, but I <i>have</i>. You might as well know it now. I don't know whether you think anything of me or not; it would be just my luck if you didn't. Anyway, that's how I feel, and I'm not going to give up seeing you just because some people have set a crazy -yarn going." +yarn going." </p> <p> @@ -10632,30 +10644,30 @@ his feelings before. But she had not expected this outbreak. </p> <p> -"I'm sorry you said that," she told him quietly. "It's quite +"I'm sorry you said that," she told him quietly. "It's quite impossible. I can tell you now what I couldn't tell you before. People say that I have promised to marry you in exchange for your promise that -we shall have water for the ranch." +we shall have water for the ranch." </p> <p> -"If you'll tell me the name of a man who utters an infernal lie like -that I'll wring his neck," he growled. +"If you'll tell me the name of a man who utters an infernal lie like +that I'll wring his neck," he growled. </p> <p> -"I believe you would. But what good would it do? You can't fight -rumours and gossip in that way. That's the trouble with you—you depend -on force alone. Can't you see the position this puts us in—puts -<i>me</i> in? You can't come here any more." +"I believe you would. But what good would it do? You can't fight +rumours and gossip in that way. That's the trouble with you—you depend +on force alone. Can't you see the position this puts us in—puts +<i>me</i> in? You can't come here any more." </p> <p> -"I don't see that at all," he objected. "I'll blow up your dam myself -if you think it will help, but as for not seeing you—why, it's out of +"I don't see that at all," he objected. "I'll blow up your dam myself +if you think it will help, but as for not seeing you—why, it's out of the question. I've got to see you. I'm going to see you. I can't help it. I tell you I think of you all the time. Why, hang it, Sheila, I -think of you when I ought to be thinking of my work." +think of you when I ought to be thinking of my work." </p> <p> @@ -10667,35 +10679,35 @@ extraordinary. </p> <p> -"You must not do that," she said, gently. +"You must not do that," she said, gently. </p> <p> -"But I can't help it," he reiterated. "It's new to me, this. I can't +"But I can't help it," he reiterated. "It's new to me, this. I can't concentrate on my work. I keep thinking of you. If that isn't being in love, what in thunder is? I'm talking to you as straight as I'd talk to a man. I believe I love you as much as any woman was ever loved. You don't know much about me, but I'm considered a good man in my -profession. From a material point of view I'm all right." +profession. From a material point of view I'm all right." </p> <p> -"If I cared for you that would be the last thing I'd think of." +"If I cared for you that would be the last thing I'd think of." </p> <p> -"Why can't you care for me?" he demanded. "I don't expect much. We'd -get along." +"Why can't you care for me?" he demanded. "I don't expect much. We'd +get along." </p> <p> -"No," she said decidedly. "No. It's impossible. We're comparatively +"No," she said decidedly. "No. It's impossible. We're comparatively strangers. I think you're going to be a big man some day. I rather -admire you in some ways. But that is all." +admire you in some ways. But that is all." </p> <p> -"Well, anyway, I'm not going to quit," he announced doggedly. "I never +"Well, anyway, I'm not going to quit," he announced doggedly. "I never gave up anything yet. You talk as if it didn't matter! Maybe it doesn't to you, but it does to me. You don't know how much I care. I can't tell you, either. This talk isn't my line. Look here, though. About ten @@ -10707,17 +10719,17 @@ bubbled up in moss at the foot of a big cedar, and I used to lie flat and drink till I couldn't hold any more. It was the sweetest water in the world. All those days I tortured myself by thinking of it. I'd have given my soul, if I have one, to satisfy my thirst at that spring. And -that's how I feel about you. I want your love as I wanted that water." +that's how I feel about you. I want your love as I wanted that water." </p> <p> -"I'm very sorry," she said. "It's out of the question." +"I'm very sorry," she said. "It's out of the question." </p> <p> -"But why?" he demanded. "Give me a chance. I'm not a monster. Or do you +"But why?" he demanded. "Give me a chance. I'm not a monster. Or do you mean that you care for somebody else? Is that it? Do you care anything -for that Dunne? A fellow that's in love with another woman!" +for that Dunne? A fellow that's in love with another woman!" </p> <p> @@ -10727,9 +10739,9 @@ him. </p> <p> -"No, I don't!" she flamed. "But if I did what business would it be of -yours? Casey Dunne is my friend—a gentleman—which is more than you -seem to be, Mr. Farwell." +"No, I don't!" she flamed. "But if I did what business would it be of +yours? Casey Dunne is my friend—a gentleman—which is more than you +seem to be, Mr. Farwell." </p> <p> @@ -10740,7 +10752,7 @@ hard as an athlete's. </p> <p> -"You great brute!" she panted. +"You great brute!" she panted. </p> <p> @@ -10749,12 +10761,12 @@ held her from him at arm's length. </p> <p> -"A brute!" he said. "You're right. I didn't know it before. Now, I do. -How can I put myself right with you?" +"A brute!" he said. "You're right. I didn't know it before. Now, I do. +How can I put myself right with you?" </p> <p> -"Let me go!" she cried. +"Let me go!" she cried. </p> <p> @@ -10765,7 +10777,7 @@ long-barrelled, black Colt's. </p> <p> -"Sheila!" he cried. "What's the matter? Who's this? What in—ah!" +"Sheila!" he cried. "What's the matter? Who's this? What in—ah!" </p> <p> @@ -10782,29 +10794,29 @@ Sheila locked both arms around her brother's, dragging it down. </p> <p> -"No, no, no!" she cried. "I tell you no, Sandy! Don't shoot again. It's -a mistake." +"No, no, no!" she cried. "I tell you no, Sandy! Don't shoot again. It's +a mistake." </p> <p> -He wrenched furiously to free his hand. "Mistake!" he shouted. "He was -holding you! I saw him. I heard you. Let go. I'll blow his heart out!" +He wrenched furiously to free his hand. "Mistake!" he shouted. "He was +holding you! I saw him. I heard you. Let go. I'll blow his heart out!" </p> <p> -But she clung to his arm. "It's a mistake, Sandy, I tell you! Can't you -understand me? Don't use that gun. I won't let you. Give it to me!" +But she clung to his arm. "It's a mistake, Sandy, I tell you! Can't you +understand me? Don't use that gun. I won't let you. Give it to me!" </p> <p> -He ceased his attempts to free his arm. "All right, Sheila. I won't -shoot—this time. You, Farwell, what have you got to say for yourself?" +He ceased his attempts to free his arm. "All right, Sheila. I won't +shoot—this time. You, Farwell, what have you got to say for yourself?" </p> <p> -"Mighty little," Farwell replied. "I asked your sister to marry me, and -she refused. I kissed her against her will. That's all—and plenty. If -you want my opinion, I think I ought to be shot." +"Mighty little," Farwell replied. "I asked your sister to marry me, and +she refused. I kissed her against her will. That's all—and plenty. If +you want my opinion, I think I ought to be shot." </p> <p> @@ -10812,24 +10824,24 @@ Sandy glared at him, taken aback by this frank admission. </p> <p> -"If she hadn't jolted my hand you sure would have been," he said -grimly. "You're mighty lucky to be alive right now. After this if I see -you——" +"If she hadn't jolted my hand you sure would have been," he said +grimly. "You're mighty lucky to be alive right now. After this if I see +you——" </p> <p> -"Shut up, Sandy!" Sheila interrupted authoritatively, with sisterly -directness. "I'm quite able to look after my own affairs. Mr. Farwell -is sorry. You be white enough to let it go that way." +"Shut up, Sandy!" Sheila interrupted authoritatively, with sisterly +directness. "I'm quite able to look after my own affairs. Mr. Farwell +is sorry. You be white enough to let it go that way." </p> <p> -"It's up to you, if you want it," Sandy replied. "If you can stand for -a thing like that once I can. But not twice." +"It's up to you, if you want it," Sandy replied. "If you can stand for +a thing like that once I can. But not twice." </p> <p> -"There won't be any twice. Shall we go to the house, Mr. Farwell?" +"There won't be any twice. Shall we go to the house, Mr. Farwell?" </p> <p> @@ -10841,26 +10853,26 @@ dignity, stalked in front. </p> <p> -"I want you to know," said Farwell, "that I'm utterly ashamed of +"I want you to know," said Farwell, "that I'm utterly ashamed of myself. To prove it I'm going to do the best I can. I'm going to wire -in my resignation, and I'm going away." +in my resignation, and I'm going away." </p> <p> -"Don't." +"Don't." </p> <p> -"What?" he exclaimed incredulously. +"What?" he exclaimed incredulously. </p> <p> -"Don't. You are sorry, and that's the main thing. We won't mention it -again. And neither will Sandy. But for a while you must not come here." +"Don't. You are sorry, and that's the main thing. We won't mention it +again. And neither will Sandy. But for a while you must not come here." </p> <p> -"I'll do anything," he said. "I think you are the best girl on earth." +"I'll do anything," he said. "I think you are the best girl on earth." </p> <p> @@ -10872,15 +10884,15 @@ Mrs. McCrae, looking somewhat anxious, met them at the house. </p> <p> -"I heard a shot," she said. "Was it you, Sandy?" +"I heard a shot," she said. "Was it you, Sandy?" </p> <p> -"Yes," her son replied. +"Yes," her son replied. </p> <p> -"What did you shoot at?" +"What did you shoot at?" </p> <p> @@ -10888,7 +10900,7 @@ The young man glanced at Farwell from the corner of his eye. </p> <p> -"A skunk," he replied. "I missed him." +"A skunk," he replied. "I missed him." </p> <p> @@ -10898,9 +10910,9 @@ Sheila bit her lip angrily. Farwell took his medicine in silence. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXI -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -10935,10 +10947,10 @@ She grew to love the long evenings, the soft twilights, the warm, sweet scent of the grasses, and the great stillness broken only by an occasional word and the beat of willing hoofs. On these evening rides she allowed her imagination to run riot. It pleased her to pretend that -she and Casey were the only inhabitants of the land—an Eve and Adam of +she and Casey were the only inhabitants of the land—an Eve and Adam of the West, pioneers of a remote civilization. All day she looked forward to this hour or two; at night, in her bed, she lived them over, -recreating each mile, each word, each little thing—how the great owl +recreating each mile, each word, each little thing—how the great owl had sailed ghostly across their path, the gray shape of a coyote fading into the dusk, the young broods of grouse hiding in the grass. </p> @@ -10983,58 +10995,58 @@ to say, staring at the horizon with narrowed eyes. </p> <p> -"Do you ever tell anybody your troubles?" she asked abruptly one +"Do you ever tell anybody your troubles?" she asked abruptly one evening. They were riding slowly homeward, and the silence had been especially marked. </p> <p> -"Not very often," Casey replied. "People I've met have usually had -enough of their own. They didn't want to hear mine." +"Not very often," Casey replied. "People I've met have usually had +enough of their own. They didn't want to hear mine." </p> <p> -"Well, I haven't many troubles, and I'd like to share yours, if I may. -I suppose it's this water question." +"Well, I haven't many troubles, and I'd like to share yours, if I may. +I suppose it's this water question." </p> <p> -"Why, yes," he admitted. "It's getting to be a mighty hard thing to -swallow—and look pleasant." +"Why, yes," he admitted. "It's getting to be a mighty hard thing to +swallow—and look pleasant." </p> <p> -"I know." She nodded sympathetically. "You feel helpless." +"I know." She nodded sympathetically. "You feel helpless." </p> <p> -"Not that exactly. The difficulty is to know just what to do—whether +"Not that exactly. The difficulty is to know just what to do—whether to do anything or not. The boys are very hostile. It wouldn't take much -to start them." +to start them." </p> <p> -"In what direction?" +"In what direction?" </p> <p> -"In any that would give action. They'd like nothing better than open -war." +"In any that would give action. They'd like nothing better than open +war." </p> <p> -She exclaimed at the words. "Surely there's no possibility of that?" +She exclaimed at the words. "Surely there's no possibility of that?" </p> <p> -"More than a possibility," he returned gravely. "Water is a necessity +"More than a possibility," he returned gravely. "Water is a necessity to us. The people who have taken it do not require it. They have established what is practically an armed camp. Also they have brought -in a number of hard citizens—what are known as 'gunmen'—to overawe +in a number of hard citizens—what are known as 'gunmen'—to overawe us. These patrol their ditch system, and warn us to keep away from it. It is guarded at every important point. Not satisfied with this, some of these fellows have been apparently looking for trouble in town and -elsewhere. One of these fine days they will get it." +elsewhere. One of these fine days they will get it." </p> <p> @@ -11050,39 +11062,39 @@ words to Casey were very much to the point. </p> <p> -"You got notice to keep off this property," said he. +"You got notice to keep off this property," said he. </p> <p> -"Well?" said Casey. +"Well?" said Casey. </p> <p> -"Do it," said Cross. "Hike—meanin' <i>you</i>, understand, and not the +"Do it," said Cross. "Hike—meanin' <i>you</i>, understand, and not the lady. She's plumb welcome to ride where she likes. I savvy your game, Dunne. You ain't got nerve enough to ride out here alone, and you bring -a woman with you to play safe." +a woman with you to play safe." </p> <p> -Casey paled with anger beneath his tan. "Mr. Cross," he said quietly, -"that goes—because the lady is with me. But I rather think one of us -will stay in this country a long time." +Casey paled with anger beneath his tan. "Mr. Cross," he said quietly, +"that goes—because the lady is with me. But I rather think one of us +will stay in this country a long time." </p> <p> -"Cheap bluff," Cross sneered. "You ain't goin' to prospect round these +"Cheap bluff," Cross sneered. "You ain't goin' to prospect round these ditches, linin' them up for powder. Come here alone, and I'll make you -eat the sights off of my gun." +eat the sights off of my gun." </p> <p> -Casey laughed softly—with him most dangerous of signs. +Casey laughed softly—with him most dangerous of signs. </p> <p> -"Mr. Cross, you really amuse me. I won't argue the point just now. -Later, perhaps. Good evening." +"Mr. Cross, you really amuse me. I won't argue the point just now. +Later, perhaps. Good evening." </p> <p> @@ -11092,28 +11104,28 @@ to occur. </p> <p> -"And that's one of the gunmen," said Casey. "That's what we have been -putting up with. I think it will have to stop." +"And that's one of the gunmen," said Casey. "That's what we have been +putting up with. I think it will have to stop." </p> <p> -"Don't get into any trouble," she begged. "Promise me you won't. What -do you care what men like that say?" +"Don't get into any trouble," she begged. "Promise me you won't. What +do you care what men like that say?" </p> <p> -"I'm partly human," he replied grimly. "I can stand as much as most +"I'm partly human," he replied grimly. "I can stand as much as most men, but there are some things I won't stand. I'm not going to climb a tree for any man. However, I won't crowd things with Cross, though I know plenty of men that would, on that provocation. I'm all for peace -and a quiet life. You won't think I'm afraid, I hope." +and a quiet life. You won't think I'm afraid, I hope." </p> <p> -"Certainly not," she said indignantly. "You don't give me much of your +"Certainly not," she said indignantly. "You don't give me much of your confidence, but I know you better than to think such a thing. I wish you would tell me more of what is going on. Let me be your friend, and -not merely your guest. Talk to me as you would to—Miss McCrae." +not merely your guest. Talk to me as you would to—Miss McCrae." </p> <p> @@ -11122,12 +11134,12 @@ challenge. She would be on the same footing. </p> <p> -"Sheila's different," he replied. "Sheila's one of us. I've known her -for years. She's a good deal like a sister." +"Sheila's different," he replied. "Sheila's one of us. I've known her +for years. She's a good deal like a sister." </p> <p> -"Oh," she said, "a <i>sister</i>?" +"Oh," she said, "a <i>sister</i>?" </p> <p> @@ -11136,37 +11148,37 @@ sceptical interrogation from the word. He laughed. </p> <p> -"Yes, a sister. Why, great Scott! you didn't think I was in love with +"Yes, a sister. Why, great Scott! you didn't think I was in love with her, did you, just because I call her by her first name? I think everything of her, but not in that way. She's a thousand times too good for me. Besides, she knows me too well. That's usually fatal to -sentiment. That's why no man is a hero to his wife." +sentiment. That's why no man is a hero to his wife." </p> <p> -"How do you know he isn't? Kitty Wade simply worships her husband." +"How do you know he isn't? Kitty Wade simply worships her husband." </p> <p> -"Maybe. But I'll bet his pedestal isn't nearly so high as it was before -they were married. When you marry, Miss Burnaby"—he smiled at her -frankly—"you will occupy the pedestal yourself." +"Maybe. But I'll bet his pedestal isn't nearly so high as it was before +they were married. When you marry, Miss Burnaby"—he smiled at her +frankly—"you will occupy the pedestal yourself." </p> <p> -"Doesn't your rule work both ways?" she laughed. +"Doesn't your rule work both ways?" she laughed. </p> <p> -"I won't admit it—to you, anyway." +"I won't admit it—to you, anyway." </p> <p> -"Why not—to me?" +"Why not—to me?" </p> <p> -"Because Wade tells me no man can be forced to incriminate himself," he +"Because Wade tells me no man can be forced to incriminate himself," he replied. </p> @@ -11184,59 +11196,59 @@ of letters for Clyde. </p> <p> -"Look here, Clyde," said the lawyer. "Here's a funny thing." He held a -newspaper open at the market page. "This Western Airline stock is as +"Look here, Clyde," said the lawyer. "Here's a funny thing." He held a +newspaper open at the market page. "This Western Airline stock is as jumpy as a fever chart. For a while it went down and down and down, away below what I should think to be its intrinsic value. There was a -rumour of a passed dividend. Nothing definite—merely a rumour. Then +rumour of a passed dividend. Nothing definite—merely a rumour. Then came another rumour of an application for a charter for a competing line. Both these stories seem to have brought out considerable stock. There was heavy selling. Likely the traders went short. I'll bet some -of them were nipped, too, for the market went up without warning—yes, -by George! bounced like a rubber ball." +of them were nipped, too, for the market went up without warning—yes, +by George! bounced like a rubber ball." </p> <p> Clyde looked up from a letter which enclosed a formal-looking -statement. "What would send it up?" +statement. "What would send it up?" </p> <p> -"Buyers in excess of sellers—in other words, demand in excess of -supply," Wade responded. "That's on the face of it. Probably not half a +"Buyers in excess of sellers—in other words, demand in excess of +supply," Wade responded. "That's on the face of it. Probably not half a dozen men know the inside. Orders may have been issued to support the -stock—that is, to buy all offered in order to keep the price from +stock—that is, to buy all offered in order to keep the price from declining farther. It's hard to say, at this distance. It's possible that the depressing rumours may have originated with the very men who -are now supporting the stock." +are now supporting the stock." </p> <p> -"Why should they do that?" +"Why should they do that?" </p> <p> -"To buy more cheaply shares which would be offered in consequence. It's -funny, though," he continued, opening another paper. "Now, here's a -later date—let's see—yes, here we are. The market opened five points +"To buy more cheaply shares which would be offered in consequence. It's +funny, though," he continued, opening another paper. "Now, here's a +later date—let's see—yes, here we are. The market opened five points higher than it closed on the preceding day, and it closed ten points -above that opening. Holy Moses! do you know what that means?" +above that opening. Holy Moses! do you know what that means?" </p> <p> -"Demand in excess of supply." +"Demand in excess of supply." </p> <p> -"Demand! Supply!" Wade echoed contemptuously. "Economics be hanged! It +"Demand! Supply!" Wade echoed contemptuously. "Economics be hanged! It means a fight for Western Air. It means that somebody is willing to pay a fancy price for shares. Why? Because a few shares one way or the other mean the ownership of the road, the dictation of its policy. -There's no other explanation. I wonder who——" +There's no other explanation. I wonder who——" </p> <p> -"Look at this," said Clyde. She handed him a telegram. He read: +"Look at this," said Clyde. She handed him a telegram. He read: </p> <div class="blockquote"> @@ -11251,7 +11263,7 @@ Gauss. <p> Wade's lips puckered in a noiseless whistle. He did not need to be told -that "Jim" was Clyde's uncle, wily old Jim Hess, of the Hess System. It +that "Jim" was Clyde's uncle, wily old Jim Hess, of the Hess System. It was he who was out gunning for York and Western Air, and he had the reputation of getting what he went after. What his tactics had been Wade could only surmise. But the antics of the stock were proof that he @@ -11259,38 +11271,38 @@ was in earnest. </p> <p> -"Well," he queried, "what do you know about this, young lady? Have you -been holding out on me?" +"Well," he queried, "what do you know about this, young lady? Have you +been holding out on me?" </p> <p> -"I haven't much information," she replied. "Bradley & Gauss are my +"I haven't much information," she replied. "Bradley & Gauss are my brokers. They have been buying Western Air for me as it was offered. -There's their statement. Uncle Jim told me to buy it—said that it -ought to be worth as much as Hess System some day." +There's their statement. Uncle Jim told me to buy it—said that it +ought to be worth as much as Hess System some day." </p> <p> -"Heavens! What a tip!" Wade exclaimed. "This will be good news for -Casey." +"Heavens! What a tip!" Wade exclaimed. "This will be good news for +Casey." </p> <p> -"I don't want him to know." +"I don't want him to know." </p> <p> -"Why not?" +"Why not?" </p> <p> -"Well, he—he—that is, he might be disappointed. Uncle Jim may not get +"Well, he—he—that is, he might be disappointed. Uncle Jim may not get control. If he does he'll treat everybody fairly, of course. I don't -want to raise false hopes." +want to raise false hopes." </p> <p> -"Considerate of you," said Wade, "not to say ingenious." +"Considerate of you," said Wade, "not to say ingenious." </p> <p> @@ -11298,20 +11310,20 @@ She flushed angrily for a moment, and then laughed. </p> <p> -"It's all the reason you'll get. Be a good friend, do. Promise! Also -you are to say nothing to Kitty." +"It's all the reason you'll get. Be a good friend, do. Promise! Also +you are to say nothing to Kitty." </p> <p> -"Afraid of being jollied?" +"Afraid of being jollied?" </p> <p> -"Mr. Wade, you are impertinent!" But her eyes laughed at him. +"Mr. Wade, you are impertinent!" But her eyes laughed at him. </p> <p> -"I'll keep your dark secret," said Wade. "It will be a joke on Kitty!" +"I'll keep your dark secret," said Wade. "It will be a joke on Kitty!" </p> <p> @@ -11321,9 +11333,9 @@ And so Casey Dunne was left in ignorance. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -11334,9 +11346,9 @@ pipe, rolled an appraising eye at him. </p> <p> -"Fwhere in Hiven's name is the maskyrade at?" he queried sourly. "An' -do yez riprisint Wild Bill Hickox—rest his sowl—or th' 'Pache -Kid—th' divil burn him!" +"Fwhere in Hiven's name is the maskyrade at?" he queried sourly. "An' +do yez riprisint Wild Bill Hickox—rest his sowl—or th' 'Pache +Kid—th' divil burn him!" </p> <p> @@ -11345,14 +11357,14 @@ and the old forty-one that sagged from his right hip, and grinned. </p> <p> -"Guns is coming into style again out our way," he replied. "All the +"Guns is coming into style again out our way," he replied. "All the best families wears 'em. There's so many of these here durn hobos and -railway men and Irish and other low characters——" +railway men and Irish and other low characters——" </p> <p> -"Th' nerve of yez!" snorted Mr. Quilty. "And the name iv yez -'McHale!'—as Irish, be hivins, as Con iv th' Hundred Battles!" +"Th' nerve of yez!" snorted Mr. Quilty. "And the name iv yez +'McHale!'—as Irish, be hivins, as Con iv th' Hundred Battles!" </p> <p> @@ -11361,28 +11373,28 @@ Mr. Quilty going. </p> <p> -"Irish? Not on your life!" he denied gravely. "What put that notion in +"Irish? Not on your life!" he denied gravely. "What put that notion in your head? The McHales is high-grade Scotch. Always was. They come from Loch Lomond or Commarashindhu or them parts. Annie Laurie married a McHale. Of course we're Scotch. You can tell by the Mac. The only -McHale that ever was in Ireland went there to civilize it." +McHale that ever was in Ireland went there to civilize it." </p> <p> -"To civ'lize Ireland!" Mr. Quilty cried in derision. "Hear till him! +"To civ'lize Ireland!" Mr. Quilty cried in derision. "Hear till him! And Ireland the owldest civ'lization in the wurruld, barrin' none, and the best! Faix, we was givin' lessons in it to all mankind whin th' dom raggety-britched tattherdemalions iv Scotchmen hadn't th' dacincy to wear kilts, even, but wint about bare to th' four winds iv hivin, a barbarious race lower nor a Digger Injun, a scandal to God, man, and -faymales black and white." +faymales black and white." </p> <p> -"Well, maybe you're right about them old times, Corney," admitted -McHale, with an innocent face. "I meant a little later than that. This +"Well, maybe you're right about them old times, Corney," admitted +McHale, with an innocent face. "I meant a little later than that. This here McHale was with William the Conqueror at the Battle of the -Boyne——" +Boyne——" </p> <p> @@ -11390,15 +11402,15 @@ Mr. Quilty spat at the mention of this historic event. </p> <p> -"Bad scran till him, then!" he exclaimed. "Yez do be a high-grade liar, +"Bad scran till him, then!" he exclaimed. "Yez do be a high-grade liar, and ign'rant as well. Willyum th' Conq'ror was Irish on his mother's side, an' he bate th' heads off iv th' bloody Sassenach, an' soaked their king wan in th' eye wid a bow 'n' arry at a fight I disremimber -th' name of, back a thousand years before Willyum th' Dutchman—may his -sowl get its needin's!—come out iv his swamps. I tell yez th' McHales +th' name of, back a thousand years before Willyum th' Dutchman—may his +sowl get its needin's!—come out iv his swamps. I tell yez th' McHales come from Galway. In th' good owld days they hanged thim be th' dozen to th' glor iv God an' th' greater safety iv all live stock. An th' -pity is they didn't make a cleaner job iv ut." +pity is they didn't make a cleaner job iv ut." </p> <p> @@ -11406,18 +11418,18 @@ McHale, who was enjoying himself hugely, sifted tobacco into paper. </p> <p> -"I won't say you ain't right, Corney," he observed mildly. "I always +"I won't say you ain't right, Corney," he observed mildly. "I always understood we was Scotch, but I ain't noways bigoted about it. That hangin' business seems to point to us bein' Irish. Did you ever notice how many Irishmen is hanged? Of course, there's lots ain't that ought -to be, but the general average is sure high." +to be, but the general average is sure high." </p> <p> -"I hope to glory ye boost it wan higher yerself," Quilty retorted. -"Small loss 'tw'u'd be to anny wan. A divil iv a desp'rado yez are, wid +"I hope to glory ye boost it wan higher yerself," Quilty retorted. +"Small loss 'tw'u'd be to anny wan. A divil iv a desp'rado yez are, wid yer gun an' all! I'm a good mind to swipe yez over th' nut wid me -lanthern an' take ut away from yez!" +lanthern an' take ut away from yez!" </p> <p> @@ -11427,49 +11439,49 @@ sourly. </p> <p> -"Play thricks!" he commented. "Spin a gun! Huh! Why don't yez get a job +"Play thricks!" he commented. "Spin a gun! Huh! Why don't yez get a job wid a dhrama that shows the West as it used to wasn't? I knowed wan iv thim gun twirlers wanst. He was a burrd pluggin' tomatty cans an' -such—a fair wonder he was. But wan day he starts to make a pinwheel iv +such—a fair wonder he was. But wan day he starts to make a pinwheel iv his finger forninst a stranger he mistakes fer a tindherfut, an' he gets th' face iv him blowed in be a derringer from that same stranger's -coat pocket." +coat pocket." </p> <p> -"Sure," McHale agreed. "It was comin' to him. He should have stuck to -tomatter cans. Them plays is plumb safe." +"Sure," McHale agreed. "It was comin' to him. He should have stuck to +tomatter cans. Them plays is plumb safe." </p> <p> -"They's no safe play wid a gun," Mr. Quilty declared oracularly. "I'm +"They's no safe play wid a gun," Mr. Quilty declared oracularly. "I'm an owlder man nor ye, an' I worked me way West wid railway -construction. I knowed th' owld-time gunmen—the wans they tell stories +construction. I knowed th' owld-time gunmen—the wans they tell stories of. Where are they now? Dead, ivery mother's son iv thim, an' most iv thim got it from a gun. No matther how quick a man is, if he kapes at ut long enough he meets up wid some felly that bates him till -it—wanst. And wanst is enough. +it—wanst. And wanst is enough. </p> <p> -"Plenty," McHale agreed. "Sure. The system is not to meet that sport. I -don't figure he lives in these parts." +"Plenty," McHale agreed. "Sure. The system is not to meet that sport. I +don't figure he lives in these parts." </p> <p> -Mr. Quilty blinked at him for a moment, and lowered his voice. "See, -now, b'y," said he, "I'm strong for mindin' me own business, but a +Mr. Quilty blinked at him for a moment, and lowered his voice. "See, +now, b'y," said he, "I'm strong for mindin' me own business, but a wink's as good as a nod to a blind horse. Nobody's been hurted hereabouts yet, but keep at ut and some wan will be. I don't want ut to -be you or Casey. Go aisy, like a good la-ad." +be you or Casey. Go aisy, like a good la-ad." </p> <p> -"I'm easy as a fox-trot," said McHale. "So's Casey. We ain't crowdin' +"I'm easy as a fox-trot," said McHale. "So's Casey. We ain't crowdin' nothin'. Only we're some tired of havin' a hot iron held to our hides. We sorter hate to smell our own hair singein'. We ain't on the prod, but we don't aim to be run off our own range, and that goes as it -lies." +lies." </p> <p> @@ -11480,17 +11492,17 @@ his opinion of the railway. </p> <p> -"Be ashamed, bawlin' out me employers in me prisince," said Mr. Quilty. -"G'wan out o' here, before I take a shotgun to yez." +"Be ashamed, bawlin' out me employers in me prisince," said Mr. Quilty. +"G'wan out o' here, before I take a shotgun to yez." </p> <p> -"Come up and have a drink," McHale invited. +"Come up and have a drink," McHale invited. </p> <p> -"Agin' the rules whin on duty," Quilty refused. "An' I do be on duty -whiniver I'm awake. 