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-Project Gutenberg's The Treasure of Hidden Valley, by Willis George Emerson
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world 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
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-
-
-Title: The Treasure of Hidden Valley
-
-Author: Willis George Emerson
-
-Release Date: June 30, 2016 [EBook #52461]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TREASURE OF HIDDEN VALLEY ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by David Widger from page images generously
-provided by Google Books
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-THE TREASURE OF HIDDEN VALLEY
-
-By Willis George Emerson
-
-Chicago: Forbes & Company
-
-1915
-
-
-
-               Sons of the rugged, rock-ribbed hills,
-
-                   Far from the gaudy show
-
-               Of Fashion's world-its shams and frills
-
-                   Brothers of rain and snow:
-
-               Kith of the crags and the forest pines,
-
-                   Kin of the herd and flock;
-
-               Wise in the lore of Nature signs
-
-                   Writ in the grass and rock.
-
-
-               Beings of lithe and lusty limb,
-
-                   Breathing the broad, new life,
-
-               Chanting the forest's primal hymn
-
-                   Free from the world's crude strife.
-
-               Your witching lure my being thrills,
-
-                   O rugged sons! O rugged hills!
-
-
-
-[Illustration: 0002]
-
-
-[Illustration: 0010]
-
-
-
-DEDICATED
-
-TO
-
-THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER
-
-REVEREND STEPHEN LAFAYETTE EMERSON
-
-(The Flockmaster of this story)
-
-
-
-
-
-THE TREASURE OF HIDDEN VALLEY
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER I--AT THE PARTING OF THE WAYS
-
-
-IT was a dear, crisp October morning. There was a shrill whistle of a
-locomotive, and then a westbound passenger train dashed into the depot
-of an Iowa town. A young man descended the car steps with an armful of
-luggage. He deposited his parcels on the platform, and half expectantly
-looked about him.
-
-Just then there was a "honk! honk!" from a huge automobile as it came to
-a palpitating halt, and a familiar voice called out: "Hello, Roderick,
-old man!" And a moment later Roderick Warfield was shaking hands with
-his boon friend of former college days, Whitley Adams. Both were in
-their early twenties, stalwart, well set up, clean-cut young fellows.
-
-Whitley's face was all aglow in the happiness of reunion. But Roderick,
-after the first cordial greeting, wore a graver look. He listened
-quietly while his comrade rambled on.
-
-"Mighty glad to receive your wire last night at the club. But what
-brings you home so unexpectedly? We've been hearing all sorts of glowing
-stories--about your being in the thick of affairs in little old New York
-and rolling in the shekels to beat the band."
-
-"Fairy tales," was the laconic reply, accompanied by a look that was
-compounded of a sigh and a wistful smile.
-
-"How's that?" asked young Adams, glancing up into the other's face
-and for the first time noticing its serious expression. "Don't tell
-me you've struck a financial snag thus early in your Stock Exchange
-career."
-
-"Several financial snags--and struck 'em pretty badly too, I'm afraid."
-
-"Whew!" exclaimed Adams.
-
-"Oh, I'm not down and out," laughed Roderick, half amused at the look of
-utter discomfiture on his companion's countenance. "Not by a long chalk!
-I'm in on several good deals, and six months from date will be standing
-on velvet. That is to say," he added, somewhat dubiously, "if Uncle
-Allen opens up his money bags to tide me over meanwhile."
-
-"A pretty big 'if,' eh?" For the moment there was sympathetic sobriety
-in the youth's tone, but he quickly regained his cheerfulness. "However,
-he'll come through probably all right, Rod, dear boy. It's the older
-fellows' privilege, isn't it? My good dad has had the same experience,
-as you will no doubt have guessed. There, let me see; how long have you
-been away? Eight months! Gee! However, I have just gotten home
-myself. My old man was a bit furious at my tardiness in coming and the
-geometrical increase of my expense account. To do Los Angeles and
-San Francisco thoroughly, you know, runs into a pot of money. But now
-everything is fixed up after a fashion with no evidence in sight of
-further squalls." He laughed the laugh of an overgrown boy laboring
-under the delusion that because he has finished a collegiate course he
-is a "man."
-
-"Of course," he continued with a swagger, "we chaps who put in four long
-years at college should not be expected to settle down without having
-some sort of a valedictory fling."
-
-"There has not been much of a fling in my case," protested Warfield. "I
-tackled life seriously in New York from the start."
-
-"But got a tumble all the same," grinned Adams. "However, there's no
-use in pulling a long face--at least not until your Uncle Allen has been
-interviewed and judiciously put through his paces. Come now, let us get
-your things aboard."
-
-The conversation was halted while the young owner of the big 60 H. P.
-car helped his chauffeur to stow away the luggage. "To the club,"
-he called out as he seated himself in the tonneau with his boyhood
-friend--college chum and classmate.
-
-"Not this morning!" exclaimed Roderick, shaking his head as he looked
-frankly and a bit nervously into the eyes of Whitley Adams. "No club for
-me until I have squared things up on the hill."
-
-"Oh, well, just as you say; if it's as bad as that, why of course--" He
-broke off and did not finish the sentence, but directed the chauffeur to
-the residence of Allen Miller, the banker.
-
-They rode a little way in silence and then Whitley Adams observed:
-"You've made a muddle of things, no doubt," and he turned with a knowing
-look and a smile toward Roderick, who in turn flushed, as though hit.
-
-"No doubt," he concurred curtly.
-
-"Then when shall I see you?" asked Whitley as the auto slowed down at
-the approach to the stately Miller home.
-
-"I'll 'phone you," replied Roderick. "Think I can arrange to be at the
-club this evening."
-
-"Very well," said his friend, and a minute later he had whirled away
-leaving a cloud of dust in the trail of the machine.
-
-Roderick Warfield met with a motherly reception at the hands of his Aunt
-Lois, Mrs. Allen Miller. The greetings over and a score of solicitous
-questions by his Aunt Lois answered, he went to his room for a bath and
-a change of clothes. Then without further delay he presented himself at
-the bank, and in a few moments was closeted in the president's private
-room with his uncle and guardian, Allen Miller.
-
-The first friendly greetings were soon followed by the banker skidding
-from social to business considerations. "Yes," said Allen Miller, "I am
-glad to see you, Roderick, mighty glad. But what do you mean by writing
-a day ahead that a good big sum is required immediately, this without
-mention of securities or explanation of any kind?". He held up in his
-hand a letter that ran to just a few niggardly lines. "This apology for
-a business communication only reached me by last night's mail."
-
-The kindly look of greeting had changed to one that was fairly flinty in
-its hardness. "What am I to expect from such a demand? A bunch of unpaid
-accounts, I suppose." As he uttered this last sentence, there was a
-wicked twang in his voice--a suggestion of the snarl of an angry wolf
-ready for a fierce encounter. It at least proved him a financier.
-
-A flush of resentment stole over Roderick's brow. His look was more
-than half-defiant. On his side it showed at once that there would be no
-cringing for the favor he had come to ask.
-
-But he controlled himself, and spoke with perfect calm.
-
-"My obligations are not necessarily disgraceful ones, as your manner and
-tone, Uncle, might imply. As for any detailed explanation by letter,
-I thought it best to come and put the whole business before you
-personally."
-
-"And the nature of the business?" asked the banker in a dry harsh voice.
-
-"I am in a big deal and have to find my _pro ratâ_ contribution
-immediately."
-
-"A speculative deal?" rasped the old man.
-
-"Yes; I suppose it would be called speculative, but it is gilt-edged
-all the same. I have all the papers here, and will show them to you." He
-plunged a hand into the breast pocket of his coat and produced a neatly
-folded little bundle of documents.
-
-"Stop," exclaimed the banker. "You need not even undo that piece of tape
-until you have answered my questions. A speculative deal, you admit."
-
-"Be it so."
-
-"A mining deal, may I ask?"
-
-Roderick's face showed some confusion. But he faced the issue promptly
-and squarely.
-
-"Yes, sir, a mining deal."
-
-The banker's eyes fairly glittered with steely wrathfulness.
-
-"As I expected. By gad, it seems to run in the blood! Did I not warn
-you, when you insisted on risking your meagre capital of two thousand
-dollars in New York instead of settling down with what would have been
-a comfortable nest egg here, that if you ever touched mining it would
-be your ruin? Did I not tell you your father's story, how the lure
-of prospecting possessed him, how he could never throw it off, how it
-doomed him to a life of hardship and poverty, and how it would have left
-you, his child, a pauper but for an insurance policy which it was his
-one redeeming act of prudence in carrying?"
-
-"Please do not speak like that of my father," protested Roderick,
-drawing himself up with proud <md manly dignity.
-
-The banker's manner softened; a kindlier glow came into his eyes.
-
-"Well, boy, you know I loved your father. If your father had only
-followed my path he would have shared my prosperity. But it was not to
-be. He lost all he ever made in mining, and now you are flinging the
-little provision his death secured for you into the same bottomless
-pool. And this despite all my warnings, despite my stern injunctions
-so long as it was my right as your guardian to enjoin. The whole thing
-disgusts me more than words can tell."
-
-Into the banker's voice the old bitterness, if not the anger, had
-returned. He rose and restlessly paced the room. A silence followed
-that was oppressive. Roderick Warfield's mind was in the future; he was
-wondering what would happen should his uncle remain obdurate. The older
-man's mind was in the past; he was recalling events of the long ago.
-
-Roderick Warfield's father and Allen Miller had as young men braved
-perils together in an unsuccessful overland trip when the great
-California gold rush in the early fifties occurred. At that time they
-were only boys in their 'teens. Years afterward they married sisters and
-settled down in their Iowa homes--or tried to settle down in Warfield's
-case, for in his wanderings he had been smitten with the gold fever
-and he remained a mining nomad to the end of his days. Allen Miller
-had never been blessed with a child, and it was not until late in their
-married life that any addition came to the Warfield family. This was the
-beginning of Roderick Warfield's career, but cost the mother's life. Ten
-years later John Warfield died and his young son Roderick was given
-a home with Mr. and Mrs. Allen Miller, the banker accepting the
-guardianship of his old friend's only child.
-
-The boy's inheritance was limited to a few thousand dollars of life
-insurance, which in the hands of anyone but Allen Miller would have
-fallen far short of putting him through college. However, that was not
-only accomplished, but at the close of a fairly brilliant college career
-the young man had found himself possessed of a round couple of thousand
-dollars. Among his college friends had been the son of a well-to-do New
-York broker, and it was on this friend's advice that Roderick had at the
-outset of his business life adventured the maelstrom of Gotham instead
-of accepting the placid backwaters of his Iowan home town. Hence the
-young man's present difficulties and precarious future, and his uncle's
-bitterness of spirit because all his past efforts on Roderick's account
-had proved of such little avail.
-
-At last the banker resumed his chair. The tightly closed lips showed
-that his mind was made up to a definite line of action. Roderick awaited
-the decision in silence--it was not in his nature to plead a cause at
-the cost of losing his own self-respect He had already returned the
-unopened bundle of mining papers to the inner pocket of his coat.
-
-"As for any advance to meet speculative mining commitments," began the
-man of finance, "I do not even desire to know the amount you have had
-in mind. That is a proposition I cannot even entertain--on principle and
-for your own ultimate good, young man."
-
-"Then I lose all the money I have put in to date."
-
-"Better a present loss than hopeless future entanglements. Your
-personal obligations? As you have been using all available funds for
-speculation, I presume you are not free from some debts."
-
-"Less than a thousand dollars all told."
-
-"Well, you have, I believe, $285.75 standing to your personal credit in
-this bank--the remnant of your patrimony."
-
-"I did not know I had so much," remarked Roderick with a faint smile.
-
-"All the better, perhaps," replied the banker, also smiling grimly.
-"The amount would have doubtless been swallowed up with the rest of your
-money. As matters stand, some payment can be made to account of your
-obligations and arrangements entered into for the gradual liquidation of
-the outstanding balance." Young Warfield winced. The banker continued:
-"This may involve some personal humiliation for you. But again it is
-against my principles to pay any man's debts. Anyone who deliberately
-incurs a liability should have the highly beneficial experience of
-earning the money to liquidate it I propose to give you the chance to do
-so."
-
-Roderick raised his eyebrows in some surprise. "In New York?" he
-enquired.
-
-"No, sir," replied Allen Miller rather brusquely and evidently nettled
-at the very audacity of the question. "Not in New York, but right
-here--in Keokuk. Calm your impatience, please. Just listen to the
-proposals I have to make--they have been carefully thought out by me
-and by your Aunt Lois as well. In the first place, despite your rather
-reckless and improvident start in life, I am prepared to make you
-assistant cashier of this bank at a good salary." Again Roderick
-evinced amazement. He was quite nonplussed at his uncle's changed
-demeanor. The conciliatory manner and kindly tone disarmed him. But
-could he ever come to renounce his New York ambitions for humdrum
-existence in the old river town of Keokuk? He knew the answer in his
-heart. The thing was impossible.
-
-"And if you are diligent," continued the banker, "prove capable and
-make good, you may expect in time to be rewarded with a liberal block
-of stock in the bank. Come now, what do you say to this part of my
-programme?" urged the speaker as Roderick hesitated.
-
-The young man's mind was already made up. The offer was not even worth
-considering. And yet, he must not offend his guardian. It was true,
-Allen Miller's guardianship days were past, but still in his rapid
-mental calculations Roderick thought of his stanch old stand-by, Uncle
-Allen Miller, as "Guardian." He lighted a cigar to gain time for the
-framing of a diplomatic answer.
-
-"Well," said the banker, with a rising inflection, "does it require any
-time to consider the generous offer I make?"
-
-Roderick pulled a long breath at his cigar and blew rings of smoke
-toward the ceiling, and said: "Your offer, Uncle, is princely, but I
-hardly feel that I should accept until I have thought it all over from
-different points of view and have the whole question of my future plans
-fully considered. What are the other items on your programme?"
-
-"They should be rather counted as conditions," replied the banker drily.
-"The conditions on which the offer I have just made are based."
-
-"And they are what?"
-
-"You must quit speculation, give up all expensive habits, marry and
-settle down." The words were spoken with all the definiteness of an
-ultimatum.
-
-Again Roderick winced. He might have been led to all or at least some
-of these things. But to be driven, and by such rough horse-breaking
-methods--. never! no, never. He managed to restrain himself, however,
-and replied quietly: "My dear uncle, the idea of marrying for some years
-yet, to tell you the truth, has never entered my head. Of course," he
-went on lightly, "there is a young lady over at Galesburg, Stella Rain,
-where my Knox college days were spent, the 'college widow,' in a way a
-very lovely sort and in whom I have been rather interested for some two
-years, but--"
-
-"That will do, young man," interrupted Allen Miller, sharply and
-severely. "Never mind your society flyers--these lady friends of yours
-in Galesburg. Your Aunt Lois and myself have already selected your
-future wife."
-
-He laughed hoarsely, and the laugh sounded brutal even to his own ears.
-Allen Miller realized uncomfortably that he had been premature and
-scored against himself.
-
-"Oh, is that so?" ejaculated Roderick in delicate irony. A pink flush
-had stolen into his cheeks.
-
-The old banker hesitated in making reply. He grew hot and red and
-wondered if he had begun his match-making too abruptly--the very thing
-about which his good wife Lois had cautioned him. In truth, despite
-the harsh methods often imposed on him by his profession as a banker, a
-kinder heart than Allen Miller's never beat. But in this new rôle he
-was out of his element and readily confused. Finally after clearing his
-throat several times, he replied: "Yes, Roderick, in a way, your Aunt
-Lois and I have picked out the girl we want you to marry. Her father's
-wealth is equal to mine and some day perhaps--well, you can't tell--I'll
-not live always and, provided you don't disobey me, you may inherit
-under my will a control of the stock of this banking house, and so be at
-the head of an important and growing financial institution."
-
-Roderick instead of being fifty-four and calculating, was only
-twenty-four and indifferent to wealth, and the red blood of his generous
-youth revolted at the mercenary methods suggested by his uncle regarding
-this unknown girl's financial prospects. And then, too, the inducement
-thrown out that under conditions of obedience he might inherit the
-fortune of his uncle, was, he interpreted, nothing short of an attempt
-to bribe and deprive him of his liberty. He flushed with indignation and
-anger. Yet with a strong effort he still controlled his feelings, and
-presently asked: "Who is the fair lady?"
-
-"The daughter of an old friend of mine. They live only a short distance
-down the river. Their home is at Quincy, Illinois. Mighty fine old
-family, I can tell you. Am sure you'll like her immensely."
-
-"Am I to understand," asked Roderick rather caustically, "that the young
-lady acquiesces and enters graciously into your plans?"
-
-"Well, I can't say that!" replied Allen Miller, rubbing his chin. "But
-your Aunt Lois and I have talked over the possible alliance in all its
-lights."
-
-"With the young lady's family, I presume?"
-
-"No, not even that. But we are perfectly certain that we have only to
-speak the word to put the business through all right."
-
-"Business!"--Roderick repeated the word with bitter emphasis.
-
-"Yes, sir, business," retorted Allen Miller, with some warmth. "To my
-mind matrimony is one of the most important deals in life--perhaps _the_
-most important."
-
-"If the money is right," laughed the young man contemptuously. "But
-don't you think that before another word is said about such a matter
-I should have the chance of seeing the young lady and the young lady a
-chance of seeing me?"
-
-The humor of the situation had brought a pleasant smile to his face. The
-banker looked relieved.
-
-"Wait now, my boy," he replied musingly. "Do you remember when you were
-a little chap, perhaps twelve or thirteen years old, going with your
-Aunt Lois and myself to St. Louis on the Diamond Joe boat line?"
-
-"Yes, I remember it perfectly."
-
-"Well, then," continued Allen Miller, "you perhaps haven't forgotten a
-lady and gentleman with a little tot of a girl only five or six years
-old, who joined us at Quincy. You engaged in a regular boyish love
-affair at first sight with that little girl. Well, she is the one--a
-mighty fine young lady now--just passed eighteen and her father is rated
-away up in the financial world."
-
-For the moment Roderick's indignation over the cold-blooded,
-cut-and-dried, matrimonial proposition was arrested, and he did not
-even notice the renewed reference to finance. He had become pensive and
-retrospective.
-
-"How very long ago," he mused more to himself than to his Uncle
-Allen--"How very long ago since that trip down the river. Yes, I
-remember well the little blue-eyed, black-curly-headed chick of a girl.
-It was my first steamboat ride and of course it was a holiday and a
-fairyland affair to my boyish fancy."
-
-He drew in a long breath and looked out through the window at the snow
-which was now falling, as if many chapters of the world's history had
-been written in his own life since that far away yet well remembered
-trip. He fell silent for a spell.
-
-Allen Miller chuckled to himself. At last his scheme was working.
-All his life he had been a success with men and affairs, and his
-self-confidence was great. He rubbed his hands together and smiled,
-while he humored Roderick's silence. He would tell his wife Lois of
-his progress. Presently he said: "She is an only child, Roderick, and I
-think her father could qualify for better than a quarter of a million."
-
-This time the reiterated money recommendation jarred unpleasantly on
-Roderick's nerves and revived his antagonism. He hastily arose from his
-chair and walked back and forth across the room. Presently he halted
-before his uncle and with forced deliberation--for his anger was keyed
-to a high tension--said: "I am pleased, Uncle, to know the young lady
-is not a party to this shameful piece of attempted barter and sale
-business. When I marry, if ever, it shall be someone as regards whom
-wealth will count as of least importance. True love loathes avarice and
-greed. I require no further time to consider your proposals. I flatly
-reject your offer of a position in the bank, and shall leave Keokuk
-tomorrow. I prefer hewing out my own destiny and while doing so
-retaining my freedom and my self-respect. This is my decision, and it is
-an irrevocable one."
-
-The ebullition of pent-up feelings had come so suddenly and unexpectedly
-that Allen Miller was momentarily overwhelmed. He had arisen and was
-noticeably agitated. His face was very white, and there was a look in
-his eyes that Roderick Warfield had never seen before.
-
-"Young man," he said, and his voice was husky and trembling with
-suppressed rage--"you shall never have a dollar of my fortune unless you
-marry as I direct I will give you until tomorrow to agree to my plans.
-If you do not desire to accept my offer without change or modification
-in any shape, then take the balance of your money in the bank and go
-your way. I wash my hands of you and your affairs. Go and play football
-with the world or let the world play football with you, and see how it
-feels to be the 'pigskin' in life's game."
-
-With these words the old man swung a chair round to the fireplace,
-dropped into it, and began vigorously and viciously pounding at a lump
-of coal. There was an interval of silence. At last Roderick spoke; his
-voice was firm and low.
-
-"There will not be the slightest use, Uncle, in reopening this question
-tomorrow. My mind, as I have said, is already made up--unalterably." The
-last word was uttered with an emphasis that rang finality.
-
-The banker flung down the poker, and rose to his feet. His look was
-equally determined, equally final, equally unalterable.
-
-"All right," he snapped. "Then we'll get through the banking business
-now."
-
-He touched a push-button by the side of the mantel. During the brief
-interval before a clerk responded to the summons, not another word was
-spoken.
-
-"Bring me the exact figure of Mr. Warfield's credit balance," he said to
-his subordinate, "and cash for the amount. He will sign a check to close
-the account."
-
-Five minutes later Roderick had the little wad of bills in his pocket,
-and was ready to depart Uncle and nephew were again alone.
-
-"There is one other matter," said the banker with cold formality. "There
-is a paper in my possession which was entrusted to my keeping by your
-father just before he died. I was to deliver it to you at my discretion
-after you had attained your majority, but in any case on your reaching
-the age of twenty-five. I will exercise my discretion, and hand over the
-paper to you now."
-
-He advanced to a safe that stood open at one side of the room, unlocked
-a little drawer, and returned to the fireplace with a long linen
-envelope in his hand. A big red splash of wax showed that it had been
-carefully sealed.
-
-"This is yours," said the banker shortly, handing it over to the young
-man.
-
-The latter was greatly agitated. A message from his dead father! What
-could it mean? But he mastered his emotions and quietly bestowed the
-packet in his breast pocket--beside the papers connected with the mining
-deal.
-
-"I'll read this later," he said. And then he extended his hand. There
-was yearning affection in his eyes, in the tremor of his voice: "Uncle,
-we surely will part as friends."
-
-"You can regain my friendship only by doing my will. I have nothing more
-to say. Good-by."
-
-And without taking the proffered hand, Allen Miller turned away, leaning
-an elbow on the mantelshelf. His attitude showed that the interview was
-at an end.
-
-Without another word Roderick Warfield left the room. Outside the soft
-snow was falling in feathery silence. At a street corner the young
-man hesitated. He glanced up the road that led to his old home--Allen
-Miller's stately mansion on the hill. Then he took the other turning.
-
-"I guess I'll sleep at the Club to-night," he murmured to himself. "I
-can bid Aunt Lois good-by in the morning."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER II--A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAVE
-
-
-ALLEN MILLER, the rich banker, was alone--alone in the president's room
-at his bank, and feeling alone in the fullest sense of the word now
-that Roderick Warfield had gone, the youth he had reared and loved and
-cherished as his own child, now turned out of doors by the old man's
-deliberate act.
-
-For full an hour he walked slowly back and forth the whole length of the
-apartment But at last he halted once again before the open grate where
-some slumbering chunks of coal were burning indifferently. He pushed
-them together with the iron poker, and a bright blaze sprung up.
-
-Looking deep into the fire his thoughts went back to his boyhood days
-and he saw John Warfield, his chum of many years. He thought of their
-experience in the terrible massacre in the Sierra Madre Mountains in the
-region of Bridger Peak, of a lost trail, of hunger and thirst and weary
-tramps over mountain and down precipitous canyons, of abrupt gashes that
-cut the rocky gorges, of great bubbling springs and torrents of mountain
-streams, of a narrow valley between high mountains--a valley without a
-discoverable outlet--of a beautiful waterway that traversed this
-valley and lost itself in the sides of an abrupt mountain, and of the
-exhausting hardships in getting back to civilization.
-
-Then Allen Miller, the flint-hearted financier, the stoic, the man of
-taciturn habits, did a strange thing. Standing there before the blazing
-fire, leaning against the mantel, he put his handkerchief to his eyes
-and his frame was convulsed with a sob. Presently he turned away from
-the open grate and muttered aloud: "Yes, John Warfield, I loved you and
-I love your boy, Roderick. Some day he shall have all I've got. But he
-is self-willed--a regular outlaw--and I must wake him up to the demands
-of a bread-winner, put the bits into his mouth and make him bridle-wise.
-Gad! He's a dynamo, but I love him;" and he half smiled, while his eyes
-were yet red and his voice husky.
-
-"Ah, John," he mused as he looked again into the fire, "you might have
-been alive today to help me break this young colt to the plough, if you
-had only taken my advice and given up the search for that gold mine
-in the mountains. Thank God for the compact of secrecy between us--the
-secret shall die with me. The years, John, you spent in trying to
-re-dis-cover the vault of wealth--and what a will-o'-the-wisp it
-proved to be--and then the accident. But now I shall be firm--firm as
-a rock--and Roderick, the reckless would-be plunger, shall at last feel
-the iron hand of his old guardian beneath the silken glove of my foolish
-kindness. He's got to be subdued and broken, even if I have to let him
-live on husks for a while. Firm, firm--that's the only thing to be."
-
-As he muttered the last words, Allen Miller shut his square jaws
-together with an ugly snap that plainly told the stern policy he had
-resolved on and would henceforth determinedly pursue. He put on his
-great fur-lined cloak, and silently went out into the evening shadows
-and thick maze of descending snow-flakes.
-
-Meanwhile Roderick Warfield had reached his club, engaged a bedroom, and
-got a cheerful fire alight for companionship as well as comfort. He had
-telephoned to Whitley Adams to dine with him, but for two hours he would
-be by himself and undisturbed. He wanted a little time to think. And
-then there was the letter from his father. He had settled himself in an
-easy chair before the fire, the sealed envelope was in his hand, and the
-strange solemn feeling had descended upon him that he was going to hear
-his dead father speak to him again.
-
-There was in the silence that enveloped him the pulsing sensation of a
-mysterious presence. The ordeal now to be faced came as a climax to the
-stormy interview he had just passed through. He had reached a parting
-of the ways, and dimly realized that something was going to happen that
-would guide him as to the path he should follow. The letter seemed a
-message from another world. Unknown to himself the supreme moment that
-had now arrived was a moment of transfiguration--the youth became a
-man--old things passed away.
-
-With grave deliberation he broke the seal. Inside the folds of a long
-and closely written letter was a second cover with somewhat bulky
-contents. This he laid for the meantime on a little table by his side.
-Then he set himself to a perusal of the letter. It ran as follows:
-
-"My dear Son:--
-
-"This is for you to read when you have come to man's estate--when you
-are no longer a thoughtless boy, but a thoughtful man. With this letter
-you will find your mother's picture and a ring of pure gold which
-I placed upon her finger the day I married her--gold with a special
-sentiment attached to it, for I took it from the earth myself--also a
-few letters--love letters written by her to me and a tress of her hair.
-I am sure you will honor her memory by noble deeds. I loved her dearly.
-
-"I was younger at the time than you are now, Roderick, my son. Your
-Uncle Allen Miller--about my own age--and myself planned a trip to
-California. It was at the time of the great gold excitement in that far
-off land.
-
-"The Overland Train of some two score of ox teams that we were with
-traveled but slowly; frequently not more than eight or ten miles a day.
-I remembered we had crossed the south fork of the Platte River and had
-traveled some two days on westward into the mountains and were near a
-place called Bridger Peak. It must have been about midnight when our
-camp was startled with the most terrific and unearthly yells ever heard
-by mortals. It was a band of murderous Indians, and in less time than
-it takes to describe the scene of devastation, all of our stock was
-stampeded; our wagons looted and then set on fire. Following this a
-general massacre began. Your Uncle Allen and myself, both of us mere
-boys in our 'teens, alert and active, managed to make our escape in the
-darkness. Being fleet of foot we ran along the mountain side, following
-an opening but keeping close to a dense forest of pine trees. In this
-way we saved our lives. I afterwards learned that every other member of
-the party was killed.
-
-"We were each equipped with two revolvers and a bowie knife and perhaps
-jointly had one hundred rounds of cartridges. A couple of pounds of
-jerked beef and a half a loaf of bread constituted our provisions.
-Fortunately, Allen Miller carried with him a flint and steel, so that
-we were enabled to sustain ourselves with cooked food of game we killed
-during the weary days that followed.
-
-"With this letter I enclose a map, roughly drawn, but I am sure it will
-help you find the lost canyon where flows a beautiful stream of water,
-and where your Uncle Allen and myself discovered an amazing quantity of
-gold--placer gold. It is in a valley, and the sandbar of gold is about a
-mile up stream from where the torrent of rapid water loses itself at
-the lower end of the valley--seemingly flowing into the abrupt side of a
-mountain. At the place where we found the gold, I remember, there was a
-sandbar next to the mountain brook, then a gorge or pocket like an old
-channel of a creek bed, and it was here in this old sandbar of a
-channel that the nuggets of gold were found--so plentiful indeed,
-that notwithstanding we loaded ourselves with them to the limit of
-our strength, yet our 'takings' could scarcely be missed from this
-phenomenal sandbar of riches. We brought all we could possibly
-carry away with us in two bags which we made from extra clothing.
-Unfortunately we lost our way and could not find an opening from
-the valley, because the waters of the stream disappeared, as I have
-described, and we were compelled, after many unsuccessful attempts to
-find a water grade opening, to retrace our steps and climb out by the
-same precipitous trail that we had followed in going down into this
-strange valley.
-
-"We wandered in the mountains as far south as a place now known as
-Hahn's Peak, and then eastward, circling in every direction for many
-miles in extent. After tramping in an unknown wilderness for forty-seven
-days we finally came to the hut of a mountaineer, and were overjoyed to
-learn it was on a branch of the Overland trail Not long after this we
-fell in with a returning caravan of ox team freighters and after many
-weeks of tedious travel arrived at St. Joseph, Mo., footsore and weary,
-but still in possession of our gold. A little later we reached our home
-near Keokuk, Iowa, and to our great joy learned that our treasure was
-worth many thousands of dollars. Your Uncle Allen Miller's half was the
-beginning of his fortune. An oath of secrecy exists between your Uncle
-Allen Miller and myself that neither shall divulge during our lifetime
-that which I am now writing to you, but in thus communicating my story
-to you, my own flesh and blood, I do not feel that I am violating my
-promise, because the information will not come to you until years after
-my death.
-
-"Since your mother's death, I have made seven trips into the Rocky
-Mountain region hunting most diligently for an odd-shaped valley where
-abrupt mountains wall it in, seemingly on every side, and where we found
-the fabulously rich sandbar of gold.
-
-"But I have not succeeded in locating the exact place, not even finding
-the lost stream--or rather the spot where the waters disappeared out of
-sight at the base of a high mountain range. On my last trip, made
-less than one year ago, I met with a most serious accident that has
-permanently crippled me and will probably hasten my taking off. On the
-map I have made many notes while lying here ill and confined to my room,
-and they will give you my ideas of the location where the treasure may
-be found. To you, my beloved son, Roderick, I entrust this map. Study it
-well and if, as I believe, you have inherited my adventurous spirit, you
-will never rest until you find this lost valley and its treasure box
-of phenomenal wealth. In Rawlins, Wyoming, you will find an old
-frontiersman by the name of Jim Rankin. He has two cronies, or partners,
-Tom Sun and Boney Earnest. These three men rendered me great assistance.
-If you find the lost mine, reward them liberally.
-
-"I have communicated to no one, not even your good Uncle Allen Miller,
-that I have decided on leaving this letter, and the information which it
-contains is for your eyes alone to peruse long after my mortal body has
-crumbled to dust In imparting this information I do so feeling sure that
-your Uncle Allen will never make any effort to relocate the treasure, so
-that it is quite right and proper the secret should descend to you.
-
-"My pen drags a little--I am weary and quite exhausted with the effort
-of writing. I now find myself wondering whether this legacy--a legacy
-telling you of a lost gold mine that may be found somewhere in the
-fastnesses of the mountains of Wyoming--will prove a blessing to you or
-a disquieting evil. I shall die hoping that it will prove to your good
-and that your efforts in seeking this lost mine will be rewarded.
-
-"With tenderest love and affection,
-
-"Your father,
-
-"John Warfield."
-
-When Roderick reached the end of the letter, he remained for a long
-time still holding it in his hands and gazing fixedly into the glowing
-embers. He was seeing visions--visions of a Wyoming gold mine that would
-bring him unbounded wealth. At last he broke from his reveries, and
-examined the other package. It was unsealed. The first paper to come
-forth proved to be the map to which his father had referred--it was a
-pencil drawing with numerous marginal notes that would require close
-examination. For the present he laid the document on the table. Then
-reverently and tenderly he examined the little bunch of love letters
-tied together by a ribbon, the tress of hair placed between two
-protecting pieces of cardboard, and the plain hoop of gold wrapped
-carefully in several folds of tissue paper. Lastly he gazed upon the
-photograph of his mother--the mother he had never seen, the mother who
-had given her life so that he might live. There were tears in his eyes
-as he gently kissed the sweet girlish countenance.
-
-With thought of her and memories of the old boyhood days again he fell
-into a musing mood. Time sped unnoticed, and it was only the chiming of
-a church clock outside that aroused him to the fact that the dinner hour
-had arrived and that Whitley Adams would be waiting for him downstairs.
-He carefully placed all the papers in a writing desk that stood in a
-corner of the room, locked it, and put the key in his pocket. Then he
-descended to meet his friend.
-
-"Nothing doing, I can see," exclaimed Whitley the moment he saw
-Roderick's grave face.
-
-"You've got it right," he answered quietly. "The big 'if' you feared
-this morning turned out to be an uncompromising 'no.' Uncle Allen and I
-have said good-by."
-
-"No wonder you are looking so glum."
-
-"Not glum, old fellow. I never felt more tranquilly happy in my life.
-But naturally I may seem a bit serious. I have to cut out old things in
-my life, take up new lines."
-
-"I suppose it's back to New York for you."
-
-"No. Everything goes by the board there. I have to cut my losses and
-quit."
-
-"What a cruel sacrifice!"
-
-"Or what a happy release," smiled Roderick. "There is something calling
-me elsewhere--a call I cannot resist--a call I believe that beckons me
-to success."
-
-"Where?"
-
-"Well, we won't say anything about that at present I'll write you later
-on when the outlook becomes clearer. Meanwhile we'll dine, and I'm going
-to put up a little business proposition to you. I want you to buy my
-half share in the _Black Swan._"
-
-"Guess that can be fixed up all right," replied Whitley, as they moved
-toward the dining room. And, dull care laid aside, the two old college
-chums gave themselves up to a pleasant evening--the last they would
-spend together for many a long day, as both realized.
-
-By eleven o'clock next morning Roderick Warfield had adjusted his
-financial affairs. He had received cash for his half interest in the
-_Black Swan,_ a river pleasure launch which he and Whitley Adams had
-owned in common for several years. He had written one letter, to New
-York surrendering his holding in the mining syndicate, and other letters
-to his three or four creditors enclosing bank drafts for one-half of
-his indebtedness and requesting six months' time for the payment of
-the balance. With less than a hundred dollars left he was cheerfully
-prepared to face the world.
-
-Then had come the most painful episode of the whole visit--the parting
-from Aunt Lois, the woman of gentle ways and kindly heart who had always
-loved him like a mother, who loved him still, and who tearfully pleaded
-with him to submit even at this eleventh hour to his uncle's will and
-come back to his room in the old home. But the adieus had been spoken,
-resolutely though tenderly, and now Whitley Adams in his big motor car
-had whisked Roderick and his belongings back to the railway depot.
-
-He had barely time to check his trunk to Burlington and swing onto
-the moving train. "So long," he shouted to his friend. "Good luck,"
-responded Whitley as he waved farewell. And Roderick Warfield was being
-borne out into the big new world of venture and endeavor.
-
-Would he succeed in cuffing the ears of chance and conquer, or would
-heartless fate play football with him and make him indeed the "pig-skin"
-as his uncle had prophesied in the coming events of his destiny--a
-destiny that was carrying him away among strangers and to unfamiliar
-scenes? As the train rushed along his mind was full of his father's
-letter and his blood tingled with excitement over the secret that had
-come to him from the darkness of the very grave. The primal man within
-him was crying out with mad impatience to be in the thick of the fierce
-struggle for the golden spoil.
-
-A witchery was thrumming in his heart--the witchery of the West; and
-instead of struggling against the impulse, he was actually encouraging
-it to lead him blindly on toward an unsolved mystery of the hills. He
-was lifted up into the heights, his soul filled with exalted thoughts
-and hopes.
-
-Then came whisperings in a softer strain--gentle whisperings that
-brought with them memories of happy college days and the name of Stella
-Rain. It was perhaps nothing more nor less than the crude brutality with
-which his uncle had pressed his meretricious matrimonial scheme that
-caused Roderick now to think so longingly and so fondly of the
-charming little "college widow" who had been the object of his youthful
-aspirations.
-
-All at once he came to a resolution. Yes; he would spend at least one
-day on the old campus grounds at Knox College. The call of the hills
-was singing in his heart, the luring irresistible call. But before
-responding to it he would once again press the hand and peep into the
-eyes of Stella Rain.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER III--FINANCIAL WOLVES
-
-
-ON the very day following Roderick Warfield's departure from Keokuk
-there appeared in one of the morning newspapers an item of intelligence
-that greatly surprised and shocked the banker, Allen Miller. It
-announced the death of the wife of his old friend General John Holden,
-of Quincy, Illinois, and with the ghoulish instincts of latter-day
-journalism laid bare a story of financial disaster that had, at least
-indirectly, led to the lady's lamented demise. It set forth how some
-years before the General had invested practically the whole of his
-fortune in a western smelter company, how the minority stockholders had
-been frozen out by a gang of financial sharps in Pennsylvania, and how
-Mrs. Holden's already enfeebled health had been unable to withstand the
-blow of swift and sudden family ruin. The General, however, was bearing
-his sad bereavement and his monetary losses with the courage and
-fortitude that had characterized his military career, and had announced
-his intention of retiring to a lonely spot among the mountains of
-Wyoming where his daughter, the beautiful and accomplished Gail Holden,
-owned a half section of land which had been gifted to her in early
-infancy by an unde, a prominent business man in San Francisco. Allen
-Miller was sincerely grieved over the misfortunes that had so cruelly
-smitten a life-long friend. But what momentarily stunned him was the
-thought that Gail Holden was the very girl designated, in mind at least,
-by himself and his wife as a desirable match for Roderick. And because
-the latter had not at once fallen in with these matrimonial plans, there
-had been the bitter quarrel, the stinging words of rebuke that could
-never be recalled, and the departure of the young man, as he had told
-his aunt, to places where they would never hear of him unless and until
-he had made his own fortune in the world.
-
-As the newspaper dropped from his hands, the old banker uttered a great
-groan--he had sacrificed the boy, whom in his heart he had cherished,
-and still cherished, as a son, for a visionary scheme that had already
-vanished into nothingness like a fragile iridescent soap-bubble. For
-obviously Gail Holden, her only possessions an impoverished father and a
-few acres of rocky soil, was no longer eligible as the bride of a future
-bank president and leader in the financial world. The one crumb of
-consolation for Allen Miller was that he had never mentioned her name
-to Roderick--that when the sponge of time came to efface the quarrel the
-whole incident could be consigned to oblivion without any humiliating
-admission on his side. For financial foresight was the very essence of
-his faith in himself, his hold over Roderick, and his reputation in the
-business world.
-
-The afternoon mail brought detailed news of General Holden's speculative
-venture and downfall. Allen Miller's correspondent was a lawyer friend
-in Quincy, who wrote in strict confidence but with a free and sharply
-pointed pen. It appeared that Holden's initial investment had been on a
-sound basis. He had held bonds that were underlying securities on a big
-smelting plant in Wyoming, in the very district where his daughter's
-patch of range lands was situated. It was during a visit to the
-little ranch that the general's attention had been drawn to the great
-possibilities of a local smelter, and he had been the main one to
-finance the proposition and render the erection of the plant possible.
-At this stage a group of eastern capitalists had been attracted to the
-region, and there had come to be mooted a big consolidation of several
-companies, an electric lighting plant, an aerial tramway, a valuable
-producing copper mine and several other different concerns that were
-closely associated with the smelting enterprise.
-
-In the days that followed a Pennsylvanian financier with a lightning rod
-education, by the name of W. B. Grady had visited Holden at his Quincy
-home, partaken of his hospitality, and persuaded him to exchange his
-underlying bonds for stock in a re-organized and consolidated company.
-
-By reputation this man Grady was already well known to Allen Miller as
-one belonging to the new school of unscrupulous stock manipulators that
-has grown up, developed, flourished and waxed fat under the blighting
-influence and domination of the Well Known Oil crowd. This new school
-of financiers is composed of financial degenerates, where the words
-"honor," "fair dealing" or the "square deal" have all been effectually
-expunged--marked off from their business vocabulary and by them regarded
-as obsolete terms. Grady was still a comparatively young man, of
-attractive manners and commanding presence, with the rapacity, however,
-of a wolf and the cunning of a fox. He stood fully six feet, and his
-hair, once black as a raven's, was now streaked with premature gray
-which was in no way traceable to early piety. But to have mentioned his
-name even in a remote comparison to such a respectable bird as the raven
-rendered an apology due to the raven. It was more consistent with the
-eternal truth and fitness of things to substitute the term "vulture"--to
-designate him "a financial vulture," that detestable bird of prey whose
-chief occupation is feasting on carrion and all things where the life
-has been squeezed out by the financial octopus, known as "the system."
-
-It developed, according to Banker Miller's correspondent, that no sooner
-had General Holden given up his underlying bonds of the smelter company
-and accepted stock, than foreclosure proceedings were instituted in the
-U. S. District Court, and the whole business closed out and sold and
-grabbed by Grady and a small coterie of financial pirates no better than
-himself. And all this was done many hundreds of miles away from the
-home of the unsuspecting old general, who until it was too late remained
-wholly ignorant and unadvised of the true character of the suave and
-pleasant appearing Mr. Grady whose promises were innumerable, yet whose
-every promise was based upon a despicable prevarication.
-
-And thus it was when the affairs of General Holden were fairly threshed
-out, that Allen Miller discovered his old friend had been the prey of
-a financial vampire, one skilled in sharp practice and whose artful
-cunning technically protected him from being arrested and convicted of
-looting the victim of his fortune. Holden had fallen into the hands of
-a highwayman as vicious as any stage robber that ever infested the
-highways of the frontier. The evidence of the fellow's rascality was
-most apparent; indeed, he was in a way caught redhanded with the goods
-as surely as ever a sheep-killing dog was found with wool on its teeth.
-
-To the credit of Allen Miller, he never hesitated or wavered in his
-generosity to anyone he counted as a true and worthy friend. That
-very evening Mrs. Miller departed for Quincy, to offer in person more
-discreetly than a letter could offer any financial assistance that might
-be required to meet present emergencies, and at the same time convey
-sympathy to the husband and daughter in their sad bereavement.
-
-"Lois, my dear," the banker had said to his wife, "remain a few days
-with them if necessary. Make them comfortable, no matter what the
-expense. If they had means they wouldn't need us, but now--well, no
-difference about the why and wherefore--you just go and comfort and help
-them materially and substantially."
-
-It was in such a deed as this that the true nobility of Allen Miller's
-character shone forth like a star of the brightest magnitude--a star
-guaranteeing forgiveness of all his blunders and stupid attempts to curb
-the impulsive and proud spirit of Roderick War-field Yet sympathy for
-Gail and her father in no way condoned their poverty to his judgment
-as a man of finance or reinstated the girl as an eligible match for the
-young man. He would have been glad of tidings of Roderick--to have him
-home again and the offensive matrimonial condition he had attached to
-his offer of an appointment in the bank finally eliminated.
-
-But there was no news, and meanwhile his wife had returned from her
-mission, to report that the Holdens, while sincerely grateful, had
-declined all offers of assistance. As Mrs. Miller described, it was the
-girl herself who had declared, with the light of quiet self-reliance in
-her eyes, that by working the ranch in Wyoming as she proposed to work
-it there would be ample provision for her father's little luxuries and
-her own simple needs.
-
-So Allen Miller put Gail Holden out of mind. But he had many secret
-heartaches over his rupture with Roderick, and every little stack of
-mail matter laid upon his desk was eagerly turned over in the hope that
-at last the wanderer's whereabouts would be disclosed.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IV.--THE COLLEGE WIDOW
-
-
-STELLA RAIN belonged to one of the first families of Galesburg. Their
-beautiful home, an old style Southern mansion, painted white with green
-shutters, was just across from the college campus ground. It was the
-usual fate of seniors about to pass out of Knox College to be in love,
-avowedly or secretly, with this fair "college widow." She was petite of
-form and face, and had a beautiful smile that radiated cheerfulness to
-the scores of college boys. There was a merry-come-on twinkle in her
-eyes that set the hearts of the young farmer lad students and the city
-chaps as well, in tumultuous riot. Beneath it all she was kind of heart,
-and it was this innate consideration for others that caused her to
-introduce all the new boys and the old ones too, as they came to college
-year after year, to Galesburg's fairest girls. She was ready to fit in
-anywhere--a true "college widow" in the broadest sense of the term. Her
-parents were wealthy and she had no greater ambition than to be a queen
-among the college boys. Those who knew her best said that she would live
-and die a spinster because of her inability to select someone from among
-the hundreds of her admirers. Others said she had had a serious affair
-of the heart when quite young. But that was several years before
-Roderick Warfield had come upon the scene and been in due course smitten
-by her charms. How badly smitten he only now fully realized when, after
-nearly a year of absence, he found himself once again tête-à-tête with
-her in the old familiar drawing-room of her home.
-
-There had been an hour of pleasant desultory conversation, the exchange
-of reminiscences and of little sympathetic confidences, a subtly growing
-tension in the situation which she had somewhat abruptly broken by going
-to the piano and dashing off a brilliant Hungarian rhapsody.
-
-"And so you are determined to go West?" she inquired as she rose to
-select from the cabinet another sheet of music.
-
-"Yes," replied Roderick, "I'm going far West. I am going after a
-fortune."
-
-"How courageous you are," she replied, glancing at him over her shoulder
-with merry, twinkling eyes, as if she were proud of his ambition.
-
-"Stella," said Roderick, as she returned to the piano, where he was now
-standing.
-
-"Yes?" said she, looking up encouragingly.
-
-"Why; you see, Stella--you don't mind me telling you--well, Stella, if I
-find the lost gold mine--"
-
-"If you find what?" she exclaimed.
-
-"Oh, I mean," said Roderick in confusion, "I mean if I find a fortune.
-Don't you know, if I get rich out in that western country--"
-
-"And I hope and believe you will," broke in Stella, vivaciously.
-
-"Yes--I say, if I do succeed, may I come back for you--yes, marry you,
-and will you go out there with me to live?"
-
-"Oh, Roderick, are you jesting now? You are just one of these
-mischievous college boys trying to touch the heart of the little college
-widow." She laughed gaily at him, as if full of disbelief.
-
-"No," protested Roderick, "I am sincere."
-
-Stella Rain looked at him a moment in admiration. He was tall and
-strong--a veritable athlete. His face was oval and yet there was a
-square-jawed effect in its moulding. His eyes were dark and luminous
-and frank, and wore a look of matureness, of determined purpose, she had
-never seen there before. Finally she asked: "Do you know, Roderick, how
-old I am?"
-
-As Roderick looked at her he saw there was plaintive regret in her dark
-sincere eyes. There was no merry-come-on in them now; at last she was
-serious.
-
-"Why, no," said Roderick, "I don't know how old you are and I don't
-care. I only know that you appeal to me more than any other woman I have
-ever met, and all the boys like, you, and I love you, and I want you for
-my wife."
-
-"Sit down here by my side," said Stella. "Let me talk to you in great
-frankness."
-
-Roderick seated himself by her side and reaching over took one of her
-hands in his. He fondled it with appreciation--it was small, delicate
-and tapering.
-
-"Roderick," she said, "my heart was given to a college boy when I was
-only eighteen years old. He went away to his home in an eastern state,
-and then he forgot me and married the girl he had gone to school with as
-a little boy--during the red apple period of their lives. It pleased
-his family better and perhaps it was better; and it will not please your
-family, Roderick, if you marry me."
-
-"My family be hanged," said Roderick with emphasis. "I have just had a
-quarrel with my uncle, Allen Miller, and I am alone in the world. I have
-no family. If you become my wife, why, we'll--. we'll be a family to
-ourselves."
-
-Stella smiled sadly and said: "You enthusiastic boy. How old are you,
-Roderick?"
-
-"I am twenty-four and getting older every day." They both laughed and
-Stella sighed and said: "Oh, dear, how the years are running against
-us--I mean running against me. No, no," she said, half to herself, "it
-never can be--it is impossible."
-
-"What," said Roderick, rising to his feet, and at the same moment she
-also stood before him--"What's impossible? Is it impossible for you to
-love me?"
-
-"No, not that," said Stella, and he noticed tears in her eyes.
-"No, Roderick," and she stood before him holding both his hands in
-hers--"Listen," she said, "listen!"
-
-"I am all attention," said Roderick.
-
-"I will tell you how it will all end--we will never marry."
-
-"Well, I say we shall marry," said Roderick. "If you will have me--if
-you love me--for I love you better than all else on earth." He started
-to take her in his arms and she raised her hand remonstratingly, and
-said: "Wait! Here is what I mean," and she looked up at him helplessly.
-"I mean,"--she was speaking slowly--"I mean that you believe today, this
-hour, this minute that you want me for your wife."
-
-"I certainly do," insisted Roderick, emphatically.
-
-"Yes, but wait--wait until I finish. I will promise to be your wife,
-Roderick--yes, I will promise--if you come for me I will marry you. But,
-oh, Roderick,"--and there were tears this time in her voice as well as
-in her eyes--"You will never come back--you will meet others not so old
-as I am, for I am very, very old, and tonight I feel that I would give
-worlds and worlds if they were mine to give, were I young once again.
-Of course, in your youthful generosity you don't know what the
-disparagement of age means between husband and wife, when the husband is
-younger. A man may be a score of years older than a woman and all will
-be well--if they grow old together. It is God's way. But if a woman
-is eight or ten years older than her husband, it is all different. No,
-Roderick, don't take me in your arms, don't even kiss me until I bid you
-good-by when you start for that gold' mine of yours"--and as she said
-this she tried to laugh in her old way.
-
-"You seem to think," said Roderick in a half-vexed, determined tone,
-"that I don't know my own mind--that I do not know my own heart. Why, do
-you know, Stella, I have never loved any other girl nor ever had even a
-love affair?"
-
-She looked at him quickly and said: "Roderick, that's just the
-trouble--you do not know--you cannot make a comparison, nor you won't
-know until the other girl comes along. And then, then," she said
-wearily, "I shall be weighed in the balance and found wanting,
-because--oh, Roderick, I am so old, and I am so sorry--" and she turned
-away and hid her face in her hands. "I believe in you and I could love
-you with all my strength and soul. I am willing--listen Roderick," she
-put up her hands protectingly, "don't be impatient--I am willing to
-believe that you will be constant--that you will come back--I am willing
-to promise to be your wife."
-
-"You make me the happiest man in the world," exclaimed Roderick,
-crushing her to him with a sense of possession.
-
-"But there is one promise I am going to ask you to make," she said.
-
-"Yes, yes," said he, "I will promise anything."
-
-"Well, it is this: If the other girl should come along, don't fail to
-follow the inclination of your heart, for I could not be your wife and
-believe that the image of another woman was kept sacredly hidden away in
-the deep recesses of your soul. Do you understand?" There was something
-in her words--something in the way she spoke them--something in the
-thought, that struck Roderick as love itself, and it pleased him,
-because love is unselfish. Then he remembered that as yet he was
-penniless--it stung him. However, the world was before him and he
-must carve out a future and a fortune. It might take years, and in the
-meantime what of Stella Rain, who was even now deploring her many years?
-She would be getting older, and her chances, perhaps, for finding a home
-and settling down with a husband would be less and less.
-
-But he knew there was no such thought of selfishness on her part--her
-very unselfishness appealed to him strongly and added a touch of
-chivalry to his determination.
-
-Stella Rain sank into a cushioned chair and rested her chin upon one
-hand while, reaching to the piano keys with the other, she thrummed
-them softly. Roderick walked back and forth slowly before her in deep
-meditation. At last he paused and said: "I love you, I will prove I am
-worthy. There is no time to lose. The hour grows late. I have but an
-hour to reach my hotel, get my luggage and go to the depot I am going
-West tonight I will come for you within one year, provided I make my
-fortune; and I firmly believe in my destiny. If not--if I do not come--I
-will release you from your betrothal, if it is your wish that I do so."
-
-Stella Rain laughed more naturally, and the old "come-on" twinkling was
-in her eyes again as she said: "Roderick, I don't want to be released,
-because I love you very, very much. It is not that--it's because--well,
-no difference--if you come, Roderick," and she raised her hand to him
-from the piano--"if you come, and still want me to be your wife, I will
-go with you and live in the mountains or the remotest corner of the
-earth."
-
-He took her hand in both his own and kissed it tenderly. "Very well,
-Stella,--you make it plain to me. But you shall see--you shall see," and
-he looked squarely into her beautiful eyes.
-
-"Yes," she said, rising to her feet, "we shall see, Roderick, we shall
-see. And do you know," the twinkling was now gone from her eyes once
-more and she became serious again--"do you know, Roderick, it is the
-dearest hope of my life that you will come? But I shall love you just as
-much as I do now, Roderick, if for any cause--for whatever reason--you
-do not come. Do you understand?"
-
-"But," interposed Roderick, "we are betrothed, are we not?"
-
-She looked at him and said, smiling half sadly: "Surely, Roderick, we
-are betrothed."
-
-He put his big strong hands up to her cheeks, lifted her face to his and
-kissed her reverently. Then with a hasty good-by he turned and was gone.
-
-As Roderick hurried across the old campus he felt the elation of a
-gladiator. Of course, he would win in life's battle, and would return
-for Stella Rain, the dearest girl in all the world. The stars
-were twinkling bright, the moon in the heavens was in the last
-quarter--bright moon and stars, fit companions for him in his
-all-conquering spirit of optimism.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER V.--WESTWARD HO!
-
-
-AS the train rumbled along carrying Roderick back to Burlington, he was
-lost in reverie and exultation. He was making plans for a mighty future,
-into which now a romance of love was interwoven as well as the romance
-of a mysterious gold mine awaiting rediscovery in some hidden valley
-among rugged mountains. Yes; he would lose no further time in starting
-out for Wyoming. The winning of the one treasure meant the winning
-of the other--the making of both his own. As he dreamed of wealth
-unbounded, there was always singing in his heart the name of Stella
-Rain.
-
-Next day he was aboard a westbound train, booked for Rawlins, Wyoming,
-where, as his father's letter had directed, he was likely to find the
-old frontiersman, Jim Rankin; perhaps also the other "cronies" referred
-to by name, Tom Sun and Boney Earnest At Omaha a young westerner boarded
-the train, and took a seat in the Pullman car opposite to Roderick. In
-easy western style the two fell into conversation, and Roderick
-soon learned that the newcomer's name was Grant Jones, that he was a
-newspaper man by calling and resided in Dillon, Wyoming, right in the
-midst of the rich copper mines.
-
-"We are just over the mountain," explained Jones, "from the town of
-Encampment, where the big smelter is located."
-
-As the train sped along and they became better acquainted, Grant Jones
-pointed out to Roderick a dignified gentleman with glasses and a gray
-mustache occupying a seat well to the front of the car, and told
-him that this particular individual was no other than the "Boss of
-Montana"--Senator "Fence Everything" Greed. Jones laughed heartily at
-the name.
-
-"Of course, he is the U. S. Senator from Montana," continued Jones,
-soberly, "and his name is F. E. Greed. His enemies out in Montana will
-be highly pleased at the new name I have given him--'Fence Everything,'
-because he has fenced in over 150,000 acres of Government land, it is
-claimed, and run the actual home-settlers out of his fenced enclosures
-while his immense herds of cattle trampled under foot and ate up the
-poor evicted people's crops. Oh, he's some 'boss,' all right, all
-right."
-
-"Why," exclaimed Roderick, "that's lawlessness."
-
-Grant Jones turned and looked at Roderick and said: "The rich are never
-lawless, especially United States Senators--not out in Montana. Why,
-bless your heart, they say the superintendent of his ranch is on the
-payroll down at Washington at $1800 a year.
-
-"Likewise the superintendent of the electric lighting plant which
-Senator Greed owns, as well as the superintendent of his big general
-store, are said to be on the government payroll.
-
-"It has also been charged that his son was on the public payroll while
-at college. Oh, no, it is not lawless; it is just a dignified form of
-graft. Of course," Jones went on with arched eyebrows, "I remember one
-case where a homesteader shot one of the Senator's fatted cattle--fine
-stock, blooded, you know. It was perhaps worth $100. Of course the
-man was arrested, had a 'fair trial' and is now doing time in the
-penitentiary. In the meantime, his wife and little children have been
-sent back East to her people. You see," said Jones, smiling, "this small
-rancher, both poor in purse and without influence, was foolish enough
-to lose his temper because five or six hundred head of Senator Greed's
-cattle were driven by his cowboys over the rancher's land and the cattle
-incidentally, as they went along, ate up his crops. Little thing to get
-angry about, wasn't it?" and Jones laughed sarcastically.
-
-"Well, don't the state conventions pass resolutions denouncing their U.
-S. Senator for such cold-blooded tyrannizing methods?"
-
-"If the state of Montana," replied Grant Jones, "should ever hold a
-state convention of its representative people--the bone and sinew of
-its sovereign citizens, why, they would not only retire Senator Greed to
-private life, but they would consign him to the warmer regions."
-
-"You surprise me," replied Roderick. "I supposed that every state held
-conventions--delegates you know, from each county."
-
-"They think they do," said Jones, winking one eye, "but they are only
-ratification meetings. The 'Boss,'" he continued, nodding his head
-towards Senator Greed, "has his faithful lieutenants in each precinct
-of every county. His henchmen select the alleged delegates and when
-they all get together in a so-called state convention they are by
-pre-arrangement program men. The slate is fixed up by the 'Boss' and is
-duly ratified without a hitch. Therefore instead of being a convention
-representing the people it is a great big farce--a ratification picnic
-where 'plums' are dealt out and the ears of any who become fractious
-duly cuffed."
-
-At Grand Island in the afternoon, during a stop while engines were
-changed, Roderick left the train and stretched his legs by walking up
-and down the depot platform. Here he saw Grant Jones in a new rôle.
-Notwithstanding Jones was in rough western garb--khaki Norfolk coat,
-trousers to match, and leather leggings--yet he was the center of
-attraction for a bevy of young ladies. Two of these in particular were
-remarkable for their beauty; both had the same burnished golden hair
-and large brown eyes; they were almost identical in height and figure,
-petite and graceful, dressed alike, so that anyone at a first glance
-would have recognized them to be not only sisters but doubtless twins.
-
-When the train was about ready to start, these two girls bade adieu to
-their numerous friends and permitted Grant Jones with all the gallantry
-of a Beau Brummel to assist them onto the car.
-
-Later Grant Jones took great pains to assure Roderick that it was
-a pleasure to introduce him to the Misses Barbara and Dorothy
-Shields--"Two of our' mountain wild flowers," Grant said, laughing
-pleasantly, "who reside with their people way over south in the Wyoming
-hills, not far from Encampment, on one of the biggest cattle ranges in
-the state."
-
-Roderick, already captivated by the whole-souled, frank manner of Grant
-Jones, now found himself much interested in the beautiful twin sisters
-as well. Hour followed hour in bright and sprightly conversation, and
-soon the tenderfoot who had been inclined to condole with himself as a
-lonely stranger among strangers was feeling quite at home in the great
-western world of hospitable welcome and good comradeship.
-
-At an early hour next morning Grant Jones, the Shields girls and a dozen
-other people left the train at the little town of Walcott. They extended
-hearty invitations for Roderick to come over to southern Wyoming to
-see the country, its great mines and the big smelter. "If you pay us
-a visit," said Grant Jones, laughing, "I'll promise you a fine big
-personal in the _Dillon Doublejack_, of which mighty organ of public
-opinion I have the honor to be editor."
-
-Roderick, with a bow of due reverence for his editorial majesty and a
-bright smile for the sisters, promised that he likely would make the
-trip before very long. Then he swung himself onto the already moving
-train and continued his westward journey to Rawlins.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VI.--RODERICK MEETS JIM RANKIN
-
-
-IT was seven o'clock the same morning when Roderick left the train at
-Rawlins.
-
-The raw, cold wind was blowing a terrific gale, the streets were
-deserted save for a few half drunken stragglers who had been making a
-night of it, going the rounds of saloons and gambling dens.
-
-A bright-faced lad took charge of the mail bags, threw them into a push
-cart and started rumbling away up the street. Warfield followed and
-coming up with him inquired for a hotel.
-
-"Right over there is the Ferris House," said the young fellow, nodding
-his head in the direction indicated.
-
-As Roderick approached the hotel he met a grizzled keen-eyed
-frontiersman who saluted him with a friendly "Hello, partner, you be a
-stranger in these yere parts, I'm assoomin'."
-
-"Yes, I just arrived on this morning's train."
-
-"Waal, my handle is Jim Rankin. Been prospectin' the range hereabouts
-nigh thirty years; uster be sheriff of this yere county when people
-wuz hostile a plenty--have the best livery stable today in Wyomin', and
-always glad to see strangers loiterin' 'round and help 'em to git their
-bearin's if I can be of service--you bet I am."
-
-Thus early had Roderick encountered his father's old friend. He was
-delighted, but for the present kept his own counsel. A more fitting time
-and place must be found to tell the reason of his coming.
-
-"Thank you," he contented himself with saying as he accepted the
-frontiersman's hand of welcome; "glad to meet you, Mr. Rankin."
-
-"Here, boy," shouted the latter to an attache of the hotel, "take care
-of this yere baggage; it belongs to this yere gentleman, a dangnation
-good friend uv mine. He'll be back soon fur breakfast. Come on,
-stranger, let's go over to Wren's. I'm as dry as a fish."
-
-Roderick smiled and turning about, accompanied his new discovery down
-the street to Wren's. As they walked along Rankin said: "Here's my barn
-and here's the alley. We'll turn in here and get into Wren's by the back
-door. I never pester the front door. Lots uv fellers git a heap careless
-with their artillery on front steps that are docile 'nuff inside."
-As they passed through a back gate, Jim Rankin, the typical old-time
-westerner, pushed his hat well back on his head, fished out of his
-pocket a pouch of "fine cut" tobacco, and stowing away a large wad in
-his mouth began masticating rapidly, like an automobile on the low
-gear. Between vigorous "chaws" he observed that the sun would be up in a
-"minute" and then the wind would go down. "Strange but true as gospel,"
-he chuckled--perhaps at his superior knowledge of the West--"when the
-sun comes up the wind goes down."
-
-He expectorated a huge pit-tew of tobacco juice at an old ash barrel,
-wiped his iron gray mustache with the back of his hand, pushed open the
-back door of the saloon and invited Roderick to enter.
-
-A fire was burning briskly in a round sheet iron stove, and a half dozen
-wooden-backed chairs were distributed about a round-topped table covered
-with a green cloth.
-
-Rankin touched a press button, and when a white-aproned waiter responded
-and stood with a silent look of inquiry on his face the frontiersman
-cleared his throat and said: "A dry Martini fur me; what pizen do you
-nominate, partner?"
-
-"Same," was Roderick's rather abbreviated reply as he took in the
-surroundings with a furtive glance.
-
-As soon as the waiter retired to fill the orders, Roderick's new found
-friend pulled a coal scuttle close to his chair to serve as a receptacle
-for his tobacco expectorations, and began: "You see, speakin' wide open
-like, I know all these yere fellers--know 'em like a book. Out at the
-bar in front is a lot uv booze-fightin' sheep herders makin' things gay
-and genial, mixin' up with a lot uv discharged railroad men. Been makin'
-some big shipments uv sheep east, lately, and when they get tumultuous
-like with a whole night's jag of red liquor under their belt, they
-forgit about the true artickle uv manhood and I cut 'em out. Hope
-they'll get away afore the cattle men come in from over north, otherwise
-there'll be plenty uv ugly shootin'. Last year we made seven new graves
-back there," and he jerked his thumb over his shoulder, "seven graves
-as a result uv a lot uv sheep herders and cow punchers tryin' to do the
-perlite thing here at Wren's parlors the same night They got to shootin'
-in a onrestrained fashion and a heap careless. You bet if I wuz sheriff
-uv this yere county agin I'd see to it that law and order had the long
-end uv the stick--though I must allow they did git hostile and hang
-Big Nose George when I wuz in office," he added after a pause. Then he
-chuckled quietly to himself, for the moment lost in retrospection.
-
-Presently the waiter brought in the drinks and when he retired Rankin
-got up very cautiously, tried the door to see if it was tightly shut.
-Coming back to the table and seating himself he lifted his glass, but
-before drinking said: "Say, pard, I don't want to be too presumin', but
-what's your handle?"
-
-Roderick felt that the proper moment had arrived, and went straight to
-his story.
-
-"My name is Roderick Warfield. I am the son of John Warfield with whom
-I believe you had some acquaintance a number of years ago. My father is
-dead, as you doubtless may have heard--died some fourteen years since.
-He left a letter for me which only recently came into my possession,
-and in the letter he spoke of three men--Jim Rankin, Tom Sun and Boney
-Earnest."
-
-As Roderick was speaking, the frontiersman reverently returned his
-cocktail to the table.
-
-"Geewhillikins!" he exclaimed, "you the son uv John Warfield! Well, I'll
-be jiggered. This just nachurly gits on my wind. Shake, young man."
-And Jim Rankin gave Roderick's hand the clinch of a vise; "I'm a mighty
-sight more than delighted to see you, and you can count on my advice and
-help, every day in the week and Sundays thrown in. As you're a stranger
-in these parts, I'm assoomin' you'll need it a plenty, you bet. Gee, but
-I'm as glad to see you as I'd be to see a brother. Let's drink to the
-memory uv your good father."
-
-He again lifted his cocktail and Roderick joined him by picking up a
-side glass of water.
-
-"What?" asked Rankin, "not drinkin' yer cocktail? What's squirmin' in
-yer vitals?"
-
-"I drink nothing stronger than water," replied Roderick, looking
-his father's old friend squarely in the eyes. Thus early in their
-association he was glad to settle this issue once and for all time.
-
-"Shake again," said Rankin, after tossing off his drink at a single
-swallow and setting down his empty glass, "you sure 'nuff are the son
-uv John Warfield. Wuz with him off and on fur many a year and he never
-drank spirits under no circumstances. You bet I wuz just nachurly so
-dangnation flabbergasted at meetin' yer I got plumb locoed and sure did
-fergit. Boney and Tom and me often speak uv him to this day, and they'll
-be dangnation glad to see you."
-
-"So you're all three still in the ring?" queried Roderick with a smile.
-
-"Bet yer life," replied Rankin sturdily. "Why, Tom Sun and Boney Earnest
-and me have been chums fur nigh on to thirty years. They're the best
-scouts that ever hunted in the hills. They're the chaps who put up my
-name at the convenshun, got me nominated and then elected me sheriff of
-this yere county over twenty-five years ago. Gosh but I'm certainly glad
-to see yer and that's my attitood." He smiled broadly.
-
-"Now, Warfield," he continued, "what yer out here fur? But first, hold
-on a minute afore yer prognosticate yer answer. Just shove that 'tother
-cocktail over this way--dangnation afeerd you'll spill it; no use
-letting it go to waste."
-
-"I've come," replied Roderick, smiling and pushing the cocktail across
-to Jim Rankin, "to grow up with the country. A young fellow when he gets
-through college days has got to get out and do something, and some way
-I've drifted out to Wyoming to try and make a start. I have lots of good
-health, but precious little money."
-
-Jim Rankin drank the remaining cocktail, pulled his chair a little
-closer to Roderick's and spoke in a stage whisper: "You know, I'm
-assoomin', what yer father was huntin' fur when he got hurt?"
-
-Roderick flushed slightly and remained silent for a moment. Was it
-possible that his father's old friend, Jim Rankin, knew of the lost
-mine? Finally he replied: "Well, yes, I know in a general way."
-
-"Don't speak too dangnation loud," enjoined Rankin. "Come on and we'll
-hike out uv this and go into one uv the back stalls uv my livery stable.
-This's no place to talk about sich things--even walls have ears."
-
-As they went out again by the back door the morning sun was looking at
-them from the rim of the eastern hills. Side by side and in silence they
-walked along the alley to the street, then turned and went into a big
-barn-like building bearing a sign-board inscribed: "Rankin's Livery,
-Feed and Sale Stable."
-
-Although there was not a soul in sight, Rankin led his new acquaintance
-far back to the rear of the building. As they passed, a dozen or more
-horses whinnied, impatient for their morning feed.
-
-Cautiously and without a word being spoken they went into an empty stall
-in a far corner, and there in a deep whisper, Rankin said: "I know the
-hull shootin' match about that 'ere lost gold mine, but Tom and Boney
-don't--they've been peevish, good and plenty, two or three different
-times thinkin' I know'd suthin' they didn't. Not a blamed thing does
-anybody know but me, you bet I went with your father on three different
-trips, but we didn't quite locate the place. I believe it's on Jack
-Creek or Cow Creek--maybe furder over--don't know which, somewhere this
-side or t'other side of Encampment River. You kin bet big money I kin
-help a heap--a mighty lot But say nothin' to nobody--specially to
-these soopercilious high-steppin' chaps 'round here--not a dangnation
-word--keep it mum. This is a razzle-dazzle just 'tween you an' me, young
-man."
-
-A silence followed, and the two stood there looking at each other.
-Presently Roderick said: "I believe I'll go over to the hotel and get
-some breakfast; this western air gives one a ravenous appetite."
-
-Then they both laughed a little as if anxious to relieve an embarrassing
-situation, and went out to the street together. Jim knew in his heart
-he had been outclassed; he had shown his whole hand, the other not one
-single card.
-
-"All right," Rankin finally said, as if an invitation had been extended
-to him. "All right, I'll jist loiter along with yer over to'rd the
-hotel."
-
-"At another time," observed Roderick, "we will talk further about my
-father's errand into this western country."
-
-"That's the dope that sure 'nuff suits me, Mr. War-field," replied
-Rankin. "Whatever you say goes. Yer can unbosom yerself to me any time
-to the limit. I've got a dozen good mining deals to talk to you about;
-they're dandies--a fortune in every one uv 'em--'a bird in every shell,'
-I might say," and Rankin laughed heartily at his happy comparison.
-"Remember one thing, Warfield,"--he stopped and took hold of the lapel
-of Roderick's coat, and again spoke in a whisper--"this yere town is
-full uv 'hot air' merchants. Don't have nuthin' to do with 'em--stand
-pat with me and I'll see by the great horn spoon the worst you get
-will be the best uv everythin' we tackle. Well, so long until after
-breakfast; I'll see you later." And with this Rankin turned and
-walked briskly back to his stables, whistling a melody from the "Irish
-Washerwoman" as he went along.
-
-Arriving at his stables he lighted a fire in a drumshaped stove, threw
-his cud of tobacco away and said: "Hell, I wish this young Warfield had
-money. I've got a copper prospect within three mile uv this here town
-that'll knock the spots out uv the Ferris-Haggerty mine all holler.
-Geewhillikins, it'll jist nachur-ally make all the best mines in Wyomin'
-look like small-sized Shetland ponies at a Perch'ron draft horse show.
-You bet that's what I've got."
-
-After feeding his horses he came back to the livery barn office, now
-quite warm and comfortable, pulled up an old broken backed chair, sat
-down and lit his pipe. After a few puffs he muttered half aloud: "Expect
-I'm the only man in Wyomin' who remembers all the early hist'ry and
-traditions about that cussed lost mine. I've hunted the hills high and
-low, north, south, east and west, and dang my buttons if I can imagine
-where them blamed nuggets came from. And my failure used to make me at
-times a plenty hostile and peevish. John Warfield brought three of 'em
-out with him on his last trip. He gave Tom one, Boney one and me one."
-
-Thrusting his hand into his pocket Rankin produced a native nugget of
-gold, worn smooth and shiny, and looked at it long in silent meditation.
-It was a fine specimen of almost pure gold, and was worth perhaps five
-and twenty dollars.
-
-Presently the old frontiersman brought his fist down with a startling
-thump on his knee and said aloud: "I'll be blankety-blanked if I don't
-believe in that dangnation fairy story yet. You bet I do, and I'll help
-John Warfield's boy find it, by the great horn spoon I will, if it takes
-every horse in the stable."
-
-Jim Rankin relit his pipe, smoked vigorously and thought. The power of
-silence was strong upon him. The restless spirit of the fortune hunter
-was again surging in his blood and awaking slumbering half-forgotten
-hopes--yes, tugging at his heart-strings and calling to him to forsake
-all else and flee to the hills.
-
-Rankin was a character, a representative of the advance band of sturdy
-trail-blazers of the West--tender-hearted as a child, generous to a
-fault, ready to divide his last crust with a friend, yet quick to resent
-an injury, and stubborn as a bullock when roused to self-defense. There
-was nothing cunning about him, nothing of greed and avarice, no spirit
-of envy for the possession of things for the things' sake. But for him
-there was real joy in the mad pursuit of things unattainable--a joy that
-enthralled and enthused him with the fervor of eternal youth. His was
-the simple life of the hills, loving his few chums and turning his back
-on all whom he disliked or mistrusted.
-
-Other men and greater men there may be, but it was men of Jim Rankin's
-type that could build, and did build, monuments among the wild western
-waste of heat-blistered plains and gaunt rock-ribbed mountains, men who
-braved the wilderness and there laid the first foundation stones of
-a splendid civilization--splendid, yet even now only in its first
-beginnings, a civilization that means happy homes and smiling fields
-where before all was barrenness and desolation.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VII--GETTING ACQUAINTED
-
-
-RODERICK spent a few days in Rawlins, improving his acquaintance with
-Jim Rankin and making a general survey of the situation. The ex-sheriff
-proved to be a veritable repository of local information, and Roderick
-soon knew a little about everyone and everything in the district. He
-learned that Tom Sun, one of his father's old associates, had from small
-beginnings come to be the largest sheep owner in the state; he was rich
-and prosperous. With Boney Earnest, however, the other friend mentioned
-in the letter, the case was different. Boney had stuck for years to
-prospecting and desultory mining without achieving any substantial
-success, but had eventually become a blast furnace man in the big
-smelting plant at Encampment. There he had worked his way up to a
-foreman's position, and with his practical knowledge of all the ores
-in the region was the real brains of the establishment, as Jim Rankin
-forcibly declared. He had a large family which absorbed all his earnings
-and always kept him on the ragged edge of necessity.
-
-Rankin himself was not too well fixed--just making a more or less
-precarious subsistence out of his stage line and livery stable business.
-But he had several big mining deals in hand or at least in prospect, one
-or other of which was "dead sure to turn up trumps some day." The "some
-day" appeared to be indefinitely postponed, but meanwhile Jim had the
-happiness of living in the genial sunshiny atmosphere of hope. And the
-coming of Roderick had changed this mellowed sunshine into positive
-radiance, rekindling all the old fires of enthusiasm in the heart of the
-old-time prospector. With Roderick the first surge of eager impetuosity
-had now settled down into quiet determination. But old Jim Rankin's
-blood was at fever-heat in his eagerness to find the hidden valley. When
-alone with Roderick he could talk of nothing else.
-
-Roderick, however, had shrewdly and cautiously summed up the measure of
-his usefulness. Jim Rankin had not the necessary capital to finance
-a systematic search among the mountain fastnesses where nature so
-jealously guarded her secret. Nor could he leave his horses and his
-livery business for any long period, however glibly he might talk about
-"going out and finding the blamed place." As for any precise knowledge
-of where the quest should be commenced, he had none. He had shared in
-the frequent attempts and failures of Roderick's father, and after a
-lapse of some fifteen or sixteen years had even a slimmer chance now
-than then of hitting the spot. So, all things duly considered, Roderick
-had adhered to his original resolution of playing a lone hand. Not even
-to Rankin did he show his father's letter and map; their relations were
-simply an understanding that the old frontiersman would help Roderick
-out to the best of his power whenever opportunity offered and in all
-possible ways, and that for services rendered there would be liberal
-recompense should golden dreams come to be realized.
-
-Another reason weighed with Roderick in holding to a policy of
-reticence. Despite Jim's own frequent cautions to "keep mum--say nothing
-to nobody," he himself was not the best hand at keeping a secret,
-especially after a few cocktails had lubricated his natural loquacity.
-At such moments, under the mildly stimulating influence, Jim dearly
-loved to hint at mysterious knowledge locked up in his breast. And in
-a mining camp vague hints are liable to become finger posts and
-signboards--the very rocks and trees seem to be possessed of ears. So
-young Warfield was at least erring on the safe side in keeping his own
-counsel and giving no unnecessary confidences anywhere.
-
-There was nothing to be gained by remaining longer at Rawlins.
-Roderick's slender finances rendered it imperative that he should find
-work of some kind--work that would enable him to save a sufficient stake
-for the prospecting venture, or give him the chance to search out the
-proper moneyed partner who would be ready to share in the undertaking.
-And since he had to work it would be well that his work should, if
-possible, be on the range, where while earning his maintenance and
-husbanding his resources, he could at the same time be spying out the
-land and gaining invaluable experience. So he had on several occasions
-discussed with Jim Rankin the chances of finding a temporary job on one
-of the big cattle ranches, and after one of these conversations had
-come his decision to move at once from Rawlins. His first "voyage of
-discovery" would be to Encampment, the busy smelter town. He remembered
-the cordial invitation extended to him by Grant Jones, the newspaper
-man, and felt sure he would run across him there. From the first he
-had felt strongly drawn to this buoyant young spirit of the West, and
-mingled with his desire for such comradeship was just a little
-longing, maybe, to glimpse again the fair smiling faces of the twin
-sisters--"mountain wild flowers" as Grant Jones had so happily described
-Barbara and Dorothy Shields.
-
-So one fine morning Roderick found himself seated beside Jim Rankin on
-the driver's seat of an old-fashioned Concord stage coach. With a crack
-of Jim's whip, the six frisky horses, as was their wont at the beginning
-of a journey, started off at a gallop down the street. Five or six
-passengers were stowed away in the coach. But these were nothing to Jim
-Rankin and Roderick Warfield. They could converse on their own affairs
-during the long day's drive. The old frontiersman was, as usual, in
-talkative mood.
-
-"By gunnies," he exclaimed sotto-voce, as they wheeled along, "we'll
-find that pesky lost gold mine, don't you forget it. I know pretty
-dangnation near its location now. You bet I do and I'll unbosom myself
-and take you to it--jist you and me. I'm thinkin' a heap these yere
-days, you bet I am."
-
-Along in the afternoon they crossed over Jack Creek, an important stream
-of water flowing from the west into the North Platte River. Jim Rankin
-stopped the stage coach and pointed out to our hero the "deadline"
-between the cattle and sheep range. "All this yere territory," said
-Jim, "lying north uv Jack Creek is nachure's sheep pasture and all lyin'
-south uv Jack is cattle range."
-
-"It's well known," he went on, "where them blamed pesky sheep feed and
-graze, by gunnies, vegetation don't grow agin successful for several
-years. The sheep not only nachurlly eat the grass down to its roots,
-but their sharp hoofs cut the earth into fine pulp fields uv dust. Jack
-Creek is the dividin' line--the 'dead line.'"
-
-"What do you mean by the 'dead line'?" asked Roderick.
-
-"The 'dead line,'" replied old Jim as he clucked to his horses and swung
-his long whip at the off-leader--"the 'dead line' is where by the great
-horn spoon the sheep can't go any furder south and the cattle darsn't
-come any furder north, or when they do, Hell's a-pop-pin.'"
-
-"What happens?"
-
-"What happens?" repeated the frontiersman as he expectorated a huge
-pit-tew of tobacco juice at a cactus that stood near the roadway. "Why,
-by gunnies, hundreds uv ondefensible sheep have been actooally clubbed
-to death in a single night by raidin' cowboys and the sheep-herders shot
-to death while sleepin' in their camp wagons: and their cookin' outfit,
-which is usually in one end uv the wagon, as well as the camp wagons,
-burned to conceal evidence of these dastardly murders. Oh, they sure do
-make things gay and genial like."
-
-"Astonishing! The cowboys must be a pretty wicked lot," interrogated
-Roderick.
-
-"Well, it's about six uv one and half a dozen uv the other. You see
-these pesky sheep herders and the cowboys are all torn off the same
-piece uv cloth. Many a range rider has been picked from his hoss by
-these sheep men hidden away in these here rocky cliffs which overlook
-the valley. They sure 'nuff get tumultuous."
-
-"But what about the law?" inquired Roderick. "Does it afford no
-protection?"
-
-Jim laughed derisively, pushed his hat far back and replied: "Everybody
-that does any killin' in these here parts sure does it in self-defense."
-He chuckled at his superior knowledge of the West. "Leastways, that's
-what the evidence brings out afore the courts. However, Tom Sun says
-the fussin' is about over with. Last year more'n twenty cattle men were
-sentenced to the pen'tentiary up in the Big Horn country. Sort uv an
-offset fur about a score uv sheep men that's been killed by the cow
-punchers while tendin' their flocks on the range. You bet they've been
-mixin' things up with artil'ry a heap."
-
-"I clearly perceive," said Roderick, "that your sympathies are with the
-cattle men."
-
-Jim Rankin turned quickly and with his piercing black eyes glared at
-Roderick as if he would rebuke him for his presumption.
-
-"Young man, don't be assoomin'. I ain't got no sympathy fur neither one
-uv 'em. I don't believe in murder and I don't believe very much in the
-pen'tentiary. 'Course when I was sheriff, I had to do some shootin'
-but my shootin' wuz all within the law. No, I don't care a cuss one way
-or 'tother. There are lots uv good fellers ridin' range. Expect yer will
-be ridin' before long. Think I can help yer get a job on the Shields
-ranch; if I can't Grant Jones can. And ther's lots uv mighty good
-sheep-herders too. My old pal, Tom Sun, is the biggest sheep-man in this
-whole dang-nation country and he's square, he is. So you see I ain't got
-no preference, 'tho' I do say the hull kit and bilin' uv 'em could be
-improved. Yes, I'm nootral. Put that in yer pipe and smoke it, fur it
-goes dangnation long ways in this man's country to be nootral, and
-don't git to furgit'n it."
-
-It was late in the afternoon when they neared the little town of
-Encampment. Old Jim Rankin began to cluck to his horses and swing his
-whip gently and finally more pronouncedly.
-
-If it is the invariable habit of stage drivers at the point of departure
-to start off their horses in a full swinging gallop, it is an equally
-inviolable rule, when they approach the point of arrival, that they
-come in with a whoop and a hooray. These laws are just as immutable
-as ringing the bell or blowing the locomotive whistle when leaving or
-nearing a station. So when Jim Rankin cracked his whip, all six horses
-leaned forward in their collars, wheeled up the main street in a
-swinging gallop, and stopped abruptly in front of the little hotel.
-
-As Roderick climbed down from the driver's seat he was greeted with
-a hearty "Hello, Warfield, welcome to our city." The speaker was none
-other than Grant Jones himself, for his newspaper instincts always
-brought him, when in town, to meet the stage.
-
-The two young men shook hands with all the cordiality of old friends.
-
-"If you cannot get a room here at the hotel, you can bunk with me,"
-continued Grant. "I have a little shack down towards the smelter."
-
-Roderick laughed and said: "Suppose, then, we don't look for a room.
-I'll be mighty pleased to carry my baggage to your shack now."
-
-"All right, that's a go," said Grant; and together they started down the
-street.
-
-Grant Jones' bachelor home consisted of a single room--a hastily
-improvised shack, as he had correctly called it, that had cost no very
-large sum to build. It was decorated with many trophies of college
-life and of the chase. Various college pennants were on the walls,
-innumerable pipes, some rusty antiquated firearms, besides a brace
-of pistols which Jim Rankin had given to Grant, supposed to be the
-identical flint-locks carried by Big Nose George, a desperado of the
-early days.
-
-"You see," explained Grant as he welcomed his guest, "this is my
-Encampment residence. I have another shack over at Dillon where I edit
-my paper, the _Dillon Doublejack_. I spend part of my time in one
-place and part in the other. My business is in Dillon but social
-attractions--Dorothy Shields, you may have already guessed--are over
-this way." And he blushed red as he laughingly made the confession.
-
-"And talking of the Shields, by the way," resumed Grant. "I want to tell
-you I took the liberty of mentioning your name to the old man. He is
-badly in need of some more hands on the ranch--young fellows who can
-ride and are reliable."
-
-Roderick was all alert.
-
-"The very thing I'm looking for," he said eagerly. "Would he give me a
-place, do you think?"
-
-"I'm certain of it. In fact I promised to bring you over to the ranch as
-soon as you turned up at Encampment."
-
-"Mighty kind of you, old fellow," remarked Roderick, gratefully and with
-growing familiarity.
-
-"Well, you can take that bed over there," said the host. "This one is
-mine. You'll excuse the humble stretchers, I know. Then after you
-have opened your grip and made yourself a little at home, we'll take a
-stroll. I fancy that a good big porterhouse won't come amiss after your
-long day's drive. We've got some pretty good restaurants in the town. I
-suppose you've already discovered that a properly cooked juicy Wyoming
-steak is hard to beat, eh, you pampered New Yorker?"
-
-Roderick laughed as he threw open his valise and arranged his brushes
-and other toilet appurtenances on the small table that stood at the head
-of the narrow iron stretcher.
-
-A little later, when night had fallen, the young men went out into the
-main street to dine and look over the town. It was right at the edge of
-the valley with mountains rising in a semi-circle to south and west, a
-typical mountain settlement.
-
-"You see everything is wide open," said Grant, as he escorted Roderick
-along the streets, arm linked in arm. For they had just discovered that
-they belonged to the same college fraternity--Kappa Gamma Delta, so the
-bonds of friendship had been drawn tighter still.
-
-"You have a great town here," observed Roderick.
-
-"We have about 1200 to 1500 people and 18 saloons!" laughed the other.
-"And every saloon has a gambling lay-out--anything from roulette to
-stud-poker. Over yonder is Brig Young's place. Here is Southpaw's
-Bazaar. The Red Dog is a little farther along; the Golden Eagle is one
-of the largest gambling houses in the town. We'll have our supper first,
-and then I'll take you over to Brig Young's and introduce you."
-
-As they turned across the street they met a man coming toward them. He
-was straight and tall, rather handsome, but a gray mustache made him
-seem older than his years.
-
-"Hello, here is Mr. Grady. Mr. Grady, I want to introduce you to a
-newcomer. This is Mr. Roderick Warfield."
-
-"Glad to meet you, Mr. Warfield," said Grady in a smooth voice and
-with an oleaginous smile. To Roderick the face seemed a sinister one;
-instinctively he felt a dislike for the man.
-
-"Your town is quite up-to-date, with all its brilliant electric lights,"
-he observed with a polite effort at conversation.
-
-"Yes," replied Grady, "but it is the monthly pay roll of my big smelting
-company that supports the whole place."
-
-There was a pomposity in the remark and the look that accompanied it
-which added to Roderick's feelings of repulsion.
-
-"Oh, I don't know," interposed Grant Jones, in a laughing way. "We
-have about five hundred prospectors up in the hills who may not yet
-be producers, but their monthly expenditures run up into pretty big
-figures."
-
-"Of course, that amounts to something; but think of my pay roll,"
-replied Grady, boastingly. "Almost a thousand men on my pay roll.
-We have the biggest copper mine in the Rocky Mountain region, Mr.
-War-field. Come down some day and see the smelter," he added as he
-extended his hand in farewell greeting, with a leer rather than a smile
-on his face. "I'll give you a pass."
-
-"Thank you," said Roderick coldly. And the two friends resumed their
-walk toward Brig Young's saloon.
-
-"I don't mind telling you," remarked Grant, "that Grady is the most
-pompous, arrogant and all-round hated man in this mining camp."
-
-"He looks the part," replied Roderick, and they both laughed.
-
-A minute later they were seated in a cosy little restaurant. Ample
-justice was done to the succulent Wyoming porterhouse, and cigars were
-lighted over the cups of fragrant coffee that completed the meal. Then
-the young men resumed their peregrinations pursuant to the programme of
-visiting Brig Young's place, certified by Grant Jones to be one of the
-sights of the town.
-
-The saloon proved to be an immense room with a bar in the corner near
-the entrance. Roulette tables, faro lay-outs and a dozen poker tables
-surrounded with feverish players were all running full blast, while
-half a hundred men were standing around waiting to take the place of any
-player who went broke or for any reason dropped out of the game.
-
-"I guess nearly all the gambling is done here, isn't it?" asked
-Roderick.
-
-"Not by a big sight. There are eighteen joints of this kind, and they
-are all running wide open and doing business all the time."
-
-"When do they close?" inquired Roderick.
-
-"They never close," replied Grant. "Brig Young boasts that he threw
-the key away when this place opened, and the door has never been locked
-since."
-
-As they spoke their attention was attracted to one corner of the gaming
-room. Seven players were grouped around a table, in the centre of which
-was stacked a pile of several thousand dollars in gold pieces. Grant and
-Roderick strolled over.
-
-A score of miners and cowboys were standing around watching the game.
-One of them said to Grant Jones: "It's a jack pot and they're dealing
-for openers."
-
-Finally someone opened the pot for $500. "It's an all-fired juicy
-pot and I wouldn't think of openin' it for less." Tom Lester was the
-player's name, as Grant whispered to Roderick.
-
-"I'll stay," said One-Eyed Joe.
-
-"So will I," said another.
-
-The players were quickly assisted with cards--four refused to come in,
-and the other three, having thrown their discards into the deck, sat
-facing each other ready for the final struggle in determining
-the ownership of the big pot before them. It was a neck and neck
-proposition. First one would see and raise and then another would see
-and go better. Finally, the showdown came, and it created consternation
-when it was discovered that there were five aces in sight.
-
-Instantly Tom Lester jerked his Colt's revolver from his belt and laid
-it carefully down on top of his three aces and said: "Steady, boys,
-don't move a muscle or a hand until I talk." The onlookers pushed back
-and quickly enlarged the circle.
-
-"Sit perfectly still, gentlemen," said Tom Lester, quietly and in a low
-tone of voice, with his cocked revolver in front of him. "I'm not makin'
-any accusations or loud talk--I'm not accusin' anybody in particular of
-anything. Keep perfectly cool an' hear a cool determined man talk. Far
-be it from me to accuse anyone of crooked dealin' or holdin' high cards
-up their sleeves."
-
-As he spoke he looked at One-Eyed Joe who had both a reputation at card
-skin games and a record of several notches on his gun handle.
-
-"I want to say," Lester continued, "that I recognize in the game we're
-playin' every man is a perfect gentleman and it's not Tom Lester who
-suspicions any impure motives or crooked work.
-
-"We will now order a new deck of cards," said Tom while fire was
-flashing out of his steel gray eyes. "We will play this game to a
-finish, by God, and the honest winner will take the stakes. But I will
-say here and now so there may be no misunderstandin' and without further
-notice, that if a fifth ace shows up again around this table, I'll shoot
-his other eye out." And he looked straight at One-Eyed Joe, who never
-quivered or moved a muscle.
-
-"This ends my remarks concernin' the rules. How d'ye like 'em, Joe?"
-
-"Me?" said Joe, looking up in a surprised way with his one eye. "I'm
-'lowin' you have made yer position plain--so dangnation plain that even
-a blind man kin see the pint."
-
-The new deck was brought and the game went on in silence. After a few
-deals the pot was again opened, and was in due course won by a player
-who had taken no part in the previous mix-up, without a word falling
-from the lips of either Tom Lester or One-Eyed Joe.
-
-Roderick and Grant moved away.
-
-"Great guns," exclaimed the former. "But that's a rare glimpse of
-western life."
-
-"Oh, there are incidents like that every night," replied Grant, "and
-shooting too at times. Have a drink?" he added as they approached the
-bar.
-
-"Yes, I will have a great big lemonade."
-
-"Well," laughed Grant, "I'll surprise both you and my stomach by taking
-the same."
-
-As they sipped their drinks, Grant's face became a little serious as
-he said: "I'm mighty glad you have come. You seem to be of my own kind.
-Lots of good boys out here, but they are a little rough and many of them
-are rather careless. Guess I am getting a little careless myself. There
-are just two men in these mountains who have a good influence over the
-boys. One is Major Buell Hampton. Everybody trusts him. By the way, I
-must introduce you to him. He is one of the grandest men I have ever
-met" As Grant said this he brought his fist down decisively on the bar.
-
-"The other is the Reverend Stephen Grannon," he went on, "the travelling
-horseback preacher--carries saddle bags, and all that. Why, do you know,
-the boys are so respectful to Reverend Grannon that they hire a man to
-go up and down the street ringing a bell, and they close up all their
-places for an hour every time he comes to town. He preaches mostly in
-the big tent you perhaps saw further up the street, at other times
-in the little church. The boys are mighty respectful to him, and
-all because they know he goes about doing good. If anyone falls ill,
-Reverend Grannon is the first to offer help. He visits the poor and
-cheers them with a spirit of hope. He never leaves town without going
-into every saloon and shaking hands with the barkeepers, giving them
-the same kind of advice but not in the same way--the same advice that we
-used to get when we stood around our mother's knee before we had learned
-the sorrows of the big world."
-
-For a moment Grant was serious. Then looking up at Roderick, he laughed
-and said: "We all have to think of those old days once in a while, don't
-we?"
-
-Roderick nodded gravely.
-
-"Now I come to think of it," said Grant, "the present moment's a very
-good time. We'll go down and call on one of Nature's noblemen. He is
-somewhat of an enigma. You cannot tell how old he is by looking at
-him. He may have seen fifty years or a hundred and fifty--the Lord
-only knows, for nobody in this camp has any idea. But you will meet
-a magnificent character. Come along. I'm going to present you to my
-friend, Major Buell Hampton, about whom I've just been speaking. I guess
-we'll catch him at home."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VIII.--A PHILOSOPHER AMONG THE MOUNTAINS
-
-
-AS THE two young men walked down the brilliantly lighted main street of
-Encampment, Grant Jones explained that the water had been dammed several
-miles up the south fork of the Encampment river and conducted in a
-California red-wood pipe down to the smelter plant for power purposes;
-and that the town of Encampment was lighted at a less cost per capita
-than any other town in the world. It simply cost nothing, so to speak.
-
-Grant had pointed out several residences of local celebrities, but at
-last a familiar name drew Roderick's special attention--the name of one
-of his father's old friends.
-
-"This is Boney Earnest's home," Grant was remarking. "He is the fellow
-who stands in front of the furnaces at the smelter in a sleeveless
-shirt and with a red bandana around his neck. They have a family of ten
-children, every one of them as bright as a new silver dollar. Oh, we
-have lots of children here and by the way a good public school. You see
-that log house just beyond? That is where Boney Earnest used to live
-when he first came into camp--before his brood was quite so numerous. It
-now belongs to Major Buell Hampton. It is not much to look at, but just
-wait until you get inside."
-
-"Then this Major Hampton, I presume, has furnished it up in great
-shape?"
-
-"No, nothing but rough benches, a table, some chairs and a few shelves
-full of books. What I mean is that Major Hampton's personality is there
-and that beats all the rich furniture and all the bric-à-brac on earth.
-As a college man you will appreciate him."
-
-Without ceremony Grant rapped vigorously at the door and received a loud
-response to "come in." At the far end of a room that was perhaps 40 feet
-long by 20 feet in width was an open fireplace in which huge logs of
-wood were burning. Here Major Hampton was standing with his back to the
-fire and his hands crossed behind him.
-
-As his visitors entered, the Major said in courtly welcome: "Mr. Grant
-Jones, I am glad to see you." And he advanced with hand extended.
-
-"Major, let me introduce you to a newcomer, Roderick Warfield. We belong
-to the same 'frat.'"
-
-"Mr. Warfield," responded the Major, shaking the visitor's hand, "I
-welcome you not only to the camp but to my humble dwelling."
-
-He led them forward and provided chairs in front of the open fire. On
-the center table was a humidor filled with tobacco and beside it lay
-several pipes.
-
-"Mr. Warfield," observed the Major, speaking with a marked southern
-accent, "I am indeed pleased, suh, to meet anyone who is a friend of Mr.
-Jones. I have found him a most delightful companion and I hope you will
-make free to call on me often. Interested in mining, I presume?"
-
-"Well," replied Roderick, "interested, yes, in a way. But tentative
-arrangements have been made for me to join the cowboy brigade. I am to
-ride the range if Mr. Shields is pleased with me, as our friend here
-seems to think he will be. He is looking for some more cowboys and my
-name has been mentioned to him."
-
-"Yes," concurred Grant, "Mr. Shields needs some more cowboys very badly,
-and as Warfield is accustomed to riding, I'm quite sure he'll fill the
-bill."
-
-"Personally," observed the Major, "I am very much interested in mining.
-It has a great charm for me. The taking out of wealth from the bosom of
-the earth--wealth that has never been tainted by commercialism--appeals
-to me very much."
-
-"Then I presume you are doing some mining yourself."
-
-"No," replied the Major. "If I had capital, doubtless I would be in the
-mining business. But my profession, if I may term it so, is that of a
-hunter. These hills and mountains are pretty full of game, and I manage
-to find two or three deer a week. My friend and next door neighbor, Mr.
-Boney Earnest, and his family consisting of a wife and ten
-children, have been very considerate of me and I have undertaken the
-responsibility of furnishing the meat for their table. Are you fond of
-venison, Mr. Warfield?"
-
-"I must confess," said Roderick, "I have never tasted venison."
-
-"Finest meat in the world," responded the Major. "Of course," he
-went on, "I aim to sell about one deer a week, which brings me a fair
-compensation. It enables me to buy tobacco and ammunition," and he
-laughed good naturedly at his limited wants.
-
-"One would suppose," interjected Grant Jones, "that the Boney Earnest
-family must be provided with phenomenal appetites if they eat the meat
-of two deer each week. But if you knew the Major's practice of supplying
-not less than a dozen poor families with venison because they are needy,
-you would understand why he does not have a greater income from the sale
-of these antlered trophies of the hills."
-
-The Major waved the compliment aside and lit his pipe. As he threw his
-head well back after the pipe was going, Roderick was impressed that
-Major Buell Hampton most certainly was an exceptional specimen of
-manhood. He was over six feet tall, splendidly proportioned, and perhaps
-weighed considerably more than two hundred pounds.
-
-There were little things here and there that gave an insight into the
-character of the man. Hanging on the wall was a broad-brimmed slouch hat
-of the southern planter style. Around his neck the Major wore a heavy
-gold watch guard with many a link. To those who knew him best, as
-Roderick came subsequently to learn, this chain was symbolical of his
-endless kindnesses to the poor--notwithstanding his own poverty, of such
-as he had he freely gave; like the chain his charities seemed linked
-together without a beginning--without an end. His well-brushed shoes
-and puttees, his neatly arranged Windsor tie, denoted the old school of
-refinement and good breeding.
-
-His long dark hair and flowing mustaches were well streaked with gray.
-His forehead was knotted, his nose was large but well formed, while
-the tangled lines of his face were deep cut and noticeable. From under
-heavily thatched eyebrows the eyes beamed forth the rare tenderness and
-gentle consideration for others which his conversation suggested.
-Long before the evening's visit was over, a conviction was fixed in
-Roderick's heart that here indeed was a king among men--one on whom God
-had set His seal of greatness.
-
-In later days, when both had become well acquainted, Roderick sometimes
-discovered moments when this strange man was in deep meditation--when
-his eyes seemed resting far away on some mysterious past or inscrutable
-future. And Roderick would wonder whether it was a dark cloud of memory
-or anxiety for what was to come that obscured and momentarily dimmed
-the radiance of this great soul. It was in such moments that Major Buell
-Hampton became patriarchal in appearance; and an observer might well
-have exclaimed: "Here is one over whom a hundred winters or even
-countless centuries have blown their fiercest chilling winds." But when
-Buell Hampton had turned again to things of the present, his face was
-lit up with his usual inspiring smile of preparedness to consider the
-simplest questions of the poorest among the poor of his acquaintances--a
-transfiguration indescribable, as if the magic work of some ancient
-alchemist had pushed the years away, transforming the centenarian into
-a comparatively young man who had seen, perhaps, not more than half a
-century. He was, indeed, changeable as a chameleon. But in all phases he
-looked, in the broadest sense of the word, the humanitarian.
-
-As the three men sat that night around the fire and gazed into the
-leaping flames and glowing embers, there had been a momentary lull in
-the conversation, broken at last by the Major.
-
-"I hope we shall become great friends, Mr. War-field," he said. "But to
-be friends we must be acquainted, and in order to be really acquainted
-with a man I must know his views on politics, religion, social
-questions, and the economic problems of the age in which we live."
-
-He waved his hand at the bookshelves well filled with volumes whose worn
-bindings showed that they were there for reading and not for show.
-Long rows of periodicals, even stacks of newspapers, indicated close
-attention to the current questions of the day.
-
-"Rather a large order," replied Roderick, smiling. "It would take a long
-time to test out a man in such a thorough way."
-
-The Major paid no heed to the comment. Still fixedly regarding the
-bookshelves, he continued: "You see my library, while not extensive,
-represents my possessions. Each day is a link in life's chain, and I
-endeavor to keep pace with the latest thought and the latest steps in
-the world's progress."
-
-Then he turned round suddenly and asked the direct question: "By the
-way, Mr. Warfield, are you a married man?"
-
-Roderick blushed the blush of a young bachelor and confessed that he was
-not.
-
-"Whom God hath joined let no man put asunder," laughed Grant Jones. "The
-good Lord has not joined me to anyone yet, but I am hoping He will."
-
-"Grant, you are a boy," laughed the Major. "You always will be a boy.
-You are quick to discover the ridiculous; and yet," went on the Major
-reflectively, "I have seen my friend Jones in serious mood at times. But
-I like him whether he is frivolous or serious. When you boys speak
-of marriage as something that is arranged by a Divine power, you are
-certainly laboring under one of the many delusions of this world."
-
-Roderick remembered his compact with Stella Rain, the pretty little
-college widow. For a moment his mind was back at the campus grounds in
-old Galesburg. Presently he said: "I beg your pardon, Major, but would
-you mind giving me your ideas of an ideal marriage?"
-
-"An ideal marriage," repeated the Major, smiling, as he knocked the
-ashes from his meerschaum. "Well, an ideal marriage is a something the
-young girl dreams about, a something the engaged girl believes she has
-found, and a something the married woman knows never existed."
-
-He looked deep into the open grate as if re-reading a half forgotten
-chapter in his own life. Presently refilling and lighting his pipe he
-turned to Roderick and said: "When people enter into marriage--a purely
-civil institution--a man agrees to bring in the raw products--the meat,
-the flour, the corn, the fuel; and the woman agrees to manufacture the
-goods into usable condition. The husband agrees to provide a home--the
-wife agrees to take care of it and keep it habitable. In one respect
-marriage is slavery," continued the Major, "slavery in the sense that
-each mutually sentences himself or herself to a life of servitude, each
-serving the other in, faithfully carrying out, when health permits,
-their contract or agreement of partnership. Therefore marriages are made
-on earth--not in heaven. There is nothing divine about them. They are,
-as I have said, purely a civil institution."
-
-The speaker paused. His listeners, deeply interested, were reluctant by
-any interruption to break the flow of thought. They waited patiently,
-and presently the Major resumed: "Since the laws of all civilized
-nations recognize the validity of a partnership contract, they should
-also furnish an honorable method of nullifying and cancelling it when
-either party willfully breaks the marriage agreement of partnership by
-act of omission or commission. Individuals belonging to those isolated
-cases 'Whom God hath joined'--if perchance there are any--of course have
-no objections to complying with the formalities of the institutions of
-marriage; they are really mated and so the divorce court has no terrors
-for them. It is only from among the great rank and file of the other
-class whom 'God hath _not_ joined' that the unhappy victims are found
-hovering around the divorce courts, claiming that the partnership
-contract has been violated and broken and the erring one has proven a
-false and faithless partner.
-
-"In most instances, I believe, and it is the saddest part of it all,
-the complainant is usually justified. And it is certainly a most wise,
-necessary, and humane law that enables an injured wife or husband to
-terminate a distasteful or repulsive union. Only in this way can the
-standard of humanity be raised by peopling the earth with natural
-love-begotten children, free from the effects of unfavorable pre-natal
-influences which not infrequently warp and twist the unborn into
-embryonic imbeciles or moral perverts with degenerate tendencies.
-
-"Society as well as posterity is indebted fully as much to the civil
-institution of divorce as it is to the civil institution of marriage.
-Oh, yes, I well know, pious-faced church folks walk about throughout
-the land with dubs to bludgeon those of my belief without going to the
-trouble of submitting these vital questions to an unprejudiced court of
-inquiry."
-
-The Major smiled, and said: "I see you young men are interested in my
-diatribe, or my sermon--call it which you will--so I'll go on. Well, the
-churches that are nearest to the crudeness of antiquity, superstition,
-and ignorance are the ones most unyielding and denunciatory to the
-institution of divorce. The more progressive the church or the community
-and the more enlightened the human race becomes, the less objectionable
-and the more desirable is an adequate system of divorce laws--laws that
-enable an injured wife or husband to refuse to stultify their conscience
-and every instinct of decency by bringing children into the world
-that are not welcome. A womanly woman covets motherhood--desires
-children--love offerings with which to people the earth--babes that are
-not handicapped with parental hatreds, regrets, or disgust. Marriage
-is not a flippant holiday affair but a most serious one, freighted
-not alone with grave responsibilities to the mutual happiness of both
-parties to the civil contract, but doubly so to the offspring resultant
-from the union. But I guess that is about enough of my philosophy for
-one evening, isn't it?" he concluded, with a little laugh that was not
-devoid of bitterness--it might have been the bitterness of personal
-reminiscence, or bitterness toward a blind and misguided world in
-general, or perhaps both combined.
-
-Grant Jones turning to Roderick said: "Well, what do you think of the
-Major's theory?"
-
-"I fear," said Roderick in a serious tone, "that it is not a theory but
-an actual condition."
-
-"Bravo," said the Major as he arose from his chair and advanced to
-Roderick, extending his hand. "All truth," said he, "in time will be
-uncovered, truth that today is hidden beneath the débris of formalities,
-ignorance, and superstition."
-
-"But why, Major," asked Grant, "are there so many divorces? Do not
-contracting parties know their own minds? Now it seems impossible to
-conceive of my ever wanting a divorce from a certain little lady I
-know," he added with a pleasant laugh--the care-free, confiding laugh of
-a boy.
-
-"My dear Jones," said the Major, "the supposed reasons for divorce are
-legion--the actual reasons are perhaps few. However it is not for me to
-say that all the alleged reasons are not potent and sufficient. When we
-hear two people maligning each other in or out of the court we are
-prone to believe both are telling the truth. Truth is the underlying
-foundation of respect, respect begets friendship, and friendship
-sometimes is followed by the more tender passion we call love. A man
-meets a woman," the Major went on, thoughtfully, "whom he knows is not
-what the world calls virtuous. He may fall in love with her and may
-marry her and be happy with her. But if a man loves a woman he believes
-to be virtuous and then finds she is not--it is secretly regarded by
-him as the unforgivable sin and is doubtless the unspoken and unwritten
-allegation in many a divorce paper."
-
-He mused for a moment, then went on: "Sometime there will be a single
-standard of morals for the sexes, but as yet we are not far enough away
-from the brutality of our ancestors. Yes, it is infinitely better,"
-he added, rising from his chair, "that a home should be broken into
-a thousand fragments through the kindly assistance of a divorce court
-rather than it should only exist as a family battle ground." The tone of
-his voice showed that the talk was at an end, and he bade his visitors a
-courteous good-night, with the cordial addition: "Come again."
-
-"It was great," remarked Roderick, as the young men wended their
-homeward way. "What a wealth of new thought a fellow can bring away from
-such a conversation!"
-
-"Just as I told you," replied Grant "But the Major opens his inmost
-heart like that only to his chosen friends."
-
-"Then I'm mighty glad to be enrolled among the number," said Roderick.
-"Makes a chap feel rather shy of matrimony though, doesn't it?"
-
-"Not on your life. True love can never change--can never wrong itself.
-When you feel that way toward a girl, Warfield, and know that the girl
-is of the same mind, go and get the license--no possible mistake can be
-made."
-
-Grant Jones was thinking of Dorothy Shields, and his face was aglow.
-To Roderick had come thought of Stella Rain, and he felt depressed. Was
-there no mistake in his love affair?--this was the uneasy question that
-was beginning to call for an answer. And yet he had never met a girl
-whom he would prefer to the dainty, sweet, unselfish, brave little
-"college widow" of Galesburg.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IX--THE HIDDEN VALLEY
-
-
-WITHIN a few days of Roderick's advent into the camp he was duly added
-to the cowboy list on the ranch of the wealthy cattleman, Mr. Shields,
-whose property was located a few miles east from the little mining town
-and near the banks of the Platte River. A commodious and handsome home
-stood apart from the cattle corral and bunk house lodgings for the
-cowboy helpers. There were perhaps twenty cowboys in Mr. Shields'
-employment. His vast herds of cattle ranged in the adjoining hills and
-mountain canyons that rimmed the eastern edge of the valley.
-
-Grant Jones had proved his friendship in the strongest sort of an
-introduction, and was really responsible for Roderick securing a job
-so quickly. But it was not many days before Roderick discovered that
-Doro-try Shields was perhaps the principal reason why Grant rode over to
-the ranch so often, ostensibly to visit him.
-
-During the first month Roderick did not leave the ranch but daily
-familiarized himself with horse and saddle. He had always been a good
-rider, but here he learned the difference between a trained steed and an
-unbroken mustang. Many were his falls and many his bruises, but finally
-he came to be quite at home on the back of the fiercest bucking broncho.
-
-One Saturday evening he concluded to look up Grant Jones and perhaps
-have another evening with Major Buell Hampton. So he saddled a pony and
-started. But at the edge of town he met his friend riding toward the
-country. They drew rein, and Grant announced, as Roderick had already
-divined, that he was just starting for the Shields home. They finally
-agreed to call on Major Buell Hampton for half an hour and then ride out
-to the ranch together.
-
-As they approached Major Hampton's place they found him mounting his
-horse, having made ready for the hills.
-
-"How is this, Major?" asked Grant Jones. "Is it not rather late in the
-afternoon for you to be starting away with your trusty rifle?"
-
-"Well," replied the Major, after saluting his callers most cordially,
-"yes, it is late. But I know where there is a deer lick, and as I am
-liable to lose my reputation as a hunter if I do not bring in a couple
-more venisons before long, why I propose to be on the ground with the
-first streak of daylight tomorrow morning."
-
-He glanced at the afternoon sun and said: "I think I can reach the deer
-lick soon after sun-down. I shall remain over night and be ready for the
-deer when they first begin stirring. They usually frequent the lick I
-intend visiting."
-
-The Major seemed impatient to be gone and soon his horse was cantering
-along carrying him into the hills, while Roderick and Grant were riding
-leisurely through the lowlands of the valley road toward the Shields
-ranch.
-
-All through the afternoon Buell Hampton skirted numerous rocky banks
-and crags and climbed far up into the mountain country, then down
-abrupt hill-sides only to mount again to still higher elevations. He was
-following a dim trail with which he showed himself familiar and that led
-several miles away to Spirit River Falls.
-
-Near these falls was the deer lick. For three consecutive trips the
-hunter had been unsuccessful. He had witnessed fully a dozen deer
-disappear along the trail that led down to the river's bank, but none
-of them had returned. It was a mystery. He did not understand where the
-deer could have gone. There was no ford or riffle in the river and the
-waters were too deep to admit belief of the deer finding a crossing. He
-wondered what was the solution.
-
-This was the real reason why he had left home late that afternoon,
-determined, when night came on, to tether his horse in the woods far
-away from the deer lick, make camp and be ready the following morning
-for the first appearance of some fine buck as he came to slake
-his thirst. If he did not get that buck he would at least find the
-trail--indeed on the present occasion it was less the venison he was
-after than the solving of the mystery.
-
-Arriving at his destination, the improvised camp was leisurely made and
-his horse given a generous feed of oats. After this he lighted a fire,
-and soon a steaming cup of coffee helped him to relish the bread and
-cold meat with which he had come provided.
-
-After smoking several pipes of tobacco and building a big log fire for
-the night--for the season was far advanced and there was plenty of snow
-around--Buell Hampton lay down in his blankets and was soon fast
-asleep, indifferent to the blinking stars or to the rhythmic stirring of
-clashing leafless limbs fanned into motion by the night winds.
-
-With the first breaking of dawn the Major was stirring. After refreshing
-himself with hot coffee and glancing at the cartridges in his rifle, he
-stole silently along under the overhanging foliage toward the deer lick.
-
-The watcher had hardly taken a position near an old fallen tree when
-five deer came timidly along the trail, sniffing the air in a half
-suspicious fashion.
-
-Lifting his rifle to his shoulder the hunter took deliberate aim and
-fired. A young buck leaped high in the air, wheeled about from the trail
-and plunged madly toward his enemy. But it was the stimulated madness of
-death. The noble animal fell to its knees--then partially raised
-itself with one last mighty effort only to fall back again full length,
-vanquished in the uneven battle with man. The Major's hunting knife
-quickly severed the jugular vein and the animal was thoroughly bled.
-A little later this first trophy of the chase had been dressed and
-gambreled with the dexterity of a stock yard butcher and hung high on
-the limb of a near by tree.
-
-The four remaining deer, when the Major fired, had rushed frantically
-down the trail bordered with dense underbrush and young trees that led
-over the brow of the embankment and on down to the river. The hunter now
-started in pursuit, following the trail to the water's edge. But there
-were no deer to be seen.
-
-Looking closely he noted that the tracks turned directly to the left
-toward the waterfall.
-
-The bank was very abrupt, but by hugging it closely and stepping
-sometimes on stones in the water, while pushing the overhanging and
-tangled brushwood aside, he succeeded in making some headway. To his
-surprise the narrow trail gave evidence of much use, as the tracks were
-indeed numerous. But where, he asked himself, could it possibly lead?
-However, he was determined to persevere and solve the mystery of where
-the deer had gone and thus escaped him on the previous occasions.
-
-Presently he had traversed the short distance to the great cataract
-tumbling over the shelf of rock almost two hundred feet above. Here he
-found himself under the drooping limbs of a mammoth tree that grew so
-close to the waterfall that the splashing spray enveloped him like a
-cold shower. Following on, to his astonishment he reached a point behind
-the waterfall where he discovered a large cavern with lofty arched roof,
-like an immense hall in some ancient ruined castle.
-
-While the light was imperfect yet the morning sun, which at that hour
-shone directly on the cascade, illuminated up the cavern sufficiently
-for the Major to see into it for quite a little distance. It seemed to
-recede directly into the mountain. The explorer cautiously advanced, and
-soon was interested at another discovery. A stream fully fifteen feet
-wide and perhaps two feet deep flowed directly out of the heart of the
-mountain along the center of the grotto, to mingle its waters with those
-of Spirit River at the falls.
-
-Major Hampton paused to consider this remarkable discovery. He now
-remembered that the volume of Spirit River had always impressed him as
-being larger below the noted Spirit River Falls than above, and here
-was the solution. The falls marked the junction of two bodies of water.
-Where this hidden river came from he had no idea. Apparently its source
-was some great spring situated far back in the mountain's interior.
-
-The Major was tensioned to a high key, and determined to investigate
-further. Making his way slowly and carefully along the low stone shelf
-above the river, he found that the light did not penetrate more
-than about three hundred feet. Looking closely he found there was an
-abundance of deer sign, which greatly mystified him.
-
-Retracing his steps to the waterfall, the Major once more crept along
-the path next to the abrupt river bank, and, climbing up the embankment,
-regained the deer trail where he had shot the young buck. He seated
-himself on an old fallen tree. Here on former occasions Major Hampton
-had waited many an hour for the coming of deer and indulged in
-day-dreaming how to relieve the ills of humanity, how to lighten the
-burdens of the poor and oppressed. Now, however, he was roused to
-action, and was no longer wrapped in the power of silence and the
-contemplation of abstract subjects. His brain and his heart were
-throbbing with the excitement of adventure and discovery.
-
-After full an hour's thought his decision was reached and a course of
-action planned. First of all he proceeded to gather a supply of dry
-brush and branches, tying them into three torch-like bundles with stout
-cord, a supply of which he invariably carried in his pockets. Then he
-inspected his match box to make sure the matches were in good condition.
-Finally picking up his gun, pulling his hunting belt a little tighter,
-examining his hatchet and knife to see if they were safe in his belt
-scabbard, he again set forth along the deer trail, down to the river.
-Overcoming the same obstacles as before, he soon found himself in the
-grotto behind the waterfall.
-
-Lighting one of his torches the Major started on a tour of further
-discovery. His course again led him over the comparatively smooth ledge
-of rock that served as a low bank for the waters of the hidden stream.
-But now he was able to advance beyond the point previously gained. After
-a while his torch burned low and he lighted another. The subterranean
-passage he was traversing narrowed at times until there was scarcely
-more than room to walk along the brink of the noisy waters, and again it
-would widen out like some great colosseum. The walls and high ceilings
-were fantastically enchanting, while the light from his torch made
-strange shadows, played many tricks on his nerves, and startled him with
-optical illusions. Figures of stalactites and rows of basaltic columns
-reflected the flare of the brand held aloft, and sometimes the explorer
-fancied himself in a vault hung with tapestries of brilliant sparkling
-crystals.
-
-Finally the third and last torch was almost burned down to the hand hold
-and the Major began to awaken to a keen sense of his difficult position,
-and its possible dangers. When attempting to change the stub of burning
-brushwood from one hand to the other and at the same time not drop his
-rifle, the remnants of the torch fell from his grasp into the rapid
-flowing waters and he was left in utter darkness. Apprehension came upon
-him--an eerie feeling of helplessness. True, there was a box of matches
-in the pocket of his hunting coat, but these would afford but feeble
-guidance in a place where at any step there might be a pitfall.
-
-Major Hampton was a philosopher, but this was a new experience,
-startling and unique. Everything around was pitch dark. He seemed to
-be enveloped in a smothering black robe. Presently above the murmur
-and swish of running water he could hear his heart beating. He mentally
-figured that he must have reached a distance of not less than three
-miles from Spirit River Falls. The pathway had proved fairly smooth
-walking, but unknown dangers were ahead, while a return trip in Stygian
-darkness would be an ordeal fraught with much risk.
-
-Stooping over the low bank he thrust his hand into the current to make
-sure of its course. The water was only a little below the flat ledge of
-rock on which he was standing, and was cold as the waters of a mountain
-spring. It occurred to him that he had been thirsty for a long time
-although in his excitement he had not been conscious of this. So he lay
-down flat and thrust his face into the cool grateful water.
-
-Rising again to his feet he felt greatly refreshed, his nerve restored,
-and he had just about concluded to retrace his steps when his eyes, by
-this time somewhat accustomed to the darkness, discovered in an upstream
-direction, a tiny speck of light He blinked and then questioningly
-rubbed his eyes. But still the speck did not disappear. It seemed no
-larger than a silver half dollar. It might be a ray of light filtering
-through some crevice, indicating a tunnel perhaps that would afford
-means of escape.
-
-Using his gun as a staff wherewith to feel his way and keeping as far
-as possible from the water's edge, Major Hampton moved slowly upstream
-toward the guiding spot of radiance. In a little while he became
-convinced it was the light of day shining in through an opening. The
-speck grew larger and larger as he slowly moved forward.
-
-Every once in a while he would stop and turn his face in the opposite
-direction, remaining in this position for a few moments and then quickly
-turning round again to satisfy himself that he was under no illusion.
-But the luminous disc was really growing larger--it appeared now to
-be as big as a saucer. His heart throbbed with hope and his judgment
-approved that the advance should be continued.
-
-Yes, the light was increasing, and looking down he fancied he could
-almost see the butt of his gun which was being used as a walking stick.
-Presently his feet could indistinctly be seen, and then the rocky
-pavement over which he was so cautiously shuffling his way.
-
-Ten minutes later the mouth of a tunnel was reached, and he was safe
-once more, bathed in God's own sunshine, his eyes still dazzled after
-the Cimmerian blackness from which he had emerged. He had traversed the
-entire length of the subterranean cave or river channel, and had reached
-the opposite side of a high mountain. Perhaps the distance through
-was only about three and a half miles. Trees and underbrush grew in
-profusion about the mouth of the tunnel into which the hidden river
-flowed. There was less snow than on the other side of the barrier. Deer
-sign were everywhere, and he followed a zig-zag deer path out into an
-open narrow valley.
-
-The Major's heart now leaped with the exultation of accomplishment.
-Brushing the light covering of snow away, he seated himself on the bank
-of the stream which could not, now that he looked upon it in the
-open day, be dignified by calling it a river. Along the edges of the
-watercourse were fringes of ice but in the center the rapid flow was
-unobstructed.
-
-It was only a big mountain brook, but one perhaps that had never been
-seen before by the eyes of man. The exploration and the excitement
-together had greatly fatigued Buell Hampton, and he was beginning to be
-conscious of physical exhaustion and the need of food notwithstanding
-the sustaining stimulus of being a discoverer in one of Nature's
-jealously guarded wonderlands.
-
-After resting a short time he started to walk farther into the valley
-and forage along the stream. The hunter was on the lookout for grouse
-but succeeded in shooting only a young sage hen. This was quickly
-dressed and broiled, the forked stick that served as a spit being
-skilfully turned in the blaze of a fire of twigs and brushwood. The
-repast was a modest one, but the wayfarer felt greatly refreshed, and
-now stepped briskly on, following the water channel toward its fountain
-head.
-
-It was indeed a beautiful valley--an ideal one--very little snow and the
-deer so plentiful that at a distance they might be mistaken for flocks
-of grazing sheep. The valley appeared to be exceedingly fertile in
-season. It was a veritable park, and so far as the explorer could
-at present determine was completely surrounded by high snow-capped
-mountains which were steep enough to be called precipices. He soon came
-to a dyke that ran across the valley at right angles to the stream.
-It was of porphyry formation, rising to a height of from three to four
-feet, and reaching right across the narrow valley from foothill to
-foothill. When Major Hampton climbed upon this dyke he noticed that the
-swiftly flowing brook had cut an opening through it as evenly almost as
-if the work had been chiseled by man. He was anxious to know whether the
-valley would lead to an opening from among the mountains, and after a
-brief halt pushed hurriedly on.
-
-But an hour later he had retraced his steps and was again seated on
-the bench-like dyke of porphyry. He had made a complete circuit of this
-strange "nest" or gash in the vastness of the Rocky Mountain Range and
-was convinced there was no opening. The brook had its rise in a number
-of mammoth springs high up on the mountain foothills at the upper end
-of the valley, where it was also fed by several waterfalls that dropped
-from the dizzy cliffs far above.
-
-The valley was perhaps three miles long east and west and not over
-one-half mile wide north and south. The contour of the mountain sides
-to the south conformed to the contour on the north, justifying the
-reasonable conjecture that an earthquake or violent volcanic upheaval
-must have tom the mountains apart in prehistoric times. It was evidently
-in all truth a hidden valley--not on the map of the U. S. Survey--a
-veritable new land.
-
-"To think," mused the Major, aloud, "that I have discovered a new
-possession. What an asylum for the weary! Surely the day has been full
-of startling surprises."
-
-He was seated on the dyke almost at the very edge of the brock where the
-waters were singing their song of peaceful content. He let his glance
-again sweep the valley with the satisfied look of one conscious of some
-unanalyzed good fortune.
-
-There was no snow on the porphyry dyke where he rested. It was
-moss-covered in many places with the coating of countless centuries.
-Most likely no human foot but his had ever pressed the sod of this
-sequestered nook among the mighty mountains. The very thought was
-uplifting--inspiring. Pulling his hunter's hatchet from its sheath he
-said aloud: "I christen thee 'Hidden Valley,'" and struck the porphyry
-rock a vigorous blow, so vigorous indeed that it chipped off a goodly
-piece.
-
-Major Buell Hampton paused, astonished. He looked and then he looked
-again. He picked up the chipped off piece of rock and gazed long and
-earnestly at it, then rubbed his eyes in amazement. It was literally
-gleaming with pure gold.
-
-Immediately the hatchet again came into play. Piece after piece was
-broken open and all proved to be alike--rich specimens fit for the
-cabinet of a collector. The drab moss-covered dyke really contained
-the wealth of a King Solomon's mine. It was true--true, though almost
-unbelievable. Yet in this moment of overwhelming triumph Buell Hampton
-saw not with the eyes of avarice and greed for personal gain, but rather
-with the vision of the humanitarian. Unlimited wealth had always been
-for him a ravishing dream, but he had longed for it, passionately,
-yearningly, not as a means to supply pleasures for himself but to
-assuage the miseries of a suffering world.
-
-He was not skilled in judging rock carrying values of precious metals,
-but in this instance the merest novice could hardly be mistaken. Hastily
-breaking as much of the golden ore as he could carry in his huge coat
-pockets and taking one last sweeping survey over the valley, the Major
-started on his return trip to Spirit River Falls. Arriving at the point
-where the waters of the brook disappeared in the natural tunnel of the
-"Hidden River," the name he mentally gave to the romantic stream, he
-gathered some torch material and then started on the return trip. Two
-hours later he emerged from behind the turbulent waters at Spirit River
-Falls. In the waning afternoon he regained his camp. After watering his
-patient horse, giving it another feed of oats and apologizing with many
-a gentle caressing pat for his long absence and seeming neglect, the
-Major set out for home, the dressed deer strapped on behind his saddle,
-with the deer skin rolled around the venison as a protection.
-
-Early the following morning Buell Hampton visited an assay office,
-carrying with him an ore sack containing nine pounds and a half of ore.
-The Major felt certain it was ore--gold ore, almost pure gold--but was
-almost afraid of his own convictions. The discovery was really too good
-to be true.
-
-The assayer tossed the sack of gold onto a table where other samples
-were awaiting his skill and said: "All right, Major, come in sometime
-tomorrow."
-
-"It's important," replied the Major, "that you assay it at once. It is
-high grade; I wish to sell."
-
-"Oh, ho!" replied the assayer with elevated eyebrows. Possibly he was
-like many another who encouraged the "high-graders" in their nefarious
-thefts from their employers when they were trusted to work on a rich
-property.
-
-"Why, Major Hampton, I didn't know you were one of 'em--one of us," and
-he finished with a leer and a laugh. "Bet I can tell what mine it came
-from," he went on as he leisurely untied the ore sacks.
-
-"I will remain right here," replied Major Hampton firmly, without
-yielding to the assayer's offensive hilarity, "until you have my samples
-assayed and make me an offer."
-
-By this time the sack of rock had been emptied into an ore pan and the
-astonishment depicted on the assayer's countenance would have beggared
-description. The sight of the ore staggered him into silence. Other work
-was pushed hurriedly aside and before very long the fire test was in
-process of being made. When finally finished the "button" weighed at
-the rate of $114.67 per pound, and the assayer, still half bewildered,
-handed over a check for almost eleven hundred dollars.
-
-"I say," he almost shouted, "I say, Major Hampton, where in hell did
-that ore come from? Surely not from any of the producing mines about
-here?"
-
-"It seems to be a producer, all right," replied the Major, as he folded
-the check and placed it in his pocketbook.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER X.--THE FAIR RIDER OF THE RANGE
-
-
-WHEN Buell Hampton left the assayer's office he felt a chilliness in
-the air that caused him to cast his eyes upwards. There had been bright
-sunshine early that morning, but now the whole sky was overcast with a
-dull monotonous gray pall. Not a breath of wind was stirring; there
-was just a cold stillness in the air that told its own tale to those
-experienced in the weather signs of the mountains.
-
-"Snow," muttered the Major, emphatically. "It has been long in coming
-this winter, but we'll have a big fall by night."
-
-The season indeed had been exceptionally mild. There had been one or two
-flurries of snow, but each had been followed by warm days and the light
-fall had speedily melted, at least in the open valley. High up, the
-mountains had their white garb of winter, but even at these elevations
-there had been no violent storms.
-
-Buell Hampton, however, realized that the lingering autumn was now gone,
-and that soon the whole region would be in the rigorous grip of the
-Snow King. Henceforth for some months to come would be chill winds,
-protracted and frequently recurring downfalls of snow, great high-banked
-snowdrifts in the canyons, and later on the mighty snowslides that
-sheared timber-clad mountain slopes as if with a giant's knife and
-occasionally brought death and destruction to some remote mining camp.
-For the present the Major's hunting expeditions were at an end. But as
-he glanced at the heavy canopy of snow-laden cloud he also knew that
-days must elapse, weeks perhaps, before he could revisit the hidden
-valley high up in the mountains. For yet another winter tide Nature
-would hold her treasure safe from despoiling hands.
-
-Buell Hampton faced the situation with characteristic philosophy. All
-through the afternoon he mused on his good fortune. He was glad to have
-brought down even only a thousand dollars from the golden storehouse,
-for this money would ensure comfort during the inclement season for a
-good few humble homes. Meanwhile, like a banker with reserves of bullion
-safely locked up in his vault, he could plan out the future and see how
-the treasure was to be placed to best advantage. In Buell Hampton's case
-the field of investment was among the poor and struggling, and the only
-dividends he cared for were increased percentages of human happiness.
-The coming of winter only delayed the good work he had in mind, but
-even now the consciousness of power to perform brought great joy to his
-heart. Alone in his home he paced the big room, only pausing at times
-to throw another log on the fire or gaze awhile into the glowing embers,
-day-dreaming, unspeakably happy in his day-dreams.
-
-Meanwhile, in anticipation of the coming snowstorm, young Warfield was
-riding the range and gathering cattle and yearlings that had strayed
-away from the herd. As he was surmounting a rather steep foothill across
-the valleys to the westward between the two Encampment rivers, he was
-startled at hearing the patter of a horse's hoofs. Quickly looking up
-he saw a young woman on horseback dashing swiftly along and swinging
-a lariat. She wore a divided brown skirt, wide sombrero, fringed
-gauntlets, and sat her horse with graceful ease and confidence. She was
-coming down the mountainside at right angles to his course.
-
-Bringing his pony quickly to a standstill Roderick watched the spirited
-horse-woman as she let go her lariat at an escaping yearling that
-evidently had broken out of some corral The lariat went straight to its
-mark, and almost at the same moment he heard her voice as she spoke
-to her steed, quickly but in soft melodious tones: "That will do,
-Fleetfoot. Whoa!" Instantly the well-trained horse threw himself well
-back on his haunches and veered to the left. The fleeing yearling was
-caught around one of its front feet and thrown as neatly as the most
-expert cowboy on the range could have done it.
-
-"By George," said Roderick to himself, "what a fine piece of work."
-He watched with admiring eyes as the young lady sat her horse in an
-attitude of waiting. Presently a cowboy rode up, and relieving her of
-the catch started the yearling back, evidently toward the corral Turning
-about, the horsewoman started her horse at a canter directly toward him,
-and Roderick fell to wondering what sort of a discovery he had made.
-
-A moment later she brought her horse to a standstill and acknowledged
-his salutation as he lifted his sombrero. He saw the red blood glowing
-under the soft tan of her cheeks, and as their eyes met he was fairly
-dazzled by her beauty. He recognized at a glance the western type of
-girl, frank and fearless, accustomed to the full and health-giving
-freedom of life in the open, yet accomplished and domesticated, equally
-at home in the most tastefully adorned drawing room as here on horseback
-among the mountains.
-
-"I beg pardon," he said in a stammering way, "but can I be of any
-service?"
-
-At his words she pulled her pony to a standstill and said: "In what
-way, pray?"--and there was a mischievous smile at Roderick's obvious
-embarrassment.
-
-"Why, I saw you lariating a yearling."
-
-"Oh," she said, throwing back her head and laughing softly, "that was a
-long time ago. It is doubtless in the corral by now."
-
-As she spoke, Roderick dismounted. He was capable now of assimilating
-details, and noted the silken dark Egyptian locks that fell in fluffy
-waves over her temples in a most bewitching manner, and the eyes that
-shone with the deep dark blue of the sapphire. His gaze must have
-betrayed his admiration, for, courteously waving her hand, she touched
-with her spurs the flanks of her mount and bounded away across the
-hills. Roderick was left standing in wonderment.
-
-"Who the dickens can she be?" he soliloquized. "I've been riding the
-range for a good many weeks, but this is the first time I've spotted
-this mountain beauty."
-
-Throwing himself onto his horse, he started down toward the south
-fork of the Encampment river and on to the westward the Shields ranch,
-wondering as he rode along who this strange girl of the hills could be.