'Tis prohibition the comp'ny has on me, no less." +"Agin' the rules whin on duty," Quilty refused. "An' I do be on duty +whiniver I'm awake. 'Tis prohibition the comp'ny has on me, no less." </p> <p> @@ -11499,34 +11511,34 @@ dismounted. Bob Shiller in shirt sleeves sat on the veranda. </p> <p> -"They's a right smart o' dust to-day, Bob," said McHale. "S'pose we -sorter sprinkle it some." +"They's a right smart o' dust to-day, Bob," said McHale. "S'pose we +sorter sprinkle it some." </p> <p> -"We'll go into one of the back rooms, where it's cooler," proposed +"We'll go into one of the back rooms, where it's cooler," proposed Shiller. </p> <p> -"Oh, I'd just as soon go to the bar," said McHale. "Might be some of -the boys there. I like to lean up against the wood." +"Oh, I'd just as soon go to the bar," said McHale. "Might be some of +the boys there. I like to lean up against the wood." </p> <p> -"Well——" Shiller began, and stopped uncertainly. +"Well——" Shiller began, and stopped uncertainly. </p> <p> -"Well—what?" McHale demanded. +"Well—what?" McHale demanded. </p> <p> -"Just as well you don't go into the bar right now," Shiller explained. -"You had a sort of a run-in with a feller named Cross, hadn't you—you -or Casey? He's in there with a couple of his friends—hard-lookin' +"Just as well you don't go into the bar right now," Shiller explained. +"You had a sort of a run-in with a feller named Cross, hadn't you—you +or Casey? He's in there with a couple of his friends—hard-lookin' nuts. He's some tanked, and shootin' off his mouth. We'll have Billy -bring us what we want where it's cooler." +bring us what we want where it's cooler." </p> <p> @@ -11534,38 +11546,38 @@ McHale kicked a post meditatively three times. </p> <p> -"There's mighty little style about me, Bob," he said. "I'm democratic a +"There's mighty little style about me, Bob," he said. "I'm democratic a lot. Havin' drinks sent up to a private room looks to me a heap like -throwin' on dog." +throwin' on dog." </p> <p> -"I asked you," said Shiller. "It's my house. The drinks are on me." +"I asked you," said Shiller. "It's my house. The drinks are on me." </p> <p> -"I spoke of the dust," McHale reminded him. "That makes it my drinks. +"I spoke of the dust," McHale reminded him. "That makes it my drinks. And then I done asked a man to meet me in the bar. I wouldn't like to -keep him waitin'." +keep him waitin'." </p> <p> -"I don't want trouble here," said Shiller positively. "I ask you in a -friendly way not to make it." +"I don't want trouble here," said Shiller positively. "I ask you in a +friendly way not to make it." </p> <p> -"Well, I ain't makin' it, am I?" said McHale. "That's all right about +"Well, I ain't makin' it, am I?" said McHale. "That's all right about not wantin' trouble, but I got other things to think of. This here Cross and Dade and that bunch don't run the country. Mighty funny if I have to drink in a back room for them gents. Next thing you'll want me to climb a tree. I'm allowin' to stop my thirst facin' a mirror with one foot on a rail. I'll do it that way, or you and me won't be friends -no more." +no more." </p> <p> -"Go to it, then," said Shiller. "You always was a bullhead." +"Go to it, then," said Shiller. "You always was a bullhead." </p> <p> @@ -11577,24 +11589,24 @@ occupants. <p> Three of them were regulars, citizens of Coldstream. The others were strangers, and each of them wore a gun down his thigh. They were of the -type known as "hard-faced." Cross, a glass in his right hand, was +type known as "hard-faced." Cross, a glass in his right hand, was standing facing the door. As it pushed open he turned his head and stared at McHale, whom he did not immediately recognize. </p> <p> -"Come on, friend," said he; "get in on this." +"Come on, friend," said he; "get in on this." </p> <p> -"Sure," said McHale promptly. "A little number nine, Billy. Here's a -ho!" He set his glass down, and faced Cross. "Come again, boys. What'll -you take with me?" +"Sure," said McHale promptly. "A little number nine, Billy. Here's a +ho!" He set his glass down, and faced Cross. "Come again, boys. What'll +you take with me?" </p> <p> -But Cross swore suddenly. "Well!" he exclaimed. "Look at what blowed in -off of one of them dry-ranch layouts!" +But Cross swore suddenly. "Well!" he exclaimed. "Look at what blowed in +off of one of them dry-ranch layouts!" </p> <p> @@ -11602,59 +11614,59 @@ McHale smiled blandly, pushing a bottle in his direction. </p> <p> -"Beats all how some things drift about all over the country," he -observed. "Tumbleweeds and such. They go rollin' along mighty gay till -they bump into a wire fence somewheres." +"Beats all how some things drift about all over the country," he +observed. "Tumbleweeds and such. They go rollin' along mighty gay till +they bump into a wire fence somewheres." </p> <p> -"It's sure a wonder to me your boss lets you stray this far off," said -Cross, with sarcasm. "He needs a man to look after him the worst way. +"It's sure a wonder to me your boss lets you stray this far off," said +Cross, with sarcasm. "He needs a man to look after him the worst way. He don't seem to have no sand. I met up with him along our ditch a while back, and I told him to hike. You bet he did. Only that he'd a -girl with him I'd have run him clean back to his reservation." +girl with him I'd have run him clean back to his reservation." </p> <p> -"You want to get a movin'-picture layout," McHale suggested. "That'd -make a right good show—<i>you</i> runnin' Casey. You used to work for -one of them outfits, didn't you?" +"You want to get a movin'-picture layout," McHale suggested. "That'd +make a right good show—<i>you</i> runnin' Casey. You used to work for +one of them outfits, didn't you?" </p> <p> -"No. What makes you think I did?" +"No. What makes you think I did?" </p> <p> -"Your face looked sorter familiar to me," McHale replied. "Studyin' on +"Your face looked sorter familiar to me," McHale replied. "Studyin' on it, it seems like I'd seen it in one of them picture shows down in Cheyenne. Right good show, too. It showed a bunch of boys after a hoss -thief. He got away." +thief. He got away." </p> <p> -"Haw-haw!" laughed one of the regulars, and suddenly froze to silence. +"Haw-haw!" laughed one of the regulars, and suddenly froze to silence. Billy, behind the bar, stood as if petrified, towel in hand. Cross's face, flushed with liquor, blackened in a ferocious scowl. </p> <p> -"You —— —— ——!" he roared. "What do you mean by that?" +"You —— —— ——!" he roared. "What do you mean by that?" </p> <p> -"Mean?" asked McHale innocently. "Why, I was tellin' you about a show I -seen. What's wrong with that?" +"Mean?" asked McHale innocently. "Why, I was tellin' you about a show I +seen. What's wrong with that?" </p> <p> -"You called me a horse thief!" cried Cross. +"You called me a horse thief!" cried Cross. </p> <p> -"Who? Me?" said McHale. "Why, no, Mr. Cross, you ain't no hoss thief. I +"Who? Me?" said McHale. "Why, no, Mr. Cross, you ain't no hoss thief. I know different. If anybody says you are, you just send him right along -to me. No, sir; I know you ain't. There's two good reasons against it." +to me. No, sir; I know you ain't. There's two good reasons against it." </p> <p> @@ -11662,14 +11674,14 @@ Cross glared at him, his fingers beginning to twitch. </p> <p> -"Let's hear them," he said. "If they ain't good you go out of that door -feet first." +"Let's hear them," he said. "If they ain't good you go out of that door +feet first." </p> <p> -"They're plumb good—best you ever heard," McHale affirmed. "Now, +"They're plumb good—best you ever heard," McHale affirmed. "Now, listen. Here's how I know you ain't no hoss thief: For one thing, you -got too much mouth; and for another you ain't got the nerve!" +got too much mouth; and for another you ain't got the nerve!" </p> <p> @@ -11677,37 +11689,37 @@ Out of the dead silence came Shiller's voice from the door: </p> <p> -"I'll fill the first man that makes a move plumb full of buckshot. If -there's any shootin' in here, I'm doin' it myself." He held a pump gun -at his shoulder, the muzzle dominating the group. "You, Tom," he -continued, "you said you wouldn't make trouble." +"I'll fill the first man that makes a move plumb full of buckshot. If +there's any shootin' in here, I'm doin' it myself." He held a pump gun +at his shoulder, the muzzle dominating the group. "You, Tom," he +continued, "you said you wouldn't make trouble." </p> <p> -"Am I makin' it?" asked McHale. +"Am I makin' it?" asked McHale. </p> <p> -"Are you makin' it?" Shiller repeated. "Oh, no, you ain't. You're a +"Are you makin' it?" Shiller repeated. "Oh, no, you ain't. You're a gentle, meek-and-mild pilgrim, you are. I ain't goin' to hold this gun all day, neither. You better hit the high spots. I'll give you time to get on your cayuse and drift. At the end of two minutes this man goes out of that door, and I ain't responsible for what happens. I'm sure -sorry, Tom, to treat you like this, but I got my house to consider." +sorry, Tom, to treat you like this, but I got my house to consider." </p> <p> -"That's all right, Bob," said McHale. "Looks like you hold the ace. +"That's all right, Bob," said McHale. "Looks like you hold the ace. I'll step. Far's I'm concerned you needn't keep them gents two minutes -nor one." He turned to the door. +nor one." He turned to the door. </p> <p> -"I'm lookin' for you, McHale," said Cross. +"I'm lookin' for you, McHale," said Cross. </p> <p> -"Come a-runnin'," said McHale. "Bring your friends." +"Come a-runnin'," said McHale. "Bring your friends." </p> <p> @@ -11718,21 +11730,21 @@ commented lazily to a friend: </p> <p> -"What's Tom McHale doin'?" +"What's Tom McHale doin'?" </p> <p> -"Some fool joke. He's full of them. I reckon he wants us to ask him." +"Some fool joke. He's full of them. I reckon he wants us to ask him." </p> <p> -McHale called to them: "Boys, if I was you I'd move out of line of me -and Bob's door." +McHale called to them: "Boys, if I was you I'd move out of line of me +and Bob's door." </p> <p> -"What did I tell you?" the wise one commented. "You bet I don't bite. -I——" +"What did I tell you?" the wise one commented. "You bet I don't bite. +I——" </p> <p> @@ -11772,34 +11784,34 @@ door opened. McHale covered it instantly, but it was Shiller himself. </p> <p> -"So you done it, did you?" he said. +"So you done it, did you?" he said. </p> <p> -"Sure," said McHale. "He comes a-shootin', and I gets him. Likewise I -gets them two <i>tillikums</i> of his if they want it that way." +"Sure," said McHale. "He comes a-shootin', and I gets him. Likewise I +gets them two <i>tillikums</i> of his if they want it that way." </p> <p> -"Billy's keepin' them quiet with the pump gun," Shiller informed him. -"You better get out o' town. I'll clean up your mess, darn you! Git -quick. Them fellers expects some more in." +"Billy's keepin' them quiet with the pump gun," Shiller informed him. +"You better get out o' town. I'll clean up your mess, darn you! Git +quick. Them fellers expects some more in." </p> <p> -McHale nodded. "I ain't organized to stand off a whole posse with one +McHale nodded. "I ain't organized to stand off a whole posse with one gun. So long, Bob. I'm plumb sorry I mixed you into this. They won't -like you much now." +like you much now." </p> <p> -"They don't need to," said Shiller. "Want any money? Want another gun? -I got a handy little three-ought-three carbine." +"They don't need to," said Shiller. "Want any money? Want another gun? +I got a handy little three-ought-three carbine." </p> <p> -"No. I'll get my own outfit. I may have to lie out for a spell. Well, -I'll be movin'." +"No. I'll get my own outfit. I may have to lie out for a spell. Well, +I'll be movin'." </p> <p> @@ -11814,9 +11826,9 @@ lope, as unhurried as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXIII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -11826,35 +11838,35 @@ Casey and Wade strolled in. </p> <p> -"Did that freight come?" asked Casey. +"Did that freight come?" asked Casey. </p> <p> -"Nope," said McHale. "I got a tracer started after her." +"Nope," said McHale. "I got a tracer started after her." </p> <p> -"Anything doing in town?" +"Anything doing in town?" </p> <p> -"Why, I reckon there was a <i>leetle</i> excitement there for a few -minutes," said McHale. "Sort of an argument in front of Bob Shiller's." +"Why, I reckon there was a <i>leetle</i> excitement there for a few +minutes," said McHale. "Sort of an argument in front of Bob Shiller's." </p> <p> -Casey, from his knowledge of McHale, came to attention at once. "Well?" +Casey, from his knowledge of McHale, came to attention at once. "Well?" he asked abruptly. </p> <p> -"Well, it was me and this here Cross," McHale explained. "I downed -him." +"Well, it was me and this here Cross," McHale explained. "I downed +him." </p> <p> -"In the argument?" laughed Wade, who did not comprehend. But Casey -asked quickly: "Gun?" +"In the argument?" laughed Wade, who did not comprehend. But Casey +asked quickly: "Gun?" </p> <p> @@ -11862,16 +11874,16 @@ McHale nodded. </p> <p> -"You did! How'd it happen? Is he dead?" +"You did! How'd it happen? Is he dead?" </p> <p> -"I miss once, but three times I'm pretty near centre," McHale replied. -"Course, I didn't wait to hold no inquest, but if he ain't forded +"I miss once, but three times I'm pretty near centre," McHale replied. +"Course, I didn't wait to hold no inquest, but if he ain't forded Jordan's tide by now he's plumb lucky; also tough. Only thing makes me doubt it is the way he goes down. He don't come ahead on his face the way a man does when he's plugged for keeps; but he sorter sags -backward, so he may have a chance. Still, I reckon she's a slim one." +backward, so he may have a chance. Still, I reckon she's a slim one." </p> <p> @@ -11879,63 +11891,63 @@ Casey got the full story with half a dozen brief questions. </p> <p> -"Clear case of self-defence, isn't it, Wade?" +"Clear case of self-defence, isn't it, Wade?" </p> <p> -"Looks that way, if the evidence corroborates what he says," the lawyer -replied. "Are you sure he shot first, Tom?" +"Looks that way, if the evidence corroborates what he says," the lawyer +replied. "Are you sure he shot first, Tom?" </p> <p> -"Better put it he meant to shoot first," McHale responded. "Naturally, +"Better put it he meant to shoot first," McHale responded. "Naturally, I ain't standin' round waitin' for no sightin' shots. It comes close to -an even break." +an even break." </p> <p> -"That's good enough," Wade declared. "If his actions left no doubt of +"That's good enough," Wade declared. "If his actions left no doubt of his hostile purpose in your mind you were justified in protecting -yourself." +yourself." </p> <p> -"They sure didn't," said McHale. "He's out to down me, and I know it. +"They sure didn't," said McHale. "He's out to down me, and I know it. There ain't no Alphonse and Gaston stuff when he comes boilin' out, -pullin' his gun. I just sail in to get action while I got the chance." +pullin' his gun. I just sail in to get action while I got the chance." </p> <p> -"Exactly," said Wade. "Well, Tom, you'll be arrested, of course. If +"Exactly," said Wade. "Well, Tom, you'll be arrested, of course. If Cross isn't dead, likely you can get bail. If he is, I'm afraid you'll have to remain in custody till the trial. I'll defend you myself, if you'll let me. Or maybe it would be better to get a man whose practice -is more on the criminal side. I'll get the best there is for you." +is more on the criminal side. I'll get the best there is for you." </p> <p> -"I'm obliged," said McHale. "I'll stand a trial all right, but I ain't -figurin' on bein' arrested for a while." +"I'm obliged," said McHale. "I'll stand a trial all right, but I ain't +figurin' on bein' arrested for a while." </p> <p> -"Nonsense!" said Wade. "You don't mean to resist arrest? That's -foolish." +"Nonsense!" said Wade. "You don't mean to resist arrest? That's +foolish." </p> <p> -"Oh, I dunno," said McHale. "Depends on how you look at it. I ain't +"Oh, I dunno," said McHale. "Depends on how you look at it. I ain't goin' to resist to speak of; I'm just lyin' low for a spell. I reckon I'll pack old Baldy with a little outfit, Casey. 'Bout two days from -now you'll find him out by Sunk Springs if you ride that way." +now you'll find him out by Sunk Springs if you ride that way." </p> <p> -"I don't get the idea." +"I don't get the idea." </p> <p> -"It's this way," McHale explained. "This Cross is one of a bad bunch. +"It's this way," McHale explained. "This Cross is one of a bad bunch. They'll be out for my scalp. They don't want no law in this. I been hearin' 'bout Cross and this old-timer, Dade. They're great tillikums, and Dade is the old he-coon of the bunch. I ain't takin' a chance on @@ -11948,16 +11960,16 @@ somewheres, and save everybody trouble. If any of these here sheriffs or deputies gets nosin' around, you tell 'em how it is. I'll come in when the signs is right, and not before. Tell them not to go huntin' me, neither, but to go ahead and get everything set for a proper trial. -I'll send word when I'll be in." +I'll send word when I'll be in." </p> <p> -Wade chuckled. "They can't arrange a trial without somebody to try, -Tom." +Wade chuckled. "They can't arrange a trial without somebody to try, +Tom." </p> <p> -"They'll have to make a stagger at it, or wait," McHale responded +"They'll have to make a stagger at it, or wait," McHale responded seriously. </p> @@ -11972,84 +11984,84 @@ toward the young orchard. He fell into step. </p> <p> -"Nice evening." +"Nice evening." </p> <p> -She regarded him quizzically. "I won't ask a single question. You -needn't be afraid." +She regarded him quizzically. "I won't ask a single question. You +needn't be afraid." </p> <p> -"Did you think I meant to head off your natural curiosity? Not a bit of +"Did you think I meant to head off your natural curiosity? Not a bit of it. You want to know where Tom is going at this time of night, and -why?" +why?" </p> <p> -"Of course I do. But I won't ask." +"Of course I do. But I won't ask." </p> <p> -"You may just as well know now as later." He told her what had +"You may just as well know now as later." He told her what had happened, omitting to mention McHale's real reason for leaving the ranch. Even in the darkness he could see the trouble in her eyes. </p> <p> -"You really mean it?" she questioned. "You mean that he has killed a -man?" +"You really mean it?" she questioned. "You mean that he has killed a +man?" </p> <p> -"Either that or shot him up pretty badly." +"Either that or shot him up pretty badly." </p> <p> -"I can scarcely believe it. I like McHale; he's droll, humorous, so -cheerful, so easy-going. I can't think of him as a murderer." +"I can scarcely believe it. I like McHale; he's droll, humorous, so +cheerful, so easy-going. I can't think of him as a murderer." </p> <p> -"Nonsense!" said Casey. "No murder about it. It was a fair gun -fight—an even break. This fellow came at Tom, shooting. He had to -protect himself." +"Nonsense!" said Casey. "No murder about it. It was a fair gun +fight—an even break. This fellow came at Tom, shooting. He had to +protect himself." </p> <p> -"He could have avoided it. He had time to get on his horse and ride -away. But he waited." +"He could have avoided it. He had time to get on his horse and ride +away. But he waited." </p> <p> -"He did right," said Casey. "This man would have shot him on sight. It -was best to settle it then and there." +"He did right," said Casey. "This man would have shot him on sight. It +was best to settle it then and there." </p> <p> -"That may be so," she admitted, "but life is a sacred thing to me." +"That may be so," she admitted, "but life is a sacred thing to me." </p> <p> -"No doubt Tom considered his own life tolerably sacred," he responded. -"As an abstract proposition life may be sacred. Practically it's about +"No doubt Tom considered his own life tolerably sacred," he responded. +"As an abstract proposition life may be sacred. Practically it's about the cheapest thing on earth. It persists and repeats and increases in spite of war, pestilence, and famine. The principal value of the individual life is its service to other life. Cross wasn't much good. That old Holstein over there in the corral, with her long and honourable record of milk production and thoroughbred calves, is of more real benefit to the world. You see, it was Tom or Cross. One had -to go. I'm mighty glad it was Cross." +to go. I'm mighty glad it was Cross." </p> <p> -"Oh, if you put it that way——" +"Oh, if you put it that way——" </p> <p> -"That's the way to put it. Of course, we aren't sure that he's more +"That's the way to put it. Of course, we aren't sure that he's more than shot up a little. Still, knowing what Tom can do with a gun, I'm -inclined to think that Cross is all same good Indian." +inclined to think that Cross is all same good Indian." </p> <p> @@ -12059,164 +12071,164 @@ climbing into the northwestern sky, partially obscuring the last tints of the sunset. The wind had ceased. The air was hot, oppressive, laden with the scents of dry earth. Sounds carried far in the stillness. The stamp of a horse in a stall, the low, throaty notes of a cow nuzzling -her calf, the far-off evening wail of a coyote—all seemed strangely +her calf, the far-off evening wail of a coyote—all seemed strangely near at hand, borne by some telephonic quality in the atmosphere. </p> <p> -"How still it is!" said Clyde. "One can almost feel the darkness -descending." +"How still it is!" said Clyde. "One can almost feel the darkness +descending." </p> <p> -"Electrical storm coming, I fancy. No such luck as rain." +"Electrical storm coming, I fancy. No such luck as rain." </p> <p> -"I don't suppose it affects you," she remarked, "but out here when +"I don't suppose it affects you," she remarked, "but out here when night comes I feel lonely. And yet that's scarcely the right word. It's more a sense of apprehension, a realization of my own unimportance. The -country is so vast—so empty—that I feel dwarfed by it. I believe I'm +country is so vast—so empty—that I feel dwarfed by it. I believe I'm afraid of the big, lonely land when the darkness lies on it. Of course, -you'll laugh at me." +you'll laugh at me." </p> <p> -"No," he assured her. "I know the feeling very well. I've had it +"No," he assured her. "I know the feeling very well. I've had it myself, not here, but up where the rivers run into the Polar Sea. The vastness oppressed. I wanted the company of men and to see the things man had made. I was awed by the world lying just as it came from the hand of God. The wilderness seemed to press in on me. That's what drives men mad sometimes. It isn't the solitude or the loneliness exactly. It's the constant pressure of forces that can be felt but not -described." +described." </p> <p> -"I think I understand." +"I think I understand." </p> <p> -"The ordinary person wouldn't. There are no words to express some -things." +"The ordinary person wouldn't. There are no words to express some +things." </p> <p> -"I'm glad of it; I don't want the things I feel the most cheapened by -words." +"I'm glad of it; I don't want the things I feel the most cheapened by +words." </p> <p> -"Something in that," he agreed. "Words are poor things when one really +"Something in that," he agreed. "Words are poor things when one really <i>feels</i>. Providence seems to have arranged that we should be more -or less tongue-tied when we feel the most." +or less tongue-tied when we feel the most." </p> <p> -"Is that the case?" +"Is that the case?" </p> <p> -"I think so—with men, at any rate. It's especially so with most of us -in affairs of love and death." +"I think so—with men, at any rate. It's especially so with most of us +in affairs of love and death." </p> <p> -"But some men make love very well, you know," she smiled. +"But some men make love very well, you know," she smiled. </p> <p> -"I defer to your experience," he laughed back. +"I defer to your experience," he laughed back. </p> <p> -"Oh, my experience!" She made a wry face. "And what do you know of my -experience?" +"Oh, my experience!" She made a wry face. "And what do you know of my +experience?" </p> <p> -"Less than nothing. But from some slight observation of my fellow men I +"Less than nothing. But from some slight observation of my fellow men I am aware that a very pretty and wealthy girl is in a position to -collect experience of that kind faster than she can catalogue it." +collect experience of that kind faster than she can catalogue it." </p> <p> -"Perhaps she doesn't want to do either." +"Perhaps she doesn't want to do either." </p> <p> -"Referring further to my fellow man, I beg to say that her wishes cut +"Referring further to my fellow man, I beg to say that her wishes cut very little ice. She will get the experience whether she wants it or -not." +not." </p> <p> -"Accurate observer! Are you trying to flatter me?" +"Accurate observer! Are you trying to flatter me?" </p> <p> -"As how?" +"As how?" </p> <p> -"Do you think me pretty?" +"Do you think me pretty?" </p> <p> -"Even in the darkness——" +"Even in the darkness——" </p> <p> -"Be serious. Do you?" +"Be serious. Do you?" </p> <p> -"Why, of course I do. I never saw a prettier girl in my life." +"Why, of course I do. I never saw a prettier girl in my life." </p> <p> -"Cross your heart?" +"Cross your heart?" </p> <p> -"Honest Injun—wish I may die!" +"Honest Injun—wish I may die!" </p> <p> -"Oh, well," said Clyde, "that's something. That's satisfactory. I'm +"Oh, well," said Clyde, "that's something. That's satisfactory. I'm glad to extract something of a complimentary nature at last. You were far better when I met you at the Wades'. You did pay me a compliment, and you asked me for a rose. Please, sir, <i>do</i> you remember asking -a poor girl for a rose?" +a poor girl for a rose?" </p> <p> -"I have it still." +"I have it still." </p> <p> -"Truly?" A little throb of pleasure shot through her and crept into her -voice. "And you never told me!" +"Truly?" A little throb of pleasure shot through her and crept into her +voice. "And you never told me!" </p> <p> -"I was to keep it as security. That was the bargain." +"I was to keep it as security. That was the bargain." </p> <p> -"But how much nicer it would be to say that you kept it because I gave +"But how much nicer it would be to say that you kept it because I gave it to you. Are you aware that I made an exception in your favour by -doing so?" +doing so?" </p> <p> -"I thought so at the time," said Casey. "I expected a refusal. However, -I took a chance." +"I thought so at the time," said Casey. "I expected a refusal. However, +I took a chance." </p> <p> -"And won. Are you sure that you have the rose still? And where among -your treasures do you keep it?" +"And won. Are you sure that you have the rose still? And where among +your treasures do you keep it?" </p> <p> @@ -12224,17 +12236,17 @@ He hesitated. </p> <p> -"You don't know where it is! That's just like a man. For shame!" +"You don't know where it is! That's just like a man. For shame!" </p> <p> -"You're wrong," Casey said quietly. "I keep it with some little things -that belonged to my mother." +"You're wrong," Casey said quietly. "I keep it with some little things +that belonged to my mother." </p> <p> -She put out her hand impulsively. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "I—I beg your -pardon!" +She put out her hand impulsively. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "I—I beg your +pardon!" </p> <p> @@ -12243,109 +12255,109 @@ leaned forward to look into her upraised eyes in the growing darkness. </p> <p> -"That seemed the proper place to keep it. I value your friendship very -much—too much to presume on it. We are at opposite ends of the -world—I'm quite aware of that. When this little holiday of yours is +"That seemed the proper place to keep it. I value your friendship very +much—too much to presume on it. We are at opposite ends of the +world—I'm quite aware of that. When this little holiday of yours is over you'll go back to your everyday life and surroundings, and I don't -want you to take with you one regret or unpleasant memory." +want you to take with you one regret or unpleasant memory." </p> <p> -"I don't know what I shall take," she replied gravely. "But I'm not at -all sure that I shall go back." +"I don't know what I shall take," she replied gravely. "But I'm not at +all sure that I shall go back." </p> <p> -"I don't understand." +"I don't understand." </p> <p> -"Suppose," she said, "suppose that you were a moderately rich man, in +"Suppose," she said, "suppose that you were a moderately rich man, in good health, young, without business or profession, without any special -talent; and that your friends—your social circle—were very much like +talent; and that your friends—your social circle—were very much like yourself. Suppose that your life was spent in clubs, country houses, -travel—that you had nothing on earth to do but amuse yourself, nothing +travel—that you had nothing on earth to do but amuse yourself, nothing to look forward to but repetitions of the same amusement. What would -become of you?" +become of you?" </p> <p> -"To be perfectly truthful," he replied, "I should probably go to the -devil." +"To be perfectly truthful," he replied, "I should probably go to the +devil." </p> <p> -"The correct answer," said Clyde gravely. "<i>I</i> am going to the +"The correct answer," said Clyde gravely. "<i>I</i> am going to the devil. Oh, I'm strictly conventional. I mean that I'm stagnating -utterly—mentally, morally, and physically. I'm degenerating. My life +utterly—mentally, morally, and physically. I'm degenerating. My life is a feminine replica of the one I suggested to you. I'm wearied to -death of it—of killing time aimlessly, of playing at literature, at +death of it—of killing time aimlessly, of playing at literature, at charity, at uplifting people who don't want to be uplifted. And there's -nothing different ahead. Must I play at living until I die?" +nothing different ahead. Must I play at living until I die?" </p> <p> -"But you will marry," he predicted. "You will meet the right man. That -will make a difference." +"But you will marry," he predicted. "You will meet the right man. That +will make a difference." </p> <p> -"Perhaps I have met him." +"Perhaps I have met him." </p> <p> -"Then I wish you great happiness." +"Then I wish you great happiness." </p> <p> -"And perhaps he doesn't care for me—in that way." +"And perhaps he doesn't care for me—in that way." </p> <p> -"The right man would. You're not hard to fall in love with, Clyde." +"The right man would. You're not hard to fall in love with, Clyde." </p> <p> -"Am I not—Casey?" She smiled up at him through the dark, a little +"Am I not—Casey?" She smiled up at him through the dark, a little tremor in her voice. She felt his fingers tighten on hers like bands of steel, crushing them together, and she was conscious of a strange joy in the pain of it. </p> <p> -"You know you are not!" he said tensely. "I could——" He broke off +"You know you are not!" he said tensely. "I could——" He broke off abruptly. </p> <p> -"Then why don't you?" she murmured softly. +"Then why don't you?" she murmured softly. </p> <p> -"Why not?" he exclaimed. "I'd look pretty, wouldn't I, a busted land +"Why not?" he exclaimed. "I'd look pretty, wouldn't I, a busted land speculator, falling in love with you! I've some sense of the fitness of -things. But when you look at me like that——" +things. But when you look at me like that——" </p> <p> He stooped swiftly and kissed her, drawing her to him almost fiercely. -"Oh, girl!" he said, "why did you tempt me? I've forgotten what was due +"Oh, girl!" he said, "why did you tempt me? I've forgotten what was due you as my guest. I've forgotten all that I've been remembering so carefully for weeks. Now it's over. Some day the right man will tell -you how he loves you." +you how he loves you." </p> <p> -"I am waiting," she whispered, "for the 'right man' to tell me now!" +"I am waiting," she whispered, "for the 'right man' to tell me now!" </p> <p> -"Why," he exclaimed incredulously, "you don't mean——" +"Why," he exclaimed incredulously, "you don't mean——" </p> <p> -"But I do mean," she replied. "Oh, Casey, boy, didn't you know? -Couldn't you guess? Must I do all the love-making myself?" +"But I do mean," she replied. "Oh, Casey, boy, didn't you know? +Couldn't you guess? Must I do all the love-making myself?" </p> <p> @@ -12358,25 +12370,25 @@ said nothing to him. </p> <p> -"We had better go," she said at last. "It is quite dark. Kitty will -wonder where we are." +"We had better go," she said at last. "It is quite dark. Kitty will +wonder where we are." </p> <p> -"Shall you tell her? Better." +"Shall you tell her? Better." </p> <p> -"Not to-night, anyway. She—you see——" +"Not to-night, anyway. She—you see——" </p> <p> -"She'd jolly you, you mean. Of course. But We may as well have it -over." +"She'd jolly you, you mean. Of course. But We may as well have it +over." </p> <p> -"Not to-night," Clyde repeated. She was uncomfortably conscious of her +"Not to-night," Clyde repeated. She was uncomfortably conscious of her confidences to Kitty Wade, made without much thought. </p> @@ -12386,7 +12398,7 @@ issued the sound of voices. </p> <p> -"Let's take a peep at Feng's company?" Casey suggested. +"Let's take a peep at Feng's company?" Casey suggested. </p> <p> @@ -12404,78 +12416,78 @@ curiously alert. </p> <p> -"What foh you come, Injun?" Feng demanded. "Wantee glub? Injun all time +"What foh you come, Injun?" Feng demanded. "Wantee glub? Injun all time <i>hiyu</i> eat, all same hobo tlamp. S'pose you hungly me catch some -<i>muckamuck</i>. Catch piecee blead, catch col' loast beef—loast -<i>moosmoos</i>!" +<i>muckamuck</i>. Catch piecee blead, catch col' loast beef—loast +<i>moosmoos</i>!" </p> <p> -"You catchum," Simon agreed. "Casey—where him stop?" +"You catchum," Simon agreed. "Casey—where him stop?" </p> <p> -"Casey!" Feng's features expanded in a grin. "Him stop along -gal—<i>tenas klootchman</i>, you savvy. Go walkee along gal. P'laps, -bimeby, two, tlee hou', him come back." +"Casey!" Feng's features expanded in a grin. "Him stop along +gal—<i>tenas klootchman</i>, you savvy. Go walkee along gal. P'laps, +bimeby, two, tlee hou', him come back." </p> <p> -Simon grunted gutturally. "Ya-as," he drawled. +Simon grunted gutturally. "Ya-as," he drawled. </p> <p> -"<i>Hiyu</i> lich gal," Feng proceeded. "Have <i>hiyu</i> dolla'. You -bet. She one <i>hiyu</i> dam' plitty gal, savvy?" +"<i>Hiyu</i> lich gal," Feng proceeded. "Have <i>hiyu</i> dolla'. You +bet. She one <i>hiyu</i> dam' plitty gal, savvy?" </p> <p> -"Hush!" Clyde whispered, as Casey would have put an end to this risky -eavesdropping. "I didn't think that Feng had such good taste. I'm +"Hush!" Clyde whispered, as Casey would have put an end to this risky +eavesdropping. "I didn't think that Feng had such good taste. I'm getting compliments from everybody to-night. I'm really flattered. I -want to hear some more." +want to hear some more." </p> <p> -"Better not," he advised apprehensively. +"Better not," he advised apprehensively. </p> <p> -"But I want to." +"But I want to." </p> <p> -"Ya-as," Simon drawled again. "<i>Hyas kloshe tenas -klootchman</i>—ah-ha. What name you callum?" +"Ya-as," Simon drawled again. "<i>Hyas kloshe tenas +klootchman</i>—ah-ha. What name you callum?" </p> <p> -"Missee Clyde Bullaby," Feng replied, making a manful attempt at +"Missee Clyde Bullaby," Feng replied, making a manful attempt at Clyde's surname, which was quite beyond his lingual attainments. </p> <p> -"Clyde!" Simon repeated, in accents of incredulity. "Me savvy 'Clyde.' +"Clyde!" Simon repeated, in accents of incredulity. "Me savvy 'Clyde.' Him big man-horse <i>hyas skookum</i> man-horse. Him <i>mammook</i> -plow, <i>mammook</i> haul wagon!" +plow, <i>mammook</i> haul wagon!" </p> <p> -"You <i>hyas</i> damfool Injun!" said his host politely. "Missee Clyde +"You <i>hyas</i> damfool Injun!" said his host politely. "Missee Clyde Chlistian gal's name, catchum in Chlistian Bible; all same Swede Annie, -all same Spokane Sue, all same Po'tland Lily." +all same Spokane Sue, all same Po'tland Lily." </p> <p> -Simon digested this information with preternatural gravity. "Ya-as," -said he. "Casey like Clyde?" +Simon digested this information with preternatural gravity. "Ya-as," +said he. "Casey like Clyde?" </p> <p> -"Clyde likee Casey," Feng responded knowingly. "Casey call um woman +"Clyde likee Casey," Feng responded knowingly. "Casey call um woman fliend. Lats! All same big Melican bluff, makee me sick. Bimeby some time she makee mally him. Bimeby baby stop. Then me quit. Me go back to -China." +China." </p> <p> @@ -12487,34 +12499,34 @@ she followed. </p> <p> -"I'll fire that infernal yellow scoundrel to-morrow," he growled. +"I'll fire that infernal yellow scoundrel to-morrow," he growled. </p> <p> -"No, no, it was my own fault," she declared. "Absolutely and entirely -my own. I—I——Oh, don't <i>look</i> at me, please!" +"No, no, it was my own fault," she declared. "Absolutely and entirely +my own. I—I——Oh, don't <i>look</i> at me, please!" </p> <p> -"I won't," he promised, but his voice shook slightly. +"I won't," he promised, but his voice shook slightly. </p> <p> -"You're laughing!" she accused him tragically. +"You're laughing!" she accused him tragically. </p> <p> -"Indeed I'm not," he denied; but with the words came an involuntary +"Indeed I'm not," he denied; but with the words came an involuntary sound strongly resembling a chuckle. </p> <p> -"Shame!" she cried. +"Shame!" she cried. </p> <p> -"Yes, yes!" he gasped. "I know it. It's too bad. Ha-ha! I really beg -your pardon. I——Oh, good Lord!" +"Yes, yes!" he gasped. "I know it. It's too bad. Ha-ha! I really beg +your pardon. I——Oh, good Lord!" </p> <p> @@ -12526,9 +12538,9 @@ locked door lay between her and a ribald, unfeeling world. -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXIV -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -12556,7 +12568,7 @@ beneath her own showed that he had lit a lamp. </p> <p> -"Hello! Who's there?" he asked. +"Hello! Who's there?" he asked. </p> <p> @@ -12572,13 +12584,13 @@ He glanced back and saw Clyde. </p> <p> -"What is it?" she asked. "Who is there?" +"What is it?" she asked. "Who is there?" </p> <p> -"I don't know," he replied. "There are men out there. They want me to +"I don't know," he replied. "There are men out there. They want me to open the door. Do you know where there's a gun in the house? I -haven't——" +haven't——" </p> <p> @@ -12591,76 +12603,76 @@ covered Wade. Back of him, pressing forward, were other armed men. </p> <p> -"Put that chair down!" he ordered. "Nobody's goin' to hurt you." +"Put that chair down!" he ordered. "Nobody's goin' to hurt you." </p> <p> -"Glad to hear it!" snapped Wade, who was the fortunate owner of -unlimited sand. "What do you mean by breaking into a house in the +"Glad to hear it!" snapped Wade, who was the fortunate owner of +unlimited sand. "What do you mean by breaking into a house in the middle of the night and frightening women? If you want money I've got about fifty dollars, and that's all. You're welcome to it if you'll -clear out." +clear out." </p> <p> -"Keep it," the intruder returned contemptuously. He stepped into the -room, followed by four others. "I guess your name is Wade. We don't -want you. We want McHale." +"Keep it," the intruder returned contemptuously. He stepped into the +room, followed by four others. "I guess your name is Wade. We don't +want you. We want McHale." </p> <p> -"Well, I haven't got him," said Wade. +"Well, I haven't got him," said Wade. </p> <p> -"Where is he?" +"Where is he?" </p> <p> -"What do you want with him?" +"What do you want with him?" </p> <p> -"That's none of your business." +"That's none of your business." </p> <p> -"All right. If that's so it's none of my business where he is." +"All right. If that's so it's none of my business where he is." </p> <p> -"You'd better make it your business," said the other suggestively. +"You'd better make it your business," said the other suggestively. </p> <p> -"Well, I won't," Wade retorted. "He isn't here, and that'll have to do -you." +"Well, I won't," Wade retorted. "He isn't here, and that'll have to do +you." </p> <p> -"On general principles it don't do to believe a lawyer. Where's Dunne?" +"On general principles it don't do to believe a lawyer. Where's Dunne?" </p> <p> -"He isn't here, either." +"He isn't here, either." </p> <p> -"I reckon we'll make sure of that." He took a step in the direction of +"I reckon we'll make sure of that." He took a step in the direction of Clyde's room. Wade stepped in front of him. </p> <p> -"No, you don't, my friend," said he. "That room belongs to a lady. You -keep out of it." +"No, you don't, my friend," said he. "That room belongs to a lady. You +keep out of it." </p> <p> -The leader stopped. "Well," he said, "I don't want to scare no women; +The leader stopped. "Well," he said, "I don't want to scare no women; but all the same I'm goin' to see the inside of every room in this house. S'pose you knock and tell that lady to fix herself up so's she won't mind my takin' a look in. I'm goin' to make mighty sure her name -ain't McHale." +ain't McHale." </p> <p> @@ -12669,11 +12681,11 @@ find that she was not in the least frightened. Said she: </p> <p> -"Good evening, gentlemen. Do you think I resemble Mr. McHale?" +"Good evening, gentlemen. Do you think I resemble Mr. McHale?" </p> <p> -"No, ma'am," said the leader; "I don't reckon you favour him much." +"No, ma'am," said the leader; "I don't reckon you favour him much." </p> <p> @@ -12681,17 +12693,17 @@ Admiration was apparent in his voice. Clyde smiled at him. </p> <p> -"Then perhaps you'll take a look at my room now, and allow me to retire -again." +"Then perhaps you'll take a look at my room now, and allow me to retire +again." </p> <p> -"I don't need to look there, ma'am," the man replied. "I'm awful sorry -we troubled you." +"I don't need to look there, ma'am," the man replied. "I'm awful sorry +we troubled you." </p> <p> -"That's the way to talk," said a quiet voice from the door. +"That's the way to talk," said a quiet voice from the door. </p> <p> @@ -12700,8 +12712,8 @@ automatic held by Casey Dunne. </p> <p> -"Put that gun down, and your hands up!" snapped Casey. "Quick! No -nonsense! I'll kill the first man that tries anything." +"Put that gun down, and your hands up!" snapped Casey. "Quick! No +nonsense! I'll kill the first man that tries anything." </p> <p> @@ -12713,127 +12725,127 @@ deadliness which she had once seen in McHale's. <p> Without an instant's hesitation the leader put his weapon on the table. -"You win once," he observed. +"You win once," he observed. </p> <p> -"That's sensible," Casey commented. "Now, perhaps you'll tell me what -this means?" +"That's sensible," Casey commented. "Now, perhaps you'll tell me what +this means?" </p> <p> -"No objection in the world," the other replied coolly. "We wanted to -interview McHale." +"No objection in the world," the other replied coolly. "We wanted to +interview McHale." </p> <p> -"Is that so? Well, Tom isn't here to-night Mr. Dade. By the way, unless +"Is that so? Well, Tom isn't here to-night Mr. Dade. By the way, unless you really like it you needn't wear that transformation scheme across your face. Same remark applies to the other gentlemen. I like to know -my visitors." +my visitors." </p> <p> -Dade laughed, removing the handkerchief. "Take a good look. You may see -me again." +Dade laughed, removing the handkerchief. "Take a good look. You may see +me again." </p> <p> -"Any time you like, Mr. Dade. And what did you want with McHale?" +"Any time you like, Mr. Dade. And what did you want with McHale?" </p> <p> -"Well," Dade answered calmly, "we figured that he'd help us take the -stretch out of a new rope." +"Well," Dade answered calmly, "we figured that he'd help us take the +stretch out of a new rope." </p> <p> -"Nobody else would do?" queried Casey. +"Nobody else would do?" queried Casey. </p> <p> -"We wanted him." +"We wanted him." </p> <p> -"I see. And had our mutual friend, Mr. Cross, anything to do with your +"I see. And had our mutual friend, Mr. Cross, anything to do with your desire? By the way, how <i>is</i> Mr. Cross? Or should I say the late -Mr. Cross?" +Mr. Cross?" </p> <p> -"Not yet," Dade replied. "He's got a chance." +"Not yet," Dade replied. "He's got a chance." </p> <p> -"Then aren't you too previous?" +"Then aren't you too previous?" </p> <p> -"McHale laid for him, and plugged him as he came out of Shiller's," +"McHale laid for him, and plugged him as he came out of Shiller's," Dade declared. </p> <p> -"Cross came out of Shiller's with his gun in his hand to get McHale," -said Casey. "McHale was entitled to shoot. It was an even break." +"Cross came out of Shiller's with his gun in his hand to get McHale," +said Casey. "McHale was entitled to shoot. It was an even break." </p> <p> -"That's not how I heard it." +"That's not how I heard it." </p> <p> -"That's what McHale says, and it goes with me." +"That's what McHale says, and it goes with me." </p> <p> -"It don't go with me," Dade declared. "Me and Cross is partners—has +"It don't go with me," Dade declared. "Me and Cross is partners—has been for years. I'm out to get McHale, and you can send him word. I -reckon he ain't here, or he'd be obvious." +reckon he ain't here, or he'd be obvious." </p> <p> -"He'd be mighty obvious," Casey agreed. "I may as well tell you, Mr. +"He'd be mighty obvious," Casey agreed. "I may as well tell you, Mr. Dade, that this feud business makes me tired. It's sinful, and, worse than that, it's out of date. You take notice, now, that we won't stand -for it. You've pretty well played out your string here, anyway." +for it. You've pretty well played out your string here, anyway." </p> <p> -Dade stared at him. "I reckon you'll have to talk a little plainer, -Dunne." +Dade stared at him. "I reckon you'll have to talk a little plainer, +Dunne." </p> <p> -"Isn't that plain enough? This shooting was square. You let it go as it -lies. Otherwise we'll clean up your whole bunch." +"Isn't that plain enough? This shooting was square. You let it go as it +lies. Otherwise we'll clean up your whole bunch." </p> <p> -Dade laughed. "That's sure plain," he admitted. "I like nerve, and +Dade laughed. "That's sure plain," he admitted. "I like nerve, and you've got it a-plenty, but you ain't got me buffaloed at all. You -heard what I said. It goes." +heard what I said. It goes." </p> <p> -"Suit yourself," said Casey. "I'll send McHale word. Anything else I -can do for you to-night?" +"Suit yourself," said Casey. "I'll send McHale word. Anything else I +can do for you to-night?" </p> <p> -"Not a thing," Dade replied. "We'll be going—unless you want us to +"Not a thing," Dade replied. "We'll be going—unless you want us to stay. I'm sorry we disturbed the lady, but I sure thought McHale was in -here." +here." </p> <p> -"She'll forgive you," said Casey. "That part of it's all right. Better -think over what I said. I mean it." +"She'll forgive you," said Casey. "That part of it's all right. Better +think over what I said. I mean it." </p> <p> -"So do I," said Dade grimly. "You can send McHale word." +"So do I," said Dade grimly. "You can send McHale word." </p> <p> @@ -12842,12 +12854,12 @@ damaged fastenings, Kitty Wade peeped from her room. </p> <p> -"Are the outlaws g-gone?" she asked. +"Are the outlaws g-gone?" she asked. </p> <p> -"They have went," her husband replied. "You are saved, m'dear. Your -little heart may now palpitate in normal palps." +"They have went," her husband replied. "You are saved, m'dear. Your +little heart may now palpitate in normal palps." </p> <p> @@ -12855,64 +12867,64 @@ His wife, looking altogether charming and girlish, emerged. </p> <p> -"Well, I <i>was</i> frightened," she admitted. "I'd give worlds to be -as brave as Clyde." +"Well, I <i>was</i> frightened," she admitted. "I'd give worlds to be +as brave as Clyde." </p> <p> Clyde, feeling Casey's eyes upon her, flushed and gathered her dressing -gown closer, conscious for the first time of her attire. "Oh, nonsense, -Kitty!" she responded. "I was really shaking in my shoes." +gown closer, conscious for the first time of her attire. "Oh, nonsense, +Kitty!" she responded. "I was really shaking in my shoes." </p> <p> -"You didn't show it," Casey commented. "There isn't one girl in a -thousand who would have been as cool." +"You didn't show it," Casey commented. "There isn't one girl in a +thousand who would have been as cool." </p> <p> -"I agree with you," said Wade. He put his arm around his wife. "Better -go back to roost, little girl." +"I agree with you," said Wade. He put his arm around his wife. "Better +go back to roost, little girl." </p> <p> -"Not until I hear all about it," said Kitty. "Go and get a bath robe or +"Not until I hear all about it," said Kitty. "Go and get a bath robe or something, like a good boy. Pajamas are very becoming, and all the best -people wear 'em, but——" +people wear 'em, but——" </p> <p> -"I beg everybody's pardon!" Wade exclaimed in confusion. "I thought I -had on my—er—that is, it never struck me that I wasn't clad in -orthodox garments." He was back in a moment, swathed in a bath robe. -"Now, Casey, tell us how you happened to make that stage entrance?" +"I beg everybody's pardon!" Wade exclaimed in confusion. "I thought I +had on my—er—that is, it never struck me that I wasn't clad in +orthodox garments." He was back in a moment, swathed in a bath robe. +"Now, Casey, tell us how you happened to make that stage entrance?" </p> <p> -"Not much to tell about it," Casey replied. "I had an old Indian bedded +"Not much to tell about it," Casey replied. "I had an old Indian bedded down in the hay in the stable, and he saw or heard this outfit riding in and woke me up. As a matter of fact, the old boy was just outside with a shotgun all the time. We had that much moral support. He came to -tell me that this outfit meant to get Tom." +tell me that this outfit meant to get Tom." </p> <p> -"This McHale business is serious," said Wade. +"This McHale business is serious," said Wade. </p> <p> -"Very serious. I don't mean so far as Tom is concerned; he can take +"Very serious. I don't mean so far as Tom is concerned; he can take care of himself. But you can see that we can't allow these men to -bulldoze us. It's McHale now. To-morrow it may be some one else." +bulldoze us. It's McHale now. To-morrow it may be some one else." </p> <p> -"Yes, I see. But what can you do about it? The law——" +"Yes, I see. But what can you do about it? The law——" </p> <p> -"It's outside the law," said Casey. "The law is too slow. We'll make -our own law. Hello! What's that?" +"It's outside the law," said Casey. "The law is too slow. We'll make +our own law. Hello! What's that?" </p> <p> @@ -12934,7 +12946,7 @@ was before her. </p> <p> -"Sheila—girl—what's the matter?" he exclaimed. +"Sheila—girl—what's the matter?" he exclaimed. </p> <p> @@ -12942,8 +12954,8 @@ She stretched out her arms to him gropingly. </p> <p> -"Where's Tom, Casey? They're after him. Maybe they're after you. -Father's hurt. Sandy——I can't talk, Casey. I guess—I'm—all in." +"Where's Tom, Casey? They're after him. Maybe they're after you. +Father's hurt. Sandy——I can't talk, Casey. I guess—I'm—all in." </p> <p> @@ -12952,24 +12964,24 @@ if she had been a child, and laid her on a couch. </p> <p> -"No, no," he said, as Clyde would have put cushions beneath her head. -"Let her lie flat." He unbuttoned the slicker, and opened her dress +"No, no," he said, as Clyde would have put cushions beneath her head. +"Let her lie flat." He unbuttoned the slicker, and opened her dress halfway from throat to waist, stripping it away with ruthless hand. A -bare shoulder and arm showed bruised and discoloured. "She's been in -some mix-up—had a fall or something. Wade, get me some whiskey and -water!" His long fingers closed on her wrist. "She'll be all right in +bare shoulder and arm showed bruised and discoloured. "She's been in +some mix-up—had a fall or something. Wade, get me some whiskey and +water!" His long fingers closed on her wrist. "She'll be all right in five minutes, unless something's broken. Mrs. Wade, get in here and -loosen her corsets. Give her a chance." +loosen her corsets. Give her a chance." </p> <p> Kitty stooped obediently, and straightened up in amazement. -"Why—she——" +"Why—she——" </p> <p> -"Well, how did I know?" snapped Casey. He ran his hand down her side. -"No ribs broken; arms all right. Good!" +"Well, how did I know?" snapped Casey. He ran his hand down her side. +"No ribs broken; arms all right. Good!" </p> <p> @@ -12978,14 +12990,14 @@ opened her eyes. </p> <p> -"Casey," she said, "never mind me. Look out for yourself. Where's Tom? -There are men coming to-night. I was afraid——" +"Casey," she said, "never mind me. Look out for yourself. Where's Tom? +There are men coming to-night. I was afraid——" </p> <p> -"All right, Sheila," he interrupted. "Tom is safe. The men have gone. +"All right, Sheila," he interrupted. "Tom is safe. The men have gone. No trouble at all. Just lie quiet till things steady a little. Have a -drink of this." +drink of this." </p> <p> @@ -12994,49 +13006,49 @@ hands, and deftly dressed the cut in her forehead. </p> <p> -"You make me feel like a baby," said Sheila. "I never fainted before in +"You make me feel like a baby," said Sheila. "I never fainted before in my life. I didn't think I could faint. I'm all right now. May I sit up, -please?" +please?" </p> <p> -"You may lie up, if you like," Casey replied. "Let me put some pillows -under you. You've had a bad shake-up, old girl." +"You may lie up, if you like," Casey replied. "Let me put some pillows +under you. You've had a bad shake-up, old girl." </p> <p> -"Beaver Boy fell," she explained, "and threw me. I must have struck my +"Beaver Boy fell," she explained, "and threw me. I must have struck my head. I don't know how I caught him again. I don't remember very -clearly. I had to hang on to the horn sometimes—dizzy, you know. I +clearly. I had to hang on to the horn sometimes—dizzy, you know. I never had to pull leather before. He was afraid of the lightning, and I wasn't strong enough to handle him afterward. The fall took it out of me. I just had to let him go. He knew it, and acted mean. I'll show him -whose horse he is next time." +whose horse he is next time." </p> <p> -"You rode on your nerve," said Casey. "Tell us all about it. Tell us +"You rode on your nerve," said Casey. "Tell us all about it. Tell us about your father and Sandy. You were going to say something when you -keeled over." +keeled over." </p> <p> -The girl's keen face clouded. "Oh, heavens! Casey, my head can't be +The girl's keen face clouded. "Oh, heavens! Casey, my head can't be right yet. I'd clean forgotten my own people. There's been nothing but trouble in bunches all day. The drivers ran away this morning, smashed the rig, threw father out, and broke his leg. This afternoon this man -Glass, whom we all took for a harmless nuisance, arrested Sandy." +Glass, whom we all took for a harmless nuisance, arrested Sandy." </p> <p> -"What?" Casey exclaimed. +"What?" Casey exclaimed. </p> <p> -"Yes, he did. Glass is a railway detective. He worked quietly, nosing +"Yes, he did. Glass is a railway detective. He worked quietly, nosing around the ranches talking to everybody, while the other detective attracted all the attention. Nobody suspected Glass. Who would? Anyway, -he and another man arrested Sandy for blowing up the dam." +he and another man arrested Sandy for blowing up the dam." </p> <p> @@ -13044,7 +13056,7 @@ Casey whistled softly, casting a side glance at Wade. </p> <p> -"Where's Sandy now? Where did they take him?" +"Where's Sandy now? Where did they take him?" </p> <p> @@ -13052,7 +13064,7 @@ Sheila laughed, but there was little mirth in it. </p> <p> -"They didn't take him anywhere, but I don't know where he is. I saw him +"They didn't take him anywhere, but I don't know where he is. I saw him with the two men down by the stable. I thought they were talking about land. Half an hour afterward he came to the house with his parfleches, and asked me to put him up a couple of weeks' grubstake. He had the men @@ -13064,17 +13076,17 @@ been after ten o'clock when one of our men told me of the shooting. He had heard it from somebody on the road. He said that Cross' friends were talking of lynching McHale, and perhaps you. I didn't believe it at first, but after a while I got nervous. Everybody was asleep, and -anyway there was nobody I could ask to go; so I came myself." +anyway there was nobody I could ask to go; so I came myself." </p> <p> -"And Tom and I will never forget it, Sheila," said Casey. "I don't know +"And Tom and I will never forget it, Sheila," said Casey. "I don't know another girl who could have made it after a fall like that in this -storm." +storm." </p> <p> -"It was perfectly splendid of you!" cried Kitty Wade, with hearty +"It was perfectly splendid of you!" cried Kitty Wade, with hearty admiration. </p> @@ -13089,14 +13101,14 @@ waist. </p> <p> -"Come with me, dear, and get some sleep. You're badly shaken up. We'll -sleep in, in the morning." +"Come with me, dear, and get some sleep. You're badly shaken up. We'll +sleep in, in the morning." </p> <p> -"But I have to go back," Sheila objected. "Nobody knows I've gone. I +"But I have to go back," Sheila objected. "Nobody knows I've gone. I have to be back by morning. And then there's Beaver Boy! My heavens! I -left him standing outside. Oh, I've got to——" +left him standing outside. Oh, I've got to——" </p> <p> @@ -13104,28 +13116,28 @@ Casey gently pressed her back as she would have risen. </p> <p> -"I'll stable the horse, old girl; and I'll be at Talapus by daylight to -tell them where you are. Don't you worry, now, about anything—not even +"I'll stable the horse, old girl; and I'll be at Talapus by daylight to +tell them where you are. Don't you worry, now, about anything—not even Sandy. If he's gone back to the hills I'll bet he finds Tom. They'll be -all right." +all right." </p> <p> -"Do you think so, Casey? And will you do that much for me? I'm awfully -sore and tired. Every bone and muscle of me aches." +"Do you think so, Casey? And will you do that much for me? I'm awfully +sore and tired. Every bone and muscle of me aches." </p> <p> -"You poor little girl." He raised her in his arms. "Come on, girls, and -put her to bed. I'll carry her in." +"You poor little girl." He raised her in his arms. "Come on, girls, and +put her to bed. I'll carry her in." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXV -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -13136,12 +13148,12 @@ murmur, nothing less than the happy laugh of running water. </p> <p> -"By the Lord Harry!" he ejaculated. "There's water in the ditches." +"By the Lord Harry!" he ejaculated. "There's water in the ditches." </p> <p> -Simon nodded. "Ya-as. <i>Hiyu chuck</i> stop, all same <i>skookum -chuck</i>," he observed, signifying that there was a full head of it, +Simon nodded. "Ya-as. <i>Hiyu chuck</i> stop, all same <i>skookum +chuck</i>," he observed, signifying that there was a full head of it, like a rapid. </p> @@ -13154,12 +13166,12 @@ yeasty-topped, speckled with débris. </p> <p> -"S'pose cloud <i>kokshut</i>!" Simon observed. +"S'pose cloud <i>kokshut</i>!" Simon observed. </p> <p> -"Cloudburst, eh!" said Casey. "Looks like it. Then either the company's -dam has gone, or it can't take care of the head." +"Cloudburst, eh!" said Casey. "Looks like it. Then either the company's +dam has gone, or it can't take care of the head." </p> <p> @@ -13193,41 +13205,41 @@ his son. </p> <p> -"Show me another girl would have ridden in that storm!" he exclaimed. -"She's the old stock—the old frontier stock! And Sandy, locking the -detective in the harness room!" He chuckled. "Go down and let them out, +"Show me another girl would have ridden in that storm!" he exclaimed. +"She's the old stock—the old frontier stock! And Sandy, locking the +detective in the harness room!" He chuckled. "Go down and let them out, Casey, and give them breakfast. A fine pair of children we've got, -mother." +mother." </p> <p> -"Sandy can take care of himself," said Mrs. McCrae practically. "He +"Sandy can take care of himself," said Mrs. McCrae practically. "He always did, since he could walk, and he took his own ways, asking nobody. And Sheila, for a girl, is the same. They take after you, -Donald, not me. But now, Casey, Mrs. Wade is at Chakchak, isn't she?" +Donald, not me. But now, Casey, Mrs. Wade is at Chakchak, isn't she?" </p> <p> -"Mrs. Wade and Miss Burnaby," Casey replied. "It's all right, Mrs. -McCrae." +"Mrs. Wade and Miss Burnaby," Casey replied. "It's all right, Mrs. +McCrae." </p> <p> -"Sheila needs no chaperon," said her father. +"Sheila needs no chaperon," said her father. </p> <p> -"Not with Casey," said her mother. "But there's the gossip, Donald, and -the dirty tongues. It's not like the old days." +"Not with Casey," said her mother. "But there's the gossip, Donald, and +the dirty tongues. It's not like the old days." </p> <p> -"True enough, maybe," McCrae admitted. And he added, when his wife had -left the room: "What have they got hold of to arrest the boy, Casey?" +"True enough, maybe," McCrae admitted. And he added, when his wife had +left the room: "What have they got hold of to arrest the boy, Casey?" </p> <p> -"I don't know," Casey replied. "But we'll face the music, Donald." +"I don't know," Casey replied. "But we'll face the music, Donald." </p> <p> @@ -13238,122 +13250,122 @@ stanchion with a pair of driving reins. </p> <p> -"Good morning, gentlemen," said Casey. +"Good morning, gentlemen," said Casey. </p> <p> -"Is it?" said Glass, sourly. His old hesitating manner had quite +"Is it?" said Glass, sourly. His old hesitating manner had quite vanished. </p> <p> -"Beautiful," Casey replied. "Sun shining, birds singing, crops growing. +"Beautiful," Casey replied. "Sun shining, birds singing, crops growing. 