-Once or twice he thought of Stella Rain and he manfully endeavored to
-keep his mind concentrated on the one to whom he was betrothed, running
-over in memory her last letter, reckoning the time that must elapse
-before the next one would arrive, recalling the tender incidents of
-their parting now two months ago. But his efforts were in vain. Always
-there kept recurring the vision of loveliness he had encountered on the
-range, and the mystery that surrounded the fair rider's identity. Once
-again since Major Buell Hampton's long diatribe on love and matrimony,
-he was vaguely conscious that his impetuous love-making on that
-memorable evening at Galesburg might have been a mistake, and that the
-little "college widow" in her unselfishness had spoken words of wisdom
-when she had counselled him to wait awhile--until he really did know his
-own mind--until he had really tried out his own heart, yes, until--Great
-heavens, he found himself recalling her very words, spoken with tears
-in her soft pretty eyes: "That's just the trouble, Roderick. You do not
-know--you cannot make a comparison, nor you won't know until the other
-girl comes along."
-
-Had the other girl at last come? But at the disloyal thought he spurred
-his horse to a gallop, and as he did so the first snowflakes of the
-coming storm fluttered cold and damp against his flushed cheeks. At last
-he thought of other things; he was wondering now, as he glanced around
-into the thickening atmosphere, whether all the stray mavericks were at
-last safe in the winter pastures and corrals.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XI.--WINTER PASSES
-
-
-THAT night the big snow storm did indeed come, and when Roderick woke
-up next morning it was to find mountain and valley covered with a vast
-bedspread of immaculate white and the soft snowflakes still descending
-like a feathery down. The storm did not catch Mr. Shields unprepared;
-his vast herds were safe and snug in their winter quarters.
-
-The break in the weather marked the end of Roderick's range riding for
-the season. He was now a stock feeder and engaged in patching up the
-corrals and otherwise playing his part of a ranch hand. And with this
-stay-at-home life he found himself thinking more and more of the real
-mission that had brought him into this land of mountains. Nearly every
-night when his work was finished, he studied a certain map of the
-hills--the inheritance left him by his father. On this map were noted
-"Sheep Mountain," "Bennet Peak," "Hahn's Peak" and several other
-prominent landmarks. From his own acquaintance with the country Roderick
-now knew that the lost valley was quite a distance to the south and west
-from the Shields ranch.
-
-Thus the wintry days wore on, and with their passing Roderick became
-more and more firm in his determination to be ready, when the snow was
-gone in the spring, to take up his father's unfinished task of finding
-again the sandbar abounding with nuggets of gold. Indeed in his life of
-isolation it gradually came about that he thought of little else by day
-and dreamed of nothing else at night. Sometimes in the solitude of his
-room he smiled at his loneliness. What a change from the old college
-days--from the stir and excitement of New York. During the winter he had
-been invited to a score of gatherings, dances, and parties, but somehow
-he had become taciturn and had declined all invitations.
-
-Then, with stern self-control he had succeeded in putting out of mind
-the mysterious beauty of the range. Love at first sight!--he had laughed
-down such silliness, and rooted out of his heart the base treason that
-had even for a fleeting moment permitted such a thought. Yes, there was
-nothing but firmest loyalty in his mind for Stella Rain, who was waiting
-for him so faithfully and patiently, and whose letters cheered him and
-filled him with greater determination than ever to find the lost mine.
-
-His labors on the ranch were arduous but his health was excellent. At
-college he had been an athlete--now he was a rugged, bronzed-faced son
-of the hills. His only recreations were laying plans for the future and
-writing letters to Stella.
-
-Not infrequently his mind wandered back to Keokuk, the old river town,
-and his heart grew regretful that he had quarreled with his Unde Allen
-Miller, and his thoughts were tender of his Aunt Lois. Once he wrote
-a letter to Whitley Adams, then tore it up in a dissatisfied way,
-returning to the determination to make his fortune before communicating
-with his old friends.
-
-And so the winter passed, and spring had come again.
-
-It was one morning in early May, just after he had finished his chores,
-when to his surprise Grant Jones shouted to him through the corral
-fence: "Hello, old man, how is ranching agreeing with you, anyway?"
-
-"Fine," responded Roderick, "fine and dandy." He let himself through
-the gate of the corral and shook hands with Grant. "Come up to the bunk
-house; seems mighty good to see you."
-
-"Thanks," responded Grant, as they walked along. "Do you know, Warfield,
-I have been shut up over on the other side of the range ever since that
-first big snow-storm? I paddled out on snowshoes only once during the
-winter, and then walked over the tops of trees. Plenty of places up on
-the Sierra Madre," continued Grant, nodding his head to the westward,
-"where the snow is still twenty to thirty feet deep. If a fellow had
-ever broken through, why, of course, he would have been lost until the
-spring."
-
-"Terrible to think about," said Roderick.
-
-"Oh, that's not all," said Grant with his old exuberant laugh. "It would
-have been so devilish long from a fellow's passing until his obituary
-came to be written. That is what gets on my nerves when I'm out on
-snowshoes. Of course the columns of the _Doublejack_ are always open
-to write-ups on dead unfortunates, but it likes to have 'em as near as
-possible to the actual date of demise. Then it's live news."
-
-"Sounds rather grewsome," said Roderick, smiling at Grant's oddity of
-expression.
-
-Arriving at the bunk house, they were soon seated around a big stove
-where a brisk fire was burning, for the air without was still sharp and
-the wind cutting and cold.
-
-"I can offer you a pipe and some mighty fine tobacco," said Roderick,
-pushing a tray toward him carrying a jar of tobacco and half-a-dozen cob
-pipes.
-
-"Smells good," commented Grant, as he accepted and began to fill one of
-the pipes.
-
-"Well, tell me something about yourself, Grant. I supposed the
-attraction over here at the ranch was quite enough to make you brave
-snowstorms and snow-slides and thirty-foot snowdrifts."
-
-"Warfield," said Grant, half seriously, between puffs at his pipe, "that
-is what I want to talk with you about. The inducement is sufficient for
-all you suggest. She is a wonder. Without any question, Dorothy Shields
-is the sweetest girl that ever lived."
-
-"Hold on," smiled Roderick. "There may be others in the different parts
-of the world."
-
-"Is that so?" ejaculated Grant with a rising inflection, while his
-countenance suggested an interrogation point.
-
-"No, I have no confessions to make," rejoined Roderick, as he struck a
-match to light his pipe.
-
-"Well, that's just what is troubling me," said Grant, still serious.
-"I was just wondering if anyone else had been browsing on my range over
-here at the Shields ranch while I have been penned up like a groundhog,
-getting out my weekly edition of the _Dillon Doublejock_, sometimes
-only fifty papers at an issue. Think of it!" And they both laughed at
-the ludicrous meagerness of such a circulation.
-
-"But never mind," continued Grant, reflectively, "I will run my
-subscriptions up to three or four hundred in sixty days when the snow is
-off the ground."
-
-"Yes, that is all very well, old man. But when will the snow be off? I
-am considerably interested myself, for I want to do some prospecting."
-
-"Hang your prospecting," said Grant, "or when the snow will go either.
-You haven't answered my question."
-
-"Oh, as to whether anyone has been browsing on your range?" exclaimed
-Roderick. "I must confess I do not know. They have had dances and
-parties and all that sort of thing but--I really don't know, I have
-not felt in the mood and declined to attend. How do you find the little
-queen of your heart? Has she forgotten you?"
-
-"No-o," responded Grant, slowly. "But dam it all, I can't talk very well
-before the whole family. I am an out-door man. You give me the hills as
-a background and those millions of wild flowers that color our valleys
-along in July like Joseph's coat, and it makes me bubble over with
-poetry and I can talk to beat a phonograph monologist." This was said in
-a jovial, joking tone, but beneath it all Roderick knew there was much
-serious truth.
-
-"How is it, Grant? Are you pretty badly hit?"
-
-"Right square between the eyes, old man. Why, do you know, sitting
-over in that rocky gorge of Dillon canyon in the little town of Dillon,
-writing editorials for the Double jack month after month and no one to
-read my paper, I have had time to think it all over, and I have made up
-my mind to come here to the Shields ranch and tell Dorothy it is my firm
-conviction that she is the greatest woman on top of the earth, and that
-life to me without her is simply--well, I don't have words to describe
-the pitiful loneliness of it all without her."
-
-Roderick leaned back in his chair and laughed hilariously at his friend.
-
-"This is no joking matter," said Grant. "I'm a goner."
-
-Just then there came a knock at the door and Roderick hastily arose to
-bid welcome to the caller. To the surprise of both the visitor proved to
-be Major Buell Hampton.
-
-Major Hampton exchanged cordial greetings and expressed his great
-pleasure at finding his two young friends together. Accepting the
-invitation to be seated, he drew his meerschaum from his pocket and
-proceeded to fill from a tobacco pouch made of deer skin.
-
-"My dear Mr. Jones and' Mr. Warfield," he began, "where have you been
-all through the winter?"
-
-"For myself, right here doing chores about twelve hours per day,"
-answered Roderick.
-
-"As for me," said Grant, "I have been way over 'yonder' editing the
-_Dillon Doublejack._ I have fully a score of subscribers who would have
-been heartbroken if I had missed a single issue. I snow-shoed in to
-Encampment once, but your castle was locked and nobody seemed to know
-where you had gone, Major."
-
-Jones had again laughed good-naturedly over the limited circulation of
-his paper. Major Hampton smiled, while Roderick observed that there was
-nothing like living in a literary atmosphere.
-
-"If your circulation is small your persistence is certainly
-commendable," observed the Major, looking benignly at Jones but not
-offering to explain his absence from Encampment when Jones had called.
-"I have just paid my respects," he went on, "to Mr. and Mrs. Shields and
-their lovely daughters, and learned that you were also visiting these
-hospitable people. My errand contemplated calling upon Mr. Warfield as
-well. I almost feel I have been neglected. The latchstring hangs on the
-outside of my door for Mr. War-field as well as for you, Mr. Jones."
-
-"Many thanks," observed Roderick.
-
-"Your compliment is not unappreciated," said Grant. "When do you return
-to Encampment?"
-
-"Immediately after luncheon," replied the Major.
-
-"Very well, I will go along with you," said Grant. "I came over on my
-skis."
-
-"It will be a pleasure for me to extend the hospitality of the
-comfortable riding sled that brought me over," responded the Major with
-Chesterfieldian politeness. "Jim Rankin is one of the safest drivers
-in the country and he has a fine spirited team, while the sledding is
-simply magnificent."
-
-"Although the jingle of sleigh-bells always makes me homesick," remarked
-Roderick, "I'd feel mighty pleased to return with you."
-
-"It will be your own fault, Mr. Warfield, if you do not accompany us. I
-have just been talking to Mr. Shields, and he says you are the most
-remarkable individual he has ever had on his ranch--a regular hermit
-They never see you up at the house, and you have not been away from the
-ranch for months, while the young ladies, Miss Barbara and Miss Dorothy,
-think it perfectly horrid--to use their own expression--that you never
-leave your quarters here or spend an evening with the family."
-
-"Roderick," observed Grant, "I never thought you were a stuck-up prig
-before, but now I know you for what you are. But there must be an end to
-such exclusiveness. Let someone else do the chores. Get ready and come
-on back to Encampment with us, and we'll have a royal evening together
-at the Major's home."
-
-"Excellent idea," responded the Major. "I have some great secrets to
-impart--but I am not sure I will tell you one of them," he added with a
-good-natured smile. The others laughed at his excess of caution.
-
-"Very well," said Roderick, "if Mr. Shields can spare me for a few days
-I'll accept your invitation."
-
-At this moment the door was opened unceremoniously and in walked the two
-Miss Shields. The men hastily arose and laid aside their pipes.
-
-"We are here as messengers," said Miss Dorothy, smiling. "You, Mr.
-Warfield, are to come up to the house and have dinner with us as well as
-the Major and Grant."
-
-"Glorious," said Grant, smiling broadly. "Roderick, did you hear that?
-She calls you Mr. Warfield and she calls me Grant. Splendid, splendid!"
-
-"I know somebody that will have their ears cuffed in a moment," observed
-Miss Dorothy.
-
-"Again I ejaculate splendid!" said Grant in great hilarity, as if daring
-her.
-
-"It is a mystery to me," observed the Major, "how two such charming
-young ladies can remain so unappreciated."
-
-"Why, Major," protested Barbara, "we are not unappreciated. Everybody
-thinks we are just fine."
-
-"Major," observed Grant with great solemnity, "this is an opportunity
-I have long wanted." He cleared his throat, winked at Roderick, made a
-sweeping glance at the young ladies and observed: "I wanted to express
-my admiration, yes, I might say my affection for--"
-
-Dorothy's face was growing pink. She divined Grant's ardent feelings
-although he had spoken not one word of love to her. Lightly springing to
-his side, she playfully but firmly placed her hands over his mouth and
-turned whatever else he had to say into incoherency.
-
-This ended Grant's declaration. Even Major Buell Hampton smiled and
-Roderick inquired: "Grant, what are you mumbling about?"
-
-Dorothy dropped her hand.
-
-"Oh, just trying to tell her to keep me muzzled forever," Grant smiled,
-and Dorothy's cheeks were red with blushes.
-
-With this final sally all started for the big ranch house where they
-found that a sumptuous meal had been prepared.
-
-During the repast Barbara learned of the proposed reunion of the three
-friends at Encampment, and insisted that her father should give a few
-days' vacation to Mr. Warfield. The favor was quickly granted, and an
-hour later Jim Rankin brought up his bob-sled and prancing team, and
-to the merry sound of the sleigh-bells Major Buell Hampton and the two
-young men sped away for Encampment.
-
-It was arranged that Roderick and Grant should have an hour or two to
-themselves and then call later in the evening on the Major.
-
-Roderick was half irritated to find no letter at the post office from
-Stella Rain. In point of fact, during the past two months, he had been
-noticing longer and longer gaps in her correspondence. Sometimes he felt
-his vanity touched and was inclined to be either angry or humiliated.
-But at other times he just vaguely wondered whether his loved one was
-drifting away from him.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XII--THE MAJOR'S FIND
-
-
-WHEN Grant Jones and Roderick arrived at the Major's home that evening
-they found other visitors already installed before the cheerful blaze of
-the open hearth. These were Tom Sun, owner of more sheep than any
-other man in the state; Boney Earnest, the blast furnace man in the big
-smelting plant; and Jim Rankin, who had joined his two old cronies after
-unharnessing the horses from the sleigh.
-
-Cordial introductions and greetings were exchanged. Although Roderick
-had shaken hands before with Boney Earnest, this was their first meeting
-in a social way. And it was the very first time he had encountered
-Tom Sun. Therefore the fortuitous gathering of his father's three old
-friends came to him as a pleasant surprise. He was glad of the chance to
-get better acquainted.
-
-While the company were settling themselves in chairs around the
-fireplace, Jim Rankin seized the moment for a private confabulation with
-Roderick. He drew the young man into a corner and addressed him in a
-mysterious whisper: "By gunnies, Mr. War-field, it sure is powerful good
-to have yer back agin. It's seemed a tarnation long winter. But you bet
-I've been keepin' my mind on things--our big secret--you know."
-
-Roderick nodded and Rankin went on: "I've been prognosticatin' out this
-here way and then that way on a dozen trips after our onderstandin',
-searchin' like fur that business; but dang my buttons it's pesterin'
-hard to locate and don't you forgit it. Excuse us, gentlemen, we are
-talkin' about certain private matters but we don't mean ter be impolite.
-I'm 'lowin' it's the biggest secret in these diggin's--ain't that right,
-Roderick?"
-
-Rankin laughed good-humoredly at his own remarks as he took out his
-tobacco pouch of fine cut and stowed away a huge cud. "You bet yer
-life," he continued between vigorous chews, "somebody is nachurlly going
-to be a heap flustrated 'round here one of these days, leastways that's
-what we're assoomin'."
-
-"Say, Jim," observed Tom Sun, "what are you talkin' about anyway? Boney,
-I think Jim is just as crazy as ever."
-
-"I reckon that's no lie," responded Boney, good-naturedly. "Always was
-as crazy as a March hare with a bone in its throat."
-
-"Say, look here you fellows, yer gittin' tumultuous," exclaimed Rankin,
-"you're interferin'. Say, Major Hampton, I'm not a dangnation bit
-peevish or nuthin' like that, but do you know who are the four biggest
-and most ponderous liars in the state of Wyoming?" The Major looked up
-in surprise but did not reply. "Waal," said Rankin, expectorating toward
-the burning logs in the open hearth and proceeding to answer his own
-question, "Boney Earnest is sure one uv 'em, I am one uv 'em, and Tom
-Sun is 'tother two." Rankin guffawed loudly. This brought forth quite an
-expression of merriment The only reply from Tom Sun was that his thirty
-odd years of association with Jim Rankin and Boney Earnest was quite
-enough to make a prince of liars of anyone.
-
-Presently the Major said: "Gentlemen, after taking a strict inventory
-I find there are six men in the world for whom I entertain an especial
-interest. Of course, my mission in life in a general way is in behalf
-of humanity, but there are six who have come to be closer to me than all
-the rest Five of them are before me. Of the other I will not speak at
-this time. I invited you here this evening because you represent in a
-large measure the things that I stand for. The snow will soon be going,
-spring is approaching and great things will happen during the next
-year--far greater than you dream of. You are friends of mine and I
-have decided under certain restrictions to share with you an important
-secret."
-
-Thereupon he pointed to some little sacks, until now unnoticed, that lay
-on the center table. "Untie these sacks and empty the contents onto the
-table if you will, Mr. Warfield." Roderick complied.
-
-Each sack held about a hatful of broken rock, and to the amazement of
-the Major's guests Roderick emptied out on the table the richest gold
-ores that any of them had ever beheld. They were porphyry and white
-quartz, shot full of pure gold and stringers of gold. Indeed the pieces
-of quartz were seemingly held together with purest wire gold.
-
-The natural query that was in the heart of everyone was soon given voice
-by Jim Rankin. After scanning the remarkable exhibit he turned to Major
-Buell Hampton and exclaimed: "Gosh 'lmighty, Major, where did this here
-come from?"
-
-"A most natural question but one which I am not inclined to answer
-at this time," said the Major, smiling benignly. "Gentlemen, it is my
-intention that everyone present shall share with me in a substantial way
-in the remarkable discovery, the evidence of which is lying before you.
-There are five of you and I enjoin upon each the most solemn pledge of
-secrecy, even as regards the little you have yet learned of the great
-secret which I possess."
-
-They all gave their pledges, and the Major went on: "There is enough
-of these remarkably rich ores for everyone. But should the slightest
-evidence come to me that anyone of you gentlemen has been so
-thoughtless, or held the pledge you have just made so lightly, that you
-have shared with any outsider the information so far given, his name
-will assuredly be eliminated from this pact. Therefore, it is not only
-a question of honor but a question of self-interest, and I feel sure the
-former carries with it more potency with each of you than the latter."
-
-In the meantime Roderick was closely examining the samples of gold.
-Instinctively he had put his hand to the inside pocket of his coat and
-felt for his father's map. He was wondering whether Buell Hampton had
-come into possession of the identical piece of knowledge he himself was
-searching for. Presently Jim Rankin whispered in his ear: "By gunnies,
-Warfield, I guess the Major has beat us to it."
-
-But Roderick shook his head reassuringly. He remembered that his
-father's find was placer gold--water-worn nuggets taken from a sandbar
-in some old channel, as the sample in Jim Rankin's own possession
-showed. The ores he was now holding were of quite a different
-class--they had been broken from the living rock.
-
-After the specimens had been returned to the sample sacks and the
-excitement had quieted a little, Major Hampton threw his head back in
-his own princely way, as he sat in his easy chair before the fire and
-observed: "Money may be a blessing or it may be a curse. Personally I
-shall regret the discovery if a single dollar of this wealth, which it
-is in my power to bring to the light of day, should ever bring sorrow to
-humanity. It is my opinion that the richest man in the world should not
-possess more than a quarter of a million dollars at most, and even that
-amount is liable to make a very poor citizen out of an otherwise
-good man. Unnecessary wealth merely stimulates to abnormal or wicked
-extravagance. It is also self-evident that a more equal distribution of
-wealth would obtain if millionaires were unknown, and greater happiness
-would naturally follow."
-
-"Yes, but the world requires 'spenders' as well as getters,'" laughed
-Tom Sun. "Otherwise we would all be dying of sheer weariness of each
-other."
-
-"Surely, there are arguments on both sides," assented the Major. "It
-is a difficult problem. I was merely contending that a community of
-comparatively poor people who earn their bread by the sweat of
-their brow--tilling the soil and possessed of high ideals of good
-citizenship--such people beyond question afford the greatest example of
-contentment, morality and happiness. Great wealth is the cause of some
-of our worst types of degeneracy. However," he concluded, knocking the
-ashes from his pipe, "it is not my purpose this evening to sermonize.
-Nor do I intend at present to say anything more about the rich gold
-discovery I have made except to reiterate my assurance that at the
-proper time all you gentlemen will be called on to share in the
-enterprise and in its profits. Now I believe some of you"--and he looked
-at Jim Rankin, Tom Sun and Boney Earnest as he spoke--"have another
-engagement tonight. It was only at my special request, Mr. Warfield,
-that they remained to meet you and Mr. Jones."
-
-"And we're much obliged to you, Major," said Boney Earnest, arising
-and glancing at his watch. "Hope old John Warfield's boy and I will get
-still better acquainted. But I've got to be going now. You see my wife
-insisted that I bring the folks back early so that she might have a
-visit with Mr. Rankin and Mr. Sun."
-
-Tom Sun shook hands cordially.
-
-"Glad to have met you, Mr. Warfield," he said, "for your father's sake
-as well as your own. I trust we'll meet often. Good-night, Mr. Jones."
-
-Rankin whispered something to Roderick, but Roderick did not catch the
-words, and when he attempted to inquire the old fellow merely nodded
-his head and said aloud: "You bet your life; I'm assoomin' this is
-jist 'tween me and you." Roderick smiled at this oddity, as the man of
-mystery followed his friends from the room.
-
-When the door closed and Roderick and Grant were alone with the
-Major, pipes were again lighted, and a spell of silence fell upon the
-group--the enjoyable silence of quiet companionship. The Major showed no
-disposition to re-open the subject of the rich gold discovery, nor did
-Roderick feel inclined to press for further information. As he mused,
-however, he became more firmly convinced than before that his secret was
-still his own--that Buell Hampton, in this rugged mountain region with
-its many undiscovered storehouses of wealth, had tumbled on a different
-gold-bearing spot to that located by Uncle Allen Miller and his father.
-Some day, perhaps, he would show the Major the letter and the map. But
-to do this now might seem like begging the favor of further confidences,
-so until these were volunteered Roderick must pursue his own lonesome
-trail. The mere sight of the gold, however, had quickened his pulse
-beats. To resume the humdrum life at the ranch seemed intolerable. He
-longed to be out on the hills with his favorite pony Badger, searching
-every nook and corner for the hidden treasure.
-
-Presently Buell Hampton arose and laid his pipe aside, and going to a
-curtained corner of the room returned with his violin. And long into
-the night, with only a fitful light from the burning logs in the
-open fireplace, the Major played for his young friends. It seemed his
-repertoire was without beginning and without end. As he played his moods
-underwent many changes. Now he was gay and happy, at another moment
-sad and wistful. He passed from sweet low measures into wild, thrilling
-abandonment. Now he was drawing divine harmony from the strings by
-dainty caresses, again he was almost brutally compelling them to render
-forth the fierce passion of music that was surging in his own soul.
-The performance held the listeners spellbound--left them for the moment
-speechless when at last the player dropped into a chair. The instrument
-was laid across his knees; he was still fondling it with gentle touches
-and taps from his long slender fingers.
-
-"You love your violin, Major," Roderick at last managed to articulate.
-
-"Yes," came the low-spoken fervent reply, "every crease, crevice and
-string of the dear old Cremona that was given me more than half a
-century ago."
-
-"I wish," said Grant, "that I could express my appreciation of the
-wonderful entertainment you have given us tonight."
-
-"You are very complimentary," replied the Major, bestirring himself.
-He rose, laid the violin on the table, and brightened up the fire with
-additional fuel.
-
-"But I'm afraid we must be going," added Grant. "It is getting late."
-
-"Well, I have a message for you young gentlemen," said the Major. "You
-are invited to attend one of the most distinguished soirees ever given
-in the Platte River Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Shields mentioned this today,
-and made me the special messenger to extend the invitation to you both."
-
-"Splendid," exclaimed Grant. "When does this come off?"
-
-"Two weeks from this evening," replied the Major. "And we will have a
-comparative newcomer to the valley to grace the occasion. She has been
-here through the late fall and winter, but has been too busy nursing her
-sick and bereaved old father to go out into society."
-
-"General Holden's daughter?" queried Grant.
-
-"The same. And Gail Holden is certainly a most beautiful young lady.
-Have you seen her, Mr. War-field?"
-
-"Not that I'm aware of," replied Roderick.
-
-"A most noble young woman, too," continued the Major. "They are Illinois
-people. The mother died last year under sad circumstances--all the
-family fortune swept away. But the girl chanced to own these Wyoming
-acres in her own right, so she brought her father here, and has started
-a little cattle ranch, going in for pedigreed dairy stock and likely to
-do well too, make no mistake. You should just see her swing a lariat,"
-the speaker added with a ring of admiration in his tone.
-
-Roderick started. Great Scott! could this be the fair horsewoman he had
-encountered on the mountain side just before the coming of the big snow.
-But a vigorous slap on his shoulder administered by Grant broke him from
-reverie.
-
-"Why don't you say something, old fellow? Isn't this glorious news? Are
-you not delighted at the opportunity of tripping the light fantastic
-toe with a beauty from Illinois as well as our own home-grown Wyoming
-belles?"
-
-"Well," replied Roderick slowly, "I have not been attending any of these
-affairs, although I may do so in this instance."
-
-"Miss Barbara Shields," said the Major, "especially requested me
-to tell you, Mr. Warfield, that she positively insists on your being
-present."
-
-"Ho, ho!" laughed Grant. "So you've made a hit in that quarter, eh,
-Roderick? Well, better a prospective brother-in-law than a dangerous
-rival. Dorothy's mine, and don't you forget it."
-
-Grant's boyish hilarity was contagious, his gay audacity amusing. Even
-the Major laughed heartily. But Roderick was blushing furiously. A
-moment before he had been thinking of one fair charmer. And now here was
-another being thrown at him, so to speak, although in jest and not in
-earnest. Barbara Shields--he had never dared to think of her as within
-his reach even had not loyalty bound his affections elsewhere. But the
-complications seemed certainly to be thickening.
-
-"Come along, old chap," said Grant, as they gained the roadway. "We'll
-have a look through the town, just to see if there's any news about."
-
-THE Bazaar was a popular resort. The proprietor was known as
-"Southpaw." Doubtless he had another name but it was not known in
-the mining camp. Even his bank account was carried in the name of
-"Southpaw."
-
-When Roderick and Grant entered the saloon they found a motley crowd
-at the bar and in the gaming room, fully twenty cowboys with their
-broad-rimmed sombreros, wearing hairy chaps, decorated with fancy belts
-and red handkerchiefs carelessly tied about their necks. Evidently one
-of them had just won at the wheel and they were celebrating.
-
-The brilliant lights and the commingling of half a hundred miners and
-many cowboys presented a spectacular appearance that was both novel
-and interesting. Just behind them came shuffling into the room a short,
-stout, heavily-built man with a scowling face covered with a short
-growth of black whiskers. His eyes were small and squinty, his forehead
-low and his chin protruding.
-
-Roderick and Grant were standing at the end of the bar, waiting for
-lemonades they had ordered. Roderick's attention was attracted by the
-uncouth newcomer.
-
-"Grant, who is that gorilla-looking chap?" he asked.
-
-Grant half turned with a sweeping glance and then looking back at
-Roderick, replied: "That is Bud Bledsoe. He is a sort of sleuth for
-Grady, the manager of the smelting plant, the man I introduced you to,
-remember, the first day you came to Encampment."
-
-"I remember Grady all right," nodded Roderick.
-
-"Well, many people believe he keeps Bledsoe around him to do his dirty
-work. A while ago there was a grave suspicion that this chap committed
-a terrible crime, doubtless inspired by Grady, but it is not known
-positively and of course Grady is all-powerful and nothing was said
-about it outright."
-
-In the meantime Bud Bledsoe walked into the back part of the room, and
-finding a vacant seat at a gaming table bought a stack of chips and
-was soon busy over his cards. Presently the two friends, having lighted
-fresh cigars, left the saloon.
-
-Grant looked into two or three other places, but finding there was
-"nothing doing," no news of any kind stirring, at last turned for home.
-Entering the familiar old bachelor shack, Roderick too felt at home, and
-it was not long before a cheerful fire was kindled and going. Grant
-was leaning an elbow on the mantel above and talking to Roderick of the
-pleasure he anticipated at the coming dance over at the Shields place.
-
-"I wonder what Miss Barbara meant when she sent that special message to
-you, Roderick? Have you a ground wire of some kind with the young lady
-and are you on more intimate relations than I have been led to believe?"
-
-Grant smiled broadly at Roderick as he asked the question.
-
-"Search me," replied Roderick. "I have never spoken to her excepting in
-the presence of other people."
-
-"I presume you know," Grant went on, "that she is the object of
-Carlisle's affections and he gets awfully jealous if anyone pays court
-to her?"
-
-"And who's Carlisle?" asked Roderick, looking up quickly.
-
-"Oh, he is the great lawyer," replied Grant "W. Henry Carlisle. Have
-you never heard of the feud between Carlisle and Attorney Bragdon?"
-
-"No," said Roderick. "Both names are new to me."
-
-"Oh, I supposed everybody knew about their forensic battles. You see,
-W. Henry Carlisle is the attorney for the Smelter and Ben Bragdon is
-without doubt the most eloquent young lawyer that ever stood before a
-jury in southern Wyoming. These two fellows are usually against each
-other in all big lawsuits in these parts of the country, and you should
-see the courthouse fill up when there is a jury trial."
-
-Roderick did not seem especially interested, and throwing his cigar stub
-into the open fire, he filled his pipe. "Now, I'll have a real smoke,"
-he observed as he pressed a glowing firestick from the hearth down on
-the tobacco.
-
-"Grady and Carlisle are together in all financial ventures," Grant
-continued.
-
-"Don't look as if you are very fond of this man Grady," commented
-Roderick.
-
-"Fond of him?" ejaculated Grant in disgust; "he is the most obnoxious
-creature in the district. He treats everybody who is working for him
-as if they were dogs. He has this bruiser, Bud Bledsoe, as a sort
-of bodyguard and this W. Henry Carlisle as a legal protector, so he
-attempts to walk rough shod over everybody--indifferent and insolent.
-Oh, let's not talk about Grady. I become indecently indignant whenever I
-think of his outrages against some of the poor fellows in this camp."
-
-"All right," said Roderick, jovially looking up; "let us talk about the
-dance and especially Miss Dorothy."
-
-"That's the text," said Grant, "Dorothy--Dorothy Shields-Jones. Won't
-that make a corker of a name though? If I tell you a secret will you
-promise it shall be sacred?"
-
-"Certainly," replied Roderick.
-
-"Well," said Grant, reddening, "while I was over there at the _Dillon
-Doublejack_ office, isolated from the world, surrounded with mountains
-and snow--nothing but snow and snowbanks and high mountains in every
-direction, why, I played job printer and set up some cards with a name
-thereon--can't you guess?"
-
-"Impossible," said Roderick, smiling broadly.
-
-"Well, Mrs. Dorothy Shields-Jones," he repeated slowly, then laughed
-uproariously at the confession.
-
-"Let me see one of the cards," asked Roderick.
-
-"Oh, no, I only kept the proof I pulled before pieing the type, and that
-I have since torn up. But just wait That girl's destiny is marked out
-for her," continued Grant, enthusiastically, "and believe me, Warfield,
-I shall make her life a happy one."
-
-"Hope you've convinced her of that, old man?"
-
-"Convinced her! Why I haven't had the courage yet to say a word,"
-replied Grant, somewhat shamefacedly. "I'm going to rely on you to speak
-up for me when the critical moment arrives."
-
-"It was rather premature, certainly, to print the lady's
-double-barreled-name visiting card," laughed Roderick. "But there, you
-know I'm with you and for you all the time." And he extended the hand of
-brotherly comradeship.
-
-"And about you and Barbara?" ventured Grant, tentatively. "I've heard
-your name mentioned in connection with hers several times."
-
-"Oh, forget all that rot," responded Roderick, flushing slightly. He had
-never mentioned the "college widow" to his friend, and felt that he was
-sailing under false colors. "It will be a long time before I can think
-of such matters," he went on, turning toward his accustomed stretcher.
-"Let's get to bed. It has been a long day, and I for one am tired."
-
-A few minutes later lights were out.
-
-When they got up next morning, they found that a letter had been pushed
-under the door. Warfield picked it up and read the scrawled inscription.
-It was addressed to Grant.
-
-"Gee," said Grant as he took the letter from Roderick, "this town is
-forging ahead mighty fast. Free delivery. Who in the demnition bowwows
-do you suppose could have done this?"
-
-Opening the envelope he spread the letter on the table, and both bent
-above it to read its contents. There was just a couple of lines, in
-printed characters.
-
-Words had been cut out of a newspaper apparently, and stuck on the white
-sheet of paper. They read as follows: _"Tell your friend to let Barbara
-alone or his hide will be shot full of holes."_
-
-Grant and Roderick stood looking at each other, speechless with
-amazement. Barbara was the only written word.
-
-"What can be the meaning of this?" inquired Roderick.
-
-"Beyond me," replied Grant. "Evidently others besides myself have come
-to think you are interested in Barbara Shields. Possibly the young lady
-has been saying nice things about you, and somebody is jealous."
-
-"Rank foolishness," exclaimed Roderick hotly. Then he laughed, as he
-added: "However, if the young lady interested me before she becomes all
-the more interesting now. But let the incident drop. We shall see what
-we shall see."
-
-They walked up the street to a restaurant and breakfasted.
-
-"It might be," remarked Grant, referring back to the strange letter,
-"that Attorney Carlisle, who they say is daffy over Barbara Shields, has
-had that sleuth of Grady's, Bud Bledsoe, fix up this letter to sort of
-scare you off."
-
-Grant laughed good-humoredly as he said this.
-
-"Scare me off like hell," said Roderick in disgust. "I am not easily
-scared with anonymous letters. Only cowards write that sort of stuff."
-
-They arose from the table and turned down the street towards the
-smelting plant It was necessary to keep well on the sidewalks and away
-from the mud in the roadway, for the weather was turning warm and snow
-was melting very fast.
-
-"There will be no sleighs and sleigh-bells at the Shields'
-entertainment," observed Grant. "This snow in the lowlands will all be
-gone in a day or two."
-
-They paused on a street corner and noticed five logging outfits swinging
-slowly down the street, then turn into the back yard of Buell Hampton's
-home and begin unloading.
-
-"What do you suppose Major Hampton can want with all those logs?" asked
-Grant.
-
-"Let us make a morning call on the Major," suggested Roderick.
-
-"Right you are," assented Grant.
-
-The Major extended his usual hearty welcome. He had evidently been busy
-at his writing table.
-
-"We came down," said Grant, "to get a job cutting wood."
-
-The Major looked out of the window at the great stack of logs and
-smiled. "No, young gentlemen," he said, "those logs are not for firewood
-but to build an addition to my humble home. You see, I have a small
-kitchen curtained off in the rear, and back of that I intend putting
-in an extra room. I expect to have ample use for this additional
-accommodation, but just at this time perhaps will not explain its
-purposes. Won't you be seated?"
-
-They pulled up chairs before the fire, which was smouldering low, for in
-the moderated condition of the weather a larger fire was not needed.
-
-"Only for a moment, Major. We do not wish to take you from your work,
-whatever it may be. I will confess," Grant went on, smiling, "that we
-were curious to know about the logs, and decided we would look in on you
-and satisfy our curiosity; and then, too, we have the pleasure of saying
-hello."
-
-"Very kind of you, very kind, I am sure," responded the Major; and
-turning to Roderick he inquired when he expected to return to the
-Shields ranch.
-
-"I am going out this afternoon," replied Roderick. "By the way, Major,
-do you expect to be at the Shields' entertainment?"
-
-"No, it is hardly probable. I am very busy and then, too, I am far
-past the years when such functions interest. Nevertheless, I can well
-understand how two young gentlemen like yourselves will thoroughly enjoy
-an entertainment given by such hospitable people as the Shields."
-
-Soon after they took their leave and walked up the street. Grant made
-arrangements to start directly after luncheon for Dillon, where copy had
-to be got ready for the next issue of his paper.
-
-As Roderick rode slowly across the valley that afternoon, his mind dwelt
-on the rich gold discovery made by Buell Hampton, and he evolved plans
-for getting promptly to serious prospecting work on his own account.
-Sometimes too he caught himself thinking of the strange girl of the
-hills who could throw a lasso so cleanly and cleverly; he wondered if
-their paths would ever cross again.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIV.--THE EVENING PARTY
-
-
-THE night of the big fiesta at the Shields ranch had arrived, and the
-invited guests had gathered from far and near. And what a bevy of pretty
-girls and gay young fellows they were! Even the cowboys on this occasion
-were faultless Beau Brummels; chaps, belts, and other frontier regalia
-were laid aside in favor of the starched shirtfront and dress clothes
-of the fashionable East. The entertainment was to consist of dancing and
-song, with a sumptuous supper about the midnight hour.
-
-Roderick of course was there--"by command" of the fair daughter of the
-house, Barbara Shields. At the entrance to the reception hall the twin
-sisters gave him cordial welcome, and gaily rallied him on having at
-last emerged from his anchorite cell. On passing into the crowded room,
-young Warfield had one of the greatest surprises of his life.
-
-"Hello, Roderick, old scout, how are you anyway?"
-
-Someone had slapped him on the shoulder, and on turning round he found
-himself face to face with Whitley Adams.
-
-"Whitley, old man!" he gasped in sheer astonishment.
-
-Then followed hand-shaking such as only two old college chums can engage
-in after a long separation.
-
-"How did it all happen?" inquired Roderick, when the first flush of
-meeting was over.
-
-"Tell you later," said Whitley. "Gee, old man, I ought to beat you up
-for not letting me know all this time where you were."
-
-"Well, I have been so confoundedly busy," was the half-apologetic reply.
-
-"And so have I myself. I am taking a post-graduate course just now in
-being busy. You would never guess what a man of affairs I've come to
-be."
-
-"You certainly surprise me," laughed Roderick drily.
-
-"Oh, but I'm going to take your breath away. Since you've gone, I've
-become quite chummy with your Uncle Allen."
-
-"You don't say?"
-
-"Yes, siree. I think he took to me first of all in the hope that through
-me he would get news of the lost prodigal--the son of his adoption whose
-absence he is never tired of deploring."
-
-"Poor old uncle," murmured Roderick, affectionately and regretfully.
-
-"Oh, he takes all the blame to himself for having driven you away from
-home. But here--let's get into this quiet corner, man. You haven't yet
-heard half my news."
-
-The two chums were soon installed on a seat conveniently masked--for
-other purposes, no doubt--by pot plants and flowers.
-
-"And how's dear Aunt Lois?" asked Roderick, as they settled themselves.
-
-"Oh, dear Aunt Lois can wait," replied Whitley.
-
-"She's all right--don't look a day older since I remember her. It is
-_I_ who am the topic of importance--_I_"--and he tapped his chest in the
-fervency of his egoism.
-
-"Well, fire away," laughed Roderick.
-
-Whitley rambled on: "Well, I was just going to tell you how your uncle
-and I have been pulling along together fine. After stopping me in the
-street two or three times to ask me whether I had yet got news of you,
-he ended in offering me a position in the bank."
-
-"Gee whizz!"
-
-"Oh, don't look so demed superior. Why, man alive. I'm a born banker--a
-born man of affairs! So at least your uncle tells me in the intervals of
-asking after you."
-
-"Yes, you've certainly taken my breath away. But how come you to be in
-Encampment, Whitley?"
-
-"On business, of course--important business, you bet, or I wouldn't have
-been spared from the office. Oh, I'll tell _you_--you're a member of the
-firm, or will be some day, which is all the same thing. There's a fellow
-here, W. B. Grady, wanting a big loan on some smelter bonds."
-
-"I know the man. But I thought he was rolling in money."
-
-"Oh, it's just the fellows who are rolling in money who need ready money
-worst," smiled the embryonic banker with a shrewd twinkle in his eyes.
-"He's a big speculator on the outside, make no mistake, even though he
-may be a staid and stolid business man here. Well, he needs hard cash
-just at present, and the proposed loan came the way of our bank. Your
-uncle jumped at it."
-
-"Security must be pretty good," laughed Roderick.
-
-"No doubt. But there's another reason this time for your uncle's
-financial alacrity. Seems an old friend of his was swindled out of the
-identical block of bonds offered by this same Grady, and your uncle
-sees a possible chance some day of getting them out of his clutches and
-restoring them to where they properly belong."
-
-"But all that's contrary to one of Uncle Allen's most cherished
-principles--that friendship and business don't mix. I've heard him utter
-that formula a score of times."
-
-"Well, cherished principles or no cherished principles, he seems
-downright determined this time to let friendship play a hand. He tells
-me--oh, I'm quite in his confidence, you see--that it's a matter of
-personal pride for him to try and win back his fortune for this old
-friend, General Holden--that's the name."
-
-"Holden?--Holden?" murmured Roderick. He seemed to have heard the name
-before, but could not for the moment locate its owner.
-
-"Yes, General Holden. He's ranching up here for the present--or rather
-his daughter is. They say she's a stunning girl, and my lawyer friend
-Ben Bragdon has promised to introduce me. Oh, though I'm a man of
-affairs, old chap, I've an eye for a pretty girl too, all the time. And
-I'm told she's a top-notcher in the beauty line, this Gail Holden."
-
-"Gail Holden!" Roderick repeated the name out loud, as he started erect
-in his seat. He knew who the father was now--the daughter was no other
-than the mysterious rider of the range.
-
-Whitley's face wore a quizzical look.
-
-"Hello! you know her then, old chap?"
-
-"I never met her--at least I have never been introduced to her."
-
-"That's good hearing. Then we'll start level tonight. Of course I'll cut
-you out in the long run if she proves to be just my style."
-
-"Go ahead," smiled Roderick. He had already recovered his
-self-possession. "But you haven't informed me yet how you come to know
-Ben Bragdon, our cleverest young lawyer here, I've been told, and likely
-enough to get the Republican nomination for state senator."
-
-"Oh, simple enough. I've come up to investigate one technical point in
-regard to those smelter bonds. Well, Ben Bragdon, your political big
-gun, happens to be your uncle's legal adviser in Wyoming."
-
-"Which reminds me," interposed Roderick earnestly, "that you are not to
-give away my whereabout, Whitley--just yet."
-
-"A bit rough on the old uncle not to tell him where you are--or at least
-let him know that you are safe and well. He loves you dearly, Rod, my
-boy."
-
-"And I love him--yes, I'll admit it, I love him dearly, and Aunt Lois
-too. But this is a matter of personal pride, Whitley. You spoke a moment
-ago of Uncle Allen's personal pride. Well, I've got mine too, and that
-day of my last visit to Keokuk, when he told me that not one dollar of
-his fortune would ever be mine unless I agreed to certain abominable
-conditions he chose to lay down, I on my side resolved that I would show
-him I could win a fortune from the world by my own unaided efforts. And
-that's what I'm going to do, Whitley; make no mistake. I don't want
-him to butt in and interfere in any way. I am going to play this game
-absolutely alone, and luckily my name gives no clue to the lawyer Ben
-Bragdon or anyone else here of my relationship with the rich banker of
-Keokuk, Allen Miller."
-
-"Of course, Rod, whatever you say goes. But all the same there can be no
-harm in my relieving your uncle's mind by at least telling him that I've
-heard from you--that you are in good health, and all that sort of thing.
-But you bet I won't let out where you are or what you are doing. Oh,
-I'll go up in the old chap's estimation by holding on tight to such
-a secret. To be absolutely immovable when it would be a breach of
-confidence to be otherwise is part of a successful young banker's moral
-make-up, you understand."
-
-Roderick laughed, his obduracy broken down by the other's gay
-insistence.
-
-"All right, old fellow, we'll let it go at that But as to my being in
-Wyoming, remember dead secrecy's the word. Shake hands on that; my faith
-in such a talented and discreet young banker is implicit. But now we
-must join the others or they'll be thinking us rather rude."
-
-"That--or the dear girls may be fretting out their hearts on my account.
-A rich young banker from Iowa doesn't blow into Encampment every day,
-you know." And Whitley Adams laughed with all the buoyant pride of
-youth, good looks, good health, and good spirits. "Come along, dear
-boy," he went on, linking his hand in Roderick's arm. "We'll find
-Lawyer Bragdon, get our introductions, and start fair with the beauteous
-chatelaine of the cattle range."
-
-Roderick had heard about Ben Bragdon from Grant Jones, but had not as
-yet happened to meet the brilliant young attorney who was fast becoming
-a political factor in the state of Wyoming. So it fell to the chance
-visitor to the town, Whitley Adams, to make these two townsmen
-acquainted. Bragdon shook Roderick's hand with all the cordiality and
-geniality of a born "mixer" and far-seeing politician. But Whitley cut
-out all talk and unblushingly demanded that he and his friend should be
-presented without further delay to General Holden's daughter.
-
-They found her in company with Barbara Shields who, her duties of
-receiving over, was now mingling with her guests.
-
-"Miss Holden, let me present you to Mr. Roderick Warfield." The
-introducer was Ben Bragdon.
-
-"One of papa's favorite boys," added Barbara kindly, "and one of our
-best riders on the range."
-
-"As I happen to know," said Gail Holden; and with a frank smile of
-recognition she extended her hand. "We have already met in the hills."
-
-Roderick was blushing. "Yes," he laughed nervously. "I was stupid enough
-to offer to help you with a young steer. But I didn't know then I was
-addressing such a famous horsewoman and expert with the lariat."
-
-Gail Holden smiled, pleasedly but composedly. She possessed that
-peculiar modesty of dignified reserve which challenges the respect of
-men.
-
-"Oh, you would have no doubt done a great deal better than I did," she
-replied graciously.
-
-But Whitley Adams had administered a kick to Roderick's heel, and was
-now pushing him aside with a muttered: "You never told me you had this
-flying start, you cunning dog. But it's my turn now." And he placed
-himself before Miss Holden, and was duly presented by Bragdon.
-
-A moment later Whitley was engaging Gail in a sprightly conversation.
-Roderick turned to Barbara, only to find her appropriated by Ben
-Bragdon. And Barbara seemed mightily pleased with the young lawyer's
-attentions--she was smiling, and her eyes were sparkling, as she
-listened to some anecdote he was telling. Roderick began to feel kind of
-lonesome. If there was going to be anyone "shot full of holes" because
-of attentions to the fair Miss Barbara, he was evidently not the man. He
-had said to Grant Jones that any association of his name with hers was
-"rank foolishness," and humbly felt now the absolute truthfulness of
-the remark. He began to look around for Grant--he felt he was no ladies'
-man, that he was out of his element in such a gathering. There were many
-strange faces; he knew only a few of those present.
-
-But his roving glance again lighted and lingered on Gail Holden.
-Yes, she was beautiful, indeed, both in features and in figure.
-Tall, willowy, stately, obviously an athlete, with a North of Ireland
-suggestion in her dark fluffy hair and sapphire blue eyes and pink-rose
-cheeks. He had seen her riding the range, a study in brown serge with a
-big sombrero on her head, and he saw her now in the daintiest of evening
-costumes, a deep collar of old lace around her fair rounded neck, a few
-sprigs of lily of the valley in her corsage, a filigree silver buckle at
-the belt that embraced her lissom form. And as he gazed on this beauty
-of the hills, this splendid type of womanhood, there came back to him in
-memory the wistful little face--yes, by comparison the somewhat worn and
-faded face--of the "college widow" to whom his troth was plighted, for
-whom he had been fighting and was fighting now the battle of life, the
-prize of true love he was going to take back proudly to Uncle Allen
-Miller along with the fortune he was to win with his own brain and
-hands.
-
-"By gad, it's more than three weeks since Stella wrote to me," he said
-to himself, angrily. Somehow he was glad to feel angry--relieved in mind
-to find even a meagre pitiful excuse for the disloyal comparison that
-had forced itself upon his mind.
-
-But at this moment the music struck up, there was a general movement,
-and he found himself next to Dorothy Shields. Whitley had already sailed
-away with Miss Holden.
-
-"Where is Grant?" asked Roderick.
-
-"Not yet arrived," replied Dorothy. "He warned me that he would be
-late."
-
-"Then perhaps I may have the privilege of the first waltz, as his best
-friend."
-
-"Or for your own sake," she laughed, as she placed her hand on his
-shoulder.
-
-Soon they were in the mazy whirl. When the dance was ended Dorothy,
-taking his arm, indicated that she wished him to meet some people
-in another part of the room. After one or two introductions to young
-ladies, she turned to a rather heavy set, affable-looking gentleman and
-said: "Mr. Warfield, permit me to introduce you to Mr. Carlisle--Mr.
-Carlisle, Mr. Warfield."
-
-The men shook hands and looked into each other's eyes. Roderick
-remembered this was the attorney of the smelting plant, and Carlisle
-remembered this was the young gentleman of whom the Shields sisters
-had so often spoken in complimentary terms. W. Henry Carlisle was a man
-perhaps forty years old. He was not only learned in the law, but one
-could not talk with him long without knowing he was purposeful and
-determined and in any sort of a contest worthy of his foeman's steel.
-
-Later Roderick danced with Barbara, and when he had handed her over to
-the next claimant on her card was again accosted by Ben Bragdon. He had
-liked the young attorney from the first, and together they retired for a
-cigarette in the smoking room.
-
-"I saw you were introduced to that fellow Carlisle," began Bragdon.
-
-"Yes," replied Roderick, smiling, for he already knew of the
-professional feud between the two men.
-
-"Well, let me say something to you," Bragdon continued. "You look to me
-like a man that is worth while, and I take the opportunity of telling
-you to let him alone. Carlisle is no good. Outside of law business
-and the law courts I would not speak to him if he were the last man on
-earth."
-
-"Why," said Roderick, "you are pronounced in your views to say the
-least."
-
-Bragdon turned to Roderick and for a moment was silent. Then he asked:
-"What are you, a Republican or a Democrat?"
-
-"Why, I am a Republican."
-
-"Shake," said Bragdon, and they clasped hands without Roderick hardly
-understanding why. "Let me tell you something else," Bragdon went on.
-"Carlisle claims to be a Republican but I believe he is a Democrat. He
-don't look like a Republican to me. He looks like a regular secessionist
-Democrat and there is going to be a contest this fall for the nomination
-for state senator. W B. Grady and the whole smelting outfit are going to
-back this man Carlisle and I am going to beat him. And say--old man--"
-he smiled at Roderick when he said this and slapped him on the shoulder
-familiarly--"I want you on my side."
-
-"Well," said Roderick, half embarrassed and hesitatingly, "I guess I am
-getting into politics pretty lively among other things. I don't see at
-this moment why I should not be on your side."
-
-"Well, come and see me at my office over at Encampment and we will talk
-this matter over." And so it was agreed.
-
-Just then they heard singing, so they threw their cigarettes away and
-went back to the ballroom. A quartet of voices accompanied on the piano
-by Gail Holden were giving a selection from the Bohemian Girl. Whitley
-Adams was hovering near Miss Holden, and insisted on turning the music
-At the close of the number Whitley requested that Mr. Warfield should
-sing. Everyone joined in the invitation; it was a surprise to his
-western friends that he was musical. Reluctantly Roderick complied,
-and proving himself possessed of a splendid baritone voice, delighted
-everyone by singing "Forgotten" and one or two other old-time melodies.
-Among many others, Dorothy, Barbara, and Grant Jones, who had now put in
-an appearance, overwhelmed him with congratulations. Gail Holden,
-too, who had been his accompanist, quietly but none the less warmly,
-complimented him.
-
-Then Gail herself was prevailed upon to sing. As she resumed her seat at
-the piano, she glanced at Roderick.
-
-"Do you know 'The Rosary'?" she asked in a low voice unheard by the
-others.
-
-"One of my favorites," he answered.
-
-"Then will you help me with a second?" she added, as she spread open the
-sheet of music.
-
-"I'll be honored," he responded, taking his place by her side.
-
-Her rich contralto voice swelled forth like the sweeping fullness of a
-distant church organ, and Roderick softly and sweetly blended his
-tones with hers. Under the player's magic touch the piano with its deep
-resonant chords added to the perfect harmony of the two voices. The
-interpretation was wonderful; the listeners were spellbound, and there
-followed an interval of tense stillness after the last whispered notes
-had died away.
-
-As Gail rose and stood before him, she looked into Roderick's eyes. Her
-cheeks were flushed, she was enveloped in the mystery of song, carried
-away by music's subtle power. Roderick too was exalted.
-
-"Superb," he murmured ecstatically.
-
-"Thanks to you," she replied in a low voice and with a little bow.
-
-Then the buzz of congratulations was all around them. During that brief
-moment, even in the crowded ballroom they had been alone--soul had
-spoken to soul. But now the tension was relaxed. Gail was laughing
-merrily. Whitley Adams was punching Roderick in the ribs.
-
-"Say, old man, that's taking another mean advantage."
-
-"What do you mean?" asked Roderick, recovering his composure.
-
-"Singing duets like that isn't toeing the line. The start was to be
-a fair one, but you're laps ahead already." Whitley was looking with
-comical dolefulness in the direction of Gail Holden.
-
-"Oh, I catch your drift," laughed Roderick. "Well, you brought the
-trouble on yourself, my boy. It was you who gave me away by declaring I
-could sing."
-
-"Which shows the folly of paying a false compliment," retorted Whitley.
-"However, I'm going to get another dance anyhow."
-
-He made a step toward Gail, but Roderick laid a detaining hand on his
-shoulder.
-
-"Not just yet; the next is mine." And with audacity that amazed himself
-Roderick advanced to Gail, bowed, and offered his arm. The soft strains
-of a dreamy waltz had just begun.
-
-Without a word she accepted his invitation, and together they floated
-away among the maze of dancers.
-
-"Well, that's going some," murmured Whitley, as he glanced around in
-quest of consolation. Dorothy Shields appeared to be monopolized by
-Grant Jones, but the two lawyers, Eragdon and Carlisle, were glowering
-at each other, as if in defiance as to which should carry off Barbara.
-So Whitley solved the problem by sailing in and appropriating her for
-himself. He was happy, she seemed pleased, and the rivals, turning away
-from each other, had the cold consolation that neither had profited by
-the other's momentary hesitation.
-
-After the first few rounds Roderick opened a conversation with his
-partner. He felicitated her upon her playing and singing. She thanked
-him and said: "Most heartily can I return the compliment." He bowed his
-acknowledgment.
-
-"You must come to Conchshell ranch and call on my father. He will be
-glad to meet you--has been an invalid all the winter, but I'm thankful
-he is better now."
-
-"I'll be honored and delighted to make his acquaintance," replied
-Roderick.
-
-"Then perhaps we can have some more singing together," she went on.
-
-"Which will be a great pleasure to me," he interjected fervently.
-
-"And to me," she said, smiling.
-
-Whether listening or speaking there was something infinitely charming
-about Gail Holden. When conversing her beautiful teeth reminded one of a
-cupid's mouth full of pearls.
-
-"It has been some time," explained Roderick, "since I was over your
-way."
-
-For a moment their eyes met and she mischievously replied;
-
-"Oh, yes. Next time, I'll not only sing for you, but if you wish I will
-teach you how to throw the lariat."
-
-"I don't presume," replied Roderick banteringly, "you will guarantee
-what I might catch even if I turned out to be an expert?"
-
-"That," Gail quickly rejoined, "rests entirely with your own
-cleverness."
-
-Just then it was announced from the dining room that the tables with the
-evening collation were spread, and as Roderick was about to offer his
-arm to Miss Holden, Barbara came hurriedly up, flushed and saying: "Oh,
-Gail, here is Mr. Carlisle who wants to take you to supper. And Mr.
-Warfield, you are to escort me." She smiled triumphantly up into his
-face as she took his arm.
-
-As they walked away together and Barbara was vivaciously talking to him,
-he wondered what it all meant Everybody seemed to be playing at cross
-purposes. Again he thought of the letter of warning pushed under Grant
-Jones' door and mentally speculated how it would all end.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XV.--BRONCHO-BUSTING
-
-
-IT WAS the morning following the big entertainment at the Shields ranch
-when Roderick and two other cowboy companions began the work of breaking
-some outlaw horses to the saddle. The corral where they were confined
-was a quarter of a mile away from the bunk house.
-
-Grant Jones had remained overnight, ostensibly to pay Roderick a visit
-during the succeeding day. He was still sound asleep when Roderick arose
-at an early hour and started for the corral. Whitley Adams had also been
-detained at the ranch house as a guest. He had invited himself to the
-broncho-busting spectacle, and was waiting on the veranda for Roderick
-as the latter strolled by.
-
-An unbroken horse may or may not be an outlaw. If he takes kindly to
-the bridle and saddle and, after the first flush of scared excitement
-is over with, settles down and becomes bridle-wise then he is not an
-outlaw. On the other hand when put to the test if he begins to rear
-up--thump down on his forefeet--buck and twist like a corkscrew and
-continues jumping sideways and up and down, bucking and rearing until
-possibly he falls over backward, endangering the life of his rider and
-continues in this ungovernable fashion until finally he is given up
-as unbreakable, why, then the horse is an outlaw. He feels that he has
-conquered man, and the next attempt to break him to the saddle will be
-fraught with still greater viciousness.
-
-Bull-dogging a wild Texas steer is nothing compared with the skill
-necessary to conquer an outlaw pony.
-
-Nearly all cowboy riders, take to broncho-busting naturally and
-good-naturedly, and they usually find an especial delight in assuring
-the Easterner that they have never found anything that wears hair they
-cannot ride. Of course, this is more or less of a cowboy expression and
-possibly borders on vanity. However, as a class, they are not usually
-inclined to boast.
-
-Very excellent progress had been made in the work of breaking the
-bronchos to the saddle. It was along about eleven o'clock when Roderick
-had just made his last mount upon what seemed to be one of the most
-docile ponies in the corral. He was a three-year-old and had been given
-the name of Firefly. The wranglers or helpers had no sooner loosened the
-blindfold than Roderick realized he was on the hurricane deck of a pony
-that would probably give him trouble. When Firefly felt the weight of
-Roderick upon his back, apparently he was stunned to such an extent
-that he was filled with indecision as to what he should do and began
-trembling and settling as if he might go to his knees. Roderick touched
-his flank with a sharp spur and then, with all the suddenness of a
-flash of lightning from a clear sky, rider and horse became the agitated
-center of a whirling cloud of dust. The horse seemingly would stop just
-long enough in his corkscrew whirls to jump high in the air and light
-on his forefeet with his head nearly on the ground and then with
-instantaneous quickness rear almost upright Whitley Adams was terribly
-scared at the scene. The struggle lasted perhaps a couple of minutes,
-and then Roderick was whirled over the head of the pony and with a
-shrill neigh Firefly dashed across the corral and leaping broke through
-a six foot fence and galloped away over the open prairie. The two
-wranglers and Whitley hastened to Roderick's side. He had been stunned
-but only temporarily and not seriously injured, as it proved.
-
-"Oh, that's all right," he said presently as he rubbed his eyes.
-
-"Are you hurt?" Whitley inquired. Roderick slowly rose to his feet with
-Whitley's assistance and stretching himself looked about as if a bit
-dazed. "No, no," he replied, "I am not hurt but that infernal horse has
-my riding saddle."
-
-"You had better learn to ride a rocking horse before trying to ride
-an outlaw, Warfield," said Scotty Meisch, one of the new cowpunchers,
-sneeringly.
-
-Roderick whirled on him. "I'll take you on for a contest most any day,
-if you think you are so good and I am so poor as all that," he said.
-"Come on, what do you say?"
-
-"Well, I ride in the Frontier Day's celebration that comes on in July at
-our local fair," the cowboy said. "Guess if you want to ride in a real
-contest with me you'd better enter your name and we'll see how long you
-last."
-
-"Very well, I'll just do that for once and show you a little something
-about real roughriding," said Roderick; "and Firefly will be one of the
-outlaws."
-
-Turning he limped off towards the bunk house with Whitley.
-
-Whitley was greatly relieved that Roderick, although he had wrenched
-the tendons of his leg, had no broken bones. A couple of other cowboys
-mounted their ponies, and with lariats started off across the prairie to
-capture the outlaw and bring back the saddle. Whitley was assured that
-they were breaking horses all the time and now and then the boys got
-hold of an outlaw but no one was ever very seriously injured.
-
-Reaching the lounging room of the bunk house, they learned that Grant
-was up and dressed. He had evidently gone up to the ranch house and at
-that very moment was doubtless basking in the smiles of Miss Dorothy.
-
-The college chums, pipes alight, soon got to talking of old times.
-
-"By the way," remarked Whitley between puffs, "last month I was back at
-the class reunion at Galesburg and called on Stella Rain."
-
-Roderick reddened and Whitley went blandly on: "Mighty fine girl--I mean
-Stella. Finest college widow ever. I did not know you were the lucky
-dog, though?"
-
-"What do you mean by my being the lucky dog?"
-
-"Oh, you were always smitten in that quarter--everyone knew that. And
-now those tell-tale flushes on your face, together with what Stella
-said, makes it all clear. Congratulations, old man," said Whitley,
-laughing good-naturedly at Roderick's discomfiture.
-
-As their hands met, Roderick said: "I don't know, old chap, whether
-congratulations are in order or not. She don't write as often as she
-used to. It don't argue very well for me."
-
-"Man alive," said Whitley, "what do you want with a college widow or a
-battalion of college widows when you are among such girls as you have
-out here? Great Scott, don't you realize that these girls are the
-greatest ever? Grant Jones shows his good sense; he seems to have roped
-Miss Dorothy for sure. At first I thought I had your measure last night,
-when you were talking to Miss Barbara Shields--for the moment I had
-forgotten about Stella. Then you switched off and cut me out with the
-fair singer. Say, if somebody don't capture Miss Gail Holden--"
-
-He paused, puffed awhile, then resumed meditatively: "Why, old man, down
-in Keokuk Gail Holden wouldn't last a month. Someone would pick her up
-in a jiffy."
-
-"Provided," said Roderick, and looked steadily at Whitley.
-
-"Oh, yes, of course, provided he could win her."
-
-"These western girls, I judge," said Roderick slowly--"understand I am
-not speaking from experience--are pretty hard to win. There is a freedom
-in the very atmosphere of the West that thrills a fellow's nerves
-and suggests the widest sort of independence. And our range girls are
-pronouncedly independent, unless I have them sized up wrong. Tell me,"
-he continued, "how you feel about Miss Holden?"
-
-"Oh," replied Whitley, "I knew ahead that she was a stunning girl, and
-after that first waltz I felt withered all in a heap. But when I saw and
-heard you singing together at the piano, I realized what was bound to
-come. Oh, you needn't blush so furiously. You've got to forget a certain
-party down at Galesburg. As for me, I've got to fly at humbler game.
-Guess I'll have another look around."
-
-He laughed somewhat wistfully, as he rose and knocked the ashes from the
-bowl of his pipe.
-
-Roderick had not interrupted; he was becoming accustomed to others
-deciding for him his matrimonial affairs. He was musing over the
-complications that seemed to be crowding into his life.
-
-"You see I retire from the contest," Whitley went on, his smile
-broadening, "and I hope you'll recognize the devoted loyalty of a
-friend. But now those Shields girls--one or other of them--both are
-equally charming."
-
-"You can't cut Grant Jones out," interrupted Roderick firmly. "Remember,
-next to yourself, he's my dearest friend."
-
-"Oh, well, there's Miss Barbara left. Now don't you think I would be
-quite irresistible as compared with either of those lawyer fellows?" He
-drew himself up admiringly.
-
-"You might be liable to get your hide shot full of holes," replied
-Roderick.
-
-"What do you mean?"
-
-But Roderick did not explain his enigmatic utterance.
-
-"I think I'll have a lay-down," he said, "and rest my stiff bones."
-He got up; he said nothing to Whitley, but the bruised leg pained him
-considerably.
-
-"All right," replied Whitley gaily. "Then I'll do a little further
-reconnoitering up at the ranch house. So long."
-
-Warfield was glad to be alone. Apart from the pain he was suffering,
-he wanted to think things over. He was not blind to the truth that
-Gail Holden had brought a new interest into his life. Yet he was half
-saddened by the thought that almost a month had gone by without a letter
-from Stella Rain. Then Whitley's coming had brought back memories of
-Uncle Allen, Aunt Lois, and the old days at Keokuk. He was feeling very
-homesick--utterly tired of the rough cow-punching existence he had been
-leading for over six months.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVI.--THE MYSTERIOUS TOILERS OF THE NIGHT
-
-
-IN A day or two the excitement over the great evening party at the
-Shields ranch had passed and the humdrum duties of everyday life had
-been resumed. Whitley Adams had completed his business at Encampment and
-taken his departure with the solemnly renewed promise to Roderick that
-for the present the latter's whereabouts would not be disclosed to the
-good folks at Keokuk although their anxiety as to his safety and good
-health would be relieved. Grant Jones had torn himself away from
-his beloved to resume his eternal--and as he felt at the moment
-infernal--task of getting out the next issue of his weekly newspaper.
-Gail Holden had ridden off over the foothills, the Shields sisters had
-returned to their domestic duties, and all the other beauties of the
-ballroom had scattered far and wide like thistledown in a breeze. The
-cowboys had reverted to chaps and sombreros, dress clothes had been
-stowed away with moth balls to keep them company, and the language of
-superlative politeness had lapsed back into the terser vernacular of the
-stock corral. Roderick was pretty well alone all day in the bunk
-house, nursing the stiff leg that had resulted from the broncho-busting
-episode.
-
-Between embrocations he was doing a little figuring and stock-taking of
-ways and means. During his six months on the ranch most of his salary
-had been saved. The accumulated amount would enable him to clear off
-one-half of his remaining indebtedness in New York and leave him a
-matter of a hundred dollars for some prospecting on his own account
-during the summer months among the hills. But he would stay by his
-job for yet another month or two, because, although the words had been
-spoken in the heat of the moment, he had pledged himself to meet
-the cowboy Scotty Meisch in the riding contest at the Frontier Day's
-celebration. Yes, he would stick to that promise, he mused as he rubbed
-in the liniment Gail Holden, when she had come to bid him good-by
-and express her condolence over his accident, had announced her own
-intention of entering for the lariat throwing competition, but he would
-never have admitted to himself that the chance of meeting her again
-in such circumstances, the chance of restoring his prestige as a
-broncho-buster before her very eyes, had the slightest thing to do with
-his resolve to delay his start in systematic quest of the lost mine.
-
-Meanwhile Buell Hampton seemed to have withdrawn himself from the world.
-During the two weeks that had intervened between the invitation and the
-dance, he had not called at the ranch. Nor did he come now during the
-weeks that followed, and one evening when Grant Jones paid a visit to
-the Major's home he found the door locked. Grant surveyed with both
-surprise and curiosity the addition that had been made to the building.
-It was a solid structure of logs, showing neither door nor window to the
-outside, and evidently was only reached through the big living room.
-
-He reported the matter to Roderick, but the latter, his stiff leg now
-all right again, was too busy among the cattle on the ranges to bother
-about other things.
-
-But Buell Hampton all this time had been very active indeed. During the
-winter months he had thought out his plans. Somehow he had come to look
-upon the hidden valley with its storehouse of golden wealth as a sacred
-place not to be trespassed on by the common human drove. Just so soon as
-the melting snows rendered the journey practicable, he had returned all
-alone to the sequestered nook nested in the mountains. He had discovered
-that quite a little herd of deer had found shelter and subsistence there
-during the months of winter. As he came among them, they had shown,
-themselves quite tame and fearless; three or four does had nibbled the
-fresh spring grass almost at his very feet as he had sat on the porphyry
-dyke, enjoying the beautiful scene, alone in his little kingdom, with
-only these gentle creatures and the twittering birds for companions.
-
-And there and then Buell Hampton had resolved that he would not
-desecrate this sanctuary of nature--that he would not bring in the
-brutal eager throng of gold seekers, changing the lovely little valley
-into a scene of sordid greed and ugliness, its wild flowers crushed
-underfoot, its pellucid stream turned to sludge, its rightful
-inhabitants, the gentle-eyed deer, butchered for riotous gluttony.
-No, never! He would take the rich God-given gift of gold that was his,
-gratefully and for the ulterior purpose of spreading human happiness.
-But all else he would leave undisturbed.
-
-The gold-bearing porphyry dyke stretching across the narrow valley was
-decomposed; it required no drilling nor blasting; its bulk could easily
-be broken by aid of sledge hammer and crowbar. Two or three men working
-steadily for two or three months could remove the entire dyke as it lay
-visible between mountain rock wall and mountain rock wall, and taking
-the assay value of the ore as already ascertained, from this operation
-alone there was wealth for all interested beyond the dreams of avarice.
-Buell Hampton debated the issues all through that afternoon of solitude
-spent in the little canyon. And when he regained his home he had arrived
-at a fixed resolution. He would win the treasure but he would save the
-valley--he would keep it a hidden valley still.
-
-Next evening he had Tom Sun, Boney Earnest and Jim Rankin all assembled
-in secret conclave. While the aid of Grant Jones and Roderick Warfield
-would be called in later on, for the present their services would not be
-required. So for the present likewise there would be nothing more said
-to them--the fewer in the "know" the safer for all concerned.
-
-It was agreed that Tom Sun, Jim Rankin and the Major would bring out
-the ore. Jim was to hire a substitute to drive his stage, while Tom Sun
-would temporarily hand over the care of his flocks to his manager and
-herders. Boney Earnest could not leave his work at the smelter--his
-duties there were so responsible that any sudden withdrawal might have
-stopped operations entirely and so caused the publicity all were anxious
-to avoid. But as he did not go to the plant on Sundays, his active help
-would be available each Saturday night. Thus the plans were laid.
-
-But although Buell Hampton had allied himself with these helpers in his
-work and participants in the spoil, he yet guarded from them the
-exact locality of his find. All this was strictly in accordance with
-goldmining usage among the mountains of Wyoming, so the Major offered no
-apology for his precautions, his associates asked for or expected none.
-Each man agreed that he would go blindfolded to the spot where the rich
-ore was to be broken and packed for removal.
-
-Thus had it come about that, while Buell Hampton seemed to have
-disappeared from the world, all the while he was very busy indeed,
-and great things were in progress. Actual work had commenced some days
-before the dance at the Shields' home, and it continued steadily in the
-following routine.
-
-The Major, Tom Sun and Jim Rankin passed most of the day sleeping. At
-night after dark, they would sally forth into the hills, mounted on
-three horses with three pack burros. A few miles away from Encampment
-the Major would blindfold his two assistants, and then they would
-proceed in silence. When they arrived near Spirit Falls the horses and
-burros would be tethered and Major Hampton would lead the way down the
-embankment to the river's bank, then turn to the left, while Tom Sun,
-blindfolded, extended one hand on Buell Hampton's shoulder and still
-behind was Jim Rankin with his hand extended on Tom Sun's shoulder. Thus
-they would make their way to a point back of the waterfall, and then
-some considerable distance into the mountain cavern where the blindfolds
-were removed. With an electric torch the Major lighted the way through
-the grotto into the open valley.
-
-A little farther on was the dyke of porphyry, quartz and gold. Here the
-sacks would be filled with the rich ore--their loads all that each man
-could carry. Footsteps were then retraced with the same precautions as
-before.
-
-Placing the ore sacks on the backs of their burros, the night riders
-would climb into their saddles and slowly start out on the return
-journey, the Major driving the burros ahead along a mountain path, while
-Tom Sun and Jim Rankin's horses followed. After they had gone on for a
-few miles Major Hampton would shout back to his assistants to remove the
-blindfolds, and thus they would return to the town of Encampment in
-the gray dawn of morning, unloading their burros at the door of Major
-Hampton's house. Jim Rankin would take charge of the stock and put them
-in a stable and corral he had prepared down near the banks of the Platte
-River just over the hill. Tom Sun would show his early training by
-preparing a breakfast of ham and eggs and steaming coffee while the
-Major was placing the ore in one hundred pound sacks and carrying them
-back into the blockade addition he had built to his home. He would then
-lock the heavy door connecting the storehouse with the living room.
-
-Usually the breakfast was ready by the time the Major had finished his
-part of the work and Jim Rankin had returned. After the morning meal and
-a smoke, these three mysterious workers of the night would lie down
-to sleep, only to repeat the trip the following evening. Each Saturday
-night, as has been explained, Boney Earnest was added to the party, as
-well as an extra horse and burro.
-
-Buell Hampton estimated that each burro was bringing out one hundred
-pounds nightly, or about three hundred pounds every trip for the three
-burros, with an extra hundred pounds on Saturday night. If this ore
-yielded $114.00 per pound, the assay value already paid him, or call it
-$100.00, it meant that he was adding to his storehouse of treasure about
-$220,000.00 as the result of each week's labors. Thus in three months'
-time there would be not far short of $3,000,-000.00 worth of high grade
-gold ores accumulated. If reduced to tons this would make nearly a full
-carload when the time came for moving the vast wealth to the railroad.
-
-One night in the midst of these operations, when Jim Rankin and Tom Sun
-supposed they were on the point of starting on the usual trip into the
-hidden valley, Buell Hampton filled his pipe for an extra smoke and
-invited his two faithful friends to do likewise. "We are not going
-tonight," said he. "We will have a rest and hold a conference."
-
-"Good," said Jim Rankin. "Speakin' wide open like, by gunnies, my old
-bones are gettin' to be pretty dangnation sore."
-
-"Too bad about you," said Tom Sun. "Too bad that you aren't as young as
-I am, Jim."
-
-"Young, the devil," returned Jim. "I'm prognosticatin' I have pints
-about me that'd loco you any time good and plenty. 'Sides you know you
-are seven years older than me. Gosh 'lmighty, Tom, you an' me have been
-together ever since we struck this here country mor'n forty years ago."
-
-Tom laughed and the Major laughed.
-
-It was arranged that when the carload was ready Jim Rankin was to rig
-up three four-horse teams and Grant Jones and Roderick Warfield would be
-called on to accompany the whole outfit to Walcott, the nearest town
-on the Union Pacific, where a car would be engaged in advance for the
-shipment of the ore to one of the big smelters at Denver. The strictest
-secrecy would be kept even then, for reasons of safety as well as to
-preserve the privacy desired by Buell Hampton. So they would load up the
-wagons at night and start for the railroad about three o'clock in the
-morning.
-
-Thus as they smoked and yawned during their night of rest the three men
-discussed and decided every detail of these future plans.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVII--A TROUT FISHING EPISODE
-
-
-FOR a time Roderick had hung back from accepting the invitation to call
-at the Conchshell ranch, as the Holden place was called. In pursuing
-the acquaintanceship with Gail he knew that he was playing with fire--a
-delightful game but one that might work sad havoc with his future peace
-of mind. However, one day when he had an afternoon off and had ridden
-into Encampment again to be disappointed in finding no letter from
-Stella, he had felt just the necessary touch of irritation toward his
-fiancée that spurred him on to seek some diversion from his thoughts of
-being badly treated and neglected. Certainly, he would call on General
-Holden--he did not say to himself that he was bent on seeing Gail again,
-looking into her beautiful eyes, hearing her sing, perhaps joining in a
-song.
-
-He was mounted on his favorite riding horse Badger, a fine bay pony, and
-had followed the road up the North Fork of the Encampment River a number
-of miles. Taking a turn to the left through the timbered country with
-rocky crags towering on either side in loftiest grandeur, he soon
-reached the beautiful plateau where Gail Holden's home was located. The
-little ranch contained some three hundred acres, and cupped inward like
-a saucer, with a mountain stream traversing from the southerly to the
-northerly edge, where the Conchshell canyon gashed through the rim of
-the plateau and permitted the waters to escape and flow onward and away
-into the North Fork.
-
-As Roderick approached the house, which was on a knoll planted with
-splendid firs and pines, he heard Gail singing "Robert Adair." He
-dismounted and hitched his horse under the shelter of a wide spreading
-oak. Just as he came up the steps to the broad porch Gail happened to
-see him through one of the windows. She ceased her singing and hastened
-to meet him with friendly greeting.
-
-"Welcome, Mr. Warfield, thrice welcome, as Papa sometimes says," said
-Gail, smiling.
-
-"Thank you," said Roderick, gallantly. "I was riding in this direction
-and concluded to stop in and accept your kind invitation to meet the
-General."
-
-"He will be delighted to see you, Mr. Warfield, I have told him about
-your singing."
-
-"Oh, that was making too much of my poor efforts."
-
-"Not at all. You see my father is very fond of music--never played nor
-sang in his life, but has always taken keen delight in hearing good
-music. And I tell you he is quite a judge."
-
-"Which makes me quite determined then not to sing in his presence,"
-laughed Roderick.
-
-"Well, you can't get out of it now you're here. He won't allow it. Nor
-will I. You won't refuse to sing for me, will you? Or with me?" she
-added with a winning smile.
-
-"That would be hard indeed to refuse," he replied, happy yet
-half-reproaching himself for his very happiness.
-
-"Daddie is walking around the grounds somewhere at present," continued
-Gail. "Won't you step inside and rest, Mr. Warfield? He'll turn up
-presently."
-
-"Oh, this old rustic seat here on the porch looks exceedingly
-comfortable. And I fancy that is your accustomed rocker," he added,
-pointing to a piece of embroidery, with silk and needles, slung over the
-arm of a chair.
-
-"You are a regular Sherlock Holmes," she laughed. "Well, I have been
-stitching all the afternoon, and just broke off my work for a song."
-
-"I heard you. Can't you be persuaded to continue?"
-
-"Not at present. We'll wait till Papa comes. And the weather is so
-delightfully warm that I will take my accustomed rocker--and the hint
-implied as well."
-
-Again she laughed gaily as she dropped into the commodious chair and
-picked up the little square of linen with its half-completed embroidery.
-
-Roderick took the rustic seat and gazed admiringly over the cup-shaped
-lands that spread out before him like a scroll, with their background of
-lofty mountains.
-
-"You have a delightful view from here," he said.
-
-"Yes," replied Gail, as she threaded one of her needles with a strand of
-crimson. "I know of no other half so beautiful. And it has come to be a
-very haven of peace and happiness. Perhaps you know that my father last
-year lost everything he possessed in the world through an unfortunate
-speculation. But that was nothing--we lost my dear mother then as well.
-This little ranch of Conchshell was the one thing left that we could
-call our own, and here we found our refuge and our consolation."
-
-She was speaking very softly, her hands had dropped on her lap, there
-was the glisten of tears in her eyes. Roderick was seeing the daring
-rider of the hills, the acknowledged belle of the ballroom in yet
-another light, and was lost in admiration.
-
-"Very sad," he murmured, in conventional commiseration.
-
-"Oh, no, not sad," she replied brightly, looking up, sunshine showing
-through her tears. "Dear mother is at rest after her long illness,
-father has recovered his health in this glorious mountain air, and I
-have gained a serious occupation in life. Oh, I just love this miniature
-cattle range," she went on enthusiastically. "Look at it"--she swept
-the landscape with an upraised hand. "Don't all my sweet Jerseys and
-Hainaults dotted over those meadows look like the little animals in a
-Noah's ark we used to play with when children?"
-
-"They do indeed," concurred Roderick, with heartily responsive
-enthusiasm.
-
-"And I'm going to make this dairy stock business pay to beat the band,"
-she added, her face fairly aglow. "Just give me another year or two."
-
-"You certainly deserve success," affirmed Roderick, emphatically.
-
-"Oh, I don't know. But I do try so hard."
-
-Her beautiful face had sweet wistfulness in it now. Roderick was
-admiring its swift expressive changes--he was saying to himself that he
-could read the soul of this splendidly frank young woman like a book. He
-felt thrilled and exalted.
-
-"But here comes Papa," exclaimed Gail, springing delightedly to her feet
-
-Roderick's spirits dropped like a plummet. At such an interesting
-psychological moment he could have wished the old General far enough.
-
-But there was a pleasant smile on his face as Gail presented him,
-genuine admiration in the responsive pressure of his hand as he gazed
-into the veteran's handsome countenance and thanked him for his cordial
-welcome.
-
-"Glad to meet you, Mr. Warfield," General Holden was saying. "My friend
-Shields has spoken mighty well of you, and Gail here says you have the
-finest baritone voice in all Wyoming."
-
-"Oh, Daddie!" cried Gail, in blushing confusion.
-
-"Well, I'm going to decide for myself. Come right in. We'll have a song
-while Gail makes us a cup of tea. An old soldier's song for a start--she
-won't be listening, so I can suit myself this time."
-
-And Roderick to his bewilderment found himself clutched by the arm, and
-being led indoors to the piano like a lamb to the slaughter. Gail had
-disappeared, and he was actually warbling "Marching through Georgia,"
-aided by a thunderous chorus from the General.
-
-"As we go marching through Georgia," echoed Gail, when at the close of
-the song she advanced from the domestic quarters with sprightly military
-step, carrying high aloft a tea tray laden with dainty china and
-gleaming silverware.
-
-All laughed heartily, and a delightful afternoon was initiated--tea and
-cake, solos and duets, intervals of pleasant conversation, a Schubert
-sonata by Gail, and a rendition by Roderick of the Soldiers' Chorus from
-Faust that fairly won the old General's heart.
-
-The hours had sped like a dream, and it was in the sunset glow that
-Roderick, having declined a pressing invitation to stay for dinner,
-was bidding Gail good-by. She had stepped down from the veranda and was
-standing by his horse admiring it and patting its silky coat.
-
-"By the way, you mentioned at the Shields' party that you expected to go
-trout fishing, Mr. Warfield. Did you have good luck?"
-
-Roderick confessed that as yet he had not treated himself to a day's
-sport with the finny tribe. "I was thinking about it this very
-morning," he went on, "and was wondering if I had not better secure a
-companion--someone skilled with rod and reel and fly to go with me, as I
-am a novice."
-
-"Oh, I'll go with you," she exclaimed quickly. "Would be glad to do so."
-
-"That's mighty kind of you, Miss Holden," replied Roderick, half
-hesitatingly, while a smile played about his handsome face. "But since
-you put it that way I would be less than courteous if I did not eagerly
-and enthusiastically accept. When shall we go?"
-
-"You name the day," said Gail.
-
-Roderick leaned hastily forward and placing one hand on his heart said
-with finely assumed gallantry: "I name the day?"
-
-"Oh, you know quite well I do not mean that."
-
-She laughed gaily, but all the same a little blush had stolen into her
-cheeks.
-
-"I thought it was the fair lady's privilege to name the day," said
-Roderick, mischievously.
-
-"Very well," said Gail, soberly, "we will go trout fishing tomorrow."
-
-"It is settled," said Roderick. "What hour is your pleasure?"
-
-"Well, it is better," replied Gail, "to go early in the morning or late
-in the evening. Personally I prefer the morning."
-
-"Very well, I will be here and saddle Fleetfoot for you, say, at seven
-tomorrow morning."
-
-And so it was agreed.
-
-It was only when he was cantering along the roadway toward home that
-Roderick remembered how Barbara Shields had on several occasions invited
-him to go trout fishing with her, but in some way circumstances had
-always intervened to postpone the expedition. In Gail's case, however,
-every obstacle seemed to have been swept aside--he had never even
-thought of asking Mr. Shields for the morning off. However, that would
-be easily arranged, so he rode on in blissful contentment and happy
-anticipation for the morrow.
-
-The next morning at the appointed time found him at Conchshell ranch.
-Before he reached the house he discovered Fleetfoot saddled and bridled
-standing at the gate.
-
-Gail came down the walk as he approached and a cheery good-morning was
-followed by their at once mounting their horses and following a roadway
-that led eastward to the South Fork of the Encampment River.
-
-"You brought your flies, Mr. Warfield?"
-
-"Oh, yes," replied Roderick. "I have plenty of flies--both hackle and
-coachman. These have been specially recommended to me, but as I warned
-you last night I am a novice and don't know much about them."
-
-"I sometimes use the coachman," said Gail, "although, like yourself, I
-am not very well up on the entomology of fly fishing."
-
-Soon the road led them away from the open valley into a heavy timber
-that crowned the westerly slope of the river. They soon arrived at
-their destination. Dismounting they quickly tethered their horses.
-Gail unfastened her hip boots from back of her saddle, and soon her
-bifurcated bloomer skirts were tucked away in the great rubber boots and
-duly strapped about her slender waist. Roderick was similarly equipped
-with wading boots, and after rods, lines and flies had been carefully
-adjusted they turned to the river. The mountains with their lofty rocky
-ledges--the swift running waters rippling and gurgling over the rocky
-bed of the river--the beautiful forests that rose up on either side, of
-pine and spruce and cottonwood, the occasional whistle and whirr of wild
-birds--the balmy morning air filled life to overflowing for these two
-disciples of Izaak Walton bent upon filling their baskets with brook and
-rainbow trout.
-
-"The stream is sufficiently wide," observed Gail, "so we can go
-downstream together. You go well toward the west bank and I will hug the
-east bank." Roderick laughed.
-
-"What are you laughing at?" asked Gail.
-
-"Oh, I was just sorry I am not the east bank." The exhilarating mountain
-air had given him unwonted audacity.
-
-"You are a foolish fellow," said Gail--"at least sometimes. Usually I
-think you are awfully nice."
-
-"Do you think we had better fish," asked Roderick, whimsically, "or talk
-this matter over?"
-
-Gail looked very demure and very determined.
-
-"You go right on with your fishing and do as I do, Mr. Roderick
-Warfield. Remember, I'm the teacher." She stamped her little booted
-foot, and then waded into the water and cast her fly far down stream.
-"See how I cast my line."
-
-"You know a whole lot about fishing, don't you?" asked Roderick.
-
-"Oh, yes, I ought to. During occasional summer visits to the ranch I
-have fished in these waters ever so many times. You must not talk too
-much," she added in a lower voice. "Trout are very alert, you know."
-
-               "If fish could hear as well as see
-
-               Never a fish would there be--
-
-in our baskets." And she laughed softly at this admonition for Roderick
-to fish and cease badinage.
-
-"Which way is the wind?" asked Roderick.
-
-"There is none," replied Gail.
-
-               "When the wind is from the North
-
-               The skilful fisherman goes not forth,"
-
-quoted Roderick. "Don't that prove I know something about fishing--I
-mean fly fishing?"
-
-"You have a much better way to prove your sport-manship," insisted Gail.
-"The fish are all around you and your basket is hanging empty from your
-shoulder."
-
-"Rebuked and chided," exclaimed Roderick, softly.
-
-They continued to cast and finally Gail said: "I have a Marlow Buzz on
-my hook."
-
-"What is that?" inquired Roderick.
-
-"Oh, it is a species of the Brown Palmer fly. I like them better than
-the hackle although the coachman may be equally as good. Look out!" she
-suddenly exclaimed.
-
-Roderick turned round quickly and saw her line was taut, cutting the
-water sharply to the right and to the left while her rod was bent like a
-bow. She quickly loosened her reel which hummed like a song of happiness
-while her line sliced the waters like a knife.
-
-"Guess you have a rainbow," cried Roderick excitedly, but Gail paid no
-attention to his remark.
-
-Presently the trout leaped from the water and fell back again, then
-attempted to dart away; but the slack of line was not sufficient for the
-captive to break from the hook.
-
-The trout finally ceased its fight, and a moment later was lifted safely
-from the water and landed in Gail's net. But even now it continued
-to prove itself a veritable circus performer, giving an exhibition of
-flopping, somersaulting, reversed handsprings--if a fish could do such
-things--with astonishing rapidity.
-
-"Bravo," shouted Roderick, as Gail finally released the hook and
-deposited the fish in her basket.
-
-Less than a minute later Roderick with all the enthusiasm and zeal
-imaginable was letting out his reel and holding his line taut, for
-he, too, had been rewarded. And soon he had proudly deposited his first
-catch of the day in his fish basket.
-
-On they went down the river, over riffles and into deep pools where
-the water came well up above their knees; but, nothing daunted, these
-fishermen kept going until the sun was well up in the eastern sky. At
-last Gail halloed and said: "Say, Mr. Warfield, my basket is almost full
-and I am getting hungry."
-
-"All right," said Roderick, "we will retrace our steps. There is a
-pretty good path along the east bank."
-
-"How many have you?" asked Gail.
-
-"Twenty-six," replied Roderick as he scrambled up the bank.
-
-"I have thirty-one," said Gail, enthusiastically.
-
-Roderick approached the bank, and reaching down helped her to a footing
-on the well-beaten path. Then they started up-stream for their horses.
-
-It was almost eleven o'clock when they arrived at their point of
-departure and had removed their wading boots. Gail went to her saddle
-and unlashed a little luncheon basket.
-
-She utilized a large tree stump for a table, and after it had been
-covered with a napkin and the dainty luncheon of boned chicken, sardines
-and crackers had been set forth, she called to Roderick and asked him to
-fill a pair of silver collapsible drinking cups which she handed to him.
-He went to the brook and returned with the ice-cold mountain vintage.
-
-"I am just hungry enough," said Gail, "to enjoy this luncheon although
-it is not a very sumptuous repast."
-
-Roderick smiled as he took a seat upon the felled tree.
-
-"Expect you think you will inveigle me into agreeing with you. But not
-on your life. I would enjoy such a luncheon as this any time, even if I
-were not hungry. But in the present circumstances--well, I will let you
-pass judgment upon my appetite after we have eaten."
-
-"As they say on the long army marches in the books," said Gail, gaily,
-"I guess we had better fall to." And forthwith with much merriment and
-satisfaction over their morning's catch they proceeded to dispose of the
-comestibles.
-
-It was only a little after noon when they reached the Conchshell ranch,
-and soon thereafter Roderick's pony was galloping along the road on his
-homeward way. He had never enjoyed such a morning in all his life.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVIII.--A COUNTRY FAIR ON THE FRONTIER
-
-
-THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields'
-ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and
-full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration. That
-night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of
-editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud
-to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.
-
-The _Dillon Doublejack_ predicted that this year's celebration would
-undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside
-of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.
-Everything was going to be just the real thing--the miners' drilling
-contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so
-on. More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher
-who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged. The
-_Doublejack_ further declared that the tournament would be both for
-glory and for bags of yellow gold, with World's Championships to the
-best rider, to the best bucking broncho buster, to the best trick roper,
-to the fastest cowpony, and to the most daring and lucky participant in
-the bull-dogging of wild steers.
-
-In the columns of the Encampment _Herald_ special attention was drawn
-to the fact that in the rough riding and outlaw bucking contest for the
-world's championship there was a purse of $1,000 to be divided--$450 for
-first prize, $300 second prize, $150 third prize and $100 fourth prize,
-while in addition Buck Henry, the banker, offered a $200 championship
-saddle to the rider who took first place. It was also announced that the
-fair association would pay $50 in cash for every horse brought to the
-grounds that was sufficiently unmanageable to throw every rider; each
-participant to ride any horse and as often as the judges might deem
-necessary to determine the winner; chaps and spurs to be worn by the
-riders, and leather pulling would disqualify.
-
-Both papers referred to the band concerts as a feature of great interest
-throughout the three days of the fair. Everything was to be decorated
-in colors--red and green, black and yellow, blue and white, pink and
-scarlet--from the grandstand down to the peanut boy. The race track was
-fast and in excellent condition, and everything would be in readiness at
-the appointed time.
-
-After each item of news was read out there was a buzz of comment among
-the assembled cowboys, challenges were made, bets freely offered and
-accepted. As the gathering dispersed Roderick Warfield and Scotty
-Meisch exchanged significant glances but spoke no word--they had been as
-strangers to each other ever since their fierce quarrel on the morning
-of the broncho-busting exercises. Roderick was glad that the day was
-near at hand when the fellow would be made to eat his words. And with
-the thought also came thoughts of Gail Holden. Gee, but it would be fine
-to see her ride in such a contest of nerve and skill!
-
-At last the eventful morning dawned and the people swarmed into
-Encampment from all the surrounding country. They came from far below
-Saratoga to the north. The entire Platte Valley from as far south as the
-Colorado state line and beyond were on hand. In fact, from all over
-the state and even beyond its confines the whole population moved in to
-participate in this great frontier day celebration. A crowd came over
-from Steamboat Springs and brought with them the famous outlaw horse
-Steamboat, who had never been ridden although he had thrown at least a
-dozen cowpunchers of highest renown.
-
-When the programmes were distributed, Firefly was found upon the list of
-outlaw horses, and also to the surprise of many of his friends the name
-of Roderick Warfield appeared as one of the contestants in both the
-bull-dogging and bucking broncho events.
-
-It was a veritable Mecca of delight for the miners in their drilling
-contests and for the cowboys in their dare-devil riding of outlaw
-horses--testing their prowess and skill in conquering the seemingly
-unconquerable. The lassoing of fleet-footed and angry cattle, the
-bull-dogging of wild steers gathered up from different parts of the
-country because of their reputation for long horns and viciousness, were
-spectacles to challenge the admiration of the immense throng seated in
-the grandstand and on the bleachers.
-
-It was just ten o'clock on the morning of the first day when the judges
-sounded the gong and started the series of contests. The first event was
-a cow-pony race, with no restriction as to the sex of the riders.
-Ponies were to be fourteen hands two inches or under. There were seven
-starters. Up in one corner of the grandstand sat Grant Jones surrounded
-by a bevy of beautiful girls. Among them of course was Dorothy Shields.
-All were in a flutter of excitement over the race that was about to be
-run; for Gail Holden was among the contestants.
-
-Gail Holden, quiet, unassuming, yet full of determination, looked
-a veritable queen as she sat her pony Fleetfoot clad in soft silk
-shirtwaist, gray divided skirt, and gray soft felt hat. With a tremor of
-delight Roderick noticed that she wore on her sleeve as her colors one
-of his college arm-bands, which he had given her when calling at the
-Conchshell ranch one evening after the trout fishing expedition.
-
-At last the bell sounded and the word "Go" was given. A shout went up
-from the grandstand--"They're off--they're off." And away the seven
-horses dashed---four men and three lady riders. At the moment of
-starting Gail had flung her hat to the winds. She used no quirt but held
-her pony free to the right and in the open. It was a half-mile track and
-the race was for one mile. When they swept down past the grandstand on
-the first lap Fleetfoot had gained third place. A pandemonium of shouts
-went up as the friends of each madly yelled to the riders to urge their
-mounts to greater speed. At the far turn it was noticed that Fleetfoot
-was running almost neck and neck with the two leaders, and then as they
-came up the stretch, running low, it seemed as if the race would finish
-in a dead heat between all three ponies.
-
-Just then Gail reached down and was seen to pat her pony upon the neck
-and evidently was talking to him. Fleetfoot leaned forward as if fired
-with fierce determination to comply with her request for still greater
-effort His muscles seemed to be retensioned. He began creeping away inch
-by inch from his adversaries, and amid the plaudits and shouts of the
-people in the grandstand and bleachers, who rose to their feet waving
-handkerchiefs and hats in a frenzy of tumultuous approval, Gail's horse
-passed first under the wire--winner by a short head, was the judges'
-verdict.
-
-The second feature was a great drilling contest of the miners from the
-surrounding hills. There were twelve pairs of contestants, and Grant
-Jones became wild with excitement when friends of his from Dillon were
-awarded the championship.
-
-And thus event followed event until the day's program was completed.
-
-Gail and Roderick were bidding each other goodnight at the gateway of
-the enclosure.
-
-"I owe you my very special thanks," he said as he held her hand.
-
-"What for?" she enquired.
-
-"For wearing my old college arm-band in the pony race."
-
-"Oh," said Gail, blushing slightly, "I had to have something to keep
-my sleeve from coming down too far on my wrist Besides they are pretty
-colors, aren't they?"
-
-But Roderick was not going to be sidetracked by any such naive
-questioning.
-
-"I refuse pointblank," he answered, smiling, "to accept any excuse for
-your wearing the badge. I insist it was a compliment to me and shall
-interpret it in no other way."
-
-Her blush deepened, but she made no further protest. General Holden had
-approached. She turned and took his arm.
-
-"Until tomorrow then," exclaimed Roderick, raising his hat to both
-father and daughter.
-
-"Until tomorrow," she quietly responded.
-
-The morrow brought resumption of the tournament. Gail Holden was to
-display her prowess in throwing the lariat, while Roderick had entered
-his name in the bull-dogging event.
-
-In the roping contest Gail was the only lady contestant. The steers
-were given a hundred feet of start, and then the ropers, swinging their
-lariats, started after them in a mad gallop.
-
-Gail was again mounted on Fleet foot, and if anything ever looked like
-attempting an impossibility it was for this slender girl with her neatly
-gloved little hands, holding a lariat in the right and the reins of the
-pony in her left, to endeavor to conquer and hogtie a three-year-old
-steer on the run. And yet, undismayed she undertook to accomplish
-this very thing. When the word was given she dashed after the fleeing
-three-year-old, and then as if by magic the lariat sprang away from
-her in a graceful curve and fell cleverly over the horns of the steer.
-Immediately Fleetfoot set himself for the shock he well knew was coming.
-
-The steer's momentum was so suddenly arrested that it was thrown to the
-ground. Gail sprang from the saddle, and the trained pony as he backed
-away kept the lariat taut. Thus was the steer hogtied by Gail's slender
-hands in 55 3/5 seconds from the time the word was given.
-
-All of the lassoers had been more or less successful, but the crowd
-stood up and yelled in wildest enthusiasm, and waved their hats and
-handkerchiefs, as the time for this marvelous feat by Gail was announced
-from the judges' stand.
-
-In the afternoon the bull-dogging contest was reached, and Grant Jones
-said to those about him: "Now get ready for some thrills and breathless
-moments."
-
-When the word was given a wild long-horned steer came rushing down past
-the grandstand closely followed by a cowboy on his fleet and nimble
-pony. In the corral were perhaps a score of steers and there was
-a cowboy rider ready for each of them. Four or five steers were
-bull-dogged one after the other. Some had been quickly thrown to the
-ground by the athletic cowboys amid the plaudits of the onlookers. But
-one had proven too strong for the skill and quickness of his adversary,
-and after rather severely injuring the intrepid youthful gladiator
-rushed madly on down the race track.
-
-Presently Roderick Warfield came into view astride his favorite pony,
-Badger, riding at full tilt down the race course, chasing a huge
-cream-colored steer with wide-spread horns, cruelly sharp and
-dangerous-looking. As horse and steer came abreast Roderick's athletic
-form swayed in his saddle for a moment, and then like a flash he was
-seen to leap on to the steer's back and reaching forward grab the
-animal's horns. An instant later he had swung his muscular body to
-the ground in front of his sharp homed adversary and brought him to an
-abrupt halt.
-
-Gail Holden's face grew pale as she watched the scene from among a group
-of her girl friends on the grandstand.
-
-The object of the bull-dogging contest is to twist the neck of the steer
-and throw him to the ground. But Roderick accomplished more. The steer
-lifted him once from the ground, and the great throng of people on
-the grandstand and bleachers, also the hundreds who had been unable to
-obtain seating accommodation and were standing along the rails, held
-their breath in bated silence. The powerful cream-colored steer threw
-his head up, and lifting Roderick's feet from their anchorage started on
-a mad run. But when he lowered his head a moment later Roderick's feet
-caught the earth again, and the steer was brought to a standstill. Then
-the milling back and forth began. Roderick's toes sank deep into the
-sand that covered the race track; the muscles of his neck stood out in
-knots. Finally, with one heroic twist on the long horns as a pry over
-a fulcrum, he accomplished the feat of combined strength and endurance,
-and the intense silence of the great throng was broken by a report
-like the shot of a pistol as the bull-dogged steer fell heavily to the
-earth--dead. The animal's neck was broken.
-
-There are very few cases on record where a steer's neck has been
-broken in bull-dogging contests. Roderick therefore had gained a rare
-distinction. But technically he had done too much, for the judges were
-compelled to withhold from him the honors of the championship because in
-killing the animal he had violated the humane laws of the state, which
-they were pledged to observe throughout the series of contests. But this
-did not affect the tumult of applause that acclaimed his victory over
-the huge and vicious-looking steer. Afterwards when his friends gathered
-around him in wonderment at his having entered for such an event he
-confessed that for several weeks he had been practicing bull-dogging out
-on the range, preparing for this contest.
-
-In the afternoon of the last day, the finals of the bucking-broncho
-competition were announced from the grandstand. There were only three
-contestants remaining out of the score or more of original entries, and
-Roderick Warfield was among the number. Scotty Meisch was there--the
-cowboy whom Roderick had challenged--also Bud Bledsoe, the bodyguard
-and sleuth of W. B. Grady. Three of the unconquered outlaws were brought
-out--each attended by two wranglers; the names of the horses were put
-in a hat and each cowboy drew for his mount. Roderick Warfield drew Gin
-Fizz, Bud Bledsoe drew Steamboat and Scotty Meisch drew Firefly. And in
-a few moments the wranglers were busy.
-
-Three horses and six wranglers working on them at the same time! It was
-a sight that stirred the blood with expectation. These horses had been
-successful in throwing the riders who had previously attempted to subdue
-them. The outlaws were recognized by the throng even before their names
-were called from the grandstand.
-
-The method of the game is this: One wrangler approaches the horse while
-the other holds taut the lariat that has been thrown over his neck; and
-if the freehanded wrangler is quick enough or lucky enough he seizes
-the horse by the ears and throws his whole weight on the animal's head,
-which is then promptly decorated with a hackamore knotted bridle. A
-hackamore is a sort of a halter, but it is made of the toughest kind of
-rawhide and so tied that a knot presses disastrously against the lower
-jaw of the horse. After being haltered the outlaw is blindfolded with a
-gunnysack. To accomplish all this is a dangerous struggle between horse
-and the wranglers. Then the word "Saddle" is shouted, and the saddles
-are quickly adjusted to the backs of these untamed denizens of the wild.
-It takes considerable time to accomplish all this and have the girths
-tightened to the satisfaction of the wranglers first and of the rider
-last. Invariably the rider is the court of final resort in determining
-that the outlaw is in readiness to be mounted.
-
-At last the moments of tense expectancy were ended. It was seen that one
-of the outlaws was ready, and at a call from the judges' stand, Scotty
-Meisch the first rough-rider leaped on to the back of his untamed horse.
-
-The "Ki-yi" yell was given--the blindfold slipped from Firefly's eyes,
-and the rowels of the rider sunk into the flanks of his horse. Bucking
-and plunging, wheeling and whirling, all the time the rider not daring
-to "pull leather" and so disqualify himself under the rules, the outlaw
-once again proved himself a veritable demon. In just two minutes after
-the struggle began Scotty Meisch measured his length on the ground and
-Firefly was dashing for the open. The scene had been a thrilling one.
-Roderick noticed that Scotty had to be helped off the track, but he
-felt no concern--the rough-rider parted from his mount in a hurry may be
-temporarily dazed but is seldom seriously hurt.
-
-Steamboat was the next horse. Bud Bledsoe was wont to brag there was
-nothing wore hair that he could not ride. But Steamboat, when he felt
-the weight of a rider on his back, was as usual possessed of a devil.
-But Bledsoe was not the man to conquer the noted outlaw, and down he
-went in prompt and inglorious defeat.
-
-Gin Fizz was a magnificent specimen of horseflesh--black as midnight
-with a coat of hair that shone like velvet. His proud head was held high
-in air. He stood like a statue while blindfolded and Roderick Warfield
-was making ready to mount.
-
-The vast assemblage in the grandstand held their breath in amazement and
-wondered what would become of the rider of the giant black.
-
-Then Roderick quickly mounted, and men and women rose to their feet to
-see the terribleness of it all. Roderick sent his spurs deep into the
-flanks of the black and plied the quirt in a desperate effort quickly to
-master and subdue the outlaw.
-
-The horse reared and plunged with lightning quickness, and at times was
-the center of a whirlwind of dust in his determined zig-zag efforts
-to dislodge his rider. He rose straight up on his hind legs and for
-a moment it looked as if he were going to fall over backwards. Then
-seemingly rising still higher in air from his back feet he leaped
-forward and downward, striking his front feet into the earth as if he
-would break the saddle girth and certainly pitch the rider over his
-head. He squatted, jumped, corkscrewed and sun-fished, leaped forward;
-then he stopped suddenly and in demoniacal anger, as if determined not
-to be conquered, he threw his head far around endeavoring to bite his
-assailant's legs. But at last the horse's exertions wore him down and he
-seemed to be reluctantly realizing that he had found his master. In the
-end, after a terrible fight lasting fully seven minutes, he quieted down
-in submission, and Gin Fizz thus acknowledged Roderick's supremacy.
-He was subdued. Roderick drew rein, patted him kindly, dismounted and
-turned him over to the wranglers. Gin Fizz was no longer an outlaw; he
-suffered himself to be led away, trembling in every limb but submissive
-as a well-trained cow-pony.
-
-Approaching the judges' stand, Roderick received a tremendous ovation
-both from the onlookers and from his brother cowboys. The championship
-ribbon was pinned to his breast, and now he was shaking hands
-promiscuously with friends, acquaintances and strangers. But all the
-while his eyes were roaming around in search of Gail Holden.
-
-At last he was out of the crowd, in a quiet corner, with Grant Jones, the
-Shields sisters, and a few intimates.
-
-"Where is Miss Holden?" he enquired of Barbara.
-
-"Oh, she took poor Scotty Meisch to the hospital in an automobile. She
-insisted on going."
-
-"He's not badly hurt, is he?" he asked drily.
-
-"Oh, no. Just shaken up a lot. He'll be all right in a week's time, Dr.
-Burke says."
-
-"Then Gail--I mean Miss Holden--didn't see Gin Fizz broken?"
-
-"No. But she'll hear about it all right," exclaimed Barbara
-enthusiastically. "My word, it was great!" And she shook his hand again.
-
-But the day of triumph had ended in disappointment for Roderick
-Warfield. He slipped away, saddened and crestfallen.
-
-"It was all for her I did it"--the thought kept hammering at his brain.
-"And she never even stopped to see. I suppose she's busy now bathing
-the forehead of that contemptible little runt in the hospital. Stella
-wouldn't have turned me down like that."
-
-And he found himself thinking affectionately and longingly of the little
-"college widow." He hadn't been to the post office for three days. The
-belated letter might have arrived at last. He would go and see at all
-events; and to drown thought he whistled "The Merry Widow" waltz as he
-grimly stalked along.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIX.--A LETTER FROM THE COLLEGE WIDOW
-
-
-YES, there was a letter from Stella Rain. Roderick took it eagerly from
-the hands of the clerk at the general delivery window. A good number of
-people were already crowding into the post office from the fair grounds.
-But he was too hungry for news to wait for quieter surroundings. So
-he turned to a vacant corner in the waiting room and ripped open the
-envelope. The letter was as follows:
-
-"Roderick:--
-
-"I am sure that what I am about to tell you will be for your good as
-well as my own. It seems so long ago since we were betrothed. At that
-time you were only a boy and I freely confess I liked you very, very
-much. I had known you during your four years in college and you were
-always just splendid. But Roderick, a real love affair has come into
-my life--something different from all other experiences, and when you
-receive this letter I shall be Mrs. Vance Albertrum Carter.
-
-"Mr. Carter, financially, is able to give me a splendid home. He is a
-fine fellow and I know you would like him. Let me be to you the same as
-to the other boys of old Knox--your friend, the 'college widow.'
-
-"Very sincerely,
-
-"Stella Rain."
-
-Not a muscle of his face quivered as he read the letter, but at
-its close he dropped both hands to his side in an attitude of utter
-dejection. The blow had fallen so unexpectedly; he felt crushed and
-grieved, and at the same time humiliated. But in an instant he had
-recovered his outward composure. He thrust the letter into his pocket,
-and shouldered his way through the throng at the doorway. He had left
-Badger in a stall at the fair grounds. Thither he bent his steps, taking
-a side street to avoid the crowd streaming into the town. The grandstand
-and surrounding buildings were already deserted. He quickly adjusted
-saddle and bridle, and threw himself on the pony's back.
-
-"'She knows I would like him,'" he muttered, as he gained the race
-track, the scene of his recent triumphs, its turf torn and dented with
-the hoofs of struggling steers and horses, thronged but an hour before
-with a wildly excited multitude but now silent and void. "'Like him'!"
-he reiterated bitterly. "Yes--like hell."
-
-And with the words he set his steed at the farther rail. Badger skimmed
-over it like a deer and Roderick galloped on across country, making for
-the hills.
-
-That night he did not return to the bunk house.
-
-It was high noon next day when he showed up at the ranch. He went
-straight to Mr. Shields' office, gave in his resignation, and took his
-pay check. No explanations were required--Mr. Shields had known for a
-considerable time that Roderick was leaving. He thanked him cordially
-for his past services, congratulated him on his championship honors at
-the frontier celebration, and bade him come to the ranch home at any
-time as a welcome guest. Roderick excused himself from saying good-by
-for the present to the ladies; he was going to stay for a while in
-Encampment with his friend Grant Jones, and would ride out for an
-evening visit before very long. Then he packed his belongings at the
-bunk house, left word with one of the helpers for trunk and valise to
-be carted into town, and rode away. Badger was Roderick's own personal
-property; he had purchased the pony some months before from Mr. Shields,
-and as he leaped on its back after closing the last boundary gate he
-patted the animal's neck fondly and proudly. Badger alone was well worth
-many months of hard and oftentimes distasteful work, a horse at all
-events could be faithful, he and his good little pony would never
-part--such was the burden of his thoughts as he left the Shields ranch
-and the cowboy life behind him.
-
-Grant Jones was in Encampment, and jumped up from his writing table when
-Roderick threw open the door of the shack and walked in.
-
-"Hello, old man, this is indeed a welcome visit. Where in the wide world
-have you been?"
-
-He turned Roderick around so the light would fall upon his face as he
-extended his hand in warmest welcome, and noticed he was haggard and
-pale.
-
-"Oh," said Roderick, "I have been up in the hills fighting it out alone,
-sleeping under the stars and thinking matters over."
-
-"What does this all mean, anyway, old man? I don't understand you," said
-Grant with much solicitude.
-
-"Well, guess you better forget it then," said Roderick half abruptly.
-"But I owe you an apology for going away so unceremoniously from the
-frontier gathering. I know we had arranged to dine together last night
-But I just cleared out--that's all. Please do not ask me any questions,
-Grant, as to why and wherefore. If in the future I should take you into
-my confidence that will be time enough."
-
-"All right, old man," said Grant, "here is my hand. And know now and for
-all time it don't make a derned bit of difference what has happened, I
-am on your side to the finish, whether it is a desperate case of petty
-larceny or only plain murder."
-
-Grant laughed and tried to rouse his friend into hilarity.
-
-"It is neither," replied Roderick laconically. "All the same I've got
-some news for you. I have quit my job."
-
-"At the Shields ranch?" cried Grant in astonishment. "Surely there's
-been no trouble there?"
-
-"Oh, no, we are all the best of friends. I am just tired of
-cow-punching, and have other plans in view. Besides, remember the letter
-we got pushed under the door here on the occasion of my last visit.
-Perhaps I may be a bit skeered about having my hide shot full of holes,
-eh, old man?" Roderick was now laughing.
-
-But Grant looked grave. He eyed his comrade tentatively.
-
-"Stuff and nonsense. The lunatic who wrote that letter was barking up
-the wrong tree. He mistook you for the other fellow. You were never
-seriously smitten in that quarter, now were you, Rod, old man?"
-
-"Certainly not. Barbara Shields is a fine girl, but I never even
-dreamed of making love to her. I didn't come to Wyoming to chase after a
-millionaire's daughter," he added bitterly.
-
-"Oh, that's Barbara's misfortune not her fault," laughed Grant. "But
-I was afraid you had fallen in love with her, just as I fell head over
-heels in love with Dorothy--for her own sake, dear boy, and not for
-anything that may ever come to her from her father."
-
-"You were afraid, do you say?" quizzed Roderick. "Have you Mormonistic
-tendencies then? Do you grudge a twin to the man you always call your
-best friend?"
-
-"Oh, you know there's no thought like that in my mind," protested Grant.
-"But you came on to the field too late. You see Ben Bragdon was already
-almost half engaged."
-
-"So that's the other fellow, is it?" laughed Roderick. "Oh, now I begin
-to understand. Then things have come to a crisis between Barbara and
-Bragdon."
-
-"Well, this is in strict confidence, Rod. But it is true. That's why
-I was a bit nervous just now on your account--I kind of felt I had to
-break bad news."
-
-"Oh, don't you worry on my account. Understand once and for all that I'm
-not a marrying man."
-
-"Well, we'll see about that later on," replied Grant, smiling. "But I
-should have been real glad had you been the man to win Barbara Shields.
-How jolly happy we would have been, all four together."
-
-"Things are best just as they are," said Roderick sternly. "I wouldn't
-exchange Badger, my horse out there, for any woman in the world. Which
-reminds me, Grant, that I've come here to stay with you for a while.
-Guess I can put Badger in the barn."
-
-"Sure--you are always welcome; I don't have to say that. But remember
-that Barbara-Bragdon matter is a dead secret. Dorothy just whispered it
-to me in strictest confidence. Hard lines that, for the editor of such
-an enterprising newspaper as the _Dillon Doublejack_. But the engagement
-is not to be announced until the Republican nomination for state senator
-is put through. You know, of course, that Ben Bragdon has consented to
-run against Carlisle and the smelter interests."
-
-"I'm glad to hear it And now we have an additional reason to put our
-shoulders to the wheel. We've got to send Ben Bragdon to Cheyenne for
-Barbara's sake. Count me in politics from this day on, old man. You see
-I am out of a job. This will be something worth while--to help down that
-blood-sucker Grady, and at the same time secure Bragdon's election."
-
-"Ben Bragdon is the best man for Wyoming."
-
-"I know it. Put me on his committee right away."
-
-"You'll be a tower of strength," exclaimed Grant enthusiastically. "The
-champion broncho-buster of the world--just think of that."
-
-Roderick laughed loud and long. This special qualification for political
-work mightily amused him.
-
-"Oh, don't laugh," Grant remonstrated, in all seriousness. "You are a
-man of note now in the community, make no mistake. You can swing the
-vote of every cow-puncher in the land. You are their hero--their local
-Teddy Roosevelt."
-
-Again Roderick was convulsed.
-
-"And by the way," continued Grant, "I never had the chance to
-congratulate you on that magnificent piece of work on Gin Fizz. It was
-the greatest ever."
-
-"Oh, we'll let all that slide."
-
-"No, siree. Wait till you read my column description of the immortal
-combat in the _Doublejack._" He turned to his writing desk, and picked
-up a kodak print. "Here's your photograph--snapped by Gail Holden on the
-morning of the event, riding your favorite pony Badger. Oh, I've got
-all the details; the half-tone has already been made. The _Encampment
-Herald_ boys have been chasing around all day for a picture, but I'm
-glad you were in hiding. The _Doublejack_ will scoop them proper this
-time."
-
-But Roderick was no longer listening. The name of Gail Holden had sent
-his thoughts far away.
-
-"How's Scotty Meisch?" he asked--rather inconsequentially as the
-enthusiastic editor thought.
-
-"Oh, Scotty Meisch? He's all right. Slight concussion of the brain--will
-be out of the hospital in about two weeks. But Miss Holden, as it turned
-out, did the lad a mighty good turn in rushing him to the hospital He
-was unconscious when they got there. She knew more than Doc Burke--or
-saw more; or else the Doc could not deny himself the excitement of
-seeing you tackle Gin Fizz. But there's no selfishness in Grail Holden's
-make-up--not one little streak."
-
-In a flash Roderick Warfield saw everything under a new light, and a
-great glow of happiness stole into his heart. It was not indifference
-for him that had made Gail Holden miss the outlaw contest. What a fool
-he had been to get such a notion into his head.
-
-"Guess I'll go and feed Badger," he said, as he turned away abruptly and
-left the room.
-
-"When you come back I've a lot more to talk about," shouted Grant,
-resuming his seat and making a grab for his lead-pencil.
-
-But it was several hours before Roderick returned. He had baited the
-pony, watched him feed, and just drowsed away the afternoon among the
-fragrant bales of hay--drowsing without sleeping, chewing a straw and
-thinking all the time.
-
-At last he strolled in upon the still busy scribe. Grant threw down his
-pencil.
-
-"Thought you had slipped away again to the hills and the starlight and
-all that sort of thing. I'm as hungry as a hunter. Let's go down town
-and eat."
-
-"I'm with you," assented Roderick. "But after dinner I want to see Major
-Buell Hampton. Is he likely to be at home?"
-
-"It was about Buell Hampton I was going to speak to you. Oh, you don't
-know the news." Grant was hopping around in great excitement, changing
-his jacket, whisking the new coat vigorously. "But there, I am pledged
-again to secrecy--Good God, what a life for a newspaper man to lead,
-bottled up all the time!"
-
-"Then when am I to be enlightened?"
-
-"He sent for me this morning and I spent an hour with him. He
-also wanted you, but you were not to be found. He wants to see you
-immediately. Tonight will be the very time, for he said he would be at
-home."
-
-"That's all right, Grant. But, say, old fellow, I want half an hour
-first with the Major--all alone."
-
-"Mystery after mystery," fairly shouted the distracted editor. "Can't
-you give me at least this last news item for publication? I'm losing
-scoops all the time."
-
-"I'm afraid you must go scoopless once again," grinned Roderick. "But
-after dinner you can do a little news-hunting on your own account around
-the saloons, then join me later on at the Major's. That suit you?"
-
-"Oh, I suppose I've got to submit," replied Grant, as he drew on his now
-well-brushed coat. "But all through dinner, I'll have you guessing, old
-man. You cannot imagine the story Buell Hampton's going to tell you. Oh,
-you needn't question me. I'm ironclad--bomb-proof--as silent as a clam."
-
-Roderick laughed at the mixed metaphors, and arm in arm the friends
-started for their favorite restaurant.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XX.--THE STORE OF GOLD
-
-
-A COUPLE of hours later Roderick arrived at Buell Hampton's home. The
-Major was alone; there were no signs of Jim Rankin or Tom Sun; no traces
-of the recent midnight toil. The room looked just the same as on the
-occasion of Roderick's last visit, now more than two months ago, except
-for a curtain hanging across one wall.
-
-Buell Hampton was seated before the great fireplace and notwithstanding
-the season of the year had a small bed of coals burning.
-
-"It takes the chill away, for one thing," he explained after greeting
-his visitor, "and then it gives me the inspiration of real live embers
-into which to look and dream. There are so many poor people in the
-world, so much suffering and so many heartaches, that one hardly knows
-where to begin."
-
-"Well, Major," said Roderick, "I am glad to find you in this mood. I'm
-one of the sufferers--or at least have been. I have come to you for
-some heartache balm. Oh, I'm not jesting. Really I came here tonight
-determined to give you my confidence--to ask your advice as to my future
-plans."
-
-"I am extremely glad you feel toward me like that, my lad," exclaimed
-Buell Hampton, grasping Roderick's arm and looking kindly into his eyes.
-"I have always felt some subtle bond of sympathy between us. I have
-wanted to help you at the outset of a promising career in every way I
-can. I count it a privilege to be called in to comfort or to counsel,
-and you will know later that I have something more for you than mere
-words of advice."
-
-"Well, it is your advice I want most badly now, Major. In the first
-place I have thrown up my job with Mr. Shields."
-
-"Tired of cow-punching?" nodded Buell Hampton with a smile. "I knew that
-was coming."
-
-"In the second place I want to be perfectly candid with you. I have a
-prospecting venture in view."
-
-"That I have guessed from several hints you have dropped from time to
-time."
-
-"Well, you spoke a while ago about your reserving some little interest
-for me in your great gold discovery. That was mighty kind, and rest
-assured I appreciate your goodness to one who only a few months ago was
-a stranger to you."
-
-"You forget that I am a reader of character--that no kindred souls are
-strangers even at a first meeting, my son."
-
-Buell Hampton spoke very softly but very clearly; his gaze rested
-fixedly on Roderick; the latter felt a thrill run through him--yes,
-assuredly, this great and good man had been his friend from the first
-moment they had clasped hands.
-
-"You were very good then, Major," he replied, "in judging me so kindly.
-But I am afraid that I evoked your special sympathy and interest because
-of the confidences I gave you at one of our early meetings. You will not
-have forgotten how I spoke in a most sacred way about certain matters in
-Galesburg and what I intended to do when I had sufficient money to carry
-out my plans."
-
-"I remember distinctly," said the Major. "Your frank confidence greatly
-pleased me. Well, has anything happened?"
-
-"There is just one man on earth I will show this letter to, and you,
-Major, are the man."
-
-Saying this Roderick handed over Stella Rain's letter.
-
-After the Major had carefully perused it and put it back in the
-envelope, he reached across to Roderick.
-
-"No," said Roderick, "don't give that letter back to me. Kindly lay it
-on the red coals and let me see it burn to gray ashes. I have fought
-this thing out all alone up in the hills, and I am now almost glad that
-letter came, since it had to be. But let it vanish now in the flames,
-just as I am going to put Stella Rain forever out of my thoughts.
-Yesterday the receipt of this letter was an event; but from now on I
-shall endeavor to regard it as only an incident."
-
-Silently and musingly the Major complied with Roderick's request and
-consigned the letter to the glowing embers. When the last trace had
-disappeared, he looked up at Roderick.
-
-"I will take one exception to your remarks," he said. "Do not think
-unkindly of Stella Rain, nor even attempt to put her out of your
-thoughts. Her influence over you has been all for good during the past
-months, and she has shown herself a very fine and noble woman in the
-gentle manner in which she has broken the bonds that had tied you--bonds
-impulsively and all too lightly assumed on your part, as she knew quite
-well from the beginning. I have a profound admiration for your little
-'college widow,' Roderick, and hold her in high esteem."
-
-There was just the suspicion of tears in Roderick's eyes--a lump in
-his throat which rendered it impossible for him to reply. Yes; all
-bitterness, all sense of humiliation, were now gone. He too was thinking
-mighty kindly of sweet and gentle Stella Rain.
-
-"Remember," continued the Major quietly, "you told me how she warned
-you that some other day another girl, the real girl, would come along. I
-guess that has happened now."
-
-Roderick started; there was a protesting flush upon his cheek.
-
-"Even though you may not yet fully realize it," quietly added the Major.
-
-"What do you mean?" faltered Roderick; the flush of offended dignity had
-now turned into the blush of confusion.
-
-The Major smiled benignantly.
-
-"Oh, my young friend, remember again that I read men's minds and hearts
-just a little. There must be some new influence in your life."
-
-"How do you know that--how can you say that?"
-
-Buell Hampton laid a hand on the young man's shoulder and smiled.
-
-"Because otherwise you would be still up among the hills alone, young
-man. Your fight in the wilderness would have lasted for forty days--not
-for a single night. The fever of love does not die down so suddenly
-without an antidote. The resignation you have shown while we burned that
-letter is not merely a negative condition of mind. There is something
-positive as well."
-
-"Oh, I can't admit that," protested Roderick. "Or at least I dare not
-allow myself to think like that," he corrected himself hurriedly.
-
-"Well, we shall see what we shall see. Meanwhile all is well. The rich
-harvest of experience has been reaped; the fertile soil awaits the next
-tillage. The important moment of every life is 'The Now.' And this is
-what we have to think about tonight, Roderick."
-
-"Precisely, Major. And that is just why I opened the conversation. As I
-said at the outset, you assigned me an interest in your gold mine for a
-specific object that no longer exists."
-
-"On the contrary," replied Buell Hampton, "I assigned it on general
-principles--on the general principle of helping a worthy young man at
-the critical period of starting into useful life-work. But I may tell
-you also," he laughed lightly, "that I had in my mind's eye valuable and
-important future services whereby the interest would be paid for most
-adequately."
-
-"And these services are what?" asked Roderick, with a delighted gleam in
-his eyes.
-
-"We'll come to that presently. Where is Grant Jones?"
-
-"He was to follow me here in half an hour. Time's almost up, unless he's
-on the trail of a newspaper scoop." Roderick was smiling happily now.
-
-"Well, we shall await his coming. What do you say to a little music to
-beguile the time?"
-
-The Major glanced at his violin resting on a side table.
-
-"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," responded Roderick, jumping up
-with alacrity and handing to the master his old Cremona.
-
-"I am glad you like music," said Buell Hampton, as he began to tighten
-his bow. "Its rhythmic cadences of tone are a language universal. Its
-power is unseen but felt, captivating and enthralling alike the cultured
-and the untutored. The harmony of tone enwraps the soul like a mantle.
-It influences heart and intellect It may depress in saddest tears or
-elevate to highest ecstasy. Music is the melody of the Gods. It is like
-an ethereal mist--a soft and dainty distillation of a thousand aromatic
-perfumes, inspiring and wholesome to the soul as the morning dew is to
-buds and blossoms."
-
-As he spoke he had been gently thrumming the strings, and now he placed
-the violin to his chin. Soft and plaintive melodies alternating with
-wild and warring airs followed one after the other until the entire room
-seemed to be quivering with melody. For fully an hour, unconscious of
-the passing time, the Major entertained his guest, and concluded with
-a rapid surging theme as if it were a call to battle and for greater
-achievements.
-
-Grant Jones had not yet arrived. Roderick recovered from the trance into
-which the music had thrown him. He thanked the Major for the pleasure he
-had given, then threw a glance at the doorway.
-
-"Where the deuce can he be?" he murmured.
-
-But at the very moment the door opened, and in walked the belated
-editor.
-
-"Where have you been all this time?" asked Roderick, half petulantly.
-
-"On the porch of course," replied Grant. "Do you think I was going to
-interrupt such divine melody?"
-
-Buell Hampton smiled pleasedly while he laid down the violin on the
-table.
-
-"Well," he said, "be seated, Grant, my boy. I am going to lose no
-further time. I have some figures to work on tonight. This is my first
-night at home, Roderick, for many weeks. Grant already knows the story.
-Now I shall tell it to you."
-
-And straightway the Major related how Jim Rankin, Tom Sun, and Boney
-Earnest had garnered the midnight harvests of gold. Then he drew aside
-the curtain hanging on the wall, unlocked the stout door which it
-concealed, and, to Roderick's amazement, displayed the piled up sacks of
-golden ore.
-
-"All quite equal to the rich samples you handled here several months
-ago," said Buell Hampton, as he waved his hand toward the accumulated
-treasure.
-
-"Great Cæsar!" gasped Roderick. "There must be hundreds of thousands of
-dollars there."
-
-"The total will run into millions, young man," smiled the Major. Then
-he closed the door, relocked it, and dropped the curtain. But he did not
-resume his seat.
-
-"Now this is where your services, and those of Grant Jones will come in.
-This great wealth must be safely transported to Denver. And as I have
-already explained to you tonight, I still want to guard jealously my
-secret of the Hidden Valley on whose resources I may or may not draw
-again--this the future must decide. All of us who are interested have
-abundance for the present; we are equipped for many good works. The
-removal of this large quantity of ore, without attracting public
-attention here, requires good judgment on the part of men who can be
-absolutely trusted. You are the men selected for the responsible duty.
-And remember it will be dangerous duty should our secret leak out. The
-days of hold-ups are passing in the West, but have not yet passed; for
-as you both know there are still a good few desperadoes among the wilds
-of our Wyoming mountains."
-
-"My God--what loot!" murmured Roderick, glancing toward the curtain.
-
-"Yes--a rich loot," acquiesced the Major. "Now you young men will
-understand that your interests are my own--that while I am delighted to
-share this treasure with my chosen friends, these friends have been
-and continue to be quite indispensable to me. Roderick, your question
-earlier in the evening is answered--you will have a rightful share in
-this gold. Get ready in about a week's time to earn it Now go tonight.
-I will see you later on to unfold my plans for the journey in closer
-detail."
-
-"Great guns," groaned Grant Jones, as the two young men gained the
-roadway. "What a newspaper story--what a scoop! And not one damned word
-can be put in type."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXI.--A WARNING
-
-
-BY SUBTLE alchemy of thought Roderick's feelings toward Scotty Meisch
-had become entirely changed. On the ranch he had treated the rough,
-uncultivated and at times insolent youth with contempt that was scarcely
-concealed. He was not of his class; and Roderick by his manner had shown
-that he counted Scotty as outside the pale of good breeding--a fellow
-not to be associated with except in the necessary work of roping a steer
-or handling a mob of cattle. It had been almost an act of condescension
-on his part to accept Scotty's challenge to try out their respective
-riding abilities at the frontier fair. Any hurt the lad might have
-received in the contest was part of the day's game, and at the moment
-Roderick had treated the incident with indifference. But now he found
-himself feeling quite solicitous as to the poor fellow's condition. Of
-course Gail Holden, who had interested herself in the injured cowboy,
-had nothing to do with this change of sentiment--at least Roderick's
-consciousness took no cognizance of her influence in the matter. All the
-same, as he walked over to the hospital on the following afternoon to
-inquire about the invalid, he was conning in his mind the chances of
-perhaps meeting Gail there.
-
-However Scotty Meisch was alone when Roderick was admitted to the ward.
-There was only another occupant of the long room, occupying a cot at
-the farther end. The nurse as she brought Roderick to Scotty's bedside
-declared that her patient was getting along fine, and that a visit from
-a friend would cheer him up and do him good. Roderick smiled as he sat
-down at the foot of the bed and the nurse moved away to attend to other
-duties. Except for a bandaged head the cowboy looked fairly fit.
-
-"How are you, old man?" Roderick asked in a kindly tone.
-
-Scotty seemed quite disconcerted by this friendly greeting. He looked
-sheepish and shame-faced.
-
-"Oh, I'll be all right in no time," he mumbled. "Expect you think I'm a
-mean cuss," he added, after a moment's pause, glancing at Roderick then
-hastily looking away again.
-
-"I haven't said so," replied Roderick in a pleasant and assuring way.
-
-"No, I know you hain't said it. But I've never, liked you from the first
-time we met over at the Shield's ranch. I don't know why--damned if I
-do. But I didn't like you and don't like you now, and I'm gosh'lmighty
-ashamed of myself fer bein' so ornery."
-
-"You shouldn't speak of yourself so harshly," said Roderick, somewhat
-interested in the turn the conversation was taking.
-
-"I don't deserve any kindness at your hands," Meisch went on. "I sure
-planned to kill you onct 'til I found out you weren't sweet on Barbara
-Shields. Oh, I'm a low-down cuss, but I'm ambitious. You hain't the
-feller I'm after any more. It's that lawyer Carlisle and I'll git him,
-you jist see. He's got to keep out of my way," and as Scotty, with a
-black scowl on his face, said this he looked the part of an avenging
-demon right enough.
-
-"I know," he continued, "Barbara is older than I am, but I'm dead gone
-on her, even if she don't know it, an' I'll do things yet to that feller
-Carlisle." Roderick was fairly perplexed by these references to Barbara
-Shields and the disclosure of the rough cowboy's feelings toward his
-employer's daughter. For a moment he could not find the proper word
-to say. He just ventured a platitude, kindly spoken as it was kindly
-intended: "Oh, you must get over these broodings, Scotty."
-
-"It's not broodings--it's business, and I mean it," he muttered. "Oh,
-you needn't look so darned solemn. I've no more bad feelin's agin you.
-But when you first came to the ranch, you know you couldn't ride any
-better than a kid. But you began givin' yourself airs, an' then when I
-thought you were goin' to cut me out with Barbara I jist got plum crazy.
-That's why I sent you fair warnin'."
-
-A light broke in on Roderick.
-
-"So it was you who slipped that note under Grant Jones' door, was it?"
-he asked in great surprise.
-
-"Yas. You can know it now; who cares? But it was only later I saw I was
-on a blind trail--that it was the other one you're after--goin' fishin'
-an' all that sort o' thing."
-
-Roderick reddened.
-
-"Oh, that's all fudge too," he exclaimed uneasily.
-
-"I'm not so sure 'bout that," replied Scotty, with a cunning look in his
-eyes. "'Sides, she's dead gone on you, that's a cert. She was here all
-yesterday afternoon, and could speak about nothin' else--praised yer
-ridin' and allowed she was tarnation sorry to have missed seein' you
-on Gin Fizz. Which reminds me that I've got to comgratulate you on the
-championship." He slipped a hand timidly and tentatively from under the
-bed-spread. "Oh, I can admit myself beat when I'm beat. You've grown to
-be a better'n rider than me. I'm only a little skinny chap at the best,
-but you showed yourself strong enough to kill that great big steer in
-the bull-doggin'. You've got me skinned, and you hold the championship
-right enough. Shake."
-
-And Scotty at last mustered up the moral courage to extend his hand.
-Roderick took it and shook it warmly. So Gail had been talking about
-him!--his heart had leaped with joy.
-
-"I'm glad to hear you speak like that, Scotty," he said with great
-cordiality. "You and I can come to be mighty good friends."