'God's in His heaven; all's well with the world.' Like to take a look -at it? Or are you too much attached to your present surroundings?" +at it? Or are you too much attached to your present surroundings?" </p> <p> -"You can cut out the funny stuff," said Glass. "I don't ever laugh -before breakfast." +"You can cut out the funny stuff," said Glass. "I don't ever laugh +before breakfast." </p> <p> -"Quite right, too," Casey replied. "Just roll over a little till I get +"Quite right, too," Casey replied. "Just roll over a little till I get at those knots. There you are, Mr. Glass. Now your friend here. Don't -think I know him." +think I know him." </p> <p> -"Jack Pugh, sheriff's officer," said Glass, rising stiffly, with +"Jack Pugh, sheriff's officer," said Glass, rising stiffly, with considerable difficulty. </p> <p> -"I'll have him in shape to shake hands in a minute," said Casey, as he -worried at the knots. "And so, Mr. Glass, instead of an innocent +"I'll have him in shape to shake hands in a minute," said Casey, as he +worried at the knots. "And so, Mr. Glass, instead of an innocent landlooker you are a real live, mysterious detective. You don't look -the part. Or perhaps you are still disguised." +the part. Or perhaps you are still disguised." </p> <p> -"I can stand a josh better now," said Glass. "Maybe I'm not such a live +"I can stand a josh better now," said Glass. "Maybe I'm not such a live proposition as I might be. When two grown men let a kid hogtie them it -sort of starts them thinking." +sort of starts them thinking." </p> <p> -"It sure does," Pugh agreed. He was a saturnine gentleman, with a -humorous eye. "I been wantin' to scratch my nose for eight solid -hours," he affirmed irrelevantly, rubbing that organ violently with his +"It sure does," Pugh agreed. He was a saturnine gentleman, with a +humorous eye. "I been wantin' to scratch my nose for eight solid +hours," he affirmed irrelevantly, rubbing that organ violently with his free hand. </p> <p> -"He's some kid," said Glass. "Where is he?" +"He's some kid," said Glass. "Where is he?" </p> <p> -"I haven't seen him. He left word where to find you." +"I haven't seen him. He left word where to find you." </p> <p> -"Beat it somewhere, I suppose," Glass commented. "He fooled us up in +"Beat it somewhere, I suppose," Glass commented. "He fooled us up in great style, I'll say that much. At first he acted about the way you'd -expect a country kid to act—scared to death. He wanted to change his +expect a country kid to act—scared to death. He wanted to change his overalls for pants before we took him anywhere. Said they were hanging up in here. We fell for it. We came in, and there was a pair of pants hanging on a nail. He walked over to them, and the next thing we knew -he had a gun on us. I hope I know when a man means business—and he -did. He had half a notion to shoot anyway." +he had a gun on us. I hope I know when a man means business—and he +did. He had half a notion to shoot anyway." </p> <p> -"That's right," Pugh confirmed. "He's one of them kids that makes -gunmen. No bluff. I know the kind." +"That's right," Pugh confirmed. "He's one of them kids that makes +gunmen. No bluff. I know the kind." </p> <p> -"So when he told me to tie Pugh I did it," Glass continued. "Then he +"So when he told me to tie Pugh I did it," Glass continued. "Then he dropped a loop over me, and that's all there is to tell. The joke's on -us just now." +us just now." </p> <p> -"So it is," said Casey. "Whatever made you think that kid had anything -to do with blowing up the dam?" +"So it is," said Casey. "Whatever made you think that kid had anything +to do with blowing up the dam?" </p> <p> -"Hadn't he?" +"Hadn't he?" </p> <p> -Casey smiled genially. "Why, how should I know, Mr. Glass? I was just -asking what you were going on." +Casey smiled genially. "Why, how should I know, Mr. Glass? I was just +asking what you were going on." </p> <p> -"I'm not showing my hand. I don't say the kid did it alone." +"I'm not showing my hand. I don't say the kid did it alone." </p> <p> -"And so you thought you'd round him up and sweat some information out -of him. That was it, wasn't it?" +"And so you thought you'd round him up and sweat some information out +of him. That was it, wasn't it?" </p> <p> -"You're quite a guesser and you show a whole lot of interest in the -answer," retorted Glass. "Keep on guessing." +"You're quite a guesser and you show a whole lot of interest in the +answer," retorted Glass. "Keep on guessing." </p> <p> -"I don't need to. Come up to the house and have breakfast. And for -Heaven's sake don't say anything to frighten the kid's mother." +"I don't need to. Come up to the house and have breakfast. And for +Heaven's sake don't say anything to frighten the kid's mother." </p> <p> -"What do you take us for?" said Glass. "We'll treat the whole thing as -a joke—to her." +"What do you take us for?" said Glass. "We'll treat the whole thing as +a joke—to her." </p> <p> @@ -13363,17 +13375,17 @@ smoking and blinking sleepily. </p> <p> -"No see um Sandy," he observed. "Where him stop?" +"No see um Sandy," he observed. "Where him stop?" </p> <p> -"No more Sandy stop this <i>illahee</i>," Casey replied. "Sandy -<i>klatawa kopa</i> stone <i>illahee</i>, all same Tom." Meaning that +"No more Sandy stop this <i>illahee</i>," Casey replied. "Sandy +<i>klatawa kopa</i> stone <i>illahee</i>, all same Tom." Meaning that Sandy had gone in the direction of the hills, as had McHale. </p> <p> -"Why him <i>klatawa</i>?" Simon asked. +"Why him <i>klatawa</i>?" Simon asked. </p> <p> @@ -13383,14 +13395,14 @@ vanishing without splash. </p> <p> -"Sandy <i>hyas</i> young fool," he commented. "Me tell him <i>mamook +"Sandy <i>hyas</i> young fool," he commented. "Me tell him <i>mamook huyhuy</i> moccasin. S'pose moccasin stop, <i>ikt</i> man findum, then heltopay. Polisman <i>mamook</i> catchum, put um in <i>skookum</i> -house, maybeso hang um <i>kopa</i> neck." +house, maybeso hang um <i>kopa</i> neck." </p> <p> -"What are you talking about, anyway?" Casey demanded. And Simon told +"What are you talking about, anyway?" Casey demanded. And Simon told him of the track of the patched moccasin and of his warning to Sandy. </p> @@ -13416,49 +13428,49 @@ for having once resisted arrest Sandy would be very apt to do so again. </p> <p> -"Simon," he said, "I want you to take papah letter to Tom." +"Simon," he said, "I want you to take papah letter to Tom." </p> <p> -"Where Tom stop?" Simon asked naturally enough. +"Where Tom stop?" Simon asked naturally enough. </p> <p> -"Maybe at Sunk Springs," Casey replied. "Maybe not. You try Sunk +"Maybe at Sunk Springs," Casey replied. "Maybe not. You try Sunk Springs. S'pose no Tom stop there, you <i>nanitch</i> around till you -find him." +find him." </p> <p> -"All right," said Simon. "Me <i>nanitch</i>, me find Tom." He -considered a moment. "<i>Halo</i> grub stop me?" +"All right," said Simon. "Me <i>nanitch</i>, me find Tom." He +considered a moment. "<i>Halo</i> grub stop me?" </p> <p> -"I'll tell them to grubstake you here," Casey reassured him. "I'll pay -you, too, of course." +"I'll tell them to grubstake you here," Casey reassured him. "I'll pay +you, too, of course." </p> <p> -"You my <i>tillikum</i>," said Simon, with great dignity. "Tom my -<i>tillikum</i>. Good! Me like you. How much you pay?" +"You my <i>tillikum</i>," said Simon, with great dignity. "Tom my +<i>tillikum</i>. Good! Me like you. How much you pay?" </p> <p> -"Two dollars a day," said Casey promptly. +"Two dollars a day," said Casey promptly. </p> <p> -Simon looked grieved and pained. "You my tillikum," he repeated. -"S'pose my <i>tillikum</i> work for me, me pay him five dolla'." +Simon looked grieved and pained. "You my tillikum," he repeated. +"S'pose my <i>tillikum</i> work for me, me pay him five dolla'." </p> <p> -But Casey was unmoved by this touching appeal to friendship. "I'll -remember that if I ever work for you," he replied. "Two dollars and +But Casey was unmoved by this touching appeal to friendship. "I'll +remember that if I ever work for you," he replied. "Two dollars and grub is plenty. You Siwashes are spoiled by people who don't know any better than to pay what you ask. That's all you'll get from me. Your -time's worth nothing, and your cayuses rustle for themselves." +time's worth nothing, and your cayuses rustle for themselves." </p> <p> @@ -13466,8 +13478,8 @@ And Simon accepted this ultimatum with resignation. </p> <p> -"All right," said he. "You my <i>tillikum</i>; Tom my <i>tillikum</i>. -S'pose you catch <i>hiyu</i> grubstake." +"All right," said he. "You my <i>tillikum</i>; Tom my <i>tillikum</i>. +S'pose you catch <i>hiyu</i> grubstake." </p> <p> @@ -13504,12 +13516,12 @@ pigeonholed her in the back of his mind. Now she emerged. </p> <p> -"Shiner, m'son," he apostrophized his horse, "if things break right +"Shiner, m'son," he apostrophized his horse, "if things break right you're going to have a missus. What d'ye think of that, hey, you yellow-hided old scoundrel? And, by the Great Tyee! you'll eat apples and sugar out of her hand, and if you so much as lay back your ears at her I'll frale your sinful heart out with a neck yoke. D'ye get that, -you buzzard-head?" +you buzzard-head?" </p> <p> @@ -13518,17 +13530,17 @@ his rider with equal swiftness kicked him joyously in the nose. </p> <p> -"You would, hey? Nice congratulations, you old man-eater. I'll make a +"You would, hey? Nice congratulations, you old man-eater. I'll make a lady's horse of you if you don't behave; I sure will. And we'll build a decent house and break two thousand acres, and keep every foot of it as fine and clean as a seed bed, and have it all under ditch, the show place of the whole dry belt. You bet we will. We won't sell an acre. Fancy prices won't tempt us. We'll keep the whole shootin' match till -we cash in." His mood changed. +we cash in." His mood changed. </p> <p> -"Cash in! It's funny to think of that, old horse, isn't it? And yet ten +"Cash in! It's funny to think of that, old horse, isn't it? And yet ten years from now you'll be no good, and thirty years from now I'll be near the end of the deal. And Clyde! Why, Shiner, we can't think of her as an old lady, can we? With her smooth cheeks a little withered and @@ -13538,7 +13550,7 @@ same dear Clyde to us, won't she? 'Sufficient unto the day,' my equine trial and friend. Others will come after us, and there will be evil-tempered buckskins loping this foothill country and maybe a Casey Dunne cursing them when you and I are ranging the happy hunting -grounds!" +grounds!" </p> <p> @@ -13547,13 +13559,13 @@ approaching. It was Farwell, and, recognizing Dunne, he pulled up. </p> <p> -"In case you don't know it," he said, without preliminary or greeting, -"I'll tell you that our dam went out with the flood. You didn't need to -use dynamite this time." +"In case you don't know it," he said, without preliminary or greeting, +"I'll tell you that our dam went out with the flood. You didn't need to +use dynamite this time." </p> <p> -"Providence!" Casey suggested. +"Providence!" Casey suggested. </p> <p> @@ -13562,24 +13574,24 @@ is not usually associated with providential happenings. </p> <p> -"Call it that if you like," he growled. "We'll get the men responsible -for it one of these days." +"Call it that if you like," he growled. "We'll get the men responsible +for it one of these days." </p> <p> -"You made a beginning with young McCrae," Casey reminded him. +"You made a beginning with young McCrae," Casey reminded him. </p> <p> -"I don't know what you mean." +"I don't know what you mean." </p> <p> -"Don't you know that Glass tried to arrest him?" +"Don't you know that Glass tried to arrest him?" </p> <p> -"What?" cried Farwell. +"What?" cried Farwell. </p> <p> @@ -13593,62 +13605,62 @@ were an inquiry as to Sheila. </p> <p> -"Miss McCrae rode through that storm last night!" he exclaimed. "Good -Lord! Is she badly hurt?" +"Miss McCrae rode through that storm last night!" he exclaimed. "Good +Lord! Is she badly hurt?" </p> <p> -"Only shaken up, I think." +"Only shaken up, I think." </p> <p> -"Thank God for that," said Farwell, with evident sincerity. He -hesitated for a moment. "See here, Dunne, do you mind if I ask you an -impertinent question?" +"Thank God for that," said Farwell, with evident sincerity. He +hesitated for a moment. "See here, Dunne, do you mind if I ask you an +impertinent question?" </p> <p> -"Fire away." +"Fire away." </p> <p> -"Are you going to marry her?" +"Are you going to marry her?" </p> <p> -"Certainly not. What put that notion in your head?" +"Certainly not. What put that notion in your head?" </p> <p> -"It got there. You were pretty thick. And if she rode there in that -storm—unless she thought a lot of you——" +"It got there. You were pretty thick. And if she rode there in that +storm—unless she thought a lot of you——" </p> <p> -"I'm mighty proud of it. We're good friends—like brother and sister. +"I'm mighty proud of it. We're good friends—like brother and sister. No more. She has the best brand of clean-strain pluck of any girl I -know." +know." </p> <p> -"So she has," Farwell agreed. "She's a girl in a million. She's——" He +"So she has," Farwell agreed. "She's a girl in a million. She's——" He stopped, reddening. </p> <p> -"By George, Farwell," said Casey, "is it that way with you?" +"By George, Farwell," said Casey, "is it that way with you?" </p> <p> -"She doesn't care a tinker's dam for me," said Farwell bluntly. "That's -not saying what I think of her. I'm no ladies' man—don't pretend to +"She doesn't care a tinker's dam for me," said Farwell bluntly. "That's +not saying what I think of her. I'm no ladies' man—don't pretend to be. Let that go. I suppose I'll be blamed for young McCrae's arrest. Well, I didn't know a thing about it. I've tried to give the family a -good deal—better than the rest of you, anyway. I don't like the boy, -and he doesn't like me. Pulled a gun on me once—well, never mind that. +good deal—better than the rest of you, anyway. I don't like the boy, +and he doesn't like me. Pulled a gun on me once—well, never mind that. Here, you've been straight with me, and I'll tell you: When the dam was blown up we found the track of a patched moccasin in soft earth. Keeler -took an impression of it, or made a cast or something—I don't know +took an impression of it, or made a cast or something—I don't know just what, but I do know that he photographed it. Since then I've noticed young McCrae's foot, and I believe he made the track, though it didn't strike me at the time. That was about the only clew we found. @@ -13656,42 +13668,42 @@ Mind you, Dunne, I believe you were in it yourself, but I haven't a thing to go on. If Glass has found a patched moccasin of McCrae's he's pretty near got him to rights. I don't know what he's got, though. About Cross and McHale, I don't care a curse which shot the other. -These men—Cross, Dade, Lewis, and some more—were protecting our -property. And that's all." +These men—Cross, Dade, Lewis, and some more—were protecting our +property. And that's all." </p> <p> -"Not quite all. They blew up our dams." +"Not quite all. They blew up our dams." </p> <p> -"Just as man to man," said Farwell, "let me ask you if you expected to -run a dynamite monopoly?" +"Just as man to man," said Farwell, "let me ask you if you expected to +run a dynamite monopoly?" </p> <p> -"I'm not kicking," said Casey. "I'm merely stating facts. I can take my -medicine." +"I'm not kicking," said Casey. "I'm merely stating facts. I can take my +medicine." </p> <p> -"You're a good deal of a man," Farwell acknowledged grudgingly. "I hate +"You're a good deal of a man," Farwell acknowledged grudgingly. "I hate a squealer. Anyway, it was no part of their job to break into your house. See here, Dunne, the last five minutes has got us better acquainted than the last two months. I'll fire these fellows to-morrow -if you'll promise me that our ditches won't be interfered with again." +if you'll promise me that our ditches won't be interfered with again." </p> <p> -"As long as we have water there will be no trouble," said Casey. "I'll -promise nothing more." +"As long as we have water there will be no trouble," said Casey. "I'll +promise nothing more." </p> <p> -"That's good for some weeks, anyway," Farwell predicted. "I guess we'll +"That's good for some weeks, anyway," Farwell predicted. "I guess we'll have to fight it out in the end. Still, I'm glad to have had this talk. I like you better than I did. And I can tell you there was lots of room -for it—is yet, for that matter. Good-bye." +for it—is yet, for that matter. Good-bye." </p> <p> @@ -13700,19 +13712,19 @@ Casey watched him go, with a thoughtful smile. </p> <p> -"Odd devil!" he muttered. "Queer combination. I don't like him, -but—well, he's a fighter, and I believe he's straight. To think of him +"Odd devil!" he muttered. "Queer combination. I don't like him, +but—well, he's a fighter, and I believe he's straight. To think of him being fond of Sheila! I wonder if he has a chance there? She never -mentions him now. H'm!" Finding no answer to the question, he wheeled +mentions him now. H'm!" Finding no answer to the question, he wheeled Shiner and headed for home. </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXVI -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -13777,7 +13789,7 @@ them around him, leaving his face exposed until the last. </p> <p> -"Now, darn you rain!" he muttered. With which "now-I-lay-me" he drew +"Now, darn you rain!" he muttered. With which "now-I-lay-me" he drew the blanket completely over his head as a protection against mosquitoes, and, heedless of the smothering effect of it, which would have been unsupportable to a city youth, was asleep in ten seconds. @@ -13852,13 +13864,13 @@ the low bushes, heard him stumble and swear. </p> <p> -"Ought to be about here," words came faintly to Sandy's ears. "If ever -I try to find ... on a night like this...." +"Ought to be about here," words came faintly to Sandy's ears. "If ever +I try to find ... on a night like this...." </p> <p> -"Looking for me, sure," thought Sandy. "Maybe it's Glass; maybe it -isn't. Wonder how many there are. Anyway, I'll fix this one." +"Looking for me, sure," thought Sandy. "Maybe it's Glass; maybe it +isn't. Wonder how many there are. Anyway, I'll fix this one." </p> <p> @@ -13870,63 +13882,63 @@ the muzzle of his gun beneath the man's right ear. </p> <p> -"Don't move or let one yip out of you!" he hissed tensely. +"Don't move or let one yip out of you!" he hissed tensely. </p> <p> -After one convulsive start the stranger stood motionless. "Nary move -nor yip," he whispered confidentially into the night. "And if that -gun's a light pull, be mighty careful of the trigger!" +After one convulsive start the stranger stood motionless. "Nary move +nor yip," he whispered confidentially into the night. "And if that +gun's a light pull, be mighty careful of the trigger!" </p> <p> -"Talk and talk quiet," said Sandy. "How many are there of you?" +"Talk and talk quiet," said Sandy. "How many are there of you?" </p> <p> -"Be mighty careful of that gun if you're seein' double that way!" the -stranger admonished again nervously. "Was you expectin' twins or -somethin'?" +"Be mighty careful of that gun if you're seein' double that way!" the +stranger admonished again nervously. "Was you expectin' twins or +somethin'?" </p> <p> -"You alone?" +"You alone?" </p> <p> -"Yep." +"Yep." </p> <p> -"What's your name?" +"What's your name?" </p> <p> -"Smith." +"Smith." </p> <p> -"What you doing here?" +"What you doing here?" </p> <p> -"Lookin' for the spring to camp by." +"Lookin' for the spring to camp by." </p> <p> -"Where you heading for?" +"Where you heading for?" </p> <p> -"Into the hills, prospectin'." +"Into the hills, prospectin'." </p> <p> -"Where's Glass?" Sandy asked suddenly. +"Where's Glass?" Sandy asked suddenly. </p> <p> -"Search me. I got nothin' to do with that durn fool." +"Search me. I got nothin' to do with that durn fool." </p> <p> @@ -13936,25 +13948,25 @@ the base of his skull. </p> <p> -"Tom McHale!" he cried. +"Tom McHale!" he cried. </p> <p> -"You sound some like a <i>cultus</i> young devil named McCrae," said -McHale, peering at him in the dark. "Say, what in the flarin' blazes -you doin' here?" +"You sound some like a <i>cultus</i> young devil named McCrae," said +McHale, peering at him in the dark. "Say, what in the flarin' blazes +you doin' here?" </p> <p> -"Take some yourself," Sandy responded. "Are they after you, too?" +"Take some yourself," Sandy responded. "Are they after you, too?" </p> <p> -McHale shook his head sadly. "Sonny," said he, "you're too young to be +McHale shook his head sadly. "Sonny," said he, "you're too young to be havin' them cute little visions of things bein' after you. I reckon maybe we're pullin' two ways on one rope. Also, we ain't gettin' no drier standin' here chewin' about it. Maybe you got a camp somewheres. -S'pose you find the latchstring. Then we'll have a talk." +S'pose you find the latchstring. Then we'll have a talk." </p> <p> @@ -13967,35 +13979,35 @@ Cross, regretful that he had not had a hand in it. </p> <p> -"You won't be so durn stuck on a gun fight after you've been in one or -two," said McHale grimly. "Now let's see how she stacks up. I'm goin' +"You won't be so durn stuck on a gun fight after you've been in one or +two," said McHale grimly. "Now let's see how she stacks up. I'm goin' to hide out for a spell, but if I was you I'd go back and stand the -racket." +racket." </p> <p> -"I guess <i>not</i>," said Sandy positively. "I don't want to do time +"I guess <i>not</i>," said Sandy positively. "I don't want to do time if they've got me with the goods. And then some darn lawyer might make me give somebody else away by accident. You can't tell. I'll stay out -with you. Where are you heading for?" +with you. Where are you heading for?" </p> <p> -"I was aimin' to hit Bull's Pass, drop over the summit into the valley +"I was aimin' to hit Bull's Pass, drop over the summit into the valley of the Klimminchuck, and camp somewheres. There was two trappers in there winter before last, and they told me they built them a right good -cabin." +cabin." </p> <p> -"That suits me." +"That suits me." </p> <p> -"This will fix us up with water for the next two weeks," said McHale as -he listened to the rain. "I'll bet Casey's got a grin on him a yard -wide." He yawned. "Well, kid, we've got all that's comin' to us out of -this one day. Let's hit them blankets. We better make an early start." +"This will fix us up with water for the next two weeks," said McHale as +he listened to the rain. "I'll bet Casey's got a grin on him a yard +wide." He yawned. "Well, kid, we've got all that's comin' to us out of +this one day. Let's hit them blankets. We better make an early start." </p> <p> @@ -14035,12 +14047,12 @@ outraged nose. </p> <p> -"Pfaugh!" he snorted. "The shack's filthy. We can't use it." +"Pfaugh!" he snorted. "The shack's filthy. We can't use it." </p> <p> -"The smell <i>is</i> some obvious," McHale agreed. "Which bein' so, I -reckon we build us a wickiup several nose lengths off." +"The smell <i>is</i> some obvious," McHale agreed. "Which bein' so, I +reckon we build us a wickiup several nose lengths off." </p> <p> @@ -14056,12 +14068,12 @@ loafing was exhausted. </p> <p> -"Let's go get a bear," he proposed. +"Let's go get a bear," he proposed. </p> <p> -"Deer's better meat," said McHale; "also easier to get. I won't climb -after no bear." +"Deer's better meat," said McHale; "also easier to get. I won't climb +after no bear." </p> <p> @@ -14077,8 +14089,8 @@ in grandeur on their blankets, smoking. </p> <p> -"The nerve of that buck!" snorted McHale. "Get off of that bed, you old -copperskin. Think I want to wash them blankets?" +"The nerve of that buck!" snorted McHale. "Get off of that bed, you old +copperskin. Think I want to wash them blankets?" </p> <p> @@ -14086,7 +14098,7 @@ Simon obeyed, but he drew a letter from his pocket. </p> <p> -"Papah," said he. "Casey." +"Papah," said he. "Casey." </p> <p> @@ -14095,23 +14107,23 @@ the letter to Sandy. </p> <p> -"So this here Dade makes it a feud, does he?" he said meditatively. -"All right, he can have it that way. Same time, I'm goin' to keep out +"So this here Dade makes it a feud, does he?" he said meditatively. +"All right, he can have it that way. Same time, I'm goin' to keep out of trouble long as I can. I'll stay cached mighty close, and I'll run -like blazes before I'll fight. Simon, how'd you find this camp?" +like blazes before I'll fight. Simon, how'd you find this camp?" </p> <p> -"Find um easy," said Simon scornfully. He pointed to the carcass of the -deer. "S'pose you <i>mamook</i> cook um." +"Find um easy," said Simon scornfully. He pointed to the carcass of the +deer. "S'pose you <i>mamook</i> cook um." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXVII -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -14128,18 +14140,18 @@ Clyde, sitting by the window, rose, smiling, as she entered. </p> <p> -"I hope they fit," she said. "How do you feel, Miss McCrae?" +"I hope they fit," she said. "How do you feel, Miss McCrae?" </p> <p> -"They fit very well, and I feel first rate," said Sheila. "I'm sore in +"They fit very well, and I feel first rate," said Sheila. "I'm sore in spots, but I'll limber up when I get moving. Where is Mrs. Wade? I -suppose Casey has gone to Talapus." +suppose Casey has gone to Talapus." </p> <p> -"Kitty's busy cleaning your riding clothes," Clyde replied. "Casey has -gone; I haven't seen him." +"Kitty's busy cleaning your riding clothes," Clyde replied. "Casey has +gone; I haven't seen him." </p> <p> @@ -14152,89 +14164,89 @@ practical view. </p> <p> -"It was lucky Tom McHale wasn't here," she said. "Somebody would have -been hurt. That's what I was afraid of." +"It was lucky Tom McHale wasn't here," she said. "Somebody would have +been hurt. That's what I was afraid of." </p> <p> -"It was very brave of you," said Clyde. "I admire you more than I can -say. I want you to know it, Miss McCrae." +"It was very brave of you," said Clyde. "I admire you more than I can +say. I want you to know it, Miss McCrae." </p> <p> -"Oh, that"—Sheila dismissed the warm praise with a wave of her brown -hand—"why, it wasn't anything; only a wet ride in the dark. If my +"Oh, that"—Sheila dismissed the warm praise with a wave of her brown +hand—"why, it wasn't anything; only a wet ride in the dark. If my horse had kept his feet it would have been all right. I simply had to come. Don't try to make me think myself a heroine. You'd do the same -thing yourself for a friend." +thing yourself for a friend." </p> <p> -"I'm afraid I couldn't. I'm not much of a rider, and I couldn't have -found my way in the dark." +"I'm afraid I couldn't. I'm not much of a rider, and I couldn't have +found my way in the dark." </p> <p> -"Well, that's no credit to me. I've been riding all my life, and I know +"Well, that's no credit to me. I've been riding all my life, and I know every foot of this country. Of course, I'd do anything for Casey or -Tom." +Tom." </p> <p> -"Yes," said Clyde, "they both think a great deal of you, I know." +"Yes," said Clyde, "they both think a great deal of you, I know." </p> <p> -"No more than I think of them—especially Casey. Some day I suppose -he'll get married, and then I'll have to call him 'Mr. Dunne.'" +"No more than I think of them—especially Casey. Some day I suppose +he'll get married, and then I'll have to call him 'Mr. Dunne.'" </p> <p> -"That won't be necessary." +"That won't be necessary." </p> <p> -"Oh, yes, it will. His wife wouldn't stand for 'Casey.'" +"Oh, yes, it will. His wife wouldn't stand for 'Casey.'" </p> <p> -"Yes, she will," said Clyde. Sheila turned and looked at her keenly. -"We are going to be married," Clyde added. +"Yes, she will," said Clyde. Sheila turned and looked at her keenly. +"We are going to be married," Clyde added. </p> <p> -"You don't mean it!" Sheila exclaimed. "Well, you are a lucky girl, if +"You don't mean it!" Sheila exclaimed. "Well, you are a lucky girl, if you don't mind my saying so. Casey's <i>white</i>. I congratulate you -with all my heart. And he's lucky, too; yes, he is." +with all my heart. And he's lucky, too; yes, he is." </p> <p> -"You—you don't mind?" Clyde ventured. She thought it quite possible +"You—you don't mind?" Clyde ventured. She thought it quite possible that Sheila might care for Casey, although convinced that he did not love her. </p> <p> -"Mind? Why should I mind?" +"Mind? Why should I mind?" </p> <p> -"You know I thought once"—Clyde hesitated—"you see you were such -great friends——" +"You know I thought once"—Clyde hesitated—"you see you were such +great friends——" </p> <p> -"You thought I might be fond of him? Why, so I am. Not in that way, +"You thought I might be fond of him? Why, so I am. Not in that way, though. I might have been if he had tried to make love to me, but he -never did. You see, Miss Burnaby——" +never did. You see, Miss Burnaby——" </p> <p> -"I wish you'd call me Clyde." +"I wish you'd call me Clyde." </p> <p> -"If you'll call me Sheila. You see, Clyde, Casey and I are too much two +"If you'll call me Sheila. You see, Clyde, Casey and I are too much two of a kind. We'd never get on. You'll idealize him; I'd call him down. He'll talk out of his heart to you; he'd talk irrigation, and crops, and horses to me. You'll accept his judgment in most things as final; @@ -14243,45 +14255,45 @@ awful mess of it! And so, my dear, don't you think that I'd want his love, even if I could get it. But at that he's the whitest man I know, and the best friend I ever had. You're lucky. I don't wonder that he fell in love with you, either. I wish to goodness <i>I</i> were as -pretty." +pretty." </p> <p> -"I'm glad," said Clyde, "that you haven't said anything about money. -Thank you." +"I'm glad," said Clyde, "that you haven't said anything about money. +Thank you." </p> <p> -"It's not because I didn't think of it," Sheila admitted frankly. "But +"It's not because I didn't think of it," Sheila admitted frankly. "But I know it makes no difference to Casey. Fact is, I wonder, knowing him -as I do, that he hadn't some absurd scruples on that point." +as I do, that he hadn't some absurd scruples on that point." </p> <p> -"He had. He says we can't be married if he loses this ranch and the -other lands." +"He had. He says we can't be married if he loses this ranch and the +other lands." </p> <p> -"Nonsense," said Sheila practically. "He won't stay with that if you -coax him; he couldn't." +"Nonsense," said Sheila practically. "He won't stay with that if you +coax him; he couldn't." </p> <p> -Clyde laughed happily. "That's the nicest compliment I ever had. You're -absolutely the first person I've told." +Clyde laughed happily. "That's the nicest compliment I ever had. You're +absolutely the first person I've told." </p> <p> -"Well, I'm much flattered," said Sheila. "When did it happen?" +"Well, I'm much flattered," said Sheila. "When did it happen?" </p> <p> -"Last night." +"Last night." </p> <p> -"Everything happened last night. Was he—er—convincing in the part?" +"Everything happened last night. Was he—er—convincing in the part?" </p> <p> @@ -14291,8 +14303,8 @@ wish. </p> <p> -"And that settles it from your point of view, of course," said Sheila. -"Well, I'll wait." +"And that settles it from your point of view, of course," said Sheila. +"Well, I'll wait." </p> <p> @@ -14303,40 +14315,40 @@ have taken both her hands, but she put them behind her, laughing. </p> <p> -"Not here, sir!" +"Not here, sir!" </p> <p> -"It's my ranch and my girl." +"It's my ranch and my girl." </p> <p> -"In order of merit?" +"In order of merit?" </p> <p> -"My girl and my ranch, then. But tell me: How is Sheila?" +"My girl and my ranch, then. But tell me: How is Sheila?" </p> <p> -"Quite well, except for her bruises. What a plucky girl she is, Casey!" +"Quite well, except for her bruises. What a plucky girl she is, Casey!" </p> <p> -"I should say she is," he agreed heartily. "You must be friends. -Somehow you never seemed to like her." +"I should