-
-"Gee, but I wish I looked like you," remarked Scotty, lapsing into a
-half smile. "Shake hands again with me, won't you?"
-
-Roderick reached over and once more bestowed a good honest squeeze;
-and he improved the occasion by begging Scotty not to indulge in evil
-thoughts about killing people or anything of that sort.
-
-"What makes you kind t' me?" asked the lad as he looked inquiringly at
-Roderick.
-
-"I don't know that I have been particularly kind to you," replied
-Roderick. "I begin to realize that I should have been here before now to
-help cheer you up a bit while convalescing."
-
-Scotty turned from Roderick and looking at the ceiling was silent for a
-few moments. At last he said: "Expect if I'd stay here a long, long time
-you'd keep on bein' kind t' me. Possibly you would bring Barbara with
-you on some of your visits. But I know I'm goin' t' get well, that's the
-pity of it all. I wouldn't be in bed now if the doctor hadn't said I got
-ter stay here for a few days. When I'm well, why, then it's all off with
-you an' Scotty. You won't pay any more attention to me when I'm once
-more sound as a nut an' ridin' range than you would a low down coyote."
-
-"Why should I become indifferent to you?" inquired Roderick.
-
-"Oh, no reason why you should, only you will," replied Scotty. "You are
-of the high-falutin' an' educated kind an'--well, I never went to
-school more'n two weeks in my life. I got tired of the educatin'
-business--stole a horse and never did go back. An' they never caught me,
-nuther."
-
-He brightened up when he said this and laughed at his cleverness as if
-it were a most pleasant remembrance.
-
-"Where was your childhood home?" inquired Roderick.
-
-"Now, right there," replied Scotty, "is where yer presumin'. You're not
-talkin' to me. D'ye suppose I'm goin' ter tell yer and have this whole
-business piped off and those fellers come out here an' pinch me for
-hoss-stealin'? Not on yer life, so long as Scotty Meisch knows himself."
-
-Roderick smiled as he said: "Surely, Scotty, you are a very suspicious
-person. I had no thought of doing what you suggest."
-
-"Waal," drawled Scotty, "if you'd have been as near goin' to the
-penitentiary as often as I have, you'd learn to keep yer mouth shut when
-people begin to inquire into your past hist'ry an' not unbosom yerself.
-Fact is, my hist'ry won't stand investigatin'. It's fuller of thin
-places an' holes than an old-fashioned tin corn grater. You know what a
-grater is, don't you? It's a tin bent over into a half moon an' nailed
-to a board with holes punched from inside out to make it rough. Where I
-come from we used to husk new corn just as soon as it was out of the
-milk an' grate it into meal. About the only thing we had to live on was
-cornmeal mush an' milk. Wish I had some now. I'm hungrier than hell for
-it."
-
-The primitiveness of it all rather appealed to Roderick, and he called
-the nurse and asked if she wouldn't serve the patient with some cornmeal
-mush with milk for dinner that evening.
-
-"Certainly," she replied, "if Dr. Burke does not object," and went away
-to make inquiries. In a little while she returned and said: "The doctor
-says a nice bowl of cornmeal mush and milk would be just the thing for
-Mr. Meisch." And it was so arranged.
-
-When the nurse had gone Roderick noticed a tear trickling down the cheek
-of Scotty and in order not to embarrass the boy he turned away and stood
-looking out of the window. Presently Scotty said: "I wish ter hell I was
-decent, that's what I wish."
-
-Without turning from the window Roderick inquired: "How old are you,
-Scotty?"
-
-"Guess I'm about nineteen. I don't know fer sure. They never did tell me
-when my birthday was."
-
-"How would you like to go to school, Scotty? Brace up and be an educated
-chap like other fellows."
-
-"Me learn to read an' write?" exclaimed Scotty. "Look here, Mr.
-Warfield, are you chaffin' me? That's what some Englishmen called it
-when they meant teasin' and so I say chaffin'. Might as well use all
-the big words a feller picks up on the way." Roderick laughed aloud at
-Scotty's odd expressions and turned to him and said: "Scotty, you aren't
-a bad fellow. You have a good heart in you."
-
-"I don't know about that," said Scotty, shaking his head. "One time
-there was a feller told me that tough cusses like me don't have
-hearts--just gizzards."
-
-"Well," said Roderick, laughing, "my time has come to go now but I want
-to tell you I like you, Scotty. You seem to me to be the making of a
-very decent sort of chap, and if you will be a real good fellow and are
-sincere about wanting to go to school and make something of yourself, I
-believe I can arrange for you to do so."
-
-"Honest, Mr. Warfield, honest? Are you tellin' me the truth or is this a
-sick bed jolly?"
-
-"Certainly I am telling you the truth," replied Roderick. "You think it
-all over until I come and see you again."
-
-"When'll you come? Tomorrow?"
-
-"Yes," replied Roderick, "I'll come tomorrow."
-
-"All right," said Scotty, "I'll sure look for yer." The next day when
-Roderick called, Major Buell Hampton and Grant Jones accompanied him.
-They had a long talk with Scotty whose rapid recovery showed improvement
-even from the previous day. After the subject had been introduced by
-Roderick, who told Scotty that he had informed his friends of the
-lad's desire to go to school, Major Buell Hampton observed: "A printing
-office, Mr. Meisch, is a liberal education within itself. I have been
-talking this matter over with Mr. Jones, the Editor of the _Dillon
-Doublejack,_ and with Mr. Warfield, and we have mutually agreed that if
-you are in earnest about leaving the range for a while and will learn
-to read books and generally improve your mind, we shall give you the
-opportunity. As soon as you are able to leave the hospital, how would
-you like to go over to the little town of Dillon with Mr. Grant Jones,
-this gentleman at my right, and go into his printing office?"
-
-"You would be my devil to start in with," said Grant, good-naturedly.
-
-"Guess that'd about fit me," responded Scotty with a grin. "I'm a sort
-of a devil anyway, ain't I?" and he looked toward Roderick.
-
-"Mr. Jones means a different kind of a devil, Scotty," laughed Roderick.
-"What Major Buell Hampton suggests to you is most excellent advice, and
-I think you had better accept the offer. This job will give you a home,
-and you will work in the printing office. You will soon learn to read
-books, and also you will become a typesetter which, as Major Hampton
-told you, is a practical education within itself and will lead to better
-things and greater things along educational lines. Of course, it may be
-some time before that knock on your head gets all right."
-
-"Oh, don't worry about my old bean," said Scotty with a smile, as he
-touched the bandage that encircled his cranium.
-
-Finally Scotty said he believed he would like to try the new job. "You
-know, I've been knocked 'round over the world an' kicked an' thumped an'
-had my ears cuffed an' my shins barked so much that I don't hardly know
-what to make uv you fellers. If I was sure you wasn't stringin' me an'
-really meant it all as a kindness, why, I'll be goshdamed if I wouldn't
-git up out o' bed this minute an' start for Dillon. That's what I'd do.
-I ain't no piker."
-
-This speech was very amusing to Grant Jones; and he assured the injured
-boy that he himself was not going over to Dillon for perhaps a week,
-by which time if he were attentive to the instructions of the doctor he
-probably would be able to accompany him.
-
-"I'll take you over," said Grant, "and we'll batch it together so far
-as a place to sleep is concerned in the printing office. There is a good
-boarding house just across the street where you can get your meals."
-
-"Who's goin' ter pay for them?" asked Scotty. "I ain't got any money."
-
-"That," said Roderick, "is what Major Buell Hampton is going to do for
-you. Not only will he pay your board for one year until your work is
-worth wages in the printing office, but he will also get you some new
-clothes and a new pair of shoes and rig you out in good shape, old man."
-
-"Gee, but you're good to me, Major Hampton, and Warfield too. Yer ought
-ter cuff my ears instead uv bein' so all-fired kind."
-
-With this the loveless boy turned towards the wall and covered his
-face. Both Major Hampton and Grant, as well as Roderick, were noticeably
-affected, and the three walked over toward the window while Scotty was
-collecting himself.
-
-"I say," said Grant, sotto voce, "in the language of Jim Rankin, the
-worst that poor little devil will get--if he goes with me--will be the
-best of it."
-
-Then the visitors turned round to say good-by. The invalid had had about
-enough excitement for one day.
-
-Just as they were departing, Scotty beckoned Roderick to his side.
-
-"Stop a minute or two with me--alone," he whispered. "I wants ter tell
-you somethin'."
-
-Roderick excused himself to the others; he would join them on the porch
-presently.
-
-Scotty's face wore a keen eager look.
-
-"Say, if I helps you," he began, "I'll be doin' a good turn, won't I,
-to the girl that saved my life by hurryin' me along to this 'orspital
-here?"
-
-"I believe she will count it as a favor," replied Roderick. "How can you
-help me, Scotty?"
-
-"An' I'll be doin' you a favor," continued the lad, without answering
-the direct question, "if I do a good turn to your friend with the name
-that reminds me of Bull Durham terbaccer?"
-
-"Buell Hampton," laughed Roderick.
-
-"The Major you also call him. Wal, I can drop him a word o' warnin'
-too."
-
-"Oh, he has never a thought about love affairs," replied Roderick,
-smiling.
-
-"But this is a warnin' of another kind. Listen." And Scotty drew himself
-up to a sitting posture on the bed. "Come nearer."
-
-Roderick complied; his ear was close to Scotty's lips. The cowboy spoke
-in a whisper.
-
-"The Major's got a pile o' rich ore stored in his house. There's a bunch
-o' fellers agoin' to get it, an' they'll shoot to kill as sure as God
-made hell."
-
-Roderick mastered his emotion of surprise.
-
-"When is this to take place, Scotty?" he asked quietly.
-
-"Any night after tonight. Tonight they've fixed to square accounts
-with some sheep herders over Jack Creek way. Then they're goin' for the
-Major."
-
-Roderick gripped the other's hand.
-
-"Scotty, you have done me the biggest service in the world," he said
-earnestly. "But one thing more--who are these men?"
-
-"I dassn't tell. They'd plug me full o' holes the moment I got out o'
-here."
-
-Roderick felt perplexed. He did not like to press for information that
-might seem to threaten danger for Scotty himself.
-
-The latter was watching his face furtively.
-
-"I know you're straight--you'll never give a feller like me away if I
-tell you one name."
-
-"Never. You may stake your life on that."
-
-"Wal, I don't care what happens to him anyway. He's a bad egg--a rotten
-bad egg clean through. And I'm done with him from now right on. I'm
-goin' to take that printin' devil's job and act on the square."
-
-"That's right, Scotty. And we'll all help you to get clear of bad
-companions and bad influences. So it's all right for you to give me that
-name."
-
-"An' she'll be pleased too, won't she, that Holden young lady?"
-
-"She'll be always grateful to you for saving Buell Hampton."
-
-"That's 'nuff for me. The leader o' that gang is--"
-
-Scotty paused a moment; Roderick waited, silent and still.
-
-"Bud Bledsoe," whispered the lad. "Now I've stopped hatin' you, I've
-sort o' turned to hatin' him and all his kind. But you'll not give me
-away, Warfield? I wants ter hold down that printin' job--that editor
-feller will make a man of me, that's just how I feel."
-
-"And just as we all feel," said Roderick. "Now, Scotty, you must lie
-down. Let me fix your pillow for you. You've got some fever yet, I can
-see. You must rest, old fellow. You look tired."
-
-"Yes; I'm doggoned tired," murmured the lad wearily, as he sank back on
-the pillow and closed his eyes.
-
-"He is sleeping now, I think," said Roderick to the nurse as he passed
-quietly out of the ward.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXII.--THE TRAGEDY AT JACK CREEK
-
-AFTER a brief consultation on the hospital veranda, Buell Hampton,
-Roderick and Grant decided on an immediate consultation with Jim Rankin.
-They found the ex-sheriff busy among the horses down at the brush stable
-over the hill from the Major's home.
-
-Jim received the startling news with great complacency.
-
-"I've been expectin' tumultuous news o' this kind for quite a while,"
-he said. "Oh, I'm up to all the didoes o' both the cowpunchers and the
-sheep herders. Never mind how I got to know them things. I just know
-'em, and that's 'nuff said, good and plenty, for all present. If
-the cowpunchers are going to Jack Creek tonight, there will be hell
-a-poppin'."
-
-"Not murder, surely?" exclaimed Roderick.
-
-"Wal, there's no sayin' how them things end," replied Jim. "You see it's
-this way. The cowpunchers claim they're afeard the sheep'll cross
-over Jack Creek, an' they'll go armed with great big clubs as well as
-shootin' irons. They'll undertake, I'm 'lowin', ter kill with their dubs
-a whole lot o' sheep, maybe the hull kit an' bilin' uv 'em, shoot up the
-mess wagons where the sheep herders are sleepin', an' the chances are
-nine outer ten that they'll kill the herders an' then jist nachur'ly
-burn the wagons an' the corpses, kill the shepherd dogs too an' throw
-them on ter the fire and generally do a hellish piece uv intimidatin'
-work. They'll burn the wagons ter hide evidence uv their guilt. You bet
-they'll git keerless with their artillery."
-
-"Good God!" murmured Roderick in horror and surprise.
-
-"We must stop this murderous business," remarked Buell Hampton.
-
-"And get hold of Bud Bledsoe before he can do further harm," suggested
-Grant Jones. "Let's hunt up the sheriff."
-
-"Now, just go slow, g'nlemen, please," replied Jim, expectorating an
-inconvenient mouthful of tobacco juice and wiping his lips with the
-back of his hand. "Jist you leave this business to me. I've been
-prognosticatin' trouble for months back, an' know jist how to act. No
-sheriff is wanted--at least not the bum sheriff we've got at the present
-time. He needs no warnin' from us--mark my words. And even if he didn't
-chance to know what we might be tellin' him, when he did know, it would
-be his pertic'lar business to arrive after the killin'--that's politics.
-Do you git me, Major?"
-
-"I'm afraid I get you all right, Jim," replied Buell Hampton gravely.
-
-"Well, let us go and see Ben Bragdon," proposed Roderick.
-
-"Not on your life," replied Jim excitedly. "Hell, man, he's the attorney
-fur the cattle fellers."
-
-"He is a gentleman," exclaimed Roderick, "and if he is the attorney
-for the cow men, so much the better. He would advise the bosses of
-this contemplated lawbreaking raid and murder, and of course they
-would immediately take steps to keep the cowboys from committing such
-wickedness."
-
-Jim Rankin's black eyes fairly snapped as he looked Roderick straight in
-the face and exclaimed: "Roderick, are yer as big a tenderfoot as that?
-Don't yer know the cowboys don't go out murderin' uv their own accord on
-these here cut-throat raids? They go, by gunnies, 'cause they're paid by
-the higher ups ter do these dastardly killin' acts. Why, gosh 'lmighty,
-Ben Bragdon draws a monthly retainer fee uv several figures ter protect
-the higher ups an' there yer are, plain as a handle on a gourd. No,
-by gunnies, while the Major and Mr. Jones keep guard here, you an' me,
-Roderick, will have ter go alone an' jist nachurally take the law into
-our own hands. We'll have plenty uv shootin' irons an' loco the cowboys
-by shootin' an' wingin' two or three uv 'em, Bud Bledsoe in pertic'lar.
-Oh, you bet I know how to do this job," and he chuckled reassuringly.
-
-"Well, I don't," replied Roderick. "I don't pretend to know these
-cold-blooded murdering ways of the West or anything of this lawless feud
-that is going on between the cattlemen and the sheep men. However, I
-will go with you, Jim. When shall we start?"
-
-"Immediately after supper. There's no moon and it looks a little
-squally. It will be darker than a stack of black cats, but by gunnies, I
-know the way. All you've got to do is to have yer shootin' irons
-ready, follow me and shoot when I shoot Now I guess there's no need
-my onbosomin' myself any more," he added with a comprehensive glance
-around.
-
-Roderick was unable to repress a smile.
-
-"All right, Jim, I'm game, and ready for the lark."
-
-"By gunnies, it ain't no lark howsumever; I know yer game," replied
-Rankin. "You bet I kin tell a scrapper when I see him. Now not a word
-to anyone else besides us four--exceptin' of course, Boney Earnest I'm
-goin' over to the smelter right now, and will arrange for him to be here
-tonight to help the Major."
-
-"And Tom Sun?" asked Roderick, anxiously.
-
-"Oh, he's in no danger. Them fellers are after his herders but not after
-the big man. They know better--the law would be poppin' like hell if
-they ever made the mistake o' hurtin' one o' the higher-ups."
-
-"Besides, Mr. Sun is at Rawlins today on business," observed Buell
-Hampton. "He is riding, and is to come straight here. But he told me not
-to expect him until midnight."
-
-"Which the cowpunching gang know quite well," said Jim emphatically.
-"You bet they are playin' up tonight jist because they cal'clate on his
-absence. Now we'll be a-movin'. Major, get your rifles well oiled--you
-may need 'em. My ridin' hoss is over at the livery barn, and you an'
-me, Roderick, will start from there at eight o'clock sharp. Oh, you
-bet we'll have tumultuous doin's. Jist you an' me 'll show these killin'
-cusses they're holdin' bob-tailed flushes fur oncet. They won't show up
-here for the gold ore after we're through with 'em. Reminds me uv the
-old sheriff days, boys. An' its 'lmighty good to be back to them," he
-added, pushing his hat back on his head determinedly.
-
-"I think we must put you up for sheriff again next election," laughed
-Grant Jones.
-
-"That's just what I'm prognosticatin'," replied the rugged old
-frontiersman, with a grim smile. "Folks will see who's the real sheriff
-tonight--me or that white-livered double-dealin' cur. Mills." And he
-strode away in the direction of the smelting plant, chewing his tobacco
-cud vigorously.
-
-At the appointed hour that night Roderick was at the livery barn, and
-got ready his faithful horse, Badger. He had only waited a few minutes
-when Jim Rankin made his appearance. They were soon in their saddles and
-headed for Jack Creek.
-
-The night was very dark, and despite the would-be sheriff's vaunted
-knowledge of the country they lost themselves several times, and on one
-occasion had to retrace their steps four or five miles. Wherever it was
-possible they urged their horses on as rapidly as was prudent, but often
-for long distances it was a case of picking their way at a walking pace
-through the inky blackness. It was within an hour of midnight when at
-last they turned from the main road to the westward along the north bank
-of Jack Creek, which was the dividing line between the flockmasters' and
-the cattle men's range. Rankin explained that the bands of sheep were
-being held about two miles on to the westward.
-
-They had not gone very far up the creek when they were startled by the
-sight of two great fires burning like haystacks. They spurred their
-horses and hurried as fast as possible over the uncertain and little
-used road, and soon came upon a weird and terrible scene. Some three
-or four hundred sheep had been clubbed to death and lay like scattered
-boulders over the ground, while the two covered wagons where the herders
-cooked their meals and likewise slept were fast burning to ashes.
-
-"By gunnies," said Jim Rankin, "we didn't get here quick enough. They've
-sure done their hellish work. I'll bet there's two sheep herders an' two
-shepherd dogs bumin' to cinders in them there fires. It's hell, ain't
-it? They beat us to it for sure. But usually them doin's don't come off
-'til one or two o'clock in the mornin'."
-
-"Where are the balance of the sheep?" inquired Roderick. "I thought you
-said there were several thousand."
-
-"Why, boy," said Jim, "they're chasin' down toward Saratoga as if the
-wolves were after them. There's 'bout three thousand sheep in each band
-an' there were two bands uv 'em."
-
-Just then four masked men rode up out of the darkness toward the burning
-outfits, but quickly checked their horses when they saw the two mounted
-strangers.
-
-"Don't shoot, Roderick, don't shoot," whispered Jim. "By gunnies,
-they've got us covered. Don't lift your artillery. They'll kill us sure
-if yer do." Then he raised his trembling voice in a shout: "Hey, you
-fellers, we seed somethin' burnin' here. Wonder what 'tis?"
-
-A deep guttural voice came back: "You two 'll find it a dam sight more
-healthy to git back on the main road an' tend to your own business. You
-have got jist one minute to start."
-
-"Come on," said Jim, agitatedly, whirling his horse, putting spurs to
-him and leaving Roderick trailing far behind.
-
-Roderick rode along toward the main road which they had just left after
-crossing over Jack Creek. He was disgusted with it all and with Jim
-Rankin's poltroonery in particular. The sight he had seen by the
-gleaming light of the burning wagons was ghastly. The innocent, helpless
-sheep that had been clubbed to death through the selfishness of men. He
-was in no mood for hilarity. It was a sight that would remain with him
-and haunt him. Then too, he had received a new measure of Jim Rankin.
-
-But Roderick Warfield had all the blind audacity of youth and did not
-give the old westerner Jim Rankin the credit he deserved. Jim Rankin was
-versed in the ways of these western transgressors, and knew the price he
-and Roderick would have to pay for "butting in" on a quarrel between the
-cattle and the sheep men that was no direct concern of outsiders. This
-price was death, swift and merciless.
-
-When Roderick reached the highway he pulled his horse to the right
-toward the bridge that spanned Jack Creek. As he approached the bridge
-he heard someone say: "Here he comes now." The voice was not Jim
-Rankin's.
-
-"Hello," came a call in yet another voice, just as his horse reached the
-bridge.
-
-"Come on, Roderick," cried Jim Rankin, "I'm here."
-
-"Who's with you?" inquired Roderick.
-
-"They'll tell you," replied Jim.
-
-Roderick rode up and found three men with drawn revolvers, and one of
-them proved to be the sheriff of the county and the others his deputies.
-
-"Gentlemen," said the sheriff, "you are accused of killing a lot of
-sheep up here on Jack Creek and burning a couple of wagons, and I arrest
-you in the name of the law."
-
-"What does this mean?" inquired Roderick, hotly.
-
-"It means," said the sheriff, "you fellers will fork over your shootin'
-irons quietly and submit to being handcuffed."
-
-"Look here, Mills," said Rankin, resentfully, "you're goin' too
-dangnation far, by gunnies. I'll be responsible for young Warfield,
-here. I'll go his bail. Dangnation, don't press me any furder or I'll
-git peevish."
-
-"Well," replied Sheriff Mills, hesitatingly, "who will be responsible
-for you?"
-
-"Why, Gosh'lmighty, Mills, we've know'd each other fur twenty-five
-years. You go my security yourself or by the great horn spoon you'll not
-kerry Rawlins precinct next election."
-
-"Watch that young feller," instructed the sheriff to his deputies. "Ride
-over this way, Jim, where we can speak privately."
-
-A few moments later Rankin called out: "Come on, Roderick, let's be
-goin'. It's gettin' late. Everything's all right." And together they
-headed their horses for Encampment and rode on in the darkness.
-
-Jim Rankin presently said: "Well, by gunnies, Tom Sun has leastways got
-to hand it to us fur tryin'."
-
-Roderick made no immediate reply and they continued their way in
-silence.
-
-At last Roderick spoke.
-
-"You were mighty friendly with that white-livered, double-dealing cur,
-the sheriff--that's what you called him a few hours ago."
-
-"Yes, but he wasn't present with a gun in his hand," replied Jim. "He
-sure 'nuff had the drop on us."
-
-"How did you square him then?"
-
-"Politics," came the sententious answer. "And I guess I put one over him
-at that. Somebody's goin' to git a dangnation throw-down, an' don't you
-forgit it."
-
-An hour later they descended at the livery barn. The sky had cleared,
-and they had ridden fast under the starlight. Roderick looked the
-ex-sheriff squarely in the face.
-
-"Now, Jim Rankin, the next move in the game is going to be mine. Get
-your three fours hitched up at once, and bring them down one by one as
-fast as they are ready, to the Major's. We load that ore tonight, and
-start for the railroad before daylight. Do you get me, my friend?"
-
-Jim Rankin for a moment looked into Roderick's eyes.
-
-"I guess I git you, Mr. Warfield," he replied, as he meekly turned away
-toward the stables where the twelve powerful draught horses had been
-held in preparedness for a week past.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIII.--THE FIGHT ON THE ROAD
-
-
-DAYLIGHT had not yet broken when the three four-horse wagons were
-loaded and ready for the road. Not a moment had been lost after
-Roderick's arrival at the Major's. That night he had had a grim glimpse
-of what western lawlessness among the mountains might mean, and had
-speedily convinced the Major that his policy of instant departure was
-the wise one. Bud Bledsoe and his gang would rest at least one day,
-perhaps two or three days, after their devilish exploit with the
-sheep-herders, and when they came reconnoitering around the blockhouse
-in which the ore was stored it would be to find the rich treasure gone.
-The teams by that time would be at Walcott, or at least well on the way
-to their destination.
-
-The little bunch of friends had set to work with a will. Jim Rankin got
-the first team down within half an hour, and by that time the Major, Tom
-Sun, who had duly turned up from Rawlins, Boney Earnest, Grant Jones and
-Roderick had a goodly pile of the one-hundred-pound ore sacks stacked in
-front of the house, ready to be lifted into the wagon. Without a hitch
-or delay the work proceeded, and now that the loading was completed, and
-the rifles and ammunition had been stowed under the drivers' seats, the
-tension of suppressed excitement was relaxed. Pipes were alight during a
-final consultation.
-
-The three tough old westerners, it was settled, were to drive. Boney had
-announced his absolute determination to come along--the smelter could
-go to blazes, he had applied some days before for a week's leave anyways
-and if W. B. Grady chose to buck because he took it now, well he could
-"buck good and plenty, and be damned to him." Tom Sun was keeping in
-stern repression his wrath against the miscreants who had massacred
-his sheep and probably killed his herders as well; it would be stern
-satisfaction for him to have a fight on the road, to settle accounts
-with Bud Bledsoe by the agency of a rifle bullet. Jim Rankin, after his
-quiet taking-down by Roderick at the livery stable, had recovered his
-accustomed self-assurance and bellicosity, and was "prognosticating" all
-manner of valorous deeds once it came to guns out on both sides and fair
-shooting.
-
-While these three would manage the teams, Buell Hampton, Grant and
-Roderick would scout ahead on their riding horses, and provide a rear
-guard as well so that the alarm of any attempted pursuit could be given.
-Badger had been fed and rested, and looked fit for anything despite the
-night's ride to Jack Creek.
-
-Jumping into the saddle Roderick, accompanied by Grant Jones, who knew
-the road well, led the way. The wagons followed, while the Major delayed
-just long enough to lock up the house, including the now empty inner
-chamber, and clear away the traces of the night's work. The whole
-cavalcade was three or four miles out of Encampment before the sun had
-risen and the townsfolk were astir.
-
-The distance to be traversed was just fifty miles, and that night the
-first camp was made beyond Saratoga. No public attention had been drawn
-to the wagons; none of the people encountered on the road or at stopping
-places had any reason to think that these ordinary looking ore-sacks
-held gold that was worth a king's ransom. There had been no signs of
-ambushed robbers ahead nor of pursuit in the rear. But that night, while
-a few hours of sleep were snatched, watch was kept in turn, while each
-sleeper had his rifle close at hand. With the first glimmer of dawn the
-journey was resumed.
-
-It was well on in the afternoon when the Major spied, some distance out
-on the open country to the left, the dust raised by a small party of
-horsemen. He rode up to the wagons to consult his friends. He had just
-pointed out the sign to Jim Rankin, when the riders disappeared behind a
-rocky ridge.
-
-Jim had been shading his eyes while gazing fixedly. He now dropped his
-hand.
-
-"By gunnies, they are after us right enough," he exclaimed. "That was
-Bud Bledsoe in the lead--I know his ginger-colored pony. They're going
-to cross Pass Creek lower down, then they will swing around into White
-Horse Canyon, coming back to meet us after we've crossed the bridge
-and are on the long steep hill just beyond. Dang me if that ain't their
-game."
-
-The Major rode ahead to warn Grant and Roderick. The bridge over Pass
-Creek was only three miles from Walcott. If the three scouts could
-gain the crest of the steep slope, before the robbers, the advantage of
-position would be theirs.
-
-Roderick grasped the plan of campaign in an instant, and, digging his
-spurs into Badger's flank, galloped off full pelt. Grant and the Major
-followed at the best pace of their less mettled ponies.
-
-It was less than a mile to the bridge, and Badger was soon breasting
-the hill at a swinging canter. Just before reaching the summit Roderick
-descended, and throwing the bridle over the pony's head tethered it in
-cowboy fashion. "I'll be back in a minute, old fellow," he said, as he
-gave Badger an affectionate pat on the neck. Then, rifle in hand, he
-walked up the remaining few yards of the slope, and cautiously peered
-over the crest into White Horse Canyon.
-
-Great Scott! seven or eight horsemen away down at the foot of the
-descending incline were just scrambling out of the waste of cacti
-and joshuas on to the roadway! The first comers were waiting for the
-stragglers, and a pow-wow was evidently being held. Roderick gripped
-the butt of his rifle. But he heard the clatter of hoofs behind him, and
-drew back for the time being. Waving a cautioning hand to Buell Hampton
-and Grant as they approached, he gave the news in a few words. It
-took only a minute to tie all three horses securely to the low-growing
-grease-wood that here skirted the road--the animals, although
-well-trained, might be stampeded by the shooting. Then, rifles in hand,
-Roderick, Grant and the Major crept up to the crest of the ridge. Before
-reaching it the sharp tattoo of horse hoofs smote their ears.
-
-"That's Bud Bledsoe in the lead on the ginger pony," exclaimed Buell
-Hampton.
-
-Nothing more was needed by Roderick; if Bud Bledsoe was there, the gang
-were lawbreakers and bent on further villainy.
-
-"Bang!" went Roderick's rifle; and the ginger-colored horse plunged
-forward on his knees, and then rolled over, kicking wildly in the air.
-Two horses behind stumbled over the obstruction, and instantly there
-was a confused heap of struggling beasts and men. Four other riders had
-reined in their steeds just in time, and were standing stock-still on
-the highway.
-
-"Keep it up, but don't kill," muttered the Major, just before he fired
-his own rifle. Almost at the same instant came "bang" from Grant's
-shoulder, and a second shot by Roderick.
-
-At this fusillade the four cowboys still mounted jumped their horses
-into the sage brush and cacti and were gone like a streak across
-country. One of the fallen horses had struggled to its feet, and a
-figure leaped into the saddle. It was Bud Bledsoe--Roderick knew him by
-his gorilla-like figure. Leaving his two fallen comrades to their
-fate, the leader raced after the fleeing quartette. Three rifle bullets
-whizzed past him to quicken his pace. Then the marksmen on the ridge
-stood erect.
-
-Two motionless human figures lay on the road at the bottom of the hill;
-the ginger horse had rolled in among the bushes in his death throes, the
-other was limping along with a broken leg. Roderick ran down the slope
-on foot, leaving the others to follow with the horses.
-
-The first man he reached was dead, his neck broken by the fall. Roderick
-recognized him at a glance--for when once riding the range with a bunch
-of cowboys they had passed a lone rider on a mountain trail and the name
-had been passed around--Butch Cassidy, a horse rustler, and an outlaw
-of the hills. The other fellow was bleeding from a wound in his breast;
-there was a gulping gurgle in his throat. He had evidently been hit by
-Grant's first bullet, which had been fired too quick for any heed to be
-paid to Buell Hampton's merciful injunction. Just as Roderick raised the
-limp hand the wounded man opened his eyes; then he uttered one great sob
-and died.
-
-A few minutes later bullets from Grant's revolver put the injured horses
-out of pain.
-
-In the dusk of the falling night the dead men were borne on the ore
-wagons into Walcott. The station agent recognized the second corpse
-as that of a notorious gambler and hold-up artist, an old associate of
-Big-Nosed George in early days. The railroad man treated the bodies as
-trash, but condescended to wire down the line for the coroner and the
-sheriff. The car, which had been ordered several days before, was on
-the side track awaiting the ore shippers, and he counselled that there
-should be no delay in loading, as a through freight for Denver was due
-shortly after midnight. So the fight was forgotten, and the work of
-transferring the ore sacks from the wagons was soon in progress, all
-present, even the Major, lending a hand.
-
-After the task had been completed, the bill of lading prepared and all
-charges prepaid, Jim Rankin, Boney Earnest, Tom Sun and Grant Jones
-boarded the car. They were well provided with blankets for bedding
-and still carried their rifles. Buell Hampton and Roderick remained to
-arrange for the sending back of the teams and saddle horses; they would
-follow on the morning passenger train, and the whole party would reach
-Denver practically at the same hour next night.
-
-No further incident occurred. But not until the carload of ore had
-been duly delivered, sampled, and weighed did the four faithful and
-well-armed guards relax their vigilance. The purchasers were the
-Globe Smelter Company, with whose manager Boney Earnest had personal
-acquaintance.
-
-While secrecy was exercised concerning this remarkable ore shipment,
-yet the news gradually crept out and it became known that something
-phenomenal had occurred. The newspaper reporters hovered around the
-Globe Smelter endeavoring to pick up a few crumbs of information.
-
-Buell Hampton and his friends were registered at the Brown Palace Hotel
-where they had arranged for connecting rooms. Two days afterwards Buell
-Hampton announced to his friends, in the privacy of his room, that the
-returns were all he had anticipated. The money had been duly deposited
-to his credit, and now he wrote checks running into five figures for
-each of his friends, and admonished them separately and collectively to
-deposit the money in some Denver bank to their individual credit, then
-return to their Encampment homes and each continue his avocation as if
-nothing had happened to improve their financial affairs.
-
-"As for myself," said the Major, "I have a mission to perform, and I
-probably will not return to Encampment for a matter of fifteen or twenty
-days."
-
-That night Major Hampton left for New York carrying with him certified
-checks for a large sum of money, and on the following morning the
-others took train for Wyoming. Within a few days all had resumed their
-accustomed routine. Jim Rankin was back on his stage coach making his
-usual trips; Boney Earnest, after an acrimonious scrap with Grady over
-the question of absence without leave, was in his old place before
-the blast furnace; Tom Sun regained his home at Split Rock, north of
-Rawlins, Grant Jones returned to his editorial duties, Roderick to his
-preparations for a prospecting expedition.
-
-Both Grant and Roderick had brought with them checks for a few thousand
-dollars, which they deposited in the local bank to the great surprise of
-the cashier. And even before leaving the bank they began to realize
-that their importance in the community had already gone up a hundred per
-cent. Such is the prompt efficacy of a substantial bank balance!
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIV--SUMMER DAYS
-
-
-WITHIN less than a year of his leaving Keokuk to play football with
-the world, as Uncle Allen Miller had phrased it, Roderick Warfield had
-established himself in a sound financial position. So far he had not
-been made the "pig-skin" in life's game. While he was filled with
-grateful feeling toward Buell Hampton, and recognized the noble
-generosity of his friend, he had at the same time the satisfaction of
-feeling that he had done at least a little toward earning a share in the
-proceeds derived from the carload of rich ore. And once he found his own
-mine, his father's mine, it would be his turn to follow the golden rule
-and share liberally with those around him.
-
-When he had handed in the Denver check at the local bank, he had already
-found a new deposit to his credit there--a sum of money to which he
-had never given a thought from the moment it was won. This was the $450
-coming to him as the World's Championship prize in the rough-riding
-and outlaw-busting competition at the frontier celebration. It was with
-intense delight that Roderick decided to apply this windfall to finally
-clearing off his New York liabilities. He felt like walking even a bit
-more erect than ever now that he would owe not a dollar in the world.
-After luncheon he returned to the bank and secured eastern drafts.
-
-But there was a balance remaining, and Roderick at once thought of the
-lad who had not only suffered defeat in the contest but injury as well.
-Major Hampton had already undertaken the provision of clothes and other
-outfit for Scotty Meisch. Roderick thought for a moment; then he walked
-across to the Savings Bank and started an account in the cowboy's name
-with a credit of $100. He carried the little pass-book with him to the
-hospital.
-
-He found Scotty reclining in a long chair on the veranda. The invalid
-was convalescent, although looking pale from the unwonted confinement.
-His face brightened with joy when Roderick, looking down with a pleasant
-smile, patted him on the shoulder and gripped his hand.
-
-"Gee, but it's good to see you again," murmured the boy. "It seems like
-a hell of a time since you were here. But I got the postcard you sent me
-from Denver."
-
-"Yes, Scotty, as I wrote you, Grant Jones and I, also the Major, have
-all been to Denver. We were called away unexpectedly or would have paid
-you a parting visit. But I've come around at once, you see. Grant Jones
-and I got back only this afternoon. Mr. Jones is going to take you over
-to Dillon next week. Meanwhile I have brought you this little book, old
-fellow."
-
-Scotty glanced at the pass-book, wonderingly and uncomprehendingly. He
-turned it over and over.
-
-"An' what's this piece o' leather goods for?" he asked.
-
-"That means you've got $100 to your credit in the Savings Bank,
-Scotty--the consolation prize, you remember, in the broncho-busting
-contest."
-
-"Consolation prize be damned. There was no consolation prize."
-
-"Oh, yes, there was."
-
-"Not by a danged sight You've gone an' done this, Warfield."
-
-"Well, I got the big money, and hasn't the winner the right to give off
-a bit of it as a consolation prize? Just stuff that book in your pocket,
-Scotty, and may the hundred dollars soon roll up to a thousand, old
-fellow."
-
-"Great guns, but you're powerful kind to me--all of you," murmured the
-cowboy. There were tears in his eyes.
-
-"And by the way, Scotty," continued Roderick, talking gaily, "that
-reminds me, I've got to go across to Englehart's store and take over
-that grand championship saddle he was showing in his window--Banker Buck
-Henry's special prize, you remember. I had almost forgotten about it.
-Why, it's mine--stamped leather, solid silver mounts, and all the gewgaw
-trimmings. How will I look riding the ranges with that sort of outfit?"
-
-"You'll look just grand," exclaimed Scotty admiringly. "But you won't
-use that on the range. It will be your courtin' outfit."
-
-Scotty smiled wanly, while Roderick laughed in spite of himself. The
-invalid felt emboldened.
-
-"Oh, she's been over here every day during your absence," he continued.
-"Gee, but she's pretty, and she's kind! And let me tell you somethin'
-else. Barbara's been a-visitin' me too. Just think o' that."
-
-"Ah, all the girls are good, Scotty--and Wyoming girls the best of all,"
-he added enthusiastically. There was safety in the general proposition.
-
-"Barbara an' I has made it all up," continued the lad, still smiling,
-wistfully yet happily. "She's dead stuck on that lawyer chap, Bragdon,
-and we shook hands over it. I wished her luck, and promised to vote for
-Bragdon at the election for state senator. An' what do you think she did
-when I told her that?" he asked, raising himself in his chair.
-
-"She said 'Bully for you,' I bet," replied Roderick. "She did more. She
-kissed me--fair and square, she kissed me," Scotty put his finger-tips
-to his forehead. "Oh, only there," he added, half regretfully. "But I'll
-never forget the touch of her lips, her sweet breath in my face." And he
-patted the spot on his brow in appreciative reminiscence.
-
-"That's politics, as Jim Rankin would say," laughed Roderick, more to
-himself than to the cowboy.
-
-"Wal, it's the sort o' politics I like," replied Scotty. "If she'd even
-only cuff my ears every time I voted, I'd be a repeater for Bragdon at
-the polls."
-
-"Well, we'll both vote the Bragdon ticket, Scotty. A girl like Barbara
-Shields is worth making happy, all the time. And later on, old fellow,
-the proper girl will be coming along for you."
-
-"Looks as if she was comin' along for you right now," grinned Scotty,
-glancing toward the steps of the veranda.
-
-And a moment later Roderick was shaking hands with another hospital
-visitor, gazing into Gail Holden's blue eyes, and receiving her warm
-words of greeting over his safe return.
-
-"We heard something about a fight near Walcott, you know, Mr.
-Warfield--about a mysterious carload of ore. Two hold-up men were
-killed, and your name was mentioned in connection with the affair. I
-felt quite anxious until Mr. Meisch received his postcard from Denver.
-But you never thought of writing to me," she added, reproachfully.
-
-"I did not dare," murmured Roderick in a low tone intended only for her
-ears.
-
-But Scotty heard and Scotty saw.
-
-"This is the very hour the nurse says I've got to sleep," he said.
-"You'd better be clearin' out, War-field."
-
-"And me too?" asked Gail, laughingly.
-
-"The pair o' you," replied the invalid, as he lay back languorously and
-closed his eyes.
-
-"I guess we'd better be going," laughed Roderick.
-
-"Perhaps Mr. Meisch is awake enough yet," said Gail, "to hear that I
-brought over a chicken for his supper."
-
-"Tell the nurse I'll have it fried, please," yawned Scotty, as, without
-opening his eyes, he turned over his head in slumberous fashion.
-
-"Come away then, Miss Holden," said Roderick. "I suppose you rode
-over on Fleetfoot. I'll saddle Badger, and we'll have a gallop across
-country."
-
-"No doggoned politics there," exclaimed the cowboy, awaking suddenly, as
-he watched the handsome couple disappear. "That's the real thing, sure."
-
-The summer days glided past. The Major had returned from New York and
-had quietly resumed his old life of benevolence among the poor. But soon
-there seemed to be no more poverty in or around Encampment. Roderick,
-keeping the mining town as his headquarters, made a series of
-expeditions into the mountains, systematically searching every range
-and every known canyon. He would be absent for several days at a time,
-sometimes with Jim Rankin for a companion, Grant Jones once or twice
-accompanying him, but latterly with Boney Earnest as his _fidus
-Achates._ For Boney had severed his connection finally with the Smelter
-Company, after a quarrel with Grady that had ended in the blast furnace
-foreman knocking his employer down. Such is the wonderful independence
-that comes from a bank balance--even a secret bank balance that may not
-command the deference accorded to known financial prosperity.
-
-Between his prospecting expeditions Roderick spent an occasional evening
-either at the Conchshell Ranch or at the Major's, with a flying call now
-and then at the Shields home, especially when Grant was on one of his
-periodical visits to Encampment.
-
-The month was now September. The rugged mountains still guarded their
-secret, and Roderick was beginning to fear that the quest for his
-father's mine was indeed going to be a vain one. But there came an
-interlude to his range-riding and gold-dreaming. The state conventions
-were approaching. Even love became a minor matter to politics. The air
-was surcharged with electricity.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXV.--RUNNING FOR STATE SENATOR
-
-
-AT BREAKFAST table one morning Roderick noticed in the _Encampment
-Herald_ a featured article about the forthcoming Republican convention.
-
-"Oh, yes," replied Grant, when Roderick called his attention to it,
-"this convention trouble has been brewing for some time. Personally,
-as you know, I am a Republican, even though my paper, the _Dillon
-Doublejack_, is a dyed-in-the-wool Democratic organ."
-
-"What trouble," asked Roderick, "can there possibly be about a county
-convention?"
-
-"It's a senatorial convention," explained Grant. "There is an old
-saying," he went on, "that every dog has his day. But unfortunately
-politically speaking there are more dogs than days, and when two or
-three contestants try to get in on the same day, why, somebody is going
-to get bitten. There is only one state senatorial job from this district
-but there may be half-a-dozen fellows who feel called upon to offer
-themselves upon the political altar of their country."
-
-"Have noticed a good many fellows down from the hills recently," replied
-Roderick.
-
-"Well, that's politics," said Grant. "They take a lay off from their
-work in the hills--come down here to fill up on free political whiskey
-furnished by the various candidates. Oh, take it from me," said Grant,
-looking wise and shaking his head, "these delegates are a booze-fighting
-bunch for fair."
-
-For a moment or two the journalistic oracle busied himself with his
-toast and butter.
-
-"You watch the columns of my paper," he resumed. "I'm going to show up
-these whiskey drinking, habits of the delegates good and plenty in this
-week's issue of the _Doublejack._ In the language of Jim Rankin I get a
-heap peevish with all this political foolishness. Still," Grant went on,
-"I presume it is a part of the political machinery of the frontier.
-One thing," he concluded, "we all become unduly excited in these
-ante-convention days."
-
-Political excitement had indeed waxed warm, and the little mining town
-had seemingly ceased to think about its mines, its great smelting plant,
-rich strikes in the hills and everything else--even the cattle men and
-the sheep men appeared to have forgotten their feuds together with their
-flocks and herds in the general excitement over the nomination for state
-senator from southern Carbon County.
-
-Grant Jones in his Doublejack editorials made emphatic and urgent appeal
-to the people to remember the doctrines of the old Simon-pure Jacksonian
-democracy and agree upon a good Democratic nominee. With a split in the
-Republican ranks the chances were never better for the election of a
-Democratic senator. He pointed out that if Bragdon won the nomination
-the Carlisle clique would secretly knife the Bragdon forces at the
-polls by voting the Democratic ticket, and on the other hand if Carlisle
-should best Bragdon in the nominating contest then the Bragdon following
-would retaliate by supporting the Democratic nominee so as to defeat
-Carlisle in the end.
-
-On the Republican side W. Henry Carlisle, the astute lawyer, was backed
-by the smelter interests, while Ben Bragdon, the eloquent, was supported
-by the antismelter forces generally and also by Earle Clemens, editor of
-the _Encampment Herald,_ one of the best known and most highly respected
-party leaders in the state.
-
-The so-called smelter interests were certainly discredited because of
-the domineering insolence of W. B. Grady and his unfair treatment of
-the men. Not only did Grady practice every sort of injustice upon the
-employees of the great smelting plant in all its various departments,
-but he also quarreled with the ranchmen in the valley whenever he had
-dealings with them even to the extent of buying a load of hay.
-
-As convention day approached there was a noticeable feeling of unrest
-and nervousness. Factional strife was running at high tension.
-
-The wise men of the party said they could plainly see that unless
-harmony in the Republican ranks obtained at the convention the nominee
-would be defeated at the polls, and that if Ben Bragdon's nomination
-were insisted upon by his friends without in some way conciliating the
-Carlisle faction the Democrats would be almost certain to win at the
-following November's elections.
-
-It was pretty generally conceded that Ben Bragdon, controlled the
-numerical strength of the delegates, but the wiseacres would ask in
-their solicitude: "Is it wisdom to take such a chance? Does it not
-invite a split in the ranks of our party? In other words, does it not
-mean defeat for the Republican candidate on election day?"
-
-Carlisle was a power to be reckoned with, and had a clannish, determined
-following in political affairs, and although he and his friends might
-be outnumbered and beaten in the nominating convention, yet what would
-follow if Bragdon's nomination were forced upon them? What would be the
-result? Would not Carlisle's following secretly slash the rival they had
-been unable to defeat at the nominating convention?
-
-A "dark horse" seemingly was the only way out of the dilemma, and the
-more conservative delegates insisted that Bragdon and his friends must
-be brought to understand and recognize the possibilities of almost
-certain defeat unless harmony could be insured; otherwise Bragdon must
-be compelled to withdraw.
-
-Early in the morning before the day named for the senatorial convention
-to assemble at Rawlins the delegates at Encampment and several hundred
-friends of the respective candidates started overland for the convention
-city.
-
-There were two roads from Encampment to Rawlins--one that branched off
-from the so-called main road and went along the Platte River bottom.
-The distance by either route was about sixty miles. Carlisle and his
-following went one road, while Bragdon and his following traveled by the
-other road, both arriving at the hotel in Rawlins at the same time with
-panting horses. It was a mad race, each faction trying to show supremacy
-over the other even at the cost of horseflesh.
-
-The delegates gathered in knots of three and four in the lobby of the
-hotel, in the barroom and in the private rooms during the afternoon and
-evening before convention day.
-
-The trains had arrived from the East and the West, and the delegates
-from all over the senatorial district were present and ready for the
-fray that was certain to come off the following day--indeed, Rawlins,
-the county seat, was alive with politicians and the Ferris House, the
-leading hotel of the place, was a beehive of activity. The Democratic
-spectators were jubilant and made their headquarters at Wren's saloon.
-
-It was at the Ferris House that W. Henry Carlisle had opened his
-headquarters in opposition to Ben Bragdon. The Carlisle people said
-they had no alternative candidate. Any one of a score of men might be
-named in the district, each of whom would be satisfactory; in fact,
-anyone excepting Ben Bragdon, provided, of course, it was found that
-Carlisle could not be nominated, which they were far from conceding.
-
-Bragdon and Carlisle had often before locked horns in hotly contested
-lawsuits up in the-hills, but in addition to their legal fights for
-supremacy there had been one special controversy that had resulted in
-a big financial loss for which each held the other responsible. It
-involved a bitter fight over a mining claim wherein both Bragdon and
-Carlisle had financial interests, and both had finally lost. It was a
-rich property and had by decree of the courts been awarded to a third
-party. But the decision did not lessen the feud. The impelling motive in
-their political contest was not half so much, perhaps, for the honor of
-being state senator as it was a consuming desire in the heart of each to
-best and lick the other.
-
-Some of the delegates, even those who were inclined to be friendly to
-Bragdon's candidacy, acknowledged that seemingly he had made no effort
-to pacify either Carlisle or his friends, and thus, in a way, had proven
-himself deficient as a political leader and standard-bearer for the
-party.
-
-Others claimed that a reconciliation was impossible, that the breach was
-entirely too wide to be patched up at the eleventh hour. Still others
-were of the opinion that if the Bragdon forces would concede the
-chairmanship of the convention to Carlisle and his friends and thus
-give substantial evidence of a desire to harmonize and be friendly, past
-differences could be adjusted, with the result not only of Bragdon's
-nomination but his election as well.
-
-Those high in the leadership of the Bragdon forces laughed incredulously
-and scorned to consider such a compromising surrender, and further
-expressed their disbelief in the sincerity of Carlisle and his crowd
-even if the Bragdon following were willing to make such a concession.
-
-"No," said Big Phil Lee, Bragdon's chief lieutenant, "I'm a Kentucky
-Democrat, boys, as you all know, but in this fight I'm for Bragdon--a
-Bragdon Republican--and we've got the whip-hand and by the Eternal we
-will hold it. We Bragdon fellows have already agreed upon a chairman
-and a secretary for both the temporary and permanent organizations
-of tomorrow's convention, and we have selected Charlie Winter to
-name Bragdon in a nominating speech that will be so dangnation
-eloquent--well, it will simply carry everybody off their feet. He is
-the boy that can talk, you bet he is. Oh, you bet we've got 'em licked,
-Carlisle and all his cohorts. And let me tell you something else,"
-continued Big Phil Lee, gesticulating, "we'll hold them responsible for
-the final result. If Bragdon's not elected, it will be because Carlisle
-and his gang knife him at the polls. Just let them do such a dirty
-contemptible piece of political chicanery and they'll be marked men ever
-afterwards in this senatorial district, and not one of them could be
-elected even to the office of dog pelter."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVI.--UNEXPECTED POLITICAL HARMONY
-
-
-IT WAS just such talk as Big Phil Lee's that kept the Bragdon forces
-lined up and defiant to the point of an open rupture and a total
-disregard for the minority, while the Democrats cheered Big Phil Lee's
-remarks with enthusiastic hoorays.
-
-The individual who really held the destiny of the party that year in
-the hollow of his hand and within the next few hours proved himself the
-Moses to lead all factions from the paths of bickering into the highway
-of absolute harmony, was the newspaper man, Earle Clemens. All through
-the evening hours the editor of the _Herald_ had been a most eloquent
-listener. He was on good terms with everybody, jovial and mixed with
-all factions, and yet was scrupulously careful to avoid giving any
-expression of advice or stating an opinion. He had, however, been very
-outspoken in his editorial advocacy for harmony.
-
-Earle Clemens was not only known and respected all over the state as an
-able newspaper man, but he was the possessor of a rich tenor voice that
-had delighted many an audience up in the hills, and then, too, he had
-composed the melody of the state song, entitled "Wyoming"--all of which
-tended to his great popularity and powerful influence.
-
-While it was quite generally known that Clemens was perhaps closer in
-his friendship for Bragdon than any other man in the district, dating
-from way back when the generous-hearted young lawyer had helped Clemens
-at a time and in a way that money could not buy or repay, yet the
-editor of the _Herald_ had all along insisted that unless the Bragdon
-sympathizers effected a reconciliation with the Carlisle crowd,
-it virtually meant, if Bragdon's nomination were forced upon the
-convention, a Democratic victory at the coming November election.
-
-In his last editorial, before the convention was to assemble, he had,
-in reply to Democratic newspaper gibes about a high old row which was
-likely to obtain at the oncoming Republican convention, branded the
-writers one and all as political falsifiers. He boldly announced that
-not a single discordant note would be heard when the Republican host
-came to nominate its standard bearer, and furthermore that the choice
-would be emphasized by a unanimous vote of the delegates. And in the
-final event the Republican candidate, he declared, would be elected
-by such an overwhelming popular vote that it would make the false
-Democratic prophets and bolting Republican malcontents, if there were
-any, "hunt the tall timber."
-
-The Democratic press in reply had said that the editor of the _Herald_
-was whistling to keep up his courage, and of course much amusement
-had been caused by the spirited controversy. So when the eventful day
-arrived fully as many Democrats journeyed to Rawlins to see the fun as
-there were Republican delegates. Of course, as good Democrats, they lost
-no opportunity to help embitter the two factions and widen the breach
-between the Bragdon and the Carlisle forces.
-
-Editor Earle Clemens, however, had ideas of his own that he told to no
-one. The electric light was shining in his room long after midnight and
-his small hand typewriter, which he always carried in his grip, was busy
-clicking away--presumably writing copy for the columns of his paper.
-What really occurred however, was this: He wrote two letters on the
-hotel stationery--one addressed to Hon. Ben Bragdon, and the other
-addressed to Hon. W. Henry Carlisle, and the envelopes were marked
-private.
-
-After the letters were duly typewritten, he placed an electric light
-under a pane of glass with which he had provided himself, elevating
-the glass by supporting the ends with a couple of books, and then from
-letters that he had at some former time received from both aspirants
-cleverly traced and signed the signature of W. Henry Carlisle to one
-letter and in like manner signed the signature of Ben Bragdon to the
-other letter--yes, brazen forgeries.
-
-After inclosing them in their respective envelopes, he stole softly out
-into the hallway and slipped one under the door of Carlisle's room and
-the other under the door of Bragdon's room. Then he went downstairs
-and bribed the night clerk to call both Bragdon and Carlisle at sharp
-fifteen minutes before six o'clock. This done, Clemens hastened back to
-his own apartment for a few hours' sleep, wondering as he disrobed if
-the "end would justify the means."
-
-"There is no question," he said to himself as he climbed into the bed,
-"but that the Republican ox is in the ditch and heroic measures are
-necessary."
-
-The following morning, when W. Henry Carlisle was awakened by the night
-clerk calling out softly the hour of seven o'clock, he hastily arose and
-began dressing, but before he had half finished he spied the letter that
-had been pushed under his door. Picking it up, he broke the seal and
-this is what he read:
-
-"My dear Carlisle:--
-
-"It probably requires more bravery to make an apology and to ask to be
-forgiven than it does to settle differences between gentlemen by the now
-antiquated 'code.'
-
-"I here and now tender my apologies for any unkind words I may in the
-past have spoken derogatory to you, and as an evidence of my candor
-will pledge you the support of myself and friends for both temporary
-and permanent chairman at tomorrow's convention, if you reciprocate this
-offer of a reconciliation.
-
-"If you are big enough and broad enough and generous enough to accept
-this overture and desire to bury all past differences and from now on
-work in harmony together, each helping the other, as did Jonathan and
-David of old, why, the opportunity is offered, and we will let bygones
-be bygones.
-
-"If you accept this apology, meet me at the hotel bar early tomorrow
-morning and merely extend your hand of friendship in greeting. I will
-understand; but please do not humiliate me by mentioning the fact, even
-to your best friends, that I have written this letter, and above all do
-not refer to it at our meeting tomorrow morning or at any future time.
-It is quite enough if these old differences are wiped off the slate
-between you and myself without commenting, or permitting comments to be
-made. I am not unmindful, Carlisle, that you are a great big able man
-and I want you to be my friend, and I wish to be yours. You have the
-power to make my nomination for state senator unanimous.
-
-"I have the honor of subscribing myself
-
-"Very sincerely yours,
-
-"Ben Bragdon."
-
-Across the hall Ben Bragdon was also reading a letter, which was almost
-a duplicate of the one that Carlisle was perusing, except that the
-conditions were reversed. Carlisle, in his letter of apology, offered to
-support Bragdon for the nomination, provided the hatchet was buried
-and the Bragdon forces would support him for temporary and permanent
-chairman.
-
-At the conclusion of the reading of these respective letters, each wore
-an exultant look of mastery on his face. For the time being at least all
-other differences were forgotten. In the hearts of both was the thought:
-"It's mighty decent of him; he really is a bigger man than I thought."
-
-Carlisle was the first man to leave his room and going quickly
-downstairs passed hurriedly into the hotel bar, which at that early hour
-was deserted except for the immaculate, white-aproned bartender.
-
-"What will it be this morning, Mr. Carlisle?" was the respectful inquiry
-of the attendant.
-
-"Nothing just yet," replied Carlisle, "I am waiting for a friend."
-
-A moment later Ben Bragdon came in, whereupon both of these skillful
-politicians vied in meeting each other more than half-way and extending
-the right hand of good fellowship in kindliest greetings.
-
-"Guess we're a little early," stammered Bragdon in a futile attempt to
-appear at ease and free from embarrassment. They both laughed a little,
-and Carlisle remarked that fortunately the bartender was at his post
-even if the delegates were slow about getting started on the day's work.
-
-Just then the night clerk appeared and apologized for calling them so
-early. "Don't know how it happened," he stammered, "but I made a mistake
-of an hour. I called you gentlemen at six instead of seven. I hope
-you'll not--"
-
-"Oh, that's all right," exclaimed Bragdon and Carlisle in unison, as
-they good-naturedly waved him aside with their assurance that they were
-glad to be up and about.
-
-"A couple of Martini cocktails," said Bragdon to the attendant. The
-cocktails were soon before them and tossed off in a jiffy, with the
-mutual salutation of "Here's how."
-
-"Come again, my man; make it half a dozen this time--three apiece," said
-Carlisle, laughing and throwing down a twenty dollar gold piece. "Might
-as well have a good appetizer while we're about it, and then we'll
-relish our breakfast, good or bad."
-
-They chatted about the weather while the cocktails were being prepared.
-Finally the cocktails were pushed along the bar counter, three in front
-of each.
-
-"All right," said Bragdon, as they each lifted a glass. "Here's to your
-good health!"
-
-"Thanks," said Carlisle, "but since we have three cocktails apiece
-before us, suppose we drink to the past, the present, and the future!"
-
-"Good!" replied Bragdon, beaming with approval. "Splendid idea and
-happily put" He then ordered some of the highest priced cigars the house
-afforded and insisted on Carlisle filling his pockets, while he stowed
-away a goodly number himself.
-
-Soon after the fourth cocktail disappeared, they started for the
-dining-room arm in arm, chatting away to one another like two old
-cronies who had just met after a long separation. They found seats at a
-table in a far corner and in their eagerness to say the right thing to
-one another took no notice that a few of the delegates were already at
-tables in different parts of the room. The delegates laid down their
-knives and forks and looked toward Bragdon and Carlisle in astonishment.
-Then they whispered among themselves, whereupon four or five left the
-room quietly and hastened with all speed to carry word to the other
-delegates, most of whom were still in their apartments.
-
-The news spread like wildfire, and a general scramble followed in
-hurriedly dressing and rushing downstairs to witness with their own eyes
-such an unexpected turn in political affairs between two men who had
-been at daggers drawn.
-
-Within a very short time the dining-room was well filled with delegates,
-but neither Bragdon nor Carlisle paid any attention; nor were they
-seemingly conscious that all eyes were turned upon them. Each was
-felicitating himself on the turn of events. Then, too, their amiability,
-as well as their appetites, had no doubt been whetted into keenest
-activity by the cocktails.
-
-Ben Bragdon, after breakfast, gave orders that the Hon. W. Henry
-Carlisle was to be made both temporary and permanent chairman, and
-Carlisle likewise announced that the Hon. Ben Bragdon was to be
-nominated as senatorial candidate by acclamation; and each issued his
-instructions in such a matter-of-fact, yet stubbornly blunt fashion,
-that no one offered any objection or asked any questions.
-
-The delegates looked at each other, nudged one another in the ribs
-and indulged in many a sly wink of suppressed amusement. But they all
-quickly recognized the political advantage insured by a coalition of the
-Bragdon and Carlisle forces, and the utter dismay this would cause in
-the camp of the Democrats. Therefore they all became "programme" men
-and took their orders meekly. So when the convention finally met and
-got down to business with Carlisle presiding, it at once proceeded to
-nominate Ben Bragdon by a unanimous vote.
-
-Seemingly everybody cheered on the slightest provocation and everybody
-was in excellent good nature, and after the convention had completed
-its labors and adjourned, it was conceded to have been one of the most
-harmonious political gatherings ever held in the state. Thus was the
-prediction of Earle Clemens, the newspaper scribe, fulfilled to the very
-letter.
-
-The convention over, the delegates drifted back to the Ferris House
-and not long after Big Phil Lee called at Clemens' room. The editor was
-picking away at his typewriter, preparing a report for the columns of
-his paper. Grant Jones, Roderick Warfield, and two or three others were
-in the room, smoking and talking. But Clemens paid no attention, so
-intent was he on his work. Big Phil Lee, who without doubt had been
-Bragdon's loudest shouter, said: "Say, Clemens, I compliment you on your
-prophetic editorials. I reckon you are writing another one. You said the
-convention would be harmonious, and how in the demnition bow-wows your
-prophecy happened to come true nobody knows. But it did."
-
-"Thanks," replied Clemens, in his light-hearted jovial way, and then
-looking out of the window for a moment, added: "I say, Lee, don't it
-beat hell what a little clever horse sense will accomplish at times in a
-political convention?"
-
-"What do you mean by that?" asked Big Phil, quickly. "You seem to
-be posted. By gad! I think it's high time I was taken into the inner
-councils myself and had the seemingly inexplainable made clear to me."
-
-"Search me," replied Clemens in a subdued voice, as he bit the tip of
-another cigar and struck a match. "Neither Bragdon nor Carlisle has
-invited me into any of their secret conferences."
-
-Big Phil Lee looked a bit incredulous, shook his head in a nonplussed
-sort of way and said: "Well, so long, boys. I'm goin' down to the hotel
-parlor where Bragdon is holding his reception. They are falling over one
-another congratulating Carlisle about as much as they are Bragdon."
-
-As the door closed behind him, Clemens looked up from his typewriter
-and said to Grant Jones, laughingly: "Say, Grant, remember what the Good
-Book says?"
-
-"Says lots of things--what do you refer to?" asked Grant
-
-Clemens replied: "Blessed are the peacemakers."
-
-Grant Jones came over close to him and said: "Look here, Clemens." And
-he fixed him with his eyes as if searching for an answer to that which
-was veiled in mystery. But Clemens stood the ordeal and presently Jones
-burst out laughing: "It's all right, Clemens, the _Herald_ has sure put
-one over on the _Doublejack_ this time. I don't know how it was done,
-and maybe I never will know. But take it from me, it was clever--damned
-clever!"
-
-Clemens made no reply, but removing his cigar winked at Roderick
-Warfield who was sitting near, puffed rings of smoke toward the ceiling
-and afterwards whistled softly the air of "Wyoming," the state
-song, even while he smiled the smile of a knowledge that surpasses
-understanding.
-
-Delegates and sightseers, Republicans and Democrats, who had journeyed
-to see a hotly contested nomination, ostensibly for the state senate but
-really for political supremacy, were good-natured and jovial when they
-started on the return trip. Big Phil Lee shouted to Earle Gemens who was
-on the other stage and said: "We are such a happy family, I presume we
-will return on the same road instead of dividing and horse racing."
-
-Clemens and the other returning passengers on the hurricane deck laughed
-good-naturedly and said: "Sure, we will stick together from now on
-and fight the Democrats." Presently the crowd commenced
-singing vigorously--if a bunch of discordant voices could be so
-described--various popular airs of the day.
-
-That evening a reception was given Ben Bragdon at the hotel Bonhomme in
-Encampment, and the affair was presided over by W. Henry Carlisle. It
-was interpreted that the breach between these two attorneys had been
-effectually healed to the discomfiture of the Democrats. But no one save
-and except Earle Clemens knew how it had been brought about.
-
-Roderick Warfield slipped away early from the scene of jubilation, and
-carried the glorious news to the Shields' ranch that Ben Bragdon had
-been unanimously nominated. Barbara, with the flush of radiant joy
-on her face, could no longer deny the soft impeachment, and he boldly
-congratulated her on her coming wedding to the senator-elect for
-southern Wyoming.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVII.--THE UPLIFTING OF HUMANITY
-
-
-THE following evening Roderick called at the Major's home, and found a
-visitor there, a stranger yet very well known to him by reputation. This
-was no other than the Reverend Stephen Grannon, the travelling
-parson, of whose fame as a doer of good deeds at the cost of complete
-self-sacrifice and self-denial, Roderick had often heard.
-
-"Delighted to see you, Roderick," said the Major. "Come right in. You
-know, of course, the most noted man in the camp--the man with the saddle
-bags. What? Never met yet? Well, it is a great pleasure to me to make
-you two acquainted."
-
-After cordial greetings had been exchanged Major Hampton continued: "We
-have just been discussing some of the great problems of humanity. Pardon
-me, my dear friend, but I wish to say to Mr. Warfield that if I were
-called upon today to name the greatest humanitarian with whom I am
-acquainted I certainly should say--the Reverend Stephen Grannon."
-
-"You do me too much honor," interposed the parson hastily. "You
-compliment me far too highly." Major Hampton went on as if the Reverend
-Stephen Grannon had made no interruption: "The school of humanitarianism
-is small in number, but the combined results of their labors directed
-through the channels of service in the behalf of humanity bear the stamp
-of greatness. The sincere lover of his fellows recognizes that the poor
-of this world have borne and are still bearing the burdens of the race.
-The poor have built all the monuments along the world's highway of
-civilization. They have produced all the wealth from the hills and from
-the soil The poor of the world have endured the hardships of conquering
-the wilds and erecting outposts on the border of civilization. Indeed
-they conquer everything except the fetters that bind them and hold them
-as an asset of great corporate power that is heartless and soulless and
-indifferent to the privations and sufferings of the individual."
-
-The Reverend Stephen Grannon gave it as his view that the mission of
-a humanitarian was not to hinder the world's progress, nor even to
-prejudice anyone against the fortune gathering of the rich, but rather
-to dispell the darkness of injustice and assist the great army of the
-impoverished to a better understanding of their rights as well as their
-powers to conquer the evils that have throughout the ages crept into and
-clung to our civilization.
-
-"Poverty," he remarked, "is the cause of much misery and often the
-impelling motive to immorality and crime in many forms. Men often sell
-and barter their votes and birthrights in this free country to bribe
-givers--wily politicians--while our girls are not infrequently lured
-into selling their very souls for ribbons and the gaudiness and shams of
-the world."
-
-"What is the cure?" asked Roderick, greatly interested.
-
-"The cure," responded the preacher, "is the regeneration of mankind
-through the leavening and uplifting power of the principles taught by
-the humble humanitarian of Galilee, the great prince of righteousness."
-
-"Yes," chimed in Major Hampton, "the Reverend Stephen Grannon has given
-you the solution for the problem. Add to this a higher education. The
-more highly educated the individual," continued the Major, "the greater
-the crime if they break the law."
-
-"But," said Roderick, "this is a free country and we have free schools.
-Why do not the poor have a better education?"
-
-Reverend Grannon turned quickly to Roderick and replied: "You come with
-me to the twenty-odd mining camps, Mr. Warfield, surrounding this
-town of Encampment--come with me up in the hills where there are no
-schools--see the little children growing up in carelessness because of
-the impossibility on the part of their fathers and mothers to provide
-them with school privileges. In the school room the teacher becomes the
-overseer not alone of their studies but of their morals as well. Let
-me take you down in the mines," he continued, speaking with great
-earnestness, "and see the boys from twelve years to twenty-one years
-working day after day, many of them never having had school privileges
-and therefore unable to read or write."
-
-He paused for just a moment, then resumed: "It brings to my mind what
-a very wise man once wrote. It was King Solomon, and among many other
-splendid truths he said: 'The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the
-destruction of the poor is their poverty.'"
-
-"Roderick," said the Major as he lit his meerschaum and blew the
-smoke towards the ceiling, "my heart is very light tonight, for I have
-arranged with the assistance of the Reverend Stephen Grannon to help
-relieve this lamentable situation in those mining camps up in the
-mountains away from school privileges. I have recently taken the
-matter up with the county commissioners and have agreed to build twenty
-schoolhouses. Each schoolhouse will consist of two rooms. One will be
-for the smaller children during the day and also to serve as a night
-school for the young men and young women who are employed in manual
-labor during working hours. The other room is a library sufficiently
-large and spacious to accommodate the young men of each mining
-community and thus keep them away from saloons, brothels, and prize ring
-attractions. One hour each evening will be taken up by a reader and a
-regular course of entertaining books will be read aloud in a serial way.
-The books in the library will be loaned out on tickets and the usual
-library rules observed."
-
-"Splendid," said Roderick, "that sounds practical to me."
-
-"It is practical," said the Reverend Stephen Grannon, "and thanks to
-Major Buell Hampton this plan which I have cherished for so many years
-will soon be put into effect."
-
-Looking at his watch he turned to the Major and said: "By the way,
-Major, I have a couple of poor families to visit tonight. I have
-promised them, and they will be disappointed if I do not come." He arose
-as he said this.
-
-"My good friend," replied Buell Hampton, "I am sorry you cannot remain
-longer with us, but I would not keep you from your duties."
-
-The Reverend Stephen Grannon put on his top coat, as the evenings were
-growing chilly, and after shaking hands took his departure.
-
-When he was gone and the door closed, Major Hampton turned to Roderick
-and holding up one hand said reverently: "Of such is the kingdom of
-heaven. In all my lifetime, Roderick, I have never known another such
-splendid character. I have closely observed his work ever since I came
-to this camp. Perhaps in his entire lifetime he has not collected fifty
-dollars in money. He says he does not want money."
-
-"But he must have money to live on."
-
-"Above all money considerations," said the Major, looking into the
-darkened corner of his living room, "he wants to save souls here on this
-earth so that he will have more jewels in his crown over yonder--these
-are his own words. There is not a family in the surrounding country
-that he is not acquainted with. If there is sickness he is the first one
-there. Where the greatest poverty abounds you will find him. He goes out
-and solicits alms for those in distress, but keeps nothing for himself
-excepting the frailest living. Go through the valley or up in the
-mountain gorges or still farther up in the mining camps where the snow
-never melts from the shady side of the log cabins, and you will find
-this noble character, Reverend Stephen Grannon, doing his good work for
-the poor--ministering to their wants and endeavoring to lift humanity
-into higher walks, physically, morally, and spiritually."
-
-"I am glad you have told me all this," replied Roderick. "It increases
-my already high opinion of the parson."
-
-"He is a veritable shepherd among the people," continued Major Hampton.
-"Reverend Grannon is the true flockmaster of Wyoming. The people are
-frequently unruly, boisterous, intemperate and immoral, yet he treats
-them with greatest consideration and seeks to persuade and lead
-them away from their sins and transgressions. Yes, he is a great
-flockmaster--he is well named The Flockmaster."
-
-Both were silent for a few moments. Then the Major, as if suddenly
-remembering something, looked up and said: "He tells me Scotty Meisch is
-getting along fine over in the _Dillon Doublejack_ printing office."
-
-"I am glad to hear that," exclaimed Roderick. "It is good to have saved
-at least one lad from going the way of those outlaws of Jack Creek. I
-have never forgotten that ghastly midnight scene--the massacred sheep
-and the burning herders' wagons."
-
-"Well, what can you expect?" asked the Major. "When the social waters
-are poisoned at the fountain head, the whole course of the stream
-becomes pernicious. In this state of Wyoming the standard of political
-decency is not high. The people have no real leaders to look up to. The
-United States Senator, F. E. Greed, sets a pernicious example to the
-rising generation. He violates laws in scores of instances because of
-his greed and grafting proclivities, and his bribed supporters go
-on year after year supporting him. What the state needs is a leader.
-High-minded leaders are priceless. Their thoughts and their deeds are
-the richest legacy to a state or a community. Great leaders are beacon
-lights kindled upon the mountain peaks of the centuries, illuminating
-the mental and moral atmosphere of civilization. The history of the
-world--of a nation, of a state and of a community--is the story of their
-epochal deeds, while man's advancement is only the lengthened shadow of
-their moral, spiritual and temporal examples. Leaders come up from
-the crowd, from among the poor and the lowly. They are immediately
-recognized by the great mass of the people and invariably crowned,
-although sometimes it is a crown of thorns that they are compelled to
-wear and endure for upholding priceless principles in their endeavor
-to lead humanity to a higher plane. However," concluded the Major,
-"the world is growing better. The nimble-fingered, tilltapping,
-porch-climbing derelicts in politics and commercialism are becoming
-unpopular. The reprehensible methods in all avenues of life are being
-condemned instead of condoned--the goats are being cast out from among
-the sheep."
-
-"You interest me very much, Major," said Roderick. "Your ideals are so
-high, your aims so decent and right, that it is a pleasure to hear you
-talk. I am a firm believer," Roderick went on, "in the justice of the
-doctrine that all men are created free and equal."
-
-"It is a sad commentary," replied Major Hampton, "in this land where
-liberty is cherished and our Government corner-stoned upon the theory
-that all men are free and equal, that even the soberest of us are
-compelled, my dear Roderick, to regard such affirmations as blasphemous.
-To illustrate: An employee in one of the big manufacturing combinations
-committed a burglary--almost petty larceny in its smallness--another
-case of Jean Valjean stealing bread for his children--and yet he was
-tried before an alleged court of justice and sent to the penitentiary
-for ten years. The head of the same institution pillaged multiplied
-millions from the poor in unjust and lawless extortions. When he was
-caught red-handed in his lawbreaking, instead of sharing a prison cell
-with the poor man our courts indulgently permitted this great highwayman
-six months' time in which to reorganize and have legalized his methods
-of stealing."
-
-"Such rank injustice," exclaimed Roderick, "makes my blood tingle with
-indignation. It is surely high time a determined crusade was led against
-the privileged classes."
-
-The Major made no reply but after a little, looking up from the open
-grate and turning to Roderick, he asked him if he was aware that the
-next day was the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Encampment
-Mine and Smelting Company.
-
-"Oh, is it?" said Roderick. "Some time ago I noticed something in the
-newspapers about the meeting, but as it was of no particular moment to
-me I had forgotten it."
-
-"Yes," said Major Hampton, "and I guess I will now tell you that I have
-been holding a secret from you."
-
-"That so?" exclaimed Roderick questioningly.
-
-"You will remember," the Major went on, "that I left you in Denver
-after we made the big ore shipment and that I was away for three or four
-weeks. Well, I went to New York, employed two or three big brokers down
-on Wall Street, and commenced buying Encampment Mine and Smelter
-Company stock on the exchange. Working jointly with a new friend I have
-discovered, a professional man of finance yet a true friend of humanity,
-I have absolute control of the stock today."
-
-"You have?" exclaimed Roderick. "You own a control of the stock in this
-great smelter and the Ferris-Haggerty mine?"
-
-"Yes, the whole enterprise is virtually in our ownership. Well,
-something is going to happen tomorrow at the stockholders' meeting which
-I fear will not be pleasant to certain individuals. But duty compels me
-to pursue a course I have mapped out. My chosen work in life is to serve
-the poor, yet in trying to fulfill this mission I harbor no resentful
-thoughts against the rich as a class nor do I intend for them any unfair
-treatment."
-
-"If the people only knew," remarked Roderick, softly, "you are without
-doubt one of the richest men in this part of the country and yet you so
-honestly prefer the simple life."
-
-"There are two kinds of rich people," continued the Major. "One class
-is arrogant and unfeeling; they hoard money by fair means or foul for
-money's sake and for the power it brings. The other class use their
-wealth not to oppress but to relieve the worthy poor. Personally,
-Warfield, I do not regard the money which accident has made mine as
-being in any sense a personal possession. Rather do I hold it as a trust
-fund. Of course I am grateful. The money enlarges my opportunity to do
-things for my fellows that I wish to do."
-
-The Major paused a moment, then resumed: "Do you remember, Roderick,
-when I first told you, Jim Rankin and the others about my hidden mine
-that I said there were six men in the world whom I held in highest
-esteem?"
-
-"I remember well," assented Roderick.
-
-"Well, five of you were present then--Tom Sun, Boney Earnest, and Grant
-Jones, with yourself and Jim. For the absent sixth one I specifically
-reserved a share in my prosperity, although at the time I withheld his
-name. Now you know it He is the one entitled to most consideration among
-us all--the Reverend Stephen Grannon."
-
-"Of course he is," concurred Roderick, with hearty conviction. "He can
-do more good in the world than all the rest of us together, yourself
-excepted, Major."
-
-"At present, perhaps," said Buell Hampton. "But let his shining example
-be an incentive to you all--to us all. Well, in a confidential way, I
-will tell you, Roderick, that when in New York I also purchased a large
-block of bonds that yields an income of something like $20,000 per
-year. This income I have legally turned over with proper writings to the
-Reverend Stephen Grannon, and already I think you will discover a vast
-improvement in the mining camps and throughout the valleys among the
-poor. For Stephen Grannon is a godly man and a true humanitarian."
-
-"My word, but that's great--that's grand!" murmured Roderick with
-deep enthusiasm. And he gazed at Buell Hampton's noble soul-lit face
-admiringly.
-
-The Major rose to his feet--his usual method of intimating that he
-wished to be alone. Roderick grasped his hand, and would have spoken
-further, but Buell Hampton interrupted him.
-
-"Say no more, my dear boy. I am glad that you have been interested
-in what I had to say tonight. The veil was lifted and you saw me as I
-am--anxious to be of benefit to my fellows. I shall indeed be proud if
-you find these doctrines not merely acceptable to yourself, but in some
-degree at least stimulative in your acts toward the worthy poor and
-lowly as the years come and go."
-
-As Roderick walked slowly along the street deep in thought over Buell
-Hampton's words, he came suddenly upon W. B. Grady and several well
-dressed strangers at a street corner. The visitors, he surmised, were
-eastern directors of the big smelting company who had come to Encampment
-for the stockholders' meeting on the morrow.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVIII.--JUSTICE FOR THE WORKERS
-
-
-THE next morning at ten o'clock, Major Buell
-
-Hampton walked down to the smelter office. He was met at the door of the
-directors' room by the general manager, Mr. W. B. Grady. Despite a bold
-front Grady looked careworn and anxious.
-
-"Hold on there," he said as the Major started to enter. "What do you
-want?" He spoke roughly. "This is a meeting of some gentlemen who are
-interested in the Smelter."
-
-"Very well," said the Major. "I came down to attend the stockholders'
-meeting."
-
-"Well, you can't go in," said Grady. "Stockholders' meetings of this
-company are private. We do not furnish entertainment and gossip for
-onlookers like a justice of the peace court."
-
-"That may all be true--I hope it is true, Mr. Grady," said the Major,
-and he looked him in the eyes with more of pity than of anger depicted
-on his face. The crafty manager cringed before the critical inspection.
-
-"I am here strictly on business," continued Buell Hampton. "I am a
-stockholder."
-
-"You a stockholder in our Smelter Company?"
-
-"I have that honor," replied the Major, tersely. "Or at least I hold
-powers of attorney from the largest group of stockholders in your
-company."
-
-An ashen grey crept into Grady's face.
-
-"What do you mean?" he faltered. "You are not a shareholder of record on
-our books."
-
-"No, but you will find as shareholders of record the names of Charles
-T. Brown, George Edward Reed, Herbert Levy, Daniel W. Higbee, and a few
-others about whom I need not bother."
-
-A new light broke over Grady. He looked more sickly than ever.
-
-"These are recent purchasers of stock," he said, "in New York and also,
-if I remember rightly, in Iowa."
-
-"Precisely, and together these buyers now hold the controlling interest
-in your company. Here are the legal documents constituting me the
-attorney for all these men." He drew a neat little packet of papers from
-the breast pocket of his coat. "In other words I am these men--I hold
-the controlling power, although I did not choose to disclose the fact
-until this morning. Now, will you please let me pass? Thank you."
-
-If a pistol had been thrust against the ribs of W. B. Grady, he could
-not have looked more utterly scared. He had stepped aside to let the
-Major pass and now bluff and bluster changed swiftly to sycophancy.
-
-"All right, Major Hampton," he said, in his most ingratiating
-manner. "Walk right in and let me introduce you to some of the other
-stockholders. Of course, only a few of them are here."
-
-The Major followed him into the directors' room and was duly presented.
-
-"This," said Grady with patronizing suavity, "is an old fellow townsman
-of ours here in Encampment and a friend of mine. Here, Major, take this
-chair," insisted Grady. "You see we are all a happy family together."
-
-Major Hampton could not but contrast the fawning manner of the general
-manager before his superiors, the directors of the Company, with his
-notoriously overbearing and insolent treatment of the workingmen.
-
-"Well," said the chairman, "fortunately we have a very good manager."
-
-"Thank you," said Grady with increased affability.
-
-"For myself, I am pleased and delighted at the general manager's report
-which I presume it will be in order now to have read. I think we have
-all seen it in advance."
-
-The Major shook his head in dissent but made no comment.
-
-Thereupon the meeting was called to order, and after the preliminaries
-were concluded Mr. W. B. Grady proceeded to read a rather brief but very
-interesting annual report.
-
-His report was not only a business summary of a most successful fiscal
-year, but also abounded with more or less veiled laudations of himself
-in his capacity of manager.
-
-Attorney Wm. Henry Carlisle, who combined with his legal position a seat
-on the board of directors, advised that the election of a directorate
-for the ensuing year was in order. By this time it was known to the
-other shareholders present that Major Buell Hampton owned or represented
-a control of the stock. This rather upset the cut-and-dried program.
-
-W. B. Grady, addressing the chairman, said that he presumed Major
-Buell Hampton would appreciate being elected a member of the board of
-directors, and if the Company's attorney, Mr. Carlisle, did not object
-perhaps it would be well for him to vacate his seat so as to make room
-for the new incumbent.
-
-Carlisle's face grew very red at this attempted slight but he said
-nothing.
-
-Major Buell Hampton arose, and addressing the chairman said: "Since I
-have acquired control of the stock of this Company, I have decided that
-Mr. Grady shall not be re-elected as a director. But in the first place
-I wish to ask of all stockholders present what their intentions are
-regarding the declaring of a dividend?"
-
-With this he resumed his seat.
-
-By every lineament on Grady's face one could see that he was furious.
-
-"I presume," said the chairman, "that it would be proper to follow the
-suggestion of Mr. Grady, our general manager, and declare a dividend of
-seventy-two per cent on the capital stock."
-
-Major Buell Hampton, again addressing the chair, remarked that
-seventy-two per cent, was certainly a fat dividend. But for himself
-he had purchased a control of the Company's stock for the purpose of
-introducing some innovations in its management, and in order that there
-might be no misunderstanding he felt it was now proper to present his
-views. If any of the directors were not in harmony, why, of course, it
-would be inadvisable for them to stand for re-election to a directorate
-over which he intended henceforth to exercise a close supervision.
-
-"I now wish to ask the directors of the Company this question," added
-the Major. "What about Boney Earnest's dividend?"
-
-He paused for a reply.
-
-For a moment the stockholders and representatives of stockholders
-present seemed almost dumfounded. They turned to the manager, Mr. Grady,
-who answered the Major by saying he did not know that Boney Earnest, the
-dismissed blast furnace foreman, was a stockholder or had any investment
-in the concern--"it was all news to him," he added with a weak attempt
-at levity.
-
-Major Hampton had remained standing, and by silent consent all waited
-for him to reply to this statement.
-
-"Yes, gentlemen," he said quietly, "Boney Earnest may not be a
-stockholder of record. But all the same he had his all invested in this
-smelting plant. Day after day, during year after year, he stood before
-the blast furnace, doing work of a class which few men could endure. It
-is true he received a daily wage until the date of his dismissal, but he
-had invested in addition to his daily duties almost a life-time of ripe
-experience in the particular work he was doing for this concern.
-In short, he had his all--his strength, his brain and his
-experience--invested. In these circumstances I object," continued Major
-Hampton, "to a dividend of seventy-two per cent. I notice from the
-manager's report that he has made ample allowances for betterments,
-replacements, and surplus, and even with all these very proper
-provisions, the enormous possible dividend of seventy-two per cent,
-still remains. An original capital stock of $500,000 and an annual
-dividend of $360,000, certainly is a magnificent showing."
-
-Buell Hampton paused and all present clapped their hands gleefully, as
-if the Major was coming around to their way of thinking.
-
-After silence was restored he proceeded: "Money is worth probably
-from five per cent, to six per cent, per annum on solid, non-hazardous
-investments and at least double these figures or more on mining
-investments which must be regarded as extremely hazardous. It is not,
-however, worth seventy-two per cent. per annum. Therefore, gentlemen,
-we will declare a dividend of six per cent, on the capital stock, which
-will require $30,000. We will then add the capital stock to the pay
-roll. The pay roll for the last year in round numbers is $1,100,000. The
-capital stock is $500,000 or a total of both of $1,600,000. We will then
-declare the remaining $330,000 of earnings into a dividend on the entire
-$1,600,000 of capital stock and annual pay roll combined, which amounts
-to a little over twenty per cent. This will give to the shareholders of
-our company's stock a little more than a twenty-six per cent, dividend."
-
-The Major sat down. Consternation was apparent on every countenance.
-
-"Major," said one of the eastern directors, "may I ask you what would
-happen and what you would do in carrying out your altruistic dream if
-the earnings did not amount to even six per cent, on the money actually
-invested?"
-
-The Major arose again and with great politeness replied: "Probably
-we would not declare a dividend. If we had but $30,000 that could be
-legitimately applied to dividend purposes, the amount would belong to
-the stockholders. But anything above this preferred dividend to the
-shareholders should be declared on the annual pay roll combined with
-and added to the capital stock of the company, both classes of investors
-participating in the surplus over and above six per cent, preferred
-dividend. The question with me," added the Major, "is this? How many of
-you directors are in sympathy with the suggestion I have made?"
-
-There came no answer, and he continued: "A while ago I expressed myself
-against your manager for a position on the directorate. I always have a
-reason for my decisions. It has come to me," continued the Major, "that
-while the original cost of this plant may have been $500,000 yet by
-the wicked manipulation of the 'system' the original shareholders were
-completely frozen out--legally robbed if you please, of their investment
-and it is quite probable the Pennsylvania crowd, the present owners or
-at least those who were the owners before I purchased a control, paid
-very little in real money but much in duplicity and ripened experience
-in the ways of the fox and the jackal. I have learned on excellent
-authority that Mr. W. B. Grady, by stealth and cunning, secured the
-underlying bonds from one of the former builders of this great plant,
-and robbed him and left him penniless in his old age. Unless other means
-of restitution be devised, the reimbursing of those stolen sums out of
-my private purse will be one of my first duties and one of my greatest
-pleasures."
-
-Grady rose, his face flushed with passion. But Buell Hampton waved
-him down with his hand and calmly proceeded: "I will state another
-innovation. There are seven directors who control the destinies of this
-company. I now insist that the company's attorney shall be instructed to
-have the by-laws so amended that the head of each department, beginning
-at the mine where we extract the ore, then the tramway which carries
-the ore to the smelter and all the various departments in the smelter
-including the converter--shall be elected annually by the workers
-themselves in each of the seven departments. In this way there will be
-seven foremen; and these seven foremen shall be officially recognized by
-the amended by-laws of this company as an advisory board of directors,
-entitled to sit and vote with the regular directors at each monthly
-meeting and likewise with the stockholders in their annual meeting."
-
-Had a bomb-shell been thrown into the stockholders' meeting greater
-consternation could not have been evinced'. Finally Attorney Carlisle
-moved that an adjournment be taken until ten o'clock the next day, at
-which time the stockholders would re-assemble and further consider the
-unexpected and doubtless vital questions now under consideration. The
-motion prevailed.
-
-Of course the entire matter hinged first of all upon the election of a
-directorate. During the adjournment Attorney Carlisle, peeved at Grady's
-readiness to drop him from the directorate, called on Major Hampton and
-assured him he was in accord with the views he had expressed and that
-his every suggestion could be legally complied with by amending the
-by-laws.
-
-Buell Hampton, however, did not take the hint implied. He was courteous
-but firm. The old régime had to go--the management must be changed,
-lock, stock and barrel. Therefore there could be no further utilization
-of Mr. Carlisle's services as attorney for the company. Baffled and
-discomfited the lawyer withdrew. He was full of indignation, not against
-Major Hampton, but against Grady, for he had warned the latter against
-selling a certain block of stock to part with which had jeopardized
-control of the corporation. But Grady, in need of money, had replied
-that there was no risk, the buying being sporadic and the existing
-directorate in high favor with the stockholders because of its ability
-and readiness to vote big dividends.
-
-Grady had little dreamed that already considerable blocks of the stock
-had passed, under various names, into the control of the Keokuk banker,
-Allen Miller, to whom he had some time before mortgaged his Mine and
-Smelter Company bonds, and who had reasons of his own for displacing
-Grady and crippling him still more badly in his finances. Nor had he
-sensed the danger that the scattered sales of stock in the East had been
-in reality for a single buyer, Major Buell Hampton. Therefore he had
-been caught quite unprepared for the combination of forces that was able
-now to throw him down and out at the first meeting of stockholders. For
-once the fox had slept and had been caught napping in the short grass,
-away from the tall timber.
-
-Carlisle had of late been too busy "doing politics," and had allowed
-matters to drift even though he had seen possible rocks ahead. Now the
-two old-time confederates were blaming each other--Carlisle denouncing
-Grady for parting with the stock control, Grady upbraiding Carlisle for
-neglect in not having taken steps to discover who were the real buyers
-of the shares being gradually transferred on the company's stock books.
-The blow, however, had fallen, and there was no means of blocking the
-transfer of power into new hands.
-
-When the stockholders' meeting reconvened the following morning, Major
-Buell Hampton submitted the names of five men whom he desired on the
-directorate. They were--Roderick Warfield, Grant Jones, Boney Earnest
-and himself, together with Ben Bragdon, who would also take up the
-duties of attorney for the company. This left only a couple of places
-to be filled by the eastern stockholders. Two names from among the old
-directors were offered and accepted. Indeed the selection of directors
-became a unanimous affair, for seeing themselves utterly defeated both
-Grady and Carlisle, glaring at each other, had left the room.
-
-Major Hampton's views on corporations and dividends, and his new plan
-of management for the Smelter Company spread all over the camp with
-astonishing rapidity, and there was general rejoicing among the miners
-and laborers.
-
-One employee in the smelter who had been with the company for some three
-years made the discovery that, while he was receiving three dollars per
-day, which meant an annual income to himself and family of $1095, his
-dividend would bring him an extra lump sum of $219 annually.
-
-When figuring this out to his wife he said: "Think of the pairs of shoes
-it will buy for our kiddies, Bess."
-
-And the woman, an Irishwoman, had replied: "Bless the little darlin's.
-And hats and coats as well, not to speak of ribbons for the girls. God
-bless the Major. Sure but he's a wonderful man."
-
-Several workers sitting in a corner of the Red Dog saloon were
-calculating with pencil and paper their annual dividends on the already
-famous Buell Hampton plan.
-
-"Boys," said one of them after they had their several accounts figured
-to the penny, "maybe we won't make the dividend bigger next year--what?"
-
-"I should say," responded another. "I'll do at least twice the work
-every day of the coming year, because there's now an object for us poor
-devils to keep busy all the time. We're sharing in the profits, that's
-just what it means."
-
-"There'll be a great reduction in breakage and waste," remarked another
-employee.
-
-"The directors can leave it to us to make the next year's dividend a
-dandy one."
-
-These were just a few of the grateful encomiums flying around.
-
-On the day following the stockholders' meeting the newly elected
-directors convened, all except Grant Jones, who was over at Dillon and
-had not yet been advised of his election. After Major Buell Hampton had
-been voted into the chair a communication from W. B. Grady was read,
-stating that he wished to know at once if the directors desired his
-services for the ensuing year; if so he required a written contract,
-and should the directors not be ready to comply with this ultimatum they
-could interpret this letter as a formal resignation. There was a general
-smile around the directors' table at this bluffing acceptance of the
-inevitable. It was promptly moved, seconded, and carried unanimously
-that Mr. W. B. Grady be at once relieved from all further connection
-with the Smelter Company's plant and business.
-
-Major Hampton then explained that in accordance with his scheme the men
-in the various departments would be invited at an early date to elect
-their foremen, and these foremen in turn would have the power, not
-to elect a general manager, but to recommend one for the final
-consideration of the directors. Until a permanent appointment was made
-he suggested that Boney Earnest, the blast furnace foreman dismissed by
-the late manager because of a personal quarrel, should take charge of
-the plant, he being a man of tried experience and worthy of absolute
-trust. This suggestion was promptly turned into a substantive motion
-and adopted by formal resolution. The meeting adjourned after Director
-Bragdon in his capacity as company attorney had been instructed to
-proceed immediately to the work of preparing the proper amendments to
-the by-laws and taking all legal steps necessary to put into operation
-the new plan.
-
-Thus neither mine nor smelting plant was shut down, but everything went
-on without interruption and with greater vigor than before the momentous
-meetings of stockholders and directors. The only immediate visible
-effect of the company's radical change in policy was Grady's deposition
-from the post which had enabled him to exercise a cruel tyranny over the
-workingmen.
-
-And in the solitude of his home the dismissed manager, broken
-financially although those around him did not yet know it, was nursing
-schemes of revenge against Buell Hampton, the man of mystery who had
-humiliated him and ousted him from power.
-
-Where was his henchman, Bud Bledsoe?--that was the question throbbing in
-Grady's brain. But Bud Bledsoe was now an outlaw among the hills, with
-a price on his head and a sheriff's posse ready at a moment's notice to
-get on his heels.
-
-"By God, I've got to find him," muttered Grady. And that night, in the
-falling dusk, he rode out alone into the mountain fastnesses.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIX.--SLEIGH BELLS
-
-
-THE morning after the directors' meeting, when Roderick awakened and
-looked out of the window, he found the air filled with flakes of falling
-snow. He wasted no time over his toilet. Immediately after breakfast he
-bundled up snugly and warmly, went over to the livery stable and engaged
-a team and a sleigh. Soon after, the horses decorated with the best
-string of sleigh bells the livery could provide, he was holding the
-reins taut and sailing down through the main street of the little mining
-town headed for the country. He was going to the Shields ranch. Half a
-dozen invitations had been extended him during the past weeks, and he
-told himself he had been neglectful of his old employer.
-
-When he reached the ranch and his team was duly stabled, the sleigh run
-in out of the storm, he was cordially welcomed by the family before a
-roaring fire of cheerfulness, and a multitude of questions were poured
-upon him.
-
-"Why did you not come sooner and what about Major Hampton and the
-smelter? We have heard all sorts of wonderful things?"
-
-"Why, what have you heard about the Major?" inquired Roderick,
-endeavoring to get a lead to the things that had evoked such surprise.
-
-"I will tell you," said Barbara. "Papa heard of it the day before
-yesterday when he was in town. The stockholders were having a meeting,
-and people said it had turned out to the surprise of everyone that Major
-Hampton was the owner of a control of the company's stock."
-
-"Yes," replied Roderick, "the rumor is correct. Great things have indeed
-happened. But haven't you heard from Ben Bragdon?"
-
-"Not a word."
-
-"Well, I suppose he has been too busy reconstructing the by-laws and the
-company's affairs generally. Major Hampton has put him in as attorney.
-There's a financial plum for you, Miss Barbara."
-
-"And Mr. Carlisle?" she asked in great astonishment.
-
-"Like W. B. Grady, he is down and out," replied Roderick. "There's been
-a clean sweep. And behold in me a full-blossomed member of the board of
-directors. Our chairman, the Major, has handed me over a small library
-of books about smelting of ores, company management, and so on. He
-tells me I've got to get busy and learn the business--that I'm slated as
-vice-president and assistant manager, or something of that kind. What do
-you think of all that, Mr. Shields? There's a rise in the world for your
-cowboy and broncho-buster of a few months ago."
-
-The cattle king and all the others warmly congratulated Roderick on his
-rising fortunes. Dorothy now took the lead in the conversation.
-
-"You folks, keep still a moment until I ask Mr. Warfield just one
-question," she said eagerly.
-
-"Oh," exclaimed Roderick, quickly, "I can answer the question. No, Grant
-Jones has not been over to Encampment for quite a while."
-
-A general laugh followed.
-
-"He has a devil over at his office," added Roderick gravely.
-
-"A what?" they exclaimed.
-
-"A devil. You surely know what a devil in a printing office is? It is
-a young fellow who washes the ink from the rolls and cleans the type
-or something of that sort--sweeps out, makes fires and does a wholesale
-janitor business. If he is faithful for fifteen or twenty years, then
-he learns to set type and becomes a printer. Grant is breaking his new
-devil in. Scotty Meisch, formerly one of your father's cowboys, is his
-name."
-
-"Oh, little Scotty," exclaimed Barbara. "I remember him."
-
-"Well, does that necessarily keep Grant away?" asked Dorothy.
-
-"Oh, no, he is not necessarily kept away. He is probably a believer,
-Miss Dorothy, that absence makes the heart grow fonder.' I was very
-disappointed," Roderick went hurriedly on, smiling, "that Grant was
-not in town to share the sleigh with me in coming over this morning. Of
-course he doesn't know it yet, but he also has been elected as one of
-the directors of the Encampment Mine and Smelter Company."
-
-"He has?" exclaimed Dorothy, her face lighting: "My word, but he'll be
-all puffed up, won't he?"
-
-"Oh, no," replied Roderick, "Grant is a very sensible fellow and he
-selects his friends and associates with marked discrimination."
-
-"Well, that's what I think," concurred Dorothy emphatically.
-
-She was not a little embarrassed by a second ebullition of general
-laughter. There was a flush of rising color on her pretty cheeks.
-
-"Well, I don't care," she added bravely. "If I like anybody I let them
-know about it, and that's all there is to be said."
-
-While luncheon was in progress, Roderick suggested that as the sleighing
-was very good and his sleigh a very large one--the seat exceedingly
-wide--the young ladies should come sleigh-riding with him in the
-afternoon.
-
-"Splendid," shouted the sisters in unison. "Certainly, we will be
-delighted provided mother has no objections."
-
-"Oh, no," said Mrs. Shields, good-naturedly. "This first snow of the
-season makes me feel like having a sleigh-ride myself. But, there, your
-seat certainly won't take four of us, and I know that Mr. Shields is too
-busy to think of getting out his sleigh this afternoon."
-
-"Well, I'LL tell you what I'll do, Mrs. Shields," said Roderick,
-stirring his coffee. "I'll take you for a ride first. We will go as far
-as the river and back again, and then if the young ladies are real good
-why of course I'll give them the next spin."
-
-"Oh, no," said Mrs. Shields, "you young people go on and have your
-sleigh ride and a good time."
-
-"No," objected Barbara. "You shall have the first sleigh ride, Mama, and
-if you don't go then Dorothy and I stay at home."
-
-"Come now, Mrs. Shields," urged Roderick, "accept my invitation, for
-I see if you don't I shall not be able to persuade the young ladies to
-come."
-
-"Yes, Mother," said Dorothy, "it is just lovely of him to invite you,
-and certainly the sleigh ride will be invigorating. The truth is, we
-girls will enjoy the ride afterwards doubly if we know you have had the
-first ride of the season before we have ours."
-
-"Very well," said Mrs. Shields, "since you all insist, so let it be."
-
-Soon after Roderick's team was hitched to the sleigh and came jingling
-down to the front gate. Mrs. Shields was tucked snugly in under the
-robes and away they dashed with sleigh bells jingling, down the road
-towards the Platte River several miles away.
-
-When they got back Barbara and Dorothy were in readiness, and Roderick
-started away with them amid much merry laughter and promises from the
-girls to be home when they got home but not before. The snow was still
-falling in great big flakes and the cushion beneath the runners was soft
-and thick. Mile followed mile, and it was late in the afternoon when the
-sleighing party found themselves in Encampment. Roderick insisted that
-the young ladies should have supper at the Hotel Bonhomme; they would
-start on the return trip home immediately afterwards.
-
-When the sleigh drove up to the hotel, who should be looking out of the
-front door but Grant Jones? He rushed outside and assisted the sisters
-to alight.
-
-"I will be back in a few minutes," shouted Roderick, as he dashed away
-to the livery stable.
-
-"Say, Joe," said Roderick while the horses were being unhitched, "I
-will want the rig again after dinner, and Grant Jones will also want a
-sleigh."
-
-"All right," replied the stableman. "I can fix him out all right and
-everything will be in readiness. Just telephone and I'll send the rip
-over to the hotel."
-
-At the dinner table Grant Jones was at his best. He had already heard
-about the Smelter Company affairs and his own election as a director,
-and waved the topic aside. It was the surprise of seeing Dorothy that
-filled him with good-humor and joviality. As the meal progressed he
-turned to Roderick and said: "Oh, yes, Roderick, I've just been hearing
-from Scotty Meisch that during the summer months you learned to be a
-great trout fisherman."
-
-"Yes," replied Roderick with a smile, "I certainly had a great
-trout-fishing experience."
-
-"Where?" asked Barbara quickly.
-
-"On the South Fork of the Encampment River."
-
-"Now, Mr. Roderick Warfield," said Barbara quite emphatically, "I
-invited you to go trout fishing with me a good many times, and you told
-me I should be the one to teach you the gentle art. Instead of this you
-go away and learn to catch trout all alone. How many did you catch?"
-
-Roderick reddened with embarrassment.
-
-"Twenty-six," he said.
-
-"Well, that was a pretty good catch for a novice. How big were they?"
-
-"About two pounds," Roderick answered, absent-mindedly.
-
-Grant Jones was fairly choking with laughter. "I say, Barbara," he began.
-
-"I didn't go trout fishing alone," interrupted Roderick quickly.
-
-"Look here, Barbara," persisted Grant, calling to her across the table.
-But Barbara was all attention to Roderick.
-
-"Who went with you?" she inquired.
-
-"Miss Gail Holden," he replied and his face was actually crimson.
-
-Barbara laid down her knife and fork and leaned back in her chair,
-placed her arms akimbo with her pretty hands on her slender waist line,
-and looked at Roderick as if she were an injured child. Finally she
-said: "Trifler!" Then everybody laughed at Roderick's confusion.
-
-But he quickly recovered himself.
-
-"Trifler yourself!" he laughed back in rejoinder. "What about Ben
-Bragdon? What would he have said had we gone trout-fishing together?"
-
-"You were not out of the running then," said Barbara archly.
-
-"Oh, yes, I was, although the secret was to be kept until after the
-nomination for senator."
-
-It was Barbara's turn now to blush. She looked around in some
-bewilderment. Grant had bestowed a vigorous kick on Roderick's shins
-beneath the table. Only then did Roderick realize that he had broken
-a confidence. Dorothy was eyeing Grant reproachfully. It was a case of
-broken faith all round.
-
-"Well, you sisters have no secrets from each other," exclaimed Roderick,
-meeting the situation with a bright smile. "In just the same way Grant
-and I are chums and brothers. Besides it was a friendly warning. I was
-saved in time from the danger of shattered hopes and a broken heart,
-Miss Barbara."
-
-"So went fishing for consolation," she replied with a smile.
-
-"And found it," laughed Grant.
-
-"Who says that?" demanded Roderick, sternly. "Miss Holden would have
-every reason seriously to object."
-
-"The devil says it," replied Grant, assuming a grave countenance.
-
-"That's a poor joke," said Roderick, offended.
-
-"Oh, Scotty Meisch is an observant lad," remarked the editor drily.
-
-"The printer's devil!" cried Dorothy, clapping her hands. And all four
-laughed heartily--Roderick most heartily of all despite his momentary
-dudgeon.
-
-"Then since all these whispers are going about," remarked Barbara when
-quiet was restored, "I think it will be advisable for me to have a
-heart-to-heart talk with Gail."
-
-"Oh, please don't," faltered Roderick. "Really, you know, there's no
-foundation for all this talk--all this nonsense."
-
-"Indeed? Then all the more need for me to drop her a friendly
-warning--guard her against shattered hopes and a broken heart and all
-that sort of thing."
-
-The tables were fairly turned, but Barbara, with quick woman's wit, saw
-that Roderick was really pained at the thought lest Gail Holden might
-learn of this jesting with her name.
-
-"Oh, don't be afraid," she said, reassuringly. "We three will keep your
-secret, young man. We are all chums and brothers, aren't we now?" And
-with one accord, laughing yet serious too, they all shook hands to seal
-the bond, and any breaches of confidence in the past were forgiven and
-forgotten.
-
-It had been a merry supper party, but it was now time to be starting
-for the ranch. As they rose from the table Roderick turned to Grant and
-said: "You will have to excuse me, old boy, as I am taking the ladies
-home."
-
-"Taking the ladies home? Well, ain't I goin' along?" asked Grant, with a
-doleful look at Dorothy.
-
-"No room in our sleigh," said Roderick coldly.
-
-"Roderick," said Grant, half sotto voce, "you are cruel." But Roderick
-was unsympathetic and did not even smile. He turned away indifferently.
-Drawing Barbara aside, he told her in an undertone of the arrangements
-he had made with the livery stable for an extra sleigh.
-
-"Then you'll be alone with me," she said, with an amused smile. "Won't
-you be afraid? Broken heart, etc?"
-
-"Not now," he replied sturdily.
-
-"Or of Mr. Bragdon? He mightn't like it, you know."
-
-"Oh, I'm not afraid of him," laughed Roderick. "And I guess he will
-trust me--and you," he added gently and with a chivalrous little bow.
-
-Shortly the sleighs were brought round to the hotel. Grant was beside
-himself with delight when he discovered the extra rig for himself and
-Dorothy, and he laughingly shouted to Roderick: "I say, old man, you're
-the best ever." Soon the merrymakers were tucked snugly beneath the
-lap robes, and were speeding over the glistening expanse of snow to the
-joyous tinkle of the silver bells.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXX.--WHITLEY ADAMS BLOWS IN
-
-
-RODERICK WARFIELD'S election to a seat on the board of directors of
-the Encampment Mine and Smelter Company had for him a series of most
-unexpected consequences. He had had no knowledge that Uncle Allen
-Miller and a number of his financial followers in Iowa were now large
-stockholders in the corporation. Nor had he been aware that Major Buell
-Hampton, after his journey to New York, had visited the Keokuk banker.
-The Major had learned from his brokers in Wall Street that Allen Miller
-was on the market for this particular stock and had already acquired a
-considerable holding. Hence his flying business visit to Keokuk, which
-had resulted in the combination of forces that had gained the control
-and ousted Grady, Carlisle, and their pawns on the old directorate.
-
-Major Hampton had since been in continuous correspondence with the
-banker, but had never for a moment associated the names of Allen Miller
-and Roderick Warfield as having any possible connection by relationship
-or otherwise. The selection of the new board had been left entirely
-in Buell Hampton's hands after the banker had given his assent to the
-profit-sharing scheme. That assent had not been won without considerable
-argument. The plan upset all the banker's old theories about industrial
-enterprises. At the same time the shrewd old man of finance was reading
-the signs of the times, and had long since come to realize that a
-readjustment of the relations between capital and labor was inevitable.
-He was all the more inclined to make this experiment, in the first place
-because he was not going to be bothered with the working out of
-the practical details, and in the second place because the magnetic
-personality of Buell Hampton had at once inspired him with confidence
-both in his ability to do things and in his integrity. Therefore the
-shrewd old banker had fallen in with the Major's plans, and given him
-a free hand when entrusting him with the powers of attorney for himself
-and the other Iowan stockholders.
-
-In point of fact there was another secret motive animating Allen Miller
-to this line of action. Unless he cooperated with Buell Hampton, the
-control would remain with W. B. Grady and his associates. And it was
-Grady whom the banker was after--Grady, the financial shark who had
-robbed his lifelong friend, General John Holden, of his underlying bonds
-in the original and now defunct smelter company, at the time when the
-amalgamation scheme had been devised to freeze out the first founders
-of the enterprise. General Holden had been the chief victim of this
-rapacious trick of financial jugglery, and Allen Miller was working
-secretly to undo the wrong. But the banker was animated not only by
-reasons of friendship. He had another incentive almost as strong. He
-wanted to satisfy his keen sense of personal pride toward Roderick
-Warfield. For the vital cause of quarrel between the old banker and the
-youth he loved yet had disowned was the unnamed girl he had thrust upon
-Roderick as a suitable bride because of her fortune. And this fortune
-had been proved to be illusory on the very day succeeding the rupture
-that had culminated in Roderick's fine display of scorn and anger, when
-he had flung himself out of the banker's room and started off for parts
-unknown to fight his own way in the world.
-
-It was the financial disaster which had overtaken General Holden that
-had opened Allen Miller's eyes to the truth that he had been utterly
-wrong in his attempted methods of managing a headstrong, and as the
-old guardian had thought at the time a wayward, youth like Roderick
-Warfield. He had bitterly regretted the harsh words that had dared the
-offender to play football with the world and, as he now realized, had
-by their sarcastic bitterness driven the high-mettled young man from his
-boyhood home. He had never doubted Roderick's prowess to make a way for
-himself by his own unaided efforts, and, despite the quarrel, had always
-felt sure of the lad's affection. So Roderick one day would come back,
-to find the latchstring hanging outside the door of his home, the
-promised place in the bank still awaiting him, and--the pride and
-dogged determination of the old man would not yield the point--the rich,
-attractive, and in every way highly eligible bride still available. The
-only flaw in the program was Gail Holden's fall from fortune, and to
-repair this had been the object of the banker's continuous and strenuous
-endeavor.
-
-He had grabbed at the chance of lending money on the Mine and Smelter
-Company bonds standing in the name of W. B. Grady, which bonds he
-considered were by moral right really the property of General Holden.
-But he had lent discreetly, postponing any big advance while he held the
-documents and nosed around for information that might give some valid
-reason to dispute their ownership. And in course of time he had made one
-surprising discovery. Obtaining from General Holden all correspondence
-with Grady, he had found one sentence in which the sponsor for the new
-amalgamation scheme had guaranteed the withdrawal of all underlying
-bonds in the old smelter company before the scheme would be put through.
-Yet this condition had not been complied with, for Allen Miller had, in
-the course of tracing every old bond, discovered that five were still in
-existence and had never been surrendered. They belonged to a widow away
-back in Pennsylvania who had gone to Europe and whose whereabouts at the
-time Grady apparently had not been able to ascertain. But the persistent
-old banker had followed the trail and through his agents in France had
-purchased this particular parcel of bonds at a high figure. They were
-few in number and insignificant in face value, but to Allen Miller they
-were priceless, for these underlying bonds put W. B. Grady in his power
-and could be made the means eventually of compelling restitution to
-General Holden of the fortune that had been filched from him. Grady
-would have to make good or face the criminal charge of a fraudulent
-transaction.
-
-Buell Hampton had been told nothing about this--it was sufficient for
-Allen Miller's immediate purpose to have the company control wrested
-without delay out of Grady's hands. This would render litigation easier,
-perhaps avoid it altogether--the better alternative, for the law's
-harassing delays and heart-sickening uncertainties are proverbial. So
-when Buell Hampton had come to Keokuk in the cause of humanity, to
-fight for the toilers at the smelter and in the big mine, he had been
-agreeably surprised to find in the old banker such a ready listener
-to his philanthropic arguments. The alliance had been struck, with
-the result that Buell Hampton had been able to swing the stockholders'
-meeting exactly as he desired.
-
-Up to the very eve of that meeting the Major had kept his counsel and
-held his hand. The merest hint of the power he possessed might have
-given time for so astute a knave as Grady to devise some means more or
-less unscrupulous of repelling the attack. Therefore Buell Hampton had
-not dropped one word of what he intended to do until he had spoken to
-Roderick in his home on the night before the stockholders' meeting.
-Little did either of them know at that time how vitally and directly
-Roderick was interested in the outcome of the Major's fight for the
-downtrodden poor.
-
-After the eventful meetings of stockholders and directors it had been
-Buell Hampton's first duty to send a full report of the proceedings
-to Allen Miller of Keokuk, whose power of attorney had enabled him to
-effect the coup deposing Grady and giving a share of the profits to the
-actual toilers at the furnaces and in the mine. In the course of this
-report the names of the new directors were set forth. Judge of the old
-banker's utter amazement when his eyes fell upon the name of--Roderick
-Warfield. Surprise quickly yielded to joy and delight. The news was
-telephoned to Aunt Lois. The old banker could not leave town at the
-moment--an issue of city bonds required his close attention. But that
-very night an envoy was dispatched to Wyoming in the person of his
-bright and trusted young clerk, Whitley Adams.
-
-And the first of the series of surprises for Roderick Warfield, one
-afternoon a few days after the sleigh ride, was the sight of his old
-college chum tumbling out of a bob-sled which, in default of coaching
-facilities, had brought him over from the railroad at Rawlins. Whitley
-had stopped the sled in the main street along which, in the crisp
-sunshine that had followed the heavy snowfall, Roderick happened to be
-strolling.
-
-"Hello, old scout," cried the new arrival with all the ease of a veteran
-globe-trotter.
-
-"Where in thunder did you drop from!" exclaimed Roderick, clutching at
-his hand.
-
-"From Iowa's sun-kissed cornfields to Wyoming's snow-capped hills,"
-laughed Whitley, humming the tune of the hymn he was parodying.
-
-"What has brought you here?"
-
-"Lots of things. A letter for you, to begin with."
-
-"From whom?"
-
-"Your Uncle Allen Miller."
-
-"But he doesn't know I'm here, does he?"
-
-"The whole world knows you're here, dear boy," replied Whitley, pulling
-the latest issue of the _Encampment Herald_ out of his pocket. "Why,
-you've become famous--a director of the great smelting corporation." And
-he flourished the journal aloft.
-
-"Who sent you that paper?"
-
-"Major Buell Hampton, of course. At least he sent it to your uncle."
-
-"Get out. You're kidding, Whitley."
-
-"No kidding about me, old man. Those irresponsible days are now over."
-Whitley drew himself up with great dignity. "If Buell Hampton hasn't
-told you that he came to Keokuk and made the acquaintance of Banker
-Allen Miller, well, that's his affair, not mine. Where shall we have
-dinner? I'm as hungry as a grizzly."
-
-"Wait a moment, Whitley. Do you mean to tell me Uncle Allen knows the
-Major?"
-
-"Sure. They've been as thick as thieves--or rather I should say as close
-as twins--Oh, that reminds me. How are dear Barbara and Dorothy?"
-
-"Shut up--stop your nonsense. What were you going to say?"
-
-"Oh, just this, that ever since the Major paid us a visit at Keokuk,
-letters have been passing nearly every week between him and the banker.
-I've seen all the correspondence."
-
-"I have known nothing about this," said Roderick, in great perplexity.
-
-"Well, doubtless you are not in the same confidential position as I
-occupy," replied Whitley airily. "But of course now that you are a
-director of the company you'll come to know--or at least should know;
-that's part of your duties--that Allen Miller is a big stockholder."
-
-There flashed to Roderick's mind Buell Hampton's vague reference, on
-the night preceding the stockholders' meeting, to some new friend, a
-professional man of finance, with whom he held joint control of the
-company's stock.
-
-"A true friend of humanity," he murmured, recalling the Major's words.
-"Great Scott, that's about the last identification tag I would have
-expected for Uncle Allen."
-
-"Well, old chap," interposed Whitley, "don't mumble in conundrums.
-You take it from me that Buell Hampton and your uncle are financial
-pals--associates might be the more dignified word. That's no doubt why
-the Major nominated you for the board of directors."
-
-Roderick paled.
-
-"By God, if that's the case, I'll resign tomorrow. I've been standing on
-my own feet here. I owe nothing to Uncle Allen."
-
-"There now, put all that touchy pride in your pocket, Roderick. By
-jingo, you're worse than Banker Miller himself. But I took the old
-gentleman down a few pegs the afternoon he learned that you were in
-Wyoming," Whitley rambled on, laughing. "He declared that I must have
-known your hiding place all the time."
-
-"And you answered?"
-
-"Owned up at once, of course. Told him that others besides himself could
-be trusted with a confidence--that neither he nor anybody else could
-have bulldosed me into betraying a client. A client--that's what I
-called you, old man. Oh, you can't give me business points nowadays.
-What do you think he said in reply?"
-
-"Ordered you out of the room, I suppose."
-
-"Not on your life! Commended my sagacity, my trustworthiness; told me
-again that I was a born banker, one after his own heart. And to show
-that he meant what he said, he raised my salary five dollars a week, and
-handed me over fifty dollars extra spending money for this trip. What do
-you think of that?"
-
-"I can't express a thought--I'm too much surprised over the whole train
-of events."
-
-"Oh, I suppose he knew I'd have to buy a few boxes of candy for the
-beautiful Wyoming girls," Whitley went on. "I had told him after my
-first trip here that they were regular stunners--that they had been
-buzzing about me like flies around a pot of honey. Oh, he laughed all
-right. I know how to manage the old fellow--was half afraid he'd be
-coming along himself instead of sending me this time. But he bade me
-tell you he couldn't possibly get away from Keokuk just now. Which
-reminds me--here's your letter, old man; and one, too, from Aunt Lois.
-She saw me off at the train, and gave me a kiss to pass on to you."
-Whitley, a bunch of letters in his hand, made a movement as if to bestow
-upon Roderick the osculatory salute with which he had been entrusted.
-But Roderick, smiling in spite of himself, pushed him back.
-
-"You irrepressible donkey: Hand over my letters."
-
-"Oh, yes, the letters." Whitley began to sort the bunch of
-correspondence. "This is for Buell Hampton. And this is for Ben Bragdon.
-I suppose he's in town?"
-
-"Yes. But he's pretty busy."
-
-"Won't be too busy to attend to me, I reckon. Then W. B. Grady"--he was
-fingering a neatly folded, legal looking document "I hope that Grady
-hasn't cleared out from Encampment yet."
-
-"Not that I've heard. In fact I saw him on the street this morning. You
-seem to have business with everyone in town."
-
-"Just about hits it, old man. And General John Holden. Ah, yes, that
-reminds me," Whitley suspended his sorting of the letters, and looked
-up. "How's the college widow, old man?"
-
-Roderick reddened.
-
-"That's all off," he answered stiffly.
-
-"I guessed that's just what would happen. Best so, by a long chalk, So
-Stella Rain is free again. Guess I'll stop off on my way home, and take
-a run to Galesburg. Nice girl, you know, Stella. No saying but I might
-make an impression now she is"--
-
-"Stella Rain is married," interrupted Roderick, speaking sharply and
-shortly.
-
-"You don't say? Too bad."
-
-"Happily married, I tell you--to some rich fellow."
-
-"Oh, then, she threw you over, did she? Ho, ho, ho! But that's all
-right, old fellow. Saves all complications. And Gail, how's Gail? Oh,
-she's a pipit pin.
-
-"By gad, Whitley, you shut up. Come and have your dinner. But you
-haven't given me my letters yet."
-
-"Ah, I forgot Well this one is for General Holden. I've got to see him
-at once."
-
-"What about?"
-
-"Confidential business, my friend. Ask no questions for I want to be
-spared the pain of refusing you the slightest information. Great
-guns, Rod, we financial men, you know, hold more secrets than a father
-confessor. We've got to keep our mouths shut all the time, even to our
-best friends. This is my letter of credit to your local bank--no
-limit, mind you, on my sight drafts on Keokuk. Ah, yes, here are your
-letters--one from Aunt Lois, the other from your old guardian. Hope he
-has put a fat check inside."
-
-"I don't need his checks--if there's any check here, you can take it
-back." And Roderick ripped open the envelope.
-
-But there was no offending slip of colored paper enclosed, and he thrust
-both the letters unread into his pocket.
-
-"Now we'll dine," he said.
-
-"A moment, please." And Whitley turned to the driver of the bob-sled
-waiting in the middle of the road.
-
-"Go and get your dinner, my man," he called out. "Then hitch fresh
-horses in that sled, and come to my hotel, the Bonhomme; that's the best
-place in town, if I remember right, Roderick," he said with a glance at
-his friend. Then he continued to the driver: "Charge everything to me,
-and don't be longer than a couple of hours. Now come along, Roderick.
-You dine with me--oh, I have an ample expense fund. But I'm sorry I'll
-have to leave you immediately after dinner."
-
-Roderick was overwhelmed by all this grandiloquence. He hardly dared to
-take his old chum's arm as they walked along the street. But at last
-he stopped, burst out laughing, and slapped the man of affairs squarely
-between the shoulders.
-
-"Whitley, old chap, you're a wonder. You play the part to perfection."
-
-"Play the part?" protested Whitley, with a fine assumption of dignity.
-"I _am_ the part--the real thing. I'm your rich old uncle's right
-hand man, and don't you forget it. Would a little ready cash now be a
-convenience?"
-
-Then Whitley's arm went round his comrade's neck, and with a
-simultaneous whoop of laughter they passed into the hotel.
-
-But during the next twenty-four hours Roderick saw very little of
-his college chum. And during the same period the said college chum
-accomplished some very remarkable things. Immediately after dinner the
-bob-sled sped out to Conchshell ranch, and General Holden signed the
-legal papers that attached, as a measure of precaution, the bonds
-standing in the name of W. B. Grady and now in the custody of the bank
-at Keokuk as security for a loan. And for half the night Attorney Ben
-Bragdon and Whitley Adams were closeted with W. B. Grady in a private
-parlor of the hotel, and the fight was fought out for legal possession
-of the fraudulently acquired bonds--a fight that put the issue squarely
-up to Grady whether he would accept Banker Allen Miller's terms of
-surrender or face a criminal charge. It was in the grey of the breaking
-dawn that the vanquished Grady crept out of the hotel, wiping the beads
-of cold sweat from his brow, while Whitley was quietly folding up the
-properly signed transfers that gave back to General Holden bonds of
-equal value to those of which he had been robbed by false pretences and
-promises never fulfilled.
-
-In the morning Whitley was again at the Conchshell ranch, and
-breakfasted with the General and his daughter. It was the latter who
-bound him to secrecy--to the solemn promise that neither he nor Mr.
-Bragdon should divulge to anyone the story of this restored family
-fortune. Gail declared that she was going to make good with her dairy
-cattle venture, that neither she nor her father wanted to return to
-the old life of fashion and society at Quincy, that they had no wish to
-appear as rich folks. Whitley listened to all the arguments, understood,
-and promised. And that the transfer of the bonds should not be connected
-with General Holden's name it was agreed that for the present they
-should pass to Banker Allen Miller as family trustee.
-
-Whitley's chest had expanded fully two inches when he drove away, the
-trusted emissary for the carrying into effect of these decrees. He had
-had a few minutes alone with Gail and, introducing the name of Roderick
-Warfield in a casual way, had assured her that he, like everyone else,
-would know nothing about these strictly family affairs. She had blushed
-a little, reiterated her thanks, and at parting had, he could have
-sworn, given him an extra friendly pressure of her dainty little
-fingers.
-
-Whitley drove straight to Ben Bragdon's office, and took the precaution
-of adding to the professional seal of secrecy a direct expression from
-the General of his wishes in the matter.
-
-During the afternoon the young banker from Keokuk personally delivered
-the letter from Allen Miller addressed to Major Buell Hampton. Whitley
-had insisted upon Roderick accompanying him. The relationship between
-Roderick and Banker Miller was now revealed. The Major received the news
-without much surprise.
-
-"In the loom of life," he said, with great solemnity, "the shuttle of
-destiny weaves the threads of individual lives into a pattern which is
-only disclosed as time goes on. Thus are the destinies of men interwoven
-without their knowing either the how or the why. Roderick, my dear
-fellow, from this day on we are simply more closely bound to each other
-than ever."
-
-The evening was spent at the Shields ranch. Whitley congratulated
-Barbara on her engagement to Ben Bragdon, and then took Dorothy's breath
-away by congratulating her and the absent Grant Jones as well.
-
-Dorothy blushed furiously, and disowned the soft impeachment; to which
-Whitley replied that unless her sweetheart got busy promptly and toed
-the line, he himself was coming back to Encampment to cut out so tardy a
-wooer. "Tell Grant Jones from me," he said, "that it's taking chances to
-leave the tempting peach upon the tree." She slapped his hand playfully
-for his audacity, and Roderick hurried the flippant financier out of the
-room.
-
-At midnight, in the bright moonlight, Whitley departed for Rawlins to
-catch his train. Nothing could persuade him to prolong his visit--Banker
-Miller would be hopping around like a cat on hot bricks, the bank going
-to wreck and ruin if he did not hurry back, the girls of Keokuk growing
-quite jealous of the beauties of Wyoming.
-
-Like a whiff of sweet perfume the joyous youth was gone.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXI.--RODERICK'S DISCOVERY
-
-
-NOTWITHSTANDING their change in fortunes,
-
-Roderick and Grant still made the editor's shack their home--the old
-place endeared to them by many fond associations. A few days after
-Whitley Adams' visit they were seated at the breakfast table, and Grant
-had proposed that they should go deer hunting.
-
-"Excellent weather," he explained, "as the snow is just deep enough
-up in the mountains to drive the deer down. Finest sport in the world.
-Nothing like going after big game."
-
-"You almost persuade me," said Roderick, setting down his coffee and
-looking at Grant with increased interest. "All the same I hate to leave
-the smelter plant even for a day or two. You see I'm just beginning to
-get a hang of the business, and I've quite made up my mind to master
-it."
-
-"Oh, let it rip. You're not tied down to the works, are you?"
-
-"Certainly not--you don't imagine I think myself qualified as yet to be
-tied down. 'But what about guns?"
-
-"Oh, well," said Grant, "I have a.32 Winchester, one that has got a
-record too, by gunnies, as Jim Rankin would say. Its record is great."
-
-"How big a record?" inquired Roderick.
-
-"Seven deer," answered Grant.
-
-"All your own killing?"
-
-"Well, no. To be downright truthful since you force me to particularize,
-I'll admit I never killed but one deer with it. But that does not
-interfere with the gun's record." And then he continued: "I have no
-doubt Major Hampton will be delighted to loan you his gun. He has a .30
-calibre Government Springfield and in his hands it has accounted for
-many a buck."
-
-After breakfast they called on Major Hampton.
-
-"Good morning, gentlemen," said the Major as he opened the door and bade
-them welcome.
-
-"We are going deer hunting," said Grant, quite enthusiastically. "I have
-a gun, but this-would-be-slayer-of-big-game, Roderick, is gunless and
-when we return he may be deerless. Was just wondering, Major, if you
-would care to loan your famous deer killer to him. Guess its long
-record," he added, "would fill a book."
-
-"Why, certainly," replied the Major in an absent-minded way; and then
-presently he went on: "Do not interpret my hesitation as unwillingness
-to accommodate you. It is well you came just when you did, for within
-half an hour I myself will be starting for the mountains and my mind was
-pre-occupied with my own little preparations."
-
-"Can't you come with us, Major?" asked Grant.
-
-"But I won't be depriving you of your gun?" enquired Roderick
-simultaneously.
-
-"I answer 'no' to both questions," was the smiling response. "I am going
-out on one of my lonesome excursions--to commune with Nature face to
-face for a brief spell. And when I go I need no rifle--even the very
-deer there are my trustful friends."
-
-Then turning he took down his rifle from its accustomed place and
-brought it over to Roderick.
-
-"This old Springfield has served me well," he said, smiling in his own
-magnificent way. "It was my friend in dark days of need. In my lifetime,
-gentlemen, I have never spilled the blood of any living thing wantonly,
-and I do not believe man is justified in taking the life of even a worm
-on the pathway, a rabbit in the hills, cattle or sheep in the fields, or
-a deer in the wilds unless it is for food and to sustain life."
-
-Then suddenly looking at Grant the Major said: "I understand W. R. Grady
-is up in the hills?"
-
-"Yes, so I have heard."
-
-"What is he doing? Looking for a mine?"
-
-"Possibly. They say he is at the Thomas Boarding House most of the time
-up at Battle."
-
-"Guess," interrupted Roderick, "that he is not very happy since the new
-order of things--your new plan, Major--put him out of business."
-
-"Perhaps he is getting in touch again with his old heeler, Bud Bledsoe,"
-suggested Grant. "That outlaw gang has been lying low for quite a while,
-but I'm expecting to hear about some new bit of deviltry any day. Am in
-need of a corking good newspaper story."
-
-"Well, since you are bent on hunting big game," laughed the Major,
-"these miscreants might provide you with all the exciting sport you are
-wanting."
-
-"Oh, a brace of good fat bucks will be good enough for us. Where's the
-likeliest place to start from, Major? You're the local authority on
-these matters."
-
-"You know where Spirit River Falls are?" asked Buell Hampton.
-
-"I've heard of them but have never been there," replied Grant.
-
-"I think that I've seen them from above," observed Roderick, "but I
-don't know the way to them."
-
-"Well, you know where Gid Sutton's half-way house is located?"
-
-"Certainly," replied Roderick. "I was there less than a month ago."
-
-"Well, Spirit River Falls are located about six or seven miles south
-and east of the half-way house. I advise that one of you go up the South
-Fork of the Encampment River and the other keep to the right and go over
-the hills past Conchshell ranch into a park plateau to the south; then
-have your meeting place this evening in an old log structure that you
-will find about three-fourths of a mile directly through the timber
-southeast from the falls. If you are wise, you will load up two or three
-burros, send them with a trusty, and have him make camp for you in this
-old deserted hut. You will find a cup of coffee, a rasher of bacon and
-a few sandwiches very appetizing by the time you have tramped all day in
-your deer-hunting quest And the country all around is full of deer."
-
-The young men thanked him warmly for his advice.
-
-"In point of fact," continued Buell Hampton, "I'll be up in the same
-region myself. But I'm travelling light and will have the start of you.
-Moreover, we can very easily lose each other in that rugged country
-of rocks and timber. But don't mistake me for a buck, Roderick, if you
-catch sight of my old sombrero among the brushwood;" saying which he
-reached for the broad-brimmed slouch hat hanging against the wall.
-
-"I'll take mighty good care," replied Roderick. "But I hope we'll run up
-against you, Major, all the same."
-
-"No, you won't find me," answered Buell Hampton, with a quiet smile.
-"I'll be hidden from all the world. Follow the deer, young men, and the
-best of luck to you."
-
-The two comrades started away in high feather, anticipating great
-results from the tip given them by the veteran hunter. Going straight to
-the livery bam, they rigged out three burros, and sent with them one
-of the stablemen who, besides being a fairly good cook, happened to
-be familiar with the trail to Spirit River Falls, and also knew the
-location of the "hunter's hut" as they found the old log structure
-indicated by Buell Hampton was locally named.
-
-These arrangements concluded, Roderick and Grant started for the hills.
-Some half a mile from Encampment they separated--Jones going along
-the east bank of the South Fork of the Encampment River and Roderick
-following the North Fork until he came to Conchshell canyon. The day was
-an ideal one for a deer hunt. There was not a breath of wind. The sky
-was overcast in a threatening manner as if it were full of snow that was
-liable to flutter down at the slightest provocation.
-
-As Roderick reached the plateau that constituted the Conchshell ranch he
-concluded to bear to the left and as he said to himself "Keep away
-from temptation." He was out hunting wild deer that day and he must not
-permit himself to make calls on a sweet-throated songster like Gail. On
-through the open fields and over the fences and into a thick growth of
-pines and firs, where he plodded his way through snow that crunched and
-cried loudly under his feet Indeed the stillness of everything excepting
-his own walking began to grate on his nerves and he said to himself that
-surely a whitetailed deer with ordinary alertness could hear him walking
-even if it were half a mile away.
-
-As he trudged along mile after mile he was very watchful for game or
-tracks, but nothing stirred, no trace of deer was discernible in any
-direction. He was following the rim of a hill surmounting some boxlike
-canyons that led away abruptly to the left, while a smooth field or park
-reached far to the right where the hills were well covered with timber.
-Here and there an opening of several acres in extent occurred without
-bush or shrub.
-
-It was perhaps one o'clock in the afternoon and he was becoming a bit
-leg-weary. Brushing the snow away from a huge boulder he seated
-himself for a short rest. Scarcely had he done so than he noticed that
-occasional flakes of snow were falling. "More snow," he muttered to
-himself, "and I am a good ways from a cup of coffee if I am any judge."
-
-After he was rested he got up and again moved on. Just then, as
-he looked down into a box canyon, he saw three deer--a doe and two
-half-grown fawns. Quickly bringing his gun to his shoulder his first
-impulse was to fire. But he realized that it would be foolish for
-the animals were at least five hundred yards away and far below the
-elevation where he was standing.
-
-"No," he said to himself, "I will leave the rim of this mountain and get
-down into the canyon."
-
-He hastily retreated, and took a circuitous route intending to head off
-the deer. In due time he approached the brow of the precipitous bluff
-and after walking back and forth finally found a place where he
-believed he could work his way down into the canyon. It was a dangerous
-undertaking--far more so than Roderick knew--and might have proved his
-undoing.