say she is," he agreed heartily. "You must be friends. +Somehow you never seemed to like her." </p> <p> -"I understand her better now. I've told her about—us." +"I understand her better now. I've told her about—us." </p> <p> -"Fine! And Kitty Wade?" +"Fine! And Kitty Wade?" </p> <p> -"Yes. Come in and face the music yourself." +"Yes. Come in and face the music yourself." </p> <p> @@ -14345,17 +14357,17 @@ town for mail; but as they were finishing the meal he entered. </p> <p> -"Casey," he cried, "I hope to Heaven I haven't foundered your horse, -but I have all kinds of news for you!" +"Casey," he cried, "I hope to Heaven I haven't foundered your horse, +but I have all kinds of news for you!" </p> <p> -Casey's mouth tightened a little. "Let it go, Wade. Maybe it's all for -the best." +Casey's mouth tightened a little. "Let it go, Wade. Maybe it's all for +the best." </p> <p> -"Part of this is, anyway. Don't look so glum; it's all right, I tell +"Part of this is, anyway. Don't look so glum; it's all right, I tell you. Now, this was the way of it: When I got my papers at the post office I saw that Western Air stock, which had been playing antics before, had gone clean crazy. It's been boosted sky high. All sorts of @@ -14364,7 +14376,7 @@ So I wired for the latest. Got a reply that it was impossible to confirm rumours. Then, just as I was leaving, in comes a wire for Clyde which I herewith produce and put in as Exhibit A, and which, I strongly suspect, throws light on the situation. Open it, Clyde, for Heaven's -sake, and put us out of our misery!" +sake, and put us out of our misery!" </p> <p> @@ -14373,7 +14385,7 @@ the message and handed it to Casey. </p> <p> -"Aloud?" he asked, and she nodded. He read: +"Aloud?" he asked, and she nodded. He read: </p> <div class="blockquote"> <p> @@ -14391,13 +14403,13 @@ on the back. </p> <p> -"Hooray!" he shouted. "It's blamed unprofessional, but I was never so -glad to discontinue an action in my life. Clyde, you're a darling!" He +"Hooray!" he shouted. "It's blamed unprofessional, but I was never so +glad to discontinue an action in my life. Clyde, you're a darling!" He caught her in his arms and whirled her around the room. </p> <p> -"Harrison!" Kitty cried, "have you gone crazy?" +"Harrison!" Kitty cried, "have you gone crazy?" </p> <p> @@ -14405,126 +14417,126 @@ Wade released Clyde, breathless, and sank into a chair. </p> <p> -"Bring me an expensive drink!" he commanded. "This needs celebrating." +"Bring me an expensive drink!" he commanded. "This needs celebrating." </p> <p> -"Will somebody tell me what's the matter with him?" Casey asked. +"Will somebody tell me what's the matter with him?" Casey asked. </p> <p> -"What!" exclaimed the lawyer. "Don't you see it?" +"What!" exclaimed the lawyer. "Don't you see it?" </p> <p> -"Not yet," Casey admitted. +"Not yet," Casey admitted. </p> <p> -"Why, you old dub," cried Wade, "the wire is from Jim Hess, Clyde's +"Why, you old dub," cried Wade, "the wire is from Jim Hess, Clyde's uncle. His interests control Western Air. He promises you a square -deal." +deal." </p> <p> -"Eh!" Casey ejaculated, staring at him. +"Eh!" Casey ejaculated, staring at him. </p> <p> -"You blamed idiot!" snapped the lawyer, "why don't you thank Clyde? She -started the old chief on the warpath after York's scalp." +"You blamed idiot!" snapped the lawyer, "why don't you thank Clyde? She +started the old chief on the warpath after York's scalp." </p> <p> -Casey turned to her. "Tell me he isn't raving mad! Is it so?" +Casey turned to her. "Tell me he isn't raving mad! Is it so?" </p> <p> -"It's so," she said, "but I——" He interrupted by catching her in his +"It's so," she said, "but I——" He interrupted by catching her in his arms. </p> <p> -"Here, hold on, old man!" Wade protested. "Gratitude's a fine thing, -but you're too——" +"Here, hold on, old man!" Wade protested. "Gratitude's a fine thing, +but you're too——" </p> <p> -His wife took him by the arm. "Come on, Harrison, you stupid! You're -worse than he is. Can't you understand anything?" Sheila's skirts were +His wife took him by the arm. "Come on, Harrison, you stupid! You're +worse than he is. Can't you understand anything?" Sheila's skirts were already fluttering through the door. </p> <p> -"Great Scott!" Wade exclaimed, "you don't mean——" +"Great Scott!" Wade exclaimed, "you don't mean——" </p> <p> -"You—you <i>bonehead</i>!" she cried, exasperated, and hustled him +"You—you <i>bonehead</i>!" she cried, exasperated, and hustled him outside. </p> <p> Careless of them, Casey held Clyde, looking down into her eyes. -"Sweetheart," he said, "you never told me!" +"Sweetheart," he said, "you never told me!" </p> <p> -"I was afraid." +"I was afraid." </p> <p> -"Of raising false hopes?" +"Of raising false hopes?" </p> <p> -"Not that, so much. But you wouldn't let me help you with money. And I +"Not that, so much. But you wouldn't let me help you with money. And I was afraid that if you knew, you'd consider yourself under an -obligation and wouldn't—wouldn't——" +obligation and wouldn't—wouldn't——" </p> <p> -"Wouldn't what?" +"Wouldn't what?" </p> <p> -"Wouldn't be sensible and tell me you loved me," she said softly. -"You're so funny about such things, Casey. You aren't angry now, are -you?" +"Wouldn't be sensible and tell me you loved me," she said softly. +"You're so funny about such things, Casey. You aren't angry now, are +you?" </p> <p> -"Angry?" he said. "Dear, I'd put the savings of years into this -land—years when I'd worked like a very slave to get enough cash +"Angry?" he said. "Dear, I'd put the savings of years into this +land—years when I'd worked like a very slave to get enough cash together to swing some good deal when I should see it. That was my stake. And the others! Why, girl, you've saved Talapus to the McCraes, and their ranches for the men who made them. We can't repay you; we -won't try." +won't try." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXVIII -</p> +</h2> <p> -"Excuse <i>me</i>," said Wade, who had anticipated his entrance by many -preliminary noises, "excuse me, my dear young friends, and, +"Excuse <i>me</i>," said Wade, who had anticipated his entrance by many +preliminary noises, "excuse me, my dear young friends, and, incidentally, accept my sincerest congratulations, felicitations, -and—er—jubilations. Kindly listen to the following observations. +and—er—jubilations. Kindly listen to the following observations. Ahem! Far be it from me to horn in where I am as welcome as a wet dog. -Nothing is farther from my desire than to short circuit two hearts——" +Nothing is farther from my desire than to short circuit two hearts——" </p> <p> -"Come right in, old man," said Casey. "What's the trouble?" +"Come right in, old man," said Casey. "What's the trouble?" </p> <p> -"I want my dinner," said Wade plaintively. "I Paul Revered on a +"I want my dinner," said Wade plaintively. "I Paul Revered on a shoestring. I Sheridaned without a commissariat. I brought the good news to Ghent on an empty tummy. Is thy servant a dog, that he should eat with a Chinaman? And I'd do that willingly; but, Casey, you know as @@ -14533,32 +14545,32 @@ this room, and I warn you that if there is much more delay in doing so nothing which may occur hereafter will be either lucky or legal. While it is possibly true that a dinner of herbs where love is has a porterhouse, rare, and hashed brown spuds backed clean off the board, I -submit, not being in love myself——" +submit, not being in love myself——" </p> <p> -"What's that?" cried Kitty Wade from the door. +"What's that?" cried Kitty Wade from the door. </p> <p> -"Why, it's a shame!" said Clyde. "He must be starving. It's all Casey's -fault, too." +"Why, it's a shame!" said Clyde. "He must be starving. It's all Casey's +fault, too." </p> <p> -"Wouldn't he break away?" asked Wade. "I remember——?" +"Wouldn't he break away?" asked Wade. "I remember——?" </p> <p> -"Harrison!" cried Kitty, warningly. +"Harrison!" cried Kitty, warningly. </p> <p> -"Well, then, do I eat?" he demanded. +"Well, then, do I eat?" he demanded. </p> <p> -"Yes. Anything to keep you quiet. I'll get your dinner myself." +"Yes. Anything to keep you quiet. I'll get your dinner myself." </p> <p> @@ -14567,58 +14579,58 @@ satisfaction, lit a cigar, and joined the others. </p> <p> -"I feel better," he announced. "A child could play with me in +"I feel better," he announced. "A child could play with me in comparative safety. Now let me tell you what else I discovered. In the first place, Cross is dead. I was talking to Shiller. He says that Tom -wasn't to blame—corroborates his story, in fact, in every material +wasn't to blame—corroborates his story, in fact, in every material particular. So Tom's all right on that score. My advice to him would be -to come in and have his trial over." +to come in and have his trial over." </p> <p> -"That isn't what's bothering him so much. It's these friends of +"That isn't what's bothering him so much. It's these friends of Cross's. I don't blame him. Some sheriffs are mighty weak-kneed about -such things." +such things." </p> <p> -"Well, I'm told that officers will be after him. Now as to your +"Well, I'm told that officers will be after him. Now as to your brother, Miss McCrae: Glass and Pugh are starting out to find him as -soon as they get an outfit. Likely they've got started now." +soon as they get an outfit. Likely they've got started now." </p> <p> -"But they don't know where he is. That Glass—I should think he'd get -lost if he left a trail." +"But they don't know where he is. That Glass—I should think he'd get +lost if he left a trail." </p> <p> -"Pugh is different. They may get another man or two." +"Pugh is different. They may get another man or two." </p> <p> -"I hope they don't find him," said Sheila gravely. +"I hope they don't find him," said Sheila gravely. </p> <p> -"So do I," Wade concurred. "I don't suppose a prosecution would be +"So do I," Wade concurred. "I don't suppose a prosecution would be pushed now; but he resisted an officer, and anyway I wouldn't like to -see him under arrest." +see him under arrest." </p> <p> -"You don't understand. Sandy wouldn't submit quietly." +"You don't understand. Sandy wouldn't submit quietly." </p> <p> -"You think he'd try to bluff them again?" +"You think he'd try to bluff them again?" </p> <p> -"He isn't a bluff," said Casey. "The kid is serious-minded. That's the +"He isn't a bluff," said Casey. "The kid is serious-minded. That's the trouble. However, I've sent Tom word about Dade. Sandy may be with him; and Tom is cool. When Simon comes in we'll know more, and send him out -again if he knows where the boy is." +again if he knows where the boy is." </p> <p> @@ -14635,8 +14647,8 @@ when she came out in her riding clothes. </p> <p> -"Cinch him up tight," she commanded. "Take a good pull at it; he's -getting too foxy." +"Cinch him up tight," she commanded. "Take a good pull at it; he's +getting too foxy." </p> <p> @@ -14645,10 +14657,10 @@ cinch bit into his glossy skin. </p> <p> -"And that's loose a-plenty," said his mistress. "He blows himself up -like a turkey gobbler. I need a block and tackle to cinch him right." -She shaded her eyes with her hand. "Somebody coming. I'll wait and see -who it is." +"And that's loose a-plenty," said his mistress. "He blows himself up +like a turkey gobbler. I need a block and tackle to cinch him right." +She shaded her eyes with her hand. "Somebody coming. I'll wait and see +who it is." </p> <p> @@ -14659,23 +14671,23 @@ permission to ride with her. </p> <p> -"I wanted to tell you," he said, "that you'll have water for the summer +"I wanted to tell you," he said, "that you'll have water for the summer anyway. I've just had a wire from headquarters to shut down, and to -turn the normal flow of the river back into its old channel." He smiled -grimly. "They didn't know that the elements had attended to that. +turn the normal flow of the river back into its old channel." He smiled +grimly. "They didn't know that the elements had attended to that. Thought you'd like to know. Might save you worry. Don't know the company's reason, and it's none of my business. I'm paying off the whole outfit to-night, including the men we were speaking of. To-morrow -I'll pull out myself. Glad to do it." +I'll pull out myself. Glad to do it." </p> <p> -"Sorry to have you go," said Casey. +"Sorry to have you go," said Casey. </p> <p> -"You say it all right, but I know better," said Farwell bluntly. "I -don't want to keep Miss McCrae waiting. Will you shake hands?" +"You say it all right, but I know better," said Farwell bluntly. "I +don't want to keep Miss McCrae waiting. Will you shake hands?" </p> <p> @@ -14685,8 +14697,8 @@ his own fingers. </p> <p> -"Good man," said Farwell. "I like a man with a handgrip, and you've got -it. Any time you're ready, Miss McCrae?" +"Good man," said Farwell. "I like a man with a handgrip, and you've got +it. Any time you're ready, Miss McCrae?" </p> <p> @@ -14703,16 +14715,16 @@ had been riding slightly behind, ranged up alongside. </p> <p> -"I should think you'd get a quiet horse," he said. +"I should think you'd get a quiet horse," he said. </p> <p> -"I'll make this one quiet!" snapped Sheila, for she was still sore, and -the hard pace had told on her temper through her bruises. "He's -actually beginning to think he can do as he likes with <i>me</i>." +"I'll make this one quiet!" snapped Sheila, for she was still sore, and +the hard pace had told on her temper through her bruises. "He's +actually beginning to think he can do as he likes with <i>me</i>." Beaver Boy shied to show his independence, and she slashed him -mercilessly with the quirt, setting her teeth as he plunged. "You -would, would you, you brute? I'll show you!" +mercilessly with the quirt, setting her teeth as he plunged. "You +would, would you, you brute? I'll show you!" </p> <p> @@ -14720,7 +14732,7 @@ Farwell, riding in, grabbed for the headstall. </p> <p> -"Get away!" she flamed. "I'll fight this out with him now." +"Get away!" she flamed. "I'll fight this out with him now." </p> <p> @@ -14732,132 +14744,132 @@ trembling quiver. </p> <p> -Farwell had watched the struggle with anxiety. "You won't have any more -trouble with him for a while. He's afraid of you now." +Farwell had watched the struggle with anxiety. "You won't have any more +trouble with him for a while. He's afraid of you now." </p> <p> -"He'd better be. He's been obstinate for months, getting worse all the +"He'd better be. He's been obstinate for months, getting worse all the time. He had some notion in his head that he was merely <i>allowing</i> me to ride him. He did what he liked for a while last night when I was shaken up, and he had to have his lesson. No use letting any one else -give it to him. He had to be shown that <i>I</i> was able to do it." +give it to him. He had to be shown that <i>I</i> was able to do it." </p> <p> -"That's so," said Farwell, "that's sense. The idea of you going out in +"That's so," said Farwell, "that's sense. The idea of you going out in the storm last night on that brute. No other girl would have done it. -It was fine, but it was foolish." +It was fine, but it was foolish." </p> <p> -"Nonsense! I'm not afraid of rain or a horse. Could I do anything else? -It was up to me." +"Nonsense! I'm not afraid of rain or a horse. Could I do anything else? +It was up to me." </p> <p> -"Maybe. Well, you heard what I told Dunne about the water. That ought -to be satisfactory to all you people." +"Maybe. Well, you heard what I told Dunne about the water. That ought +to be satisfactory to all you people." </p> <p> -"Naturally I'm glad." +"Naturally I'm glad." </p> <p> -"I'm going away," he continued. "Also, I'm chucking up my job. I'm +"I'm going away," he continued. "Also, I'm chucking up my job. I'm sorry I ever took it. It was sheer waste of time. I'm going to work for myself now. I hoped I would catch you at Dunne's place. I wanted to say -good-bye." +good-bye." </p> <p> -"I am sorry you are going." +"I am sorry you are going." </p> <p> -"That's what Dunne said—and he didn't mean it. Do you?" +"That's what Dunne said—and he didn't mean it. Do you?" </p> <p> -"I usually mean what I say." +"I usually mean what I say." </p> <p> -"Well, I didn't know. I wouldn't blame you if you were glad. I behaved -like a—well, like a blackguard once." +"Well, I didn't know. I wouldn't blame you if you were glad. I behaved +like a—well, like a blackguard once." </p> <p> -"We needn't talk about that," said Sheila quietly. "That's over; I -don't think of it." +"We needn't talk about that," said Sheila quietly. "That's over; I +don't think of it." </p> <p> -"But I do. I'm rough, but I'm not that kind—usually. You let me down -easy. If I could undo it I would; but I can't." +"But I do. I'm rough, but I'm not that kind—usually. You let me down +easy. If I could undo it I would; but I can't." </p> <p> -"No, it can't be undone. Why talk about it?" +"No, it can't be undone. Why talk about it?" </p> <p> -"Because I keep thinking about it. I've kept away, as you wanted me -to—and because I was ashamed of myself. Honestly, I've tried to do the -best I could for your people—for your father. I tried my best to be a +"Because I keep thinking about it. I've kept away, as you wanted me +to—and because I was ashamed of myself. Honestly, I've tried to do the +best I could for your people—for your father. I tried my best to be a friend. And the end of it was that I started gossip, and you told me to keep away. That was pretty hard lines. It made me angry. And then I was -jealous of Dunne." +jealous of Dunne." </p> <p> -"He is going to marry Miss Burnaby." +"He is going to marry Miss Burnaby." </p> <p> -"Lucky devil!" growled Farwell dejectedly. "Things run smooth for +"Lucky devil!" growled Farwell dejectedly. "Things run smooth for <i>him</i>. I'll bet he doesn't think half as much of her as I do of -you." +you." </p> <p> -Sheila smiled for the first time. "You wouldn't tell her that." +Sheila smiled for the first time. "You wouldn't tell her that." </p> <p> -"I'd tell it to anybody. It's a fact. Why, look here: I'm a practical +"I'd tell it to anybody. It's a fact. Why, look here: I'm a practical man; I've no more imagination than a stump. And yet I've lain awake nights pretending to myself that you had let me kiss you willingly. -How's that?" +How's that?" </p> <p> -Sheila laughed softly. "That's certainly going some, Mr. Farwell!" +Sheila laughed softly. "That's certainly going some, Mr. Farwell!" </p> <p> -"Well, it's what I do, anyway. It's about all the consolation I've -got." +"Well, it's what I do, anyway. It's about all the consolation I've +got." </p> <p> -"Is it? Couldn't you get something better than that?" +"Is it? Couldn't you get something better than that?" </p> <p> -"I could if you'd give me half a chance," he declared. "You turned me -down hard and cold. There's a fine show for consolation, isn't there?" +"I could if you'd give me half a chance," he declared. "You turned me +down hard and cold. There's a fine show for consolation, isn't there?" </p> <p> -"Perhaps some other girl——?" she suggested demurely. +"Perhaps some other girl——?" she suggested demurely. </p> <p> -"No!" Farwell rapped out bluntly. "I don't want any other girl. I don't +"No!" Farwell rapped out bluntly. "I don't want any other girl. I don't like other girls. They make me tired. I'd rather work than fuss with -them. It's easier. If I can't have you I don't want anybody." +them. It's easier. If I can't have you I don't want anybody." </p> <p> @@ -14867,66 +14879,66 @@ amused, half serious. </p> <p> -"And if you had me you'd be tired of me in no time. I'm just plain -girl." +"And if you had me you'd be tired of me in no time. I'm just plain +girl." </p> <p> -"Plain girl nothing! You're the prettiest——" +"Plain girl nothing! You're the prettiest——" </p> <p> -"I'm not; I'm not even average." +"I'm not; I'm not even average." </p> <p> -"And the best and the most sensible and the pluckiest one I ever saw," -he pursued, unheeding. "Don't tell me; I know. I've seen whole rafts of +"And the best and the most sensible and the pluckiest one I ever saw," +he pursued, unheeding. "Don't tell me; I know. I've seen whole rafts of women. Dolls! Flirts! Gigglers! Fainters! Talking slush and thinking slop! Soft, too, like dough. Eating filthy coloured and flavoured glucose by the pound. Yah! Not a sane idea, or a sound digestion, or a healthy body in the bunch. And as for dress, the average woman piles a lot of truck on her like a <i>klootch</i> at a potlatch, and cinches -herself up in a——" +herself up in a——" </p> <p> -"Hush!" said Sheila. +"Hush!" said Sheila. </p> <p> -"Huh!" said Farwell. "Why shouldn't I call things by their names? I -never could see——" +"Huh!" said Farwell. "Why shouldn't I call things by their names? I +never could see——" </p> <p> -"You aren't supposed to see. That's plenty. I won't be lectured on the -follies of my sex." +"You aren't supposed to see. That's plenty. I won't be lectured on the +follies of my sex." </p> <p> -"You're different from the others," said Farwell. "That's just it. +"You're different from the others," said Farwell. "That's just it. You've got ideas apart from dress and gossip, the same as a man has. You're in good hard condition physically. You don't giggle, and titter, -and make eyes, and expect a man to talk like a da—er—ah—that is, you +and make eyes, and expect a man to talk like a da—er—ah—that is, you don't expect a lot of silly compliments. I've never seen anybody like you. Talk of another girl! Bah! I couldn't stand one in the same house. -It's you or no one." +It's you or no one." </p> <p> -"I don't think I'd wear well, Mr. Farwell. You'd get tired of me." +"I don't think I'd wear well, Mr. Farwell. You'd get tired of me." </p> <p> -"No, I wouldn't; no, I wouldn't. I know what I'm talking about. I tell +"No, I wouldn't; no, I wouldn't. I know what I'm talking about. I tell you, I love you, Sheila. Do you think it's easy to say good-bye and -leave you? It's the hardest job I ever had. It's—it's—oh, it's hell, +leave you? It's the hardest job I ever had. It's—it's—oh, it's hell, that's what it is. I used to love work just for the work's sake. But now, to think of grubbing away year after year, to get money that I -can't use, that I don't want—that can't get me what I want! Oh, Lord! +can't use, that I don't want—that can't get me what I want! Oh, Lord! the hopeless years ahead! What's the good of them? What's the use? I -wish I'd never seen this place—or you." +wish I'd never seen this place—or you." </p> <p> @@ -14936,18 +14948,18 @@ as if his eyes beheld the emptiness of the years to come. </p> <p> -"Then why do you say good-bye?" said Sheila. +"Then why do you say good-bye?" said Sheila. </p> <p> -Farwell started, half turning in the saddle. "Why? Because it's best. +Farwell started, half turning in the saddle. "Why? Because it's best. What's the use of hanging around? I have to take my medicine, don't I? -I can take it easier away from here." +I can take it easier away from here." </p> <p> -"I'm not so sure," she said hesitatingly, "that there will be any -medicine to take." +"I'm not so sure," she said hesitatingly, "that there will be any +medicine to take." </p> <p> @@ -14955,24 +14967,24 @@ Farwell's eyes opened wide as he stared at her. </p> <p> -"What do you mean by that? Don't fool with me, Sheila, for Heaven's -sake. It's too serious a matter." +"What do you mean by that? Don't fool with me, Sheila, for Heaven's +sake. It's too serious a matter." </p> <p> -"Yes, it's serious," she agreed. She faced him frankly, the rich blood -mounting beneath the tan of her cheeks. "What's the use of beating +"Yes, it's serious," she agreed. She faced him frankly, the rich blood +mounting beneath the tan of her cheeks. "What's the use of beating around the bush? When you kissed me I hated you. I struck you. But when -Sandy came—and afterward—you seemed a good deal of a man. And so—I -don't know—but it need not be good-bye for good." +Sandy came—and afterward—you seemed a good deal of a man. And so—I +don't know—but it need not be good-bye for good." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXIX -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -14984,23 +14996,23 @@ deliberate, and so was his speech. </p> <p> -"I am lookin'," he said, "for Mr. Dunne." +"I am lookin'," he said, "for Mr. Dunne." </p> <p> -"That's my name," said Casey. +"That's my name," said Casey. </p> <p> -"Then I'd like a little private talk with you. My name is Dove; I'm -actin' sheriff of this county while Fuller's sick." Evidently Acting +"Then I'd like a little private talk with you. My name is Dove; I'm +actin' sheriff of this county while Fuller's sick." Evidently Acting Sheriff Dove was a man of direct speech. </p> <p> -"Glad to meet you, sheriff," said Casey. "Come right into my quarters. +"Glad to meet you, sheriff," said Casey. "Come right into my quarters. I've guests at the house, and I'm bunking here. Have a cigar, and tell -me what I can do for you." +me what I can do for you." </p> <p> @@ -15011,68 +15023,68 @@ approval, replaced it, and turned to his host. </p> <p> -"That's a right good smoke. I come to see you about this killin'. This -here McHale worked for you, I'm told." +"That's a right good smoke. I come to see you about this killin'. This +here McHale worked for you, I'm told." </p> <p> -"He's my foreman." +"He's my foreman." </p> <p> -"Where is he now?" +"Where is he now?" </p> <p> -"I don't know." +"I don't know." </p> <p> -"He come back here after the killin', collected up his outfit, got a -pack horse, and made his get-away?" +"He come back here after the killin', collected up his outfit, got a +pack horse, and made his get-away?" </p> <p> -"Yes." +"Yes." </p> <p> -"Told you about it, maybe?" +"Told you about it, maybe?" </p> <p> -"Yes." +"Yes." </p> <p> -"But not where he was goin'?" +"But not where he was goin'?" </p> <p> -"No." +"No." </p> <p> -"Still, you can make a tol'able guess." +"Still, you can make a tol'able guess." </p> <p> -"I'm not guessing," Casey replied. "That killing was square, sheriff." +"I'm not guessing," Casey replied. "That killing was square, sheriff." </p> <p> -"I don't say it wasn't," Dove admitted. "I got nothing to do with that. +"I don't say it wasn't," Dove admitted. "I got nothing to do with that. My rule is, when there's a killin', to bring in the man who done it, -and let the law 'tend to his case." +and let the law 'tend to his case." </p> <p> -"Good rule, theoretically." +"Good rule, theoretically." </p> <p> -"And so," Sheriff Dove continued, with calm finality, "I'm out to bring -in this here McHale." +"And so," Sheriff Dove continued, with calm finality, "I'm out to bring +in this here McHale." </p> <p> @@ -15082,13 +15094,13 @@ The sheriff listened, smoking impassively. </p> <p> -"I dunno but what McHale acted pretty sensible," he commented. "He +"I dunno but what McHale acted pretty sensible," he commented. "He needn't worry about my not protectin' him. I've give a prisoner a gun and let him help stand off a mob before now. Likewise, I've got lead in my system doin' it. However, that ain't the point. I can't wait 'round for him to come in. I got to get him. There's been quite a bunch of things happenin' down in this country, far as I can hear, that ain't -none too law-abidin'." +none too law-abidin'." </p> <p> @@ -15096,59 +15108,59 @@ Casey merely smiled genially. </p> <p> -"Mind you, I ain't no busybody," said the sheriff. "I get trouble +"Mind you, I ain't no busybody," said the sheriff. "I get trouble enough in a regular way without huntin' for it. I've been hearin' things, but there bein' no complaint I've sat tight. Up to this Cross killin' nobody's been hurt. But that's serious and brings me in to take a hand. One of my deputies, Jack Pugh, is after a young feller named McCrae. There's lots of things don't speak well for respect for the law -down here. I represent the law, and what hits it hits me." +down here. I represent the law, and what hits it hits me." </p> <p> -"I understand. You've been straight with me, sheriff, and I appreciate +"I understand. You've been straight with me, sheriff, and I appreciate it. I don't know exactly where McHale is, but I think if you found him and gave him a straight, decent talk he'd come in without any trouble. He doesn't want any. And I think you'll find him somewhere in the -hills. That's all I can tell you now." +hills. That's all I can tell you now." </p> <p> -"Him and this young McCrae is tillikums, they tell me," the sheriff -suggested. "You think maybe they've met up?" +"Him and this young McCrae is tillikums, they tell me," the sheriff +suggested. "You think maybe they've met up?" </p> <p> -"They may. There's a chance of it." +"They may. There's a chance of it." </p> <p> -The sheriff considered. "This McCrae is a leetle mite headstrong, I'm -told. Sorter apt to act rash." +The sheriff considered. "This McCrae is a leetle mite headstrong, I'm +told. Sorter apt to act rash." </p> <p> -"I'm afraid so." +"I'm afraid so." </p> <p> -The sheriff shook his head regretfully. "I'd ruther deal with a sure -'nough bad man than with a young feller like that," he observed, "They -lack judgment, as a rule. I'm told he savvies a gun right well?" +The sheriff shook his head regretfully. "I'd ruther deal with a sure +'nough bad man than with a young feller like that," he observed, "They +lack judgment, as a rule. I'm told he savvies a gun right well?" </p> <p> -"He's a centre shot and quick," said Casey. "And, remember this, +"He's a centre shot and quick," said Casey. "And, remember this, sheriff, if you run across him: he doesn't bluff. When he goes after a gun he goes after it to shoot with. I tell you this because I don't want to see anybody hurt. There's no harm in him, handled right, but -he's a kid, and you want to make allowances." +he's a kid, and you want to make allowances." </p> <p> -"I'm obliged to you, and I'll do it. Jack Pugh and Glass have started +"I'm obliged to you, and I'll do it. Jack Pugh and Glass have started out after him already. They allow to prospect 'round in the hills till -they find him. That's what I'll do with McHale." +they find him. That's what I'll do with McHale." </p> <p> @@ -15156,67 +15168,67 @@ Casey considered, and suddenly came to a decision. </p> <p> -"Anybody going with you?" +"Anybody going with you?" </p> <p> -"No." +"No." </p> <p> -"Don't you want a deputy?" +"Don't you want a deputy?" </p> <p> -"Any time I got to pack a deputy 'round with me to bring in one man -there'll be a job open," the sheriff returned grimly. "I don't keep no +"Any time I got to pack a deputy 'round with me to bring in one man +there'll be a job open," the sheriff returned grimly. "I don't keep no corral full of deputies. I got Pugh and another, and they're both busy. -I allow not to get lost. I've been out by myself before now." +I allow not to get lost. I've been out by myself before now." </p> <p> -"The reason I ask," said Casey, "is that I'd like to go with you +"The reason I ask," said Casey, "is that I'd like to go with you myself. The boys might listen to me, and not to you. Mind, I'm not offering to guide you to them. You find your own trail. But I'll make all the peace talk I can if you do find them. Besides, there's this Dade. If he goes after Tom, there will be trouble. It's a feud. I -declare myself in on it." +declare myself in on it." </p> <p> -"I hate trouble and I love peace," said the sheriff. "No feuds is goin' +"I hate trouble and I love peace," said the sheriff. "No feuds is goin' to flourish around where I am. But you come along. You're actin' right. -I'm glad to have you. Can you start in the mornin'?" +I'm glad to have you. Can you start in the mornin'?" </p> <p> -"Make it afternoon; I've things to see to first. How are you fixed for -a horse?" +"Make it afternoon; I've things to see to first. How are you fixed for +a horse?" </p> <p> -"I've got my own hoss back yander in town. I hated to use him till I -had to. That's why I hired a team." +"I've got my own hoss back yander in town. I hated to use him till I +had to. That's why I hired a team." </p> <p> -"I have a pack horse. That's all we'll need. Bring your own outfit. -I've plenty of grub here." +"I have a pack horse. That's all we'll need. Bring your own outfit. +I've plenty of grub here." </p> <p> -"That's mighty kind," said the sheriff. "The county will pay for your -hoss and the grub." +"That's mighty kind," said the sheriff. "The county will pay for your +hoss and the grub." </p> <p> -"I don't want pay. This is my shout. I'm doing it for my friends." +"I don't want pay. This is my shout. I'm doing it for my friends." </p> <p> -"Well, your friends ought to be right obliged. I'll remember it. You +"Well, your friends ought to be right obliged. I'll remember it. You won't find me makin' things harder. And now I'll pike along back to -town." +town." </p> <p> @@ -15228,43 +15240,43 @@ occupation when Clyde knocked and entered. </p> <p> -"Why, Casey, whatever are you doing?" +"Why, Casey, whatever are you doing?" </p> <p> He told her, and she approved his plan. She began to examine the heap -he had thrown together on the table—knife, cartridges, fishhooks and -line, compass, matches, sweater, poncho—with a girl's interest in such +he had thrown together on the table—knife, cartridges, fishhooks and +line, compass, matches, sweater, poncho—with a girl's interest in such masculine possessions. But she exclaimed at the lack of toilet articles. Where were his razors, his hairbrushes? </p> <p> -"I'll get along without them." +"I'll get along without them." </p> <p> -"My goodness, boy, you'll be scrubby. Aren't you going to take even -a—a toothbrush?" +"My goodness, boy, you'll be scrubby. Aren't you going to take even +a—a toothbrush?" </p> <p> -"Yes, I'll do that," he laughed. "There, that's enough for to-night. +"Yes, I'll do that," he laughed. "There, that's enough for to-night. Feng will put up grub in the morning. What have you done with Kitty Wade and her husband? Hadn't we better look them up? They may be making -love on the sly." +love on the sly." </p> <p> -"Do you need a chaperon so badly?" She slipped her arm in his. "Come +"Do you need a chaperon so badly?" She slipped her arm in his. "Come on, then. They've gone for a walk up the ditch. We'll meet them and come back together. Only I want to impress upon you, Casey, that they -must walk ahead of us—unless it gets very dark, indeed." +must walk ahead of us—unless it gets very dark, indeed." </p> <p> -"I think I get you," he laughed. "We'll arrange that detail. Kitty Wade -is a most sympathetic young matron." +"I think I get you," he laughed. "We'll arrange that detail. Kitty Wade +is a most sympathetic young matron." </p> <p> @@ -15306,11 +15318,11 @@ the sound of hoofs approaching. </p> <p> -"Who on earth is coming at this time of night?" Wade asked. +"Who on earth is coming at this time of night?" Wade asked. </p> <p> -"Sit quiet and we'll see," said Casey. His hand closed on the butt of a +"Sit quiet and we'll see," said Casey. His hand closed on the butt of a gun in his pocket, which he now carried constantly. </p> @@ -15321,8 +15333,8 @@ of the building, they were invisible. </p> <p> -"Be th' mortal! but they've all gone to bed," muttered a disgusted -voice. "An' what do yez know about that? 