-
-He was perhaps half way down the side of the cliff, working his way back
-and forth, when suddenly some loose stones slipped from under his feet
-and away he went, sliding in a sitting position down the side of the
-mountain. He had sufficient presence of mind to hold his gun well away
-from him to prevent any possible accident from an accidental discharge.
-The cushioning of the snow under him somewhat slowed his descent, yet he
-could not stop. Down and down he went, meeting with no obstruction that
-might have given him a momentary foothold. Presently he saw, to his
-great relief of mind, that he was headed for a small fir tree that had
-rooted itself on a ledge near the bottom of the canyon. A moment later
-his feet came thump against its branches, and while the jar and shock of
-suddenly arrested motion were very considerable yet they were not enough
-to be attended with any serious consequences.
-
-Somewhat dazed, he remained seated for a few moments. But soon he found
-his footing, and pulling himself together, brushed away the snow from
-his apparel and made sure that his gun was all right. After a glance
-around he picked his way down some distance farther into the canyon, and
-then turning to the right along a little ledge started in the direction
-where he expected to sight the deer higher up the hill.
-
-Suddenly he stopped. There were the deer tracks right before him going
-down the gorge.
-
-"By George," he muttered aloud, "I did not get far enough down. However,
-I will follow the tracks." And forthwith he started on the trail,
-cautiously but highly expectant.
-
-The direction was westerly, but he had not gone far until the canyon
-made an elbow turn to the south and then a little farther on to the
-east. "I wonder," said Roderick to himself, "what sort of a maze I am
-getting into. This canyon is more crooked than an old-fashioned worm
-fence or a Wyoming political boss."
-
-The box canyon continued to grow deeper and the rocky cliffs higher,
-zig-zagging first one way and then another until Roderick gave up all
-pretense of even guessing at the direction he was travelling.
-
-"Strange I have never heard of this narrow box-canyon before," he
-thought.
-
-After walking briskly along for about an hour, keeping the tracks of the
-retreating deer in view, he suddenly came to an opening. A little valley
-was spread out before him, and to his amazement there were at least a
-hundred deer herded together in the park-like enclosure.
-
-Roderick rubbed his eyes and looked up at the high and abrupt precipices
-that surrounded this open valley on every side. It seemed to him that
-the walls rose sheer and almost perpendicular several hundred feet to
-the rocky rim above. He followed on down, filled with wonderment, and
-presently was further astonished by finding several great bubbling
-springs. Each basin was fully a hundred feet across, and the agitated
-waters evidently defied freezing, for they fairly boiled in their
-activity, overflowing and coming together to form quite a big tumbling
-mountain stream.
-
-Stealthily following on and keeping the great herd in view he mentally
-speculated on the surprise he would give Grant Jones when he came to
-display the proofs of his prowess as a hunter of the hills. Surely
-with his belt full of cartridges and the large number of deer in sight,
-although as yet too far away to risk a shot, he could add several
-antlered heads to Grant's collection. The stream grew larger. There were
-a number of other springs feeding their surplus waters into brooks which
-eventually all joined the main stream, and he mentally resolved that the
-next time Gail and he went trout-fishing they would visit this identical
-spot. He laughed aloud and asked the question: "Will she be mine so that
-we may come together for a whole week into this beautiful dell?"
-
-The farther he advanced the less snow he found in the strange,
-rock-fenced valley. The grasses had grown luxuriantly in the summer
-season, and the deer were browsing in seeming indifference to his
-presence yet moving on away from him all the time. He began wondering
-if all this were a mirage or a reality. He looked a second time at the
-slowly receding herd and again he laughed aloud. "Such foolishness,"
-he exclaimed. "It is an absolute reality, and right here I will make my
-name and fame as a hunter."
-
-He stopped suddenly, for just across the stream, standing among the
-boulders and pebbles of an old channel, were four deer, not two hundred
-feet away. They were looking at him in mild-eyed wonder, one of them a
-noble, splendidly antlered buck. Lifting the Major's Springfield to his
-shoulder Roderick sighted along the barrel and fired. Three of the deer
-ran away. But the buck jumped high into the air, attempted to climb the
-opposite bank, failed and fell backward.
-
-Hurriedly crossing over the stream and slipping in his excitement off
-the stones into knee-deep water, he came quickly up to the wounded deer.
-Instantly the animal bounded to his feet, but fell again. Roderick fired
-a second shot which reached a vital spot. The magnificent denizen of
-the hills had been vanquished in the uneven contest with man's superior
-knowledge and deadly skill.
-
-The novice in huntsman's craft had received all sorts of book
-instructions and verbal explanations from Grant Jones. So he at once
-drew his hunting knife, thrust it into the jugular vein of the dying
-deer, and bled him copiously. Only the hunter knows the exultant
-feelings of mingled joy and excitement that possessed Roderick at that
-moment. His first deer! Resting the gun against a small cottonwood
-tree that grew on a raised bank between the old channel and the flowing
-waters, he walked to the stream, washed the crimson from his knife, and
-returned the weapon to its sheath.
-
-Then he looked around to get his bearings. He knew he had come with
-the waters from what seemed to be a westerly direction. The stream was
-evidently flowing toward the east. As he walked along in the old channel
-over the sandbar he kicked the rocks and pebbles indifferently, and then
-stopped suddenly, gasped and looked about him.
-
-On every side the mountains rose precipitately fully six or seven
-hundred feet. There was no visible outlet for the stream.
-
-"Is it possible," he exclaimed with bated breath, "that I am in the
-lost canyon? And this," he said, stooping down and picking up a nugget
-of almost pure gold--"is this the sandbar on which my father and Uncle
-Allen Miller found their treasure yeans and years ago? Marvelous!
-Marvelous! Marvelous!"
-
-For the moment the slain deer was forgotten. His achievement as a hunter
-of big game no longer thrilled him. He was overwhelmed by a mightier
-surge of emotion.
-
-"Yes," he said finally in a low voice of conviction, "this at last is
-the lost find!"
-
-And he sank down on the gold-strewn pebbly sandbar, limp and helpless,
-completely overcome.
-
-A minute later he had recovered his composure. He stood erect He
-gazed down the valley. The startled herd of deer had vanished into the
-brushwood and low timber.
-
-But there, slowly ascending along the river bed, was the figure of Buell
-Hampton. Roderick stood stockstill, lost in amazement, waiting.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXII.--STAKING THE CLAIMS
-
-
-SO IT is you who have found my Hidden Valley," said Buell Hampton
-as he drew near. His voice had a regretful ring, but as he grasped
-Roderick's hand he added cordially: "I thank God it is you, Roderick.
-When I heard the rifle shots I was afraid it might be Bud Bledsoe or
-some of his gang."
-
-"Your hidden valley, Major?" murmured Roderick, interrogatively and with
-emphasis on the first word.
-
-"Yes, my son--the valley from which I took the carload of rich ore we
-sold in Denver."
-
-"Great guns, Major. I too have discovered gold--placer gold."
-
-"Where?"
-
-"At your feet. Look." And Roderick stooped and picked up a fine
-smooth-worn nugget as big as a pigeon's egg. "Look, look, look,"
-continued Roderick. "It is all around us on this sandbar."
-
-"I did not happen on this spot," said Buell Hampton. "The fact is I
-hardly explored the valley at all. I had all the gold I wanted or could
-ever want in my own find."
-
-"Then where is that find?"
-
-"Lower down the stream--a dyke of porphyry and white quartz. But you
-already know the kind of ore Jim Rankin, Tom Sun, and Boney Earnest
-helped me to get out of the valley. It is quite different from your
-gold."
-
-The Major stooped, and collected a handful of good-sized nuggets.
-
-"How did you come to find this place, Roderick?" he asked, gazing up at
-the sheer cliffs around them.
-
-"I have been searching for it," he replied, "since ever I came to
-Wyoming. Oh, Major, it is a strange story. I hardly know where to begin.
-But wait. Sit down on that boulder. I have my father's letter with me.
-You can read it and will then understand."
-
-From an inner pocket Roderick produced the map and letter which had
-never left his possession, night or day, since his Uncle Allen had
-handed him the sealed packet in the bank manager's room at Keokuk.
-Without a word Buell Hampton took the seat indicated, and after a
-preliminary glance at the map proceeded to read the long epistle left
-by the old miner, John Warfield, as a dying legacy to his son. Roderick
-sitting on his heels watched in silence while the other read.
-
-"Your father was a sensible man," remarked Buell Hampton, as at last he
-refolded the paper. "I like the spirit in which he wrote--the fervent
-expression of his hope that this wealth will prove a blessing to you
-instead of a disquieting evil. Yes, you have undoubtedly found your
-father's lost mine. But, Roderick, why did you not tell me of this
-before? I would have gladly helped you to a quicker discovery. This map
-here I would have recognized at a glance as the map of my happy retreat,
-my Hidden Valley."
-
-"Well, Major, I may seem to have been a bit reticent--or independent,
-may I call it? But you will remember that it was early in our intimacy
-when you showed me and the others those rich ore specimens in your
-home. And you yourself were reticent--bound us to secrecy, yet gave us
-no-single clue as to the whereabouts of your wonderful discovery."
-
-"Because I wanted to protect this place from intrusion--I indulged in
-the dream that the treasure of the valley might be made to fall only
-into worthy hands, which dream could never be realized unless I guarded
-my secret from one and all."
-
-"Your sentiment I quite understand. But don't you see, Major, it was
-this very reticence on your part that made me reticent--that virtually
-sealed my lips? I have often thought of showing you my father's letter,
-of telling the full reasons that brought me to Wyoming. But to have done
-so after you had shown us that ore would have been simply to press you
-for further information--to have asked you to divulge the location of
-your mine which you had resolved to keep secret so that I might possibly
-be assisted in the quest for my father's lost claim. I couldn't do that
-I am sure you will now understand my feelings."
-
-"Fine feelings, Roderick," exclaimed the Major, extending his hand.
-"Feelings after my own heart I understand them, and can only compliment
-you on your sturdy independence. But how did you get here?" And again
-he glanced up the precipitous mountains.
-
-"Well, I think I might almost say I tumbled down into the canyon,"
-laughed Roderick. "I slipped and tobogganed down a steep slope. Then I
-followed the tracks of four deer I was after, and found myself here.
-By the way, have you looked at my splendid buck?"
-
-Buell Hampton rose, and as if by force of habit drew his hunting knife
-and proceeded to dress and gambrel the deer. Roderick watched the
-skilled hands at work. Before many minutes the carcass was hanging on
-the peg of a broken limb.
-
-"Certainly, a fine buck," remarked the Major, stepping back admiringly.
-"Your first, I believe?"
-
-"My very first."
-
-"Not often that a man kills his first deer and discovers a gold mine on
-the same day, eh?" laughed Buell Hampton. "But where is Grant Jones?"
-
-"I haven't seen him since morning. We followed your directions, and took
-opposite sides of the river."
-
-"Then he will meet you tonight at the old log hut?"
-
-"That's our arrangement. But how are we to get out of this box-canyon?"
-
-"I can show you an easier way out than the toboggan slide by which you
-came in," replied the Major, smiling. "At the same time I think I should
-prefer to follow your tracks, so that in the future I may know
-this second means of access. I am afraid the secret of this little
-sequestered valley can be no longer kept from the world. I presume you
-are going to stake out a claim and record it."
-
-"You bet," laughed Roderick. "There's no sentiment about sequestered
-valleys or happy retreats in my make-up. Great Scott, there's a cool
-million dollars of gold lying around right here. I'm going to take
-no chances of the next man finding the spot. Isn't that common sense,
-Major?"
-
-"No doubt," replied Buell Hampton, "it is common sense in your case. And
-you are obviously following your father's bidding in making the fullest
-and the best use of the wealth he tried so long in vain to rediscover.
-Are you familiar with the regulations as to staking out a claim?"
-
-"Oh, yes, I've posted myself on all that."
-
-"Well, choose your ground, and I'll whittle your stakes." He rose and
-again unsheathed his hunting knife.
-
-"Major," cried Roderick, "along this old channel there's at least three
-men's ground. We'll stake for you and for me and for Grant Jones."
-
-"But Grant Jones must have been on his claim before he can file on it.
-That's the law."
-
-"We'll bring him down tomorrow morning."
-
-"Then, go ahead," said the Major. "I think it is right and proper to
-secure all the ground we can. I believe it will be all for the best that
-it should be in our hands."
-
-Within an hour stakes had been placed at the corners of the three placer
-claims, and the proper location notices, written on leaves torn from
-Buell Hampton's note book, affixed to a stake in the centre of each
-claim.
-
-"I think that this complies with all legal requirements," remarked the
-Major, as they surveyed their workmanship. "Now, Roderick, tit for tat.
-You will come down the valley with me, and we shall secure, as lode
-claims, the porphyry dyke from which I have cut out merely the rich
-outcrop."
-
-Another hour's labor saw the second task completed.
-
-They were back at Roderick's sandbar, and had filled their pockets with
-nuggets.
-
-"Now for the ascent," said Buell Hampton. "Tomorrow morning we shall
-return, and breakfast here on your venison. Hurry up now; the evening
-shadows are already falling."
-
-The trail left by Roderick and the four deer through the canyon and
-along the _zigzag_ gash in the mountains above the bubbling springs was
-clearly traceable in the snow. When the narrow ledge by which Roderick
-had descended into the gorge was reached the Major took the precaution
-of blazing an occasional tree trunk for future direction. Progress was
-easy until they reached the abrupt declivity down which the hunter had
-slipped. A little farther along the deer appeared to have descended
-the steep incline by a series of leaps. In the gathering dusk it was
-impossible to proceed farther; steps would have to be cut or a careful
-search made for some way around.
-
-"We must go back," said Buell Hampton. "Now I will show you my means of
-access to the canyon--one of the most wonderful rock galleries in the
-world."
-
-Retracing their footsteps they hastened along at the best speed
-possible, and soon reached the tunnel into which the river disappeared.
-Producing his electric torch, the Major prepared to lead the way. He
-lingered for just a moment to gaze back into the canyon which was now
-enveloped in the violet haze of eventide.
-
-"Is it not lovely?" he murmured. "Alas, that such a place of perfect
-peace and beauty should come to be deserted and despoiled!"
-
-Roderick was fingering the slugs of gold in his pocket. He followed the
-direction of the Major's eyes.
-
-"Yes, it is all very beautiful," he replied. "But scenery is scenery,
-Major, and gold is gold."
-
-The little torch flashed like an evening star as they disappeared into
-the grotto.
-
-Buell Hampton and Roderick had gazed up the canyon.
-
-But they had failed to observe two human forms crouched among the
-brushwood not fifty yards away--the forms of Bud Bledsoe and Grady, who
-had that morning tracked the Major from his home to the falls, under the
-cataract, through the rock gallery, right into the hidden canyon, intent
-on discovering the secret whence the carload of rich ore had come, bent
-on revenge for Grady's undoing with the smelting company when the proper
-moment should arrive.
-
-That night Buell Hampton, Roderick Warfield, and Grant Jones supped
-frugally at the hunter's hut on ham sandwiches and coffee. Down in
-Hidden Valley on the gold-strewn sandbar W. B. Grady and his henchman
-feasted royally on venison steaks cut from the fat buck Roderick's
-gun had provided. They had already torn down the location notices and
-substituted their own. And far into the night by the light of their camp
-fire the claim-jumpers searched for the nuggets among the pebbles and
-gathered them into a little heap, stopping only from their frenzied
-quest to take an occasional gulp of whiskey from the big flask without
-which Bud Bledsoe never stirred. When daylight broke, exhausted,
-half-drunk, both were fast asleep beside the pile of stolen gold.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXIII--THE SNOW SLIDE
-
-
-DURING the night a few flakes of snow had fallen--just the flurry of
-a storm that had come and tired and paused to rest awhile. The morning
-broke grey and sombre and intensely still; the mantle of white that
-covered the ground and clung to bushes and tree branches seemed to
-muffle every sound; the atmosphere was clear, but filled with brooding
-expectancy.
-
-The three friends at the hunter's hut were early astir. Roderick,
-despite the fact that fortune had at last smiled and crowned with
-success the prolonged quest for his father's lost mine, was strangely
-oppressed. Buell Hampton, too, was grave and inclined to silence. But
-Grant Jones was gay and happy, singing blithely during the preparations
-for breakfast.
-
-On the previous night he had received the story of the find with
-exultant delight. With such a rich mining claim all the ambitions of his
-life were about to be realized. He would buy out his financial partners
-in the _Dillon Doublejack_ and publish it as a daily newspaper--hang
-the expense, the country would grow and with it the circulation, and he
-would be in possession of the field against all-comers. Then again he
-would acquire the _Encampment Herald_ although keeping on the brilliant
-Earle Clemens as editor; also start another paper at Rawlins, and in
-a little time run a whole string of journals, like some of the big
-newspaper men whose names were known throughout the nation. Listening
-to these glowing plans as they drank their morning coffee around the
-campfire, Roderick and the Major could not but admire the boyish gaiety
-of this sanguine spirit.
-
-"I'm going to propose to Dorothy tomorrow," exclaimed Grant by way of
-grand finale to his program of great expectations, "and the Reverend
-Stephen Grannon will marry us before the week is out We'll spend our
-honeymoon in Chicago so that I can buy some new printing presses and
-things. Then we'll be back in time to bring out a grand mid-winter
-number that will make all Wyoming sit up and take notice. By gad, boys,
-it's great to be a newspaper editor."
-
-"Better to be a newspaper proprietor," laughed Roderick.
-
-"Or both combined," suggested the Major.
-
-"There you've hit it," cried Grant. "And that's just the luck that has
-come my way at last--thanks to you, Roderick, old scout, and to you,
-Major, as well."
-
-"No, no," protested Buell Hampton. "With your happy disposition and
-great capacity for work, success was bound to be yours, my dear fellow.
-The manner of its coming is a mere detail."
-
-"That's the way a good friend cloaks good deeds," replied Grant.
-"However, we'll let it go at that. Pass the frying pan please; this
-bacon's just fine." Plans for the day were carefully discussed. The man
-in charge of the burros had not been taken into their confidence; as a
-member of the expedition he would be properly looked after later on,
-but meanwhile strict secrecy was the only wise policy until the location
-papers had been properly filed at the county seat, Rawlins. This
-filing would undoubtedly be the signal for a rush of all the miners and
-prospectors within a hundred miles of the little treasure valley among
-the hills.
-
-"Yes, there will be a regular stampede," remarked the Major--"provided
-the snow holds off," he added with a glance at the grey canopy of cloud
-overhead.
-
-"I think we are in for another storm," said Grant, gazing around. "If
-so, the whole country will be sealed up until the spring."
-
-"Which is not the worst thing that might happen," commented Buell
-Hampton.
-
-"Would certainly give us ample time to make all our arrangements for the
-future," concurred Roderick.
-
-It was agreed that they would take with them that morning the sacks in
-which the provisions had been brought up, and bring back as much gold
-as they could carry. For a moment Grant and Roderick discussed the
-advisability of leaving their guns behind. But there were outlaws among
-the mountains, and it was deemed prudent to carry the weapons.
-
-All preparations were now completed, and a start was made, the stableman
-being left in charge of the camp with instructions to have a good fire
-of embers ready for the brisket of venison they would return with about
-the noontide hour.
-
-Buell Hampton led the way at a swinging gait,
-
-Roderick followed, then came Grant Jones singing lustily:
-
-               "As I was coming down the road,
-
-               Tired team and a heavy load,
-
-               I cracked my whip and the leader sprang
-
-               And the off horse stepped on the wagon tongue."
-
-A little way down the hill Grant called a halt He had discovered on the
-light dusting of overnight snow the tracks of a big bear, and for the
-moment everything else was forgotten. Bear-hunting to him was of more
-immediate interest than gold-hunting, and but for the restraining hand
-of Buell Hampton the ardent young sportsman would have started on the
-trail.
-
-"Let's stop a while," he pleaded. "Just look at those pads. A great big
-cinnamon bear--a regular whale."
-
-"No, no," said the Major decisively, again glancing at the sky. "We must
-press on."
-
-"I'd like a hug all right," laughed Roderick, "but not from a cinnamon
-bear in a snowdrift."
-
-"Gee, but I'm sorry I left my dogs at Dillon," remarked Grant
-regretfully. "The last thing I said to Scotty Meisch was to look after
-the dogs even if the printing press burned. There's no friend like a
-good dog, Major."
-
-"Rather a doubtful compliment," replied Buell Hampton with a smile.
-
-"Present company always excepted," laughed the editor adroitly. "Well,
-well; we must let Mr. Bruin go this time. Lead on, Macduff, lead on."
-
-And again as he fell into Indian file he sang his song.
-
-The lilt and the words of that song, the picture of the stalwart figure
-in the pride of young manhood carolling gaily while marching along
-through the brushwood and down the timbered hillside, were des-tined
-never to fade from the memory of Roderick Warfield. With a sob in his
-heart he would recall the scene many and many a time in the days to
-come.
-
-Meanwhile at the camp fire in Hidden Valley, Grady and Bud Bledsoe were
-also afoot. They had awaked from their half drunken slumber, chilled to
-the very marrow of their bones. Even the sight of the heap of nuggets
-could not at first restore warmth to their hearts. There was no whiskey
-left in the flask--not a drain. Their teeth chattering, they piled fresh
-brush on the camp fire, and then a half-rotted tree stump that soon
-burst into flame. Then when warmth at last crept through their frames,
-they too made their plans for the day.
-
-Buell Hampton and Roderick Warfield might come back. Perhaps they had
-camped all night in the mountain cave. In any case it would be safer
-to leave the canyon by the other way--by the trail along which Roderick
-must have entered and which was quite clearly defined in the snow as it
-led up the gorge. Yes; they would clear out in that direction, and Bud
-Bledsoe, who knew every track among the mountains, further proposed that
-they would then cross the range and take the west road to Rawlins. With
-a price on his head he himself could not enter the town--although a
-little later some of the new-found gold would square all that, for the
-present he must lie low. But he would guide Grady on the way, and the
-latter would get into Rawlins first and file the location papers without
-anyone at Encampment knowing that he had made the trip.
-
-"That's the dope," cried Bud Bledsoe, as he jumped to his feet and began
-stuffing his pockets to their fullest capacity with the big and little
-slugs of gold. Grady followed his example. Then both men took up their
-guns, Bledsoe also the light but strong hair lariat which was his
-constant companion whether he was on horse or foot, and began making
-their way up the canyon, following the well-trodden path through the
-snow along which Buell Hampton and Roderick had retraced their footsteps
-the evening before.
-
-It was a couple of hours later when the Major, Grant Jones, and Roderick
-emerged from the grotto.
-
-"Good heavens!" exclaimed the Major. "Look there!" And with extended arm
-he pointed to the ascending smoke of the camp fire higher up the valley.
-
-With the caution of deerstalkers they ascended by the stream. They
-found that the camp fire was abandoned. The half-gnawed bones, the empty
-whiskey flask, the remnant heap of nuggets, the hollows on the sand
-where the two men had slept--all helped to tell the tale. The names on
-the substituted location papers completed the story--W. B. Grady's name
-and those of some dummies to hold the ground, illegally but to hold it
-all the same. Bud Bledsoe, the outlaw, had not ventured to affix his own
-name, but the big whiskey bottle left little doubt as to who had been
-Grady's companion in the canyon overnight.
-
-The miscreants had departed--the tracks of two men were clearly shown
-at a little distance from those left by Roderick and the Major. They had
-ascended the gorge.
-
-"We have them trapped like coyotes," declared the Major, emphatically.
-
-"I'm not so sure about that," remarked Grant Jones. "If there is one man
-in this region who knows the mountain trails and mountain craft it is
-Bud Bledsoe. He'll get out of a box canyon where you or I would either
-break our necks to a certainty or remain like helpless frogs at the
-bottom of a well. Then I've got another idea--a fancy, perhaps, but
-I--don't--just--know."
-
-He spoke slowly, an interval between each word, conning the chances
-while he prolonged his sentence.
-
-"What's your idea?" asked Roderick. But the Major waited in silence.
-
-At last Grant's face lighted up.
-
-"Yes, by jingo," he cried, "that may be their plan. If they can get over
-the range on to the Ferris-Haggerty road they may make Rawlins by the
-western route. That's why they may have gone up the canyon instead of
-returning by the cave. For they came in by the cave; it is you they
-followed yesterday, Major, into the valley. The tracks show that."
-
-"I have already satisfied myself on that point," replied Buell Hampton.
-"I have no doubt, since we balked Bledsoe in his previous attempt, that
-he has been on my tracks ever since, determined to find out where I got
-the rich ore. But it surprises me that a man in Grady's position should
-have descended to be the associate of such a notorious highwayman."
-
-"Oh, moral turpitude makes strange bedfellows," said Grant, pointing to
-the depressions where the two claim-jumpers had slept "But there is no
-use in indulging in conjectures at the present time. I've a proposal to
-make."
-
-"Let us hear it," said the Major.
-
-"Luckily I brought my skis with me, strapped to one of the burros.
-Didn't know when they might come handy amid all this snow. Well, I'll go
-back to the hut, and I'll cut across the range, and will intercept these
-damned robbers, if that's their game, to a certainty."
-
-"Rather risky," remarked Buell Hampton. "Feels like more snow." And he
-sniffed the ambient air.
-
-"Oh, I'll be all right. And you've got to take risks too. I'll give
-Roderick my rifle, Major, and you take your own. You can follow the
-trail of these men, and if they have got out of the canyon, then you
-can get out the same way too. If so, we'll all meet on the range above.
-Roderick, you know where the Dillon Trail crosses the Ferris-Haggerty
-Road?"
-
-Roderick nodded assent.
-
-"Well, we can't miss each other if we all make for that point. And if
-you don't arrive by noon, I'll go right on to Rawlins by the western
-road, and lodge our location papers. I'll know you have Bledsoe and
-Grady trapped and are holding the ground."
-
-"Sounds feasible," said Roderick. "But first of all we've got to tear
-down these fraudulent location notices and put our own up again." He
-pointed to one of the corner stakes. "Just look--these claim-jumpers
-came provided with regular printed forms."
-
-"Well, go ahead with that right now," said Grant. "No doubt the papers
-have been changed too down on the Major's ground. When you're through
-with that job, follow the trail up the canyon. Now I'm off for my skis,
-and then for the road over the hills. Good-by. Take care of yourselves.
-Good-by."
-
-And down the valley they heard his voice singing the song of the
-mountain trail:
-
-               "As I was coming down the road,
-
-               Tired team and a heavy load,
-
-               I cracked my whip and the leader sprung
-
-               And the off horse stepped on the wagon tongue."
-
-Then his figure disappeared round a bend, and all again was still.
-
-But Bledsoe and Grady had taken their time in ascending the canyon.
-But at last they reached the impasse that had brought Buell Hampton and
-Roderick to a halt the previous evening and caused them to retrace their
-steps as the tracks revealed. Just as they were discussing whether it
-might not be necessary for them also to turn back, a deer dashed wildly
-past them on the narrow bench where they stood--so close that they might
-have almost touched it with an outstretched hand.
-
-Grady jumped back, frightened by the sudden bound of the swiftly
-speeding animal.
-
-"Do you know what that means?" asked Bledsoe quietly.
-
-"We started the deer, I suppose," stammered Grady.
-
-"No. But someone else did--lower down the gorge. We are being trailed,
-boss. We've got to get out of this hole in double-quick time or chance
-being shot down from behind a rock."
-
-"This wall is impossible," exclaimed Grady, his frightened face gazing
-up the cliff.
-
-Bledsoe was surveying the situation.
-
-"Wait a minute," he said at last. Then he swung his lariat, the noose of
-which, going straight to its mark, caught a projecting tree stump full
-fifty feet above.
-
-"If you can make that," he added, as he pulled the rope tight, "there's
-a ledge running right around and up--see?" He pointed with his finger,
-tracing a line along the rocky wall. "Now up you go. I'll hold the rope.
-It's dead easy."
-
-Grady dropped his rifle, and with both hands began to climb. Weighted
-with the gold in his pockets, he made the ascent slowly and laboriously.
-But at last he gained the ledge, and scrambling now on hands and knees
-as he moved further upward and onward he speedily disappeared over the
-rim of the cliff.
-
-On Bledsoe's lips was a smile of cold contempt.
-
-"Hell!" he muttered. "I wanted him to pull up the junk first. However,
-I'll manage, I guess."
-
-He proceeded to tie to the riata his own and Grady's rifle. Then he
-swung himself aloft.
-
-But he was not half way up when a rifle bullet flattened itself on the
-rock not a foot from his head.
-
-"Hands up!" came a voice from below.
-
-"By God, ain't they up now?" muttered the outlaw grimly, as he jerked
-himself to a higher foothold. A few more springs and he was standing on
-the ledge. Then, when a second bullet knocked off his hat, he ducked and
-scurried along the narrow footway almost as quickly as Grady had done,
-and was gone from the view of the two riflemen lower down the canyon.
-
-"Come on," exclaimed Roderick. "They don't seem to have any guns. We'll
-get them yet."
-
-Buell Hampton followed to the foot of the cliff. The rifles tied to the
-lariat showed that the fugitives were in truth disarmed, so far at least
-as long-distance weapons were concerned. The Major carefully hid the
-rifles in a clump of brushwood.
-
-They were now prepared to follow, but caution had to be used, for Bud
-Bledsoe no doubt had a brace of revolvers at his belt. Roderick climbed
-up the rope first, while Buell Hampton, with his Springfield raised,
-kept watch for the slightest sign of an enemy above. But the fugitives
-had not lingered. Roderick, from the edge of the cliff, called on the
-Major to make the ascent, and a few minutes later they stood side by
-side.
-
-High up on the snow-clad face of the mountain were the fleeing figures
-of Grady and Bledsoe. Yes, they were making in the direction of the
-Ferris-Haggerty Road. Grant would certainly intercept them, while
-Roderick and the Major stalked the quarry from the rear.
-
-"I intend to get that thousand-dollar reward for Bud Bledsoe's hide,"
-laughed Roderick, slipping a cartridge into the chamber of his rifle.
-
-"We must not shoot to kill," replied the Major. "It will be sufficient
-that they surrender. We have them at our mercy. Come along."
-
-He advanced a few paces, then paused.
-
-"But there," he murmured, "I do not like this snow." He held out his
-hand, and a first soft feathery flake settled on his palm.
-
-"Oh, well be all right," cried Roderick. "Besides we've got to help
-Grant."
-
-They trudged along, walking zig-zag up the hill to lessen the incline,
-but always keeping close to the trail of the men they were pursuing. On
-the plateau above the snow lay deeper, and at places they were knee-deep
-in the drift, their feet breaking through the thin encrusting surface
-which frost had hardened.
-
-"It is a pity we have not web snowshoes or skis," remarked Buell Hampton
-when they had paused to draw breath. "We could make so much better
-time."
-
-"Well, the other fellows are no better equipped than ourselves," replied
-Roderick, philosophically. "But, by jingo, it's snowing some now."
-
-Yes, the feathery flakes were all around them, not blindingly thick as
-yet, but certain precursors of the coming storm. The trail was still
-quite clear although the fugitives were no longer in sight.
-
-An hour passed, two hours, three hours--and hunters and hunted still
-plodded on. Roderick felt no misgivings, for he could tell from the
-lie of the hills that they were making steadily for the junction of
-the Ferris-Haggerty Road with the track over the range to Dillon, where
-Grant Jones would now be waiting. But at last the snow began to fall
-more thickly, and the encircling mountains came to be no longer visible.
-Even the guiding footprints were becoming filled up and difficult to
-follow.
-
-All at once Buell Hampton stopped.
-
-"These men have lost their way," he exclaimed.
-
-"They are going round in a circle. Look here--they have crossed their
-own track."
-
-The evidence was unmistakable.
-
-"Then what are we to do?" asked Roderick. "I suppose we hardly know
-where we are ourselves now," he added, looking uneasily around.
-
-"I have my pocket compass--luckily I never travel without it in the
-mountains. But I think it is prudent that we should lose no further time
-in making for Encampment."
-
-"And Grant Jones?"
-
-"He can look after himself. He is on skis, and knows every foot of the
-Dillon trail."
-
-"Then Grady and Bledsoe?"
-
-"Their fate is in other hands. If we follow them any longer we will
-undoubtedly be caught in the storm ourselves." He held a hand aloft.
-"See, the wind is rising. There will be heavy drifting before long."
-Roderick now felt the swirl of driven snow on his cheeks. Yes, the wind
-had risen.
-
-"But we'll endeavor to save them," continued Buell Hampton. "Perhaps, as
-they are circling round, they are not far away from this spot even now.
-We will try at all events."
-
-And raising both hands to form a voice trumpet, he uttered a loud:
-"Hallo I hallo!"
-
-But no answer came. Again he shouted, again and yet again, turning round
-in all directions. Everything remained silent and still.
-
-The Major now glanced at his compass, and took his bearings.
-
-"Come," was all he said, as he led the way through the loose crisp snow
-that crunched and cheeped beneath their feet.
-
-Half an hour later the storm by some strange vagary abated. The wind was
-blowing stronger, but it seemed to be driving the snow-laden clouds up
-into the higher mountain elevations. All of a sudden a penetrating shaft
-of sunshine flashed through the dancing snow-flakes, then the flakes
-themselves ceased to fall, and the sun was shining on the virgin mantle
-of white that enveloped range and peaks as far as the eye could see.
-
-Roderick glanced down the mountain side. Almost beneath his feet was
-Conchshell Ranch--he could see the home on the little knoll amid the
-clustering pine trees. For the moment he was thinking of Gail. But the
-hand of Buell Hampton had clutched his shoulder.
-
-"Look!"
-
-And Roderick looked--away in the direction of Cow Creek Canyon, a mighty
-gash in the flank of the mountains nearly a thousand feet deep and more
-than half a mile across. Standing out, clear and distinct in the
-bright sunshine, were the tall twin towers on either side of the gorge,
-supporting the great steel cable which bridged the chasm and carried the
-long string of iron buckets bringing ore from the Ferris-Haggerty mine,
-fourteen miles distant, down into the smelter at Encampment. Roderick
-at his first glance saw that the aerial cars, despite the recent
-snow-storm, were still crawling across the deep canyon, for all the
-world like huge spiders on a strand of gossamer.
-
-But as his eyes swept the landscape he beheld outlined on the white
-expanse of snow the figures of three men. One, standing fully a
-hundred yards away from the other two and lower down the hill, was the
-gorilla-like form of Bud Bledsoe. The others were Grady and Grant Jones
-on his skis.
-
-And as Roderick looked, before he could even utter a cry, these two
-figures clutched at each other. For a moment they swayed to and fro,
-then Grant seemed to fling his man away from him.
-
-Almost at the same instant, just as a picture might be blotted from a
-screen by cutting off the light, both figures had vanished! Then, like
-steam shot from a geyser, there ascended high into mid-air a great cloud
-of powdered snow, and to the watchers' ears came a deep boom resembling
-the prolonged and muffled roar of thunder or big artillery.
-
-"Good God! A snow slide!" gasped Buell Hampton.
-
-Roderick was stricken dumb. He stood rigid, frozen with horror. He
-needed no one to tell him that Grant Jones had gone over the rim of the
-canyon, down a thousand feet, smothered under a million tons of snow.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXIV--THE PASSING OF GRANT JONES
-
-
-EARLY the following morning several hundred searchers were at the scene
-of the snow slide in Cow Creek Canyon. Every precaution was taken not to
-have anyone walk along near the rim of the gorge a thousand feet above.
-There were still hundreds of thousands of tons of snow on the narrow
-plateau at the top, which any disturbance, even no greater than
-a stone thrown by the hands of a child, might start moving. If another
-slide should occur it would overwhelm and crush the intrepid searchers
-below.
-
-A systematic probing of the snow with long iron rods had been begun at
-once and kept up perseveringly until three o'clock in the afternoon.
-Then one of the searchers touched clothing or something with his rod.
-The snow was quickly shoveled aside, and at a depth of about seven feet
-the body of Grant Jones was found lying flat upon his back with his
-right arm stretched out above his head, the left doubled under him. The
-face was quite natural--it wore a peaceful smile. None of his clothing
-had been disturbed or tom--even his cap and his skis were in place. The
-poor fellow had simply been crushed to death or smothered by the many
-tons of snow.
-
-Immediately a makeshift sled was constructed by strapping two skis
-together sideways. On this the body was taken up the steep hills by a
-cautiously selected route to Battle, three and a half miles away, and
-thence on to Encampment, twelve miles farther, the improvised sled being
-drawn all the way by strong and willing men of the hills. Accompanying
-the remains were Roderick Warfield, Jim Rankin, Boney Earnest, and other
-faithful friends, while following came a great cortege of miners, mill
-hands, and mountaineers.
-
-It was midnight before the mournful procession reached town. And
-awaiting it even at that late hour was a dense crowd, standing with
-bared heads and tear-stained faces. For in all the hill country the
-name of Grant Jones was a household word. His buoyant good-nature was
-recognized by everyone, and probably he did not have an enemy in all
-southern Wyoming where his brief manhood life had been spent. Fully a
-thousand people, of both sexes, of all classes and all ages, formed the
-escort of the little funeral sled on its last stage to the undertaker's
-establishment. Here the body was received by Major Buell Hampton and the
-Reverend Stephen Grannon. It had been the Major's duty that day to
-seek out the clergyman and bring him down in a sledge from the hills to
-administer the last sad rites for their dear dead friend.
-
-Next day the search was resumed for Grady's remains. Bud Bledsoe it was
-known had escaped--the Major had seen him running downhill after the
-disaster and others had tracked his footprints, to lose them in a clump
-of timber. So there was only one more body to be recovered. The task of
-probing with the long iron rods went on for several hours. The searchers
-knew the necessity of working both carefully and with speed, for another
-snow slide was imminent. And at last it came, toward the noon hour. But
-warning had been passed along, so that no lives were sacrificed, the
-only result being to pile a veritable mountain of snow over the spot
-where Grady's body presumably lay. The search was abandoned, without
-regret on anyone's part; in the spring the avalanche would give up
-its dead; until then the mortal remains of the unpopular and disgraced
-capitalist could well remain in their temporary sepulchre of snow,
-"unwept, unhonored, and unsung."
-
-But for Grant Jones there was public mourning, deep, sincere, and
-solemn. Toward evening the whole town of Encampment seemed to be wending
-their way to the little church where the Reverend Stephen Gran-non
-was to preach the funeral sermon. And these are the words which the
-venerable Flockmaster spoke to the hushed and sorrowing congregation.
-
-"My friends, our hearts today commune with the battalions who have
-'crossed over.' Love broods above the sleeping dust in a service of
-tears. The past is a dream--the future a mystery. Sometimes the tides
-of dissolution creep upon us silently. Again they are as stormy seas and
-rough breakers that sweep all with reckless cruelty into oblivion. But
-whether the parting be one way or the other, in peacefulness or in the
-savagery of a storm, to loving hearts it is ever a tragedy.
-
-"The grief which is ours today is as old as the ages. It brings us into
-fellowship with the centuries. We know now why Eve wept for Abel and
-David lamented Absalom. Death is the most ancient sculptor in the world.
-Ever since men lived and died, death has made each grave a gallery
-and filled it with a silent statue. Death hides faults and magnifies
-virtues. Death conceals the failings of those who have passed while
-lovingly and enduringly chiselling their noble traits of character.
-
-"Centuries of philosophy have not succeeded in reconciling men to the
-sorrows of dissolution. Death makes us all equal with a mutual sorrow.
-We cannot forget our friend who rests here in his final sleep. In happy
-symbolism his shroud was whitest snow, and love thrills our hearts with
-sympathetic memory. Such love is the kindest service of the soul.
-
-"Affection for those who have departed has built the mausoleums of the
-world and makes every monument an altar of grief. Whether the hope of
-immortality is a revelation or an intuition is not under consideration
-today. Each man believeth for himself. We know that primitive man away
-back in Egypt buried his dead on the banks of the Nile and thought of
-immortality. We know that love throughout the ages has touched the heart
-with its wings, and hope from the beginning to the end whispers to us
-that 'if a man die he shall live again.' I believe that the doctrine of
-evolution gives a potent hope of immortality. Evolution takes the mud
-of the lake and makes a water lily--the hollow reed in the hand of the
-savage grows into a modern flute--the rude marks of primitive man in the
-stone age become poems and anthems in our own age. If mist can become
-stars--if dust can become worlds--if the immortality of biology is a
-truism--if love can come from sensations, if the angel of the brain can
-spring into being from simple cells, why then cannot the soul endure
-forever although undergoing transitions in the course of its divine
-development?
-
-"I believe in the immortality of the soul. I believe in the religion of
-humanity. Yes, on the far away rim of eternity, Faith seeks a beckoning
-hand and the human heart pulses anew with inspiration and unfaltering
-belief in the immortality of the soul. Let us believe there are songs
-sung and harps touched and kisses given and greetings exchanged in that
-other world. It is better that all other words should turn to ashes upon
-the lips of man rather than the word immortality. Our hearts once filled
-with this belief--this great truth--then every tear becomes a jewel, the
-darkest night flees before the breaking dawn and every hope turns into
-reality.
-
-"Before us, my friends, lies the dust of the dead--Grant Jones. Away
-from home--away from father and mother, brother and sister--far up
-in these hills where the shoulders of the mountains are clothed with
-treacherous banks of sliding snow--he was here seeking to carve out a
-destiny for himself, in the morning of early manhood. The Kismet of his
-life, clothed in mystery, caused him to lay down his tools and leave to
-others his but partially accomplished mission. He was journeying upward
-toward life's mountain-crest--already the clouds were below him and the
-stars about him. For do we not know from his gifted writings that this
-man held communion with the gods? His heart beat full of loftiest hope.
-And then--even before high twelve--he fell asleep. He is gone; but a
-myriad of memories of his achievements gather thick about us. We see him
-as he was, and this virion will abide with us throughout the years.
-
-"He was a student and a scholar. He read books that had souls in
-them--he read books that converse with the hearts of men and speak to
-them of an exalted life--a life that unfolds an ethical and a higher
-duty incumbent upon the children of men. He knew much about the
-literature of his day--was acquainted with the great authors through
-their writings. Keats was his favorite poet, Victor Hugo his favorite
-prose author and 'Les Misérables' his favorite book. Music had a
-thrilling charm for him. To his heart it was the language of the
-eternal. He heard songs in the rocks of towering cliffs, in primeval
-forests, in deep gorges, in night winds, in browned grasses and in
-tempestuous storms and in the pebbled mountain brooks.
-
-"We need have no fear for his future, my friends--with him all is well.
-A heroic soul, a matchless man, cannot be lost. His heart was a fountain
-of love. Virtue was his motto--hope his star--love his guide. Farewell,
-Grant, farewell. When with the silent boatman we too shall cross the
-river of death and steal away into the infinite, we believe that you
-will be standing there in the rosy dawn of eternity to welcome us, to
-renew the sweet ties of love and friendship that here on earth have
-bound our hearts to yours."
-
-Thus spoke the Reverend Stephen Grannon, the Flockmaster of the Hills.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXV.--A CALL TO SAN FRANCISCO
-
-
-DOROTHY mourned for Grant Jones--for days she wept and would not be
-consoled. Roderick had not seen her since the disaster; when he had
-called at the ranch Barbara had brought a message from her room that she
-dared not trust herself yet to speak to anyone, least of all to the one
-whom she knew to have been Grant's closest and dearest friend.
-
-Roderick had now taken apartments in the Bonhomme Hotel--it would
-have been too heartrending an experience to return to the shack where
-everything was associated with the memory of his lost comrade. It had
-been his painful task to pack the books, the little ornaments, the
-trophies of the chase, the other odds and ends of sacred relics, and
-send them back East to the old folks at home. He had known it to have
-been Grant's own wish that, when death should come, his body should rest
-among the hills of Wyoming. So when a simple headstone had been placed
-on the grave in God's acre at Encampment, the last sad duty had
-been performed. Grief was now deadened. The sweet pleasures of fond
-reminiscence remained, the richest legacy that man can leave behind him.
-
-Buell Hampton and Roderick never met without speaking of Grant, without
-recalling some pleasant episode in their association, some brilliant or
-thoughtful contribution he had made to their past conversations. With
-the aid of fragments of torn paper that had been clutched in the dead
-man's left hand, the hand that had been doubled under him when the body
-was found, they had pieced together the story of that fateful encounter
-with Grady. The latter, bent on discovering and jumping Buell Hampton's
-secret mine, had carried into the mountains the proper declaration
-papers in printed forms, with only the blanks to be filled in--name,
-date, exact location, etc. Grant must have become aware that these
-papers were all ready signed in Grady's pocket--perhaps in defiance the
-claim-jumper had flaunted them in his face. For the struggle had been
-for the possession of these documents, the torn quarters of which were
-still in Grant's hand when the fatal dislodgement of snow had taken
-place. The full infamy of Grady's long contrived plot was revealed.
-Righteously indeed had he gone to his doom.
-
-A week had passed when Roderick found a letter on the breakfast table at
-his hotel. It was from Barbara Shields.
-
-"My dear Mr. Warfield:--
-
-"I write to tell you that we are going to California--to spend the
-winter in Los Angeles. We are all sorrow-stricken over the great
-calamity up in the hills, and Dorothy--the poor dear girl is simply
-stunned. I have known for a long while that she was very fond of Grant,
-but I had no idea of the depths of her feelings.
-
-"Papa says Mama and I must start at once and endeavor to cheer up
-Dorothy and help her forget as much as possible the sadness of this
-terrible affair.
-
-"Mr. Bragdon called last night, and is to be our escort to the coast. We
-shall probably return about the first of May. Please accept this as an
-affectionate good-by for the time being from us all.
-
-"With cordial good wishes,
-
-"Sincerely your friend,
-
-"Barbara."
-
-Meanwhile snow had been descending off and on day after day, until now
-the whole of the mountain country was effectively sealed. Evidently a
-rigorous winter had set in, and it would be many months before Hidden
-Valley would be again accessible. Roderick was not sorry--the very
-mention of gold and mining had become distasteful to his ears. Even when
-with the Major, they, never now spoke about the secret canyon and its
-hoarded treasures--in subtle sympathy with each other's feelings the
-subject was tabooed for the present Bud Bledsoe had disappeared from the
-district, no doubt temporarily enriched by the nuggets with which he had
-filled his pockets. In the spring most likely he would return and rally
-his gang of mountain outlaws. But until then there need be no worry
-about the snow-enshrouded claims, the location papers for which had
-been now duly registered at the county seat in the names of their proper
-owners.
-
-Buell Hampton had his books and his work for the poor wherewith to
-occupy his mind. Roderick found his consolation at the smelter. Early
-and late now he worked there, learning the practical operations
-from Boney Earnest, mastering the business details with the aid of a
-trustworthy old clerk whose services had been retained as secretary.
-Boney, having been made the choice of his brother foremen in accordance
-with the new plan of operations, was duly confirmed in his position of
-general manager, while Roderick, formally elected vice-president by the
-board, held the salaried and responsible post of managing-director.
-
-Major Hampton withdrew himself more and more into the seclusion of his
-library; he rarely came to the smelter plant; he left everything
-in Roderick's hands once he had become satisfied of the young man's
-aptitude for the work; he was content to read the managing director's
-weekly report showing steady progress all along the line--increased
-output, decreased operating costs, large reductions in waste and
-breakages, in a word the all-round benefits resulting from friendly
-cooperation between capital and labor, no longer treating each other
-as enemies, but pulling together in happy conjunction and for mutual
-advantage.
-
-Another circumstance contributing to the general harmony of the
-community was the departure of W. Henry Carlisle, the deposed attorney
-of the smelter company. One of Senator Greed's hirelings, Carlisle had
-been rewarded by that master of political jobbery with a judgeship in
-Alaska. Thus was the whole country made to pay the price of shameful
-underhand services that had tainted the very atmosphere and might well
-have caused the man in the moon to hold his nose when crossing the state
-of Wyoming.
-
-However, Carlisle's going put an end to much bitterness and squabbling
-in Encampment, and now month succeeded month in peaceful routine. As
-both smelter and mine were now working Sundays as well as week days,
-Roderick could rarely take a day off--or at least he would not allow
-himself a day off.
-
-However, along with Major Buell Hampton he was the guest of Mr. Shields
-for Christmas Day dinner, and learned the latest news of the exiles in
-California; that mother and daughters were well, Dorothy something like
-her old happy self if chastened with a sorrow that would always leave
-its memory, and all thoroughly enjoying the unaccustomed luxury of a
-winter of warmth and perpetual sunshine. There was another item in Mr.
-Shields' budget. Whitley Adams had spent a month in the capital of the
-southwest, had brought along his big touring car, and had given the
-girls no end of a good time.
-
-"What took him to Los Angeles?' asked Roderick.
-
-"Oh, important banking business, Barbara says," replied Mr. Shields
-quite innocently.
-
-Roderick smiled. "Would Dorothy be consoled," he asked himself. The
-enterprising youth certainly deserved the prize; Roderick recalled
-the mirthful warning sent to dear old Grant in the latter's dilatory
-courting days about the tempting peach and the risk of a plundering
-hand. Indeed Whitley and Grant had been wonderfully akin in their
-boyish good-nature and irrepressible enthusiasm. With Grant gone, it
-seemed quite natural that Whitley and Dorothy should be drawn together.
-Roderick could wish no greater happiness for Dorothy, no better luck for
-his old college chum. Such was the train of his musing the while
-Buell Hampton and their host were discussing the wonderful growth and
-unbounded future of Los Angeles, the beautiful city of garden homes and
-cultured family life.
-
-For New Year's Day Roderick was invited to the Holdens' place, and
-spent a delightful afternoon and evening. Gail sang and played, and the
-General seemed to be mightily interested in all the wonderful results
-being achieved at the smelter under the new régime. Gail listened
-somewhat distrait, but when the conversation about ores and fluxes
-and cupola furnaces and all that sort of thing seemed likely to be
-indefinitely prolonged she stole back to her piano and began singing to
-herself, soft and low.
-
-And presently, while the General meandered on in a disquisition about
-refractory ores, Roderick was no longer paying attention. He was
-listening to the warbling of a thrush in the forest, and his straining
-ears caught the words of the song--"Just a-Wearyin' for You." A thrill
-ran through his nerves. He excused himself to the General, and crossed
-over to the piano. Gail instantly changed her song; by a skillful
-transition she was humming now, "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Dhon." But
-their eyes met, and she blushed deeply.
-
-During the following weeks Roderick thought much and often about the
-beautiful Gail Holden, and occasionally now he would relax from business
-duties to enjoy a gallop with her on a sunny afternoon over the foothill
-ranges. They talked on many themes, and, although words of love were
-as yet unspoken, there came to them the quiet sense of happiness in
-companionship, of interest in each other's thoughts and undertakings,
-of mutual understanding that they were already closer and dearer to each
-other than friendship alone could make them.
-
-Spring was now rapidly approaching. The meadowlarks were singing, and
-the grass beginning to grow green in the valleys and foothills, the wild
-flowers to paint the slopes and dells in vivid colors. General Holden
-had several days before gone to San Francisco, to visit his brother
-there in regard to some family business. Gail had been unable to
-accompany her father; she had declared that the little ranch at this
-season required all her attention. To comfort her in her loneliness
-Roderick had promised to go riding with her for an hour or two every
-afternoon. This pleasant duty had been properly fulfilled for several
-days, and one afternoon, with Badger ready saddled in front of his
-office, the young vice-president of the smelter company was just
-clearing up a few items of business at his desk before mounting and
-taking the road for the Conchshell Ranch.
-
-A telegram was laid at his hand. He opened it casually, talking the
-while with Boney Earnest. But when he saw the name on the slip of paper,
-he started erect. The message was from Gail, and had come from Rawlins:
-"My father is in hospital, having met with a street accident in San
-Francisco. Have just had time to catch the afternoon train at Rawlins.
-My address will be the Palace Hotel. Will telegraph news about father on
-arrival."
-
-"Good God!" exclaimed Roderick. "She has taken that journey alone. And
-no one to help her in her trouble and sorrow."
-
-There was no alternative--he could but wait with all the patience he
-could command for the next day's overland. For he had instantly resolved
-to follow Gail. Like a flash had come the revelation how deeply he loved
-the girl; it had only needed the presence of tribulation to cause the
-long-smouldering spark of the fire divine in his heart to leap into
-flame--to make him realize that, come weal, come woe, his place now was
-by her side.
-
-That afternoon he made all his preparations for departure. The evening
-he spent with Buell Hampton, and frankly told his friend of his great
-love for Gail. The Major listened sympathetically.
-
-"All the world loves a lover," he said, a kindly glow upon his face.
-"Humanity demands, conscience approves, and good people everywhere
-applaud the genial and glowing warmth of honest love of man for maid.
-And I commend the choice of your heart, Roderick, for surely nowhere
-can be found a finer woman than Gail Holden. Go in and win, and may good
-luck follow you. For friendship's sake, too, I think it highly proper
-you should proceed at once to San Francisco and look after General
-Holden. I hope he is not dangerously hurt."
-
-"I have no other information except this telegram," replied Roderick.
-"But I'll surely wire you from San Francisco."
-
-Jim Rankin drove the stage next morning. Roderick took his accustomed
-place on the box seat, and listened to Jim's accustomed flow of language
-on all the local topics of interest. But during the long drive of fifty
-miles there was only one little part of the one-sided conversation that
-Roderick ever remembered.
-
-"Yes, siree," Jim said, "all the folks is readin' books these days. I
-myself have took the craze--I've got a book about the horse out of our
-new libr'y an' I'll be dog-busted if I ever knew the critter had so
-many bones. Tom Sun is readin' about wool growin' in Australia, and is
-already figgerin' on gettin' over Tasmanian merino blood for his flocks.
-And I'm danged if old Wren the saloon-keeper ain't got stuck with a
-volume on temperance. 'Ten Bar-Rooms in One Night'; no, by gunnies,
-that's not it--'Ten Nights in a Bar-Room'--now I've got it right Guess
-it will do him a power o' good too. Then all the young fellers have
-started goin' to night classes. I tell you the Reverend Grannon with his
-schools an' his libr'ies is just workin' wonders. An' who do you think
-is his right hand man, or boy, or devil--call him which you like?"
-
-"Who?" asked Roderick vaguely.
-
-"Scotty Meisch, that little tad of a cow-puncher you and poor old Grant
-Jones took up and made a printer's devil of. Well, the parson got
-his hooks in him and tells me he's turned out to be a first-class
-organizer--that's his word. It's Scotty who goes around, starts each new
-lib'iy, and sets the machin'ry goin' smooth an' proper. It's a case of a
-round peg in a round hole, although who the hell would have thought it?"
-
-Roderick was pleased to hear this good news of Scotty Meisch, but,
-returning to his thoughts about Gail, failed to follow Jim as the latter
-switched off into another line of "unbosomings."
-
-He was glad to be alone at last and in the drawing room of the Pullman
-car which he had reserved by telegraph.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXVI--IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS
-
-
-AFTER a tedious and delayed trip of three days and nights Roderick's
-train steamed onto the mole at Oakland. During the last night he had
-refused to have the berth in his drawing room made down, and had lounged
-and dozed in his seat, occasionally peering out of the car window. The
-hour was late--almost three o'clock in the morning. The train should
-have arrived at seven o'clock the evening before.
-
-There was the usual scramble of disembarking, red-capped porters
-pressing forward to carry hand baggage from the train to the ferryboat.
-
-"Last boat to San Francisco will leave in five minutes," was shouted
-from somewhere, and Roderick found himself with his valise in hand being
-pushed along with the throng of passengers who had just alighted from
-the train. Once on the ferryboat, he climbed to the upper deck and went
-well forward for the view. The waters of the bay were illumed with a
-half-crescent moon. Far across, six miles away, was San Francisco with
-its innumerable lights along the waterfront and on the slopes of her
-hills. To the right were Alcatras Island and the lighthouse.
-
-Then the sharp ping-ping of bells sounded and the great wheels of
-the boat began to turn. Roderick was filled with the excitement of an
-impatient lover. "Gail, Gail, Gail," his throbbing heart kept thrumming.
-Would he be able to find her? San Francisco was a strange city to Gail
-as well as to himself. She had been on the train ahead of him, and might
-by this time have left the Palace Hotel, the address her telegram had
-given. But he had learned from one of the porters that Gail's train had
-been greatly delayed and would not have arrived before eleven o'clock
-the previous night. He reasoned that she would perforce have gone to the
-hotel at such a late hour, and would wait until morning to hunt up the
-hospital where her father was being cared for.
-
-The boat had hardly touched the slip and the apron been lowered than he
-bounded forward, hastened through the ferryhouse and came out into
-the open where he was greeted by the tumultuous calls of a hundred
-solicitous cab-drivers. Roderick did not stand on the order of things,
-but climbing into the first vehicle that offered directed to be taken to
-the Palace Hotel.
-
-Arriving at the hotel Roderick paid his fare while the door porter
-took possession of his grips. Glancing at a huge clock just over the
-cashier's desk, he noticed the hour was three-thirty a. m. Taking
-the pen handed to him by the rooming clerk, he signed his name on the
-register, and then let his eyes glance backward over the names of
-recent arrivals. Ah, there was the signature of Gail Holden. Fortune was
-favoring him and he breathed a silent prayer of thankfulness that he had
-overtaken her.
-
-Yes, he would serve her. He would help her. She should see and she
-should know without his telling her, that nothing else mattered if he
-could only be with her, near her and permitted to relieve her of all
-troubles and difficulties.
-
-"Show the gentleman to his room," said the night clerk and bowed to
-Roderick with a cordial good night.
-
-As Roderick turned and followed the boy to the elevator, he realized
-that he was not sleepy--indeed that he was nervously alert and wide
-awake. After the boy had brought a pitcher of ice-water to the room,
-received his tip and departed, Roderick sat down to think it all over.
-But what was the use? "I cannot see her until perhaps eight o'clock in
-the morning. However, I will be on the outlook and in waiting when
-she is ready for breakfast. And then--" his heart was beating fast "I
-certainly am terribly upset," he acknowledged to himself.
-
-Taking up his hat, he went out, locked the door, rang for the elevator
-and a minute later was out on the street. He was still wearing his
-costume of the mountains--coat, shirt, trousers, and puttees, all of
-khaki, with a broad-brimmed sombrero to match. A little way up
-Market Street he noticed a florist's establishment. Great bouquets
-of California roses were in the windows, chrysanthemums and jars of
-violets.
-
-He walked on, deciding to provide himself later on with a floral
-offering wherewith to decorate the breakfast table. He had often heard
-San Francisco described as a city that turned night into day, and the
-truth of the remark impressed him. Jolly crowds were going along
-the streets singing in roistering fashion--everyone seemed to be
-good-natured--the cafés were open, the saloon doors swung both ways and
-were evidently ready for all-comers. When he came to Tate's restaurant,
-he went down the broad marble steps and found--notwithstanding the
-lateness or rather earliness of the hour--several hundred people still
-around the supper tables. The scene had the appearance of a merry
-banquet where everyone was talking at the same time. An air of joviality
-pervaded the place. The great fountain was throwing up glittering
-columns of water through colored lights as varied as the tints of a
-rainbow. The splash of the waters, the cool spray, the wealth of ferns
-and flowers surrounding this sunken garden in the center of a great
-dining room--the soft strains of the orchestra, all combined to fill
-Roderick with wonder that was almost awe. He sank into a chair at a
-vacant little table near the fountain and endeavored to comprehend it
-all He was fresh from the brown hills, from the gray and purple sage and
-the desert cacti, from the very heart of nature, so utterly different
-to this spectacle of a bacchanalian civilization.
-
-The wilderness waif soon discovered that he would be de trop unless he
-responded to the urgent inquiries of the waiter as to what he would have
-to drink.
-
-"A bottle of White Rock to begin with," ordered Roderick.
-
-As he was sipping the cold and refreshing water it occurred to him that
-he had not tasted food since breakfast the day before in the dining car
-of the train. Yes, he would have something to eat and he motioned to the
-waiter.
-
-After giving his order he had to wait a long time, and the longer he
-waited the hungrier he became. Presently a generous steak was placed
-before him. Potatoes _au gratin,_ olives, asparagus, and French peas
-made up the side dishes, and a steaming pot of coffee completed a
-sumptuous meal.
-
-When he had paid his check he discovered it was almost five o'clock in
-the morning, and as he mounted the marble stairway he laughingly told
-himself he wouldn't have much of an appetite at seven or eight o'clock
-when he came to sit down at the breakfast table with Gail Holden.
-Gaining the sidewalk he found that darkness was shading into dawn.
-
-Instead of returning by way of Market Street, Roderick lit a cigar and
-turning to the right walked up a cross street toward the St. Francis
-Hotel. In front was a beautiful little park; shrubbery and flowers lined
-the winding walks, while here and there large shade trees gave an added
-touch of rural charm.
-
-He seated himself on one of the iron benches, took out his watch and
-counted up the number of minutes until, probably, he would see the
-object of his heart's desire. How slow the time was going. He heard the
-laughter of a banqueting party over at the Poodle Dog, although at the
-time he did not know the place by name.
-
-"Yes," he murmured, "San Francisco is certainly in a class by itself.
-This is the land where there is no night."
-
-The contrast between the scenes in this gay city and the quiet hill
-life away up among the crags, the deep canyons and snow-clad peaks of
-southern Wyoming was indeed remarkable.
-
-It was the morning of April eighteen, 1906, and the night had almost
-ended. There was a suggestion of purple on the eastern horizon--the
-forerunner of coming day. The crescent moon was hanging high above Mt.
-Tamalpais.
-
-The town clock tolled the hour of five and still Roderick waited.
-Presently he was filled with a strange foreboding, a sense of
-oppression, that he was unable to analyze. He wondered if it presaged
-refusal of the great love surging in his heart for Gail Holden, the fair
-rider of the ranges, the sweet singer of the hills. An indescribable
-agitation seized him.
-
-The minutes went slowly by. His impatience increased. He looked again at
-his watch and it was only a quarter after five. The city was wrapped in
-slumber.
-
-Then suddenly and without warning Roderick was roughly thrown from his
-seat and sent sprawling onto the grass among the shrubbery. He heard
-an angry growling like the roar from some rudely awakened Goliath of
-destruction deep down in earth's inner chambers of mystery--a roar
-of wrath and madness and resistless power. The ground was trembling,
-reeling, upheaving, shaking and splitting open into yawning fissures,
-while hideous noises were all around. Buildings about the park were
-being rent asunder and were falling into shapeless heaps of ruin.
-
-Struggling to his feet, his first impulse was to hasten to the hotel
-and protect Gail. As he arose and started to run he was again thrown to
-earth. The bushes whipped the turf as if swished to and fro by an unseat
-hand. For a moment Roderick was stunned into inaction--stricken with the
-paralysis of unspeakable fear.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXVII--RODERICK RESCUES GAIL
-
-
-IT WAS but a few seconds until Roderick was again on his feet Hurriedly
-taking his bearings, he started off through the little park in the
-direction of the Palace Hotel. In the uncertain morning dawn the
-people from innumerable bedrooms above the stores were pouring into the
-streets. They were scantily attired, most of them simply in their night
-garments, and all were dazed and stunned with a terrible fright Before
-Roderick had reached Market Street the thoroughfare was almost blocked
-by this frantic and half-clothed mass of humanity. His powerful athletic
-frame and his football experience stood him in good stead, although
-here roughness had to be exchanged for greatest gentleness. He was very
-persistent, however, in his determination to reach the hotel in time if
-possible to be of assistance to Gail.
-
-Less than ten feet in front of where he was crowding his way through
-the throng of people a portion of a cornice came tumbling down from
-far above. A wailing cry went up from the unfortunates pinned beneath.
-Roderick leaped quickly forward and with the strength of a Hercules
-began to heave aside the great blocks of stone. Others recognized his
-leadership, instantly obeyed his commands and lent their united strength
-in helping to release three men who had been caught under debris. The
-cries of the injured were piteous. Indifferent to the danger of falling
-bricks and mortar Roderick caught up one poor fellow in his arms and
-carried him as if he were a babe into a receding doorway.
-
-"My legs, my legs," the victim moaned. "They're broken--they're broken."
-
-Quickly removing his coat Roderick placed it beneath the man's head for
-a pillow, and leaving others to guard, he hastened back to the scene of
-the tragedy, only to find that the spark of life had now gone out from
-the other two bodies pitifully maimed and crushed.
-
-He pushed his way into the middle of the street amid the surging mob,
-and again turned his steps toward the Palace Hotel. At last he found
-himself near to the entrance of the great hostelry. But everyone was
-seeking to escape and rushing to the street in riotous disorder. By dint
-of indefatigable efforts he managed to get within the gateway and then
-to the large trysting room across the hall from the hotel office. A
-group of women were endeavoring to revive a poor sufferer who evidently
-had fainted. Approaching, he saw blood coursing down the fair face of
-the unfortunate.
-
-"My God!" he exclaimed. "It is Gail."
-
-An instant later he had gently pushed the helpers aside and gathered
-the girl in his strong arms. Moving backwards, forcing a passage step by
-step with the determination of one who acts intuitively in a crisis,
-he managed to gain the open. He hoped the air would restore Gail to
-consciousness.
-
-Crossing to the other side of the street where the throng was less dense
-he started toward a high hill that rose up far away. It was covered
-with residences, and if he could once reach that vantage point with his
-charge he felt sure it would be an asylum of safety. The distance was
-considerable and presently the way became steep. But he was unconscious
-of any weight in the burden he carried. His only thought was to get Gail
-away from the burning, falling buildings--away from the central part of
-the city which was now a fiery pit wrapped in sheets of devouring flame.
-
-Finally attaining the eminence--it was Nob Hill although he did not know
-the name--he found the porches and front lawns of the beautiful houses
-filled with frightened people viewing the scene in awe and amazement.
-Formalities were forgotten; solicitude and helpful kindness reigned
-supreme among all the people of the stricken city.
-
-He called to a little group huddled on the front porch of their home.
-"Here is a lady," Roderick explained, "who has been injured and fainted.
-Will you please get water and help to revive her?"
-
-In hurried eagerness to assist they quickly brought a cot to the porch
-and upon this Roderick gently placed the still unconscious girl. Her
-face was deathly white, and a great red gash was discovered across one
-side of her head, from which the blood was trickling down the marble
-cheek. The wound was bandaged by tender hands and the face laved with
-cooling water. After a little Gail opened her eyes and asked piteously:
-"Where am I? Where am I?"
-
-"You are safe," said Roderick as he knelt by her side.
-
-"Oh, is it you, Mr. Warfield? How glad--how glad I am to see you. Where
-am I?"
-
-"In San Francisco. Don't you remember?"
-
-"Yes, yes, I remember now," she replied weakly and lifted one hand to
-her aching head. "But papa?--where is my father?"
-
-"I am going to look for him now. You are with kind people and they will
-care for you. Rest quietly and be patient until I return."
-
-Her dark blue eyes looked helplessly up into his for a moment; then he
-turned and was gone.
-
-Roderick rushed down the hill, back to the scene of devastation where
-he might be useful in helping to save human life, determined also in
-his heart to find General Holden. But where was he? In some hospital, as
-Gail's telegram had told.
-
-He was debating with himself whether he should return to seek some
-directions from Gail. But just then the surging, swaying crowd pushed
-him irresistibly back, then swept him away along Market Street. The
-Palace Hotel was on fire. Policemen and firemen were thrusting the
-people away from the known danger line.
-
-Just then he heard a voice crying out in heart-rending anguish: "My
-little girl', my little girl." It was a frantic mother weeping and
-looking far up to the seventh story of a building she evidently had just
-left. There leaning out of a window was a curly haired tot of a child,
-perhaps not more than four years old, laughing and throwing kisses
-toward her mama, all unconscious of danger.
-
-"I came down," sobbed the weeping mother to those around, "to see what
-had happened. The stairway is now on fire, and I cannot return. Will no
-one, oh Lord, will no one save my little girl?"
-
-Roderick looked up to where the woman was pointing and saw the child.
-
-"My God!" he exclaimed, "smoke is coming out of the next window." He
-noticed that the adjoining building was already a mass of fire. At a
-glance he took in the situation.
-
-"Hold on a minute," he shouted. "I will try."
-
-There was an outside fire escape that led from the top story down to
-the first floor. Roderick made a leap, caught hold of the awning braces,
-pulled himself up with muscles of steel, and grasped the lowermost rung
-of the escape. A moment later he was making his way up the narrow
-iron ladder, pushing through the aperture at each floor, with almost
-superhuman swiftness. When he reached the window he lifted the child in
-his arms and hastily started on the downward journey.
-
-"Hold tight, little girl," was all Roderick said as he felt the
-confiding clasp of her tiny arms about his neck.
-
-Many of the people below besides the almost frenzied mother were
-watching the heroic deed with bated breath. Just then a cry of terror
-went up. The great wall of a burning building across the street was
-toppling outward and a moment later collapsed, burying many unhappy
-victims beneath the avalanche of broken brick and mortar.
-
-Whether the little girl's mother had been caught by the falling wall or
-not Roderick had no means of determining. A choking cloud of dust,
-ash, soot and smoke enveloped him in stifling darkness; he could hardly
-breathe. The very air was heated and suffocating. But down and down he
-went with his little burden clinging tightly to him. Arriving at the
-awnings he swung himself over, secured a momentary foothold, then
-grasped the braces with his hands and dropped to the littered sidewalk
-below.
-
-The mother of the girl was nowhere to be seen. He turned down the street
-to get away from the horrible sight of the dead and the piteous cries
-of the dying. He had scarcely reached the next corner when the child,
-who was mutely clinging to him as if indeed she knew he was her savior,
-released her arms and called out gleefully: "Oh, there's mama, mama,
-mama." Then the mother stood before him, weeping now for joy, and
-through her tears Roderick saw a face of radiance and a smile of
-gratitude that time or eternity would never erase from his memory.
-
-Nothing mattered now--her little girl was safe in her arms. "I don't
-know who you are, sir," she exclaimed, "but I owe to you the life of my
-child, and may the good God bless you."
-
-But this was no time for thanks. Roderick was looking upward.
-
-"Come quickly," he shouted, "come this way--hasten." And he pulled them
-down a side street and away from another sky-scraper that was trembling
-and wavering as if about to fall.
-
-They turned, and ran along a street that was still free from fire and
-led toward the St. Francis Hotel and the little park fronting it where
-Roderick had sat at dawn. Carefully he guided the woman's steps, keeping
-to the middle of the street, for the sidewalk was encumbered with debris
-and threatened by partly dislodged brickwork above. Here and there
-the roadway was rumpled and rough as a washboard by reason of the
-earthquake, while at places were great gaping fissures where the earth
-had been split open many feet deep. But soon they were in the open
-square, and mother and child were safe. Knowing this, Roderick allowed
-them to pass on--to pass out of his life without even the asking or the
-giving of names.
-
-For there was other work to his hand; he hurried back to the last
-crossing. There under the fallen débris, was a woman obviously of
-refinement and wealth whose life had been vanquished without warning.
-One hand was extended above the wreckage. It was shapely and encircled
-with a bracelet, while a single diamond solitaire ring adorned her
-finger--perhaps a betrothal ring. Two human ghouls--not men--had whipped
-out their ready knives and were in the very act of severing the finger
-to obtain the jewel. It was these brutes that Roderick had come back to
-face.
-
-Like a flash he leaped forward and with a well directed sledge-hammer
-blow felled one of these would-be robbers of the dead. Then he grappled
-with the second scoundrel. The man in his grip was none other than the
-outlaw, Bud Bledsoe!
-
-With knife already open and in his hand the inhuman wretch slashed
-Roderick's cheek, and the red blood spurted down his face and neck.
-Roderick loosed his hold and stepped back a pace--the next gash of this
-kind might easily be a fatal one. But not for one instant did he lose
-his presence of mind or nerve. As the cowardly miscreant advanced, cruel
-murder in his eyes, Roderick by a swift swing of his right parried the
-upraised hand that held the knife, and then, seizing the opening, he
-delivered with his left a smashing uppercut. Bledsoe reeled for a moment
-like a drunken man, then sank to the ground a huddled heap, and finally
-rolled over kicking convulsively and quite insensible.
-
-The knockout had been effected quickly and well--like a butcher would
-fell a bullock.
-
-Already the devastated city was under martial law, and three or four
-soldiers coming hurriedly up just then, and having seen from the
-opposite corner the hellish attempt of the two wretches to despoil the
-dead, shot them instantly, Bledsoe where he lay writhing, the other as
-he staggered dazed-like to his feet.
-
-Roderick wiped the blood from his face, and thanked the soldiers. "Good
-for you, young fellow," cried one of them as they continued on their
-way.
-
-His wound forgotten, Roderick again looked round to see where he could
-render the most efficient service.
-
-The night came on, and he was still at work, rescuing and helping. He
-had been recognized by the Citizens' Committee of Safety and now wore
-a badge that gave him the freedom of the streets. In all his goings
-and comings he was ever looking for General Holden, and he also made
-numerous trips to Nob Hill, searching for the house where he had left
-Gail. But he could never find the place again, for the raging fire was
-fast obliterating all guiding landmarks.
-
-Thus for two days--terrible days, pitiful days--for two nights--terrible
-nights, pitiful nights--Roderick drifted with the bands of rescuers,
-doing deeds of valor and of helpfulness for others less strong than
-himself. His face was black with soot and clotted with blood, his coat
-he had parted with at the beginning of the disaster, the rest of his
-clothing was tattered and torn, his sombrero had disappeared, when and
-how he had not the faintest notion.
-
-The fire had now burned out its center circle and was eating away at the
-rim in every direction. Roderick suddenly remembered he had tasted no
-food since his early breakfast at Tate's an hour before the earthquake
-crash. The pangs of hunger had begun to make themselves felt, and he
-concluded to turn his steps toward the outer fire line and endeavor to
-find something to eat.
-
-As he walked along from house to house he found them all deserted. Some
-of the household goods were scattered about the lawns, while boxes,
-trunks, and bulky packages were piled on the sidewalks. Presently he
-found a basket which contained a single loaf of bread. This he ate
-ravenously, and counted it the greatest feast he had ever had in
-his life. He ate as he hurried along, thinking of Gail and General
-Holden--wishing he might divide the bread with them.
-
-The roar of consuming, crackling flames, the deep intonations of
-intermittent dynamite explosions, and the occasional wail of human
-beings in distress, rose and fell like a funeral dirge.
-
-His feet intuitively turned back to the burned district. There might yet
-be more work for him to do.
-
-He determined to pick his way across the ruins, and ascending the hill
-opposite make another desperate effort to find Gail. After a fatiguing
-climb over hot embers and around the twisted steel skeletons of
-burned-out buildings he finally stood on the rim of the hill above the
-saucer-shaped valley of flames. Only charred and smoking ruins were
-about him. The beautiful residential district had like the business
-sections below, been swept with the fires of destruction.
-
-Where was Gail? Was she safe? Was she dead? Would he ever find her?
-These were some of the questions that kept him in agonizing incertitude.
-
-There was a weird uncanny attraction about this great amphitheatre of
-flame--an attraction like that of a lodestone; and he feared lest Gail
-had left her refuge in a vain search for her father and met with another
-serious accident. Roderick had visited all the unburned hospitals, but
-no trace of General Holden had he been able to find. The quest for both
-must be resumed; so down the hill he trudged again.
-
-Ashes and burning cinders were falling like huge flakes of snow.
-Once more Roderick was in the midst of a throng of people--gaunt and
-hollow-eyed, wearied and worn-out, just staggering along. At last he
-recognized the little park in front of the St. Francis Hotel. Yes, he
-would go there, stretch himself on the grass, and rest and sleep for at
-least a few hours. This would make him ill the fitter for his task of
-searching.
-
-Just as he was about to cross the street a dozen people shouted for him
-to look out; but he did not turn quickly enough to discover nor escape
-a burning wooden rafter that fell from the upper story of a building and
-struck him an ugly glancing blow on the head. Roderick dropped to the
-ground unconscious.
-
-At this very moment a Red Cross automobile was passing. It stopped
-abruptly at the sidewalk. Two men stepped quickly down and lifted the
-almost lifeless body into the machine. A moment later the auto glided
-away down a side street in the direction of Golden Gate Park.
-
-That night there were many in the camps of refuge around the burning
-city who thought about the tall, strong-muscled, square-jawed young
-stranger in khaki garb, while their hearts welled up with gratitude
-for his timely assistance and chivalrous deeds of bravery. Had they
-but known of the fate that had at last befallen their nameless hero,
-grateful thoughts would have been turned into fervent prayers.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXVIII--THE SEARCH FOR RODERICK
-
-
-THE general shock of horror caused by the San Francisco disaster was
-intensified at Encampment when the news ran round that three local
-people had been in the stricken city at the moment of the earthquake
-shock which had laid the business centre in ruins and prepared the way
-for the subsequent far-sweeping conflagration. No telegram came from
-either the Holdens or Roderick Warfield, and their silence, their
-failure to relieve the anxiety of the friends they must have known
-were deeply concerned about their safety, could only cause ominous
-conjectures as to their fate. There was no possibility of reaching them
-by wire, for the Palace Hotel, the only known address, had been one of
-the first buildings destroyed.
-
-But Buell Hampton did not wait for telegrams to reach him. He had
-no sooner been apprised of the catastrophe than he was on his way to
-Rawlins, hiring a special conveyance on the mere off-chance that railway
-schedules would have been disarranged and a train might be caught at any
-moment. In this he showed his usual good judgment for within an hour of
-reaching the station he was on board a belated limited, in which he had
-the further good fortune to find one solitary sleeping berth unoccupied.
-The train was loaded with returning San Francisco people who had
-been absent when their homes had been swept away, anxious friends of
-sufferers, doctors, nurses, relief workers of every kind, newspaper men,
-all hurrying to the scene of sorrow and suffering.
-
-It was on the morning of the fifth day after the earthquake that Buell
-Hampton, provided with a special permit, at last found himself amid the
-ruins of San Francisco. Many buildings were still burning or smoldering,
-but the area of destruction was now defined and the spread of the flames
-checked. With saddened heart the Major picked his way along what once
-had been Market Street but was now a long mound of fallen stones,
-bricks, and mortar lined by the skeletons of lofty iron-framed
-buildings. Here the work of clearing away the debris in search of
-victims was in progress. But any inquiries of those actively engaged in
-these operations were useless. Buell Hampton passed on.
-
-Suddenly he came upon the bread line, a wonderful sight--a long row of
-people of all sorts and conditions, the rich, the poor, the educated,
-the ignorant, the well dressed, the tattered, ranged in single file and
-marching slowly past the commissary to receive a supply of provisions
-for their own famishing selves or for their destitute families. Buell
-Hampton scanned each face; neither General Holden nor Roderick were in
-the line, nor was there any sign of Gail.
-
-Then he began a systematic visitation of the refuge camps that had been
-formed around the bumed-out area. The remainder of that first day he
-spent in Golden Gate Park. It was not until the succeeding afternoon
-that he found himself in the crowded tent city out on the Presidio.
-Here at last his patient and persistent efforts were rewarded. He caught
-sight of Gail seated near the door of a tiny tent-house and strode
-eagerly forward to greet her. In his deep emotion he folded the young
-girl to his breast, and she in turn clung to him in her joy of meeting
-at last a dear friend from home.
-
-"Where is your father?" was the Major's first inquiry.
-
-"He is safe. We have this little tent, and I am nursing him. His right
-arm was broken in the street accident, but immediately after the fire
-began all the hospital patients were removed to open places, and here I
-found him, thank God, the very first evening. You see, my uncle's house
-was burned. He is quartered across the bay at Oakland."
-
-"Your head is bandaged, Gail. Were you badly hurt?"
-
-"Oh, that was nothing," she replied, pulling off the narrow band of
-linen that encircled her brow. "Just a little scalp wound when I fell,
-and it is quite healed now. But, oh, I remember so little about the
-terrible disaster--how I got out of the Palace Hotel at all."
-
-"And Roderick--where is Roderick?" asked Buell Hampton.
-
-Gail's eyes opened wide--with wonder, then with fear.
-
-"Roderick, Roderick!" she exclaimed in a trembling voice. "Then it was
-not a dream?"
-
-"What dream?"
-
-"That it was he who carried me out of the hotel building and to the
-veranda of the house where he laid me on a cot and kind friends bathed
-my wound."
-
-"No dream, this. It was Roderick for certain. He followed you on the
-next train to San Francisco--intending to go straight to the Palace
-Hotel."
-
-"Followed me? Why did he follow me?"
-
-"To render you help when your father was hurt--because he loves you--of
-course, you must have divined how deeply he loves you."
-
-The color rose slowly to Gail's face. But there was fear still in her
-eyes. She pressed her clasped hands to her breast.
-
-"Then where is he now?" she asked in a tense whisper.
-
-"That is what I want to know--I have been seeking both you and him. When
-did you meet last?"
-
-"Five days ago. After saving me he rushed straight away to seek for
-Papa. I came to believe that it was all a dream. For I have not seen him
-since. Oh, he must have been hurt--he may have been killed." And burying
-her face in her hands she burst into tears.
-
-Buell Hampton laid a kindly hand on her shoulder. "Come, my dear, we
-can do no good by giving way to weeping. I have been through many of the
-refuge camps, and I shall go right on searching now. You see there
-are thousands of people in these Presidio grounds. He may be within a
-stone's throw of us here at this very moment."
-
-"Oh, let me help you." With a hand she dashed away her tears, and stood
-before him now, calm and resolute. "I will come with you right now. I
-need no hat or anything."
-
-"But your father?"
-
-"He is all right He is resting quite peacefully. Just spare one moment,
-please. Come in and shake hands. He will be so happy to see you."
-
-She led the way to the tent door and parted the awning. Buell Hampton
-entered and warmly greeted General Holden. But he told him he could not
-linger, for Roderick must be found.
-
-During the remaining hours of daylight the Major and Gail searched along
-row after row of tents. But Roderick remained undiscovered--no one had
-ever heard his name or could remember having seen anyone answering to
-the description given. Reluctantly Buell Hampton quitted the quest and
-led Gail back to her own place of refuge.
-
-"I am sleeping at Berkeley," he explained. "It is best that we should
-both have our night's rest. But I shall be back here for you soon after
-daybreak, and if you can engage someone to watch by your father we shall
-search together all day long. Will that suit, you, Gail?"
-
-"Oh, you are so kind taking me," she replied, resting her hands on his
-shoulders, tears of gratitude in the eyes that looked up into his. "It
-would break my heart not to be with you."
-
-"I would not rob you of love's sweet duty," he replied as he stooped and
-gently kissed her on the brow.
-
-Another day went by, but still their efforts were unrewarded. On the
-following morning they started for the Seal House, to search the many
-improvised hospitals which they had learned were located there. The
-first place they entered was an immense tent with two or three hundred
-cots ranged in crowded rows.
-
-As Buell Hampton and Gail walked down the long central aisle, each took
-one side to scan the physiognomies of the poor sufferers, some moaning
-in delirium, others with quiet pale faces that lighted up to return the
-smile of sympathy and encouragement Presently, the Major who was walking
-a few feet in advance heard an exclamation of joy, and turning quickly
-saw Gail Holden kneeling at the side of a cot There was a bewildered
-look on the face of the patient--a lean drawn face, pallid beneath the
-tan, the chin stubbled with a beard of a few days' growth, the forehead
-swathed in bandages, one cheek scored with a healing scar. Gail had
-taken one of his hands in both her own. He looked from Gail to Major
-Hampton and then from the Major back to Gail.
-
-"Is this a vision?" he asked feebly, as if doubting his senses.
-
-"Roderick, my dear fellow, is it really you?" exclaimed the Major, as
-he bent down over him. "For days we have been hunting for you. And now
-we've found your hotel"--he glanced around with a little smile--"we
-don't propose to lose sight of you again."
-
-Loosening his hand from Gail's and taking both of hers in his own and
-smiling feebly, Roderick said: "Really, Gail, I hardly know yet whether
-you are actually here or I am dreaming. You looked pretty white that day
-I carried you from the hotel."
-
-"There is no dream about me, Roderick," replied Gail brightly. "We are
-going to take care of you, Major Hampton and myself, just as you so
-kindly looked after poor little me."
-
-At this moment a nurse approached: "So your friends have found you, Mr.
-Warfield?" she said with a cheerful smile.
-
-"Yes," replied Roderick, "the very best friends I have in all the
-world." As he spoke Gail felt the gentle pressure of his hand.
-
-"Is this your ward?" inquired the Major of the nurse.
-
-"Yes, I have had charge of it ever since this makeshift hospital was put
-up."
-
-"Well, how is the patient, our friend Mr. Warfield?"
-
-"He had received a pretty ugly cut--a falling piece of wood or something
-of that sort--on the top and side of his head--a sort of glancing
-bruise. But he is getting on very well now. We have his fever under
-control. For a number of days he was very flighty and talked a great
-deal about Major Hampton."
-
-"I am honored," said the Major, bowing.
-
-"Oh, you are Major Hampton?"
-
-"Yes," said Gail, "Major Buell Hampton is Mr. Warfield's best
-friend--that is, one of the best." And she looked quickly at Roderick.
-
-"How fortunate that you have come when he is convalescing. But tell me,"
-asked the nurse, "who is Gail? In his delirium he talked a great deal
-about her."
-
-Roderick's face flushed, and Gail with rising color immediately changed
-the subject by asking: "How soon would it be safe to have the patient
-removed?"
-
-"Oh, perhaps tomorrow or the next day. The doctor says he is now quite
-out of danger--the fever is practically gone."
-
-At Roderick's request he was propped up on his little white iron
-hospital cot, chairs were brought, and until far on in the afternoon
-Gail and the Major sat on either side, conversing in quiet, subdued
-tones, relating incidents in the terrible disaster, planning for their
-early return to Wyoming just as soon as Gail's father and Roderick
-himself could stand the journey.
-
-A couple of days later Buell Hampton and Gail arrived at the hospital in
-an automobile, and carried Roderick away to a yacht anchored in the
-bay that had been placed at their disposal. Here Roderick found General
-Holden already installed in a comfortable deck chair, and he was
-introduced by Gail to her Uncle Edward, a hale old gentleman bearing a
-striking resemblance to his brother. The General looked fit even if he
-did carry his right arm in a sling, Roderick although weak from loss of
-blood was able to walk, and both could well congratulate each other on
-their providential escape.
-
-"We are not going to talk about these awful times," said the General as
-he gave Roderick his left hand and returned the cordial pressure. "But
-I have to thank you for saving our dear Gail. We all fully realize that
-without your brave and timely help we would not have her with us today."
-
-"Nonsense," protested Roderick. "Somebody else would have done what I
-did. I was just happy and lucky in having the privilege."
-
-"God bless you!" murmured the father, again pressing the hand which he
-had not yet relinquished.
-
-"And so say I," exclaimed the uncle. "We could not do without our little
-Gail." And he patted her cheek affectionately.
-
-There followed a week of blissful rest and happy companionship, at the
-end of which it would have been a hollow mockery to pretend in the case
-of either invalid that any more nursing or lolling in long chairs was
-required. Railroad accommodations were secured for the morrow.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXIX--REUNIONS
-
-
-TEN days before the departure from San Francisco telegrams had been
-sent in all directions giving forth the glad tidings that General Holden
-and Gail, Roderick and Buell Hampton, were safe and would soon be on
-their homeward way to Wyoming. Among those thus notified had been the
-Shields family at Los Angeles and Allen Miller at Keokuk. But it was a
-great surprise to find Whitley Adams waiting the arrival of the morning
-train at Rawlins with his big Sixty Horse Power automobile, and bearing
-the news that Mrs. Shields, Barbara and Dorothy had returned, while also
-Uncle Allen and Aunt Lois had come to Encampment so that appropriate
-welcome might be given to those who had recently come through such
-terrible and harrowing experiences. Jim Rankin and Tom Sun were also on
-the platform to exchange hand-grips with Roderick and the Major.
-
-After the first glad salutations Whitley pointed to his car, and
-announced that he was going to drive the party over to Encampment.
-
-"Sorry to be starting in opposition to the regular stage," he said with
-a sly little wink in Roderick's direction. "But you see Mr. Rankin's
-horses are hardly good enough for the occasion."
-
-Jim drew himself up and pointed to his old Concord stage coach standing
-by, all ready for the road.
-
-"The dangnationest finest pair uv roan leaders and span uv blacks at
-the wheel that ever had lines over 'em in this part of the country," he
-declared sturdily. "Just wait a bit, young man. 'Fore we're many miles
-on the road I make free to prognosticate you'll be under the bed-springs
-uv that new fangled wagon uv yours and my hosses will be whizzing past
-you like a streak uv greased lightnin'. How would a little bet uv ten or
-twenty dollars suit you?"
-
-"Oh, bankers never gamble," replied Whitley with undisturbed gravity.
-"Well, you'll follow with the luggage, Mr. Rankin, and no doubt we'll
-have the pleasure of seeing you again sometime tomorrow. Come away, Miss
-Holden. Luncheon is to be waiting at my hotel in Encampment in a couple
-of hours."
-
-"Blame his skin," muttered Jim when the big automobile had whirled away.
-But Tom Sun was convulsed with laughter.
-
-"He got your dander fairly riz, Jim," he chuckled.
-
-Jim's visage expanded into a broad grin.
-
-"Guess that's just what he was arter. But ain't he the most sassy
-cock-a-whoop little cuss anyhow?"
-
-"Shall I help you with the luggage?" laughed Tom Sun.
-
-"Oh, you just quit the foolin' game, Tom. Don't come nachural from you.
-Besides I might be gettin' a heap peevish and kind o' awkward with my
-artillery. Suppose we lubricate?"
-
-So the old cronies crossed over to the Wren saloon, where a brace of
-cocktails soon restored Jim's ruffled dignity.
-
-Meanwhile the automobile was speeding along.
-
-Roderick was on the driver's seat beside Whitley, and absorbing the
-news.
-
-"Oh, I just insisted on your Uncle Allen coming along," Whitley was
-telling him. "And Aunt Lois, too. My old folks will arrive at the end of
-the week. Meantime Aunt Lois is helping me with my trousseau."
-
-"Your trousseau!"
-
-"Yes--socks and things. You see it's all fixed up between me and dear
-Dorothy. Oh, she's the best girl ever--you'll remember I said that from
-the first, Rod, my boy." His face became grave, and his voice took a
-humble tone. "Of course I know I can never, fill the place of Grant
-Jones, and I told her that. But I'll do my best to make her happy, and I
-think she cares enough for me to let me try."
-
-Roderick pressed the hand next him resting on the steering wheel.
-
-"I'm sure you'll be very happy, both of you," he said; "and I
-congratulate you, Whitley, old fellow, from the bottom of my heart."
-
-Whitley looked round and was his gay, light-hearted self once again.
-
-"Thanks, old chap. Well, Barbara and Ben Bragdon are also ready. We're
-only waiting for you and Gail."
-
-Roderick's face reddened.
-
-"You're mighty kind but rather premature, I'm afraid."
-
-"Oh, fudge and nonsense! We're all agreed the thing's settled, or as
-good as settled. Great guns anyone with half an eye could have told it,
-to see you handing her out of the train a little while ago."
-
-"Really, Whitley."
-
-"There now, just forget all that. So when talking matters over with
-Bragdon and our dear twins I suggested that we might as well ring the
-wedding bells for six as for two at a time--may come cheaper with the
-Reverend Grannon, you know, if we hand it to him wholesale."
-
-Roderick no longer attempted to protest, and Whitley rambled on: "But,
-say, old fellow, your Uncle Allen has one on you. He declares that
-Gail Holden is just the very girl he intended for you right from the
-beginning--the young lady about whom you kicked when you had that row
-in the banker's room a year and a half ago--Great Scott, how time does
-fly!"
-
-"Impossible," exclaimed Roderick in profound amazement
-
-"The very same," replied Whitley. "The little tot of a girl with whom
-you had that desperate love affair down the river years and years
-ago--oh, quite a pretty story; your uncle told it to me with no end of
-charming details. And now he is mighty proud, I can tell you, over his
-own foresight and sagacity in picking just the right girl for you at the
-very start."
-
-"He said that, did he?" queried Roderick with a grim smile.
-
-"Yes, and that if you had followed his advice you could have had her
-then, without running away from home and facing all sorts of hardships
-and dangers."
-
-"No, sir," exclaimed Roderick firmly. "Gail Holden is not that sort of
-girl. Uncle Allen forgets that she had to be won--or rather has to be
-won," he added, correcting himself when he caught the smile on Whitley's
-countenance.
-
-"Well, you won't forget," laughed Whitley, "that I stood out of the
-contest and left the way clear for you. Lucky, though, that the College
-Widow took the bit between her teeth and bolted, eh, old man?"
-
-"Hush!" whispered Roderick, throwing a warning glance over his shoulder.
-
-"What are you two boys talking about?" asked Gail, with a bright smile
-from her seat at the back of the tonneau.
-
-"Old college days," laughed Whitley, as he changed the clutch for a
-stiff up-grade.
-
-Arriving at Encampment, they found Allen Miller walking nervously up
-and down the platform in front of the hotel. The red blood in Roderick's
-veins surged like fierce hammer strokes, with eagerness to once more
-grasp the hand of his old guardian.
-
-He hastily excused himself, jumped from the auto and grasped the
-extended hand of his old guardian. He was soon led away by his uncle
-Allen, to the parlors of the hotel, to meet his Aunt Lois.
-
-"Oh, I am so glad you brought Roderick here, Allen; for I just knew that
-I would get all fussed up and cry.
-
-"There, there, Aunt Lois," said Roderick cheerily, after embracing her
-warmly, "we are not going to be separated any more,--or, if we are,
-it will not be for long at any one time. I know the way back to old
-Keokuk," said Roderick, laughing and hugging his dear aunt Lois again,
-"and you and Uncle Allen now know the road out to the Wyoming hills."
-
-"I declare, Lois," said Uncle Allen, "you and Roderick act like a couple
-of school children." He laughed rather loudly as he said this, to hide
-his own agitation; but it was noticed that his eyes were filled with
-tears, which he hastily brushed away.
-
-It was a happy luncheon party at the Bonhomme Hotel, Whitley playing
-the host to perfection, his guests, besides the new arrivals, being the
-whole Shields family, Banker Allen Miller and his wife, and the young
-state senator, Ben Bragdon. And early in the proceedings Gail to her
-surprise learned that Roderick was no other than her little boy lover on
-the river steamer _Diamond Joe_ some fifteen years ago, and blushed
-in sweet confusion when Allen Miller in radiant good humor joked about
-coming events casting their shadows before. Roderick went to her rescue
-and promptly switched the topic of conversation.
-
-Toward the close of the meal Buell Hampton was expounding to the banker
-a great irrigation scheme he had in view--to bring into Encampment
-Valley the waters of French Creek and Bear Creek, the former by a tunnel
-through the Hunter Range, the latter by a siphon under the Great Platte
-River, whereby a hundred thousand acres of rich valley lands, now
-wilderness because waterless, could be brought into profitable
-agricultural bearing.
-
-"So you are going to drive us cattle men off the face of the country,"
-laughed Mr. Shields.
-
-"Better happy homes than roaming herds," replied Buell Hampton. "What
-nobler work could we take in hand?" he asked. "The smelter and the mine
-are running themselves now. Let us then see what we can do to make the
-desert blossom like the rose. Mr. Miller, Mr. Shields, myself--we can
-all help with capital. Mr. Bragdon, there is a life's work for you in
-this enterprise."
-
-"Lawyers always come in for fat pickings," laughed Whitley Adams.
-
-"General Holden," continued the Major, "I am sure will want to join in
-too. Then Roderick--"
-
-He paused and glanced in his young friend's direction.
-
-"Oh, I'm prepared to turn in all the gold from my mine," exclaimed
-Roderick enthusiastically.
-
-Indeed Buell Hampton had kindled the spirit of enthusiasm all round. The
-project was as good as launched--the dream of a generation of pioneers
-within sight of realization.
-
-When coffee was being served on the veranda, the Major drew Roderick
-aside. They were seated alone at a little table.
-
-"Roderick, my boy," Buell Hampton began, "I want to see you tonight at
-my home--all alone. Come about eight o'clock. I have several matters
-of importance to communicate. During the afternoon I'll be busy--I have
-some banking business to transact, besides I wish an hour or two with
-your uncle before my talk with you tonight. I am sorry to leave such
-a happy gathering, but am sure"--this with a gentle glance in Gail's
-direction--"that the time will not hang heavily on your hands. Until
-eight o'clock then," and with a tap on Roderick's shoulder the Major
-crossed over and spoke a few words to Allen Miller, the two taking their
-departure a few moments later.
-
-Roderick was mystified--less by Buell Hampton's actual words than by his
-grave look and manner.
-
-Meanwhile Gail had risen and entered the drawing room that opened by
-French windows off the veranda, and the sound of her voice at the piano
-broke him from his momentary reverie. He rose and joined her.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XL--BUELL HAMPTON'S GOOD-BY
-
-
-RODERICK was prompt to the minute in keeping his appointment. He found
-the Major seated before a bright log-fire, and his first glance around
-the old familiar room showed the progress of some unusual preparations.
-The open lid of a traveling trunk revealed clothing and books already
-packed; the violin in its case rested on the centre table.
-
-Buell Hampton interpreted his visitor's look of wonderment.
-
-"Yes, Roderick," he said with a smile that was both tender and serious,
-"I am going away. But let us take things in their order. Sit down here,
-and let us smoke our pipes together in the old way--perhaps it may be
-for the last time in each other's company."
-
-"Oh, don't say that, my dear Major," protested Roderick, in accents of
-real concern.
-
-But Buell Hampton motioned him to his seat, and passed over the humidor.
-For a minute or two they smoked in silence. At last the Major spoke.
-
-"Roderick, I have news that will greatly surprise you. I had a telegram
-from Boney Earnest just before we left San Francisco. I said nothing to
-you, for I did not wish with needless haste to disturb your happiness."
-
-"Not about Gail?" asked Roderick, his face paling.
-
-"No, no. This has nothing to do with Gail--at least it only affects her
-indirectly. You spoke today at lunch time about turning in the profits
-of your gold mine into the Encampment Valley irrigation scheme. I want
-to put you right on this mining matter first. Boney Earnest's telegram
-showed that neither you nor I have a gold mine any longer. Hidden Valley
-has disappeared. Our claims are under five hundred feet of water."
-
-"How could this have happened?"
-
-"You have read in the newspapers that the cosmic disturbances of the San
-Francisco earthquake extended entirely across the continent. Indeed the
-shocks were felt distinctly in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other
-Atlantic points. Well, a number of prospectors have been up among the
-mountains getting ready to stake around our claims, and they report
-that three miles above Spirit Falls a vast new lake has been formed,
-completely filling the canyon."
-
-"The shake brought down the grotto cavern, I suppose."
-
-"And sealed it, damming back the river. That is undoubtedly what has
-happened. So Roderick, my dear fellow, you have to forget that gold. But
-of course you know that all I have is yours to share."
-
-"No, no, Major," exclaimed Roderick, laying a hand on his friend's
-shoulder. "Besides your all too generous gift at Denver, I have my
-salary from the smelter company, and I'm going to chip in to the limit
-of my power for the advancement of that glorious irrigation scheme of
-yours. I did without the mine before. Thank God I can do without it now.
-My dear father's letter served its purpose--it brought me to Wyoming,
-and although I have no right to say so just yet I do believe that it has
-won for me Gail Holden's love."
-
-"I am sure of it," remarked Buell Hampton quietly. "She has loved you
-for a long time--you were all in all to her before you followed to San
-Francisco, as the poor girl's anguish showed during those days when we
-both thought that you had perished."
-
-"Then, Major," cried Roderick, the light of great joy illuminating
-his countenance, "if I have won Gail Holden's love I have won greater
-treasure than the treasure of Hidden Valley--greater treasure than all
-the gold claims in the world."
-
-"Spoken like a man," replied Buell Hampton as he gripped Roderick's
-hand. The latter continued, his face all aglow: "Everything has come out
-right When my Unde Allen refused to help me in my New York ventures he
-really saved me from cruel and accursed Wall Street where more hearts
-have been broken and lives of good promise wrecked than on all the
-battlefields of the world. When he handed me my father's letter, he took
-me out of that selfish inferno and sent me here into the sweet pure
-air of the western mountains, among men like you, the Reverend Stephen
-Grannon, Ben Bragdon, Boney Earnest, and good old Jim Rankin too,
-besides our dear dead comrade Grant Jones. Here I have the life worth
-living, which is the life compounded of work and love. Love without
-work is cloying, work without love is soul-deadening, but love and work
-combined can make of earth a heaven."
-
-"And now you speak like a philosopher," said Buell Hampton approvingly.
-
-"Which shows that I have been sitting at your feet. Major, for a year
-past not altogether in vain," laughed Roderick. "From every point of
-view I owe you debts that can never be repaid."
-
-"Then let me improve this occasion by just one thought, Roderick. It is
-in individual unselfishness that lies the future happiness of mankind.
-The age of competition has passed, the age of combination for profit
-is passing, the age of emulation in unselfishness is about to dawn. The
-elimination of selfishness will lead to the elimination of poverty; then
-indeed will the regeneration of our social system be begun. Think that
-thought, Roderick, my dear fellow, when I am gone."
-
-It was ever thus that Buell Hampton sought to sow the tiny grain of
-mustard seed in fertile soil.
-
-"But why should you go away, Major?" asked Roderick protestingly.
-
-"Because duty calls me--my work for humanity demands. But we shall
-come to that presently. For the moment I want to recall one of our
-conversations in this room--in the early days of our friendship. Do you
-remember when I gave it as my opinion that it would be conducive to the
-happiness of mankind if there was no abnormal individual wealth in the
-world?"
-
-"That a quarter of a million dollars was ample for the richest man in
-the world--I remember every word, Major."
-
-"Well, Roderick, today I have transferred to your credit in your Unde
-Allen's bank precisely this sum."
-
-"Major, Major, I could never accept such a gift."
-
-"Just hear me patiently, please. The sum is quite rightfully yours. It
-is really only a small fraction of what your father's claim might have
-produced for you had I taken you earlier into my full confidence and so
-helped you to the location of the rich sandbar with its nuggets of gold.
-Moreover, you know me well enough to understand that I count wealth as
-only a trust in my hands--a trust for the good of humanity. And I feel
-that, in equipping such a man as yourself, a man whom I have tested
-out and tried in a dozen different ways without your knowing it--in
-equipping you with a sufficient competency I really help to discharge
-my trust, for I invest you with the power to do unmeasured good to all
-around you. I need not expatiate on such a theme; you have heard my
-views many times. In sharing my wealth with you, Roderick, I simply
-bring you in as an efficient helper for the uplift of humanity. It
-therefore becomes your duty to accept the trust I hand over to you,
-cheerfully and wishing you Godspeed with every good work to which you
-set your hand."
-
-"Then, Major, I can but accept the responsibility. I need not tell you
-that I shall always try to prove myself worthy of such a trust."
-
-"I have yet another burden to place on your shoulders. The balance of
-the wealth at my present disposal I have also handed over to you--as my
-personal trustee. At this moment I do not know when and in what amount
-I shall require money for the task I am about to undertake. Later on you
-will hear from me. Meanwhile Allen Miller knows that my initial
-investment will be equal to his own in the valley irrigation scheme.
-You, Roderick, as my trustee may contribute further sums at your
-absolute discretion; if the work requires help at any stage, use no
-stinting hand irrespective of financial returns for me, because with me
-the thing that counts mainly is the happiness and prosperity of this
-town, its people, and the surrounding valley lands."
-
-"But, Major, can't you remain with us and do these things yourself?"
-
-"No; the call is preemptory. And if perchance you should never hear from
-me again, Roderick, continue, I beg of you, to use my money for the good
-of humanity. Count it as your own, use it as your own. I lay down no
-hard and fast rules to guide you. Give to the poor--give to those in
-distress--pay off the usurer's mortgage and stop excessive interest
-that makes slaves of the poor family struggling to own a little thatched
-cottage. Give wherever your heart is touched--give because it is God's
-way and God is prompting you by touching your heart."
-
-Roderick listened in silence, deeply moved. He saw that Buell Hampton's
-mind was made up--that no pleading or remonstrance could alter the
-decision at which he had arrived. The Major had now risen from his
-chair; there was a softness in the rich full tones of his voice, a look
-of half pain in his eyes, as he went on: "But remember, although we may
-be parted, our friendship abides--its influences endure. Friendship,
-my dear Roderick, is elemental--without commencement and without end--a
-discovery. From the beginning of furthest antiquity, the pathway of the
-centuries have been lined with tablet-stones pronouncing its virtues.
-Friendship is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. It is an
-attraction of personalities and its power is unseen and as subtle as
-the lode-stone. It is the motive that impels great deeds of bravery in
-behalf of humanity. It speaks to the hearts of those who can hear its
-accents of truth and wisdom, and contributes to the highest ideals of
-honor, to the development of the sublimest qualities of the soul. It is
-the genius of greatness; the handmaiden of humanity. I have sometimes
-thought that if we could place in our own souls a harp so delicately
-attuned that as every gale of passion, of hope, of sorrow, of love
-and of joy swept gently over the chords, then we would hear in the low
-plaintive whisperings the melody of friendship's sweetest note--that
-quivers and weeps and laughs on the shore line of immortality."
-
-"Your friendship, Major," said Roderick fervently, "will always be one
-of the most deeply cherished things in my life. But I cannot reconcile
-myself to the thought that we should part."
-
-Buell Hampton laid a hand upon the young man's shoulder.
-
-"Duty calls--the two little words are enough, although it grieves me
-sore to think that most likely we shall never meet again. Your work is
-here--your usefulness lies here. But as for me, my mission in the hills
-is finished. I am going to a far away country--not a new one, because
-there are many in squalor and poverty where duty leads me. There I will
-begin again my labors for the lowly and the poor--for those who are
-carrying an unjust portion of life's burdens. There is no lasting
-pleasure in living, my dear Roderick, unless we help hasten the age
-of humanity's betterment. Good-by," concluded the Major, smiling into
-Roderick's eyes and pressing his hand warmly--"good-by."
-
-Almost dazed by the suddenness of the parting Roderick Warfield found
-himself out in the darkness of the night He was stunned by the thought
-that he had gripped his dear friend's hand perhaps for the last
-time--that there had gone out of his life the one man whom above all
-others he honored and loved.
-
-Thus passed Buell Hampton from among the people of the hills. None of
-his intimates in or around Encampment ever saw him again.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XLI.---UNDER THE BIG PINE
-
-
-ON the following afternoon Roderick saddled his pony Badger and rode
-over to the Conchshell ranch. The Holdens received the news of Buell
-Hampton's mysterious departure with deep regret; the Major had become
-very dear to their hearts, how dear they only fully realized now that he
-was gone.
-
-It was toward evening when Gail proposed that they go riding in the
-woods. The invitation delighted Roderick, and Fleetfoot and Badger were
-speedily got ready.
-
-"Let us follow the old timber road to the south," Roderick suggested. "I
-want to show you, only a few miles from here, a beautiful lake."
-
-"I know of no such lake," she replied.
-
-"Yet it is less than five miles away, and we shall christen it Spirit
-Lake, if you like the name, for it lies above Spirit Falls."
-
-"You are dreaming. There is no such lake."
-
-"I will show it to you. Come along."
-
-Upward and onward he led her over the range. And when they gained the
-summit, there at their feet lay the great new lake about which Buell
-Hampton had told him, fully seven miles long and two miles wide, and not
-less than six or seven hundred feet deep as Roderick knew, for he had
-gathered nuggets of gold on the floor of the little canyon now submerged
-beneath the placid blue waters.
-
-Gail gazed in silent admiration. At last she exclaimed: "Spirit Lake! It
-is well named. It is more like a dream than reality."
-
-He helped her from the saddle. They tethered their mounts in western
-fashion by throwing the reins over the horses' heads. They were standing
-under the branches of a big pine, and again they gazed over the waters.
-At the lower end of the lake was a most wonderful waterfall, dashing
-sheer down some four hundred feet into Spirit River.
-
-For several minutes they continued to gaze in enraptured silence on
-the scene of tranquil beauty. Toward the east the forest was darkly
-purple--to the west, across the waters, the hills were silhouetted in
-splendid grandeur against a magnificent sunset. The whole range seemed
-clothed in a robe of finest tapestry. The sun was rapidly approaching
-the rim of the western horizon.
-
-The afterglow of the red sunset marked paths of rippling gold on the
-waters. Vague violet shadows of dusk were merging over all. Nature was
-singing the lyric of its soul into things--crooning lake and mountains
-and forest-clad slopes to slumber.
-
-It was Gail who at last broke the spell.
-
-"Oh, how beautiful, how supremely beautiful," she murmured.
-
-"Well, it is the earthquake that has wrought all this wonderful change,"
-explained Roderick'. "And now, dear Gail, I have a story to tell you."
-
-And, seating her on the turf by his side, under the big pine, where
-the waters lapped at their very feet, he proceeded to relate the whole
-romantic story of his father's lost find--his own lost claim. By the
-time the narrative was ended the sun had set behind the hills. Roderick
-rose, and giving his hands, helped Gail to her feet.
-
-"So all this wonderful treasure of Hidden Valley lies beneath these
-waters," she exclaimed.
-
-"Yes, but for me the real treasure is here by my side."
-
-As he spoke these words his arm stole around her waist. She did not
-appear to notice his half timid embrace as together they stood viewing
-the panorama of a dying day. Presently he drew her closer.
-
-"The day and the night blend," he whispered softly as if fearful
-of disturbing the picture. "Shall not our lives, sweetheart," asked
-Roderick with vibrant voice, "likewise blend forever and forever?"
-
-Gail half turning lifted her slender hands to Roderick's cheeks and he
-quickly clasped her tightly in his strong arms and kissed her madly on
-lips, eyes and silken hair.
-
-"Roderick, my lover--my king," said Gail through pearly tears of joy.
-
-"My little Gail," whispered Roderick, exultantly, "my sweetheart--my
-queen."
-
-Slowly the light of day vanished. The sounds of night began walking
-abroad in the world. Dusk wrapped these lovers in its mantle. The day
-slept and night brooded over forest, lake and hills.
-
-In a little while they lifted the bridle reins of their mounts and
-turning walked arm in arm down the old timber road toward Conchshell
-ranch.
-
-They halted in the darkness and Roderick said: "Do you mind, dear, if I
-smoke?"
-
-"Certainly not," was her cheery reply.
-
-He bit the cigar and struck a match. The fight reflected on Gail's
-radiant face. "Wonderful," he ejaculated as he tossed the match away,
-laughing softly. He had quite forgotten to light his cigar.
-
-"Why, what did you see, Roderick, you silly fellow, that is so
-wonderful?"
-
-"I saw," said Roderick, "the dearest little woman in the wide, wide
-world--my mountain song girl--who is going to be kissed with all the
-pent-up passion of a 'grizzly' in just one-half second."
-
-
-
-
-AFTERWORD
-
-
-Into the warp and woof of my story of the West, "The Treasure of Hidden
-Valley," there have been woven a few incidents of the great calamity
-that some years ago befell the city of San Francisco. Perhaps some of my
-readers will care to peruse a more detailed description of that tragic
-happening.
-
-W. G. E.
-
-
-IT was on April 18, 1906, that San Francisco was shaken by a terrible
-earthquake which in its final effects resulted in the city being
-cremated into cinders and gray ashes.
-
-The trembling, gyrating, shaking and swaying vibrations, the swiftly
-following outbursts of fire, the cries of those pinned beneath fallen
-débris and of the thousands who were seeking to escape by fleeing into
-the parks and toward the open country, produced the wildest pandemonium.
-
-While there was no wind, yet a hundred fires originating at different
-points quickly grew into sheets of towering flame and spread to adjacent
-buildings, burning with demoniacal fierceness as if possessed by some
-unseen mysterious power, pouring forth red hot smoke until the prostrate
-city was melted into ruin by the intense heat of a veritable hell.
-
-The night of April 17 and 18 had almost ended in San Francisco. It had
-been like many another night in that cosmopolitan city. Pleasure-seekers
-were legion,--negligent, care-free, wrapped in the outward show of
-things--part of it good--part of it not so good--some of it downright
-wicked as in Ancient Pompeii. Yet the hour was late--or early, whichever
-you will--even for San Francisco. The clock in the city hall had
-resounded forth five strokes. Peaceful folk were in the realm of dreams
-that precede awakening. The roistering hundreds of a drunken night had
-gathered in places of vice and were sleeping away the liquor fumes. The
-streets were almost deserted.
-
-The great printing presses that had been reverberating with the thunders
-of a Jove, gathering and recording the news from the four quarters of
-the earth, had paused and all was still. Here and there morning papers
-were on the streets and the preliminary work was in progress of sending
-them forth to the front doorsteps of the homes of rich and poor, from
-one end of the city to the other. Then, without warning, just eighteen
-minutes after the city clock had tolled its five strokes, one of the
-greatest news items and tragedies of the world's history was enacted.
-An historical milestone of the centuries was on that eventful morning
-chiseled on the shore line of the Pacific Coast.
-
-Suddenly from the womb of sleeping silence, from far below the earth's
-crust, just as the dawn of a new day began purpling the eastern sky,
-there came forth a rumbling and muttering of unearthly noises like the
-collapsing of palaces of glass or the clanking of giant chains. It came
-from beneath the entire city and was borne upward and abroad on the
-startled wings of a mysterious fear. It was a shrieking, grinding
-confusion of subterranean thunder, like the booming of heavy artillery
-in battle. It was deafening in its dreadfulness, and drove terror to
-the heart of the hardiest. It sounded to the affrighted people as if two
-mighty armies of lusty giants of the underworld were grappling in
-mortal combat and in their ferocious anger were unwittingly breaking
-the earth's fragile shell into yawning cracks and criss-cross fissures.
-Mount Tamalpais was fluttering like the wings of a snared pigeon.
-
-In the space of seconds, the whole populace awoke, excepting those who
-had answered the last call; for some there were, pinned under falling
-walls, who were overtaken by swift death in the very act of awakening.
-
-The uncounted number that were crushed to death and had life's door
-closed to them forever, no one will ever know. In the forty-eight
-seconds that followed the beginning of the deep guttural bellowing
-of hideous noises from somewhere below the earth's surface, buildings
-rocked and heaved and twisted, while heavy objects of household
-furniture were tumbled across rooms from one corner to the other and the
-occupants helplessly tossed from their beds.
-
-Such an awakening, such lamentations, such cursing, such prayers, and
-then into the debris-littered streets the multitude began pouring forth,
-half-clothed, wild and panic-stricken.
-
-The stunning shock, like a succession of startled heart-beats, lasted
-twelve seconds less than one minute, but those who experienced
-the ordeal say it seemed an eternity--forty-eight seconds--terrible
-seconds--of sickening, swaying suspense. A heaving earth, jerking,
-pulsing to and fro in mad frenzy, while countless buildings were swaying
-and keeping time to a wild hissing noise like the noise of boiling,
-blubbering fat in a rendering caldron.
-
-It was the dawn of a new day abounding in hideous noises--detonations of
-falling masonry, the crash of crumbling, crushing walls, the shrieks
-of maimed and helpless victims--and all the people stupefied with a
-terrible fear, women weeping in hysterical fright and everyone expectant
-of they knew not what, unable to think coherently or reason, yet their
-voices filling the stricken city with cries and moans of heart-rending
-terror and lamentation. And all the while there came up from somewhere
-an unearthly threatening roar that awed the multitude into unnatural
-submissive bewilderment.
-
-At the end of eight and forty seconds the frantically tossed earth
-quieted--became normal and was still. Some of the buildings righted and
-were quiescent, and a moment of silence followed, except for the crowing
-of cocks, the whinnying of frightened horses and the whining of cowering
-dogs. This condition, however, was only of momentary duration.
-
-Almost immediately the streets became a wild scene of turmoil as the
-half-clothed, half-crazed men, women and children went rushing up and
-down in every direction, they knew not why nor where. Doors were broken
-open to allow egress, shutters were slammed, windows were hastily
-raised, and like a myriad of ants the rest of the people who until now
-had been penned up, struggled forth into open ways--thinly clad, some
-almost naked, trembling, gazing about awe-stricken, looking each at his
-fellow, indifferent to the destruction going on about them, each filled
-with prayerful thankfulness for life. Then, like a rehearsed orchestra
-of many voices, there arose, seemingly in unison, a chorus of
-heart-piercing wails and calls from thousands of throats for loved
-ernes--loved ones lost who could not answer.
-
-In the pale light of that April dawn, this vast army of survivors, while
-chilled with outward cold, shivered also with an unspeakable inward
-dread.
-
-Along the streets of proud San Francisco in every direction were huge
-masses of bricks, cornices, fallen ragged chimneys and walls, tumbled
-together in complex dykes of débris like the winrows of a hay field
-and interspersed with the dead and dying bodies of man and horse alike,
-vanquished in life's uneven contest.
-
-A little later in the vicinity of the ten-million-dollar courthouse,
-crowds of frightened people gathered, attracted perhaps by the terrific
-thundering of the mammoth stone slabs and concrete sides and columns of
-the structure, as, in their loosened condition from the steel skeleton,
-they kept crashing down upon the street in riotous disorder.
-
-Every block in the city held its tragedy, its silent evidence of a
-mighty internal upheaving of Goliath strength. There were hundreds
-of dead, while others lay maimed in tortured suffering, buried under
-wreckage, pinned down by the giant hands of the Angel of Destruction.
-The unfortunates still living were fastened like insects caught in
-traps, helpless, but hoping for relief, awaiting the unwritten chapter
-that was yet to come.
-
-The great earthquake of San Francisco had spent its force--its rude
-results lay in careless disheveled evidence on every hand--and now the
-nerve-strained, half-crazed and bewildered people caught the sound of
-fire bells clanging hurriedly into nearer distances.
-
-The fire hose and the corps of hook and ladder men came rushing with
-all speed, drawn by frenzied horses, hastily turning street corners and
-dashing around fallen walls while the automatic fire bells were cutting
-the air in metallic, staccato beats of wildest alarm. Soon the throbbing
-of the fire engines began and false hope sprung rife in the hearts of
-the people. Those running south on Market Street paused in bewilderment,
-not knowing which way to go, for fire calls and flames were evident,
-not in one location nor two, but in hundreds at widely separated places
-throughout the erstwhile magnificent metropolis of the Occident.
-
-Black columns of smoke began rising from ominous red furnace flames
-beneath, and curled lazily into the balm of the upper air, indifferent
-to the wails of the helpless unfortunates maimed and pinned beneath the
-wrecked buildings of a demolished and burning city.
-
-The murky smoke like mourning crape hung mutely above, while beneath
-its canopy life's sacrificial offering lay prostrate, the dying and
-the dead. The consuming flames spread quickly, and the horror of the
-hopeless condition of the injured was soon apparent, while the sobs
-and cries of the doomed victims became maddening because of the very
-impotency to succor them.
-
-The suddenness of it all did not give time for the rescuers. Then too,
-the smoke-blinded and half-choked people in the crowded, congested
-streets were stampeding toward the open country--to Golden Gate Park and
-the Presidio. Many of the trapped victims, well and strong, might have
-escaped but could not exert normal power to shake off the fetters
-that held them down under fallen wreckage too heavy for their hampered
-strength. It was a veritable bedlam, some cursing, some praying, most
-all crying loudly as if in crazed pain for assistance.
-
-The first paroxysm passed, the poor unfortunates seemingly became more
-patient, believing that relief would surely come. The crackling flames
-mounted higher and came alarmingly nearer. Finally, as the conflagration
-with a hurried sweep began to envelop these pinioned human beings, they
-shrieked in agony like lost souls in terrible anguish at a most horrible
-and certain death. Their voices rose with the rising of the flames until
-at last the piteous cries were hushed perforce, and only the crackling
-sound of burning wood and the forked tongues of raging red fire greeted
-the sun, that morning of April 18, as it climbed above the eastern
-mountains and looked upon the scene of woeful destruction.
-
-Is it any wonder that strong men wept? Is it to be marveled at that
-those separated from friends and relatives grew bewildered, frantic and
-crazed with grief and fear, and that chaos reigned supreme?
-
-Gradually amid the whirl of emotions there stepped forth men who until
-now had been stunned into silence and temporarily bereft of reason. The
-first staggering shock passed, they became possessed in a measure with
-calmness and courage. They girded their belts afresh and although many
-of them began by cursing the heartless, cruel fire and the terribleness
-of it all, they quickly and determinedly turned to the stupendous work
-of endeavoring to subdue its ravages.
-
-Then a new terror raised its ghostly head and held the people in a grip
-of deepest despair. The earthquake had broken the supplying water mains,
-and presently the city was without water and the fire engines and other
-fire-fighting apparatus were worthless junk. It was a grievous blow to
-momentarily raised hopes and courageous resolution.
-
-The flames raged on with the fleetness of race horses, eating out the
-heart of the city, burning it into cinders, and cremating the flesh and
-bone of fallen victims.
-
-Dynamite was brought into use, gunny sacks and bedding of all sorts were
-saturated with water from barrels and tanks. Grappling hooks and human
-hands made up the armament of puny defense against the over-powering and
-masterful flames of annihilation.
-
-Against these feeble weapons, the grim demon of fire planned an attack
-of certain devastation. It was as if his Satanic Majesty with all his
-imps were in their ruthless cunning directing a fiendish work that would
-permit no record but death to the unfortunate, no record to the proud
-city but gaunt-ribbed skeleton buildings, red hot cinders and blackened
-ash heaps.
-
-Overturned stoves in a thousand houses throughout the residential
-districts had early started a multitude of fires and split the
-fire-fighters into many divisions, and therefore into less effective
-units in their futile efforts even partially to check the mighty
-master--the devouring tempest of fire that crackled and sported in its
-insatiable greed.
-
-There was still to follow yet another misfortune, an execrable
-crime--that of wicked inhuman incendiarism. At places flames burst forth
-kindled by the hands of a coterie of merciless ghouls. These inhuman
-devils added to the calamities heaped upon their fellows by setting fire
-to unburned dwellings whose owners had fled. There was neither necessity
-nor reason for their dastardly acts. With sponges soaked in kerosene,
-they did this damnable work--indulging dreams perhaps of greater loot,
-greed and avarice in their cruel eyes, blackest hell in their debauched
-hearts.
-
-In the beginning of this losing fight with terrors of the fire king,
-seemingly unconquerable, only one ray of hope was discernible--there
-was no wind from ocean or bay in San Francisco that April morning. The
-clouds that filled the heavens with ominous blackness were only stifling
-smoke from the burning buildings below.
-
-High above the crimson snake-tongued flames the black smoke hung like a
-pall, silent and motionless, while fringing it around far away in every
-direction was the clear blue sky, serene, unfathomable.
-
-As the heroic work of fighting the fire demon progressed, it was soon
-discovered that the police were insufficient. Crowds of ghouls were
-pressing the firemen, while robbery, rapine and murder ran riot. Human
-blood that day was easily spilled. For the sake of pelf and plunder,
-life was cheap.
-
-The boldness of this lawless condition brought about its own remedy.
-Strong men arose in their might. Under able leadership they quickly
-formed a committee of safety. The National Guard was sent to help them.
-
-General Fred Funston of the U. S. Army telegraphed to the Secretary of
-War for authority, and within three hours was hurrying United States
-troops into the burning city, and immediately placed it under martial
-law. The crowds were quickly driven back by the soldiers, fire lines
-were established, government troops, guards and police all bent nobly to
-the task of endeavoring to subdue the flames. Buildings were dynamited
-to shut off the fire's progress, insubordinate as well as predatory
-ruffians were shot down without mercy, and thus was order brought out of
-chaos. But as the hours went by, despite all efforts, the gormandizing
-flames consumed acres and acres of buildings.
-
-Every wandering automobile was pressed into service and loaded with
-dynamite. Thus for hour after hour the losing fight with the merciless
-flames went on.
-
-As the fire burnt its way south on Market Street, the isolated centers
-crept toward each other with ever widening circles of flame. While there
-was no breeze to fan them on, yet the flames seemed possessed of some
-invisible means of progression--an unseen spirit of continued expansion
-lurked within. The buildings were like so much dry timber, igniting
-without direct contact of spark or flame, only from the tremendous heat
-that was generated. Sweeping on and on the different conflagrations at
-last came together--joined in greater strength, flared up hundreds of
-feet high, until it looked as if the entire city was one vast molten
-lake of undulating waves of fire.
-
-The roar of the flames could be heard far beyond the confines of the
-city--the immense columns and clouds of black smoke continued to sweep
-upward, until high aloft they spread out into the great canopy as if in
-shame they fain would hide from angels above the terrible destruction
-being wrought in this fiery pit below.
-
-As the hours went by, the exodus of people continued. The fascination of
-it all held the multitudes spell-bound. They for a time were forgetful
-of hunger, but moved on, this way and that as the burning districts
-compelled them to go. The public parks began to fill with refugees. The
-Presidio and the hills overlooking the city were blackened with throngs
-of people shivering from cold and beginning to suffer the pangs of
-hunger, the rich and the poor touching shoulders, condoling one with
-the other in lamentations. This surging mass of famishing humanity were
-clothed, or partially clothed, in strange and ridiculous costumes.
-
-Household goods littered the outlying streets. Most of the wayfarers who
-reached the country had little luggage. Many had carried some useless
-article nearest at hand, selected in their hurry without thought of its
-value or utility.
-
-One woman held a bird cage under her arm--empty, with the door swinging
-open. Another carried a carving knife in one hand and a feather-bedecked
-hat of gaudiness in the other. One man was seen dragging an old
-leather-bound trunk by a rope--investigation proved the trunk to be
-without contents.
-
-Notwithstanding the people had lost their all, and in most cases were
-famishing, yet the great mass were good-natured and tolerant, the strong
-helping the weak. The chivalry of the West and its rugged manhood abided
-in their midst There was a common brotherhood in the ranks of these
-homeless human beings. Distinctions between rich and poor were
-obliterated--they were all fellow refugees.
-
-No street cars were running in the city. Market Street, into which the
-greater number of street car railroad tracks converged, was littered
-with fallen buildings, useless hose and fire fighting apparatus, twisted
-beams, cinders, heaps of hot ashes and charred bodies of the dead.
-
-It was about eleven o'clock in the morning of the first day of this
-terrible devastation that the famous Palace Hotel had finally been
-emptied of its last guest. The rooms throughout were bestrewn with
-fallen plaster from ceiling and walls, but otherwise, strange to
-narrate, the structure had suffered but little damage from the
-earthquake while all around were collapsed and fallen buildings.
-
-At the Mission Street side of the building and on the roof the employees
-had fought bravely to save this noted hostelry. But as the noon hour
-approached they gave up all hope. Hurrying through the rooms of the
-departed guests in an endeavor to save, if possible, abandoned luggage,
-they gossiped about the "yellow streak," as they called it, of a
-world-noted singer--a guest of the hotel--who had been frightened almost
-to death by the earthquake and developed evidence of rankest selfishness
-in his mad efforts to save himself.
-
-Then in sadder tones they talked of the impending and inevitable
-destruction of the magnificent hotel, where most of them had been
-employed for years. As the heat from the on-sweeping flames began to be
-unbearable, they hurried away one by one until the famous caravansary
-was finally deserted by man and in full possession of the ruthless
-devouring flames.
-
-Great crowds stood on Montgomery Street near the site of the Union Trust
-Building and watched the burning of the Palace Hotel. Held back by
-the soldiers in mournful silence, the mass of people watched the
-angry flames leaping from roof and windows. Soon the fire spread to the
-Grand Hotel across the street. The flames shot up higher, and then when
-their task of destruction was finally finished, gradually sank down
-until nothing but roofless, windowless, bare bleak walls, gaunt,
-blackened and charred, were left--a grim ghost of the old hotel that
-boasted of a million guests during its gorgeous days of usefulness,
-and around which twined a thousand memories of the golden days of the
-Argonauts of California.
-
-Half a block away a newspaper building had been blown up by dynamite--a
-similar attempt with the Monadnock Building failed of its purpose.
-
-When night finally fell, those on the north side of Market Street
-rejoiced greatly, for it seemed that the fire, at least in the down-town
-business district, had burned itself into submission. So said a
-well-known milliner for men, as he ate a huge steak at a famous resort
-on the ocean shore and indulged heavily in champagne in celebration of
-the saving of his premises. He celebrated a day too soon--the following
-morning his business house was in ashes.
-
-To the few who were care-free in the sense that they had not lost
-relatives or friends, the panorama of the fire when darkness came
-on will never be forgotten because of the wonderful pyrotechnic
-display--the magnificent yet appalling splendor and beauty of the
-burning city.
-
-The scene was set as by a wonder-hand of stagecraft. The fire was raging
-fiercely in an immense pit--topographically the lowest part of the city.
-Around this pit the rising ground, like a Greek amphitheatre, stretched
-up toward the Sutro Estate and Ricon Hill on the one side and toward
-California Street, Nob and Telegraph Hills on the other. To the east
-was Alcatraz like a sentinel in the waters; across the Bay the cities
-of Alameda, Oakland and Berkeley. On every vantage point the people
-gathered--on the heights of Alcatraz and on the roofs of buildings in
-the trans-bay cities. In silence they gazed at the awe-inspiring drama
-of destruction that was being enacted before them.
-
-With the advance of night, the towering flames in this vast sweep
-of many miles of a circular fire line presented a scene that defies
-description. The general color effect was of a deep blood red, while
-the smoke as a background to the picture belched up in rolling black
-volumes, with here and there long forks of flashing fire shooting above
-the deep crimson glow of the mighty furnace.
-
-Before the roaring billows of flame the tallest buildings were as tinder
-wood in their helplessness. The Call Building, lifting its head high
-above its neighbors, was like an ignited match-box set on end. The
-living flaming wall behind overtopped it as a giant does a pigmy.
-
-Nine o'clock! Ten o'clock! Midnight!--and those who watched and waited
-and slept not, with nothing but excitement to stay their hunger, saw in
-the lurid light that by a flank movement the fire had unexpectedly crept
-far up Montgomery Street from the Ferry. The trade winds were stirring.
-The fire, in its pulsing undulations, presented the lure and the
-sensuous poetry of death. It barred all trespassing on the one side and
-burnt its way through on the other. It was seen that the entire banking
-district was doomed. Alas, the feeble protests of feeble men! It was
-a wild outlaw, untamed and untamable fire, that defied all human
-interference.
-
-And Chinatown--the world-noted Chinatown of San Francisco--what of
-that? It too had gone the way of annihilation. They say brutality was
-practiced, and it is whispered to this day that those in charge of
-dynamiting the Chinatown section of the city were careless and did not
-warn the inmates of opium dens--it is said they blew up many buildings
-that held within them, or in the grottoes beneath, innumerable inmates.
-Whether or not this is true no one can positively say. If true, there
-is some excuse. The Chinese dwellings were honey-combed underground with
-dark and devious passages, and it was perhaps impossible, for lack of
-time and dearth of knowledge how to penetrate these hidden recesses, to
-warn the drugged dreamers.
-
-In this district the fire raged as if possessed by a million devils.
-Over the city's tenderloin on the edge of Chinatown, it swept with a
-flame of reckless wrath and purification. Buildings whose very timbers
-were steeped in vice and immorality burned into ashes of cleanliness.
-The haunts of the lustful, the wine-bibber and the dope-fiend were
-consumed in a fashion horrible, terrible, pitiless and final.
-
-The city was burned into scrap iron of contortioned steel beams, ragged
-chimneys half broken and heaps of blackened cinder. As the hours went
-by it seemed the fire continually found new fuel to feed upon in its
-savagery and madness. The accumulation of days and years of human labor
-crumbled into nothingness. Thousands, then hundreds of thousands, then
-millions, until the enormous total reached $600,000,000 of wealth that
-was melted away in this fiery crucible!
-
-Egypt, cursed by Moses and weeping for its firstborn, was in no more
-pitiable plight than this calamity-visited city of San Francisco shaken
-by earthquake shock, then swept by fire.
-
-Four and one-half miles one way the fire travelled, then four and
-one-half miles the other it burned its devastating way. Behind it in
-its path of ruin were only cracked granite walls, twisted steel girders,
-crumbling and broken cornices; before it, a scattering field of a few
-untouched buildings yet to conquer.
-
-A Nero with an evil eye on a city's undoing, and the power of a wicked
-tyrant to fulfill his sordid wish, could have been no more ruthless in
-his dastardly heartless methods of destruction.
-
-When the fire was finally ended the buildings that had been burned, if
-placed in a row, would have extended for two hundred miles in a straight
-line.
-
-Never in the world's history has there been such a fire. The burning
-of ancient London was child's play beside it. Chicago's fire was a mere
-bagatelle. Never has the world read, never had the world dreamed, of
-such a conflagration. In days to come, grandfathers will tell of it
-to their grandchildren, nodding their sage old heads to emphasize the
-horror of it all, relating to the young people who gather about their
-knees, how great buildings supposed to be fire-proof crumpled up before
-the swirling sheets of melting flame and the entire city became a prey
-to the all-devouring conqueror. And this is the tragic story of proud
-San Francisco, cosmic-tossed and fire-beleaguered capital of the
-Occident.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Treasure of Hidden Valley, by
-Willis George Emerson
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