'Airly to bed an' airly to +"Be th' mortal! but they've all gone to bed," muttered a disgusted +voice. "An' what do yez know about that? 'Airly to bed an' airly to rise,' as the kids' dope books has it. Maybe ut makes a man healthy, but all the wealthy wise guys iver I knowed wint on th' well-known principle that home was the last place to close up. Faix, a man'll go @@ -15330,13 +15342,13 @@ home whin he's in no state f'r anny other place. Whoa! Howld still, there's a good harrse, till I see what's best to do. Don't be so onaisy. Whoa, darlin'! Bad cess to ye, ye roachbacked Prodestan' baste, kape off iv thim flower beds! Have yez no manners at all, at all? Be -all th' saints in glory I'll larrup th' head off iv yez—or I w'u'd if +all th' saints in glory I'll larrup th' head off iv yez—or I w'u'd if I wasn't afraid ye'd buck me onto the roof. Yez have me crippled -intirely as ut is." +intirely as ut is." </p> <p> -"Not a word, for your life!" Wade whispered. "That's a star monologue!" +"Not a word, for your life!" Wade whispered. "That's a star monologue!" </p> <p> @@ -15344,62 +15356,62 @@ Feng, attracted by the voice, came to the door. </p> <p> -"Hallo! What wanchee?" he demanded. +"Hallo! What wanchee?" he demanded. </p> <p> -"The country's overrun wid them yelly divils!" Mr. Quilty muttered. -"What wanchee? Th' nerve iv him! Ye weathered-ivory monkey face, I've -business wid yer betters!" +"The country's overrun wid them yelly divils!" Mr. Quilty muttered. +"What wanchee? Th' nerve iv him! Ye weathered-ivory monkey face, I've +business wid yer betters!" </p> <p> -"You keepee hossee off flowah bed," commanded Feng. "What foh you lidee -him all oveh?" +"You keepee hossee off flowah bed," commanded Feng. "What foh you lidee +him all oveh?" </p> <p> -"Ask th' harrse!" Quilty retorted. "The sight iv yez onsettles him, -lowgrade baste as he is. Dom a Chinaman dead or alive, annyway!" +"Ask th' harrse!" Quilty retorted. "The sight iv yez onsettles him, +lowgrade baste as he is. Dom a Chinaman dead or alive, annyway!" </p> <p> -"You no good!" retorted Feng. "Me savvy you. You Ilishman, all same +"You no good!" retorted Feng. "Me savvy you. You Ilishman, all same mick, all same flannel mout', all same bogtlotteh! You bum lailway man! You get dlunk, fo'get switch, thlain lun off tlack; you swingee lante'n, yellee 'All aboa'd!' you say, 'Jim Kli! what keepee Numbeh Eight?' You sellee ticket, knockee down change. No good, lailway man! -Me savvy you, all light." +Me savvy you, all light." </p> <p> -"Ye cross iv a limon peel and a case iv jandhers!" cried Mr. Quilty in -wrath at these aspersions on an honourable calling, "I'm a notion to +"Ye cross iv a limon peel and a case iv jandhers!" cried Mr. Quilty in +wrath at these aspersions on an honourable calling, "I'm a notion to get down an' slug the head off iv yez! Faix, ut's no murder to kill a Chinaman, but a bright jewel in me starry crown, ye long-nailed, rat-eatin', harrse-haired, pipe-hittin' slave iv th' black pill! I'll make yez think I'm a Hip Sing Tong or a runaway freight on th' big hill. I'll slaughter yez, mind, if I get off. Do yez know where yez -will go whin yez die at my hands?" +will go whin yez die at my hands?" </p> <p> -"Me go to heaven," said Feng, with comfortable conviction. +"Me go to heaven," said Feng, with comfortable conviction. </p> <p> -"Th' —— ye say!" ejaculated Mr. Quilty, in shocked amazement. "I -think I see ye there!" +"Th' —— ye say!" ejaculated Mr. Quilty, in shocked amazement. "I +think I see ye there!" </p> <p> -"You no see me," said Feng. "No Ilish lailway man stop in heaven. Me -catchee heaven all light. Missionally say so." +"You no see me," said Feng. "No Ilish lailway man stop in heaven. Me +catchee heaven all light. Missionally say so." </p> <p> -"Is ut mish-naries they send to waste time on the loikes iv yez?" -snorted Mr. Quilty. "Hivin! Fine comp'ny ye'd be f'r the holy men and +"Is ut mish-naries they send to waste time on the loikes iv yez?" +snorted Mr. Quilty. "Hivin! Fine comp'ny ye'd be f'r the holy men and blessid saints an' martyrs an' pure, snow-white angels! Why, ye idolatrous, stick-burnin', kow-towin', joss-worshippin' pagan son iv a mat-sailed junk and a chopstick, they'd slam the pearly gates forninst @@ -15407,7 +15419,7 @@ yer face and stick their holy fingers to their blessid noses at yez. Hivin! Ye'll never smell ut, nor scuffle yer filthy shoes on th' goolden streets. Purgathry! Faix, yer ticket reads straight through, wid no stop-off priv'leges whatever. Th' cindher pit f'r yours! Be th' -Rock iv Cashel, I'll l'arn yez to insult th' heav'nly throng!" +Rock iv Cashel, I'll l'arn yez to insult th' heav'nly throng!" </p> <p> @@ -15417,9 +15429,9 @@ threatened the storming party with a formidable butcher knife. </p> <p> -"Whurroo!" shouted Mr. Quilty, dancing on the steps. "Come out, ye +"Whurroo!" shouted Mr. Quilty, dancing on the steps. "Come out, ye yelly plague, knife and all, an' l'ave me knock the stuffin' out iv -yez! Annyways, I'll tell ye what ye are. Ye're a——" +yez! Annyways, I'll tell ye what ye are. Ye're a——" </p> <p> @@ -15428,26 +15440,26 @@ interrupt. </p> <p> -"Hello! What's all the row? That you, Corney?" +"Hello! What's all the row? That you, Corney?" </p> <p> -"Yer owner has saved yer life," Mr. Quilty informed Feng. "Sure ut's +"Yer owner has saved yer life," Mr. Quilty informed Feng. "Sure ut's me, Casey. I'm after l'arnin' this Oriental curse iv the wurruld how to -talk to his betters." He mounted the steps, peering suspiciously at the -occupants of the veranda. "Who's these?" he demanded. "I can't see in +talk to his betters." He mounted the steps, peering suspiciously at the +occupants of the veranda. "Who's these?" he demanded. "I can't see in the dark. Miss Burnaby, is ut, an' Misther Wade an' his leddy? I -believe yez were here all the time!" +believe yez were here all the time!" </p> <p> -"We just came in from the other side," Casey lied manfully. +"We just came in from the other side," Casey lied manfully. </p> <p> -"Yes, ye did! I can see yez laughin', and I don't blame yez. 'Twas +"Yes, ye did! I can see yez laughin', and I don't blame yez. 'Twas funny how scared the Chink was. Well, ut does thim lower races good to -be bawled out wanst in a while by their superiors." +be bawled out wanst in a while by their superiors." </p> <p> @@ -15456,22 +15468,22 @@ Quilty in a comfortable chair, with a cigar and a cold drink. </p> <p> -"Th' health and inclinations iv all here," said Mr. Quilty, waving his -glass gracefully. "I'm glad to see yez all lookin' so well, more -partic'larly the leddies." +"Th' health and inclinations iv all here," said Mr. Quilty, waving his +glass gracefully. "I'm glad to see yez all lookin' so well, more +partic'larly the leddies." </p> <p> -"Thank you, Mr. Quilty," said Clyde. +"Thank you, Mr. Quilty," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"It's very nice of you, Mr. Quilty," said Kitty Wade. +"It's very nice of you, Mr. Quilty," said Kitty Wade. </p> <p> -"It's not often I have the good forchune to be in leddies' society," -Mr. Quilty continued. "Me tongue has lost th' right twist for +"It's not often I have the good forchune to be in leddies' society," +Mr. Quilty continued. "Me tongue has lost th' right twist for compliments; but, sure, if ut hadn't ut wouldn't begin to do th' pair iv yez justice. Oh, divil th' bit iv soodher am I givin' yez. It's two pretty women yez are. Well, well, I'm an old felly who's had his day. @@ -15480,74 +15492,74 @@ spoken for, belike. Now whatever makes Casey, there, blush? I didn't think he knowed how. An' Miss Burnaby, too! What'll yez do whin they's rice lodged in yer clothes and yer hats, an' white ribbons on yer trunks, an' th' waiters grin whin ye go into the diner? Let me tell ye, -now——" +now——" </p> <p> -"Please, please, Mr. Quilty!" Clyde pleaded. +"Please, please, Mr. Quilty!" Clyde pleaded. </p> <p> -"Have I rung th' bell?" he demanded. +"Have I rung th' bell?" he demanded. </p> <p> -"Bull's-eye," said Wade. "Own up to it, you two. It's obvious." +"Bull's-eye," said Wade. "Own up to it, you two. It's obvious." </p> <p> -"Oh, is it?" said Clyde. "Well, if we're half as bad as you and Kitty -were——" +"Oh, is it?" said Clyde. "Well, if we're half as bad as you and Kitty +were——" </p> <p> -"Don't mind him; he was in love with me once," said Kitty. +"Don't mind him; he was in love with me once," said Kitty. </p> <p> -"He is yet," said Clyde. +"He is yet," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"Faix, I don't wonder at ut," said Mr. Quilty gallantly. +"Faix, I don't wonder at ut," said Mr. Quilty gallantly. </p> <p> -"Very skilful shift of topic," said Wade. "I admit everything. I guess -we were bad enough; but you and Casey are the limit." +"Very skilful shift of topic," said Wade. "I admit everything. I guess +we were bad enough; but you and Casey are the limit." </p> <p> -"But look at th' fine excuse both iv thim has," said Mr. Quilty, -beaming. "Here's long life an' happiness, an' may yer only troubles -be—well, well, niver mind th' troubles. There's time enough to think +"But look at th' fine excuse both iv thim has," said Mr. Quilty, +beaming. "Here's long life an' happiness, an' may yer only troubles +be—well, well, niver mind th' troubles. There's time enough to think iv them whin they come. Which puts me in mind that I do be forgettin' -what <i>I</i> come for. Ut's about Tom. D'ye know where he's at?" +what <i>I</i> come for. Ut's about Tom. D'ye know where he's at?" </p> <p> -"Not exactly. Why?" +"Not exactly. Why?" </p> <p> -"Mebbe ye heard that th' water comp'ny is payin' off its men an' +"Mebbe ye heard that th' water comp'ny is payin' off its men an' shuttin' down. Well, then, there's all iv thim hard-faced <i>tillikums</i> iv Cross, deceased, paid off; an' instid iv gittin' dhrunk like dacint Christians, what do they do but outfit thimselves -an' start back fer th' hills, six iv thim—an' a divil iv a +an' start back fer th' hills, six iv thim—an' a divil iv a harrd-bunch, savin' th' leddies' presence. Wan iv thim made a brag that they'd get Tom. So I come out to tell yez, in case ye had word from him. An' they's officers out afther that young divil iv a brother iv Miss Sheila's. Somebody ought to tell the boys to skin their eyes, if -so be they're hangin' around." +so be they're hangin' around." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXX -</p> +</h2> <p> @@ -15563,49 +15575,49 @@ the evening too short. </p> <p> -"Blanket time," said the sheriff, looking at his watch. "I ain't a -young nighthawk no more. If we're to git a good start——" +"Blanket time," said the sheriff, looking at his watch. "I ain't a +young nighthawk no more. If we're to git a good start——" </p> <p> -"We'd like to hear more, sheriff," said Clyde. +"We'd like to hear more, sheriff," said Clyde. </p> <p> -"Sho!" said Sheriff Dove, well pleased. "I could keep yarnin' half the +"Sho!" said Sheriff Dove, well pleased. "I could keep yarnin' half the night to a pretty girl. I ain't too old for that. Maybe when we get -back we'll have another session." +back we'll have another session." </p> <p> -Outside on the veranda she slipped her arm in his. "Take good care of -Casey for me, sheriff, please." +Outside on the veranda she slipped her arm in his. "Take good care of +Casey for me, sheriff, please." </p> <p> -"I sure will, little girl," he replied. "Don't you go to worryin', now. +"I sure will, little girl," he replied. "Don't you go to worryin', now. There's no call to. If it was easier travellin' you might come along, -for all the trouble there'll be." He smiled down at her in fatherly +for all the trouble there'll be." He smiled down at her in fatherly fashion, his great, sinewy arm pressing hers, and the pressure reassured her. </p> <p> -"Thank you, sheriff. You—you're a <i>dear</i>!" +"Thank you, sheriff. You—you're a <i>dear</i>!" </p> <p> -"Do I git a bid to the weddin'?" +"Do I git a bid to the weddin'?" </p> <p> -"Of course you do." Clyde blushed and laughed. "Only I don't know just -when it will be." +"Of course you do." Clyde blushed and laughed. "Only I don't know just +when it will be." </p> <p> -"Make it soon," he advised. "Life's short, little girl. Take all the -happiness you can git. Good night." +"Make it soon," he advised. "Life's short, little girl. Take all the +happiness you can git. Good night." </p> <p> @@ -15615,28 +15627,28 @@ and immediately came upon the trail of horses. </p> <p> -"Looks like there's been some travel," said the sheriff. "This here -pass used much?" +"Looks like there's been some travel," said the sheriff. "This here +pass used much?" </p> <p> -"Not at this time of year. The Indians use it in the fall. They hunt -across the range." +"Not at this time of year. The Indians use it in the fall. They hunt +across the range." </p> <p> -"These horses is shod," the sheriff remarked. "I sh'd say there's been +"These horses is shod," the sheriff remarked. "I sh'd say there's been half a dozen of 'em. Not less. Maybe more. I've knowed men that could -tell exact." +tell exact." </p> <p> -"Not many of them left now." +"Not many of them left now." </p> <p> -"That's so. There ain't much need for trailin' these days. Too many -telegraph wires." +"That's so. There ain't much need for trailin' these days. Too many +telegraph wires." </p> <p> @@ -15647,37 +15659,37 @@ fire, smoking. </p> <p> -"This bunch of hosses," the sheriff observed, "seems to have split up +"This bunch of hosses," the sheriff observed, "seems to have split up here. Two or three of 'em crossed over, but the most went down the -valley. What's down there?" +valley. What's down there?" </p> <p> -"Just valley. It's partly open and part heavy timber. There was a pack -trail cut through once, but it's mostly grown up." +"Just valley. It's partly open and part heavy timber. There was a pack +trail cut through once, but it's mostly grown up." </p> <p> -"Nobody lives down there?" +"Nobody lives down there?" </p> <p> -"Not a soul. Now and then somebody traps in winter." +"Not a soul. Now and then somebody traps in winter." </p> <p> -"Um." The sheriff was thoughtful for some moments. "Does McHale know -the country hereabouts?" +"Um." The sheriff was thoughtful for some moments. "Does McHale know +the country hereabouts?" </p> <p> -"Fairly well. Better than I do. And McCrae knows it better than he -does." +"Fairly well. Better than I do. And McCrae knows it better than he +does." </p> <p> -"Um." The sheriff became silent again. "When a man goes to hidin' out," -he observed after a long pause, "he 'most always hits for the country +"Um." The sheriff became silent again. "When a man goes to hidin' out," +he observed after a long pause, "he 'most always hits for the country he knows. Seems like it's human nature. I'd do it myself, and so'd you. Seems like a man that's wanted is suspicious of strange ground. He don't know what's in it, and he's afraid of gettin' cornered. He don't @@ -15687,55 +15699,55 @@ the district he's at home in. It's a mistake, but they all make it. They figure they can dodge around where they know the trails and cut-offs. Consequently it's just a matter of time till they're caught. It's like an old buck that won't leave his range. Any man can git him -that wants to spend a week at it." +that wants to spend a week at it." </p> <p> -"That's so," Casey agreed. +"That's so," Casey agreed. </p> <p> -"So when I want a man and don't know where he's gone, I find out what -place he thinks he knows best," the sheriff continued. "The system wins +"So when I want a man and don't know where he's gone, I find out what +place he thinks he knows best," the sheriff continued. "The system wins nine times out of ten. Now you say McHale's only out temporary. He's got a clear self-defence case, or thinks he has, and he's merely side-steppin' trouble. In that case he won't go as far as another man might. My <i>tumtum</i> is that he's somewheres down along this -valley." +valley." </p> <p> -"Good reasoning," Casey admitted. +"Good reasoning," Casey admitted. </p> <p> -"The way to see a man down in a hole is to look over the edge," said -the sheriff; "and the way to find a man in a valley is to get up on a +"The way to see a man down in a hole is to look over the edge," said +the sheriff; "and the way to find a man in a valley is to get up on a hill. They ain't no such thing as a smokeless campfire invented yet, though, if a man rustles dry sticks and does his cookin' at noon of a bright day, he don't make much smoke. A feller fooled me once that way. He didn't take a chance on noon, but done his cookin' at night, down in a hole. Only way I got him, the fire burned in under a rock into some -old roots, and sorter smudged along one mornin' when he was asleep." +old roots, and sorter smudged along one mornin' when he was asleep." </p> <p> Casey glanced up at the bulk of the ranges outlined in blackness -against the sky. "If you say so, sheriff, we'll climb." +against the sky. "If you say so, sheriff, we'll climb." </p> <p> -"I hate to," the sheriff admitted. "Couldn't you make a good guess?" +"I hate to," the sheriff admitted. "Couldn't you make a good guess?" </p> <p> -"No. I don't know any more than you do." +"No. I don't know any more than you do." </p> <p> -"Well," said the sheriff thoughtfully, "we'll try the valley first. We +"Well," said the sheriff thoughtfully, "we'll try the valley first. We may come on some sign. It's bound to take time, anyway. There's a whole -heap of country here if it was smoothed out and stretched level." +heap of country here if it was smoothed out and stretched level." </p> <p> @@ -15757,11 +15769,11 @@ showed a disinclination to proceed, sniffing the air nervously. </p> <p> -"Bear," said Casey. +"Bear," said Casey. </p> <p> -"Down among them berry bushes, I reckon," said the sheriff. +"Down among them berry bushes, I reckon," said the sheriff. </p> <p> @@ -15771,13 +15783,13 @@ little eyes regarded them with indignant suspicion. </p> <p> -"Woof!" said the bear. The sound was something between the snort of a +"Woof!" said the bear. The sound was something between the snort of a hog and the first interrogative note of a watchdog, which hears a noise that requires explanation. </p> <p> -"Well, sport," said the sheriff, "berryin' good this mornin'?" +"Well, sport," said the sheriff, "berryin' good this mornin'?" </p> <p> @@ -15789,58 +15801,58 @@ melted through the tangle as soundlessly as a spirit. </p> <p> -"Bears is learnin' manners nowadays," the sheriff commented. "Course, +"Bears is learnin' manners nowadays," the sheriff commented. "Course, these here black ones never was much different from pigs. But take grizzlies. When I come West with my old people, a little shaver just able to set a pony, they was plumb sassy. I never did see such biggotty-actin' critters. Britch-loaders hadn't been in so durn long, and men didn't go huntin' grizzlies with the little old pea rifle just for fun. They was range bosses, and they knowed it. Now it's only once -in a while you'll find one that wants all the trail." +in a while you'll find one that wants all the trail." </p> <p> In the afternoon they came to an abandoned cabin, and dismounted to -investigate. Casey shook his head at the filthy litter. "Nobody's been -here," said he. +investigate. Casey shook his head at the filthy litter. "Nobody's been +here," said he. </p> <p> -The sheriff peered narrowly about. "No?" he said. "Well, how about -that?" He pointed to the ground. "Moccasin track, or part of one. Who -wears moccasins?" +The sheriff peered narrowly about. "No?" he said. "Well, how about +that?" He pointed to the ground. "Moccasin track, or part of one. Who +wears moccasins?" </p> <p> -"McCrae does, most of the time." +"McCrae does, most of the time." </p> <p> -"Then he's been here. He couldn't pass without lookin' in." +"Then he's been here. He couldn't pass without lookin' in." </p> <p> -"Why not?" +"Why not?" </p> <p> -"Because four men out of five can't go by an old shack without takin' a +"Because four men out of five can't go by an old shack without takin' a peep inside. I can't, myself. I judge you can't, either. Do you -remember ever doin' it?" +remember ever doin' it?" </p> <p> -"Why, no," Casey admitted, "now you speak of it, I don't. And I do -remember rubbering into dozens of old wikiups one place and another." +"Why, no," Casey admitted, "now you speak of it, I don't. And I do +remember rubbering into dozens of old wikiups one place and another." </p> <p> -"Sure," said the sheriff. "Human nature again. Anything that's made by +"Sure," said the sheriff. "Human nature again. Anything that's made by a man and left behind will draw another man like molasses will a fly. I never knew a man yet that wouldn't nose around an old camping spot. Not that he expects to find anything, or wants to. He just can't help it. McCrae didn't stop here. Where did he go? We might as well look around -a little." +a little." </p> <p> @@ -15860,75 +15872,75 @@ and lay down. Casey, meanwhile, had been forming his own conclusions. </p> <p> -"Well?" he asked. +"Well?" he asked. </p> <p> -"Well," said the sheriff, "I reckon you been usin' your eyes, too. -Let's hear about it." +"Well," said the sheriff, "I reckon you been usin' your eyes, too. +Let's hear about it." </p> <p> -"It's your hunt." +"It's your hunt." </p> <p> -"So it is. McCrae's met up with McHale. This here is their camp." +"So it is. McCrae's met up with McHale. This here is their camp." </p> <p> -"How do you know?" +"How do you know?" </p> <p> -"You askin' because you don't know yourself, or because you want me to -tell you?" +"You askin' because you don't know yourself, or because you want me to +tell you?" </p> <p> -"I think you're right, but I'd like to know how you get at it." +"I think you're right, but I'd like to know how you get at it." </p> <p> -"Well, I ain't no Old Sleuth nor Sherlock Holmes," said the sheriff, -"but I've lived some years out of doors. I ain't workin' out no chain +"Well, I ain't no Old Sleuth nor Sherlock Holmes," said the sheriff, +"but I've lived some years out of doors. I ain't workin' out no chain of reasonin'; I'm just usin' my eyes and a bit of savvy. This is how she works out: </p> <p> -"McHale and McCrae is both foot-loose, and both know this part of the +"McHale and McCrae is both foot-loose, and both know this part of the country. They leave about the same time, and chances is they make for it. Then they meet. That's easy. Then we find the moccasin track. That fits McCrae. Next we find a lean-to with a two-man bough bed. There's the hollows where two men lay. That helps prove our first guess. It shows that some one was with McCrae, and the only other man hidin' out -is McHale." +is McHale." </p> <p> -"But there are other bough beds. How do you know they weren't all made -by one outfit?" +"But there are other bough beds. How do you know they weren't all made +by one outfit?" </p> <p> -"There's only one lean-to." +"There's only one lean-to." </p> <p> -"Two men may have been more particular than the others." +"Two men may have been more particular than the others." </p> <p> -"The boughs of them other beds were cut later than this lean-to one." +"The boughs of them other beds were cut later than this lean-to one." </p> <p> -"But the boughs are all green." +"But the boughs are all green." </p> <p> -"The ends where they were cut are different. There's more gum on these +"The ends where they were cut are different. There's more gum on these than the others. That shows they were cut before. Then there's more needles broken off and sifted through to the ground beneath this bed. That shows it's been slept on more. Where would a man get his boughs? @@ -15942,60 +15954,60 @@ on their strayin'. Now the grass that's been eaten down by the hosses is beginnin' to sprout again in some places, and not in others. Maybe that's because the pickets were shifted, but it's more likely that some hosses was here before the rest. That's about all. She works out all -right, don't she?" +right, don't she?" </p> <p> -"Down to the hock card," Casey admitted. "I saw some of the signs, but -not all. You filled in the gaps." +"Down to the hock card," Casey admitted. "I saw some of the signs, but +not all. You filled in the gaps." </p> <p> -"It's a pity if I wouldn't savvy a few things about my own business," -said the sheriff. "Some of it's guesswork, but the main features ain't. +"It's a pity if I wouldn't savvy a few things about my own business," +said the sheriff. "Some of it's guesswork, but the main features ain't. Now, when we go farther, we got to do straight guessin'. Who was this bunch that come in here where the two men was already camped? My guess is that it was this here Dade and his outfit. But they don't find the two here when they come, or there'd sure be sign of it. It looks to me like them two boys got to know that somebody was on their back trail, and moved camp sudden. But not so durn sudden they had to leave -anything behind. Question is, where have they went to—the whole -b'ilin' of 'em?" +anything behind. Question is, where have they went to—the whole +b'ilin' of 'em?" </p> <p> -"Down the valley. Otherwise we'd have seen some sign." +"Down the valley. Otherwise we'd have seen some sign." </p> <p> -"I reckon that's so. If Dade works out things the way I have, he knows +"I reckon that's so. If Dade works out things the way I have, he knows he's close on to McHale. Say he's got four or five men with him. He can comb the valley pretty clean. But here's another thing: How long will -them two boys let themselves be chased?" +them two boys let themselves be chased?" </p> <p> -"Not very long. It's not safe to crowd either of them." +"Not very long. It's not safe to crowd either of them." </p> <p> -"If it was me," said the sheriff reflectively, "and a feud party was +"If it was me," said the sheriff reflectively, "and a feud party was out on my trail, I'd be apt as not to bushwhack 'em some. You bet I wouldn't stand on ceremony with such hostiles. If I knowed the country I'd cache myself alongside some good open spot, wait till they got into the middle of it, and then slam loose. With two men that savvy their guns any one that got away would sure have a pull with Providence and -be workin' it awful hard." +be workin' it awful hard." </p> <p> -"Sandy would do that in a minute; but I think Tom doesn't want any more -trouble if he can help it." +"Sandy would do that in a minute; but I think Tom doesn't want any more +trouble if he can help it." </p> <p> -"He may get it shoved onto him. Well, seein' we're here, we may as well -eat. Then we'll move on." +"He may get it shoved onto him. Well, seein' we're here, we may as well +eat. Then we'll move on." </p> <p> @@ -16004,25 +16016,25 @@ the edge of thick timber. </p> <p> -"How far does this run?" asked the sheriff. +"How far does this run?" asked the sheriff. </p> <p> -"I don't know. I was never here before." +"I don't know. I was never here before." </p> <p> -"Then we'll camp," said Dove, "and tackle her by daylight." +"Then we'll camp," said Dove, "and tackle her by daylight." </p> <p> It was almost dark when Casey, sitting by the fire, suddenly held up -his hand. "Somebody coming." +his hand. "Somebody coming." </p> <p> -The sheriff listened for a moment. "Two horses," he announced. "May be -Jack Pugh." Nevertheless, the old frontiersman shifted his position so +The sheriff listened for a moment. "Two horses," he announced. "May be +Jack Pugh." Nevertheless, the old frontiersman shifted his position so that his gun lay ready to his hand. </p> @@ -16032,51 +16044,51 @@ they approached, into Farwell and old Simon. </p> <p> -"Hello, the camp!" cried the former. "That you, Dunne?" +"Hello, the camp!" cried the former. "That you, Dunne?" </p> <p> -"Yes. What on earth are you doing here?" +"Yes. What on earth are you doing here?" </p> <p> -"Same thing as yourself. This old Siwash missed you somehow. He found +"Same thing as yourself. This old Siwash missed you somehow. He found McHale and young McCrae, and, on the way out, he ran into Dade, Lewis, -and the rest—six in all. When he got to the ranch you were gone, and +and the rest—six in all. When he got to the ranch you were gone, and nobody could tell him where. He came over to Talapus to tell them he'd seen Sandy. That's where I ran into him. And so, knowing that Sandy was with McHale, I got the old man to come back with me. I wanted to be in -it if help was needed. We picked up your trail—or he did—and here we -are." +it if help was needed. We picked up your trail—or he did—and here we +are." </p> <p> -"Well, it's blamed decent of you, Farwell," said Casey. "I didn't know -that you and Sandy were such friends." +"Well, it's blamed decent of you, Farwell," said Casey. "I didn't know +that you and Sandy were such friends." </p> <p> -"We're not. The kid doesn't like me. I told you he pulled a gun on me +"We're not. The kid doesn't like me. I told you he pulled a gun on me once. All the same, it was up to me this time. I'm going to marry -Sheila." +Sheila." </p> <p> -"The devil you are!" Casey exclaimed. +"The devil you are!" Casey exclaimed. </p> <p> -"You're blamed flattering," said Farwell. "You bet I'm going to marry -her." +"You're blamed flattering," said Farwell. "You bet I'm going to marry +her." </p> <p> -"You're getting one of the finest girls on earth." +"You're getting one of the finest girls on earth." </p> <p> -"I know that as well as you do," said Farwell. "Then you see how it was -up to me——" +"I know that as well as you do," said Farwell. "Then you see how it was +up to me——" </p> <p> @@ -16090,47 +16102,47 @@ resembled continuous thunder. </p> <p> -"<i>Hiyu</i> shootum!" said Simon. +"<i>Hiyu</i> shootum!" said Simon. </p> <p> -"You bet," the sheriff agreed. "I reckon the boys has got tired bein' +"You bet," the sheriff agreed. "I reckon the boys has got tired bein' moved on. Or else they been jumped sudden. That shootin's all of six miles off. Maybe more. It'll be plumb dark in no time. If there's no more shootin' it's settled by now. If there is it's a stand-off. Either -way we have to wait till it gets light." +way we have to wait till it gets light." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXXI -</p> +</h2> <p> -"I been thinkin' we might as well move on a ways," said McHale. "Here's +"I been thinkin' we might as well move on a ways," said McHale. "Here's old Simon drops in on us. Somebody else might. I don't feel right about it. I want to git some place, like up in one o' them basins, where -strangers won't be passin' by every day." +strangers won't be passin' by every day." </p> <p> -"Well, I'll go you," Sandy agreed; "but there's an old bear that I want +"Well, I'll go you," Sandy agreed; "but there's an old bear that I want first. He's got a foot as big as a fiddle; I'll bet he weighs as much -as a steer." +as a steer." </p> <p> -"What'll you do with a bear? We don't want to go packin' a green hide -about with us. The horses hate the smell of it." +"What'll you do with a bear? We don't want to go packin' a green hide +about with us. The horses hate the smell of it." </p> <p> -"Let 'em get used to it, then," Sandy returned. "I'm starting after +"Let 'em get used to it, then," Sandy returned. "I'm starting after that bear now. Better come along. If I don't get him I'll go -to-morrow." +to-morrow." </p> <p> @@ -16154,8 +16166,8 @@ huge, brown shape shambled into view. </p> <p> -"Lord! he's a big brute," Sandy muttered. "That's a hide worth getting. -I'll wait till he settles down for keeps." +"Lord! he's a big brute," Sandy muttered. "That's a hide worth getting. +I'll wait till he settles down for keeps." </p> <p> @@ -16178,15 +16190,15 @@ started a fire. <p> He picked out the spot with the glasses. Smoke was plainly visible -through the powerful lenses. It was close to the river—beside the -bank, in fact—and he could catch glimpses of one or two horses. But, +through the powerful lenses. It was close to the river—beside the +bank, in fact—and he could catch glimpses of one or two horses. But, because of the trees, he could see little more. </p> <p> -"Darn the luck," said Sandy. "There's the biggest hide in the whole +"Darn the luck," said Sandy. "There's the biggest hide in the whole range waiting for me, and somebody has to come butting in. Well, -there's only one thing to do." +there's only one thing to do." </p> <p> @@ -16199,21 +16211,21 @@ tobacco. </p> <p> -"I could 'a' tanned your young hide when you bulled off after that -bear," said the latter. "Now I seem to see what them salvation scouts +"I could 'a' tanned your young hide when you bulled off after that +bear," said the latter. "Now I seem to see what them salvation scouts calls 'the finger of Providence' in the play. In other words, it's plumb safe to keep one eye skinned. Do I look like I was scared, -Sandy?" +Sandy?" </p> <p> -"Nah!" said Sandy contemptuously. +"Nah!" said Sandy contemptuously. </p> <p> -"Well, you're going to see me act like I was." He rose swiftly, his -laziness falling from him now that there was work to do. "Go and fetch -in them cayuses. I'll break camp." +"Well, you're going to see me act like I was." He rose swiftly, his +laziness falling from him now that there was work to do. "Go and fetch +in them cayuses. I'll break camp." </p> <p> @@ -16225,24 +16237,24 @@ which could not work loose. </p> <p> -"I dunno who our friends are," said McHale, as they rode out of camp, -"but if it's this here Dade bunch, say, what a surprise they'd have +"I dunno who our friends are," said McHale, as they rode out of camp, +"but if it's this here Dade bunch, say, what a surprise they'd have give me all by myself. I can just see me gettin' up in time to fall -down." +down." </p> <p> -"They've got no license to chase us all over," said Sandy. "We don't +"They've got no license to chase us all over," said Sandy. "We don't have to stand for it, do we? How'd it be if we held up their camp? Or else we could lay for them as they came along, and settle it right -there." +there." </p> <p> -"Bushwhack 'em?" said McHale. "No, I reckon not. We want to keep out of +"Bushwhack 'em?" said McHale. "No, I reckon not. We want to keep out of trouble. If we held 'em up what'd we do with them? We couldn't tie 'em and leave 'em; and we couldn't pack 'em around. Nothing for it but to -run like men. The country's big enough for both of us." +run like men. The country's big enough for both of us." </p> <p> @@ -16296,8 +16308,8 @@ foremost man. But McHale caught his arm. </p> <p> -"Come on and get back among them rocks," he cried. "We can't stand 'em -off here." +"Come on and get back among them rocks," he cried. "We can't stand 'em +off here." </p> <p> @@ -16316,63 +16328,63 @@ fifty paces he halted him. </p> <p> -"I wouldn't come no nearer, Dade, if I was you." +"I wouldn't come no nearer, Dade, if I was you." </p> <p> -"I'm coming a heap closer pretty soon." +"I'm coming a heap closer pretty soon." </p> <p> -"All right; you're expected," McHale retorted. "You call a feud on me, +"All right; you're expected," McHale retorted. "You call a feud on me, do you? Now you listen here: You call it off and call your bunch off, -or there'll be doin's." +or there'll be doin's." </p> <p> -"I'm talkin' to your partner," said Dade. "I s'pose it's young McCrae. +"I'm talkin' to your partner," said Dade. "I s'pose it's young McCrae. We got nothing against you, McCrae. You come out o' there, take your -horse and your dunnage, and git. Nobody'll hurt you." +horse and your dunnage, and git. Nobody'll hurt you." </p> <p> -"Is that so?" sneered Sandy. "Go plumb to blazes, will you?" +"Is that so?" sneered Sandy. "Go plumb to blazes, will you?" </p> <p> -"I'll think about it," said Dade coolly. +"I'll think about it," said Dade coolly. </p> <p> -"You'll do more than think about it if you crowd in here," Sandy +"You'll do more than think about it if you crowd in here," Sandy retorted. </p> <p> -"Nobody wants to crowd you," said Dade. "We're after McHale, and we're -goin' to get him. Don't you mix up in it. If you do you may get hurt." +"Nobody wants to crowd you," said Dade. "We're after McHale, and we're +goin' to get him. Don't you mix up in it. If you do you may get hurt." </p> <p> -"That ain't such bad advice, kid," interrupted McHale. "I'm able for +"That ain't such bad advice, kid," interrupted McHale. "I'm able for 'em, I reckon. Better pull your freight like he tells you. This ain't -your show, nohow, and you've got your folks to think of." +your show, nohow, and you've got your folks to think of." </p> <p> -"Do you think I'm a yellow dog, or what?" Sandy snapped back, glaring -at him. "Quit? I think I see myself. I'll smash this Dade's belt buckle -right now." He lifted his rifle. +"Do you think I'm a yellow dog, or what?" Sandy snapped back, glaring +at him. "Quit? I think I see myself. I'll smash this Dade's belt buckle +right now." He lifted his rifle. </p> <p> -"Hold on," said McHale. "This kid is some obstinate," he called to -Dade. "His <i>tumtum</i> is that he'll stick. <i>I</i> don't want him -in it." +"Hold on," said McHale. "This kid is some obstinate," he called to +Dade. "His <i>tumtum</i> is that he'll stick. <i>I</i> don't want him +in it." </p> <p> -"He's got his chance," said Dade. "It's up to him." +"He's got his chance," said Dade. "It's up to him." </p> <p> @@ -16382,9 +16394,9 @@ his finger itched on the trigger. </p> <p> -"You're a durn poor persuader," said McHale. "The kid will stick. Far's +"You're a durn poor persuader," said McHale. "The kid will stick. Far's I'm concerned, if you want me, come and get me. Don't show your hide no -more. I'm surely done talkin' to you." +more. I'm surely done talkin' to you." </p> <p> @@ -16392,7 +16404,7 @@ Dade turned and walked away. Sandy covered him. </p> <p> -"Not in the back," said McHale. +"Not in the back," said McHale. </p> <p> @@ -16403,7 +16415,7 @@ pressed the trigger and swore in disappointment. </p> <p> -"Centred a stump," he said. "There it is yet. It looked like somebody." +"Centred a stump," he said. "There it is yet. It looked like somebody." </p> <p> @@ -16414,25 +16426,25 @@ everywhere. </p> <p> -"Git down low," McHale advised, hugging a bowlder. +"Git down low," McHale advised, hugging a bowlder. </p> <p> -"I am down," said Sandy. +"I am down," said Sandy. </p> <p> -"Then dig a hole." McHale laughed, and then swore as a sharp fragment +"Then dig a hole." McHale laughed, and then swore as a sharp fragment of rock ripped his cheek. </p> <p> -"Hit you?" +"Hit you?" </p> <p> -"Nope. Rock sliver. I'll bet their guns is gettin' hot. This won't -last." +"Nope. Rock sliver. I'll bet their guns is gettin' hot. This won't +last." </p> <p> @@ -16440,9 +16452,9 @@ The fusillade ceased. McHale shoved his rifle barrel through a crevice. </p> <p> -"Maybe some gent will stick out his head to see how many corpses there +"Maybe some gent will stick out his head to see how many corpses there is of us. This light's gettin' durn bad. I wish I had an ivory -foresight, 'stead o' this gold bead. I can't see——" +foresight, 'stead o' this gold bead. I can't see——" </p> <p> @@ -16455,35 +16467,35 @@ back into place. The man fell forward. </p> <p> -"Got him!" cried Sandy exultantly. "Centred him twice, Tom!" +"Got him!" cried Sandy exultantly. "Centred him twice, Tom!" </p> <p> -"I reckon you did. That's one out of it." He fired again without +"I reckon you did. That's one out of it." He fired again without result. Sandy shot three times rapidly, and swore at the light. </p> <p> -"You're overshootin'," said McHale. "You can't draw the foresight fine -enough in this light. Hold lower." +"You're overshootin'," said McHale. "You can't draw the foresight fine +enough in this light. Hold lower." </p> <p> -"Nothing to hold on," grumbled McCrae. "They're cached close. If one of +"Nothing to hold on," grumbled McCrae. "They're cached close. If one of them would only come out to fetch in that dead one I wouldn't do a -thing to him." +thing to him." </p> <p> -McHale eyed him speculatively. "Seems like your young soul ain't +McHale eyed him speculatively. "Seems like your young soul ain't swamped by no wave of remorse at killin' a man. Don't make you feel -shaky nor nothin'?" +shaky nor nothin'?" </p> <p> -Young McCrae smiled grimly. "Not that I can notice. All that lead they +Young McCrae smiled grimly. "Not that I can notice. All that lead they slung at us scared remorse clean out of my system. I'm lookin' for a -chance to repeat." +chance to repeat." </p> <p> @@ -16493,30 +16505,30 @@ smoky-red reflection of the sunset remained. </p> <p> -"Think they've got enough?" asked Sandy. +"Think they've got enough?" asked Sandy. </p> <p> -"Why, they ain't got started yet. Lucky we had our supper. We can stand -quite a racket on a full stomach. Might as well smoke, I reckon." +"Why, they ain't got started yet. Lucky we had our supper. We can stand +quite a racket on a full stomach. Might as well smoke, I reckon." </p> <p> Sandy shivered slightly as the chill of the mountain night air struck -through his thin clothing. "Wish I'd grabbed a blanket or a coat." +through his thin clothing. "Wish I'd grabbed a blanket or a coat." </p> <p> -"It'll be a heap worse before mornin'," said McHale. +"It'll be a heap worse before mornin'," said McHale. </p> <p> -"You're a cheerful devil!" +"You're a cheerful devil!" </p> <p> -"Think of how good the sun'll feel. Maybe something will happen to warm -us up before then." +"Think of how good the sun'll feel. Maybe something will happen to warm +us up before then." </p> <p> @@ -16526,7 +16538,7 @@ his revolver streaming continuous fire at the top of the cliff. </p> <p> -"Git down, you durn fool!" cried McHale. +"Git down, you durn fool!" cried McHale. </p> <p> @@ -16535,9 +16547,9 @@ storm howled overhead. </p> <p> -"Talk about luck!" said McHale. "Don't you take a chance like that -again." He rolled over on his back and put his rifle to his shoulder. -"If I could only git that cuss up there against the sky line——" +"Talk about luck!" said McHale. "Don't you take a chance like that +again." He rolled over on his back and put his rifle to his shoulder. +"If I could only git that cuss up there against the sky line——" </p> <p> @@ -16549,17 +16561,17 @@ and chuckled grimly. </p> <p> -"We're right under a ledge. Them rocks all bounced off it. Mighty lucky -for us. You feelin' any warmer now?" +"We're right under a ledge. Them rocks all bounced off it. Mighty lucky +for us. You feelin' any warmer now?" </p> <p> -"You bet. Summer done come again. I wish I could see to shoot." He +"You bet. Summer done come again. I wish I could see to shoot." He fired at the flash of a gun, and winced suddenly. </p> <p> -"Burned me that time!" +"Burned me that time!" </p> <p> @@ -16568,22 +16580,22 @@ McHale made a bandage of the handkerchief he wore around his neck. </p> <p> -"You'll sure have a sore side, kid. Keep down tight. Don't take no more -chances." But a moment afterward he grunted and his rifle clattered +"You'll sure have a sore side, kid. Keep down tight. Don't take no more +chances." But a moment afterward he grunted and his rifle clattered against the rocks. </p> <p> -"What is it?" +"What is it?" </p> <p> -"My right arm. Busted above the elbow." He breathed deeply with the -first pain throbs following the shock, and gritted his teeth. "Ain't +"My right arm. Busted above the elbow." He breathed deeply with the +first pain throbs following the shock, and gritted his teeth. "Ain't this hell? I'm out of it for rifle shootin'. Here, come and cut off my shirt sleeve and tie her up some. See how much blood she's pumpin'! Take a turn above the hole and twist her up tight. Blamed if I want to -bleed to death. I got a lot of things to see to first." +bleed to death. I got a lot of things to see to first." </p> <p> @@ -16601,57 +16613,57 @@ the darkness. </p> <p> -"Tobacco's sure a fine anæsthetic. She beats chloroform and tooth -jerkers' gas. And now, kid, you git!" +"Tobacco's sure a fine anæsthetic. She beats chloroform and tooth +jerkers' gas. And now, kid, you git!" </p> <p> -"Do what?" +"Do what?" </p> <p> -"Make a get-away. Hike. Leak out o' this. You can do it in the dark -just as easy as a weasel." +"Make a get-away. Hike. Leak out o' this. You can do it in the dark +just as easy as a weasel." </p> <p> -"Say," said Sandy, "you didn't get hit alongside the head, too, did -you?" +"Say," said Sandy, "you didn't get hit alongside the head, too, did +you?" </p> <p> -"Not yet. This is straight goods. I mean it. There's no use you +"Not yet. This is straight goods. I mean it. There's no use you stickin'. There's too many accidents happenin'. Come mornin' maybe you -don't git a chance." +don't git a chance." </p> <p> -"Come mornin'," Sandy replied, "when I can see my sights, I'll clean -the whole bunch out." +"Come mornin'," Sandy replied, "when I can see my sights, I'll clean +the whole bunch out." </p> <p> -"Other people can see sights then. Kid, they got me rounded up. I ain't +"Other people can see sights then. Kid, they got me rounded up. I ain't no good except on a horse. If I could make a get-away I would. But I can't. You can. There's no sense in both of us bein' wiped out. Also, there's your folks. I ain't got any. And, then, I've lived longer than you, and I've had a heap more fun. I'm plumb satisfied with the deal. If I quit the game now I break better'n even. Shake hands and git out -o' here while you can." +o' here while you can." </p> <p> -"Forget it!" snapped Sandy. "Would <i>you</i> quit <i>me</i>? Not any. +"Forget it!" snapped Sandy. "Would <i>you</i> quit <i>me</i>? Not any. D'ye think I could look Casey in the face, or Sheila, or my old dad? Would one of <i>them</i> quit <i>you</i>? You bet they wouldn't. I'll see this through. Here, gimme what rifle cartridges you got, and shut -up that line of talk. I won't stand for it, and I won't go." +up that line of talk. I won't stand for it, and I won't go." </p> <p> -"'Most every family has one blame fool in it," said McHale. "All right, +"'Most every family has one blame fool in it," said McHale. "All right, durn you, stay. If I could chase you out I'd do it. Reach down and pull -my belt gun for me. I can shoot left-handed some." +my belt gun for me. I can shoot left-handed some." </p> <p> @@ -16664,18 +16676,18 @@ rose. </p> <p> -"Cookin' breakfast down in a hole," said McHale. "Playin' it plumb -safe. They ain't takin' a chance on your shootin'." +"Cookin' breakfast down in a hole," said McHale. "Playin' it plumb +safe. They ain't takin' a chance on your shootin'." </p> <p> -"They'd better not," said Sandy. His young face showed grimed and -pinched in the growing light, but his eyes were hard and clear. "Do you -s'pose I could sneak over and get a stand on them?" +"They'd better not," said Sandy. His young face showed grimed and +pinched in the growing light, but his eyes were hard and clear. "Do you +s'pose I could sneak over and get a stand on them?" </p> <p> -"I wouldn't try. You bet somebody's keeping cases on these rocks." +"I wouldn't try. You bet somebody's keeping cases on these rocks." </p> <p> @@ -16684,12 +16696,12 @@ green with gold, striking their chilled bodies with grateful warmth. </p> <p> -"Say," asked Sandy, "don't you want a drink of water?" +"Say," asked Sandy, "don't you want a drink of water?" </p> <p> -"Quit foolin'," McHale replied. "I been thinkin' of it for hours. I -could drink that there lake dry." +"Quit foolin'," McHale replied. "I been thinkin' of it for hours. I +could drink that there lake dry." </p> <p> @@ -16697,18 +16709,18 @@ Still nothing happened. The waiting began to get on their nerves. </p> <p> -"What d'you s'pose they're framing up?" Sandy asked. +"What d'you s'pose they're framing up?" Sandy asked. </p> <p> -"Don't know. Durn it! I can't do nothin' unless they run in on us," -McHale grumbled. "Wisht I could hold a rifle." +"Don't know. Durn it! I can't do nothin' unless they run in on us," +McHale grumbled. "Wisht I could hold a rifle." </p> <p> -"Let 'em try to run in," said Sandy grimly. He had McHale's rifle in -addition to his own. "They've got to come two hundred yards without -cover. I'll stop every blamed one of them in one hundred." +"Let 'em try to run in," said Sandy grimly. He had McHale's rifle in +addition to his own. "They've got to come two hundred yards without +cover. I'll stop every blamed one of them in one hundred." </p> <p> @@ -16717,12 +16729,12 @@ stock, staring along the sights. </p> <p> -"See somethin'?" McHale asked. +"See somethin'?" McHale asked. </p> <p> -"Over there past those jack pines. Man on a horse. He'll come out -again." +"Over there past those jack pines. Man on a horse. He'll come out +again." </p> <p> @@ -16732,7 +16744,7 @@ valley, but not by the way in which they had come. </p> <p> -"By thunder!" cried McHale, "it looks like they're pullin' out." +"By thunder!" cried McHale, "it looks like they're pullin' out." </p> <p> @@ -16742,33 +16754,33 @@ and emptied that, too. </p> <p> -"Save some ca'tridges for seed," advised McHale. "What's the use of -snapshootin' at that range? You can't hit nothin'." +"Save some ca'tridges for seed," advised McHale. "What's the use of +snapshootin' at that range? You can't hit nothin'." </p> <p> -"You never know what luck you'll have," said Sandy. "I couldn't draw a -sight with them moving in the brush. How many did you count?" +"You never know what luck you'll have," said Sandy. "I couldn't draw a +sight with them moving in the brush. How many did you count?" </p> <p> -"Five—near as I could make it." +"Five—near as I could make it." </p> <p> -"Say, how'd it be if I went after them?" +"Say, how'd it be if I went after them?" </p> <p> -"It'd be one durn young fool the less," McHale replied. "You want to +"It'd be one durn young fool the less," McHale replied. "You want to know when you're well off. Don't stand up yet. There may be some play -to this that we don't savvy." +to this that we don't savvy." </p> <p> -"Rats! They've got a bellyful, I tell you. Five's the bunch, ain't -it?—all but that one we got. I ain't going to stay cached here all -day. I want some grub." +"Rats! They've got a bellyful, I tell you. Five's the bunch, ain't +it?—all but that one we got. I ain't going to stay cached here all +day. I want some grub." </p> <p> @@ -16778,8 +16790,8 @@ emerged from their fortress. </p> <p> -"Didn't rustle our hosses," said McHale. "That's luck. I wonder what -they done with that feller you downed. Let's look at their camp." +"Didn't rustle our hosses," said McHale. "That's luck. I wonder what +they done with that feller you downed. Let's look at their camp." </p> <p> @@ -16789,30 +16801,30 @@ covering away. </p> <p> -"Dade, by thunder!" he exclaimed. McHale looked down thoughtfully at +"Dade, by thunder!" he exclaimed. McHale looked down thoughtfully at the dead man. </p> <p> -"I'm sure glad it was him," he observed. "I reckon that settles this +"I'm sure glad it was him," he observed. "I reckon that settles this feud business. That's why them fellers pulled out. It was his war, and -when he got downed they didn't see no sense carryin' it on." +when he got downed they didn't see no sense carryin' it on." </p> <p> -"Well, they might have buried him, anyway," Sandy grumbled. +"Well, they might have buried him, anyway," Sandy grumbled. </p> <p> -"Maybe they figured you'd want to peel off his scalp," said McHale, -with mild sarcasm. "I'm sure willing to take a little trouble like -buryin' Dade." +"Maybe they figured you'd want to peel off his scalp," said McHale, +with mild sarcasm. "I'm sure willing to take a little trouble like +buryin' Dade." </p> <p> -"So'm I," Sandy admitted, replacing the blanket. "I guess we're pretty +"So'm I," Sandy admitted, replacing the blanket. "I guess we're pretty lucky. Come on while I rustle some grub. We want to pull out of here. -You've got to get to a doctor as soon as you can." +You've got to get to a doctor as soon as you can." </p> <p> @@ -16824,67 +16836,67 @@ until Sandy's farewell fusillade. </p> <p> -"You sure missed a heap of fun, Casey," said McHale. +"You sure missed a heap of fun, Casey," said McHale. </p> <p> -"Well, some of it didn't miss you," said Casey. "I'm blame sorry about -that arm, Tom. It'll be a tough ride for you." +"Well, some of it didn't miss you," said Casey. "I'm blame sorry about +that arm, Tom. It'll be a tough ride for you." </p> <p> -"I'm able for it, I reckon. I wish you'd run into them fellers." +"I'm able for it, I reckon. I wish you'd run into them fellers." </p> <p> -"Never saw hair nor hide of them. Just as well, maybe. Now, Tom, this +"Never saw hair nor hide of them. Just as well, maybe. Now, Tom, this is Sheriff Dove. He wants you, and I think he wants Sandy. I told him -that you both had too much sense to make things hard for him." +that you both had too much sense to make things hard for him." </p> <p> -"Far's I'm concerned I'm his meat," said McHale. "I'd have to come in, +"Far's I'm concerned I'm his meat," said McHale. "I'd have to come in, anyway, now. Sandy was a durn fool ever to hide out. I shouldn't have -let him. Lucky for me I did, though." +let him. Lucky for me I did, though." </p> <p> -"That's sense," said the sheriff. "You boys will find I'm all right to -get on with. I haven't heard you say anything, McCrae?" +"That's sense," said the sheriff. "You boys will find I'm all right to +get on with. I haven't heard you say anything, McCrae?" </p> <p> -"I guess I don't need to say anything," said Sandy. "Casey came along -with you, didn't he? That's good enough for me." +"I guess I don't need to say anything," said Sandy. "Casey came along +with you, didn't he? That's good enough for me." </p> <p> -"I'm right obliged to him, too," said Dove. "He's sure saved me a lot +"I'm right obliged to him, too," said Dove. "He's sure saved me a lot of trouble. Lemme see that arm of yours, McHale. I savvy a little about them things. Anyway, I'll fix up some splints for it till you can get -hold of a regular medicine man." +hold of a regular medicine man." </p> -<p class="chapter"> +<h2> CHAPTER XXXII -</p> +</h2> <p> -"And so you're going to marry this Casey Dunne," said old Jim Hess. He +"And so you're going to marry this Casey Dunne," said old Jim Hess. He and Clyde sat on the veranda at Chakchak, and they had been discussing the ranch, its owner, and the events that had led up to his absence. </p> <p> -"Yes, Uncle Jim, I'm going to marry him." +"Yes, Uncle Jim, I'm going to marry him." </p> <p> -"Well," said the big railway man, "making allowance for your natural +"Well," said the big railway man, "making allowance for your natural partiality, his stock seems to be worth about par. I'll know better when I've had a look at him. I tell you one thing, I'm glad he isn't a foreigner. I never liked those fellows who tagged about after you. This @@ -16894,14 +16906,14 @@ on family and ancestry. That's good enough, too, but it seems to me that the ancestors of some of them must have been a blamed sight better men than they were. After all, a girl doesn't marry the ancestor. Dunne seems to have hoed his own row. That's what I did. I'm prepared to like -him. Only I don't want you to make any mistake." +him. Only I don't want you to make any mistake." </p> <p> -"There's no mistake, Uncle Jim," she said, patting his big hand. -"Casey's a <i>man</i>. You <i>will</i> like him. Look away out there +"There's no mistake, Uncle Jim," she said, patting his big hand. +"Casey's a <i>man</i>. You <i>will</i> like him. Look away out there where the dust is rising! Aren't those men on horseback? Yes, they are. -It must be Casey coming home." Her pleasure was apparent in her voice. +It must be Casey coming home." Her pleasure was apparent in her voice. </p> <p> @@ -16911,7 +16923,7 @@ the hoofs drifting over and enveloping them. </p> <p> -"Which is your Casey Dunne?" asked Hess. +"Which is your Casey Dunne?" asked Hess. </p> <p> @@ -16919,11 +16931,11 @@ Clyde stared with troubled eyes. </p> <p> -"I—I don't see him. There's Tom McHale, and the sheriff, and Sandy +"I—I don't see him. There's Tom McHale, and the sheriff, and Sandy McCrae, and the old Indian. Why, Tom McHale has been hurt. His arm is -in a sling. How slowly they ride! It's—it's like a funeral. Surely -nothing can have happened. Oh, surely——" She caught her breath -sharply, her eyes dilating. "Look!" she cried. "The last pack horse!" +in a sling. How slowly they ride! It's—it's like a funeral. Surely +nothing can have happened. Oh, surely——" She caught her breath +sharply, her eyes dilating. "Look!" she cried. "The last pack horse!" </p> <p> @@ -16935,13 +16947,13 @@ each motion of the animal. <p> Clyde felt a great fear, cold as the clutch of a dead hand itself, -close on her heart, driving the young blood from her cheeks. "It can't -be!" she said to herself. "Oh—it <i>can't</i> be." +close on her heart, driving the young blood from her cheeks. "It can't +be!" she said to herself. "Oh—it <i>can't</i> be." </p> <p> Hess swore beneath his breath. If it were Casey Dunne lying across that -pack horse——He put a huge protective arm around Clyde's shoulders, as +pack horse——He put a huge protective arm around Clyde's shoulders, as if to shield her from the evil they both feared. </p> @@ -16956,40 +16968,40 @@ signs of disaster. </p> <p> -"Where's Casey, Tom?" +"Where's Casey, Tom?" </p> <p> -"Casey?" McHale replied. "Why, he hiked on ahead to git a medicine man +"Casey?" McHale replied. "Why, he hiked on ahead to git a medicine man to fix up this arm of mine. Arm's done busted. He ought to be here most -any time now." +any time now." </p> <p> To Clyde it was as if the sun had shot through a lowering, ominous -cloud. She was faint with the joy of relief. "Thank God! Thank God!" +cloud. She was faint with the joy of relief. "Thank God! Thank God!" she murmured. </p> <p> -"You seem to be upset about something, ma'am," said the sheriff gently. -"Has anything went wrong?" +"You seem to be upset about something, ma'am," said the sheriff gently. +"Has anything went wrong?" </p> <p> -Hess answered for her. "What have you got on that last pack horse, -sheriff?" +Hess answered for her. "What have you got on that last pack horse, +sheriff?" </p> <p> -Jim Dove looked around and muttered an oath. "If that ain't plumb +Jim Dove looked around and muttered an oath. "If that ain't plumb careless of me! I thought I had him all covered up. Rope must have slipped. That's Jake Betts, holdup and bad man, that's been callin' himself Dade around here. There's five hundred reward for him, and to collect the money I had to pack him in. I sure didn't allow to scare any women by lettin' an arm hang loose. And the little lady thought it was Dunne? Dunne's all safe and rugged. We thought he'd be here ahead -of us." +of us." </p> <p> @@ -16998,36 +17010,36 @@ directly to the point, as was his custom. </p> <p> -"Sheriff," he said, "I've just come, and naturally I don't know all +"Sheriff," he said, "I've just come, and naturally I don't know all that has happened, but there are two or three things I want you to know. In the first place, my niece, Miss Burnaby, is going to marry this man Dunne. And, in the second place, I'm now running this irrigation company and the railway that owns it, and so far as any prosecutions are concerned I won't have anything to do with them. Does -that make any difference to you?" +that make any difference to you?" </p> <p> -"Some," said the sheriff. "It lets young McCrae out, I reckon." +"Some," said the sheriff. "It lets young McCrae out, I reckon." </p> <p> -"How about McHale?" +"How about McHale?" </p> <p> -"That's a killin'. You got nothin' to do with that. Anyway, he's got a -good defence." +"That's a killin'. You got nothin' to do with that. Anyway, he's got a +good defence." </p> <p> -"I'll sign his bail bond to any amount." +"I'll sign his bail bond to any amount." </p> <p> -"I reckon there won't be no trouble about that," said the sheriff. "I +"I reckon there won't be no trouble about that," said the sheriff. "I know a man when I see him. McHale's all right. You won't find me makin' -things hard for anybody around here, Mr. Hess." +things hard for anybody around here, Mr. Hess." </p> <p> @@ -17045,23 +17057,23 @@ thick hop vines shaded them from the public gaze. </p> <p> -"Excuse <i>me</i>!" said Hess, with little originality, but much +"Excuse <i>me</i>!" said Hess, with little originality, but much embarrassment. </p> <p> -"Not at all," Casey replied, under the impression that he was carrying +"Not at all," Casey replied, under the impression that he was carrying off matters very nonchalantly. Clyde laughed at both of them. </p> <p> -"We don't mind you, Uncle Jim, do we, Casey?" +"We don't mind you, Uncle Jim, do we, Casey?" </p> <p> -"Look here," said Hess, "if this is the young man who has been raisin' +"Look here," said Hess, "if this is the young man who has been raisin' Cain around here, and destroying my property before I owned it, suppose -you introduce me?" +you introduce me?" </p> <p> @@ -17071,66 +17083,66 @@ acquaintance alone. </p> <p> -"I want to thank you for your wire to Clyde," said Casey. "You can -guess what it meant to all of us here." +"I want to thank you for your wire to Clyde," said Casey. "You can +guess what it meant to all of us here." </p> <p> -"I've a fair notion," said Hess. "Of course, I only know what Clyde has +"I've a fair notion," said Hess. "Of course, I only know what Clyde has told me, but I can see that you people have been up against a hard proposition. After this I hope you won't have much to kick at. We won't -take advantage of that clause in the old railway charter—at least not +take advantage of that clause in the old railway charter—at least not enough to interfere with men who are actually using water now. But I -want you to be satisfied with enough to irrigate, used economically." +want you to be satisfied with enough to irrigate, used economically." </p> <p> -"That's all we ever wanted." +"That's all we ever wanted." </p> <p> -"I'm glad to hear it. Now I've fixed up this matter of young McCrae's. +"I'm glad to hear it. Now I've fixed up this matter of young McCrae's. That's settled. No more trouble about it. As to your man, McHale, I'm told that his trial will be a mere matter of form. Wade will look after -that. Now, about Clyde." +that. Now, about Clyde." </p> <p> -"Yes," said Casey. +"Yes," said Casey. </p> <p> -"She's her own mistress—you understand that. You have a good property -here—not as much money as she has, but enough to get along on if she +"She's her own mistress—you understand that. You have a good property +here—not as much money as she has, but enough to get along on if she hadn't anything. That's all right. I suppose her money's no drawback, eh? Don't look mad about it, young man. You're fond of her, of course. -I understand you made what you've got yourself?" +I understand you made what you've got yourself?" </p> <p> -"Every cent. I've been out for myself since I was about fifteen. This -is what I've got to show for it." +"Every cent. I've been out for myself since I was about fifteen. This +is what I've got to show for it." </p> <p> -"And it's a good little stake," said Hess heartily. "I made my own +"And it's a good little stake," said Hess heartily. "I made my own pile, too. That's what I like. Now, I'm going to ask you a personal question: What sort of life have you behind you? You understand me. There must be no comeback where Clyde is concerned. I want a straight -answer." +answer." </p> <p> -"You'll get it. I've always been too busy to be foolish. My habits are -about average—possibly better than average. I'm absolutely healthy. -I've not had a day's sickness—bar accidents—since I grew up. There's -absolutely no reason why I shouldn't marry Clyde." +"You'll get it. I've always been too busy to be foolish. My habits are +about average—possibly better than average. I'm absolutely healthy. +I've not had a day's sickness—bar accidents—since I grew up. There's +absolutely no reason why I shouldn't marry Clyde." </p> <p> -"That's the boy!" said old Jim Hess, with satisfaction, gripping his -hand again. "Your stock's par with me, remember, and I want you to -consider me your friend, even if I am to be a relation by marriage." +"That's the boy!" said old Jim Hess, with satisfaction, gripping his +hand again. "Your stock's par with me, remember, and I want you to +consider me your friend, even if I am to be a relation by marriage." </p> <p> @@ -17138,15 +17150,15 @@ Shortly afterward Sheila and Farwell arrived on hard-ridden horses. </p> <p> -"She hustled me right over here," said the latter. "Didn't even give me +"She hustled me right over here," said the latter. "Didn't even give me time to shave. I told her McHale and Sandy were all right, but she had -to come to see for herself." +to come to see for herself." </p> <p> -"Seeing that Sandy has eaten six fried eggs with bacon and bread buns -to match, I imagine he may be regarded as convalescent," laughed Casey. -"Tom has the tobacco trust half broken already." +"Seeing that Sandy has eaten six fried eggs with bacon and bread buns +to match, I imagine he may be regarded as convalescent," laughed Casey. +"Tom has the tobacco trust half broken already." </p> <p> @@ -17155,11 +17167,11 @@ embarrassing. </p> <p> -"That's plenty, that's plenty!" he growled. "You'd think I was a sole -survivor or something. Say, what are you trying to do—choke me? There, +"That's plenty, that's plenty!" he growled. "You'd think I was a sole +survivor or something. Say, what are you trying to do—choke me? There, you've kissed me three times already. Ouch! Darn it, don't hug me. My side's sore. Try that hold on Farwell. He looks as if he wouldn't -mind." +mind." </p> <p> @@ -17169,24 +17181,24 @@ shoulder. </p> <p> -"Howdy, Miss Sheila? Brothers don't know their own luck. Wisht I had a -sister about your size." +"Howdy, Miss Sheila? Brothers don't know their own luck. Wisht I had a +sister about your size." </p> <p> -"I'll adopt you right now!" she declared, and proceeded to give +"I'll adopt you right now!" she declared, and proceeded to give practical proof of it, somewhat to his confusion. </p> <p> -"You're an awful bluff, Tom," she accused him. "Really, I believe -you're bashful with girls. I never suspected it before." +"You're an awful bluff, Tom," she accused him. "Really, I believe +you're bashful with girls. I never suspected it before." </p> <p> -"It's just want of practice," grinned McHale. "Some day when I have +"It's just want of practice," grinned McHale. "Some day when I have time I'm going out to get me a girl like you. There was one down -at——" +at——" </p> <p> @@ -17196,43 +17208,43 @@ Casey and Farwell followed. </p> <p> -"We ain't in it," said McHale. +"We ain't in it," said McHale. </p> <p> -"Well, who wants to be?" said Sandy. +"Well, who wants to be?" said Sandy. </p> <p> -"A few weeks ago," McHale mused, "them two girls warmed up to each +"A few weeks ago," McHale mused, "them two girls warmed up to each other about as much as two wet sticks of wood; and them two sports would have locked horns at the bat of an eye. Look at 'em now! What -done it?" +done it?" </p> <p> -"Does your arm hurt you much?" Sandy asked. +"Does your arm hurt you much?" Sandy asked. </p> <p> -"Sortin' out the hand done it," McHale continued, unheeding. "Each girl +"Sortin' out the hand done it," McHale continued, unheeding. "Each girl finds out that the other ain't organizin' to be hostile. And the men find out that they're playin' different systems; likewise, that each -has a good point or two." +has a good point or two." </p> <p> -"She sure must have been a hard trip for you down from the hills," +"She sure must have been a hard trip for you down from the hills," Sandy commented, with much sarcasm. </p> <p> -"Love," said McHale sentimentally, "is a durn funny thing." +"Love," said McHale sentimentally, "is a durn funny thing." </p> <p> Sandy's disgusted comment consisted of but one word not usually -associated with the tender passion. "Well, may be—sometimes," McHale +associated with the tender passion. "Well, may be—sometimes," McHale admitted. </p> @@ -17241,7 +17253,7 @@ It was a merry party that sat down to the best supper Feng could prepare on short notice. Wade was in great form. He outdid himself, keeping up a rapid fire of jokes and conversation. The sheriff, infected by his example, uncovered a vein of unsuspected humour. -McHale, who referred to himself as "a temp'rary southpaw," contributed +McHale, who referred to himself as "a temp'rary southpaw," contributed his quota. Sandy was silent and dour, as usual. Jim Hess said little, but he beamed on everybody, enjoying their happiness. </p> @@ -17254,112 +17266,112 @@ free of their dust, they jogged easily side by side. </p> <p> -"Our rides together are about over, Casey," she said, with a little +"Our rides together are about over, Casey," she said, with a little sigh. </p> <p> -"How is that?" +"How is that?" </p> <p> -"You know as well as I do. The blessed proprieties are butting in here +"You know as well as I do. The blessed proprieties are butting in here nowadays; and, besides, we both belong to other people. Dick wants to be married soon. Of course, I'll have to go where he goes. Thank goodness, he hasn't got any people to be my people, and to pass -judgment on me." +judgment on me." </p> <p> -"I'll be sorry to lose you, Sheila; and I think you'll be sorry to go." +"I'll be sorry to lose you, Sheila; and I think you'll be sorry to go." </p> <p> -"Yes. I'll miss the rolling country, and the hills to the west, and the +"Yes. I'll miss the rolling country, and the hills to the west, and the long days outdoors. Oh, heavens, how I'll miss them! And yet it's worth -while, Casey!" +while, Casey!" </p> <p> -"I'm awfully glad, for your sake, that you think so much of him, old -girl. He's a fine chap—when you get to know him. But I'll miss you. -How long is it since we had our first ride together?" +"I'm awfully glad, for your sake, that you think so much of him, old +girl. He's a fine chap—when you get to know him. But I'll miss you. +How long is it since we had our first ride together?" </p> <p> -"Seven years—no, eight. I was riding a bad pinto. Dad traded him -afterward. You wouldn't let me go home alone. Remember?" +"Seven years—no, eight. I was riding a bad pinto. Dad traded him +afterward. You wouldn't let me go home alone. Remember?" </p> <p> -"Of course. Awful brute for a girl to ride!" +"Of course. Awful brute for a girl to ride!" </p> <p> -"He never set me afoot," she said proudly. "But you'll be leaving here, -too, Casey." +"He never set me afoot," she said proudly. "But you'll be leaving here, +too, Casey." </p> <p> -"I don't think so." +"I don't think so." </p> <p> -"Oh, yes, you will. Clyde's money——" +"Oh, yes, you will. Clyde's money——" </p> <p> -"Hang her money! Don't throw that up to me." +"Hang her money! Don't throw that up to me." </p> <p> -"Nonsense! Don't be so touchy. I wish <i>I</i> had it. You'll go where +"Nonsense! Don't be so touchy. I wish <i>I</i> had it. You'll go where there are people and things happening. You'll keep the ranch, but Tom -will look after it." +will look after it." </p> <p> -"No, no." +"No, no." </p> <p> -"Yes, yes. You won't be idle—you're not that kind—but you'll find +"Yes, yes. You won't be idle—you're not that kind—but you'll find other interests, and the money may be a stepping-stone. She's a dear -girl, Casey. Be good to her." +girl, Casey. Be good to her." </p> <p> -"I couldn't be anything else. You needn't tell me I'm not worthy of -her; I know it." +"I couldn't be anything else. You needn't tell me I'm not worthy of +her; I know it." </p> <p> -"You're worthy of any girl," she said firmly. "Not a bit of hot air, -either, old boy. I almost fell in love with you myself." +"You're worthy of any girl," she said firmly. "Not a bit of hot air, +either, old boy. I almost fell in love with you myself." </p> <p> -"By George!" he exclaimed, "there were times when I wondered how much I -thought of you." +"By George!" he exclaimed, "there were times when I wondered how much I +thought of you." </p> <p> -She laughed, well pleased. "We know the difference now, don't we? What +She laughed, well pleased. "We know the difference now, don't we? What a mistake it would have been! I'm glad we kept these thoughts to -ourselves—glad we never played at being in love. Now we can talk +ourselves—glad we never played at being in love. Now we can talk without fear of misunderstanding. Somehow, now, the years here seem like a dream to me. Yes, I know they've been busy years, crowded with -work for both of us; but just now they don't seem real. We seem—I -seem—to be standing at the boundary of a new life. All that is over -was just preparation for it—the long days in the sun and the wind, the +work for both of us; but just now they don't seem real. We seem—I +seem—to be standing at the boundary of a new life. All that is over +was just preparation for it—the long days in the sun and the wind, the quiet nights beneath the stars, the big, lonely, brown land, and the hazy blue of the hills. The girl that lived among them seems like a little, dead sister. And yet I love these things. Wherever I go, -whatever happens to me, I shall think of them always." +whatever happens to me, I shall think of them always." </p> <p> -"That's absolutely true. They are in your heart—a part of you. I +"That's absolutely true. They are in your heart—a part of you. I understand. The little boy that lay on a lake shore years ago and watched the old stone hookers wallowing through the long swells doesn't seem to be Casey Dunne. And yet I can smell the wet sand and the clean @@ -17368,7 +17380,7 @@ were born in the West, Sheila, and I in the East; but the roots of our beings fed on the clean things of the earth that mothered us some thousands of miles apart, and the taste will never be forgotten. In the years to come we will think of the years here as to-night we think of -our childhood." +our childhood." </p> <p> @@ -17377,17 +17389,17 @@ comradeship. </p> <p> -"Good-bye, Casey. It's not likely we'll ever talk of these things -again. I'm glad you've been a part of my life." +"Good-bye, Casey. It's not likely we'll ever talk of these things +again. I'm glad you've been a part of my life." </p> <p> -"Good luck to you always, Sheila." +"Good luck to you always, Sheila." </p> <p> -"They've left us behind," she said. "Come on! One last good run, -Casey!" +"They've left us behind," she said. "Come on! One last good run, +Casey!" </p> <p> @@ -17397,25 +17409,25 @@ buckskin sweep past, encouraged by voice and heel. </p> <p> -"She'll kill herself some day," Farwell ejaculated, and he scolded her +"She'll kill herself some day," Farwell ejaculated, and he scolded her roundly when they rode up to where she and Casey had finally halted their blown steeds. </p> <p> -"Listen to him!" cried Sheila, in derision. "As if I didn't savvy a +"Listen to him!" cried Sheila, in derision. "As if I didn't savvy a horse! All right, my lord, I won't do it again till next time. And now, Casey, you and Clyde must not come any farther. It will be dark before -you get back." +you get back." </p> <p> -"If you want to be rid of us——" he suggested. +"If you want to be rid of us——" he suggested. </p> <p> -"You've been sorry for yourself for the last hour, and you needn't deny -it," she retorted. +"You've been sorry for yourself for the last hour, and you needn't deny +it," she retorted. </p> <p> @@ -17425,180 +17437,180 @@ him tell her all that had occurred, down to the minutest detail. </p> <p> -"But now there will be no more trouble of any kind," she predicted. +"But now there will be no more trouble of any kind," she predicted. </p> <p> -"Thanks to you." +"Thanks to you." </p> <p> -"Thanks to Uncle Jim." +"Thanks to Uncle Jim." </p> <p> -"Both of you. He's a big man—a nation builder—but if his niece hadn't +"Both of you. He's a big man—a nation builder—but if his niece hadn't had the good taste to fall in love with me his interest would have been less personal. He wouldn't have got around to a little matter like this for months. Anyway, we bracket you together. Do you know that some of -the kids are being taught to pray for you?" +the kids are being taught to pray for you?" </p> <p> -"Not really?" +"Not really?" </p> <p> -"Fact. Doctor Swift told me. 'God bless pa, and ma, and Mister Jim +"Fact. Doctor Swift told me. 'God bless pa, and ma, and Mister Jim Hess, and Miss Burnaby.' That's the formula. Swift predicts that the next batch of christenings will include a 'Yim Hess' Swanson and a 'Clyde Burnaby' Brulé. Such is fame! Think you can stand the dizzy -popularity?" +popularity?" </p> <p> -"Lovely!" cried Clyde. "I'll order silver mugs to-morrow, and start a -savings account for each baby." +"Lovely!" cried Clyde. "I'll order silver mugs to-morrow, and start a +savings account for each baby." </p> <p> -"Go slow!" he laughed. "You'll have 'em all named after you at that -rate." +"Go slow!" he laughed. "You'll have 'em all named after you at that +rate." </p> <p> -"I'll get the mugs and a spoon, anyway. I never was so flattered +"I'll get the mugs and a spoon, anyway. I never was so flattered before. I've just begun to <i>live</i> since I came out here. Why, Casey, my life was absolutely empty. You can't imagine how lonely and -bored I was." +bored I was." </p> <p> -"What a shame! We'll see that it doesn't occur again. Which opens an -interesting question: When are you going to marry me?" +"What a shame! We'll see that it doesn't occur again. Which opens an +interesting question: When are you going to marry me?" </p> <p> -"Why—I hadn't thought. I suppose we should think of it." +"Why—I hadn't thought. I suppose we should think of it." </p> <p> -"Well, it's usual, under the circumstances." +"Well, it's usual, under the circumstances." </p> <p> -"Next June? I think I should like to be a June bride." +"Next June? I think I should like to be a June bride." </p> <p> -"See here, young lady," said Casey severely, "what sort of a gold brick -is this? Are you aware that we are in the fag end of July?" +"See here, young lady," said Casey severely, "what sort of a gold brick +is this? Are you aware that we are in the fag end of July?" </p> <p> -"It's really not a long engagement. A year soon passes." +"It's really not a long engagement. A year soon passes." </p> <p> -"And the years soon pass. I'm not going to be defrauded of a year's -happiness. I'll stand for any time in September, but not a day later." +"And the years soon pass. I'm not going to be defrauded of a year's +happiness. I'll stand for any time in September, but not a day later." </p> <p> -"September! But, my dearest boy, that's only a few weeks." +"September! But, my dearest boy, that's only a few weeks." </p> <p> -"That's why I said September." +"That's why I said September." </p> <p> -She laughed happily. "Very well, September. But I'll have a thousand -things to do. I'll have to go back with Uncle Jim." +She laughed happily. "Very well, September. But I'll have a thousand +things to do. I'll have to go back with Uncle Jim." </p> <p> -"What's the use? Stay here. Kitty Wade will stay, too. I'll coax her." +"What's the use? Stay here. Kitty Wade will stay, too. I'll coax her." </p> <p> -"But I've all sorts of things to buy?" +"But I've all sorts of things to buy?" </p> <p> -"Order 'em by mail." +"Order 'em by mail." </p> <p> -"My trousseau <i>by mail</i>!" she exclaimed, in horror. "It would be -sacrilege." +"My trousseau <i>by mail</i>!" she exclaimed, in horror. "It would be +sacrilege." </p> <p> -"Oh, well, suit yourself," said Casey, with a sigh of resignation. -"Thank the Lord it only happens once." +"Oh, well, suit yourself," said Casey, with a sigh of resignation. +"Thank the Lord it only happens once." </p> <p> -She laughed. "And then there's our honeymoon to plan. Where shall we -spend it?" +She laughed. "And then there's our honeymoon to plan. Where shall we +spend it?" </p> <p> -"It's up to you. Wherever you say." +"It's up to you. Wherever you say." </p> <p> -"You've never been to Europe?" +"You've never been to Europe?" </p> <p> -"No. But I'd rather do my honeymooning where I can ask for what I want -with some chance of getting it." +"No. But I'd rather do my honeymooning where I can ask for what I want +with some chance of getting it." </p> <p> -"But I speak French, German, and Italian—not fluently, but well enough -to get along on." +"But I speak French, German, and Italian—not fluently, but well enough +to get along on." </p> <p> -"And I talk United States, Chinook, and some Cree—we ought to get -along almost anywhere," he laughed. "Let's leave this Europe business +"And I talk United States, Chinook, and some Cree—we ought to get +along almost anywhere," he laughed. "Let's leave this Europe business open. Now here's a really serious question: When our honeymoon is -over—what?" +over—what?" </p> <p> -"I don't understand." +"I don't understand." </p> <p> -"Where shall we live? I can sell out here, if you like." +"Where shall we live? I can sell out here, if you like." </p> <p> -"But you wouldn't like?" +"But you wouldn't like?" </p> <p> -"I'd hate to," he admitted. +"I'd hate to," he admitted. </p> <p> -"I know. So should I. We'll live here, at Chakchak. It shall be our -home." +"I know. So should I. We'll live here, at Chakchak. It shall be our +home." </p> <p> -"Would you be contented? It's lonely at times. The winters are long. -You'd miss your friends and your old life." +"Would you be contented? It's lonely at times. The winters are long. +You'd miss your friends and your old life." </p> <p> -"I ran away from both. I love your country because it's yours. It shall -be mine, too. Look!" Away in the distance a tiny point of light -twinkled. "There are the lights of Chakchak—our home lights, dear!" +"I ran away from both. I love your country because it's yours. It shall +be mine, too. Look!" Away in the distance a tiny point of light +twinkled. "There are the lights of Chakchak—our home lights, dear!" </p> <p> @@ -17608,7 +17620,7 @@ breath of the night breeze, cold from the mountain passes, brushed their cheeks. Save for the distant light the world was dark, the land lonely, silent, devoid of life. The great spaces enfolded them, wrapped them in silence as in a vast robe. But the old, sweet song was in their -hearts as they rode slowly forward—to the Light! +hearts as they rode slowly forward—to the Light! </p> <br> <hr class="med"> @@ -17655,12 +17667,12 @@ book and a double wedding at the close. </p> <p> -"The Harvester," David Langston, is a man of the woods and fields, who +"The Harvester," David Langston, is a man of the woods and fields, who draws his living from the prodigal hand of Mother Nature herself. If the book had nothing in it but the splendid figure of this man it would -be notable. But when the Girl comes to his "Medicine Woods," and the +be notable. But when the Girl comes to his "Medicine Woods," and the Harvester's whole being realizes that this is the highest point of life -which has come to him—there begins a romance of the rarest idyllic +which has come to him—there begins a romance of the rarest idyllic quality. </p> @@ -17673,8 +17685,8 @@ quality. Freckles is a nameless waif when the tale opens, but the way in which he takes hold of life; the nature friendships he forms in the great Limberlost Swamp; the manner in which everyone who meets him succumbs -to the charm of his engaging personality; and his love-story with "The -Angel" are full of real sentiment. +to the charm of his engaging personality; and his love-story with "The +Angel" are full of real sentiment. </p> @@ -17731,7 +17743,7 @@ May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list <br> A charming story of a quaint corner of New England where bygone romance finds a modern parallel. The story centers round the coming of love to -the young people on the staff of a newspaper—and it is one of the +the young people on the staff of a newspaper—and it is one of the prettiest, sweetest and quaintest of old fashioned love stories, * * * a rare book, exquisite in spirit and conception, full of delicate fancy, of tenderness, of delightful humor and spontaneity. @@ -17745,8 +17757,8 @@ Miss Myrtle Reed may always be depended upon to write a story in which poetry, charm, tenderness and humor are combined into a clever and entertaining book. Her characters are delightful and she always displays a quaint humor of expression and a quiet feeling of pathos -which give a touch of active realism to all her writings. In "A Spinner -in the Sun" she tells an old-fashioned love story, of a veiled lady who +which give a touch of active realism to all her writings. In "A Spinner +in the Sun" she tells an old-fashioned love story, of a veiled lady who lives in solitude and whose features her neighbors have never seen. There is a mystery at the heart of the book that throws over it the glamour of romance. @@ -17757,16 +17769,16 @@ glamour of romance. <u>THE MASTER'S VIOLIN</u>. <br> A love story in a musical atmosphere. A picturesque, old German -virtuoso is the reverent possessor of a genuine "Cremona." He consents +virtuoso is the reverent possessor of a genuine "Cremona." He consents to take for his pupil a handsome youth who proves to have an aptitude for technique, but not the soul of an artist. The youth has led the happy, careless life of a modern, well-to-do young American and he cannot, with his meagre past, express the love, the passion and the tragedies of life and all its happy phases as can the master who has -lived life in all its fulness. But a girl comes into his life—a +lived life in all its fulness. But a girl comes into his life—a beautiful bit of human driftwood that his aunt had taken into her heart and home, and through his passionate love for her, he learns the -lessons that life has to give—and his soul awakes. +lessons that life has to give—and his soul awakes. </p> <p> @@ -17806,15 +17818,15 @@ May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset and Dunlap's list. <p> <u>THE BOW OF ORANGE RIBBON</u>. With Frontispiece. <br> -This exquisite little romance opens in New York City in "the tender -grace" of a May day long past, when the old Dutch families clustered +This exquisite little romance opens in New York City in "the tender +grace" of a May day long past, when the old Dutch families clustered around Bowling Green. It is the beginning of the romance of Katherine, a young Dutch girl who has sent, as a love token, to a young English officer, the bow of orange ribbon which she has worn for years as a sacred emblem on the day of St. Nicholas. After the bow of ribbon Katherine's heart soon flies. Unlike her sister, whose heart has found a safe resting place among her own people, Katherine's heart must rove -from home—must know to the utmost all that life holds of both joy and +from home—must know to the utmost all that life holds of both joy and sorrow. And so she goes beyond the seas, leaving her parents as desolate as were Isaac and Rebecca of old. </p> @@ -17824,11 +17836,11 @@ desolate as were Isaac and Rebecca of old. <u>THE MAID OF MAIDEN LANE</u>; A Love Story. With Illustrations by S. M. Arthur. <br> -A sequel to "The Bow of Orange Ribbon." The time is the gracious days -of Seventeen-hundred and ninety-one, when "The Marseillaise" was sung +A sequel to "The Bow of Orange Ribbon." The time is the gracious days +of Seventeen-hundred and ninety-one, when "The Marseillaise" was sung with the American national airs, and the spirit affected commerce, politics and conversation. In the midst of this period the romance of -"The Sweetest Maid in Maiden Lane" unfolds. Its chief charm lies in its +"The Sweetest Maid in Maiden Lane" unfolds. Its chief charm lies in its historic and local color. </p> @@ -17859,7 +17871,7 @@ The story centers around the life of little Katryntje Van Clyffe, who, on her return home from a fashionable boarding school, faces poverty and heartache. Stout of heart, she does not permit herself to become discouraged even at the news of the loss of her father and his ship -"The Golden Victory." The story of Katryntje's life was interwoven with +"The Golden Victory." The story of Katryntje's life was interwoven with the music of the Trinity Bells which eventually heralded her wedding day. </p> @@ -17922,7 +17934,7 @@ charming play as dramatized by the author. <p> <u>REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM</u>, By Kate Douglas Wiggin. <br> -One of the most beautiful studies of childhood—Rebecca's artistic, +One of the most beautiful studies of childhood—Rebecca's artistic, unusual and quaintly charming qualities stand out midst a circle of austere New Englanders. The stage version is making a phenomenal dramatic record. @@ -17993,7 +18005,7 @@ May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list <br> This famous Religious-Historical Romance with its mighty story, brilliant pageantry, thrilling action and deep religious reverence, -hardly requires an outline. The whole world has placed "Ben-Hur" on a +hardly requires an outline. The whole world has placed "Ben-Hur" on a height of pre-eminence which no other novel of its time has reached. The clashing of rivalry and the deepest human passions, the perfect reproduction of brilliant Roman life, and the tense, fierce atmosphere @@ -18097,13 +18109,13 @@ a story full of struggle. <u>THE CLANSMAN</u>. With illustrations by Arthur I. Keller. <br> While not connected with it in any way, this is a companion volume to -the author's "epoch-making" story <i>The Leopard's Spots</i>. It is a +the author's "epoch-making" story <i>The Leopard's Spots</i>. It is a novel with a great deal to it, and which very properly is going to interest many thousands of readers. * * * It is, first of all, a forceful, dramatic, absorbing love story, with a sequence of events so surprising that one is prepared for the fact that much of it is founded on actual happenings; but Mr. Dixon has, as before, a deeper -purpose—he has aimed to show that the original formers of the Ku Klux +purpose—he has aimed to show that the original formers of the Ku Klux Klan were modern knights errant taking the only means at hand to right intolerable wrongs. </p> @@ -18152,396 +18164,8 @@ manhood. <p> </p> <p> </p> -<hr class="full" noshade> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DESERT CONQUEST***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 25728-h.txt or 25728-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/7/2/25728">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/7/2/25728</a></p> -<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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